Lions Club Mixes Knowledge Seeking With Acts of Charity

Pictured (center): AirMed flight paramedic and guest speaker Anthony Widdison and wife, Holly, who is also a paramedic, are flanked by Payson Lions Club President Rhett Huff (left) and Vice-President Pat Hartzell (right).

The Payson Lions Club blends good deeds, eyeglasses for children among them, with knowledge gaining in the community, inviting experts in fields close to home to speak at monthly meetings. Such was the case last Thursday night at the Payson City Banquet Hall, when flight paramedic, Anthony Widdison joined the group for dinner catered by Dalton's Restaurant, with discussion after concerning his work University of Utah's AirMed base at Mountain View Hospital.

The AirMed helicopter landed in Payson fourteen months ago, providing transport service to trauma patients, burn victims, obstetrics (OB) and pediatric patients in the region, said Widdison. The permanent base was moved from the Timpanogos Regional Hospital in Orem, where operation was limited to twelve hours a day, to Mountain View Hospital, bringing 24/7 service to people in southern Utah County.

The move meant improved access to rural areas in Utah County, according to Widdison. “This made a lot of sense,” he said. “So far, it's been very successful.”

As a flight paramedic, he works within a rotating schedule filled by professionals  The local AirMed team includes an on-duty pilot, flight nurse, flight paramedic, as well as ventilation staff and full-time mechanics. professionals. Pilots are restricted to no more than twelve-hour workdays, he said, in accordance with Federal standards.  

“We have a really good mix,” he said, noting also the high level of safety he feels as he works in flight.  "I am extremely happy with the pilots that we have.”

Widdison started as street paramedic, moving into the domain of transport-by-flight three years ago. He and wife, Holly, moved with their family to Payson a year ago.  Lions Club members invited them to return and join the group at future events they host within the community, including the upcoming musical fundraiser, "A Little Night Music," scheduled from February 22-23.

Tanner Newbold (PHS 2012) Second Nationally in 3-Point Shooting Percentage for Division One NJCAA

Payson High Alumnus Tanner Newbold now plays for Central Wyoming College in Riverton, Wyoming, where he is helping the team to a 7-1 record in conference play, a 17-3 overall record, and a number-34 ranking nationally. As of January 28th, Tanner is second in three-point percentage nationally, hitting 44 of 82 shots (53.7 %).  It’s no surprise to local fans.  In the last game for the Lions in 2012, against Morgan at State, Tanner hit five three pointers.

He is also shooting 87.5% from 2-point range, connecting on 14 of  16 attempts and 23 of 29 from the free throw line.  He is also averaging 2.5 rebounds per game.  For the Lions last year, his all-around great game helped the team to an undefeated Region Twelve record, winning ten in a row, which this  year’s team added to by winning four before the loss to Spanish Fork on Tuesday, January 22nd.  (The Lions bounced back in a big way on Friday, blowing out Carbon here in Payson, by fifty points.)

Central Wyoming competes in Region IX of NJCAA Division I.  Other schools in the Division are in Wyoming, Montana, Nebraska, and Colorado.  Tanner is Central Wyoming’s third leading scorer at 9.4 points per game.

All home games can be viewed live on the internet free of charge at www.cwc.edu, then click basketball online.

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Recent Big Wins Put Lady Skyhawks in Second Place in Region 8

#12 Missy Belliston (with ball).  Photo by Todd Phillips

The Lady Skyhawks began the second round of Region Eight action with their second victory over Maple Mountain on Friday after having defeated Mountain View on Tuesday last week.  On Tuesday, January 29th, they defeated Timpanogos for the second time and are now  6-2, with Springille still undefeated in region at 9-0 alone at first place.  

Tax Season

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Dan Lunt Named 3A Basketball Coach of the Year

Dan Lunt, currently coaching his twentieth team at Payson High School, has been named the  2011-12 3A Basketball Coach of the Year by the Utah High School Activities Association.  See complete story, along with additional photographs, in this week's edition of The Payson Chronicle.

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Cowboy Poets of Utah Performing in Payson on Saturday

Local Cowboy Poets (left-right): Gordon Thomas, Paul Bliss, and Marion Manwill

Payson, Utah. The Cowboy Poets of Utah announce their upcoming Educational Symposium and evening show to be held Saturday, January 12, 2013 at the Payson High School, 1050 S. Main Street, Payson, Utah. Educational sessions are open to the public and begin at 2:00 PM and culminate with a 6:00 PM program featuring a review from some of the state’s best Cowboy Poets and Western Musicians. Admission to the event is $5. Books and CD’s by participating performers will also be available for purchase. For more information, visit www.cowboypoetsofutah.org.

A cowboy church will be held on Sunday, January 13, 9:30 AM, at Marion Manwill's home, located 2415 W Salem Canal Rd, in Payson.  Manwill serves as chaplain for the Cowboy Poets of Utah.

The Cowboy Poets of Utah was organized in 2000 as a nonprofit corporation to perpetuate the cultural traditions of poetry, storytelling, music, and other folk arts of the American West and the Cowboy Life. Membership is open to anyone interested in Cowboy Poetry either as a writer, performer or fan. Members should care about the West, and about preserving our western lifestyle and heritage.

Mt. Air Assisted Living First Business of Month of the Year

A mural painted by local artist Donna Corno brings in the surrounding Payson mountains for residents and guests to enjoy at Mt. Air Assisted Living. Pictured near it are: (left-right) Rhett and Jennifer Huff, with Chamber President Eric Buchanan, as he presents a plaque after Mt. Air having been made Business of the Month.  For complete story and additional photos, check out this week's edition of The Payson Chronicle.  Drop by the Chronicle office, at 145 East Utah Avenue, Payson, and mention that you saw this on our blog and save $2 on a subscription (offer good this week only and not good with any other offer).