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Show Volume XXX Issue VII The Ogden Valley News Page 13 November 15, 2023 Valley Celebrates National School Lunch Week By Kera Erickson Cake competition winner: Avaley Hutching National School Lunch Week was held October 9-13. The theme this year was “Level Up with School Lunch.” The lunchroom staff at Valley Elementary had the cafeteria decorated with gaming-themed decorations. In addition, Valley’s lunchroom manager Sharidon Fisher challenged the students to a gaming-themed art competition. Students were asked to draw a scene from their favorite video game. Fisher then went the extra mile and arranged for the students’ art designs to be made into mini cakes for the students to take home. The winners were revealed and students received their cakes on Halloween. Thanks to Mariah Clark from Kent’s Market bakery in Roy. Clark used the student designs and made and decorated personalized cakes for the winning students. A big thanks to lunchroom manager, Sharidon Fisher, and her lunchroom staff for planning such a fun activity, and for providing breakfast and lunch every school day for Valley Elementary students. Providing food for students during the school day is an important and critical component of student success. Help Protect Wetlands Next time you drink a cool, refreshing glass of water, remember this: Your drinking water may have been filtered through natural wetlands in your community. Wetlands can be found in every state in America, and not only do they act as our primary water filter by removing toxins and pollutants, they also provide a variety of other benefits. Why Wetlands Are Important According to recent reports, wetlands save the U.S. billions of dollars in cleaning our water of sediment and pollutants. Wetlands help regulate water levels within watersheds, reduce flood and storm damage, provide recreational and educational opportunities, and improve water quality. Amazingly, one acre of wetlands can filter toxins and pollutants from 7.3 million gallons of water runoff annually. Additionally, wetlands provide a habitat for one-third of America’s threatened and endangered animal species. Disappearing Wetlands - Despite national efforts to protect and restore wetlands, we continue to lose wetlands at an alarming rate. Over 100,000 acres in the U.S. are lost each year (Note, this number is from the year 2000). What’s Being Done - Government agencies and corporations have worked together to slow the loss of our wetlands and to improve the quality of the ones that remain. But private citizens can help too by supporting wetland conservation initiatives. For more information about wetlands, and what you can do to stop the loss of wetlands in your community, visit epa.gov/wetlands. ---------- TWENTY YEARS AGO ---------- Paula Smith to Retire from Eden Post O昀케ce Runners up for the cake competition, from left to right, Kashlyn Jensen, Prestyn Pierce, Rose Slade, Will Baugher, Molly Miller, Henlee Nielsen, and Pearl Van Dyke. WOLF BARN cont. from page 1 point, we’re unsure where or how that will eventually look.” According to Steve Spencer of Eden, whose grandparents Melvin and Lila Jackson were prior owners, the barn was built using large wooden pegs, instead of traditional nails by previous owners of the property. The barn, and the large two-story house across the street, were part of a farm that included about 200 acres. A Jackson hay fork once adorned the outside of the barn. Steve said he remembers it well. It carried the loose hay up into the barn’s loft. His grandfather ran the fork while his grandmother would help with the wagon below. Spencer also recalls many fond memories playing in the barn with his younger brother Rodney, including swinging back and forth inside the barn from a long rope. He and his brother were also sent out to the barn, occasionally, by his grandmother, especially around Thanksgiving, to retrieve a fall squash or two where the fall harvest had been buried and hidden under the hay for safe keeping during the cold fall and winter months. The home and barn are thought to have been previously owned by the Burnett and Olson prior to the Jacksons. A familiar face will no longer be seen behind the post office counter after 36 years of service with the U.S. Postal Service. Paula Poulson Smith is retiring at the end of October. She has always been counted on to greet customers of Ogden Valley with a smile. Having lived in the Paula Smith Valley all of her life, she and her husband Jim call Liberty their home. Together they have raised three children in the local community—Craig, Misty, and Dustin. The first post office of Eden was located in the Eden General Store. After Phylis Fuller retired as postmaster, the post office was moved to the garage of Jack and Melba Miller’s of Eden. Smith began working there in the late 60’s. After about ten years, she transferred to the Huntsville Post Office. She spent over 20 years working in Huntsville before returning to Eden, about four years ago (1999). Eden postmaster Jeannie Marsell states, “I will miss her. She has a great attitude and a willingness to help. I am green with envy, and wish I were retiring with her!” On Friday, October 31, the community is invited to stop by for an open house that will be held in Smith’s honor all day at the Eden Post Office in celebration of her retirement. Cookies and punch will be served. GIVE THANKS cont. from page 1 ers), and/or pets on leashes. Spectators and cheerleaders are also welcome. Anyone can run, walk, or even roll a 5K or 1.5 mile in one hour or less, so come on out! Before sitting down to this year’s traditional November feast, please take time to give thanks by getting some healthy exercise and fresh air at this festive, non-competitive event and by donating to those who are less fortunate. For more information, please call Alisa Dunn at 801-824-5287 or Sue Fuller at 801791-8347. Rain or shine, snow or ice, the run/walk will happen! Ogden charities: Weber School District Teen Center Utah Youth Shelters or the Bishops Storehouse. Each year participants have generously filled trucks or trailers with donations. If you can’t participate by walking or running, please consider coming by with a donation. Donations will be accepted between 8:00 and 10:00 a.m. at the starting line. Everyone is welcome at this annual event that has become a tradition for many in the Valley. Bring your family, neighbors, friends, children (including those in stroll- Halloween at the Eden Post O昀케ce 2003. |