The Park City Area Showcase of Homes wraps up Labor Day weekend. 

There are 23 homes on parade, and they are open from 2 to 8 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sunday and Labor Day.

“The Showcase allows us to support and promote our builders, designers, architects and trade professionals and show the important role they play in our community,” said Cheyenne McQuiddy, executive assistant and content manager for the Park City Area Home Builders Association. 

McQuiddy pointed out highlights of some homes:

“Home No. 1 is a creation by J. Ford Construction, inspired by Spanish and Mediterranean architecture,” said McQuiddy. “The home offers a fresh interpretation of a classic style within a mountain setting.”

The site and floor plan create a natural and functional feel, with an “interior design that moves away from today’s minimalist trends, favoring warmth, texture, and timeless materials.” 

The vision of this property is to feel like it sits 45 minutes outside of town, and yet it’s in the heart of the community with easy access to Park City.

Home No. 5 is a $9 million design by Modern Mountain Builders. The open-concept floor plan includes five bedrooms and seven bathrooms, with a private en suite and a custom-designed closet in each bedroom.

“Additionally, the primary suite features a custom fireplace clad in sandblasted Crema Marfil limestone sourced from southeastern Spain,” said McQuiddy. “This is the first known residential use of this distinctive stone in the United States.”

Home No. 23 is a 9,600-square-foot log cabin on 12.5 acres in Charleston. The original cabin was on the land for more than 30 years.

“Lakeridge Construction rebuilt it from the ground up while never letting go of what was already there. The original logs were sandblasted to bare wood, restained a natural blonde, and set against new white oak and cedar. The smell of old pine, the feel of new living and not a seam between them,” said McQuiddy. “A complete remodel not to be missed.”

Situated at Hideout, Home No. 12 is a 6,447-square-foot residence designed in collaboration with Jorgenson Builders and Budingen Architecture. According to McQuiddy, the home features a moving glass wall that connects the great room to the outdoors, as well as “a private wellness retreat featuring a sauna, cold plunge, and fitness space.” 

Guests who visit this home “will have the chance to win a full-day boat rental with captain service from Lakeside Boat Club,” McQuiddy said.

All the multi-million dollar properties featured at the Showcase can be previewed at pcshowcaseofhomes.com/2026-gallery. All the homes are available for in-person and virtual tours with a ticket purchase. 

Tickets are $24 a piece and valid for all showcase dates.

Builders and organizers ask that visitors follow these guidelines while viewing the homes: no bare feet (wear socks or shoe covers), supervise children, respect furniture and surfaces and no outside food or drinks. The number of people allowed in a home at one time may be limited. 

For more information and for tickets, see pcshowcaseofhomes.com.

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The annual Park City Area Showcase of Homes has returned throughout the Park City area and Heber Valley. The showcase features an array of properties, including multi-million dollar estates, single-family homes, and a three-story townhome built by Habitat for Humanity. 

“We have 23 incredible homes, including communities such as Tuhaye, Golden Eagle, SkyRidge, Promontory, and more, with homes spanning from Park City to Charleston,” said Cheyenne McQuiddy, executive assistant and content manager for the Park City Area Home Builders Association. “Every home is a new or a fully remodeled home completed in 2026, and they range in prices from $2 million to $12 million.”

The showcase runs from Friday through Sunday, and then Labor Day weekend, Sept. 4-7. The featured homes are open from 2 to 8 p.m. on Fridays and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays and Labor Day. The association anticipates around 8,500 visitors over the two weekends.

“We see a lot of builders, architects, designers, realtors, people looking to buy houses, and of course lots of visitors who enjoy looking at the new houses and trends,” McQuiddy said.

Numerous local architects and builders like Lakeridge Construction, Modern Mountain Builders, Jorgenson Builders and Ivory Homes are part of the event. The home plans highlight two primary directions: traditional mountain designs using rustic logs, natural rock and reclaimed wood; and contemporary mountain modern styles with expansive floor-to-ceiling glass, large windows and exposed steel beams designed to frame scenic views. 

The event also spotlights the Park City Architectural & Design Showcase of Homes, which features one home site and 10 architectural visions. 

“This unique portion of the showcase features participating architectural firms virtually reimagining the same beautiful home site at Marcella at Jordanelle Ridge,” said McQuiddy. “It gives visitors the opportunity to see just how differently one property can be envisioned through the creativity and perspective of multiple architectural firms.” 

In addition to experiencing architecture, interior design and landscaping, there is complimentary food and snacks, and giveaways at select homes.

“The showcase’s Instagram has also been sharing many of the builders’ giveaways and special features, so it’s a great place for visitors to keep an eye out throughout the event,” McQuiddy said.

The event is organized by Park City Home Builders Association and is one of its signature affairs. This is the second year the group has hosted live Q&A sessions, which are streamed across several platforms.

“During the interviews, we ask participants about their businesses, success stories, projects, industry insights, and involvement in the Showcase,” said McQuiddy.

All homes featured in the two-weekend showcase are available for in-person and virtual tours with a ticket purchase. Tickets are $24 and valid for all showcase dates.

Builders and organizers ask that visitors follow these guidelines while viewing the homes: no bare feet (wear socks or shoe covers), supervise children, respect furniture and surfaces and no outside food or drinks. The number of people allowed in a home at one time may be limited. 

For more information and for tickets, see pcshowcaseofhomes.com.

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Iryna Dubenko Lipp fell in love and moved to Park City from Ukraine with her new American husband in 2021, planning to move back to her home country in a couple of years.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine in early 2022 ended that thought.

A native of Kyiv, Lipp grew up in Ukraine’s capital city with her mom, dad and brother. She spent her summers in the countryside with her grandparents, “milking cows, playing in the pastures and riding a bike all around.” 

After honing her English skills by reading the Harry Potter series, Lipp decided to earn her degree as an English translator. During this time she met and fell in love with an American flight attendant.

“He actually showed me around my own city,” she laughed. “He knew all the tourist sites.”

After getting married in 2021, the couple came to the United States.

“We pretty quickly decided we wanted to live in Park City,” she said. “My husband is from Florida, but his family had deep ties to Park City, as they would come here for ski vacations.”

The newlyweds wanted to stay in the United States for a couple of years, and then planned to return to Kyiv.

Upon hearing the news of the invasion, Lipp’s thoughts went to her parents and extended family there.

“I was telling my mom and dad they needed to leave Ukraine. But they told me they wouldn’t leave until it became really dangerous. Unfortunately, once it became dangerous, it was too late. All the roads were blocked with cars, all the train stations were packed, and they were stuck,” she said. 

Since that date in February 2022, Lipp has tried to move her parents from the country’s capital city to the countryside.

“Getting them out of Kyiv has been impossible because they like being home,” she said. “While my parents are currently safe, you never know when missiles are going to hit.” 

Everyday life in Ukraine is unpredictable. According to the Institute for the Study of War, Moscow will regularly fire “large salvos together with swarms of drones to overwhelm Ukraine’s air defense systems,” and these attacks can last for days or weeks. 

“Sadly, my parents have gotten used to the bombings,” she said. 

All of her loved ones — regardless of where they live — have been affected one way or another over these past four years.

“The conscription age limit in Ukraine is 60 years old. My uncle is 59, and he was just drafted,” she said.

Her extended family has already lost some members in the war, and these losses will likely continue, she said. 

Per the Institute for the Study of War’s analytical assessments, recent “delays in Western security assistance have handed the initiative to the Kremlin, enabling tactical Russian advances while condemning the conflict to a protracted war of attrition.” 

An analytical report by the Assessment Capacities Project concluded that “the withdrawal of U.S. funding has further constrained humanitarian assistance for immediate war-driven needs, energy security, long-term governance and resilience-building, and wartime fiscal stability.” 

As Lipp has watched her fellow countrymen defend themselves against Russia, a desire to help her homeland overwhelmed her. 

At first, she wasn’t sure what to do or how to begin. Then, through a serendipitous meeting on social media, she was connected to a Ukrainian advocate. 

“She asked if I wanted to help with some fundraising, and although I was never involved in anything like that, I said yes,” she said.

Soon, Lipp was flying across the country to join members of the Ukrainian National Women’s League of America at a fundraiser in Delaware. The league provides humanitarian aid to the people of Ukraine by delivering medical supplies, financial assistance and relief. The nonprofit also promotes Ukrainian culture, educational programs and training and raises awareness. 

Once in Delaware, Lipp helped the league set up the fundraiser.

“The event was at a bar, and all the tips went towards the donations. There was a silent auction that included Ukrainian paintings and art, and an online link for donations,” she said.

That one event raised over $8,000, which “paid for an evacuation vehicle for relief medics in Ukraine.”

Afterward, Lipp realized she too could organize and fundraise for Ukraine. She returned to Utah and applied for the first Utah chapter of the Ukrainian National Women’s League of America. 

After some time and a lot of hard work, “Branch 149 was granted membership in May of this year,” she said. 

The goal of the Utah branch is to provide community and support to Ukrainian Americans and their allies, host cultural events, fundraise and promote advocacy.

In addition to donating, there are other ways to support the Ukrainian cause.

“As an American you can advocate for the bills that are out there,” Lipp said. “Reach out to your House representatives and your senators and ask them to sponsor the bills. Many of the congressmen are already huge supporters of Ukraine, and they know Russia is also an enemy of the United States and they can hurt America as well.”

With the charter in place, Lipp has started organizing events and fundraisers, and is currently planning a screening of a Ukrainian documentary.

Lipp also encourages individuals to connect with their Ukrainian neighbors.

“Many of us are craving a sense of community and would like to make new friends,” she said. “I have found that Americans are like peaches and Ukrainians are like coconuts. While Americans are soft on the outside, super friendly and always smiling, they have a hard core and protect their hearts. On the contrary, Ukrainians have a hard shell and don’t always seem nice. We don’t always smile. But as soon as you get to the core, we will open up and share our feelings and deep thoughts. If you let us in, we will end up being one of your closest friends.”  

For more information or to donate, email branch149@unwla.org. To learn more, visit their social media sites on Facebook or Instagram @unwla_branch_149. 

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Cell service dies not far into the Weber Canyon behind Oakley, a scary proposition for summer residents worried about wildfires.

That fear heightened for Dayne Raff, a member of the Beaver Springs Ranch community in the canyon, when he watched a documentary about the Paradise, California, fire that killed 85 people and wiped out 85% of the northern Sierra foothill town.

Enough so the board president of the Cool Springs Water Company that serves Beaver Springs last spring organized a crew of amateur radio operators to develop a communication system in the canyon that may save lives.

The group collected $2,000 for radio equipment from the Upper Weber Canyon Master Association, and secured a mountaintop location owned by Cool Springs Water Company to place a radio mast. 

Next, Beaver Springs’ resident Alicia O’Meara donated a 55-foot repeater tower from her neighborhood property to use as the transmitter. O’Meara’s tower was disassembled and relocated to its new mountaintop home.

After completing the installation and technical work, the new Weber Canyon Tower was up and running in May.

The tower uses General Mobile Radio Service, is a licensed two-way UHF radio system specifically designed for reliable, short-to-medium-range communication. Unlike basic license-free walkie-talkies, which are limited to 2 watts, a handheld GMRS radio has up to 5 watts, which provides a broader transmission range. The extra power helps the signal push through rolling hills, trees, and other obstacles with greater ease and better audio quality.

The result is residents from Gardner Fork to Smith & Morehouse to Oakley to Kamas can access this simple emergency alert system and communicate with one another during unexpected crises. All that is required is the use of a standard GMRS handheld radio, eliminating the need for expensive equipment or home installation. 

“Within half an hour of programming my $16 radio, I was listening and talking to people on a system that wouldn’t be denied by power outages or downed phone lines,” O’Meara said.

The Beaver Springs Ranch HOA has encouraged everyone in the community to take advantage of this emergency service and has provided instructions on the basic programming for the Weber Canyon tower’s GMRS frequency, as well as suggestions for purchasing a radio and optional antenna. 

The Upper Weber Canyon Master Association also reimbursed Raff for about $3,000 of expenses he took on to get the project done within a month of starting in April.

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Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis, or MPGN Type III, is an extremely rare kidney disease in which immune system debris gets trapped in the kidney, causing inflammation and scarring. When these filters are swollen and damaged, they cannot clean the blood properly, which can disrupt the body’s pressure regulation. 

David Larason has been living with MGPN Type III since he was in the third grade.

“I was in school one day and noticed I was retaining a lot of fluid particularly in my legs, they were very swollen,” he said. 

From that moment on, Larason’s life dramatically changed. He spent the next few months at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, where he was tested and diagnosed with the rare kidney disease.

“I was put on a high dose of Prednisone, which makes your face swell-up. As a child, I did not like that side effect at all,” he said. 

To help pass fluids, Larason stayed on the medication, along with diuretics, for the next six years. He was told he’d eventually need a kidney transplant. 

Fortunately for Larason, his mother donated one of her kidneys during the summer of his freshman year, a pre-emptive treatment that meant he never had to go on dialysis.

“I probably have some PTSD from that surgery,” he said. “I was in the hospital for over a week and I have memories of being so thirsty and having to stay on my back for days.”  

Larason’s body accepted the kidney and he was able to enjoy a full, active life at that point. He completed high school, then college and ultimately moved West for his career. It was while living in Southern California that he met his future wife, Taylar.

“I was immediately attracted to Dave’s kindness,” said Taylar. “He is such a wonderful human being. He has a good heart and is so loving.”

The couple moved to Park City in 2024, along with Jolene, their rescue Yorkie.

“We love the outdoors and being active, which is what we enjoy most about Park City,” said Taylar. 

Then Larason began experiencing severe fatigue, nausea, fluid retention, muscle cramps and itchy skin. He was told by his doctors that his kidney was beginning to fail.

On average, a kidney transplant from a living donor lasts 15 to 20 years, as the  immunosuppressant drugs that recipients are required to take eventually weaken the donor organ. This year, Larason reached his transplant’s 24th anniversary.

“In November 2025, I officially entered end-stage renal failure, when my GFR level fell below 15,” said Larason. A healthy person should have a GFR of 90-125. His nephrologist referred him to the organ transplant team, and he was placed on the National Kidney Registry.

Now Larason is in urgent need of a new kidney. His kidney function is at 9% and doctors have told him that if it drops to 7%, he will be placed on dialysis.

“I am doing what I can to keep my level steady. I’m staying active and I get a monthly injection of Aranesp to help with my energy levels,” Larason said. Aranesp is used to treat the severe anemia caused by kidney disease, reducing the need for blood transfusions.

The deceased kidney transplant list has a four- to seven-year waiting list, which is why Larason is seeking a living kidney donor. Kidneys from living donors last longer and carry a lower risk of rejection. 

As was the case with Larason’s mother, a living kidney donor often ends up being a family member or friend. But due to various medical reasons, most of Larason’s family members have been ruled out as donors. 

Kidney donors are required to be at least 18 years old, in excellent physical and mental health, with no history of severe heart disease or chronic infections. Disqualifying conditions generally include uncontrolled high blood pressure, diabetes, active cancer or existing kidney disease.

Despite this setback, the Larasons hope a kidney will become available through a direct match or the paired exchange program — where an incompatible donor-recipient pair is matched with another incompatible pair to “swap” donors.

If a kidney does become available, the surgery and recovery time are much easier than when Larason had his transplant two decades ago. The recipient is generally only in the hospital for three days and the donor can often leave the hospital on the same day. 

The Larasons are also focusing on life after the transplant.

“If Dave is able to receive a new kidney, we would love to start a family,” said Taylar.

Larason is also looking forward to returning to a regular sleeping schedule and getting his energy back. 

For anyone considering being a living organ donor, the initial questionnaire takes about 15 minutes and will let you know if you’re a viable candidate for donation. The entire approval process takes anywhere from a month to four months, and donor information is completely confidential. Even if you are not a direct match for Larason, you could be compatible for the exchange program. 

Visit healthcare.utah.edu/transplant/living-donor for further information. 

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Commencement on Thursday evening at South Summit High School was, of course, tailor-made for talking about shooting for the stars. So it was nice that the weather cooperated enough for the 126 graduates — 124 seniors and two juniors — to be outside.

Parents, grandparents, siblings, extended family, high school staff and members of the community witnessed the graduates receiving their diplomas with all the pride the moment inspires. 

Career and Technical Education and Student Services Director Stephanie Clegg couldn’t hold back her own tears as she talked about the Class of 2026. Two students had already earned associate degrees from Utah Valley University before turning their tassels on the football field; seven have general education certifications, one is entering the Marine Corps and 88% of seniors plan to attend college.

The Class of 2026 in total earned $3.7 million in scholarships, including $289,000 in local scholarships.

“We have a lot of generous donors from all over the local area,” said Amy Regan, the high school’s scholarship adviser and college access and readiness adviser. “We are very grateful for all the support we receive.”

The moment hit hard for some seniors as they gathered before the ceremonies on the football field.

“It’s a bittersweet moment,” said senior Joey Harris. “I will miss all the memories we had, but it’s nice to move on to bigger things.”

Graduating felt “unreal” for Brilee Edwards.

“I don’t feel we are old enough, but looking around, I guess we are,” Edwards said. 

Sue Woolstenhulme, there for grandson Zackery Gortat, said, “I just want him to choose something that will make him happy, and not let anything hold him back.”

Taigon Hardman’s father, Cory, had a similar thought.

“I’m really proud of the choices he has made and the person he has become,” he said, adding that he hopes the entire graduating class will “make big choices, shoot for the stars and reach their dreams.” 

Despite a few cold wind bursts, the sun shone as the seniors took their places at 6 p.m. for the big moment.  

After a brief welcome from Senior Class Activities Chair Elery Snegirev, Liesel Sorenson sang a haunting a cappella rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner.”

From there, senior Ryan Rowser provided an inspirational thought influenced by former President Barack Obama, stressing unity.

“I could choose to look out into this crowd and see division,” Rowser said, “but I don’t. I see unified people from every culture and background known to man. I see friends, family and people that I might not even know, who deserve kindness and respect. … After we leave here, choose unity.” 

The school board selected two members of the class to speak at the event. Unlike many high schools, South Summit does not name a valedictorian. 

The first of these speakers was Melany Campos Juàrez, who spoke in English and Spanish and thanked two heroes in her life.

With tears and voice cracking, she asked her “Mami and Papi” to stand.

“It does not elude me for a single second that so many of my blessings have come from their sacrifices,” she said. “They came to this country to give me and my siblings a better life. … They gave up their dreams so I could live mine. I would not be here today without their sacrifice.”

She thanked all the immigrant parents in the audience for all they had given.

Graduating senior Aaron Chandler spoke next.

“If you have walked through a cemetery, you know that each tombstone has two dates, a birth date and a death date, and while those two dates matter, they mean nothing to the dash in between them,” he said. “When you make a difference in someone’s life, or you chase your dreams, you are making the dash on your headstone actually mean something.”

He mentioned the goals and dreams of his classmates and said they all have something in common — they all attended South Summit.

Brighton Hansen and Ethan Leavitt then sang John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” as they harmonized to a guitar.

Principal Kena Rydlich thanked the Class of 2026, and South Summit School District Superintendent Greg Maughan provided a tribute to the high school’s staff and students.

Then the school board gave the graduates their diplomas, one at a time. Each turned their tassels to the left and, finally, caps flew and cheers erupted. They all finished with the class singing the school song.

Of course, the ceremony was just the beginning of the evening for most of the graduates, who, after hugs, kisses and photos with family, headed off to celebrate.

“We are going to the senior party at the rec center,” said Hardman. “There we will play games, have fun and say goodbye.”

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It’s time again for the annual Park City High School Memorial 5K Run, hosted by the school’s National Honor Society. The race will start at 1:15 p.m. on Tuesday, May 26, at the Park City High School baseball field.

“The path loops through the scenery of the Park Meadows Neighborhood and is for runners of all ages and experience levels,” said high school student Scarlett Tary. “Complimentary snacks and water will be provided, and a raffle of themed gift baskets will occur after the race.” 

The memorial was originally created to honor the loss of five young graduates of Park City High School — Mike Pennels, Connie Blout, Matt Knoop, Erica Knell and Chris Yeates — who tragically died between February and September of 2008.  

“Since then, we have honored more than 100 community members (students, alumni, and others in the community) with banners around the track,” said Tary. “Everyone participating is encouraged to run in honor of somebody they have lost, but not required to. This way, the run can have significant meaning to everyone participating.”

For this year, the 5K will start during school hours to encourage more student involvement. The organizers are estimating about 900 runners, and are welcoming any and all community members that are able to join.

“This event is such an amazing way to bring everyone together to help all those in need and remember those who had an impact on our lives,” said Tary. 

The event also welcomes donations, and monies raised go to a variety of charities, including:

• Labs For Liberty: This organization pairs veterans or families of fallen veterans with service animals to help them heal. National Honor Society partners with Labs For Liberty to sponsor as many service animals as possible and match them to Park City military families.
• Homeless Youth Center of Salt Lake: A nonprofit shelter that helps provide resources to homeless youth in Utah, helping charter them onto a path toward a better future. 
• National Honor Society humanitarian projects: This summer, many of Park City members will be participating in humanitarian projects through Padma, a service organization that runs humanitarian trips.  
• National Honor Society scholarships: Scholarships are given to selected seniors who have overcome hardships in life. These scholarships help with their first year of college tuition. 

In addition to the donation opportunity, the parents of the original “Park City 5” have created a memorial fund to provide educational resources to children in need. The organization’s goal is to “build five schools in five areas of the world where they are desperately needed.”

The fund will also provide five annual scholarships to distribute to Park City High School students who may wish to accompany the expedition and help to serve others.

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Park City High School student Kavita Brown was in Israel on a study abroad program when the United States and Israel began bombing Iran on Feb. 28. Suddenly, studious days filled with field trips to Masada National Park and the Dead Sea turned into weeks of uncertainty and fear. 

“The morning after the first strike I was about to get in the shower when a weird sounding siren went off. It was so loud and I didn’t know what was going on. Our counselor told us to head to the shelter next door,” said Brown. “The shelter was a small room with a huge metal door, no windows and thick walls. It was fully stocked with water and food to allow for extended stays.”

By the end of the day, it was reported that 25 missiles had been intercepted and destroyed in the skies above Kavita’s dorms.

“Myself and the other students tried to act normal, but everyone was freaked out,” she recalled. “We weren’t allowed to talk to each other about what was happening in order to keep everyone calm.”

After those first airstrikes, “everything felt like a dream.” Still, Brown and her fellow classmates continued to go to school and attempted to maintain a regular schedule.

“We had to download an app that would notify us when a missile had been launched,” she said. They soon learned that alarms and sirens don’t always go off in time. “I was in Spanish class and there was a whistling sound, then five loud booms. It was the Iron Dome intercepting a missile. It was right over our school and when I looked outside, there were huge puffs of smoke in the sky.”

Brown also became familiar with the differences between the airstrikes. While Hezbollah’s rockets are not as destructive as Iran’s, they can still do damage, and because they are so close to Israel, they only take 60 seconds to hit.

“I was sitting on the couch doing my homework when the siren went off,” she said. “I was trying to run to the shelter, and I didn’t really know what was happening, so I paused for a second and the interception went off right over my head. It was really scary.” 

Back home in Park City, Brown’s parents were also “freaking out.”

“When we heard about the first strike, we asked ourselves, ‘What do we do?’ We were up all night, like in a situation room, watching the news and checking updates, and yet we were just stuck here and there was nothing we could do,” said her mother, Geeta Nagpal.

With missiles being launched at Israel from Iran and Hezbollah, the need to get out of the country became urgent. But flights were postponed or cancelled. Brown’s parents worked with the State Department and the study abroad program to try and coordinate her return.

“Flying her out was the only option,” Nagpal said. “She’s only 15 years old and there was no way she was going to do a land evacuation to Jordan or Egypt.”

Finally on March 15, they got a notice that Brown was confirmed on a flight the next day from Tel Aviv to JFK.

“We were so grateful, but still, we were like, how do we get her home from New York?” her mother said. Delta arranged a flight for Brown’s father, Michael Brown, to JFK with tickets to Salt Lake City for both of them.

“We were so relieved,” Nagpal said. 

The day of the flight started quietly for Brown and there were no alarms or missiles as her chaperone drove her to the airport.

“Then as I was checking in my bags, the sirens went off,” she said. “We were told to leave our luggage and head to the airport’s shelter. It was underground and we had to go down so many stairs. The shelter itself was huge and it was packed.”

Over the next couple of hours, missile sirens went off three more times. 

Finally, it was safe to continue checking in. But then Brown was told she didn’t actually have a reserved seat, and wouldn’t be able to fly out after all.

From 7,000 miles away, her parents worked frantically with airline officials to get their daughter on the plane. Finally, just 45 minutes before takeoff, Brown was given a ticket.

“As I boarded, we were all told to get seated as quickly as possible,” she said. “Then another siren went off. I didn’t know what to do.” 

The pilot informed everyone to sit down quickly as they would be taking off post-haste.

“They said it was safer to get in the air then to try and get everyone back off the plane and to the shelter,” Brown said.

Once out of Israeli airspace, Brown and her parents knew she was finally safe.

Still, “it took us a week and half after she was home to fully inhale and take a deep breath,” said Nagpal.

Today, Brown is back at school and enjoying Park City. She said that while she still has nightmares about what she went through, and loud noises can make her jump, she would like to return to Israel and continue exploring the country once the region is safe and secure.

Her mother has a different perspective.

“When you’re involved in it, it’s completely different than just watching it from across the world,” she said. “This whole thing made me realize how things just feel easy here. Watching what happens in the United States with the protests and the antisemitism makes you recognize that many Americans don’t know what the country of Israel even is. It’s incredibly diverse with Jews, Christians and Muslims living and working together, and it’s the only country in that region with true freedom and women’s rights. Hopefully, a good thing that might come from this conflict is the expansion of freedom and peace.” 

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Millions gathered across the nation on Saturday to take part in the “No Kings” protests, and Parkites joined in.

Purple was the dominant color as over a thousand residents and visitors rallied at the parking lot of the former Skullcandy building in Kimball Junction — from dog leashes and sun shirts to flags and posters.

Pro-Active Alliance, a grassroots civic engagement group in the Wasatch Back and sponsor of the “No Kings” rally, passed out purple bandanas and donned purple pins, symbolizing the mix of Republican red and Democratic blue.

“Why purple?” asked opening speaker Susan Odell, a leader with the organization, rhetorically. “We want to add a little blue to this red state.”

The day’s demonstration was part of a nationwide movement to protest President Donald Trump and his administration.

Since the first “No Kings” last June, disapproval of President Trump and his administration appears to have grown. Saturday’s event attracted an estimated 9 million people nationwide, and Park City organizers guessed 1,200 to 1,400 people turned out — up from 1,000 in June.

Unlike prior protests, this one included speakers and music. The atmosphere was electric with an undercurrent of resistance and concern.

“I think the situation is more dire than it was last June,” said Odell.

“This reminds me of the ’60s,” said resident Rick Smaligo. “Of course, back then it was just the young people, not the parents or older generations. I’m happy the protests now are bigger than during Vietnam because they need to be.”

“What’s been going on in our country is frightening,” said Kiah Riggs, 19. “I decided I needed to come out after the shootings in Minneapolis with Renee Good and Alex Pretti.”

Vilia Duerr-Cardwell, a 10th grader, said she is “so sick of the administration and what it’s been doing.”

Josh Cortez, visiting from Texas, said he felt that he had to attend and show his support.

“I’m Native American, and my grandmother is Hispanic, so the assault on minorities has me concerned. Plus, I taught school in Texas, and some of my former students are being sent to the Middle East,” Cortez said.

Signs, some held aloft by ski poles, shared the familiar message: an X over the words “No Kings.” Others were more original.

“Trump poops his pants!” read a sign taped to the front of a young kid’s toy moped. Another read “My king is Burger King.”

“Things are so bad, even all the introverts are out here,” a member of The Singing Resistance joked. He led the crowd through a few songs throughout the program, and shy participants eventually gained strength from each other.

The roughly 45-minute program included speakers like Rev. Dr. Curtis L. Price, a pastor at First Baptist Church in Salt Lake City, who earned a rousing cheer with his greeting: “It’s a great day to overthrow the government!”

He spoke of the importance of music in resistance, not just in “No Kings” demonstrations like Saturdays, but throughout human history.

“Music that inspires hope, that gives us a place to put all of our anger and our frustration, music that demands a response of the heart. This is what singing resistance is about, and why I think that music and singing belong at the center of our resistance movement,” he said.

The main speaker, Park City resident and retired U.S. Navy Capt. David Wickersham, prepared a talk centered on the veteran perspective during the Trump administration.

“The military I grew up in was apolitical. It was a place for all to serve, and it was a meritocracy — at least, until this president,” Wickersham said. “Many of the people that I served with were dismissed because they were women, the wrong color skin, born in the wrong place.”

He criticized these and other changes to the military since Trump took office — a primary reason for his retirement. Most in the service, he insisted, don’t agree with the president, saying they’re just holding out until 2028 brings a return to “normal.”

Plus, a dig at the commander in chief: “He has no national security experience,” Wickersham said. “He could have had military experience if he’d gone to Vietnam” — the crowd laughed — “like my dad did.”

To close, he listed out a few calls to action, ways to continue pushing back, with support for journalism getting an especially large cheer.

Oakley resident Amy Lecocq, of the Summit County Democratic Party, spoke next, saying that as a former Republican, “It’s OK to change your mind.”

“Titles don’t define us, values do,” Lecocq said.

To close out, Pastor Sam Fisher of Park City Community Church got the crowd cheering again: “People keep saying to me, ‘Right now things feel really heavy.’ And the pastor inside of me wants to say, ‘No shit.'”

“In a world where cruelty is branded as strength, ‘Do no harm’ is an act of resistance,” he continued. “May this rally be more than a moment. May it be, shall we say, a turning point?”

Pro-Active Alliance volunteers then led the crowd in a march through the Millenium Trail underpass and along the northbound side of S.R. 224, earning the protesters honks and cheers from passing traffic.

The gathering in Park City joined with events planned in all 50 states, with at least 17 in Utah, including in Heber City.

“The aim of this rally is to get people to show up and step up,” Odell said. “Not just at ‘No Kings,’ but in their communities. To support organizations that are working every day to defend democracy, protect rights and stand up for those who aren’t being heard.”

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Kayla Kantor was still new in Park City when she had her son in 2022.

She said she suffered from postpartum anxiety and didn’t want to leave her house.

Then she found the Hive Family Collective.

“I started going to the weekly coffee meetings and there I made friends and found much-needed resources,” she said. The Hive became such a lifeline for her that she’s now the executive director.

“Becoming a parent is wonderful and yet challenging. We are here to provide support and resources to new families in the area,” she said.

Founded in 2020, the Hive Family Collective is a local network for parents to connect, learn and share in the joys and difficulties of raising children. It aims to provide an inviting space to interact and learn.

Many Park City parents are transplants from other areas and don’t have local families or friends to lean on if they need help. This is the void the collective works to fill.

As part of the Hive community, new parents can attend the weekly MamaBee Coffee, where practitioners are available to answer questions and offer advice.

“You might come because you know we are featuring a lactation consultant or you want to ask a pelvic floor specialist a question,” said Kantor. “No matter what, you will meet other parents dealing with the same things you are.” 

Each month, the group hosts a virtual parenting workshop covering an array of topics and discussions, a toddler focused event and a parent connection group. The Hive also features summer and fall family hikes, as well as biannual perinatal fairs. 

Perhaps most helpful of all is the bevy of resources on their website. These include nuggets such as where to find qualified pediatricians and doulas, to exercise and fitness advice, to mental health and financial support services. Also there are over 50 online instructional videos offered for free.

They even assist new mothers and fathers with home-delivered meals and gift cards.

“Our meal program is for the entire community,” Kantor said. “We will deliver a meal if we know someone just had a child or if they’re just having a hard time, like, say, a spouse was laid off from work or the whole family is home in bed with the flu.” 

Ultimately, the Family Hive Collective is all about “making parenthood as easy as possible,” she said.

The group recently launched a new membership program.

“This is a way for parents to care more deeply and be more involved with each other,” said Kantor. “There is an added digital component. Members can chat and ask questions specific to what they want to talk about. It’s really amazing because it’s parents’ helping parents.” 

The internal chat will soon include practitioners and specialists available in real time to answer member’s questions, she said.  

Membership to the Hive is $50 a year and anyone can try the program free for 30 days. You just sign up. You don’t have to give a credit card number or any payment method. Then after the trial month, the system will ask you if you want to continue and at that time provide your payment.

The Hive offers a scholarship program that covers the member fee for anyone who needs it, she said. 

As the Hive community grows, Kantor and the other board members hope to increase their collaboration with other nonprofits and community churches.

They say it takes a village, but where is the village?” Kantor said. “The Hive Family Collective wants to create that village through a platform that promotes connection and support.” 

The post The Hive Family Collective provides community to new parents appeared first on Park Record.