The question, of course, is rhetorical. Mainly because you don’t have to sign up, but also because you shouldn’t even be asking it in the first place.
You should be on your way here already.
Though a bit chilly, the weather is going to be lovely this weekend. Even as I type this, the sun is peeking through the fog as it’s lifting from our mountains, exposing red and yellow tree tips. Even Mother Nature wants you to celebrate with us.
Jeff Baker and Nancy Heim have been long-time helpers in the organization of an art festival in St. Maries. This year's event, the ST. Maries ARts, Music and Brews Festival, will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at Aqua Park.
The St. Maries Council for the Arts presents one last community celebration before cold weather sets in.
The inaugural St. Maries Arts, Music and Brews Festival is Sunday, Sept. 29, at Aqua Park. The festival features art vendors, musical performances, food and brews. Art vendors include both local and regional artisans with handmade items ranging from jewelry, redneck wine glasses, children’s accessories, tie-dye creations, concrete yard art, wood work, handmade soaps, lotions and candles, stained glass, photography and pottery.
And the musical lineup is just as impressive, starting with a set from local graduate Ben Whipple, a young country/western songwriter from Harrison Flats. PJ Destiny and Bill Fletcher, two well known local musicians who have played music professionally for more than 30 years will follow. Next in the lineup is the Acuff Sherfey Duo, who comes from the Spokane area, followed by The Jam Band.
In addition to the art and music, there will be food and beverage vendors and a children’s art booth and a silent art auction.
The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. We suggest you arrive early to, perhaps, check out some downtown shops and enjoy the scenery.
The St. Maries American Legion Post plans to dedicate the Benewah County Veterans’ Memorial in just a few weeks. But if you’ve been following this story, you know that this memorial has been months – and tens of thousands of contributed dollars – in the making.
More than $65,000 has been donated to the project since fundraising began last year.
Construction began in mid-May and is being completed at the memorial site at Woodlawn Cemetery in St. Maries. The dedication ceremony will be October 19.
Jeremy Buell and Randy Nold donated their time to construction of the Benewah County Veterans' Memorial, which is expected to be completed this month. A dedication ceremony has been set for Oct. 19.
The Veterans’ Memorial will include nine flag poles arranged on two levels. Upon each of the lower poles will fly a service flag, which will include one for the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard and Merchant Marine. The Idaho, United States and POW/MIA flags will fly on the upper level. The U.S. flag will be on a 30 foot pole. Each pole will have a bronze service emblem attached to it and be illuminated at night.
In addition to the poles, the memorial will include an arched wall that will embrace three separate memorial monuments: one for all veterans, a second for local Medal of Honor recipients and a third for fallen soldiers.
Sounds beautiful, no?
Perhaps even lovelier is the fact that the entire project has been funded and constructed by donated money and volunteer time.
The site is located at the north end of the Fourth Addition and can easily be seen from State 5.
Okay, so the post title is a bit of a stretch, but that doesn’t make it any less true. Figuratively, at least. Local libraries and the community outreach they provide are vital to large cities and small towns alike.
Maybe especially the small towns.
Take ours, for example. The St. Maries Public Library offers gobs of kid- and family-oriented events throughout the year, including its weekly mainstay, story hour. The hour-long activity is every Tuesday from 10 – 11 a.m. and includes a few stories read aloud, snacks and a craft or two. Kids love it and parents appreciate it.
Area children enjoyed the one-hour program "Music With Miriam" at the St. Maries Public Library July 25 as part of Family Fun Night. They included Resor Pugh, Nova Newton, Brock Barta, Gabe Bartlett, Kaityln Bartlett, Jack Barta, JoJane Barta, Ava Stancil and in the back Timothy and Joshua Wilson. Photo courtesy of the St. Maries Gazette Record.
Perfect for parents of young children looking to get out of the house for an hour or so. But what does this mean for out-of-towners looking to visit?
Everything.
Tyla Dittman, Alysse and Lily Craner, Bianca and Debra Dittman enjoy a meal on the lawn at the St. Maries Public Library. Photo courtesy of the St. Maries Gazette Record.
It’s weekly activities like these, coupled with the big events like Paul Bunyan Days or our charity drives like the Elks’ Christmas Baskets, that mold St. Maries into a well-rounded community.
People from around here tend to do big things – both near and far, young and old.
Olivia Kincheloe left last week for bible school in Geraldine, the southern island of New Zealand. Ms. Kincheloe will attend Capernwray New Zealand Bible School. She and 14 other students will stay at The Crossing.
Olivia Kincheloe left last week for Bible school in Geraldine, the southern island of New Zealand. She will finish the course in May 2014.
“I will be taking classes that teach about the Bible,” she said. “They also prepare us for Christian service and community outreach.”
She will attend the school until May 2014. She is the daughter of Kevin and Julie Kincheloe and graduated from Kootenai High School in 2013.
Paul Bunyan Days, celebrated annually over Labor Day Weekend, is by far one of the biggest and best small-town celebrations you’ll find anywhere, and we tried to tell you.
Gareth and Kara Abell goof around before the start of the 2013 Paul Bunyan Days parade Monday morning.
Didn’t get a chance to make it out here? That’s ok too. Just start planning your trip for next year, and in the meantime check out the pictures we just loaded onto the Paul Bunyan Days page.
Want more? We thought you might. The local paper, the St. Maries Gazette Record, has gobs of ‘em on their Facebook page as well.
See you next year!
