Fraser celebrates the Fourth
By Norma Brand
Many families in the Fraser Community gathered at their homes to celebrate on our Independence Day. The sun did shine for most of the day so it was perfect for any outdoor gathering. A rain shower in the afternoon cooled the warm temperatures, but didn’t stop everyone from enjoying their picnics and fireworks.
Wanda and Dave Strong invited their friends Pam and Mike Hall to their home for a BBQ on July 4. Wanda reports that her brother Kirk and his daughter Jessica, Jody and Lydia Harris and Taylor Spencer attended the Winchester Rodeo. Jody entered the bull riding contest and Taylor entered the bareback riding event. They didn’t bring home any prizes but had a good time. The group stopped by the Strong’s home after the rodeo and lit off fireworks.
Lisa and Sandy Dahl and their family enjoyed Saturday at their home and shot off fireworks after dark.
Cathy and Guy Walker and their son Jonathan drove to Freeman Creek on Independence Day. They brought a picnic lunch and spent the day fishing and kayaking on Dworshak Reservoir.
Michele and Cory Brown had family and friends over for a picnic and fireworks display.
The past week was a busy one at the Lutes ranch. Keith and Shirley hosted a potluck picnic on Saturday for their family and friends.
The family started arriving early in the week, their grandson Tucker Konkol came on Tuesday, and granddaughter Jeniffer Robinson, her children BreeLynn and Sean, and their grandson Joe Lutes, his son Brylan and friend Cristy came on Thursday and spent the weekend with them. Tina and Kelly Marshall arrived on Friday from Lewiston. The rest of the family came on Saturday; they were Jim and Betty Crutcher, Shirley and Betty’s mother, Bertys Smolinski, Tony and Andy Konkol and Kelly and Vicki Lutes. Steve and Norma Brand rode their ATV to the ranch on Saturday and joined the family for a fun day. Everyone was so busy visiting they didn’t have time to play any games before the rain showers blew through. The Lutes new deck was the perfect place to celebrate the forth of July. Thanks Shirley and Keith.
Emma Brown celebrated her birthday July 2. She invited her cousins Maia Cram and Ethan Fugate to her home and cousins Izzy, Caitlin, Abby, and Samantha Brown for a swimming party at her grandparent’s pool.
In the afternoon family members joined her for cake and ice cream. The theme for the party was Hannah Montana; the cake was baked and decorated by Sherry’s Cakes and Bouquets in Weippe. It had a purple sparkle guitar on top.
Sandy Moore reported their son Shane is at the ranch. He arrived on June 27 and attended the Grand Opening of the Log Inn with the family. He is helping his dad, Jerry with the haying. Before he returns to Australia he plans to work at a winery in Santa Rosa, CA.
Norma spoke with Clarabell Brown on Monday. She is staying close to home and doing fine. Clarabell is still interested in the farming activities and recalled when she and her late husband Marvin did all their farming together.
Linda and Mike Beard enjoyed a visit from Mike’s cousins Ed and Shirley Toner from Shelton, WA. They visited St. Gertrude’s Monastery at Cottonwood, ID. This is the area Ed covered when he worked for the Telephone Company and he wanted to check out his old stomping grounds.
Friends Ed and Judy Coleman from Bend, OR also spent several days at their ranch on the Lolo Breaks.
Mike’s daughter Missy Beard played in the basketball event called Hoopfest in Spokane several weeks ago. Missy almost made it to the semifinals. The Beard’s drove to Spokane to watch the action and to cheer for Missy.
ATTENTION FRASER PLATEAU RESIDENTS WITH THE ZIP CODE OF 83544. This is NOT official but your input is needed. Would you prefer to keep your Orofino address or would Weippe be a better mailing address for you? Call the re-addressing phone number and leave a message on your preference. The telephone number is 208-476-9989. THIS IS JUST A POLL, IT IS NOT OFFICIAL.
Mark Tuesday, July 14 on your calendar. Melvin Johnson, Nez Perce County Emergency Management, will speak about the Swine Flu Pandemic and what each family should do to protect themselves before we are faced with a pandemic. It will be held at the Fraser Community Center. The potluck will start at 6 p.m. and the presentation will start at 7 p.m. Posters have been distributed around town. Call Molly Eastman at 208 435-4372 for more information.