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Show :0B1i11B11 emits IXiJ-a- ili I JUHU- IJUIL.L Free Press - Wednesday, October 11, 1995 - Page jummui Wanted: Newspaper carriers we can count on Editorial For better or for worse, you've probably noticed that my name appears on some of the stories throughout the paper. Perhaps you've also seen me attend city council meetings, political conventions, ribbon cuttings, sports competitions, school and programs, graduations ceremonies Pleasant Grove plans ideal centennial project Pleasant Grove is showing the rest of us how to plan a centennial project. The city's proposed discovery park is a perfect undertaking for the coming centennial celebration of Utah's statehood. In the first place, the park was conceived to commemorate the centennial. Many communities are taking projects that were already in the works and sticking a centennial tag on the effort to generate support and funding. Thus, an ice skating rink becomes a Centennial ice skating rink, and so forth. There's nothing wrong with this approach, except it kind of cheapens the centennial effort. In the second place, the park was conceived to fill a real need. Similar parks have been built in other communities and have been a boon for the area's children. In fact, one such park in Florida was the inspiration for a Pleasant Grove resident to suggest the discovery park concept for the city's centennial project. Thirdly, the park will be the result of a broad-base- d community effort. Last week, a park designer visited Pleasant Grove and met with residents to get ideas for the park design. Then he went a step further, visiting area elementary schools gathering ideas from those who will actually use the park Pleasant Grove's children. That evening, in a large community gathering, the designer put all the ideas together to show what the park would look like, and what could be done for the children. Already, the community is developing a sense of ownership in a project that is literally still on the drawing board. After all, they helped lay out the plans. Towards the end of this school year, if all goes well, the materials to build the park will be delivered and literally hundreds of Pleasant Grove residents, old and young, are expected to join in making this joint community vision a reality. And the vision is full of fun and learning. The city is involved to the extent of donating the land in the new Manila Park and providing city sponsorship, and the park committee is seeking contributions to help make this community effort a reality. Finally, once the park is completed, the city will have a project they can be proud of, and one that should last for years providing fun for the residents' children, and their children's children. There is a wonderful irony in this, since the children helped design a park where their own children will learn and play. And the park plan sounds like lots of fun. Kids can excavate dinosaur bones in the sand pile, climb through a giant honeycomb or take flight in a pretend space shuttle. In d addition to swings and a (to learn about centrifugal force), children will be able to learn about sound, play a pipe organ with chimes or explore a volcano. The designer told the children that there is a shortcut to the slide but warned them they will miss a lot if they take it. Pleasant Grove deserves a lot of credit for its efforts to create a discovery park to celebrate Utah's centennial. What better way to honor our state's past than to invest in our state's future our children. merry-go-roun- doesn't become a man in just one day n any lil illf A A boy Often we can see those who would sud- denly become something which they are not and hopeful for great responsibilities for which they are not prepared. Many spend lives waiting for greatness to suddenly bestow itself upon them without taking pain and time to begin the process of molding themselves into the desired personage. - This idea of getting something for nothing is not restricted to any one group or &ge. We cannot say to ourselves that our youth alone are possessed with this dream of power. Nor can we say that our day here and now is worse than another day. If our teachers care to build great and honorable men, they will be reminded that they must first build great and honorable boys, for there does not seem to be any particular point in a boy's life when he is one ,day a boy and the next day a man. There seems to be no time when a boy ; one day remembers none of the lessons of he ages and the next day finds all wisdom and truth at his fingertips. As we look into the great guide book, we find among the truths arranged by the great Solomon, these words, "For as man thinketh in his heart, so is he." In our daily walks, we have probably observed the death of a proud giant whose fall was brought about through the insistence of a small destroyer and we have ', noticed that the destroyed is usually dependent for his very life upon the giant .whom he slowly weakens. How many, who once promised fair to lc& mm aw jm 1 jmm Ml lOl mw other newsworthy events. are probably also aware that on Tuesday, I spend the day laying out the paper that will be printed that night and You delivered to your house on Wednesday. But what you may not know is that I also deliver some of those newspapers as well. Actually, my children are the ones who are listed as the official newspaper carriers, but in our house, it's actually a family project. My wife and I get up somewhere between 4 and 4:30 a.m. to roll the papers and to put them in a bag when the weather looks bad. At that unearthly hour, sometimes we're not sure what the weather will be when the subscriber gets up to retrieve the paper from his or her porch, but we try to keep abreast of the meteorologist's predictions the best we can. Shortly before 5 a.m., we rouse the boys, 13 and almost 10, to go through the sometimes arduous process of getting dressed. Once that is accomplished, they must fill their delivery bags one side with Free Presses and the other with Shoppers. Meanwhile, we attend to the delicate task of waking our daughter, 7, who is usually not excited about getting up, particularly with the roosters. The baby, at slightly over 15 months, needs very little encouragement to wake up perhaps he's afraid hell miss something. After a drink of milk or juice, and maybe a piece of toast or an occasional donut, we're ready to venture out into the night.' We have a system that really works well for us we drop one child off at one block and drive to the next to drop the other one off, waiting for the first one to return. We - See white stuff on the mountain? That means it won't be long before many Utahns are heading for the slopes to enjoy the greatest snow on earth. And throughout Utah, some 5,000 fourth, fifth and sixth graders from some 50 schools will be hitting the slopes as well as they are introduced to the sport of skiing. But not in the Alpine School District, which hasn't signed on to the Ski Utah School Fitness Program. And that's a shame. The program is a good one. Kids learn the basics of skiing and ski fitness in a series of six lessons in the classroom. As the program" is set up, classroom teachers introduce fitness,, aerobic j exercise,; and flexibility segments of the class. Then ski instructors from participating ski areas teach the last four lessons, which incorporate motor skills and specific pre-sskills. Schools aren't charged for this service. Then, once the portion of the program is completed, students can take an afternoon lesson in either downhill or cross country skiing at one of Utah's ski areas. In the case of the Provo School District, that is Sundance Resort in Provo Canyon. The ski lesson costs $15 and includes transportation, rental equipment, lessons and lift passes. Ski Utah has even set up a scholarship program for kids who couldn't afford the cost, and the program includes lessons for disabled skiers. It all sounds too good to be true. The program was developed by professional ski instructor Jo Garuccio for Ski Utah. She has a B.S. in Physical Education, an M.S. in Health Fitness, and true love of both students and skiing. This is the Ski Utah School Fitness Program's fifth season in Utah. It has been ol Pi become useful in this world, have gone down to ruin because they allowed a single small evil to spread its poison throughout their system until they were finally overcome? How many, too, have been saved from such ruin by a single act or work, unknowing or forgotten by a neighbor or friend whose own strength may have once teetered on the brink of calamity? Surely the writer of those ancient proverbs well knew of all these things for he wrote, "My son, forget not my law; but let they heart keep my commandment, for length of days and a long life and peace shall they add to thee." man was likely to read included an inspiring photograph of this virile muscular, perfectly proportioned man in his 70s. I remember his sales message for promoting good health habits was often introduced with the question: "Do the big guys at the beach kick sand in your face?" My, what an inspiration that was for every youngster to grow up to look like Charles Atlas! Today, that same generation is motivated to stay strong and healthy by such examples as Jack LaLanne and Bob Delmonteque. LaLanne's book, "Revitalize Your Life After Fifty," is a fitness bible for mature men and women. Bob Delmonteque, trainer of NASA astronauts in the 1960s, now 75, could still win a contest. He espouses aerobic training as "the secret of body-beaut- y vigorous longevity" because it strengthens your heart and your lungs. He recommends walking, stretching and, to build bone density, weight lifting. Delmonteque's four main elements of F. Lehi 1995 Paul Harvey Products Inc. a healthy lifestyle are proper exercise, proper diet, proper rest and a proper mental attitude. The importance of that last recommendation has now been documented at Purdue University. There, a study of healthy people over the age of 85 has revealed five common denominators: 1. We must stay active, such as by participating in business, civic or church activities. (Rush Limbaugh's grandfather, in Cape Girardeau, Mo., is still a practicing attorney at the age of 104!) 2. We must be able to adapt to change travel leap-fro- g style like that from State to Main on one street, back up to State two blocks to the west, then back to Main down the middle block, hitting the side streets as we go and thus completing two routes. Our third route is a little more geographically extended, but we have a system for that area, too, trying to maximize the efforts of as many people as possible. Lately, we've even added a fourth route, and as much as we grumbled when we were initially asked to do it, we've found a method that gets the job done in a relatively short period of time. (I probably shouldn't admit that or we find ourselves doing the extra route as a permanent assign- too, because the delivery problems are actually quite few when you look at the number of papers that are being delivered to homes throughout the entire northern Utah County area. Now that I'm a parent, I hope my children will develop a good work ethic and that they will take their responsibilities seriously. I remember with fondness the part time jobs I held when I was growing up. I guess it all started when I helped out in our family business, Mae's Family Take Out, the little fast food place on the corner of Center and State Streets. My jobs included helping with the hard ice cream, drinks and the penny candy, which was really a penny, as well as the ment.) occasional burger or french fry order. of all What is the point of my telling you Later, I worked at Bob's Milk Depot on this? The fact is, we need carriers. Another Street. What an enjoyable experience Main fact is that our young people need jobs like was to greet the regular milk cuthat this. out the hard ice cream to like I said, the paper routes that my stomers, andserve to watch as the little kids (again) Some affair. boys have are more of a family adults have not let their children accept picked out their candy. When I was in college, prior to serving a routes because they feel like the pay is not at Porter's Place. Not I worth the effort or expense on the part of mission, workedwork with to an enjoyable I did get only the parent. I couldn't agree more. But the benefits clientele, but also with a great crew. Even when there was extra work, such as helpto being a carrier transcend the economic factors by teaching these young people the ing owner Dennis Huggard with the installation of the vent over the grill and the concepts of fulfilling responsibility, delayautomatic dishwasher, there was a tremenof sense a and feeling ing gratification source of pride in those jobs. dous pride within themselves for doing a job If you are ready to help your children well. have a great work experience, we've probaAlthough youll occasionally find the got a paper route waiting for you. Call bly is a true child who exceptional and apply today. at us I believe the success that most of our carriself-starte- r, 756-766- 9 Beaver Mountain in Logan Canyon. I was out of control and using poor equipment designed more than anything else to break a leg. A wise ski patrolman stopped me and told me to rent some proper equipment. And over the following weeks some caring adults helped me master the basics. It was a gift that has lasted a lifetime. , It would have been so much better to By MARC HADDOCK have had some good training before that first day on the slopes. That's what the Ski Utah School Fitness Program offers, at minimal cost, for our children. a great success. It is endorsed and But not in the Alpine School District. I have been constantly amazed that so approved by the Utah State Board of Education, and sponsored by groups like many Utahns have never experienced a Blue Cross Blue Shield of Utah. day on the7 ski slopes. We five surrounded Many school districts participate in the by some of the best ski resorts in the program. A few do not, including Ogden, world, and unquestionably we are blessed Jordan and Alpine. Funny, but with a with the "Greatest Snow on Earth," just name like Alpine, you might think skiing like the license plate brags. Anyone who would just come with the territory. has spend a day at Alta after a deep fall of Nevertheless, the district has not signed powder can testify to that. on with the program, despite interest from People fly from all over the world to several physical education teachers in the experience our mountains. Park City has district. signs in both Japanese and English for Of course, the ski resorts have an inter- the people who ski that resort. est in seeing the program succeed. A good Admittedly, the sport can be expensive. percentage of each of those kids who learn But in addition to the big name resorts, to ski through the program will be back on some local areas like Brighton and Alta the hill, paying for a lift ticket, buying or maintain modest rates for a lift pass that renting equipment, and developing a lifeprovides access to some great skiing. I long love of the sport. think it's a shame that more of us don't Not every one will, but even those who take advantage of that. don't will have learned what skiing is all I also think it's a shame that the Alpine about under the right circumstances, and School District doesn't take advantage of that is worth a lot. this introductory program which would I love to ski, but not because I had a put our elementary and junior high stugreat experience my first time at a resort. dents on the slopes under controlled condWithout proper preparation or training, I itions to learn the basics of skiing. was a accident waiting to hapIt's a good program. Why don't we get pen as I zoomed down the beginner's hill with it? Th Editor's Column 3f.' residents share common problems, need common solutions Editor: Although we each hold property in private ownership, we all share common problems. As a community, we have a number of common problems among us, such as roads, and rebound from difficult situations. i By RUSSDALY Letters to the editor How to stay healthy at age 85 Paul Harvey fed News vvi When today's mature men were young boys, the "macho" example of manhood was Charles Atlas. Any magazine a young Daly Planet School ski program would be good for Alpine at that ki f 3 The ora bnve is because of the support of a Dar- ent who understands the deeper meaning, ' of having a route. In fact, I applaud all of those parents who show support in various ways, such as rolling the papers, preparing a good breakfast, driving the carrier when necessary, encouraging the child when necessary, and of by any other method support that works in their particular situation. I have to pat our carriers on the back, (Any senior's major psychological challenge is to accept and adapt.) 3. We are likely to be as mentally and physically fit as we imagine ourselves to be. (We are what we think we are, for better or worse.) 4. We must maintain frequent contact with friends and family. (This requires is likely to coneffort, but alone-nes- s tribute to deleterious self-pity-.) 5 5. Finally, most of the healthy people remain socially active. The Purdue study also discovered that religion was significant in generating a sense of purpose. You and I have seen so many of these studies because 2.5 percent of our population is now over 80, and that percentage increases every year. Each recent study reaffirms the same principles. Several presently popular books deal over-age-8- with preserving our health, and almost all of them as well as this most recent focus on the significance of an study affirmative mental attitude. Of course, that admonition is as old as it's our awareness that's Scripture 2,000 years tardy. sewer, water, waste, business, farms, crime, arts, schools and growth. Each problem creates its own energy depending on the distance between the reality (what we have) and the vision (what we want). Intent No matter the subject, we can move to close the gap the difference between what we have and what we want with the intent to protect or with the intent to risk. That is, if we are fearful in our decisions and jump to solutions out of a fear of loss of freedom, or in fear of not belonging, or as a reaction to loss of power, we will have created a temporary fix at best and a long-termistake at worst. On the other hand, if we are open and allowing and move toward and with the problem with the intent to learn and share, we have a much better chance of growing a decision that does not go against others, or ourselves (what our heart tells us is better), and that does not abdicate our community responsibility to engage in its affairs. We will tend to always go beyond the mark or fall far short of the mark when our decisions go against others or ourselves and when we use protective behavior instead of opening up to new and varied possibilities and options. m Environment When viewed as a community problem, the master planning of our community can begin to reflect the values and desires of its citizenry. For instance, I am a horse owner and moved to Lehi because it provided the kind of environment I wanted open spaces, small community, rural atmosphere, etc. If I were to suggest that horse paths be built along our streets, would that be out of character? The point is that those who live in a com munity ought to be able to determine the kind of environment they want to have through the majority rule process. Input 7- - I appreciate the efforts of the Lehi City Planning Commission to solicit input from those affected by "the adoption of new guidelines and procedures relating to the Lehi City Master Plan." My only problem with the survey is the premise underlying the questions in the survey. For the most part, the questions appear to be directed towards the creation of an orderly pattern of growth and development in a variety of areas, ranging from single family homes, to business buildings, to commercial centers. What about the idea of "none of the above?" In other words, just because AF, PG and Draper are expanding their commercial offerings and services, does that mean Lehi must follow their example? And is developing additional business and services within the city something its citizens desire, need, or want? My view is that the very reasons that brought the majority of Lehi residents to move here or to remain here or to return here after living elsewhere, are the very things that will be usurped in favor of "growth and development." Is there anything wrong with attempting to maintain the status quo? Or at least of slowing down the headlong development spiral we have become party to, unwittingly or otherwise? What's wrong with remaining a "small town" in both flavor and character? Is there a way to take advantage of our natural assets ' location, size, character, style that would enhance our ability to be unique in an ordinary way? David M.Tuttle |