Nearly everyone from the western United States has met an individual with four or more syllables to his last name, who is fiercely proud to report that his/her heritage is Basque. In Utah, as in other western states, these people are likely to speak of pasts that include lonely months working as shepherds for the large ranching operations of the west. In fact, "Shepherd" is virtually synonymous with "Basque." The Basques have earned a reputation as the most diligent, conscientious , and capable ranch workers available.

The SCERA Center for the Arts will begin its 2008-2009 Encore season and celebrate its 75th anniversary by producing "Seussical: The Musical," one of the SCERA's most popular productions of all time.

While driving through town recently, I was looking at all the empty buildings we have lining the streets. It made me so sad and I got to thinking back of how busy Payson Main Street was.

Performing at this month's Sunday Evening Concert Series sponsored by the Springville Arts Commission will be Blue Grass Thunder. They will perform Sunday, Sept. 21, at 5 p.m. in the Grand Gallery (second floor) of the Springville Art Museum. All concerts in this series are free to the public and are family friendly.