Monday, April 30, 2012

Apple Valley Vision Moves into New Spacious Home


For months, curiosity has likely stirred in the minds of many as to the pending occupancy of the spacious red brick under construction at 539 South 100 West, Payson. The answer became apparent not long ago, as the sign bearing the name of its occupant, Apple Valley Vision, found its mark on its facade. An April 25 observance of the move was held with owner, Dr. Brian Rowley, staff, and local dignitaries from the City and Chamber of Commerce.

It has been nearly a decade since Dr. Brian Rowley first opened his eye clinic in Payson. In fact, Apple Valley Vision was located in a complex just up the street from its new place. Dr. Rowley said that he had originally considered opening the eye care clinic in Santaquin those years ago, until finding a space to operate in Payson. “I love Payson's small-town feel,” he said.

Dr. Rowley has had a passion for eye care since he was young, he added. As a clinician in the field today, he remarked that he cares deeply for the patients he serves.

Dr. Rowley is shown with scissors in hand in the adjoining photo with some of the members of his staff, Carol Mitchell, Kevin Bowman, Danielle Bills, Morgan Thomas, and Kerry Porter. Included also are City and Chamber representatives, the newly crowned Miss Payson Stefani Dimond and First Attendant Julia Waterman, along with youngster, Isabel Richardson, and SAMs Club staff, who arrived with cake in hand for the celebration.


Monday, April 23, 2012

Lady Lions Raise Funds to Fight Cancer at Annual Pink Game


The 2012 Payson Lions Lady Lions Softball Team photographed prior to the April 17 Pink Game at Hillman Field complex:(front row, left-right) Coach Jodi Beck, McKinley Ferrin (OF, 2nd, catcher), Kamrie White (3rd, 2nd, OF), Josie Harold (Pitcher, 2nd), Savannah Tew (Catcher, OF), Miranda Callaway (OF), Coach Tona Graff; (back row, left-right) Chelsey Losser (2nd, SS), Cailee Kelly (Catcher, 1st), Jaisha Webb (Catcher, OF), Lauren Hazlet (OF, 1st), Makenzie Simons (Pitcher, 1st, 3rd), Shaylee Larsen (Pitcher, 1st, 2nd), JoVaughna Perez (OF, 3rd, 1st), Taysia Roberts (3rd, 2nd, Catcher), and Head Coach Brent Shurtliff. Not pictured: Dani Clyde (OF, 2nd, Catcher), Jayden Draper (Pitcher, 1st), Caide Hunt (OF, SS, 2nd), Makenna Mayne (2nd, SS, OF), Shyanie Oaks (2nd, OF), Mikaila Redford (1st, OF, 3rd), Shelby Shurtliff (2nd, OF, Catcher), Makell Steele (3rd, SS), Shelcee Stevenson (Pitcher, SS, OF), Tia Torres (SS, 2nd, OF), Makelle Zeeman (Catcher, 3rd, OF), and assitant coaches, Sandy Wall and Lacie Zeeman.

The Payson High School Lady Lions Softball Team went to bat against cancer, with an auction fundraiser held between innings during the April 17 Pink Game.  (See story in this week's Payson Chronicle.)

Subscribe to The Payson Chronicle today at paysonads.com.

Branch Out Your Business as Yard of Week Sponsor

Reserve your space by emailing Michael Olson at thepaysonchronicle@msn.com today!

Saturday, April 21, 2012

Stefani Dimond Crowned Miss Payson 2012

Three lovely young ladies have been crowned as Payson's newest royalty.  Pictured are Stefani Dimond (center), moments after having been named Miss Payson 2012.  She is joined by Julia Waterman (left), who was awarded the First Runner-up title, and Nancy Pratt, chosen as Second Runner-up. 
Following an evening of pageantry and scholarship awards, April 21, Stefani Dimond was crowned Miss Payson 2012. The new Miss Payson, who is the daughter of Joe and Wendy Dimond, will assume duties to go hand in hand with the title alongside attendants, Julia Waterman, crowned First Runner-up, and Nancy Pratt, who was selected to reign as Second Runner-up throughout the coming year.

Julia is the daughter of Jack and Janet Waterman.  Nancy's parents are Carl Pratt and Lauri Baadsgaard.

Look for a complete story on the results of the 2012 Miss Payson Scholarship Pageant in the upcoming edition of The Payson Chronicle, to be published April 25.  

For another taste of your weekly newspaper, log onto our new website at www.paysonchronicle.com!

Friday, April 20, 2012

Payson–Then and Now


By Cal Reece
Payson Historical Society

Payson Historic District
Post-War Development to the Present
Part 6


This period from 1947 to the present includes 277 examples of buildings related to this time period. During this period many of the town lots were divided and much in-fill housing was constructed. Payson includes a high number of early ranch style buildings in brick that were constructed throughout the historic district as well as other areas of the community.

See this story in its entirety on page 11 of this week's Payson Chronicle in print.

Discover mementos from the BEEHIVE STATE HERE.

Golfers Tee Off for Relay for Life

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Thursday, April 19, 2012

Yard of the Week Nominations Rolling In


Candidates for Yard of the Week have been arriving at the Chronicle office since the campaign kicked off last week. The public's pick for the first honor will be publicized soon.

Make your selection known today. Nominations will continue to be accepted throughout the season. Homes throughout the Payson-Santaquin area, including Elberta, Elk Ridge, Genola, Goshen, Salem, Spring Lake, West Mountain, and Woodland Hills, and areas in between, will be considered.

Submit your nomination by email to paysonchronicle@gmail.com, through a Facebook message, inside the Chronicle office at 145 East Utah Avenue Suite 5, or by mail to The Payson Chronicle, PO Box 361, Payson, UT 84651. Please include the nominee's full name(s), address, and contact information. Please feel free to include a brief note indicating why you've chosen the yard.

Each resident in these communities is welcome to nominate one yard per week throughout the season, but can make a nomination for a particular location on one occasion only.

Those selected yards will be photographed and published in The Payson Chronicle as well as on its blog site, paysonchronicle.blogspot.com, and will be awarded a one-year subscription to the newspaper.

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Be Seen


Email Michael Olson at thepaysonchronicle@msn.com for details on how we are able to meet your advertising needs.

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

New Payson High Studentbody Officers Look Forward to 2012-13 School Year



By KD Apgood

The new Payson High School Student Body Officers for 2012-2013 have been chosen. These candidates worked hard for two weeks making posters, campaigning, and getting ready for their big assembly that was on March 13.

To start off the assembly all of the candidates were part of a lip sync that they all choreographed themselves. Afterwards they all showed the student body a video or skit that they put together and gave the audience a speech. All of the candidates were amazing choices to lead or school for next year, all were hard working and fun to be around. Way to go all candidates.

Huge congratulations to those who have been elected to lead our student body for next year.

President - Lexie Ward
Historian - Chloe Holman
Secretary - Devan Judd
VP of Public Relations - Kaleb Wright
VP of Dances - Caleb Crump
VP of Assemblies - Lander Crook

The new studentbody officers are getting excited to get started for next year. Kaleb Wright’s genius idea for next year is to string lights on the "P" for home football and basketball games to support our Mighty Lions and for our school dances.

“This will let our community be aware of what is going on at the high school. I feel like the Payson community doesn’t always know what is going on here at the school. With this idea the whole town of Payson will have the knowledge of what is going on here,” said Wright.

Lexie Ward is excited to lead the school her graduating year as SBO President.

Ward tells us, “I am so happy I made it! I am excited to prove myself. It’s been a while since a girl has been Student Body President. So I want to show the school that girls can be just as good leaders!”

We are all excited to see how these six new Student Council members are going to do next year! They are all hard working and fun to be around. Good luck ladies and gentlemen!

Subscribe to The Payson Chronicle printed edition today at paysonads.com.

Got your ticket?


Friday, April 13, 2012

Traditional New Orleans Evening of Food and Music Coming to Payson


Jazz is on the menu April 21, with Tina Trevino and fellow local musicians at Payson Main Street's Boudreaux's Bistro.

There is nothing more traditional to New Orleans than jazz and a crawfish boil, and on Saturday, April 21, you can find the tastes and sounds of the Big Easy on Main Street, right here in Payson at Boudreaux’s Bistro.

It is crawfish season in Louisiana.  With crawfish boils and backyard parties a time-honored tradition, local restaurant owner and New Orleans native, Chris Sorenson brings the flavors of the season to Utah County.  A traditional crawfish boil blends the delicate flavors of crawfish with potatoes, corn, sausage, mushrooms and Cajun spices, and is served in an open air, festive, family setting at Boudreaux’s Bistro on Main Street in Payson.

Jazz is on the menu as well, as local bass player Tina Trevino brings a combo of young, local musicians together for the evening.  Tina is a graduate of Salem Hills High School and is majoring in Music Education at the Horne School of Music.  Passionate about all types of music, she fell in love with jazz and New Orleans when she first visited the Big Easy at the age of twelve.

Tina describes jazz as a conversation with a good friend.  It can be mellow and laid back, or animated and full of heat, but either way it is honest.  She says the best thing about playing at the Crawfish Boil is pairing good music with old friends and great food.  Tina and Friends will perform at 6:30 PM.

There is limited seating for the dinner, which will begin at 6 PM.  To reserve your dinner ticket, which includes your meal and a drink, please call Boudreaux’s Bistro at 801-465-1222.  Tickets will be sold until April 19.



Thursday, April 12, 2012

Branch Out as Yard of Week Sponsor


Nominations Now Accepted for Yard of the Week

"No occupation is so delightful to me as the culture of the earth, and no culture comparable to that of the garden."-- Thomas Jefferson
Life is returning to the outside world, as flowers and trees awaken from a deep winter's sleep.

So, too, returns the gardener, reviving the outer dimensions of home to an aesthetic ideal. In an effort to recognize the toil in the soil, the labor to beautify our local communities, The Payson Chronicle will soon feature a different residence accorded the honor of yard of the week.

Nominations for yard of the week are now being accepted. Homes throughout the Payson-Santaquin area, including Elberta, Elk Ridge, Genola, Goshen, Salem, Spring Lake, West Mountain, and Woodland Hills, and areas in between, will be considered.

Residents should submit their nomination by email to paysonchronicle@gmail.com,through a Facebook message, inside the Chronicle office at 145 East Utah Avenue Suite 5, or by mail to The Payson Chronicle, PO Box 361, Payson, UT 84651. Please include the nominee's full name(s), address, and contact information.

Please feel free to include a brief note indicating why you've chosen the yard.

Each resident in these communities is welcome to nominate one yard per week throughout the season, but can make a nomination for a particular location on one occasion only.

Those selected yards will be photographed and published in The Payson Chronicle as well as on its blog site, paysonchronicle.blogspot.com, and will be awarded a one-year subscription to the newspaper.

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

ALA Boys Soccer 3rd in State






Pictured (top-bottom): Joseph St. Peter #2; Goalie Adam Davis; Jordan Lamb #4 and Cobi Warren # 13; McKennen Lamb #3.  Photos by MaryAnne Davis.

Written by Allen Davis

SPANISH FORK, UTAH -- With a 6-1 record, the American Leadership Academy boys soccer team sits at third place in the 2A rankings, holding that position for two consecutive weeks. The Eagles, coached by Steve Solen, are enjoying their best start ever. After winning a couple of close, come-from-behind, region games, the Eagles coasted to an easy victory against 3A opponent North Sanpete.

On March 27, the Eagles took on the Liahona Warriors. The Warriors came into the game against the 3rd ranked Eagles with a 3-2-2 record. The Warriors scored late in the first half, but the Eagles quickly matched it. The halftime score was 1-1. The Eagles took control in the second half, but had trouble finding the goal. Late in the second half, the Warriors scored their second goal to take the lead. With just minutes to go, ALA found the goal, three times. They finished strong with a 4-2 win over Liahona.

On March 29, the Eagles took on win-less Parowan. The Eagles were without their goal keeper, Adam Davis. The Rams came to Eagle stadium, hungry for a win. They scored early against the Eagles, and then played very strong defense the rest of the first half. The Eagles threatened with several shots on goal, but couldn’t get one in the first half. In the second half, the Eagles continued having troubles finding the goal.

They hit the bars several times, but couldn’t seem to get inside the goal. Late in the half, after controlling the ball throughout the game, the Eagles gave up a breakaway goal, giving the Rams a 2-0 lead. With just minutes to go, the Eagles found the goal, twice, forcing the game into overtime. Less than two minutes into the overtime, the Eagles scored again, winning the game 3-2 and maintaining their first place position in the Region.

On April 5, the Eagles took on 3A North Sanpete. In the first 15 minutes, the Eagles had already scored 3 times. They coasted to an easy 5-0 finish, giving them their 3rd shutout of the year.

The Eagles enjoy a game and a half lead over Beaver and Millard in their region. Except for their loss to Payson, the Eagles are undefeated. They are ranked third in state for the last two weeks. Brannon Tulley continues to lead the team in scoring. He had another hat trick against North Sanpete. Only 4 players in the state have scored more goals than Brannon. He is the 2nd leading scorer in 2A. Cobi Warren is the 5th leading scorer in 2A, and Mahonry Chichia is 12th. Goalie Adam Davis is ranked 2nd in 2A with 3 shutouts.

The Eagles enjoy a week off, but are back in action with region play against Beaver on April 17.

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Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Payson – Then and Now





Payson Historic District

Specialized Agricultural and Interurban

Railroad Period-1926–1946


PART FIVE

by Cal Reece, Payson Historical Society

The Specialized Agricultural and Interurban Railroad Period represents the second largest group of resources with 120 contributing buildings.  The residential architecture of Payson during this period was very similar to other communities throughout Utah.  The housing constructed during this period varied from transitional bungalows, period revival-style cottages, and World War II era homes.

An excellent example of a transitional bungalow is a brick home located at 170 West 100 South that was built in 1940.  It had an unusual cast-concrete door surround and was occupied by Lucky Pickering and his family. Mr. Pickering was a well-known businessman and artist in Payson for many years.

The two-story house at was built at 111 South 300 East in 1939 us a rare example of the Colonial Rival style.  It was owned and occupied by the Douglas Dixon family for many years.  Mr. Dixon will be remembered as the owner-operator of the Dixon Market that was located on 100 North between Main Street and 100 East

Examples of the Minimal Traditional-style were based on the FHA plans for small homes were developed in the 1930s.  The brick home at 353 North 100 West built in 1945 and a frame sheathed in shingle siding built at 337 North 100 West also built the same year.

There were several notable institutional buildings built during this period.  The Payson Junior High School at 250 South Main was built on the site of the old Payson City Hall.  The school was constructed in 1926.  It was a Jacobethan Revival-style building.

The LDS Church constructed a new church at 225 South 400 East in 1930 and a very similar building at 200 North Main in 1931.  An Art Moderne LDS Church Seminary building was built near the high school at 590 South Main in 1929

This period also noted new construction in the commercial district of the community.  There was a large free-standing furniture store built at 67 North Main in 1935.  It was occupied by the Dixon-Taylor-Russell Furniture Store and was known as DTR.  It was later operated at Spencer Home Furnishing and today is known as Getaway Furniture.

The years following the end of World War II saw many changes in the landscape and homes constructed in the community.  Each era of development has seen changes in types of styles of the homes and business buildings were added and became part of the community.



 

If you would like to view a slide show of Payson Then and Now go to http://www.youtube.com and in the search box type Payson Then and Now 2.

Discover mementos from the BEEHIVE STATE HERE.

Miss Payson Scholarship Pageant Contestants Announced


Current Miss Payson, Heather Bolz (center), with Attendants Malley Ballard (left) and Julia Waterman (right).  See  photos of the 2012 Miss Payson contestants in this week's print edition of The Payson Chronicle.  Photos courtesy of Memory Lane Photography, Payson, Utah.  See website at http://www.memorylaneutah.com/.

Ten beautiful and talented young women will go head-to-head on Saturday, April 21, 2012, as they vie for the crown and title of Miss Payson. The Miss Payson Scholarship Pageant will include interview, lifestyle & fitness, artistic expression, and presence and poise phases.  The young women have worked for months to make this a special event.

The pageant will begin at 7:30 PM at Payson High School, 1050 South Main. Tickets are $8 and may be purchased from the contestants or from Trading Talents, located at 20 West 100 South, Payson. Doors will open at 6:45 PM for those who have purchased tickets before the evening’s performance. Tickets will go on sale that evening at 7:00 PM.

The ten young women who will compete in this year’s Miss Payson Scholarship Pageant are as follows:

Malley Ballard, 18, is the daughter of Ed & Mary Jane Ballard.  Malley will perform a piano solo etude tableaux in G minor Op. 33 No. 8.  Her Little Miss will be Taysia Warmsley.

Stefanie Diamond, 17, daughter of Joe & Wendy Diamond, will perform a piano solo Third Prelude-Spanish Prelude. Isabel Richardson will be Stefanie’s Little Miss.

Samantha Ellis, 17, daughter of Daniel Ellis & Charlene Ellis, will perform a cello solo, Bach Prelude Suite 1. She will be accompanied by her Little Miss Marquessa Ellis. 

Emily Hayes, 17, is the daughter of David & Marianne Hayes.  Emily will perform Prelude in G Minor on the piano.  She will be accompanied by her Little Miss Kirsten Dodgen.

Mercedes John, 18, is the daughter of Kip & Joan John.  Mercedes will present her photography talent.  Her Little Miss will be Jasmine John.

Ysabella Matta, 18, daughter of Todd & Elizabeth Matta will perform a dance solo to The Love Cats. Genevieve Morgan will be her Little Miss.

Megan Morley, 18, is the daughter of Dave & Shannon Morley.  Megan will present a dance solo to Body Language.  She will be accompanied by her Little Miss Grace Kalmar.

Nancy Pratt, 17, is the daughter of Carl Pratt & Lauri Baadsgaard.  Nancy will present a vocal solo Diamond in the Rough.  Her Little Miss will be Addison Roberts.

Kylee Swenson, 17, is the daughter of Cody & Nicole Swenson. She will present a vocal solo Gimme Gimme.   Reese Yama will be Kylee’s Little Miss.

Julia Waterman, 20, daughter of Jack & Janet Waterman, will be playing the Orange Blossom Special on her fiddle.    Julia’s Little Miss will be Brenna Mayfield.

For another taste of your weekly newspaper, log onto our new website at www.paysonchronicle.com!

Saturday, April 7, 2012

Pleasant Weather and Plentiful Eggs at Annual Easter Event

For a taste of The Payson Chronicle, check out our new website at www.paysonchronicle.com.

Collin Logue (right) trails daughter, Jacqueline, as she fills her basket with plastic eggs spread across the Hillman Field lawn.
(Back, left-right) Tenneil and DJ Adams pose for a photo with their daughters, six-year-old Hannah (front, left-right) and one-year-old Samantha soon after the Chamber Easter Egg Hunt. The Adams family attends the local event each year. Tenneil noted that this year's was especially good, due in part to sunny skies and agreeable weather.

The weather was pleasant and plastic eggs plentiful as families amassed at the Hillman Field ballpark on Saturday, April 7. The occasion was the annual Payson Chamber of Commerce Easter Egg Hunt.

Sections partitioned by existing chain-link fence drew up grounds for kids to search for eggs among peers. Chamber President Eric Buchanan's voice resounded across the grassy terrain, providing guidance throughout the morning.

After Buchanan gave the go-ahead, youngsters scampered with baskets, and some with parents, in tow. They collected plastic pastel eggs filled with Easter treats throughout the short-lived hunt. As is commonly the case, it ended not long after it began.

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Friday, April 6, 2012

Salem Hills High Fine Arts Bringing Musical Comedy to Stage


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Orchard Hills Elementary Planning Retirement Party for Principal Kim Barlow


Family, friends, colleagues, and former students who would like to celebrate with retiring principal, Mr. Kim Barlow, are welcome and invited to attend an open house at Orchard Hills Elementary on Thursday, May 3, 2012 from 4:30-6:30 PM.  Light refreshments will be served.

Kim is looking forward to spending time with his two children, helping take care of his grandson, fishing at his "Happy Place" at Henry's Lake in Idaho, and hanging out with his favorite Kindergarten Teacher, his lovely wife, Patsy Barlow.

Congratulations Kim on a job well done!

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Peteetneet Museum Seeks Volunteer Tour Guides


Written by L. Dee Stevenson

The Peteetnnet Museum is currently seeking volunteer tour guides for the museum.  If you can give three hours a week, we would love to have you join us.  We are open Monday through Friday from 10:00 AM until 4:00 PM.  Shifts are available from 10:00 AM until 1:00 PM, and 1:00PM until 4:00 PM.  

Come and meet some wonderful volunteers that you will be associating with each week.  If you are unable to commit to a full shift each week, we also need volunteer substitute tour guides that will fill in when one of the regulars is unable to be there for their regular shift.  

If you are interested, contact Georgia Mills or Brenda Reed at the Peteetneet Museum on Thursday mornings by calling  801-465-9427 or 801-465-5265.  You may call any other day and leave your name and telephone number and you will be contacted.

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY AND MAKE NEW FRIENDS.

Monday, April 2, 2012

Happy Valley Derby Darlin's Spring Breaks Bout Brings Rollin' Rebellion Victory

The Rollin' Rebellion's BreakHer 1/9 (Ann Rightsell, pictured left) faces a block by Sirens' team captain, Bustem Buxom 636 (Emily Socha).
Rebels and Sirens block and pursue jams. Pictured (forefront, left-right): Baby Blount 47 (Ann Marie White), Aimin' Atchya 23 (Amy Ewing), Red A. Whips 79 (Amanda Grosland), Bon-Bandida 459 (Ivonne Delgadillo), and Sirens' pivot, Bustem Buxom 636 (Emily Socha). BLACKEYESKY 34 (Sky Wabel) and Princess FILLET YA OB-1 (Tammy Webb) skate behind.
The Sirens of Steel laced up to jam against the Rollin' Rebellion in what would become a neck-to-neck competition throughout Saturday night. It was the Happy Valley Derby Darlin's Spring Breaks fete, a roller derby contest mixed with anticipation and a post-halftime leg injury sustained by Sirens of Steel's Su Su Sudio 1408. The night would end with the Rollin' Rebellion skating away with a victory, lapping in the most jams with a final score of 106-100.

Payson Sirens of Steel skater, Trudy Barrick, AKA BackwardsKate B52, commented later on the growing interest in roller derby. She noted that the the derby is unique in that it is an inviting sport to virtually anybody.

“I think that the public is surprised that they are family friendly and that it is enjoyable for everyone,” she said. “We've had extremely positive feedback” from those who have attended the events.

According to Barrick, the Happy Valley Derby Darlin's league has, in addition to providing an entertaining sport, taken great strides to incorporate fund-raising for local causes. Drawings were held throughout Saturday's event to garner funds for a fourteen-year-old local girl, Aspen Balzly, who requires scoliosis surgery. A flea market fundraiser is in the works for April 14 inside the Darlin's facility, the former Food 4 Less building at 784 East Chappel Drive in Spanish Fork.

The Darlin's holds competitions typically twice a month. The local league is made up of a designated travel team--the A team--which is pitted against teams from other leagues, along with two home teams. The Molly Morbids maintains the travel position, while the Sirens of Steel and Rollin' Rebellion are the Darlin's serve home-game purposes.

On Saturday, April 21, the Molly Morbids will take on the Moab Derby at the Spanish Fork track. For more information, see the league's website at www.happyvalleyderbydarlins.com.

BackwardsKate B52 (Trudy Barrick) warms up with fellow Sirens of Steel prior to the March 31 bout against Rollin' Rebellion.

Denali Roper, AKA Roper Her 515 (kneeling in center) poses for a photo with her three children and a family friend, all of whom cheered from the sidelines during Saturday night's roller derby. Surrounding her (clockwise from left): Rhiannon Griego, who was there for her first-ever roller derby, Shellby Roper, Victoria Roper, and Lincoln Roper.
The ladies of Sirens of Steel wait on the sidelines as paramedics assist fallen teammate, Su Su Sudio 1408 (Sylvia Mikkalsen), who suffered a leg injury during the roller derby bout's second half.

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Don Chuy's Taco Shop Serves Up Authentic Flavor and Hospitality


Don Chuy's co-owner Maritza Garibay with plates of tacos, frijoles, and chips, free cuisine for those who dropped by during the new taco shop's grand opening, March 28. Don Chuy's Taco Shop is located at 1024 West 800 South in Payson.

Good food and hospitality are on the menu at Don Chuy's Taco Shop. And they prevailed the day March 28, as the restaurant observed its opening with celebration. Wife and husband owners, Maritza Garibay and Jesus Delgadillo, along with restaurant staff, dished up platefuls of fresh, authentic tacos, chips, and frijoles, and popular Mexican soft drinks, free for visitors throughout the afternoon.

For local businesswoman and Chamber rep, Elaine Williams, who helped organize the Chamber ribbon cutting ceremony, it was not the first occasions she had to try Don Chuy's fare. She was among earliest diners to visit since Don Chuy's opened on February 20. She had already established a favorite dish. “The tostada de cevinche,” she said, pointing to a picture of a shrimp and avocado topped tostada posted on a restaurant counter.

The tostada de cevinche is a favorite among many, added owner, Maritza. But by the taste of the tacos shared during the grand opening, it is not alone in satisfying folks' appetites.

Maritza and husband, Jesus, moved to the area from Las Vegas to establish a restaurant of their own. “My husband Jesus has been working in Mexican restaurants for about eight years,” she said, “three in San Diego and six in Las Vegas. He always wanted to have a place of his own. So about a year ago, when we were ready to start our own restaurant, we started looking at some places in Las Vegas, but they were all franchises and we didn't like the fact that we couldn't add our own dishes to the menu. So we asked friends and family if they knew about any available restaurants in Salt Lake area and they said that there would be one available in January here in Payson.”

Maritza added, “Then in November we made the first trip to Payson and we liked the restaurant and liked the town, because it looked like a good place to start a family and our first business. First we worked on the name and we decided on Don Chuy's Taco Shop, because in Mexico, if your name is Jesus, the call you Chuy.

Then we started working on the menu and it ended up being a mix of traditional Mexican food.”

Don Chuy's menu is generous and the prices, quite reasonable. It seems the eatery has something for every desire when it comes to Mexican-American food: breakfast burritos, tacos, enchiladas, tostadas, burritos, carne asada, chorizo, carnitas, chiles rellenos, chimichangas, quesadillas, adobada, camarones dishes, and side selections. Combination platters, which include rice and beans, range in price from $5.49-9.99. Although they do have drive through window service, a fresh salsa bar awaits inside.

We make everything from scratch except for the tortillas and everyone's favorite dishes are the ceviche tostadas and the camarones rancheros,” Maritza said. Since the restaurant opened, she added, they have had no complaints.

PHOTO: Local businesswoman, Elaine Williams (far left) leads a Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting ceremony on behalf of Don Chuy's Taco Shop. Included in the photo are the owners and employees of Don Chuy's: Mariano Gomez, Marta Ibarra, Jesus Garibay, Jasmine Gomez, Jose Delgadillo, owners Jesus Delgadillo and Maritza Garibay (with scissors). Pictured also are local business and Chamber representatives: Norene Jensen, Rory Adams, Jordan Perry (who brought cake on behalf of Sam's Club), John Salimbene, Karra Schramm, Sherri Watson, and Payson Chamber President Eric Buchanan.

The Payson Chronicle

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