Cache Community Connections
A Civic and Interfaith Council
Photo: Levi Portillo
About Us
Cache Community Connections (CCC) is composed of a group of interfaith religious and civic leaders….
Events
See what the Logan Tabernacle Interfaith Events Committee is planning.
Connecting Neighbors
Watch our community interview series.
Connecting Neighbors: Falene Hough
Chris and Falene Hough know all too well how autism can sneak up on parents and take them totally unaware. Two of their four boys are autistic. When their oldest son Aidan was diagnosed, Falene suspected there was something going on with him as he was non-verbal at two years old. They had his hearing checked and other testing done before he was diagnosed as autistic.
Even though their first son was diagnosed, they missed the signs with their second son. His issues were much different than his brother’s. When it was suggested that their second son Gavin might also have autism, Falene was able to link his sensory and anxiety issues as a totally different spectrum of autism than his brother’s.
One of the reasons the Houghs moved to Cache Valley from Texas was for a program at USU called Autism Support Services; Education, Research and Training (ASSERT). The program is given high marks by the Houghs and you can find more information online about the program.
Falene also suggests people Google “DSM5 Autism Diagnosis.” This provides the symptoms that professionals look for. She says being armed with that information and sharing it with your pediatrician can be a great help to move in the right direction.
You can also go on Facebook to Cache Valley Autism Support group.
Connecting Neighbors: Michael Bingham
ADHD has become a common word in today’s society that was often overlooked or under diagnosed in the past. Michael Bingham relates well with the challenges ADHD brings as he too has this diverse ability, as he prefers to refer to it.
Michael is an artist, sculptor, educator and activist for people with special needs and the founder of Jump the Moon, a nonprofit organization. He has harnessed the creative power of his own ADHD to create art and opportunities that bring out the best in people as they discover their own artistic talents.
For so many, Michael has uncovered the artistic talents buried under mental or physical challenges and provides lessons in art for those who never could imagine they “had it in them!”
The building for Jump the Moon (that name is another interesting story!), was located on Main Street in downtown Logan until the building was sold. Michael had to pack up and move out. For now he says Jump the Moon is homeless, but that hasn’t stopped him. If anything, with his positive attitude he holds onto his dreams and shows an excitement in his voice about his vision for the future. He considers this bump in the road a new opportunity to re-evaluate how things were done in the past and how things can be done differently in the future.
To learn more about Jump the Moon, the progress in starting up again and finding out how you can help, visit their website at jumpthemoon.org or contact Michael by email at [email protected]
Connecting Neighbors: Don & Deanna Smellie
Deanna and Don Smellie have always been each other’s true north—Don leading the way with Deanna by his side. Unfortunately life has taken a turn and Deanna has stepped forward to shoulder the pain of watching her gifted husband fade into that disease called Alzheimer’s.
The Smellies came to the valley in 1968 after Don and his friend got their doctorate degrees from Indiana University and were both hired at USU. Together they were responsible for founding the Department of Instructional Technology. Don eventually became head of that department.
Gifted with a brilliant mind and great leadership abilities, Don had many other talents that took him above and beyond his work at USU. He shared his talents in many ways in the community. His passion for service and skiing led him to join the ski patrol at Beaver Mountain. A few years later, Deanna decided she also wanted to be part of the patrol rather than sit on the sidelines. Don and Deanna were on the ski patrol for a combined 47 years.
Don also had a passion for old cars. When he found an old “junk” 1929 Dodge Victory 6 Sports Sedan in his brother’s field, he asked to have it and his brother agreed. Don hauled it home and eventually restored it. Many contests and car shows later found the Dodge Victory 6 at the top, along with some of the other very best entries.
Because of the disease that has stolen so much from him, Don can no longer share in those past memories or in much of life today; however, Deanna remembers and has gracefully and lovingly taken over the responsibility of being Don’s caregiver, even as she fights her own physical ailments. They now share a small apartment at Legacy Memory Unit in Logan. Deanna holds onto the memories of a good life with her dear husband, and without a doubt, those memories are also tucked away deep in Don’s gifted mind and loving heart.
If you’d like to contact Deanna, please email Carol Foht at [email protected].