Karyn Anderson 68 posts 0 comments

Over 7,500 miles away, there’s a small village in the state of Punjab, India. This farming area is not only beautiful but it also offers delicious food previously unattainable in Wasatch County. But now, Heber City has a direct channel to Punjab. It’s called Little India. Traversing an Ocean It all started in 1997. Harjeet Singh was living in Northern India on a family farm. He decided to pack up his things and move to the United States, which he knew to be the “Land of Opportunity.” He had family living in Utah and…

Tucked away in the Heber Valley, the Utah Arts Collective has gathered top-notch teachers and talent. They work together, providing the community with incredible options for artistic and academic growth. What once began as Wasatch Dance Center has now become Utah Arts Collective. It includes dance, preschool, theater, and more. This elaborate and unique program began in 1998 when two dance teachers simply decided to form their own studio. Serendipity Vibeke Bodensteiner was living in Norway and had extensive background…

When James Lane was living in Rifle, Colorado, teaching middle school, he couldn’t possibly have imagined how drastically different his life would turn out. James moved from California to Colorado when he was 13. After graduating from Rifle High School, James joined the Air Force, went to college, and began dating Jane Elizabeth, whom he’d known since childhood. They married, and he decided to become an educator. James, or Jim to most, graduated from Colorado University, and he and Jane moved back to Rifle. He settled into…

Midway is in the process of making a masterpiece out of a little mountain town. There is a lot to do, but the elected officials and residents are ready for it. This crucial creation begins with Midway’s general plan, which is being rewritten to ready it for the influx of people finding their way to this beautiful, once-hidden location. By carefully crafting its general plan, the city is attempting to protect its lifestyle and rural feel, while still providing refuge for weary travelers searching for a new home. Midway’s…

In Norse mythology, Valhalla is a magnificent hall where slain heroes from battle are received and restored by a mythical light. In Heber City, Utah, Valhalla is basically the same thing. However, instead of boar’s meat and golden shields, cutting-edge smart light cell therapies are used for healing. Dr. David Tate has been preparing for Heber’s Valhalla for decades. He has a PhD in clinical neuropsychology, and he did a clinical internship and post-doctoral fellowship at Brown University. He received a research grant,…

Creating A Beautiful Sanctuary Unlike Anything The Heber Valley Has Ever Seen.  When Crystal Joy was young, really young, she discovered she loved giving people massages. By the age of six, she was already heading down the path that would lead to where she is today — the grand opening of Heber City’s Mountain Elite Massage Sanctuary. Youthful Beginnings “I actually started liking massage at like five or six years old. I worked on hands and feet, and I wanted to hang out with adults,” she remembers. Then, at about age…

The Heber Valley Sits Comfortably At Just Over 5,500 Feet Above Sea Level. If You’re Coming From A Lower Elevation, There Are Steps You Can Take To Ease The Transition To A Higher Altitude. A few years ago, my husband and I spent a week in Newport Beach, California, and needed to be in Aspen, Colorado the next day. As we raced through the states, we hardly noticed the uphill drive. Arriving in Aspen, we settled in. However, we soon noticed headaches, dizziness, and nausea. It took a day before we realized what was…

Once there was a delicious soup. It was created with homemade recipes, and people loved it. They loved it so much that a big factory was built to make more of it. As people ate more and more soup, the factory tried to keep up with the demand. Finally, Bear Creek Country Kitchens moved the soup production elsewhere. What would happen to the enormous soup factory that had housed the facilities? According to Amaria Scovil, Director of Wasatch County’s Joyce & M. Anthony Burns Recreation Center, “When they decided to sell…

Utah Governor Spencer Cox has announced that adults throughout Utah will be able to schedule Covid-19 vaccinations beginning on March 24th. In addition, the Pfizer vaccine will be available to those ages 16 to 18. It is the only vaccine approved so far for the younger age group. The vaccination expansion was announced sooner than expected. This was partly due to requests from local health departments. As the state races to provide vaccinations to underserved populations, such as the homeless and other groups, mobile units…

Heber City Mayor Kelleen Potter gave her State of the City address in a live broadcast on March 10, 2021. Beginning with a short video, she displayed a quote from the Salt Lake Tribune that stated, ‘For the second year in a row, Heber ranked No. 1 for growth among the country’s smaller ‘micropolitan areas,’ with populations between 10,000  and 50,000.” 2020 estimates put Heber’s population just above 18,500. By 2050, projections have over 30,000 people living within Heber City’s limits. Mayor Potter started out by…

Chocolate (n.) A delicious cure for a bad day. What is it about chocolate? According to Robbie Stout and Anna Davies, owners of Ritual Chocolate in Charleston, it’s a lot of things! The two business partners recently moved their chocolate-making factory and café to the Heber Valley. And they want to invite everyone to experience their unique flavors and chocolate-making process. The café opened for business in October of 2020 and was the culmination of a 10-year journey. Stout is originally from Midway, UT, and Davies…

When talent is cultivated and risks are taken masterpieces are created. When those masterpieces are discovered and treasured by millions worldwide – that is something truly extraordinary. Greg Olsen knows what it is to cultivate and take risks – to create his own inimitable path. Sharing his talent for art Greg Olsen has created something truly extraordinary as his masterpieces continue to inspire lives around the world. ARTISTIC FOUNDATIONS Olsen grew up in the rural town of Iona, Idaho. There were no art galleries or…

A city is most often defined by its Main Street. It’s the calling card. Most likely, anyone driving through Heber City will see Main Street. So, what sort of impression does Heber’s Main Street give? Quaint? Peaceful? Industrial? Busy? Is it a gathering place? Or is it a place people want to get through quickly? Many community members and leaders would love to create a more memorable Main Street. Heber is an amazing place, with a rich and interesting history. The people here are welcoming and thoughtful. The location is…

Utah’s annual skijoring competition was held on Saturday at Soldier Hollow. Skijoring is an event where a skier or snowboarder is pulled by a horse and rider. The group races through a course including jumps, gates, and rings. Skijoring is not a new sport. Reindeer skijoring occurred in the Nordic Games of 1901, and it was used as transportation for hundreds of years before that. Skijoring behind horses made its way to North America in the early 1900’s. Brian Gardner and his friend, Joe Loveridge, had seen the sport in…

The 5A State Swim Meet was held at the Wasatch Aquatic Center this weekend. The championship event was originally scheduled to occur at Brigham Young University. However, a few weeks ago, due to Covid concerns, BYU decided not to hold the meet at its pool this year. Wasatch stepped in, and the 5A meet was moved to Heber City. Since Wasatch is a 5A team, they were able to compete at home. Wasatch Aquatic Director Dennis Tesch believes it means a lot to the Heber Valley community to have the state championship here. “We…

It’s tough work driving a snowplow. When everyone else is staying in, they are going out in the worst weather. The plows are there earlier than the commuters trying to keep the roads clear, even while it’s still snowing. And it’s almost impossible to clear the roads well when cars are parked along the street. That’s why it is against City Code to park on the street when plowing is necessary. But some are surprised about the regulations. In fact, Heber City police have given over 300 tickets in the past few weeks for…

Heber Valley Artisan Cheese held their 2nd annual Ice Sculptures Exhibition this weekend. Several local businesses sponsored the sculptures being displayed. There were also two different ice carving demonstrations. The event was free to the public. The annual event began last year when Carolee Kohler saw ice sculpting on a Hallmark movie and thought it would be a fun idea for their farm. They are also considering a woodcarving event. According to Lindsey Strother, social media and events coordinator, each sculpture…

TestUtah will be providing free Covid-19 Rapid Antigen tests in Heber City. The drive-through tests will be available on January 11 from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm and January 12 from noon to 7:00 pm. The testing center is located at the Wasatch County Events Center. The Antigen tests can be completely processed in only 15-20 minutes. These tests will be provided free to anyone, regardless of symptoms or insurance. Anyone interested in participating in the free testing should go online to www.testutah.com. Participants are asked…

Goodbye 2020. Don’t let the door hit you on the way out! We have been barraged with negativity about the year 2020. True, there were some bad things that happened this year. Okay, a lot of bad things. However, there’s always another side to the story. 10 reasons to love 2020: 1. The kids got more sleep. Really, sleep has so many health benefits. So, when the kids all came home from school permanently in March, definitely a shocker, they were probably completely sleep deprived from years of waking up at unearthly…

Thrive 125 commemorates the 125th anniversary of Utah’s statehood.

The Wasatch Dance Center Foundation’s Nutcracker Tea was held December 3-5 as a fundraiser for the Children’s Justice Center (CJC). The foundation normally puts on several benefit performances of the Nutcracker each December. They brought in $14,500 for the CJC in 2019. This year, the full-length show was unable to be performed because of Covid-19 restrictions. Instead, the Nutcracker Tea became a bigger, more involved production, with Zermatt Resort donating their Bernese Event Center. The group performed a 35-minute…

It’s been a long year for everyone, but the 2020 Christmas Season has finally arrived. Midway City and Heber City have both announced their tree lighting ceremonies. All are invited to attend.

There is something magical about the Heber Valley. It draws people. Visitors, unintentionally searching, find their way here and stay. They become a part of what makes this community so distinctive.

“Variety’s the very spice of life that gives it all its flavor,” said the poet William Cowper.

Creating a Community of Health with Sacred Nature Apothecaries.

This year will be the largest Heber Valley Operation Hope event yet. Pete Stoughton, Director of Programs, said, “We will absolutely need volunteers. There are a lot of families to serve.”

The library is now open for limited hours, in order to provide a return to semi-normalcy for visitors.

Volunteers are needed!

The people of Wasatch County came out in force to offer their opinions through their votes.

Stay Safe to Stay Open is a statewide campaign to educate, inform, and support businesses in following COVID-19 guidelines from the Utah Department of Health. The initiative invites businesses to take a pledge that they will follow best practices to protect employees and customers.

Heber City is gaining some state recognition for its Envision 2050 plan. The Utah Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA Utah) recently presented Heber City with a High Achievement Award for the innovative community plan.

Utah’s government launched a new “Level of Transmission” index on Tuesday. It will provide a more scientific way for assessing each county’s Covid situation, along with new restrictions created to fight the current rise in cases. Color-coded guidelines are discontinued.  Wasatch County is one of six Utah counties currently on "high transmission" risk. Levels will be reassessed weekly. They are determined by looking at case rates per 100K, percent of test positivity, and statewide ICU usage.   The Governor did not enact…

Wasatch High School is temporarily switching to an online learning format from Monday, October 12 through Friday, October 23, 2020. The school is planning to return to in-person learning on Monday, October 26. Extracurricular activities will continue as planned. As stated on the Wasatch County School District Facebook page, “Our in-school mitigation efforts have proven to be effective. However, the recent increase in community COVID cases has had a direct impact on our high school students and staff.” The Wasatch…

The road to Cascade Springs, in the mountains above Midway, is now open and much safer. The Central Federal Lands Highway Division (CFLHD), Wasatch County, the United States Forest Service, and Utah State Parks have been working together since 2019 to make some dramatic improvements to the roadway. The road was closed throughout the summer but recently reopened to traffic. According to the Federal Highway Administration, although the road is open, construction will continue through October. Visitors are advised to watch for…

The Midway Art Association Gallery recently reopened to the public. It is housed in the historic Midway Town Hall. Gallery hours are Fridays and Saturdays from 10am to 5pm. The Gallery displays artwork from seven local artists at a time. Their art is presented for two months, at which time another seven artists will be featured. Aside from being able to see the local art, visitors can also purchase artwork from the gallery. One of the artists being shown this month is oil-painter Charlotte Wright. Wright intended to…

The Wasatch Caring Community Coalition (CCC) is giving out a free dinner tonight at their Family Dinner Drive-Thru event. The annual occurrence is modified this year because of COVID. Participants will drive to the booths, instead of walking, and will pick up dinner supplies to create a spaghetti dinner. The event will run from 5:30-7:00pm, Monday, September 21, at the Wasatch County Event Center. The free family dinner activity is an opportunity for the CCC to not only provide a free dinner, but also to educate the…

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held today, officially announcing a new mural on Main Street. The artwork is on the north side of the visitor center. It depicts many of the outdoor recreation opportunities available in the Heber Valley. This mural is only the first installment of many to come through the Heber City CAMS’ Art in Public Places Initiative. It is a collaborative effort between Heber City, the Heber Valley Chamber of Commerce, and the Community Alliance for Main Street. Tom Stone, Chairperson of CAMS, opened the…

Wasatch High School students of 2020 have missed out on many of the usual high school experiences. Prom, graduation, spring sports, and so much more was modified or cancelled completely. Homecoming was also on the chopping block. But the school district, the school board, the high school, Wasatch County Health Department, and some students, came up with an ingenious plan to save it. Thanks to them, Wasatch High School's Homecoming Dance 2020 will be held this Saturday. Assistant Principal Ryan Bishop recalled, “Back in…

The Shop in Heber Valley grant program was opened last week to businesses in Wasatch County. Not only will it help local businesses, but it benefits the general public as well. Businesses can apply for up to $5,000. These funds, however, must be used to reimburse huge discounts passed on to customers. The grant is the result of the combined efforts of Wasatch County, Heber City, and Midway City. These government entities are utilizing their CARES Act funds for the grant. It is aimed at supporting Heber Valley businesses…

Just to the North of Heber City, there is a little area of open land that is unassuming and easily overlooked. It’s known as the North Village. And there are some big plans in the works for this patch of ground. Due to purchases made and density granted years ago, this area is set to become one of the most active and growing areas of the entire Heber Valley. Many are concerned about what might come. Others are excited by the possibilities. How it all turns out depends on actions taken now, during this little phase of…

The Right To Roam Looking out across the beautiful, expansive Heber Valley, there is still a predominance of green fields and open space. Although housing growth is exploding in some areas of Wasatch County, the Wasatch Back, overall, still has much lower building density than the Wasatch Front. Open space is a widely discussed topic here. A majority of Heber Valley residents have indicated a strong desire to protect open space. It’s an important issue. However, public access to those spaces is a topic that is often…

Labor Day Weekend 2020 will be unusual in the Heber Valley. Swiss Days, a statewide favorite, was cancelled back in May due to Covid concerns. The massive craft, food, and entertainment event usually brings thousands to the valley each year. It is one of Utah’s largest festivals. 2020 would have been its 73rd year. However, there is still an opportunity to purchase items online from Swiss Days’ vendors. According to www.midwayswissdays.org, there will be a “one-time only Midway Swiss Days 2020 online vendors' showcase.”…

The Heber City Council recently updated the city’s policy regarding banners posted on Main Street’s light posts. This was partially in response to an emotionally-charged, split opinion among local residents concerning Pride banners, which have been allowed on the City’s light posts for the past two years. Heber City Council Member Ryan Stack, an attorney who has worked as a public prosecutor since 2007 and has served on a Utah Supreme Court Advisory Committee, explained why the change was necessary. “Last year’s…

Heber City will be holding an open house on Wednesday for public review of recommendations from the Parks and Trails Committee. The public is invited to attend virtually over Zoom. The meeting will begin at 6pm and again at 7pm, August 26, 2020. The public open house sessions will be recorded and available for viewing afterwards on the Heber City website. The city has been working with an outside consulting organization, Landmark Design, to create a vision for the city’s future parks. They met in January 2020 to begin the…

This pandemic has caused many businesses to adapt, get creative, and re-think the way they conduct business. We would like to recognize our business owners, government officials, and our community members for their commitment to Heber Valley. Our small businesses have been able to stay afloat because of the unwavering support of our locals and government officials. The Heber Valley Chamber of Commerce recognizes Spin Cafe as our business of the month for their ongoing efforts to keep our community fed and nourished during…

Wasatch School District welcomed students back to school on August 17, 2020. The district opened on its original start date, a feat which was unattainable for many other districts across the country. Even in Utah, only four districts plan to be open by the 17th. Several have planned openings later this week. And many others will begin even later. Some states are still keeping schools closed. In fact, 8 states, plus the District of Columbia, do not have in-person instruction at all right now. Some are planning for delayed…

The Timpanogos Valley Theater (TVT) is opening its 2020 production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat today. It will run in the evenings on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from August 12-22. All evening performances will begin at 7:30 pm. Saturday’s shows will also include an 11:00am matinee. The show was originally scheduled to run in May, but it was postponed due to health concerns. TVT determined in early July that a modified, outdoor performance might be a possibility. Outdoor, socially-distanced…

The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) is studying options to alleviate congestion on Main Street in Heber, and they are asking for public input. A public comment period will begin on August 27 and will close on September 26, 2020. There will also be a virtual meeting for the public on August 27, from 6:00 - 8:00 pm. Current information is availble on the website at https://hebervalleyeis.udot.utah.gov/. The Heber Valley Parkway Corridor Planning Study was completed in 2019. It was determined then that further data…

CAMS’ Art in Public Places Initiative kicked off this week by launching the first of several huge murals in Heber City. The Community Alliance for Main Street (CAMS) partnered with Heber City and the Heber Valley Chamber of Commerce to create the artwork. According to Mayor Kelleen Potter, the murals are “an investment in our downtown. Data shows investing in downtowns brings back great returns, often $3 for every dollar spent.” The inaugural mural will be on the north side of the Heber Valley Visitor’s Center at 475 N.…

Sports fans will be pleased to know that Wasatch High School is planning to have cross-country, golf, soccer, tennis, volleyball, and even football this Fall. Some accommodations will be made to allow the sports to go forward. Ryan Bishop, Assistant Principal, said that a baseball program was held this summer with 30-35 participants. Protocols included extra sanitizing and cleaning, among other things, and there were no issues with Covid. The football team has also been holding drills and practices with very limited…

Wasatch School District approved their plan for reopening schools at a meeting on July 21, 2020. District plans have been evolving since last March, when kids were sent home unexpectedly due to the coronavirus pandemic. “We have worked very closely with to put things in place,” Garrick Peterson, Director of Academics, explained. “We’ve put measures in place that make it safe to come back to school for our teachers, our staff, and our students.” Parent survey results showed 50% of parents desire full-day, traditional…

The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) is building a new traffic signal at the intersection of 3000 South and U.S. 189. On July 23, construction crews will be widening the right turn lane and paving the east side of the intersection. This work will require restricting access to U.S. 189 from westbound 3000 South between 7 a.m. and 2 p.m. Access to the Wasatch County Waste Transfer Station will be allowed from 3000 South and from U.S. 189. Residents will need to use 3000 South to Daniel’s Road as an alternate…

The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) will be setting the first bridge beams for the new bridges on U.S. 40 near the Mayflower exit. Crews are scheduled to set up to six beams at one of the north overpass bridge locations from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. tomorrow.  Placing the beams will require closing one of the uphill lanes of U.S. 40 between the Mayflower interchange and the Summit County line. Drivers should expect moderate to heavy travel delays as a result. Crews are scheduled to place the remaining beams at the…

The Big Hollow Fire continued to rage Friday, as firefighter crews worked tirelessly to protect the town of Daniel. Heber Valley residents watched as huge flames were clearly visible on the mountain Thursday night. Big Hollow Fire had consumed 418 acres and was 22% contained by Friday evening. It began at around 4:30 pm Thursday afternoon, just above the Big Hollow Shooting Range. The specific cause is still under investigation. It was determined to be a human-caused fire, based on lightning maps of the area. Those…

The Wasatch County Fair will be held August 5-8, 2020. Although this year will be different from past events, the organizers have come up with some unique, safe ideas for family fun! “We have great events and activities planned for Fair Days this year,” says Amaria Scovil, Director of the Wasatch County Recreation Center. “There is a free drive-in movie night with popcorn to kick off the fair on August 5th, and to wrap it up on August 8th, we’re throwing a tailgate concert and BBQ, followed by fireworks.” In between,…

Thanks to some very dedicated leaders of Heber City, the Heber Market on Main will be going forward this year! The kickoff event will be held on Thursday, July 9, 2020, from 6-8:30 pm, at the Main Street Park. It will include food trucks, live music, contests, and prizes. And, exclusively for 2020, there will also be physical distancing, sanitizing, and a face mask contest thrown in. After the event came to a close last year, the city decided to recreate it into a world-class event, with a new website and a new brand.…

The Midway Boosters are holding an Independence Day celebration on July 4, 2020, and everyone is invited! Activities will include a drive-by parade, a radio broadcast, and fireworks originating from Memorial Hill. The City of Midway is encouraging people to watch the fireworks from their vehicles, if possible. Booster members Randy Bradley and his wife Annie are in charge of the event. They knew they couldn’t have the traditional Midway celebration because of the coronavirus. “We came up with a plan where we wouldn’t have…

The Karl Malone Team held a free dinner event on Friday night to show the community’s gratitude for Wasatch County’s First Responders. “A Night of Thanks” included dinner and prizes donated from multiple local businesses. The Fire Department, Police Department, Sheriff’s Department, Utah Highway Patrol, Emergency Medical Services (EMS), and Search and Rescue were invited, along with their families, to attend. The event was created by Amy Madsen, who is the wife of Karl Malone’s local partner, Andy Madsen. Amy’s son is a…

Heber City hosted a popular Car Show on Saturday, June 27, 2020. The “Back to the 50’s” Car Show was held at Heber City Park and included music and awards. JC Hackett, radio personality for Oldies station KCPX, was the organizer, and this is his 27th year hosting the Heber City show. The proceeds from the show will go to charities, including The Alzheimer’s Foundation and the Utah 1033 Foundation for families of Fallen Law Enforcement Officers. Some accommodations were made due to the current COVID pandemic. For example,…

The lieutenant governor and GOP gubernatorial candidate Spencer Cox, along with his running mate Utah Senator Deidre Henderson, stopped by the Spin Cafe in Heber City on Wednesday to meet with local residents. The event provided an opportunity for Cox and Henderson to discuss issues important to Wasatch County. Cox also visited the Kohler Dairy Farm earlier in the day. A native of rural Fairview, Utah, Cox has made it a goal to visit each of Utah’s 248 cities and towns during his campaign for governor. He currently…

Wasatch County Passes Summit in Per Capita COVID Case Counts, Possible Land Trade, and New Zoning Amendments

One of the city’s busiest intersections is becoming much safer. A new traffic light is being added to 100 South and 300 West. This road is also State Highway 113 and is managed by the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT). The department has been doing a “warrant study” to determine if there was a need in that location, and their analysis showed that the stoplight was necessary to maintain the safety of the road. UDOT is also adding left-turn lanes on 100 South and crosswalks in all four directions. “These added safety…

Heber City has officially put out its welcome mat for the summer! This past Saturday, the Community Alliance for Main Street (CAMS) organized its Heber City Annual Spring Planting. CAMS has made its mission to “restore and improve our beloved historic Main Street.” The non-profit is required to work with the significant limitations of being on a state highway, but Main Street is still the face of Heber City to visitors, and CAMS is working towards supporting local businesses and Heber’s economy by creating a unique and…

Please join us outside the Heber City Tabernacle on Saturday June 6 from 9am-Noon to plant flowers in the Heber City Main street flower boxes.

By Karyn Bates Anderson “A river is more than an amenity; it is a treasure. It offers a necessity of life that must be rationed among those who have power over it.” A RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT This statement by Oliver Wendall Holmes Jr. (Former Associate Justice of the US Supreme Court) is as true today as it was in 1922. Of all the majestic landforms in the Heber Valley the Provo River, flowing silently along, yet changing everything in its path, is a significant game-changer. The river is a consistent and necessary…

Heber City Council approved the annexation of the Sorenson Property, meaning the incoming 5,700-unit development built over the course of 40 years will officially be a part of the city. The 5,700-unit development is located on 8,000 acres to the north of current Heber City development. The annexation agreement has placed the development on 3,000 acres of the land leaving the remaining 5,000 acres as natural open space. The property was originally granted entitlements to build by a previous Wasatch County Council, without…

Wasatch County has been moved to the low risk, yellow phase effective immediately. Thursday evening Wasatch County Health Department announced the county has been moved from the orange moderate risk phase to the yellow low risk phase. Wasatch County stayed in the yellow phase six days longer than most of the state. Wasatch County Health Director Randall Probst explained Wednesday the decision was made by the governor’s office based on monitored data of the virus. At the Wednesday meeting Probst says most businesses will…

In a small little area of the world, over 10,000 years ago, snow melted in the Wasatch Mountains running through cracks and fissures in the ground until it reached 2 miles under the surface. It then began to heat and rise back up, bringing minerals with it. Eventually, that process created what is now known as the Homestead Crater. Midways Natural Wonder The Homestead is one of the most unique properties in Utah and has received well-deserved attention for over 125 years. Maria and Simon Schneitter originally built…