$1.50 December 2, 2022 | Vol. 1 Iss. 10
See Inside... Covering Your Community
What to Watch
A variety of Christmas cheer in delightful new holiday movies
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MORGAN COUNTY NEWS Since 1929
Local teen sets up hot cocoa stand for ‘Evie’s Gift’ By Verlene Johnson
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n Dec. 10, when Gerrit Noorda, a teen from Mountain Green, sets up his hot chocolate and doughnut stand, he doesn’t use the money for himself or even to buy Christmas presents for his loved ones. What Garrett has done with over $10,000 over the last decade is unselfishly donate it to help families who have had a stillborn baby born or a baby that passes away soon after being born. “He is a super sweet kid who loves to help others,” said his mother Jen, who also said that giving is simply a part of Gerrit’s nature. Gerrit set up his first cocoa stand in 2013 when Gerrit's cousin, Evelyn (Evie) Noorda was stillborn on Sept. 16, 2013. Raising $300 selling hot cocoa and doughnuts, Gerrit informed his parents that he would be paying it forward to “Evie’s Gift,” giving the money to the SHARE program that came to support his cousin's family by offering counseling and dressing Evie in a beautiful dress. Pictures were then taken by volunteers from “Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep.” A portion of the money also went to Evie’s family to help pay for the headstone.
NEWS BREAK An Alzheimer's drug shows modest success slowing declines in memory, thinking In a large study, the experimental Alzheimer’s drug lecanemab reduced the rate of cognitive decline by 27 percent in people in the early stages of the disease.
Police find the remains of 4 infants inside a Boston apartment Police say they discovered “what appeared to be human fetus or infant” and additional remains at an apartment in South Boston. An autopsy has revealed four infants: two female and two male.
Senate passes bill to protect same-sex marriages SEVEN-YEAR -OLD GERRIT NOORDA setting up his first “Evie’s Gift” hot cocoa stand in 2013.
Courtesy Photo
He has continued to donate $500 to $700 to the Box Elder/Cache County SHARE Program and in the past few years, he has donated $500 - $700 to local families who have recently lost a child. This money is given directly to the family to either help purchase a headstone or to help with any other needs the family may have.
While attending Mountain Green Middle School, in 2020, Gerrit heard about a teacher at school whose four-month-old granddaughter had passed away. Gerrit’s sister, who was in Christy Snyder’s sixth-grade class asked her brother if he would be willing to help her teacher’s family. Snyder said that her family was
grateful for his compassion and kindness. “Gerrit is an extraordinary young man,” Snyder complimented. “I am thankful for his willingness to reach out and bless others through his generous acts of service and goodness.” “We are forever grateful for the generous donations
STAND on page 2
Local professional artist hosts holiday studio show in Mountain Green By Rachel Cordeiro
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avid W. Jackson is a professional artist whose paintings capture wildlife and landscapes of the west. He spent his childhood in Ogden, Utah, but settled in Clinton shortly after marrying his wife Jeaneil. Over thirty years ago, they had the chance to build their dream home in Mountain Green and settled in the rolling hills of the Highlands neighborhood. Jackson considers himself a mountain man and loves calling the Morgan Valley his home. Jackson began painting at a young age, displaying a natural talent and admiration for art. His parents fostered his interest and skill by providing opportunities for him to continue to develop and grow as an artist. After entering an art contest, doors opened for him to enroll in a correspondence course through the Art Instruction School for a couple of years completing studies in drawing and oil painting. The cost for the courses were high at $800, but because his parents recognized his potential, they sacrificed to make it happen. He went on to study art in college, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in education from Weber State University and completing a Master of Fine Arts in Painting through Utah State University. It was at the urging of his professor and mentor, Farrell R. Collet (1907-2000), that Jackson began to enter national art competitions, and as a result his art career began to advance. There is no question that Jackson is skilled in what he does and his success speaks for itself; however, despite
JACKSON on page 5
The Senate has approved a bill to codify federal protections for same-sex and interracial marriages by a 61-36 vote. It now heads back to the House where it is expected to be passed quickly.
Twitter will no longer enforce its COVID misinformation policy Public health experts and social media researchers are concerned that the change could have serious consequences if it discourages vaccination and other efforts to combat the still-spreading virus.
Fleetwood Mac singer-songwriter Christine McVie dies at 79 NEW YORK — Christine McVie, the British-born Fleetwood Mac vocalist, songwriter and keyboard player whose cool, soulful contralto helped define such classics as “You Make Loving Fun,” “Everywhere” and “Don’t Stop,” died Wednesday at age 79. Her death was announced on the band’s social media accounts. No cause of death or other details were immediately provided, but a family statement said she “passed away peacefully at hospital this morning” with family around her after a “short illness.”
Tornadoes fueled by high temperatures rip through Southern communities ALABAMA—Tornadoes damaged numerous homes, destroyed a fire station, briefly trapped people in a grocery store and ripped the roof off an apartment complex in Mississippi, while two people died as a tree crunched their mobile home in Alabama, authorities said Wednesday. The National Weather Service had warned that strong twisters capable of carving up communities over long distances were possible as the storm front moved eastward from Texas.