Current Ogden Valley Incorporation Stats
If you would like to sign the petition, copies are available at Valley Market in Eden, or email your interest of doing so to the same email, [email protected]. Please note that when you sign the petition, you will need a copy of your property’s parcel number to validate your qualification as an Ogden Valley property owner.
If you would like to sign the petition, copies are available at Valley Market in Eden, or email your interest of doing so to the same email, [email protected]. Please note that when you sign the petition, you will need a copy of your property’s parcel number to validate your qualification as an Ogden Valley property owner.
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Why A Feasibility Study for Incorporation of Ogden Valley?
Why is it important for Ogden Valley residents to pursue a study to see if it’s feasible to incorporate? The effort, by petition, to investigate the feasibility of incorporating Ogden Valley is driven by the desire to ensure that local leaders, elected by local residents, are dedicated to the mission, vision, and core values expressed in the 2016 Ogden Valley General Plan; thus, adopted and adhered to.
COMMUNITY
Ogden Valley is a community where residents have more in common with one another than ever before. We need to encourage and grow that sense of community for the generations that follow. Becoming a city will help us do this.
STEWARDSHIP
Ogden Valley offers a beautiful home for its residents and a playground for both residents and visitors—a place to connect and enjoy the natural beauty that is found here. As a community, we are responsible for ensuring these natural resources are utilized according to best practices standards, assuring their sustainability for the benefit of current users and future generations. Becoming a city will help us accomplish this.
MISSION
A high-mountain valley located on the Wasatch Back, Ogden Valley is an inclusive community committed to maintaining harmony between rural and urban areas, and dedicated to protecting the unique quality of life it offers, which is shaped by its rural tradition and core values, including open space and agricultural lands, scenic vistas and view corridors, peace and tranquility, dark skis, clean air and water; and abundant wildlife and wildlife habitat, recreational opportunities, and safe, healthy neighborhoods.
CORE VALUES
Ogden Valley’s core values include sustainable development complementary to its rural heritage, including adequate primary and secondary water supplies, ample infrastructure, open spaces and parks, trail systems, public safety systems, affordable housing, varied transportation networks, dispersed recreational resources; and protected agricultural and natural resources, including clean water, dark skies, and friendly neighborhoods; and transparent and responsible governance.
WILL OUR TAXES GO UP?
Weber County’s 2021 financials showed that Ogden Valley produced more than a $1 million budget surplus for that year. The feasibility study is needed to confirm this number, and to see if incorporation of Ogden Valley is economically feasible. If there is adequate revenue, what we do with it will be our choice. Revenue generated here will stay here.
We need your signature
Ogden Valley property owners, we need your signature on a petition for the next step—the feasibility study, which will be conducted by an independent third-party contractor. The cost of the study is borne by the state of Utah.
Signed petitions endorsing a feasibility study to see if incorporation is viable may be signed at the Valley Market in Eden. You may also sign the form below and drop it off at Valley Market.
Please remember that by signing the current petition, you are not indicating that you want to incorporate Ogden Valley. The petition is only an endorsement for the feasibility study.
For answers to questions or for more information, visit the Facebook page at Ogden Valley Incorporation or email [email protected]; or contact Mark Ferrin at 801-745-0445.
Why is it important for Ogden Valley residents to pursue a study to see if it’s feasible to incorporate? The effort, by petition, to investigate the feasibility of incorporating Ogden Valley is driven by the desire to ensure that local leaders, elected by local residents, are dedicated to the mission, vision, and core values expressed in the 2016 Ogden Valley General Plan; thus, adopted and adhered to.
COMMUNITY
Ogden Valley is a community where residents have more in common with one another than ever before. We need to encourage and grow that sense of community for the generations that follow. Becoming a city will help us do this.
STEWARDSHIP
Ogden Valley offers a beautiful home for its residents and a playground for both residents and visitors—a place to connect and enjoy the natural beauty that is found here. As a community, we are responsible for ensuring these natural resources are utilized according to best practices standards, assuring their sustainability for the benefit of current users and future generations. Becoming a city will help us accomplish this.
MISSION
A high-mountain valley located on the Wasatch Back, Ogden Valley is an inclusive community committed to maintaining harmony between rural and urban areas, and dedicated to protecting the unique quality of life it offers, which is shaped by its rural tradition and core values, including open space and agricultural lands, scenic vistas and view corridors, peace and tranquility, dark skis, clean air and water; and abundant wildlife and wildlife habitat, recreational opportunities, and safe, healthy neighborhoods.
CORE VALUES
Ogden Valley’s core values include sustainable development complementary to its rural heritage, including adequate primary and secondary water supplies, ample infrastructure, open spaces and parks, trail systems, public safety systems, affordable housing, varied transportation networks, dispersed recreational resources; and protected agricultural and natural resources, including clean water, dark skies, and friendly neighborhoods; and transparent and responsible governance.
WILL OUR TAXES GO UP?
Weber County’s 2021 financials showed that Ogden Valley produced more than a $1 million budget surplus for that year. The feasibility study is needed to confirm this number, and to see if incorporation of Ogden Valley is economically feasible. If there is adequate revenue, what we do with it will be our choice. Revenue generated here will stay here.
We need your signature
Ogden Valley property owners, we need your signature on a petition for the next step—the feasibility study, which will be conducted by an independent third-party contractor. The cost of the study is borne by the state of Utah.
Signed petitions endorsing a feasibility study to see if incorporation is viable may be signed at the Valley Market in Eden. You may also sign the form below and drop it off at Valley Market.
Please remember that by signing the current petition, you are not indicating that you want to incorporate Ogden Valley. The petition is only an endorsement for the feasibility study.
For answers to questions or for more information, visit the Facebook page at Ogden Valley Incorporation or email [email protected]; or contact Mark Ferrin at 801-745-0445.
Community Meets to Learn About Proposal to Investigate Feasibility of Ogden Valley Incorporating
On September 14, the community came together at Snowcrest Jr. High in Eden to learn about an organized effort to investigate the feasibility of incorporating Ogden Valley.
Community members who attended were welcomed by Eden resident Mark Ferrin who is heading up the effort. A power point presentation was then presented by project engineer Nick Dahlkamp.
The first discussion… why incorporate? The number one reason is to take back control over issues specific to Ogden Valley, versus the entire county. Because administrative decisions for Ogden Valley are entangled with decisions for the entire unincorporated area and population of Weber County—and the majority of decision makers for the county do not live in the upper valley—decisions aren’t always made that are in the best interest of the Ogden Valley community. Also, if Valley residents want to repeal a planning decision by ballot referendum or initiate a ballot decision through a ballot initiative, the power to do so is diluted by the remaining portion of the county whose interests are focused on the what’s best for the western portion of the county. As such most initiatives or referendums would probably be defeated; thus, the voice of valley residents is disenfranchised.
Other reasons in favor of incorporation:
Considerations Relevant to Incorporating
An incorporated community is one that is a self-governing political subdivision of the state. A city council is elected by voters who live within the newly established municipal boundaries. This governing body can collect taxes, enact ordinance, and conduct its own business, much as Huntsville Town does.
The process of incorporating includes four phases:
Phase 1. A feasibility study must be completed to determine if it is even economically viable to incorporate. To initiate a feasibility, enough signatures must be collected by property owners whose property will be part of the proposed incorporation boundaries. This is currently happening. Also, a request must be filed for a “feasibility study” with the Office of the Lieutenant Governor (LG). It must be signed by private landowners covering 10% of the total area and equal to 7% of total property values in the proposed incorporated area. In addition, a description of the area to be incorporated must be submitted, along with a map/plat prepared by a licensed surveyor. And, finally, five sponsors must be designated with one primary contact sponsor.
In response, the LG will send written notices to each property owner within the area and within 300 feet of the proposed boundary. A landowner may request to be excluded; the LG will make the final determination. The LG and county officers must certify signature requirements, plus, notify Utah Population Committee. The Utah Population Committee must then confirm the county’s population plus the contiguity requirements.
Phase 2. The petition to incorporate must be filed with the LG with signatures of the private landowners, required registered voters, the five designated sponsors and contact sponsor, the map prepared by the surveyor, a name for the proposed city, and the number of commission/council members to be elected and the election boundaries. The LG must then certify the submitted information.
Phase 3. The community votes on the incorporation proposal.
Phase 4. Incorporation Implementation.
How long will the incorporation process take? Beginning now, a timeline budget shows that the process of fully incorporating will take until about November of 2025 to be completed.
Would it be economically feasible to incorporate? The county’s 2021 financial analysis of Ogden Valley showed a $1.05 million revenue surplus.
The initial costs of the incorporation process through the feasibility study are borne by the LG’s office. This includes the cost to certify a request of a feasibility study, the feasibility study, certification of the petition, public notices, public hearing costs, and other miscellaneous costs. It does not cover the costs for holding an election. If the incorporation process is successful, the new city must reimburse the LG and the county. If the newly proposed city does not incorporate, costs will not be reimbursed.
What will be the boundary of the new city? At this point, boundaries for the newly proposed Ogden Valley city are still being investigated.
Next steps include:
A working group meeting was held Friday, September 23 at the Ogden Valley Branch Library to move ahead with plans.
If you would like to help or be involved in collecting signatures for the feasibility study, would like to assist in other ways, or have questions regarding the incorporation process, please send an email to [email protected].
If you would like to sign the petition, copies are available at Valley Market in Eden, or email your interest of doing so to the same email, [email protected]. Please note that when you sign the petition, you will need a copy of your property’s parcel number to validate your qualification as an Ogden Valley property owner.
Community members who attended were welcomed by Eden resident Mark Ferrin who is heading up the effort. A power point presentation was then presented by project engineer Nick Dahlkamp.
The first discussion… why incorporate? The number one reason is to take back control over issues specific to Ogden Valley, versus the entire county. Because administrative decisions for Ogden Valley are entangled with decisions for the entire unincorporated area and population of Weber County—and the majority of decision makers for the county do not live in the upper valley—decisions aren’t always made that are in the best interest of the Ogden Valley community. Also, if Valley residents want to repeal a planning decision by ballot referendum or initiate a ballot decision through a ballot initiative, the power to do so is diluted by the remaining portion of the county whose interests are focused on the what’s best for the western portion of the county. As such most initiatives or referendums would probably be defeated; thus, the voice of valley residents is disenfranchised.
Other reasons in favor of incorporation:
- Lack of support by county administrators for the 2016 Ogden Valley General Plan.
- Unsustainable development that is being approved by current administrators—Weber County’s three-member county commission—including issues related to water, sewer, and transportation.
- Inability to cap the over-all number of dwelling units in the valley to sustainable levels.
- Lack of affordable housing, driven, in part by out-of-control illegal short-term rentals—a commercial enterprise driving up single-family home prices and rental and purchase costs that can’t compete with commercial values.
- Proliferation of, and unsupervised use of short-term rentals to the detriment of single-family neighborhoods.
- Loss of rural farmland to residential/commercial development.
- Accelerated loss of wildlife habitat and wildlife, and degradation of the environment and its natural resources.
- Lack of an integrated infrastructure (such as water) and land use planning plan.
Considerations Relevant to Incorporating
- What Does Incorporation Mean?
- The Process
- Conceptual Timeline
- Basic Numbers, i.e., population and property values
- Costs Associated with Incorporating
- Incorporation Boundaries
- Next Steps
An incorporated community is one that is a self-governing political subdivision of the state. A city council is elected by voters who live within the newly established municipal boundaries. This governing body can collect taxes, enact ordinance, and conduct its own business, much as Huntsville Town does.
The process of incorporating includes four phases:
Phase 1. A feasibility study must be completed to determine if it is even economically viable to incorporate. To initiate a feasibility, enough signatures must be collected by property owners whose property will be part of the proposed incorporation boundaries. This is currently happening. Also, a request must be filed for a “feasibility study” with the Office of the Lieutenant Governor (LG). It must be signed by private landowners covering 10% of the total area and equal to 7% of total property values in the proposed incorporated area. In addition, a description of the area to be incorporated must be submitted, along with a map/plat prepared by a licensed surveyor. And, finally, five sponsors must be designated with one primary contact sponsor.
In response, the LG will send written notices to each property owner within the area and within 300 feet of the proposed boundary. A landowner may request to be excluded; the LG will make the final determination. The LG and county officers must certify signature requirements, plus, notify Utah Population Committee. The Utah Population Committee must then confirm the county’s population plus the contiguity requirements.
Phase 2. The petition to incorporate must be filed with the LG with signatures of the private landowners, required registered voters, the five designated sponsors and contact sponsor, the map prepared by the surveyor, a name for the proposed city, and the number of commission/council members to be elected and the election boundaries. The LG must then certify the submitted information.
Phase 3. The community votes on the incorporation proposal.
Phase 4. Incorporation Implementation.
How long will the incorporation process take? Beginning now, a timeline budget shows that the process of fully incorporating will take until about November of 2025 to be completed.
Would it be economically feasible to incorporate? The county’s 2021 financial analysis of Ogden Valley showed a $1.05 million revenue surplus.
The initial costs of the incorporation process through the feasibility study are borne by the LG’s office. This includes the cost to certify a request of a feasibility study, the feasibility study, certification of the petition, public notices, public hearing costs, and other miscellaneous costs. It does not cover the costs for holding an election. If the incorporation process is successful, the new city must reimburse the LG and the county. If the newly proposed city does not incorporate, costs will not be reimbursed.
What will be the boundary of the new city? At this point, boundaries for the newly proposed Ogden Valley city are still being investigated.
Next steps include:
- Define the area to incorporate
- Raise funds and hire a licenses surveyor to develop the proposed boundary map
- Volunteers collect signatures
- Identify four support sponsors
- Submit a “Request of Feasibility Study”
A working group meeting was held Friday, September 23 at the Ogden Valley Branch Library to move ahead with plans.
If you would like to help or be involved in collecting signatures for the feasibility study, would like to assist in other ways, or have questions regarding the incorporation process, please send an email to [email protected].
If you would like to sign the petition, copies are available at Valley Market in Eden, or email your interest of doing so to the same email, [email protected]. Please note that when you sign the petition, you will need a copy of your property’s parcel number to validate your qualification as an Ogden Valley property owner.
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Land Trusts Join Forces to Preserve “Crown Jewel” of Ogden Valley
Summit Land Conservancy & Ogden Valley Land Trust partner to protect the Huntsville Monastery, a spiritual icon, for future generations. Summit Land Conservancy, Park City’s accredited land trust, and Ogden Valley Land Trust are coming together to help protect an iconic 1,080-acre property that was once home to the Abbey of Our Lady of the Holy Trinity, a Trappist Cistercian monastery established in 1947 in Huntsville, Utah. Well-known throughout Northern Utah, the Huntsville Monastery, founded by 32 monks who were mostly veterans of World War II, served 84 monks and novices at the height of its operation in the 1960s. The monks were active farmers, ranchers, and beekeepers who used agricultural production as a form of prayer and devotion. While most of their production provided food for the monastery, the monks also sold products in the Abbey’s bookshop, including their famous creamed honey. The bookshop adjacent to the chapel was open to the public, where the monks sold religious items and texts, as well as fresh baked bread, jams, and crafted items, including clocks that were hand built by Brother Nicholas. In August 2017, the monastery officially closed. The surviving monks currently reside in a senior living facility in Salt Lake, and plan to return to the monastery as their final resting place. “Over the last 75 years, the Abbey of Our Lady of the Holy Trinity graced the southern end of Ogden Valley as a symbol of spiritual strength, human industriousness, and communal cooperation,” stated Gail Meakins, Chair of Ogden Valley Land Trust. “While the legacy of the monks will live on in our hearts and memories, it is with great joy and humble thankfulness that we now have the opportunity to preserve these fields and vistas forever.” There are fewer than 30 monasteries left in the United States, and when a monastery closes its doors, the land is typically sold for development. In 2016, Huntsville local Bill White purchased the monastery property to save the land as open space. In 2019, White worked with Summit Land Conservancy to place his 85-acre heritage ranch in Henefer under a conservation easement. Despite the potential economic gain of selling for development, White recognizes the Monastery has cultural and historic values that far exceeds the face value of the land. He plans to preserve the monastery largely in its current form as an active agricultural operation and as significant wildlife habitat, while continuing to invest in the long-term sustainability of the farm. “The historic Trappist Monastery in Huntsville is one of the last few remaining farms in Ogden Valley. The area is under intense development pressure as more and more people move into the valley seeking the lifestyle that comes with three ski resorts, a beautiful body of water, and miles and miles of hiking trails in the surrounding mountains,” said White. “When the monks decided to close the monastery because of their advanced ages, I realized that this was a ‘once in forever’ opportunity to save this beautiful farm from development. With the help of many selfless and caring people, we can finally see the finish line.” In addition to the historic and cultural significance of the property, the monastery also holds important conservation values that provide benefits to wildlife and biodiversity, watershed health, and the community. Situated close to the sub-alpine forests in the Wasatch Range, the 1,080 acres of agricultural open space are prime habitat for several species of importance. The farm serves as a wildlife corridor and provides potential habitat for two endangered species: the Canada lynx and yellow-billed cuckoo. The property is also used as rangeland and wintering ground for elk and deer; and owl, hawk, and wild turkey populations thrive in the wooded areas at the edges of the farm’s pastures. The neighboring Deseret Ranch, a 200,000-acre elk preserve, enhances the monastery’s property value as elk habitat and range, and a branch of the South Fork of the Ogden River runs along the property’s edge, providing seasonal wetlands for migratory birds. The Ogden Valley General Plan specifically highlights the monastery property as “significant open space important for preservation” in its Open Lands map. The property forms part of the rural, agricultural landscape, and scenic viewshed that gives the Huntsville area its character. In order to purchase and place a permanent conservation easement on the Huntsville Monastery, the Summit Land Conservancy has secured a federal grant of $8.8 million from the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s (NRCS) Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP). The landowners have generously agreed to donate 58% of the appraised property value. The Conservancy, along with Ogden Valley Land Trust, is launching a capital campaign to raise the remaining $300,000 needed from community members and individual donors by November 1, 2021 to execute the easement. “The Summit Land Conservancy knows that land can only be saved through powerful partnerships. We have worked with NRCS and conservation-minded landowners for many years. We’re thrilled to now join with Ogden Valley Land Trust, a sister organization, to save this beautiful property,” said Cheryl Fox, Executive Director of Summit Land Conservancy. If you are interested in saving the Huntsville Monastery, more details can be found at www.wesaveland.org or <www.ogdenvalleylandtrust.org> About Summit Land Conservancy - Founded in Park City in 1998 as a project of Leadership Park City, the Summit Land Conservancy works with Summit County’s communities to protect and preserve land and water along the Wasatch Back for the benefit of people and nature. In 2011, the Conservancy became the first land trust in the state of Utah to be nationally accredited by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission. It currently holds 42 permanent conservation easements on over 6,800 acres of open space, much of it with public access in and around Park City. It protects swathes of Round Valley, Quarry Mountain, Empire Canyon, and the McPolin Farmlands, as well as farms and ranches along the Weber and Provo Rivers. It is currently working to preserve an additional 5,000+ acres across the Wasatch Back. The Conservancy’s goal when it started in 1998 was to raise money locally to save land locally, and that hasn’t changed. But it has expanded its efforts throughout the years to tap additional funding resources. Since 2011, the Conservancy has brought in over $31 million federal dollars for local land conservation. As a regional land trust, the Conservancy understands that open space is the heart of our rural and recreational communities. Area residents’ sense of place is clearly defined by the shared landscapes that anchor them here. The mountains, trails, farms, and rivers connect people to each other and to the natural world. The Summit Land Conservancy cares for these lands forever, nurturing a healthy community that is founded on its strong connection to the places it has protected together. More information is available on the Conservancy’s website (wesaveland.org) and on Facebook (facebook.com/WeSaveLand), Instagram (instagram.com/wesaveland) and Twitter @Summit_Land (twitter.com/summit_land). About Ogden Valley Land Trust - Ogden Valley Land Trust’s mission is to protect the natural diversity and beauty of Ogden Valley for present and future generations by 1) preserving significant open land areas having scenic, wildlife, recreational, watershed and agricultural uses; 2) fostering appreciation and understanding of the local environment, and 3) educating the Valley’s citizens as to the importance of cooperatively avoiding over development. In 1998 a group of passionate community members formed Ogden Valley Land Trust (OVLT) and its first easement was recorded in 2000. The original Mission Statement still rings true today, recognizing then, and now, the threats to the Valley from unbridled growth and development. The aim today is still to provide landowners with alternate opportunities and strategies to realize the value of their land while keeping it open, natural, and, if desired, agricultural. By preserving open land that provides habitat for wildlife, allows for productive agriculture, protects our watersheds, and is of scenic value, we can maintain our quality of life and insure that our community will flourish for years to come. OVLT currently holds conservation easements on close to 6,000 acres in Ogden Valley and its vicinity. More information can be found at ogdenvalleylandtrust.org and on Facebook (facebook.com/OVLandTrust). Please visit our website today, and make a donation towards preserving the legacy of the Huntsville monastery! |
Notice of Public Hearing on Short-term Rentals Announced
Notice is hereby given that the Ogden Valley Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, October 27, 2020. The meeting will begin at 5:00 p.m. and will be held in the County Commission Chambers, 1st Floor, Weber Center, 2380 Washington Blvd., Ogden, Utah. The meeting can also be attended via ZOOM. The hearing will address the following:
A county-initiated proposal to amend Section 108-7-25 of the Weber County Land Use Code regarding Nightly/Short-term Rentals to potentially modify areas in the unincorporated county where short-term rentals may be permitted, provide for updated licensing requirements, establish specific operational and management standards, and establish more robust violation and administrative penalty structures.
This is a public hearing, and public comment will be allowed from individuals attending this meeting both in person and via ZOOM. Details to join the meeting via ZOOM are the following:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83749785146
Meeting ID: 837 4978 5146
One tap mobile
+13462487799,,83749785146# US (Houston)
+16699006833,,83749785146# US (San Jose)
If you are not be able to attend this hearing and want to express your concerns/comments on the proposed options, you should forward your concerns in an email to Scot Perkes in the Weber County Planning department at <[email protected]>
Current State of Short-term Rentals (STRs) in Unincorporated Weber County Areas
Short Term Rentals (STRs) are defined by Weber County as any rental that is less than 30 days. Current Weber County zones that allow STRs are the following: DRR-1 (resort), CVR-1 (recreation), and FR-3 (multi-family dwellings). However, individual properties within the CVR-1 and FR-3 zones must obtain a Conditional Use Permit from Weber County for STRs. A few examples of where STRs are operational in Ogden Valley include the Moose Hollow and Wolf Lodge Condominiums.
Short-term Rentals (STRs) are also allowed in Planned Residential Unit Developments (PRUDs) as long as, when the development was approved by Weber County, a formal request was made to allow STRs in the related PRUD. Two examples of PRUDs in Ogden Valley that currently have STRs are Trappers Ridge and The Fairways.
The owner of a short-term rental unit is required to obtain a business license from Weber County to operate. At present, the only way Weber County can enforce this requirement is through neighbors calling to report the short-term rental.
If there is a short-term rental that occurs in a zoned area that does not permit STRs, the only way Weber County can take any enforcement action is through neighbors calling to report the rental.
Weber County Proposed Options for STRs in Unincorporated Areas
There are three options for changes to ordinances governing Short-term Rentals (STRs) currently proposed by Weber County. Note that the reference to “requirements and standards of this chapter” in options #2 and #3 refers to related updates to Weber County Code Section 108-23 Short-term Rentals.” The link to the proposed changes to this section is the following: <https://frontier.co.weber.ut.us/p/Project/ViewFile...>
1. Business as Usual (no change to current state of STRs) : The rental of a sleeping room, apartment, dwelling unit, or dwelling for a time period of less than 30 days is considered a short-term rental. Short-term rentals are allowed only when listed as either a permitted or conditional use in a specific zone or when approved as part of a planned residential unit development (PRUD).
2. Open/Limited Scenario: With exception to properties in the FR-1 zone, any residential property within the unincorporated Weber County may obtain a short-term rental license to rent a sleeping room, apartment, dwelling unit, or dwelling for a time period of less than 30 days subject to the requirements and standards of this chapter.
3. Open: Any residential property within the unincorporated Weber County may obtain a short-term rental license to rent a sleeping room, apartment, dwelling unit, or dwelling for a time period of less than 30 days subject to the requirements and standards of this chapter.
Notice is hereby given that the Ogden Valley Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, October 27, 2020. The meeting will begin at 5:00 p.m. and will be held in the County Commission Chambers, 1st Floor, Weber Center, 2380 Washington Blvd., Ogden, Utah. The meeting can also be attended via ZOOM. The hearing will address the following:
A county-initiated proposal to amend Section 108-7-25 of the Weber County Land Use Code regarding Nightly/Short-term Rentals to potentially modify areas in the unincorporated county where short-term rentals may be permitted, provide for updated licensing requirements, establish specific operational and management standards, and establish more robust violation and administrative penalty structures.
This is a public hearing, and public comment will be allowed from individuals attending this meeting both in person and via ZOOM. Details to join the meeting via ZOOM are the following:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83749785146
Meeting ID: 837 4978 5146
One tap mobile
+13462487799,,83749785146# US (Houston)
+16699006833,,83749785146# US (San Jose)
If you are not be able to attend this hearing and want to express your concerns/comments on the proposed options, you should forward your concerns in an email to Scot Perkes in the Weber County Planning department at <[email protected]>
Current State of Short-term Rentals (STRs) in Unincorporated Weber County Areas
Short Term Rentals (STRs) are defined by Weber County as any rental that is less than 30 days. Current Weber County zones that allow STRs are the following: DRR-1 (resort), CVR-1 (recreation), and FR-3 (multi-family dwellings). However, individual properties within the CVR-1 and FR-3 zones must obtain a Conditional Use Permit from Weber County for STRs. A few examples of where STRs are operational in Ogden Valley include the Moose Hollow and Wolf Lodge Condominiums.
Short-term Rentals (STRs) are also allowed in Planned Residential Unit Developments (PRUDs) as long as, when the development was approved by Weber County, a formal request was made to allow STRs in the related PRUD. Two examples of PRUDs in Ogden Valley that currently have STRs are Trappers Ridge and The Fairways.
The owner of a short-term rental unit is required to obtain a business license from Weber County to operate. At present, the only way Weber County can enforce this requirement is through neighbors calling to report the short-term rental.
If there is a short-term rental that occurs in a zoned area that does not permit STRs, the only way Weber County can take any enforcement action is through neighbors calling to report the rental.
Weber County Proposed Options for STRs in Unincorporated Areas
There are three options for changes to ordinances governing Short-term Rentals (STRs) currently proposed by Weber County. Note that the reference to “requirements and standards of this chapter” in options #2 and #3 refers to related updates to Weber County Code Section 108-23 Short-term Rentals.” The link to the proposed changes to this section is the following: <https://frontier.co.weber.ut.us/p/Project/ViewFile...>
1. Business as Usual (no change to current state of STRs) : The rental of a sleeping room, apartment, dwelling unit, or dwelling for a time period of less than 30 days is considered a short-term rental. Short-term rentals are allowed only when listed as either a permitted or conditional use in a specific zone or when approved as part of a planned residential unit development (PRUD).
2. Open/Limited Scenario: With exception to properties in the FR-1 zone, any residential property within the unincorporated Weber County may obtain a short-term rental license to rent a sleeping room, apartment, dwelling unit, or dwelling for a time period of less than 30 days subject to the requirements and standards of this chapter.
3. Open: Any residential property within the unincorporated Weber County may obtain a short-term rental license to rent a sleeping room, apartment, dwelling unit, or dwelling for a time period of less than 30 days subject to the requirements and standards of this chapter.
Second Starry Night Mural Debuts
Murals may be the oldest and most elemental art form as represented by rock and cave paintings near ancient human settlements around the world.
Following the accreditation of North Fork Park as an International Dark Sky Park, the Ogden Valley Starry Night Mural Trail had its initial installation on the 1870s Enoch Fuller barn opposite Valley Elementary school. For this first mural, Huntsville artist Jake Songer created a stunning night sky and evergreen image (photo).
And now, near the three-way stop in Liberty, a new mural (photo), designed and painted by Solenne Songer, daughter of Jake and Rebekah, has been mounted on a small 1800s cabin on the Mike and Julie Rhodes family farm (see history this issue), echoing the family’s experience with foxes-in-the-field and conveying the importance of dark sky to wildlife in preserving feeding, mating, and migration patterns.
Many folks don’t know there is a constellation for almost every form of wildlife represented in this high mountain valley; the skies have always been seen through a cultural prism. Laplanders see elk and moose in the stars above. Shoshone see mountain goats. The Greek crane constellation can be interpreted as a sandhill crane. And, several years ago, Scottish school children won a global competition to designate a new constellation: a mouse, “Wee Sleekit Beastie” (Robert Burns).
What does a chain of murals do for Ogden Valley and its residents? The Starry Night Mural Trail celebrates the Valley’s significance as a place of remarkable scenic beauty; a place that was among the first in the state of Utah to preserve its dark skies; a place with a long agricultural heritage that brought into being beautiful barns, many of which are now faded and textured by more than a hundred years of sun and snow.
The right place-making public art lightens the heart and energizes the creative impulse.
For more information visit www.starrynightsutah.org ; www.darksky.org ; www.greatwesternstarryway.org; www.darkskystudies.org
Murals may be the oldest and most elemental art form as represented by rock and cave paintings near ancient human settlements around the world.
Following the accreditation of North Fork Park as an International Dark Sky Park, the Ogden Valley Starry Night Mural Trail had its initial installation on the 1870s Enoch Fuller barn opposite Valley Elementary school. For this first mural, Huntsville artist Jake Songer created a stunning night sky and evergreen image (photo).
And now, near the three-way stop in Liberty, a new mural (photo), designed and painted by Solenne Songer, daughter of Jake and Rebekah, has been mounted on a small 1800s cabin on the Mike and Julie Rhodes family farm (see history this issue), echoing the family’s experience with foxes-in-the-field and conveying the importance of dark sky to wildlife in preserving feeding, mating, and migration patterns.
Many folks don’t know there is a constellation for almost every form of wildlife represented in this high mountain valley; the skies have always been seen through a cultural prism. Laplanders see elk and moose in the stars above. Shoshone see mountain goats. The Greek crane constellation can be interpreted as a sandhill crane. And, several years ago, Scottish school children won a global competition to designate a new constellation: a mouse, “Wee Sleekit Beastie” (Robert Burns).
What does a chain of murals do for Ogden Valley and its residents? The Starry Night Mural Trail celebrates the Valley’s significance as a place of remarkable scenic beauty; a place that was among the first in the state of Utah to preserve its dark skies; a place with a long agricultural heritage that brought into being beautiful barns, many of which are now faded and textured by more than a hundred years of sun and snow.
The right place-making public art lightens the heart and energizes the creative impulse.
For more information visit www.starrynightsutah.org ; www.darksky.org ; www.greatwesternstarryway.org; www.darkskystudies.org
Mural artist Solenne Songer founded @Frostbite.studios, an Instagram account with over
27,000 followers on which she posted, “The dark-sky movement is a campaign to reduce light pollution and preserve the visibility of the stars at night. This cause is really meaningful to me because I live in a rural area where we can always see the stars—I know that’s not how it is for everyone, so I’m hoping to educate people on how simple lighting changes can help everyone enjoy the beauty of the night sky.”
At 17, Solenne is already a prolific artist, with gallery representation and many awards and milestones. She recently collaborated on a digital animation project at Brigham Young University.
27,000 followers on which she posted, “The dark-sky movement is a campaign to reduce light pollution and preserve the visibility of the stars at night. This cause is really meaningful to me because I live in a rural area where we can always see the stars—I know that’s not how it is for everyone, so I’m hoping to educate people on how simple lighting changes can help everyone enjoy the beauty of the night sky.”
At 17, Solenne is already a prolific artist, with gallery representation and many awards and milestones. She recently collaborated on a digital animation project at Brigham Young University.
Coronavirus (COVID-19 disease) Timeline
Coronavirus Cases in Utah (as of April 28, 2020)
Ben Lomond Area: 28
Weber County (East) Area: 27 (Including Ogden Valley)
Morgan County Area: 9
Ogden’s Downtown Area: 19
South Ogden Area: 37
Roy/Hooper Area: 26
Utah Regional Statistics (as of April 29, 2020)
Total State Cases & Deaths – 4343 | 45
Please note that these numbers are updated daily. For additional information and the most recent updates regarding the coronavirus in Utah and Weber and Morgan counties, visit https://coronavirus.utah.gov/case-counts/ and <http://www.webermorganhealth.org/coronavirus/>
- April 24: U.S. hits another COVID-19 milestone as the country reaches a death count of 50,000. Trump also signed at $484 billion relief package, which includes $310 billion for small business funding, $75 billion for hospitals and $25 billion for testing and contact tracing.
- April 15: Utah announced that the first numbers that show that COVID-19 is disproportionally impacting people of color within the state. Nearly 40% of patients are people of color despite comprising only 21% of the state’s population. Globally, the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 surpasses 2 million, with more than 128,000 deaths reported worldwide, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. And more than 600,000 cases.
- April 15: An announcement is made from the U.S. Commerce Dept. that retail sales plunged 8.7% in March—the biggest drop recorded since keeping records in 1992. Reports also indicate that 17 million Americans had filed for first-time unemployment claims over the past few weeks.
- April 14: Nationally, the number of deaths reported was 26,057. President Trump suggests his mind up to encourage as many as 20 states, with low numbers of confirmed cases of the coronavirus, to get back to business, maybe by May 1.
- April 13: Utah lawmakers announced that they would convene during the week in their first-ever all-virtual special session to address the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
- April 10: Governor Gary Herbert’s executive order goes into effect, requiring all adults entering Utah to fill out a health form asking if they had any symptoms of COVID-19, have been recently tested for it, or traveled through coronavirus hot spots.
- April 9: Worldwide, 1.5 million people are confirmed to have COVID-19, with nearly 90,000 people having died from the virulent virus. In the U.S., at least 435,000 are infected and 15,000 have died.
- April 6: Utah confirms 1,675 cases of COVID-19, according to the state health department, ranking the state in the middle of the pack of U.S. coronavirus cases by state. The state has tested at least 33,394 people thus far, with at least 138 people hospitalized with COVID-19 statewide.
- April 6: U.S. hits the benchmark of 10,000 coronavirus deaths. From the White House, Trump cautioned Americans that the worst is ahead for many parts of the country, with “New York remaining the equivalent of a five-alarm fire and other cities and states emerging as hot spots.” On this day, New York recorded its highest one-day death toll with 731 new deaths; however, the state did see a notable drop in new hospitalizations related to the virus for the first time—an optimistic sign.
- April 3: Pres. Trump said that the CDC is now recommending that Americans wear masks when they are out in public.
- April 3: Zion National Park closes.
- April 3: Officials announce that the state as almost 1,000 ventilators, which should be enough to cover the projected number of COVID-19 patients it can expect to treat.
- April 1: Davis County issues a stay-at-home order for residents.
- March 30: Wasatch County issues a stay-at-home order. Within the Weber-Morgan Health Dept. District, on this day, the number of positive COVID-19 tests for one day spiked to ten—the highest seen as of April 25, when only 2 new cases are reported.
- March: 29: Salt Lake County issues a stay-at-home order, and closes businesses such as salons and barbershops for the first time. It requires residents to remain home except for essential business.
- March 29: Utah businessman and former Speaker of the House Robert (Bob) Heiner Garff, 77, dies due to complications from COVID-19 after returning from a visit to Palm Springs, where they were tested and confirmed to have COVID-19. Bob passed shortly after being hospitalized. His wife recovered from home.
- March 28: The National Park Service announces that Arches and Canyonlands national parks are now closed to all visitors.
- March 27: Pres. Trump signed a $2 trillion stimulus plan, the largest in modern American history, that will send direct payments of around $1,200 to millions of Americans who earn less than $99,000, along with an additional $500 per child. The plan will also substantially expand unemployment benefits, including extending eligibility to freelance and gig workers, and provide aid to businesses and companies in distress. The tax-filing deadline was also extended to July 15.
- March 27: UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson tests positive for the coronavirus.
- March 27: Park City reports the highest number of COVID-19 cases in the state. The city goes into lockdown as of midnight.
- March 27: As of 8:30 a.m., total U.S. coronavirus cases reported in the U.S. hits 86,012 with a reported 1,301 deaths. Worldwide, 551,337 confirmed cases are reported, with 24,906 deaths.
- March 26: The number of global cases of the coronavirus now identified tops 500,000. As of this date, U.S. now has more reported cases than any other country.
- March 26: Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall issues a stay-at-home order for the city. Also, Governor Gary Herbert issues voluntary guidelines, asking Utahans to stay at home.
- March 26: Summit County’s stay-at-home order goes into effect. Summit County has 20 times the cases of COVID-19, per capita, of Salt Lake City, according to the county’s health director.
- March 25: The Navajo Nation, spanning parts of Arizona, Utah and New Mexico, announces a stay-at-home order. Also on March 25, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announces that all of its temples will close, beginning March 26.
- March 25: U.S. politicians strike an agreement on a $2 trillion aid measure to assist workers, businesses and the country’s overstrained healthcare system.
- March 25: The First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announces the temporary closure of all temples church wide due to COVID-19 concerns, with no set date to reopen.
- March 24: Pres. Trump triggered the defense production act for the first time, kickstarting the emergency manufacture of test kits and masks
- March 24: Utah governor Gary Herbert halted elective surgeries in the state to free up hospital resources for COVID-19 patients.
- March 22: Utah Senator Luz Escamilla announces that she has tested positive for the coronavirus.
- March 22: Utah Dept. of Health state epidemiologist Angela Dunn announces, during a news conference at the Utah Health Dept., the first death in Utah attributed to the coronavirus.
- March 21: Italy reports the stunning number of 793 new fatalities in a single 24-hour day
- March 21: Utah Senator Mitt Romney was ordered to self-quarantine due to contact with Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), who tested positive for coronavirus. He was cleared from quarantine on March 25, after testing negative for the virus, according to The Salt Lake Tribune.
- March 20: Unemployment claims in Utah hit 19,690 and jumped again with 28,560 new claims the week ending on March 27.
- March 20: Around the world, the number of COVID-19-related deaths soars above 10,000.
- March 20: Salt Lake City Councilman Darin Mano, makes a statement that he also tested positive to COVID-19.
- March 20: All jury trials in Utah are postponed until at least June 1. In addition, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announces that many of its missionaries around the world will be returning home and be asked to self-quarantine for 14 days after arriving.
- March 19: Italy is the first nation state to exceed China as the country with the most coronavirus-related deaths, as the death toll rises to 3,405 compared to China’s death count of 3,245.
- March 18: The Utah System of Higher Education announces that it will cancel or postpone all graduation ceremonies for state colleges and universities. A magnitude 5.7 earthquake hits Salt Lake City, temporarily disrupting testing and the state's coronavirus hotline, according to the health department.
- March 18: Rep. Ben McAdams (D-Utah) reports that he has tested positive for the coronavirus, making him the second member of Congress to test positive. He was hospitalized on March 22 and released March 28.
- March 17: Utah Governor Gary Herbert issues an in-person dining ban to the entire state for at least two weeks beginning Wednesday, March 18.
- March 17: Weber County announces they are shutting down all county offices and facilities—except offices that can be accessed by appointment. Eden’s Zions Bank Branch at Valley Market closes due to its lack of a drive-thru facility. Most grocery stores, including Valley Market, adopt new hours—closing early in order to find time to restock. Some institute early morning hours that will accommodate, only, those over 60, or with impaired compromised systems.
- March 16: Salt Lake County banned in-person dining at bars and restaurants.
- March 16: Utah’s schools begin to shut down, after the announcement was made March 13.
- March 16: Leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints shut down all public buildings and facilities, such as Temple Square, and closes temples to vicarious work. Live ordinances are to be allowed by appointment only.
- March 16: New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio orders the city’s bars, theatres and cinemas to close down as the numbers of new cases of the coronavirus begin to drastically escalate.
- March 15: The state's ski areas began shutting down.
- March 14: Weber County political caucus meetings are canceled throughout the state.
- March 12: Utah colleges and universities began making plans to close and move classes online.
- March 12: Leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announce that all senior missionaries, and younger ones, too, who have chronic medical conditions, are to return home, then begin a 14-day self-quarantine. Worship services worldwide are suspended. Utah colleges and universities shut down and move to an online class model. Governor Herbert announces measures to slow the spread of the virus within the state.
- March 11: The WHO officially declares the coronavirus outbreak a “pandemic” as Turkey, Ivory Coast, Honduras, and Bolivia confirm their first cases. Pres. Trump limits travel from Europe. Leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announce that General Conference sessions will be held by virtual transmission only, with no “live” admittance of the general public into sessions. Other large gatherings are to be restricted within the church and the state.
- March 10: Utah’s stores begin to see a run on basic food items, such as the notorious toilet paper, water, and hand-sanitizer runs! Stores begin putting limits on items purchased. Also, NBA suspends its season after JAZZ player Rudy Gobert tests positive. A second JAZZ player is also identified of having the virus.
- March 10: Iran and Italy both record their highest death rates in a single day; Iran 54, Italy 168.
- March 9: Utah’s second coronavirus case is found at McKay-Dee Hospital in Ogden. The U.S. Stock Market hits an all-time low—a low not seen since 1987’s “Black Monday.”
- March 7: Utah’s first case of coronavirus is confirmed. A Davis County resident contracted the virus while on a cruise.
- March 6: Locally, Governor Herbert declares a “State of Emergency” in preparation for additional coronavirus cases. U.S. stock values continue to plunge. Bond rates hit a ten-year all-time low.
- February 27: Estonia, Denmark, Northern Ireland and the Netherlands all report their first cases of the virus.
- February 26: Death toll around the world from the virus grows to near 2,800 with 80,000 confirmed cases. Other countries now dealing with the virus include Norway, Greece, Romania, Brazil, Pakistan, North Macedonia, and Georgia.
- February 22: Italy reports its first two deaths from the virus.
- February 19: Iran reports two deaths from the virus only hours after identifying its first cases.
- February 18: China’s daily infection figures drop below 2,000 for the first time since January. Thus far, 1,868 deaths have been reported from the virus in mainland China.
- February 14: Egypt becomes the first country in Africa to report a case, and France reports Europe’s first death from the virus.
- February 12: 175 people are found to be infected with COVID-19 aboard the Diamond Princess Cruise ship docked at Yokohama in Japan.
- February 11: The WHO announces the official name of the disease, that results from the coronavirus, as COVID-19.
- February 7: Dr. Li Wenliang, among the first to warn about the seriousness of the virus, dies. Hong Kong introduces prison sentences for anyone breaching quarantine rules.
- February 1: New cases of the virus are confirmed in Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan, Singapore, the U.S., UEA, and Philippines.
- January 31: Russia, Sweden, Spain and the United Kingdom identify their first cases of the rampant virus.
- January 30: The WHO declared coronavirus a global emergency after China’s death toll jumps to 170, and 7,711 cases are reported through all 31 provinces in the country. Both India and Philippines confirm their first cases.
- January 24: Shanghai Disneyland shuts down, along with closures of entertainment venues and famous landmarks such as the Great Wall.
- January 23: Wuhan was placed under a mandated quarantine, and rail and air departures from the area were suspended.
- January 13 – 16: Thailand and Japan report the first confirmed cases of the virus in individuals recently returning from Wuhan.
- January 11: China announces the first death from the new coronavirus.
- January 7: Officials announced they’d identified a new virus, according to the WHO, and was named 2019-nCoV—belonging to the coronavirus family, as does SARS and the common cold.
- January 1, 2020: The city’s Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market was shut down after officials noted that several people infected with the new virus worked at the market.
- December 31, 2019: China alerted the World Health Organization (WHO) of several cases of an unusual pneumonia reported in the port city of Wuhan. The virus demonstrates characteristics previously unseen/unknown before.
Coronavirus Cases in Utah (as of April 28, 2020)
- Confirmed cases in Utah: 4,233
- Total confirmed cases within the Weber-Morgan Health District: 148
- Infection rate: 56 out of every 100,000 people.
- Confirmed cases by Weber-Morgan Health District sub-areas:
Ben Lomond Area: 28
Weber County (East) Area: 27 (Including Ogden Valley)
Morgan County Area: 9
Ogden’s Downtown Area: 19
South Ogden Area: 37
Roy/Hooper Area: 26
Utah Regional Statistics (as of April 29, 2020)
- Bear River – Cases, 60 | Deaths, 1
- Central Utah – 22 | 0
- Davis County – 278 | 2
- Salt Lake County – 2256 | 28
- San Juan – 45 | 2
- Southeast Utah – 11 | 0
- Southwest Utah - 91 | 2
- Summit County – 359 | 0
- Tooele County – 58 | 0
- Tri County – 11 | 0
- Utah County - 862 | 7
- Wasatch County – 142 | 1
- Weber-Morgan county – 148 | 2
Total State Cases & Deaths – 4343 | 45
Please note that these numbers are updated daily. For additional information and the most recent updates regarding the coronavirus in Utah and Weber and Morgan counties, visit https://coronavirus.utah.gov/case-counts/ and <http://www.webermorganhealth.org/coronavirus/>
Community Businesses: Still Open for Business!
In support of the many great businesses and organizations in Ogden Valley, we wanted to provide an update on their status as we all do what we can to slow the spread of COVID-19 while also supporting one another. With this in mind, we are offering the following information.
American Legion in Huntsville - Open for curb-side take-out orders: Wednesday, 4:00 – 8:00 p.m., Taco Night. Order the taco special or from full-menu options; Fridays, 4:00 – 8:00 p.m., Steak Night or full-menu options; Sunday, 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., breakfast & brunch menu. Call in for menu items & prices, and to order with your estimated time for pickup: 801-686-1739.
Ardent Gardener Landscape Design & Project Coordination - Phone 801-388-8103.
BamBoo Japanese Cuisine: Available for takeout. Located at 141 12th St in Ogden. Open for take-out orders Monday thru Saturday, 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. during the pandemic. Customers may order ahead at 801-399-9888 then pick up at our drive-thru window.
Burton Dental – closed but available for emergencies. Contact us at 801-388-5182.
Carlos & Harley’s is open for take-out from 11:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. Limited menu. Credit cards only; no cash. Call 801-745-8226.
Huntsville Chevron Station
Chris’ Restaurant & Sinclair Convenience Store: Hours are 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Serving takeout of breakfast, burgers and shakes. Phone 801-745-3542.
Club Fitness Center is OPEN to members (with key fob access only). Staff are cleaning and wiping down equipment and surfaces frequently during the day. We have disinfectant available to members to use for cleaning exercise machines before and after workouts. However, all daycare & group classes are cancelled. We are working on virtual classes that will be available soon. We will announce these as we get closer to the launch date.
ClubRec - Our Eden location is open by reservation only for Disc Golf rentals, Snowshoes & X-Country ski rentals. We are also renting our street-legal UTV’s to cruise around the valley & lower trails. Our Pineview location at Cemetery Point will be opening as soon as weather permits. We are now taking reservations for all summer rentals, boats, sup’s, jet skis & more. Call to make reservations or online at www.ClubRecUtah.com or 801-745-3038. We offer rentals 7 days a week. We are open by reservation only. We are renting UTV’s/ side-by-sides at this time & taking reservations for boats & all other summer activities. Reserve online www.clubrecutah.com or call 801-745-3038.
Diamond Peak Mountain Sports are answering phones & scheduling appointments. We are selling & tuning bikes. Winter gear is now on sale at a huge discount. If you are looking for something, give us a call. Open Tues. - Sat. For bike tuning & winter gear info, contact us at [email protected] or 801-745-0101.
Eats of Eden is open Tues. – Sat., 11:30 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. with phone-in take-out orders. Payment over the phone & curbside pick-up only. Call 801-745-8618.
Eden Coffee & Cocoa - We are open! Drive and walk thru only, 8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Emie James Yes! We are still open and serving you. Schedule a personal shopping appointment Mon. - Sat., 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Schedule a virtual shopping appointment Mon. – Sat., 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Call or Text Lisa @ 801-791-5927. Curbside pick-up available. Free delivery to our local Valley customers. Visit <emiejames.com>
Huntsville Mercantile - Currently taking reservations for summer & fall weddings and events. 801-745-3199 HuntsvilleMercantile.com Located in the heart of Huntsville, 7390 E. 200 S.
As of now, John Watson Chevrolet is operating at the usual hours for sales, service, & parts. We are, however, taking extra precautions in response to the Coronavirus. Our first priority is always the health & safety of our customers & staff. We are taking the cleanliness of our facility seriously and it is being cleaned & disinfected frequently. But because we know that many people prefer to stay at home at this time, John Watson Chevrolet is now offering home services, including: 24-hour service drop box - Pick up & drop off for service customers - At-home test drives - Purchase deliveries right to your door - Shop our inventory, apply for credit & complete your purchase—all on our website or over the phone. For more info visit johnwatsonchevrolet.com or call 866-647-9930.
Joyful Smiles Dentistry – Joyful Smiles Family Dentistry will be available for emergencies only, as restricted by Governor Herbert, from now thru April 25 to conserve PPE supplies for COVID providers. We will try to staff the office during our normal business hours (M-TH 8am-5pm) but recommend calling first before stopping by (801-745-1222). Dr. Joy Clem can also be reached directly at 801-949-7725 anytime. Stay Home, Stay Safe & Be Well!
KW Success Keller Williams Realty is open! We are scheduling appointments one client at a time in our Eden office. Or, if you prefer, in your home! Wondering how our current environment is affecting the value of your property? Contact Joel Zieve, 801-695-7737 (call or text).
Leisure Pool and Spa – W remain open Curbside only 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10:00 - 5:00 Saturday. For more information, call 801-392-5923 or visit <leisurepoolandspa.com>
Mad Moose Cafe is open 10:00 a.m. - 7:30 p.m. Drive-up take-out only. Call ahead or place your order when you arrive. Call 801-452-7425.
Maverik
Mountain Luxury - We have one person in our office Mon. – Fri., 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. 801-745-8400.
New World Distillery - Open 11:00 - 6:00 Tues. – Sat. Call 385-244-0144.
Pat’s Food Shack open 7:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Sun. – Tue.; 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Fri. & Sat. Call ahead or place order in person, 801-745-2400.
Rainbow Gardens – My Heritage Fabrics is open 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (Still selling a lot of fabrics because people are making masks).
Rainbow Gardens is open for shopping by appointment 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (one group at a time, credit/debit cards only) Call 801-621-1606 or 801-621-0150 for appointment or upon arrival. Also offering gift certificates by phone (801-621-1606). We will mail to recipient.
Recreation Outlet – 2326 S. Washington Blvd. Call 801-409-9994, Mon – Fri., 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.; Sat., 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.; Sun., 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Red Bicycle Country Store & Flowers is open Mon. – Sat., 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. We offer free delivery to Huntsville, Eden, & Liberty for flowers and gifts. Call 801-436-3794.
Rockwood Optometry in N. Ogden is open for emergencies. We also sell & ship contacts and are extending contact prescriptions when needed. Call 801-701-7836.
Salon Eden Salon Eden understands the need for professional hair care products during the “Stay safe stay home” directive & the need for limited travel in this time so we are offering our community curbside pick-up on all professional products we sell in the salon! Simply call or text us at 801-928-7745 & tell us what you need and we will arrange a pick up time! Salon Eden Professional Products include gray coverage root spray in many colors, dry shampoos in many colors, color-safe shampoos & conditioners, hairsprays, styling products, American Crew men’s shampoos & conditioners.
Simply Eden Simply Eden is open! If you are local, you can call, order and pay over the phone, and we will pack up your favorite gifts, soap and lotion for you to pick up. We are offering virtual shopping and can show you what we have in store! 801-745-5033 will get you to us with FaceTime and via phone! Our pick up hours will be Monday through Saturday from noon - 4:00 p.m. We will also deliver to you in the immediate Ogden Valley for your convenience! Our online store is also open and we are shipping with free shipping offered on orders over $40!
At Snowcrest Jr. High’s website (snowcrest.wsd.net) you will find information about the school closure and free grab & go breakfast & lunches being distributed at Snowcrest Mon. thru Fri. Federal guidelines state the student must be present to receive meals. Breakfast is served from 9:30 - 10:00 a.m.; lunch, 10:30 a.m. - 11:00. Since meals are being served back-to-back, both meals may be picked up at once. Please note that meals will not be served during spring break March 30 - April 3. Also on the website, if you click on the Counselor’s Corner star, it will direct you to the counseling website. In the menu, select counseling resources. Many helpful resources for ways to cope & talk about COVID-19 have been added, including ideas for things to do during social distancing. Readers will also find messages of hope.
Timbermine Restaurant - Open Wednesday thru Saturday 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. with phone-in take-out orders, payment over the phone & curbside pick-up only. 1701 Park Blvd., Ogden. 801-393-2155.
Valley Copy - Open 1:00 - 5:00 p.m., Mon. – Fri. for all of your copy, printing & shipping needs. 801-745-9237.
Valley Elementary Valley Elementary is still operating. We will be open on all scheduled school days from 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Free meals are also being served: breakfast, 9:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.; lunch, 10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Any child under the age of 18 is given both of these meals for free. They do not need to be Weber School District students. Kindergarten Roundup will be held virtually this year. Parents can visit valley.wsd.net for a link or go directly to the round up site at https://sites.google.com/wsd.net/valleykinderroundup/home
Valley Market has adjusted their hours, 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m., with a special “Senior” shopping hour from 7:00 - 8:00 a.m. daily. More info at 801-745-4000.
Valley Nursery is open Mon. – Sat. 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.; Sunday 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Delivery available. Call 801-479-6060. Also visit <www.valleynurseryutah.com>
Washworks Car Wash and Laundromat are both open. Laundry open 7:30 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. every day. The Car Wash is open 24/7. Since the laundry is small, please be courteous & maintain the recommended social distancing rule.
Wolf Creek Basecamp offices are open. Staff may be working remotely; however, we are available via email, text & phone.
Wolf Creek Golf Course is open. Golfers can book tee times & pay online at <https://www.wolfcreekresort.com/golf/> Offices are open. Please respect golfers & don’t walk while they are in play. More info at 801-745-3737.
Wolf Creek Resort Construction/Lewis Homes is open. The outdoor nature of the construction trades and the limited number of subcontractors at each site allows for a safe environment to continue building at Wolf Creek. More info at 801-745-3737.
Wolf Creek Water & Sewer Imp District is open Mon. - Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. There is a note on the door that has our telephone number on it & Annette will come and open the door. More info at 801-745-3435.
- Now Closed –
Blue Coyote Cafe: Currently closed until further notice.
Compass Rose Lodge, First Lift Coffee, & HALO Observatory: Closed until further notice. We are currently heeding the White House guidelines of “15 Days to Slow the Spread” We are accepting summer reservations from May on. People can call if they have questions.
Detours: Hope to open around Memorial Day.
Gray Cliff Lodge is closed until the Governor says we can open.
The Greenery Restaurant is closed. Call 801-392-1777 or 801-392-5153.
Huntsville Square Venue: Currently taking reservations for summer weddings and events.
Links Bistro & Golf Course Grill are closed until we are allowed to reopen by local authorities.
Ogden Dinosaur Park is closed until further notice.
Ogden Nature Center trails and buildings are closed until we receive more information from the health department, or until the restrictions are safely lifted.
Planet Rainbow is closed.
Wolf Foundation April retreat and the Benefit Gala are both rescheduled for fall: Retreat -September 25-27; Benefit - Saturday, October 3.
In support of the many great businesses and organizations in Ogden Valley, we wanted to provide an update on their status as we all do what we can to slow the spread of COVID-19 while also supporting one another. With this in mind, we are offering the following information.
American Legion in Huntsville - Open for curb-side take-out orders: Wednesday, 4:00 – 8:00 p.m., Taco Night. Order the taco special or from full-menu options; Fridays, 4:00 – 8:00 p.m., Steak Night or full-menu options; Sunday, 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., breakfast & brunch menu. Call in for menu items & prices, and to order with your estimated time for pickup: 801-686-1739.
Ardent Gardener Landscape Design & Project Coordination - Phone 801-388-8103.
BamBoo Japanese Cuisine: Available for takeout. Located at 141 12th St in Ogden. Open for take-out orders Monday thru Saturday, 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. during the pandemic. Customers may order ahead at 801-399-9888 then pick up at our drive-thru window.
Burton Dental – closed but available for emergencies. Contact us at 801-388-5182.
Carlos & Harley’s is open for take-out from 11:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. Limited menu. Credit cards only; no cash. Call 801-745-8226.
Huntsville Chevron Station
Chris’ Restaurant & Sinclair Convenience Store: Hours are 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Serving takeout of breakfast, burgers and shakes. Phone 801-745-3542.
Club Fitness Center is OPEN to members (with key fob access only). Staff are cleaning and wiping down equipment and surfaces frequently during the day. We have disinfectant available to members to use for cleaning exercise machines before and after workouts. However, all daycare & group classes are cancelled. We are working on virtual classes that will be available soon. We will announce these as we get closer to the launch date.
ClubRec - Our Eden location is open by reservation only for Disc Golf rentals, Snowshoes & X-Country ski rentals. We are also renting our street-legal UTV’s to cruise around the valley & lower trails. Our Pineview location at Cemetery Point will be opening as soon as weather permits. We are now taking reservations for all summer rentals, boats, sup’s, jet skis & more. Call to make reservations or online at www.ClubRecUtah.com or 801-745-3038. We offer rentals 7 days a week. We are open by reservation only. We are renting UTV’s/ side-by-sides at this time & taking reservations for boats & all other summer activities. Reserve online www.clubrecutah.com or call 801-745-3038.
Diamond Peak Mountain Sports are answering phones & scheduling appointments. We are selling & tuning bikes. Winter gear is now on sale at a huge discount. If you are looking for something, give us a call. Open Tues. - Sat. For bike tuning & winter gear info, contact us at [email protected] or 801-745-0101.
Eats of Eden is open Tues. – Sat., 11:30 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. with phone-in take-out orders. Payment over the phone & curbside pick-up only. Call 801-745-8618.
Eden Coffee & Cocoa - We are open! Drive and walk thru only, 8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Emie James Yes! We are still open and serving you. Schedule a personal shopping appointment Mon. - Sat., 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Schedule a virtual shopping appointment Mon. – Sat., 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Call or Text Lisa @ 801-791-5927. Curbside pick-up available. Free delivery to our local Valley customers. Visit <emiejames.com>
Huntsville Mercantile - Currently taking reservations for summer & fall weddings and events. 801-745-3199 HuntsvilleMercantile.com Located in the heart of Huntsville, 7390 E. 200 S.
As of now, John Watson Chevrolet is operating at the usual hours for sales, service, & parts. We are, however, taking extra precautions in response to the Coronavirus. Our first priority is always the health & safety of our customers & staff. We are taking the cleanliness of our facility seriously and it is being cleaned & disinfected frequently. But because we know that many people prefer to stay at home at this time, John Watson Chevrolet is now offering home services, including: 24-hour service drop box - Pick up & drop off for service customers - At-home test drives - Purchase deliveries right to your door - Shop our inventory, apply for credit & complete your purchase—all on our website or over the phone. For more info visit johnwatsonchevrolet.com or call 866-647-9930.
Joyful Smiles Dentistry – Joyful Smiles Family Dentistry will be available for emergencies only, as restricted by Governor Herbert, from now thru April 25 to conserve PPE supplies for COVID providers. We will try to staff the office during our normal business hours (M-TH 8am-5pm) but recommend calling first before stopping by (801-745-1222). Dr. Joy Clem can also be reached directly at 801-949-7725 anytime. Stay Home, Stay Safe & Be Well!
KW Success Keller Williams Realty is open! We are scheduling appointments one client at a time in our Eden office. Or, if you prefer, in your home! Wondering how our current environment is affecting the value of your property? Contact Joel Zieve, 801-695-7737 (call or text).
Leisure Pool and Spa – W remain open Curbside only 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10:00 - 5:00 Saturday. For more information, call 801-392-5923 or visit <leisurepoolandspa.com>
Mad Moose Cafe is open 10:00 a.m. - 7:30 p.m. Drive-up take-out only. Call ahead or place your order when you arrive. Call 801-452-7425.
Maverik
Mountain Luxury - We have one person in our office Mon. – Fri., 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. 801-745-8400.
New World Distillery - Open 11:00 - 6:00 Tues. – Sat. Call 385-244-0144.
Pat’s Food Shack open 7:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Sun. – Tue.; 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Fri. & Sat. Call ahead or place order in person, 801-745-2400.
Rainbow Gardens – My Heritage Fabrics is open 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (Still selling a lot of fabrics because people are making masks).
Rainbow Gardens is open for shopping by appointment 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (one group at a time, credit/debit cards only) Call 801-621-1606 or 801-621-0150 for appointment or upon arrival. Also offering gift certificates by phone (801-621-1606). We will mail to recipient.
Recreation Outlet – 2326 S. Washington Blvd. Call 801-409-9994, Mon – Fri., 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.; Sat., 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.; Sun., 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Red Bicycle Country Store & Flowers is open Mon. – Sat., 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. We offer free delivery to Huntsville, Eden, & Liberty for flowers and gifts. Call 801-436-3794.
Rockwood Optometry in N. Ogden is open for emergencies. We also sell & ship contacts and are extending contact prescriptions when needed. Call 801-701-7836.
Salon Eden Salon Eden understands the need for professional hair care products during the “Stay safe stay home” directive & the need for limited travel in this time so we are offering our community curbside pick-up on all professional products we sell in the salon! Simply call or text us at 801-928-7745 & tell us what you need and we will arrange a pick up time! Salon Eden Professional Products include gray coverage root spray in many colors, dry shampoos in many colors, color-safe shampoos & conditioners, hairsprays, styling products, American Crew men’s shampoos & conditioners.
Simply Eden Simply Eden is open! If you are local, you can call, order and pay over the phone, and we will pack up your favorite gifts, soap and lotion for you to pick up. We are offering virtual shopping and can show you what we have in store! 801-745-5033 will get you to us with FaceTime and via phone! Our pick up hours will be Monday through Saturday from noon - 4:00 p.m. We will also deliver to you in the immediate Ogden Valley for your convenience! Our online store is also open and we are shipping with free shipping offered on orders over $40!
At Snowcrest Jr. High’s website (snowcrest.wsd.net) you will find information about the school closure and free grab & go breakfast & lunches being distributed at Snowcrest Mon. thru Fri. Federal guidelines state the student must be present to receive meals. Breakfast is served from 9:30 - 10:00 a.m.; lunch, 10:30 a.m. - 11:00. Since meals are being served back-to-back, both meals may be picked up at once. Please note that meals will not be served during spring break March 30 - April 3. Also on the website, if you click on the Counselor’s Corner star, it will direct you to the counseling website. In the menu, select counseling resources. Many helpful resources for ways to cope & talk about COVID-19 have been added, including ideas for things to do during social distancing. Readers will also find messages of hope.
Timbermine Restaurant - Open Wednesday thru Saturday 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. with phone-in take-out orders, payment over the phone & curbside pick-up only. 1701 Park Blvd., Ogden. 801-393-2155.
Valley Copy - Open 1:00 - 5:00 p.m., Mon. – Fri. for all of your copy, printing & shipping needs. 801-745-9237.
Valley Elementary Valley Elementary is still operating. We will be open on all scheduled school days from 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Free meals are also being served: breakfast, 9:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.; lunch, 10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Any child under the age of 18 is given both of these meals for free. They do not need to be Weber School District students. Kindergarten Roundup will be held virtually this year. Parents can visit valley.wsd.net for a link or go directly to the round up site at https://sites.google.com/wsd.net/valleykinderroundup/home
Valley Market has adjusted their hours, 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m., with a special “Senior” shopping hour from 7:00 - 8:00 a.m. daily. More info at 801-745-4000.
Valley Nursery is open Mon. – Sat. 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.; Sunday 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Delivery available. Call 801-479-6060. Also visit <www.valleynurseryutah.com>
Washworks Car Wash and Laundromat are both open. Laundry open 7:30 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. every day. The Car Wash is open 24/7. Since the laundry is small, please be courteous & maintain the recommended social distancing rule.
Wolf Creek Basecamp offices are open. Staff may be working remotely; however, we are available via email, text & phone.
Wolf Creek Golf Course is open. Golfers can book tee times & pay online at <https://www.wolfcreekresort.com/golf/> Offices are open. Please respect golfers & don’t walk while they are in play. More info at 801-745-3737.
Wolf Creek Resort Construction/Lewis Homes is open. The outdoor nature of the construction trades and the limited number of subcontractors at each site allows for a safe environment to continue building at Wolf Creek. More info at 801-745-3737.
Wolf Creek Water & Sewer Imp District is open Mon. - Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. There is a note on the door that has our telephone number on it & Annette will come and open the door. More info at 801-745-3435.
- Now Closed –
Blue Coyote Cafe: Currently closed until further notice.
Compass Rose Lodge, First Lift Coffee, & HALO Observatory: Closed until further notice. We are currently heeding the White House guidelines of “15 Days to Slow the Spread” We are accepting summer reservations from May on. People can call if they have questions.
Detours: Hope to open around Memorial Day.
Gray Cliff Lodge is closed until the Governor says we can open.
The Greenery Restaurant is closed. Call 801-392-1777 or 801-392-5153.
Huntsville Square Venue: Currently taking reservations for summer weddings and events.
Links Bistro & Golf Course Grill are closed until we are allowed to reopen by local authorities.
Ogden Dinosaur Park is closed until further notice.
Ogden Nature Center trails and buildings are closed until we receive more information from the health department, or until the restrictions are safely lifted.
Planet Rainbow is closed.
Wolf Foundation April retreat and the Benefit Gala are both rescheduled for fall: Retreat -September 25-27; Benefit - Saturday, October 3.
A Student’s Tribute to Helen Shiozawa
By Richard L Sorensen
On a fog-covered Southern California Sunday afternoon in January, the world lost a basketball legend due to a tragic accident. Sadly, on the same day, just 25 miles to the east in Glendale, California, Ogden Valley quietly lost their own legend, with the passing of long-time Valley Elementary teacher—Helen Shiozawa.
Mrs. Shiozawa touched the lives of thousands and her reach spanned generations. Through her example, many students became teachers themselves, while pointing to Mrs. Shiozawa as their mentor.
Shiozawa was a one-of-a-kind teacher; one who taught because she loved it. One who arrived at the school early and stayed until late in the afternoon. Her infamous avocado green Volvo was often the only car parked on the south side of the school. She taught because she loved to, not because she had to.
Shiozawa was a dedicated pioneer, with some of her programs continuing nearly thirty-five years after her retirement. Despite tight budgets, she created a ceramics program that was the pride of the school. Somehow she funded the purchase of two kilns, countless molds, and the required tools to run a ceramics program that was likely the best in Northern Utah.
She had molds for projects ranging from simple trinkets to the deluxe, multi-layered Christmas tree, complete with a state-of-the-art tree tip lighting system. Many Ogden Valley households still proudly display their tree, or possibly their mother-of-pearl white nativity set each December.
The prices of the ceramics projects varied as well, but all were subsidized by Mrs. Shiozawa’s donation of early morning and late afternoon volunteering. While some kids likely couldn’t afford the project, no one went without, and I would guess that Mrs. Shiozawa gifted many of the items from her own pocket. Following her retirement in 1987, she continued to voluntarily run the ceramics program for many more years.
She also pioneered the puppet plays, which still continue, decades after their inception. Students would spend weeks creating puppet heads out of paper mâché, then paint and add clothing to their creation. After learning their lines and some dress rehearsals, the entire student body would filter into the multi-purpose room to watch the show.
Shiozawa also taught young Valley students how to dance. With disco becoming popular during the seventies, Mrs. Shiozawa kept things old school with square dancing. Students perfected the intricacies of the “allemande left” and the “Dosey Doe.”
Shiozawa taught students a wide variety of subjects and life’s lessons. She went beyond reading, writing and arithmetic. Her classroom was surrounded by countless aquariums, which housed various aquatic life, turtles, and other mammals, as well as flourishing plant life.
She had many students who may have been considered a “teacher’s pet,” but every student felt like they were her special student. Those lucky students were allowed to stay after school to help with firing the ceramics in the kiln, or to help feed the fish. She even took small groups of students on a field trip to see the beautiful and ornate Japanese Gardens that surrounded her home and had been created and maintained by Shiozawa, and her husband Kenji.
Despite her petite stature and love for all students, she demanded respect. Former student Kurtis Crompton recalled her dragging a wayward student down the hall by his ear to Principal Darwin Taylor’s office.
Brandon Roberts recalled, “She was my 1st- and 2nd-grade teacher. I think I'd stay after school every day to work on ceramics! She was great but didn't let me get out of line! I think she grabbed me by the ear a time or two! It was funny ‘cause I think she was shorter than I then!”
Mrs. Shiozawa was larger than life and we are all better people because of her.
Student Memories of Mrs. Shiozawa
A recent post on the “You know you’re from Huntsville/Eden/Liberty if...” Facebook group spurred many memories, some of which are listed below:
Robyn Hubert Woolsey: “She was my 5th-grade teacher and I remember her making us try escargot for cultural day. Ewww.”
Ann Wangsgard Oberg: “She was amazing! One memory I have is that we were learning about dinosaurs and she stood up and we were told she was as tall as a T-Rex tooth! She was a very special lady.”
Melanie Morris Stokes: “Don’t forget making piñatas, too. I also remember her making breakfast for us and her squeezing the cracked eggs out of a Tupperware bottle. So cool. Oh, yes, the Kleenex rolled up her sleeve. Such a tiny lady.”
Lacy Richards: “Mrs. Shiozawa was the best! I remember ceramics, of course, but also that she broke her ankle playing jump rope with us. She was one of the cool teachers who always played with us instead of just watching.”
Brian Laramee: “As Valley Grade School Sin Sei, Grand Master Black Belt of Math, Aquariums, Ceramics, Tomatoes, and young minds... Mrs. Shiozawa expected your attention! Gave you a look... like "I know you don't think you have this in you but, you do and I'll be the one who'll show you that you do!" ...oh...and there's no choice in this matter! …with a smile. =)
My clan—Rex Harris, Christian Froerer, Dan Cookson, and myself—weathered the storm that was Mrs. Shiozawa! That time Dan drew a picture of a dog taking a poop! Shiozawa grabbed him by the back of the neck and dragged him down the hall as Rex, Christian and I snickered under our breaths behind the guppy and frog tanks bubbling noises....
Or the time, I threw a pencil at Rex and poked him in the eye…..many, many timestables did I undertake for that one….=L
Shiozawa lives on in my memories as one the Greatest Teachers of my life. Grateful... simply grateful. <3 You will be remembered for life times!”
Rex Harris: “Mrs. Shiozawa gave me the desire to strive just a little bit harder and reach a little bit taller. She will be missed but never forgotten.”
Emily Satterthwaite: “She was a true mentor to me. She entrusted Katie Songer Hale and me to go over to the store next door and buy things for the ceramics shop. Taught us how to pour and open molds. I think she is the one who really taught me that I was a responsible kid and could be trusted with real work.”
Alicia Waters Davies: “She was so patient with us and passionate about sharing her gift.”
Collette Laub: “Amazing lady, amazing teacher and an amazing human being!”
Beverly Kingsford: “She was strict but incited creativity. It was a wonderful analogy of taking something rough and understanding how intense fire could change and beautify the ordinary. The Phoenix personified in a creative, structured, and ultimately caring person who taught me deep truths of the creative process. Thank you Mrs. Shiozawa!”
Nathan Hyer: “She always gave so much of herself. The time that she didn't need to spend, but made such an awesome impact on so many lives.”
Sheri Joi: “Oh. She was hands down my favorite childhood teacher.”
Yvette Heninger-Kelsey: “She was so kind and I loved making ceramics! She was so patient and made you feel like your painted ceramic was so beautiful, even when it was not. My grandfather kept his pot I made him until he passed! So nice to know how loved she was and hope she knows that too.”
Jodi Richardson: “I remember cardigan sweaters with the Kleenex up the sleeve. Tanks upon tanks of guppies and snails. Making sugar crystals on coal clinkers. Watching her as she taught math using transparencies projected on her alcove wall. Her boney arms giving me hugs. She saved Scott (Jodi’s husband), literally, but that's his story! Mostly, I remember feeling safe and loved when in her class. Thanks for letting us know so we can remember such a positive lady!”
Michele Virgo: “So many good memories shared here! Yes, Kleenex, piñatas, tanks, Volvo, and of course, ceramics. I still have and use some of them! Just used a Santa boot at Christmas! Most of all I remember the love she had for all of her students and how we all felt it. I hope her family knows what her time, sacrifice, and love meant to all of us! I wish they could read all these wonderful comments! We love you, Mrs. Shiozawa!”
By Richard L Sorensen
On a fog-covered Southern California Sunday afternoon in January, the world lost a basketball legend due to a tragic accident. Sadly, on the same day, just 25 miles to the east in Glendale, California, Ogden Valley quietly lost their own legend, with the passing of long-time Valley Elementary teacher—Helen Shiozawa.
Mrs. Shiozawa touched the lives of thousands and her reach spanned generations. Through her example, many students became teachers themselves, while pointing to Mrs. Shiozawa as their mentor.
Shiozawa was a one-of-a-kind teacher; one who taught because she loved it. One who arrived at the school early and stayed until late in the afternoon. Her infamous avocado green Volvo was often the only car parked on the south side of the school. She taught because she loved to, not because she had to.
Shiozawa was a dedicated pioneer, with some of her programs continuing nearly thirty-five years after her retirement. Despite tight budgets, she created a ceramics program that was the pride of the school. Somehow she funded the purchase of two kilns, countless molds, and the required tools to run a ceramics program that was likely the best in Northern Utah.
She had molds for projects ranging from simple trinkets to the deluxe, multi-layered Christmas tree, complete with a state-of-the-art tree tip lighting system. Many Ogden Valley households still proudly display their tree, or possibly their mother-of-pearl white nativity set each December.
The prices of the ceramics projects varied as well, but all were subsidized by Mrs. Shiozawa’s donation of early morning and late afternoon volunteering. While some kids likely couldn’t afford the project, no one went without, and I would guess that Mrs. Shiozawa gifted many of the items from her own pocket. Following her retirement in 1987, she continued to voluntarily run the ceramics program for many more years.
She also pioneered the puppet plays, which still continue, decades after their inception. Students would spend weeks creating puppet heads out of paper mâché, then paint and add clothing to their creation. After learning their lines and some dress rehearsals, the entire student body would filter into the multi-purpose room to watch the show.
Shiozawa also taught young Valley students how to dance. With disco becoming popular during the seventies, Mrs. Shiozawa kept things old school with square dancing. Students perfected the intricacies of the “allemande left” and the “Dosey Doe.”
Shiozawa taught students a wide variety of subjects and life’s lessons. She went beyond reading, writing and arithmetic. Her classroom was surrounded by countless aquariums, which housed various aquatic life, turtles, and other mammals, as well as flourishing plant life.
She had many students who may have been considered a “teacher’s pet,” but every student felt like they were her special student. Those lucky students were allowed to stay after school to help with firing the ceramics in the kiln, or to help feed the fish. She even took small groups of students on a field trip to see the beautiful and ornate Japanese Gardens that surrounded her home and had been created and maintained by Shiozawa, and her husband Kenji.
Despite her petite stature and love for all students, she demanded respect. Former student Kurtis Crompton recalled her dragging a wayward student down the hall by his ear to Principal Darwin Taylor’s office.
Brandon Roberts recalled, “She was my 1st- and 2nd-grade teacher. I think I'd stay after school every day to work on ceramics! She was great but didn't let me get out of line! I think she grabbed me by the ear a time or two! It was funny ‘cause I think she was shorter than I then!”
Mrs. Shiozawa was larger than life and we are all better people because of her.
Student Memories of Mrs. Shiozawa
A recent post on the “You know you’re from Huntsville/Eden/Liberty if...” Facebook group spurred many memories, some of which are listed below:
Robyn Hubert Woolsey: “She was my 5th-grade teacher and I remember her making us try escargot for cultural day. Ewww.”
Ann Wangsgard Oberg: “She was amazing! One memory I have is that we were learning about dinosaurs and she stood up and we were told she was as tall as a T-Rex tooth! She was a very special lady.”
Melanie Morris Stokes: “Don’t forget making piñatas, too. I also remember her making breakfast for us and her squeezing the cracked eggs out of a Tupperware bottle. So cool. Oh, yes, the Kleenex rolled up her sleeve. Such a tiny lady.”
Lacy Richards: “Mrs. Shiozawa was the best! I remember ceramics, of course, but also that she broke her ankle playing jump rope with us. She was one of the cool teachers who always played with us instead of just watching.”
Brian Laramee: “As Valley Grade School Sin Sei, Grand Master Black Belt of Math, Aquariums, Ceramics, Tomatoes, and young minds... Mrs. Shiozawa expected your attention! Gave you a look... like "I know you don't think you have this in you but, you do and I'll be the one who'll show you that you do!" ...oh...and there's no choice in this matter! …with a smile. =)
My clan—Rex Harris, Christian Froerer, Dan Cookson, and myself—weathered the storm that was Mrs. Shiozawa! That time Dan drew a picture of a dog taking a poop! Shiozawa grabbed him by the back of the neck and dragged him down the hall as Rex, Christian and I snickered under our breaths behind the guppy and frog tanks bubbling noises....
Or the time, I threw a pencil at Rex and poked him in the eye…..many, many timestables did I undertake for that one….=L
Shiozawa lives on in my memories as one the Greatest Teachers of my life. Grateful... simply grateful. <3 You will be remembered for life times!”
Rex Harris: “Mrs. Shiozawa gave me the desire to strive just a little bit harder and reach a little bit taller. She will be missed but never forgotten.”
Emily Satterthwaite: “She was a true mentor to me. She entrusted Katie Songer Hale and me to go over to the store next door and buy things for the ceramics shop. Taught us how to pour and open molds. I think she is the one who really taught me that I was a responsible kid and could be trusted with real work.”
Alicia Waters Davies: “She was so patient with us and passionate about sharing her gift.”
Collette Laub: “Amazing lady, amazing teacher and an amazing human being!”
Beverly Kingsford: “She was strict but incited creativity. It was a wonderful analogy of taking something rough and understanding how intense fire could change and beautify the ordinary. The Phoenix personified in a creative, structured, and ultimately caring person who taught me deep truths of the creative process. Thank you Mrs. Shiozawa!”
Nathan Hyer: “She always gave so much of herself. The time that she didn't need to spend, but made such an awesome impact on so many lives.”
Sheri Joi: “Oh. She was hands down my favorite childhood teacher.”
Yvette Heninger-Kelsey: “She was so kind and I loved making ceramics! She was so patient and made you feel like your painted ceramic was so beautiful, even when it was not. My grandfather kept his pot I made him until he passed! So nice to know how loved she was and hope she knows that too.”
Jodi Richardson: “I remember cardigan sweaters with the Kleenex up the sleeve. Tanks upon tanks of guppies and snails. Making sugar crystals on coal clinkers. Watching her as she taught math using transparencies projected on her alcove wall. Her boney arms giving me hugs. She saved Scott (Jodi’s husband), literally, but that's his story! Mostly, I remember feeling safe and loved when in her class. Thanks for letting us know so we can remember such a positive lady!”
Michele Virgo: “So many good memories shared here! Yes, Kleenex, piñatas, tanks, Volvo, and of course, ceramics. I still have and use some of them! Just used a Santa boot at Christmas! Most of all I remember the love she had for all of her students and how we all felt it. I hope her family knows what her time, sacrifice, and love meant to all of us! I wish they could read all these wonderful comments! We love you, Mrs. Shiozawa!”
Ogden Valley Manifesto 2.0: A warning regarding over-the-top unsustainable development schemes
By Kimbal Wheatley
Dear Neighbors in Ogden Valley,
Thirty years ago I bought property in Ogden Valley and have lived on the South Fork for a couple of decades. I served as chair of our South Fork Township Planning Commission during the run up to the Olympics, and later as a “stakeholder” when the Recreation Element of our General Plan and the Snowbasin Master Plans were developed. These experiences taught me two things. First, growth and development in the Valley is inevitable; we have an attractive place and property rights exist that will triple or quadruple housing units and people in the fairly near future. Second, if we do this right, the Valley will remain an attractive place to live, visit, recreate and invest; everybody wins. But there are also lots of ways to mess this up—especially during a period of rapid development—and most everybody loses if we do.
For the last decade I have led the monthly GEM Committee discussions (Growth Excellence Mandate), a come-one, come-all group of Valley people who attend countless government and private meetings as Valley growth issues emerge. To the GEM folk, growing with excellence means doing what we can to minimize the impact development has on residents while also doing what we can to remain an attractive place to live and visit. We pursue following our General Plan, a roadmap for enhancing what makes the Valley great while minimizing the negative consequences of growth—haphazard development, bankruptcies and overloading our infrastructure. More importantly, our General Plan clearly says we don’t want to lose what we have that makes our Valley a great place to live, recreate, and invest. I don’t think it’s news to most that our Plan intends to preserve our rural feel of agriculture, open space, dark skies, clean air, and majestic views. And our Plan also intends to retain our appeal to destination recreation visitors, knowing fully that congestion, pollution, and free-for-all development will kill the goose that is now laying our golden eggs. Two simple sentences in the General Plan describe our vision for how we intend to walk this tightrope: “Land uses in Ogden Valley should complement, not overwhelm or compete with, the rural character of the Valley...” and “The Ogden Valley community desires responsible and sustainable growth while conserving the natural and social character of Ogden Valley.” The rest of the Plan provides guidance on how to ensure our vision remains the reality.
It seems like about every ten years a development scheme comes along that would overwhelm us. When previous owners of Powder Mountain proposed building a resort the size of Brigham City on top of the mountain, we fought for a better outcome. We succeeded because Valley residents got involved, learned the facts, and provided input at every opportunity. Back then I published a Manifesto, putting Powder Mountain developers on notice that we expect resort expansion plans to improve the Valley, not diminish it. Since then we have adopted a new General Plan that pretty much says the same thing. We also have improved ordinances and approval processes to support it. Even so, we need to rally and focus our community voice to get the best outcome we can when something like the Nordic Valley mega proposal comes along. This inspired me to develop an Ogden Valley Manifesto 2.0; thanks to everyone who helped in its development.
But first, please try to get your head around the magnitude and against-all-odds ideas of the Nordic expansion proposal that has now been submitted to the Forest Service for review and approval. The plan would leverage Nordic Valley from 140 acres on private land by developing facilities onto some 3,300 acres of roadless National Forest between Nordic Valley and North Ogden. The Nordic Valley Plans for Expansion describes...
1 - ...expanding lift capacity from 1,030 to 11,380 guests. This would be more than the guests currently hosted by Snowbasin, Powder Mountain and Nordic Valley combined, resulting in a doubling of current users; it would be a resort with roughly the same number of guests Park City/Canyons hosts today.
2 - ...expanding parking on the Eden side from 404 vehicles to 3,845. This means an additional 7,700 vehicles a day in and out of the resort on our county roads; compare this to 8,500 vehicles now traversing Ogden Canyon on a weekend winter day.
3 - ...expanding snowmaking from 11 million gallons on 31 acres to 223 million gallons on 450 acres. The idea is to pump water from Pineview and “consume” only 28% of what is pumped; the rest returns to Pineview as runoff. Still, consumption at 28% is 191 acre feet.
4 - ...expanding from 5,093 to 166,500 square feet of non-housing buildings, expanding from 592 restaurant seating capacity to 12,000, and increasing electricity consumption from 1.5 megawatts to 15.5 megawatts.
5 -....cutting 20+ miles of roads into a roadless section of National Forest to service 13 new lifts and 708 acres of ski runs with snowmaking. Much of this would occur in an area identified in the General Plan as some of our “most visible viewshed.”
6 - ...converting our most accessible roadless National Forest, currently managed with watershed priority, into one of Utah’s largest resorts, and certainly Utah’s largest low altitude resort (the highest point being at the level of Snowbird/Alta parking lots).
7 - ...allowing a resort larger than Snowbasin without a plan for handling culinary water, water rights, wastewater, runoff water, landslide, wildlife, watershed, traffic, or guest housing. Granted, much of this is outside of Forest Service scope, but all will be big deals to the Valley if the project goes forward.
If successful, the proposed expansion of Nordic Valley would about double the number of winter guests we now have across all our resorts on our very busiest days; they estimate about half would come from the Eden side. This project is so massive it could easily overwhelm Ogden Valley, especially when added to thousands more already expected when Snowbasin and Powder Mountain reach capacity. With this in mind, we issue this manifesto as guidance to its developers.
Principle 1: Do no harm…the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
We expect any expansion of recreation resorts in Ogden Valley to proactively and effectively mitigate adverse impacts on Valley residents and environment. In order to understand and minimize impact, we expect full disclosure of expansion effects on Valley residents and natural assets; in particular, we expect a truthful and complete accounting of how expansion will impact water consumption, wastewater systems, runoff water and drainage, roads, and utilities, as well as landslide risk and risk to watersheds. We also expect honesty in how expansion will impact quality of life factors like noise, pollution, viewsheds, animal habitat, housing, property values and taxes.
Principle 2: Be faithful to the General Plan…
We expect any expansion of recreation resorts in Ogden Valley to adhere to the vision, principles and goals of the Ogden Valley General Plan. One of our Plan goals supports the expansion of resorts: “...to pursue Valley recreation expansion by working with resort developers.” However, our plan also clearly states what we expect from recreation expansion. Here are a few: “...to reduce the overall amount and impact of future land development in Ogden Valley,” “...to protect the Valley’s sense of openness and rural character,” “...to protect key viewsheds throughout the Valley,” and “...to balance the expansion of recreation areas and facilities with overused and saturated resources to maintain a high-quality recreation experience” (that is, there will be less golden eggs in a congested place).
Principle 3: Play by the rules...
We expect any expansion of recreation resorts to adhere to Weber County planning rules and processes, and any expansion into our National Forest to adhere to Forest Service rules and processes. We expect a fair and thorough execution of the review and approval process without political intervention.
Principle 4: We demand full transparency...
We expect any public investment in expansion of recreation resorts (such as county-backed bonding or Community Development Agencies) to be minimal and to be highly visible to taxpayers, and with fully accounted costs to the public, including externalized costs or subsidies.
Principle 5: Show us the numbers...
Prior to final approval, we expect any expansion of recreation resorts to provide the public with evidence that it is fiscally sound and will result in a quality product that can compete in the national and international recreation markets for the long haul.
These principles reflect our rights as residents and citizens and are backed by federal, state, and county law—not to mention common sense. We have a right to follow our General Plan. We have a right to protect our property rights. And we have a right to fight for these rights.
Adopting these principles will earn support from Valley residents; ignoring them or strong-arming will create decades of Valley animosity and resistance at every turn. I, for one, prefer the former option.
Dear Neighbors in Ogden Valley,
Thirty years ago I bought property in Ogden Valley and have lived on the South Fork for a couple of decades. I served as chair of our South Fork Township Planning Commission during the run up to the Olympics, and later as a “stakeholder” when the Recreation Element of our General Plan and the Snowbasin Master Plans were developed. These experiences taught me two things. First, growth and development in the Valley is inevitable; we have an attractive place and property rights exist that will triple or quadruple housing units and people in the fairly near future. Second, if we do this right, the Valley will remain an attractive place to live, visit, recreate and invest; everybody wins. But there are also lots of ways to mess this up—especially during a period of rapid development—and most everybody loses if we do.
For the last decade I have led the monthly GEM Committee discussions (Growth Excellence Mandate), a come-one, come-all group of Valley people who attend countless government and private meetings as Valley growth issues emerge. To the GEM folk, growing with excellence means doing what we can to minimize the impact development has on residents while also doing what we can to remain an attractive place to live and visit. We pursue following our General Plan, a roadmap for enhancing what makes the Valley great while minimizing the negative consequences of growth—haphazard development, bankruptcies and overloading our infrastructure. More importantly, our General Plan clearly says we don’t want to lose what we have that makes our Valley a great place to live, recreate, and invest. I don’t think it’s news to most that our Plan intends to preserve our rural feel of agriculture, open space, dark skies, clean air, and majestic views. And our Plan also intends to retain our appeal to destination recreation visitors, knowing fully that congestion, pollution, and free-for-all development will kill the goose that is now laying our golden eggs. Two simple sentences in the General Plan describe our vision for how we intend to walk this tightrope: “Land uses in Ogden Valley should complement, not overwhelm or compete with, the rural character of the Valley...” and “The Ogden Valley community desires responsible and sustainable growth while conserving the natural and social character of Ogden Valley.” The rest of the Plan provides guidance on how to ensure our vision remains the reality.
It seems like about every ten years a development scheme comes along that would overwhelm us. When previous owners of Powder Mountain proposed building a resort the size of Brigham City on top of the mountain, we fought for a better outcome. We succeeded because Valley residents got involved, learned the facts, and provided input at every opportunity. Back then I published a Manifesto, putting Powder Mountain developers on notice that we expect resort expansion plans to improve the Valley, not diminish it. Since then we have adopted a new General Plan that pretty much says the same thing. We also have improved ordinances and approval processes to support it. Even so, we need to rally and focus our community voice to get the best outcome we can when something like the Nordic Valley mega proposal comes along. This inspired me to develop an Ogden Valley Manifesto 2.0; thanks to everyone who helped in its development.
But first, please try to get your head around the magnitude and against-all-odds ideas of the Nordic expansion proposal that has now been submitted to the Forest Service for review and approval. The plan would leverage Nordic Valley from 140 acres on private land by developing facilities onto some 3,300 acres of roadless National Forest between Nordic Valley and North Ogden. The Nordic Valley Plans for Expansion describes...
1 - ...expanding lift capacity from 1,030 to 11,380 guests. This would be more than the guests currently hosted by Snowbasin, Powder Mountain and Nordic Valley combined, resulting in a doubling of current users; it would be a resort with roughly the same number of guests Park City/Canyons hosts today.
2 - ...expanding parking on the Eden side from 404 vehicles to 3,845. This means an additional 7,700 vehicles a day in and out of the resort on our county roads; compare this to 8,500 vehicles now traversing Ogden Canyon on a weekend winter day.
3 - ...expanding snowmaking from 11 million gallons on 31 acres to 223 million gallons on 450 acres. The idea is to pump water from Pineview and “consume” only 28% of what is pumped; the rest returns to Pineview as runoff. Still, consumption at 28% is 191 acre feet.
4 - ...expanding from 5,093 to 166,500 square feet of non-housing buildings, expanding from 592 restaurant seating capacity to 12,000, and increasing electricity consumption from 1.5 megawatts to 15.5 megawatts.
5 -....cutting 20+ miles of roads into a roadless section of National Forest to service 13 new lifts and 708 acres of ski runs with snowmaking. Much of this would occur in an area identified in the General Plan as some of our “most visible viewshed.”
6 - ...converting our most accessible roadless National Forest, currently managed with watershed priority, into one of Utah’s largest resorts, and certainly Utah’s largest low altitude resort (the highest point being at the level of Snowbird/Alta parking lots).
7 - ...allowing a resort larger than Snowbasin without a plan for handling culinary water, water rights, wastewater, runoff water, landslide, wildlife, watershed, traffic, or guest housing. Granted, much of this is outside of Forest Service scope, but all will be big deals to the Valley if the project goes forward.
If successful, the proposed expansion of Nordic Valley would about double the number of winter guests we now have across all our resorts on our very busiest days; they estimate about half would come from the Eden side. This project is so massive it could easily overwhelm Ogden Valley, especially when added to thousands more already expected when Snowbasin and Powder Mountain reach capacity. With this in mind, we issue this manifesto as guidance to its developers.
Principle 1: Do no harm…the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
We expect any expansion of recreation resorts in Ogden Valley to proactively and effectively mitigate adverse impacts on Valley residents and environment. In order to understand and minimize impact, we expect full disclosure of expansion effects on Valley residents and natural assets; in particular, we expect a truthful and complete accounting of how expansion will impact water consumption, wastewater systems, runoff water and drainage, roads, and utilities, as well as landslide risk and risk to watersheds. We also expect honesty in how expansion will impact quality of life factors like noise, pollution, viewsheds, animal habitat, housing, property values and taxes.
Principle 2: Be faithful to the General Plan…
We expect any expansion of recreation resorts in Ogden Valley to adhere to the vision, principles and goals of the Ogden Valley General Plan. One of our Plan goals supports the expansion of resorts: “...to pursue Valley recreation expansion by working with resort developers.” However, our plan also clearly states what we expect from recreation expansion. Here are a few: “...to reduce the overall amount and impact of future land development in Ogden Valley,” “...to protect the Valley’s sense of openness and rural character,” “...to protect key viewsheds throughout the Valley,” and “...to balance the expansion of recreation areas and facilities with overused and saturated resources to maintain a high-quality recreation experience” (that is, there will be less golden eggs in a congested place).
Principle 3: Play by the rules...
We expect any expansion of recreation resorts to adhere to Weber County planning rules and processes, and any expansion into our National Forest to adhere to Forest Service rules and processes. We expect a fair and thorough execution of the review and approval process without political intervention.
Principle 4: We demand full transparency...
We expect any public investment in expansion of recreation resorts (such as county-backed bonding or Community Development Agencies) to be minimal and to be highly visible to taxpayers, and with fully accounted costs to the public, including externalized costs or subsidies.
Principle 5: Show us the numbers...
Prior to final approval, we expect any expansion of recreation resorts to provide the public with evidence that it is fiscally sound and will result in a quality product that can compete in the national and international recreation markets for the long haul.
These principles reflect our rights as residents and citizens and are backed by federal, state, and county law—not to mention common sense. We have a right to follow our General Plan. We have a right to protect our property rights. And we have a right to fight for these rights.
Adopting these principles will earn support from Valley residents; ignoring them or strong-arming will create decades of Valley animosity and resistance at every turn. I, for one, prefer the former option.
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National Register Sign Now in Place at Eden’s Historic Blacksmith Shop
By Shanna Francis
In February of 2017, the J.M. Wilbur and Company Blacksmith Shop in historic Eden was adopted onto the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) by the United States Department of the Interior. It is the first and only building in Ogden Valley to achieve this federal designation. The NRHP is the United States government’s official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation for their historical significance.
Last week, a new sign indicating the official designation was erected in front of the blacksmith shop, which is located at 2145 N. 5500 E., on the west side of Eden Park.
The blacksmith shop was built in 1895 and extensively restored between 2011 and 2014. The building was deemed historically significant because it provided essential services and support to the growing agricultural community established by early pioneers who came and settled in this peaceful mountain valley.
The building was built and operated by Jesse Wilbur who was the son of Elisha Wilbur who founded the general store some years earlier. When he passed away, his son Glen carried on the family tradition for two more decades.
The blacksmith shop is the only known continuously-functioning blacksmith shop remaining in the region and still houses the original tools and equipment used by the Wilburs.
Blacksmith Aaron Richardson is carrying on the smithing tradition. His business Ragnar Forge has been operating at the historic site since 2014.
The historic blacksmith shop, Ragnar Forge, is open for business Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. where Richardson creates unique custom iron works for local and national customers. You can contact him at the shop, by calling 801-830-3870, or emailing him at <[email protected]> You may also visit ragnarforge.com for more information.
Here to serve the community, Aaron says he is pleased to take custom orders, and will provide quotes for requested work.
By Shanna Francis
In February of 2017, the J.M. Wilbur and Company Blacksmith Shop in historic Eden was adopted onto the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) by the United States Department of the Interior. It is the first and only building in Ogden Valley to achieve this federal designation. The NRHP is the United States government’s official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation for their historical significance.
Last week, a new sign indicating the official designation was erected in front of the blacksmith shop, which is located at 2145 N. 5500 E., on the west side of Eden Park.
The blacksmith shop was built in 1895 and extensively restored between 2011 and 2014. The building was deemed historically significant because it provided essential services and support to the growing agricultural community established by early pioneers who came and settled in this peaceful mountain valley.
The building was built and operated by Jesse Wilbur who was the son of Elisha Wilbur who founded the general store some years earlier. When he passed away, his son Glen carried on the family tradition for two more decades.
The blacksmith shop is the only known continuously-functioning blacksmith shop remaining in the region and still houses the original tools and equipment used by the Wilburs.
Blacksmith Aaron Richardson is carrying on the smithing tradition. His business Ragnar Forge has been operating at the historic site since 2014.
The historic blacksmith shop, Ragnar Forge, is open for business Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. where Richardson creates unique custom iron works for local and national customers. You can contact him at the shop, by calling 801-830-3870, or emailing him at <[email protected]> You may also visit ragnarforge.com for more information.
Here to serve the community, Aaron says he is pleased to take custom orders, and will provide quotes for requested work.
Still Going Strong at 104 Years Young: Melba Colvin & Fern Manning headline Ogden Valley Heritage event
By Dave Martin
Sometimes when the stars align just right, life will make a complete circle, poetically joining the end to the beginning. So it was for Melba Colvin and Fern Manning, childhood friends now both 104, as they greeted well-wishers at the Hearthside Thursday evening, November 30 at an Ogden Valley Heritage event. Born and raised in Eden, Melba and Fern have seen more changes than most people would witness in two lifetimes. Recalling bygone days of horse-drawn sleds and rail service up Ogden Canyon, Fern surprised attendees even more with the revelation she had only just given up driving her bright yellow Smart Car a few months earlier. Coming back to the Hearthside, aka historic Eden chapel, for Melba and Fern was a serendipitous twist of fate, both having attended a 1929 Christmas dance together as young teenagers in the very same hall some 88 years before.
Author of the Eden Ward History 1877-1977, Melba Colvin described the challenges of chronicling a 100 years of Eden’s early history. She also announced the digital copy of her book, now available online for everyone’s enjoyment. A link to her book can be found at <www.facebook.com/OgdenValleyHeritage/>
Fifth, sixth and seventh generation Ogden Valley descendants Sandra Jenkins, Nikki Wolthuis and Shanna Francis gave insightful biographical sketches of their Ogden Valley founding ancestors who helped settle Eden.
Eden resident and chairman of the Eden Heritage Monument committee Larry McBride briefed the audience with plans for an Eden founding families monument to be located in Eden Park. Sponsored by the local Sons of Utah Pioneers, the project is now taking name submissions and donations, with a scheduled completion date of fall 2018. For more information on the Eden Monument and how you can donate or help, please contact Larry McBride at [email protected] or Shanna Francis at [email protected] or 801-745-2688.
Leah Donaldson, former Eden resident, enlisted support of a Valley Chapel Community Partnership, where community members are able to support various renovation projects at the historic Eden Chapel in exchange for exclusive use of the building for family parties and events.
Summarizing future Ogden Valley Heritage and Ogden Valley Bicentennial events and projects, Dave Martin invited support and participation from those interested in both the Valley’s settlement and fur trapping eras. Additional information for each of these can be found at <www.facebook.com/ogdenhole/>
Ray Wilmot, editor and collector of stories for Swineville to Stringtown, shared nearly-forgotten details of this long-gone Ogden Valley community.
Demonstrating expert historical research skills in an event sponsored contest, Rocky Woodruff of Liberty identified 12 founding settlers with nothing more than their pictures to go by, bringing him the dubious distinction of being Ogden Valley’s foremost pioneer history hack.
The evening served as a thoughtful reflection on Ogden Valley’s rich pioneer heritage and what a different and dynamic place Ogden Valley has since become. Melba and Fern could very well be the only people still here to have actually known and interacted with some of the Valley’s original settlers. In the final chapter of their own long-lived lives, Fern and Melba, for a few minutes, suspended time and bridged the generations with a vibrancy and grace uncommon to their age. It was a rare treat to share their company.
By Dave Martin
Sometimes when the stars align just right, life will make a complete circle, poetically joining the end to the beginning. So it was for Melba Colvin and Fern Manning, childhood friends now both 104, as they greeted well-wishers at the Hearthside Thursday evening, November 30 at an Ogden Valley Heritage event. Born and raised in Eden, Melba and Fern have seen more changes than most people would witness in two lifetimes. Recalling bygone days of horse-drawn sleds and rail service up Ogden Canyon, Fern surprised attendees even more with the revelation she had only just given up driving her bright yellow Smart Car a few months earlier. Coming back to the Hearthside, aka historic Eden chapel, for Melba and Fern was a serendipitous twist of fate, both having attended a 1929 Christmas dance together as young teenagers in the very same hall some 88 years before.
Author of the Eden Ward History 1877-1977, Melba Colvin described the challenges of chronicling a 100 years of Eden’s early history. She also announced the digital copy of her book, now available online for everyone’s enjoyment. A link to her book can be found at <www.facebook.com/OgdenValleyHeritage/>
Fifth, sixth and seventh generation Ogden Valley descendants Sandra Jenkins, Nikki Wolthuis and Shanna Francis gave insightful biographical sketches of their Ogden Valley founding ancestors who helped settle Eden.
Eden resident and chairman of the Eden Heritage Monument committee Larry McBride briefed the audience with plans for an Eden founding families monument to be located in Eden Park. Sponsored by the local Sons of Utah Pioneers, the project is now taking name submissions and donations, with a scheduled completion date of fall 2018. For more information on the Eden Monument and how you can donate or help, please contact Larry McBride at [email protected] or Shanna Francis at [email protected] or 801-745-2688.
Leah Donaldson, former Eden resident, enlisted support of a Valley Chapel Community Partnership, where community members are able to support various renovation projects at the historic Eden Chapel in exchange for exclusive use of the building for family parties and events.
Summarizing future Ogden Valley Heritage and Ogden Valley Bicentennial events and projects, Dave Martin invited support and participation from those interested in both the Valley’s settlement and fur trapping eras. Additional information for each of these can be found at <www.facebook.com/ogdenhole/>
Ray Wilmot, editor and collector of stories for Swineville to Stringtown, shared nearly-forgotten details of this long-gone Ogden Valley community.
Demonstrating expert historical research skills in an event sponsored contest, Rocky Woodruff of Liberty identified 12 founding settlers with nothing more than their pictures to go by, bringing him the dubious distinction of being Ogden Valley’s foremost pioneer history hack.
The evening served as a thoughtful reflection on Ogden Valley’s rich pioneer heritage and what a different and dynamic place Ogden Valley has since become. Melba and Fern could very well be the only people still here to have actually known and interacted with some of the Valley’s original settlers. In the final chapter of their own long-lived lives, Fern and Melba, for a few minutes, suspended time and bridged the generations with a vibrancy and grace uncommon to their age. It was a rare treat to share their company.
Huntsville Man Reaches Half-way Point on Ride across America: Will be highlighted on Channel 2 News November 29
Tomorrow night, Wednesday, November 29 at 10:00 p.m., Wyatt Buttars will be interviewed by Mark Koelbel of Channel 2 News on their Pay It Forward program.
Wyatt filmed the interview before leaving on his cross-country bike ride to raise funds for Operation Underground Railroad where he is right now, having completed over half the distance of the 3,000-mile-plus journey. Tune in and be part of Wyatt's Ride for Freedom—it's amazing!
Tomorrow night, Wednesday, November 29 at 10:00 p.m., Wyatt Buttars will be interviewed by Mark Koelbel of Channel 2 News on their Pay It Forward program.
Wyatt filmed the interview before leaving on his cross-country bike ride to raise funds for Operation Underground Railroad where he is right now, having completed over half the distance of the 3,000-mile-plus journey. Tune in and be part of Wyatt's Ride for Freedom—it's amazing!
Halloween in Ogden Valley
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Several Accidents This Fall Shut Down Traffic Thru Ogden Canyon: Drivers reminded to remain alert
By Shanna Francis
This fall, Highway 39 through Ogden Canyon has been closed down a number of times due to a string of accidents.
A fatality occurred in Ogden Canyon September 2 when an eastbound motorcycle driven by a 58-year-old male carrying a 64-year-old female passenger, lost control of the bike. While both were ejected, only the 64-year-old woman from Salt Lake County suffered fatal injuries.
On September 25, a head-on collision occurred after a driver claimed to be blinded by the setting sun shining directly into his windshield. The westbound male driver stated, “I had rolled down my window, and was sticking my head out to try and see better. The next thing I knew I was being treated by emergency personnel.”
According to the driver, the impact of the accident left him unconscious, and pushed the vehicle’s engine into the cab where it came to rest between his legs. He suffered a serious back injury. He stated that the other vehicle and its passenger(s) faired much better.
In an early-morning accident on October 16, a construction trailer broke east of The Gray Cliff Lodge, sending the backhoe it was carrying off of the trailer. No other vehicles were involved, and no injuries were reported. Divots in the roadway can still be seen.
A serious accident on October 19 occurred around 5:00 p.m. when a driver of a vehicle, according to an eyewitness, tried to illegally pass another. Four ambulances arrived on scene.
As a result of each incident, the Highway 39 through Ogden Canyon was closed to through traffic for several hours.
Drivers are reminded to remain alert. UDOT Communications Manager Vic Saunders, commenting on the closures, noted, “Ogden Canyon is a very unusual roadway condition, in that you have a roadway confined to a very narrow right of way (due to private and federal ownership of adjacent property) with a mountain on one side and a river on the other. There just isn’t a lot of room for people to maneuver or ‘escape’ when something bad happens in front of them.”
Visit our Facebook page for more photos.
Photo by Nick Breeze of Ogden Canyon.
By Shanna Francis
This fall, Highway 39 through Ogden Canyon has been closed down a number of times due to a string of accidents.
A fatality occurred in Ogden Canyon September 2 when an eastbound motorcycle driven by a 58-year-old male carrying a 64-year-old female passenger, lost control of the bike. While both were ejected, only the 64-year-old woman from Salt Lake County suffered fatal injuries.
On September 25, a head-on collision occurred after a driver claimed to be blinded by the setting sun shining directly into his windshield. The westbound male driver stated, “I had rolled down my window, and was sticking my head out to try and see better. The next thing I knew I was being treated by emergency personnel.”
According to the driver, the impact of the accident left him unconscious, and pushed the vehicle’s engine into the cab where it came to rest between his legs. He suffered a serious back injury. He stated that the other vehicle and its passenger(s) faired much better.
In an early-morning accident on October 16, a construction trailer broke east of The Gray Cliff Lodge, sending the backhoe it was carrying off of the trailer. No other vehicles were involved, and no injuries were reported. Divots in the roadway can still be seen.
A serious accident on October 19 occurred around 5:00 p.m. when a driver of a vehicle, according to an eyewitness, tried to illegally pass another. Four ambulances arrived on scene.
As a result of each incident, the Highway 39 through Ogden Canyon was closed to through traffic for several hours.
Drivers are reminded to remain alert. UDOT Communications Manager Vic Saunders, commenting on the closures, noted, “Ogden Canyon is a very unusual roadway condition, in that you have a roadway confined to a very narrow right of way (due to private and federal ownership of adjacent property) with a mountain on one side and a river on the other. There just isn’t a lot of room for people to maneuver or ‘escape’ when something bad happens in front of them.”
Visit our Facebook page for more photos.
Photo by Nick Breeze of Ogden Canyon.
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The OVer the Top Chopper Drop: Pennies from Heaven . . .
Many people in the large crowd at the Valley Elementary Food Truck Night had never seen the Community Foundation Fundraiser Finale—the OVer the Top Chopper Drop. At the close of ball sales, the helicopter zoomed in over the field. Brian Nielsen, event chair, and the CFOV crew loaded the balls into the copter before it took off for its final flight over a field numbered with targets. The crowd carefully kept their distance but bubbled with excitement to be so close to a helicopter when it lands and takes off. Folks were even more excited to see where the balls would land when they were dropped from the chopper. Fantastic prizes included Snowbasin season passes, premier Westin Kierland golf weekends, David Scadden paddle boards, Biker’s Edge bicycles, a Sun Valley stay, Ragnar entry, as well as day passes from Powder Mountain, gifts from Valley Hair, Free Spirit Day Spa and Eats of Eden gift certificates—all generously donated by our community-minded businesses and friends.
The real prize though, is the money raised for Valley nonprofits who serve the community in so many ways. The Chopper Drop was the culmination of the five-month Giving Period that started May 1 and ended September 30. During this period, CFOV board members conduct a three-pronged effort to raise money for Ogden Valley nonprofits: the Match Donor Fund, the Summer Scramble Golf Tournament, and the Chopper Drop.
Match Donors are Valley citizens who donate a flat amount distributed to all valley nonprofits. Match Donors give anywhere from $500 to several thousands of dollars for the common good of our community with no expectation of anything in return except the continuing improvement to the place they love. They are individuals, families and family foundations. We call them Overs—Lovers of Ogden Valley.
The Summer Scramble Golf Tournament raises funds through the golf tournament but mostly through the generous business leaders who sponsor the event. Businesses appreciate the support of our citizens and are willing to give back to support their causes. They, too, are OVers.
The Chopper Drop is one additional way to add to the matching funds distributed to valley nonprofits every year. Numbered balls are sold to augment the funds raised in the other two venues. The prizes associated with the winning balls that land closest to holes set up on the Chopper Drop field have been absolutely OVer the top every year.
According to Brian Nielsen, on board the chopper this year was Reggie Willson who did the honors of dropping the balls. The chopper made a return trip and took Heidi and Hadley Willson. Hadley is a Valley Elementary child who suffers from a serious illness. They were taken on their very own copter tour of the valley. He says that this was a way to make an amazing event even more special.
Visit www.cfovoverdrive.org for more information. Photos courtesy of Bruce Grandin of Eden.
Many people in the large crowd at the Valley Elementary Food Truck Night had never seen the Community Foundation Fundraiser Finale—the OVer the Top Chopper Drop. At the close of ball sales, the helicopter zoomed in over the field. Brian Nielsen, event chair, and the CFOV crew loaded the balls into the copter before it took off for its final flight over a field numbered with targets. The crowd carefully kept their distance but bubbled with excitement to be so close to a helicopter when it lands and takes off. Folks were even more excited to see where the balls would land when they were dropped from the chopper. Fantastic prizes included Snowbasin season passes, premier Westin Kierland golf weekends, David Scadden paddle boards, Biker’s Edge bicycles, a Sun Valley stay, Ragnar entry, as well as day passes from Powder Mountain, gifts from Valley Hair, Free Spirit Day Spa and Eats of Eden gift certificates—all generously donated by our community-minded businesses and friends.
The real prize though, is the money raised for Valley nonprofits who serve the community in so many ways. The Chopper Drop was the culmination of the five-month Giving Period that started May 1 and ended September 30. During this period, CFOV board members conduct a three-pronged effort to raise money for Ogden Valley nonprofits: the Match Donor Fund, the Summer Scramble Golf Tournament, and the Chopper Drop.
Match Donors are Valley citizens who donate a flat amount distributed to all valley nonprofits. Match Donors give anywhere from $500 to several thousands of dollars for the common good of our community with no expectation of anything in return except the continuing improvement to the place they love. They are individuals, families and family foundations. We call them Overs—Lovers of Ogden Valley.
The Summer Scramble Golf Tournament raises funds through the golf tournament but mostly through the generous business leaders who sponsor the event. Businesses appreciate the support of our citizens and are willing to give back to support their causes. They, too, are OVers.
The Chopper Drop is one additional way to add to the matching funds distributed to valley nonprofits every year. Numbered balls are sold to augment the funds raised in the other two venues. The prizes associated with the winning balls that land closest to holes set up on the Chopper Drop field have been absolutely OVer the top every year.
According to Brian Nielsen, on board the chopper this year was Reggie Willson who did the honors of dropping the balls. The chopper made a return trip and took Heidi and Hadley Willson. Hadley is a Valley Elementary child who suffers from a serious illness. They were taken on their very own copter tour of the valley. He says that this was a way to make an amazing event even more special.
Visit www.cfovoverdrive.org for more information. Photos courtesy of Bruce Grandin of Eden.
Balloon Festival photos by Pam Mitchell of Huntsville.
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Ogden Valley Balloon Festival 2017 held at Eden Park August 18-20.
Photos by Cariane Bowles of Liberty, Bruce Grandin and Bryce Larkin, both of Eden. |
Nordic Valley Resort to Host Reebok Spartan Super August 5
The Spartan Race Super is a grueling eight-mile obstacle course race through the Wasatch Mountains starting at historic Nordic Valley Ski Resort. It includes 26 unique obstacles throughout the course with an entertaining finish sequence into our festival area. The Spartan Festival Area includes merchandise, sponsors, activities, music, food trucks, beer, and more. Lastly, there will also be a kids course race youth aged 5 to 13. The kids course is 1 mile with more than ten unique obstacles of its own.
The Spartan Super takes place Saturday, August 5 with the Festival Area opening at 6:00 a.m. The Elite Men will kick off the race at 7:30 a.m. followed by the Elite Women at 7:45. Heats will roll all day until the last projected heat at 2:30 p.m. The Festival Area will remain open until the last finisher, which is projected at 9:30 p.m.
Event Impacts - 3500 E. will be closed from Nordic Valley Road to the fork of Viking Dr. and Nordic Valley Way, and patrolled by two Weber County Sheriff officers. Neighborhoods can expect significant traffic on Saturday as we are projecting 6,500 racers throughout Saturday.
All racer and spectator parking will be located at 3980 N. 3500 E. in Eden. The parking lot is a 15 minute shuttle ride to the race venue. Space is limited, so please carpool. Parking is $10 per vehicle, cash only!
The last heat time is 2:00 p.m.with waves of 250+ racers will be released every 15 minutes. Finishers will receive Badass Super Finishers Medal and a trifecta medal wedge piece (run a Sprint & Beast to collect your remaining two pieces!). Also, a Super Finisher t-shirt (your other one should be pretty dirty), free professional photos (to frame and flaunt!), bananas at the finish line, CLIF Builder’s protein bar, cold can of FitAID, and bragging rights!
For more information, or to register, visit <www.spartan.com/en/race/detail/2530/overview>
The Spartan Race Super is a grueling eight-mile obstacle course race through the Wasatch Mountains starting at historic Nordic Valley Ski Resort. It includes 26 unique obstacles throughout the course with an entertaining finish sequence into our festival area. The Spartan Festival Area includes merchandise, sponsors, activities, music, food trucks, beer, and more. Lastly, there will also be a kids course race youth aged 5 to 13. The kids course is 1 mile with more than ten unique obstacles of its own.
The Spartan Super takes place Saturday, August 5 with the Festival Area opening at 6:00 a.m. The Elite Men will kick off the race at 7:30 a.m. followed by the Elite Women at 7:45. Heats will roll all day until the last projected heat at 2:30 p.m. The Festival Area will remain open until the last finisher, which is projected at 9:30 p.m.
Event Impacts - 3500 E. will be closed from Nordic Valley Road to the fork of Viking Dr. and Nordic Valley Way, and patrolled by two Weber County Sheriff officers. Neighborhoods can expect significant traffic on Saturday as we are projecting 6,500 racers throughout Saturday.
All racer and spectator parking will be located at 3980 N. 3500 E. in Eden. The parking lot is a 15 minute shuttle ride to the race venue. Space is limited, so please carpool. Parking is $10 per vehicle, cash only!
The last heat time is 2:00 p.m.with waves of 250+ racers will be released every 15 minutes. Finishers will receive Badass Super Finishers Medal and a trifecta medal wedge piece (run a Sprint & Beast to collect your remaining two pieces!). Also, a Super Finisher t-shirt (your other one should be pretty dirty), free professional photos (to frame and flaunt!), bananas at the finish line, CLIF Builder’s protein bar, cold can of FitAID, and bragging rights!
For more information, or to register, visit <www.spartan.com/en/race/detail/2530/overview>
Public Assistance Needed In Locating Person of Interest
The Weber County Sheriff’s Office is asking for help from the community in their search for Gerald Michael Bullinger, a person of interest in a triple homicide investigation that occurred in Canyon County Idaho.
According to Lt. Nate Hutchinson, Bullinger is a sixty-year-old white male. He is 6’1” tall and weighs approximately 240 lbs. He has gray hair and brown eyes.
Bullinger has ties to Weber County. He owns a home in Ogden City and frequently visits the Ogden Valley area. Bullinger is an experienced outdoors man and frequents the mountains around Huntsville. Bullinger is possibly driving a white 2007 Ford Focus with Utah Plate 129 UMP. Bullinger is believed to be armed.
If you see Bullinger or have any information as to his whereabouts, please call Weber Consolidated Dispatch at 801-395-8221.
The Weber County Sheriff’s Office is asking for help from the community in their search for Gerald Michael Bullinger, a person of interest in a triple homicide investigation that occurred in Canyon County Idaho.
According to Lt. Nate Hutchinson, Bullinger is a sixty-year-old white male. He is 6’1” tall and weighs approximately 240 lbs. He has gray hair and brown eyes.
Bullinger has ties to Weber County. He owns a home in Ogden City and frequently visits the Ogden Valley area. Bullinger is an experienced outdoors man and frequents the mountains around Huntsville. Bullinger is possibly driving a white 2007 Ford Focus with Utah Plate 129 UMP. Bullinger is believed to be armed.
If you see Bullinger or have any information as to his whereabouts, please call Weber Consolidated Dispatch at 801-395-8221.
Ragnar Relay Wasatch Back Returns to Ogden Valley on June 2-3
Runners will be coming through the area between 10 a.m. (Friday) and 1 a.m. (Saturday). There will be approximately 5,250 runners on the course this year.
They will be at Liberty Park again this year for their first major exchange point. Runners will start to arrive around 9 a.m. and will be gone from that area around by 9:30 p.m.
Time: Friday from 9 a.m. to Saturday 1 a.m.
Streets that will be affected this year in Ogden Valley include the following:
Liberty: SR-162 and River Road
Eden: SR-166
Huntsville: 1900 N and 7800 E
Snowbasin area: Old Snowbasin Rd., Snowbasin and Snowbasin Rd.
For more information, visit <www.ragnarrelay.com>
Runners will be coming through the area between 10 a.m. (Friday) and 1 a.m. (Saturday). There will be approximately 5,250 runners on the course this year.
They will be at Liberty Park again this year for their first major exchange point. Runners will start to arrive around 9 a.m. and will be gone from that area around by 9:30 p.m.
Time: Friday from 9 a.m. to Saturday 1 a.m.
Streets that will be affected this year in Ogden Valley include the following:
Liberty: SR-162 and River Road
Eden: SR-166
Huntsville: 1900 N and 7800 E
Snowbasin area: Old Snowbasin Rd., Snowbasin and Snowbasin Rd.
For more information, visit <www.ragnarrelay.com>
Weber County Asks Residents to Eliminate Noxious Weed
Compiled by Shanna Francis
Spring is so beautiful in the Valley, especially with all of those beautiful tall, yellow flowers blanketing many fields, greeting those who drive by, and cropping up along the edge of the road, and in patches of turned over soil here and there . . . and there, and there, and there! No, I’m not talking about dandelions, but dyer’s woad. Though the noxious weed may look lovely to some, its presence is an economic nightmare for others.
A non-native plant of Utah, dyer’s woad usually grows between one to four feet tall. It is a plant native to southeaster Russia. Around 1910, alfalfa seed contaminated with dyer’s woad seed was imported from Ireland and introduced to Utah near Brigham City.
County residents are being asked to control the state listed noxious weed. You must pull the taproot out to eliminate it completely; at the very least, destroy or cut off the yellow blossoms to prevent plants from going to seed. On average, it takes about seven years of eliminating the plant from an infested area, as seeds can lie dormant in the soil for many years. Landowners can also spray for the weed, or call the county to see if they are available to spray at cost.
Dyer’s woad was originally cultivated for its leaves that produce a blue dye (this is where the word “dyers” came from). Years ago I wrote, “According to information obtained form the USU Extension Office, ‘Dyer’s woad . . . is a serious problem in the northern most counties along the Wasatch range. In Cache, Box Elder, and Rich Counties alone it has been estimated that two million dollars a year are lost in reduced crop yields and range production. The number of acres infested is increasing at an alarming rate and has doubled in the last ten years.’”
Property owners can do their part to eradicate the plant and to prevent its rapid spread by destroying the hardy plants before they go to seed during the summer season. According to the Extension Service, “Dyer’s woad can be controlled effectively by rogueing or hand pulling. This is especially true in areas that are just now being invaded or where plants are scattered. Simply cutting them off probably won’t do the job as the plant has the ability to send out new shoots if it is cut off near the ground. It is important to pull the plants before they go to seed. The importance of hand rogueing, or eradicating the tap root, cannot be overemphasized. It is one sure way of guaranteeing 100 percent control in an area. Rogueing needs to be done, however, two to three times each year for two to three years.” Dyer’s woad can also be controlled through cultivation.
Be persistent and don’t give up on pulling out the yellow flowering weed whenever you come upon the dastardly mustard. After being pulled, the weed can be left on the ground, unless it has already formed the purplish/black colored seeds. In this case, the seeds must be collected and destroyed in order to prevent further spreading.
Since the eradication of dyers woad is a matter of economic survival for many, Valley residents are encouraged to do their part to prevent the spread of the noxious weed. Please remove, or have sprayed, all dyers woad from your property and along the roadside in front of your property before the weed goes to seed—it’s the law!
For more information, contact the Utah State Extension office at 399-8200, or the County Weed Department at 399-8356.
Compiled by Shanna Francis
Spring is so beautiful in the Valley, especially with all of those beautiful tall, yellow flowers blanketing many fields, greeting those who drive by, and cropping up along the edge of the road, and in patches of turned over soil here and there . . . and there, and there, and there! No, I’m not talking about dandelions, but dyer’s woad. Though the noxious weed may look lovely to some, its presence is an economic nightmare for others.
A non-native plant of Utah, dyer’s woad usually grows between one to four feet tall. It is a plant native to southeaster Russia. Around 1910, alfalfa seed contaminated with dyer’s woad seed was imported from Ireland and introduced to Utah near Brigham City.
County residents are being asked to control the state listed noxious weed. You must pull the taproot out to eliminate it completely; at the very least, destroy or cut off the yellow blossoms to prevent plants from going to seed. On average, it takes about seven years of eliminating the plant from an infested area, as seeds can lie dormant in the soil for many years. Landowners can also spray for the weed, or call the county to see if they are available to spray at cost.
Dyer’s woad was originally cultivated for its leaves that produce a blue dye (this is where the word “dyers” came from). Years ago I wrote, “According to information obtained form the USU Extension Office, ‘Dyer’s woad . . . is a serious problem in the northern most counties along the Wasatch range. In Cache, Box Elder, and Rich Counties alone it has been estimated that two million dollars a year are lost in reduced crop yields and range production. The number of acres infested is increasing at an alarming rate and has doubled in the last ten years.’”
Property owners can do their part to eradicate the plant and to prevent its rapid spread by destroying the hardy plants before they go to seed during the summer season. According to the Extension Service, “Dyer’s woad can be controlled effectively by rogueing or hand pulling. This is especially true in areas that are just now being invaded or where plants are scattered. Simply cutting them off probably won’t do the job as the plant has the ability to send out new shoots if it is cut off near the ground. It is important to pull the plants before they go to seed. The importance of hand rogueing, or eradicating the tap root, cannot be overemphasized. It is one sure way of guaranteeing 100 percent control in an area. Rogueing needs to be done, however, two to three times each year for two to three years.” Dyer’s woad can also be controlled through cultivation.
Be persistent and don’t give up on pulling out the yellow flowering weed whenever you come upon the dastardly mustard. After being pulled, the weed can be left on the ground, unless it has already formed the purplish/black colored seeds. In this case, the seeds must be collected and destroyed in order to prevent further spreading.
Since the eradication of dyers woad is a matter of economic survival for many, Valley residents are encouraged to do their part to prevent the spread of the noxious weed. Please remove, or have sprayed, all dyers woad from your property and along the roadside in front of your property before the weed goes to seed—it’s the law!
For more information, contact the Utah State Extension office at 399-8200, or the County Weed Department at 399-8356.
Community Invited to Contribute to Eden Heritage Monument Project
Descendants of Eden’s founding families are invited to honor their heritage, along with more recent residents who are establishing their own family legacy as members of the community, by contributing funds for the building of an Eden monument. The granite monument will be erected in Eden Park—directly west of the bowery.
Planned and organized by members of the committee for an Eden heritage monument, the monument project is sponsored by Sons of the Utah Pioneers (SUP) and supported by the local Ogden Valley Chapter. The monument has been designated as SUP Historical Site #229.
In 1856, early pioneers first came to this mountain-ringed valley, using it as a common herding ground for their livestock. The first permanent settlers arrived in Eden in 1859, traveling via the North Ogden Pass, since the road through Ogden Canyon had still not been completed. A few cabins were built in this early “village” settlement, which later would become known as Eden. By 1863 the young settlement had a population of 250 people.
During the Black Hawk War of 1865, LDS Church President Brigham Young advised each regional community to organize and settle close together to safeguard against Indian attacks. Heeding the council, the community—at that time called North Fork Town—was then surveyed and laid out with nine blocks of six acres each. The blocks were then divided into eight lots each, with a public square established in the center. Government-hired surveyor Washington Jenkins, who was assisted by early settlers such as Edmund Burke Fuller and Heber J. McBride, stated that he thought the area was one of the most beautiful sites he had ever surveyed and suggested the biblical name “Eden” for the fledgling community. Within the year (1865) Eden was officially organized and established.
Now, in their honor, the names of Eden’s founders who pioneered this beautiful settlement before the year 1900 will be engraved on the monument. In addition, donors may also have their names engraved on the monument. Donations are now sought to cover the estimated $45,000 cost of completing this community heritage project.
DONOR CATEGORIES
Platinum Donor - donations of $5,000 or more
Gold Donor – donations of $2,500 to $4,999
Silver Donor – donations of $1,000 to $2,499
The names of Platinum, Gold, and Silver donors will be engraved on the monument and designated as such. Their names will also be printed in the monument’s dedicatory program, which will be encased in a time capsule to be opened in approximately 2068—or 50 years after completion of the monument.
THOSE WHO LIVED IN EDEN FROM 1900 TO PRESENT - Those who lived in Eden from 1900 to the present, who are not Platinum, Gold or Silver donors, may also have their or their ancestors names engraved on the monument by donating $500 per engraved line, e.g., Larry & Jan McBride or Ruby Fuller Raccasi. An asterisk next to a name will be added to denote those who are descendants of Eden’s earliest settlers who arrived before 1900.
Donations may also be made collectively by a family and designated as such in the Platinum, Gold, or Silver category on the monument, e.g. “Descendants of Leonard & Phylis Fuller.” Again, an asterisk will be used to signify those donors who are descendants of a founding member of Eden who settled in the community before 1900.
Here’s How You Can Help - Beginning next month, the collection of donations will begin for the monument project. Please consider making a generous donation.
You can also help, if applicable, by collecting the names of those who lived in Eden prior to 1900. The committee will begin collecting these names during the coming months.
For additional information, please contact a member of the Eden Monument Committee: Larry McBride (Chairman) (801-458-5824), Shanna Francis (801-745-2688), Dave Martin (801-706-5713), Ruby Raccasi (801-745-9546), Martha Schickedanz (801-814-1698), or Erich Sontag (801-745-2333). If you would like to help with the collection of names for the monument, please contact Shanna.
Descendants of Eden’s founding families are invited to honor their heritage, along with more recent residents who are establishing their own family legacy as members of the community, by contributing funds for the building of an Eden monument. The granite monument will be erected in Eden Park—directly west of the bowery.
Planned and organized by members of the committee for an Eden heritage monument, the monument project is sponsored by Sons of the Utah Pioneers (SUP) and supported by the local Ogden Valley Chapter. The monument has been designated as SUP Historical Site #229.
In 1856, early pioneers first came to this mountain-ringed valley, using it as a common herding ground for their livestock. The first permanent settlers arrived in Eden in 1859, traveling via the North Ogden Pass, since the road through Ogden Canyon had still not been completed. A few cabins were built in this early “village” settlement, which later would become known as Eden. By 1863 the young settlement had a population of 250 people.
During the Black Hawk War of 1865, LDS Church President Brigham Young advised each regional community to organize and settle close together to safeguard against Indian attacks. Heeding the council, the community—at that time called North Fork Town—was then surveyed and laid out with nine blocks of six acres each. The blocks were then divided into eight lots each, with a public square established in the center. Government-hired surveyor Washington Jenkins, who was assisted by early settlers such as Edmund Burke Fuller and Heber J. McBride, stated that he thought the area was one of the most beautiful sites he had ever surveyed and suggested the biblical name “Eden” for the fledgling community. Within the year (1865) Eden was officially organized and established.
Now, in their honor, the names of Eden’s founders who pioneered this beautiful settlement before the year 1900 will be engraved on the monument. In addition, donors may also have their names engraved on the monument. Donations are now sought to cover the estimated $45,000 cost of completing this community heritage project.
DONOR CATEGORIES
Platinum Donor - donations of $5,000 or more
Gold Donor – donations of $2,500 to $4,999
Silver Donor – donations of $1,000 to $2,499
The names of Platinum, Gold, and Silver donors will be engraved on the monument and designated as such. Their names will also be printed in the monument’s dedicatory program, which will be encased in a time capsule to be opened in approximately 2068—or 50 years after completion of the monument.
THOSE WHO LIVED IN EDEN FROM 1900 TO PRESENT - Those who lived in Eden from 1900 to the present, who are not Platinum, Gold or Silver donors, may also have their or their ancestors names engraved on the monument by donating $500 per engraved line, e.g., Larry & Jan McBride or Ruby Fuller Raccasi. An asterisk next to a name will be added to denote those who are descendants of Eden’s earliest settlers who arrived before 1900.
Donations may also be made collectively by a family and designated as such in the Platinum, Gold, or Silver category on the monument, e.g. “Descendants of Leonard & Phylis Fuller.” Again, an asterisk will be used to signify those donors who are descendants of a founding member of Eden who settled in the community before 1900.
Here’s How You Can Help - Beginning next month, the collection of donations will begin for the monument project. Please consider making a generous donation.
You can also help, if applicable, by collecting the names of those who lived in Eden prior to 1900. The committee will begin collecting these names during the coming months.
For additional information, please contact a member of the Eden Monument Committee: Larry McBride (Chairman) (801-458-5824), Shanna Francis (801-745-2688), Dave Martin (801-706-5713), Ruby Raccasi (801-745-9546), Martha Schickedanz (801-814-1698), or Erich Sontag (801-745-2333). If you would like to help with the collection of names for the monument, please contact Shanna.
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Pictured left are Dave and Cindy Allen. Pictured above: Huntsville area resident Cindy Allen is Weber County Mother of the Year for 2017. She is pictured here with her granddaughter Berlyn Butcher who was 8 when the photo was taken.
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Cindy Allen—Weber County Mother of the Year 2017
By Edith Songer
For the second year in a row, the local chapter of American Mothers, Inc. has chosen a Valley woman as Weber County Mother of the Year. Cindy Allen, of Huntsville, was honored at a reception in Ogden on January 28, along with North Ogden Mother of the year Annette Spendlove, and Ogden Mother of the Year Deanna Porter.
Those who know Cindy Allen are not at all surprised by her receiving this honor. She is an example of hard work, compassion, and faith. Her influence has reached well beyond her family to benefit the wider community.
Allen had four children when the death of her first husband left her a widow at age 24. When she married again, her husband brought with him four children of his own. They reached a dozen together with the births of four more children. They now have 28 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Of her parenting philosophy, Allen said, “Teach your children correct principles and help them develop their own self-discipline. Be patient; they will not be perfect and will make mistakes, but still love them and set a good example.” She added, “There is no one perfect way to be a mother. Each child and situation is unique. All we can really do is just trust in God and He will lead us along and show us the way.”
Allen fondly remembers the year she completed her nursing degree, had her last child, and became a grandmother. She was 33. By age 44 she had started two businesses—Alert Line and Specialty Nursing Services. Her organization and compassion are evident in the way she and her employees carry out their home-based health care for between 70 and 80 patients at a time.
On a volunteer basis, Allen has been extensively involved in the Ogden Valley Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), including writing and distributing a community newsletter. She and her husband have hosted community parties and training meetings so that “when there is a disaster, we will already know what to do and no one will panic. It changes the whole feeling in a community. We have encouraged people to be as self-reliant as possible, such as getting a few chickens, growing a garden. . . .” A visit to the Allens’ working farm will convince anyone that she practices the ideas of self-reliance that she promotes.
Allen has twice served as president of the Relief Society in her ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and has worked with the Ogden Valley Community Church and the Monastery to make sure everyone in the area is aware of each other’s needs and available resources. In the spring she organizes a flower exchange and planting party at the Monastery. And those who live near 500 South benefit from the chance to share their extra produce in the Garden Goodie Cart the Allens set out each summer.
Neighbor and friend Debbie Melle said of Allen, “She does such a good job of bringing people together and has a way of making everyone feel special and needed.”
Allen’s youngest daughter, Jenny Castillo, wrote a letter to her mother in which she said, “Some of my best childhood memories consist of me sitting up on the counter top, helping you bake cookies, and dancing around the living room while you played the piano. You sacrificed a lot so that us kids could have a better life. “
Said Allen, “Parenting is the life I chose. The greatest thing we can do is to spend our life for something that will outlast it. There is no greater calling than to raise the next generation to love and serve God, family and country.”
By Edith Songer
For the second year in a row, the local chapter of American Mothers, Inc. has chosen a Valley woman as Weber County Mother of the Year. Cindy Allen, of Huntsville, was honored at a reception in Ogden on January 28, along with North Ogden Mother of the year Annette Spendlove, and Ogden Mother of the Year Deanna Porter.
Those who know Cindy Allen are not at all surprised by her receiving this honor. She is an example of hard work, compassion, and faith. Her influence has reached well beyond her family to benefit the wider community.
Allen had four children when the death of her first husband left her a widow at age 24. When she married again, her husband brought with him four children of his own. They reached a dozen together with the births of four more children. They now have 28 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Of her parenting philosophy, Allen said, “Teach your children correct principles and help them develop their own self-discipline. Be patient; they will not be perfect and will make mistakes, but still love them and set a good example.” She added, “There is no one perfect way to be a mother. Each child and situation is unique. All we can really do is just trust in God and He will lead us along and show us the way.”
Allen fondly remembers the year she completed her nursing degree, had her last child, and became a grandmother. She was 33. By age 44 she had started two businesses—Alert Line and Specialty Nursing Services. Her organization and compassion are evident in the way she and her employees carry out their home-based health care for between 70 and 80 patients at a time.
On a volunteer basis, Allen has been extensively involved in the Ogden Valley Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), including writing and distributing a community newsletter. She and her husband have hosted community parties and training meetings so that “when there is a disaster, we will already know what to do and no one will panic. It changes the whole feeling in a community. We have encouraged people to be as self-reliant as possible, such as getting a few chickens, growing a garden. . . .” A visit to the Allens’ working farm will convince anyone that she practices the ideas of self-reliance that she promotes.
Allen has twice served as president of the Relief Society in her ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and has worked with the Ogden Valley Community Church and the Monastery to make sure everyone in the area is aware of each other’s needs and available resources. In the spring she organizes a flower exchange and planting party at the Monastery. And those who live near 500 South benefit from the chance to share their extra produce in the Garden Goodie Cart the Allens set out each summer.
Neighbor and friend Debbie Melle said of Allen, “She does such a good job of bringing people together and has a way of making everyone feel special and needed.”
Allen’s youngest daughter, Jenny Castillo, wrote a letter to her mother in which she said, “Some of my best childhood memories consist of me sitting up on the counter top, helping you bake cookies, and dancing around the living room while you played the piano. You sacrificed a lot so that us kids could have a better life. “
Said Allen, “Parenting is the life I chose. The greatest thing we can do is to spend our life for something that will outlast it. There is no greater calling than to raise the next generation to love and serve God, family and country.”
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Area Closure in Place Due to Flooding on The Ogden Ranger District
Sean Harwood, Ogden District Ranger of the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forests, announced February 24 a temporary closure for the Pineview West trail (Forest Service trail #612) and surrounding area due to flooding. Heavy rainfall and melting snowpack have created unsafe conditions. The closure encompasses Forest Service road #258, including North Arm trailhead, south along Pineview West trail (Forest Service trail #612), to Forest Service road #233, directly north of the Yacht Club. The closure includes all bathroom facilities along the trail and National Forest System lands adjacent to State Route 158 on the west side of Pineview West trail. Any use of the area is hazardous and the public is urged to avoid all flooded areas. The closure will remain in place until the spring runoff subsides and damaged areas can be assessed and repaired. |
Canyon Residents Warned to Brace for Higher Levels of Water Being Released from Pineview
By Shanna Francis
On February 24, Weber Basin Water Conservancy District made the call to begin releasing an additional 100 cubic feet per second (cfs) of water from Pineview Reservoir, as water levels in the reservoir continue to climb, in spite of the 1,200 cfs of water that has been tearing down the Ogden River through Ogden Canyon for the last few weeks. The higher levels of water began surging down river during the earlier part of the day, February 24.
On February 14, the Weber County Emergency Management office provided an emergency notice to canyon residents, alerting them that Ogden River would begin running at bank-full levels for the next several weeks—potentially up to 1,600 cfs. Representatives from the county stated, “We’ve been at this high of level a couple of times, usually without too many problems. We don’t foresee significant flooding in the canyon at this time.” They also stated that their office could be contacted if residents were in need of sand bags.
Chis Hogge with Weber Basin Water Conservancy District confirmed that their office may have to slowly continue increasing release amounts to prevent even higher releases when the higher snowpack begins to melt in the mountains feeding the Weber/Ogden River watershed. Depending on the watershed area, snowpack levels are currently between 137 and 190 percent above average, according to Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) SNOTEL records updated February 24, 2017.
Mike Scott with Pineview Water Systems explained that decisions relating to the amount of water to release are associated with tables that plot various considerations such as how saturated the ground is, surface water, and snow level measurements at SNOTEL sites. With the plotting of different variables, decisions can be made regarding water releases, the goal being to stay within a determined bracketed range to ensure stabilized water storage ratios within Pineview so the amount of water throughout the runoff season coming into the reservoir and going out stays within a manageable range—not too much, depleting the precious resource; nor too little, leading to uncontrollable flooding.
By Shanna Francis
On February 24, Weber Basin Water Conservancy District made the call to begin releasing an additional 100 cubic feet per second (cfs) of water from Pineview Reservoir, as water levels in the reservoir continue to climb, in spite of the 1,200 cfs of water that has been tearing down the Ogden River through Ogden Canyon for the last few weeks. The higher levels of water began surging down river during the earlier part of the day, February 24.
On February 14, the Weber County Emergency Management office provided an emergency notice to canyon residents, alerting them that Ogden River would begin running at bank-full levels for the next several weeks—potentially up to 1,600 cfs. Representatives from the county stated, “We’ve been at this high of level a couple of times, usually without too many problems. We don’t foresee significant flooding in the canyon at this time.” They also stated that their office could be contacted if residents were in need of sand bags.
Chis Hogge with Weber Basin Water Conservancy District confirmed that their office may have to slowly continue increasing release amounts to prevent even higher releases when the higher snowpack begins to melt in the mountains feeding the Weber/Ogden River watershed. Depending on the watershed area, snowpack levels are currently between 137 and 190 percent above average, according to Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) SNOTEL records updated February 24, 2017.
Mike Scott with Pineview Water Systems explained that decisions relating to the amount of water to release are associated with tables that plot various considerations such as how saturated the ground is, surface water, and snow level measurements at SNOTEL sites. With the plotting of different variables, decisions can be made regarding water releases, the goal being to stay within a determined bracketed range to ensure stabilized water storage ratios within Pineview so the amount of water throughout the runoff season coming into the reservoir and going out stays within a manageable range—not too much, depleting the precious resource; nor too little, leading to uncontrollable flooding.
Upper Valley and Canyon Residents asked to sign up for emergency alert notifications.
Weber County Emergency Management Director Lance Peterson is hoping that more citizens will sign up for emergency alerts via the County’s “CodeRed” system. CodeRED is an emergency notification system that allows emergency officials to notify residents and businesses by telephone. The system primarily uses your land line from our 9-1-1 databases. If a resident registers with the system, we can contact you by additional methods, such as cell phone, text message, email and social media. Messages regarding time-sensitive general and emergency notifications will be sent to you. Only authorized officials have access to the CodeRED system.
Any message regarding the safety, property or welfare of the community will be disseminated using the CodeRED system. These may include AMBER alerts, or other emergency situations.
CodeRED is a service of Network Emergency Communications which takes security and privacy concerns very seriously. They will not sell, trade, lease or loan any citizen supplied data to third parties.
A CodeRED Emergency message will have a caller ID of 866-419-5000 or 855-969-4636. We suggest you program both numbers in your cell phone as a new contact. If you need to replay the emergency notification message, simply dial the number and you will be able to hear the message again.
Peterson stated, “Depending on the situation, we now have the option of sending you a message that allows you to reply back to us. Sometimes, citizens have critical information that will help us in the response. This option may be of great use depending upon the situation.”
On February 14, the Weber County Emergency Management office initially provided an emergency notice to canyon residents, alerting them that the Ogden River would begin running at bank-full levels for the next several weeks—between 1,000 cfs to 1,600 cfs. The challenge nowadays is that many residents do not have a land line phone in their home. So they need everyone to register their phones and download the App.
Representatives from the county stated, “Today, Feb 24th, the release from the Dam will go up 100 cfs to 1300 cfs. We still don’t foresee significant flooding in the canyon at this time.” There has been so much rain and snow, the dam is on the rise and as you know, water levels need to go down to make room for the additional 230,000-plus acre feet of water that is still above in the snowpack.
Residents can sign up and register for Weber County emergency notifications through the county’s CodeRed system. Residents can also download a CodeRed App for free, enabling county residents to receive emergency alerts on their cell phones. If you don’t register your cell phone number or download the app, you may not be able to receive emergency alert notices from the county.
Code RED Quick Facts
For more information, or to register, visit
https://public.coderedweb.com/cne/en-US/11B885E194B7
Weber County Emergency Management Director Lance Peterson is hoping that more citizens will sign up for emergency alerts via the County’s “CodeRed” system. CodeRED is an emergency notification system that allows emergency officials to notify residents and businesses by telephone. The system primarily uses your land line from our 9-1-1 databases. If a resident registers with the system, we can contact you by additional methods, such as cell phone, text message, email and social media. Messages regarding time-sensitive general and emergency notifications will be sent to you. Only authorized officials have access to the CodeRED system.
Any message regarding the safety, property or welfare of the community will be disseminated using the CodeRED system. These may include AMBER alerts, or other emergency situations.
CodeRED is a service of Network Emergency Communications which takes security and privacy concerns very seriously. They will not sell, trade, lease or loan any citizen supplied data to third parties.
A CodeRED Emergency message will have a caller ID of 866-419-5000 or 855-969-4636. We suggest you program both numbers in your cell phone as a new contact. If you need to replay the emergency notification message, simply dial the number and you will be able to hear the message again.
Peterson stated, “Depending on the situation, we now have the option of sending you a message that allows you to reply back to us. Sometimes, citizens have critical information that will help us in the response. This option may be of great use depending upon the situation.”
On February 14, the Weber County Emergency Management office initially provided an emergency notice to canyon residents, alerting them that the Ogden River would begin running at bank-full levels for the next several weeks—between 1,000 cfs to 1,600 cfs. The challenge nowadays is that many residents do not have a land line phone in their home. So they need everyone to register their phones and download the App.
Representatives from the county stated, “Today, Feb 24th, the release from the Dam will go up 100 cfs to 1300 cfs. We still don’t foresee significant flooding in the canyon at this time.” There has been so much rain and snow, the dam is on the rise and as you know, water levels need to go down to make room for the additional 230,000-plus acre feet of water that is still above in the snowpack.
Residents can sign up and register for Weber County emergency notifications through the county’s CodeRed system. Residents can also download a CodeRed App for free, enabling county residents to receive emergency alerts on their cell phones. If you don’t register your cell phone number or download the app, you may not be able to receive emergency alert notices from the county.
Code RED Quick Facts
- The system is geographically based, alerting only resident in the affected area.
- Citizens may select how they would like to receive alerts: phone call, text and/or email.
- Emergency alerts are issued by Weber County or your City
- Alerts are sent to your land line phone numbers. If you want to also receive alerts on your cell phone(s), you must register your cell phone(s) in order to receive those alerts.
- We do have the option of sending a message to a cell phone tower, which will alert any phone within range of that tower. We don’t plan to use that option very often and is saved for very extreme circumstances.
- Registering for CodeRED is free and simple.
- There is also an app called CodeRED Mobile Alert that you can download onto your smartphone for free from iTunes or Google Play. This allows you to have greater options in receiving alerts.
For more information, or to register, visit
https://public.coderedweb.com/cne/en-US/11B885E194B7
Mudslide in Nordic Valley Leads to Evacuation Notices: Couple narrowly avoids injury
By Shanna Francis
Deputies were dispatched to Nordic Valley at about 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, February 21 when property owner Ted McGrath reported that a mudslide, and the debris it carried, had slammed into his home near the top of Nordic Valley. The incident caused no injuries to persons.
It was determined that a 100- to 150-foot-wide section of hillside broke free from the downhill side of 1950 N., carrying trees, mud, snow, ice, and other debris about 300 feet towards the McGrath home, which stood at the edge of its path. The wall into Ted's garage was actually pierced by downed trees as a result of the slide. Debris also knocked open a locked door into the home, pushing in snow and debris through the now open doorway.
No other homes were directly impacted by the slide; however, residents in the area were contacted—either by deputies or fire personnel—and advised of the situation. Due to their close proximity to the slide, residents of three other homes, in addition to the McGraths, were encouraged to evacuate for the night. The Red Cross had been contacted to help with arrangements. A majority of those who were asked to evacuate stayed with family or friends.
County personnel stated that the hillside in this area was extremely saturated with water due to melting snow and several inches of new snow and rain, and streams of runoff cutting through the area.
Wednesday afternoon, geologists surveyed the area and determined that the hillside had stabilized with no more slippage likely to occur.
An above-ground green electrical power box owned by Rocky Mountain Power that was situated near the McGrath home was buried in the slide, cutting off power to the residence. A water main providing water to the home was also damaged, cutting off potable water to the home.
Lance Peterson, Director of Weber County Emergency Management and Homeland Security, stated that it will take “extensive work” to stabilize 1950 N., such as the installation of appropriate storm drains and channeling of drainage in the area. Small cracks in the hillside at the edge of the road had been reported to the county in the week leading up to the full slide, and barricades and sandbags had been installed at the edge of the road to keep water from running down and further saturating the hillside. Part of the slope abutting the slide area had had some slippage about a year earlier, with the county coming in and shoring up the unstable region with boulders and other material, according to personnel with the Weber County Engineer’s office. Neighbors were being organized, as of February 22, to help clear and cut up the trees that crashed into the McGrath home. Carolyn McGrath, commenting on the slide stated that she and her husband were just sitting down at the dining room table to have dinner when the slide occurred. She explained that it happened instantaneous, and really shook them. “We’re just thankful that no one was hurt; that we weren’t injured, or worse.” She also stated that they were fortunate that it missed the bulk of the house; instead, crashing into the house only at the corner. The large tree that skewered the garage with its massive sized limbs missed the dining room sliding glass doors, where the McGraths were having dinner, by only a few feet.
By Shanna Francis
Deputies were dispatched to Nordic Valley at about 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, February 21 when property owner Ted McGrath reported that a mudslide, and the debris it carried, had slammed into his home near the top of Nordic Valley. The incident caused no injuries to persons.
It was determined that a 100- to 150-foot-wide section of hillside broke free from the downhill side of 1950 N., carrying trees, mud, snow, ice, and other debris about 300 feet towards the McGrath home, which stood at the edge of its path. The wall into Ted's garage was actually pierced by downed trees as a result of the slide. Debris also knocked open a locked door into the home, pushing in snow and debris through the now open doorway.
No other homes were directly impacted by the slide; however, residents in the area were contacted—either by deputies or fire personnel—and advised of the situation. Due to their close proximity to the slide, residents of three other homes, in addition to the McGraths, were encouraged to evacuate for the night. The Red Cross had been contacted to help with arrangements. A majority of those who were asked to evacuate stayed with family or friends.
County personnel stated that the hillside in this area was extremely saturated with water due to melting snow and several inches of new snow and rain, and streams of runoff cutting through the area.
Wednesday afternoon, geologists surveyed the area and determined that the hillside had stabilized with no more slippage likely to occur.
An above-ground green electrical power box owned by Rocky Mountain Power that was situated near the McGrath home was buried in the slide, cutting off power to the residence. A water main providing water to the home was also damaged, cutting off potable water to the home.
Lance Peterson, Director of Weber County Emergency Management and Homeland Security, stated that it will take “extensive work” to stabilize 1950 N., such as the installation of appropriate storm drains and channeling of drainage in the area. Small cracks in the hillside at the edge of the road had been reported to the county in the week leading up to the full slide, and barricades and sandbags had been installed at the edge of the road to keep water from running down and further saturating the hillside. Part of the slope abutting the slide area had had some slippage about a year earlier, with the county coming in and shoring up the unstable region with boulders and other material, according to personnel with the Weber County Engineer’s office. Neighbors were being organized, as of February 22, to help clear and cut up the trees that crashed into the McGrath home. Carolyn McGrath, commenting on the slide stated that she and her husband were just sitting down at the dining room table to have dinner when the slide occurred. She explained that it happened instantaneous, and really shook them. “We’re just thankful that no one was hurt; that we weren’t injured, or worse.” She also stated that they were fortunate that it missed the bulk of the house; instead, crashing into the house only at the corner. The large tree that skewered the garage with its massive sized limbs missed the dining room sliding glass doors, where the McGraths were having dinner, by only a few feet.
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Eden’s Blacksmith Shop Receives National Historic Designation
It’s official; on February 1, the J.M. Wilbur and Company Blacksmith Shop (the blacksmith shop), in the heart of historic Eden (2145 N. 5500 E.), was adopted onto the National Register of Historic places. It is the first and only building in Ogden Valley to achieve this designation.
The Statement of Significance submitted by the owners, which indicates its historic relevance, states that the business was built in 1895 and rehabilitated between 2011 and 2014. The Statement continues, explaining that it “is a brick, one-part block commercial building with a stepped gable parapet and Late Victorian Commercial details. The building is historically significant under Criteria A (the area of Exploration/Settlement because it provided essential services and support for the growing agricultural community). The period of significance dates from 1895, when it was built by Jesse Wilbur, to 1951, when Jesse passed away. Jesse used this building as a commercial outlet providing, primarily, blacksmithing and other related services to local farmers and the surrounding communities. Following Jesse’s death, Glenn [Jesse’s son] carried on the business for two more decades. It is significant under Criterion A in the areas of Industry and Commerce because it provided essential services in a developing community and played a vital role in the development and success of the village of Eden, Utah and surrounding Ogden Valley. The building was originally designed and constructed to facilitate the needs of the blacksmithing industry—a once very common and necessary business in frontier life—and is the only known continuously functioning blacksmith shop remaining in the region. Following a recent careful rehabilitation, the building continues to operate as a blacksmith shop today.”
Today, the operational blacksmith shop is managed by Aaron Richarson of Ragnar Forge. He may be contacted at 801-830-8370.
For more information about the blacksmith shop, read about its history—which accompanied the application to the U.S. Dept. of the Interior, National Park Service/National Register of Historic Places for the national designation—on page 9. The application was prepared by architectural historian Shalae Larson of IO Design in Ogden (801-505-6601) with a lot of the historical background compiled by Maurice Morton.
For more information visit the National Register of Historic Places at <https://heritage.utah.gov/history/latest-listings>
It’s official; on February 1, the J.M. Wilbur and Company Blacksmith Shop (the blacksmith shop), in the heart of historic Eden (2145 N. 5500 E.), was adopted onto the National Register of Historic places. It is the first and only building in Ogden Valley to achieve this designation.
The Statement of Significance submitted by the owners, which indicates its historic relevance, states that the business was built in 1895 and rehabilitated between 2011 and 2014. The Statement continues, explaining that it “is a brick, one-part block commercial building with a stepped gable parapet and Late Victorian Commercial details. The building is historically significant under Criteria A (the area of Exploration/Settlement because it provided essential services and support for the growing agricultural community). The period of significance dates from 1895, when it was built by Jesse Wilbur, to 1951, when Jesse passed away. Jesse used this building as a commercial outlet providing, primarily, blacksmithing and other related services to local farmers and the surrounding communities. Following Jesse’s death, Glenn [Jesse’s son] carried on the business for two more decades. It is significant under Criterion A in the areas of Industry and Commerce because it provided essential services in a developing community and played a vital role in the development and success of the village of Eden, Utah and surrounding Ogden Valley. The building was originally designed and constructed to facilitate the needs of the blacksmithing industry—a once very common and necessary business in frontier life—and is the only known continuously functioning blacksmith shop remaining in the region. Following a recent careful rehabilitation, the building continues to operate as a blacksmith shop today.”
Today, the operational blacksmith shop is managed by Aaron Richarson of Ragnar Forge. He may be contacted at 801-830-8370.
For more information about the blacksmith shop, read about its history—which accompanied the application to the U.S. Dept. of the Interior, National Park Service/National Register of Historic Places for the national designation—on page 9. The application was prepared by architectural historian Shalae Larson of IO Design in Ogden (801-505-6601) with a lot of the historical background compiled by Maurice Morton.
For more information visit the National Register of Historic Places at <https://heritage.utah.gov/history/latest-listings>