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Show Page 3 The Garfield County Insider December 31, 2008 IN OUR TOWN... MISSIONS Elder Clinton Dean Adkins The History of New Year’s Resolutions The tradition of the New Year’s Resolutions goes all the way back to 153 B.C. Janus, a mythical king of early Rome was placed at the head of the calendar. With two faces, Janus could look back on past events and forward to the future. Janus became the ancient symbol for resolutions and many Romans looked for forgiveness from their enemies and also exchanged gifts beforethe beginning of each year. Auld Lang Syne The song, “Auld Lang Syne,” is sung at the stroke of midnight in almost every English- speaking country in the world to bring in the New Year. In spite of the popularity of ‘Auld Lang Syne’, it has aptly been described as the song that nobody knows. Even in Scotland, hardly a gathering sings it correctly, without some members of the party butchering the words. Written by Robert Burns in 1741, it was first published in 1796 after Burns’ death. “Auld Lang Syne” literally means “old long ago,” or simply, “the good old days.” Top TEN New Year’s Resolutions: 1. Quit Smoking 2. Lose Weight 3. Quit Drinking 4. Go back to School 5. Spend more time with your family 6. Try something new 7. Work on Your Spiritual Growth 8. Take a trip 9. Pay off that Christmas Debt 10. Get a better job Top Ten PET Resolutions 10. I will no longer be beholden to the sound of the can opener. 9. Circulate petition that Leg Humping be a juried competition in major dog shows. 8. Call PETA and tell them what that surgical mask-wearing freak does to us when no one is around. 7. Take time from busy schedule to stop and smell the behinds. 6. Hamster: Don’t let them figure out I’m just a rat on ‘roids, or they’ll flush my ---. 5. Always scoot before licking. 4. Grow opposable thumb; break into pantry; decide for MYSELF how much food is ‘too’ much. 3. Get out of the castle more, maybe swim counter-clockwise this year. 2. January 1st: Kill the sock! Must kill the sock! January 2nd December 31: Re-live victory over the sock. The Number 1 New Year’s Resolutions Made by Pets... 1. I will NOT chase the damned stick unless I see it LEAVE HIS HAND. Enjoy One-year Holiday from Required Minimum Distributions Article Provided by Brandon Henrie, Financial Advisor for Edward Jones Investments. Although it sounds strange, you may encounter situations in which you have to accept money even if you’d rather not. Such is the case with required minimum distributions (RMDs) from your traditional IRA, 401(k) or other employersponsored retirement plan. But thanks to recent legislation, you can ignore the “required” part of RMDs — at least for a year. Specifically, lawmakers recently placed a oneyear moratorium on taking (RMDs) for 2009. If you’re not familiar with the rules governing RMDs, here’s a little background: Generally, the IRS requires you to begin taking RMDs in the year in which you turn 701/2, or no later than April 1 of the following year. For example, if you turn 70-1/2 in 2009, you would normally be required to take your first RMD by April 1, 2010. You must also think about RMDs if you are a beneficiary of someone else’s IRA, 401(k) or other retirement account, because when the account owner dies, regardless of age, you must generally begin taking RMDs. And this is also true if you are the beneficiary of a Roth IRA, even though Roth IRA owners are never required to take RMDs. But thanks to the new legislation, you can skip the required 2009 distribution if you reach 70-1/2 in 2009 or if you’re a beneficiary currently required to take RMDs. You also have until Dec. 31, 2010, to accept the 2010 RMD, which will be based on your retirement account balance at the end of 2009. Why did Congress decide to provide this RMD “holiday” for 2009? For the answer, you need look no farther than your IRA or 401(k) account balance. As you are well aware, 2008 was not a stellar year for the stock market. Consequently, as 2008 draws to a close, the market value of your IRA or 401(k) is probably considerably lower than it was in earlier years. This could have been a problem for you if you had to start taking RMDs in 2009, because these distributions are based, in part, on your account balance at the close of the previous year — which means you may well have had to sell some stocks or other investments in your retirement plan when their price was down. To help people avoid having to “sell low,” Congress acted. Ultimately, you will have to end up taking distributions again. But before that happens, take some time to decide how large a distribution you should accept each year. If you need the money, you might have to take out more than the RMD. But if you can get by on just the minimum distribution, you may want to do so, thereby keeping as much of your retirement account as possible in a tax-deferred account. But for now, if you have any questions about taking RMDs in 2009, contact your financial and tax advisors. Elder Clinton Dean Adkins has been called to serve in the Florida Jacksonville Mission. He will report to the MTC in Provo, Utah on January 14, 2009. He will speak in Sacrament meeting on Sunday, January 11, 2009 at the Henrieville Ward Chapel at 10:00 am. Clinton is the son of Robb and Loreli Adkins of Henrieville. He is the grandson of David Q. and Delpha Rose of Henrieville and Dean and Sharon Adkins of Boise, Idaho. Elder Adkins joins his sister, Ashlee Adkins, who is serving in the Pennsylvania Philadelphia Mission. Every1Counts New Year: Get it right By Cynthia Kimball Humphreys Oprah Winfrey said, “Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right.” I like that, “Get it right.” Often times we think we are too old to get it right. Or, too set in our ways. Or, it’s too difficult. Or, we might merely say, “I don’t want to.” Perhaps we don’t want to because someone else wants us to. Or even we’re too comfortable or in a habit. We can come up with excuse after excuse, rationalization and after rationalization. Yet, we’ve all seen people, perhaps even ourselves, get it right or better yet change. And when that happens? It feels great. It can even be life altering. Maybe we’re a leader and we’ll decide that being loyal to our employees will build trust. Maybe we’re a coach and we’ll decide that not humiliating our athletes will build them up. Maybe when we’re asked what we think of so-and-so we’ll first ask, before we reply, “Is what I am going to say good or useful?” And then say something kind even though something negative may first come to mind. Maybe before we cast judgment we’ll assume the best or give the benefit of the doubt. After all, don’t we want people to do that for us? And, can’t we all think of times when we assumed the worst in people and situations and were wrong? Maybe we’ll decide where we stand on issues (i.e. gossip, cheating, drinking, gambling, smoking, etc.) so that when circumstances present themselves we won’t have to decide. Maybe when we grab for a second helping we’ll ask, “Am I eating this just because it’s here or because I am really hungry?” Maybe before we make that purchase we’ll ask, “Is this a want or a need?” Maybe we’ll show less favoritism and see someone blossom who otherwise might go unnoticed. Maybe we’ll not let what others think about us --or what we think they think-dictate who we are or how we should act. Maybe we’ll overcome a fear (i.e. fear of success or failure, job security, the dark, finances, etc.) so that we can move forward with our dreams. Maybe we’ll make a decision (i.e. a phone call, a job change, a weight loss and or exercise program, etc.) and get a huge weight off our shoulders. Maybe we’ll be a little kinder and show love to everyone we encounter and impact another’s life for the better. Maybe we’ll sharpen that gift or talent we have and teach someone what we know. Maybe we’ll send one handwritten thank you note a day. I don’t know about you, but I open handwritten notes before bills. Any day. Maybe we’ll ask ourselves before we act or speak, “What’s my purpose in doing and saying this? Hopefully, it’s not to build ourselves up and impress others. Maybe we’ll smile more if not for ourselves but for another, even if our jaw ends up hurting. Maybe we’ll forgive a grudge that has been damaging us more than another. Maybe we’ll learn how to be truly unselfish simply by letting someone merge ahead of us in traffic, have the last cookie or even the last sale item in a store. Maybe we’ll ask our employees what they think. Or our athletes. Or even our children. For example, “If you were in my situation, what would you do better or differently?” As we ponder our actions, thoughts and words of 2008, let’s do more of what we did well. And less or even eliviate all together, things that brought uneasiness in our heart and minds and in others. And remember, it’s never too late to get it right. After all, what are the worst things that can happen? Nothing. So, this New Year, start with one thing, get it right. Then move onto the next thing. Get that right, too. Then just keep on going. Until next year, of course. For information on coaching, consulting, speaking or training contact: Cynthia Kimball Humphreys, Vice President, Every1Counts, P.O. Box 574, Hatch, UT 84735. Ph: 435.632.1489, Fax: 435.735.4222 or Email: kimball@every1counts.net. Website: www.every1counts.net. Bryce Valley Area News ...by Vicki D. Syrett 679-8687 or vickidiane36@hotmail.com Hope all is well you at this time. Did you have a Merry Christmas? Happy New Year to all the readers of the Garfield Insider. Saw lots of visitors in the area in spite of the snow. Wow was that some snow storm or was it!! We have sure needed that and I guess we aren’t through yet. It looks good for next summer. Some of the visitors I spotted around. Justin and Jocelyn Barber were down from Salt Lake to see Jocelyn’s parents, Ron and Susan Harris. Tim and Chrishel Leech came from Idaho Falls with their family, and T.J. and Sheila Johnson came up from Flagstaff, to visit with Rod and Kathern Syrett. Katrina Muir came from Vernal to see Dean and Karleen McInelly. Carla & Jason Hayden spent time visiting with their parents, Lance & Marie Jaggar. Heidi Thompson was delighted to finally arrive home from New York after many flights had been canceled due to the winter weather. Dixie Thompson drove up from Las Vegas to Spend the holidays with her parents, Guy and Beverly Thompson. Heidi T. is also their daughter. Grandma Jean Syrett was able to come over Christmas Day and spend the day with all of her family at the Syrett Family Dinner. It was good to see her out and around. Kaleb McInelly came up from Arizona to spend a few days with Dean and Karleen McInelly. Mike and Stacie Jensen and kids met with Art and Vicki Syrett in Panguitch to enjoy Christmas Eve lunch together. I am sure there were many more visitors and I hope you will write or email me the news. We know many families enjoyed having thier children and others return home for the holidays. Two Christmas time weddings took place this last weekend. Rosalee Thompson married Ryan White and had a beautiful reception in Cannonville. Kystyna Lamas married Rodney K. Frandsen!! on Saturday at Ruby’s Inn and had a very nice reception afterwards. RosaLee is the daughter of Joe and Trish Thompson and Kystyna is the daughter of Yolanda Lamas and sister to our very own Matt Lamas. We wish both couples a very happy and successful future together. Frankie and Gayle Mooore and their family were excited to pick up their missionary son, Wade Moore, after he was released from his mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in Mexico and flew into Salt Lake City. Mr. and Mrs. Santa Clause made their annual visit to the Bryce Valley Elementary School, much to the delight of the children. Santa talked to the children and game each child a bag of candy and an orange. The kids were so happy to see him. We were saddened to hear of the death of Doris Liles. She died on Christmas Day and will be missed by many. We send our condolences to her family and friends. Elder Clinton Dean Adkins has been called to serve in the Florida Jacksonville Mission. He will report to the MTC in Provo, Utah on January 14, 2009. He will speak in Sacrament meeting on Sunday, January 11, 2009 at the Henrieville Ward Chapel at 10:00 A.M. Clinton is the son of Robb and Loreli Adkins of Henrieville. He is the grandson of Delpha Rose and the late David Q. of Henrieville and Dean and Sharon Adkins of Boise, Idaho. Elder Adkins joins his sister, Ashlee Adkins, who is serving in the Pennsylvania Philadelphia Mission. Wishing everyone a very Happy New Year and a safe one to boot. Please call or email your news. Thanks VS BRYCE VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL NEWS .....by Erin Jaggar at jaggarerin@yahoo.com December 23rd school was out for the Christmas vacatin and will begin again on January 5th. Friday January 2nd there is a girl’s basketball game against Wayne HS at BVHS. Come out and support our winning team of girls. On the 3rd there is a boy’s baskatball game at Milford. The 6th will see the High School students going to Richfield to watch the new movie “Bed Time Stories”. The bus will leave the high school at 8:00 A.M. and will return around 3:00 P.M. On the 7th the boy’s basketball will have a game against Wayne HS at the BVHS gym. On the eighth of January there is a “Financial Aid Night” for all seniors and their parents at 4:30 P.M. Come on out and find out how to help finance your college education. The end of the 2nd quarter is January 9th and school will be out that day. Be sure to give your news to Erin or email her to get your news in the Insider Save money on Energy Costs! Install Attic Cat Expanding Blown in Insulataion Replace old doors and windows Call Ken & Ren for a free estimate. (435) 676-8990 |