Hagerman Valley Press 1020 E F ST #4 Moscow, ID 83843
Valley Press
Hagerman-Wendell-Gooding-Buhl-Bliss-Shoshone-Glenns Ferry, Idaho One Copy Free
December 2015 and January 2016
Hagerman Public Library
Your Valley, Your Press
Issue #38
By Director Geri Omohundro
The holiday season is in full swing! Remember the Hagerman Public Library during this time of giving. If you are wondering what to do with gently used books, CDs or DVDs, consider the library. Your gift can be shared and enjoyed for years to come instead of sitting on a shelf! Some families might be getting a new computer for Christmas. If you no longer use your old computer and it’s still in good shape, we can use it at the library. Our computers were donated by the Bill Gates Foundation and are about 10 years old. Only three are still functioning and are somewhat outdated. Your gift would be greatly appreciated and may be deductible on your income taxes. We are planning to build a new library and this is a perfect time of year to contribute with cash donations as well. 100% of donations will go into the building fund. Checks can be mailed to Hagerman Public Library, PO Box 330, Hagerman, ID 83332. You will receive a receipt for any donation and the satisfaction of helping a worthy cause in your community. Library hours are Tuesday-Friday 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., closed Monday and Tuesday. For more information, call 208-837-6520 or email hagermanpubliclibrary@gmail.com.
Book Sale by Janice Urie
Above, seated behind table; Author Kaylee Reilley Christian
The Hagerman Public Library held a book sale at the Hagerman City Hall on Saturday, December 5. Refreshments were served and Glenns Ferry author, Kaylee Reilley Christian signed copies of her novel, Brow of Stone. The December meeting of the Board of Directors will be held at the Snake River Grill at 10 a.m, Wednesday, December 16. A short meeting will be followed by brunch and a Christmas gift exchange.
Winter photos and text by Terrell Williams SNOWY NOVEMBER Right Trees at Wendell City Park were full of snow on a sub-zero morning at the end of November. WENDELL WINTER Above -After a generous snowfall for Thanksgiving, temperatures in Wendell dropped to below zero. This giant pine tree, planted at the home of Ruth and Gene Barrusa more than 80 years ago, still had branches loaded with snow on November 30. City crews did a good job plowing streets immediately after a wet two-day snowfall in late November, so the pavements were dry before the arctic freeze that followed.
Wishing you a happy and healthy holiday season!
Valley Press
December 2015/january 2016 Page 2
Showing Up © Christina O’Brien 2015
Bird Feeders (or, Guess Who’s Coming for Dinner) First, a quick news flash. The annual Christmas Bird Counts are coming up soon. If you›d like to participate, check the list below for local counts, dates, and contacts. Beginners are welcome; you›ll be teamed with more experienced birders, and you›re guaranteed a chilly but very fun day. The only requirement is enthusiasm, though a pair of binoculars wouldn›t hurt. Last year the Hagerman Valley Count reported 39 golden eagles—the highest count in the nation (out of 2,347 count circles)! Twin Falls: Saturday, December 19. Jeff Ruprecht, ruprecht@bridgemail.com Hagerman: Sunday, December 20. Sarah Harris, sharris@csi. edu Buhl: Sunday, January 3, Bill Bridges, billb@cheesepowder. com
Now, on to those bird feeders—
When the mercury plummeted in mid-November, I hauled out the bird feeder, gave it a good scrub, filled it to overflowing with a mix of sunflower seeds and millet, and hung it just outside my office window. Within a day, the house finches had rediscovered it and re-learned how to squeeze through its antisquirrel grate (fortunately the squirrels haven’t figured that out yet, though I’m sure it’s only a matter of time). Juncos have been feeding on the spillage below the feeder, and I keep hoping the chickadee we occasionally hear calling from the neighbor’s yard will swing by for a bite to eat. On a related note. Last week, Habi and I took a twilight stroll through the neighborhood. Suddenly her ears swiveled forward. She wasn’t whining, so it wasn’t a cat, another dog or a person nearby. But what was that on the driveway across the street? It was barely light enough to see—a Cooper’s hawk standing on a pile of feathers! Habi waited politely while it intently eyeballed us, assessing what kind of threat we were. As night was coming fast, I really didn’t want to disturb its dinner plans. But how to retreat without scaring it off its prey? As I dithered, the hawk abruptly departed, dinner clutched firmly in foot, probably to a tree in the backyard to sup in peace. The pile of feathers left behind confirmed that dinner was a Eurasian collared dove, a non-native species that has been spreading like a weed across the United States from its original landing in Florida in the 1980s. Apparently Cooper’s hawks are taking advantage of this new menu item. These woodland hawks are specialists at hunting other birds, and find wooded city lots to be filled with tasty songbirds, doves (both mourning and collared), woodpeckers, and so forth. On our walks, we often see Cooper’s hawks or their slightly smaller sharp-shinned hawk cousins dashing through or soaring just above the trees. Fortunately, they haven’t shown any interest in our chicken flock over the years (though I’m ever-mindful that the colloquial name for the Cooper’s hawk is ‘chicken hawk’). I am, however, just waiting for one to stake out the bird feeder. Some people get quite exercised when a hawk starts preying on “their” finches and juncos, but in my book, a bird feeder is a bird feeder. It may provide seeds to seed eaters, or seed eaters to meat eaters. In honesty, I must admit that I wouldn’t be thrilled if a hawk took that elusive chickadee in our neighborhood (collared doves are much more tasty, I’m sure, and ten times meatier) but it’s not my say. I have tried to stack the deck in favor of the small birds by (1) providing lots of shrub cover, and (2) positioning the feeder just two feet from the window, so they can’t pick up enough speed to stun themselves if spooked off it, but the hawks need to eat too. If a hawk comes for dinner, it’ll have to work for its meal. I’ll cheer the winner and mourn the loser, and appreciate glimpsing the predatory side of nature up close and (almost) personal. Chris is practicing Showing Up from her micro-farm in Boise, and is enjoying showing up in her old Hagerman stomping grounds more often these days.
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VALLEY PRESS Established 2012. (208)539-2261 Mail: Valley Press, 1020 East F St. #4, Moscow, ID 83843. Email: simonevelyn0@gmail.com www.hagermanvalleypress.com http://issuu.com/hvpress Copyright 2015 All rights reserved. Published by Hagerman Valley Press LLC. Member: Hagerman Valley Chamber of Commerce and Gooding Chamber of Commerce. The Valley Press (VP) is a free publication serving Magic Valley’s rural communities of Hagerman, Gooding, Wendell, Bliss, Buhl, Shoshone, and Glenns Ferry. All editorial copy is the responsibility of the VP. Opinions expressed in this paper in sections specifically designated are those of the authors signing the work. Publisher: Evelyn Simon Editor-in-Chief: Shannon McBride Contributors: Jane Deal, Christina O’Brien, Terrell Williams, Joe Chapman, Marguerite Janes, Michael Blomgren, Elaine Bryant, Shannon McBride, and others. No part of this publication may be reproduced without publisher’s permission. Subscriptions mailed First Class, U.S., $35 per year. Call or email for ad rates. The publication of any advertisement or article in this newspaper is not an endorsement of the writers, advertisers, or of the services or products mentioned. Letters to the Editor may be sent to hvp@q.com. Letters must be written and signed by the author. If space is limited, we reserve the right to edit. Please include full name, address, and phone number for verification. Publisher reserves the right to print, and inappropriate material will be rejected. No materials will be returned unless provided with a stamped, self-addressed envelope. Advertising Policy: The VP assumes no financial responsibility for errors of omission or commission that may appear in advertisements published. In those cases where VP is at fault, we will print a correction of that part in which the typographical error occurred. The VP reserves the right to classify and edit ads.
December 2015 / january 2016 Valley Press page 3
GREAT, INC. continues quest to raise funds for a new roof for the Schubert Theatre By Charmy LeaVell
Three of the Directors of the Board for Gooding Restoration for Entertainment, Arts & Theatre (GREAT, Inc.) A 501 (c)(3) nonprofit; Ruth Simerly, Shanna Koyle and Charmy LeaVell, attended the 20th Annual Gooding Holiday Craft Show. They sold homemade baked goods made by volunteers, and took donations for a chance to win the World War One saddle donated by Jason Neil, Edward Jones Financial Advisor. They also sold personalized brick pavers that will replace the sidewalk immediately in front of the entrance of the theatre. Purchasing a brick will not only leave a lasting legacy for generations to come but it helps with the funding for the critically needed new roof. Future damage to the interior of the theatre, its hand painted canvases and historical moldings will thereby be prevented, and interior restoration could begin. The personalized bricks are available in two sizes – 4” x 8” for $50 with lines of personalization, and 8”x8” for $100, with six lines of personalization. Many bricks have been personalized with a family name, a business name, or in honor and memory of a loved one, or even with a favorite quote. Donations may be sent to GREAT, INC. P.O. Box 433, Gooding ID 83330 or by calling Charmy LeaVell (208) 539-0202. Charitable donations to GREAT, Inc. may be tax deductible. The Board of Directors wish to thank Judy Erdman, the Gooding Chamber of Commerce, and Gooding High School for their support and very hard work to make the Holiday Craft Show a big success. The craft show was a wonderful opportunity to shop locally and raise funds for nonprofits. Thank you to Louise Beisner, Charlotte Brockman, Cheryl Brown, Ruth Brown, Joy Cimmiyotti, Judee Gooding – Historical Gooding Bed & Breakfast, Ann Hall, Nancy Hughbanks, Joyce Johannson, Trish Maxwell – Special Effects, Lorna Moline, Joni Pauls – Gooding Historical Society, Karen Perry, Di Petersen, Lottie Phelps, Cathy Rooney, Aly Stoltzman and all those who came by with their personal donations. Every dollar counts and your contributions are invaluable to restore YOUR theatre! The next fundraiser is called “Love is in the Air”, and will be held February 13 at the Basque Center in Gooding. The event will feature entertainment, dinner and dancing. Be sure to put it on your calendar now as it will be a very fun and entertaining event for all. Watch local newspapers for updated information. Article and photo submitted by Charmy LeaVell
GREAT, Inc. Director Ruth Simerly of Hagerman, tending the table at the 20th Annual Gooding Holiday Craft Show
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NORTH SIDE CENTER 202 14th Avenue East, Gooding, ID 83330 208-934-8678 northsidecenter@csi.edu Be watching for our Spring 2016 course schedule for our next round of Community Education courses! Here’s just some of the courses we’ve been putting together… Basic Wine Appreciation Enhanced Conceal and Carry Get the Most from your DSLR Camera Know Your Diamonds and Gemstones Outdoor Recreation Series (various monthly activities) Quilting Watercolor Painting Yoga and Pilates …and more! The course schedule will be available at the first of the year, so stay tuned! Registration for Spring 2016 semester credit courses is now open. We have over 25 credit courses offered through the North Side Center from which to choose. If you are a new student, we can help you apply for admission and for financial aid, and assist you with placement testing and the course registration process. Spring 2016 semester begins January 19th, so don’t delay—come see us today! Current CSI students are welcome to come in as well for registration help and/or to use our computer lab or testing center. We are here to help! For more information, go to www.csi.edu/northside, or contact us by calling 934-8678 or e-mailing us at northsidecenter@csi.edu. Find us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/CSINorthSide/ Happy Holidays from Elaine, Kate and Shawna at the North Side Center!
Page 4 December 2015 / january 2016 Valley Press
PLANNING A TRIP OVERSEAS? We can help make sure you have all the right immunizations before you travel internationally. South Central Public Health District Prevent. Promote. Protect.
Gooding Office 255 North Canyon Dr 934-4477
www.phd5.idaho.gov
Celebration & Gift Wines this Holiday Season! by Marguerite Janes
Invited to a party? Visiting the relatives?
Don’t know what to give the boss? Try giving a bottle of local Idaho wine. You and the recipient will be delighted. There are several 2015 award-winning wines from southcentral Idaho wineries that will please both the palate and the budget. Consider giving a sparkling wine. Crossings Winery’s Bubbles, an estate Riesling at $30, will tickle the palate. This wine showcases the carefully grown grapes and the winemaker, Neil Glancy, to perfection. Sparkling wines are always a good choice as they go well with all foods. Also made from estate-grown grapes, Cold Springs Winery’s 2009 Riesling at just $10 shines with glory of an aged Riesling from winemaker, Jamie Martin. Another white wine, also from Crossings Winery, is the 2012 Semillon at $16.50. This wine has crisp fruit notes that will please everyone. Thousand Springs Winery features their Feathered Winds brand as well at $17. Their 2014 Rosé is a dry wine made of Syrah grapes that pulls the wild strawberry notes from the Hagerman soil. More award-winning wines from Crossings Winery in the red category will be a highlight to any holiday dinner. The 2012 Blue Noir and the 2012 Cabernet Franc—both $19—are exceptional and will match up to the main course. Any of these wines will be a joyful gift. The wines can be purchased at each winery and at different local venues. Consider non-wine gifts for the wine lover in your life. Here are my favorites for this year: World Atlas of wines (7th edition 2003), Johnson & Robinson, $33 Amazon Prime ($11 used) Swirl Decanter by Reidel $39, www.Reidelusa.net Customized Glass Cheese and Wine board, $43, www.Zazzle.com Hand-blown Crystal Red Wine Glass by Tiffany & Co $25, www.tiffany.com Oxford Wine Tool Gift Set $14.90, www.ebay.com Ready to celebrate the holidays? Do it in the way of French kings! In the shipping crossroads, the city of Reims in the Champagne region of France was the coronation spot for French kings since about 1000 AD. They celebrated with the fizzy wines, and still into the early 1700s, sparkling wine was expensive and consumed by the British and French royals. At that time, Champagne wine represented about ten percent of total wine production. Today with modern wine-making methods, sparkling wines are plentiful and can be found in all price ranges to fit any budget. Still thought of as a celebratory beverage, sparkling wines really are appropriate for all types of occasions or for any meal. When the cork is popped, the atmosphere is instantly festive and lightens the mood. Opening Sparkling wine 101: Chill it down before opening! Remove the wire cage and place a hand towel over the top of the cork. Holding the cork/towel in your non-dominate hand, gently twist the bottom of the bottle with your other hand. The cork should gently pop out. For an impressive display, bring a large format bottle. A magnum is equivalent to two bottles of wine and can be quite affordable. A magnum looks spectacular, and is sure to be a crowd pleaser. How ever you choose to celebrate with wine this holiday season, best wishes to you and yours!
HAGERMAN home & acreage FOR SALE: LIVE IN THE COUNTRY ONLY 3 MILES FROM TOWN Beautiful and level approx. 4.69 acre property one mile from the Snake River with gorgeous views. Located three miles southwest of Hagerman. Two bedroom, two bath older mobile home on foundation with many improvements. Newer metal roof, new windows. Wood stove with tile hearth and wall, forced air furnace, AEK with new refrigerator. Four car garage with attached rooms for studio or business plus laundry and freezer space, hay barn, horse shelters, chicken house, fruit trees, grapes, large trees, roses, herbs, covered cement patio, wood deck, fenced and cross fenced, lush pastures include aluminum irrigation pipes, fertile sandy soil, underground sprinklers surround house, five shares Big Bend irrigation, live water, spectacular sunsets. close to snake river, oster lakes, and several parks. Prime birdwatching - hunting - riding $175,000. For sale by owner. Call (208)539-2261 for more information. View of Fossil beds national monument
prime hagerman valley location
large lawn, under ground sprinklers, room for vegetable gardens fenced & crossfenced, non-climb horse fence, corrals, insulated kidding / lambing barn & shelters, & more.
below: hay barn
Happy Holidays from the Valley Press...........
also for sale: 20 hiqual fence panels, older chest freezer, 16 yr old norwegian fjord mare-rides & drives, wood desks, boer goats