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Show "Berry Merry Christmas" Pleasant Grove strawberries so the berries delivered to the Mormon prophet and Utah's Governor are real Pleasant Grove strawberries. I have met with the berry specialist from Utah State University and they are anxious to see strawberries reintroduced to Pleasant Grove. Give it some thought and have a berry, Merry Christmas! P.S. Thanks for all you do to make Pleasant Grove a berry nice place to live! i ' " " "" " " ' " " ' f L L While the vast majority of voters rejected the proposed bond in November, there are still problems that need to be addressed in a growing community. Members of the Blue Ribbon Committee have met with newly elected officials in an effort to address these needs and other needs in the community. There is one thing that continues to trouble me as we look to the future. In not many months, Strawberry Days will be here. Planning is already underway. It is such a wonderful time of year with such wonderful traditions. There is nothing like a good bowl of strawberries and cream! We sell hundreds of cases of berries each year during the annual celebration! We know the best strawberries on earth can be grown here. Thousands of cases were grown here each year and hence Pleasant Grove became the Strawberry capitol of America. Lovely homes have replaced many of those berry patches and it seems unlikely anyone will take up strawberry growing on a commercial level, but I think we can at least do one thing. We should have a place where we can grow enough I to. Many of these, like Don West, are those who gave their entire lives building this community. On Veteran's Day we gathered at the cemetery to honor those who have served in the armed forces of our beloved nation. Their names are etched on granite walls. Not all were required to give their last full measure of devotion. The passing of Nate Hilton is a grim reminder that many suffer the effects of war long after they leave the battle front. This brave young American from Pleasant Grove saved many of his fellow Marines on the battlefield and helped preserve our freedoms. The horrible nightmares of the battlefield haunted him, but now he rests in peace. God bless these men and women who give and have given so much, over so many years. This season we will sing the words to a familiar Christmas hymn penned by Longfellow on Christmas Day during the Civil War. He had lost his wife in an awful fire and his son had been wounded in the war. It was a dark chapter in American history LonqfeHow felt that there was no peace on earth, for hate was strong and mocked the song of peace on earth good will to men. As he sat in despair, the bells pealed more loud and clear! God is not dead nor does he sleep. The wrong will fail and right prevail with peace on earth good will to men! Eventually the bloodiest war in our nation's history came to an end and efforts began to bind up our nation's deep wounds. Many of us have seen much of hate and violence during our lives. We have also seen much of love and caring. This season and every season of the year thousands of kindnesses are shown throughout our community. The warmth of this caring and love means so very much to so very many! A big part of the good life is to say thanks, an attitude of gratitude if you will. In just a few weeks a new mayor and two new city council members will be sworn in. It would be wrong not to thank those who have spent so many hours serving us these past few years. A big thanks should also go to April Harrison, who retired after many years serving in our library. by Mark Bezzant Once again the Christmas season is upon us and yet another year is coming to a close. It was wonderful to have a good old fashioned snow storm usher in the holiday season and turn Pleasant Grove into a winter wonderland. We really need the moisture and the kids need some snow for winter fun! I loved the days in Pleasant Grove when they would block off entire streets just so the kids could sleigh ride! It was awesome! Sadness fills our hearts as we reflect back over the year at those we have bid farewell |