The Fearless Foodie

 

By Scott Heiner

Crawford Trough

The other day, we happened on a great place….

We live in Garden City and unfortunately don’t have much occasion to get down to the southern part of Rich County.  Recently, we had an errand in Randolph, after which we decided to have lunch there.  I didn’t think there was any place there to eat at, but what was my happy surprise to discover Crawford Trough.

Their theme of feeding and watering troughs is a nod to the area’s ranch culture.  The sign consists of the name “Crawford Trough” above a picture of a large metal watering trough and their slogan is “The Place to Eat and Drink.”

We were delighted with the cowboy and ranch décor.  Western-oriented plaques and pictures decorated the walls as well as an old Burma Shave poem and a vintage Havoline Oil sign.  Their chairs had a rustic look with seat backs made of 1x4 boards fastened askew.  Even the restrooms were in character with the wash basins made of metal troughs and water pump style faucets.

The menu sections were creatively titled: “Off the Ranch” section is burgers and sandwiches including Crawford Angus Burger, Mushroom Burger, Beef Slider and Patty Melt. “Pasture Greens” is the salads, and “Out of the Coop” is the title of the chicken items.  They also offer wraps of ham, turkey or chicken.  The extensive milk shake and ice cream section is called “Udderly Goods.  They have interesting daily specials such as Navajo Tacos and Fish Friday as well as a great variety of soups of the day.

We ordered the soup of the day: broccoli cheese, a Pastrami Pita sandwich, with sides of pickled asparagus sticks and home-cut fries.  The soup was thick and cheesy with lots of broccoli florets.  The Pastrami Pita sandwich was moist and tasty: cheese, grilled onions, mushrooms, pickles and ranch sauce, folded in a toasted pita bread.   I was especially glad to try something entirely new: the pickled asparagus sticks were crunchy with a perfect sour pickle tang.

Crawford Trough offers plenty of entertainment options for all ages including a pool table supported by thick log legs, and a safely-isolated dart board range.  There are even sturdy metal John Deere and International tractors for the kids to play with.

I assumed the owners were named “Crawford,” but I was mistaken.  In January 2018, Bridget and Tyler Pugmire bought the old Gators restaurant, a popular local spot for about 30 years.  Previously it had been Beth’s Diner and before that, Hub Cafe.  They completely remodeled and redecorated the place; keeping some of Gators’ popular hamburgers and home-cut fries on their menu and adding several of their own creations.  The Pugmires thought it would be a good and fun place for the local teenagers to work.

The name, “Crawford” refers to the Crawford mountains rising steeply to the east above the flat farmland.  Back in the day, it was home to extensive phosphate mining, primarily from the mid-1900's to the 1970s.  Now it is a popular hang-gliding spot; when the winds are right, you can spot several paragliders weaving in the sky.

Crawford Trough also takes orders through their website www.CrawfordTrough.com or by phone 435-793-3170.

 

Sunrise

Photo by Carol Ann Dyer

 

Library open to children 10 a.m. -12 noon Wednesdays

 Good News!  Starting October 14th, all children are welcome in the library from 10 am - 12 pm!  We will then close the library from 12-1 pm for cleaning and have an "At Risk" only hour from 1-2 pm. Masks will be required during this hour. 

We hope this will encourage more of you to come and enjoy the library!  This will be on Wednesday's only beginning next week.  We will also begin allowing children 8 yrs old and up in the library beginning today and encourage masks and hand sanitizing for all patrons.

Rich County Commission Meeting

Anita Weston, Reporter

Rich Civic Times

RANDOLPH, Utah.  October 7, 2020.   Developer Norm Mecham told the Commissions that he needed to amend his plat.  He said that there were some changes, but they were not a problem.  He said that one person had added a shop to the garage, but that all of the people in the area said it was okay.  He noted that he will have to go back to Planning and Zoning as well to make sure they will be aware and will also approve the change.

The motion was made and passed to allow the changes that Mecham had noted. 

There is also a change in the subdivision near the Sweetwater Park Golf Course. The motion was made and approved with this amendment allowing further development there. 

Brian Carver, Bear River Association of Governments, said that he has been given Coronavirus Relief Funds, and he feels these funds should be given to the County.  He noted that the Commissioners could determine what activities could be used to utilize these funds. 

He said that all the funds need to be used and the deadline for their use is getting close.  The Commissioners could shift the funds into other areas such as helping with the economic impact in the summer in the Bear Lake Area.  Also, they could make some small grants that could help businesses that need assistance. There are a lot of small businesses that have some really slow times or even have to close their businesses during the winter but do well during the summer and  fall. 

The cities in the County receive a Profit and Loss Report each quarter, and the cities report back to County.  Their first report has been submitted that covers March to June.  The second report will be submitted soon.  The March to June time for businesses is a time period when businesses are low.  The businesses could use the money during that time.  

Tami Leonhardt,  Director, Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau, said small grant applications have been submitted and reviewed.  The cities in the County along with other organizations that work to enhance the area are the ones asking for these funds.  The total amount available was $719,872.80 which has been given to those who requested these funds.

It was noted that under the capital inventory, there is a need to upgrade the Sanitation Department.   There are care funds currently made available.  There is still time for the Sanitation Department as well as the cities who can claim the full amount of $98,000 if they apply soon.  There are other areas such as the school district, which needs $30,000, and the health department which needs $50,000 for heart monitors.  It was suggested that the mayors in each town be contacted letting them know right now there aren’t sufficient requests being made for that money.  The requests need to be in by the first of December. 

It was decided that the County get a list of the business licenses and send postcards to each of them. 

Fall

 

Vote

 

Be Safe

 State Park Officials Push Life Jackets, Cold Water Safety

SALT LAKE CITY — Autumn is here, and along with the changing leaves comes changing water temperatures. 

These colder temperatures — combined with the rise in state park visitation this season — has the Utah State Parks Boating Program urging recreational boaters, hunters, anglers, and swimmers to remain mindful and to protect themselves from over to cold water exposure, which can be immediately life-threatening. About 50% of boating accidents that result in water exposure at low water temperatures are fatal. 

“Cold water can turn a seemingly fine situation into a disaster,” Utah State Parks Boating Program Coordinator Ty Hunter said. “Cold water immersion causes panic and decreases a person’s ability to swim or stay afloat. Someone who is typically a strong and confident swimmer can be impacted very quickly. If they aren’t wearing a life jacket, that can mean serious trouble.” 

Exposure to cold water can incapacitate a person in just 5-15 minutes, with the severe effects of hypothermia setting in within 30 minutes. Because a person’s muscles and nervous system can be impaired in a cold water emergency, wearing a life jacket not only keeps an individual afloat, but also increases their survival time from ten minutes to possibly an hour. 

State park officials recommend all water recreators wear their life jackets when on the water as well as follow these additional precautions: 

• Check the weather and water temperature

• Recreate with a buddy. Don’t venture out alone

• If you fall in the water remain calm and try to stay afloat. Adequate breathing should follow as long as you can stay calm. 

• Focus on meaningful movements, such as getting back in the boat or to shore

• Carry a cell phone in a waterproof container

“Life jackets save lives, period,” Hunter said. “Following that simple step, as well as these additional safety tips can help you make it home safely. There are multiple types of life jackets available for almost any water activity — boating, water skiing, paddle boarding, and even auto inflate jackets that are great for hunters and fishermen.” 

In Utah and nationally, 80% of people who drowned in boating accidents would have survived had they been wearing a life jacket. Utah Law requires all boats have at least one wearable U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket for each person on board; this includes paddle craft like canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards. Passengers, 12-years-old and younger must also be wearing a properly sized coast guard approved life jacket whenever a boat is in operation.

For additional information on boating safety, life jackets, and Utah’s boating laws and rules, visit boating.utah.gov. 

Cisco Sonar

Disillusionment

By Bryce Nielson

I am having a difficult time composing this column.  I have been writing Cisco’s Sonar for over 17 years.  I have written about a myriad of things about Bear Lake and enjoyed every piece I have written.  Now I was at a loss as to what to write about.  As I looked inside myself it became apparent that I was having issues.

Please understand that am going to talk about changes in Bear Lake.  None of my comments should be construed as negative towards all of our new visitors.  They are just as welcome here as the original pioneers were when the settled-on top of the Shoshone tribe who had this inhabited this land for 1000’s of years before.  It is population expansion.

That said, I feel overwhelmed, unsure of the future, surprised with the number of people that are still here and wondering if it will ever return to what the locals consider normal.  I have had it with the media, the pundits, the political BS, the lack of true scientific data, and Covid this and Covid that.  I guess I feel that Bear Lake as been invaded with folks that love it as much as we do.  I was really hoping for a typical snowstorm and frigid temperatures which used to be typical this time of year.  They would have discouraged UTV’s, boating and cycling. No such luck. The poorly understood and media confused “climate change” may be responsible for the beautiful weather but I do enjoy it.

This has resulted in a major culture shock for the locals.  For as long as I can remember as soon as Labor Day passed, visitors went home allowing Garden City to slip back into the small town atmosphere and locals could relax, enjoy the fall colors and prepare for winter.  That hasn’t happened in 2020.  With Covid, everyone is responding personally, listening to the media rhetoric, and upending schools and churches and battling the mask issue.  I am personally distraught wearing a mask and not being able to see people’s faces. 

Where does this leave people who were born or lived here for more than 40 years?  With a changing environment we need to adapt.  Things will never be the way they were before.  We will have to share Bear Lake.  Get used to standing in line for everything, sharing our hunting areas with Razors, dealing with traffic and hundreds of people parking along the highway wandering into roadway, struggling to find a campground, and just functioning normally.  My biggest problem is that I hate to follow rules, mandates, or someone telling me what I should do.  The future will be a challenge for me…….

Nancy Huntly for State Senate

 

KOA Halloween Bash

 

Exercise classes

 

Fall Glow

Photo by Carol Ann Dyer

 

Letter from Bear River Health department

 

October 7, 2020

I’m often asked, “When will there be a safe and reliable vaccine for COVID-19?” Some of the answers to this question can be confusing depending on where the information is coming from. One of the first places I like to look for answers is the clinic trials themselves.

Pfizer, Moderna, and AstraZeneca are among 9 pharmaceutical companies that are testing vaccines in large clinical trials. Two of these companies, Pfizer and Moderna, are in their 3rd stage of trials that include 44,000 and 30,000 individuals respectively. These companies have also opened up their trial data to outside experts in order to validate their research, in an effort to become more transparent for public confidence. Both of these companies expect results that could be ready for approval between November 1, 2020 and January 1, 2021. Depending on approval by the FDA and independent evaluators, limited quantities of vaccine could begin to be distributed somewhere in this time period. Recently, Dr. Fauci also suggested a similar time period for the beginning of vaccine dissemination.

In the meantime, we are seeing a concerning increase in our 7-day average of positive cases, along with an increase in our hospitalizations. It is also clear that much of this increase is community spread in many areas. Our positive cases among 18-25 year olds has decreased from 60% to 43%, while we see increases in our other age categories. Please take seriously the importance of our continued efforts. I know you have heard the message many times, but help us by remaining vigilant in physical distancing, wearing masks, washing your hands, and protecting those who are most vulnerable.

As the weather begins to cool off and as we move indoors, the risk for transmission from one person to another will also increase. It is up to us individually and collectively to recommit ourselves in an effort to slow down the spread of COVID-19. Also, don’t forget to get your flu shots early this year. Your health care provider, local pharmacies, and the Bear River Health Department all have flu vaccine now and it is not too early to get yours!

In high school I participated in track, specifically the 440-yard dash (now called the 400 meter race). One of my most vivid memories was during a state competition when I was so determined to get out ahead and stay ahead during the race. The race went according to plan for about three quarters of the way, then my legs seemed to not want to cooperate with my plan! Mentally, I was not able to overcome the physical requirements to sustain my continued efforts. Before I was able to cross the finish line I watched 1, then 2, then 3 other runners pass me, leaving me in 4th place. It’s not the placement that frustrated me in the end, it was the mental preparation that was lacking. Our race against COVID is not over. Let’s stay mentally tough and focused on the finish line. We can and will overcome the adversity that we face. This will require effort from all of us but we can and will do this!

Lloyd Berentzen, Executive Director – Bear River Health Department

 

Runaway truck ramp completed

 GARDEN CITY, Utah, Oct. 8, 2020 (Gephardt Daily) — The Utah Department of Transportation has opened a new truck escape ramp on U.S. Highway 89 west of Garden City near Bear Lake.

The catch-net cable system is new to Utah and uses a series of cable nets to stop runaway semi-trucks coming out of Logan Canyon, said a news release from UDOT.

In the past two years, this area has seen a rise in runaway truck crashes, the news release added. This new truck escape ramp will provide truck drivers with a safe alternative in the event they are out of control coming downhill on U.S. Highway 89.

“We take every opportunity we can to enhance safety on our roads,” UDOT Project Manager Tom Roylance said. “Installing this runaway truck ramp is a solution that will really make a big difference for truck drivers as well as residents, businesses and tourists in Garden City.”

The escape ramp uses a concrete chute to guide runaway trucks into the correct position, where cable restraints are then used to stop the trucks, the news release said. When a truck hits the cables, they are designed to wrap around the truck, causing it to lose speed and eventually stop.

“The new cable barrier system is located near the end of the steep downhill section of U.S. Highway 89, and at a safe distance from busy intersections or driveways along the highway farther east in Garden City,” the news release said. “It also provides drivers with a straight section of road and sufficient distance for them to see the ramp and safely steer onto it in an emergency.”

The truck escape ramp is only one of the measures recently put in place on U.S. Highway 89 to improve safety for trucks travelling through this area. Other improvements include a mandatory brake check area near the top of the hill, and signs displaying the distance to the truck escape ramp.