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A p r i l 1 0 , 2 0 1 3 • V o l . 6 • N o . 1 5 • w w w .T h e W e e k l y S u n . c o m
Bowe Bergdahl Bash Set For June 30
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Flamenco to Stamp Across Wood River Stage read about it on PaGe 6
STORY & PHOTOS BY KAREN BOSSICK
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lans are continuing to take shape for a Bring Bowe Back bash slated for June 22 in Hailey’s Hop Porter Park. The event will be held from 1 to 4 p.m., a week before the fourth anniversary of the June 30 date when Bergdahl was Jani Bergdahl and taken captive by a Taliban-allied insur- her husband Bob have relied heavgent group. It is believed that Bergdahl, ily on their faith to help them endure who just turned 27, is being held captive their son’s captivity. in Afghanistan or Pakistan. Organizer Debbie O’Neill says the event will include music by two local bands: Up a Creek and Paddy Wagon. About 250 MIA/POW motorcyclists from as far away as Utah and Nevada are expected to attend, with Hailey Police Chief Jeff Gunter leading the procession from Jerome. Several government officials will speak, including Blaine County Commissioner Larry Schoen, Sun Valley Councilman Nils Ribi and Bellevue City Mayor Chris Koch. And participants will plant four trees in Bowe’s name, each marking one year of his captivity. KECH Radio is donating a plaque for the trees, which will bear some words chosen by Bob Bergdahl, Bowe’s father. “We’re hoping we don’t have to plant a fifth tree,” said Dayle Ohlau, KECH Radio news director. O’Neill, a self-described grandmother who lives in Indian Creek, said she met Bowe’s parents, Bob and Jani Bergdahl, right after Bowe was captured. “I wanted them to know that we in Blaine County have not forgotten Bowe,” she said. “It started out as a little event and it’s growing and growing. I’m so thrilled with the response of the community.” Christopher & Co., Sun Valley Mustard and Smith Optics, for instance, have donated raffle prizes, while Jane’s Artifacts is donating the raffle tickets. Moss Garden Center is donating a gift certificate. Several motels, including the Wood River Inn, Lift Tower Lodge and and AmericInn Lodge, are offering special rates for those who come for the event. Sun Valley Brewery has offered to sell burgers and brews, and Atkinsons’ Market is donating 800 bottles of water. And Clear Creek Disposal has volunteered to pick up the trash at no cost. Geegee Lowe, who works at the Hailey Chamber of Commerce, spent part of Easter Day tying a hundred yellow ribbons around town to replace ones that have become faded. “It was Easter and it was a gorgeous day outside and my son had just visited me from Tucson. And I was thinking I was so lucky to have a son who’s free and able to visit,” she said. “I can’t imagine what Bowe’s poor parents must be going through.” More information: debyoneill@aol. com or 208-450-9687. Or check out Facebook at www.facebook.com/ events/141029086071390/?ref=3 tws
Race bids go batty over games STORY & PHOTOS BY KAREN BOSSICK
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lyssa Ritzel has learned a lot from the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation coaches about how to keep her hands up, her eyes looking forward and her weight on her outside ski. But they never taught her how to ski around racing gates in a Powerball shell that was almost as big as she. “They’re so big you can’t really reach your hands out and make your body move around the gates the way you would like,” said Ritzel, who served as the Junior Pro on a team that included fellow Powerballs Jonathan and Phillip Neeley, Don Wiseman, Rob Clayton and Karoline Droege. The Powerballs made quite a sight coming down the race course, along with a host of pirates, Greek goddesses, jokers, playing cards and other characters this weekend as nearly 200 adults and youngsters took part in the 16th annual Janss Pro-Am Classic. The event is one of the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation’s biggest fundraisers. And everyone had their game face on as they whirled through a series of events that included cocktails and sliders at Michel’s, huckleberry-infused martinis provided by American Revolution Vodka and golden oldies served up by Boise’s High Street Band at Whiskey Jacques’, along with picnics of tacos and tomato basil soup provided by Tom Nickel’s Sawtooth Club and Elevation 486 in Twin Falls. The party at Whiskey’s was a threering circus as dancers bounced tennis balls, batted around plastic volleyballs and even roller-skated as they danced. “We’ve gotta get our attitude on. Out of my way! Back off!” quipped Teresa Brett, a member of the Bellevue Bombers Roller Derby team, which dressed in hot pink shorts with fishnet stockings and roller skates. The Greek Goddess Gladiators made their entry on pallets carried by smiling slaves in togas. And Team Love made its own entry with its pro riding a chair strung together with tennis balls. Out on the racecourse the freestyle team, which dubbed itself the Switch Hitters, skied backwards down the course, batting the gates with plastic bats and
The Parade of Nations, made up of David Chodounsky, Steve Brown, Miles Fink—Debray, Robin Sarchett, Wyatt minor and Pro Nick Maricich, claimed the Speed Cup.
high-fiving one another through baseball gloves. Racing backwards was a little unnerving, said Joe Marx, but necessary because the freestylers thought they had to do things differently than the other teams in keeping with their calling as freestylers. “It definitely gives you a whiplash since you have to constantly be looking over one shoulder, then the other,” said Ross Falcone. This Janss Pro-Am marked the end of an era for Kate Berman, who stepped down as the organizer of the Wild Game benefit dinner and the Janss Pro-Am. Chelle Gourlay, who used to work with Berman at the Bald Mountain Cantina, said it was amazing that Berman took on the job organizing the Janss Pro-Am and fall wild game benefit since she would never come out of the back of the kitchen at the cantina. “She said, ‘I can’t plan things…’ “ Gourlay recalled. “We’re grateful (she did) because she throws one heck of a party. She’s looking forward to seeing all of you on the streets because she says she knows ‘I won’t have to ask any of you for anything.’ ” Ski Education Foundation Director Don Wiseman paid tribute to the late Tom Unger, who left the Foundation $100,000—to
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ABOVE: Paul McDonald played tennis’ bad boy John McEnroe surrounded by his loves. PHOTOS IN THE LETTERS AT TOP (L-R) J: Ivana Radlova made the transition from the head of Sun Valley’s Nordic Center to duffer as part of the FORE Sun Valley team. A: My, this gal—Jane Reynolds—has mighty big gloves for a Greek Goddess! N: Alyssa Ritzel and Karoline Droege comprised part of the Powerball team. S: Heide Gatej wore her hand on her head. S: Dan Hunt, a member of the Bellevue Bombers Roller Derby team, checks his hair before heading to the race course.
fiNAl M A rk dowNS! New Spring Arrivals & Bike Tune Time ~ See pAge 3 for deTAilS ~