LISTABLE 4 MILESTONES THAT SHAPED IDAHO FALLS | PAGE 46
SPORTS IF CHUKARS | PAGE 50
CELEBRATE LIFE PAGE 55
IN THE KITCHEN PAGE 56
KIDS CORNER PAGE 58
IT’S A WRAP! | MUMMIES OF THE WORLD ARRIVES AT MUSEUM OF IDAHO PAGE 52 SPONSORED JOHNSON BROTHERS PAGE 26 FACE OF THE FALLS STEVE SLOAN PAGE 38
PAGE 40
events
MAY EVENTS
7
LITTLE LEARNERS
Parents and kids ages 2-5, explore a new topic each month through crafts, games, songs and snacks.
TIME: 10 a.m. or 1 p.m.
LOCATION: Museum of Idaho CONTACT: 208-522-1400 | www. museumofidaho.org
9-10
ALICE IN WONDERLAND
Follow the white rabbit down the rabbit hole and enter a whimsical world of magic, mystery and breathtaking dance as Idaho Falls School of Ballet presents Alice in Wonderland. Tickets can be purchased at idahofallsarts.org.
TIME: 7 p.m.
LOCATION: Colonial Theatre
CONTACT: 208-522-0471 | www. idahofallsarts.org
10
10TH ANNUAL RHS HUSTLE FOR MENTAL HEALTH
Rehabilitative Health Services is hosting its 10th Annual Hustle for Mental Health at Snake River Landing. All proceeds benefit the People in Need Coalition (PINC), a nonprofit organization in Idaho Falls that provides meal services for those in need. (Read more about the PINC on page 55). This is a family-friendly 5K fun run for all ages and skill levels.
TIME: 8 a.m.
LOCATION: Snake River Landing CONTACT: www.register.chronotrack. com/r/85071
21
BRAD PAISLEY “TRUCK STILL WORKS”
Brad Paisley kicks off his “Truck Still Works” World Tour in Idaho Falls at the Mountain America Center on May 21. Tickets on sale now at Ticketmaster.com or during open hours at the Bingham Healthcare Box Office.
TIME: 7:30 p.m.
LOCATION: Mountain America Center CONTACT: 986-497-0509 | www. mountainamericacenter.com
around town
The Idaho Falls Annual Field of Honor Memorial will be held at Freeman Park for its 13th year over Memorial weekend. Each year, volunteers gather to display 1,000 U.S. flags to honor those serving military, veterans, first responders, child abuse prevention, fallen servicemen and women, and those who have become heroes.
This event is hosted by the Idaho Falls Exchange Club and has become a local tradition. President of the Exchange Club, Jr Reseigh, emphasizes its importance. “When you think of the soldiers, for example, who paid the ultimate price and what they’ve given to the country, it’s critical that we pay tribute to that,” he said. “We’re honoring those that gave all.”
The Idaho Falls display is a gift to the community made possible through donations, sponsorships and the efforts of many dedicated volunteers. You can show your support and gratitude by sponsoring a flag or making a donation.
IDAHO FALLS HONORS HEROES AT 13TH ANNUAL FIELD OF HONOR
TWO MEN AND A TRUCK IDAHO FALLS STARTS FUNDRAISER, MOVERS FOR MOMS
While Mother’s Day is typically a joyous day for women across the country, that may not be the case for every mom. This holiday may be overlooked due to finances, personal struggles, or living situations where they’re relying on the support of shelters or other organizations due to homelessness or domestic abuse.
To ensure moms in need receive the love and appreciation they deserve this Mother’s Day, Two Men and a Truck Idaho Falls is hosting its annual Movers for Moms campaign to provide essential care items to women receiving assistance at the Bingham Crisis Center and, for the first year, Idaho Falls Rescue Mission. Both shelters provide support services and housing to individuals and families impacted by homelessness, domestic violence, and/or sexual assault. The collection campaign ran through May 5.
“We’re just so excited that we get to, as an organization, give back to the Idaho Falls and Blackfoot community. The team hopes to exceed last year’s donations and collect 2,000 items for each shelter,” said Lucas Keefe, Two Men and a Truck Idaho Falls General Manager.
For drop-off locations and additional information on Movers for Moms, visit www.twomenandatruck.com.
IDAHO FALLS COMMUNITY HOSPITAL RECOGNIZED AS ONE OF THE NATION’S TOP PATIENTRECOMMENDED HOSPITALS
Idaho Falls Community Hospital is being recognized as a statewide leader in emergency pediatric care. The hospital’s emergency department recently achieved an Expert Level of Pediatric Readiness by the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare’s program for Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC). This distinction is held by only two hospitals across the state.
This top-tier recognition, awarded by the EMSC Advisory Committee on April 10, 2025, acknowledges the emergency department’s ability to expertly stabilize and treat pediatric patients. This recognition is a powerful vote of confidence from the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare and demonstrates Idaho Falls Community Hospital’s preparedness to care for children in emergencies. The Expert Level of Pediatric Readiness status is valid for three years.
“Receiving this recognition validates the exceptional work our team puts in every day to provide the highest level of care to our youngest patients,” said Casey Jackman, Chief Operating Officer of Idaho Falls Community Hospital. “Our hospital opened our doors to the community less than six years ago. To achieve this honor in such a short time shows how dedicated we are to meeting the growing needs of our community.”
Do you have a story burning to be shared with the world? Now is your chance! Our editor is currently searching for stories that fit within the following categories:
Maudie Heard at maudie@idahofallsmagazine.com with your stories and ideas.
around town
The Art Museum of Eastern Idaho (TAM) is proud to announce the opening of its newest exhibition, Gathering: Unity, Dissonance, and the Spaces Between, on display beginning May 1.
Developed in collaboration with Fonda Portales, University Art Curator and Collections Manager at Boise State University, the exhibition draws from the Boise State University permanent collection and explores the powerful theme of gathering—from moments of shared unity to instances of disconnection and solitude.
Through thought-provoking works spanning a range of media and perspectives, Gathering examines how people, ideas, and natural forces come together—or remain apart. The collection reflects on belonging, isolation, and the invisible spaces that shape human relationships and our place in the natural world.
THE ART MUSEUM OF EASTERN IDAHO PRESENTS NEW EXHIBIT: GATHERING: UNITY, DISSONANCE, AND THE SPACES BETWEEN
More than a traditional gallery viewing, this exhibit features interactive tours designed to spark conversation and connection, inviting visitors to engage with the artwork and each other. “This exhibit is about more than just what’s on the walls,” says TAM Executive Director Alexa Stanger. “It’s about inviting our community to gather, and to reflect on how we connect and why that matters.”
DID YOU FIND ME?
Were you one of the first 10 to email once you found the water tower? For the April 2025 edition: The water tower was hiding on page 55.
Shawna Jarvis
Leslie Shipp
Matthew K
Robert Jewart
Chris Haider
Maria Villegas
Loni Henderson
Natasha Steffler
Debbie Hensheid
Kara Sheets
LET’S DO IT AGAIN! Once you find the water tower, email its location, your name and contact to maudie@idahofallsmagazine.com.
Home & Garden
Interior designer Shelby Westergard defines spaces in and around Idaho Falls
During her high school years, her passion for interior design grew. Rather than spending her Friday nights out, she instead dragged her friends to the Parade of Homes and other events alike. Her passion for interior design was apparent and only grew when her father asked her for help with design ideas for some properties he owned.
After high school, she worked as a full-time nail technician, where she met her first unofficial design client. “I had a client that was building a home, and when she was getting her nails done, she would tell me things that she was struggling with or wasn’t sure what to do,” Shelby said. “I gave her little ideas and said, ‘I think you should do this,’ or ‘I think this would be a good idea.’”
Then one day, she invited Shelby to come and take a look at her home. She helped her design the home, and there her interior design career began. “I helped her, and then it just kind of spread from there through word of mouth,” she said. “People started asking my opinion on things, and I started to get busy with it.”
From there, she was taking on and charging clients for her services. As a self-taught designer, she contacted the college to see what she could do to become official.
“They told me that they can’t teach a person how to do interior design,” she said. “They can teach you how to do graphic design and those types of things, but the eye for design is something that you naturally have.”
Shelby went on to apprentice for a design store for some time, then decided to work independently.
In 2008, she founded her own interior design business and, for many years, worked out of the garage of her home. “I’ve been doing this for over 20 years, and I’ve always used my garage to house the furniture that I order for my clients,” she said. “Recently I decided that it was time for me to have more of my own space for it.”
This year marks a new chapter as she opens a storefront for Defining Spaces in the midst of downtown. Now with an official location for the business, Shelby says she’s able to provide more services and take on more clients.
“We offer full interior design services, but we can help people with as little as just one room,” she said. “If they’re wanting some help refreshing a room in their home, such as a master bedroom, a family room, or a kitchen remodel. Whether it’s just one room or a complete home, we do it all, new build or remodel.”
From minimalist to modern designs to everything in between, Shelby has an impressive portfolio.
“I love to do this for people and to create a space that they love, that they’re proud of, and that they feel comfortable in.”
Home & Garden GARDENS SUNN
In 1987, a business was rooted in the community that cultivated not only plants but a community of gardeners, too. This garden center has been rooted in the community for 38 years, and the family-owned oasis of greenery and seasonal joy continues to grow.
Sunnyside Gardens is a local garden center, greenhouse, and nursery that inspires the community to ‘Live in color.’ The garden center was founded by Kevin McCracken and later purchased in 2019 by his son and current owner, Aaron McCracken.
Aaron recollects his dad combining his love for business and horticulture at its original location for 32 years and imprinting a similar passion onto him along the way.
“When he was in the process of starting his own business, we planted a bunch of little spruce seedlings in our backyard in preparation for the new nursery,” Aaron said. “That’s one of my earliest memories of planting something.”
In 1987, Kevin was working at a local Ace Hardware store when the owners decided to leave the garden side of the business and sold it to him. In 1999, Aaron began working alongside him where he worked at the center on and off for 20 years. When his dad retired, he decided to continue growing the business.
“I learned a lot from him, and we learned a lot together too as we’ve grown,” Aaron said. “The previous generation teaches you a lot, but you’re always learning as you go.”
Aaron grew up watching his parents and grandparents in the garden, so it only makes sense that gardening is his innate nature.
“Seeing something created out of nothing or out of a little seed, that’s what I really enjoy about it,” Aaron said. “I like growing things. Growing people, growing a business, and growing plants. It all kind of goes hand in hand.”
“We love being a part of beautifying the community.”
When Aaron became owner of the business, one of his first ideas was to expand the center at a new location. “It was nice to start fresh and design it just the way we wanted it,” he said. “Our goal was to create a space where people felt happy when they were here.” The new facility fostered new growth among plants, employees, and customers.
What makes this space stand out is that they grow all of their own annuals and vegetables, so whatever a customer needs, they have on hand. Next to the main store is a large greenhouse and eight production greenhouses in the back where a wide variety of plants are planted at the beginning of each year.
The full-service garden center is set up to help customers be more successful in their
gardening journey, and the business takes delight in being a part of the community. Aside from a wide range of plants, flowers, trees, seeds, and fertilizers, educational events and classes are offered here.
“We love contributing to the place where we live,” Aaron said. “We love sponsoring community events and donating to good causes. I love driving around and seeing our plants in people’s yards and just the joy it brings to people.”
Whether you’re a beginner or master gardener, Sunnyside Gardens has the tools you need to succeed through each season.
“We love being a part of beautifying the community,” Aaron said.
Sunnyside Gardens owner Aaron McCracken combines a love for business and horticulture at this garden center.
MODERN
Home business spotlight
by karcin harris
Family businesses are integral to any city, and it’s always good for the community to support them.
Modern Home, a furniture store in Ammon, was started by the Sparks family in Arizona before moving to Idaho in 2017.
Store Manager Jaxon Sparks said the business has been through four generations of his family.
“My great grandpa started the store in Arizona, and his sons bought him out, and my dad bought them out,” he said. “My father brings over 30 years of experience to the business, and my mom just really has a really good eye for it.”
Jaxon said what makes the furniture retailer unique is, as the name implies, the modernity of the products.
“We tend to deliver products that are
current and up to date,” he said. “Not necessarily modern furniture, but with the times, current, good-looking furniture.”
The Sparks family spends time attending furniture markets to keep up with the trends. Jaxon said one of the reasons the family moved to the Idaho Falls area was because they saw a need for more updated furniture in the market.
“It just seemed like there was a lot of very traditional furniture here, and a lot of people that were tired of more traditional furniture and wanting something newer,” he said.
Jaxon said Modern Home also believes in giving customers the very best prices.
“We really focus on price and value and we do our very very best to make it a focus to be honest in the pricing and deliver good products at a fair price,” he said “There’s kind of a game in furniture where they’ll mark it up 100% and then tell you you’re getting 50% off, and we don’t love that game. We love to just give our best price upfront.”
Modern Home also strives to keep products in stock so customers can get furniture without having to wait a long time.
They also provide customization options.
“There’s lots and lots of options to customize,” Jaxon said. “We have some brands that give you 250 fabric options to choose from and you can style it however you need.”
As far as when there’s a better time to buy, Modern Home tries to make it the same for every customer and keep prices fair.
Jaxon said the fall is the biggest month for furniture stores.
“November is without a doubt, year after year, our biggest month,” he said. “Summer months are generally pretty slow. I would be the same way if I could go out and vacation and enjoy the outside while it’s beautiful. When it’s cold and snowy outside, people spend a lot more time inside in their homes and realise they need a new couch.”
Be sure to check out Modern Home’s Memorial Day Sale this month!
For more information, head to modernhomeidaho.com.
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idaHOME OF ARTHome and THE
Garden
story by maudie heard photos by altair productions, llc
There are handfuls of unique homes in the community, but this mid-century home is truly one of a kind. It reflects a harmonious relationship between indoors and outdoors with its profound garden, unique atrium and artistic details sprinkled throughout the property.
Stepping into this home is synonymous with stepping inside an artist’s mind. The former residents are local artists who were heavily involved in the arts community and big contributors to the Idaho Falls Symphony and the Idaho Falls Arts Council. Over the years, this home was a hot spot for the local art community.
“Our community and our art scene were really enhanced by some of the fundraising that took place in this house,” realtor and longtime friend of the former owners, Abigail Martin, said.
The home was built in 1969 and renovated in 2001, and as the owners sell the home, it marks the end of an era. The art of home and garden that’s reflected both inside and out of this home is impossible to deny.
When the owners purchased the home in the ’90s, they purchased the two lots in the back to expand the yard, and turned it into an oasis.
The Habitat, as the owners called it, became a garden sanctuary filled with outdoor seating surrounded by trees, flower beds and art sculptures. “They love birds and wildlife and they viewed the additional green space as a sanctuary not only for themselves, family and friends, but for the wildlife,” said Abigail.
While the outdoor oasis is a treasure, the true crown jewel of the home is the atrium with its 360-degree views of the main living area. “It’s such a unique design, and that’s what’s really cool about this house,” said Abigail. The three sets of French doors leading into the atrium, natural sunlight and flowing water in a pond create a tranquil space inside the home.
Inside of the home is a similar sanctuary that reflects an artist’s life. It is filled with wood-beamed ceilings, three fireplaces, a renovated kitchen, a master suite, three bedrooms, a large basement and a home library. While the property intertwines indoor and outdoor living, the inside intertwines a love for arts and literature.
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TAMALES INC. OFFERS COMPELLING NEW FLAVORS
by rebecca blackson
Almost anyone can follow a recipe and recreate a well-loved food with moderate success. But not everyone can amalgamize flavors and ingredients in never-tasted-before ways to create, from scratch, new takes on traditional foods. And that’s just the kind of food chemistry Ricco Lanauze has been mixing up at Tamales Inc., his restaurant on Park Avenue in downtown Idaho Falls.
Specializing in the well-loved, yet humble tamale, Ricco is serving up new takes on the slow-cooked concoction steamed in corn husks. “It’s tamales with a twist,” he explains. “Come in with an open mind and try it before judging. Most people have something in mind when they think of tamales. This is different.”
Smothered in salsa, guacamole, or cheese dip, the tamales are served alongside rice and beans in rich and tasty, flavorful dishes. And if you’re not sure which sauce to try, just say, “Flag it,” a term that customers themselves came up with to request all three sauces—green salsa, white cheese sauce, and red salsa—the colors of the Mexican flag.
Try walking tamales served with spicy Takis, or Tama-zole, a combination of Mexican hominy soup around a fresh tamale. The hearty dish will have you rethinking your definition of Mexican food.
“Most people don’t realize Mexico is a big country with 31 states,” Ricco explains. “People think it’s one set of flavors, but the spices and tastes all depend on the region they come from.”
Born and raised on the East Coast, Ricco still spent a decade living in his mother’s home state of Sinaloa, Mexico, and says the flavors of Tamales Inc. match most closely with Mexico’s northern region. A self-proclaimed chef, Ricco concocts all of his own recipes and creates his own menu, something he’s done with each of his restaurant endeavors over the past three decades.
From owning various restaurants, bars, and lounges, Ricco’s most recent eatery came after he had to close Fiesta Cancun on First Street during COVID. But his customers still clamored for his fresh tamales, a timeintensive dish that not everyone has the patience to make.
“I thought I was finished with the restaurant business, but people said, ‘Can you at least make us tamales?’ So I started making them at home and selling them by the dozens. That’s how Tamales Inc. got started. But once I had more than 2,000 followers on Facebook, I realized it was time to open another restaurant.”
The downtown restaurant has a vibe as mixed as the menu—stark black and white logos with grey walls are juxtaposed against vibrantly colorful Día de los Muertos murals of Catrinas, the famous ladies symbolizing Day of the Dead with their elegant dresses and sugar skull makeup. This contributes to the fun and friendly vibe, as well as great food and a first-rate staff.
“We have an amazing team. My employees treat the place like it’s their own. They’re happy to be here and love coming to work,” Ricco said. And though customers keep asking for a menu expansion to popular dishes like fajitas, Ricco says he’s keeping the menu tamalecentered.
After recently applying for a beer/wine license, he is excited to add mixed drinks—with a twist, of course. “We already have frozen horchata, which is just like a smoothie and something people have never had before. Soon we’ll have frozen mojitos, frozen sangria, and frozen wine spritzers and mimosas—all with 20 different flavors so you can always try something new,” he said.
It’s a party for your tastebuds at Tamales, Inc. “Despite all the hard work, what keeps me going is when people are so happy with my food and my recipes. It’s so humbling when people say it’s the best food ever,” Ricco said. For the man who began his culinary career washing dishes to become a restaurateur designing his own menus, it’s quite the plot twist. And he’s been fond of mixing things up ever since.
There are some people with personalities so flamboyant that you never forget them. Their confidence, stylishness and outgoing nature make them one-of-a-kind and unforgettable.
One such person is Steve Sloan.
Steve is a popular face and personality in the community where he has lived and worked in the customer service industry for over 40 years.
Anyone who has met Steve knows him as a social butterfly, but he wasn’t always that way. In fact, when he first started working for the Shiloh back in the ’80s, he described himself as quiet and super shy. “I bussed and did room service there, and they would have me go out to light the candles and talk to customers to try and get me to come out of my shell, and not be so quiet and timid,” Steve said.
It’s hard to imagine a quiet and timid Steve, but with 40 years in the industry, he says it will take anybody out of their shell. “Now I don’t shut up,” he laughs.
Steve grew up in California but moved to Idaho Falls
Steve face of the falls
while in junior high and moved to Salt Lake City for 20 years before moving back, but the one thing he has never drifted from is the customer service industry. At least, not for long.
When the Shiloh closed in the early ’90s and became a restaurant called O’Callaghan’s, Steve was transferred to Salt Lake City to work there. When the restaurant closed, he worked at two other local restaurants and at one point, he decided to work at an insurance company.
“I worked for an insurance company for a short period of time and it was awful,” he said. “I’m not a desk person. I’m not a sit-down and work-at-acomputer-type person at all. I need to be up and moving.”
by maudie heard
BUT FIRST, Coffee
by maudie heard
Juice Jungle introduced authentic smoothies to the menu, a concept other companies hadn’t adapted in the coffee business. The smoothies are made with real ingredients, including 100% real fruit juices, IQF frozen fruits, yogurt and sherbert ice cream, and catered to non-coffee drinkers. “I knew that I had to create something cool, fresh and good so that people would come to us for non-coffee products,” Shane said. The name, “Juice Jungle” was eventually phased out and these amazing smoothie drinks are now being served under the Java Espress trademark name.
The expansion of locations, products on the menu and flavors are only some of the things that have contributed to Java’s success. What has made Java so successful over the years is a staff that takes pride in crafting beverages, who genuinely care for their customers and serving superior quality products.
Two of whom have been working for Java for 31 plus years. Marcie Good and Chrissy Kinney are two longtime employees who’ve found a second home at Java.
Marcie Good began working at Java just one year after the first location opened, when she was 18 years old, and has been with the company since. 25 years later, she says what has kept it there all these years is the combination of the customers and staff.
“The coffee world just kind of brings a sparkle to my life,” she said. “I feel like it’s a good way to give back to the community, even if it’s just a little smile. It’s not just a cup of coffee, but it’s the smile and the experience that goes along with it.”
Marcie was a barista for three years, then grew into management at the Westside location, otherwise known as the Broadway location. Over the years, she has collected sentimental memories, but her favorite is when she had her son.
GOOD Marcie
friendliest of IF
Glow Up
You show up to one—or let’s be honest, ten— ZOOM meetings looking a little rough, and suddenly you’re attracting all kinds of attention. Not necessarily the good kind. Clients start texting things like, “Umm I will literally pay for you to have your hair done because this ain’t it.” Or, in my case:
“Hey Katie, I have an appreciation gift for you. It’s with Glow Hair Co. downtown. You can get a blowout, a cut, a style...whatever you need.”
Translation: “Please stop scaring the camera.”
And this, dear readers, brought sweet Morgan Sanders into my life, who might be the cutest thing ever created. Before we even met in person, she sent me a text that said, “Send me your inspo!”
This took a few seconds to process (old people unite) but after a quick internet search, I discovered “inspo” is short for “inspiration.” It’s a Gen Z word used in trendy, confident sentences by people who don’t need caffeine to survive.
I was ready. I texted back: “Oh my gosh, this is easy. Google Kim Kardashian.”
Morgan: I thought you had brown curly hair. Katie: Oh, I absolutely do.
Awkward silence. Then it occurred to me that she doesn’t need to meet me to assume that I’m not 5 ‘0, 100 pounds and/or ½ Armenian. She was definitely looking for a realistic idea that would be attainable for a 40-year-old divorcee clinging to her final shreds of dignity.
by katie burke | photos courtesy of glow hair
So I did what any adult woman in crisis does: I consulted my teenage daughter.
Me: “Cambri, she wants inspo. What do I send?”
Cambri: “Just send her your Pinterest board.”
Me: “I literally overcooked and then still served Ramen noodles for dinner last night. You think I have a Pinterest board?”
Cambri: “Just shave your head and start over.”
Isn’t always being surrounded by Gen Zers just the next level of heaven?
But since I didn’t have any “realistic” inspo, I just arrived at my appointment with just my messy hair. When I walked in the door, I thought I had left downtown Idaho Falls. The salon is so beautiful and classy that it felt like a much bigger city experience. The hair dryers were like little robots, a far cry from the plastic helmets of yester year. When she went to wash out my hair, there was a LITERAL SHELF for me to put my head on! And the custom foot ottomans for the washing station looked so nice, I had to ask if I could put my shoes on them. It was the nicest salon I’d ever been into and it’s right here in Idaho Falls.
This is not the Ashton, Idaho hair experience I grew up with. Back then, your cousin’s grandma’s neighbor took a two-hour class so she could do perms in her laundry room. You got sprayed in the face with what may have been hose water coming from a utility sink while being told to “sit still or you’ll go blind from chemicals.” Man, the 80s were a wild time.
Glow Hair Co. is, to put it mildly, ONE BILLION times better.
co.
4MILESTONES THAT SHAPED IDAHO FALLS
story by maudie heard | photos courtesy of museum of idaho
There are countless historical moments that shaped Idaho Falls into the city it is today, but there are some so rich in history that the story is worth telling again. Here are 5 milestones that largely shaped Idaho Falls.
1. TAYLOR’S BRIDGE IS BUILT ACROSS THE SNAKE RIVER
In 1865, an early settler built a bridge across the Snake River that became a hub for local trade and settlement. During the 1860s, before the name “Eagle Rock” was adopted, Idaho Falls was called Taylor’s Bridge, named after this settler. James Madison Taylor, otherwise known as Matt Taylor, built the wooden toll bridge to replace the Eagle Rock Ferry, where thousands of gold hunters headed for mines that are now in Montana. In 1872, the little settlement was named “Eagle Rock,” establishing a beginning of mass growth. Taylor’s Bridge is the site at which Idaho Falls grew around and still stands as a historic landmark today.
3. EAGLE ROCK IS RENAMED IDAHO FALLS
Before Idaho Falls was a bustling city, it was a small settlement called Eagle Rock. From 1866 to 1890, the settlement was named after an island in the Snake River where bald eagles nested. In 1891, the community filed a petition for the settlement to adopt a new name, and after a vote, the settlement officially became Idaho Falls on August 26 of the same year. The name change came after the railroad shops moved, and many believed the new name would revive the struggling town.
2. RAILROAD SYSTEM COMES TO EAGLE ROCK (AND GOES)
In 1879, the railroad reached Eagle Rock. The Utah and Northern Railroad built a railroad to span across the Snake River, turning Eagle Rock into a railroad boomtown. New businesses were built, and new arrivals settled in the area. Until 1887. In 1887, the Utah and Northern Railroad decided to relocate the railroad to Pocatello. The population of Eagle Rock quickly declined as settlers moved to Pocatello, and many believed the future of Eagle Rock was doomed.
4. IDAHO FALLS BECOMES THE FIRST CITY IN IDAHO WITH AN ELECTRIC POWER PLANT
In 1900, Idaho Falls became the first city in Idaho with an electric power plant. As the city continued to develop, the installation of a generator on an irrigation canal laid the foundation for residents’ access to affordable electricity for years to come. This milestone marked the beginning of Idaho Falls as a municipal utility, and today, Idaho Falls Power still uses the Snake River to generate electricity.
2025 HOME GAME SCHEDULE
JUNE
June 1 at 2 p.m. vs. Billings Mustangs
MAY
May 19 at 7:05 p.m. vs. Idaho Falls Bandits
May 27 at 7:05 p.m. vs. Billings Mustangs
May 28 at 7:05 p.m. vs. Billings Mustangs
May 29 at 7:05 p.m. vs. Billings Mustangs
May 30 at 7:05 p.m. vs. Billings Mustangs
May 31 at 2 p.m. vs. Billings Mustangs
June 10 at 7:05 p.m. vs. Boise Hawks
June 11 at 7:05 p.m. vs. Boise Hawks
June 12 at 7:05 p.m. vs. Boise Hawks
June 17 at 7:05 p.m. vs. Ogden Raptors
June 18 at 7:05 p.m. vs. Ogden Raptors
June 19 at 7:05 p.m. vs. Ogden Raptors
June 20 at 7:05 p.m. vs. Ogden Raptors
June 21 at 7:05 p.m. vs. Ogden Raptors
June 22 at 2 p.m. vs. Ogden Raptors
JULY
July 1 at 7:05 p.m. vs. Ogden Raptors
July 2 at 7:05 p.m. vs. Ogden Raptors
July 3 at 7:05 p.m. vs. Ogden Raptors
July 4 at 4 p.m. vs. Yuba-Sutter High Wheelers
July 5 at 7:05 p.m. vs. Yuba-Sutter High Wheelers
July 6 at 2 p.m. vs. Yuba-Sutter High Wheelers
July 15 at 7:05 p.m. vs. Ogden Raptors
July 16 at 7:05 p.m. vs. Ogden Raptors
July 17 at 7:05 p.m. vs. Ogden Raptors
July 18 at 7:05 p.m. vs. Ogden Raptors
July 19 at 7:05 p.m. vs. Ogden Raptors
July 20 at 2 p.m. vs. Ogden Raptors
July 29 at 7:05 p.m. vs. Glacier Range Riders
July 30 at 7:05 p.m. vs. Glacier Range Riders
July 31 at 7:05 p.m. vs. Glacier Range Riders
AUGUST
August 1 at 7:05 p.m. vs. Boise Hawks
August 2 at 7:05 p.m. vs. Boise Hawks
August 3 at 2 p.m. vs. Boise Hawks
August 12 at 7:05 p.m. vs. Great Falls Voyagers
August 13 at 7:05 p.m. vs. Great Falls Voyagers
August 14 at 7:05 p.m. vs. Great Falls Voyagers
August 15 at 7:05 p.m. vs. Great Falls Voyagers
August 16 at 7:05 p.m. vs. Great Falls Voyagers
August 17 at 2 p.m. vs. Great Falls Voyagers
August 29 at 7:05 p.m. vs. Ogden Raptors
August 30 at 7:05 p.m. vs. Ogden Raptors
August 31 at 2 p.m. vs. Ogden Raptors
SEPTEMBER
September 1 at 2 p.m. vs. Great Falls Voyagers
September 2 at 7:05 p.m. vs. Great Falls Voyagers
September 3 at 7:05 p.m. vs. Great Falls Voyagers
September 4 at 7:05 p.m. vs. Great Falls Voyagers
September 5 at 7:05 p.m. vs. Great Falls Voyagers
September 6 at 7:05 p.m. vs. Great Falls Voyagers
Rett Longmore • Ruth Nordstrom
• Bernadette Regnier • Les Scott
• Marina Zavalova
Reaching Colors Linda Alan
Snort and Bubba Mary Ann Cherry
It’s
Mummies should ring a bell for some longtime MOI patrons. Just 13 years ago, almost to the day, the museum hosted a similar exhibit on ancient relics, although that one was specific to the tomb of the famous boy-king Tutankhamun in Egypt.
If you can’t soak it all in with a single visit, no worries. The exhibition runs through Jan. 4, 2026, so you’ll have plenty of time to give it another look.
Ahead of Mummies of the World, MOI is showcasing Artificial Intelligence, an interactive exploration of AI’s impact on the modern world. That exhibit runs through May 4.
The museum’s permanent Way Out West exhibit also remains a visitor favorite, offering an in-depth journey through 13,000 years of Idaho and Greater Yellowstone history. Guests can step into a recreated Old West town, interact with historical artifacts and even experience the thrill of a mammoth hunt.
In addition to its featured exhibits, MOI hosts a variety of engaging programs for all ages, including hands-on STEM activities for kids, summer camps, and the Museum After Dark series for adults seeking a more immersive, after-hours experience.
ABOUT MOI
The Museum of Idaho is the state’s premier museum for history and science, dedicated to preserving and showcasing Idaho’s rich cultural and ecological heritage. Located in downtown Idaho Falls, MOI features worldclass rotating exhibitions, a children’s discovery room, and a full schedule of educational programs.
HOURS OF OPERATION:
Monday – Saturday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday: 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
ADMISSION PRICES:
Adults (18+): $20
Seniors (65+): $16
Students (13-17): $16
Youth (4-17): $14
Children under 4: Free
Museum members receive free admission, and discounts are available for EBT cardholders and military personnel. For more information, visit the Museum of Idaho’s official website at museumofidaho.org.
FEEDING HOPE THROUGH PINC celebrate life
A NONPROFIT’S MISSION TO SERVE GRAB-AND-GO MEALS TO THOSE IN NEED
by susan stucki
One- in-9 Idahoans experience food insecurity daily. An Idaho Falls nonprofit organization is stepping up to make a difference by providing nourishment and hope to those in need. People in Need Coalition (PINC) has found an innovative way to combat hunger in the community by offering grab-and-go meals to individuals and families facing food insecurity. With a focus on convenience, accessibility and compassion, PINC is changing the landscape of hunger relief in our area.
The organization was born out of a simple yet profound realization: while traditional food banks and soup kitchens are helpful, many individuals and families need a more immediate, flexible solution. PINC was founded in 2019 by volunteers who recognized that vulnerable populations often struggle with accessing food during hours when other services are typically unavailable. PINC’s unique model allowed it to grow in 2020 while other food banks and soup kitchens were closed due to the coronavirus. In 2024, PINC served 63,115 meals.
At the heart of PINC is a simple mission: to provide fresh, healthy meals to those in need without barriers. Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, volunteers prepare 400 - 600 meals, designed to be nutritious, filling, and easy to eat on the go or at home. Meals are prepared based on food donations from local businesses and grocery stores. PINC’s mission to feed anyone in need means that no one gets turned away without a meal.
The success of PINC can be seen in the faces of those it serves. From working parents to the homeless, the nonprofit has become an invaluable resource in the fight against hunger. With increasing prices of food, housing, and utilities, family budgets have been stretched, and the cost of meeting the needs of their children is less attainable.
A single mother recently told us how difficult it was to make ends meet. After coming to PINC for several weeks, she reported that she could pay her monthly obligations and move to an apartment better suited for her family.
One day a man came to our door pushing his personal belongings in a shopping cart. After offering him a hot meal and another for the road, we asked him if there was anything else we could do for him. He responded, “What I really want is a glass of cold milk, do you have one?” When we fulfilledl his request, he got tears in his eyes and thanked us before going on his way.
In addition to providing meals, the organization also raises awareness about other services within our community. We were able to help an older adult get connected with Greater Idaho Falls Transit (GIFT). GIFT is an on-demand door-to-door service that aids individuals in getting around town for a low flat fee. Through GIFT, she has been able to get to her necessary appointments.
As a fully volunteer-run organization, PINC relies on cash and other contributions from individuals and local businesses to meet the increasing community demand. Contributions are used to purchase necessities such as items for meals and paper products.
Meals are served out of the First Christian Church located at 1800 12th St, Idaho Falls, each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday between 11:30 am - 1:00 pm. Volunteers are always welcome. Additional information can be obtained by visiting our website at www.pinc.my-online.store.
As PINC looks to the future, they remain committed to our mission of providing nourishment to those who need it most. For PINC, it’s not just about feeding the hungry—it’s about offering a sense of dignity, hope, and community to everyone served. With each meal, we’re not only filling stomachs—we’re nurturing a brighter, more compassionate future for all. In the end, the organization’s work is a reminder that sometimes, the simplest acts of kindness can make the biggest difference.
SPICY GROUND BEEF TACO STUFFED PEPPERS
kids corner
TEMPER TANTRUM
MEETING THE TERRIBLE TWOS HALFWAY
Temper tantrums. It’s an inevitable milestone no parent looks forward to meeting. Screams, kicking feet, tears, and angry red little faces are a sight no one wants to behold.
The first time it happened with our daughter was in an unfamiliar place where we were both understandably overstimulated. It was on an airplane, a very small, scarily compact space for flailing legs and wild screams. I was caught, like many parents are, completely unprepared to address the behavior for the first time.
Luckily, I remembered several soothing techniques from my days as a substitute teacher, including drinking cold water and distracting with comforting activities. It was still a miserable flight, filled with small screeches of indignation, when one strategy stopped working. However, despite the distressing experience, my toddler and I both lived to tell the tale.
After returning from our trip, I dove into researching more ways to overcome the terrible twos that our trip had proved would soon be upon us. Now, we have a series of techniques we use to handle the unavoidable breakdowns that come as little bodies learn to manage big emotions.
by emmie leigh
TIPS FOR TANTRUMS
Here are some tips to consider the next time your child acts out:
1. Stay Calm. Modeling calm behavior shows children a positive emotion to imitate. For example, yelling back at your child might cause them to yell as well.
2. Identify the cause. Children generally act out because of a need, such as food, water, attention, etc.
3. Acknowledge and validate. Show your child you understand their emotions and help them to understand what they’re feeling.
4. Remove them from the situation if behaviors become violent. Remind your child in terms they can understand that their safety is your priority.
LITTLE BOOKS FOR BIG FEELINGS
Here is a list of books for kids about dealing with big emotions:
• Grumpy Monkey By Suzanne Lang and Max Lang
• Llama Llama Mad at Mama By Anna Dewdney
• The Rabbit Listened By Cori Doerrfeld
• The Color Monster By Anna Llenas
A heartfelt Thank You!
Two of Summit Orthopaedics original founders are retiring from medicine - Dr. Stan Griffiths and Dr. Greg West. We would like to thank them for their dedication and commitment to medicine and their patients. We wish them the best in retirement!
Doctors Rencher, Van Dyke, Johnson, Cooper, and Woodall are all fellowship trained specialists. They will continue to offer the same expert orthopedic care you've come
