May 2025 | Vol. 34 Iss. 5
FREE ADMISSION
FREE
See Inside...
SALT LAKE
Herriman
HOME EXPO
MAY 2-4
Mental health
Special section highlighting wellness initiatives Page 11
Tang twins
Distance runners leading the way for Herriman track Page 22
MOUNTAIN AMERICA EXPO CENTER
Power of faith, family and optimism: Herriman family meets adversity—and cancer—head on By Elisa Eames | e.eames@mycityjournals.com Despite ordeals, the Hall family has grown stronger, finding peace in relationships, service, faith and a positive attitude.
T
im Hall knew he wanted to get to know Beth Newman as soon as he saw her. Both were students at Brigham Young University, attending the same congregation in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Hall’s responsibility was to schedule appointments for members to meet with local clergy. “When he called me to set up my appointment… he told me it was 30 minutes before the actual appointment started,” Beth said with a smile. “He did this on purpose to have time to talk with me while I waited.” Married for 22 years, the couple moved to Herriman 14 years ago. “We love the family-oriented community and the wonderful people here!” Beth Hall said. At home, church or on stage, music is an integral part of life for Tim, Beth and their five children. “One of our favorite things to do as a family is to sing together… around the house and at church and perform in musical productions together,” Beth Hall said. “A highlight in our family memories was the musical, “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” with Herriman Arts in 2019,” Beth Hall said. “I played the role of the narrator, Tim was Potiphar and Issachar, and four of our kids were also in the show.” Their youngest, little 3-year-old Jojo, cheered them on at each rehearsal and performance. A 5-year-old’s strength A close-knit family, the strength of their relationships has helped them weather a series of storms that began in 2021 when Jojo was diagnosed with Perthes disease, a rare hip disorder resulting from a disruption of blood flow to the top of the femur. With no access to blood, the bone stops growing and dies. “She was just 5 years old when the blood supply spontaneously stopped…” Beth Hall said. The Halls found a specialist in Texas, and the family has made the trek there several times a year since 2021.
Thank You
to our Community Sponsors for supporting City Journals
The Hall family finds peace in each other and through service and faith. From left to right: Ellyse, Eli, Beth, Jojo, Tim, Ethan and Sami. (Photo courtesy Bethany Hall)
Over the last four years, Tim and Beth Hall have watched their daughter face heartbreaking challenges. Jojo was not able to put weight on her leg for two years, relying on crutches or a wheelchair. Now in fourth grade, she has endured multiple surgeries, daily physical therapy since the diagnosis and the restriction and frustration of wearing a brace to immobilize her leg 18 hours a day.
“But this didn’t stop her from living life and being happy,” Beth Hall said. With her crutches, Jojo made her stage debut in the children’s production of “Frozen” through Herriman Arts in 2022. “She got really good at running and playing with her crutches,” Beth Hall said. “She even jumped waves in the ocean Continued page 6