Enterprise The Idaho
Oneida County's News Since 1879
Malad City, Idaho
December 30, 2021 |Vol. 141 No. 30
Winter Resolves to Bring in the New Year necessarily a break from the weather either, as they tend to correspond with lower average temperatures and, often, winds. For next week, Sunday and Monday are predicted to have overnight lows into the low single digits. The National Weather Service predicts that the storms that are currently making their ways through the northwest will continue to add to the snowfall totals and persistent cold temperatures. On a positive note, the snowpack which has already settled into the surrounding mountains has exceeded expectations, meaning that it is on track to help bolster next year’s water levels
$1.00
Chart a New Course for 2022
Snow blankets the roads in and out of town after the first major snowfall of the season
While the first snowfalls hit the valley weeks ago, the real winter weather we all knew was coming seems to have settled in for the duration. Over the last week, snowfall in Oneida county has accumulated to the depths Idaho residents have come to expect during the December, January and February months. Snowplows have been active almost every day since the first storm, and temperatures have dropped significantly. While there are some sunny days in the forecast for the next few weeks, most of the national weather services predict at least a strong chance of snow for most of them. The sunny days themselves are not
and potentially work toward easing drought conditions throughout the west. The city and county are prepared to deal with the inevitable winter conditions, but drivers are reminded, as always, to use caution when making their way through snowy roads as the season continues. Give the right of way to snow removal vehicles, and maintain safe speeds for the conditions. Drivers are advised by the NTSB to plan ahead for travel, and allow extra time for commutes. Keep extra warm clothes, blankets, water, and a charged phone in your car in case of emergencies.
We like to imagine that humans are eternally optimistic, and New Years Day is one of our most obvious reflections of that positivity. While it’s true in some sense that January 1st is really just a day’s difference from December 31st, the symbolic importance of turning a new page, starting a new chapter, or refreshing the browser is deep and significant. New Year celebrations of one sort or another are built into the human psyche. The earliest calendars we have records of were primarily based on agricultural seasons, and corresponded with the planting, growing, harvesting, and fallow seasons. The Babylonian calendar of 4,000 or so years ago marked its new year at the first full moon of the vernal equinox, when the amount of lightness and darkness were most equal and the barley harvests were culled. The resulting celebration of a return to life and abundance were marked with festivals
and feasts. In ancient Egypt, the beginning of the new year coincided with the first flooding of the Nile, which enriched and watered the agricultural banks of the river. In China, the new year coincided with the first new moon after the winter solstice. As calendars became more sophisticated, the lunar cycle became more well-observed, and the now familiar 12 month year became a largely widespread global standard with the Julian calendar during the reign of Julius Caesar. The problem of the slightly variable celestial year was accounted for centuries later with the Gregorian calendar (developed under Pope Gregory XIII in 1582), which is still in use in most western countries. For most people, those facts are mostly trivia. The real effects of a new year are mostly CHART A NEW COURSE FOR 2022 On Page 11
First Baby of the Year PAST FIRST BABIES 2020 – Haylee Grace Purdum – Jan. 21 2019 – Avery Boyd Eliason – Jan. 8 2018 – Claire Adeline Hornecker – Jan. 1 2017 – Kinzley Lorraine Hamilton, Jan. 4 2016 – Harper Ann Maughan, Jan. 12 2015 – Freya Nichole Bello, Jan. 5 2014 – Timber Raymond Hubbard, Jan. 31 2013 – Megan Jann Moss, Jan. 16 2012 – Burklee Edwards, Jan. 10 2011 – Dane Verlin Williams, Jan. 11 2010 – Ashton Lee Purdum, Jan. 6 2009 – Jentz Lynn Peacock, Jan. 7 2008 - Kameron Dean Hunt, Jan. 4 2007 - Ryan Scott Jensen, Jan. 13 2006 - Riley Kope Taylor, Jan. 5 2005 - Dakota Guy Williams, Jan. 17 2004 - Bridger Ron Myers, April 11
As the new year approaches, the county awaits news of its first baby born during 2022! Last year’s baby made a calendar-savvy appearance on his first day of eligibility. Josiah Samuel Helmandollar entered the world at 4:16pm January 1st 2021 at 5 pound 11 ounces, despite his due date of January 7th. Josiah surprised his mom, Loretta Asay Helmandollar, and his dad, Jeff Helmandollar, who thought they had everything under control for the new year. Plans had been
made for a January 7 induced labor because Jeff is a truck driver and wanted to be home for the birth. As it worked out, he was home, and even though he had to go unload that night, he was home again for the weekend. He was able to bring mom and the new baby home from the Bear River Valley Hospital in Tremonton on Saturday, January 2. Josiah’s grandparents are Mike and Cathy Asay of Malad and Shelly Helmandollar and the late Morris Helmandollar of Malad.
For his first year update, his mom reports that “he thinks he’s a goofball. He is always happy and smiling. He loves playing with his older sister and brother. He loves giving hugs and snuggles to anyone that wants one. He is about to walk, any day now. He loves his dog Rona. He is ticklish everywhere. He also loves his daddy and loves
Josiah Samuel Helmandollar nears his first birthday! FIRST BABY OF THE YEAR On Page 12
Candlelight Service Rings in Christmas
The host of angels, Mary, Joseph, Wise men, shepherds and narrator present the story of the birth
Emily Christiansen, Pennie Wolfe, and Carrie Ann Jensen
Brian and Anita Jeppsen; Jade, Mordecai, Breanna, Karmyn and Liberty Charles
Malad’s Little Church on the Hill – the First Presbyterian Church – held its annual Candlelight Service on Christmas Eve with a capacity crowd in attendance. The service was a gathering of many from around the community who earn for the candelight of the Christ-
ment were read by Carol Tschida, Tim Bethers, and Brian Jeppsen. Christmas music interspersed the readings. Besides congregational hymns, special musical numbers were provided by the Brian and Anita Jeppsen family, including their daughter and grandchildren, who
As the service progressed, actors portraying Joseph and Mary, shepherds, angels, and the Magi took their places around the manger at the front of the chapel. The angel choir sang “Away in a Manger.” The Service of Lights was the sharing of the
mas Eve musical tradition. Toni Werk led the service, beginning with the lighting of the candles around the Advent wreath and the singing of “The Candle Song.” Scriptures about the Savior’s birth from Luke, Matthew, and John in the New Testa-
sang “Mary, Did You Know;” Emily Christiansen, Carrie Jensen, and Pennie Wolfe, who sang a medley of Christmas songs; and Christine Smith Snow, who sang “He Is the Gift.” Jean Thomas, pianist, and Darla Thurber, chorister, led the congregational singing.
Christ Candle’s flame from the Advent candles with the entire congregation. Every person held a small candle that was lit from the main candle. After the lights were dimmed, the congregation sang “Silent Night” to conclude the service.