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Show Utah Press Association 1521 East 3900 South Suite 100 Salt Lake City, UT 84124 AN E D I T I O N O F P R I D E & PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID SPANISH FORK, UTAH PERMIT NO. 2 P R O G R E S S The Spanish Fork News M VOL. 2 / NO. 42 I O C A L L Y O W N E D A N D O WEDNESDAY, P E R AOCTOBER T E 17, D 2007 500 SPANISH FORK, UTAH Musical Magician Steve Hardman / Spanish Fork News TRAGEDY: Fire gutted much of John and Mandy Deeben's home in Salem. Fire claims Salem home Lunt hon Heather Campbell STAFF W R I T E R as Outsti ucator Marilyn Nielson STAFF W R I T E R Rick Lunt, choir director at Spanish Fork High School, recently received an "Outstanding Music Educator" award from Heritage Festivals, based in Salt Lake City. The award recognizes directors of choirs, bands, and orchestras for their great contributions to the field of music education. Lunt started directing the Spanish Fork High School choirs in 2000. Before that, he lived with his family in Arizona, where he taught for four years. After defending his Masters Thesis in Music Education at BYU, he and his family decided to accept the job in Spanish Fork and make the move to Utah. He has been here ever since. S^eue Hardman / Spanish Fork News MUSIC MAN: Top, Rick Lunt, a.k.a. Dumbeldore, directs the Mens Choir. Pictured above are Lunt and Trevor Leifson. Spanish Fork High School's choir program has been consistently outstanding, and has won national awards. The department currently has seven choirs. Two are preparatory choirs, one for men and one for women. The other five require auditions, and include an A Cappella group, Chamber Choir, and "Encore" (a smaller ensemble). There are also two Show Choirs: the women's group "Premiere," and the mixed choir "Ambassadors." Lunt says he has been taking his choirs to the Heritage Festivals since he first started teaching. Heritage Festivals have more reasonable entry fees than many other competitions, but even more importantly, Lunt feels that the adjudication is extremely professional and the feedback highly beneficial to performing groups. "With'many festivals, there is no education process," Lunt said. "The judge just sits back and talks into a tape, and the choir never really gets to hear feedback on how they could improve." At Heritage Festivals, the judges are more involved — they often get up and work with the choir immediately after the performance. "It's very professional," Lunt said. "The judge will come up and say, 'Let's try lo fix this pan' or, 'Have you thought about doing it this way?' It really helps the choir improve." Kent Smith who is on the Heritage Festival board, said that it is beneficial to the students to go to the Heritage See LUNT • A8 At 7:28 p.m. on Oct. 12, police received a 911 call from Salem resident Mandy Deeben, who had been folding laundry in her bedroom, when she noticed flames coming from her garage. According to Salem City Sergeant Brad Bishop, Salem City and Spanish Fork Fire Departments responded to die call and were able to put the fire out in about three hours. Deeben, who was at home with her four children at the time, was able to get the children out of the house and to safety before calling for help. "I dialed 911 on my way out the door," Deeben said. Sergeant Bishop says the cause of the fire has yet to be determined, and the Utah State Fire Marshall will be coming to investigate. It is apparent that, due to damage to the garage, the north side of the home, and its exterior, the home can be counted as a total loss. Bishop said that while the fire was contained to one part of the home, the rest of the house also sustained damages due to the intense heat, smoke and water. As for John and Mandy Deeben, Bishop said, "They are obviously devastated, but are in good spirits." Bishop said many people have come to their aid and have donated things to them which they are very grateful for. "We have gotten tons of clothing," Deeben said. "I'll be writing lots of thank you notes." When asked how she and her family are handling the situation Deeben said, "It's all kind of shocking." Deeben and her husband were renting the home and did not have renter's insurance. "We lost everything," Deeben said, and admits that what they will need help with the most is the money to redo everything. "Anything helps," she said. The Deeben Fund has been set up in behalf of the John and Mandy Deeben family at Far West Bank in Salem. Contributions are welcome. Steve Hardman / Spanish Fork News WELL-DESERVED HONOR: Richard Banks and Lyman Peterson received the American Legion Medal of Merit and Citation of Meritorious Service on Oct. 10. Pictured at left left to right are Post Commander John Williams, Richard Banks and Vice Commanders Steve Wilson and Glen Bradford. Pictured at right, left to right, are Williams, Lyman Peterson, Wilson and Bradford. WWI Steve Hardman STAFF W R I T E R On Wednesday, Oct. 10, the American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary met at the Veteran's Memorial Building in Spanish Fork to honor World War II veterans Richard Banks and Lyman Peterson. Post 68 Commander John Williams presented the former prisoners of war with the American Legion Medal of Merit and Citation of Meritorious Service. Banks entered the Army in January 1944. He served with Patton's 3rd Army in Europe. During the Battle of the Bulge on Dec. 25, 1944, Banks was taken prisoner by the German army. He was released on March 20, 1945. According to Williams, Banks has been a member of the Legion for 62 consecutive years and has held several offices including post commander, adjutant and, most recently, chaplain. A member of the Post's honor guard, Banks has served with diligence and distinction. "We, who have served with Richard in Post 68 and the honor guard, have developed the utmost respect and admiration for one of 'America's Greatest Generation,'" said Williams. "He has left a lasting influence on many military veterans, including myself." The Post was proud to honor Banks, Williams said, for his sacrifice, loyalty to duty and years of dedicated service. Lyman Peterson also entered the Army in early 1944 and was transferred to Europe. He was taken prisoner by the German army in October of that year during the Battle of the Bulge. He remained a prisoner of war for six months and was released in the spring of 1945. Peterson has served as a member of the American Legion for 25 years. He served as the custodian for the Veteran's Memorial Building, "keeping it in tip top condition," Williams said. He was also responsible for the flags by the Legion on special occasions. "Lyman has served faithfully as a member of the Post 68 honor guard, standing tall with his fellow Legion comrades," said Williams. "His quiet demeanor does not take away from his love of country or the respect he has for fellow military veterans." Peterson was honored for his dedication to country, the Legion and his community. "Lyman, you are indeed a great example of what service to others is all about," Williams said. f |