They both admit it’s not their preferred sport, but say it is the one they’ve worked at the most.
And it shows.
St. Maries wrestler Josh Richmond, a senior, earned his 100th win during a home match Dec. 9. And Isaac Walters, also a senior, is set to do the same later this season.
Josh Richmond, left, earned his 100th win of his varsity wrestling career. Fellow Lumberjack Isaac Walters is on track to acheive the feat later this season.
“I don’t know that it was ever a goal,” Josh said of the milestone. “It was a good feeling though. It showed me that all the hard work I’ve put into the sport paid off and I have something to show for it.”
Isaac has yet to reach the milestone, but is on track to do so.
“I need about 21 more wins,” he said. “I should have 35 to 40 more matches this season.”
He added while it has not been a major goal, it has been on his mind. Isaac said he grew up looking at a plaque that listed the names of varsity wrestlers who had reached 100 wins during their career.
“So I’ve been thinking about it and making sure I was on track for it,” Isaac said.
Coach Mike Walters says both Isaac and Josh have the work ethic and determination to meet their goals as do other wrestlers on the team.
“They have set their goals high,” Coach Walters said.
He said it is quite an accomplishment for Josh to earn 100 wins during his varsity career as it is something few wrestlers accomplish. Coach Walters said he is also looking forward to his son achieving the same milestone.
“It doesn’t happen often,” Coach Walters said. “The last time it happened was a couple of years ago when Joe Bloomsburg got it. We’re lucky to have the two boys on track for it this year.”
Both boys started wrestling when they were young. Josh started when he was in first grade and Isaac when he was four years old.
“I remember not having any clue what was going on,” Josh said of when he first got started in the sport. “But I just went out there and tried to do what the coaches were telling me. It was always fun.”
“I remember I didn’t win a single match all season my first year,” Isaac said. “But I loved it. I would always have a big smile on my face even when I was losing.”
Both boys wrestled in middle school and all four years in high school. They have had several accomplishments.
Both have qualified for the state wrestling tournament. Isaac has qualified twice during his high school career, placing sixth last year. He was also named most outstanding wrestler at the George Wilde Memorial Tournament last year.
Josh has qualified three times for state, placing fifth and third. He added he’s proud of the fact he has not lost a match at a home dual or tri-match. Both he and Isaac say the state tournament is one of the hardest tests of the season.
“It’s not a tournament you can just walk through,” Josh said.
“You can’t let the pressure get to you while you’re competing,” Isaac said.
The two boys are serving their second year as captains of the Lumberjack squad and say it is something they enjoy.
“I like being able to have the young kids look up to me and to be a good role model for them,” Isaac said.
“One thing I like about it is pretty much knowing that our teammates can come to us with problems and we have the power to help them,” Josh said.
The two seniors say being involved in other sports have contributed to their success in wrestling as well as wrestling during the spring. Isaac has played baseball, his favorite sport, and football during his high school career and Josh has played football, his favorite, for four years.
Both are determined to qualify for this year’s state wrestling tournament and to perform well. They are hoping to qualify individually and would like to bring home a state championship title as a team.
Josh is the son of Wendy Richmond. Isaac is the son of Coach Walters and his wife, Shawn.
The deadline for the Elks Christmas Baskets was Monday.
However, Sara Darden, chairman for the annual effort, said those who still need a basket may call to request one. As of Monday, Ms. Darden said she had received 189 applications and would be able to take a few more names.
“I definitely have enough food for a few more baskets,” she said. “One of the reasons I do the deadline a week early is so I’m able to try to get more toys if I need them.”
Sara Darden, chairman for the Elks Christmas Baskets, says this year’s effort has gone smoothly thanks to the help of the community. Members of the public are invited to help assemble baskets and wrap presents Saturday.
Community members are invited to help the Elks assemble the baskets at 9 a.m. Saturday.
“I’d like to get all the work done in one day,” Ms. Darden said. “That is how it usually works. That way we don’t have to do any work on Sunday.”
Ms. Darden said she will need the most help from the community Saturday.
“On Friday, kids from the high school will come and unload all the food for me and build the boxes. People will be at the Elks Lodge before 9 a.m. on Saturday to set up the tables and boxes,” she said.
Volunteers are needed Saturday to put food in the boxes and to wrap and organize presents.
“It doesn’t sound like a lot of work, but it actually is,” Ms. Darden said.
Ms. Darden said once boxes are assembled she will label them and count them. She said no help is needed to distribute or deliver boxes Monday.
“I have people who do it every year that I rely on,” she said. “We also get repeat volunteers Saturday as well.”
She said the amount of support received so far for the effort this year has been outstanding.
“Not only have we received generous monetary donations, but we have received toys and stuff animals. It’s just been awesome,” Ms. Darden said. “We just have to get everything put together now.”
She said one exciting thing is Peet Shoe Dryer donated boxes for this year’s effort and will do the same for next year’s effort. Ms. Darden said that means she doesn’t have to worry about gathering boxes or using donations to purchase them if needed.
The effort has been ongoing for more than 25 years, she added. This was Ms. Darden’s first year leading the effort. She took over following her mother, Adie Darden, who headed the effort for many years.
“She has helped me this year too,” Ms. Darden said. “But I have also done quite a bit on my own. I really love doing it.”
She said the purpose of the Elks Christmas Baskets is to help those in need this Christmas season.
“It’s just to help those who can’t afford their own Christmas. Times are tough during this part of the year; people come up short and so we just want to try and help people out,” Ms. Darden said.
If a family or individual is still in need of a basket, call the Elks Lodge at 245-1418.
More than 300 pairs of pajamas have been sewn for area children.
Pat Davenport, of Grammies Jammies, said she only has 13 more pairs to finish before the pajamas are sorted and then distributed with the Elks Christmas Baskets.
This was the third year for the effort, Ms. Davenport said.
Pat Davenport, of Grammies Jammies, says the group has sewn more than 300 pairs of pajamas once again for area children. The pajamas will be distributed with the Elks Christmas Baskets.
“It went smoother this year than it had in years past because we knew what we were doing. We actually had 90 percent of the pajamas finished by July. The gals really outdid themselves last winter,” she said. “Lots of hands make light work for everyone.”
Those who helped Ms. Davenport with the effort this year were Cyndie Welch, Dorla Spicer, Carol Werner, Ellen Hinton, Wanda Wemhoff, Betty Jo Nichols, Christa Buell, Linda Baar and Carol Sherrard.
“I could never do this without them,” Ms. Davenport said.
The community is invited to help sort the pajamas at a pajama party at 4:30 p.m. Dec. 16 at the Federal Building basement conference room.
“It only takes around 30 minutes to sort the pajamas when we have help,” Ms. Davenport said.
Ms. Davenport said the effort to sew pajamas for next year is already underway. She said all the work is done at home by individuals who volunteer their time and experience. She added there is a need for people to stitch.
“We always try to break up the work,” Ms. Davenport said.
She added she is very happy with how the group has been able to sew more than 300 pair of pajamas since she organized the group three years ago.
“I hope it will continue,” she said. “The need is still there and so far the enthusiasm of the stitchers is still there.”
Those who are interested in helping sort pajamas, would like to donate or be involved in next year’s effort, or have additional questions can contact Mrs. Davenport at 245-2868 or 582-3530.
It’s a holiday tradition filled with sentiment.
The Hospice Tree of Memories is up at the Benewah County Courthouse, and ribbons can be purchased at the auditor’s office or at Hospice. The tree is decorated with the names of loved ones who have died and a memorial service is held each December; this year’s ceremony is Dec. 19.
Charlotte Applegate, Ginny Gaines, Connie Hanley and Jeanne Johnson put up the Benewah County Hospice Tree of Memories in the Courthouse each year.
The snow hit at the perfect time.
As we plan to kick off the holiday season with Christmas in St. Maries and Harrison’s Winterfest celebrations Saturday, the BetterCARE Christmas gala Sunday and the Church of the Nazarene’s community Christmas dinner Monday, the snow our area received overnight serves as the perfect backdrop to the season’s opening events.
And it all starts Saturday in St. Maries.
The annual Christmas in St. Maries event is from 1 to 5 p.m. and includes the Stroll on Main, wagon rides, pictures with Santa, craft fairs, a business decorating contest, fire pits and the lighted Christmas parade.
Sue Shoemaker invites everyone to celebrate the start of the Christmas season Saturday with the annual Christmas in St. Maries celebration. There will be activities all day long for individuals to enjoy.
If you’re in our area and just a bit northwest, head over to Harrison for their Winterfest celebration. Events begin with hot cocoa, cider and Christmas treats at 5:30 p.m. in city park. The tree lighting ceremony begins at 6 p.m. where small gifts will be distributed. Hayrides, live music, caroling, shopping and children’s crafts will follow.
Colton And Kimmy Galle and Teri and Rusty Riberich in front of the tree in the gazebo at city park. These four headed up decorating and organizing for the annual Harrison Winterfest celebration Saturday.
The BetterCARE Christmas Gala follows Sunday, and this year’s theme is an old fashioned Christmas. The eighth annual event will be from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Church of the Nazarene. Tickets are still available, cost $25 and include a buffet dinner and a chance to win a decorated Christmas tree, valued at more than $400. BetterCARE is the fundraising arm of Benewah Community Hospital, and since its inception in 1987, has raised more than $365,000 for the hospital.
Each hospital department has made a basket to be raffled off at BetterCARE’s annual Christmas Gala. The volunteer group at the hospital and the admitting department which includes Debbie Flach, Patti Wheeler, Sam Nelson, Gayle Larson, Inga McCarter and Justine Juarex put the pictured basket together. Others who worked on it but are not pictured were Connie McCalman and Margaret Ann Brookhart. The Gala is Sunday.
And on Monday a group of volunteers hopes to feed a community – for free.
Last year 42 pounds of stuffing, 115 turkeys and 70 pies fed 501 people at the St. Maries Church of the Nazarene’s Community Christmas Dinner. This year’s meal will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Dec. 8 at the Eagles Lodge in St. Maries. The first dinner was served in 1991, and it has been an annual event ever since.
Some of those who have helped for many years with the St. Maries Church of the Nazarene’s Community Christmas Dinner are Lynne Marquardt, Connie Mueller, Don Mueller, Rita Mueller, Martha Gunther, Edgar Marquardt and Bert Miller. The annual dinner, which is free, is Monday, Dec. 8.
