Veteran Santaquin Firefighter’s Heroics Lauded: Scott Bernards Named AAA Utah Rescuer of the Year

Scott Bernards (pictured, right), an 11-year veteran firefighter who currently serves the Santaquin Fire Department, was named Rescuer of the Year in Utah by AAA, with a room full of his peers and family members watching on inside the Santaquin Publilc Safety building Tuesday evening, October 21 . While on vacation in November 2013, Bernards rescued his 80-year-old aunt from a fire that destroyed her Idaho family home and sustained injuries as he helped extinguish the blaze alongside the local fire department. At the ceremony, AAA Utah  awarded $10,000 in Bernards’ name to a nonprofit rescue organization of his choice, the Santaquin Fire/EMS Association.   (Story published in the print edition of The Payson Chronicle.)

Scott Bernards, eleven-year veteran firefighter with the Santaquin Fire Department, received an award last week befitting his heroics.  While on vacation a year ago, Bernards rescued his 80-year-old aunt from a fire that destroyed her Idaho family home, and sustained injuries as he helped extinguish the blaze alongside the local fire department, according to reports. AAA Utah awarded $10,000 in Bernards’ name to non-profit rescue organization of his choice as he was honored among family and peers in the Public Safety Building, located on the west end of Santaquin Main Street.  

Bernards has chosen the Santaquin Fire/EMS Association as recipient of the funds. AAA presented an additional $3,000 to Bernards directly to use to fund another vacation.

“He is being honored as a hero tonight,” Santaquin Mayor Kirk Hunsaker said, as he opened the October 21 ceremony.  “And I don’t think he feels like he is, but I want him to know he is tonight.”  

Bernards, along with his family, had traveled to Samaria, Idaho, to visit his aunt, Kay Higley in November 2013. He had been helping hang sheetrock inside a cabin when he and his younger brother, Daniel, noticed smoke smoldering out from the rooftop of their aunt’s home, close to a half a mile away.   

With his brother, Daniel, “He headed down there and, sure enough, there was a fire which had spread from the chimney, the fireplace area, right up into the attic space, and proceeded to make a mess of things,” Stephen Olson, Santaquin Fire Chief said as he lauded Bernards’ efforts last week.

Higley, an 80-year-old widow, was living in the house with her two dogs.  Bernards pulled his aunt out of the house just before the roof over her collapsed and then returned back inside to attempt to save one of the dogs.

Bernards instantly became the incident commander, although he was covered in burns. When the local fire department arrived to help contain the fire, Bernards mentored and lead the fire crew, despite his injuries. Today, Bernards’ family is rebuilding a house on the same property for Higley so their family tradition of visiting a special place will continue for many generations to come.

Chief Olson noted last week that a firefighter’s role is not one that he or she steps in and out of to perform only within the region their department is assigned.  “Being a firefighter, being an EMT, a paramedic, is not just something that you do,” Olson said.  “It’s who you are, it’s what you are.”  When needed, firefighters are there to serve, regardless of where they are, according to Olson.

Bernards’ family were among those in the audience last week to support him as he was named AAA Rescuer of the Year.  Including his brother, Daniel, with whom he humbly shared credit, his wife and fellow firefighter, Alison, with whom he shared the spotlight, and Aunt Kay, whose life was saved when a Santaquin firefighter found himself needed in Idaho.

Payson Cross Country Girls Win Region for the Second Year in a Row

Payson Cross Country Girls returned from North Sanpete High School last week, once again winning the Region Championship.  Pick up a copy of this week's edition of The Payson Chronicle for the complete story, written by Haley Dixon.

Pictured above (left-right): Girls Varsity team and coaches: Coach David Rockwood, Alyssa Sutton, Middy Gladden, Claire Rowley, Haley Dixon (holding the Region Championship trophy), Tiana Argyle, Britteny Wayne, Kea Hancock, and Coach Stan Peck  

SANTAQUIN VETERAN FIREFIGHTER NAMED 2014 RESCUER OF THE YEAR BY AAA

Pictured (right): Scott Bernards, an 11-year veteran firefighter who currently serves the Santaquin Fire Department, was named Rescuer of the Year in Utah by AAA, with a room full of his peers and family members watching on inside the Santaquin Publilc Safety building Tuesday evening, October 21 . While on vacation in November 2013, Bernards rescued his 80-year-old aunt from a fire that destroyed her Idaho family home and sustained injuries as he helped extinguish the blaze alongside the local fire department. At the ceremony, AAA Utah  awarded $10,000 in Bernards’ name to a nonprofit rescue organization of his choice, the Santaquin Fire/EMS Association.   

The Good Work of Tabitha's Way

Joining Payson Lions at the Peteetneet last night was guest speaker, Wendy Osborne (pictured, center), who started Tabitha's Way, a non-profit, Christian-based mercy ministry located in Spanish Fork, in 2010.  She is photographed here with Valarie Bailey (left) and Sandy Huff, Lions Club Second Vice-President, both of whom work with the volunteer team at Tabitha’s Way, helping to provide the basic needs for over two thousand local residents each month.  

The Payson Chronicle: Delivered by Mail or Available on Stands Each Week

Pick up a copy of The Payson Chronicle or order a subscription and have it delivered to your home weekly by mail! Subscriptions may be ordered by mail, through paysonads.com, or in person at our Payson office at 145 East Utah Avenue.

Single copies are available for purchase at the Chronicle office as well as the following locations:

Gas ‘n’ Dash
Payson Market Place
Crest General Store
Walgreen's
Mountain View Hospital Gift Shop
Mountain View Family Pharmacy
Salem Chevron
Fast Gas
Arnie B's Chevron
Fast Trax
KARS Chevron
The Red Barn
Santaquin Pharmacy
Gini's Corner Market

June and Kay Harmer Dreamcatcher and Paintings Exhibit Continues Through November 20

Pictured from left: June Harmer with her daughters Karen and Shirley by dreamcatchers and paintings that are part of the exhibit June and husband, Kay Harmer, have on display, through November 20, at the Peteetneet  Museum and Cultural Arts Center in Payson.  Regular museum hours are Monday through Friday, 10 AM until 4 PM.  Read about it in The Payson Chronicle.

Photo by Michael D. Olson

Important Information About Payson City’s Drinking Water

Our water system recently violated a drinking water standard.  We routinely monitor for the presence of drinking water contaminants. We took 20 samples for coliform bacteria during September 2014. Two of those samples showed the presence of coliform bacteria. Although this is not an emergency, as our customers, you have a right to know what happened, what you should do, and what we are doing to correct this situation.

As required we have taken additional samples and the tests results have come back negative for coliforms.

You do not need to boil your water or take other corrective actions. However, if you have specific health concerns, consult your doctor.

People with severely compromised immune systems, infants, and some elderly may be at increased risk. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are available from EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1(800) 426-4791.

This is not an emergency. If it had been you would have been notified immediately. Total coliform bacteria are generally not harmful themselves. Coliforms are bacteria which are naturally present in the environment and are used as an indicator that other, potentially-harmful, bacteria may be present. Coliforms were found in more samples than allowed and this was a warning of potential problems.

Usually, coliforms are a sign that there could be a problem with the treatment or distribution system (pipes). Whenever we detect coliform bacteria in any sample, we do follow-up testing to see if other bacteria of greater concern, such as fecal coliform or E. coli, are present. We did not find any of these bacteria in our subsequent testing, and further testing shows that this problem has been resolved.   

For more information, please contact Payson City Water Department at 801-465-5278 or 439 W Utah Avenue, Payson UT  84651.

Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools and businesses).  You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.

PHS Girls Tennis Takes Sixth at State: Most Successful Season Ever

Pictured left: Coach Karen Thomas with Olivia Fordiani between sets during first-round match Friday morning.  Find the complete story and additional photos taken during the State Tournament matches in this week's edition of The Payson Chronicle.

Photo by Michael D. Olson

Lions Club Poster Competition Calls for Visions of “Peace, Love, and Understanding”

Peace, love, and understanding are called upon in the 2014-15 Lions Clubs International (LCI) Peace Poster Contest.  Nearly 100 countries participate in the annual poster contest. This year the Payson Lions Club and local community are joining in the competition.

Local youth, ages 11, 12, and 13, as of November 15, are encouraged to create a poster that best expresses their vision of peace, one which follows the theme, “Peace, Love, and Understanding.”

Art teachers at both Payson Jr. High and Mt. Nebo Jr. High schools have been provided with details on the local competition and are accepting submissions, according to Rhett Huff, Payson Lions Club President. The contest, however, is open to any youth residing in the local community who fits the age requirement.  The local submission deadline is Friday, October 31, 2014.

Rules stipulate that artwork be no smaller than 13 inches by 20 inches (33 centimeters by 50 centimeters) and no larger than 20 inches by 24 inches (50 centimeters by 60 centimeters). Participants are instructed to not mat or frame their artwork.  Only one entry per student per year, and each entry must be the work of only one student is allowed. All artwork must be the individual student's original creation. Duplications are not accepted.  All media are accepted, but please note that chalk, charcoal and pastel entries should be sealed with a fixative spray to prevent smearing. Please do not laminate entries. Three-dimensional entries will not be accepted. Nothing may be glued, stapled or attached to the artwork in any way. The use of lettering or numbering on the front of the poster, in any language, is not allowed. All artist signatures or initials should be written on the back of the poster. Artwork should be done on a flexible material, so it can be rolled for shipping in a mailing tube. Participants should not fold their poster.

The annual Lions International Peace Poster Contest was started over twenty-five years ago.  Since then, millions of youth representing nearly 100 countries have participated in the annual competition.

Locally, the contest was first adopted by Lion and current Payson City Mayor Rick Moore.  Rhett Huff, Payson Lions Club President, resumed the program this year to provide local children with the opportunity to participate in the international competition.

Payson Lions voted on October 9 to fund cash awards to its local winners.  In addition to the opportunity to move on to district, multiple district, and international level competitions, the local first place winner will receive $100, while a $50 award will go to the second place winner, and $25 for third place.

One international grand prize winner will receive $5,000 and a trip to a special award ceremony. Twenty-three merit award winners will receive a cash award of $500 and a certificate of achievement.

Further details may be found online at http://www.lionsclubs.org/EN/our-work/youth-programs/peace-poster-contest/.

Stadium Cinemas: Always Something Great to See

Getting the theater and concessions ready for an evening of film at Stadium Cinemas, Payson, last week were Head Cashier Morgan McGinnis (left) and Manager Sadie Ross (right).  What’s their pick among the anticipated upcoming holiday season selections? “The Hobbit 3: Battle of the Five Armies,” scheduled for release in December.

There are many other great films to see in the meantime.  Be sure to check out Stadium Cinemas’ ad on Page 2 of The Payson Chronicle every week for showtimes.

Kris Phillips, Owner of Stadium Cinemas, Awarded Golden Key

Pictured (left-right): Kris Phillips, Russell Thelin, Executive Director of the Utah State Office of Rehabilitation, Leah Lobato, Governor's Committee on Employment of People With Disabilities Director, Shannon Williams, Salem Hills High School, and Bret Gallacher, Governor's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities Chair.  Phillips, owner of Stadium Cinemas in Payson, was presented a Golden Key Award last week.  See complete story in the October 8, 2014, edition of The Payson Chronicle.

Photo courtesy Todd Phillips 

Good Old Days: Anxious Little Feller

by Mildred Olson

1923--?

“Yep,” said the little feller.  He was anxious to go trick or treating.

His mom had made him a costume.  His sister, just two years older, said she couldn’t tell whether he was supposed to be an Indian or a cowboy. It was easy to tell she was a princess.  

“Yep, it is Halloween.  I’m ready to go,” he shouted.

Their mother had asked a neighbor girl, a 15-year-old, to take them, and she was ready.  They got their “loot” bags and hurried down the street.

Their mom had admonished them to be careful, to only go down the street two blocks, and cross over, and go to those homes. “Be careful of the ditch,” she called out as they hurried from home to home.

Apparently, he didn’t listen and was taunting his sister as he walked backwards.  Yep!  Right into the ditch.

The water was sparkly cold and he was drenched.  Even his cowboy hat was dripping.  The things he had received from the first homes, they had gone to hurrying along with the stream.

Yep!  It was Halloween, and that little five-year-old could only cry and shout, “I hate Halloween!”