Author Bios
Due to budget cuts, many schools throughout the nation are electing to eliminate arts programs to save money. As a result many children who may not have access to after-school private lessons miss the opportunity to develop the critical skills taught through exposure to the arts. On Tuesday night, Feb. 19, the students of Morgan Middle School and their families were brought together in a Celebration of the Arts focusing on the talents and skills they have been developing. The students and faculty of MMS showcased their passion for keeping the arts alive here in Morgan, and invited those in attendance, including Superintendent Ken Adams, to celebrate with them.
A new year begins. All of the holiday decorations have been taken down and put away, kids have gone back to school, and adults have returned to work. The start of each year is rich with ambition, hopes and dreams. The whole year is before us and anything is possible. What makes the difference between accomplishing the milestones we earnestly set out to achieve and letting our resolve slowly dissipate into inaction? Resolutions, goals, targets, objectives—however you refer to them—help you get to where you want to be.
What started as one mom wanting to spend extra time with her two youngest daughters quickly blossomed into something benefitting many families in our community. Last spring Natalie Tibbitts decided she wanted to share her love of ballet, something she grew up participating in, with her two young daughters-Emma (9) and Abbie (7). Wanting to find a couple of other children to participate she put the word out and soon many other parents sharing her passion signed their daughters up. From this early beginning teaching ballet to her two young daughters, Natalie now heads up the Morgan Valley Ballet Company (MVBC) featuring four different classes and almost 50 young dancers, ages 3 to 11.
In the five years Niel and Candice Ekberg have lived in Morgan, they have made a big impact in the community. Niel is a state trooper with the Utah Highway Patrol. Candice is a local EMT and a track and field coach at MHS. For each of them, getting to this point was a journey of self-discovery and pursuing meaningful paths. As their story unfolds, it is notable to observe their biography continues to evolve as the result of hard work—a testament that dreams may be accomplished through passion and perseverance.
Like most parents, Jeff and Debbie Trussell spend each day trying to raise their family with love and provide for their needs. Unlike most parents, this effort is complicated by the severe medical challenges they face every day with their 9-year-old son Brennan.
On occasion we find inspiration from unexpected sources. I did when I listened to 150 third grade children powerfully express themselves through a remarkable musical journey. The songs employed meaningful lyrics with messages intended to build confidence, provide strength, help people achieve their potential, dream big, and to stay optimistic during difficult times. The lessons are simple, but universal.
Long time business owner and restaurateur, Larry Wiggill, is ready to embark on a new adventure. Larry Wiggill owns Larry’s Spring Chicken Inn which has not only been known for its deep fried chicken but also for the gift shop contained inside the restaurant. Larry has long had a passion for gift shops and through the years the gift shop has expanded to include more and more merchandise. It has been a dream of his for quite a while to be able to open a separate gift shop to accommodate the growing décor. As space became available on Commercial Street, Larry remembered his childhood when Commercial Street was the place to shop. Loving historical things, such as the building his own restaurant is housed in, Commercial Street was a perfect fit for his new shop. Although Commercial Street is the official name, it holds the nickname of Front Street from the days when the train station was the main hub of Morgan. Holding true to this history, the store will be known as Front Street Gifts and Home Décor.
Move over Amazon and Barnes and Noble, the “Little Free Library” has come to town. Bringing to Morgan a relatively new concept in sharing literature, River Pinhey designed and built Riverside Park’s latest addition. River Pinhey is the 14-year-old son of Bambi and Scott Pinhey, and grandson of Earl and Julie Anderson.
