Christmas Eve Pajama Lullaby Nativity

Faithful friends who are dear to us, gather near to us, once more...

You've decked the halls, wrapped the gifts, and hung all the stockings by the chimney with care. But just before you settle in for a long winter's nap, as family and friends we invite you to share just one more magical part of the season:

A Pajama Lullaby Nativity
9 pm, December 24, Christmas Eve
Jefferson Hall (2604 Jefferson Avenue/600 E) Ogden

Cori Connors will bring her angelic voice and guitar, and we will read the Nativity story together. The "come as you are" gathering will be simple and free...as was His gift to all of us....So wrap up the kids in their plaid flannel footies and join us for a few final carols celebrating the birth of the Savior into the world.

***(there will be a food bank collection basket for those who wish to donate a can of food)

Merry Christmas,
Jed

First of the Christmas Concerts

Hey remember dinner at the mansion in Ogden? Well you can see the latest updates this week, while attending a Christmas Concert there. Cori Conners, musician and song writer(remember the Saints on the Sea concert in July - same group)will be performing Christmas tunes from her album "Tidings". Come join the fun, see the mansion updates, and celebrate the holiday season.

Saturday, November 29, 2008
7:30pm - 9:00pm
Jefferson Hall
2604 Jefferson Avenue (600 E)
Ogden, UT

Election Eve FHE (Monday, Nov. 3 @ 7 PM)

Hello Everyone!

A few years ago Lynnette Pond and Steve Glain put together a "hanging chad" election FHE where we all got together to share and discuss what we knew about the candidates and the different issues that were going to be on the ballot. In honor of this, and in order to educate us on what issues we're facing on the ballot this Tuesday, we're going to do the same tomorrow night!
We'll begin at 7 PM with a prayer and thought and then get on to the issues! It would work well if you know a lot about one issue to come prepared with the arguments both for/against it. We'll also attempt to discuss how to find out more about the lesser-known things that will be on the ballot (judges, local issues, etc.). Bring a little healthy or un-healthy snack to share.

Location: Loren's house, 1175 S Haight Creek Dr., Kaysville
(SW corner of intersection at Haight Creek Dr. & Main St.)
Time: 7 pm
Bring: Your voter information pamphlet, all of those little fliers that candidates leave on your doorstep or send you in the mail, and your knowledge. Even your political leanings are welcome. Boxing gloves are optional. :)

If you get lost, call Loren's house at 648-7200. See you there. All are welcome. Feel free to forward this to your friends.
Let's get out and vote!
Loren

just wanted to remind everyone of my halloween party tomorrow night. this is a photo from last year - lots of people - lots of costumes - lots of games (video and air hockey and croquet) plus lots of food and music - fun for all! it starts at 8 and goes until the poop gets tracked in, or midnight, whichever comes first. address is 172 e. harvard ave (1110 south) - best to park on 200 east and walk in - my house is third on the left - with a party happening inside. walk in and enjoy! oh, there will be boxes on the front porch to collect any canned or non-perishable foods you might have to donate to the food bank. looking forward to seeing many of you there! it's an "all are welcome" kind of party - if you want to party with someone you may bring them along.

Photos from Mill Creek Pipeline Trail

Wanted to share a few photos of the bike ride last Saturday...






As you can see, it was beautiful!

Mountain Biking anyone?

Hello NUDGers!
A small group of us are going mountain biking this Saturday (October 18) on the Mill Creek Pipeline trail (see link). It's a last-chance event before winter hits us for good. Hopefully most of the snow is gone from the snowstorm last week.

We are looking at starting at the Birch Hollow trailhead and heading west, or left, when it joins the main trail. Birch Hollow trail-head is on the left and almost to the gate near the top. The trail does not have much elevation gain or loss, and just meanders along the canyon's north side to a lookout point (about 5.5 miles out). Here is a map from www.utahmountainbiking.com:

So far there are 4 of us going. We'll meet us at the base of Mill Creek Canyon Road (3800 S and Wasatch Blvd.) at 1:45 PM and we'll head up by about 2 PM. Bring your bike, gear, water, and a snack for the trail destination. The plan is to be back to our vehicles by 5 at the latest.

If you plan to join us, visit the blog and leave us a message so we'll know to look for you! Contact Loren on his cell at (801) 698-0990 if you need more information or have trouble finding us. We'll try to consolidate to bikes to one or two vehicles to avoid everyone having to pay the $2.25 fee at the bottom.

this is halloween!

i haven't gotten around to finalizing ALL the details, or to composing a super cool invite, but i wanted to get it blogged before i forgot or before you all made plans. i am hosting a halloween party again this year. quite a few of you came last year and i hope enjoyed yourselves, despite the poop debacle. only i wouldn't have said it was a debacle - more a convenience. anyway, this year halloween is on a friday so we'll have no need for early closure - the fun usually begins at 8 and lasts until midnight. my address is 172 e harvard (1110 s) in the good slc. parking is easiest on a side street - my house is third on the left coming from 200 e.

August & September activities

The August activity is at the Rio Grande Cafe in SLC this week! I know that there will be at least 1-2 carpools leaving from the Davis County/Ogden areas. Contact someone you know in the group if you didn't get the details in the e-mail that went out. We have outdoor patio dinner reservations. Please RSVP for reservation head count. Easily assessable from Trax and Front Runner.
http://riograndecafe.ypguides.net/

In September look for more details on the Snowbasin Moonlit Gondola Ride Star Party. You can hike, bike or ride the gondola up the mountain. We'll meet at the top for dinner. Bring your own dinner or purchase at Needle's Lodge at the top. You can ride the gondola round trip for $14 or for free coming down if you hike or bike up. Hikers/Bikers meet 3 hours prior to dinner at the Snowbasin Lodge. At the top after dinner enjoy a great look at what we can see of the universe, courtesy of the Ogden Astronomical Society Star Party that will go until 10 pm (the last gondola ride down).

The NUDG e-mail list has been updated. Let us know if you want to receive them or pass them along to those who are interested in joining. I look forward to continuing the summer fun.

See ya soon!

This is the RIGHT place to be on the 23rd!

Come join the fun!!

Yep! You read the invitation correctly! This activity is for Single Adults ages 31 to 49!

Bring a can of food to help support the Utah Food Bank!

I know that some of you will be enjoying Lava Hot Springs with your ward...come when you can!

Hope to see you there!

Service activity report

i posted this photo on my personal blog but decided it wouldn't hurt to throw up here. a few NUDG people attended. we went to tracy aviary and helped with "lasagna gardening." basically you lay a bunch of cardboard down over the unwanted weeds/grass. wet it, then pile mulch on top and wet it again. i should have taken a before and after shot as well. it was nice to have a productive purpose while socializing.

Donut Falls Hike - July (photos)

Donut Falls
Big Cottonwood Canyon - July 19th, 2008

Here is a quick post to share some photos from the morning hike up to Donut Falls. Next time we'll have to have donuts at the top for breakfast. If you want to see some photos from the June activity in Ogden, see the June 29th post below or click here. If you have some photos to share of any event, feel free to post them or e-mail them to someone who can.

For August we're considering the possibility of visiting a restaurant up near Snowbasin, and maybe even another fun outdoor hike or mtn bike ride. Don't forget the gardening service project that Sarah is coordinating at Tracy Aviary this coming Saturday (August 2).

Group shot near the bridge on the way up.

Looking back on the way up, near the top.

River crossing- don't get your feet wet!

Almost there!

Near the top.

Looking up at Donut Falls.

Looking down from Donut Falls.

Another top shot of the falls.


Above the falls- on our way down.

Columbine on way down from the top.

NUDG July Group

Note: If you feel even a little bit uncomfortable about your photos being posted on here, let me know and I can work a little Photoshop magic. It came in handy to remove that guy out of the photo of the falls (at the top of this post). He just kept standing there...

service activity

hey all - i've organized a service project for fun and invited a few of you whose emails i could find in my list, but since i don't have everyone i wanted to post the invite here. please come if you can.

come "play" at the tracy aviary
about 550 east 1200 south, slc | saturday, august 2, 9:00-11:00 am

ever done lasagna gardening before? me neither - but i'd love you to come join me in the fun at the aviary doing a bit of weekend service. plus what a great way to meet new people! all you need is some brown cardboard. none of that fancy colored stuff from costco or pretty white stuff you get from the office's copy room - just good old fashioned brown cardboard. bring all you can. we'll work for a couple hours and then those who are willing can find a dive for lunch. sound like fun or what? the aviary did promise a bird show at 11 when we're finished - bonus!

if you can't join us in a bit of dirty fun, and you have the cardboard, please let me know and i'll come get it. apparently it's the secret ingredient in lasagna gardening.

p.s. i've since learned that lasagna gardening is an organic way of getting rid of weeds. you put the cardboard down on top of the weeds and then put dirt on top of that - the weeds die from suffocation and the cardboard eventually breaks down to become part of the dirt.

Saints on the Seas – A Musical Journey of Faith
July 23, 24 & 25 PIONEER HOLIDAY
8:00 pm
Farmington Arts Center
120 S Main Street
Farmington, UT 84025
Tickets: $8 in advance / $10 at the door
http://www.farmington.utah.gov/ or call 801-451-0953
or visit http://www.coriconnors.com/

This was an amazing performance when I saw it in England and Utah as part of Sea Trek. Now that it is rewritten to be folk music (I believe) it will be just as amazing. If you are interested in joining the group to attend, let us know.

Before they crossed the plains they crossed the ocean. SAINTS ON THE SEAS, a musical commemoration of the faith of 85,000 Latter-day Saints who answered the prophet's call to gather in Zion, is slated to be performed and recorded live during the week of Pioneer Holiday. Written by Cori Connors with Kurt Bestor and Mark Robinette, Saints on the Seas was originally commissioned by the Seatrek Foundation and was performed throughout England and Scandinavia in 2001 with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir.

Based on journal entries and ship’s logs, the production follows the physical, spiritual and emotional journeys of Latter-day Saints who left their familiar homelands to travel to the American territory now known as Utah. This acoustic folk version of the production uses indigenous acoustic instruments and follows the experiences of saints aboard ship. Connors and Robinette are joined on stage with the musical talents of Dave and Carla Eskelsen, John Connors, and Tom and Gael Shults.

July Dinner Group

Mixing it up a little this month -

Dinner Group will become a Breakfast Bunch for July

Let's meet on Saturday, July 19th @ 8:00a.m.

for a hike to Donut Falls in Big Cottonwood Canyon.

Pack in your own breakfast of doughnuts or bagels.

This trail is a about a mile of scenic terrain. Follow the link for further information.

http://www.utahoutdooractivities.com/doughnutfalls.html

Amen!

I wanted to share some photos and such from our June dinner group in Odgen. On Thursday evening, June 26th, we made an exodus back in time to visit Jefferson Square, site of the Pingree Mansion and what had been until recently, the meeting place of the Methodist congregation. We gathered at Union Station, grabbed sandwiches from local restaurants, and reassembled in the church banquet room, originally a boxing ring.


After dinner we had a tour of the old church and the mansion. It was awesome experience to learn of the history of both buildings and of some of the owners and occupants over the years. The whole remodeling project was inspiring!


The two dozen parishioners enjoyed a healthy dose of homemade ice cream (compliments of Jed). We stretched the evening as much as we could, but the train was departing soon and most had to work the next morning. The consensus was that we'd have to gather here again at a later date to do and see more! Thanks to Jed for hosting us!

'Til we meet!

MUSICAL EXTRAVAGANZA

For all of you music connoisseurs, The Utah Festival Opera Company will be presenting selections from five of the greatest musicals and operas Saturday, June 28th! This a wonderful opportunity to participate without traveling all the way up to Logan. The event will be held at the Cottonwood High School Auditorium (5717 South 1300 East, Salt Lake). A reception will begin at 6 pm, and the performance will start at 7 pm. The cost is $15 at the door. If you need further information, go to slc-sa.org website.

church picnic

Hello culinary converts. This month's dinner group will be held on Thursday, June 26 at 7 p.m. at a historic church in Ogden. No, it's not a ward dinner...and yes, we will be serving more than cheerios in a baggie. The theme is CHURCH PICNIC. And, so you don't have to juggle a crockpot on your lap all the way to Weber County, we will be doing take-out, so bring a few bucks for when we "pass the plate." Please watch for the evite and RSVP so we can plan food accordingly. We don't want to try recreating the miracle of the loaves and fishes.

Located in the Jefferson Historic District, The Pingree Mansion is currently undergoing a complete restoration in anticipation of its 100 year anniversary later this year. Come for a tour of the future "Jefferson Inn" and its counterpart, the former First United Methodist Church (which boasts the third oldest organ in Utah). For those who are so inclined, bring a performance talent to share with us from the stage...cathedral karaoke so to speak. And, as we will be playing games after dinner, running in the church IS allowed.

For historic architecture/extreme makeover junkies who want to arrive a little early, Jed will conduct a quick tour highlighting some of the other grand homes in the historic district.

Directions from I-15: Exit 24th Street in Ogden. Turn right/heading east over the bridge. Follow the presidential streets, turning right/south on Jefferson (600 E.). Continue two blocks to 26th Street. The address is 2604 Jefferson Avenue.

Directions from Hwy 89: Follow the signs to South Ogden. Turn Right on Harrison, passing Weber State and Ogden High. Turn left/west on 26th Street. The Pingree Mansion is the granite brick home on the corner of 26th and Jefferson.

For those who have been waiting for a reason to ride FrontRunner, you can catch the 5:55 train from the Salt Lake station/6:07 WoodsCross/6:20 Farmington arriving in Ogden at 6:53 PM. Let us know if you need a ride to/from the Union Station in Ogden.

Jed 633-6820

Movie ideas for eve of May 31

As noted in the earlier post, our next dinner event will be on Saturday, May 31st. The plan is to eat, play, and then go and see a movie. The question is... which movie shall we see?

Do you have any ideas? Some recent releases are:

Prince Caspian (Chronicles of Narnia)
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Iron Man

or...?

Leave a comment with your idea(s) and we'll put it to a vote!

May Dinner Group: Folf (frisbee golf), Picnic, & Movie

(Original Wham-O frisbee patent)

Event: Picnic Potluck, Folf Tournament (Frisbee Golf), and evening movie (7 or 7:30 show?)

Date: Saturday, May 31st

Time: 4:00 PM (we'll need the daylight)

Location: Creekside Park and Disc Golf Course, 1664 E 4800 S, Salt Lake City

Cost: Free! You will need to bring a culinary dish to share (choose below and respond in the comments section) and your own disc/frisbee to play folf (a variety of folf discs and frisbees are available at most sport stores such as Big 5, Sports Authority, Play It Again)

Food: Choose an assignment by adding a comment to this blog posting below:

Drinks for 12 (3 people) Main dish (6-8 people) Fruit/Vegetable Side (4-5 people) Salad- any type (6-8 people) Dessert for 8-12 (4 people)

It is a potluck, so look at the list above and respond to this post with a comment below as to what you want to bring and how many will be with you. Invite any friends to join us!

Now to the serious stuff! For anyone wishing to become the next Folf World Champion, you'll want to view this instructional video, introducing the sport of frisbee golf:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=FFQ8S1LcioQ

Hopeful champions will need to adhere to rules deemed acceptable to the group. Bring a frisbee/disc that is fair and equitable and gives no unfair advantage to any one person.

(Loren's note: Craig is reminding us that your frisbee of choice cannot have giant spikes or blades on it like that bad Roman guy Masala had on his chariot when he raced against Charleton Heston in the movie, Ben-Hur. We don't want anyone to get hurt).

We'll eat, play folf, and then head to the movie. Join us later if you can't come earlier. Any ideas on what movie to see? Leave comment on this post or reply to the GoogleGroups e-mail to suggest ideas. Maybe we can put it up for a survey on the blog.

Get out that old dog-chewed frisbee and start practicing!

Get-together for Friday night game

GOOD NEWS!

KJZZ will be carrying the Jazz-Lakers game this Friday (May 9th) at 7 PM, so we will have a get-together at Loren's house.

If you'd like, bring one of the following munchies or dessert:
Veggies
Fruit
Chips
Dip
Crackers
Salsa
Root Beer
Vanilla ice cream
Something else
(leave a comment below if you know what you'll bring)

We'll see if we can't put together some half-time entertainment and trivia. Game starts at 7 PM, so let's start gathering at 6:45, and come at any time.
-Loren

Jazz Game Party & future events

Okay- I just found out that the Jazz got beat by the Lakers today. We need to cheer them on! Anybody want to host a Jazz party at their house this Friday? I'd volunteer but I don't have the magic ESPN channel. I'll bring some munchies...

(photo by Michael Brandy)
Original article at http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695274334,00.html)

Anyone...? anyone...?

It looks like our dinner group will hold a Saturday picnic in late May in the SL area. We also have a few ideas for the summer!

the jetty

i already blogged the trip on my personal blog - but i figured i'd grace this blog with some photos from the trip taken by some other people present.

here it is in its full glory - all exposed. the white is a bunch of salty foam.

in fact - here we are having a foam fight.


and finally - a more artistic rendering of its dramatic beauty.

April Dinner

Thursday, April 24 is this month's night for yummy grub at Roosters in Layton. 7:00 p.m.

R.S.V.P. on your evite or email the blog moderator if you would like to attend so we can reserve you a place at the table.

We had a fabulous time last month. Thanks, Michelene, for hostessing and selecting such fine dinning.

jetty trip is happening

we are heading to the jetty - this saturday (april 12th)! i hope many of you can join us. the southern group is meeting at the albertson's parking lot on 200 south downtwon at 8 a.m. actually we'll be leaving at 8 a.m. too meet up with the davis county sorts in centerville. it has been requested that the north end people meet in the target parking lot in centerville at 8:30 - north west end of the parking lot would be best. remember to wear shoes/pants/shorts that you don't mind getting wet and salty and dirty. good times for all!

more jetty

i wanted to add a photo to that last post - plus a link to info on the jetty. there's no gaurantee that it'll be so white and pink when we go, last year when i went in april it was more black and gray - but still cool! a must-see!

spiral jetty

hello friends! i'm planning a trip to the spiral jetty on april 12 - all are welcome to come. so far the plan is to leave slc at 8 am (meet up at albertson's on 200 south) then possibly meet up somewhere further north to add on the davis county types. i'll keep you posted as details are firmed up. if you haven't been - then you must come! oh, and the goal is for me to be back to slc by 3 at the latest - suprise bday party i have to attend in the u.c. that i can't be late for.

How's that working for you?

Wow! Take a look at this link. This is fabulous discussion material. It also provides an opportunity for serious personal reflection. We all need to hear/read this and consciously take action!

What do you think? What's working for you?

March Dinner Group

March dinner group will be Thursday, March 27.
Buca di Beppo - 202 W.300 S., SLC 7 p.m.
You must r.s.v.p on the evite.

Spring Break into the Sun Luncheon
Friday, March 2st, 10:30 - 3:00ish
Going to Antelope Island (hiking, beach activities)
Pack your own lunch.
If you're interested, let us know.

Road Trips

The weather is getting warmer and is beckoning us to enjoy the sun and vacation time. Some of us have talked about taking some small or not so small road trips. Are you interested? A poll is listed for you to cast your vote for a place or event. Or you can always suggest something else. Also feel free to post times and dates when it would be good to go.

Those of you who are contributors and get an email when something is posted to the NUDG blog can also write posts. You don't have to just respond in the comments section. We would love to see this blog grow, so feel free to share the site with others, specifically your single friends. If you are interested in being a contributor please let Loren or myself know.

Celebrating the Leap Year

Thank you to all of you who came out to the Leap Year Dinner! It was a lot of fun. The food was great and the guessing game was pretty funny. We'll have to post some of the answers to the questions on here. Thanks to Monica for organizing the game, food, and sending out the e-mails. Michelene will plan the next one and we'll announce it in the next week or two. We had 11 men and 11 women there! Thanks for inviting out your friends- invite a few more in March.

leap
5 entries found

Main Entry: ¹leap Pronunciation: \ˈlēp\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): leaped or leapt \ˈlēpt also ˈlept\; leap·ing \ˈlē-piŋ\

Etymology: Middle English lepen, from Old English hlēapan; akin to Old High German hlouffan to run

Date: before 12th century

intransitive verb 1: to spring free from or as if from the ground: jump (leap over a fence) leap out of the water 2 a: to pass abruptly from one state or topic to another b: to act precipitately (leaped at the chance) transitive verb: to pass over by leaping (leaped the wall)

I should have taken some photos, but didn't, so here are a few images from old-time Leap Year celebrations. I also read a little more on these Leap Year Traditions this past week. They are interesting and worth reading. There is even more here on Leap Year balls and dances. Good for a smile. -Loren

Fiction & Fantasy

I have a LOT of favorite books, but there is one I am reading right now that I'd like to share. I am about halfway through the holiday-themed book, Christmas Jars, by Jason F. Wright. I have finished about half of the book in two sittings and it is quite engaging. A great plot and the characters are simple and... well, I have yet to really find out. Apparently it will be a movie for this coming Christmas season. I'll share more with you as I will hopefully finish this week- I could've finished it tonight but I've been writing.

The next book on my shelf I may read is Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. I borrowed it from my brother. Should I look forward to it? When I read book #4 (Goblet of Fire) for several hours in one sitting I began to dream that I was attending Hogwarts' School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and that I was fine-tuning my broom-riding skills. I'd hate to know what kinds of dreams I'd have if I read Twilight. :) I'd also probably have to invest in a night-light. Wait- I already have a few of those. More later! -Loren

Whatcha readin'?

It's 12:43a.m. I'm holding my breath as I turn the next page. I think I stopped breathing 5 pages ago. Despite the fact that I have been up late reading the last three nights, sleep still has not taken over because the story is so gripping and I can't relax until there is resolution. Will there be tears or laughter of relief?



Waiting for time to pass, trying not to people watch too much, keeping my mind off of other issues, I grab the book I shoved in my bag. The first couple of chapters haven't quite taken a hold of me yet, and I'm waiting to see what others said was so good about it. Do I keep reading or do I take out Sudoku instead?



There are so many wonderful books to read and not enough time. The perfect book may depend on your preference of genre, mood, or even your time committment. Share what your reading right now or something that you would recommend for others to read. This will be a place for an informal discussion about literature that keeps us awake or puts us to sleep. You can create your own posts, just label them under Books.



All I have to say is that I am on the third book of the Twilight series. If you've been there, and know what I'm talking about, share your thoughts.
Monica

Ta-da! Announcing the amazing Northern Utah Dinner Group Blog!

Monica and I (Loren) thought that we'd make a site for the monthly dinner group she and others founded for single adults along the Wasatch Front. The group usually meets the 4th Thursday of the month and in January we met at the SkyBox in the Gateway. For February we're meeting for dinner and games at Loren's house in Kaysville.

We have decided to hold this next dinner group activity on February 29th to celebrate the Leap Year! It only comes around every four years, you know. We're trying to get even numbers of men and women, so we may have to clone Steve Glain once or twice to make it work. Just kidding Steve (but we will keep your DNA on file).
Thanks! -Loren