Warm days in Fraser
By Norma Brand
The weather in Fraser has turned toward summer. The change happened last Friday; the sun came out after four days of cold temperatures and rain. We hope the heating season is over and we can put our winter coats away until next fall.
As I look out the window I can see the spring wheat fields are turning green. The farmers have been spraying and fertilizing and it looks like another growing season is under way.
Shirley Lutes reported she spoke with Janet Kingen by telephone on Monday. Janet is staying with her daughter, Julie Woods in Post Falls until she can come home. She hopes to return to Fraser soon.
Karen and Mark Fowler enjoyed a visit from their son James and his friend Jesse on Friday evening. James and Jesse rode the ATV and a dirt bike on Saturday while his parents volunteered at the Weippe Fire Sale. Mark and Karen invited their family and friends over for dinner to meet Jesse before James drove her back to her home in Rexburg. The dinner guests included James’s grandmother Barbara Fowler, his sister Tracy Cumpton, Aunt Mary Condor, Lanis and Rosena Aultz, their daughters Lane Finch, her 6-month old son Teancum, and Emily Condor and her husband Brian.
Marie Green had a visit from Amanda Judd and her children, Blake and Makenna. On Sunday, Wayne Perkins and Lois Moore drove out to Fraser and stopped by the Green farm to visit with her. Stop in for a visit when you are in the area, Marie loves company.
Wanda and Dave Strong spent Mother’s Day in Lewiston at Wanda’s sister Lois Hobbs and her husband Gene. Dave’s mother Hilda Strong also enjoyed the day with them. Wanda reported she gave a baby shower for her sister-in-law Lydia Johnson Harris at her home on Highway 11. Lydia and Jody are expecting a baby girl on May 25.
The Fraser Ladies Get Together Club met on Wednesday, May 13. The hostesses were Oreta Stuart and Lisa Dahl. President Donna Brown called the meeting to order, Secretary Oreta Stuart read the minutes for the last meeting, and Treasurer Norma Brand gave the financial report. Mary Ann McKinnon joined the club and paid her dues. After the meeting was adjourned the members were served Potato Soup, Split Pea Soup and dessert, which tasted especially good on a cool day. Hostess Oreta Stuart thanks Steve Brand for lighting the fire in the wood stove. The theme was Mother’s Day; secret sister gifts were exchanged and shared. The next meeting is June 10; it is the last meeting before the summer break. Hostesses are Rosena Aultz and Gini Donnelly.
Jason and Diane Cochrell had an unexpected visitor at their home on Miesner Road. A hummingbird flew in the open door and stayed for the night. Diane was able to catch and release it the next morning. It was hanging upside down on a lampshade. Ask the Cochrells about it the next time you see them.
Rosena Aultz reported the baby shower for her daughter Emily was well attended. It was held on Saturday, May 16 at 2 p.m. at the Weippe Community Center. The baby is due in about a month. Emily has completed her junior year at Lewis-Clark College in Lewiston and her husband Brian plans to start on his Masters Degree in August. They will be moving to Bozeman, Montana during the summer.
The Camas Festival will start Friday, May 22 with a Dutch Oven Cook-off and dinner at the Weippe Mini Park. The Melodrama “The Vile Veterinarian” will have its first performance at 7 p.m. According to the director, Susie Larson, this play will have 14 people in it. It’s the largest cast she has directed since she took over the position. The performance will be repeated on Saturday, May 23 at 7 p.m. Call 208 435-4362 for more information.
Happy Birthday goes out to Eric Stuart on May 25 and to Buck Armitage on May 27.
We all have someone to remember on Memorial Day. Fraser fondly remembers Claud Judd and the other residents who passed away during the last year. They were Roy Cochrell, Chuck McHone and Mary Ann Erickson, also Bob Gangewer who died in March of 2008. They were valuable friends and neighbors, and they will always be missed.
Claud Judd was born on May 26, 1918 and passed away on April 13, 2007. He served on many boards including the Fraser Cemetery and Park boards, Clearwater County Fair, Hospital, and A.S.C.S. boards. Claud resigned his position as Clearwater County Commissioner in 1971 to serve as an Idaho Representative, which lasted 17 years. He was a 4-H leader for 22 years, a member of Weippe I.O.O.F. No. 104 for 50 years and a Fraser Grange member for 72 years. He married Elvita Green on September 20, 1941. This information came from the obituary printed in the Clearwater Tribune on April 19, 2007. Claud generously shared the book he published in 1995 called “Judds in Fraser” with everyone, especially newcomers to the area.
Have a safe and fun Memorial Day weekend.