The St. Joe Snow Riders will raise money for local cancer patients. The club has hosted an annual Breast Cancer Snowmobile Ride in February since 2008 to benefit the Kootenai Health Foundation. The day-long event takes snowmobilers through a 50-mile course into the mountains of the St. Joe valley.
Paula Spooner, Lou Epler, and Dale Hill display memorabilia for the Breast Cancer Snowmobile Ride.
The annual event began seven years ago, and in that time has raised more than $21,000 to support cancer patients with little to no income or insurance. The money pays for vouchers on necessities like gas, food and medicines.
“All the money comes back to the county and the surrounding areas,” says the event organizer, Paula Spooner.
To date, the funds raised have helped more than 116 people. While last year’s ride was cancelled, the group hopes to surpass their previous fundraising record of $4,193.
The club provides many ways for individuals and organizations to donate to the fund. One is the option to dedicate a pink ribbon-shaped signposts, either to promote local businesses or to memorialize lost loved ones, which will line the entire course. More than one hundred of these signs have already been purchased.
T-shirts and headbands bearing the event’s name, as well as woven pink ribbon wristbands provided by Janice McCall, can be purchased through the Spooners directly.
The club also provides a drawing for prizes at each stop on the route. Participants can buy “hands” for the drawings at either the Big Eddy or the Calder General Store. One hand is available for $5, while five are available for $20.
The event will start at the Big Eddy resort on the St. Joe River with registration from 8:00-10:00 a.m. for riders and a buffet breakfast. Riders then travel a groomed trail through the area, stopping at three designated areas. Burgers and hot dogs will be available at these stops in exchange for donations. The last stop will be at the Calder general store, where a dinner special will be available.
The Snow Riders will also stage a memorial run for Morry Hedlund in Clarkia on February 27.
For more information, contact St. Maries Saw & Cycle (245-4544), Idaho Rigging (245-3523), Dale Hill (582-3402), or Jeff and Paula Spooner (245-4070).
Sixty-nine floors, 140 staircase landings, 1,356 steps, 1,900 firefighters; Ronnie Dickerson knows the numbers by heart.
Which is fitting because heart is what the Scott Firefighter Stairclimb is all about.
“At every landing, all 140 of them, there are photos,” Mr. Dickerson said. “The first few years the photos were of survivors. But now the photos are in memory of loved ones who have lost their lives to cancer.”
Ron Dickerson will take part in the Scott Firefighter Stairclimb in Seattle March 6. The 2016 event will mark his sixth year of participation in the annual event that raises money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
He said that even though the annual event at the Columbia Center in Seattle is about raising money for cancer research, he is hoping that his sixth attempt does more than just raise the minimum $1,500 fundraising requirement. He wants to bring awareness not just to the disease itself but to the possibility of prevention through a healthy lifestyle.
“There are so many people who are fighting – and losing – their battle to cancer, and I feel like this is something I can do to raise money and awareness for cancer and lifestyle changes to promote healthy living,” Mr. Dickerson said.
He has been training for the event since Oct. 6 and, through regular exercise and healthy diet, has lost 50 pounds, with a goal to lose 20 more before the March 6 event. He also hopes to crush another goal and cut last year’s time of 45 minutes nearly in half.
“Twenty-four minutes is my goal,” he said. “Last year I felt like I had trained really hard but nothing like this year.”
For the past 20 years, firefighters from throughout the country have entered the challenge each spring to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Participants must raise at least $1,500 in donations and sponsorships in order to qualify for the next year’s event. Last year Mr. Dickerson made up $1,700 of a record $2.2 million raised.
For three years, Mr. Dickerson was joined by Tim Kraack, but a knee injury has prevented Mr. Kraack from participating. Instead, he’ll serve as Mr. Dickerson’s support team and change out his oxygen tank.
Each year Mr. Dickerson dedicates his climb to someone undergoing cancer treatment, and he is looking for a person to commit this climb to.
Donations can be made to Mr. Dickerson directly, in an account set up at Banner Bank in St. Maries or with Ginger at the St. Maries fire station. But Mr. Dickerson said he would prefer donors submit their pledge online, as he is able to track the names of those who support his cause and thank individuals personally. Online donations can be made by clicking the Donate tab at the Scott Firefighter Stairclimb web site, llswa.org.
Mr. Dickerson is the fire chief for Potlatch Corp’s fire department and has served as a volunteer firefighter with the St. Maries Fire Protective District for two decades.
Leslee Adams has been the face of the St. Maries Public Library as the lead librarian for 16 years.
And before she was hired for that position she served as assistant librarian for nine years.
This summer, Mrs. Adams will retire after having worked for 25 years at the local library.
Leslee Adams will retire this summer from her position as librarian at the St. Maries Public Library. She was worked at the library for 25 years and served 16 of those years as lead librarian.
“It’s just time,” she said.
Mrs. Adams will step down from the position at the end of July. She said the library board is working on a job description for the position and will be advertising for it soon.
Prior to answering an advertisement in the newspaper for the assistant librarian position, Mrs. Adams worked in childcare for 14 years. It’s no surprise then that working with the children she encountered at the library has been her favorite aspect of her job.
“I’ve loved the kids. Doing story time, family nights, Dr. Seuss. The kids are always so appreciative and so excited to have a story read,” she said.
Mrs. Adams said in her 25-year career the biggest changes at the library have been automation and technology changes.
“Being connected to other libraries and being able to draw from their resources has also been huge,” she added.
Looking forward to retirement, Mrs. Adams said she has plans to spend more time with her grandchildren.
“I just don’t want to miss things,” she said. “I also enjoy gardening. It will be something new.”
Not able to work after his stroke, Scott Kammeyer had plenty of time on his hands.
With a desire to give back to the community, he took Candy Pugh up on her offer to join the local St. Maries Kiwanis Club.
Scott Kammeyer was named Kiwanian of the Year. He has been an active member with the organization for two years. President Candy Pugh said he was selected because he is always willing to volunteer at various functions and is a hard worker.
Two years later, Mr. Kammeyer was named Kiwanian of the Year.
“I didn’t really expect anything,” Mr. Kammeyer said, “being the new guy.”
Mrs. Pugh, who is the president, said Mr. Kammeyer was chosen for his willingness to help with the club’s various activities.
“He’s always available, always volunteered and showed up,” she said. “Plus, he’s a hard worker.”
“When I couldn’t work anymore, I just felt like I needed to do something to get involved in the community,” Mr. Kammeyer said. “(Kiwanis) is a very ambitious group.”
He said he had known about the group prior to joining but learned quickly just how much they do for the community.
“They give back a lot in dollars and time,” he said. “It’s a very worthwhile club.”
Mr. Kammeyer said he’s been involved with many activities through the club and does a lot of cooking whenever there is an event. Mr. Kammeyer is also involved with the Second Harvest food distribution.
If someone is looking for a way to get involved, Mr. Kammeyer said he would recommend the Kiwanis Club. He said he’d like to see the younger generation participate more.
“We need to get more members. Most of the members are older,” he said.
He added St. Maries “is a neat community.”
“It’s a good place to live,” he said. “I do plan to stay involved. Always willing to help.”
Mr. Kammeyer moved to St. Maries from Potlatch 15 years ago.
Over the course of his high school years, Hayden Humphrey’s role on the Lumberjack wrestling team has transitioned from learner to leader.
His competitiveness and drive have never changed, rewarding him with his 100th win Wednesday, Jan. 6 in front of a home crowd.
Hayden Humphrey wins by pin and grabs his 100th varsity career win.
“I planned to do this since the second I heard about the 100-win club in the 5th or 6th grade,” Hayden said.
Now the senior leader of a freshman-sophomore dominant wrestling team, the memories of his time as an under-classmen have allowed Hayden to hold an 18-3 record to start his senior year – but also to help the learners on his team.
“It was really important that I come into a really good room with guys that pushed me,” Hayden said. “There’s a huge transition from middle school to high school, and the guys in that room really pushed me.”
Former teammates and 100-match winners Josh Richmond, Isaac Walters and Joe Bloomsburg were on hand for Hayden’s 100th career win, a one-minute 23-second pin against Hunter Northington of Coeur d’Alene JV.
“They were a huge part of my high school career,” said Hayden. “To watch them get it was pretty cool and got me a little more motivated to keep going.”
Now looking down the home stretch of his senior season, Hayden’s role on the team has allowed him to impart his knowledge to younger teammates, and also push them to a fourth-straight district championship.
“They all have seen it done and seen what it takes,” Hayden said of his 100th win. “We have a great group of guys. It really opens your eyes when you watch new kids, and it’s exciting to watch them grow and improve. I want to leave my high school career as a four-time district champion, and a four-time team district champion. It’s going to be a lot harder this year than in the past. They’re really excited for it.”
The Lumberjacks return home Tuesday, Feb. 9, with matches set to begin at 5:30 p.m. at St. Maries High School.
Regardless of what happens between Brant Yearout and his brothers, he will always be able to say he came in first in 2016.
The fourth boy born to Katie and Ryan Yearout, Brant was born Monday, Jan. 4, at 12:32 p.m., making him the first baby born this year at Benewah Community Hospital. He weighed 7 lbs, 10 oz, was 20 ½ inches long, joins three older brothers; Jaxson, 7, Bryce, 4, and Lane, 2 – and with his January arrival, a place in the hospital’s scrapbook.
Katie and Ryan Yearout welcomed their fourth son — and the first baby born at Benewah Community Hospital this year. Brant was born Monday and joins three older brothers at their family home in St. Maries.
Sixteen years ago, staff members at BCH started celebrating the first birth of each year by providing the family with a gift.
“It was something we wanted to do to give back to the community,” organizer Eula Needham said. “And it’s really grown; we started with one little basket in 2000, and now we spend about $800.”
Ms. Needham and other members of the housekeeping staff, along with BCH employees from different departments, raise money to buy baby items and gifts for the first baby of each year and decorate the hospital room for the new family after delivery. Ms. Needham said that staff members have kept a memory book of each baby they have bestowed the gifts upon since the program’s inception.
Brant will be the 16th entry into that book.
“It’s great to see how it’s changed,” she said. “We used to just do one room and bought yellows and greens and whites because we didn’t know what the new year baby would be. But last year we raised $1,600 and were able to do two rooms, a boy room and a girl room, and use whichever delivered first.”
Spearheaded by Ms. Needham, hospital staff members have fundraisers throughout the year to raise money for the first baby, and Archie’s IGA provides a fruit basket, St. Maries Floral makes a floral arrangement for the family and Country Fair also donates an item.
Ed Spooner hopes that the city of St. Maries can attract new business while still staying true to its logging community’s roots. He believes it’s possible.
And after 20 years in local government, he has seen what can happen with a dedicated city council.
Ed Spooner, lifetime resident of St. Maries and owner of Fast Eddie’s, has served on the St. Maries city council for two decades. He did not seek re-election this term, retiring after more than 20 years.
Mr. Spooner will retire from the St. Maries city council this month after more than two decades of service. Although still open to being involved in politics in the future, he chose not to run for re-election this year after he felt the work the council was putting forth stalled.
“The council had become stagnant, and I wasn’t used to that,” he said.
Mr. Spooner said he had seen times when that wasn’t the case. He is especially proud of the work that he was able to contribute to, alongside George Currier, the paving of St. Maries’ streets.
“That was huge for St. Maries,” he said. “I travel around Idaho and see a lot of cities that don’t have paved streets. George worked very hard, and the council made that happen.”
He is also pleased with the work that went into revitalizing Main Avenue but would have liked to have seen it continued. More than a decade ago, a local improvement district tax allowed for the city to make aesthetic improvements along Main Avenue. Lighting and landscaping was built into the islands through town, and beautification efforts along city sidewalks were initiated. But the project didn’t extend throughout the entirety of Main Avenue, something that Mr. Spooner would have liked to have seen.
He also regrets that the plan to reroute logging truck traffic around Main Avenue has not been started.
“The thing I really wished we would have done was the truck route, the Railroad Avenue project. We worked on that quite a bit,” he said. “I would have liked to see that done. I have no problem with trucks in town, it’s just hard on main street. We are a logging community; that’s who we are.”
He also hopes that the current and future councils can improve the city’s water system, an issue that has plagued the city for years.
Mr. Spooner said he believes the past two years saw a decline in production by the council, but he had the pleasure of working with some forward-thinking council members.
“Dick Burch was a move-forward kind of council member; during the Rochat Creek project, he did some things that were huge to make things there happen,” he said. “Rudy Brandvold and Dick McEwen were great, and Donny Masterson was very focused.”
Mr. Spooner was born and raised in St. Maries, left to attend North Idaho College and returned to work for Potlatch Corp. for 18 years. In 1992, he and a partner opened Fast Eddie’s, and he continues to operate the business.
Commerce, he believes, is key to the future of St. Maries.
“We need industry,” he explained. “We are very blessed to have what we have – two major timber companies in our valley – but we need businesses, small or large.”
Mr. Spooner is active with parish council at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church and plans to remain involved in local government.
“For now, I’ll step back and watch what goes on, go to meetings, be involved, be the hand-raiser,” he said. “We have a very good council now. I see some very good people that got voted in. As long as they remember they are the ones who are responsible. Don’t just get on and be there, be involved.”
Where would you place yourself in the Christmas story?
Are you a shepherd; a wise man; Mary the mother of Jesus; Joseph his earthly father?
These are thoughts at least one local pastor asks people to ponder as she presents the age-old story of Christ’s birth.
In fact, Pastor Janet Potter of the Community Presbyterian Church of St. Maries, said that is the biggest challenge of the year.
Other ways she presents the story is through Old Testament Prophecies or in the case of the younger generations, relate it to a trending book or movie.
“I haven’t been doing full-time pastoring very long, so it is all fresh for me,” she said. “It excites me to find new ways to tell a story that many people can tell in their sleep.”
Greg Worch, pastor of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, said he doesn’t present anything new or different in his Christmas service; rather he offers the same story and depends on God to do the rest.
“We proclaim the word in a traditional service and fully rely on the Holy Spirit to convict,” he said. “What people get out of it depends on the individual’s focus.”
The New Testament offers two versions of the story of Christ’s birth, first in Matthew and again in Luke.
“Matthew is specifically written to a Jewish audience, so it has a different perspective, where Luke was written to a Gentile audience,” Pastor Worch said. “The perspectives may be a little different, but the story is the same.”
Pastor Dale Harrison of the First Baptist Church said he tries to make his message different each year.
“Everybody has heard that Baby Jesus was born in a manger in Bethlehem,” he said. “I try not to leave him in in the manger but expand on the story. I am planning on taking it clear through his life to his death on the cross and resurrection.”
Pastor Harrison said he has worked on the message that he plans to deliver Christmas Eve off and on for weeks.
“I plan to show how great a gift Jesus is for mankind,” he said.
Several area churches will hold Christmas services this week. Service information is listed below by location.
St. Maries
Benewah Community Worship – Christmas Eve Service, 5 p.m., Benewah Community Center, 11640 Benewah Creek Road
Community Presbyterian Church – Christmas Eve Service, 5 p.m. Dec. 24, 1100 College Avenue. Christmas Dinner, 3-5 p.m. Dec. 25
St. Mary’s Immaculate Catholic Church – Christmas Eve Service, 6:30 p.m. Dec. 24, 921 West Jefferson Avenue
First Baptist Church – Christmas Eve Service, 7 p.m. Dec. 24, 520 S. Second Street
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church – Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, 7 p.m. Dec. 24, 130 S. 10th Street
Church of the Nazarene – Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, 8 p.m. Dec. 24, 175 Grandview Drive
Plummer
Our Lady of Perpetual Help – Christmas Eve Mass, 5 p.m. Dec. 24, 1173 E Street
Worley
Worley Community Church – Christmas Eve Service, 5:30 p.m. Dec. 24, 30203 S. 1st Street
St. Michael Catholic Church – Christmas Morning Mass, 10 a.m. Dec. 25, 1824 I Street
DeSmet
Sacred Heart Mission – Midnight Mass, Dec. 24, Christmas Mass, Noon Dec. 25, 149 Byrnes Avenue
Harrison
Our Lady of Perpetual Help – Christmas Eve Mass, 4 p.m. Dec. 24, Pine Street
Harrison Community Baptist Church – Christmas Eve Service, 7 p.m. Dec. 24, 100 Pine Street
UpRiver
UpRiver Bible Church – Christmas Eve Service, 6 p.m. Dec. 24, 64100 Highway 3 South
We make it easy for you to get into the Christmas spirit with several different holiday options this weekend. Check out our helpful list below and attend a party or enjoy a concert. As we usually do, we have something for everyone this weekend.
Peggy Blackburn, Lucy Cash, (back) Barbara Scaroni, Reagan Fritsche and Rachel Mitchell are just a few of the individuals who will perform with the Hiway 95 Christmas Choir this weekend.
Church Christmas parties …
Churches in the Harrison and Medimont areas will host Christmas parties this weekend.
The Harrison Community Baptist Church will host a party Sunday, Dec. 13 following the 11 a.m. worship service. The event includes a potluck meal and white elephant gift exchange. Adults and children are invited to bring a long a gently used gift and participate.
The River of Life church will host their party at 5 p.m. Dec. 13 at the Medicine Mountain Grange. The event features a potluck followed by a talent show and sing-along. Those with musical talent are encouraged to participate.
Hiway 95 Choir …
The Hiway 95 Choir has set two performances this weekend. The first performance will be at 2 p.m. Dec. 12 at the Plummer Bible Church. The second performance is at 5 p.m. Dec. 13 at the church. Light refreshments will be served following each performance.
Handbell choir Saturday …
The DeColores Handbell Choir from Spokane will perform at 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, at the Community Presbyterian Church, 1100 W. College Avenue. The group will perform a variety of pieces solely using handbells. The bells range in size from small to large, and the performance is unique compared to other concerts. The performance Saturday is free. There will be an optional offering for those who would like to donate to help the group pay for travel expenses.
Caroling …
Do some caroling this weekend. Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Plummer invites residents to join them for some community Christmas fun. Enjoy a hayride and Christmas caroling from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12. Chili dogs and hot chocolate will be served. Everyone is welcome. The church is located at 1173 E Street.
Applications for families who want to participate in the Toys for Tots program will be available after Thanksgiving.
This is the eighth consecutive year Renee Duke will coordinate the local effort for Toys for Tots. The St. Maries City Police Department sponsors the local effort in conjunction with the U.S. Marine Corp. Reserve.
Celia Sibert and Renee Duke help with the Toys for Tots program in Benewah County. Donation bins to collect new toys will be in several business following Thanksgiving.
Applications may be picked up at the St. Maries City Police Department, St. Maries City Hall or the Department of Motor Vehicle Office. Applications will need to be returned by Dec. 15.
Applicants must apply in person and only the custodial parent or legal guardian may apply. Proof of each child is needed, such as a birth certificate, Social Security card or guardianship papers. For proof of Benewah County residency, a driver’s license or utility bill can be shown.
“The program is open to low income families on public assistance and is open for children 12 years and younger,” Ms. Duke said.
Applicants will need to show proof of participation in any of the following as well: Medicaid, WIC, TAFI, food stamps, Social Security disability, supplemental security income or military active duty.
Last year, Toys for Tots provided gifts to 141 children locally, or 61 families. Ms. Duke said since she started helping with the program the city, and county, has given a wonderful Christmas morning to 1,100 children.
“I’m asking everyone who can help to pitch in with donations to once again bring joy to the children less fortunate in our community,” she said. “The program’s success is also due to the merchants in our small town that have the Toys for Tots containers for collection.”
Toys must be new and should not be wrapped. The program cannot accept used stuffed animals or toys.
Businesses that will have a collection bin are Hughes Ace Hardware, Banner Bank, St. Maries City Hall, Country Fair, Jack’s Pharmacy, Suntan Etc., Grapple Haus, The Paperhouse and Tri Peaks.
Ms. Duke also gave special thanks to the volunteers who help make the program a success. This year’s volunteers include Chief Margaret Lehmbecker, Lt. Robert Loe, Sgt. Doug Yearout, Officer Colton Wynn and Officer Jacob Donnerberg with the St. Maries Police Department.
“I also receive help from Petey Slegel, Sandi Auer, Kriss Gibson, Celia Sibert, Staci Schiermeister, Boy Scout Troop 442 and leader Tom Jarvi and Brenda Buell,” she said.
For more information about the program call 245-2577, 245-5102 or 245-2555. Information is available online at toyfortots.org.
