Fire Destroys Key Athletic Equipment at Payson High School

Fire destroys shed and athletic equipment inside at Payson High School.

The track and football teams at Payson High School experienced a great loss last week after thousands of dollars in equipment was destroyed by fire. The equipment had been stored inside a shed on the campus's north-side, set ablaze, August 7, by juveniles who have since been apprehended.

“Everything in the shed was a complete loss,” according to Payson High Principal Ben Ford, “either by the heat or from the fire.”

The greatest loss was sustained by the high school's track team. “The track team pretty much had all their equipment out there,” Ford said, including pits, hurdles, and javelins. The team's electronic equipment was spared, however, as these items had been stored inside the school.

Much of the football team's equipment had been stored in the high school basement, noted Ford. What was lost in the shed fire were the team's tackling dummies, tackling shields, and game-day field markers, “things that are used on the practice field or the main field” during play.

It will be another week before a more precise monetary value can be determined, according to Ford. Payson High Lions Track Coach David Rockwood and Football Coach Jeremy Champman continue to assess costs associated with the destroyed equipment.

Suffice to say, “It was a substantial loss,” said Ford.

Meanwhile, the high school has experienced a wellspring of support from community members and schools within Nebo District and without. “The support has been overwhelming,” said Ford. “Just about every school in the valley has called and offered to help.”

For those who wish to make a contribution to help the Payson High School teams restore lost equipment as a new school year quickly approaches, Principal Ford would be pleased to speak with you. Nebo School District Public Information Officer, Lana Hiskey, may also be contacted 801-354-7400 by those who wish to help.

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Salem Days Celebration in Full Swing

Miss Salem Royalty take the stage to lead the audience in the community song, “The Spirt of Salem,” during the Salem Day's Fireside, held at Salem Hills High School on Sunday. The event marked the beginning of the city celebration, which culminates this weekend with parades and activities for all. For details, log onto http://www.salemcity.org/salem-days.htm.

"Payson Then and Now" Available Now

Proceeds from "Payson Then and Now" will benefit the Peteetneet Museum and Cultural Arts Center.

"Payson Then and Now" is now available in book form at the Peteetneet Museum and Cultural Arts Center, with sales benefiting the Peteetneet.  The book is a culmination of efforts by local historians, Cal Reece and L. Dee Stevenson.  For complete story, check out this week's edition of The Payson Chronicle.

Kunzler Home Reminder to Appreciate All Things Dear; Awarded Yard of Week

JoAnn Kunzler's fragrant favorite, in its abundance, reminds folks to--literally--stop and smell the roses.  Their representation serves as a reminder to do the same with all that we cherish in life.

Beautiful roses and a variety of flowers, green grass, and even Mickey Mouse can be found in the outstanding yard of JoAnn Kunzler, located at 833 South 500 East in Payson. Her yard prompted nominations and has been awarded Yard of the Week.

JoAnn was born with a green thumb--just like her grandmother--and loves to work long hours in the yard.  The reason why she works so hard, she says, is because of her husband, Rick Kunzler, who passed away six years ago.  He also loved yard work and always kept a perfect yard.  JoAnn keeps her yard up for him.  

The Kunzler's yard is full of beauty.  JoAnn's work has definitely not gone unnoticed.  You can find beautiful roses in a variety of colors.  These roses have always been JoAnn's favorite flower.

The Kunzlers also have a healthy new tree, well kept grass, beautiful petunias, a producing garden, lilacs that bloom in the spring, and even a moon flower that blooms before your eyes each summer night.  No questions asked, it is definitely a yard worthy of the title of the Payson Chronicle Yard of the Week.

58th Reunion Planned for Payson High Class of 1954

The Payson High School Class of 1954 will celebrate their fifty-eighth reunion on August 31, 2012. It will be held at the Payson South Stake building, at 711 South 600 East, Payson, from 5-8 PM. There will be a catered dinner, great entertainment, and plenty of time to visit with old classmates.

Organizers hope that all who were members of the graduating class of 1954 will make every effort to be in attendance. For further information, contact Leon Benson at 801-465-5653 or  leoncbenson@gmail.com, or Sherman Zeeman at 801-465-2736. They look forward to seeing you.

“Salt of the Earth,” Richard and Janiel Orton Presented Salem Days Family of the Year Award (PIC)

Janiel and Richard Orton (above) were among locals honored at the 2012 Salem Days Fireside held Sunday evening.

The Richard and Janiel Orton family was named Salem Days Family of the Year 2012, an honor made public during the annual Sunday Fireside at Salem Hills High School, August 5.

Richard was born and raised in Salem. He says he was born with web feet. He attended schools in Salem and graduated from Spanish Fork High School. While in high school, he met his sweetheart, Janiel. Together, as a couple, they have raised their sixteen children.

Their love for Salem has continued to grow over they years, where they have been involved in the community and developed deep roots with the people who call the city home. Over the years, they have offered many hours of quiet service to anyone in need. Richard and Janiel have always been generous with their time and talents to help others in need- always quietly and, many times, anonymously.

Richard enjoys learning and studying about animals. He has developed nutritional feeding plans for his dairy herd and graciously shared his knowledge with dairy farmers around the country. He has a small band of quality horses, which he raises in Salem, and has a production sale with his baby colts each September.

Janiel loves to garden, draw, and sew. She has shared countless hours of her sewing talent, creating clothing for people in the community, making costumes for Salem Days, altering wedding and prom dresses, and helping others develop their talents.

Both Richard and Janiel are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with which they have always been active and generous of their time in serving others. They are proud of their children and sixty-nine grandchildren.

Included among the Richard and Janiel Orton family are the couple's children and their spouses: R. Seth and Linda Orton of Genola; Jared L. and Rachelle Orton of Spanish Fork; the late Kipp J. Orton, whose wife, Jocie, and her husband, Steve Reel, presently reside in Idaho Falls, ID; Kyla and Joe Prior of Salem; Audra and Rich Morley of Queen Creek, AZ; Malea and Dave Simmons of Elk Ridge; the late Justin B. Orton, whose wife, Kristi, and her husband, Chad Hansen, reside in Spanish Fork; Tyler H. and Tammi Orton of West Mountain; Cody G. and Missi Orton of Salem; Rikel and Heath Bundy of Idabel, OK; Byron R. and Lori Orton of Spanish Fork; Alyse and David Hansen of Salem; Amber and Ryan Penrod of Payson; Korin and Jonny Grange of Spanish Fork; Sister JaNae Orton, who is serving in the Mesa, Arizona LDS Mission; and Delite Orton of Salem.

Nominations for the family made evident the high regard neighbors in the Salem community hold for the Orton family. “The small and simple things which make a successful family begin with the relationship of the parents,” reads one. “This amazing couple has raised a family of sixteen exceptional children! They have taught their children the joy of hard work and responsibility . . . They truly fit the category of being the salt of the earth.”

Find this story, along with other stories about the 2012 Salem Days celebration, in this week's edition of The Payson Chronicle in print.  To subscribe to The Payson Chronicle, log onto paysonads.com or contact Michael Olson at thepaysonchronicle@msn.com.