Cold Moon

 

One cool Cold Moon.

Location: Santaquin Cemetery 

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In this week’s edition of The Payson Chronicle

 

FEATURED ADVERTISER: Jensen Family Fresh-Cut Christmas Trees

 

 Christmas in Historic Downtown Payson.

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Lunchtime in Payson

A masterpiece.

Lunchtime in Payson today is with The Gourmet Way in the Historic Downtown.

🍂Happy Thanksgiving from The Payson Chronicle crew!🍂

 

Happy Thanksgiving

 

Tell Us Your American Story

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Our American Story

Pictured: Paysonian Joseph Smith Douglass (1855-1919) dons the attire of an American patriot for a 19th century portrait.

The 250th anniversary of our nation is not only a time to look back, but also to look forward. Many see 2026 as an opportunity to confront the country’s imperfections while honoring its resilience. Conversations about democracy, equality, and freedom are as vital today as they were in 1776.

Join the conversation.

We want to know what being an American means to you. What are your hopes for our nation’s future? 

Send us your American story in essay form, as an original poem, or composed in lyrics to a song—all for consideration of publication in The Payson Chronicle in the weeks leading up to America’s 250th birthday celebration. 

Send your submission to paysonchronicle@gmail.com, or submit in person or by mail at 145 East Utah Avenue #5, Payson, Utah 84651.

#payson #paysonchronicle #thepaysonchronicle #america250

Yearbooks For Sale

 A limited number of Paysonian yearbooks are for sale. Drop by our office and take a look. We’re located in the Commercial Place building at 145 East Utah Avenue in Suite 5. 

LUNCHTIME in PAYSON

 

Lunchtime in Payson with the Queen of Clubs. @weebluinnofficial

Our American Story

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Our American Story

Pictured: Sarah Josepha Hale (1788-1879), writer and editor of Godey’s Lady’s Book, tirelessly lobbied for a national day of thanks. Thanks to Hale’s efforts, President Abraham Lincoln issued a proclamation in 1863 declaring Thanksgiving a national holiday. (Source: womenshistory.org)

The 250th anniversary of our nation is not only a time to look back, but also to look forward. Many see 2026 as an opportunity to confront the country’s imperfections while honoring its resilience. Conversations about democracy, equality, and freedom are as vital today as they were in 1776.

Join the conversation.

We want to know what being an American means to you. What are your hopes for our nation’s future? 

Send us your American story in essay form, as an original poem, or composed in lyrics to a song—all for consideration of publication in The Payson Chronicle in the weeks leading up to America’s 250th birthday celebration. 

Send your submission to paysonchronicle@gmail.com, or submit in person or by mail at 145 East Utah Avenue #5, Payson, Utah 84651.

Bright Side of the Road

Commercial Place in Payson.

The bright side of the road.

In this week’s edition of The Payson Chronicle

 

These and other Payson High School yearbooks are for sale! 

See this week’s edition for details.

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Mourning the Passing of Our Friend

         

Virginia “Ginger” Lee Beddoes

With deep love and cherished memories, we announce the passing of Virginia “Ginger” Lee Knight Beddoes, who returned to her Heavenly Father on November 15, 2025, at the age of 78.

Born on August 4, 1947, in Moab, Utah, Ginger was the beloved daughter of Arthur Ray “Hardwater” Knight and Zella Madolyn Evans Knight. She grew up surrounded by the red rock beauty of Moab and the warmth of a large, loving family. She was one of six siblings and was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Garold Beddoes, her brother Don Lyman, and her sister Helen Knight. She is survived by her siblings Jeri (Merald) White, Kathryn (Dennis) Wilberg, and Robert (Kathy) Knight.

After graduating from high school in Moab, Ginger moved to Las Vegas to live with her aunt and uncle while attending beauty school. She returned to Moab to begin her career as a beautician, quickly becoming known for giving the “tightest perm in town.”

It was through her sister Kathryn that Ginger met the love of her life, Garold Beddoes. They were married just three months later, on August 30, 1969. Garold affectionately called her his “love bug,” a name that captured the sweetness and devotion of their bond. On May 11, 1989, their love was sealed for time and all eternity in the Manti Utah Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Together, Ginger and Garold built a beautiful life and family. They began their journey in Moab, then moved to American Fork, Utah, and eventually settled in Payson, Utah, where they built their forever home next to Garold’s family, on what became affectionately known as Beddoes Lane. Ginger and Garold were blessed with five children: Jason (Lara) Beddoes, Jennifer (Trent) Thayn, Kimberlee Carter, Melissa Beddoes, and Gregg (Sarah) Beddoes. Her legacy continues through her 17 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren, all of whom brought her immense joy and pride.

Ginger was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. She ran a beauty salon from her home, where she not only styled hair but also uplifted spirits. Her faith was the cornerstone of her life. A lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she served faithfully in many callings, most notably as the editor of the ward newsletter for 35 years, a role she treasured deeply.

Her passions were many and her talents abundant. Ginger had a gift for creativity and craftsmanship. She was an accomplished artist, seamstress, and genealogist. She lovingly sewed most of her children’s clothes, created beautiful cross-stitch and crochet pieces, and embraced technology with enthusiasm, especially in her family history work.

Ginger’s life was a testament to love, service, and faith. She leaves behind a legacy of kindness, creativity, and devotion that will continue to inspire all who knew her.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 22, 2025, at the Payson West Stake Center, 780 West 500 South, Payson, Utah. Visitation will be held prior from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the church. Also, there will be visitation on Friday, November 21, 2025, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Walker Funeral Home, 587 South 100 West, Payson, Utah. Interment will be in Payson Cemetery, 400 North 800 East, Payson, Utah.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Walker Funeral Home. Please go to www.WalkerMemorials.com to offer condolences.

Mourning the Passing of Our Friend

 

Steven Blair Farr

Steven Blair Farr, 81, West Mountain, Utah died 11 November 2025 at home.

He was born on 1 August 1944 in West Mountain, Utah to Halvan H and Lula Blair Farr.

Steve graduated from Payson High School in 1962. In 1973 he graduated with a BS in Animal Sciences from Brigham Young University. Steve earned the rank of Eagle Scout and as a lifelong Scout received the Silver Beaver award for his work with the Boys Scouts of America. For his commendable actions in Vietnam Steve received a Meritorious Service Award and the Bronze Star.

His love for God led him to serve in various callings in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in bishoprics, Ward Mission Leader, on the High Council, in Family History and giving his all to any task asked of him. Steve loved sharing God’s gospel by serving in the Southeast Mexico Mission, 1963-1965, and later with his wife in the Carlsbad Mission, 2011-2013; Dominican Republic Mission, 2014-2016; and finally, the Provo Utah Mission, 2020-2021. He also spent many hours serving in the Payson Utah Temple.

A true dairyman at heart Steve worked various jobs throughout his life. He was employed by Strawberry Highline Canal for twenty-seven years from which he retired in 2011. Following the years in Vietnam, his love of flying helicopters led him to serve in the Utah Air National Guard for twenty-three years.

Every summer Steve grew a garden and loved sharing the produce with others. He loved animals having many dogs and birds as pets throughout his life. During high school, he excelled at collegiate wrestling. An avid bird watcher, skilled mechanic, storyteller, tinkerer, farmer, self-taught engineer, Tote-goat riding, ice cream eating, gopher hunting, camping, canoeing and obedient man, Steve will be greatly missed.

In 1968 he married Kathleen Hogan in the Manti Temple sharing 57 years together. Outings for the Farr family were most often hauling hay, planting the garden, fixing broken things, sometimes a canoe trip. Steve’s roots were deep at home, and it was the place he loved to be.

He is survived by his wife, Kathleen; children: Jonathan H and Sheree Farr; Tiffany and Thomas Gregson; Melissa Farr; Tamara and Steven Van Shaar; Daniel B and Katie Farr and brother-in-law, Jay Taylor, along with eighteen grandchildren and eighteen great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings: Maxine White; Clela Barnett; Larry Farr; Nedra Taylor; and one son, Kenneth Steven Farr.

A funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, November 17, 2025, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 902 West 400 North in Payson, Utah. Visitation will be on Sunday, November 16, 2025, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Walker Funeral Home, 587 South 100 West, Payson, Utah. Interment with military honors will be in Payson City Cemetery, 400 North 800 East, Payson, Utah following the funeral.

The family would like to thank Dr Wallentine and staff and Utah Home Health and Hospice for their skilled compassionate, and outstanding personal care.

We appreciate all those who donate life-saving blood and encourage others to donate.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Walker Funeral Home. Please go to www.WalkerMemorials.com to offer condolences. 

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What we are reading:

Wakara’s America—The Life and Legacy of a Native Founder of the American West

by Max Perry Mueller

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Our American Story

Pictured: Sacajewea, 1915 by Utah sculptor Cyrus Edwin Dallin (1861-1944). She carries her baby Pomp in a cradle board on her back as she guides the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

The 250th anniversary of our nation is not only a time to look back, but also to look forward. Many see 2026 as an opportunity to confront the country’s imperfections while honoring its resilience. Conversations about democracy, equality, and freedom are as vital today as they were in 1776.

Join the conversation.

We want to know what being an American means to you. What are your hopes for our nation’s future? 

Send us your American story in essay form, as an original poem, or composed in lyrics to a song—all for consideration of publication in The Payson Chronicle in the weeks leading up to America's 250th birthday celebration.

Send your submission to paysonchronicle@gmail.com, or submit in person or by mail at 145 East Utah Avenue #5, Payson, Utah 84651.

In this week’s edition of The Payson Chronicle

 

#inthisweeksedition #paysonchroniclenews #thepaysonchronicle #readthepaysonchronicle 

Works of art.

The fabulous Thanksgiving cookies are the creation of the.wandering.whisk.bakery @paysoncityyouthcouncil @ogrensarah

Veterans Day 2025

Parades and programs are planned for November 11, as the United States pauses to honor the men and women who have worn its uniform. 

PHOTO: Veterans’ names are inscribed on panels on a monument in the Santaquin City Cemetery.

Mourning the Passing of Our Friend

 

Jacklyn Francom Miller

Jacklyn “Jackie” Francom Miller, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and cherished friend, passed away peacefully on November 7, 2025, at the age of 85. Her life was a testament of kindness, unwavering love, and leaving a legacy of warmth and joy for all who knew her.

Jackie was born on May 20, 1940, in Payson, Utah. Jackie was the daughter of John and Lenore Francom. She grew up in Payson, Utah, a small town, in the home her father built.

She was an excellent student and graduated from Payson High School in 1958.

Jackie began her professional life by working at a Payson bank as a teller. She worked several summers in the cherry processing plants. She later became a manager at Taco Time and McDonald’s, and a dorm matron at Heritage Halls (T Hall) Brigham Young University.  At work, she was known for her professional qualities, her meticulous nature, and her deep compassion for others.

Her true devotion, however, was always to her family. She married the love of her life, Jack William Miller, on January 29, 1960. Together they were famously known as Jack and Jackie. They were later sealed in the Manti Temple. Together, they built a home filled with an atmosphere of good food, love, laughter and adventure.

Jackie was a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many callings throughout her life, including working in the temple with her husband. She learned to play the piano and had an amazing talent which, she shared with the ward members and Primary for many years in the famous Payson Green church. She served two missions with her Husband, Jack, building cabins at the Heber Valley Girls Camp.

Jackie had a gentle spirit and a remarkable capacity for making everyone feel important and loved. She had a passion for crocheting, reading and cheering on the local baseball and basketball teams, while watching her sons play on those teams. She enjoyed camping, fishing, 4 wheeling, traveling in their motor home, and searching for words in her word search books.

She taught us the importance of hard work, honesty, love, and always lending a helping hand, and to never give up on a dream. She had a happy spirit and loved to laugh and make others smile. She loved to play cards with her kids or watch a good sporting event after a homemade Sunday dinner.

Jackie is survived by her children: Bruce William (Arnolyn) Miller, Kaye Lynne (Madison) Murphy, Alan Thomas Miller, and Debra Lenore (Randy) Gilchrist; 12 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her eternal companion, Jack W. Miller; her parents, John T. and Lenore Francom; two sisters, Geraldine Hone and Rachel Melissa; a daughter-in-law, Carrie Samuels Miller; granddaughter, Shanna Murphy; and grandson, Destry James Miller.

She will be remembered as a loving wife, an amazing grandma, and the Best Mom in the Universe and will always be in our hearts and minds. Thank you for the memories and we love you, Mom.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, November 15, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Payson 2nd Ward Chapel, 274 South Main Street, Payson, Utah. There will be a visitation prior from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the church. There will also be visitation on Friday evening, November 14, 2025, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Walker Funeral Home, 587 South 100 West, Payson, Utah. Interment will be in Payson City Cemetery, 400 North 800 East, Payson, Utah.

Lunchtime in Payson with a Texas-sized burrito from Don Chuy’s on 8th South

 

FEATURED ADVERTISER: Stringham’s True Value of Santaquin

 

Our American Story

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Our American Story

Pictured: The youngest child of Paysonians John B and Lillie Huish Fairbanks, the artist Avard Tennyson Fairbanks (1897-1987) with a large copy of his sculpture Lincoln, The Frontiersman. 

The 250th anniversary of our nation is not only a time to look back, but also to look forward. Many see 2026 as an opportunity to confront the country’s imperfections while honoring its resilience. Conversations about democracy, equality, and freedom are as vital today as they were in 1776. 

Join the conversation.

We want to know what being an American means to you. What are your hopes for our nation’s future? 

Send us your American story in essay form, as an original poem, or composed in lyrics to a song—all for consideration of publication in The Payson Chronicle in the weeks leading up to America's 250th birthday celebration. 

Send your submission to paysonchronicle@gmail.com, or submit in person or by mail at 145 East Utah Avenue #5, Payson, Utah 84651.

In this week’s edition of The Payson Chronicle

 

Happy 250th Birthday to the United States Postal Service

 

Also celebrating a 250th birthday—USPS. Check out these celebration stamps!

As seen at the Payson Post Office.

Don’t Forget to Vote

 

Contribute to Our American Story

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Our American Story

Pictured: Paul Revere, a 37” x 32-⅝” x 18-1/18” bronze by Springville, Utah-born sculptor Cyrus Edwin Dallin (1861-1944). 

The 250th anniversary of our nation is not only a time to look back, but also to look forward. Many see 2026 as an opportunity to confront the country’s imperfections while honoring its resilience. Conversations about democracy, equality, and freedom are as vital today as they were in 1776. 

Join the conversation.

We want to know what being an American means to you. What are your hopes for our nation’s future? 

Send us your American story in essay form, as an original poem, or composed in lyrics to a song—all for consideration of publication in The Payson Chronicle in the weeks leading up to America's 250th birthday celebration. 

Send your submission to paysonchronicle@gmail.com, or submit in person or by mail at 145 East Utah Avenue #5, Payson, Utah 84651.

Remember to Vote

 

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What we are reading:

Paper Girl—A Memoir of Home and Family in a Fractured America 

by Beth Macy

 Nebo Loop: Utah’s Back-door Scenic Byway — Where Aspens Glow, Creeks Sing And The Seasons Put On A Show

Uinta National Forest Nebo Loop Scenic Byway Wildflower viewing site map with directions.

For drivers who want to trade freeway glare for pine shadows and broad mountain bowls, the Mount Nebo Scenic Byway--otherwise known as the Nebo Loop--offers one of central Utah’s most concentrated doses of high-country scenery. Winding roughly 37–38 miles along the flanks of Mount Nebo — the highest peak on the Wasatch Front — the byway climbs from the valley floor near Payson and Nephi into a mosaic of oakbrush, aspen groves, spruce-fir timber and alpine tundra. It’s a ribbon of road built for one thing: to slow you down. 

Designated a National Scenic Byway in the late 1990s, the Nebo Loop (often signed as Forest Route 15) is a cooperative landscape — public lands managed by the U.S. Forest Service, local cities and state transportation agencies working together to preserve both access and the places visitors come to see. Most guidebooks set aside a single day to drive the loop one way, stopping at overlooks, trailheads and short nature walks. But many people linger: afternoons at Payson Lakes, sunrise on the Nebo Overlook, or a short scramble into Mount Nebo Wilderness. 

A road through changing life-zones

What makes the Nebo Loop especially compelling is the visible transition of plant communities as elevation changes. At lower elevations, in and above the canyon mouths, big sagebrush and mountain-brush species — Gambel oak and mountain mahogany — hold the hills. Higher up, oakbrush gives way to aspen stands whose white trunks march in bands around bowls and ridges. Still higher are mixed conifer forests of Douglas-fir, Engelmann spruce and subalpine fir, and, in the highest reaches, krummholz and alpine meadows dotted with primrose and tiny tundra plants. Wildflowers are prolific in late spring and summer, and side tracks and service roads off the main loop host particularly rich displays. 

The fauna follows the vegetation. Mule deer and elk are regulars, browsed by hikers and visible from overlooks; coyotes and bobcats move through the brushier slopes; black bears and mountain lions exist in the shadows but are rarely seen. Smaller life is equally abundant: Clark’s nutcrackers and other conifer specialists, warblers in the aspen stands, and an array of insects that transform the meadows into living color in summer. Riparian corridors along the route — the creeks and stocked lakes — support amphibians, waterfowl and a richer insect life, attracting flyfishers and families who want an easy nature stop. 

Streams, lakes and the sound of running water

Water is a quiet but constant companion along the Nebo Loop. Payson Canyon and Nephi Canyon — the two main drainages bridged by the byway — give birth to a network of creeks: smaller tributaries that tumble in runs and cascades, feed maple-shaded ponds and sustain thicker riparian vegetation than the surrounding slopes. Maple Lake and Payson Lakes are two of the most visited water features: Maple Lake sits close to the Payson entrance and is popular for fishing and short walks, while Payson Lakes is a year-round recreation area with paved trails, picnic facilities and campgrounds that are family-friendly and well maintained. The creeks also historically supplied irrigation and local water needs for valley towns, a reminder that these high country landscapes are not isolated: they’re tied to the agricultural valleys below. 

Picnic spots and campgrounds: where to slow the car

Facilities along the byway range from formal, developed campgrounds to informal pullouts and dispersed camping. Payson Lakes Recreation Area is the byway’s primary full-service hub: single and double campsites, group areas with tables and grills, day-use picnic zones and easy access to fishing. Maple Lake and several smaller campgrounds and trailhead parking areas provide quieter, sometimes first-come-first-served options. Popular short stops include the Devil’s Kitchen geological area (a half-mile loop to hoodoos), Grotto and Double Falls side hikes, and multiple overlooks that frame Utah Valley, Utah Lake and the sweep of the Wasatch. Many of these day-use sites have picnic tables and fire rings — families and senior groups are common in high season. 

How Nebo Loop ties into the larger canyon network — Santaquin Canyon

A less obvious virtue of the Nebo Loop is that it’s a node in a larger web of canyons and roads. The byway primarily traverses Payson and Nephi canyons, but several local roads feed into nearby Santaquin Canyon, offering extended recreation beyond the loop itself. From certain access points and spur roads near the Nebo Loop, travelers can extend outings into Santaquin Canyon’s oak-and-juniper slopes and enjoy an alternate approach to canyon hikes and backcountry dispersed camping. Local tourism offices and the city of Santaquin note that the byway provides convenient access to Santaquin Canyon recreation opportunities, making the loop a convenient staging ground for longer adventures. 

Season by season: the byway’s changing face

Spring: the thaw and the green-up

Spring along the Nebo Loop is a drawn-out celebration. Snowpack at the highest elevations melts into streams that thunder or whisper depending on the year, filling ponds and flushing the late-season debris from roadside pulls. Lower slopes break into green first — gambel oak and mahogany leafing out — and wildflowers follow uphill as the snowline retreats. Trails can be muddy; anglers take advantage of high runoff inside creeks and the byway’s lakes. 

Summer: flower meadows and active recreation

Summer is peak recreation season: wildflower displays bloom in meadows and side roads, forest trails are dry enough for long hikes, and families spread blankets at Payson Lakes. Day-use areas and campgrounds are busy. Because much of the byway climbs above valley heat, it’s a favored escape on hot July and August days. Side activities include mountain biking on designated trails, horseback riding and, in some years, limited OHV use on authorized roads. 

Autumn: the byway’s grand performance

Autumn is when the Nebo Loop becomes a regional must-see. The aspen stands — those white trunks that line gullies and bowls — change to a blazing palette of gold and orange first, often beginning in late September and peaking through October depending on elevation and yearly snow. The contrast of gold aspen against dark evergreen forests and sharply blue October skies is what photographers and leaf-chasers come to see. Cooler days and crisp nights also bring elk into lower foraging areas, and the quieter turn of the season makes campgrounds feel more private. For anyone planning a Nebo Loop trip specifically to view fall color, aim for mid- to late-October but watch local ranger updates: elevation and timing vary year to year. 

Winter: quiet, closed sections, and snow recreation

Winter changes the byway from a driving route into a winter playground in parts. Officially, sections of the Nebo Loop close for the season (road closures depend on snow and maintenance decisions), and the higher passes see heavy snowpack. Where roads are closed, the pistes and meadows become spaces for snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and winter camping — permitted and managed in designated areas. Visitors should check Forest Service and state DOT notices before heading out after the first major storms. 

Local stewardship and the visitor experience

Because the Nebo Loop crosses multiple jurisdictions, stewardship is a collaborative act. The Forest Service maintains trailheads, campgrounds and interpretive signage; county and state agencies maintain the pavement and safety; local cities provide signage and information for tourist services. The Nebo Loop’s management plans emphasize both access and protection: keep developed areas in good repair, preserve scenic overlooks, and manage human impacts on fragile alpine meadows and riparian corridors. Visitors can help by packing out trash, using designated fire rings and campsites, and staying on established trails. 

Practical tips:

— Timing: If you go for autumn color, plan for mid-September through mid-October as a general window — but double-check current conditions.

— Access: The byway is accessible from Payson to the north and Nephi to the south. Some side roads and spurs offer shorter routes into Santaquin Canyon and other nearby recreation areas.