Photo credit: Utah Valley Videos – Ron Aguillar. Builder: Immaculate Homes via 2025 Parade of Homes
WRITERS
Celia Hansen, Donna Eads, Kaylee Pickering, Jesse Whipple, Randi Fuller, Ashley Centers, Cliff and Ilene Bandringa, Rob Krieger, Anita DeLelles, Judi Moreo, Karen L. Monsen, Laurel Buxton, Dana Bibertson, Rick Moser, Mari Krashowetz, Melissa Eligul, Ashley Gonter, Ricardo Trujillo, Annalyn James, Nathan Hughes, Taylor Smith
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Letter from the Editor
Dear sunburned Readers,
Welcome to our Home and Garden issue! Summer is in full swing, and we are all feeling the heat, including our plants! This issue emphasizes how your home affects your well-being—we focus on improving your living space, whether you just want a few new accessories or have grander plans. Read on for our collection of ways to freshen or fix up your home while taking advantage of local experts and supporting local businesses.
We could all use a little inspiration, right? The theme for the 2025 Parade of Homes was “Home Sweet Wow,” and if you didn’t catch this year’s spectacular display, solemnly promise yourself to see it next year. Read our Parade of Homes article to discover what you missed.
To add some new touches to your home, find everything from scented candles and plush blankets to unique decor, books, and specialty candy at The Cottage Home & Gift in St. George. If you want a little more than decor, The Sage Health and Home Center in Overton offers furniture, mattresses, and even health supplements with a personal touch.
Often overlooked, plants also have a discernible effect on the emotional impact of your home. But if you can’t keep a plant alive to save your life, console yourself with Judi Moreo’s “Confessions of a Plant Serial Killer,” where she details her misadventures in plant care. For an example of successful gardening, see our article about community gardens in southern Utah.
Some plants are beautiful but can be harmful or even deadly to pets, so make sure to consult our ViewOn Pets article to help keep your fur babies safe.
If it's repairs or installations you want, the professionals at the Lindi Corp and 3 Bears Air Conditioning will meet any plumbing needs and ensure a cool home while the sun blazes.
For those ready for a bigger change, Randi Fuller of Mesquite Tile & Flooring and The Science of Sanctuaries illustrates the effect of flooring on your emotional state and explores the mindfulness with which we can curate our homes.
And finally, if you’re looking to buy a home, “Understanding the Housing Market” will help you navigate one of the most exciting but stressful purchases of your life.
As always, thank you so much to our readers for sustaining us all these years, and we’re incredibly grateful for our advertisers. Please support them and give them some business.
While temperatures soar, we can nurture the seedlings in our lives—including the human ones—and turn indoors to foster peace and contentment within our homes.
See you at home or in the garden,
Frequent
contributors
Anita DeLelles, LMT, is a certified Equine and Small Animal Acupressure Practitioner with accreditation from Tallgrass Animal Acupressure Institute. Her studies included two consecutive summers in Bath, England, as well as coursework in Colorado and California and a BFA from UNLV. Anita is certified in small animal massage from the Northwest School of Animal Massage as well as in human massage. In 2014, Anita and husband Ron opened WOOF! Wellness Center and launched their website www.ShopMeoow.com.
David Cordero is the Communications and Marketing Director for the City of St. George. A southern Utah resident since 2006, David has extensive experience in writing, public relations,
marketing, and public speaking. He has also served in a variety of volunteer capacities over the years, including Utah Honor Flight, American Legion Post 90, religious education, and as a coach for his son's athletic teams. Email him at david.cordero@sgcity.org.
Nathan Hughes is a proud native of Mesquite, Nevada. With a deeprooted passion for community service, he has dedicated his efforts to making a positive impact, particularly among the youth and teaching financial literacy. He is looking forward to working with members of the community. Contact Nathan at (208) 277-9239.
Rob Krieger is a 20-plus-year member of the PGA of America and is originally from Cleveland, Ohio. He came to the area as the Director of Golf at Conestoga and now owns his own golf instruction business in St. George called Red Rock Golf Instruction, which is based at Southgate Golf Course Driving Range. He has been writing for ViewOn Magazine since 2010. He is also a Utah PGA Player Development Award Winner. For help with your game, please visit www.stgeorgegolflessons.com or email him at rob@sgugolf.com.
Elisa Eames is a freelance writer and bookkeeper. Her love of creative writing began in the fourth grade when she wrote her first story. She has a bachelor's degree in humanities with a French minor and an accounting certificate. Her other loves include writing stories, running/hiking, acting/singing, and laughing. She can be reached at elmeames@gmail.com.
Ashley Centers is the former general manager of Anytime Fitness Mesquite, and her passion for fitness runs deep. She fell in love with competitive powerlifting as a preteen. She set many state records and national qualifying totals during her lifting career prior to her competitive retirement while attending college. Ashley is now an ISSA Elite Level Trainer, Certified Fitness Nutritionist, and Corrective Exercise Specialist and trains for Strongwoman competitions. She is an inactive board member for the Mesquite Senior Games and is excited to remain a contributor for ViewOn Magazine and to write about her passion for health and fitness!
Judi Moreo is one of the most recognized personal growth trainers and coaches in the world. She is the author of 11 books, including two international bestsellers, You Are MoreThan Enough and ConquertheBrain Drain. A self-made success, Judi started her first business with $2,000 and a lot of chutzpah. Judi learned to succeed step-by-step over many years and now has a worldwide following of clients who are enjoying outstanding success as a result of her guidance. You can reach Judi at judi@judimoreo.com or (702) 283-4567.
Karen L. Monsen is a freelance writer who lives in St. George, Utah. She covers outdoor topics, nature, science, research, and human impacts. She taught French and social studies in public schools, served as a technical training coordinator, and designed and delivered business and technical writing seminars for corporate clients.
The owner of Mesquite Tile & Flooring, Randi Fuller is a psychology-based design strategist and the founder of The Science of Sanctuaries, a division of Mesquite Tile & Flooring. With a passion for Evidence-Based Design, Randi explores how psychology shapes our experience of space to help homeowners and businesses create environments that foster well-being, functionality, and beauty. Her approach blends research-backed insights with real-world design expertise, proving that any space can be a sanctuary. Call (702) 346-7225 to speak with Randi, or visit the showroom at 521 W. Mesquite Blvd. in Mesquite, Nevada. You can also visit their website at www.MesquiteTile.com.
Cliff and Ilene Bandringa are authors and the creators of BackRoadsWest.com. They have been traveling and photographing the world for more than 20 years, with a motto of finding the lesserknown, off-the-beaten-path places and then sharing their experiences with others. They do this via their blog, the virtual tour guides they've written, lots of YouTube videos, magazine articles, and a sister website of highquality and stock images. You can find all of these at www.BackRoadsWest.com.
Donna Eads and her husband moved to Mesquite in 2010 from Palm Desert, California, and she loves the small-town atmosphere. Her writing experience extends from high school and college newspapers to professional manuals as a critical care nurse. Her passion for tennis is evident in her frequent articles for ViewOn Magazine.
Kaylee Pickering is the comunications specialist for the Iron County tourism office, Visit Cedar City · Brian Head. Born and raised in Cedar City, she loves sharing the incredible recreation and arts opportunities around her with potential visitors @visitcedarcity. A mother of two young boys, she and her husband spend weekends showing them new trails, finding dirt to play in, and exploring southern Utah.
Message from
the Mayor
Summer has arrived in Mesquite! As the seasons change, one thing remains constant—Mesquite summers are always sweltering! Whether it’s temperatures soaring past 100 degrees or the occasional glimpse of snow-capped mountains lingering from spring, we never quite know what to expect.
Luckily, we've had a great spring season in our little city. The heat has been kind enough to wait for summer this year. Every time I leave my house, I get to admire the plants and trees blooming around my yard, thanks to our beautiful spring weather.
It’s also been a lively season in Mesquite! Our community theater delivered a moving performance of Steel Magnolias, touching hearts across the city. In June, they brought The Colors of Munchkinland and The Wizard of Oz to life—be sure to visit www.vvtg.com for details. We also celebrated another successful Mesquite Days, and I want to thank the many dedicated city employees who worked tirelessly to make it happen.
Memorial Day was a particularly special moment for our community. Former Mayor Al Litman led a touching Veterans Memorial Day Program, with the help of our local veteran honor guard, and Alana Davis gave a powerful delivery of the National Anthem. It was a fitting tribute to those who have sacrificed so much.
On a lighter note, congratulations to Marie Alvey, our new Miss Senior Mesquite! The pageant was nothing short of inspiring, with all four contestants doing an amazing job.
June brought the opportunity to support the police and fire departments at the First Responders Charity Golf Tournament. It was more than just a round of golf—it was an opportunity to show gratitude to the men and women who work tirelessly to keep us safe. Thanks to everyone who participated, donated, and showed their support.
Now, as summer settles in, so do new opportunities. Whether it’s getting out on the golf course in the early morning or unwinding by the pool, this season invites us to embrace all that Mesquite has to offer. With summer art courses and plenty of recreational activities ahead, I encourage you all to make the most of the sunshine.
Here’s to a fantastic summer!
Why WE LoveMesquite
When planning our move from Texas, we were looking for a change in scenery that allowed us to still be close to Steve's family in Utah. We were looking for a small town that felt safe, with affordable housing and friendly residents. Well, we found just that here in Mesquite. We love the weather (no humidity), golfing opportunities, scenery, and beautiful desert landscape. We had no idea how much beauty the desert had to offer.
I have met so many nice ladies from golf, and they are the best. While I have taken a break from golf this year, I still love the sport and the many friends I have made over the years. We love our neighborhood and the walkability of Mesquite and all it has to offer. It is the place we now call home. We can't wait to have more adventures.
Lastly, no Nevada state income tax and no tax on social security are also things we love and appreciate.
- Steve and Celia Hansen
CONFESSIONS of a Serial Plant Killer: my unending quest for
a green thumb
by Judi Moreo
It all started with a succulent. You know, the plant that even people who hate plants allegedly can’t kill. Armed with optimism, a Pinterest board titled "Indoor Oasis," and a trendy terra-cotta pot, I brought home a tiny jade plant, certain that it would mark the beginning of my lush, botanical future.
Two weeks later, it was dead.
I don't know how it happened. I gave it sunlight. I gave it water. I whispered positive affirmations to it while scrolling through
"plant mom" memes. And yet, there it sat, drooping like a deflated balloon, a small accusatory petal falling to the floor every time I walked by. This, I would learn, was not an isolated incident.
It turns out I am what horticulturalists kindly call a "black thumb"—a person whose mere proximity to greenery seems to trigger spontaneous plant despair. Over the years, I’ve committed acts of botanical manslaughter against spider plants, peace lilies, English ivy, fiddle-leaf figs, and one particularly unfortunate bonsai tree.
LESSON ONE: know thyself
(and thy plants)
It took a while, but I finally accepted a painful truth: some plants simply don’t belong in my life—and that’s okay.
If you, too, find yourself standing over a brown, crunchy houseplant, questioning your worth as a human being, take heart. It’s not you (entirely). Some plants are just divas.
I learned to start with bulletproof greenery:
1 Pothos (also known as Devil’s Ivy because it refuses to die)
2 Snake plants (so tough they might outlive the apocalypse)
3 ZZ plants (scientifically proven to thrive on neglect)
When you’re trying to overcome a tragic record like mine, it’s essential to set yourself up for success— and maybe avoid any plant that has the words “high maintenance” in its care instructions.
LESSON TWO: watering is not a vibe—it's a schedule
My early approach to watering plants was primarily based on emotion. Does the soil feel dry?
Am I in the mood to water today?
Spoiler: this is not a sustainable strategy.
Plants have needs, whether or not you’re binge-watching a true-crime documentary or reorganizing your closet by color. They don’t care if Mercury is in retrograde. They need water. Preferably at regular intervals.
Once I set actual reminders on my phone— “Water or Watch Them Die”—things improved dramatically. Scheduling might not be sexy, but it’s the key to keeping both plants and relationships alive.
LESSON THREE:
sunlight is a thing, and apparently, it matters
I used to think that placing a plant somewhere “near a window” was enough. It turns out that sunlight is not a polite suggestion. It’s critical.
Different plants want different kinds of light.
I learned to read those little tags that come with plants (you know, the ones we toss immediately into the recycling bin) and follow the instructions. Revolutionary.
LESSON FOUR:
you can fake it 'til you
make it
If, after all this, you still can’t seem to keep anything green alive, here’s my most significant discovery: artificial plants are fantastic. They don't wilt. They don't demand sunlight. They don't judge you.
I have a fake fiddle-leaf fig tree in my living room that looks so convincing, my neighbor complimented me and asked for watering tips. I told her it "loves filtered light and sporadic misting" because lying felt wrong, but embellishing felt right.
ANOTHER FUN TRICK?
Even a simple grocery store bouquet can make a home feel alive and happy, and it’s expected to die eventually, which takes the pressure off.
FINAL THOUGHTS: green thumbs are overrated
Despite my tragic track record with plants, I have not given up on them entirely.
I still occasionally bring home a new leafy friend with wild optimism, whispering, "Maybe you’re different."
Sometimes it works out. Sometimes it doesn't.
And that’s okay.
The important thing is that a home is a place of life and laughter—even if the living things are mostly dogs, dust bunnies, and a resilient pothos that survived three months without water.
If you're like me—a serial plant killer turned cautious plant enthusiast—know this: you don’t have to be a perfect plant parent to create a beautiful, welcoming home.
You have to keep trying… and maybe buy a few realistic fakes on the side. And always remember: if at first you don’t succeed, water, water again…on a schedule.V
Judi Moreo is a writer, speaker, TV personality, and lifelong learner. She finds inspiration in exploring diverse cultures, connecting with people from all walks of life, and discovering how love and resilience shape our experiences.
When she’s not writing or speaking, she immerses herself in art, nurturing new creative projects or simply savoring the beauty of everyday moments.
You can contact Judi at judi@judimoreo.com.
Home Sweet WOW!
The 2025 St. George Area Parade of Homes
by Mari Krashowetz
Valentine’s Day has always been about love, but in southern Utah, February 14 marked the beginning of a love affair not just with people but with homes. And not just any homes—extraordinary homes. The 2025 St. George Area Parade of Homes, which ran from February 14 through February 23, delivered jaw-dropping designs, innovative architecture, and a theme that perfectly encapsulated what attendees experienced: “Home Sweet WOW.”
In its 34th year, the Parade of Homes continues to set the gold standard for showcasing what is possible in home design. With 31 featured homes plus a special bonus home constructed by talented high school students in the Careers in Construction program, the event was more than just a collection of beautiful houses—it was a testament to craftsmanship, education, and community spirit.
From charming townhomes to sprawling estates exceeding 19,000 square feet, the 2025 Parade offered something for
everyone. Whether attendees were dreaming of building their own sanctuaries, searching for design inspiration, or simply indulging in some top-notch window-shopping, each home told a unique story and delivered a world of “WOW.” The homes took each visitor on a journey, blending modern innovations with timeless elegance.
What did “Home Sweet WOW” really mean? It was more than just a catchy tagline—it was a feeling. It was that moment when someone walked through a front door and their breath
caught at the sight of a grand staircase. Or the moment when someone took in a perfectly framed view of southern Utah’s iconic red cliffs through a wall of floorto-ceiling windows. It was about those little details—the ones that linger in memory long after the visit ends.
And speaking of views, many were amazed by new lakeside developments, complete with private boat houses that offered serenity and sophistication in equal measure.
While the homes themselves stole the spotlight, the impact of the Parade stretched far beyond their walls. Funding community service projects and educational scholarships, a portion of every ticket sold supported the Southern Utah Home Builders Care Foundation. Additionally, ticket proceeds contributed to initiatives addressing housing attainability solutions in the region, helping more families access a place they can truly call home. It was a beautiful reminder that the Parade isn’t just about luxury—it’s about legacy.
One of the Parade’s most exciting features was its virtual tour option, included with every ticket purchase. For those who couldn’t attend in person— or who wanted to revisit their favorite homes—immersive, 360-degree tours were available through May 2025. With a tablet in hand, people could kick back on their couches and explore these incredible homes from anywhere in the world.
The Parade wasn’t and isn’t just about admiring beautiful spaces—it has always been about bringing dreams to life. Every home featured an exhibitor showcase, where industry professionals displayed products and services to help attendees kickstart their next home improvement project. Whether visitors were remodeling a kitchen, upgrading an outdoor space, or building a dream home from the ground up, these exhibitors had it covered.
The St. George Area Parade of Homes was proudly presented by the Southern Utah Home Builders Association (SUHBA) and Zions Bank, with generous support from BlvdHome, Enbridge, Burton Lumber, St. George News, and Kony 99.9.
The 2025 event delivered an experience like no other to longtime Parade attendees and first-time visitors alike. From innovative designs and stunning views to community-driven initiatives and state-of-the-art technology, the 2025 St. George Area Parade of Homes wasn’t just a showcase—it was a celebration.
Those who brought their sense of wonder and came ready to be inspired discovered that home isn’t just where the heart is—it is where the WOW happens.V
For more information on future events, please visit www.ParadeHomes.com.
Growing and Nurturing Income Streams for Retirement
by Nathan Hughes, AAMS®
Years ago, I was at the store with a friend. There was an item he wanted to buy, but instead of saying the dollar amount, he calculated how many hours of work it would cost. This interaction has changed the way I think about money. For example, if I make $20 an hour and I want to buy something that will cost $2,000, I will have to work 100 hours to afford it. Is that worth it?
When I ask people what “WEALTHY” is to them, most respond with something like, “to have enough money to not work
another day in my life and have the freedom to do what I want to do.” Unfortunately, most people are not saving or investing to achieve “WEALTHY.” Author Nick Murray wrote, “When your investments, as distinctly opposed to the sweat of your brow, will provide you sufficient income to live a full and joyful life, then you are truly wealthy – because you are truly free.” So, how can you achieve “WEALTHY” so you don’t need to think about how many hours you must work to afford something?
PLANTING YOUR FINANCIAL ORCHARD
As a kid, my favorite folk tale was Johnny Appleseed. What an inspiring story of someone who worked to provide a food source for early pioneers. Johnny did the hard part; they just had to harvest the apples. There are a plethora of stories and parables in literature teaching the law of the harvest. Growing our income streams is like planting an orchard.
When planting a fruit tree, the early years demand attention. The sapling must be nurtured, protected from harsh weather,
and given proper care so it can grow strong. Similarly, financial investments require patience and consistency. Whether it’s contributing to retirement accounts or managing rental properties, the effort in the beginning helps establish a sturdy foundation.
DIVERSIFICATION
No gardener plants just one tree and expects it to meet all their needs. Some trees take longer to bear fruit, while others might have bountiful years followed by leaner harvests.
Financial portfolios work the same way. A diversified mix of income sources help with diversification so that even if one stream experiences setbacks, others can compensate.
There should be a variety of financial “trees” in your orchard:
Pension & Social Security: Steady, reliable income—like the dependable apple tree producing year after year.
Real Estate Rentals: A strong but labor-intensive tree, requiring pruning and maintenance but yielding significant fruit when properly managed.
Retirement Accounts (401(k), IRA, etc.): A long-growing tree that must be nurtured, but once matured, it provides substantial sustenance.
Investment Accounts: Brokerage accounts act as seasonal producers—some years bring an excellent crop, others require patience.
Weathering Seasons of Change
Even the best-planned orchard faces unexpected droughts or storms. Inflation, market fluctuations, and healthcare expenses are factors beyond our control. However, diversification and preparation—such as having a mix of liquid assets and stable income sources—allow retirees to withstand financial challenges.
For younger individuals who are further away from retirement, start thinking about the income streams you can “plant” now to prepare. For those who are closer to retirement, talk with your financial advisor and other professionals to analyze and “tend” to your income streams.
Harvesting the Rewards
A well-managed garden brings joy and sustenance, just as a carefully cultivated financial plan may help you feel more organized and prepared. By planting wisely, tending patiently, and diversifying your trees, you can feel more confident that your retirement years are filled with abundance and security.V
Nathan Hughes, AAMS®, is president and advisor of Hughes Strategic Group, LLC DBA Pilot Wealth Strategies. He is a proud native of Mesquite, Nevada. Contact Nathan at (208) 490-5400 or info@ pilotwealthstrategies.com.
Investment advisory services are offered through Hughes Strategic Group, LLC d/b/a Pilot Wealth Strategies, a registered investment advisor. This material is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice. Past performance is not indicative of future results. All investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal. Analogies and examples are provided for illustrative purposes only. Financial outcomes vary widely and cannot be assured. While diversifying income sources may offer benefits, no investment strategy can guarantee income or eliminate financial risk.
A PLUMBING REPAIR GUIDE FROM
At The Lindi Corp, we understand the satisfaction that comes from tackling home projects on your own. While some minor plumbing issues can be handled with a DIY approach, it's crucial to recognize when it's time to call in the professionals to prevent costly mistakes and ensure your home's safety.
DIY-Friendly Plumbing Tasks:
Leaky faucets: Often caused by worn-out washers, these can typically be replaced with basic tools.
Running toilets: Replacing a faulty flapper valve can stop your toilet from wasting water.
Clogged drains: Minor clogs may be cleared with a plunger or drain snake.
When to Call The Lindi Corp Professionals:
Low water pressure: This could indicate hidden leaks or pipe obstructions that require expert diagnosis.
Frequent or severe clogs: Persistent blockages might signal deeper issues in your sewer line.
Leaking or burst pipes: Improper repairs can lead to significant water damage; it's best to rely on our experienced team.
Water heater problems: Issues like inconsistent temperatures or leaks involve complex systems that should be repaired by professionals.
Major installations: Upgrading fixtures or re-piping requires specialized knowledge to ensure safety and compliance with local codes.
Attempting complex plumbing repairs without the proper expertise can lead to water damage, mold growth, and increased repair costs. Our skilled technicians at The Lindi Corp are equipped to handle these challenges efficiently and effectively.V
The Lindi Corp professionals are available 24/7. Book an appointment online at www.TheLindiCorp.com, or call us with questions at (702) 605-5630. The Lindi Corp is located at 50 N. Sandhill Blvd. in Mesquite, Nevada. We offer plumbing and HVAC services for residential and commercial projects.
THe Science of Flooring Selection: Building a Foundation for Well-Being
by Randi Fuller, The Science of Sanctuaries at Mesquite Tile & Flooring
When you walk into a room, your feet may hit the floor first, but your mood follows close behind.
Floors aren’t just aesthetic choices; they shape how we feel, move, rest, and connect within our environments. As the owner of Mesquite Tile & Flooring and a design strategist focused on the psychology of space, I see flooring not just as a surface, but as a silent contributor and foundation (literally!) to our emotional well-being.
Here in the Mojave Desert, where the climate demands durability, flooring must balance both function and feeling. When guiding clients, I look for materials that match not just lifestyle needs but emotional intent.
I teach my sales team that our customers are not everyday shoppers. Most people don’t purchase flooring annually—it’s a decision that comes around once a decade or longer. That means many of our clients walk into our showroom already feeling overwhelmed or uncertain.
That’s why I believe—and train my team to believe—that an informed customer is a more confident and comfortable one. In this article, I’ll share key flooring insights to help you start your journey with clarity and confidence.
Is It Time to Replace Your Flooring?
Even the highest-quality flooring has a lifespan—and so does our emotional connection to it. Here are a few signs it may be time to consider a refresh:
Visible Wear & Tear: Cracked tiles, frayed carpet, or lifting edges not only look tired—they may create safety concerns or signal deeper structural issues.
Fading & Discoloration: Our desert sun is beautiful, but harsh. Prolonged exposure can dull materials and make rooms feel washed out.
Increased Allergies or Dust: Older carpet can trap allergens and dust. If your space feels stuffy or you can’t stop sneezing, listen to your body.
Changed Needs: Maybe your joints crave more cushion, or you’ve added a new pet or grandchild to the mix. Life evolves—and flooring should, too.
Emotional Shift: Sometimes, the floor doesn’t need to be damaged; it just doesn’t feel like you anymore. New flooring can symbolize a fresh start or support a new season of life.
How Long Does Flooring Last?
The lifespan of flooring varies based on material, usage, and maintenance. Here's a general guide to help set expectations:
Tile: 20–50+ years
Carpet: 8–15 years
Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP): 15–25 years
Laminate: 10–20 years
Selecting with Intention: Matching
Material to Mood and Lifestyle
Let’s explore common flooring options—tile, carpet, and resilient flooring like LVP and laminate—through the lens of both functionality and well-being.
Tile: Cool, Clean, and Centered
Best for: kitchens, bathrooms, patios, entryways, and showers
Emotional vibe: calm, clear, and grounded
Tile’s sleek lines and solid surfaces promote a sense of order and clarity, qualities that can help anchor busy households. In our hot desert climate, tile’s natural coolness brings welcome relief, while porcelain tile in particular stands up to sand, pets, and heavy use. Whether you're creating a tranquil spa-like shower or a rugged outdoor oasis, tile offers long-term value and unmatched versatility.
Carpet: Softness, Security, and Sanctuary
Best for: bedrooms, quiet zones, meditation, or dens
Emotional vibe: cozy, nurturing, and restful
Carpets invite relaxation, physically and emotionally. Carpet softens footsteps, absorbs noise, and retains warmth. For aging homeowners or anyone craving a restful retreat, it creates a sense of comfort and care.
Today’s options include hypoallergenic fibers and improved stain resistance, making it easier than ever to combine softness with practicality.
Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP): Resilient and Reassuring
Best for: living rooms, kitchens, hallways, and active homes
Emotional vibe: confident, calm, and low-maintenance
LVP blends natural looks with serious durability. Its waterproof, scratch-resistant surface holds up to daily life while mimicking the warmth of wood or stone. It’s especially helpful in homes with pets or children.
Many styles incorporate natural textures that support biophilic designs, bringing a touch of nature indoors to reduce stress and support emotional balance.
Laminate: Practical Beauty and Visual Flow
Best for: living areas, bedrooms, and home offices
Emotional vibe: structured, simple, and harmonious
Laminate is an affordable, attractive solution that offers wood-like finishes with minimal maintenance. Unlike LVP, which is made of vinyl, laminate is made from a wood composite and is waterresistant rather than waterproof, allowing for beautifully realistic textures. Its ability to create cohesive transitions from room to room promotes visual clarity and a feeling of order—especially beneficial for those who are sensitive to sensory overload.
Designing with the End in Mind: Flooring for the Life You Want
Every flooring choice carries emotional significance. Is it soft enough to feel safe? Durable enough to keep you confident? Simple enough to ease your mind?
In The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen R. Covey wrote, “To begin with the end in mind means to start with a clear understanding of your destination. It means to know where you’re going so that you better understand where you are now and so that the steps you take are always in the right direction.”
I use this principle every day in my design practice.
I begin by asking, “How do you want to feel when you walk into this space?”
When your flooring selection aligns with how you want to feel—not just how you want your space to look—you’re doing more than updating your home. You’re creating a sanctuary that supports your well-being.
Flooring isn’t just what’s underfoot—it’s part of your home’s emotional foundation. Choose it with care, and it will support you every step of the way.V
by Karen L. Monsen
When Brigham Young “called” thirty-eight families to grow cotton in southern Utah in 1857, they faced searing heat, drought, flash floods, quicksand, and alkaline soil. They planted different crops in various locations, trying to make the desert bloom.
To newcomers from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Virgin, Santa Clara, and Muddy rivers looked manageable but proved destructive. The first dam on the Virgin, built in 1857, washed out twice that season, and washouts continued—twice in 1858 and three times in 1859.
from farms to community Gardens in southern U tah
The “Big Flood” of 1862 destroyed six years of orchard growth in Santa Clara, a storeroom of wheat in the fort, a grist mill, a molasses mill, and a homemade cotton gin—all buried in mud. Disastrous floods followed in 1867, 1900, 1910, 1912, and 1938. Between floods and hailstones the size of hickory nuts, grasshoppers ravaged crops.
Everything, including the soil, worked against the settlers. The high amount of alkali in the soil had one upside. In the absence of baking powder, pioneer women scraped the white patches off the ground, settled the patches in water, and poured off the liquid to make “quick bread” leaven. Skilled cooks could measure the leaven by taste.
Washington Cotton Factory (1866 to 1899) | Photo Credit: Mark Pendleton via The Washington County Historical Society
Camp Lorenzo & the Cotton Factory
In the winter of 1874–1875, the Brigham City United Order selected 50 acres in southern Utah for growing cotton. The project, named Camp Lorenzo after the fifth president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Lorenzo Snow, was managed by Israel Hunsaker until it was abandoned in 1879 due to the high cost of maintaining the dam. Cheaper cotton was available by railroad from southern states after the Civil War, and families fled to Mexico to avoid federal polygamy prosecution.
Andrew Larson describes Camp Lorenzo in his book, I Was Called To Dixie. “They erected a substantial two-story rock house-its well-built walls still remain to this day--, took out the water of the Virgin, and began farming an excellent tract of forty or fifty acres of land on the right bank of the river just above the spot where the river intersects the Virgin Anticline,” he said.
The unfinished two-story structure constructed in 1878–1879 is a ghostly reminder of unsuccessful cotton farming. A cotton mill built in Washington City in 1870 fared better. Called the Cotton Factory to differentiate it from the nearby grist mill known as the Mill, the factory flourished until the Civil War ended. Then, plagued by debt, it was leased to Thomas Judd, who produced wool and later, silk. It closed in 1910, was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971, and was purchased in 1998 by Star Nursery. Today, it thrives as a garden center.
Camp Lorenzo ruins | Photo Credit Karen L. Monsen
Star Nursery, former Cotton Factory | Photo Credit Karen L. Monsen
Toquerville Winery
Farming success relied on matching crops to micro-climates to grow sugar beets, cane, molasses, sorghum, wheat, alfalfa, and grapes. In his book, Southern Utah Memories, Loren Webb says, “The Dixie Wine Mission was for a while one of the most successful of Brigham Young’s self-sufficiency missions.”
Settlers needed cash for currency to trade outside of their communities, and miners in Silver Reef, Utah, and Pioche, Nevada, provided customers for the wine. Initially, the Church of Jesus Christ encouraged wine production for Sacramental purposes and for sale to nonmembers. By 1866, approximately one-third of the total acreage under cultivation in Toquerville near St. George was devoted to orchards and vineyards.
John C. Naegle became known as the best winemaker in southern Utah, manufacturing 3,000 gallons of wine per year and marketing it as “Nail’s Best.” Naegle built a two-story house in Toquerville for his polygamous family. As mining slowed in 1892, the Church of Jesus Christ abandoned wine in favor of water for Sacrament services, and Naegle left town. The house was briefly used as a fig cannery and a peach defuzzing plant before it was restored by a descendant. It is now on the National Historic Registry of Homes.
Above: Historic photo of the Toquerville winery: Photo By P. Kent Fairbanks - Library of Congress, Prints and Photograph Division HABS- UTAH, 27-TOQVI,1-2, Public Domain. Below: Modern day building that was formerly the Toquerville winery | Photo Credit Karen L. Monsen
Santa Clara Community Garden
Santa Clara, northwest of St. George, was settled by Swiss immigrants in 1861. When the Santa Clara River flooded in 1862, it destroyed the fort, most buildings, irrigation ditches, and dams, but they rebuilt and persevered.
Several residents started the Santa Clara Community Garden in 2009 to help neighbors provide food, learn gardening, and share a social space. A landowner offered his lot for the garden, and Santa Clara City helped with approvals. An anonymous donor pays for the water, other donations pay for seeds, and volunteers provide material and labor. Structured as a “shared garden,” it has no individual plots. In April 2025, elementary students planted peanuts—a crop early farmers never tried. Emails announce times for work and gathering, and workers share the harvest. Find more information at www.SantaClaraCommunityGarden. blogspot.com.
Santa Clara Community Garden | Photo Credit Karen L. Monsen
Elementary students planting peanuts in Santa Clara Garden
Photo Credit Patrice Hunt
Southern Utah Gardening
“Hands down, the extreme summer heat is the biggest obstacle to gardening in the high desert. It limits what you can grow and when,” states Tom Tracz, who grew up outside of Chicago and earned a degree in ornamental horticulture, specializing in nursery management, from the University of Illinois. He founded Elite Growers, Inc.—a nine-acre wholesale container nursery growing 800 varieties of perennials and annuals—and then retired to Ivins, Utah, in 2011. Tracz has grown vegetables and herbs in southern Utah since 2012: bush beans, beets, broccoli, carrots, cucumbers, garlic, lettuce, onions, snow peas, peppers, radishes, spinach, tomatoes, watermelons, and herbs such as dill, basil, parsley, and thyme.
Tracz leases two medium-sized plots in Ivins for $75 annually per plot. He works in the garden 15–20 hours weekly during spring planting and 10–15 hours per week during the rest of the year. His growing tips include:
1. Pick an area that receives at least six hours of sun a day.
2. Amend your soil.
3. Grow varieties adapted to our climate.
4. Plant at the proper time.
5. Visit university websites for detailed information on desert gardening.
Tracz amends the Red Mountain sand with two cubic feet of sphagnum peat moss for each three-foot by 10-foot bed to increase the nutrient and soil-water-holding capacity. He comments, “Every spring and fall, I add two cubic feet of steer manure to replenish the organic matter that is lost.” Sands and sandy loams need large amounts of organic matter to improve the tilth—the quality that makes soil suitable for growing crops. He monitors soil pH, the measure of acidity or alkalinity, to keep it between 5.5 and 7.5, where plants thrive, and adds general-purpose fertilizer (15-15-15) based on growth rate. Drip lines run 45 minutes every two or three days, and he occasionally waters by hand to leach out salts.
A perimeter fence keeps out rabbits. Fine netting keeps aphids, cabbage loopers, cucumber beetles, and leaf miners off the plants, and insecticidal soap or pyrethrum are effective organic sprays. A 50% shade cloth over tomatoes and peppers prevents sunscalds and provides windbreaks. Because tomato pollen becomes sterile when temperatures exceed 90 degrees, Tracz recommends “planting early so plants can set fruit before the summer heat arrives.” Although he admits he does not save money growing his own vegetables, he says the “payoff is in the taste and nutritional value of homegrown produce and the satisfaction of growing your own food.”
As Douglas Alder and Karl Brooks wrote in their book, A History of Washington County, “The harsh Dixie landscape was unrelenting; it yielded itself grudgingly to these newcomers who tried to impose settled life upon its sand and stone… The land balked at this change. It fought back with drought. It responded to overgrazing with flooding. That conflict continues to this day.”V
Above and below: Tom Tracz watering plants and growing lettuce in Ivins Community Garden | Photo Credits Marcie Eberwine
++ Emergency What to Do and
by Dr. Taylor Smith Medical Director of Emergency Services, Mesa View Regional Hospital
Knowing how to respond quickly and effectively in an emergency can save lives. Whether it’s providing first aid at home or knowing when it’s time to head to the emergency room, being prepared helps protect the health and well-being of you and your loved ones.
It’s also reassuring to know that the Emergency Department at Mesa View Regional Hospital is here for you 24/7. Staffed around the clock by physicians trained in emergency medicine, our ER is equipped and ready to deliver timely, professional care when needed most.
Educating yourself and your family about responding to emergencies can lead to better outcomes. So, let’s take a few minutes to review some simple, effective steps that could make a big difference in your life.
Preparedness + When to Seek Help
First Aid Kit Essentials
A well-stocked first aid kit is your first defense for everyday injuries like bruises, cuts, and scrapes. Store it in a central, easily accessible place—out of reach of young children but within easy access for adults.
Make sure your kit includes:
· Adhesive bandages in various sizes
· Sterile gauze pads and medical tape
· Antiseptic wipes and antibiotic ointment
· Tweezers and scissors
· Instant cold packs
· Disposable gloves
· Pain relievers (like acetaminophen or ibuprofen)
· A digital thermometer
Be Prepared
The American College of Emergency Physicians recommends a four-step approach to handling emergencies at home: Prevent, Prepare, Recognize, and Act. This might include practicing emergency drills with your family, enrolling in CPR classes through your local fire department or Red Cross, and teaching children to dial 9-1-1.
Make sure everyone in the family knows what qualifies as an emergency and when to call for help. Young children should memorize and practice providing essential details like their home address, phone number, and information about the person needing help (such as whether they are conscious and breathing).
Quick tips for everyday first aid situations:
· For bruises: elevate the area and apply ice for 15-20 minutes.
· For burns: cool with water for at least five minutes. Avoid ice or butter.
· For minor bleeding: apply direct pressure with a clean cloth until bleeding stops. Clean the wound, apply antibiotic ointment, and cover with a sterile bandage.
What to Expect at Mesa View
“In an emergency, time matters,” says Dr. Smith. “It is better to seek emergency care immediately for suspected conditions such as a heart attack or stroke than to wait for symptoms to possibly subside. With board-certified emergency physicians and members of the medical staff, including specialists in cardiology, general surgery, and orthopedics, Mesa View is equipped to treat a wide range of medical emergencies.”
Seek emergency care immediately for:
· Severe or persistent bleeding
· Difficulty breathing or chest pain
· Symptoms of stroke (sudden weakness difficulty speaking)
· Major fractures or head injuries
· Severe allergic reactionsV
About the author: Dr. Taylor Smith is a board-certified emergency physician and has served as Medical Director of Emergency Services at Mesa View Regional Hospital since 2016. He is certified by the American Board of Emergency Medicine.
For more information, visit our website: www.MesaViewHospital.com/Emergency.
Where Wellness Meets Comfort and Community
by Annalyn James
In a world that rarely slows down, Sage Health and Home Center is a unique kind of business that still believes in taking the time to care. This local gem has been serving southern Nevada with heart and dedication since 1996. Nearly 30 years later, this business has evolved from a wellness store into a full-fledged destination for health, comfort, and home.
What began as a health-focused business has blossomed into a unique fusion of a wellness hub and a fully stocked furniture and mattress showroom. In 2012, what was then called Sage Health expanded its offerings to include furniture and mattresses—an extension that felt like a natural fit. After all, what’s more essential to wellness than a good night’s sleep and a comfortable, beautiful home to return to?
Walk into the store today, and you’ll find more than just products—you’ll find a warm welcome.
Sage Health and Home Center carries a carefully curated selection from over ten different furniture and mattress companies, which gives customers an impressive variety despite the shop’s limited floor space. “Even with a small showroom, we can get almost anything our customers want,” says owner Deborah Henrie. And that’s not just a promise— it’s a personal commitment.
Try out one of the multiple recliners in the showroom, feel the fabric, test the comfort, and imagine your living room transformed. Whether you're after a custom sectional, loveseat, or sofa, Sage Health and Home Center makes it
possible. Every order is handled with care, and either Deborah or her husband, Nathan, is personally present at every delivery. “We make sure things go smoothly—every time,” she shares.
The commitment doesn’t stop at furniture. Sage Health and Home Center is equally passionate about health and wellness. Recently expanding to include a luxurious Posh and Lavish mattress, they offer a range of quality supplements and Sealy mattresses. “It’s unlike any mattress we’ve ever seen,” Deborah reports enthusiastically. “We bought one for ourselves and have been sleeping on it for a month. It has improved our lives, and we are ecstatic to offer it in our store.”
Helping people live better—whether through the best supplements or a more restful night—is what truly drives Sage Health and Home Center. There’s no sales pressure here, just a genuine desire to make life easier and more enjoyable for every customer who walks through the door.
“Our customers are our friends,” Deborah explains. “It’s not about the sale—it’s about helping where we can.”
From advice on financing options to help choosing the right sofa, every step of the customer journey is handled with care and involvement. And that personal touch doesn’t go unnoticed.
“People come in for a bottle of vitamins and leave with a sectional,” Deborah jokes. It’s that kind of charm—and the relationships they build—that keep customers coming back.
At Sage Health and Home Center, life isn’t about transactions—it’s about relationships. “We love meeting new people and making new friends every day,” Deborah says. “Life is about the people you have around you. We’re just happy to be part of that.”
Whether you’re in search of the perfect mattress, a new recliner, or a little help feeling your best, Sage Health and Home Center offers more than just products—it offers peace of mind. And in a busy world, that’s something truly rare.V
Sage Health and Home Center is located at 201 S. Moapa Valley Blvd in Overton, Nevada. Hours of operation are Mon-Sat 9-5 and closed on Sunday. Please call us at (702) 397-8632 with any questions. Find us on Facebook.com/SageHealthandHomeCenter.
Where Adventure Meets Luxury
by Dana Biberston
Welcome to Desert Color in St. George, Utah, where endless opportunities for fun, adventure, and relaxation await residents and guests year-round. This beautiful community seamlessly blends the serenity of outdoor living with luxurious residences and exclusive amenities.
Of Desert Color’s 3,400 thoughtfully designed acres, 600 have been built out so far through a Clyde Capital Group
and Utah Trust Lands Association partnership. A subsidiary of Clyde Companies, along with SunRoc and SunPro, Clyde Capital Group is dedicated to creating vibrant, sustainable communities that enhance the quality of life for residents. This collaborative partnership is also developing Solenté, another highly amenitized resort community in neighboring Washington City. Each Clyde Capital Group community reflects its commitment to excellence, environmental stewardship, and economic sustainability—and Desert Color is no exception.
Beginning with the groundbreaking in 2016, Desert Color was built around a vision of community, and the first residents moved in during 2019. Desert Color gives residents, visitors, and businesses the opportunity to experience a life connected to the outdoors while allowing residents to be connected to one another. With a diverse array of community options, Desert Color provides something for everyone. It offers convenient commercial, retail, and dining districts. Neighborhoods, architectural designs, and housing options
vary, including apartments, townhomes, nightly rental properties, 55-plus active communities, and custom homes.
For those in search of fun, adventure, outdoor experiences, and a healthy lifestyle, Desert Color is your perfect destination. Our luxurious waterfront community, the Shores, is in the heart of the resort and has the largest private oasis in the St. George area—a 2.5-acre lagoon with a half-mile white sand shoreline. At the Shores, enjoy a full-service restaurant (coming
soon); pool; hot tub; poolside snack bar flanked by lounge areas for private gatherings; poolside cabanas for relaxing in the sun before and after a refreshing swim; and a rooftop sundeck for lounging or enjoying the stunning southern Utah landscape. Swim, kayak, paddleboard, refresh, or relax. The choice is yours at Desert Color.
In addition to the Shores, the trail systems, parks, and nature preserves provide plentiful options for activity seekers. Nearly 210 acres will be developed for parks and trails. Thanks to the perfect climate, strong economy, safety, sense of community, and location in southern Utah, Desert Color provides an ideal balance of outdoor adventures, easy access to national parks, urban amenities, and home retreats, all in a stunning natural setting.
And there’s more! The fun lifestyle directors at Desert Color host annual events to bring the community together, including Dive-In Movie Nights, food trucks, kick-off events, concerts, and more. From hiking, golfing, and ATVing to water recreation, community events, and beyond, the possibilities for rejuvenation and reinvigoration are limitless at Desert Color.
With abundant amenities, hundreds of developed acres, and thousands of acres yet to be developed, Desert Color offers a colorful spectrum of opportunities now and on the horizon. Find your dream home or dream rental, and experience the best of southern Utah at Desert Color.V
HOLLYHOCKS & HOME GROWN CHARM The Beauty of A Pioneer Home
by Kaylee Pickering
Many modern homes look alike, with similar colors, shapes, and details. As neighborhoods pop up quickly and a template is followed, key features of artistic architecture get lost. Over the last few years, design trends like maximalism and cottage-core have had moments on social media, and the charm and creative details of late 1800s pioneer homes may have their own moments.
A gentle creak of the historic door and a slight groan from the original wood floor welcome guests to the historic Hunter House at the Frontier Homestead State Park in Cedar City. Through the door to the right is a cozy parlor with antique books, an organ that still plays a pretty tune, and a beautiful
bay window that lets in the morning and afternoon sunlight. On the opposite side of the home is a sitting room with a brick fireplace. Built-in shelves contain locally made pottery, crocheted lace, and small curios. An oak roll top desk sits opposite the fireplace, pencils across the top with scattered postcards from the activity of the last visitors.
Though exhibit signage dots the house—offering explanations for the materials used in its construction, the everyday items of the previous owners, and the choices made in the home’s reconstruction—it still feels very much like a loved and lived-in home. Even the rope bed is carefully made, and the rag rugs are placed with care as if in preparation for the day.
A Blend of Southern Utah and Beyond
The portion of the Hunter House still standing is a one-and-a-half-story brick home built in 1866. Made from a mixture of beautiful colored clay sourced from the local landscapes, the bricks range from a pale sandy orange to deep, vibrant red.
Gable-end chimneys, relieving arched windows, and distinctive wall dormers naturally reflect Utah’s mid-19th-century architectural style through a blend of design choices. The wood floors (sourced locally from Cedar Mountain) have distinct patterns and shifting colors. They creak slightly as you walk through, but it’s a welcome sound as you wander the quiet home. The charm lies in small details of nonuniformity. There's beauty in a distinctive knot in one board that you won’t find anywhere else in the house, and colors vary throughout.
A Welcoming Front Porch
Bright white pillars carved with careful, practical designs stand out against the rough sandy brick. A front porch, large enough for a bench and a small gathering of friends and family on a summer evening, accentuates the front of the home. Beneath the eaves, the carefully carved details sweep across the porch in a pattern much like the hand-tatted doilies and lace adornments inside. A section of geometric shapes resembling the squares of a quilt follows directly below the overhanging roof. The space between pillars is scalloped with similar white detailing. A favorite feature for visitors to the park is a painting at the very front of the porch. In a large, indented oval space at the front of the home, there is a hand-painted scene, familiar to many who grew up in mountainous rural communities. In a green field in front of a stunning mountain scape graze a handful of horses and fluffy sheep.
Gardens with Native Plants
Now an event space used for holidays and weddings, the carefully tended garden of the Hunter House is still alive with color as local flowers bloom and birds chirp from the gazebo roof. Lavender bushes smell delightful, and bright tulips buzz with bees as you brush by. Towering hollyhocks in sunny yellows and pale pastels stretch above the garden’s brick wall. Along the ground, the pretty blush evening primrose stretches
this way and that, different from the strategically designed drip line landscaping many see today.
While a home of sand-colored adobe brick and locally sourced wood (from the mountains we roamed in childhood) might not be the most practical or attainable today, the charming details and artistic flair of pioneer homes and gardens are worth remembering. As social trends turn to adornments like
hand-painted doorways, large-scale portrait walls of mismatched frames, and flower beds sprinkled with a mix of native wildflowers, the personal touch and art of well-loved pioneer homes and gardens return.V
Learn more and visit the
Historic Hunter House at Frontier Homestead State Park in Cedar City, Utah.
by Ashley Gonter
Aquaint black-and-white shop nestled in southern Utah, The Cottage blends timeless style with a deep sense of welcome. Created by a mother-daughter duo with a love for life’s little moments, it’s a destination where cozy meets curated, and every visit feels like stepping into your own happy place.
We opened our doors in 2017. I was a few months pregnant and excited to begin a new chapter as both a mother and a business owner. When my son was born, I chose to put motherhood first and business second. That’s when my mom, Christie, stepped up to run day-to-day operations, allowing me to work from home and come and go with my little one in tow.
Working together has been such a gift. We’re incredibly grateful for the time we get to spend as a family, building something we both love and believe in.
The Cottage is a full-sensory experience. When you step inside, you’re greeted by our signature scent—a warm, nostalgic blend of cinnamon, orange, nutmeg, and clove (yes, you can take it home in a room spray). Overhead, the timeless voices of Michael Bublé, Frank Sinatra, and Ella Fitzgerald create an atmosphere that feels like a cozy Nancy Meyers film with a Ralph Lauren twist.
One of our favorite spots in the shop is the cozy reading nook, complete with two comfortable chairs. You can slow down, flip through pages, and find just the right book, whether it’s for yourself or someone you love. We have an incredible assortment of books from charming children’s books and inspiring poems to journals, recipe books, and stories that speak to the soul. No matter what you’re going through or what stage of life you’re in, we have a book that will resonate with you.
Everything in the shop is meant to be touched, felt, and enjoyed—soft blankets, beautifully scented candles, and hand-chosen treasures that make everyday life feel a little more special. You’ll find our charming candy cart stocked with gourmet popcorn, buttery caramels, spicy pepper jellies, and other treats that sweeten the moment.
We even have a playhouse so the little ones—both our kids and our customers’ kids—can play. It’s been invaluable to us. The kids love it, and so do their parents. We’ve even made it functional with shelving so you can shop from it.
We love pieces that carry inspiring or encouraging messages—a simple quote on a notebook, a delicate necklace, a poem on handmade paper, or a piece of wall art that gently says, “You’ve got this.” Because sometimes a little reminder is exactly what we need.
The seasons are especially magical here. we go all out for the holidays, especially halloween and christmas— it’s when we really shine.
Our space is small, but we make the most of every square inch because we truly love the joy and anticipation the holidays bring. We want our customers to feel the magic the moment they walk in—and we love it when they get just as excited as we do, snapping photos for inspiration and sharing with their families at home.
With a focus on both beauty and meaning, The Cottage is always evolving. You’ll find gifts for weddings, new babies, birthdays, loss, and everyday pick-me-ups—the kind of things that mark a moment or quietly say, “I saw this and thought of you.” Quality matters deeply to us, and we’re always on the lookout for pieces that feel personal and special.
We have an amazing team, and we feel so grateful for each and every one of them. You’ll often find “Pops” Shawn in the
store. Although he works remotely, he chooses to set up here so he can spend more time with his wife, Christie—but he didn’t quite realize we’d put him to work! He’s now the official room spray mixer and tester, and his enthusiasm for our room sprays is absolutely contagious. If you’re lucky, he might help you discover your new favorite fragrance.
While social media may not be our strong suit, connection is—and that’s what has kept us going. Our customers are amazing. Their word-of-mouth support has carried us through new babies, COVID, busy seasons, slow seasons, and everything in between.
Community is at the heart of The Cottage. “If we don’t have what someone’s looking for, we love recommending other local shops. There’s enough for everyone, and we want all of us to succeed,” Christie adds.
Nestled in a black gift bag with a bow, every gift purchased at The Cottage is ready to give, wrapped with care using our signature black-and-white striped tissue paper. It’s a small gesture, but one that turns a thoughtful find into a moment of delight. We want to take the work out of these moments for you. And yes, gift wrapping is always complimentary— because giving should feel special from start to finish.
People often ask if there will be a bigger store or a second location. For now, we’re happy exactly where we are. Perhaps when both my kids are in school, we’ll expand, but for now, we’re in a sweet spot. We love our location, and our neighbors are wonderful. This feels like home.
So whether you’re searching for the perfect gift, a cozy corner where you feel inspired, or a quiet space where you can connect with a friend, The Cottage has what you’re looking for. More than a store, it’s a place where stories live, senses come alive, and everyone feels at home.V
The Cottage by Krumpets is located at 558 E. Riverside Drive, Suite 112 in St. George, Utah. Store hours are Monday–Friday 10am–6pm and on Saturdays 10am–5pm. For questions, please call (435) 680-6376.
Follow us on social media: Instagram:@thecottagehomeandgift Facebook: The Cottage by Krumpets
Understanding the Housing Market:
What You Need to Know
by Melissa Eligul
The housing market can feel a bit confusing—especially if you're trying to buy your first home or just starting to pay attention to real estate. But once you understand the basics, it’s a lot easier to follow what’s going on and make good decisions.
At its core, the housing market is all about supply and demand. When more people are looking to buy than there are homes for sale, prices go up. When there are a lot of homes and fewer buyers, prices tend to drop. Simple enough, right? But there are other pieces that can shake things up.
One big factor is interest rates. When rates are low, it’s cheaper to borrow money, so more people jump into the market—and that drives prices up. But when rates climb, monthly mortgage payments get more expensive, and some buyers back off, which can slow things down. That’s why changes from the Federal Reserve (they adjust interest rates) matter a lot in real estate.
The overall economy is another key player. If people are feeling good about their jobs and making steady money, they’re more likely to buy homes. But during rough patches—like a recession—people tend to hold off, and demand goes down.
Supply plays a huge role, too. In a lot of cities, there just aren’t enough homes being built to keep up with demand. That’s due to things like zoning rules, rising construction costs, or a lack of workers. When there aren’t many homes to choose from, prices naturally go up.
Government policies also affect the market. Tax breaks for homeowners, first-time buyer incentives, or changes to mortgage lending rules can all influence who’s buying and how much they can spend.
Demographics matter, too. Millennials are now a big force in the market, often looking for smaller homes or properties in the suburbs. Meanwhile, baby boomers are downsizing or moving to retirement spots, which affects what kinds of homes are available.
If you want to keep tabs on what’s happening, watch things like home prices, how many houses are on the market, how many new ones are being built, and where interest rates are headed. These give you a pretty good idea of the market’s direction.
At the end of the day, the housing market is always changing. There’s no perfect time to buy or sell—but knowing how things work helps you make smarter choices. And before you jump in, it’s a great idea to chat with a mortgage professional. They can break down what you can afford, explain your loan options, and help you figure out the best path forward.V
Melissa Eligul, NMLS 2186710, is a loan officer with Mortgage Mate, LLC, NMLS 2508. Mortgage Mate, LLC is licensed in Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Idaho, and Florida. They are a full-service brokerage that offers everything from USDA, FHA, and VA loans to construction loans, HELOCs, commercial loans, and more. You can reach one of their loan experts at (702) 346-1414 or visit them at 483 W. Mesquite Blvd. in Mesquite, Nevada.
at Home Kettlebell Workouts for any fitness level
by Ashley Centers
in this edition, I want to focus on some strengthening and flexibility movements that i believe will really give you the most benefit with minimal to no investment in equipment.
This is one of my absolute favorite routines for an at-home, full-body burn with just a single kettlebell. If you don’t have a kettlebell, it can also be performed with a set of dumbbells. Personally, I really enjoy the versatility of a kettlebell over dumbbells, but whatever you have will work.
I typically perform four sets of fifteen repetitions for each exercise with short rest periods. It makes for a fairly quick and efficient fullbody workout.
There are a few things to note before taking on any new exercise routines. You should always make sure you are medically safe to do so by consulting your physician, and if any exercise ever causes pain, you should stop and seek medical attention if the pain persists.
#1: Kettlebell Goblet Squat
1. Hold the kettlebell, gripping it with both hands on the handle of the weight.
2. Point your knees So they align over your toes.
3. Keeping the weight close to your body, inhale and begin to squat, sitting back with your hips. Keep your core tight and your torso upright throughout the movement.
4. Once you have reached the bottom of your range of motion, drive through your heels back to the starting position for your next repetition.
*try to complete four sets of fifteen repetitions with short rest periods.*
#2: Kettlebell Swing
1. Stand with your feet slightly wider than shoulder width apart, with toes pointing forward. Place the kettlebell 12–18 inches in front of you.
2. Hinge at your hips, keeping your back straight, and bend your knees slightly.
3. Grab the kettlebell handle with both hands, ensuring a firm grip.
4. “Hike" the weight back between your legs while keeping your arms relatively straight and your elbows extended.
5. Stand up explosively, using your glutes and hips to drive the weight upward. Snap your hips forward to create momentum.
6. Allow the weight to swing upward, potentially reaching eye level or higher depending on your form.
7. As the weight comes down, hinge at the hips and bend the knees to absorb the impact.
8. Continue the swing to begin again.
#3: Kettlebell Shoulder press
1. Stand with feet shoulder-width apart and hold a kettlebell with your hand at shoulder level.
2. Position the kettlebell in the "rack" position. This means the elbow is tucked close to your body, and the forearm is nearly vertical.
3. Squeeze your glutes and tighten your abdominal muscles to stabilize your body.
4. Press the kettlebell directly overhead, keeping your back straight. Avoid leaning backward.
5. Slowly lower the kettlebell back to the starting position, keeping your elbows close to your body.
#4: Kettlebell
lateral arm raise
1. Stand straight with feet shoulderwidth apart. Hold a kettlebell in Your hand, with the arm hanging straight down by your side.
2. Keep your core muscles engaged throughout the exercise to maintain stability and prevent lower back strain.
3. Slowly raise your arm out to the side, while keeping your elbows slightly bent. Avoid raising the elbow too high, as this can put stress on the rotator cuff.
4. Pause briefly at shoulder level, then slowly and with control, bring the arm back down to your starting position.
5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions, and then switch arms.
#5: kettlebell bicep curl
1. Stand with your feet shoulderwidth apart, holding a kettlebell in one hand with both hands at your sides.
2. Keep your elbows tucked into your sides and flex at the elbow, bringing the kettlebell up toward your shoulder.
3. As you reach shoulder height, rotate your wrists so your palms face forward.
4. Slowly lower the kettlebell back down, keeping your upper arms stationary and palms facing forward.
5. Complete 15 repetitions and switch sides.
#6: kettlebell tricep kickback #7: bent over Kettlebell row
1. Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, holding the kettlebell in one hand with your palm facing towards your thigh.
2. Hinge forward slightly at the hips, keeping your back straight and core engaged.
3. Raise the arm with the kettlebell so your elbow is bent and your upper arm is parallel to the ground.
4. Keeping your upper arm stationary against your body, extend your arm backward until it is fully extended.
5. Squeeze your tricep muscles at the top of the movement.
6. Slowly return to the starting position by bending your elbow.
7. Repeat for the desired number of reps, and then switch arms.
1. Stand with your feet about shoulder-width apart, holding the kettlebell in a single hand.
2. While keeping your back straight, bend your knees slightly and hinge forward from the hips.
3. Hold the kettlebell directly below the shoulder while resting your other hand on your knee for support.
4. Keeping your elbow close to your body, pull the kettlebell up to the side of your torso.
5. Slowly lower the kettlebell back to the starting position.
Hopefully, this routine will encourage and inspire you to be more active, knowing that it doesn’t require a lot of equipment to be able to move more. Until next edition, I hope you enjoy your summer and all of the beautiful opportunities it brings for our health and fitness endeavors!V
Ashley is a certified personal trainer, corrective exercise specialist, and fitness nutritionist. When not in the gym, you can also find Ash helping clients as a licensed insurance agent to navigate the world of Medicare, commercial health, and pre-need insurances at Belnap Insurance Agency, Medicare and Healthcare Advisors at 561 Mesquite Blvd. Suite 9, in Mesquite, Nevada. Call them at (702) 344-5444.
Hurricane’s Coral Cliffs Cinema 8
Raises the Bar FOR entertainment
by Rick Moser | Renderings provided by bcDESIGNGROUP
Ashort distance from Zion National Park, Coral Cliffs Cinema 8 is a locally owned and operated movie theater, serving the community since our opening in 2004. We offer guests a convenient and welcoming place to enjoy the latest blockbusters and family films. Coral Cliffs also has expansion plans for an entertainment center to provide southern Utah with bowling, unique VR experiences, mini golf, a fullyfledged redemption arcade, and a scratch-kitchen restaurant.
The cinema features eight auditoriums, with four of them being standard stadium seating and the other four being VIP auditoriums. Each auditorium is equipped with 2K digital projectors and Dolby Digital 7.1 Surround Sound. We strive to stand out with our excellent customer service and our exceptionally clean facilities. Our standard seating auditoriums are firstcome, first-served, where you can sit wherever you would like. Our VIP theaters, on the other hand, are reserved seating, where you can pick where you would like to sit and have your food delivered to you.
Standout features at Coral Cliffs Cinema 8, our luxury VIP theaters include leather recliner seats and a concierge service that delivers concessions directly to your seat. The seats also have a swivel table, so you don’t need to worry about having somewhere to put your food. We also offer in-house meals and desserts you cannot get anywhere else. These auditoriums also have an age limit. We do not allow those under eight into the theater. The VIP theaters allow you to watch a movie
with maximum comfort, providing a unique movie-going experience you will remember.
Coming in 2026, our ambitious entertainment center facility will be a unique experience. Adjacent to the existing cinema, the scratch-kitchen restaurant in the entertainment center will feature attractions within the restaurant itself: axe throwing, krazy darts, pinball, and duckpin bowling, to name a few. There
will also be a VIP bowling experience, where you can reserve your own private lane and have food served directly to your party as you bowl.
This new facility will also feature 12 more lanes of Brunswick bowling equipped with Sparks technology, which, if you choose, can enable you to play mini games on the hardwood floor. The facility will also feature party rooms, so you can hold events within the entertainment center. Whether it is for a birthday party or a corporate event, we will accommodate you and provide a memorable experience for you and your group.
Our arcade will have over 90 games and include a fully decked out redemption center to redeem your tickets for great prizes.
In the center of the arcade, we will also have a unique virtual reality experience called Limitless VR. Unlike any other, this will be a free-roam virtual experience with real props and obstacles. On the right side of our arcade, we will have an indoor and outdoor mini golf course. This course will challenge the skill of every player and will feature themes characterized by red rock formations, petrified wood, and a fully functioning water feature.V
This expansion will launch in 2026. For more information, please call or email Rick Moser. Email: rm@coralcliffscinema8.com. Phone: (435) 635-1484 Ext. 102. Please also visit coralcliffscinema8.com for more information and to view our showtimes.
Built on Friendship, Experience, and Community
by Ricardo Trujillo
At 3 Bears Air Conditioning, we believe comfort goes beyond temperature—it’s about trust, care, and a job well done. Now entering our third year in business, we’re proud to be a locally owned company that treats every customer like family.
The “3 Bears” is more than just a name—we’re Ricky, Trent, and Steve, three close friends with over 40 years of combined experience in the HVAC industry. Before starting 3 Bears, we worked side by side at another HVAC company, where Trent served as a manager, Steve as the lead technician, and Ricky as the lead installer. Over the years, we developed not only a strong working relationship but a shared vision: to offer our community something better—a more honest, more personal, more reliable HVAC company.
That dream became reality with 3 Bears Air Conditioning. The name itself came from Jayden, Ricky’s son, who was just 10 years old at the time. He saw three hard-working guys coming together to build something special—and “3 Bears” was born. It was the perfect fit: warm, approachable, and a little playful, just like us.
3
We specialize in:
· Residential HVAC service and repair
· Light commercial HVAC work
· Heat pump replacements
· Mini split installations
· Diagnosing and repairing all HVAC systems
We bring knowledge, craftsmanship, and pride to every project—whether it’s a quick repair or a full system replacement.
A Dream Realized, A Community Served Starting 3 Bears Air Conditioning has been one of the greatest rewards of our careers. We’ve taken everything we’ve learned over four decades and poured it into a company that values people just as much as performance. Every day, we’re grateful for the chance to do what we love and give back to the community that’s supported us.
We’re proud of the work we do, proud of the team we’ve built, and proud to offer a better HVAC experience—one that’s not too big, not too small, but HVAC done just right.V
Exploring Route 66 Through Arizona
by Cliff & Ilene Bandringa, BackRoadsWest.com
Route 66 is undoubtedly the most famous and wellknown highway in the United States, if not the world. It’s known for its rich history, roadside attractions, and artifacts, as well as being a “go-to” for the great American road trip. This highway, also known as “The Mother Road,” “America’s Main Street,” or simply “old Route 66,” spans the country from Chicago, Illinois, to Santa Monica, California.
In this article, we’ll be talking about the section of the Mother Road that slices horizontally through the state of
Arizona, where you’ll find some of the best historic Route 66 artifacts and Americana in the U.S.A. Much of what you’ll see anywhere along Route 66 today is the remains from the early 1900s through the 1970s, plus newer “artifacts” that preservationists added later.
There are so many interesting things to see along this stretch of road that we can’t cover it in our usual “road trip” format. We can only touch on places briefly and will still need to make this a two-part article. If you’d like to know more or see what these places look like, please see our blog post and two-part virtual video tour (links below).
As Interstate 40 began to slowly replace Route 66 in the mid-1960s, it was often built right on top of the old road. This happened from the New Mexico border to just west of the town of Ash Fork, an area where all traces of Route 66 have been erased except for in the other towns discussed in this article. From Ash Fork to the California border, however, 1-40 took a more direct route, leaving part of the old road alignment intact. We’ll be following this alignment in part two.
So, let’s get onto I-40 at the New Mexico border in the town of Lupton and head west. Going in this direction, east to west, is the same way many people would have driven on the
highway in its heyday, mainly in the 1930s (the Dust Bowl era) and the 1940s.
In Lupton, you’ll find several classic Native American trading posts that haven’t changed since before the 1940s. The most prominent one here is the Yellowhorse Trading Post. It’s been family-owned and operated for most of its existence. On the ridge above the trading post, you’ll see models of animals and various creatures. Displaying models like this was a common theme during the old road’s heyday as a way to attract the attention of passing motorists. There are similar models farther down the road.
At exit 348, we have access to Fort Courage and a drivable seven-mile segment of the old alignment. Along this segment is a classic old bridge built in 1929 named Querino Canyon Bridge. Fort Courage was a children’s attraction, and it was a mockup of the fort used in the popular TV show, F Troop, that aired from 1965 until 1967.
Next up is Petrified Forest National Park. The visitor center and main entrance are accessed from exit 311. You can easily spend a day or more here looking at all the unique scenery preserved by this park. If you take the main road through the park for about six miles (from exit 311), you come to a Route 66 memorial. Here you’ll find the faint remains of the old road as it crosses the main park road.
The first big town that we come upon is Holbrook. Sadly, since I-40 was built, the town has been slipping slowly into decay—a common theme all along historic Route 66. Here
Scattered pieces of petrified wood and colorful landscape
you’ll find numerous old buildings displaying wonderful murals. It’s worthwhile to drive or walk around the streets to admire the murals. The town is also home to a fascinating county museum.
Not far west of Holbrook is Joseph City. It was named after Joseph Smith, founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The town was founded in 1876 by colonists who traveled the arduous route from Utah by crossing the Colorado River either at Lees Ferry or at Hole-in-the-Rock near Escalante, Utah. There are several old relics to see in this town, plus an interesting homemade museum.
A historical attraction west of town is Jackrabbit. During Route 66’s peak, Jackrabbit Trading Post was well known for its signs, which were located all along the road from Missouri to Arizona, indicating how far it was to Jackrabbit. When you arrived, the final sign indicated, “Here It Is.”
The next town is Winslow. Compared to Holbrook, Winslow has a lot more going for it. The small downtown section of Winslow has been nicely decorated and has become a popular spot to hang out. Numerous art galleries and eateries dot the few city blocks. The city has done a great job of polishing up this gem of a town to make it a place where Route 66 tourists want to stop and spend some time.
Standing on a corner in Winslow Arizona
Next up are two abandoned attractions, Two Guns and Twin Arrows. In its prime, Two Guns was mainly an amusement park and zoo. Ruins of cages and pits, where the animals were kept, can still be seen. Twin Arrows is just that—the sight of two big arrows stuck into the ground that have become somewhat of an icon of historic Route 66. Sadly, only one is left.
Between here and the next big town, Flagstaff, are numerous national monuments that can easily take up another day or two to fully enjoy. Flagstaff is a great city to spend some time in and has several miles of original Route 66 alignment with a few historic artifacts.
After Flagstaff, 25 miles west on I-40 brings you to Williams. This town has the biggest collection of Route 66 paraphernalia of any town along the entire length of the Mother Road. It’s well worth walking through this tourist-driven town to see all the relics, plus Williams has a rich railroading history and is now home to the Grand Canyon Railway.
Just after passing the town of Ash Fork, which has a mild sprinkling of Route 66 history of its own that shouldn’t be missed, exit 139 marks where the old alignment of Route 66 separates from I-40. It now stays separated for 158 miles until the California border. Take this exit to begin your experience with the “real” Route 66. From this point on, drivers can take a deep breath and drive a little slower to see and enjoy the nostalgia of the route. There will be little traffic. There’s also a lot more to see that isn’t grouped around freeway exits, as we experienced from the New Mexico border.
And that ends part one of this two-part article series on Arizona’s segment of Route 66. Watch for the next issue of ViewOn to read about the western portion as it continues to the Colorado River and the California border. To see the blog post mentioned above, go to www.BackRoadsWest.com/blog/route-66-arizona/. To see the virtual video tours, go to YouTube and search for “Route 66 thru Arizona Backroadswest.”
Happy Exploring!V
Twin Arrows Williams, Arizona
TENNIS TNT tips-n-tricks
by Donna Eads
The game of tennis is one of the few sports where competition occurs on multiple surfaces. Players must learn how to adjust their games from the fast, hard surfaces of the Australian and U.S. Opens to the slow clay of the French Open. Then they must move to the soft grass courts at Wimbledon. Players have to time their slides on the clay, remembering that the ball does not bounce high on the grass, and try to hit behind their opponent on the hard courts! It’s not an easy transition. The fans love the changes and look forward to each one.
There are so many transition points in tennis—from the service to how to get to the net—that make tennis different from other sports. The most important thing to remember about a great transition is that it is like a dance. So there is no rush in the movements because they are all based on the flight of the ball and the position of your opponent. For example, your opponent is a baseliner only, so your job is to make them move forward. Hit deeply three or four times to either their backhand or forehand, then hit the drop shot to the other side. Always move in when you hit the drop shot since their return will be weak.
Many fans wonder why their favorite player with great service decides to return at the coin toss. Well, there are several reasons. One depends on where the sun is or which way the wind is blowing, and the second is that it puts early pressure on your opponent to hold serve. Lastly, if you go to a tiebreak,
you know you will get the advantage in the serving. Most of us club players never think about these options or why a pro does this.
If you are playing doubles, it is very important to be concerned about the tiebreak! Take the time to consider who on your team is serving first because they will only get one serve to begin the tiebreak. Then they must wait four serves before being back in control.
As a set moves forward, a club player needs to follow the basics to stay focused. Thus, early preparation, good footwork, and strong stroke dynamics are needed. As your opponent hits the ball, move your racquet back, and be ready to hit. The feet are always adjusting to where the ball has been hit and the proper movement to make the shot. The closer you get to the net, the quicker the foot movement becomes. Think of these as baby steps, but they are always going forward toward the flight of the ball. To hit a ball at the baseline, there is a large backswing and follow-through, but as you move forward to the net, these decrease. Once at the net, there is no backswing and only a short follow-through.
Here are some quick tips on your serve or overhead. Keep your head up, looking at the ball until after you hit it. The followthrough must be across your body, not straight down. Aim so that the ball will go off the court after the bounce or into the alley if you are playing singles.V
Toxic Plants & Foods for Pets:
What to Watch For and How to Respond
by Anita DeLelles, LMT
Pets are family, and keeping them safe means understanding the hidden dangers in our homes and gardens. While many plants and foods seem harmless, they can be toxic—even fatal—to pets. In this article, we’ll explore common toxic plants and foods, symptoms of poisoning, and what to do if your pet is exposed.
Common Toxic
PLANTS
for Pets
1. Lilies (cats only)— Including Easter lilies, tiger lilies, and daylilies, these flowers are highly toxic to cats. Even small amounts—like pollen or a chewed leaf— can cause kidney failure.
2. Sago Palm— This popular ornamental plant is incredibly toxic to both cats and dogs. All parts are dangerous, but the seeds contain the highest toxin concentration.
3. Aloe Vera— Although known for its healing properties, aloe vera is toxic to pets.
4. Tulips and Daffodils— The bulbs of tulips and daffodils are especially toxic. Ingesting them can lead to severe stomach upset, drooling, and even heart problems.
5. Foxglove— This beautiful flower contains digitalis, which affects heart function. Symptoms of ingestion include an irregular heartbeat.
Common Toxic FOODS for Pets
1. Chocolate— This contains theobromine, which pets cannot metabolize effectively. Dark chocolate and baking chocolate are the most toxic.
2. Grapes and Raisins— Even small amounts of grapes or raisins can lead to sudden kidney failure in dogs.
3. Onions and Garlic— These common kitchen ingredients can damage red blood cells in pets, leading to anemia. Symptoms include weakness, vomiting, and breathlessness.
4. Xylitol (artificial sweetener)— Found in sugar-free gum and baked goods, xylitol can cause a rapid insulin release in dogs, leading to hypoglycemia. Symptoms can include seizures.
5. Avocados—They contain persin, which is mildly toxic to dogs and highly toxic to birds.
Symptoms of plant or food poisoning in pets can vary but commonly include vomiting and diarrhea, often the first sign of ingestion. Excessive drooling, nausea, lethargy, or weakness indicates that the body is reacting to toxins. Pets may refuse food if they feel unwell or show signs of difficulty breathing. Seizures or tremors suggest neurological involvement. Pale or yellowed gums could indicate liver or kidney failure. If you observe any of these symptoms, time is crucial. Quick action can significantly affect recovery.
If you suspect your pet has ingested a toxic plant or food, immediately remove access to prevent further consumption. Call your vet or Pet Poison Helpline, (800) 213-6680, for immediate guidance. Identify what your pet may have eaten and how much. This information will be vital for your veterinarian. Contrary to common knowledge, do not induce vomiting without professional advice. Some substances can cause more harm if vomited, such as caustic chemicals or sharp plant parts.
Monitor your pet closely. Watch for worsening symptoms while waiting for veterinary care, and report everything to your vet. If possible, bring a sample of the plant or food with you. This will help with identification and treatment.
Understanding which plants and foods are toxic to pets can help you create a safer home and garden environment. If you suspect your pet has ingested something dangerous, act quickly and seek professional help. A few preventative steps can make a world of difference in keeping your furry friends happy and healthy.V Visit www.WoofCenter.com. Call or stop by WOOF! Wellness Center & Training Academy in Santa Clara. (435) 2754536. Email your pet-related questions to anita@woofcenter.com.
Secrets to Being a Long Driver
by Rob Krieger, PGA
For many players, hitting the ball longer off the tee is a constant struggle and a consistent focus of their practice. There are different ways to achieve this goal depending on your body’s flexibility, mobility, stature, and athleticism. You can’t change your height, but there are many other tweaks you can do to achieve more distance. Remember this is all about more yards, not straightness. These proven concepts produce longer distances, but you will have to dial it in to get them in play and to take advantage of the added length.
It Starts with the Grip – Most players have a grip where they can see either one knuckle of their left hand or none. Try turning both the left and the right hands to the right for more power, strength, and a better release. That means you need to rotate that left hand over to the right to see two or three knuckles but with that thumb still on the side of the grip. The right hand should move more to the right as well.
Tee the Ball Up Higher & Hit Up on the Ball – Using a tall tee and matching your driver’s loft is critical. To achieve maximum distance, you have to hit the ball on the upswing, not on a descending angle with a launch angle of between 10 to 14 degrees. Placing the equator of the ball above the crown of the driver forces you to hit the ball on the way up—after the bottom of the swing arc so you are striking the underbelly of the ball. If you strike the ball on a descending angle—before getting to the bottom of the swing arc—you will hit the ball low or pop it up.
Set Up Differently – When going for maximum length, you will need to set up with more weight on your back foot, 70 to 80% of your weight, so when you start your backswing, all you have to do is rotate around the back leg. If you shift any more weight back during the backswing, you defeat the purpose of preloading the back leg with
weight. Your chin will be over the inside right leg, and this allows your body to rotate around that back (right) leg post. Incline your shoulders as well, and that will help to hit the ball on the way up.
Create Width & Length – With your weight already preloaded on the back leg, you can focus on rotating your shoulders backward, extending your arms, and reaching to create a large swing arc. Hinging of the wrists is also delayed until after your arms reach about chest high. Then they can begin to set. To accomplish this, try dragging the club on the ground longer without your body moving out of position yet still reaching backward. Yes, your right elbow will be away from your body as you extend your arms to achieve maximum swing arc width.
Downswing Dynamics - Once at the top of the swing, you must use the ground by using your legs and not allow your arms to start the downswing before your lower body. The left hip should be out in front of the left shoulder to start the downswing. To accomplish this, you must move some weight to the front foot—similar to a baseball hitter stepping into the ball or squatting down like Rory McIlroy—so you can push up off the ground. This allows the left hip to rotate around the left leg, which will create a whipping action. This throws the hands out away from the body, creating enormous clubhead speed. Done properly, you should have stored up energy from the club lagging behind the body. Then your wrists release (allowing the clubhead to turn over) at a higher velocity.
Flexibility and Mobility – Improving your flexibility through regular stretching, yoga, Pilates, or strength training will help with gaining more distance. Regardless of your mobility or flexibility, if you can improve them with some regular attention, you have a much better chance of gaining more yards.V
Cinema, Scripts & Sips: Summer in Kayenta
by Laurel Buxton
When the desert sun is high and the days are long, the Center for the Arts at Kayenta offers the perfect summer escape—an oasis of film, food, and live theater.
From the cinematic magic of CineSizzle and discovering bold new voices at the Kayenta New Play Lab to delicious bites at Taste of the Town at Kayenta, there's no shortage of ways to sip, savor, and be swept away. Together, these experiences capture the essence of Kayenta—a place where art, conversation, and community thrive, surrounded by one of the most inspiring landscapes in the world. Whether you're a film buff, a foodie, or a lover of live performances, Kayenta has something sizzling—and refreshing—for everyone this summer.
A curated series of films that reflects Kayenta’s free spirit, CineSizzle returns this July. From action-packed adventures to thought-provoking documentaries, each film is nominated by Kayenta’s board or staff members and introduced by its nominator, adding a personal touch to every screening. “We aim for variety— something for every kind of film lover,” says Production Manager Wil Cowser. “And each selection reflects the heart of our community: thoughtful, inspiring, and bold.” Beginning July 11, nine films will screen over three weeks, Thursday through Sunday, offering the perfect evening out close to home.
In August, the Kayenta New Play Lab returns for its third year, inviting audiences to experience theater in its most exciting phase—creation. Six playwrights from across the western U.S. will gather in Kayenta to workshop new plays, with audiences playing an essential role in the creative process. Each week features live, staged readings followed by open discussions where audience feedback helps shape the future of these new works. This rare, behind-the-scenes access offers a thrilling window into how new American theater is born—and how community plays a role in its evolution.
No summer celebration would be complete without incredible food. Taste of the Town, Kayenta’s beloved culinary festival, returns to delight the senses Sunday, September 8, 2025. Featuring a mouthwatering lineup of local restaurants and food vendors, Taste of the Town transforms the Kayenta Art Village into a vibrant open-air tasting room. Guests can sample dishes, sip refreshing drinks, and stroll among the galleries and artisan shops, making it an afternoon of pure delight under the desert sky. All proceeds benefit the arts in southern Utah.
Whether you’re discovering a new favorite film, helping shape the future of live theater, or savoring the best bites the region has to offer, the Center for the Arts at Kayenta has cultivated a summer season full of inspiring opportunities. This season, let Kayenta be your home for culture, creativity, and community.V
For schedules, tickets, and more, visit our website: www.kayentaarts.org.
Center for the Arts at Kayenta is located at 881 Coyote Gulch Court in Ivins, Utah.
by Judi Moreo
IThe Heart of Home: Why It Matters More Than Ever
n a world that often moves faster than we can keep pace, there is one word that brings an almost immediate sense of comfort, belonging, and peace: home. Home is more than a structure of walls and a roof; it is a feeling, a sanctuary, and often, a reflection of who we are at our deepest core.
Home represents safety in a world that sometimes feels uncertain. It’s the place where we can shed the masks we wear throughout the day—the one place we don’t have to perform, prove, or pretend. Within its walls, we are free to be our most authentic selves. Whether it’s a cozy apartment, a sprawling house, or a tiny cabin nestled in the woods, home is the backdrop against which the story of our lives unfolds.
More than its physical form, home holds the intangible: the laughter around the dinner table, the quiet moments of reflection, the joy of gathering with friends, and the comfort of solitude. It’s the place where memories are etched into the walls—from the faint marks of children’s heights scribbled on doorframes to the scent of a favorite meal lingering in the air long after the dishes are cleared.
In times of uncertainty or hardship, home becomes our refuge. It is where we return to heal, regroup, and remind ourselves of what truly matters. A chaotic world outside our door is met with the embrace of a familiar space inside, where the very walls seem to whisper, "You are safe. You are loved. You belong."
Home is also a mirror of our inner lives. The spaces we create—whether warm, messy, colorful, or serene—reflect our personalities, aspirations, and even our struggles. Decorating a home, maintaining it, or simply existing within it allows us to express who we are. Each room becomes a canvas for our dreams, a quiet testament to our growth and our hopes for the future.
Yet, home is not only a place; it is also the people who inhabit it with us. It’s in the way a loved one’s laughter fills a space or the simple comfort of sharing a meal. It's the stories told late into the night, the hands held during difficult times, and the silent presence of companionship when words aren't necessary. Sometimes, home isn't a building at all—it’s a person or a collection of people who make us feel accepted and understood.
In today’s fast-paced, digitally driven world, the concept of home is more important than ever. Technology connects us instantly to people across the globe, yet it also has the potential to leave us feeling more isolated than ever before. Home grounds us. It provides a tangible, meaningful connection to our lives, away from the noise and distraction. It provides us with a space to reconnect with ourselves and our loved ones on a deeper level.
It is within the small, everyday moments at home—a sunrise viewed through a familiar window, a favorite chair worn from years of use, the scent of fresh coffee brewing— that life’s greatest treasures are found. These moments are easy to overlook, yet they are the very fabric of a life well-lived.
To cherish home is to love life itself. It is to acknowledge the sacredness of a quiet evening, the simple joy of a well-worn path to the kitchen, the warmth of a loved one's voice calling from another room. Home teaches us gratitude. It teaches us to slow down, to savor, to nurture—not only our space but our relationships and ourselves.
At its core, home is about love. Love for the people who share it with us, love for the life we are building within it, and love for the person we are becoming inside its walls. No matter where life takes us—across towns, oceans, milestones, and challenges—the sense of home travels with us, stitched into the very fabric of who we are.
In building a home—whether through bricks and mortar or heart and soul—we make a sanctuary not only for ourselves but for all those whose lives touch ours. We create a space where dreams are nurtured, where spirits are lifted, and where the beauty of everyday life can truly be celebrated.
Ultimately, home is not where we reside; it is where we belong. It’s where we love, where we grow, and where we become.
the esteemed co-founder of the Women Entrepreneurs Association, is a distinguished speaker, acclaimed writer, soughtafter consultant, transformative life coach, and talented artist. During her nine-year tenure in South Africa, she established Turning Point International, a premier training and development firm. In 1999, she returned to the United States, relocating her company to Las Vegas, Nevada, where it continues to thrive under her visionary leadership. Visit www.judimoreo.com.
