Looking Back at Pages from the Past

The following stories are summarized from past issues of the Caribou County Sun over the last fifty plus years.  The Enterprise thanks Mark Steele for permission to use the contents, and the Grace Public Library for access to the archives.

2020

A team of University of Idaho researchers has secured a $10 million U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture grant to evaluate the use of bioproducts from dairy waste streams to enhance sustainability for all of Idaho agriculture and develop economic opportunities for the state’s dairy industry.  As the third-producing dairy state in the nation, Idaho’s dairy producers face major challenges in managing the manure that is generated by the number of cows necessary to achieve that ranking.  This project will create useful bioproducts from dairy manure that can be transported and used in more distant areas for crop production, or byproducts such as plastic.  Mark McGuire (not that Mark McGuire), associate dean and director for the Idaho Agricultural Experiment Station, will lead the interdisciplinary effort that builds in existing research in the U of I’s colleges of Agricultural and Life Sciences and Engineering.  The five year project is titled “Creating a New Bioeconomy for Dairies to Increase Nutrient Recycling, Enhance Productivity of Crops, and Stimulate Prosperity in Rural America.”  It includes a team of agronomists, economists, animal scientists, engineers, and soil and water experts.  The goal is to support dairy producers in adopting technologies and processes that transform nutrients extracted from dairy manure into alternatives for commercial fertilizers and other value-added bioproducts to improve soils sustain agricultural productivity, reduce environmental impacts, provide alternative income streams, and create employment opportunities.

Father Sipho joined the congregation sooner than expected.  Father Sipho MAthabela (which means “gift” in Swazi), is from a small country in Africa called Swaziland, which is bordered on the north, south, and west by South Africa, and on the east by Mozambique.  He comes more directly from St. Theresa’s Parish in Orofino.

2010

A dedication of the restored Ground Observer Corps Tower at Geyser Hill will be held on Monday, July 5.  The Soda Springs Ground Observer Skywatch Post was in use from 1956 to 1959 and manned by some 160 local volunteers.  It was one of 16,000 such posts in the United States to aid in helping fill in the gaps in the air defense radar system.  The restoration was taken on by the Soda Springs Development Committee, Caribou Development Foundation, and the Caribou Historical Society.  It has been moved to numerous locations since its original use 50 years ago, before being restored and places at its original site last Wednesday.  The public is invited to attend the dedication after the parade on Monday.

The Caribou County Fore Department Relay for Life team is passing around a purple toilet and is asking a small donation if you happen to get “flushed”.  They ask that you donate within three days of being “flushed” by contacting Mike or Holly Allen.  Holly will then collect your donation and have the toilet moved.  And for a small fee of $10, you can choose the next house to flush.

Dorothy Ackerman and her daughter Marilyn have just returned form and extended trip to Alaska.  Dorothy was able to visit with many of her friends from when she lived there.  They visited Ketchum and Skagway.  They rode the Skagway train to the Canadian border to view glaciers.

On June 9, Becky, Bracc, and Tadd Jorgensen, Gillian and Todd Lloyd, and Brenda and Chad Crossley visited a small rural school near Bejuco, Cost Rica.  The school was a one room building with one teacher and six students varying in ages from 6 to 11.   They provided the students with school supplies, fun educational toys, and soccer balls.  Monsanto Company also donated coloring books, crayons, and marked for each student and extra supplies for the teacher.  Bracc, Tadd, Todd, and Chad spent time with the boys playing soccer, arm wrestling, and blowing bubbles.  Becky, Brenda, and Gillian spent time with the girls playing games, singing, and doing puzzles.

State High school rodeo involved all eight districts in the state vying for a chance to qualify for nationals in Gillette, Wyoming.  Layce Jensen posted times of 9.28, 9.78. and 9.66 in the goat tying, which earned her a fourth place finish in the state and the right to go to Gillette,  Layce is the daughter of Shane and Sydney Jensen of Thatcher.  She graduated from Grace High School in May.

A grease fire from a stove in the kitchen of the residence of Amber Golson at 101 Keystone Court, Wednesday, June 30 caused “quite a lot of damage from the grease and smoke,” Soda Springs Fire Chief Norm Bjorkman said last week.  The fire was called in at 8:43 p.m. and the fire chief said the department had three trucks and nine firemen on the scene in seven minutes.  One resident of the home was slightly burned but did not rewire hospitalization.

2000

Rex Maughan treated the Soda Springs Class of 1954 to a prime rib dinner at the Enders Hotel July 3.  He noted everything is in place to accelerated work in restoration of the building, which will house a museum, a 30-room bed and breakfast, restaurant, and historical gift shop.

The Greater Soda Springs Community Development Committee with the assistance of the Chamber Bingo Committee held another successful duck race this year.  With a great deal of community support they are able to move closer to the installation of new playground equipment at Hooper Spring Park.  Winners of this race were Cody Butler, first place winner, JoAnn Rhodes, second place, G. Ciarabaldi, third place, and Ron Hamp last place lame duck.

Randy Ruger will be the DUP program guest speaker at the Bancroft Pioneer Days 24th of July celebration held on Monday, July 24.  The program will begin at 11:00 a.m. at the LDS Church Cultural Hall.  Randy is the son of Arthur Conrad Riger, Jr. and Cora Lanor Crossley.  He was born June 12, 1949 in Soda Springs and is the second oldest of four children in the family.  He has an older brother, Arthur C. Rugger III, a younger brother, Adrin C. Ruger, and a younger sister, Cinda Lou Bennion.

Former Soda Springs residents and teachers John and Joann Robinson recently moved back to Soda Springs after a15 year absence.  The couple had accepted teaching positions with Indian children in Tatalena, New Mexico, where John taught for  one year and Joan taught for three years.  They moved then to Newcomb, New Mexico where John taught social studies, PE and health, was the head football coach and JV basketball coach for three years.  Their next move was to Tohatchi and John taught fifth grade at the elementary school the next eight years.  During this time, Joan commuted back and forth to teach in the Shiprock Elementary School in Gallup, New Mexico, and continued in that position after their move to Tohatchi.

Mary Ann Confar, a representative of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, attended an open house at the Grace Library last week to demonstrate the correct usage of the two new computers the library recently received.  Receiving instruction on the computers were Caribou County Commissioners Bruce Dredge and Lloyd Rasmussen.  The Grace Library applied for and received a grant for the two new computers, one in Spanish, and then scheduled the open house to give patrons the opportunity to become familiar with operating them.  Among those attending early in the day were Grace Mayor Kelly Holt and his wife Lucetta, and Charles Titcomb representing the Grace City Council.

The title role of “Annie” in the Caribou Community Theatre production of the same name is shared by two talented young actresses, Berlin Kowallis and Jaclyn Welling.  Kowallis will be remembered for her recent role as Mammy Yokum in “L’il Abner.”  She is a Soda Springs High School junior, and no only active in the performing arts but in athletics, as well.  Welling is a familiar name to local theatre goers, although this is Jaclyn’s first starring role.  Her mother and sister have performed in many productions, so she has a good background in the performing arts.

1970

Alan L. Petersen, son of Mr. and Mrs. Lynn Petersen  of Soda Springs and Snadra L. Petersen. Has been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for outstanding service in Vietnam.  Petersen has been in the service since 1965.  The medal was presented on March 5, 1970.  SP5 Petersen has previously been awarded the Air Medal.

Jackie Poulsen and LaVanda Lallatin were hostesses for Ladies Golf June 17.  Eighteen ladies participated.  Prizes went to Norma Rich low hole, June Mason, high hole, and Marian Horsley, low putts.  The ladies placed a two-man blind draw, best ball tournament. Billie Evans and Lynne Tigert was the winning team and Thelma Corbett won low putts.  Esther Wallace and Alice Tigert were the hostesses.  Marjorie Savoy and Pat Reeve were hostesses Ladies Day July 1.  After enjoying the morning of golf and lunch at the Cedar View, prizes were awarded to Lorraine Stoker for having the most sixes on her score.  Veda Stiles for having the most eights, and Jessie Gagon for the most tens.

Mr. and Mrs. Gary Gier and three sons, John, Paul, and Mark, returned to their Soda Springs home Saturday, following a month long scenic tour of Mexico.  They reported a most enjoyable trip, and were particularly impressed with the beauty of southern Mexico, where lush tropical growth abounds, the friendliness of the Mexican people, and the contrast between the new and old cultures as found in larger cities such as Guadalajara and Mexico City.  

Mr. and Mrs. Herman Wakeman on Soda Springs, Mr. and Mrs. Carmen Tingey of Bountiful, Mr. and Mrs. John Muir and Mr. and Mrs. Charles Tingey of Grays Lake have recently returned from a trip to the Northwest.  They boarded a place at Pocatello, and flew to Seattle, WA, where they rented a station wagon so they could all go together, and toured the city and surrounding country for two days.  The Space Needle at the fairgrounds made a good landmark since it towered above the other building and kept one from getting lost.  They drove to Vancouver, British Columbia, where they spent most of their time in Stanley Park viewing the trained whale show, the fish aquarium, and watching a colony of hippies that had moved into and almost taken over the park.

Several young people for the Idaho Stake were in Salt Lake City last weekend to perform in the LDS All-Church Music Festival.  They performed under the direction of several prominent music people at the Special event Center at the University of Utah.  There were 4,000 young people from the United Stated and Canada participating in the festival.  Those from Idaho Stake who attended as chaperones were Lynette Panter, Linda Anderson, Joyce Hogan, Judy Grover, Dale Corbridge, and Steve Morris.  The Young people attending were Jeff Norris, Tom Larsen, Perry Smith, Reid Herd, Tom Walton, Jim Sibbett, Terry Phelps, Kim Schenk, Katie Schenk, Leon Perkins, Jay Simons, Collen Holbrook, Melanie Hogan, Kandis Kirby, Margaret Burton, Linda Chatterton, Jane Lindsay, Kurt Christensen, Cordell Wistisen, JoAnn Hebdon, and Lani Phelps.

One hundred fifteen pints of blood were taken at the blood drawing held in the Soda Springs Junior High gym June 24.  This was 20 pints short of last year at this time when 135 pints were given.  

VC Balls received his 3 gallon pin.  Two gallon pins were presented to Doug Johnson, Arlene Rasmussen, and LaVerne Wood.  Those receiving one gallon pins were Gary Windley, Archie Vonberg, LaViel Hildreth, Jerry Alworth, Lorraine Allred, Ann Spencer. M.O. Haga, June Mason, and Ezra Hollingsworth.