Eighteen Wheeler Philosophy

Barn Ghost

By Mel Hansen, The Eighteen Wheeler Philosopher

In my travels I'm blessed to see many sights. My favorites are of the farm/ranch country and the various buildings etc. that dot their landscape.

On the very first trip I made down south back in mid-February, this huge old barn immediately caught my eye. I've always wanted to own a big barn just like it. It's in upper Missouri, alongside Highway 36 around the community of Chillicothe.

Upon first seeing it, my first thought was...WOW!  A person could have a full size basketball court in the loft alone! The thought brought on by a growing up memory of playing basketball for hours in the loft of my best friend’s, Kris Price, red barn in Round Valley. Fun times!

I pass this barn almost twice in a 10-12 day stretch. It sits in a field surrounded by beautiful cornfields and pastures. I've yet to see a single living soul, or animals, in or around it though.

Around my fourth or fifth pass by it, I finally noticed the white chair in the wide side entrance and have been amazed that it's still on all four legs!  Amazed, because the other big door directly across from it is open also. 

Now within the past few months it's been tornado season throughout this part of Missouri and Nebraska.  I've been in two that were “Come to Jesus” moments!  Nothing more thought provoking than the moment you get a "Tornado eminent in this area, seek shelter immediately!"message over your IPhone. The second one was very close to this barn. The wind blows hard through this area even when it's not tornado season. 

But with both doors open, allowing a strong direct cross wind, the chair in the path of the direct winds, why does this chair remain on all fours? Or why isn't it blown out of the barn and is somewhere over the rainbow?  All I can think of is that maybe persons unseen, who  might have once sat in that chair, sit there from time to time, to keep it in the barn and on all fours?

Rocking Chair Arch Near Woodruf

Photo by Bryce Nielson

Sherlene Joy Hoffman Wamsley 1940 - 2017

Sherlene Joy Hoffman Wamsley was born in Randolph, Utah to Effie Rose Hayward and Albert

LeRoy Hoffman on October 10, 1940. She passed away peacefully on July 12, 2017, in Salt Lake City, UT from complications incident to her 28 year battle with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Mom was the youngest of seven children and could get anything she wanted from her father. She married her High School sweetheart, Dee J. Wamsley, on February 7, 1958, later sealed in the Logan LDS Temple.

They had one daughter, six sons and one foster daughter, 33 grandchildren and 32 great-grandchildren. Mom loved to shop, fish and especially have her family all together for any occasion, especially Christmas. She could brighten any room and always thought of others first, serving her friends and neighbors and loving her children to the very end. Mom was content to attend to her children and home while Dad was busy at church or work.

She made sure that her six sons were all Eagle Scouts. She had more friends than we can count and she was dearly loved by friends from every place she lived. Mom and Dad had an amazing life together; they loved serving in the Las Vegas LDS Temple, traveling all over the world and spending time with their children and grandchildren. They spent as much time together as possible and we know how happy they are to be together again.

Mom's passing will be a tremendous loss to her children and grandchildren, each of whom was convinced that they were her favorite. She enjoyed an amazing relationship with each one of her six daughters-in-law and she always looked forward to their annual girls trip. Mom, you will be greatly missed by your entire family. Mom is survived by her children, Connie of Minneapolis, MN, Jay (Karen) Mt. Green, UT, Brent (Sue) West Valley, UT, Ron (Jana) Hooper, UT, Ross (Caroline) West Jordan, UT, Kevin (Brooke) St. George, UT, Kenny (Tiffany) West Jordan, UT, foster daughter, Barbara (Larry) Lee Sorenson; and two brothers, Harold Hoffman and Larry Hoffman.

Special thanks to Connie for taking such good care of Mom through six chemotherapy treatments, brain tumor surgery and a stroke during the last precious six months of her full life. Funeral services were held on Saturday, July 15, 2017, at noon in the Randolph, Utah LDS Chapel.

Common Ground At Beaver

Beaver Mountain Ski Resort, just 15 minutes from Garden City, is excited for the addition of the ALL NEW Common Ground Outdoor Adventures Lodge! 

Common Ground Outdoor Adventures' mission is to provide life-enhancing outdoor recreational opportunities for youth and adults with disabilities. 

They provide adaptive equipment and support, which enable people with disabilities to participate in outdoor recreation alongside their peers. These experiences reduce stereotypes, raise awareness, and empower people to realize their full potential. Their trips are not only accessible physically but also financially.

Hometown Drive In Gets Nod From KSL

KSL just named Hometown Drive In in Garden City as one of Utah's top 5 french fry places.

"This classic stop offers visitors to Bear Lake solid fries in addition to raspberry shakes and burgers. The traditional shoestring fries are crispy and crunchy, perfect for anyone looking for a salty snack.

Hometown is a family-run operation, with a menu full of burger-joint staples like double bacon cheeseburgers, chicken strips and corn dogs. In addition to french fries, it also serves curly fries and onion rings. The diner has both indoor and outdoor seating."

105 N. Bear Lake Boulevard, Garden City
435-946-2727

Summer Grass

Photo by John Halkais, Ohio

Tour Of Utah In Bear Lake July 31

KSL SALT LAKE CITY — Professional cyclists from around the world will compete in the 13th annual Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah, which announced its 2017 race route Thursday.

The 600-mile competition is a seven-day, men’s professional stage bike race and will be held from July 31 to August 6. It will include 36,525 feet of elevation gain and three mountaintop finishes as part of “America’s Toughest Stage Race.”

The race will unfold in seven stages:

STAGE 1: Monday, July 31 - Logan
The Tour of Utah will begin in northern Utah in downtown Logan, then head up Logan Canyon. After climbing the King of the Mountain, the race will descend into Garden City and begin a 48-mile trip around Bear Lake.

The race will then pass through the southeast corner of Idaho for a second time, turning off Highway 89 in St. Charles and using Eastshore Drive to re-enter Utah. Riders will then return through Garden City and pass Utah State University to return to Logan on 100 East.

STAGE 2: Tuesday, August 1 - Brigham City to Snowbasin Resort
Stage 2 will begin in Brigham City as riders climb Sardine Canyon on the side of Mt. Sterling. The route will circumnavigate the Wellsville Mountains and return to the Cache Valley, then turn south and follow the “Fruit Highway” in Box Elder County. Heading back through the start line in Brigham City.

The race will then cross into Weber County and tilt up the North Ogden Divide and around Pineview Reservoir, finally finishing at Snowbasin Resort.

STAGE 3: Wednesday, August 2 - Big Cottonwood Canyon
Stage 3 will ascend Big Cottonwood Canyon from the Donut Falls Trailhead parking at Reynolds Gulch to the front door of Brighton Ski Resort. The route passes Solitude Ski Resort and the turnoff to Guardsman Pass.

STAGE 4: Thursday, August 3 - South Jordan City
Stage 4 will begin on Redwood Road next to South Jordan City Park and head to the west desert using State Roads 36 and 73 to connect to the old Pony Express Trail in Tooele County.

The course will cross Five Mile Pass and continue along Faust Road, ultimately finishing again in South Jordan.

STAGE 5: Friday, August 4 - Layton to Bountiful
Stage 5 will begin in Layton and travel through Hill Air Force Base for the first time. After traveling along the rural roads of Davis and Weber counties will pass through downtown Layton for a second time and head for the traditional two-lap finish in Bountiful across the Bountiful Bench.

STAGE 6: Saturday, August 5 - Soldier Hollow to Snowbird
Stage 6 begins in the southeast corner of the Heber Valley in the shadow of Mount Timpanogos at Soldier Hollow. After rolling out from Soldier Hollow, the racers will ride around Deer Creek Reservoir before tackling the Alpine Loop beside Sundance Resort.

Racers will then pass through American Fork Canyon and Timpanogos Cave National Monument and travel through Draper and Sandy before climbing up Little Cottonwood Canyon to Snowbird Resort.

STAGE 7: Sunday, August 6 - Salt Lake City
Stage 7 begins as in years past on the east side of the Utah State Capitol. There are 11 laps and the major climb of the circuit is along State Street. Racers will also pass Bonneville Boulevard around City Creek Canyon and take the serpentine turns around Reservoir Pass.

Stu Hopkin, 1934 - 2017

Vernon Stuart (Stu) Hopkin of Woodruff, Utah passed away at the age of 83 on July 6, 2017 at the Rocky Mountain Care facility in Evanston, Wyoming surrounded by his family. 

Stu was born on February 18, 1934 to Vern and May Hopkin in Ogden, Utah. He was the third of five children, and lived his entire life on the family ranch in Woodruff, Utah. He married Carol Gene Whitney (Cox) on August 15, 1960 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. 

Together they raised a family of 10 children. 

Stuart and Carol were lifelong faithful members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Stu held many callings throughout his life, including bishop, stake president and patriarch, and he and Carol served a mission to Charlotte, North Carolina and served together as temple workers. Service to his Savior, his family, and his fellowmen was always the most important aspect of Stu’s life. 

Stu was also a well-respected rancher and community member. He served as a county commissioner, and worked hard to run a successful ranch. He worked closely with the Utah State extension service to improve his cattle herd and range and farmland through record keeping, soil testing, animal nutrition, and cutting edge grazing and farming practices. He was one of the first ranchers in the area to computerize his cattle records and finances. 

To his family Stu will always be the ultimate example of kindness, humility, love and righteousness. Despite his many responsibilities and obligations, his wife, children and grandchildren always came first. 

Stuart is survived by his sisters Marian (Jack) Hickey and Millie (Jim) Albertson, his brother Bill (Vesta) Hopkin, his children Vern Hopkin, JoJean (Sim) Weston, Mary (Mark) Ackerman, David (Kim) Hopkin, Michael (Debbie) Hopkin, Melissa (Thad) Willis, Chris (Michelle) Hopkin, Jennifer (Chad) Bullen, Sara (James) Graf, and Andy (Lori) Hopkin, also 47 grandchildren and 29 great grandchildren. 

He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Carol, his brother Jim (Lael) Hopkin, and his grandson Jimmy Hopkin. 

Funeral services was held on Saturday, July 15, 2017 at the Woodruff, Utah LDS chapel at 11:00 am followed by interment in the Woodruff Cemetery.  

Thanks to all of Stuart’s friends and family for your love, prayers, and condolences. 

Motta Elected

Principal Kip Motta, Rich Middle School, has just been elected to the Board of Directors for the National Association of Secondary Principals. He is excited to serve the association and principals throughout Utah and NASSP Region 7.

Good Stuff

Eight Awesome Movies
By John Brown, The Man

Summer is a great time to catch up on great movies you haven’t seen because sometimes the movies that are released to the theaters during this time are contenders for the dud award.

I shall leave films such as Transformers: The Franchise Could Have Been So Cool or Pirates of the Caribbean: Johnny Depp Is Now Acting Really Weird nameless.

So instead of watching duds, try a couple of these movies, all of which are based on true stories.
Queen of Katwe. A tremendous film based on the true story of depicts Phiona Mutesi, a girl growing up in the slums of Katwe, a city in Uganda, who gets a chance to break out of that life with chess. You will come away having laughed and cheered and been touched in a poignant way. Highly recommended.

The Eagle Huntress. A fascinating documentary about the first girl in Mongolia to compete as an eagle hunter—these are folks who capture and
train golden eagles to hunt game like fox or rabbit. You’ll be introduced into a new and interesting culture that triggers you to think about your own.

The Founder. Ever wonder how McDonald’s got started? No, neither had I. Who cares, as long as the food is good, right? Well, if you’re like me, you’re in for an eye-opener. This tells the story of how Ray Kroc started McDonald’s, except, hint, he didn’t. Kroc is played by Michael Keaton. He’s one of my favorite actors, and I loved his performance. This story will fascinate you, and then make you think, and then make you really appreciate folks like Dave Thomas of Wendy’s.

Concussion. An engrossing, suspenseful film about the true story of Dr. Bennet Omalu and the tie between football and brain degeneration. Omalu was working as a forensic pathologist (one who figures out the cause of death) in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. In 2002, Omalu performed an autopsy on Mike Webster, a former NFL star who
played for the Pittsburg Steelers and is considered by some to be one of the best centers in NFL history. And his worked opened up a can of worms the NFL wanted to quash. I loved this film.

Hacksaw Ridge. This one is based on the true story of Desmond Doss, a Seventh-day Adventist who did not believe in killing, but wanted to support his country and all those going to war. So he goes into World War 2 as a medic and is sent to the Pacific theater. His first engagement is the Battle of Okinawa. And, oh my holy heck, what he did during that battle is nothing short of amazing. There’s one part of the film in boot camp that seemed out of place. Really, some dude back in the 1940s was going to do pull ups in the barracks naked (nothing but a bum is shown in the film)? But then I recall that growing up in the 70s and 80s that we guys showered in communal showers. And that wasn’t a big deal. And earlier than that, swimming at the swimming hole often meant shucking your clothes and jumping in. So who knows? We have a similar funny scene in Mulan, but for some reason that one felt more organic. This one felt tacked on. It was a gag for humor and then, thankfully, Mel Gibson, who directed this, got on with the awesome story of Doss.

Deepwater Horizon. This one is based on the true story of the Deepwater Horizon, an oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico that encounters a catastrophe. The details of how such rigs work and the issues involved are fascinating. But what will really get you is the heroism of the captain and crew.

In the Heart of the Sea. This is based on the true story of the whaleship Essex that was sunk in the Pacific in 1820 by a sperm whale and what the few that survived did to remain alive. Back in the 1700s and early 1800s, sperm whale oil, which was contained in the whale’s large head, was highly prized for lamps because it burned bright and odorless. It was also a great lubricant. Later the oil was replaced with kerosene and other and petroleum-based lubricants, but in those days there was a whole industry dedicated to harvesting it. I watched this with my teenage daughter, and we both found it a powerful tale.


The Finest Hours. This last one is based the book The Finest Hours: The True Story of the U.S. Coast
Guard's Most Daring Sea Rescue by Michael J. Tougias and Casey Sherman. It chronicles the 1952 United States Coast Guard rescue, in a dinky boat, of the crew of the SS Pendleton, a big tanker, after the ship split apart during a nor'easter off the New England coast. The movie was thrilling and heroic.

And after you watch all of those and want some more great films based on true stories, well, you won’t go wrong with Tom Hanks in Sully or Captain Phillips or Bridge of Spies.

Sunset

Photo by Amber Christiansen McKee, Laketown, Utah

Public Access Walkway Volunteers

Twenty five Shore Lodge Estates volunteers worked last Saturday to help Garden City build the new public access walkway at Legacy Beach.  Councilman Darin Pugmire, City engineer Zan Murray and several other city employees were there to help coordinate the efforts.  A second day will be necessary to complete the project.  Phil Olsen, representative from Shore Lodge Estates hopes that more volunteers will help  to finish the project.

Summer Morning

Photo by John Halkais, Ohio

New Tourism Board Recommended

Bobbie Bicknell Coray, Reporter

Rich Civic Times

RANDOLPH, Utah.  July 5, 2017.  At the last commission meeting Garden City Mayor, John Spuhler, said that there was a need for new people on the board which decides how TRT and other tourist taxes are spent.   The Commissioners agreed and asked Melinda Hislop, acting director of the Bear Lake Valley Convention and Tourist Bureau to recommend new members.

Hislop suggested that the board members need to be employees of businesses who collect the TRT taxes.  They must also be county residents and represent lodging, restaurants, recreation, conventions and cultural events.

The Commissioners suggested that they keep two members of the old board and replace three on an alternate year schedule for the four year terms.  Hislop will contact the people recommended and see if they are willing to sit on the board.

In addition the grant proposal has been updated to state that a match is not necessary to receive a grant, and that matches may be made in kind as well.  Hislop said that they will make sure that the funding is not mandatory to be matched, but noted that it helps to have other funding as the committee makes the decisions.

There will be a budget opening the first of October to add the additional $25,000 which has been given to the BLVCB into their budget.