Caribou County Caribou County, Idaho
July 4, 2024 | Vol. 1 No. 22
Bancroft Community celebrates with annual Carnival What began many years ago as a fish fry for members of the Bancroft ward High Priest quorum is now one of the most anticipated events on the calendar, marking the beginning of peak summer—the Bancroft Community Carnival, formerly known as the Bancroft Barbeque, formerly known as the Fish Fry. Jim McCulloch explains his part in the history of the event. “When we moved here in 2013, they used to have a High Priest group fish fry. For a number of reasons, I had already been made a High Priest, and I was with all these old guys,” he laughs. “We were doing this fish fry every year and it was great. We had a couple guys who were really good fishermen, and every year we had a ton of fish. Eventually, it got back to us that there were these guys in the Elders quorum who were always asking ‘how come we don’t get to go to the fish fry?’ and I said ‘because it’s for old people.’ Anyway, it kept going on like that until one year I said to the bishop, ‘why don’t we just open this up to everyone in the church?’ and he said okay. Then somewhere with better vision than I had suggested that we just open it up to the whole community, and make it a Bancroft event, and that’s what it is now and that’s the right way to do it.” “Nobody’s preaching here. This is just connecting. This is just talking to your neighbor. This is what I love,” McCulloch says. Although the event itself is for the whole community, it still has to be organized, and that comes from the Activity committee of the Bancroft ward. The committee is made of an amazing group of ladies—Jacki Neibaur, Gabi Christensen, Myrna Eddins, Cammy Johnson, and Char-
Myrna Eddins, Cammy Johnson, Gabi Christensen, Stephanie Rindlisbaker, Jacki Neibaur, and Charlene McCulloch helped organize and put on this year's "Community Carnival" in Bancroft.
lene McCulloch—who helped plan and put everything together for the Carnival. “It’s not just us,” Committee member Stephanie Rindlisbaker says. “We have a lot of community members who help with everything. We all get together and plan it, and we ask other people to help with different things as we get going on it. The bishop brought down his bounce house, for one. One of the counselors is running cornhole, and people are helping out with everything else that’s going on. The Soda Springs Library let us check out their movie screen.” Rindlisbaker also wanted to extend a thank you on behalf of the commit-
tee to all the members of the community who helped out at the event, and to the city of Bancroft. “They were really nice to let us use the park, and they got all the tables from town brought up and set up early. They also got it mowed and cleaned and ready to go!” In the true community spirit, dinner was a town wide effort, with the budget for the event going toward pulled pork from Lallatins and rolls from Geraldines, but the sides and dessert all coming from those who showed up. By the end of the evening, there was plenty left over to take home for BANCROFT On Page 2
A Patriotic Fourth at Blackfoot Reservoir
More than one person with a summer home at the edge of Blackfoot Reservoir near Henry on Harbor road described the area as “Caribou County’s Hidden Gem,” and it’s very hard to argue with either part of that sentiment. Known by those who know it at all as the place that has its own lakeside fireworks, the Blue Landing neighborhood on the north side of the reservoir is also very clear that patriotism is an important part of the area’s character. “We had the idea and it just sort of took off from there,” Jackie Custer says. Though no one will really take the credit for the idea, more people than not point to Jackie as the primary force behind Harbor Road’s impressive flag display of close to one hundred flags lining the street, which the neighborhood plans to keep flying until July 24. “After all the changes over the last couple of years, and the way things have been, I just wanted to do something. There was a story about the semi going down the road to Arlington with all the flags on it that was just so inspiring. If the least we can do,” Jackie says, “as Americans is to come together to salute our flag, then that’s something I can do. And so we made it happen as a community.” Community is the operative word in this case. Up and down the street, neighbor after neighbor played a part in the display. Jackie Custer pointed to Paul Cox as one of those people. “This man,” she smiled, pointed to
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NEWS IN BRIEF Supreme Court rules Presidents have broad immunity
It will take a while before the implications of the ruling are clear, either for the ongoing criminal trials involving former president Donald Trump or the current administration of president Joe Biden, but the Supreme Court’s ruling that “core” presidential activities are covered by immunity was a landmark decision in many ways. The lower courts will be sorting out the implications of what powers and actions fall into the routine and core categories as the process moves forward. The decision by the majority also makes clear that official acts, when they are deemed to be so by the courts, cannot be considered as evidence for the purposes of criminal trials, which will undoubtedly create a lot of chaos in the current trials as the election comes closer. The vote was 6-3, along conservative/liberal lines.
Redbox files for bankruptcy
The parent company of Redbox has filed for bankruptcy after enduring months of financial struggle. Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment (CSSE) revealed in a filing that it has nearly $1 billion in debt and owes millions of dollars to several entertainment companies including the BBC and Sony Pictures, plus to retailers ranging from Walmart to Walgreens. Filings show that the company took on about $325 million in debt following its purchase of Redbox in 2022 from private equity giant Apollo Global Management. The plan was to make it into an entertainment conglomerate, combining the DVD rental business with its free streaming services. It was reported that Redbox hadn’t paid employees for a week, and medical benefits have been suspended.
ID, UT, and WY opt out of lunch program
Harbor Road in the subdivision north of Soda Springs on the Blackfoot Reservoir is lined with flags this year, with more on the way.
Paul, “was one of the first out here to come and join in. He also gave us education on how to do it the right way.” “I didn’t teach them anything,” Paul chuckles, though the gathered group insists that his modesty is misplaced. The process of using the post pounder, securing the flags to the poles, and the fundamental importance of wearing gloves all came from Paul. Jackie’s husband Chris is one of the many residents who has been working on putting the flags in, and could have heeded the glove advice more closely. “It was a lot of work,” he says. “I beat up my hands pretty good.” “Chris shed blood for us,” Peggy
Custer laughs. “I’m just the labor,” Chris says. “These guys are the management.” “And we don’t pay well,” neighbor Cindy Foote says. “I’m looking for a raise next year,” Chris laughs. Although there are only a few full time residents of the neighborhood (such as the Davises who donated the posts for the display), most of the families have a long history of fourth of July celebrations at the reservoir. “We all come together for the fourth out here. It’s something that you don’t forget. BLACKFOOT RESERVOIR On Page 4
IN THIS EDITION Peggy Toone Memorial Bench in Grace.....Pg. 3 4th of July Rotary Club Event Schedule......Pg. 3 Puzzles...........................................................Pg. 6
Looking Back................................................Pg. 7 4-H Events................................................. Pg. 10 Soda Springs Football............................... Pg. 12
A new, permanent summer grocery program will help nearly 21 million kids across 37 states get enough to eat this year while school’s out, the Idaho Capital Sun reports. 13 states with Republican governors have opted out of the federal program, citing their opposition to what they deride as welfare and their unwillingness to cover administrative costs. Under the new $2.5 billion program created by Congress, eligible low-income households will receive a total of $120 per child over the three summer months when school-based free and reduced-price lunch programs aren’t available. Families making up to 185% of the federal poverty level, or $57,720 for a family of four, are eligible. Funds have already been distributed to families in many states. The money will be available on an electronic benefits transfer, or EBT, card. The states that chose not to participate in Summer EBT — Alabama, Alaska, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah and Wyoming — could decide to opt in next year.