Simeon and Stephanie welcome Sydney Grace Lovell

Sydney Grace Lovell, firstborn child of Simeon and Stephanie Lovell, came into the world at 9:19 a.m. on Thursday, September 24, 2020 weighing in at 8 lbs. 7 oz.  She went home to a basement apartment at 865 E. 1400 North in Mapleton, UT.

Stephanie had hoped to have natural childbirth but the duration of her labor made it necessary for her to have an epidural.  Sydney's grandmother Shipley came from Oregon for two weeks so her mommy and daddy could take an occasional nap.

Sydney joins her cousin 9-month-old Ayah Fay Lovell, daughter of Simeon's twin brother Selwin and his wife Brianna.

Welcome to the family, Sydney - newly arrived from heaven.

Call me Governor Mom!

You can now call me Governor Mom!

On June 26, 2020, Linda Sappington - aka Mom or Best Grandma Ever (BGE) was inducted / installed / “crowned” Governor of Utah Rotary District 5420.  My biggest concern, during my year as Governor-nominee as well as in my year as Governor-elect, was whether I had anything to offer the 45 Rotary clubs in my district. 

 

But when the moment came, I felt the mantle fall on my shoulders and in my first two weeks as DG, there has already been some really magical moments, including how quickly this year is going by.  As of this writing I am nearly two months into my year.

In this 1-year assignment during RY2020-21, I will meet (by Zoom or in-person) with 45 clubs around the district, develop some “bigger, better, bolder service projects which change lives”; answer hundreds of “what’s Rotary” questions from those outside of our amazing organization as well as some of our longtime members; and, do a fair amount of problem solving on the district level and for struggling clubs.  

In short, it is shaping up to be a fulltime job until June 30, 2021 - but certainly it will be the most unique year ever due to the COVID pandemic!  At the end of my year, I will write my DG history and post it to my blog.  I hope it will be a rich history – despite the coronavirus – filled with amazing and fun experiences.  I could not understand how I had ended up in this position … but since I’m here now I am excited to see what difference I can make in my district and the world!

Some (unedited) comments by friends and fellow Rotarians:

*    I left last night feeling real pride in being a Rotarian and what Rotary means.  I was also awed by how you stepped up to and into the role of District Governor last night.  You are going to have a great year!   (Art Haines)

*    Governor Sappington, I very much enjoyed your presentation last night and the goals you have set for us.  In the past, you have set high standards for us and have been an example of what a good Rotarian should be.  That now continues.  Thank you!  And, congratulations!  (Tom Powell)

*    Linda, My Dear Long Time Friend,  We worry not! And to you I say, “Fret not.” We could not be better off for our incoming Gov. Your tremendous talents and abilities are proven and solid. Your dedication and commitment are unsurpassed. Your long list of Governors you have served and the years of District service you have given places you at the top of the list and will hold you in good stead. You know how to navigate the waters of public and human relations and your love of and for Rotary are well established. You will not fail. Moreover, you will handle everything that requires your time and talents with utmost respect and dignity, and you will show the rest of us how to adapt to new and different ways to lead and to serve. We are behind you all the way.  Welcome, fellow leader!   (Jim Coleman)

*    Linda, this is the BEST DG presentation I have ever seen in my 14 years as a Rotarian. I like that you personalized it. Excited about the District projects.


*    Thank you, DG Linda.  Your presentation was perfect. You are an awesome person and a godsend as Utah's District Governor.  Thank you for all you do!   (Eugene Hotinger, CCRC)

*    You were fantastic, thanks!     (Pearl Wright, District PI Chair)

*    You have trained us with more Rotary information than ever before in the history of our district."  (Kristi Guest, Area 7 Assistant Governor)

*    Yeah!!!! About time the district made this change! We have grappled with this for years and are so frustrated with those few who made it hard for the rest of us!  Way to go, Madam DG!   (Tere Moore, Brigham City Rotary Past President

Kris Starts Over in Ohio

Kris Sappington Schnabel has made a bold move.  

In order to cut Erin's tuition at Ohio State University from $40,000 to something a little more reasonable, our 3rd daughter sorted, tossed, sold and finally packed up all her earthly belongings and drove - all by herself - from Sonoma, CA where she has lived for at least 18 years to Columbus, OH where she doesn't know a soul. But in the age of COVID, Kris had a 5-minute conversation with her boss - where she works as a mortgage underwriter, telling her of her plans to relocate to which the boss said, "OK, as long as you're not telling me you're quitting!"  It seems there are now options for working at home - certainly due to the coronavirus - like never before.

Our adventuresome daughter tells us the drive through 5 states was wonderful and beautiful.  It is much more humid - probably due in part to those pesky Great Lakes - but she is impressed with Columbus, a town she describes as a lovely place.

Will she stay there forever or return to CA or UT?  Its anyone's guess at this point.  When Erin graduates - in about 4 years - our Kris-e-ola will likely make a decision, but it could go either way or anyway.

It's hard to think of her so far away but if anyone can make it in a brand new community, its our beautiful Kris!!!  

Denver Sappington's Return Home to St. George

It has been 25 years since our oldest son David and Jan’L Jones Sappington were married in the St. George Temple ( Jan'L is the youngest daughter of former B7 Ward members Ron and Clarelynn Jones and our nextdoor neighbors for several years).  

Soon after their wedding day, they set off on their life journey, eventually settling in Denver, CO.  David, who has spent his working career in retail, has been skeptical about getting into manufacturing, but he brings an amazing management skill set to his new job as Chief Operating Officer and if allowed to do so, will take Wild Coyote Foods beyond the dream of family members – including his father-in-law - who have operated the business since it first began in Aunt June’s Santa Clara kitchen.

We are so excited to have our son, his beautiful bride and their three boys Kaler Sappington (21), Kole (18) and Kyle (15) as our new neighbors and ward members. 

The family will be living in Jan'L's childhood home at 2947 Jacob Hamblin Drive across from Frasers, for a couple of years to see if David is a fit with Wild Coyote Foods ... and if WCF is a fit for David.  

Kaler and Kole have both been accepted to BYU-Idaho but due to the current coronavirus situation, don’t know if they will be able to attend in-person for the immediate future.  Kyle is the one most impacted by this move.  He just graduated from middle school in Denver, and thought he was going to start high school in August.  Turns out he will be attending one more year at Dixie Middle School (or whatever it will be called after all is said and done), the school his mother and father attended at his same age.

I have prayed for this day for several years and am so thankful to my Heavenly Father for this wonderful blessing in our lives. 

Seven graduates ... no graduations! Erin Jade Schnabel

Pictures on the left (top and bottom) are of Erin's high school!

Perhaps no one in the Sappington family has ever had the high school experience Erin Jade Schnabel, youngest of Kris Sappington Schnabel's three children, has had.  She calls the last few year's "a crazy ride, uphill both ways, never boring and never dull."  

Nevertheless, she was scheduled to end her secondary schooling at Cardinal Newman High School, a Catholic school in Santa Rosa, CA, in commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 30, 2020.  However, since the world was in the midst of an unprecedented pandemic, it didn't happen for EJ or millions of other seniors around the country, robbed of this final high school experience by a microscopic virus.

Still, her years as a Cardinal at CNHS and the degree she has earned were filled with favorite - and a few not-so-happy - memories beginning in her sophomore year. In mid-October 2017, her school along with just about all of central California burned to the ground. Over a few days and weeks more than 56,556 acres burned.  Approximately 12,000 structures were damaged or completely destroyed, including 5130 homes, and 4000 commercial buildings.  Also part of these grim statistics were the loss of 3200 cars, 111 boats and the death of 23 residents.  Total expense for what is being called “the costliest fire in California history" (to date), is $2.79 billion.  

Erin attended her first homecoming dance on the Saturday night before the fire began, but on Monday morning woke to find her high school, as well as her elementary school, in a pile of ashes. 

As a junior she attended a new school where she didn't know many of her classmates and where she - for the 1st time in her school life - was expected to wear a uniform.  Also as a junior, she set records for home runs and runs-batted-in (RBI) on the softball field, a skill she hopes will translate into a way to pay for her college education.  As a senior she was able to attend a class retreat where - like camping out - she was able to enjoy her new classmates who had now become her friends and team mates.

Erin's future plans have a laser-focus on earning a bachelor's degree from Ohio State University where she hopes to study business economics then go to graduate school for a law degree with a goal to become a corporate lawyer and eventually have a family.

This darling and talented California blond has a bright future ahead of her.  We are more than proud of her for achieving this milestone.

As your grandmother, I pray you will always believe in yourself as much as I believe in you.  I can't promise to be here for the rest of your life, but I can promise to love you for my time on earth and through all eternity!

Seven graduates ... no graduations! Kole Sappington

Kole Sappington, 18-year-old middle son of David and Jan'L Jones Sappington's three handsome young men, had fully expected to don his black, gold and white school colors to participate in graduation ceremonies on Saturday, May 23, 2020.  However, the Class of 2020 did not get to walk the stage at Prairie View High School - or at any other school around the world - due to government-mandated lockdowns associated with the fear of spreading the novel coronavirus which has now killed nearly 50,000 people in the U. S. and more than 203,000 in the world.

Still, Kole has many fun and happy memories of his time as a Colorado Thunderhawk.  As a freshman he enjoyed being in his school's marching band where he played bass guitar alongside his big brother, Kaler who played trumpet.  In his sophomore year, he earned a spot on the swim team where he participated in numerous events in the pool.  As a junior, he remembers the fun of attending what he and his friends refer to as "Mormon prom," a spring formal event put on by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in his part of Colorado.  His favorite memory of his senior year was the selection of his marching band - where he played vibraphone - to go to state competition, for the first time in the school's history - but of course, the coronavirus reared its ugly head and "we didn't get to go!"

Currently on the "hobo plan" taking a semester off, Kole's future plans - if this unprecedented health crisis can be brought under control - include attending either BYU-Idaho or Dixie State University to study towards an engineering degree ... and perhaps serving a mission for his church.

Kole is another handsome and amazing young Sappington family member of whom we are very proud.  Congratulations for your success, Kole, and we look forward to being a witness to your next chapters.

As your grandmother, I pray you will always believe in yourself as much as I believe in you.  I can't promise to be here for the rest of your life, but I can promise to love you for the rest of mine!

Seven graduates ... no graduations! Kaler Sappington

Kaler Sappington, 21-year-old oldest son of David and Jan'L Jones Sappington's three boys, didn't plan to walk on May 13 anyway, but feels bad for those who had hoped to accept their diploma from Front Range Community College in Denver in person.  His Associate of Science degree will be in the mail soon, but he's already planning - and has been accepted - to attend BYU-Idaho, if the coronavirus - its name derived from the Spanish corona meaning "crown" or "wreath" will allow - where he hopes to study computer programming.  He is also considering a service mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the future.

Kaler's favorite things during his first two college years have been spending time in the school's game room hanging out with friends; participating in the activities of the Tabletop Gaming Club; being elected Vice-president of FRCC's Tech Club; and finishing his last semester's classwork online due to COVID-19 which he calls, "not nearly as much fun as being in the same room together with my friends."

Kaler and his younger brother Kole, will be among almost 20,000 campus-enrolled students, with another nearly 5,000 campus-based students taking online courses or serving internships away from campus compared to a student population of about 2,500 when his grandparents were newlyweds and students there.  

We are so proud of Kaler for all his hard work and determination to succeed and can't wait to see where his life's journey takes him!

As your grandmother, I pray you will always believe in yourself as much as I believe in you.  I can't promise to be here for the rest of your life, but I can promise to love you for the rest of mine on earth and through eternity!


PS: Kaler was surprised to hear Grandpa Ed and Grandma Linda Henion Sappington both attended Ricks College - forerunner of BYU-I - founded in Rexburg, ID in 1888.  Ed, who graduated from Ricks in 1964 went to school full time and worked at Keith's, the Men's Store and Linda went to school and worked two jobs.  In the morning (at 6 a.m) she walked three blocks from their downtown apartment, to open the switchboard (google it) at then-Ricks College and closed it at 8 p.m. everyday.  During the day she went to class and worked at Porter Printing, the first company to offer temple-designed wedding invitations.  The company - now called ArtCo - is still alive and well in Rexburg.

Stacy makes the (IHC) news!

You're sure to enjoy this lovely story from the Intermountain Health Care News about our own Stacy Sappington Welch:

From: Katie Erbe at Katie.Erbe@imail.org;
Sent: Friday, May 15, 2020 11:19 AM
To: DX Team Leads at DXTeamLeads@imail.org
Subject: May 15th - huddle 'Recognition Highlights' - We Invite you to Share with Your Teams!

In follow up to huddle this morning, below are the ‘Recognition Highlights’ to share with your teams! Inspiring and heartwarming recognitions captured today! A BIG thank you to everyone who shared! 😊

 *   “See Mom. . . They Really Are Heroes” – Amber Gubler, PCT; Mark Dewey, RN; Jordan Bozarth, RN, Peggy Wardle, Tele Tech;  and Stacy Welch, Tele Tech - On Wednesday evening, a patient was admitted to our hospital on W2.  The next morning, Amber Gubler the patients PCT, learned the patient's son was having his 12th birthday.  The patient related to Amber how difficult it was to be in the hospital instead of home with her son and her family on his 12th birthday.  Amber offered an idea, recommending “you do have a nice view outside the window.  Maybe we can put up a sign in the window and have your family drive by, or ... we could take you outside for a walk and if it just so happens your family is outside ... you could say happy birthday to your son in person.” Amber discussed her idea with the nurses Mark Dewey and Jordan Bozarth who contacted the physician and requested an order for some sunshine therapy.  With the plan in place a phone call was made to the patient's family with instructions on where and when to meet outside on the walkway.  When her son saw his mom, he ran to her for a big hug and started to cry.  He was elated to see his mom on his 12th birthday!

That's not the end of the story ... Amber still felt she needed more and made arrangements with two of our Tele Techs, Peggy Wardle and Stacy Welch to create a sign to be put in the window while the patient was outside with her family.  As the sunshine therapy visit was coming to a close, Amber told the patient's son, “It’s too bad your mom can’t be home with you so we all want to wish you a happy birthday and hope you have a great day.”  Amber directed him to look up from the sidewalk towards the outside window of his mom's room where he saw the sign Stacy and Peggy had created and taped to the window ... 20 sheets of paper with the letters HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PRESTON! He turned towards his mom and said, “See mom, they really are heroes!”

What an inspiring story of creative compassion from these fantastic caregivers.  This simple act of human kindness will have a lasting effect on the patient, her son and their family members.  Thank you Amber, Mark, Jordan, Peggy and Stacy for making such a memorable experience!

Seven graduates ... no graduations! Stephanie Shipley Lovell and Simeon Richard Lovell

On April 23, 2020 Stephanie Shipley Lovell thought she would have been taking part in her long-awaited graduation day, except social distancing due to the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic made this event an impossibility.  Still, this amazing young woman - although she won't get to "walk the walk" as a member of BYU's Class of 2020 - has earned both a bachelor and master degree from the Marriott School of Accountancy while working nearly full-time in the accounting department at DOMO, the international cloud software company based in American Fork, Utah.  

Her favorite memories of college life, including a year at Dixie State University and another at Utah Valley University before she donned BYU Cougar's blue and white, are of everyday random moments walking around campus (especially on sunny spring days); working and laughing together with fellow students on group projects; and listening to nuggets of memorable advice from wise and caring professors.

The immediate future for our beautiful Stephanie includes studying and testing for her CPA certification, continuing her work with DOMO and on or about September 26, delivering a healthy baby girl.

On May 1, Simeon Richard Lovell was scheduled to graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in Informational Technology from Utah Valley University. But there will be no formal graduation ceremony.  Instead, May 1, 2020 will likely be remembered as the day the United States began a slow but steady return to some semblance of normalcy after months of sheltering-in-place against the coronavirus. This novel virus, 1000x's smaller than a grain of sand brought the world to a screeching halt including plans for large gatherings of any kind, such as weddings, funerals, church and graduations. 

Simeon's takeaways from his years at Dixie State and Utah Valley Universities include "finishing school only to realize I have more to do;" enjoying great learning experiences with good professors (especially those at DSU who, he says, pushed him reach his goals); having the "backing of my family who continually reminded me, 'you've got this, Sim'."  

He also remembers several life-changing special events ... most importantly, marrying Stephanie Shipley in the Mt. Timpanogos Temple and becoming a naturalized U. S. citizen with Selwin, his identical twin brother!

What's in Sim's future?  He'll be continuing his education to earn a Master in Business from BYU and completing his IT certification.  He also looks forward with eager anticipation to becoming a father ... and perhaps starting a business with Selwin!

Congratulations to Stephanie and Simeon for their hard work, accomplishments and the next phase in their lives.  We're proud of you both!

Seven graduates ... no graduations! Kendi Hansen Dunkley

On May 1, 2020 Kendi Hansen Dunkley, Stacy's 23-year-old middle daughter, was to graduate from Dixie State University with an Associate of Science degree, except for the invasion of a highly-contagious virus with no known cure. 

Glad to be done with school, she would still enjoy donning her Trailblazer red for a graduation ceremony now tentatively planned for December 11 ... unless, of course, COVID-19 comes roaring back in the fall!!!

The high points in Kendi's time at Dixie State University include her 2019 summer wedding to Taylor Dunkley; being hired as a technician at Richens Eye Center in downtown St. George; working in the Emergency Room at Dixie Regional Medical Center for a year and a half; and traveling to Costa Rica for the destination wedding of her close friend JaiCee Porter-Lundeen.

Our beautiful Kendi (like Wendy but with a K and an i, she tells people) does not plan to go on to school because she has a good job and a happy marriage, but admits she's open to the idea down the road, in the same way she is open to the idea of babies in her future (but there's no time frame for motherhood either).  For now, she hopes her future is all about working at Richens Eye Center.

We are proud of our delightful young graduate - who has never taken a bad picture in her life - and who is a great blessing to us  and our family.  We look forward to cheering her on as we watch her life continue to unfold.

As your grandmother, I pray you will always believe in yourself as much as I believe in you.  I can't promise to be here for the rest of your life, but I can promise to love you for the rest of mine!