Even though we – and the rest of the country – are getting pummeled with new snow, we’re already starting to think about our spring and summer events.
In fact, planning is already underway for the 2014 Race the Joe! jet boat race, now an annual event, that will be held over Memorial Day weekend (May 23-25). Additionally the organizational committee is meeting to begin planning the annual St. Joe River Marathon, Half Marathon & 5K, which will be June 7 and 8 this year.
And it seems that the Paul Bunyan Days committee is working year-round. The event that has been the summer staple of our town for decades is loaded with tons of events that are surprisingly managed by just a few dedicated members of our community.
But since it is snowing – and if snow is more your thing – well, we’ve got you covered there too.
The St. Joe Snowriders is a local philanthropic group of thrill seekers, and its season is just getting started. Around late-January the annual Breast Cancer Benefit Ride is organized and run – so it appears this latest douse of snow has come at the perfect time.
Whatever your season, though, I think it’s pretty clear that there’s always something to do or see here.
If Jayson Bentcik wasn’t in a desk on the first day of school, chances are you’d find him in the woods.
“Me and my buddy Vern were always out the opening day of whitetail season. We’d skip the first day of school to go hunting,” he said.
Jayson Bentcik, a 2001 graduate of St. Maries High School, has turned his passion for archery and hunting into a career. Mr. Bentcik works for Victory Archery in San Diego, Calif. and is working to start his own company as well.
Mr. Bentcik has always had a passion for the outdoors and has especially enjoyed archery and hunting. Through hard work, dedication and study he built a career out of his passion. He said he encourages young people in school to pursue a career in a field for which they are passionate. He said it will take hard work, but will be worth it in the end.
“I didn’t start out where I wanted to be. It took hard work and networking. Networking is a big deal and it really helps to get your foot in the door,” he said. “Keep your nose down and head high. Stick to the grindstone and make it happen.”
Mr. Bentcik started shooting a bow when he was four years old. Not only did he use it to hunt, but he shot competitively as well.
“I still remember my first bow. It was an old 20-pound bear bow and you just shot off the handle of your riser. It started from there and literally became an obsession,” he said. “I grew up hunting and fishing and absolutely loved it. I grew up watching hunting and fishing on television and had always wanted to be on TV and be the host and own my own sporting goods store.”
However, after Mr. Bentcik graduated from St. Maries High School in 2001, he chose a completely different path when he started school at the University of Idaho. He decided to pursue a career as a pharmacist.
“My dad didn’t necessarily push it on me, but he recommended it. He knew I could make money there and wouldn’t have to bust my hump to do it,” Mr. Bentcik said. “Going into college I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do, and pharmacy sounded interesting so I thought I might give it a try.”
A couple years into it, Mr. Bentcik knew his chosen career path wasn’t for him. He said he changed his major several times from fire ecology, to forestry to natural resources to education. He eventually ended up in business.
“Once I started in business, I knew I wanted to have a management background,” he said. “There wasn’t any kind of emphasis in management. There was human resource management, and I actually ended up finding out that’s what I liked.”
Mr. Bentcik graduated from Gonzaga University in 2006. Following college, he worked as the manager of Sportsmen’s Warehouse in Coeur d’Alene and was later transferred to Medford, Oregon. He and his wife, Jennifer, were married in 2009 and the couple decided to reside in San Diego.
“Once I got married, I wanted to be with her and I figured since she was making more money than I was I should just move,” he said.
Without a job, Mr. Bentcik visited Performance Archery to see if there were any open positions.
“I had known the owner from my time with Sportsmen’s Warehouse. I told him I had a background in archery and unfortunately he had just hired a guy a week ago. But he said he would keep me in mind.” Two days later, Mr. Bentcik’s networking paid off. He learned about a job with Victory Archery.
“That’s how it all started. I called the general manager and had an interview and two hours later he offered me the job,” Mr. Bentcik said.
The company, which is in its seventh year, is fairly new, Mr. Bentcik said, but sales are growing each year. His official title with Victory Archery is senior technical sales representative and specialties coordinator.
“That’s my title, but I wear a lot of hats,” he said. Mr. Bentcik is involved in the marketing, production and sales of the company’s carbon arrows. As part of that he is taking orders and interacting with clients. For three months of the year, he is traveling across the United States and to other countries to trade shows.
“In the last three weeks, I’ve been to Canada, Wisconsin and Kentucky,” he said. “I’ll be going to show in Nashville, Tennessee and then to Australia next month. I’ll also be traveling to Dallas and Reno.”
Mr. Bentcik said he enjoys working with clients and striving to meet their needs.
“Eventually they aren’t your customer anymore, they’re your friend. I like taking care of them and really enjoy the sales side of my job.”
When he was in high school, Mr. Bentcik said he could only dream about getting paid to go hunting. Today, it’s reality.
“Entertaining clients goes along with the job and so we will go on hunting trips. I’m getting paid to hunt and fish. How can you not like that? My last big hunting trip was in Hawaii and we hunted two different islands for a week straight.”
Mr. Bentick has also had the opportunity to be in front of the camera as well. He said outdoor networks are often at the trade shows and go around to interview those companies who have booths.
“I also appeared on American Archer, which is a nationally televised show, with Tom Nelson. That was on an antelope hunt in Wyoming and he and I both killed antelopes on film and it was fully televised.”
In addition, Mr. Bentcik is also working to launch his own line of archery equipment through his newly formed company 365 Archery.
“I have my own patent pending designs and have been very busy,” he said. “But when you’re doing something you have a passion for, it doesn’t feel like you’ve worked a day in your life.”
Jayson is the son of Jay Bentcik and Denise Bentcik-Foster. He and his wife are expecting their first child next year. They reside in San Diego, Calif.
There are lots of ways to experience St. Maries.
You can explore her trails, waterways or courses; you can lose yourself in her surrounding wilderness; or you can get to know the people, members of the community and the shopkeepers.
To be able to tell their stories, we’ve created a new page – an offshoot of this one – Show Me St. Maries, and we urge you to take a second to glance through it to read about your friends and neighbors and all the work they do to not just keep their business running but St. Maries chugging along as well.
We told you about this exciting new site in an earlier post, and since then have added a few new businesses, so be sure to click around a bit to read everyone’s story.
Grab a cup of coffee and click here:
You’ll be glad you did.
The students in Lisa Andersen’s third grade class at Heyburn Elementary wrote letters to Santa earlier this month. The originals were mailed to the jolly red elf at the North Pole, of course, but Mrs. Andersen shared copies with the Gazette Record and reprinted with permission here.
Students in Lisa Andersen’s third grade class at Heyburn include Allison Cilburn, Kyler Jackson, Trace Wicks, Kolby Burton, Greyson Sands, Lexi Chappell, Rae McDonald, Dayton Hegge, Lance Hamblin (back) McKayla Spray, Caden Fitzgerald, Ricky Nelson, Kyra Wine, Taci Watkins, Darriene Todd, Alexa Hammack, Sarah Spence and Kyle Renfro.
DEAR SANTA …
Dear Santa and Rudolph,
Do the reindeer sleep in a stable or with the elves in the North Pole where they make toys? Are all elves short or tall? How many elves are there in the North Pole? How old are you?
I’m 8 years old. What I want for Christmas is a lego set for girls. Can I have a lot of candy and presents? Merry Christmas!!!!
Does Rudolph like carrots? I’ll put out some cookies and milk and some carrots.
Sincerely,
Lexi Chappell
****
Dear Santa,
Is it very cold at the North Pole?
Sometimes I act a little crazy, but I am not on the naughty list. And, by the way, how can you deliver so many presents? And eat so many cookies! All I want for Christmas are king size M and Ms! Oh and one more thing is, I would like to have an elf of one of yours if you don’t mind. How old are you? I’m 9 years old.
Sincerely,
Allison Cliburn
****
Dear Santa,
How many elves do you have? What do you do when one reindeer is hurt? How do you eat all the cookies? Do you travel with the Earth’s rotation so it is all ways night so you can deliver all the presents?
Do you have a Christmas tree? Don’t worry I’m going to make a toy list and please write back. I will write more questions on my other toy list.
Your friend,
Caden Fitzgerald
****
Dear Santa,
My dream presents are iPad, Kindle Fire, mp3 player. And can one elf give me a present? Hope you like your cookies and milk. And will you give Rudolph his carrots and tell him it’s from Alexa? And will you tell him to give me a present. Because I love him. And I will give him a present too!
From,
Alexa Nichol Hammack
****
Dear Santa and Prancer,
Is everything good and the North Pole? So are you stuffed from cookies? So what I want for Christmas is a Kindlefire. I want the temple of lights set. I want a Xbox 360. I want a iPod too. I want lego Indiana Jones the video game and a phone. So is Rudolph okay? Can I have a elf on the shelf too?
Love,
Kyle Renfro
P.S. I want a dirt bike too!
****
Dear Santa and Rudolph,
Tell your elves I said hi. Can you give me lots of candy? Give me lots of presents. Does Rudy have magic? Is it cold in the North Pole? Am I on the list?
Love,
Kyra Wine
****
Dear Santa,
What I want is Angry Bird books and sky landers. Santa, how do you eat all those cookies? How many elves do you have? Out of all your reindeer, I like Rudolph. Santa, you are a good man. Is your friend God?
Merr Christmas. You friend,
Dayton Hegge
P.S. I know you have a son named Arthur!
P.S.S. I should have said “May I.”
****
Dear Santa,
How many elves do you have? Do you get cold? How can you get to every house in one night? Could you give me a elf? What kind of cookies do you like? Could I get a lizard that can change colors and a watch that can tell the day, time people and the time.
Your friend,
Kyler Jackson
****
Dear Santa and Mrs. Claus,
May I have some trucks please? I will leave some cookies for you. Be sure you give some to your reindeer! I will leave milk. How many elves do you have at the North Pole? How many reindeer do you have?
From,
Ricky Nelson
****
Dear Santa,
First, thanks for Elfie. I like his smile, his cheeks are as rosy red as yours. Tell Elfie I said hi.
How many elf brothers and elf sisters does Elfie have? Elfie is so good at staying still. He won’t even blink! I’m going to miss my elf, Elfie. But I’ll see him next year. After all, he will keep you company after you get back from Christmas. You’ll be as tired as a dog.
If you have enough time, for Christmas I would like a white Zoomer dog please. Do you ever get tired of cookies? Do you ever get sick from all those cookies? You better brush your teeth good!!
Well, tell everyone at the North Pole I said hi!
Love your friend,
Taci Watkins
****
Dear Santa,
Do you have any backup reindeer? How many elves do you have? Do you travel with the rotation of the earth? Can I have NBA2K14 please?
Sincerely,
Greyson Sands
****
Dear Santa,
I know what I want for Christmas. I would like a giant stuffed animal penguin and a plasma car! I hope I get an elf this year. Do you like cupcakes or cookies? Does Rudolph like celery or carrots? And do you want milk? Does Rudolph like milk or juice? And maybe a tiny present from Rudolph. Will you give my dogs a present please? Do you like hot cocoa?
You friend,
Sarah Spence
Merry Christmas!
P.S.
Keep an eye on my brother Jacob!
****
Dear Santa,
Hi my name is McKayla. Do you like it in the North Pole? Are the elfs fun? I think they would be fun to play with! Can you give me a Kindle Fire please? Do you like cookies? I don’t like them, I love them! Can you deliver to my Dad’s house please, and a puppy. I would like a black lab or a Jack Russell cocker spaniel mix. Those are my favorite animals besides a horse or leopard.
Love you Santa! Tell Rudolph I love him too!
McKayla Lynne Spray
****
Dear Santa,
I want more rubber bands and could you leave an elf if you don’t mind.
How do you deliver presents in one night? About the elf, one thing is that I bet they work hard!
Well I know that you work hard so I should make a short letter. Have a good Christmas!
Your friend,
Darriene Lee Ann Todd
****
Dear Santa and Rudolph,
Do you have a wife? I think you are the best in the world. How cold is it in the North Pole? Can you give me a iPod please. Can you give me a snow cat and a dirt bike pretty please? May you get me a Xbox please? Can you get me an elf … May you get me a light BMX bike?
Please get me all the stuff I ask for. Can you get me somme tools to build a fort in a tree! Please?
Love,
Trace Wicks
Several local musicians will perform for the community this weekend.
The St. Maries community band and choir will perform their third annual joint concert at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21, at the Eagles Lodge. The choir will then perform their third annual Christmas cantata at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 22, at the Presbyterian Community Church. Both concerts are free.
Jim Broyles directs the choir and Mike Noyes directs the band. They expect the joint concert to last an hour and a half. The cantata will last an hour. Neither concert will include a church service.
Mike Noyes and Jim Broyles will conduct the joint Community Band and Chorus concert at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21.
Though they have their responsibilities to direct, Mr. Noyes makes time to sing in the choir and Mr. Broyles makes time to play in the band.
“And we’re both always looking for more people,” Mr. Broyles said.
The choir has 35 members and 18 individuals play in the band. Together, they will perform three selections at the joint concert Saturday. The band and choir will each perform five selections separately.
“The reason I really like it is because you get to hear 50 or more musicians performing at the same time,” Mr. Broyles said of the joint concert. “You don’t get to hear that all that often especially in a small community.”
“I just enjoy bringing music to the community,” Mr. Noyes said. “And you will get to hear different dimensions of music. It’s just going to be a nice, relaxed evening of holiday music.”
Mr. Noyes said the audience can expect to hear some songs they’ve heard in the past, but promises a new twist.
“They are always different because of the instrumentations,” he said.
Members of both the choir and the band include a variety of individuals including those who are still in high school as well as those who have retired.
“The most fun for me is the choir keeps growing and keeps improving,” Mr. Broyles said. “It’s not the same choir we started with three years ago.”
Three hundred people attended the first joint concert, Mr. Noyes said.
“It was a bit smaller last year. We had about 200 people that attended,” he said. “People have a desire to hear holiday music and I think that’s why it does so well.”
“It’s a way to start the holiday,” Mr. Broyles said.
At the cantata Sunday, three selections will be performed from King of Kings. The community will also have a chance to sing along with the choir.
