Payson Football Recognizes Senior Players and Cheerleaders

by Michelle Larsen

Three years of hard work, dedication and passion were recognized in front of the home crowd on Thursday, October 18th as Payson High School honored their graduating football players.  Emotions were mixed as the players realized they had just stepped off their home field for the last time.  Senior Quarterback Devan Judd said, “I didn’t think about how much I would miss this but I’ve had the time of my life playing with these guys.”

The thirteen seniors who were honored include:  Josh Brown, Jacob Buckner, Brady Clark, Jaxon Hendrickson, Bryson Hurst, Devan Judd, Kaelen Lovelss, Bridger Lyons, Tyler Marvin, Victor Palomar, Taris Schramm, Ruben Uresti, and Alfredo Bolanos.  The Lions are coached by Jeremy Chapman who said, “I want to thank these kids for their hard work, and the passion they bring to the game.  They are what make coaching fun.  I also want to thank the parents who have supported us this year.”

Senior cheerleaders were also recognized on Thursday night for the support they have provided throughout the season.  The four cheerleaders who were recognized include McLaine Hoffman, Breea Mahaffey, Morgan Menlove, and Sami Smith.  Although the cheerleaders will continue to cheer for other sports, “cheering at the last home football game was surreal,” said Breaa Mahaffey, Senior Cheer Captain.  “I can’t believe it’s over but it was so much fun.”

The Lions lost to Desert Hills Friday in St. George in the first round of State action, ending a very good season for PHS Football.

Costco Opening Draws Crowd

Hundreds gathered outside the new Spanish Fork Costco wholesale store on October 24. Doors opened at 6 PM that night, ushering in invited guests to preview the store before its grand opening this morning. Among them were (left-right) Brianne, Mike, and, mom, Jackie Christensen, all of Payson. Once inside, visitors were treated to many of the edibles the store is known for.   

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Contact Michael Olson at thepaysonchronicle@msn.com.

Good Old Days: The Faded Green Truck

By Mildred Olson

It was an old, faded green truck. The body looked like it had been kicked around and abandoned. Surprisingly, the motor still purred, almost—almost--like a new vehicle. That was because the owner was constantly puttering over the innards hidden under a dented, damaged hood.

In spite of its sad appearance, the owner never hesitated in letting his wife and his sister drive it to remote areas in the mountains or out into the desolate desert, searching for beautiful and unusual rocks. They would pack a lunch, a thermos of coffee and another filled with water, and then be off before the sun got too hot, and headed home before the sun went to bed and the moon filled the sky.

They would be tired, dirty, but giggly, happy if they found even just one or two special rocks.

They never considered they might ever be in any danger. Snakes slithering in the sand or twisted branches of sagebrush scared them silly, otherwise they felt safe. Until one afternoon, both bent over, digging in the sand, until suddenly spotting two rough-looking fellows, just a short distance from them. Both were holding rifles, Liz, the youngest one, was terrified. Where could they go? Nowhere to hide. No way to call for help.

Kate quietly assured her that everything would be fine, as she slowly approached the two strangers. When Liz felt sure they were friendly and would do no harm, she relaxed. She watched the scruffy looking gun-toters walk towards their truck, as Kate joined her. With the deer hunt just weeks away, they were out there sighting with their guns. Liz really didn't care. She firmly declared, “Let's go home.”

The good old days of the early 1930s.

Congratulations PHS Football Team

Congratulations to the Payson High Football Team on their winning (3-2) Region Twelve record.  The Lions will head to the State Competition this week in St. George, taking on Desert Hills on Friday in a first-round game.

Get a close-up look at team members in this week's edition of The Payson Chronicle.  Player photographs are published on the front page.

Lion's Club Leaders Lead Leads Group Meeting

As an influential community leader, Payson Mayor Rick Moore (pictured left) sports several hats.  He is a businessman, contributing Chamber of Commerce supporter, and has been a member of the Payson Lion's Club since his father, the late Richard Moore, joined the organization in 1969. Moore's role this afternoon centered largely on the latter. That was when he joined fellow Lions Club leaders, Rhett and Jennifer Huff, Steve Southwick, and Ned Deuel (pictured right) to host a Chamber of Commerce Leads Group gathering. Check out next week's edition of The Payson Chronicle for story and additional photos of today's event.   

Chris Loveless Named National Wrestling Coach of the Year

Written by Lana Hiskey, Nebo School District Communications Specialist

Chris Loveless, Payson High School Wrestling Coach, was selected as the Wrestling Coach of the Year by the National Federation of High School Association (NFHS). The NFHS Coaches Association has an advisory board, composed of a chair and eight sectional representatives, which considers the state award recipients from the states in their respective sections and selects the best candidates for the sectional award in each sport category. The advisory board forwards those recommendations to the NFHS national office in Indianapolis, Indiana.

All those that work with Coach Loveless consider him an exemplary coach with a hard work ethic, extraordinary determination, and an unassuming nature. Coach Loveless has coached two teams to State Championships and four teams to Region Championships. Also, in his nine years of coaching, Coach Loveless has coached 19 individual State Champions. Recently, Coach Loveless was inducted into the Nebo Athletics Hall of Fame.

Congratulations Coach Loveless for “Letting it Shine!”

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Wesley LeBaron Called to Serve LDS Mission in Florida

Elder Wesley Lynn LeBaron has been called to serve a mission in the Florida Orlando Mission. He is the son of Scott and LynnAnn LeBaron of Santaquin.  He will be speaking on Sunday, October 21, at 1:30 PM, at the Santaquin Stake Center, located at 45 South 500 West.

He will enter the MTC on November 7.  

Payson Firefighter Frank Holm Honored for Service Spanning Fifty Years

 Pictured (left-right) Frank Holm and wife, Kenna, along with Payson Fire Chief Scott Spencer.

Fighting fires for fifty years is no modest feat. Having a half century of the service behind him, Frank Holm received due accolades at last week's Payson City Council meeting.  See story in the most recent edition of The Payson Chronicle.

Pepperbox CrossFit Open for Fitness

PepperBox Cross Fit owner/operators (left-right): Travis and Natalie Anderson

PepperBox CrossFit brings personally catered workouts to Payson, expanding operations from Elk Ridge to Payson. The unique fitness business opened at 875 East 100 North, #5, this week. The was move commemorated in Chamber of Commerce style: a ribbon-and-cake-cutting ceremony this afternoon.

See the complete story in next week's edition of The Payson Chronicle. Subscribe to The Chronicle at paysonads.com.  

After the ribbon is cut, the workout begins.

Miss Payson Stefani Dimond (right) joined Chamber members, Laura Evans (center), and Nelson Abbott (behind), in welcoming Pepperbox CrossFit to town. 

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Spring Laker Larry Menlove Achieves New Literary Honor

Spring Lake fiction writer Larry Menlove is elated to have received news that he has won the top award for fiction writing in the short story category in the Utah Original Writing Competition.  His prize-winning story is “Petey Immigrates North, Then Moves West.”

His short story collection “The Fur or Feathers, the Teeth or Venom” was an honorable mention last year in the short story collection category.  Larry has been submitting to the competition for twenty years.  “Last year they kind of cracked the door with the chain still latched and let me see inside a bit.  This year they opened it up and let me walk right in and sit down!” Larry tells us.

Competition judge and accomplished fiction writer Darrell Spencer compares Larry’s story favorably to Cormac McCarthy’s fiction or a Coen brothers’ film.

Larry lives in Spring Lake with his family, wife, Chautel.  Their children are Clint, Conner, Andy, Celeste, and Lexie.

Generosity Resounds at Nick Taylor Benefit Concert

Galley West was among local bands to take the stage at Saturday's Nick Taylor Benefit Concert in Payson Park.  (Pictured) Lacey Bona at the mic.

 Hula hoop and soda pop sales were among contributions made to raise money for Nick Taylor's cancer treatment fund. Pictured (left-right): Silas Quist, Brenda Henson, and Trudy Barrick near a booth set up in the park. Barrick donated the “Big Kid” hula hoops, which she sells at her permanent cosmetics business at 145 East Utah Avenue, Payson. They are still available, with proceeds dedicated to the cause.

See additional photos in this week's edition of The Payson Chronicle.  Subscribe at paysonads.com.

Bands Compete at Annual Nebo Tournament

(Pictured above) Fans and players file out of the Payson High football field's west gate, as PHS Band member, Rachelle Wilkinson (left), who plays the marimbas, xylophonist Quinton Staheli (center), and Band Booster parent, Valerie Staheli (right), wait on hand to distribute programs and event details.  From near and far, school bands traveled to Payson on Saturday to participate in the annual Nebo Tournament of Bands.  Some left with trophies in hand.

Nebo Tournament of Bands Award Summary

1A Class:

Outstanding Musical Performance – West Jordan

Outstanding Color Guard – West Jordan

Outstanding Visual Performance – West Jordan

Outstanding Percussion – Salem Hills

Third Place – Salem Hills

Second Place - Timpanogos

First Place – West Jordan

2A Class:

Outstanding Musical Performance – Maple Mountain

Outstanding Color Guard – Maple Mountain

Outstanding Visual Performance – Maple Mountain

Outstanding Percussion - Payson

Third Place – Payson

Second Place - Stansbury

First Place – Maple Mountain

3A Class:

Outstanding Musical Performance – Lone Peak

Outstanding Color Guard – Lone Peak

Outstanding Visual Performance – Lone Peak

Outstanding Percussion – Lone Peak

Third Place - Orem

Second Place - Viewmont

First Place – Lone Peak

4A Class:

Outstanding Musical Performance – Timpview

Outstanding Color Guard - Timpview

Outstanding Visual Performance - Timpview

Outstanding Percussion - Timpview

Third Place – Bear River

Second Place - Westlake

First Place - Timpview

5A Class:

Outstanding Musical Performance – American Fork

Outstanding Color Guard – American Fork

Outstanding Visual Performance – American Fork

Outstanding Percussion – American Fork

Third Place - Bingham

Second Place - SkyView

First Place – American Fork