Syracuse Connection May 2020

SYRACUSE CONNECTION

THE

BRIGHT side of

UNCERTAIN TIMES How staying home has given us a new perspective

OFFICIAL SYRACUSE CITY MAGAZINE! www.syracuseconnection.com

May 2020

Provo UT 84605 PERMIT NO 313

PAID

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1888 N. Main Layton, UT84041 801-776-4201 www.edkenleyford.net

Ed Kenley Ford’s Pro Certified Lifetime Warranty on the transmission and engine is at NO COST to you on all qualified used and new vehicles. You can own the vehicle for as long as you want, put as many miles as you want on it, and service it where you want. The engine and transmission is warrantied for a lifetime.

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF 0% FINANCING

ON 2019 & 2020 FORD INVENTORY! SALESMAN OF THE MONTH ANDREW URIBE Andrew responded promptly this morning after we sent the inital inquiry for availability. When we got there, close to the end of the day, he had the car parked in front, ready to test drive. Throughout the entire process, Andrew was very cordial and assisted us with all of our questions. We would highly recommend working with him when shopping for your next vehicle. It was an outstanding purchasing experience at Ed Kenley Ford. Andew and the staff were fantastic and very responsive, from the inital email contact to our familiarity walk-through with the truck before driving off the lot. Really glad we came to Ed Kenley to buy our truck! Andrew answered all of our questions and concerns clearly and efficiently without any time or “run around”. Working with him was very refreshing! They did not have exactly what we wanted, but he got it for us right away. We could not be more pleased. Thank you, Andrew!

+ F R O M T H E M AY O R

CONNECTIONPUBLISHING Syracuse Connection is published monthly by Connection Publishing© www.syracuseconnection.com ryan@connectionpub.com | (801)721-3762 PUBLISHER Ryan Spelts GRAPHIC DESIGN Kristina Case WRITERS Mike Gailey Jed Johansen Chris Keime Jeani Field Noemi Sanchez Hailey Minton Ryan Spelts Ann Park Melissa Spelts Melinda Hortin

Lessons learned with dogs

y children came to me requesting permission to give Jayne a puppy for her birthday; after all, we were empty nesters! Please recognize we’d had dogs. Why, there was Rocky, the Alaskan Malamute. He dragged our kids everywhere, too big for small children. There was Dan and Ann, two Britany Spaniels named after the hounds in the 70’s movie, Where the Red Fern Grows. Michael Paul was to teach them to be huntin’ dogs. They were too hyper! Just like my kids! Finally, there was Cocoa and Spunky. I could never keep Cocoa in the kennel. Curious as to how she gained freedom, one morning I hid behind the corner of the house and watched as she stepped back to the nether parts of the kennel, ran toward the containing fence, and sprang to the top of the 5-foot enclosure. What an athlete! We left the dogs the next week in the care of a neighbor girl. When we returned, Cocoa was AWAL and the girl was heartsick. Spunky lived to a ripe, old age; he had one eye removed due to glaucoma, died, and is buried in our backyard. So, we’d had dogs. I felt my dog days were over. Yet, here were my children, begging for a dog for mother; I succumbed. Her name is Tess; Jayne calls her Tessie. She is Syracuse born and bred and, most importantly, loved by Jayne. I endured the puppy stage, the excitement pee, the whining, the chewing of baseboards and chairs, and the general disobedience. I have to say I was exasperated. So, they sent me to Puppy School! We are both obedient, now!

AD DESIGN Robert Dodd Abigail Rigby Crystal Rappleye

Some months back, Tessie taught me an unforgettable lesson. It’s fitting to share. In Puppy School, we were taught several commands that she mastered quite quickly. Jayne taught her to shake hands and to roll over. With the Covid-19 epidemic, we’re not shaking hands now, and rolling over never impressed me. The first command I taught her was “Leave it!” When she hears this command, she is to leave what she is interested in, come to me, and heel. Now, that’s useful! Since Puppy School, I’ve taught her to “Go to your Place”, “Come”, “Sit” and “Wait”. I now play a game with her; you gotta know I love her, too.

EDITORS Hailey Minton Brittany Carroll

CONNECT WITH US! News, contests, photos from readers and lots more! We love hearing from you! syracuseconnection Connection Publishing www.connectionpub.com If you'd like to advertise in our publications that reach over 10,000 homes in Syracuse, please contact Russ Starker at 801-725-5882 or russ@connectionpub.com, for ad rates and to receive a media kit. Disclaimer: The paid advertisements contained within the Syracuse Connection magazine are not endorsed or recommended by Connection Publishing or Syracuse 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.

Tessie loves cheese! I hold a piece of cheese in my fingers and tell her: “Go to your Place”. Once in place, I show her the cheese, but she doesn’t come until I give the command: “Come”. Once by my side, I give her instruction: “Sit”. Now, the hard part: “Wait” as I dangle the cheese in front of her nose. She waits patiently, displaying those yearning, longing eyes. Do dogs have souls? But she waits patiently for something sure, something good, that she knows will eventually come. Commanded to “Stay Home—Stay Safe”, we’ve honored that. We’ve had to wait patiently for a day that we know will come, left only with a yearning for normalcy. It will come, albeit perhaps anew! This is my definition of hope. Thank you, Tessie, for the lesson! Michael Gailey, Mayor May 2020 | syracuseconnection.com 3

in this issue

MAY The Connection Publishing Team Meet the people behind the pages of our magazines! We asked our staff what their favorite thing about living in Utah is. Ryan Spelts Publisher/Owner Melissa Spelts Owner

Pancake Mix Muffins, pg. 28 Rhett Long Sales VP

CONTENTS 5

Vy Trinh Sales Leadership

CITY NEWS

COMMUNITY Calendar of Events A look Back Principal's message

SYRACUSE CONNECTION

THE

BRIGHT side of

UNCERTAIN TIMES

Cover photos by Marjean Jolley and Melissa Spelts

How staying home has given us a new perspective

OFFICIAL SYRACUSE CITY MAGAZINE!

Provot UT 84605 PERMIT NO 313

PAID

PRSRT STD US POSTAGE

FUN THINGS TO DO i-Float Sensations

Pg.33

18 The Bright Side of Uncertain Time

POSTAL CUSTOMER ECRWSS

May 2020

ON OUR COVER HIKE FRARY PEAK

BUSINESS La Roca Futbol Club Econ Mortgage RECIPES Cooking with Kids

Kristina Case Graphic Design

Memorial Day is May 25!

www.syracuseconnection.com

syracuseconnectionutah

realize that this magazine is 10 days late this month. But, if you did notice, we wanted to let you know that it is late for a reason. Obviously, the world is in turmoil due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We want send our love and support to those who may have lost someone; we can’t imagine your pain. We also want to say thank you to those who work on the front lines. We are in awe of you and your service. We also want to share our love for our fellow businesses that have been effected greatly during this troubling time. We stand with you. We delayed publication of the magazine to hopefully allow for our supporting businesses to re-open or to at least have a plan. It proved to be a good decision. We are so grateful for each of our advertisers and our employees who work hard to make this magazine a reality. We hope each of you stays safe and makes the effort to support our advertisers and all of our local businesses in any way you can.

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Robert Dodd Graphic Design of Roy Connection, and Ad Design

The Mountains, The Land of Zion, We’ve pretty much got that redrock thing wrapped up!

CONNECT ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

A note from the Publisher: If you have lost track of time like we have at the Spelts’ home, you may not

-Ryan and Melissa Spelts, Connection Publishing

"I LOVE the mountains!"

Abigail Rigby Ad Design Russ Starker Sales Melinda Hortin Sales & Social Media Crystal Rappleye Ad Design Hailey Minton Editor & Writer Ann Park Sales & Writer

+ CITY NEWS

Syracuse City Updates 2020 Summer Road Paving Syracuse City is beginning its summer road construction projects. Roads that will be under construction will include the Bluff Road and Gentile Street intersection, will extend along Bluff Street from Gentile Street to 1000 West, and a roundabout will be added. This project has already started. The project will cost approximately $5,143,618. Of this amount, $1.3 million comes from the city, and the rest is paid from State funding. The city’s portion is funded through a combination of gas tax revenue and impact fees.

life of existing roads in our city. The 2020 Paving Projects will consist of: •

Widening the access to the museum on Heritage Lane

•

Replacing the existing 8” and 4” secondary water mains in 2000 West between 1700 South and 2700 South with a new 12” secondary water main (Yay, better secondary water service!)

•

Repaving 2000 West between 1700 South and 2700 South

•

New paving and sealing on Heritage Parkway and Banbury Drive from Dallas Street to 700 South, along with the adjacent smaller roads in those areas

•

1000 West new pavement from 1700 South to SR-193 (Syracuse/Clearfield)

There will also be the 2020 Road Improvement Projects, which will start soon. These projects are designed to renew and extend the

COMMUNITY QUESTION CORNER BY PAUL ROBERTS, CITY ATTORNEY

Question: I haven’t heard anything from the city during the COVID-19 pandemic. Am I missing something? Answer: Like the rest of the world, the city’s delivery of services was impacted by COVID, especially in recreation programming. The ways that we communicate with the public during emergencies include: the city’s website, the Notify Me service, the city’s social media pages (Facebook and Twitter), and emails sent to those on our utility billing list. Updated messages from the city were flashing across the top of the city’s webpage since mid-March.

Finally, we will be chip sealing the following roads: •

1000 West from 1700 South to 2075 South

•

700 South from 2000 West east to city border

•

3000 West from 700 South to SR-193

The 2020 Paving Projects will cost approximately $2,578,565.52. They are funded from a combination of gas tax, utility fees, and property/sales taxes. These projects will start in April and are planned to continue until August.

During a rapidly moving disaster that is more localized, the city would utilize Code Red, which dials all phone numbers that are registered with the program and provides a prerecorded message (such as instructions to evacuate or boil water). This was not a Code Red type of emergency. Due to widely available information and the emergency being related to public health, the city, in this case, has followed the lead of Davis County and the Utah Department of Health. We encourage you to take this moment to sign up for Notify Me and Code Red, and to provide your email address to the Utilities Department.

Do you have a community question? Submit your question to proberts@syracuseut.com.

May 2020 | syracuseconnection.com 5

+ CITY NEWS

Arts Council Update Calendar of Events July 16-20 Big Fish The Musical Performances

The COVID-19 pandemic halted rehearsals and performances for the orchestra, choir, and jazz band. ‘Social distancing’ and ‘shelter in place’ affect how we approach events this summer but we hope that we can gather in person soon.

Big Fish the Musical Performances for our production of Big Fish the Musical will be on July 16, 17, 18 and 20 at 7:30 p.m. in the Syracuse High School Auditorium. There will also be a matinee performance on Saturday, July 18 at 2:00 p.m. Tickets will be available June 1 at www.syracuseutaharts.org The cast and production team have been meeting virtually to prepare and rehearse.

Junior Theatre Summer Camp We made the difficult decision to cancel our summer camp this year. We are still planning to hold auditions for our fall musical in August and we will hold two audition workshops in conjunction with auditions. Watch for more information and an announcement about our fall musical next month! The orchestra, choir and jazz band are on hiatus until the fall. If you are interested in participating in our orchestra, choir, or jazz band please email info@syracuseutaharts.org to stay informed of updates.

Employee Spotlight- Devyn Wright IT Department The city would like to recognize Devyn Wright in our IT Department. Devyn is the city's Information Technology Tech. He started as an intern and due to his skills an dedication to the city, he was hired full-time last year. Devyn played a vital role in improving internet speeds at city facilities, which included a switch over to a new internet service provider, along with new data infrastructure. Devyn has also done a great job at resolving work orders as they are submitted and is very responsive to employee requests. He has made a big impact and was recently awarded Employee of the Month.

THANK YOU for your hard work and dedication to our city residents!

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+ CITY NEWS

Public Works Update Environmental: Pool and spa care: • Store pool and spa chemicals in a manner to prevent leaks and spills, preferably in a covered enclosure and out of reach of children and pets.

• Avoid copper-based algaecides, such as copper sulfate. At a concentration that is a mild irritant to humans, it is fatal to fish and other aquatic wildlife.

• Drain only when chlorine levels are very low, not detected by a chlorine test kit (less than 0.019 mg/L).

sprinkling system. Once you have cleaned your filter and checked your sprinkling heads for obstruction and find the pressure to be low, please submit a fix-it request on the city website or call the Public Works Department at 801-825-7235. Q. Is the secondary water valve in my park strip mine? A. The valve just behind the curb is the city’s secondary water valve. This is used by the city in the event that you are away and there is a problem in your sprinkling system. You will need to install an additional valve and filter in close proximity to the city valve for you to maintain your system.

• Reuse water for landscaping areas whenever possible; avoid allowing the water to drain on neighboring properties.

• Drain only clean pool water. If it’s not safe for your yard, then it’s not safe to go down a storm drain.

• Any water that goes into a storm drain is not treated. Any pollution entering the storm drain makes the waterways unsafe for people and wildlife.

Secondary Water: Q. What should I do if I experience low secondary water pressure? A. You can begin by watering at a different time than your next-door neighbor. Otherwise, you may check your filter on your

May 2020 | syracuseconnection.com 7

+ CITY NEWS

Parks and Recreation

JOIN US!

TENNIS Limited space, so sign up soon! Registration: Session 1: May 1-May 31st Session 2 & 3: May 1- June 28 Cost: $35 (Non-Resident Fee additional $15) Sessions consist of 8 one hour sessions SESSION 1 Beginning the week of June 2nd (Morning Classes) 5 & 6-year-old class: Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9:00 a.m. 7 & 8-year-old class: Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10:00 a.m. 9 & 10-year-old class: Mondays and Wednesdays at 9:00 a.m. 11 to 14-year-old class: Mondays and Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m. SESSION 2 Beginning the week of July 6th (Morning Classes) 5 & 6-year-old class: Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9:00 a.m. 7 & 8-year-old class: Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10:00 a.m. 9 & 10-year-old class: Mondays and Wednesdays at 9:00 a.m. 11 to 14-year-old class: Mondays and Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m. SESSION 3 Beginning the week of July 6th (Evening Classes) 5 & 6-year-old class: Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:00 p.m. 7 & 8-year-old class: Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7:00 p.m. 9 & 10-year-old class: Mondays and Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m. 11 to 14-year-old class: Mondays and Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m.

STORM FOOTBALL Registration will be held on the following days in JUNE. Fridays: June 12, June 19 (Time: 3 p.m. - 6 p.m.) Saturdays: June 13, June 20 (Time: 9 a.m.-12 p.m.) Tuesday: June 23 (Time: 3 p.m.-6 p.m.) To register, every player will need a recent physical and a copy of his/her birth certificate, Proof of Medical Insurance (Insurance Waiver), and Proof of Syracuse residency (Syracuse City water bill).

CAMP SYRACUSE SUMMER FUN Your child will make new friends and enjoy outdoor experiences. They will participate in arts and crafts that will be combined with games. Cost: $35 Registration: Limited space, so sign up soon! Session 1: May 1-May 31 Session 2, 3 & 4: May 1-June 28 Age Groups: 1st- 5th grade (2020-2021 School Year) Days: Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays 1st session: June 2-June 18 (9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.) 2nd session: July 7-July 23 (9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.) 3rd session: July 7-July 23 (12:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.) 4th session: July 28-August 13 (9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.) Place: Syracuse Community Center

**Attention: Registration will not be accepted if participant is not in attendance, or all documents are not accounted for**

ADAPTIVE SOCCER At each session our staff will help children with disabilities learn the fundamental rules of soccer. Participants will participate in drills and scrimmages and will be taught in a fun atmosphere. Our goal is to promote social skills and friendships as well as learn and play soccer together. Registration: June 1- June 28 Cost: $30 Day: Mondays (July 13th- August 17th) Ages/Time: 4 – 12, 11:00-12:00 pm **If you would like to volunteer for Adaptive Soccer, please contact us at 801-614-9655.

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ADULT FITNESS STEP IT UP! Mon, Wed, Fri 9-10am Work your heart, muscles and mind in this fun, energetic workout! All skill levels are welcome, we offer low and high intensity options for you to choose from. Find more info on Facebook at Syracuse Fitness Classes. $3 Drop-In, $20 10-class punch pass, First class FREE!

For more detailed information on all of the classes go to www.syracuseut.gov

SPRING SHOWER IN YOUR BASEMENT ?

24 /7 CLEANUP RAPID RESPONSE WE BILL INSURANCE LICENSED & CERTIFIED 801-896-1000 utdisastercleanup.com

FLOOD • MOLD • SEWER May 2020 | syracuseconnection.com 9

+ CITY NEWS

Syracuse Police Department welcomes Andrew Carlson Syracuse Police Department welcomes Andrew “Drew” Carlson to the family. Andrew is from West Point, Utah, and law enforcement is in his blood; his father has served as a Trooper in the Utah Highway Patrol for over 20 years. After completing an LDS mission to Los Angeles, California, Drew decided it was time to find out if law enforcement was really the career for him. He arranged to go on ride-alongs with his father. Drew loved this experience and decided he wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps. Drew knew he wanted to work for a department near his hometown. He started researching local departments and was impressed with Syracuse Police Department’s level of community involvement. He grew up next door to Lt. David Skinner and played little league football on teams coached by Assistant Chief Heath Rogers. These relationships played a large role in his desire to serve with Syracuse Police Department. When the department had an opening in late 2019, Drew decided it was time to make his goal a reality…and now you know the rest of the story.

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Drew was hired in January 2020 and immediately started the Police Academy. He was really enjoying his academy education; he was gaining knowledge, looking forward to graduation, and making friendships that will last a lifetime. Then, COVID-19 (ever heard of it?) hit, and, like it has done for everyone, his routine changed. During a brief hiatus from the Academy, Drew spent a few weeks riding with his Department Field Training Officer. He started making friendships within the department, learning the ropes, and even handled a few calls. Currently, Drew is just like every other student in the state; he is going to school (police academy) online. Syracuse Police Department is fortunate to have several academy instructors who are able to augment his training and help him along the way. We look forward to having Drew with the department fulltime in the near future. We know he will fit in well and that he will be a shining example of our guiding principles of Pride, Accountability, Cooperation, and Excellence.

Syracuse City Information

Key Community Contacts MAYOR

Michael Gailey: 801-589-0976 mgailey@syracuseut.com

COUNCIL MEMBERS

Lisa W. Bingham: 801-725-2300 lbingham@syracuseut.com Corinne Bolduc: 801-529-5779 cbolduc@syracuseut.com Dave Maughan: 801-927-7752 dmaughan@syracuseut.com

Syracuse Library

Jordan Savage: 385-424-0258 jsavage@syracuseut.com

Located at 1875 S 2000 W in Syracuse. Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Phone: (801) 451-1850

Seth Teague: 915-516-6423 steague@syracuseut.com

The newly expanded Syracuse Library is now open!

Passport Applications

SYRACUSE SERVICES

City Arts Council: 801-896-8101 volunteer@syracuseutaharts.org

Passport application processing services are offered at City Hall between 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. Processing takes approximately 2030 minutes per application. Walk-ins are served in the order of arrival. For multiple applications and/or photos, wait times may be longer. All required forms, photos, and payments must be completed prior to 4 p.m. to be accepted the same day. Applications can be found on the www.travel.state.gov website. Application fees must be paid with a check or money order made payable to the U.S. Department of State. More info available on our website www.syracuseut.com/Passports

City Hall: 801-825-1477 1979 West 1900 South Open Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm, closed holidays

Fix-It Requests

Lady Lions Service & Social Club: 801-825-1752

We appreciate our citizens helping the city be aware of issues that need to be addressed throughout the city such as road repairs, street light/sign repair, park maintenance, water problems (culinary & secondary), garbage can pickup, code ordinance enforcement, and even employee feedback. The city website is a great tool for providing us with notifications. The Fix-it Request link can be found on our home page by clicking on the REPORT A CONCERN icon.

Lions Club: 801-719-1804 Utah Lions District 28UT (open to all)

Job Openings For a list of the current openings with Syracuse City, click on the 'Jobs' link on our main city page www.syracuseut.com

City Museum: 801-614-9674 Hours: Tues, Wed, & Thurs 2pm - 5pm Community Center: 801-614-9660 1912 West 1900 South Summer hours: Mon-Thurs-6am-8pm; Fri- 6am-8pm; Sat- 8am-12pm Fire Station: 801-614-9614 1869 South 3000 West

Parks & Recreation: 801-614-9660 1912 W. 1900 S. parksandrecreation@syracuseut.com Police Station: 801-825-4400 1751 South 2000 West Post Office: 801-614-9677 (Inside City Hall) Public Works Facility: 801-825-7235 3061 South 2400 West Utilities Department: 801-825-1477 Opt #2 Volunteer/Eagle Scout Projects: Tess Jones 801-614-9655 tjones@syracuseut.com Youth Council: 801-643-8996

May 2020 | syracuseconnection.com 11

+ COMMUNITY

May Calendar of Events SENIOR EVENTS Activities may be cancelled due to COVID-19. Call (801) 614-9660 #1 to check on status in May MONTHLY MOVIE Wednesday, May 13, 2020 @ 1 p.m. (A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood) FREE ~ Please RSVP THINK TUESDAY Tuesday, May 19, 2020 @ 10 a.m. (Three to Kings) FREE ~ Please RSVP BOOK CLUB Tuesday, May 19, 2020 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. FREE ~ Please RSVP BUS TRIP No Bus Trip this Month LUNCH & BINGO Wednesday, May 27, 2020 @ 12 Noon BINGO at 12:30 pm Suggested donation: $3.00/person Must RSVP by 10 a.m. on Monday, May 25, 2020 SENIOR YOGA Tuesdays & Thursdays @ 8 a.m. Available for anyone aged 50+/$1.00 or 60+/$0.50 PICKLEBALL Tuesdays 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Thursdays 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Adults/$2.00 or Seniors 60+/$0.50 Please call the Syracuse Community Center at (801) 614-9660 #1 to RSVP for activities listed.To learn more about senior activities, visit the Syracuse Community Center for a Senior Citizens Newsletter or go to www.syracuserecreation.com If you would like to receive the newsletter via e-mail, please send your NAME and E-MAIL address to paulaj@syracuseut.com

ALL EVENTS UPDATES FROM GOVERNOR GARY HERBERT: Utah is aiming to reopen restaurants and gyms and resume elective surgeries in early May. The plan is contingent on continued adherence to hygiene and social distancing rules. This plan unveiled by Gov. Herbert is set to gradually reopen the economy. Visit governor.utah.gov for the most up-to-date information. State Parks: Utah State Parks are currently open - with some limitations where local health orders are in place. Visit https:// stateparks.utah.gov/2020/03/16/covid19-updates/ for a chart of which parks and amenities at parks are currently open. National Parks: All Utah National Parks are listed as closed as of 4/25. On 4/22, President Trump announced they will reopen, but there is not a timeline to say when this will take effect. Visit https://www.nps. gov/state/ut/index.htm for the most up to date information. School Events School closures have been extended to the end of the school year. Syracuse High School Titan Library will have a book cart available in the school lobby to collect library materials through the end of the school year. Students may drop off library books any time during school hours. No overdue fines will be given for books during the school closure. All books not returned by May 30 (May 11th for seniors) will be charged a lost book fee and will be on the student’s fines record. Any lost book returned up until September 1, will have a lost book fee Fun things to do All the races are canceled but don’t let that keep you from running. Join a virtual race by visiting https://runtasticevents. com/conquer-covid19/?fbclid=IwAR 1wIEptvX2FfiD71iNqy2WWtEuYg25tcAm4cXdCePb00QCSOA9Bg_7Vh0 Join in on a free Hansen Art Studio Art Class on Facebook!

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Have a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend, and thank you to all those have served.

+ COMMUNITY

A Message to the Class of 2020 BY JED JOHANSEN, SYRACUSE HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL

BY MR. KEIME, CLEARFILED HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL

Syracuse High School Graduating Class of 2020,

Dear Clearfield High Senior Class of 2020,

Wow! What a year! This is not how we pictured this year ending. My heart is broken, and my heart is full of love for this graduating class. This is not how we wanted to say goodbye to our graduating seniors. All of you have worked extremely hard over the last 13 years, and you deserve a proper celebration for your efforts. You have all contributed to our school in a unique way. Thank you for your dedication and hard work to make this year one to remember.

You are the best! The best of the best! This year isn’t ending the way you have hoped and planned for, and, right now, you might be thinking, ‘Thanks, Captain Obvious.” Nevertheless, it stinks. It isn’t fair. It’s okay to acknowledge it, but let’s not live there. Most of us have been told over and over that life isn’t fair. We suspected it before, but we’re believers now. And so now what?

This is not the ending any of us would have wished for at a time normally reserved for celebrating the achievements of our graduating seniors. I know that this will be no reflection on the incredible achievements, careers, and contributions that lie ahead for our class of 2020. You have so many things to look forward to in the future. You will do great things! I am so proud of each of you. I wish that I could see you walk across that stage. I wish that I could shake your hand and wish you well. Please know that all of us here at Syracuse High School are pulling for you. We want the very best for each of you, and we appreciate the opportunity we had to work with all of you. Best of luck! Please stay healthy, and DON’T TOUCH YOUR FACE.

Congrats Grads!

We can pity party, but only for one minute per day. Then, it is time find a way. The rest of the day is for finding a way. Finding a way to be thankful. Finding a way to connect with people. Finding a way to make new friends. Finding a way to get along with our family. Finding a way to smile. Finding a way to laugh. Finding a way to learn. Finding a healthy way to deal with sadness, anger, loss. Finding a way to serve others. Finding a way to forget about ourselves. Finding a way to be disciplined. Finding a way to learn new skills. Finding a way to develop skills we already have. Finding a way to agree. Finding a way to understand. Finding a way to make amends. Finding the way forward. There is a way forward. The way forward is challenging, beautiful, memorable, fulfilling, and exciting. It always has been and always will be. Every generation and every individual have had and will have challenges. To find a way, we must be on the move: moving to find a way forward mentally, emotionally, and physically; moving to find a solution to problems; moving to collaborate with those who build us up; moving to what is really there and what is really possible. CHS Class of 2020, you will find a way! You’ve shown you can. Ready, set, GO FALCONS!

May 2020 | syracuseconnection.com 13

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+ A LOOK BACK

Syracuse Museum Veterans BY JEANI FIELD

The lyricists that penned the words, “Oh beautiful, for spacious skies, For amber waves of grain, For purple mountains majesties, Above the fruited plain…” could have easily been inspired while sitting on any of our porches on a beautiful evening. With the lake sparkling to the west and the majestic “purple” mountains to the east, we truly are blessed to live in this beautiful place. With blessings, there is and has always been sacrifice. From the same song, we recognize, “Oh beautiful, for heroes proved, In liberating strife, Who more than self, Their country loved, And mercy more than life.” Sacrifice in the name of peace and freedom has made our area what it is today. General Colin Powell stated, “The nation owes a great debt to its veterans, whose service to the nation spans every decade, every year, every day of our country’s existence. Through untold courage and sacrifice, American veterans have secured the liberty which the founding fathers sought to establish here in the new world. Whenever and wherever the nation has called—in times of darkness and danger as well as in times of peace and prosperity –America’s veterans have been there. Veterans have proudly carried the torch of liberty for all to see.” Syracuse itself boasts 12 men who served in World War I, 141 who served in WWII, and 54 who served in the Korean War. These men are proudly displayed in photos and honored in books at the Syracuse Museum, including the following: “The History of Syracuse” by Cora Bodily Bybee, “The Community of Syracuse” by the Syracuse Historical Commission, and a history depicting the military participation of those men and women who entered the service from Syracuse, with Don Rentmeister as chairman and 11 other veterans as assistants. A reverent corner of the museum displays photos, combat uniforms, soldier gear, and, most likely, the best comprehensive

display of WW II posters in existence. This treasure vividly tells the story of wartime in America on the home front. On September 17, 1942, Syracuse resident, Irene Wilcox, wrote, “Those of us on the home front have an urgent responsibility to do all that we can to speed the war to a swift and successful conclusion…Old lamps in the attic, broken garden tools in the garage, and old stove pipes in the cellar. All of these can be used to good advantage. Every pound of scrap we can get to American steel plants will increase their production…” Scrap rallies in Syracuse were very successful. Food was rationed with blue and red stamps (so many red points for meat and so many blue points for canned goods). Coffee, sugar, and such goods were strictly rationed, like one pound every three months. In “The Community of Syracuse,” we learn, “Farm shortages were felt with so many men off to war or working at defense bases. High school students worked on the farms or in the canneries. The schools in Davis County were delayed 20 days in the fall until the harvest was over… Much effort was placed on patriotism and love of country. When a nation is at risk, and a common enemy is threatening your freedom and democratic way of life, it does not take much to bring teary eyes and a lump in the throat.” The war ended in August of 1945, after two atom bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan. Within a year, most of the Syracuse servicemen were back. These veterans came home to continue to serve their country in peacetime. In war, they did their best to defend liberty. In peace, they sought to build a better world. Those who survived returned home, convinced that they had done something worthwhile, something to make this world a better place to live. They served in the cause of freedom for all mankind. And for them, that was reward enough. To all the veterans and servicemen who have defended, and are still defending, our peace daily, we owe our sincerest gratitude. We owe them a debt we can never repay. All we can do is remember them. John F Kennedy once said that “A nation reveals itself not only by the men it produces, but also by the men it honors, the men it remembers.” Thank you, veterans, for “all success (is) nobleness, And every gain divine.”

"A nation reveals itself not only by the men it produces, but also by the men it honors, the men it remembers.” -JOHN F. KENNEDY

May 2020 | syracuseconnection.com 15

+ COMMUNITY

Eagle Scout Project Helps Children in Peru BY NOEMI SANCHEZ

When Thomas Sanchez turned 14, he knew it was time to select his eagle project. He originally looked for what would be the easiest project and could be completed quickly. He thought about making more benches in the Jensen Park. He met with another eagle candidate, Diego Alcala, who he wanted to work with for his project. They measured and counted how many would be needed. It seemed like everything was working out very easily and was coming together quickly. Then the boys met Carlos Tipiani, who travels consistently to Peru on his own dime to do charity work. When Thomas and Diego heard some of the stories of the great need in Peru, they decided to change their project. They found out that children do not beg for candy in Peru but will ask, instead, for a notebook and pencil to study with. They decided their project needed to be to collect school supplies for the children in Peru. Even though the project was going to be significantly more work than the bench project, they were so excited to be part of something like this. They started by making a Facebook page and began sharing their project to the residents of Syracuse. People came forward, many of them were coming to us through private messages because they wanted to remain anonymous. It was very inspiring. Many people gave them everything they had at home; there were others who even ordered from Amazon to give school supplies. Some gave cash so supplies could be purchased at lower prices in Peru. The boys and their families were in shock at how generous people were. They began to realize that, even though on the news, you see the stories of people doing bad things or of bullies in school, there are still good people in the world, and this project brought out the best in our community. Thank you to each of you who donated and made a difference in this gesture of human kindness.

Thank You!

16 syracuseconnection.com | May 2020

This opportunity showed Thomas and Carlos that there are still good people in the world, and this project brought out the best in our community.

+ COMMUNITY

Community Book Corner - Highlighting Local Authors BY ANN (A.J.) PARK

Writing a book is a very common bucket list item. It’s been my dream for many years. I wanted to tell a great story, a journey that readers would enjoy taking over and over again. I worked with Tara Alemany of Emerald Lake Books, to get War’s Ending ready for publication. Brian Halley of Bookcreatives.com created the cover. Just to tell you a little about the story... A courageous noblewoman. A mysterious stranger. A war that may destroy them both… As the king’s niece, Shalyrie can’t wait to explore her kingdom’s colonies with her uncle. But when Get your copy!

she’s badly injured in a savage raid and abducted by mysterious masked horsemen, she’s stunned when her captors heal her wounds. As she adjusts her preconceptions, a terrifying attempt on her life reveals that her own people are trying to kill her.

Enthralling YA fantasy novel

Kalleck expects to die fighting a hopeless war like his father before him. While he helps Shalyrie piece together clues behind the assassination attempt, her very presence escalates tension between the kingdom and the colony. With time running out, Kalleck knows he must act quickly to prevent innocent bloodshed. Can two enemies join forces to put an end to a devastating war?

Available on Amazon or https://emeraldlakebooks.com/wars-ending/ Our website www.ajparkwriting.com and Facebook page www.facebook.com/warsending

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SOCIAL DISTANCE PHOTOGRAPHY

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Marjean Jolley, local photographer, started taking pictures of families on their porches. "It creates a little bit of fun and joy."

THE

BRIGHT side of

UNCERTAIN TIMES Quarantine has given birth to new ways to connect with our neighbors.

BY HAILEY MINTON

A woman asked me on a Facebook group page what my COVID-19 experience has been like. A moment of reflection led me to nail down this lesson: Don’t dwell on the things I can't control and do my utmost to create ideal situations with the things that I can. Golden moments have materialized in conjunction with the trying times. It seems like the residents of Syracuse are absolutely making the best out of the things they can control. One example is Marjean Jolley, who is a local photographer. She started going to people’s homes to take family photos after families began to shelter in place. She is the woman behind the camera for most of the Syracuse families on the cover of the magazine! Marjean is a part of a photographer Facebook group, and this idea for front porch portraits began circling around once quarantine began to isolate families. Marjean loves what she does, and she felt she could use her talent as a way to lift others up. “It creates a little bit of fun and joy,” she said, and that seems to be something valuable in these times. She has a lens that allows her to take family photos from the road, and she loves chatting with families while maintaining adequate distance between them. “It’s so fun catching families in their joy and having fun.” Having a camera in hand is therapy for her; she has been doing these portraits for free and emailing families the galleries of the photos she takes.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Facebook groups were a huge strength to the Syracuse community, even before the corona virus pandemic effected so many lives. But with the change in circumstances, residents have really turned to digital resources to take care of each other. Melanie Cosens said, “I love seeing all of the random acts of kindness from people, like donating services, talents, and reaching out to help people who may be immune challenged and should stay home during the COVID-19 pandemic. Heather Munoz has reached out to our family, and we feel we have made a new friend.” Antonia Moore has loved seeing peoples’ willingness to help others who cannot go out. “We can’t leave, and my friend has been more than willing to help where she can. I’ve needed cleaning supplies, and she dropped some at our door… We have needed milk, she has been more than willing to ask if she could get it. Thank you, Irma Lawrence! You are a wonderful person!” Tracy Silva is an administrator on a community group page called Syracuse Utah Citizens where people like Antonia and Irma get connected. Tracy has seen so many good things come from the page. ”Seeing how people are coming out to help their fellow citizens has been amazing!” People post on the page that they are going to the store and ask if anyone needs anything while they are there. Some share who has May 2020 | syracuseconnection.com 19

toilet paper, hand sanitizer, masks, and things in stock that are needed. She has also seen people ask for things they need and others willingly give it. Many people are making masks and giving them away for free. If you haven’t joined already, search for Syracuse Utah groups on Facebook and you'll see several different groups you can join. It's a great way to connect with your neighbors. If you have a need, ask! If you can help in any way, offer! If you see something good happening in your area, share! As I’ve interacted and seen others interact in these groups, I realized that this is what it means to love our neighbor. The good that comes from these groups will extend beyond the COVID-19 situation. Social media has been a good way to connect with neighbors and has been a source of a lot of fun ideas. One mom said she has found a lot of ideas on social media and builds on them. She and her family have started having themed days. They had a Hawaii day, where they learned the Hula on YouTube, had fruit, smoothies, and Hawaiian haystacks; they got in their swim suits and laid beach towels on the carpet and watched Lilo and Stitch for a "movie on the beach." They’ve had a camping day where they roasted hot dogs and s’mores and a Disney Day where they made corn dogs and churros and took rides on virtual reality rollercoasters. Her daughter will be missing her 3rd grade economics fair, so, instead, they will have an economics day and set up a little market where they will buy and sell from their living room.

COMMUNITY CREATIVITY

The community has shown its creativity, given the new parameters to live in other ways. Community members participated in egg hunts or teddy bear hunts, where families hid Easter eggs or teddybears around their property that are visible from the road. Parents and children could then walk or drive by and try to find the hidden items. Katherine Kidd Chase and her family participated in this in April. She said she loved watching the kids smile as they walked past their house when they saw the Easter eggs hanging in the trees and decorated paper eggs in the windows. One neighborhood took to the streets with their chalk. People used their artistic talents to create sidewalk artwork their neighbors could enjoy… at least until the rain or sprinklers descended.

THE EFFECTS OF HOME LIFE

Katherine Kidd Chase also said sleeping in is one of the perks of quarantine. Her kids are enjoying having more time at home with baby sister who has learned to crawl since they started social distancing. Calena Miller said her kids are eating healthier since they have warm lunches and more time to cook. Stacy Salbato said “My house projects are getting done.” Hallie Miller homeschooled her children before quarantine but has been finishing up some projects since they can’t go to the park every day like they used to. “My yard is looking good for April,” said Jeff Nielson. For one family, a daughter decided to give up her room to her dad so he could have a space where 20 syracuseconnection.com | May 2020

he could work from home. She seemed very happy to share "ALL OF US ARE a bedroom LEARNING WE to make life CAN DO WITHOUT a little easier THINGS AND GET for her dad. Teresa Perkins BY JUST FINE." has noticed -Jason Meling she is saving money by not shopping. Jason Meling said “All of us [are] learning we can do without things and get by just fine.”

FREE ONLINE COURSES

More positives that have come from quarantine are the many online courses that are available for free for the time being. If you go to classcentral.com, skillshare.com, or coursera. org, there are seemingly endless options for growth. There have been some very funny memes online about different transformations that will take place because of corona quarantine. One of them showed before and after photos of dilapidated backyards that magically changed into a lush landscape of gardening perfection. I can’t promise what will actually happen from your labors in the garden, but there is an introductory gardening course you can take through Oregon State University that could probably teach you a thing or two. Personally, I just finished a short little course on stop motion, and I loved it. If you find Trisha Zemp on instagram and follow her directions in her “stop motion KIDS CAMP” post, she will give you access to the course for free! Look for my stop motion videos on social media this month when we share some of the May recipes! The app I used is called Stop Motion, just in case you or your kids want to give it a try. We would love if you tagged us on social media so we could share your creations with the community! Our hearts go out to those who have been adversely affected by the Coronavirus. Let’s be real, there are a lot of terrible things that have come along with it. According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, as of May 1, there have been 56,245 confirmed COVID-19 deaths in the United States. People who ultimately recover from the virus experience fevers, coughs, and poor health. Schools have shut down, businesses have closed, employees have been sent home, and everything seems to be canceled! Could we get a refund for April, please? I’m sure we could go on, but to sum it up in a few words... it has been a trying time. However, some amazing things have come from social distancing and spending more time at home. Focusing on the positive things happening within our communities has really lifted my soul, and I hope it has done the same for you!

+ HOME

Special article brought to you by La Roca Futbol Club

Recreation v. Competition Soccer – What’s The Difference? If you have a youngster who loves kicking a ball around, maybe it’s time to consider enrolling him/her in a soccer program. If you never played soccer yourself, you might not be aware of the options available for beginning soccer players, or what to do once you feel your child is ready to transition to competitive soccer.

RECREATION SOCCER Most beginning soccer players start in a recreation program. In the Syracuse area, La Roca Futbol Club offers a recreation program called La Roca Juniors for boys and girls ages 4-9. La Roca Juniors is designed to be a fun introduction to the game of soccer. Teams are coached by volunteer coaches who have been trained by licensed La

Roca coaches. Practices are held once a week where players learn soccer skills in a positive, nurturing environment, as well as the value of teamwork and sportsmanship. Games are played on Saturday mornings at Legacy Junior High School. A recreation program like La Roca Juniors is the most affordable way for a player to see if they really like playing soccer. The cost to register your child in La Roca Juniors is $100 for fall and spring seasons (see the ad below for a code for $10 off). All La Roca Juniors players receive a PUMA uniform kit that includes a jersey, shorts and socks. Registration for La Roca Juniors is now open for Fall 2020-Spring 2021. Visit larocafc.com/laroca-juniors-north to register your child.

COMPETITIVE SOCCER Once a child has learned to love soccer and has developed the skills to play at a higher level, parents might consider placing the child in a competitive program with a club such as La Roca FC. Club soccer is for players who are ready to play in a more competitive environment and want to receive training by

licensed, experienced coaches. La Roca FC has competition teams for boys and girls ages 6-18. Players interested in being placed on a competition La Roca team must attend tryouts where they will be evaluated and placed on teams based on their skill level.. Playing on a competitive club team is more involved than recreation teams in terms of time and cost, but for the child that has a passion for soccer, it’s a chance for them to receive the training and development to take their game to the next level. For specific tryout dates and times, please visit larocafc.com.

PATHWAY TO COLLEGE AND BEYOND La Roca FC prides itself on offering a pathway for those players who strive to play at the highest levels in college and even professional leagues. From the youngest players on La Roca Juniors teams to the oldest players on La Roca premier teams, La Roca FC provides a path so players can achieve their dreams. Please visit larocafc.com for more information about how La Roca FC can introduce your child to the beautiful game of soccer.

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+ BUSINESS

Stevens-Henager College BY RYAN SPELTS

Providing career-focused degree programs since 1891.

Stevens-Henager College offers career in healthcare, business, or information technology.

INFO Business: College 1890 South 1350 West, West Haven (Ogden), UT (801) 392-1471 www.stevenshenager.edu

tevens-Henager College is one of the oldest colleges in Utah and has been serving students since 1891. Originally named The Smithsonian Business College, it went through several ownership and name changes until the name was changed to Stevens-Henager College in 1959; it was named after one of its earlier owners. Stevens-Henager College is a nonprofit college and is accredited by ACCSC (the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges), which holds the college to high standards and allows them to offer federal financial aid to students. StevensHenager currently has eight locations: West Haven (Ogden Main Campus), Layton (satellite), Logan, Salt Lake, Orem, St. George, Idaho Falls, and Boise. The college is also affiliated with an online school, Independence University, which offers degree programs 100 percent online and has students from across the nation. With a rich history in educating local students and helping them earn a variety of specialty degrees, StevensHenager is most proud of their job-placement percentages; many students are even placed with a job in their field and specialty before graduating. The school is locally renowned by the professionals within

24 syracuseconnection.com | May 2020

their specialties for turning out well-educated, ready-forwork students, that are highly sought after. One of the biggest programs is that of Surgical Technologist, and Stevens-Henager is one of only a few schools in the state that offers it. This important program was created by first consulting the medical community and then putting local surgeons and medical professionals on the education advisory board to help determine the particulars of the curriculum. Students complete a threemonth externship as part of their schooling. Students also determine what expertise they would like to pursue and focus on within that specialty for their externship, which makes the experience even more valuable and targeted to the student’s goals. The college is known for being efficient at getting students through their schooling quickly. An associate degree can be completed in as few as 19 months, and a bachelor’s degree in as few as 36 months. Students take one class at a time and complete each class in 4 weeks, and the schedule can even be handled around a part- or full-time job. StevensHenager also offers a great nursing program, where it takes 25 months to become a Registered Nurse. In addition to these programs, Stevens-Henager also offers

degrees in Medical Assisting, Business Administration, Software Development, and Network Security. Students’ tuition is all-inclusive and covers not only classes but textbooks, and even a laptop that students can keep at the end of their schooling. For most programs, students can enroll and start within 4 weeks (the Nursing program is on a different schedule). Class sizes are kept small and feature hands-on learning wherever possible. The professional faculty at the college includes fulltime teachers and program directors plus some adjunct professors who come from the field they are teaching in. There is also a compliance department that helps the school and its programs stay consistent within their accreditation requirements. Here is a quote from one of their graduates that sums up the student experience nicely: “The one-on-one atmosphere and a smaller classroom setting more closely fit my learning style. I wanted to graduate ready for a career in a specific field as soon as possible. I wanted to be more marketable than the person next to me. StevensHenager was the answer for me.” Tiffany Donoho, Medical Specialties (AOS) Come and join us for great educational experience.

+ BUSINESS

Sand & Swirl BY ANN PARK

Customizing the Latest Trends to Create Your Perfect Bathroom

s you consider a bathroom remodel, what are your needs? Are you young and want a clean modern style? Are your resources modest, but you still need good quality on a budget? Are you planning to sell your home, so time and expenses are big factors? Or is this your forever home and you’re ready to create your dream bathroom? And, of course, it needs to be beautiful, durable, and easy to clean.

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Sand &Swirl can work with any of these situations. The best way to get started is to measure your existing bathroom. How big is your shower, your countertop, and your bathtub? How big is the room? Once you’ve measured, take the dimensions to the Sand & Swirl showroom. They are open now, while maintaining social distancing and disinfecting surfaces. At the showroom, you can see full-size examples of the different surfaces. Imagine what they might look like in your home. The experts there can create a cost estimate for your favorite surface during your visit. You can know right away if your choices will meet your budget. Once you know what you want, they come to your home and take exact

measurements of your space. Then they are ready to begin custom manufacturing your new surfaces. Each customer has their own unique style, whether contemporary, rustic, elegant, or modern. Some of the latest trends in bathroom style include gray moving out and earth tones coming back. White cabinets are getting less common, and warm wood tones are coming back in. For fixtures, brushed gold is coming in, and there are a lot more hardware, trim, and fixtures in a matte black. Whatever you choose, make sure it’s sleek, smooth, and easy to clean. Everyone should go for the vanity top with an integrated sink. You can choose the shape and size of the sink, as well as the color. And there are many new product choices in cultured marble for vanities and showers. Come and check them out, they don’t look like your grandma’s marble!

your choices for your new bathroom. Millennials are looking for style on a budget. They want what’s trendy but they need to make sure it is good quality at a low cost. Baby Boomers have a completely different list of priorities. They want top quality, functionality, easy maintenance, accessibility, and safety - even if it costs more. If your new bathroom will be used by older adults, some extra safety features such as grab bars and a shower seat might be needed. Enjoy the excitement of a brand-new bathroom! Make it your sanctuary: calm, peaceful, and beautiful.

Your stage of life will have a big impact on yours needs and

May 2020 | syracuseconnection.com 25

+ BUSINESS

Special article brought to you by Econ Mortgage

Mortgage Insider: Tips for Improving Your Credit Score Whether you need a loan for the purchase of a home, or it’s time to refinance an existing home loan, your credit score is a crucial part of the equation. KNOW YOUR SCORE

The higher your credit score, the more likely you’ll get approved for a loan, and, in many cases, qualify for a lower interest rate. Any score over 740 is generally considered very good. A score between 670 and 739 is good. 580 to 669 is fair, and anything below 580 is considered poor credit. There are numerous credit scoring algorithms used in different industries. Scores provided by sites like Credit Karma are not the same ones used by mortgage lenders, so your score pulled by a potential mortgage lender will likely be different from what you see on the free sites or apps. Be aware, these “free scores” can be several points off — sometimes even more than a hundred points!

CHECK THE REPORT

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PAY DOWN BALANCES Paying down any credit cards with a large balance can help boost your credit score. This is especially important if your total balance is over 30% of your total available credit. If you can get it under 10% credit utilization, even better.

KEEP OLD ACCOUNTS OPEN If you close an older account, you lose the age value from the account, and it could also impact the utilization ratio for any remaining open account balances. Even if you’re not using an account, keep it open to avoid dinging your credit.

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+ RECIPES

PRESCHOOL-AGE

Pancake Mix Muffins RECIPE FROM TWINMOMREFRESHED.COM, PHOTO BY HAILEY MINTON

Pancake mix. Follow the directions on the package for making the batter. Toppings - Add in your favorites or whatever you have on hand. This could include chocolate chips, bananas, strawberries, blueberries, cinnamon sugar, cheese, bacon, or turkey.

COOKING WITH KIDS

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Mix batter well. Have the kids help! Pour into a well-greased mini muffin tin. Add in toppings. Use a fork to push toppings in and cover them with the batter. Bake for 10-12 minutes.

Healthy NO Bake Cookies RECIPE FOUND AT ACOUPLECOOKS.COM, PHOTO BY MELISSA SPELTS

These are really good if your looking for a chocolate treat without all the sugar. 6 Tbs coconut oil (divided) ¼ c. plus 2 Tbsp peanut butter (divided) ¼ c. plus 1 Tbsp Grade A dark maple syrup (divided) ¼ c. dutch process (or dark) cocoa powder 1 tsp. vanilla extract 1 pinch of kosher salt 1 c. rolled oats Place 9 cupcake liners into a muffin tin. In a small saucepan over low heat, melt 5 tablespoons coconut oil and stir together 2 tablespoons peanut butter, ¼ c. maple syrup, ¼ c. cocoa powder, 1 tsp vanilla extract, and 1 pinch of kosher salt. When fully combined, remove from heat and stir in 1 cup rolled oats. Spoon into cupcake liners. Refrigerate while making the peanut butter topping. In a small saucepan over low heat, stir together ¼ cup peanut butter, 1 tablespoon maple syrup, and 1 tablespoon coconut oil. Spoon the warm peanut butter mix over the chocolate oat mixture. Freeze for 15 to 20 minutes until set. Store in refrigerator.

TIPS TO GET STARTED!

28 syracuseconnection.com | May 2020

Set aside a specific time to make your recipes, let your kids make choices, and know things are going to get messy!

SCHOOL-AGE

SCHOOL-AGE KID RECIPES Dark Chocolate Hummus RECIPE FROM ACOUPLECOOKS.COM, PHOTO BY HAILEY MINTON

This surprising dip for fruit and pretzels is a hit for children, parties, and showers! Try dipping a pretzel and adding blueberries to the top. Fruit - Strawberries, pineapple, green apple slices, salty pretzels 15-oz can chickpeas 1/4 cup tahini 1/4 cup maple syrup or agave syrup, add more if you like it sweeter 1/2 cup cocoa powder 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt Drain the liquid from the chickpeas into a glass measuring cup and reserve. To the bowl of a food processor, add the chickpeas, tahini, maple or agave syrup, cocoa powder, vanilla, salt, and 2 Tablespoons water or the water from the chickpea can. Puree for 30 seconds, then scrape down the bowl. Taste; if necessary, add a bit more syrup to your liking. Add additional 1-2 Tablespoons water and puree again to get a creamy consistency. Store refrigerated for 7-10 days

Simple Breakfast in Muffin Tins RECIPE AND PHOTO BY MELISSA SPELTS

This has been a favorite family recipe for years now. Grey, our youngest, saw that I was making these and asked for them to be made for his birthday this year (it’s in September, ha ha). He loves this eggy concoction. 7 eggs ¼ cup milk 1 cup of ham (bacon, sausages, etc) diced 1 cup of cheese (cheddar, pepper jack are our favorites) 36 Tater Tots • • • • •

Spray muffin tin with non stick spray Preheat oven to 375 degrees Put 3 tater tots in the bottom of each muffin tin. Pour mixed eggs and milk into each muffin tin. Add meat and cheese and salt and pepper

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Bake for 10 to 12 minutes.

Yield: 12 muffins Eat with a little ketchup or salsa on top. Enjoy !

TEENAGER

Pizza Quesadillas RECIPE AND PHOTO BY HAILEY MINTON

Mozzarella cheese Flour Tortillas Pepperoni For one pizza quesadilla, add 8 - 10 pepperoni to a pan. Cook until crispy and then remove them from the pan and onto a plate. Lay a tortilla down in the pan, with low heat, and add 1/2 cup of cheese (more or less) on top of the tortilla. Place the pepperoni on top of the cheese. Add the other tortilla to the top. Once the cheese starts to melt and the bottom tortilla gets crispy, flip it to the other side to crisp up the other tortilla and get the cheese gooey. Cut it into 6 pieces and enjoy! *If you’re making pizza quesadillas for the family, using cooking scissors makes cutting the quesadillas go a lot quicker!

Easy Baked Flautas (Taquitos) RECIPE FOUND AT ACOUPLECOOKS.COM,PHOTO BY MELISSA SPELTS

Our family LOVED these. They were so easy to make. My favorite part was watching my children go back for seconds. The crispy shells with a dash of salt, cheesy refried beans in the middle, and homemade guacamole a la mode made this dish a hit! 2 green onions, sliced thin (optional) 1 ½ c. refried beans ¼ c. salsa 1 tsp chilli powder ¾ c. shredded cheddar cheese 14, 6-inch flour tortillas 2 Tbsp. olive oil, for brushing ¼ tsp kosher salt, for sprinkling For dipping: guacamole, salsa, or sour cream Preheat oven to 425 degrees. I didn’t have green onions but I’ll bet they would add a lot of flavor to these flautas. I used canned refried beans. Spoon into a mixing bowl along with green onions, salsa, chili powder, and shredded cheese. Lay a tortilla on your counter. Spoon 2 to 3 scoops of the refried bean mixture in the middle of the shell. Roll tightly and lay the seam down on a baking sheet. Repeat until your pan is full. When the flautas are together, brush the tops with oil and sprinkle with salt. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until crisp and browned. Serve with salsa, guacamole or sour cream. You can also freeze these for another night.

Homemade Guacamole BY MELISSA SPELTS 4 avocados ¾ cup salsa or diced tomatoes with jalapeños salt and pepper to taste Mix in blender and eat. Yum.

May 2020 | syracuseconnection.com 29

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