Veterans will be honored this weekend at the annual Benewah County Veterans’ Day Dinner.
The event starts at 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 12, at the St. Maries Elks Lodge. As always, there is no cost for veterans and their families who attend.
Jim Shubert, Tim Hall, Jeanne and Dean Johnson invite area veterans to the Benewah County Veterans Day Dinner at 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 12.
The Elks Lodge and American Legion Post 25 take turns sponsoring the dinner each year. During Sunday’s meal, Jim Shubert will be the guest speaker. He will show a PowerPoint presentation on a former St. Maries resident Clyde Pangborn.
“He was a 1917 graduate of St. Maries High School and was the first one to fly, non-stop, the entire Pacific Ocean,” Mr. Shubert said. “I have photos of him growing up in St. Maries. He was also a member of American Legion Post 25 when he made the flight.”
Families who attend the dinner should bring a salad or dessert to share. The main course will be provided.
“The Elks have been a great supporter of local veterans,” Dean Johnson said.
“For a number of years,” Mr. Shubert added.
All veterans are invited to attend. Veterans do not have to be a member of the Elks Lodge, the American Legion or any other group to attend.
“We want veterans and their families and widows of veterans to attend,” Mr. Shubert said. “Come enjoy a meal as well as spend time visiting with others.”
Call Mr. Shubert at 582-1372 for more information.
These events aren’t anything to boo at.
They all promise a scary good time and fun for children and adults alike.
Several activities are scheduled throughout Benewah County to celebrate Halloween.
Aubree Hebert, Cason Kalberer, Easton Harvey, Paislie Welling and Uriah German are geeting excited for trick-or-treating.
St. Maries
Benewah Community Hospital will once again open its doors for Fright Night. Free admission for all, the event is from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 27. There will be tons of games, contests, tons of candy, a photo booth, food and more. Those who come should enter through the main entrance at College Avenue.
Families are invited to attend a spook-tacular party Saturday, Oct. 28, hosted by the UpRiver Saddle Club. The party, which will take place at the St. Maries Elks Lodge, is from 6 to 8 p.m. There will be games, a cake walk at 7 p.m., a dance from 8 p.m. to midnight and a costume contest with prizes for the best costume in three age groups (11 and younger, 12 to 17, and 18 and older). There will be a live auction and a face painting booth as well. The cost to attend is $7 per adult, $5 per child or $20 for a family. Money will help the saddle club build a new clubhouse at their arena near Santa.
The St. Maries Library will keep its doors open after hours Halloween night. The library will be open from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31, for a craft, guessing game, photo booth and best costume awards. All are invited to swing in for some fun.
St. Maries children can trick or treat with their hometown Lumberjacks during “Trunk or Treat” from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31. St. Maries high school students will hand out candy and decorate their cars and trucks in the parking lots of Blue Goose Sporting Goods and the Eagles lodge. There is no cost to attend, and the public is welcome.
(From right) Kaley Auer, Carson Humphrey, Toby Young, Kaylee Nelson and Samantha McNulty show off their decorated cars, which will appear at ASB’s “Trunk or Treat” event Oct. 31. Children in St. Maries will be able to meet with their favorite Lumberjacks as they gather candy and look at the group’s decorated cars.
The Friends of the St. Maries LDS Ward invite children to trunk-or-treat from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 27, at 201 S. 23rd Street. Vehicles will be decorated and lots of candy will be available to trick-or-treaters. There will also be a chili cookoff for adults. Call 208-245-2224 for more information.
Plummer
The Benewah Medical and Wellness Center invites area families to a Halloween party from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 31. All activities will take place at the Coeur d’Alene Tribal Wellness Center. Dinner will be served from 5 to 6 p.m. There will be trunk-or-treating in the back parking lot, a fun run/walk, games, contests, lots of candy and a movie as well. The event is free and is open to all ages.
Benewah Valley
The Benewah Valley Association and the Ladies Home Demonstration Club will sponsor the Benewah Valley’s Halloween Party at the community center. The event starts at 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28, and promises fun for the whole family. There will be soups, games, candy, a bonfire and more. Those who attend are encouraged to wear a costume.
Fernwood
Once again, the UpRiver PTO has organized a Halloween party. It is from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28. Pulled pork will be served for $4 or have a hot dog for $3. Lots of games are planned inclyding rock monster, bean bag toss, Wheel of Fortune, ghost bowling, tic tac toe, fish pond, dime toss, ring toss, a cake walk, a haunted hallway and more. The costume contest is at 6 p.m. and is for all ages (0 to 4, 5 to 8, 9 to 12, 13 to adult). First place is $20, second is $10 and third is $5. There will also be a pumpkin decorating contest at 6 p.m. for all ages. Bracelets cost $5 and are good for all the games excluding the dime toss and cake walk. Individual tickets are 50¢.
Emida
The Emida Secret Sisters invite children and their parents to enjoy a ghoulishly good carnival from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 27. There will be lots of games, a costume contest and a cake walk. Donations for the cake walk are welcome. Tickets for games will be 25 cents or buy a package (25 tickets) for $5. Following the carnival, the UpRiver Youth Group will host a dance for youth ages 8 to 17 from 7 to 9 p.m.
Tensed
The city of Tensed will host a Halloween party for area children from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28, at the Tensed Community Center. There will be a pumpkin decorating contest, games, treats and a bake sale. Everyone is invited.
Worley
The Worley Fire Department invites community members to walk through their haunted house if they dare. The haunted house will be open at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28, and at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 31, at the firehouse in Worley. Admission is $1. Hot dogs will be served Oct. 31.
Calder
A carnival is planned from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 30, at the Calder School. There will be a costume and pumpkin contests, a haunted cake walk, and tons of games. Pizza and drinks will be served at the kitchen.
Harrison
One Shot Charlie’s will the annual Pumpkin Carving Party from 5:30 to 8:30 tomorrow, Thursday, Oct. 26. It is a family-friendly event. There will be prizes for the top three adult winners and top three children’s winners. Carving materials and stencils provided. Pumpkins are judged by the crowd. A movie will be shown at 6 p.m. There will also be popcorn served. The full dinner menu will be available and those that bring in a canned food item for the Harrison Food Bank will save $1 per can.
A local man’s military service will be honored with a trip to Washington, D.C. Oct. 23.
Bill Barden, a veteran of the Vietnam War, was selected for a seat on an Honor Flight. Twice yearly, branches of the Honor Flight Network around the country honor veterans of past conflicts by sending them to the nation’s capitol.
“I filled an application and sent it in,” he said. “They called me Sunday and said they had one seat left on the place and if I want to go.”
Bill Barden will take his place on an Honor Flight Oct. 23 to honor veterans of past wars. A veteran of the Vietnam War, he will take part in a full-day tour of Washington, D.C. courtesy of the Honor Flight Network.
Mr. Barden served during the Vietnam War as part of the Army Corps of Engineers from 1966 to 1969. During his tour he spent one year in Vietnam itself, where he helped to build a modern roadway from an airfield at Cam Ranh Bay north to the city of Nha Trang – a 30-mile road that provided a vital link for cargo and troops taking part in the war.
“The road that was over there was about like a bicycle path,” Mr. Barden said. “We went in there and built a two-lane road just like the one that goes up the Joe.”
The road Mr. Barden helped build is still in use today and is a major arterial for residents and tourists alike.
The honor flight will take Mr. Barden and his fellow veterans on a on an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C. The trip will include a tour of many important memorials, including the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial and more.
Mr. Barden said that he is most looking forward to seeing the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, a 246-foot black stone monument bearing the names of 58,318 service men and women who were listed as missing or killed in action during the war.
“I want to see the wall,” he said. “There were a number of young guys from here that never went home. Raymond Finley, the Hanson kid, and plenty more are there. I’m glad I get a chance to go.”
An event that has grown every year since its inception will mark a decade.
The 10th Annual Harrison Oktoberfest is next month. It will be from 1 to 7 p.m. Oct. 7 at Harrison City Park.
It is sponsored by the Harrison Chamber of Commerce and draws people from all over the area, including Canada and Spokane.
The Harrison Oktoberfest celebration marks its tenth year Saturday, Oct. 7. Teri Riberich says the event continues to be a success.
Teri Riberich has spearheaded the event every year. The purpose of the event is to bring people into Harrison and bring the community together. It also helps extend Harrison’s season. The historic and quaint backdrop of downtown Harrison and Lake Coeur d’Alene make for the idyllic Oktoberfest setting as well.
In addition to breweries showcasing their craft beers, there will be live music, food and children’s activities. The event will take place rain or shine. Vendors interested in a space and anyone who wants to help volunteer with the event should call 582-2341.
Coinciding with the 10th anniversary, there will be an open house at the Harrison Fire Station as part of the events to commemorate the fire that destroyed the early town of Harrison 100 years ago. The fire station is celebrating its 30-year anniversary.
The second annual Emida Days celebration returns Saturday, Sept. 23.
A fun run, breakfast, flea market, parade, children’s carnival, logging events, talent show and dance make up the day’s festivities at the Emida Community Center. The events are being organized by the Emida Secret Sisters.
“Last year’s event were really well,” Tara Fuller said. “Even though it was raining we had a great turnout.”
The fun run, which is free, kicks off the day followed by breakfast. The cost is $5 a plate and the menu includes biscuits and gravy, sausage links, scrambled eggs, orange juice and coffee.
The flea market opens at 11 a.m. Vendors are still welcome to reserve a space by calling 208-245-0788. The parade is at 10 a.m. Awards will be given out, including best overall float. The children’s carnival starts at 11 a.m. and will offer a variety of games, including bean bag toss, duck pond, fish bowl, balloon pop and more.
Drifter’s will have hamburgers and hotdogs for concessions and the Potlatch VFW will have carnival food available, such as elephant ears and more.
The logging events are at 1 p.m. and are for children through adult. Cost is $5 to enter. There will be bit and nail drive, crosscut, axe throw and choker race. Overall trophy will be given to the top child and adult competitors.
There will be a talent show at 5 p.m. For entry information, call 208-245-4107. Beginning at 8 p.m. there will be a dance with live music. Jam Shack will perform. The cost is $5 per person and only those 21 and older may attend.
Mrs. Fuller said the event helps them raise money for maintenance and improvements at the Emida Community Center and is also a time for the community to come together.
Amanda Quincy said Emida Days is the largest fundraiser this year to help keep the building open and available for use to the public.
“This is the center of the community,” Mrs. Fuller added.
They did it again.
Paul and Suzanne Sotin won the all-around logger and loggerette titles for Paul Bunyan Days 2017.
This is the fifth year Mr. Sotin has won the title and the fourth year his wife has won the honor.
Sara and Paul Sotin were the 2017 Logger and Loggerette during the logging events Sept. 4. The husband-and-wife pair placed highest in a number of events, all while helping to run the games for others.
In addition to the all-around titles, the couple individually claimed several first place finishes in the logging competition, including a first place finish together in the Jack and Jill Race. Cody Crane and Hannah Herzog were second and Cameron Tweedy and Courtney Hurt were third.
Individually, in the pole climb, Mr. Sotin was first with Ben Sotin second. The brothers teamed up take first in the men’s crosscut with Devin Vint and Cody Crane taking second and Cody Crane and Dustin Herzog taking third. Paul was first in the men’s axe throw with Matt Nitcy second and Geri Nielsen third. Paul also earned a first place finih in men’s choker setting. Ben was second and Devin Vint was third.
Ben beat his brother in the vertical axe chop with Kevin Germeaux taking second and Paul earning third. Finally, in the men’s power saw, Cody Crane was first, Gerri Nielse was second and Earl Andersen was third.
For the women’s power saw, Tami Holdahl was first; Hannah Herzog, second; and Suzanne Sotin was third. Mrs. Sotin and Shelby Holder took first in the women’s crosscut. For the axe throw, Hannah was first; Suzanne, second; and Courtney Hurt, third. The results were identical in the women’s choker setting: Hannah, first; Suzanne, second; and Courtney, third.
Final logging results, placings for the teen’s crosscut, were Amanda Wine and Trysten Lockridge were first; Janna Oelke and Jenna Holder were second; and Dolton Ustick and Cameron Cox were third.
Other results were as follows:
Demolition Derby: Overall, JB O’Neil, first, Chris O’Neil, second, Preston O’Neil, third.
Tug of War: First, Danger Zone (Josh Trull, Joe, Shantell Ravey, Tim, Luke, Joe, Damian Dittman, Scotty); Second, Balls of Fury (Blake Lyons, Tray Johnson, Darrick Short, Kasey Nelson, Hale Murrell, Nick Hill, Kevin Moss, Christina Nelson); Third, Merica (Trysten Lockridge, Kolby Moore, Jesse Miller, Will Clark, Joe Rosen, Josh McGregor, Kevin Geramaux, Amanda Wine, Mack Reeves, Toby Young).
Maggie Chatigny and Colby Adams compete for first place finish.
Adult/ Teen Pool Events: Adult Tightrope, first James Morton, second Derek Barden, third Tanner Fields; Adult Canoe Joust, first Wade Toland/ Tanner Fields, second Derek Barden/ Tawnya Hickey, third James Smith/ Preston Brown; adult log burling, first Derek Barden, second Tawnya Hickey, third Craig Briggs; Teen Tightrope, first Jake Taylor, second Kiauna Hickey, third Kaytlynn Thompson; Teen Canoe Joust, first Kaylee Nelson/ Riley Nelson, second Kiauna Hickey/ Allison Hickey, third Emma Thompson/ James Lee; Teen Log Burling, first Kaylee Nelson, second James Lee, third Riley Nelson.
Kids Pool Events: Tube Race, 6-7 years old, first Joey Barta, second Carson Solom, third Richard Vandever; 8-9 years old, first Meijah Yearout, second Brock Barta, third Jack Barta; 10-12 years old, first Caleb Monrray, second Vincent Flores, third Quentin Astraukas; Captain Kid Raft Race, first Vincent Flores/ Wayne Hodgson, second Ayden Silfvast/ Sara Silfvast, third Kody Watkins/ Hailey Tefft.
Reed Brebner and Joey Barta race in inner tubes Sept. 3.
Parade: Overall, Tekoa’s Slippery Gulch Float; Cars, first Steve Addington, second Ben Sergent, third Russell Lewis; Political, first Re-elect Dan Foreman, second Caroline Nilsson Troy; Marching, first Blazen Divas, second St. Maries High School cheerleaders, third veterans of Benewah County; Kids, first Gayla Tweedy, second Cat in the Hat; Clubs and Organizations, first Red Barn, second St. Maries Shrine Club, third Search and Rescue; Logging, first Heavy Haul Mike Minier and sons, second Kenneth Becktel Trucking, third Hansen Logging; Horses, first Warrior for the King, second Idaho State Saddle Club Royalty Eliya, Baylie and Bostyn Kelly, third Ethel Callaway and Nicole McKay; Commercial, first Golden Boys Ice Cream, second 10th Street Lumber, third Brickwall Beauty Bar; Floats, first Tekoa Slippery Gulch Float, second St. Maries High School ASB, third St. Maries High School volleyball; Machinery, first Fernwood Fire Department; Miscellaneous, first Potlatch Fire and Rescue, second Dragon Snow, third St. Maries Ambulance.
Shelby Holder
Pet and Doll Parade: first, Sydney Jones, Rocky Jones, Addison Barbour, second Hope Friede, third Paislie Welling.
The largest celebration in St. Maries returns this weekend.
Paul Bunyan Days is Friday, Sept. 1, to Monday, Sept. 4. Dale Hill, president of the PBD committee, said guests can expect only minimal changes for the 49th annual event.
“One of the main messages we are trying to get out is no stakes in the field to hold down blankets and tarps for the firework show,” Mr. Hill said. “Volunteers put a lot of work into the field, which is irrigated and we don’t want anybody to come in and ruin it.”
During the fireworks show, members of the crowd will not be allowed to use stakes to hold blankets or tarps. Dale Hill said volunteers put a lot of time into making improvements at the field incluidng an irrigation system and they do not want it to get ruined.
Instead of stakes, the committee is asking individuals to used canned food items or canned dog or cat food to hold down their tarps and blankets.
“After the show they can leave it on the field and we will go pick up the canned items and whatever the food is will determine whether it goes to Hope’s Haven or the food bank,” Mr. Hill said.
Outside of the fireworks show, Mr. Hill said residents and guests can expect familiar activities and competitions. Mr. Hill said this will be the third year for the demolition derby, which has become “one of our biggest money makers for Paul Bunyan Days.”
“We’re beefing it up,” he said. “We are working with a group from Smelterville and with the fair board. There will be a beer garden down there as well and Kiwanis will do the food.”
Mr. Hill said the demolition derby as well as other events throughout the weekend could always use more participants.
“Come down and enjoy and get involved,” Mr. Hill said. “We need more participation especially in the water events. Every event is free to enter, except the demolition. The water and logging events pay out cash and you don’t have to pay to participate.”
In addition to competitors, Mr. Hill said the PBD committee always has room for more volunteers.
“We are down members this year and like everybody else could use more,” he said.
The celebration begins Friday with the carnival, community booths, information booth and Blue Ox opening at noon. Bingo will be held and the pet and doll parade for area children ages 3 to 12 is at 5 p.m. Check-in at the Grub Box.
Saturday’s activities include the Karen Ebert Memorial 5K, Junior Olympics, bingo, helicopter rides, water events, the Crash for Cash Demolition Derby, tug-of-war, Rose’s fireworks show and more. Music will be offered at the community amphitheater throughout the weekend.
A community breakfast will be served Sunday at the Eagles Lodge by the Benewah County Humane Society. Children’s pool events will take place and the quilt show opens. The Paul Bunyan Days auction is also Sunday and the main fireworks show will light up the skies.
The parade is Monday with logging events to follow in the afternoon. Ed and Claudia Spooner will lead the parade as this year’s grand marshal. Children’s events for 2 to 5 year olds will also be offered.
Throughout the weekend, the information booth will be open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily in city park. Paul Bunyan apparel, hats, memorabilia and more will be available for sale.
Cory Flesher, featured in the July 5 article “A year later: Ironman start is weeks away”, finished Coeur d’ Alene’s full Ironman race Aug. 27 with a time of 12:28:14.
Flesher came in 183rd overall of the 840 athletes entered, and 145th out of the 592 men in the race.
Flesher said although it was hands down the hardest thing he’d ever done, he plans to do another full-distance Ironman in the distant future.
“It was an incredible experience from all the training to crossing the finish line,” he said. “I had a great support crew cheering me on the whole way, which helped me through some of the tough times.”
He added that after biking 112 miles, the marathon was the most difficult portion of the three-part race comprised of swimming, biking and finally running a full marathon.
Flesher’s goal, after finishing, was to come in between the 12 and 13-hour mark, which he did nearly precisely with his time.
“I was very happy with my time,” he said. “My nutrition plan went very well, and I paced the bike right so I could still run a somewhat respectable marathon at the end.”
Open house celebrations at area libraries continue this week as the Benewah County Free Library District commemorates its 50-year anniversary.
This week there is an open house at the St. Maries Public Library. It is from 2 to 6 p.m. tomorrow, Thursday, Aug. 10, at the St. Maries Public Library. The final two will be held at the Plummer Public Library from 3 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 15, and the Tri-Community Library, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19.
New events – and a new schedule – are coming to St. Maries Public Library, head librarian Pinky Humphrey said. The library will host a number of activities for residents of all ages in the coming months, including a basic computer class, lego club and more.
There will be cake and refreshments at the open house as well as newspaper articles depicting the district’s history. Those who attend can expect prizes and drawings with a set of donated books from the Gazette Record at each of the events. There is also a Kindle and other prizes up for grabs.
Residents can call their local library for more information. Reach the St. Maries Library at 245-3732. The Tri-Community Library may be reached at 245-4883. Call 686-1812 for the Plummer Public Library.
Residents will have two chances to interact with aviation history this week at the St. Maries Airport.
The eighth annual Fly-in Breakfast will be this Saturday, July 15, at the airfield. Residents of Benewah County and pilots from around the country will come together for a home-cooked meal and a day to admire iconic aircraft.
Carol Koelbel has helped organize the breakfast since she and her husband, John Koelbel, first began it in 2009. They served 55 people at the first event, cooking sourdough pancakes on their own small griddle.
At last year’s breakfast, she estimates they served more than 300 people, and hosted dozens of planes from across the western United States.
“It’s all to promote aviation,” she said. “There are so many young people who aren’t knowledgeable about these classic planes. It’s a great hobby.”
She also said the proceeds from the breakfast help pay for maintenance and renovations to the St. Maries airport. Past improvements paid for by the breakfast include repairs to the county’s hangar at the field, purchasing new tie-down ropes for planes. Most recently, funds helped the airport purchase a plaque for the field’s feature installation, a decommissioned F-100 “Super Saber” jet fighter.
“We try to keep our little airport in good condition, and I’d like to keep it that way,” Ms. Koelbel said.
While the breakfast doesn’t start until Saturday, residents will have an early chance to admire classic airplanes Thursday, July 13. The Puget Sound Antique Airplane Club, a group of aviators from across the northwest, will make a stopover in St. Maries as part of a tour around northwestern states. Almost fifty iconic aircraft, including military trainers, classic cargo planes and more, will stop at the airport to mingle with residents – and allow them a first-hand look at their historic machines.
“They encourage people, especially children, to come look at and even touch the airplanes,” Ms. Koelbel said. “That’s not usually encouraged anywhere else, so it’s a great experience for them.”
The Puget Sound Antique Airplane Club will fly into St. Maries starting at 11 a.m. July 13 with new planes arriving every few minutes before departing at 2 p.m. The public is invited to come out and meet with pilots. There is no cost.
The Fly-in Breakfast will be Saturday, July 15, from 8-11 a.m. Breakfast will include blueberry pancakes, eggs, sausage, ham, coffee and juice. The cost is $6 for adults and $3 for children 12 and younger.
For more information on either event, call Carol Koelbel at (208) 245-2914.
