ONE 2020 was "the year to end all years" - a year "which will live in infamy" - with most of the craziness due to what was called the novel coronavirus ... also referred to as COVID-19. The year started out like all other years ... then on March 12 - Taisley's 18th birthday and just 11 days after we returned from High Country PETS (presidents-elect training seminar) in Denver, the bottom dropped out of the world. By New Years Day 2021, many millions in every country on earth had been infected with this new virus, originating in China ... and many thousands had died from it ... including three members of our ward (Fritz Morawetz, Mike Sorenson and most recently Katherine Warner)!
Businesses closed down; travel was restricted; all 167 operating temples went offline and chapels were closed; events were canceled, including weddings, funerals, community events - even Thanksgiving and Christmas for most of us.
Then there was an earthquake. The epicenter was not far from Whitney's house. Scared her ... scared all of us who love her, too.
On September 8, the Wasatch Front was hit with a massive hurricane-force windstorm. The temperatures here in Southern Utah dropped 35 degrees overnight and in Northern Utah the 100+ mile per hour winds blew roofs off buildings, overturned about 45 semi-trucks over along the I-15 corridor and uprooted more than 1000 decades-old trees between North Ogden and the Utah County line.
Some Rotary District Governors have a district level project or two, but most don't. As Governor of Rotary District 5420, I identified two projects, including a Native American Initiative in a state with eleven native American reservations representing 8 tribes. I have been horrified for many years to hear of the plight of our indigenous families, many who don't have running water or electricity in the 2nd decade of the 21st century and where either or both of these deficiencies have exacerbated the impact of COVID-19.
So what do a hurricane-force windstorm and problems among the Navajo Nation, Shoshone, Goshutes and other tribal populations have in common? A continuous need for firewood, which is their primary source for heating and cooking. So Rotarians joined forces with Church members and the State of Utah to cut those 1000 trees into firewood ... more than 3,000,000 lbs. of it and transport it to most of the 11 reservations around the Beehive State.
And just when we thought nothing more could possibly top what had happened in the previous 8 months, we got word of a Christmas star which was due to appear on or about December 20 - a phenomenon which had not occurred for 800 years!
Kelly and Gary came for Ed's birthday on December 31. I had ordered a cake for him so Kelly and I went to pick it up during which time we talked about what a crazy year it had been. I suggested, the only thing we hadn't experienced this year was snow. Her response as we walked into the grocery store, "well, there's still 12 hours in the year." When we came out a few minutes later ... it was snowing. Of course, it wasn't much but it gave us a good laugh!
The world was convinced, at the stroke of midnight on January 1, just as 2020 had disappeared, so would all this craziness ... but alas, 2021 - so far - has brought more of the same. I guess we'll see what surprises are in store for us in this next chapter.
TWO David, Jan'L and their three boys returned to St. George in July. Since then we have enjoyed several rousing games nights, great conversations, watching them create a new home in their old neighborhood and spending Thanksgiving and the first Christmas in many years we've had them here.
THREE Kris moves to Ohio (see the story dated August 17)
FOUR Governor Mom (see the story dated August 19). As of this writing, I am half way through my year as Governor of Utah Rotary District 5420 and it has been a remarkable experience, so far. I have visited all 45 clubs - a few in-person but most virtually - and have worked hard to save a few of our small clubs who were, reportedly, "on the brink" of disbanding on July 1, 2020. I asked Paul Summers to head up a Native American Initiative to "champion" and support tribal communities around the state ... and he has succeeded beyond my wildest expectations. We also organized a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Task Force but it hasn't moved off first base in six months so I'm a little frustrated. Still, it has been a real honor to serve in this role. More to come!
FIVE Simeon and Steph welcome Sydney Grace Lovell (see the story dated Sept. 28)
SIX Our darling Taisley Welch is engaged to Wesley Pugmire and these two young lovers have set March 20, 2021 as their wedding day. More to come!
SEVEN 7 grads but no graduations for Taisley Welch, Kendi Hansen, Kaler and Kole Sappington, Simeon and Stephanie Lovell, and Erin Schnabel. Off to college are Kaler (BYU-I), Erin (Ohio State), Taisley and Kole (DSU); Kelly (Western Governors University for her Masters), Selwin Lovell (SUU for his Masters), and Stephanie (testing for her CPA certification) (see stories dated from April 19 - May 26)
EIGHT Ed turns 80 .... reluctantly but with family, friends and cake. Ed was not looking forward to turning 80 (I reminded him several times its better than the alternative), so I planned a surprise party for him. I invited neighbors, friends and family for a drive-by parade with cake. Kaytee, Josh and their kids drove down from Montana and Kelly and Gary came from Ogden ... and he was completely surprised! Throughout the evening of December 31, several of our friends and neighbors stopped by (with masks on) to wish him "happy" and most of our local grands dropped in for noisy chit-chat. It was a fun event despite COVID.
NINE Dad / Grandpa interrupts Sacrament meeting ... twice! Our bishop was a little shell-shocked when Ed passed out the first time, but when the second time in three months resulted in a 911 call for an ambulance, our ward leader just adjourned the meeting and told everyone to go to Sunday School. The hospital ran every test known to mankind and finally concluded he was ODing on one of his medications - taking two instead of the recommended dosage - which dropped his blood pressure dangerously low.
TEN Stacy is wildfire certified. Our second daughter has always liked to live a little on the wild side so when husband Rick was named Chief of the (teeny, tiny) Gunlock Fire Department, she decided she needed to support him by becoming one of his favorite volunteers. At our house, everytime we hear there is a wild fire burning in her part of the county, we hold our breath until we hear from her.
Well, there it is ... another year gone by and more amazing mileposts in the Sappington Family History Book. Life is good and we're looking forward to what 2021 brings us!
