Roy Connection September 2023

Preserve LIFE’S MEMORIES

2023 Free Photo Scanning Events

Lindquist’s Syracuse Mortuary

869 South 2000 West Syracuse, UT 84075

801-776-6666

March 23, June 22, September 21

Lindquist’s Bountiful Mortuary

727 North 400 East Bountiful, UT 84010

801-292-5555

May 11, August 17, October 19

Bring up to 1000 photos to have scanned, digitized, and given back to you on a personalized jump drive for free. Bring in your totes and shoe boxes of pictures ready to scan in our special high speed photo scanners.

To register for the next scanning event please scan the QR code below or use the link on our website under Public Events.

lindquistmortuary.com

Mayors Message

On September 5th Roy City will be part of the primary election. We have three city council positions on the ballot. Nationally, only about 15% to 27% of eligible voters turn out to vote in local elections. Low turnout means that important local issues are determined by a limited group of voters. Whether you chose to vote by mail or in person, please vote. The need to vote is vital to our community, please exercise your rights. Your Choice, Your Vote!

The winter season is approaching, and each homeowner needs to start preparing for the cold days ahead. Checking those batteries on your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors is lifesaving in cases of house fires. Surprisingly, cooking is the leading cause of home fires, accounting for 48% of all reported residential fires; a close second is portable heaters. Let’s not forget fires caused by malfunctioning electrical outlets, including those surge protectors and power strips. Overloading

CONNECTIONPUBLISHING

and/or plugging power strips into another power strip is a formula for disaster. If you have questions, please reach out to your Roy Fire Department for help. Prevention is the only way to fire safety.

In 2023 and 2024 Roy Public Works Department will be accomplishing 29 road maintenance projects within the city. From overlays to chip seals, the work on those targeted streets will create minor inconvenience to affected residents. We plan to notify those who could be impacted. A map showing the applicable streets is located on the city’s website.

For those returning from Labor Day vacations, Roy City does have free RV dump stations available at 5525 South, just south of the Public Works facility. Plan now for the Fall cleanup. The Public Works facility will have dumpsters available for residents from Oct 23rd until Nov 4th. Please bring your green waste and/or other acceptable stuff to the facility during normal daily working hours and Saturdays. Check-in is required. By the way, a big thanks to everyone who joined us on the Aug 26th city-wide cleanup. Great success! School is back in session, so watch for children on the streets. Be safe and keep your family safe!

Mayor Robert Dandoy

"The need to vote is vital to our community, please exercise your rights. Your Choice,

Vote!"

Ryan Spelts

Melissa Spelts

Senior Magazine Designer

Robert Dodd

Sales & Operations Manager

Ann Park

Editor

Cindy Jones

Proofreaders

Nathaniel Loomis

Katie Jane Park

Writers

Bill Cobabe

Kendal Rae Jensen

Erinne Jones

Sabrina Lee

Nathaniel Loomis

Tiffany McLelland

Annette Mifflin

Hailey Minton

Marliss Scott

Melissa Spelts

Abraham Tinklepaugh

Digital Media Manager

Berlie Joy Acosido

Designers

Sarah Bodiker

Cindy Jones

Hyrum Rappleye

Crystal Rappleye

Photographers

Dawn Paul

Melissa Spelts

Sales

Danielle Arana

Kendal Rae Jensen

Diane Liberator

September Guest Contributors in order of appearance

Mayor Robert Dandoy

Community Influencer Amber Wykstra

Our City Council at Work

Here are some of the significant actions taken at the the City Council regular business meetings held in August:

August 1, 2023 meeting updates: meeting was cancelled due to Roy Days Celebrations.

August 15, 2023 meeting updates:

• Approval of prior Roy City Council Meeting Minutes

• UDOT 5600 South Presentation – follow along for construction updates at bit.ly/5600South

• Elections Roadshow Presentation –find council candidate information and more at weberelections.gov

• Cold War Metal Recognition – follow their non-profit at facebook.com/utcwvf

• Public Hearing to amend the FY24 Budget – find the applicable budget adjustments in the Council Packet at royutah.org/government/agendas

• 5-Year Strategic Plan

City of Roy Special Thanks

The Mayor and our City Council would like to thank Roy City staff for their on-going efforts and commitment with all Roy Days Events. The dedication from staff goes unmatched, and each year they strive to improve and go above and beyond the community expectations. We simply could not do this without them and would like to give one last Thank you to all our staff and sponsors.

Special Thanks

TO OUR ROY DAYS SPONSORS

TO OUR ROY DAYS SPONSORS

Employee Spotlight

Jodi Fusselman

Jodi Fusselman has been with Roy City for 21 years and is currently the Public Works Administrative Assistant. It is easy to say she has served Roy City and the community fiercely. In her day-to-day, she oversees the operations and ensures everything functions smoothly. The Public Works Department includes water, stormwater, streets, building maintenance, and the city shops. She wears many hats to make sure everyone has what they need and always does it seamlessly.

When you meet Jodi, you feel like you’ve met your new best friend. She remembers you whether you met once 5 years ago, or she sees you every year during the annual dumpster days. Jodi says “My favorite part about this job is working with the community. Dumpsters are my favorite 4 weeks out of the entire year because I get to visit with the awesome citizens of Roy.”

Jodi not only provides incredible support to our residents but also to our employees. She is the first one to make sure word gets out about main breaks and the first one to blast our snowplow crews with kudos for all they do to make sure we have clear roads to drive on. While we may be biased in thinking all our employees are outstanding, we know that we are truly lucky to have Jodi, and thank her for all that she does!

Roy City "Yards of the Month"

The Mayor and Council chose the residences for our Roy City August "Yard of the Month" program after examining the gorgeous front yard landscaping throughout the city using a few specific guidelines: the incorporation of plants/color, upkeep, water conservation, and the design as a whole.

Winners receive a certificate along with a sign they are asked to keep posted in their yard for one month. In addition, the yards will be shared with the appropriate Facebook groups, listed on the Roy City page, and perhaps updated on the city website.

To nominate your home or the home of a neighbor, please get in touch with your area representative. You can use your smartphone to simply scan the QR code or visit royutah.org and find the Roy Community Section.

Congratulations Winners on a Beautiful Yard

Fire Prevention Open House

"Cooking

This

KidsTopia Playground at 5651 S. 1900 W. in Roy recently opened and is a very welcome addition

If you're looking for a unique place for your kids to have fun, KidsTopia is a "utopia" for children. They can play, work on their motor skills, and interact with others (they won't want to leave!). This playground has a little something for those both small and large—there’s a special area just for toddlers three and under. Kids will find adventure bridges and tunnels to climb over and through, balls to toss at interactive walls, parkour, slippery slides, and ball and foam pits to play in. There are merry-go-rounds and lots of things to ride or

walk on and slide through. Parents can follow their kids around and go through the same obstacles the kids can.

Roy’s KidsTopia is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Mondays through Saturdays and 12-7 p.m. on Sundays, no reservations needed. A variety of memberships are available for purchase, or you can drop by for just a few hours. Party packages are available to help you celebrate a birthday, graduation, mom-group meeting, or field trip. Call 801-784-7662 or visit www.kidstopia-roy. com for details and an online tour.

Note that a parent must sign a waiver (which can be submitted online) to allow their children to play at KidsTopia. Adult supervision is required at all times: you cannot just drop your child off. Every child must wear grip socks (available for purchase onsite if needed). No shoes are allowed.

TRAIN.HONOR.ENGAGE

BEST OF SHOW: Alexa Baldwin (Youth)

ARTS COUNCIL AWARD: Katie Lynn (Amateur)

MAYOR/COUNCIL AWARD: Charles Richards (3-D)

ART PROFESSIONAL

1st PLACE: Ashley Moore

2nd PLACE: Cheryl Laumer

3rd PLACE: Mona Moses

ART AMATEUR

1st PLACE: Riley Cornell

2nd PLACE: Shawnna Blackburn

3rd PLACE: Shawnna Blackburn

ART SENIORS

1st PLACE: Afton Skinner

2nd PLACE: Denise Thurston

3rd PLACE: Geraldine Okerberg

ART YOUTH

1st PLACE: Kenley Orton

2nd PLACE: Kenley Orton

3rd PLACE: Ashlyn Hill

ART JUNIOR

1st PLACE: Gracelynn Schultz

2nd PLACE: Nikki Okerberg

3rd PLACE: Brinley Tomlin

PHOTOGRAPHY ENHANCED

1st PLACE: Loryn Merrill

2nd PLACE: Richard Montag

3rd PLACE: Richard Montag

NATURAL

1st PLACE: Devon Brown

2nd PLACE: Jodi Montgomery

3rd PLACE: Jodi Montgomery

Congratulations to our winners and a big thank you to all those who entered

Roy City Art Show Winners Ask us h ow to Get Involved!

Ask Us How to Get Involved

Do you feel passionate about prevention in your community?

Do you like to be involved?

Do you want to help the youth in our community?

Are you interested in volunteering with CTC events and being part of your community prevention coalition? If yes....

Please Contact Shardae Jones (801) 458-0625 or Sophie Paul (801) 725-0552

City Directory

MAYOR

Robert Dandoy: 801-774-1028 rdandoy@royutah.org

COUNCIL MEMBERS council@royutah.org

Ann Jackson: ajackson@royutah.org

Diane Wilson: dwilson@royutah.org

Joe Paul: jpaul@royutah.org

Randy Scadden: randy.scadden@royutah.org

Sophie Paul: sophie.paul@royutah.org

CITY OFFICES AND CONTACTS

Municipal Center & Utilities

801-774-1000 utilityrequests@royutah.org

Open Monday - Thursday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Friday 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Police

Emergency: 911

Non-Emergency Dispatch: 801-395-8221

Records: 801-774-1046 pdrecords@royutah.org

Fire: 801-774-1080 fire@royutah.org

Community Development

801-774-1040 ced@royutah.org

Justice Court

801-774-1051 court@royutah.org

Parks & Recreation

801-774-1048 parksandrec@royutah.org

Recreation Complex

801-774-1050 (Temporarily Closed)

Public Works

801-774-1090 publicworks@royutah.org

Please keep in mind, emails are not monitored 24/7. If your matter is urgent, please call.

SCHOOLS

Due to limited space, school sporting events will no longer be listed below.

ROY HIGH

Sep 18-20: Club Rush Week

Sep 20: Club Carnival 6-8 p.m.

Sep 25-29: Homecoming Week

Sep 30: Homecoming Dance 8 p.m.

SANDRIDGE JR HIGH

Sep 27: Parent Teacher Conf 1-6:30 p.m.

Sep 29: Make-Up Picture Day

ROY JR HIGH

Sep 1: Opening Assembly 9:30 a.m.

Sep 21: Band Fun Da Mentals Day

Sep 25-29: Hope Week

Sep 27: Parent Teacher Conf. 1-7 p.m.

Sep 29: Make-Up Picture Day

VENTURE HIGH

Sep 8: HS Opening Camp

Sep 23: Homecoming Dance 7-9 p.m.

Sep 25: No School Professional Day

Sep 27: HS Fall Choir Concert 6 p.m.

SENIOR CENTER

ONGOING ACTIVITIES (Monday - Friday)

Lunch is served 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Monday

Oil Painting 9 a.m.

Zumba / Coffee with Friends 10 a.m.

EVENTS

30-Minute Zumba 10:30 a.m.

Cards 12 p.m.

Line Dancing 12:30 p.m.

Out to Eat Bunch 4 p.m.

Tuesday

Ceramics 8:30 a.m.

Tai Chi for Arthritis / Quilting 9 a.m.

Coffee with Friends 10 a.m.

Pinochle 12:30 p.m.

Wednesday

Ceramics 8:30 a.m.

Sewing Group 9 a.m.

Thursday

Oil Painting / Crocheting 8:30 a.m.

Blood Pressure Clinic 8:30 a.m.

Floor Yoga 9 a.m.

Chair Yoga 9:30 a.m.

Tea Time with Friends 10:30 a.m.

Cards 12 p.m.

Friday

Arthritis Exercise Class 10 a.m.

Coffee with Friends 10 a.m. Paint with Trish Class 11 a.m.

Sep 6, 20: Bingo 1 p.m.

Sep 26: Walk With Ease by the Utah Health Department at Hillside Senior Center Kickoff Party 9 a.m.

Classes Run Oct 3-Nov 9 T & Th 9 a.m.

FUN THINGS TO DO

Sep 1: First Friday Art Stroll FREE

Downtown Ogden 6-9 p.m.

Sep 1-30: Exhibit: Fall into Florals

The Eccles Art Center 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Sep 2, 4: Hooper Tomato Days

Sep 2-3: Adventure Van Expo Golden Spike Expo Center 10 a.m.–3 p.m.

Sep 2, 9: Farmers Market Historic 25th Street 8 a.m.–1 p.m.

Sep 6, 13, 20, 27: Roy Community

Farmers Market 4059 S 1900 W 5-8 p.m.

Sep 6, 25: Ogden Twilight Concert Ogden Amphitheater 5 p.m.

Sep 8: Seniors Create! Colors of Fall Eccles Art Center 11 a.m.

Sep 9: Roots & Rhythm Peery's Egyptian Theater 7 p.m.

Sep 16, 23, 30: Fall Market Historic 25th Street 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Sep 16: Harvest Moon Celebration

FREE Historic 25th Street 12-8 p.m.

Sep 18: Excellence in the Community: Mariachi Guzman

Peery's Egyptian Theater 7:30 p.m.

Sep 21: North Front Sound: Buckled & Swashed Peery's Egyptian Theater 7:30 p.m.

DON'T REPLACE IT

roofrenewalogden.com

WEBER COUNTY LIBRARY – Southwest Branch

2039 W. 4000 S. • Roy • 801-337-2670

WEEKLY ACTIVITIES

Mon: ESL Classes 6:30 p.m.

Tues: Gentle Movements 10:30 a.m.

STEAM Club 3:45 p.m.

Yoga for Adults 6:30 p.m.

Wed: Discovery Time 10:30 & 11: 30 a.m.

Youth Game Club 4 p.m.

ESL Class 6:30 p.m.

Thurs: Citizenship Classes 7 p.m.

Sat: Tai Chi 10:30 a.m.

ACTIVITIES

Sep 1: Potter Party 4 p.m.

Sep 11: Teen Scene: Dungeons & Dragons 6-8 p.m.

Sep 13: Book Discussion The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee by David Treuer 7 p.m.

Sep 16: Master Builders Club 3:30 p.m.

All library events are FREE

Sep 20: Art Night: Bad Art 7 p.m.

Sep 21: Teen Scene: Cosplay

Master Class: Wigs 6-8 p.m.

Sep 23: The Big Race 3:30 p.m.

Sep 28: Tech Lab: LEGO

WeDo Robotics 4 p.m.

28: The Write Club 7 p.m.

UNLOCKING THE SECRETS OF MARKETING YOUR BUSINESS

Date: September 13-November 15 (10 week course, Wednesdays)

Time: 5:30 - 7 PM

Location: OTECH BDO Campus 918 W. 2nd St. Bldg. 10A Ogden, UT 84404

Cost: $999

Up to 40% Custom Fit reimbursement for qualified companies

Instructor: Ryan Spelts

COMMUNITY NFLUENCERS

The word "influencer" brings up a certain imagery these days. It tends to be of the trendy, fashionable sort-people with a large social media following with the ability to persuade their niche audiences to purchase products or simply click a like or follow button.

But in the big picture, no one has as much impact on the quality of our lives as the people in our immediate communities. We don’t need TikTok or Instagram to benefit from the positive messages and assistance of our friends and neighbors, local leaders, volunteers and business owners. This year’s list of Community Influencers, the people actively making a positive impact on the places we live and work through their passions and common goals, is no exception.

THE NOMINEES

Community Nominated Influencers for 2023

Gary Attebery Do-Good Today

Anna Bravard Advanced Electrolysis

Peggy Barker Barker Park Committee

Tim Billings Red White and Boom Event

Blake Cevering Barker Park Committee

Dr. Kendell Coburn Bountiful Internal Medicine

Kirk Chugg The Gentleman’s Project Podcast

Kurtis Fredericks Project Illumination

Norah Gadd Baron Clearfield Unofficial Facebook Page

Whitney Hidalgo Inspire Dance Studio

Suzanne Kemp Strike Boxing

Hali Larsen Smarty Pants Academy

We hope you enjoy meeting some of the people who were nominated for this year’s list, and extend thanks to everyone who took a few minutes to send in nominations. We encourage you to look for the influencers in your neighborhood, and thank them for playing an active role in shaping their community

Kenneth Naegle PARC

Judy Nixon Syracuse Arts Academy

Stephanie O’Brien Radiate Nutrition

Dale Pfister Syracuse Arts Academy

Grant Protzman Barker Park Committee

Steve Reich R Marketing

Teya Ridenour Tr.ue Beauty

Preston Creed Strike Boxing

Colleen Thurgood Lady Lions Service and Social Club

Major Kit Workman Utah Military Academy

Lori Russon Worthington Russon Mortuary

Amber Wykstra Ovation Homes

–The Connection Publishing Team

Photos by Dawn Paul & Melissa Spelts

COMMUNITY NFLUENCERS

By Tiffany McLelland

We all have a superpower. Sometimes it’s easier to see it in others than in ourselves. Lori Russon Worthington is the Office Manager at the Russon Mortuary in Syracuse. Lori’s superpower is helping people through one of the most vulnerable times of their lives. While most of us feel uncomfortable around loss and mourning, Lori knows how to read a room and is not afraid to try to bring comfort.

The Russon family has owned and operated a mortuary since 1954 when Lori’s grandpa and his brothers purchased their first one in Salt Lake City. They sold their Salt Lake facility and now have three locations in Davis County. Lori started working in the family business at 12 years old. She’d clean the building in the evenings and later brought her children in to help clean. This early exposure to the industry helped prepare her for a life of compassion. Russon’s have a legacy of community involvement, whether waving from a float in the Fourth of July parade or carving pumpkins for the Halloween pumpkin walk. They’ve enjoyed donating to the Veteran’s Museum, sponsoring shows at local junior highs, and celebrating

Russon Mortuary & Crematory

Lori Worthington

the high school’s Student of the Month and Sterling Scholars. They love to be involved where they can.

Lori loves her job, “It’s been a lifetime of me watching people give love to people who need love.” She loves holding someone as they cry, laughing with them as they recount funny memories, or just letting them talk to help process their feelings. “It’s an honor to have these interactions with these sweet people.”

Lori shares, “Everybody wants to comfort, but they don’t know how. I’m not saying I know how I’m just comfortable enough to figure it out.” When we want to comfort those who are mourning, but we don’t know what to say or do. “It is better to say something, anything even if you don’t know if it’s the right thing, but also ask what you can do and be aware of them at the funeral and after. After the family and friends go home, when all is quiet, check back in with them. Continue to love those who need to be loved."

“With a specialized superpower, Lori Worthington comforts her community”

COMMUNITY NFLUENCERS

By Abraham Tinklepaugh

Amber Wykstra has been the Marketing Manager at Ovation Homes since 2019, and a driving force in the housing industry for more than 25 years. Amber creates unique ways for home buyers to realize their dreams, and she’s an integral part of the Ovation Homes Executive Team.

For more than 20 years, Ovation Homes has been creating communities focused on adults, 55 and older, with active lifestyles. Among their happiest clients are serious buyers who want the convenience of one-level living without compromising the comfort of quality space. “We want our products to be relevant. My personal focus is studying the real-estate and new-construction markets in order to understand how to improve the communities we live in,” Wykstra said.

Ovation Homes customers love choosing from an enticing selection of design elements to match their taste and lifestyle. According to Wykstra, “giving buyers the opportunity to personalize their new home provides an immediate connection to the build process. This sets Ovation apart from other production builders.

At every opportunity, Ovation focuses on connecting customers with their best

Ovation Homes Utah

Amber Wykstra

life experience. “We don’t limit customers to specific packages, and we absolutely strive to maintain a variety of the highest quality materials.” Ovation loves to catch empty nesters as early as age 45 transitioning to life with different needs. They offer ideal living space for those seeking freedom to age gracefully in a brand new, low-maintenance home. “Our needs change as we age,” Wykstra said. “Some of our clients have mobility issues and need solutions such as roll-in showers, wide hallways and no more stairs. We are the only home builder who offers these features consistently.” Ovation builds homes with confidence, care, and attentiveness—the same way they build relationships with customers. Results, so far? Stronger communities, neighborhoods, and friendships. “We’re different because we personalize designs without sacrificing the integrity of the overall build, and we’re constantly adapting our preferred plans based on customer feedback.”

Pioneer Adult Rehabilitation Center

By Marliss Scott

Kenneth Naegle, Regional Executive Director of PARC, a ServiceSource Affiliate, is one passionate man. In talking with him you have no doubt he loves what he does. It's who he is. For the 36 years he’s been with PARC he's helped empower those with disabilities to find their place in the community and life.

PARC, Pioneer Adult Rehabilitation Center in Clearfield, has annually helped 400 individuals and families bring meaning and purpose to disabled adults since 1974. "We have as many programs as we have people, meaning, we take what's important to the individual, and caregivers, and we support them in whatever way they need," said Ken.

Ken never forgot when he heard Richard Pimentel, an American disability rights advocate, speak. Pimentel said, 'If you want to hire someone with a disability it doesn't matter if they can do the job. But, if you want to hire somebody that can do the job, it doesn't matter if they have a disability.'

"That captures the vision of what we're trying to accomplish at PARC," said Ken. Not just jobs, but careers. Not just careers, but life skills. Not just life skills but a selfdetermined life.

"We get to know the individual," shared Ken. "Our Discovery in Genius program identifies a person's passion and skill sets. It's like a sculptor chipping away to reveal the real person inside."

PARC's Customized Employment program matches an individual to their passion – for example, a dog lover working as a pet groomer. PARC's Day Program integrates individuals into the community through field trips, like restaurants, or movies, teaching social and money transaction skills. PARC prepares individuals for independent living, reading, writing, and more. Their Bloom program helps disabled artisans prepare products to sell at boutiques, with the artisan receiving the proceeds.

PARC has custodial service contracts with Hill Field, Tooele, and Brigham City, employing 130. PARC also assembles kits for the U.S. military, such as climbing, cold weather, and ammunition kits. "We know there are people out there that could use our services. I encourage caregivers and business owners to reach out," invited Ken. "We have a wealth of resources."

He is changing lives, and giving meaning and purpose to others.

Utah Military Academy

COMMUNITY NFLUENCERS Major Kit Workman

By Bill Cobabe

He has a passion for teaching and mentoring youth.

Nearly fifty years in the military provides Major Workman with an immense background of experience, education, and expertise that is unmatched. After spending nearly two decades as a Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) instructor, he recognized that there was something missing. He wanted to find a way to connect with more cadets and help more young people achieve their potential. The Utah Military Academy was established in 2014 to accomplish those missions.

“My greatest moments are when former cadets return and share their successes,” he reports. Former students find success in the military and out, in

That's one BIG FISH!

In our June issues, in the Summer Bucket List, we asked for photos of your biggest catches of the summer, with a promise to provide a local treat to the submitter with the biggest fish.

Meet our winner, 12-year-old North Ogden resident Brooks Campbell! Brooks caught this giant carp at Smith Family Park in Farr West. Thanks also to his mom Rachel Campbell for sending in this photo.

Brooks won a $25 gift card to Nana's Sugar Shack in North Ogden. Congratulations Brooks We hope you keep on fishin'!

college and technical or vocational schools, and in every aspect of life. He loves seeing the light come on in the cadets’ eyes when they start to realize their potential and accomplish things that seemed impossible.

The Academy is neither a reform school nor a funnel to the military. Only about 35% of cadets at the Academy go on to join the military. Rather, the Academy is a place for young people to experience education as they find their own paths forward. The school offers programs for those interested in music, art, computers, flying, athletics/team sports, medical fields, and many others. The Academy has also established relationships with Weber State, OTEC and DATC to help provide cadets with additional resources and opportunities. Cadets have found success with service academies, and Ivy League schools, along with opportunities for direct admission and scholarships with several universities.

By Ann Park

Ryan started Connection Publishing in 2016 with the support from his wife Melissa. Launching with a single magazine and a goal of creating “connection” in the community. As the first publication date approached and he had spent all his time selling ads, he quickly enrolled his wife Melissa to help generate articles, recipes and other content.

Now in 2023, Connection Media Co. has grown to include five print magazines and a full range of digital marketing products, as well as branding and marketing education. Ryan wrote The Get Attention Marketing Handbook that he uses as the curriculum for his courses. He recently partnered with Ogden Technical CollegeCustom Fit to offer marketing training to business owners. Our team now includes seven employees and fifteen contractors, who sell advertising, create designs, manage the office, and support the company. “No matter how much we grow, our goal is still the same, to create connection.”

Ryan supports the community by building up other businesses. “I look up to small business owners like sports fans look up to their favorite athletes,” Ryan says. “There

Ryan Spelts

is something special about someone who wants to build something, often something from nothing.”

Ryan has always loved helping others learn. “In college, I was an education major. But I didn’t like the pay scale, so I decided not to pursue that career.” Instead, Ryan ended up in sales, and quickly became a manager, training others to improve their sales skills.

He still loves teaching and is an excellent communicator. One of his gifts is explaining things so people can easily understand. “I want to be super clear and honest in all my communication. That’s the core of everything I do.”

His goal is to share his skills in a way that helps the local business community grow.

“I want to them do well, to succeed, to be better than they were. I own a small business myself and I teach my best skills in marketing and sales with an emphasis on my favorite people, small business owners. As we help each other, we can grow together.”

Spelts

Ryan

is innovative and creative, with a desire to help the local business community grow.

BY SABRINA LEE

Box office records have been obliterated with the new Barbie movie raking in over 1 billion dollars, and with that has come a new interest and surge in the doll itself.

Young viewers are being introduced to the brand, and us old folks are reminiscing and digging through our storage units to find our old dolls. It is estimated that leading up to and after the movie’s release there has been a 25% increase in the Barbie brand’s value.

Barbie was founded by Ruth Handler in 1959 after seeing her daughter project her dreams and aspirations onto fashion with her paper dolls. At the time, baby dolls were the only similar product on the market. On a trip to Europe in 1956, Ruth and her daughter spotted a doll in a window shop named Bild Lilli. Bild Lilli was based on a German comic strip of a secretary that pursued rich men in provocative poses and clothes. The attraction for Ruth was that she was an adult looking doll with real curves and long legs, perfect for a fashion doll. Ruth tweaked the doll to have less sexual appeal after doing test groups with little girls and their mothers. She was able to sell the idea to her coworkers at Mattel, a company which she co-created in 1945. Production was done in Japan, due to the cheaper costs, and in 1959, Barbie made her debut as the premier fashion doll for little girls.

Not Just a Doll

TURNING BACK THE CLOCK

I played with Barbies as a child in the 80’s and 90’s and even collected them in the early 2000’s. I probably have over 300 Barbies in storage, melted by the intense heat trapped within the unit. But I can remember anytime we went to the mall, I begged to go into FAO Schwartz and look at the collector dolls in the big glass cases with their dresses puffed out. The Barbie dolls of my youth are not the Barbie dolls of today. The company has transformed the doll to represent girls/ women of all ethnic backgrounds, shapes, and sizes. But at its core, the purpose of the Barbie Doll has stayed the same. It is meant to empower little girls to encourage, dream, and to teach them that they can be anything they want to be.

Barbie was founded by Ruth Handler in 1959 after seeing her daughter project her dreams and aspirations onto fashion with her paper dolls.

A North Ogden resident shared her large collection of vintage Barbies that she, her children and grandchildren have enjoyed through the years.

Lesli Niebergall's 20-Year old Mary Kay Edition Barbie, still in the original box.

Wednesday, September 13

Weight Loss Day

Thursday, September 14

Massage and Injectables

Friday, September 15 Aesthetics and IV Therapy

Feed the fam in a FLASH

Batch cooking methods and freezer meal recipes for busy families

WITH ANNIE ROSKELLEY

PHOTOS BY MELISSA SPELTS

There are so many methods of feeding your family in a short amount of time. I recommend experimenting and finding what works for you. Many blogs have rules on foods you shouldn’t freeze. My opinion is that there are no rules! If you don’t mind the texture changes that can occur to food after being frozen then go ahead and make meals using those ingredients and enjoy them!

DOUBLE BATCH OR BIG BATCH COOKING

My first method for batch cooking meals is double batch cooking. I’ll make a double batch of whatever I’m making and freeze half for another night. It’s a great tactic for soups and stews, burritos, sloppy joes, philly cheesesteaks, and lots of other easy meals.

Big batch cooking, in my opinion is the best way to stock up on family favorites if you have extra time to spare. I’ll cook 2-3 big pots of the same food and portion it into meal sizes that meet my family’s needs. You can also experiment with making 2-3 pots of meals with overlapping ingredients, for example, chili, taco meat, and sloppy joes.

White Bean Chili

I make a double batch for my family, adjust as needed for your family size. This is my mom’s recipe, it’s very nostalgic dish for me since we have it at almost every family soup potluck.

2 lbs. ground pork or ground turkey

1 small onion, diced

2-4 cloves garlic, minced

2 15-oz. cans great northern or white beans, drained and rinsed

2 4-oz. cans diced green chilis

1 Tbsp. (3 cubes) chicken bouillon

1-2 tsp. ground cumin

Salt and pepper to taste

Optional: you can make a roux when the meat is cooked or use a cornstarch slurry to thicken when it’s almost done cooking. In a large pot, add a splash of oil and sauté the onions for 2-3 minutes or until they start to soften. Add in the ground pork and brown it. Add the garlic, cumin, and other spices as desired and stir for an additional minute or two. Dump in the rest of the ingredients and 1-2 cups of water depending on how brothy or thick you like your soup. Simmer gently for 10 minutes, being sure to taste the seasonings. Serve with any toppings as desired. Portion into the freezer containers of your choice, put them in the fridge and freeze once cooled. For serving, use green tomatillo salsa, avocado, cheese, tortilla chips, avocado, sour cream, or whatever else your family likes.

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Annie Roskelley is a busy mom of three who always loved cooking until her children started having opinions about food. She collects mac and cheese recipes and loves trying new recipes and ingredients from around the world. Annie is returning to Weber State University in the fall to get a master’s degree in social work.

CROCKPOT DUMP MEALS

A popular method of batch cooking is crockpot dump meals. You fill however many freezer bags of the same meal, freeze, rinse and repeat for as many other meals as desired, and then eventually dump into a slow cooker or instapot on the day you want to cook. Assembly is much faster when you add the same ingredient to each bag and then move along to the next ingredient. This is also a great way to take advantage of meat sales as they happen, especially when you’re buying a 40-pound box of chicken.

Honey Sesame Chicken

2 lbs. boneless skinless chicken thighs

1 small onion, diced (optional)

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 cup honey

1/2 cup soy sauce

1/4 cup ketchup

2 Tbsp. oil

1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes (optional)

Sesame oil

Sesame seeds

Green onions

Rice for serving

Dump all liquid ingredients and spices into a freezer bag and squish until mixed. Add chicken. Freeze. Dump into crockpot on low for 4-6 hours. Stir in 1 tsp. sesame oil and sliced green onions, serve over rice. Optional: add in a bag of frozen broccoli or stir fry veggies for the last 30 minutes to an hour.

Hawaiian BBQ Chicken

2 lbs. boneless skinless chicken thighs

20 oz. can pineapple chunks

(recommend fresh if you have the patience for that)

1 green pepper, cut into chunks

1 small onion, cut into chunks

1 tsp. dried ginger

2-3 garlic cloves, minced (or replace with powder)

2-3 garlic cloves, minced (or replace with powder)

1 cup BBQ sauce

Honey or sugar to taste (optional)

1/4 cup olive oil

Salt and pepper (1/2 tsp. each and add more as needed)

Drain around half of the pineapple juice if using canned, dump all ingredients into a freezer bag, and lay flat until frozen. On the day of cooking, add to slow cooker on low for 4-6 hours. If desired, shred or cut chicken and serve with rice.

Honey Rosemary Chicken

2 lbs. chicken thighs

1/3 cup balsamic vinegar

1/3 cup honey

1/3 cup olive oil

1 tsp. dried rosemary (can use thyme) Salt and pepper to taste Minced garlic (optional)

Mix all liquid ingredients in freezer bag, add chicken, and squish it around to ensure it’s coated. Freeze. Cook on low for 4-6 hours. Shred or cut chicken as desired. Serve with your choice of rice, potatoes, pasta, or bread. Time permitting, you can cut the chicken into 1–2-inch chunks before freezing for faster cooking.

For me, the key to filling your freezer is using a few different methods so you can spend as little as five minutes, or as much as all day getting meals prepped to make your life easier on any given day.

COMPONENT COOKING

Another of my go-to methods is component cooking. The best example of this is meatballs. If you have a bag of meatballs in the freezer, you can make spaghetti and meatballs, Swedish meatballs, etc., and not have to worry about mixing, rolling, and cooking the meatballs on a busy night. I do this with my favorite pasta sauces too. The sauce takes 45 minutes to an hour, and I’ll cook a larger batch of the meat portion all at once. Then all I have to do is warm it up while I’m cooking pasta, add in the last couple ingredients that don’t freeze well, and viola, dinner is served in 20 minutes.

Continued on page 29

Meatballs Three Ways

Feel free to use your family’s favorite meatball recipe, but I recommend going with a more neutral flavored meatball so that you don’t have an Italian style of meatball competing with a sweet and sour sauce.

1 lb. ground pork

1 lb. ground beef

1/4 cup milk

1/2 - 1 cup plain bread crumbs

1-2 eggs

1 small onion, finely diced or shredded

1-2 cloves garlic, minced (can use powder)

1/2 cup grated parmesan

cheese (optional)

Freshly ground nutmeg (optional)

Salt, pepper, and various spices to taste

Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl. Using a cookie scoop, scoop out the meat as balls onto a parchment paper lined cookie sheet until there is none left. We usually use a small scoop so they’re around golf ball size, but feel free to use a big scoop if you want. Bake at 400 degrees for 15-25 minutes or until the internal temperature is 165 degrees. Allow to cool to room temperature. Portion into freezer bags and freeze until needed.

Sweet and Sour Meatballs

Your favorite Sweet and sour sauce, bell peppers, onions, pineapple, mushrooms, and serve with rice.

My Mom’s Sweet and Sour Sauce

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/3 cup pineapple juice (from drained can)

1 Tbsp. cornstarch

1/3 cup red wine vinegar

1 Tbsp. soy sauce

1/2 tsp. each of garlic powder, onion powder, and ground ginger

Mix all ingredients and boil for 1-2 minutes until thickened.

BBQ Meatballs

Your favorite BBQ sauce. We love Sweet Baby Ray’s Honey BBQ.

Swedish Meatballs

4 Tbsp. butter

1/3 cup flour

1 14.5-oz. can each, chicken & beef broth

Sour cream, salt and pepper to taste

Freshly ground nutmeg (optional)

WET AND DRY METHOD

One bonus method isn’t really a freezer meal technique, it’s making mixes of your favorite spice blends, cakes, oatmeal, etc. Once all the dry ingredients are mixed together, you can toss in the wet ingredients when you’re ready to cook it. I’ve included my children’s favorite jar mix at the end, but we’ve done chai tea mixes (my hubby’s favorite), noodle or rice mixes, soups, pastas, and various spice blends (usually taco seasoning and a tandoori or garam masala blend).

Breakfast Cake (Baked Oatmeal)

My kids love breakfast cake and ask me to bake it all the time. It’s super easy to toss the dry ingredients into a quart sized mason jar (pint is just barely too small) and have a few jars on hand for busier mornings or afternoons. If doing jars, I recommend doing an assembly

line by adding a single ingredient to all the jars before moving on the next ingredient. The original recipe was from a Pioneer Woman cookbook, but I’ve modified it to fit what my family likes. You can easily add in a finely chopped apple (my favorite) dried fruit, nuts, or swap some of the liquid ingredients for pumpkin puree or applesauce.

2 1/2 cups quick cooking rolled oats

1/2 cup sugar

1 tsp. baking powder

1-2 tsp. ground cinnamon (swap w/ pumpkin pie spice, chai spice, or whatever you like)

1/2 tsp. kosher salt (1/4 tsp. fine table salt)

2 eggs

3/4 cup milk

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1/2 cup melted butter

Mix dry ingredients together in a medium bowl. Add in eggs, milk, and vanilla, stirring to combine. Mix in melted butter. Spread into a greased, 9x9 baking dish and bake at 350 for approximately 30 minutes, or until set and golden brown around the edges; you can use a 9x13 dish as well. Start checking for doneness around 22-25 minutes. Not optional for my kids: sprinkle lightly with powdered sugar and serve.

LOVE TO COOK?

We’re looking for local recipes to feature in the magazines and on whattoeat4dinner. com. If you’re interested in collaborating with us, email cindy@ connectionpub. com and let’s get cooking!

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MADE FOR YOU MENU PLAN AND RECIPES. MAKE A MASTER SHOPPING LIST AND PRINT OR SEND TO YOUR PHONE FOR EASY MEAL AND GROCERY SHOPPING. Menu plan curated by Deidre Roush

SEPTEMBER

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WHATTOEAT4DINNER.COM

Roast served with baked potato slices, and green beans

Instant Pot BBQ

Pulled Pork served on buns with coleslaw & fresh fruit

Overnight Oatmeal

Sheet Pan Nachos

Baked Chicken with veggies and peaches & cream for dessert

Huevos Rancheros

Hawaiian BBQ Chicken

Potato, Pepper, & Sausage Bake

Baked Ziti served with garlic bread and broccoli

Crepe Night

English Muffin egg,bacon, ham, sausage sandwiches served with orange slices or grapfruit

Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas

Smokey Chickpea, Red Lentil, and Vegetable Soup

Honey Sesame Chicken Zucchini Bisque One Pot Philly Cheesesteak Pasta 20-Minute

Garlic Chicken served with rice and asparagus

Greek Pasta Salad

Baked Potato Bar Night

Grilled Cheese & Tomato Soup

Our Favorite Burger

John Watson