Albion Valley News

GFWC FOUR LEAF CLOVER CLUB NON-PROFIT PUBLICATION

Vol. XVIII. No. 2                                            ALBION, IDAHO                                                      MARCH 2007

FOUR LEAF CLOVER CLUB

        The program for the February meeting of the GFWC-Albion Four Leaf Clover Club was under the direction of the Home Life Committee.  Using a handout, Shelley Thompson, a committee member, talked about fifteen  different ways to use hydrogen peroxide around the home.  She included health and cleaning tips.  Every member was given a bottle of peroxide tied with a gift ribbon.

        President Gloria West conducted the meeting.  The Club Collect was led by Loleta Merrill and Mary Lynne Bristol led the Pledge of Allegiance.  The minutes of the January meeting were read by Linda Leach, secretary, and the treasurer’s report was given by Pat Butz.

        West stated that the state president has asked the club to choose the state’s LEADS candidate from the applicants submitted by two other clubs.  Linda reported that Theresa Teeter cleaned and dressed the Santa wig at no charge.  It was agreed to send her thank you note.  Helen Sorensen reported that, when she checked with Raft River Rural Electric, she was told that the City has to call the company about fixing the electricity to the Memorial Garden on Main Street.

        The library committee reminded members that the fundraising dinner for the library would be held Monday, March 5 in the Grange Hall.  Members are to be notified as to what to furnish.  Marcella Mahoney reported that Jon and Ella Fillmore donated a copy of Verlene Powell’s recent book, “History of Albion Pioneers,” to the library.

        Under new business, discussion was held about what the club needs to do in hosting the state convention April 26-28.  West showed placements that will be used to create treat bags for delegates and asked for members to volunteer to sew them up.  She noted that Edie Fitzgerald is checking on hotel prices, Gwen Montgomery is checking on lunch arrangements and two tours, and Marcella is checking on holding the business meeting in the Community Center on Main Street.

        If the center can be used for the business meeting, the Grange Hall will be used for small meetings and the meals

except the lunch on Friday.  The art and poetry entries from students and members will be displayed in the library for attendees to view.  It was suggested that some of the recent club scrapbooks be displayed in one of the halls during the (cont. on pg. 2)

(cont. from pg. 1)

convention.

        In other business, Marcella was authorized to purchase more plastic eggs for the annual Easter Egg Hunt sponsored by the club.  It was suggested that a way to thank ATC Communications and D.L. Evans Bank for their generous assistance to the club would be to plant trees in their memory in the Memorial Garden.

        Gloria brought copies of  “Family Dinner” magazines for club members to take.  Refreshments were served by Gwen.  The program in April will be under the direction of the Public Affairs Committee.

HISTORICAL SOCIETY

        The second annual meeting of the Albion Valley Historical Society was held February 22 in the Community Center with President Don Danner presiding.  A prayer was given by Kay Powell and the group recited the Pledge of Allegiance.  Keith Amende led the group in singing “The Eyes of Albion.” 

        Don gave a history of the organization, reviewing its structure and required documentation.  He introduced the other members of the Board of Directors: Robert Price, vice-president; Darla Redman, secretary; Sue Keller, treasurer; Verlene Powell; Keith Amende; Tressa Toner, acting membership chairman; and Helen Anderson.

        Don noted that Kathy Adams is the corresponding secretary, Helen Sorensen is a member of the Membership Committee, and Mary Lynne Bristol is chairman of  the Public Relations Committee.  Former board members remembered were Susan Kempton, Bennie Chatburn, and Lorna Caliouette.  A printed financial report was handed out.

        Under membership, Tressa stated that the committee has prepared a flyer with the membership fees listed on it.  She handed out membership applications and showed the membership cards she created.  The committee also is developing a membership pin.  She encouraged all present to join the organization.  Mary Lynne gave a brief PR Committee report.

        In listing accomplishments and plans of the society, Don included getting the former courthouse on the historical register, applying for grants to restore the courthouse, preserving more historical records, and encouraging more residents to visit the museum.

        Don and Bob Price presented stories about some Albion pioneers beginning with trappers known to have visited the Albion Valley.  Much of the information was taken from ““History of Albion Pioneers” by Verlene Powell.

        The closing prayer was given by Keith.  Refreshments were served.  The meetings of the society are held on the fourth Thursday of each month.  The next meeting will be March 22 at noon in an ATC Communications conference room.

GRANGE CARD PARTY

        A Card Party sponsored by the Albion Grange has been scheduled for Friday, March 16 at 7 p.m. in the Grange Hall.  A $1 fee will be charged.

BITS & PIECES

4-H SERVICE AWARDS

        Three local 4-H leaders received years of service awards from the Cassia County 4-H Leaders Association.  Sam Condi was recognized for ten years of service and Lee and Marijane Jolley for 40 years of service.   They were awarded pins and certificates.

STAMP WINNER

        The grand prize winner of the contest sponsored by Postmaster Lynda Anderson during February was Gunner Adams.  Gunner received a Teddy Bear holding a commemorative sheet of stamps and a bag of Hershey kisses.  Each time a student brought an adult to the Post Office to see the student valentine display or an adult bought a  sheet of the valentine/Hershey kiss stamps, their names were put in a drawing for the grand prize treat.

Please support the

library dinner!!!

The AMERICAN LEGION

Adjutants Corner….

        At our regular meeting in February, we had seven in attendance and accomplished quite a bit of work that evening.  Yours truly, gave a finance report on where the post stands in their funds and Legion programs.  The members agreed to donate $300 to the Auxiliary to help them with their programs.

        There was a discussion about the cemetery brought up by Bruce Bristol regarding having a team handle the cutting and maintenance of the three cemeteries this year, provided that we are still handling that project.  This project really helps in providing funds for our programs.  Discussion was also held about  whether the community is going to have a cemetery cleanup day as they have in the past.  Don Gunderson thought that it might be every other year that it was being held.  Keith Rodgers, who would know, is not in town..    

        Don reported that on behalf of the  Department’s Children & Youth Commission at Mid-Winter, he presented a check in the amount of $1,000 to St. Luke’s Children Hospital Mountain State Tumor Institute (MSTI).  The Department of Idaho membership also collected an estimated $23,375 worth of toys, games and stuffed animals for the Toy Barn. This program lets the kids go to the Toy Barn and select a toy after receiving treatments.  Everything that is donated will either be used at the hospital or by other agencies within the state of Idaho.  The commission also recommended and it was passed by the American Legion delegation that a plaque be presented to St. Luke’s Children Hospital next Mid-Winter Conference on behalf of what they are doing for the communities within Idaho.

After the Mid-Winter Conference, the American Legion Gem Boys State Commission released all the details for this year’s program.  We have taken this program to the Declo High School counselor and will be getting with Raft River High very shortly since we had participation from them last year.  Both the Declo Post and Albion will again be doing this jointly.  All prospective candidates for Boys State will be interviewed the latter part of March.  Boys State will be held again this year at Gowen Field in Boise  June 3-9.  We are looking for delegates.  The program is open to juniors in high school this year whose grades are pretty good and who want to learn about city, county and state government.  Anyone interested should contact the American Legion Declo or Albion Posts for more information. 

To our Legion family members, the Idaho Quarters for Kids is doing really well throughout the state.  The funds that are generated help out in two different ways: fifty percent stays here in Idaho helping kids and the other goes to the National Child Welfare Foundation, both of which are used 100% to the cause of treating or getting the word out to the public through sponsored grants.  The American Legion gave out sixteen grants totaling $425,000  For more information contact Don Gunderson.

        It’s great to see the Flag flying once again in the Albion Park.  Some of the working parts wore out and it took a month to get the new ones.  I want to thank Kay Powell and Bruce Bristol for getting the parts put together to finalize the project.

        The Albion Post 124 received a transfer of a new member from Laramie, Wyoming.  Duane Petersen has moved into this area.  We will be sending Duane a letter welcoming him and his family to Idaho and hoping he will get involved with our Post and its programs.

        The Legion calendar is full for the upcoming months and election of new officers will be one of the primary concerns from the Post level all the way to Department.  We will be electing in May; therefore, you members have a little bit of time to get out and sponsor your favorite candidate for office.  The American Legion Birthday is celebrated between March 15-17 and normally this is when individuals, members that have continued years of service in the Legion, within communities are recognized.  We have a member with 39 years coming up!  Anyone knows who he is!!!!!

        Our next meeting is Tuesday, March 13^th.  We start at 7:30 p.m. in the Albion Grange Hall.  Please take the time to give a buddy a call and ask him if he or she needs a ride that evening.  Let’s make this next meeting a meeting for Commander Beedle to remember.  He led this Post to a hundred percent plus before December 31 and is still working for more members.  This has not happened for quite a few years at Albion Post 124.   

Upcoming Events:

        Post meeting March 13

        Boys State Interviewing

        Fifth District Convention in Eden, April 8

       Still serving our Veterans and there Children;

                Don Gunderson, Post Adjutant

LEGION AUXILIARY

        Vice-president Pat Gunderson presided over the February meeting.  It was reported that this year’s Girls State will be held at Northwest Nazarene College in Nampa.  The cost per delegate is to be $270.  It was also reported that the delegates are not required to have a physical.  Pat stated that she attended the Girls State meeting during the Department Mid-Winter Conference.  The membership approved giving each delegate $25 before they go to Girls State to use for expenses there.

        Mary Lynne Bristol, education chairman, reported that February is Career/Technical Month and several school organizations like FFA and FCCLA celebrate weeks during the month.    

        In reporting on the Mid-Winter Conference, Pat and Shirley Danner stated that a past national president presented a workshop on Parliamentary Procedure.  Pat also reported that enough toys and games for the MSTI Toy Barn were brought to the conference that a shuttle bus was filled.  The estimated donation was $20-25,000.  She stated that she picked up the poppies the unit ordered.

        Marcella Mahoney stated that she sent our adopted vet, Ray Wickel, a valentine.  She reported that a USO Show was held recently at the Pocatello Veterans Home.  

        Following the meeting, the Legion presented a $300 check to the Auxiliary.  We thank them very much

        The interview of candidates from Declo and Raft River High Schools to be delegates to this year’s Girls State was held in Chairman Shirley Clark’s home on Tuesday, February 27 at 7 p.m.  Shirley asked the candidates a series of questions.  The delegates chosen were Gabrielle Stoker and Eliza Christensen (cont. on pg. 4)

(cont. from page 3)

from DHS and Jessica Johnson and Kris Bankhead from RRHS.  Judges were LaDean Pace, Marcella Mahoney, Harriet Cole, and Mary Amende. 

         The next meeting will be March 13 at 7:30 p.m. in the Grange Hall kitchen. 

FIRE DEPARTMENT

         The Albion Fire Department will host a formal open house on Friday, March 23 at the new Albion Fire Station from 6-8 p.m.  The objective of the meeting is the formal close out of the Communities At Risk Program for the City of Albion and to give landowners participating in the Hazardous Fuels Reduction effort the opportunity to attend, and ask questions or discuss concerns.  The Public is welcome.      

SENIOR NOTES

        We would like to encourage all Seniors in the valley to attend our dinners.  Menus for March are:

           7-pork chops, mashed potatoes and gravy, beets, green salad, rolls and butter, pineapple upside down cake, and beverages;

           14-corned beef and cabbage, apple salad, relish tray, soda bread and butter, cake, and beverages;

           21-tuna and noodle casserole, spinach, relish tray, rolls and butter, fruit, and beverages; and

           28-macaroni hamburger tomato casserole, green beans, cabbage salad, French bread and butter, brownies, and beverages.

SCHOOLS

        March 16 is the end of the third nine weeks and school will be dismissed three and a half hours early that day for District Staff Development.  There will be no lunch.

        Spring Break will be March 19-23.  School resumes on Monday,  March 26.

        Parent/Teacher Conferences for the Albion and Declo schools are scheduled to be held Thursday, March 29 and Friday, March 30.  See times below.  There will be no school on Friday.

        The second annual Parents Make a Difference Workshop will be held in conjunction with the Family Affair on Saturday, March 31 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Burley High School.  There will be a wide variety of presenters and information booths.

ALBION BULLDOGS

        The fourth grade field trip to Boise will be Friday, March 9.

        March 15 will be Albion Elementary Ski Day at Pomerelle.  Kindergarten students participating will need to be accompanied by an adult.

        Parent/Teacher conferences will be from 3:45-8 p.m. on the 29^th.  A Book Fair will be held from March 26-29.

DECLO ELEMENTARY

        Parent/Teacher conferences are 3:30-8 p.m. on Thursday, the 29^th and 7-9 a.m. on Friday.

DECLO JUNIOR HIGH

        DJHS will hold a benefit dinner and auction for Haley Murray on March 13^th from 5-6:30 p.m. in the DHS multipurpose center.  Haley is the daughter of Lori Murray, a DHS teacher.

        The DJHS Talent Show will be held March 13^th at 7 p.m. in the DHS auditorium.

        Parent/Teacher Conferences are from 3:30-8:30 p.m. on Thursday and 7-9 a.m. on Friday.

DHS

        The Declo High School drama department will present the two act comedy “Anybody Out There?” March 5-8 at 7 p.m. each night in the DHS auditorium.  General admission is $4 for adults, and $2 for children and students with activity cards.

        DHS Parent/Teacher conferences are from 4-9 p.m. on Thursday and 7-9 a.m. on Friday.

4-H CLUB TO START

        Any young person who was eight years old or older by January 1, 2007 who is interested in non-animal projects, may join.  There are over 100 projects to choose from.  Younger children can take Cloverbud projects.

        The membership fee is $4.75 per member and $2.25 for (cont. on pg. 5)

(cont. from pg. 6)

Cloverbuds which includes insurance for 4-H activities.

There is also a cost for project books which varies according to projects taken.  Parents are encouraged to attend this first meeting with their child(ren) to help them decide which projects to take.

        The club will meet on Monday or Tuesday after school.  During the summer the time of the meeting will be changed.

        Any Albion Elementary School student who needs a ride will be picked up at the school.

        For more information, contact Mary Lynne Bristol, 673-5389, or Mary Amende, 673-6665.

CALENDAR

March 2007

*article in Newsletter

1- Students to library-9am

2- Transfer site open-10am-5:30pm

     Teacher Training, school dismissed 2½ hours early

3- Transfer site open-10am-5:30pm

      Library open-10am-2pm

        Hollie Bailey, Darlene Wahlgren

4- Church

5- *Library Fundraising Dinner-5-7pm-Grange Hall

5-8- *DHS Play-7pm each night-DHS auditorium

6- Transfer site open-10am-5:30pm

    *CITY COUNCIL-7pm-fire station conference room

7- *Senior Citizens-Board meeting-10:30am

                              dinner-noon

      Scouts &Young Women-7pm-LDS church

8- Students to library-9am

    Highway District meeting-7pm-Fire Station

9- Transfer site open-10am-5:30pm

    *Shelter Home Benefit Gala-West Minico-6:30pm

    *Declo and Albion 4^th grade field trip to Boise

10- Transfer site open-10am-5:30pm

      Library open-10am-2pm

        Edie Fitzgerald, Kris Wenslawski

11- Church

       Daylight Savings begins

13- Transfer site open-10am-5:30pm

     *Legion & Auxiliary-7:30pm-Grange Hall

     *DJHS Benefit Dinner and Auction-5-6:30pm-DHS multipurpose room

      *DJHS Talent Show-7pm-DHS auditorium

14- *Senior Citizens-Blood Pressure Check-11am

                                 dinner-noon

      Scouts & Young Women-7pm-LDS Church

15- Students to library-9am

      Grange-7:30pm-Grange Hall

     *Albion Elementary Ski Day, Pomerelle

16- Transfer site open-10am-5:30pm

      *End of third nine weeks

            School dismissed 3½ hours early

      *Card Party-7:30pm-Grange Hall

17- ST. PATRICK’S DAY

      Transfer site open-10am-5:30pm

      Library open-10am-2pm

         Carey Leach, Mary Amende

18- Church

19-23- *School Spring Break

20- Transfer site open-10am-5:30pm

       Planning and Zoning meeting, Community Center

21- FIRST DAY OF SPRING

      *Senior Citizens-dinner-noon

       Scouts & Young Women-7pm-LDS Church

22- Students to library-9am

     *Historical Society meeting-noon-ATC conference room

23- Transfer site open-10am-5:30pm

      *Community At Risk Open House-6-8pm-Fire Station

24- Transfer site open-10am-5:30pm

      Library open-10am-2pm

          Marcella Mahoney, Mary Lynne Bristol

25- Church

27- Transfer site open-10am-5:30pm

      School Board meeting, 7pm-Central Office

     *Albion Patriots-Grange Hall-after school

28- *Senior Citizens dinner-noon

29- Students to library-9am

      *Albion P/T Conferences-3:45-8pm

      *Declo Elementary P/T Conferences-3:30-8pm

      *DJHS P/T Conferences-3:30-8:30pm

      *DHS P/T Conferences-4-9pm

30- Parent Teacher Conferences-no school

      *Declo Elementary P/T Conferences-7-9am

      *DJHS P/T Confernces-7-9am

      *DHS P/T Conferences-7-9am

31- Transfer site open-10am-5:30pm

       Library open-10am-2pm

          Lorna Reeder, Janet Cole

      *Parents Make A Difference Workshop/Family Affair-10am-1pm.-BHS

*For only $1 you can have someone’s birthday or anniversary or other celebration put on the calendar.  Just call, send a note, or put a note in the AVN box.

COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS

-made what its members hope are the final adjustments to the Auctioneer Service Contract with Tranzon Northwest for the auction of the former ASN/SICE campus property; City Attorney Kerry McMurray reviewed terms of the contract still needing approval; he reported that Tranzon cannot hold the auction on June 9, the date proposed in the January meeting, and the council suggested Saturday, June 2 subject to agreement by Tranzon; 

-after much discussion the council members agreed not to set a minimum reserve; Tranzon was given the exclusive listing of the property; those wishing to bid will have to have $50,000 up front money; one term of the proposed document was changed to reflect that the city will have 24 months to move its maintenance shop after the sale; the council members agreed to see if the advertising cost could be made in payments; Kerry said he would redo the document and fax it to the city office and Tranzon so both parties could give it a final review before signing it;

-Mayor Don Bowden reported that the Waste Water Land Application Permit report is due in January of each year, but that he was able to get an extension for this year because Maintenance Supervisor Stewart Waldemar has been on medical leave; he explained that the report has to be done by an environmental professional and discussion was held as to who the council might be able to get to make the report if Stewart is unable to return to work soon;       

-Mayor Bowden reported that the Terra Graphics, who is performing the Phase I Environmental Survey of the campus property being sold, has found that the Department of Environmental Quality will pay for the survey; the cost of the survey is approximately $2,800; 

-John Garland attended the meeting to find out what he needed to do to be able to create a Bed and Breakfast in a former residence; he said that he had purchased the Chatburn home on East Market Street and wants to keep the structure as much like the original as possible; he was told that the Planning and Zoning Commission will have to check how the property is currently zoned; Dan Barker, chairman of the P & Z, invited him to attend the commission meeting on February 20;

-Darlene Wahlgren on behalf of the Albion Four Leaf Clover Club asked whether city or the club was responsible for maintaining the infrastructure of the Memorial Garden on Main Street donated to the city; she was told that maintenance is the city’s responsibility; she then stated that the club paid $800 last spring to fix broken water lines because the lines were not properly cared for in the previous fall; next, she stated that the electrical problem previously reported to the council had still not been fixed and that sections of the fence are falling down; “The electricity will need to be fixed before the water can be turned on this spring,” she stated; the council discussed who to have fix the electricity;

-prior to the regular council meeting, a meeting was held for residents of the Hunter Addition in north Albion for the purpose of discussing plat changes;

-Councilman Roger Jenkins stated that he had talked with City Auditor Jeff Poulsen about some concerns he had with the city’s budget;

-it was reported that the repairs to the flag pole in the city park had been made and the flag is flying again;

-Resident Deputy Sgt. Robert Nay reported that he spent 13 hours in Albion last month during which time he warned four trespassers on the campus property, wrote one report, and did three bar checks;

-Chief of Police Bruce Bristol reported that he wrote twenty citations and one report during January, and assisted the state police with a drug arrest;

-Kay Powell, acting Animal Control Officer,  reported that he had sold some dog tags and taken one dog to the animal shelter;

-tentative approval was given for the Albion Valley Players to use Community Center on the evening of July 3 and the afternoon of July 4 to put on a play about the famous Diamondfiled Jack trial;

-approval was given for the Four Leaf Clover Club to use the Community Center for the GFWC-Idaho Convention it will host April 26-28 and to hold the annual Community Easter Egg Hunt it sponsors on the campus property on April 7;

-Gwen Montgomery was authorized to arrange for a work day to clean the kitchen of the Community Center;

-approval was given for the mayor to sign the new papers regarding membership in the Idaho Energy Authority (IDEA) which was formed to help Idaho cities keep utility costs down;

-approval was given for the Albion Valley Historical Society to hold its annual meeting in the Community Center on February 22; and

-Councilman Dwight Parish suggested that, in light of recent repairs to water lines due to failure of water meter connections, the maintenance personnel as they have time begin replacing all meter connections before they break.

Council Agenda-March 7

Not available at press time.