Heber Valley Life

Tag: 2020

  • 10 Reasons to Love 2020!

    10 Reasons to Love 2020!

    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 hours to catch the bus or make it to school before the tardy bell. So, thank goodness they could finally sleep in, day after day, week after week, and get caught up!

    2. The adults got to work from home.

    We all had SO MUCH extra family time in 2020. Everybody was able to spend 24/7 with his or her significant other and children. We had breakfast, lunch, and dinner together. Mornings, afternoons, and evenings together. Wasn’t that fun?

    3. The environment received a much-needed break.

    Were there really dolphins in the canals of Venice? It was on Facebook anyway.

    4. We had a mini, preparatory earthquake.

    All those years of trying to get people to take the big one seriously finally paid off. And we switched out the size 2T clothes we had in our 8-year-old’s 72-hour kit. And got new granola bars.

    5. The government handed out free money.

    We don’t know where it’s coming from, but hey, free money! Who knew the government could just print whatever money they want? Maybe we should just print our way out of the national debt too. So many possibilities here!

    6. The presidential election is over.

    Or is it? Just kidding. Whether your first choice won or not, I think we can all agree that at least, for the most part, hopefully, it’s over, and we don’t have to watch any more debates.

    7. We had a preview of what things will go first in emergencies.

    I, for one, am buying an extra package of toilet paper every time we go to Costco from here on out. And water bottles. And maybe some yeast and flour in case there is no food, and I need to learn how to make bread. And whatever they make Oreo cookies from. Let’s stock up on that too. And maybe plant a cacao tree.

    8. We realized other counties are jealous of Wasatch.

    Remember when the Governor said Utahns could only recreate in their own counties? That was awesome! Could we make that an annual thing?

    9. The shelters ran out of dogs!

    Awwww…So many pets found new homes. And they were taken on walks all the time. And their owners got more exercise too.

    10. ESPN showed the Cornhole Championship, old spelling bees, and the NBA players in a super-competitive game of HORSE.

    Ha. That was super entertaining. I’ve never seen a huge, billion-dollar, maybe trillion-dollar, network scramble more. I can only imagine what the network meetings were like. “Ummm…We could have the NBA players compete in a game of HORSE.” Silence. The president of ESPN starts to cry.

    Bonus: We learned to be more resilient and thankful.

    Seriously, we all received a much-needed course in resilience. And we realized how many things we’ve been taking for granted. The Covid pandemic knocked us off our feet. Will we come back stronger and more prepared?

    We badmouth 2020 like it was the worst thing ever. Covid has been devastating for communities and families. We have lost almost 2 million people worldwide. It’s unquestionably a tragedy.

    However, the Spanish Flu, the one that our pandemic is sometimes compared to, happened at the same time as World War 1. Can you imagine how difficult that would be? It’s estimated that 20 million to 50 million people died worldwide from that flu, in addition to the 16 million who died in the war. Some estimates have Spanish flu deaths as high as 100 million because of difficulties in record keeping. Could we have handled that?

    2020 brought with it plenty of trials, but also amazing advances in science and worldwide cooperation to stem the tide of this most-recent pandemic. 2020 was amazing in so many ways. Plus, now we have bragging rights to talk forever more about how we handled the pandemic of 2020, how it affected our lives, and how it made us stronger, more creative and innovative, and better able to handle challenges in the future. We’ve got this! Bring it on 2021!

    Kidding. We don’t actually want 2021 to bring on anything. But if it does, I have lots of Costco toilet paper in the garage.

  • New Cascade Springs Road is Now Open!

    New Cascade Springs Road is Now Open!

    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 work crews and anticipate delays.

    Cascade Springs is “a large artesian spring with naturally-terraced cascades and pools,” according to the U.S. Forest Service website. “Over seven million gallons of water flow through the springs each day.” Cascade Springs is extremely guest-friendly, with boardwalk trails, bridges, benches, and signs. Some areas are handicap-accessible, and restrooms are provided. Wildflowers, trees, and other vegetation are abundant around the springs.

    Cascade Springs Road can be accessed through Midway City. The newly-improved road stretches from the boundary of Wasatch Mountain State Park all the way to the Alpine Scenic Loop Road. On the western half of the road, the project included pavement rehabilitation. For the eastern half to Midway, however, work included “complete roadway reconstruction, including slope and roadway stabilization, guardrail, retaining walls, minor roadway realignment to straighten curves, and drainage enhancements,” according to the Federal Highway Administration’s Project Description. The eastern road before construction was a dirt and gravel roadway, with no guardrails and huge drop-offs.

    The new road provides safer and more reliable access to the Cascade Springs recreation area. It also enhances the entire Cascade Scenic Drive. The improvements cover approximately 12 miles of mountain roadway.

    For more information on the Cascade Springs Scenic Drive or the Cascade Springs Recreation Site, contact the Pleasant Grove Ranger District of the Uinta National Forest at 801-785-3563.

  • Wasatch High Creates Innovative Homecoming Dance 2020

    Wasatch High Creates Innovative Homecoming Dance 2020

    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 June and July, I started reaching out to see what other schools were doing.” He found that most schools were not going to have a dance. “At that point, I went to our district office and our school board, and they gave us an approval to try to work with the health department.” Bishop was hoping to come up with something for Homecoming that the Wasatch Health Department would approve. He continued, “Obviously we knew it would look different. So, I sat down with our student government kids, and we just brainstormed a hundred different things.” Sometime in the middle of august, students came up with the final idea.

    “What I really like about it is we had a lot of kids get involved. . . . It was really student-centered; the adults were just there to help them along the way,” said Bishop. Students took drone shots of the football field, and it was divided into 20 sections. Each section will be color-coded, along with assigned parking, entrance gates, wristbands, and a chaperone. 700-800 students are expected to attend, but there will only be 25-30 students in each 40×10-yard section. Digital tickets were pre-purchased over an app, to minimize contact. The dance time will be earlier than usual, 7-9pm, and masks will be distributed at the gates.

    “It’s amazing when there’s trust,” Bishop explained. “We’ve had a great deal of trust between our school district personnel, our administration at the high school, our school board, and the County Health Department.”

    Although many normal Homecoming activities were cancelled, some remained. Street painting was changed to “Chalk the Block,” and the front patio of the school was decorated by various school groups. Wasatch beat Spanish Fork 26-17 in a Homecoming football game Friday night. And a virtual Homecoming Royalty vote was held. The results were Sydney Brooksby as Queen, Kate Henderson as 1st Attendant, and Mary Santiago as 2nd Attendant.

    “We’re going to create a safe environment, and wear masks, and do everything that our health department’s asking us to do. But, we sure want to give our students some fun high school experiences too,” said Bishop. “We want to show them some sense of normalcy.”

    Parents seem to agree. According to Randy and Jen Larsen, “As parents of a Senior, we sincerely appreciate the efforts of the Wasatch School District, Wasatch High School administration & teachers, and the Wasatch County Health Department to be creative and implement guidelines that allow for some normalcy. Creating an environment that encourages social distancing and providing masks to each participant will give WHS students the opportunity for a unique, but real and memorable homecoming experience in 2020!”

  • Swiss Days 2020 Goes Online!

    Swiss Days 2020 Goes Online!

    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.” Products from Swiss Days’ booths will be available on the event’s website. Select vendors received the online opportunity.

    Tami Van Der Veur, CEO of “Savvy Curls,” was invited to include her popular, no-heat headband curler in the website event. According to Van Der Veur, “We were so looking forward to Swiss Days and all the smiling faces and positive energy that it brings. And then, bam. As soon as we were accepted, they announced that they had to cancel this year’s event. As excited as we were to be accepted, we were equally disappointed that they shut it down.”

    Like many other Swiss Day’s vendors, Savvy Curls gets a bulk of its revenue every year from the highly-attended craft show. The event was cancelled early to give businesses as much time as possible to change course for the year. The website sales event is an attempt to help bring business to these vendors and bring products to customers.

    “Being the amazing community that they are, [Midway] was innovative enough to come up with an online Swiss Days to further support vendors,” said Van Der Veur. “We are thrilled to be a part of the online event this year. And we look forward with great anticipation to be able to participate in the regular Swiss Days next year.”

    Customers can shop 2020 Swiss Days online from August 31 to September 11 at https://midwayswissdays.org/.

  • The Show Must Go On!

    The Show Must Go On!

    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 rehearsals were held beginning in July, and the show has become a reality. In addition to talented actors, performances will also feature the Heber Valley Children’s Choir. Even the One Stop dinosaur is jumping in on the action, with a rainbow coat and groovy hair, created by Heber City resident, Christine Chappell.

    The production will be held on the lawn, just south of the Main Street historic city building. Audience household groups will be distanced from each other and from the stage. Facemasks will be required, except while seated in individual, socially-distanced groups. The theater will not be selling concessions, but food trucks will be nearby. Also, sanitizer stations and temperature checks will be used. For additional safety, high-risk individuals may enter and be seated 50 minutes prior to the show.

    The 90-minute show will be performed concert-style to increase safety of the cast members and others. Tickets are $10 per person, or $50 total for groups of 6-8 people. They may be bought online in advance and early purchases are highly encouraged. Tickets may be purchased at the door through Venmo or with exact change, but capacity will be limited, and the shows may sell out.

    The Timpanogos Valley Theater Company has been in operation since 2001. Its focus is family theatre, and, especially, on bringing youth and adults together for quality productions.

    For more information, go to  http://www.timpvalleytheatre.com. 

    Photo credit: Timpanogos Valley Theater Facebook Page

  • Heber Valley Corridor One Step Closer

    Heber Valley Corridor One Step Closer

    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 and evaluation was needed. An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) has now been initiated. This process will evaluate the possible impact of alternatives on natural and human environments.

    The public, elected officials, agencies, and others are encouraged to consult with UDOT to identify the purpose and need for transportation action in the valley. UDOT will then create alternatives such as constructing new roads, reconfiguring Main Street, and improving other nearby roads. Each alternative will be examined for environmental impact.

    Throughout the process, there will be many requests for public involvement. These include public meetings, public comment periods, a public hearing, and other engagement opportunities. The August 27th meeting will be part of the scoping for the project. Alternatives will be examined and a draft EIS will be created. Another public comment period will be held. Afterwards, UDOT will identify a preferred option, and a final EIS will be prepared. A decision regarding Main Street and Highway 40 could be determined by 2023.

    During the public comment period, input may be submitted through the website, email, voicemail, or by sending a letter. More information can be found here: https://hebervalleyeis.udot.utah.gov/.

  • Wasatch County Fair (2020 version) is On!

    Wasatch County Fair (2020 version) is On!

    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, there is so much more!

    The free Drive-in Movie on August 5th will show “A Dog’s Journey.” The gates at the Event Complex will open at 7:30pm, and free popcorn will be provided, while supplies last. There will also be a short video to recognize the Wasatch High School 2020 Seniors, prior to the movie at 9:30pm.

    The free Fun Run will be held on Thursday, August 6th, and can be completed anytime between 7am and 7pm. Participants can walk or run the 2 miles up Memorial Hill. Pre-registration and face masks are encouraged. New participants will begin the run every 10 minutes to allow for social distancing. Prizes will be given for social media posts.

    The County Fair will also include pre-registered outdoor family games, including a power-wheels race, a foul shot competition, and a stick-horse barrel race.

    The Jr. Livestock Show, including lambs, swine, and beef, will run throughout the fair. The sale will be held on Saturday, August 8.

    “Wasatch Has Talent” videos and County Fair exhibits will be submitted online. 4H exhibits will be dropped off in person. Exhibits will be judged and posted on the website for viewing beginning on August 4. Links for all three types of entries can be found below.

    The Wasatch County Fair 2020 will end with a tailgate concert and BBQ at the Event Complex. The BBQ will run from 5:30-7:30pm, at $6 a plate, and will be limited to the first 1,000 people. Tyke James and the Moss will then open the concert at 7pm, with Charley Jenkins headlining at 8pm. The Horse of Many Colors Balloon Launch will follow at 9:30pm, and festivities will culminate with fireworks at 9:45pm.

    For more information, please see https://www.wasatchcountyfair.com/

    Talent video submissions can be made here: https://www.wasatchcountyevents.com/p/fair-days-new/activities/talent-find

    Open Class Exhibits can be submitted here: https://www.wasatchcountyevents.com/p/fair-days-new/activities/exhibits

    4H information can be found at this link: https://d38trduahtodj3.cloudfront.net/files.ashx?t=fg&rid=WasatchCountyEventsCenter&f=2020-4H.pdf

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