For many years, the sleepy town of Helper, Utah was only a place to stop for fuel on the way to and from the world-famous Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. In fact, many drivers didn’t even notice the little city tucked in along the mountainside nestled among the trees and river. But that wasn’t the case for Cindi Curry, the owner of Balance Rock Eatery and Pub, who … [Read more...]
Mysteries of the Great Salt Lake
MONSTERS, GHOSTS, CURSES, AND MORE...DEEP MYSTERIES OF A SHALLOW LAKE Abandoned places have a special allure, as if calling out to tourists, paranormal experts, and scientists alike. The Great Salt Lake is one of the most unique places on the planet. As the largest saltwater lake in the western hemisphere, and seven times saltier than the ocean, it’s hard to miss on a … [Read more...]
Sugar House Granite Mills
In the spring of 1907, the city of Salt Lake had only eight miles of paved roads, leaving the rest muddy, bogged-down, and at times, almost impassable. The automobile was gaining a foothold in the area, and with such rough road conditions, some brave drivers would take a chance by driving along the railroad tracks. This was fine until a train came along. The joining of the … [Read more...]
Why You Should Visit Mystic Hot Springs in Monroe Utah
Traveling home in an old school bus from the last Grateful Dead concert, Mike Ginsburg, a hippie with a lot of soul, found himself in the small rural town of Monroe when his bus broke down on the side of the road. From there ― which is darn close to the middle of nowhere ― fate took over, as it usually does, and Mike was exactly where he was meant to be. Within a week of … [Read more...]
40 Acres Not Necessary: Utahns are Homesteading in Urban Backyards
Utahns are known for their food storage and preparedness methods and have been encouraged for years to acquire food storage and a 72-hour kit in case of an earthquake or other emergency. For those who did, that storage came in handy during last year’s woes. While many of us had a difficult time believing that we were, in fact, experiencing a pandemic during our lifetime, … [Read more...]
Western Timber Frame
The family gathers at the table, resting in the shade of their new pergola. The sunset and the evening lights illuminate the pathway to this new gathering place. The ceiling fan suspended from the wood rafter pushes the hot summer air away, as laughter and good food brings the family together, forging lasting memories. Hyrum Thompson, a cabinet maker, and his son Brad, … [Read more...]
Gotta Dance! Utah Culture Promotes Dance Excellence
Slow, slow, quick, quick, slow ... music plays, couples embrace and laugh. There is nothing like a good waltz to change your mood. During the 19th Century, the waltz was introduced as a high society social function for the elite. In the 20th Century, a monumental shift occurred which allowed people from all demographics to take part in the joy of dancing. Ballroom dance … [Read more...]
COVID in the Classroom: Teaching Dilemmas in 2020
Coronavirus, Corona, COVID-19, The Rona, The Wuhan Virus. It doesn’t matter what you call it, it’s here, and it looks like it is here to stay. The Coronavirus, commonly known as COVID-19, has changed the way education looks in Utah and across the country. COVID-19 plans for academic institutes have left many parents scrambling for options for their child’s education. Many … [Read more...]
theMemories: Everyone has a Story
Everyone has a story. It’s that dash, sandwiched between the day you are born and the day you die that that represents your life. Your life is a story that is more than just a list of random facts but one that honors who you were during that dash. Most of us have experienced the death of a loved one. However, not all of us have had to write a traditional obituary. If you … [Read more...]
Dance Magic: Utah’s Competitive Dance Scene
The mountain air and golden sunshine combined with the alpine elevation along with a bit of history puts Utah on the map as a source of astounding dancers. From ballroom and TV stars like Derek and Julianne Hough from Orem to Norwegian Principal Ballerina, Whitney Jensen, from Sandy; Utah simply has a little bit of dance magic. It’s not all magic of course. It’s a lot of … [Read more...]