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Show Page 12 THE OGDEN VALLEY NEWS Volume XI Issue III November 15, 2004 North Fork Environmental By Helene Liebman, Ogden Valley Pathways PaTH WAY Tucked up against Open VALLEY CHAPTER the western range of mountains that surround Ogden Valley, just beneath Ben Lomond, Swanson’s North Fork Environmental Center serves as a resource for the Weber School District. It’s a beautiful place, hidden in the trees. And today, during Ogden Valley’s first real snowfall for the season, it’s especially quiet. 7 feeling sorry for Dave, though, you need o know that he made it his life’s goal to pecan Director at theC When Dave pad Just graduated from the University of U ith an undergraduate degree in science, he happened to visit the Center at the urging of his aunt. It seems his cousin was dating the previous Center Director’s son, and his aunt suggested he go up and see what they did at North Fork. Dave did just that, was impressed, and decided this would be his career goal. Center Hosts Area Students School Districts (Ogden schools pay a rental fee when they visit). Some of the trips are overnighters, as the Center sleeps up to 80, dorm-style—40 boys and 40 girls. All of the trips provide an opportunity for the students to experience the environment more intimately than they can in a traditional class- room, Science Curriculum The Center’s programs are designed to cover and reinforce i a District’s core curriculum in scien Topics te wildlife, insects, alants, Soil formations, hea and energy, simple physics, avalanche aay. astronomy, and more eacher decides what to cover and works with Dave, who comes up with innovative ways to make learning fun. Today, with the snow coming down steadily and the day’s group cancelled due to the weather, the Center may be the most peaceful place in the Valley. It has been there since 1976 when the Dr. Walter C. Swanson family donated the money and local companies made generous in-kind donations for its construction anies like Parsons, Amcor, Whitehead, the Standard-Examiner, Boman Kemp, and Peerless. And people with vision of how kids could learn a lot by being exposed to the outdoors. People like Jack Shaw, who, at the time, was the Chair of the Weber County Trails Committee. Public Welcome Dave, who now lives in the home on what was once his wife’s family farm in Eden (the Stallings farm on the southwest corner of Eden Park, which was built around 1906), welcomes the public to visit. You can access the North Fork Environmental Center through the south gate in North Fork Park. In the winter, Dave (on his own time) along with a group of volunteers groom over 15 kilometers of cross-country ski trails, both within the Center’s property and in North Fork Park. They do this four days each week. A—or, The Utah Nordic Alliance—provides the equipment. TUNA spent $11,000 last year for equipment, fuel, and maintenance. This year, Dave and TUNA, need $2,800 for a piece of new equipment. Funds are acquired through donations and fees that cross-country skiers voluntarily pay when they use the trails. It’s $3 per day (there’s a collection box at the trailhead in North Fork Park) or $30 for a season’s pass. Dave encourages skiers to purchase a season pass. If you’re interested, send a check for $30 to TUNA, P. O. Box 643, Eden, UT 84310. And, when you’re on the trails this winter in North Fork, stop by and visit with Dave. Well, Dave . . . along with 80 screaming kids. OGDEN VALLEY PATHWAYS DECEMBER MEETING We’re taking a break for the holidays, so we won’t be holding a meeting in December. Our next meeting will be on Wednesday, January 5, at 7:00 p.m., at the Ogden Valley Library. If you have any news or want more information, contact Helene Liebman at 745- 1799 The OVN Hosts a Year of Essay Contests Sixteen years later, after earning a master’s degree in science and with lots of teaching experience under his belt (including 8 years as the science teacher at Snowcrest), Dave became the Center Director. That was ee years ago. Today, he hosts destination for kids in the Weber ar NEws staff is seeking essay contests. One chosen each month The winning entrant gift certificate from all ages are encour- puter written in 12 pt., Times New Roman font. The essay should not exceed 2500 words, but should be at least 400 words. All entries must be received by the 18th of each month. Entries must include the name and age, mailing address, and telephone number of applicant. Mail entries to: Themes for 2004 are: OGDEN VALLEY NEWS PO BOX 130 EDEN UT 84310 December: What it Means to Be a Friend All entries become the property of the OGDEN VALLEY NEws to use at the business owners’ discretion. Entries will not be returned. All entries must be typed or com- Email to: slfrancis@att.net crwendell@att.net = THANK YOU Former WCR “Woman of the Year,” Multi-Million Dollar Producer Compe aQ0() coq SDs" Quiet right now, but usually it plays host to 80 school kids. Just think—80 school kids, all excited to be out of the classroom and in the outdoors. Running up the hill from their buses—screaming, laughing, squealing. Makes you have real admiration for Dave Jenkins, the Center Director. Before The OGDEN VALLEY entries for their monthly winning entry may be and printed in the paper. will receive a $20.00 Hastings. Students of aged to participate. As the Holiday Season's begin, our work is over . /. . another busy year “making it black” is gone. It's a privilege to live and work in this Valley, and we appreciate the support and business. We have more time to answer questions about paving and maintenance in the winter, so feel free to call before Spring rushes around again: Happy Holidays! WASATCH PAVING 745-3006 donepd BAAR soMR'HBSY : ti as S s i Nhe eV) Weber County students collect leaves at the North Fork Environmental Center during an outing this fall. Join Us For Monday Night Football Present this coupon ‘Locals Appreciation Night! on Tuesdays I Iwo for One Entrees” | Expires November 24, 2004 WI Geek R ES O 3900 N. Wolf Creek Drive RT 745-3737 * The lesser priced entree of the two is free. |