DAY OF THE DEAD TRADITION CONTINUES OUTSIDE SPANISH CLASS
By Jet Burnham | j.burnham@mycityjournals.com
To celebrate Mexico’s Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, on Nov. 1, third grade teacher Irais Reed invites her students and their families to remember family members and family pets who’ve passed away.
“It’s so special because you’re able to remember your loved ones, but it’s not a sad tradition,” Reed said. “You never want to forget those special memories that you have with them. So we focus a lot on those special moments, the moments that they used to make you laugh, the moments that you’re going to cherish from your loved ones.”
Reed sets up a classroom ofrenda, a table decorated with Day of the Dead symbols. Each child brings a picture of a family member or pet who has passed away, along with some of their favorite items or treats, to place on the ofrenda. Then they share memories of their loved one with the class.
Reed said it is a tradition that turns a sad moment into a celebration by focusing on happy memories that strengthen family connections.
“What I love the most is that by honoring them year after year, you continue to have that special bond and special memory with your family members,” Reed said.
Reed has celebrated the Mexican holiday with her dual language immersion Spanish classes at
Continued page 4
Students place pictures of family members or family pets who’ve passed away on the classroom ofrenda during Day of the Dead. (I rais Reed/ Herriman Elementary)
Weight Loss Options: What You Need To Know About Diet, Prescription Medications & Surgery
By Catherine Beck, MD
verywhere you turn lately, it seems the topic of weight loss is front and centerfrom billboards to TV to social media and more. And everyone seems to have an opinion on how to lose weight, with some offering weight loss services at a hefty price. So what is the best way to lose weight? How do you start? Is it worth the cost?
At CommonSpirit Holy Cross HospitalJordan Valley, the Comprehensive Medical and Surgical Weight loss program can answer your questions from a reliable, accredited, board certified provider.
Let’s tackle the first question - why you may want to lose weight or why it may be important for you to lose weight. Ultimately, it’s not just about appearances. There are multiple medical problems that improve or resolve with weight loss, including diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, arthritis and sleep apnea, amongst others.
Weight loss also decreases your risk of multiple types of cancer, specifically breast and colon cancer. In addition, most patients just want to feel better, have more energy, and be able to spend quality time with their family, without the limitations their weight may place on them.
In general, there are typically three ways people lose weight: diet and exercise, medically supervised weight loss, and surgical weight loss.
1. Diet and exercise include any program someone does on their own, including Keto, Weight Watchers, Mediterranean diets, Jenny Craig or meal plans and programs. No specific diet has ever been proven to be more effective than another. In general, any diet and exercise plan will lead to about 5% excess body weight loss on average.
2. Medically supervised weight loss includes using prescription medications to lose weight. Most people immediately think of Wegovy and Zepbound, but there are a lot of medications that help people lose weight and work in different ways. It is incredibly important to know that only a well-trained provider can help patients use the optimal combination of medications to see maximum results with minimal side effects. Medically supervised weight loss should include not only a provider trained in weight loss, but also a dietitian, along with lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise. These medications can help people lose up to 20% of their excess body weight if used correctly. Unfortunately, stopping the medication usually leads to weight regain and some patients have side effects that force them to stop the medication.
3. Surgical weight loss, or bariatric surgery, can help people lose 60-80%of their excess body weight and keep it off. Bariatric surgery
Care with a mother’s touch.
typically refers to a sleeve gastrectomy or a gastric bypass. All surgical weight loss should include working with a dietitian, a medical weight loss provider and a surgeon, along with lifestyle changes.
Choosing an accredited, comprehensive, bariatric and medical weight loss program, such as the one at Holy Cross Hospital - Jordan Valley, gives patients access to a variety of approaches designed to help them meet their weight loss goals in a safe environment. Only at a comprehensive center, can patients learn what will work best for them and get treated by providers with a history of safe and successful weight loss. Most insurances cover bariatric surgery and the costs of seeing a provider and dietitian, even if they don’t cover the costs of the newer injectable medications. With us, patients don’t have to pay program fees and we bill everything possible through a patient’s insurance. We work with patients to find the most affordable solutions!
Thinking about weight loss options? Please give Holy Cross Hospital – Jordan Valley a call to see if you have coverage and to make an appointment with one of our surgeons or medical weight loss providers at (801) 601-4423. We are here to compassionately care for you.
At CommonSpirit Health, we make the healing presence of God known in our world by improving the health of the people we serve, especially those who are vulnerable, while we advance social justice for all.
SPONSORED CONTENT
Catherine Beck, MD General and Bariatric Surgeon CommonSpirit Holy Cross Hospital - Jordan Valley
Herriman Elementary for the past five years. This year, even though she is teaching regular classes instead of DLI, she will continue the tradition.
Laurie Meservy, whose children were in Reed’s DLI classes previously, said it was a good experience for them.
“I thought it was good for the kids to get to experience how another culture remembers ancestry and how they connect with their dead, and I think it was a good opportunity to talk with them about some of the people in our family that have passed on,” she said.
Her children, Annie, now a sixth grader, and Grant, now a fourth grader, still remember learning to make Mexican crafts and sharing memories of their great grandma with their classmates in Reed’s class.
“I do feel like Dia de Los Muertos helps us stay connected to our ancestors,” Annie said. “I just feel like you need to know some other cultural stuff about other people’s places and where they live.” Grant said learning about other cultures prepares him to travel to other countries someday.
Meservy’s children barely remember their great grandma, whose picture they both placed on their classroom ofrenda, but some students felt their losses more acutely.
“Senora Reed does a great job making it very comfortable and inviting for those who maybe death is a little bit harder for, or have had something recent happen, or are very sensitive,” Meservy said.
Reed said the Day of the Dead traditions soften the pain of loss for families.
“It makes a hard moment seem, for a little kid, more bearable, and they focus on those memories, and they don’t focus so much on the sadness part that a loss brings,” Reed said.
Some of Reed’s past students have continued to celebrate the Day of the Dead with their families.
“I love that I’m able to bring something, a new tradition from me that I can share with them, and then they’re able to do it year after year in their own home, even though we come from different nationalities,” Reed said.
Reed will continue to do the traditional Day of the Dead activities, crafts and presentations with her students even though it is no longer part of her curriculum.
“That’s why I love being a teacher, because you give students those meaningful experiences that is not just curriculum-based,” she said. “You share with one another in your classroom a little bit of each other. You get to know each other, and that’s how you build your strong relationships.”l
Bryan Scott | bryan.s@thecityjournals.com
The Herriman Journal is a monthly publication distributed directly to residents via the USPS as well as locations throughout Herriman. For information about distribution please email hello@thecityjournals.com or call our offices. Rack locations are also available on our website.
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EDITOR
Travis Barton | travis.b@thecityjournals.com
Mieka Sawatzki | mieka.s@thecityjournals.com
Jason Corbridge | jason.c@thecityjournals.com
Ryan Casper | ryan.c@thecityjournals.com
Greg Tanner | greg.t@valuepagesutah.com
A Day of the Dead classroom ofrenda displays pictures of students’ deceased loved ones, some of their favorite things and crafts students made while learning about the Mexican holiday. (Irais Reed/Herriman Elementary)
Visiting astronaut fuels interest in space careers
By Jet Burnham | j.burnham@mycityjournals.com
“ You don’t know it yet, but space is going to be a big part of your life,” Space Foundations Teacher Liaison Jen Jones told Mountain Heights Academy 7-12 graders. “There is a good chance that at least a third of you in this room will, at some time, work in an industry that is supporting space.”
Jones was invited to speak to students as part of Mountain Heights Academy’s STEM Days. She told students about the history of the space program, the present focus on the Artemis moon missions, and the future missions to Mars. She said because space rocket parts are manufactured and tested here, “Utah touches space.”
Astronaut Duane “Digger” Carey USAF LTC (Ret) accompanied Jones and shared his unconventional journey from a low-performing student to becoming a NASA space shuttle pilot. He encouraged students to work hard, especially in math, and to develop hands-on skills to qualify them for jobs in the space industry.
“Space is for you,” he said. “This is your future and you control it and you can be part of it—and let me tell you, it’s the coolest stuff ever.”
Digger emphasized that there is more than one pathway to the space program, which relies on teams of workers who have a variety of skills.
“You can all be involved,” he told students. “The space team needs everybody— dancers, journalists, photographers, artists—we need them all on the space team. There is room for every single kid.”
Mountain Heights Academy is a K-12 virtual charter school, so some students tuned in to the presentation virtually, but the majority of the participants traveled from all over the state to MHA’s building, located in West Jordan, to meet the astronaut, sample “space ice cream” and examine samples of dust and rocks similar to those found on the moon.
Bailey, an eighth-grader, drove nearly an hour to meet Digger and ask him questions about his experiences in space.
“I came because it’s always been my dream to be an astronaut,” Bailey said. “It’s really amazing that this school gives you the opportunity to meet an astronaut.”
He found Digger’s message encouraging and was excited to learn more about the progress of the Artemis missions.
Next year, Bailey plans to take MHA’s astronomy class, taught by Aminda Glass, who arranged for the guest speakers.
“Having the opportunity to actually talk to a former astronaut just brings it more to life because they get that interaction,” Glass said. “I mean, how many people actually get that opportunity?”
Glass said there has been an increase in
students’ interest in space since the astronomy class was first offered at MHA last year.
“When you see that student excitement, you just want to grab onto it and help it along the way, because that is what engages them and excites them,” Glass said. “As a teacher, whenever you see that excitement, you just want to fuel it and encourage it.”
Glass applied for a grant to arrange for the guest speakers, which she hoped would generate more interest in her astronomy class and also open students’ minds to careers in the space industry.
“It’s nice to have extra resources for students, these extra contacts, because you never know what they’ll decide they
want to do whenever they come into the work field,” Glass said. “Jen Jones said NASA is projecting that the space sector is going to be the fastest growing sector in the next 10 years, so they expect a lot more jobs to be open, and this will help our students set up to help fulfill some of those jobs.” l
Mountain Heights Academy virtual students meet with NASA space shuttle pilot Duane “Digger” Carey USAF LTC (Ret) and Space Foundations Teacher Liaison Jen Jones. (Photo courtesy Aminda Glass)
A previously poor student, retired NASA astronaut Duane
“Digger” Carey challenges Mountain Heights Academy students to commit to doing better in math. (Jet Burnham/City Journals)
The critical need of PE classes and PE teachers
Physical education classes are required in both elementary and secondary schools, but teachers and administrators are beginning to realize just how critical that physical activity is for their students, Jordan District Health and PE specialist Tricia Rojas said.
“Movement is important,” Rojas said. “I think the cell phone and how much time kids spend in front of the screens, they’re seeing that affect behavior, and I think they’re seeing that they need to replace that with something that actually improves their academics. And so movement is just a no-brainer. We’ve been hearing it. We don’t need any more research. The research has been there, and I think it’s just evident in our classrooms now that the kids need to move.”
Rojas said physical activity has a direct effect on a student’s physical, emotional and mental health, and that it impacts their academic performance.
While secondary school PE classes have a specific curriculum and are taught by certified teachers with specific training, elementary school PE classes are not standardized. The length and frequency of elementary school PE classes varies according to a school’s staff availability and class rotation schedules.
By Jet Burnham | j.burnham@mycityjournals.com
Rojas provides monthly training and observation opportunities for all district PE teachers to help provide students with the best PE teachers possible.
This year, Rojas introduced a new elementary PE curriculum, with specific lessons and activities that meet the state PE standards. She saw the need for a curriculum because only five of the 40 elementary school PE teachers in Jordan District are certified teachers. Most are parents, with no formal training in PE or teaching, hired for a classroom assistant position and asked to run the school’s PE program on their own.
“Ideally, we would have a certified PE teacher in every elementary, and I would love to move towards that, but there are some barriers that keep us from being able to do that,” Rojas said. Barriers include the budget for, and availability of, certified PE teachers.
Rojas’ curriculum has been helpful for uncertified PE teachers in meeting the physical education state standards, but Rojas said the best PE teachers, whether they are certified or not, are those who put effort and enthusiasm into their program, which motivates the kids to move. She said so many of
the classroom assistants are doing a great job of providing students with a great PE experience.
Fort Herriman Middle School PE teacher McKay Probert said even though it is a fun job, being a PE teacher is challenging and there is a lot more to teaching physical education than most people think.
“I know PE sounds like it’s just all fun and games because you see us playing sports, but we do face the same challenges as all the rest of the teachers, with the same students that are wanting to misbehave,” he said.
Probert is a certified teacher of physical education and health. He said the classes he took to earn his teaching degree prepared him to organize his lessons, manage his students, utilize equipment and to understand and take responsibility for his students’ health, progress and safety.
“Obviously we can learn as we go, but overall, taking all these classes and being certified has really benefited me,” he said. “I did not realize how much I actually needed to know about health and the body and the mind. Overall, you’re going to be better if you had that degree to begin with.” l
Fort Herriman Middle School students practice softball skills during PE class. (McKay Probert/Fort Herriman Middle School)
New ‘Herriman Smiles’ exhibit at City Hall embraces diversity
By Elisa Eames | e.eames@mycityjournals.com
MotherTeresa once said, “I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.” The Culture Committee within local nonprofit Friends of Herriman, which supports local arts, parks, trails and culture, aims to create ripples here and beyond with the premier of “Herriman Smiles,” a diversity exhibit on display at city hall during October.
“The ‘Herriman Smiles’ initiative gives residents an opportunity to celebrate diversity and culture within our community,” Culture Committee member Megan Hastings said.
Nearly 40 people who reside, work or go to school in Herriman were nominated by Herriman residents to be spotlighted in the exhibit, which will coincide with Diversity Month. Twenty nominees were able to participate.
A huge undertaking, each participant was interviewed and photographed by volunteer members of the committee and local volunteers. “Volunteering with ‘Herriman Smiles’… has been a wonderful opportunity,” Culture Committee member Lynne Naylor said.
The ripples first began in 2023 with Committee Chair Marco Escobar, who was once an illegal immigrant from Guatemala. In charge of the Inclusion subcommittee, he was asked to brainstorm events that ZAP could support; Zoo, Arts and Parks is a Salt Lake County program that supports local arts, culture and recreation. Inspired by the popular Humans of New York project, he pitched the idea of showcasing diverse people in or around Herriman.
“One of the key goals I had… was to create an event that shared the commonality between us all,” Escobar said. “Whether black, brown, white, blue or red, we all have a smile, and the idea began to take root.”
The other committee members loved the concept. When Escobar became the head of the general Culture Committee that encompassed the Inclusion subcommittee, the project expanded and evolved to include four main diversity categories: military, veterans and first responders; historical residents; individuals struggling with health and wellness; and the original diversity inclusion category.
One of the first steps to realizing this vision was securing ZAP’s approval. The committee completed an outline explaining the project and received approval. The ZAP program provided 50% of the funding for the project, up to $1,500.
The second hurdle was finding someone to provide the most important component— photos of everyone’s smiles. Kaity Smith of Kait Mikayla Photography magnanimously agreed to help.
“The heavy lift came in finding folks that fit the requirements of the project. We began asking the community early in the year and slowly created a backlog of individuals along with the individuals nominated by the subcommittee,” Escobar said.
Once nominees in the four categories were
identified, committee members reached out for permission to include them in the exhibit. From there, nominees were interviewed, bios were completed and the photographs were taken. Finally, everything went off to the printers.
“This is a creative way for the Friends of Herriman to show some of the faces within our community and tell stories,” Herriman City Communications Manager Jon LaFollette said. “We’re looking forward to seeing their display in the city hall lobby.”
The exhibit represents countless hours of dedicated volunteer work over many months. “We’re very excited to see the results. This event does not happen without amazing volunteers and sponsors,” Escobar said.
He and the other committee members hope the exhibit demonstrates to Herriman and the surrounding communities that individuals have more in common with each other than they think and that we are all connected.
“My hope is that community events, like ‘Herriman Smiles,’ encourage everyone to learn more about the diverse number of people and cultures within Herriman City that can positively impact all of us…,” Culture Committee member Ninzel Rasmuson said. “By learning and participating more, we can create
a better community and sense of belonging…” Escobar agrees. “We’re all so similar. We all have beauty in our smiles, and while they read each bio, they’ll learn that we’re all not that different,” he said. “We all look to be better humans, spouses, children and members of our community.”
This project has particular meaning for Escobar. “When I was a child, I stood out. I didn’t know people like me existed in my community of West Valley City. I felt like an outcast because of where I came from, how I dressed, what we ate, etc.,” he said.
One ripple the team hopes to create is to help anyone who may feel marginalized or that they don’t fit in to see themselves in each smile within the exhibit. “Though we may come from different beginnings, we all belong here in this amazing community,” Escobar said.
To further highlight diverse members of our community, Friends of Herriman will also host a banquet for participants, volunteers, sponsors and city officials in early November.
The Culture Committee team would love for the exhibit to be an annual event in Herriman and hope it ripples into other Salt Lake County cities as well.
“I… look forward to being a part of things in Herriman that encourage empathy and compassion for all walks of life,” Rasmuson said.
Other goals include partnering with high school and college photography and journalism classes and creating a permanent website where these and future smiles will always be on display.
“What better way to learn about and connect with our neighbors than through this unique experience?” Hastings asked.
“Herriman Smiles” will be available to view in the lobby of Herriman City Hall Oct. 1–31 from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. l
Friends of Herriman’s Culture Committee meets at Murphy’s Cafe 126. Top row from left to right: Antonio Valbuena, Patty Peterson, Daniel Murphy (owner of the cafe), Lynne Naylor, Nabeela Masani, Ninzel Rasmuson and Aubrey Sorenson. Bottom row left to right: Marco Escobar, Penny Flake, Nick Flake and Amigo the dog, Maury Jackson and Megan Hastings. (Elisa Eames/City Journals)
Herriman joins South Valley Chamber of Commerce
By Elisa Eames | e.eames@mycityjournals.com
Thecities of Herriman and Bluffdale have officially joined the South Valley Chamber of Commerce to provide local businesses with access to further support.
Most commonly, a chamber of commerce is a group of businesses working together to advance shared goals. Herriman will connect its businesses with South Valley’s additional resources to assist in continued and increased success.
The new agreement takes place as Herriman continues to experience rapid residential and business growth. By joining South Valley, the city seeks to make the most of its explosive development while helping local businesses thrive.
“We are thrilled to join forces with the South Valley Chamber of Commerce,” Herriman Mayor Lorin Palmer said. “This agreement will open new doors for our local businesses, providing them with the tools and support they need to thrive in today’s competitive market. Herriman is committed to fostering a diverse business community, and this partnership is a significant step toward achieving that goal.”
South Valley Chamber President and CEO Jay Francis also expressed optimism about the partnership. “We are excited to welcome Herriman and Bluffdale into the Chamber family. Both cities are home to dynamic and innovative businesses, and we look forward to working together to foster growth and prosperity in the region,” he said.
Though Herriman has been working with the Mountain West Chamber of Commerce since 1997, the city hopes that this agreement will further enable economic expansion and increase business opportunities within its borders.
“This collaboration marks a significant milestone in the economic development of both cities, providing local businesses with access to the resources, networking opportunities and advocacy offered by… South Valley…,” the chamber said in a statement released last month.
“[Our] mission is to connect, advocate, educate and grow by working with local businesses, governments and community leaders,” their website states.
Until now, the higher price of membership has kept city officials, who worried local businesses couldn’t afford membership fees, from joining. The city finally decided to pull the trigger when Herriman secured a discounted rate. Instead of an annual bill of $16,000, Herriman will only pay approximately $12,000.
“We believe that the additional relationships and features the South Valley Chamber offers will be beneficial enough to the city to be worth it,” Herriman City Communications Manager Jon LaFollette said. “One of the
main advantages of membership… is being able to establish and maintain relationships with large economic players in Utah at a key time for Herriman’s economic growth.”
Like Mountain West does, the South Valley Chamber affords networking opportunities and events, but on a significantly larger scale. It hosts networking lunches once a month throughout the South Valley. Programs and events offered include Women in Business, Business Institute, Ladies Night Out and South Valley Tourism.
“All these events and all other Chamber functions aim to help businesses and other members establish and strengthen relationships and help communities grow in economic development and stability,” LaFollette said.
The chamber will also represent Herriman at Utah’s capitol and in Washington, and city officials look forward to having this additional clout when lobbying on Herriman’s behalf. “The Chamber’s voice will be added to our own and other regional partners in advocating for Herriman’s best interests,” LaFollette said.
Other benefits offered by South Valley include increased online exposure via its website and marketing events; educational courses and forums; and discounts with other chamber members and its advertising partners. l
The South Valley Chamber of Commerce is located at 9800 Monroe St. #806 in Sandy. (Photo courtesy Google Maps)
HALLOWEEN SECTION
A publication covering local Halloween legends and activities for everyone around the Salt Lake Valley
6 terrifying haunted locations in Salt Lake County to visit this Halloween
By Bailey Chism | bailey.c@thecityjournals.com
When the air grows chilly and the veil between worlds thins during Halloween, Salt Lake County becomes a playground for the paranormal. This region, steeped in history and folklore, is home to some of Utah’s most spine-chilling locations where ghost sightings and eerie encounters are the norm. Whether you’re a thrill seeker or a believer in the supernatural, these terrifying places will give you goosebumps long after you’ve left. If you're looking for a truly terrifying Halloween experience, here are the scariest haunted spots in Salt Lake County.
Fear Factory
Located just outside downtown Salt Lake City, Fear Factory isn’t just a haunted attraction for thrill seekers—it’s a real-life haunted site. Once the Portland Cement Factory, this massive industrial facility was the scene of numerous gruesome deaths, including factory accidents where workers were crushed by machinery or fell into vats of cement. Today, the factory stands abandoned, except for the reported spirits of the workers who died there.
Visitors and staff at Fear Factory have reported hearing eerie whispers, seeing shadowy figures dart across the dilapidated buildings, and feeling an oppressive energy that seems to follow them. One of the most harrowing sightings is that of a disembodied hand, believed to belong to a worker who lost his life in a terrible accident. On Halloween, the site transforms into a commercial haunted house, but many say the real terror is the spirits that never left.
The Old Mill
Arguably the most infamous haunted location in Salt Lake County, the Old Mill sits abandoned in Cottonwood Heights, shrouded in mystery and fear. Built in the late 1800s, the mill was used to process
grain before a fire destroyed much of the building. While the mill has stood vacant for decades, it has gained a reputation as one of Utah’s most terrifying places.
Local legends claim that the Old Mill is haunted by the ghosts of workers who died in the fire, as well as by more sinister forces. Paranormal investigators have reported intense cold spots, phantom footsteps, and feelings of dread upon entering the property. The most terrifying accounts tell of shadowy figures watching from the upper floors, and some visitors claim to have been physically touched or shoved by unseen hands. Trespassing is illegal, but that hasn’t stopped urban explorers from visiting—many of whom leave in a hurry, spooked by the unsettling atmosphere.
The Shilo Inn
The Shilo Inn, now a Holiday Inn Express, is one of Salt Lake City's most tragic and haunted locations. In 1978, the hotel became the site of a horrific mass murder-suicide when a mother, who had become obsessed with religious doomsday beliefs, threw her seven children from the hotel’s balcony before leaping to her death. The tragedy shocked the community, and ever since, the hotel has been plagued by paranormal activity.
Guests have reported hearing the sound of children crying or laughing in the hallways, even when no children are staying there. Some have woken up to see ghostly children standing at the foot of their bed, only for the figures to disappear moments later. The hotel's staff also report eerie occurrences, such as flickering lights, doors opening and closing on their own, and sudden cold drafts. This real-life horror makes the former Shilo Inn one of the most unsettling locations in Salt Lake County and a place few would dare stay on Halloween night.
The Old Deseret Hospital
Located near the historic Avenues District in Salt Lake City, the Old Deseret Hospital opened its doors in 1882, catering mainly to women and children. While the hospital is long gone, many locals believe that the spirits of patients who died there still linger. Those who visit the area report hearing phantom cries, especially at night, and some have even seen the apparition of a nurse walking down where the hospital once stood.
Today, the location is a hotspot for ghost hunters who claim that the residual energy from the building still haunts the area. As the sun sets, the once-bustling neighborhood can take on a much more somber and eerie tone, making it the perfect place for a Halloween exploration.
The Rio Grande Depot
A hub of history, The Rio Grande Depot in Salt Lake City was once a bustling train station. Now home to offices and a museum, it’s better known for the ghostly “Purple Lady,” a spectral figure seen wan-
dering the building. According to legend, the Purple Lady died on the train platform in the 1920s after a lover’s quarrel. Distraught, she either fell or was pushed in front of a train, her body mangled in the accident.
Since then, her ghost has been spotted by countless people, often appearing in her elegant purple dress, wandering the halls or standing at the end of the platform. Lights flicker mysteriously, and security guards working after hours have reported objects moving on their own and the feeling of being watched. The depot’s cavernous halls amplify every sound, making even the slightest noise unsettling. On Halloween night, the energy in the depot becomes even more intense, and many believe it’s the best time to catch a glimpse of the Purple Lady herself.
Asylum 49
Technically located just outside Salt Lake County in Tooele, Asylum 49 deContinued on page 14
Draper’s Kuwahara’s Pumpkin Patch and Thriller Park open for the season
By Rebecca Olds | rebecca.o@thecityjournals.com
Kuwahara’s Pumpkin Patch and Thriller Park opened for the season on Sept. 20, giving thrill seekers more than a month to enjoy the park. Alex Kuwahara, the park’s owner, started the pumpkin patch when he was 12 years old at the original location now called Kuwahara Wholesale. It’s since grown into a pumpkin patch paradise with 25 to 30 different varieties of locally-grown pumpkins and pumpkin archways. He now runs the park along with his wife Sarah Kuwahara.
“That was a big expansion when we started to decorate our tunnels and do it all,” she said. “I mean, we always decorated them but when we made the switch to making it a real wow factor, that's definitely what puts us on the map in pumpkin patches.”
In 2016, the thriller part of the park was added and has been growing ever since.
“I would like the community to know just how much goes into this,” Sarah Kuwahara said. “We have lots of immersive attractions…[and] lots of employees here to make it awesome, so it really is a bang for your buck when you think about what
you're getting.”
Overall, the park employs about 120 people to make the experience as smooth and as fun for the crowds as possible.
More than 30 attractions draw crowds yearly, including the pumpkin patch, haunted house, Halloween Main Street, Once Upon a Time land, corn maze, Grand Bizarre, a magician and more. A crowning feature of the park is the shows and dance parties on the center stage, keeping the Halloween atmosphere alive with live entertainment ranging from fire dancers to musical performances.
Kuwahara said that park visitors can expect a reimagined pirate show to make a reappearance and the popular fire show to be back this season.
During the 2023 season, Kuwahara said more than 40,000 people visited the park and she expects even more this year.
Her advice for those experiencing the park for the first time or the 100th time is to come at night.
“At night, you really get to experience the lights and all the fun,” she said, with a big smile.
More information on park hours, pricing and events can be found online at www.kuwaharawholesale.com.
A mom takes a picture of her kids in Kuwahara’s Pumpkin Patch on opening night of the park, Sept. 20.
Known as a go-to fall picture destination, these teens came dressed for the occasion with crocheted pumpkin hats.
In the Grand Bizarre, vendors like Angie Broadbent (left) from Gemini Twins Art Studio and Photography, dress in their best ghoulish costumes to sell their wares.
Dracula was the first performance to don the stage during opening night of the park on Sept. 20. (Photos by Rebecca Olds/City Journals)
Face painting artist, Terri Williams, shows her customer the first glimpse at her handiwork in the Grand Bizarre. (Rebecca Olds/City Journals)
The Once Upon a Time addition to the park gives kids (and parents) a chance to immerse themselves in the magic of the season. (Rebecca Olds/City Journals)
Kuwahara’s is full of magical decorations to set the scene in each part of the park. (Rebecca Olds/City Journals)
Parkgoers enter the park’s corn maze. (Rebecca Olds/City Journals)
To the left of the park entrance is an archway that leads to the big stage. (Rebecca Olds/City Journals)
This is a local family’s second year going to the park where carts allow for easy pumpkin towing when you’ve found the best pumpkin in the patch.
A brave little girl is held up by her mom while she rings the bell to the cheers of a park employee before she enters the haunted house. The entrance to the pumpkin patch where more than 25 varieties of pumpkins await.
10 family-friendly Halloween activities this month
By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com
Halloween is a spooky time for families to create lasting memories. From eerie displays to costume contests, many activities in Salt Lake County cater to all ages, ensuring everyone gets in on the festive spirit. These family-friendly, spine-tingling adventures will bring excitement to your Halloween celebrations while keeping the scares at a comfortable level.
BooLights, Hogle Zoo (2600 Sunnyside Ave., SLC)
Specific nights from Oct. 2-30, 6:309:30 p.m., $12.95-$18.95
This after-hours light display transforms Hogle Zoo into a bewitching destination. With entertainment and attractions like Dr. Frankenstein's Lab Show at the Wildlife Theatre, the event is the perfect way to celebrate the season. Costumes are allowed, but face-covering masks and any resemblance of weapons are prohibited. Check HogleZoo.org for dates.
Little Haunts, This is the Place Heritage Park (2601 Sunnyside Ave., SLC)
October 11, 12, 18, 19, 25 and 26, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., $14.95-$18.95
Don your costumes and visit This is the Place for storytelling, trick-or-treating and take-home crafts. Learn about creepy bugs at the Creature Encounters and enjoy the petting corral, pony and train rides and more. Bring your own trick-or-treat bag. Tickets at ThisIsThePlace.org.
Riverton Halloween Bash, Riverton City Park (12600 S. 1452 West)
Monday, Oct. 14, 6-8 p.m., FREE
This annual Halloween tradition features age-appropriate games and activities for every family member. Snap holiday
pictures at the photo booth and enjoy the Scare Rodeo spook alley. Families are encouraged to wear costumes.
BOOtanical, Red Butte Garden (300 Wakara Way, SLC)
Oct. 17-30, Members $13, Public $16
BOOtanical Nights, 6-9 p.m. and BOOtanical Days, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Visit the magical world of Wonderland, where you can find hidden seeds and stop the Jabberwocky from transforming Wonderland forever. Join the adventure at RedButteGarden.org.
The Haunted Woods, Murray City Park (296 E. Murray Park Ave.)
Oct. 21-25, 5:30-9 p.m., $5
A family-friendly haunted attraction, the Haunted Woods offers a “Silly Trail” and a scarier “Spooky Trail” so everyone can have fun. All proceeds fund child abuse prevention programs. Tickets at MurrayHauntedWoods.com.
Monster Mash dance party, West Valley City Family Fitness Center (5415 W. 3100 South)
Friday, Oct. 25, 6-8 p.m., $5 per person, 50% off for members
The West Valley Halloween Dance Party is a fun time for the family with dancing, balloons and a costume contest. Pre-register by Wednesday, Oct. 23 at WVC-Ut.gov.
Halloween Fun Fest & Disability Resource Fair, Miller Conference Center (9750 S. 300 West, Sandy)
Saturday, Oct. 26, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., FREE
This event features trick-or-treating, sensory activities and DJ Rebecca to
keep the music hopping. Caregivers can chat with experts and find resources. Costumes welcome!
Samhain Festival, Gallivan Center (239 S. Main Street, SLC)
Sunday, Oct. 27, Noon-7 p.m., $13$15
Experience Samhain, the festival marking the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. Learn pagan traditions, enjoy live entertainment and food trucks, and activities for all ages.
Halloween Spooktacular, Abravanel Hall (123 W. South Temple, SLC)
Tuesday, Oct. 29, $8-$45 Wear a costume to this night of
hair-raising melodies featuring music from Halloween favorites. Watch and listen as members of the Utah Symphony bring monsters to life. Find tickets at UtahSymphony.org.
Día de los Muertos celebration (Millcreek Common, 1354 E. Chambers Ave., Millcreek)
Oct. 27-Nov. 2, FREE
Celebrate Día de los Muertos at Millcreek Common. Bring photos of loved ones for the community Ofrenda and enjoy the Halloween Party on Oct. 31 from 7-10 p.m. The big celebration is on Nov. 2, from 6-9 p.m., with the La Catrina parade, mariachi music, face painting, traditional treats and the movie “Coco.”
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serves a mention for its terrifying proximity and haunted history. Once a hospital, this site is now a full-fledged haunted attraction. But while actors and special effects create a terrifying show, the real horror lies in the ghosts that are said to haunt the building.
Former patients of the hospital are believed to roam the halls, and many visitors have claimed to see shadow figures, hear ghostly voices, and feel sudden cold spots. Paranormal investigators have documented disembodied voices and even poltergeist activity in certain rooms. Unlike most haunted houses, Asylum 49 encourages interaction with both the living and
the dead, making it one of the most immersive and frightening haunted locations in Utah. If you're looking for an experience that blurs the line between entertainment and real paranormal encounters, this is the place to go.
Salt Lake County is filled with ghostly tales and terrifying haunted sites, each with its own dark history and eerie energy. From the real-life tragedy at the Shilo Inn to the haunted corridors of the Old Mill, these locations offer a chilling experience that will make for a Halloween night you won’t forget. Whether you believe in ghosts or not, these haunted places are sure to give you a scare, leaving you wondering what might be lurking just out of sight.
Families have a variety of choices when choosing fun holiday activities in October. (Stock photo)
The Old Mill in Cottonwood Heights. (File photo City Journals)
From struggle to strength: How Milo Gutierrez found his way
By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.coom
Milo Gutierrez was a young man on his way to trouble. Growing up in Herriman, he got in fights at school, was suspended, expelled and even went to jail twice. But at 20 years old, after battling his own demons, Gutierrez found a new path through boxing.
When he was released from jail the second time, his brother-in-law took him to the Fullmer Brothers Boxing Gym where he met Gene Fullmer, a World Middleweight boxing champion. On his very first day, Fullmer put Gutierrez in a sparring match. It didn’t go well.
“I literally only lasted one round,” he said. “I was so gassed. I remember I was wearing a white T-shirt and it was all bloody. My mom’s like, ‘You’re still getting in trouble? I knew you wouldn’t change.’ And I said, ‘No, mom. I started boxing.’”
That was 10 years ago. Now, at 30, Gutierrez is a three-time Golden Gloves state champion (2016, 2017, 2018), a twotime Golden Gloves regional champion (2017, 2018) and was ranked sixth in the nation. Although he retired from competitive boxing, Gutierrez is now training the next generation of fighters at his gym, Deorum Boxing in Bluffdale (2796 W. 14000 South).
Gutierrez worked as a personal trainer before renting a 400-square-foot space where he started his first boxing gym. He moved to Butterfield Park in Herriman for a few months to continue training his boxers before he and his wife, Alejandra, bought a house in Riverton and converted the garage to a boxing gym in October 2021.
“Within a year and a half, I probably had about 50 students in the gym. And I just didn’t want to be that neighbor,” he said. “Everybody was cool with it and we had the permit from the city, they loved the idea of me doing that in my garage, but we started getting really packed.”
He opened his 3,500-square-foot Bluffdale location last October where his father, Rene Gutierrez, works with him as a head trainer. The first 20 years of their relationship was rocky, but now, Gutierrez calls his dad his best friend.
“My mom had given up on me, too, but now she works at the front desk,” he said. “She has her own office and she’s just amazing. I kind of went all full circle. It’s just crazy how things work out in life.”
Gutierrez has turned his passion into purpose by offering a place to train that is a sanctuary for those in need of discipline and community. He said boxing can be a lonely sport, but the diversity and opportunities found at his gym have opened new
doors for the people he works with.
Jody Tuft, a 74-year-old Bluffdale resident, has trained with Gutierrez for seven years. She met him when he worked as a personal trainer at VASA Fitness. She watched him teach a man with visual impairment how to box and thought, “If he can teach a blind man to box, he can teach me boxing.”
She was the first woman trained by Gutierrez and she likes to remind him that, historically and chronologically, she is his oldest female student. Tuft is inspired by his story and believes Gutierrez is in it to help people become the best version of themselves.
“He really wants to help people,” Tuft said. “He went through a rough patch when he was younger and now he wants to give back. He really got his head on straight and knows what he wants to do.”
Tuft said boxing has helped with her eye-hand coordination, her balance, her fitness levels and her confidence. She’s enjoyed watching Gutierrez’s progress over the years and can’t wait to see what happens next.
Gutierrez is already looking to expand Deorum by purchasing land near the current location to offer more boxing and wrestling opportunities. He wants his three children to see his work and be inspired to follow their own paths and dreams.
“I want them to find it for themselves, just like I did, without the going to jail
part,” Gutierrez said. “I want the gym, or boxing or wrestling, to teach them that it’s
all just a way of life and how you perceive things. That’s part of the journey, too.”
Milo Gutierrez (second from left) after a 2018 boxing match with his father Rene Gutierrez (left) and his coaches Ted Gurule and Nick Butterfield (far right). (Photo courtesy Milo Gutierrez)
We are excited to announce that our community has welcomed many new businesses in the past month! These businesses bring diverse services and products that will enrich our local economy and enhance our community’s vibrancy. We had the pleasure of hosting ribbon-cutting ceremonies for the following establishments:
• Jamba Juice
o 14728 S Marketplace Dr
• Pizzeria 24
o 11946 S Carlsbad Way
• Holiday Oil
o 15235 Porter Rockwell Blvd
• A Lo Maracucho
o 3492 W. Maradona Dr
• Boulder Corridor Dental
o 14723 S Marketplace Dr, Ste B
WE HELP BUSINESSES MAKE CONNECTIONS FOR SUCCESS
We are the bridge between businesses and the community in Bluffdale, Herriman, and Riverton.
Want to try some great Venezuelan cuisine—check out A Lo Maracucho. Be sure to try their pies, empanadas and ropa vieja. They are open in Herriman, near Redemption Bar and Grill off of Mountain View Corridor.
Looking for a new dental office? Check out Boulder Corridor Dental. They recently opened and offer from dental cleanings to smile makeovers, their dedicated dental team is here for anything you or your family needs to take care of your oral health. They are passionate about what they do, and their top priority is making sure that you and your family feel confident about your smile.
AREA
Most insurances accepted, including Medicaid
Fun beach-themed office with iPad play area
TV’s above every chair
Sedation Options:
EMPOWERING OUR HEROES
TMS
s a sugar fiend, Halloween was a High Holy day in my childhood. Like a squirrel, I used the holiday to gather and hoard candy that would last me through the autumn months until Santa could fill my stocking with tooth-breaking peppermint discs.
On Halloween, my siblings and I would take pillowcases and trick-or-treat through the neighborhood. When the bags were full, we’d bring home our haul so Mom could scrutinize each piece. She’d look for razor blades poking out of apples, unwrapped candy laced with angel dust and Butterfinger bars that she confiscated as Halloween tax.
In sixth grade, I went trick-or-treating with a boy and we dressed as square dancers because Mr. Madson had taught us how to dance and it was an easy costume. The boy was more interested in trying to kiss me than in securing candy. So I told him we had no future and do-si-doed to the next house to see if they were handing out full-size candy bars.
The gathering of candy was just the beginning. After mom crime-proofed my loot, I’d sort it into categories: chocolate bars, Charms Blow-Pops, fruity Wacky Wafers, Pixy Stix, flavorless Smarties, wax bottles filled with questionable liquid, hard-as-rock orange taffy, Bazooka bubble gum and boring Tootsie Rolls. Then, I’d count each piece so I’d know if one of my bratty siblings took anything.
Once my bag-o-cavities was categorized and counted, I’d hide it under my pillow and sleep on it like Smaug protecting his treasure from the grubby hands of mortals. I sometimes woke up with a lollipop stuck to my face.
The real benefit of Halloween candy was having access to sweet treats at school. Sneaking candy to school was the tricky part. On Nov. 1, teachers knew we’d all have pockets full of candy and we wouldn’t be able to pay attention un-
Give Me Some Sugar
Peri Kinder Life and Laughter
til after Thanksgiving. But they attempted to confiscate any sugary substance, so I had to be strategic.
I’d pretend to look for something in my desk and shove a handful of Milk Duds in my mouth. Invariably, the teacher would call on me as soon as I had the candy stuffed in my cheeks like a chipmunk. Do you know how hard it is to talk with a mouthful of Milk Duds?
After school, I’d dash home to my pile of candy to recategorize and recount, and to punish anyone within screeching distance if one piece of Laffy Taffy was missing. Yes, I was a bit obsessive. I understand that now.
Halloween candy was also perfect for smuggling into Sunday school. If I could get it past my mom, I could snack all through the long Sunday services. At the time, dresses didn’t have pockets (those were hard times) so I had to resort to creative options.
My socks became repositories for candy contraband. I was too young to realize mothers notice when their child’s legs are suddenly shaped like Baby Ruth bars. Plus, the plastic candy wrappers strapped around my ankles made a crinkling and crackling noise as subtle as a bull in a china shop.
A week after Halloween, my candy stash had dwindled
significantly. I needed to cut back if it was going to last until Christmas but the Bottle Caps, the Sugar Babies, the Bit-oHoney and the Boston Baked Beans called to me like a siren on a rock.
Whether I battled the world’s loudest candy wrappers or faced the principal for participating in black market candy sales, Halloween remained my favorite holiday. I still squirrel away my favorite candies and I warn everyone to touch my cache at their peril.
