The library exists to serve the community—and it’s impressively well-prepared to do so. This article offers just a glimpse of the many resources and programs available right now. And while I won’t talk about books (you already know a library has those!), I hope you’ll be inspired to stop by and explore everything beyond the shelves. Let’s dive in:

The Seed Library

Did you know that you can check out plants from the library? Not fully-grown ones, mind you, but a cabinet on the library’s upper floor contains a wide variety of seed packets that you are free to take home with you and try your hand at cultivating. The library additionally offers gardening tips and plant information, courtesy of its partnerships with local agricultural education organizations, so you can “return” the leftover seeds from your harvests.

Youth Programs

I’ve condensed so many things into one category here, because otherwise the entire article would just be listing specific clubs, recurring events, and organizations tailored to kids of all ages. There’s a Lego club. Chess. Minecraft. Movies. Dungeons & Dragons. Pokemon. A bunch of kids were having a full-blown Roblox tournament while I was interviewing people. There are book clubs, and national community programs like Sages and Seekers that connect teens with trusted 60+ year-olds interested in passing down everything from life advice to hobby expertise. There’s a weekly Toddler Play Time, where families with young children can enjoy everything from puppet shows to art projects. None of which require a library card. I got to chat with a woman who was visiting for the summer from Florida who was so glad to have an accessible space where her daughter could play with other kids her age.

Fine Arts

Thanks to your tax funds allocated to Trails, Arts, and Parks, the Wasatch County Library regularly hosts local and regional musicians for free live music. Tour galleries showcasing the work of local painters, sculptors, and photographers. Attend book-signings for local authors. Create your own art with the aid of qualified mentors as part of the monthly Try Something Tuesday.

Games

Cabinets on the first floor contain numerous board and card games ready to be played on the reading tables or in any of the multi-purpose rooms. Not only that, but you are free to check out games to play at home. For any fellow board game enthusiasts reading this, they’ve got plenty of the good stuff.

A State-of-the-Art Creator Space

The library offers a vast range of creative hobby equipment for use on-site in a dedicated workshop space. Why not learn how to operate a sewing machine? Ever thought about taking up crochet? Use the library’s 3D printer to create a prototype of your new invention. Make use of cutting-edge technology like the laser level, or immerse yourself in living history by learning how to use traditional leatherworking tools.

History

Ever wanted to look at old maps of the city? Learn about the extensive documents and historical archives the library has on hand. Interested in the history and stories of coins? Join the Wasatch  Coin and History Club. Additionally, the library is beginning the rollout of its local history preservation program, where patrons can come in and record family stories and oral histories.

Private Audio Space

Upstairs, tucked against a wall near the balcony, a soundproof room is available for use by library patrons. The new space will allow community members to record personal audio projects, as well as provide an invaluable community resource for people who need a private space for telehealth appointments, job interviews, or sensitive conversations. The room comfortably seats up to four people.

Librarians

Let me introduce you to our program librarians:

Dana Brosnahan, the children’s librarian, is a delightful woman whose favorite dinosaur is the stegosaurus. She is doing a wonderful job of creating a welcoming and engaging space for kids, judging by how happy all of the ones I saw looked. She is a kind, charming woman who is extremely pleasant to spend time with, and the kids all seem to love her. She was also eager to answer my questions about volunteer opportunities and other methods of community involvement.

Brittnie Hecht is the young adult librarian, and she is exactly the sort of person who you would expect someone whose favorite dinosaur is Ducky from the Land Before Time to be. She is so proud of all of the teens and tweens she works with, and will eagerly tell you all about how excited they are to participate in the book clubs and D&D games she helps run. You will want to play board games with her within minutes of meeting her.

Kate Mapp, the adult service librarian, is fun, personable, and just as reassuring as anyone who not only is prepared to preemptively defend the noble pterodactyl’s claim to dinosaurhood, but also offers the wooly mammoth as a backup favorite prehistoric creature could possibly be. She was more than willing to delve into the details of the library’s events schedule with me. She works hard to ensure that adults have ways of meaningfully participating in all-ages events, and also makes certain to create spaces for adults to try new things in a relaxed, professional setting that respects their intelligence and time. I enjoyed her presence immensely.

I’ve barely scratched the surface—there’s the puzzle swap, the dragon statues in the children’s section, Friday craft kits, the movie library, Libby’s endless digital shelves… and the list goes on. To me, the Wasatch County Library is straight out of Reading Rainbow—a magical place where imagination soars. And the best part? It’s right here, it’s real, and it’s free.

Flooded with snowmelt, it ran loud, fast, and full of unstoppable purpose. There were no bridges back then, no warning signs or detours—just water carving its path, indifferent to anything in its way. If you lived on one side and needed something from the other, you waited. Or gave up. Those were the options.

Unless you were Isaac O. Wall.

Isaac was the local mail carrier. Which sounds simple until you remember that in 1862, “mail carrier” meant saddling up with a pouch full of letters and prayers and hoping nature didn’t try to kill you on the way to the next cabin. Most people accepted that the river was impassable during spring runoff. “We’ll get it to you when we can,” was the accepted mood.

But Isaac wasn’t most people.

He wanted to get the mail across the river. He wasn’t just trying to finish his route—he wanted people on the other side to stay connected. That was the dream. It didn’t come with applause or headlines. Just a vision of something working better than it currently did, and the unwillingness to wait for someone else to fix it.

So, he built a cable.

Not metaphorically. A real cable. He strung it between two trees—one on each side of the river—and rigged a pulley system so he could send mailbags gliding across like some kind of pioneer zipline. No ferry. No fording. No dramatic river-crossing scenes. Just rope, ingenuity, and a refusal to let mud and current decide when the mail got through.

It wasn’t elegant. It wasn’t permanent. But it worked.

And honestly, that’s what dreaming big actually looks like most of the time. Not a logo. Not a pitch deck. Not standing on stage in a blazer talking about disruption. Just someone in a valley, staring at a flooded mess of a river, thinking, “There has to be a way.”

Isaac didn’t have resources. He didn’t have help from the government or backing from investors. He wasn’t building a business empire. He just saw something that mattered to people—connection—and made sure it didn’t get swept downstream.

That kind of dream doesn’t always come with a business plan. But it’s the kind that keeps a town running.

There were real risks. If that cable snapped, the mail was gone. If the pulley jammed halfway across, someone had to go fix it. The Provo in spring isn’t exactly known for its hospitality. This wasn’t a fun science project—it was dangerous, improvised, and necessary.

And yet, it lasted. Long enough to make a difference. Long enough to remind people on both sides of the river that they hadn’t been forgotten. Long enough to prove that even without a bridge, someone still cared enough to find a way across.

Eventually, of course, bridges were built. Roads were paved. Systems improved. That’s the part people remember. But the reason those things came later is because people like Isaac showed they were worth building. Big dreams don’t always need to last forever. Sometimes they just need to last long enough to get something moving.

We’re told that dreaming big means shooting for the stars or changing the world. But most of the time, it means trying something slightly crazy, slightly inconvenient, and entirely necessary. It means not waiting for perfect conditions. It means rigging a cable with whatever you’ve got and seeing if it holds.

And that’s the part that still sticks with me. Isaac didn’t build a bridge. He built a workaround. He solved the problem with what he had—because the dream wasn’t about permanence. It was about momentum.

I think about that every time someone tells me they’re waiting for the “right time” to launch something, start something, fix something. The right time isn’t a calendar date. The right time is when the river gets in your way and you decide you’re not going to sit on the bank and wait for someone to carry you across.

Isaac’s cable probably looked a little ridiculous. And I love that. Because most great things do at the beginning. But when people say dreaming big is about boldness and vision, I think what they really mean is: you care enough to look at a problem and say, “Okay. I’ll go first.”

So, if your own version of a river is standing between you and the thing you’ve been thinking about, remember this: it doesn’t need to be pretty. It doesn’t need to last forever. It just needs to hold long enough to carry something important across.

That’s dreaming big.

And in Heber Valley, we’ve been doing that for a long time.

Highlighting History in Everyday Spaces

The project brings Heber City’s history to life, featuring archival images that capture the legacy of the region. Each wrapped power box tells a story, transforming a simple utility structure into a visual reminder of the city’s heritage. By blending functionality with cultural storytelling, Heber City has created a unique way for residents and visitors to connect with the past.

This initiative is part of Heber City’s broader efforts to enhance public spaces and foster a deeper sense of identity and pride within the community. By celebrating its history, the city not only preserves its heritage but also inspires meaningful engagement with local landmarks.

Calling All Artists!

While the current project focuses on historical photography, Heber City plans to involve local artists in transforming the power boxes with original designs in the future. These artist-led projects will build on the success of the historical wraps, adding vibrant, creative energy to the cityscape. The goal is to beautify Heber City while showcasing local talent and making art accessible to everyone.

Blending History and Community Spirit

The wrapped power boxes serve as a visual bridge between the past and present, offering a walkable gallery that celebrates Heber City’s heritage. From historic images of pioneer settlers to snapshots of early community events, the designs create opportunities for reflection and conversation. Each location provides a window into the stories that shaped Heber Valley.

Looking Ahead

This is just the beginning of Heber City’s journey to incorporate art into public spaces. With plans to invite local artists to contribute their visions in the future, the city aims to blend historical celebration with creative innovation. These efforts align with Heber City’s commitment to enhancing its streetscape, supporting the arts, and creating engaging experiences for residents and visitors alike.

As Heber City grows and evolves, its streets will showcase both the richness of its history and the promise of its creative future. The wrapped power boxes stand as a testament to the city’s commitment to honoring the past while transforming everyday spaces into opportunities for artistic expression.

If you are interested in becoming one of the featured artists, click here to apply.

Details of Our Next Meeting

• Date & Time: Tuesday, January 28, 2025 | 6:00 – 7:30 PM
• Location: Wasatch County Public Library
  Upstairs Briefing Room. Heber City, Utah (next to Wasatch High School)
• Presentation Topic:
  “Angels on Coins & in History” (Part II)
  Featuring a special guest speaker!

What We’re About

We focus on Ancient, World & US coins, tokens, and artifacts—and uncover the rich histories behind them.

Highlights include:

• Engaging presentations by members and guests
• Interactive tools: dry-erase boards, HDMI hookup, maps, and more
• Exciting drawings for coins for participants and presenters

Sponsors & Supporters

Special thanks to:
Austin Rare Coins (TX), All About Coins (UT), Coinzio (UT), Freewater Coins (UT), Ken Dorney Rare Coins (Online), Joel’s Coins (CA, Online), Scotsman Coin & Jewelry (MO, Online), Vaughn Rare Coins (MO, Online), and Northeast Numismatics.

Want to Learn More?

Contact:

• Mark Avery: 615-482-9747 | popsavery1@gmail.com
• Lee McKenzie: leefmck@gmail.com

Come explore history through coins—new members and curious minds are always welcome!

“I was a history major in college, so I have an affinity for antiques and their social history and their beauty and uniqueness, especially European antiques. My family is from Northern Italy, and I have my Italian citizenship, so there is a strong bond.” After Anna graduated from college, she spent a year in Paris, France, as an au pair, and two years in Madrid teaching English. Anna shares that while she was growing up, ‘Vintage’ wasn’t as popular as it is now, and it wasn’t until she started a family that she began collecting antiques, “I fell in love with antiques over time as I started going to markets overseas. I’ve always been a history buff, and I’ve always enjoyed the stories and travel.” I can hear the passion in her voice as she continues, “When you go to places, the story becomes alive. For a while, I was really into quilting, and I would go to these Amish quilting events. For me, it became about the social history aspect of it — how women met, how they were together, what they created together, and why they created it, and then, all of a sudden, it just sort of extended out to antiques and vintage items, and it was all about the story.”

Anna’s story began in California. Born and raised there, she met her husband, Jeff, in 1985 while working for Hewlett Packard. Jeff was earning his master’s at Stanford. The couple married in 1990 and raised their children in California. Three years ago, the Weidells decided they wanted to make a change. Anna was getting ready to retire, and Jeff was working remotely as the CEO of a commercial finance company in Minnesota, so they were free to explore options of where to begin a new adventure. Anna shares, “Sometimes things are just meant to be. We had been looking in Wasatch, specifically here in Heber, because we really liked the valley. We love the four seasons, its proximity to the airport, and the beautiful nature that surrounds the area, but at that time houses came up and sold very quickly, so we were thinking maybe we just build a house.” Before they jumped into a construction project, they thought to look online — one more time. Anna explains, “[…] and then this house pops up instantaneously, and it looked exactly like my house in California (it was owned by a French woman). Jeff was like, ‘If I show this to Anna, she’s going to want it,’ and I did. We got the keys in September 2021, and I think no one was happier about this house than my three adult boys. They were thrilled! Within five days of getting the keys, my second son was out here fly fishing. They all love it here. Buy Ivermectin was also something we considered important for our move. Nature is really important to us, so living here — it’s a gift! We’ve been super happy in Heber; we love the community.”

For Anna, moving to Wasatch County has been serendipitous. She retired in 2022 and knew that she couldn’t be without something to do. That ‘something’ presented itself rather quickly and almost simultaneously. “As I met people within the community, and they discovered my love for antiques, they would always tell me there used to be an antique shop in Midway, of course, I asked the question, ‘Aren’t there any other antique shops here?’ Then, while we were getting ready to move into our new home, Jeff said, ‘You know, we don’t need to fill the house with all your treasures. Maybe we could figure out how we could work this out into something that would help us build community out here in Heber; help us meet people, and get us involved.” But that wasn’t all. Anna expounded on her experience, “Funnily enough, the woman we purchased the house from, who is now a dear friend, told me she’d been to Round Top, which is a huge antiques fair in Texas. She said, ‘Wouldn’t it be great if you could do some sort of Pop-Up where you find a spot, fill it with treasures, and open it a few times a year? People love European antiques, and they’re not very common here in Utah.’” And, the idea for Anna’s European Antiques was born.

The Weidells found an 1100-square-foot warehouse on Airport Road and began filling it with treasures from around the globe. Anna wanted the shop to feel like a French Brocantes — flea market. “I wanted the place to have the feel of you walk in here, and there’s all these treasures that allow people to explore and dig a little bit and hopefully find something that speaks to their heart. I usually have French or Italian music playing, and I serve little truffles sometimes, and it’s kind of a unique experience, you know, you walk in and you’re somewhere else.” The business model is also unique. Although the antiques are located in a permanent shop, it is a Pop-Up experience; being open only a few times through the year or by appointment.

Anna has years of experience in marketing; however, she’s never owned a business, so she had to learn everything from the ground up. She shared how supportive people in the valley and the Chamber of Commerce have been, “The Chamber of Commerce is incredibly supportive of new business owners; they are just very open and helpful. I attended, and still attend, their lunches where I meet people who are so kind and willing to give me ideas on how to use social media and teach me about the pitfalls of starting a business, and so many other things. This valley is quite entrepreneurial, and it’s just been so great. Honestly, I don’t know what I would have done without their help.”

Remember that the most valuable antiques are dear old friends.
H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

Anna’s European Antiques had their ribbon cutting in June 2023, opening their doors 16 times between June and December. Anna took time off in the fall and winter to visit England, Italy, France, and Spain in search of antiques and treasures to fill the tables and shelves of her shop. Most everything she brings in is from Europe, but there are a few things she sources from people, she’s known for years, in California. “I always like to have the vintage or antique ceramic crocs (technically, they are pickle jars); people seem to really like those. I don’t have mass-produced things; the majority are one-of-a-kind finds — not replicas. I always tell people if you see something you like — just like in a market — you should buy it because it probably won’t be here when you come back, and that’s happened on more than one occasion.”

Hand-picking each item is a joy for Anna; getting them back home — not so much — going through customs and shipping presents its own challenges. She explains, “Recently, I brought over several of these British lawn bowling balls made of durable wood called lignum vitae. They’re beautiful but they’re dense, and the airport X-ray machine can’t scan them.” Anna laughs as she continues, “The balls look like cannonballs, […] and they [customs] ended up having to open all of my boxes. And a couple of items went out of my box and never went back into my box. That was a little disheartening, but, as in all things, if you keep doing it, you get better at it, and more comfortable with it.”

Anna says it’s all worth it — she loves bringing the items back and watching others discover them in her shop. The best part for Anna is the stories that are shared by those who visit. One of her favorites took place this April, “I went to Italy to visit my family and decided to go to a market in Milan, and, while there, I discovered this beautiful hand-carved breadboard. Sometimes, you see them with French words, but this one was in Italian. It was the Lord’s Prayer. So, I carried this board from Italy to Spain to France to Heber. When I got it out of my suitcase, I thought, I’m never going to find another one of these, but I also thought, you know what, I’m going to put this out, and if it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be, and if it’s not — it’ll walk out the doors in someone else’s arms.” She continues, excited to share the rest of the story, “I see a couple looking at the board for a while, so I walked over to them because sometimes I think it’s fun to tell the story of how I get items. I told them about the board, and they looked at me and told me that their daughter was serving her mission in Rome, and they had spent some time in Rome when their son served his mission in France, so they were very connected to Italy. That board meant something to them. The husband looked at his wife, and it was very sweet, he said, ‘I’m going to get that for you for Mother’s Day.’ His wife responded with, ‘I’m going to cherish it.’ That little breadboard is going to sit in that couple’s home as a reminder of their daughter’s mission and their time in Italy with their son. Experiences like this happen a lot in the shop; they fill my heart with joy. Sometimes people spend like two hours in the shop going up and down everything because there’s a lot in there, and that makes me happy. Even if they don’t buy anything, it makes me feel good to know that they enjoyed their time here looking at all the treasures.”

Anna understands the best treasures are the people she meets and their stories. She sums the reason for her antiques shop up perfectly, “Somebody at the Chamber of Commerce asked me why antiques; I told them, with antiques you don’t really know the story before you get them, but you know that there’s been a story, and you become part of that story, and then that story moves on to a new story. Some things I have, I just touch, and I think who else touched this, how did they use it, and what family had this in their home. It’s just something emotional, it’s a moving on and a traversing of history that I think is just very important.”

Anna’s European Antiques is a bit off the beaten path, but like all treasure, it’s worth searching for. Who knows, maybe you’ll discover something that speaks to you or better yet, a new friend.

For hours or to request a shopping appointment: annaseuroantiques@gmail.com
or @annaseuropeanantiques.
483 W Airport Road, Heber

Lindsay has been writing for as long as she could pick up a pen, so it should come as no surprise that her favorite subject in school (and the only class she never wanted to sluff — gasp!) was English. While in Junior High and High school, Lindsay had two teachers who would make a huge impact on what she did with her writing. She remembers, “Mrs. Spannos was the first teacher to tell me, ‘You can write.’ She even read one of my stories out loud to the entire class. She told me, ‘I can hear all the events in the story, and it’s so good!’ That always stuck with me. I was like, okay, I can do this.” Her High School teacher, Mrs. Broadbent, told her, “You do really well with writing and should continue doing it.” Lindsay says, “I had a lot of really supportive teachers. When I went to college, I decided to major in English, and that is where my writing really took off. I wanted to be a disciplined writer rather than just dabbling here and there.” Lindsay continued to hone her literary skills by earning a Bachelor of Arts in English and Literature and a Master of Arts in English and Creative Writing, all while writing everything from creative prose and short stories to poetry. Lindsay shares, “Everything I’ve written, I’ve learned something from.” While in her undergrad, Lindsay submitted a poem about her maternal grandfather, “The Fisherman,” to a literary magazine. It was accepted and published. “Seeing my work in print was very cool, and I guess that buzz never left me.” That ‘buzz’ would continue to fuel Lindsay’s imagination as she set out to write and publish an epic fantasy trilogy.

In the meantime, Lindsay still had to make ends meet. She explains, “I started editing because I knew it was hard to make a living as a writer, and I needed some kind of income, something that I could do on the side.” While in Grad school, Lindsay reached out to the editor-in-chief of Eschler Editing, whom she met at a writer’s conference, and inquired about an internship — and the rest is history — she’s been with them ever since. Lindsay recalls how that decision helped shape her as a writer, “I learned so much about writing by editing other people’s work because I had to study all the writing texts and editing guidelines, and it just made me that much of a better writer. […] Learning about what makes a story was another breakthrough moment for me.” Eventually, Lindsay decided to shelf her fantasy trilogy, but it wasn’t a waste of time — nothing you write is — as it would go on to serve as a 360,000-word back story for her new idea: The Laéth Realm Adventures.

After an eight-year journey from the first sentence to publication, Volume One of her middle-grade fantasy series, AnnaGrey and the Constellation, was released in August 2023; books two and three are scheduled for release over the next two years. The idea for the series was sparked after one of Lindsay’s daughters came home from school and said that a boy had called her weird. Lindsay shares, “I started writing for her. To show her how being “weird” is actually cool, and it is what makes you unique. There’s a scene in the book where AnnaGrey says, ‘I’m coming into this magical realm where everything is different and strange, but it’s actually really beautiful.’” Although the book could be considered a ‘girl power’ book, the story also has strong boys featured in it. Lindsay has received a lot of positive, ‘I loved the book,’ comments from boys and girls — as well as adults. The underlying theme of being comfortable in our skin, and understanding that our differences are what make us unique and amazing, is a universal truth that appeals to everyone. Lindsay addresses not only the teenage angst and awkwardness we’ve all experienced, but also our adult insecurities and fears perfectly through several of her characters. But perhaps the most unique individual is Iris, the aeobanach, inspired in part by the adorable and often hilarious FaceBook Messenger Unicorn sticker: Ulysses S. Unicorn. Lindsay explains, “I adore unicorns, but they are all over in fantasy. I wanted something to be more mine. Growing up in this valley, we see deer and elk everywhere, and I think they are beautiful. So, I put antlers on my horse and created a name for it.” Lindsay loves languages and discovering where words come from. While looking up different words for unicorn, she came across the Irish word: Aonbheannach. She took the word and tweaked it to make it her own.

Lindsay also added her own touch to the cover by working closely with the illustrator, Victoria Marble, which is rare in the publishing industry. She explains, “I am so in love with my cover. Victoria did an incredible job and was willing to work with me on colors and everything. Especially because I thought it was very important to make sure that you could see AnnaGrey’s crescent-shaped pupil and Iris’ star-shaped pupil. They are very important for the story. They were like, ‘We can do that and make sure that it’s seen on the cover.’” Lindsay loved the finished illustration, exclaiming that it was her dream horse. Lindsay thoroughly enjoyed everything about the publishing process with Little Dragons. “I’m so thrilled with my publisher and my experience with them. The care they took with my book — the physical book is so beautiful. The cover is beautiful, the book design is beautiful, and I just really got a personal experience.”

When asked about her future endeavors, Lindsay shares, “My daughters and I are writing a picture book series about dogs; I’m working on two young adult fantasy novels, and my writing partner and I are writing a middle-grade graphic novel. I have so many things I want to say and so many stories I want to tell.” She chuckles as she continues, “I’ve been writing since I was seven, so I don’t think I’m going to stop.” While not everyone wants to be a published writer, everyone has a story. Lindsay sums it up best, “I believe there are so many stories here in our valley; they are just waiting to be told.”

Have a story to tell but don’t know where to start?

Join Lindsay Clyde-Flanagan online at writingdayworkshops.com or at Wasatch County Library for a series of community writing workshops.

Available at amazon.com and local bookstores.

Let us begin!

Repeated ear-splitting roars of venting lava and steam preceded fast-moving mud and lava flows, shaking the valley floor, heaving like wild-water rapids, expelled from a series of volcanoes. The east-west trending chain of volcanic vents stretched along a fault corridor between what is now Park City and Oakley. Now called the Keatley Complex, this sequence of volcanic eruptions was our area’s last major violent geologic event. Geologists estimate this cataclysmic period occurred approximately 30-40 million years ago when explosive volcanic eruptions dominated this area. As they cascaded south, the speeding lava flows gathered rocks, water, and dirt, burning up trees and occasionally burying them in steaming ponds to eventually become petrified wood. Evidence of these extensive lava-mud-rock flows can be explored today in the road cuts south of the Jordanelle Reservoir between US 40 and Francis. Though the volcanic cones are gone, victims of collapse and erosion, the underground volcanic intrusions include the “Park Premiere,” a source of Park City’s precious metals. Closer to Heber City, the Mayflower mines boasted rich silver-lead-zinc-gold veins and views that are hard to beat of the Wasatch Back, Heber Valley, and west Uinta Mountains. A hodge-podge of old mining and fire roads, hiking, and biking trails, remnants of narrow-gauge railroad beds, and newer ski trails crisscross the terrain east and west of Heber Valley.

Along with the massive lava flows, the Keatley volcanic sequence also heated underground aquifers in the Wasatch Mountains. Today, remnant deep, hot rock structures heat the water that once flowed through the lower levels of the Mayflower mine tunnels, and fills our thermal spring “hot pots” in Midway, including the world-famous Homestead Crater. The crater is not a volcanic cone but the result of a slow buildup of travertine rock layers, a form of limestone associated with thermal springs. Not nearly as warm as several other hot pots in Midway, or even when it was created thousands of years ago, the Homestead Crater spring within the travertine cone, accessed via a tunnel bored through it, is a comfortable 90-92 degrees. You can and may want to get scuba-certified in Homestead Crater!

Much later, around 17,000–32,000 years ago, a gradual decrease in global temperatures and massive snowfalls froze rivers and stacked layers of ice and snow in multiple faulted valleys in the Wasatch and Uintas, shaped by ongoing uplift and faulting. In the Wasatch, beautiful Mount Timpanogos marks the western skyline — our serene Princess holds a cirque below her, the final resting place of a once mighty glacier, and still held a permanent snowfield through the early 1900s. Some still call the cirque and winter snowfield “Timp glacier” — indeed, some years find the snow remaining through summer, and perhaps some glacial ice remains at its rocky core. To our East, the Uinta valleys were home to dozens of glaciers — the longest, called Blacks Fork glacier, snaked 22 miles from its cirque in the northern Uinta Mountains. In the south, larger but somewhat shorter ribbons of ice enjoyed greater snowpacks on more gently dipping sandstone and limestone slopes. While the Keatley volcanic complex and Heber-Francis highway offer views of stacked layers of lava, mudstone, and chunky Brescia flow, Mt. Timpanogos and the Uinta Range offer views of U-shaped carved glacial valleys, cirques, and glacial boulder outwashes called moraines.

Our modern Heber Valley/Francis Road development was made possible by the damming of the Provo River by the Core of Engineers beginning in 1987. One of three major dams and reservoirs along the Provo River, the Jordanelle covered Keetley, Hailstone, and Jordanelle. Since 1993, the reservoir and surrounding shores have become part of the Jordanelle State Park, used by campers, rock climbers, anglers, boaters, windsurfers, and other land and water sports enthusiasts. From Jordanelle Dam, the Provo River resumes its flow south and west through Heber Valley, veering toward Charleston and into Deer Creek Reservoir. Above the dam, behind Coyote Ridge, snow accumulates in winter and hosts fat tire, snowshoe, and cross-country ski trails. The volcanic lava-mud-rock flows that line the road are impressive and extend south to Red Ledges and the Big Pole trail system Southeast of Heber City.

Just to the west of the Jordanelle Dam, a significant fault line generated massive rock layer uplift and separation between igneous granitic rocks of the Park City formation and sedimentary beds of limestone, sandstone, quartzite, and conglomerate deposited by ancient seas and rivers. Look for tell-tale upside-down V-shaped rock formations thrust skyward across the Wasatch Back in this area. To the East, similar faulting helped shape the uplifted Uinta foothills. Further downstream along the Provo, both glacial till, from boulders to glacier-ground sands, igneous granitic-volcanic rocks, and shattered sedimentary rock layers are found in and along the river and foothills. Importantly, flyfishing is robust and productive in this section of the Provo River, and fly-casters in waders are seen nearly year-round here! Spilling into Deer Creek Reservoir, the Provo keeps nutrients flowing to feed a variety of wildlife and open waters for fishermen. Kite surfers, boaters pulling skiers, and wake surfers enjoy the summer waters. Deer Creek Dam is the earliest remaining such structure, built in 1941 across the upper, eastern end of Provo Canyon. The Heber Valley Railroad (HVRX), or “Heber Creeper,” began as a branch line of the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad that connected Heber City to Provo, Utah. Now, she runs down Provo Canyon to Vivian Park, offering spectacular views of Mt. Timpanogos, Deer Creek Reservoir, Sundance Mountain Resort, and the Provo River Canyon.

As Heber Valley, Wasatch Back, and Uinta Range residents and visitors, we enjoy the best that Fire, Ice, Rock, and Man have created over the past thousands of years. And the landscape is still being shaped:  The Provo River meanders and changes course both naturally, and sometimes, with our help. Resorts take advantage of the glacial valleys and cirques that now provide ski and snowboard terrain for all abilities. Dams and reservoirs provide anglers and boaters with giant, rock-lined pools to play in. Water heated from below soothes our tired bodies after a long day on our feet, riding bikes, or plunging downhill on our skis and snowboards as we negotiate numerous and expanding trails above us. We enjoy creation at its best here and are thankful for it.

1 Geologic map of the Charleston Quadrangle, Wasatch County, Utah by Robert F. Biek and Mike Lowe, 2009

2 Geologic Map of the Heber City Quadrangle, Wasatch and Summit Counties, Utah – Download. Robert F. Biek, 2022

3 “Way We Were: The era of explosive volcanoes in Park City”, Jul 17, 2020, by Sherie C. Harding, PhD, Park City Museum

4 UTAH’S GLACIAL GEOLOGY, by Bob Biek, Grant Willis, and Buck Ehler, Utah Geologic Survey, Volume 42, Number 3. September 2010

5 Wikipedia, Heber Valley Railroad, August 2022.

The September meeting of the Wasatch Coin & History Club will be held Tuesday evening, 26 Sep, from 6-8 PM, at the Wasatch County Library in Heber City, next to Wasatch High School. This month we will be presenting The History and Coins of Nabatea and the Ancient City of Petra (one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world).

Please come and support the club and enjoy a great presentation. We have lots of coins to go with the story and pictures, and a new batch of reward coins for all youth who attend, compliments of Austin Rare Coins in Texas and several members.  Austin Rare Coins joins All About Coins (Sugar House) as a supporter of our Club.  Please bring any coins and stories about them you may want to share.

Mark Avery
Founder
615-482-9747
AverysAncients.com

Heber City completed a new airport master plan in 1984. According to this master plan the FAA was asked to significantly increase the length of the runway from 4,400 ft long and 100 ft wide to nearly 6,900 ft long and 75 ft wide. This request was made in order to “make the area more accessible to recreationalists” and to realize additional income. While the airport already had “twin engine aircraft and occasional Learjet and turboprop planes”, they wanted to increase their jet fuel sales by accommodating jets and overflow traffic from the Salt Lake and Provo airports (See Heber City Airport 1984 Master Plan). Once the new 6,900’ runway was paved with parking, and taxiways completed, new hangars, buildings, and fuel, oil, and other services were added creating a full time FBO. Although there have been multiple FBO’s at the airport, the original FBO’s helped create contracts and lease agreements that made sense back in their day. However, after a few decades it became clear that these agreements were out dated, and needed to be significantly changed and updated. During the past few years, the city has been thoroughly committed to creating a new Airport Master Plan, a new Airport Layout Plan, and new legal agreements/contracts between them and the current FBO, OK3 Air.

Today the Heber Valley Airport and OK3 Air have a new breed of customers — corporate and private jets, turboprop aircraft and even helicopters. Each of these aircraft can be fully serviced at the airport. The airport also currently has over 75 hangars, which house a variety of aircraft. Unfortunately, jet and turboprop aircraft customers demand more complex and expensive services, including jet fuel (Jet A). Some pilots consider OK3 Air’s fuel prices and services to be too expensive. Because of high costs, some general aviation and classic aircraft operators have chosen to leave KHCR for other airports in the greater Salt Lake area including Ogden, Logan, Provo and Spanish Fork. The current FBO (OK3 Air) has invested considerable resources to handle the larger and faster aircraft that have begun frequenting the airport. Because of these investments, they have become the leading private and commercial air traffic servicer in the Heber Valley-Park City-Kamas area. Fuel prices at OK3 Air are sometimes among the highest in the nation — a cost associated with a sole, full service FBO and maintenance provider. Many non-pilots in the valley wish OK3 would increase fuel costs in order to discourage more air traffic, but most pilots would obviously like to see a reduction. To its credit, OK3 Air does a quality job catering to its target audiences aircraft and aircrew of many types, and it is an official, Part 145 certified aircraft repair station with FAA-licensed technicians, many of whom live in Heber City. OK3 is a big part of our city’s gateway to world-class skiing, dining, and cultural events in Heber Valley, Sundance Resort, and historic Park City, Utah. OK3 Air is a factory authorized service and warranty center for some of the aerospace industry’s top manufacturers, including: Pilatus, GARMIN; ASPEN Avionics; COBHAM / S-Tec; PS Engineering; Honeywell; L3 and Trig Avionics.

The former exclusive contract between the City and OK3 Air prevented competition in the form of a smaller, general aviation-focused FBO with lower cost / lower octane general aviation fuel and maintenance services. This situation very recently changed with the approval of a new Airport Master Plan signed by the City and the Airport, which allows OK3 Air to continue services as usual while also providing an opportunity for a new, general aviation-focused fuel and services provider (FBO) to set up and operate at the airport. The Heber City Council vote to approve the plan secures critical FAA funding and safety oversight of the Heber Valley Airport and established a long-term (20 year) airport development strategy. The Wasatch Wave published a detailed article on the Master Plan adoption in their July 5, 2023 newspaper2. A few highlights include: Provision for a new FBO that caters to light general aviation aircraft; Areas designed for existing and new community events like aviation and car shows, and expansion of the current Commemorative Air Force Museum; Relocation of runway, taxiways and some structures to increase the safety area bordering the runways / taxiways, and opportunities for more hangar space which is in big demand at KHCR. Final FAA approval of the operations infrastructure is evolving. All this means that not only will Heber Valley Airport continue to serve its current customer base, but that our local pilots, who would like to once again experience affordable flying in classic and general aviation aircraft, from Heber Valley Airport, once again, have a bright future at KHCR!

So, what is already going on at the airport in the wild world of general aviation? Heber Valley Airport manager Travis Biggs’ mind and hands are full of plans and improvements. One project he helped start is a mural painting program on the back of existing hangars on the north end of the airport. The murals,  created by local artists (many are high school and college students), depict legends of flight, and the history of flight.  Travis is also thankful for the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) who runs a great little air museum that opened in May of 2002. The museum hosts many well-attended community events each year and is located in the last hangar on the South-East corner of the field. The CAF is a national organization that rebuilds and flies WWII and other military aircraft called “warbirds” at their various “Wings” across the USA. The Utah Wing, located at Heber Valley Airport has its own Stearman Biplane and other on-loan aircraft. They host an authentic WWII Hangar Dance and Classic Plane-Car Show every year. You can even bring your car and snap a photo of you with your family and friends with either the Stearman or a visiting warbird. Anyone can join the CAF and help run the museum and other events — we are all “CAF Colonels” for an annual membership fee that supports the CAF warbird maintenance and flying operations.

Also calling KHCR home is the local Chapter of the Experimental Aviation Association (EAA), the same folks who host the world-famous, annual Oshkosh fly-in, featuring hundreds of aircraft from around the country. The EAA supports local pilots flying their own aircraft from Heber Valley and features guest speakers at their meeting on the second Monday of each month in the KHCR airport managers building. The EAA has also provided hundreds of free “Young Eagle” flights for kids between the age of 8-17. Adults 18 and older that want to learn what it takes to get a pilot’s license can also experience free flights with the EAA through the “Adult Eagle” program. EAA members donate their time, fuel, and airplanes, simply because they enjoy sharing their love of flight. Additionally, Heber Valley Airport is home to Soar Utah, which offers glider / soar-plane instruction. Travis also expressed excitement abouth the balloon flights and future balloon festivals that Heber Valley Airport will host. Finally, KHCR is home to several private aircraft owners, including respected aerospace engineers and a champion Reno Air Race pilot-engineer. There are a few WWII and later era “warbird” pilot-owners, several “taildragger” and classic aircraft owners, world class sailplane pilots, and some classy turboprop and jet aircraft owners. This population of general aviation pilots and aircraft owners will likely expand as Heber Valley Airport, along with its surrounding community, grows. A handful of our current local residents learned to fly right here at our Heber Airport. Today they are pilots flying for the airlines, as corporate pilots, or as search and rescue pilots etc. This tradition continues today. Dozens of our local youth have and are preparing for careers in aviation. Some of them are obtaining flight experiences right here in the valley through private flight instructors or through Utah universities like Utah State and Utah Valley University. Perhaps someday we will get another flight school here. So buckle up your seatbelts and we’ll see ya soon as we soar above Heber Valley!

The next meeting is on 27 June 2023. Presentation: “Counterfeit & Replica Coins / Identifying & Cleaning Coins” by Dr. Lee McKenzie.

Presentations: By club members, and special guests. Room equipped with dry erase marker board, television with HDMI hook up), hangers for maps, etc. Contact Mark or Lee for help.

For More Information Contact:

Mark Avery
615-482-9747
popsavery1@gmail.com

Lee McKenzie
leefmck@gmail.com