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

Recent lightning and thunderstorms have shown the potential for damage, fires, and injuries,  Some of the facts of lightning include:  Lightning causes over $1 billion in insured residential losses annually; flash floods are the number one thunderstorm killer, with nearly 140 fatalities each year; lightning occurs with all thunderstorms.   It kills an average of 93 people and results in 300 injuries a year, as well as starting fires and causing millions of dollars in property damage.  Nationwide over the past ten years, 15,000 plus lightning started fires have resulted in several hundred million dollars in property damage and the loss of 2 million acres of forest.  An average thunderstorm packs power equal to 10 atomic bombs that devastated Japan in 1945. Thunderstorms affect small areas, are approximately 15 miles in diameter and last an average of 30 minutes.  Hails destroys over $1 million in crops annually, in addition to damaging vehicles and smashing windows.  At any given moment around the world there are nearly 1,800 thunderstorms occurring, 16 million per year.  

Some tips for weathering a lightning storm: Install surge protectors to protect electronic equipment.  Look into the purchase and use of “lightning arresters” for use on incoming power and telephone lines to protect against electrical surges.  Consider the use of lightning rods on your home.  Stay inside, away from windows and doors.  Wires or pipes entering the structure can carry current into the home and are potential dangers.  Stay off the telephone, unhook cable TV connections.  Do not bathe or shower during a storm.  If you are in an open area, look for the lowest available point.  Seek shelter under a thick stand of small trees if you are in the forest or heavily wooded area.  Stay away from all metal roofed buildings, shelters, and tents.

If you notice your skin tingling or your hair beginning to stand on end, a lightning strike may be about to occur.  You should drop to knees, bend forward and put both hands on your knees.  Never lie flat on the ground as wet ground is an excellent conductor of electricity.

The Soda Springs School District welcomes Cindy Krall as the new district secretary/treasurer.  Cindy replaces Dorlene Mazza, who recently retired from the district after twenty-six years of service.  Cindy was raised in Wyoming and attended the University of Wyoming for two years, where she majored in business management.  In 1982, she worked at Hilltop National Bank in Casper, Wyoming and in 1983 she moved to Soda Springs where she was employed at Idaho First National Bank for three years.  In 1996, she enrolled at Idaho State University and graduated in 1999 with a BS in business education.  Cindy has been active in St. Mary’s Ladies League, a member of Beta Sigma Phi for 14 years, and was involved in the Caribou County Junior Miss Scholarship program for 10 years.  Cindy and her husband Mark have resided in Soda Springs for 17 years.  They have two daughters, Andrea and Anna. 

The Down to Earth Garden Club has invited Dick Chase of the Pocatello Greenhouse to come as their special guest speaker on Monday evening.  He is well-known and very informative.  The Club invites everyone in the public to bring their own lawn chair, and any specific questions about gardening or horticulture they would like answered.  The event will be held at the new Caribou Memorial Hospital Gardens.  The Club invites all to come and view the new garden and enjoy an evening with Dick.  The Club will also be sponsoring garden tours in the Soda Springs area.  They have a fun tour planned, which will end up Bailey Creek at Wendy Steele’s cabin and garden where refreshments will await.

The Woman’s Life organization meeting was held August 3 at the Enders, with Virginia Hamp as the hostess.  President Virginia conducted and presided.  Refreshment tables were centered with a floral arrangement and each guest received a table favor.  Bridge was played, with LaRae Rasmussen, Ilene Horsley, and Joy Thomas winning prizes.  Guest Jean Cynova won the bingo prize.  Betty Loenshal was a guest also for the day.  Ilene Horsley will be host for the next meeting.

The BLM will hold a competitive bid adoption on approximately 70 wild horses at the Lincoln County Fairgrounds in Afton, Wyoming.  The gates will open early for viewing and registration and the adoption will begin at 9:30 a.m. with the horses adopted to the highest bidder.  The minimum bid is $125 per animal.  The auction will include a round pen training demonstration at the fairgrounds in conjunction with the adoption.  According to trainer Mike Buchanan, “It’s important that adopters know what to do and what not to do—for the safety of both the horses and adopters.  We want people to have a positive, successful experience when they get the horses home, not a negative experience.” 

Some Chesterfield Townsite news, as Shirley and Jay Simons arrived with friends Dana and Sarah Fernsten.  They worked hard at the Ira Call cabin putting muslin on the rough walls behind the stove in the kitchen and the one bedroom wall.  Pioneer women used a fabric called “factory” to soften the rough walls in their home and to keep out the cold and the wind.  Jay started fitting the Fluett Simons cabin with windows and doors.  Members of the Simons family arrived to work on the projects. 

1990

Allyson Swain, daughter of Roger and Colleen Swain of Soda Springs, recently returned from the American Paint Horse Association’s World Championship show where she placed 7th overall and top ten in the world in youth showmanship 14-18.  The show was held in Fort Worth, Texas, in the Will Rogers Equestrian Center and was attended by contestants from all over the United States and Canada.  Allyson and her horse Kojak were judged by five judges at a time, and the collective scores of the judges determined who would make the finals.  The finalists were then rejudged by five new judges and the top ten were selected.  Allyson has been training for the past year with Vaughan Knudsen, a trainer from Hooper, Utah.  She is presently showing in the Utah Paint Horse Club.  Knudsen and his family, along with Allyson’s parents and brother, accompanied her to Fort Worth.

Though the numbers were not large for the group that was on hand to greet Congressman Richard Stallings, and his wife Ranae, last Wednesday night at the Caribou County Fairgrounds, neither wind nor rain could keep them away.  The evening, though a little windy with a few sparkles, was an enjoyable event, as well as informative for those who attended.  Prior to the public dinner, which was planned and prepared by Leslie Matthews, and their families, the group was entertained by Heidi Anderson, daughter of Dewey and Linda Anderson, Soda Springs, and Tory Mansfield and Janeen Matthews, daughters of Ranae and Greg Mansfield and Leslie and Dean Matthews, Grace.   

Governor Cecil D. Andrus has ordered a moratorium on issuance of state permits for construction of incinerators handling medical wastes in Idaho.  He said state laws governing issuance of such permits may be inadequate to ensure the public’s safety.  Andrus said he acted in response to a request from State Sen. Dennis Davis of Couer d’Alene who said there are serious questions about the location of a proposed medical waste incinerator in Kootenai County.

During the half time entertainment at the Mud Bog on Saturday, Lew and Dan’s Thriftway honored Harold Alderman with a special birthday cake and birthday wish for being 80.  The crowd joined in singing Happy Birthday to Harold.  Also honored during half time were the students and staff of the North Gem High School in Bancroft for being Drug Free.  As such, representatives from the school have been invited to travel to Washington D.C. to meet President Bush and to join in special ceremonies at the White house for being among the few schools that have been able to qualify as Drug Free.

A total of 13 Adventurer girls from the Soda Springs LDS Stake, along with several adults leaders and advisors, participated last weekend in a backpacking trip in the Palisades area.  Girls planned their own menus, packed tents and supplies on their back for the three-day campout, and cooked their meals on backpacking stoves.  The group hiked in Thursday and set up camp.  Friday they hiked to the Upper Lake and after lunch continued to Waterfalls Canyon and back.  Saturday they hiked out again and returned home.  They experienced a light rain early Thursday evening and a heavy downpour Friday, but spirits weren’t dampened and the group is ready to go again next year.  Prior to the trip, the girls attended two training sessions taught by Kathy Jart on the type of equipment and food to take—in order to qualify and receive their Young Woman Adventure certificate.  Those involved in the outing included Stake Camp leader Sue Lowe, and her husband Ron, Ron Hart, Darci, Jennifer and John Hart, Gary Johns, Jackie Winward, Bryan Beus, David Bagley; Adventurers Jennifer Clegg, Sarah Gunnell, Cristin Farnsworth, Ashley Kowallis, Michelle Martinsen, Leslie Davis, Katie Pearson, Meredith Cartwright, Cresta Rasmussen, Tarah jones, Teresa Smith, Megan Smith, and Shanda Winward.

Saturday, two bus loads of Grace and county residents joined members of the Centennial Committee for the final tour of the area.  Among the highlights was the visit to the ice caves, Elephant Rock, and Dutch oven lunch.  Grace 2nd Ward Elders and their families had a picnic at Alexander Saturday evening.  In Grace 2nd Ward Sacrament meeting, Sharlene Simons was released as Nursery Coordinator, Alice DeLong was released as a Primary teacher.  Sustained in new positions were Paula Stevens, nursery coordinator, and Melia Maughan as Primary teacher.

Don and Bernadine McNeil attended a reunion of their family Sunday through Friday in New Fork Lake, Wyoming.  Joining them with RV’s or tents at the campsite near the edge of the Bridger Wilderness area were their son, Jon, of Pocatello, a son Mike, Salt Lake City, their daughters, Mr. and Mrs. Rex Obray and three children, Salt Lake City, Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas DiViesti and three children, Mountain View, Wyoming.

Former Soda Springs residents Bill and Marlene Gorton visited from Salt Lake City Friday through Monday before July Fourth.  They stayed at a motel and visited from there with friends and checked out local attractions.  They spent one evening and had breakfast the next morning with Mr. and Mrs. Loran Wilson.  They visited also at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Verland Moore, the Carroll Hildreths, Verland Roholts, spent time at the dike with the Moores, and Nichols’ and in Bancroft with Mr. and Mrs. Jay Jenkins. 

Spirit of the West, a traveling art exhibit and covered performance stage will be displayed in Soda Springs at the end of August at the City Park.  West One Bank in Idaho is sponsoring the appearance as part of a 32-stop, five month traveling tour of Idaho, commemorating the state’s centennial.  “Spirit of the West is the crown jewel of Idaho’s centennial celebration,” said Steve Cook, senior loan officer in Soda Springs.  “West One is proud to be able to offer it to Soda Springs and all the people of the state of Idaho.”   Three 45 foot semi-trailers have been transformed into a museum-quality art gallery to transport and display the artwork.  The trailers will be parked side by side and serve as a backdrop behind a flatbed trailer which attaches to a portable stage.  Professional lighting, sound systems and a 45 foot tent will complete the staging pavillion, providing a large performing area for local performing artists. Sixty-four Idaho artists are featured in the multi-media exhibit, which includes watercolor and oil paintings, wood carvings, photography, ceramics, weavings, jewelry, and neon art.  The participants were selected by a jury of Idaho arts professionals.  More than 100,000 people are expected to walk through the Spirit of the West exhibit during its 1990 Idaho Centennial Tour.