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Show SPANISH FORK WEDNESDAY, MARCH 04, 2009 • A3 Covering what matters most Preparing for tax time mine is just an inch or two, but I still turn on the pump three times a day. So what about this new Sfairlene R. Ottesen stimulus bill passed by our government? I hope it Your chuckle for the week: Agriculture Student: works. I admit I'm not very "That wheat field looks like good at math so I don't even it's in trouble. I'd be surprised now how many 0's there if you getfivebushels to the are in a billion. The term acre." Farmer: "So would I. million is used a lot when talking about money and That's my corn field." Here we are at the begin- I pretty much understand ning of another new month. that, but a billion must be Time just keeps marking on, a lot of money. I remember doesn't it? Much of the snow in our math classes 50 years has melted and now we can ago, we learned about hunsee. all the junk and trash in dreds, thousands and milthe yards that the snow has lions. Billion was the next been covering. The warmer step up and now they are temperatures have been most talking about trillions! Oh, welcomed after a long stretch the power of the zero! It's of cold temperatures. It's fun more than I can imagine so to watch the kids as they play I just decided not to think outside after being cooped about it. It makes my head up in the house for several hurt. As most of you know, weeks. Those who like to ski, this is tax season. I have go ice skating, sleigh riding and just playing in the snow have loved it, but for many it's just nice to%get outside and ride bikes again or take a walk without being all bundled up in a lot a clothes. There and Back Again been busy the last couple of weeks getting all of our papers, receipts and official tax papers gathered up and hoping that I'm not missing anything. I have been paying the bills and "keeping the books" for our business for the past 40 years, and we have been audited only once. And believe me, once is enough. I was never so nervous in all my life. I didn't know what to expect and naturally I expected the worse. In rhy mind's eye I could see the headlines in the paper: "Local Mother of Five to Spend Time in Jail for Not Being able to Find the Receipt for $120.00 to IFA for Barley Seed." I really doubt that the headline would have been that long. It would be more like: "Mother of Five Sentenced to Five." But, it didn't turn out that way. I had a table all . set up for the young auditor who came to our home. I had bread baking in the' oven and soft music playing. I'm just kidding! Really, this is the truth. The audit didn't take all that long because this was probably 35 years ago when our business was still very small. It didn't take him long to give me an okay which was a big relief, but I still the remember the letter that came I the mail informing me of the audit. Ihad a knot in my stomach for days. Tax preparation is so complicated today that we have a company that does it for us and I'm glad for that. So good luck as you prepare for April 15,2009. Our tax deadline is March 15,2009 so ours will soon be over for another year. Guidefor For the past couple of weeks, I have been pumping water out of my basement. Many of you know that I have moved back into my childhood home and I don't know why my parents dug a basement, but I wish they hadn't. The water table is pretty high in most of Palmyra and so this time of the year, when the ground is thawed and we get a lot of rain and melting snow, it has to go somewhere. And right now it's coming into my basement. Thank goodness for pumps. I talked to someone a while Courtesy photo back, and a friend of theirs TAX TIME: I have been paying the bills and "keeping the books" for our business for the bad a foot or more of water past 40 years and we have been audited only once. And believe me, once is enough. I was they had to pump out. So far, never so nervous in all my life. Letter to the Editor River Trail For the walkers, joggers and runners of Spanish Fork, we have a treasure in our community that does not seem to be widely known. The paved pathway in the Sports Park that runs along the Spanish Fork River has been open for some time. I believe it was early last year that the trail was extended significantly. End-to-end it is just over 1 1/2 miles long, but several loops along the way, including around the two ball complexes, make the total length almost double that. There are 1/4 mile marking posts on the main pathway for those who like to gauge their pace. My compliments to the Parks & Recreation Department for planning, constructing and maintaining the River Trail. I have used the River Trail throughout this winter and only twice have I found the snow not cleared off shortly after a snow storm. This makes a much safer and enjoyable route for running as compared to neighborhood sidewalks or being out on the city streets. And only rarely has a citizen with a dog left behind the dogs duty — most people have been responsible enough to clean up after their pet. The hidden gem to the hidden treasure is the north extension of the River Trail. From the road bridge over the river, the trail runs north in front of Riverview Elementary, crosses Volunteer Drive, and continues along the west fence of the Swenson Ballpark to 100 South. The trail then turns west to the Technology Building where it cuts behind the parking lot to connect with the southwest corner of the Spanish Fork High School football field. As of last fall, the new extension continues north along the west fence to the northwest corner of the high school property, then turns east around the soccer field and ends at the city pool complex. The trail has never had more than a handful of people on it during the times I am there. I invite the citizens of Spanish Fork to make use of a safe, convenient and smooth trail. This project has been and continues to be an excellent use of tax dollars. See you on the trail. Dennis Gillie Spanish Fork Madison's Avenue by "Big Al n and "Farnzy" Letter to the Editor Finding the Silver Lining I have had the unique found work yet. If I was great kids, served three privilege of helping my working I would not be missions for his church grandpa, James Austin able to serve my grandpa (including two with his Cope, Jr., the last couple of in the manner that I have wife), sealed most of months with many of the been, and I would not his grandchildren in the day-to-day things that we have felt the closeness to temple, gave most of his take for granted. I have en- him that I do at this time. grandchildren their Patrijoyed this experience very I can honestly say that I archal blessings, and been much as I have been able love my grandpa with married to his wonderful to give of myself to a man all my heart, and he has wife for 68 years now. that has done nothing other helped to make me the He has been very inthan give service to others person that I am today. volved in his community his entire life. He reminds me of where he served as Post I lost my job due to President Gordon B. Master and County Aslayoffs at my company Hinckley in many ways, sessor. He helped to get late last year, but as I because of the giant of me interested in politics, reflect upon that, I can't a man that he is. He has and always reminded me help but think maybe served in many positions to get out and vote. there is a reason I haven't in his church, raised 13 He has served his country in the military in World War II. I could literally go on and on about the greatness of this man. I believe with all sincerity that my grandpa is one of the greatest men that has ever lived. Grandpa, thank you for your kindness, love and great example. I believe that many people in this community are better off today because they have known you, and been recipients of your service, I love you, Grandpa. Rich Cope Spanish Fork ©2009 Madlngo L L . C , Allan Olsen and Darren Famas "...this way, my fishy doesn't get tired from swimming around.' Fast Lane Service Eat better. 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