spring 2021

We all know that our valley is a treasure trove of natural beauty. However, have you ever asked yourself what Wasatch County’s most valuable attraction is? I believe it’s the people who live here, and that includes our amazing youth. Wasatch Community Foundation agrees. According to their website, ourwcf.org, the mission of their Educational Pillar is to help produce, “The Finest Youth on the Planet!” Helping our youth find their way in the world and giving them as many educational opportunities as possible is at the…

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…

Recall Aesop’s fable The Ant and the Grasshopper. In all his Greek wisdom, Aesop told of wise ants and their preparations against leaner times in comparison to foolish Grasshopper, who found great pleasure in his life, until winter winds began to blow. He mourned taunting remarks to his busy little friends in earlier days and found himself at their mercy when times were tough. The moral of the story: Be Prepared. Fortunately, we don’t need to spend our entire summers hauling necessary sustenance into a hole in the ground.…

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…

The idea for Encircle House began with one simple question: How can we bring people together to create a better community and a better tomorrow? Founder and CEO, Stephenie Larsen, strives to provide the answer through Encircle, a non-profit center for LGBTQ+ youth and their families. Stephenie is a Utah local and BYU law graduate who went to Washington D.C. to draft legislation to protect the traditional family. After meeting her husband’s uncle, John Williams, another Utah local who had a strong influence in SLC…

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…

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

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

TURNING DREAMS INTO REALITY WITH THE HELP OF THE COMMUNITY

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