The community rallies this weekend to help three families.
A house fire that left a family of six homeless, a horseback riding injury that required a woman to undergo two major back surgeries and a bone marrow transplant for a local three-year-old have the community of St. Maries working together to help raise money to help cover costs for the three families affected by the hardships.
Benefit for Massing Family Friday
A local family still seeks a place to live following a fire at their rental home.
Michael and Bobbie Jo Massing, who have four children lost most of their possession in a fire Sept. 6. The couple has also been looking for a permanent place to stay since the fire.
Mary Orr, a friend of the family, has planned a benefit in hopes of raising some cash to put them back into a house.
“They are homeless at this point. We just got them a room for a week at River Front Suites. But they literally have nowhere to go. Their biggest need right now is a place to stay. If anyone has anything let us know.”
There will be a benefit for the Massing family Friday night. Michael and Bobbie Jo – pictured with their four children KaseyJane, Devon, Payton and Rickyann – lost the majority of their possessions in a house fire earlier this month. They are also looking for a place to stay.
The benefit is Friday, Sept. 30, at the St. Maries Assembly of God Church. Mrs. Orr’s husband Scott will be cooking a spaghetti dinner. The cost is $5 per person or $20 for a family of four. Dinner will be served beginning at 5 p.m.
“We will have a silent auction during the evening, which will close at 7 p.m. and then following that we will have a dessert auction,” Mrs. Orr said.
Mrs. Orr said local businesses and individuals have helped make the fundraiser possible. Potlatch donated a load of wood and North Idaho Drilling donated a load of rock.
“We have gift baskets, gift certificates, collectibles and various other items. Local businesses and individuals donated some pretty neat things,” she said. “The pasta was donated by Archie’s IGA, and the Fernwood Mercantile donated the meat.”
Mrs. Massing works at Valley Vista and her husband cares for the four children. Mr. Massing grew up in Emida, and his family still lives there.
Mrs. Orr said she is still seeking items for the auction and dessert items. Call her at 582-2085.
Back in the Saddle Again, October 1
A benefit is planned for St. Maries resident Peggy Manes Saturday, Oct. 1.
The “Back in the Saddle Again” Benefit will be at 5 p.m. at the Elks Lodge. Mrs. Manes was injured in a horseback riding accident in July. She spent 10 days at Harborview Medical Center where she underwent two major surgeries to repair her badly broken back. The benefit will raise money to help the family pay medical bills associated with the surgeries and Mrs. Manes’ recovery.
A taco bar dinner will be served with Mexican rice and chocolate Texas sheet cake for dessert. The cost is $7 per plate or $25 for a family of four. An auction and raffle will follow the dinner at 6:30 p.m.
Prior to the evening event, Charlie Reynolds will be offering rides in his jet boat during the day. He will be at Spicer Pond at 9:30 a.m. Mr. Reynolds said people may call him for a time slot at 582-1206 or call Loretta Joines at 582-2319.
The pond is located just past Harvest Foods along State 3. Mr. Reynolds will take individuals out in his boat for a donation of $20 to $25, which will then be given to Mrs. Manes. Mr. Reynolds said he plans to offer rides until about 3 or 4 p.m., depending on if people continue to come.
Bryson gets help from his brother
A local family traveled to Seattle Tuesday for their three-year-old son Bryson to receive a bone marrow transplant.
To say the last few months have been difficult for Douglas and Erin Reid is an understatement. However, the support they’ve received from the community has been overwhelming.
The couple, who has four children, learned their youngest had aplastic anemia in August. Aplastic anemia is a rare disease where a person’s bone marrow stops making new red blood cells.
Ten-year-old Turstin Reid hugs his younger brother, Bryson.
Bryson will receive a bone marrow transplant next month to help treat aplastic anemia, a rare disease that stops a person’s bone marrow from making new red blood cells. Turstin will serve as the bone marrow donor for the operation, set for Oct. 14.
Photo courtesy of Stephanie Rogers with FlowerGirl Photography
In April 2016, Bryson started having major bruising all over his body, which led to petechiae on his face, Mrs. Reid said. Doctors discovered his platelet count was low and, so they rushed him to Sacred Heart.
“The bone marrow test showed that Bryson’s bone marrow was low. So he was put on a high level of steroids to see if that would help his platelets increase. In the meantime the doctors decided that we needed to have our other three kids tested to see if anyone was a bone marrow match who could potentially be a donor if Bryson needed a bone marrow transplant,” Mrs. Reid said.
Three weeks later, doctors tested Bryson’s bone marrow again, and it showed to be increasing. They began to wean him off the steroids. However, Bryson’s counts began dropping again, and this time is was his white and red blood cells. Doctors tested his bone marrow again, and results show that his bone marrow had less than five percent in it. He was diagnosed with aplastic anemia Aug. 15.
“This meant that we needed a bone marrow transplant and since we had already tested the other three kids to see if one of them would be a match we had the relief to know that our oldest son, Turstin (10), was a full match for Bryson,” Mrs. Reid said.
During the time the couple heard the diagnosis, Bryson was admitted to the hospital and diagnosed with pneumatosis intestinalis. He was released after two days only to be admitted again with a blood infection. Pneumatosis intestinalis is where the bowels have gas in their lining.
“The pneumatosis was so bad that we had a GI doctor, a pediatrics surgical doctor, and a doctor of rare disease visiting us every day on top of our normal hematology doctor. The way to treat pneumatosis is by antibiotic and gut rest, which meant Bryson was no longer allowed to eat. Within the next few days a picc line was placed in Bryson’s arm, which allowed him to receive 100 percent TPN (total parenteral nutrition) so he wasn’t feeling so hungry,” Mrs. Reid said.
Once released, Bryson and his family went to Seattle to learn how the transplant would work. A week ago, an x-ray revealed the pneumatosis was resolved.
With everything cleared up, the family is hopeful that following a series of tests and CT scans, Bryson will receive a bone marrow transplant around Oct. 14 if all goes well.
“By the time Bryson makes it to his one year after transplant we hope to be back to a somewhat normal life,” Mrs. Reid said.
She added Turstin is a hero. She said his recovery after doctors remove the bone marrow should be fast, and he should be back to normal in a few weeks.
To help the family with expenses, Wendy Lee and others have organized several raffles.
“So far we have collected so many items for baskets to raffle off. Halloween is their favorite holiday, so we are doing baskets for fall and Halloween,” she said. “We also have a dump truck load of firewood donated by Potlatch, four cords. There is an account set up at Banner Bank for Douglas and Erin Reid as well as a youcaring.com under Bryson’s Brigade. People have been so amazing going out on their own to raffle items like arrowheads by Kurtis and Becca Plante, Mary Jo Campbell, a donate your change, and I have an entire dining room table full of baskets and items to raffle off along with gift certificates and more.”
Tickets for the raffle baskets are $1 each or six for $5. Tickets for the wood are $10 each. Tickets are available from Wendy Lee, at St. Maries Family Medicine; Mary Jo Jackson at Hill-Of-Beans, Tami Bell or Bonnie Morris.
Austin Mueller is also raffling a knife. Find information at Mountain Man Steel’s Facebook page.
Mrs. Reid and her husband are extremely grateful for the outpouring of support. Both of them were born and raised in St. Maries and recently returned after Mr. Reid’s time in the Army.
The Reid family traveled to Seattle Tuesday for their three-year-old son Bryson to receive a bone marrow transplant, donated by his 10-year-old brother Turstin.
To help the family with expenses, friends have organized raffles, started an account at Banner Bank and have created a fundraising page at youcaring.com under Bryson’s Brigade.
Photo courtesy of Stephanie Rogers with FlowerGirl Photography
“This community has pulled together and we cannot express how grateful we are. We can feel all the prayer for Bryson and our family, and that is the true reason why we are able to make it through all of this,” she said. “People have done so much for us.”
For updates about Bryson and the family, as well as fundraisers, find their page on Facebook, Bryson’s Brigade.
Vic Camm Park received a makeover as part of Dawson Marunde’s project to earn his Eagle Scout rank.
Dawson has been active in Boy Scouts for seven years. When it came time to select a project for his Eagle project, Vic Camm Park came to mind.
Dawson Marunde, left, stands in front of the new playset he installed at Vic Camm Park as part of his project to earn his Eagle rank for Boy Scouts.
“I have a lot of younger siblings from ages two to 10, and so my family comes up here to play a lot,” he said. “I realized there were some safety hazards at the park and so came up with a plan to put in a new play set and build a fence.”
Though he was not able to put up a fence, Dawson did tear out old the play set and put in a new one. He also repainted the merry-go-round. In addition, he dug a trench around the merry-go-round and put in wood chips. Wood chips were also placed around the new play set as well.
“I had to ask family and friends and local residents for monetary support for the project and also had to find people, including those in my own troop, to help me build it,” he said.
Dawson said he was happy with how the project came together.
“I learned plans don’t always go like you think they will and you do hit bumps in the road and have to figure things out,” he said. “But I am happy with it, and I think everyone else is too. I want to thank everyone in the community who helped support this project and who came and helped me with the labor.”
Donations are still being accepted to help cover the cost of the new play set. Contact Dawson or his mom Katie Priddy at 582-0589 to make a contribution.
We are just days away from one of the biggest small-town celebrations around. Don’t miss any of the events we’ve crammed into four days, starting Friday when the carnival and community booths open for business. A variety of other events, including a fun run, junior olympics, a demolition derby, logging competitions and the best fireworks show around fill Labor Day weekend.
Friday, September 2
› ALL DAY Visit St. Maries and have some fun. Spend some time and take a trip up the St. Joe River its a beautiful drive. You can go swimming, fishing, or play a round of golf. Stop by the Hughes House on Main Avenue to learn more about our area’s past. Plan to shop St. Maries for great bargains during the sidewalk sales. The information booth is selling Paul Bunyan Day T-Shirts, Sweatshirts, Hoodies and other stuff for the weekend on a first come, first serve basis. The hours are 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. Stop by and say “Hi” to all the volunteers and get your questions answered. Be sure to purchase your tickets for the Hospice Wood Raffle while at the information booth!
Camping available at AQUA PARK with permits only. Someone will be down there at Aqua Park to collect your money and give you a permit for camping.
› NOON Community Booths and Blue Ox Tavern. Visit the many interesting booths in City Park and, if you’re 21 or older, check out the “Biggest Topless Bar” in Idaho. ID is required regardless of age.
› 5:00PM Pet and Doll Parade. Kids dress up your favorite doll, stuffed animal, or living pet and yourself and join the parade. First, Second and Third place prizes! Plan to meet your parents at the Football field, City Park, where winners will be announced and all participants will receive a snack. Parade route will be from 7th and Main to 13th and Main. No parking on either side of Main Street from 8th through 10th. STRICTLY ENFORCED!
› 6 – 10PM Karaoke at the Community Amphitheatre in City Park.
› 8 – 10PM “Shirts ‘n Skins” Square Dance at the Fairgrounds.
Saturday, September 3
› 8AM Paul Bunyan Days Karen Ebert Memorial 5K Fun Run/ Walk registration. The 5K race has returned to the Paul Bunyan Days line-up. Pick up races packet at St. Maries High School gym parking lot and get ready for a 3.2 mile walk/run along the beautiful St. Joe River Road. Late registration accepted until race time.
Several runners and walkers participated in the annual Paul Bunyan Days/ Karen Ebert Memorial Fun Run and Walk Sept. 5. In this photo, runners lineup moments before the start of the race.
Demolition Derby registration at the Benewah County Fairgrounds.
› 9AM Fun Run/Walk begins. The 5k race begins with a bang. Whether you’re an experienced runner, an avid walker or just wanting to get out for good walk, this is an event you won’t want to miss.
› 9:30AM Junior Olympics Registration. Free and Fun – All kids to age 12 welcome. Football Field, City Park.
› 10AM Helicopter Rides. Come on down and check out the prices. West end of City Park.
Blue Ox opens.
Junior Olympics. Come on down and cheer these kids on as they compete for awards to be presented in each age group.
Lance Hamblin and Jared Badgett dive for the finish line in the sack race during the Junior Olympics.
› 11AM Register for Water Events at the City Pool. 13-17 years old, parents must be present for sign-up and competition.
› 11AM – NOON St. Maries Community Band and Choir at the Community Amphitheatre in City Park.
› ALL DAY Carnival, Food Booths, Blue Ox, and Shopping. The Merchant’s Sidewalk Sales continue and all the fun continues at City Park. Don’t miss it!
› NOON Water Events. Come join the fun. Be part of it or cheer on the others. Loggers water competition is old fashioned fun with Log Birling, Canoe Jousting, Tight Rope Walking, Ma & Pa Raft Race, and more. Please bring your own towel.
Register to participate – Amateurs only.
› 1PM Crash for Cash Demolition Derby at the Fairgrounds.
› 5 – 9PM Earl Wear and Haywire at the Community Amphitheatre.
› 6PM Weigh-in for the Tug of War. 1500 lbs maximum co-ed teams. Must have one female on the team. Come on down to the Football Field to sign up.
› 7PM Tug of War. Don’t miss the action as you watch groups compete. Co-Ed teams 1500 lb limit.
› 8PM – 12AM JamShack the Blue Ox.
› 9PM Rose’s Fireworks Show. Low aerial firework show – sneak peak to Sunday’s big show!
St. Joe V
alley Car Club Dance. Everyone 21 years or older is invited to the Cormana Building, City Park, to have some fun and dance the night away. Music provided by the King Pins. Tickets $5 at the door.
Sunday, September 4
› 7AM – 12:30PM Community Breakfast at the Eagles Lodge.
› ALL DAY Carnival, booths, Blue Ox. All the fun continues at City Park, don’t miss out!
› 10AM – 6PM Valley Peacemakers Quilt Show Annual quilt show sponsored by the Valley Piecemakers Quit & Craft Club will be at the Heyburn Elementary School gym 1404 Main Street just one block from City Park.
› 10AM Blue Ox opens.
Helicopter Rides. Come on down and check out the prices. West End of the City Park.
› 11AM – 3PM Music at the Community Amphitheatre in City Park.
› NOON Paul Punyan Auction. If you want a bargain, and like auctions you will love this one. Great items donated by local merchants. Also loads of logs were donated and will be auctioned. Come and get your number and participate. Football Field, City Park.
Registration for Children’s Pool Events. Ages 6-12. Parents must be present for sign-up and competition.
› 1PM Children’s Pool Events. Ages 6-12. Inner Tube races and Parent-child raft races. Parents must be present for sign-up and competition.
› 5 – 8PM Down South at the Community Amphitheatre.
› 6PM Joy Night Worship at First Baptist Church, on Second Street. Fireworks pre-show.
› 9PM Fireworks.
› 8PM – 12AM JamShack at the Blue Ox.
Monday, September 5
› 8 – 9:30AM Register for the Parade. Sign up at Ken’s Body Shop, west end of town. Registration accepted until 9:30 only!
Hurry to get a spot in line for the Parade.
› 10AM – 5PM Valley Peacemakers Quilt Show The quilt show is sponsored by the Valley Piecemakers Quilt & Craft Club will be at the Heyburn Elementary School gym, just one block from City Park.
› 10AM Here Comes the Parade!! Grab a folding chair and line up on Main Ave. Give a hearty welcome to all parade participants. No Parking on either side of Main Avenue from 7th through 11th. STRICTLY ENFORCED!
Helicopter Rides. Come on down and check out the prices. West End of City Park.
› NOON – CLOSE Carnival, Booths, Blue Ox. The fun continues until this evening. Last chance to have fun – grab some lunch, the food great!
Josh Harvey takes one last swing before the top half of his log breaks off.
› NOON Registration for Logging Events. Sign up at the Softball field in the City Park. Amateurs only.
Kids Events on main stage at City Park. 2-5 yrs. old.
› 1PM Logging Events. It’s show down time Come cheer these loggers and loggerettes on as they compete in various activities. Amateurs only.
It is an honor she did not seek out.
But many will tell you it is one she deserves.
Francie Walters hold a portrait of herself that was taken during the time she worked as a nurse. Mrs. Walters is beiong honored for the contributions she made at a ceremony Friday, Aug. 26. Tamarack Conference Room at Benewah Community Hospital will be renamed in her honor.
The Tamarack Conference Room at Benewah Community Hospital will be dedicated and renamed for longtime nurse Frances “Francie” Walters. The event is from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 26, at the conference room.
The ceremony will include a short program and an open house format, allowing the community to gather and visit. Refreshments will be served. Ron Hodge and Dr. Rick Thurston, who have both worked with Mrs. Walters, will speak at the dedication.
The committee that installed the Walk Through History Exhibit had the idea to honor Mrs. Walters for the contributions she’s made to the local clinic and hospital, Robin Renaldo said.
Mrs. Walters said she was quite surprised when she learned about the event.
“I was very surprised and humbled by it,” she said. “It is a great honor. I appreciate the honor.”
By the time she was five years old, Mrs. Walters knew she wanted to be a nurse. After graduating from St. Maries High School in 1950, Mrs. Walters worked as an aide at the old Milwaukee Hospital and then as a teller at E.G. Yenor’s bank.
In 1954, Mrs. Walters went to study nursing at Sacred Heart School of Nursing in Spokane. She worked at Sacred Heart after she graduated, returning to Fernwood in 1960 after she married.
During her years as a wife and mother, Mrs. Walters worked at Fernwood’s monthly well-child clinics and served as UpRiver’s community nurse, though it was not a recognized position.
She eventually went on to work at St. Maries Family Medicine – retiring in 1998 after 25 years with the practice. During that time, she continued to serve as a nurse to the residents of Fernwood and Santa.
“I found the work very fulfilling,” Mrs. Walters said. “I met a lot of wonderful people, especially those I worked with. The work is a joy and a privilege.”
Dr. Thurston said he had the pleasure of having Mrs. Walters as his nurse for the six years he worked in the clinic.
“Francie has been a lifelong giver of herself to her community; both in St. Maries and in Fernwood,” Dr. Thurston said. “She truly cared for people. She had that heart that I think is missing in our world today. She had a caring spirit and it carried through in her actions and deeds.”
He said the recognition is well deserved.
“I think it’s important to recognize people who have been Good Samaritans and given themselves to the community. Someone the rest of us can admire and look up to and strive for that in our own lives,” he said.
Dr. Thurston said he was there when Mrs. Walters learned of the honor.
“She said, ‘Well, there’s people out there who have given more than I have,’” he said. “Her humbleness is always a quality that is admirable.”
Judy Bailey, who has known and worked with Mrs. Walters, brought the idea forward to name the conference room after Mrs. Walters.
“I felt it was time that we honored her,” Mrs. Bailey said. “I want her to realize how important she is and has been to this community.”
Mrs. Bailey said Mrs. Walters was also instrumental in getting the BetterCARE Foundation off the ground.
“Without her, the organization wouldn’t have taken off like it did. She was always the first to volunteer her ideas as well as the leg work. She did so much for the hospital and this dedication is a way for the hospital and the clinic to say thank you for all that she has done,” Mrs. Bailey said.
Mrs. Bailey added Mrs. Walters is very genuine person and well deserving of the honor.
“The thing that comes to mind when I think of Francie is whenever you talk to her face to face or on the phone she never fails to sign off with God bless you and she truly means it,” she said.
Mrs. Walters requests no gifts.
Steers, hogs, chickens, rabbits, sheep and other critters will make an appearance at the Benewah County Fair this week. The fair starts tomorrow, Thursday, Aug. 18, and continues through Sunday, Aug. 21.
Fairgoers are sure to find something that delights them as an array of projects – both indoor and outdoor – will be on display. Not to mention this year’s theme is Stars and Stripes and Fair Delights.
Sean and Brenna Elliott will exhibit their pigs this week at the Benewah County Fair. This is Brenna’s first year showing pig; it is her brother’s fifth year. Sean will also show his steer. They said they’ve enjoyed the projects from training to bathing. Both pigs gained weight well, they said.
Many 4-H students will be showing animals throughout the week with the goal of selling their stock to the highest bidder Saturday, Aug. 20, at the Junior Show Market Animal Sale. A buyer’s appreciation breakfast will be served from 8 to 10 a.m. before the sale. The menu includes biscuits and gravy and will be served by the Junior Show committee and participants.
The sale itself starts at 10 a.m. This is a great time for anyone looking to put meat in their freezer to come out and support the 4-H participants.
“The whole community comes together to support these kids,” Nancy Malensky said.
There will be 16 steers up for sale, 72 hogs, four chickens, one rabbit, five goats and seven sheep.
“The steer numbers really increased this year,” she said. “We’ve moved them down to the Judd Building and rebuilt the lean-to and will be showing them down there.”
Several other improvements have also been made, she added, due to great support from members of the community.
“We put concrete down in both the sheep and goat barn and there is a new permanent structure outside the building to cover the picnic tables,” Mrs. Malensky said. “It’s amazing what we can accomplish thanks to the work of volunteers and donations.”
In addition to the livestock show and sale, there will be an array of indoor exhibits. From horticulture to baking, to photography to sewing, a variety of projects by both 4-H members and the community will be on display in the various buildings throughout the week. Additional contests are also planned.
Benewah County 4-H’s 6th Annual Pie Contest is Saturday, Aug. 20. Pies should be entered between 12:30 and 2 p.m. at the gazebo. Awards are announced at 3 p.m. and pies will then be auctioned off. There are three categories: fruit and berry, cream, and other. First, second and third place ribbons are awarded in each category as well as Best of Show.
Another type of pie will pick the winner of a $500 prize. Cow Patty Bingo is at 11 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 21. For $10, you can purchase a square on the grid for a chance to win. Proceeds benefit Benewah County 4-H. Tickets may be purchased at the fair.
The St. Maries Fire Department will do a fire safety demonstration in the arena at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 20. Also, Kiwanis will cook breakfast from 7 to 11 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 21. Finally, throughout the week, for a small fee, the largest 4-H group, Dead Eye Archery, will give fairgoers a chance to try their hand at shooting a bow. Several fun targets are expected.
Buildings and exhibits will be open to the public from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday to Saturday. Then, on Sunday, the fair will be open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
2016 Benewah County Fair Schedule
Thursday, August 18
7:30AM Junior Show Participants meet with judge
8 to 11AM Junior Show Swine Fitting and Showing
11:30AM Junior Show Final Round of Swine Fitting and Showing
Noon to 1PM Junior Show Market Lamp and Meat Goat Quality followed by open classes
1 to 3PM Poultry and Rabbit Fitting and Showing followed by quality judging in the pen
3 to 3:30PM PeeWee Swine Showing
4 to 6PM Junior Show Market Beef Fitting and Showing followed by Dairy and open classes
Friday, August 19
8 to 11AM Junior Show Swine Quality followed by open classes
11 to 11:30AM Lunch Break
11:30 to 12:15PM Junior Show Sheep Fitting and Showing
12:15 to 2:30PM Junior Show Goat Fitting and Showing. Junior Show Dairy Goat Quality, Pet Pack and Breeding followed by open classes
3 to 5:30PM Junior Show Bee Quality Judging
5:30 to 6PM Animal Dress Up Contest
6PM ADG Awards
6PM Community band performs
6:15 to 8:15PM Round Robin
Saturday, August 20
8 to 10AM Buyer’s Appreciation Breakfast
10AM Junior Show Market Animal Sale
10AM to 1PM Enter pies for Pie Contest
2PM Fire Department Safety Demonstration in the Arena
2PM Pie Judging Begins
3PM Pie Auction Begins
Sunday, August 21
7 to 11AM Kiwanis Breakfast
11AM Cow Patty Bingo
11:30AM Dick Frost the Magician
3 to 6PM All exhibits released
The St. Maries Church of the Nazarene will help families send their children back to school.
For 16 years, the church has organized an annual clothing giveaway to help area families with school-age children. In addition to used clothing for all ages, the church also gives away new backpacks, school supplies and winter coats.
This year’s event is from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 13, in the church’s gymnasium.
Faithann Ebert is the lead organizer for the St. Maries Church of the Nazarene’s School Clothing Giveaway. This year’s event is from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 13. New backpacks, school supplies and winter coats are available to children as well as used clothing. Free haircuts and a dental clinic will also be offered.
During the clothing giveaway, four beauticians from the community will offer free haircuts to children and youth. Amy Reid-Scheer, Teri Reid, Kaini Johnson and Sabrina Powell will volunteer their time and services. Also, a free dental clinic will be offered by Panhandle Health, which will include fluoride and a quick exam.
Last year, the church gave away more than 200 backpacks. Children need to be present with their parents or guardians to receive new items. Items will be given away on a first-come, first-served basis and will be available as supplies last.
“We want to give a shout out to John and Mary Kistler, who sort, wash and organize all the clothes for us. They work all year,” Faithann Ebert said. “Also, we want to give a huge thanks to World Vision for donating 150 backpacks and school supplies.”
Donations of new winter coats, backpacks, school supplies and gently used clothing are always appreciated from the community. Winter coats, especially, are always needed.
The church is located at 175 Grandview Drive. For more information call 245-4594.
Race fans from around the world will join area residents this weekend for the start of the World Championship Jet Boat races. Racing teams from four countries are set to gather over the next two weeks to race four Idaho rivers.
The ten-day event marks the second time St. Maries has been selected as the starting point for the race, and the St. Maries Chamber of Commerce has been working for much of the past year to prepare for the event.
Charlie Reynolds shows off the jet boat he will be racing in the World Championship Jet Boat Races starting May 20. Displayed on the bow are the names of Mr. Reynolds’ supporters, who got a chance to sign the boat during an event at the Grapple Haus May 5.
“Organizing began late last summer,” the chamber’s president, Shirley Ackerman, said. “I couldn’t possibly quantify the amount of work everyone has done or time spent on this event.”
The chamber worked with the communities of Harrison and Lewiston, as well as Kootenai County officials, to obtain proper permits and establish support infrastructure for the race.
Participating in the race are 36 two-person teams from the Unites States, Canada, Mexico and New Zealand. While a number of them, including Rick and Jodi Hollingworth of Canada, a number of other teams, including five from New Zealand and two from Mexico will be seeing the Inland Northwest for the first time.
Among the first-time racers will be Charlie and Levi Reynolds of St. Maries. A long-time racer of cars, Mr. Reynolds has decided to represent his city and state during the races with his 355-horsepower jet boat, “Bad to the Bone.”
Residents of St. Maries have come out in numbers to support Mr. Reynolds’ attempt. More than 60 residents came out to the Grapple Haus May 5 to sign his boat and donate to his race fund.
“I can’t express enough my gratitude,” Mr. Reynolds said. “To my family for putting up with me, and the people for supporting me. It’s probably been one of the highlights of my life.”
The championship event begins with the Show and Shine Friday, May 20, on Main Street. All boats participating in the race will make an appearance on the street for the public to view. Race fans will have a chance to meet the race teams, purchase official race gear and partake of local businesses.
The chamber will be closing Main Street at noon to set up for the afternoon show and are asking the community to ensure their vehicles are removed by that time. The show is from 6 to 8 p.m.
The first day of races will start Saturday, May 21, at 10 a.m. on the St. Joe River, and will continue through 4 p.m. Racing will continue Sunday, May 22, from 10 a.m. to noon. Spectators are welcome to watch the race from all public access areas along the routes. The chamber asks spectators to be respectful of private property and to pick up any trash or debris when they leave.
Racing will continue on the Coeur d’Alene River May 24-25 and will start at the Gateway Marina in Harrison. Teams will gather for a Show and Shine event at the Clearwater River Casino in Lewiston Thursday, May 26, from 6-8 p.m. Racing will resume on the Grand Ronde River at Hells Gate Marina near Lewiston May 27, and continue on the Snake River May 28-29, ending at Hells Gate Marina May 29 at noon.
Those who would like to volunteer during the race are encouraged to contact the Chamber of Commerce office at (208) 245-3563, or ask at their office on Main Street. Official race gear is available at the chamber office and proceeds from all sales go to support the event.
Both women have been affected by cancer in some way.
And they both have a desire and a passion to help others in their fight.
The third annual Ride Because We Care Four-Wheeler, ATV, Motorcycle Ride, which is organized by Destrie Brown and Pam Shawver, is Saturday, May 7.
Pam Shawver and Destrie Brown have again organized the Ride Because We Care event, which is Saturday, May 7. Riders are asked to pay a $10 donation to participate. Money benefits the American Cancer Society.
The ride will start at the Shawver’s shop at 1840 Riverdale, which is different from pervious years. Breakfast burritos will be served beginning at 8 a.m. by the Kiwanis Club. All the money raised will go to the Kiwanis Relay for Life team.
The ride will leave the Shawver’s shop at 10 a.m. Organizers are asking those who participate in the ride for a $10 donation. Halfway through the ride there will be a stop at Scott’s Park for a barbecue lunch. A donation of $5 is asked. There will be salads, cookies and chips.
More than 150 people attended the ride last year and the women hope to see a larger turnout this year. The first ride in 2014 netted $2,500 and last year’s ride brought in $6,500, which was donated to the American Cancer Society.
The ride is near and dear to both Mrs. Shaver and Mrs. Brown. Mrs. Brown had Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and has lost many close friends and family to the disease. Mrs. Shawver lost her mother-in-law and mother to cancer. She has also had a sister and sister-in-law who are survivors.
“Pam and I realize that not everyone has the same passion as we do to help the American Cancer Society, but if a person thinks about it they have known or now someone that has been affected by cancer in some way,” Mrs. Brown said.
The ride is a total of 40 miles. A special invitation is extended to all cancer survivors or those still battling cancer, Mrs. Brown said.
In addition to the ride, there will be a variety of raffles and a silent auction. You do not need to be present to win a raffle item. Tickets are available ahead of the ride. Call Mrs. Shawver at 582-3664 or Mrs. Brown at 568-0034 to purchase tickets.
“Pam and I want to thank our community and the surrounding communities for all the support and donations that have come in this year to help in the fight against cancer,” Mrs. Brown added. “We would also like to give a very special thanks to our husbands, Rick and Duke, for all their support and help with this ride. It is a lot of work and we thank them for helping us with something that is so dear to our hearts.”
To see raffle and auction items, visit the Facebook page Ride~Because We Care.
A desire to give back to the community and help people when they need it most is what drives Brinda Baird to serve her community as EMS Director and Assistant Fire Chief.
Mrs. Baird moved to Fernwood in 1990. Seven years ago, she decided to volunteer for the UpRiver Ambulance as well as the UpRiver Fire Department.
Brinda Baird was named Firefighter of the Year for 2016 by the North Idaho Fire Chiefs Association. She was nominated for the award by her son, Chance.
Last week, Mrs. Baird was honored for her efforts, receiving the North Idaho Fire Chief’s Association’s 2016 Firefighter of the Year Award as a ceremony April 13.
“There were so many people who showed up; it was overwhelming,” Mrs. Baird said.
The North Idaho Fire Chief’s Association serves the five northern counties. Mrs. Baird was nominated for the award by her son, Chance, in March. She said it was a complete surprise to receive the award.
“The nomination form came in a news packet, and I normally push them aside but he had seen it and told me he was going to nominate me. I didn’t think much of it, and we were walking past each other at the time,” she said.
Mrs. Baird said she is a fourth-generation firefighter. Her grandfather, great-grandfather and great-great grandfather were all firefighters. She said she was inspired to volunteer locally after a neighbor of hers had a fire at their place.
“The biggest thing for me is helping our community,” she said. “To be able to help save a house or to help save a life.”
Despite being on call six days a week, Mrs. Baird finds time to give back in other ways as well. She’s coached Little League in the past with her husband Raylen and recently volunteered as a coach for Win 1 at the St. Maries Church of the Nazarene. She said she spends the rest of her time investing in her children’s lives. She has seven children, five still at home.
Chance said he decided to nominate his mom, “because of all she does for the community.”
Chance added his mom was instrumental in saving the lives of two men: John McQueen and Jason Warner, who has since left the area.
Chance said Mr. McQueen came to their home and wasn’t feeling well. Mrs. Baird ended up taking him to the hospital via ambulance and during the trip Mr. McQueen died.
“Mom did CPR and was able to bring him back,” Chance recalled.
Mr. Warner had a heart attack and Mrs. Baird was able to assess and respond to the situation in such a way that saved his life.
Chance, who is a junior firefighter and fifth generation firefighter, said he is very proud of his mom for all she does and is glad he has been able to learn from her.
Mrs. Baird said she is looking forward to continue serving her community in the coming years. She added her daughters are interested in the medical field and becoming a junior firefighter when they are older.
In addition to talking about the award, Mrs. Baird said the fire department and the ambulance always needs more volunteers. Specifically, the ambulance is in need of drivers and people who would be interested in becoming an EMT.
“Anyone who is interested can contact me at 245-4920,” she said.
One special week 33 years ago has been the source of joy and comfort and happy memories for one local family.
Floyd and Nancy Turner’s oldest son Patrick was diagnosed with terminal Ewing Sarcoma, a type of soft tissue cancer, when he was seven years old. He endured surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and multiple hospital stays.
As the cancer advanced, the family was referred to Wishing Star in hopes that Patrick would be granted a special wish. The organization met with Patrick and asked him for his top three wishes, one of which was a trip to Disneyland.
Thirty-three years ago Wishing Star sent the entire Turner family to Disneyland. Floyd and Nancy Turner’s son Patrick, center, had terminal cancer and the week’s stay gave the family a chance to create new memories together. Mrs. Turner is holding Marissa and Travis and Tim are pictured alongside their brother.
Wishing Star granted that wish for Patrick and he and his family spent a week in the Magic Kingdom before he passed just a week later.
Now, the Turner family hopes to be able to raise $5,000 in memory of their son to allow Wishing Star to grant a wish for another child.
For the Turner family, the week at Disneyland has provided wonderful memories for them since their son’s passing.
“The staff thought of every last detail and arranged for transportation from the airport in a fun bus for the family,” she said.
The family was able to have breakfast with the characters, and medical professionals were standing by in case they were needed. Though Patrick was not able to enjoy all the rides, he loved the Pirates of the Caribbean ride and rode it as much as possible, his parents recalled.
“He also loved spending money from his recent birthday on anything he wanted,” Mrs. Turner said.
Mr. Turner said the whole family was impressed with what the Wishing Star Foundation did for them and for Patrick.
The Turners said the week away gave the family a chance to leave behind their reality for a short time and create happy memories that would last a lifetime.
“Patrick was able to forget his illness and enjoy being a little boy,” Mrs. Turner said. “Patrick couldn’t wait to get back home and tell his friends and family about the trip and show off all his new treasures.”
Patrick touched many lives, and was a son, brother, cousin, nephew and grandson. But in the end, he was a young boy with the courage of man, Mrs. Turner said.
“If Patrick had lived he would be turning 40 this year on April 29,” Mrs. Turner said. “As a way to honor his memory and celebrate this milestone birthday, his family hopes to pay their blessings forward and raise enough money to grant a wish to another deserving child.”
The average cost of a wish is $5,000 and the family hopes to raise that before April 29. Wishing Star was a newly founded organization when Patrick’s wish was granted, doing three wishes a year. Since then, more than 1,000 children with life-threatening illness have been granted a wish.
Floyd and Nancy Turner hold one of their late son Patrick’s favorite stuffed animals that he purchased with his birthday money. The family was granted a wish when Patrick was ill to go to Disneyland for a week and now they want to raise money in order that another child might have a wish granted.
To support the Turner’s as they honor Patrick’s memory donate online at wishingstar.org or drop a check in the mail to Wishing Star, 139 S. Sherman, Spokane, 99202. Checks may also be dropped off to Floyd and Nancy Turner at Four Season’s Realty in St. Maries.
Checks, whether mailed or dropped off at Four Season’s Realty, should be payable to Wishing Star and in the memo section of the check be sure to note it is in Patrick’s memory, so the family can track their progress.
