SUPER MONDAY

A motivational and informational morning message from Superintendent Willis

Week 19 ~ December 16th, 2024

Super Monday Message

75 years ago Park City Utah looked a lot different than it does today. The population of the town was less than a quarter of what it is today. The population then wasn’t even growing, quite the opposite. The gold rush was on in California and the little mining town in the hills of Utah was on the decline. The tourism industry hadn’t discovered the tight little community yet. To the residents of the Salt Lake Valley, just 30 miles away, Park City was out in the sticks, up in the woods, far into the hills, and lost in the cold. It was certainly not a resort for the wealthy or the first stop of famous visitors.

 Despite a population of just over 2,000 people, Park City had more than a dozen little taverns and saloons. One of those taverns was called the Prospector Tavern. Around 4:00 PM on January 19th, 1949 an oil tank supplying the heater of the Prospector Tavern exploded. The explosion immediately threw burning oil all over the tavern and the little business next door. The business next door was a little spudnut and ice cream shop called “Dunk It”, with an apartment upstairs. Thankfully, no one was injured in the explosion and the occupants of the whole neighborhood quickly gathered around. Even though the outside temperature hovered around zero throughout the day, the fire didn’t slow. Early attempts to fight the fire were hampered by ice forming as they poured water on the flames. By the time the fire department started working in earnest, the buildings were completely consumed in flames.

Both buildings were a complete loss. The apartment above Dunk It was the home of a newlywed couple who co-owned the shop with a man named Clifford (Cliff) Roach. The newlyweds lost their wedding gifts and nearly all their earthly possessions in the fire. Cliff was only a few years home from World War II and unmarried. Like many people at the time, none of them had insurance that would help them rebuild. Notwithstanding the difficulties the fire caused, everyone would work hard and create new opportunities. They would find love with family, find support in good neighbors, and find work with willing hands. Clifford Roach would bounce around to a few different jobs before opening a dry cleaning business, then a ski lodge, and then a hardware store. 

You may not face a situation where you lose nearly everything and have to start again from nothing, but everyone has to start over at some point in smaller ways. You may have to start over with a work project, something you’re writing, a relationship, your diet, or maybe even something spiritual, but you will have to start over with something at some point. Everyone does and no matter how overwhelming or complete the damage is, the process of rebuilding can begin anytime. 

I find this simple little story inspiring, and more so because Cliff Roach is my grandpa. The newlyweds are a great aunt and uncle. This story may not carry as much personal meaning for you, but everyone has family stories and the holidays are a perfect time to hear them. I would challenge everyone to take a few minutes over the coming holiday break to search out, ask for, hear, and tell some family stories. Have the best week 19, the merriest of Christmases, and the happiest of New Year’s.

Super High Fives

Just a couple of the awesome recent accomplishments that need a big thank you. 

• A super high five to our region FBLA placers. Tova Lindgren placed in three events. Other award winners included Sarah Morgan, Gracelyn Barnson, Kade Morgan, and Oscar Pitts. They represented Piute High School well.  
• A super high five to Mr. Tyrel Ivie and Mrs. Carol Springer who will be partly featured in an educator professional development video series being produced by the Utah Education Network. The Utah Education Network will be filming clips and interviews throughout the day today and be present for the concert tonight. Mr. Ivie’s and Mrs. Springer’s great work is much appreciated.

Other Super Information

• Latest Elementary Schools Design Draft
• Circleville Elementary School Virtual Walkthrough (Draft)
• Winter Sports Calendar
• 2024-2025 School District Calendar

Super Weekly Schedule