VOL. 8 ISSUE 94 | MARCH 2020 | SERVEDAILY.COM
YOUR COMMUNITY VOICE SERVING SPRINGVILLE, MAPLETON, SPANISH FORK, SALEM, PAYSON, SANTAQUIN, NEPHI, EUREKA
Ocean in Our Backyard Aquarium offers glimpse of world beyond the desert and mountains
One Stitch at a Time Business owner credits skills learned in sewing class for her success
In Honor of those Missing American Legion pays tribute to Spanish Fork veterans who never came home from war
local postal customer
PRSRT STD ECRWSS U.S. POSTAGE PAID SPRINGVILLE, UT PERMIT #7
SERVE DAILY FROM THE PUBLISHER
Time is Short; Use it Wisely By Chris Baird
Hello Serve Daily Readers. This month I would like to talk to you briefly about time and change. A few years back, my last living grandparent passed away. Things change. Dynamics of the family change. Get togethers change. Locations change. Zoom forward to now, March 2020. But rewind just a bit to February, a month that I had a short dream, where all that I remember was during the dream, my paternal
grandmother was in the final stages of her life and I had a few minutes alone with her. The last thing she said to me in the dream was, “Time Is Short”. This got me thinking about what we do with our time. There are so many things begging for our time, yet what do we value as most important? Recently returning from a family vacation, I came to realize just how short time is. My little one is almost one. Where did that year go? My oldest is eight, turning nine this
year, Where did almost a decade go? The time is now to focus on what is important, however, mostly the who. Family, friends, and other loved ones are an important aspect of life that a considerable amount of time should be enjoyed with. Sadly, at times drama can arise in any type of relationship. Recognizing that “Time Is Short” it would make a lot of sense to follow the third agreement as stated by Don Miguel Ruiz: Don’t Make Assumptions. Oftentimes we make
the assumption that “this” or “that” is the root of the problem in relationships. However, making assumptions can ruin the happiness of multiple people. So, as my wife and Don keep saying, “ask the questions you want for clear communication and understanding.” I make the challenge to you and to myself this month, to think about one of your relationships that may be full of drama. Really think about it. You may as well do it now while reading this article. You will thank yourself later.
All right, now do you have someone in mind? Yes? That’s great! Ponder for a while and figure out the best questions you could ask and reach out to whoever it is and work at mending that relationship. Let them know you value the relationship and would love things to be how they were, (granted this doesn’t work with all situations) and remember that “Time is Short”. As always, go out and find someone to Serve Daily, it’ll put a smile on their face and yours. Until next time, find
more great local stories in the remaining pages of this paper and visit our site at servedaily. com. (Baird is Publisher of Serve Daily.)
CORRECTION
Moroni Statue Follow-up
All ofByus at Serve Daily arecorrected commited to bringingAsyou quality editorialCardston Alberta, HamEd Helmick on that. As a follow-up let me the authorinform of that article bring some additional content in order to entertain, and educate our readers. ilton New Zealand, Laie
Last month’s article on my reaction was, “yes, facts. Hawaii, Logan Utah, the sculpture of the MoI knew that” and in my There are 168 dedicated Mesa Arizona, Oakland roni Statue atop Mormon surprise that the sculptemples and 8 temples California, St. George Temples stated that all ture was not designed in the world do not have Utah, and Paris France temples were adorned by an LDS member I statues. (Helmick is a Serve Daily gold-plated overlooked Eight notfeedback contributor.) te to with let ustheknow whichstatof this momentarily months stories you enjoyed, andtemples give usdoany you think would ue. Off course we were the correct facts. have Moroni statues:
r Feedback is Appreciated!
ily better for all readers. Your returned form will be entered in a drawing for great gifts and prizes!
Smile! State:
Zip:
Photograph by Steve Gray. Story begins on Page 11.
ed form to: Serve Daily • 198 South Main Suite 8 • Springville, UT 84663 2
MARCH 2020
WWW.SERVEDAILY.COM Publisher / Executive Editor Chris Baird • chris@servedaily.com Editor James Davis • editor@servedaily.com Contact Serve Daily 801-477-6845
On the Cover
A smile can change the world, and no person perhaps exemplifies this ability more than Brandon Baker of Payson, who has been greetings passersby with a smile and a wave for years. City:
Serve Daily is published monthly and dedicated to being your source for inspiration and information.
Submit news at servedaily.com/submit Columns contributed are appreciated but may not directly
reflect the views and opinions of Serve Daily or its advertisers. Reproduction in whole or in part without editor’s permission is prohibited. Additional copies may be purchased for $1 payable to Serve Daily in advance. No person, without express permission of Serve Daily may take more than one copy of any Serve Daily issue. All rights reserved.
SERVE DAILY IN OUR BACKYARD
Oceans in Our Backyard Loveland Living Planet Aquarium offers glimpse of a world hard to fathom while locked to the land By Ed Helmick
This is one of those destinations we have all passed when driving I-15 to Salt Lake City. It is an eye-catching building on the west side of the freeway. It is even more eye catching with the recently completed 165-foot structure called EECO (Ecosystem Exploration Craft and Observatory). But how many of us have stopped to see what the Loveland Living Planet Aquarium has to offer young and old alike as we drive by at 70 miles per hour. Well, let’s stop and learn the treasure we have after a short drive from south Utah County. To get to the aquarium you travel north on I-15 to Exit 291, which is 12300 South and proceed westbound to the northbound Lone Peak Parkway, which is your next stoplight. You can see “The Claw” and the aquarium building north of it. As you approach the Loveland Living Planet Aquarium you realize it is a world class and huge facility, occupying 136,000 square feet. The
volume of the largest water tank is 300,000 gallons and the total water tank volume of the aquarium is 600,000 gallons. It is home to 4,500 animals representing over 650 species. The aquarium has six exhibit areas. The entire facility is wheelchair accessible. The Ocean Explorer Exhibit features salt-water species, including seven species of sharks, sea turtles, sting rays, eels, sea jellies, and more. A fascinating feature of this tank is a 40-foot tunnel made of 3.5-inch acrylic that enables visitors to walk through this huge aquarium tank to view the sea creatures just inches away. There are also several large viewing walls looking into the massive aquarium tank. Several rows of seats allow you to be mesmerized by the mostly graceful and beautiful swimming of these sea creatures. The sea turtles are amazing because they are not graceful swimmers. This exhibit has hundreds of smaller sepsis specific windows to their world. The Journey to South Amer-
TO ADVERTISE IN SERVE DAILY CALL 801-477-6845
Photo by Ed Helmick
More than 1 million visitors arrive at the aquarium each year to explore the depths of our world.
ica Exhibit takes you through a tropical rain forest, where you will encounter the vast diversity of species that inhabit the rain forest ecosystem. It is warm, humid, green, and lush with a forest higher than the two floors of the exhibit. A fun feature for the kids is a swinging bridge across jungle canyon. You will see a 14 foot anaconda snake, tree boa constrictors, tree frogs, piranha fish, electric eels, and of course Amazon giants. Most importantly, you will learn how we benefit from the rain forest and why we need to protect this unique habitat. The Discover Utah Exhibit features three North American River Otters which are currently being reintroduced to locations in Utah. The otters were delightfully active and entertaining during our visit. Utah’s threatened and endangered species such as the June Sucker and least chub are also part of the exhibit, which was certainly educational. The emphasis of this exhibit is the importance of preserving and protecting Utah’s waterways.
The Antarctic Adventure takes visitors to a Falkland Island research station. The fun part of this exhibit is seeing the penguins. They are fun creatures to watch as they are cautious walkers on land and natural born swimmers. This is another exhibit that you can spend a lot of time watching. It is also interesting that 90 percent of penguins mate for life. After a period of activity, it must have been nap time because most of them laid down for rest. The Expedition Asia Exhibit features many different species of Asian birds, fish, and reptiles. A unique feature of this exhibit are the two clouded leopards named Koshi and Rhu. At the time of our visit the leopards were visible taking a nap. Ask when you check-in at the entrance for the feeding and training schedule for the leopards and other animals. Obviously, this is an entertaining and educational opportunities for the kids. Throughout this huge building there are hundreds of interactive
things for kids to do, including some kid size passageways. There is also a two story, kids 12 and under, play area called Tuki’s Island that is available for an additional $3 fee. To get your money’s worth out of the entrance fee you should plan on spending most of the day at this treasure of an aquarium facility. The Reef Café food is well prepared and a reasonable price for a mid-day meal. General admission tickets are $19.95 for age 18-64. Military, Students, and Seniors are $16.95. Children age 3-12 are $14.95. The Loveland Living Planet Aquarium is a huge world class facility and the only place in Utah and the surrounding intermountain area to explore the Ocean, South America, and Asian rain forest. Plus, there is an exhibit area to learn about the native species of Utah. The Loveland Living Planet is an incredible place and it is amazing that it is in our back yard so close to the towns and cities of south Utah County.(Helmick is a Serve Daily contributor.)
MARCH 2020
3
SERVE DAILY THE REST OF THE STORY
College graduate realizes dream of sharing wonders of ocean with people of the desert By Ed Helmick
Serve Daily is about positive and uplifting people, organizations, and events. Occasionally while working on one story we find another amazing story behind the first story. While researching the history of the Loveland Living Planet Aquarium it was discovered that this $27 million world class facility was the result of the passion and persistence of a young college graduate, Brent Andersen. This becomes its own inspiring and motivational story of what amazing work we can do with our lives. Brent grew up in Sandy and when he was 5 years
old his grandmother gave him a Time-Life book about the sea. We never know how much we influence kids growing up, but Brent grew up wanting to be a marine biologist. He got a degree from the University of California Santa Barbara and returned to Utah. Sharing the underwater world of the sea with the landlocked people of Utah was his dream. While listening to a motivational audio tape the question was asked “What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?” Brent’s answer was to build a world class aquarium to share with the
Brent Anderson
community. As he tells the story in business.utah.gov he created a nonprofit organization in 1997 and went to work on his endeavor. Initially with “Aquavan” outfitted with portable marine exhibits to ed-
ucate school students about marine life. It was a financial challenge and drain on his checking account and credit cards were maxed out. However, Brent was getting his vision of an aquarium out to the public. In 2004 with donations from philanthropists who shared his vision, an aquarium exhibit was built at the Gateway Mall. It proved popular and attendance reached 150,000 the first year. In 2006 a larger facility was opened in Sandy with attendance reaching 460,000 per year. Clearly Brent’s dream was working and serving the community.
In 2010 several prominent members of the Utah business community joined the Board of Trustees. The Loveland Family Foundation made a major donation that accelerated the purchase of 17 acres for the aquarium’s permanent home in Draper to build the $27 million facility. The Loveland Living Planet Aquarium opened to the public in 2014 and every year since has seen more than 1 million visitors per year. But there is more, in Oct. 2018 a nine-acre expansion began for a Science Learning Campus adjacent to the aquarium. The visually crowning
feature of this facility is an architectural wonder known as EECO (Ecosystem Exploration Craft & Observatory). This 250-ton steel structure, 165 feet tall served as the stage for the music group U2’s world tours from 2009-2011 and was known as The Claw. Beneath This structure will be the 80,000 square foot Science Learning Center, which will provide immersive experiences to learn about the natural world. All because one young man fresh out of college had a dream to share the wonders of the ocean with the people of desert Utah. (Helmick is a Serve Daily contributor.)
“We take as much of the hassle out of a repair as we can, helping with renting a vehicle and dealing with the insurance. And your car is always detailed when you pick it up!” 4
MARCH 2020
SERVE DAILY
In Honor of Those Still Missing American Legion pays tribute to Spanish Fork veterans who never returned from war By Ed Helmick
The American Legion is an organization to support our military veterans and the Spanish Fork Post recently honored seven World War II veterans who did not return to their families in Spanish Fork. It was a touching event and Serve Daily would like to share with you details of this tribute. In front of the podium was a table with seven chairs and place settings. A Certificate of Honor and a photo of each individual was at each place setting. Then American Legion member Steve Wilson commenced a reading of “An Empty Table” which provided a beautiful explanation of the evening tribute. An Empty Table Those who have served and those currently serving the uniformed services of the United States of America are ever mindful that the sweetness of
enduring peace has always been tainted by the bitterness of personal sacrifice. We are compelled to never forget that while we enjoy our daily pleasures, there are others who have endured and may still be enduring the agonies of pain, deprivation, and internment. Tonight, we will pause to recognize our POW’s and MIA’s. We call your attention to this small table, which occupies a place of dignity and honor. Tonight, it is set for seven symbolizing the fact that these members of our armed forces are missing from our ranks. They are referred to as POW’s (Prisoners of War) and MIA’s (Missing in Action). They are unable to be with their loved ones and families tonight, so we join to pay our humble tribute to them, and bear witness to their continued absence. We call them “comrades”. The tablecloth is white, symbolic of the purity of their in-
George Melvin Close
Blaine Arthur Hales
Born Feb. 23, 1923, P l ay e d on the Spanish F o r k H i g h School basketball team. Two months after marrying Elsie Webb he was drafted into the army. He was on a British transport ship, HMT Rohna, in the Mediterranean Sea headed for Egypt when it was bombed by a German airplane on Nov. 27, 1943 which resulted in the greatest loss of “troops at sea” in U.S. History.
Born Dec. 16, 1920 in Spanish Fork. He enlisted on Sept. 1, 1940 in the Army Air Corps. Private Hales was stationed on Corregidor Island in the Philippines when the island was captured by the Japanese. He became a POW and was a survivor of the Bataan death march. Blaine became an interpreter in the Philippines for Prison Camp #1. He was being relocated on an unmarked Japanese transport ship, the Arisan Maru which
tentions to respond to their country’s call to arms. The single rose in the vase, signifies the blood they may have shed in sacrifice to ensure the freedom of our beloved United States of America. This rose also reminds us of the families and friends of our missing comrades who keep the faith, while awaiting their return. The red and black ribbon on the vase represents the ribbons worn on the lapels of the thousands who demand with unyielding determination a proper accounting of our comrades who are not among us today. The American Flag reminds us that many have not returned and have paid the supreme sacrifice to insure our freedom. A slice of lemon on the plate reminds us of their bitter fate. The salt sprinkled on the plate reminds us of the countless fallen tears of family as they wait. The glass is inverted symbolizing they cannot toast with us
was torpedoed by a U.S. submarine and sunk Oct. 24, 1944. Blair Reed Johnson Born Sept. 9, 1918 in Palmyra, Utah. He enlisted on Sept. 13, 1940 and joined the 60th Coastal Artillery regiment. Blair was a sergeant stationed on Corregidor in the Philippines as part of the Battery C unit. The Japanese captured the island and he spent three years as a POW. Blair was being relocated on the unmarked Japanese
TO ADVERTISE IN SERVE DAILY CALL 801-477-6845
Photo by Ed Helmick
During the ceremony there was a table of honor for the seven missing veterans.
tonight. The chair is empty because they are not here. The candle is reminiscent of the light of hope, which lives in our hearts to illuminate their way home, away from their captors, to open the
transport ship, the Arisan Maru. The ship was torpedoed by a U.S. Submarine and sank on Oct. 24, 1944. Almost all the POWs drowned and were lost at sea. Floyd Earl Stoker Born March 9, 1920 i n Spanish Fork. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on Oct. 5, 1939. Floyd served on the U.S.S. Houston as an Electrician’s Mate Second Class. The U.S.S, Houston survived several big battles. Unfortunately,
arms of a grateful nation. May God forever watch over them and protect them and their families. Let us remember and never forget their sacrifices. (Helmick is a Serve daily contributor.)
during the battle of the Sunda Strait, his ship was sunk by the Japanese and Floyd was reported missing in action on Feb. 28, 1942. Ralph Leon Simmons Born March 1 8 , 1925 in Spanish Fork, and was drafted into the U.S. Navy on July 16, 1943. Ralph was a Soundman Third-class on the destroyer, U.S.S. Stack. While in the Pacific Ocean at the Linguyen Gulf, Ralph disappeared during his eight to 12-hour
watch on Jan. 12, 1945. He was never found, and the Navy deemed him missing in action and dead. Waldon Williams Born May 10, 1918 in Spanish Fork. H e joined t h e U . S . Army Air Corps and received flight training in England and was flying the P-39 Araroba in the South Pacific with the rank of Major. He was scheduled to return to the United States in mid-April Continued on Next Page.
MARCH 2020
5
SERVE DAILY
Lost
The story behind Spanish Fork’s 7 missing veterans
From previous page.
1943. On April 7, a group of Japanese Zero fighter airplanes were spotted on the base radarscope. Although he was not required to go, he joined his squadron anyway in a P-39 Airacorba. Reportedly he had two wingmen alongside of him. An enemy Zero fighter got behind Major Williams; he made a steep dive knowing the Zero could not sustain the dive. The Japanese fighter peeled away but Major Williams could not pull out of the dive and went into water. It was later determined an error in the P-39 design caused the plane to not be
By Ed Helmick
able to pull out of a steep dive at certain speeds. Major Waldon Williams was reported lost at sea in the South Pacific in the Guadalcanal Campaign on April 7, 1943. Daniel Rulon Gull Born April 11, 1926 in Spanish Fork. He enlisted in the Navy on April 25, 1943. He was a Seaman First-class aboard the SS H.D. a tanker with 103,000 barrels of gasoline and kerosene. The ship was sunk by a Japanese submarine in the Arabian Sea April 14, 1945. (No photograph available.)
One story often leads to another. After learning how the American Legion Post #68 came to recognize seven Spanish Fork Military Service members who never came home after World War II, Serve Daily wants to tell story of the lady who did the research. Spanish Fork resident Angela Beecher has two uncles, one from her mother’s side and one from her father’s side who were classified Missing in Action. Her great uncle was a Japanese prisoner of war on the transport ship the Arisan Maru which was torpedoed by a U.S.
Angela Beecher Navy submarine resulting in the loss of 1,772 POWs. This kind of family loss was common during WWII with the United States involved in wars in Europe and the Pacific. Last year Angela’s family was contacted by the
Defense MIA/POW Accounting Agency requesting a DNA sample for her dad’s brother, Glen Bodrero. It was originally thought that his airplane went down in the ocean, but it is now believed that wreckage of his airplane has been found in a mountain range in the Philippines. After attending a family update for MIA families, Beecher gave herself an assignment to research MIA soldiers from Utah and locate their memorials. Last Memorial Day Angela and her daughter visited 17 cemeteries in Utah and placed a MIA/ POW flag and red carnation on head stones.
They found that many of those solders do not have memorials here in Utah and some of their names are only mentioned on foreign soil. Angela’s research work identified seven WWII solders, airmen, and sailors from Spanish Fork. Her nextdoor neighbor is David Johnson, Commander of American Legion Post #68, who thought it would be wonderful to hold an event to honor the seven who did not return home to Spanish Fork. It was a wonderful event and we appreciate the research and commitment of a lady who “serves us daily.” (Helmick is a Serve Daily contributor.)
Post your events for free online at www.servedaily.com/calendar
FIRST TIME HOME BUYER SEMINAR
FIRST TIME HOME BUYER SEMINAR
Refreshments will be served.
Refreshments will be served.
Raffle!
Raffle!
march 19th, 2020 6:30-7:30pm with briana greenwood
Movie Night & Dinner For Two No purchase necessary
6
MARCH 2020
april 2nd, 2020 6:30-7:30pm with susan crawford
Movie Night & Dinner For Two NMLS# 252108 | Equal Housing Lender
No purchase necessary
NMLS# 252108 | Equal Housing Lender
SERVE DAILY TRADES IN NEED
One Stitch at a Time
Orem woman credits a school sewing class with launching her successful business This is part three of a series Serve Daily is doing on trades and the need for more skilled workers. In 2019, the Department of Labor reported the US economy had 7.6 million unfilled skilled labor jobs, but only 6.5 million people were looking for work. With population growing, and skilled workers decreasing in numbers, Serve Daily hopes that through this series of articles, it will encourage individuals to consider learning a trade and pursuing a future in related jobs. By Arianne Brown
It all started in her junior high school sewing class at Mountain Ridge Junior High School in Highland, and now Rachel Nilsson of Orem is the owner of a multi-million dollar company called “Rags” that creates unique clothing for children all over the world. According to Nilsson, if she hadn’t taken that sewing class in junior high,
and then a subsequent one in high school, she wouldn’t be where she is today. “The sewing class was part of a home economics course that I had to take in school, and we learned the basics of working a sewing machine,” she said. “I took a class in high school for a credit, and had a fun time sewing bags for friends. I also started sewing fabric onto my own shirts to make them fit better because I have a really long torso.” One day, Nilsson was in a boutique while wearing one of the shirts she had sewn, and the owner asked about it. Nilsson explained that she had designed and sewn the shirt she was wearing, and the owner asked her to make some to be sold at the store. According to Nilsson, earning money from a trade she learned gave her confidence to do more. It was that confidence that helped her start her business during a
Rachel Nilsson too her idea for a one-piece romper with an elastic neckline for children to Shark Tank, and the rest is history.
challenging time for her family. In 2014, while living in her parent’s basement with her husband and three young kids, Nilsson was struggling to make ends meet. To help, she started sewing children’s clothing from old clothes she had and began selling them on Instagram. As a mother of small kids, she saw a need for a simple outfit that kids could slide on and off, so she produced a one piece romper with an elastic neckline. She took her idea to the show, Shark Tank, and six years later, her company has a dedicated following with loyal customers, making it what it is today. “When you have a skill, then you are able to solve problems,” she said. “When I was sewing my own shirts, I was solving a problem with the skill I learned. When my family was struggling financially, I used that same skill to solve another problem.” Nilsson says that learning trades can often help people to be proactive in their own futures because they have something to offer that maybe someone else doesn’t. She says that while she sees the value in going to college and getting a degree, that sometimes it can be stifling if it isn’t the right path for you. She encourages people who are inclined to also learn trades. “I think college is
TO ADVERTISE IN SERVE DAILY CALL 801-477-6845
Courtesy photos
Rachel Nilsson started her company, Rags, with inspiration she gained from a sewing class in junior high school.
important, but sometimes it can be a hindrance,” she said. “Learning trades and skills that you can
use to solve problems is so valuable and something I’m super passionate about. I encourage
people to take this path if it works for them.” (Brown is a Serve Daily contributor.)
MARCH 2020
7
SERVE DAILY
Kindergarten student helps school raise funds for cancer research By Arianne Brown
Brockbank Elementary School in Spanish Fork was able to donate nearly $3,000 to breast cancer research with the help of a kindergarten student with a big heart. Ace Sampson was sitting in his classroom when a sixth grade student from the school’s “Kid’s Power Committee” came to present the school’s fundraiser for that year, which was the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. The student presented the fundraiser by telling the class the story of a friend of hers who lost her mother to breast cancer. According to Ace’s mom, Jessica Sampson, what Ace heard that day
touched him deeply, and sprung him into action. “When I picked Ace up from school, he told me that we needed to go to the bank to get $100 out of his account because he was going to cure cancer,” Jessica Sampson said. Sampson said that she and her husband encouraged Ace to donate money, but maybe not that much. Undeterred, Ace persisted, and so his parents, along with and aunt decided to make some cookies to sell to help him raise some money. “We made some sugar cookies with pink frosting and some chocolate chip cookies to sell,” Sampson said. “I posted about it on my Instagram page, and
we didn’t think it would go very far, but it started spreading like wildfire.” Ace did a few sales door-to-door, but calls started coming in from the neighborhood, across the state and even from other states, namely Nevada and Illinois. The young kindergartener set out to donate $100, but in 24 hours, was able to raise $450 to bring to his school. Ace’s story was published on the school’s website, and was picked up by KSL.com, grabbing the attention of Arctic Circle’s corporate office, who sent a check for $1,000 to the school to be donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
According to a school spokesperson, the total donated by students at the school including Ace was $1,763.65. With the donation from Arctic Circle, the total the school was able to donate to the foundation was $2,763.65. When asked how he felt about the money he was able to help raise, his mother said that he was happy he could help. “When I told Ace that because of his desire to help, that Arctic Circle was donating $1,000, he said, ‘Well I guess that means there will be a lot more people that can be alive in this world with all this money we’ve earned!” (Brown is a Serve Daily contributor.)
Courtesy photo
Ace Sampson, a kindergarten student at Brockbank Elementary in Spanish Fork, was inspired to start a fundraiser that helped the school raise almost $3,000 for cancer research.
*this promotion does not apply to Prescriptions, Willow Tree or Elf on the Shelf, as we are not allowed to do discounts for these products.
Come Visit Our Gift Shop Today! 724 S 1600 W. Mapleton, UT 84664
8
MARCH 2020
SERVE DAILY
Overcoming Hardship through Service Former Genola mayor finds purpose in service after facing difficulties By Arianne Brown
It was a place he never thought he’d be in. A father of seven, standing in the Bishop’s storehouse with his wife, with a grocery cart full of food to feed his family. This was a low Genola resident Lonny Ward never thought he’d hit, and at the time, was afraid he’d never climb out of. But he did make his way out and is now helping countless others around the world to find their way out of challenging economic hardships. For more than a decade, Ward worked as the manager at the BYU Dairy, believing it was something he would spend the remainder of his career doing. All that changed when over time, Ward came to the realization that he needed a change -- that there was something more out there for him and his family. “It was a difficult decision for us to make,” Ward said. “In the transition, we used up all our savings, retirement, and all of our credit. In the end, we had no money, and I never thought of using church welfare to take care of my family; yet, there we were. It was devastating to be in this position. Having grown up on a small farm in southern Idaho, I always believed that as long as you worked hard, you would be able to provide for yourself.” For the next several years, Ward and his family struggled financially at a time when the U.S. economy itself was still recovering. Ward said that they nearly lost their home, yet in his own hardship, he still felt compelled to find a way to serve others. “Even in our family’s deepest despair, I felt like I needed to find a way to serve others,” Ward said. “I found small employment opportunities to travel to places like Kenya to set up schools, and I served as a member of the city council for a few years. And for some reason, at that time, I felt like I needed to run for mayor.” Running for mayor of Genola would not fix his family’s financial woes, as the stipend for the position was $150
Lonny Ward joined an organization called CHOICE Humanitarian to serve people in developing countries.
per month. Even so, Ward went to the town office to file the paperwork to run, and in 2014, was sworn in as mayor, serving one term in that position. During his time as mayor, and through other opportunities to serve overseas, Ward said he began to have a
richest of rich and the poorest of poor, I learned that people even in impoverished situations still had so much. I found that rather than focusing on what they didn’t have, many of the people were grateful for what they did have. It helped me to do the same in my life.”
“When you find yourself in the service of others, you will always find fulfillment because we all have value.” - Lonny Ward deep love for people of all walks of life. He wanted to use his background in public service and agriculture to teach people in developing countries how to live self-sustaining lives -- something he was working on doing in his own life as a husband and father. “My own life situation really humbled me,” Ward said. “Then going to places like Kenya where there are the
TO ADVERTISE IN SERVE DAILY CALL 801-477-6845
Ward began looking for positions in his professional life to be able to serve more fully, people in developing countries, and began working for an organization called CHOICE Humanitarian. This organization creates programs and projects to eliminate poverty in rural communities by teaching them how to use their natural resources. “I’ve seen mothers who will walk
Courtesy photo
for hours just to get fresh water to their homes, but after we teach them how to have access to it on their front step, it opens up a whole new world,” Ward said. “When these mothers aren’t spending that time getting water, they are now able to learn a new skill to help provide for their family and feel selfworth.” That sense of self-worth is something that Ward said is one of the most valuable things people can have. “When I think back I remember how worthless I felt,” he said. “I’ve seen the same in those who I work with. Just because you don’t have a job, or struggle providing for your family, you still have value. “It often takes going through tough times to be able to get to a better place. But when you find yourself in the service of others, you will always find fulfillment because we all have value.” (Brown is a Serve Daily contributor.)
MARCH 2020
9
SERVE DAILY
Feed Utah aims to take a bite out of hunger By Jennifer Durrant
I recently sat down to plan out my upcoming calendar and realized there are a lot of significant annual events that happen in March. Some of those events are pure fun and joyful, like St. Patrick’s Day on March 17 and Holi Fest at the Krishna Temple in Spanish Fork on March 28–29. Other days are slightly dreaded, like the beginning of Daylight Saving Time on March 8 and whatever the Ides of March are on the 15th. There is also the monthlong frenzy that is Girl Scout Cookie sales and
the always-welcomed arrival of spring on March 19. There is one event, however, that always tops my list of significance, and this year the event is experiencing a bit of a transformation. Scouting for Food, the nationwide annual food drive, will now be known as Feed Utah 2020 within the state and is scheduled for March 21. While the name and who can now participate might have changed, the partnerships and staggering need for the food drive have not. More participation Previously, the Scouting for Food drive was
primarily led by the Boy Scouts of America and directed locally by leaders within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. With the church’s separation from the Boy Scouts this year, the biggest change is the broadening of who can participate. For 2020, all children ages 8 and older— both boys and girls—can now help collect donated canned goods for the food drive. Under the direction of their adult leaders, this increased group of youth is now invited to focus on food collected within their assigned congre-
SUNROC BUILDING MATERIALS
is now SUNPRO
gation, stake and ward boundaries. That process includes picking up plastic bags from participating Associated Food stores, distributing the bags to every door throughout the neighborhoods, and then collecting and dropping off the nonperishable food the morning of March 21. By expanding who can participate in this year’s food drive, Feed Utah 2020 organizers anticipate even more success this year. For the past 35 years, the national Scouting for Food drive has been collecting canned food for the nation’s food-insecure population. Not wanting to diminish the success of the long-standing food drive, the local and general leadership within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has joined forces with Just Serve to continue the tra-
dition within the state of Utah. Other statewide partners include media sponsors, the Boy Scouts of America, the Utah National Guard, the Utah Trucking Association, and Associated Food Stores like Macey’s, Kamas Food Town, Day’s, and Fresh Market. In 2019, Community Action Services and Food Bank provided food for 26,784 individuals, including 10,614 families, and sent home 40,832 Kids Nutrition Paks, serving food-insecure residents living in Utah, Summit and Wasatch counties. This food drive comes at the perfect time each year when the CASFB food bank, the second-largest in the state, is beginning to be depleted after the holiday season. Another highlight for this year is that every single can of food donated
within Utah, Summit and Wasatch counties during this food drive will stay in those three counties, providing much-needed sustenance for your own neighbors. Mark your calendars for March 21 and start cleaning out those pantries. If you don’t receive donation bags or flyers, we strongly encourage you to bring any bags or boxes of food items directly to our Provo location (815 S. Freedom Blvd.) that day. We will have teams of people ready to help you with your donations. To learn more about Feed Utah 2020 or find a dropoff location near you, visit FeedUtah2020.org. Richard Manning is the food bank manager of Community Action Services and Food Bank in Provo. CASFB is located at 815 S. Freedom Blvd., Suite 100. (Serve Daily submission.)
Post your events for free online at www.servedaily.com
Lost In Paperwork? CHRIS SMITH TAXES PAYROLL BOOKKEEPING TAXES
New name. Same everything else. CALL TODAY! 801-548-9033 10
MARCH 2020
SERVE DAILY I WAS SERVED
SMILE & WAVE The Power in a
Payson resident lifts spirits of passersby with an always friendly greeting By Arianne Brown
I have a friend who stands on the corner as I head on my run up to the Payson P or on the canal trail. Sometimes he waves, while other times he will greet me with a high-five that I must brace myself for if I don’t want to end up falling to the ground. Whether it is a wave or a high-five, it is always accompanied with a smile. And each time I am greeted, I feel like I am being served in the purest of ways: genuine kindness and love for fellow men and women. My friend has a name, and as it seems, I am not his only friend. Brandon Baker, 38, has been a friend to countless locals and visitors since his family moved to Payson 25 years ago. And according to his mother, JoAnn Baker, her son has always had the talent of making people smile.
“Brandon is the second child of four children, and is classified as non-verbal and mentally delayed,” Joann Baker said. “Even with his challenges, my husband and I decided not to treat him differently. He did what the other kids did, and we took him wherever we went. He has been a local fixture always waving and smiling at people. We can’t go anywhere without someone knowing Brandon. He really has left his mark on so many.” Last year, Brandon was featured on KSL for having saved a young man’s life with just a smile and wave and was recently given the “Heroes” award and awarded a special agent pin by Attorney General Sean Reyes. When hearing of Brandon’s award, family members, friends and locals were not surprised. Many share the same love and gratitude for a man
who shares his love so simply. Serve Daily asked many locals to share their thoughts on Payson’s local hero. Philip Baker
I am Brandon’s older brother. He’s the second child in our group of four siblings. Brandon has always been a happy, social person! He has this way of putting a smile on anyone’s face with his quiet, simple way. Whether it’s hearing his infectious laugh, getting a high five from him or seeing him make a bee-line toward you when he sees you in a crowd, Brandon can make you feel so special. He has a deep love for his family, and nothing makes him happier than when we are all together. He has eight, soon to be nine, nieces and nephews and I love watching the interaction he has with each of them. I was at my parents’
TO ADVERTISE IN SERVE DAILY CALL 801-477-6845
Photo by Steve Gray
Brandon Baker continues to be a friend to countless strangers as he greets them outside his home in Payson with a smile and a wave.
house one day and my sister and mom had to go somewhere so they asked me if I could sit there with Brandon and my 2-year-old niece. While I was watching TV, I realized that my niece had wandered out somewhere in the house. In a panic I ran around looking for her only to discover that she had found her way into uncle Brandon’s room. He had picked her up and put her on his bed. As I watched uncle Brandon began grabbing his toys as she pointed at them and placing them on his bed around her, and the two of them began playing. This went on for quite a while, and I quite honestly couldn’t
tell who was having more fun! Jyllyn Moore
It’s been 20 years since I graduated, so my memories have faded, but in school, on countless occasions I can remember feeling a tap on my shoulder and turning around to find Brandon standing behind me with a big smile on his face. For some reason, he always wanted to shake my hand. His smile was contagious, and he always had the most positive attitude. He always makes everyone he comes in contact with feel special and noticed. He literally is a friend to all.
Samilynn Summerhays
Brandon is my cousin. His dad and my mom are siblings. Our families have always been pretty close. He is about nine years older than me, so I have known him my entire life. We have always had a special connection. I remember playing with him when I was a kid. I knew he was different than my other older cousins (he’s non-verbal) but It never seemed weird to me or anything because he communicates in his own way and I just understood him or tried my best to when I wasn’t sure what he was saying. Continued on Next Page.
MARCH 2020
11
SERVE DAILY From Previous Page.
He has always been so kind and gentle. When I was going through my self-conscious teenage years he would always greet me by telling me that I was beautiful (in sign). He
always seems to know when someone needs a boost. He has a “thing” for kids. He loves to make them smile. When I was pregnant, I told him I was having a baby, and I think he was the most excited out of everyone I told. For those
nine months, every time he saw me, he ran to me. He did the sign for baby and pointed to my belly, and I would assure him my baby is still growing and will be here soon. Of course he was so excited when my daughter was born. When he
FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED FOR 34 YEARS! • COLORED MULCH • DECORATIVE BARK AND ROCK • ASTM CERTIFIED PLAY CHIPS • SCREENED TOP SOIL • COMPOST • SAND • LS FABRIC AND LAWN EDGING • TREE RINGS • WISHING WELLS • BIRD HOUSES
& MUCH MORE!
CALL OR STOP BY TODAY!
801-489-4777
Katie Garlick
I-15 EXIT 260
955 S. 1950 W. SPRINGVILLE
Copies Plus Printing was founded in 1984 in Springville by Mike and Sharon Ewing as a small two copier operation. After steady growth the current building was constructed and we became more than a simple “Mom & Pop” copy center. Currently we are an industry leader for Digital & Offset Printing. Despite our growth, we at Copies Plus Printing still hold to the same “small-business” ideals, such as customer service and genuine care for your business.
DA
TH E
ILY H E RA
LD
BEST O F
UTAH VALLEY
R EA
DE
RS
2018 ’ C
S
SERVING ALL OF UTAH COUNTY FOR OVER 34 YEARS!
About Us
RD
LANDSCAPING SUPPLIES
WE DELI V ANYWHE ER RE!
W ICE A
A
Some of the Services we offer HO
Digital Printing
Offset Printing
Post press Services
Graphic Design
717 North Main Street Springville, Utah 84663 P: 801.489.3456 F: 801.489.4828 jobs@copiesplusprinting.com copiesplusprinting.com 12
MARCH 2020
became an uncle when his siblings had kids, he became such a great and fun uncle. Growing up with Brandon and experiencing his passion for life is one of the main things that put me on my career path that I have been on for the past 15 years, advocating for people with special needs. Most people know him because he loves to stand outside of his house to wave at passing cars. His excitement at making people smile and having them wave back at him is palpable, and it never waivers. He has a true passion and talent of making others happy. I went to school with Brandon from middle school all the way up to
when we graduated from high school. In high school I was a peer tutor and I got to work with Brandon and a few others. I remember going to the gym and shooting some hoops, going to the indoor and outdoor tracks and walking/running. I had a few classes with Brandon. I too have a learning disability(A.D.D.) I took ASL (American Sign Language) with Brandon in the class so when I see him anywhere I know that I can talk to him with my voice or using ASL. I worked at Walmart in Payson, and I would drive by Brandon’s house on my way to and from work. I used to drive a VW bug and he knew my car. I didn’t have to honk because he knew
who I was when I’d turn the corner. I had many bad days at work, and he would wave to me and he always had a big smile on his face and he always made my day 100 percent better. Tiffany Egan
I love that no matter what he’s been through, he always has a smile and wave for every person who drives by. I love that he got me out of class a few times (kicked out) cause I was talking to him more than listening to the teacher. I love the smile he puts on my face when I drive by his house and he gives me the same smile and wave he had back in school. Brandon is the definition of a pure soul. (Brown is a Serve Daily contributor.)
SERVE DAILY
Foundation awards grants to local Youth Education in Shooting Sports Programs ganization, all donations made to the MidwayUSA Foundation are tax-de-
ductible and thanks to the generosity of Larry and Brenda Potterfield,
DA
TH E
ILY
HERA
all donations in 2020 are matched. (Serve Daily submission.)
LD
BEST OF
ER
2019
DS
UTAH VALLEY AR
clicking on the donate button in the upper-right hand corner. The MidwayUSA Foundation Team Endowment Program gives a community the ability to financially support a competitive youth shooting sports program. Like other sports, shooting teams provide wonderful opportunities for students to make friends, develop confidence, and learn discipline and leadership skills. The MidwayUSA Foundation Team Endowments provide financial support to high school and college-level youth shooting sports teams across America. As 501(c)(3) non-profit or-
AD
Riverton Shooting Team, Riverton - $12,020; Skyline X, Spanish Fork$10,876; Trigger Therapy, Ephraim - $54; Wasatch Wing and Clay Youth Shooting Team, Cedar Fort- $5,941; Wild Goose Clays, Richfield - $54 “This grant will help our team so much,” said Haylie Peay, student athlete on Skyline X and UTYESS Youth Leader. “It will help with team events, coaching and training aids. It will also help with our blue versus green shoot we have with local police. This is amazing and appreciated.” Anyone can donate to a youth shooting team near them by visiting midwayusafoundation.org and
RE
Eight of the Utah Youth Education in Shooting Sports Programs teams have been awarded a combined $51,396 in cash grants by the MidwayUSA Foundation, from the Team Endowment Program. These grants will provide funding to promote Utah’s youth shooting sports activities. Much of the grant is used for expenses, such as range fees, travel, ammunition, uniforms, trophies, awards, and more. Teams receiving these grants are: Cache Valley Clay Crushers, Logan - $21,293; Cedar Clay Breakers, Cedar City - $289; Ogden Clay Dusters, Ogden - $864;
AW S’ C HOICE
OutdoorsExpo THE BIG
MARCH 13-14
at UVU
Sposored by
TO ADVERTISE IN SERVE DAILY CALL 801-477-6845
MARCH 2020
13
SERVE DAILY
Springville makes plans to select its Art Royalty By Emily Whittle
The Springville Art Royalty is a tradition at the art museum that’s been around for almost a hundred years. When it first started in the 1920s, the art royalty was chosen by children, who would put pennies in voting boxes for who they thought should win. It’s now chosen based on an interview and a presentation on a piece of art
at the museum. Art royalty attendants are ambassadors for the museum. They assist with events and meet people as the face of the museum. It’s a great opportunity to serve your community and be around incredible art all the time, so if you: - Will be a junior or senior in the upcoming school year; - Attend Springville or Maple Mountain High School, and;
- Think you’d be interested in being an art royalty attendant. The application process starts March 9 and are due on April 10. The new art royalty will be chosen and inducted at the Art Ball on May 16. During the Art Ball there will be dinner, live music, dancing, and of course, getting to witness the induction of the new art royalty. (Whittle is a Serve Daily intern.)
34 W. 1900 N. Spanish Fork, UT 84660 (801) 794-9385 | www.dickersonauto.com
$59.95 Alignment Special Offer valid for a four wheel alignment. Cannot be combined with any other offers or promotions. Offer Expires 4/4/20.
Courtesy photo
Those chosen as Springville Art Royalty represent the museum at numerous events.
ADVERTISE HERE
FREE BRAKE INSPECTION Cannot be combined with any other offers or promotions. Offer Expires 4/4/20
Disney Resorts Cruises All Inclusive Resorts
Your Community Voice
FREE MASSAGE
Injured in an Auto Accident?? TM
801-798-8304
dreamvacation 336@hotmail.com dreamvacation336 @hotmail.com 1268 East Center, Spanish Fork, UT
801-465-9934
1146 W 800 South | Payson
FREE 30 min massage We can Help! We will help you recover.
801-980-0432
www.axcessac.com
NO OUT OF POCKET EXPENSE!
Mention This Ad and Receive an Adjustment for ONLY $19 West Valley, American Fork, Provo & Spanish Fork
From Our Community Celebration/Holiday Page Sponsors.
It’s Okay to Stumble.
Just Get Back Up and Keep Going!
ANY $50 OFF NUTRITION PLAN What Are Your Dreams?
Find Your Pot of Gold by Serving Someone Today!
Amy Ellis
Transformational Coach
14
MARCH 2020
Call for a FREE HEALTH ASSESSMENT
801-380-7833
SERVE DAILY
Miss Springville/Mapleton competition set for March 21 By Emily Whittle
The Miss Springville/Mapleton competition is a beloved 52-year tradition in our community. Over the years it’s transformed from more of a beauty pageant into a scholarship program that focuses on intelligence and ambition of the candidates. It also teaches them how to be more confident, compassionate, well-rounded women, and brings out those qualities already present in them. It dis-
plays the talent and potential of young women in our community and allows them to improve it as well. It gives them experience with public speaking and answering questions competently under pressure. There are four different sections in the competition with different weights: interview (15 percent), evening gown (20 percent), talent (40 percent), and onstage questions (25 percent). In recent years, the Miss America program removed the swimsuit portion and raised the
weight of the interview portion, again to focus on things that are more important than looks. The candidates for this year are Talia Call, Keaton Church, Anna Morkel, Emma Mousser, Emily Whittle, and Makencie Cline, who was second attendant in last year’s competition. (Miss Springville/Mapleton 2019 was Kaylie Ross.) There’s a lot of preparation that goes into a competition like this, but all the candidates are willing to work hard and spend time to ensure that they per-
form to the best of their abilities. The second Miss Springville/ Mapleton pageant was held in 1969 with 18 contestants. Many things have remained the same between then and now with the pageant: The winner still has a chance to go on to Miss Utah and possibly Miss America, as they did then. The contestants were and still are sponsored by businesses. However, in 1969, a $475 scholarship was awarded to the winner of the pageant, along with “a $100 cash prize,
a diamond ring from Duke’s Jewelry, and a colored photograph of herself ” (quoted from a newspaper article from 1969). A lot has changed, but the idea is the same. To compete for the title of Miss Springville, and to showcase the talent, potential, intellect, and ambition of youth in our community. The competition will be held on March 21 at Springville High School at 7 p.m. Tickets are $7 at the door. (Whittle is a Serve Daily intern.)
Gem Faire arrives at Mountain America Expo Center on March 27 Gem Faire, America’s Premier Jewelry and Bead Show, is set for March 2729, at Mountain America Expo Center. Exhibitors from all over
the world will be on site with the largest selection of fine jewelry, crystals, gemstones, beads, minerals, fossils and much more.
Jewelry repair, cleaning and ring sizing service is available while you shop. Classes and demonstrations are offered to all skill levels.
Wasatch Gem Society and R.O.C.K. Club will be there with educational displays and demonstrations. For more information,
visit gemfaire.com. The event is open to the public. Admission of $7 is valid for the entire weekend and parking is free. Hours
are Friday 10a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.- 6 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. -5 p.m. (Serve Daily submission.)
LOCAL BUSINESS
Santaquin company helps people prepare for Mother Nature’s worst
Courtesy photo
Parkway Health and Rehab was selected as the Payson/ Santaquin Business of the Month.
Payson/Santaquin Business of the Month Parkway Health and Rehab opened in 2009 to provide 24-hour skilled nursing care and specialized rehabilitation services on a short and longterm basis. With 62 rooms and a staff of more than 60 dedicated healthcare professionals, Parkway prides itself in being ranked among the best facilities
in the industry. With its immediate proximity to Mountain View Hospital, the owners of Parkway have plans to expand its healthcare presence with soon to be developed assisted and independent living facilities. Parkway is proud to be a part of Payson City and its vision of the future. (Serve Daily submission.)
We all love Mother Nature. Face it, she’s awesome! She provides great scenery, amazing flowers, butterflies, and rainbows. But she has also been known to throw the occasional temper tantrum. No matter where you live, natural hazards (and occasionally natural disasters) are part of the landscape. They cannot be avoided. But the danger posed by many hazards can be minimized through advanced planning. From earthquakes and mudslides to wildfires and avalanches, here in Utah, Mother Nature keeps us on our toes. In 2019, the largest earthquake recorded in Utah was an M4.1, but the potential for larger, more destructive temblors along the Wasatch Front is an oft-repeated warning from state emergency
TO ADVERTISE IN SERVE DAILY CALL 801-477-6845
management officials. Add avalanches along the mountain slopes, soil collapse issues affecting Timpview High School in Provo, and the odd radon gas accumulation in a basement and you’ve got yourself a veritable smorgasbord of natural hazards to choose from. What’s a homeowner to do? The sheer variety and opportunity of potential natural hazards makes it difficult to protect against everything. But we can’t live in fear. When unpredictable Mother Nature throws a tantrum on our doorstep, our best response is to make sure her damage is short lived and unremarkable by preparing ahead of time for hazards that are known to exist where we live. Utah residents are encouraged to create rele-
vant emergency plans and put basic safety strategies in place to protect people and property from avoidable harm. Geo Logic, a new company based in Santaquin, helps individuals better protect their most important investments – their families and homes – from geologic and natural hazards by educating homeowners about their site-specific hazard potential. “Often in the past year a friend or family member has asked me if I can tell them what is going on with their house,” said Alice Orton, Principal of Geo Logic. “They notice a crack running across their garage floor that is widening, they start hearing large popping noises like the house is shifting, and they wonder whether the house is safe for their
family. Or they wonder how big a local earthquake could be, and what kind of damage it could cause. “This is the stuff that really piques my interest. I love to research the known hazards for a specific location, let people know what is already documented, already in the public record. With that information, it is much easier for a homeowner to decide what to do next, whether to get a professional engineer or architect involved, or whether they can address the problems themselves.” With knowledge of the hazards that are most likely to affect properties, homeowners are in a better position to take small and simple steps to increase family and home safety. (Serve Daily submission.)
MARCH 2020
15
SERVE DAILY
Historian speaks to Sons of Pioneers on story of Brigham Young many do not know By Mike Bowan
The Mt. Nebo Chapter of the Sons of Utah Pioneers held their monthly chapter meeting at the Mervyn Sharp Bennion Veteran’s Home in Payson on Feb. 27. After a great meal provided by Magelby’s Fresh, the members were educated and entertained by a presentation on Brigham Young by Dr. Thomas Alexander. Alexander is an American historian and academic who is professor emeritus from Brigham Young University. He has taught History at BYU for almost 30 years and has served in leadership roles of various local and historical organizations.
He is a past president of the National Sons of Utah Pioneers organization. Alexander recently published a book on Brigham Young titled “Brigham Young and the Expansion of the Mormon Faith.” Alexander stated that often people do not know Brigham Young as a father or husband and his presentation concentrated on the family life of Brigham Young. This included his relationship with his wives, children, his homes, and his day to day family schedule. Brigham Young had 55 wives and 56 children by 16 of them. Only 46 of his children reached adulthood. Several of his wives were older, so he called them grand-
mothers, and they were supported and provided for by Brigham but they did not live with him. Several of Brigham’s wives were involved in his businesses, including managing his grist mill and tree farm. One was the director of the all women hospital in Salt Lake City. Brigham built several houses in Salt Lake City for his families, including the Lion House and Beehive house. These are still standing on Temple Square and can be toured. Brigham believed in education and many of his children, both sons and daughters, were educated at universities, including West Point. Some were sent overseas for educa-
Celebrating the Little Things in Life Banquet space for weddings, birthdays, and corporate events.
tion and training. He advised all of his children to take advantage of being exposed to art, industry and inventions throughout the world. The Mt. Nebo Chapter of the Sons of Utah Pioneers meets each month at the Mervyn Sharp Bennion Veteran’s Home in Payson at 6:30 p.m.. There is a catered meal followed by a presentation. New members are welcome. Dan Howlett is the Membership Chairman and can be contacted at 801-361-0188 for information. Next month the presentation will be by Bruce A. Van Orden on W. W. Phelps. (Serve Daily submission.)
Courtesy photo
Dr. Thomas Alexander addressed the Mt. Nebo Chapter of the Sons of Utah Pioneers on the topic of his book on Brigham Young.
VISIT US ONLINE AT
SERVEDAILY.COM
FIND A GROWING ONLINE BUSINESS DIRECTORY READ CURRENT & PAST ARTICLES SEE LOCAL ADVERTISERS NO GOOGLE ADS HERE IT’S ALL LOCAL Doc”s Award-Winning
WEDNESDAY LUNCH BUFFET 11:30am - 1:30pm
COME HUNGRY!
MAGLEBY’S 198 SOUTH MAIN, SPRINGVILLE, UTAH | 801-370-1129 | WWW.MAGLEBYS.COM 1450 HILTON DR, ST. GEORGE, UTAH | 435-652-9600 | WWW.MAGLEBYS.COM
16
MARCH 2020
SHOP LOCAL www.servedaily.com is proudly brought to you by these community sponsors. Visit our website for more information.
SERVE DAILY SCHOOL NEWS
Touring company prepares to bring Romeo and Juliet to Springville March 16 By Lana Hiskey
Courtesy photo The Utah Shakespeare Festival Touring Company will present its rendition of Romeo and Juliet at Springville High School on March 16.
The Utah Shakespeare Festival Touring Company will be performing Romeo and Juliet March 16, 7 p.m. at Springville High School. This performance is free to the public. All ninthgrade students are studying Romeo and Juliet in their English classes this year. First performed more than 400 years ago, Romeo and Juliet is one of William Shakespeare’s most recognized and beloved plays. Dealing with themes of familial con-
flict, friendship, and love, Romeo and Juliet also explore themes of hate, revenge, violence, and death. The latter themes are undeniable, permanent, and real in all of humankind and have been repeated throughout history. Shakespeare places these themes front and center in Romeo and Juliet. The touring director, Jason Spelbring, said, “I have always struggled to find where I fit in this play. Plays, by design, are written to allow us (the audience) in, to challenge us and invite us to ex-
plore other worlds. What would happen if we created a world where our audience members see themselves? Their type, their flaws, and their strengths. By setting our production in a classroom in 2020, we are forced to witness the effects of violent passion that Shakespeare intended to explore. Our company invites you to see the many sides of yourself in Romeo and Juliet, and I challenge you to hear this play for the first time through a modern-day lens.” (Serve Daily submission.)
Principal recognized as instructional leader of the year By Lana Hiskey
Spanish Fork Cheerleaders Win National Title Spanish Fork High School’s cheerleaders competed at national competitions in California in February and took First Place as National Champions. The cheerleaders won their division and were among the top scorers in every category. This is the first time in nearly 30 years that Spanish Fork High School Cheer has won a national title and only the second time in the school’s history. (Submitted by Lana Hiskey.)
TO ADVERTISE IN SERVE DAILY CALL 801-477-6845
The school principal of Barnett Elementary in Payson was recently recognized as the Instructional Leader of the Year in Utah. Principal Angela Stoddard was recognized during the Utah Association of Elementary School Principals Conference. The Instructional Leader Award goes to a principal who has improved student achievement through leadership with teachers, staff, and community. Stoddard and her staff have focused on literacy, with a goal
of having all students make a year’s growth in reading, and to improve their literacy scores on state assessments. With a focus on goals and collaboration, all students, parents, and staff are working together to help meet these school-wide goals. Last year students at Barnett Elementary improved 1,707 reading levels and 91 percent of the student body made a year’s growth in reading. Barnett Elementary also improved in all state literacy assessments. (Serve Daily submission.)
Angela Stoddard
Learning center offers Code to Success Program Nebo School District’s Advanced Learning Center will offer a six-week summer class for free. Classes will be held at the Advanced Learning Center Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. - Noon from June 15 to July 23. Nebo will be hosting a par-
ent night on March 16, at 6 p.m. at the Advanced Learning Center, 161 East 400 North, Salem, to provide more information about the Code to Success program. If possible, please register prior to the parent meeting at CTSutah.com. (Serve Daily submission by Lana Hiskey.)
MARCH 2020
17
SERVE DAILY
Mt. Nebo Junior High Choir performs for school board By Lana Hiskey
Mt. Nebo Junior High Choir instructor, Russ Sumens, and his choir recently had the opportunity to perform for the Nebo Board of Education. Sumens enthusiastically led the choir in musical numbers that enthralled the eager crowd and the Nebo School Board of Education. The first song was in
the Zulu language and is called “Singabahambayo” and the second song was a beautiful medley of “Sing Your Way Home” and “Goin Home.” The Mt. Nebo Chamber Choir consists of seventh, eighth, and ninth-grade students who auditioned to be in the advanced choirs at Mt. Nebo Junior High. Mr. Sumens said, “These are some of the most dedicated and
hard-working students I have ever worked with. We will typically work eight to 12 weeks to prepare songs for a concert, but these students were focused and able to accomplish these two songs in just over four weeks,” Sumens said. “I could not be more proud of them. These students exemplify the best qualities of the students at Mt. Nebo.” (Serve Daily submission.)
Courtesy photo
Mt. Nebo Junior High Choir instructor, Russ Sumens and the choir recently performed
for the Nebo School Board of Education.
ALA TEACHER OF THE MONTH
Peggy Haynes recognized as ALA Teacher of the Month By Stephanie Chingas
Peggy Haynes
Peggy Haynes was recognized as the February Teacher of the Month for American Leadership Academy. Haynes has been working at ALA since it started in 2005. She began as a 5th grade teacher, and now teaches high school Orchestra, and third and fourth grade Fine Arts. What she loves most
about teaching at ALA is watching her students go from kindergarten to high school, grow, change, and become adults, while often establishing lifelong friendships. When Haynes is not teaching, she often plays the violin with the Utah Valley Symphony. She also enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time with her grandkids. Her family consists
Custom CARPET AND VINYL CARPET, HARDWOOD, VINYL, CARPET, BINDING, LAMINATE AND and MORE....
801.489.3333 18 MARCH 2020
397 E. 400 S.
Springville
of three daughters and four sons.
Haynes received her bachelor’s in music edu-
cation from BYU. (Serve Daily submission.)
WE
ARE
THRIVING! American Leadership Academy
SERVE DAILY
Advanced Learning students design new logo for Salem City By Lana Hiskey
It was an exciting day for Nebo’s Advanced Learning Center students Cedar Gasser and Caleb Fausett, as they presented the final design of a new logo to Salem City.
The ALC Center for Advanced Professional Studies Digital Media program, under the direction of Preston Powell, CAPS had the opportunity to design a new logo for Salem City. The CAPS students
worked on the project for several months, and they were excited to submit the final designs to Mayor Kurt Christensen, the city council, and the city employees for approval. Multiple students were involved, and they were
able to experience a real-world challenge. Syd-
ney Ward and Tucker Pederson made presenta-
tions to the Salem City. (Serve Daily submission.)
Courtesy photo
Jeff Nielson, Salem City; Rick Ainge, Nebo School Board; Kurt Christensen, Salem City Mayor; Cedar Gasser, ALC student; Preston Powell, ALC Caps Digital Media Instructor; Caleb Fausett, ALC student; Ronda Hair, ALC CAPS Coordinator; Seth Sorenson, Salem City Council.
Serve Daily Readers Enjoy Free Admission TO ADVERTISE IN SERVE DAILY CALL 801-477-6845
MARCH 2020 19
SERVE DAILY STUDENT ATHLETE OF THE MONTH
Sophomore studies on and off the field to be his best By Arianne Brown
For the past six months, Anderson Brown has been writing features on student-athletes, and as his mother, I have enjoyed watching him immerse himself in learning about other athletes and sports. What many of you who have read these columns may not know, is that he is a student-athlete himself. This month, Anderson has been extremely busy with all that it takes to claim that title, so I decided to hi-jack his column to write a little bit about him. Anderson is currently a sophomore at Payson High School, where he recently made the varsity soccer team. Representing your school in a sport is something that many students look forward to, and Anderson counts himself among those who look forward to high school athletics. That said, like many athletes, Anderson has honed his craft in competition leagues for the past eight years and spent a few years in recreational soccer before that. He is currently on one of the state’s highest ranked teams for his age group and is
traveling out of state to compete in the Desert Premier League against other teams from the desert states. He has also made the Olympic Development team, representing the state with many of the best players in the state. All bragging aside, what makes me the proudest of my son isn’t just what he has been able to achieve, but what he has done to get there. Becoming an athlete at the top of your game not only takes going to organized practices; it takes putting in time at home. Every day, Anderson is getting soccer touches in the basement and the backyard. When time and weather permits, he is at local fields getting shots off. He runs, cross trains and does his best to eat well and get enough sleep. To maximize his time, Anderson takes three online classes, allowing him time to do his work on the hour drive up north to and from practices. I never need to tell him to do his schoolwork, because he knows how important getting good grades is to his goals of playing soccer after high school. Being a student-athlete, in
my opinion, means more than getting the grades and participating in your sport of choice. It means being a student of that sport and learning everything you can about it. Anderson takes a sports psychology class at the high school to better understand his mental game. He writes his goals down to see every day. He watches professional and collegiate games to learn from the best, so he can be the best he is capable of. His younger brother, Aussie who is following in his footsteps says it best: “Anderson started on some rough teams, but has had the drive to be the best,” Aussie said. “He has been an example of dedication to overcome challenges to be on the top teams. I really like playing soccer with him because he is always pushing me to be my best. He’s gotten where he is because he works harder than anyone else.” If you have a student-athlete you would like featured, who you feel exemplifies what it means to claim that title, please email Anderson at andersocPhoto by Arianne Brown cer04@gmail.com. (Brown is a Anderson Brown while on the state select (ODP) team. Serve Daily contributor.)
Post your events for free online at www.servedaily.com
INDOOR AIR QUALITY SPECIALIST
Kills 99% of most Germs, Bacteria and Viruses on surfaces and in the air* Reduces Dust, Dander, Pollen and Mold Spores Used in Government Buildings, Hotels Hospitals, Schools and Homes Worldwide.
Let’s See if We Can Help You
Breathe a Little Easier $150off 20% off * * Merve 16Filter Installation with Reme Halo®
PROTECT YOUR FAMILY
FAMILY MEMBER WITH ALLERGIES?
We’ve been there. Three of our children had trouble breathing because of their allergies. Being in the Heating and Air Conditioning trade we made it Our Life Mission to become Experts in Indoor Air Quality Solutions.
We’ve been helping people Breathe Easier for over 20 years. Call us and let us see what we can do to help. 801-367-3200 20 MARCH 2020
Indoor Air Quality Analysis Utah County Only
*call for details
801-367-3200
Merve 16Filter Replacement
SERVE DAILY Mayor Presents Youth Awards Every seat was filled at Springville’s City Council Meeting for the Mayor’s Youth Award presentations. The award recipients were being recognized for their incredible stories of being courageous, positive, kind, hardworking and being leaders among their school and community. Those recognized included Susanna Richardson, a senior at Merit Academy; Carter Nilsson, 5th grader, and Braxton Johnson, 4th grader at Sage Creek Elementary; Rosalie Castaneda, Kindergartner; Andrew Johnson, 4th grader; Laila Ludvigson, 1st grader, and Yumi Jung, a 3rd grader; all from Meadow Brook Elementary.
Young scientists excel at STEM Fair By Lana Hiskey
Nebo’s young scientists demonstrated their scientific knowledge the week of Feb. 19 by sharing their projects at the Nebo School District STEM Fair. Students from 25 schools in the district competed. Twenty-eight projects from the Junior/Senior Division and 100 projects from the Elementary Division will advance to the Central Utah Science and Engineering Fair at BYU. Junior/Senior Division Best in Show: First Place – Animal and Plant Sciences – Jesse Shepherd, Spanish Fork Junior High; Second Place – Earth and Environmental Science – Blaine Bartholomew, Spanish Fork Junior High; Third Place – Chemistry – McKaden Anderson, Payson High School; Fourth Place – Biology and Biochemistry – Elizabeth Lowe, Mapleton Junior High; Physics/Astronomy/Mathematics – Emmalyse Beecher, Spanish Fork Junior High; Physics/Astronomy/Mathematics
– Jaxson Marsigli, Spanish Fork Junior High; Junior Behavioral and Social Science – Robert Folkman, Springville Junior High; Behavioral and Social Science – Tori Ludlow, Joan Meyers, Payson Junior High; Biomedical/Medicine/Health Sciences – Max Smith, Mapleton Junior High. Elementary Division Best in Show Engineering – James Sayre, East Meadows Elementary; Consumer and Product Testing – Connor Hamilton, Alex Butler, East Meadows Elementary; Life Science – Annie Jensen, East Meadows Elementary; Consumer and Product Testing – Grace Hall, Bailey Smith, East Meadows Elementary; Life Science – Hunter Fuja, Foothills Elementary; Computer Science – Ian Smith, Hobble Creek Elementary; Chemistry – Mick Winward, Maple Ridge Elementary; Engineering – Wade Parker, Riverview Elementary; Engineering – Blake Palmer, Sierra Bonita Elementary (Serve Daily submission.)
Timpanogos Gem and Mineral Society
ST 61 AnnuAl Spring T
pArAde of gemS
March 20, 21 & 22, 2020
FREE ADMISSION & PARKING! SPANISH FORK FAIRGROUNDS 475 SOUTH MAIN STREET
TO ADVERTISE IN SERVE DAILY CALL 801-477-6845
MARCH 20, 21 & 22, 2020 FRI & SAT 10 AM - 7 PM, SUN 10 AM - 5 PM
MARCH 2020
21
SERVE DAILY VIEWPOINT
We Must Find the Music for Children By Antonia Froisland
Imagine a world where you walk into any room in any building, and everything is silent. Occasionally, you hear typing on a computer or a quiet voice whispering to another. However, the world is gray. Everything is bland. How do you feel? Our world will come to this if schools keep pushing the arts to the side. Many schools have left music classes out of their curriculum, claiming that there is not a need. However, the need for the colorful pieces from fine arts is extremely dire, especially with our children, as producing music and art should be viewed as a necessary skill. With the decline in the arts, our children continue to crumble in seas of depression from everyday life without any breaks. Personally, while growing up, the arts provided a meaningful comfort for me to rely on. We should enforce the need for arts
in schools to bring a better state of mind back among our children. Music and art shapes the way that people live their lives, forms societies, and creates a sense of security. Why are we taking such pleasure away from our children? Schools for all ages have decided that music and art classes are unimportant and have immensely decreased funding for these necessary classes. We have the flexibility to make the arts a priority as well as subjects like math or science. Schools need to make the effort to revise schedules, so we can provide our children with an education that includes necessary skills in music and art. Make time for these classes, and we will see the lasting benefits in our children, as they blossom into well-rounded young adults with many talents along with their knowledge. While understanding a necessity for fundamental classes, we must recognize that by forcing years and years of
constant core classes to our children, we need to give them a break occasionally from the necessary but tiring logic being fed to them. This essential break is music and art classes. These classes clear children’s heads by allowing them to express themselves in a completely original method. Not only are music and art classes necessary, but also it is scientifically proven that music reduces anxiety and creates happiness for children. In the past 20 years depression and anxiety levels in children have steadily risen into alarming numbers. Regardless of other methods of raising spirits, we must take advantage of the simple use of the arts. As a society we need to recognize the importance of finding a solution to help our young ones find more peace in this world. This peace will come through music. A study done by Deakin University showed that “live music allows people to be happier, live longer, and reduce
stress and anxiety levels by up to 65 percent” (Staff). Although we cannot cure depression with music, we can spread pieces of joy through music into many children’s lives. To spread this joy as a community, everyone should petition to bring back a larger emphasis on the arts in schools. Make your city provide funding to allow music to be shared with our children. Together, we will bring back the importance of seeing children’s’ faces light up after they finally perfect a rhythm or finish a beautiful art piece. There must be a change with the importance of music in schools. Why wait to bring back joy for our children? To improve children’s’ views of the world, we must bring back the simple entity of fine arts that will make a major difference in their lives. Music and art will always have a profound effect. Let’s bring back the music. (Serve Daily submission.)
Not All R Rated Films Are the Same By John Hintz
Growing up in an LDS family means trying to always do things considered spiritually uplifting or simply spiritually safe. This, of course, carried over into the world of entertainment, where the culture taught us that anything from G to PG-13 was good, and that R was bad. I spent most of my life believing that until one day when I stumbled into the world of R rated films. Clearly, not all of them are good, but there were some incredible gems that lost audience over being stamped with a letter. These movies could have been PG-13 but crossed the incredibly thin line into the R territory and was instant-
22 MARCH 2020
ly judged to be considerably worse than any PG-13 movie. Not by any merit of the movie, but by the system of the Motion Picture Association of America, which uses eight parents to determine who the movie would be appropriate for based off factors of violence, nudity, profanity, etc. The R rating can be assigned based off any of these factors, even when the others are entirely omitted. This broad distinction lumps all R rated movies together, and thereby deprives the filmmakers and audience from what could’ve been a remarkable story told on the big screen, all because of a predisposed judgement made by the audience. To fix this, we as an audience need avoid judging a movie
based solely off of its rating as many R rated movies depict scenes and ideas that may not be pleasing but are necessary to understand things historically and spiritually. While there are many movies that fit these criteria, I feel there are two that fit it best. First is Schindler’s List, a movie that is a definite acquired taste, but also an incredible film. It depicts the mistreatment of the Jewish people at the hand of the Nazis. It was dark, it was frightening, and it was hard to get through, but it told the history in the most accurate way possible, cutting no corners. The holocaust was not fun for anyone, and it is important for people to understand that. Not just so people think of it as displeasing, but rather so people know
that it was one of, if not the worst thing to ever happen to a group of people in the history of the world. I believe that people should be so disgusted at the mistreatment depicted in the movie that they never even consider it happening again. Other movies may not be historically accurate but are still able to connect with us spiritually. The Passion of the Christ, which depicts the beating and crucifixion of Christ is full gory detail, was one such movie. It may not have been historically correct, but the movie was excellent and effectively captured the emotion that such an event would bring. Spiritually, I believe that it is important to understand the extent that Christ went to for all of mankind. The movie
shows his humanity which is a theme that many Christians do not tend to understand or connect with but is important for us to appreciate Christ’s atonement more fully. I understand that everyone might not be willing to expose themselves to these more mature themes, but these people also must understand that for those who do, it can be a helpful experience that can even be spiritually uplifting. All these films need to be given is a chance. And while they are certainly not for everyone, if someone is willing to look past the ominous R rating, and watch the film before judging it, they may find some of these R rated gems that speak to them, emotionally, analytically, and spiritually. (Serve Daily submission.)
THE FUNNY-ISH FILES
Fun for Kids can be Hard Work By Joe Capell
Kids just want to have fun. But, before kids can have fun, adults usually have to put in a lot of work. Let me give you an example. Have you ever tried to get a kid ready to go outside to play in the snow? All you need to do is find warm clothes, warm socks, snow pants, snow coat, boots, hat, and gloves/mittens. And once you gather all these things together, you must actually get them on your child! (Then multiply that by the number of children you have.) It takes from five to 45 minutes to get each child ready. We have four children, so that’s somewhere between 20 minutes and
13 hours to get kids dressed and winterized. (You think I’m exaggerating? You’ve never tried to get a 4-year-old into a pair of mittens. “Stick your thumb out. No, not yet. When I get it part way on, then stick your thumb out. Now! Now! Put your thumb out now and get it into the thumb-spot. Is it there? No, not your pinkie finger. It needs to be your thumb. Arrghh!”) All that for 10 minutes of outside play before they have to take it all off to come inside and go potty. But that’s not the only time kid fun equals adult work. Have you ever tried to go swimming with kids? What does a kid need to do? Put on a swimsuit. That’s it. What does a parent need to do? Gather the swimsuits. Get some towels. Don’t forget the sunscreen. You’ll need some swim diapers. Yes, this pool requires plastic pants to go over the top of the swim diapers. Hats. Some kind of shade.
Make sure to bring some water to keep them hydrated. Swim toys? Noodles? Floaties? You did remember the sunscreen, right? A trip to the pool is a lot of work. We went to Disneyland last year. Do you know what that means? My wife spent hours and hours planning the trip, finding the best deals, getting a good hotel room, and figuring out the itinerary. And those suitcases don’t pack themselves. What did the kids do? They climbed in the minivan. Have you ever tried to throw a birthday party for a kid? Lots of fun for them; lots of work for you. Yes, kids just want to have fun. The problem is, by the time adults do all the work needed so the kids can have fun, the adults need a vacation. And vacations are a lot of work! For more funny-ish stuff, check out slowjoe40.com. (Capell is a Serve Daily contributor.)
Photo by Joe Capell
VIEWPOINT
Frozen: Coming to the Defense of Hans
By Andrei Reyes
I watched Frozen II recently, and honestly, I was disappointed. The makers of Frozen II promised the audience a redemption arc of Hans, the good guy who turned out to be the villain in the first movie. Instead, Hans continued to get shaded on, and it was obvious that the makers of this film wanted us to continue to hate Hans. This creation of such a bias is incredibly unfair. Pause and think for a moment: before the plot twist, Hans displayed the characteristics of someone who could lead the people of Arendelle. In his character, lies a deeper lesson that should be taught to children about good leadership qualities in today’s world. Although Hans’ actions for obtaining the throne of Arendelle were malicious, Hans would have been a great ruler of Arendelle because he demonstrated responsibility and maturity. Before I move forward with my main points, the reality that Hans was the villain needs
to be confronted. Hans was the good guy until he betrayed Elsa and Anna. It was terrible of Hans to try and kill Elsa and Anna in one fell swoop to obtain the throne. Most importantly, he destroyed the ship between him and Anna. However, just because Hans was a bad guy does not mean he was a bad leader. By examining his temporary leadership of Arendelle, we have many characteristics and examples that show Hans’ ability to lead effectively. The first attribute is responsibility. When Anna ran off to find Elsa, Hans was put in charge to oversee the kingdom. He stepped up to this position without hesitation and showed that he could handle it. An example of this was seen when the Duke of Weselton scolded Hans for giving away items to aid the people. The duke suggested that Elsa was a sorcerer and was plotting with Anna to destroy everyone, and Hans quickly rebuked him saying, “Do not question the princess. She left me in charge, and
TO ADVERTISE IN SERVE DAILY CALL 801-477-6845
I will not hesitate to protect Arendelle from treason.” This quote expressed Hans’ dedication to his obligation. When Hans had sole control, he understood the chain of command and followed it. He administered Anna’s orders without question and chastised those who tried to take over or go against them. As children mature, it is important that they learn to become responsible to take charge over their own actions to learn to become independent. Along with responsibility, Hans showed that he was mature and emotionally stable. In Frozen I, instead of managing the kingdom, Elsa ran away and hid in her ice palace on her first night as the queen. Time and time again, Elsa let her stress and anxiety control her powers. This emotional instability showed that Elsa could not rule Arendelle and was even a threat to it. In comparison, we saw Hans make the big decisions with careful consideration such as participating in the relief efforts in response to
Elsa’s winter and deciding to mount a rescue mission of Anna. Looking at these circumstances, Hans was mentally prepared to lead the kingdom. Adolescents should learn that being mature and having mental resilience for any situation will help them endure eventually, whether it is in their future career or any social situation. It is clear Hans would have been a great ruler of Arendelle. Maybe not all of Hans’ decisions were great, but that does not mean we should totally disregard his character. Hans exhibited excellent leadership attributes that should be taught to children. Responsibility and maturity are just a few of those characteristics. So, parents, the next time you watch Frozen I with your children, point out the good leadership qualities that Hans has. Teach them about responsibility and maturity. By doing this, they will become more prepared for adulthood in the future. (Serve Daily submission.)
MARCH 2020
23
Save Some Green at
CR Doors!
CR DOORS & MOULDING 801- 489-1111
800 N SPRING CREEK PLACE, SPRINGVILLE, UT