close to home:::McBride's Briar Patch

Who wants to have a fresh berry pie
for dessert?
It is berry-pickin' season
and we are so lucky because just down the way
in Mapleton,
there is a huge & beautiful berry patch!

Meet Wayne McBride.
He & his wife, Joyce, live & work here
and are very enthusiastic about sharing the joy
of walking through the patch,
picking the perfect berries & snacking along the way.
Wayne is so friendly & welcoming
and helped make our berry patch stay so fun & memorable.

Wayne shows just the right technique
in picking raspberries.

Donning my hat & long pants & sleeves,
I tied a bucket to my waste,
and got pickin'.
There is really something magical about walking through
the lush green rows of bright red berries.
It's peaceful, even.
Although bees are buzzing and littles are scrambling
for their own berries at my knees,
the repetition of pick-drop-in-bucket-pick
is a sweet reminder to slow down & savor life's wondrous moments.

McBride's provide the buckets for picking,
even mini ones for the littles.
Bring your own containers to take
your berries home, though.
They encourage pickers to pick as many berries as wished,
and pop some in your mouth along the way, too.

Blackberries are not as plentiful as the raspberries
but are oh, so beautiful.

Wayne gave the littles some apples
to feed the deer, too.
Watch it!
They're feisty things.

You pick = $3.00/lb
They pick = $5.00/lb
You can even pre-order!

The McBride's also have a huge garden
with produce for sale.

And you really ought to indulge
in some of their delicious Raspberry Honey!

And to top off the perfect pickin' experience,
on our way out we got to pick a handful
of their gorgeous flowers.
The McBride's are top notch!

And that's how you can have a fresh berry pie
for dessert.
With a bouquet of flowers, too.

1849 S. 2100 W. in Mapleton
801-367-0755
Visit their facebook page for directions and more information.

Getting to know the Candidates for City Council: Tim Metler

Tim Metler

Art City Fanatic: What do you love about Springville?

TM: I love the great sense of community in Springville. Although Springville has grown over the past decade, there is still a small town feeling of belonging. I enjoy attending the youth athletic, music, drama, and other programs at the schools. There are also many community events including Art City Days, the Folk Festival and Art Museum programs which offer opportunities for enrichment and mingling. Springville is also a great place to enjoy varied recreational opportunities of camping, fishing, walking, biking, golfing, cross country skiing, and sledding. My family enjoys the benefits of nature and recreation all in our own back yard.

ACF: What can you contribute to the Art City as a City Councilman?

TM: My three areas of concern are:

Fiscal Responsibility – I believe that well run communities must be fiscally responsible, particularly when it comes to bonding. I am a CPA and worked for several years as an auditor for cities, counties, and other government entities as well as other large corporations. This experience showed me the consequences of fiscal responsibility versus fiscal irresponsibility.

Economic Development – All developing communities must continue to expand their sales tax base. As a city we must continue to expand our sales tax base to provide ongoing revenue to Springville. This provides an opportunity to support local businesses and keep more of our tax dollars in town.

Community Development – As growth continues, we need to focus on wise community development of new housing and other public facilities. I have been involved in the Utah Valley Home Builders Association for many years. I understand how to plan a good community that balances the needs of the city and the citizens.

ACF: How do you feel about the proposed Springville Recreation Center?

TM: In November our citizens will vote for a recreation center. If they vote yes, they are voting for a property tax increase which will affect the average resident’s property taxes by approximately $12 per month. Additionally, a wrap tax of .1% will also be included (effect is $.10 per $100.00 spent in the community). This tax may represent a minimal investment to some families who are looking forward to using the facilities. It may seem a burden to others who do not feel that the facility will benefit them.

I personally feel that a new recreation center will be a great addition to the community in providing recreation and other health and fitness opportunities to all ages. The Orem rec center was built when I was a teenager. It provided my family a great place to spend time, especially during the winter months.

ACF: Where do you enjoy eating out in Springville?

TM: I have always enjoyed eating at Magleby’s. I love the bread, not to mention all the other great food. My kids love Hogi Yogi. I also enjoy the fact that there is such a variety of fast food and sit down restaurants.

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Best of luck, Tim!

Tomorrow is Voting Day, Springville!!!!!
You can read about some of the other
candidates here.
Vote! Vote!! Vote!!!

Getting to know the Candidates for City Council: Kent Johnson

Kent Johnson

Art City Fanatic: What do you love about Springville?

KJ: What’s not to love?! It’s peaceful; it’s safe; it’s clean; it’s diverse. People take pride in their property, and it shows in the curb appeal you see in most areas of town. It has an interesting mix of modern and historic. I love the broad local support of the fine arts, and I love its reputation and well-deserved nickname, “Art City”. We have an attractive downtown area that provides a fun and unique atmosphere. The city is family-friendly. Shopping is excellent and we’re not far from additional retail venues. There are many outdoor recreational opportunities to enjoy – fishing, hiking, biking, nearby hunting. You don’t have to look far or think long to conclude that Springville has so much to offer!

ACF: What can you contribute to the Art City as a City Councilman?

KJ: I recognize the need to continually “polish” the city’s image as an arts mecca, and will provide strong Council support for cultural activities and events. I can especially relate to and represent the hopes, aspirations, and concerns of a sizable and growing demographic in Springville – the younger voters and families. I bring a blend of Midwest work ethic to the position, as well as a fresh “outsider’s” perspective to solutions and issues. I was born in California and raised in three Midwest states (Minnesota, North and South Dakota), My 8-5 career work focuses on business development, on implementing good strategies that expand commercial opportunities and revenues, on enhancing people’s lives through education and self-improvement. I look forward to enhancing the Council’s work with a growth mindset. Springville needs to use its natural assets to continue building a stronger business base, as well as enabling existing businesses to flourish. I’m confident I can help the Council in these efforts.

ACF: How do you feel about the proposed Springville Recreation Center?

KJ: I'll be voting YES on the proposed Springville Rec Center. This step keeps us moving in the right direction and sends a positive message. It further establishes that Springville is a city devoted to its residents’ health and wellness. Providing cultural and physical services that meet the needs of a wide array of citizens -- our singles, families, and the “silver generation” -- is an important and worthwhile thing to do.

ACF: Where do you enjoy eating out in Springville?

KJ: Tough question! I have too many favorite Springville restaurants! I love the atmosphere at the Trolley and my friends and I have a weekly tradition of meeting at IHOP for a tasty meal. This is a great city for eating out, date nights, and fine dining!

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Good luck, Kent!

You can find more on Kent at his website:

kentforspringville.com

Primary voting is September 13th.
Here is a sample ballot from Springville's city website.
If you haven't registered to vote,
you can go here to do so.

or

Early voting is now open at the City Center
until September 9th.
Voting closes each day at 5pm and
closed during lunch (12-1).