Happenings on the
Hilltop…
(Weippe news)
Judy O'Brien 435-4870
fibermomma@wildblue.net
Marlene and Bob Hyde, formerly of Weippe, recently went to Atlanta, GA for 10 days to take in the wedding festivities of their oldest granddaughter, Kelsey Seufert. Kelsey is now 22 and graduated with a math degree in May. Marlene says it was a fun time with rehearsal parties, wedding dinners, dancing and socializing.
Daughter Sheila arrived from Iraq for the wedding, having completed two years with the Corps of Engineers in Iraq. Son-in-law John Seufert has been promoted to overseas flights as captain and recently took off for Mumbai.
Son Shane and family in Lewiston are fine and busy, as well as younger daughter Suzanne in Seattle. The Hyde's traveled to Seattle to celebrate mother's day with a picnic.
Bob says he is a "sharecropper" as he has a garden at Ray Coon's and shares the produce with the neighbors.
I was happy to hear from Dusty Norris Tuesday morning. Dusty says she is managing to keep her yard mown and weed free and feels she is still able to do it at her age because of a good attitude and her faith. The call came because of improvements that have been done to a home in Weippe. The house across from the mill has had many improvements and looks very attractive. A lot of time and energy have been spent making it that way and she felt they should be commended.
Mike Green, Museum Board Member, alerts us to museum events. He notes the Weippe Hilltop Heritage Society is planning a celebration event Thursday, Oct. 1, at Weippe Cemetery on the occasion of the centennial of the death of the father of Weippe, Wellington Landon. Events will include unveiling of a historic marker commemorating Landon as the father of Weippe and proclaiming him "The Duke."
There also will be the issuing of a proclamation by the city of Weippe and Mayor Norm Steadman, a history of Landon by society chairman Everet Martin, awarding of monetary awards to winners of a poster contest in the Timberline 4th grade Idaho history class, and an interpretation performance by the Nez Perce Tribe.
Scheduling is still being worked out but tentatively this event will happen at 4 p.m. Weippe's centennial was in 1992, and the event was uncommemorated.
Do you remember your first new book? Sadly, thousands of Idaho children may never experience the joy of owning their own books. Research demonstrates that having access to a wide variety of reading materials is essential if a child is to grow and develop into a strong reader.
In response, Read to Me First Book is coming to 22 Idaho communities as a part of the Idaho Commission for Libraries' early literacy outreach programs. This year 1,720 children will receive a book a month during the school year, September 2009 through May 2010.
Weippe Public Library was one of the 22 communities in Idaho to be selected to participate. The library and their partners have plans to reach 55 children age 0 to 1st grade with monthly book distributions and book extension activities. Books will be passed out the first Tuesday of every month at Story Time at the library for age 0 to 2 year olds, and on the first Wednesdays at Head Start for preschoolers, and at Timberline School for K- 1st graders.
Funding comes from the Institute for Museums and Library Services and the Idaho Commission for Libraries' Read to Me project. The Weippe Library is very excited to be one of the 22 communities selected to participate.
Librarian Melissa Mayberry commented, "Literacy is critical to ensuring a promising future for our children. Our partnership with Head Start and Timberline School will help these children embrace the concept of reading when given the opportunity to own a book. We are delighted to play a role in making this happen."
Story Time at the library will begin on Sept. 1 for children age 0 to 2 years and will be every Tuesday at 11 a.m. Please call the library if you need additional information at 435-4058.
New pastor
Mountain Meadows Baptist Church has a new pastor moving here this week. The congregation is looking forward to opening the church doors again.
The new pastor is Mike Widener. He and his wife, Melissa have five children with another addition due in November. Annabella is 14, Madaleine, 11, Theron, eight, Emillee, six, Garrett, eight months. Pastor Mike is an energetic preacher with a fire for serving God and will be most welcome at the Hilltop Church.
Maxine Johnston enjoys having visitors
Maxine Johnston’s grandson, Joel Johnston and Ciece Sellers from Pocatello, WA stopped by for a visit before going on to Canada for a vacation. Also visiting Maxine was her daughter, Joyce Bowlby. Joyce enjoyed visiting also with other family members and some classmates from Weippe High School.
Pictured: The cowboy on the bucking horse is Lloyd Martin, during Wild Weippe Rodeo 1929. Photo courtesy of Weippe Hilltop Heritage Society.