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Show The Ogden Valley news Volume XXII Issue V Page 13 May 1, 2014 The Glacier Lily . . . A Harbinger of Spring Valley Elementary Students Reach Reading Goal! patches continuing to grow each day, revealing By Shanna Francis grey undergarments, too-long encased, shrouded The glacier lily, or Erythronium grandiflorum . . . still in need of spring’s cleansing showers, (Liliaceae), is known by other names, such as the whitening sun, drying breeze—like hand-washed yellow avalanche lily, yellow fawn-lily, and dog- laundry hung out on the line after a vigorous tooth violet. However, as a child, the only name I spring cleaning. How wonderful it all was each knew it by was the elusive curly head—a delicate spring . . . new and bright—so fresh yet meaningful wildflower. after winter’s long labor. The curly The glacier lily, or curly head, is head—the bright, but quiet, beacon a wild relative to the garden tulip— had arrived . . . to guide spring back so I’ve come to learn as an adult. into the still, wind-swept, partiallyThrough the years, I also learned snow-covered valley. that, since time immemorial, it has Through the unfolding years, it provided food for a variety of anihas become more and more difficult mals, including pocket gophers, mule to find this delicate leader who, for deer, elk, bighorn sheep, grizzly and so long . . . even eons . . . has ushered black bears, and even aboriginal spring into this high-mountain dell. humans who, like the bear, used for But now, the sacred ritual seems also food, the corms, or bulb-like root. to be silently receding, much like Habitat . . . sagebrush slopes and Portent of spring in the vanishing snowline that it has mountain forest openings, often near Eden—the unassuming followed as an old companion year melting snow. A note by National curly head. after year. Geographic . . . “The species often I recently read, “Because the lily blooms so blooms as snow recedes.” early, it suffers reduced pollination in years of I learned from roaming the hillsides and oak early snowmelt. Such dislocations of flowerbrush outside my home in Eden while growing ing from pollinator activity are likely to become up, that the curly head was the first real indica- more common as climates warm.” Too, the tor of spring—thus its name, glacier lily, since peace of the brisk spring winds moving through it typically thrives in sup alpine meadows and the still-barren oak brush and quakies, the sweet brush, and blooms shortly after the snow melts, rumbling of an over-exerted Wolf Creek bearing its new greenery and blooms following the valley the vanishing snowline, and the familiar sounds of floor’s reluctantly receding snowline as it makes the woodpeckers’ mating drills and the meadow its annual journey up the surrounding slopes and larks’ sweet lilting trills are receding. Like the mountainsides each spring. disappearing curly head, is it due only to global As a young girl, the culminating event after warming, or, perhaps, too, because of the glarthe annual Easter picnic and egg roll down the ing and vulgar dissonance of noise, light, air, and rocky hillside above our home, was the move visual pollution that accompanies indiscriminant from the rocky slopes and on into the oak development, and presses harshly against subtler, brush where we were more likely to find the but not less-valuable creations. most treasured prize of all during the Easter Yesterday, while outside spring cleaning in hunt—not a brightly-colored boiled egg, but a anticipation of this year’s family Easter combright yellow harbinger of spring—our intimate munion, I stoop as part of another spring ritual, friend, the curly head. which I’ve more recently adopted—the picking This search was my favorite part of the spring up of the ever-increasing debris that stirs, whirls, celebration. It was a tradition I looked forward and blows into the yard around the perimeters of to each year after the Valley’s long, harsh win- home—scattered, decaying remnants of man’s ter. However, during the search for curly heads, creation—refuse. However, my breath catches one was more likely to, first, stumble upon the for an instant at the sight of a welcome, childhood much-easier-to-find pungent wild onion, with friend . . . an unassuming curly head. its rich, aromatic scent. Much hardier than the Later in the day, two of my young grandsons lily—this fresh new life could be found, bursting come by. I tell them I have something very spethrough the thick layers of dead and decaying oak cial to share with them. On the short walk up the and maple leaves carpeting the wooded floor. I path to where this humble glacier lily nods its remember . . . my small fingers tug gently on the curled petals in the spring breeze, the two boys wispy, fresh green shoots. The small onion stirs continue to ask questions, “What color is it?” easily from its resting spot beneath the soft-loamy “What does it look like?” soil where it had nestled, remained dormant I explain how bright and beautiful . . . how delithroughout the cold winter. Now, stooping, I lift cate this wildflower is. I tell them that I hope that the delicate strands close to my face where I savor someday . . . long into the future—after they are the rich and unmistakable aroma of wild onion. grown and I am gone—that they will still be able Only now, in hind sight, am I aware of how to find this lovely lily in Eden, and that they will, crisp and fresh the air all around me was during in turn, be able to share with their children . . . and this time of year, with what abandonment the grandchildren . . . the story and beauty of this bright river ran, and how the once-solid-white blanket portent of spring, which has announced each year, of snow that smothered the surrounding hillsides for uncounted generations, the arrival of renewed for so many months, had now become soiled in life . . . and hope for a better season ahead. so many places, worn and weathered—threadbare WATER USERS cont. from page 1 address of the protesting party, STATE THE APPLCIATION NUMBER protested, cite reasons for the protest, and REQUEST A HEARING, if desired. Also, a $15 FEE MUST BE INCLUDED FOR EACH APPLICATION PROTESTED. Protests must be filed with the DIVISION OF WATER RIGHTS, PO BOX 146300, SALT LAKE CITY, UT 84114-6300, or by hand delivery to a Division office during normal business hours ON OR BEFORE MAY 21, 2014. Please visit http://waterrights. utah.gov or call 801-538-7240 for additional information. EXCHANGE APPLICATION 35-12848 (E5382): Summit Mountain Holding Group, LLC proposes to exchange water using 400.0 acre-feet to be diverted from groundwater (Eden) for MUNICIPAL: In Powder Mountain Water & Sewer District. Kent L. Jones, P.E. STATE ENGINEER. Pub.: April 24, May 1 By Hudson Mendoza & Andrew Rollins, Valley Elementary 6th grade student reporters This year at Valley Elementary, students reached their goal of reading 5,000 books or more. In all, the students read 5,211 books! As a reward for doing so well, our principal, Mr. Hales, and reading specialist Mrs. Zachardi had their hair dyed multiple colors at a special assembly held Friday, March 20. We interviewed Jackson, a first grader, and asked him what he thought about it. He said, “This is the best day of my life!” At the event, Mason Kenfield won a reading certificate from our school, which was donated by Walmart. Mason can now choose to purchase a bike, scooter, or an iPOD with the certificate. Valley Youth Captures First Place Win at Weber School District Arta Fair Bailey Kelson of Eden recently captured a captain First Place win in 3D art at the Weber School District art fair. Bailey is a 9th grader at Snowcrest Jr. High. When asked about her interest in art, and if she plans on pursuing her talent, Bailey stated that she has been interested in art her entire life. She also states that she is interested in taking more art classes at Weber High, eventually shifting her focus to three-dimensional art. She states, “I love all forms of art, Bailey Kelson’s but three-dimensional winning art piece is my favorite. I do not plan on pursuing art titled “Ballerina.” professionally, but I do really love it so I plan on sticking with it as a hobby for the rest of my life.” Asked if other members of her family were artists, Bailey explained that her mom is a photographer, and that her “Vovó,” or dad’s mom, is also an artist. Asked about how she came up with the idea of her winning art piece, Bailey explained, “I used to dance, but I quit so I could do karate. I wanted to play on the idea that ballerinas are so limber and flexible, and raw noodles are not. The fact that the noodles are painted to look like metal adds to the irony.” Bailey’s other hobbies and interests include cooking, writing, reading, and science. “I am a hurdler and long jumper, and a team captain on the Snowcrest track and field team. I was also HOMETOWN HEROES cont. from page 1 April 14, presented a check to Weber County Sheriff Terry Thompson in the amount of $350. After being presented the monies, Sheriff Thompson stated that the funds would go directly back into the Ogden Valley community by supporting the NOVA program at Valley Elementary, which is conducted by Deputy Garcia, who also works with the Weber County Sheriff’s Department. NOVA (Nurturing Opportunities, Values, and Accountability) is the program that replaced DARE, which Weber County Schools previously adopted to help fight drug abuse by teens and pre-teens. The mission of the NOVA program is to nurture youth in a way that they will desire to seek out positive opportunities, internalize good values, and to accept accountability for their choices in life. NOVA assists parents, families, and communities in protecting youth from the for the softball team. I am editor in chief on the yearbook staff at Snowcrest, and vice president for national Junior Honor Society.” Bailey’s art teacher at Snowcrest is Mr. Barney. B a i l e y th Snowcrest Jr. High 9 grader e x p l a i n e d , Bailey Kelson (center) pictured “He is very with Weber School District h e l p f u l . Superintendent Dr. Jeff Stephens The project (left) at the Eccles Art Center in did start at Ogden. school, but I worked on it mostly at home so that I could focus on the details of the sculpture.” Asked about how it felt to win, Bailey stated, “It feels good to win. But in all things, not just art, if you focus too heavily on winning, you miss out on the fun and gratification of actually doing something great.” Bailey’s art piece will be on display at the Eccles Community Art Center in Ogden, which is located at 2580 Jefferson Avenue. But you must stop in soon; the exhibit ends the end of April. Bailey is the daughter of KimberLee and Dax Kelson. potentially devastating effects of illegal drugs, violence, and negative media exposure. Deputy Maria Garcia, NOVA instructor for the Weber County Sheriff’s Office, teaches one lesson a week for 13 weeks within sixth grade classes throughout the Weber School District. She has been working with the NOVA program in the school district for about eight years. Garcia explained further about the program. “NOVA, in contrast to the DARE program, shifted the focus away from drug use solely, towards personal accountability—in any situation, not just saying no to drugs. We still talk about marijuana, tobacco, alcohol, but the main focus is on self-esteem, respect, and personal accountability.” Please continue to help celebrate and honor our hometown heroes during the final upcoming promotional quarters by supporting our local grocers at the Valley Market. Subscriptions available for out of area residents at $18.00 annually. Send payment with mailing address to: The Ogden Valley news P O BOX 130, EDEN UT 84310 Brigham Burton DDS Ashley Burton DDS Vern Iverson DDS Iverson Dental offers all phases of general dentistry including: t Crowns & Bridges Periodontal Services t Digital Radiography t Wisdom Teeth Extractions t t t t t Root Canal Therapy Dental Implants Sedation Dentistry Teeth Whitening & Cosmetic Bonding We have over 25 years of dental experience using the most advanced technologies & equipment in a comfortable and relaxing atmosphere. We also treat all ages from toddlers to seniors. We are open Monday-Friday with evening hours available. 2627 N. Highway 162, Eden 801-745-3882 www.iversondental.com |