Eighteen Wheeler Philosophy

Random thoughts of a Bucket Ass Truck Driver.

By Mel Hansen

 “I have to figure out what I want in life?  Whether to be happy!... or to be right!?”

The above quote comes from a book of crime fiction I’m currently listening to.

I try to learn something from everything I listen/read, be it factual or fiction. This little saying from the book really caught my attention, so much so that I turned off the book and thought about it for the biggest part of the afternoon.

Here’s what I’ve come up with...left alone with my own thought process.

I guess some people find happiness in being right...or in being “perceived” by others to be so, by sharing/showing them their “perceived” intellect. I think we all, at times, like to think/know we are right and everyone else should bow to our intelligence/opinions.  Especially since “we” are the “only ones” with sense/education enough to ”Throughly research the subject being discussed at the time. A highly educated person in a professional career can and is disputed by another highly educated person in the same career all the time. For me, being “right” in the human scheme of things is largely a matter of opinion/belief. It’s the same as someone being labeled beautiful, it’s all in the mind/eye of the individual/beholder.

I’m not slamming education. It’s extremely important! Are we seeking knowledge to be “right” and praise of others to fuel egos?  Or are we seeking knowledge in the pursuit of personal “happiness” and sharing it with others so they too can find happiness in learning?

I know I’m going to try harder to spend more time in finding happiness...rather than spending time in being perceived as being right.

New Year at the Lake

Photo by Carol Ann Dyer

 

Bear Lake Monster Winterfest Jan 22 - 24

 

The Bear Lake Monster Winterfest is Bear Lake’s biggest annual winter event. The next time this family friendly event is being held is on January 22-24, 2021. Most activities take place in the Utah Bear Lake State Park Marina and Sunrise Resort & Event Center. The state parks entrance fee at the Marina will be waived for those attending the event, with a hope that you’ll donate to The Family Place non-profit for which the event is fundraising. The event is put on by the Bear Lake Rendezvous Chamber of Commerce, Bear Lake Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau, Garden City Fire District, and Bear Lake State Park.

COVID-19 PRECAUTIONS: Masks will be required at all events per CDC and Bear River Health Department guidelines. Hand sanitizing stations will be available throughout the venues. Plunging will be done in staggered groups. If you are sick we invite you to stay home.

Monster Winter Sports & Trails Day

Friday 9am – 3pm
Logan Canyon Sinks Area

This FREE event provides an opportunity to try winter sports. There will be fat-tire bikes, snowshoes, snowmobiles, and tubes (for the kids). Free hot cocoa & treats. Free shuttle from the Marina and Sunrise Resort to the Logan Canyon Sinks area.

Sign up here for priority participation, or just show up for first come, first serve.

Monster Winterfest Social

Friday 4pm – 10pm
Sunrise Resort & Event Center

Free family-friendly fun! Activities for children of all ages. Pre-registration available for 5k, Monster Plunge, Cardboard Boat Regatta. Learn more.

Monster Taste of Bear Lake

Friday 5pm – 7pm
Sunrise Resort and Event Center – Sunrise Hall

Local restaurant specialties. $10 adults = 4 tickets, $5 children = 2 tickets (2 & under free)

Monster 5K Run/Walk

Saturday
8:30-9:30am – Packet pickup
10am – Race Begins
State Park Marina

Register in advance: Adults $30, Children $20, or Family of four is $60. Costume contest. Learn more.

Monster Outdoor Booths

Saturday 10am – 3pm
Bear Lake State Park Marina – Under The Tent

“Buy local, Eat Local”

Monster Cisco Disco Tournament

Saturday
11am-noon – Fish must be entered at the marina at this time

Dip net for Cisco fish on the east side of Bear Lake at dawn. Traditionally “Cisco Beach” is the best place to go. State Park entrance fee applies but is well worth it. You’ll also need to have a Utah fishing license.

Bring your BIGGEST little Cisco fish to the Utah State Park Marina. Cisco fish must be caught between 6am and noon on January 23, 2021. Winners announced at the Awards Ceremony.  Kid category and adult category both have great prizes. No cost to enter the contest.
Tournament Rules.  Learn more.

Monster Chili Cook-off

Saturday
9am – 11:30am – Check-in
12:30pm – Judging followed by public sampling

Judges will determine who has the best chili. Great prizes will be given to winners at the Awards Ceremony.  Cook registration is $5. Learn more.

Monster Cardboard Boat Regatta

Saturday
11am-Noon – Check-in your vessel
Noon – Competition begins
Bear Lake State Park Marina

Build your boat at home and bring it, or build Friday night at the Sunrise Resort. The race is on! Learn more.

Monster Plunge

Saturday
11am – 1pm – Check-in
1:45pm – Costume parade & Judging and plunge after
Bear Lake State Park Marina

“Go jump in a lake!” and help raise funds for The Family Place charity located in Garden City.

Costumes highly encouraged as there will be various prizes for groups and individuals. $30 per jumper includes an event hoodie for pre-plunge online registration.  Day of event registration is $35 between 11-1:00pm. Early registration is encouraged if you want to get a hoodie that is your size.

Plunging will be staggered to maintain Physical Distancing. Learn more.

Monster Raffle

Saturday, 12:30pm & 1:30pm
Bear Lake State Park Marina

Every vehicle entering the marina will get a raffle ticket. Must be present to win.

Monster Awards Ceremony & Fireworks

Saturday
Sunrise Resort and Event Center – Sunrise Hall
SPONSOR: Bear Lake Memorial Hospital

4pm – Award ceremony for Cisco Disco Tournament, Chili Cook-off, Cardboard Regatta, Plunge, and 5K.

Dusk – Fireworks; after fireworks please go visit our local restaurants for dinner

Cody’s Sweet Cream Pancake Breakfast

Sunday 8am – 11am
Cody’s Gastro Garage in Garden City

For the Grand Finale, join us Sunday from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. for Cody’s Sweet Cream Pancake Breakfast! All you can eat pancakes with 2 eggs and 2 strips of bacon at Cody’s Gastro Garage in Garden City for $5 for kids, $10 for adults!

Top of Form

New Years Eve Christmas tree burning and fireworks in Garden City, Utah

 

Rich County Library Book Drive

 

Rich County School District Board Meeting

  

Kathie B. Anderson, Reporter

Rich Civic Times                                                    

RANDOLPH, Utah.  November 17, 2020. James Gilbert, from Gilbert & Stewart CPAs, presented the annual independent audit of the School District’s finances.  The first section of the audit report covered the School District’s financial performance during the 2019-2020 school year.  The second section dealt with the District’s financial statements, including debt service and capital projects.  The third section compared the adopted budget with actual expenditures and revenues.  The audit included retirement reports, including net pension liabilities and contributions.  

It was reported that $80,000 was transferred to the food service fund to cover school lunch program costs because the amount originally budgeted ($90,000) wasn’t sufficient to cover unanticipated costs.  After completing his review of the audit report,  Gilbert stated that the School District received the highest marks for compliance with federal and state requirements.   Gilbert noted that the School District staff was extremely accommodating as his firm worked on the audit, which was quite time-consuming.  Appreciation was expressed to the auditors, Jennie Johnson, and staff members for making the audit happen.  Following the presentation, the audit was approved by the Board. 

Superintendent Dale Lamborn discussed the attendance policy, particularly protocols that are unique to COVED-19.  A new form was ratified respecting in-person learning.  Superintendent Lamborn reiterated that “this is a very difficult time in our country and our students need the best educational experience we can give them.”

Principal Rick Larsen presented a brief history of girls wrestling at Rich High School.  He stated that girls have been allowed to participate in the boys wrestling program in the past, but no girls have taken advantage of that opportunity.  Due to a Title IX lawsuit against the Utah High School Activities Association (UHSAA), girls wrestling has been sanctioned by the UHSAA.  Principal Larsen noted that, due to the number of girls who already participate in athletics at Rich High School, he doesn’t believe that there is a Title IX problem.  However, he recommended that a female assistant coach be selected for the new girls wrestling program.  He noted that girls will wrestle other girls, with no co-ed wrestling matches.  Lisa Jolly was recommended to fill the assistant coach position. 

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the Governor’s proclamation, it was announced that winter sports will not start until November 24th. 

 Amending the High School fee schedule was discussed.  Principal Larsen explained that some wood shop projects can be very expensive.  The current $10 fee covers the student’s first project.  After completing the first project, students are allowed to choose their own second projects, which have ranged in cost from $50 to $500, which is the ceiling for this fee.  Carpentry II was not on the fee schedule, so it was added with a $100 fee. 

Superintendent Lamborn reported that Lee Cornia has presented the names of Cole Weston and Shawn Walker as additional boys basketball coaches.  David Holmes is also working with the boys basketball team as an unpaid volunteer.  As noted earlier, Lisa Jolley will serve as the assistant coach over girls wrestling.  Travis Oborn will serve as the assistant boys basketball coach in the Middle School. 

After a lengthy discussion about the usage of School District buildings and facilities, it was determined that this item would be considered further during a future School Board meeting.