Fall 2023

BEST BREAKFAST

HERM’S INN

BEST LUNCH

FIREHOUSE PIZZERIA

BEST DINNER

BEEHIVE PUB & GRILL

BEST BURGER

MORTY’S CAFE

BEST FAST FOOD

CHICK-FIL-A

BEST PIZZA

FIREHOUSE PIZZERIA

BEST ETHNIC FOOD

TANDOORI OVEN

BEST DESSERT FIREHOUSE PIZZERIA

BEST COOKIE CRUMBL

BEST BAKERY

LEE’S MARKETPLACE

BEST GROCERY STORE

LEE’S MARKETPLACE

BEST ICE CREAM

AGGIE ICE CREAM

BEST FOOD TRUCK

KARIEANNE’S FROZEN DESSERTS

BEST SODA SHOP WHIPS

BEST SALON

K SALON & SPA

BEST NAIL SALON POLISHED BY KIAH

BEST TANNING SALON

GLO MOBILE TANNING

BEST BARBERSHOP

BONEYARD BARBERING

BEST HEALTH AND FITNESS CENTER

SPORTS ACADEMY AND RACQUET CLUB

BEST GYMNASTICS/TUMBLING

HIGHPOINT GYMNASTICS

BEST DANCE STUDIO

DANCE ILLUSION

BEST FLORIST

PLANT PEDDLER FLORAL

BEST EVENT VENUE THE VINEYARDS AT MT. NAOMI FARMS

BEST CATERER

OFF-PREMISE CATERING

BEST MORTUARY WHITE PINE FUNERAL SERVICES

BEST EMPLOYER LEE’S MARKETPLACE

BEST PEDIATRICIAN DANIEL SANDGREN, DO

Best of Cache Valley Awards 2023

Congratulations to Cache Valley's 2023 Best of Cache Valley winners, and many thanks to our readers who participated in the voting process.

BEST DERMATOLOGIST

ROCKY MOUNTAIN DERMATOLOGY

BEST MEDICAL SPA

ROCKY MOUNTAIN DERMATOLOGY

BEST FAMILY DOCTOR BRUCE ISAACSON, MD

BEST DENTIST LOGAN PEAK DENTAL, DAVID GORDON, DDS

BEST PEDIATRIC DENTIST

CACHE VALLEY PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY, DAREN GEHRING, DDS

BEST ORTHODONTIST

THOMSON FAMILY ORTHODONTICS, BRADY THOMSON, DDS

BEST OBSTETRICIAN DAVID KIRKMAN, MD, CACHE VALLEY WOMEN'S CENTER

BEST EYE DOCTOR

CACHE VALLEY EYE ASSOCIATES

BEST CHIROPRACTOR

MORGAN CARLSON, DC, FAAO

BEST PHARMACY SPENCE’S PHARMACY

BEST HOTEL

ANNIVERSARY INN

BEST BANK/CREDIT UNION

AMERICA FIRST CREDIT UNION

BEST LIVE ENTERTAINMENT UTAH FESTIVAL OPERA

BEST FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT FOUR SEASONS THEATRE COMPANY

BEST DATE NIGHT VENUE

LE NONNE

BEST SUMMER CAMP

CACHE THEATRE COMPANY

BEST SPORTS CAMP

BASKETBALL AND BEYOND CAMP

BEST MUSIC PROGRAM

LOGAN MUSIC ACADEMY

BEST CHILDREN'S PLAY PLACE

CACHE VALLEY FUN PARK

BEST PRESCHOOL

LITTLE WONDERS CHILD CARE AND PRESCHOOL

BEST CHILDCARE CENTER

LITTLE WONDERS CHILD CARE AND PRESCHOOL

BEST PET CARE

HERITAGE ANIMAL HOSPITAL

BEST SPORTING GOODS STORE AL’S SPORTING GOODS

BEST REALTOR

KW SUCCESS KELLER WILLIAMS REALTY

BEST HOME MORTGAGE FIRST COLONY MORTGAGE

BEST INSURANCE AGENT/AGENCY CACHE VALLEY INSURANCE

BEST HOME BUILDER

VISIONARY HOMES

BEST CARPET CLEANER CHEM DRY OF NORTHERN UTAH

BEST PLUMBER

LEE’S PLUMBING

BEST ELECTRICIAN TIMBERLINE ELECTRIC

BEST ROOFER

PACE QUALITY ROOFING

BEST GARDEN CENTER/NURSERY ANDERSON’S SEED AND GARDEN

BEST LANDSCAPER/YARD CARE

A&D LANDSCAPE

BEST AUTO CARE

CACHE VALLEY AUTO

BEST CAR WASH

JUDGE’S CAR WASH

BEST CAR SALES

WILSON MOTOR COMPANY

BEST CHILDREN'S PHOTOGRAPHER

KYLEE ANN MAUGHAN STUDIOS

BEST FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHER

HEATHER PALMER PHOTOGRAPHY

BEST WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER

KYLEE ANN MAUGHAN STUDIOS

BEST VIDEOGRAPHER

REGGIE ANN FILM + PHOTO

BEST LITTLE KID ENTERTAINMENT

THE JUMP ZONE

BEST BIG KID ENTERTAINMENT

THE JUMP ZONE

BEST BIRTHDAY PARTY VENUE

THE JUMP ZONE

BEST RAINY DAY FUN

CACHE VALLEY FUN PARK

BEST APPAREL ROOLEE

BEST HOME DÉCOR

LOCALS

BEST CHILDREN'S STORE

THE BOOK TABLE

BEST FURNITURE STORE

FISHER HOME FURNISHINGS

BEST ANNUAL EVENT

CACHE VALLEY CRUISE IN

BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE-DINING

ANGIE’S

BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE-RETAIL LOGO SHOP

Publisher & Editor in Chief

EMILY BUCKLEY

Copy Editor

TARA BONE

Cover Photography

MIKE JOHNSON

Layout Design

ELISE CREATES, LLC

Website Design

KITE MEDIA

Contributing Writers

MARK ANDERSON

TARA BONE

EMILY BUCKLEY

MICHAEL COLE, OD

SYDNEY DEAN

JENTRIE HALES

JANEEN LEWIS

JEN MARTIN

KATE NEELEY

FRANK SCHOFIELD

LETICIA SHIFFLET

SHEPPARD SONNTAG

JULIE HOLLIST TERRILL

HAILEY WESTENSKOW

WIL WOOD

Cache Valley Family Magazine is a free, trusted resource designed to inform, serve, and enrich local parents and families throughout Cache Valley. Material in this publication is copyright 2023, Cache Valley Family Magazine. All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission of the publisher is prohibited. The views expressed in the magazine are the views of the writers and do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher.

Please send all editorial correspondence to info@cachevalleyfamilymagazine.com or by mail to PO Box 6831, North Logan, UT 84341. All correspondence is sent on a non-confidential basis and Cache Valley Family Magazine shall be free to reproduce, publish, edit and/or use any such communications. All materials become property of Cache Valley Family Magazine.

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PAGE 19

FAMILY MATTERS

Become a Documenting Guru in 2023: Bring Your Videos to Life ... pg 7

EDUCATION UPDATE

Cache County School District

Fulfilling the Vision: Dr. Todd Mckee’s Journey to Superintendent of the Cache County School District ... pg 10

Logan City School District

Helping Children Feel Connected at School ... pg 12

TECH SAFE

The Beast that is Artificial Intelligence ... pg 14

PAGE 24

IN EVERY ISSUE

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Teens Can Make a Difference, Too ... pg 17

BEST-IN-CLASS YOUTH SPOTLIGHT

Ella Budge Jumps to the Top of Her Game ... pg 19

COVER STORY

Huckleberry Hiking: Taking Special People Special Places

GOOD NEIGHBORS

Housing Sustainability ... pg 36

... pg 24

PAGE 41

Why Art? ... pg 22

Easy Dinner Inspiration to Make Dinner Happen ... pg 29

Garlic for the Novice Grower ... pg 32

FEATURED ARTICLES

Understanding Binocular Vision ... pg 35

Creating a Family Command Center ... pg 38

Fall in Love with Fall in Cache Valley ... pg 41

The Great Pumpkin: 31 Ideas for Fall Fun ... pg 44

Tales from the Pumpkin Patch ... pg 47

Become a Documenting Guru in 2023: Bring Your

This issue’s Family Matters continues the “2023 Become a Documenting Guru” series by tackling what to do with the videos on your phone.

end goal of each video?” Do you want to post on social media, upload on a home video streaming service such as Projector, a family video streaming app that streams family videos onto TV like Netflix (discussed in the summer issue cachevalleyfamilymagazine.com), or have you considered creating a yearly highlight video?

Krista White, owner of Memory Lane Productions says their company created a highlight video package to easily solve the question of what to do with all the videos taking up phone space and that customers love

a “highlight” video where our editors find the heart of each clip and put them together in a shorter version of your year,” Krista said. But if you choose to tackle compiling a highlight video on your own, Krista says there’s plenty of online information available to teach you how. Some of the top-rated video editing apps for 2023 are Splice, Quik, or Apple’s iMovie — an app specifically recommended for beginners.

continued on next page ...

2023 is the year to organize and share your memories!

continued from previous page ...

HOW TO CREATE A YEARLY HIGHLIGHT VIDEO FOR 2023:

1. Start with basic video and photo organization if you don’t already have a system in place.

• Create folders on your computer hard drive.

• Create a folder for each year and within each year the month. Important Use the month number (1 for January, 2 for February) instead of the month name to avoid automated alphabetical organization.

2. Declutter and organize photos and videos on your phone so it’s easy to import to your hard drive. Go month by month, starting with THIS month and work backward to January. This will ensure that you don’t get overwhelmed. When the 2023 highlight video is complete, move on to 2022.

3. Import memories from your phone onto the hard drive (Image Capture is an easy-to-use app for this).

4. Back up the computer; consider using an external hard drive, Dropbox or iCloud (see cachevalleyfamilymagazine.com spring issue for details and tips).

5. Choose to send videos to Memory Lane using a device they send to you that directly plugs into your device (Apple or Android) OR use a video editing app as previously mentioned to compile a yearly highlight video on your own.

Whichever route you choose, start now to organize your videos and photos month by

month on your phone. Take it in small steps so you don’t get overwhelmed.

Krista recommends setting a timer on your phone the first day of the month to remind you to organize last month’s memories. Think of a yearly highlight video as a priceless gift your family can enjoy repeatedly during the ups and downs of the years to come.

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This course will engage your child’s imagination and creativity by creating their own dream Ranch while learning about all the aspects that go into a ranch and more. Course material is catered to the age groups.

Group Classes: $25/session

Individual Class: $45/session

Our facility has both an indoor lighted arena and an outdoor arena. So, come rain or shine, snow or darkness— we are open for business. Call to inquire about Winter Programs, custom individual classes, & general courses offered.

FAMILY GAME NIGHT AT THE RANCH

A family that plays together stays together! Schedule a family game night at the Ranch and enjoy relay races, live action Horse-opoly, Western games & crafts, obstacle courses, and more!

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horses broaden, expand, and heal your heart!

Fulfilling the Vision: Dr. Todd Mckee’s Journey to Superintendent of the Cache County School District

For nearly two decades, Dr. Todd McKee has regularly spent time with his extended family in Cache Valley. Little did he know he would one day have the opportunity to be superintendent of the Cache County School District (CCSD)

Dr. McKee was raised in Utah in a household where education played a central role. As the eldest of five siblings, he grew up observing the dedication of his mother who worked for an elementary school in Salt Lake City, and his father who was involved in mentoring young men. His parents’ involvement in positively influencing children had a profound impact on Dr. McKee’s journey as an educator.

“They left an impression on me,” Dr. McKee

said. “There is a positive feeling that you get about having that kind of an influence that I've never experienced anywhere else. Thinking that I could have a positive impact on somebody else, like those that I admired had on me, triggered my passion.”

While attending a rivalry football game in high school, Dr. McKee met his wife, Emalie. Hailing from Coalville, Utah, education held a significant role in Emaile’s upbringing. Her mother taught kindergarten, and her father was a high school teacher, fostering a deep connection to education. The McKees have been married for 34 years and are the proud parents of three adult children.

Following the completion of his history degree at the University of Utah, Dr. McKee

spent two years teaching in alternative schools before teaching at a high school in Oregon for five years. During his tenure as a high school educator, he helped to manage the district’s magnet program for the International Baccalaureate Diploma.

“Coordinating this magnet program was my first taste of administration,” Dr. McKee said. “I could see how I could have a bigger influence over more kids, and not just those in my classroom. That was important to me because it led me into administration.”

In 2006, Dr. McKee became the principal at Sunset High School in Beaverton School District, located in Beaverton, Oregon. During his time as principal, the school attained an Outstanding rating from the

SHEPPARD SONNTAG communications office intern, Cache County School District

state office of education. His journey led him to be the principal at Timpview High School in the Provo City School District in 2011. In 2015, Timpview High School was distinguished as the top-ranking high school in the state by US News and World Report Because of his past accomplishments in education, Dr. McKee was appointed to be the assistant superintendent for secondary education in the Provo City School District in 2016.

Even though he was already comfortably settled with his family in Provo, Dr. McKee’s interest was piqued when the position of superintendent for the CCSD was announced. He applied and was thrilled to be offered the position.

“I look back and feel pretty fortunate for both myself and my family,” Dr. McKee expresses. “A lot of things had to fall into place to make this happen. I feel like there's a reason I'm here.”

Dr. McKee is excited to introduce his dynamic vision to guide the CCSD toward building on what is already a strong foundation. Embracing a student-centered approach, he recognizes that progress is often limited by the depth of understanding. He has a strong commitment to investing in authentic and meaningful relationships.

“Leading is like teaching. Nobody cares how much you know until they know how much you care,” Dr. McKee said. “And so, the most important step for me, day one, is really starting to develop relationships; getting to know people and, more importantly, letting people get to know me.”

Dr. McKee places emphasis on ensuring each student’s sense of worth and recognition within the educational setting. By prioritizing this as a goal for the district, he believes that metrics like high graduation rates and successful test scores will follow.

He believes a student-centered approach is the key to overall academic achievement and growth.

“Metrics are important. Don't get me wrong. But I want every student to feel seen, heard, and valued,” Dr. McKee conveys, “If we can keep our focus on that, I believe the metrics will take care of themselves.”

Dr. McKee deeply appreciates the Cache County Board of Education’s mission statement, which emphasizes the education of students for success in a changing world.

“That, to me, is our North Star,” Dr. McKee said. “Adjusting and making sure the climate is right, where kids trust the adults, and the adults trust each other, and parents trust the system, will help the district move forward.”

Superintendent McKee is thrilled to be a part of the Cache Valley community and looks forward to the upcoming school year.

My wife recently overheard a young college student talking with her parent about the activities her university offered to help new students become familiar with the university, the community, and other students. The young student expressed her desire to withdraw from the planned activities and finally told her parent, “I just want to go back to my room and binge-watch something.”

Situations we may find overwhelming are real, and many of us may desire to withdraw when we find ourselves in those situations. Although many of us have moments where we need some time to ourselves, we live in a world that provides options for individuals to become increasingly isolated from one another. From working remotely and ordering our groceries for online delivery, to an ever-growing number

Helping Children Feel Connected at School

FRANK SCHOFIELD superintendent, Logan City School District

of options for personal entertainment that allows us to avoid personal interactions (i.e., binge-watching the latest series on Netflix), these incredible conveniences that make our lives easier can diminish the personal connections we need as human beings. This loss of human connection affects our overall well-being. The Cook Center for Human Connection regularly compiles research studies that show that “human connection has been proven to boost mental health and protect against depression, anxiety, and uncertainty. In the company of loved ones, mentors, or trusted advisors, threats become smaller challenges, stigmas can be overcome, and painful shocks become manageable.” When we feel connected, we feel we belong, and we all derive strength from that sense of belonging.

THE IMPORTANCE OF HUMAN CONNECTION AT SCHOOL

This sense of connection is particularly important as children attend school. According to the Centers for Disease Control, research shows that students who feel a genuine sense of belonging at school are more likely to do well in school, stay in school, and make healthy choices. This sense of belonging is often described as school connectedness. Connected students believe their parents, teachers, school staff, and other students in their school care about them and about how well they are learning.

Scientists who study youth health and behavior understand that strong connections at school help young people have fewer behavioral problems, and this particular

connectedness also contributes to school safety by decreasing the likelihood that a student chooses to engage in vandalism or violence against the school or the people in it. School connectedness also improves student attendance, prevents dropping out, and decreases the likelihood of students engaging in other high-risk behaviors, including tobacco use, alcohol use, carrying a weapon, being involved in violence, having sexual intercourse, and experiencing emotional distress or attempting suicide. Because of the benefits of school connectedness, school employees employ various strategies to help students build connections with others at school.

Encouraging participation in sports and clubs, providing in-class learning activities that encourage students to develop positive relationships with one another, maintaining open lines of communication with parents, and making deliberate efforts to get to know each student’s individual needs and interests are all steps teachers, staff, counselors, coaches, and principals take to help students feel connected to the school.

In the Logan City School District, parents, staff, and students often share “shoutouts” in which they highlight the contributions of their teachers. Comments like the following illustrate the impact of the work teachers do to help students feel connected:

• “Ms. _______ always knows how to make me have a better day, and cares for all of her students.”

• “I can’t remember a day when Mr. ______ wasn’t happy, positive, and kind. I always look forward to the days when I get to go to his class.”

• “Ms. ______ always makes me feel like I belong at school, and I know if I need someone to talk to, I can go to her anytime.”

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO INCREASE YOUR CHILD’S CONNECTION TO SCHOOL?

In addition to the actions taken by school employees, there are many things parents can do to help a child become more connected to their school. Some of the options that the Centers for Disease Control recommend include:

• Encourage your child to talk openly with you, teachers, counselors, and other school staff about their ideas, needs, and worries.

• Find out what the school expects your child to learn and how your child should behave in school by talking to teachers and staff, attending school meetings, and reading information the school sends home. Then, support these expectations at home.

• Read school newsletters, attend parentteacher-student conferences, and check out the school’s website to learn what is happening at the school. Encourage your child to participate in school activities.

• As your schedule allows, help in your child’s classroom, attend after-school events, or participate in school committees and activities. Find out what programs or classes the school offers to help you become more involved in your child’s academic and school life. For example, the Logan City School District provides free online parenting classes and individual consultation with mental health professionals through ParentGuidance.org These courses are available through the school district’s website and offer training to help parents talk with their children and strengthen the parent-child relationship.

• Communicate with teachers and school staff to suggest simple changes to make the school more pleasant and welcoming, especially if you have specific concerns.

In the words of Melinda Gates, “Deep human connection is … the purpose and the result of a meaningful life — and it will inspire the most amazing acts of love, generosity, and humanity.”

As parents and schools work together to help children feel connected and give them tools to build future connections for themselves, our children will be better

The Beast that is Artificial Intelligence

JENTRIE HALES community advocate, @techhealthyfamily

Used Maps on your device to look up the most efficient route? AI. Typed an email and was prompted a phrase to complete your sentence? AI. Accessed any secure network using your face? AI.

We are now 70-plus years into this development, and it flows so seamlessly into our lives that we hardly even recognize it’s there working its hiney off to send the most professional sounding email possible. But how does this same technology affect our children and their interactions with it? While AI can help us do some very helpful tasks throughout the day, there is no doubt it has a darker side. Like writing your child’s history exam, feeding you disturbing content over and over again, and giving you false or misleading information to name a few.

AI or Artificial Intelligence seems to be a hot button word as of lately and as intense and intimidating as it sounds, we have been using it for ages. It was coined in the 1950s when Alan Turing, a British man, developed a systematic method for deciphering sophisticated messages that were encrypted by the German occupation. He is known as the Father of AI, and many people followed suit afterward.

So, what exactly is AI? It is a machine that

way more efficiently. It can process large amounts of data quickly, recognize patterns, and make decisions like a human. But it can do all of that without having to stop for a bathroom break, chow down on a snack, or take a nap. How efficient.

This type of technology has been fully incorporated into our world, but for some reason if you think you are still immune to it, take a look at some of these examples of how we as humans utilize AI on the daily. Chatted with customer service recently? AI.

The app Snapchat is trying AI on its users. One can be in constant communication with AI, send it pictures, ask it any questions, and get advice back. One can have a fullblown online relationship with AI! Snapchat is just one of the places this technology is commonplace as of right now and it is clear this beast is staying for the good or the bad (or both). Here are some thoughts I have about this and why we should remain wary of this technology, especially as it pertains to our kiddos.

As amazing as this technology is, at the end of the day it’s a computer — not a person. It does not have a conscience and it doesn’t know love. Even just knowing this fact means we cannot take what it says or suggests as more worthwhile than the advice from loved ones.

1. Kids do not need another thing to distract them in this world. With their long list of social status quo things they are expected to do, taking time to Snap a robot should not be one of them. They need more meaningful relationships, which is something AI will never be able to provide.

2. All signs point to AI being incorporated into everything we do. Young people need help in navigating this fact or they will get swept up in it. As the saying goes, we become what we surround ourselves with. If we put a lot of value into this technology, we might become people who know a lot of information but don't have deep connections, morals, or real emotions.

It is abundantly clear that as overwhelming as this topic can be for us adults, we must be aware of what goes on with our kiddos in regard to this technology. We need to help them navigate how to use this technology in the best way possible, so they don’t get lost in the wind to the beast of AI.

Jentrie Hales is a community advocate with five years’ experience empowering parents and children in different settings. She has been invited into classrooms, youth groups, and parent groups throughout Cache Valley to speak about healthy relationships with tech and professionally mentor families that feel overwhelmed with managing the tech in their home. Follow her on Instagram @techhealthyfam or email her at techheatlhyfam@gmail.com

Ages

Teens Can Make a Difference, Too

HAILEY WESTENSKOW contributing writer

projects and with nonprofit organizations. For them, this is what makes school and life better.

“It’s an overall amazing experience,” Lily Condos, a junior volunteer at Little Lambs Foundation, said. “We hear a lot about the negative or bad things that happen in the world and not the good as often … There are so many good people in this world that are willing to help others.”

program began six years ago, when organizer Shauna Thorpe saw an opportunity lying in the relationship between teens and their peers.

“The whole goal of the teen ambassador program is empowering youth to see that they can make a difference — that they don’t have to be an adult before they can start serving each other,” Shauna said.

It’s no secret that high school can be a very challenging time of life for teenagers. Between trying to keep up with grades, sports, trends and the status quo, spare time is few and far between. Some teens, however, are giving some of that precious time up to help in community service

Little Lambs is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that, according to the Little Lambs website, “provides Utah children and families with basic necessities that they can’t afford or otherwise do not have access to.” Specifically, they provide “diapers and baby supplies to low-income families and comfort kits to children who are placed in foster care, entering emergency shelters and escaping domestic violence.”

As a teen ambassador, Lily helps with fundraisers, events, and other duties around the warehouse, and is highly engaged with the community to encourage donations. This

The teen ambassador program brings an opportunity for young people to witness different challenges from their own. Though they may not have financial difficulties within their own family, they get to go and see what it’s like for other teens and help them along the way. As an added bonus, they get to associate with like-minded teens who are also part of the volunteer program.

“When teens come together for a common goal, boy can they make things happen,” Shauna said. “We underestimate teenagers; they’re remarkable in what they can do!”

continued on next page ...

Little Lambs Teen Ambassadors with board member Shauna Thorpe.

continued from previous page ...

Boston Haws, another teen ambassador at Little Lambs, brought up that oftentimes, he sees kids he recognizes from school that he didn’t expect to be in the foster system. For Boston, this makes serving them much more meaningful.

“It’s really cool to be able to help in the community and know you’re benefiting your friends, your peers, some people you maybe don’t know, but you know you’re helping

If you or someone you know is seeking resources for teenagers who would like to be involved in serving the community, start here:

Little Lambs Foundation littlelambsofutah.org/get-involved

Cache Humane Society cachehumane.org/education/youth-education-programs

Cache Refugee and Immigrant Connection (CRIC) cacherefugees.org/volunteer

them out,” Boston said.

Lily’s mother, Corinne, shared her experience as she has watched Lily become more compassionate toward others, and more able to be a friend to those that may be struggling. In Lily’s case, she was only 11 or 12 when she began her journey as an ambassador at Little Lambs, and joining forced her to get outside of her comfort zone.

“I wasn’t very social, and talking to new people was really hard,” Lily said. “Forcing

myself to talk to all of these different people who come from different backgrounds and have different struggles, it’s been really cool to be able to branch out and I’ve definitely developed some skills that help me in school, at work, and other types of things.” In reflection of their time serving the community, both Boston and Lily emphatically advise other teenagers to “Go for it!”

Ella Budge Jumps to the Top of Her Game

SYDNEY DEAN contributing teen writer

Jumpin’, helping run the Fun and Fitness summer camp, then working at my third job, and ending the day practicing with my teammates for a few hours.” Ella added that she doesn’t have a lot of free time, but when she does, she loves to travel, read, hang out with friends, hike, and go to the gym. While competing wasn’t a new experience for Ella, she shared that competing at IJRU World Competition was by far the coolest and most unique competition experience she has ever had.

Ella’s win was special to many different people. Ella shared that “winning gold in my wheel pairs was such an incredible moment for me. My teammate Seth Ingram and I worked really hard on this routine all year long. Hitting it clean and being rewarded for our hard work and success is what keeps me motivated and determined to continue to push this sport.”

When you think about competitive sports you might think football, basketball, baseball, or volleyball. However, for 19-year-old Ella Budge of Logan the competition lies in jump roping. Thanks to her hard work, Ella won Gold at the 2023 International Jump Rope Union (IJRU) World Jump Rope Championships.

Ella started jump roping when she was in first grade and as she puts it “hasn’t stopped jumping since!” She competes at American Jump Rope Federation (AMJRF) Nationals and other small competitions that take place on the west coast every year. To prepare for these competitions she practices her routines with her team three or four nights a week and she practices alone as well.

“This summer, to pay for competitions, I was working three jobs,” Ella said. “So, a typical day was getting up at 6:30 a.m., coaching Just

“When I walked into the arena in Colorado, it was a lot different than I was used to,” she said. “I usually know most of the competitors when I go to a competition, but there were thousands of competitors from around the world that I have never seen jump before. It was so cool to see their different styles of jumping and what they worked so hard to perform. Jump rope is such a special sport because we all want each other to do well. We are like one giant family.”

One of Ella’s coaches, Kathryn Ozmun, said, “This win is so special because at the Grand World Championships, there were only two teams from the USA that took the overall first place award in any event. There were easily 30 opportunities for a US group to take home the gold, but only two groups accomplished that, and Ella and Seth were one of them.”

In addition, Patrice Winn, the head coach of the Just Jumpin’ Team and president of the Jumpin’ Company, shared that she was extremely proud of Ella and all her hard work. continued on next page ...

Ella Budge and Seth Ingram

Ella Budge and Seth Ingram at the World Jump Rope Championships medal ceremony.

Just Jumpin' Team

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She explained that since she conceived and established Just Jumpin’ in 2003, Ella has been the first person to win Worlds from their team. In other words, Ella’s hard work is the start of a new era for the Just Jumpin’ team.

Ella loves jump rope and wants to share that love with everyone around her. “I love teaching people jump rope and watching them grow and improve,” Ella said. “Jump rope is for anyone and I try to share it with everyone.”

Coach Ozmun expanded on her attitude when she proudly stated that “Ella is successful because she is absolutely a team player. She can take and give criticism with poise. Everyone wants Ella on their team. She is passionate about motivating others.”

▶ Skin Cancer Screening and Surgery (Mohs)

▶ Moles, Warts, Rashes and Cysts

▶ Skin discoloration and dryness

▶ Acne

▶ Nail issues

▶ Burns

▶ Hair loss

▶ Wrinkles and Fine Lines

▶ Lip and Cheek Augmentation

▶ Scars and Stretch Marks

▶ Discoloration (Brown and red spots)

▶ Cellulite and Fat Reduction (now offering Semaglutide)

▶ Hair Removal

▶ Hair Restoration

▶ Underarm Sweat Reduction

▶ Unsightly Veins

▶ Intimate Health

▶ Skin Rejuvenation

▶ Medical Grade Skincare (now offering ZO )

SKIN CARE PROVIDER

The night my mom died I laid in bed writhing in mental and emotional turmoil. I thought so many things at once but all I could feel was pain. I wrote a small story about my feelings, then fell asleep. Something about writing my thoughts eased the pain just enough.

In Ethan Hawke's TED Talk he posed this question

“Do you think human creativity matters? Well, hmm. Most people don’t spend a lot of time thinking about poetry. Right? They have a life to live, and they’re not really that concerned with Allen Ginsberg’s poems, or anybody’s poems until their father dies; they go to a funeral; they lose a child; somebody breaks their heart. And all of a sudden, they’re desperate to make sense out of this life and

Why Art?

WIL WOOD contributing writer

wonder, ‘Has anybody ever felt this bad before? How did they come out of this cloud?’

“Or the inverse — something great. You meet somebody and your heart explodes. You love them so much, you can’t even see straight. You know, you’re dizzy. ‘Did anybody feel like this before? What is happening to me?’ And that’s when art’s not a luxury, it’s actually sustenance. We need it.”

As humans, we are desperate to understand others and to be understood. Over 45,000 years ago humans were making stencils of their hands in caves screaming from the past, ‘We were here!’ I believe that anything manifesting self-expression is art. Psychologist Jennifer Finlayson- Fife said, “Our capacity for intimacy, to know and be known, is highly linked to our willingness to honestly confront who we are, and who we are not yet.”

Art does not need to be published, posted on Instagram, or even hung on a refrigerator. Art is the tool we use to explore our souls. The creation of it benefits the artist. However, sharing it can benefit the partaker. But sharing your art is scary.

Let’s turn to the queen of vulnerability, Brené Brown. She said, “We all grew up with varying degrees of trauma. Then we armored up, and at some point, that armor no longer serves us. The weight of the armor is too heavy, and it's not

protecting you. It's keeping you from being seen and known by others. This is the developmental milestone of midlife. It’s not a crisis, it’s a slow, brutal unraveling of everything we thought was protecting us is keeping us from becoming the best partners, the parents, the professionals, the people that we want to be.”

Here is your challenge: Shed the armor that protects people from knowing who you really are. Stop doing the things that numb your feelings so you don’t have to pay attention to them. Sit in the quiet outside so you can hear them more clearly speak to you. When we know ourselves better, we will understand others better. When we all have more understanding, love will abound and we will have more than prehistoric stencils or even books of poems, because it will be written in our hearts. Like Paul said, “not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.”

To start us off, and as a token of my vulnerability, here’s a poem I wrote:

I want to catch a moment

And hold it by its ears. I want to catch a moment

But it will take me years, to make another one just like it I’d have to re-live all my fears.

To make another one just like it

I’d have to re-cry all my tears. I want to catch a moment, and hold on real tight.

I want to catch a moment, but they’re always on the flight.

Moments are like water; I can play in it all day. But when I try to hold it It all just slips away. That’s the thing about moments, They come, and then they’re gone. To really love a moment let it breathe, And don’t hold on.

This bronze is on the headstone of Wil’s mother’s headstone. “My parents bought a painting from Brian Kerishinik called, The Sound of Many Books, which inspired his work of it into this bronze relief. My mother loved words, so this is a fitting piece to adorn her resting place,” Wil said.

HUCKLEBERRY HIKING: Taking Special People Special Places

In 2012, LJ and Jana Wilde of Hyrum welcomed their third child, Luciana, to their family. As their baby girl developed, and it became time for her to start standing and walking, the couple had concerns that led to doctor appointments that led to tests and ultimately the diagnosis of a rare genetic disorder called Hereditary Spastic Paraparesis (HSP) SPG4, a disorder that limits her ability to walk independently and slows her speech. Luci is the only person in the world genetic databases with her specific mutation. “She truly is one of a kind!” LJ said.

No parent expects their child to need to use a wheelchair, especially not LJ, who was raised in Jackson, Wyoming, skiing, hiking, backpacking, mountaineering, and whitewater rafting. The mountains are what he calls an essential part of his well-being, and he expected and hoped to share experiences in them with his family.

“Before we had Luci, we never stopped to consider how many things kids in wheelchairs go without,” LJ said. “Now we live it.”

LJ explains, “It’s trivial but easy to take for granted that our ability to enjoy more than our immediate surroundings depends 100% on personal mobility. If we don’t have that, we must rely on someone strong enough to carry us or a device like a wheelchair.”

LJ and Jana embraced the fact that their life as a family would be unique and did what they could to help Luci continue to experience the outdoor activities they love. They learned that hiking with Luci wasn’t that hard when she was small enough to carry in a carrier backpack.

“In May 2019, I had to face reality,” LJ said. “We were out for our first family hike of the spring at Richard’s Hollow. It was a two-person

job getting Luci in the pack, but we made it work. However, not far up the trail, Luci voiced her discomfort. I had to boost her up by the bottom of her feet for the remainder of the hike to make it tolerable for her. As I walked, I wondered if this would be our last hike as a family on those kinds of trails.”

Years ago, LJ began honing his talent for creating things from his imagination as an 8th grader in a woodworking shop class. He eventually came to Utah State University with his sights on becoming a pilot but later shifted back to his talents in innovative design and earned a master’s degree in mechanical engineering.

He spent most of his career to date at Spartronics (formerly Inovar) and found a way to feed his love for creative design and innovation by working to design other people’s dreams.

EMILY BUCKLEY editor in chief

He thought about that as he carried Luci on his back in Richard’s Hollow and left the trail that day with a design in mind and a commitment to break through a barrier for his family.

At this time, the Wilde’s had four children, and life was busy. Before he went to work on building his solution, he researched all he could to find something that already existed. “Nothing I found would truly get us where we wanted to go,” LJ said. “The idea was to create something that would carry most of the passenger weight, be operable on narrow trails and switchbacks, and be lightweight and compact enough to stow and travel with.”

LJ spent his evenings and weekends working on the design to complete a prototype of a cart he could pull Luci in on a family backpacking trip that fall.

Fall came and went, with the pieces for the prototype bent and ready to put together sitting in the garage; LJ thought he would have time to finish it over the winter.

“Life happened, and the pieces sat in the garage for two more years,” LJ said.

Then, a fateful day came in February 2022 when LJ was cleaning his garage. “I found the pieces of the prototype on the shelf. I was instantly discouraged and convinced myself I would never have the time to finish it. I resolved to haul it to the dump so I could stop feeling bad about it and free up some shelf space.”

As he was hauling the pieces to the trailer to take to the dump, LJ heard something inside him say “Don’t do that; just finish the dang thing.”

With renewed commitment, LJ and Jana invested in the equipment he needed to finish the job. He worked feverishly to complete the prototype for their June trip to Jackson and Yellowstone. He painted the pieces the morning they left, and they dried as they drove north. LJ assembled the cart in the parking lot of the hotel they were staying in.

“At this point, I had no idea if it would even work,” LJ said. “But Luci got in and rode around the hotel parking lot. The verdict ‘Let’s go for a hike!’”

It was the first family hike the family had taken in three years, and it happened to be on LJ’s birthday. “We hiked over six miles, around Jenny Lake and up to Hidden Falls in Grand Teton National Park.”

As the family approached the trailhead at the base of Jenny Lake, a woman, pushing her daughter in a wheelchair, called out to them. She asked them what “this thing” was called because she needed one.

“As we kindly delivered the bad news that it didn’t have a name because it was built in my garage, the disappointment was evident on her face.”

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LJ and Jana Wilde and their children, Bela (15), Patrick (13), Luciana (11), Millee (7), Nora (5), and Kloe (2) on the Wind Caves hike in Logan Canyon. LJ is pulling Luci in the newest version of the Huckleberry Hiking cart.

Photo by Mike Johnson

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The experience repeated itself in Yellowstone when a father told LJ about his son’s needs and asked where they got the hiking cart.

“I felt bad, but I simply didn’t have time to make another,” LJ said.

Although LJ and Jana had talked about jumping off the entrepreneurial ledge with the product, their aversion to risk, especially financial, held them back. But these interactions replayed in their minds as they returned home. “Jana and I both had a change of heart that day. We

HUCKLEBERRY HIKING VISION

“We live in a country that does more than perhaps any other to enhance the quality of life of those with mobility challenges,” LJ said. “There are ramps, elevators, parking spots, restrooms, amusement park rides, trails, ski hills, parks, and programs that provide access, enable, and facilitate. But one place that is really tough to get someone to are the narrow mountain trails and beautiful backcountry.”

Huckleberry Hiking is working to get whole families back on the trail, whether by sherpapowered or electric-assisted kid carriers. In the future, LJ hopes to enhance the product line to support adult-sized passengers and accessorize the carts to be used for longer backpacking trips and other cargo-carrying needs such as hunting, firefighting, or search and rescue.

realized we could do a lot of good for a lot of special people.”

LJ says everything in their lives started to line up. Every time they took a step closer to making the leap, a door would open or a person shared the right encouraging words. “We couldn’t help but keep moving,” he said.

Since then, as they have shared more about the prototype, the Wilde’s have been contacted by people from nearly every state in the USA, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, Poland, Netherlands, Sweden, France, and Germany. People are

looking for something like this.

LJ left behind an 11-year career with a company and team he loved to focus on the project fulltime because he says he knew he could help countless families like his, with kids like Luci who want to enjoy the mountains’ majesty. In August 2022, Huckleberry Hiking was officially born, with LJ as the principal sherpa.

“The Huckleberry Hiking cart has broken the barrier to being in some beautiful places. We are able to include Luci and stay together as a whole family in nearly any outdoor adventure.”

The Huckleberry Hiking cart model that will be released soon weighs just over 25 pounds and will support passengers up to 150 pounds, with the sherpa only carrying up to 25% of the passenger weight. It breaks down and fits in the trunk of any small sedan and can be assembled and trail-ready in under two minutes.

Learn more at huckleberryhiking.com or follow along on Facebook or Instagram at @huckleberryhiking

Easy Dinner Inspiration to Make Dinner Happen

KATE NEELEY contributing writer

Here are some ideas that will help take the decision fatigue out of choosing what to make, and they’re all resources I trust for good nutrition as well:

EMEALS emeals.com

Choose “Quick and Healthy” plan. I love this subscription. It lines up meals for the week, you select which ones you want, then it connects with the Walmart Pickup App and loads your cart with all the ingredients for your meals. Review your cart in case you already have some ingredients.

Dinner. It’s an everyday thing. Something you look forward to and dread all in the same moment, right?

It’s gotta happen, and life in the evening is busier than ever for families. The occasional Little Caesars “Hot and Ready” pizza makes total sense sometimes, but cooking meals at home has incredible benefits as well. Health, connection, decreased risk for teens, more affordable … yada yada, you know what I’m talking about. Please don’t run away thinking this is another guilt trip!! You’ve got this! Although the Leave It to Beaver ideal of everyone around the table together is dreamy, it is probably not practical for a lot of families.

Can you still offer some really good things to your family by finding a way to incorporate

cooking nutritious meals at home? I certainly think so. It’s not all or nothing. Just cook when you can and every little bit helps.

Even when you’re on-the-go and likely eating in shifts, there’s just something so grounding about the aroma of a homecooked meal in your house. Find a way to make the food. Some can be left in a crockpot to simmer. Some you can prepare in the morning or afternoon before the carpool circus begins and then have plates ready to grab as they can.

How can you make it happen? As a certified nutrition coach and busy mom of three active kids, I often share tools and tips to help my nutrition clients. I’m happy to pass on some of them to you!

CITRUS PEAR citruspear.com

These are freezer meals that you can go to a class to assemble and bring them home to freeze, or you can order them to be delivered. Primary prep for these meals is in the crockpot or instant pot, and they are all designed by registered dietitians. I have really liked almost every one of these meals that I’ve tried. Nutrition information is printed right in the front of the meal bag or available on the website.

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HOME CHEF homechef.com

These meal kits cost a little more, but are extremely convenient. They deliver the box to your door with all the ingredients and recipe cards. You get the app, and then can select meal styles — carb-conscious and calorie-conscious meals are usually good — just check for protein content to make sure it’s going to give you at least 25-30 grams of protein in each serving (If you want to try it, I have a $35 off code katen64).

MACRO FRIENDLY FOOD macrofriendlyfood.com

I LOVE Elyse Ellis’s recipes. All of them are super good, and easy to track if you log macros because they’re all pre-logged in the MyFitnessPal app. She has dinner recipes, lunch, and snack ideas. I get a lot of ideas from her!

LILLIE

EATS AND TELLS lillieeatsandtells.com

Lillie Eats and Tells uses so many bright colors and flavorful sauces! Lillie has a flare for fresh, clean, whole food. This girl is a genius and she also provides all the macro information for her recipes.

When in doubt and have no meal planned, you can follow this pattern for a balanced meal:

1. Pick your protein (chicken, fish, beef, etc)

2. Choose a carb (brown rice, potatoes, roll, etc)

3. Pick a fat for flavor (sauces, condiments, etc)

4. “Pad your plate” with tons of veggies and/ or fruits

If you’re in the market for some 1:1 coaching, Kate is a NASM certified nutrition coach and offers programs to help people learn to use nutrition to meet their long-term fitness and body goals. Find her and lots of “snack of the day” ideas on Instagram @kate.neeley.coaching

Garlic for the Novice Grower

MARK ANDERSON owner, Anderson’s Seed and Garden

Pesto, pizza, pasta, tomato — they all have a common companion ingredient garlic. Garlic is one of the most commonly used plants for cooking, and a must have for any garden. Originating in central Asia, these delicious bulbs have spiced up foods since the dawn of cooking. Garlic is easy to grow in a garden or even in a good-sized pot. They share the same family as onions, leeks, and shallots. If you haven’t had good, fresh garlic from your own garden, you are truly missing out on an amazing flavor.

Garlic is categorized into two groups hard neck and soft neck. Soft neck garlic keeps longer in storage and is commonly found in grocery stores. With layers of parchment-paper thin skin and two layers of smaller cloves, this kind is ideal for the home cook. The tops are easy to braid, making it for easy storage. Hard neck garlic tends to have a more consistent flavor but have a slightly shorter shelf life. They form long, firm stalks, called scapes, with 8-15 large cloves on the inside. My favorites are German Red, Musik, and Susan Delafield.

Garlic grows well in any type of soil, as long as it has good drainage, rich nutrients, and plenty of sun. It can be planted anytime from September to October, or at least four to six weeks before the ground freezes. To plant, dig holes about one to three inches deep and add a slow-release fertilizer to the bottom of the holes. Break up the heads into individual cloves and plant them three to four inches apart. After planting, water with a root stimulator for quick establishment and root enhancement. In containers, follow the

same rules for depth and spacing. Your quantity is only limited by the size of the pot.

The bulbs like the cold conditions of winter and will grow on their own without any extra attention until April or May. At this point, side dress the rows or just around the plant with a slow-release nitrogen. In the early spring, when the sprouts are first starting to grow, keep them moist. Allowing them to dry out will decrease yield in the summer. Moisten the soil every five

to seven days at least 12 inches down. Around the first of July, when the tops start to die down and turn brown, stop watering. Too much water at this point will damage the bulb and could cause storage issues.

Don’t harvest too early as it can cause storage problems or leave them in the ground too long. With hard necks, the scapes that come up can be eaten like a scallion with a strong garlic flavor, so you can enjoy them earlier. Starting mid July through early August, the tops will start to turn yellow and fall over. However, the tops won’t completely dry out at this point. Once the tops have tipped completely over, carefully dig up the bulbs. Use a spade or a small gardening fork to dig underneath the soil and lift out the bulbs. Don’t pull from the top because that can damage the bulbs. It is possible to take garlic from the garden straight to your kitchen, but for maximum storage length, cure the bulbs for three or four weeks in a dry place. Take a few and tie the tops together, then hang them up in a well-ventilated place for at least a week. After they are cured, store them in a cool, dark, dry place with a good air flow.

You will be surprised at the variety of flavors and levels of different heat found in different varieties. Some are better for roasting, some better for cooking with other ingredients, and some keep longer than others. Take a chance, try something new, and discover how easy garlic is to grow, and how much fun it is to experiment with new flavors of an old-time favorite ingredient.

Understanding Binocular Vision

MICHAEL COLE, OD Child and Family Eye Care Center

independently but cannot synchronize their movements, the result is double vision. Double vision is a debilitating symptom that makes it almost impossible to complete even the simplest tasks. Thankfully, double vision is rare and in most instances the brain will switch off one eye to avoid double vision at all costs. This suppression of one eye is also not a good outcome and is an active process that requires constant activity to ignore the incoming stream of information from the eye.

Our clinic specializes in the treatment of pediatrics and binocular vision disorders. Binocular vision refers to the system which allows our two eyes to be used in tandem, resulting in a single, enhanced image. The final product of binocular vision is a view of the world that is in many ways superior to a single copy of the scene being sampled.

For instance, the imperfect pictures captured by each individual eye are sent independently to the brain. The higher order processing done by the brain combines the best parts of the two separate images to form a single resultant image with higher resolution and clarity than either of the inputs. In this way, redundancy allows for clearer vision than would otherwise be possible with a single input.

Even more meaningful than enhanced clarity is the possibility of stereoscopic vision, which means that we can see the world in three dimensions. For this to be possible, both of our eyes must make a copy of an image from a slightly different perspective. For example, look at an object roughly two feet in front of you. Cover one eye, then the other. Notice that although both eyes are pointed directly at the same object, their view of said object is slightly different. The visual centers in the brain use these varied perspectives to generate depth perception in our environment. Although there are monocular cues to depth (think perspective paintings), to truly see in three dimensions, both eyes must be utilized in tandem.

Binocular vision allows us many advantages, but can also cause many problems if this system is not working as. If both eyes are working

More commonly, poor functioning binocular systems can operate as expected only when a specific set of circumstances occurs. For example, one may be able to achieve binocular vision when not tired, hungry, upset, bored, stressed, or distracted. One may also require the visual target to be not too close, not too far, not too small, not too bright, not too complicated, or not too confusing. When the right conditions are not met, we experience symptoms such as fluctuating blurriness, losing our place when reading, images overlapping intermittently, and difficulty making quick, accurate eye movements. You can imagine how a child in this situation may struggle in school.

For most people, seeing “20/20” is the extent to which vision is measured, but consider the test itself: One eye is covered while the other reads letters on a chart across the room. This is a monocular test, meaning that only one eye is tested at a time. If we were monocular organisms, perhaps this test would suffice. However, there is so much more involved in our complicated binocular visual systems that we need to spend time more fully investigating our visual function.

We are committed to spending the necessary time with each patient to ensure the most comprehensive vision evaluation. Please contact our office to schedule your appointment today.

Housing Sustainability

LETICIA SHIFFLET executive officer, Cache Valley Association of REALTORS®

UTAH STATE COURTS

When discussing elements of home design things like paint, cabinets, landscaping, and décor are usual topics of conversation, but new, younger homeowners and buyers are changing the dialogue.

Real estate professionals are noting an increase in potential buyers and current owners who are making sustainability a priority. More and more homeowners are putting priority on purchasing home products that reduce waste while looking for ways to reuse and recycle within their homes.

This focus on sustainability has been an upward trend that gained momentum during

Divorce Education for Children

the pandemic—as people spend more time in their homes, they look for smart home technology and ways to lower their costs and impact on the environment.

Sustainable design ranges from refinishing existing furniture and fixtures—instead of buying new—to installing solar energy and using passive cooling. Homeowners are putting a priority on reducing the maintenance requirements of their homes while choosing methods, products, and systems that support the longevity of their communities, with an intentional focus on environmental preservation through responsibly sourced materials.

Any space and aesthetic can incorporate sustainable design. Reclaimed wood flooring, recycled tiles, vintage fixtures, and

repurposed pieces are all popular examples. For those interested in prioritizing sustainable design, find a licensed REALTOR® who can be a source of valuable information for you before, during, and after a home sale. A REALTOR® can help you source local, sustainable elements, and can guide you to make educated decisions and avoid common marketing tricks from corporations looking to take advantage of consumers.

Take steps to incorporate circular design into your home, which seeks to extend the lifetime of a material, which is designed to simplify future reuse and recycling— ensuring multiple uses. Work with a REALTOR® to find homes that meet your needs and are aligned with your priorities, help you save money, and make the most of your space.

IDEAS FOR CREATING AN ECO-FRIENDLY HOME

When sustainability is a priority, it can be hard to know where to start. Use this guide to make educated decisions as you move forward with your eco-friendly home.

• Energy-efficient lighting

• Smart thermostats

• New windows (double pane)

• New insulation

• Solar panels

• Heat pump water heater

We focus on the development of the whole child with a curriculum for all ages.

Creating a Family Command Center

to share about paper storage and organization (receipts, bills, papers, the not-fun stuff), but for today focus on these steps to get your family command center up and rolling for the school year.

HOW TO CREATE A COMMAND CENTER:

1. Identify the place in your home where things tend to pile up.

2. Sort through your pile and decide if the items need to be tossed, dealt with soon, or scanned/filed away.

3. Create an "action basket" for the items that need attention and put the "to be filed/scanned" items in a folder. We use a rope basket as our family action basket.

This week's challenge

Reset your command center. If you don't have one, start one. Every home needs a main central. Sometimes they get created naturally. Do you have a junk drawer? Where do your bills and school papers pile up? Where do you keep receipts and notebooks? Do you keep office supplies in your kitchen? Where do you charge electronics? If these items end up in the same general area, then that will probably be a great place for your command center. If these items do not already tend to gravitate towards the same place, create one! There is so much

4. Create more files (separate from the action basket) for more specific items that do not require immediate attention. In addition to the "to be filed/scanned folder," I have files for each of my kids (for past school papers, report cards, etc.), for receipts, a separate file for anything tax related, a file for information about my house, a file for important family info, and a file for blank paper. I let these files get added to throughout the year. I try and sort them twice a year and sort through the kid files at the end of each school year. We use magazine holders for files in our command center.

JEN MARTIN owner, Reset Your Nest @reset_your_nest.

COMMAND CENTER: BEFORE COMMAND CENTER: AFTER

5. Assess the needs of your space and your family and be intentional with your command center. We use our command center for a charging station so all electronic devices are in the action basket. We also don't have a junk drawer. This means that basic office supplies live in a cute water hyacinth basket on open shelves. Anything needed for a command center and family of six is right there. If you use a paper family calendar,

find a place for it in your command center so when your family gathers to do homework, charge their devices, and manage the household, it will be a good reminder of schedules and upcoming plans.

Our built-in desk area is our command center and the landing spot for all things. The rope basket is our action basket and I go through the basket every Saturday to address the things that need attention. The key

component to making things run smoothly for us is maintaining the system which is:

1. Sort mail and school papers as soon as they come in and throw most away.

2. Only put items in the action basket that really do need attention, so things don't get buried.

That's it! Is this something you already do? If not, put it to action and see how it Resets your nest!

Fall in Love with Fall in Cache Valley

JULIE HOLLIST TERRILL director, Cache Valley Visitor’s Bureau

the region will bring their beauties to be weighed for a chance to win. It will be a sight to behold since most of the gourds top the scales at more than 1,000 pounds! There will be live music, art, children’s activities, tasty pumpkin specialties, pumpkin carving and painting, art, and more, all on Center Street. centerstreetgiant.com

Let’s be honest. I’ve probably eaten close to 3.2 million peaches since the earliest varieties were ripe enough in the middle of August. I love this time of year, when the smell of fresh-cut hay sticks in your nose, the mornings are cool, and the garden provides a cornucopia of color and flavor. Summer is so busy that the tempo of this interim between seasons is a welcome respite and a beautiful time of year to explore and celebrate the heritage of our valley.

The best place to start is my office, the Visitors Bureau at 199 North Main Street in Logan , where you can pick up a copy of our Cache Valley Heritage Driving Tour brochure. This handy guide is packed with interesting tidbits and lists of heritage sites and markers in each little town.

There’s too much to see and do in one day, so you might want to spread it out a bit. FYI, Cache Valley is roughly 40 miles long and 10 miles wide. From Lewiston to Avon the landscape is dotted with farms, fields, and interesting finds so take your time as you go.

Not only will the leaves be turning colors in the mountains and the valley for weeks on end, ‘tis the season for some of my favorite Cache Valley festivals as well. Snag your calendars and pencil them in.

I’m super pumped for the first ever Center Street Giant Pumpkin Festival in downtown Logan September 23 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m . About 30 giant pumpkin growers from around

Cache Valley is famous throughout the United States for its cheeses, milk, and ice cream, so check out the free Cache Valley Cheese and Dairy Festival September 2930 . You’ll love samples of cheese and ice cream, and workshops on learning how to properly taste cheeses or how to create a charcuterie board. Games for kids, equipment displays, live music, mac n’ cheese, and cheesecake contests along with good food round out the weekend. Speaking of which, the mac n’ cheese and cheesecake contests are for amateurs of all ages and have really great prizes. You should give them a shot! cachecheesefest.com

October 1-7 get your Aggie groove on with USU’s annual homecoming celebration

There are plenty of highlights, but you’re kidding yourself if you think you’re a local and you’re not a True Aggie. If you’re racking your brain because you don’t know what I’m talking about, here are some hints

The tradition started back in 1916, involves (hopefully) breath mints, a smooch, midnight and the letter A. Head up to campus October 6 for your piece of the action. usu.edu

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Then, step back in time at the American West Heritage Center’s (AWHC) Fall Harvest Festival, October 13-14. The AWHC is an outdoor living history museum celebrating the history of the American West with

mountain men, pioneers, and farmers dressed in period costume. There are demonstrations and plenty of hands-on activities for all ages. Don’t miss steam engine threshing with antique tractors (just like how they used to harvest Cache Valley fields more than

100 years ago), cider pressing, throwing tomahawks, corn shelling, riding ponies and a train, candle making, and more. awhc.org

Next, the 40th-annual North Logan Pumpkin Walk is October 19-21 and 23-24 . This is one event you have to see to believe because it absolutely defies description. We’re not just talking about carved pumpkins, although there are hundreds on hand. Community members spend weeks creating complex scenes that all revolve around integrating pumpkins and other gourds. You’ll marvel at their fabulous and colorful displays. It’s impossible to imagine how cool it is if you’ve never been, so don’t miss it.

pumpkinwalk.org

These celebrations are only the beginning. There are corn mazes, ghost tours in downtown Logan, football games, live theater and music performances, and so much more. Visit the calendar on explorelogan.com for more events and fall in love with fall, right here in your own backyard.

North Logan Pumpkin Walk

The Great Pumpkin: 31 Ideas for Fall Fun

JANEEN LEWIS contributing writer

Fall wouldn’t be complete without that family trip to pick the perfect pumpkin. Then let the Jack-o’-lantern carving, seed roasting, and pie baking begin! But what else can you do with pumpkins? Pumpkin bowling, anyone? What about tasting pumpkin cheesecake? Kids will enjoy building character pumpkins or making a messy, oozing pumpkin. Whether hosting a fall bash or spending time with the family, here are 31 ways to celebrate America’s favorite gourd.

CARVED PUMPKIN IDEAS

Nothing says fall like a lit-up Jack-o’-lantern. Carve a traditional pumpkin, or if you want to try something new this year, here are some ideas:

01 Create a fun oozing pumpkin and watch foam erupt from its carved mouth and eyes. Check out Steve Spangler’s website to make one. (stevespangler.com/experiments/oozing-pumpkins)

02 Not sure about your design and carving skills? Try a pattern and stencil. Most grocery and department stores carry inexpensive stencil and carving kits.

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Hammer metal cookie cutters into a hollow pumpkin and then pop out the shapes to make your own unique design.

Instead of a candle, put a glow stick in your carved pumpkin for an eerie, neon effect.

NO-CARVE PUMPKIN IDEAS

If you want your pumpkin to last through the season or you don’t want to deal with the mess of carving a pumpkin, there are plenty of fun no-carve options:

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Make a nail-art pumpkin. Draw a design on your pumpkin then hammer nails into the design. Either leave the nails as is or decorate with thread and make a string-art pumpkin.

Create pumpkin people that represent favorite book or movie characters. For example, one big pumpkin and two small gourds on the side could be Princess Leia, or paint a pumpkin green to make Yoda. Pinterest has many examples. Are you a sports lover? Paint a baseball, basketball, volleyball, soccer ball, or softball pumpkin.

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Trim the stem and paint on animal faces.

Leave the stem, then add white paint and glitter. Poof! The pumpkin becomes a unicorn.

PUMPKIN PLAY

Creative pumpkin games make any get together or party a blast. Try one of these or convert a favorite game into pumpkin play.

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Bowl with pumpkins. Set up pins in the grass. Use small lightweight pumpkins without stems as pumpkin bowling balls. See who can knock down the most pins.

10 Play pumpkin putt-putt. Use pumpkins to make an obstacle course. With miniature golf clubs, putt around the pumpkins, or make one big pumpkin that has a wide-open mouth to putt into. Make the game even more challenging by using a tiny pumpkin as the golf ball.

11 Jump, slide, or go diagonal with pumpkins and play pumpkin checkers. Use a large checker mat or table, or use small pumpkins and use a traditional board. Use white pumpkins as checkers on one side and orange on the other.

12 Take turns playing pumpkin tic-tac-toe. Mark off a tic-tac-toe grid on the lawn, use chalk on the sidewalk, or use a mat and play tic-tac-toe with pumpkins.

CREATIVE CONTAINERS

For your next party or family get together, try some of these unique containers for your tablescape.

PUMPKIN POINTERS

What is the best variety of pumpkin for baking a pie? What can you do to extend the life of uncarved and carved pumpkins? Try some of these tips.

While all pumpkin is edible, varieties of pumpkin that are good for carving into Jack-o’lanterns aren't the best for making into pumpkin treats. Look for a pumpkin that is specifically for baking. Some types to try for baking include Sugar Pie, Cinderella, Blue Hubbard, or Long Island Cheese.

To extend the life of a carved pumpkin, soak it in a bleach water solution. Add one teaspoon bleach to one gallon water. Wipe the pumpkin down with it, or using the same bleach-to-water ratio, fill a sink or small tub and submerge the pumpkin for two hours. Dry the pumpkin well and store in a cool space. After you carve, seal all the carved areas with petroleum jelly.

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Serve soup in pumpkin bowls. Go with a traditional family favorite or in honor of fall, make pumpkin or squash soup. Use the top as a lid to keep the soup warm. 14

Light up the room with pumpkin candle holders. Use mini pumpkins for candlesticks and bigger pumpkins for jar candles. 15

Fill a large, hollow pumpkin with ice and use as an ice bucket. 16

Tap a hollow pumpkin with a nozzle and turn it into a drink dispenser.

To help an uncarved pumpkin last through the fall, clean or soak with the bleach water solution, and then keep the pumpkin off of concrete or the ground. When not in use, store in a cool space, between 50 and 60 degrees. If you use these tips, an uncarved pumpkin can last up to three months. continued on next page ...

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DAZZLE WITH DÉCOR

Get creative inside and outside with these pumpkin decorations.

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Make a festive vase. Scoop the insides out, fill the pumpkin with floral foam and stick faux or real flowers in the foam.

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Dress up the fireplace mantel. Use painted pumpkins and bows or write letters on several little pumpkins to make words such as “gather” or “happy fall.”

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Use mini pumpkins as place holders for a fall dinner. Use a toothpick or cardholder with a sharp end and stick it in the pumpkin to attach a name card.

20 Make a pumpkin topiary for inside or outside.

21 Layer pumpkins from top to bottom on porch steps.

SPRUCE UP THE GARDEN

Keep the garden alive during fall with these ideas:

22 Make an outdoor pumpkin planter. Hollow out a pumpkin and fill with soil and hardy flowers like mums or pansies.

23 Feed the birds! Fill a pumpkin with seeds and leave it in the yard.

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Make garden compost. Cut a leftover pumpkin into small pieces, or better yet, let the kids have a blast by smashing a rotting pumpkin into tiny pieces. Pitch the pieces in the compost pile or scatter the pumpkin pieces over soil, cover with leaves and let nature take it from there.

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Next year grow a pumpkin from this year’s seeds. Rinse seeds, spread out, and let dry for several weeks. Store them in an envelope in a dry, cool place to plant next year.

PUMPKIN DELICACIES

Trail mix, cocktails, and cheesecake, oh my! These ideas go beyond mere pie.

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Roast sweet and salty pumpkin seeds by adding brown sugar and sea salt. You can also roast seeds with olive oil and your favorite herbal seasoning, or choose from cinnamon, ginger, garlic salt, seasoning salt, pepper, or grated cheese. Experiment to find your favorite flavor.

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Create your own fall trail mix. Sprinkle roasted pumpkin seeds in granola and throw in some other favorite ingredients like raisins or nuts.

Bake a traditional pumpkin pie.

29 Pumpkin pie isn’t your thing? Try one of its cousins pumpkin bread, cheesecake, or cookies.

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Make pumpkin butter, hummus, or smoothies with pumpkin flesh. allrecipes.com has many recipes for all foods pumpkin.

Did you know you can make pumpkin cocktails? For recipes for cocktails or non-alcoholic pumpkin drinks, check out The Spruce Eats at thespruceats.com.

Duck and Goose Find a Pumpkin

by Tad Hills

Feathered friends look everywhere for a pumpkin.

TALES FROM THE PUMPKIN PATCH

Read these books with your littles to get in the fall mood!

It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown

by Charles M. Schulz

Celebrate Halloween with the Peanuts gang.

The Roll-Away Pumpkin

by Junia Wonders

A little girl enlists some help as her pumpkin rolls away from her and through town.

Pumpkins

by Ken Robbins

This non-fiction book will entertain children and parents alike with its eye-catching photography.

Pumpkin Circle: The Story of a Garden

by George Levenson

Inviting photographs in a backyard pumpkin patch show the life cycle of fall's favorite fruit.

How Many Seeds in a Pumpkin?

by Margaret McNamara

A class of curious students estimates how many seeds will be in three very differentsized pumpkins. What they find is a surprise.

Pumpkin Jack

by Will Hubbell

A little boy keeps his pumpkin long after Halloween. When it begins to rot, he puts it in the garden and watches it decompose until a new pumpkin plant sprouts in spring.

Seed, Sprout, Pumpkin, Pie

by Jill Esbaum

A National Geographic Kids book, Seed, Sprout, Pumpkin, Pie is filled with photographs and facts about pumpkin growth.

Pumpkin: The Curious History of an American Icon

by Cindy Ott

This non-fiction book tells the natural, historical and cultural story of the pumpkin.