“We were always looking for a community”
By
Ronda Nelson
When Glenwood Pharmacy began advertising for a new Pharmacist, the time was ripe for John Forbes and his wife Beth to fulfill their dream of moving to Orofino. “We were always looking for a community,” he said. “We were looking for friendly people, clean communities, and we were fly fishing, so we started fly fishing up here.”
Forbes wanted to find a smaller business to work at. During visits to Orofino, he often stopped in at Glenwood Pharmacy, telling them that he was going to be coming this way one day.
In February of this year they sold their home in Lake Havasu City, AZ, where they have lived for the past 10 years, and made the move so he could go to work at Glenwood Pharmacy following Don Goetch’s retirement.
Four years ago the couple purchased property on Sunnyside Bench Rd. They were in downtown Orofino one day and asked for the most picturesque route to leave town. Directed up Cavendish grade, they reached the top and John said one look at the view told him “this was it.”
They had two sherpa cabins built in Thompson Falls, MT and placed them on their land. Their view looks out on Peck and the valley, “a beautiful view of this Orofino area.”
Forbes’ delight in finding Orofino and finally being able to live here is apparent and his enthusiasm is infectious. He says they were drawn to Orofino by the superior services available here, such as the availability of quality medical care locally, the close proximity of LCSC, where Beth plans to pursue her Masters Degree in Social Work. She is a social worker with Hospice and holds a Masters Degree in Education.
Coming from larger cities, it was important to Forbes to find a smaller community as he looks toward retirement. They looked over Montana, Utah and Idaho. They were struck by the beauty of the state and the excellence of the fly fishing. Signs stating “Idaho, too beautiful to litter” struck a chord with Forbes, who appreciated the emphasis on the beauty the state has to offer.
A man of many talents and interests, Forbes plays five string banjo in three different styles: Scruggs, Reno and melodic. On Fridays, he often brings his banjo to work and plays at noon.
Since moving to the area, Forbes has purchased an old Mac truck, a Caterpillar and a John Deere tractor. He hopes to enter the equipment in the parade during Lumberjack Days. Forbes laughs as he says Kenny Weller has first dibs on “little big cat” for riding in the parade.
Forbes and his wife also enjoy motorcycling, and he’s driving a Gold Wing now. He’s had motorcycles ever since pharmacy school. He says the drive from Boise to Orofino has to be one of the most beautiful in the world.
Having fished Kelly Creek, the St. Joe River and the Lochsa, Forbes says if he had to write a book it would be called, “It’s hard to leave the Lochsa.”
Something of a history buff, he enjoys the rich heritage of this area. He and Beth have visited various Nez Perce historical sites, and spent time panning gold. “Of course the Weippe Rodeo is number one,” he said, telling how much they enjoyed watching the children in particular.
The Forbes’s daughter, Sarah, is an attorney in Minnesota. Son Adam drives truck in Lacrosse, WI. Since the children are grown, the “kids” at home are three Persian cats, Pooh Bear, Tabby Abby and Annie Pants.
Originally from Wisconsin, Forbes grew up in Elroy, a small town of 1,500. He graduated Pharmacy school at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. After graduation he lived in Eau Claire and Lacrosse, WI before moving to Lake Havasu City, AZ.