The new pond at the sportsman’s access site has been named after a local Fish and Game officer.
The site, which is located a mile south of St. Maries on State 3, has reopened to the public. It was closed while undergoing renovations, including the installation of a one-acre fishing pond. That pond is being called Spicer Pond, named after the late Dave Spicer.
Mr. Spicer died July 29, 2013 of a rare type of cancer. He accepted a position with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game in 1990 after moving to Post Falls. He worked as a wildlife biologist. Mr. Spicer and his family moved to St. Maries in 1998 where he continued to work with the department.
The new pond at the St. Maries Sportsman Access Site has been named after Dave Spicer, who died last year. Mr. Spicer was an officer with the Idaho Fish & Game. Yvonne Spicer holds a picture of her late husband. She said he enjoyed his work and the area.
Mr. Spicer’s widow, Yvonne, said she had no idea that Fish and Game planned to name the pond after her husband.
“I was completely surprised,” she said. “It was heartwarming.”
Mrs. Spicer said when her husband worked for the department the other employees were more than just co-workers, they were family. She said the random carts of kindness from the St. Maries community and his Fish and Game co-workers were appreciated during her husband’s illness.
Spicer Pond is expected to be stocked next spring. Other improvements at the site included the installation of some picnic tables and a vault toilet. The project cost approximately $260,000. It was paid for by the Fish and Game Department and Avista, as part of the utilities’ agreement for the licensing of the Post Falls Dam.
They will do it again this Sunday, July 13.
Mary Bedwell and Bill Fletcher invite everyone to attend the Benewah Valley Association’s Old Timers Picnic Sunday, July 13.
The annual Benewah Valley Association’s Old Timers Picnic starts at 11 a.m. at the Benewah Valley Community Center with the parade. The center is located 11.5 miles up Benewah Creek Road.
Following the parade, a potluck lunch will be served. Those who attend the picnic are asked to bring a dish to share. Turkey and ham is provided. Children’s games and a horseshoe tournament will take place in the afternoon, following the feast. A live auction is also planned.
A raffle will be held, with the winning ticket being drawn for a 6′ by 10′ playhouse. Tickets for the raffle are available at Harvest Foods and AmericanWest Bank. They will also be available during the picnic.
If you were in the area over the holiday weekend, you probably saw lots of celebration, lots of parties and, of course, plenty of fireworks. We know how to unwind, that’s for sure.
But if you got up early the next day, you might notice that much of St. Maries didn’t miss a beat because there was still work to be done, fields to be harvested and shops to be opened.
A man loads his truck with bails of hay Saturday, July 5 during the 2014 harvest.
Here in St. Maries, we work hard in order to play hard because we know that, especially in the summer months, we have a short amount of time to get that play in. And right now we’re working extra hard because a new summer staple is coming up, the fifth annual Summer Sucks Grass Drags event is July 19 and 20.
A favorite among locals and visitors alike, the Summer Sucks Grass Drags feature snowmobile racing in July and is just the type of event one would expect to find featured in St. Maries.
Tyson Haynes (#92) and Marnie Henrie (#23) go sled to sled in this heat as the crowd watches in the background during the 2013 Summer Sucks Grass Drags.
We want to show you lots of stuff, actually, but what we’re most interested in introducing you to – today, at least – are our Main Avenue attractions, our stores.
But we want to do more than just show you around downtown St. Maries, we want you to get to know us, which is why we have created a sister site to this one in Show Me St. Maries.
The Renaldo family is the driving force behind Renaldo Land Surveying in St. Maries, Idaho.
Show Me is a place to learn more about us, read our stories and get an idea as to what makes us tick. As you already know from reading through these pages, our people put on lots of events throughout the year. One thing that might not be evident, though, is that a big part of the reason those events take place is because of the generosity of local businesses. Community events wouldn’t be possible without donations. And those donations, more often than not, come from St. Maries businesses.
Take some time and browse through the pages of Show Me St. Maries, and the next time you’re in town, stop by the storefronts.
Fish out a rod and reel.
The Elks 6th Annual Fishing Derby, hosted by Felton’s Auto Sales, is Saturday, June 28.
Children 12 and younger may participate for free. 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 Friday, June 28.
Jim McCuaig invites area children and adults to participate in the 6th Annual Elks Fishing Derby Saturday. Friday will be the last day for those who want to participate to get tickets. The event is free for children 12 and younger. All others pay $10.
“You have to get your tickets prior to the day of the event,” Jim McCuaig, exalted ruler of the Elks, said. “Everyone must have a ticket.”
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.
“When we first started we had about 15 kids and then last year we had more than 70,” Mr. McCuaig said. “The kids always have fun and that’s what it is about. It’s neat because the whole family can get together and come to this event including parents and grandparents. It’s always a lot of fun.”
Half of the proceeds from ticket sales will go toward cash prizes for winners of each category. Mr. Felton also donates money for prize winners which is then added to the money collected from ticket sales, Mr. McCuaig said. He said the other of half of the proceeds from ticket sales will benefit the Elks Lodge.
“We have one winner in each of the five categories for both kids and the adults,” Mr. McCuaig said. “I think each winner got between $50 and $60 last year.”
Mr. McCuaig said adults are encouraged to participate because it really supports the rest of the event.
He reminds people that the longest fish, not the heaviest wins. Fish will be measured from 4 to 5 p.m. in the parking lot at the Elks Lodge. Participants keep their fish. Barbecued hamburgers, hotdogs and all the fixings will be served. The cost is $5 per person.
The awards ceremony will follow at 5:30 p.m.
Mr. McCuaig said there will also be different raffles. Everyone who enters the derby will receive a raffle ticket. It will either be placed in the children raffle or the adult raffle. Tickets are sold for a third raffle.
Prizes for adults include gift certificates to area businesses including Fast Eddie’s and Hughes Ace Hardware, Casa De Oro, and the St. Joe Lodge. Other items include sporting good items, towels, blankets and more. Prizes for children include rods and reels, tackle boxes and more.
“People from St. Maries and the businesses here are so good about provide prizes and raffle items,” Mr. McCuaig said.
Cabelas also donated 50 rods and reels for adults and children. Mr. McCuaig said they also donate something every year for the event.
“We definitely have more prizes for the kids. We really try to make sure every kid leaves with something,” Mr. McCuaig said. “So far, we have been able to do that.”
Mr. McCuaig said he enjoys the event every year and is again looking forward to this year’s derby.
“I’m just hoping for a big turnout again,” he said.
