FUN in WHITE BIRD, IDAHO

Costume events this past weekend were lots of fun at two different events in White Bird. Friday night - Oct 30 - at Canyon House during the wine tasting and sing-along by the bonfire, the best Witch prize went to Charlie ‘Chas’ Becktoll from Kooskia, and the best Non-Witch went to local Christy Brown, as Molly Mobster. Winner of the Gift Basket Raffle went to Dale Brege, from Grangeville, and it was nice to see he and Mimi at the event. As the past school teacher at the White Bird Elementary School before it closed, MImi misses her students and their families, so it was a treat for to be in town, and now they’ll be back to pick up their basket, which contains miscellaneous gifts and a gift certificate for one night in the lodging suite at Canyon House.

The other big costume party, on Halloween evening at the Silver Dollar Bar, featured plenty of very creative costumes. Winning first place was Larry, who owns the stables. He was ‘Bait’, outfitted to look like roe, with a big hook and line, attached to his girlfriend, who was dressed like a fish. Then, Rich Beckstead, as Barack Obama, placed 2^nd, and 3^rd place was a tie between Steve Kernutt as a doctor, and Polly Mozingo.

In case you're wondering about fishing...yep...those steelhead are still coming, with counts over Lower Granite Dam higher than normal. One guest said it was the best season so far in 15 years. Good fishing!

Just around the corner, on Sunday November 15, is the Annual Rebekkah’s Turkey Dinner, starting at noon at the IOOF in downtown White Bird. In addition to a fabulous home-cooked meal, the ladies have put together a great fundraiser by raffling off 3 quilts, sewn & created by local quilters, Kelly Rosenbaum, Laurie Bonwell and Sandy Lambert. Tickets are available from any Rebekkah member, and at the Turkey Dinner, after which the winning names will be drawn.

Cribbage games begins this Saturday the 7^th in the afternoon at the Silver Dollar Bar in downtown White Bird. Call 839.2293 for more information.

SALMON RIVER APRICOTS and PEACHES

Summer on the Salmon River means more than vacationing and rafting....it means summer fruit! I picked a basket of wild Apricots which yielded a dozen jars of jam and 6 loaves of Apricot bread, which are headed for freezer to enjoy in the months ahead.

When you stay at Swiftwater RV Park, be sure to visit the Killgore Orchards to buy peaches, corn, tomatoes and other summer harvest fruits and vegetables. Killgore's is across the silver bridge and to the right about 1/4 mile. Jim Killgore, a young man in his early '90's, is assisted by several of sons. I"ll see if I can snag a picture of the group to post here.

In town, Smiley is famous for his canned pickles, and awesome tomatoes. If we can get more hot days of sunshine, his crop will be available soon.

Another newcomer to the produce scene is Eric over at Hoots Cafe. He's been growing lots of corn, and boy is it sweet!

Stay, play, and enjoy the summer harvest!