North Ogden Connection October 2022

CONNECTIONPUBLISHING

North Ogden is published monthly by Connection Publishing © northogdenconnection.com ryan@connectionpub.com | (801) 624-9652

PUBLISHER

Ryan Spelts

GRAPHIC DESIGN

Robert Dodd

WRITERS

Mayor Neal Berube

Abraham Tinklepaugh

Katie Gerard Hailey Minton Cindy Jones Kassie Baker

Ryan Spelts

Ann Park

AD DESIGN

Robert Dodd Abigail Rigby Crystal Rappleye Hyrum Rappleye

EDITORS

Carolyn White Brittany Carroll Kassie Baker

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If you'd like to advertise in our publications that reach over 10,000 homes in North Ogden, please contact Diane at 801-814-3040 or diane@ connectionpub.com, for ad rates and to receive a media kit.

Disclaimer: The paid advertisements contained within the North Ogden Connection magazine are not endorsed or recommended by Connection Publishing or North Ogden City. Therefore, neither party may be held liable for the business practices of these companies. The city mentioned is also not responsible for any content in the magazines except for that which they directly submit for print.

PLEASE RECYCLE

Always Remember

Those who have reached the age of Medicare eligibility and visit the doctor for their annual checkup are required to participate in a simple exercise that tests their recall ability. Those who are younger have their recall ability challenged by taking tests in school or performing tasks at work. In any event, remembering is a part of everyday life.

In September, we were encouraged to “never forget.”

Although there isn’t a significant difference, I prefer to use the term “always remember,” as it seems a little more positive. So, why is it important to remember? I believe it’s important to remember because memory is the foundation of our culture and our identity. History shapes the present and is the foundation of our future! Remembering the past can help us avoid making repetitive mistakes that can impair the future. George Santayana said, “Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”

There is wisdom in not getting stuck in the past. Living in the present and enjoying each day is essential; however, planning for the future cannot be forgotten, especially as North Ogden continues to grow. Maintaining a sense of community will require us to remember all the great things about our past while moving into the future.

As I remember 9/11, and when I celebrate Memorial Day and Veterans Day, one thing comes to my mind: our military and first responders do not run away from problems, they run towards them. I honor them for their courage and hope that we will all have the courage to deal with the challenges we may face as North Ogden moves into the future.

The attacks on 9/11 have had a profound and long-lasting impact on North Ogden and our Country. We seem to have a greater focus on loved ones, community support, and increased patriotism. All these things contribute to North Ogden being a great place to live.

As the Fall season approaches, it is my hope that each of us will “always remember” the positive experiences that have shaped our lives and that we will be vigilant in participating in developing the future of North Ogden. Citizen involvement is important in understanding the decisions made by your elected officials. As Confucius said, “I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.” City Council meetings are scheduled to be held at 6 p.m. on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month. I invite you to join us and help us remember the importance of keeping North Ogden a special place as we make decisions that will affect the future of our community.

Have a great October and remember that Halloween isn’t just for kids!!

Neal Berube

North Ogden City Mayor

“ In September, we were encouraged to “never forget.”

Although there isn’t a significant difference, I prefer to use the term “always remember,” as it seems a little more positive.”

this issue OCTOBER

Ogden Community

22

took the craft root beer taste test

What’s yours?

CONNECT

ON

12 Corn Mazes & Haunted Houses

Craft Root Beer Taste Test!

Annual Readers' Favorites Poll

Photo by Dawn Paul

The Connection Publishing Team

We asked the CP team this question: "What is the most fantastic Halloween costume you've ever worn?

Ryan Spelts

Publisher

Melissa Spelts

Photographer

Robert Dodd Senior Magazine Designer

Abby Schneider Feature Designer

Hyrum Rappleye Graphic Design

Crystal Rappleye Graphic Design

Abigail Rigby Graphic Design

Ann Park Sales & Operations Mgr.

Kendal Rae Jensen Sales/Journalist

Diane Liberator Sales

Danielle Arana Sales

Hailey Minton Writer

Kris Blankman Writer

Jaycee Gray Writer

Cindy Jones Writer

Kim Crook Digital Media Mgr.

Brittany Carroll Proofreader

"I dressed as WWE fighter Goldberg, 7 feet tall and missing his head, which I was carrying in my hands"

Website:

Taylor Foundation Heiner Insurance Sentinal Law

801-624-9652

Kassie Baker Proofreader

"The one I wear daily. I can’t figure out how to take it off!"

Robert Dodd Senior Designer

"I dressed up as Carmen Miranda, you know, with the giant fruit hat."

Ann Park Sales & Operations Mgr.

Ryan Spelts Publisher

City of North Ogden

• Approval was given for an Investment Policy through Wells Fargo on an interim basis until we have a Request for Proposals (RFP), which can take some time.

• An ordinance was passed to revise the trailer parking standards to remove language in a provision in Title 11, already addressed by Title 7 of City Code.

• A resolution was passed to appropriate unclaimed property for public interest use.

• The Public Safety Building is continuing to move forward. For updates, please visit www. northogdencity.com/citycouncil/page/publicsafety-building-updates

• The Youth Council is looking for more members! For more information, please call 801-737-9830.

Employee Spotlight

Colleen Phillips

Colleen is known around our office as the “Business License Guru” and has been with North Ogden City for five years. She doesn’t just know her job, she excels in her work each day. Aside from helping new business owners understand our city’s requirements to obtain a license and to conduct business in North Ogden, she manages all current licenses and makes sure all renewals are sent out on time. Colleen is a master at calendaring and makes sure that our three building inspectors always have everything they need to complete their daily inspections. She’s the first step in the building process and is well respected amongst the building and construction industry.

Prior to joining us at North Ogden, Colleen worked for Brigham City Corporation in accounts payable, helped residents with new utility services, and was responsible for the receipting of payments.

Colleen has worked hard at accomplishing her goal of becoming a certified business license official. The process took four years to complete, and we’re grateful for her dedication and the knowledge she gained.

When she’s not processing permits, she likes going to lunch with friends, helping her mom, and enjoying quality time with her 17 grandchildren.

Colleen’s favorite thing about North Ogden City is the people she works with. She says, “They are amazing, wonderful people whom I consider family.” We feel the same way about you, Colleen!

Thank you for all you do, we appreciate you!

How to Keep up with North Ogden

City Council, Planning Commission, or any other Committee:

Go to the State of Utah Public Notice website: www.utah.gov/pmn

First Select your Government, then the entity, and then finally the Body (see diagram below)

Government > Municipality | Entity > North Ogden | Body(s) > City Council | Subscribe to this Body (To subscribe, input your name and email address. You will then receive real-time email notifications.)

**Planning Commission is listed as Land Use Authority/Planning Commission** Not all Committees are current or active at this time.

Visit www.northogdencity.com

CLICK on Agendas & Minutes for City Council, Planning Commission, and all other Committee meetings.

For any questions regarding this information please contact the City Recorder, Susan Nance: snance@nogden.org or call: 801-737-9830.

The Cherry on Top: Melissa Chertudi

BY ABRAHAM TINKLEPAUGH

We wanted to take a moment to recognize one of North Ogden’s most community-minded people. Chances are, if you’ve had a student in the Weber School district where she’s worked for the past 22 years, you may already know about the wonderful work Melissa Chertudi has been doing. She and her husband, Nik, have lived in the Ogden area for 30 years.

In addition to teaching a fourth-grade class at Lomond View Elementary School, she’s the kind of person who likes to stay busy. When she’s not with her family, you’ll likely find her playing pickleball, snow skiing, mountain biking, or being with friends and family.

She’s also been teaching choir over the last ten years, which has inspired her to create a unique musical experience in the performing arts called Vocal Motion Show Choir.

This makes sense, given how much she loves the positive expression of performing arts. Chertudi says she has always

loved singing, which continued through her college years, where she studied music theory while studying to become a teacher.

“Right now, my new passion involves teaching the students at the Vocal Motion Choir Show by helping them develop musical talents through singing and dance,” said Chertudi. “I love creating new choir arrangements and making music videos for Vocal Motion. It’s been so rewarding working with the youth in our community and helping them build their self-confidence as they develop their talents to uplift and inspire others.

Thank you, Melissa, for building confidence to inspire others in our community!

Leaf Truck Changes

Beginning this year, North Ogden residents will no longer have to call or text to put their address on the list to have leaves sucked up at the curb. Instead, the truck will be going throughout the city using the garbage route as a guide and sucking up leaves in your area the day after your garbage has been picked up. For example, if your garbage day is Tuesday, the truck will be picking up leaves in your area on Wednesday. If your garbage day is on Friday, leaves will be picked up on Monday. The city asks that you place your leaf piles away from the water meter, rocks, mailboxes, cars, and trees to avoid causing damage to the truck, as this would cause the season to possibly end sooner.

Due to its popularity, some areas of the city may take longer to work through than others. If your leaves are not picked up the day after your garbage day, the Public Works Department asks that you please be patient. With this new process, and weather permitting, all areas of the city should be visited multiple times before the truck is put away for the season.

The last day for curbside leaf pickup will be November 12. After that date, it will be the homeowners responsibility to dispose of their leaves at the Green Waste Pit (until November 19th - weather permitting), garbage can, or the Weber County Transfer Station.

FALL CLEAN UP

Residential Green Waste Only

October 3-8

Monday-Friday: 9AM-6PM

Saturday: 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Curbside collection will be on your regular garbage day. The volume of material may, however, delay collection. The regulations mentioned below MUST be followed when placing material out for collection.

All materials must be in bags, boxes, or containers

Bush clippings and small tree limbs must be bundledand no longer than five feet in length

Weight limit is 75 pounds

Place materials in parkways, not in curbs or waterways

Green Waste Clean Up Only

The Green Waste Pit will be open to North Ogden Residents to use at NO CHARGE

*Proof of North Ogden Residency Required*

CITY

Meet Scarlett Solomon

BY KATIE GERARD

Scarlett is an “old soul,” 8th-grade student at North Ogden Jr. High School, where her favorite subject is English because she “likes the idea of writing down anything she wants and sending it out to the world for others to read what she has to say.” She’s very passionate about inspiring others to let their voices be heard and is an advocate for women being recognized for the large loads they carry. This zeal inspired her first song that she’s currently writing, called “Pockets”: a song about women’s rights and equality.

Scarlett has always been a cool kid! In 6th grade; she was presented with the Hope of America award, an award that recognizes students who demonstrate leadership, service, and strong academic accomplishments. She was recently selected as a Star Student by her English teacher for being an outstanding student and was inducted into the National Jr. Honor Society.

Aside from her commitment to her education, Scarlett spent time this summer volunteering at a place that’s always been a big part of her family: the Ogden Nature Center.

Scarlett is multi-talented and has interest in several areas. She has enjoyed playing the piano for nine years, is a member of the honor choir, plays soccer, is writing her first book, enjoys playing video games, and loves spending time with her family and best friend, Rachel.

She’s not quite sure what her future looks like, but Scarlett does know that she wants to be financially stable and pursue a career in math.

Scarlett says, “When I look at myself, I think I’m pretty cool, but I know I can always do better.” We think you’re very cool and are excited to watch you continue to positively impact our community.

Diane Liberator

Flood Zones

Questions regarding flood zones should be directed to Lorin Gardner, city engineer, at 801-782-8111. FEMA flood maps are available for your review at the city offices. We also have elevation certificates.

Questions, Comments, Accolades?

Go to northogdencity.com/i-want-to/contact-us or see community contacts, right, for information.

City Council Meetings

The mayor and council welcome your input and attendance at the council meetings held the second and fourth Tuesdays of every month, starting at 6 p.m. Work sessions are held as needed on the first Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. Visit our website at northogdencity.com/ meetings for changes.

Key Community Contacts

MAYOR

Neal Berube: 801-686-0688, nberube@nogden.org

COUNCIL MEMBERS

Phillip Swanson: 801-940-2111, pswanson@nogden.org

Charlotte Ekstrom: 801-920-6987, cekstrom@nogden.org

Blake Cevering: 801-549-8202, bcevering@nogden.org

Ryan Barker: 801-814-4306, rbarker@nogden.org

Jay D. Dalpias: 385-405-6061, jddalpias@nogden.org

CITY OFFICES AND CONTACTS

City Hall 801-782-7211

Planning 801-737-9841

Scott Hess: planning@nogden.org

City Recorder 801-737-9830

Susan Nance: recorder@nogden.org

Human Resources Manager

801-737-9835

Katie Gerard-Nelson: kgerard@nogden.org

Community Meeting

MONDAY, OCTOBER 3RD • 7-8 PM

the North Ogden Parks and Trails Community Committee for a meeting

gather community input on the design plans for the playground renovations at Wadman Park and Lomond View Park.

Building 801-737-9831

Bruce Higley: bhigley@nogden.org

Police

Business 801-782-7219

Dispatch 801-629-8221

Emergency 911

Chief Dirk Quinney: dquinney@nogden.org

Jeremy Hindes: jhindes@nogden.org

Public Work 801-782-8111

David Espinoza: despinoza@nogden.org

Parks & Recreation

801-737-0587

Becca Godfrey: bgodfrey@nogden.org

Justin Rasmussen: jrasmussen@nogden.org

City Manager/City Attorney 801-737-9846

Jon Call: jcall@nogden.org

Senior Center 801-782-6211: Zella Richards

Corn Mazes Haunted Houses

From pumpkin patches to mazes to zombie paintball, there are plenty of seasonal festivities to enjoy in and around North Ogden. Halloween comes around but once a year, so if you’re in the area this fall, don’t miss out on this year’s chills and thrills.

Cold Springs Trout Farm 2284 North Fruitland Dr. • North Ogden • (801) 782-7282

If you are looking for a haunted thrill, visit the Cold Springs Trout Farm after dark. Both their haunted forest and corn mazes open at dusk. Fall activities include spine-tingling tours through a jailhouse maze in Old Town, built out of chain link and wood.

Gibson’s Green Acres 449 South 4700 West • Ogden • (801) 940-6339

They have 35 varieties of sunflowers to explore. Then, there’s even more fall family fun at Gibson’s, with its corn maze and a gigantic slide. Pick your own pumpkin adventure from over 20 varieties of pumpkins or meet and greet all the wonderful farm animals. Sept 16th - Oct 29th. Closed Sundays.

Happy Pumpkin Corn Maze 3642 West 2900 South • West Haven • (385) 244-0114

Among its many attractions are a giant corn maze and an amazing pumpkin patch. There’s also the Field of Fear and courtyard food, a Teetering Totter of Terror, giant slides, a swing set, food, music, and more! Let’s not forget the pumpkins of all varieties, sizes, and colors available to purchase for your fall activities and decoration. There’s also face painting and tractor-pulled hayrides. Get lost in the towering corn. But remember, the monster comes out to play Friday and Saturday nights until 11 p.m. Open September 16th - October 29th.

The Corn Maize 2801 South 3500 West • Ogden • (801) 645-5392

Ride a cow or a barrel, or take your chances of getting lost in the haunted corn maze. Also fun are the kid-sized corn and bale mazes. Fun-seekers will also find a bounce house with inflatables, zip lines, and a trike track. The giant maze includes check point games and smartphone navigation. Also adding to the fun is a pumpkin patch, zip line, barrel train, bounce house, giant slides, light show, camp fires, concessions, kiddie play area, an incredible haunted trail, and much more! Don’t forget to call ahead.

Haunted Hollow 1550 South 1900 West • West Haven • (801) 888-0281

You’re stuck in 13 acres of the most menacing, ghastly, haunted forest in Utah. There, you will find the Haunted Hollow. Hiding behind every tree and lurking around every corner are the demons, ghosts, and ghouls that only existed in your worst nightmares – until now. Every step counts, because you don’t know if it will be your last. Don’t forget about the zombie paintball. Take Exit 344 in Ogden, head west to 1900 West, turn south on 1900 West, and cross the Weber River.

WEBER HOPE WEEK #weberstrongertogether

October 3rd-7th 2022

Monday

“The Light of Hope” 8:05 p.m. Light shown on and off of Ben Lomond Peak Viewing Party at Snowcrest Jr. High

Wednesday

Community Night at Weber High 5-8 p.m. food trucks, activities, community resources and speaker

The first 1.000 people eat for free!

We will begin handing out meal tickets at 4:30 p.m.

Thursday

“Try it Knight” at North Ogden Jr High 4:30-7 p.m. activities, food trucks, community resources

The first 1000 people eat for free!

We will begin handing out meal tickets at 4 p.m.

Dinner provided by

QUESTIONS, or to VOLUNTEER, visit our website at weberctc.org

“Striving To Make A Difference In People’s Lives”

OCTOBER EVENTS

SCHOOLS

All Elementary, Jr. High, and High Schools

Oct 13 - 14: Fall Break No School

Oct 31: Happy Halloween! No School WEBER HIGH

Oct 4: Picture Retakes Weber 7 a.m.

Cross Country Region Champs Layton Park 3:30 p.m.

Girls Volleyball Weber 3:30 p.m. Fall Music Showcase 7 p.m.

Oct 6: Girls Volleyball 3:30 p.m.

Girls Soccer Rnd 1 STATE (Location TBD) 6 p.m.

Football 7 p.m.

Oct 10 & 11: Boys Golf STATE Talons Cove (Saratoga Springs) 8 a.m.

Oct 11: Cross Country Divisionals

Lakeside 3:30 p.m.

Girls Volleyball Davis 3:30 p.m.

Oct 12: Football Fremont 7 p.m.

Oct 13: Girls Soccer Quarterfinals (Location TBD) 4 p.m.

Oct 18: Girls Soccer Semifinals 3 p.m.

Girls Volleyball 3:30 p.m.

Oct 19: Cone Choir Concert 7 p.m.

Oct 21: Girls Soccer STATE

Rio Tinto Stadium 3 p.m.

Oct 25: Cross Country STATE Champs Rose Park 7 a.m.

Nov 3: Pirates of Penzance Matinee 9:15 a.m.

Nov 4 - 5, 7, 10 - 12, & 14: Pirates of Penzance 7 p.m.

NORTH OGDEN JR HIGH

Oct 1: Fall Band Concert 5:30 p.m.

Oct 4: Softball 3 p.m.

Oct 6: Softball Orion 3 p.m.

Oct 7: Football 3 p.m.

Oct 11: FCCLA Activity (Pumpkin Painting) 2:30 p.m.

Choir Concert 7 p.m.

Oct 12: Football 3 p.m.

Oct 20: Band Concert 5:30 p.m. Orchestra Concert 7 p.m.

Oct 21: Football South Ogden 3 p.m.

Nov 4: NAL / Volleyball 3 p.m.

ORION JR HIGH

Oct 4: Softball Roy Jr. 3 p.m.

Oct 6 - 7: Washington National 8 a.m.

Oct 6: Softball 3 p.m.

Oct 7: Football 3 p.m.

Oct 10: Softball Playoffs (Location TBD) 3 p.m.

Oct 12: Football SOJH 3 p.m.

Softball Champs (Location TBD) 3:30 p.m.

Oct 17: Volleyball Tryouts 3 p.m.

Oct 21: Football Sand Ridge 3 p.m.

Oct 28: Football Playoffs (Location TBD) 3 p.m.

MARIA MONTESSORI ACADEMY

Oct 7: Teacher Comp Day No School

Oct 10 - 12: Parent-Teacher Conferences 2 p.m.

MAPA Book Fair

Oct 17: Professional Development No School

Oct 24 - 28: Red Ribbon Week

Oct 31: Costume Parade 10 p.m.

SENIOR CENTER

ACTIVITIES & ENTERTAINMENT

Oct 3: Hair cuts $5 10 a.m.

Oct 6: Saddle Strings 5:30 p.m.

Oct 11: Flu Shots 9 -11 a.m.

Oct 12 & 19: Foot Clinic $10 10 a.m.

Oct 13: Bingo 5:30 p.m.

Oct 20: Day Makers 5:30 p.m.

Oct 27: Grief class 2:30 p.m. Tip Toe Tappers 5:30 p.m.

ONGOING ACTIVITIES (Monday - Friday) Lunch is Served 11:30 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.

Monday

Ceramics 8:30 a.m.

Beginners Line Dance & Tai Chi 9 a.m. Intermediate Line Dancing 10 a.m. Tap Dance Class 1 p.m.

All events are free!

Oct 1-31: Teen Scene: Message in a Bottle Necklaces

Oct 5: Weber Reads: Laughter Yoga 6:30 p.m.

Oct 8: Hogwarts Fall Party 2 p.m.

Oct 17: The History of Forensic Science 7 p.m.

Oct 27: Art Class: Charcoal Pumpkin Still-life 7 p.m. For a complete listing of all activites, please visit weberpl.lib.ut.us

Enter to WIN A TELESCOPE

Entries will be accepted until November 30. Winners will be contacted on December 7.

Tuesday

Billiards 9 a.m.

Art 9:30 a.m.

Intermediate Line Dancing 10 a.m. Beginners Tap 1:30 p.m.

Wednesday

Wood Carving / Billiards / Bridge 9 a.m.

Intermediate Line Dancing 10 a.m. Games (Chess, Pinochle, etc.) 12:30 p.m.

Beg. Line Dancing (check with Zella) 1 p.m.

Thursday

Billiards 9 a.m.

Zumba Class (check with Zella) 10 a.m.

Tap Dancing 1 p.m.

Friday

Ceramics 8:30 a.m.

Bridge 9 a.m.

Yoga 10 a.m.

Play on our pool tables & billiards during open hours.

FUN THINGS TO DO

Oct 1, 8, 15, & 22: Fall Market

Historic 25th Street 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Oct 1 - 31: Happy Pumpkin Corn Maze 3462 W. 2900 S., West Haven Opens Mon. - Fri. 4p.m. / Sat. 11 a.m

Oct 4: Utah Youth Rodeo - FREE Golden Spike Event Center 4:30 p.m.

Oct 6, 13, 20, & 27: Community

Band Rehearsals Bring your own instrument. North View Senior Center

7 p.m. Jazz Ensemble 8:30 p.m. jepsenl2665@gmail.com for more info.

Oct 7: Annual Outdoor Gear Sale & Swap WSU’s Outdoor Adventure & Welcome Center 8 a.m.

First Friday Art Stroll

Historic 25th Street 6 - 9 p.m. Utah Humanities Book Festival Dumke Arts Plaza 7 p.m.

Oct 8: Pleasant View Pumpkin Palooza!

FREE Games & Prizes

Henry Barker Jr. Park 4 - 7 p.m.

Oct 22: Witchstock Festival 2022

Ogden City Amphitheater 4 - 10 p.m.

Oct 28: Glow Run 5K

Mountain View Park 8 p.m.

Oct 29: Fright Night Trunk-or-Treat

North Shore Aquatic Ctr. 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Dia De Los Muertos - Day of the Dead

Celebration Union Station 1 - 9 p.m.

Gandy Dancer Mercantile

FREE Live Music Series

Friday & Saturday Nights

Grab some friends and come enjoy some of the BEST musicians in town!

All Ages / 6 - 8 p.m. 3920 Washington Blvd.

Bradshaw Tutoring

the art scene

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT – Chad Roylance

BY HAILEY MINTON

CChad Roylance, takes pictures for the joy of it, and he makes his work available to anyone who wants his images for personal use. “Sometimes, I’ll ask people to send me a picture of my image hanging in their home.” All he asks is for photo credit. Of all the time and money he has invested, he said he has probably made around $500 from his hobby. “It’s not about the money for me,” he said. If you visit his Facebook page, there is a link to a Dropbox account, where you can download some of his more popular images for free.

Landscape photography is Chad’s niche. He loves how dynamic landscapes are. One of his favorite subjects is The Major during the two weeks around Veteran's Day; it can be seen hanging in the canyon. His wife knows he will be at the canyon taking pictures early in the mornings and in the evenings to capture the flag as the lighting, weather, and wind change what he captures. He loves taking pictures of local places because he really values the local beauty. Chad helps us see how truly spectacular our surroundings are, even if we can’t always be at the right place at the right time to

witness a magnificent scene with our own eyes for only a moment. He captures those moments and gives anyone the ability to enjoy that beauty for days to come. Chad shares his work regularly on the North Ogden Facebook groups and helps foster a sense of awe, gratitude, and delight within the community of North Ogden.

His hobby for photography really started expanding during COVID-19, when he had more time on his hands. He was self-taught with the guidance of other great photographers with whom he networked through Facebook groups and Instagram. “We really have so many talented people in the area. So many are willing to share their knowledge.” He co-owns a plumbing business by day and teaches plumbing at the Ogden ATC at night. In the past, he has been asked to photograph other things like weddings and photos of people. Repair plumbing is his world of expertise, and sometimes he has been approached to do work outside of that. He said there are other people who are better at doing those specific niches of work. Whether it is his plumbing business or

Upcoming Art Events

Oct 1 - 31: Spider Web Take Home Craft

North Branch Library (all day)

Oct 7: First Friday Art Stroll

25th Street 6 - 9 p.m.

Oct 15: Empty Bowls Event - Food, Pottery, & Fun!

Eccles Art Center 4 - 7 p.m.

($15 - all proceeds benefit the Weber Cares Food Pantry

More info: monicalinfordweber.edu)

photography, he is happy to pass along work to someone who is more experienced in a niche outside of his own. He is also very happy to pay it forward by passing on what he has learned to aspiring photographers who have questions. “I’m definitely not an expert,” he admitted; the people who did the same thing for him certainly made a big difference.

Oct 21: A Framework of Spirituality & World Religions

Art Competition:

Call for Entry Deadline

Eccles Art Center 9:30 a.m.

Oct 27: Art Class: Charcoal Pumpkin Still-Life

North Branch Library 7 p.m.

The Mystery of the Salty Island Ghost

BY CINDY A. JONES

What better month than October to tell a strange and sordid tale from Utah’s history? This tale stems from the legend that the ghost of Jean Baptiste is said to walk the shores of Fremont Island. Hang on to your seats; this one gets a little wacky!

When Moroni Clawson was shot and killed in 1862 in his attempt to escape from prison, no relatives came forward to claim his body or make funeral arrangements. The chief of police at the time paid for Clawson’s burial in the Salt Lake City cemetery, even purchasing burial clothes for the unfortunate criminal.

A few weeks later, news of Clawson’s death reached relatives. They requested that his body be exhumed to be buried on family grounds. When the grave was unearthed and the coffin opened, Clawson’s body was found to be completely naked.

Baffled police began an investigation, which quickly led to one Jean Baptiste – the sole grave digger for the Salt Lake City Cemetery.

Sure enough, inside Baptiste’s home, police found several boxes of burial clothes, along with shoes, watches, and jewelry. Among them was the suit that the chief of police

had purchased for Moroni Clawson. Eventually, police determined that Jean Baptiste had pillaged over 300 graves. He was arrested and jailed.

Given Victorian-era superstitions around death and dying, it’s no surprise that, when news about Baptiste’s thievery spread across the city, residents were outraged. A mob of hundreds gathered at the jail, threatening to assassinate Baptiste. In attempt to soothe emotions, police displayed the clothing and other items at the Salt Lake City courthouse for relatives to claim on behalf of their deceased relatives. Later, all the unclaimed belongings were collected and buried in a single grave in the cemetery.

Even after Brigham Young himself assured worried families that their departed relatives—deprived of their clothing post-mortem—would indeed still arrive in the afterlife fully clothed, none of the attempts to calm the angry citizens would suffice. Baptiste was even being threatened in his own cell by fellow inmates.

Brigham Young decided the best course of action would be to send Baptiste to live out his days in solitude on Antelope Island, so officers snuck Baptiste away in a wagon to the island in the middle of the night. Since the waters around the island were shallow that year, he was soon moved again to the more remote Fremont Island.

Fremont Island sits between Promontory point and Antelope Island in the Great Salt Lake. The island in the late 1800s was much like it is today: remote and desolate. The Miller family raised cattle on the island and had built a small, unoccupied cabin, where they agreed to let Baptiste live out his days.

A few weeks after Baptiste had been transported to Fremont Island, the Miller family came to check on their herd. They discovered that a heifer

had been killed and part of its hide removed. Several beams of wood had been removed from the cabin. Baptiste was nowhere to be found.

The mystery of Jean Baptiste’s disappearance was never officially solved, and the consensus at the time was that Baptiste fashioned a raft and floated away to freedom. Rumors of Jean Baptiste’s ghost roaming the island have floated in and out of local lore for the past 100 years.

What’s your theory?

Who wants to go exploring a remote island in the cloudy waters of the Great Salt Lake?

Are You Superstitious? Here are just a few VictorianEra superstitions about death

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All clocks in the home of the departed were to be stopped after death until the body was buried, to prevent anyone else in the home from dying.

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Women often sewed their own burial dresses called shrouds. These items were often part of the wedding trousseaux, believed to be a custom due to the high rate of death during childbirth.

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Rain falling on a funeral procession meant the departed would go to heaven.

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The sudden, unexplained scent of roses indicated a death would happen soon.

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If it rained in an open grave, someone in the family would pass within the next year.

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To lock the door of one’s home after a funeral procession was considered bad luck.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

What bizarre and sinister stories have you heard?

Please submit your story to cindy@connectionpub.com or at www.connectionpub.com

North Ogden Residents, are You or Your Neighbor a Halloween decorating maven?

We want to see your best…or worst, if you will. The spookier the better! You can nominate yourself or your neighbor (with their permission of course). We will pick our favorite decorated home. It can be interior or exterior space.

Favorite decorated home receives: 5 Chick-fil-A FREE meal cards and 5 Scooters $5 gift cards.

Runner up receives 2 Chick-fil-A FREE meal cards and 2 Scooters $5 gift cards.

Send nominations by Oct 15th to ryan@connectionpub.com Winners will be announced in the November magazine.

Students of the Month

A Bright Future Begins Here

Taylee Wurm Sam Marriott

Taylee is an exceptional student. She has maintained a 4.0 while taking rigorous courses. She was accepted into the NUAHEC program at Weber State, which is a concurrent enrollment program that provides hands-on opportunities and lectures that introduce students to the vast and diverse careers in healthcare.

Taylee was voted by her peers to serve as president of the Weber High Hope Squad. Additionally, she was selected to serve on the Hope Squad National Council this year.

On top of that, Taylee is also a member of the National Honor Society, HOSA, the North Ogden Youth City Council, and the Weber High Mountain Biking Team.

Taylee is a busy gal, but she still takes the time to be a friend to all and likes to promote kindness helping others feel loved and supported.

Sam is a 9th-grader at Orion Junior High. His favorite subject is math. Sam says it feels like a puzzle or a riddle that you have to figure out, and he enjoys the challenge of it.

Sam is currently in the accelerated math program and is a top-notch student. It’s no surprise that Sam is interested in civil engineering, design, and architecture. He also has many other talents - Sam has played in Orion’s band, is in the Spanish Immersion program, and enjoys tumbling, playing soccer, singing, and playing piano.

One of the things that Sam’s counselor always notices and appreciates about him is his polite personality and good attitude. “He is kind, outgoing, makes a good impression on others around him, and is a great example to me and his classmates.” Keep up the great work!

the

GROWING UP

By Kassie Baker

Growing up I was a little brown girl with braids

Playing with my cousins at grandma’s house

But when people looked at us they only saw future maids

It was the same wherever we went, even in Taos

Strangers would look and lock their doors

Thinking we would steal something from their cars

But these are the kinds of things that we would ignore We wore these remarks like scars

Growing up I’ve been wanting nothing more than to be white

Then I wouldn’t be targeted as a criminal

Maybe even being a little more light

But then I would be a copy and not an original

Then my grandpa once told me, “brown is beautiful”

And that is what made me proud to be brown

I was not going to be what they thought was suitable

I was going to wear my braids as a crown

My skin is sun-kissed

My hair is still in braids

I find that people find it hard to resist I am no longer seen as a future maid

Because of my grandpa, I’ve been proud of the color of my skin

I’m now an educated woman who wants to inspire Other little girls to believe themselves from within We will show them a brown skin girl to admire

TasteTest ROOT BEER

BY RYAN SPELTS

In my opinion, there is nothing like a tall glass of cold root beer.

I have distinct memories of going to an A&W Restaurant as a boy with my dad. He would order root beers in frozen mugs. Yum! I recently sat down with Lance Peterson of Two Brothers Homes and Loans; he opened a small fridge under his desk and pulled out a couple of ice cold brews. They were Henry Weinhard’s brand of root beer. With one taste of its strong, yeasty, delicious root beer flavor, I was hooked. Over the next couple of months, I started buying craft root beers any time I saw them at stores. Surprisingly, there are many to choose from, even some local Utah brands.

History and Ingredients

Root beer originated right here in North America. In fact, it is sometimes unpopular in other countries, with people stating it tastes like medicine to them. Many people back in the 1800s had recipes for root beer. (Think chili cookoffs, but for root beer.) Historically, root beer was sold in candy shops as a syrup that people could mix on their own, and it

Root Beer FEATURE

was enjoyed non-carbonated. In the 1850s, it was combined with soda water and started becoming the family favorite it is today. The first major commercial root beer was Hires, which was sold in small packets of powder that would make

Root beer was traditionally brewed with sassafras root as the primary ingredient. Today, it is almost always made with imitation flavoring, because cancer-causing agents were found in sassafras. Other flavors, like vanilla,

five gallons of root beer. A&W, arguably the most recognized root beer company, was started in 1919 when Roy Allen partnered with Frank Wright. Barq’s is the largest seller due to its current ownership by Coca-Cola Company and its distribution in restaurants nationwide. It was originally created by the Barq’s brothers and an employee.

licorice, ginger, butterscotch, birch bark, and many more are often added. There is not a set recipe for root beer, so you will find many variations. The traditional dark brown color came from the brew, which is water boiled down with the roots and other ingredients to create what is called a wort, and from the sweetener, molasses.

Made and Sold in Utah

In doing research for this article, we came across The Root Beer Store in Sandy, Utah. A local family started the root beer-focused store and has plans to expand to Boise and other locations. We stopped in, talked with the owner, and bought 18 different craft root beers. The owner said most people don’t know the difference between sarsaparilla and root beer because they start with the same root. The major difference is that root beer includes other flavors, like I mentioned before.

The Root Beer Store brings in a new flavor each month, and when popular, they keep it in stock. They showed us the local brews. If you have been in a restaurant that offers Apple Beer by SodaBeers, you are drinking soda made by a Utah company out of American Fork. We also tasted one in a can by Taproot, another Utah company. This particular option is unique because they use the original roots, not “natural” or “artificial flavors,” which is common in the ingredients of sodas nowadays. Brigham’s Brew is made by Wasatch Brewery, a popular beer and root beer brewer in Utah. It fared well with our testers, as you will see, although Koby didn’t like it and claimed it “tastes like polygamy” –whatever that means.

The store owner told us that there are two basic types of root beers: dark and light. The darker flavors are stronger, and you will taste the ingredients more strongly. Light versions are more subtle.

The Taste Test

We did a taste test, and all of us were surprised at how varied the flavors were. We had a great time, though most got a little overloaded after tasting 22 different flavors. We kept the serving sizes small, but it still added up. We had to start eating crackers in between to clear our palettes. I have included the ages of the tasters so you can see some perspective in their opinions.

TASTERS' reactions

TASTERS' reactions

CAMRYN SPELTS (19)

Favorite: Brigham’s Brew This test, sadly, may have ruined root beer for me. When I originally was asked to join in on the testing, I thought that root beer would all taste the same. I was so wrong. Root beer has so many flavors, and most of them I did not like in the slightest. Some tasted yeasty, which was nasty, and some tasted like vanilla or licorice. I personally loved the OG brands (Barq’s and A&W), because they were the very few that tasted like root beer and were super simple without being too sweet.

KOBY SPELTS (21)

Favorite: Margo’s Bark

It was cool to experience all the different kinds of root beers. I didn’t expect there to be so many different flavors. There were some good ones that I had never tried before. My favorite was Margo’s Bark because it had a unique flavor and I liked the taste.

ELLY SPELTS (17)

Favorite: Frostie

I don’t particularly like root beer, so this was not my favorite activity.

ANN PARK (46)

Favorite: Brigham’s Brew

For the record, 22 cups of root beer in a row was TOO MUCH. Still, it was interesting to sample all the different flavors. My favorite was Brigham’s Brew, which had a classic root beer flavor but was less sweet than Barq’s. Some of the dark, highly flavored drinks were good, but some of them taste a little like licorice, which isn’t my favorite. Frostie was yummy, with a tang of vanilla.

Root Beer FEATURE

JULIE PARK (13)

Favorite: Frostie

Our person-to-root beer ratio was pretty off, so we were all pretty sugared out by the end of the tasting.

RYAN SPELTS (46)

LUCY SPELTS (14)

Favorite: Frostie

I think most of them were a little gross, but there were a few that I really liked. I picked Frostie brand as my favorite because it was really good, but I wouldn’t use it in a root beer float, because it already tastes like one, and it would be too sweet. My second choice would be Brigham’s Brew.

GREY SPELTS (11)

Favorite: Labrador There were a lot of pops, and they all had different flavors. I really didn’t like Bundaberg, but many of the others were really good. I really liked the Labrador brand root beer, it had the best flavor, and it tasted like actual root beer.

My favorite was Frostie. It had a unique flavor, and it wasn’t overpowering; it was just sweet enough. The one that tasted the most interesting was the Hippo Size. I put it in my mouth and thought, “This tastes like cherry chapstick, which is not normal for root beer.” After trying 22 kinds of root beer, it might be two to eight business years before I drink it again.

HAILEY MINTON (29)

Favorite: Rocket Fizz

I found myself noticing the ones where sweetness was the shining factor. There were others where the flavor of the spices was the shining factor. Rocket Fizz was my number one. It had a bold spice flavor that was stronger than the sweetness of it. I would also go back to Capt’n Eli’s if given the chance. It would be a fun group date to get one different kind of root beer for each person, and taste test each of them.

Favorite: Labrador I like full-flavored, dark root beers. I also enjoy sarsaparilla, ginger, licorice, and many of the unique ingredients often used to make root beer, so it’s no wonder that I enjoyed most of the drinks. Some had funky flavors or aftertastes that I didn’t really enjoy as much, but I could honestly drink most of them. I was also one of the only tasters who wasn’t totally overwhelmed by root beer. I could have kept going, and I did keep drinking many of them after the test was done. My overall favorite was Labrador, but there were many flavors that were close in the running, like Capt’n Eli’s, Ozark Mountain, Rocket Fizz, and Henry Weinhard’s. If I were you, I’d try them all.

Freddie’s: Voted Favorite Label & Favorite Bottle Cap

tHE RATINGS (best to worst)tHE RATINGS (best to worst)

ROOT BEER BRAND AVERAGE RATING 1 - 10

Frostie 7.6

TASTING NOTES

This earned top score and most listed as the favorite among testers. This one tastes like a root beer float right out of the bottle because of the strong vanilla flavor. As Lucy mentioned, it wouldn’t be good for a root beer float because it would be overpowering.

Labrador 7.31 The label lists butterscotch as an ingredient, which made this one my favorite.

A&W 6.65

This is the age-old classic. I will always have fond memories of those frosty mugs at A&W. You can still get them if the restaurant has some; you have to eat inside and just ask. I promise it makes a difference!

Frostop 6.26 This is a classic brand with 350 restaurants worldwide.

Fiz 6.03 Here is a light brew that received lots of middle-range scores. No one put this as their favorite, though.

Freddie’s 5.72 It advertises Birch as an ingredient, and I can taste it. This has a good overall flavor.

Barq’s 5.72

This is my least favorite commercial brand. It is very basic and sweet with a chemical aftertaste that I simply don’t enjoy. I am disappointed if I see Barq’s on a soda fountain; however, some marked this very high.

Root Beer

Brigham’s Brew 5.64 This is a local brew with traditional flavors too plain for some testers; it was a favorite of others.

Steelhead 5.53 This does not taste like fish, although it is sweetened with honey, and I could taste that coming through.

Hippo Size 5.45

FEATURE

This has a unique flavor outside of the normal root beer flavor profile.

Rocket Fizz 5.4 This has a strong cloves flavor. I recommend this one

Dang! 5.3 This has an average root beer flavor.

Henry Weinhard’s 5.18

This is the one that Lance started it all with. I like it, though it does have a stronger yeast flavor, and it was too sweet for several testers.

Margo’s Bark 5.08 Here is a popular choice for those who like dark brews.

Fireman’s Brew 4.67 This brew was neither loved nor hated.

Capt’n Eli’s 4.4 This brand received some of the highest and lowest marks.

Ozark Mountain 4.4

Dad’s 3.97

Again, this drink had some of the highest and lowest marks. It is a dark brew that was full of flavor.

This has a basic root beer flavor and is on the sweet, light side of brews.

Death Valley 3.87 This had sharp licorice flavor. Some like it, some don’t. I personally love black licorice.

SodaBeers (Utah)

3.68 This is a very mild flavor and, as Hailey put it, not memorable.

Utah Craft Taproot 2.37

Bundaberg 1.74

This has strong flavors but isn’t as sweet. I think that made it score poorly in the taste test. I tried it again after a break and enjoyed the unique flavor much more than during the taste test.

This had strong, unique flavors that most of us didn’t like. It is from Australia, and maybe they just like it different Down Under. This had one of the coolest bottles and bottle caps, though.

Note: There are a few root beer brands that you might be familiar with, like IBC, that are not included because they were not readily available, so we did our best with what we had. Keep in mind, there were no professional tasters among us. I have to admit, some of the scores surprised me. Some flavors were very polarizing, with some loving them and others hating them.

The A&W Barrel Café

By Cindy Jones

Root Beer FEATURE

In the 1920s, as automobile ownership had become the norm across the United States, the nation’s first fast-food restaurants popped up in just about every state. At drive-ins, customers would park their cars and be waited on by carhops, who would take the order, report back to the kitchen, and bring burgers, fries, shakes, and sodas out to customers waiting in their automobiles. Quick and delicious greasy food on the go! It was all-American love at first sight.

The A&W Barrel Café was a fast-food icon right here in Clearfield, Utah. The unique restaurant offered a walk up counter for burgers, fries, and A&W root beer on tap, all housed inside a giant root beer barrel!

Ianthus H. Sr. and Alice Willey Barlow built the giant barrel on the site of the old Clark’s Blacksmith shop in 1927 in Clearfield, where Main and State Streets split: at approximately 50 South Main. Later, the Session family leased the restaurant, and the café became a favorite hangout for local teens. The Sessions operated the café from 1934 until 1941.

Burt and Donna Harmer and their business partner, Fay Atkinson, took the restaurant over in 1952 and owned the business for just over a year. The café closed its doors sometime in the late 1950s, but the Barrel Café was such a unique place to meet friends and grab a delicious treat, it was the talk of the town for years.

Isaac Ward

Kaden Fogg

IT'S NOT BACKED BY GOLD...

GOLD!

BY RYAN SPELTS

What would happen if our financial system crashed? I hope it never does, but I also want to be prepared if it does. Even if the system didn’t fail but the dollar was diminished in value due to inflation like we are seeing now, it would be problematic. Our dollar lost its gold backing in 1971, so the only real value in the dollar is the faith we have in it as a society. So, how do we prepare for these possibilities? With gold!

The main problem with buying gold is that gold is such a valuable asset that it would be hard to buy your day-to-day needs with, even with gold coins. The average Gold American Eagle coin is 1oz. with a value today of about $1900. It would be hard to buy milk and eggs with that. I had a friend who would buy silver coins because they are so much more spendable in the long run. They are still worth $35. An innovative company in Alpine, Utah, has been working hard to develop a secondary currency that is not backed by gold, but it actually is gold. Meet Goldbacks. Goldbacks are the first physical, fully-interchangeable,

gold money of the new millennium. Designed for small transactions, Goldbacks accommodate payments wherever recognized as an authorized medium of exchange or barter exchanges anywhere else worldwide.

♦

They are available in five convenient, interchangeable denominations: the 1, 5, 10, 25, and 50. One Goldback equals a thousandth of a troy ounce of fine gold.

♦ Through the process of vacuum deposition within a proprietary polymer coating, the Goldback, itself, consists of 24-karat gold (no third party vaulting required).

♦ Tougher than most currencies, Goldbacks survive circulation well, especially when handled with some degree of care.

♦ Goldbacks appreciate in value at the same rate as gold, so holding them presents no significant downside compared to other gold products.

♦ Each Goldback bears a unique serial number, coupled with six other anticounterfeiting security features.

♦ Like cash, Goldbacks can be easily spent at small businesses and for private transactions. On fast-track to ubiquity, during its first year of circulation, the Goldback is estimated to have found its way into the hands of hundreds of thousands of people worldwide.

So, whether you are interested in buying gold in case the worst should happen or just want to have gold in reserve that is spendable, Goldbacks are an amazing currency that can be used today and in the future. It is actual gold. Each Goldback denomination has a unique artist's rendering tied into the state of origin, in our case, Utah. They are beautiful and unique.

For a chance to hold and see some Goldbacks yourself, call Chris Turpin at 801-648-4380, visit gunsammopreparedness. com, or stop by his shop located inside the Weber County Sports Shooting Complex.

The Goldback® is the world’s first physical, interchangeable, gold money that is designed to accommodate even small transactions.

An Angel Among Us

How one anonymous resident lights up the darkness

BY CINDY A. JONES

It was the kind of night you read about in books; the sky had begun to soften into a velvety dark blue and the lights of the city sparkled beyond the cemetery. I walked hand-in-hand with my youngest along the paved walkways between headstones. As shadows grew, one-by-one, each gravesite slowly became illuminated with a soft, glowing light. As the lights flickered on around us, right there in the middle of a graveyard, I felt immersed in peace.

If you’ve driven or walked along 2850 North after the sun has set or if you live near Ben Lomond Cemetery, you might have experienced this phenomenon, too. No, it’s not spirits lighting up the graves, but it could

“Everyone resting in the cemetery deserves to be recognized that way, to be told they matter, that they made a difference.”

Over the last 20 months, the donor has placed over 3500 lights on individual graves. They plan to finish out the grounds and place another 1800 in the near future. Sexton Rod Chambers said cemetery staff has worked with the individual and allowed the lights to remain through mowing and trimming, which means they get damaged often. The donor themselves comes out periodically to repair any broken lights.

When I asked the donor about this maintenance, they agreed it was their biggest challenge. For example, roughly 100 lights had been damaged since Labor Day. The donor is hoping that sections of rebar will be added to the cemetery soon, to hold the lights into place and protect them from equipment and weather. But the donor says, even with constant repairs they hadn’t anticipated, they will continue to place and maintain the lights in the cemetery.

“I wanted to create something beyond the perception that cemeteries are creepy and sad. I wanted to create a place of love, peace and , serenity.”

be said that the lights illuminating each headstone in Ben Lomond Cemetery came from an angel.

In the late spring of 2021, cemetery workers noticed that solar lights were mysteriously appearing around a section of graves on the east side of the cemetery. Over the next two years, the lights appeared in small groups and began to cover the entire grounds.

Cemetery staff eventually learned the identity of the individual placing the lights. It was someone who wanted to memorialize a family member who had passed. They decided to extend the lights to cover the cemetery, but in a quietly anonymous way. As writerly luck would have it, after agreeing to keep the individual’s name and details anonymous, I was able to speak with the donor.

Over a short phone conversation, the donor told me they lost their son, who was now at rest in Ben Lomond Cemetery. They wanted a way to surround him with love and light after his passing, and as the first few lights were placed, a realization came.

If you have a community story you’d like to see us cover, send your ideas to cindy@connectionpub.com or submit on our website at www.connectionpub.com.

“I wanted to create something beyond the perception that cemeteries are creepy and sad. I wanted to create a place of love, peace, and serenity.”

That summer night, as I walked among the illuminated graves with my daughter, those feelings were exactly what came over me. I’d say the donor’s vision was not only a success, but a meaningful gift to the North Ogden community.

By: Lisa D. - Acuity

ELECTRICAL SAFETY TIPS FOR YOUR HOME INSURANCE CARRIERS

Acuity

Auto-Owners Insurance

Bear River Mutual

Blue Cross Blue Shield

Central Insurance Companies

Germantown Mutual Insurance Company

Markel Insurance Company

Mutual of Enumclaw Insurance Progressive Safeco Insurance

Select Health

The Cincinnati Insurance Companies

Travelers

USLI

WCF Insurance

One common cause of home fires is electricity. To help protect you and your family, we have provided a few helpful tips on electrical safety.

• Overloading the outlet or power strip: Make sure the outlet or power cord you are using is rated highly enough to support the item you want to plug in. If everything is wired correctly, overloading an outlet will usually just trip the circuit breaker, but overloading a power cord could cause it to heat up and become a source of ignition.

• Using the wrong cord for the job: When it comes to extension cords, some are more heavy-duty than others. To avoid unnecessary dangers, make sure you are using the right tools and cords for the job. Understand the maximum draw the extension cord can safely handle. This information can often be found printed or stamped on the cord itself.

• Frayed or worn cords: If your cords look worn or thin, it is time to replace them. Be aware of cords and items used in high-traffic areas. Cords that are exposed to more use and abuse will naturally wear faster. While it may be a pain to replace a lamp, it will be cheaper than damage caused by a house fire.

• Loose connections: Loose connections between the plug and outlet can cause electric arcing. If you find you have outlets that no longer hold plugs tightly, it is time to replace them. This risk, in tandem with the combustible material risk

identified below, is a major homeowner’s fire hazard. It is also good to note that this is an outlet characteristic that can occur regardless of the age of your home.

• 3-prong vs. 2-prong outlets: Appliances often have a ground prong in place as a safety measure. This feature should help protect from sparking or electric shock. If you have an older home, it may be worth incurring the costs associated with updating your electrical outlets.

• Combustible material too close to outlet: The above risks could come to a head if combustible material is too close to the outlet or cords. Overheating power strips, exposed wires, or sparking in combination with a blanket could spell devastation for your home and family.

While all the above items should be addressed to increase the safety of your home, if you do not know what you are doing, you should contact a professional. Electricity is something you do not want to mess around with.

606 Washington Blvd. Ogden, UT 84404 (801) 621-2620

When we started publishing magazines six years ago, we really wanted to create connection in our community. One of the ideas we had was to allow photographers and artists to display their work to the community through the publications. We had no idea that we would eventually hold a contest like this year, which had over 14,000 visitors. The contests include an online voting forum for popular choice and a publisher’s choice winner, picked by me. To this day, it is one of my responsibilities that I both look forward to and dread. It is so hard to pick a winner. I am astounded at the skill of the many local artists. I encourage you to visit the online gallery if you haven’t already. There was no way to feature all of the amazing art.

Popular Vote

Honorable Mentions

Publisher's Choice

Thank you to all the artists for trusting us once again with your incredible creations! You may visit the gallery at connectionpub.com/art-contest

Lynda Aird Donna’s Journey

Gillian Steenblik Stillness

Pat Badger Child’s Wonder at Summer Raindrops

Jen Hestad Evening Calm

Angelina Martinez Self-Imaginary

Make Your Own

Ginger Beer

BY HAILEY MINTON

Peel the ginger and grate the root with a microplane. Try to save all the juice that comes out as you grate it. Use a funnel and a strainer to get all the ginger and ginger juice into the bottle while keeping the big fiber chunks out. Mix the sugar, lemon juice, and yeast in the bottle. Fill the bottle with water but leave about 2 inches of open space at the top. Shake the bottle to dissolve the yeast and sugar. Let the bottle sit at room temperature for 24-36 hours, then chill in the fridge. The bottle will be very pressurized by the end. You can either open it very slowly at the end or occasionally release pressure throughout the fermentation process.

¼ lb. ginger root

1 cup sugar

1 ½ Tbsp. lemon juice

¼ tsp. active dry yeast

1 empty and clean 2-liter bottle (or any similar bottle)

ROOT Beer

BY CAROLE LINFORD

Add all ingredients to 1 gallon of warm water. Let sit overnight. The next morning, chill in refrigerator, then serve.

2 cups sugar

4 Tbsp. root beer extract

1 tsp. of dissolved yeast

Ginger Beer vs. Ginger Ale

Ginger beer tends to be spicier with a more robust flavor than ginger ale. Ginger ale is a ginger-flavored soft drink, whereas ginger beer has a stronger ginger flavor, by far. According to Bundaburg’s website, “True ginger beer is brewed… Brewing is what gives a great ginger beer that zingy, ‘smack in the face’ kind of flavor, in comparison to its somewhat tame friend, ginger ale.”

Make Your Own

Mini Meatball Monster

SLID

BY CINDY JONES

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a large baking dish or aluminum sheet with cooking oil.

2. Gently roll meat mixture into small 1-inch balls and place on baking sheet, leaving room between each meatball. Place in pre-heated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes.

3. Gently loosen meatballs from dish with a spatula and kitchen tongs, turn over, and cook for another 10-12 minutes.

4. While meatballs are cooking, heat Italian diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and Italian seasoning in a small pan on low heat, stirring occasionally.

5. When meatballs are cooked through, remove from oven. Add 2-4 meatballs (depending on size) to the slider buns and top with a tablespoon or so of the sauce. Lay strips of cut Havarti cheese across so that the pointed section hangs over the front and add the top bun. Slide toothpicks through the center of sliced black or green olives and insert them into the bun, adjusting the “monster’s” eyes.

Serve with fresh veggies or chips and dip. Enjoy!

MEATBALLS

2 lbs. ground turkey breast or ground beef

¼ cup parmesan cheese, grated

¼ cup Italian bread crumbs

½ tsp. oregano

1 tsp. basil

1 tsp. parsley

1 clove garlic, minced

1 tsp. onion powder

¼ tsp. black pepper

¼ tsp. salt

SAUCE

1 can Italian-style diced tomatoes

1 can tomato sauce

1 Tbsp. Italian seasoning

SANDWICHES

Slider buns or small dinner rolls

Havarti cheese slices, cut into long triangles

Black or green olives, sliced Toothpicks

Creative Outlets

30. Fabric Store

31. Craft Store

32. Print Shop

33. Art Gallery/Shop

34. Custom Framing

35. Photographer

36. Photography Store

Food and Drinks

37. Donut

38. Coffee Shop

39. Steakhouse

40. Mexican Food

41. Pizza

42. Hamburger/Cheeseburger 43. Fries 44. Taco 45. BBQ 46. Breakfast 47. Lunch 48. Dinner 49. Dessert

50. Appetizer

51. Brewery or Distillery

52. Ice Cream/Frozen Yogurt

53. Chicken

54. Asian/Sushi

55. Salad

56. Italian

57. Soda Pop Shop

58. Smoothie

59. Food Truck

60. Buffet

61. Favorite Food Catagory

Health

62. Pharmacy 63. OB/GYN

64. Dentist

65. Orthodontist

66. Hospital 67. Pediatrician 68. Holistic Health Provider 69. Health Store 70. Physical Therapy

76. Optometrist

Hobbies and Leisure

77. Camera Store 78. Golf Course

79. Running Shoe Store

80. Hot Tub/Jacuzzi Store

81. Dance Studio

82. Sports/Hunting/Fishing Store

83. Martial Arts Studio

84. Bike Shop

85. Ski Resort

Home and Garden

86. Appliance Store

87. Furniture Store

88. Roofer 89. Garden/Nursery Center 90. HVAC

91. Plumber

92. Electrician

93. Landscaping/Lawn Care

94. Tree Pruning (cutting service)

95. Cleaning Service

96. Hardware Store

97. Carpet and Flooring

98. Window Replacement

99. Door Replacement

100. Fence

101. Locksmith

102. Remodeling Service

103. Painter

104. Counter Top Store

105. Garage Door Repair

106. Pest Control

107. Christmas Lights

Job and Education

108. Charter/Private High School

109. Charter/Private Elementary or Jr High

110. University

111. Continued Education/ Trade School

112. Preschool

113. Favorite Employer

Pets and Animals

114. Veterinarian/Animal Hospital

115. Groomer

116. Pet Store

Shopping

117. Butcher Shop 118. Grocery Store

119. Mattress Store

120. Boutique

121. Floral/Flower Shop

122. Jewelry Store 123. Online Shopping from a local store

Western Lifestyle 124. Feed Store 125. Tack Store

126. Western Clothing 127. Fencing Company 128. Livestock Equipment 129. UTV/ATV Dealer 130. Trailer Dealer

131. Implement Dealer

132. Leather Shop

Other

133. Favorite New business (Opened Last Year)

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Family Law

As a family law attorney, each day holds new and unique situations as clients bring their life circumstances to me. Over the next several articles, I will be featuring some common questions that I have answered throughout the years of my career. This is the first one.

Q: When do my children get to decide where they want to live? Their dad tells me they get to make that choice as soon as they turn 14. Is that true?

A: I wish I had a dollar for every time I heard this question; I would be an incredibly wealthy man (provided I used all of those many dollars wisely)! Let’s start with the statute that gives rise to the notion, children get to choose where they live, and then we can talk about some important realities.

Utah Code Annotated § 30-3-10(5) addresses the general rule that children do not testify in trials unless there is no other way to get the testimony. Subsection (b) allows the court to “take into consideration the child’s desires regarding future custody or parent-time schedules.” And here is the source of the belief that 14-year-olds get to choose: “The desires of a child 14 years of age or older shall be given added weight[.]” Utah Code Ann. § 30-3-10(5)(b)(ii). If you stop reading the statute there, it sounds like your teenager gets to choose between parents. However, the next clause clarifies that a teenage child’s desire is “not the single controlling factor.” In other words, a court will consider what a child wants, but a child does not get to call the shots.

If we think about it, we generally do not allow our children to make big decisions. They do not get to choose whether to go to school or not. They do not get to vote. They do not get to enter into contracts. Teenagers should not be allowed to make the choice of where they live; otherwise, it will turn into a search for who gives them the best living situation. Where do they have the most freedom, where do they get to do what they want? I don’t want to imply that teenagers are evil or have ill intentions; they will simply use the situation to get the circumstances that feel the best. They do not have enough life experience to carefully weigh out and consider all the pros and cons.

The biggest concern for me comes from how this question usually arises. One parent is telling the children that they get to make the decision when they turn 14. This is so harmful to the children and the parenting relationship, particularly for the parent who is not telling the children this misleading information. These kinds of conversations put the children in the middle of ongoing divorce conflict by telling the children that they have to choose between one parent or the other. If this sort of manipulation is happening in your parenting relationship, look immediately for a good counselor or other professionals who can help your child navigate this emotional minefield. Do not just ignore this symptom of bigger potential problems. Not dealing with it can cause even greater issues in the future.

INCLUDE Family Law Alimony Child Custody Child Support Divorce

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(801) 405-9011

2326 Washington Blvd., 4th Floor, Ogden

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OIL CHANGE FOR YOUR ROOF

We don’t even question it. We get oil changes for our vehicles. Without clean oil, things get

messed up in an engine. Asphalt shingles are similar; they are petroleum-based products that are designed to protect your home. Over time, the natural oils evaporate and dry out, which makes shingles less flexible, brittle, and lose their top protective granule coating. The asphalt also becomes less sticky, which means they don’t hold together as well and the waterproofing can become compromised. Eventually, you will have to replace them, but Roof Maxx® can get you extra time and save you money!

We call Roof Maxx® the oil change for shingles. Roof Maxx® is a soy methyl ester compound that is an all-natural bio-oil made from soybean oil. When sprayed on asphalt shingles, it absorbs into the shingle and replenishes the oils that have dried out over time. This rejuvenates the shingles and makes them perform like new again. In fact, studies show that older shingles perform at 75%80% of a new shingle after a Roof Maxx® treatment. They are flexible, sticky, and hold on to the protective coating better after treatment. This renewal will last for at least five years, guaranteed, and shingles will take up to three treatments before needing to be replaced.

Roof Maxx is 75%-80% cheaper than a new roof, and it will save you money. Plus, Roof Maxx® comes with a five-year warranty and is transferable to new owners if you sell your house. This keeps thousands of pounds of roof waste out of the landfill, all while saving you money. With the increase in construction material costs, now is the perfect time to focus on maintaining your roof instead of replacing it.

Roof Maxx® of Ogden is your local dealership. If your roof is seven years or older, you may qualify for Roof Maxx® treatment. We offer a free assessment and inspection. We also offer a roof tune-up, which includes reinserting backed-out nails, tarring, or siliconing gaps and potential leak spots, and replacing pipe vent weather collars. We can even complete small repairs, like replacing shingles that have torn off. Our goal is to help your roof last as long as possible, saving you money.

Roof Maxx® is an amazing breakthrough in roofing maintenance technology that will help your roof last longer and protect what matters most within the walls of your home.

a time for us to come and look at your roof!

North Ogden Community Costumes

From Halloweens gone by

BY HAILEY MINTON

Cindy Jones said, “This is from 2011, when my entire family dressed as spies. The costumes were 100% thrifted, but we had to seriously convince my youngest, who was two at the time, into wearing her glasses and that little pink coat. The picture of all of us was for a photo shoot, which she only agreed to because we agreed she could also get a picture in her preferred costume: a butterfly with orange wings. On Halloween, she ended up being a black kitty.”

Samantha Lowe Wayment dressed up her daughter, Avy Wayment, as a cabbage patch doll. Samantha crocheted the hat herself and put her in some clothing she already owned.

Malan Flygare went to north Ogden Elementary when she wore this boat and shark costume. Her dad made the cardboard boat and they found the shark at a party store. Malan is now 19 and playing soccer in college in Washington.

Kolton Kunz Easy Mac costume was made from a laundry basket from the dollar tree and lots of toilet paper rolls! The whole costume was less than ten dollars.

This is Sarah Hansen’s daughter, Nova Hansen, age three, in her costume from 2021. “She wanted to be a "purple alien.” Her costume is entirely homemade. I had the help of my mom to sew it. The total cost was around $20. We bought a purple headband, purple leggings, and sparkly silver shoes. She had purple hair, eyeshadow, and lipstick. We got glued-on stars and pom poms as an extra touch! She absolutely loved her costume!”

Stefanie Miller said, “We do a theme every year with our family. We love Halloween! My husband and I figure that, as long as the kids want to, we will dress as a theme family. Eventually, they will get too old and too cool for it, but until then, we will keep dressing up. This last year, it was my husband (Peter) and me (Stefanie) as the robbers and our two children, cops. Our dogs got into it this year with our Bernedoodle puppy (Mila) as a robber. We figured she was a mischievous one-year-old, so how could we not make her a bank robber? Our older pup(14) and a good old boy (Porter), was actually the captain. He wore a badge around his neck and all. My husband also made a cop car for my mother, who is in a wheelchair, to [be able to] participate and she had a blast with the siren and lights.”

Such Awesome Costumes from the past. What are you planning this year. We would love to see. Send your photos and a description to haileyminton@connectionpub.com or submit them online at www.connectionpub.com

The Hess Family as the Incredibles, along with Tyler Hess as Thor. Tyler Hess (Dad), Staci Hess (Mom), Savannah Hess (Violet), Sawyer Hess (Dash), Sophie Hess (Baby Jack Jack) and baby Skye (in mom's tummy).

Owen Johnson won a contest with his homemade Tin Man costume.

GEAR: 30 – Improve Your Outdoor Experience

BY ANN PARK

GEAR:30 is happy to be your local source for camping, backpacking, trail running, skiing, snowboarding, backcountry touring, climbing, hunting, and hiking.

Are you serious about your time in the outdoors? If so, you need quality equipment that you can count on. GEAR:30 is our local source for outdoor sporting goods. They carry gear for alpine and back-country skiing and snowboarding, snowshoeing, mountaineering, hiking, backpacking, camping, rock climbing, trail running, and more. So, if you are planning a big adventure soon, it’s time to talk to them!

reins over to new General Manager, Greg Bean, who has been part of the team for many years.

With the ski season fast approaching, Brandon and his team have been very focused on getting inventory in place in order to offer exciting new ski equipment to their clients. They are carrying new gear from Icelantic and Elan. GEAR:30 has just set up a new video with more information. You can find it on their website, gearthirty.com, or you can look up GEAR:30 on youtube.

Gearing up for the winter season is an exciting time for Brandon and his team. “With all the supply-chain issues businesses have had, this year, we loaded up to make sure we had plenty of skis to offer everyone.”

devoted to the outdoors,” Brandon says. “They are very knowledgeable about the gear we carry. Some of our team members also work part-time with ski-patrol, so they know a lot about current mountain conditions.” Very involved with the outdoor community, Brandon serves on the board for local non profit Ogden Avalanche. Their goal is access to education on winter backcountry safety. They work with avalanche forecasting, professional observations, and weather data.

The Utah Ski Season is almost here! Visit GEAR:30 to find everything you need for your next outdoor adventure.

Business: Mountain Equipment

1931 S. Washington Blvd.

Ogden, UT gearthirty.com

Longtime General Manager of GEAR:30, R. Brandon Long, has worked in the outdoor industry since 2008. He got started because he wanted to work with the Weber Outdoor program, which still remains a great program to help people get started in the outdoors. Brandon loves spending time outside. His favorite sports are snowboarding and hiking. Going forward, he will be handing the

Brandon is excited about the direction GEAR:30 is taking with their inventory. “We’re moving toward taking some of the top-shelf brands and bringing in options that are more moderately priced. We want to have more variety in the pricing to give our customers more options.”

In the future, new manager Greg intends to scale back on overall variety in the store and go deeper in the kinds of products they carry. Greg says, “Our goal is to make sure we have what our customers need.”

“We have gathered a staff