IdaHome Magazine is now in our sixth year, a milestone I remember because my work here began when my second son was a newborn cradled to my chest as I brainstormed story ideas and conducted interviews. Now, like my first grader, our magazine found its legs, unsteadily at first, but then bounding forward with growing confidence, propelled by you, our loyal and expanding readership. As my boy found his voice, so have we—and we’re proud to be bringing you a bigger and better version with every issue of IdaHome and our “sibling” magazines.
If you haven’t met them, look for Flavor four times a year, featuring the best food, restaurants, and beverages in Idaho. Bi-annual IdaHome & Garden takes us back to our Idaho roots with gardens, interior design, beautiful homes, and real estate development news. These magazines share our devotion to great storytelling, aesthetic quality, and unique personalities. And as always, all are distributed for free— online and in print—throughout the Treasure Valley.
This issue is also the first of the new year, and while I’m not one for resolutions, I love turning the calendar page to January. It’s a time when anything can feel possible—when we entertain the idea of change, energized to climb whatever hill waits ahead. Today, there is sunshine outside my window, but winter’s invertive fog is in the forecast. Like Firefly Petunia in this issue, I’m holding on to the brightness and letting it carry me into whatever comes next.
For Boise State superstar Ashton Jeanty, that means farewell to Idaho in favor of the NFL draft. His legacy will live on in Idaho, due to his extraordinary athletic talent and his scholarship fund featured in our cover story. BSU, the Broncos, and Idaho will miss you, Ashton, but we wish you the very best on your next HUGE chapter!
In many ways, this entire issue explores the idea of legacy. Read about Miss Idaho, who works with the Made With Kindness Foundation in memory of three University of Idaho students. Demi Moore, Idaho’s Oscar hopeful, is here too, creating a legacy in film for 45 years. Don’t forget Idaho tech and local startups striving to make a lasting mark while some multi-millionaires already have. Nonprofits are here too, the beating heart of our community’s legacy.
Before we turn the page, let’s remember our fellow Americans suffering through flaming devastation in “Lost” Angeles. Let’s all do what we can to help and be grateful that we can.
Wishing you all a safe and prosperous new year!
We are grateful for the continued excitement, joy, and visibility this team and larger university community brings to the Treasure Valley. Their spirit, heart, and enthusiasm help make Idaho a great place to call home.
EAGLE VIEW PUBLISHING
editor
HEATHER HAMILTONPOST
heather@idahorem.com
art and design
JASON JACOBSEN jsngrafix@gmail.com
KALEY WRIGHT design@idahorem.com
director of operations
MARIELLE WESTPHAL admin@idahorem.com
staff photographer KAREN DAY
cover photograph
BOISE STATE ATHLETICS
social media
APRIL NEALE april@idahorem.com
director of sales and marketing KAREN DAY karen@idahorem.com JANUARY/ FEBRUARY 2025
The opinions expressed by the authors and contributors to IdaHome Magazine are not necessarily those of the editor and publisher.
ON THE COVER
Boise State University superstar Ashton Jeanty made waves this year on and off the field. Known for his speed, agility, and game-changing plays, this stellar running back brings the same passion to everything he does, including the Ashton Jeanty Endowed Scholarship for Football, designated to support future Bronco student-athletes as they pursue their dreams. Jeanty aims to inspire young people to overcome challenges, reflecting a deep commitment to community and leadership.
CONTRIBUTORS
Chelsea Chambers is a graduate of Boise State University and has been working in media and communications for nearly a decade. She specializes in public relations, print and digital media, and social media management but dabbles in a variety of other areas. Chelsea serves as the Public Information Specialist and Interpretive Coordinator for the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation and runs a freelance business doing everything from copyediting to consulting.
David Gray Adler is President of The Alturas Institute, a non-profit organization created to advance American Democracy by promoting the Constitution, civic education, gender equality and equal protection of the law. A recipient of teaching, writing and civic awards, Adler has lectured nationally and internationally, and published widely, on the Constitution, presidential power and the Bill of Rights. He is the author of six books.
Karen Day is a photographer and the fearless captain of our fleet of pages and mighty crew. A list of her creative passions and true job description risks making her appear insane, rather than insanely talented. Her habit of climbing onto the ledge of possibility offers us continuous adventures and little sleep. All aboard!
Dave Southorn has lived in Boise since 2005 and has spent nearly all that time covering Boise State University for the Idaho Statesman, Idaho Press, and The Athletic. He married an Idaho girl, Lisa, and loves to explore the city and the surrounding natural beauty with her and their two dogs, Riggins and Rue.
Sabina Dana Plasse is a professional writer and editor from Baltimore, Maryland, who moved to Idaho more than 15 years ago. Besides writing and editing, she launches start-up events, assists businesses with publicity and marketing, and is an active film reviewer. When not working, she is enjoying the outdoors, traveling, and watching movies.
Heather Hamilton-Post is a writer and editor in Caldwell. She holds degrees in both agriculture and creative writing and is herself surprised by that. When she’s not writing, catch her at a socially-distanced baseball game with her husband and young sons. Find her work across the web and buried in the lit journals you didn’t know you had.
Jason Chatraw is an author and freelance sports writer, covering college football in the southeast and west since 1990. He’s covered Boise State since 2009 for The Associated Press and other publications. A graduate of the University of Georgia with a degree in journalism, Jason has lived in Idaho with his family since 2007 and considers Idaho home now.
Chris Langrill has worked at various writing and editing jobs around the Treasure Valley for years, including more than two decades at the Idaho Statesman. In addition to freelance writing, he manages copy for a national sports website. He enjoys daily walks with his dog, Murphy, and travel adventures with his wife, Chereen. Otherwise, look for him at a local golf course, loud concert or craft brewhouse.
Ashton Jeanty
A Legacy Beyond the Blue
BY JASON CHATRAW
Before each offensive snap, Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty lines up in the backfield with the casualness of someone waiting to buy groceries—feet shoulder width apart, hands resting at his side, head motionless. Combine all that with his five-foot, nine-inch stature and his soft-spoken nature and it’s easy to see why people underestimate him, overlook him, and dismiss him.
But those eyes aren’t still. They’re scanning for the defense’s weakness, for a gap to streak through, for a player to run over.
Good running backs all have strength, speed, and agility. But the great ones also have elite vision.
And Jeanty has that in spades—both on and off the field.
“I feel like I am the best player in the country, and I put that on notice every single week,” Jeanty said before the Mountain West Championship game, delivered with his typical softspoken demeanor.
During the 2024 season, Jeanty electrified the Boise State fan base with jaw-dropping runs, breath-taking hurdles, and ankle-breaking moves. He also got the attention of the college football world, earning him a trip to New York City as a Heisman Trophy finalist, finishing second to Colorado’s two-way superstar Travis Hunter in the closest vote in 15 years.
But in the era of college football where marquee players chase lucrative deals, make more than some in the NFL through name, image, and likeness agreements, and can transfer from one school to the next almost at will, Jeanty has resisted all of it. He’s emerged as a refreshing yet constant figure amidst a sea of change, turning down rumored seven-figure deals to leave the Boise State program a year ago for bigger schools with blueblood pedigree.
So why did Jeanty stay?
Turns out, he bleeds Bronco blue—and then some.
“I think it’s important to realize how much the game of football gives to athletes, especially myself. And to be able to give that back to the younger generation— and even people my age—is a big deal.”
A LEGACY BEYOND THE BLUE
Jeanty’s love for his school couldn’t have been any more evident than at the Heisman Trophy media sessions where he spurned flashy and stylish suits worn by his fellow finalists for a Boise State track suit. The move delighted fans and had social media buzzing, where his savvy has helped him grow an audience of over 600,000.
“Ashton has consistently said, ‘I’m a Boise State Bronco.’ And that’s a testament to him,” Boise State coach Spencer Danielson said.
But those are mere snippets of Jeanty, a drop in the bucket compared to how his conquests on the field have more than cemented his legacy at Boise State. By rewriting the record books, he’s assured that his name will forever be mentioned among some of the greats like Kellen Moore, Ian Johnson, Jay Ajayi, Leighton Vander Esch, Austin Pettis, and Billy Winn.
However, Jeanty wanted to leave a legacy off the field too.
“I know how much being in college has impacted me and helped me grow as a person,” Jeanty said. “So to be able to give back to the community is amazing. I think it’s important to realize how much the game of football gives to athletes, especially myself. And to be able to give that back to the younger generation—and even people my age—is a big deal.”
Out of that desire grew the Ashton Jeanty Endowed Scholarship for Football. His endowment, one that he asked Broncos fans to participate in giving to, eclipsed the goal of $200,000 within days of its launch.
“I want the student-athletes that come after me to have the same support I’ve felt,” Jeanty said in his initial pitch for the fund. “I want to help clear obstacles for them, too.”
PHOTOS COURTESY OF BOISE STATE ATHLETICS
STARING DOWN CHALLENGES
The challenges Jeanty has faced in his ascent to the college football world have been greater than facing eight and nine defenders crowding the line of scrimmage.
Growing up in a military family and living overseas, Jeanty couldn’t even start playing tackle football until he was a freshman in high school. With his father stationed at the Gricignano Support Site, a U.S. Naval site near Naples, Italy, Jeanty started out as a quarterback. But it didn’t take his coach long to realize two things—Jeanty was special and he needed to find better competition to help him develop.
The school’s closest competition was at a similar base in Vicenza, Italy, a nine-hour bus ride. Other games required traveling to Germany (an 18-hour bus ride), Spain, and Belgium. And after Jeanty’s move to running back over the final four games of the season that resulted in 1,200 rushing yards on less
“I want the studentathletes that come after me to have the same support I’ve felt. I want to help clear obstacles for them, too.”
than a hundred carries along with 17 touchdowns, his coach recommended his family find a way to get transferred back to the U.S. where his talent could be properly developed.
The Jeanty family moved to Frisco, Texas for his sophomore year, where he continued to flourish. Despite continuing his trend of running through and over opposing defenses in high school, his size and lack of exposure at major recruiting events resulted in a tepid response from college recruiters.
But Boise State extended him an offer, one that excited the well-traveled running back. And Jeanty has taken full advantage of it, elevating his own stock for the NFL Draft as well as carrying Boise State into the first 12-team playoff in college football history.
As much as everyone sees his gaudy stats and thinks he’s all there is to the team, the truth is that Jeanty elevates his teammates by inspiring them to greater heights.
“How can we separate ourselves from the rest?” Jeanty barked in a circle of players at practice. “It’s about doing the small things, right?”
The players roared in agreement.
It won’t be long before Jeanty will hear bigger roars in NFL stadiums in the coming years. Yet it’ll be his dedication to strength and fitness, hours in the film room, and time learning how to be a leader that led to a legacy sure to outlast the cheers for him on the field.
To donate to the Ashton Jeanty Endowed Scholarship for Football, visit https://ponyup.boisestate.edu/campaigns/ rushing-toward-legacy.
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 05: Demi Moore accepts the Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture — Musical or Comedy award for “The Substance” onstage during the 82nd Annual Golden Globe Awards at The Beverly Hilton on January 05, 2025 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Sonja Flemming/CBS via Getty Images)
Will Idaho’s Demi Moore (Finally) Win An Oscar?
BY KAREN DAY
Amidst a Golden Globe win and a host of other nominations, Demi Moore’s career isn’t without Hollywood’s recognition. But after 45 years in the industry, she waits and wonders—will an Oscar remain elusive?
“I have never had any training, you know…I came from the university of ‘fake it till you make it’,” Moore said at the Sun Valley Film Festival in December 2024, less than one month from her Golden Globe win for “The Substance.”
Moore’s Hollywood debut happened at just 15 years old when she moved into an apartment building in West Hollywood. “I remember looking down and seeing the most extraordinary creature who seemed so comfortable in her own body. I didn’t know who she was, but I knew that I wanted what she had. And we became friends,” Moore recalled.
The girl was German actress Nastassja Kinski, who enlisted Moore’s help reading scripts. “That was my first time diving into this kind of new form of storytelling that I had never been exposed to. I knew nothing about acting, nothing about this world at all,” Moore said. Soon after, she decided this was her path.
Moore went on to make her debut in 1982’s “Parasite,” followed by “General Hospital.” Then, on to Brat Pack fame in “St Elmo’s Fire” (1985), followed by “Ghost” (1990), and “A Few Good Men” (1992), garnering her serious acting praise and the title of the “highest paid actress in Hollywood.” 1991 was also the year of her provocative appearance, naked and nine months pregnant, on the cover of Vanity Fair magazine, the second highest grossing magazine cover in the world.
“Do you want to know what was first?” host George Prentice asked the surprised actress on stage. “John Lennon and Yoko in bed.”
Moore shrugged. A Wood River Valley resident since her eldest daughter was in kindergarten, she credits much of her nonchalance to celebrity to living in Idaho. “I wasn’t an LA person and at a certain point, I said to Bruce (Willis), ‘most of our work is not even in LA, what are we doing?’”
Moore said the move was the smartest and best thing they ever did. “We became just a part of the fabric of this community,” she said.
At age 60, Moore received the script for “ The Substance,” where she plays a 50-year-old beauty willing to injure herself to
stay young. The irony is not lost on the actress, who noted that, after 45 years, her recent Golden Globe is her first ‘big’ award.
“30 years ago, I had a producer tell me that I was a ‘popcorn actress,’ and at that time, I made that mean that this is not something I was allowed to have. That I could do movies that were successful and made a lot of money, but that I couldn’t be acknowledged, and I bought in and I believed that. That corroded me over time, to the point where I thought a few years ago that maybe this was it, maybe I was complete, maybe I had done what I was supposed to do,” Moore noted in her acceptance speech at the Golden Globes. “And as I was at kind of a low point, I had this magical, bold, courageous, out-of-the-box, absolutely bonkers script come across my desk called ‘The Substance.’ And the universe told me that ‘you’re not done.’”
BY HEATHER HAMILTON-POST;
FROM SLATE TO PODCASTS: Revolutionizing the Audio Space
INTERVIEW BY KAREN DAY
Despite a business successfully sold to Spotify, Idaho’s Matt Turck is a media man in motion. “I have a kid in high school—I didn’t want him to come home and see me sitting on the couch,” he laughed. Otherwise, Turck is guided by his desire to work with a cohort of brilliant co-founders in the rapidly changing tech space and the irrefutable high that comes from building a successful company.
Turck’s willingness to evolve, necessary in a changing tech and media landscape, began early in his career and paved the way for his business success. In 2014, as the publisher of Slate and with decades of experience at Time Inc. and e Washington Post, Turck sought to grow the business.
Podcasts, though still largely a niche medium—beloved by enthusiasts but overlooked by major advertisers—caught the attention of Turck and his team. en came “Serial,” the groundbreaking true crime podcast that captivated millions and thrust the format into the mainstream. At the same time, Apple made its podcast app a default, undeletable feature on iPhones. Suddenly, podcasts were more accessible than ever, which marked the beginning of a revolution—and an extraordinary business opportunity.
By 2015, they launched Panoply, a podcast network aimed at uniting likeminded creators and leveraging Slate’s expertise in podcast production and advertising. Initially, the plan was to launch with 35 podcasts. By the end of year, they’d reached 80, which included high-pro le productions like Malcolm Gladwell’s “Revisionist History,” a show that is still popular today.
Panoply’s commitment to quality attracted audiences and advertisers, but Turck wasn’t just focused on content; he was also innovating the way ads were delivered in podcasts. “At the time, the only way ads were served in podcasts was ‘baked-in’—the host read or talked
about a product,” he explained. “You should be able to reuse that advertising space, so we wanted to nd a way to dynamically insert ads, or pull an ad and replace it with new advertising,” Turck said.
When they acquired an Australian company called Audiometric— which became Megaphone—their vision became a reality, bringing podcasting into the modern digital advertising world.
By 2017, Panoply’s focus shifted toward targeting audiences through data. Leveraging a partnership with Nielsen, the company pioneered the Megaphone Targeted Marketplace, allowing advertisers to reach speci c demographics, a move Turck knew would change the podcasting industry.
ough the move to audience-based targeting meant sacri cing $10 million in direct-to-consumer ad revenue, the gamble paid o . Panoply emerged as the largest enterprise podcast network— so in 2020, when Spotify wanted to grow their presence in the space, an acquisition made sense.
ough they now refer to the targeting part of the business as Spotify Advertising Network, the Megaphone platform name lives on. Overall, the sale was a move that, as Turck said, laughing, “earned him some cred” with his kids.
Since then, Turck and his co-founders have moved on to new ventures, including PodRoll, a company in its second year, that addresses the essential problem facing podcasts—discovery.
By enabling dynamic feed drops, where podcasts are promoted within other shows to attract new listeners, this innovative marketplace has generated
signi cant revenue for participating creators while driving audience growth.
For aspiring podcasters, Turck advises starting small and focusing on di erentiation.
“Earn your audience,” he said. “Start out with 20 minutes of content and develop a relationship with listeners. Make sure there’s something unique about your show that people are interested in, and come out strong, with promotion.” Turck adds that sound and visual quality—which he recommends for the future of podcasting—are also essential.
What’s next? In addition to PodRoll, Turck is hard at work on another project. “Spotify is a great company, and Megaphone is a great product. Maybe we can do it again,” he said.
PHOTO BY KAREN DAY
Relaxation awaits.
BIG SKY IN BOISE
BY DAVE SOUTHORN
Since 2019, Boise has hosted the Big Sky Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships after a three-year run in Reno, Nevada. Previously, since the tournament’s founding in 1976, tournaments were played at the firstplace team’s home floor.
Despite Boise State not having been a Big Sky member since 1995, putting the tournament in Idaho’s capital city makes sense—it is fairly centrally located with seven of the conference’s ten schools less than an eight-hour drive away. Plus, a thriving downtown with plenty of hotel, dining, and entertainment options helps attract fans.
It is also the only Western conference tournament not held in Las Vegas.
“There’s a synergy that can be created downtown,” said Jon Kasper, the Big Sky senior associate commissioner of championships. “We felt there was a chance to build something there, that a lot of graduates of those schools are now moving to the Boise area.”
“There’s still a ton of room to grow— we want the alumni and the basketball fans to come out,” he said. “It’s a unique chance to see teams cut down the nets, get to see maybe the Cinderella team you pick in your bracket.”
Boise Native Is Among Big Sky’s Best
BY DAVE SOUTHORN
Uprooting from her hometown of Boise, heading south and up to nearly 7,000 feet of elevation, Sophie Glancey took a chance when she enrolled at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Arizona.
Less than three years later, it’s a pretty nice view—and not just from the nearby San Francisco Peaks.
Through a school-record 12-4 start, the 6-foot-2 junior forward has the Lumberjacks atop the Big Sky Conference standings while also leading the conference herself in scoring.
“I feel like I can say I made a good decision,” Glancey said with a laugh.
A 2022 graduate of Timberline High School, Glancey averaged 17.4 points per game during NAU’s outstanding start along with 9.1 rebounds per game, second-best in the Big Sky.
Glancey made a strong impression as a freshman, but once she moved into a full-time starting role as a sophomore, she blossomed, earning first-team all-Big Sky honors.
In a college basketball world that sees rosters turn over regularly, the Lumberjacks have taken advantage of Glancey’s return and lost only two regular contributors
from 2023-24. Glancey is one of three Lumberjacks in the top ten in the Big Sky in scoring.
“The fact we’ve returned almost everyone, that’s allowed us to have such a great start,” Glancey said. “That’s made it so much easier to pick up where we left off, we’re lucky to be so experienced. It’s fun because it’s not just one person who can lead us, it can be anyone on any given night.”
Among those returners was fellow junior Audrey Taylor, a guard. Taylor is also a Timberline graduate. She’s been a key bench contributor, averaging ten minutes per game.
“Audrey’s dad coached my first basketball team—she played soccer and my dad coached her,” Glancey said. “When we both got serious about basketball, she would join a team, then I would join it the next. She hadn’t told me that she committed before I did, so when I said I was going to NAU, she told me that she was too. We didn’t want to influence the other’s decision!”
“I think, especially freshman year, college is hard—new place and everything—it was super helpful having her there,” she said. “I knew I could rely on her and it’s been really special being on the same team here.”
Come March, the duo hopes to have an even more incredible experience— winning the Big Sky Women’s Basketball Championship in their hometown. The event takes place March 8-12 at the Idaho Central Arena in downtown Boise, with the winner earning an automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament, aka March Madness.
Northern Arizona has made it to the Big Sky Championship game the last three years, but has finished as runner-up all three times.
Behind Glancey, who is performing at Player of the Year levels, the Lumberjacks have a great shot to earn just the second NCAA berth in school history.
Not that Glancey is looking ahead— but it’s certainly something driving her and her team.
“It’s just the worst feeling, coming so close,” Glancey said. “There’s a balance— you focus on what is in front of you, but you know you’re working toward that tournament. I think we’re doing that, focusing on the little things every single day so they’re natural to us in March. So far, everyone’s locked into the adjustment they have to make and it’s been really fun to be a part of it.”
PHOTOS
Idaho-Based Keith Wood Reinvents Horticulture
Firefly™ Petunia wins TIME’s Best Inventions of 2024
BY SABINA DANA PLASSE
When you rst lay eyes on the Fire y™ Petunia, the electric glowing presence might stun you into peaceful silence. Reminiscent of the bioluminescent phytoplankton in the Caribbean Ocean, this glow travels—it could illuminate your home, gleam on your bedside table, or radiate outside in your garden. And this ower, genetically engineered to glow in the dark, was invented right here in Idaho’s Wood River Valley by Dr. Keith Wood, scientist and the CEO of Light Bio.
PHOTOS BY ERIN ROBERTS @LASSO PHOTO CO.
For nearly four decades, scientists have strived to create bioluminescent plants. The breakthrough finally came when Wood successfully developed a garden petunia with flowers that glow in the dark. This remarkable achievement has opened exciting new possibilities for biotech products in everyday life. Imagine homes, gardens, and parks illuminated with biological light. A pioneer in bioluminescence, Wood embarked on a journey that would bridge science and art by inserting a firefly gene into a tobacco plant.
The scientists at Light Bio discovered that the natural glow in luminous mushrooms harmonized perfectly with the central metabolic processes in plants, producing a sustained living light. Petunias were selected as the inaugural product due to their popularity as ornamental plants. Known for their ease of cultivation and prolific flowering, petunias are ideal for this innovative enhancement. Setting a horticultural milestone by introducing ornamental qualities beyond the reach of conventional breeding, the Firefly Petunia glow reveals the inner flow of energy as it grows and blossoms.
The Firefly Petunia earned its name from its glowing buds resembling fireflies in the dark. The soothing light cultivates a deeper connection with the plant's inner life. While appearing as a typical white petunia in daylight, it transforms into an enchanting soft glow similar to moonlight at night. With attentive nurturing, the plant rewards with even greater luminosity.
“Science can be more than merely pragmatic—it can bring beauty and enjoyment into our lives. That’s the essence of Light Bio— enriching our experience of the world. By merging natural splendor with scientific innovation, we create moments of wonder and delight,” said Wood.
As if it’s asking us to take a moment to be tranquil, the Firefly Petunia’s white flowers take center stage as our eyes adjust to its glowing brilliance. Transitioning from white to green light with firefly-like pinpoints throughout the buds and petals, its organic light is soothing and mesmerizing. Perhaps even more satisfying than the delightful glow of this plant, the Firefly Petunia provides a sense of serenity.
“The bioluminescence flows from the living energy within the plant,” Wood added. “It unveils the inner life force, creating an otherworldly, almost spiritual experience reminiscent of the bioluminescent flora in ‘Avatar.’”
“Science can be more than merely pragmatic—it can bring beauty and enjoyment into our lives. That’s the essence of Light Bio—enriching our experience of the world. By merging
natural splendor with scientific innovation, we create moments of wonder and delight.”
When Keith and his wife Monika chose to live in the Wood River Valley, they were motivated by the same passion that inspired the creation of Light Bio—the joy of embracing the aesthetic pleasures of life. Drawn to the natural environment and the welcoming community, they felt an immediate and profound connection to their new home. Surrounded by like-minded individuals who value sustainability and artistic expression, the Woods felt that Sun Valley was the perfect place for Light Bio to blend their enthusiasm for nature and science, creating a harmonious space where their vision could flourish.
After releasing the Firefly Petunia to the world in 2024, it earned a place among TIME’s Best Inventions of 2024, capturing public attention for its ability to bring natural illumination into homes and gardens. “This recognition by TIME, and the unique experience we’re providing to people across the country, is the result of decades of scientific effort,” said Wood. “It is both a technological breakthrough and a cultural milestone achievement.”
“The Firefly Petunia has revolutionized the garden industry. Nothing new ever happens in my business, but this petunia leads the charge for an industry that needed something fresh and exciting.”
The Firefly Petunia has generated a renewed interest in the horticultural market, drawing in customers who view it as a new plant category. By capturing the marvel of bioluminescence, the Firefly Petunia is enchanting buyers with an ethereal glow that casts a fairytalelike ambiance over any space it inhabits.
Thanks to the diverse talents and natural interactions within southern Idaho, the Woods have had many opportunities come their way, particularly their collaboration with Jennifer Moss, owner of Moss Greenhouses in Jerome. Representing four generations of a family business, Moss Greenhouses has been invaluable in the local production and supply of the Firefly Petunia, released in 2024.
“The Firefly Petunia has revolutionized the garden industry,” said Moss. “Nothing new ever happens in my business, but this petunia leads the charge for an industry that needed something fresh and exciting. It’s amazing to be part of this literally at the ground level.”
Looking ahead, Light Bio aims to develop more efficient and brighter luminescence, especially for use in the ambient light of urban areas. “We have only just begun,” said Wood. “We will create brighter plants with more colors and more varieties.”
To learn more and pre-purchase Firefly™ Petunia for spring 2025, visit Light Bio at www.light.bio.
A Pathway for Everyone Lee Pesky Learning Center
BY CHELSEA CHAMBERS
Inspired by their son, Alan and Wendy Pesky founded the Lee Pesky Learning Center in 1997 with the goal of creating an inspired pathway to learning for all. During their son’s life, the couple struggled to find help with resources, which were very limited at the time. Little was known about issues like dyslexia and ADHD, and the Peskys sought to create a better future for children who, like their son, learned differently. Despite the adversity Lee faced as he grew up in an education system not built for him, he preserved with the support of his parents, eventually finding his passion in the culinary arts. Eventually, Lee opened a Boise-based bagel shop, “The Bucking Bagel,” and continued to thrive
until his tragic passing in 1995 after a battle with brain cancer.
To honor their son, Alan and Wendy opened the Lee Pesky Learning Center to continue his legacy and to provide a space that removes some of the barriers to education for the many different styles of learning.
“I’ve always been passionate about creating opportunities for learners to succeed, no matter their challenges,” said Advancement Director Brittany Sundell. “What drew me to Lee Pesky Learning Center is its unique approach to connecting mental health with academic success, recognizing that the two are deeply
PHOTOS COURTESY OF LEE PESKY LEARNING CENTER
intertwined. The center’s mission deeply resonated with me. It’s inspiring to be part of an organization that blends research-based solutions with meaningful, personalized support to create lasting impact.”
The emphasis on the whole-health learning experience is what sets them apart from other facilities. By combining counseling services with a wide array of personalized learning experiences, the recipe for success becomes so much easier to accomplish.
The center employs a three-tiered approach to education. The first tier is Professional Development for Educators, equipping them with the skills they need to improve learning outcomes in their classrooms. “One of our proudest accomplishments is our work with over 1,000 educators annually. By preparing the next generation of practitioners, we are driving systemic change that will benefit students for years to come,” explained Sundell.
Their second tier focuses on School and Community Programs, called Literacy Pods, that provide small, one-on-one instruction to help close the opportunity gaps for those who need it most. Sundell explained that the pods support native English speakers who struggle to read, as well as learners new to the English language, using evidence-based practices.
The third tier at Lee Pesky Learning Center is Academic Intervention, providing personalized, individual academic experiences. This tier has transformed the learning experience for thousands of students. “We specialize in helping individuals with learning challenges like dyslexia, ADHD, and other obstacles. By tailoring our support to each learner’s unique needs, we empower students to overcome challenges and build essential skills, setting them on a path to success,” said Sundell.
For Sarah Gardner, the transformative experience of Lee Pesky is personal. “My daughter has gone to Lee Pesky since October 2019, and at the end of May 2024 she is in a tremendous place. Lee Pesky has been her safe space, all these years, and the specialists that have helped her read, write, and work on her executive function aptitude have given her the skills she was struggling with, and given her the power to be her own advocate in her classroom and beyond,” she said.
Gardner’s daughter is ready to return to the more traditional learning environment,
but the family agrees that Lee Pesky has become a safe haven for their children’s educational needs. While her son hasn’t formally attended Lee Pesky, he watched his sister flourish over the years and recently requested ADHD testing of his own. “I was so proud of him for asking for what he needed, and immediately told him I would email Lee Pesky that day. He looked at me, thanked me, and said he was glad that he could get some more answers about how he ‘works,’” she said. Gardner, the parent of two neurodivergent children, said she appreciates
their time there, and the genuine care given to her family. “The sincere help and interest in my children makes it very easy to step into their building, to get the support for my children’s learning and mental health needs. I will always recommend Lee Pesky. They have forever earned my trust," she said.
The education system can be a challenge for anyone, regardless of neurotype and learning style. Lee Pesky Learning Center offers the lift that many need to not only persevere, but to thrive in an educational environment and beyond.
One House at a Time
BY HEATHER HAMILTON-POST
On a journey marked by professional milestones and personal challenges, Jenna Englund is the picture of the transformative power of passion and compassion. Under the direction of her purpose-driven leadership, Berkeley Building Co, where she is president, is working to change communities, building the St. Jude Dream Home for the thirteenth time.
The company, founded by Joe Atalla 17 years ago during a housing market crash, sought to utilize land left idle by the downturn. Known for their efficiency,
quality, and innovative homes, Berkeley Building, with Atalla and Englund, embraced a culture of giving back.
This philanthropic drive comes authentically—after Englund’s daughter received life-saving care at St. Luke’s Children’s Hospital, her resolve to contribute to the community was resolute. Since then, St. Luke’s has been a frequent recipient of Berkeley’s charitable efforts, including funding for the pediatric cardiology unit, a new behavioral health facility, and mobile care buses to provide healthcare directly to schools. Berkeley’s other work includes remodels for the
Women and Children’s Alliance and a range of contributions to the Ronald McDonald House.
In November, Berkeley broke ground in Star on Idaho’s St. Jude Dream Home. The team builds the home at zero cost, and proceeds from ticket sales—which often sell out within hours—go entirely to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Englund said that the home will feature modern Mediterranean design, luxurious appliances, and even solar energy integration. True to Berkeley’s style, it will also include their signature “secret spaces”—a playful touch to delight families.
“The Dream Home is a platform to relay the message of St. Jude because people don’t realize that the hospital itself is working to cure cancer rates worldwide—not just locally...”
PHOTO COURTESY OF BERKELEY BUILDING CO.
For Englund, the Dream Home campaign is about more than raising money “Part of the reason we do anything publicly is to get the message out there,” she said. “The Dream Home is a platform to relay the message of St. Jude because people don’t realize that the hospital itself is working to cure cancer rates worldwide— not just locally, and not just in Memphis. All the research is openly shared, which affects protocols across the world.”
Englund hopes that the work she’s doing extends the impact of the St. Jude Dream Home, a sentiment she shares with her team at Berkeley, whose philanthropic focus has shaped their internal culture. “ We hire people who care about that part of our business,” she explained. “Our houses are better because our team is driven by a bigger purpose.”
Their business success has allowed them to give back to the community in bigger ways—in 2023, Berkeley was named Meridian’s Big Business of the Year, a recognition of the outsized impact the small, 13-person team has made on its community
The work is personal, too. Two years ago, Englund lost her daughter, Mia, who inspired her family’s commitment to giving. In Mia’s honor, she’s exploring initiatives to combat homelessness, a cause that meant a lot to her daughter, whose legacy lives on in the work of her parents and older sister. Together, the family continues to meet challenges by turning them into something bigger, Englund said—just as Mia did.
“I know what it feels like to have a sick child, and what it does to your family Being able to do this—to make people
feel less helpless, to make them hopeful— that gives us a reason to get up every morning,” Englund said.
Tickets for the St. Jude Dream Home will go on sale in April and the giveaway happens in June. The three bedroom, two bath home “has some secret surprises that will not disappoint,” Englund said. “We don’t just build an average home. Our contractors are as dedicated as we are—they’re so much more generous that
I would ever even ask them to be.”
As Englund and her team continue to build homes and other spaces—for St. Jude, families in crisis, and underserved communities—they’re also building community.
“You have to have a greater why to get up every day,” Englund said. For her, that “why” is clear: using her success to uplift others and honor the memory of a daughter who inspired a lifetime of giving.
“We don’t just build an average home. Our contractors are as dedicated as we are.”
Miss Idaho’s Mission to Create a Kinder World
BY CHRIS LANGRILL
Kaitlyn Widmyer has packed a lot of life experiences into her 29 years. Now, she wants to use those life experiences to give back to others.
Widmyer, who you may recognize as the current Miss Idaho, competed in volleyball, triple jump, and gymnastics while attending Lake City High School in Coeur d’Alene. She went on to graduate as the school’s covaledictorian.
She later attended Wofford College in Spartanburg, S.C., where she played volleyball and graduated with degrees in French and finance.
“I went off to college…and then moved back to Coeur d’Alene and really started contributing to my mom’s store,” Widmyer said.
That store is Marmalade, which sells women’s clothing and accessories.
“Philanthropy is a very big part of my life, and it’s a part of my life that my parents instilled in me.”
“I’ve always done charity fashion shows, and I’ve always tried to find ways to give back,” Widmyer said. “Philanthropy is a very big part of my life, and it’s a part of my life that my parents instilled in me.”
In the years after returning from college, Widmyer found another way to give back.
“I did this little fashion internship program through the University of Idaho, and that’s when I interviewed
and employed Maddie (Madison) Mogen,” Widmyer said. “Reflecting back on that time, I realize how much she helped me grow as a woman and in my role as her boss.”
Unfortunately, their relationship was cut short when Mogen was one of four University of Idaho students who were killed in their off-campus home in the early-morning hours of November 13, 2022.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF KAITLYN WIDMYER
“When the tragedy happened, we were still texting back and forth, and I was asking her: ‘What are your plans after graduation?’” Widmyer said. “She didn’t really have an older sister…and I just loved Maddie.”
That love helped make Widmyer an even more determined young woman. She’s continued to be an overachiever in her own life while also being driven to improve the lives of others.
Widmyer, a veteran of several pageants through the years, was crowned Miss Idaho this past June. Through her years of being in pageants, she learned how to deal with being in the limelight and working with the media.
She realized her background could be useful to the family members of the University of Idaho victims as they dealt with the aftermath of the tragedy.
“There is just so much media surrounding this case, and I feel like in some ways I was divinely positioned to help them navigate the media and everything surrounding it,” Widmyer said.
To do so, Widmyer has joined forces with the Made With Kindness Foundation, which was started by a group of women to honor the three young women who lost their lives in the U of I tragedy.
Perhaps the most high-profile work by Widmyer and Made With Kindness resulted in a December 18 interview on “The Today Show.”
“I’ve been pretty close with Karen Laramie, who is Maddie’s mom,” Widmyer said. “And we’ve really tried to surround her during this time. At one point we asked her, ‘Karen, what do you want?’ And she said, ‘I want to spend the
rest of my life talking about my daughter. And I know it’s not going to happen, but I want to talk to Hoda Kotb.’”
Initially, Widmyer was taken aback by the suggestion.
But then Widmyer said, “We’re going to make that happen.”
It took months, but Widmyer and other members of Made With Kindness did make it happen.
It’s that kind of determination that will drive Widmyer as she works with Made With Kindness going forward. Among other projects, the foundation plans to start a scholarship fund for young women.
“Made With Kindness is just a heart project for me,” Widmyer said. “Our goal is to make sure women in Idaho feel safe enough to pursue a higher education.”
The stakes are high and the competition is fierce. But the level of support for one another abounds as presenters take the stage. Each year, the best of the best gather for Boise Entrepreneur Week (BEW). What started out as a very small community event in 2017, known as Boise Startup Week, has evolved to become the largest entrepreneurial event in Idaho.
“Boise Entrepreneur Week is a driving force in growing Idaho’s startup community,” said Tiam Rastegar, Trailhead CEO and Boise Entrepreneur Week co-chair.
“Our pitch competitions are designed to showcase our entrepreneurial talent and provide substantial financial support to the most promising ventures. This year, BEW will surpass a milestone of $1,000,000 awarded to Idaho entrepreneurs since the event’s inception in 2017.”
Boise Entrepreneur Week is comprised of thousands of participants who present in 12 categories, including Health Tech, Cyber, Food, Youth, Corporate Innovation, Military, and more. Over the course of the week, the thousands are whittled down to a small handful of finalists.
Donald Young, Rattler Medical
LIFEHOLD COLD WHOLE BLOOD COOLER
An Idaho native, Donald Young was born and raised in Pocatello with his three younger sisters. They grew up camping on the weekends, developing a fondness for the Gem State’s unique landscapes and natural spaces.
During his time at Century High School, Young found himself in an EMT course that sparked his love for emergency medicine. “After graduation, I joined the Idaho National Guard as a Combat Medic,” Young shared. “That fall, I headed to Fort Sill, Oklahoma, for basic training, followed by advanced training at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio. During my service, I had the opportunity to work closely with tankers, cavalry scouts, snipers, infantry, and other specialized groups. I participated in two training rotations at Fort Irwin, California, and completed overseas missions in both Thailand and Romania. These experiences not only deepened my skills in emergency medicine but also shaped my ability to adapt and thrive in high-pressure environments.”
Rattler Medical was born from Young’s personal journey and experiences in combat medicine. After 12 years in highintensity healthcare, he learned what was essential and what could substantially improve experiences in these austere and unpredictable situations.
“I witnessed how critical it is to have durable, reliable medical equipment that can perform under extreme conditions—truly the difference between life and death,” he said. “A pivotal moment came during my time in the field
when one of the units I was with was preparing for a deployment. We wanted to carry whole blood on missions to save lives in real time, but the best I could manage at the time was one or two units for about 18 hours. That simply wasn’t sufficient for the demands we were facing.”
Enter: LifeHold Whole Blood Cooler, a portable, battery-powered device “designed to transport whole blood efficiently in challenging environments.” Young’s innovative and life-saving design won him the Grand Prize for this year’s competition, although this was not his first round at BEW. “This was my third year attending, and I plan to keep going for years to come. I can’t recommend BEW enough for developing skills and expanding knowledge,” he said.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF DONALD YOUNG, RATTLER MEDICAL
Sabrina Sherwood, Idaho Barkery GOURMET
DOG TREATS
Boise-born and raised, Sabrina Sherwood holds a doctorate in pharmacy and is both a lover of dogs and the outdoors. Like many Idahoans, Sherwood and her husband (and business partner!) Brendon spend their free time exploring Idaho’s mountains with their dogs Rocky and Olive. In fact, it was Rocky who inspired their entrepreneurial spirits.
Rocky suffers from a variety of allergies and intolerances, and as such, was unable to enjoy traditional store-bought treats. As any loving dog parents would do, they started a full-fledged
business and made their own treats from natural ingredients. “This business started out of necessity to give my dog a treat he could tolerate, but became a business when our friends started expressing similar needs,” she said. “It became apparent that there was a hole for this kind of dog treat in the market. I quickly found that Boise is a rapidly growing community with only a few local dog treat businesses. This ultimately gave me the confidence to launch Idaho Barkery!”
This year’s Trailmix competition winner, Sherwood is proud to share that “Idaho Barkery is the only local, hypoallergenic, plantbased dog treat product line. We use all natural, organic, grain free/gluten free ingredients—only the best for our besties!”
With a BEW win under their belt, Idaho Barkery plans to expand their reach to dog lovers across the state and beyond. Currently in over 60 partner locations, the treats will soon be made available at the Broadway Marketplace Albertsons. And it’s only up from there!
Sherwood sings BEW’s praises, touting it as a genuinely life-changing experience. “The mentorship I received truly changed my perspective on my business and my capabilities as an owner,” she said.
BEW 2025’s event is in the planning stages. Do you have what it takes to be the next winning pitch? From life-saving medical equipment to life-changing dog treats and everything in between—what will be funded next?
PHOTOS COURTESY OF IDAHO BARKERY
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVERSATIONS
Presidential Pardons: Power, Controversy, and Potential for Abuse
BY DAVID GRAY ADLER
President Joe Biden’s controversial use of the pardon power in his nal days in o ce, coupled with President-elect Donald Trump’s declaration that he would “most likely” pardon the January 6 rioters has reignited public curiosity about the origins and limits of this presidential authority. Not since President Gerald Ford’s 1974 pardon of Richard Nixon has the pardon power drawn such intense scrutiny.
Biden’s pardoning of his son, Hunter Biden, along with a record number of clemencies and commutations, has brought the issue into sharp focus. His consideration of pre-conviction pardons for those allegedly targeted by Trump highlights the power’s broad and discretionary nature and has placed it center stage in our national consciousness.
is power, rooted in the English monarchy’s royal prerogative, is the most sweeping of the president’s constitutional powers. A presidential pardon precludes punishment of someone who has committed an o ense against the United States. Since the impeachment exception is the only explicit textual limitation on the power, some have incautiously described it as immune to checks and balances.
e pardon power is laden with potential for abuse.
e Framers were aware of the monarchy’s abuse of pardon power, including kings granting pardons to aides, friends, and allies to serve their personal, political, and pecuniary interests. As notorious spendthrifts, they sold pardons to those who could a ord them. ose without nancial means could secure a pardon, with a pledge to “pay later,” a practice that surely introduced what shoppers recognize as the “layaway plan.” On occasion, kings cynically screened themselves from parliamentary inquiry by pardoning those whom they had instigated to violate the law. e historical practice constituted a parade of horribles.
Despite concerns of a power-hungry executive with a penchant for usurpation, the Framers saw value in granting the president this authority to correct judicial errors, extend mercy, and address national crises like rebellions.
THE WHITE HOUSE, CC BY 3.0 US VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
SHALEAH CRAIGHEAD, PUBLIC DOMAIN, VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
Like others, President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump have faced criticism over their pardons
What persuaded the Founders—a generation that feared expansive executive power—to vest in one person such sweeping authority?
Alexander Hamilton, in Federalist No. 74, argued that public scrutiny would compel presidents to exercise this power cautiously, fearing accusations of weakness or corruption—with “scrupulousness and caution; the dread of being accused of weakness or connivance would beget equal circumspection.”
Still, the Framers sought constitutional guardrails. Edmund Randolph and George Mason of Virginia, in terms that stirred images of a presidential coup, warned that the president might pardon the “traytors to prevent discovery of his own guilt”— scenarios where a president might use pardons to conceal their own crimes.
James Wilson of Pennsylvania pointed to impeachment as a deterrent, a sentiment echoed by the Supreme Court in 1925, which a rmed that excessive abuses could lead to impeachment.
e court also declared its willingness to invoke judicial review to restrain the exercise of the authority as in, for example, a presidential order to swing open the jail house doors.
Nevertheless, the pardon authority is subject to few practical limitations. Impeachment, which likened the founders to the “sword of Damocles,” doesn’t instill the fear it once did. e courts are less inclined to intervene, often dismissing challenges to presidential pardons as political questions beyond judicial review.
One clear boundary, however, is that a president may not pardon himself. Nixon, under the crushing pressure of Watergate, raised the concept, but dropped it when his own attorney told him the idea was “grotesque.” A self-pardon would violate the centuries-old Anglo-American maxim that no man may be the judge of his own actions, and it would exalt the president above the law, defying accountability at every turn.
e breadth of the pardon power means that it is easier to identify potential abuses than illegal uses. In drafting the Constitution to create a republican government, to borrow from the founders, it was true then, as it will remain true, that there is no substitute to electing candidates with integrity. A blueprint for government can go only so far.
GERALD R. FORD PRESIDENTIAL MUSEUM, PUBLIC DOMAIN, VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
DONALD J. TRUMP, PUBLIC DOMAIN, VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
TYLER MERBLER FROM USA, CC BY 2.0, VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
Above left: Ink pen used by President Gerald R. Ford to pardon Richard Nixon on September 8, 1974. Above right: Executive Grant of Clemency by President Donald J. Trump of a full and unconditional pardon to Joseph M. Arpaio on August 25, 2017. Below: Tear gas outside the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021.
WASSMUTH CENTER EXPANDS MISSION WITH NEW BUILDING IN BOISE
BY CHRIS LANGRILL
e Wassmuth Center for Human Rights was founded in 1986, and has since served as a beacon for human rights.
Most people associated the Wassmuth Center with the Idaho Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial in downtown Boise—and for good reason. e memorial has become an iconic part of the city’s landscape.
“Our core mission is educational in nature,” said Christina Bruce-Bennion, the Wassmuth Center’s executive director. “ e Anne Frank memorial will continue to be a very powerful and inspirational place for learning and re ection. at won’t change.”
What has changed, however, is the Wassmuth Center’s footprint. In October, the center celebrated the grand opening of the Philip E. Batt Education Building.
“ e building allows us to further our e orts and our programming,” Bruce-Bennion said. “Sometimes those programs are hard to do outside in the memorial when it’s cold in January or really hot in July.”
“Now, we have a building with a classroom that can host our programs,” she said. “So, we’ve started referring to
ourselves as a mini-human rights campus right here in the heart of Boise.”
e building honors the legacy of Phil Batt, who served as the governor of Idaho from 1995 to 1999 and was active in Idaho politics for 30 years. He died in March 2023 at age 96.
“One of the biggest reasons it’s named after the former governor is because—in his time—he was someone who really moved some key human rights issues forward,” Bruce-Bennion said.
She pointed to his e orts in creating the Human Rights Commission in Idaho and passing legal protections for farmworkers, among other things.
“Human rights was just one of his biggest legacy issues,” Bruce-Bennion said. “It’s something he would want to be remembered for.”
e building is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. e center recently set up open tour hours on Fridays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Otherwise—to avoid con icts with programs and other events in session— the Wassmuth Center asks visitors to schedule their visits by calling the center’s sta at 208-345-0304 or visiting wassmuthcenter.org.
Bruce-Bennion said visitors will encounter a building that was intentionally designed to carry out the mission of providing human rights education.
“ ere are 28 unique art pieces that were created mostly by Idaho artists,” she said. “We call it our Art of Human Rights Collection.”
ere is also a classroom, a library, and an exhibit called Dimensions in Testimony. Developed by USC’s Shoah Foundation, the exhibit uses technology that allows people to ask questions that prompt real-time responses from prerecorded interviews with Holocaust survivors and witnesses.
“It’s really interesting,” Bruce-Bennion said. “As generations are passing on, it allows you to hear these peoples’ stories in their own words.”
e building will also host regular events, speakers, and eld trips.
“We work with teachers, we work with companies, we work with law enforcement,” Bruce-Bennion said. “We’re excited to invite the community in for our programs.
“Wherever you are in your learning journey, we would love to be a part of that,” she said.
