Nola Sims, Bear Lake Valley Native, Dies in West Jordan, Utah

Nola Jean Hemmert Sims
Loving Wife & Mother
1952 ~ 2016

Nola passed away May 27, 2016 after a long struggle with Parkinson's.
She was born January 27, 1952 in Montpelier, Idaho to Frank Harold Hemmert and Orpha Gladys Bee Hemmert. 

She grew up in St Charles, Idaho and married her high school sweetheart on November 5, 1971 in the Salt Lake Temple. She enjoyed a long career with Delta Airlines.
Preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Harold and Evan Hemmert, and her son Jason (Mandy Frostad) Sims.

She is survived by her husband Bruce Everett Sims; children Nicole (Chris) Lightner, Darren (Shelley) Sims and Tyler (Eve) Sims; grandchildren Cailley "Scarlett" & Devin Lightner, Jace Aragon, Dax Ure, Victor Frostad, Gage Ingram, Tate Smith, Ethan Sims; sisters Lois (James) Schwerdt of California and Mary (John) Warren of Idaho; and many wonderful nieces and nephews and extended family.

A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, June 1st at 10:00 AM at the Copper Hills 2nd Ward, 5176 W. Parr Drive, West Jordan, where a viewing will begin at 9:00 AM. Graveside service will be held at 2:30 PM at Garden City Cemetery.

Arrangements entrusted to Starks Funeral Parlor. Online condolences may be offered and extended obituary may be viewed at www.starksfuneral.com.


Published in Salt Lake Tribune on May 29, 2016- See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/saltlaketribune/obituary.aspx?page=lifestory&pid=180145695#sthash.3HgLTJk7.dpuf

Rita Gilbert Reese, Sweetwater Hill Cabin Owner, Passes Away

Rita Gilbert Reese Obituary

1930 ~ 2016

Rita Gilbert Reese was born on April 29, 1930 to Clifford Frank and Florence Christine Gilbert in Salt Lake City, Utah. Rita died in the early morning hours of May 23,2016, her son Rick's birthday. She married Ralph Elmer Reese on September 19, 1952 after graduating from the University of Utah. She and Ralph are the parents of Rick, Rob (Mary Jo Laramie), and Ruth (Greg Peters). Their granddaughters are Ambra (Trim Wellbeloved) and Molly (Bill Pilivi) along with great-grandchildren; Reese, Ian, Tate Wellbeloved and Sia Pilivi. Her faithful companion, Reilly, stayed with her throughout her last days, he will miss her dearly.

Rita is preceded in death by her parents, her twin brother Ray, youngest brother Marty, son, Rick, and husband, Ralph, just eight months ago.

Rita always said she wanted only these words for her obituary: "I was born, I lived, and I died." Shortly before dying she emphasized she only wanted a boring, ordinary obituary. Well, those of you who know and love Rita, know she was anything but boring and ordinary!

Rita attended Hawthorne Elementary, Irving Jr. High, South High School, and the University of Utah. She enjoyed friendships from each of these schools throughout her life. She was proud to be a UTE and enjoyed memories of her Alpha Phi sorority days.

Rita and Ralph enjoyed an active life. During winters they skied while summers included boating, water-skiing and hiking. The five R's spent many hours on the ski slopes and lakes throughout Utah. Twenty years of Friendship Cruises, dinners and dancing and playing bridge brought a lot of laughter to their lives. Rita enjoyed bowling on various leagues, playing tennis with Jack and Kay Alder weekly for many years and golfing with just the ladies or with Ralph's insurance groups. In most recent years they followed the Red Rocks yearly to Regionals with Bob and Arita Sparks. Rita and Ralph have been members of the Crimson Club from its inception.

Rita was born with a creative and productive spirit. She was a master seamstress creating beautiful tailored suits, wedding dresses, quilts and baby clothes. It saddened her to lose her vision ending her sewing days. Christmas trees were decorated differently each year and each unique. She painted several beautiful pieces for both her Salt Lake and Bear Lake homes, as well as, cultivating exquisite landscaping at these homes. She would get our dad to clear the path and she would do the planting.

Volunteering was always an important aspect of her life. Rita and Ralph first joined the Salt Lake City Jaycees, then she went on to join the Salt Lake Council of Women, school PTA groups, volunteering with the Sheriff's bicycle safety program, involvement with The Boy Scouts of America and receiving the Silver Beaver Award for over twenty years of dedicated service, The Ladies Literacy Club, The Utah Republican Party, and in several church callings while living in the Winder West Third Ward. She cherished her ward family and dear neighbors.

She believed in conservation and environmental issues long before it was deemed necessary for our planet's future. Each of us has an appreciation of the world around us and we take the time to look at our beautiful world because of Rita. She would often sit on the deck of her cabin and say, "I wonder what my friends are doing tonight?" as she gloried in the beauty surrounding her. She loved studying and learning about EVERYTHING. And if you were lucky, she would share her knowledge with you.

It was her adamant wish that no services be held in her honor. As her great-grandson, Ian, expressed, "But what about us?" We ask that you take the time to say, "I love you" to your family and friends, everyday. If you wish to make a donation in her honor, she would want you to think of the Humane Society of Utah or The Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. She also supported anything Utah UTES, especially The Red Rocks. Think of her when you attend the symphony, ballet, or Pioneer Theater. When football/basketball seasons begin, put up your U, and cheer on her favorite team. Call your family and have them look at the beautiful sunset or full moon as she always did with us. But most of all, thank you for loving our mom, and know she loved and cherished each of you and the friendship you shared. Rita was an extraordinary woman and she was anything but boring! Do something for the greater good in honor of Rita's life well served.

Our family greatly appreciates the love and attention Gloria and her CNAs showed both of our parents. Thank you to the IHC Palliative and Hospice Care, as well as the many doctors who took great care of Rita. Drs. Jeffrey Twitchell and Jordan Schaeffer have always been genuinely kind and caring toward our mom.

Rita and Ralph wanted their ashes placed at "R" Retreat. We will honor their wishes this summer. If you want more information please contact Rob or Ruth.

Published in Deseret News from May 24 to May 29, 2016

- See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/deseretnews/obituary.aspx?n=rita-gilbert-reese&pid=180084678&eid=sp_shareobit#sthash.fKCtpFb6.dpuf

Good Stuff!

Woman in Gold, HuHot, Andersen Asphalt

John Brown, The Man

I recently watched Woman in Gold with my family, and we loved it. It has delightful characters, a suspenseful plot, and moments of both humor and deep poignancy.

The movie is based on the true story of Maria Altmann, an elderly Jew living in Los Angeles. When she was a young woman, the Nazis took over Austria. She fled, narrowly escaping. In addition to all the horrors committed against her people and family that couldn’t get out, the Nazis stole artwork and other precious items. The problem is that after the war, many of these items were then appropriated by individuals or the countries of Europe and not returned to their original owners.

The movie is about Maria and her young lawyer who fight the Austrian government to have a famous painting called Woman in Gold that was legally and rightfully hers returned. It’s a legal battle that went all the way to the Supreme Court of the United States in 2004. But this isn’t about someone wanting a painting. It’s about so much more.

If you enjoyed Mr. Holmes, Saving Mr. Banks, or Bridge of Spies, I think you will love this movie. You will love the dynamic between the frank-speaking Maria and her lawyer. And you will be moved.

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Nellie and I recently celebrated our anniversary and enjoyed a delicious meal at HuHot Mongolian Grill in Logan, Utah.

If you’ve never been to a Mongolian grill, here’s how it works. You take a plate, pile it with your desired selection of fresh meats and veggies, douse it with sauces, then hand the plate to the chef. He then spreads it on his gigantic, circular Mongolian grill and cooks it before your eyes, then hands your hot meal back to you. You take it to your table and enjoy a fine, fresh stir fry of your own making.

If you want more, or want to try something different, when you’re finished, you go back because it’s an all-you-can-eat grill. I can happily report that Nellie and I did go back. We wanted to go back a third time but were stuffed.

The food was excellent. The service was friendly. If you’re looking for something different, I think you’ll want to give HuHot a try.

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Folks with asphalt driveways and parking areas, I have something you’ll be interested in.

I have a nice long driveway, about 5,500 square feet of asphalt. We hadn’t touched it since 2005 when it was installed. But asphalt doesn’t last forever. If it’s not periodically sealed, it weathers and cracks, and then the water gets in and undermines the whole structure, and soon you get pot holes and alligator cracks and the thing becomes a mess. Last year some small cracks began to show, and we knew we couldn’t put it off any longer.

I called a number of places for quotes and availability. And the person who gave me the best quote and quickest turnaround was Caden Andersen of Andersen Asphalt. The name will sound familiar because that’s the Caden that grew up in Rich County. He and his brother took over his grandfather’s long-standing business.

And I am happy to report that they did an excellent job at an excellent price. They came and cleaned the whole thing with wire brooms (although I power washed it before they came), filled the cracks with hot tar, then sealed everything with two coats. Their service was friendly and prompt. And they went the extra mile. There were some large cracks in the city’s road right before you turn off into our driveway. They filled those cracks with tar as well for no extra charge. The result is a beautiful driveway that’s going to last for quite some time.

They have two locations right now, one in Cokeville, Wyoming and the second in South Ogden, Utah. If you live within an hour or two of either of those places and need to seal some asphalt, I highly recommend you give Andersen Asphalt a call.

There Was Actually One Sunny Day Last Week!

Photo by Lauriann Wakefield

Garden City Council Business

Anita Weston, Reporter

Rich Civic Times

GARDEN CITY, Utah.  May 12, 2016. Clea’s Nifty Gifts 1, requested a business license to conduct a retail store at 55 West Logan Road.  Dean and Tina Bolton will be running this business.  The request was approved.

KB Management, L.L.C., made a request to conduct a real estate financial service business at 29 West Tamarind Way.  Approval was given.

Let’s Get Away Properties, L.L.C., requested to conduct a property management company at 100 West Season’s Lane.  Sam Goodell will be conducting this business.  The request was approved.

There were two requests for short term rentals.  Granger Properties, L.L.C., owns a home at 929 North Harbor Village East Drive, # 114.  Bear Lake Lodging will be handling this rental.  Approval was given.

The second property is owned by Mark and Kathy Hislop.  The rental property is located at 35 West 150 South.  Bear Lake Project Management, L.L.C. will be the rental company handling this property.  Approval was given.

Lance Bourne has been operating a company called Bear Lake Water Adventures located on the lake shore below The Garden City Park.  He decided he no longer wanted to run this company.  It was put out to bid.  Leo Spuhler won the bid and will take over this business this summer.  Leo Spuhler asked to be given a business license and a  concessionaire license and showed that he had the required insurance for this business.  He will also have to obtain a boat license.  The Council granted the city business license for a one-year time period and renewed the concessionaire’s license.

A discussion and approval was granted for the Garden City Park Trail Project.  This trail will be built to allow individuals who park at the 350 South parking lot on the east side of Bear Lake Blvd. to walk a bit further east and get on the trail that the City’s is building.  It will run south into the park. The individuals using this trail will then be able to continue across the bottom part of the park to get to the roadway leading to the walkway to the beach. 

Norm Mecham asked the City to terminate the covenant to run with the land listed on the agenda.  These lots are part of the Eagle Feather Subdivision in Shundahi.  This will allow the lots that have sold and buildings are being built on them to be released and allow for deeds of private ownership to be granted.

The Council was then asked to make a covenant to run with the land encumbering the lots listed on the Agenda.  These lots are in the Eagle Feather Subdivision which is part of Shundahi.  These lots will be treated as one property until additional lots are sold and built on.  At that time, the request to terminate the covenant to run with the land will again be requested.

Riley Argyle, Public Works Supervisor, noted that a change of use for Swan Creek Canal shares has been made.  The agricultural water will now be used for culinary purposes.  The Council was pleased with this action.

The Garden City Ordinance #16-03 is an ordinance updating the parking restrictions in City Parking Lots.  It was determined that when a large vehicle or car with trailer etc. parks across several parking stalls, a ticket shall be given.  There should be enough extra long parking stalls that these vehicles can pull through thereby using only one parking stall even though the vehicle is long.  The Council approved this addition to this ordinance.

Resolution #R16-01 updates the administrative code infraction fine schedule to add a fine for overnight parking in City Parking Lots.  The Council passed this resolution.

After a discussion, approval of the Certification of Delinquency of Assessments and charges for the Buttercup Special Improvement District was made.

A review of the budget for the current fiscal year, July 1, 2015, through June 30, 2016, was carried out.  It was noted that the Parks budget needed to be opened and transfers made.  Each member of the Board was asked to look over all of the changes from the previous year because the new budget will be passed at next month’s meeting.

Attention was called to a new item on next year’s budget—advertising money.  Money has been put into this category to do some marketing to draw more tourists into the Garden City.  Currently the City is working with the Aggie Sports area to get more visibility for Garden City at their fall sports events.  The campaign would begin in the fall emphasizing winter activities available in Garden City. Winter is the off season and would help businesses here in the City to bring in more people during that time period.   The proposed budget has $15,000 set aside for this fund.

A review was made of the proposed fiscal year July 1, 2016, through June 30, 2017.  Budget funds include the general fund, Buttercup special improvement district fund, capital projects fund, beach access fund, and the enterprise (water) fund. Approval by the Council was given.

The Council also approved the Utah Retirement rates for the fiscal year July 2, 2016, through June 30, 2017.

Anita Weston was appointed to serve on the City’s Appeal Authority Board.  She was thanked for accepting this responsibility. 

Crosby Asks For Non Conforming Road Again

Anita Weston, Reporter

Rich Civic Times 

GARDEN CITY, Utah.  May 12, 2015.  Rulon Crosby appeared before the City Council.  He was asking that the City Council approve the preliminary plat for a 6-lot subdivision west of 1593 South Bear Lake Blvd. called Cotton Wood Subdivision.  He has been to  Planning and Zoning several times.  Each time, the Planning and Zoning Committee have recommended to the City Council to deny this request because Mr. Crosby cannot meet the City’s required building set-backs. 

There are currently two homes on that property that are too close together to meet the City’s requirements.  By putting a roadway between the two homes makes each of the lots corner lots.  Corner lots require sets back of 20 feet.  This has been done for safety reasons.  There needs to be enough space that individuals using the road have the necessary clearance to be able to see what traffic is on the road before pulling onto Bear Lake Blvd.

Two members of the Planning Commissioner were present—Lance Bourne and Jim Degroot.  They gave reasons for denying the plat.  The City Council discussed this issue for some time.  Several suggestions were given to Mr. Crosby.  They suggested that he move one of the homes onto one of the lots that would be for sale.  This would give plenty of room for the needed road.  Another suggestion was to tear down one of the homes to gain the necessary room.  Others suggested that he build a road into the west side of his property that would give easy access.  None of the suggestions met with Mr. Crosby’s desires. 

Mr. Crosby noted that he had obtained a UDOT access permit.  He said that he knew the Council had the authority to make exceptions and asked that they do so in this situation.  The Council didn’t feel they should give an exception and voted no on giving permission for this subdivision to be built.

Mr. Crosby noted that he would be going to the Variance Committee for permission to build the road between the two homes.