The Courier

News from the Heart of Idaho Camas • Lincoln • Gooding

Mushrooms Find a Home in Richfield

Fungus is everywhere, and thank goodness it is. Without fungus, dead things (plants and animals) would lie around for a long time making our world very unattractive, and... elements such as nitrogen and phosphorus provided by decomposition would be unavailable to growing plants.

There are an estimated 2.2 to 3.8 million different species of fungus, which includes yeasts, rusts, smuts, mildews, molds, and the one some of us are interested in eating - mushrooms.

The most common type of edible mushrooms you’ll find at the store are Button and/or Portobello mushrooms (they're actually the same mushroom - button are young and Portobello are mature). Depending on where you shop, you might find Oyster mushrooms or Shiitake (these are often dried).

If you are into Asian food, Enoki and Maitake mushrooms are a must have addition to your meal. And, of course, there is the prized Morel mushroom which only grows in the wild, making it a hot commodity amongst chefs. While mushrooms are a delicious way to add lots of nutrition to your diet, as well as new flavors and textures to your food, they are not without risk. Edible mushrooms can look very similar to mushrooms that are poisonous, some of which will cause an agonizing and horrible death. So, how do we avoid this unpleasantness? By finding someone - an expert - who can identify and grow edible mushrooms... someone like Zackary Wood at Ironwood Mycology in Richfield.

Zack grew up in Richfield, Idaho, and enjoyed the agriculture life as well as spending many hours outdoors hunting and fishing. After high school, he earned a degree in Aerospace Engineering from Arizona State University. He then worked for several aerospace companies around the country, fabricating electric thrusters for satellites and spacecraft, as well as researching state-of-the-art electric propulsion.

While living and working in Massachusetts, Zack fell in love with mushrooms. In the dense forest behind his house, Zack foraged edible mushrooms of every variety. It was there he started thinking, "Could this be a business?" Then, about two years ago, his wife Lahela started teaching English at the Richfield School. Soon after, they had the opportunity to purchase the old LDS church on Main Street. The old boiler-room was a perfect place to start growing mushrooms.

Ironwood Mycology is just starting but you can find their products at Friday's Market in Richfield, or beginning in June, at the Shoshone Farmers Market. You can also get your edible fungus direct from the source by calling Zack at (808) 285-8255 or by visiting his website: ironwoodmycology.com

You can see a ton of beautiful photos on his facebook page along with lots of ideas for enjoying and eating this wonderful, locally grown treat.

National Forest Extends Seasonal Closures

Press Release

The Sawtooth National Forest has issued four orders extending seasonal closures into May on all districts and the Sawtooth National Recreation Area.

Seasonal closures on the Sawtooth National Recreation Area and the Ketchum and Fairfield ranger districts usually end April 30, and the seasonal closure on the Minidoka Ranger District usually ends May 15.

“With the above average snowfall this past winter, many forest roads remain covered with snow, or the road surfaces are extremely soft. These conditions create the possibility of motorists getting stuck or creating deep ruts, ” said Forest Engineer Shawn Robnett. “Each district staff will monitor conditions and remove roads from the closures as snow melts and roads can be accessed safely.”

Legal descriptions of the closure areas can be found on the Sawtooth National Forest website’s Alerts & Notices webpage, https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/sawtooth/alerts-notices. Permits issued to allow landowner access to seasonally closed roads will be extended until the closure orders are lifted.

Some of the closed roads are tied to seasonal restrictions detailed on Motor Vehicle Use Maps. These maps are available for review online at https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/sawtooth/mapspubs and through the Avenza Maps application on personal devices. Hard copies of the maps are available at all Sawtooth National Forest Offices.

Visitors who have questions about the closures are encouraged to contact the offices of the district they are interested in accessing. Contact information for all districts is available online at https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/sawtooth/about-forest/offices.

3rd Annual Hagerman Booster Club Rock Chuck Derby

It's time to get your guns cleaned up and ready for the Hagerman Booster Club's 3rd Annual Rock Chuck Derby. The Wilson’s Club (200 South State Street, Hagerman) will be hosting live music, dinner, and a silent auction on May 5th & 6th.

This years events will include 3 individual categories including 12 & under, teens 13-18, and adults 19+. Team categories include Under 18 & Over 40, Ladies, Seniors 65+, and Open. All entries includes t-shirt and dinner on Saturday May 6th.

More information is available on the Hagerman Booster Club facebook page, or you can email you questions to hagermanboosterclub@gmail.com

“Savings for Your Future” Financial Education Night

A financial education program will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 3, 2023, at the Carey Elementary School Cafateria. Come join a discussion about savings, CD’s, and other investments.

What is a Lion?

Your local Gooding Lions Club will be hosting a free buffet-style dinner, available to the first 10 people that are interested in becoming a Lion. The dinner will be held at 6 p.m. on Monday May 8, 2023, at El Cazador Restaurant, 530 Main Street. We will provide dinner while our members share the rewards of being part of the Lions Club International family. If you are curious about helping in your community and the planet, we hope to see you there!

Seating is limited to the first 10 respondents, please R.S.V.P. by this Thursday the 4th at noon. Use the “Message” button or call or text 208-841-8385, please include your names. We look forward to seeing you and making new friends and future Lions!

Hunter Education

Richfield, Idaho

There will be a Hunter Education program in Richfield May 8th thru May 12th from 6-9 p.m., and May 13th from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at the Richfield School (555 North Tiger Drive). Limited seats are available.

Minimum age to take Hunters Ed is nine (9).

To sign up please visit the Idaho Fish & Game website at idfg.idaho.gov/hunt/education

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Seth Oliver at 208-358-0334.

Camas County Senior Class of 2023

Dear Friends of Camas County High School, Project Graduation is a nationally recognized, chaperoned, substance-free event designed to provide high school graduates with a safe alternative to celebrate their special night. There are 11 seniors graduating this year and the event will host 60 to 70 students. Your support of this worthwhile tradition is extremely important. There are several ways you can help:

• Donate goods or services to be used as prizes or put into baskets for the seniors.

• Make a tax-deductible cash or check donation (checks must be made out to “Camas County Education Foundation” with memo for “Project Graduation 2022”), any monies left over will be donated to the Education Foundation Scholarship Fund.

• Volunteer to donate food for the evening.

If you have any questions, you can call or email,

Christine Ashmead ~ 208-539-1256 christineashmead@rtci.net

Jessica Weber~ 208-329-9492 jmwrdh@me.com

Erica Brixey ~ 208-420-6127 ericabrixey@gmail.com

Thank you for your time and thoughful consideration of this request.

Camas Quips Gathered by Tee Hurd

The more a towel dries, the wetter it gets. -- -- --

How does the sun listen to its favorite music? On the ray-dio. -- -- --

What kind of bow can't be tied or untied? A rainbow. -- -- --

What gets up when the rain comes down? An umbrella. -- -- --

What do you call it when it rains turkeys and chickens? Fowl weather. -- -- --

What can you find in the middle of April and March but not in the beginning or the end? The letter "R". -- -- --

My husband and I had a disagreement about whoes turn it was to do the laundry. In the end, he threw in the towel.

What do you call a deer who enjoys playing in the rain? A Reindeer. -- -- --

What do you call a well dressed lion? A Dandy lion. -- -- --

When do monkeys fall from the sky? During Ape-ril showers. -- -- --

Why did the farmer bury all his money? To make the soil rich. -- -- --

Where do cows go for spring break? Moo-Jersey. -- -- --

What is an egg's favorite spring break destination? New Yoke City. -- -- --

Did you hear about the messy bed? Probably not, I just made it up. -- -- --

What month of the year is the shortest? May, it only has 3 letters

death & service notices

Joyce Snapp, 87, a resident of Hagerman, passed away on Saturday, May 1, 2023 at the North Canyon Medical Center in Gooding. Funeral arrangements are pending under the care and direction of Demaray Funeral Service - Gooding Chapel.

John Jay Buckmaster, 79, a resident of Hagerman, passed away on Monday, April 24, 2023 at Ashley Manor in Twin Falls. Cremation arrangements are under the care and direction of Demaray Funeral Service - Gooding Chapel. Condolences, memories and photos can be shared with the family by following the obituary link at www.demarayfuneralservice.com.

This Week’s Sudoku Puzzle Answers

Puzzle #1 - Easy Puzzle #2 - Hard