St. Maries, Idaho – Hidden Jewel of the Gem State

Calling all bibliophiles! Whether you’re looking to fill your own shelves or start Christmas shopping for fellow book lovers, you’re going to want to check out what’s going on tomorrow because, even though Halloween is over, the St. Maries Public Library is still handing out goodies.

The annual St. Maries Library book sale is back for its ninth year, and volunteers expect it to be bigger and better.

The Friends of the St. Maries Library, the group that supports the library, organizes the sale in November each year. Over the year people donate books from all genres, and they are organized and stored in the basement for the big sale. The most popular category is fiction novels; in fact, the library has collected more than 25 boxes of fiction books this year.

Friends of the St. Maries Library members Linda Foxworth and Rhonda Bifford worked on organizing books for the annual book sale Nov. 2.

Hardback books will cost $1, paperbacks 25-cents and children’s books 10-cents. This year’s sale is from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. tomorrow – Saturday, Nov. 2. The event usually raises between $1,200 and $1,500; the money goes to support library supplies resources and programs. Last year the group used the money to pay for The Traveling Lantern, an Idaho Theatre for Youth program that was brought to the elementary school. The money also helps pay for the Harvest Festival each year.

Leftover books will continue to be available for sale during regular library hours. Shoppers are encouraged to bring a grocery bag. For more information, feel free to call the St. Maries Library at 208-245-3732.

An overflow crowd attended the dedication of the Benewah County Veteran’s Memorial Oct. 19 at Woodlawn Cemetery.

The following is the text of the remarks made by Jack Botts at the ceremony. Mr. Botts was chairman of the committee that spearheaded the effort to build the memorial. Jim Shubert, Bill Caswell, Candy Pugh and Helen Kevo are the other members of the memorial committee.

Dedicated to all who served

October 19, 2013

The memorial committee and all of those involved in the creation of this tribute to our veterans thank you for your attendance here today. We appreciate the participation by the Plummer American Legion Post, John Wheaton, commander; the St. Maries Lloyd G. McCarter Post, Jim Shubert, commander; and the Marine Corps League from Coeur d’Alene commanded by Jim Flowers.

Jack Botts, the chairman of the Benewah County Veterans' Memorial committee, said a few words during the monument dedication ceremony Saturday afternoon at Woodlawn Cemetery in St. Maries.

I believe that in the heart of every American there is a special place reserved for our veterans and what they have given to all of us. The need to express our thanks in a tangible manner began to be discussed by a few local individuals over 10 years ago. In 2003, John Welz, who was always active in helping veterans, was asked to obtain a listing of war time casualties from this area. That list consisted of 27 names. That was the beginning. We began to gather ideas for a permanent memorial in St. Maries. Dan Hammes was an enthusiastic supporter of the project and gave great suggestions and encouragement. I have to thank Dan Hammes at this venue because he will never let me put it in print. For various reasons, real plans and committee work never got underway until early in 2012.

Everyone agreed that the need for this memorial was long overdue. One only has to walk through Woodlawn Cemetery and view the rows and rows of bronze markers and marble headstones that our government provides to veterans, to realize and be saddened that we have waited too long to thank them with their own memorial.

The committee’s primary goal was to honor the service of all veterans regardless of when and where they served. This was not to be a “War Memorial” rather a “Veterans’ Memorial.” We also wanted to include the US Merchant Marine which has frequently been slighted or forgotten.
The center monument is the All Veterans part of the memorial. There is no list of individuals veterans who have served. There were simply too many names to attempt to gather and many would have been missed. This monument IS for ALL VETERANS. There is a special plaque to recognize Disabled Veterans. We also wanted to pay tribute to those who endured the wars, conflicts and separations from loved ones on the home front. Benewah County residents have an exemplary record for the past 95 years of providing the support necessary to sustain those who serve.
We decided that our list of war casualties would include all those who died while on active duty during a time that this country was involved in a conflict. Our research and your calls and letters produced many additional names to add to the original list of 27. The memorial today has the names of 62 men from this county or surrounding area who died while serving. Their memorial stands as a solemn reminder of the true price of freedom.

George Pfeifer and Terry Murray served on the colorguard.

We were very privileged to get to honor three Medal of Honor heroes. One of these heroes was a native son and the other two had very strong ties to St. Maries. To have the opportunity to create a lasting memorial to these three men was a very special privilege for all concerned.
The components and general layout of the of the memorial were established early on and the earliest sketches look very much like the finished product. We asked Terry Mourning, a Spokane architect, with ties to St. Maries, to adapt our plans to the site. He also made several suggestions which contributed a great deal to the overall visual effect.

The next phase was asking for your help in building “the dream.” The response was phenomenal and as the project developed it began to take on a life of its own – as expressed by one of our committee members. We broke ground five months ago and since then there has been generous assistance given in every phase of the construction. There are simply way too many people to include in the brief remarks I will make today. We are planning a special appreciation day event soon to acknowledge all the efforts of our volunteers and contributors.

There are however, three men whom I must tell you are largely responsible for the physical construction of what you have before you.
In the Navy he was a Chief Petty Officer, in civilian life he was a Fire Chief and as a memorial committee co-chairman he became “Chief Engineer.” Jim Shubert’s skills in design work and experience in construction combined with his passion for detail and “doing it right” have been invaluable throughout the construction. Jim also spent countless hours doing the tiring, physical labor required from day to day. Jim did whatever needed to be done.

We were very fortunate that Randy Nold came to us and volunteer to do the concrete work. He has spent the past five months fully committed to creating this memorial. Randy has labored in every extreme of weather, often alone, to advance this project. The hundreds of hours that Randy gave to this memorial were in addition to operating his own private business. I cannot begin to express to you how hard he has worked for all of us. He has truly gone above and beyond. Randy – if this project didn’t burn you out on volunteering then nothing ever will.

Jeremy Buell designed and constructed the three monuments and they are much more than mere stone columns. He developed a special feeling for this project and it was reflected in the design and construction of these three monuments. Each one posed special challenges and he had the expertise and enthusiasm to solve each problem that we encountered.

Please give these three your applause.

Work on the memorial is not finished. Guard rails on the short wall will be installed, six bronze plaques will be placed behind their respective service flags, and the perimeter and parking area will receive additional attention. We have always planned for a permanent Flag Replacement & Maintenance Fund to insure that this memorial is maintained properly.

A special Memorial Remembrance book will be assembled to record your names and those whom you asked to be remembered with your contributions. We will develop a place where the names of any veteran can be recorded. This registry will eventually offer the convenience of online entry.

Your generous support of this memorial has allowed us to pay all the bills and we will have a balance left to fund the work remaining and maintain this memorial.

I know I speak for the entire memorial committee when I say what a privilege it has been to be a part of this grand salute to our veterans. Jeremy Buell commented that to be a part of something like this is a once in a lifetime experience. I couldn’t agree more.

Retired Marine Harold Wadley, a decorated Korea and Vietnam veteran, also participated in the ceremony. He was previously presented the Silver Star at a veterans' memorial ceremony in St. Maries.

I have covered the who, what, when, where and how of this Veterans’ Memorial. We hope that current and future veterans will visit this place and realize that we cared enough to build it as our way of thanking them. If they leave this place and that “thank you” transfers from that special place in our hearts to theirs, then we will know WHY we built it.

In conclusion I would ask something of each of you. As you visit this memorial or drive past and gaze upon it: think of this message that I recently read that is so appropriate.

Remember that: “Our flag does not fly because the wind blows it. It flies with the last breath of each soldier that dies protecting it.”

Thank you very much.

Retired Air Force veteran Master Sergeant Harve Balbi salutes during the flag ceremony.

Because Halloween is about more than just candy – and is for more than just the kids – we have turned it into a more than just one-day event.

For us, the holiday starts tomorrow.

Between indoor trick-or-treating at Benewah Community Hospital, a PTO carnival at Heyburn Elementary, downtown businesses open late to offer screaming good deals (think: early Christmas shopping) and even a couple haunted runs planned, this Halloween celebration has something for all ages.

Halloween Fright Night at Benewah Community Hospital kicks of area festivities Oct. 25. The event is free and open to the public from 5 tp 7 p.m.

After treating the kids to some fun at the hospital’s fright night, treat yourself to some deals downtown for Moonlight Madness, that same evening – Oct. 25 – from 7-10 p.m. Several area retailers will be open late, all of which will offer scary good deals (sorry, I had to) on nearly all of their inventory.

Enjoy running and/or walking and want to burn off some of the candy you stole from your kids’ trick-or-treating buckets? Join the Zombie Run Oct. 25 at Cherry Bend. The fun run starts at 6:30, the cost is $10 plus a can of food for the St. Maries Food Bank, and comes with a fun zombification makeover (that process starts at 4 p.m.).

Looking for more fun opportunities for the kiddos? We’ve got you covered. All. Week. Long.

The Heyburn PTO will have its annual Harvest Festival from 4 to 7 p.m. Oct. 26 at the elementary school gymnasium. Activities planned include a costume and pumpkin carving contests, bouncy house, cake walk, bingo, mini-golf, children’s games and prizes and pizza for dinner. This year’s game will include Monster Mash and Candy Corn Relay.

Vice President of Heyburn PTO Staci Yehle is heading the organization efforts for this year's Heyburn PTO's Harvest Festival. Candy donation collection bins have been placed at grocery stores in St. Maries.

One hundred years after receiving its charter, members of the St. Maries Eagles Lodge continue to exemplify their motto: People Helping People.

the group will celebrate its history of accomplishment with a steak dinner Friday. Though much has changed over the years, members remain dedicated to their mission. It is safe to say that the local lodge has helped raise more than $1 million for local and national charities since its inception in 1913, said Dale Hill, who serves as secretary for the local lodge and treasurer for the district and state organization.

“It is not uncommon to see more than $20,000 raised in a single night during a benefit function at the lodge,” Mr. Hill said. “In the last 20 years I bet we have had over a quarter-of-a-million raised for the community through the Eagles.”

Local Eagles officers include (front) Aerie secretary and District 3 and State treasurer Dale Hill, trustee Gordon Hutchison, past president Al Townsend, (from left standing) auxiliary District 3 chaplain Jan Doherty, past president Shirley Dugger, conductor Lou Epler, trustee Billie Machado, secretary Juanita Jack, trustee Patty Boggs, and Aerie past president Randy Nold, trustee Don Eckman, inside guard Duffer Michael, president Jeff Hickman, vice president Cathy Valley, chaplain John Darden and District 3 past president Greg Doherty.

The Fraternal Order Eagles Aerie was started in St. Maries with 70 charter members. The women’s chapter (Auxiliary) formed in 1927 with 50 charter members. Meetings were first conducted in the old Skelton Hall on the waterfront, then moved to Woodmen’s Hall until the structure was destroyed by fire in 1934. The organization met in a room above what is now Two Rivers Realty until they were able to dedicate their own building in 1949.

Membership has fluctuated over the years, beginning as high as 600 in 1949. Currently the Aerie has 227, and the Auxiliary has 189 members.

Eagles Auxiliary members Margaret Holstein, Esther English, Audra Swofford, Ruby Toland and Jerry Justus in the late 1960s.

As is evident based on the amount of money raised throughout the years, the lodge’s reputation for assistance precedes itself. And the Auxiliary provides charity of another sort.

The women’s group provides funeral dinners for members and their families, blankets to victims of house fires, donates to Wigs for Kids and sponsors the blood mobile visit four times each year.

Auxiliary members Alma Gosser pins Ruby Toland.

Leaders within the organization hope to attract more participation from young people and families, those who will carry on the legacy of loving the community. Despite dwindling participation, the lodge continues to donate to several national charities each year and supports various community projects.

Friday’s dinner begins at 5 p.m., costs $15 and is open to the community.

A year’s worth of work will be unveiled at the Benewah County Veterans’ Memorial Saturday, Oct. 19.

The dedication ceremony starts at 1 p.m. at Woodlawn Cemetery in St. Maries. Ample parking will be available on the south side of the memorial. Traffic flow will be directed around the perimeter of the cemetery, Jack Botts said.

Those who do not wish to park at the cemetery will be able to park at the Benewah County Fairgrounds.

“Valley Vista will be running a shuttle bus from the fairgrounds to the cemetery starting at noon,” Mr. Botts said. “It will also operate after the ceremony.”

Chairs and bleachers will be set up to accommodate those who attend. However, Mr. Botts said it might not be a bad idea for people to bring a folding chair just in case.

The effort to build the memorial officially launched last year at the end of October. Since then, residents and businesses have rallied to support the project. It’s the community effort, Mr. Botts said, that has made the Benewah County Veterans’ Memorial a reality.

Steve Hartman, city crew members Candi Schiermeister, John Parker and Marla Schauls, and Jim Shubert have spent time working on the veterans' memorial in preparation for Saturday's dedication ceremony. The event starts at 1 p.m.

The committee had planned to have Tom Hammes speak at the ceremony, but Mr. Hammes’ trip was cancelled. Mr. Botts said retired Lt. Colonel Myron Hodgson will speak briefly.

Mr. Hodgson grew up in the Benewah Valley and graduated from Cheney High School. He was an outstanding athlete in both high school and college. He served 23 years in the Air Force before he retired in 1980. He currently lives in the Spokane area.

The St. Maries Community Band and Chorus will perform throughout the dedication ceremony. Dan Felton has agreed to be the master of ceremonies.

Work continues on the veterans' memorial as volunteers prepare for Saturday's dedication ceremony.

Many past and present veterans will be involved in the special flag raising ceremony. There will be an unveiling of three monuments by various groups of individuals who have been selected because of their history and connections to the monuments. Chaplain Tim Hall will do the invocation and benediction at the ceremony.

Mr. Botts said he expects the ceremony to last an hour. There will be a reception to follow at the Elks’ Lodge. Dessert as well as a beverage will be served.

“We’re very excited,” Mr. Botts said of the approaching dedication. “All the pieces are coming together, and I’m anxious to see all those flags flying.”