Three decades later, the department he built now spans over 160 acres of parkland, a nationally recognized Event Center, a vibrant Rec Center that sees thousands of local families annually, year-round programming, and nearly 90 full-time and part-time staff. And this summer, Tom is stepping away from it all, retiring after a career defined by service, growth, and deep local roots.

A Wasatch County Native with Deep Roots

“I’ve been the director for all 30 years,” Tom says with a modest smile. “Same job, my whole career.” That’s pretty rare these days.

Rare, indeed, but fitting for a fifth-generation native of Wasatch County who still remembers when Heber had a single stoplight and Dairy Keen was the only drive-thru in town. Growing up in Midway, Tom probably never imagined that one day he’d oversee a department that would become central to community life in the valley.

His journey to Parks and Rec wasn’t exactly planned. At the time, Tom was working in the golf business at the Homestead. “I wasn’t even looking for a job,” he says. “But my boss, Chris Brisco, told me, ‘If you don’t apply for that job, I’m going to fire you.’” Thankfully, Tom listened. “He was the smartest business mind I’ve ever known, and he saw something I didn’t. Turns out, he was right.”

From the very beginning, Tom approached Parks and Rec with a clear mission: build something that brings people together and make it accessible for all.

“I used to do everything,” he recalls. “Mowing lawns, dragging fields, running programs, even scorekeeping. And I used my family too,” he laughs. “They were my free labor, my wife Angie, my daughter McKinzie, and my son Max; they helped with cleanup, time clocks, and concession stands. You name it.”

Over the years, Tom’s department expanded dramatically, but he never lost that hands-on spirit. His assistant director, Heath Coleman, began working for Tom at the age of 16 and is viewed by some as the natural continuation of his legacy. “Heath’s done every job in this department,” Tom says. “From grounds crew to program director. He knows it inside and out.”

It’s that kind of homegrown loyalty that defines the Parks and Rec team. Many of Tom’s senior staff have been with him for 15 to 29 years. “Amaria Schovil’s been with me 29 years. Kim Kowallis, 20 years. Eric Lappe and John Provost, over 15. That kind of continuity is unheard of. I don’t have much turnover, and that’s a testament to how much they care about this place.”

Under Tom’s leadership, Wasatch County has become a go-to destination for major events. “We could do events every weekend if we wanted to,” he says. “But I’ve always told my team: From Memorial Day to Labor Day, we go hard. Then we rest. I want them to have a life too.”

Among the department’s crowning achievements is the Demolition Derby. Once on the verge of disappearing, the derby has exploded in popularity. “Ten years ago, we were lucky to get seven or eight cars,” Tom says. “Now, we’re the biggest derby west of the Mississippi. We host drivers from Canada, Florida, Wisconsin, and beyond. It’s wild.”

More of Tom’s favorite events include the Firecracker Baseball Tournament—”It’s wood bat, old-school baseball. I love it”— and the Utah State High School Rodeo Finals, which Tom helped host during his very first summer on the job. “That event is special. The kids, the tradition, it’s pure Heber.”

Powered By Community Support

Tom credits the local community and businesses for much of the department’s success. “We have 40-plus sponsors contributing over $250,000 annually,” he says. “Mountainland Auto, Karl Malone Dodge, Redmond Salt, Lee’s, Moe at One Stop—they don’t hesitate. If I needed a thousand dollars tomorrow, Moe would pull it out of his pocket. That’s just who he is.”

Even staffing major events is a community effort. “The high school football team takes tickets. The cheerleaders and girls’ soccer team help clean up and run exhibits. The band and boosters run concession stands. We try to give back to the teams, because they show up for us.”

Tom also worked hard to ensure the department was built with minimal burden to taxpayers. Over the years, Heber City has seen a couple of property tax increases. However, the majority of funding for major recreational projects like the Rec Center, the Event Center, and the city’s expanding park system has come from transient room and restaurant taxes. In other words, it’s largely visitors, those who stay in local hotels and dine in town, who have helped foot the bill for Heber’s recreational growth, allowing the city to expand without placing a significant burden on local taxpayers.

Like any growing town, Heber Valley faces its share of challenges. Chief among them? Space. “Even with all our fields and parks, we still don’t have enough. Mondays through Thursdays are packed with practices and leagues. In the winter, the Rec Center is bursting at the seams.”

Tom sees solutions on the horizon, with the county owning property for future parks and facilities. He also hopes to see a dedicated exhibit hall built, something that could serve the fair, host community events, and become a versatile indoor space.

Still, Tom believes the department is in good hands. “I may be retiring, but I think things are only going to get better. We’ve laid a strong foundation, and the team is
always ready.”

When asked what he’s most proud of, Tom doesn’t hesitate. “The relationships. The employees who’ve become family. The kids I’ve watched grow up. And the fact that, for 30 years, people have trusted us to do what’s right for this valley.”

 A Farewell to the Valley He Loves

Tom and Angie are moving to Arizona, seeking sunshine, a little golf, and fewer snowflakes. “I just can’t do the winters anymore,” he admits with a smile. “But I’ll be back. My family’s here. My roots are here. I’ll never really leave.”

Still, the change is bittersweet. “Heber has changed so much. I don’t even recognize parts of it anymore. But the spirit? That’s still here. This is a vibrant community. People care. They support each other. That’s never changed.”

As he prepares for retirement, Tom reflects on what he hopes people take away from a visit to a game, the fair, or the Rec Center. “I want them to feel safe. I want them to have fun. And I want them to feel proud of what we’ve built, because it’s theirs, not mine.”

Thank You, Tom

After 30 years of early mornings, late nights, and countless events, Tom’s departure marks the end of an era, but it also shines a light on the lasting impact of a leader who believed in people, rolled up his sleeves, and made Heber Valley a better place to live, play, and grow.

Thank you, Tom, for 30 years of heart, hustle, and homegrown leadership. Your contributions will continue to shape Heber Valley’s parks, programs, and community spirit for years to come.

Though Moe’s is becoming more well-known around town, many still don’t know about this gem – maybe because it is inside the Mountainland One Stop gas station. It’s not a place you’ll see from the road. Those in the know, like the high schoolers and city and construction workers, keep the wood tables filled at lunchtime every day. If crowds aren’t your thing, call in your order; it’s usually ready for pick up in 10-15 minutes.

If you are wondering who Moe’s Grill is named after, it’s named after one of the One Stop’s owners, Mohamed Mohamed. In 2011, Mohamed ‘Moe’ was operating another successful grill in another state and decided to check out Utah. He found and purchased the Mountainland One Stop in 2016 from Jeff Wade. The One Stop was already a busy and loved place in Heber; Moe knew he would have big shoes to fill. He added Moe’s Grill to the gas station in June 2017, keeping the original menu from his previous grill because customers loved it. Moe is passionate about great food, and he knew he could make the grill profitable due to having the same overhead as the One Stop and passing those savings onto his customers. Moe employs family members that include two nephews, one younger brother, and his incredible grill chef, José, his brother-in-law who followed him to Utah. You’ll often see Moe at the One Stop, with his business partner since 2021, Devin Johnson.

What makes Moe’s so great – besides the fries? Everything is fresh and made from scratch every day. Though the Philly Cheesesteak and Wet Chile Verde burrito put them on the map, there’s something to be said about a delicious, well-made turkey, bacon, and avocado sandwich on sourdough. There’s a vegetarian sandwich loaded with fresh veggies and flavor, and a filling chef salad for those that want something lighter. The tacos, burritos, tortas, and nachos all have that irresistible, authentic Mexican flavor and always come out perfectly hot. There’s also a kid’s menu. As mentioned earlier, the portions are generous, and customers have noticed and appreciated what they can get for their money. Moe says, “I wanted to give the customers enough to appreciate the money they spent and have it be really fresh and quality food.”

If you have ever stopped in at the One Stop, you’ll see that even though it’s busy, the employees run it efficiently and smoothly; and make everyone feel welcome and taken care of. Moe’s has a wonderfully loyal customer base just from this alone, and you’ll most likely run into someone you know or have worked with.

Moe loves to cater and does a lot of events in the summer and fall. He prepares and caters everything himself because he loves the connection that happens when feeding people, which he learned by watching his mother when he was a boy. He shares, “It doesn’t feel like work to me. I truly love seeing people happily enjoying food; it fills me in a way.”

Because of the variety, freshness, and deliciousness, it will be easy for you to try everything at Moe’s. So next time someone asks, “Where do you like to go for an outstanding lunch in Heber?” I’m pretty confident you’ll also say, “Moe’s Grill inside the Mountainland One Stop!”

Moe’s Grill

Open Mon-Sat
10 am-9 pm

1175 S Main St, Heber
435 654 5530
mountainlandonestop.com

Downtown Heber has always been bustling, and it gets busier each year, to the point where many residents avoid it due to the heavy traffic. City leaders have taken notice and are striving to make positive changes. Working together, they are exploring projects to find the best possible solutions to manage downtown growth and redevelopment. Their efforts demonstrate that downtown is worth preserving and investing in. Both county and municipal government are guiding the process, with many strategic initiatives aimed at making downtown Heber City a welcoming place for residents and visitors to gather and enjoy throughout the year.

The Wasatch Stake Tabernacle, now home to Heber City offices, has a rich and storied history. Standing since 1889, it was constructed by early settlers and members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, stone by stone, using sandstone quarried from the Lake Creek area. The construction was largely funded by generous monetary contributions from countless families in the valley.

So, what updates and changes are coming to the Tabernacle? The iconic steeple, which has suffered wear and tear and damage from persistent feathered friends and weather, has been repaired. These repairs began before Christmas and were finalized in April. After years of silence, the steeple’s music was restored a couple of years ago, delighting holiday music lovers within a half-mile radius.

We have already seen enhancements to our Main Street park including the current construction of the new band shell and 200 South permanent road closure for pedestrians. We’ve enjoyed the annual downtown events such as the Heber Market on Main (June-August), the Red, White and Blue Festival (July), Heber Halloween Fest (October), and Old Fashioned Christmas (December). Many of us have stopped in for a bite at the food trucks while warming up by the fire pits. Now, the old will meet the new with the addition of a playful hardscape water feature next to the Tabernacle, available for enjoyment starting this summer. This space is anticipated to become a family favorite, nestled under towering trees with plenty of space for picnics and relaxation. A re-dedication of the Tabernacle is scheduled for June 8th.

Heber City is experiencing growing pains, with more changes undoubtedly on the horizon. While we might not embrace every scheduled improvement in our beautiful valley, we can unite as a community to celebrate our cherished gathering places and holiday traditions. Let’s raise awareness and hope with our collective voices, stay informed about what’s to come, and continue to enjoy the present in our quaint jewel of the Wasatch back.

The fresh paint, wood, and leather scents greet me as I walk into the newly renovated Hub. I can imagine the welcoming aroma of pancakes, freshly brewed coffee, and French fries that all great restaurants have. The main dining area is bright and cheerful, thanks to ample sunlight streaming in from the new windows and the bright, painted, and tiled walls. The bar is open, with comfortable bar stools, and a window that allows me to see into the kitchen. It looks different from the old Hub, but the familiar layout, same booth-style seating, and old photographs reassure me that this is still the same Hub; it just got a much-needed makeover.

The Hub has had a few owners in its lifespan, the most recent owners taking over the reins being Mohamed “Moe” Mohamed and Devin Johnson. Moe first came across The Hub in 2016, before he purchased Mountainland One Stop from lifelong local Jeff Wade. Moe wanted a positive change in his life and came to Utah looking to buy a gas station in a different town. However, when he arrived, Moe discovered the station was already under contract with someone else. He was told about a possibility here in Heber City. Moe decided to make the trip; and that’s when he first experienced the Heber Valley and decided to buy the Mountainland One Stop. He also made it a goal to one day purchase The Hub. He sold everything he owned, and in July of 2016, bought the One Stop and moved to Utah.

When Moe took over the Mountainland One Stop, Jeff Wade, wanted Moe to be successful, and wanted the traditions Mountainland was known for to live on, so he generously showed Moe the ropes. They went to the auctions, the rodeos, the fair, and all the local events that Jeff contributed to so that Moe could know how to continue and carry on. Moe says his biggest goal was to make Jeff proud, just like he would his father. Over the years, he’s happy to say he has. So much of what Moe does at the One Stop is because of Jeff and his influence. Moe had a similar goal for The Hub: it would be a great place to fix up and bring back to the locals — making them proud.

Devin Johnson lived in Salt Lake but had property in Lake Creek that he and his family would frequent. He wanted to spend more time in the Heber Valley, so he purchased a home in Midway. He frequently traveled to his Lake Creek property and always stopped at the One Stop for drinks. Devin struck up a genuine friendship with Moe right from the get-go. One day, Moe asked him if he would like to become his partner. They became equal partners of Mountainland One Stop in 2021. They also purchased the car wash behind the One Stop; in August of 2022, the business partners realized another long-time goal as they became the new owners of The Hub.

Moe and Devin are different people, but the vision for The Hub is the same: revive it and re-establish the connection the locals have with The Hub. Moe states, “With all the changes and growth happening in the valley, Heber needs something that stays in the community. The Hub belongs to Heber. If I can get someone who hasn’t been here in five years, ten years, to come back and have them feel that they are home again, my goal will be met.” Moe continues, “Anyone can buy a business, but something that has almost 100 years of history is special. It has to continue as part of the community. That’s what I want to do.” Devin agrees, “If you talk to generational locals, you can’t find someone that doesn’t have a family member that hasn’t worked here or some kind of family connection here.” He, too, wants Heberites to come back in and still feel like this is “their” place. “We still want people to feel connected, just like they have their entire lives.”

After the purchase, they planned on an interior remodel and update; however, once they started, they realized the entire building, top to bottom, was going to need more work than they had anticipated. The cinder block holding everything up was crumbling and would not have lasted much longer, let alone another 90 years. They ended up gutting everything down to the roots. 98% of the plumbing was shot and had to be redone all the way out to Main Street. Once word got around town that it was being renovated, local construction companies wanted the privilege of helping out with the historic building. Moe explains, “Everybody we’ve hired has been as many locals as possible. Most tradespeople are One Stop customers who are in almost every day. We’ve been using familiar faces. It’s hiring people in town, it’s keeping it in the big community circle because they have supported us — even though we are not the cheapest option — it’s meant a lot to us.”

Moe and Devin hired the designing talents of Midway Design Interiors, Brie Duncan and Emma Murphy, because they, too, have fond memories of The Hub and wanted to be a part of its updating. The new aesthetic MDI brought on is more simplified and modern, but there are still touches of the old Hub. One thing they all wanted to keep was the booth-style seating. They spent a lot of time getting the right booths. They wanted customers to come in and recognize the booths and say, oh, this is still The Hub. The bathrooms are completely redone. They added more windows and outside seating. The kitchen has been a labor of love for Moe. He is excited to have a large new kitchen with a huge walk-in fridge and all new appliances. The materials might be different, but they are hoping to preserve the culture. Devin shares, “There is a huge weight in terms of stewardship; this town has been relying on this place for 90 years. Many people are looking for this to be special, and we don’t want to be the ones in 90 years to screw it up! We feel the mantel of that stewardship and want to ensure we do it right.”

Before they opened their doors, The Hub ​had a branding party and invited all who had a family brand to come in and sear it on their walls. So many families, some with 100+-year-old brands, took advantage of the unique opportunity. It’s cool to see all the different brands stamped on the wall and hear how long they’ve been around. Moe knows the history of most of them and plans to create a book with all their info.

“We feel the mantel of that stewardship and want to ensure we do it right.”

The building and ownership aren’t the only things that have changed. It took over a year to put the right management team in place. They hired Kevin McElroen as their executive chef. Kevin brings over 30 years of culinary experience and was looking for a long-term, quality project with great people to work for. One of the best moves Devin and Moe feel they made was to get an all-new culinary team together, which Kevin trained, for a fresh start. They plan to have an excellent menu and hometown customer service, where locals and visitors can feel welcomed and catered to.

Speaking of the menu, it will be a new menu, but there will be some of the old staples too, including all the breakfast favorites. Before, the employees were cooking to feed the masses, and now, there is a real emphasis on fresh, local, and quality ingredients like local honey from Heber, small-batch cheeses from Midway, and fresh produce from local farms. The famous pies and cakes will stay on the menu, but just as before, they will change seasonally. All the meats will always be fresh, never frozen, with a down-to-earth quality. An inspiring addition to the menu will be the homemade pasta that will be made fresh daily.

I asked Moe and Devin why they felt so passionately about reviving The Hub. With its prime location and how busy Heber is getting, it could literally be anything, and it would be successful. Moe answers honestly, “It’s a special place. We didn’t want it to go by the wayside. It’s a special place for me because it was my first experience in Heber before I even purchased the One Stop. It has a strong emotional connection to so many people. Not many businesses left in Heber can say that or even say they’ve been open that long.” Devin adds, “When you have what The Hub has, how can you not preserve that? People from all over still make it a point to stop in because they want to go to the place they went with their father and grandfather when they went hunting. You can’t buy that, and you can’t replace that. It’s living history because it is still connected with people still living today through their ancestors. You’re right; it could be anything, but we’re not trying to do just ‘anything.’ We want to revive the history and the emotional connections. It’s fulfilling to be woven into the fabric of the town you live in, to contribute to society, and have a place.”

Both Devin and Moe acknowledge they may not have as extensive of a history with The Hub as some, but they each have their own history and memories. And they’ve been here long enough to know that The Hub is still a local treasure worth keeping. It’s a place where locals and visitors come back and feel at home because that’s what we do in Heber. If you want to get to know Heber, go to The Hub. We’ll be there waiting to greet you.

1165 S Main, Heber
hubheber.com

“A man should hear a little music, read a little poetry, and see a fine picture every day of his life, in order that worldly cares may not obliterate the sense of the beautiful which God has implanted in the human soul.” – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

This quote is Katrina Berg’s favorite. The German poet’s words apply perfectly to Katrina’s thick, oil paint art pieces that she creates on wood while in her Midway studio. You may already be acquainted with Katrina and her work, but if you’ve never had the joy of coming across her art, it is my pleasure to introduce her and to share a little bit of her story.

Katrina is a creative, free spirit, very in tune with the elements close to her. A creator since childhood, she was constantly drawing or building in the environment around her; creating in nature has always been Katrina’s passion. While in high school the majority of her studies were geared toward architecture. However, when she attended college, Katrina went into education — she thought it was the right choice for her at that time. Katrina graduated with a bachelor’s degree in education from Brigham Young University and then attended the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), enrolling in their landscape architecture program.

While in college, Katrina had the opportunity to study abroad; once in France studying French and dance, and once in Italy studying hill towns and Italian gardens. It was during these times of attending UNLV and studying abroad that Katrina would have two experiences that would change her life: she began painting after a close friend of hers gifted her a set of watercolors, and she met fellow classmate and Heber City native, Carl Berg.

Carl was very familiar with landscape design because his father was a landscape architect that did civil engineering, here in Heber. From the very beginning, Carl was very supportive of Katrina, and his no-nonsense, practical style complimented her imaginative, creative style. They made a perfect team in their group assignment projects, so obviously they started dating and eventually were married — right before graduating. The couple started a family right away and decided to move back to Carl’s hometown to be closer to family. So, in 2005, they moved to Heber.

Bringing the Outdoors In

Art was extremely important to Katrina and once they were settled in Utah, she and her family started visiting all the galleries, especially the ones in Park City. She realized she definitely wanted artwork in her home and decided “I just need to paint. I just need to paint whatever I want, and put it on our walls.”

That single thought would be the beginning of Katrina’s journey as a professional artist. Initially, she painted for fun, and at times, as a way to make her days a little brighter and more manageable. There was a calming power to the aspect of having absolute control while creating something beautiful, no matter what life hit her with. For Katrina, the act of creating and painting was very rewarding. Katrina could do what she loved while staying home with those she loved — her five children. As Katrina painted, she discovered that she really enjoyed working with oil paints and palette knives. The more she painted with them, the more clearly her style began to emerge. The unique color pallet, and the whole idea of thick paint that shines like stained glass, almost a mosaic of different pieces of light put together, really set her apart from other artists.

Eventually, Katrina started doing art shows, meeting and supporting other artists, and participating in the local art scene, where she met Sussette Gertsch (founder of the Midway Art Association). Katrina began participating in Midway’s Plein Air Festival and has painted plenty of historical barns and homes in the Heber Valley, her way of ‘preserving them’.

With her degree in landscape architecture, it’s no surprise that a lot of her art focuses on flowers and nature. She is still bringing the outdoors in, even if it’s not the way she had originally planned.

A New Expression

When Covid happened it really changed so much for Katrina, including her family and business, but most of all, her perspective. It caused a shift spiritually and culturally, and changed the way she expressed herself in and through her artwork.

One special thing you’ll notice about Katrina’s art is her “love of not conforming to whatever is popular”. She embraces being different and her art connects to multi- generations. Most of Katrina’s pieces now have a theme, symbolism, and song title associated with them. She’s proud of her multi-artistic experience, and this is why her favorite quote is so complimentary to her art and her beliefs. Katrina says that she hopes collectors feel God’s love for them when they experience her artwork. She shares, “Each painting is created and meant for someone specific — sometimes I don’t know who that is until later — but God knows.” Katrina’s faith and beliefs are an integral part of her creative process and she credits her “Heavenly Father and Savior” for her success. Katrina says, “Every step along this art journey has been supported and encouraged by Them — all that I’ve learned in my process, style, and chosen subjects comes from Them. I couldn’t be more grateful for our Savior & Redeemer, Jesus Christ, our Heavenly Parents, and the Holy Spirit.”

Katrina loves pushing boundaries with colors, and says that “there are a lot of ways to show depth and symbolism without it being predictable. I love surprises and unpredictability in artwork. I love making colors surprising. Art in person is so much more meaningful because of all the pieces coming together.” Her goal is to get people to experience her art in person because that’s when it comes alive, that’s how you can see the magic of the palette texture. She believes certain art is supposed to go through specific people for special reasons and she is happy to be a receiver.

Collectors of Katina’s art share unexpected experiences they have with her artwork, and she is always fascinated by their stories. If you have seen Katrina’s artwork, it’s hard to miss the creatures that are in so many of her series, past and present. For her, they represent family members and friends who have passed on. She explains, “We are never alone, this journey is not meant to be alone. All these things, especially the hard things we face, are meant to be faced together.”

It Runs in the Family

Having an in-home art business has had an impact on Katrina’s family as well. Her five children have helped prepare and travel for shows. Her older sons make frames for her smaller art pieces, and her younger sons like to help apply gold to the frames and sometimes the artwork. Her daughter has learned the ins and outs of running a business and even started her own cookie club. Katrina sells her art from her Midway studio and usually has pieces for sale at Beljar in Midway as well.

Katrina’s art ranges in size with the occasional oversized statement piece or large commissioned painting; however, 2022 found Katrina embarking on a ‘huge’ adventure. When Alpine Art’s director and curator, Susan Bonosconi, suggested that Katrina create an art show featuring large floral pieces, Katrina was all in! Taking inspiration from her ‘smaller’ pieces of work spanning the last 18 years; Katrina spent the majority of the year painting beautifully unique pieces for her 2023 collection.

During the creative process, she realized her paintings held a lot more meaning and depth due to the symbolism found in the finished images. While working on the second piece in the collection, Katrina decided that the series was going to be about “Becoming”. All the lessons, growth, hardships, and enlightenment boiled down into these beautiful, larger-than-life, happy paintings. Katrina learned to use her painting as a means of processing. But chose to share only the beautiful and joyful moments on her canvas, and to hold onto those, instead of the dark and difficult, and it has been such a blessing for her. The collection focused on flowers and birds that represent joy and celebration, “and sometimes cake! Because cake itself is a celebration!”

Katrina has a lot to celebrate. According to Alpine Art, Katrina’s ‘large-print-only’ art show, Becoming, experienced “[…] the most traffic we’ve had for a solo show.” Katrina loved working with Susan and Alpine Art and described the entire experience as wonderful.  She shares, “I have four of the remaining pieces in my studio right now, but two will be leaving soon, and that’s always exciting to see where they go to visit or stay.”

After the show Katrina took a small break but is excited to return to Swiss Days. She explains, “There’s something about Swiss Days, something about the energy there. It’s a great way for people to be introduced to your work, and it’s such a fun environment.”

Always creating, Katrina is currently working on next year’s art show, The Measure of Her Creation.  Katrina explains the title and theme, “The theme suggests, not only that women were created for a divine purpose, but also that women are divine creators. Through artistic expression, we hope to find a deeper understanding of our eternal role, and to impart doctrinal clarity concerning women. We seek the freedom to fulfill our divine measure as women, as individuals, and as children of God.”

As a friend and follower of Katrina, it has been just as much of an adventure for me to witness the different phases and series of her artwork throughout the years. Looking at her past pieces, there are a lot of the same ideas and style that are in her newer pieces, but they have a refinement and easy grace to them. Katrina is a giver and a teacher; she is one of the most genuine human beings you will ever meet. She is generous with her time, gifts, and advice. She wants aspiring artists to know that sometimes artistic style can take awhile. You won’t always start out exactly where you want to be, but don’t give up, keep going, use your mistakes, and it will find you. She is humbled by how far she has come and is excited to see how much farther she can go with the process and the ongoing journey itself.

The Measure of Her Creation Art Show will be on exhibit in Provo at the JKR Gallery. (1675 N Freedom Blvd Unit 7B, Provo, UT 84604)
Wednesday April 24th, 2024 – Friday June 7th, 2024.
There will be talks & special events during the exhibit.

Visit https://katrinaberg.com/ to learn more about Katrina’s artistic and creative journey.

The Homestead Resort has been a unique and beloved property in Utah since it opened in 1891 as a hotel and saloon built by Swiss immigrants Simon and Maria Schneitter. Fast forward to today and fans of the resort will be delighted to learn that the new owners have already begun an upgraded vision to the entire property while still maintaining the nostalgic, original feel of the family-friendly resort. Almost every building will receive a full-scale renovation. If you’ve visited recently, you will have noticed the beautiful changes already.

The Milk House is one of the oldest buildings at the Homestead and, it too, has received a much-needed renovation and has been transformed into a bright, open space. Built in the 1800s, the building was originally used to store dairy products. Over time, with the introduction of modern conveniences, it no longer needed to be used for storage and eventually was converted to be used as one of the resort’s hotel rooms. Today, it has been transformed once again. The new owners decided to keep to the true heritage of the space and return it to its original roots of being a dairy, so to speak.

The Homestead’s Milk House combines the best of the dessert world: a coffee shop and an ice cream parlor.

Open every day from 9:00 am-7:00 pm, the Milk House features goodies like specialty coffees and drinks, in-house pastries, their famous fresh resort fudge, and something that they are extra excited about — continuously-churned, fresh ice cream. What makes freshly churned ice cream so delicious? Its light and fluffy texture — it’s so smooth and creamy! It might be the best ice cream you will ever taste. There are always six flavors to choose from but they rotate them seasonally so there’s always something new. We spoke with Ashlyn, our barista, and she suggested we try the strawberry ice cream. We loved her recommendation. You can choose toppings or not, whatever you decide, it will be delicious. In case you’re in a hurry — they offer tubs of ice cream to go!

And don’t forget the fudge! There are the classic flavors but the most popular are the dark chocolate caramel sea salt and the coconut delight. I love that the tradition of making this incredible fudge in-house has remained an important and constant practice. Long-time ‘Homestead fudge’ lovers are pretty happy about it too.

One thing that I personally appreciate about the Milk House is all the seating available. I also love the beautiful bright open space and the comfortable atmosphere. In the warmer seasons, you can sit outside and admire the beautiful views of the updated lawn, event areas, and the building itself.

The new vibes of the property give off “someone loved this treasured property enough to bring it back to life.” The renovations show so much thought, planning, and effort to keep the resort around for another 132+ years.

Ashlyn shared that people from all over have been hearing about the new dairy and have loved making the drive to Midway to check it out. Anyone can stop in; you don’t have to be staying at the resort in order to enjoy the scrumptious treats found at the Milk House.

If you haven’t visited yet, I encourage you to go for a little drive to the Homestead’s Milk House. You might just discover a new favorite spot and maybe even a connection to the past, present, and future. I’ll see you there, save some strawberry ice cream for me!

For years, the Heber Valley had little to no options when it came to a custom-order, made-from-scratch cake bakery. That is, until a handful of talented bakers made their way to our valley and brought a bit of extra sweetness with them.

Ania (Ahn-ya) Gorkiewicz-Sullivan with Hungry Bunny is one of several bakers that have recently opened up shop here in our valley; offering custom orders to satisfy sweet cravings from Charleston to Red Ledges. Opening (and thriving) in 2019, Ania went thru a life changing adventure of getting Hungry Bunny into existence — before she baked a single cake.

Originally from a small town in Poland, Ania grew up watching her mom and grandfather cook and bake from scratch in their kitchens. One of her earliest memories is of her mom and all the other women at a family gathering making a hedgehog cake that had sliced almonds for the spikes. It impressed her 4-year-old mind greatly. Because of these influences, she learned at a young age that she loved to cook and bake.

She met and married her husband, Matt, while he was working in Poland for two years as a graphic designer. Because of Matt’s job with the U.S. Ski team, they eventually moved to Heber. Ania was very nervous about moving a world away from everyone and everything she had ever known. When she got to Heber, even though it was beautiful, it took her a bit to acclimate to a whole new way of life. They lived in a charming 1920’s home; and began renovating and fixing it up so, Ania was spending a lot of time at home. In 2018 a friend asked if she would help him sell cakes at the farmer’s market in Heber. She said yes. In that same year, she also started working as a cake decorator at Lee’s Marketplace and loved it! In the two years she worked there Ania shared that it brought her a lot of happiness, especially during Covid. While working at the farmer’s market for a couple of seasons, people started requesting her custom cakes, and that’s how Hungry Bunny got its start. Matt, being her biggest cheerleader, encouraged her to go for it and even built the bakery in their own home. He helped her with the logistics of marketing, the website, deliveries, and the occasional building of odds and ends. He also helped her at the farmer’s markets.

Before Ania could start to bake, not only did she have to learn how to make American style cakes, she also had to learn the United States customary units. Due to nearly everything being different than Poland, including things like flour, butter, eggs, temperatures, times, and even elevation, to say there was a lot of trial and error would be an understatement. Once she perfected her cake recipes, Ania started taking custom orders; focusing on being in close contact with clients. She loves making every single client feel special and heard. A lot of repeat clients have come to trust her and know that the final product will be exactly as they had envisioned. Wedding cakes have the important role of tying all the small and large details together. Ana prides herself on working closely with her brides for the perfect colors, sizes, flavors, and detailed decorations. She wants their cake to be the epitome of their dream wedding cake. Ania explains, “From the minute you talk to the baker, [creating the] cake should be a whole experience, it’s not ‘just a cake’ you’re getting.”

“I’m kind of known for ‘less sweet’ treats, I get a lot of clients coming back for just that reason.” People also come to her for her amazing cake decorations. For this reason, most of the requests she receives are for kids’ cakes. Fondant characters are her favorite decoration to create, and if she could make a living just doing characters, she would absolutely do it.

Hungry Bunny has become a favorite with the kids too. Every year they call her and personally tell her their ideas. “My heart is with kids’ cakes, I love creating colorful, whimsical, goofy stuff for little kids.”

There have definitely been challenges for Ania‘s business. The happy, bright pink bakery can only comfortably fit one person at a time. She is keeping her options open to one day expanding and hiring more help, as difficult as that may be. She feels that is the next step, but doesn’t want to lose the close connections she has with her client base. It will definitely be a balancing act. Hungry Bunny is a one-woman show and that can mean a lot of long hours. Some days and nights will have her working 16 to 18 hours at a time; leaving her utterly exhausted. But the very next morning, she is right back at it, ready to do it all again. Ania recommends ordering as early as possible to get a guaranteed spot. Spring, summer, and holidays are her busiest times. Community is important to her and if there is ever anything she can’t do, she is glad to recommend another bakery to suit those needs. She is glad there are options for everyone in our valley.

Speaking in person with Ania, she revealed that moving to Heber was her biggest and scariest adventure. As someone who has a Masters Degree in Genocide Studies, she was scared at the thought of having to completely reinvent herself. Hungry Bunny forced her out of her comfort zone, to put herself out there. She has made strong connections and friends because of Hungry Bunny and in turn it has become more than just a business, it has also become her passion. She is amazed that not only does it provide an income for her, but the business has also brought so much joy to herself and to clients.

Our valley receives thousands of visitors looking for fun adventures; and it’s extra sweet knowing that even locals are experiencing amazing and brave adventures of their own, whether it’s baking cakes or eating cakes!

Hungry Bunny
435-731-7578
@hungry_bunny_treats

Holiday Treats • Cakes • Cookies • Cupcakes • Dessert Tables • More!

Lost Treasures opened almost three years ago by longtime friends who reconnected in the Heber Valley and decided to open a business together. Clarissa Southwick and Riley Alexander opened the business in 2020 as a vintage collectibles store that was supplied via estate sales and auctioned storage units. The business started out strong and then, along came, you guessed it, the pandemic and changed the whole basis of the business. Prices on storage units started going up and they both had a difficult time buying units that they knew were lost due to the shutdowns and people not being able to afford the payments on them. Clarissa had always been intrigued by pallet auctions and on impulse, they decided to try it out. They were all in and they discovered they really liked it and were happy to find that there was so much more selling potential in pallet auctions. The pallet auctions that Riley and Clarissa purchase are lost freight and surplus inventory. They bid on pallets thru an auction house. “We can see pictures of the pallet but we never know what we are going to get until we receive it and start unpacking it.” shares Riley. There are no return items in the pallets and all recent items in the store are new which are then priced at 25%-50% off retail. If items have a scratch or dent, they are always disclosed on the price tag and customers appreciate that.

When the business first started, there were over 25 local storage units storing the inventory; however, due to the store’s constant rotating, knowing what sells and what doesn’t, and being able to move product quickly and efficiently, they now only need about 10. Items that Clarissa and Riley know they can’t sell, they sell to other vendors that specialize in those products or sometimes they sell pallets back to an auction house.

One thing you have to know about the store: there is a challenge. As a business owner and as a customer it can be challenging not knowing when they will have a particular item people are looking for. “We know it’s a gamble but when we get requests for the same items again and again, those become the pallets we look for and what we try to purchase.” Clarissa says.

Clarissa and Riley have made a lot of friendships with their customers as a lot of them visit regularly due to the ever-changing inventory and the thrill of finding something new every week. Local business owners are relieved to know they can find a great selection of commercial goods if they are ever in a bind, particularly restaurant businesses. One other great thing to note: there is a large selection of indoor and outdoor furniture.

An interesting thing that the pair has noticed, is that often times, since the inventory is a direct result of mail carrier mishaps, it’s typical to receive items that are on trend with current holidays, because that’s what people are ordering when pallets become available. So around Christmas time, they will have a lot of Christmas items. For that reason, Christmas feels even more special for Clarissa and she loves unpacking all the festive holiday boxes knowing that someone is going to find the perfect gift or love having it wrapped under their tree. The holidays are the busiest and it’s always a goal of theirs to be fully stocked for holiday shoppers. If you can’t find the perfect gift anywhere else in town, it’s safe to say, you’ll probably find it at Lost Treasures.

Something shoppers may not realize is that Lost Treasures is a family-owned and family-run business. Clarissa’s mom helps handle inventory and is the one that does all the research and pricing on all items. Riley’s son, Landon, loves helping people at the front register. Clarissa’s brother is the warehouse guy; he builds and assembles all the furniture, assists the customers in the furniture warehouse, and packages and ships all the eBay orders. (They sell items as a top seller on eBay to help during the slow times at the store.) Clarissa’s young sons help in the warehouse and shadow Landon. Clarissa is passionate about every aspect of her job but she loves organizing the different sections and keeping it clean and appealing. Riley is a numbers guy and as well as helping with inventory, transportation duty, and customer service, he loves keeping track of the growth and numbers from the store. Last year he crunched the numbers and discovered they saved their Heber Valley customers close to $200,000 — had they paid full retail price!

The friendly and helpful owners of the store love their customers and often state how grateful they are to be here and how welcomed and supported they have felt. Like so many of us in this valley, they feel honored to be here. In turn, they strive to have excellent customer service, if there is ever a less than stellar experience, they will do whatever it takes to make it right. The store has a discount wheel they spin everyday with discounts up to 25% off in some departments, every day is different and customers find it very helpful knowing what the discount is as soon as they enter the door. You can see them spinning for the discount on Facebook, live every day. The store’s location has been tricky to find for some, but once you find it — it’s well worth the trip.

Riley and Clarissa’s Lost Treasures has a plethora of discounted gifts, needs, wants, and ‘just because’ shopping: plenty of reasons to come in and find your next lost or found treasure.

“We love our customers, we love finding people we get to call friends, we love living and working in the Heber Valley Community.

-Clarissa

Lost Treasures Resell

2211 W 3000 S, Suite D
Heber City
Follow them on Facebook

Sunday/Monday: Closed
Tuesday – Friday: 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
Saturday: 8:00 am – 7:00 pm

Twisted Sugar is a gourmet cookie shop with over 20 different flavors of cookies made from scratch, fresh, every day. They have over 100 fun drink flavors for their specialty sodas. If you don’t find what you want on the menu — no worries — you can create your own. They also sell refreshing flavored waters and Twisters, which are basically ice cream smoothies. Twisted Sugar got its start right here in Utah and has grown into a successful franchise with locations in Utah, Idaho, Nevada, South Carolina, Texas, and Washington, with lots more openings on the horizon.

Heber’s Twisted Sugar franchise owners, Marissa and Aaron Boyer, were living in a small, mountain town in Arizona when Marissa’s father decided to move to Utah in order to be close to family. He talked with Marissa about her moving and possibly opening a business together. The Boyers debated the move for a long time but ultimately decided that, they too, wanted to be closer to family in Utah. They knew they wanted to live in a mountain town; Aaron is an avid mountain biker and finds respite from his career as a nurse in the outdoors and nature. Marissa wanted a safe, close-knit community similar to where they were in Arizona.  Heber checked all the boxes and seemed like the perfect place to move their family.

Marissa had past experience running a small business in Arizona; baking and selling her own cookies to local boutiques. So, when her dad approached her about opening up a Twisted Sugar franchise location, she definitely felt like it was something that she was ready for. She loved the appeal of having her own cookie shop, and liked the idea of having a plan already laid out and ready to go. Her dad helped them get started and now Marissa runs the entire operation with Aaron’s help. The most difficult part was finding a location, especially once they decided to open in Heber. (If you know, you know, right?) Since the owners are responsible for finding and securing a location, and following the franchise aesthetic, Aaron’s handyman skills came in, well … handy. Aaron and Marissa did a lot of work themselves, remodeling and updating the building and getting everything ready for the grand opening which happened in March of this year. Marissa remarked that “The franchise itself was great about coming in and making sure everyone was properly trained and things would run smoothly by opening day.”

Most of the mixologist specialists employed are local high school students and, like everyone else, the couple continue to go thru labor difficulties. However, they feel very fortunate that high schoolers like working with cookies and soda. It creates a fun environment and they love that their location can be a place where the younger crowd can gather. But let’s be honest — cookies appeal to everyone! Marissa says, “People want to come in, they want to see the big case window, they love looking at the cookies.” All Twisted Sugar locations have a black and white decor theme, but the Boyer’s mosaic tile floor sets their store apart from other locations — which they are happy about.

The creator and founder of the franchise, Mike Jardine, created all the cookie recipes. In addition to the 20 cookie varieties, Mike decided to throw in two monthly cookie specials — just in case the original 20 flavors didn’t satisfy the sweet-fix you were looking for. Every month, there are two special cookies available ONLY for that month. The signature cookie is the Twisted Sugar (coconut frosting and fresh lime), but with choices like Peanut Butter Nutella and the chocolaty Crinkle Cookie, it’s easy to have more than one favorite. There is a yummy gluten-free cookie (finally!) that you can add any of the toppings to and even a low carb/keto option.

One thing that sets Marissa’s location apart and makes them unique is their two bakers. Marissa’s Twisted Sugar cookies are the closest thing to homemade cookies that you can get. The bakers make everything from scratch; as in actual measuring, creating, and baking all these cookies fresh every day. Nothing comes pre-measured or pre-made. No two cookies are the same; as for all the frostings and toppings — yup — all fresh too.

During the Market on Main, the Boyers were a familiar face with their cookie and drink booth. Being at the market really helped them get a feel for the local community. Marissa has enjoyed putting herself out there and getting to know her clientele well enough that now, when they come in, she already knows what their drink of choice is. They love the community and “being part of the action that happens in Heber.” As first time franchise owners, they are figuring things out as they go and just want everyone to know they are here. They have the drinks and the drive-up.

They actually have three soda machines! Their drive-up can safely accommodate up to 7-8 vehicles and is easy to access since it is right off Main Street. Marissa laughs, “we do a song and a dance to make our drinks especially amazing, we didn’t just stick a soda machine in the back, a lot of work and thought went into that thing! The soda machine has triple filtered water! We even ran it thru copper piping to make it extra cold so it doesn’t melt your ice, it’s a whole thing.”

Another thing that sets this location apart from other shops is that Marissa feels like a customer and she always wants her customers to leave happier than when they came in. “I train my employees to make the customer happy- that’s the whole point.” If they somehow mess up an order, they are willing to go the extra mile to make it right; she cares deeply about her customer’s satisfaction and happiness when they come into her shop.

Next time you find yourself craving a freshly baked sweet treat, or a refreshing drink, or both; place an order online, find an online parking spot at Twisted Sugar, and your delicious dessert will be brought out to you without you ever having to leave your vehicle. Of course, if you like leaving your mode of transportation, you can go inside and see for yourself all the tempting cookie and drink options and reasons why Marissa and Aaron’s Twisted Sugar will be your new favorite sugar stop.

Marissa’s Favorites:

•  Berrylada Water
•  Banana Cream Cookie
•  Dr. Knievel Soda
•  Pineapple Twister

This wonderful family-owned and operated goat farm and soap-making company is located right here in our talent-filled valley. 2 Farmboys Soap is created in a ‘soap shed’ in small batches on the Cummings farm in Heber. The business sold its very first family-made, goat milk soap at a local market in 2016 and has been selling and growing steadily ever since.

The Cummings family includes; JR, Colleen, Wyatt, and Kash. JR and Colleen have been married for 22 years, and in 2008 were able to move to JR’s family homestead that his great-grandfather established as a farm in the early 1900s. After the passing of JR’s mother, the farm laid dormant with no signs of life. The Cummings decided to get back to their roots and revitalize the farm for their two young sons in hopes that doing so would teach them valuable life lessons that only running a farm can. The pride, joy, and hardships of honest, hard work, and the importance of preserving small farms and agriculture have been a valuable part of the farm-life experience for the tight-knit family.

The farm began to come back to life with the addition of cows, chickens, a horse, and even a peacock or two; however, as Colleen states, “no farm is complete without goats.” They fell in love with three goats after ‘borrowing’ them as weed eaters in 2014 and decided to purchase them as permanent members of their small farmstead.

The boys were 12 and 9 when they added taking care of the goats to their chore list. They happily took on the responsibility of caring for and milking them every day, and each spring they also help deliver the kids. Today, the farm boasts 11 lovable goats, including their buck, Tank, a LaMancha breed, whose been with them from the start.

Once they had the goats, they had to figure out what to do with all the milk they were getting. A friend mentioned to Colleen that goat milk soap was popular where she lived and convinced Colleen to start making soap for friends and family. With no experience in the art of soap making, the family watched many YouTube videos to get them started. It was a long process of trial and error and it took nearly a year to produce the perfect bar of soap that the whole family could be proud of. By the time they had the best, final product, all the family members knew how to make the soap and that has ensured that there will never be a low supply. Hashtag teamwork.

GET YOUR SOAP & FARM FIZZIES SHOP ONLINE

Enjoy free local delivery in the Heber Valley. Or call 435-654-8511 for shop times. In the summertime, look for their booth at the local Farmers’ Markets!

Soap making is not a fast process but after years of making it, the family has a pretty efficient soap system down. First, the goats need to be milked every day from April to October (with a break during the winter). The milk is then frozen to prevent scroching from the lye. The lye slowly melts the milk and then it’s time to add colors, and/or essential oils. Once this process is complete, the mixture is poured into molds and set on a shelf to ‘cure’. In four to six weeks the bars are ready to be packaged.

The soaps are all-natural, made by hand, and packaged by hand. Small batches ensure the quality of the product and all the ingredients are food grade; safe and gentle enough for even the most sensitive skin. Goat milk is naturally rich in fat, vitamins, and minerals, all of which help to prevent skin damage and keep skin radiant.

The family has found soap-making to be a great creative outlet and has experimented with different colors, molds, and fragrances. They carry artisan and natural soaps as well as Farm Fizzies (bath bombs), shower steamers, and holiday products. The business also offers custom creations and loves creating special soap favors for weddings, and products for company swag. Colleen states, “We have fun artisan soaps as well as an essential oil product line available. We have something for everyone!”

2 Farmboys wholeheartedly believe in serving the local community, especially the agricultural community, by giving back as often as possible. They love supporting the local Midway Farmer’s Market and sell there during the summer. The boys are part of Wasatch Highschool’s FFA program, where the eldest son, Wyatt, is the president. They participate in a variety of agricultural education activities with the elementary schools. They, as a business, have gone to preschools, kindergartens, and community events to help promote agriculture, teach about goats, and talk about soap making. At times they have even had several foreign exchange students visit the farm. The whole family is passionate about teaching where food comes from, how to create a business from the land, and the importance of donating products to school events and charities.

Even though the 2 Farmboys Soap will be down to 1 when Wyatt leaves for college, the family still has plans to expand the ‘soap shed’ and have a store where anyone can stop by and purchase their amazing soap and other carefully crafted products. Colleen and JR both have jobs that they will retire from in 5-10 years and will be able to devote more time to the business and plan on selling at more markets. They are hoping to create different products as well and are currently experimenting on goat soap lotions and by request: goat milk lip balm!

For a valley as small as ours, (not as small as it used to be!) there are so many amazingly talented family businesses that deserve local support. We, as a community, have so much potential to keep our businesses thriving and able to stay in our beautiful valley for future generations. It may take a little bit more effort on our part, but the beauty is that you can have your product the same day if you shop locally. Amazon can’t beat that! The businesses are out there, and now you know of one more: 2 Farmboys Soap!

WASATCH HIGH SCHOOL Rodeo Team annual fundraiser

The Farm Boys are members of the team AND THEY ARE fundraising to help OFFSET FEES. If you’d like to donate to this great group of kids, click here!