Good Stuff

Is the sky falling?
By John Brown

When we politicize science it sure seems that way.

For example, a while back I reviewed The Big Fat Surprise by Nina Teicholz. What she found in her research about fat and sugar was that we followed the exact wrong diet path over the last 40 years by (1) rushing to judgment on the science in a field that was tricky and (2) politicizing it. This, in turn, affected the science. And not in a good way. Here's a quote from the book.

"Once ideas about fat and cholesterol became adopted by official institutions, even prominent experts in the field found it nearly impossible to challenge them. One of the twentieth century's most revered nutrition scientists, the organic chemist David Krivtchesky, discovered this thirty years ago when on a panel of the National Academy of Sciences, he suggested loosening the restriction on dietary fat. "We were jumped on!" he told me. "People would spit on us!...they were so angry that we were going against the suggestions of the American Heart Association and the National Institutes of Health"

"This kind of reaction met all experts who criticized the prevailing view on dietary fat, effectively silencing any opposition. Researchers who persisted in their challenges found themselves cut off from grants, unable to rise in their professional societies, without invitations to serve on expert panels, and at a loss to find scientific journals that would publish their papers. As a result, for many years the public has been presented with the appearance of a uniform scientific consensus on the subject of fat, especially saturated fat, but this outward unanimity was only made possible because opposing views were pushed aside."

For the rest of us, the result has been the highest obesity and diabetes rates we've ever seen.

Easter Sunset

Photo by Mimi Payne

Clear Spring Lake

Photo by Carol Ann Dyer

Garden City Council Reports

Bobbie Bicknell Coray, Reporter 

Rich Civic  Times

GARDEN CITY, Utah. April 9, 2020.  Councilman Howard Pope said that there are people in town who are concerned about the people coming in from outside to shelter in place in their homes or short term rentals may bring COVID 19 with them.    CentraCom has had a lot of orders to connect internet and phone service.  They do try to screen people by asking how many are in the home and if anyone has fever or other symptoms.  But unfortunately many are not being honest and when they arrive to connect there are three families in the home instead of the two or three people as promised.  He and his crew wear masks and gloves to do service. 

Mayor Leonhart said that the folks who have second homes belong here. “We can’t tell them not to come, and how would you enforce that?  So tell them to just follow the CDC rules.”

Pope said that the majority of visitors have been good, but they need to not bring kids to the grocery store who run around and touch everything against CDC rules, nor should they stand in line close together at food stands.

Councilwoman Pat Argyle said that Raspberry Day plans are ongoing.  They will cancel the kids parade,  but the regular parade plans are doing well. 

Argyle said that it is time to lay out the park with double gates around parking.   Public Works  are  making the city parks look good.  Some of the solar lights will be replaced with electric lighting at the park.  The new playground equipment has arrived and after the stay at home restrictions are off, they will be installed.

Councilman Ken Hansen told the Council that the  Library has been doing things for kids during this time.  They spear headed the  Bear Hunt which encouraged locals to put bears on their porches and decks for kids to drive by and spot.  They are designing a local cook book for a fundraiser.  No one used the Food Pantry this month, perhaps because the library is closed, they need to announce that the Pantry is still open for people who need food assistance.

Hansen said he talked to County Commissioner Bill Cox about the City partnering with the County to sweep the new bike path. “We partner with them on many things. The county has done some really nice things for Garden City over the  last few years.”   Mayor Leonhart added that the county has been so good to work with.

Councilman Howard Pope told the Council about trails. The City is upgrading their trails with DWR money.  The Garden City Trail is still full of snow and water run-off, but it needs to be groomed for snowmobiles and ATV. DWR has granted $40,000 for grading and using City equipment can make the money go further.  Pope thinks there might also be some equipment help from the County to put in culverts, gravel and some grading.  Mark Hislop said that Brian Hirschi is willing to use some of his crew and equipment to help as well.

The Hodges Canyon Trail is on Forest Service land but adjoining property owners want to shut the trail down.  The Forest Service has offered to pay to fence off the property owners. The property owners want to shut down the trail, but it is Forest Service land.  So the fence may be a good solution. 

Mark Hislop asked about a single track non-motorized bike trail along the canal and was told that the canal property owners are in control of that right of way.

Mayor Leonhart said that the runaway truck ramp bids have been awarded to a local contractor. They will start at the end of April have it done by July.  Traffic light at the intersection will be installed by the end of June.  The turning lane into KOA is being worked on.  The Marina entrance has been staked while the Army Corps of Engineers approvals are being worked on.  The Mayor sent a letter to build a overhead bike path to the Marina, and the state is looking into it.

Garden City Council Meeting

Bobbie Bicknell  Coray, Reporter
Rich Civic Times

GARDEN CITY, Utah. April 9, 2020.  Garden City Mayor Mike Leonhart told the Council that the Bear Lake Valley Chamber of Commerce has been working with local businesses during this difficult time. Many local businesses are applying for CARES grants and job creation grants.  Businesses are doing virtual work if possible and restaurants are offering curbside service  and deliveries. 

 “We have 45 days before Memorial Days and are telling guests to be respectful of public health and community resources.” He said.  “The vacation rentals have been flexible about cancellation to encourage people not to cancel right away.”

Moab, another tourist area, is trying to educate its visitors about how limited the health care is there. We share many of the same concerns in Rich County.

Mark Hislop was just elected as president of the Chamber.  Rosalie Noorda is the new Chamber Director. She said that the  Chamber is designing a new website and rewriting bylaws. They have visited many of the businesses and helped to coordinate with other businesses in the  area.

Hislop and Noorda  think that this summer will be packed because people will not be traveling out of the area as much.  They are working with other chambers in the region as well as with elected officials and The Bear Lake Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Tami Leonhart, Director of the Bear Lake Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau, said they are getting half of the leads for summer now, but there are a lot of phone calls about campgrounds. KOA and Adventure Park are filling up.  She said that camp trailers are selling like hot cakes and feels that by June we will have more reservations, currently the KOA will not rent out cabins, just trailer spots. 

Vacasa Property Management for short term rentals has shut down until May offering no short term rentals.

Ads in the Deseret News got a lot of clicks, Leonhart said.  Idaho does no advertising. “We need to advertise what is open, promoting “plan now play later when it is safe.”  

Mayor Leonhart said that “it is important we all work together, because this is going to be a hard summer.  Raspberry Days planning is still moving forward and soon an activities brochure will be out with concerts and activities for visitors.”

Leos Bear Lake Water Adventures renting paddle boards and kayaks at Lakeside Park Beach was given a license. Waterdance PUD phase two was approved.

Council members were given a proposed budget to review.  Mayor Leonhart said that they needed to be very conservative because  no one knows what our tax revenues will be.

The City received a $100,000 to build  a baseball field at the park which must be used by October.   

  

The City sponsored a virtual Bingo game with prizes from local restaurants.  The City purchased gift certificates. “We want to liven up things and buying gift  cards from local restaurants help them during this time. Quick and Tasty opens this weekend.  

State Parks are closed to anyone who is not from the county.

Solitary Moment

Photo by Sharon Heiner

Census 2020

TAKE THE 2020 CENSUS ONLINE TODAY

https://2020census.gov/

Much of the funding we receive to improve our county comes from the numbers on the census. If you live in Rich County your registration really counts. Because most in the county has not received their hand delivered questionnaire, we've only got about 1% responses to date! This will hurt funding!

COVID-19 Situation Report

April 10, 2020
www.brhd.org
BEAR RIVER HEALTH DEPARTMENT

Partners and Stakeholders: In an effort to answer questions and keep you informed about the Bear River Health Department’s response during this COVID 19 outbreak, we will try to provide you with a daily situation update Monday through Friday. If pressing issues arise during the day or on a weekend we will notify you at that time rather than waiting for the next daily update. Feel free to share this update with your partners.

Bear River Health Department supports the orders and guidance provided by our federal and state leaders. Copies of all orders and guidance documents can be found on our webpage.

Situation in Bear River Health District

CUMULATIVE LAB-CONFIRMED POSITIVE COVID-19 STATISTICS
Rich County has no confirmed  cases.  The three county area has confirmed 42 cases, 8 hospitalized and no deaths.

BEAR RIVER HEALTH DEPARTMENT UPDATES:

Bear River Health Department has received a number of generous donations of masks and other personal protective equipment (PPE) over the last couple weeks. These donations are greatly appreciated and are used to fill requests we receive from the community. We receive requests for masks and PPE regularly. We evaluate the needs and our supplies, and do our best to provide these items to the community and our partners. Thank you so much for your contributions.

DID YOU KNOW?

Many people in our community have been reaching out, wanting to donate homemade masks in response to the CDC’s recommendation to wear face coverings in public settings, especially in areas of significant community-based transmission. In response to the community’s eagerness to help, the BRHD Tremonton office is now accepting homemade mask drop-offs with the following plan:

- People donating masks should bring them to the Tremonton building (440 W 600 N). Give us a call, our doors are currently locked.

- BRHD employees will wash all donated masks with an onsite washing machine.
- Those who want a mask can call us and pick them up from our parking lot during business hours.
- Masks will be distributed on a first come, first serve basis.
- Masks are not issued by BRHD, but are donations from our generous community members.
- Homemade masks are not approved, medical grade PPE, but they can help decrease the spread of viruses.
- Call 792-6500 and ask for Rebekah Rees or Jordan Miller.

Intermountain Healthcare is also accepting mask donations. Anyone wishing to donate supplies to IHC should email donatesupplies@imail.org.

We appreciate the community response in working together and supporting each other during this pandemic.

More information for Utah can be found at: https://coronavirus.utah.gov/

LaVera "Vera" Fillmore Moldenhauer 1929 - 2020 A friend of Bear Lake

Oct. 29, 1929 - Apr. 10, 2020
Date of Service: Apr. 15, 2020

After living a full life, LaVera Fillmore Moldenhauer returned to her heavenly home on a beautiful spring morning, April 10, 2020. She passed away peacefully with her daughter, LuAnn, holding her hand at Sunrise Senior Living in Sandy, Utah.

Mom was born to Burt Paulous Fillmore and Marvel Cloward Fillmore, on October 29, 1929. She had a wonderful childhood in the small community of Springdale, Idaho. She was the youngest in a large family and was lovingly spoiled by her brothers and sister. She picked raspberries, gathered eggs, and made many wonderful memories.

Her childhood playmates would become lifelong friends known as the ‘Golden Girls’. They loved to get together every year to have new adventures, reminisce, and always laugh. Mom treasured her Golden Girls as beloved friends and sisters. What a sweet reunion in heaven with Donna Rose and Louise. If you listen carefully . . . you may hear the giggles.

Mom attended one year of Brigham Young University and was a Cougarette. In the summer of 1949, Mom went on a blind date with Lew Moldenhauer from Heyburn, Idaho. They married in Burley, Idaho, August 10, 1949, and were later sealed in the Idaho Falls Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1955.

Mom was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She had many leadership callings and always gave 100%. She loved working with the sisters of the Church including those of the Relief Society and Young Women organizations. Mom was a dedicated visiting teacher and reached out to many with quiet, compassionate service.

Vera and Lew served a mission for the Church in 1992, to the Salt Lake City Temple Square Mission. They had wonderful experiences and loved being missionaries. One of their most treasured memories was that of the young sister missionaries from around the world and seeing them in action with their many talents and abilities.

Mom and Dad spent their lives working together in the grocery business. In 1975, their dream of running their own business was fulfilled when they opened Lew and Dan’s IGA in Soda Springs, Idaho.

Mom loved to work. She would come home from a busy day at the grocery store and iron clothes to relax. She loved to read the newspaper at night in bed. The thing that Mom most loved to do was talk, and she would talk to anyone. As Dad was nearing the end of his earthly life, Mom was wondering what she would do. Dad counseled her to use her greatest talent and make people feel needed. That she did. At Sunrise Senior Living, Mom was always seen saying hello, visiting, and encouraging others.

Mom was very proud of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. As they would visit her, she was always so impressed with their kindness to her and what good, honorable people they had become.

Vera and Lew were the proud parents of three children: daughter, Lucy Loosli (Wayne), Spokane, Washington; son, Dan Moldenhauer (Debbie), Gilbert, Arizona; daughter, LuAnn Clegg (Scott), Draper, Utah. They have 12 grandchildren and 34 great-grandchildren.

Since Dad’s passing in 2016, Mom lived at Sunrise Senior Living in Sandy, Utah. She loved the staff and their caring and kindness to her. She enjoyed attending the Sunrise Branch of the Church and appreciated the love of the Branch and Relief Society presidencies. The Sunrise staff and Branch were a source of great comfort on many occasions. The family will be forever grateful to these women and men for their goodness to Mom.

Vera joins her husband, Lew; parents, Burt and Marvel Fillmore; sisters, LaVonda Parsons and Lucille Fillmore; brothers, Albert, Phil, Lee, Ray, and Keith; and son-in-law, Wayne Loosli.

Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, a private family viewing and graveside service will be held in Burley, Idaho on April 15 at the Pleasant View Cemetery under the direction of Rasmussen-Wilson Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that a donation be made to Latter-day Saint Charities (Humanitarian services found at latterdaysaintcharities.org) of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.