Residents are invited to take a stroll through time and learn about the early days of medicine in Benewah County.
A group of seven volunteers, at the request of the board of Benewah Community Hospital, put together a display of more than 150 historical photographs to be unveiled at 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 27.
The unveiling is being held in conjunction with the Community Health Fair, which is from 7 to 11 a.m.
Judy Bailey, Polly Grasham, Robin Renaldo, Colleen Smith, Debbie Flach and Marie Ross display a few of the pictures to hung in the hallway at Benewah Communtiy Hospital. The women, along withJeannie Johnson, completed a historic exhibit of pictures and stories, which will be unveiled at 9 a.m. Saturday.
The display, entitled “A Walk Through History: Enjoy the Journey,” is located in the hallway that connects the new hospital tower that was completed in 2013 to the main entrance on Eighth Street.
Debbie Flach said when the new facility was built there was a desire to “tie everything together.”
Marie Ross added that a group of individuals approached the hospital board about doing a project on the history of medicine in the county.
“There were people that had not been recognized and at the same time the city was celebrating its centennial,” she said. “The board had a little bit of money to do something and just needed some people to volunteer to do the project.”
Polly Grasham added that there was a feeling the history “was missing.”
The three women, along with Robin Renaldo, Judy Bailey, Colleen Smith and Jeannie Johnson, began to glean information from longtime employees of Benewah Community Hospital, review books written about the area, sought out archived photos, reviewed old issues of the Gazette Record and more.
“The discovery of the history was amazing,” Ms. Flach said.
“Listening to the stories of the employees was wonderful,” Ms. Renaldo said. “They have such adoration for the people who have come before them.”
Ms. Ross said there was “a ton of information” to be reviewed. She added it was fun to hear different stories.
“Not many people will recall that there were clinics up Marble Creek at one time,” she said.
Photographs and information were reproduced on aluminum wall panels to be hung in the hallway.
“They reproduced really nicely,” Ms. Renaldo said.
Relatives of Dr. Barney Rapp and Dr. Larry Kinsolving will have the honor of cutting the ribbon at the unveiling ceremony Saturday. Dr. Rapp worked in medicine in Benewah County for more than 50 years. Dr. Kinsolving, Ms. Renaldo said, was one of the first doctors to work in the area.
After the ribbon cutting ceremony, individuals will be able to take time looking through the many photographs and reading the information the women gathered for the display.
Ms. Grasham said the exhibit will continue to accept new photographs.
“We are anticipating collecting more as more stuff comes in,” she said.
“We know we probably missed some stuff,” Ms. Renaldo added.
Ms. Grasham said information about submitting photographs and information for the display will be available at the unveiling Saturday.
A St. Maries High School graduate was one of only a handful of individuals to be selected for the Nuclear Propulsion Officer Candidate Program (NUPOC).
Nick Cordell was accepted to attend the Naval Nuclear Power School after an extensive interview process, which ended with him interviewing with Admiral John Richardson, the director of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion program.
Following his graduation from St. Maries High School in 2011, Mr. Cordell chose to study at Boise State University where he is currently in his fourth year studying mechanical engineering.
Mr. Cordell had planned to complete a minor in mathematics and then pursue his master’s degree.
“I had planned on going into the aerospace industry,” he said.
However, a conversation with a recruiter at a career fair during his sophomore year changed his plans.
Mr. Cordell said he talked with Navy recruiters about the potential to enter the NUPOC program during his second year at Boise State University.
“They had talked to me about a career working with submarines or on the surface, but I never ended up going with that,” he said. “Then, last winter, I was contacted again by them and they told me about the instructor position and I ended up deciding to go with that.”
To even be looked at for the program, potential candidate must maintain a 3.5 or higher grade point average and scored well on tests.
Mr. Cordell said the process to be selected for the NUPOC program began with an extended version of a basic job application.
“You had to list your previous employment and where you had lived previously for the last five to six years,” he said. “Once all of that paperwork was filled out, then you had to include a letter of intent. Then, a case worker comes by and goes through all of that with you to complete a formal background check.”
Following the background check, Mr. Cordell had to go through the military processing standards.
“They want to make sure you are physically and mentally fit,” he said. “They make sure you are who you say you are.”
From there, Mr. Cordell was interviewed via telephone by a lieutenant from the Naval Reactors, which is the U.S. government office that has responsibility for safe and reliable operation of the United States Navy’s nuclear propulsion program.
Mr. Cordell said during the phone interview he was asked basic calculus questions to show he could apply the knowledge he had learned.
“Then, once you pass that they will sign off and say this guy is ready to go to Washington D.C. to finish the interview process,” Mr. Cordell explained.
Those brought to Washington D.C. were primarily studying a facet of engineering or mathematics. Mr. Cordell was in Washington D.C. Sept. 14 through Sept. 16. All the applicants were interviewed at the Washington D.C. Naval Yard.
As an instructor applicant, Mr. Cordell was required to complete two interviews, which the majority of were technical. Following the two interviews, Mr. Cordell along with 23 others was then sent on to be interviewed by Admiral Richardson.
“Admiral Richardson is in charge of the entire nuclear program,” Mr. Cordell said. “My interview with him was very brief and to the point. It took all of three minutes.”
Shortly after his interview with Admiral Richardson, Mr. Cordell learned he had been accepted into the program. He was sworn into the United States Navy Sept. 16.
Mr. Cordell said the process was very stressful, but he is very excited to be a part of the program. He will graduate from Boise State University next fall. He will not be considered an officer until after he finishes his college degree.
Once he does, he will then be sent to Rhode Island to undergo officer training. Following that he will attend classes at the Naval Nuclear Power School in Goose Creek, South Carolina.
“I will be taking an accelerated version of the course and after about four months I will then begin teaching students math, physics and the mechanics of reactors,” Mr. Cordell said. “I will be teaching there for four years.”
Mr. Cordell said the idea of teaching had never occurred to him until the opportunity presented itself.
“After I learned about the program, it intrigued me,” he said, “and I decided to pursue it.”
Mr. Cordell will receive pay while he is in school and the Navy will pay for the remainder of his time at Boise State University.
Mr. Cordell said he would encourage other college freshmen or sophomores to attend career fairs and to start looking for employment early on,
“I was pretty happy to get this,” he said, “and this is something I had not planned, but I came across it at a career fair.”
Mr. Cordell said he does not know what he will do following his four years of teaching at the Naval Nuclear Power School. He said he does have plans to eventually pursue his master’s degree.
Nick is the son of John and Danette Cordell of St. Maries.
Nothing gets the nostalgia-juices flowing like a Friday night high school football game. Or a Tuesday evening volleyball match. Or a Saturday afternoon spent at the soccer field.
Fall sports are a great way to enjoy the small-town lifestyle and support local students, and we have a ton of options.
Drew Bailey (59), Isaac Walters (44) and Chase Truscott (31) close in on a Kellogg runner during the 2013 season.
Just this week alone, the Lumberjack soccer team plays at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, at home against Timberlake. The St. Maries girls volleyball team will play the Lakeside Knights at home Tuesday, Sept. 23; action begins at 6 p.m. with JV followed by varsity. And the Jacks’ varsity football squad is at home again Friday, Sept. 26 at 7 p.m.
A Lakeside player prepares to serve the ball. The Knights hosted the Lumberjacks in a volleyball match recently.
If you’re traveling to the area – or, heck, if you live here and are looking for a fun way to experience St. Maries under the lights or in the gym – plan to attend a high school sporting event. Wear your favorite teams’ colors, grab a snack at the concession stand and cheer for the home team.
Thomas Cook looks to take the ball down the field and keep it safe from the opposing team during a game in St. Maries last week.
The 7th Annual Oktoberfest in Harrison will be from 1 to 7 p.m. Oct. 4 in Harrison City Park and, as in year’s past, participants can expect a a small, lake-town’s twist on a popular event.
Harrison City Park is tucked neatly on the hillside overlooking Lake Coeur d’Alene, and is a prime location for something festive nearly every season. But the annual Oktoberfest celebration might be its finest.
The Harrison Chamber of Commerce 2013 Oktoberfest in the city park was well attended.
Organizers offer something for everyone, creating a family-friendly event. This year’s event boasts a bevy of children’s activities, vendors, food and live music, in addition to theever-popular craft beers.
The event is sponsored annually by the Harrison Chamber of Commerce and takes place rain or shine.
A local Boy Scout completed his Eagle Scout project last week.
AJ Becktel, a senior at St. Maries High School, has participated in Scouts for about 11 years.
Last week he delivered two wooden picnic tables that he and the members of Troop 442 built for Hope’s Haven.
AJ Becktel delivered benches he and his Boy Scout Troop 442 made and donated to Hope’s Haven animal shelter as part of his Eagle Scout project.
Members of the troop, including AJ, had previously spent time volunteering at the local animal shelter operated by the Benewah County Humane Society.
“We had six hours of community service we had to complete for two other ranks,” he said. “I did all my service at the shelter.”
When it came time for him to come up with a community service project as a step toward earning his Eagle Scout, he wanted to do something for the shelter.
“Debbie (the shelter’s manager) was always talking about how it would be nice to have somewhere for her volunteers to sit and take a break and/or eat lunch away from the animals,” AJ said. “So when I asked her about building some picnic tables and she said that it was a wonderful idea.”
AJ began work on the project in July, collecting materials and designing the tables. The lumber was donated by Tom and Brenda Jarvi and the remaining supplies were purchased with money the Scouts earned from cleaning out a storage unit.
The Eagle Scout project is about learning leadership, AJ said.
“The Scout leads the whole project,” he said. “It was weird at first having everybody come to me for directions when were building the tables. It was my job to direct the project and make sure everybody had something to do.”
There are 13 members in the local troop. AJ said he has participated for a number of years because he enjoys all that he gets to do through Scouts, especially the travel.
“We’ve backpacked Alaska, been to Glacier National Park twice, and go on monthly campouts,” he said. “You also learn a lot of interesting stuff.”
After graduating from high school, AJ plans to go on to college to study sports medicine and physical therapy. He can see himself being involved in Scouts at some point during his adult life.
AJ is the son of Kenneth and Michelle Becktel.
Michella Davenport has hosted five foreign exchange students in her home. This year, she is hosting her sixth student, Johannes Pedal from Norway.
Now, as the new local international exchange coordinator (IEC) with the EF High School Exchange Year program, she will help pair families interested in hosting with a student. Mrs. Davenport will take over the position, which was last held by Barb Reisner.
As the new coordinator, Mrs. Davenport will help place students with families. She will screen potential families, and once a student is placed she will check in to make sure things go well.
Michella Davenport is working to place exchange students, like Johannes Padel, with local families. Johanness is the sixth exchnage student she has had live with her family for a year. She said she is excited about the opportunity to help other families become hosts.
“I am the first line of support for the family and the student,” Mrs. Davenport said.
Mrs. Davenport said the number of foreign exchange students in the area has dropped in recent years. She said it used to not be uncommon for there to be up to eight or nine students at St. Maries High School.
“Now we only have two or three,” she said. “I would love to see more.”
Mrs. Davenport said the students she has had the pleasure of hosting have been “great kids.”
“We live in a little bit of an isolated area and it’s a great way to introduce world culture to your families,” she said. “We had a girl from Ukraine stay with us and today my kids are paying attention to what’s happening over there. It’s not because they are interested in world news; it’s because it’s personal for them now.”
Mrs. Davenport said until she has some families who are interested she won’t start looking for students. She said a lot of work goes into making sure students and families are matched who share similar interests.
“The program I work with is very diligent about getting a good placement and a good fit,” she said.
Johannes said a family who hosts an exchange student should be “open-minded.” Mrs. Davenport agreed.
“The family should learn from the student and the student should learn from the family,” she said.
Mrs. Davenport said there are certain requirements a family is required to meet such as they must provide a bed for the student, three meals a day and one host parent must be at least 25 years old. Those who home school their children may host an exchange student, but the exchange student must attend public school.
Mrs. Davenport said families can host students for an entire school year or for only part of a school year, beginning in January.
“It can be stressful introducing someone new to your family, but the kids are great. And as host family you’re not on your own,” she said.
Anyone who would like more information about hosting an exchange student should contact Mrs. Davenport at 582-1586.
A national magazine has ranked St. Maries High School among the top schools in Idaho.
Additionally the school was ranked high amongst other high schools across the country.
St. Maries was featured in an article in US News and World Report as one of the best high schools in the nation. St. Maries ranked the 9th best high school in the state and placed at 1,572nd in the country.
Principal John Cordell is proud of St. Maries High School for being ranked the ninth best high school in the state by U.S. News. The school is featured in the latest issue of the magazine.
The magazine rankings include data on more than 19,400 public high schools in 50 states and the District of Columbia. Schools were awarded gold, silver or bronze medals based on their performance on state assessments and how well they prepare students for college. Ten Idaho schools were awarded silver medals and 45 received bronze medals. The state’s one gold medal school is Coeur D’Alene Charter Academy.
Representatives from the company informed Principal John Cordell that St. Maries was in the running for a silver medal at the close of the 2013-2014 school year.
“They called to verify some information and had us send them some additional data,” he said. “We found out exactly where we ranked when they published the article last week.”
To be eligible for a state ranking, a school must be awarded a national gold or silver medal. St. Maries received silver. Rankings are configured through a number of statistics including test scores, student participation in advanced placement and dual enrollment classes and socio-economic status.
“It’s really a feather in the cap for the whole community, because it isn’t just these students, but teachers, staff and community members and businesses that support our programs that have made our students successful,” Mr. Cordell said.
About 31 percent of the 312 students enrolled at the school are taking advanced placement classes.
“We’ve offered advanced placement classes for quite some time but over the years the percentage of students taking those and dual enrollment classes has increased,” Mr. Cordell said. “Our average is almost double that of the state’s.”
Mr. Cordell attributes the high participation to his teachers and staff who encourage students to enroll in the classes.
The local high school offers several programs such as health occupations courses, and classes on professional and technical skills. These programs and courses would not be an option for local students without the unique partnerships the school has with local businesses and area colleges, Mr. Cordell said.
“Students not only get traditional education in the classroom but get the chance to apply what they’re learning in the field,” he said. “Not a lot of schools are tied into their communities like we are.”
The school has continued to build upon their programs for about a decade and is able to expand opportunities for students each year.
“We are fortunate enough that we are the only high school in our little community and we have a community that is very supportive of our schools,” Mr. Cordell said.
Students at the St. Maries school also actively participate and do well in testing. Almost 79 percent of the student body that was eligible voluntarily took the ACT last year. The state average is less than 10 percent.
“We always have our students take the ACT because they do better on it,” Mr. Cordell said.
The judges also consider the obstacles that students have to overcome to achieve the standards that they have met. About 51 percent of the student body is considered to be economically disadvantaged.
“They use the number of students on free and reduced lunch to help gauge the challenges students at the school have had to overcome,” Mr. Cordell said. “They take that into account also when they come up with the rankings.”
Robert and Crystal Sperber traveled to Africa in July as part of a mission trip. This photo was taken while they were doing home visit’s in Rwanda.
Crystal and Robert Sperber hope there is another mission trip in their future.
The mother and son traveled to Rwanda, Africa for 10 days in July. And they are already planning to do it again.
“We would like to take a team this next spring,” Mrs. Sperber said. “So if there is anyone who might be interested they can contact me.”
The mission trip in July was the first for Mrs. Sperber and her son. Robert convinced his mother to go with because he was not old enough to go without a parent. At her son’s request, Mrs. Sperber decided to go.
The couple went with Asante, an organization that works to organize and assist with children’s summer camps similar to Vacation Bible School in the United States.
“Things were very different,” she said, “but the people were very open to visitors and very friendly. Everyone always waved and smiled.”
Mrs. Sperber said the country was “very safe.”
“Most people don’t expect that because they know about the genocide or other things happening in Africa, but we felt safe.”
During their trip, the Sperbers helped to clear a field where a church and some homes will eventually be built. They also helped with day camps at the schools.
“We worked with about 400 children,” Mrs. Sperber said. “They were in pre-K through sixth grade. But some were as old as 14 or 15 years old. They go to school when they have the money; it’s not based on age.”
Mrs. Sperber said the children were very interactive and “laughed a lot.” She said children would surround them even when they were walking through the streets. She added people were very respectful toward the mission group.
“When we helped clear the field, they came to work in their Sunday best while we were in work clothes,” she recalled. “They did that because we were considered honored visitors.”
She said the homes they visited did not have running water or electricity yet when a 17-year-old boy learned it was Robert’s birthday on the day they were visiting he gave Robert a bracelet for a gift.
Robert said he really enjoyed working at the day camps with the students and meeting new people.
Outside of the mission work, the Sperbers were able to visit the genocide memorial in the capital city of Kigali and also the Presidential Palace Museum, which served as the home of President Juvenal Habyarimana, who was killed at the beginning of the genocide.
Mrs. Sperber said the city of Kigali “was huge.”
“There are 11 million people in the country, which is the size of Vermont and so in the city alone there were 4 million people,” she said.
Robert said language proved to be a barrier and made the trip challenging at times. The food, Mrs. Sperber said, and the weather was good.
She said the family has plans to work with Asante to set up a scholarship fund to be able to send students to the university following their initial schooling.
“They don’t have anything for students after their primary and secondary education,” she said. “We’re going to work with them to put a program together.”
Mrs. Sperber said she is excited about the chance to go on a second mission trip. If anyone else is interested in going with a team next spring, they can call her at 651-6554.
A new twist to this year’s Paul Bunyan Days fireworks display is being kept secret and will not be revealed until the show.
This year’s theme, Circus Circus, promises to be the “best ever.”
Dennis Wheeler works on setting up his oriental food booth at city park Tuesday before the start of the Paul Bunyan Days celebration.
Several thousand people are expected to attend this most popular attraction of the weekend Sunday night at the football field in city park.
The event, which started as a picnic organized by the owners of the Gem State Club in the 1940s, grew quickly and had to be moved to city park. The Booster Club took over sponsorship of the event renaming it The Paul Bunyan Barbecue and Lumberjack Days in 1950. By 1953, 57 local businesses, 13 of which were bars, were contributing to the two-day event which drew a crowd of about 3,000.
It has more than doubled in size since then with four days of celebration that draw big crowds throughout the weekend.
This year’s Paul Bunyan Days weekend promises a full schedule of events and attractions including many of the regular favorites like the carnival, loggers’ competition, pool events, quilt show, parade and The Blue Ox (Idaho’s biggest topless bar).
The carnival, which opens Friday at 5 p.m. and wraps up Monday evening, will feature a variety of food and vendors, local community booths and plenty of rides. The Blue Ox is located on the tennis courts in city park and features games, live music and plenty of beer throughout the weekend.
Pool events take place Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Adults, youth and children will compete in various traditional events such as log burling, canoe jousting, the tightrope walk, etc. Registration begins at 11 a.m. and competition begins at noon. Parents must be present for youth and children to participate.
The 5K Karen Ebert Memorial Fun Run/Walk begins Saturday morning. Registration is available beginning at 8 a.m. in the parking lot of the high school gymnasium. The race begins at 9 a.m. Participants will run along the St. Joe River before returning to the school.
This year’s quilt show, themed “Timeless Treasures,” features more than 150 quilted items on display in the gymnasium at Heyburn Elementary. The show, organized by the Valley Piecemakers quilting club, will span two days. One club member was chosen to be the show’s featured quilter and will display several of her own pieces in a special booth this year. Tickets for the club’s annual raffle quilt will also be available at the event.
Grand Marshals Jack and Lorna Botts will lead the Labor Day parade down Main Avenue at 10 a.m. Monday. Registration will begin at 8 a.m. at Ken’s Custom Body Shop and the main thoroughfare will be closed to traffic for much of the morning.
In celebration of the city’s centennial the parade doubled in size last year. Organizer Mark Todd expects a good turnout again this year. Prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place in various categories. Spectators are encouraged to line the sidewalks with their families and gather candy thrown from parade participants.
The logging events pit amateurs against each other in various tests of skill involving everyday tasks of a logger on the job including an ax throw, crosscut, power saw, choker set, pole climb and ma and pa bed race. The overall winners get bragging rights, titles of top Logger and Loggerette and $50 cash. Entry is free.
In addition to traditional events, the St. Maries adult co-ed softball league will sponsor the Cory Stapleton Memorial Tournament Saturday and Sunday. Games will be played mush-ball style, meaning that all male teammates will hit a mushy ball, at the fields in Milltown.
Event booklets are available at various businesses around town and a booth is available at city park from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. during the festivities for additional information on the weekend’s events. Event apparel, including T-shirts and sweatshirts are also available for purchase at the information booth.
It takes a committee of between 20 and 40 volunteers to organize and run the event each year. An auction is held on Sunday morning in city park during the event each year to raise money to support both the following year’s event and to help fund various community projects and improvements.
A St. Maries couple that has been active in the community was chosen as this year’s grand marshals for the Paul Bunyan Days Labor Day Parade.
Jack and Lorna Botts will lead the Labor Day parade down Main Avenue at 10 a.m. Monday, Sept. 1. Registration starts at 8 a.m. at Ken’s Custom Body Shop.
Dale Hill, of the Paul Bunyan Days committee, said the couple was selected because they have been very active in the community. Mr. Hill also noted the fact that Mr. Botts spearheaded the Benewah County Veterans Memorial project.
“They were selected for all of the volunteering they’ve done. And another main reason is that Jack spearheaded the veterans memorial project and he got people behind that,” Mr. Hill said. “They are just an awesome couple.”
Born and raised in St. Maries, Mr. Botts graduated from St. Maries High School in 1955. Following graduation, he attended Idaho State College of Pharmacy where he met his wife.
Mrs. Botts, a Pocatello native, was studying education at Idaho State College. The two met each other through various social events on campus. They married in 1958. In 1960, Mr. Botts received his degree in pharmacy and Mrs. Botts pursued her masters.
For two years, they lived in Germany where Mr. Botts served as a pharmacy officer at Landstuhl Medical Center as part of ROTC (Reserve Officers’ Training Corps), which is a college-based program for training commissioned officers of the United States Armed Forces.
The couple returned to St. Maries in 1963. Mr. Botts returned to work for Mike’s Drug, the business for which he had worked during his high school and college years.
“I’d been offered a job when I got out and that’s why we came back to St. Maries,” Mr. Botts said. “It was a good offer.”
Mrs. Botts taught junior high in St. Maries and after raising their children, she returned to teaching. She taught physical education to high school girls.
During their time in St. Maries, the couple was active in Jaycees and Jay-C-Ettes. The couple worked through these groups to revive the Paul Bunyan Days celebration as well as to bring the Junior Miss program to St. Maries.
“Lorna was extremely active and in the organization for many years and she was one of the ones that helped bring the Junior Miss program to St. Maries,” Mr. Botts said.
The couple received many outstanding service rewards for their community involvement.
In 1979, the couple opened Jack’s Pharmacy and Gifts. Mr. Botts managed the pharmacy while his wife managed the store. They operated the store until their retirement in 1998.
Mrs. Botts said during their time they operated the pharmacy they enjoyed their customers and the people they got to know. She said that is one of the things the couple loves about St. Maries: the people in the community.
For the past few years, the couple’s main focus has been the completion of the Benewah County Veterans Memorial in Woodlawn Cemetery. Mr. Botts led the project, which received tremendous support from the community.
Lorna and Jack Botts are this year’s grand marshal for the Paul Bunyan Days Parade. They were selected for their many years of community service.
“I felt there was a need for veterans to be recognized in the community,” Mr. Botts said. “There was a lack of recognition for veterans in the area and I thought we should really recognize all those who have served.”
Mr. Botts said he hopes visitors to the area this weekend will have a chance to view the memorial.
“It will be the first Paul Bunyan Days it has been up,” he said.
Mr. Botts said he and Lorna enjoy the fireworks show and the parade. He said it is always “nice to see the activity in town.”
The couple said they learned they were chosen as the grand marshal for the parade a couple of months ago.
“We were thrilled and naturally very honored,” Mr. Botts said.
The couple has two children: David Botts, who lives in Minnesota, and their daughter, Lori Fautc, who lives in Nevada. They also have eight grandchildren and are looking forward to great-grandchildren in the future.
