Issuu

HOUSING NEWS Ketchum Ups Its Effort PGS 5-6

SUN VALLEY

KETCHUM

HAILEY

PHOTOBOX

NO BONES ABOUT IT

Fly Fishing Film Festival PG 7

Untrainable Dog? PG 8

BELLEVUE

PICABO

CAREY

WOOD RIVER WEEKLY

YOUR VOICE IN THE WOOD RIVER VALLEY

Free | May 18- 31, 2022 | Vol. 3 - No. 10 | woodriverweekly.com

“ I l i k e g a r d e n i n g . I t ’s a p l a c e I f i n d m y s e l f w h e n I w a n t t o l o s e m y s e l f . ”

– Alice Sebold

EVERYTHING’S WELL AGAIN

Capacity audiences will once again fill the Argyros Performing Arts Center in June, when the Sun Valley Wellness Festival and Conference hosts its 25th annual event. Photo credits: Sun Valley Wellness Festival & Conference

Festival celebrates 25th anniversary, return to pre-pandemic form

By Eric Valentine

More information about all the speakers and segments of the event can be found online at sunvalleywellness.org—a robust website that Deckard said was revamped during the pandemic in time for the event’s 25th anniversary year. Also new this year is the Cheryl Welch Thomas Scholarship Fund, established by the festival board in recognition of one of the key festival founders, an emeritus board member, and a longtime advocate and supporter, Cheryl Welch Thomas. Thomas is the longtime owner of the beloved Chapter One Bookstore in Ketchum, which she has run for over four decades. The Cheryl Welch Thomas Scholarship Fund will offer partial and full attendance scholarships to those who are in need and apply. “Cheryl has been a champion and creative force for the Sun Valley Wellness Festival since day one, but she has done most of the work quietly and behind the scenes, because that is her humble nature. This scholarship, helping others attend the festival to grow and learn, is truly the best way we could possibly honor all that Cheryl has done for the festival over the years,” Geneal Thompson, the festival’s board president, said.

or a festival founded on giving legitimacy to alternative approaches, celebrating a return to normalcy should be ironic. But after two non-normal years when it comes to large event planning, organizers for the Sun Valley Wellness Festival and Conference find the old-normal just what the doctor ordered. From June 9–13, the wellness festival celebrates its 25th anniversary as one of the Valley’s premier events, both in terms of popularity and identity. The theme for its benchmark year is “Coming Home”—a reference to the last two festivals impacted by COVID. In 2020, the festival was 100% virtual and in 2021 the event was in-person but had limited capacity for virtually every segment. “Last year was a smaller event for the most part,” said event spokesperson Heather LaMonica Deckard. “This year’s capacity will be limited only by fire code, not COVID rules.” The festival won’t be limited by imagination, either. What has always been an outlier event for the medicinal world, the “Coming Home” event will explore topics it had previously left—for the most part—untouched. How so? Take the two keynote speakers as examples. There’s Rick Doblin, Ph.D., whose presentation is called Building the Future of Psychedelic Therapy: MDMA-Assisted Therapy for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). He is the founder and executive director of the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) and is at the forefront of psychedelic-assisted therapy research and advocacy. Doblin is deeply involved with seeking FDA approval for this method of treatment. And then there’s J. Ivy, a spoken word master—part poet, part live performance artist. And although he’s performed with Jay-Z, Beyoncé, and Kanye, “spoken word master” is not a fancy phrase for “rapper.” Ivy’s presentation will share life experiences that not only allowed him to catch his dreams but helped him discover immense joy that’s specifically found when you live in your divine purpose. “Every year we assess the participants and our audience and find out what topics they want more information on,” explained Deckard. “What used to be ‘alternative’ has become ‘mainstream.’” Among other speakers of note, Darshana Avila will present More Than Physical: Sex as a Path to Healing and Liberation as well as hold a workshop at the Limelight Hotel J. Ivy is a spoken word artist and a keynote speaker at the 25th annual Wellness Festival. called Sensuality Salon: Turn On Your Senses to Turn On Your Whole Life. Source: Sun Valley Wellness Festival & Conference

NEWS

W O O D R I V E R W E E K LY

School District Goes Into Lockdown On Election Day Morning

Election Day voters in Blaine County were met with a lockdown of every polling station on a school district campus Tuesday morning thanks to what dispatch scanners said was the popping of a balloon at Wood River Middle School in Hailey. Before the balloon popping noise was identified as such, law enforcement arrived on the scene and each BCSD school went into lockdown mode. According to the county elections office, the shutdown of the schools (and the polls) occurred around 10:40 a.m. At 11:30 a.m., Hailey Police Department released a statement on their social media page. It said what follows: “WRMS Lockdown HAS BEEN LIFTED. All Students and Staff are Safe. 5/17/22 @ 11:30 a.m. No injuries have been reported and no individuals with weapons have been located. Officers are on the scene inside the building securing and clearing every room. The School District has announced that afternoon classes will resume. Parents who wish to check their students out for the remainder of the day can do so through the school office.”

SUN Updates Masking Policies

U.S. health officials on May 3 reinstated their recommendation that Americans wear masks on planes, trains and buses, despite a court ruling last month striking down a national mask mandate on public transportation. The government repeatedly extended the mandate, and the latest one had been set to expire May 3, but a federal judge in Florida struck down the rule on April 18—the same day the TSA said it would no longer enforce the mandate. What follows are the most recent policies per airline, according to Friedman Memorial Airport (SUN): • Delta Air Lines. Masks are optional for all airport employees, crew and customers inside U.S. airports and onboard aircraft. • United Airlines. Masks are no longer required at United on domestic flights, select international flights (dependent upon the arrival of the country’s mask requirements) or at U.S. airports. • Alaska Airlines. Masks are optional in airports and onboard aircraft, effective immediately.

•

M AY 18 - 31, 2022

IN BRIEF

Minidoka Placed On ‘Endangered’ Historic Places List

The National Trust for Historic Preservation has named Minidoka National Historic Site, a unit of the National Park Service, as one of the 11 Most Endangered Historic Places in America. Minidoka National Historic Site is threatened by a proposal to build one of America’s largest wind farms on public land with 400 wind turbines on Minidoka’s historic footprint and within 2 miles of the Visitor Center. This is the second time that Minidoka National Historic Site has been named to the 11 Most Endangered list. “We are extremely disturbed by the proposed wind project and its disregard for the sacredness of Minidoka National Historic Site where 13,000 Americans of Japanese ancestry were unjustly incarcerated during World War II,” stated Robyn Achilles, executive director for Friends of Minidoka. “Minidoka is a memorial to all those who suffered at the site. Survivors and their descendants make emotional pilgrimages to Minidoka where they remember, heal, and share stories to ensure these violations of civil liberties do not happen again. Minidoka is our past and our future.” Achilles added, “Friends of Minidoka supports renewable energy, but believes that projects must be sited in a way that respects and preserves significant historic sites. We are grateful to the National Trust for Historic Preservation as well as our many national and local partners like Preservation Idaho for their efforts on behalf of Minidoka. We and our partners urge the Bureau of Land Management to protect Minidoka National Historic Site as a place for learning and healing. ” Since 1988, the National Trust for Historic Preservation has used its list of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places to raise awareness about the threats facing some of our nation’s greatest treasures. The list, which has identified more than 300 sites to date, has been so successful in galvanizing preservation efforts that less than 5 percent of these sites have been lost. “Minidoka National Historic Site serves as a critical and painful reminder of the fragility of democracy,” said Katherine Malone-France, chief preservation officer of National Trust for Historic Preservation. “Eighty years after the first Japanese Americans were wrongfully incarcerated at Minidoka, Asian Americans continue to experience anti-Asian violence, harmful stereotypes, and hatred. Minidoka reminds us of the mistakes of the past so that we can do better in the future, and it must be preserved and protected as a sacred site of conscience in the ongoing fight against hate and racism in our country.”

W O O D R I V E R W E E K LY

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M AY 18 - 31, 2022

WRW STAFF PUBLISHER Christopher Seldon (208) 788-4789 publisher@woodriverweekly.com MARKETING & SALES Mandi Iverson (208) 721-7588 mandi@woodriverweekly.com

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W O O D R I V E R W E E K LY

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M AY 18 - 31, 2022

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BCSD families received this flier announcing the school district’s participation in a free meals program for kids and teens all summer. Image credit: BCSD

Amid inflation worries nationwide, BCSD approves two critical services— preschool, food—at no cost. By Eric Valentine

Already pursuing the development of affordable housing and already approving an affordable housing stipend for qualifying teachers and staff, Blaine County School District over the last 60 days has entered the universal pre-K and subsidized food arenas—more or less. Specifically, the BCSD trustees approved a preschool tuition waiver for all children in the community, regardless of socioeconomic status. The board also approved participation in a federal program to offer breakfasts and lunches during the summer school session at no cost. Universal Access So-called universal pre-K is something already practiced in 13 other countries around the world and is widely cited as a factor in increased vocabulary and higher pre-literacy and pre-math skills. Supporters for funding free preschool programs point to such data when advocating for equal access to an optimal education. Easier access to pre-K also solves—to some degree—a problem for parents who commute to work during the summer but can’t afford daycare. “We are thrilled to share that preschool will now be free of charge for all children, regardless of their families’ income status,” said Adam Johnson, BCSD assistant superintendent. “We encourage all parents, guardians and caregivers to check out the options and get the registration process started today.” Last September, trustees approved a preschool tuition waiver for the 2021-2022 school year, which was done primarily to offset impacts from the pandemic. This was recommended by staff as the average revenue generated over four years was $29,627 and average expenditures were $423,924—a meager 7% of the overall expenditure. “While the revenue represents a relatively small impact on the district budget, the expense for the individual families is significant,” staff said in their recommendation to the boards that they approve a waiver of preschool tuition beyond the 2021-2022 school year. Preschool will be available at Bellevue Elementary, Carey School, Hailey Elementary, and Ernest Hemingway STEAM School. To register for fall 2022, parents and guardians should visit the school they would like their child to attend anytime between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. Eligible preschool students must be four years old by Sept. 1. Additionally, BCSD is still accepting registrations for kindergarten, which is available at all of the campuses mentioned above, along with Alturas Elementary in Woodside. Kindergarten students must be five years old by Sept. 1. To begin the kindergarten registration process, please visit blaineschools.org/domain/687. Free Lunch (and breakfast too) Regarding the summer school free meals program, BCSD will be getting some financial support from the federal government, specifically the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The USDA’s Summer Food Service Program provides free meals—breakfast and lunch— to kids and teens (ages 1–18) during summer 2022. The meals will be provided beginning in June at Wood River High School and Bellevue Elementary School. Meals must be consumed onsite. Wood River High School will be serving Monday through Thursday and Bellevue Elementary will be serving Monday through Friday. Neither site will be open on July 4. “We are pleased to once again participate in this USDA program and provide our students and community members with this valuable resource during the summer months,” said Jim Foudy, BCSD superintendent. “We encourage all our families to check out this program and consider participating. Our food services staff is looking forward to seeing everyone at our sites this summer.” Acceptance and participation requirements for the program and all activities are the same for all, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability, and there will be no discrimination in the course of the meals service, the district said.

W O O D R I V E R W E E K LY

NEWS

HOUSING

Public, Private Resources Needed To Solve Housing

•

M AY 18 - 31, 2022

Now hiring a Private Banking Officer. If you believe a smile is always appropriate, work attire and top-notch service never goes out of style, this might just be your dream job! Perks include paid time off, gym reimbursement, gift matching, childcare assistance, and 401k. Ready to be part of a business that’s driven by strong family and corporate values?

Owner and architects (L-R) Gary Poole, Rebecca Bundy and Susan Scovell, of Silver River Place, a 16-unit workforce housing project in Hailey that serves as one type of solution to the Valley’s housing challenges. Photo credit: Wood River Weekly

Ketchum City Leader Says

For a complete job description and to apply online, please visit firstinterstatebank.com/careers –EOE

etchum’s Housing Action Plan (housing plan), developed collaboratively with representatives of businesses and nonprofits, public representatives, real estate interests and community input, was adopted by the Ketchum City Council on May 9. The plan is a road map of goals and strategies to keep productive focus on the Valley’s workforce housing shortages and bring new tools and policies to bear that foster strategic, efficient, and coordinated action throughout the community. “With county-wide collaboration, we have crafted a multi-faceted plan to tackle our housing crisis,” said Mayor Neil Bradshaw. “Successful implementation of the plan will require funding from a multitude of sources and actions from ourselves and our implementation partners. We are encouraged by the response from our community and look forward to taking the next steps that will put a roof over the heads of our workforce.” Implementation of the plan is estimated to cost $5–$8 million annually for expenses ranging from underwriting incentives for property owners to setting up tracking and communications systems that help the public, employers and workers effectively navigate housing options. Stakeholders that have signed on as implementation partners agree that both public and private resources will be needed to fulfill the goals of the plan. These dollars have the potential to be leveraged three to five times by capital investments in specific housing projects and initiatives enabled by the actions taken because of the plan. One of the plan’s recommendations is to establish a team of experts and implementation partners. Participants will include: • • • • • •

Ketchum housing strategist Carissa Connelly (expert) Carter Cox, philanthropic coordinator for the Warm Springs Preserve (expert) Blaine County Housing Authority (implementation partner) The Hunger Coalition (implementation partner) St. Luke’s (implementation partner) The Advocates (implementation partner)

This team will focus solely on housing solutions, working to coordinate and better leverage local funds. Coordination will include exploring, documenting, and creating a tool to catalyze philanthropic funding for specific housing solutions. The housing plan includes quarterly implementation meetings. One such meeting will be with other jurisdictions’ administrators and planning directors, and a second with implementation partners. These facilitated meetings are an opportunity to explore synergies where formal partnerships might improve outcomes, talk through any tension or discrepancies, and learn together on vital housing and housing-related topics. Under consideration through county-wide coordination is a shared housing department consisting of Blaine County Housing Authority and other housing resources, which may cause some housing plan actions to look slightly different. However, since the housing crisis isn’t limited to Ketchum and the housing plan is based on and implemented by partners who work Valley-wide, the transition would be a subtle pivot while expanding the physical area. Interested jurisdictions and entities could adjust and adopt the housing plan, agree to common data sources and work with the housing team.

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W O O D R I V E R W E E K L Y • M A Y 1 8 - 3 1 , 2 0 2 2

NEWS

HOUSING

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WOOD RIVER WEEKLY SUMMER + FALL 2022

101 THINGS TO DO

Continued from Page 5

cause reliable, local funds are necessary to stand up housing programs that would otherwise die once one-time funds dry up; and such funds leverage more resources to address the housing crisis. Actions in the housing plan that could be funded by LOT include homeownership assistance, “Lease to Locals,” emergency assistance for displaced and at-risk tenants, preservation of existing affordable housing, and adding new workforce housing. Wood River Weekly will have more information in its June 1 issue since press deadline fell before May 17 election results were available. One of the most promising sources of private funding is philanthropy. Sally Gillespie, executive director of Spur Community Foundation, puts it this way: “Our community has a long and powerful legacy of generosity enabling transformational improvements to the quality of life in our community. Just consider the hospital, the new Bloom Food Center, the Campion Ice House, the Draper Preserve, the Argyros, the YMCA, and the Sun Valley Pavilion to know that this is true. That same potential exists for housing.” Donations can be made to nonprofits whose missions are focused on housing, such as ARCH, which is developing 28 workforce and affordable homes with private and public funds, or the newly formed Wood River Community Housing Trust, the first nonprofit of its kind nationally to innovate a new capital structure for workforce housing development. Dollars given to these entities can directly support the production of dedicated housing inventory. As an aggregator of both philanthropic capital and information about local nonprofit activity, Spur Community Foundation is in a unique position to identify and facilitate philanthropic investments in the housing arena through its Com-

munity Housing Fund. Just as Spur strategically distributed grants from its Community Response Fund to address needs arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, Spur will pool donor contributions to make grants wherever philanthropy can make a difference in the viability and ultimate success of workforce housing initiatives. “I believe the community has the capacity to respond with the same generosity for housing as it did to pandemic relief and the preservation of Warm Springs Ranch,” said Gillespie. Another avenue for philanthropy exists through the Blaine County Charitable Fund (BCCF), whose mission is to create stable and resilient communities in Blaine County primarily by providing emergency financial assistance. BCCF was founded in response to the COVID-19 pandemic when many Blaine County citizens lost employment and income. For many people, those financial hardships continue. Currently, 54% of households seeking help from BCCF are doing so for housing costs. The Hunger Coalition noted the same— where half of their clients need housing assistance as well as food assistance. Lastly, there will be opportunities for individuals to invest in solutions as specific projects come through the pipeline. These could be developments put forward by for-profit and nonprofit employers seeking solutions for their workers, or by commercial developers that require patient capital with reduced expectations of financial return. While the housing plan is currently powered by the City of Ketchum, it is a community plan that relies on participating partners. For example, the housing plan intends for the housing team to identify and publicize opportunities for community members to participate financially, advocate for housing policy improvements at the state and federal level (like allowing a real estate transfer tax and vacant homes tax), and directly help house and support neighbors and community members (such as with the Lease to Locals program).

NEWS

IN BRIEF

Bicycle-Versus-Bicycle Crash Victim Life-Flighted

On Sunday, May 15, at approximately 2 a.m., Blaine County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a bicycle-versus-bicycle collision on the bike path near Warm Springs Road in Ketchum. Crash scene investigation determined that Cole Ross Wells, age 33, of Hailey, was riding his bicycle southeast on the bike path headed into Ketchum from Warm Springs with his headlamp light on when an oncoming vehicle with its headlights on made it difficult to see. Wells collided with Reed Spencer Stokes, age 31, also of Hailey, who was riding his bicycle without a light northwest on the bike path. The riders clipped handlebars as they attempted to pass each other, sending both Wells and Stokes to the ground. Neither rider was wearing a helmet. Stokes was transported via ground ambulance to St. Luke’s Wood River Medical Center and later by air ambulance to St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise, with serious injuries. Wells declined medical treatment for a minor injury.

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101 things to do summer + fall 2021

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W O O D R I V E R W E E K LY

PHOTOBOX

•

M AY 18 - 31, 2022

TGI (Fly Fishing Film Fest) Friday

TROUT UNLIMITED

n Friday, May 20, the local Hemingway Chapter of Trout Unlimited is hosting the 2022 International Fly Fishing Film Festival (IF4) at the Argyros Theater. The IF4 is the world’s leading fly-fishing film event and consists of films produced by professional filmmakers from all corners of the globe and showcases the passion, lifestyle, preservation, and culture of fly fishing. This event is the gathering place for all river enthusiasts. The Hemingway Chapter of Trout Unlimited (TUH), is an active local group of over 600 members that promotes camaraderie among fishing enthusiasts and awareness of the importance of protecting the health of the Big Wood River. With a mission to protect cold water fisheries and their habitats TUH has been instrumental in fish rescues, monitoring and maintenance of valuable public access trails, lobbying for proactive river health solutions, and in extensive educational outreach to kindergartners through adults. Last year, the Big Wood River saw its lowest flows since 1931 and Hemingway Chapter volunteers mobilized and pitched in immediately to help with fish rescues. With a total of 405 volunteer hours, they rescued and returned a record 22,983 stranded fish back into the Big Wood River main channel. A raffle and no host bar opens at 5:30 p.m. and the films start at 7 p.m. For ticket information, visit hemingwaytu.org. Ticket purchases support the chapter’s local efforts and all the revenue stays in the This fish rescue photo was taken by Ed Northen (TU National State board member) and was on a side canal of Wood River Valley.

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W O O D R I V E R W E E K L Y • M A Y 1 8 - 3 1 , 2 0 2 2

Fishing R epoRt

COMM ENT ARY

NO BONES ABOUT IT

IS THERE SUCH A THING AS THE UNTRAINABLE DOG?

THE “WEEKLY” FISHING REPORT FOR MAY 18 - 31 FROM PICABO ANGLER

pening Day is right around the corner and what a special day it is! With two weeks to go, are you ready? Now is the time to prepare and gear up. Clean old lines, buy new ones, fill the fly boxes up and patch your waders. Maybe some new boot laces or a bag for that old net? There is a lot to do and not much time left to do it. At Picabo Angler we are gearing up and receiving new product daily. This also means all the new fly patterns are in the bins. We are currently running a special on rubber-legged patterns so you can be ready for Salmon Fly season. We have lots of attractors and water walkers as well. It is also a time to get your Brown Drakes while we have all the patterns in stock. The past few seasons the Brown Drakes have begun the Wednesday after the opener… most likely the first week of June this year. We will be having our annual Opening Day Eve Party again this year. Come on down the Friday night before the May 28th opener and join your fellow anglers for fish talk and cold beers! We will have rods to cast and a few vendors will be showing off their latest and greatest. The party starts at 5 p.m. May 27th and goes until dark. Come join the fun and say hello. Bring a tent and sleep near the Creek so you don’t have to drive around. Opening Day hatches on Silver Creek include Baetis, PMD, Ants and Beetles. Have a variety of these in your box and you’ll be set for the day. If the water is clear on the Big Wood, anglers will be able to cast large attractors, like Royal Stimulators or even rubber-legged Salmon Fly patterns. Hang a beadhead nymph under these like a Copper John or Prince Nymph and then find the soft water where the fish will be avoiding strong, cold spring currents. Tailwaters like the Lost River and South Fork of the Boise will also fish well depending on the levels. The South Fork normally starts the season as a driftboat river. Small attractors and large nymphs are the way to go on the Boise. The lower Lost may fish if the flows are reasonable. Expect mostly nymphing with small red nymphs and micro nymphs like Two-Bits and Zebra Midges. See you all soon—and happy fishing!

Hwy 20 in Picabo info@picaboangler.com (208)788.3536 www.picaboangler.com

FRAN JEWELL

By Fran Jewell

bsolutely! Although I refuse to tell anyone that their dog cannot be trained. What makes a dog untrainable? Free access to furniture, sleeping areas that belong to others, food, height, affection, and any resources the dog has claimed as his own. Notice the key words here are FREE ACCESS. When a dog has free access anytime to the things that are important to him, then he will no longer have any respect for his owner or others, including people and other dogs. He will have no interest in learning or working. There is a simple term for this: it’s called “spoiled.” Spoiled dogs have no need to work, to learn or do anything because everything important to them comes free. Dogs are opportunists. They are fully capable of determining what is easiest to get and what they want. So, if there is nothing valuable to “work for,” then it is impossible to train them. It is my belief that when someone comes to me with a difficult dog to train, a huge portion of the training becomes “un-spoiling” the dog, or making the dog work for anything that is important to it. This is called “LEADERSHIP.”

It is further my belief that almost every problem a dog has stems from lack of leadership IN A MANNER THAT THE DOG UNDERSTANDS. In very, very unusual cases, there are dogs that are so fearful they cannot get through the fear to trust someone to make learning possible. Studies are now showing that fearful temperament is mostly genetic. Environment does play a part, but not as much as genetics do. There are dogs that have been extremely abused and come out smelling like a rose as if the abuse never happened. Then there are dogs that act as though they were abused, but were not, and can only process slight learning outside their fear. And there are cases of dogs that have grown up feral that never learned HOW to learn. These dogs usually spend all their time operating from a place of total instinct because it is the only way they know how to survive. So, are there dogs that are untrainable? I still contend that all dogs can be trained and can learn, but ONLY if the owner is willing to NOT spoil the dog in the first place, or “un-spoil” the dog that is already spoiled. Sadly, if the owner is not willing to do what is necessary to train the dog, then yes, the dog will most likely be untrainable.

SCIENCE OF PLACE

Fran Jewell is an IAABC Certified Dog Behavior Consultant, NADOI Certified Instructor and the owner of Positive Puppy Dog Training, LLC in Sun Valley. For more information, visit positivepuppy.com or call 208-578-1565.

All dogs can be as great as Lassie! Photo credit: Fran Jewell

HANNES THUM

This photo of Magic Reservoir, taken in August 2021, shows the effects of extreme drought in southern Idaho. Prospects for drought relief in 2022 are, at present, not looking good. Photo credit: Ryan Hartman

RUNOFF AND DROUGHT

BY HANNES THUM

ater has been scarce lately. We’ve been experiencing the effects of different degrees of serious drought over the past few years, and water users in our region have already been planning ahead for how they can continue (if they’re lucky) irrigating land this coming summer. Which is an odd thing to think about, considering that we just finished up one of the wetter Aprils on record here – scarcity has not been the word that a lot of people would use. For those in our community who would prefer sandals and sunscreen to raincoats and boots, the common refrain around town seems to be, “when is spring actually going to start?” Which is usually followed closely by, “at least we’re getting the moisture.” It’s no secret that we live in an arid part of the world here. But it’s also no secret that the last few years have been abnormally dry, and that we are heading rapidly into another summer of noteworthy drought (the question of when something noteworthy becomes no longer noteworthy is another conversation for another time). So, this wet spring will help things, but it won’t solve things. Not even close, really. Because the spring rains have helped and will help fill the bucket, so to speak, but the main issue is that a bucket is an inadequate metaphor for how water works in our valley. Water moves in complex ways across, through, under, above, and

within our landscapes. It moves across the surface in streams and rivers but it also moves below the surface in ways that we are just beginning to understand. Not every drop ends up where one may think it ends up. It percolates, it evaporates, it circulates. Water enters and exits and flows through these systems in time scales that go beyond just a single season. So, a bit of rain can help, but a bit of rain is an incomplete solution. At some point this spring, snow in the high country will begin to melt faster and faster and the rivers will rise significantly. We have seen a couple of pulses on the Big Wood, one in late March and one in the first week of May, but we will see a bigger one whenever spring “actually starts.” That peak flow will almost certainly be much lower than what we might hope for, and the season of runoff will almost certainly be shorter than we would wish. Remember how hot and dry August can be? We will see what happens. Life as we know it revolves around water. If there’s extraterrestrial life out in the universe that exists without water, we certainly don’t know about it. When we look for and talk about life in other places, we really are looking for places that might have water – everything we know about how life works is based on water. And this matters here, on Earth, a great deal. The tiniest ant and the largest cottonwood, the sagebrush and the farmers’ barley (and you and me) only live here when there is water to allow it. Where the water goes, so goes life.

W O O D R I V E R W E E K LY

MONEY MATTERS

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SUZANNE HAZLETT

UPSIDE OF A DOWN MARKET BY SUZANNE HAZLETT, MBA, CIMA®, CFP®

originally published the topic of this column on March 18, 2020. The stock market crash of 2020 began just nine days prior, on Monday, March 9, with history’s most significant plunge for the Dow Jones Industrial Average to that date. Two more record-setting declines followed on March 12 and March 16. Unbridled global fears about the spread of the coronavirus, oil price drops, and the possibility of a 2020 recession triggered the drop. Sound familiar? Legendary investor Warren Buffett doesn’t try to guess how current events will play out in the market. “I don’t think I can make money by predicting what’s going to go on next week or next month,” he said. “I do think I can make money by predicting what will go on in the next ten years.” When the state of the financial markets is keeping you up at night, here are four things you can do: 1. LONG-TERM vs. SHORT-TERM If your investments are for long-term purposes, remind yourself time is on your side. If you have invested in a long-term strategy with funds needed for current expenses, you may need to sell at least enough investments to meet your immediate cash needs. 2. RISK APPETITE It is prudent to periodically reassess your tolerance for Suzanne Hazlett, MBA, CIMA®, the market’s roller-coaster nature. Many advisors use risk CFP® is the founder of Hazlett assessment tools. They can help clarify the risk associat- Wealth Management, LLC. ed with your performance aspirations, informing suitable investment decisions. 3. BALANCING ACT + TAX-LOSS HARVESTING Rebalancing is a tactic used by professionals on an ongoing basis. When financial markets shift, they can impact the balance of different types of assets within a portfolio. Selling some assets and reinvesting those dollars in others is a clever tactic to use when your investments get too heavily weighted in one area and underweighted in another. When making these changes in taxable accounts, selling securities showing losses allows an investor to “harvest” those losses to offset gains and income and potentially reduce your tax bill. 4. DOLLAR-COST AVERAGING If you are working at building your nest egg, a down market can be advantageous. Continuing incremental investing allows you to invest over time when values are low, positioning you to benefit when values increase, averaging your investment costs and volatility exposure. A down market can present opportunities and provide valuable reminders. Take a breath. Assess your plan. If you find yourself off course and your investments are not aligned with your intended strategy, you may be able to get back on track by taking these four steps. Suzanne Hazlett, MBA, CIMA®, CFP® HAZLETT WEALTH MANAGEMENT, LLC is independent of Raymond James and is not a registered broker/dealer. Investment advisory services are offered through Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. Securities through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., member of FINRA/SIPC. All investing involves risk, including the possible loss of the principal amount invested. There are no guarantees investing strategy, including rebalancing or dollar-cost averaging, can guarantee will meet your objectives. 675 Sun Valley Road Ketchum, Idaho, 208.726.0605. HazlettWealthManagement.com

THE REPUBLIC

ON LIFE’S TERMS

JOELLEN COLLINS

PHONY FACES ON FACEBOOK

BY JOELLEN COLLINS

hen checking my Facebook messages, I noted a handsome man smiling at me astride a beautiful horse in equally stunning country. Although the photo was appealing to a woman of my age who might be searching for new men in her life, I am content at this time without a partner. Nonetheless, I did study the image for a moment, admiring the appearance of this fellow, who seemed at least 10 years younger than I. This was coincidental with my posting a flattering photo on Facebook introducing my new book cover that does make me look a few years younger. I was selling a book, not myself. I never thought it might cause some men to be even a tad interested in contacting me. A few days later, in the Facebook section requesting new friends, this good-looking guy appeared again and so did another gentleman of about the same age, with shades of thick grey and white hair above his attractive face. Then I noticed the same men in different poses, and now checked to see if we had mutual friends. No one was listed for either man, certainly a suspicious circumstance, and then I compared them and saw that both had different names beneath each of their images. I knew enough to realize that this was a catfish operation. Certainly, gurus like Doctor Phil have discovered large numbers of women spending too much money to “meet” these Lotharios. Some of the suitors using phony photos are JoEllen Collins—a longtime based in Nigeria or another remote destination resident of the Wood River where they “need cash” to be able to join their Valley— is an Idaho Press Club award-winning columparamours. Often, these sad and needy women nist, a teacher, writer, fabric are bilked of their life savings. Of course, the artist, choir member and “potential husbands” are located away from au- unabashedly proud grandma thorities who could intervene. known as “Bibi Jo.” I admit to being duped by the barrage of very clever ads on Facebook, only to receive items like a sweater with several holes in the wool, one that would eventually cost more to return because of its origin, China. Since I fell for that enticing “bargain,” I have certainly been wary of ordering anything from Facebook sources, including products especially designed for older women, now appearing with such frequency that I fear someone is anticipating making a killing before I face my demise. I fear that I may have been tagged as being a rather stupid source of contact for the kind of sharks that exploit lonely women. I may be gullible, but not sad and needy. I can‘t imagine how people find their dates online, and I am happy I don’t rely on this technology to locate a male companion. I bet most online potential seekers of matches are more wary than I might be. Betty White thought Facebook a waste of time. I concur, in part, knowing there are better ways to spend my free moments. Even so, I still check Facebook because there are people with whom this is my only contact in a world where we are mobile and I can easily lose touch with friends, not find mates.

Hollywood Hears You

By Eric Valentine

et’s play a guessing game. You need to guess what I’m thinking about. Here are your three clues: • • •

M AY 18 - 31, 2022

Elitist Cancel culture Out of touch

If you guessed Hollywood, you’re right. Your prize? You get to watch the Oscar-winning film CODA, or at least read this review/commentary about why it’s important you do. Out of Touch CODA is an acronym for children of deaf adults, a relatively obscure group of people, although 90% of children born to deaf parents can hear. And if you didn’t know that, maybe it’s not only Hollywood who’s out of touch. The film is about the tight-knit, somewhat feral, Rossi family—both parents and their eldest son are deaf, their daughter Ruby is not. Ruby’s brightest talent—outside of multitasking the deaf and hearing worlds and largely being the proverbial adult of the family—is her voice, the beautifully airy soprano of Emilia Jones, the young actress who plays her. Guess what happens when a talented child who seems to have everything they need in life doesn’t have a home that understands their talent. The gift goes unnoticed. That is, until a high school jazz choir teacher Bernardo (SPOILER ALERT: learn to roll your Rs!), played by

Eugenio Derbez, gets her to audition for choir. The story unfolds from there as we watch the Rossi family navigate the implications of Ruby’s talent. No, not how rich and famous they’ll be if she makes a hit record. More like, how the heck they’re supposed to run their family-owned fishing boat without a hearing person to do everything from notice sirens to negotiate fish auction prices. We realize how out of touch our society is when it comes to the culture of the deaf. Cancel Culture Speaking of culture, let’s talk cancel culture. If you think it’s something liberal or new, listen up. History lesson: author J.D. Salinger, comedian Lenny Bruce, boxer Muhammad Ali, none of them were banned by liberals forcing on America their world view. These were conservative movements, well-intended at best and bigoted hate at worst. But how is it relevant to CODA? In Hollywood, if you’re thinking about making a movie about a deaf person, it doesn’t take long before you think about Marlee Matlin. She’s the first deaf actress to win an Oscar (Children of a Lesser God, 1987) and it springboarded an acting career still going strong today. Once she signed on to the project, CODA had a chance to get made. Matlin, however, refused to be part of the project unless every single deaf character was played by an actor who in real life is also deaf. Result: Leo Rossi, the son, would be played by deaf actor Daniel Durant, and Frank Rossi, the father, would be played by deaf actor Troy Kotsur. If you think that’s nice but just another version of affirmative action, consider all the results. This film didn’t only win the Oscar for the best movie of the year, one

ERIC VALENTINE

of the deaf actors—Kotsur—also took home a statue in gold for best supporting actor. Elitist Perhaps the critical success of CODA is just elitist Hollywood film critics being politically correct and it’s not as good a movie as they want to make us believe it is. After all, to date it has only made $1.6 million at the box office. For me, CODA does have a tone that plays at times like an afterschool special or Hallmark Channel holiday story. At times. And, in those instances, it’s the best darn afterschool or Hallmark movie scene I’ve ever seen. At other times, it’s classic storytelling with a fresh view. I won’t spoil two special scenes for you that would serve as perfect examples of the slight-surprise devices used within the latter parts of the film. I will explain the one used early on. Before Ruby unleashes her gem of a voice, Bernardo asks her to tell him why she’s so scared to sing. She says, “I don’t know how to explain it.” “Try,” Bernardo says. And Ruby begins to sign her explanation with uber-emotive big brown eyes and the emotional grace only found in the hand and arm gestures of American Sign Language. (Did you know all languages have their own version of sign language? What a hassle.). It’s a moment that will find you utterly speechless. And if you still can’t stomach American elitism, fret not. The film is an adaptation of a 2014 film called La Famille Bélier. A Beglian-French film, of course. Ah, there’s no business like show business.

W O O D R I V E R W E E K L Y • M A Y 1 8 - 3 1 , 2 0 2 2

INSPIRATIONS FROM MY HEART

DOVE

The Cooking Angel

BY DOVE

s my husband got up this morning, I asked him to taste some honey mustard salad dressing I made to see if it was how he liked it. His response was, “You have truly been blessed by the cooking angels because I don’t think you could make a bad meal.” Now, honey mustard dressing first thing in the morning for breakfast may not be your cup of tea, but he was game, and his response made my day. How do you get blessed by the “cooking angels”? I think when you are young, certain things resonate with your creative side and you develop skills of intuition when creating. I have loved to cook all my life, from the time I was about 9 years old until seven decades later. There is a wonderful movie called “The Mistress of Spices.” It is so worth the watch because the main character has been trained to communicate with the energy of all the spices and how they work for healing of the body or emotions. When I create food, it is all about the overall experience. The joy I feel in the creation of food comes through in the flavors and textures that meld together. Truly, I tell people I often times feel the energy rising in my body as I prepare our meals. We can learn a lot about ourselves from how we treat our bodies. Do we take the time to put good food into the body? It makes a huge difference in the overall energy we hold. We are better off taking in only food that is created from a loving space than stuffing ourselves with calories to get energy. If we look at our lifestyle, so little time

is allotted to the creating of food. One of the best ways to uplift your energy is to thank the food, whatever it is, for nourishing your body. At breakfast, I thank the farmers who grow the grain for the bread I eat, the ones who raise the chickens, the workers who create the bread, the ones who grow all the seeds I like in my bread. I thank the people who package the bread, the truckers who deliver the bread and the store clerks who order, stock and sell the bread, and, lastly, I thank myself for buying the bread, that it bless my body. I have left out the famers who create the butter and the individuals who made the plates and silverware, the pans I cook in. When I look at how many people contribute to just one meal of the day, I realize we are all connected for everything in our lives. It does not matter what religion, gender or financial background you come from— we are all dependent upon each other for our daily comforts. We never stand alone. Maybe if we would start to look at each person as making a contribution to the comfort of our lives, we could overcome all that separates us. If we just take a moment to connect from our hearts to all energy that supports us, we could heal our bodies, our planet. Take a little time each day to be grateful to all who bless you and may the cooking angels touch all that you put into your body and bless it. Bless all that you put into your body as it changes the frequency to a higher vibration. Be gentle with yourself, loving the body that you are nourishing. You will feel the difference. Much love, Dove

A WRANGLER’S RECKLESS WRITINGS

BRYCE ANGELL

THE BUCKIN’ DAPPLE GRAY

My father pointed to the corral. “You see that dapple gray? I’d like it if you’d put a saddle on his back today.” The dapple gray sure weren’t a looker. Horse face rings a bell. He’d never had a curry comb as far as I could tell. And the look that he was giving me was more than just a stare. His cold, black devil eyes were warning, “Cowboy, you beware. “You ain’t the first to take a chance so go ahead and try. You throw a saddle on my back, and you’ll be flying high.” I queried. “Where’d you get the horse? He’s ugly as can be. Has he ever worn a saddle? And if no, he’s not for me.” My father said, “I’m not too sure, but just you never mind. I’ve got a feeling ‘bout this horse. I’d say he’s one good find!” I slipped on his old hackamore with reins tied in a knot. The first part came too easy. But for sure I had him caught. I brushed him down then placed a saddle pad upon his back. His eyes were getting bigger. He was planning his attack. I put the saddle on the pad and moved it up a bit. Then pulled the cinch up to his gut. That’s when he threw a fit! He jumped straight up, dang near six feet, then came down buckin’ strong. I never knew an ornery cuss could kick and buck so long. The fightin’, stinkin’ piece of crowbait paused to look around. Then jumped back into buckin’. He was sure enough Hellbound. He finally stopped and stared at me, still snortin’, blowin’ snot. I reached and pulled the saddle off. Another lesson taught. I asked my father, “What’d you pay?” He said, “I got him free.” I said, “For him that’s still too much if it were up to me!” He said, “I knew that horse was trouble. Now he’s proved me right. Too bad he’s not a keeper. He sure put up one good fight.” I guess I kind of chuckled ‘bout my father’s change of heart. He usually had good horse sense but was wrong right from the start. And I’m not so sure what happed to the ornery dapple gray. Do horses buck in Hades? Bet that’s where he went to stay. – Bryce Angell Bryce Angell - The outdoors has always been a large part of my life. My father was an outfitter and guide for 35 years and I was there to shoe and care for the horses and help him do the cooking. We took many great trips into the Yellowstone area. Even now that I’m older, we still ride into the Tetons, Yellowstone and surrounding areas. My poems are mostly of personal experience. I am now retired and enjoying life to the fullest. I plan to do more riding and writing.

BETTER HOMEOWNERS NEWS

ANNA AND MICHELLE

Homeownership And The Three Ms vent it from failing by regularly maintaining it.

Minimize Expenses Every dollar you spend on maintenance increases your cost of housing. Some maintenance items may be easily done yourself and you’ll save the cost of having a professional do them, like changing the filters. However, the list of minimizing expenses goes way beyond maintenance. Replacing all your light bulbs with energy-efficient alternatives like LEDs is a great example. In the spirit of Ben Franklin’s adage that “a penny saved is a penny earned,” every dollar you save on utilities lowers your overall cost of housing. Windows and doors whose seals are not adequate, or a home not properly insulated, could be using considerably more energy than necessary. The cost of making these adjustments could be recaptured in utility savings in a short period of time. Knowing the right service providers can be a big source of savings as well as give you peace of mind. Your real estate professional has developed a wide range of trusted service providers who are both reputable and reasonable. You should feel comfortable asking for a recommendation whenever you need one.

BY ANNA & MICHELLE

omes are valuable assets and must be maintained so they function properly, are safe, enjoyable and hold their value. Attention to maintenance, minimizing expenses and managing debt and risk will protect your investment.

Maintenance It is interesting that people understand the necessity to maintain a car and regularly have the car inspected, repaired and do regular maintenance. Even though a house could be worth many times more than a car, homeowners regularly neglect what should be routine maintenance. Failure to maintain a home properly adversely affects the value. Many times, buyers will discount the price they are willing to pay for a home more than the actual cost of the repair or expenditure. A home in good condition instills confidence while a home in less than good condition generates concern about unknown items that may also need repair. HVAC systems, as well as appliances, run more efficiently when they are maintained, which will result in lower utility bills. Another big benefit is that small items in need of repairs, many times, turn into more expensive repairs or having to replace the items completely. For example, failure to replace the air filters regularly could lead to a more expensive repair like having to clean the coils or it could even lead to a larger issue like burning out a HVAC motor. In this example, the aggregate cost of replacing the filters is much less than the cost of a new furnace or A/C unit. It can be more expensive to fix something that is not working rather than pre-

Manage Debt & Risk Refinancing your home to get a lower interest rate can be a big savings but you’ll need to analyze it to determine how long it will cost you to recapture the cost involved. A Refinance Analysis calculator can help. Other cost-saving items could be investigating multi-policy discounts for insurance, lowering your property tax assessment, low-flow toilets, smart thermostats, unplugging small appliances when not in use, and adjusting the temperature on HVAC units and water heaters. While you are talking to your insurance agent about possible discounts, ask about your liability coverage also. Homeowner policies have a stated amount of coverage, but your financial situation or exposure may indicate that you need to increase those amounts. Generally, homeowners with pools or boats have increased risk and you’ll want to ask your agent about your other extracurricular activities. Owning a home has a lot of responsibility and having a good source of information is valuable. Your real estate professional is uniquely qualified to be your source of credible real estate information. If you are wondering why they would be helpful even when you are not buying or selling a home, it is because they want to establish longterm relationships so that whenever you need their help or services, not only will you feel comfortable asking but that you’ll feel confident to refer them to your friends.

W O O D R I V E R W E E K LY

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M AY 18 - 31, 2022

ADVERTORIALS

HEALTH BEAT

ST. LUKE’S WOOD RIVER

The Benefits Of An Annual Wellness Exam

By Sasha Chavez, N.P.

istorically, people felt the need to seek medical attention when they were ill, felt under the weather, or near death. Many people say, “I feel fine, I don’t need medical attention” or “If it isn’t broken, why fix it?” Fortunately, the annual wellness exam has become a common practice for people who are hoping to head off health problems before it is too late. The annual wellness examination is an opportunity to focus on disease prevention and health promotion. It can help you and your provider develop a plan on how to make healthy lifestyle decisions and prevent common medical complications. Maybe there are specific areas you would like to improve, such as nutrition or quality of sleep. Perhaps you have questions or concerns that do not rise to the level of scheduling an appointment immediately or that you might hesitate to bring up. The annual exam provides a steppingstone to develop a relationship between you and your medical provider. Medical providers use the wellness exam to evaluate how the body is performing and it is an opportunity for you to take greater control of your health and eventually improve your quality of life. An average wellness exam may include but not be limited to the following components: • Comprehensive exam specific to age, gender, and risk factors. • Vital-sign monitoring that typically includes blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, as well as temperature, height, and weight. • Medication management (risk vs. benefit). • Chronic disease care, such as asthma or diabetes. • Laboratory tests which may include a complete

NUESTRA VOZ CUENTA

blood count, chemistry panel, lipid panel (cholesterol test), prostate-specific antigen (men only), thyroid panel, and urinalysis. • Skin evaluation for dermatological health. • Updated health history. • Developmental, behavior, and/or psychologic health evaluation. Additional differential screening tests for men and women may be requested. Preventive care to offset chronic disease should be woven into all aspects of life, including where we live, work, learn, play and grow. When scheduling an annual wellness exam, you are making an important decision to take responsibility for your health and quality of life. Sasha Chavez, N.P., specializes in Internal Medicine. She recently joined Dr. Dan Fairman at St. Luke’s Clinic – Internal Medicine and is accepting new patients at the St. Luke’s Wood River Multispecialty Clinic located in the Physician Office Annex at 100 Hospital Drive, Suite 201. Hours are Mon.– Thurs: 8 a.m. – 4:45 p.m. and Fri.: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. To make an appointment, call (208) 727-8888.

It’s your life We help you live it

MonicActiva

MONICA CARRILLO

BY MONICA CARRILLO

OUR VOICE COUNTS After spending four months at the University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras, in Puerto Rico, I learned to value much of what I had. Getting to see the beaches, trying mofongo and riding a horse for the first time were always fun experiences with the other exchange students who were there for the semester. However, there was still so much to keep building on after Hurricane Maria, especially socially and economically, and it was quite an experience getting to learn about all the issues happening in the territory without much help from the United States. As I walked through the streets of San Juan, there was always something political written on the walls or the sidewalks that truly had me stop for hours reading through their struggles and hardships. Nevertheless, the people there were always helping one another out, making sure that everyone was comfortable and safe. Anytime I needed directions or wanted some advice on places that I should explore, they were constantly welcoming and making sure that I had the directions that I needed. After being home for a few days, I already miss the beach and beautiful San Juan and am so incredibly grateful that I have had this opportunity. Now, for next year, I hope to finish at the University of Idaho with majors in Spanish and Journalism and a minor in International Studies. NUESTRA VOZ CUENTA Después de pasar cuatro meses en Puerto Rico en la Universidad de Puerto Rico-Río Piedras, aprendí a valorar mucho más de lo que tenía. Llegar a ver las playas, probar el mofongo y montar a caballo por primera vez, siempre fueron experiencias divertidas con los otros estudiantes de intercambio que estuvieron allí durante el semestre. Sin embargo, todavía había mucho que seguir construyendo después del huracán María, especialmente social y económicamente, y fue un viaje para aprender sobre todos los problemas que suceden en el territorio sin mucha ayuda de los Estados Unidos.

Photo credit: Myles Jenkins

Mientras caminaba por las calles de San Juan, siempre había algo político escrito en las paredes o las aceras que realmente me hacía detenerme durante horas leyendo sus luchas y dificultades. Sin embargo, las personas allí siempre se ayudaban unas a otras, asegurándose de que todos estuvieran cómodos y seguros. Cada vez que necesitaba direcciones o quería algunos consejos sobre lugares que debía explorar, eran constantemente acogedores y se aseguraban de que tuviera las direcciones que necesitaba. Después de estar en casa por unos días, ya extraño la playa y la hermosa San Juan y estoy increíblemente agradecida de haber tenido esta oportunidad. Ahora para el próximo año, espero terminar en la Universidad de Idaho con especializaciones en español y periodismo y una especialización en Estudios Internacionales.

NEWS

IN BRIEF

Health District Names Sober-Living Director ‘Health Hero’

Sonya Wilander, executive director of Men’s Second Chance Living (MSCL House), has been chosen by the South Central Public Health District as the 2021-2022 Adult Volunteer Health Hero. Wilander has worked to protect, promote and enhance the health of Southern Idaho citizens by founding and operating the only sober home for men in the Wood River Valley. MSCL House accepts individuals from Blaine, Camas, Cassia, Gooding, Jerome, Lincoln, Minidoka and Twin Falls counties, providing safe and sober living; access to medical, dental MSCL Executive Director and behavioral healthcare; nutrition Sonya Wilander. Photo credit: Men’s Second Chance assistance; exercise and recreation; matched savings and financial educa- Living tion; and funding for higher education. Wilander has built a reputation for going above and beyond in her role by promoting awareness of addiction and preventing the continued cycle of substance abuse for those desiring sobriety. “I believe everyone deserves a second chance,” said Wilander. “Before MSCL House, there were no options to provide a second chance for men in our valley who are struggling with addiction. Our mission is to help them maintain their sobriety, regain their independence and ultimately reintegrate into the community.” A celebration will be held to honor Wilander at 11 a.m. May 18, 2022, at the South Central Public Health District building in Twin Falls: 1020 Washington St. N. on the CSI Campus. MSCL House is also celebrating funding it has received for operations for the 2022 fiscal year from the Wood River Women’s Foundation Fund in the Idaho Community Foundation. The $20,000 grant toward MSCL House's operating budget will strengthen and sustain their work by covering the necessary dayto-day expenses, including residential staff support, home management and supervision, and home maintenance and repairs. Residential staff and house managers are the keystones of MSCL House's success, as they connect residents with services, support them in their recovery, and hold them accountable. “MSCL House is grateful for the support and looking forward to a successful year of operating to the highest standard,” Wilander said.

Olympic Snowboarder To Deliver SV Community School Commencement Speech

Sun Valley Community School graduates will receive their commencement address from Chase Josey, the two-time Olympic snowboarder (2018, 2022), U.S. Snowboard Team member, and Sun Valley Community School alum. Sun Valley Community School’s Class of 2022 commencement ceremony will take place on Sunday, June 5 at 1 p.m. at the Sun Valley Pavilion. Forty-one seniors will graduate. A native of the Wood River Valley, Chase graduated from Sun Valley Com- SV Community School alum and two-time munity School in 2013. He joined the SVCS community at the beginning of his Olympian Chase Josey. Photo credit: Mike junior year because he wanted to purDawson/US Ski and sue snowboarding at the highest levels; Snowboard he knew that the Sun Valley Ski Academy at Sun Valley Community School would help him balance his academic pursuits with his competitive snowboard dreams. As the school celebrates the 10-year anniversary of its Sun Valley Ski Academy this year, it is especially significant that one of its first SVSA student-athletes returns to share his experiences and his successes. “Chase is certainly a shining example of our mission in action. He has dedicated himself to the pursuit of his competitive dreams. He has faced challenges, has called upon a hard-earned confidence built through years of training and preparation, and he is certainly making an impact on his sport and on the many young aspiring athletes here and around the world. We are honored to have him be our 2022 Commencement speaker,” Head of School Ben Pettit said.

Flying Rock Causes Injury Accident

On Thursday, May 12, at approximately 3:10 p.m., Blaine County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a single motor vehicle accident on U.S. Highway 26 near Lava Lake Road and the Blaine County/Butte County line. Crash scene investigation determined that Daniel Robert Wallace, age 22, of Sterling, Virginia, was driving a blue 2019 Dodge Ram truck westbound on Hwy. 26 when a rock fell off a gravel truck driving eastbound in the opposite lane. The rock flew directly through the front windshield of the Dodge and struck Wallace’s passenger in the right shoulder. Alexis Ann Krupa, age 24, also of Sterling, was transported by ground ambulance for non-life-threatening injuries. The Dodge was driven from the scene.

W O O D R I V E R W E E K L Y • M A Y 1 8 - 3 1 , 2 0 2 2

CHAMBER CORNER

MIKE MCKENNA

Hard way Pipeline

Local Unsung Heroes: Delbert McMurdo By Mike McKenna

“Well, hello there, young man. What can I help ya with?” That’s how Delbert McMurdo used to great me whenever he’d stroll into the Hailey Welcome Center. Before COVID hit, Delbert would come by to see me most Monday afternoons to find out what he could help with. Delbert was a skilled craftsman who had a bit of time on his hands after retiring as the owner of Ketchum Heating. Over the years, he built numerous things for The Chamber, from our open sign to our map display to model wagons and a train we proudly have on display. Delbert was born in Sandpoint, raised in Bellevue, and went to first grade at Hailey Elementary. He was a proud member of the Marine Corps, serving in Laos, Cambodia, and he was even in Guantanamo Bay during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Shortly after he got out of the service, Delbert married his sweetheart, Anita. “It was cold that winter,” he joked. The two were happily married for nearly 60 years and raised three children and six grandkids here. Like many locals, Delbert spent his early days doing whatever he could to make ends meet. As a youth, he worked irrigation systems on the land that is now home to the Woodside subdivision. He tended cows, fed sheep and worked at local sawmills. He helped clean up tailings at the Triumph Mine and worked for the State Highway Department covering Galena Summit for a dozen years. Delbert even helped build Hailey City Hall back in the 1960s, when it was located where The Advocates Attic is now. “Anything to make a living and keep the family going,” he said when I interviewed him for a Chamber Corner story back in 2015. “I was never a scholar. I just had fun. I’ve had a good run. It’s been really great.” Delbert passed away at his home in Hailey recently. I know I’m sure going to miss him. And not just because he was one of the only people who could call me by my full name of “Michael” and not make me feel like I was in trouble. “Michael,” he said, as he gave me and my oldest

Steel Fencing

Kelly Wardell 208-309-0916

How To Play Sudoku

The Classic Sudoku is a number placing puzzle based on a 9x9 grid with several given numbers. The object is to place the numbers 1 to 9 in the empty squares so that each row, each column and each 3x3 box contains the same number only once.

CLASSIC SUDOKU See answer on page 7 son a tour of old mines in the area, “we’re losing a lot of our ‘Mom and Pops’ stuff around here. But it sure is still beautiful.” Delbert may no longer be with us, but the legacy of love he had for this place will carry on in the hearts of those lucky enough to know him and by the joy his creations bring to folks who visit the Welcome Center. BAHs are returning! The Chamber is happy to announce that our popular Business After Hours (BAHs) are returning! We’ve got two scheduled for June: on Thursday, June 2, Jane’s Artifacts and surrounding businesses will host; and on June 23 Click It and the new Hailey Heritage clothing store will host. Find out more about local events at ValleyChamber.org or call (208) 788-3484.

CROSSWORD SPONSORED BY

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WOOD RIVER VALLEY 7-DAY WEATHER FORECAST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

Mostly Cloudy 0%

high 69º

low 42º WEDNESDAY

Partly Coudy 3%

high 49 º low 31º THURSDAY

Partly Coudy 22%

high 54º low 32º FRIDAY

Partly Coudy 7%

high 59º low 37º SATURDAY

Mostly Cloudy 10%

high 67º low 42º SUNDAY

Partly Coudy 10%

high 66º low 43º MONDAY

Partly Coudy 7%

high 65º low 43º TUESDAY

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