March Students of the Month

Congratulations to the March Students of the Month!

From left to right: Jordan Nielson, Pine View High School, son of Karen and the late Dwight Nielson; Isaac Lyman, Dixie High School, son of Glenn & Jande Lyman; Windy Martineau, Millcreek High School, daughter to Wyatt & Blanca Martineau; Danielle Carter, Tuacahn High School, daughter to Adam & Debbi Carter; and Dr. Ryan Robison, St. George Exchange Club President.

Update from Capital Hill

We had the pleasure of hearing from our very own State Senator, Stephen Urquhart.
He gave a brief summary of the recent legislative session and answered several of our questions. Among the several topics discussed were legal notices, Senator Chris Buttars, the southern corridor, the new air port, and Dixie State College. We got a good overview of how well St. George and Washington County are being represented. For additional information about this last legislative session and issues, you can go to Stephen's blog.

Home Health

Today's speaker was Courtney Mathews, educator for home health at Zions Way Home Health and Hospice. He explained the difference between home health and hospice and the services provided for both. Hospice care treats the symptoms only, alleviating pain and symptoms without eliminating the cause. Home Health is used at a time when an individual has experienced a critical episode requiring skilled needs such as IV care, diabetic education, physical therapy, etc.

5,000 participants in 2009 SUPAF

The numbers are in! Under the direction of Hayley Winslow, in her first year as program organizer, the 20th annual Southern Utah Performing Arts Festival - held this year at five venues over ten February days - received more than 500 entries from as far north as Circleville and as far south as Mesquite for a total of 5000 participants, including 283 beginning, intermediate and advanced pianists and dozens of bands and orchestras.

The event also brought 15 highly qualified adjudicators from throughout the western U. S. to offer their support; and, awarded more than $5000 in prize money to dozens of outstanding musicians and dancers. Scholarship contributors totaled 25 businesses and organizations with in-kind support from many others, including the Courtyard by Marriott, AlphaGraphics, TCS Advertising, Five County Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), The Piano Gallery, Washington County School District and the Dixie College Music Department.

Thanks to the outstanding efforts of the SUPAF Committee, including Hayley and Michael Winslow, Wayne Everett, Ryan Robison, Neal Smith, Kathy Martin, Vasu Mudliar, and members of the St. George Exchange Club. Special thanks is also extended to Stacie Bowden who directed SUPAF for ten years.

SUPAF began in 1988, and although it remains "a best kept secret" after more than two decades, the best number of all is an estimated 50,000 participants - many who have been involved over several years - in this festival, considered "unique in all of Utah."

- LINDA SAPPINGTON