ere’s a bit of trivia you likely didn’t know unless you live in Kearns. If that’s where you call home, you likely know it all too well.
“We have absolutely no practicing doctors or dentists in our community,” Charles Henderson said. “We have a couple just over our border – and traveling clinics or ‘wellness busses’ come through on occasion. But we have no ongoing medical or dental practices in Kearns.”
Henderson would know. A lifelong resident of the Kearns area, he is also a founding member of the advocacy group MyKearns Community Coalition.
“You can trace the history of our coalition back to 2009 when we had a fatal shooting in our community,” Henderson said. “One Kearns High School student was dead… the other, locked away for life. We held an emergency town hall meeting where about 700 people showed up. We found people in our community who are willing to devote time and energy to address community issues.”
Advocates remained active for the next several years, until the MyKearns Community Coalition was officially established in March 2016, under a slightly different name.
“Former Salt Lake County Mayor Ben McAdams was a champion for our cause,” Henderson said. “The county helped us draft a grant request.
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.
Postpartum Care
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
New trees planted at community park near Utah Olympic Oval
By Tom Haraldsen | t.haraldsen@mycityjournals.com
Urban legend has it that when pioneers first arrived in the Salt Lake Valley, only one lone Cedar tree was found standing. While that has been disproven and trees were found in the Avenues area of Salt Lake City, for example, it is true that the valley was largely devoid of many trees.
Amy May is making sure cities and towns will never have to fear that again. As executive director of Tree Utah, she runs the nonprofit organization that since its founding in 1989 has helped to plant over 400,000 trees around the state.
“Our mission is to improve Utah’s quality of life for present and future generations by enhancing the environment through tree planting, stewardship and education,” the organization’s website states. Case in point: a planting of trees at the Kearns Oquirrh Park near the Utah Olympic Oval on Sept. 13. A group of volunteers, including employees from Lucid Software and Creek Road Dental Care, planted 15 trees.
“We are planting trees along this walkway around the park,” May said. “This is largely used as a sports field which means there aren’t usually very many trees. We really wanted to make an effort to do something special in Kearns. So we’ve been working in conjunction with the county and community members. We wanted to get trees growing in on the perimeter of this pathway so that it’s shaded and can eventually provide a lot of protection from the sun and the heat in the summer.”
May said the Kearns trees are “a variety of tough trees. The soil here is particularly hard. It’s all infill, and different in certain locations, so one hole we dig might be different from the next. Every single tree is selected just to be the toughest it can be and do really, really well in Salt Lake County soils.”
The trees were a mix of oak, elms, sycamores and iron wood. She said where there isn’t a lot of other tree cover to start with, new trees take a little more energy to get going. “Once we have some trees established, the other trees that go in near them will do better,” she said.
Volunteers also added soil amendments like biochar to help create root systems underground. These latest trees are in addition to previous plantings from Tree Utah in the park, which was developed and improved by Salt
Lake County over the past four years.
Tree Utah depends largely on volunteers from the community. May said the organization does plantings mostly in April, May, September and October when weather conditions are good for both the trees and their planters. Before each planting, May and her coworkers walk through every location–coordinating watering, recommended distance between trees and protecting underground watering systems and mowing patterns. The organization purchases the trees and accepts donations for ground nutrients and maintenance products.
“We optimize those four months for planting, then focus on fundraising and education during the other times of the year,” she said. “We can sometimes continue planting into November and December depending on the weather.”
She invites everyone, “whether you’ve got children with you, or whether you’ve planted before or have not. There’s a job for everyone. We’ll find a role for everyone to play in the planting. We’re really here to grow the community around trees and the understanding around them, and really making sure that what we’re planting, we’re planting for success.”
Tree Utah was actually started by a journalist, for-
mer Salt Lake Tribune editor Pepper Provenzano who now lives and writes a blog in Arizona. The nonprofit is governed by a Board of Directors. Information about the organization and dates for upcoming events can be found
A total of 15 new trees were planted along a walkway in the park. (Tom Haraldsen/City Journals)
Volunteers plant trees at Kearns Oquirrh Park as part of the Tree Utah project on Sept. 13. (Tom Haraldsen/City Journals)
Taylorsville teen Ellie Gomez is studying in Costa Rica this fall – the 11th country she’s
visited outside the U.S.
By Carl Fauver | c.fauver@mycityjournals.com
Whatdo you suppose is the percentage of Utah high school students who have never been out of our state of Utah? Could it be as high as 10 to 15%?
On the other hand, how many Utah high schoolers HAVE been outside our COUNTRY? Again, just guessing, does 25 to 30% sound about right? And it’s probably safe to say, the vast majority of those excursions were either to Canada or Mexico.
Then there’s Ellie Gomez – a former member of the Taylorsville Youth Council and a 4-months-ago graduate of Murray High School. The percentage in her category is surely measured in small fractions of 1%.
Gomez checked Mexico and Canada visits off her list nearly a decade ago. But, just over the past 16 months, she’s added nine more countries to her ‘been there, done that’ list: Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, France, Paraguay, Peru, Spain, United Kingdom and, most recently, Costa Rica (where she is a Utah State University study abroad freshman right now).
That’s a dozen countries (including the United States) in her just over 18 years. Ellie says her mother and aunt had everything to do with developing and encouraging her desire to see new places.
“My mom has been to a lot of countries and has talked with me many times about the importance of understanding how other people in our world live,” Gomez said. “These trips have taught me what we have here in America is amazing. I am so grateful for my life and home here. To see people in dirt floor houses and run down schools makes me so appreciative of how we live. Sometimes we have to get out of our bubble. That’s what these trips have allowed me to do.”
Jessica Gomez – Ellie’s mom and a 1990 Taylorsville High School graduate – is quick to add, her daughter didn’t make these trips because the family is “rich.” She says they all made many sacrifices to make the journeys possible.
“There’s a lot of privilege on these trips, kids with a ton of money; but that’s not us,” said the single mother of two. “Our whole family had to make sacrifices for the trips to be possible. We stopped going out to eat. Ellie did her own fundraising while also working. I thought the sacrifices were worth it to get her closer to God and to meet new people.”
Jessica Gomez says she has visited 14 countries while her sister, Audra, touched 50 countries before the age of 50. Ellie’s Aunt Audra also funded one of the three separate trips that took her to all those countries. Ellie and her brother Jonah accompanied their aunt in June to visit London, Paris and Madrid.
“My aunt paid for all three of us to make the trip, as a graduation present to me,” Ellie Gomez said. “Jonah has had many health issues; so we were thrilled he was able to go.
This year, the construction work was done at a school in Paraguay, while the group also passed through parts of Argentina and Brazil.
That trip – to the United Kingdom, France and Spain – was the only one I’ve taken strictly as a vacation. My other two trips, both to South America, were humanitarian trips to do volunteer construction work at schools.”
Those other two trips – one in summer 2023 and the other just a couple of weeks after the European trip this summer – are the ones that required Ellie to raise money and her mother to tighten the household budget. The cost for each was “about $4,000.” Each of those excursions was operated by a Salt Lake-based organization called Humanitarian Experience (HXP).
On its website (humanitarianxp.org), HXP describes itself as “an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization aligned with the principles, vision and values of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. However, HXP is not sponsored or endorsed by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Brigham Young University or any of their affiliates. While primarily a member-created community, HXP experiences are open to youth of all faiths who are willing to follow our code of conduct. Prayer, scripture study and church attendance are a central part of all our experiences.”
On each trip, Ellie Gomez was in a group of about 20 people, ages 15 to 20. Both times she and the others did structural work to upgrade elementary schools. In 2023, the work was completed in Ecuador, while Ellie’s airplane also touched down in Peru on the way.
“Our job this summer was to plaster walls and finish some brick and roof work,” Ellie Gomez explained. “I mostly plastered all week and it was very humbling. It’s really hard to do that work well; and, of course, we had no experience at it. I had to redo a few walls. But we made progress. The school was better when we left than when we got there.”
Also, as part of each HXP humanitarian trip, the group visited world renowned places of interest before arriving at their worksites. In 2023, that meant a 5-day excursion to the Galápagos Islands. This year’s trip took Gomez to Iguazú Falls, part of the largest waterfall system in the world. The falls are on the Iguazú River, the border between Argentina and Brazil.
“The excursions were so much fun,” Ellie Gomez said. “On the main Galápagos Island – the only inhabited island in the system – we went scuba diving, zip lining and swimming in caves. There were iguanas everywhere. Both of these stops were great before we began our volunteer work.”
One person who’s thrilled to see Ellie get these opportunities to see the world is Taylorsville Mayor Kristie Overson, who worked closely with Gomez when she was a member of the city’s Youth Council.
“Ellie is so energetic, joyful, always smiling,” Overson said. “She always brought the Youth Council members together. Always fun and effervescent. Ellie never seems to have a bad day. Our Youth Council was a bit bigger last year than ever before. But, with Ellie and several others leading the way, they developed such a tight bond.”
Gomez was able to mingle in and thrive on the Youth Council, despite being the only one of its members who was actually attending Murray High, while living within the Taylors-
ville border. Like several other high school seniors in the group, she had to depart the council upon graduation.
Which, finally, brings Ellie Gomez to her current post in life – a college freshman, now in the 12th country she has touched. In late September (after press time), Gomez was scheduled to fly to the small Central American country of Costa Rica. Roughly the same size as West Virginia – less than a quarter of the size of Utah – Costa Rica is sandwiched between Nicaragua on the north and Panama to the south.
“I will study business and language (Spanish) in Costa Rica through a Utah State University study abroad program,” Ellie Gomez concluded. “It’s only for one semester. I’ll return home for Christmas and move up to the Logan campus in January. I’ll live in a dorm up there.”
Ellie eventually wants to pursue a career in real estate acquisition, development and management. Based on the dozen countries she’s seen at barely age 18, it’s probably a safe bet she’ll one day be pricing properties in plenty of places outside Utah and the United States. l
Taylorsville resident Ellie Gomez assisted humanitarian work crews in Ecuador and Paraguay over the past two summers. (Photo courtesy Ellie Gomez)
Ellie Gomez made several new friends in Paraguay this summer, as she worked with them to upgrade an impoverished elementary school. (Photo courtesy Ellie Gomez)
Taylorsville globetrotter Ellie Gomez enjoyed this view from atop the Eiffel Tower several weeks before Olympic athletes descended upon Paris. (Photo courtesy Ellie Gomez)
Utah Scottish Highland dancers, trained in Taylorsville, travel to Boston and Scotland to compete
By Carl Fauver | c.fauver@mycityjournals.com
The Taylorsville-based Crane School of Highland Dance has produced a national champion this year – following in the footsteps of Utah’s only other national champion: her instructor.
Dr. Kelsey Deklerk opened her dance studio in 2012, the same year she moved to Taylorsville – three years after graduating from West Jordan High School. Her credentials for opening up shop are impressive, if not staggering. From 2004 to 2008, Deklerk was a national champion Scottish Highland dancer, 4 out of 5 years.
Our state had never had another national champion – before or since Deklerk’s dominance – until this year.
“I had five dancers qualify for the national finals in Boston this year,” Deklerk said. “They were all confident and performed very well. And Jay won her age 9 and under age group. She’s Utah’s second national champion.”
“Jay” would be Jacqueline Ritchie, who placed 5th in nationals a year ago before earning the top honor on July 20.
“It made me feel really happy (to win the national title) because it was only my second (U.S. finals) competition,” Ritchie said. “I feel like I did a good job. I’m proud of myself.”
Her mom, Lynee Ritchie reacted… well… just about how you’d expect.
“Oh, I was bawling; as it started looking like (winning the national championship) could be a reality, I was crying with excitement for her,” Lynee Ritchie said. “They tried to hand her the big trophy and she made a face at the judges like ‘I’m not sure I can hold that.’ Later, when we were walking through the Boston airport, we had to carry the trophy because it wouldn’t fit in a suitcase. People were looking at us – and we just pointed at Jay to tell them ‘She won it.’ It was a lot of fun. She was excited.”
To qualify for the national finals, Deklerk’s students had to place in the top three, in their age group, at a regional competition. The seven-state Utah region includes dancers from: Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington and Wyoming.
Dancer Madison Greenwood, 16, qualified for nationals from Deklerk’s school, but did not place in the top six in Boston.
Caroline Hollowell placed sixth in nationals in the same age bracket as Ritchie. This was her first time to compete in the U.S. championship.
Dancer Mauri Gunn finished fifth in the age 12-13 national competition. A year ago, at the national finals in Portland, Gunn placed third.
Finally, Jane Hollowell (Caroline’s older sister) finished second in nationals this
year, matching the second place finish she earned a year ago.
“I am so proud of how all my girls performed at nationals,” Deklerk concluded. “They’ve grown so much through dance. They know how to be gracious whether winning or losing and how to interact well with their competitors. They’ve learned dedication and perseverance. They’re stronger physically and have grown mentally. I’m happy for all of them.”
In all of her previous years operating the Crane School of Highland Dance, the national finals marked the end of their dance “season.” After some time off, the girls normally start to learn new dance steps in the fall and begin a new year of competition after the holidays. But this year was different – at least for some of her girls.
“I have never had any of my students compete at the Highland Dance World Championships until now,” Deklerk said. “But this year, three of them, and their families, flew to Scotland to compete.”
Those three were national champion Jacqueline Ritchie and sisters Jane and Caroline Hollowell. The entourage also included both sets of parents and assorted siblings.
For the Hollowell family, the competition was new; but the trek was something they’ve done before.
“My husband Raymond was born and raised in Scotland and I met him while on a 6-month study abroad program there,” Annie Hollowell explained. “So, we have taken all four of our children to Scotland before. We visit Raymond’s mother and stepdad… his brother and his wife and kids. His grandmother is also still alive. They all live very close to each other.”
Raymond and Annie met in 2009 and were married, here in Utah, in 2010.
“My husband was 25 when he moved to the states,” she added. “His Scottish heritage is very important to him. That’s why we’ve traveled over there frequently. It’s also why we encouraged our girls to get involved in Highland dancing. We didn’t know at the time their dancing would become such an important part of our lives. But it’s become a big deal for the girls and has blossomed into a wonderful thing for our whole family.”
Lynee Ritchie and her husband had also been to Scotland before, on vacation; but this would be the first visit for Jacqueline and her two younger sisters.
“We had already decided we were going to make the trip to the world finals in Scotland, even before Jay won the national championship,” Ritchie said. “Girls cannot actually compete for a world championship
until age 12. But they do have competitions for the younger girls. We thought this would be a good experience for her – to give her confidence that she can compete against dancers from anywhere.”
When they weren’t busy at dance competitions, the two families found time to vacation together for part of their time in Scotland. On Jacqueline’s 10th birthday (Sept. 2) the families were together on a boat tour of Loch Ness. They may not have seen “Nessie,” but they did tour a medieval attraction on its shores, Urquhart Castle.
In her age 10 category, Jane Hollowell placed sixth in the Scottish Highland Dance world finals. She was the only one of Deklerk’s students to return from Europe with a trophy.
“Honestly, I was surprised I placed because my group was very hard,” Jane said. “I was proud of how I did. Dancing makes me happy because I get to make new friends. My goal is to be a national champion and to become a dance teacher and judge.”
Younger sister Caroline Hollowell says Scottish Highland dancing “Makes me feel strong and happy. Like my sister, I want to be a world champion and a dance teacher one day.”
By the way, the entire country of Scotland is barely more than a third the size of Utah: 30,997 square miles compared to 84,889. So, seeing most or all of the country in a relatively short time is not too difficult – except, perhaps, for one distinct challenge.
“We rented a car for the whole trip; but there was no way I was going to drive on the wrong side of the road,” Lynee Ritchie concluded. “And sitting on the right side of the car to drive? No way! But my husband drives like a pro – so we were fine.”
Anyone interested in learning more about Highland dance – or possibly enrolling a student – can contact Kelsey Deklerk at craneschoolofhighlanddance.com or (801) 837-2269. l
Caroline Hollowell recently placed sixth in the Scottish Highland Dance national finals in Boston. A month later she traveled even further to compete in the world finals in Scotland. (Photo courtesy Kelsey Deklerk)
When the two older girls weren’t busy in Scottish Highland dance competitions, the Hollowell family spent time seeing sights and relatives in Scotland. (Photo courtesy Annie Hollowell)
Jane Hollowell recently brought this big trophy home to Utah from Scotland after competing in the Scottish Highland Dance World Championships. (Photo courtesy Kelsey Deklerk)
NEW AREA
• Flat headstone spaces • Monument estate spaces
• Bench estate spaces
• Pre-development pricing
The Garden of Resurrection is thoughtfully designed to offer a peaceful and tranquil space where families can reflect and honor their loved ones.
The Garden will offer a variety of burial options, including single plots, companion spaces, family estates, and cremation options. Each space will accommodate different needs and preferences, ensuring that every family can find the right resting place for their loved ones.
The Annie E. Casey Foundation out of Baltimore, Maryland awarded us $150,000. Then Salt Lake County matched that grant. With $300,000 in start-up funding, we established what is now known as the MyKearns Community Coalition.”
The Annie E. Casey Foundation (aecf. org), by the way, has an interesting backstory. It was created just after World War II by the Seattle family that created United Parcel Service (UPS). But we digress – Google it.
The MyKearns Coalition Board meets monthly and has several active workgroups in place to address many issues. Workgroup names include: Policy & Advocacy, Youth Council, PR & Outreach, Sustainability, Implementation and Healthy Kearns.
Salt Lake County employee Brita Watts is the coalition coordinator and its only paid employee.
“I’ve only been in this position about a year – but the county has provided the MyKearns Community Coalition Coordinator (paid for through grant funding) for several years,” Watts said. “We meet as a full board on the last Monday of each month. But our many workgroups are busy doing various projects all the time. We also report to and coordinate with the City of Kearns Council regularly.”
Henderson and Watts were two of the primary presenters at a recent public meeting called to address Kearns healthcare issues. The session was also facilitated by Salt Lake County Health Department Chronic Disease Program Manager Jason Cloward and his employees, Annelise Vorkink and Scott Sais.
After serving dinner to a modest group of about 15 attendees at the Kearns Library, the discussion focused on socalled “social determinants of health.” Presenter Sais explained, these determinants include: education access & quality, health care & quality, neighborhood & built environment, social & community context and economic stability.
Attendees were provided statistical information showing Kearns residents to be in very high percentiles (compared to the
state average) in challenges such as food insecurity, teenagers’ feelings of social isolation and availability of mental health therapists.
“This was just the first meeting in what will be a long-term process to try to reduce barriers to healthcare in our community and to improve access to healthcare,” Watts said. “I think the meeting went great; but we know there’s a lot more to do. Our ultimate goal is to accomplish our coalition Mission Statement and Vision.”
One of the presentation slides at the meeting included these items:
MISSION – The MyKearns Community Coalition works to decrease youth substance use and other problem behaviors in Kearns through evidence-based programming, environmental strategies and community engagement.
VISION – A unified and welcoming community for all, where individuals and families prosper, have opportunities to contribute and take pride in a vibrant and diverse community.
Following their initial meeting last month, the Social Determinants of Health Leadership Team will hold its next public meeting Saturday, Oct. 19, again at the Kearns Library. That session will begin at 4:30 p.m., with a free dinner and child care provided.
“Our goal is to provide opportunities and resources to keep families safe, healthy and together,” MyKearns Coalition Chair Kristen Dietz said. “Our coalition organizes family game nights and cooking classes. We also have an active youth council.”
Coalition vice chair Don Bartlett added, “I like being involved in my community. I’m age 50 and have lived 47 years in Kearns. I graduated from Kearns High and so did both of my children – the second one, just this year. I like working to bring resources together to help unite families.”
Learn more about the many activities of the MyKearns Community Coalition on their Facebook page. l
OCTOBER
Dinner Seminar
McDougal Funeral Home –
Family Owned and Operated Since 1950
McDougal Funeral Home opened in December 1950, on Redwood Road in Taylorsville. Back then, Redwood Road was not the busy and bustling motorway it is today. Many people did not understand R. David McDougal’s vision in building a funeral home in the middle of farmland. Yet he had a dream to own and run a funeral home unlike any other in the Salt Lake Valley, with a commitment to service that would become second to none. Over the years, David, his wife, Joyce, and his brother, Richard, established just such a business.
One of the ways David made sure McDougal Funeral Home stood out was in the color of his coaches (funeral cars). Instead of the usual choices of black or white or gray, David chose baby blue. And that color stuck! Our
coaches today are still that same baby blue and are easily recognizable by anyone familiar with the McDougal Funeral Home name.
Another way David ensured his staff served with utmost support, was how his directors stayed with the family. The same director received the individual into our care, made arrangements with the family, attended the funeral service, and even drove to the cemetery. We strive to continue that tradition and commitment today. The director you first meet is the director who will see you through the entirety of the funeral.
We have recently opened a new facility adjacent to McDougal Funeral Home. It is home to The Gathering Hall, Forever Loved Pets, and our cremation center. The Gathering Hall is our event center that can be used for funerals, memorial services, open mic events, luncheons following a service, even receptions, business meetings, and family events! Our guests have loved this Hall! Forever Loved Pets is our pet cremation service. Because pets are part of your family too, we provide dignified final arrangements and offer personal support at the time of loss. We offer witness cremations in our beautiful cremation center, with
great respect to individuals who choose this increasingly popular final arrangement.
McDougal Funeral Home is still family owned and operated, with Ron McDougal, David’s greatgrandnephew, carrying on David’s legacy of superior compassion and service. Ron and his staff of highly trained funeral directors, as well as family service counselors, assist families in each detail required for planning services, whether for an immediate need or to make pre-arranged funeral plans. We look forward to serving you and thank you for allowing our family to serve your family!
The Gathering Hall
4306 S Redwood Rd. Taylorsville, UT 84123
McDougal Funeral Home
4330 S Redwood Rd. Taylorsville, UT 84123
801.968.3800
MAYOR'S MESSAGE
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Our Plaza +ART program, now in its fourth year, has brought so much beauty to our city and Centennial Plaza, in particular. It has worked to bring to Taylorsville dozens of sculptures by local and area artists, and you can now view the latest set that will be on display at the plaza for the 2024-25 season.
In all, 19 sculptures make up this season’s Art Walk, which you can take free of charge anytime — day or night. The sculptures are set along the lighted pathways at Centennial Plaza so they are lovely to view in the evening hours, as well as during a sunny afternoon.
The art pieces are essentially donated by the artists for a rotating display at the plaza until they are changed out for another set at the end of the season. This year’s display is made up of a variety of stunning pieces. They include:
“Dream” by Byron Ramos, “Thundercloud” by Myles Howell, “With Gravity” by Joshua Toone, “Svelte” by Dan Toone, “Expectant Mother” by Ben Hammond, “Get Your Mind Rolling” by Deveren Farley, “Northwest Totem Pole” by Richard Prazen, “Passage” by Ted Schaal, “Enterprise” by Doug Adams, “Complicated Woman” by Jeannine Young, “The Queen” by Jason Millward, “Orientation” and “Together” by Nate Brimhall, “Baseball Daze” by Dan Hill, “Decay” by Deanna Ho man, and “Thorns, Bees and Rhinos” and “Germination III” by Nathan Johansen.
Completing this year’s gallery are permanent pieces “Guitar” by Farley and “Sophisticated Lady” by Young.
The sculptures were unveiled as part of our nal Starry Nights @the Plaza event on Sept. 27, when an Artists’ Reception also was held at the Mid-Valley Performing Arts Center to honor the artists and thank them for their work.
You can read more about the artists and inspiration behind their sculptures on our website, www.taylorsvilleut.gov. Be sure to catch next month’s Newsletter, as well, which will include pictures of the new sculptures and the unveiling event.
I hope you will enjoy these beautiful new sculptures as much as I do. I would be remiss, too, if I didn’t express my sincere thanks to Taylorsville residents Dan and Janean Toone for their vision in launching the Plaza +ART program and their continuing e orts overseeing it. Plaza +ART has quickly become one the city's most robust programs.
As Plaza +ART recently posted on its Facebook page (which you can follow @PlazaPlusArt), art can calm, inspire and bring joy. It brings people together, inspires engagement and strengthens communities. I couldn’t agree more!
—Mayor Kristie S. Overson
WHAT’S INSIDE – OCTOBER 2024
Frequently Called Numbers, Page 2
Council Corner, Page 3
TVPD News, Page 4
Heritage Remembrances, Page 7
Environment, Page 8
UTA Celebrates Construction of Midvalley Express Through Taylorsville
Construction continues on the new Midvalley Express (MVX) bus rapid transit line that will soon connect riders with local destinations through Taylorsville, Murray and West Valley. The project o cially kicked o in full force with a recent groundbreaking ceremony.
“If people want to take the bus or train, we should make that easy for them,” said Andrew Gruber, executive director of the Wasatch Front Regional Council, at the groundbreaking on Aug. 28. “And this MVX system that is getting started now is going to give people those choices.”
MVX’s eet of 10 new all-electric buses will use dedicated bus lanes and signal prioritization to run at high frequency along the 7-mile route. The bus rapid transit line is the Utah Transit Authority’s third in the system and will feature a designated bus lane on 4500/4700 South from Atherton Drive to Redwood Road. Key destinations along the route include Intermountain Medical Center in Murray and Salt Lake Community College in Taylorsville.
“It was a fun kicko , and then we jumped on a bus and rode the line from Murray to West Valley, and I got to talk about Taylorsville as we passed through our city,” Mayor Kristie Overson said of the groundbreaking event. “It was a great opportunity to actually ride the route.”
The line is on schedule to begin operations in fall 2026 with free fare for its rst ve years thanks to a federal grant.
Taylorsville Recreation Center ......................................... 385-468-1732
Swimming Pool (Memorial Day to Labor Day) 801-967-5006
Taylorsville-Bennion Heritage Center 801-281-0631
UDOT Region 2 801-975-4900
Utah Transit Authority (UTA) 801-743-3882
EVENTS
OCTOBER 2024
Oct. 2 and 16 – 6:30 p.m. City Council Meeting @ City Hall.
Oct. 8 and 22 – 6:30 p.m. Planning Commission Meeting @ City Hall.
Oct. 11 – 5 to 8 p.m. & Oct. 12 – 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
2024 Taylorsville Art Show @ the Mid-Valley Performing Arts Center, 2525 Taylorsville Blvd. Free!
Oct. 11 – 7:30 p.m.
Taylorsville-SLCC Symphony Orchestra concert, titled "Monstrous Melodies" @ the Mid-Valley Performing Arts Center. Come in costume, if you dare!
Oct. 14 – all day
Columbus Day. Indigenous Peoples’ Day. City Hall is closed in observance.
Oct. 17 – 7 p.m.
Localscapes class @ City Hall. Learn money- and water-saving tips to landscape your yard. See ad on Page 4 of this section.
Oct. 18 – 7 p.m.
Plaza +ART’s An Evening of Art @ the Mid-Valley Performing Arts Center. Meet artists Tom Howard and Myles Howell. It’s a free event!
Oct. 31 – All Day
Halloween. Have a safe and happy day. Watch out for trick-or-treaters.
Find our calendar of events every month on the city’s website, where you can also submit your own events for possible publication. Go to www.taylorsvilleut.gov
COUNCIL CORNER
By Council Member Meredith Harker
2700 West Now Carriers the ‘Constitution
Blvd.’ Name Through Taylorsville
We were honored this past month to give our stamp of approval, adding the name Constitution Blvd. to 2700 West, and thought you might like to read the o cial proclamation declaring it as such. The proclamation is included in its entirety here and was adopted during our City Council meeting on Sept. 18, the day after Constitution Day. (You can also read more about this important addition in the accompanying article). Now, every time I travel 2700 West, I will be thinking about this foundational document and the rights and liberties it guarantees to all of us. I am so grateful for our Constitution!
WHEREAS, the United States Constitution, adopted on September 17, 1787, stands as the supreme law of the land and has served as the foundation for our nation’s democratic principles, ensuring the rights and liberties of its citizens; and
WHEREAS, Constitution Day, observed annually on September 17th, commemorates the signing of this extraordinary document and reminds us of the enduring importance of the Constitution in our daily lives; and
WHEREAS, the Constitution of the United States is not only a historical document but a living framework that continues to guide and shape our nation, fostering the growth of the world’s most advanced democracy; and
WHEREAS, the success of our democracy relies on an educated citizenry that understands the Constitution’s principles and is actively engaged in the civic process; and
WHEREAS, citizens are encouraged to read, study, and become familiar with the United States Constitution and its precepts, recognizing its role in protecting individual rights, limiting government, ensuring justice, and promoting the common good; and
WHEREAS, the City of Taylorsville has taken the symbolic step of adding the name “Constitution Boulevard” to 2700 West, serving as a constant reminder that our community is governed by the rule of law and that we all share a responsibility to uphold and protect the freedoms enshrined in the Constitution; and
WHEREAS, the designation of 2700 West as “Constitution Boulevard” serves as a tribute and a reminder to the ideals of freedom, liberty, justice, and democracy, and as an inspiration for current and future generations to remain vigilant in the defense of these principles; and
NOW, THEREFORE, we, Kristie S. Overson, Mayor of the City of Taylorsville, together with the Taylorsville City Council, on behalf of the citizens of Taylorsville, do hereby proclaim September 17th, from this day forward, as CONSTITUTION DAY in the City of Taylorsville, and we encourage all citizens to read and re ect on the
United States Constitution, deepen their understanding, and actively engage in our democratic process. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City of Taylorsville formally adds the name “Constitution Boulevard” to 2700 West, honoring the enduring signi cance of the United States Constitution and symbolizing our commitment to the rule of law and democratic governance.
New Constitution Blvd. Signs Installed along 2700 West
In recognition of the U.S. Constitution and Constitution Day, new street signs are now up at intersections along 2700 West that add the name “Constitution Blvd.” to the thoroughfare.
The signs were unveiled at the City Council’s Sept. 18 meeting, the day after Constitution Day, and were installed along 2700 west on Sept. 20. The City Council and Mayor Kristie Overson also adopted a formal proclamation, which describes the importance of the additional name and can be read in this month’s Council Corner article above.
“It’s my great pleasure to announce we are adding the name ‘Constitution Blvd.’ to 2700 West,” Mayor Overson said at the council meeting this past month. “With this e ort, Constitution Blvd. by name will now extend from West Valley City through Taylorsville, giving continuity to the entire stretch of the road.”
Constitution booklets, provided by Congressman Burgess Owens’ o ce, and mini American ag from the Taylorsville Exchange Club were passed out to those attending the meeting. Council Member Anna Barbieri also led the group in reciting the rst paragraph of the Constitution.
“The addition of ‘Constitution Blvd.’ to this important road will draw additional focus to prominent areas of our city located near 2700 West including Taylorsville City Hall, the Mid-Valley Performing Arts Center, the Taylorsville Utah Temple and, of course, Valley Regional Park where our annual Taylorsville Dayzz takes place every summer,” Mayor Overson said.
“It is di cult to put into words how grateful I am for the enduring relevance of the U.S. Constitution in shaping our nation’s values and principles,” she said. “Constitution Day, marking the signing of the Constitution on Sept. 17, 1787, is such an important day, and now we have even more reason to celebrate in Taylorsville.”
LEFT TO RIGHT:
Bob Knudsen, (District 5), Curt Cochran, Chair (District 2), Anna Barbieri, (District 3), Meredith Harker, Vice Chair (District 4) and Ernest Burgess (District 1)
Let’s Enhance Pedestrian Safety and Improve Crosswalk Accessibility
Check this space each month for news about the Taylorsville Police Department (TVPD) and their valuable service to our community.
To ensure pedestrian safety and improve accessibility at crosswalks, please review the parking regulations adopted by state and city leaders. These regulations address common parking violations and aim to enhance safety for both pedestrians and drivers. Also, check out some of our safety reminders below for drivers.
Key regulations for no parking —Vehicles must not be stopped or parked in these areas:
• On crosswalks to keep them clear for pedestrians
• On the roadway side of another parked vehicle
• Within intersections or on sidewalks
• Within 20 feet of a crosswalk and 30 feet from ashing signals, stop signs or tra c-control signals
• In front of driveways or re hydrants
• Within 75 feet of a re station entrance
• In a way that obstructs tra c. Motorists cannot leave less than 10 feet of roadway width available for tra c flow. This helps prevent congestion and ensures smooth tra c movement.
Why these laws matter —These regulations are essential for maintaining pedestrian safety and ensuring that crosswalks remain accessible. By keeping these areas clear, we reduce the risk of accidents and make it easier for everyone, including young children and those with mobility challenges, to navigate our streets safely.
We encourage all drivers to approach their driving with heightened awareness and caution. Always be vigilant when navigating areas with high pedestrian tra c, such as school zones, residential neighborhoods and busy crosswalks. Keep these points in mind:
Reduce speed — Slower speeds give you more time to react to unexpected situations and provide greater stopping distance in emergencies.
Avoid distractions — Stay focused on the road by minimizing the use of mobile devices and other distractions, including cognitive distractions, while driving.
Yield to pedestrians — Always yield the right of way to pedestrians at crosswalks and be prepared to stop for those who are crossing or waiting to cross. Be especially cautious and check the crosswalk when turning left or right.
Check blind spots — Be mindful of blind spots when pulling out of driveways or making turns, as pedestrians may be in your path.
Be extra cautious during peak times — Pay special attention during school dropo and pickup times, and on this month’s Halloween night when children are more likely to be on the streets.
Practice courtesy — Be patient and courteous to other road users, including pedestrians and cyclists. Your actions can signi cantly impact the safety and comfort of those around you.
Also, for pedestrians: While you may legally have the right of way, best practice is to ensure you can cross and utilize the roadways safely and legally.
By adhering to these guidelines, all of us sharing the road can contribute to a safer, more pedestrian-friendly environment. Your cooperation helps prevent accidents and ensures that everyone, regardless of age or ability, can move around our community with con dence and ease.
For more information on parking regulations and safety tips, please see the city’s code and ordinances at taylorsvilleut.gov, or visit highwaysafety.utah.gov. Thank you for doing your part in keeping our streets safe!
EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH
Congratulations to O cer Clu , TVPD’s latest Employee of the Month. O cer Clu has served in law enforcement for nearly nine years, including with the Utah Department of Corrections, West Valley City Police Department and Taylorsville Police Department. He is currently assigned to TVPD’s patrol division and is a member of our Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team.
Additionally, Officer Cluff is a certified police training instructor and has served as an officer within the Public Order Unit, as well as on the Utah Department of Corrections SWAT and Transportation teams. O cer Clu was nominated as Employee of the Month by O cer Landol and selected by Chief Cottam for his outstanding service and dedication while assisting a recently unsheltered elderly
Officer Cluff acted with compassion and professionalism, ensuring she received the necessary care. He went above and beyond by offering valuable resources and support, exemplifying the department’s core values. O cer Clu used discretion and was able to see beyond the surface level of the circumstances he was initially called to address, which enabled him to resolve the bigger issue. His actions demonstrate a deep sense of humanity and commitment to
In his free time, O cer Clu enjoys y shing, mountain biking and camping. Thank you, O cer Clu , for your dedicated service and for being a
TVPD Finishes 2nd among 14 Agencies at K-9 Trials
TVPD’s K-9 Unit participated in the Bradley W. Taylor Memorial K-9 Trials this past month and came away with several awards.
Hosted by the Sandy City Police Department, the trial took place over three days on Sept. 6 to 8. Overall, TVPD placed second as Top Agency and took high honors in several individual categories.
O cer Moore and K-9 Turbo took rst in Patrol Area Search, Patrol Area Tracking and Decoy's Choice. They also placed third in Tac Obedience and fourth in Patrol Building Search.
O cer Ho man and K-9 Ghost placed second in both the Tu Dog and Tac Obedience categories. They also took fth place in both Criminal Apprehension and Area Search.
Congratulations, as well, to O cer Wake eld and K-9 Koda who rounded out the team for the award-winning overall nish. TVPD's K-9 Unit competed against 14 other teams.
Fall Festival Served
Up a Bounty of Autumn
Fun
From a pumpkin patch to a quilt show, the Taylorsville Historic Preservation Committee put on another fabulous Fall Festival this past month. It was the second year in a row that volunteers organized the festival following last year’s success.
This year, the Taylorsville Parks and Recreation Committee also assisted in the planning, and there was plenty of fun for all, including the pumpkin patch and pumpkin painting, quilt show and quilt giveaway, pie-eating contests, music, line dancing, children’s games and other activities. Plus, those attending were given a free Taylorsville history book to take home.
The festival was held Sept. 21, and featured entertainment from the Days of ’47 Royalty, as well as Crossfire Band, which also has performed at Starry Nights @the Plaza events. The Fall Festival took place at the Taylorsville-Bennion Heritage Center, 1488 W. 4800 South, which you can visit during museum hours: Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Wednesday, 6 to 8 p.m., or Saturday, 2 to 6 p.m.
Taylorsville Bennion Heritage REMEMBRANCES
Early Settler Jacob Butter eld Joined Battalion in mid-1800s
This month’s article highlights Jacob Kemp Butter eld, who died in Taylorsville in 1889.
Jacob K. Butter eld was born in Maine and arrived in Utah on May 12, 1848. His history was written as a rst-person narrative by relative May Butter eld and submitted Nov. 17, 1967.
It follows:
“I, Jacob Kemp Butter eld, son of Abel and Persis Kemp Butter eld, was born in the Township of Farmington, County of Kennebee, Maine, on the 17th of February, 1813. In the year of 1846, the recruiting o cers with John Allen were sent by the United States Government to raise 500 men out of the Mormon camps.
“The Battalion formed part of the forces commanded by Gen. Leavenworth to Santa Fe and arrived in Southern California on Jan. 1, 1847. I volunteered my services as one to go. Our captain was Je erson Hunt. I was assigned to be in Company A.
“I died Nov. 18, 1889, in Taylorsville, Utah. I worked very hard all of my life, and remained true to my church and family. I remained a noble patriarch to numerous posterity.”
You can learn more about Butter eld, his family and the histories of many other Taylorsville residents at the Taylorsville-Bennion Heritage Center, 1488 W. 4800 South. Drop on by!
Don’t Miss These Library Events
The Taylorsville Library has planned several programs during the month of October. You’ll want to mark your calendar for these events:
TEEN ROBOTS 101 AFTER HOURS — Friday, Oct. 4, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Come learn about and do all things robots. Building, Programming and Competitions with an award winning FIRST FTC Team, the Cubed ETs.
VIRTUAL LECTURE | H.H. Holmes: A Neurocriminological and Forensic Psychological Examination — Monday, Oct. 7, 7 p.m. Register at: thecountylibrary.org/LectureSeries. Herman Webster Mudgett, aka Henry Howard Holmes (H.H. Holmes) is known as one of America's rst noted serial killers.
SENIOR HEALTH CLASS: Why Sleep Matters and How to Get More — Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2 p.m. Sleep plays an important role in your overall health and wellness; however, it is often undervalued and underappreciated. Learn ways you can improve your sleep and in turn improve your life. Presented by Salt Lake County Adult & Aging Services.
SELF-IMPROVEMENT BOOK CLUB — Saturday, Oct. 12, 11 a.m. Meet other readers interested in self-improvement and self-discovery in this monthly book club. The October book pick is “Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear” by Elizabeth Gilbert.
TABLETOP GAME DAY — Saturday, Oct. 12, 1 to 4 p.m. Join in an afternoon of tabletop games! Play your favorites or explore new games provided by High Gear Hobby.
HOMESCHOOL "WHO WAS" BOOK CLUB — Monday, Oct. 14,
1 p.m. Learn about people and places with books from the “Who Was” series. The group will talk about the book, learn cool facts and do other fun activities. October: “Who Was Leif Erikson?”
INSURANCE CHANGES FOR SENIORS — Monday, Oct. 21, 10:30 a.m. Learn about changes for the coming year on your current senior insurance plans.
KEVIN HURST PRESENTS: A Magical Halloween Night — Monday, Oct. 14, 7 p.m. Enjoy a family friendly night of original Halloween songs performed by Kevin Hurst and his spooky ensemble. Sing along and become stars of this fun, entertaining and highly interactive program!
VIRTUAL LECTURE | The Films of Alfred Hitchcock — Tuesday, Oct. 22, 7 p.m. Register at: thecountylibrary.org/LectureSeries. Explore Alfred Hitchcock's legacy as the master of suspense through lm clips, and learn about his extraordinary creativity and extensive in uence on lmmaking history.
DISCOVERY FRIDAY | Rocks and Gems — Friday, Oct. 25, 4 p.m. Explore rocks and gems with fun and interactive activities.
TAYLORSVILLE SENIOR CENTER
4743 S. Plymouth View Drive
October Activities
BISCUITS AND GRAVY AT THE SENIOR CENTER –Tuesday, Oct. 8 at 9 a.m. $2 for one or $2.50 for two.
DRUMS ALIVE CLASS –Wednesdays at 2 p.m.
BINGO DAYS –Mondays at 1 p.m., Wednesdays at 1 p.m. and Fridays at 10 a.m.
ANNUAL COLLECTION DAY
OCTOBER
UPDATES
Seasonal Container Reservation Program Stats
The 2024 Seasonal Container Reservation Program (SCRP) season marks the fth year of this program. With this model, WFWRD services between 9% and 11% of the homes in its cities and towns. WFWRD is also able to allow more than one day to reserve than the old model with one day per neighborhood.
WFWRD started mid-April in Millcreek City and moved clockwise through the district, serving Taylorsville City from Sept. 19 to 27.
The SCRP program allows more days for residents to chose from compared to the original services.
WFWRD has received many good ideas on ways to improve scheduling, and plans to implement the following: list the number of available containers each day on the website so residents know the availability and work with residents who need the container in the street rather than the driveway.
WFWRD’s board is considering limiting repeat reservations to expand the services to more residents each year.
Recycling and Waste Tips for Halloween
With Halloween approaching, it’s a good time to review waste and recycling tips. Decorations like spiderwebs, string lights and plastic pumpkins aren’t recyclable, so save them for next year or donate them to a thrift store.
Foil, plastic candy wrappers and plastic candy pouches should go in your black trash can, not the recycling bin. For trick-or-treating, consider using an old pillowcase or reusable grocery bag as an eco-friendly alternative to single-use bags. These steps help make your Halloween fun and environmentally friendly.
Garden to Compost: A ordable Green Waste
As the first frost arrives and gardeners start clearing their plots, proper management of yard waste becomes crucial. Green waste, such as garden debris and fallen leaves, is not accepted in your blue recycling bin.
If your black garbage container is full or you're seeking a more sustainable option, consider WFWRD’s green waste containers. Green waste is collected from mid-March to mid-December each year. At $31.50 per quarter, its green waste subscription is more a ordable than a second garbage can at $58.50 per quarter and provides an eco-friendly solution for managing your green waste.
Once collected, the green waste is sent to the Salt Lake County land ll for composting. The resulting high-quality compost is then available for public purchase, supporting eco-friendly disposal and bene ting the community.
For more information and to sign up for the green waste subscription, visit wasatchfrontwaste.org and look for the “Additional Subscription Services” tab.
Fall Leaf Pickup
As the temperatures cool down and we head into fall, WFWRD will begin its seasonal fall leaf pickup service. Starting Oct. 16, residents can pick up leaf bags at designated locations, listed at wasatchfrontwaste.org. WFWRD does not collect leaf bags from your curb.
• Full leaf bags can be taken to area parks and placed in the district’s trailers.
• Other yard or waste bags can be used for your leaves. Please do not dump garbage, yard waste or other items at the leaf bag collection sites.
• Reminder: Leaves are not accepted in blue recycling cans.
• You are welcome to take leaf bags from any site for your own compost.
Dropbox, Computer or Phone: Paying Your Bill is Easy
It’s never been simpler to pay your water and sewer bill to Taylorsville-Bennion Improvement District. Here are some ways.
Online — Utilize TBID’s online bill payment option that saves you time and money. If you have an internet connection and an email address, you can pay your bill online. To make a payment or sign up, go to www.tbid.gov and select Pay Bill Online and Sign Up.
Dropbox — Place your non-cash payment in the conveniently located parking lot drop box. Drop o payments at 1800 W. 4700 South, just follow the sign.
By mail — Mail check or money order to TaylorsvilleBennion Improvement District, P.O. Box 18579, 1800 W. 4700 South, Taylorsville, UT 84118-8579. A return envelope is provided with your bill. Just add the stamp, include your payment and drop it in the mail.
By phone — Call 801-968-9081 with your credit or debit card or bank information to speak with a customer service representative.
In person — Visit TBID at 1800 W. 4700 South from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday to make your payment.
If you have any questions, please contact Taylorsville-Bennion Improvement District by calling 801-968-9081 or visiting www.tbid.org. Follow TBID on Facebook and Twitter.
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 23
Which haunted house is the best in Utah?
By Bailey Chism | bailey.c@thecityjournals.com
When does “spooky season” really start? For most of the haunted attractions in Utah, the answer appears to be September.
But when the attractions open, how do you know where to go? Well, reviews have a lot to say when it comes to that. Here are the most highly rated haunted attractions in Utah.
Some attractions may not be included on this list if certain information—such as Google reviews, websites, or a 2024 schedule—was not available.
Castle of Chaos Haunted House and Escape Rooms, Midvale
Castle of Chaos Haunted House and Escape Rooms is a year-round attraction that has earned a 4.6-star rating from more than 2,600 Google reviews. The attraction has a 3.7-star rating from 110 reviews on Yelp.
The haunted house attraction is open Sept. 6 and will run most weekends for the remainder of September. In October, the haunted house will be open for most days except for the first three Wednesdays.
The haunted escape rooms have many different themes: Paranormal, “Nightmare Realm,” serial killer, asylum
By Bailey Chism
As the days grow shorter and the air crisper, a curious transformation takes place. Porches are adorned with jack-o'-lanterns, cobwebs, and eerie decorations, and people willingly seek out haunted houses, scary movies and tales of the macabre. The question arises: why do we love to be scared, especially around Halloween?
At the heart of this fascination is the adrenaline rush that accompanies fear. When faced with a frightening situation— whether it’s the jump-scare in a horror film or the ominous creak of a floorboard in a haunted house—our bodies react instinctively. The "fight or flight" response kicks in, releasing adrenaline and other stress hormones that heighten our senses and quicken our pulse. This surge of energy can be thrilling, especially when we know we are in no real danger. It’s the same reason people enjoy extreme sports or roller coasters; the controlled risk makes the experience exhilarating rather than terrifying.
Beyond the physical thrill, there’s a deeper psychological process at play: catharsis. Halloween, with its focus on the eerie and the supernatural, provides a socially acceptable outlet for exploring our
and lockdown. Tickets for the escape rooms range from $27 to $30.
The haunted house starts at $20 for groups of one to six people.
Nightmare on 13th, Salt Lake City
Nightmare on 13th is a haunted house located in Salt Lake City and its website declares its “Utah’s No. 1 scariest haunted house,” and the attraction boasts a 4.5star rating from more than 2,000 Google reviews. On Yelp, the haunted house has a 4-star average from about 80 reviews.
Nightmare on 13th is scheduled to open Friday, Sept. 13 and will run on Fridays and Saturdays for the remainder of September. In October, the haunted house will be open most days except Sunday. The haunted house will also run the first two days of November.
Tickets can range from $25 to $76 depending on the days and times you choose to attend.
Fear Factory, Salt Lake City
Fear Factory in Salt Lake City is located at 666 W. 800 South, and says on its website that it's “one of the top Halloween attractions in the world.”
Based on more than 2,600 Google
reviews, it averages a 4.4-star rating from visitors. On Yelp, it averages a 3.3-star rating from just over 110 reviews.
Fear Factory is set to open Friday, Sept. 6 and will be open on weekends in September before opening Wednesday through Sunday for most of October. The haunted house will be open for “Lights Out Night” on the first two days of November.
Tickets for Fear Factory can range from about $30 to about $250 depending on which experiences and souvenirs you’re interested in.
Haunted Forest, American Fork
The Haunted Forest in American Fork averages about 4.2 stars from almost 1,300 Google reviews, and 2.8 stars from 33 Yelp reviews.
The attraction doesn’t have a set schedule available online for 2024, but has advertised its featured attractions for 2024: Leech Lagoon at Bone Creek and Alien Attack.
Strangling Brothers Haunted Circus, American Fork
The Strangling Bros. Haunted Circus in American Fork has earned a 4-star rating from more than 660 reviews on Google. On Yelp, it’s garnered a 2.8-star rating
from about 40 reviewers.
The haunted circus’s website said it was “voted the No. 1 scariest haunted house in Utah” but it also offers visitors the chance to walk through the forest without the scare actors.
The circus is expected to begin Friday, Sept. 13 and will continue on Fridays and Saturdays for the rest of the month. Starting Oct. 1, the attraction will be open most days except Sunday.
Tickets for the haunted attraction can range from $30 to $80 depending on whether you purchase general admission, fast pass or VIP tickets.
Other Haunted Options
While there are far more haunted attractions than those listed, the attractions listed about are what the public deems to be the best of the best. A few other attractions in Utah are listed below:
• Asylum 49, Tooele
• Field of Fear, West Haven
• Frightmares, (Lagoon Theme Park) Farmington
• Hidden Lake Haunts, Bountiful
• Night Stalkers Haunted Trail, West Jordan
fears. In everyday life, we often suppress feelings of fear, anxiety, and uncertainty. Engaging with scary stories or participating in Halloween rituals allows us to confront these emotions head-on, in a safe and controlled environment. This confrontation can lead to a sense of release or relief, a psychological cleansing that leaves us feeling lighter and more at ease.
Another key aspect of why we enjoy being scared around Halloween is the social element. Fear, much like laughter, can be contagious. When we experience something frightening with others— whether it’s huddling together during a horror movie or navigating a haunted maze as a group—we create shared memories and bond over the mutual experience. The laughter and camaraderie that often follow a good scare are part of what makes these experiences enjoyable. They bring people closer, fostering a sense of connection and community.
The tradition of celebrating fear during Halloween has deep cultural roots. Originating from ancient Celtic festivals like Samhain, where people believed the veil between the living and the dead was at its thinnest, Halloween has long been asso-
ciated with the supernatural. Over time, these traditions evolved, blending with other cultural practices to create the Halloween we know today—a holiday where the scary, the strange, and the spooky are celebrated. Participating in these rituals, whether by donning a scary costume or telling ghost stories, is a way of connecting with these ancient traditions and honoring the past.
There’s also an element of curiosity
and exploration in our love of Halloween scares. The unknown, the mysterious, and the macabre have always fascinated humanity. Halloween provides a socially acceptable opportunity to delve into these darker aspects of life, to question what lies beyond the veil of our everyday existence. It’s a time to explore themes that are often taboo, such as death, the supernatural, and the afterlife, in a way that is both playful and profound.
Halloween offers a form of escapism. In a world filled with daily routines and responsibilities, the chance to immerse ourselves in a night of fantasy and fear is a welcome diversion. It allows us to step out of our ordinary lives and into a world where anything can happen—a world of ghosts, goblins and ghouls.
So, as you carve your pumpkin, don your costume, or settle in for a scary movie this Halloween, remember that the thrill of fear is not just a seasonal pastime. It’s a complex, multifaceted experience that taps into deep-seated psychological needs and cultural traditions, making it a beloved part of the Halloween season.
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)
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.
Mark Miller Subaru to host a pet adoption and costume party
By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com
Bring a furry friend to Mark Miller Subaru South Towne (10920 S. State St.) on Saturday, Oct. 19 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. for a celebration of pets.
As part of the Subaru Loves Pets initiative, Mark Miller Subaru will partner with Salt Lake County Animal Services to host a Make A Dog’s Day pet adoption and party that includes a pet costume contest
(with a $500 grand prize), free microchipping, a pet photographer and vendors, food trucks and fun pet activities.
“All of the vendors are pet-focused,” said Teylor Crenshaw, Mark Miller Subaru community partnership and events manager. “There are local pet-treat companies, companies that make pet clothes or things that drive home the idea of making a dog’s
MAKE A DOGS DAY
day and prioritizing and giving love to our furry friends.”
Mark Miller Subaru will also donate up to $8,000 to Salt Lake County Animal Services to help further its goal of furthering the adoption, health and welfare of pets. The organization will also donate 300 dog toys and 20 new pet parent kits that include leashes, bags, travel bowls and more. For
more information, visit Markmillersubaru. com/make-a-dogs-day.
“It’s awesome to be a part of something that big, to give back to the community, especially with animals, where they can’t advocate for themselves,” Crenshaw said. “We want to make it an experience for the animals as well. It will be a good community day.” l
Bring your pet or adopt a new one at the Mark Miller Subaru South Towne pet adoption party on Saturday, Oct. 19 at 10920 S. State St. (Photos courtesy of Mark Miller Subaru)
World traveler and children’s book author is a Utah ‘Best of State’ award winner
By Carl Fauver | c.fauver@mycityjournals.com
Forty years ago, Laurie Tye was a newlywed. Twenty years ago, she was putting the finishing touches on her first children’s book. Now, she’s celebrating back-toback wins in the Utah “Best of State” competition.
In between those benchmarks, Laurie and husband Brad have had five children and took a sixth one in as well. The grandkid count is up to 18.
Oh, and then there’s the travel.
“Last May we visited Egypt and in November we’re going to Spain,” Tye said. “We’ve also visited China, Russia, Guatemala, Colombia; I can’t remember them all. I know the only continent we’ve not yet visited is Antarctica.”
However, Tye is not a member of the “touched all 50” club. She’s not yet stepped foot in Alabama, Louisiana, North Dakota or South Carolina.
But despite all those stamps in her passport, Laurie has also found time to author several award-winning children’s books, starting with the 2005 publication of “The Animal in Me.”
“When I was in first grade at John C. Fremont Elementary School, I said to myself ‘When I grow up, I want to be a firstgrade teacher and a writer,’” Tye explained. “I never wavered from that dream. I graduated from Brigham Young University in Education and Creative Writing.”
For about 10 years, Tye owned and operated Kids Today Preschool in Taylorsville. Then it was on to studying American Sign Language at Salt Lake Community College, followed by four years teaching at the Utah Schools for the Deaf and Blind. It was during her time in that position when her first book came out.
However, not before an interesting drive from the Salt Lake City International Airport up to Park City. That’s where she met world renowned wildlife photographer Thomas D. Mangelsen.
“I went into his Park City photo gallery and loved his wildlife pictures – they just spoke to me,” Tye explained. “I had written my first book; but wasn’t yet sure how I wanted to illustrate it. When I saw his pictures, I knew I wanted them in my book if there was any way possible.”
Eventually, Mangelsen agreed to give Tye 45 minutes of his undivided attention to explain her ideas – if she could do it at 70 miles per hour.
“He was flying in for an event at his Park City gallery but didn’t think he’d have much time to speak with me when he got there,” Tye explained. “But he offered to let me drive him up there to tell him all about my plans. It was an oppor-
Water main upgrade is set to improve infrastructure in Kearns
It’stunity I couldn’t pass up. We got into the car complete strangers and got out the best of friends.”
Mangelsen’s photos have now been included in nearly all of Tye’s books. And her children’s books are the top selling books in the photographer’s many galleries.
In both 2023 and 2024, Tye earned her Utah “Best of State” awards in the competition’s “Arts & Entertainment” division, in the “Children’s Books” category.
“That win the first year came as a complete shock,” she explained. “I was traveling out of state when I received an email listing all the winners. I had to ask my husband ‘Does that say what I think it says?’ I couldn’t believe it. So, after the shock of winning in 2023, this year’s win was really more of a relief. Both of them are a great honor.”
Tye’s books have also received Mom’s Choice and Goodreads Choice awards.
Laurie and Brad Tye were “high school sweethearts,” both graduating from Cottonwood High School in 1981. Later that fall, Taylorsville High opened its doors for the first time. The couple just celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary on Sept. 27.
“Right now I’m book touring and hosting reader meet-and-greets, while also thinking about what my next book will be about,” Tye concluded. “I’d like to one day get a book on the New York Times Bestsellers list. But more than that, I love connecting with kids and their parents and grandparents. My goal is always to write meaningful, purposeful, fun and educational books. I love to create things and make them come to life.”
To see all of Tye’s book titles and her upcoming event schedule, visit laurietye.com. l
By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com
been a long process, but the efforts have paid off as the EPA awarded Kearns Improvement District a $1.7 million federal grant to fund water infrastructure upgrades in Kearns. Grant monies will pay for the cost of replacing and upsizing an existing water main that runs along 5400 South, from Mountain View Corridor to 5600 West.
We’ve got an old, 14-inch cast iron line in 5400 South,” KID General Manager Greg Anderson said. “We’ve had a lot of issues with leaking and it’s undersized to provide the proper fire flow protection for fire hydrants in the neighborhoods.”
The project will replace the existing line with a 20-inch ductile iron line that should improve water pressure and provide better fire protection for the 1,500 homes affected by the replacement. Anderson credited Utah Congressman Burgess Owens and his staff for helping to get the application submitted and approved through Congress.
The Kearns Improvement District is very appreciative of the support and help that was provided by Congressman Owens and his office to help KID acquire this grant funding,” Anderson said. “We cherish the partnership of the
Workers with Kearns Improvement District install a 30-inch water line. KID was awarded a $1.7 million federal grant to upgrade the water main on 5400 South, west of 5600 West. (Photo courtesy KID)
EPA and Congressman Owens in helping our community to make great strides in preserving and improving this precious resource of safe, clean and reliable water.”
Work to replace the existing line is expected to start in the spring of 2025 and be completed by December of that same year. l
Taylorsville author Laurie Tye has earned two consecutive prestigious Utah “Best of State” awards for her children’s books. (Photo courtesy Laurie Tye)
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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.
