Summer Eats At Bear Lake

Ber’s

By Scott Heiner

One of the newest eateries in town is Ber’s located at the Lakeside Plaza across from the post office.  As I walked up to the window, my first question was  It comes from Amber Clark of Laketown who, when growing up has always gone by “Ber.”

“What does ‘Ber’s’ mean?”

Furthermore, saying the word “ber,” drawing it out as “burrrrrrrr” expresses the natural reaction to drinking ice-cold drinks.  Fittingly, ice-cold drinks are the specialty of Ber’s.  Amber has deep experience in food service, having worked many years at Quick & Tasty, Firehouse Pizza, and most recently Café Sabor.

Drawing on that experience, Amber has come up with a milkshake that is thicker and creamier than most in the area, but at a lower price.  Her formula lasts longer and melts slower.  Ber’s serves a wide variety of milkshakes, but they also have a line of unique mixed sodas.  I was impressed with their diverse selection of creative and interesting milkshakes and mixed drinks.

Their milkshakes included Cheesecake, Chocolate Raspberry, Mint Oreo, Reese’s PB Cup, S’mores, and Soda Float.  I ordered the Raspberry Lime which was an intriguing slant on a regular raspberry shake.

Their mixed sodas are called “Ber Necessities” and include such interesting items as Bear Laker (Coke-Raspberry-Vanilla-Cream), YOLO (Coke-Coconut-Fresh Lime), Ricky Rumble (7-Up-Grape-Fresh Lime), Campfire (Root Beer-Toasted Marshmallow-Cream) and Sucker Punch (Lemonade-Grapefruit-Fresh Lime).  If their menu of mixed sodas is not diverse enough, Ber’s also lets you “Build Your Own,” choosing your ingredients for a custom mix.

Ber’s hasn’t overlooked kids either.  They offer drinks especially targeted to the younger set with names like Pinkalicious, Big Fish, Quack Attack and Bear Lake Monster which include gummy Sour Patch Kids, sharks, ducks and alligators respectively.

Ber’s has certainly come up with every imaginable combination of ice-cold drinks, sure to please anybody’s particular taste.  Berrrrrrrrr!

Tony Grove

Photo by Carol Ann Dyer

Garden City Council Member reports

Anita Weston, Reporter

Rich Civic Times

GARDEN CITY, Utah.  June 13, 2019.  Council member Ken Hansen reported that the Library was given a donation of about $18,00 from Jason and Jill Johnson. This money will be used to help with the food pantry, that individuals from Randolph will come and help seniors instead of them having to go to Randolph when they have problems and/or questions etc.  The Library will replace all the computers and will get a new server and easier internet connections.  There will soon be video/audio conferencing ability, and there will be an educational network also available.  It will also be possible for authors of books to read their books to the children using the video/audio features.  

There will also be a family place where children can be dropped off in an emergency.  There will also be diapers and diaper bags available.  There is an opening for a full-time position for the Family Place. 

The rummage sale has always used the  LDS Church’s tables in the past.  However, Ken noted that it would be better if the City had some tables that could be used instead.  Mayor Leonhardt noted that there are several tables stored in the garage that could be used.

Council member Pat Argyle said that she needs helpers and volunteers for the Raspberry Days activities.  If anyone is interested in helping out, please get in touch with her.

Council member Howard Pope reported that currently, no signage is allowed telling people how far they have gone or how far the next section of trail road goes.  He thought that something should be done about that.  He also noted that there is an app that can be download with a PDF that will tell you what trail you are on.  Individuals can track with that app as well.

Pope also said that there is a significant amount of repair work on trails that needs to be taken care of.  He noted that it will probably be after Labor Day before any work will be done on the roads.  He asked if the City would be able to help in repairing some of the roads.  The Mayor reported that the City could probably provide some equipment but that volunteers will also be needed.

Richardson Trail is still a problem.  There are water issues there that need to be taking care of.

There is a lack of parking at trail heads.  UDOT stretched the Limber Pine area, but people will still have to load/unload, and then move the vehicles.  More and more people are using these trails.  There does need to be more and larger parking areas.  The Forrest Service doesn’t seem to want to help with this problem.

There is a parking lot to go up to Swan Flat.  UDOT is taking over parking at the top.  Hodges Trail Head is another access to get into the mountains.  There needs to be places to park after getting hiking equipment unloaded.  More and more people are coming all the time.

The Mayor said that the Forrest Service won’t allow guides.  However, some guides could be available in Garden City and Laketown that could help people to know where to go and how to get there.  The council  felt that apparently, the Forrest Service doesn’t want to protect people and the forest.  They are interested in keeping their budget the way it is.

There are some swimming pool issues.  However, it is currently up and going.  Maintenance is a problem. 

Pat Argyle noted that all the sod has been put down in Heritage Park.  A bid is out for some cement work and work has started in building the stage.  Raspberry Days is coming quickly.  This year, this holiday will be more family oriented.  There will be activities like trying to catch fish with your hands, targets for shooting contests and so forth.  There are some prizes that includes three guns, a 22 pistol, 15 knives, a raffle, etc.

There will be a children’s parade.  It will last about a half-an-hour before the regular parade.  It will probably stop at the LDS Church instead of going further south.  There are be tee shirts and mugs that will be given to the best floats.

The City has a deeded right of way into Heritage Park on the east end of the property next to Calders.  Having two entries and exits will be good where there are larger groups of people at the park.

Mayor Leonhardt noted that the pickle ball courts just north of the City Office are under construction.  

The speed limit in Garden City has been moved down to 35 MPH.   Cross walks on Logan Road between the post office and First West as well as the cross walk across Bear Lake Blvd. and 75 North by LeBeau’s will be put in place by August 1. 

Since Darrin Pugmire has moved from Garden City, a new individual needs to be appointed to fill the vacancy on the Town Council.  Jordan Perry has been asked to fill this vacancy.

Sun Diamonds in the Lake

Photo by Jim Stone

Garden City Council meeting

Anita Weston, Reporter

Rich Civic Times

GARDEN CITY, Utah.  June 13, 2019. The request for final approval for Phase I of Waterdance, a Planned Unit Development located approximately at 185 South 100 West owned by Norm Mecham was discussed.  It was noted that there are still several items that need to be completed:  center line on 150 South, Address numbers, construction side, lot 5 taken out to make sure open space was preserved, etc.   Mecham said he would finish up the items noted.  The motion was made and passed to give final approval for Phase I of Waterdance by the Board to Mecham.

Long Ridge Subdivision Plat needs an adjustment to the roadway alignment.  With this change, there will still be the same number of lots, but it will improve entry and exit.  The City Council made a motion to approve this realignment of the road.  The motion passed.

There were no public comments, so the motion was made and passed to move onto a Public Hearing concerning the next year’s City Budget.  The Mayor noted that work is being done at Heritage Park.  The City is also moving forward with the water project.  Currently there are four pickleball courts being cemented just north of the City Offices.  The bike path needs some work and some roads also need work done on them.   A motion was made and passed to close the Public Hearing.

A motion was made and passed to go into the RDA Public Hearing.  It was noted that this is the last year the City will receive RDA money.  This has been a good thing for the City and has been available to the City for approximately 20 years.  A motion was made and passed to close the RDA Public Hearing and go back into the Regular Meeting.

Ordinance #19-08 is an ordinance dealing with how to determine home building heights.  It was decided that the home height will be measured from the basement floor and should not go above 35’.  Chimneys and church spires may go above the 35’ level.  Some builders want to put a cupola on the top   It should be no larger than 20 square feet.

Ordinance #19-08 was discussed.  When a home is to be built on a sidehill, measurements for all four corners of the lot must be determined.  An average will be made from the four corner measurements and the results will be noted on a stake at one corner of the lot.  These measurements need to be made prior to any digging in the area. The building inspector will make sure that the height does not exceed the 35’.

The motion was made and passed to accept Ordinances #19-08.

Ordinance #19-17 is an ordinance updating the allowable height for a fence.  When a commercial building is built next to a residence home, the Business should be willing to build a fence as a buffer zone between the two zones.  It was determined that the fence could be up to 8’ in height.

The motion was made that a business owner will be required to build a fence up to 8’ to provide privacy between the business and a home.  The motion was passed.

Ordinance #19-18 was discussed.  The ordinance was updated to allow a fence to go as high as 8’.  A motion was made and passed.

A motion was made and passed to give budget approval for the General Fund, Enterprise Fund, SID Fund Capital Project Fund, and Beach Access Fund for the Fiscal year July 1, 201 to June 30, 2020.

The motion was made and passed that there will be a 3 percent pay increase for all City Employees.

The library needs a new board member.  Rhonda Menlove will no longer be serving on the board.  After a short discussion, the City Council Board decided that the new board member will be Melissa Hislop.  The motion was made and passed to invite Melissa Hislop to serve on the library board. 

Ken Hansen requested that the library board meetings be held after 5 p.m. instead of in the afternoon.  He would like to attend the meetings, and he is at work until 5 p.m.  The Library Board said that time would be fine.

The motion was made and passed to make Barbara Turnbow chairman of the Library Board..

Garden City licenses for new business and short term rentals

Anita Weston, Reporter

Rich Civic Times

GARDEN CITY, Utah.  June 13, 2019.  Four new companies had requested business licenses so they can open their businesses in Garden City.  The first request was from BG’s Fab Shop, LLC.  James B. Davis would like to conduct a metal art, fabrication and light repair business at 1499 South Bear Lake Blvd.  After a brief discussion, it was decided by the Board to give him a temporary license with the request that he be at the next meeting to answer the questions giving the needed information desired by the Board Members concerning this new business.

Tamara Myers requested a business license to conduct a short-term rental management company at 886 Cambry Drive.  This is located at Bear Lake Lookout.  It was noted by the board members that there is a great deal of traffic in that area.  Also, they wanted to know if each group renting the short-term rental would need to come to the office for keys for the rental building or how She would be handling this item.  The Board decided to grant a temporary license with the request that Tamara Myers come to the next board meeting to answer the questions raised by the location and how she was going to handle this business.

Clair Webb, the owner of Bridgerland Adventure Park, requested a business license for recreational activities and serve food at 722 S First Light Drive.  There are some items that need to be finished.  The motion was made and passed to provide Webb with a temporary license that will be good until the next Town Council Meeting.  At that time,  Webb will be able to make sure everything is complete and ready to go.

Kirk Topham owns Bike Bear Lake, LLC.  He requested a license to rent bikes and e-bikes.  He will have a maintenance business to take care of the bikes.  He will also have retail sales of miscellaneous items such a gloves, helmets, items that may be needed by bike riders.  He will set the bikes on the deck at 88 South Bear Lake Blvd.  This location is the construction trailer at Waters Edge.  He will also saw out bears using a chain saw or an electric saw. These carvings are popular, and people will enjoy watching him make them.  The Council Members thought that the saws would be too loud, and people in the neighborhood would complain.  The motion was made to grant the business license for a one-month trail.  If the neighbors complain, they will request that he not carve the bears in that location.

Ken Hansen noted that if individuals requesting a business license would attend this meeting, they could answer all questions asked and get their licenses at least one month earlier than having to come to the next meeting.   Because these individuals were not present, only temporary licenses were given which means that next month these business individuals will need to be present to clarify the questions that the Board needs answers to.  It would be much better if the individuals seeking business licenses would attend the regular meeting at the time the business license requests were made. 

There were six requests for short-term rental licenses as follows: 

Rhett Tatton has a home at 576 Aspen Drive and would like to rent this home.  Kerry Wyman will be manger over this short-term rental.

B. Bull, LLC. has a home at 297 Snowmeadows Circle that will be managed by Jordan or Sheri Hardinger. 

Chuck Stocking is renting his home located at 30 W. Tamarind Way and Vacasa LLC will be managing this property.

Lynette Kap’s home at 983 Snowmeadows, and it will be managed by Vacasa, LLC.

Devin Olson has aa home at 616 S. Maple Drive.  Vacasa, LLC. will also manage this property.

Derek and Diane Eliason have a home at 567 W. Raspberry Patch Road.  Monte Transtrum will be the manager of this property. 

All the above properties were granted sort-term rental licenses.

Mary Ann Gilbert 1946 - 2019

Mary Ann Gilbert passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones Monday afternoon July1,2019.

Mary Ann was born October 2, 1946 in Richfield, UT to Blaine & Anna Dean Hatch. She came into this world with her twin brother, Michael, with an unsure fate. But those two little babies beat the odds, and survived. 

Mary Ann married Kenneth Gilbert, they resided in Draper, UT and had two beautiful daughters, Marnie & Holly. They later divorced. 

She was a lover of animals, always willing to give a home to a pet in need, all of her many pets found their way to her, not the other way around. In addition to animals, she loved her family & her Heavenly Father. 

Mary Ann became active in the LDS church again in the late 90s and moved to the scenic lakeside town of Garden City, UT for a fresh start. She purchased a little house with a beautiful view of Bear Lake and worked hard to make it a home for herself. While living in Garden City she worked for several years at the Motor Lodge restaurant as a cook. She enjoyed her time there and loved seeing and cooking for the people of the community that she loved so much. She later left the Motor Lodge in order to spend more time caring for her ailing parents and twin brother. She selflessly cared for all 3 of them simultaneously for several years until they each passed on.

In her free time Mary Ann enjoyed cooking, coloring, gardening-- carefully being sure to water each and every tree on her property, watching Nascar, and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. 

She is survived by her daughter Holly Cox of Sterling, UT. sister Trudy Martinez (Pam Eoff) of Murray, UT, Brother Kevin (Cathy) Hatch of Sandy, UT. 7 Grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren, 1 niece and 2 nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Blaine and Anna Dean Hatch, her daughter, Marnie Gilbert, and her twin brother, Michael. 

She will be remembered as a loving and positive influence in all of our lives. Willing to serve and lend a hand or a listening ear for anyone in need. A strong, independent woman who didn't let her life experiences break her, but make her a better person for herself and her family. A person with a great sense of humor and an infectious laugh. To say she will be missed is a severe understatement. We loved her then and we will love her always. 

Funeral services will be 12:00 Noon, Tuesday, July 9, 2019 at the Garden City LDS church, 65 South Bear Lake Blvd, Garden City, Utah with a viewing prior to services from 11:00 am to 12:00 Noon. Interment in the Garden City Cemetery. 

Online condolences at www.premierfuneral.com.