heber valley

Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood never connected with me when I was a boy. As a child born in the mid to late 1970s, I saw plenty of opportunity, as the show was regularly broadcast and Public Television was still a thing. I endured many an episode, quite simply, because it was what was on the airwaves at that moment (streaming on demand was still a couple of decades out — hard to imagine, I know). It has taken me well into the middle-aged milestone of my journey and Fred Rogers’ passing to appreciate how inspiring and visionary…

There has been far more change going around the Heber Valley than the weather over the past few months. The Heber Valley has an identity of being a quiet, pastoral community. While our natural resources are undeniably our most glaringly apparent assets, the citizens define the true essence of this community. Frequently in the advertising world, we talk about ‘market differentiators.’ The root of a successful launch or campaign will characteristically involve identifying what makes your product different from the rest of the…

Do we have any X-Files fans in the Heber Valley? I loved this sci-fi TV drama when it was airing. For the younger, binge and streaming-on-demand crowd — we used to have to wait until the program aired on network TV to view new episodes. I would count the days in anticipation. When that time arrived, I would make popcorn, turn off the lights and try to maximize the suspense and weirdness that each chapter seemed to unfold. All anticipation would build to a satisfying crescendo as the eerie and oddly low budget theme music and…

How fortunate we are to live in this valley of breathtaking beauty and wonderful people, both present and past. The history of the greater Heber valley is rich and varied, including individuals and families who have exhibited qualities of courage, faith and determination. An organization has been formed called the “Heber Valley Heritage Foundation”, led by Michael Moulton along with a team committed to the preservation of the history and stories of the great people who settled here. Current technology is making this dream…

Fill in the blanks: “Every time a ______ rings, an angel gets his _________”. If you were thinking bell and wings then you must be familiar with the classic Christmas movie, “It’s a Wonderful Life”. Timpanogos Valley Theater will be performing “It’s a Wonderful Life, A Live Radio Play” this holiday season. The timeless George Bailey and his wife Mary; Clarence the angel, and the antagonistic Mr. Potter; and all the other beloved characters of Bedford Falls will be brought to life to share this inspiring story of life,…

“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.” – Pablo Picasso Vernon Murdock began creating art from the moment he first figured out how to hold a pencil. As a very young child, he loved nature; he loved the mountains and the fields that surrounded his home — so he drew them. He enjoyed looking at and watching cartoons — and sketched those too. Vernon’s curiosity about how things worked was no different — he illustrated all the stationary and moving parts. He adored and loved his…

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…

Several winters back, Jennifer Thorne climbed the north ridge of Mount Nebo through waist-deep snow until she crested its 11,861-foot-high summit. During a time of year when most folks are cuddled up in front of a fire with a good book; Jennifer and two of her friends stood atop the highest mountain in the Wasatch enjoying the priceless 360-degree view of snowy mountains and grassy valleys. Removing skis from their backs they tackled a technical ski descent down one of Utah’s most imposing mountains. Would anyone believe…

Defending Wasatch Back began as a group of moms sharing their concerns while at different events with their children. Currently, Defending Wasatch Back has combined forces with the Wasatch 2A Sanctuary group in support of making Wasatch County a Second Amendment Sanctuary.

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…

I know, I know! Why would we want to revisit 2020 when we are so glad to be over it and pushing ahead for a better 2021? I don’t know about you, but I want my rear-view mirror to have cute little bobbles dangling from it instead of my assortment of face masks. Regardless, 2020 as it pertains to Utah Real Estate is something to marvel at. It’s nothing like we have ever seen. Low available inventory, record home sales, record sold prices, and exponential homebuilding increases. Utah has had the fastest growth rate over…

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…

Ten years ago Heatherly Stanley bought her husband Steve a smoker — because smoking meat was a bit of a hobby — and he wanted to see what he could do. And, oh boy, did he discover what he could do! Steve became a master of the BBQ! Fast forward to today and you’ll find Steve and Heatherly are still smoking up a storm. The dynamic duo’s restaurant, Goochy Goo BBQ, is a local favorite right on Main. But it didn’t happen overnight. What do a hobby, an intuitive wife, a grandchild, and the desire to serve, have to do with one…

Once again, it’s that time of year. The remnants of the black snow are melting leaving odds and ends of buried treasures, or bits of trash on the curbs. The birds chirp a little louder in the mornings. And blades of grass are popping up along the fairways. It’s Spring. It’s golf. It’s time. “Golf…is the infallible test. The man who can go into a patch of rough alone, with the knowledge that only God is watching him, and play his ball where it lies, is the man who will serve you faithfully and well”. – P.G.Wodehouse…

Remember the falling? The times you couldn’t wait one more second to see each other. The conversations and hanging on to every word shared. The feeling that there’s no way you’ve known one another for just a couple of months because you feel you’ve known this person forever. Take a moment and remember. Falling in love is exhilarating. There’s nothing else like it. Staying in love? Staying in love can sometimes feel more exhausting than exhilarating; however, it can provide an incomparable foundation to build from. A…

Archery is one of the fastest-growing sports in the Heber Valley - especially with the kids.

If you’re an adventurer or lover of the open road, you’ll like this story. It’s the story of one man who dared to dream beyond the berm, and then made a brilliant discovery during his journey back home.

A Fresh Approach to 2021

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 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.

I am a stubborn individual. Many times I have pondered whether this character attribute is, in fact, a virtue or a vice. I can see how being persistent in certain circumstances has led me to personal success. I can also see instances where my refusal to alter a course has brought unnecessary hardship to my life. I suppose the answer lies somewhere within the fabled words of Kenny Rogers in that you need to “know when to hold ‘em, know when to fold ‘em, know when to walk away and know when to run.” Life is a gamble these…

Be honest. Is there anyone out there who hasn’t watched HGTV and wished they could work the same magic in their own home?

On a sunny August morning, Renee Fitzgerald Johnson sat outside the house she was born in while passersby honked and shouted at her. I know it sounds horrible, but it wasn’t. It was quite the opposite. Renee was celebrating her 95th Birthday! Her children and grandchildren had decorated her front lawn with brightly colored letters, numbers, and balloons. Announcing to all that today was a special day, and the beautiful woman waving was an amazing lady who’s lived an extraordinary life.

Taking therapy off the couch and onto the trail.

In recent years Wasatch County has undergone a tremendous amount of change. As the people who live in this beautiful valley we’ve had to take a deeper look at what we, the community, care about.

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.

Covid restrictions may change the way we gather and participate in events, but that shouldn’t stop us from living our best lives in 2021. When in doubt, get outside!

Michael McLean is an extremely-gifted, world-renowned composer, musician, playwright, author, and filmmaker. His larger-than-life personality and life experiences surely make him one of a kind. He’s spontaneous, funny, gracious — and he calls the Heber Valley home.

Paul and Cameron Phillips are a father and son duo who own and operate Strawberry Bay Marina on Strawberry Reservoir. They represent the second and third generation of the Phillips family to run the family-owned business. Since the mid-1970s, when Paul’s father started the company, the father and son team have grown the business to serve the over 2 million visitors that come to recreate at Strawberry Reservoir each year.

Avalanche, it’s a sleeping giant in the snow, waiting below the surface like a troll under the bridge. Be on top of your game this winter. Avoid avalanche danger at all costs, and be prepared.

In early March 2020, we all received a crash course on COVID, whether we liked it or not. As quarantine, business shutdowns, and required masks became the new norm; it became abundantly clear how reliant we all truly are on each other. Assessing the four necessities of life became front and center: food, water, clothing, and shelter (and apparently toilet paper).

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

When Ida Sapp was a new mother, her daughter became very sick. She was underweight, experienced severe allergies, and her skin was raw from eczema. Ida took her to numerous doctors, naturopaths, and homeopaths, begging each to determine what was wrong with her child.

Gather your kids, friends, and family to discover different cultures and the food they eat. Try out a few new recipes, and prepare them together. Participate in a festivity you've never celebrated before. Eat new foods. Share and create a new tradition!

Creating a Community of Health with Sacred Nature Apothecaries.

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…

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…