Sunday is Father’s Day and what better way to spend it than spending it with your family.
The volunteers at the St. Maries Meal Site are serving breakfast and it’s a breakfast fit for a king. The menu includes ham and eggs, biscuits and gravy, quiche and sausage, juice and coffee for just $7 for adults and $3 for children. The money will benefit the meal site, providing meals and a social venue for area seniors.
After a good breakfast the day is yours!
Whether you’re fly fishing on the St. Joe or looking for bass at one of the area’s many lakes, this weekend will be great fishing. We’re expecting some sunshine so it looks like we should take advantage of it.
Sunday is also the Jimmy Hansen Memorial Mini Series at Xmas Hills. This is the last race of the series.
In addition to the young racers there is a possible pit bike race open to all riders following the end of mini race, depending on number of entries. There is a $20 entry fee, 50% payback, winner take all. Registration is from 7:30 to 10 a.m.
Spectators are always welcome to watch the races through woods just a couple miles south of St. Maries. For information visit the cycle club’s website at http://stjoecycleclub.com/.
No matter what your weekend plans might be sure to make the most of it!
You were here for the run, now come back for the ride! The challenging bicycle tour takes riders through the beautiful and timbered portions of Benewah County, Saturday, Sept. 15.
The 30 mile and “Eleventury” (111 miles) courses follow State 3 south of St. Maries. The 30 mile ride returns to St. Maries, and the longer ride continues over the Palouse Divide.
The Eleventury is a 111 mile challenging tour in with almost 7000 ft.’ of climbing. One of the prettiest rides you’ll ever do! The 30 mile ride features almost 2500 ft. of climbing and is a great end of season ride for the fitness cyclist.
Go to http://www.pedalmettle.com for more information.
The fabulous scenery and friendly people makes this a great place to visit; whether you run, ride, swim, hike, hunt or fish, it’s time to visit St. Maries.
After months of work, of planning, of training, the St. Joe Marathon weekend is finally here!
But before Sunday’s big race is the super kids first annual SuperKid River Run. The 1.2 mi. run is sponsored by the St. Joe River Marathon committee and is a great way to be active. Children to 12 years old can register online or before 9:30 a.m. the morning of the race. And the best part . . . ice cream at the finish line.
And it’s a busy weekend elsewhere! Saturday is the Idaho Fish and Game’s Free Fishing Day. The fishing day includes clinics at the Calder Pond. No license required in any of Idaho’s lakes, rivers or ponds.
Hungry? Members of the Benewah County Humane Society will be cooking up some chili for the second annual big chili cook off Saturday at the fairgrounds. Served with cornbread and dessert, it’s a great meal for a great cause.
Sunday morning hundreds of runners and walkers of all speeds and abilities will don their running shoes for the second annual St. Joe River Marathon, 5k and half-marathon. Whether you’re walking the 3.2 miles of the 5K or the longer distance of the half-marathon or the marathon itself, it’s not to late to be part of the second annual race.
Those hardworking volunteers will be at the Cormana Building today from 3 to 6 p.m. and all day tomorrow. You can pick up your packet or even register. The truly last minute runners can even register Sunday morning before race. The Kiwanis will serve a pancake breakfast beginning at 6 a.m.
After the marathon you might want to catch a race of a different kind. The Compton Memorial motocross races at Xmas Hills start at 9 a.m. and continue through the day.
Whether you’re fishing or running or riding this weekend, you’ll want to be out and about, making the most of what this great community has to offer!
Can you believe it? In less than two weeks St. Maries will be celebrating the second annual St. Joe River Marathon!
Last year’s race was a huge success and this year’s race, slated for June 10, promises to be just as much fun. Runners from as far away as Finland have registered for the marathon, half-marathon and 5K.
But the fun begins even before the early breakfast served by the St. Maries Kiwanis Club Sunday morning or the 7:30 a.m. early start for the marathon.
The fun begins Saturday morning with the first SuperKids River Run. With costumed Super Hero volunteers and participants, the 1.2 mile trek promises to be a ton of fun for children to age 12. Especially the end of the race where root beer floats will be served to all participants. Here’s the website, check it out. It’s not too late to register for the kids or the longer races. http://www.stjoerivermarathon.com/ or http://www.stjoerivermarathon.com/superkid.html
Not into running?
How about fishing? The Idaho Fish and Game offers their annual Free Fishing Day June 9 ~ Free as in no license required. The event includes a fishing clinic at Calder where state personnel will be on hand to help fishermen of all ages and abilities.
For details visit the IFG website, http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/
For the outdoor enthusiasts, who’s not into running or fishing, might want to attend and even race in the Chuck Compton Memorial at Xmas Hills.
The classes included auto, mini 4-stroke, 85 beginner, 85 expert, open pro-quad, lightweights, heavyweights, open pro, old timer (40 yrs.) and women.
http://stjoecycleclub.com/
No matter your interests, St. Maries has you covered!
Johnathan Stein of the St. Joe Ranger sent me the following update to area campgrounds managed by the Forest Service.
This information is just too good not to share!
Campgrounds will be open for the Memorial Day Weekend:
Upper Landing Dump Station (Avery) Day Use Site
Packsaddle Campground
Turner Flat Campground (Water available)
Tin Can Flat Campground (Water available)
Upper and Lower Conrad Campgrounds (Water available)
Gold Flat Campground
Fly Flat Campground (Water available)
Beaver Creek Campground
Line Creek Stock Camp Campground
Loop and Cliff Creek Camping Areas
Cedar Creek Campground
Emerald Creek Campground (Water available)
Big Creek Campground (Water available)
CCC Campground
Marble Creek Campground
Donkey Creek Campground
Marble Creek Interpretive Site
Red Ives Ranger Station
Emerald Creek Garnet Area (Open Friday, May 25th)
The following WILL NOT open:
Shadowy St. Joe Campground (due to the possibility of flooding)
Spruce Tree Campground (due to snow blocking the road)
Happy Camping!
It’s May!
As the weather is warmer, college kids are home, children (and their teachers) excitedly counting down the days to the end school year, and the grass needs mowed. Without a doubt Memorial Day Weekend is the first big weekend of summer!
For some, summer means camping! And there’s likely no place on earth that is a more beautiful campsite the St. Joe Valley!
Heyburn State Park boasts some beautiful campgrounds and plenty of activities to for the entire family. It’s also close enough to stores and restaurants, that if you forget something, it can be found with a quick trip to town. Most of the sites are easily accessed from State 5. For more information you can visit their website.
http://parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/parks/heyburn.aspx
If you’re more interested more remote or rustic campsites, check out the campgrounds up the St. Joe River. Nearly all of the sites are open for the big weekend.
However there is a huge pile of snow is the blocking the entrance Spruce Tree Campground. It will be melting pretty fast – unfortunately not in time for campers this weekend.
And the St. Joe Campground, Just 10 miles form St. Maries will stay closed this weekend. The melting snow, flowing into an already swollen St. Joe River, may cause some high water in campsites. For safety reasons, they’re keeping it closed.
But other than those two campgrounds the mountains are reading for visitors.
You can access Forest Service maps and information at http://www.fs.usda.gov/recmain/ipnf/recreation.
Grab your running shoes and your cape for the inaugural running of the SuperKid River Run June 9!
The SuperKid River Run is for kids up to 12 years old. The 1.2 mile run is along the beautiful St. Joe River.
This event will take place the day before the St. Joe River Marathon. Each finisher will receive a race T-shirt and a root beer float provided by Harvest Foods after the race. Parents and other runners are encouraged to run with their children. Registration will be available until 9:30am on the day of the race or preregister on-line at http://www.stjoerivermarathon.com/registration.html
We hope this event will help children get excited about being outdoors and staying in shape, and we can’t wait to see all the little runners!
This weekend, May 19 and May 20, is stacking up to be a big weekend in St. Maries!
Benewah Community Hospital’s health fair begins early Saturday morning in the recently completed hospital tower.
From 7 to 10 a.m. the hospital is offering discounted lab tests and various free services. Yes, I said FREE services.
It’s a great opportunity to take care of yourself at a price that is easy on the pocket. The hospital has organized similar health fairs annually for more than seven years, and will offer it again in October. Registration will take place at the Blue Spruce Café on the first floor.
In addition to a slate-full of activities, baseball games, bike rides and all late-spring days entail, Heyburn PTO is throwing a party! The PTO’s Bounce Into Summer Carnival is Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the playground. The activities include bouncy houses, a basketball shootout and carnival games. You can win a live goldfish, stuffed animals and other prizes.
Sounds like a really great time!
Whether you’re a spectator or a participant the Muddy Butt Tag Team Motocross dirt bike races at Xmas Hills is guaranteed to be thrilling. Mud and dirt, loud noises and fast toys, that’s what the races are all about. The local Kiwanis Club plans to have its grill cooking up lunch for spectators and racers alike. So bring your lawn chairs and a bottle of sunscreen.
The weatherman is calling for a cooler but sunny weather this weekend and it’ll be a great weekend to spend it in St. Maries!
The beautiful St. Joe Valley.
If it’s true a picture is worth a 1,000 words, nothing more needs said.
Springtime is a great time to visit St. Maries!
Wow! Spring is finally here. Not just the weather, or the trees and their sprouting leaves, or the blooming shrubs and flowers, and longer days, but several events in and around St. Maries are sure signs that spring has arrived.
One event is the opening of the Hughes House next week.
Near downtown St. Maries, the Hughes House is a historic log home at 528 Main Avenue. It serves as a museum loaded with local history. Their open house is from 2 to 5PM next Friday, May 18. “Doilies and old Melodies” will be on display and refreshments served.
The annual open house coincides with the beginning of its summer hours. Volunteers will man the Hughes House from noon to 4PM every Thursday through Sunday. Stop by and see their displays about the rich history of logging in the area and the people of the St. Joe Valley.
Also next Friday, local vendors will celebrate the first week of the St. Maries Farmer Market. In a typical week you’ll find locally harvested honey, fresh produce, crafts, tomato plants, hand-spun wool, flower starts, greens to eat, baked goods. The market is located in the lot next to the Hughes house and is open from 3 to 6PM Fridays through September.
Next weekend is the first of three dirt bike races sponsored by the St. Joe Cycle Club at Xmas Hills, just three miles from St. Maries.
The Muddy Butt Tag Team race is Sunday, May 20. Classes in the non-team divisions include Auto, 65s, mini 4-stroke, 85 Beginner, 85 Expert, Open Pro Quad, Ironman, and Ironman Pro. (Women’s and Jack and Jill Team optional). Visit their website for details.
Also, keep in mind the St. Maries Golf Course is open; play a round of 18 holes, or 9 holes. Any day on the course is a day spent near heaven.
Oh glorious spring!
