JULY 2015
Volume 6 • Issue 7
JERRY’S REPAIR BEGINS A NEW CHAPTER
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Owners Jerry Taylor and Mike Hicks Retire
By TIN Staff For 40 years, Jerry Taylor and Mike Hicks have owned and operated Jerry’s Repair, providing automotive repair services and parts to residents in Star and throughout the Treasure Valley. The partners have decided to retire and turn the reins over to new owner Jeff Lloyd. Located on State Street, the shop and its owners have been a fixture in Star, and although the business is in good hands, they will be missed. Jerry Wagoner originally started Jerry’s Repair and asked Jerry (Taylor) if he would like to work for him. As time went on, Jerry Taylor became a partner, Mike joined the company as a mechanic, and eventually, Jerry (Taylor) and Mike became partners in the business. Jerry ran the repair side of the business and Mike took over the parts. Conveniently, the name could remain the same! Throughout the years, there has been some hard work, but there have been some fun times as well. In the early years, the land behind the shop was a cornfield, which provided a great opportunity for Jerry, Mike and
a few friends to test out their muzzleloaders. During the late ‘70’s gas rationing, it was not uncommon to see them riding their horses to work to save on gas. At one point, Jerry and Mike decided to try racing jet boats and recruited Dale Blake of Blake Trailers to build them a boat. They recounted that a few folks thought they were crazy, but they decided to go for it. The naysayers were in for a surprise when they ended up winning the World Championship in 1988. They were also the only Americans to win in Canada at that time. Not bad for a couple of fellows from Idaho! Back at the shop, when the guys were sometimes driving 23 hours straight to get to a race, Mary Taylor, Jerry’s wife, kept things on track. Both Jerry and Mike were quick to point out that Mary’s contribution to the business through the years was what held them together. She delivered parts, ran errands, did the bookkeeping and was there providing support in any way it was needed. Many of the area’s farmers have counted on Jerry’s to repair their tractors and farm
equipment through the years and several residents have been customers since the beginning. Anyone that has had their vehicle repaired at the shop is familiar with the “Jerry Test Drive”. Almost every vehicle, for 40 years, has been personally test driven by Jerry before being released to its owner. It was Jerry’s stamp of approval that the repairs had been done correctly and the car was ready to go. Jerry and Mike are ready for retirement; in fact Mike and his wife, Gloria, have already taken a couple of trips and plan to spend part of their time in Cascade. Jerry is enjoying taking things easier and once the hay is done for the season, he and Mary will also be doing some travelling. Both men reflected that during this last 40 years, they have witnessed a lot of changes in Star, weathered some tough economic times, worked hard, had some fun and made good friends. They are very thankful for the loyalty of their customers, especially the long time ones, and appreciate them all.
As a tribute to Jerry and Mike, the Hometown Celebration Committee in Star has asked them to be the Grand Marshals of the Hometown Parade this year. Look for them at the front of the Parade on July 4th at 3 p.m.!
By Philip A. Janquart STAR – The 2015 Star Quilt Show is set for July 17 and 18 at North Star Charter School in Eagle, Idaho. The event, which began with about 50 quilts and 87 participants, has grown exponentially over its short six-year history; organizers are anticipating 130 quilt entries by the July 12 deadline. Late entries, however, will still be accepted if the current 130-quilt cap has not been reached, according to Quilt Show Chairman Judy Tomkinson, who says 14 vendors have paid for spots this year, including one from Florida. “It was originally put together in conjunction with Star’s Hometown Celebration,” Tomkinson said of the event. “Some of us got together and decided we needed an activity that might draw some of the ladies to Star. We thought we could do a quilt show, and that’s how it got started.” This year the Quilt Show held a “minishow” at Helena Marie’s, a local wine bar in Star. The mini show, held Friday, June 12, was aimed at priming the public’s interest for the big event, providing a sneak peak at what visitors can expect. “Last year we had 880 people come see our show,” Tomkinson said. “We are hoping for 1,000 this year.”
Giving to the Community Although born of an effort to provide a venue for women at the Hometown Celebration, the Quilt Show has grown into much more, serving as a fundraiser for local organizations in need. There are many organizations seeking funds, so Tomkinson and others have formed an informal committee, of sorts, that reviews requests and decides where the money goes. “We have people approach us, looking for funds, like the school or library, but we have also approached those types of groups ourselves,” she said. “It kind of depends on how many requests we get and we cut it off at about five organizations we consider. There is a group of us that gets together and we decide who we should give to that year.” This year’s beneficiaries include the Star
Senior Center and the Physical Education program at North Star Elementary School in Eagle. The money comes via sponsorship fees paid by area businesses and a $5 event entry fee for visitors. Children under 13 are free. “They (the businesses) pay a $25 fee and get a ribbon with their business name on it,” Tomkinson explained. “Then they come and pick out the quilt they like best and place their ribbon on that quilt.” The winning quilt, however, is the one deemed the “People’s Choice.” Visitors are given a ballot and asked to vote for their favorite quilt. The Quilt Show has raised over $11,000 for community organizations since its inception about five years ago. Continued on page 17
Star Quilt Show organizers, from left, Judy Tomkinson, Gina Stewart, Rae Gunning and Betty Smith.
Mike Hicks (left) and Jerry Taylor looking relaxed and retired
Hundreds of Quilts, Dozens of Vendors to Participate in 2015 Star Quilt Show
PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID EAGLE, IDAHO PERMIT NO. 60
ECRWSS
POSTAL PATRON LOCAL
VP Quartet Live at the Gazebo pg. 2
Dog Days at Helina Marie's pg. 3
Star Councilwoman McDaniel steps down pg. 17
Happy Independence Day from T he Independent News!