Mayor's Message
Summer Improvements, Permits, Father's Day, and Roy Days: Get Involved!
With summer now here, there will be many of us interested in making improvements to our homes and businesses. After experiencing several issues between residents and city officials, it is important to know that many improvements to your property require a permit. If you intend to construct, enlarge, repair, move, or demolish a building or structure, you need a permit. This includes projects like finishing a basement, adding a hot tub, pool, patio cover, or reroofing. If you plan to add or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing system that is regulated in the City Code, you need a permit. This includes an air conditioner, hot-water heater, fireplace, or furnace. Let’s not forget about sheds over 200 sq. ft., curb cuts, and remodels involving walls, those need a permit as well. Your home or business is an investment. Your permit allows the code official to protect both you and the public by reducing the potential hazards of unsafe construction and
"A good father is one of the most unsung, unpraised, unnoticed, and yet one of the most valuable assets in our society."
Billy Graham
ensuring public health, safety, and welfare. The best way to find out if you need a permit is to call your Roy City building department and discuss your plans. If a permit is not needed, they will let you know. If you believe there were improvements made to your property that may have been made without a permit,
Roy Connection is published monthly by Connection Publishing© connectionpublishing.com
reach out to the department to find possible solutions.
June is the month we celebrate Father's Day. It is the perfect occasion to commemorate fathers or any father figures in our lives. Billy Graham said it best; "A good father is one of the most unsung, unpraised, unnoticed, and yet one of the most valuable assets in our society." To my dad, let me just say, I’m proud to be your son!
Next month is the start of our traditional Roy Days events. From July 20th to August 3rd there will be activities such as Miss Roy Scholarship Competition, Fishing Derby, Art Show, Salmon Bake, Movie in the Park, Fun Run, Parade, Car Show, Vendor Booths, and Fireworks, to name a few. In connection with the Roy Days festivities, we are planning the re-grand opening of the completed Complex Recreational Facility. Although I will be out of town for this important event, it will be a wonderful facility to have back in service. Please come and enjoy all that is being offered.
Good government requires public engagement. Please be involved!
Mayor Bob Dandoy
CONNECT WITH US! We love hearing from you!
Questions, Comments or to Advertise Ryan Spelts | ryan@connectionpub.com | 801-624-9652 RoyConnection roy_connection www.royconnection.com
Disclaimer: The paid advertisements contained within the Roy Connection magazine are not endorsed or recommended by Connection Publishing or Roy City. Therefore, neither party may be held liable for the business practices of these companies. The City is also not responsible for any content in the magazines except for that which they directly submit for print.
Senior
Sales
Ann
Annette
Marliss
Micah
Cover photo by Dawn Paul
Photographers Dawn
Guest
Mayor
City of Roy
Our City Council at Work
Here are some of the significant actions taken at the city council regular business meetings held on May 7th and 21st.
May 7, 2024 Meeting
• Approved Surplus Vehicles for Sale
• Approved Meeting Minutes for March 19th, April 2nd, and April 11th.
• Oath of Office – Newly Promoted Public Works Director
• Presentations: Miss Roy, A Year in Review, UDOT Update, Public View Field Calendar, and FY2025 Budget.
May 21, 2024 Meeting
• Presentation from YCC and Utah Approval Voting
May 21, 2024 Work Session
• FY2025 Proposed Budget
BE A PART OF MEETINGS
Roy Municipal Center Building
City Council Meetings 1st & 3rd Tues at 5:30 p.m. Planning Commission 2nd & 4th Tues at 6 p.m.
for complete meeting minutes and discussion, please visit royutah.org or watch it on youtube.com/@RoyCityCorporation
ROY CITY UTILITIES UPDATE
Roy City has proposed the following rate increases that have been brought on by the service providers. The increases are for the Water Base and Usage Rates, Central Weber Sewer (mostly customers east of 1900 W.), and Capital Equipment Fee.
Sewer North Davis Sewer (Mainly West of 1900 W.)
Sewer Central Weber Sewer (Mainly East of 1900 W.)
Storm Sewer
Garbage Collection and Disposal (with recycle)
Garbage Collection and Disposal (without recycle)
Recycling (annual opt out option in June)
Capital Improvement /Equipment Fee
First 9,000 gallons (per 1,000)
Next 6,000 gallons (per 1,000)
Next 5,000 gallons (per 1,000)
1.96 All gallons over 20,000 (per 1,000)
2023 Quality on Tap Report for Roy City CONSUMER CONFIDENCE REPORT
We’re pleased to present you with this year’s Annual Water Quality Report. This report is designed to inform you about our excellent water quality and the services we have delivered to you over the past year. Our goal has always been to provide you with a safe and dependable drinking water supply. Our water sources are contracted water from Weber Basin Water Conservancy District and four deep wells.
We’re pleased to report that our drinking water meets federal and state requirements for 2023. This report discloses our water quality and what it means to you, our customer.
The Drinking Water Source Protection Plan for Roy City is available for your review. It contains information about source protection zones, potential contamination sources, and management strategies to protect our drinking water. Gas stations, lawn care companies, and Hill Air Force Base’s underground contamination are potential contamination sources common in our protected areas. Additionally, our wells have a low susceptibility to potential contamination, and we have also developed management strategies to further protect our sources.
Water quality inside your home is always a concern. You should occasionally check your water heater for proper temperature settings. Water that is too hot can cause a burn hazard, and water that is lukewarm can create a perfect environment for bacterial growth. You should clean, maintain and replace filters and purifiers according to the manufacturer's recommendations to ensure they continue to operate as intended. The water hardness in Roy City can range from 10 to 18 grains per gallon, therefore it is important to monitor the setting on your water softener regularly to ensure you are treating your water properly and not wasting money by overtreating. Remember to maintain your pressure regulator on your main supply line to ensure it continues to work properly to get the water supply you need.
If you have any questions about this report or concerning your water utility, please contact the Roy City Public Works office at 801-774-1090, address 5460 S. 2700 W., Roy, Utah 84067. We want our valued customers to be informed about their water utility. If you would like to attend any of our regularly scheduled City Council meetings, they are held on the first and third Tuesday of each month, 6 p.m., at the Roy City Municipal Center, address 5051 S. 1900 W., Roy, Utah 84067.
All sources of drinking water are subject to potential contamination by constituents that are naturally occurring or man-made. Those constituents can be microbes, organic or inorganic chemicals, or radioactive materials. All drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that the water poses a health risk. More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the Environmental Protection Agency’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791.
MCLs are set at very stringent levels. To understand the possible health effects described for many regulated constituents, a person would have to drink 2 liters of water every day at the MCL level for a lifetime to have a one-ina-million chance of having the described health effect.
Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immunocompromised persons, such as persons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly, and infants can be particularly at risk from infections. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their healthcare providers. EPA/CDC guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by cryptosporidium and other microbiological contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791.
We at the Roy City Water Department, 801-774-1090, work around the clock to provide top-quality water to every tap. We ask that all our customers help us protect our water sources, which are the heart of our community, our way of life, and our children’s future.
In addition to the sampling outlined in the table above, we have also sampled for 21 Volatile Organic Chemicals, 28 Pesticides, 35 Unregulated Organic Chemicals, and 10 Unregulated Pesticides. These additional chemicals were not detected in our water. The following constituents are regulated more closely: Arsenic, Lead, Nitrate, Radon, and Cryptosporidium. Notice of any detection is required.
DEFINITIONS
Non-Detects (ND) - Laboratory analysis indicates the constituent is not present. ND/Low-High - For water systems that have multiple sources of water, the Utah Division of Drinking Water has given water systems the option of listing the test results of the constituents in one table, instead of multiple tables. To accomplish this, the lowest and highest values detected in the multiple sources are recorded in the same space in the report table.
Parts per million (ppm) or Milligrams per liter (mg/L) - One part per million corresponds to one minute in two years or a single penny in $10,000.
Parts per billion (ppb) or Micrograms per liter (ug/L) - One part per billion corresponds to one minute in 2,000 years or a single penny in $10,000,000.
Picocuries per liter (pCi/L) - A measure of the radioactivity in water.
Action Level (AL) - The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements which a water system must follow.
Treatment Technique (TT) - A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water.
Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) - The “maximum allowed” is the highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as feasible using the best available treatment technology.
Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG)- The “goal” is the level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLGs allow for a margin of safety.
TEST RESULTS
MICROBIOLOGICAL CONTAMINANTS (Microbiological Parameters)
Coliforms are bacteria that are naturally present in the environment and are used as an indicator that potentially harmful bacteria may be present. Utah DDW regulations require Roy City to test a minimum of 40 samples per month for total coliform and E. coli.
Total Coliform Bacteria
RADIOACTIVE CONTAMINANTS
METAL CONTAMINANTS
REGULATED HALOACETIC ACIDS (HAAs)
UNREGULATED TRIHALOMETHANES (THMs)
PARKS & RECREATION
Roy Days Registrations/Applications
Visit roydays.info to apply today!
5K Run/2-Mile Walk & Kids Fun Course
• Registration Dates: April 1 - July 31 @ 12 p.m.
• Cost:
5K-Run/2-Mile Walk: $25
Kids Fun Course: $15
• Event Date & Time: August 3 / 7 a.m.
Art Show
Calling all artists! Show your artwork at Roy Days. Register online!
• Registration Dates: April 1 - July 15
• Cost:
Adults: $10
Youth & Junior $5
• Event Date & Time: July 20August 3 / Library Hours
• Theme: Color My World Golf Tournament
• Registration Dates: April 1st until full
• Cost: $450
• Event Date & Time: July 26 / 8 a.m.
Entertainment
Roy City is looking for performers for Super Saturday! Dancing, singing, magic, instrumental bands, etc. welcome. Apply online!
• Application Dates: April 1 - May 31
• Cost: N/A
• Event Date: August 3
Parade
• Application Dates: April 1 - June 30
• Cost: $10
• Date/Time: August 3rd / 9 a.m.
Vendor Booths
Are you a business who wants to be a part of the community? Apply online to advertise/sell your products at Roy Days!
• Application Dates: April 1 - July 14
• Cost:
Food: $220
Non-Food: $120
Non-Profit: $70
• Event Date & Time: August 3 / 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Roy Recreation Registration
Register at www.royrecreation.com
For Questions, E-mail ebadger@royutah.org or call 801-774-1048
Tackle Football
Now until June 15
Season starts July 29
2nd-8th Grade
Registration: $150
Flag Football
Register June 1 - July 31
Season starts the end of August Kindergarten-9th grade
Registration: $60
Coed Volleyball
Register June 1 - July 31
Season starts the end of August 3rd-9th grade
Registration: $55
Apply online at www.royutah.org
Contact Roy Parks and Recreation at 801-774-1048 or cwergin@royutah.org for more information.
Roy CTC and Police Department Join Forces
National Take Back Day Success & Graduation Congratulations!
Focus on Roy Businesses Sweet Spot Indoor
Golf
Sweet Spot Indoor Golf opened at 4655 S. 1900 W., by long-time Roy resident Dan Roper.
The studio features a state-of-the-art golf simulator, which allows golfers to play on some of the most famous courses in the world. The simulator also provides real-time feedback on your swing, so you can identify areas for improvement. In addition to the simulators, the studio also offers a variety of other amenities, including a putting practice mat, big screen Television, and comfortable seating where golfers can relax and socialize.
Roy Communities that Care Coalition partnered with Roy City Police Department during the National Take Back Day. Roy CTC collected several bags of unused medication and provided information on proper medication disposal. The Roy Police Department has a year-round drop box to dispose of unused or expired medications in the Police Department Lobby. Thank you for your continued support to help us build a safer community.
Roy CTC would also like to extend Contratulations to all the 2024 Roy High Graduates! You've worked hard and achieved a significant milestone. Roy Communities that cares wishes you all the best for your future endeavors!
Follow us on facebook @royutahctc
Follow us on Instagram: @royctc1
Contact us at RoyCTC@owcap.org
Dan is excited to share his love of golf with the Roy community. He believes golf is a great way to get exercise, make new friends, and have some fun. He is also committed to providing a welcoming and inclusive environment for all golfers, regardless of their skill level.
The studio is open seven days a week and offers a variety of membership options to fit every budget. For more information, visit the website at www. golfsweet.net.
Roy City Information
“Don’t
Miss the Pickup: Stay on Track with Garbage and Recycle Reminders!”
Just a friendly reminder that recycling pick-up is every other week, on the same day as your garbage pick-up. To view the recycle week calendar, please visit www.royutah.org or stop into the utility office for a calendar copy.
Should you find yourself in need of replacing a broken lid, wheels, or the entire can itself, please contact our Utility Department at 801-774-1000.
Cemetery Maintenance Schedule
MAYOR
City Directory
Robert Dandoy: 801-774-1028 rdandoy@royutah.org
COUNCIL MEMBERS council@royutah.org
Ann Jackson: ajackson@royutah.org
Bryon Saxton: bsaxton@royutah.org
Joe Paul: jpaul@royutah.org
Randy Scadden: randy.scadden@royutah.org
Sophie Paul: sophie.paul@royutah.org
For nominations, please submit the following to the email address below:
If you are nominating yourself, please send your name, address, phone, and your permission for it to be shared with committee members for notification purposes.
It you are nominating someone other than yourself, please just send us their address and we will notify the appropriate committee member of the nomination.
All grave decorations, now through October 31st will be removed by city crews every Thursday for mowing and maintenance. If weather prevents mowing on Thursday, maintenance will be performed on the first working day thereafter. Please be sure to remove decorations by Wednesday evening to avoid having them disposed of. For more information, please call 801-774-1040. Is your yard a water-saving wonderland? Enter our Yard of the Month contest, blooming from June to September! Show off your sustainable style and conservation efforts while inspiring others to do the same. beautification@royutah.org
CITY OFFICES AND CONTACTS
Municipal Center & Utilities
801-774-1000 utilityrequests@royutah.org
Open Monday - Thursday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Friday 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Police
Emergency: 911
Non-Emergency Dispatch: 801-395-8221
Records: 801-774-1046 pdrecords@royutah.org
Fire: 801-774-1080 fire@royutah.org
Community Development
801-774-1040 ced@royutah.org
Justice Court
801-774-1051 jcrou@utcourts.gov
Parks & Recreation
801-774-1048 parksandrec@royutah.org
Recreation Complex
801-774-1050 (Temporarily Closed)
Public Works
801-774-1090 publicworks@royutah.org
Please keep in mind, emails are not monitored 24/7. If your matter is urgent, please call.
FUN THINGS TO DO
Jun 1: Weber Basin Garden Fair
2837 E. Hwy. 193, Layton weberbasin.gov 8 a.m.–2 p.m.
Jun 1-2: Ogden Music Festival Fort Buenaventura, $25–185
Jun 1, 15: Ice Sheet Free RAMP 4390 Harrison Blvd. 12–2 p.m.
Jun 1-Jun 29: Birdhouse Exhibit Ogden Nature Center 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Jun 1, 8, 15, 22, 29: Ogden Nature Center Free RAMP 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Jun 1, 8, 15, 22, 29: Ogden Farmers Market Historic 25th Street 8 a.m.–1 p.m.
Jun 5, 12, 19, 26: Roy Community Farmers Market 4059 S. 1900 W. 5–8 p.m.
Jun 5: Meet County Caucus Winners Orion JHS 6 p.m.
Jun 6: GOAL Community Hike
Malans First Outlook via 29th Street Trailhead, Ogden 6–8 p.m.
Jun 7: North Ogden Summer Jazz Festival Barker Park Amphitheatre 7 p.m.
Jun 7: Car Show Historic 25th Street Downtown Ogden 5–9 p.m.
Jun 7: First Friday Art Stroll Downtown Ogden 6–9 p.m.
Jun 8: Dinosaur Park Free RAMP 4–8 p.m.
Jun 8: Terrace Days Fireworks Rohmer Park, Washington Terrace 10 p.m.
Jun 8: Treehouse Children’s Museum Free RAMP, RSVP req. 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Jun 8, 13, 22, 27: Weber
Basin Free Landscape Classes Register at weberbasin.gov
Jun 12: Jazz at the Station
Union Station, Ogden 7 p.m.
Jun 15: Museums at Union Station
Free RAMP 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
Jun 15: WSU Ott Planetarium
Free RAMP 12–4 p.m.
Jun 15: Peery’s Egyptian Theater
Free RAMP Children’s Movie 12 & 3 p.m.
Jun 15, 29: BSA Ropes Challenge Course Free RAMP 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Jun 21: A Century of Cinema and Song Peery’s Egyptian Theater 12:30 p.m.
Jun 22: Fort Buenaventura
Free RAMP 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Jun 22: Lorin Farr Pool
Free RAMP 12–6 p.m.
Jun 22: Ogden Twilight Concert Cannons Ogden Amphitheater 5 p.m.
Jun 29: North Shore Pool Free RAMP 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
WEBER COUNTY LIBRARY – Southwest Branch
2039 W. 4000 S. • Roy • 801-337-2670
WEEKLY ACTIVITIES
Tues: Gentle Movements 10:30 a.m.
STEAM Club 4 p.m.
Yoga for Adults 6:30 p.m.
Wed: Discovery Time 10:30 & 11: 30 a.m.
Youth Game Club 4 p.m.
Thurs: Citizenship Classes 7 p.m.
Sat: Tai Chi 10:30 a.m.
ACTIVITIES
Jun 3: Children Summer Reading Kickoff 10:30 a.m.
Jun 3: Teen Scene DnD 6 p.m.
Jun 6: Teen Summer Reading Kickoff 3 p.m.
Jun 8: Movie Mulan (1998) 10:30 a.m.
Jun 12: Adult Book Discussion The Librarianist 7 p.m.
SENIOR CENTER
Lunch Mon.–Fri. 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Mondays
Oil Painting 9 a.m.
Zumba / Coffee with Friends 10 a.m.
30-Minute Zumba 10:30 a.m.
Cards 12 p.m.
Line Dancing 12:30 p.m.
Out to Eat Bunch 4 p.m.
Tuesdays
Ceramics 8:30 a.m.
Tai Chi for Arthritis / Quilting 9 a.m.
Coffee with Friends 10 a.m.
Pinochle 12:30 p.m.
Wednesdays
Ceramics 8:30 a.m.
Sewing Group 9 a.m.
Thursdays
Oil Painting 8:30 a.m.
Blood Pressure Clinic 8:30 a.m.
Floor Yoga 9 a.m.
Chair Yoga 9:30 a.m.
Tea Time with Friends 10:30 a.m.
Cards 12 p.m.
Fridays
Arthritis Exercise Class 10 a.m.
Coffee with Friends 10 a.m.
All library events are FREE
Jun 13: Teen Screen Movie 3 p.m.
Jun 17: Adults DnD 6 p.m.
Jun 19: Astronaut Camp 10:30 a.m.
Jun 20: Teens Sewing 3 p.m.
Jun 20: Murder Mystery 6:30 p.m.
Jun 27: Teens Boba Tea 3 p.m.
Jun 28: Tech Lab Lego Robotics 4 p.m.
We bet you love summer as much as we do! Summer is such a fun season to spend quality time with our families and to get lots of vitamin D. Here is our annual summer fun check list. Have fun creating memories!!!
Eat watermelon Go to the rodeo Play Uno or favorite card game Set up a lemonade stand Eat ice cream Go hammocking Hit some golf balls Go frisbee (disc) golfing Go to farmers market Climb a tree Do a craft Go ice blocking Play sand volleyball
Buy paints, brushes and plain paper. Have the kids wear old shirts and paint away.
T-ball in the back yard or park Kickball in back yard or park
Monday “Family Movie Nights" with popcorn & treats. Watch all the series such as Kung Fu Panda, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Harry Potter, etc. Make homemade play dough. (See QR Code below)
Paint fingernails/toenails Water balloon fights
Friday fun day Go on a hike Play in the park Photo shoots with your kids or friends using phone camera Sleep in the back yard under the stars Run in a 5k Go to a parade Go on a bike ride Go fishing Buy or pick pretty flowers from your yard and place in a vase to enjoy Roast s’mores around a fire pit Go swimming Build a fort with sheets and pillows Go to a baseball game Face paints Go to an amusement park Float on a river Have baking lessons, make cookies, cakes and bread Date nights with your kiddos or grandkids (quality time) Night games Read books Serve a neighbor (yard work, bring them a treat, say hi, invite over for game night, etc) Play in the rain Go thrifting Make root-beer floats Go for a long drive & explore new areas Watch fireworks
Remove this page and place on a wall, bulletin board, or fridge. How many can you check off this summer?
Swim & play in sand at Bear Lake or Pine View Reservoir
Jump on trampoline with sprinkler underneath
Make homemade sand.
(See QR Code below)
royconnection.com/summer-fun-recipes
With Love and Gratitude to Our Dads
BY MELISSA & RYAN SPELTS—MELISSA & HER DAD—
My parents moved a lot in their married life. 21 times is what we counted a few years back. My dad was a CPA but longed for adventure and seeing life outside of Utah. I was number three of seven children and we all were part of these moves. We lived in Hartsell Alabama, Macon Georgia, Sacramento California, Las Vegas Nevada, and many places in Utah (Southern to Northern). It was fun, hard, and even educational. We grew close as a family. My dad was a super hard-worker, full of integrity, and loved his family very much. We all watched him as he held our mom’s hand every time they were together. He always helped with Saturday morning chores; this was our deep clean day. We divided, some of us doing inside chores and the rest doing outside chores. We grew up hearing “many hands make light work.” After our chores were done, we would do something fun as a family. I have many fond memories of playing in the red sand dunes in Southern Utah or of long drives exploring back roads in Alabama and Georgia. My dad was always so sweet to my mother. This is what helped me know what to look for in a husband. My dad would take mom on dates as often as they could. He would surprise her with quick trips somewhere on special anniversaries. There was a feeling that it didn’t matter what they were doing if they were together. I grew up knowing that I wanted this in a husband.
When I was 15 years old, I worked for my parents in Brigham City, Utah. They had their own business doing Physician Billing, his business was called Michael E. Miller and Company,
Dad
(n.) 1. father, guardian, protector, carer, friend 2. teacher, mentor, coach, task master, listener 3. sports fanatic, mower man, king of corny jokes, biggest tease, taxi, bank, part-time fun guy, part-time fun police 4. tough on the outside, soft in the middle 5. someone you can lean on.
Healthline Physician Billing. All my siblings helped where we could; I’m so grateful for the lessons I learned while working for him. We cleaned the office, emptied trash cans, stuffed envelopes with patient’s bills, licked the stamps and envelops (Did you know that there are calories in those envelops and stamps? My sisters and I were not very happy when we learned that), took payment batches to the bank, etc. It was a neverending job, but I loved being there with my family. My dad was a quiet man. Not shy, just quiet. One afternoon it was time to go home after work and it was just Dad and I there at the office. We locked up everything and climbed into his big red Ford truck. The radio was off, and we had a 12-minute drive to Honeyville. I looked outside and watched the community going and doing. We drove the whole time in complete silence. Even though a word wasn’t uttered, I felt so much love from my dad and I loved him. I felt safe in that spot.
A couple years after Ryan and I were married in 1999 we had our first child, a boy we named Koby. I wish I could put into words the change in Ryan’s eyes when he held him for the first time. That amount of love comes with lots of emotions.
A desire to protect, care for, teach, and love. Ryan has been a great dad too. There are no perfect parents, just parents that try right? My dad passed away from brain cancer last 4th of July. He battled it for 20 years. If your dad is still around, give him the BIGGEST hug. Listen and learn all you can from him. Life is too short to take him for granted.
Melissa (on far right) with her Dad and 6 siblings.—RYAN & HIS DAD—
I remember my dad had this brown metallic paint GMC pickup truck that had to be the coolest truck in all of Henderson, Nevada at the time. I wish we still had that truck; it was so cool. I had a childlike awe about that truck and loved riding with my dad in it and often did. Whenever I hear about people with their non-existent dads, I realize that I must have been very lucky. My dad was always there. He worked hard for our family, he served in our community, he served in our church and he even came to my games. Now, don’t get me wrong, for a long time I didn’t think my dad even liked me because he seemed to always be mad at me, but now that I have teenagers of my own, I can relate.
My dad has an eternal reservoir of information tumbling around in his brain. He can fix nearly anything, and he can build things and he can tell you what business is moving in or out of nearly any building in the greater Las Vegas area. He is a news-aholic and always seemed to know everything about anything you could imagine. I always marveled at how many facts and figures he knew about. There was a time when I thought my dad was smarter than Google and Google didn’t even exist yet.
Today, thinking back, my dad was always a constant in my life. He never shirked his duty as a dad. I never felt abandoned or unloved. Maybe a little underappreciated at times, but again, teenagers! He worked mostly in the financial industry with a degree in Accounting; he worked in banking and in insurance but has finished his career as a tax auditor for the State of Nevada. I did take an accounting class at his advice. I remember about three weeks into the course, I called my dad and said, “This is what you do for a living! This is the worst thing I have ever done.” He laughed at me
Listen and learn all you can from him. Life is too short to take him for granted.
and told me to stick it out. I did and I am not sure I changed my opinion much regarding accounting.
My dad taught me some powerful principles though. I remember when we moved into a new house. We had to put the yard in ourselves. I oversaw digging the sprinkler ditches in the very rocky Nevada soil. It was very hot, and I wanted to come in for a drink about every five minutes. He would tell me to finish a row before I took a break. He taught me to not get distracted every few minutes and to get work done before taking a break. I learned to be a hard worker from him.
One quote that always stuck with me that my dad said to me many times in my youth was,
“What’s right is right even if no one is doing it and what’s wrong is wrong even if everyone is doing it.” I tell this same quote to my children to this day and it is a guiding light to me when making decisions.
I am grateful for the example my dad has been to me and the lessons I have learned from him. I am also grateful that I can speak to him still to this day.
Young Ryan and his Dad. Ryan, his Dad and two sons. Below photo: Ryan reading to his children.By now you have heard about Roof Maxx. It is a revolutionary spray-on oil that rejuvenates your asphalt shingles, giving an extra 5, 10, or even 15 years of life to your roof. This can save you thousands over traditional roof replacement. If your roof is 12-15 years old, we would love to give you a free inspection to determine if now is a good time to apply Roof Maxx. It is also a great add-on to a home that has solar panels installed, keeping your roof in place longer saving the extra expense of $6000 having to remove, and then reinstall the panels when your roof eventually needs replacement.
Roof Maxx is the best alternative out there. It returns flexibility and life to your shingles. The product is a soybased oil that soaks into the asphalt and reinvigorates it. That flexibility allows your shingles to continue to breathe and expand and contract to give your home the protection it needs.
We perform a free, no-obligation roof inspection, take photos, and show you what is happening on your roof. To schedule please call or visit our website.
Net metering has changed. Your solar power is now being sold back to Rocky Mountain Power for pennies on the dollar. There is too much power from peak times and it is going to waste.
This makes batteries a wise investment for homeowners because you can capture your own solar production and save it for when you need it. Currently, there is a 30% tax credit where you get a dollar-for-dollar credit on a battery that will help pay for its purchase. This is in addition to the current rebates which are the highest they have ever been from the manufacturers and Rocky Mountain Power of up to $7000.
A battery will eliminate your power bill to nearly zero and it will give you total control of your system. These batteries give you what is called a virtual powerplant essentially creating your own grid giving you what you always wanted from your solar system…power independence.
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Enjoy The Purest Water
A Play on Oh, the Places You’ll Go!
By Dr. Suess Adapted by Melissa & Ryan Spelts Custom Artwork by Koby SpeltsCongratulations! Today is your day! It’s Graduation Day!!
You are off to Great Places! You’re off and away!
You have brains that are full. And feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And you are the guy or gal who’ll decide where to go. You’ll look up and down streets. Look ‘em over with care! Will you go off to school to USU, UofU, BYU, Weber or elsewhere?
Or will you go to work as a salesperson, a cattle person, a hair person or a driver? Maybe a mission or the military is for you. You’ll look over your options, look ‘em over with care! About some you will say, “I don’t choose to go there.” With your head full of brains and your shoes full of feet, you’re too smart to go down any not-so-good street. You may not find any you’ll want to go down. In that case, of course, you’ll head straight out of town. Maybe to California or Seattle or New York you’ll go to chase your dreams or to simply explore. One thing you will notice when you get out there, is things are happening everywhere. Out their things can happen and frequently do, to people as brainy and footsy as you. And when things start to happen, don’t worry. Don’t stew. Just go right along. You’ll start happening too!
OH THE PLACES YOU’LL GO!
We think of Kindergarten and your first day of school. You learned how to tie your own shoes, your ABC’s and 123’s, too. You learned and you learned till you got to 12th grade and you became a smart person as you filled up your brain. You probably never thought you would ever be here but you are. You are finished riding this high school train! Now it is just you and your foot-filled shoes and your smart-filled brain! Senior Year has come and now is gone. Way to go, you made it! What a year to remember. Homework, computers, friends and teachers, back packs, books and calculators. Football games, Homecoming, Prom and girl’s choices, assemblies, tests, pencils, and track races. Free…free at last! No more school, or maybe school is just starting for you. Either way, You’ll be on your way up! You’ll be seeing great sights! You’ll join the high fliers who soar to high heights. You won’t lag behind, because you’ll have the speed. You’ll pass the whole gang as you’ll soon take the lead. Wherever you fly, you’ll be the best of the best. Wherever you go, you will top all the rest. Except when you don’t. Because sometimes you won’t.
I am sorry to say that it’s so, but sadly it’s true that Bang-ups and Hang-ups can happen to you. You can get all hung up in a prickle-ly perch. And your gang will fly on. You’ll be left in a Lurch. You’ll come down from the Lurch with an unpleasant bump. And the chances are, then, that you’ll be in a Slump. And when you’re in a Slump, you’re not in for much fun. Un-slumping yourself is not easily done.
You will ask yourself questions, like how did I get here and now that I am here, what do I do? You will come to the place where the streets are not marked. Some windows are lighted but mostly they are dark. You will ask if you should go in? You could sprain both your elbow and chin! Do you dare to stay out? Do you dare to go in? How much can you lose? How much can you win? And IF you go in, should you turn left or right… or right-and-three-quarters? Or, maybe, not quite? Or go around back and sneak in from behind? Simple it’s not, I’m afraid you will find, for a mind-maker-upper to make up their mind. You can get so confused that you’ll start to race down long wiggled roads at a break-necking pace and grind on for miles across weirdish, wild space, headed, I fear, toward a most useless place.
The Waiting Place. …for people just waiting.
Waiting for planes to come or busses to go or waiting for Uber to come, your Lyft to go. That email to come or the text to go. Waiting around for a Yes or a No, or some are just waiting for their hair to grow. Everyone is waiting. Waiting for the fish to bite or waiting for wind to fly a kite or Friday night or waiting and waiting for this or that, everyone is just waiting.
NO! That is not for you!
Somehow you’ll escape all that waiting and staying. You’ll find the bright places where big bands are playing, where once again you will fly high! Ready for anything under the sky. Oh the places you’ll go! There is fun to be done! There are points to be scored. There are games to be won. And the magical things you can do with that ball will make you the winning-est winner of all. Fame! You’ll be famous as famous can be, with the whole wide world watching you win on TV, or Netflix or Hulu or maybe just YouTube.
Except when they don’t. Because sometimes they won’t. I’m afraid that sometimes you’ll play lonely games, too. Games you can’t win ‘cause you’ll be playing against YOU!
But you’re not alone. We will be watching and caring as you go. We love you and will miss you as you go on the trail but we know you must go, so go with great care. You’ll get mixed up, of course, as you already know. You’ll get mixed up with many strange birds as you go. So be sure when you step. Step with great care and great tact and remember that life is a great balancing act. Just never forget to be dexterous and deft. And never mix up your right foot with your left.
And will you succeed? Yes! You will, Indeed! (98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed.) Kid, you’ll move mountains! And you have a whole community cheering you on as you go.
So…
Be your name Aleksa or Arik or A’Bri Or Makinly Maralee Johanssen-McKay
You’re off to Great Places! Today is your day. Your mountain is waitin’. So…get on your way!BY MELISSA SPELTS
II don’t know how William Evans Baker did it! In 1873 he saw something great in a land that was desolate, occupied only by rabbits, snakes, lizards, coyotes and a wolf or two. The land didn’t even have water. To leave a reliable farm in Hooper with a couple neighbors nearby. To forge out on his own and start from scratch a farm in a land where even the Indians didn’t inhabit? Folks in Hooper thought he had lost his mind. When asked about it William said that he liked the location and wanted to see what he might be able to do with it. It wasn’t an easy path, they would be the only family in this unnamed area. The homesteading law said that you had to live ontheland for 6 months at a time in order to stake a claim on it. So William, his wife and their growing family lived in Hooper for 6 months and Roy for 6 months until he had a home built on the 80 acre farm.
William was from Huxley Warwickshire, England. His father had died leaving behind his mother and 5 children. His family had joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and when neighbors heard that they belonged to that church they pretty much told them to leave, so they did. In 1862 they made the across the globe journey to Utah.
The Beginning Days of Roy
TURNING BACK THE CLOCK
An older brother and sister stayed in England with their families, it must have been hard to say goodbye. His sister did later come to Utah. They arrived in Riverdale in October and William immediately took on the role of being the man of the family and found a farm they could rent. It is so amazing to me how families worked together to create a home from nothing, everyone pitched in. William was very smart and saw a business opportunity with travelers crossing the swollen Weber River on their way to the gold fields of California or to greener land in Oregon. He cut down some trees bordering the river and built a ferry to assist the travelers. Before too long he had enough money to buy an ox team and several other supplies. William also worked for his landlord William Cole. While working for him he fell in love with his daughter Esther and married her shortly after her 18th birthday.
William and Esther moved to Hooper after they were married (in 1865) and lived in a wagon box until William could get a house built. They had their first child, a little girl named Rachel Eva. Eight years after moving to Hooper they wanted their own land and found some in what is now called Roy. Some
time after moving permanently to Roy, William dug the first well. It was over 50 feet down. Back in those days they didn’t have tractors to assist. He did it with a shovel and a lot of hard work. It was the only well between Kaysville and Ogden. The well gave enough water for cooking and drinking but they had to go to Muskrat Springs in Hooper 3 miles away to get enough water for household purposes such as washing, cleaning and laundry. Sheep and cattle also traveled to the same spring for water. William and Esther had a big family with 11 children (5 sons and 6 daughters). William worked hard to get water to the Roy area. He was the President of the Hooper Irrigation Company and has done much for the building of that section as well as helped to bring about the Weber and Davis County Canal.
Roy was settled in 1873, 25 years after Ogden and many of the surrounding communities were also already settled. It had names such as Central City, Sandridge, The Basin, and Lakeview. Roy was eventually named after the child of a school teacher. Roy C. Peebles, who had died. The City of Roy was incorporated on March 10, 1937.
William and Esther BakerIsland Style Kanak Attack
"Kanak Attack" is a Hawaiian, Pidgin-English term used to describe the feeling of overeating, often leading to a foodinduced nap, similar to the post-Thanksgiving "Turkey Coma."
Our family recently made the move from our island home in Hawaii to Utah. Before coming here, I had never heard of "Hawaiian Haystacks" or understood why cooked pineapple could make a dish "Hawaiian." As a local boy from the Aloha state, food is a massive part of our culture and identity.
Before diving into the cooking, let's explore some culinary history. Much Hawaiian cuisine is "plantation food," a fusion of the various cultures that migrated to the islands in the late 1800s. The main groups were Japanese, Chinese, Filipino, and Portuguese. These influences, blended with American and Hawaiian culture, make up our current island cuisine.
Here are three authentic dishes from my island home. All ingredients can be purchased from your local grocery store and or Ocean Mart (Located in Ogden and Roy)
BY MICAH KIYOMASA HIROKAWAKalua Pig
Main Dish (Hawaiian, only people in the mainland say, Kalua Pork)
Ingredients:
1 large Pork Roast (bone-in is much more tender)
Rock Salt
Table Salt
Banana Leaves
Mesquite Liquid Smoke or Wood Chips (In Hawaii, they use Kiawe wood, a similar flavor to Mesquite)
Instructions:
1. Prepare your crockpot by lining it with banana leaves. (Ocean Mart has them in their frozen section)
2. Rub the pork roast in the pot with a small amount of liquid smoke, or you can smoke the roast in a smoker at 225° for 1 hour using Mesquite wood chips before transferring it to the crockpot (when using liquid smoke, use disposable gloves).
3. Place the pork roast fat side up in the crockpot and lightly sprinkle rock salt on the fat.
4. Cover the top of the roast with more banana leaves.
5. Cook the roast in the crockpot on low for 10 hours (9 hours if you smoked it beforehand)
6. Carefully remove the roast from the crockpot and transfer it to a mixing bowl. It should be very tender and fall apart easily.
7. Add 1-2 cups of the crockpot drippings to the mixing bowl. The amount you add will determine how oily the final dish is.
8. Season the pork with table salt to taste and continue to mix. Add warm water if it’s too dry.
9. Serve this dish with rice or poi.
Ahi Poke
Pūpū/Appetizer (Japanese, American, Hawaiian)
Ingredients:
2-3 cups Frozen Ahi Cubes, semi-frozen for easier cutting
1 Japanese Cucumber, peeled, seeds removed, and diced (Any cucumber is fine)
2 medium Tomatoes, seeds removed and diced
1 White Onion, diced (Yellow is fine too)
1 Tbsp. Minced Garlic
Imitation Crab, cut into 1/4-inch chunks
1 Tbsp. Sesame Seed Oil
2-3 Tbsp. Furikake Seasoning, Nori Komi
1 Tbsp. Red Chili Flakes (optional)
1/2 - 1 cup Teriyaki Sauce (I use Veri Veri Teriyaki)
1 bunch Green Onions, chopped Roasted Sesame Seeds
Instructions:
1. Place 2-3 cups of frozen ahi cubes in a large mixing bowl. Cut them into 1/4-inch cubes.
2. Peel and dice the Japanese cucumber, then add 1 cup to the bowl.
3. Dice the tomatoes after removing the seeds, then add them to the bowl.
4. Dice half of a white onion and add it to the bowl.
5. Add 1 Tbsp. minced garlic to the bowl.
6. Cut the imitation crab into 1/4-inch chunks, then add it to the bowl.
7. Drizzle 1 Tbsp. sesame seed oil over the ingredients in the bowl.
8. Sprinkle 2-3 Tbsp. of furikake seasoning over the ingredients.
9. Add 1 Tbsp. of red chili flakes (optional) for a spicy kick.
10. Pour 1/2 cup of your favorite teriyaki sauce over the ingredients, adjusting to taste.
11. Mix all the ingredients well, ensuring they are evenly coated with the sauce and seasonings.
12. Garnish the poke salad with chopped green onions and roasted sesame seeds.
13. Serve the poke alone, on rice, or with my favorite, Fritos Scoops chips.
Malasadas Desert (Portuguese)
Ingredients:
Pillsbury dinner rolls or biscuits (not Grands)
Canola oil
White sugar
Cinnamon Paper bag
Instructions:
1. Heat canola oil in a deep pot to 350-375 degrees (closer to 350 is better).
2. Open the dinner rolls or biscuits and flatten each piece to about 1/4 inch thick.
3. Use your finger to poke a small hole in the center of each flattened piece.
4. Carefully add the flattened dough to the hot oil and fry until golden brown.
5. Remove the fried dough and place it on a cooling rack.
6. Once the fried dough has slightly cooled, add it to a paper bag containing white sugar or a mixture of sugar and cinnamon.
7. Shake the bag to coat the fried dough in the sugar mixture.
8. Eat while they’re still hot!
Our June recipes come to us from Micah Kiyomasa Hirokawa.
Karen DeVries Retires After 50 Years of Service at Bank of Utah.
After an esteemed 50-year career, Karen DeVries bidded farewell to Bank of Utah on March 27. As the executive assistant for the commercial lending team, headquartered in Ogden, DeVries leaves behind a legacy of professionalism, dedication, and unwavering commitment.
Frank Browning, chairman of the board for Bank of Utah, fondly reminisces about his early days at the bank, reflecting on DeVries’ steadfast presence since he started at the age of 16. “She is a great person and an exceptional employee. She is very productive, and her people skills have earned her the respect and admiration of everyone who has had the privilege of working with her,” Browning said.
Liz Warner, Bank of Utah’s vice president of CRA (Community Reinvestment Act) and lending compliance officer, echoed those sentiments, emphasizing DeVries’ unparalleled dedication to customer service. “Karen is always willing to go above and beyond for our customers,” Warner said. “I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve been with her when she’s received a phone call from a bank customer. Even
though she’s not at the bank in those moments, she makes sure to listen and take care of their needs. She is never too busy to be available to assist the customers. She is kind and caring.”
“When I first started in the check filing department, I didn’t think I’d be at Bank of Utah for more than five years — it ended up being 50,” said DeVries. “Because of the people, the challenge of the job and opportunity for advancement, it became home for me. The Browning family has been exceptionally nice to me, as well as all of the mentors and leaders who have made me who I am today — they are like family. I can’t imagine myself at any other place.”
Over her years at the bank, DeVries has supported five leaders in charge of lending. Today, her experience holds special significance. Having honed her skills under the guidance of Michael Fosmark, a former chief lending officer for Bank of Utah, she now finds herself working with his son, Brady Fosmark, the bank’s current chief lending officer.
This full-circle experience speaks volumes about the
enduring relationships she’s fostered within the bank.
A pillar of support throughout her tenure, DeVries has offered not only her expertise to colleagues but also her positivity. Her commitment is evident in her punctuality (arriving bright and early daily at 7:15 a.m.), and she never misses a bank event. Warner further praises DeVries’ adaptability to evolving technologies and her invaluable contributions to Bank of Utah’s success. Highlighting DeVries’ warmth and positive influence, Warner said, “She knows how to do her job and does it well. Her proficiency in her role is unmatched, and her friendly presence — accompanied by M&Ms on her desk and Wintergreen Lifesavers at lending committee meetings — will be missed.”
As DeVries embarks on her welldeserved retirement, her colleagues express both happiness for her new chapter and a sense of loss at her departure. “She’s made the bank a better place. Bank of Utah is great, and Karen has been a great part of it,” Browning said.