Albion Valley News

GFWC FOUR LEAF CLOVER CLUB NON-PROFIT PUBLICATION

Vol. XVI, No. 3                                              ALBION, IDAHO                                           ______APRIL  2005

SENIOR CITIZEN NOTES

        The Seniors thank all those who supported their Easter Breakfast and Bake Sale on March 26.  This helps us with our programs.

        Steve Lerohl, an audioprosthologist with the Magic Valley Hearing Aid and Audiology Clinic in Twin Falls will be at the Albion Senior Center on Wednesday, April 13 from 10 a.m. to noon to check hearing free of charge, clean hearing aids, and answer questions.  No appointment is needed.

        Information about prescription drugs will be presented during a seminar being held in the Senior Center on Wednesday, April 20 from 12:30 to 1:15 p.m.

        All Seniors in the valley, come join with us for dinner at noon each Wednesday.  Menus for April are

                April 6- hamburgers will all the trimmings, potato salad, deviled eggs, crunchies, ice cream sundae, and beverages;

                April 13-chicken strips, fried rice, green salad, buttered corn, cake and fruit, and beverages;

                April 20-chili and crackers, relish tray, apple pie, and beverages; and

                April 27- roast beef, potatoes and gravy, buttered carrots, cole slaw, rolls and butter, surprise dessert, and beverages.

HISTORICAL SOCIETY

        Public Relations Chairman Lorna Caliouette suggested that monthly meetings be held earlier in the month in order to have highlights from the meeting printed in the Albion Valley News.  It was decided to have the meetings on the fourth Thursday of each month.

        Historical Chairman Verlene Powell gave an interesting presentation with handouts which more fully shows pioneer activity in the valley.  She pointed out how interested these pioneers were in bringing worthwhile businesses and educational opportunities to Albion, hoping to leave to those who would follow an example of excellence.  Verlene has compiled a book that tells of the settlement, development of businesses, establishment of the normal school, and names of pioneer families who settled in Albion.   She also presented two sets of census listings.

        Don Danner reported that he contacted Steve Tuft and requested that he investigate the society proceeding forward to receive 501(c)3 status.  He stated that Tuft has agreed to contact the Secretary of State’s office to begin proceedings.            Investigation into what steps need to be taken to place the former Cassia County Courthouse on the Historical Register is moving forward. Don has a contact in Boise who may be able to help the Society with that project.

Robert Price, Verlene Powell, and Keith Amende, one-year members agreed to serve for another one-year term and were elected unanimously.  No action was taken at this time to replace Bennie Chatburn on the board.

        Don reported that he met with an architect who traveled to Albion from Boise to look at the courthouse and the Masonic Hall.  He stated that the architect was pleased that the buildings were in such good condition and plans to return to Albion in the near future to go under each building.  Don further reported that the man is very interested in helping to find funding that might be available to the Historical Society for restoration of the buildings.

        It was reported that O’Deen Redman was contacted about the Masonic furniture and other items in the Lodge Hall.  The storage room was unlocked and Don was able to reduce the contents considerably.  The Historical Society has been given permission to use the old safe.  Other remaining Masonic items will be put into the locked storage room, leaving the main room available for city use.

        In doing any repair/renovations of the hall that the Historical Society is able to do, with local help, Don reported that several thousand dollars could be saved, particularly by straightening the existing siding, priming, and painting it.

        Don also reported that the hallway leading to the rest rooms meets handicap accessible code in width, but that the doors into each restroom are too narrow and will need to be made wider.  Some plumbing items have been replaced in the rest rooms and kitchen.

        It was announced that two contractors have responded to bid on re-roofing the girls dorm and the gym on the campus property.  They have until Monday April 4, 2005 at 5 p.m. to present sealed bids.  $65,000.00 is available for this project.

4-H CLUB STARTS

        Any young person who was eight years old or older by January 1, 2005 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 $4.50 per member and $2 for Cloverbuds which includes insurance for 4-H activities.

There is also a cost for project books which varies according to projects taken.

        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.

Adjutants Corner….

        Well, it looks like we made it through another month.  It seemed like March was going to be very contented like a lamb, but spring came and she went out like a lion. We needed the moisture, but they say we are still sitting around 50% of normal!!!

        The Legionnaires were very busy at Post, District and Department levels.  Our Post had a busy meeting agenda.  We had reports from the different chairman on the following:

        Boys State-Don Gunderson reported that we had three candidates and that by the time of the interviews we could possibly have more.  Declo Post will be co-sponsoring with Albion as they have in the past.  The candidates were to be interviewed on March 15^th at Declo High School.  The selected delegates will be attending The American Legion Gem Boys State at Gowen Field in Boise in June.  Four boys were interviewed by Legionnaires from both posts during a 1.5 hours session getting to know each other.  All four were picked as delegates.  “Thanks” goes out to all the Legionnaires that attended.

        Children & Youth-Don, as chairman of both C&Y Commissions, reported what has been going on Nationally and Department wise.  He talked about Family Support Network with our troops that have been deployed all over the world and what we are doing with Temporary Family Assistance (TFA) in aiding those families in need who have children.  In Idaho, we have given approximately $32,000 in assistance from our national program.  Also, Don indicated that he had received a $100 donation from a Post member to the Post’s C&Y Fund to be used at that level where it would be most beneficial.  Bill, I hope we put it to a good cause.     

        Junior Shooting-Commander Ed Pace gave a great report on his Jr. Shooting Match and Fund Raiser scheduled for March 26^th.  He stated that there would also be open shooting competition for the public.  The group is trying to raise funds for the State Shoot being held in Blackfoot during  June of this year.  He thanked both the Albion Highway District and Albion Fire Protection District for allowing them to shoot in their heated buildings this winter.

        The Jr. Shooting Club, after expenses, deposited $227 for their efforts.  The Post membership voted to donate $100 towards their program from the Children & Youth Fund.  This donation originally was presented to the Post C&Y Committee through a member of the post. Also Commander Ed presented a copy of the Albion Jr. Shooting Club’s Code of Conduct to the membership. 

        Oratorical contest report, Darrell Hatfield thanked both the Legion and Auxiliary for their support in volunteering their time to make both the District and Area Contests successful events this year under his chairmanship for the Fifth District.

        Cow Chip ‘what ‘ ?  I have to take you back a few months, to the Post’s Annual Turkey Shoot in November to be exact.  A cow chip shoot out between Cassia Sheriff’s deputies and the John Q. Public, which I understand was sponsored by our Mayor of Albion.  Bruce Bristol presented Don Danner with the 2^nd place trophy.  Cassia County Sheriffs department received 1^st place.  Danner’s team was only beaten by ONE (1) point!

        Membership:  The Post is still currently at 96.67%.  We are short two members!!!!  Legionnaires, please just ask.  We have been sitting on this percentage since November 2004. Your Membership renewal is absolutely vital if we are to continue our important work. Can we count on you?!

        The American Legion Dept. of Idaho is sponsoring a 2006 Ford F150 Truck Raffle.  You do not have to be present to win the truck, but you must be 18 years or older to participate in the raffle.  This is for anyone who wants to participate; Don Gunderson has tickets and they are $10 per ticket.  Those who are not in the area may send a check for$10 made out to The American Legion and, in the Memo Area,  indicate “TRUCK RAFFLE” to: The American Legion, P.O. Box 93, Albion, ID 83311 and you will have a ticket sent to you.  Drawing will be January 14^th, 2006 at the Mid-Winter Conference.

        Fifth District Convention-Commander Jim Grant and the Filer Post will be hosting the convention April 9^th at the Filer Post Home.  Registration beginning at 10:30 am; lunch at NOON (United Methodist Church), joint opening at 1 p.m. and separate meeting at 1:30 p.m.  There will be election of new officers for 2005-2006.  National and Department dignitaries will be attending.

        Our next Post meeting is April 12^th at 7:30 pm. At the Albion Grange Hall.  Bring a buddy so he or she can attend a meeting that could get them involved.  Also, Commander. Pace has a surprise for you….  Movies & possibley popcorn!

        In closing, your Adjutant and his partner in crime (Pat) traveled to northern Idaho to pay Post Falls a visit celebrating the American Legion’s 86^th Birthday.  Next we attended the First District convention in Coeur d’Alene and then on up to Athol that evening for Department Commander Lloyd Pierces’ Homecoming.  We decided to bring back the wet weather to Albion by way of Montana; it seems to have worked.  March 26^th Pat and I attended Sixth District Convention in Blackfoot. The special guest was National Commander Tom Cadmus from Michigan.

                      Don G. Gunderson, Adjutant

LEGION AUXILIARY

        Only three members attended the March meeting so little business could be conducted.  It was noted that two more members have paid.

        The 5th District Convention is on Saturday, April 9th in Filer.  Registration begins at 10:30 a.m.   Lunch will be at noon.  The joint meeting will be at 1 p.m. to be followed by separate Legion and Auxiliary meetings.  It is always a pleasure to meet with the other Legion units and learn of their activities and share ideas. 

        Girls State 2005 delegates we are sponsoring are Heidi Goedhart, Danica Koyle, Heather Dayley, Jennifer Garrard, Jana Irish, and Rebekah Christensen from Declo High and Brittany Hansen from Raft River High. 

        Our regular American Legion Auxiliary Meeting will be on Tuesday, April 12th at 7:30 p.m. in the Grange Hall kitchen.  Final plans for Poppy Day on May 21^st  will be on the agenda . 

Parke’s patience a classic for all time

by Steve Wolfson

His handling of Raise a Native has left a lasting influence on the Kentucky Derby

        Bright and early every Saturday morning, my father, younger brothers Gary and Marty, and I looked forward to our weekly ritual: driving to Hialeah Park to watch trainer Burley Parke put the Harbor View Farm horses through their training regimen.  We were particularly excited in early 1963 because the “Futurity King”—a nickname Parke earned because of his legendary patience and great success with young stock—was so enthused about a robust two-year-old son of Native Dancer.

        All the Idaho Parke brothers made their marks in horse racing, but none more than Ivan, leading rider in 1923 and ‘24 and trainer of ’45 Kentucky Derby winner Hoop, Jr., and older brother Burley.  Nine years after guiding Charles Howard’s (also owner of Seabiscuit) handicap ace *Noor to defeat Calumet Farm Triple Crown winner Citation four consecutive times in 1950, Burley Parke retired with his wife, Dotty, to their ranch in Santa Rose, California.

        It took Dad’s strong persuasion and a huge $100,000-guaranteed salary to coax the master horseman out of retirement to take over the reins of Harbor View Farm in 1959.  The sum was especially significant when realizing the standard trainer’s fee, 10 %, would only have been $8,000 based on the fledgling stable’s first full year of operation in 1959, when its horses earned a total of $80,161.

        In point of fact, in the history of Thoroughbred racing to that time, only fabled Calumet Farm, Harbor View’s next-door neighbor in barn one on the beautiful Hialeah backstretch, ever exceeded the $1-million threshold, and it did so six times, in 1947, ’48, ’49, ’52, ’56, and ’57, which is the level needed to kick in such a huge guarantee.

        Parke put Harbor View on the map immediately.  The stable earned $679,865 in 1960 (third nationally), $488,837 in ’61 (tenth), and $531,607 in ’62 (ninth).

        Our hope for the future, and the object of Parke’s  affection and consternation, was a magnificent chestnut colt by Native Dancer out of Raise You, by Case Ace, determined to test Parke’s patience.  Purchased at the Saratoga yearling sale for $39,000, the highest priced of ten Native Dancer yearlings sold that summer, Raise a Native brought more than three times the sale’s record average of $12,265.

        Absolute havoc was created around the shedrow by this magnificent specimen, and each morning Burley was reminded that he was facing a great challenge.  Raise a Native’s groom, Joe Ross, had no difficulty with Raise a Native until the tack was hung over the webbing.  Then Raise a Native’s eyes would widen, his nostrils would flare, and his muscular frame would begin to quiver in anticipation that his workday was about to commence.  It became a Herulean effort just to put the tack on the colt, which caused his trainer to consider castration to settle down the robust fireball.  Dad had complete confidence in Parke’s opinion and suggested he do whatever he felt was necessary.  The trainer feared gelding the colt would be an awful mistake, robbing future generations of his potential greatness if he was correct in assessing Raise a Native’s untapped ability.  On a beautiful January morning in 1963, the resourceful trainer found a much less radical solution.

        Almost all the Harbor View exercise riders balked at riding the volatile, uncontrollable colt.  Only wet-behind-the-ears, 17-year-old Mario Valenzuela, nephew of jockey great Milo Valenzuela, was brave enough to regularly volunteer to ride him.  The fateful morning  that spared Raise a Native from castration began innocently, as he pranced down the bridle path on his way to be schooled at the starting gate with Mario safely astride.  The inquisitive colt paid much more attention to the flock of flamingos in the Hialeah infield than to his jockey.  For a change, the exercise rider remained in the saddle without being thrown but, upon reaching the starting gate, Raise a Native played one of his usual tricks and dropped to ground and lay motionless.  Parke was well prepared and quickly dismounted from his pony, took a bucket of ice-cold water from an attending groom, and thoroughly doused the surprised colt.  From that day forward, the teacher had an apt, attentive pupil.

        Raise a Native’s eagerly anticipated debut occurred a few weeks later on February 28, 1963, in a three-furlong baby race at Hialeah.  Paddock instructions to veteran jockey John Rotz were typically simple  and straightforward: “Keep his head straight, John, and he’ll win.”

        The 660-yard distance of the race left little margin for error.  Raise a Native broke cleanly  and galloped home in front by six widening lengths.

        The stable shipped to New York, where each of the powerhouse colt’s next three races was more spectacular than its predecessor: an eight-length victory and a track record, followed by equaling the track record in his third start, then shattering the track record for 5½ furlongs in 1:03 3/5 in the Great American Stakes on July 17, 1963, and establishing a mark that would stand for 36 years.  But the undefeated colt’s great speed became his undoing; a six-furlong in a blistering 1:11 prepping for the Sapling Stakes resulted in a bowed tendon and retirement.

        The Harbor View comet was the talk of the racing world.  Racing Hall of Fame trainer and leading breeder Hirsch Jacobs commented, “In all the years I have been training horses, Raise a Native was the best two-year-old I ever saw race.  I believe he will be one of our all-time greats.”

        Dreams left unaccomplished on the racetrack became reality in the breeding shed at Spendthrift Farm as Raise a Native went on to sire two of the greatest sires in history: Alydar and Mr. Prospector.  He sired or grandsired a slew of Kentucky Derby (G1), Preakness Stakes (G1), and Belmont Stakes (G1) winners, among them Alysheba, Conquistador Cielo, East Goer, Fusaichi Pegasus, Genuine Risk, Majestic Prince, Strike the Gold, Tank’s Prospect, Thunder Gulch, Unbridled, War Emblem, and 1978 Triple Crown winner Affirmed.  The 2003 Triple Crown was dominated by the Raise a Native sire line via Funny Cide (by Distorted Humor) in the Derby and Preakness and Umpire Maker (Unbridled) in the Belmont.  Nine of the 14 Derby winners since 1990 trace directly to Raise a Native.  For this year’s Derby, Raise a Native is the progenitor of  several of the top contenders including, in tail-mail line, The Cliff’s Edge, Smarty Jones, Read the Footnotes, Master David, Birdstone, and Eddington, and on the female side, Tapit, Sinister G, and Borrego.

        None of those horses would be here had Burley Parke’s wisdom and great patience not prevailed over Raise a Native’s strength and stubborness.

council has agreed to ask for the grant funds; the department explained that, after giving the city so much money, it wanted the park to continue to be used for recreation;

-a Position Description for a part-time maintenance helper was reviewed; the mayor stated that this position is better filled by a retired person or someone who isn’t dependent upon the salary as his/her sole source of income; it was noted that the person cannot work more than twenty hours a week and there are no employee benefits provided by the city; the former Letter of Resignation from Kay Powell as part-time maintenance person was rescinded and he was approved for the part-time position with an increase in salary from $7 to $8 per hour;

-Mayor Danner reported that an architect with a background in historical restoration had looked over the former county courthouse and Masonic Lodge Hall free of charge for the purpose of determining what needs to be done to restore the structures and the cost of doing so; Don stated that he was impressed with both buildings; Don informed the council that the architect stated that he has contacts he can ask about helping with funding the restoration and stated that, when the architect gets the information back to him, he will report the findings on the lodge hall which the city owns to the council; it was agreed that the city needs to check on north property line of the lodge hall property;

-Council members were asked to review the draft Drinking Water Protection Plan and present their concerns or suggestions to Councilman Rick Mahoney to take to the community advisory committee meeting; concern was expressed about whether the city would incur any expense in complying with the plan;

-Councilman Jacque Whiting reported that the city can purchase four large, slow-growing shade trees for the city park with the gift certificate to Evergreen Nursery it were given; she stated that they should be planted around mid-April and that, if the nursery planted them, they would be guaranteed; discussion was held about meeting at the park in the near future to decide where these should be put as well as other trees that might be obtained at a later date;

-it was decided that during the Public Hearing set for March 10 information about the Drinking Water Study done by Galena Engineering would be presented; Mike Choate from Galena would explain the deficiencies found and the proposed alternatives to address the them; input from the residents as to their response to the various options would be sought so that the council can decide what to apply for to help provide funding; information about how to obtain funding for the project and about the Drinking Water Protection Plan will also be provided; Mayor Danner noted that a temporary handicap ramp is to be built so the meeting can be held in the former Masonic Hall on Main Street;

-Mayor Danner announced that the Back Country Byway Advisory Committee would be in Albion during March to look at the proposed site for a public restroom in the Albion City Park; the committee is considering the design for the facility and asked if the council members had any input about it; the council members decided to wait and see what the committee proposes; but did say they wanted it be a year-round restroom tied into the city water and sewer systems, attractive, and located on the west side of the park by the turn-out;

-Letters of Interest forms from the Department of Environmental Quality were discussed; the mayor noted that these preplanning documents will be used to prioritize the list of proposed projects for 2006 seeking financial assistance; the city will submit letters concerning the water system and wastewater system upgrades; it was also noted that DEQ had sent some comments about the water study by Galena Engineering and that Galena had responded to them.

-Jackie Doudy substituted for City Clerk Mary Yeaman who was in Boise completing her certification;

-approval was given for the AIR Committee to hold the annual Easter Egg Hunt on the campus Saturday, March 26 at 11 a.m.;

-Animal Control Officer Stewart Waldemar reported that tags for dogs were now available in the city office from the clerk, that he will be visiting residents to sell tags as soon as he has time, and that he had taken one dog that was running at large to the animal shelter in Burley;

-Councilman Don Bowden reported that BPA is working on the terms for future contracts;

-Albion Chief of Police Bruce Bristol reported that he wrote twenty-three tickets and one report during the month of February;

-it was reported that Resident Deputy Sgt. Robert Nay wrote two tickets and one report during the previous month and served one paper; and

-in discussing an application for a sludge permit, it was suggested that a new agreement be made with JUB Engineering to prepare the application.

COUNCIL AGENDA ITEMS-APRIL 2005

Electrical issues, water issues, transportation issues, trees for city park, web site issues, sludge permit application, monitoring waiver application, community center restoration, campus roof repair bids, certificates of appreciation, historical submission to Forest Service, review of employees time breakdown sheets, street classification for pavement management plan