Learn more about in-home care options for your loved ones

Given the choice, most of us want to stay in our homes. Sometimes, people need help to remain at home. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.

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“1. Stay active. Exercise may be the last thing you want to do when your arthritis hurts, but many studies show that physical activity is one of the best ways to improve your quality of life. 2. Eat a balanced diet. Studies show that a variety of nutrients may help ease arthritis symptoms. 3. Lose weight. Being overweight puts undue strain on weight-bearing joints such as your knees, spine, hips, ankles, and feet. 5. Use hot or cold packs. By increasing blood flow, hot compresses can ease pain and stiffness. 6. Keep pain under control. Over-the-counter medications can help ease arthritis pain. 7. Talk to your doctor about supplements and complementary medicine. Many supplements have been tested for the treatment of arthritis. 8. Try splints, braces, and other aids. Devices that support painful joints, such as splints, braces, and canes can help ease your discomfort and prevent injury. 9. Seek support. Living with arthritis isn’t easy. Finding other people that you can talk to and share ideas with can help. Check out arthritis support groups online or in your area. 10. Stay positive. Your mental outlook can have a big impact on how you feel, and how well you function. #SelfCare #Osteoarthritis #Arthritis #Disability #GoodHealth #PainRelief #SeniorCommunity #Caregiver #Caregiving #WECANHELP #OlderAdult #SeniorCare #SeniorLiving #SeniorServices #SeniorHousing #AlwaysBestCare #Exercise #SelfManaging #Tips”

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“Always Best Care has some of the friendliest staff. They are quick to learn & eager to assist. Great schedulers who are on top of managing the schedules & keeping their employees accountable. I sure appreciate all the help they give!”

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“I can leave a long review if I wanted to . I can talk about always best cares credentials and talk about mine. But What’s the point of leaving a review if it sounds like everybody else’s. The bottom line is , that they are great at their jobs from the bottom to the top. They have a process and people in place . They keep accountability and are communicative . Ive represented many companies in the past and still do till this day contract with only the best.. If you feel you want to hear more about this company on a deeper level just lmk. Happy Healthy Safe”

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“I like working for ABC because it works well with my busy nursing school schedule! I also like how I get to work on my own, but there are options to work with other CNAs for the care of some of the clients. It’s the best of both worlds! I’ve been with Always best care since 2021 and have thoroughly enjoyed working with the clients I work with!”

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“Amazing business. Staff are helpful and kind.”

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“Always Best Care is always best!!! Highly recommended! Brent listens and hears what we need for my 94 year old mom and matches caregivers accordingly. Sometimes, the schedule changes and he works to fill the needs immediately and always with a great attitude! The caregivers are compassionate. Again, I highly recommend Always Best Care.”

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“They are seriously so amazing to work with and really care for their clients. I came to them with some pretty difficult challenges that I was not sure we could work with but they were able to make it happen and truly did more than I thought was even possible. I highly recommend them.”

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“Love working for this company”

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“Love them! Staff is always super sweet and easy to work with! Highly recommend.”

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“As an employee of this company I could not ask for a better team to work with. They work with schedules, are understanding caring and all around amazing people. The clients are wonderful and have nothing but good things to say. They treat you as family and care from day one!”

Cassandra O.
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“Always Best Care has provided caregivers for my mother and now my father for the last year. They always send the best people to take care of them and give me peace of mind when I have to be at work. I highly recommend them if you’re seeking care for anyone in need.”

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“Alway best care! They are so giving and caring to their staff and clients❤️❤️❤️”

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“I've been using ABC for about 2 1/2 years and have really met some wonderful people and great caregivers. I know they all work hard and are experienced and dependable which is important to me. At times I've needed a flexible schedule and they've been able to accommodate my needs and been very friendly about it. At times I've also had to ask these caregivers to do things for me outside of their job description and they've been very accommodating. Brent is also been great to follow up with phone calls and help adjust my schedule when needed. I do recommend this company.”

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“The best home health company that I have ever worked for. Friendly office staff, great scheduler, and the kindest CNA’s and workers that I know.”

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“I work with Always Best Care and they're always flexible with my schedule. Everyone there is very nice and understanding and I enjoy working with ABC.”

Anna S.
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“Always Best Care has been an amazing company to work for! They are flexible with my schedule being a single mom and I can tell they are always putting their clients and the individuals that they care for, the needs and their happiness above all else. I know they care for every individual that they have and they make sure their staff are the same way!”

Aubrey S.
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“Always best is such an incredible company! They are so accommodating to all of the needs of their clients and do their best to help any way that they can. They are reliable and really seem to care. I would recommend Always Best to anyone looking for these kinds of services!”

Anni H.
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“Always best care has been warm and welcoming. They start off with a really good pay start and they also give really good hours and are very flexible with my work and school schedule. They are very kind even throughout my shifts they will sometimes ask me how my shifts went and make sure I’m doing ok and even through the holidays they send me messages or cards wishing me the best of holidays and always making me feel part of their family and business. And if I have any questions or concerns they are always supportive and always there for me I definitely recommend working hear and also I love working there my clients are all very nice and if you are ever looking for help always best care is the best place to call.”

Mackenzie C.
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“I work for Always Best Care now and have for some time now. I love how much people care about their clients and how the company is always there if we need something or have questions about something. This is one of the best places I have worked in the last 6 years of being a CNA. I love that the clients are the top priority to not just me but the whole team as well.!”

Ashley O.
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“Great company”

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“Always Best Care are the people to go to! Julie and Henry Lee are amazing people to work with!”

Bentley S.
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“Very caring, and great to work with!”

Jeff S.
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“I have used this company for a few of my residents. They take such good care of their clients and do such a good job at taking the time with each and every one of them. They go above and beyond for their clients. I’d definitely recommend them!”

Kaylee N.
 In-Home Care Panguitch, UT

How does In-home Senior Care in Panguitch, UT work?

Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it's especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age. When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.

The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.

At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one ages, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.

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 Senior Care Panguitch, UT

Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors

While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit.

In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a unfamiliar assisted living community, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.

Here are just a few of the reasons why older men and women prefer to age at home:

Comfort
Comfort

How much does a senior's home truly mean to them? A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old. With the help of elderly care in Panguitch, UT, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.

Healthy Living
Healthy Living

Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors. Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.

Independence
Independence

For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like an assisted living community. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.

Cost and Convenience
Cost and Convenience

More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, can be less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.

With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care in Panguitch, UT gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.

Empowers Seniors

Affordable Care Plans

In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.

Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.

At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.

In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:

Veteran's Benefits
Veteran's Benefits

Attendance and aid benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.

Long-Term Care Insurance
Long-Term Care Insurance

Many senior care services like in-home care are included in long-term care insurance options. Research different long-term care solutions to find a plan that provides coverage for senior care.

Private Insurance
Private Insurance

Home care can be included as part of a senior's private insurance plan. Read over your loved one's insurance policy carefully or speak with their insurance provider to determine if in-home care is covered.

Life Insurance
Life Insurance

Depending on the life insurance plan, you may be able to apply your policy toward long-term care. You may be able to use long-term-care coverage to help pay for in-home elderly care.


Respite Care Panguitch, UT

During your Care Plan consultation with Always Best Care, your Care Coordinator will speak with you about in-home care costs and what options there may be to help meet your budget needs.

Compassionate Care. Trusted Caregivers

When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.

Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.

At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Panguitch,UT understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.

Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.

Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.

 Caregivers Panguitch, UT

Taking the First Step with Always Best Care

The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:

An assessment of your senior loved one

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An in-depth discussion of the needs of your senior loved one to remain in their own home

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Reviewing a detailed Care Plan that will meet your senior loved one's needs

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Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.

If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.

When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.

Latest News in Panguitch, UT

Panguitch boys win 4th consecutive 1A state wrestling championship

CEDAR CITY — The Panguitch High School Bobcats won their fourth consecutive state wrestling championship on Saturday in Richfield.Competing at the 1A state tournament at the Sevier Valley Center, the Bobcats saw six wrestlers make it to their finals, with five of them winning their respective brackets.Panguitch head coach Colin Marshall told Cedar City News that his wrestlers bounced back from a tough day on Friday to finish strong on Saturday.“On Friday, we lost some tough battles in the sem...

CEDAR CITY — The Panguitch High School Bobcats won their fourth consecutive state wrestling championship on Saturday in Richfield.

Competing at the 1A state tournament at the Sevier Valley Center, the Bobcats saw six wrestlers make it to their finals, with five of them winning their respective brackets.

Panguitch head coach Colin Marshall told Cedar City News that his wrestlers bounced back from a tough day on Friday to finish strong on Saturday.

“On Friday, we lost some tough battles in the semifinals and the team was a little deflated,” Marshall said. “We met together as a team and tried to refocus for a tough day on Saturday.

“The boys came out firing,” Marshall added. “That momentum took us into the finals with a lot of energy. We won some tough battles to put a solid group in the placement rounds for third and fourth.”

Panguitch ended up with 215 total team points, while second-place Altamont had 163 and third-place Milford finished with 162.

Leading the way for Panguitch were the following wrestlers who all won their respective brackets: junior Tanner Marshall at 106 pounds, sophomore Shad Partridge at 126 pounds, sophomore Braxton Atkin at 132 pounds, senior Cael Houston at 165 pounds and senior Cole Harland at 285 pounds.

“Tanner Marshall at 106 came up with a big win against a solid opponent from Milford,” Marshall said, referring to his nephew’s second-round pin of Boston Thompson.

“He was followed by Shad Partridge at 126, who has been fighting an injury since divisionals and has had limited time in the wrestling room due to the injury,” coach Marshall added. “Shad showed his mental toughness by fighting through the pain of an injury and pulling off a win.”

In the very next match at 132 pounds, Panguitch sophomore Braxton Atkin went up against Milford senior Hagen Mayer, one of the state’s top-ranked wrestlers.

“This match was a battle that Braxton ultimately won with a third-round pin,” Marshall said.

Panguitch’s next individual champion was senior Cael Houston at 165 pounds. His finals match was a repeat of last year’s state finals against senior Monty Morrison of Piute.

“These two wrestlers have faced each other multiple times over the years and it is always a battle,” Marshall said. “Cael was able to come up with a win in overtime and earned a well-deserved outstanding wrestler award.”

Panguitch later capped off the night with a win in the 285-pound heavyweight bracket, with senior Cole Harland defeating Jordan Johnson of Rich in an 8-3 decision.

Also for Panguitch, junior Theron Evans finished second in the 175-pound bracket, losing a tough finals match to Altamont’s Bryant Mullins.

Others placing at state for the Bobcats were Max Albrecht (third place at 106 pounds), Tavin Leibbrandt (fourth place at 113), Randy Marshall (third place at 120), Owen Crofts (fourth place at 126), Bryson Henrie (third place at 132), Cameron Atkin (fourth place at 138), Ronan Mooney (fourth place at 144), Jacob Marshall (third place at 150), Koda Bridges (third place at 190) and Gage Julander (fourth place at 215).

“The boys came together as a team and it made all the difference on Saturday,” coach Marshall said. “I am so proud of these great young men. This is our fourth state championship in a row and these boys have shown grit and toughness to help this team win each championship.”

Marshall also thanked the Panguitch parents and fans for their support.

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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2023, all rights reserved.

New co-working and innovation space to open Monday in Panguitch

Estimated read time: 2-3 minutesThis archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.PANGUITCH — Following the recent opening of the Vernal Innovation Hub in Uintah County, Garfield County is getting ready to open its own space for remote work, creativity and connection.The Panguitch Innovation Hub will cel...

Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes

This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.

PANGUITCH — Following the recent opening of the Vernal Innovation Hub in Uintah County, Garfield County is getting ready to open its own space for remote work, creativity and connection.

The Panguitch Innovation Hub will celebrate with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house on Monday, March 29. Callie Ward, a Utah State University Extension professor who's launching the hub with her USU co-worker and Panguitch City Councilman Mike Sarles, told KSL.com the project is nearly two years in the making.

"We actually received the funding in September of 2019," Ward said, referring to a grant from the Governor's Office of Economic Development. The space chosen — inside the Panguitch city hall and library — was being used for storage at the time, she said. "There was a lot of random stuff. One of the rooms held all the newspapers from the past, probably, hundred years."

They got started on clearing the space, but were interrupted twice by the coronavirus pandemic — once during the initial stay-at-home recommendations, then later again when cases surged in the fall. Finally, though, the team was able to spend time on the project this spring and is prepared to open.

Ward said the hub will include large-format printers, copiers, laser engraving equipment, a 3D printer, a podcasting setup, photography and video equipment, and more. The location will even have a commercial "innovation kitchen" for those interested in becoming food entrepreneurs, she said, baking or cooking their products on-site.

"Individuals can lease the (kitchen) on an hourly or daily basis," Ward said, "and do temporary storage of their food product."

Those interested in using the other co-working space can rent dedicated or shared desks for the day or on a longer-term basis, Ward added.

"What we're hoping for is to get more of the permanent remote workers," she said, "but we also want to have this facility be accessible to tourists that are coming through. If they're on vacation and need 20 minutes to run some copies or check their email, they can do that, or they can purchase a day pass."

We want to promote opportunities for remote workers. People would love to live in rural Utah and reap the benefits of rural communities, these beautiful places, without sacrificing job opportunities.

–Callie Ward, Utah State University Extension professor

Ultimately, Ward said the hub's goal is to attract and retain talent in Garfield County and allow its online workers to stay local. "We just jumped on the opportunity to provide a facility and infrastructure for our community, and give a spot for people who want to be remote workers or entrepreneurs. ... We want to promote opportunities for remote workers. People would love to live in rural Utah and reap the benefits of rural communities, these beautiful places, without sacrificing job opportunities."

And after the Panguitch hub is off the ground, Ward said her team will begin work on another hub in Escalante she hopes to have open by the end of the year.

The Panguitch Innovation Hub is located at 25 S. 200 East. Its ribbon cutting and open house will be Monday at 2 p.m., and those interested can RSVP at 435-676-1113.

Remains of Paiute children believed to be in unmarked cemetery

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PANGUITCH, Utah — The remains of Paiute children forced into a southern Utah boarding school in the early 1900s are believed to be buried in an unmarked cemetery.

Now, a local historian and members of the tribe hope to uncover a secret kept hushed for more than a century.

Panguitch Historic Preservation director Steven Lee suspects the bodies of at least 12 young Paiute children have been buried after dying at the school that once was run north of the city.

“There are these kids that shouldn’t have been here in the first place with things happening to them, here without their families knowing about it,” Lee said at the remote site.

Students as young as six were taken from their tribe, forced to live at a Panguitch boarding school, overseen by the federal government. Some children were taken at gunpoint from St. George and Moccasin, Arizona.

“I was shocked that one of those existed in a town I grew up in. It was shocking,” said Lee.

Lee came across a small reference to the Panguitch Indian School last year and has worked closely with Dorena Martineau, cultural preservation director for the Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah. They believe the facility was not unlike those in other parts of the US and Canada used to assimilate indigenous people in the 1800s and 1900s.

“It wasn’t uncommon for students to die at boarding schools — most often from disease and tuberculosis, especially. It wasn’t uncommon and I don’t see why it wouldn’t be the same here,” Lee said.

The boarding school operated from 1904 to 1909 and was shut down because of rampant illness, according to Lee.

He suspects nearly 150 children were sent to get an American education, but in fact, forced into farm labor on 150 acres. Some children ran away, others never left.

“They lost their culture, their language, their identity. The whole point was to assimilate us to a workforce,” said Tamra Borchardt-Slayton, Indian Peaks band chairperson of the Paiute Tribe.

The story was first reported on by The Salt Lake Tribune and southern Utah reporter Alastair Lee Bitsóí.

“I did get nauseous from it because I am aware of those narratives that exist in native communities, and for me to write about it, it actually took me out,” said Bitsóí.

With more awareness of the boarding school and possible cemetery, Borchard-Slayton hopes the children can be identified and honored properly.

"Stuff has been pushed under the rug, and I think that is appalling, you know,” Lee added.

The tribe is hoping for archeologists from Utah State University to use ground-penetrating radar to confirm how many people are buried at the suspected site.

In Canada, the bodies of more than 800 people were discovered buried at two former residential schools for indigenous children. Former students say they were physically and sexually abused.

Copyright 2021 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Utah's 'Tandoori Taqueria' Brings Unexpected Indian Spice To Cowboy Country

Rural southern Utah is cowboy country, and with it comes a deserved reputation of being a meat and potatoes kind of place. So after a recent three-day hiking trip in Bryce Canyon National Park, when Kim Johnson saw a sign advertising a Tandoori Taqueria, she pulled over immediately.Johnson and her family, who live in Salt Lake City, are vegetarian."We've eaten a lot of Subway sandwiches [this trip]," she says, laughing. "And a lot of large side salads because it's a pretty meaty environment her...

Rural southern Utah is cowboy country, and with it comes a deserved reputation of being a meat and potatoes kind of place. So after a recent three-day hiking trip in Bryce Canyon National Park, when Kim Johnson saw a sign advertising a Tandoori Taqueria, she pulled over immediately.

Johnson and her family, who live in Salt Lake City, are vegetarian.

"We've eaten a lot of Subway sandwiches [this trip]," she says, laughing. "And a lot of large side salads because it's a pretty meaty environment here."

Inside, the family grinned as they dug into heaping plates of cauliflower tacos, with garbanzo beans, smoky Mexican spices and tomatillo chutney.

"They're not flavors we've had for the last few days in rural southern Utah," Johnson says.

And that's exactly the idea. Five years ago, Ripple Desai opened the Tandoori Taqueria in her hometown of Panguitch, which has population of about 1,500. The Tandoori Taqueria definitely stands out on the town's short main drag among several mom and pop coffee shops and diners, a Family Dollar and NAPA Auto Parts store.

"I'm Indian, my parents are both from India," says Desai, quickly adding, "And, I love tacos."

Her menu is a fusion of traditional Indian dishes with that beloved Mexican staple — tacos. She uses naan bread as the tortilla. Over a busy recent lunch hour, customers packed the tidy dining room eating slow-roasted beef chorizo tacos topped with tomatillo chutney, spicy pozole with pork marinated in a turmeric dry rub and a dish called curry a la verazcruzana, chicken and garbanzo beans in a roasted red pepper sauce. Every dish is cooked to order in a small kitchen off the dining area.

"I wanted to do something completely different," Desai says. "I wanted to make sure that you're eating something unlike anything else you've had."

The Taqueria mostly caters to tourists who visit Bryce Canyon and Zion national parks and the nearby Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument. Desai says she did get a few second looks initially from locals. But she was used to it. They were the only Indian family in a mostly white, Mormon town for most of her childhood. Her parents still own the motel they bought in the 1980s, down the street from the restaurant, which is in a building Ripple's father also owned.

Desai recalls fondly begging her mom to make tacos as a kid — her mom mostly made traditional Gujarati dishes from her native state of Gujarat in India, lots of spices, lentils, vegetables and rice. She grew up learning to cook it.

"And that's what my mom [still] makes every single day, even to this day," Desai says. "That's what I have when I leave here at 10 p.m. and go home."

Her mom, Tarla Desai is always cooking, except when she stops into her daughter's Taqueria for a snack.

"She samples everything," Ripple says, adding that she's always letting her know if her rice is too crispy or if a dish needs more seasoning.

It's clear though that Tarla is proud of her daughter.

"She's doing good, everyone loves it," Tarla says. "She has a business mind and got the Indian cooking style."

And Mom is playing another key role. Every winter when the tourists leave, she and Ripple's father close up their hotel and travel, usually home to India. They return in the spring with spices in two 50-pound suitcases.

It's what gives those tasty chicken tikka tacos that extra kick.

Where to Dine Near Bryce Canyon National Park

Drive 260 miles to the northeast of Las Vegas into Utah for the breathtaking beauty of Bryce Canyon National Park. That name is a misnomer; rather than a canyon, the star here is a giant natural amphitheater formed by erosion along the eastern side of the Paunsaugunt Plateau. Crimson-colored hoodoos, those spire-shaped rock formations, are perfect at sunrise and sunset. In between hiking and setting up the best photos, hunger sets in. Here’s a look at some of the restaurants near the entrance to Bryce Canyon, where vis...

Drive 260 miles to the northeast of Las Vegas into Utah for the breathtaking beauty of Bryce Canyon National Park. That name is a misnomer; rather than a canyon, the star here is a giant natural amphitheater formed by erosion along the eastern side of the Paunsaugunt Plateau. Crimson-colored hoodoos, those spire-shaped rock formations, are perfect at sunrise and sunset. In between hiking and setting up the best photos, hunger sets in. Here’s a look at some of the restaurants near the entrance to Bryce Canyon, where visitors can get a caffeine fix, chow down on steaks, or grab a fun cowboy experience filled with country music.

Texas-style barbecue smoked over mesquite reigns at Cowboy’s Smokehouse Cafe in Panguitch, Utah. Try tri-tip, ribs, chicken, turkey, or pulled pork paired with sweet potatoe fries, a baked yam, mashed potatoes and gravy. Or make it a green chili pork burrito, country-fried steak, trout, or a range of steaks.

Kenny Rays in Panguitch, Utah, offers breakfast dishes to fuel the day, including fried steak and eggs, biscuits and gravy, pancakes, and eggs. A soup and salad buffet awaits at lunch and dinner. Try hot roast beef, a garlic Reuben, or pulled pork sandwich for lunch, or pot roast, country fried steak, or garlic- and herb-rubbed rib-eye steak for dinner.

Pick up a kolache to go with a fresh drip coffee, latte, or cappucino before heading out to Bryce Canyon. Wanderlust Cowgirl Coffee sits inside a little log cabin with a picnic table for outdoor seating 20 minutes from the park.

Comfort foods galore make the menu at Bryce Canyon Pines, which has been in business for more than 50 years. The menu features cowboy-sized steaks, mashed potatoes and gravy, homemade soups and pies to die for, ranging from sour cream with raisins and strawberry banana to blueberry and chocolate angel. Stop here for breakfast steaks, biscuits and gravy, muffins, or omelets for fuel before any hike.

Outdoor lovers get a taste of the Old West mixed with Mexican flair at this restaurant at Bryce Canyon Resort. Steaks, chicken, and burgers have a campfire flavor. The restaurant uses Utah-raised fish and beef and produce from local farmers. Must-drink Baba Black Lager and HooDoo Golden Ale sit on the 12 taps behind the bar. Stop by for the breakfast buffet with eggs, hash browns, meats, and Danishes starting at $12.99.

Dinner here is defined by classic dishes: flat-iron steak, salmon, barbecue platter, or chicken, all on the menu for $32 to $38. Each meal comes with cowboy beans, mashed potatoes, coleslaw, a biscuit, dessert, and a drink. Cowboy demonstrations and country music entertain in this restaurant at the Best Western Plus Ruby’s Inn.

Inside Stone Canyon Inn, you’ll find this white-tablecloth restaurant with views of the mountains. Chicken Florentine, Alaskan salmon, rib-eye steaks, and pork chops make up some of the favorites here. Diners should try the seared scallops with mushroom and spinach risotto.

Stop by I.D.K. Barbecue for a plate of pulled pork and brisket with coleslaw and macaroni and cheese or make it a sandwich with sweet chicken.

This rustic, Western-themed restaurant offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus complete with patio tables. Mexican dishes such as smothered burritos and taco plates, double bacon cheeseburgers, rainbow trout, mango-glazed salmon, and wild mushroom pesto make the menu. Try breakfast favorites such as peanut butter pancakes, peach pecan waffles, strawberry cheesecake French toast, or omelets.

For a coffee fix, hikers head to this coffee shop 10 miles from the entrance of Bryce Canyon. A log cabin with a patio sets the scene for the full espresso bar with lattes, cappuccinos, and mochas, along with smoothies, baked goods, and breakfast bites.

The drive alone to Sweetwater Kitchen is worth the trip, taking diners through Dixie National Forest with views of sagebrush and pinon pine forest and Boulder Mountain in the distance. The restaurant at Boulder Mountain Guest Ranch features steaks from the Bar None Ranch, their own ranch, sweet potato enchiladas, and trout tacos with goat cheesecake and apricot cobbler for dessert. Plan ahead to order lunch to go, with pan-seared Utah red trout, falafel, and garden veggie options.

Look for the 1993 aqua colored Chevy Bluebird Bus for kimchee breakfast tacos, a vegan burrito, or homemade churros before heading out in the morning. Order loaded fries, a Cuban press, or tacos for lunch, then head to the picnic tables.

Kiva Koffeehouse offers a view of the Escalante River Canyon near Escalante-Grand Staircase National Monument. Snack on tamales, apple crumb pie, breakfast bagels, quinoa potato cakes, or oatmeal pancakes and order a cup of cappucino, espresso, or cafe mocha in this quaint little cottage.

Texas-style barbecue smoked over mesquite reigns at Cowboy’s Smokehouse Cafe in Panguitch, Utah. Try tri-tip, ribs, chicken, turkey, or pulled pork paired with sweet potatoe fries, a baked yam, mashed potatoes and gravy. Or make it a green chili pork burrito, country-fried steak, trout, or a range of steaks.

Kenny Rays in Panguitch, Utah, offers breakfast dishes to fuel the day, including fried steak and eggs, biscuits and gravy, pancakes, and eggs. A soup and salad buffet awaits at lunch and dinner. Try hot roast beef, a garlic Reuben, or pulled pork sandwich for lunch, or pot roast, country fried steak, or garlic- and herb-rubbed rib-eye steak for dinner.

Pick up a kolache to go with a fresh drip coffee, latte, or cappucino before heading out to Bryce Canyon. Wanderlust Cowgirl Coffee sits inside a little log cabin with a picnic table for outdoor seating 20 minutes from the park.

Comfort foods galore make the menu at Bryce Canyon Pines, which has been in business for more than 50 years. The menu features cowboy-sized steaks, mashed potatoes and gravy, homemade soups and pies to die for, ranging from sour cream with raisins and strawberry banana to blueberry and chocolate angel. Stop here for breakfast steaks, biscuits and gravy, muffins, or omelets for fuel before any hike.

Outdoor lovers get a taste of the Old West mixed with Mexican flair at this restaurant at Bryce Canyon Resort. Steaks, chicken, and burgers have a campfire flavor. The restaurant uses Utah-raised fish and beef and produce from local farmers. Must-drink Baba Black Lager and HooDoo Golden Ale sit on the 12 taps behind the bar. Stop by for the breakfast buffet with eggs, hash browns, meats, and Danishes starting at $12.99.

Dinner here is defined by classic dishes: flat-iron steak, salmon, barbecue platter, or chicken, all on the menu for $32 to $38. Each meal comes with cowboy beans, mashed potatoes, coleslaw, a biscuit, dessert, and a drink. Cowboy demonstrations and country music entertain in this restaurant at the Best Western Plus Ruby’s Inn.

Inside Stone Canyon Inn, you’ll find this white-tablecloth restaurant with views of the mountains. Chicken Florentine, Alaskan salmon, rib-eye steaks, and pork chops make up some of the favorites here. Diners should try the seared scallops with mushroom and spinach risotto.

Stop by I.D.K. Barbecue for a plate of pulled pork and brisket with coleslaw and macaroni and cheese or make it a sandwich with sweet chicken.

This rustic, Western-themed restaurant offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus complete with patio tables. Mexican dishes such as smothered burritos and taco plates, double bacon cheeseburgers, rainbow trout, mango-glazed salmon, and wild mushroom pesto make the menu. Try breakfast favorites such as peanut butter pancakes, peach pecan waffles, strawberry cheesecake French toast, or omelets.

For a coffee fix, hikers head to this coffee shop 10 miles from the entrance of Bryce Canyon. A log cabin with a patio sets the scene for the full espresso bar with lattes, cappuccinos, and mochas, along with smoothies, baked goods, and breakfast bites.

The drive alone to Sweetwater Kitchen is worth the trip, taking diners through Dixie National Forest with views of sagebrush and pinon pine forest and Boulder Mountain in the distance. The restaurant at Boulder Mountain Guest Ranch features steaks from the Bar None Ranch, their own ranch, sweet potato enchiladas, and trout tacos with goat cheesecake and apricot cobbler for dessert. Plan ahead to order lunch to go, with pan-seared Utah red trout, falafel, and garden veggie options.

Look for the 1993 aqua colored Chevy Bluebird Bus for kimchee breakfast tacos, a vegan burrito, or homemade churros before heading out in the morning. Order loaded fries, a Cuban press, or tacos for lunch, then head to the picnic tables.

Kiva Koffeehouse offers a view of the Escalante River Canyon near Escalante-Grand Staircase National Monument. Snack on tamales, apple crumb pie, breakfast bagels, quinoa potato cakes, or oatmeal pancakes and order a cup of cappucino, espresso, or cafe mocha in this quaint little cottage.

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