Cache Valley Family Magazine Summer 2022

SUMMER 2022

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Local High School Grad Spotlights Yoga with No Legs: A Tribute to My Mother

COVER STORY:

Celebrating a Centennial of Aggie Ice Cream

Six Favorite Cache Valley Hiking Trails Summer and Screens: Ideas for More IRL Adventures

Your MBA. Your way.

WITH

3

DELIVERY OPTIONS:

Face-to-face Live Broadcast Interactive Online

Mikayla Foster 2021 Utah State MBA Graduate

Ask about our entrance exam waiver.

Currently accepting applications.

Apply now!

UtahStateMBA.com

70 E 400 N Suite 110, Logan, UT 84321 | haircutsarefun.com | (435) 999-4297

Discover How Much Fun a Haircut Can Be! One-of-a-kind haircutting experience that includes: • Safe, fun, friendly environment • Experienced stylists & staff who enjoy working with children of all abilities • Wide range of fantasy cars/chairs • TVs at each cutting station • Bubbles and suckers • Indoor slide @cookiecuttersloganut

@cookiecutters.logan

4 | Summer 2022

Best of Cache Valley Awards

VOTE! Best of Cache Valley cachevalleyfamilymagazine.com

Celebrate the best businesses and services in our community by nominating your favoriest for the 2022 Best of Cache Valley Awards! Voting is open May 18 through August 5. Winners will be announced in our Fall 2022 issue.

BEST BREAKFAST

BEST DERMATOLOGIST

BEST HOME BUILDER

BEST LUNCH

BEST FAMILY DOCTOR

BEST HOME REPAIR

BEST DINNER

BEST DENTIST

BEST CARPET CLEANER

BEST BURGER

BEST PEDIATRIC DENTIST

BEST PLUMBER

BEST FAST FOOD BEST PIZZA BEST ETHNIC FOOD BEST DESSERT BEST COOKIE BEST BAKERY

BEST ORTHODONTIST BEST OBSTETRICIAN BEST EYE DOCTOR BEST CHIROPRACTOR BEST PHARMACY

BEST ELECTRICIAN BEST ROOFER BEST GARDEN CENTER/NURSERY BEST LANDSCAPER/YARD CARE BEST PEST CONTROL BEST AUTO CARE

BEST ICE CREAM

BEST HOTEL

BEST CAR WASH

BEST FOOD TRUCK

BEST BANK OR CREDIT UNION

BEST CAR SALES

BEST SODA SHOP

BEST LIVE ENTERTAINMENT

BEST FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHER

BEST SALON/SPA

BEST FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT

BEST CHILDREN’S PHOTOGRAPHER

BEST NAIL SALON

BEST DATE NIGHT VENUE

BEST WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER

BEST TANNING SALON

BEST SUMMER CAMP

BEST VIDEOGRAPHER

BEST BARBERSHOP

BEST SPORTS CAMP

BEST LITTLE KID ENTERTAINMENT

BEST HEALTH AND FITNESS CENTER

BEST MUSIC PROGRAM

BEST BIG KID ENTERTAINMENT

BEST GYMNASTICS/TUMBLING BEST DANCE STUDIO BEST FLORIST BEST EVENT VENUE BEST CATERER

BEST CHILDREN’S PLAY PLACE BEST PRESCHOOL BEST CHILDCARE CENTER BEST PET CARE

BEST BIRTHDAY PARTY VENUE BEST RAINY DAY FUN BEST APPAREL BEST HOME DÉCOR BEST CHILDREN’S STORE

BEST MORTUARY

BEST SPORTING GOODS STORE

BEST EMPLOYER

BEST REALTOR

BEST ANNUAL EVENT

BEST GROCERY STORE

BEST HOME MORTGAGE

BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE-DINING

BEST PEDIATRICIAN

BEST INSURANCE AGENT/AGENCY

BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE-RETAIL

BEST FURNITURE STORE

cachevalleyfamilymagazine.com/best-of-cache-valley-awards

|5

Publisher & Editor in Chief

GOOD NEIGHBORS Interest Rates Going UP ... pg 11

EMILY BUCKLEY Copy Editor

FAMILY MATTERS To Cruise or Not to Cruise ... pg 12

TARA BONE Cover Photography

HEATHER PALMER

FAMILY FAITH St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church ... pg 14

Layout Design

WHITE PALM DESIGN Website Design

MAKING A DIFFERENCE Support Fundraising Efforts During the North Logan Library's Summer Reading Program ... pg 20

KITE MEDIA CLAIRE ANDERSON MARK ANDERSON TARA BONE EMILY BUCKLEY MICHAEL COLE, OD PHIL COWLEY JENTRIE HALES SARAH LYONS MIKE MCKNIGHT KATE NEELEY MADISON OKUMURA FRANK SCHOFIELD LETICIA SHIFFLET WIL WOOD

PAGE 17

IN EVERY ISSUE

Contributing Writers

PAGE 24

HEALTHY FAMILIES Do Dangerous Things ... Carefullly ... pg 22 COVER STORY

Celebrating a Centennial of Aggie Ice Cream pg 24

FAMILY TRAVEL Tips for Efficient Packing ... pg 27 EDUCATION Cache County School District: Five Easy Ways to Keep Your Child Engaged Over the Summer ... pg 28 Logan City School District: It's All Right to Wonder ... pg 29

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.

FACT CHECK Ready or Not: Are You Prepared? ... pg 37

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.

Are You Seeing in 3D? ... pg 6 Tips for a Successful Wildflower Garden ... pg 8

PHONE NUMBER

(435) 764-0962

Six Favorite Cache Valley Hiking Trails ... pg 17

MAILING ADDRESS

FEATURED ARTICLES

PO Box 6831 North Logan, UT 84341 EMAIL

info@cachevalleyfamilymagazine.com WEBSITE

cachevalleyfamilymagazine.com FACEBOOK

/cachevalleyfamilymagazine

Summer and Screens: Ideas for More IRL Adventures ... pg 31 Yoga with No Legs: A Tribute to My Mother ... pg 34 Local Gymnasts Shine ... pg 36

YOUTUBE

/cachevalleyfamilymag

2022 High School Grad Spotlights ... pg 39

INSTAGRAM

@cachevalleyfamilymag TO ADVERTISE

Classes + Camps Guide 2022 ... pg 43

call (435) 764-0962 or email ads@cachevalleyfamilymagazine.com

SPONSORS FOR THIS ISSUE

PAGE 31

6 | Summer 2022

Are You Seeing in 3D? MICHAEL COLE, OD

Child and Family Eye Care Center

Depth perception is one aspect of vision that is tested on nearly every patient in our clinic. You might find it surprising to hear that most patients who are found to be unable to see in 3D are not aware that they lack this skill. Most people in this situation use what we call monocular cues to guess distances. For instance, we know an object getting larger is likely getting closer. We use perspective to gain some information about depth. We also know that if an object obscures our view of another object, it must, therefore, be closer to us. So, what sets those skills apart from actual 3D vision?

Three-dimensional perception happens when our eyes each take a separate picture of the scene we are looking at. Due to each image being generated from different angles, our brain can combine the two slightly dissimilar images below into a single representation of space that is no longer flat.

Try this exercise that illustrates this phenomenon: Cross your eyes until you see two separate sets of the images on the right. Allow the photos to partially overlap so the central two boxes are superimposed on top of one another. You should see three boxes instead of two. If you focus on the center image, you will see this scene in three-dimensional space!

For this process to be possible, a few conditions must occur. First, both eyes must be “turned on,” or, in other words, neither eye’s input can be ignored by the brain. In addition, both eyes must be aligned at the same target and distance with one another. If an eye turn is present, a person will either see double, or one eye must be suppressed to avoid double vision. Lastly, both eyes must be relatively equally focused. If the refraction (glasses prescription) in one eye is greatly different than the other, the information from both eyes will not

match and the brain will be unable to use both at the same time. In short, if both eyes cannot be used at the same time, we cannot see in 3D.

regularly. Our vision therapy program enables us to re-train the visual system to make this process happen the way nature intended.

This happens in real life almost constantly, but we can also replicate this artificially with specialized optics and other uses of technology.

For example, in a 3D movie theater we wear glasses that are polarized in different directions — one horizontally and one vertically. This allows the theater to project two images onto the same screen that are also polarized. With this setup, we see an image with one eye and the other image with the fellow eye. If you take the glasses off and view the screen without, you will notice two similar images superimposed on one another, but they are slightly offset. When these two images are combined, we are suddenly immersed in a movie experience that seems to jump right off the screen all around us.

Technology has greatly enhanced our ability to train the visual system. For example, in our clinic we have equipment that utilizes 3D television optics to show each eye a different image. With this tool, we can manipulate and move these images to enhance coordination of the two eyes. Another instrument in our office utilizes virtual reality technology allowing an immersive experience in which we can control the amount and type of information flow to each eye. In clinics across the country, this instrument has changed the way “lazy eye” is treated and has enhanced our outcomes more than were previously thought possible.

In our clinic, we help people see in three dimensions for the first time in their lives quite

Depth perception is the peak of performance regarding the visual system, and an outcome that we desire for all who are treated in our clinic. If you have any questions, or would like to schedule an appointment, please contact our office.

8 | Summer 2022

Tips for a Successful Wildflower Garden MARK ANDERSON

owner, Anderson’s Seed and Garden

Planting wildflower seed is a relatively simple task, but it is not completely easy or effortless. Like any worthwhile gardening project, the more time and effort that you are willing to invest into proper preparation, the more successful you will be. The following steps will help create a wildflower garden that will impress and inspire for years to come.

STEP ONE: CHOOSE YOUR SEASON Many flower and wildflower seeds can be successfully sown at various times throughout the growing season. Though spring is the most common and conventional time of the year to plant flower seed, you can achieve great success by planting in summer and fall as well. For most temperate and colder regions of the United States, spring planting works best a few weeks before the final frost of the winter season. Seed collections that are predominantly annuals prefer later planting, generally around the last

frost. If the annuals germinate early, and a late frost hits, you could lose your annuals for the season. Though it may seem unusual to plant flower seeds in fall, it is our preferred time of year to plant wildflowers. If you do decide to plant your seeds in the fall, make sure to do so after the first killing frost of the season and when the ground is consistently colder to eliminate any chance of germination.

STEP TWO: CHOOSE YOUR SITE Choosing the best possible location on your property can determine the eventual success of your wildflower meadow. The most important factors to consider are first, the amount of average daily sunlight; second, the relative quality of the soil; and third, the accessibility to a water source.

Though many wildflowers do tolerate some filtered shade — and a few actually thrive in

it — the vast majority definitely thrive in full sun and will bloom heaviest and longest where exposure is greatest. Therefore, the general rule of thumb when considering the optimum planting site on your property is “the more sun the better.”

STEP THREE: DETERMINE YOUR DESIRED COVERAGE There is no perfect answer for how much seed is required to create the perfect wildflower meadow. The reason for this, of course, is that each "wild" gardener has his or her own particular ideas about how a meadow or hillside should look for the desired effect. Though some choose to create a sparse “meadowy” look, most others prefer a denser stand of wildflowers that will dazzle and delight come bloom time.

Keep in mind that most perennial and biennial flowers will not bloom the first season, therefore the second and third seasons will

|9

look considerably different from the first. This is why we recommend overseeding the second year to encourage more annual germination and diversity, while allowing the perennials to fully establish. You can see a dramatic difference in any wildflower planting from year one to year three.

Remember, it takes a few years to fully establish a wildflower garden, and a season or two of overseeding (at full or half the recommended rate) will really assist in filling out the flowers to your desired density.

STEP FOUR: CLEAR EXISTING GROWTH AND LOOSEN THE SOIL Though it may sound tempting to randomly

cast your seeds into thin air and hope they will sprout, it is simply a waste of time and money to do so on a site that has not been properly prepared for planting. Though wildflower seeds are tenacious by nature — and a few might even persevere under the most inhospitable of circumstances — they, like all seeds, will perform best when rid of noxious weeds and grasses.

Under perfect conditions, preparing the soil as if you were planting new turf grass would be optimal — remove weeds, loosen soil, rake, seed, roll, perfection! Since that is not always a possibility, even a thin layer of topsoil or mulch (½- to 1-inch deep) spread over the top

of the dead weeds and grasses and raked evenly will work wonders before planting. Of course, also keep in mind that naturally there will be competition from weeds and grasses, so don’t panic when you see them thrive alongside the flowers.

STEP FIVE: SOW YOUR SEED Regardless of the sowing method (by hand or with a spreader), we strongly recommend mixing your seed with sand or vermiculite at a ratio of about 5 parts (sand) to 1 part (seed).

This allows for a more even distribution and provides a convenient way to mark which portions of the site have been seeded and which have not.

Depending on the time of year you plant, you may need to water lightly to encourage germination, or you can allow Mother Nature to take over and keep them damp. Without a water source, they will not germinate. Pay close attention to the weather if you are allowing nature to do the watering, and then supplement as needed. Otherwise, a light sprinkle (roughly 10-15 minutes every other day) should help encourage your new seed to germinate and grow.

That’s it! Once they start to grow, minimal input from you is required to keep things blooming and looking great. Stand back and enjoy your hard work and efforts!

| 11

S PO N S O R E D BY

GOOD NEIGHBORS

Interest Rates Going UP LETICIA SHIFFLET

executive officer, Cache Valley Association of REALTORS®

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, real estate markets, both globally and nationally, have experienced dramatic change.

Home values continue to increase as the demand for housing grows. Since March 2020, home prices have increased by 25% in most areas, making home sales their best in the last 15 years. Coupled with low-interest rates, this demand has provided substantial equity for homeowners.

This demand for new housing (or a change of housing for thousands of current homeowners) combined with low-interest rates, has created

an onslaught of competition for potential home buyers. The demand for new and different housing has also boosted new construction, which saw over 800,000 newly constructed homes being sold last year. Those involved with the building process dealt with both the increased cost and reduced supply of materials, but even those obstacles didn’t seem to slow production and demand.

With so many changes taking place in financial markets around the world, in the country, and within Cache Valley, investors and homeowners are now looking to real estate as a hedge

against inflation. Rising rates and inflation pose challenges as mortgage rates rise. The value of an experienced REALTOR® is realized — more than ever — as buyers and sellers face the constant changes taking place within the market. The knowledge and understanding of these factors make a noticeable difference in the success of real estate transactions.

To continue to make wise investments and decisions regarding homes and properties, both buyers and sellers are turning to the expertise of REALTORS®.

With rising costs and rates, potential buyers looking to purchase a home might be persuaded to wait for a shift in the markets, but both private sector and large apartment owners accelerated rent in the late months of 2021, and the rising costs to rent a home or apartment are set to continue to rise year after year. Not only is rent on the rise, but finding a space to rent has also become more difficult as current rental vacancy rates are at a 40-year low.

With these prospects, waiting may not be the best game plan. While existing home sales are expected to fall a couple of points after massive cumulative growth, home prices are not expected to experience that same fall.

Instead, single-family properties are expected to rise by 4% nationally. With this information in mind, now is the time to make your move.

Contact an experienced REALTOR® to guide you through the details and make your dreams and investments successful.

Whether you are a participant or simply a spectator of the growth of local real estate markets, it’s been an exciting ride!

12 | Summer 2022

FA M I LY M AT T E R S

To Cruise or Not to Cruise TARA BONE

contributing writer

Finding family vacation options that are both budget-friendly and meet your vision of a “perfect” family vacay are top of mind with COVID restrictions lifting and summer around the corner. As you consider options, a cruise may just be what you’re looking for.

This year our family was ready to try something new. So, we budgeted and embarked on a cruise for spring break. There were unexpected bumps in the road, but overall, we loved our time together and the lasting memories we made in beautiful places we’ll probably never see again.

There was so much information to navigate

and at times it was overwhelming. We hope our experience will help you know if cruising is right for your family. Here are a few things we learned: CONQUER FEARS Our family considered a cruise for years, but hesitated. As a child, I was terrified of getting on a ship and bobbing around in the big blue ocean — even though I was a Love Boat fan.

I was plain nervous. One of our sons also opposed the idea. Before you book a cruise see how your family feels about the idea. Look at photos of the ships to see how massive (and safe) they are, learn about new technologies they’re using in ship systems, and talk to others

who have gone. If you can conquer those fears, a cruise is like no other experience.

“HOW DO WE LIKE TO FAMILY VACATION?” Honestly, I had never thought about this question.

Growing up I was grateful to go on our oncea-year trip to Yellowstone or Jackson Hole in between my dad’s farming. I was just grateful for what I got, and still am. But if you’re spending a lot of time and money on a cruise, ask yourself what your “best” family vacation looks like. Is it family time together all the time, or independent time for your kids with some quiet adult time?

Many cruise lines offer activities for both children and teens. There were also babysitting services for

| 13

younger kids (for a fee). And if your kids are vastly different ages (like mine) I spent a lot of time watching my 2-year-old in his designated splash zone wondering how it was going for my teens on the flow rider at the opposite end of the ship.

Bottom line, will you like seeing your kids just at dinner to compare notes, or do you want to be with them more? Each family is different and there’s no right or wrong answer.

RULES — WHAT RULES? This brings us to our next cruise epiphany. With the ages of your children in mind, compare onship entertainment and recreational offerings on each ship along with their restrictions.

Onboard, hassle-free entertainment really is a cruise benefit, but are there age-appropriate options? What are the age restrictions and other rules for pools, slides, sport courts, climbing walls, and even dining venues? It was disappointing to learn how many restrictions there were for our toddler.

Also evaluate how you feel about onboard casinos. Disney cruises offer oodles of kidfriendly entertainment and are casino-free, but are expensive compared to other cruise lines.

FOOD, FOOD, AND MORE FOOD! As a mom of all boys … hungry boys … endless

and all-inclusive food options were a selling point. The food was incredible, and we were so grateful for those who served us. Not only did it help us teach our boys manners and the art of conversation, but they tried new foods and met incredible people. For one of my boys, the dinner experience was his favorite part of the cruise!

CONTROL HIDDEN COSTS We were surprised how quickly additional, unexpected expenses could add up. These included: gratuities, drink packages, excursion packages, picture bundles, and Wifi and phone carrier fees.

• Some cruise lines add a gratuity or service fee automatically to guest credit cards each day. It can be a shock to first-time cruisers.

For more control over gratuity charges, you can opt out of the automatic gratuity payment and personally tip those who help you using cash envelopes provided.

Gratuity recommendations are $3.75 per day for your main waiter, $5 per day for cabin housekeeping staff, $2.15 per day for the assistant waiter, and $.75 per day for the head waiter. Keep in mind this is per day, per person.

• Getting off the ship at different ports is beyond exciting but can also be a tourist trap. Excursions can also be expensive. We

found booking through a “travel counselor” that connects you with dependable, local businesses was a better experience than booking excursions through the cruise line. In fact, booking our entire cruise through Vacations to Go saved us a lot of time and money. Our snorkeling and beach excursion booked through them was a trip highlight.

• We learned after boarding that drink packages are not inclusive on most cruise lines. This included soft drinks. Lesson learned: Read all emails the cruise line sends before you cruise. A soft drink package was over $100 per person for our seven-day cruise, but half the price if ordered before port. Dreams of endless Dr. Pepper were dashed for us.

• A frustration for us was Wifi access and phone charges. Things we learned: If you need it, buy Wifi through your cruise line before boarding for best rates. Check your phone carrier’s international roaming coverage and costs before you cruise, but just to be safe put all phones — including teen phones — on airplane mode or turn them completely off so you don’t get zapped with charges.

OTHER TIPS: • Sea sickness wasn’t a problem using these 100% natural, non drowsy products we ordered from Amazon: South Moon Motion Sickness Patch and Sea Band wristbands.

• Use frequent flyer miles: Check with your credit card or preferred airline to redeem discounts or tickets.

• Read all emails from the cruise line leading up to departure.

• Inside cabin vs. ocean view cabin. If saving money is the most important consideration or you won’t use your room much, an inside cabin saves money. Ocean view and balcony rooms offer natural light, fresh air, and the sounds of the sea, which are a fun experience for kids. Check cruise line rates.

• Read all the fine print when it comes to COVID and vaccine guidelines.

Requirements are changing all the time, but COVID tests, at date of publication, are required to board, regardless of vaccination and age status.

• Make sure to have COVID vaccination cards and passports when boarding.

• Discuss basic manners with kids before boarding. Specifically, for elevators, patiently waiting in line, table manners, and saying “please” and “thank you.”

14 | Summer 2022

FA M I LY FA I T H

This is the fourth 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.

St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church TARA BONE

contributing writer

Since the Catholic church’s first mass in Cache Valley 104 years ago, the church has grown along with the Valley, steadily outgrowing buildings and overcoming challenges to become a thriving faith community with members throughout the region, but centered at the St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Hyde Park.

Father Joseph Minuth, parish administrator, says this year has been a rebuilding year while the church experiences new growth. He and church members are putting an emphasis on reintroducing traditions that have been lost with creation of a group called “Luke Two Forty”. The group’s goal is to teach youth underlying gospel truths and bring back “things that make life rich.”

“The hope is that by bringing back these feasts and festivals, they will remind youth that they are descendants of many people who fought for them to have their faith,” Father Joseph said. “It just didn’t happen. We had to work at it.”

Father Joseph says over time, honored traditional celebrations fell away. Many of

these celebrations have ancient origins and some include All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day in November, Our Lady of Guadalupe in December, St. Joseph’s Table in March, The Crowning of Mary on Mother’s Day, and Mardi Gras, which is 47 days before Easter.

Often these celebrations bridge cultures — both anciently and modernly, as is the case with the Our Lady of Guadalupe (OLOG) Mass and celebration. Father Joseph says St. Thomas has an active and vibrant Hispanic population that looks forward to this celebration. Held every December at the church, it reminds all Catholics of reconciliation among different groups.

According to writer and church member, Christina Ledesma, during the celebration Danza Azteca Queutzalcoatl, a performing group from Idaho with 20 to 25 dancers in brightly colored and feathered costumes, honors OLOG through reverent dance and rhythmic music.

Rogelio Luna, a Danza Azteca Queutzalcoatl member explains, “The dance is Aztec and represents the bridge between two cultures

that existed when Mexico was conquered by the Spaniards. The dance helped unify the Aztec … to embrace the Catholic faith.”

Bringing people together of all cultures and ages has been part of St. Thomas from the beginning. Their first church, dedicated in 1942, housed parishioners at 45 East 500 North in

| 15

Logan until members outgrew the space in the mid-1950s. Then the diocese purchased a former fraternity near Utah State University (USU) at 795 North 800 East and it became St. Jerome’s Parish and a Newman Center that serves USU students.

When parishioners outgrew this chapel, they worked to plan and raise funds for a new building. In 2005, the current chapel and community center in Hyde Park was dedicated. St. Thomas provides Mass every day, and offers a variety of programs for youth and adults. The church’s volunteer ministries deliver services to hundreds of local residents.

Rita Hofmeister of Richmond has been a devout member of St. Thomas for 13 years; she serves the church, Cache County Food Pantry, and Meals on Wheels. She’s known for her never-ending service, smile, and favorite color purple!

Father Joseph has only been in Cache Valley since August 2021 and has been busy overseeing the growing church, but has enjoyed his experience.

St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church construction in Hyde Park, 2004-2005

“The people I’ve worked with are amazing and wonderful,” he said. “They are very self-giving, and, in my experience, those are the happiest people there are.”

One of those “happiest” people at St. Thomas is Rita Hofmeister. Rita is an 88-year-old member from Richmond who says she has been a Catholic all her life and finds joy in her ministries. Rita sets up mass often for Father, delivers communion to those who can’t come to church, volunteers for Meals on Wheels and the Cache Food Pantry every week, and is known for her smile and wearing purple every day.

Of St. Thomas Aquinas she says, “I don’t ever want to leave [St. Thomas Aquinas]; everyone is so willing to do anything you ask,” Rita said. “I’m very blessed and lucky.”

| 17

Six Favorite Cache Valley Hiking Trails MIKE MCKNIGHT

professional Ultra Runner and coach, lowcarb-runner.com

When I was a student at Utah State University, I once hiked the Wind Caves trail three times in one day, once by myself, once for a date, and once with my roommates. I only knew of six trails at the time: Wind Caves, Crimson Trail, Green Canyon, Providence, Bonneville Shoreline, and the River Trail. I hiked the Wind Caves the most, and easily hit that trail a couple times a month. “It’s the best trail in Cache Valley!”

Fortunately, I learned about and developed a passion for trail running, and through that process I learned that there are so many other amazing trails in the valley. I’ll even use some boldness and say that we have the best trail access in Utah, even better than many areas in Colorado.

In 2019, my family and I moved to Denver, Colorado for work. We only lived there for two months before we realized how much we missed Cache Valley’s mountain access.

So, I quit my job and we moved right back.

Throughout my nine years of trail running in Cache Valley, I’ve explored hundreds of trail miles in our mountains. Below are six of my favorites, which I encourage you to explore this summer! I also encourage you to download the All Trails app, and even consider paying for the premium account.

The descriptions I provide below are very generic and may be confusing for those who aren’t familiar with the area. With the All Trails app, you’re able to download hiking routes to use as a guide straight from your phone. Please do your research on any trails

you hike and make sure you pack plenty of food and water.

BEGINNER Lower Smithfield Canyon: This trail starts out easy, but becomes more difficult a couple of miles in. However, the lower section is beautiful and worth checking out if you haven’t. It follows alongside the Smithfield Canyon River and crosses it multiple times. Don’t worry, every crossing now has a way to get across without getting your feet wet.

Directions: From Mack Park in Smithfield, head east on Canyon Road for 4.3 miles until you reach the Smithfield Canyon parking area. From there, the road turns to dirt and quickly crosses … continued on next page

g n i r e t a C let us take care of the cooking so you can enjoy the day!

Online

order

We love serving the communites of Cache Valley!

Thanks for 41 great years! We look forward to many wonderful years ahead!

let us shop for you & pick-up your order curbside!

18 | Summer 2022

continued from previous page … a bridge over the river. Continue on the dirt road for just over 2 miles until the dirt road ends at the trailhead.

Sawmill: This is my favorite trail in the Temple Fork area. The entire trail follows a small creek, and typically has multiple Beaver Dams that hikers can observe. The trail is an out-and-back and is a total of 5.3 miles.

Directions: From First Dam, head east through Logan Canyon on US-89 for just under 15 miles until you reach Temple Fork. Turn right and head up the road for approximately 1 mile until you reach the trailhead.

MODERATE/HARD Spring Hollow: In terms of scenery and terrain, this trail is very diverse. It starts steep and rocky, and quickly leads to a section of trail that goes through a field of shale. It continues through thick trees, another shale field, and more thick trees. The end of the trail connects to an ATV road which either leads to Logan Peak (left) or Inspiration Point (right). At this junction, it’s only two miles down the road until you hit Inspiration Point, which is one of my favorite spots in the valley. This trail is an outand-back and is approximately 12 miles.

ADVANCED Mount Elmer: This trail starts out easy, as it begins in Green Canyon. Once you venture into the Naomi Wilderness boundary, the canyon narrows, and the trail gets steeper.

You’ll eventually reach a junction where you can head north to Elmer, or south to Beirdneau. Head north and you’ll reach the saddle west of Mount Elmer and will have a short journey until you hit the base of Elmer.

The trail is an out-and-back and is around 11 miles total.

Directions: In Logan, drive east on 1900 North and continue following the road as it enters Green Canyon. The Green Canyon Trailhead is located 4 miles up Green Canyon at a parking area near the end of the road.

Flat Top: This is my favorite peak in the valley.

From the top, you can see many of the major peaks in the Bear River Range. This trail is steep and often overgrown. But it is well worth it.

Following the trail is very straightforward until you reach the saddle at 8,900 feet. You can head north to the summit of Flat Top, forward to head down Birch Canyon, or southeast to Jardine. The trail is an out-and-back and is around 11.5 miles total. You do have the option to make it a longer journey (approximately 17 miles) by heading down Birch Canyon and reconnecting at the mouth of Dry. Directions: In Smithfield, drive East on 300 south.

The road will eventually turn to dirt, which you can continue driving on for another mile until you reach a parking area for the trailhead.

Directions: From Third Dam, walk up the paved road around .25 miles until the road ends at a bridge. Cross the bridge and continue on the single-track trail until you reach a junction for the Crimson Trail. Head straight past the junction.

Cottonwood/Jardine Juniper Loop: Another trail that has gained popularity in Cache Valley is the Jardine Juniper trail. This trail leads to Cache Valley’s oldest living tree. What many people don’t know is that there is an alternative route, which starts in Cottonwood Canyon.

The trail begins somewhat easy and has many river crossings. Some have bridges, and some don’t. The trail eventually gets steeper and wraps around the backside of Jardine Juniper, and connects with the main trail just before the sitting bench which overlooks the meadow.

You’ll continue to the tree, then drop down below it on a steep rocky trail which eventually connects back to the Cottonwood Canyon Trail.

The two connect fairly close to the parking area of Cottonwood.

Directions: From First Dam, head east through Logan Canyon on US-89 for just over 12 miles.

Parking area will be on the left side of the road, just before a large curve in the road.

Home - Holiday - Gift

you’re invited to our

Join us for drinks & refreshments, giveaways, discounts, & fun!

25 15

%off ONE ITEM STORE-OWNED

%off ENTIRE PURCHASE

SATURDAY, JUNE 11th | Open House 10am-9pm

20 | Summer 2022

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Support Fundraising Efforts During the North Logan Library’s Summer Reading Program EMILY BUCKLEY

editor in chief

Every summer libraries across Cache Valley go above and beyond to help kids stay engulfed in learning during their time off from school. Summer reading programs exist at most local libraries and include much more than reading trackers and challenges. Most include STEM activies, events for teens, craft and art events, performances, and more.

This year, North Logan City Library’s summer reading program is combining their mission to keep kids’ minds active with efforts to raise funds for a large library expansion project, library remodel, and new community center. The library expansion will focus on a new children’s area adjacent to the existing library space, and a new, larger city office will free up space in the library currently being used

as North Logan’s City Council chambers and an allpurpose city meeting room.

by the Dell Loy Hansen Family Foundation, so you are helping the library twice!” James said.

“We are so excited to announce the building of our new civic center and the remodeling of the current library!” James Britsch, North Logan City library director, said. “This new civic center will allow us to host even bigger events for the whole valley to enjoy. We need your help raising funds. Our goal is to raise $80,000.”

This year’s North Logan Library’s summer reading theme is “Oceans of Possibilities.” Throughout the summer, teens and children will earn rewards to keep them motivated and excited to read.

A great way to make a difference and support this great community-benefiting cause is to participate in the North Logan Library’s fundraising events this summer.

“Your donations [at these events] will be matched

Public Services Librarian Heidi Taylor said that local businesses have been incredibly supportive, and have donated hundreds of prizes and coupons for the library's summer reading programs.

“Summer reading programs are one of my favorite times of year,” Heidi said. “It is such a huge undertaking. We start planning in January.”

435.919.7234 | CACHE VALLEY'S REALTORS | 33 N. MAIN

| 21

Heidi said that research conducted by the School Library Journal has found that reading over the summer provides many benefits, including improved reading skills, increased desire to read, improved self-esteem, neutralized summer learning loss, improved comprehension, and improved memory.

“I have seen this come true in my own family with my son,” Heidi said. “When he was in third grade he really struggled to read and didn’t have the desire to read. We first had to find something he wanted to learn about. I discovered he loved to read graphic novels and non-fiction. From there we signed him up for the summer reading program. Once he went back to school, his scores doubled. The teacher

said that reading over the summer contributed to his improvement. If you need help finding the right book for your child, please let us know and we will be happy to help!”

Sign-ups for the North Logan Library summer reading program, which is open to all community members, not just those who reside in North Logan, begin on May 23.

The Summer Fundraising Party and Summer Reading Kick-Off Party will be on June 10 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the North Logan Library. The event will include bounce houses, summer reading information, outdoor lawn games, Star Wars characters, a local balloon artist, goodie bags for

the first 1,000 youth ages 1-17, raffle items from local businesses, and activity booths run by Stokes Nature Center, CAPSA, the Family Place, and Little Lambs. Donations of $1 per person or $10 for a family of five or more are recommended, but not required.

The North Logan Library will host additional events all summer, including book sales, story times, craft days, adult book clubs, and live performances. Visit northloganlibrary.org/events for a full list of events and details.

FUNDRAISING EVENTS AT THE NORTH LOGAN LIBRARY: • Summer Fundraising Party and Summer Reading Program Kickoff: June 10, at 6:308:30 p.m. Suggested Donation of $1 per person or $10 per family of five or more.

• Movie Nights on the Grass at Greenville Elementary: June 17 and July 15 at 9 p.m.

• Bingo Nights: June 21 and July 19 at 7 p.m. 18 years and older. Win prizes and support the library! Entry Fee is $20.

• Art Festival & Art Auction: July 30, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Professional-level artists are encouraged to enter art pieces (min. $50 sale value) for the Art Auction. More information at the library’s website.

22 | Summer 2022

H E A LT H Y FA M I L I E S

Do Dangerous Things … Carefully PHIL COWLEY

@philsmypharmacist, Cache Valley Pharmacy

When I was 17, I built a water balloon launcher in the back of my truck using two-inch wood dowels to mount into the truck bed. It could shoot a good block and a half, with each shot the dowels rattled against the metal of the truck. The wood weakened until it snapped, and the wood dowel stuck into my shin. That same year I was dumped by my girlfriend.

By the time my dating career was over I was dumped seven times.

I see so many young adults unprepared for life. Here are a few lessons that kids should know that I learned on that day with a two-inch piece of wood sticking out of my leg and the years that followed: First, inflammation isn’t the worst thing in the world. Inflammation is there to protect us from injuries, physical or emotional. For physical injuries take Ibuprofen and Tylenol, cool the joint with ice, and rest it.

Emotionally injuries also cause inflammation, too many feelings and no way to fit them all in. Emotional inflammation needs time and room to be what it needs to be, both types of inflammation are essential to the growth of children.

Second, pain is not bad, it’s simply a reminder of things we shouldn’t continue to do. When physical pain is suffered, we learn not to jump off a cliff that high, not to touch something hot, and that when your friend says, “You’ll be fine,” you probably won’t be. Emotional pain is different for some reason. We too often return to the same thing that caused us pain. Emotional pain takes more experience, guidance, and time to learn to manage. Kids need to have both types of pain in their lives in order to survive.

Don’t do your kids a disservice by sheltering them from pain. It is the

@philsmypharmacist works at the Cache Valley Pharmacy now located at 2380 North 400 East, Logan.

small failures in life that truly prepare us to become adults. Let your children fail. Let your children learn that pain is necessary in life so we can learn. I can give medications to help cope with both types of pain, but the essential nature of pain is crucial in our development to survive.

Finally, you must care for your wounds or they will get infected. When I removed the two-inch piece of wood, I had to make sure all remnants were removed, flush it with saline that was sterile, apply a topical antibiotic, and change the dressings. Young adults with nasty infections because they didn’t clean their wound are way too common.

Interpersonal relationships are hard for kids. It’s OK to get dumped, even it has been seven times. Growth comes from cleaning the emotional wounds as well.

Teach your kids how. Don’t be afraid to let your kids do dangerous things … carefully.

24 | Summer 2022

Celebrating a Centennial of Aggie Ice Cream EMILY BUCKLEY

editor in chief

Happy Birthday, Aggie Ice Cream! January 21, 2022 marked the 100-year anniversary of the quintessential Cache Valley treat, and Utah State University (USU) is celebrating all year!

Aggie Ice Cream is a part of Cache Valley and USU history that stretches back to the University’s Utah Agricultural College (UAC) roots.

In 1920, Professor Gustav Wilster arrived on campus and would forever transform the college creamery as well as the ice cream business in Utah. Professor Wilster, known as the father of Aggie Ice Cream, previously taught at the Queensland Agricultural College in Australia before moving to the United States. He then taught at Iowa State University before coming to Utah to revitalize the UAC’s curriculum in the Department of Dairying after setbacks that were caused by the 1919 influenza pandemic.

Although the college dairy had made milk available on campus for decades, including an all-you-can-drink supply of free buttermilk at the entrance to the Animal Industries Building to feed many hungry students, Professor Wilster came to teach dairy food processing, and that included making ice cream.

Using newly purchased machinery and a passion for teaching, Professor Wilster reopened the doors of the Aggie Creamery in January 1921 with a new focus on selling student-made ice cream to the public and student body alike.

Student Life, the school’s newspaper that preceded the current Utah Statesman, chronicled the event: “The Dairy Department under the direction of Professor Gustav Wilster is now making lacto ice cream, which has never before been produced in Utah, the formula for which he brought from Iowa. It is a frozen ice cream made from pasteurized milk that has been ripened with pure culture and then had sugar and flavoring added. This new product is meeting with great favor locally.”

Professor Wilster and his students put their skills to the test when 2,500 people camped on the campus Quad for the annual UAC Farmer’s Encampment and enjoyed Aggie Creamery ice cream, milk, and cheese.

Several of Professor Wilster’s students went on to found iconic ice cream businesses across Utah, including Casper Merrill who opened Casper’s Ice Cream and invented the Fat Boy Ice Cream Sandwich and Asael Farr who founded Farr Better Ice Cream in Ogden.

A BLAST FROM THE PAST Historial photos provided by Utah State University.

The Aggie Creamery has moved around campus over the decades from its original spot in the basement of Old Main, to a small building on the Quad, and later to the Animal Industry Building. The Aggie Creamery is now in the C. Anthon Ernstrom Nutrition and Food Sciences Building on the corner of 750 North and 1200 East in Logan.

The Aggie Creamery production and store both underwent renovations in 2018, with the addition of a Soda Shoppe.

As a testament to Aggie Ice Cream’s quality, the Creamery was awarded the Best Ice Cream in

| 25

Aggie Ice Cream Quick Facts:

MEET THE JAYCEE AND BAYLEE CARROLL FAMILY

• The Aggie Creamery produces about 50,000 gallons of ice cream every year.

• Aggie Blue Mint is by far the most popular flavor, by at least 20%. Aggie Bull Tracks, Vanilla, and True Aggie Night are the next three favorite flavors.

• The Aggie Creamery currently produces and serves 31 flavors.

• May's flavor of the month is S'More Aggie (toasted marshmallow-flavored ice cream with graham crackers, marshmallows, chocolate pieces, and chocolate swirl). Stop in or follow @AggieIceCream on Instagram or Facebook to learn about special monthly flavors throughout 2022 for the centennial celebration.

• June 21 has been officially declared Aggie Ice Cream Day in Utah! Watch their social media for details about a celebration that will include activities for kids, discounts on ice cream, and prizes.

Who better to pose for a cover photo on the Utah State University Quad than the Carroll Family?

Jaycee is a 2021 USU Athletics Hall of Fame inductee, who is one of the greatest basketball players in USU history. He played for USU from 2005-2008. He was a two-time All-American, twotime first-team all-Western Athletic Conference (WAC) selection and the 2008 WAC Player of the Year. Jaycee went on to play professionally with Real Madrid and was the Spanish League’s top scorer in 2010 and 2011 and the EuroCup’s top scorer in 2011.

He met his wife Baylee while playing ball at USU. She was a cheerleader for four years. They were married the summer before their senior year in the Logan Temple. After graduating from USU they moved to Italy where they welcomed their first daughter Bella (now 13). Their next daughter, Alba (now 11) was born while they lived in the Canary Islands, and their youngest children, Zoee (now 8) and Jagger (now 5), were born while they were living Spain.

The family returned to Cache Valley to plant roots and follow their dreams of owning a ranch. Jaycee also works in financial and wealth management and coaches Bella’s club basketball team, while Baylee is a cheer coach at Mountain Crest High School.

Their beautiful property in Wellsville is home to a leased alfalfa farm and their Riverview Meadow Wagyu Ranch and Apiary (rivermeadowranchwagyu. com and rivermeadowranchapiary.com).

After living around the world, Baylee said, “We wouldn’t have it any other way than to be here in Cache Valley, with the beautiful mountains, all of the the outdoor things to do, and a university atmosphere. This is the perfect place to raise a family.”

the Cache Valley Family Magazine’s Best of Cache Valley Awards in 2021 and Best of State: Ice Cream in 2021, an honor previously awarded in 2016. Aggie Ice Cream was also voted Logan’s best ice cream in 2017 by a Logan City poll and Utah’s best ice cream in 2016 by KSL. In 2017, Deseret News readers voted Aggie Ice Cream as the best over the BYU Creamery.

“For a century now, Cache Valley residents and USU students, faculty, and alumni have made Aggie Ice Cream a part of their personal and family traditions,” Bridgett said. “Countless milestones and events have been celebrated with Aggie Ice Cream, and now you can enjoy the treat while celebrating its centennial milestone.”

Aggie Ice Cream store manager, Bridgett Liberty attributes Aggie Ice Cream’s longevity to the quality of the milk produced by the USU Caine Dairy, a commitment to traditional methods, and community support.

Bridgett emphasized that the centennial celebrations will focus on giving back to the community. “Aggie Ice Cream wouldn’t be what it is without support from the community and customers who visit faithfully,” she said.

This support is not only local, though.

It extends around the region, and sometimes around the globe. Bridgett said that since online purchasing became available in 2020, Aggie Ice Cream has been shipped to as far as Switzerland, over 5,000 miles away.

To be certain you don’t miss the chance to try some new flavors, or enjoy some favorite flavors from the past that will be brought back during the Aggie Ice Cream Centennial celebration, follow @AggieIceCream on Facebook and Instagram.

| 27

FA M I LY T R AV E L

Tips for Efficient Packing SARAH LYONS

contributing writer

Family vacations are a great way to enjoy time away from the daily routine and create lasting memories. But if you are anything like me, packing for a family trip can be overwhelming, especially if you have multiple kids to pack for. As a mom of six, I’ve learned the hard way how to make our vacation packing more efficient.

Start by making a master list. If you don’t have a list, you are bound to forget things. I have a list on my computer that I can copy, paste, edit, and print each time we are going out of town. I have additional lists for the type of trip. For example, we would need to bring different items if we are camping versus staying in a hotel. If you edit this list after each trip, it will become perfectly tuned to your family.

Once you have a list, begin to delegate. My older kids receive a copy of their list and are told to pack their own bag.

go over the bag they packed to make sure they have everything.” Jenny McKeever, mother of two, said. “This gives kids choices selecting items along with becoming responsible for packing, with just a little guidance from you.” This system helps reduce the amount of packing the parent has to do because it leaves them in charge of packing themselves, rather than one person packing things for the whole family.

For the most efficient packing, items can be packed by outfit. One option is to place a shirt, pants, underwear, and socks together and place them in a zip-top bag and seal. When you arrive at your destination, kids can grab a bag for the day. Dirty clothes can be placed back into the bag after use.

“I am a roller,” Holly Searles, mother of four, said. “I take an outfit, pants, shirt, underwear, and socks and then tightly roll them together. I often use a hair tie to secure the girls' outfits.”

“Everyone gets a master checklist of items for the trip. Together, we Whether you decide to roll or use the zip-top bag method, remember to place the outfits needed first on the top of the suitcase.

Another way to make packing more efficient is to bring less. Make sure you only bring what you absolutely need, or you may find that the family vehicle is bursting at the seams.

2022

“I do not bring a lot of stuff for the car ride,” Sarah Imbierowiz, mother of seven, said. “My kids do very well with a small toy, coloring book, small activity book, reading book, and the DVD player going.”

Remember that most items that are forgotten can be bought, borrowed, or gone without for a short time while you enjoy your vacation. The most important thing to remember is to plan ahead. If you have a complete list and you start working on packing well in advance, it should go smoothly, and you will be able to enjoy your vacation without dreading the packing that goes along with it.

28 | Summer 2022

P RE S E N TE D BY

E D U C AT I O N U P D AT E

A SUMMER OF SCIENCE:

Five Easy Ways to Keep Your Child Engaged in the Learning Process Over the Summer MADISON OKUMURA

public information office intern, Cache County School District

Summer is here! It is an exciting time when students take a break from their hard work in the classroom, but just because the days are longer and nights are warmer doesn’t mean that education has to stop. Encouraging curiosity and learning over the summer break helps prevent the “summer slide” where students lose some of their achievement gains from the previous school year. Relaxing summer days with free time outside can provide many opportunities for children to read, explore, and discover the wonder of the world around them.

Science experiments are a great way to keep children excited about learning. Cache Valley is full of opportunities to experience summer fun while being engaged in the learning process.

Here are some simple, hands-on science experiments that you and your child can do from your home or around the Valley: 1. Create a live ecosystem in a jar. Take a mason jar, head up a canyon, and find a stream or dam. Have your child collect rocks of all sizes to layer the bottom of the jar. Fill the jar with mud, live plants, and other natural objects, such as moss or bark. Then, pour water from the dam into the jar and seal it off. Take it home and place it in a sunny spot. As the water settles, you will see different types of organisms living in your ecosystem.

2. Blow up a balloon with a water bottle. Grab an empty plastic water bottle. Add one-fourth of a cup of white vinegar and one-fourth of a cup of water. Using a funnel, fill the balloon a fourth of the way with baking soda. Secure the balloon to the top of the bottle, making sure not to spill any baking soda into the vinegar. Next, flip the balloon over, dumping the baking soda into the water and vinegar mix. As the baking soda mixes with the vinegar and water, it creates carbon dioxide, inflating the balloon.

3. Visit the Stokes Nature Center. Located in Logan Canyon, the Stokes Nature Center offers a variety of activities throughout the summer to educate children and adults about animals, ecosystems, and Logan Canyon itself. Once a month, you can participate in Canyon Adventures, a free activity that teaches about the canyon and nature through hands-on activities. Take a walk on the nature trail and observe the different plants, flowers, bugs, and animals.

4. Demonstrate how mountains form. As our earth moves and continents shift, hills and peaks form. Recreate this phenomenon by layering folded bath towels on top of each other to represent rock layers. Place the layer of towels in between two boxes that will represent continents. As you push the two boxes together, the layers of towels will bend, creating mountains and valleys. After doing this simple experiment, take your child on a drive through the valley and observe the peaks and folds in the mountains.

5. Make ice cream in a bag. Teach your child how rock salt lowers the melting point of ice, allowing liquid cream to freeze, making ice cream. Fill a gallon-sized Ziplock bag with two cups of half and half, one-fourth of a cup of sugar, and two teaspoons of vanilla extract. Seal the bag, getting as much air out as possible. Fill another gallon-sized bag with six to eight cups of ice and one-third of a cup of rock salt. Place the bag of ice cream mix into the bag of ice, sealing out as much air as you can. Protect your hands from the cold by wearing gloves or covering the bag with a towel. Shake the mixture for 15 minutes or until the ice cream has solidified, then enjoy your homemade summer treat!

These five learning activities are just a few ideas that anyone can do to keep their children entertained while encouraging them to continue learning. Discover the fun this summer by trying one of these science experiments!

| 29

PR E S EN TE D BY

E D U C AT I O N U P D AT E

It's All Right to Wonder FRANK SCHOFIELD

superintendent, Logan City School District

Did You Know? Did You Know?

Did You Know That it’s All Right to Wonder?

These first lines from a song debuted by Fred Rogers in 1979 pose a question that might seem unnecessary. Do we really need a reminder that it’s OK to wonder? Yet in a world that can often seem obsessed with having the “right” answer to whatever question or challenge we are presented with, we all might need permission to wonder a little more and worry less about simply making sure we are right.

This becomes especially important with children. Curiosity, our sense of wonder, is one of the best ways to help children learn new things. In 2009, researchers at Caltech (California Institute of Technology) found that when we are curious our brains indicate “the type of feeling you have before the curtain goes up on a play you have wanted

to see for a long time.” When research participants felt this curiosity, their brains were more powerfully primed to learn new things, and retain that new knowledge, making curiosity a prime element of effective learning.

In addition to helping us learn, curiosity inspires experimentation and innovation.

It increases our adaptability as we are open to new questions and ideas. It can lead to empathy as we seek to understand the experiences of others, and it encourages the exploration that leads each of us to new experiences and interests that enrich our personal lives. Curiosity is so important, so fundamental to who we are as human beings, that psychologists put it on par with the drive to eat and sleep!

Considering the ways in which curiosity can positively affect us, we each have an interest in encouraging curiosity in the children we engage with. In the book When You Wonder You’re Learning: Mister Roger’s Enduring Lesson for Raising Creative, Curious, Caring Kids, the authors have a number of recommendations for doing just that. For example: • “When kids are in a state of wonder, they’re more likely to retain what they see, hear, and experience. Pay attention to what elicits children’s curiosity — when their interest is piqued, their brains are primed for learning. When kids ask why the wind blows or why leaves change color in the fall, it’s sometimes helpful to ask open-ended questions in return, especially if you’re not entirely sure of the answer yourself. The process of discovery can be just as important as finding the factually correct answer.”

• “Once I saw a teacher who had in her classroom something called an ‘Ask

it Basket.’ When children would ask a question, she would write it down and say, ‘That’s a great one to put in the Ask it Basket.’ Whether or not you could answer it as the adult — either in that moment or later on — that simple action told children that their questions matter.”

• “Kids can catch curiosity, so it’s important for them to see adults indulging interests of their own. What makes you curious? What do you love to do, and why? If you’re not sure, this is a great excuse to reexamine old hobbies — to pull out those abandoned paintbrushes or dust off that old guitar.

It’s also helpful to verbalize your questions and thoughts: ‘I wonder what would happen if I mix these colors together?’ or, ‘How does this knob change the instrument’s sound?”

As families engage in activities this summer, the opportunities to encourage curiosity are practically limitless! Whether we are indoors or outdoors, with a large group or one-onone, during the day or at night, adults can find ways to demonstrate their own curiosity and encourage the curiosity of the children they care for. If these activities feel less structured than we as adults might like, remember the closing lines of Mr. Rogers’ song “Did You Know”: “Did you know when you wonder, you’re learning?

Did you know when you marvel, you’re learning?

About all kinds of wonderful, All kinds of marvelous, Marvelously wonderful things?”

I hope you have a marvelously curious summer!

| 31

SUMMER AND SCREENS:

Ideas for More IRL Adventures JENTRIE HALES

community advocate, @techhealthyfamily

Summer equals swimming, fun in the sun, snowcones, and SCREENS. It’s fair to say that there are lots of good intentions when summer starts to make meaningful memories and spend time outside. However, those pesky attention-seeking devices can distract from those experiences, prevent kids from going outside, and stimulate the brain at all hours of the night. Make this summer less of a headache by incorporating these tools and others to have more In Real Life (IRL) summer adventures.

MAKE A MEDIA PLAN You know when you see a friend and you say something like “We need to get together soon,” and you know that’s actually not going to happen unless you make a plan right then and there to do that? The same is true for our intentions with screens. Good intentions are only that until you put them into action. Media plans can help with the doing part. Make a plan that is clear, understood by everyone, and that you are willing and able to follow through with.

Include the whole family in the process as much as possible. You can find great online templates to utilize.

REPEAT AFTER ME, "SCREENS ARE A PRIVILEGE" No matter how much your child emphasizes that all of their friends have this or that device, having access to electronics is not an inherent right. While I agree that aspects of these devices are helpful and beneficial to kids and teens, many functions are not crucial.

Consider these privilege-reinforcer-tactics based on the age and trust level of your child: • A screen-time checklist of chores, time outside, reading, etc., before using their device.

• Charge and store devices in a central location.

• Ask permission and state intentions before using devices.

It feels like devices, and especially phones, feel scarier to frame in this way. However, if your … continued on next page

32 | Summer 2022

PRO TIP: continued from previous page … teen is continuously speeding, driving reckless, and getting into fender benders, you would absolutely rein in access to the keys more often.

This doesn’t mean that your kid is bad, but that their actions demonstrate they aren’t ready for that responsibility yet.

PLANT MORE FLOWERS We're all aware of just how addicting these devices can be for adults — consider for a moment how impressionable these can be for developing brains.

It’s not enough to say, “get off your phone.”

Often your child might need a little guidance for what to do next. We all know what happens when you have a big open spot of dirt: Weeds grow abundantly. The space changes and is more productive when you plant flowers and grass to grow instead. Help them plant those flowers!

DON’T FORGET THE BASICS Just because it’s summer and it feels great to step off the gas, don’t sleep on the ways that technology can be dangerous and unhealthy for your family. Studies show that summer is one of the most common times for teens to find themselves in the most trouble, including through screens. If your schedule doesn’t work to supervise and reinforce your family rules, rely on other people, routers, and technology to

aid in that. However, never underestimate the scrappiness of a YouTube search to get around all of the blocks you might have in place. It is crucial to couple those tools with a healthy and open relationship as well.

RESET AND ADJUST WHEN NECESSARY When everything feels out of control, screentime rules are being broken left and right, and you feel overwhelmed by the follow through, take a couple days to reset and start over.

Disconnect your family from all devices, and focus on getting back to your family values before jumping back in.

Technology is its own beast that is here to stay for the better or worse. Help your child learn healthy skills while they are in your homes, so they can be more successful not just this summer, but also throughout their life.

Jentrie Hales is a community advocate with five years’ experience empowering parents and children in different settings. She has been invited into classrooms, youth groups, and parent groups throughout Cache Valley to speak about healthy relationships with tech and professionally mentors families that feel overwhelmed with managing the tech in their home.

Follow her on Instagram @techhealthyfam or email her at techheatlhyfam@gmail.com

When things seem to be getting a little out of control — have a screen reset. Go a day or two with no screens, no friends, no extra and just be together to get back to basics and values.

You have more control than you think. It takes lots of consistent effort and sometimes being the “bad guy,” but it’s worth it to have more influence in your home than what your child takes in on their device. Screens can often get in the way of that.

I had a simple, yet wonderful childhood. Living in a rural neighborhood with acres of land between my family any other kid. Summers sometimes felt long and uneventful, however my mom modeled the screen-time balance very well. Here is how it went: Chores, reading, lunch, and then we could all choose to watch a show or movie. Almost every day we would all choose to watch the coveted Judge Judy. Mom gave us an hour tops watching a show and then the TV was off, and we were responsible to find a way to stay entertained the rest of the day. No IFS AND OR BUTS about it.

Usually we would wander outside and make up games together, read, or make our way to the gas station down the road with a couple of quarters. I didn’t know it at the time, but my mom taught me from a young age what type of role screens should have in our lives.

34 | Summer 2022

Yoga with No Legs: A Tribute to My Mother WIL WOOD

contributing writer

As a shallow, imperceptive male, I didn't realize why Mother's Day was so triggering for so many women. I understand, in part, now, and I want to throw my two cents into the banter. I believe my point of view is worth listening to, not because I am a mother but because I had one.

doing yoga. This could be a very typical scene from the life of a retired couple, but my dad hates paperwork and my mom is a double amputee.

I'll focus on my mother and her situation for this article, and more on my experience with adult ADHD another time. Back to yoga.

If you were to have asked her, my mother would have told you that she screwed me up. She would have told you that my childhood and teenage low self-esteem was her fault. Not only did I never make the honor roll, I never broke a 3.0 in middle or high school. Objectively, my mother had raised a failure. Both my parents were in the picture, but my father (who was very busy with work) never seemed worried about me because I was, "just like him."

"Mom,” I said. “You've got half a foot on one side and half a leg on the other. That's so cool you're doing yoga."

A year ago, I walked into my parent’s home to see my dad going through the mail and my mother

our legs on the opposite page in April 2021. In less than a year she'd be gone.

What did I learn from her? Well, according to her, she messed all of her kids up: She yelled at us, forgot practices, bribed us, didn't show up to things, occasionally she'd forget us and leave us at places like church, zoos, or grocery stores.

She did some things wrong, and I guess they actually were wrong, but she was the best mom I ever had. She tried hard and came up short sometimes. My siblings and I can recall lots of the times while living under her roof that we were bothered with her.

Scared by something that could be interpreted as a compliment, she immediately went to her usual tactics of deflection and self-deprecation.

She replied with something like, "It's not like I'm climbing a mountain, I'm just rolling around So, what is it that makes mother's hate the on the floor with what I've got." day made to recognize them? If it's that you don't get properly recognized or compensated That's what she did her whole life. She just did for your work, then I'd say you have a fair the best with what she had. I took the photo of argument. I will tell you this, though: Her

| 35

leaving me at the zoo, yelling at me, or never filling out my Eagle Scout paperwork didn't screw me up. There are many words that I don't remember. But I do remember how she made me feel. I remember the grilled cheese sandwiches she'd make me with just the right amount of crisp. I remember her skiing without goggles on a powder day when I had lost or ruined yet another pair. I remember her wanting the best for me in school even though

it seemed impossible. I remember feeling guilty for breaking my bike again and her telling me something about money: If you use it a lot and it breaks it's OK to fix it. I remember feeling less guilty. I remember her being jealous of the time I spent with others. I remember her writing letters to me every single week when I left to serve a church mission for two years.

After all of us kids were out of the nest, she

had a few good years of health, but her late onset type one diabetes started to catch up with her. Her feet literally started to fall apart.

Her eyesight waned. Then her kidneys failed.

She was on dialysis for several years and then a neighbor (Jeff Larsen) came over and said his kidney would be a match. Sure enough, it was. He gave my mom five more years of life and that kidney of his was AWESOME! Her eyesight, spunk, and many other things came back to her. We all knew she was on borrowed time and she made the best of it. She literally lived for dinnertime conversations.

She treasured and savored her relationships.

As families, we would gather at her house and when we would leave, she would stand on her porch with my dad and yell, "Have fun storming the castle!" The grandkids would yell back in delight, "AS YOU WISH!" She would stand there and watch us drive away until we were completely out of sight.

So, I do remember some words. But for all you mothers out there that think that all we remember are words and grades and missed appointments and arguments with no winner, think again. No one remembers a lot of words.

We do remember feelings though. Those feelings are what tie us together.

36 | Summer 2022

Local Gymnasts Shine CLAIRE ANDERSON

contributing writer

Achieving the level of strength, self-discipline, and dedication required to be a gymnast does not come easily. For Ellie Thomson, a senior who will graduate from Ridgeline High School this year, accomplishing this has taken years of hard work.

Ellie has been practicing gymnastics since she was 3 years old. She trains for about 20 hours each week and is recognized by her coaches and teammates as an athlete who is always going the extra mile.

“She is the most committed girl I have ever met,” her coach, Christina Mozingo, said.

“Not just in gymnastics, but in everything she puts her mind to. She always arrives early, gives 110%, and is the last to leave. She asks to come in on her days off and has always gone above and beyond what was expected.”

Even during the times that Ellie has had to push through injuries, she still has a strong passion and dedication for her sport.

“I love the hard work, sweat, and tears that all lead up to the little accomplishments every day, whether it be making corrections or nailing a skill or routine,” Ellie said. “The feeling of doing something almost impossible, like flying through the air, is so cool.”

Ellie currently trains with Cache Elite Gymnastics Academy, a program started in 2015 with the goal of helping aspiring gymnasts reach the collegiate level. It is led by Christina, a former Utah State Gymnast who has been coaching club gymnastics for eight years.

Christina grew up in Cache Valley and began practicing gymnastics at age 8. She trained with a club team at Utah State University (USU) known as Tytans Gymnastics. After her time there, she competed for four years on the USU Gymnastics team.

“When I graduated from college, I got married and honestly thought I was completely done with the sport. However, I soon began coaching in the summer of 2014,” Christina said. “The group of girls that I coach are a very rare and

special group. They are self-motivated, driven, and love to compete. They have formed a cohesive friendship built on love and support of each other. These girls train hard in practice, which is four times a week, year-round. Their training includes gymnastics, dance, and strength training.”

Recently, Christina helped qualifying Cache Elite gymnasts prepare for a competitive regionals meet in California. In order to compete at regionals, a gymnast must receive an all-around score of 34.0 at the state level. All of the girls from Cache Elite’s team who were uninjured qualified to compete against other athletes from Utah, California, Nevada, and Arizona.

“Those four states consist of some of the best gymnasts in the country. Our girls were not intimidated at all. Other teams practice double the time we do, have top-of-the-line equipment, and have many more resources than we do, but these eight girls from Cache Valley scored just as high or even better than a lot of the others,” Christina said. “They achieved the goals they had set pre-season. Leading up to this meet, there was a lot of fine tuning and mental preparation so that they could compete at this level. Since they have been practicing their routines since November and had proven they had the skills down, the meets were 99% mental. We worked to instill as much confidence in each girl as possible.”

“All three gymnasts performed beautifully with some of the best gymnastics this Valley has seen in quite some time. They are the team captains of this team and have set the tone for the rest of the girls. They have set the bar high!” Christina said.

After competing at nationals and finishing the rest of this season, Ellie plans to continue gymnastics after high school at Southern Utah University (SUU).

“I’ve always dreamed of college gymnastics and SUU has always been my top choice, so when they committed me it was like all of my hard work was paying off,” Ellie said. “I’m so excited to head down there and start this chapter of my career! Go T-Birds!”

It’s safe to say that the hard work and dedication of Ellie and her teammates from Cache Elite have indeed set the bar high not just for local gymnasts, but for gymnasts across the country.

It was a successful meet, especially for Ellie Thomson, who was given the highest allaround score she had received in her entire career of gymnastics. She was one of two Level 10 gymnasts from Cache Elite to qualify for nationals.

“She stuck all four events and had some of her best scores at regionals on vault, bars, and beam,” Christina said.

It was also a great meet for Denzlee Knudsen and Tess Munns, two of Ellie’s teammates who received season high scores on multiple events.

Denzlee qualified as an alternate to the Level 10 National Team and Tess qualified for the Level 9 Western Team in Salt Lake City.

Local gymnast Ellie Thomson has signed to be a D1 athlete at Southern Utah University this fall.

| 37

FA C T C H E C K

Ready or Not: Are You Prepared?

KATE NEELEY

contributing wrier

Will you ever be able to look back on the wild ride that was early 2020 and not bring up toilet paper?

When a pandemic hit and towns were shutting down, and then an earthquake shook up northern Utah, that was the commodity that was flying off store shelves. And for those who didn’t beat the rush, that was likely a pretty big bummer. But for those who had a year's supply stored in their basement even before the pandemic hit, it was no biggie. There they were, confidently walking in and out of their bathrooms like superheroes, quietly living their normal lives behind the scenes.

parents did, and she has made a lifelong habit of it.

Even though her children are adults, she relates, “I still store a ton because if we did find ourselves in an emergency, I would likely be feeding more than just a few.”

… WATER. If you woke up one day and couldn’t just turn on the tap and have clean water run out, what would you do? How long could you really last without access to it? So, do you have some stored at home?

But then there is the space and the issue of expired food if it isn’t being eaten up like it was when her children were still underfoot. “To cut back, I bought a freeze dryer,” Emily said. “That way my food takes up less space than things like canned goods and it lasts 20-25 years.”

“What I have learned about storing water is that if you want it to be immediately accessible, the 50-gallon jugs aren’t always the best choice,” said Dianne Webster, who has daughters living in Hyde Park, Logan, and Providence, and has been known to load up on things like canned peaches and green beans.

Emily Clyde, a North Logan mother of seven and grandmother of more than 30, many of whom reside in Cache Valley, is one of those unsung heroes living among you. For her, keeping plenty of extra food and supplies on hand is something her

Are you wishing she was your mom right now? And if not right now, if all the stores were closed in an emergency, you might. With some of the recent supply chain issues, that might not be all that far off.

If storing food and supplies for emergencies isn’t a thing you have been doing, how can you get started?

“I would say start with things that are cheap, like salt,” Emily said. “Just buy a few extras at the store when you go. Baking soda and vinegar are also really good items because they don’t cost much and can be used for several different things like cleaning, food preservation, brushing teeth — they can be quite essential.”

Speaking of essentials, what is likely one of the first and last commodities you use every day? Not to mention everything in between, from cooking to showering to laundry to drinking to growing plants

But those tanks store a lot, so why aren’t they the best choice? If it’s hard to get to, it won’t be as helpful for something you drink and use as often as water. “You’ll want to store water in containers that are easy to lift and easy to grab.” The habit of buying a few cases of water bottles is a great idea.

Why does Dianne store and prepare? Simply put, “I want my family to survive,” Dianne said. “I have learned that strange things happen suddenly and certain things aren’t available. Recent shortages due to things happening in Ukraine or even when the pandemic hit and cargo ships couldn’t deliver supplies, make me think, ‘you never know.’”

After a lifetime of learning and storing food and supplies, Dianne says this to people who are just getting started: “Just look at your life and the things you typically use every day and store any of it that you can.”

| 39

Congratulations Class of 2022!

High School Grad Spotlights

GRADUATION DATES CACHE HIGH SCHOOL

TARA BONE

May 31

contributing wrier

GREEN CANYON HIGH SCHOOL

May 31 This year's graduating seniors were sophomores when COVID-19 shut down schools and upended "normal." They pushed through online school and canceled activities. When schools reopened, they juggled mask-wearing, COVID-19 testing and quarantines, and all the unique challenges that came along.

Some students lost family and friends during the pandemic or struggled to take on more responsibility when family members became sick. Many are still working through mental health issues.

Trying to get back to "normal" has been challenging for students and educators, but the class of 2022 is resilient. The seven amazing students on the following pages, one from each Cache Valley high school, represent the ability of the human spirit to succeed amidst adversity.

Their stories are inspiring examples that offer hope during uncertain times.

Thank you to each high school counseling department for their nominations, and to every teacher in every school for your resilience.

LOGAN HIGH SCHOOL

May 26

MOUNTAIN CREST HIGH SCHOOL

June 1

PRESTON HIGH SCHOOL

May 26

RIDGLINE HIGH SCHOOL

May 31

SKY VIEW HIGH SCHOOL

June 1

Awarding the First Cache Valley Family Magazine Paul Norton Memorial Scholarship Emily and Bryan Buckley, owners of Cache Valley Family Magazine, have established the Cache Valley Family Magazine Paul Norton Memorial Scholarship in an effort to encourage continued education for a Cache Valley high school graduate who has exhibited a dedication to excellence through challenges.

Bryan is a first-generation college graduate and Emily attained her higher education despite many family challenges in her early life. This scholarship honors Paul Norton, who mentored Emily in her first professional position after college. Paul shared the Roman philosophy that is worth repeating to every young person seeking success: Luck exists where preparation and opportunity meet. He said, "You never know when you'll be presented with an opportunity, so prepare yourself for the success you seek."

Paul Norton was a Utah State University alum who had a successful career in the Public Broadcasting System, then served as Vice President of University Relations and Development at Utah State University, and later as Director of Communications

at Logan Regional Hospital.

Through his success, he was known for taking interest in every person he met, especially young people just beginning their educational and career pursuits. He passed away this year, after a long and courageous battle with Parkinson's disease.

This year's scholarship recipient, Charlsie Reeder from Mountain Crest High School, was selected from the seven nominated students in this feature. Charlsie stood out for her ability to rise above challenges, work hard, and set goals.

Congratulations to these and all the other graduates of the class of 2022! We wish you success as you chart your life's course.

40 | Summer 2022

High School Grad Spotlights RIDGELINE HIGH SCHOOL

Logan Castleton Ridgeline High School’s (RHS) Logan Castleton lives each day in gratitude, with a focus on living every moment of life to the fullest.

Logan loves music and enjoys working in his home studio writing songs and performing them for others on the piano. As a freshman he attended the Denver School of the Arts, majoring in piano before moving to Cache Valley with his mom, two sisters, and brother to be closer to family. He has performed in many venues through his involvement with the MakeA-Wish Foundation. From Utah to New York City, his music uplifts and inspires.

He doesn’t like to focus on it, but Logan has Hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a heart disease he was born with that will require him to have a heart transplant sometime in the future. During his life, he has had 15 heart surgeries. Recently he had a stent put into his heart to prolong his life. But he chooses to focus on life, not the disease.

“I’ve learned and am still learning that no matter when my heart transplant comes, I can trust that if I live my life with every moment that I can find peace and joy in

this life regardless of my disease. And I have!” Logan said. “There is so much to life that I’ve been a part of that I wouldn’t have enjoyed if I was concerned and had tunnel vision about the sickness of my heart! It is still difficult and it will be. But I’m learning to trust in this situation that Christ can help me overcome this trial, and that He needs me in this life to pursue goals.”

Over the years, Logan has learned that the most important thing in his life is his Savior, Jesus Christ.

Logan says He’s taught him to put his focus, love, and trust in Him. So, Logan is setting goals and living life.

He is an activities representative on RHS’s student council, a member of the school’s Hope Squad, and volunteers for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. He recently led a school fundraiser to make life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses come true.

Logan’s own wish was granted when he was gifted his home recording studio from the Make-A-Wish Foundation. He has written, recorded, and produced multiple songs that are available on Apple Music and all platforms. He says music has been a huge gift in his life. He’s currently working on an arrangement of the songs I Know that My Redeemer Lives and I Feel My

Savior’s Love. Logan hopes to “express the Savior’s love for all through it.”

Logan is grateful for his mother, Jennie’s, constant love and example. “My mom has always been there for me,” he said. “I know she’ll always put the Lord first. I had the best environment to grow up in, and she does a lot, even if she doesn’t see it.”

After graduation, Logan will work before attending Brigham Young University in the fall. The following year he plans to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

PRESTON HIGH SCHOOL

Joey Argyle It only takes a few minutes talking to Joey Argyle from Preston High School (PHS) to recognize he has boundless positive energy, his mind is working turbo speed, and he’s ready to launch into his future with both feet and a whole lot of ideas.

In elementary and middle school, Joey was very shy, but wanted to change that. He says his sole goal entering high school was to become more social. It wouldn’t be easy though because he struggled with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), but says he was determined to change his life for the better.

“I always wanted to be social, but it was hard for me, especially when mental health isn’t a strength of mine. I brought the talents and gifts with me [to succeed].” Joey adds, “I wouldn’t be the man I am today without my ADHD.” From shy guy to a self-described “social media guy,”

Joey used his knack with technology to reach his goal.

Joey is a YouTuber with thousands of subscribers. He has approximately 4,000 followers on Tik-Tok and over 5,000 downloads on mcpedl.com at Joey gaming.

Because Preston is known for Napoleon Dynamite, he decided to build a Minecraft 1:1 scale recreation of the real-life Preston High School that’s featured in the movie at mcpedl.com.

He has plans to increase his social media presence with hopes to “uplift and inspire people to follow their dreams.” This fall he plans to attend Utah State University and study graphic design and continue coding. Joey loves to camp anywhere “as long as there are mountains and trees.” He often goes with his parents, sister, and their two dogs Dobby and Moo. Joey enjoyed his high school experience and was so proud to be elected a member of PHS’s Executive Council. He worked hard to bring PHS students

together using social media. Even though Joey is a natural with all things tech, he believes technology can’t replace real relationships.

His advice to incoming freshmen: “Build connections with people and those connections can last a lifetime.

We’re social creatures; we’re more connected, but still divided because people put a wall up called a cell phone.” He encourages students to put the cell phone down and be open to talking to others.

| 41

GREEN CANYON HIGH SCHOOL

Sophie Lindsey Green Canyon High School (GCHS) student Sophie Lindsey’s passion for community service and education was sparked as an 8th grader during a school service project, and her drive to serve others has only grown.

For that first project, she made 200 plus beaded bracelets at Christmastime for women receiving help at CAPSA, a local nonprofit domestic violence, sexual abuse, and rape recovery center. Sophie said at that time she “fell in love with service and the CAPSA mission statement.”

She feels service is a way to bring people together and build friendships. “Service is so uplifting and connecting with other people,” Sophie said. “When we’re united, it helps us grow closer together.”

Sophie has served on the CAPSA youth council for four years. She’s actively worked with other youth in the Valley to raise awareness and provide support for victims of abuse and violence. A highlight of her CAPSA service was coordinating “Safe Date Night,” an event at the Cache Valley Fun Park for youth where education about healthy relationships and victim assistance was provided.

At school, Sophie has served as a freshman mentor and ambassador and worked with the Key Club — a service organization. Ambassadors at GCHS are student government members who help new students feel welcome and coordinate service projects during the year. Sophie planned two projects: packing Thanksgiving meals with the Hearts to Home organization and working with North Logan City to organize a ‘Super Hero Kids Camp.’

Sophie loves children and hopes to combine her passion for service with her desire to help children. She is very involved with the Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) organization. Last year she competed in the FCCLA Early Childhood Education category where she took first place in state and competed in nationals, and this year will compete again at nationals. Sophie is GCHS’s Family and Consumer Sciences Sterling Scholar and a state finalist.

Somehow, during high school, Sophie found time to work at Stonefire Pizzeria, complete college credits in AP and concurrent classes, and be part of GCHS’s swim team. Her perseverance and dedication to swim team is a reflection of how Sophie pursues all goals.

She says, “I joined the swim team as a freshman with

almost no experience, but kept pushing myself. This year I was chosen as a team captain and finally made it to state in the 100 butterfly!”

However, this year hasn’t been without challenges.

Her parents divorced and Sophie says it affected her in a lot of ways she wasn’t expecting. But she feels she’s learned a lot from the experience and is grateful to have grown closer with her sisters and both parents. She plans to take what she’s learned and apply it in her future work in the family services arena. She plans to attend Utah State University or Southern Utah University this fall.

MOUNTAIN CREST HIGH SCHOOL

Charlsie Reeder At the onset of Charlsie Reeder’s senior year at Mountain Crest High School (MCHS), she told her mom, “I’m going to put my whole effort into having a great year.” What she didn’t know, is during the following month her world would turn upside down and her grit pushed to the limit.

Important things to know about Charlsie: Her friends call her Charlie, she believes in miracles, and her favorite place to be is on the back of her horse, Mercy, riding up Blacksmith Fork Canyon on a trail ride with family. In 2021, Charlie was among 40 youth from across the country selected to raise and train a weanling in the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) Young Horse Development Program. Charlie worked hard during the program, demonstrating her horsemanship and training skills to pro-trainers that placed her in the top 10 of the program.

When her mom and dad traveled to pick up her horse at the beginning of the program, 10 miles outside of Lander, Wyoming, a 120-mph gust of wind rolled their truck and trailer. “It [surviving] was a miracle; there were a lot of tender mercies that day,” Charlie said.

“That’s why I named my horse Mercy.”

During this accident, her mom McKenzie suffered injuries and then almost a year later in the fall of Charlie’s senior year she died unexpectedly. During this time COVID hit her dad and as the oldest of two siblings at home, the responsibility to care for her family fell to her. It was a difficult time and Charlie recalls that it was her horse Mercy that “pulled me out of my mentally dark state.”

“One of the hardest things for me to realize was the responsibilities of housework and keeping home running fell to me,” Charlie said. “I couldn’t think ‘mom will come home,’ I realized it’s got to get done, so get up and do it.”

This ‘get up and do it’ attitude is reflected in Charlie’s day-to-day routine. She attends school every day, where she has been heavily involved in the Future Farmers of America (FFA) program. She’s served as the MCHS FFA treasurer and secretary. After school, she works at the Cache Valley ENT Allergy Clinic where her mother worked. At 6 p.m. she heads home to clean house, oversee outside chores at their place in Wellsville, do homework, and prepare for another day. On weekends, she works at the A-Bar Land and Livestock Dairy.

But Charlie says, “I love to work, it’s a stress reliever for me, and what teenager doesn’t love money?!”

Charlie’s resilience, positive attitude, and work ethic have paid off. In the fall, she plans to attend Bridgeland Technical College to earn her medical assisting certificate.

Charlie wants to thank her teacher and FFA advisor, Megan Haslam for being a role model in her life and someone she strives to be like someday. “She’s seen me at my highest as well as my lowest,” Charlie said.

“She has given me countless pep talks about life.

Thank you.”

42 | Summer 2022

High School Grad Spotlights CACHE HIGH SCHOOL

Daniella Cervantes Graduation for Daniella Cervantes of Cache High School has come at the end of a long road of challenges. But through them all, Daniella’s fight never faded, and she looks forward to bright new beginnings.

From kindergarten to 12th grade, Daniella was enrolled in 18 different schools in at least four different states.

Between foster homes, homeless shelters, and abusive environments, Daniella fought over and over again to stay in school. Even family members questioned if she’d graduate from high school.

“A lot of people told me I wasn’t going to graduate,” she said. “It never was not my plan to graduate.

My life before 18 years old was always going to be a struggle, but my goal now is not to rely on others and to be independent from others pulling me down.”

Daniella said she knew from a young age she needed an education to establish a good career and different life.

As a child, she found inspiration in the experiences of Anne Frank. She looked up to Anne because she was going through hard times too. When Anne found solace in journaling and writing, Daniella was inspired to do the same and in turn her journal became her best friend.

Moving from place to place didn’t allow Daniella to establish friends, but her journals were always with her.

Another positive experience that impacted Daniella’s life was being part of the coed Sea Scout Ship Troup 110 in Tacoma, Washington. From October 2019 to May 2020, Daniella worked as a deck hand on the Charles N. Curtis ship where she worked on specific sea skills and provided service to the surrounding community. It was a bright spot as she continued her efforts for education.

Though she battled through difficult experiences, Daniella found her passion for writing and it paved the way to better days. She feels writing helped her see how her life changed after effort and how far

she’d come after challenges. In the fall, Daniella plans to attend Utah State University where she’ll work toward a degree in Secondary Education in English.

She is grateful to the teachers and counselors at Cache High School for working with her as she pursued her dreams of graduating. Her advice to incoming freshmen: “There is a lot of bad in the world, but there is still a lot of beauty and happiness to look for. Why would you want to live life being sad?

Don’t take life too seriously; look for the good.”

LOGAN HIGH SCHOOL

Kirubel Mesfin Logan High School’s (LHS) Kirubel Mesfin is described by his high school counselor as a leader in the LHS community who makes friends easily and is known for his effort to be fair and inclusive. He was having a typical senior year, maintaining his high honor roll grades, managing the LHS soccer team, and working at McDonalds until a horrific car accident almost took his life on March 28, 2022.

Kirubel and his brother Surafel were hit by a water truck on their way to school. Both were seriously injured and life-flighted to Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City. Kirubel underwent emergency brain and heart surgery and suffered broken arms, wrists, hips, and spine. Miraculously Kirubel is now home and focusing on recovery and moving forward. He says the accident was a learning experience and that he’s glad he and his brother made it out together.

“This accident was made from a tiny mistake and it cost me and my brother. But miracles were made and now we are on the road to recovery! Someone told us we were walking miracles and that God has something planned for us and I truly believe that,” Kirubel said.

“One takeaway from this experience is to always wear your seatbelts because it could save your life like it did for us. As I’m recovering I’m doing things I never had the time to do like spending more time with my family, reading books and articles, and my favorite — SLEEP.” To show support for Kirubel, his brother, and their family, the GoFundMe account ‘Kirubel and Surafel Mesfin-Medical Assistance’ was created. The LHS boy’s soccer team dedicated their season to Kirubel, and the entire LHS community is cheering Kirubel on during his recovery.

Because he had already earned enough credits to graduate, Kirubel will have the opportunity to graduate and participate with his 2022 graduating class. “As a school, we were already proud of what this young man has accomplished and who he is as a person,” LaRon Bond, LHS counselor, said. “We are confident that he will meet these next challenges head on and will prevail.”

Kirubel has shown he will overcome any challenge.

Kirubel said for him, taking the ACT test was a tough obstacle that tested his ability to study and achieve.

“This was a great way of testing my studying skills. I did well on it, boosting my morale and relieving all my stress,” Kirubel said. He believes the experience helped him become more confident and positively affected his future goals.

His advice to incoming freshmen: “Be you; high school is where you find who you really are and whatever that is, STICK WITH IT because it can take you a long way. Do everything you can and be involved. At the end of the day, four years will go by in a blink of an eye. So, don't think twice and DO IT!”

| 43

SKY VIEW HIGH SCHOOL

Karina Ashby Cache Valley’s rich agricultural history based on the values of work, family, faith, and community are at the core of who Karina Ashby from Sky View High School (SVHS) is. Karina is prepared to work hard to reach her goals.

Newton. She also works at the nearby JP Larsen and Sons Dairy. Karina loves being outside as she works and values the skills of hard work and responsibility she’s learned. “You learn to just get the job done,” she said.

At school, Karina found joy as a SVHS marching band section leader for saxophone during her sophomore, junior, and senior years. She participated in jazz band and symphonic band every year. “I really love it,” she said. “It’s more than music or the performances; I learned a lot of life skills and how I can strive to become a better person.”

The opportunity she’s had to live and work in a tight-knight community is not lost on her. “I love the closeness of living in a small town,” she said.

“We have each other’s back and it’s showed me the importance of helping people and that family is really important.”

She also completed many concurrent enrollment and AP classes and worked to maintain good grades. But it wasn’t always easy. She shares that she struggled to overcome chronic migraines and deal with stress and learned to balance her time and set realistic goals.

“I looked at who I am on the inside so I could do the things I loved,” Karina said.

Karina balances her time between a lot of things.

She has five siblings and lives on her family’s farm in

Karina is involved in a lot of community service and has a particular interest in Cache Valley’s history.

With the community, she helped restore a historic cabin and is part of The Patriot Gunslingers, an 1880s historical reenactment group. The group travels through Cache Valley and Idaho performing. She is also involved with church service, the Newton library, and served as a volunteer for the Top of Utah HalfMarathon.

When she’s not busy with school, work, or

volunteering, she loves to hike and camp — her favorite place is Logan Canyon. She likes to bake desserts, listen to music, and dance. Specifically, western swing and she recently learned Eastern Swing.

Just two days after graduation, Karina will travel to Alaska with her sisters to work at a fishing lodge for the summer. After that, she plans to serve as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints. Wherever she goes and whatever she does, Cache Valley will always be part of Karina Ashby.

2022

Classes + Camps CHECK OUT ALL THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR FUN ON THE FOLLOWING PAGES! THE FAMILY PLACE thefamilyplaceutah.org Tired of hearing “I'm bored?” Want to hear your child say they had so much fun? Try our five different fun-filled themed camps held from June 6 through August 7.

Camps are from 10 a.m. to Noon at our Hyrum location.

Children will complete crafts and activities while learning social skills and self-regulation. Snack is provided.

Visit thefamilyplaceutah.org for dates of each themed camp.

For ages 6-11 $50 per camp

CACHE VALLEY FUN PARK (435) 792-4000 cachevalleyfunpark.com/summer-camp Summer camps at the FUNNEST place in town!

Our camps are the perfect way to beat the summer doldrums! Kids will experience activities full of fun and learning. No vegging out in front of the TV — just fun times and happy memories.

44 | Summer 2022

2022

Classes + Camps CONTINUED

MOUNTAIN PEAK VOLLEYBALL mtnpeakvolleyball.com Summer Camps Youth volleyball camps (ages 3 to 18) for all skill levels begin in May! We offer camps May — August. Instruction from our Mountain Peak coaching staff as well as collegiate-level coaches.

Outdoor Volleyball Get outside and play under the sunshine.

Our grass and sand volleyball clinics begin in late May and end in July. Tournaments are offered on select weekends in collaboration with Logan City.

Fall League Practice and competition in a league format for 1st through 12th graders begins in August! Our recreation and competitive leagues are split into 1st-2nd grade, 3rd4th grade, 5th-6th grade, and 7th-12th grade. Both north and south practice options are available.

SPORTS ACADEMY (435) 753-7500 sportsacademy.com Summer Preschool June 20-24 July 11-15 August 8-12 Summer Camps Keep your kids active and healthy! Camps held June 13-17, July 18-22, August 1-6. Camps run from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., ages 5 to 12.

LASHARS DANCE STUDIO 50 E. 700 N. Logan (435) 770-9692 lashars.com 4- and 6-week dance classes for all ages: adult dance fitness, princess dance academy camp, hip hop and tumbling workshop, summer dance intensive, and musical theatre for dance.

Summer Swim School Learn to swim with the best instruction in Cache Valley! Classes begin June 6. Two-week sessions, Monday-Thursday, 40-minute classes.

Tennis Classes and Camps Professional tennis instruction from the Valley’s top coaches and players. All ages and ability levels. Begins June 6.

Tumbling Classes Flip and tumble to new heights with classes for all ages and abilities. Begins June 6.

TUELLER SCHOOL OF DANCE (435) 752-9154 tuellerdance.com 521 1/2 N. Main in Logan Join us our fun Summer Technique Workshops!

Offering classes for ages 3 and up. This is a great time to get little ones started and for experienced dancers to improve turns, leaps, tricks, and overall dance technique. See our schedule and classes on our website or email us at tuellerdance@gmail.com for more info. Come dance with us!

CACHE CHILDREN’S CHOIR (435) 752-6260 (call or text) cachechildrenschoir.org Family discounts for 3+ children Camp I: Ages 5-6 June 27 - July 1, 9 a.m. to Noon, Wilson Elementary Camp II: Ages 6-8 June 27 - July 1, 1 to 4 p.m., Wilson Elementary Come on a musical adventure! Singing games, creative movement, listening, simple instruments, and more with camp director Erika Andrus!

Camp III: Ages 8-14 June 13 - June 17, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., USU Fine Arts Center. Come on a musical adventure!

Singing, rhythm, movement, games, and more with Cache Children’s Choir artistic director Jaron Putnam and guest instructors! Conclude this fun-filled week performing with the USU Alumni Band on Father's Day, June 19.

| 45

BALLET ALIGNED 435-363-1225 balletaligned.com/summer-camps-2022 Come dance with us this JUNE only! Our Ballet Safari and Princess Camps for 3 to 8 year olds include dance class, games, crafts, snacks, and lots of fun for an entire week (2.25 hours a day)! The Build-A-Ballet Performance Camp includes daily ballet class and work on creative movement, pantomime, acting, choreography, stagecraft, costume design, and more!

In just two weeks (M-F, 3 hours a day), participants will create and perform an original ballet! (And there are no additional performance or costume fees!) Registration closes June 1, and camps are expected to fill fast. Register ASAP!

DANCE ILLUSION (435) 755-6783 danceillusionutah.com 42 East 2200 North, North Logan Register now for our summer classes!

4-week summer program: June 6-June 29 Improve your technique, try a combo class, and make new friends!

Intensives and Camps: 3-day Technique Intensives: July 5-7 and July 18-20 3-day Ballet Intensive: July 26-28 1-day Intensives: Hip Hop August 1, Acro Aug 2, and Tap Aug 3 Princess Camp — Voted Best of Cache Valley: July 11-13

HIGHPOINT TUMBLING (435) 753-7500 sportsacademy.com Ongoing, year-round tumbling and gymnastics classes for toddlers through competitive teams.

Check our website for current schedule.

UTAH FESTIVAL OPERA BROADWAY BOUND utahfestival.org Train like a pro with the stars of Utah Festival Opera & Musical Theatre:

IMAGINE THIS! ART CAMPS FOR KIDS AND ADULTS (435) 774-2414 imaginethislogan.com We are so excited to host art camps this summer!

We will have Around the World, Jr. Music & Art, Painting, 3D Art, Adult Painting & Drawing, and a brand new camp — Ceramics! Children's camps will run from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Adult camps will be in the evenings, and cost ranges from $200 to $250, depending on the camp. Details of when and how much each camp will cost is posted on our website. Come create with us!

CACHE VALLEY SCHOOL OF BALLET

Broadway Bound-Senior (Ages 13-18) —

(435) 753-3633 cvcballet.org

July 25-30 | $300 | Includes tickets to Utah Festival shows.

Broadway Bound-Junior (Ages 8-12) — July 18-23 | $225 | Includes tickets to Utah Festival shows.

The Cache Valley School of Ballet offers qualified training in classical ballet to community members of all ages and skill levels. Summer semester (5 weeks) is for ages 3 and up. Visit our website for a complete list of classes.

LOGAN MUSIC ACADEMY (435) 265-6691 loganmusicacademy.com Uke Camp (ages 5 and up) June 13-17 Kids Voice Camp (ages 6 to 12) June 20-24 Teen Voice Camp (ages 13 to 18) June 20-24 Jam-Slam Guitar and Drum Week (ages 6 and up) June 27-July 1 All camps run from 10 a.m. to Noon daily. $120 each camp.

Discounts available for multiple camps or early enrollment.

CACHE COUNTY 4-H extension.usu.edu/cache/4h 435-752-6263 bailey.horton@usu.edu 4-H is where youth want to be this 2022 summer! 4-H is all about kids, ages 5 and up, learning life skills and new passions by doing them in our hands-on workshops and camps.

Topics include family and consumer sciences, civic engagement, agriculture, and STEM. Watch for updates on our website and social media pages, follow us @cachecounty4h.

46 | Summer 2022

2022

Classes + Camps CONTINUED

MIND OF CRAFT SUMMER CAMP cvent.me/KRbDad Do you love to build, explore, and use your creative power to solve puzzles? Then the Mind of Craft summer camp is for you! Discover ancient and modern tools with hands-on team building, art, and science experiences. Email shannon. erickson@usu.edu for more information.

APP CAMP appcamp.usu.edu App Camp is for boys and girls entering 6th-8th grades who love technology and would like to learn how to develop their own apps for phones. No prior experience is required! High school students can sign up to be mentors.

June 13-17, (9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.)

June 13-17 (1 – 4 p.m.)

June 20-24 (9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.)

June 20-24 (1 - 4 p.m.)

The cost for the camp is $35/camper.

LOVE TO COOK 435-752-9220 luvtocook.com

CACHE VALLEY CENTER FOR THE ARTS 435-752-0026 cachearts.org/artcamp Immerse your child in a world of art as they learn about folktales and ancient myths from around the world! At CacheARTS Summer Art Camp, your camper will plunge into creative, hands-on experiences, including ceramics, drama, dance, music, and more. Three different sessions available throughout the summer for children ages 5 to 11. Limited space, enroll today!

We are excited to offer 3-day Beginner and Advanced Cooking Camps for kids 8 and up.

Your kids will get hands-on experience making real food and having fun in the kitchen. You will be amazed at how much your kids can do in the kitchen if you just empower them! They will not only be learning how to make great food, but they will also learn kitchen safety, knife skills, safe food handling practices, and more. Register early! Classes fill fast!

BEGINNER CLASSES (ages 8-12): June 7 - 9 June 14 - 16 July 5 - 7 ADVANCED CLASSES (ages 12-17): June 28 - 30

PICKLEVILLE WORKSHOPS picklevilleworkshops.com Insanely fun musical theater camps taught

by Pickleville Playhouse’s awesome cast members and directors. Throughout the week we work on musical numbers and scenes that our campers will perform in their end-of-week performance.

All campers will receive a Pickleville Workshop t-shirt and one complimentary ticket to Pickleville Playhouse’s Beauty and the Beast.

July 11-15 OR July 18-22 (Logan: Ages 8-18) July 18-22 (Logan: Ages 6-7) July 25-29 OR August 1-5 (Bear Lake: Ages 8-18)

48 | Summer 2022

summertime IS #tfoSmiletime

Get ready to enjoy FREE summer treats and fun with #tfoSmiletime!

1. Follow us on Instagram @tfobraces & #tfoSmiletime.

2. Watch for ‘flash posts’ and arrive at the #tfoSmiletime spot during specified times wearing your “TFO shirt” to enjoy FREE treats and fun!

The first #tfoSmiletime will be on the last day of school, June 2, from 1 to 3:30 p.m. in front of our North Logan office with FREE KONA SHAVED ICE! (Don’t forget your TFO or Hawaiian shirt!)

THOMSON FAMILY

ORTHODONTICS Brady Thomson, DDS • Jeffrey Johnson, DDS 435.752.1320 • Logan • Providence • tfobraces.com

Thomson Family Orthodontics @tfobraces