FALL 2022 COVER STORY: Century-Old Family Businesses in Cache Valley INSIDE THIS ISSUE: The Dreaded DocumentQuestionScreentimeFamilyMemories—NoMoreGuilt!TeachKidsResponsibilityFallFunfortheFamily Best of Cache Valley INSIDE! WSEWMMERS&VAC
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to Cache Valley's 2022 Best of Cache Valley winners and many thanks to our readers who participated in the voting process.
BEST
4 Fall 2022 2022 BEST BREAKFAST HERM'S INN BEST LUNCH JUNIPER TAKEOUT BEST DINNER BEEHIVE GRILL BEST BURGER CENTER STREET GRILL BEST FAST FOOD CHICK-FIL-A BEST PIZZA FIREHOUSE PIZZERIA BEST ETHNIC FOOD TANDOORI OVEN BEST DESSERT SWEETLY DIVINE BEST COOKIE CRUMBL BEST BAKERY OLD GRIST MILL BEST ICE CREAM AGGIE ICE CREAM BEST FOOD TRUCK EL POLLO AZTECA BEST SODA SHOP WHIPS BEST MEDICAL SPA YOUNG SKIN CARE BEST NAIL SALON ANGEL NAILS BEST BARBERSHOP BONEYARD BARBERING BEST TANNING SALON GLO MOBILE BEST SALON/SPA YOUNG SKIN CARE 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 CACHE COUNTY EVENT CENTER BEST CATERER IRON GATE CATERING BEST MORTUARY WHITE PINE FUNERAL HOME BEST EMPLOYER VISIONARY HOMES BEST GROCERY STORE LEE'S MARKETPLACE BEST PEDIATRICIAN DANIEL SANDGREN, DO BEST DERMATOLOGIST ROCKY MOUNTAIN DERMATOLOGY BEST FAMILY DOCTOR NATHAN CALL, MD BEST DENTIST DAVE GORDON, DDS BEST PEDIATRIC DENTIST DAREN GEHRING, DDS BEST ORTHODONTIST BRADY THOMSON, DDS BEST OBSTETRICIAN DAVID KIRKMAN, MD BEST EYE DOCTOR CHRISTIAN D. NILSON, MD BEST CHIROPRACTOR THE JOINT BEST PHARMACY SPENCE'S PHARMACY BEST HOTEL SPRINGHILL SUITES BEST BANK OR CREDIT UNION AMERICA FIRST CREDIT UNION BEST LIVE ENTERTAINMENT FOUR SEASONS THEATRE COMPANY BEST FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT FOUR SEASONS THEATRE COMPANY BEST DATE NIGHT VENUE UTAH THEATRE BEST SUMMER CAMP PICKLEVILLE WORKSHOPS BEST SPORTS CAMP BASKETBALL AND BEYOND BEST MUSIC PROGRAM LOGAN MUSIC ACADEMY BEST CHILDREN’S PLAY PLACE JUMP ZONE BEST PRESCHOOL LITTLE WONDERS BEST CHILDCARE CENTER LITTLE WONDERS BEST PET CARE STYLIN' PETS BEST SPORTING GOODS STORE AL'S SPORTING GOODS BEST REALTOR CACHE HOME REALTY AT KELLER WILLIAMS BEST HOME MORTGAGE FIRST COLONY MORTGAGE BEST INSURANCE AGENT/AGENCY STATE FARM: TYSON LUTHI BEST HOME BUILDER VISIONARY HOMES BEST HOME SERVICE MOUNTAIN AIR DUCT CLEANING 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 DISTINCTIVE LANDSCAPE BEST PEST CONTROL ELEVATE PEST CONTROL BEST AUTO CARE AUTO BAHN BEST CAR WASH JUDGE'S CAR WASH BEST CAR SALES WILSON MOTORS
FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHER KYLEE ANN STUDIOS BEST CHILDREN’S PHOTOGRAPHER KYLEE ANN STUDIOS BEST WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER KYLEE ANN STUDIOS BEST VIDEOGRAPHER MIKE JOHNSON PHOTOGRAPHY BEST LITTLE KID ENTERTAINMENT JUMP ZONE BEST BIG KID ENTERTAINMENT JUMP ZONE BEST BIRTHDAY PARTY VENUE CACHE VALLEY FUN PARK BEST RAINY DAY FUN CACHE VALLEY FUN PARK BEST APPAREL ROOLEE BEST HOME DÉCOR LOCALS BEST CHILDREN’S STORE RED BALLOON TOY STORE BEST FURNITURE STORE FISHER HOME FURNISHINGS BEST ANNUAL EVENT SUMMERFEST BEST CHARITY EVENT LITTLE LAMBS TASTE OF SUMMER BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE-DINING CHICK-FIL-A BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE-RETAIL THE LOGO SHOP
Best of Cache Valley Awards
Logan City School District: Helping Children to More Responsible ... pg 33 FAMILIES
SAFE
FAMILY
PAGE 50
Fall Family Fun Adventures ... pg 6 Vision Therapy for Patients of All Ages ... pg 12
| 5 Publisher & Editor in Chief EMILY BUCKLEY Copy Editor TARA BONE Cover Photography HEATHER PALMER Layout Design WHITE PALM DESIGN Website Design KITE MEDIA Contributing Writers CLAIRE ANDERSON MARK SPONSORSMELANIEKIMBERLYBAILEIGHANDERSONBEEBEBLAKERK.BONETARABONEEMILYBUCKLEYCHRISTENSENMICHAELCOLE,ODPHILCOWLEYJENTRIEHALESWENDYLARSONCHERYLMAGUIREKATENEELEYFRANKSCHOFIELDLETICIASHIFFLETFORTHISISSUE
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Five Ways to Stay Safe this Halloween ... pg 36
Understanding Which Vitamins Can Help Keep Your Kids Healthy ... pg 47 MAKING A DIFFERENCE it For Dawson ... pg 50 CHECK to Jump Into the Housing Market? Here Are a Few Things You’ll Want to Know ... pg 52
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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 2022, 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.
GOOD NEIGHBORS Current Home Trends ... pg 9 FAMILY MATTERS Document Family Memories — No More Guilt! ... pg 10 FAMILY TRAVEL Eat, Pray, and Bring a Change of Clothes ... pg 23 COVER STORY Lessons
FACT
The mountains are the places to be in the fall. With canyons surrounding Cache Valley, you have your pick of scenic drives to take in the colors of the season. Pack up the car and take a ride or plan a hike for an amazing view.
Nothing quite says fall in Cache Valley better than a football game. Gather your family and head to Maverik Stadium for an Aggie game or to any of the high school fields for some local action. Take along a bag of popcorn and thermos of hot cocoa, then snuggle up and get ready to cheer on your favorite team.
KIMBERLY BLAKER contributing writer
HOST A CAMPFIRE COOKOUT
Have the kids round up neighborhood friends for a cookout. Hot dogs, hot chocolate, marshmallows, and s'mores are a traditional way to top off the season. Have everyone take turns telling stories around the fire. Tell spooky stories, or if you have little ones, check-out library books with autumn themes to read aloud.
6 | Fall 2022 Fall Family Fun Adventures
ATTEND A FOOTBALL GAME
ENJOY A COLOR TOUR
Summer may be seen as the outdoor season, but autumn also offers lots of opportunities for outdoor fun. Try some of these close-to-home family activities and fill you and your kids' senses with delight.
GO ON A HORSEBACK RIDE
PLANT PERENNIALS AND BULBS
With the colors of fall blazing under bright blue skies, a scenic railroad excursion is a sure bet. The Heber Valley Railroad in Heber City is a hidden gem that offers incredible views of the Wasatch mountains and the wideopen vistas of Deer Creek Reservoir.
Take your kids berry picking at Mt. Naomi Farms in Hyde Park, or stop by Zollingers in River Heights for locally grown apples and the most delicious cider you can find. Bring it home with some doughnuts for a classic fall evening!
Kids delight in finding their way through cornfield mazes. Our local favorite mazes are at the American West Heritage Center and Little Bear Bottoms in Wellsville.
MAKE A BIRD FEEDER OR HOUSE
Beaver Creek Lodge in Logan Canyon offers exciting horseback adventures through groves of aspen and pine trees to the top of a mountain ridge — the views are absolutely unbeatable!
Begin a family tradition of picking your pumpkins from a patch. After cleaning out the pumpkins, make roasted pumpkin seeds, a yummy treat that kids love. Rinse the seeds, pat them dry, and coat with melted butter. Spread the seeds on a cookie sheet, sprinkle with salt, and bake at 350 until golden brown. Be sure and stir them occasionally.
Do you remember diving into the crisp fall leaves when you were a kid? Grab some rakes, and have your youngsters pitch in. Pile up the leaves to jump in, build a fort, and even have a leaf fight.
TAKE A RAILROAD EXCURSION
7
MAKE A SCARECROW
Let your kids try out their green thumbs. After all, fall is the time of year to plant perennials and flower bulbs. Check out local expert Mark Anderson’s tips for success in this issue.
LEAF FUN
What’s fall without a scarecrow on your porch? It's easy to make. Just buy a couple of bales of straw, then have each family member gather some old clothes and hats. Stuff it using string to tie off the hands, feet, and head.
VISIT A PUMPKIN PATCH
Kids will enjoy the carpentry experience and marvel at watching birds make use of their creations. Kits are available in hobby stores and online for making bird feeders. To make one from scratch, visit your library and check out a book on how to build a birdhouse, or find free instructions online.
SHIFT THROUGH A CORNFIELD MAZE
VISIT A FRUIT FARM
ENERGY EFFICIENCY, RECYCLABILITY, AND HEALTH
| 9 SPONSORED BY
While it might feel wrong to go against the idea of an open floor plan, it’s the right choice for many homeowners. Adding walls to define areas for guests, family, work, and living is a trend that gained momentum during the pandemic. When people were confined to their living quarters, it became necessary to have a separation of living spaces within the home. The most popular defined spaces include entryways, home gyms, offices, and home bars/ entertainment areas.
Along with calming tones is a surge in organic shapes. Furniture, lighting, and architectural elements of a home (think arched doorways and rounded millwork) will have more organic shapes and elements inspired by nature. While bright and colorful appliances are in style, rounded furniture, light wood finishes, and heavy textures help soften clean lines and create interiors of comfort and belonging.
At a time when things seem to be as unpredictable as possible, take comfort in knowing that you can find some stability when it comes to predicted home trends for the coming year! From layered design and natural hues to vintage and reclaimed finds, take some time to prep your space for change. For those looking to list a home, small changes can make a big difference in attracting potential buyers. For those without plans to sell, simple, deliberate updates can make a home of chaos and clutter a place of stability and refuge. Owners and buyers alike are looking for homes that offer safe spaces to relax, work, study, and socialize. Often, home enhancements address practical needs, but homeowners are looking for the practical, with a good dose of high aesthetic and entertainment. Some of these trends include:
Creating spaces that flow freely from indoors to take advantage of an outdoor oasis isn’t limited to those in Beverly Hills. Many residents and owners of multi-family buildings are contributing to outdoor spaces that are usable throughout winter with the aid of fire pits and patio heaters. Outdoor furniture settings and placement create an opportunity for gathering, extending the livable area of a home.
INSPIRED HUES
COLLECTED PIECES
When it comes to furniture and décor, people are sick of waiting six to 12 months for shipping, which has shifted many homeowners to embrace the idea of thrift and vintage goods. This has also helped people find ways to repurpose existing pieces, creating a beautiful transition between styles.
SEPARATED SPACES
LETICIA SHIFFLET executive officer, Cache Valley Association of REALTORS® GOOD NEIGHBORS
INDOOR/OUTDOOR LIVING
TRACKING
ORGANIC SHAPES
As companies jump aboard the trend of using recycled materials in their products, the e-waste problem doesn’t end with business. More homeowners are putting priority on purchasing products that reduce the amount of waste generated daily and looking for ways to reuse, which is a driving force behind smart home technology. And as people spend more time in their homes, they are looking for smart home technology to also improve their health. So along with replacing your bulbs for LEDs, don’t forget about integrations that focus on sustainability and health. Stay ahead of the curve and find ways to add extra appeal to your home. Whether you are looking to sell or stay, creating inviting spaces can enhance your life while adding value to your home.
Current Home Trends
While soft white walls are still a mega-hit, more people are turning to color. Earthy tones — especially shades of green — are making their way into furniture, accessories, cabinets, and tile.
Memory keeping is one of the most personally rewarding things I do for myself, too. Through the act of articulating my thoughts and doing something with my pictures, I live with more intention, I feel more gratitude, and I live a happier life.”
About a year ago I was tired of feeling overwhelmed with our family photos, so I asked dozens of parents how they documented memories and it started an unexpected, hopeful journey. You can do this — no more guilt! Below is information and inspiration straight from the experts to help you make it happen.
“Feelings of overwhelm often come from thinking of the BIG picture — I have thousands
10 Fall 2022 Document Family Memories —
No More Guilt!
Have you laid awake at night “thinking” about all the trapped photos on your phone or computer bursting to get out?! First days of school, birthdays, vacations, and simple dayto-day moments you swear you’ll never forget until you do. Families take photos to cherish all the big and small moments that make life meaningful. But as technology has changed over the years, many haven’t adapted. The result is families are drowning in thousands of unprinted photos. Local photographer Heather Palmer always encourages clients to print family photos and shares a sobering thought: “This is the most photographed generation without physical proof.” Maybe you’re one of the lucky few who has a system of printing and documenting special moments, but, according to a study by FujiFilm, of 2,000 adults surveyed an estimated 10 billion photos were stuck on their smartphones. There’s even a term for it: image hoarding. Researchers say it’s affecting mental, emotional, and even financial health negatively. Other studies show that printed photos in the hands of children boost their self-esteem and can even help them moderate stress.
owner/CEO of Becky Higgins LLC and creator of the Project Life App
Becky Higgins is the owner/CEO of Becky Higgins LLC and creator of the Project Life App (she also happens to live in northern Utah!). Becky has been working in the documenting arena since 1996 and started her company in 2007 to offer solution-based documenting products and services. Her expert advice to Cache Valley Family Magazine readers who feel overwhelmed is straightforward: start small and start specific.
“The peace of mind I feel knowing that our family’s memories are preserved, stories are told, and pieces of my heart are literally in the form of books that will out-live my mortal existence … well, you simply can't put a price tag on that!
BECKY HIGGINS • @BECKYHIGGINSLLC
TARA BONE contributing writer FAMILY MATTERS
4. Get focused and just do it! Keep those blinders on and complete the task.
PRODUCT REVIEWS PROJECT LIFE beckyhiggins.com Products offered in three ways for different preferences. The app on your phone, digital software on the computer, or physical products such as photo pocket pages and binders.
• Helpful and inspiration classes on Instagram @beckyhigginsllc or beckyhiggins.com
Becky says one of the biggest roadblocks for those starting out or trying to get back into memory keeping is feeling overwhelmed by choices. There are a TON of options out there. When I was gathering information about different methods to document memories, I felt discouraged at times. I wondered which was right for me? Becky’s advice is to trust your gut. She says you will feel drawn to a certain service or approach, so just go with it.
STEPS TO TACKLE YOUR NEXT FAMILY MEMORY PROJECT:
• Reasonable price for quality.
• Can access photos from any device anytime (comes in handy with app).
• Tips: Memory book tools feel clunky and tough to see on small screen. CHATBOOKS.COM Subscription photo book service that automatically prints photo books each month after 60 pictures are posted on your linked Instagram or Facebook account OR when you’ve manually chosen photos through the app.
• Inexpensive, softcover monthly photo book is $10.
• Easy to use ANYWHERE. I even prefer it over social media scrolling! It was like Christmas morning when my pages arrived.
• Tip: Remember to adjust brightness of photos for best color. SHUTTERFLY.COM Online service that offers free, unlimited photo storage and tools to create photo books, cards, home décor, and photo gifts.
• Tip: Some don’t like the pressure of a monthly subscription service — do you? Chatbooks App: • Free app, photos can be added or changed through app; social media NOT necessary
2. Choose the service/method that works for you based on your preferences. (See Product Reviews on this page) 3. Download/upload and learn tools.
• Pros: Flexible options to do bound memory books or individual pages for binders.
• Tips: Think about initial software cost, embellishment packages costs, step to upload photos.
1. Decide on a topic/trip theme.
• This may seem archaic to some, but those who use this method have done it for years. For more information, tips, and ideas, visit cachevalleyfamilymagazine.com.
5. Bask in the joy of seeing a completed project. of pictures, countless memories, and I have to somehow get it all preserved? No! The answer is … no, you don’t,” Becky said. “The goal isn’t to do it all … Choose ONE topic/trip/theme/area of life/loved one that you want to create a book about. Choose to stick with that one thing and put on the blinders to everything else.”
• Access all the photos you’ve uploaded over the years.
• Unique, for beach towels with your family’s faces, this is the place.
• Pros: EASY with social media link. An alert email lets you know when you’ve reached 60 photos and upon your approval they’re printed and magically arrive at your door
| 11 Shutterfly memory book Project Life App individual pages
Becky Higgins Project Life App:
• Free, includes free tutorials in app.
• Great quality.
MY MEMORIES SUITE OR PRINT MASTER SCRAPBOOKING SOFTWARE
Upload software and photos to home computer and create pages on a big computer screen, and print at local printer or blurb.com (hard bound books can be created at blurb.com; excellent quality but more expensive than other services.)
• Tip: Quality questions: multiple moms said the photo quality is grainy. Ask, do you want multiple smaller books around the house or more traditional albums? Or do you just want photos in your hand now.
• Free 4x6 photo deal currently running; pay shipping. Ask, are you really going to put all those 4x6 photos in an album or is selecting a few best? Becky says “avoid doing it all. Don’t try to preserve every picture or tell every story – it might burn you out!”
• You’re committed to getting books every month.
• Pros: Dependable. I have had photos on my account since 2000.
• Tips: Improvements have been made to uploading photos, but plan on the process taking time. Shutterfly App: • Free, same products as online.
Let’s dive in to some options. This isn’t an exhaustive list, but these are services and products that kept popping up over and over again when I asked real people what worked for them:
Remember, sometimes less is more. Think of yourself as a “curator” preserving select memories.
• EASY, can be done anywhere.
• Tips: Unlike bound memory books that can’t be added to, multiple copies can be printed for each child. A local mom of four does pages for each child’s book and the family book. She adds to the books each year during Christmas break and summer. She uses My Memories Suite and sends prints via email to local print shop.
Ongoing research and study continue to shed light on our understanding of eye care. A recent study published in BMC Ophthalmology titled “Efficacy of Vision Therapy for Unilateral Refractive Amblyopia in Children Aged 7-10 Years,” gives us some insight into a few different aspects of the topic of amblyopia. While this title may be a mouthful, the results are important to understand.
Traditional treatment for amblyopia has been to patch or penalize the better-seeing eye and force the weaker eye to be used. This approach forces the brain to communicate with the weaker eye and increase communication capacity between the two. There are some major drawbacks to this method of treatment. First, as soon as the occlusion is removed, the brain immediately resumes ignoring the weaker eye. There is no situation under which the brain is taught to use both eyes at the same time under these conditions. In fact, binocular vision is being actively discouraged. Another drawback of this type of treatment is that compliance is very low. As you might imagine, children despise being forced to wear a patch. With the better seeing eye occluded, vision becomes very blurry. Social interactions become more difficult while wearing a patch. Due to these and many other factors, the patch ends up not being worn and treatment is not Butcompleted.thereis good news! Vision therapy has been and continues to be a more effective treatment option. Vision therapy is a prescribed set of activities and exercises designed to treat visual conditions that cannot be fixed with glasses, contact lenses, or surgery. This study had several conclusions: Patients treated with vision therapy had better outcomes than patching alone, completed treatment faster, did not regress after treatment, and were treated past the age previously considered ineffective. Studies like this measure only visual acuity, or how clearly the eyes can see. However, treatment with vision therapy is much farther reaching than visual acuity alone. Other visual skills such as depth perception, eye tracking, and visual information processing are among the additional considerations taken into account when treating with vision therapy. Our treatment methods are faster, last longer, and are more complete than traditional methods.
12 Fall 2022 Vision Therapy for Patients of All Ages
MICHAEL COLE, OD Child and Family Eye Care Center
Amblyopia occurs when the communication between one eye and the brain is interrupted early in life. Due to these barriers in development, the brain does not learn to communicate well with the affected eye. As a result, the eye never “learns” to see clearly. This phenomenon may occur due to a very high glasses prescription in one or both eyes. Sometimes the reason starts with an eye turn or an opacity of the optics in the eye that does not allow light to pass through. Whatever the reason, the result is the same: an eye that does not see Onewell.common (although outdated) perception about amblyopia treatment is that once a child is over 6 years old, treatment is ineffective. This study specifically chose children ages 7-10 to challenge this notion. Like many others before it, the results of this paper confirm that amblyopia treatment does not stop being effective past a certain birthday. In our office, we routinely treat patients with amblyopia well into adulthood.
A pre-pandemic 2020 Pediatric Early Warning Systems (PEWS) study found that two-thirds of parents agree that technology makes parenting harder. And, news flash: Being a parent is already pretty difficult. Managing screens in your home no doubt adds another layer of overwhelm, which leads to wanting answers to questions such as: “How much screen time should my child have each day”? It’s a reasonable thing for parents to wonder … so why is it so difficult to think through?
JENTRIE HALES community advocate, @techhealthyfam
If this information sends a pain of guilt in you for allowing/encouraging more screen time than is recommended, take a deep breath, know that you aren’t alone, and get ready to take a hard look at how screen time is serving or hurting your family. Also drop the shame. Shame mixed with technology mixed with parenting is not a helpful or safe combination.
1. Not all screen time is created equal. It’s important to know what your child is consuming. There is a big difference between two hours of Peppa Pig and two hours of Grand Theft Auto. Something else to consider is that many games and shows are marketed as “educational,” but have very little evidence proving that.
2. Screen time should not be the main thing in your child’s life. What is their screen time
So, to really gauge how much time on screens is appropriate and healthy for your child, there are more productive questions to contemplate rather than just a number. Please also consider these important factors:
The American Academy of Pediatrics does give some guidelines. They recommend no screen time, besides video chatting, for littles under 2 years of age. Kiddos ages 2 to 5 should have an hour or less a day and children and teens should have less than two hours of recreational screen time per day.
14 | Fall 2022 The Nitty Gritty of the Dreaded Screen Time Question
15 replacing? The average teen spends over seven hours a day on their devices just for entertainment purposes alone, and younger kids aren’t that far behind. That’s a lot of time away from developing interests, practicing hobbies, and interacting with their friends in real life. If your child’s screen time seems to be taking away from any of these things, chances are it’s too much.
3. The body is a powerful tool in recognizing unhealthy screen time habits. How can you tell in your body when you have spent too much time scrolling, watching, or playing on your device? You probably feel a bit irritable, unproductive, and kind of sluggish. Same goes for your child. If there are absolute meltdowns when screens are removed or if your child seems super anxious away from their device, that could be a sign from their body that their screen time is too much for them.
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 the Cache Valley to speak about healthy relationships with tech and professionally mentors families that feel overwhelmed with managing the tech in their home. Follow her on Instagram @techhealthyfam or email her at techheatlhyfam@gmail.com.
As a parent with kids who use technology, it’s imperative to know the answers to questions like this because at the end of the day your true superpower is your awareness, presence, and love in your child’s life. Your divine role as a parent is more important than a number.
| 17
MELANIE CHRISTENSEN director of curriculum, Little Wonders
Choosing the right childcare for your child is one of the most important decisions you will ever make. There are many childcare options available to parents, so it is critical to make the selection that is best suited for your child’s needs. Picking the right childcare center may seem like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. Knowing what to look for, being willing to tour various centers, and asking a lot of questions, will help you decide what is best for your child. Here are four things to consider when evaluating the best option for you:
Second, high-quality childcare centers provide a research-based curriculum for all age groups. Positive experiences in early childhood education are instrumental in helping children develop strong foundations for lifelong learning. The curriculum should be designed to strengthen the whole child. The best curriculums support growth in language, cognitive development, physical development, and social and emotional development. Young children are wired to learn through hands-on, continued on next page …
First, strong, positive relationships are critical to a young child’s development. Children thrive in environments where caregivers are attentive and warm in their interactions. When considering childcare, ask to observe your child’s potential teacher in the classroom.
Watch for ways in which the teacher seeks to engage with the children. Interactions should always be positive and help each child develop a strong sense of self-worth and belonging. Teachers should be intentional about creating experiences where each child feels safe to explore their surroundings. Teachers should plan learning opportunities that have a good balance of teacher-directed experiences and child-led experiences.
Four Things to Consider When Selecting a Childcare Provider
For example, there should be dedicated opportunities throughout the day for children to choose the activities they are most interested in from among several options. This may look like a child choosing to play with blocks instead of creating art. Caregivers should be engaged with the children as they foster learning through positive interactions in communication, instruction, and play.
18 | Fall…2022continued from previous page play-based experiences. Check out your child’s potential classroom to make sure they offer a wide variety of toys and materials to support your child’s development. Be sure to ask potential child care providers about their curriculum and teaching philosophies.
Third, high-quality childcare centers provide a safe environment where children are cared for by qualified caregivers who seek to support the child in all areas of development. Staff members should have credentials or degrees in early childhood education which might include a child associate degree or other higher learning in early childhood education. Ongoing training and support should be provided to all staff members to keep them current on the latest research in early childhood education. Additionally, highquality centers meet and/or exceed the licensing standards in health and nutrition set forth by the state. This means that there is a nutrition plan in place to provide healthy food and snacks during the day. Also, healthy routines are in place where children wash hands often and toys are cleaned on a regular basis.
The early childhood years are critical in the growth and development of the child. The experiences that children have during the early years will impact them for years to come. It is worth taking the time to do your research when selecting the right childcare center.
Finally, look for a childcare center that recognizes parents as the child’s first teachers. The center should provide opportunities for parents to partner with educators in the care and teaching of their children. Communication should flow both ways. Parents should be included when setting goals for their child and caregivers should provide regular feedback on each child’s progress.
Every year I have want-to-be-better gardeners that ask me what is the easiest plant to grow in our area. While there are a lot of great answers, one stands out above all the others: fall bulbs. There really is nothing else that is as easy as “dig, drop, done.” That’s all it takes to be successful when planting fall bulbs — dig the hole, add some bulb food, place the bulbs in the bottom of the hole, backfill with soil, and then water. Mother Nature takes care of all the rest. It never fails that when all the spring bulbs are flowering, someone comes into the store and wants to buy more bulbs right then and there. Generally, the best time of year to find spring flowering bulbs and plant them is September through November. When our bulbs arrive, we normally carry about 75 varieties of tulips ranging from early bloomers like Red Emperor to huge, late flowering varieties like Orange Sunset (the flowers are even bigger than a softball!). Personally, I plant a lot of daffodils since they are deer resistant. For early blooms that nearly pop up out of the snow, try February Gold. If you want something really different, Salome daffodils have a pink cup instead of the traditional yellow. Every year our growers introduce new varieties that just keep amazing me with their unique colors and shapes. My preferred time to plant is around October 20, as the soil is not frozen, and usually all the annual flowers have died back from frost at that point in the season. It’s always a great idea to amend your soil with compost or other soil amendment before planting. Depending on your compost of choice, add 1-2 inches and incorporate it into the existing soil with a garden tiller or by hand with a shovel or digging fork. Tilling in a soil amendment makes planting a cinch. I prefer to dig large holes and put 5-12 bulbs in each hole, for big splashes of color when they bloom, but many of our customers
MARK ANDERSON owner, Anderson’s Seed and Garden
20 | Fall 2022 Dig, Drop, Done
21 like to use a bulb planter or auger for easy digging of smaller holes. On many occasions, I have told gardeners my preferred method of planting bulbs is with a backhoe — large holes with lots of bulbs per hole! It’s not the most realistic response, but I could plant 500 bulbs in about 10 minutes of work; how nice would that be?
Don’t forget to fertilize when planting. When all the holes are ready, but before placing the bulbs in the bottom, make sure to use a good bulb food or Bone Meal-type fertilizer to give them the strength they need to set big flowers for spring. I sprinkle the fertilizer in the bottom of the hole, gently work it into the soil, then place the bulbs right on top of the fertilizer. It’s that Thesimple.most critical component of bulb planting is that after you finish covering them with soil, make sure to water the bulbs and soil thoroughly. I continue to water newly planted bulbs every two weeks until the soil freezes. Always keep that soil moisture consistent unless we are getting consistent water through
CHERYL MAGUIRE contributing writer
The first time our twins flew internationally they were 18-months old. Most airlines do not require you to purchase a ticket if a child is under the age of 2, so this seemed like a nobrainer to me — of course, I saved the money and didn’t purchase tickets for them. I wish I video recorded this plane trip because I know I would’ve won first place in American’s Funniest
BRING A CAR SEAT
It wasn’t always easy though, but it is definitely worth it. I’m going to share some tips with you to save you the headache and messes I suffered. Plus, I threw in a tip that will shower you with compliments — that’s not always easy to find — especially being a parent on an airplane.
Well, I proved all the naysayers wrong by hopping on that plane with three kids in tow, sometimes internationally. I didn’t let their age stop me either, they all flew before the age of two.
I love to travel. Before becoming a proud parent of three darling cherubs everyone said to me, “Enjoy traveling now because once you have kids you won’t be able to do it anymore.”
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So, buckle up buttercup, you are about to hear extraordinary (and possibly humorous) travel tricks with kids on airplanes.
PACK A CHANGE OF CLOTHES FOR THE PLANE
Sometimes you learn the “hard way” and other times you learn in a downright repulsive way. continued on next page … TRAVEL
FAMILY
Eat, Pray, and Bring a Change of Clothes
The entire ride both ways was a wrestling match between us (me and my husband) and our boy/ girl twins — they definitely won. There was no way they wanted to sit quietly on our laps for five hours — they wanted to roam freely through the exciting new airplane. When we traveled with their younger sister, I purchased a ticket for her which meant I could strap her into her car seat. It was worth every penny spent on the ticket to save my sanity.
Videos
There are lots of old-school games like a deck of cards, tic-tac-toe, or I Spy that are easy to play in a confined space yet don’t take up much space in your carry-on bag. Kids of all ages usually love these games. You could even learn a card trick or two and wow your little ones with your sleight of hand.
Who’s ready to hop on a plane? Me, ME!! Now that I shared my mishaps and admirations with you, hopefully you can have a fun flight with your wee ones. Yes, I did use the word fun and flying together — you have to make the best of it because once you get to your destination it will all be a distant memory, unless you forgot your change of clothes.
Let’s face it, things can go wrong with electronics (no wifi, low battery) and kids can get bored with them. If you are relying on that cool TV in the seat, don’t, because I’ve been on at least three flights where none of the TVs worked.
PACK A CHANGE OF CLOTHES FOR YOUR DESTINATION
Along with packing a change of clothes for the plane, you should also add clothes for your destination (such as a bathing suit or summer clothes) to your carry-on bag. Your luggage could get lost or it could take time to get to your room, so if you have other clothes accessible you will be ready to go swimming or whatever fun adventure you planned upon arrival.
A fellow traveler told me this tip and I’ve received numerous compliments about it from security and airline personnel. In fact, I’ve probably heard more compliments about my passport cover than any other parenting technique I’ve tried. The main reason for putting names on the front covers is so when you are in charge of five passports (like I am), you save time by not having to open each one individually to figure out which family member it belongs to. It makes things a little easier, which is something you need when traveling with kids. It only took less than five minutes to put a label with the name on the cover, no crafting ability necessary, I promise.
24 Fall…2022continued from previous page When my son flew for the first time, we didn’t know he is prone to motion sickness (we now also pack Dramamine). I bet you are wondering, “How did you figure it out?” I’ll tell you how, we were cruising at an altitude of 36,000 feet when my son vomited his egg and cheese sandwich all over the person to his left. Who might that have been? You guessed it, me. Of course, I had nothing to change into for the rest of the five-hour flight. Your child doesn’t have to get motion sickness — there could be a variety of other issues which could require a change of clothes, so be sure to pack at least something to change into or you will wish you did.
PUT NAMES ON THE OUTSIDE OF YOUR PASSPORTS
PLAY OLD-SCHOOL GAMES
At Budge Clinic Pediatrics, our skilled caregivers help kids throughout their childhood get better faster so they can enjoy it. We provide immunizations to keep them healthy and treat boo-boos when they aren’t. Some of our specialties include: • Well-Child Care • Vaccinations • Mental Health • Asthma • Nutrition and Obesity • Dermatology (acne, warts, rashes) • Personalized Primary Care • Newborn Care • Sports, Scout, and Missionary Physicals • Adolescent Care • ADHD/ADD Evaluation and Treatment • School Problems • X-ray and Lab Services 0822-MG-2231150 We help kids be kids. WE’RE ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS To schedule an appointment, call 435-792-1940 or visit BudgeClinic.org Budge Clinic | 1350 N 500 E, Logan, UT 84341
Best Pediatricsin Best Familyin Medicine Daniel Sandgren, DO Pediatrics Nathan Call, MD Family Medicine 2220 BEST OF CACHE VALLEYAward Winners CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR
In 2000, years after Steve and Debra Wimmer took over the business, they added Wimmer’s Bike Shop.
In 1984, Wayne and JoAnn built and opened the current Wimmer’s building at 745 North Main and added vacuums to their sales and service departments. They also opened a branch in Layton, which was eventually sold to a JoAnnnephew.taught sewing classes in the store for many years, and, in addition to taking sewing classes at Utah State University, she traveled to the eastern United States to learn how to utilize the "new" sewing machines with builtin stitches besides forward and backward.
PRIDE, CUSTOMER SERVICE, INGENUITY, AND ENDURANCE:
WHERE WAS YOUR ORIGINAL LOCATION?
“We have always sold products we can service,” Wendy said. “A good vacuum or sewing machine, if taken care of, can last a long time.”
WIMMER'S SEW AND VAC Left: Wendy and Marc Wimmer, Steve and Debora Wimmer, and JoAnn Wimmer; Right: Four generations of Wimmers: Acel Forest Wimmer (seated) holding Marc, with Steve Wimmer and Wayne Wimmer standing behind.
HOW HAS YOUR BUSINESS CHANGED OVER THE YEARS AND WHAT PARTS HAVE STAYED THE SAME?
WHAT IS YOUR PHILOSOPHY OR "SECRET" TO RUNNING A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS FOR SO LONG IN CACHE VALLEY?
"I wonder if her having to tend the store was when Acel went door to door asking if people needed their sewing machines fixed?" JoAnn Wimmer questioned.
The business has remained in the family for 100 years, passing from Acel and his wife Dora to his son and daughter-in-law Wayne and Joann Wimmer in 1957. Then it passed on to son Steve and Debbie Wimmer in 1984, who sold it to current and fourth-generation owners Marc and Wendy Wimmer in 2018.
EMILY BUCKLEY editor in chief Is there any institution more enduring or universal than a family business? And, a further question: What motivates a modern family in America — the land of easy mobility and limitless opportunity — to continue an enterprise founded by a long-passed ancestor?
28 Fall 2022
Wayne Wimmer would always say, "Our philosophy is really simple: Good customer service, keeps people coming back!"
Cache Valley is home to many long-standing family businesses, including the four we feature here. Each owner is justifiably proud in carrying on their family’s tradition of trade, customer service, hard work, and community. We are grateful for the part they play in making our ever-growing community a hometown we love.
Lessons from Century-Old Family Businesses in Cache Valley
In 1922 Acel Forest Wimmer moved his family to Logan, Utah, and started selling and servicing sewing machines door-to-door. People didn't have a lot of money in those days, but functional sewing machines were an important part of everyday life, so Acel accepted payment in the form of garden produce, chickens, and turkeys if necessary.
Although door-to-door sales was the true beginning of Wimmer’s Sew and Vac, the first physical location was on the west side of 100 North in Logan. Acel’s children Wayne and Doreen would use the front counter as their "hut" when they had to go to work with their mom when she had to tend the store.
WSEWMMERS&VAC
Today, Marc and Wendy Wimmer operate Wimmer’s as a full service and sales center.
Above: (left to right) Lowell Jenkins, Ron Jenkins, Martha Rose, Greg Jenkins, and Ben Jenkins
Above: The original Bennett's location, then known as Logan Mercantile; Right: Ben and Stephany Jenkins, and family, current owners of Bennett's Paint.
WHAT IS YOUR PHILOSOPHY OR "SECRET" TO RUNNING A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS FOR SO LONG IN CACHE VALLEY?
The Jenkins family started doing business in Cache Valley in the mid 1850's when Robert Jenkins operated Logan Mercantile. In 1912, Charles Jenkins opened Logan Hardware, selling mostly tools and sporting goods. Paint didn’t become the main focus of the business until Charles’ son Lowell Jenkins partnered with Bennett's Paint, and became a franchise for about a decade in the mid 1900's. When the Bennett's Paint Corporation folded, the Jenkins family kept the business name, but has operated independently ever since. Lowell and his children Greg, Martha, and Ron worked together for many years. In 2006 Ron Jenkins opened Bennett’s Glass, a separate business, directly behind the Bennett’s Paint, and Greg and his son Ben continued on with the paint store, making Ben the fifth-generation owner of the store and his children sixthgeneration employees.
“Many things have remained the same over 110 years,” said Ben’s wife, Stephany Jenkins. “We have had the good fortune of having a good relationship with our customers and many employees for over a century. We don't know everyone by name anymore, but we still enjoy personal relationships with many of our Stephanycustomers.”said the biggest change is definitely the technology they use every day.
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Logan Mercantile originally provided basic needs to the early residents of Cache Valley, but Bennett's Paint now caters to a much smaller niche. National Brands such as PPG Porter, Kelly-Moore, and Benjamin Moore Paints, line the shelves of Bennett’s to give customers just about any kind of paint, and color they could dream of. Their website states that their core values of hard work, going the extra mile, and putting customers first are key to their long success.
Bennett’s Paint was originally located at 45 North Main Street, straight across from the Tabernacle. In 1997 they moved to their current location at 1962 North Main Street in North TheirLogan.original building was torn down and built back up again to become the Copper Mill Restaurant, which has now been removed to make space for the Center Block Plaza.
HOW HAS THE CACHE VALLEY MARKETPLACE CHANGED IN THE LAST 100 YEARS? “100 years ago there weren't many options,” Stephany said. “Today there are several places to buy anything a person may want, including ordering online.”
WHERE WAS YOUR ORIGINAL LOCATION?
HOW HAS YOUR BUSINESS CHANGED OVER THE YEARS AND WHAT PARTS HAVE STAYED THE SAME?
“Our customers have always been our friends,” Stephany said. “We try to be honest and treat people the way we would like to be treated. We strive to help our contractors grow their business and be successful themselves.”
BENNETT'S PAINT
Al’s Sporting Goods was founded in 1921 in Logan, Utah, by Alvin Moroni Larsen, who borrowed $500 using only a $10 Mexican coin and a handshake as collateral to purchase inventory for a cycling and fishing store. His shop, originally called Al’s Bike, has developed into the oldest full-line sporting goods retailer in Utah. Now run by third- and fourth-generation grandsons, CEO Kris Larsen and President Jason Larsen, Al’s prides themselves in “offering gear and clothing for every sport and every Forseason.”over a century, the family-owned and operated retailer has been a mainstay in Cache Valley.
“Al used to brag that he knew the name of every family in every home in Logan,” Lindee said. “Now it's hard to know the names of every family on your own street!”
30 | Fall 2022
HOW HAS THE CACHE VALLEY MARKETPLACE CHANGED IN THE LAST 100 YEARS?
WHAT IS YOUR PHILOSOPHY OR "SECRET" TO RUNNING A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS FOR SO LONG?
Al's has always been a place where people love to hang out, meet friends, look for a great deal, or just reminisce about that fish that got away! This will always be the case.
AL'S SPORTING GOODS
“While Cache Valley has always been a very industrious place, and it is certainly much more affluent than it once was. From an economic standpoint, we are much more blessed with higher disposable incomes. This has changed purchasing behavior. We tend to sell many more high-end items. The old days of needing to layaway for a month to pay for it are all but gone. Also, while credit cards used to be 5 to 10% of our brick and mortar volume, they now comprise over 90% of those transactions.”
HOW HAS YOUR BUSINESS CHANGED OVER THE YEARS AND WHAT PARTS HAVE STAYED THE SAME?
WHERE WAS YOUR ORIGINAL LOCATION?
“At Al's we are all friends and we are all avid users of the products we sell. We love what we do,” Lindee said. “This reflects on who we are. Our team gives great customer service. In a day where everything seems to be self-serve, we know it is refreshing to get some friendly, professional advice. We also insist on carrying products from only the best manufacturers in the world. All that, along with the assurance that Al's always has a fair price, is the secret to running a great sporting goods company.”
Over the past 100 years, Al’s has been housed in five different buildings in Cache Valley, beginning at the corner of 100 West and Center Street. Their current 60,000-squarefoot building is located at 1075 North Main Street in Logan. They also have two additional stores in Orem and Idaho Falls.
“Probably the biggest change we have seen in our business is the increase in our size and scale,” Lindee Stone, marketing director, said. “Just a few decades ago, the volume we would do in a year, we can now do in a single day. Computers and technology have changed everything we do. Gone are the days of submitting a purchase order to a vendor on the phone or fax machine. Now it's done in a split second by the click of a mouse. Bar codes now allow us to check out a customer at the register 10 times faster than in years past. Over the internet we can sell something to anyone, anywhere, at any time of the day, and in some cases never touch the item.”
During the early years Louis’ daughter, Margaret Cardon Hickman, worked with her father. In 1930 Louis suffered a major heart attack. After his passing, Margaret, a single mom, continued to work and manage the day-to-day operations of the business. Her son Lou was raised in the office, coming to help at lunch and after school. Lou graduated from Logan High School and began attending Utah State University (USU).
Around this time, Lou and Margaret remodeled the building and added the iconic gothic arches to the facade symbolizing security and strength.
Lou’s children now own and manage the company: Jim Hickman is now the company president, Heather Hickman is a vice president and manages the Layton office, and Stacey Gleason Hickman oversees the South Jordan branch. Kristeen Christensen and Holly Haslem work with the Logan team and Suzanne Hickman, though employed elsewhere, stays involved with the Logan office.
HICKMAN LAND AND TITLE
WHAT IS YOUR PHILOSOPHY OR "SECRET" TO RUNNING A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS FOR SO LONG IN CACHE VALLEY?
Continuing with tradition, Hickman Land Title remains a family operation with some fifthgeneration members now working with the company.
As title insurance began to replace abstracts, the company’s emphasis changed and with it came a new name, Hickman Land Title Company.
In 1969, Lou married Rosemarie Gibbons and began a family which now includes seven children, and many grandchildren and great grandchildren.
HOW HAS YOUR BUSINESS CHANGED OVER THE YEARS AND WHAT PARTS HAVE STAYED THE SAME?
Lou’s children all enjoyed working with their dad. They learned many values from him including diligence, effort, humor, integrity and respect. Lou loved Cache Valley and helping people with their real estate needs. Naturally, Hickman Land Title created its mission statement based on the values that characterized his action: helping clients and communities, providing accurate timely information and services, and treating all people with respect and friendly “Weprofessionalism.aregratefulto work with the people of this community and strive to give back,” Kristeen “Wesaid.
Margaret Cardon Hickman
have been blessed and enriched as we’ve worked alongside many employees through the years, including extended family members. Together we enjoy researching properties and facilitating the many details, both simple and complex, that are involved in residential and commercial real estate transactions. We are excited to work with real estate agents and lenders in helping clients purchase their homes, and to work with builders and developers as they create new communities. We hope to be an integral part in building our communities in the future.”
Like Lou, his children were raised at the office and given jobs including cleaning, filing, indexing copies of public records, updating plat maps, and delivering documents. The Aggie tradition also continued, as most of the next generation attended and graduated from USU.
In 1946, Lou and his mother Margaret purchased the assets of the company and changed the name to Hickman Abstract, dropping the real estate portion of the business.
In 1907, the company was incorporated under the name Intermountain Real Estate Company, in 1913 the name changed to Cardon Company and later Cardon Abstract.
31 Hickman Land Title began in 1904 when Louis S. Cardon, the great grandfather of the current company leadership, starting a one-man abstract service as an adjunct to his real estate company.
With the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Lou joined the military for three years. Upon returning to Logan, he completed a civil engineering degree at USU, then earned an MBA from Stanford University, coming home on the weekends to help with title searches.
Another thing parents can do is schedule appointments and vacations around the school calendar as much as possible. “These attendance decisions are best made by parents, and we respect that. We would hope, as parents plan for events, they would consider the importance of school attendance and how not being in school multiple days can affect their child's learning, their child’s teachers, and the other students in their child's class,” Mr. Harris said. When making appointments, try to schedule them for afterschool hours. If you can’t, have your child attend school for as much of the day as possible. Little things parents can do to encourage good attendance include having a routine bedtime so your child gets enough sleep, and getting things ready for school the night before, such as packing backpacks. This will make your morning run smoother and help your child feel prepared for school. We want our students to be successful learners and do their very best. For that to happen, they need to be in school and surrounded by our incredible students, teachers, and staff. By prioritizing good attendance, you are setting your children up for a successful future.
BAILEIGH BEEBE public information office intern, Cache County School District
As a parent, you play an essential role in ensuring your child is at school and learning. One of the most important things you can do is have open conversations with your child, explaining why school is important and why attendance matters.
How important is it for kids to be in school?
32 | Fall 2022 PRESENTED BY EDUCATION UPDATE Setting Your Child Up for Success One School Day at a Time
While missing a day of school now and then for illness or appointments doesn’t seem like a big deal, frequent absences can have a significant impact on your child’s learning and future. Good attendance is just as crucial in elementary school as it is during a student’s senior year of high school. Several research studies have shown that students who prioritize attendance increase their chances of being successful learners. Starting good attendance habits as early as kindergarten leads to several positive longterm outcomes. Students have better academic performance, more work options, higher earning potential, increased opportunities for higher education, and more fully developed life skills that can positively influence health and economic decisions. By encouraging your child to be present in the classroom to learn, you are setting them up for success in whatever path they choose. When students are absent, it impacts their academic development. Especially in the early grades, students learn fundamental skills such as reading. Poor attendance can impact future learning and performance. Additionally, missing school means missing critical instruction from their teacher. “Doing work at home due to an absence is helpful, but never replaces the skillful, rich instruction a teacher gives during an in-class lesson,” Glen Harris, principal of Wellsville Elementary School, said. Absences not only impact your child’s education but also affect your child’s teacher and other students in the classroom. Absences put an extra burden on teachers. When students are in class, teachers can spend more time and energy preparing better lessons for all their students rather than helping a handful of children catch up on what they missed.
You can help them get excited about school by asking questions about their day and what they’re learning. If your child never wants to go to school and seems to resist every morning, that might signal something deeper is going on, such as anxiety or bullying. It’s important to ask questions and listen to your child, so you can understand what is influencing their desire to be in school. Then, you can better help your child, as well as reach out to teachers and staff at your child’s school for support and help.
LET THEM HELP YOU Don’t grumble and mope when it’s time to do housework. Smile and invite your son to help (even if he makes the job take longer). It’s teamwork, precious time with your child, and a lesson that will one day send him off into the world with the ability to sort lights and darks.
FRANK SCHOFIELD superintendent, Logan City School District
SHOW CHILDREN THE WAY Play to a child’s skill level, suggest both experts.
Helping Children Be More Responsible
MODEL RESPONSIBILITY And talk about it, too. Banish a tableful of dirty breakfast dishes with the line: “Now we put our plate in the sink,” as the meal ends. Use the same inclusive “we” phrases over and over to show how you can easily solve problems. Ask other family members and caretakers to follow suit. You’ll be surprised how quickly these actions become a habit for children.
PRAISE THEM Children love to help. They want to help. To them, chores don’t feel like work. Keep up continued on next
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First, demonstrate how to complete small tasks. If your son wants a snack, show him where the apples are and how to wash one. Does your daughter always throw her dirty clothes on the floor? Place a hamper in her room and show her where the day-old jeans belong. Make responsibilities age-appropriate and even use the word “responsibility,” says Alex, when informing your son about the tasks you expect him to complete on his own. It sounds grownup and important!
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“When your child is invited to participate, he feels valued,” says Dr. Ruskin. “He will take these good feelings and learn to take ownership of his home.”
Wouldn’t it be better if we all did just a little bit more to take care of our own monkeys? That is the focus of the work done by Dr. Karen Ruskin, Psy.D., and Alex Barvzi, a licensed clinical psychologist. They focus on the approach parents can use to help children develop responsibility, be accountable for their choices, and eventually develop the skills and behaviors that will ensure they take care of their own monkeys. Some of their suggestions include: START YOUNG You can’t suddenly spring responsibility on a teenager and expect he will know how to follow Imaginethrough. your high school daughter calling you at work with the complaint: “Mom I’m hungry. When are you coming home?” You say: “Make a sandwich!” She replies: “I’ll just wait for you.” Handing out responsibility to children needs to start early. Think toddler age.
Have you ever heard the phrase “Not my circus, not my monkeys”? This traditional Polish saying communicates the idea that we aren’t responsible for fixing situations that have nothing to do with what we perceive as our area of accountability. It often is used when an individual is presented with a problem, and they don’t want to get involved in the drama or complications related to addressing the problem at hand. From a perspective of self-care, this phrase can be a positive tool to avoid being overwhelmed with the challenges of helping others deal with their problems at the expense of addressing the responsibilities that are uniquely yours. But what if it is your circus, and those are your monkeys? All of us are regularly faced with situations where we are required to decide whether we will assume responsibility for the monkeys in front of us. Although in many cases those may actually be our monkeys, sometimes we have to get involved because somebody else didn’t take care of their own monkeys, so now the responsibility of caring for those monkeys has been given to us.
Learning to take care of his things also helps a child develop a sense of responsibility for his actions. To get your son to clean up after an art project, inform him that he won’t be able to play with his crayons and scissors until the next day if he leaves a messy table. Then you need to follow through and take away his supplies if he shirks his responsibility. The more you enforce the rules, the more likely he is to clean up without being asked, or at least without whining about it too much.
“It is ultimately your child’s choice to not put a toy away,” Alex said. “Parents are afraid to let children suffer, be sad or angry, but if we always solve children’s problems, they will not learn to be responsible as they grow up.”
At least at first. There’s a time and place for rewards and allowances, but both experts agree that being responsible isn’t it. Don’t assume a reward system has to be in place for your child to learn responsibility. While a reward chart can be effective for some children, others respond just as well to praise, spending time with you, and feeling the boost in their self-confidence. Consider saving rewards for tasks that go above and beyond what you expect to be your child’s normal household responsibilities.
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If your daughter has to pack her bag for school each day and forgets her basketball sneakers, then she won’t get to practice that afternoon. As much as you want to bring her sneakers to her, don’t! Hopefully she’ll be more cognizant of remembering her responsibilities next time.
All of us want our children to be successful in their pursuits, both as children and throughout their lives. Helping children develop a sense of responsibility is an essential component of that success. These steps can help parents teach their children responsibility, giving them the tools to successfully care for the monkeys they will encounter throughout their lives.
AVOID REWARDS
34 Fall…2022continued from previous page positive vibes by offering specific praises for actions. “You hung your coat on the hook and I’m proud of you!” Or, “Thank you for emptying the garbage in your room!” Children will develop a sense of ownership for any repeated action. This constant communication helps them take initiative in other situations, says Alex, such as at school or on a play date.
MANAGE YOUR EXPECTATIONS When you ask a 5-year-old to make her bed, it may still be lopsided. Don’t criticize. Recognize a job well done. The next time you make your own bed, show her how you do it.
PROVIDE STRUCTURE AND ROUTINE Children thrive on order. Instead of offering rewards to get them to meet responsibilities, set up a morning routine with a positive end result. Your son must brush his teeth, eat breakfast, and get dressed before watching TV. (Notice TV is not being offered as a reward. It’s just the result of finishing the routine.) And he should be able to complete the routine in any order that works for him.
TEACH CONSEQUENCES
A younger child may not fully realize these tasks are his responsibilities, but allowing him to create a healthy structure will give him the tools to one day develop strategies for getting homework done without you nagging (too much!), suggests Dr. Ruskin.
Annual Halloween IT’S COMING... Annual Halloween JOIN US NOVEMBER 1ST FROM 5:00 P.M. - 7:00 P.M. CANDYCANDYBUYBACKBUYBACK A family night filled with games, prizes, and cash for candy! We will pay $1/pound of candy donated up to $5. All candy donated to our troops overseas through Operation Gratitude. CACHE VALLEY PEDIATRC DENTISTRY DR. DAREN GEHRING, DDS | 435-752-4330
BE SEEN! If your costumes do not have bright colors, add lights to your attire so your group can be easily seen in the dark. Use glow sticks, glow bracelets, and glow necklaces to help ensure visibility at night. You can also bring along flashlights with fresh batteries, battery operated string lights for your strollers and wagons, or purchase reflective strips to attach to any fabric or costumes. Any extra light will help keep your children visible from any oncoming traffic, as well as help members of the group to see one another and find each other in an emergency.
It is important to create a plan with your children before you leave the house. Make sure every child knows their phone number and address in case a child is lost. Adding a name tag sticker with emergency information to your child’s costume could be helpful for toddlers and little ones who may not be able to remember. Talk with your kids before you leave and make sure they turn down any invitation to enter someone’s home, as well as pass any house without lights on. Always use the crosswalk and avoid jaywalking. Never assume vehicles will stop for you!
As your family arrives home, have everyone wash their hands before handling the candy. Warn children not to eat anything that is not commercially wrapped. Parents should discard any candy that has an unusual appearance or discoloration, tiny pinholes or tears in wrappers, and any homemade items from someone you do not know. It is important to check for any hard candy that could cause choking hazards for young children and toddlers.
WALKING AND TRAFFIC SAFETY
HOME AND PORCH SAFETY While preparing your porch for trick-or-treaters, it is important to create a safe walking path for children to come to your door. Ensure your walkway is clear of any loose décor, props, or pumpkins that could cause tripping hazards. If your family carves pumpkins this year, it is best to purchase battery-operated lights to put inside your Jack-o-lanterns. Avoid candles and fire all together to ensure there are no accidents. Make sure your garage lights and porch lights are turned on so that all children will be able to easily see where they are walking and know your home is ready for trickor-treaters. Lock your car doors and doors around your house, and keep your pets in a safe room or wing of your home to help keep them calm and away from children who may be afraid or allergic.
Face paint is often safer than full face masks, which can impair your child’s vision and breathing.
WENDY LARSON contributing writer Autumn is here and the real fun begins as we enter into the holiday season! From decorating to making yummy treats, to lighting our favorite candles and watching all the movies … it is magical to create memories with our loved ones. It is also important to have a plan and be prepared for Halloween night to ensure everyone can focus on the fun, (no tricks, disasters, or trips to the emergency room) and enjoy the treats! While we all love a good scare, being prepared will help your family avoid any real dangers during the Halloween festivities.
As you select your costumes, ensure fabric is flame resistant. It is important to watch out for candles and Jack-o-lanterns during the night, as there will be many flowy princess dresses and long superhero capes. Look for costumes made from polyester, nylon, wool, and acrylic fabrics, and make sure there won’t be loose fabric dragging behind a child.
NO TRICKS — JUST TREATS!
36 | Fall 2022
SAFE FAMILIES
SELECTING COSTUMES AND ACCESSORIES
It is important to choose a nontoxic paint to prevent any rashes or reactions. Test a small patch of paint on your child’s skin to ensure they are not allergic to the product. Call your pediatrician if their skin breaks out in a rash or starts swelling.
Five Ways to Stay Safe this Halloween
Glitter can be flammable, so exercise caution as you approach homes and walk past pumpkins.
Ryder Hansen isn’t a typical 13-year-old. To put it in simple terms, he’s a livestock all-star Mountshowman.Sterling’s Ryder Hansen is one of the best sheep showmen in Utah, and even the entire country in his very competitive division. He’s been doing 4-H since he was 8 years old and has moved into participating in the Rocky Mountain Circuit and other livestock shows besides the county fair. Each weekend during the summer he competes across the western United States and shows throughout the year.
Ryder competes in about 24 shows a year. As of now, Ryder has won 16 belt buckles for continued on next page … Ryder Hansen, July 2022 Barn Burner competition in Cedar City. Ryder won Reserve Champion with this ewe he purchased for his breeding program.
“It’s just like basketball, baseball, football, or anything else, however much you put into it, the rewards come with that,” said Kurt Longmore, Ryder’s stepfather. “When we decided we wanted to be competitive we went all in. We always ask Ryder, ‘How involved do you want to be because this is a lot of work for you.’”
All of Ryder’s success has come from hard work. A typical day for Ryder involves getting up early before school to feed each lamb. Their food is weighed out specifically for each animal as they’re on a strict diet. After school, he works the lambs, meaning he trains them how to stand up and lead. He walks them and even has a special animal treadmill that works their muscles. Each lamb has a workout plan. He ends the day by feeding them again.
Ryder Hansen: All-Star Showman K. BONE
| 39 435-915-7005 2727 South Hwy 89 Wellsville, UT 84339 BEST IN CLASS YOUTH SPOTLIGHT
An ongoing series of articles written by a local teen about other teens who are excelling in their unique areas of interest and talent.
contributing teen writer
Ryder’s mom Ashley Longmore, who is also the Box Elder County Extension agent explains, “The responsibility, dedication, joys, and heartbreaks are what make dedicated livestock kids upstanding members of our community. They learn that dedication and hard work in the barn pay off in the ring. They learn more from their losses than their wins, they go home and work harder, they reach out and learn more. They never stop striving to be better showmen, better leaders, and better all-around people.” For Ryder, it’s not all about the awards because of the love he has working with the sheep. The heartbreaks, responsibility, discipline, and skill are all part of what makes Ryder a great showman and even better person.
Being at the level Ryder is at is a lifestyle. There is a great amount of responsibility and work ethic that comes with showing sheep, and Ryder has adapted to it very quickly.
Top: Ryder's current collection of awarded belt buckles; Bottom: Working with a sheep at his Mt. Sterling home. … continued from previous page champion or reserve champion and usually places in the top five. He has recently started showing goats. The cycle of breeding and going to shows never slows down. For upcoming shows, Ryder is looking forward to showing a lamb for a top breeder from the east coast. Kurt credits Ryder’s success as a showman to his competitiveness. He attends camps in the summer with the best showmen in the country and learns how to win in every way possible. He spends countless hours with his animals. Despite what many people think, sheep can become more than just livestock. Ryder’s favorite sheep was named Tahoe, and he says he’d walk with him like a dog without a leash. “All of its really fun, but working with the animal every day walking it is my favorite,” Ryder said. “[It is great] when you and the animal are learning together.”
40 Fall 2022 435.919.7324 | CACHE VALLEY'S REALTORS
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TEACH EMPATHY WITH INTENTIONALITY When studying The 7 Habits of Happy Kids a
42 Fall 2022
There is nothing wrong with making kindness a game! Challenge your kids to seek out ways to be kind in everyday life. Brainstorm ways they can serve within their regular routine (like holding the door for the person behind them, picking up 10 pieces of trash off the classroom floor without being asked, offering a sincere compliment, or inviting someone new to join their friends at recess or lunch). When my kids hop in the car after school, I often include asking for a report on their kindness challenge along with their report on what they learned in class or what homework they have. They love telling me about their good deeds.
Kindness doesn’t only have to be altruistic; you can practice it for the reward of feeling good. There is joy and self-worth to be found in serving and loving others. Similarly, you want your kids to notice when people are showing kindness toward them. Noticing will engender gratitude. In the long run, kindness will benefit everyone — the practitioners and the recipients — in a million different ways. Both have a ripple effect, and couldn't matter more. Kindness to Your List of School Supplies BUCKLEY editor in chief
few years ago, I learned an important habit that helps children (and adults!) learn to be kind to others, especially when dealing with conflict: “Seek first to understand, then to be understood.” This skill helps us see each other through a kindness lens and appreciate what others feel. Role play ways your kids can manage conflict and misunderstandings by asking questions and considering the way others may view a situation.
tips to help you instill kindness in your children: MODEL KINDNESS THROUGH GRATITUDE
One of the best ways to teach kindness is to model being kind to others. Help your young children become aware of all of the people in their neighborhood — it's reminiscent of the Sesame Street theme song our generation grew up on, right? Teach your kids, by example, to acknowledge and thank people in their own community who serve them. This may include teachers, peers, custodians, cafeteria staff, crossing guards, and more. Teach them to call these people by their proper names and show gratitude in word and deed. Kids look to parents and other trusted adults as models for what’s expected; if we are treating others kindly, they will follow suit.
PAY ATTENTION TO THE EFFECTS OF KINDNESS
As I prepare my family for school each fall, one of my kids' favorite tasks is gathering fresh school supplies for the year. There is just something about a fresh box of crayons, a clean notebook, and a fun backpack that helps them put their best foot forward for a successful new school year.
CREATE A KINDNESS CHALLENGE
Add
EMILY
I’d venture to say that even more important than any of these supplies is arming our children with kindness, inclusion, and empathy — virtues that will help them and everyone they encounter find happiness. In fact, a recent Harvard Graduate School study speaks to the importance of kindness and how it sets children up for a lifetime of success, both personally and Hereprofessionallyarethree
The history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Cache Valley is best told through the lives of its members both past and present. Theirs is a story of sacrifice and faith, centered on their desire to worship peacefully in their mountain valley haven. It all began when church prophet Brigham Young sent members to establish a cattle ranch in Cache Valley, but those efforts were thwarted by an early winter that forced settlers to leave. But they didn’t give up. The next year, in 1856, Peter and Mary Ann Weston Maughan were the first to crest the Valley’s south canyon where Mary Ann declared, “O what a beautiful valley.” Mary Ann’s journals document the hardships that characterized the journeys of many church members who eventually made it to Cache Valley. She joined the church in 1840 in England where she and her first husband John Davis suffered mob violence because of their church membership. John was beaten by a mob and died from complications due to injuries. The young widow recorded, “I cast my lot with the people of God and in Him I put my trust.” Against her family’s wishes she traveled to Nauvoo, Illinois to join gathering church members. Here she met her second husband, Peter and once again endured persecution that drove them west. Mary Ann was the official midwife in Cache County and her records provide insight into early church and area history. She even gave birth to the Wellsville settlement’s first child and served as a leader for the local Relief Society, the church’s women service organization. Converts from the British Isles and Scandinavia poured into the Valley and were instrumental in building communities. Their lives centered around family and faith, still constants for many members of the religion in Cache Valley. Their faith is apparent as they send their sons and daughters on lengthy church missions around the world.
Katie, her husband Kade, and their three children besides Alivia, thought about what they could
TARA BONE contributing writer
44 | Fall 2022 FAMILY FAITH
This is the fifth article in a series featuring different faith communities in Cache Valley. The role of faith in the early settler’s day-to-day life was central. For many who call Cache Valley home today, faith continues to play a pivotal role in Valley communities and individual lives.
Meet sisters Malayna Knowles of Petersboro and Katie Longhurst of North Logan. They grew up together on their father’s family farm in Petersboro and are both active members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. On August 2, 2022, Malayna watched her youngest son, Elder Peyton Knowles, and Katie watched her oldest daughter, Sister Alivia Longhurst, walk through airport security together on their way to serve church missions in Mexico and Guatemala. They left on the same flight to the church’s Missionary Training Center (MTC) in Mexico for additional training before traveling to their assignments. A well-known tenet of the church is its worldwide missionary program. There are approximately 55,000 missionaries serving worldwide. Worthy young adult church members, beginning at age 18 for men and age 19 for women, are encouraged to leave their homes and families for up to two years to “do what Jesus taught his Apostles: ‘Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature’ (Mark 16:15),” according to the church’s website. Men are referred to as “Elder” and women as “Sister.” Before entering their assignment, each missionary receives spiritual and sometimes language training at a MTC. The COVID-19 pandemic shut down MTCs, so missionary training shifted to homes. Since 2021, across the globe and right here throughout Cache Valley, hundreds of local families have turned their homes into “home MTCs.” This is the case for sisters Malayna and Katie who happened to have children begin their home MTC experience on the same day. Katie is gearing up to begin another round of home MTC this fall for her son Carver who will serve a two-year mission in Chile. Both families shifted living arrangements for their missionaries to accommodate quiet rooms with access to a computer — like a mini dorm room Malayna explains. Katie adds that Sister Longhurst put up pictures of Jesus Christ to help her focus — and that she’d enjoy looking at — for 12 hours a day. Their days started early at 6:30 a.m. and lasted until evening with online Zoom classes. They each were assigned “remote” companions also over Zoom and had breaks during the day. Both moms expressed how important it was to be there during these breaks so they could get their missionary out of the house to go on walks or hikes together.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
“I know they have testimonies; they are obedient and want to grow and share and love their Savior and others. The seeds are planted; I can’t wait to watch them grow.”
“The gospel ultimately was the one thing my ancestors were willing to sacrifice all for. They left what was comfortable for the gospel. It changed their lives and made our family eternal,” she said.
• Missionaries pay their own way and leave personal endeavors behind to focus on service and teaching.
Courtesy of USU Special Collections, Merrill-Cazier Library
• Potential missionaries submit an application and mission assignments are unknown to them; they're made by leaders in Salt Lake City.
45 go without to make the home MTC experience more meaningful as they watched Alivia sacrifice so much. They made sure their music and entertainment were uplifting. Katie says it wasn’t always perfect. There were times of tears and life was still happening in the house, but it’s an experience she looks forward to doing again with their three children.
“It’s a sacrifice to train, learn, and prepare; there is a different feeling in our home when there is a missionary here. The conversations changed; it became all of our focus — this mission. There was a stronger presence of the spirit and I loved everything about watching her transition from Alivia to Sister Longhurst.” Why do they do it? Why do families and young people pay their own way to leave everything behind for up to two years?
• Missionaries are assigned another missionary to live and work with, called a companion, and can communicate with family on a weekly “preparation” (or “P”) day.
A photograph from about 1884 of the Logan Tabernacle on Main Street with completed Logan Temple in background.
“There have been a lot of emotions and tears,” Malayna said. “An 18-year-old boy has no concept of a mother’s love. I hope he remembers the only way I could send him on the Lord’s errand is because Jesus is our Savior and what a blessing that knowledge is in my life, so if other people can learn that knowledge too, that’s the only way.”
Malayna and her husband Marty also sent their oldest son on a mission 10 years ago. She added, “It’s like having my heart ripped out of my chest. If I didn’t believe in it, I don’t think I could let them go.”
Katie finds comfort in knowing these missionaries have faith that what they’re doing is what God wants them to do now.
Generations later, Cache Valley families like the Knowles and Longhursts are continuing the legacy of faith forged by early church settlers. They believe it’s their turn to do hard things, to send their sons and daughters into the world to spread faith in Jesus Christ — with a mother’s anticipation for the day they return home.
Katie says she’s been thinking a lot about the word sacrifice and their pioneer ancestors who came to Cache Valley for their religion and how generations later they’re trying to live that faith.
DID YOU KNOW?
Unfortunately, that’s how healthcare goes too sometimes, but it’s not the best way. Gaining education about your own health is the best Kidsway. get sick, and it’s that time of year. Of course, they get sick, it’s a huge part of what helps us survive. When we get sick the T cells can recognize the invader as an enemy, then T cells and B cells remember, so the next time that enemy comes calling they know what to do. But this doesn’t mean you just have to wait to be sick. You can build up your kid’s defenses, so they miss less school and aren’t nearly as Sleepmiserable.isso important, and kids need lots of it … 8 to 13 hours worth, in fact. Most of the processes our bodies use to reduce inflammation and build up our immune system happen at night. The change of schedule that comes with a new school year makes bedtime a chore. Melatonin supplement will help bridge the change. Naturally our brain produces melatonin when the light starts to dim, but with continued on next page …
| 47
HEALTHY FAMILIES
The chance that both feet and both legs are the same size is less than 20%, but still shoes are sold in pairs, and we wear them just because we have been told, “that’s the way it is.”
Understanding Which Vitamins Can Help Keep Your Kids Healthy
PHIL COWLEY
@philsmypharmacist, Cache Valley Pharmacy Shoes are always sold in pairs, the exact same size the exact same height. This is a ridiculous premise; 60% of the population has one leg that is longer than the other. Feet are almost never the same size, less often the legs are.
48 | Fall…2022continued from previous page the sun still up and screens still on, a little supplement can go a long way. Ideally, we would get all of our minerals and vitamins from our diets, but the food my kids eat is rarely packed full of vitamin A or Omega fatty acids. Boosting the immune system is easy when you know what to look for.
Vitamin D is from the sun for free, but the long winter nights and cold air shove us inside and leave the need for vitamin D. Vitamin D plays an essential role in the way the body produces the cells and antibodies needed for our immune system to work. Vitamin D pumps up the monocytes, these are the guys that come like huge PacMans and eat all the enemies they can see. Respiratory infections dropped almost in half when we have healthy Vitamin D levels.
Vitamin C reduces risk of contraction infections, it reduces the invader’s ability to adhere to the cell wall. As an antioxidant it does a wonderful job, antioxidants destabilize the structure of the invader. Antioxidants help reduces inflammation and allow the body to process everything better.
Vitamin A reduces the process that restrict our T cells from doing their jobs to protect us, vitamin A also has a huge anti-inflammatory effect. Zinc protects tissue barriers. It helps make all the cells that work in our immune system and makes sure all of the immune system keeps running smoothly. Zinc deficiencies effect 2 billon people in the world. A good stomach lining is essential for absorbing zinc. Probiotics are critical. We share immune information with the bacteria that live in our GI system. You can support these allies with probiotics. The stronger the bacterial in the GI system, the more information about the surrounding work and invaders they can give us.
Vitamin E reduces inflammation and is an antioxidant. Another huge plus is that it helps repair the skin. If the invaders can’t get in, they can’t make you sick.
On Saturday, August 13, community members gathered and competed in a 3v3 basketball tournament to celebrate and honor 10-yearold Dawson Pugmire of Wellsville, who passed away unexpectedly earlier this year from an arteriovenous malformation. Dawson was known by many for his kindness toward others and his ability to make them feel important and seen. “It has been very humbling to us to see the many lives our little man has touched,” Dawson’s father, Nate Pugmire, said. “Dawson had many friends, and since his passing we have heard several stories from his friends about the way that he treated them. He could make a friend out of anyone and always included others.”
The tournament lasted all day, with basketball being played from eight in the morning to almost nine o’clock that evening. Approximately 200 players competed, with teams coming from as far as Eagle Mountain, Utah.
The event was held at Mountain Crest High School just two days after what would have been Dawson’s 11th birthday. Fifty-one teams competed in the tournament, including a wide variety of age groups and abilities.
He was also very passionate about sports and was rarely seen without a ball in his hands. “We always had to pull Daws off the court,” his mother, Jamie Pugmire, said. “He loved to play Whenbasketball.”Kiesha Baldwin, a close friend of the Pugmire family, mentioned an idea to put on a basketball tournament as a way to honor Dawson and give back to the community, there was no hesitation. “It took one phone call and a couple of text messages and I already had a small army that was ready to jump in,” Kiesha said. “There was a lot of love from an amazing committee and a ton of volunteers that made this dream a reality.”
MAKING A DIFFERENCE Do it For Dawson CLAIRE ANDERSON contributing writer
Cache Valley 9 years in a row!
50 | Fall 2022
“We wanted to open it up to everyone, not just those who are currently playing competitive basketball, although they were invited too!” Kiesha said. “This was for the young, old, current players, and ‘used to could’s’. We had teams in all ages and brackets. It was great.”
“The overall feeling of the community coming together to honor Dawson was tangible,” Kiesha said. “I was awestruck. While there was still some fun, intense competition going on, you couldn’t deny the unifying bond and reverence that was in the gym. It was a gym full of family, friends, teammates, and all kinds of support coming together for a common Thegood.”Pugmire family plans to donate the proceeds from the tournament to Primary Children’s Hospital and to Wellsville City. They would also like to use future proceeds to help other families in the community who may be in “Whenneed. we were at Primary Children's Hospital, our sweet nurse brought Dawson a soft minky blanket that had been donated to families going through a hard time. It meant so much to us,” Jaime said. “Now we will be able to donate soft minky blankets back to Primary Children's. We also would love to give back to our town by trying to help restore the basketball court by the old elementary school. We would love to see kids and families continue to come together as a community by spending time at the basketball Thecourt.”Pugmires hope that this will become an annual event held each August, around the time of Dawson’s birthday. “I would like to see this event grow each year and continue to help others in need,” Nate said. “Thank you to our family, friends, sponsors, and all other volunteers that helped to make this possible! Dawson would have loved every second of it. I’m confident he was watching from a distance with a smile on his face.”
51 “It made us very emotional to see so many people take time out of their Saturday, on a busy summer weekend, to come and support,” Jamie said. “I loved that there were kids who came to play that didn’t consider themselves ‘basketball players,’ but still came to do it for ThereDawson.”was also participation from former Utah State University (USU) great, Jaycee Carroll, along with some current Aggie basketball players. Anyone who was up for the challenge was welcome to play against Jaycee and the college athletes in a game of lightning, a 3-point contest, and a free-throw competition. Mason Falslev, Isaac Johnson, and Taylor Funk from USU Basketball came and there was also a raffle going on with some great prizes.
Want to Jump Into the Housing Market? Here Are a Few Things You’ll Want to Know
52 | Fall 2022 FACT CHECK
KATE NEELEY contributing writer
You’ve got to live somewhere, right? Are you renting? Leasing? Owning your own place? Thinking of selling your home? Looking to buy? Most of you likely don’t camp in a tent in the hills, so the housing market is a place you’ll probably find yourself in at different times in your life. The past year has seen some of the most dramatic shifts — in the buyer’s and seller’s market. Given that at some point you might be buying or selling, it would be a good idea to explore what you’ll need to know to jump into the Thinkingarena.of selling your home? Should you hire an agent? Try and just go it on your own, more or less going “For Sale By Owner.” Read ahead for some ideas to get you started in the real estate world. If you decide to try and sell your home on your own, you will need to understand the market, what buying and selling entails, and how to obtain all the proper paperwork for contracts, addendums, and financing. The most common reason people might try to go it alone is to avoid the expense of paying an agent with a percentage of the pay out from the sale of the However,property. attempting this on your own comes at a cost. If you don’t know the market or the value of your home, you might sell your home for much less than it is worth. There are a lot of things to sort through in selling and buying
The real estate market shifts and property values can change drastically in a short amount of time. If you’re ready to take the plunge, or find yourself in need of relocating, be prepared for an exciting ride and likely a few unexpected twists and turns. Having some trustworthy knowledge by your side, whether hard-earned or in human form as an agent, can make or break your buying and/or selling endeavor.
What about if you’re looking to buy? Using an agent to help you find a place can be especially helpful, and their commission comes from the sale of the property, so you have no cost. Again, they have access to the properties and can help you find places to look at that fit your desires.
| 53 a home, so if you’re not prepared for all that, it can certainly be an overwhelming prospect.
much you’re going to work with your agent, you’ll want to have an agent who really is a good fit for you. “You will spend lots of time with this person. You want to like them. Trust them. You want an agent with experience who is available for you and understands the market conditions,” says a local real estate expert.
Buying a home can be exciting, and selling a property can create new relationships and give you experience and knowledge. It’s also good to know that homes and properties and the stresses of moving can play a part in the process as well. For this reason, try and slow down, do your homework about agents and why they’re recommended. Don’t just pick someone because your uncle’s cousin’s aunt told you they would be good.
What are the benefits of hiring an agent? One of the first benefits of having an agent to help you sell your property is that they have access to good sites that get the most traffic from potential buyers — more eyes will see your property.
On that note, agents often have access to excellent photographers to take pictures of your home that will really highlight the good things for people to see when they’re checking online for places to go.
To find a good agent, the industry recommends word of mouth. Ask around. There might be someone you know who can help you find a trustworthy and knowledgeable agent. Feel free to interview a few agents before settling on the right one for you.
The agent can also give you ideas on how to get your home ready to sell. They have experience knowing what potential buyers often look for in a property, so they can help you make needed repairs or create better curb appeal in your Withhome.how
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