Weber County Connection May - June 2023

FROM THE COMMISSIONERS

CONNECTIONPUBLISHING

Weber County Connection is published bi-monthly by Connection Publishing© www.webercountyconnection.com ryan@connectionpub.com 801-721-3762

PUBLISHER

Ryan Spelts

PUBLICATION DESIGN

Robert Dodd

WRITERS

Commissioners Sharon Bolos, Gage Froerer, James Harvey

Abraham Tinklepaugh

Sabrina Lee

Ann Park

Nathaniel Loomis

Cindy Jones

Kendal Rae Jensen

Erin Shepard

Kris Blankman

Rachel Bitton

Hailey Minton

Ryan Spelts

AD DESIGN

Robert Dodd

Crystal Rappleye

Hyrum Rappleye

EDITORS

Nathaniel Loomis

Savanna Clark

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

The Commissioners would like to take a moment to express our sincere gratitude for all those who take the time to participate in the R.A.M.P. program. In 2004 and again in 2014, Weber County voters approved one penny out of every ten dollars spent in sales tax going to the Recreation, Arts, Museums and Parks program. Since that time, because of the generosity of our citizens, we have collected $65,831,113.

We would especially like to recognize the incredible effort and significant amount of time the R.A.M.P. board puts into making sure that R.A.M.P. funding is distributed in ways that will benefit our community the most effectively. The board recognizes that these are tax dollars, and they take that responsibility very seriously. The goal of R.A.M.P. is always to improve the quality of life for all Weber County residents.

When you notice R.A.M.P. signs at recreation facilities, parks, museums, trails, and on many performance programs, you will know that R.A.M.P contributed to that project. Other projects funded by R.A.M.P. include city celebrations, swimming pools, literary outreach programs, and so much more. One of our favorite programs is the annual Free R.A.M.P. Summer Saturdays; this program allows all Weber County residents to enjoy R.A.M.P. funded projects for free.

Of course, none of these projects could take place without the volunteers and community leaders who do so much for Weber County, and whose passion to include more culture and recreation in their communities, adds so much to the R.A.M.P program. Without their vision and commitment, R.A.M.P. would not be able to provide these tangible benefits for our residents.

We are extremely thankful for everyone in the community who came together to vote on this ballot initiative devoted to improving the quality of life in Weber County. You only need to look around at the many exciting projects that R.A.M.P. has funded to see the incredible results that your pennies have made for all of us. While you are enjoying these amazing R.A.M.P. projects, please remember that R.A.M.P. will be on the ballot again in 2024.

Commissioner Sharon Bolos

Commissioner Gage Froerer

Commissioner James H. "Jim" Harvey

The goal of R.A.M.P. is always to improve the quality of life for all Weber County residents.

The

Hyrum Rappleye Graphic Design

Crystal Rappleye Graphic Design

Sarah Bodiker Graphic Design

Ann Park

& Operations Mgr.

Kendal Rae Jensen

Diane Liberator Sales

Danielle Arana Sales

Hailey Minton Writer

Sabrina Lee Writer

Abraham Tinklepaugh

Amanda Koldewyn Writer

Kim Crook

Media Mgr.

Dawn Paul Photographer

Savanna Clark

Loomis

Outstanding People and Businesses Awarded The Prestigious Crystal Bowl

Every year, Weber County presents the Crystal Bowl Award to a business, an individual, and an employee who has made a difference in Weber County. Crystal bowls have the ability to amplify and produce a pure and powerful sound that resonates for a long period of time. It is comparable to the generous people in our community that volunteer their time and resources, and whose actions continue to resonate throughout the community.

This year we honor three exceptional representatives who have made meaningful impacts on Weber County. Their accomplishments represent the best ideas, actions, and spirit that epitomize the inspirational spirit of our community

Please join us in congratulating each of this year’s Crystal Bowl Award recipients!

Our first Crystal Bowl award goes to an exceptional organization in our community

Since 2005, when they made their first vat of cheese, Pat Ford and Tim Welsh’s mission has been to “use business as a force for good.” This philosophy permeates every aspect of their cheese creamery. Not only does the company make incredibly tasty cheese, but for the past three years, they’ve donated thousands of pounds of cheddar to the local food banks—feeding thousands of families and encouraging the community to do the same. Today we salute Pat, Tim, and all their workers for showing how businesses in our community are at their best when they inspire us to help others.

Our second Crystal Bowl recipient is Steffani Ebert

Steffani is the first county employee to receive the award. She works as a Senior Accountant in the Clerk/Auditor’s office. We are so thankful that Steffani has chosen to work at Weber County for the last 28 years. We appreciate her hard work and dedication. She is always willing to help her fellow employees. Steffani is an example of what a great work ethic is. Today, we are especially proud to honor Steffani Ebert for all the hard work she does for all of us in Weber County.

Our final Crystal Bowl Award goes to an inspirational young woman, Addison Redd

This year, Addison won the prestigious Miss High School Rodeo America Award, beating out 42 competitors from all over the United States. Addison embodies the long tradition of Western values, following in her mother’s footsteps as a Rodeo queen.

Addison began riding horses at the age of four and proudly represented the values of her family, the association, and Weber County throughout the competition. The contestants were not only judged for their abilities to ride, but also for how they stayed true to the virtues of Western Heritage, family bonding, and regard for their animal partners.

Addison represents the optimism we have for Weber County’s young people. We are blessed with so many exceptional teenagers, and Addison continues to inspire her peers and her community with her exceptional accomplishments.

Noxious Weeds of Weber

County

Weber County is working hard to manage the invasive plants across the county. The Weed Board, Conservation District, and other entities continue to collaborate through coordinated efforts secure grant funding that targets specific species. Five species were included in this year’s invasive species mitigation grant: dyer’s woad, yellow star-thistle, Japanese knotweed, phragmites, and garlic mustard. Each of these plants is known to crowd out other vegetation, degrade human-managed landscapes, and contribute to declining ecosystems.

Reports provided by the public provide valuable information that leads to more effective eradication efforts. Currently, the county’s strategy begins with mapping (as seen in Figure 1). After mapping, the county secures funding for eradication and targets predetermined populations each year. The final step monitors eradication efforts from previous years to prevent re-infestation.

In addition to reporting weeds, the Weed Board strongly encourages the public to be proactive and manage annual

and biennial noxious weeds early in the growing season. For example, dyer’s woad and thistle are much easier to remove when they are small. Pull, hoe, or spray these weeds in the spring before they flower or go to seed. Breaking these weeds’ reproductive cycle can effectively reduce their population. Some perennial weeds such as phragmites and Japanese knotweed should be controlled after mid-summer. This is because the plant sends all its energy and sap up from the roots to grow new shoots and leaves each spring. While the sap flows upward, eradication efforts will have little effect on the roots of these species. Without killing the roots, these perennials will continue to re-sprout.

If you want to learn more about eradicating noxious weeds on your property and get expert help, contact the USU Extension office in Weber County at (801) 399-8200.

A map of Weber County, UT. Dots represent noxious weed populations. Each color is representative of a given species. The blue polygons represent treatment sites for 2023.

Dyer’s Woad

Yellow Star-Thistle Japanese Knotweed Phragmites Garlic Mustard

Weber County Business Gives Back to the Community

What would you do if you were a trailer manufacturer and had four extra trailers sitting unused on your lot?

That’s what the owners and management team at Big Bubba’s asked themselves when they were moving to another location and still had four unbuilt trailers sitting around without a destination. After brainstorming, they realized that instead of taking extra time to build them out and then having to move them fully completed, they could donate the ATV-style trailers to local high schools.

After all, Big Bubba’s believes there is a real need for more technicians like welders in the region, and they want to encourage more students to pursue technical careers. Plus, the company has a personal connection to the schools in the area, and they want to support the local community.

Roy, Bonneville, Fremont, and Weber High Schools will each receive one of the 7’ x14’ trailers, on the condition that the trailers will be used for each school’s welding programs. Big Bubba’s’ goal is to incentivize all trade training programs in the schools, but particularly in welding. Building the trailers will force these students to creatively use their welding and other technical skills to put them together. Once they’re completed, the schools can sell those trailers to put the money back into their programs.

Big Bubba’s’ donation was made in March, with the hopes that the trailers will be completed and available to showcase at the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Convention in May. Chad Marriott, a CTE Coordinator for Weber County, believes that this convention—an event for educators, industry leaders, and policymakers to come together and discuss the future of technical education—

is a great way to showcase the hard work that these students have put into developing their welding skills. While reflecting on the donation and the CTE Convention, Marriott stated, “As educators we are trying to provide a better education for our students, which will thus turn into a brighter future for them. We believe that this generous donation will assist the students in gaining hands-on experience, and help our students become more valuable as they enter the workforce.”

The trailers could cost around $2,000 each, and all the money that is made from their sales will go back into the program. The donation of the trailers was a practical thing, and it was done to support the local community and encourage more students to consider technical careers.

Here at Weber County, we offer Bubba and his company Big Bubba’s, a hearty thanks for this generous donation to our community, and for inspiring the next generation of tradespeople and entrepreneurs to gain necessary skills for their future endeavors.

Big Bubba’s believes there is a real need for more technicians like welders in the region, and they want to encourage more students to pursue technical careers.

Livestream 911 calls directly to first responders for faster response times and improved situational awareness

The Weber County Sheriff’s Office recently implemented a new technology designed to improve response times to emergencies and ultimately save more lives. The Live911 dispatch program allows first responders to listen in on 911 emergency calls in real-time and immediately identify the caller's location. Since its implementation, the program has already saved multiple lives, with many more expected to be saved in the future.

According to Lieutenant Colby Ryan, the benefits of the program were immediately apparent. "We went live with this program recently, and we are already seeing the benefit of having it," said Ryan. "Multiple lives have already been saved because of this program, and we anticipate that many more lives will be saved."

One of the most significant advantages of Live911 is its ability to cut down on response times. When someone makes a 911 call, dispatch operators work to quickly obtain vital information from the caller, but there is inevitably a time lapse between the call and when the details are entered into the computer-aided design system.

However, with Live911, first responders in the field are sent the 911 calls simultaneously, allowing officers to hear the call as it happens. This feature is especially useful when responding to urgent situations. Officers can pre-set a geofence to quickly respond to calls in their current location. They can also see the caller's location and quickly move toward the incident, giving them a head start to develop a response plan.

Moreover, first responders can hear the interactions between the caller and the call-taker, including answers to questions, first-hand descriptions, emotional tones, and background noise on the scene. This information provides officers with situational awareness, which is critical when responding to emergencies. "Live911 will help us improve our response time and increase our situational awareness, giving us the opportunity to assist in a much faster and more efficient way," said Sheriff Arbon.

The implementation of Live911 by the Weber County Sheriff’s Office demonstrates a commitment to improving emergency response times and saving lives. With this new technology, first responders can react faster and more efficiently to emergency situations, increasing the chances of a positive—if not a lifesaving—outcome for those involved.

Weber County Residents Nominated as Mothers of the Year

Mothers are the center of almost every household. Not only do they provide tireless service to their families, but more often than not, their selfless services extend to the communities they live in. While it is impossible to recognize all the people here in Weber County that do so much good, there are a few mothers who were recently recognized during a county commission meeting.

Laura Ward, Sue Ann Burton, and Patti Child, all residents of Weber County, were recently nominated as Mothers of the Year through the local chapter of the Utah Mothers Association. The Utah Mothers Association (UMA) is a non-profit organization that was founded in 1935 with the goal of promoting the wellbeing of mothers and children in Utah. The organization’s philosophy is that motherhood is a sacred responsibility and that mothers should have access to support, education, and resources to help them fulfill this important role.

The UMA's signature program is the "Mother of the Year" award, which recognizes outstanding mothers in Utah who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to their families and communities. This award is a tribute to the hard work and selflessness of mothers who often go unrecognized for their contributions. The UMA also offers a variety of programs and services to its members, including networking opportunities, parenting resources and other community service projects. The organization also provides resources for mothers in need, such

as food assistance, clothing, and other basic necessities. This year, these women represented the epitome of all the UMA stands for. As Deanna Porter, former mother of the year and past President of the Ogden Weber chapter of UMA put it, “We are grateful for these ladies and their tireless and quiet efforts to build up their families and communities. They have volunteered many hours and have put forth their time, efforts, and talents to improve their families and communities.” Porter continued to say, “These women have done a lot of work behind the scenes, but the work that they have done has not gone unnoticed.”

Ward, Burton, and Child were gracious in the Commission meeting, thanking the UMA and the county for sponsoring the award.

If you or someone you know may be interested in learning more about the Utah Mothers Association, please visit their website at www.utahmothers.org.

Pictured left to right Commissioner Sharon Bolos, Sue Ann Burton, Patti Child, Commisioner Gage Froerer, and Commisioner James “Jim” Harvey. Not Picture is Laura Ward.

COUNTY UPDATES

MAY/JUNE

WEBER COUNTY FACILITIES EVENTS

ECCLES CONFERENCE CENTER/PEERY’S EGYPTIAN THEATER • OgdenPET.com

May 3: PET Classic Film Series presents “The Mummy”

May 8: Excellence in the Community presents “Lark & Spur” FREE CONCERT

May 31: PET Classic Film Series presents “Pirates of the Caribbean”

GOLDEN SPIKE EVENT CENTER • GoldenSpikeEventCenter.com

May 6-7: Crossroads of the West Gun Show

May 6: Miss Rodeo Ogden Pageant

May 9: Utah Youth Rodeo Association

May 14: UQHRA Horse Racing

May 19-20: Nationwide Ogden Home Show

May 20-21: District 2 Barrel & Pole Bending Jackpot

May 20: May Mania Demolition Derby

May 23: Utah Youth Rodeo Association

May 27: UQHRA Horse Racing

WEBER COUNTY SPORT SHOOTING COMPLEX • WCGunRange.com

May 1: Rim Fire Competition

May 3: .22 Bowling Pin Shoot

May 8: 100 yd Benchrest Match

May 8: Gun & Range Safety Class

May 10: Armed Women of America

May 15: Rim Fire Competition

May 15: Basic Handgun Class

May 17: Concealed Carry Class

May 17: Big Bore Handgun Bowling Pin Shoot

May 18: 300 yd Rifle Match

May 22: 100 yd Benchrest Match

May 29: Rim Fire Competition

June 5: 100 yd Benchrest Match

June 7: .22 Bowling Pin Shoot

June 12: Rim Fire Competition

June 12: Gun & Range Safety Class

June 14: Armed Women of America

June 15: 300 yd Rifle Match

June 19: 100 yd Benchrest Match

June 19: Basic Handgun Class

June 21: Concealed Carry Class

June 21: Big Bore Handgun Bowling Pin Shoot

June 26: Rim Fire Competition

WEBER COUNTY ARCHERY PARK

May 19-20: Pope & Young– Indoor Range closed to the public (Outdoor Range open)

June 10-11: Color Country Shoot

SCHOOLS

FREMONT HIGH

May 2: Boys Tennis Farmington 3 p.m.

Baseball Clearfield 3:30 p.m.

Softball 3:30 p.m.

Boys Lacrosse 5 p.m.

Girls Lacrosse Roy 5 p.m.

Spring Dance Concert 7 p.m.

May 3: Boys Soccer

Baseball 3:30 p.m.

Softball Riverton 3:30 p.m.

Jazz Night 6:30 p.m.

May 4: Boys Tennis Syracuse 3 p.m.

Softball 3:30 p.m.

Boys Lacrosse Farmington 5 p.m.

Girls Lacrosse 5 p.m.

Orchestra Final Concert 7 p.m.

May 4-6: State Large Band Festival

May 5, 6: Track BYU Invitational

May 5: Baseball Clearfield 3:30 p.m.

Boys Soccer Layton 3:30 p.m.

May 8, 9: Girls Golf State Riverbend

May 8: Baseball 3:30 p.m.

Softball 3:30 p.m.

Girls Lacrosse Syracuse 5 p.m.

MAY/JUNE

May 9: Baseball Farmington 3:30 p.m.

Softball Weber 3:30 p.m.

Boys Lacrosse 5 p.m.

Girls Lacrosse Clearfield 5 p.m.

Legacy Concert 7 p.m.

May 10, 11: Track Region Davis

May 10: Baseball 3:30 p.m.

Final Band Concert 6:30 p.m.

May 11-13: State Choir Festival

Libby Gardner Hall

May 11: Handbell Concert

May 12: Senior Cotillion

May 13: Baseball 1st Round Playoff

Boys Soccer 1st Round Playoff

May 16: Spring Choir Concert 7 p.m.

May 18, 19: State Orchestra Festival

May 18, 20: Boys Tennis

State Liberty Park

May 18, 20: Track State BYU

May 23: Graduation WSU 9 a.m.

May 26: Last Day of School

WEBER COUNTY LIBRARY

2039 W. 4000 S., Roy, UT • 801-337-2670

WEEKLY ACTIVITIES

Mondays: ESL Class 6:30 p.m.

Tuesdays: Gentle

Movements 10:30 a.m.

STEAM Club 3:45 p.m.

Yoga for Adults 6:30 p.m.

Wednesdays: Discovery Time 10:30 & 11:30 a.m.

Youth Game Club 4 p.m.

ESL Class 6:30 p.m.

Saturdays: Tai Chi 10:30 a.m.

–

ACTIVITIES

Southwest Branch

May 1: Teen Scene – Dungeons & Dragons 6 p.m.

May 1: USU Extension: Pest Management for Home Gardens 6:30 p.m.

May 6: Story Fiesta 3:30 p.m. Stories, songs, and activities in English and Spanish.

May 8: Novel Teens Book Discussion 4 p.m. The Queen of Water by Laura Resau

May 10: Book Discussion Arthur & George by Julian Barnes. 7 p.m.

VENTURE ACADEMY

May 22: Middle/High School

Spring Pops Concert 7 p.m.

May 24: High School Choir

Spring Pops Concert 7 p.m.

May 27: Memorial Day No School

May 30: High School Graduation

Early Out

May 31: Last day of school (half day)

FUN THINGS TO DO

Thursdays: North Ogden Community Band Rehearsals All skill levels welcome! North View Senior Center

7:30 p.m. Jazz ensemble 8:30 p.m.

May 3, 10, 17, 24: Country Dance Union Station Browning Theater

8:30 p.m. $4 before 9 p.m

May 5: First Friday Art Stroll Open galleries, exciting exhibits, live music of all genres in venues and on the street. Downtown Ogden 6 p.m. FREE

May 6: Crossroads of the West Gun Show Golden Spike 10 a.m. $12

All

library events are free

May 11: Genealogy Digitizing photos 7 p.m.

May 18: Teen Scene: Writers’ Workshop 6 p.m.

May 20: Camping at the Library 3:30 p.m. Campfire stories, games, songs & more.

May 25: Lego Robotics: Predator and Prey 4 p.m.

May 25: The Write Club 7 p.m.

May 6: Miss Rodeo Ogden

Golden Spike 2:30 p.m. FREE

May 6: Fly with the Flock 5k/2.5 K for Kids Ogden Nature Center 8 a.m. $30

May 8: Lark & Spur at Peery's Egyptian Gypsy swing, jazz, Celtic dance and more! Peery’s Egyptian Theater 7:30 p.m. FREE

May 9, 23: Utah Youth Rodeo Golden Spike 4:30 p.m. FREE

May 12-14: Acorn Antiques & Vintage Market Golden Spike Event Center $7

May 16: Virtual Wasatch Audubon Monthly Program Ogden

Nature Center 7 p.m. FREE

May 20: South Weber Model Railroad

Club Hitch a ride on a 1 ½” scale model train! Weather Permitting.

Canyon Meadows Park, South Weber 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. FREE

May 19-21: Ogden Spring Home Show See the latest in home improvement, remodeling, outdoor living, and more! Meet with local contractors and remodeling experts. Golden Spike Events Center FREE

May 26: Guided Bird Walk Join a naturalist for a guided bird walk around the nature center. Ogden Nature Center 8 a.m. $8

May 27: Farmers Market Historic 25th Street 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.

May 31: Film Screening: Pirates of the Caribbean Peery’s Egyptian Theater 7 p.m. $7

June 2: First Friday Art Stroll Open galleries, exciting exhibits, live music of all genres in venues and on the street. Downtown Ogden 6 p.m. FREE

June 2: Car Show Historic 25th Street 5 p.m.

June 3, 10: Farmers Market Historic 25th Street 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.

June 3, 10, 17, 24: RAMP Summer Saturdays at Union Station. Free admission on Saturdays to Union Station museums during June, July, and August.

June 3, 10, 17, 24: Farmers Market

"The deep roots never doubt spring will come -Marty Rubin

The Weber Elite V-Ball Club

BY ABRAHAM

Jason Barker is a Weber State University alum with a degree in Design Engineering who gives back to his community, largely from the volleyball court. He is originally from North Ogden, where his earliest V-Ball moments took place on a homemade court that he and his younger brothers built along the side of his family’s home. Before becoming a volleyball coach, Jason began by playing sand volleyball in high school. He played three years of Club Volleyball for Weber State University, highlighted by a trip to Nationals during his Junior year. Jason co-founded the Weber Elite V-Ball Club in 2013. After playing at Weber, Jason has been very involved with volleyball and sports, overseeing the LDS Sports Program in the local area for the past nineteen years. This will be Jason’s tenth year coaching for Elite V-Ball, and after talking with him for a while, it seems he loves every minute of it.

“What makes it fun is when the kids have been together as a team and learn how to play to each other’s strengths,” said Barker. “It’s great to work on something in practice, then see the team execute it in a game for the first time. In general sports teach us how to deal with winning and losing, and values such as commitment and loyalty.”

Among his reasons for co-founding the Weber Elite V-Ball Club was that very

“What makes it fun is when the kids have been together as a team and learn how to play to each other’s strengths...”

few local volleyball clubs existed at the time. He started with only two teams for his oldest two daughters. It has now grown to fifteen teams this year, and he gets to coach his youngest daughter this season. At Weber Elite V-Ball, coaches instruct hundreds of our local youth, all at cost. This is all possible because of great coaches who work alongside him in the program. He also loves coaching softball and playing sports with his family.

“I love that I can give kids a chance to play volleyball and that, hopefully, they learn to love the sport too.” said Barker. “One of the additional benefits of having our club is seeing better players competing at our local high schools, which is a win-win for the community.”

How one sports-loving dad, engineer and WSU alumni is serving up sports for local youth.

TINKLEPAUGH

Jason with one of his 2023 teams

Jason Barker: Weber Elite V-ball founder

Jason and his son Brody in 2021

Smyth House-National Preservation Month

BY SABRINA LEE

The wood restorer lived at the building for five months to complete the job.

InUtah, May is Archeology and Historic Preservation Month. The Utah State Historic Preservation Office has month long events that connect people to the past.

Weber County has over 2,000 historic buildings/residential homes, but only 65 properties are on the National Register. One of those houses that has been on the registry since the early 1980’s is the Dennis A. Smyth house located in Ogden. The home’s unique architecture is listed as Victorian Eclectic.

there overnight, as well as the President of Ireland Eamen de Valera, and the famous Irish singer Chauncey Allcot.

Mr. Smyth died in 1922, and his wife Mary deeded the property to D. Lowell Kerr in 1939. Three years later, it was deeded to the Roman Catholic Bishop of Salt Lake.

From 1948 through 1967 the home was The Christ is King Convent, run by Our Lady of Victory Missionary Sisters. The sisters ran an orphanage out of the home, as well. The home was purchased by its present owner in the late 1970’s.

building. They had to completely gut the interior. The spiral staircase is original, and most of the chandeliers are as well.

The difficulties they ran into were theft, some of the chandeliers were stolen at one point, and vandalism. I asked Linda, “What is the one thing you would want people to know about owning and restoring a historic home or building?” She replied that it “takes a lot of money and patience, but it is worth it.”

The original owner and resident was Ephriam H. Nye. The home was designed by S.T. Whitaker, and Mr. Nye and his wife Harriett lived there until about 1897. The second owner was Dennis A. Smyth and his family. They purchased the home in 1898 but did not move in until 1910. The home has had some famous visitors over the years. President William Taft stayed

Linda Ward, with her brother and husband Erik, spent many years restoring the home to get it as close as possible to the way it was when the Sisters occupied it, with the exception of the alter. It has been used since its restoration as a commercial building for the Gridley, Ward, and Hamilton Law Office since then.

I had the opportunity to speak with Linda and talk about the process of what they did to restore and preserve the

Our community is lucky enough to still have people like Linda Ward that are willing to preserve the past for future generations. So, what can you do to celebrate preservation month? As the days grow longer, and the heat dwindles in the evening, take a slow drive through some of the older neighborhoods and look for historic homes.

Are you a History Buff? Do you have a local history or ancestor story you would like to share? We want to hear from you!

Email cindy@connectionpub.com with your stories, and we might feature them in the magazine.

Irish Castle- William Smythe Residence

Dennis Smyth Residence

Spotlight– Bryson’s Rock Shop

BY ANN PARK Serving our Community for

Over 35 Years!

The Ultimate Superhero Crew Members!!!

Each and every one holds a particular expertise and value. Introducing our Amazing and Talented Crew Members

Front Row

Chandler– CM

Alexis– CM

Middle Row

Amber– CM

Faith– CM

Back Row

Joey– OMA

David– Owner

Braxton– CM

Jerry– Gen. Manager

Not Pictured

Timothy– David's Brother

Dallon– Inventory Control/ Warehouse Manager

Vickie– CM

INFO

Business: Jewelry

326 Washington Blvd., Ogden

801•399•2838

www.brysonsrock.com

Bryson’s is one of Weber County’s most unique and popular businesses. Stone and crystal enthusiasts, jewelry shoppers, rock hounds, and fascinated browsers, all flock to the shop on a regular basis. “We love our customers,” says General Manager Jerry. “They make us happy and bring energy to our store. When you come here for the first time, it’s like a party.” Many shoppers enjoy the selection of hundreds of gemstone bracelets, in all sorts of varieties. Sterling silver and gemstone stacker rings are also very popular. As interest in their inventory has increased, the pace of new shipments has gotten more frequent. “We used to get large shipments every 6-9 months, and now we receive them every 3, in order to keep up with the demand.”

If you are looking for Tarot Cards, Bryson’s is a great source. “We have over 500 different decks available for you to browse through,” Jerry promises. “Our huge

selection of candles also fly off the shelves.” They carry chakra candles and many varieties of aromatherapy and meditation candles. Bryson’s is known for carrying an enormous inventory. How do you choose? It can be difficult when they offer so many options. “Your instincts are good,” Jerry suggests, “Decide on something that calls to you. We’d love to help you find the perfect thing. A trip to our shop is an opportunity to escape the negativity of life, and enjoy the vibe and energy here.”

HIGHLIGHTING FIVE POPULAR GEMSTONES

Lapis Lazuli

Royal stone that carries the vibrations of one’s inner “king” or “queen”. It stimulates the third eye and psychic centers, activating the higher mind and psychic abilities. Lapis is also a stone of self-knowledge, reflection, and communication of truth.

Rainbow Moonstone

Spreads the prism of energy through the aura, cleansing the senses and psyche and bringing a joyful feeling. It is said to be a stone of protection that blocks negative energy before it can affect you. This is the most powerful stone in the Moonstone family and can help align and ignite all of the chakras.

Emerald

Stone of love, kindness, and affinity to one’s Divine

nature. It inspires an open heart and focuses on the spiritual path. This allows a wealth of blessings to come into one’s life, connecting the Emerald with prosperity. It is a stone of inspiration, patience, and unity, promoting successful love relationships.

Bloodstone

Can instill courage and protects us from our own dangerous desires. It is a strong healing stone that balances the base, navel, sacral, and heart chakras. It can help one see the good in changing life patterns. It can restore love and friendships by helping one develop selfless conduct and a renewed bright outlook on life.

Fluorite

Highly protective and stabilizing stone, useful for grounding and harmonizing spiritual energy. Fluorite increases intuitive abilities, links the human mind to the universal consciousness, and develops a connection to Spirit. A popular stone among energy healers, Fluorite can also clear the aura of mucky energies.

Acting & Singing

Dance Choreography

Audition Practice

Improvisation Games

Catered lunch & Snacks

Production & Live Performance

Experience Scan

2-UPGRADE THE SPACES YOU USE THE MOST

Even small improvements and upgrades to your home can drastically change the way your spaces feel and function. Bathrooms and kitchens are likely where you spend the most time, so prioritizing home upgrades in these areas will have the biggest impact.

Installing new appliances can give your kitchen an upgrade, but if you’re working with a smaller budget, start with the most updated fixture and replace them one at a time. A fresh coat of paint and a set of new rugs is a quick an inexpensive way to freshen up a space, and replacing faucets and towel holders can also kick the aesthetic up a notch in your hightraffic spaces.

3-CURB APPEAL

Landscaping is one of the best ways to improve your home’s exterior. From adding new mulch to garden beds to hiring an arborist to trim overgrown trees, or a landscaping architect to help plan an attractive and functional outdoor space. Some additional exterior improvements that can increase your home’s curb appeal, as well as its overall value is replacing or restoring rooves, rain gutters, and garage doors. Painting the front door, pressure washing walkways, and replacing outdated house numbers are all easy and inexpensive ways to ramp up your home’s aesthetic. Whether you’re adding custom window coverings, replacing a bathroom sink, or installing a new fence, each step you take to improve and upgrade the space where you live makes it feel a little more like home.

BY CINDY JONES

Create a HOME you LOVE

Photos courtesy of Ovation Homes

Whether you are renovating your 1980's rambler or you just bought your first tiny two-bedroom bungalow, being mindful of a few simple concepts will help you create a home you love.

1-LET THE LIGHT IN

Windows are the most important and natural source of light in your home and deserve special attention. Check your windows for drafts and leaks and aim to replace windows that are around 15 years old or older. New double-paned windows will not only lighten and brighten your spaces, but they can also lower utility bills.

Window coverings are a feature that are often overlooked. Replacing curtains or blinds is a simple way to change the aesthetic of a space, and window coverings help to moderate incoming light and heat in one step. There are a variety of options depending on your budget.

On the following pages, you’ll find helpful info from local home and garden experts.

RANDS ROOFING HAS YOU COVERED

Rands Roofing is a locally owned family business run by Gary Rands serving Ogden, Utah, and the Wasatch Front areas for over 30 years.

Rands talked about how important community is to him, and that he greatly enjoys being a part of local service projects and special events. “When everyone works together, great things happen,” said Rands.

Rands Roofing specialists are known for being considerate of homeowner’s property concerning shrubbery, flower beds, and other landscape features.

BY ABRAHAM TINKLEPAUGH

“We work with most insurance companies which allow us to help our clients file claims,” said Rands. “Our great customer service makes our customers comfortable knowing that we will be here to service their current and future needs. We also work with shingle manufacturers for any claims that may arise.”

Rand’s experts are particularly careful about keeping worksites clear of roofing nails, especially in areas where children, pets, or vehicles may be at risk of harm.

Rands Roofing services include not only roofing, but also gutter and stucco repair, and other things that homeowners often look to get done at the same time.

Home & Garden

HOW THE GARDENS GROW

BY CINDY JONES

Weber County’s best kept secret just became Davis county’s best kept secret, and if you love gardens, plants, or flowers, it’s a secret you’re going to want to know.

Country Gardens Nursery is a locally owned garden center that has been providing beautiful flowers, plants and landscaping resources from their West Haven location for the past 15 years. Recently owner Kim Hunter expanded to a second location near Boondocks in Kaysville.

“Many people come in and they’re surprised at our large selection because we’re a small nursery. We are excited to bring that surprise to Davis county.”

Country gardens boasts an impressive variety of fruits, vegetables, trees and shrubs as well as locally grown annuals and perennials. They also offer over 100 varieties of heirloom tomatoes that they grow themselves, from seed. Popular around Mother’s day, their selection of fairy garden supplies and lush, locally grown hanging baskets are a favorite among customers.

Utilizing not only his training as a landscape architect, but his passion for plants and all things that grow, Kim says the secret to Country Gardens’ success has been staying small enough to provide a friendly, personal experience for every customer.

THE ART OF DOWNSIZING

Mention “downsizing” and your mind goes to one of two places: compromise or liberation. The attitude and connected emotions are closely tied to your life experiences. Local Northern Utah homebuilder, Ovation Homes, specializes in creating a personalized and upscaled living for active adults ready to downsize. Here are two reoccurring themes they see:

• Sometimes downsizing occurs due to circumstances that force a move, and sometimes it’s a choice.

• Downsizing isn’t always age-related. It can be driven by the desire for freedom to intentionally live your best life.

Rising home prices and interest rates have created situations where most home buyers are making a square footage compromise. No matter your reasons, moving into small spaces does not need to be a downgrade; good planning and a little creativity will help you adapt your lifestyle without compromising your style and taste. Here are a few ideas from Ovation Homes, that you can incorporate into your small space today.

Kitchens. One of the most inexpensive ways to upscale your kitchen is by adding cabinet pulls to your cabinets and drawers. “At Ovation Homes, cabinet pulls are included in all our kitchens. I love the variety available from modern lines to more classic knobs; you can choose what fits your style best,” says Brynnlee Nash, Ovation’s in-house designer. For additional kitchen storage, consider adding floating shelves

or cabinets under an extended countertop. Extending the countertop is also a great option to create more bar seating for guests.

Bathrooms. With small bathrooms, light is your friend. Use mirrors to reflect light on a wall opposite a window. Also, consider using downlights as an effect to make walls seem like they are receding. Another trick is using large floor tiles so that there are few grout lines to break up the room. Laying tile on the diagonal also visually lengthens the room.

Room for Gathering. One of the biggest challenges can be finding space for the objects you love so that the people you love can gather. Instead of making room for large cabinets, Ovation uses floating shelves and built-in cabinetry aside from a fireplace to fit all their home buyer’s collected treasures. Another option is building window boxes. This creates great storage for blankets and toys while giving a place to sit and read. Creating a cozy seating area can also make a room look bigger! One tip is to add floor outlets. This allows lamps to be placed closer to couches and chairs, creating a cozy space rather than keeping all the furniture around the perimeter.

If you are thinking about downsizing, visit www.

Ovationhomesutah.com for downloadable resources. There you can find checklists on how to get started, organizing tips for small spaces, and how to keep your small spaces freshly styled. You will also find plans, pricing, and building lots available for single-level living in Northern Utah. For more information about Ovation Homes, call (801) 823-4893.

YOUR

Just in time for your spring cleaning, Kayla Peterson will be in your neighborhood with her high-powered team of allwomen carpet cleaners. She founded Clean Steam in 2017 with the specific goal of employing and empowering women. Her entire company is staffed by women, from the CEO to the technicians, and she plans to keep it that way.

Clean Steam is focused on providing a great customer experience. “We really want our clients to be happy with the work we do. I feel that great service is vital in our line of work. A big part of the reason

BY ANN PARK

we’ve been able to grow so fast is that our customers are pleased, and come back to us whenever it’s time for cleaning.”

Clean Steam handles care and cleaning for carpet, upholstery, tile, and area rugs. They have a drop-off service so you can leave your rugs with them to be cleaned and pick them up later. They also provide a specialized enzyme treatment to remove pet stains and odors. Our homes are the center of all the activities in our lives, and it’s surprising how quickly they need cleaning. Be sure to ask about their Whole House Special: 5 rooms (up to 200 sq. ft. for each), a hallway, and up to 15 stairs for $240. Are your carpets telling you it’s time?

LANDSCAPING Home & Garden

BY ANN PARK

Even with the above average precipitation this year, water supply is a serious issue. Several dry years have depleted the lake water. Everyone should be asking, “What can I do to help?”

Exchanging the grass in your park strip for low-water landscaping is a great option. Watering that extra patch of grass requires a surprising number of gallons. “We’ve worked on lawns where the park strip was nearly one-third of the entire grass, a lot more significant than people realize,” said Jordon Peterson, of Strip Flippers Landscaping, specializing in re-doing park strips.

Our state is supporting homeowners by offering cash incentives to update. Check out the details at utahwatersavers.com. “We are here to help make changes,” Jordon says. “You might not realize how difficult it is to do yourself. Dirt 4” by 5’ wide and 70’ long is 9 tons of dirt. How many Saturdays do you really want to give up when we have all the equipment?”

Jordon is committed to continuing to help reduce water waste. “This is a long-term venture. We’ve already saved over 3 million gallons of water, and this is only the beginning.”

KEEPING A GREEN AND HEALTHY LAWN

BY NATHANIEL LOOMIS

Zachary Holbrook founded Green Castle Lawn Care and Pest Control in 1999, forming its roots right in Weber County. They now provide services from Davis to Box Elder with a long history of satisfied customers. There’s a science that goes into keeping grass healthy from root to tip, and they’ve got it down to an art form.

A healthy lawn needs more than just watering and mowing, especially in Utah’s dry climate. Although regular trims and appropriate watering are critical, proper fertilization, weed control, and aeration are just as important. Combining these things will ensure optimal performance for your lawn.

Zach also recommends regularly checking and maintaining your lawn’s pH levels. Utah soils and waters tend to be higher in pH levels, usually 7.5 or higher. Ideally, the pH level of your lawn should be around 7 for optimal turf performance. Regular soil testing and pH management can also help keep your lawn healthy by preventing necrotic ring spot as well as other soil-borne diseases commonly found in Utah.

Green Castle has reasonably priced services for these issues and more. They’ve been in business for over two decades with good reason—they know how to keep a yard green and healthy. If you want to see your lawn flourish, regardless of where in their service area you live, they have the experience and expertise needed to make it happen!

“We will never dissuade you from what you desire simply because it is more work for us, and we are always happy to do the research needed to create something new and innovative.”

– Green Castle Lawn Care

QUALITY THAT’S THROUGH THE ROOF

BY ANN PARK

Our local area is just melting out from under record snowfall and weather like that can be very hard on your roof! If your roof is aging, or shows signs of damage, a spring roof inspection is a great idea. A trusted local expert like Sky Rands of SLR Roofing can take a close look and evaluate the health of your roof in detail.

How can you tell from the ground if your roof needs attention? There are some key signs that your roof needs help. Without climbing up there you can watch for shingles that are curling, cupping, or blistering. If you have missing shingles you need to act quickly. Also, inspect your home for any damaged flashing. If any part of your roof shows signs of decay, it’s time to act.

Does your roof get too hot in the summer sun? If your roof is not properly ventilated it will not last well. If you see any warning signs, such as deteriorating attic insulation, damaged shingles, excessive attic moisture, or rusting attic fasteners, it’s time to get your roof ventilation checked.

Sky has dedicated his entire career to roofing. He and his crew can handle anything from the construction of new roofs to all kinds of

maintenance or repairs, or they can replace your shingles completely if necessary. SLR Roofing has grown quickly and gained a reputation for quality work and great customer service. But don’t just take our word for it. Local customers in our communities had great things to say!

Schedule your FREE Spring Roof Inspection Today!

Google Review: Sky is awesome. He did a free roof inspection for me when we bought our home. Showed me where to keep an eye for the future and told me I was good to go buying the home. The roof would be good for a while.

Google Review: I got 4 bids for my roof. SLR was the fastest to respond. Sky, the owner, came and gave me the bid personally. Two of the other roofers I called just looked up my home from Google Maps and threw a number at me over the phone and talked to me like I was a child. Sky’s price was very fair, and his personal attention made me feel like he actually cared about his work. We hired him, and I’m so glad we did. He and his crew were on time, and fast, and they cleaned up around the outside of the house when they finished. My wife and I are so happy with their work.

NEW TECHNOLOGY RESTORES AGING ROOFS

BY ANN PARK

With last winter’s record snowfall, many local roofs need some extra attention this spring. Roof Maxx is an up-and-coming new company applying a revolutionary product that treats aging shingles, rejuvenating and extending the life of your roof.

As shingles age, they grow weaker, are less flexible, and lose their texture. Toward the end of their life span, they begin to fail, cracking, curling, buckling, and blowing off in bad weather. Wouldn’t it be great if you could slow down or reverse the aging process?

The scientists at Roof Maxx have created a bio-oil formula that penetrates aging shingles, increasing their durability, flexibility, and strength.

Fully replacing a roof is messy and expensive, usually costing $15,000 to $20,000 or more. By using Roof Maxx, you can avoid the hassle and cost of a replacement. When your roof lasts longer, you reduce the amount of waste sent to a landfill. At a savings of about 75% over replacement, a Roof Maxx treatment, if your roof qualifies, is guaranteed to strengthen and extend the life of your roof by five years per treatment. With repeated treatments every five years, you can extend the life of your roof up to 15 years.

How do you know if Roof Maxx is a good fit for you? If your asphalt shingles are between 12 and 25 years old, you might

be a great candidate. We are local and working in your area, and we’d be happy to drop by for a free roof inspection. We climb onto your roof and take pictures so we can show you things that you might not realize are happening up there. We can let you know if your roof could be helped by Roof Maxx.

A Roof Maxx treatment can turn back the clock. The treatment protects, rejuvenates, and restores your shingles, giving your aging roof new life.

YOUR ENERGY-EFFICIENT GLASS STORE

BY CINDY JONES

The windows in our homes are an important connection to the outside world, but we also need them to protect us from heat, cold, wind, rain, and all the weather extremes Northern Utah throws at us. As our homes age, the windows become less effective at protecting us from these elements.

Michael White, manager of Valley Glass, recommends replacing windows once they hit about 15-20 years old. At 15+ years, window seals become weak, which leaves them prone to drafts and leaks. In addition, older single-paned windows lack insulation and are not as energy efficient as modern, double-pane windows. Replacing your old

windows with new, energy-efficient windows can prevent drafts, overheating, and UV damage to carpet and furniture. Energyefficient windows can also help reduce utility bills.

At Valley Glass, owned and operated by the Naylor family for over 60 years, each new window carries a lifetime guarantee. The Valley Glass team provides a customized, face-to-face experience for each customer and would love to help you upgrade your home.

Finance 15 months interest-free with Valley Glass, and mention this article for $50 off when you purchase five windows or more.

SCAN CODE

MADE FOR YOU MENU PLAN AND RECIPES. MAKE A MASTER SHOPPING LIST AND PRINT OR SEND TO YOUR PHONE FOR EASY MEAL AND GROCERY SHOPPING. Menu Plan Curated by Deidre Roush

Rigatoni with Ricotta

Egg Bacon & Tater Tot Casserole Side of fresh fruit.

Strawberry Cheesecake

Stuffed French Toast with scrambled eggs

Tacos with a side of Mexican Corn Salad

Chicken Sandwich with a side of Coleslaw

Beef and Broccoli served with Rice

Easy Baked Flautas with a side of Chips and Guacamole

Ryan’s Italian Grinder Sandwich with Slaw

Our favorite Hamburger with a side of French Fries

Grilled Chicken Salad

Jen’s Chicken Alfredo with Veggies

Breakfast Crescent Ring

Sweet Pork Quesadillas with a side of Seasoned Black Beans

Pearl Couscous with Tomato, Chickpea, and Feta with a side Kale Salad

Baked Lemon Chicken with a side of Rice and Green Beans

Ham, Cheese, and Egg Strata

Scallion and Sharp Cheddar Savory Pancakes

Sloppy Joes

Chicken Broccoli Casserole

Chicken Salad Stuffed Peppers

Cranberry Mayo Sandwiches

Asparagus and Pea Pasta

Loaded Caprese Grilled Cheese

Easy Chicken Stir Fry with rice

Slow Cooker Sandwich

Spotlight – Asphalt Experts

BY ABRAHAM TINKLEPAUGH Offering

a New Way to Replace Asphalt Driveways

Asphalt Experts are locally owned and operated; they can provide you with the personalized services you deserve. You deserve friendly, caring, and helpful services. Asphalt Experts goal is always 100% customer satisfaction.

AsphaltExperts, located at 2610 Washington Boulevard in Ogden, Utah, is a locally owned and operated business known for always providing the kind of personalized service, care, and attentiveness that everyone deserves, but doesn’t always get to enjoy. They offer a range of customizable asphalt and gravel solutions for driveways and parking lots, including crushed stone, pea gravel, and decorative gravel.

“Whether our customers need a convenient lowmaintenance option, a soil compaction solution, or an aesthetic enhancement, we are able to successfully tackle any project,” said owner Thomas Doxey, who has over fifteen years of sales experience that includes success in a wide range of markets.

It’s likely you’ve seen their work at Ogden’s DMV, the Morgan Airport, and the Lotus Building.

laying asphalt or concrete. “The interlocking grid system, typically used for stabilizing gravel or turf, is now being applied as a more eco-friendly and more efficient alternative to traditional driveway construction,” said Doxey. The installation process still involves compaction and laying six inches of road base. Once that’s done, the interlocking grid system is set in place with gravel or decorative stone, which is then poured into the grid system leaving the top of the system visible, but unobtrusive.

Doxey described this new system as a method that provides weight support comparable to an asphalt driveway, which allows for the use of vehicles of all sizes without damaging roads or the grid system itself.

“Another benefit of this method is its compatibility with a heating system, which can be applied under the grid matrix that also aids snow melt,” said Doxey. “Though snow removal with a shovel can be challenging, using this system still allows customers to use a snow blower.”

needed, instead of wastefully running off into drainage systems. It gives both homeowners and businesses the ability to maintain a posh appearance that requires minimal to no maintenance.

Asphalt Experts is an experienced asphalt and concrete contractor, and now offers this innovative alternative to traditional road hardscape methods of asphalt and concrete. If you are considering replacing your asphalt and improving the appearance of your driveway, this solution is worth considering.

“Think of us as a friendly, caring, and supremely helpful asphalt service whose goal is always 100% customer satisfaction,” said Doxey. If your snow hasn't yet melted then the asphalt repair season will be pretty short, but you can schedule an appointment before it does. For more information about Asphalt Experts services, give them a ring at 801-318-0949.

Business: Asphalt Paving

2610 Washington Blvd., Ogden

801-513-1372

www.asphalt-experts.com

Asphalt Experts offers our local community a new way to replace asphalt drives with what Doxey described as an interlocking grid system based on an innovative road construction method that improves upon the traditional methods of

More importantly, with the current drought conditions affecting many areas in Utah, not only is this interlocking grid system affordable, it is also environmentally friendly by allowing water to be absorbed back into the ground where it's urgently

BUILDING YOUTH Utah’s

BY KENDAL RAE JENSEN

Since 2007, a Utah-based nonprofit organization, Building Utah Youth, has been committed to investing in the future of Utah’s communities. They do this by utilizing the Teen Leadership Breakthrough program, which teaches youth leadership qualities. Through team-building exercises, self-reflection, and collaboration, teens become empowered to create positive change within themselves and the world around them. Often, the youth who are nominated to the teenage leadership program are in need of a gentle nudge to find direction in their lives or to build self-confidence. Other times, the participants are good students and fine athletes, yet they still need some lessons on leadership qualities in order to focus their potential. Many people can identify a teenager like these mentioned. You may have even been this type of teenager! Imagine how your life would have been impacted by a program like this. Past program director Jamie Johnston said, “What about the kids that are doing good and want to be better? There are no programs for them.

Our program reaches a different group of kids: taking good kids and helping them see their potential. We help them take those skills and characteristics that they already know and build upon them. If they always do what they’ve always done, they will always get what they’ve always got. We help them step outside of their comfort zones in a big way!”

This program is committed to building a better future for Utah by offering transformative opportunities to youth who may otherwise be overlooked. They create collaborative relationships with the participants resulting in the development of personal integrity, youth leadership skills, and reverence for humankind.

Building Utah Youth is open to all teenagers between the ages of 15 to 18 who live in Utah. They strive to provide all students with the youth leadership skills they’ll need to become our next generation of thoughtful, responsible leaders.

My 16-year-old daughter Laney was a scholarship recipient of the program last fall. In her experience,

“Our program reaches a different group of kids- taking good kids and helping them see their potential. We help them take those skills and characteristics that they already know and build upon them.”

she stepped outside of her comfort zone and gained valuable life and leadership skills that will serve her throughout her education and career. It changed her perception and value of herself and her abilities. The parent class that my husband and I were able to attend in conjunction, was incredibly empowering and emotional. It helped us develop our relationship and understanding of each other on a much deeper level.

Building Utah Youth provides the only youth leadership programs available to teenagers in our beautiful state of Utah. BUY serves all of Utah—with camps at Daniel’s Summit and UTABA, and growing every year. The summer courses ensure each teen leaves with improved confidence and personal development skills that are invaluable to becoming the best versions of themselves when they reach adulthood.

Building Utah Youth functions on the RIPPLE EFFECT—Respect, Integrity, Passion, Personal Power, Leadership and Enthusiasm. All the activities and lessons center around these principles.

BUY has been empowering our youth with free leadership training to those who have been nominated by teachers, coaches, and community partners, facilitated through dynamic team-building exercises and other fun

youth-oriented activities. BUY holds a fundraising gala in the fall each year with the goal of raising enough money to fund these leadership camps free of charge. Currently, they are also raising money in hopes of opening their own building that will enable them to hold many more classes and programs for many more youth. This type of investment in our youth is actually a reinvestment straight back into our community.

The impact of teenage leadership training is immediately seen in our schools and the teenagers’ home lives but will have longitudinal benefits in our businesses and communities. As anyone who has experienced these leadership courses in the past will tell you, this type of training gives the individual a chance for self-reflection and personal growth. These training techniques will lead a person to a sense of public stewardship and personal accountability, producing crucial facets of character that cultivate over a person’s lifetime. Further, the entire community benefits because empowered youth become responsible, capable adults and citizens. Youth participants can go back after going through the program to be a part of the leadership team and be a teacher.

They also produce a monthly podcast called The Empowering (YOU)th Podcast with personal and family stories about experiences in the program. You can find it on Apple or Amazon Podcasts. One of those stories is about the Weber County family of Jamie and Tucker Doak. The Doak family has been forever changed by Building Utah Youth and the company it originated from, Rapport Leadership International. Both Jamie and Tucker have gone through the adult leadership programs and two of their kids have graduated from the youth program. Jamie has loved every minute of her 8 years of service on the board, watching the kids learn and grow.

We invite you to learn more about BUY so that you can help find youth who can benefit from what they offer. Their goal is to have the youth of Utah be within the ranks of dynamic people who make a positive difference in the world, and by nominating a teen, you will be, too. By Building Utah Youth, they are building a better Utah.

To nominate a teen, contact Jamie at buildingutahyouth@gmail.com or for more information visit buildingutahyouth.org.

All Photos are courtesy of Building Utah Youth

Mental Health Tips for Busy

Moms

BY ERIN SHEPARD, LCSW

In most American families, mothers are the primary bearers of the invisible mental load of the family. This invisible load refers to all the planning, organizing, and emotional tracking involved in keeping the family lifestyle operating.

As a mental health therapist and a specialist in perinatal mental health, I witness women rising to the occasion to be mothers despite their limitations and circumstances. Many mothers pay the price of carrying the invisible mental load for their families with their own mental health. Generally, women are more likely to be diagnosed with an anxiety or depressive disorder in their lifetime than men. What presents as feelings of overwhelm, agitation, rage, or the contrasting emotions of being numb, disconnected, or burned out are the symptoms of emotional debt. Here are a few ways mothers can build their mental health reserves:

1. Take time to participate

Create a balance between what you plan and what you participate in. Be aware of how your relationship and your role as a caregiver overlap. This will look different for each individual. Pay attention to the moments that matter most to you. The key here is to you, not to everyone else. There will be aspects of your relationship that will be unique and fulfilling to you. Pay attention to those things, be greedy, and get as much of them as possible.

2. Complete the stress cycle

This step is often overlooked but is crucial in emotional regulation. Keeping up with the constant emotionally changing climate of motherhood is stressful. If we don’t allow our minds and bodies to release stress when the moment has passed, we stay in a heightened state of being keyed up, wreaking havoc on our adrenal system and mental health.

To complete the stress cycle, acknowledge the stress has passed by engaging in calming self-talk, self-care behaviors, and/or mindfulness. Use transitional moments to practice preventive stress management as well. Transitional moments are natural breaks in our day and routine. In these moments, pause and acknowledge the moment, using self-care behaviors to recover.

your needs. So much can be taken care of when it’s a small thing vs. letting something go unmet until it’s a huge impairment. Most tasks have a longer shelf life than stress and anxiety want us to think. Choosing rest when we need it, not when it feels earned is key.

It’s been said “we lose ourselves a little when we become mothers, but that’s OK. Moms are awesome at finding lost things.” And it’s true, love, focus and sacrifice come at a cost. That cost should not be a complete depletion of mental health. Take care of yourself by taking time to participate in the life you work so hard for. Take time to complete the stress cycle and leave room to meet your own needs.

“As a clinical therapist, being a part of another’s journey of healing and change is something I find a privilege as well as a great responsibility. I typically practice under a cognitivebehavioral umbrella and am complex trauma, and EMDR trained.”

About our Contributor

ART CONTEST

WIN

$100 CASH PRIZES! Vote For Your Favorite

Connection Publishing’s seventh annual community art competition is now open for entries. We can’t wait to see the artwork that our neighborhood has created! We anticipate this to be a fantastic competition and sincerely hope you’ll join us in honoring our local creatives. Submit your original artwork and ask your family and close friends to cast their votes for you.

PRIZES

Two winners will be announced in a future Connection magazine issue.

POPULAR VOTE

The piece of art receiving the most votes overall will receive a $100 cash prize.

PUBLISHER'S CHOICE

The piece of art most appreciated by our Publisher Ryan Spelts will win a $100 cash prize.

Winners announced in our July issue.

SUBMIT Visit website to participate in the competition: www.connectionpub.com/art-contest

ARTWORK MAY BE SUBMITTED MAY 1ST – MAY 31ST, 2023

Submissions and votes must be submitted before midnight on the 31st

This contest will run from May 1-31, 2023. One entry per artist. See website for official contest rules. Your art can be a drawing, painting, digital art, or sculpture. Take a photo and upload it to the website. Then share it via email or social media to have your family vote. People can vote once per day for the duration of the contest.

Photo quality is very important since the photo of your work will be voted on by the community and your peers. All digital files submitted need to be at 300 dpi resolution.

SAGE LAW PARTNERS Family Law

HIDDEN COSTS OF DIVORCE - HOW FAIR IS 50/50?

I have been reflecting on the differences between equal and equitable since finishing a trial last week. The longer I am involved in family law, the more I realize how inequitable “equal” can be. The default in a divorce case is to divide things 50/50, with each spouse receiving half of the assets. On its face, it seems like it should be fair. However, there are so many other “things” at play in a family that cannot be divided, and that is where significant inequities reside.

For instance, take a marriage that dissolves after 30+ years. In many of the cases that I see, the husband has been the primary income for the home. He has spent significant time in a career and has gained valuable experience in that field which has enabled him to continually improve in his ability to provide. The wife has likewise dedicated herself to taking care of the children, providing a good home for the family, and building important relationships for and with the family. The law starts with the premise that equal division is also equitable. While that may seem good on paper, it doesn’t take into account all of the intangibles that cannot be divided. Take for instance the husband’s work experience. Often that has been years of growth, positions with increasing levels of responsibility, and corresponding changes in compensation. After 30 years, the husband has significant contacts, a reputation, and skills that can be marketed in many different ways. His income is going to be difficult to replicate; it would take a similar length of time for someone to match those factors. When the wife has been home, focusing on responsibilities there, how does that workplace experience get divided? She is going to be starting

out in the lower levels of any career. She probably does not have the time to work and gain 30 years of experience before the end of her life. She certainly doesn’t want to work into her 80’s. Some of this inequity is balanced through an award of alimony, but even that is not totally fair. The courts focus on what the wife’s needs are; in so many cases I see opposing counsel going through a list of expenses, arguing that the wife doesn’t need so much money for miscellaneous things such as nails or hair styling, no money for gifts or donations (“those are luxury items”). The alimony issue is limited by the wife’s needs, which all too often means the wife has enough support to just get by, but not to thrive as she hopefully did during the marriage. As attorneys representing women in these alimony situations, we need to do a better job of painting the full picture of what the household lifestyle was like during the marriage in order to justify a more equitable alimony award. We should be taking into account what sort of travel was being done annually, and how much money was spent on that. We need to be looking at how much was being saved in retirement and for other purposes and be certain that our clients get similar treatment after the divorce. We need to build in expenses that will increase since wives will need to replace some of the household repair and maintenance work that their husbands previously did. We need to be more aware of what life will be like for a newly single woman in order to better address these issues of equity. If you have been through a divorce, what are some places where you faced inequity? Let me know so we can talk about those issues further and help others who face similar challenges.

DOIN' IT RIGHT Outstanding Local Kids

BY KRIS BLANKMAN

Her mom calls her “spicy,” and I think I understand. Getting the opportunity to visit with 16-year-old Chloe Walker was a pleasure! Cheerfulness exudes from her as she passionately told me about her FFA and rodeo adventures. Chloe is a Junior at Fremont High School and lives with her family in Warren, Utah. She is a member of the planning committee and the vet team in the FFA organization. She has been showing swine for nine years in 4H and now FFA. She says that pigs are fun and she enjoys the responsibility and all that working with them and taking care of them provides. She says that she is a better person because of it. Chloe enjoys living the western/agricultural lifestyle and plans to always have that as part of

her life. She said that “Agriculture is so important because it is needed in daily life and everything we do. People don’t realize how important it is, but it does make the world run.” She sees herself becoming an animal nutritionist in the future. When asked what other hobbies she has she had a hard time coming up with anything as she is so busy with school, her animals, and working at Bellas Restaurant. On top of all that, this darling girl rides a sorrel horse named Chicka for the District 9 rodeo team in Idaho. She competes in goat tying and breakaway roping with the goal to qualify for the state finals.

Communication, business management, a strong work ethic, and responsibility are just a few life lessons fifteen-year-old Garrison Selman has learned from years of being involved in 4H and living an agricultural lifestyle with his family. This charming and well-versed young man is a 9th-grade student at Rocky Mountain Jr. High and lives with his family in Taylor, Utah. Garrison has shown lambs and hogs in 4H for years but is now a member of the FFA and shows his projects under the organization. He has competed on the 4H meat judging team and looks forward to possibly doing that again, and he earned the High Intermediate Individual at last year’s State 4H contest. Garrison just won the State FFA Agriscience fair in the Power Structural Division with

his project on Hydrogen generation as an agricultural fuel source and will be competing at nationals in November. Garrison is also achieving success in the show pen earning 4th place in showmanship with his lamb two years ago. He enjoys the animals and being out in nature. He likes Math and Geography in school and when not busy with his animals he loves to fish! Garrison also competes locally with the Hooper Posse rodeos where he competes in Keyhole, Barrels, and Poles. Garrison looks to the future and is going into mechanical engineering for agriculture and design systems. He wants to design tractors and irrigation implementation systems. The future of agriculture in Utah is in good hands!

Chloe Walker with her FFA Project. | Photo by Erin Walker

Chloe Walker

Garrison Selman

Garrison Selman | Photo by USU Collegiate FFA

Silos

BY RACHEL BITTON

PART ONE

It is not a secret my requests to build the perfect farm are not small. whether it was the 25-foot antique windmill or old grain silos, somehow, my husband figures out how to get it done. I still remember the day he called me and said, ‘Don’t get your hopes up too high, but I might have found silos.’ I had been on the hunt for about two years for a silo that we could repurpose into an outdoor kitchen/entertaining area. An old farm had been sold and was being developed in Layton and there were two old silos ready to be demolished by the wrecking company. One silo had a worn-out bottom ring and the other had a smashed top, but after negotiations with the wrecker, we decided to take both. Figuring out how to get them home was another story.

used his trusty ratchet/tow straps hooked to the framing to lift the silos one by one. Each was placed on a flatbed trailer and carefully driven to Hooper. Once the silos made it home, we removed them from the trailer with a rented Gradall Excavator. I even helped with that part! Driving a 14-foot silo that was swinging by a tow strap was a bit nerve-wracking. I am grateful my husband figures out how to make all my crazy ideas a reality. The silos lived in our pasture until their final resting spot was ready with power stubbed and cement poured… more silo fun coming in part 2.

Stay Tuned!

Doing my Part!

Moving silos is no small feat. There are basically two options – remove 5 million bolts and disassemble ring by ring or move the entire silo whole. My husband preferred to move them whole. Silos are designed to hold weight from the inside, so you can’t just throw a chain around the outside of them and pick it up. They will collapse. Our silos already had some wood framing inside the roof area, so my husband added to it and shored it up. Then he

Doing his part!

I still remember the day he called me and said, ‘Don’t get your hopes up too high, but I might have found silos.’

Switch up your Sandwich

Zing! Bam! Wow! We’re blasting into your kitchen with some exciting transformations of an all-time family favorite—the sandwich. So read up, change up, eat up, and become a sandwich superhero!

BBQ Chicken Bacon

Avocado

Sandwich

By Ann Park

Bread of your choice—homemade rolls are ideal

Chicken breast, cooked and shredded

2 Tbsp. BBQ Sauce

Cheddar cheese slices

1-2 slices bacon—warm and crispy Dill pickles

Red onion slices

Mayo—optional

Mustard

Avocado slices

Season chicken breast with salt and garlic powder. Slow-cook chicken in crockpot for 6-7 hours on low, until meat is done and shreds easily. Add BBQ sauce to chicken and mix. Melt cheese on top of the meat. Add mustard and mayo (if desired) to bread. Pile on meat and melted cheese. Top with bacon, avocado slices, pickles and onions.

Slow Cooker Buffalo

Chicken Sliders

By Cindy Jones

*Serves 5

These easy, savory sliders are sure to please even the pickiest crowd. Pair them with fresh veggies and you have a low-effort dinner or game day snack that will have everyone asking for your recipe!

12 count King’s Hawaiian Rolls

4-5 Boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1 jar Sweet Baby Ray’s Buffalo Wing Sauce

1 package Ranch Dip Mix

Optional—Monterey Jack or Swiss cheese, cut into small squares

Add chicken, all but about ¼ cup of the buffalo sauce, and ranch mix in slow cooker. Cook on high for 4-5 hours , 6-7 hours if frozen.

Once the chicken is cooked through, remove it from your slow cooker and shred with forks. Add chicken back into pot, add additional buffalo sauce, stir, and let warm for 10 minutes.

Cut the Hawaiian rolls in half, add sliced cheese if desired, and toast in the oven at 175° for 5-6 minutes or until cheese is melted. Spoon shredded chicken mixture over rolls and add tops. Serve with fresh veggies and Ranch dip.

PHOTOS BY DAWN PAUL & MELISSA SPELTS

DAWN PAUL

DAWN PAUL

Italian Grinder with Slaw

By Ryan Spelts

I was feeding 7 people, so I purchased two Ciabatta bread loaves from Smith’s and sliced them in half. You may need to decrease the quantities if you are only making a few sandwiches. This made two full loaves worth of sandwich making 8 large servings.

1 lb. salami

1 lb. pepperoni

1.5 lb. smoked turkey

1 lb. Munster cheese

1 lb. Provolone cheese

1 head iceberg lettuce

2 tomatoes

1 red onion

½ jar banana peppers

¼ cup Italian dressing

1 cup Mayo

Salt and pepper to taste.

Optional: Olive slices, pickles

I put the meat and cheese on the sliced bread and baked under the broiler for about 10 minutes until the cheese was browning. For the slaw (this is the magic maker): chop the lettuce, onion, and banana peppers into tiny pieces. Pour into a large bowl and add dressing, mayo, salt, and pepper. Mix well.

Once the cheese is melted, pull the sandwiches from the oven. Add the slaw and any extra toppings you like and enjoy!

Cranberry Mayo Turkey Sandwiches

By Hailey Minton

This easy to make cranberry mayonnaise is the perfect complement to your favorite turkey sandwich.

Deli turkey, sliced thin Hoagie buns or your favorite bread

2 Tbsp. mayonnaise

2 Tbsp. whole berry cranberry sauce

Salt to taste

Optional toppings: cucumber, sprouts, fresh spinach, tomatoes, Monterey jack or mozzarella cheese.

Mix mayonnaise and cranberry sauce until blended and creamy. Spread onto hoagie buns or bread, layer turkey and toppings on, and enjoy!

Air Fryer Chips

By Ryan Spelts

6-7 Russet Potatoes, sliced thin

2- 4 Tbsp. Olive Oil

Salt to taste

Peel potatoes with a vegetable peeler. Using a mandolin or sharp knife, cut potatoes into thin slices. Transfer to a large bowl, add ice cubes and enough ice water to cover. Soak for 15 minutes and drain. Repeat this soaking process another 15 minutes. Drain potatoes, place on towels and pat dry. Add to a large mixing bowl, drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with table salt. Place potatoes in single layers in the bottom of the air fryer, add another layer in the basket. Cook at 400° for 15 minutes, or until crisp or slightly browned in spots (check them often to ensure they don’t get overcooked).

Convection Oven Option

for larger batches: Place potato slices on a large baking sheet, cook at 350° for 15 minutes or until slightly browned.

DAWN PAUL

IT'S NOT BACKED BY GOLD... IT IS GOLD!

BY RYAN SPELTS

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

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

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

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

What would happen if our financial system crashed? I hope it never does, but I also want to be prepared if it does. Even if the system didn’t fail but the dollar was diminished in value due to inflation like we are seeing now, it would be problematic. Our dollar lost its gold backing in 1971, so the only real value in the dollar is the faith we have in it as a society. So, how do we prepare for these possibilities? With gold! The main problem with buying gold is that gold is such a valuable asset that it would be hard to buy your day-to-day needs with, even with gold coins. The average Gold American Eagle coin is 1oz.. with a value today of about $1900. It would be hard to buy milk and eggs with that. I had a friend who would buy silver coins because they are so much more spendable in the long run. They are still worth $35. An innovative company in Alpine, Utah, has been working hard to develop a secondary currency that is not backed by gold, but it actually is gold. Meet Goldbacks. Goldbacks are the first physical, fully-interchangeable,

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

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

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

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

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

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