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Saturday, June 27, 2020

Adventure Park at Bear Lake

Photo by Lauriann Wakefield, Little Starling Photography

Marina Access update

Project Update
The current marina access off US-89 only allows 9 vehicles with trailers to queue. The decision has been made to move forward with the dual lane entrance design accommodating vehicles from both directions into the marina and increasing the number of queuing vehicles from 9 to 39. 

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Better Access and a New Pedestrian Crossing
Along with the dual lane entrance, the existing access directly adjacent to the roundabout at the marina entrance will be closed.  Vehicles may enter at the new signalized intersection at US-89 and Raspberry Patch Road and exit at the north marina access.

In addition, a new street level, pedestrian crossing with safety flashers will be installed at the overflow access road connecting to the multi use trail for pedestrians to cross the road safely. This pedestrian crossing will be activated by pushing a button and will alert on-coming traffic to slow down and stop for pedestrians waiting to cross.

The crosswalk connection to the marina entrance on the east side of the road will be a  widened shoulder path separated from the travel lanes by curb. Signage will be added directing people from the crosswalk to the marina entrance. 
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The design is in the final stages and should be completed by this Fall. It is anticipated that construction on this project would begin Spring 2021. 

Please contact us with any additional questions.
UDOT Project Team    

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Garden City Road Project Updates

Traffic Signal Installation

It is anticipated that this Monday, June 29th, crews will be paving the formalized entrance into Rasperry Square. The parking lot will still be accessible through the additional access north of the intersection. Parking will still be available but might be slightly limited due to equipment.
Beginning on Tuesday, June 30th through Wednesday, July 1st, crews will be chip sealing the intersection of US-89 and Bear Lake Boulevard. Work will begin on one half of the intersection and move to the other side of the intersection when complete. Flaggers will be in place to help traffic move through the intersection and delays are expected to be minimal.
No construction work will take place over the July 4th holiday weekend and will resume Tuesday, July 7th.
This project will install a new traffic light signal at the intersection of U.S. 89 and Bear Lake Boulevard, improve pedestrian facilities, and formalize the driveway into Raspberry Square. The project is anticipated to be completed by the end of July.
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Truck Escape Ramp Project

Last week, crews completed work on the east escape ramp footing and will begin work on the west ramp footing. Construction work will continue to take place on the east side of the shoulder and will have minimal traffic impacts.
VMS signs around the project will advertise slowing down through the area due to the lanes being slightly more narrow through the project zone.
No construction work will take place over the July 4th holiday weekend and will resume as early as Monday, July 6th.
This project is anticipated to be completed by the end of the summer.

Garden City Fireworks at Heritage Park


Chamber Business Forum on Covid 19

GARDEN CITY, Utah. June 26, 2020. We would like to thank everyone that participated in our open forum last night. Here is a recap of the ideas that came forth that we would like to share with our membership:

Mayor Mike’s comments:
● He represented that in his discussions with State officials yesterday they are doing all
they can to allow individual counties and towns to govern themselves through this
recent uptick in confirmed cases
● Local officials of Garden City and Rich County have no plans to request a return to an
orange status as defined by the State’s Covid Recovery Plan. Going to a Green status
has been pushed back due to the uptick in cases
● He supports us as individual owners and operators to do all we can to protect ourselves
and our employees from the spread of the Virus. Included in those recommendations
are the reminders to implement the following:
-Frequently disinfect high touch areas
-Wash hands frequently and provide hand sanitizer where possible
- Be aware of symptoms that might indicate an infection
- Encourage through signage and our own examples appropriate social distancing
-Wear face coverings when in close quarters with others.
Ideas put forth for consideration from members present:
● Educate our employee force with continual reminders about the importance of
following your set rules within the walls of your business but ALSO remind and educate
them as to the precautions they should be taking while off work. Help them
understand the consequences of infection and the impact it would have on the
continuity of the business and their ability to work
● Try and reinforce the idea that as they receive customers the assumption is that they
are infected and how they should act to protect themselves and their fellow employees
● As owners and leaders in the community, lead by example in this effort

We as a chamber of commerce fully believe in the responsibility and accountability of these type
of issues should be handled at the company level. We will continue to defend our ability to
govern ourselves as individuals and businesses with our local government officials. They have
been supportive and great partners in our business community and we publicly thank them. We
encourage each of us to be sensitive and respectful to our fellow members and local citizenship
as we navigate this summer.

We look forward to our Fourth of July fireworks celebration and will be there to remind patrons to
distance themselves throughout the park.

Thanks to all our members,
Chamber Leadership

Monday, June 22, 2020

Eighteen Wheeler Philosophy

D-Day Shadow Box
By Mel Hansen

I’ve posted quite a few times/pictures about...June 6th, 1944...better known in History as D-Day.
When the combined forces of the Allied nations stormed the shores of Normandy France to defeat Hitler.

My Uncle, Sherril Beck, from the tiny farming/country town, Ovid Idaho, was killed along with the rest of the men in the landing craft (28 young Americans) on Omaha Beach. He was 14 days from his 20th birthday.

D-Day, recently, became a great deal more personal and special to me. My nephew, Aaron Whitmill, this past year took a Military History trip with some of his friends to places in the US, England and France.

Omaha Beach was one of the stops.

Aaron too, is a history buff, all his life he’s been told about the sacrifices of his Great Uncle, his Grandpa and others who served and died. All through his trip he kept me in mind with well-informed pictures and texts, of which I greatly appreciated!

His experience on Omaha Beach was...emotional. His tour guide, knowing that Aaron’s Great Uncle had been killed there, separated him from the rest of the group, took him to a place where they had researched and believed was the closest spot our Uncle's landing craft was supposed to have landed, perhaps the place where he was killed, and then left Aaron alone to be by himself to greater feel and experience the last place of the life of our Uncle who was still a teenager! Along with thousands of others.

Aaron made/brought this shadow box for me in memorial to our Uncle. In it is a blown up picture of the spot on Omaha Beach, a picture of our Uncle Sherril Beck and where he might’ve been.
There’s a 1” round stone. German Gen. Erwin Rommel, had wide trenches dug behind the beaches and filled with these stones where soldiers would sink up to their knees and become bogged down making them easier targets for death.

A round America flag, with soldiers storming the beach, medallion. Given to members of families of those who lost loved ones there that day.

In the little silver bottle with the cork is sand Aaron took from the spot. A place in the sand that 76 years ago very well could’ve been stained red from the spilled blood of 28 young dead American Heroes.

But just as great as the Shadow Box he made for me, is the letter in the envelope he wrote that came with it. In the letter he shared with me his personal experience of that day on Omaha Beach. It’s very personal and touching. I’m not ashamed to say...”Tears flowed!”The Shadow Box, along with his letter, is one of my prized possessions!

In trying to take a picture of this Shadow Box...of which I took many! Trying to eliminate myself...or other background scenery... I couldn’t do it! It was making me upset! Until it finally dawned on me...that’s why they probably call it a...Shadow Box! (I’m not the brightest shadow!)

You can’t do it! You’re forced to either look at your own or something else’s reflection along with seeing what’s inside of the box.

So seeing my own reflection in this D-Day Memorial Box to our Hero Uncle has made me evaluate myself.

Do I even remotely deserve to be even a shadow or reflection in the box with someone who was willing to give ALL of his dreams of tomorrows so I can live my today’s and dreams of tomorrow’s? Can I at least try to do my best to honor him by appreciating, living, even protecting...the very freedoms he died for?

I know his Great Nephew, Aaron Whitmill, is committed. He’s a hero himself! He’s a Paramedic First responder Fireman. Puts his life on the line daily for others.

Aaron belongs in the Shadow Box of Honor.

I need to step up my game! It doesn’t take much, a kind word or gesture. Respect for each other. Learn how to be civil in disagreement with others who don’t believe or think as I do and remain friends. Take the time to help someone.

Spend more time with our spouses and family. I personally believe that’s truly where things need to happen to make the world a better place, and make us all worthy of....Shadow/Reflection Boxes.


Randolph Walking Tour

"The Self Guided Walking Tour is available on Friday. We have been working for about six months on it and it’s finally finished and published. I have had such an opportunity working with Lisa Duskin-Goede from the Heritage Center and what a learning process and fun journey it has been," said Maydi Kennedy Eastman.

https://www.facebook.com/bearlakeTV/videos/950396092099962/?t=50



Garden City Library Fundraising Cookbook


Rich County School Board Meeting

Kathie B. Anderson, Reporter
Rich Civic Times

RANDOLPH, Utah.  June 18, 2020. The 2019-2020 Final Budget was approved by the Board.  However, because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Budget may need to be amended later.

The “new normal” school year may require medical supplies, masks,  hand sanitizer, etc. which may change the entire budget.

New staff for the 2020-2021 school year will be Leslie Argyle-Cheer/Dance Adviser- Rich High School, Andrea Carlisle-Kindergarten Teacher-North Ridge Elementary, and  Mr. Jolley-Laketown Campus.

The following seniors  received Associate Degrees from Utah State University:  Kyler Wilson, Taylor Jacobsen, Sydney Hatch, Hailey Davis, Kiya Cluff,  Elianna Brown, and Kendall Stapel.

Policy 314.5, regarding middle school graduation, was discussed by Principal Motta and Superintendent Lamborn regarding graduation requirements.

The Board had a long discussion concerning this change. The policy will now state that there will be NO student retention if a student needs remedial help with a subject. The student will be assigned to a teacher, a counselor, or the Principal to help the student master the subject at school.  Principal Motta and Superintendent Lamborn explained that research shows that holding a student back is detrimental to a student, both emotionally and mentally.

The Board passed a motion not to hold students back, on a 4 to 1 vote.

Approval of a 4 day school week was passed, which is a process that must be requested each year.

Weston Taylor, District Counselor,  presented a Comprehensive Counseling Report to the Board.  This is an annual report that is required by the State Board of Education  to show what programs have been implemented by Taylor.  A comprehensive report can be found on the Rich County School District website.

The new building projects are on schedule, with a few items still needing to be completed and accepted, but the Superintendent  is pleased with the overall progress.

The reopening of schools will still be contingent on how the pandemic continues to play out.    Most K-12 schools in Utah are expected to welcome students back this fall, according to  new guidance released Wednesday by the Governor.  Mark Peterson, spokesman for the Utah Board of Education
was quoted as saying “We’re anxious to get back.”

Summer Online Educational Opportunity


This summer Numerade is offering completely free online camps designed to help students prep for the exact courses they'll be taking in the coming school year & beyond. Our organization is dedicated to closing the educational opportunity gap, and we’re eager to help students through free and valuable opportunities. We currently have over 3000 students participating.

Instructed by our experienced team of PhDs and college professors, we have ten unique 8-week camps covering a variety of STEM subjects including...

CAMP SESSION OPTIONS:

If you could pass along this information to students and parents and/or post to your newsletters or website, we’d greatly appreciate it (and we think they will too!). Again we’re offering these courses completely free. Here is where to register: Numerade Summer Camp Registration

Additionally, I wanted to share about a free video creation and sharing platform called Office Hours. This allows instructors to easily create and share videos with students and allows for students to ask questions all in one place. It’s completely free to use. This platform was recently featured in ASCD In-Service Publication. Sign up here to learn more about how to support distance learning in the Fall. 


Andrea Crawford
Numerade Partnerships Team


Poppies of Summer

Photo by Peni Nelson Stevens

Bear Lake Regional Commission budget hearing

Public Notice

The Bear Lake Regional Commission is seeking approval of its interim budget for the 2019/2020 year at its next regularly scheduled meeting to be held June 24, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. Garden City Convention Center, 69 North Paradise Parkway, Bldg. C, Garden City, Utah.  A copy of the proposed budget may be obtained by contacting the Bear Lake Regional Commission during regular business hours at 435-946-2198.

Truck Escape Ramp Project

Paving operations have been completed and the temporary signal and speed reduction have been removed. VMS signs will continue to advertise slowing down through the area due to the lanes being slightly more narrow through the project zone.

Crews are working on the shoulder and traffic impacts are anticipated to be minimal, but please check the UDOT Traffic app for the most current information. This project is anticipated to be completed by the end of the summer.

James Arthur Ruggles 1935 - 2020

James Arthur Ruggles, age 85 of Syracuse, UT, passed away in his home early on Monday, June 8th. Jim was born outside of Boston in Everett, MA on April 17, 1935. After attaining a degree in
Business Administration and Sales, Jim entered the U.S. Army and became a Tech Sergeant and Nuclear Artillery Weapons Assembly Instructor. Following his time in the service, Jim dedicated his career working for General Motors until his retirement.

Jim had a strong affinity for planes and could spend hours watching trains travel by. He was known to thoroughly enjoy a New England lobster dinner and anyone who knew him could expect a bowl of peanut M&M’s to be within reach.

Jim and Marlene lived in Garden City, Utah for many years.

He is survived by his wife Marlene Ruggles, his children, Jay Ruggles of Saginaw, TX,  JoAnne Andolina of West Seneca, NY, Lelynn Ruggles of Bellevue, WA, Kathryn Ruggles of New Castle, CO as well as grandchildren and extended families.

He will be missed by all that enjoyed a good debate, some common sense advice and a cold beer.

Jim will be laid to rest at the Utah Veterans Cemetery and Memorial Park at Camp Williams, UT.

May he rest in peace…in a comfy chair…on a heavenly train station platform.