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Show Page 2 The Ogden Valley news Volume XXII Issue IV February 1, 2014 The Ogden Valley news Staff: Shanna Francis Tel: 801-745-2688 Fax: 801-745-2688 Cell: 801-791-4387 E-Mail: slfrancis@digis.net Jeannie Wendell Tel: 801-745-2879 Fax: 801-745-2879 E-Mail: crwendell@digis.net crwendell@msn.com Opinions expressed by advertisers, columnists or letters to the editor are not necessarily the opinions of the owners and staff of The Ogden Valley news. guidelines for Letters to the Editor Letters should be 300 words or less. Letters must be signed and the address of the writer submitted. The Ogden Valley news reserves the right to edit or decline printing of any submissions. Announcements Sought As a community service, The Ogden V alley n ews will print local birth, wedding, obituary, anniversary and missionary farewell & homecoming and Eagle Scout announcements free of charge. We invite residents to send their announcements to: The Ogden Valley news PO BOX 130 EDEN UT 84310 If you would like your submitted items returned, please send a stamped, selfaddressed envelope. The Ogden Valley news , while respecting all property received, will take no responsibility for lost or misplaced items. Please remember to keep a copy for yourself. Invitation for Articles The staff of The Ogden Valley news welcomes the submission of articles by our readership. We invite you to submit local historical accounts or biographies, articles pertaining to contemporary issues, and/or other material that may be of interest to our readers. We also invite you to submit to the paper, or notify the staff of local events. Awards that have been earned by the reader, family members, neighbors or friends are also sought. While the staff of The Ogden Valley news invites the submittal of information and articles, we reserve the right to select which material will be considered for publication. All material, to be considered, must be submitted with the full name, address and telephone number of the person submitting the material. The OgdenValley news’liability on account of errors in, or omissions of, advertising shall in no event exceed the amount of charges for the advertising omitted or the space occupied by the error. The Ogden Valley news does not endorse, promote or encourage the purchase or sale of any product or service advertised in this newspaper. Advertisements are the sole responsibility of the advertiser. The Ogden Valley news hereby disclaims all liability for any damage suffered as the result of any advertisement in this newspaper. The Ogden Valley news is not responsible for any claims or representations made in advertisements in this newspaper. The Ogden Valley news has the sole authority to edit and locate any classified advertisement as deemed appropriate. It also reserves the right to refuse any advertising. Note: The contents of The Ogden Valley News are copyrighted. To protect this publication and its contributors from unlawful copying, written permission is required before any individual or company engages in the reproduction or distribution of its contents, by any means, without first obtaining written permission from the owners of this publication. The deadline for the OVN February 15 issue is February 1. Letters to the Editor Remembering Kim A day rarely goes by that I do not think of my fun friend Kim Iverson. I’d like to say that I think of her because I am flossing my teeth, but it is probably more likely that I’m munching on some M&M’s, when I find myself laughing over some past afternoon working with Kim at Valley Elementary. Kim was a regular volunteer throughout the community, but dedicated so much of her time to her children’s schools. Besides holding several different PTSO positions throughout the years, she also volunteered regularly in the classroom and coordinated tournaments, field days, book fairs, reading circles, and whatever was needed of her. Most of our children have heard her give presentations on dental hygiene, and we saw her running in many Valley races. Even in her last year of life, she yearned for opportunities to serve others and give of herself to make this world a better place. There are many Valley-ites who remember our hardworking and selfless friend. A group of us are coordinating with Valley Elementary PTSO and Snowcrest PTSO to collect donations to purchase a memorial bench to set at Valley Elementary. If we receive enough donations, a second bench will be placed at Snowcrest Junior High. Donations of any amount can be given in the form of a check to Valley or Snowcrest PTSO. Please note “Kim’s Bench” in the memo line. Checks can be dropped off at either school or mailed to: VALLEY ELEMENTARY ATTN PTSO 5821 E 1900 N EDEN UT 84317 We have been researching the type of bench that we would like to purchase. We have narrowed it down to a sturdy, redwood bench with a plaque. We would love to have our business go to someone from the Valley. We are looking for referrals for someone who could build a highquality, redwood bench, or referrals for where to have plaques made locally. Otherwise, we have found some businesses online. Any expertise or ideas are welcome. Please share with Melissa Lewis at 801-430-2088. I look forward to having a long-lasting memorial where future Bulldogs, Skyhawks, and all Valley folk can sit and know that Kim’s service and smile will be remembered forever. Thank you, Melissa Lewis, Eden America’s 2002 Utah Pride Thirteen years ago, tens of thousands of Utahns began preparation for an event that would bring the world to their proud state. Preliminary work had begun on venues but now the actual work to hold the event moved forward. There were 30,000 volunteers to be identified and classified by skills and availability, trained and coordinated with the venue requirements; security would require 6,000 people. It was a massive task but the people of Utah were more than eager to be part of the 2002 International Salt Lake City Winter Olympics. The Olympics was a bi-partisan effort; Republican-dominated Utah worked with predominately Democratic Salt Lake City to secure the bid for 2002; and volunteers, vendors, and contractors alike put aside their political leanings. The Olympics was an opportunity for the people and the state of Utah to present their best image to the world and to those who came as spectators and participants. Despite some unsavory financial turmoil early on, the Olympics would go on to become one of the best organized and most successful events thanks in large part to guidance from Governor Mitt Romney and the Salt Lake Olympics Committee. But the Olympics are much more than just a monumental task of organizational performance, although this is critical to the outcome. From the moment the announcement was made that Salt Lake City would be the host city, people in Utah felt elevated knowing that they would be on the “world stage.” And with typical “pioneer spirit,” they determined to produce the best-ever Olympics and make 2002 a year to remember. February of 2002 was just five months after September 11 when the World Trade Center Twin Towers were destroyed by terrorists; America had come to grips with this heinous act of terrorism. The pain of “nine/eleven” would be ameliorated to some degree by a successful, peaceful, international competition held in a beautiful alpine setting; the Wasatch Mountains of Utah were the perfect place. Prior to the February start date, the Olympic torch began its journey from Greece, traveling around the world and across the USA. Many Americans would have the opportunity to carry the special torch through cities, forests, swamps, deserts, and Main Street America. In Utah, hundreds of torch carriers traveled the entire state from deserts to mountain peaks, finally arriving in Salt Lake City where they were greeted by thousands of welcoming, eager enthusiasts. Weeks before the start date, final training was completed, and volunteers were given official 2002 Winter Olympics parkas in Green, Blue, Red, and Yellow—depending on their work assignments. They would perform tasks that ranged from grooming trails to wanding spectators; from dispensing first aid and information to chauffeuring dignitaries; from cleaning the facilities to coordinating events. And there was a definite “can-do” spirit instilled in all who helped. The world was watching and Utahns were responding to the challenge. Volunteers who worked the Opening and Closing Ceremonies at Rice Eccles Stadium were able to witness some of the entertainment extravaganza on the floor of the stadium. Thousands of athletes from countries around the globe proudly paraded through the stadium in their unique uniforms and carried their country’s flags for all to see. But the flag that caused all the assembled spectators and athletes to gasp was the tattered and shredded American Stars and Stripes that had flown at the Twin Towers on 911. President George W. Bush saluted the flag, so did Utah Governor Leavitt, Olympic President Mitt Romney, and Americans who witnessed this special moment. This was a triumphal moment—one in which a determined army of volunteers vowed to make this Olympics a safe and rewarding experience. Everyone who participated, whether as a contestant, a host, or volunteer was gratified that there were no terrorist incidents and that the 2002 Winter Olympics were as good as it gets. Their names were enshrined on Salt Lake City’s “Wall of Fame” in appreciation of a job well done. John W. Reynolds, Pleasant View * The author participated as a volunteer in the 2002 Winter Olympics serving at Snowbasin as well as the Opening and Closing Ceremonies at Rice Stadium. |