At Cottonwood: The Monastery of St. Gertrude chapel was filled with more than 200 people attending last Saturday’s Jan. 12 performance of Handel’s Messiah by the Palouse Choral Society Chamber Choir.

Vintage Youth rang in 2019 with a performance for a full-house crowd at the New Year’s Eve grand opening of The Trails Restaurant & Lounge in downtown Grangeville.

Nearly 20 years later, the Goff Bridge—better known as the Time Zone Bridge near Riggins—remains one of a few tied-arch bridges in Idaho. But its unusual design is not the only thing that makes it unique.

Fewer skiers visited Snowhaven Ski & Tubing Area Dec. 26 than manager Scott Wasem said has been typical for the day after Christmas, which he chalked up to visitors having to get back to work immediately after the Tuesday holiday.

Some or our readers recently shared memories of their special ornaments:

Parent Cody Farmer holds a piglet that Grangeville Elementary Middle School Principal Dr. Susan Anderson poises to kiss at the Thursday, Dec. 20, assembly. Students surpassed a school fund-raising goal through the PTO and were rewarded with the pig kiss. In addition, awards were given for positive behaviors throughout the semester.

“In all, we make about 14 for all of us,” she said. “We always all try to get together for Christmas, even if it’s not on Christmas. This year it will be closer to the New Year.”

More than 200 people turned out Saturday evening, Dec. 15, for the White Bird Lighted Christmas Parade, which featured several local floats and a visit from Santa Claus on the community’s new fire engine. Along with refreshments, participants were treated to a fireworks show, courtesy of Hammer Down River Excursions.

Slipped down in between a wall was a spiral notebook full of handwritten recipes, antique newspaper clippings and notes. “I knew that handwriting immediately,” Strauss said of her Granny Moore, who’s been gone for 20 years now.

Christmas festivites were officially ushered in last Friday, Nov. 30, at the Kooskia Tree Lighting event, organized by the chamber of commerce. Participants gathered at Kooskia City Hall for music and pictures with Santa Claus, followed by a block’s walk to A Avenue where the town Christmas tree was lit.

Cornerstone Theater performed A Twisted Fairytale last Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 1-2, at the United Methodist Church in Grangeville. Cornerstone is a group of Christian young people who use theater to raise funds for various ministries; this performance benefitted hurricane relief.

What’s in the cake is not the tradition – “it can be whatever we have on hand,” she said. It’s in the doing, the journey.

If you have a 5th or 6th grader who loves to ski or snowboard or one who’d like to learn, you can take advantage of the free skiing program, Ski Idaho, offered by the Idaho Ski Areas Association, at locations in Cottonwood and Grangeville.

Volunteers with Real Life Grangeville were at Pioneer Park on Sunday, Nov. 11, assisting the Grangeville Recreation Committee in wrapping trees with Christmas lighting.

Sunday morning saw a dual recognition for Veterans Day, with more than 100 people turning out to commemorate the holiday, as well as White Bird’s newly constructed memorial park. “Oh God of hosts, we bow our heads and thank thee for the victories thou has granted us,” said Bob Black, post chaplain for American Legion White Bird Post 152

A good day for a brisk walk: Approximately 60 people participated last Saturday, Nov. 3, in the Walk with Kate event in Cottonwood.

Area communities have set Veterans Day commemoration events. Here’s what’s planned.

The Idaho County Courthouse 10th annual Trunk or Treat Halloween event was held last Wednesday, Oct. 31, drawing kids and parents for plenty of candy and goodies.

What makes up a household in Idaho County? According to estimates released by the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2012-2016 American Community Survey (ACR), there were 6,400 households in Idaho County, with an average household size of 2.4 people.

A cast of characters mingled, ate and danced in the Greencreek Community Hall last Saturday evening, Oct. 27, at the Kids Klub Halloween Costume Ball. Approximately 200 people attended the fund-raising event, proceeds from which will go toward playground equipment.

Bats have long been associated with Halloween, vampires and evil, possibly due to their penchant for the nightlife and the fact that a couple species – which only live in Latin America -- actually do dine on blood. However, before you Google “bat exterminator,” you should understand the benefits of the flying mammals.

In almost every case, WSU scientists reassure them that the spiders they’ve found aren't a threat — they're simply reacting to the change of season. Fall is when spiders are on the move, looking for mates and warm places to hide.

“We didn’t know what kind of zoo we were getting into!” joked Monica Walker. The first year for the Idaho County Courthouse Trunk or Treat event was loaded with goodies; not just in handing out candy but also with games and activities. Event organizers had lots going on, overwhelmingly so. “We didn’t imagine it would get that big,” said ManDee Mignerey.

Scott and Cindy Godfrey invited more than 50 kids to their home on Vrieling Road last week to pick out a pumpkin at their patch. “It’s all Cindy,” smiled Scott, welcoming kids from Kinder Ready and Kids Klub on Friday, Oct. 12. Kinder Sprouts came out the day before. Cindy is the executive director of Kids Klub, Inc.

For some, fall is a season to enjoy the foliage change into reds and golds, for reviving the warmth of the wood stove. It’s also a time to press apples.

The Idaho Old-Time Fiddlers Association (IOTFA)) convened for three days of business and playing around at Hoot’s Café in White Bird, last Friday through Sunday, Sept. 28-30.

Travel delays through construction zones on U.S. Highway 12 are getting shorter, with expectations the state’s $17 million infrastructure project should be completed before holiday travelers head out for their Thanksgiving dinners.

Idaho County reported a total population of 16,300. This is according to estimates released by the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2012-2016 American Community Survey (ACS). Of this total, 7,800 were female (48 percent) and 8,400 were male (52 percent).

From scarecrows and wiener dogs to quilts and cars, this is the weekend to be out and about in Grangeville. The Grangeville Merchants Annual Oktoberfest celebration is set for this week, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Sept. 27, 28 and 29. Most events take place in Heritage Square.

It’s almost time for the Idaho Mini Bull State Finals. Having been here for Border Days, Olson’s Miniature Rodeo Bulls will be back in Grangeville this Oktoberfest, with 40-42 rides already booked for the season buckle finals on Sept. 29.

The seventh annual IMTUF (Idaho Mountain Trail Ultra Festival) 100-mile event was held Saturday, Sept 15, starting and finishing at Burgdorf Hot Springs just outside of McCall off of Warren Wagon Road.

It’s much more than just a good lunch at the Clearwater Meal Center. “It’s a service of the church to the community,” said site coordinator Bill Grady. Next month will mark the fourth year of operation for the nonprofit meal service at the Clearwater Baptist Church that, starting at noon on the first and third Wednesdays of every month, offers meals and time to socialize to those who come through the door.

The inaugural Clash of the Quacks softball tournament last Saturday, Sept. 8, pitted teams from regional hospitals and raised $1,000 to benefit Idaho and Clearwater counties search and rescue teams.

The chapel at the Monastery of St. Gertrude in Cottonwood was filled to capacity with more than 200 people attending Sunday afternoon, Sept. 9, for a performance by the Gonzaga University Concert Choir. The 60-person ensemble presented a selection of pieces from historic to modern. The choir performs at the monastery every September to conclude its annual retreat at the Spirit Center.

Idaho National Guard soldiers from Grangeville, Orofino and Moscow participated in the 9/11 Memorial Moving Tribute in Lewiston last Sunday, Sept. 9.

The 82nd annual Kamiah Barbecue Days are set to take place this weekend. Not sure if there’s such a thing as a free lunch anymore? Take in the free barbecue Saturday night downtown.

The 42nd Annual Chief Lookingglass Pow-wow is set for this weekend, Aug. 17-19. The event will be held at the Wa’A’Yas Center grounds in Kamiah.

Residents and visitors turned out along Main Street last Saturday, Aug. 11, for the parade as part of the annual Elk City Days celebration. Events included the traditional logging show, sawdust dig, and downtown evening entertainment.

This year’s grand marshal for the fair is Jeannie Fitch of Riggins. “One of my first memories were the huge vegetables my father-in-law, Woody, entered and won purple on,” she recalled. “The next is the super pigtail contest; my daughter, Julie, won longest pigtail her first year. She entered every year and won in different categories. Fun memories!”

“Idaho County is a great place to live, love, and learn,” smiled Jeannie Fitch of Riggins, from her home located alongside the Little Salmon River. Her love of her small-town life is just one reason Fitch has been chosen as the 2018 Idaho County Fair Grand Marshal.