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Show Salt Lake City UT 84124-1550 Schools: Make A Wish at SHHS, B l | Sports: Baske , Is VIV^VVO, / \ X £ - Guardian of Your Community News SERVING SPANISH FORK VOL. 4 / NO. 46 SALEM • MAPLETON -WOODLAND HILLS • ELK RIDGE formerly The Spanish Fork News WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2009 50^ Courtesy photo INDUSTRY: Guatemalan youth Juan Manual uses a dremel to carve coconut pieces for bracelets. YUDA doing good works for Guatemala Judith Everett STAFF WRITER each band is unique. Anyone interested in starting the program at their school can Needing a good dose contact Whiting (see end of of gratitude this season? the article for details). Mapleton resident Brent But that isn't all WhitWhiting has found a way ing's doing to help. Sevto remind himself how eral times a year he takes a blessed he is. group of volunteers down Near Guatemala City, to the area to help anyGuatemala, is a communi- where they know they are ty with 80,000 people and needed. They've painted no public high schools. iron fences at a health If kids want to continue clinic, served at a school their education past 6th for the handicapped and grade, they have to attend poured a concrete floor in private schools. There are a home. so many that cannot afford Each time they go they these schools that they be- take donated clothing and come victims of the pov- money to buy bulk staples, erty cycle. like rice, beans, sugar and Whiting became aware oats, that they distribute to of this situation through a the needy. Several sponfriend and decided to try to sors have gone with them. help out. He and his fam"It puts a face on who ily started out by arrang- they are sponsoring. It's ing sponsors for 45 kids been really rewarding to who were recommended meet the families we've by their principals as out- been helping," said Whitstanding students with fi- ing. nancial need. Their next trip is on The next year, Whit- Nov. 20 for the Thanksgiving's wife got the idea to ing vacation. They plan to take handmade Guatema- fly down and help in an orlan bracelets to the US and phanage and a health clinic, sell them at the local high but also do a canopy tour schools to help sponsor and see the ruins at Tikal. more students. They sold "It's a shame to go that out the first day. far and not see some of the "When the kids at the beauties that are there,*' schools understand how said Whiting. it works and who benefits, Anyone ages 12 and the bracelets sell twice as up who wants to help can well," said Whiting. join the group. Volunteers The Guatemalan kids must pay all their expensand their parents started es, but be prepared for a to make the bracelets that great trip. It's an invaluthey sell. Since then, the able experience for kids to program has expanded see just how blessed they into several Utah schools are here in the US. and to some in California. "Sometimes we get Last year they were able to caught up in our troubles sponsor 10 more students and forget what a great through bracelet sales situation we have," said alone. Whiting. They call the bracelets Volunteers can call Yuda Bands (from the Span- Whiting at 801-623-0229 ish word for help, ayuda). or email him at Brent@ They are made from leather yudafoundation .org for and engraved coconut and more information. Inspirational stories In many ways 2009 has been a tough year, both around the country and here in our communities. But trying times also bring out the best in people. As the holidays approach, The Sentinel is looking for local stories of hope and inspiration. Do you know someone who has been able to shine despite challenges? Whose example inspires you? Email story ideas to editor@sfsentinel.com. Include your name and contact information as well as the name and contact information of the person you would like us to spotlight. Also include a paragraph or two about why this person inspires you. Remember, nominations should be current residents or people originally from our local communities between Mapleton and Elk Ridge. T Courtesy photo SUCCESS: Pictured, left to right, are Richard Davis, Terry Shepherd, Wayne Andersen, Reed Swenson and Steve Money with the results of their pheasant hunt. City officials make special trip to South Dakota Jen Allen STAFF WRITER A few city staffers and council members had the privilege to make a recent trip to South Dakota for a pheasant hunt. Several years ago, Tye Odden competed in the Spanish Fork Fiesta Day's Rodeo and was badly injured when the bull he was riding stepped on his chest and collapsed his lung. Since Odden was far from his home, Steve Money, special events co- ordinator for Spanish Fork City, got in touch with Alan Odden, Tye's father. As Tye was in and out of the hospital and eventually returned home, Money stayed in touch with the family. As a token of his appreciation, Alan offered a visit to his home to hunt pheasant. "Alan overwhelmed us with hospitality," said Money as he returned home from his trip. "One day Wayne Andersen and Richard Davis felt bad because they couldn't hit anything. Alan ran to his neighbors and got some pheasants and gave them to the two," joked Money as both Davis and Andersen laughed and denied the event. Mayor-elect Andersen said that every day the limit was caught by the men out on their trip and denied Money's previously story to announce that he was in fact the best shot of all the men. Besides being offered the trip of See CITY • A7 Veterans Day Namon Bills / The Sentinel REMEMBERING HEROES: Spanish Fork's American Legion Post 68 traveled to local schools on Wednesday, Nov. 11 to present a Veterans Day assembly. They started at ALA, where they spoke briefly about some of their experiences and showed a film on Arlington Cemetery. ALA teacher and Gold Star Mother Jody Wood was also honored as part of the program. Pictured, left to right, are Shirley Wilson, Jody Wood and Steve Wilson. For more Veterans Day coverage, see page A6. Film on Constitution screened at SHHS Christene Choate STAFF W R I T E R On Thursday, Nov. 12, Representative Mike Morley, partnering with the National Center for Constitutional Studies, showed "A More Perfect Union," at Salem Hills High School. Around 40 people were in attendance at the showing, Morley wanted to show "A More Perfect Union" to help people in our area understand the process that went into writing the Constitution. "When our Founding Fathers gathered in Philadelphia in May 1787, the great majority were not there to write a constitution for our new nation, but simply revise the Articles of Confederation," said Morley, 'This process took place over four months in the sweltering heat of Philadelphia summer and the result was nothing short of a miracle. That is the message I hoped people would take away with them." The film, "A More Perfect Union," was officially recognized by the Commission on the Bicentennial of the United States Constitution. Great care was taken to accurately depict the conversations, statements and attitudes of the founders. "Beyond the technical aspects, I feel this film truly helps people get a feel for the process, the personalities, the struggles and challenges these great men faced," said Morley. "I believe 'A More Perfect Union' brings history See MORLEY • A6 |