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Show Free Press - Wednesday, Jan. 6. - 19X8 Page 2 bridge closure is more than minor inconvenience 1-- 15 You don't realize how much of a convenience a convenience is until you lose it. That's what north Utah County residents have realized over the past 64 days as Utah Department of Transportation workers have been repairing the bridge on 500 East in American Fork. over One local businessman complained that the bridge had been closed for at least 90 days, and the closure has restaurant business. And seriously affected his fast-foo- d if it hasn't been 90 days, then it seems like it. Others surely echo those sentiments. The fact is the bridge repair is supposed to take 40 working days - however long that might be given the fickle nature of Utah Valley weather in January and But the damage is done, and it's too late to try and is now postpone work until a later date. The bridge February. In the meantime anyone who wants to get on the freeway at 500 East and head south should seek another route. And anyone driving south who wants to get off and onto 500 East should also seek another route, since the detours around this construction are so convoluted they would confuse an experienced explorer. 1-- clearly impassable. relies on that interchange even ocis casionally for easy access to the freeway system aware of how inconvenient searching for an alternate And anyone who route to For businesses that rely on the interchange to bring customers past their doors, the delay is more than inconvenient, it's economically unhealthy. There must be some reason for doing this type of repair work in the winter, when weather conditions extend the construction period. Otherwise, UDOT in its infinite wisdom would have carried out the work during more temperate weather, when the 40 working days would be consecutive. at this point there is nothing to do except wait and hope that weather will permit the workers to make the repairs as soon as possible. But letters to the editor Time to enjoy Christmas now it's gone Shucks. Now that I've got the time and inclination to kick back and enjoy Christmas - it's gone. We went to American Fork Sunday evening and enjoyed the street lights, house decorations and the homes that were still lit up for the holidays. I suggested that we come back to Lehi and drive around for one final look of Christmas 1987. Folks, there was no way you could tell there had ever been a holiday in Lehi. No trees lit up; no lights on Main Street, no houses lit up. The Christmas decorations were long gone. I was disappointed, to say the least. "Well, Mom, after all, it's January 3rd. Most people are glad to see the last of Christmas." "Only the Grinches," I complained. "How can a holiday as important as Christmas be forgotten so soon? Come day, go day, as Mom used to say," the Grouch said. "Well, it's not all the lights and glitter anyway," Suzy said. "Those aren't the important things. It's the love in your heart that counts," said ye olde philosopher. So as soon as we got home, we built a fire in the fireplace, put a Christmas tape in to play, and lit all Christmas messages from friends and family, and kept Ma Bell busy for awhile by calling my kids thanking them for everything. Of course, my thanks included a warm thought about my partner who was a regular Christmas kid. We moments in spent several tear-fille- d remembering past Christmases when he was here to help Santa. I realized that these suddenly treasured moments were what the holidays are really all about. and the Memories, traditions scriptures from Luke and Isaiah, not to mention the beautiful nativity story in Jesus the Christ. My friend in California had rewritten the story of the Christ n account as Child in a told but Mary, the mother of the Holy Infant. It was beautiful. Then, when I came to work Monday, there were several letters from recipients of Christmas gifts given to our Christmas Families. Those letters warmed my heart on that cold, snowy morning. I took several moments to contemplate the holiday, and what a wonderful season it's been. acThere's the miraculous been have made that complishments in science and medicine. Marvelous you better believe it first-perso- By BETTY FOWLER our lights, inside and out. Now, we're talkin' Christmas. And it was the first time I'd really had time or energy to enjoy those precious holiday moments. I got a sentimental letter from Kris who is enjoying her new baby 'way back in Wisconsin, and I reall my read that, things that have made it possible for my little brother, Doug, to survive a kidney surgery and subsequent heart attack. The miracles of modern medicine have insured Doug a successful recovery. These medical gifts have not been and they do not come precisely in December, but they are there for all of us. They haven't been turned on by an electric switch, but they've been made available after successes, years of research, disappointments and after many, many prayers have been answered. The real holiday spirit encompasses so many things that to call the season an adventure in commercialism is ridiculous. In fact, the material gifts we receive are but nothing compared to the many tiny personal triumphs we've shared throughout the year. The gifts of life, medicine, health, joys, sorrows, accomplishments. We need the savories and the seasonings, to go along with the fulfillments that we sugar-coate- d consider so important in our lives. We often take the bad with the good, and complain about adversities. But we need the contrasts to make life truly beautiful. And you better believe it. Family says, 'Thanks' the editor's quiet of a snowfall you can't find in any other place or time. Even the harshest clamor is muffled when snow is falling. And if you can get far enough away from the mechanisms of modern times - like at the top of a ski lift - that quiet seems almost supernatural. Breathe deeply, and smell how clean the air is after it's been scrubbed by a good snowstorm. It's cold and crisp. And after you suck in a good breath of that air you know you've been breathing, because you can feel that frozen air all the way down. I know all of this is academic to the individual who happens to run off the road and into the ditch, or the person who happened to park at the bottom of a small incline where the snow hides a thin layer of ice - like my wife did this morning. I could tell it was academic just by the way she asked me to come push that big station wagon up that small incline - like I'd better say, "Yes," or else. But I've always loved winter, despite the inconvenience, the cold, column -- slipping-and-slidin- g By MARC HADDOCK -- around. The world looks different a snowfall - more peaceful. Anyone who can't find serenity in a d landscape needs to cut down on his or her intake of caffeine. Listen. There is a quality to the after snow-covere- with food and having a fullness of thanksgiving to you who made it possible. You have let us feel rich this season with the spirit of love. To us, it's a valuable possession. The brotherhood and sisterhood of this area is never more priceless than at such times it's needed the most. Again, thank you so very much for filling our needs and our children's hopes! -- A Christmas Family Editor: We feel a strong desire to express our sincere gratitude for you who helped make our Christmas delightful and so very memorable. Many special gifts were given to our children. How wonderful we felt to receive help in our time of adversity, yet, how glorious you must feel to give to others when you know not who they are! We find ourselves constantly gazing into our cupboards filled Group thanks community additional help and support for the Editor: The Citizens Committee for the purposes of the committee. The committee also wish to announce a Hadfield Benefit wish to express the delay in the holding of the benefit appreciation of the committee for the community support at the public banquet originally scheduled for Jan. 8. rally held Saturday night Dec. 26, An announcement will be made 1987 in the Lehi High School for the banquet as final plans and Auditorium. The numbers of citizens that were arrangements can be made. The citizens committee was set up present at the rally indicated the locally to assist the Hadfield Family support the community is willing to render to the Hadfield Family. The with expenses and to promote and work actively to improve the image committee also expressed preciation for the contributions that:;, of Lehi City and the citizens of Lehi have been and are heing made. Jo : in response to the adverse publicity of these past months. ,..,.,'the benefit fund, -- Citizens Committee for are circulated this being Flyers Hadfield Benefit week in an efforc to encourage If you live here, you should .enjoy the snow 1 am constantly amazed at the number of people who make a conscious decision to make their homes in Utah County, and then complain when it snows. What do people who live in a state where the license plates boast "The Greatest Snow on Earth" expect? It goes with the territory, folks. Honest. It always has. And anyone who is surprised or disgusted that it acutally snows in winter around here should be ashamed of him or herself. I guess it's a common complaint because it's easy to talk about the weather it's a safe subject, usually, and something we all have in common. It is a constant source of comment, discussion and editors columns. But to gripe about snow in Utah is like being disturbed there is too much sunshine in Hawaii. In fact, the snow is one of the best things about Utah's winter. If you don't believe me, just get out of that automobile and put aside that snow shovel for a minute, and look can be. 1-- the danger. 'axl-- I was trying to explain all of Bus to my, daughter last night, as I shoveled the recent snowfall from my sidewalk onto the parking strip, but she didn't pay much attention. "I know what you're doing," she said, as she jumped to avoid a shovel-fu- ll of snow I'd just thrown at her. "What's that?" I asked, throwing another shovel load in her direction, high enough to land on her head and, just maybe, slide down her neck. "Your talking about one thing while you do something else," she said, then she squealed and tried to move before I delivered a load of snow just above the tops of her -. Tired of Hadfield support Editor: I am getting very tired of the Lehi supporters for Alan Hadfield. A jury of good, honest people found him guilty of sexual child abuse and because his supporters did not like the methods used by Barbara Snow, they assumed him innocent. There are still a lot of us who have confidence in the court system, and would like to know why a certain principal and stake president has abused his positions in such as way as to hold a rally in the Lehi High School and a fund raiser in the Lehi Stake Center for a convicted child abuser? Our taxes paid for the heat and lights in that high school and it should not have been allowed to be used for a rally of Hadfield supporters - Lehi has become the laughing stock of the entire state! boots. "Nonsense," I said. "Just listen to how quiet it sounds." As she paused to listen, I threw another bunch of snow at her, and the muffled quiet was shattered by a squeal that can only come from a girl. "Oh, Daddy," she said. "You're just trying to trick me." Imagine, your own daughter accusing you of a snow job. Let us assume (as the court has decided) that Alan Hadfield is guilty. Is all of this overwhelming support for him doing him any good? This monumental display of support, love, loyalty and financial aid have made it virtually impossible for him to ever admit his guilt and clear his conscience. His suffering will be greater now than it would have been. Suppose he does and because of court get a negligence he is found innocent. How many can accept an innocent verdict when there are still two little sad abused children that say re-tri- he did it. I would rather be an innocent man locked up forever, than a guilty man running free. -- Name withheld "vr. 'jT " i! I? M i ll fiv I ;.tVM.. I Tin. i . i;, V. ifril 'into J ' juT t; 'fa ''P F ;7l ... Mil: New members of the Lehi 4th Ward Bishopric are, trout row, to r, 1st Counselor Karl I'. Henrie, Bishop Wayne Edwards, 2nd Counselor Dave Taylor; back row: Tom Wood, executive secretary; John Gray, Ward Clerk. 1 1 New members of the Lehi Ward Bishopric are, front row, I to r, 1st Counselor Jesse B. Anderson, Bishop David T. Worlton, 2nd Counselor Kay Christof ferson ; back row: Carey Smith, executive secretary; Dan L. Hickman, Ward Clerk. 17U; Bishops Continued from Front 1'age married to the former Suzanne Duncan, and is the father of three young children. He is a civil engineer with Geneva Rock Products. Carey Smith, the son of Grant and Rose Smith, has been called as executive secretary. He and his wife, the former Diane Schow, have four children. Hew is a dry farmer, bus driver, and has previously served in a Sunday Schol presidency and as an elders' quorum nstructor. Dan Hickman, ward clerk, was born in Payson. Now an engineering specialist by trade, he is married to the former Sharon Chnstopherson and is the father of three children. Former church positions include JiSf"1' wSSilS!' dfcons' |