March 2023 Caldwell Perspective

“Lucy’s Garden” Gives Young Actors Valuable Life Experiences

It’s midnight and the clock strikes…1950? On February 24th and 25th, the Jewett Auditorium was transported into Lucy’s Garden, a place where time stands still and big dreams magically morph into reality. Over 125 young cast members gave their all to the original stage musical, which had its audience cheering and even weeping during the play’s most tender moments. And it all came together in an almost miraculous amount of time. The Children’s Theatre auditions have typically been held only one week before curtain call. That meant continuing a tradition of fun, intense, can’t-miss rehearsals.

Caldwell Fine Arts began producing Children’s Theater stage shows in 1985, with Missoula Children’s Theatre at the director’s helm. Drama Kids International took on the role five years ago, and have become masters at managing many children at once. In addition to its recently new directors, performers are now reciting lines from original in-house writers. Caldwell Fine Arts Executive Director, Alison Moulton, penned the story and script for this year’s production. She co-authored the upbeat, inspirational musical score with her singer-songwriter sister, Amy Lacey. Seemingly sharing the same creative brain, they explained how the music and the script were written simultaneously, resulting in a unique collaboration.

Moulton explained that “Lucy’s Garden” is a time slip story, taking place in the years that travel back and forth between 1927-2000. She said, “The musical began taking shape around the life of a very special lady, Lucille Johnson, my maternal grandmother.” While the storyline isn’t solely about the sisters’ grandmother, the timeline is. “Grandma Lucille lived through the Great Depression and sent her fiance off to fight in World War II. She had many challenges, but always tried to live with optimism. I named the musical in her honor,” Moulton said. The script schooled both cast, crew, and audience a little bit of history along with an education on how times and priorities have changed.

When asked about the process of writing lines and music children could learn quickly, Lacey said, “I love creating the songs for these musicals. I want to write songs that both add to the storyline, but also leave the kids with a positive, encouraging message. As a songwriter, my goal is to create melodies and lyrics that are catchy and fun, but also meaningful to them.” She explained how the pair work together on the creative process. “We feed off of each other,” she said, “ Sometimes I will work on a song that she specifically requests, and other times I will read something in the script to spark

my imagination.”

Whether cast in major or minor roles, every child who auditioned fully embraced the parts they were given, whether they wanted to be out in front or backstage. As 11 year-old stage crew member Adeline was dropped off by her mother for Saturday’s performance, she recalled the wonderful experience she had while working with the backstage crew. “I like having a really good experience without having to get out in front of people,” she said.

Moulton explained one of the main reasons for writing original material. “It was to add in what we call ‘accordion parts’ that accommodate anywhere from 3 to 30 children,” she said, “I’m not a fan of seeing children crying because they didn’t get a part.”

Anna Haywood, mother of ten year-old twins, Emery and Blair, said she wanted her daughters to get involved in this year’s musical to build confidence and develop a good work ethic. She said it’s a huge, yet worthwhile commitment for parents and children to stay at practice until 9 o’clock each night to learn their parts quickly. “ It’s been so fun for them to be able to experience new things and to work with fantastic directors and writers who are local,” she said. Her daughter, Lainey, 4, wants to participate in three years when she’s old enough. For now, she’s content sitting in the audience, enjoying a musical that’s the perfect length for kids’ attention spans. “But the best part,” Haywood summed up her girls’ experience, “is probably the friends that they have made.” One young performer demonstrated that very aspect, as she spotted her parents after her final bow and shouted, “I made two friends!”

Through generous donations and grants, children were able to participate at $25 each for a full week of drama instruction. Scholarships were available for anyone with a financial need. The well-used funds also allowed for multiple production assistants, a life-like set, and true time period costuming; headed meticulously by Kaye Dougal. Breakaway Ballroom’s Trevor and Chantal Dougal also helped with costume design and choreography. A creative set was built, including a lifelike kitchen, garden, and “wonky” animated clock that couldn’t quite tell what time it was.

After filling the stage, isles, and singing their final notes, the children had the priceless satisfaction of hearing the roar of applause erupting from the auditorium. The play’s creators couldn’t hold back their tears when they saw the children gathered together for the first time. The musical, which was magical for them as writers, turned out to be the same for the kids and

Ready for the 1950’s

The 1940’s section featured WWII soldiers going off to war

families who participated. Parents couldn’t wait to snap their children’s pictures as they paused on stage to take in the moment. Until next year, the cast and crew of “Lucy’s Garden” can hang onto one of the musical’s main themes and “Take Time to Dance!”

by Valerie Christensen, Caldwell Perspective

L to R: Amy Benson Lacey, Alison Benson Moulton, Jessica Nelson & Mike Nelson submitted photo

Getting ready for Caisson Swing

March 2023

To promote your February event on this page contact Chantele Hensel 208-899-6374 or email advertising@caldwellperspective.com

March 12

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS!

March 13

10:30 AM: Baby Storytime (ages 0-2), Caldwell Library, 1010 Dearborn.

2-2:30 PM: Knitting & Crochet Social (ages 18+), Library, 1010 Dearborn.

6-8 PM: Urban Renewal Agency Meeting, Caldwell Police Department Community Room, 110 S. 5th Ave.,

March 14

10 AM-12 PM: WICAP at the Library, Caldwell Library, 1010 Dearborn.

10 AM-3:30 PM: Department of Labor at the Library, 1010 Dearborn.

11 AM: Chamber of Commerce Noonbreak Luncheon, 208-459-7493 for tickets.

1-4 PM: WICAP at the Library, Caldwell Library, 1010 Dearborn.

6:30 PM: Bilingual Storytime (ages 2-6), Caldwell Library, 1010 Dearborn.

March 15

March 1

10:30 AM: Music & Movement (ages

2-6), Caldwell Library, 1010 Dearborn.

3:30 PM: Afterschool Fun “Perler Beads” (ages 5-12), Caldwell Library, 1010 Dearborn.

5:30-6:30 PM: Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council Meeting, Caldwell Police Department Community room, 110 S. 5th Ave., Caldwell.

March 2

10:30 AM: Toddler Storytime (ages

2-6), Caldwell Library, 1010 Dearborn.

3 PM: Laundromat Storytime at Get the Funk Out Laundromat

4:30 PM: Teen Thursday, “Perler Beads” (ages 13-17), Caldwell Library, 1010 Dearborn.

5:30-7:30 PM: Open House & Town

Meeting at the Caldwell Executive Airport Community Room, 4814 E. Linden St. Please join the City of Caldwell Staff and City Council for a discussion about long range plans involving the Caldwell Executive Airport Master Plan and potential changes to the Airport Commission in a Town Hall setting.

5-9 PM: Pathfinder and Games, Rubaiyat, 314 S. 6th Ave.

March 3

10 AM: Tai Chi & Qigong (Hubler Airport Terminal) (ages 18+)

11:30 AM-1 PM: Our Lady of the Valley Lenten Luncheon, 1122 W. Linden St. Tickets available at the door.

4 PM: Ribbon Cutting and Grand Opening: Monarch Boutique, Oake Brothers Street Marketplace, 718 Main St.

5-7 PM: Knights of Columbus Alaskan

Cod Fish Dinner, Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church, 1122 W. Linden St.

5-9 PM: Magic the Gathering and D&D, Rubaiyat, 314 S. 6th Ave.

March 4

65th Annual Rock and Gem Show, O’Connor Field House, 2207 Blaine St.

12-4 PM: Depot & Interpretive Center Open House, Caldwell Train Depot, 701 Main St. Take a walk through the rail history of our area.

2-3:30 PM: Kids Connect - Participate in our provided activity or bring your own to share with friends. (ages 7-15), Caldwell Library, 1010 Dearborn.

5-10 PM: Magic the Gathering and D&D, Rubaiyat, 314 S. 6th Ave.

March 5

65th Annual Rock and Gem Show, O’Connor Field House, 2207 Blaine St.

March 6

10:30 AM: Baby Storytime (ages 0-2), Caldwell Library, 1010 Dearborn.

March 7

10 AM-12 PM: WICAP at the Library.

March 7 (continued)

10 AM-3:30 PM: Department of Labor at the Library, Library, 1010 Dearborn.

1-4 PM: WICAP at the Library, Caldwell Library, 1010 Dearborn.

4:30 PM: City Council Meeting, 110 S. 5th Ave., CPD Community Room. Presentation by Valley Regional Transit regarding “Connected Canyon County”.

5 PM: City Council Meeting, 110 S. 5th Ave., CPD Community Room. Discussion regarding Parking Downtown Caldwell.

6-9 PM: City Council Meeting, 110 S.

5th Ave., CPD Community Room.

6:30 PM: Bilingual Storytime (ages 2-6), Caldwell Library, 1010 Dearborn.

March 8

10 AM-12 PM: Tech Lab - Drop in anytime during the program to get personalized help on all your technology questions. (ages 18+), Caldwell Library, 1010 Dearborn.

10:30 AM: Music & Movement (ages

2-6), Caldwell Library, 1010 Dearborn.

1:30-5 PM: Hearing Examiner Meeting, Caldwell Police Department Community Room, 110 S. 5th Ave.

3:30 PM: Afterschool Fun “Puzzle

Piece Picture Frames” (ages 5-12), Caldwell Library, 1010 Dearborn. March 9

10:30 AM: Toddler Storytime (ages

2-6), Caldwell Library, 1010 Dearborn.

2 PM: Thursday Read Book Club- We will be reading and discussing “The Honey Bus” by Meredith May (ages 18+), Caldwell Library, 1010 Dearborn.

3:30 PM: Farmway Aftershool Program at the Farmway Village Community Center

4:30 PM: Teen Thursday, “Monster Paintings” (ages 13-17), Caldwell Library, 1010 Dearborn.

5-9 PM: Pathfinder and Games, Rubaiyat, 314 S. 6th Ave.

March 10

10 AM: Tai Chi & Qigong (Hubler Airport Terminal) (ages 18+)

11:30 AM-1 PM: Our Lady of the Valley Lenten Luncheon, 1122 W. Linden St.

5-7 PM: Knights of Columbus Alaskan Cod Fish Dinner, Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church, 1122 W. Linden St.

5-9 PM: Magic the Gathering and D&D, Rubaiyat, 314 S. 6th Ave.

March 11

5-10 PM: Magic the Gathering and D&D, Rubaiyat, 314 S. 6th Ave.

7 PM: Spring Wellness Expo, 711 Cleveland Blvd. Join us for the first annual Spring Wellness Expo in Caldwel, over 20+ wellness practitioners and vendors, plus live performances. Tickets available at eventbright.com

10:30 AM: Music & Movement (ages

2-6), Caldwell Library, 1010 Dearborn.

3:30 PM: Afterschool Fun “Light-Up Bookmarks” (ages 5-12), Caldwell Library, 1010 Dearborn.

March 16

8-9 AM: Coffee Connect, sponsored and held at the office of Cusing Terrell, 702 Main St. (3rd Thurs.of each month).

10:30 AM: Toddler Storytime (ages

2-6), Caldwell Library, 1010 Dearborn.

11 AM: Caldwell Public Library at the Caldwell Senior Center.

4:30 PM: Teen Thursday, “Light-Up Bookmarks” (ages 13-17), Caldwell Library, 1010 Dearborn.

5-9 PM: Pathfinder and Games, Rubaiyat, 314 S. 6th Ave.

6:30 PM: Thursday Read Book ClubWe will be reading and discussing “The Honey Bus” by Meredith May (ages 18+), Caldwell Library, 1010 Dearborn.

March 17- St. Patrick’s Day

10 AM: Tai Chi & Qigong (Hubler Airport Terminal) (ages 18+)

11:30 AM-1 PM: Our Lady of the Valley Lenten Luncheon, 1122 W. Linden St. Tickets available at the door.

5-7 PM: Knights of Columbus Alaskan Cod Fish Dinner, Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church, 1122 W. Linden St.

5-9 PM: Magic the Gathering and D&D, Rubaiyat, 314 S. 6th Ave.

March 18

10 AM-3 PM: Hello Dollie Doll Show, Faith Lutheran Church, 2915 S. Montana St.

1:30 PM: 47th Annual Idaho Vintage Motorcycle & Bicycle 2023 Rally and Show, informal gathering at Mallard Park, 15203 S. 10th St., www. idahovintagemotorcycleclub.org

2 PM: Optimist Family Movie - Come watch a PG movie at the library and enjoy free snacks. Visit our website to see what movie we will be watching each month! (all ages), Caldwell Library, 1010 Dearborn.

3 PM: 47th Annual Idaho Vintage Motorcycle & Bicycle 2023 Rally and Show, 30 mile ride from Caldwell to the Snake River, Lake Lowell and return. For more information visit www. idahovintagemotorcycleclub.org

5-10 PM: Magic the Gathering and D&D, Rubaiyat, 314 S. 6th Ave.

5:30-7 PM: Caldwell Elks Lodge FishO-Rama-All kinds of seafood. Call the Lodge for Reservations and to purchase tickets, 208-454-1448.

March 19

12-4 PM: 47th Annual Idaho Vintage Motorcycle & Bicycle 2023 Show, O’Connor Field House.

March 20-First Day of Spring Spring Break Day Camps begin, Caldwell YMCA. Learn more at ymcatvidaho.org

10:30 AM: Baby Storytime (ages 0-2), Caldwell Library, 1010 Dearborn.

March 21

10 AM-12 PM: WICAP at the Library, Caldwell Library, 1010 Dearborn.

10 AM-3:30 PM: Department of Labor at the Library, Library, 1010 Dearborn.

1-4 PM: WICAP at the Library, Caldwell Library, 1010 Dearborn.

6-9 PM: City Council Meeting, 110 S.

5th Ave., CPD Community Room.

6:30 PM: Bilingual Storytime (ages 2-6), Caldwell Library, 1010 Dearborn.

March 22

10:30 AM: Music & Movement (ages

2-6), Caldwell Library, 1010 Dearborn.

3:30 PM: Afterschool Fun “Pool Noodle Rockets” (ages 5-12), Caldwell Library, 1010 Dearborn.

6:30-8:30 PM: Caldwell Historic Preservation Commission, Community Development Services, 621 Cleveland Blvd.

7-9 PM: Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting, CPD Community Room, 110 S. 5th Ave.

March 23

10:30 AM: Toddler Storytime (ages

2-6), Caldwell Library, 1010 Dearborn.

4:30 PM: Teen Thursday, “Vision Boards” (ages 13-17), Caldwell Library, 1010 Dearborn.

5-9 PM: Pathfinder and Games, Rubaiyat, 314 S. 6th Ave.

March 24

Vallivue School District Spring Break through 24 (27th is teacher workday, no school for students).

10 AM: Tai Chi & Qigong (Hubler Airport Terminal) (ages 18+)

11:30 AM-1 PM: Our Lady of the Valley Lenten Luncheon, 1122 W. Linden St.

Tickets available at the door.

5-7 PM: Knights of Columbus Alaskan Cod Fish Dinner, Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church, 1122 W. Linden St.

March 24 (continued)

5-9 PM: Magic the Gathering and D&D, Rubaiyat, 314 S. 6th Ave.

March 25

5-10 PM: Magic the Gathering and D&D, Rubaiyat, 314 S. 6th Ave.

March 27

Caldwell School District Spring Break through the 31st!

March 28

10 AM-12 PM: WICAP at the Library, Caldwell Library, 1010 Dearborn.

10 AM-3:30 PM: Department of Labor at the Library, Library, 1010 Dearborn.

12-4 PM: Design Review Commission, Community Development Services, 621 Cleveland Blvd.

1-4 PM: WICAP at the Library, Caldwell Library, 1010 Dearborn.

6:30 PM: Bilingual Storytime (ages

2-6), Caldwell Library, 1010 Dearborn.

10:30 AM: Baby Storytime (ages 0-2), Caldwell Library, 1010 Dearborn.

March 29

10:30 AM: Music & Movement (ages

2-6), Caldwell Library, 1010 Dearborn.

3:30 PM: Afterschool Fun “Spring Crafts” (ages 5-12), Caldwell Library, 1010 Dearborn.

March 30

10:30 AM: Toddler Storytime (ages 2-6), Caldwell Library, 1010 Dearborn.

4:30 PM: Teen Thursday, “Collaborative Art Project” (ages 13-17), Caldwell Library, 1010 Dearborn.

5-9 PM: Pathfinder and Games, Rubaiyat, 314 S. 6th Ave.

March 31

10 AM: Tai Chi & Qigong (Hubler Airport Terminal) (ages 18+)

11:30 AM-1 PM: Our Lady of the Valley Lenten Luncheon, 1122 W. Linden St. Tickets available at the door.

5-7 PM: Knights of Columbus Alaskan Cod Fish Dinner, Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church, 1122 W. Linden St.

5-9 PM: Magic the Gathering and D&D, Rubaiyat, 314 S. 6th Ave.

Robin Maercklein

Tune into the March 9, 2023, SIBA meeting on Zoom at 7pm to learn about the birds of the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway along the border of Minnesota and Wisconsin! Our speaker will be field biologist and avid birder Robin Maercklein, who conducted breeding bird surveys in the protected scenic riverway for 20 years. Over 240 species of birds have been found in this area,

Early voting for the March 14 Election begins Monday, February 27, at the Canyon County Elections Office. Eligible voters

Southwest Idaho Dahlia Society (SWIDS) is a group of like-minded dahlia enthusiasts seeking to add new bloomers to our group and to expand our community involvement. The group holds monthly

The Idaho Wid West has announced their event that is anticipated each year. The event will be held 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Murphy, Idaho at the Owyhee County Museum.

The seminar is sponsored by the Wild West History Association.

9-9:40 AM: Joe Hickey-Gun display and Gun Tales of the Wild West.

9:40-10:15 AM: Marie ClyneSoiled Doves-Prostitution in the West.

by

including both common species and quite a few rarities!

For more information about the meeting and how to join on Zoom, please email sibainfo1@gmail.com.

This month’s SIBA field trip will be to the Fort Boise Wildlife Management Area near Parma on Saturday, March 18, 2023. Thousands of Snow Geese and many other species of waterfowl congregate

can vote between 8:00 and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, over the two-week early voting period that ends on Friday, March 10.

The March 14 Election is open to eligible voters in the Nampa School District, Parma School District, Notus School District, and Kuna Joint School

here during their spring migration, and it is a wonderful opportunity to get in on the action! This field trip is open for anyone to attend, but if you would like to come you must register with Wayne Smith via email at smithagconsulting1@ gmail.com. The birding group will meet at the observation tower at 9am. The trip may last into the afternoon, so please plan to bring food and water.

In honor of Jimmy Marcus, The Caldwell Class of 1972 has raised $21,000, including 3 donations of $1972 each.

This Spring, The Jimmy Marcus - Class of ‘72 Memorial Scholarship will be awarded to a deserving CHS Senior who has been accepted to the College of Idaho.

Aidan Lorenz, Publicity Coordinator for SIBA 208-453-1146 21513 Main St, Greenleaf

District. For more information on the March 14 Election, please visit the Canyon County Elections website.

The Canyon County Elections Office is located at 1102 E. Chicago St. in Caldwell. Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Closed Monday Tuesday-Thursday 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday & Saturday 6 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Hello Dollie Doll Show You Lucky Doll Saturday, March 18, 2023 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Admission: $3 Faith Lutheran Church 2915 S. Montana St., Caldwell

CALLING ALL DAHLIA LOVERS!

meetings on educational topics such as propagation; seedling trials; hybridization; garden layouts; soil maintenance; and winter storage techniques.

SWIDS is excited to announce that we will have a spot at the Boise Flower Show this year, March 24-26 at the Boise Center on the Grove. I hope to make BFGS an annual event with an expanded membership basis and advanced growers. See https://www.iblevents.com/

10:15-10:30 AM: Bill Betenson-Butch Cassidy’s Wyoming Train Robberies.

11:15 AM-12 PM: John Hendricks-Military Medicine, Care in the Western Theatre.

12-1 PM: Lunch

1-1:40 PM: Mike YoungmanRube Robbins, Idaho Lawman

1:40-2:15 PM: Jerry Schaefer-Doc Shores, Man Hunter of the West

2:15-2:45 PM: Max Black-The Blue Lady of Arland

March Served at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church 1122 W. Linden Street, Caldwell

boise-flower-and-garden-show for more show details.

April 13th, we have a tuber and cutting auction followed by our Societal tuber sale on April 22nd which is open to the public! Come on down, meet some crazy dahlia folks and learn about dahlias.

A larger calendar of events or to join our group information can be found on our website at www.southwestidahodahliasociety.com

3-4 PM: Corey Clyne and the Fort Boise Garrison will demonstrate the use of an 1847 Pack Howitzer Military Artillery Piece.

Joe Deckker, CC Communications Specialist Alaskan Cod Fish Dinner KnightsofColumbusSpecialSecretRecipeForFriedCod&BakedCod $9 Kids 5-12 $50 For Immediate Families $16 Per Person $12 Seniors-65+

Kristin Custer Complete Dinner Every Friday Night During Lent February 24th-March 31st • 5 PM-7 PM

The College of Idaho men’s basketball team secured the 2023 Cascade Collegiate Conference Men’s Basketball Tournament title with an 87-56 win over Eastern Oregon on Monday night.

College of Idaho (30-1) put on display what it has taken to extend some noteworthy streaks – 30-consecutive wins, seven-straight CCC Championship game wins, 14 in the CCC Tournament, 12 by double figures and 36 at the friendly confines of the J.A. Albertson Activity Center. The College of Idaho reserves outscored their EOU counterparts by a 5120 margin. On seven occasions, the Yotes bench has put up at least 50 points in a game.

The Yotes were led by a 17-point effort from reserve

Our Community

Yotes Secure 2023 Cascade Collegiate Conference

Johnny Radford, who hit five 3-pointers in the win. College of Idaho entered the contest, having hit just three 3-pointers in each of the two previous games, knocked down 12 3-pointers in the win. It was the 13th time on the season that College of Idaho has made doubledigit 3-pointers – 12 of those times they have come away with a win. Another reserve Paul Wilson provided a spark from the bench with 12 points for his fourth game in double figures on the season. Drew Wyman, who was the lone C of I starter in double figures, scoring 12 points.

Eastern Oregon (21-10) secured a spot in the upcoming NAIA National Tournament by virtue of being the runner up of the Cas-

cade Collegiate Conference regular season. The Mountaineers were paced by a 13-point effort from Emmit Taylor III and Adam Orr added 10. The top scorer on the season for the visitors from La Grande, Ore., Phillip Malatare was held to a season-low nine points after playing just 14 minutes of action.

Wyman hit his second 3-pointer of the contest erased a brief 7-6 lead by the visitors to put College of Idaho ahead 9-7 and for the rest of the contest. The Yotes managed to stretch the lead to as large as 16 in the first half on its way to the win. College of Idaho led 41-30 at half with 22 points in the paint and a 26-6 advantage in bench scoring. A pair of

late 3-pointers by Bryan St. Clair and Radford stretched the lead to as much as 31 on the way to the victory.

The win carries on the storied tradition of the College of Idaho men’s bas-

by

ketball team, who have now won the Cascade Collegiate Conference Tournament title for the last five seasons except for the CoVID season of 2020-21.

Yotes Coach Colby Blaine Coach of the Year

College of Idaho head men’s basketball coach Colby Blaine became the first coach in program history to be named the Cascade Collegiate Conference Men’s Basketball Coach of the Year on three occasions on Tuesday.

Blaine on Monday helped lead College of Idaho to a sixth Cascade Collegiate Conference Men’s Basketball Tournament title and the Yotes to its sixth CCC regular season title. Blaine has led College of Idaho to 30 wins in the last five

seasons with the exception of the CoVID season of 2020-21.

He heads into next week’s NAIA National Tournament with an all-time mark of 13224 and a winning percentage of .846.

Past College of Idaho CCC Coach of the Year honorees:

2022: Colby Blaine

2020: Colby Blaine

2018: Scott Garson

2014: Scott Garson

2004: Mark Owen

1995: Marty Holly

Yotes Defensive Player of the Year

College of Idaho junior guard Charles Elzie (Tacoma, Wash. / Bellarmine Prep HS) became the seventh player in program history to be named the Cascade Collegiate Conference

Men’s Basketball Defensive Player of the Year on Tuesday.

Elzie on Monday helped lead College of Idaho to a sixth Cascade Collegiate Conference Men’s Basketball Tournament title and the Yotes to its sixth CCC regular season title. He leads the team with 49 steals (1.6 spg) and is a key contributor to a stifling defense that is holding opponents to a league leading 63.7 points per game and 40% shooting from the field.

Elzie has had a steal in 26 of 31 games with a seasonhigh five against Evergreen on February 18, 2023.

Past College of Idaho

CCC Defensive Player of the Year honorees:

2020: Talon Pinckney

2019: Talon Pinckney

2018: Ariz Leeks

2017: Emanuel Morgan

2014: Sydney Donaldson

2008: Bryan Champ

2007: Bryan Champ

2005: Joe Green

Courtney Blumer

2023 CCC Champions

by Danny Kamel, C of I Director of Athletic Communications

by Danny Kamel, C of I Director of Athletic Communications

by Danny Kamel, C of I Director of Athletic Communications

Coach Colby Blaine

Our Community

Caldwell Chamber of Commerce News

It has been a busy start to the new year for the Caldwell Chamber! As Caldwell continues to be a destination that businesses flock to, the Chamber has grown substantially, with new members! February has been a month filled with ribbon cuttings and we aren’t done yet! We are so excited to give our members and the public a chance to come out and welcome all the new businesses to town and to showcase what services and products they offer. We publish our ribbon cuttings on our social media, so please follow the Caldwell Chamber of Commerce and come out and welcome these great businesses to our town, with us!

In February, the Chamber added two new board members to our amazing Board of Directors. They are Sheila Stone and James Sokoloski. Sheila is a partner at Christensen Jackson, Stone & Hart, PLLC and has been a long-time supporter of the Caldwell Chamber. She was instrumental in starting our Business After Hours networking event, several years ago! You may have seen her at the check-in table at Buckaroo Breakfast, as she helped take money and welcome our guests. James joins us from PortaPros; one of the Chambers much appreciated Strategic Partners. James serves as the Chairman of our Ambassador Program and was our 2022 Ambassador of the year! He works hard to connect businesses to our Chamber and advocates for Canyon County business connections.

The Chamber will be hosting several events this year,

so mark your calendars!

Leadership Caldwell kicks off on March 9th, with Dr. Jeremy Graves, of Boise State University. Leadership Caldwell is a nine month, in depth, business education class on intergenerational leadership that will help grow the current and future leaders in our community. We are thrilled to see our next group of graduates from this course, become the best versions of themselves and see what they will take back out into our community! The Chamber is hosting it’s first ever “C-Town Disk Down”, a disk golf tournament, that will be held at Mallard Park on Saturday, June 3rd, 2023. This is a family friendly event that will host 2 local bands, vendors, food trucks and a beer/hard cider garden in addition to tournament fun. Bring a blanket or your lawn chair and come listen to music and watch the tournament! Thank you to Sandy Battles, owner of Oakes Brother’s Market Place for being our Presenting Sponsor for this event! Our traditional Buckaroo Breakfast will be held in the mornings during the week of Caldwell Night Rodeo, in August. So, pull on your boots and straighten up your buckle and get breakfast for that week on your calendar!

The Farm to Fork Bridge Dinner will be held on September 8th, 2023. This dinner is a celebration of our area’s rich agricultural heritage and brings our guests a delectable taste of harvest from local growers and pairs with wines from around Idaho’s wine region. This intimate dinner on the bridge in downtown Caldwell is a unique experience and

by Erin Sullivan-Smith, Caldwell Chamber of Commerce

limited tickets are available for the event. We will be celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Treasure Valley Night Light Parade. The parade will be held on Saturday, December 2, 2023. In honor of the parade’s heritage, the theme will be “Christmas In Caldwell”. We encourage participants to craft their parade entries around iconic Caldwell buildings, structures, landmarks, or businesses. Or highlight special traditions both past and present, like the town tree lighting or the skating ribbon at Indian Plaza! We are excited to celebrate all things Caldwell during this holiday tradition!

Lastly, we’d like to welcome our new Chamber members for January and February: Windale Woodworking, Cliff’s Country Market, The Sodamix, Premier Group Reality West, TS BS, LLC, Urban City Property Management, LLC, Blue Skies Automotive BIMTM, Ayuda Financial Services

Networking Events for March 2023:

Noon Break Lunch: Tuesday, March 14, 11:30 AM, at The College of Idaho, Simplot Dinning Hall.

Coffee Connect: Thursday, March 16, 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM, at Cushing Terrell, 704 Main St., Caldwell Business After Hours: Thursday, March 23, 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM, place to be determined. Please visit our website for details and registration, Caldwellchamber.org or email us at info@caldwellchamber. org.

Our Community

Idaho Pocahontas Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution Awards

Idaho Pocahontas Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) began the year by recognizing several

outstanding members of the Treasure Valley community.

On Saturday, February 11, 2023, the Idaho Pocahontas Chapter hosted an awards

Time To Choose A Medicare Plan?

ceremony to honor the recipients of the Community Service Award, the American History Awards and the DAR Good Citizens Award and Scholarship. Award recipients and their families attended the ceremony, conducted by Chapter Regent Lorene Oates.

The Community Service Award, presented by Nathelle Oates, was awarded to Caldwell resident Carole Munn. Munn has conducted the American Red Cross blood drives in Caldwell for 50 years. The Idaho Pocahontas Chapter was honored to recognize Munn for her dedication to faithfully managing this important effort.

Next, Kyle Miyauchi received the chapter’s award for Outstanding Teacher of American History. Miyauchi teaches history at Middleton High School and is currently pursing graduate work in his quest to better ignite the love of history in his students. Barbara Grant, Regent of Eagle Chapter, presented Miyauchi with his award and monetary gift.

N. Illinois Avenue, Caldwell, Idaho a 208-454-9532

The highlight of the evening was the DAR Good Citizens Award and Scholarship presentation, bestowed by Sherry Crouch, Good Citizens Chair and Registrar. Created in 1934, the Good Citizens

Award recognizes high school seniors who demonstrate dependability, service, leadership, and patriotism– the qualities of good citizenship.

Applicants are nominated by their teachers and peers for demonstrating the qualities of citizenship to an outstanding degree. This year’s winners received a certificate, pin, wallet card and monetary gift.

Chapters winners were Quinn Huyg of Middleton High School, Desiree Resendiz of Vallivue High School, and Flynt Scott Adamson of Parma High School. Each student submitted an essay defining what good citizenship meant to them, in addition to glowing letters of recommendation from their teachers.

Huyg’s essay won first place in both the Idaho Pocahontas Chapter and the Idaho State 2023 essay contest. During the ceremony, Huyg read aloud her essay, entitled “Our American Heritage and Our Responsibility for Preserving It.” Huyg plans to attend Boise State Universe to pursue a Bachelors in elementary education and become a thirdgrade teacher.

The Good Citizens Award runners-up also demonstrate remarkable qualities of citizenship and with goals to serve their community. Resendiz, who also won the Evelyn M. Williamson Award, aims to attend the University of Idaho and study civil engineering. Adamson won an additional DAR award, the Outstanding American History Student Award, for his essay about John Paul Jones. His future plans include receiving degrees in kinesiology and music education.

The Idaho Pocahontas Chapter is proud to recognize these wonderful members of our community.

The DAR is devoted to the preservation of our Constitutional Republic, to the history of our nation and to provide patriotic education. To belong, it is necessary to provide a genealogical lineage to a participant, man or woman, who served in the Revolutionary War.

For more information, please call Sherry Crouch, 208-5852150.

Barbara Grant, Kyle Miyauchi & Nancy Baxter

Carol Munn & Lorene Oates Helen Ditto, Flynt Scott Adamson & Nancy Baxter Quinn Huyg, Desiree Resendiz, Sherry Crouch & Flynt Scott Adamson

by Sherry Crouch, DAR

Desiree Resendiz Flynt Scott Adamson

Kyle Miyauchi & Quinn Huyg Quinn Huyg & Sherry Crouch

City of Caldwell Parks and Rec Ribbon Cutting

City of Caldwell Parks and Recreation held a ribbon cutting and open house for their newly constructed building on Tuesday February, 28. The 2900 sf building broke ground in March 2022 and was completed in December 2022. The previous building was approximately 500 square feet and was built in the 1950s. The city would like to thank

everyone who supported this project.

“This building will give us adequate space and resources to move Caldwell’s Parks and Recreation to the next level so that we can best serve our community now and in the future,” said Juli McCoy, Caldwell Parks and Recreation Director.

Ride for Joy is looking for Volunteers

The mission statement at Ride For Joy is to provide professional and compassionate, equine, assisted activities and

therapies to individuals experiencing special needs, who have chronic illness diagnosis and to veterans.

Ride For Joy provides services to individuals of all ages from four years old to those in their 70s. Those on the autism spectrum are the majority of the students we serve. But we also serve students who have progressive diseases such as multiple sclerosis or cerebral palsy. Other students have congenital disorders such as down syndrome or spina bifida.

To get more info on how to serve visit: https://www.rideforjoy.org/

The Canyon County Board of Commissioners is pleased to announce the appointment of Eric Jensen as the new Chief Information Officer/IT Director for Canyon County. Jensen has served as interim CIO since January and has been the Assistant IT Director for Canyon County since 2017.

“Eric’s knowledge and expertise, combined with his understanding of county operations, make him the perfect fit to lead the IT Department,” said the Board of County Commissioners in a joint statement. “We are confident that under his leadership, the department will continue to provide valuable IT services to the County and its residents.”

Jensen joined Canyon County in 2016 as the new Telecom Administrator. He was promoted to Assistant IT Director a year later. Before joining the County, Jensen spent 15 years working for the State of Idaho within the Executive Branch, where he was in charge of the phone and voicemail systems and supported the users with

application, development, and desktop-related issues. Prior to that, he spent over 13 years in the banking industry, including four years as a business analyst.

“I am honored and humbled to be selected as the new Chief Information Officer for Canyon County,” added Jensen. “We already have a great IT team in place here. I feel blessed with the opportunity to lead them as we continue moving through this ever-evolving digital world.

I look forward to strengthening our current partnerships and building new ones as we explore ways to better serve the County and its constituents.”

Jensen has called Idaho home since 1978. He currently lives in Meridian with his beautiful wife of 36 years, Cari. They raised three children together and are also the proud parents of three dogs. Jensen enjoys attending Bronco football games and other BSU sporting events during his spare time. He is also an outdoor enthusiast who enjoys hiking, skiing, camping, and fishing.

Commissioners Appoint Eric Jensen

by Char Jackson, City of Caldwell

by Char Jackson, City of Caldwell by Joe Decker, CC Public Information Officer

MOSAICS Lego League Team Takes Home 2nd Place Trophy at State! Anthony

What You Don’t Know CAN Hurt You!

On February 24, 2023 –Nobody at MOSAICS Public School, a STEAM charter school in Caldwell, knew what to expect from their rookie year of FIRST Lego League. Having all new coaches and students who never competed in regional competitions, the expectations were low. “I honestly thought our students would go to the regional competition, score in last place, and then have a fire lit as they learned how to compete for the next year,” shared Mr. Haskett, principal of MOSAICS. They proved him wrong. The MOSAICS Marvels scored first place in the regional competition in the category of Innovation Project on December 10. “I was amazed to see the effort they put forth to rise above the competition in their rookie year,” he continued. “I saw the fire I expected to be lit, but the opportunity to build on it came a year early.”

On Wednesday, February 22nd, at the Caldwell City Council meeting Don Atkinson of the Caldwell GALS presented a check for 50,000.00 - this donation is for lights for the GALS Quad located at Pipedream Park. Thank you so much for

Their 1st place award qualified the rookie team to compete in the South State Championship on January 28 in Twin Falls, where 28 teams from across southern Idaho vied for the title of state champion. “Lego League was very challenging, not only the coding but the innovation project as well,” shared Francesco Miranda, a 5th grade student. Over the next five weeks, the team met two to three times per week to improve their robot’s coding and their project.

At the state competition the team again surpassed expectations, winning 2nd place in the category of Innovation Project. “It was exciting to see the students’ dedication to their team and its mission,” stated Annette Wall, one of the team’s coaches. “We are very proud of their accomplishments.”

The school hopes to expand and send multiple teams next

this generous donation!

Caldwell Girls’ Athletic League Softball, Inc. (GALS) is a non-profit organization created in 1983 to develop a summer softball program for Caldwell’s female youth. The purpose of GALS is to encourage the development of citizenship, friendship, sportsmanship, and leadership in the community through organized, safely equipped, and properly coached softball activities for female youth. GALS began as a cooperative effort between concerned parents and the Caldwell Parks and Recreation Department. Initially, the City of Caldwell subsidized the program financially and provided facilities for GALS use.

GALS began play in 1983 with six teams under a slow pitch format. In 1998, the format was changed to a fast pitch game under Amateur Softball Association rules to keep pace with the changes in the game which were occurring across the country. In 2002, Parma Softball joined with GALS bringing the total teams to 19. News about the league spread and we have been growing ever since. Since 2011 to present day, GALS has had on average seventy (70) Idaho and eastern Oregon fast pitch teams per year participate in the GALS summer league under A.S.A. rules of play.

Over the past few years with more competition the GALS Board, coaches, umpires, and parents have noticed significant improvement in softball skills at all age levels, great teamwork developing, friendships developing between girls from different cities, and better sports-

year as the interest in the program grows. Camden Johnson, also in 5th grade, shared, “We were really nervous going into the competition, but it turned out to be a lot of fun.

I am definitely joining again next year.”

MOSAICS, a tuition-free public school, is currently accepting lottery applications for new students entering kindergarten through 7th grade for the 2023-24 school year, with an enrollment cap of 480 students. MOSAICS teaches through project-based learning, community service projects, and daily science instruction. The date for the 2023-24 lottery is April 7, 2023; however, the deadline for applications to be in the lottery is March 31, 2023. For more information about MOSAICS Public School or to apply online, visit www.mosaicsps.org.

manship throughout the league.

GALS is currently and has been for over 20 years a self sufficient program that utilizes city owned facilities but receives no public funding for its activities. All GALS Board members and coaches are volunteers. Games are scheduled at facilities in Caldwell, with games occasionally being played in Nampa, Homedale, or other outside facilities. Fields utilized by GALS include the Caldwell High School’s softball facility, Sage Valley Middle School, and the GALS Quad on Smeed Parkway. The Quad was created by a partnership between GALS, the City of Caldwell, and Major League Baseball’s charitable trust, the Baseball Tomorrow Fund. The GALS Quad has been in use since 2004.

GALS is organized into A.S.A. age groups – 10 & Under, 12 & Under, 14 & Under, and 16 & Under. League scheduled games are played Monday through Thursday evenings from early May through the middle of July (depending on age group), with a double elimination championship tournament at season’s end. In 2012, GALS added an 8 & Under age group. Teams in this age group play machine-pitch. Games are primarily played on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings. GALS also hosts a weekend invitational tournament sometime during the season. In addition to league play and an invitational tournament, GALS is on a rotation system to host one of the Idaho State JO Tournaments in July.

Haskett, principal/founder

Back (left to right): Francesco Miranda, Sophia Manda, Jaylee Layton, Rowan Hogg, Mrs. Wall, Camden Johnson, Camden Martin, Mrs. Hopper

Front: Kellen Snow, Teancum Barzee, Joshua Avila

Not Pictured: Kayden Soderberg, Miss Scherer

Caldwell City Council Presents Check to GALS City of Caldwell

Each year the Caldwell Wrestling Club, in conjunction with IDAWAY Wrestling, hosts Cradle For The Cure in support of the St. Luke’s Cancer Institute and local youth wrestling. This year the event will be held March 17-18 at the Ford Idaho Center and will host roughly 1200 young wrestlers from more than 15 surrounding states.

Seven years ago the mother of Caldwell Wrestling Club Director was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. While his family has been lucky and she battled

Caldwell Cradle For A Cure

to beat her illness, the same year two other Caldwell Wrestling Club coaches lost their mothers to cancer.

With three coaches so closely affected by cancer at the same time they were compelled to do something to help raise awareness, and of course money, to help others also going through what they were experiencing. Out of this tragedy the Cradle For The Cure Wrestling Tournament was born.

The Cradle For The Cure Wrestling Tournament has become the marquee event

for the club and IDAWAY Wrestling. Each year proceeds from the tournament support both youth wrestlers, and local families/ organizations touched by cancer. Last year, thanks to the support of the CFTC, IDAWAY and the Caldwell Wrestling Club we donated $21,590 to the St. Luke’s Cancer Institute. The organizers of the CFTC are extremely proud to put on an event that supports both our passion to grow youth wrestling, and raise cancer awareness.

Each year the event rais-

es awareness for a specific form of cancer. In years past we have focused on liver cancer, breast cancer, and others. This year our focus is on bringing awareness to leukemia. Leukemia is a broad term for cancers of the blood cells. The type of leukemia depends on the type of blood cell that becomes cancer and whether it grows quickly or slowly. Leukemia occurs most often in adults older than 55, but it is also the most common cancer in children younger than 15.

Mayor Wagoner and his spring time hair style compliments of Caldwell High School

On February 17, 2023 marked the end of Cause Week at Caldwell High School. The students managed to raise just over 1k for each of their five charities:

• Advocates Against Family Violence,

• MS

• Crohn’s Disease

• Make-A-Wish

• Suicide prevention.

Mayor Wagoner - who is a proud CHS grad - promised to shave his head if the students exceeded last

years goal of 6271.91.

They didn’t quite make it, but the Mayor challenged each student to bring in

1$ and each teacher 10$. Everyone agreed…so off went the hair!

by Elizabeth Freeman

FREE KIDS

GOOD NEWS CLUB™

GOOD NEWS CLUB™ is an exciting fun-filled hour and a half, weekly club for kids from K-5th grades. It includes:

• Dynamic Bible Lessons

• Creative Learning Activities

• Inspiring Missonary Stories

• Meaningful Songs

• Life-Changing Scripture Memory

Child will learn:

• Respect for Authority

• Character Qualities

• Moral Values

• Biblical Principles

There are many clubs throughout the Treasure Valley, scan the QR code to find out where.

Co-founder Adam Freeman poses for a photo with his son after one of his matches at CFTC.

Co-founder Steven Bidelman comforts a young wrestler after a tough loss.

Mayor Wagoner getting his spring time hair cut

Caldwell High School Students present Mayor Wagoners hair cut

Young Herra doubling as a junior referee for a youth wrestling match at the 2022 CFTC

Co-Founder Juan Pena Coaches a young wrestler at one of the first CFTC Events.

submitted photos

Valuable Services Provided at Upcoming Caldwell Health and Resource Fair

by Valerie Christensen, Caldwell Perspective

“We’re here to help” is the advertised theme for this year’s Health and Resource Fair, which provides valuable, no-cost services for Caldwell citizens who need them.

Now in its 23rd year, the event is slated for Wednesday, April 19, 2023, at the Caldwell Event Center, 2207 Blaine, Caldwell. Sponsors include The Soroptimist Club, CarePlus, LINC, Paul Mitchell School, Caldwell Veterinary Hospital, Blue Cross of Idaho, and The City of Caldwell.

Individuals and local businesses have also stepped up to provide services for those who may lack access to the resources many take for granted. The public is invited to stop by between 9:00 am and 2:00 pm to speak with representatives or visit informational booths.

Multiple human service agencies will be on hand to educate visitors about the wide array of resources available to

So what exactly is hospice?

According to one local hospice agency, “the fundamental goals of hospice care are to bring comfort and promote the dignity of terminally ill people while alle-

them. Professionals can provide information on housing, healthcare, jobs, education, and transportation. Those who would like caregiver, disability, and assistive technology resources can access them at the fair.

The Saint Alphonsus mammogram coach and The Veterans Services Mobile Unit will both conveniently be on-site to provide valuable services.

Paul Mitchell students and instructors will also be at the Event Center to provide complimentary haircuts for those who need them. In addition, Seniors can bring their furry friends (dogs and cats only) for a free vet check.

It has been my experience that the moral rupture facet of PTSD is the most difficult to resolve. There are many reasons for this difficulty. The top two are: the need for outside help and the need to recognize that I am in a position that needs help from others. It is very hard for a guy to admit they are broken.

Early in the military career self-reliance, get the job done, and I can continue regardless are built into the mindset of the service member. Somewhere along the way self-reliance develops into an undercurrent of “I am not broken and, therefore I do not need help”.

Military training does take into account the need to care for the physical body. A broken body is a hard deficit to overcome while continuing with ‘normal’ function. Efforts can know no bounds to care for physical injury and return the service member to duty status. Moral injury is a far different problem to solve.

In my military experience there was no recognizable ef-

My Fellow Veterans by David Beverly

fort spent to aid in becoming aware that my soul had been damaged and is in desperate need of repair. A respectable injury is one that could be seen. Goldbricks have unseen injuries.

A broken soul is not treated by traditional medical methods. It is hard to place a splint on a soul while it heals. At times in the ‘heat of battle’ the body does not have time to recognize some injuries until time is available for a physical inventory. So, with no awareness of what a ruptured soul looks like, or feels like, taking a mental inventory is an unproductive activity. Someone from the outside needs to come to the aid of a ruptured soul.

The someone coming to the aid of a broken soul needs to have training in theology as it applies to soul repair. The General Patton approach to soul repair is counterproductive and will worsen the problem. However, this method, in various iterations, is used when either the person helping does not have a theologi-

Fact or Fiction – The Truth About Hospice

viating physical, emotional and spiritual suffering.”

In the broad spectrum of the healthcare experience, hospice care holds a very important place yet few people think much

about it until faced with a lifelimiting illness. Consequently, there can be much confusion and misunderstanding surrounding the concept of hospice care. Let’s examine some of the basic concepts of hospice to help distinguish fact from fiction.

Hospice means I am giving up: True or False?

False! Hospice is changing lives by embracing each breath until the very last. Hospice care neither extends nor hastens the dying process. In fact, studies show that individuals live an average of 29 days longer on hospice as compared to those without services when started early in the disease process and it is possible to graduate off

hospice.

Hospice is a service only provided at a nursing home: True or False?

False! Hospice care can be provided anywhere that you call home. With hospice, you are not alone. Care is carried out by a hospice team consisting of nurses, nursing aids, social workers, chaplains, volunteers, Veteran Service Coordinators and alternative therapy providers. Whether your desire is to care for your loved one at home, or in a facility, your hospice team will be there to aid and assist you in that care journey.

Hospice focuses on quality of life, pain management and symptom management: True or False?

True! The goal of hospice care is to provide comfort and quality of life, it is not curative. Managing pain and other symptoms is an important part of what we do! And just to be clear, the patient is always the boss. The hospice team takes direction from the patient and family but will offer advice and education for your consideration.

cal perspective to how to effectively treat the soul, or is ignorant of the complexities of soul repair.

For me, the most difficult part was admitting that I was a broken soul. It would be nice if I were able to report that the rest was easy. It was, and is, not. However, once you become committed to the repair process life does get better. For those of us who get to keep PTSD as a lifelong companion biblical counseling does provide a way to shovel out the accumulating mental goo that continues to work against us. The hardest thing for vets to do is to admit they need help. Some do not want to be ‘stigmatized’ by the diagnosis of PTSD, others just do not think they are in need of help. The VA offers a variety of therapies that can help, and no one needs to know you are getting help. Also understand that stigmas, for the most part, are self-inflicted.

Do not wait, get help now. Your life will be better for it. Mine is.

by Shelly Henderson

Hospice is 100% covered by Medicare and Medicaid: True or False?

True! On hospice, your nursing care, medications, durable medical equipment and all supplies and services associated with the care of your terminal diagnosis is covered by Medicare or Medicaid and some commercial insurances.

There is only one hospice provider: True or False?

False! There are many different hospice companies that service the Treasure Valley. To determine which hospice best fits your needs, start with reading and comparing Google reviews of the highest rated companies. Consider interviewing two or three potential hospices to see which one will provide the care and support you need.

Hospice offers the opportunity to optimize time when given a terminal illness. If you would like to know more about how hospice can help you or a loved one facing a life-limiting diagnosis, please call today.

“Fentanyl Killed My Son” Keeping our community safe from the drug that never lets go!

When Mary Esparza entrusted me with the deeply personal, tragic story of her Son, Sam, I instinctively knew everyone in our community and beyond needed to hear it, too. “My only hope,” Mary said, “is to spare any other family the pain of what we have been through at the expense of drugs.”

In just the past two years, according to the Idaho Department of Corrections, Idaho has seen the alarming doubling of fentanyl-related drug seizures and death rates. The drug, 50-100 times more powerful than morphine, can cause an overdose from even miniscule amounts. Mary’s 38 year-old son, Sam, was unable to free himself from his addiction. With only minor edits for length and clarity, this is Sam’s story as told by his mother, Mary.

My husband and I desperately wanted to have children and through a series of miracles, we were able to adopt Sam. The joy he brought into our lives was immeasurable. Sam loved baseball and never left the house without a ball cap on his head. He played the game all through elementary, high school, and beyond. He gathered an impressive collection of trophies along the way.

Sam had an innate ability to make people laugh and smile with his spontaneity. He also was a carpenter by trade and made beautiful things with exotic woods. As the years flew by however, our home became a battleground. With a pending divorce and splintering relationships, Sam began to use pot as a way to cope. I believe it was his gateway to other drugs, re-

sulting eventually with fentanyl and other opioids.

Despite his increasing drug problem, Sam met Lita, the love of his life, and they moved from coast to coast. They were very happy together, but the drug abuse continued. Lita was so much more than a girlfriend. Her love for Sam went well beyond that. She is a woman with much courage, patience, and wisdom. We were (and still are) in constant communication with her and she’s still an important part of our family. Tragedy fell when Sam was introduced through “friends” to harder drugs and their relationship began to unravel to the point of him losing his place to live. He then began to live in his car or at friends’ homes. He continued to work - even with all of his belongings and tools being in a storage shed.

As Sam’s drug use continued, he soon found his life spiraling out of control. Many times, I received phone calls from relatives with wild stories of his being robbed or someone stealing his car. We soon realized we could not send money. He lost his phone as well as his car because of infractions against him in court. Without a way to communicate, he didn’t make his court hearings, which landed him in jail several times for failure to appear. At his last hearing, the judge sentenced him to 45 days in jail. With over a month of isolation from drugs, his mind began to clear. He started to see what he had become, what he had lost, and what he wanted to do with his life.

Sam wrote a 25 page letter

to Lita, which she later shared with the family. We are so thankful for it, as it is the very heart and soul of who he really was without drugs polluting his mind. There is so much beauty in it we may never understand, but at least we can admire the “meat and potatoes” as he called it. He explained things he felt God wanted him to do such as getting the basic needs of the homeless community filled. He wanted to be involved with the “Big Brother” program and mentor at-risk teens. He talked of gaining back love, trust, happiness, and compassion from those he had hurt.

Sam was so looking forward to getting out of jail to start a new life. He called me nearly every night and I can still hear his voice. His public defender tried to get him in a 30 - day rehab following his release. But with so many in his same position, she could not find a home until 45 days later. We knew it would be too late. As his family, we wanted him to go to a oneyear rehabilitation home we had found. He was very willing, but said, “I just want to see my dad first and check on my storage shed.”

When Sam was released, he spent several days with his birth family who lived in Washington. They got him a phone and some good food after his jail fare. He was finally rebounding - until the day he wanted to go visit one of his “friends.” We found out later this was his drug source, and we would never hear from Sam again.

Numerous calls were made to every hospital and medical care facility in the area without

success. I just knew he had relapsed, but I desperately wanted to know if he was dead or alive. Approximately two months later, I received a frantic phone call from Lita. Sam had been killed in an accident after stealing a car from a convenience store. Pain and numbness gripped my heart, not wanting to believe the truth. Sam had veered across the turn lane and slammed into the wheel of a dump truck, causing blunt force trauma to the chest and bleeding around his heart. Those investigating the accident said speed was not a factor in the crash. Even before the toxicology report detected fentanyl and methamphetamine in his blood, I knew drugs were involved in the crash causing his death.

Many Physicians are struggling with and studying the effects of fentanyl on the brain as well as other opiates. They have known for years that addiction changes receptors in the brain; that it becomes unresponsive with prolonged exposure. Until the receptors are isolated from drugs, the person is unable to conquer addiction. Such was the case for our beloved Sam.

In our family’s sorrow, we decided that in lieu of a funeral, we would have a baseball game played in Sam’s honor. His coach and many of those he played ball with were there. It was a bittersweet time, but very needed. A paragraph Sam’s sister found describes well the state of our hearts at the time: “No matter what anybody says about grief and about ‘time healing all wounds,’ the truth is there are certain sorrows that never fade away until the heart stops

beating and the last breath is taken.” If you think your child would never do something like Sam did, please think again. The pull of drugs is so strong that nothing, absolutely nothing, is beyond its reach.

On July 21, 2022, Governor Brad Little, in order to help address the impacts of fentanyl, launched an initiative in Idaho called Operation Esto Perpetua. It included both a Law Enforcement Panel and a Citizens Action Group with bi-weekly meetings around the state. The State of Idaho has pledged up to $1 million to reduce the flow of fentanyl and meth across Idaho. A wealth of resources are available by visiting healthandwelfare.idaho.gov or by following the Department’s pages on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. There are daily updates and information that can be trusted to keep your family and all Idahoans safe. Be watchful and know the signs. You could save someone’s life.

Sam, Mary’s Son

by Mary Esparza with Valerie Christensen

by Kyle Morgan

Snakes. They’ve been causing trouble since the beginning of time. Eve wasn’t scared of the snake, and look where that got us! No, I say when it comes to snakes, you need a healthy dose of fear. But my great-grandmother Viola Morgan may have taken this fear to an unhealthy level. To say that she feared snakes would be like saying someone with a fear of heights would get mildly nervous when skydiving, or calling someone with agoraphobia a “homebody.” I don’t think the English language, or any language for that matter can properly express the sheer amount of terror she felt towards this suborder of reptiles. She was deathly afraid of snakes. She wasn’t afraid of death, taxes, or even public speaking, which occasionally ranks higher on lists of fear than death itself. No, for my great-grandmother, nothing in this world was scarier than snakes. In her eyes, every snake was the devil incarnate. This was doubly true for snakes who were in Georgia. This was fitting, since her birthday was the 17th of March, better known to the Irish, and anyone guilty of Celtic cultural appropriation as St. Patrick’s Day. While my great-grandmother was of Irish descent, I regret to inform you that she wasn’t particularly good at being Irish. She didn’t drink beer, she wasn’t a Catholic, and while it pains me to say this, she was what

you would call today, a “leprechaun denier.” However, even with these strikes against her heritage, Viola still celebrated this day with her Irish eyes a smilin’. She wore green, liked to eat corned beef, and most of all gave praise to God for that saving grace St. Patrick told the Irish all those years ago. But while she was grateful to St. Patrick for his missionary work, I think the story she liked best, was the apocryphal tale about how St. Patrick got rid of all the snakes in Ireland. Oh sure, saving the Irish people from the eternal flames of Hell was rather good, but I think secretly she viewed St. Patrick getting rid of all the snakes as his greatest achievement.

Talking about snakes around great-grandma was a forbidden topic. More forbidden than sex or Democrats!

This was pretty easy for most of us since snakes rarely slithered across our minds. Except for my brother Cody. You see, Cody was one of those kids who knew more animal facts than David Attenborough, The Crocodile Hunter, and Jack Hannah combined! He never heard an animal fact that didn’t bear repeating to the family. Or friends. Or the poor, unsuspecting mailman. Would you believe me if I told you we went through ten mailmen in seven months? All because turtles can breathe through their butt! Cody knew all about snakes; their eating habits, how they shed their skin, and

most importantly, how you could tell which ones were venomous based solely on the colors of their skin. He made us all memorize the mantra “Red touches yellow, you’re a dead fellow. Red touches black, you’re okay Jack.” Apparently, this Jack fellow kept getting bit by snakes and he could never tell if he was going to live or die. I imagine poor Jack getting bit again and, as he lay there, with his life flashing before his eyes, he desperately attempts to remember the rhyme.

“Red touches yellow, you’re an okay fellow. Or is it dead fellow? Or is it if it’s yellow let it mellow, and brown flush it down? How do you flush a snake down the toilet?! And what about red touching black? I die from a heart attack? I have to eat a snack?

Can I get an autograph from Shaq?” He deliriously continues until he realizes that it was actually, just an old garden hose that had brushed against his skin, and he remembers he is in Ireland post-St. Patrick and there are no snakes. Then, he advises me to leave him alone, and return to my great-grandmother. Which I will in the next paragraph.

Because the point I am trying to make here is that she hated snakes. Hated them! We are talking a step above Indiana Jones level here! She said they were “the eels of the land.” Whatever that meant. Legend has it, that she once threw a book across the room when she turned the page to find an illustration of a snake. And once when I was searching in her dictionary to find the definition of “snad” while we were playing scrabble, I found a square strip of duct tape covering the picture of the snake. I never did find the word “snad” and quickly lost the game. In case you’re wondering, “snad” means “to sneeze when you

The Canyon County Sheriff’s Office Marine Patrol Division will offer a free boating safety course on Saturday, March 4, for those who want to complete the boating safety course before the summer heat arrives. Sgt. Jason Roberts will teach the one-day introductory courses at the Canyon County Marine Office, located at 12974 Iowa Ave. in Nampa. Attendees will learn general information about boats and maintenance, information to make their boating experience safer, and tips

are sad.” You don’t have to Google it, just trust me. To her, there was no animal quite as frightening as a snake. I don’t mean to brag, but if my greatgrandmother had been the first woman God created, we would still be living in paradise. So, in honor of St. Patrick, who rid Ireland of all the snakes, and to honor the message that Christ had crushed the great serpent’s head, my family and I would wear green, bring corned beef, and challenge her to a good oldfashioned game of scrabble. Just as long as no one tried to play the word “snake.” It was a birthday worth celebrating. However, as the years went by, there grew a distinctly melancholy tone to St. Patrick’s day for her. It was another birthday, another trip around the sun, and at times she was disappointed to still be making this trip. Because, in reality, Viola wished she were dead. Not in a darkly depressed way, but with an attitude that she had run her race well and was

awaiting her Heavenly reward. In fact, she and God had been in a disagreement for quite some time over where the finish line was. In her mind, she had crossed that finish line years before, but now she found herself on a Heavenly waiting list with frustrating hold music blaring in her ears. I can just see her opening her eyes every morning with a little excitement, only to find herself still stuck in her home, and not in the ever presence of the Lord. She had been a faithful servant. She had been a widow for decades. She had raised her kids, loved her grandchildren, and greatgrandchildren. She had been an old church lady for close to fifty years. God did eventually call her home where she now enjoys scrabble games with the apostles, eats corned beef with St. Patrick and C.S. Lewis, and takes long walks on the golden streets with the Lord— where there’s not a snake in sight.

Canyon County Marine Patrol To Host Free Boating Safety Course by Joe Decker, CC Public Information Officer

on how to be a more courteous boat operator. Boaters will also learn about Idaho laws and regulations associated with owning and operating a boat.

The courses are open to all boaters, regardless of experience, and attendees who complete the one-day courses will earn their boater education safety card. Those interested can register for the course online by clicking here, or by emailing Sgt. Jason Roberts at Jason.Roberts@canyoncounty.id.gov.

“Snakes. Why’d it have to be snakes?”

St. Patrick’s Day began with a patron saint in Ireland spreading Christianity across an island nation. While originally a religious holiday, St. Patrick’s Day has largely morphed into a secular celebration spanning the world. And it’s known by many as being one big party that caters to the over-21 crowd. However, for those who want their kids to be a part of the fun, there are several entertaining ways to include them

Day Really Can Be Kid-Friendly

by

on March 17th. Many families have good fun seeing if everyone remembers to wear green on the Irish holiday or risk being playfully pinched for not displaying their “Irish pride.” While green shirts are par for the course, kids can don an authentic Irish wool cardigans or the famously tall top hat. Some schools allow and even encourage students to dress up in special green attire. If your child’s is one of them, help them choose something fun to wear. You could also have a family parade with family members modeling their ensembles.

It may be interesting to teach kids a bit about Irish history. For example, St. Patrick wasn’t always associated with the color green; he was actually first depicted wearing blue robes.

There are many reasons why green became the official color of the day. Some say it’s because of its origins in the Emerald Isles. Others cite leprochauns or stripes in the Irish-Catholic flag for the best-known holiday color. Serving festive food or non-alcoholic drinks can be a fun way to spice up the holiday for any age. Making green eggs and ham or green pancakes may even earn you a mother or father of the year award! Parents and kids can get even more creative by naming their family’s own creations. A “Leprechaun Punch” concoction that features lemon-lime soda, green food coloring and lime sherbet would make a memorable addition to any family’s food hall of fame. Doing a fun craft together or enjoying an outdoor activ-

Dish Up A Classic Comfort Food This St. Patrick’s

Everyone has “corned beef and cabbage” on the brain come St. Patrick’s Day. But another flavorful dish might appeal to a greater number of people with Irish roots.

Shepherd’s Pie is a savory dish made of minced lamb that originated in England but also made the jump to Ireland, where it became a popular comfort food. While Shepherd’s Pie can be made with freshly cooked ground meat, it also is a fine way to use leftovers from a previous meal. Shepherd’s Pie is commonly mistaken for Cottage Pie, which is very similar, yet tends to use beef as the meat of choice.

Many families have their own ancestral recipes for Shepherd’s Pie, but for those looking to cook the dish for the first time, try “Shepherd’s Pie,” courtesy of Alton Brown, which appeared in Season 12 of his hit show “Good Eats.”

Shepherd’s Pie

Yield: 8 servings

1 1/2 lbs. russet potatoes

2 T. canola oil

1 C. chopped onion

2 carrots, peeled and finely diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 1/2 lbs ground lamb

1 3/4 tsp. kosher salt

3/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

2 tsp. tomato paste

1 C. chicken broth

2 tsp. chopped fresh rose-

mary

1 tsp. chopped fresh thyme

1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

1⁄4 C. half-and-half

4 T. unsalted butter

1 large egg yolk

1⁄2 C. corn kernels, fresh or frozen

1⁄2 C. peas, fresh or frozen

1. Heat oven to 400 F.

2. Peel the potatoes and cut them into 1⁄2-inch dice. Put them in a medium saucepan and cover with cold water. Set said pan over high heat, cover and bring to a boil. Uncover, drop the heat to maintain a simmer, and cook until tender, 10 to 15 minutes.

3. Heat the oil in an 11-inch saute pan over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the onion and carrots and saute just until they begin to take on color, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the garlic and stir to combine. Add the meat, salt and pepper, and cook until browned and cooked through, approximately 3 minutes.

4. Sprinkle the meat with the flour, toss to coat, and continue to cook for another minute. Add the tomato paste, broth, Worcestershire sauce, rosemary, and thyme and stir to combine. Bring to a boil, then decrease the heat to low, cover, and simmer slowly until the sauce is thickened slightly, 10 to 12 minutes.

5. Meanwhile, combine the half-and-half and butter in

a microwave-safe container and nuke until warmed through, about 35 seconds.

6. Drain the potatoes and return them to the saucepan. Mash the potatoes (a masher is an excellent tool for this, though a hand mixer will do), then add the hot half-and-half mixture, as well as the salt and pepper. Mash to smoothness, then stir in the egg yolk.

7. Add the corn and peas to the meat mixture and spread evenly in a 7-by-11inch glass baking dish. Top with the mashed potatoes, starting around the edges to create a seal to prevent the mixture from bubbling over, and smooth the top with a rubber spatula. Place on a half sheet pan lined with parchment paper on the middle rack of the oven and bake for 25 minutes, or just until the potatoes begin to brown. Remove to a cooking rack and let rest for at least 15 minutes before serving.

ity are other ways families can celebrate the holiday. If it’s a cold outside, sitting up to the table and making fun masks or hats kids can wear will make for a fun afternoon. If the weather is good, ev-

eryone can head outside to collect shamrocks and hunt for the elusive four-leaf clover. No matter how families celebrate, the holiday can be made kid-friendly in a variety of entertaining ways.

Valerie Christensen, Caldwell Perspective

You can be a powerful force for change and good in the world! Extend the purest form of love by locking arms with organizations lifting others, serving those in need, and strengthening our community. You have unique talents, time, and passions to love, to unite, to care, to share, to connect and to give hope to others. Sometimes it’s hard to know where to go or how to help. One tool to see volunteer opportunities and priority needs in our community is through JustServe.

WHAT IS JUSTSERVE?

JustServe is a way to connect community orga-

208-416-1127

We Want Your Good News!

nizations with volunteers. It’s done through the website, JustServe.org, or the app in Apple’s App Store or Google Play. When you go to the JustServe website or app, type in your ZIP code and it will auto-populate the projects in your area. You will be able to find opportunities to serve that match your interests and availability. As of today, there are about 110 volunteer opportunities posted in JustServe.org within a 10-mile radius of Caldwell, Idaho. Following are some newly posted priority needs:

JEFFERSON MIDDLE SCHOOL - CALDWELL

Teachers could use your help to supply their students with needed supplies and snacks. School supplies requested include pencils; expo markers; colored pencils; markers, pens, highlighters, and black sharpies; journals; 3 ring 2” binders & binder paper; composition books; glue; art supplies; etc. Additionally, individually wrapped snacks of all types would be greatly appreciated. Snack items requested include granola

bars; fruit snacks; breakfast bars; juice boxes & water; nut free bars; crackers; pretzels; etc.

SALVATION ARMY TROOPS PROGRAM DINNERS NEEDED

Tuesdays (March-May)

The Salvation Army has about 30 kids that gather in a safe place as part of the Salvation Army Troops Character Building program. You and some friends/family/youth or church groups are needed to prepare a dinner of your choice, serve the dinner, and clean-up afterwards. At least five volunteers are needed.

SAVE UP TO 3 LIVES: DONATE BLOODCALDWELL

Do you have an hour to spare? Are you 16+ years old? Are you in good health? Come donate blood! The American Red Cross continues to experience a National Blood Crisis and needs blood of all types. There are many

As a longtime contributor to the Perspective newspaper, I’d like to offer this story.

I recently suffered a serious stroke in early November (10). It rendered me partially paralyzed on my right side. As a writer you have to often wait for a story to find you. I hope this one fits the bill. This is not my usual “human interest” story.

As I was recovering at a rehab in Nampa, I was blessed with this opportunity.

About the second day I heard what I thought was children playing in the hall. I asked my nurse if there were children present. She said no there are no children allowed in the facility. I could hear the sounds like wailing or

blood drives taking place in March. Sign-up for one and help save up to 3 lives!

WESTERN IDAHO COMMUNITY CRISIS CENTER - CALDWELL

Our local crisis center in downtown Caldwell needs donations of pre-packaged snacks like small, packaged cereal, granola bars, chips, crackers, microwave popcorn and even frozen waffles and pancakes.

WEST VALLEY MEDICAL CENTER

Do you quilt or sew?

Lap quilts are needed for ICU patients to wrap some love and warmth around them during their time of need. Best lap quilt size is 54”x42”...but, all lap quilts are welcome!

WESTERN IDAHO COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP - WICAP

Every Friday is a big food distribution day! Volunteers are needed to help pack food boxes and then hand out food boxes to those in need! There are multiple

In

yelps. As it turned out, it was a patient in the next room to mine. For privacy reasons let’s call her Jane Doe. Jane was deaf, couldn’t walk and had dementia. She did still have her sight however.

The staff would secure her to her chair and push her to the dining area for most of the day. Back in her room, she would continue with the yelps. What was so amazing was the staff learned to distinguish the urgency of her need by the level of sound. Her level of communication would change. I don’t know if this is a tribute to her or the staff. At any rate this was an amazing thing to witness. She was the staff’s absolute favorite. What I thought was an irritant was a blessing in disguise

volunteer options available each Friday.

ASSISTANCE LEAGUE OF BOISE CANYON COUNTY BRANCH

March 6 - 18: Assistance

League of Boise Canyon County Branch has partnered with Rediscovered Books and Rubaiyat Books for a COMMUNITY BOOK DRIVE benefiting pre-K through 12th grade youth supported through Advocates Against Family Violence. Each bookstore will have a display of age-appropriate books to choose from for your purchase. Strengthening community together!

We are surrounded by people who need our encouragement, kindness, support, love, and resources. As we reach out with our neighbors, families, and interfaith friends in an effort to lift up people in their time of need, we become a powerful force for change and good.

Visit JustServe.org to begin serving and strengthening our community.

for me!

I had the opportunity with the staff’s approval to pray with her on two occasions. That was a real privilege for me. It touched me so deeply. She couldn’t hear me but I hoped she could feel God’s love passing through me on some level. I hope it touched her.

Now Jane will reside in my heart and soul forever.

Lizard Butte Easter Sunrise Service

With the help of community volunteers, this service has been made possible for 86 years.

Sunday, April 9th, 7:15

Parking gates open at 5:00 AM. Handicap parking is available upon request. Please dress warmly and plan to get there early enough to park and hike up the butte. For more information or to make a donation please visit LizardButteSunrise.com

Kelli G. Jenkins, Just-Serve Caldwell

Blessing

Disquise by Larry Gaukel

Community Book Drive

Red Cross Blood Drive WVMC Lap Quilts

I saw a twitch on the rod rip then a more pronounced jump I pulled it from the rod holder it felt heavy I reared back on the rod that was more like a flag pole than a fishing rod. “Fish on!” I yelled at my wife, I tried to hand the rod so she could experience the raw power of the bottom feeder that had just been hooked. She declined said “you catch it.” After a minute or two I knew the fish was a smaller

I’ve been thinking about what to write for a couple weeks now, and now that I sit down to write it I’ve drawn a complete blank. And man it was going to be good, you’ll have to take my word for it.

fish and within fifteen minutes it rolled up and I released it. That scenario took place on March 24, 2001. It was just a beautiful day in March light wind, temp near 70 degrees.

A good friend Neil MacLeod bought a twenty-foot custom weld jet boat in 1999, It opened up a whole lot of water that was unrunable in our prop boat, plus a full cabin made fishing pleasant in much colder weather, so began our conquest of a prehistoric monster the sturgeon. We had caught sturgeon on float trips down

I will admit when I hangup my shovels and rakes for the winter my mind goes to much needed projects around my little farm. Like how to make an indestructible hog feeder that also holds enough food that

Hells Canyon, but a jet boat would allow us to fish for the behemoths. Just two hours from home success was slow at the outset, but undaunted we refused to accept defeat. Finally, I guess it was just a matter of paying dues, but after we caught the first fish confidence increased and so did catch rates. If we invited a sturgeon virgin on a sturgeon excursion we couldn’t guarantee him or her a fish but we assured our sports that chances were good. As with most sporting endeavors things run

I’m not filling every 4 hours. Man pigs eat a lot. Or I work on my home as I work to finish my little remodeling projects I start every winter and sometimes don’t finish before spring cleanups which will be starting up this month. Gardening, landscaping, sprinklers and maintenance aren’t really that complicated but can be hard work physically, but, like I always say we’ve been growing food before there was ever a text book on it. Since God created Adam laboring in the garden was a joyful event because you’re working in unison with the creator. You were the hands, legs and back that got the job done and you got to reap the benefits of your labor. Food, a beautiful and peaceful yard are a few great things of working steady on the land you have. There is a great sense of calm that comes out

a course and the pursuit of the river giants faded like a pair of well worn levis. Neil sold his jet boat and though I owned one, most of our friends and relatives were virgins no longer. Aquatic vegetation also became a factor, its now so thick that some places are impassable in summer months.

A jet boat will run in 6 inches of water but not six inches of Eurasian milfoil an invasive species. Before the dams on the Columbia and Snake, sturgeon were anadromous like salmon and steelhead.

of toiling in the soil. But it takes a consistent effort to produce a productive garden full of quality produce. This is also true for this column, I could use your help by contacting this paper with questions about subjects you’d like information on or tips about how this area differs from where you’ve might have moved here from. My good friend Gerald can’t be the only one who has questions that need answering. I need direction from you because I can’t read your minds and this is only a monthly column. You probably don’t want me telling you about raising hogs because I’m still learning myself. I did have a recent conversation about the same matter from two different perspectives. It was about frost hydrants or live water for year round access near barns and corrals, pastures etc. One

by Dave McCormick

Shoshone Falls blocked upstream migration. Efforts by IDF have established them below American Falls reservoir, sturgeon are strictly catch and release in Idaho waters, on some stretches of the Columbia there are catch and keep seasons with strict guidelines. They make excellent table fare. Maybe another spring day will occur this year like the one twenty two years ago. Maybe I will escort a friend that has yet to land a prehistoric monster. Maybe I will log another tale to tell.

by Pat King

from Alaska and the other from southern California. First hydrants are a special water valve device that allows access to live water during winter temps below freezing. The hydrants are buried deeper in the ground below the frost line ( 3 Ft.) to protect the waterline from freezing. There’s a special valve at the bottom that drains off after the valve on top is shut off. This empties the pipe of water therefore making it frost proof. It is important that a professional installs this device for proper depth, drain field and support of riser and location so no damage is done to any part of your system. A broken waterline in the winter is not a fun repair.

Until next time, Pat.