Junior Cultus Club Talks City Business with Dave Tuckett

The Junior Cultus Club meeting was held on February 19 at the Peteetneet Museum.  The Club Collect was given by Kathleen Muhlestein and the Pledge of Allegiance was given by Eunice Kent.

Carma Whitelock discussed our next club meeting, the Spring Birthday Party.  She called a meeting of the committee following the February 19 meeting.

Sally Holt introduced our Payson City Manager, Dave Tuckett.  He related his background as a Spanish Fork native.  He said it’s hard to leave your hometown to move to the rival side in Payson, especially when your brothers and high school friends remind you that you are living with “the enemy.”  He assured us that Payson is a great place to live.

Dave was the Payson City Attorney for twenty years and then became the City Manager.  He gave us some statistics of the additions to our city.

They include:

A forthcoming new city fire truck

Improvements to the 930 West road to the LDS Temple

City swimming pool: Repainted

Improvements to the restrooms at the ballpark

Construction of a new area in the city cemetery

Debt reduction: Current council to pay bonds early

Improving of storm water standards

Purchasing of road equipment; should improve roads

The need for better PR through phone, text, and email was discussed.  We all need to be award of the Payson City Mobile App.  If there are questions or complaints, we should let them be known.

Some of our latest assets are the beautiful new temple, the Veterans Home, and our well-equipped hospital.

UDOT is doing an extensive study to the north of the interchange into our city, by the old Flying J.

Mr. Tuckett answered all questions and concerns from club members.  It was a very informative meeting.

Hostesses were Sally Holt and Janice Patten.

Music and Fundraising: All in A Little Night Music

Thom Vaughn performs on stage, with Kristine Hansen accompanying on piano.

Chelsea Kennedy and Ruth Pratt Davis wait in the audience before taking the stage during the first night’s performance.

Payson’s Banquet Hall came alive with song last month, as over thirty vocalists and pianists performed as part of the fifth annual Lions Club fundraising concert, A Little Night Music. Music entertained crowds for two nights, with vocalists rendering impressive performances of songs that ranged from opera and light opera to movie and Broadway showtunes.

Part of Lions Clubs International, the Payson Lions Club is a longstanding community tradition, having received its charter here ninety-one years ago.

Funds raised from A Little Night Music, itself a fast-growing community tradition, benefit local charities sustained by the Payson Lions Club.

The musicians’ shared talents benefit all who have the good fortune of listening to them perform.

The 2015 Payson Lions Club “A Little Night Music” Performers:

VOCALISTS

Natalie Ball. Natalie was born in Payson and is a member of the Payson Civic Chorale.  She grew up in a musical family and enjoys singing lullabies to her children.

Rebecca Black. Rebecca has been singing her whole life.  Currently, she sings with the Utah Valley Children’s Choir and the Millennial Choir and Orchestra.

Hannah Colby. Hannah sings in a choir and has performed in the production of Joseph.

Craig Gardner. Craig started singing seriously (and not so seriously) at the age of sixteen.  He has led musical groups, been in numerous theatrical performances, and sings as a featured soloist.

Sharie Cowie. Sharie is a Vocal Performance major.  She has performed in Sister Angelica, South Pacific, and Joseph.

Landon Nilsson. Landon sings with the UVU Chamber Choir.  He comes from a family that loves music and singing.

Mariah Webber. Mariah has performed in many plays, including The Wizard of Oz, Xanadu, and Into the Woods.  She also sings in her school choir.

Chris Jensen. Chris sings with the Payson Civic Chorale and has been in many performances with Payson Community Theatre (PCT), including last year’s Les Miserables, and the Nephi Hand Cart Pageant since 1988.

Kristen Harmon. Kristen has been singing her entire life.  Currently she sings with the Primary children in her LDS ward as she serves as Primary Chorister.

Conor Osborn. Conor loves to sing.  He is currently in the show choir at his school and sings as a soloist.

Ryan Peck. Ryan has spent many years performing in community theater.  PCT is among those with which he has performed.

Chantelle Wells. Chantelle has been in many PCT productions.  She is an actor, a choreographer, and an instructor at the Egyptian Theater.

Ruth Pratt Davis. Ruth is a Music Minor at BYU.  She has been a music teacher.  She sings with the Cameo Club Sr. Utah.

Earl Taylor. Earl was born and raised in Spanish Fork, and raised his family in Payson.  He has an amazing voice and says, “I sing when asked.”

Matthew Webber. Matthew performed in the 2014 A Little Night Music.  The Lions Club is delighted to have had him back.  He sang in the Trouveres at Payson High.  He was in the All-State Choir 2013-2014.  He played the role of Bernardo in West Side Story and has been in many other productions.

Kaitlyn Kingston. Kaitlyn was back with the Lions for the second time.  She is very young and her voice knocked the socks off the judges.  She has been singing since she was four years old and loves to perform.  She also loves drawing pictures.

Perry and Carisa Ewell. Perry and Carisa are well known in Payson for their many talents.  The apple did not fall far from the tree.  Their daughter, Emma, and son Jesse also performed during the 2015 A Little Night Music concert.

Chelsea Kennedy. Chelsea is married to Thayne Kennedy and they have two beautiful children.  She loves to sing anytime she gets the chance, and she loves musicals.

Emma Ewell. Emma is the daughter of Perry and Carisa Ewell.  Emma loves to sing and folks loved her rendition of “Someone Like You.”

Dora Edvalson. Dora loves to sing.  She las lived in Payson for forty-two years and the Lions Club was very happy happy to have her singing in their program this year.

Devyn Olson. Devyn is in the seventh grade.  She has performed in plays and has taken voice lessons.

Adalyn Coon. This was Adalyn’s first time performing in A Little Night Music, however, she’s no stranger to singing, and she has performed with multiple choirs.

Jade McMullin. Jade is in the seventh grade.  She loves to sing and takes private voice lessons.  She also plays the piano.

Thomas Petrucka. Thomas is currently attending American Leadership Academy (ALA).  He loves musical theater.

Lisa Havens. Lisa is a vocal and conducting student of Dr. Reed Criddle.  She has lived in Payson since 1999.

Thom Vaughn. Thom has performed in many plays and has been a soloist.  He has also sung in solos at church.

Vietta Durfee. Vietta has had musical, chorale, and opera experience, since age fourteen.  She has performed with the Utah Opera Company and is a member of the Utah Oratorio Society.  She has taught voice lessons for twenty-four years.

Jamie Finch. Jamie loves to sing and has been doing it since she was very young.  She graduated from Payson High School and is currently enrolled at Utah State University.

Catherine Havens. Catherine was a finalist in the NATS Musical Theater Contest in 2012.  She had the lead in the PHS production of Twelve Dancing Princesses in 2013.  She was a soloist in the PHS production of West Side Story in 2014.

ACCOMPANISTS

Laura Ross, Janine Nilsson, Sherry Christensen, Noelle Conder, Carey Heaton, Tammy Durrant, Patsy Nelson, Kristine Hansen, and Brenda Palois

Locally Owned & Operated

Jeff Hiatt Honored by Payson City

Jeff Hiatt (left) was honored recently by his employer, Payson City.  He is pictured with his wife, Chris Hiatt.  Find the complete story in this week's edition of The Payson Chronicle.

Funds Raised for Payson Lions Club Charities, Thanks in Part to Local Businesses

Mourning the Passing of Friends: Forthcoming Funeral Services

“What we have once enjoyed we can never lose. 

All that we love deeply becomes a part of us.” ~ Helen Keller

Forthcoming funeral services are planned for the following friends from our community. Complete versions of these obituaries may be found in The Payson Chronicle and on our website at paysonchronicle.com.

ETHEL EVANS

Ethel May Ekstrand Evans, age 92, passed peacefully from this life on March 2, 2015. She was born on November 30, 1922 in Los Angeles, CA, to Clara Vista Harper and Ernest Walfred Ekstrand. She married Joseph Ivan Evans on August 26, 1946 and they were sealed on November 16, 1957 in the Los Angeles LDS Temple.  Her funeral will be Friday, March 6, at 11 AM at the Santaquin North Stake Center, 545 N 200 E.  Friends may call at the Brown Family Mortuary, 66 S 300 E, Santaquin, Thursday, from 6-8 PM, and on Friday, at the church, from 9:30-1045 AM.  Interment, Santaquin City Cemetery. 

GLORIA LOUISE SMITH BARNETT

Gloria Louise Smith Barnett returned to her Heavenly Father March 1, 2015, after suffering a severe stroke. Gloria was born May 20, 1931 to Floyd Marion Smith and Ramona Wall in Payson Utah General Hospital.  She was the third of four daughters. Barbara, Loraine, Gloria and Connie.  Gloria married Sargent Dale Barnett August 19, 1949 and they were sealed in the Manti Temple Sept. 26, 1949.Funeral services will be Saturday, March 7, 2015, 11:00 a.m., in the Payson West 11th Ward Chapel, 902 West 400 North. Friends may call at the Walker Mortuary, 587 South 100 West, Payson, Friday, 6-8:00 p.m. or at the church on Saturday, 9-10:45 a.m. Burial will be in the Payson City Cemetery.

KATHRYN NEFF LARSEN

Kathyrn Neff Larsen returned to her Heavenly Father February 26, 2015. Her final days were spent surrounded by children, grandchildren, colleagues and friends.  Kathy was born and raised in Santaquin, Utah. She had a deep love for her parents, and her brother Ed and sister Pat. Kathy met the love of her life Wayne Larsen while attending Payson High School.  They were married July 26, 1968 in the Logan Temple.  Funeral services will be held Tuesday, March 3, 11 AM, at the Erda Chapel located at 134 East Erda Way, in Erda Utah. A viewing will be held on Monday, March 2 at the Tate Mortuary located at 110 South Main Street, Tooele, from 6-8 PM

Venice Joan Sudweeks

I, Venice Joan Greenhalgh Sudweeks, have moved on to the next stage of existence. I am cheerfully taking in the new state of affairs and accepting the callings that will occupy me there. I was born April 22,1926 in Santaquin, Utah to Angus Leo and Lillian Jensen Greenhalgh. I married Verl Clyde Sudweeks on Oct. 17, 1944 in the Logan Temple for time and all eternity. My funeral services will be Thursday, February 26, 2015, 11:00 a.m. in the Mountain View 9th Ward, 1128 East 100 South, Payson, Utah. I would welcome you to visit with my family on Wednesday, February 25, 2015 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Walker Mortuary, 587 South 100 West, Payson and again at the church of Thursday from 9:30-10:30 a.m. I will be buried next to my husband in the Payson City Cemetery.

STERLING HAL SHULER

Sterling Hal Shuler passed away peacefully on Wednesday morning, February 18, 2015 at his home in Elk Ridge. Hal was born August 9, 1927 in Payson, Utah to Erma Nell Wightman and David Shuler, growing up in the Payson area. Hal married Carolyn Davis on August 25, 1948 in the LDS Salt Lake City Temple. Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 21, 2015 at 1:00 pm at the Elk Ridge Stake Center, 185 East Ridge View Drive, Elk Ridge, Utah (East end of Goosenest Drive).  A viewing will be held at the  Elk Ridge 6th Ward Chapel, 450 North Elk Ridge Drive, Friday, 6-8:00 p.m. An additonal viewing on Saturday will be in the Elk Ridge Stake Center before the service, 11:45 am -12:45pm.  Interment will be in the Salem Cemetery with Military Rites accorded by the American Legion, Dist. #4. 

GORDON L. TAYLOR

“Born October 25th, 1929 in Provo, UT to Bacle D. Taylor and Ruth Harper. I lived a great life, a lot of ups and a few downs but a lot of blessings. Loved working with my hands. Loved serving in the U.S. Navy for 4 years (Korea). Married Mary E. Watters, March 12, 1970. Sealed in the Provo Temple.” Graveside services will be held at 2:00 PM, Friday, February 20, 2015, at the Provo City Cemetery, 610 South State Street, Provo, UT.  Friends are invited to meet at the cemetery.  

REX LEE BEHLING

Rex Lee Behling, 85, passed from mortality on February 15, 2015 in Payson, Utah.  He was born December 30, 1929 in Castle Dale, Utah to Herman August Ferdinand Behling and Hedvig Catherine Peterson.  Rex attended Snow College where he met his eternal companion, Thora Christensen.  They were married July 21, 1950 in the Manti Temple.  Funeral services will be held on Saturday February 21st at 11:00 am in the Brookside 2nd Ward chapel, 952 West 1580 South Payson.  A viewing will be held on Friday 20th at Walker Mortuary 587 South 100 West in Payson from 6:00pm to 8:00pm and also 1 hour prior to service, 10:00 to 10:45 am on Saturday at the church.  Interment will be in Payson City Cemetery.

Community Dinner & Fund Raiser February 20

Congratulations Joe Worthen!

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Santaquin American Legion Post 84 Updating City’s Tribute to Veterans

ATTENTION SANTAQUIN VETERAN FAMILIES

Pictured: Portraits of Santaquin veterans on display in the Chieftain Museum’s Patriotic Room

First: The unit is redoing the Honor Wall in the cemetery.  If anyone knows of a veteran who is buried in the cemetery and whose name is not on the present wall, or if you know of a correction that needs to be made, please let us know.  You must provide proof of an honorable discharge and a list of wars or peacetime served.  All names and/or corrections need to be submitted by March 15, 2015.

Second: The Patriotic Room in the Chieftain Museum has not been updated in many years.  If you know of a veteran, living or dead, current or past resident of Santaquin, whose picture is not on the wall, now is the time to add it.  You will need to provide a 5” X 7” picture of the Veteran, his or her dates of service, rank, branch of service, and the wars/peacetime in which he or she served.  Please submit your photos by Memorial Day 2015, May 25th.

Please contact Clement “Jake” Kester

Miss Payson Pageant Orientation Meeting February 26

Pictured: Current Payson Royalty: Queen Cassidy Gull (center) with Attendants Anna Fordiani (left) and Makala Swalberg (right).  Photo by Memory Lane Photography

The opportunity to become Miss Payson has arrived.  The Miss Payson Pageant will take place on April 18.  Young women, ages 17-24 who are living in the Payson area or attending school here, and are considering competing in this year's pageant, are invited to attend an orientation meeting on February 26, 6:30 PM, at the Payson City Chamber Hall, 439 West Utah Avenue, Payson.

Supporting a Caring Community

Pick up a copy of The Payson Chronicle for stories and details on events that concern a Community of Caring, the place we all call home.

Subscribe to The Payson Chronicle at paysonads.com.  

Expanded Internet Access May Be Headed to Rural Utah; FCC Chairman Wants to Regulate 'Net as Utility

Submitted by Troy Wilde

SALT LAKE CITY - Internet use in Utah and across the nation soon may be regulated as a utility. Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler announced yesterday he will seek to have the Internet classified under Title II of the Communications Act of 1934.

Whitney Kimball Coe, program associate for the Center for Rural Strategies, says regulation should help ensure that the Internet remains a level playing field.

"The ability to maintain and to have access to places where you can contribute knowledge, and also gain knowledge," Kimball Coe says. "That just seems to be a basic human right at this point."

Under the proposed FCC regulations, broadband providers couldn't block or degrade access to legal online content, applications or services. They also wouldn't be allowed to favor some Internet traffic over others; in other words, no "fast lanes."

Kimball Coe says regulating the Internet also should benefit people in rural areas by expanding broadband access.

"This move to Title II or to classifying broadband or Internet as a utility would really close that digital divide that exists between rural and urban," she says. "It would also allow the FCC to regulate the Internet in a way that would make sure that rural areas have service."

Opponents argue that the proposal is overreaching and would stifle investment and customer choice. The five-member commission is scheduled to vote on the proposed rules on Feb. 26.

Payson Chamber Bestows Act of Kindness Upon Owner of Serve Daily

Pictured (front, left-right): Payson Chamber President Colin Logue, Payson Big O Tires Owner Kevin Dunn, Nebo Systems Co-Owner Lorene Moore, Classic Beauty & Barber Owner Marci Aston, Serve Daily Owner and Business of the Month honoree Chris Baird, Miss Payson Cassidy Gull, Local Cheddar Owner Kathy Anderson; (behind, left-right): Gunnerson Dental Marketing Director Dawn Davis, Brady Amundson of ServPro, Nebo Comfort Systems Co-Owner Robert Moore, Payson Smith’s Store Director Scott Muhlestein, Candace Villar of Payson Smith’s, Payson Farmers Insurance Agent Rory Adams, and Lou’s Barber Shop Owner Lou Ballamis.

An act of kindness was directed at Chris Baird this afternoon.  The owner of Serve Daily, a once-monthly newspaper whose mission it is to encourage random acts of kindness, was on the receiving end of the standard.  Serve Daily was named Payson Chamber of Commerce Business of the Month for February 2015.

The honor arrived in the midst good food and celebration.  The party, a lunch shared earlier today at Smith’s Food and Drug in Payson among friends in the local business community, continues tonight inside the Payson City Council Chambers. A plaque is expected to be officially presented to Mr. Baird by Payson City leaders when they convene for regular city council business, February 4, at 6 PM.