The Mystery of The Rake in the House—Nifty Tricks Martha Stewart Might Not Have Thought of

Editor’s note: Trudy Peck is a longtime columnist who, in recent times, has been revisiting her old advice columns with an updated version of what she would say now. From Nov 2010: The leaf rake tucked between the stove and fridge has drawn many questioning looks and sometimes I explain (why it’s there). In a […]
The Power of Vision: Finding Your ‘Mental Lighthouse’

Several months ago, I was speaking with a client who struggled with the yo-yo experience of health for longer than he cared to admit. For decades, he had repeatedly attempted to overhaul his nutrition, activity, sleep, and stress—only to eventually revert to old habits. I started with the obvious: “What do you want to change?” […]
The Food And Care Coalition: Providing Comprehensive Services to Address Poverty and Homelessness in Utah County

In Utah County, the Food and Care Coalition stands as a beacon of hope for those experiencing poverty and homelessness. Recently, the Coalition reached an extraordinary milestone by serving its 3 millionth meal. This is a powerful testament to the coalition’s decades-long commitment to nourishing both body and spirit. Its mission, however, extends far beyond […]
Teen Shares Love of Dance with Others Amid Injury and Chronic Pain Diagnosis

For Madi Cloward, dance has always been more than a hobby — it’s been home. Growing up dancing at Charisma Dance Studio in Springville, where her mom, Dena Cloward, serves as artistic director, Madi has spent nearly her whole life surrounded by music, movement, and a deep love for dance. However, at age 16, everything […]
The Thief of Joy: Why Comparison Robs Us of Happiness

There’s a quiet little habit many of us carry without even realizing it. It sneaks into conversations, scrolls through social media with us, and whispers in our minds when we see someone else’s success. What I’m talking about is comparison, and as Theodore Roosevelt famously said, “Comparison is the thief of joy.” It’s a simple […]
How One Springville Man is Spreading Hope and Positivity

A Springville man is running around town and beyond letting people know that he believes in you, and he’s doing it loud and clear—with a sign. For the past couple of years, Brice Nokes, 27, has been running around holding a sign that says, “I Believe in You.” Nokes said that holding this sign began […]
I learned that fewer people are attending funerals, and this is what I think about it

Three occurrences have caused me to wonder about death. First, I recently attended the funeral of a neighbor and distant friend. Someone I always thought of as one of the kindest and most decent people in town. Sadly, she succumbed to cancer. On the day of the funeral many family and friends gathered to pay […]
How Nonverbal Communication Shapes Everyday Life

You don’t have to say a word to send a message. Most of the time, you’re already communicating long before your mouth opens. The way you raise your eyebrows, fold your arms, glance across a room, or even walk into a space says a lot about your mood, your intentions, and your feelings. This is […]
Creating music engages all the senses

With school in full swing, let’s take a look at how music — in particular, learning music — helps our learning. We often hear about underfunded schools cutting art and music programs in favor of the traditional classes such as math, science, language, history, physical education and sports programs. The question I want to pose […]
Finding Clarity in Utah’s Fall Outdoors

October in Utah carries a certain magic. The days are crisp, the air carries a hint of woodsmoke, and the canyons light up in fiery shades of red, gold, and orange. Fall colors change quickly, creating a sense of urgency to get outside before the beauty fades. Answering that call doesn’t just give us a […]