Friday, May 29, 2015

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.

CHERYL LYNNE MASON KECK

Cheryl Lynne Mason Keck, 70, of Payson, Utah passed away May 28, 2015 in Payson. She was born August 21, 1944 in Murray, Utah to Clifford Burnett Mason and Reatha Jesse Evans Mason. After her father was killed in a plane crash, Cheryl’s mother married Carolus Martinus Roestenburg Jr.  Funeral services will be held Saturday, June 6, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at the Payson 11th Ward, 902 West 400 North, Payson, Utah. Family and friends may call Friday, June 5, 2015 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Walker Funeral Home, 587 South 100 West in Payson, or Saturday from 9:45 - 10:45 a.m. at the church prior to services. Interment will be in the Payson City Cemetery.

Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Yard of the Week A Nice Mix of Old and New

Pictured: A big taste of Payson history at our latest Yard of the Week honoree.  Do you know where it is located?  If not, find out by picking up a copy of this week's Payson Chronicle.

Send us your nomination for a future Yard of the Week pick, too, by emailing us at paysonchronicle@gmail.com. 

Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Beautification and Restoration Underway at the Peteetneet

Photo by Denise Windley, paysonchronicle@gmail.com


By Denise Windley

Beautification and restoration are well underway at the Peteetneet, both on the grounds and body of the hundred-plus-year-old former schoolhouse on the hill.

A rain-drenched day could not keep a small crew of volunteers away from planting flowers on Saturday.  Maybe it was the doughnuts donated by Payson Market and Moore Donuts that drew them out on a damp day.  Perhaps it was a matter of integrity and community spirit. Whatever the case, the efforts of those who joined in the planting are appreciated by Peteetneet officials.

Ray Wilson and Janean Dean are among them.  The two oversaw the May planting, which was concentrated mainly on the grounds’ west-side and in planters, a more limited scope than in years past, due to watering restrictions and the need to conserve.

Ms. Dean has stepped into Sandra Hummer’s role as the events coordinator at the Peteetneet, after Ms. Hummer retired in recent weeks.  It is a job Dean now maintains in conjunction with similar duties for Payson City, work that has her overseeing popular city celebrations, like the Scottish Festival and Onion Days Celebration.

Mr. Wilson, who serves alongside Dee Stevenson as the Peteetneet Board’s Second Vice-President, both under President Dale Barnett and Vice-President Bill Harrison, has been overseeing the flowers and grounds for years. Despite his own efforts, he is quick to applaud those of countless fellow volunteers, who have and continue to help maintain and sustain the Peteetneet Museum and Cultural Arts Center since it was established a quarter of a century ago.

“There are hundreds of volunteers,” Mr. Wilson said. “Gordon Taylor did so much. Now Dale [Barnett] is the president, and he has done a lot.”

As the new spring blooms were planted on Saturday, signs of restoration to the building were evident in scaffolding that had been put in place for the upcoming replacement of deteriorating sandstone.

Over the years, water has seeped into the sandstone from which the building was, along with brick, constructed.  The moisture has caused the salt in the sandstone to expand and deterioration to ensue, according to Wilson.

All the deteriorated sandstone that can be removed will be replaced, while those stones that cannot be replaced will be patched in matching fashion.  A hardening sealer will be added after.

In addition to his reverence for volunteers, Mr. Wilson noted the Peteetneet Board’s appreciation for Payson City.  Namely, the City Council’s unanimous decision, Wilson said, to appropriate funding for the sandstone project, which he said has been estimated to cost around $100,000.

“We are very grateful, because it is preserving this old building,” he said.  “It was built in 1901 and it is getting there.”

Water the Topic of Payson Lions Club Town Hall Meeting

By Denise Windley
paysonchronicle@gmail.com

“Thousands have lived without love, not one without water.” -- W.H. Auden

A most--if not the most--critical issue of our time was made the central focus of a town hall meeting Friday evening, May 15, 2015.  “Water Issues and Our Future,” which brought together insight from local officials and experts with concerns from citizens in the community, created a space for conversation on a resource that no one can live without.

The event arose at a time of drought and recent changes to the guidelines to secondary water use in Payson.  Under the direction of the Payson Lions Club, guest speakers were Payson City Engineer Travis Jockumsen, City Councilman Larry Skinner, Dan Ellsworth, representing the Highline Canal Company, and Payson City Greenskeeper Mark Hyland, sharing tips on how best to conserve and maintain one’s landscape.

By all appearances in recent weeks, abundant rainfall has poured much needed relief onto the parched city.  But it has not restored the resource to ‘normal’ levels.

A less-abundant winter snowpack, following several years of drought, had the season starting off at troublingly low water levels at Payson Canyon reservoirs.  The Big East Reservoir, among them, was measured at 7-8 feet below its normal level at the onset of spring, according to Travis Jockumsen, City Engineer.  The rainfall has lifted water levels here and at Pete Winward and Box Lake, but not enough to put the city in the clear.

New pressurized irrigation restrictions, enacted May 6, were established to curb excessive watering among users in Payson and, hopefully, help sustain resources, he noted. These include watering being restricted from three to just two days per week, with all odd-numbered addresses designated for Tuesday and Saturday watering only and even-numbered addresses to solely Monday and Friday each week.  Larger water users, such as churches, schools, city parks, and larger agricultural users, are allowed to water only on Wednesdays and Sundays. Watering times run from midnight to 10 AM and from 6 PM until midnight.

Reservoirs aside, “We get most of our irrigation water out of the Highline Canal,” Jockumsen said.  Payson City’s allocation is only 1,500 acre feet a year, he added, highlighting how imperative it is for water users to conserve.  

Penalties for those found in violation have been enhanced with the new regulations, Jockumsen added.  Still a more cooperative, helping approach was encouraged among residents who witness their neighbors watering out of line.

Of greater concern, however, Jockumsen said, will be the possibility that some may switch over lines should water grow scarcer in the season, which can cause contamination throughout the entire system.

For Councilman Larry Skinner, water and infrastructure to support it in a growing city were high among reasons for which he sought reelection in the last campaign season.

“It’s important that we be forward thinking,” he said last Friday.

Capturing and storing runoff from the canyon is among approaches he cited as a solution to sustaining water for use among an increasing population.  At times of ample snowpack, the city’s current reservoirs are incapable of holding water made available through runoff.

To address this, Payson City has contracted with RB&G Engineering to perform a geological study to determine possible locations for a new dam and reservoir in Payson Canyon, Councilman Skinner explained.  

One possible location Payson City has its eyes set on is at private property located on the south end of Kiwanis Park.  “It could be a sizeable reservoir,” he said, noting that it could accommodate a 165-foot high dam and a reservoir  that could sustain ten times the storage the city has available now.  

The cost will no doubt be an issue, Skinner conceded, and outside sources will most likely be required to fund such a large-scale project, one that could require a bond election.  But, noting that this is the “most critical issue right now in Payson,” he is hopeful that citizens will support it.

Dan Ellsworth echoed a call for infrastructural projects sufficient enough to sustain the current and projected increase usage in Payson, noting that the cost to improve and expand upon systems is imperative.  The canal, for instance, is one hundred years old and loses 35% of its water each year.  “Something’s got to change,” he said.

The change, he added, would be best approached in cooperation among entities.

Sunday, May 24, 2015

Payson City Council Candidate Filing Period Runs From June 1-8


Three city council seats are open for election this year in Payson.  These are the four-year terms held currently by Councilwoman Jo Lynn Ford, Councilman Kim Hancock, and Councilman Larry Skinner, respectively.

The candidate filing period will begin Monday, June 1, 2015.  Declaration of Candidacy forms or Nomination Petition must be filed in person with the City Recorder at 439 West Utah Avenue, Payson, Utah, during regular office hours: Monday-Thursday between the hours of 7:30 AM and 6:00 PM, and on Friday, June 5, from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.  Candidate filing deadline is Monday, June 8, 2015.


The Payson City Municipal General Election will take place on November 3, 2015.

Thursday, May 21, 2015

Payson LDS Temple Open House Continues Through Saturday, May 23, As Planned

Pictured: The Payson Temple photographed by Payson Chronicle staff during a media event held on April 21, 2015.  The Temple Open House began a few days later, April 24, and continues through this Saturday.  Photo by Denise Windley, paysonchronicle@gmail.com
Despite rumors, the Payson LDS Temple Open House will not be extended and will conclude, as planned, on Saturday, May 23, according to Payson Chief Brad Bishop.

Speaking briefly at last night’s council meeting in Payson, Chief Bishop noted also that, as of last Thursday, over 320,000 have visited the temple since the open house began in late April, 2015. Roughly twenty thousand people are estimated to visit the temple daily, he added.

According to a press release issued this spring by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the temple will be formally dedicated on Sunday, June, 7, 2015, as the 146th operating temple of the LDS Church. Three separate dedicatory sessions will be held at 10:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., and 4:00 p.m. The temple will serve more than 93,000 Latter-day Saints from Mapleton to Delta, Utah.


More than 13,000 local Latter-day Saint youth will celebrate the opening of the temple in a cultural celebration on Saturday, June 6, at 7:00 p.m. in the Lavell Edwards Stadium in Provo.

Payson Aquatic Center Slated to Open This Weekend

Pictured: Lifeguards prepare for the new swimming season at Payson City's Aquatic Center, May 21, 2015.
Pull out your swimsuits.  The Payson Aquatic Center is scheduled to open this weekend.

A final inspection is in the works today, reported Karl Teemant, City Recreation Director, during last night’s city council meeting.  Students from Payson Junior High School aided in testing the pool earlier this week. Other local schools are expected to arrive for early season swimming next week.

Wednesday, May 20, 2015

Beautification and Restoration Underway at the Peteetneet

Photo by Denise Windley, paysonchronicle@gmail.com
Beautification and restoration are well underway at the Peteetneet, both on the grounds and body of the hundred-plus-year-old former schoolhouse on the hill. On Saturday, The Payson Chronicle spoke with Ray Wilson, Peteetneet Board Second VP, as he and Janean Dean, Events Coordinator, led volunteers in a rainy day of flower-planting. Scaffolding, meanwhile, signified the replacement of deteriorating sandstone, a project expected to be finished in three months. Crews were photographed this afternoon, May 20, at work on the Peteetneet building. For the complete story, pick up a copy of this week's edition of The Payson Chronicle.

"One of the most beautiful small parks in the nation" named Yard of the Week

Photo by Denise Windley, paysonchronicle@gmail.com

Our latest Yard of the Week has been referred to as "one of the most beautiful small parks in the nation."  And rightly so.  Pick up a copy of this week's edition for details.

Tuesday, May 19, 2015

Discussions on Water Continue in Payson

Brad Olson  is a lifelong local resident and longtime horticulturalist.  He has spent the past forty years running his family's business, Olson's Garden Shoppe, and carries with him today a wealth of information on plant life and techniques suitable for a dry climate, such as ours.  He is pictured here with a selection of drought-tolerant grasses available at Olson's in Payson.   
Water was the topic of a well-attended town hall meeting hosted by the Payson Lions Club Friday night.  Check out this story in this week’s edition of The Payson Chronicle.  Join us next week when we share our conversation with Brad Olson, owner of Olson’s Garden Shoppe. Namely, we will share his professional wisdom and tips on desert-friendly landscaping plant life and techniques suitable to the local region.

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.

SANDRA JEAN ARMSTRONG

Sandra Jean Brockbank Armstrong passed away peacefully May 14, 2015.  She was born December 2, 1935 in Payson, Utah to Starr L. and Grace Taylor Brockbank.  Services will be held Friday, May 22nd at 11:00 am at the Payson 8th Ward, 780 West 500 South.  Friends may call at the church on Thursday from 6:00 to 8:00 pm and Friday from 9:30 to 10:45 am.  Burial, Santaquin City Cemetery under the direction of Brown Family Mortuary, Santaquin.  

Friday, May 15, 2015

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.

BROOKE ADAIR BARNES

Brooke Adair Barnes, age 23 of Elk Ridge, passed away Wednesday, May 13, 2015  surrounded by family at her home after a 4 year battle with leukemia.  She was born January 20, 1992 at Payson, Utah to Jeffrey D. and Vicki Lyn Holm Barnes.  Funeral services will be Tuesday, May 19, 2015, 1:00 p.m., in the Elk Ridge, Utah LDS Stake Center, 185 East Ridge View Drive. Friends may call at the Walker Mortuary, 587 South 100 West, Payson, Monday, 6-8:00 p.m. or at the church Tuesday, 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Burial will be in the Payson City Cemetery.

Thursday, May 14, 2015

Local Artists Featured at Peteetneet: Payson Temple and Area Art

Pictured: Tausha Coates with an example of her Temple art
Photo by Denise Windley, paysonchronicle@gmail.com
By Dona Brian

The Peteetneet Museum and Cultural Arts Center and the Peteetneet Arts Council are proud to feature local artists Dave Merrill, Tausha Coates, and Kirk Richards in an outstanding display of the Payson Temple and area art in the Art Gallery at the Peteetneet.  This display will remain in our gallery throughout May and June.

We feel honored that these very talented artists chose to display their works of art with us, and hope that you will take this great opportunity to come and enjoy it while passing through Payson or coming to the temple open house.

We will be hosting a reception on Friday evening, May 22, from 6-8 PM, where you can come and meet the artists and they can share their paintings.  The event will take place at the Peteetneet, located at 10 North 600 East, Payson.

Regular visitor hours are from 10 AM until 4 PM, Monday through Friday.

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

YARD OF THE WEEK A PICTURE OF PAYSON PRESENT AND PAST

This edition’s Yard of the Week blends Payson history with a more contemporary style.   It is the yard of Jay and Mary Ann Lerwill, a lovely located in Payson’s core, that includes hints of the family’s long connection to the local economy and community.  Read the complete story in the May 13, 2015 print edition of The Payson Chronicle.


Foothill Cloggers Have Done It Again

The Foothill Cloggers are finishing their eleventh year of competitions and entertaining performances.

Find out more about the nationally ranked clogging group in the May 13, 2015 print edition of The Payson Chronicle.

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.


MILDRED DOROTHY MINNICH WARD

Funeral services will be held on Saturday May 16th at the Mountain View 6th Ward in Payson for Mildred Dorothy Minnich Ward, 100, who passed away on May 7, 2015, at Hearthstone Manor Assisted Living facility in Spanish Fork, Utah.  Mildred, or “Micky” as she was also known by her family and friends, was born June 8, 1914, in Chicago, Illinois.  Funeral services will be held, Saturday, May 16, 2015, at 12:00 noon in the Mtn. View 6th Ward Chapel, 789 East Arrowhead Trail, Payson. A graveside service will be held on Wednesday May 20th at 11:30 AM at the Fairmount-Willow Hills Memorial Park located just outside of Chicago in Willow Springs, Illinois.

Thursday, May 7, 2015

Sneak Peek at the Upcoming Yard of the Week

Our upcoming Yard of the Week blends Payson history with  a more contemporary floral design.  Pictured is a clue from this well-loved space.  The location will be revealed soon.

In the meantime, send us your pick for a future Yard of the Week.  Email the nomination to paysonchronicle@gmail.com.  Be sure to include their name, address, and a phone number for contact. 




Wednesday, May 6, 2015

Peteetneet Volunteers Milt and JaNae Friedli Spotlighted in May 6 Edition

"The Peteetneet Museum and Cultural Arts Center feels very fortunate to have Milt and JaNae Friedli as two of our outstanding volunteers," writes L. Dee Stevenson.  Find the complete story in this week's edition of The Payson Chronicle.

Tuesday, May 5, 2015

Water Issues & The Future: Lions to Host Important Town Hall Meeting May 15

Town Hall Meeting


Hosted by: The Payson Lions Club


"Water Issues & the Future”

The public is encouraged to join city leaders and water experts at a town hall meeting hosted by the Payson Lions Club as they discuss water concerns in Payson City.

Keynote speakers:

* Travis Jockumsen, Payson City Engineer
-Current and future water situation possibilities this year

* Larry Skinner, Payson City Councilmember
-Progress on the new reservoir in Payson Canyon

*Darrick Whipple
-Strawberry Highline Canal effect on Payson and its future

* Mark Hyland, Payson City Greenskeeper
-Watering strategies

*Public question and answer session




Friday May 15th at 7 PM

Payson City Center Banquet Room

439 West Utah Ave, Payson

Genola Wrestler Heber Shepherd (Spanish Fork High) Signs with Northwest College

Pictured: Heber Shepherd (center) with Travis Shepherd (left) and Kip Spencer (right), two of his coaches.  Photo courtesy Spanish Fork High School

Heber Shepherd, son of Layne and Teona Shepherd of Genola, will continue his wrestling career at Northwest College in Powell, Wyoming, having recently signed with the school.  Find this and stories like it in this week's edition of The Payson Chronicle.

Monday, May 4, 2015

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.


LORRAINE SANFORD SUTTON

Lorraine Sanford Sutton, 79, of Payson, Utah passed away on May 7, 2015 in Santaquin, Utah. She was born on April 20, 1936 to Mearl J and Gladys Marie Taylor Sanford. Lorraine attended school at Payson High School.  Funeral services will be held on Thursday, May 14, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at the Payson 15th Ward, 800 South 650 West in Payson. Family and friends may call from 9:45 - 10:45 a.m. at the church prior to services. Interment will be in the Payson City Cemetery.

LOU JEAN ROBBINS WILLIAMSON

Lou Jean Robbins Williamson, 87, loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother passed away peacefully in her home, surrounded by her loving family on Saturday, May 2, 2015 due to heart complications. Lou Jean was surrounded by friends and family during her final days.  Lou Jean was born on November 24, 1927, in Orem Utah, to Luzell and Thelma Robbins. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m.Thursday, May 7, 2015 at the LDS Chapel, 1316 South Main Street, Mapleton, Utah. Friends may call at the church, Wednesday, May 6 from 6-8:00 p.m. and Thursday from 9:30-10:45 a.m. prior to services. Interment, Springville Evergreen Cemetery, 1997 South 400 East. 

The Payson Chronicle

In This Week’s Edition