Community Notes

Youth Missionaries help with cemetery cleanup

Thursday, May 22nd, the Soda Springs Youth Service Missionaries worked with Galen Wilson, Bill Horsley, and Scott and Betty Watson, members of the Caribou Historical Society, to clean up the Old Pioneer Cemetery located in Soda Springs.  There were about 22 in all working at the cemetery. They cleaned headstones, cleaned around the gravesites and removed three big trailers full of dead broken tree branches. Because of the service these youth and their leaders are providing, the Pioneer Cemetery is looking very nice. Prior to the work beginning, we told the youth about the history of the cemetery and a story of some youth back in 1962 digging up one of the graves on Halloween.  The cemetery has an interesting history as part of Soda Springs. It was utilized during the late 1890’s and early 1900’s mostly because of the diphtheria epidemic. 

Grace American Legion Names Boys State Delegate

The Grace American Legion is sponsoring Case Williams from Bancroft, Idaho to attend Boys State in June.  He attends high school in Grace.  He will be spending one week at Gowen Field near Boise learning and participating in American government and politics.  He will be involved in party platforms, legislature, passing bills, running for state officials and visiting the state capitol.  Along with that they will be making new friends and having good times. 

Case is the son of Bryan and Mandy Williams.  Case is a friend to all!  He was a lead in the high school play, active in football and track, social dance president, BPA district winner, active in choir and pep band. 

After High School Graduation Case plans to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

This year the American Legion Auxiliary aren’t sponsoring any girls due to the girl’s busy summer schedules.

Masonic Lodge Updates

By Irvin Christensen

Max Hemmert received his 50 year membership with the Idaho Ancient Free and accepted Masons with members of the Caribou Lodge attending.  He was a Vietnam veteran serving in the Air Force.  He is also a member of the Eastern Star and is married to Debbie Hemmert.  He was raised to a 3rd degree mason in February, 1975 in Montpelier, ID.  He became their Worshipful Master in late 1979 and held that position until the Montpelier Lodge merged with the Soda Springs  Lodge in December 2001.  He became the Worshipful Master in Caribou Lodge in December 2009, after Curtis Ayers passed, and has held that office since that time.  He is also a 50 year member of the Idaho City Historic Lodge.  We are awfully proud of him, so tell him congrats if you see him.

Members of the Soda Springs Masonic Lodge presented a check for $1500 to the new Vo-Tech department.  $1000 was donated by the Soda Springs Lodge, and $500 by the Idaho Free Mason’s Foundation.  Members Irvin Christensen, Scott McAllister, and Max Hemmert presented a check to Tracey Davis, who is overseeing the work at the new Vo-Tech department in Soda Springs.

Spring Cleanup

It’s that time again!  County Free Landfill days are June 2-7, with most local areas working to coordinate around that week.

In Bancroft, from May 29 to June 4, a free dumpster will be located at 114 E. Center Street behind the city shop.  New county landfill regulations are the following: 10 tires maximum per household (20” and under), No AG Tires or Tracks (Fines for leaving them from $310-$900).  Yard debris can include branches, leaves, grass, and limbs.  Bagged household trash is acceptable.  No construction materials from building or demolition projects will be accepted.  Harmful chemicals will not be accepted, including paint, asbestos, cleaners, gas containers, fridges, AC Units, or other items containing freon.

Bins will be under surveillance due to previous issues.  The City reserves the right to ban future use of bins and Misc free amenities.  No Dumping in alleyways, sidewalks, or streets.  Fines will be issued for violations.

In Soda Springs, drop off of materials will be at the City Shop by Thirkill elementary from June 2 to June 6, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., and Saturday June 7 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  There is no curbside pickup of landfill items.  Drop offs can include: yard debris, limbs, trees, appliances, batteries, paint, used oil, metal, tires (no businesses), trash, etc.  You can call City Hall at 208-547-2600 with questions or for assistance.  City Hall advises that any groups that are looking for clean-up projects to participate in should not hesitate to contact the city.

In Grace, there will not be a central dropoff location, but residents can call the city to have one of the commercial dumpsters left at the property for use during the June 2-June 7 window.  The dumpsters, as well as a flatbed truck, will be available on a first-come-first-serve basis, so contact City Hall at 208-425-3533 to be placed on the list for the use of the city’s resources.

Library Summer Reading season is here!

Summer Reading registration is underway for the Soda Springs library, and runs through the end of May.  The easiest way to do so is to physically sign up at the library, as there are materials that need to be checked out.  The kick-off event to the Summer Reading program was held on May 28 with a story walk through the park.  Summer Reading proper begin in June, with programs every Tuesday or Wednesday beginning at 10:30 a.m. for about an hour.  The programs are the same on each day.  June 3 and 4 will be “The Magic of Art”; June 10 and 11 will be “All the World is a Stage”; June 17 and 18 will be “Art is Musical”; June 24 and 25 will be the Grand Finale, with a water slide, prizes, and more.

The Grace Summer Reading program sign up began last Monday.  As with Soda, the easiest way to sign up is at the library itself.  The kickoff event will be held on June 2 at 10:30 a.m. (younger kids) and 1:00 p.m. (older kids).  The event will be held at the Legion Hall building in anticipation of possible rain!

Bancroft’s Summer Reading program will be holding events every Tuesday in June and July at 10 a.m. in the North Gem Library, with the first activity scheduled for June 3rd, when the 4-H will be on hand to present materials to students.  The Sheriff’s department, Search and Rescue, Fire Department, Fish and Game, PBS, and many more are also on the calendar.  There will be a story, activity, and snack each week, as well as book giveaways and prizes!