Winterfest Social - Friday, Jan 26

Bear Lake Monster Winterfest Jan 27th

This Saturday, January 27 is the 9th annual Bear Lake Monster Winterfest. Come join us for some family fun. The state parks entrance fee at the Marina is waived - donate to the event charity instead.

Dawn: Monster Cisco Disco at Cisco Beach on the east side of Bear Lake - Dip net for cisco fish during the natural cisco run. Some dip nets available for kids & first-timers. State park entry fee and fishing license needed.

10am-3pm: Monster Expo at the Marina - Breakfast, Lunch, crafts, and more!

9am-Noon: Monster Chili Cook-off at the Marina - Spots still available for those that want to take their shot at some great prizes! Public sample tasting is at 12:30pm

11am-Noon: Monster Cisco Fishing Tournament at the Marina- Bring in your biggest little Cisco for measuring and potentially win some fantastic prizes. Winners announces at 12:30pm.

2pm: Monster Plunge at the Marina - Come jump in the lake and help us fundraise for Common Ground Outdoor Adventure charity. Pre-registration is $30. Same day registration (11am-1:45pm) is $35. Includes an event hoodie!

12:30, 1:30, 2:30pm: Monster Raffle - Win some great door prizes. Everyone attending the events will get a raffle ticket and be automatically entered. You can received one ticket per person for attending 1) The Friday social at the Reserve Clubhouse 2) Cisco Disco at Cisco Beach 3) Main Events at the Marina.

More information or registration here: https://bearlakemonsterwinterfest.com

The Bull is Back...

Last week it was reported that the Garden City Town Council took a vote against putting up a very large anatomically correct bull on the roof of Merlin's Restaurant.  It was not a vote, but just a discussion.  A few days later the bull was lifted back on the roof.  It, however, is no longer sporting the offending appendage.

It may be said that it is now a steer.  Sort of.

The Pickleville Philosopher

By Jim Stone, The Pickleville Philosopher

I was going through some old boxes of great memories, most of them Involve family friends, the outdoors hunting and fishing, but the ones that stand the most clear In my mind are dogs.  I love all dogs whether they are mine or someone else’s dogs.  Dogs aim to please more than a hundred percent of the time even when their precious life is at stake.

With that said, It was a bad winter, kinda like this one  I was heading off the mountain to the grocery store to get stocked up and ready for a heavy snow bound long winter.

I was coming down the backside of the summit and there was this huge snow white dog running down the road barking like he might have been in some kind of trouble.  I turned around as the big dog ran up just to the side of some cliffs covered in snow.  Most lost dogs I’ve found will come to me then I could get them in my truck and find their owner.

I got out and yelled, “here boy, here boy”.  Well, he charged down that mountain like a very upset bear which I had seen many times while guiding fishermen in Alaska. When a top of the food chain animal drops Its ears and comes at you, you’re in a heap of trouble in a very short time.  And this dog was big.

I jumped back in my truck as he headed back up the mountain.   I went on my way to get my supplies thinking of this monster dog I had just encountered In the middle of nowhere I had that feeling that we all get.

I just knew the dog was in soon to be big trouble with winter just arriving.  All I could think about with a whole truck load of food was that big dog being stranded and starving to death.  I just can’t take anyone or anything starving.  I get so upset, it just wipes me out emotionally.

I was driving by where I had seen the dog.  I pulled off again and looked around, yelling, “here boy, I got treats for you, come on Big Boy.”  He never barked or came to look. 

Well I had three dogs at the time and had their dog food In my truck I grabbed a shovel and a couple pounds of food and walked about twenty yards of the road.  I dug down through the snow till I hit ground and left a nice pile of food there in hope that the dog, which I had already named Big Boy, would find it then went on my way.

A couple days had gone by.  I decided to go see if the food was gone and try to determined if the birds had gotten it or Big Boy had gotten it.   I got to where I had left the food, it was gone.  There was a small trail coming from the pine trees right to the food. 

It was Big Boy. I yelled for him.  Here he came.  He didn’t sound so mean this time.   I think he knew I left him food last time.  His bark was so loud It would echo off the cliffs like there was a whole gang of dogs.  I left more food and backed away.  When I was a good distance from the food he started eating.  So off I went.

The snow was coming hard. I got told of one of my best friends and told him all about this dog.  He knew exactly what It was and had a good idea why it wouldn’t come to me. It was a Great Pyrenees.  Their job is to protect the sheep from predators.  That dog must have stranded sheep that can’t get through the deep snow and he’s not going to leave them.  He will protect the sheep until there is nothing to protect. If doing so doesn’t take his life first.

 By this time heavy winters was here.   I had called all the ranchers that I could find and none were missing a dog. I had never seen the sheep.  I thought maybe If I put a bale of alfalfa on a sled and try to get it off the road maybe the sheep would come for it.

The deer moose and elk were gone to their winter range.  I left the hay and came back the next day.  About half of It was gone.  I was astounded; I just could not believe my eyes.   Big Boy was about a hundred yards away from me, there were droppings of alfalfa all the way up a trail through the deep snow leading to Big Boy who had broken of a slab of It and was taking It to the starving sheep.

I would have never believed it if I didn’t witness it.  This went on for a couple weeks until I just couldn’t get even off the road to bring more food to the sheep. The snow was so deep and I couldn’t get up the cliffs any more.   It was too dangerous.   I started buying corn dogs from the gas station and throwing them like a football to try to get some food to Big Boy. I got to where I could throw a corn dog a pretty long ways but soon even Big Boy as big and strong as he was he was stranded and soon he was not there waiting. I was sad and also mad that the owner would do this to this fIne, beautiful animal.

 I did have a good Idea who Big Boy belonged to.  I couldn’t help any more. It was very expensive to drive up there and bring food every day It was money I really didn’t have. I was just heart broken.

My great friend Bryce stopped by.  I told hind the story.  He Is smarter than I.  He said go public with it. I think you will be overwhelmed with the response you will get. So I did and.....allllll  helllll broke loose .

About five miles down the road there was a big parking lot that was cleared of snow. Soon the parking lot was full the search and rescue volunteers from every walk of life.  I showed them where I thought Big Boy was.  Search and Rescue came In from the back side of the mountain and came out with three sheep and Big Boy.  Big Boy wouldn’t let any one touch hIm but he followed the very weak skinny sheep into a horse trailer.

My suspicion was right. I knew the horse trailer and the ranch where it was from. It was a huge effort that so many fine people had come together on.   I became a big believer In humanity.

I bought two corn dogs. I didn’t even get out of my truck.  This time Big Boy was happy.  He knew it was me. He still wouldn’t come to me.  I talked to him for a few minutes than left his corn dogs. As I drove of he chased me down the road barking and letting me know he was home now and ok.  

For five more years I would occasionally drive by and take him a treat he would always great me with that deep bark.

Fog Bow

Photo by Tammy Calder, Calderberry Photography, Garden City

New Conference Center Under Construction

The new Harbor Village Conference Center is under construction.  Windows are in. Electrical and HVAC will be complete this week. This is being designed for Corporate getaways.

Let us come give you a face to face presentation on our capabilities and help you design the perfect company retreat. #bearlake Call Cassidy to line up 435-799-4645. They are taking bookings now for fall 2018 and winter 2019.

National Junior Honor Society

Bobbie Bicknell Coray, Reporter

Rich Civic Times

RANDOLPH, Utah. January 16, 2018.  Kip Motta, Rich Middle School principal, said that they created the National Junior Honors Society which has national ties and is the junior version of the National Honors Society which is sponsored by the National Association of Secondary School Principals.   To be selected to the Honors Society a student must have a 3.7 grade point average,
leadership, an H citizenship grade. and good character.

Texi Johnson, Middle School teacher, created the 5 member faculty council, which cannot include the principal.  The council wrote the bylaws.

 Of the 7^th and 8^th  grade students thirty met the requirements.  They filled out the national forms about their leadership and service activities.  Twenty-nine returned the forms and were accepted.  They were inducted in a lovely ceremony.

Motta wanted to thank Johnson for her work on  creating this as a first class organization.  In addition to the honors at the school, participants can compete for the advocacy council .  There are also scholarships available to Society members.  Some members may have opportunities to go to regional and national meetings. Being a member is also good on resumes as the Society is a nationally recognized organization.

Virtual Historical Reality

Bobbie Bicknell Coray, Reporter

Rich Civic Times

RANDOLPH, Utah. January 16, 2018.  Virtual history field trips to sites of the American Revolution have been enjoyed by the students of Texie Johnson, Rich Middle School history teacher.   She attended The  Rural Schools Conference where she saw the technology.  She used tech money to buy 24 IPods and  cardboard Google virtual reality boxes.  The publisher, Houghten Mifflen, has apps that show the actual sites in 3D.   For example, a student can see the path of Paul Revere’s ride much as you would experience it in person.  One can see how wide or small the trail or see how little distance there was between the Rebels and the British at the Old North Bridge where the first shot was fired.  The world history app shows Roman ruins and aqueducts.  

The board enjoyed working with the technology and complimented Johnson on her efforts to bring history to life.

Eighteen Wheeler Philosophy

By Mel Hansen, The Eighteen Wheeler Philosopher

Never thought I'd say this...I miss building/mending fences.

I'm listening to a book about the constitution, right now it's talking about the First Amendment, Freedom of Speech.

It's jogged my memory of another "Fencing Lesson" I learned from my Dad as we were building a new fence around the grain field on the east side of the lake shortly after I had returned home from my mission.

At noon we sat in the pickup to have lunch, I turned on the radio to listen to the news and a few tunes whilst eating our sandwiches. Can't exactly remember what the news was specifically about, but it must've had something to do with freedom of speech cause I can remember my Dad saying after the news, "I fought for the right for every American to say what they want, but I didn't fight for what some think...is their right to be heard!"

I didn't comment on his statement at that time, but I found myself thinking about it the rest of the day. It's really a thought provoking statement.

On the way home I said to him "Dad, a person has to have the right to be heard...if not, what good is freedom of speech?"

His reply was..."No my boy! you have the "right" to say whatever you want!  It's up to others to determine if you're heard." 

No Bull

Anyone see the larger than life sized, anatomically correct bull on the roof of Merlin's Restaurant in Garden City the other day? It was huge.  It's gone from the roof now.

It seems our city fathers found the bull mildly disturbing, perched on the roof for all to see in its glory, so it has been banished to Merlin's back yard by vote of the City Council.

There is a sign warning people not to feed the bull.  Perhaps women and children should avert their eyes.

Photo by Bobbie Bicknell Coray, Garden City

Garden City Council Meeting

Anita Weston, Reporter
Rich Civic Times

GARDEN CITY, Utah. January 11, 2018.  The Spa at Water’s Edge requested the City add a retail sale option to their current business license at 88 South Bear Lake Blvd.  After a brief discussion, the license was approved with the contingency that the individual must have an occupancy certificate before the business license would be valid.

Cody’s Gastro Garage requested the city to add catering to their current restaurant business license.  This business is also located at 88 South Bear Lake Blvd.  The request was made by Chris Shurian.  He noted that there have been several requests that large groups would like to have food delivered to their home or other location without having to bring the big groups to the restaurant itself.  He said that this license would allow him to buy the needed equipment to keep food at the proper temperature and have the types of equipment and vehicles to transfer food easily.  The requested was granted.

A request was made for a short-term rental license.  Scott Dotson will be the contact person for a short-term rental located at 794 N. Cambry Drive.  The owner is Streamline Consulting.  The license was granted.

Another request for a short-term rental was made by the owners, Robert and Kristi Smith for their property located at 865 Harbor Village Dr. #209.  Bear Lake Rental Properties will be the Management Company.    The dimensions of the rooms on their outline of the home as well as a lack of a diagram of the parking spots were left off from the request so the motion was made and approved with the contingency that these two missing items be drawn up and given to the City Office personnel.

Mitch Poulson, Bear Lake Regional Council,  appeared before the Council with a map showing the current and future trails throughout the County as well as other counties that are contiguous to Rich County.  The map uses different colors for trails for walking; walking and biking; walking, biking, and horseback riding; walking, biking, horseback riding; and four-wheelers and side-by-sides.  All types of facilities such as information, parking, restrooms, etc. are also included.  The maps will be available to individuals desiring to take advantage of these facilities.  He noted that the information on the map can also be made into an app that people can put on their telephones.

The Council was very receptive to the map and asked if the maps could also include trails and facilities that are also available in the winter.  There are more people coming in the winter to snowmobile, snowshoe, ski, etc.  This map could also be very helpful to those interested in winter activities. 

Poulson noted that they are trying to get the map ready for the coming summer, but there are still some items that need to be checked before final printing of the map.

The Council members re-appointed the following:

            Planning Commission Member, Lance Bourne

            Planning Commission Member, Jared Hislop

            Board of Adjustment Member, Mark Hislop

A motion was made and passed to reappoint the above individuals.

Mayor Leonhardt asked the Council members if they were satisfied with their assignments.  They responded that they were fine with the items they have been asked to work on. 

Garden City Council Reports

Anita Weston, Reporter
Rich Civic Times

GARDEN CITY, Utah. January 11, 2018.  Pat Argyle, Garden City Council Member, reported on Heritage Park.  She noted that work on the park will be completed prior to Raspberry Days.  She is concerned about parking facilities for Raspberry Days and asked the Council Members to come up with some ideas for parking.  She noted that the first meeting for the Raspberry Committee was held the other day and hopes that everyone will look forward and take care of things early so that that Festival will go smoothly.

Howard Pope , Council Member, reported that he had met with Richard Monk concerning the swimming pool.  Glen Gillies noted that he has been doing a lot of work on the swimming pool.  He had cleaned the boiler and heating unit.  In the past only a minimum fee was assessed to reserve the pool.  The fee only took care of some salaries but not all the expenses involved.  Gillies noted that the fee to reserve the pool for parties needs to be increased.   

Gillies has purchased an extra circulation pump and there are six life guards working at the pool.  He suggested that a regular schedule for maintenance and cleaning be set up so that nothing gets overlooked in the future.  A lift for handicapped has been purchased as well as a new cover.  Things are going much better, and there is still some money that was set aside for the pool to continue to improve that area.

Mayor Mike Leonhardt told Pope that there will be a meeting February 12 dealing with trails.  The County Commissioners, the Forest Service and DNR individuals will be present.  It begins as 1:00 p.m.  He asked Pope to attend that meeting.

Ken Hansen, Council Member, noted that he has been working with Riley Argyle.  He said he was currently working on two projects—one to let out for a bid and the other one needs to be finished soon.  Hansen said that the library needs better lighting.  He said he would get the lights purchased and is willing to install the new lights.  He was told that there is a wiring problem on the east side of the library.  He said he would look into that issue.  He noted that the library needs some additional lights outside for safety.  He will also take care of that item.  Hansen was also told that the office used by the Tourism Bureau doesn’t have any heat in that area.  He said he would check out that matter as well.

Darin Pugmire reported that he is still working on 300 West going south.  Darrin noted that he is concerned about 300 West going from the City Offices to Highway 89 close to the KOA location.  He said that the road needs to be widened by at least two feet.  He also said that sidewalks would add to that area and should be at least 5’ wide if possible.  He is also concerned about the sidewalks in town. 

Mayor Leonhardt said that the computers in the city offices and the library need to be updated.  The current computer system is going down and working much to slow.  He said that hopefully they can get a new network up and working well soon.

No Ice On The Lake This Year

Photo by Lauriann Wakefield, Little Starling Photography, Garden City

Special Garden City Council Meeting

Anita Weston, Reporter

Rich Civic Times 

GARDEN CITY, Utah. January 2, 2018.  According to the agenda placed in the post office, there was a special meeting of the Garden City Council Meeting.  The following items were noted:

The new mayor, Mike Leonhardt was sworn into office.  The two new board members, Ken Hansen and Howard Pope were also sworn into office. 

Several individuals from the community were appointed to several different committees as follows:

            Planning Commission Member, Lindsey Thomson

            Appeals Authority Member, Dan Kurek

            Administrative Judge, Travis Hobbs

            Library Board Member, Ronda Menlove.

After a roll call, there was an ordinance discussion concerning Ordinance #17-17, an ordinance adding storage sheds as a conditional use permit in the C-3 Zone.  Ordinance #17-18 was also discussed.  It is an ordinance changing the wording of “accessory building” to “accessory structure”.  Both ordinances were approved.

There was also a discussion to purchase the two bays in the public works building from the Bear Lake Special Service District.  This item was also approved.

            

Good Stuff

Fat?

By John Brown, The Man

So what if everything you know about fat, cholesterol, and diet is pretty much wrong?

What if you found out that the science behind the good old food pyramid is, well, not really there?

We’ve been told that a healthy diet consists of lots of grains, bagels, bread, pasta, cereals, rice, etc. and very little fat. What if it’s actually the reverse?

If it is, then it might explain why the rates of diabetes and obesity began to skyrocket as the nation started to implement this experiment.

I remember having gained about fifteen pounds when I was first married. I decided I would go on a diet. I read up on the low fat high carb diet and followed it strictly. Two weeks later, I had gained ten more pounds. Did I at the time look at the diet and think that maybe there was something wrong with it?

No. That would have been too intelligent.

Instead, I figured something must be wrong with me and continued to try to “eat healthy.” What’s that definition of insanity—doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results? Call me insane. Or slow. Or too trusting of authority.

It appears that the science of nutrition got hijacked. Government policy then ran away with it. It’s a fascinating and cautionary tale. Let me recommend three books that explain what really causes us to deposit fat and how we got off track.

The first is Why We Get Fat by science writer Gary Taubes. In it he reveals the bad nutritional science of the last century, why the good science was ignored, what really causes us to store fat, and what to do about it.

The next is The Obesity Code by Dr. Jason Fung. Fung is a kidney specialist. Obesity and diabetes are the root of many kidney problems. And so he decided to help his patients by strop treating symptoms and get at the root cause. Fung’s gift is clarity. He explains how obesity and diabetes became an epidemic, the errors in how we think about calories and diet, and then he explains in great clarity the new model of what really causes obesity and how to reverse it.

The last is The Big Fat Surprise: Why Butter, Meat & Cheese Belong in a Healthy Diet by investigative journalist Nina Teicholz. She spent nine years investigating this, and the book reveals how the misinformation about saturated fats took hold in the scientific community, government, and the public and how recent findings overturn these beliefs. It’s a startling history, a cautionary tale showing how ego, bias, and premature institutional consensus allowed dangerous misrepresentations to become dietary dogma.

If you’re dealing with obesity, heart disease, or diabetes, I think you’ll find these books very interesting.