Raleigh Hughes remembers a time when St. Maries’ future was uncertain.
It was a half century ago, he and his wife Ardys were in their 30s and owned a small business. But work as an electrician and a contractor was unstable during those times – and Mr. Hughes was ready for a change.
“I was tired of having to worry about collecting payments from customers,” he said. “I was ready for a little stability.”
Raleigh Hughes, was one of the first workers hired at what is today the St. Maries Complex. Mr. Hughes worked on the construction of the plywood mill and eventually served as the maintenance superintendent for the complex. Potlatch Corporation is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its St. Maries mills this month.
It’s quite possible, an entire community was ready for a change.
In 1961, as America teetered on the brink of war, the lifeblood of a community was destroyed when the St. Maries Lumber Company caught fire and burned to the ground. After months of uncertainty while the owner of the mill waited on the insurance company’s determination before deciding not to rebuild, a group of local businessmen chose to take matters into its own hands.
The group formed the Benewah County Development Corporation, applied for – and received – a government-backed loan and sold debentures to local businesses and individuals for the down payment needed to build a new mill.
Through the hard work of the group, an industry was brought back into St. Maries and ignited a workforce. The scope of this project was huge on many fronts: At that time government-back loans were unheard of; the development group had to raise a down payment that totaled 10 percent of the loan – a total of $280,000 in a seriously depressed county; and the development of the mill itself was a race against staggering unemployment numbers that were forcing families to leave the area in search of work.
But the group overcame all three obstacles and three years after the fire, a new mill was built.
Mr. Hughes was one of the first employees hired at the mill when it reopened in Oct. 1964. He was brought on as an electrician and throughout his two decades at the mill, worked in several positions, eventually becoming the supervisor of all maintenance.
The stability Mr. Hughes was looking for was found when Potlatch Forest Industries purchased the mill in 1965.
“There weren’t many changes initially,” Mr. Hughes said. “But there was a great sense of security once they took over, a feeling of permanence.”
Next week Potlatch Corp. will celebrate its half century of involvement in St. Maries with two celebrations. Governor Butch Otter will be the keynote speaker at an intimate celebration at the mill Wednesday, July 22. Gov. Otter will tour the facilities and speak about the impact the St. Maries Complex has had on the community. Other local dignitaries and Potlatch representatives will also be available and speak about the mill’s history and future ventures.
The anniversary gets kick-started three days prior, on July 19, at a company picnic for Potlatch employees, retirees and their families at Cherry Bend Boaters Park.
The celebration – and the anniversary itself – comes at a pivotal time for the company. Despite a challenging lumber market, Potlatch Corp. continues to make major capital investments in the St. Maries Complex, according to plant manager Steve Henson. In addition to equipment upgrades, there are 13 apprentices currently on the complex, indicating the company’s commitment to the future.
When the mill first opened, its annual payroll was budgeted at $1 million. Today, the company pays out $27 million in wages and benefits annually. More than 350 people are directly employed at the plant, and countless others are contracted through local logging companies and through other contract work.
Mr. Hughes retired from the plant in 1985, and after 21 years with the company, he can speak to the company’s longevity.
“Potlatch was good at adapting,” he explained. “They have always known how to adjust to demands and utilize all areas of the forest.”
Joe Epler, longtime area logger with St. Maries Logging, agrees.
“I have worked with several companies, and I think Potlatch and the way they manage their timber are a grade ahead of most for certification,” he said. “All of the units are very well managed, all the bookwork and planning is so advanced.”
Mr. Epler also echoed Mr. Hughes’ statements, citing Potlatch’s ability to foresee market changes and adapt its mechanics and train its workforce.
And he would know.
Mr. Epler started with Potlatch before St. Maries Logging was St. Maries Logging, when his father, Dewey, and two other business partners owned BER Logging in 1966. Mr. Epler has worked with Potlatch for 25 years.
“When they started in the 60s, there was no mechanical logging. Things have changed drastically,” he said. “Potlatch is on the forefront and have encouraged modernization.”
Potlatch has built a web site dedicated to its first 50 years in St. Maries. The site contains loads of information on the company’s history, people and future and can be accessed at http://smcomplexcelebrates.com
There’s always a little something for everyone in St. Maries, and the next two days’ events are proof of that. Wind down from your weekend at a community picnic tomorrow and start up your work week by admiring classic and antique planes at the St. Maries Airport Monday.
Yeah, that’s how St. Maries does hot summer days – with unique events for all types of interests.
Benewah picnic Sunday
Friends, family, neighbors and guests are invited to join current and previous residents of the Benewah Valley for a picnic.
The annual reunion-style gathering, which draws more than 100 people each year, usually includes a parade, potluck lunch, games, raffles and silent and live auctions.
The event, which is in its 40th year, is organized by the Benewah Valley Association. This year’s event is Sunday, July 12. The parade begins at 11 a.m. at the old school house, located approximately 11.5 miles up Benewah Creek Road.
Steve Cuvala, a board member for the Benewah Valley Association, has raffle tickets to sell for the playhouse behind him. The winner will be drawn at the annual picnic July 12.
Anyone can participate in the parade. Creative entries whether they include a decorated four-wheeler, wagon, pets, and old cars are encouraged. The person with the most popular entry will receive a prize.
The parade is followed by food, games and auctions. Those who attend are asked to bring a dish to share. Awards are also given to the youngest and oldest attendees and the person who travels the farthest. People travel from as far as Washington and Montana to attend the picnic each year.
A variety of auction items are also up for grabs this year including sporting equipment, home décor, gift certificates to various local restaurants, loads of gravel and cords of firewood and several gift baskets.
The winner of the playhouse raffle will also be drawn and announced at the picnic. The playhouse, which was built by Chad McMaster, is located in the parking lot at Harvest Foods in St. Maries for viewing. Each year a volunteer builds a playhouse or greenhouse for the organization to raffle. Tickets cost $5 each or $20 for five and can be purchased at various businesses throughout St. Maries. The winning ticket-holder need not be present to win.
The event is the primary fundraiser for the local group. Proceeds are primarily used for maintenance, upkeep and improvements to the old school house and grounds, which now serves as a community center. Funds can also be used to help a local resident in need.
Call Bill Fletcher at (208) 245-3464 or Mary Bedwell at (208) 245-4844 for additional information.
Antique and classic planes land in St. Maries Monday
More than a dozen antique and classes airplanes will land at the St. Maries Municipal Airport Monday (July 13). Around 30 airplanes are expected at 11 a.m. as part of the Pacific Northwest Air Tour.
“Not all of them will be older planes but the majority of them are,” Theresa White said.
The Puget Sound Antique Airplane Club is organizing the tour, which begins in Richland, Wash.
“We do this tour every other year,” Ms. White said. “Our antique airplane club is looking forward to visiting St. Maries.”
Rich Alldreege said this will be the first time the tour has come to St. Maries. He said six or eight years ago the tour had planned to come to St. Maries, but had to change plans at the last minute because the runway at the airport was being resurfaced.
“So we said the next time we were going that way we would be sure to stop,” Mr. Alldreege said. “We’re looking forward to coming down this year. Everybody says St. Maries is a jewel. A nice little town with a beautiful little airport.”
The tour seeks to recreate the historic barn storming tours of the 1930s that brought aviation appreciation to communities across the nation.
Some of the airplanes that will be a part of the tour include: Pre-war Howards and Interstates; Stearman and Fairchild military trainers; and numerous post-war Aeronca, Beechcraft, Bellanca, Cessnas, Pipers, and Taylorcraft airplanes.
The planes are expected to depart St. Maries at 1:30 p.m. Members of the public are invited to come to the airport to see the planes and visit with the pilots, Ms. White said.
Lunch will be available beginning at 11:30 a.m. for $8 and includes pulled pork, chips, a dessert and a drink.
Other stops on the tour will include Bonners Ferry (July 13 and 14), Crystal Lakes (July 14), Kalispell (July 14-16), Kamiah (July 16), and Lewiston (July 16 and 17).
For more questions about the St. Maries event, call Carol Koelbel at 245-2914.
There are a lot of events planned in the coming weeks to keep you and your family busy. So if you need something to do this summer, check out what the area has to offer.
» St. Maries
St. Maries Fly-In and Pancake Breakfast
Once again, pilots from around the region and their airplanes will land in St. Maries July 18 as part of the annual St. Maries Fly-In. Forty to 60 planes have attended the in the past. Breakfast will be available and visitors should arrive at the St. Maries Municipal Airport between 8 and 11 a.m. Courtesy cars, fuel and services will be available. Call (208) 245-2914 for additional information.
Summer Sucks Grass Drags
The 6th Annual Summer Sucks Grass Drags, organized by the St. Joe Snow Riders, is July 18 and 19. On-site registration will be available both days. Pre-registration is July 17. Races will start at 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday and are held at the hay field near St. Maries High School on Lumberjack Lane. A beer garden is planned as well as a snowmobile, ATV and motorcycle swap meet. Food vendors will be on site both days and camping is available.
For more information, call 245-4455, 245-5084 or 245-3523.
St. Maries Saddle Club Horse Show & O-Mok-See
The St. Maries Saddle Club has set its annual show and O-Mok-See events for July 25-26 at the Benewah County Fairgrounds.
Placings are awarded through fifth place for each day and two-day overall winners, and high point awards will be given for each day in each age group. Additionally a custom buckle will be awarded to the competitor with the highest point total for the weekend.
Pre-entries should be received by July 20. Visit the club’s website at http://www.stmariessaddleclub.com/ for registration forms, rules and additional information about the event.
Elexus Moore pushes for speed in one of last year’s O-Mok-See events.
Hospice Hyjinks Golf Tournament
Spend a day on the green this summer. The Hospice 2015 Hyjinks Golf Tournament is July 25. It is one of the largest fundraisers for Hospice of Benewah County, which provides end-of-life care. The tournament begins at 9 a.m. with a shotgun scramble at the St. Maries Golf Course. The cost is $25 per person plus green fees or $150 sponsor fee for a four-person team plus green fees.
Hole sponsorships are also available. A barbecue lunch will be provided to all entries and there will be prizes and special events. Teams or individuals can register at the Hospice office or the St. Maries Golf Course. Call 245-5734 for more information.
Medal of Honor Highway Dedication
Plans are underway for a dedication ceremony for State 3, which was designated as northern Idaho’s Medal of Honor Highway. A group of local veterans from the American Legion Lloyd G. McCarter Post 25 in St. Maries is planning the event, which takes place nearly four years after the designation. The ceremony begins at noon July 25 in the football field at St. Maries High School. Between 1,500 and 2,000 people are expected to attend.
Souvenirs for the event may be purchased through the post’s website at http://lgmccarterpost25.com and are also available from Jim Shubert or Marilyn Barker. Items, which include silver coin, T-shirts and patches, will be available at the ceremony.
Benewah County Fair
Every August, the Benewah County Fair is held at the fairgrounds in St. Maries. This year’s event is Aug. 20 through Aug. 23 and the theme is “A Star-Spangled a Fair.” Those who attend can expect to see a variety of indoor exhibits including clothing, cooking, art, photography, quilting, sewing, archery, firearms, gardening, hobbies, crafts, canning and more. The fair also includes the Junior Show. Several 4-H members will show pigs, goats, sheep, cows, rabbits and more.
The St. Maries Rotary Club’s annual Family Fun Day will also coincide with the fair again this year. Family Fun Day includes activities for adults and children as well as several contests.
For more information about the fair, call the Benewah County Extension office at 245-2422.
Paul Bunyan Days
More information will be available as the event gets closer, but the largest event of the year in St. Maries is Paul Bunyan Days during Labor Day weekend. Logging competitions, pool events, carnival, demolition derby and a fireworks show are just a few of the things to do.
The sun sets over the carnival at the 2014 Paul Bunyan Days celebration at City Park in downtown St. Maries. Rides like the Ferris Wheel are a mainstay, year after year.
» Plummer
Buffalo, Blue and Brews
Enjoy buffalo meat, music and home brews. Advance tickets are available for the third annual Buffalo, Blues and Brews, July 18 in Plummer. This event is located at the county lot between A and B Streets and is organized by Pathways Development Corporation.
The afternoon includes a meal of smoked buffalo meat, music, and home brewer/craft beer competition. This year’s artist is Billy D and The Hoodoos with Robb Boatsman and Rampage and Spun Munkee. Space is available for vendors as well.
Call 686-1677, 661-6313 or 686-1629 for tickets and more information. Vendor forms are available online at http://www.pathwayscdc.org/buffalo-blues-and-brews.html.
Plummer Days celebration
A full weekend of activities is planned for the annual Plummer Days celebration July 17 and 18. The weekend kicks off with a dance Friday and several events are planned Saturday including the parade, fun run, horseshoe tournament, bed race, barbecue rib cook-off, a lawnmower race, watermelon eating contest, tug of war, three-legged race and timed log chopping. Children’s activities will include three-legged race, egg races, potato sack ace, water balloon and a talent show. Saturday’s events will conclude with a movie in the park. Entry forms and rules for most of the events are available from Leticia Kennar by calling 686-0424 or 582-4921 or at her business Native Touch Salon. Many of the events require individuals to register by a certain date so be sure to get a hold of forms for the activities you plan to participate in.
» UpRiver
Pioneer Day
A new activity will be offered at the annual Pioneer Day in Fernwood. A children’s fun run is being planned by the parent-teacher organization.
As always, the Fernwood Fire Department will get the day started with the firemen’s breakfast. Other activities throughout the day will include a softball tournament, parade, horseshoe tournament, auction, children’s activities and more. A memorial is also planned for Harold “Doug” Lewis who was a championship horseshoe player. Every year, the winner of the Pioneer Day horseshoe tournament will have their name added to a plaque. Food will be available all day and ice cream is served by the Friends of the Library.
For more information call Joanne O’Dwyer at 245-4903, Debby Powell at 245-3097 or Christine Ashmead at 245-3869.
UpRiver Saddle Club Horse Show & O-Mok-See
The UpRiver Saddle Club has set its annual horse show, trail classic and O-Mok-See events Aug. 1-2. It is the 54th year for the horse show and O-Mok-See and the 14th annual Trail Classic. Riders of all ages will compete in different classes during the two-day event. High-point is awarded.
Pre-entries for the horse show are due by July 24 and pre-entries for the O-Mok-See should be returned to organizers by July 27. Registration forms, rules and additional information are available at the club’s website, www.ursc.org.
» Harrison
Old Time Picnic
A three-day celebration, July 24-26, the Old Time Picnic in Harrison includes a myriad of actives and fun “old time” contests like sack races, baby crawling, nail driving, greased pole climbing, and an obstacle race. Festivities start on Friday with the coronation of the Old Time Picnic Royalty and community potluck. Awards are presented to Oldest Old Timer; Youngest Old Timer; and Old Timer in Attendance Living Farthest Away.
For more information, visit http://www.harrisonidaho.org/
Boat Regatta
The 12th Annual Performance Boat Regatta is August 15 and 16 at the Harrison Docks. The schedule will include the Show and Shine, raffles, auctions and free give-a-ways throughout the day.
Car show and shine
Classic cars and boats will be at the center of attention during the 16th Annual Classic Car and Boat Show-n-Shine Sept. 12 in Harrison. Registration will be available in the morning and the show is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Contact Russ Wilbur at (208) 661-9989 for more information about the show.
The 6th Annual Summer Sucks Grass Drags races are July 18 and 19.
The event, hosted by the St. Joe Snow Riders, started as a fundraiser to benefit the family of a club member who died in an avalanche. Since that time the organization has run the races each year and donates proceeds to various community projects and programs.
Halle Schiermeister (#21) and Nancy Becktel.
The event is held in the hayfields along Lumberjack Lane adjacent to St. Maries High School each year. Registration for this year’s event is available onsite 3 to 8 p.m. Friday and 7 to 9:30 a.m. Saturday. Races begin at 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.
This year’s event will also feature a beer garden, swap meet and food vendors. Some camping is available onsite. Call Ken Schiermeister at (208) 245-4455 or Idaho Rigging at (208) 245-3523 for additional information.
St. Maries Fly-In Returns July 18
The annual St. Maries Fly-in and pancake breakfast is set for July 18.
Breakfast will be available and visitors should arrive at the Benewah County airport between 8 and 11 a.m. Courtesy cars, fuel and services will be available. Call (208) 245-2914 for additional information.
John Koelbel and his wife have helped organize a fly-in at the Benewah County Airport. This year’s event is July 18.
Hook a lure to your line and find a spot to fish.
The Elks 7th Annual Fishing Derby, hosted by Felton’s Auto Sales, is Saturday, June 27. However, those who want to participate must register by Friday, June 26.
The Elks 7th Annual Fishing Derby is Saturday. Everyone is invited to participate. Those who do participate must register by Friday. Jim McCuaig, Phil Epler, Eleanor Law, Beverly McCuaig and Albert Law display some of the prizes up for grabs including fishing poles and tackle boxes.
Organizer Jim McCuaig said the event has become enjoyable for many, especially children. Fifty-five children participated in last year’s event, he added.
“We had 82 participants total, both kids and adults,” Mr. McCuaig said.
Children 12 and younger do not have to pay the entry fee to participate in the derby. Anyone 12 and older must pay $10.
Tickets to participate in the derby can be picked up at the St. Maries Elks Lodge, St. Joe Sports Stop, Blue Goose and Felton Auto Sales through June 26.
Once registered, participants can head out to their favorite fishing hole Saturday in the St. Joe, Coeur d’Alene Lake or Coeur d’Alene drainage to try to catch the largest fish in one of the five categories: blueback, salmon, pike, panfish (no bass) and other fish (tinch, squaw, bullheads, etc.). Trout will not be accepted.
There is one winner in each of the five categories for both children and the adults, Mr. McCuaig added. The longest fish in each category wins.
“It’s not by weight,” he said.
Fish will be measured from 4 to 5 p.m. in the parking lot at the Elks Lodge. Participants keep their fish. Barbecued hamburgers, hot dogs and all the fixings will also be served. The cost is $5 per person. Winners are announced at 5:30 p.m.
Mr. McCuaig said once again local business, as well as those in Coeur d’Alene, have supported the event by donating prizes. Half of the proceeds from ticket sales will go toward cash prizes for winners of each category for adults. Winners in each category in the children’s division each receive $25.
There will also be several raffle prizes. Everyone who enters the derby will receive a raffle ticket. It will either be placed in the children’s raffle or the adult raffle.
“So far, for the last six years, every kid has gotten something,” Mr. McCuaig said, adding it is the support from businesses which makes it possible. “We receive so much support from so many people in town as well as from Cabela’s, Black Sheep and Fins and Feathers.”
Mr. McCuaig said his favorite part of organizing the event is seeing how much fun the children have.
“This is an event kids and their whole family can enjoy,” he added. “It’s always a lot of fun.”
