Cache Valley Family Magazine Holiday 2015

H O L I D AY

2015

Inside

Local Brothers Set the Stage for Family Entertainment p. 18

Three Keys to Decorating Your Home for the Holidays p. 12 Creating Magical Indoor Photos p. 26 Four Areas to Improve Family Relationships p. 30 Make Holiday Food Preparation a Cinch p. 32

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Editor’s Note:

A Season of Hope

Have you ever wondered why so many national and religious holidays and celebrations take place in the six-week period between mid-November and the New Year? We would have to delve into history to pinpoint each of their origins, but I have a hunch that it has to do with finding hope during an otherwise dismal time of year. We aren’t so bad off now, but before the comforts of climate-controlled homes and grocery stores, when food and heat were primary concerns, the human race had need to remember that the harshness of winter would end, that spring would come and that the earth would once again provide the necessities for life.

Perhaps we still have that need for hope, even amidst our modern comforts. We often forget that for all the bad in the world there is also a tremendous amount of good happening quietly all around us — even if that good doesn’t get the attention of the headlines nearly as often.

My favorite part of producing this magazine is the opportunity it gives me to get to know the outstanding people in our community. I try to always keep an ear to the ground looking for stories and information to share that may uplift or educate families. This practice has opened my eyes to the good in our community and gives me hope for this season and the future.

From my family to yours, we wish each of you a season of joy and hope. We are thankful to our neighbors, readers and advertisers who make Cache Valley a wonderful place to live and do business. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Emil y

What’s INSIDE PUBLISHER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Emily Buckley COMMUNITY EDITOR Schae Richards

Featured Stories:

Local Brothers Set the Stage for Family Entertainment — p. 18

COVER PHOTOGRAPHY Kylee Ann Maughan

Make Food Preparation a Cinch this Holiday Season — p. 32

COVER PHOTO STYLING Margaret Gittins

Good Neighbors: The Golden Rule of Real Estate Sales — p. 24

PHOTOGRAPHY Katie Eavenson Mandy Bagley Kylee Ann Maughan CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Maren Anderson Mark Anderson Tara Bone Emily Buckley Sherelle Christensen Kinsey Love James Mathews, DO Kylee Ann Maughan Emily Merkley Schae Richards Dana Rigby Sarah Romero Frank Schofield Christie Stock Lilly Sun Dave Welker Trent White GRAPHIC DESIGN Rachel Cottrell Emily Buckley WEBSITE DESIGN Kite Media VIDEO PRODUCTION Rescue 1 Studios 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 2015, 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.

PHONE (435) 764-0962 MAILING ADDRESS PO Box 6831 North Logan, UT 84341 EMAIL info@cachevalleyfamilymagazine.com

How to Grow an Indoor Garden — p. 20 Managing Your Money Through the Holidays — p. 28 Three Keys to Decorating Your Home for the Holidays — p. 12 Creating Magical Indoor Photos — p. 26 Seven Tips for Decorating Cookies with Kids — p. 27 Four Areas to Improve Your Family Relationships — p. 30 Six Christmas Gift Exchange Ideas — p. 34

In Every Issue:

Around the Table: From the Farmer’s Wife: Lasagna Soup — p. 17 Making a Difference: Sub for Santa — p. 8 Healthy Families: Avoid the Blues this Holiday Season — p. 14 Family Firsts: Be the Hostess with the Mostess — p. 7 Safe Families: Property Crime Prevention: Reduce Your Risk — p. 6 Winter Driving Tips — p. 16 Education Update: Dual Language Immersion: A Gem for Now and the Future — p. 22 Principles to Encourage Academic Achievement — p. 23 Fit Families: Five Ways to Maintain Your Fitness this Holiday Season — p. 10

WEBSITE www.cachevalleyfamilymagazine.com FACEBOOK facebook.com/ cachevalleyfamilymagazine YOUTUBE youtube.com/cachevalleyfamilymag INSTAGRAM cachevalleyfamilymag TO ADVERTISE call (435) 764-0962 or email ads@cachevalleyfamilymagazine.com

Cache Valley Family Magazine is Sponsored by:

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Property Crime Prevention: HOW TO REDUCE THE RISK

Dave Welker, detective, Cache County Sheriff’s Office

You return home from your favorite vacation spot after a week. As you pull into the driveway, you notice the garage door is open. You distinctly remember closing it. Then you remember your neighbor had access to your home to come in and feed your indoor animals; maybe they left it open. Then you see your fishing pole is leaning against the outside of the garage and you start to feel uneasy and the relaxation from your vacation is gone. As the car comes to a stop, you try to make sense of what happened to your home and realize that you have become a victim of burglary. Questions start to run through your mind: What happened? Who did this? How could this happen to me?

In Cache Valley, this is not a common event, but we do have our share of crimes against property. Property crimes are defined as those involving taking of property of another. These include burglary, theft, vehicular burglary/theft, shoplifting and vandalism. These crimes generally do not involve the use of force.

Who is at risk? To some degree, we are all at risk.

A better question to ask is, “What can you do to prevent property crimes?” Make sure to always lock your house, car, trailer, etc. Most crimes

are committed against unsecured property. When a series of vehicular burglaries happen, they usually involve unlocked vehicles with property in plain sight from outside the vehicle.

We would all like to think people will be honest and not take property that doesn’t belong to them.

Unfortunately, this is not always the case; therefore, always use locks and put items out of direct view as this will help prevent the majority of these types of crime.

When leaving your vehicle to shop at a store, always park in a well-lit area, lock the doors and conceal any valuable items, so they can’t be seen through the windows.

If you are going to be away from your home for an extended period of time, let someone know. Get to know your neighbors and ask them to watch your property for unusual activity. We all have ‘that one neighbor’ who knows everything happening in the neighborhood. Use them as a resource, and they will work diligently to make sure nothing happens to your home or property.

By working together and using common sense, we can help prevent property crimes this holiday season.

Now Open!

Cache Valley’s newest indoor playground!

Open Mon-Thur 10 a.m to 7 p.m. • Fri and Sat 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

1077 W. 130 S., Logan • (385) 239-9467 • www.thebouncenslide.com Check us out on

While the kids are out of school, let them come bounce their energy out at Cache Valley’s new 10,500 square foot family fun center.

Bouncy Houses • Inflatable Slides Obstacles Courses

Fun for the whole family!

$2.00 OFF full-price admission

Adults accompanying children play FREE. Offer limited to two children per coupon.

Exp. 2/15/16

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Be the Hostess with the Mostess Tara Bone, contributing writer

It is time once again to cook the turkey, deck the halls and gather with loved ones: It’s holiday party time! But hosting a holiday shindig can be seriously scary, the hyperventilating, feeling-like-you-are-going-to-pass-out kind of scary. If you’re a party planning pro, reflect on your firsts and celebrate your successes. If you’re thinking about hosting your first holiday events — you can do it! It takes positive thinking, deep breathing and planning with a few things in mind.

Our family’s first holiday party happened by chance. It was 2002 in Oklahoma and my husband and I found ourselves wondering how we were going to celebrate Turkey Day away from family. I felt that hyperventilating fear at the thought of hosting Thanksgiving dinner, but my husband and a friend promised to help. Our goals: keep the kitchen from catching on fire and keep the guests from getting food poisoning. We planned, delegated and invited. My husband was (and still is)

in charge of the turkey and stuffing. Ladies, this is an awesome tradition. Tap into your guy’s hunter/gatherer instinct and tell him how amazing it will be to carve the bird he cooked.

The turkey turned out great, but there were a few failures. First lesson: Don’t leave the shopping until two days before. You may not find cranberries, celery or a tablecloth that fits your table (really, nothing in a 15-mile radius). And, keep it simple. I thought it would be easy to whip up some rolls, but I couldn’t just leave it at that. We needed an entire basket made out of bread for the rolls. Three stressful hours and one burnt bread basket later, I learned store-bought rolls would suffice until I became a roll-making goddess (still working on it).

2015-16 SEASON

The meal was late, there weren’t cranberries and the bread was crispy, but it didn’t matter. We learned it’s really all about who’s sitting around the table. That Thanksgiving, our table was packed with Oklahoma State University basketball players, friends from Jordan and India and a family from our church congregation. It was one of our best Thanksgivings ever.

Whether it’s your first or 50th holiday party, consider inviting someone new.

The Hit Men: Former Stars of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons

Overcome the fear and experience your own holiday family first. Don’t miss a chance to gather loved ones. Remember it’s not about making perfect rolls, it’s about making memories.

Holiday memories take work to create, but the joy of spending time with friends and family is priceless.

Jan. 7 2016, 7:30PM

Holiday Party Tips:

Sons of the Pioneers Jan. 23 2016, 7:30PM

Repertory Dance Theater: 50th Anniversary Jan. 29 2015, 7:30PM

AT THE ELLEN ECCLES THEATRE 43 S MAIN, LOGAN, UT.

WWW.CACHEARTS.ORG

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Enlist help; divide and conquer.

Shop early.

Consider paper products, especially for long-term guests.

Have appetizers before a big meal: The food may not always be served on time.

Plan, decorate and start cooking early. It always takes longer than planned.

For meals like Thanksgiving, know what serving bowls and utensils you will use and set the table the night before.

Play well-known games: Don’t pull out new games if you don’t know your guests well.

Take pictures! Especially around the table before digging in.

Concentrate on the staples like the ham or turkey and stuffing. If you’re a newbie, buy the rolls and pies or delegate to someone else.

Make what you can ahead of time and use the freezer.

Invite someone new to the party!

Consider a kid’s craft for the name cards or table-settings.

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Making a Difference:

SANTA’S HELPERS SPREAD HOLIDAY JOY Schae Richards, community editor

Santa and his helpers are bringing more than just presents to Cache Valley this Christmas.

Sub for Santa, a non-profit organization in Logan, gives relief to local families and individuals during the holiday season through gift and monetary donations from the community.

“Families are so grateful — that we helped make their Christmas a little easier,” said Shanae Ames, first-time director of Sub for Santa. “Most of these families are really struggling. This is one less thing they have to be stressed about.”

With the help of local residents, the organization has assisted Cache Valley families for more than 40 years, giving hope during what can be a hard time of year. Last year alone, they served 888 children in the area.

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for a single child, whose information will be listed on the ornament. Purchased items should be dropped off at one of various locations (see box below).

3. General donations: Donations from the community such as clothes, gifts cards and toys are always welcomed (for a list of recommended items, see box below). Financial contributions are also accepted and can be made at any Zion’s Bank or mailed to PO Box 4603 Logan, Utah 84323.

Sub for Santa continues to bring the community together and spread the Christmas spirit.

Sub for Santa has a two-fold structure: those who apply for the help and those who donate items. Everything is kept anonymous throughout the process.

Kami Christensen, board chair of Sub for Santa, said the community has always been a great support in assisting families.

“Every year, we get more and more volunteers,” she said.

“This community is phenomenal in their generosity. It always floors me to see what comes in.”

Sub for Santa encourages people to get involved, whether through small or big donations, and offers three streams of participation: sponsorships, the KUTV Salvation Army Angel Tree and general donations.

1. Sponsorships: A sponsor is assigned to a family, meeting at least one need and want for each child (18 years old and younger). If desired, people may request to help someone specific, such as a child that’s a certain age or gender, or they may choose to assist a certain amount of children. Once purchased, items can be brought to one of various locations (see box at right), where the staff and other volunteers will ensure all items fit the children’s needs.

2. KUTV Salvation Army Angel Tree: If someone chooses not to sponsor a family, they can select an ornament from an angel tree at Lee’s Marketplaces or Shopko and buy

“Some people who have been recipients are now sponsors in the program, now that they are more established,” Kami said. “It’s a cycle of giving and receiving and the spirit of Christmas.”

For more information, call the Sub for Santa office at (435) 752-6315 or visit www.cachecountysubforsanta.org.

Recommended Donations for 2015: • Adult-size coats for teenagers • Batteries • Doll strollers • DVDs for 2015 popular kids movies • Gift cards to local stores for teenagers • Legos • Little girl dress-up clothes • Scooters • Skateboards • Sleds • Snow boots, any size • Socks, any size • Super hero action figures

• Hair accessories, nail polish, perfume for teenage girls • Toddler ride-on toys • Toddler learning toys

Deadlines: • Applications: Dec. 3 • Lee’s Marketplace and Shopko trees: Dec. 10 • Sponsor gifts: Dec. 11-12 • Gift delivery: Dec. 16-17

Drop Off Locations: • Lee’s Marketplace (both Logan and Smithfield locations) • Bridgerland West Campus • Shopko

Other Local Service Opportunities

Cache Food Pantry www.cachefoodpantry.com Citizens Against Physical and Sexual Abuse (CAPSA) www.capsa.org LDS Bishop’s Storehouse Logan Salvation Army of Utah www.salvationarmyutah.org Public Guardian of Utah www.opg.utah.gov Utah Food Bank www.utahfoodbank.org Utah Refugee Center www.utahrefugee.org Utah State University: Stuff-A-Bus

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Five Ways to

maintain

Your Fitness this Holiday Season Dana Rigby, NASM, Fitness Research Lab program director, ICON Health and Fitness

The holiday season has arrived! For most people, this means eating — lots of eating. With family obligations, traveling, parties and delicious meals, it’s no surprise that belt lines tend to expand during this time of year.

Want to avoid the tradition of gaining weight over the holidays and setting a New Year’s resolution to lose it? With the proper planning and a program in place, you can maintain your fitness levels and still enjoy the season. Here are five tips to help you do it:

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Keep your carbs well balanced and your portions under control: Especially during the holidays, you will have opportunities to eat festive snacks, desserts and side dishes.

You don’t have to deprive yourself, just eat smaller portions less often.

And, just because you’ have had dessert doesn’t mean you’ve “blown” the entire day; get back on track with your next snack or meal. To keep your carbs in check, make your meals mostly proteins and vegetables and save the carbs for reasonable snacks. Replace common holiday carbs with healthy alternatives like mashed cauliflower or sweet potatoes instead of mashed potatoes.

Plan ahead: If you know you will be going to a holiday party or out for a treat later in the day, be mindful of your eating the rest of the day and

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the following day. Prepare healthy snacks to help control your hunger.

Avoid mindless eating: Mindless eating is consuming food just because it’s there. It’s eating while distracted — watching TV, working at a computer or texting. It’s eating for emotional comfort or stress relief instead of for hunger. To keep yourself in check, consider chewing gum or sucking on mints to avoid mindless eating between healthy snacks and meals.

Don’t wait for the New Year to start exercising: If you can start your routine during the holiday season, you are setting yourself up for success. You can be in a routine before the gyms are overcrowded with New Year’s goal setters, and you will have the added benefits of the stress relief that naturally come from exercise. Reward yourself with time alone to exercise instead of extra food.

Involve your family: After you have enjoyed a big holiday meal together, consider playing a game of backyard football or having a holiday dance party instead of turning on the TV right away.

Instead of hopping into the car to drive holiday gifts to neighbors, bundle everyone up and take a walk to make your deliveries.

For more information visit: www.fitnessresearchlab.com or email: FitnessResearchLab@IconFitness.com

Fitness and nutrition often becomes plagued with all the things you CAN’T do. This holiday season, change your perspective and consider all the things you CAN do by rewarding yourself with healthy snacks and simple, but regular, exercise. An all-or-nothing approach is rarely effective, so start now to make life changes you can stick with.

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DECORATING YOUR HOME

FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Maren Anderson, designer, Tai Pan Trading

Decorating for Christmas goes hand in hand with the sounds, scents and spirit of the holiday season. By using a few key elements, you can turn your home into a space that embraces and invites friends and family into your celebration.

I recommend three areas of focus to make decorating stress free and fun: the buffet, the fireplace mantle and a seating area.

The buffet or entrance table, along with the front door, is your home’s opening statement. It’s not only a place where you express yourself and your personal style, but it is also a way to show your family and guests that you want to add a little magic to the season.

Fill an assortment of apothecary jars with bells, artificial snow and pinecones, ornaments and peppermints, or build a snow globe within them. Add a bit of garland that curves and drapes across the buffet to add interest and movement.

Tying bows around the jars using coordinating ribbon adds a lot, too. It’s an easy design to put together that translates across many holidays — just coordinate the contents of the jars to

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the season of celebration.

Mantles are often the focal points of our living areas.

The key to decorating them is layering and adding textures. I like to start with a pine garland; the artificial ones are all wired and make a great base for combining elements. Many people are hesitant to put any nail holes or scars on their mantle anyway. I recommend using a long, skinny nail and placing it in the seam at the back of the mantle where it meets the wall. Attach a 12” wire to the head of the nail and use it to attach the garland to the mantle area in a graceful swag. Layer a berry garland or poke floral stems between the pine boughs, and cross the wired pine pieces over each other to secure the additions.

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Hang ornaments from the artificial pine, add bits of fresh cedar to the garland and light it up to really wow the crowd.

The seating area can be the easiest place to add a festive spirit. It gets the most action in the home during gatherings, so you don’t want to add too much that may block the view of “the game” or end up in a heap because of happy, rowdy children. A Christmas throw, pillow or runner will add a pop of color and style without getting in the way of the fun.

Use holiday decorating to express yourself, add warmth and spirit to your home, and show your friends and family they are special to you.

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Avoid the Blues this

HOLIDAY SEASON James Mathews, DO, Providence Family Medicine

‘Tis the season! The holidays can create an atmosphere of family bonding, good will, cheer and excitement. They can also usher in disappointment, stress and depression. How can one create a balance, and not let the holidays become a burden? Let me offer some helpful hints.

1. Remember what is important: Families and friends are usually what make the holidays special, not the commercialism that seems to overshadow this time of year. If you have spiritual convictions, remember the true meaning of the holidays and devote some time to celebrating in your own way.

2. Know your limits: This includes setting a budget, or even setting a limit on what you are willing to do. If you are asked to host the family party or the work retreat, but you are unable to do so, you shouldn’t feel badly about saying “no.” Finding alternative accommodations is better than piling on unwelcomed stress.

3. Keep your daily routine: With altered school and work schedules and holiday gatherings, it becomes easy to let parties, outings and shopping spin your life out of control. Try to keep your exercise routine, your kids’ bedtimes and your mental and spiritual routine as they usually are. This will help preserve the balance that you strive to keep in everyday life. David Palmiter, PhD, of the American Psychological Association has said, regarding stress management during the holidays, “Sometimes self-care is the best thing you can do — others will benefit when you’re free of stress. Go for a long walk, get a massage or take time out to listen to your favorite music

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or read a new book. All of us need some time to recharge our batteries — by slowing down you will actually have more energy to accomplish your goals.”

4. Remember those who need to be remembered: If you have lost a loved one, consider giving some time to reflect on holidays past. Honoring and remembering those who are not with you anymore can give meaning and fulfillment to your holidays.

5. Realize traditions may change: If there is a tradition that has always been a part of your holiday routine, then continuing it may be something that can make your holiday worth the extra time and effort you invest each year. Keep in mind, though, that your personal or family circumstances may change year to year, hence your traditions may need to be modified. Be flexible to new and meaningful traditions.

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6. Give yourself a break: If your life circumstances are different this year, from the death of a loved one, a divorce, physical illness, mental illness or a deployed military family member, know that you are not expected to be and do everything that you once were. Make a list of realistic priorities and focus on them.

7. Be service-oriented: Performing simple acts of kindness can bring a depth and meaning to holiday observance which can teach you and your children a greater respect for the community and those who are truly in need.

8. Seek help if you need it: If your holiday blues are a sign of a deeper depression or anxiety that doesn’t seem to go away, there is help.

Don’t lose hope. Please seek help from a professional counselor, psychologist, psychiatrist or your doctor.

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• Check your fluids and tire pressure and clear windshield and windows of any ice and snow.

• Once on the road, SLOW DOWN. Allow yourself more time to get where you are going. Always maintain a good following distance (double the distance than on dry roads).

• Keep both hands on the steering wheel.

• Before turning, slow down while traveling in a straight line.

While turning, maintain a slow, regular speed and don’t make any sudden wheel movements.

• If you do begin to spin, stay calm. To regain control, steer in the opposite direction of the spin.

• If your wheels lock and slide, release the brake pedal to recover traction then slowly brake again.

Christie Stock, president, Discount Tire

• Brake earlier than you would on dry roads.

Wintertime brings the holiday season. It’s time to be

• Avoid or reduce changing lanes on slush filled roads.

with family, enjoy the warmth of indoors and count our blessings. However, wintertime also brings hazardous driving conditions such as ice, snow, rain and sleet, so it’s vital we know how to conduct ourselves on the roads. We always advise people to have good winter tires on their vehicle in addition to implementing proper behavior while driving. Here are a few important tips: • Before setting out on the road, plan your route by checking road conditions. If they are particularly bad, you may want to avoid traveling that day.

• Get a set of snow chains. They should be used on packed snow and are often required for canyon driving.

It’s also advisable to have a winter emergency kit in your vehicle such as water, blankets, a shovel, salt or a small piece of carpet, jumper cables, ice scraper, flashlight, flairs and a first-aid kit. Stay safe and enjoy the upcoming holiday season.

For more winter driving tips, visit www.webtires.net.

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Sherelle Christensen, www.sherellechristensen.typepad.com

Holiday shopping, parties and baking can keep us all busy during December. I always struggle to find time and motivation to make dinner when things are hectic, but this soup recipe is easy to make, and my whole family loves it. In fact, my kids always want me to double the recipe so they can take it in a thermos to school the next day for lunch. If you’re like me, you love lasagna, but don’t always have the time or energy to make this complicated dish. This yummy soup gives you the delicious lasagna flavor, without all the work.

LASAGNA SOUP • 1 lb. hamburger • 1 medium onion, chopped • 3 cloves garlic, minced Season hamburger with salt and pepper, and brown in a large pot then drain grease. Add onions and garlic and sauté about three to four minutes. Add the following ingredients to the pot: • 3 (10.5 oz) cans diced tomatoes (I often use a quart jar of my home canned-stewed tomatoes instead.)

• 2 (8 oz) cans tomato sauce (You can substitute tomato paste if you prefer a thicker soup.)

• 1 1/2 cups beef stock • 3 Tbs. fresh chopped basil (I sometimes substitute my homemade pesto and get great results.)

• 1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes • 2 bay leaves • 2 tsp. Italian seasoning • 1 (24 oz) bag frozen cheese ravioli (I like the Celentano brand mini rounds.)

After adding frozen ravioli to soup mixture, bring it to a light boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 20-25 minutes.

While the soup is simmering, mix ingredients for the gooey cheese portion of the soup.

GOOEY LASAGNA CHEESE FILLING • 1 cup ricotta cheese • 1/4 cup fresh grated parmesan cheese • Season lightly with salt and pepper Now it’s time to eat! Remove bay leaves from the pot and fill your bowl with the warm soup mixture. Top with a dollop of the gooey cheese mixture and sprinkle with grated mozzarella cheese.

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Four Seasons Theatre Company Celebrates its Fifth Anniversary Emily Buckley, editor-in-chief

Brothers Kody and Jon Rash’s

their own theatre company and the hours of work and tremendous goal to bring high-quality, affordable support from friends and family,” Kody entrepreneurial love for theatre began family entertainment to the north end said. “But we went for it.” The Rash when they were just boys walking of Cache Valley. brothers created the not-for-profit Four around their Smithfield neighborhood Seasons Theatre Company and recruiting friends to play successfully produced their first parts in their backyard skits.

Don’t Miss the Four Seasons show five years ago.

Their love for the art grew Theatre Company Fifth Anniversary with them and as adolescents A Christmas Carol, based on they both, along with their Production of A Christmas Carol the Charles Dickens classic tale younger brother Danny, were with music by Disney composer heavily involved in drama A musical take on Charles Dickens’ tale of Ebenezer Alan Menken, was their first at Sky View High School Scrooge’s journey with three ghostly spirits that production and has become and community theatre visit him on Christmas Eve designed to instill a a holiday tradition for Four productions. powerful message about redemption and the spirit Seasons Theatre Company ever of the holiday season. Performances will be at Sky since.

Each of the three brothers View Auditorium on Dec. 4-5, 7 and 10-12 at 7:30 went on to pursue careers p.m. with a 1 p.m. matinee on Dec. 5 and 12.

Their 2011 production of A outside of theatre, but never Christmas Carol involved about lost interest, and stayed Tickets are $10 online at www.fourseasonstheatre.org 30 cast members and the individually involved in or $12 at the door. opening night drew a crowd of community theatre. Then, only 56. “We were still painting about six years ago, Kody, sets and finishing costumes who was a newlywed, when it was time for the show to approached his wife, Kim, “It took us about a year, countless begin,” Jon said. and his brothers with the idea to start

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“But we opened the curtains and, even with that small audience, felt a huge sense of pride for what we had accomplished,” Kody added. “Every time we open a show we feel that.

Not just for ourselves, but also for the amazing people we work with.”

Everyone involved with Four Seasons Theatre Company productions, from seamstresses and choreographers to actors and technical and ticketing crew, work on a volunteer basis. “It has been amazing to see how many people want to be part of this — they want to be a part of something positive,” Jon said.

Since their first production, it has been nothing but up for the Rash brothers and their theatre troop. Their casts have grown to more than 100, with auditions of triple that number and audiences topped 1,000 when they performed Mary Poppins this summer. They’ve also reached other fantastic milestones like being the first community theatre company in Cache Valley to bring “flight” to stage, first with flying witches in the Wizard of Oz and then with practically perfect Mary in Mary Poppins.

Each of the brothers plays a unique and important role in keeping the theatre company a go. Kody serves as the artistic director, which involves “all things creative” from selecting productions to designing costumes and sets. Jon is the company’s chief

operating officer and handles the dayto-day operations from advertising and publicity to insurance and contracts.

Danny serves as the technical director, managing the sounds and light engineering, construction of sets and other behind-the-scenes works of the productions. They also all frequently perform in and direct their shows.

“This has been a great opportunity to do this as brothers,” Danny said.

“You couldn’t find three more different brothers, but we have this one identical interest and get to do this together.”

For their fifth-anniversary run of A Christmas Carol, Four Seasons Theatre Company is refreshing the show with

new costumes and updated sets along with a new directive perspective that stays more true to Charles Dickens’ story than ever before (like casting a child, Ellie Erickson, as the Ghost of Christmas Past) and involves a cast of 117.

Looking to the future, the Rashes have big dreams of someday having their own facility and performing more frequently than the three engagements a year they are able to schedule at the Sky View Auditorium where they currently perform.

“But, if we can just keep providing quality, affordable entertainment, and continue having people respond wanting to be involved as performers, technical support and audiences, we are happy,” Kody said.

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Mark Anderson, owner, Anderson’s Seed and Garden Now that the leaves have fallen and the yard is put to bed (hopefully you finish that job before the snow sets in for good), we can still enjoy a little gardening during the winter months… inside!

For years, gardeners have survived the winter by growing a few herbs and greens in the windowsill, but with steady improvements in lighting and hydroponic systems, it’s relatively easy to successfully grow a lot more than a few “herbs.” It’s also

Jann and her students visited the Logan-Cache Airport in support of the novel, “Hatchet,” they are reading.

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a lot of fun; harvesting fresh greens, growing sprouts and trying to get a tomato to set indoors makes for an entertaining and rewarding experience.

My kids love fresh sprouts — winter, spring, summer and fall. Simple to grow and ready to eat in just a week to 10 days, sprouts pack tons of nutrients and flavor into a small bite. Don’t get stuck in the alfalfa rut either.

There are many different flavors to sample: turnips, kale, radish, spinach, buckwheat, onion and broccoli. As a child, my mother and I would grow them in an amber-colored mason jar with a screen lid for rinsing. To do this, put about 1 tablespoon of seed in a jar, attach the lid and rinse (and drain) the seeds with fresh water morning and evening. We would let it sit on the kitchen counter and enjoy the fresh sprouts about a week later. Now I use a four-tiered tray that drains from top to bottom. Super easy!

For a different twist, try growing a renewable crop of microgreens. They are exactly what they sound like: mini greens that are harvested young, but loaded with nutrients and intense flavor. Some of my favorites include beets, chard, basil, lettuce, kale, celery, peas and sunflowers. I grow mine in a Nanodome greenhouse kit. It consists of a 10 x 20 plastic tray, a 10-inch tall greenhouse dome with vents and a full spectrum light fixture and bulb that fits perfectly into the dome. Our microgreens grow on the shelf in the pantry — they never see the sun — and once they are ready to harvest (after about two to three weeks), we cut them and they grow back for cutting again in about 10 days. For soil, use a seedstarting mix or a fiber propagation mat.

The roots don’t need more than an inch of soil, and the mats are re-useable.

For the more experienced indoor gardener, hydroponics have increased in popularity over the last few years, becoming more accessible and easier to use. Hydroponic basics include a soilless medium to grow in (expanded clay pellets or zeolite), containers to hold

the plants, a pump to recirculate the water and a nutrient solution to feed the plants. The more lights the better as Mother Nature does not provide much light indoors in January and February.

Needless to say, there are Cache Valley gardeners producing fresh tomatoes and peppers from their own hydroponic systems during the winter months. It can be done. Basically anything you can grow in soil will work equally well in a hydroponic setup.

Just because the garden is finished for the year outside, doesn’t mean you can’t keep your thumb green

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throughout the wintertime as well. Start small and easy, and work your way up to the more complicated systems as you get familiar with indoor gardening.

The key is to have fun growing and enjoy fresh, homegrown produce while everyone else is at the grocery store this winter.

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DUAL LANGUAGE IMMERSION IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS

A Gem For Now and the Future Lilly Sun, dual immersion teacher, Cache County School District

“It’s fun. I understand everything!”

The excitement and confidence expressed by the secondgrader who made the statement above is common among students participating in the dual language immersion (DLI) program in the Cache County School District.

Approximately 500 students are now learning Chinese, French, Portuguese or Spanish in four of our local schools.

By the time these students graduate from high school, they will have acquired a skill that very few Americans have: the ability to communicate in a language other than their first language.

The 50/50 Dual Immersion Model Beginning in first grade, for half of each school day, the teacher instructs the regular curriculum and never speaks a word of English. The second half of each day is spent with an English-speaking teacher who provides core instruction in the native language. When students start middle school they will leave the 50/50 model and will take an honors DLI language course each year. The middle school courses will prepare them for the college AP language exam in the ninth grade. The classes in the 10th through 12th grades will be university courses, cotaught by university professors and high school partner teachers. High school graduates will have acquired enough credits for a college minor before leaving high school.

The Brain on DLI It is important to start early. Research shows that the younger a student starts, the easier it is to acquire a second language. Kathy Toolson, principal at Sunrise Elementary School, a Portuguese-speaking school, said, “We looked at the math scores, the DLI students had performed equally as well, or better, than our Englishonly students.” National and state studies confirm that bilingualism does indeed, provide tremendous cognitive

benefits, and that learning a second language through immersion does not impede overall academic progress.

Enrolling Your Child An information meeting will be held for parents interested in enrolling first graders for the 2016-17 school year on Wednesday, Dec. 2, at North Park Elementary at 7 p.m. The application will be available on the district’s website, ccsdut.org, beginning Dec. 1.

Parents should contact Shauna Winegar, the district DLI coordinator, with any questions or for help in applying.

Email her at shauna.winegar@ccsdut.org or call (435) 245-6093, ext. 5367. You can also find more information at www.ccsdutcurriculum.org/duallaunguage-immersion.html

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Principles to Encourage Frank Schofield, superintendent, Logan City School District

Greetings Cache Valley! We at the Logan City School District hope you are enjoying the transition to cooler weather. For many of us, autumn and winter means parentteacher conferences and grades. Those grades will often result in a variety of conversations at home as parents work to encourage and support their children. To make those conversations as productive as possible, here are some principles to keep in mind: 1. Talk about grades as feedback instead of labels: Instead of labeling a child as an “A” student,

discuss the learning the grade reflects. By focusing on the learning that is taking place rather than the grade, you help the child stay focused on the purpose of school.

Instead of talking about what can be done to “raise the grade,” talk about what can be done to improve learning. Focusing on learning rather than grades promotes better long-term attitudes about school and less stress related to the potentially overwhelming need to get a specific grade.

2. Emphasize the importance of

effort and growth: Low grades are not always bad, and high grades should not suggest students have reached the pinnacle of their potential. All children should be engaged in challenging activities that push them to excel. A love for challenges will help students develop academic and behavioral skills that will support their future achievement. In the words of Dr. Carol Dweck, “If parents want to give their children a gift, the best thing they can do is to teach their children to love challenges, be intrigued by mistakes, enjoy effort and keep on learning. That way, their children don’t have to be slaves of praise. They will have a lifelong way to build and repair their own confidence.”

3. Listen: When you have a discussion with your child about grades, whether high or low, try to spend more time listening than talking.

By asking questions that probe your child’s feelings about their grades, school and interests, and then actively listening, you will gain a greater understanding of their needs and how you can best support them as a parent. Children and adolescents don’t respond any better to conversations they perceive as “nagging” than adults do, and listening can help ensure the conversation doesn’t go that direction.

These three simple principles can help any parent make sure conversations about academic achievement remain positive and support ongoing success for their children.

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The Golden Rule of Real Estate Sales

Emily Merkley, association executive, Cache-Rich Association of REALTORS® The experience of buying and selling a home or property can be stressful and make you feel financially vulnerable, so choosing the correct agent to represent you is of utmost importance. How do you make that decision? Who will truly have your best interests in mind?

The practices and policies that regulate real estate services are similar to those of medicine, law and engineering professions.

In 1913, the National Association of REALTORS® adopted the Code of Ethics that has since governed and distinguished its members. For you, this means a REALTOR® is committed to and voluntarily subscribes to a strict code of ethics based on professionalism and the protection of the public. With your best interest at the forefront of every transaction, REALTORS® are committed to the ethical practice and elevated standards of real estate service as they strive for the “creation of adequate housing, the building of functioning cities, the development of productive industries and farms, and the preservation of a healthful environment.”

“There are several differences between real estate agents and REALTORS® as not all real estate agents are REALTORS®,” said Kristen Seedall, associate broker at Century 21 N & N REALTORS® . “REALTORS® are members of local and state associations and the National Association of REALTORS®.

As members of these associations, we subscribe to the Code of Ethics, which consists of numerous duties that elevate

professionalism. It is a higher standard of practice to be a REALTOR®.”

Being a REALTOR® carries a specific distinction, and members take great pride in their work as their professional guidelines are designed to support the community and clients they represent.

Robert Brown, principal broker at Cornerstone Real Estate, enjoys the camaraderie REALTORS® share and emphasizes that they “put relationships

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first and work together as a team, encouraging and helping one another.”

This focus on honest relationships and adherence to lofty ideals of moral conduct in business means that the term REALTOR® has come to connote competency, high integrity and fairness.

The trademark is nationally recognized and symbolizes a professional in the field of real estate.

“REALTORS® are a great resource for community information and support,” said Lanis Duke, principal broker at Brokers Group Real Estate. “We are held to a standard that really directs our attention and efforts to the clients and the community. We continuously strive to remain informed on issues affecting real estate, which we willingly share with all members of the association, therefore helping and protecting the consumer.”

It’s an undeniable patriotic duty that underlies the foundation of the Code of Ethics, and while promoting the interests of their clients and protecting their communities, REALTORS® have become the embodiment of The Golden Rule.

How to Decorate Your Listed Home for the Holidays Just because your home is on the market doesn’t mean you need to forego all the holiday trimmings. Decorate your home for the holidays in a way that will attract buyers and close the deal. Keep in mind buyers who are actively looking this time of year are serious. Your goal is to show off your home, not your holiday decorations.

• Add tasteful, generic decorations. Remove clutter and overly personalized decor. Tasteful decorations can be an asset to a sale. A tall narrow tree will emphasize a room’s height and conserve floor space. Avoid “cute” wreaths with gingerbread men or oversized inflatable snowmen on front yards.

• Trade non-seasonal for seasonal decorations. To avoid clutter, replace a non-holiday accessory for each seasonal accessory.

• Add warmth and energy. Nothing says “holidays” more than twinkling lights and crackling fires, but make smart choices. Lights help illuminate a home’s exterior in the dark — particularly important in winter when many showings take place — but shouldn’t be left on all the time.

• Remember winter’s threat. If you live in a cold climate, remember to shovel walkways rather than have snow and ice become part of the decor.

• And when in doubt, remember that less is always best. Happy Holidays!

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Creating Magical

INDOOR PHOTOS

this Holiday Season

Kylee Ann Maughan, owner and photography, Kylee Ann Photography

Winter is here! We can kiss those long bright days, warm nights and that beautiful golden hour light goodbye. So many people wait until spring and summer to take those great outdoor photos of their kids, pets, friends and families.

As each four-degree day passes, our children aren’t getting any younger. In fact, my babies are growing like weeds; it would be a shame to miss capturing all of these special moments. It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and the memories and traditions don’t wait for the best lighting conditions or warmest weather. Here are a few tips to help you take better indoor photos this holiday season.

Lighting: The key to taking the best indoor photos is light. The great thing about light is that it is not dependent on what camera you are using. You can use a point-and-shoot, DSLR or iPhone and get better photos by simply paying attention to lighting.

During the day, take advantage of all the natural light leaking into your home. Turn off the overhead light so you aren’t mixing other sources and find that beautiful window light. Place

your subject in an area where their face can be lit up, but not directly in the light.

If you really want to add a spark to your images, highlight your subject’s eyes with catch light by placing them in a position that allows the light to appear in the corner of their eyes and face them toward the light source.

When the sun goes down or you’re away from a window, get creative with your light source — use lamps or the overhead light.

No catch light vs. catch light: My favorite trick during the holiday season is using Christmas lights as a backdrop while my kids play or open presents. Since the lights are behind the subject, you must find a different source to

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light their face, whether it’s a window or the overhead light. The key to an amazing background is to be far enough away that the lights become big blurry spots, also known as bokeh.

Have fun and be creative: Make sure you and your children have fun. If the photos are blurry or too grainy, that’s OK. Your job is to capture memories, not to get the most technically accurate photo.

Let your children do what they want instead of getting their attention. Focus on capturing each memory in a unique way with different angles and a change of perspective. Shoot wide, shoot very close, shoot at their level and shoot from above.

What do you want to remember about these moments or stages of life?

Embrace the chaos: My last tip is to embrace the chaos. What do you remember about the holidays? It’s probably not an immaculate home with toys in their proper place and children that are spotless. In reality, it’s probably a mess. Capture it; every part of it!

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Seven Tips for Decorating Cookies with Kids Sarah Romero, recipe contributor Decorating cookies with your kids is a fun activity to celebrate the holidays. It’s also the perfect recipe for sticky faces, frosting-stained clothes, a messy kitchen and complete chaos. Here’s a list of seven things to help minimize the mess and stress: 1. Cover the table: Lay craft paper or a disposable tablecloth on the table and fold and tape it over the edges for an easy clean up. You can almost guarantee sprinkles and frosting will land on the floor too, so spread one under the table as well.

2. Use pre-cut frozen cookies: To simplify the process, try pre-cut frozen cookies.

All you have to do is bake!

3. Overcook the cookies: Harder cookies are easier to decorate than softer ones.

You may want to slightly overcook the cookies you decorate. (But feel free to undercook the ones you eat, because they seem to taste better that way!)

4. Use piping bags: Piping bags help minimize the mess and make frosting cookies much easier for children. If you don’t have piping bags, simply spoon the frosting into large Ziploc bags and snip the corner off about 1/4 inch up.

5. Get the right consistency: Make sure the icing isn’t too thick, so the kids can squeeze it, but thick enough, so it won’t run all over the place.

6. Buy cheap sprinkles: A lot of the sprinkles will end up on the floor. Buy them cheap. Also, avoid buying sphere sprinkles that will roll.

7. Be Prepared: Keep paper towels, paper plates, wax paper and wipes handy.

These simple steps can help to minimize the mess. Now sit back and watch the fun.

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Managing Your Money Through the Holidays Kinsey Love, marketing manager, Lewiston State Bank

Have you ever felt that you spend too much money during the holidays?

Or maybe, you have no idea how much you spend, but wish you did.

If you feel like you want to have a better handle on your holiday spending, here is an idea to help you manage your money this holiday

season: Budget with a holiday checking account.

purchases. Here are some of the benefits of using a holiday checking account:

Open a new checking account specifically for the holidays. Be sure to look for a free checking account at the bank of your choice. Put the amount of money you plan to spend for the holidays into this account and commit to use only this account for holiday

T LEWIS

• A debit card to use solely for the purpose of holiday shopping.

• Access balances on your mobile device through mobile banking.

• An easy way to stay within your budget and track your spending.

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Once the holidays are over, you can begin to use this account to save for next year’s holiday expenses. Saving like this will help put you in control of your money and will spread holiday expenses throughout the year, without having to carry a balance on a credit card.

Once you have decided how much you would like to save, setting up automatic transfers is an effective way to work toward your savings goal. Automatic transfers allow you to follow your savings plan without being tempted to use the funds in less-efficient ways when your paycheck is deposited. Establishing a second account with automatic transfers is also a great way to get an emergency fund started, if you don’t have one already to help when those not-so-merry moments to come.

This year, take charge of your holiday spending and take comfort knowing you can manage your money without blowing your budget.

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Four Areas to Improve Family Relationships Trent White, independent certified coach, teacher and speaker, The John Maxwell Team

Our lives are a story. Each of us have something to write, but the most important subject we write is how we treat those around us — our relationships. Think of it: There isn’t a business dealing that happens or any type of partnership formed without building and maintaining relationships.

I believe the relationships that have the most value and impact are family relationships. It is easy to treat your boss with respect, to hold your tongue instead of speaking your mind and to comply with his or her wishes. But what about those closest to us? How do we show our family members how we value them?

behavior, or in other words, we can “lose it” over very small things.

Focusing on the following four areas of human behavior will help each of us move from a lower level of tolerating each other to a much higher level of appreciating our differences.

The holidays are upon us. In these times, our family relationships can be tried and tested to the max. It is easy to become so casual and comfortable in our family relationships that we no longer try to impress with positive

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The Dominant Personality: Think of members in your family who are dominant. They are high achievers and always on the go. When you get together as a family, the question on their mind is, “How long will this take?” They have high energy and love to get results. To connect with them better, remember that they need a little more space and control, and the chance to make some of their own decisions.

The Inspiring Personality: Think of members of your family who are inspiring. They are very fast-paced individuals and all about having fun. When you get together as a family, the question on their mind is, “Who all is coming? The more the merrier.” To connect with these individuals better, remember to laugh at their jokes and support their dreams. They will always have lots of ideas; take care to not crush their spirits.

The Supportive Personality: Think of members of your family who are supportive. They move more slowly and carefully through life. They are very kind and considerate of other members in the family. When you have family gatherings, they think, “It is so special that we can all be together again!” They love having peace and harmony in all their relationships, and will never feel satisfied if someone is left out. To connect with these individuals better, simply slow down and don’t rush them. Be sure you do everything

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possible to maintain an environment of peace and teamwork.

The Cautious Personality: Think of members of your family who are cautious. They are deep thinkers and very practical.

When you have family gatherings, the first question on their mind is, “What is the purpose here?” They like to see quality and purpose in all they do. To connect with these individuals better, ask for their opinion and validate their wisdom.

Appreciate their level of knowledge and thank them for sharing valuable information with you.

Many times we want others to adapt to us, but understanding and experience reminds us that it is more effective if we adapt to others and their styles. So what is the story you will write this holiday season? When tension begins to build (and it will), I encourage you to take a step back, breath and work to see life through the other person’s perspective. You are the author.

To become more intentional in your relationships, visit www.trentswhite.com

1/15/16

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Make Food Preparation a Cinch this Holiday Season Emily Buckley, editor-in-chief

Do you love the holidays? Yes, probably. But they can be stressful too. From gift preparation to decorating, you may feel overwhelmed before the big days even arrive. And, let’s face it, many of our celebrations are centered around food, which adds another component of last-minute stress for the hostess.

Here are a few tips from the local food and grocery experts at Lee’s Marketplace to help the feast-making and treat-baking as simple as possible during the holiday’s.

• Plan ahead: Many people make recipes during the holidays they don’t prepare any other time of year. Many of these call for staple ingredients you may, or may not, have on hand.

“Check your refrigerator and pantry ahead of time to ensure you have enough butter, eggs, flour, sugar, spices and seasonings to get you through your meal and goodie preparation,” said Floyd Salisbury,Lee’s Marketplace bakery manager. “Also, think of the less common ingredients that are common in holiday dishes like mint extract, canned pumpkin, cream cheese, chocolate chips, whipping cream and food coloring. Another thing people sometimes forget to plan for are leftovers, Floyd said. “You may want homemade rolls for the main meal, but pick up some fresh rolls to use with your leftovers for the next couple of days.”

• Special order: The bakery, deli and meat departments at Lee’s can help you prepare the perfect feast for your family.

Whether you decide to make your meal preparation minimal and order a ready-to-serve Thanksgiving dinner from the deli (that you can pick up the night before and heat the day of) or get a pre-seasoned aged New York roast, prime rib or fresh turkey from the meat department, they can easily accommodate your needs with a call ahead order. Services like seasoning, custom cutting and slicing your meats come at no extra charge, so plan ahead and special order all or part of your meal to get just what you want. “Special orders are what make the holidays fun for us,” Floyd, who says they bake nearly 15,000 dinner rolls for Thanksgiving and Christmas each year, said. “Your imagination is the limit on what we can prepare, so get creative.” The Lee’s bakery also offers time savers like baked-from-scratch pumpkin and other specialty pies, raw premade pie shells and loaf breads (which work great for neighbor gifts).

C a c h e Va l l e y F a m i l y M a g a z i n e | H o l i d a y 2 0 1 5 • Give up some of the work: Save yourself some time by picking up freshly made cheeseballs from the deli and a box of crackers for an appetizer, office party or hostess gift. Another good idea is to keep a veggie or cheese tray on hand for unexpected visitors. Lee’s has a wide variety of pre-cut produce that will save you the time on cutting your fruit and vegetables. The Lee’s fresh-cut team starts with quality produce at the peak of freshness and has individuals trained to avoid waste cut it to give you the most bang for your buck when purchasing in-season produce.

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To save some extra effort when decorating Christmas cookies, you can buy un-frosted sugar cookies from the bakery in holiday shapes and colored frosting separately so your kids can enjoy decorating, or if you want to do the cutting and baking yourself, just get the frosting and save yourself that step.

By implementing these tips and taking advantage of the services offered by your local grocery store, you will have less to stress about and more time to enjoy what matters most this holiday season: your family.

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SIX

CHRISTMAS GIFT EXCHANGE IDEAS

When it comes to gift exchanges, do you ever fall short on ideas? Chances are, you start a tradition and stick with it. This Christmas, step out of that comfort zone and consider these six activities to play when trading gifts with your loved ones.

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Auction: A family auction is the perfect way to exchange gifts with a larger group. Make your own “play money” with some colored paper and a clever family logo.

Line up all unwrapped gifts on a table and have the designated auctioneer start the bidding. The person with the highest bid gets that specific gift. Remember to ensure everyone gets the same amount or value.

Christmas Trivia: Quiz your family’s holiday knowledge with a set of trivia questions. Download a list from the Internet or create your own. Place all wrapped gifts in the center and have the designated speaker read the questions. The first person to raise their hand gets to answer the question. If they answer correctly, they may choose one gift from the pile; if they answer incorrectly, they skip the next round. Continue to play until every person has a gift.

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Left and Right: This game will keep your family laughing.

Find or create a story that includes various uses of the words “left” and “right” and read it aloud. Have everyone sit in a circle holding his or her wrapped gift. The rules are simple: Pass a gift to the person on your left or right, depending what the reader says. When the story is finished, open the gift you’re holding.

Musical Gifts: It’s a classic passing game with a musical twist. Have everyone make a circle and select a gift to start with. When the music starts, pass the gift clockwise until the music stops; the person holding the gift will open it and then leave the circle. Grab a different gift and

Schae Richards, community editor

start the music again. This time, the person holding the gift can either unwrap it or steal from a person who has left the circle. Repeat until every person has a gift.

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Roll for It: If you’re hot with the dice, you will love this game. Have everyone form a circle and place their wrapped gift in the middle. Hand a set of dice to a random person to start. Take turns rolling until someone lands doubles — that person may select one gift to unwrap. When another person rolls a double, they can either choose a gift to unwrap or steal another person’s.

Swip Swap: Ready or not, get ready to swap! Write several random “switch with” phrases on small pieces of paper. Have everyone sit in a circle with his or her wrapped gift and have a random person pick a phrase to read aloud. For example, the paper may read, “Switch with someone wearing red,” or “Switch with someone with the most Facebook friends.” Whoever it identifies will trade their gift with someone else in the group.

Continue to play until all the pieces of paper are gone.

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