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Show Leni rree cress New utani - Wednesday, Decemoer xt, iwv - rage 2 Opinion turns Good Making Christmas merry for all Grove, provided presents and the fixings for Christmas dinner for 41 families. "eaders and other community Other Christmas projects carnembers who participate in our ried out by schools, civic organizaChristmas Family program. This year, sponsors for 26 famitions, churches and individuals are too numberous to mention. nes have taken on the responsibilfor Christmas of peoMany people have been very busy ity providing this season to make certain that celebrate to who have little ple this year. everyone celebrates this special holiday. However, there are still six famOver the years, the newspaper ilies in varying degrees of need has had some wonderful experiwho could benefit from someone ences participating in this Christwho is willing to provide all or mas family project, largely for them. part of a Christmas Even in these prosperous times, because of the giving spirit of our New Utah! readers. with a healthy national economy It all serves to focus our minds and low unemployment rate, there ' are families who are in need. Most and hearts on the reason for the the birth of a are suffering from the common holiday season of circumin child the humblest our that society. plague problems stances. In that child's brief life Broken families, unemployed breadwinners, illness and varying span, his sphere of influence was combinations of all three have cre- very small, but in the almost 2000 ated families with young children years since his death, his message of peace, love and faith has filled who need the simple basics of life. the world. Western society continIt has been heartwarming to ues to consider his birth year as ee how many of you have stepped the first year of the modern calenforward to lend a hand. You help dar. make each Christmas a memoBut beyond Jesus's historical rable one. It is remarkable that activities significance is the difference he makes in the lives of the individulike this one are taking place all als who embrace his message. over. Pleasant Grove High School It's good to know that in times aelped over 400 children with when the commercial nature of their Angel Tree project. Similar the holiday season seems to overurojects have been undertaken at whelm its spiritual aspects, that Americna Fork High School, Lone Peak High School, Mountain View many of you continue to keep Christmas with the proper spirit. Jr. High and Lehi High School. To all of our New Utah! commuOther schools at all levels have members we wish you a been involved in gathering food, nity toys or othe items to help provide happy Christmas, along with a heartfelt thank you for your conChi istmas for those who might tinued support of the Christmas otherwise go without. The local Eagles, also in Pleasant Family project. Every year we get a lesson in the Christmas spirit from our cooking Good food, good prices and good company. Where is this place at? Right under our noses. Granted it is nothing fancy, as but the rewards of eating there go "lb infinity Buzz Iightyear would say and beyond.'' And you do not even have to tip. No, it is not McDonalds. They ceased being a good meal deal long ago. This cuisine is low fat, low salt, and good for you. Definitely not the fast food regime. It is the school cafeteria. Yup. That is right The home of the dreaded canned spinach and the pasty mashed potatoes that we used as glue for arts and crafts has changed. The cooks get to the kitchen before many of us get out of bed in the morning. They bake fresh bread, rolls, pastries and cookies. They prepare homemade soups, sauces and casseroles. Sound like Grandma's? Well it is close only if your grandmother orders out Papa Murphy's or Five Buck pizza every once in a while. Or if she brings home a Hogi Yogi sandwich or buys some Otis Spunkmey-e- r cookies occasionally. And of course, the children get choices. Will it be a hamburger or lasagna? Pizza or a Chick Fila sandwich? Salad do bar or potato bar? And better yet you want two percent or chocolate milk? It is a switch from the old days and I have heard if the Lehi High School students do not get their fresh baked dinner rolls the ladies make from scratch, there is some major complaining. And the youth have other favorites including their Chocolate Crackle Cookies, Peanut count, than three mas along the Wasatch Front without snow just doesn't feel right, does it. It's kind of scary, too. I mean, not only do we have a brown Christmas, but we're also worried about having brown lawns next summer, unless we get some more moisture in the mountains. Not to mention the fact that the skiing is, well, not good. I had a chance to try out Sundance's e snow last week, and it new was okay. But they only had time to prepare one run on the bottom part of the hill. The result was it was fun to get on the hill and work out those ski muscles, but after about five runs, I'd pretty well worn out the hill. Like anything else, you need variety to make skiing consistently interesting, and while one run may be enough for those learning to ski or snowboard, it's just not enough for the rest of us. So, what I want for Christmas is some snow. I don't care if it is all in the mountains or if it blankets the valley as well, as long as we get enough for a good winter of skiing and a good summer of watering the old lawn. (Editor's note: I wrote this Monday, when there was no hint of snow in the air and little hope of snow on the ground As I drove home early Tuesday morning after a long Monday, snow was beginning to fall in very tentative flakes. When I came back to work a few hours earlier, snow covered the landscape. So you see, some Christmas wishes do come true and some come true even before ever-prese- i ; '. God-give- 1 tele- vision programs that revolve around the notion that angels regularly participate in the affairs of this world. once rather Talking about angels unfashionable, as portrayed accuis rately in "It's a Wonderful Life" now all the rage. Angel merchandise is everywhere, a sure sign of mass popularity. There are even scientists attempting to quantify the "angel phenomenon," as they call it. The researchers range from apologists to those who think tnat believers suffer from mass hysteria, the same kind they attribute to those who believe in UFOs. media polls sugThe the that gest majority of Americans not only are willing to entertain the notion that angels might exist, but can offer anecdotal evidence that they do from their own lives or the lives of someone they know. None of this is sufficient to convince the skeptic, of course, and there are still plenty of those. However, to us who believe, and I include myself in that group, scientific wrangling is immaterial to what we not see, touch or hear can feel to be true. The word angel comes from the ; Greek word for messenger; the spir- -' itual capacity that now accompanies ; the word was gradually added over We now think of ; many centuries. ; angels as emissaries of God, but we i tend to think only of the kind that i float in the air surrounded by light. The truth is that most of God s ; work in the world is done by ordi- nary human beings who, when ; called upon and with the help of the J Almighty, can rise above themselves far enough to become instruments in God's hands. To me, anyone who advances the J cause of good by helping one of their fellow creatures in a time of need or " encouraging them to reach towards n their potential is an angel. In my daily life and work. I know so many of these and most of ! them are quietly going about minis- tering to those they can help, repre- senting God in the conduct of their lives, not in any worldly show with a ; fanfare of trumpets. Near the top of the list would have to be most of the teachers in fee pros IfwUtah! (ISSN No. 1521-685(U.S.P.S. No. 309-50A JT5M! nf b!JU NlV, . number of NATIONAL NEWSPAPER ASSOCIATION man-mad- our schools. These dedicated professionals sacrifice a lot to try and help our children realize their capacities and magnify their successes. They deserve an appreciation they seldom receive. their company are the care and public safety Also in health employees in our midst. Someone is on call 24 hours a day to serve us when there is any kind of emergency. Whether nurse, paramedic, firefighter or police officer, most are g people who are genuinely committed to the public good. Our local clergy would seem a more obvious choice, but I doubt that the members of any religious group truly understand all the ways that their leaders influence the lives of those around them. A nominee might be our young people, but there is tremendous power for good within them. Most of them take it for granted that they are expected to help others, and do so without thought of restrictions or return. Also on the list belong conscientious parents, honest business owners, caring neighbors and genuine friends. Each of us can look around us and see the positive things that we have gained from these associations. There is no doubt in my mind that unseen forces help shape our daily lives, but I'd also like to suggest that the next time you want to see an angel, look in the mirror. There won't be any wings or halo, but I'm certain that God uses each of us in an angelic capacity from time to time. Since He is the author of all good, to do good is to do His will, and in effect, to be His messenger. This is a week when many of us have a special opportunity to be just that. May each of us step away from the torrent of busyness we experience at this season of the year long enough to share our time and our love with those around us who may need it the most. In doing so we will honor and thank all the angels who have and also, their Master. helped us hard-workin- ed Published weekly by mTTne jXewtahjXews Yiroup 59 West Main American Fork, Utah 84003 & City represents the Managing Editor City Editor money Editor I was under the impression that we lived in a democracy. I was told the people we vote in are representatives of the citizens. I was also under the impression that if you became involved in the process that you could make a difference. What a joke! Our property was forced into annexation by the city of Lehi several months ago. I have made almost all of the Planning CJonimission meetings and City Council meeting since that time. I went to both meet the candidates nights because I wanted to be informed when I voted And as the elections proved, your vote does count Right? All of this is true until you go to a City Council Meeting. About one and years ago the city made a deal with Wayne Patterson. The city acquired 26 acres for a park from Mr. Patterson In return, the city gave Mr. Patterson park credits. What this means is Mr. Patterson buys property for a subdivision - lefs say 10 acres and it is zoned (12,000 sq. ft lots). On 10 acres he could get 30 houses. Now he requests a PRD. He gives one-ha- lf R-l-- Circulation Publisher Not that parents have a lot of time during the holidays, but in case your older children feel the need to bribe Santa Claus, the LHS cooks provided a few of their popular recipes so the teenagers can bake them for you while you catch up on other holiday tasks. You will find them on the inside pages of your paper. You can not beat the prices of the federally subsidized school meal. Breakfasts for children are 70 cents (talk about money back from your dollar, wasn't that the 608?) and for adults is $1. Lunches run about the same at $1.10 for children and $1.80 for adults. And the portions are not skimpy either. Granted, as far as good company goes, if you walked in on your preteen or teenager to eat school lunch with them in front of their friends, they would probably die of embarrassment. But the benefits are "to infinity and beyond" when you visit with the little gals and guys at the lower elementary grade levels. Not only do you get to spend quality time with your child, you get to know their friends, too. And I do not think even the Garden Wall Restaurant at Thanksgiving Point has such rewarding entertainment The last time I visited the r cafeteria I met Braydon second-grade- hate pepper. And Samantha (I promised not to tell her last name) showed us how to tell if you had a boyfriend or two or not Pull out a hair from your scalp and hold it between two fingers. Take your other hand and curl the hair with your nail tips like scissors do to ribbon. If it curls, you have one boyfriend. If it curls up to the fingertips holding the hair, you have two boyfriends. If you are short on hair, you are out of luck. School lunch with your young children is fun and can be a way to let them know you care. If you are the curious sort you can catch up on school gossip, what all from a child's is in and what is not view. of point Now as for the tipping, no, the cooks do not get tips or applause. There is not even a cooks' appreciation day. But they should be thanked for the great job they do and the personal touch they provide for our children. Next to mom's home cooking they are the best After the holiday vacation is over you might want to make a lunch date with your child and check it out. Ask what day your child likes lunch the best It is probpizza day. ably Friday Christmas. By the time you read this, Fll be headed for Alta.) That's fine for me, but what about the rest of you? Well, I can't answer for everybody, but Fve thought of some really nice presents for others. Here's what Td like to see some people find under their tree when they wake up Christmas morning: Lehi City: A giant siphon to drain all that remaining swamp land inside the city limits. Eagle Mountain: Everything Eagle Mountain Properties promised to give them when the town was founded along with their golf course, airport, parks and community college. Hey, ifs a big list, but Eagle Mountain people think big. A boat dock for Saratoga Springs: the rest of us so that Saratoga Springs residents can enjoy their private dock without trespassing on public property. American Fork City: One city council meeting where they aren't "on camera" from start to finish. American Fork residents: A brand new library that is actually open and ready to use. This should come along about February, er... March, er... April.... Well just have to wait and see. Pleasant Grove City: A shiny new freeway interchange of its own. Cedar Hills: A little respect from its neighbors. Lindom A new road to go with its new movie theater. Highland City: A huge overpass to get cars from the west of Highland to Lone Peak High School safely without going through anybody's neighborhood, any local parks, or other cities. The School Alpine District: Enough money to make the old schools as appealing as the new ones, so students will attend their local high school ' by choice instead of by royal decree. Lehi High School: Test scores that are as good as those at American Fork High School. The football team did it and so can the studentbody. American Fork High School A building as nice as the world class one at Lone Peak. (See Alpine School District.) Lone Peak High School: Another exit from the school parking lot Dave County Commissioner Gardner: The sudden appearance of the hitchhiker who offered him the tainted drink, to corroborate his version of the events that led to his arrest for DUI. UDOT. A Toy Story 2 Cone Game so they can learn how to get from one place to another safely. (See the movie, then youH get it.) Micron: A Y2K disaster in Asia that shuts down the competition, causing their stock to rise and their Lehi facility to open. To all of you: Love, peace and a sense of humor. Reader's Forum .... 9 Classified Advertising 3 Display Advertising New..... BrsttBezzant ...... .Marc Haddock Cathy Wred Subscription price $24" per year Periodicals Postage Paid at American Fork, Utah POSTMASTER: ttnd tddrtN eNng to WWM IMn, Annrlcsn For, Utah S4003 - .. .Tuesday, . , , the city 20 percent for a park or two acres. But he still gets 30 houses. This makes the lots smaller. Then, in a park the city gives him back the park property for more houses. Now, if the city does not give him the park they must pay him for the two acres. Chapel Valley F at 500 West and 800 South will not have any park or open space because of this deal This is one and miles away from the 26 acre buy-bac- buy-bac- k, one-ha- lf park Another development is at 600 South and 1700 West right nest to our proper- ty, and Mr. Jonsson's mink farm. Our concern as property owners was having houses right next to our animla, We were concerned about the problems that arise when the people get tired of the smell, flies and noise. All we were asking is that the houses be put further away from our property line, hopefully to alleviate these poten- tial problems. The Planning Commission agreed and voted twice to keep this with no PRD or buy back, stating that it would be better for all property owners to have the houses further away. Hopefully, that would stop any problems that 2 noon young. Now three of these lots are within 100 feet of the mink sheds. How many people would want to live that close to a mink shed? Now what is going to happen when one of these property owners goes out to till his garden or mow his lawn or celebrate July with fireworks? Mr. Jonsson has the potential to lose thousands of dollars. Now on to the City Council They did not care about the potential money loss of the mink farm. Nor do they care of the potential problems caused by placing these three lots so dose. All they cared about was the fact that if they did not give Mr. Patterson his buy-bac- k they would have to pay at approximately $42K an acre. Does this sound like they are representing the present and future citizens? Why do we have a Planning Clommission tf they are ignored? The way I see it, the city does not represent the citizens, they represent the money. I hope this is not the next Sunset disaster. Kelly Jacklin .Monday, 5 p.m. Monday, 2 p.m. ......... Monday, 2 p.m. .......... .Monday, 2 p.m. ............ .Monday, 10 a.m. All letters must Include the author's name (printed AND signed) and a telephone number. We reserve the right to edit letters for clarity, punctuation, taste and length. Letters arewelcome on any topic. Missionaries HOW TO REACH US Weddings Sports might arise, such as the fact that at certain times of the year it is critical to the mink farm that there are no sudden, loud noises. The minis will kill their We welcome letters to the editor. Deadlines Telephont Numbers Advertising Newi Chocolate Chip Cookies. Can you believe that Christmas is only three days away? I can't. For one thing, there's no snow. Christ- were no less regularly-schedule- d Butter Finger Bars and Lunchroom WilHnmn. "Did you know too many vitamins will kill ya?" he quipped. Some of the girls listening started to giggle but one claimed him as her boyfriend (as well as one or two mora) Still trying to make polite conversation he also volunteered, "My cousin and I are twins." Then Taylor Olsen told a joke Why do sharks like salt water? Because they A few Christmas wishes for north Utah County The angels among us there last At up in unlikely places Community Calendar . .Monday, 10 a.m. Letters to the Edrtor . . .Monday, 10 a.m. Obituaries Tuesday, 11 a.m. P.O. Box By Mail 7, American Fork, UT 84003 In Person 59 W. Main, American Fork By Fax 756-527- 4 By editor 9 newutah.com SPOOR Ci |