The Crossroads Journal Vol 16 No 8

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Vol.16 No.8

The Crossroads Journal is a First Mayor of Eagle Community Newspaper Mountain Debbie Hooge Returns as Grand Marshal of Pony Express Rodeo for 20 Year Celebration As the community of northern Utah County expands and develops, so does the resources for information and entertainment. The Crossroads Journal is a forum for the citizen’s of our community to share news with their friends and neighbors. It also serves as a place to find out more about what is going on.

We, at The Crossroads Journal, want to help get the word out about fundraisers, accomplishments and help provide a resource for sharing the things that don’t always fit into the larger papers in our area. We welcome input from our readers. We have grown from serving just small towns to sprawling cities in just a few years. There is a lot to read and write about! We invite articles from students about their schools, we want to help put the word out about a need in our commu

nity or a project that citizens of our area are helping with across the world.

We hope you will utilize this newspaper and that you will share the word with your neighbors and friends. The Eagle Mountain and Saratoga Springs areas have enjoyed the paper as a community resource for over 16 years. The addition of the web page and the access to information 24/7 has expanded our reach.

As the newspaper has expanded, so has the delivery service. The Crossroads Journal is now delivered by the United States Postal Service to the homes and businesses in our area. In an ever growing and changing area, we hope you find value in this community paper. Our vision and purpose is to serve you! Please feel free to contact and share your stories and information with us at: http://www. thecrossroadsjournal.com/Submit-News and http://www.thecrossroadsjournal. com/Contact

“Fairyland” Statues Rescued

by Lifelong AF Resident

By Matthew Gary Milam Writer

Sometimes, an Eagle Scout Project can produce unexpected, added results.

This is true in the case of an Eagle Scout project completed by Paul Strong and his Eagle Scout son. While helping his son with a project at the Utah State Developmental Center (across from the Timpanogos Temple), Paul Strong noticed within the cavity of a tree, “a cute little figure staring back at [him].” Turns out, this little figure was one of a couple of gnome-like statues that had been abandoned and partially buried since the days when the Utah State Developmental Center was the Utah State Training School. In American Fork days of yore, a park called “Fairyland” sat on a portion of the current USDC property from the 1950s to the 1970s.

The “dwarfs”—as Strong calls them—are relics from this magical place that only older AF residents might remember from their younger days.

Strong says that he was not actually the one who discovered the statues, and that Park Department employees had known about them for years, but had forgotten about them or simply didn’t know what to do with them. His son’s Eagle Scout project included plastering over the name “Fairyland,” on the sign that sat at the entrance to the old park, and replacing it with the park’s current name, “Quail Cove.” Strong recalls, “I thought to myself when we placed those new letters on that sign over the old words, that it was the final straw and that nothing now remained of that fun and glorious park that held such wonderful memories for me and thousands of others, from 1956 to 1976.”

Strong asked the City of American Fork

By Guest Writer Hanna Hopkinson

Moving back to Utah after more than a decade away, Debbie Hooge became part of an elite group of people; the people who would pioneer the city of Eagle Mountain.

In 1994, her initial role was land acquisition, for what are now the subdivisions of Cedar Pass Ranch and North Ranch. It was an area known to locals for hunting rabbits and riding 4-wheelers.

“Some people saw the area as a dry, dusty desert,” remembers Hooge. “But, Cedar Pass and the Cedar Valley have their own unique natural beauty. I loved its’ openness, its’ quiet, and the clear starry nights.”

Unfortunately, after only two years, Hooge and her partners hit a wall with Utah County.

This wall greatly inhibited the area’s growth.

So, they sought a way to continue with their vision and development of the land. They were able to strike a deal with a developer, and in 1996 the formation of Eagle Mountain began.

Once the deal was in motion, Hooge found herself in the process of creating Utah’s newest town. She personally took around the petition for incorporation, and was able to present it to the Utah County Commission.

It was during that process Hooge was given the unique opportunity of not only forming a town, but becoming its first mayor as well.

“When I went to present the petition for incorporation to theUtah County Commission, Governor Herbert (one of the county commissioners at the time) asked if I was willing to serve as mayor.” Hooge explains. “I agreed to, and was appointed mayor in December of 1996.” She served until an official election was held in 1997, where she reclaimed her title as mayor. Hooge paid for many initial town costs out of her own pocket, and refused the later allotted stipend. if he could take and restore the statues and then present them back to the USDC to display them so that everyone could continue to remember Fairyland. After some persistence by Paul Strong, the city agreed. Now the figures will be placed at the new entrance to the USDC administration building in a small garden. The garden will be landscaped by none other than Paul Strong’s own nephew, completing the landscaping as his Eagle Scout project. “When I saw Fairyland was located on the campus of the Utah State Training School (now USDC) for the developmentally disabled.

The park was built during the tenure of the training school’s most-honored superintendent, Dr. Vernon F. Houston, who “believed in doing everything possible to enhance the lives of the [Ttaining school] residents.” According to the website, “Zetta’s Apron Fairyland Park BlogSpot/ carousel of happiness,” Dr. Houston developed a campus recreation program with dances, outings, and other sports.

Some of Hooge’s greatest accomplishments surrounded creating the infrastructure needed to build a town. At the time, Rocky Mt. Power and Questar refused to service the area. The only way to move forward with any development was to create an infrastructure and utility system of their own.

Thanks to her hard work and dedication, Eagle Mountain is now home to over 20,000 residents. It is a place people love to live; a place she is very proud to have been a part of creating. “It was fun. It was pioneering. It was exhilarating. It was hard work. I loved every minute of it.” Pony Express Rodeo May 27, 28, 30 @7pm www.ponyexpressevents.com

When the park was complete, it featured both a miniature railroad with a tunnel and a merry-go-round, taken from the old Saltair Resort, located along the southern shores of the Great Salt Lake. The training school park was also graced with a bronze statue of Dr. Houston, erected by grateful parents of then, and former, training school students. entrance to the USDC building as a happy reminder of Utah yesteryear that little face hidden under that tree, my heart said that I must save and restore the only thing left to remember,” Strong felt. This figure and one other that had been badly damaged--”a dwarf riding a deer”—constitute the pair of whimsical relics that will grace the. Strong reminisces, “My family would take us to Fairyland to play, on many occasions. City events were also allowed to happen there. It was a magical place where all the characters you read about came to life and you were able to play in and on them.

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Vol.16 No.8 - Online All the Time - TheCrossroadsJournal.com

“Fairyland” Statues Rescued by Lifelong AF Resident

By Linda Petersen Writer

Continued from page 1

These included a train, a castle, a beanstalk, a giant shoe, a gingerbread house, a carousel, and even a 25-foot pied piper.

So I knew what the figures were when I first saw them under the tree. I just didn’t want them to stay there and be slowly destroyed. I just wish I could document where they were in the park and what they were.

Some people say they were just gnomes that were placed under the tree and others say they were the Seven Dwarfs and that Snow White was also there. I have a map of the park, but it doesn’t show them. I’m hoping someone can produce a photo of them all together.

Counting the two I have, I have seen photos of three others, making it five of the seven dwarfs in all. Not even the Historical Department of the USDC has photos of them. My belief is that they were all displayed around the tree with Snow White, and over time the tree just grew up and slowly covered them over. If that is the case, they have been entombed there, silently waiting to be found and restored, for over 40 years. I [plan to] place the statues in the garden first and complete the landscaping soon after that. The statue of Vernon Houston, superintendent and founder of Fairyland at the time, will also be placed next to the Fairyland exhibit. I will include some before and after pictures as well.”

Paul Strong has been a lifelong resident of American Fork. He attended Greenwood Elementary School and both American Fork Junior and Senior High

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Schools (Graduating AF High in 1974).

He served an LDS Mission to Japan.

Paul met his wife, Shauna (also of AF) in 1981. Very shortly thereafter, he began a 36-year career with the US Post Office, working first as a letter carrier, then clerk, and subsequently, instructor. He currently works as a Business Mail Technician, handling High Volume Mailers. Paul and his wife plan on retiring in about four years and plan to serve an LDS Mission.

They have five children and seven grandchildren.

Incidentally, the Fairyland statues are not the only piece of American Fork history Paul Strong has saved for community posterity. If you look up at American Fork High School, you will see the large-block letters “AF” sitting on top of the school.

Strong rescued these letters from the old American Fork Junior High School before it was going to be torn down. No doubt, for the lovers of local nostalgia, it’s certainly good to have a guy like Paul Strong around.

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Alpine City is testing out new electronic water meters. On April 26, the city council approved the purchase of the Badger Meter Orion Cellular Starter Kit (cost: $1,999.99) which can remotely read 10 separate meters for up to four months.

City officials have been looking at automating the city’s culinary water and pressurized irrigation systems for some time.

The Badger Meter system would track the city’s culinary water.

Currently, a six-man city crew manually reads all the meters just twice a year, at the end of March and at the end of September, over a three-day period. (There are 2,600 connections in the city.) Water customers are billed on an average based on those readings. Public Works Director Shane Sorenson said with this way of doing things, “It can cause problems reading only twice a year.” If a homeowner has a leak that never surfaces, they may first realize they have a problem only months later when they get hit with a huge bill,” he said.

Additionally, if water usage signifi-

cantly decreases over a previous average, the homeowner “can get hit really hard” with the larger bill. Conversely, if a home’s water use significantly increases, because of the inaccurate average, the city has to absorb that additional cost.

The Badger Meter Onion Cellular utilizes a cellular network (and the Cloud) to read meter data and transfer that data into the city’s billing system. The software can be customized to fit the city’s needs. The Badger system reads meters hourly and can notify the system administrator of any problems, such as leaks or obstructions. Since it can read backwards, it can also detect any cross-connections between culinary and irrigation systems. If the city switches over to the system, each homeowner would be billed only for the water he/she uses, utilizing accurate real-time data. With this system the homeowner can monitor his/her water usage with just a smart phone.

The Public Works Department has proposed a system-wide upgrade to electronic meters for next year’s budget.

The cost is significant: $400,000. The city council will review the proposal, along with all other budget requests, before it makes a final determination in June.

Lone Peak Police Blotter Our prescription drug take-back day was a success. We had a total weight of 61 lbs. that were turned in this past Saturday. If by chance you missed it, we have a prescription drug drop box here at the station that you can dispose of those unwanted prescriptions at any time. We’d like to thank CVS Pharmacy and those that utilized this service.

There was a knock at a victims door and when the victim didn’t answer, three people (two females and one male) just walked into the house. The three claimed to be going door to door selling cleaning supplies. We were not able to find the three because this was a delayed report.

Please share this. This could be people trying to see if anyone is home and then just letting themselves in to burglarize the place. It’s happened before.

Theft - Highland - Officer Wagstaff took a theft report of an item taken out of a home under construction. Officer Wagstaff is currently waiting for more information on the item taken.

Fraud - Highland - A Highland resident reported receiving a phone call from the “Sheriffs Office.” The caller told our reporting party that they failed to appear in court and now they are being fined $1000.

(I’ll tell you what, If I had a nickel for every scam out there, I’d HAVE $1000. Again, be vigilant with ANYONE requesting money over the phone.)

Solicitors - Alpine - At approximately 9:30 PM, Officer Farnsworth was dispatched on a solicitors call. The reporting party thought it was too late for the individuals to be selling their cleaning products.(I agree that 9:30 at night is too late. Heck, I’m usually asleep at that time) Officer Farnsworth located the male who told Officer Farnsworth, “Don’t bother stopping, just keep driving.” Well Officer Farnsworth did stop, (of course).

He found the male was selling without a license. Officer Farnsworth then let the male know to “not stop and keep walking until he gets to his ride.” (I made up that last part, but I’m sure it did go something like that) Animal Problem - Highland - Officer Carrier was dispatched on an animal problem. The reporting party advised

there was an unknown animal in her garage and she was afraid to go out and have it harm her. Officer Carrier arrived and found the animal was a kitty cat that had made itself at home and wouldn’t leave the garage. Officer Carrier let the complainant know she could obtain cat traps from the department to catch the cat.

Traffic Offense/Accident/DUI - Alpine - Officers were dispatched on a report of a vehicle that had been driving into oncoming traffic. The vehicle was now pulled over and the driver was being detained by citizens. The complainant advised that the driver appeared to be under the influence. Officer Albers arrived and found the vehicle had struck a parked vehicle. Because of the driver’s condition, (impaired-wise, not injury-wise) she was transported to the hospital. She was eventually arrested for DUI. Accident - Highland - Officer Susov investigated an accident at Timpanogos Hwy and 5600 W. He found a motorcycle was attempting to cross Timp. Hwy, accelerated quickly and, because of the extra weight of a passenger on the back, popped a wheelie. (Well, it was a “wheelie” for a moment before the motorcycle completely flipped over.) At least one individual was transported to the hospital with minor injuries.

Quite a few other calls on this date, but unless you want me to tell you about teenagers writing on each others windshields with white marker, I’m moving on to the next day.

Warrant - Highland - While patrolling Officer Nielson observed a female walking down the sidewalk in which Officer Nielson had known had a felony warrant.

Officer Nielson made contact with the female and placed her under arrest. She was transported and booked just in time for dinner at county.

Courtesy of Lone Peak Police Face book page WWW.lonepeakpolice.com

Alpine celebrates Trails Day with park cleanup

By Linda Petersen Writer

Once again Alpine City will tackle a cleanup at Lambert Park on June 4 for National Trails Day. Last year, the first year the city did such an event, they had an “amazing turnout,” according to Trails Committee member Will Jones. “We had more than 500 people show up. It was awesome and we were able to get so much done,” Jones said.

Along with clearing out noxious weeds such as myrtle spurge and houndstooth from trails, last year the volunteers replaced two large river bridge crossings and put erosion control walls through

several trails. This year the committee hopes volunteers will come out to help complete a major repair of one of the major bridges and redirect and clean two trails, along with the removal of the noxious weeds.

Jones said volunteers need to donate just two hours from 8 to 10 a.m. that morning for the job. They’re meeting at the Lambert Park Bowery, (off Box Elder Drive south of the rodeo grounds) at 8 a.m. Bring shovels, hoes, rakes and pruners if you have them.

If you have questions, you can call Jones at 801-376-7239.

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Swinton for U.S. Senate - Washington Needs A Marriage Counselor

Bubmitted by Gary T Forbush

Jonathan Swinton is a licensed marriage and family therapist and successful small business owner. Jonathan attributes his passion for public service to the example of his second-great-grandr mother, Alice Merrill Horne, the first woman to serve in the Utah House of Representatives.

Jonathan’s professional training, experience, and entrepreneurial grit make him qualified to serve as senator. A nationally renowned relationship expert, he holds a PhD in Marriage and Family Therapy from Kansas State, which awarded him the Alumni Entrepreneur Award for his business acumen, creating a network of marriage counseling clinics in Utah. He earned a B.F.A. from Utah State.

Like you, Jonathan is tired of the divisiveness in Congress. “We need a senator who understands how to find solutions to complicated problems when opinions differ and emotions are high. In my counseling, I listen to people who passionately disagree with each other, and help them find a way to work together. As I watch

congressional politicians use obstructionist approaches I know will not work, it is obvious to me - Washington needs a marriage counselor. That’s what I am.”

A native Utahn, Jonathan served a mission for the LDS Church to England.

He and his wife, Annie, have two sons.

Find out more at www.VoteSwinton.com and vote in the June Primary Election!

Saratoga Springs Walmart Ribbon Cutting for the new Online Grocery Grand Opening Wednesday May 18, 2016

CIVIL WAR ENCAMPMENT AT CAMP FLOYD STATE PARK Fairfield - Camp Floyd State Park is hosting a Civil War Encampment on Memorial Day Weekend, May 28 and 30, 2016 at Camp Floyd State Park. The event will allow visitors to experience camp life and participate in several activities performed by soldiers of Johnston’s Army. See re-enactors drill and fire period muskets. Visit the graves of soldiers who died in the service of our country. Have your children learn military drill with a toy musket and wear a period uniform. Visit the camps of civilian and military re-enactors and play period games. See artifacts from Camp Floyd from the time it was occupied (1858-1861) in our museum and tour the historic Stagecoach Inn which was in operation from 1858 to 1947. You can even visit a settler’s tent and take a ride in a stagecoach (The stagecoach will only be available on Monday, May 30th).

Come on out and join us for this family-friendly event. The events will be con-

ducted 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on both days.

All events (except stagecoach rides) are free of charge. Standard museum entrance fees of $3 per person or $9 per family still apply. Food concession will be available to purchase at the event.

Established in 1858, Camp Floyd housed the largest concentration of U.S. troops then in the United State. The troops were sent to Utah to suppress a rumored Mormon rebellion which never took place. The army was recalled back east in 1861 for the Civil War emergency. Today, the park museum houses artifacts and exhibits from this historic event.

Camp Floyd State Park is located in the town of Fairfield, 22 miles southwest of Lehi on State Highway 73. For more information about the event or park, please contact the park at 801-7688932.

NUVI opens new headquarters at Thanksgiving Point

By Linda Petersen Writer

NUVI, a Utah-based social media monitoring and analysis platform, has opened a 45,000-square-foot facility at Thanksgiving Point in Lehi. The new facility includes a 720-square-foot “Command Center” which has six 48-inch HD screens that display millions of conversations from social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+, YouTube and more than 20 million RSS feeds. NUVI searches the social media arena for terms that are important to the consumer or businesses and then presents the findings in a format customers can utilize.

The company currently has 85 Utah customers, with 1,200 clients worldwide.

Employing more than 120 at its Utah location, NUVI provides its services to customers ranging from government and educational institutions to online marketplaces, public relations and advertising agencies. “Being able to locate,

see, understand, and act by identifying trends early and joining in on the conversation at the right moment is critical,” NUVI CEO Cameron Jenson said. “Our new office is creative and energetic and is the ideal space to help us retain and attract top talent.”

“I am thrilled to have NUVI join our community,” Lehi Mayor Bert Wilson said. “Lehi has become known as the silicon slopes for the number of innovative tech companies that have chosen to relocate their business operations here.” The company moved to its new facility from a smaller office north of Thanksgiving Point after doubling in size over the last two years. “They say it can’t be done, but NUVI proves that isn’t always the case,” Wilson said. “Once a small tech startup of only a handful of employees, NUVI has beaten the odds to make a name for themselves, and it is impressive to now see them occupy a high-rise office building along the tech corridor.

NUVI Chairman Keith Nellesen is a former owner of Vivint.

Good Life There is beauty all around us in this norther part of Utah County. Several of my friends went to the tulip festival at Thanksgiving Point. They all said it was beautiful. Tulips are my favorite flowers.

The sad part is they only last ten to twenty days.

I loved to visit the Tulip days in Sagit Valley in the north west part of Washington state. The fields of color and flowers stretched for miles. It’s an awesome sight.

Many years back my wife Sandy decided to landscape our flower gardens for our little place in Kearns. Tulips were the dominate flower in the garden. When we moved to our new home in Saratoga Springs she created the most beautiful flower garden on earth. A quarter of our front yard is taken up by the flower beds.

By Sterling Parker Writer

In early spring we enjoy the beauty of the purple, red, yellow and whites blending into an amazing color scheme. Also Mr. Otley across the street has his own gorgeous tulips. There is no need to travel thousands of miles to see beauty around us. We are crooning over our beautiful flowers. We also can enjoy the mountains, lakes and foothills of our own beautiful area. The beauty all around us helps us enjoy the good life.

Now the big problem is: are we going to be able to keep the grass watered?

This is what I am worried about. I water and fertilize. The weeds in the yard are growing tall. I guess that is why I have such a good wife. She will keep those weeds under control. So that I can enjoy the Good life.

Good Wife - Good Life

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Vol.16 No.8 - Online All the Time - TheCrossroadsJournal.com

Eagle Mountain City Council--April 19 Meeting

By Matthew Gary Milam Writer

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Industry Outsider Gear Review: Brunton Lightwave Beam Rechargable Camp Light The Brunton Lightwave Beam packs a wallop for being the smallest of Brunton’s Lightwave lamp line. I have been testing out the Beam for a few weeks and I can say that I am really impressed with it. 120 lumens may not sound like much, but this little guy is BRIGHT. The Beam can easily light your path as you navigate from your tent to the water spout or latrine in the darkest of nights.

In my test, I was able to get four hours of continuous light on the high setting.

However, it kept emitting useful light (not as bright) for 7.5 hours total. Pretty dang impressive. I did not test the continuous light time for the low light setting. It also has a red light setting. One little feature I like is that when I switch the light off, it emits a glow and the front charging lights remain lit. This gives me a little time to get myself situated in my tent before it goes out completely. I also like the folding handle on the top. It has a built in hook and makes hanging it up as easy as can be.

It is very portable. It’s only around 8” tall and 3” in diameter. Weighing in at just 7.5 oz on my scale, it is barely noticeable.

Everyone who picks it up comments on how light it is. Charging the Beam is painless. Its Micro-USB cable connects easily to a laptop, USB wall adapter, or a port in your car. I even charged it from a PS4 just to see if it would work. The Beam charges quickly, taking around 40 minutes from total drain. The front of the Beam has four amber lights to indicate its current charge level, each light representing twenty five percent. So when I have three lit, it’s at 75% and if all four are lit it is ready to go.

No guessing here.

As far as device charging capabilities

are concerned, it made short work of my iPod6. It also was able to charge my iPad, wireless bluetooth earbuds and a Bluetooth speaker. I tested my Playstation Vita, but it was not able to charge it. While not mentioned on Brunton’s website, this light is awesome for wrenching in the garage. It lights up the entire underside of my VW! As awesome as this light is, I would really like to see a small storage space for the Micro-USB cable built into the light.

I have a tendency to forget cables and it would really make it easier if I could stow it in the lamp itself.

Again, this light packs a serious punch and weighs next to nothing. It is easy to charge and is a nice backup for charging your mobile devices. If you are looking for a powerful light (especially if weight is a factor) check out Brunton’s Lightwave Beam. www.brunton.com -Andy Interested in reading more Outdoor and Cycling gear reviews? Visit us at www. industryoutsider.com/

Public Hearings/Motions Approved-Denied/Bids Awarded The following approved motions were included in this session of the City Council: A motion passed with a unanimous vote to amend Chapter 7.05.030 of the Municipal Code to include a definition for “Smoking,” to clarify the types of smoking prohibited in city parks. This amendment is at the request of the City Council in support of the Utah County Health Department’s OUTRAGE program, which works to reduce smoking among teenagers. This amendment clarified the prohibition against smoking in city parks to include any oral smoking device, such as electronic cigarettes.

A motion passed with a unanimous

By Linda Petersen Writer

Student registration is now open.

The Literacy Center is also currently recruiting tutors for: Mondays (6 tutors), Tuesdays (20 tutors), Wednesdays (20 tutors), and Thursdays (3 tutors). Restructuring the program has allowed the Literacy Center to reduce the volunteer commitment from two days a week to one day a week, which staff hopes will aid in the process of tutor recruitment and retention.

Students and volunteer tutors can register online at www.saratogaspringscity.com/library. Click on “Events,” select “Literacy Center,” and under Registration, “Click Here” to register.

Upcoming Events/Information Pony Express Days - Pony Express Days will be held June 2-4. Registration information is available for carnival vendor booths and parade entries.

Home décor and other boutique vendors welcome. Visit emcity.org/ped.

Pony Express Rodeo Arena - Check out upcoming events at the Pony Express Rodeo Arena at www.ponyexpressspecialevents.com. Events include the rodeo, demolition derby, and Endurocross.

Target Shooting - BLM is seeking public comment regarding target shooting in the East Lake Mountains. Visit the city website, News section for details.

Creekside Theatrefest presents “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and “Once on This Island” Creekside Theatrefest, a collaboration

Saratoga Springs Literacy Center Expands The Saratoga Springs Library opened approximately 5 years ago as an all-volunteer organization. At approximately that same time, Devon McPherson began the Literacy Center as a volunteer-run tutoring program for reading.

Now, the library has been able to expand from the 20 hours a week of service to the current 41 hours of service. The Literacy Center was incorporated into the library in 2014 and began transitioning from a volunteer-only program to having a combination of limited staffing and volunteers. The Literacy Center activities are currently managed by Library Clerk Molly Cozzens, plus a team of volunteers. There is a small fee for students participating in the programs which covers the cost of supplies.

Mayor/ City Council Items At this Eagle Mountain City Council meeting, those congratulated included the newly-crowned Miss Eagle Mountain royalty-- Kaylie Blacka, 1st Attendant Sara Hafen, and 2nd Attendant Courtney Reall-- and the city’s Woman of the Year, Emma Evans. Additionally, Mayor Pengra and the council were presented

by Rodeo Queen 1st Attendant, Jani Rae, in behalf of the Special Events Committee, with tickets for the upcoming Pony Express Rodeo. Mayor Pengra thanked Ms. Rae for helping run the events at the rodeo arena.

Also at this session, Mr. Pili and Mayor Pengra and staff were presented by Brent Oakeson of the Utah Local Governments Trust with the TAP Award (Trust Accountability Grant). Mr. Oakeson congratulated city staff on completing the requirements and stated that of the 500 government entities that are members of the Utah Local Governments Trust, only 77 have received the grant.

Also, Hannah Nearman was appointed to the Youth Council to complete Annabelle Peterson’s term ending on June 30, 2016. City Recorder Fionnuala Kofoed administered the oath of office to Ms. Nearman.

Finally, on April 29—the newly-proclaimed Eagle Mountain City Arbor Day--the city completed a tree-planting project in honor of it. The city received a $600 grant from the Arbor Day Foundation that was used for planting the trees.

vote to approve the Utah County 2016 Municipal Recreation Grant in the amount of $13,823.02. for use on the Hidden Canyon park trail extension. The Utah County Commission has determined the funding for the 2016 Municipal Recreation Grant Program. Funds for this program come from the Tourism, Recreation, Culture and Convention Tax and the allocations to cities are determined by population, based on the 2013 State of Utah Official Census Data. This year’s allocation to Eagle Mountain is $13,823.02. Staff proposed to install an asphalt trail in the Hidden Canyon Park that would connect to the Bud Evans Trail.

Public Comments (None this session) Youth City Council The City Council voted unanimously to adopt an ordinance amending Chapter 2.45, Youth Council, of the Municipal Code, as proposed by the Youth Council: The Youth Council will now change the number of advisors from three to two, as it’s difficult to find three advisors; remove the item that refers to working with the mayor, council and department heads; will allow 7th graders to be appointed to committees; will discontinue the Public Works, Public Safety and Planning & Zoning committees; will change the dates they report information to the city recorder and remove the requirement to keep a historical scrapbook; will remove the requirement for being a registered voter from the requirements to serve on the Youth Council; will change the date of the Youth Council election to June so the election will have a better turnout; and they will add additional voting locations.

between Highland City and Cedar Hills arts councils, will kick off its first season June 15 with two shows with alternating nights at the Heritage Park Amphitheater, 4425 West Cedar Hills Drive in Cedar Hills.

William Shakespeare’s classic “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” portrays the events surrounding the marriage of the Duke of Athens, Theseus, and Hippolyta. These include the adventures of four young Athenian lovers and a group of six amateur actors (the mechanicals), who are controlled and manipulated by the fairies who inhabit the forest in which most of the play is set.

“Once on This Island,” a musical, concerns a peasant girl on a tropical island who uses the power of love to bring together people of different social classes. It includes elements of the Romeo and Juliet story and elements of the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale “The Little Mermaid.”

Tickets for each performance and preshow are $10 for adults; children 4-11 and seniors are $8 (children under 4 free).

In addition to the productions, Theatre Fest will offer free activities (included with the price of a ticket) before or after each performance.

Performances: A Midsummer Night’s Dream

June, 17, 21, 23 and 25 Once on This Island June 16, 18, 20, 22, 24 and 27 Event Schedule: Thursday, June 16, Children’s PreShow, 7:15 p.m.

Friday, June 17, Talk-Back with Cast and Crew- Immediately following performance Saturday, June 18, Children’s PreShow, 7:15 p.m.

Monday, June 20, Family Picnic and Island Games with cast and crew, 6 p.m.

Tuesday, June 21, Creekside CabaretImmediately following performance Wednesday, June 22, Creekside Cabaret- Immediately following performance Thursday, June 23, Children’s PreShow, 7:15 p.m.

Friday, June 24, Talk-Back with Cast and Crew- Immediately following performance Saturday, June 25, Children’s PreShow, 7:15 p.m.

Monday, June 27, Family Picnic and Island Games with cast and crew, 6 p.m.

Concerts in the Park Cedar Hills will begin its Concerts in the Park series at the Heritage Park amphitheater on Sat., June 16, beginning at 5:30 p.m. The country band, All Out Relentless, will perform first, and then a second band called FLASHBACK Brothers will perform at 7 p.m.

The series will continue with concerts on July 16 and Aug. 13 (details to be announced).

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“Celebrate Art Talents” with It’s Festival the Timpanogos Art time in Foundation

By Linda Petersen Cedar Hills Writer The Timpanogos Art Foundation is sponsoring its annual children’s summer workshop series “Celebrate Art Talents” for children ages 6 - 12, Monday, June 20 - Thursday, June 23. Registration is now open.

There will be separate classes for children ages 6 to 8 from 10:30 a.m. to noon and ages 9 to 12 from 12:30 to 2 p.m. Class sizes are limited to 20 children per class. The cost for all four days is $25 and all art supplies are provided.

Over the course of the four days, students will enjoy a different activity each

day including experiences with various art concepts and media such as water color, pastels and color pencils.

All classes will be held in Room #3, American Fork Recreation Center at 454 North Center. Classes will be taught by art instructor Liz Evans. Children from throughout the county are welcome to participate.

To register your child, visit timpanogosart.org or contact Sydney Thomas by email, sydney24@q.com or phone, 801-756-3738.

There will be another session for children Tuesday, July 26-Friday, July 29. Contact Sydney Thomas for more information.

Orem City is building a park for children of all-abilities

By Christy Jepson Writer

Imagine being a child in a wheelchair and wanting to play like other boy and girls at the playground. You can’t go very far, your wheelchair can’t move through the wood chips, the play structure has steps and bridges which you can’t cross, because of your limited mobility, and there is no way for you to swing. Now imagine a playground where every child can play together no matter if they have a disability or not. Coming this September, the “All-Together Playground” will be built in Orem. This new playground will allow for children of all disabilities and differences to be able to play on the same play structure with their friends and family members.

It all started when Mindy Gleason noticed that at age two her daughter, Presley, started getting sick. Presley’s health got worse which lead to a diagnosis of spinal muscular atrophy with respiratory distress. Presley needed a wheelchair to get around. Even though her mom still tried to take her on normal playdates to the park, this new experience in a power chair became a struggle and a frustrating experience for both of them.

Five years later, Mindy noticed on the City of Orem’s Facebook page a space for public comment and suggestions on how the community should use the CARE tax money that had to be used for arts or recreation. Realizing that many children who had disabilities were unable to fully use playgrounds at parks, like her daughter, she knew that an all-abilities playground could help so many children who were in the same situation.

Soon after she suggested this idea, the City of Orem contacted her to discuss her proposal. The city staff then approached the Orem City Council, who then approved the CARE tax proposal to be used for an “All-Together Playground.” The committee of the park now consists of: Mindy, Orem City staff, the United Way of Utah County, and Kids on the Move. They have all brought this idea to a reality to provide this unique playground for all the kids in the area.

Mindy thinks it is a wonderful opportunity to have children without disabilities play alongside those that do have differences and disabilities. “So let these kids with disabilities play alongside the kids who would be considered “normal”.

It’s good for all of them to recognize that everyone is different. It will be really

eye-opening for all involved,” says Gleason.

Because a lot of playgrounds have steps, walkways, narrow slides and bridges most children with disabilities can’t move around and play. This all-abilities playground will have several unique additions to help those children with disabilities. According to the press release the playground will have “wide slides and ramps, visual elements, sounds and sensory stations and will be fully fenced.” This “All-Together Playground” will benefit not only the 861 students in Orem elementary schools with special needs, but those around the valley.

Leathers & Associates was the company that was selected to build and customize the playground. Their projects are located in 50 states and seven other countries. The City of Orem also allowed local school children to submit design ideas for the playground and Leathers & Associates incorporated those ideas into their final design.

In late June, volunteers will help take down the existing playground at City Center Park in Orem and move the pieces to other playgrounds in the area.

On June 10, BYU basketball star, Jimmer Fredette will be at Orem High School to participate in a fundraising activity for the playground. He will shoot 100 threepoint shots which will allow businesses and people to pledge a dollar amount for each shot he can make. The playground’s goal is to earn $1500 per shot.

The famous comedian, Brian Regan, has also donated almost $10,000 towards the park to help purchase a swing which can carry wheelchairs. The money was donated from a portion of the ticket sales from his shows at the Vivint Smart Home Arena last month.

The ground breaking will take place in late June. The plan is for volunteers from all over Utah County to come together to build the playground in approximately one week’s time. Professional contractors will oversee and supervise this service project to make sure the playground is assembled safely. The “All-Together Playground” plans to open to the public by late September.

There are all-abilities playgrounds in Pocatello, Idaho; St. George, Utah; Clark County, Ohio; and Yuma, Arizona.

For more information about this playground or to help donate money or volunteer please visit their website at http://www.alltogetherplayground.com.

By Linda Petersen Writer

Cedar Hills will hold its annual Family Festival May 31 through June 4. The event is five days/nights of family activities, many of them free. “The festival provides a set of activities for every age in the community and brings people together. We’re really conscious of our theme: “Family Festival” so there’s something for everyone,” Festival Co-chair Keith Irwin said. “It’s easily our biggest activity of the year.”

The festival will have all the usual events it’s known for: a family swim night, classic car show, dinner and a movie at the amphitheater, fun run, Teen Festi-frenzy and the carnival. New this year, the festival committee has added a threeon-three soccer tournament (Wednesday) and a pickleball tournament (Saturday) to go along with the Firecracker Golf Tournament (Thursday). On Saturday, the festival will have an old-fashioned feel with a parade, children’s games and a baking contest, followed by a free concert at the Heritage Park Amphitheater at 6 p.m. with The FUNdeMENTALs and headliner Amiron Village. A fireworks spectacular will close out the festival at 10 p.m. at Mesquite Park.

And if it rains, organizers are prepared.

They have a back-up tent for dinner and the parade and fireworks will go ahead anyway (with the approval of the fire marshal). “This is a rain or shine festival,” Irwin said.

For events with a price tag, the festival committee is offering special advance ticket packages. Details are available at the city website at http://www.cedarhills. org/news-events/family-festival. The festival usually sees about 2,000 come out, but organizers have a “the more the merrier” attitude. “It’s one of the biggest

events for a town of our size - certainly in the Highland/Alpine/ Cedar Hills area. We invite the people of other cities in our area to come to the festival. We’re all neighbors,” Irwin said.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS Tuesday May 31 Kids Water Safety Event, Pleasant Grove Veterans Memorial Pool Pavilion, 5:30 p.m. (Free) Family Swim Night, Pleasant Grove Veterans Memorial Pool, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. ($2 advance purchase) Wednesday, June 1 3V3 soccer tournament, Mesquite Park ($50/team) Classic Car Show, Heritage Park, 6 - 9 p.m. (Free) Thursday, June 2 Firecracker Golf Tournament: Cedar Hills Golf Club, 8 a.m. ($180/team) Carnival, Heritage Park, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Fun Run, Cedar Ridge Elementary, 6 p.m.

(Free; donations accepted) Teen Festi-Frenzy, Heritage Park 8 - 11 p.m. (Free) Friday, June 3 Carnival: Heritage Park, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Dinner & Movie in the Park: Heritage Park Dinner 6:30 p.m. ($5/plate, or $7/per plate) Movie 8:30 p.m. Heritage Park amphitheater (Free) Saturday June 4 Pickleball Tournament 10 a.m., Lone Peak High School Tennis Courts, ($15/couple) Carnival, Heritage Park, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Children’s Games, Heritage Park, noon to 4 p.m. (Free) Baking Contest, Heritage Park Pavilion, 4 p.m. (Free) Concert in the Park, Heritage Park Amphitheater, 6 p.m. (Free) Fireworks Spectacular, Mesquite Park 10 p.m. (Free)

American Fork launches financial analysis platform

By Linda Petersen Writer

The city of American Fork is utilizing the latest advances in computer software to be more financially transparent to its residents. It recently launched a financial analysis platform called the Open Budget Portal which displays five years of government spending and revenue.

The platform features breakdowns of the expenses and revenues of the various city departments utilizing charts, graphs, basic tutorials and frequently asked questions to tell the city’s financial story and to explain it to residents. It also includes detailed annual city budgets from 2011-12 to 2016-17. It even has a section called Checkbook Account which shows the checks the city issues (although it does need to be updated). “Over a year ago, the council and administration established a goal to be more transparent in all government operations including finances,” City Administrator Craig Whitehead said.

Whitehead said that during the election there was a lot of misinformation regarding the city’s finances. As city officials looked for ways to get more accurate information out to residents, they came across the OpenGov.com software.

“It’s a portal into a program that citizens can access from their computer to look at our financial data,” Whitehead said. “If they wanted to look at how much the city spends on a certain line item, they can call up a chart or graph about it going back over the last five years.” “It also gives administration a powerful tool to do budget analysis,” he added.

The platform, at www.afcity.org/152/ Finance or https://americanforkut. opengov.com, is powered by OpenGov. com. The software costs the city $8,000 a year. According to OpenGov.com, more than 700 governments already use the platform to empower cities to “share financial information openly with citizens and staff, in just a few clicks; spot budget trends and make data-driven decisions and serve the community with increased transparency and trust.”

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Pony Express Rodeo May 27, 28, 30 7pm

tickets www.PonyExpressEvents.com

Eagle Mountain UTAH PONY EXPRESS DAYS

Start the summer off with Saratoga Splash Days

By Christy Jepson Writer

Saratoga Springs starts the summer with concerts, food trucks, baby contest, races, parades and much more at its annual Saratoga Splash Days June 6-11. There is something for everyone during the six-day celebration. The following is the schedule for the week.

Monday June 6: Food Trucks galore! Food trucks will be at Neptune Park from 5 pm-9 pm.

Come enjoy dinner and eating at the park.

Also on Monday night at Neptune Park, the Saratoga Springs Arts Council presents its 4th annual “Chalk, Walk and Boogie” sidewalk chalk contest. Bring your chalk and let the contest begin!

Free registration will begin at 6 pm and the awards will start at 8:20 pm. You can register as a family or individual, however, you must be 11-years or older to compete in an individual entry.

The Saratoga Springs Orchestra concert will begin at 7:30 pm.

Tuesday June 7: The Saratoga Springs Library will host its summer reading kickoff party at 10 am at Neptune Park. Come learn about the Summer Reading Program.

There will also be a Friends of the Library book sale in the basement of the Bank of American Fork building from 12 pm - 4pm.

In the evening, the Wild Wonders Animal Show will be at Neptune Park at 7 pm.

Wednesday, June 8: Come participate in the biggest water party in the community! Saratoga Splash Bash will be at 3 pm at the Sunrise Meadows Park. Make sure you remember to bring your water guns and dress appropriately as everyone will get wet.

Want to participate in a scavenger hunt throughout Saratoga Springs?

Come to the “Race, Swim...Play Ball!” event at 7:30 pm at Neptune Park. A prize will be given to the winning group and the first 200 groups to finish the hunt receive a prize! This event is free, but spaces are limited. You can register online today. This events starts at 7:30 pm at Neptune Park where each group will receive instructions and get clues.

Registration closes June 5.

Thursday June 9: Saratoga Splash Days brings a full carnival to town which begins Thursday from 4 pm -10 pm and will continue

Friday 4 pm-10 pm and Saturday 11am10pm.

The family picnic in the park starts at 6 pm at Neptune Park. The theme is “Ready, Set....Tailgate!” Wear your favorite team shirt. Bring your own dinner or buy dinner at one of the food vendors.

There will be free games and activities.

Movie Night will begin around 9:15 p.m.

The family movie will be “Soul Surfer.”

Friday June 10: Saratoga Springs’ annual baby contest will begin at 10:00-11:30 am.

No pre-registration is required, but there is a $5 registration fee. The judging for the age categories of: 0--3 Months, 4-6 months, and 7-12 months will begin at 10 am. At 10:30 am the judging will begin for the following age categories: 13-18 months, 19-24 months, and 2536 months. Participates need to arrive 10 minutes before their age category time. The first place winners in each age category will be invited to be in the Saratoga Splash parade on Saturday at 10 am.

The food trucks will again be available for dinner on Friday night just before the free concert which starts at 8:00 pm at Neptune Park. Party Crashers will be back to perform by popular demand. Fireworks will immediately follow the concert.

Saturday June 11: Bright and early at 8:00 am the co-ed grass volleyball tournament will begin at Neptune Park. There will also be a men’s 3-on-3 basketball tournament at the same time and place. Check the city’s website for more information.

The grand parade will start at 10 am.

It will run south on 800 W., turn east on 400 N., and head east until Thunder Boulevard. The parade will end at Westlake High School.

The family carnival will begin at 11:00 am at Neptune Park. There will be food vendors, Saratoga Splash Days boutique, Health and Safety Fair, live entertainment and bounce houses. The watermelon eating contest will begin at 1:30 pm. The will be three age categories to compete in: 8-12 years, 13-17 years and 18 and older. First, second and third place winners will be announced in each category. Registration begins 30 minutes before the contest at the Civic Events booth.

For more information about all these events visit www.saratogaspringscity. com or call 801-766-9793.

Business Spotlight: GiveIt App

By Michael Young Writer

With the new Giveit app, finding a new place for your things is just the touch of a button away. If you can take a picture with a smartphone, you have all the skills you need to get started. Once users take a picture of the item they wish to give away, he app alerts local charities of all available donations in their area. Charities can hen claim items they would like to pick up. The user then receives a text notifica-

tion informing them of when and which charity will be picking up the donation.

Users only have to bag or box up their items and leave them out on the porch for the charities to pick up without any cost to the user. Users can donate everything from clothing, toys, small appliances, and books, to larger things such as cars.

The app catalogs all donations throughout the year, making tax time a snap. Users can easily bring up a list of all donations in order to claim their charitable giving on their taxes. They only partner with 501(c)3 charities, so you can rest assured that all of your donations are

June 1 Family Fun Night – Nolen Park 4-8 PM This is a free event June 2 Pony Express Days – Nolen Park 4-10 PM Buddy Day – Buy one carnival ticket get one free Carnival, Food Vendors, Entertainment Stage and Vendor Booths June 3 Pony Express Days – Nolen Park Noon – 11 PM Carnival, Food Vendors, Entertainment Stage and Vendor Booths June 4 5K Cupcake Charity Run – LDS Church 4506 Pony Express Park-

way (SilverLake Stake Center) 7:00 AM Grand Parade – Sandpiper to Smith Ranch Road 10-11:30 AM Carnival, Food Vendors, Entertainment Stage and Vendor Booths Nolen Park Noon to 11 PM Fireworks – Cory B. Wride Memorial Park Dusk Demolition Derby Saturday Jun 4 @6 At the Rodeo Grounds www.ponyexpressevents.com

Business Spotlight: Courtyard at Thanksgiving

By Michael Young Point Writer The Courtyard at Thanksgiving Point provides a comfortable place to stay right next to some of Utah’s best entertainment and shopping venues. The Courtyard, a Marriott hotel, provides excellent flexibility for guests, centered around the Bistro, a full-service restaurant offering all three meals and evening drinks, including Starbucks products. The inviting living spaces contain a variety of amenities, including free Wi-Fi, a fitness center, indoor pool and whirlpool.

Marriott is one of the world’s premier hotel chains with over 4,400 properties in 87 countries and territories.

The rooms available include rooms with a single king bed, two queen beds or a suite with two queen beds and a sofa

going to good causes.

Giveit is a startup company, founded by two Saratoga Springs residents, MacKay Crookston and Tim Anderson.

They saw a need in the community and worked together to figure out a way to fill it. Since the app went online last December, they have experienced amazing success and growth, which they hope to continue. They recently expanded the app’s capabilities to allow charities to list their needs and allow possible donors to fill them directly.

They are actively searching for new charities to take part, new users to provide donations, and for any feedback and suggestions about what they can do to improve the entire experience. If you have any questions or comments, con-

bed. Those who stay often can take advantage of the Marriott Rewards program, which allows guests to quickly accumulate free hotel stays and other benefits.

Government and military employees always enjoy a discount, as do seniors over 62 years old and AAA/CAA members.

In the area, it is only a short drive to the outlets at Traverse Mountain, which provide a variety of dining and shopping options. It is also situated close to Thanksgiving Point with its renowned Museum of Natural Curiosity, professional golf course, farm country, and Museum of Ancient Life.

Visit them online to book your next stay at http://www.marriott.com/hotels/ travel/slcli-courtyard-lehi-at-thanksgiving-point/.

tact MacKay Crookston at mackayc@ giveithub.com. The app is free to download and is available on both Apple and Android devices. You can get the app at giveithub.com/download, or follow them on Facebook at https://www.facebook. com/giveithub/

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Appreciation for Scouters Scouters who were given a certificate of appreciation for their assistance in scouting in the Porter Rockwell District: Audrey Bevan, Mike Bevan, Chris Bowerbank, Charlene Christensen, Jake Conrad, Alejandro de Santiago, Rosa Diaz, Joseph Ellis, Emily Elwood, Barbara Gaona, Silviano Gaona, Marbel Gallman, Mario Garcia, Greg Gates, Melissa Graham, Debbie Gulledge, Kevin Gulledge, Eric Hales, Taylor Haynie,

Vince Hogge, Emilia Huebish, Kirsten Johnson, Scott Johnson, Jonathan Johnston, Richard Lindsay, Joni Luke, Lisa MacKay, Brandon Mears, Emily Mitchell, Greg Patterson, Kerry Powell, Bryce Ramey, Terry Smith, Vaughn Staheli, Sgt. Adam Stecklein, Mark Stokes, Jeff Taylor, Jennifer Thomas, Alfredo Velez, Alan Wheeler, Rocio Wheeler, Amiee Wilson, Sy Winkelman, Ken Zabriskie

The Porter Rockwell District of the Boy Scouts of America covers Cedar Fort, Fairfield, Eagle Mountain, Saratoga Springs and Lehi west of the freeway. At a recent adult recognition night the following were honored:

Saratoga Springs: Jesse Alfaro, Michael Balzotti, John Farrer, Scott Ivins, Corey McBride, Aaron Nielsen, Jose Viera, Lehi: Shane D. Buck, Gary Carlton, Aaron Colledge, Merrick B. Fonnesbeck, Brent Prime, Kaylynn Sims, Mac Sims, Kirk Owen Smith, Matthew Sorensen, Kevin D. Whitehead Eagle Mountain: Ryan McMurtrey, Michael O’Connor

District Awards of Merit

Porter Rockwell Eagle Scout April Wyatt Barrett - Cedar Fort, Rodeo concession stand roof Connor Benich - Lehi, suicide video, Our Superman foundation Andrew Clark - SS, storm drain awareness Joshua Evans - SS, BeTheMatch bone marrow drive Nathaniel Hanna - Lehi, activity bags, American Fork hospital Nicolas Hawkins - Cedar Fort, site markers & stone cleaning cemetery Matthew Holman - EM, food toiletries, baby supplies, Camp Williams Pantry Chandler Noyes - EM, blankets, Project Linus John Purziani - EM, cement pads & walkways, No. Utah Valley Animal Shelter Ethan Struhs - Lehi, child safety fair Austin Young - SS- kivas, Thunder Ridge March Devan Bennett - Cedar Valley, sensory boards KS Hamilton School William Bretey - Lehi, baby hats, American Heart Association Nathan Burdette - SS, 4 of Hearts Christmas stockings Cameron Cain - SS, NRA Range safety training Tanner Edmunds - EM, slab cement foundation DUP cabin Todd Edmunds - EM, coloring books, Orem Hospital Tyson Edmunds - EM, American Red Cross blood drive Braden Francom - Lehi, wooden shapes Primary Children’s Matthew Gross - Lehi, baseball scorekeeper platform & trees Garrett Isaacson - EM, infant & women’s quilts, Orem hospital Austin Leatherwood - EM, American Red Cross blood drive

James Lewis - SS, breakfast food, Food & Care Coalition Hugo Limon - yak & water buffalo shelter, Friends in Need Dylan Nelson - Lehi, blankets, Boys & Girls Club February Kaelen Nielsen - Lehi, cemetery survey & stone cleaning west A-C Kimball Nielsen- Lehi, cemetery survey & stone cleaning east A-C Jonah Phillips - SS, Chinese language books Grayson Stewart- Lehi, 5K for spina bifida & newborn packets Tyler Tea - Lehi, school kits, Mountainlands Head Start Bayley Welsh - Lehi, American Red Cross blood drive Keelan Balderree - SS, 4 of Hearts, children books Wyatt Beckstead - Lehi, I Spy Bags, Primary Children’s Austin Bushman - SS, emergency kits/ packs Dan Peterson - School Parker Cherrington - blankets etc., for Lifting Hearts Cameron Hilton - Lehi, kitchen, laundry & food supplies for Food & Care coalition Jason Hyde - Lehi, food & hygiene kits, Fisher House Jared Jacobson - SS, computers, Ghana Forever Young Taylor Katchner - SS, gingerbread house, Festival of Trees Jordan Mulholand - Lehi, virtual tour, Hutchings Museum Joshua Norwood - SS, bird houses Rocky Mountain Care Samuel Powell - SS, whisperfones, Thunder Ridge

Talking To Kids About Guns Guns are pretty popular in this great state of ours. It’s not like the Old West where gun ownership contributed to your livelihood, but they are still popular.

Even if you don’t own a firearm, it is likely that you know someone who does.

Love guns or hate them, there’s one thing we can all agree upon: we want our kids to be safe around them.

This isn’t a new idea, but where does gun safety start? How do we prevent accidents with firearms? Most of us know how important it is to make certain that children cannot reach firearms.

Owning a gun safe, keeping your gun unloaded, storing the gun and ammunition in different areas, are all tips we are familiar with. (Though if you’re not, you can read more safety gun storage tips at safekids.org.) Being responsible with your own firearms may not be enough to ensure your child’s safety.

Keeping kids safe around guns

involves not only supervision, but education. Just like you discuss the importance of not talking to strangers, it is equally important to make certain your child understands what to do if they are around a firearm without adult supervision.

We suggest following these talking points as suggested by kidshealth.org: 1. Leave the gun alone.

2. Leave the room in which you found the gun.

3. Immediately tell an adult.

These ideas are simple and logical.

So simple they can seem like common sense, and for that reason they often go overlooked, but taking the time to hash out some basic guidelines with your child can make a huge difference.

It doesn’t take anything special. All you have to do is talk. For more information about gun safety, you can visit kidshealth.org.

Phill Catherall - special award for service as training chair District Award of Merit:

Second Milers in Porter Rockwell District The following were recently honored with the Second Miler award for their service in scouting: Jonathan Abbott, Rachel Abbott, Juan Altimirano, Heather Anderson, Jeremy Barlow, Dustin Bassett, Richard Biehl, Derek Bowman, Jeff Braithwaite, David Bretey, Crystal Byers, Neil Bryce, Mica Cain, Jack Carrick, Nyle Christensen, Randy Clark, John Clements, Kim Clements, Susanne Cockrell, Matt Conelly, Jon Copple, Kevin Farr, Tiffany Farrer, Jorge Ferreira, Maria Ester Gutierrez Ferreira, Kevin Flinton, Curt Fortie, Brian Free, Chante Garrett, Michelle Gebs, Nick Gilbert, John Gormley, Grant Hansen, Lee Hansen, Chris Helmantoler, Becky Hogge, Jessica Holmes, Brent Hoskings, Brandon Howard, Darvell Hunt, Gayla Hunt, Darby Jacobsen,

Heather Jarvis, Toni Johnson, Adam Johnston, Larry Julian, Matt King, Gavin LaPray, Elizabeth Lecker, Trevor Lewis, Annie Lindsay, Vance Lindsay, Tim Masimer, Christy McCoy, Mike Mineer, Amy Mitchell, David Mitchell, Jim Moore, Rob Morley, Stacy Moss, Rawlyn Nieman, John Nielsen, Natanya Nielsen, Asa Nielson, Jeromy Merrill Nielson, Jose Oramas, Jeremy Osmond, Larry Peterson, Tamara Pew, H Blaine Phillips, Matt Pierce, Richard Poulsen, Mike Pugh, Adriana Purziani, Kathy Rasmussen, Marie Rasmussen, Sam Rencher, Austin Romans, Tyler Shock, Adam Smith, Fred Smith, Stacy Smither, Valerie Staheli, Suzette Stockton, David Szoke, Chris Trainor, Alex Vaz, Dave Ware, Heather Wilde, Marcie Wiltbank, Charles Wood, Heather Wood, John Woodward

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Westlake High Offers Grad Activities

By Jan Brown Memmott Writer

Seniors and their parents at Westlake High School, take note. There are a handful of exciting activities to calendar.

Graduation clearance must be obtained between May 2 and May 20, 2016. Students need to check with their school counselors to be sure they qualify. They also need to pass a state-mandated civics test. It can be accessed at alpinecivics.org May 19th is Senior Lagoon day. For $50, students will be going to Lagoon amusement park. Buses will leave WHS at 8am and return at 6pm. Students must ride the buses in order to participate, and must purchase their tickets no later than May 12. Students will also need to buy their own lunches at the park.

Cap and gown distribution will be immediately before graduation practice

on May 24 in the main gym. All fees need to be paid and all NCs cleared before kids are cleared to graduate. Yearbooks will also be handed out for those who pre-purchased one. The Yearbook Stomp is that night from 8-10pm in the Commons.

The mysterious Thunder Awards will be held May 25 in the auditorium from 6-8pm. May 26 is graduation and the traditional all-night grad party. Graduates need to arrive at the UCCU center at UVU by 3pm The ceremony begins at 4pm sharp. Semi-formal dress is required for students. The party begins at 9:30pm. For $35 in advance or $40 at the door, seniors will be entertained by Comedy Sportz at WHS at 10pm. Then they’ll travel by bus to Boondocks in Draper. All-you-care-toeat pizza from 11pm to midnight and free drinks all night are included. Buses will return about 4am. Come celebrate for the last time with your class!

Enjoy “Music Through the Ages” at symphony concert

By Linda Petersen Writer

Timpanogos Symphony Orchestra will present its last concert of the season “Music Through the Ages” on Monday, May 16, from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Timberline Middle School, 500 West Canyon Crest Road, in Alpine.

The concert will feature soprano Melissa Heath singing selections from the baroque, classical, romantic, and modern periods.

Heath holds a bachelor’s degree in voice from Brigham Young University, and her Master of Music and Doctorate of Musical Arts degrees in voice from the University of Utah. Her recent opera roles include Countess in Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro, Nanetta in Verdi’s Falstaff, Micaëla in a concert version of Bizet’s Carmen with the Concerts at the Presidio series in San Francisco, and Gilda in Verdi’s Rigoletto, with La Musica Lirica in Novafeltria, Italy. Heath’s recent concert work includes Carmina Burana with Ballet West, Beethoven’s Symphony no. 9 with the Lyceum Phil-

harmonic and Sterling Singers, and Carl Nielsen’s Symphony no. 3 with the Utah Symphony, under the direction of Thierry Fischer.

Tickets are $10 general admission; $8 for students and seniors and $25 for a family pass (up to five members).

Tickets may be purchased online at https://events.r20.constantcontact. com/register/event, by email at tickets@thetso.org, by calling 801-2102466 or at the door.

Timpanogos Symphony Orchestra is made up of close to 75 volunteer musicians from all walks of life who participate in weekly rehearsals. Most of them are Utah County residents. The orchestra performs five concerts a year. The concert season begins in September but the orchestra will practice during the summer, according to Conductor John Pugh. The orchestra is currently holding auditions for the violin, viola, cello and string sections.

To schedule an audition, email auditions@thetso.org or call 801-473-5226.

Is your teenager a victim a dating violence?

SALT LAKE CITY — Is your teenager being abused?

While you probably answered that question with a confident “no,” it is important to know that approximately 20 percent of female high school students report being physically and/or sexually abused by a dating partner.

So, how can you know if your teenager is involved in an abusive relationship?

Here are five basic things to look for when determining if you need to have a discussion with your child.

1. Isolation One of the ways abusers control their partners is to seclude them from those close to them. If your teen seems to have fewer friends and is attending fewer social events than before, this is a sign that your teen’s partner may be solidifying control over your teen. Teenagers will often choose to comply with the abusers restrictions out of fear or love.

2. Loss of enthusiasm Having a decreased interest in past activities is a common issue among teens dealing with abuse. Abuse can lead to anxiety, depression and other instabilities.

When teens deal with these emotions, they begin to disconnect with what has made them happy. They withdraw further inward in order to deal with the heavy burden of abuse.

3. Poor performance Falling grades can be directly connected to lower self-confidence. Lowered self-esteem can be a result of demeaning words, behaviors and actions toward the victim. A decreased involvement in extracurricular activities is not uncommon for an abused teen. Your child may start performing poorly in sports or activities they previously excelled in.

4. Clouded decision-making While you could easily chalk this up to “being young” or “the teenage years,” it can be a serious sign of an unhealthy relationship. Later in the abuse cycle, after the happy stage has passed, teens can begin to feel desperate. People in desperate situations have a harder time making clear, positive decisions.

5. Changes in daily habits Is your teen eating less? Has your teen started sleeping significantly more or less? Changes can be anything from communication skills to an adjustment in physical appearance. Abuse can have long-term effects on a person’s daily life.

If this sounds like your child, you will want to work with your child on finding solutions and help. A majority of parents (54 percent) admit they’ve not spoken to their child about dating violence. Setting safe dating boundaries is a good place to start.

You can discuss who is allowed over at the house when you are gone. Decide an appropriate age to begin group dating and single dating. Be a good role model of what a healthy relationship looks like and communicate openly with your children about your expectations and goals for their future in dating.

There is help. If your child is in an abusive relationship, you can visitLoveIsRespect.org and live chat with an expert.

You can also call the Utah Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-897-LINK (5465). And the National Youth Crisis Hotline is a referral hotline for youths in crisis; call 1-800-HIT-HOME (800-4484663) The Saratoga Springs 24/7 victim crisis line is (801) 420-6341.

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Westlake FFA 7th Annual Banquet Saratoga Springs starts the summer with concerts, food trucks, baby contest, races, parades and much more at its annual Saratoga Splash Days June 6-11.

There is something for everyone during the six-day celebration. The following is the schedule for the week.

Monday June 6: Food Trucks galore! Food trucks will be at Neptune Park from 5 pm-9 pm. Come enjoy dinner and eating at the park.

Also on Monday night at Neptune Park, the Saratoga Springs Arts Council presents its 4th annual “Chalk, Walk and Boogie” sidewalk chalk contest. Bring your chalk and let the contest begin! Free registration will begin at 6 pm and the awards will start at 8:20 pm. You can register as a family or individual, however, you must be 11-years or older to compete in an individual entry.

The Saratoga Springs Orchestra concert will begin at 7:30 pm.

Tuesday June 7: The Saratoga Springs Library will host its summer reading kickoff party at 10 am at Neptune Park. Come learn about the Summer Reading Program. There will also be a Friends of the Library book sale in the basement of the Bank of American Fork building from 12 pm - 4pm.

In the evening, the Wild Wonders Animal Show will be at Neptune Park at 7 pm.

Wednesday, June 8: Come participate in the biggest water party in the community! Saratoga Splash Bash will be at 3 pm at the Sunrise Meadows Park. Make sure you remember to bring your water guns and dress appropriately as everyone will get wet.

Want to participate in a scavenger hunt throughout Saratoga Springs? Come to the “Race, Swim...Play Ball!” event at 7:30 pm at Neptune Park. A prize will be given to the winning group and the first 200 groups to finish the hunt receive a prize!

This event is free, but spaces are limited.

You can register online today. This events starts at 7:30 pm at Neptune Park where each group will receive instructions and get clues. Registration closes June 5.

Thursday June 9: Saratoga Splash Days brings a full carnival to town which begins Thursday from 4 pm -10 pm and will continue Friday 4 pm-10 pm and Saturday 11am10pm.

The family picnic in the park starts at 6 pm at Neptune Park. The theme is “Ready, Set....Tailgate!” Wear your favorite team shirt. Bring your own dinner or buy dinner at one of the food vendors. There will be free games and activities. Movie Night will begin around 9:15 p.m. The family movie will be “Soul Surfer.”

Friday June 10: Saratoga Springs’ annual baby contest will begin at 10:00-11:30 am. No pre-registration is required, but there is a $5 registration fee. The judging for the age categories of: 0--3 Months, 4-6 months, and 7-12 months will begin at 10 am. At 10:30 am the judging will begin for the following age categories: 13-18 months, 19-24 months, and 25-36 months. Participates need to arrive 10 minutes before their age category time. The first place winners in each age category will be invited to be in the Saratoga Splash parade on Saturday at 10 am.

The food trucks will again be available for dinner on Friday night just before the free concert which starts at 8:00 pm at Neptune Park. Party Crashers will be back to perform by popular demand. Fireworks will immediately follow the concert.

Saturday June 11: Bright and early at 8:00 am the co-ed grass volleyball tournament will begin at Neptune Park. There will also be a men’s 3-on-3 basketball tournament at the same time and place. Check the city’s website for more information.

The grand parade will start at 10 am. It will run south on 800 W., turn east on 400 N., and head east until Thunder Boulevard. The parade will end at Westlake High School.

The family carnival will begin at 11:00 am at Neptune Park. There will be food vendors, Saratoga Splash Days boutique, Health and Safety Fair, live entertainment and bounce houses. The watermelon eating contest will begin at 1:30 pm. The will be three age categories to compete in: 8-12 years, 13-17 years and 18 and older.

First, second and third place winners will be announced in each category. Registration begins 30 minutes before the contest at the Civic Events booth.

For more information about all these events visit www.saratogaspringscity. com or call 801-766-9793.

“I’m Bored” List

By Kimberly Bennette Writer

It’s that wonderful time of year again.

No, not Christmas. This is the time of year when summer is just around the bend, when parents, students, and teachers rejoice. Though setting into the summer routine of long, lazy days is something that we all look forward to, there is one aspect that parents will not find exciting...bored kids. Because, let’s be honest, boredom is the enemy of order and the best friend of chaos.

So what do we do to combat that?

Only do the most orderly thing we possibly can. We make a list, because, I mean, what else would we do, right? Okay, that may sound like a drag, but it doesn’t have to be, because the list we’re making is fun. Actually, that’s the point, finding fun things to do!

The list can consist of anything from individual activities like painting or draw-

ing, to family fun activities like camping, or trips to the museum. This “Summer Bucket List” can give you ideas to pull out when the kids get struck by boredom, and it will give them something to look forward to during those long, hot days.

Because we here at the Crossroads Journal believe in education, and we know that variety is the spice of life, we recommend hitting all the basic well-rounded groups, such as educational activities, like science and history, artistic activities, like music and theater, and physical activities, like ball games and even board games (You don’t always need to go crazy). Create a list with your family to find activities that are right for your group.

If you need to find ideas for your own list, you can always look on wonderful blogs like endlesscrafting.blogspot. com, whose wonderful author gave us this fantastic idea. Good luck, and happy summer.

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Crowning Moment in

Crafting History Submitted by Katrina Espinoza

The Original ScrapBox has been furnishing homes in Utah since 2005. Recently, our company has been under new management. We continue to be committed to our customers and help thousands of people by bringing long-lasting durability and beauty together with furniture that will change your life! Our hide-aways and creation stations are the perfect solution for craft storage designs. Open The WorkBox 2.0 to create, and when you are done just shut the doors and hide your supplies! Use the crown lighting to work through the night!

In October of 2015 The Original ScrapBox published a product video to Facebook that soon went viral, reaching 16 million views in the span of 1 month! The video depicting The WorkBox 2.0

has now reached 50 million people throughout the world.

Our small Utah company was launched internationally, with our furniture pieces now making statements in more areas of Canada, the UK, Australia, and this month will be available in Germany!

Our motto is, “Let us organize, so you can create!� Our mission is to provide the peace and comfort of organization to crafters who bring inspiration to life. As we continue to grow, we want customers to know how much of an impact organization can bring into their lives.

Visit our showroom: The Original ScrapBox 777 South Auto Mall Drive #113 American Fork, UT 84003

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THE SERVICE DIRECTORY Law

Realtor

Health

Nails

doTERRA

Cleaning Service

Entertainment

Web Design

Contractor

Church

Cash

www.thecrossroadsjournal.com/ Contact-The-Journal

Lessons

DRUM LESSONS Fun, certified teacher, 42 years experience, positive influence, professional drummer & band leader, all ages/levels. Studio in Saratoga Springs, references available.

Please call Ken Culmone 801-768-0708 or 801-367-2787.

THE CLASSIFIEDS

GUITAR LESSONS All ages, all levels, all styles.

Learn songs, chords, strumming, picking, notation, theory, song writing and MUCH more! Located in Meadow Ranches (by the new middle school) First lesson is FREE! Call Gill Taylor (801) 358-7148

Bus Drivers Wanted at Rockwell Charter School Part Time and Activity Pay is above districts rates

Call Joye 8017897652

For Sale

ULTIMATE DANCE Now registering for 2015-2016 Season Dance Classes.

Offering Competitive and Recreational classes for ages 3+. Located on Redwood Road just north of Towne Storage in Saratoga Springs. Ultimate Dance has been offering dance classes in Saratoga Springs since 2003.

Offering Ballet, Jazz, Tap, and Hip Hop. www.ultimatedanceetc.webs.com, Like us on Facebook Ultimatedanceetc. or call us at 801718-6900 or 801-7662286. Office hours Mon & Wed 10:00am-11:30am, Classes start Sept 8, 2015.

Daycare

Toddler Play House We do realize that sometimes mommy and daddy’s have to work, Located in Saratoga Springs Meals and preschool activities provided, call Kristin Egbert now for opening 801-897-4904.

Services Voice Lessons Learn to sing in the natural Voice. Ages 10 and up.

28 yrs. experience. Performing opportunities.I’m located one mile from west Lake High School in Eagle Mountain 801-4723280 Ex 10/15

$375,000.00 Hard to find Horse Property on 1.43 acres. Open space to south and west, country feel with city amenities!! 6 bedroom 4 bath.

Outside entrance to basement with full kitchen Apartment.

3684 sq. ft. Eagle Mnt.

Call Debbie Hooge 801-836-0888

PRIVATE PIANO LESSONS! Perfect for any age.

Beginner to Advanced. 25 years playing experience, teaching for 14. Have fun learning- theory, technique and duet/quartets. First lesson free.

Call Andrea 801-687-1468

FREE ONLINE

Listing is always free online in our classified section and realtors and For Sale by Owners can use the website. Use the multi-photo upload tool to show your property. Renters and Landlords are also welcome to list on the website for free.

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The camp is designed to inspire a greater love of reading in children from 1st - 3rd grade (in the future we may include other grades as well.)

Please register today because space is limited! http://cosperreadingcorner.wix.com/bookcamp

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Home 4 Sale

Summer is coming and you don’t want your kids to miss out on summer reading! Avoid the summer slide by participating in Cosper Reading Corner Book Camp!

Delivered to Homes and Businesses in Eagle Mountain, Saratoga Springs, Cedar Fort, Fairfield, Lehi, American Fork, Cedar Hills, Highland, Alpine www.thecrossroadsjournal.com/Contact-The-Journal http://www.thecrossroadsjournal.com/Media-KitSubmit-News

Do you have News for The Crossroads Journal?

If you have news or community events that you would like to share with The Crossroads Journal contact us

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