Community Notes

Caribou Historical Society Field Trip

Last year, the Caribou Historical Society hosted a fun and informative field trip to many of the county’s natural springs.  The tour was a way for people to find out more about their local area’s history, ask some questions of the knowledgeable tour guides, and spend some time with other history minded folks.  This year, the CHS will be taking people to the Alexander area.  The ongoing situation regarding boating regulations on the reservoir makes this a potentially very relevant overview of the place in question.  As Bill Horsley said:

“Saturday June 21st the Caribou Historical Society is going on a field trip to Alexander and surrounding area. We will start gathering about 9:30 am at the museum at 100 E. Hooper Ave. and form carpools to depart promptly at 10:00 am. for Alexander. It would be a good idea to bring water and you may find a pair of binoculars handy. Bring a sack lunch as we will have a picnic and socializing at the park  next to the Alexander Dam or the Oregon Trail Marina to end the event.

I know you may think there’s not much left at Alexander but I guarantee you that we  will find something I’m sure you’re unaware of before the trip is over to share with you about this area rich in historic diversity.” 

Chamber taking vendors for 4th

The Soda Springs Chamber of Commerce is accepting signups for the 4th of July Vendor and Craft Fair at the City Park on, well, the 4th of July.  For vendors, the day is one of the busiest of the year in terms of concentrations of people in one location looking for food, drink, and merchandise.  To reserve a spot in the Park, contact Debbie Dumont with the chamber at 208-563-4821 for information and materials.  

Bailey Creek brush removal available at no cost

Due to a grant from the Idaho Department of Lands and Bureau of Land Management, most landowners in the Bailey Creek area qualify for free removal of brush that meets the basic requirements of the grant.  The land must be in the Bailey Creek area, and be more than 100 feet from structures in order to be removed.  Junipers and brush are the primary targets of the program, which seeks to promote healthier landscapes, and most importantly, mitigate the fire hazards in the area.  For information, contact Charity Staggs at 208-233-4535 (extension 1015) or Connor Smith at 208-233-4535 (x1029).  Again, if qualified, this service is free to landowners.

County Watercolor in Treasurer’s Office

Recently, a watercolor painting of caribou county, featuring images of county wildlife and location, was given to Angie Mendenhall and is on display on the wall in the Treasurer’s Office at the courthouse in downtown Soda Springs.  The painting was a blue ribbon winner at last year’s fair, and was painted by Robyn Thomas.  Mendenhall hung the picture up in her office, “so that people can see it when they come in and have something nice to look at.”  There were some discussions about making the painted image (pictured on this page) into some version of a logo for the county, which would in my opinion be a perfect choice for such a thing.

Soda Springs Movie in the Park Update

Council member Paul Gritton announced the following, in anticipation of summer movies outdoor in the park: “Winding up for Movie in the park this summer! We will do 4 movies, all on Monday nights. July 7th, July 21st, August 4 and August 18th. Sponsors will be needed to pay the movie licensing fee for each movie, which last summer was $250 for each movie. Contact me if you are interested in sponsoring a movie. Music and good times will be had prior to the start of each movie which will start at dusk. Mark your calendars!”  Gritton can be contacted at 208-221-1224.

Paddle Board Registration 

The website for Soda Springs recreation is a work in progress, but the Facebook page is a good place to get information in the meantime.  One new option for the summer is Paddleboarding, which will be offered as a class every Tuesday in July.  Registration is $20, and is designed for participants 16 and up.  Call 208-547-2600 with questions.  Check out the Facebook page and website (which should be fully up soon) for details about other
programs.