5 YEARS AGO (2020)

In 1998, the Thomas Family – Dennis, Brenda and Jerry Thomas – purchased the Lurline Andersen James Budge home and lot on South Main Street. The lot where the Budge home was located became part of the new Thomas Market store and parking lot.

The home was purchased by Lee and Diane Hogan of St. John and was moved to St. John in July 1998 where it became their family home. The historic, white frame home, which was over 100 years old at that time, is still located in St. John.

Salvaged from the lot was the trunk of a 130-year-old American Elm tree. The Thomas family commissioned world-renowned artist Dave Sipe of Jackson Hole, Wyoming, to carve a sculpture from the tree trunk with a chain saw. During a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the new store in April 1999, the Bear Sculpture was unveiled and has been located at the entrance of the store ever since.

The James Family Reunion was to be held at the Malad City Park in August 2020, but because of COVID-19 concerns, it was postponed until next year. During the reunion, plans had been made to install a permanent plaque on the sculpture, telling the story of the Bear Tree Statue. The family decided to go ahead with plans to install the plaque, and on Wednesday, July 22, a grandson and granddaughter of Lurline Andersen Budge, Russ James and Susan James Jensen, with her husband, Gary, installed the plaque and had a short, private ceremony with one of the owners and the manager of Thomas Market, Jerry Thomas.

The 62nd annual Malad Little League Tournament was held at the Malad City Park Thursday, through Saturday, July 23 - 25. this is the longest consecutive running Little League Tournament in Idaho and organizers were excited they were able to continue the tradition once again this year.

10 YEARS AGO (2015)

Mary Ann Call Dalrymple, Ben Call and his wife Jane, and Lori Allen, the daughter of Elna Call Allen, met with Director Fay Cottle and Oneida Pioneer Museum Board Chairman Jean Thomas recently and presented them with a huge, 48-star flag that belonged to their father, Ben Call.

A new family medical practitioner has joined the Oneida County Clinic. Dr. David Teeples recently moved to Malad with his wife, Chalae and his six children.

Jared Simpson and Kirk Willie are the newest board members of Oneida School District #351.

Several Oneida County residents joined in the Idaho Cattle Association’s celebration of 100 years of serving the interests of Idaho’s cattle producers at meetings, special events and a trade show held in Boise July 14 through 18.

 Attending from Malad were Darl Gleed, Curt Hoskins, Lois Hoskins, Joe Daniels, Euarda Daniels, Tim Willie, Ken Eliason, Kristy Eliason and Eric Eliason. Tim Willie and Ken Eliason are members of the ICA board of directors. Curt Hoskins and Joe Daniels are past members of the ICA board of directors and Darl Gleed is a past executive vice president/CEO of the association and is currently a consultant to the Idaho Cattle Foundation.

15 YEARS AGO (2010)

The groundbreaking ceremony for the Brigham City Utah Temple will be on Saturday, July 31, at 9:00 a.m. with President Boyd K. Packer of the Council of Twelve Apostles presiding. The Temple site is located at 250 South Main Street, directly across the street from the Historic Tabernacle in Brigham City.

Terri Ann John has been nominated for Good Deed Done Daily. Terri is constantly on the go – ensuring her mother-in-law Lavene gets to her hair appointments – making bread or cookies for someone who is under the weather – taking her Dad to doctor appointments – taking food to families suffering personal losses – all the while working full-time as bookkeeper and business manager for the Motor Mart stores, located in Malad and Downey, which are owned by Terri and Larry John.

Elder Trevor Thorpe has been called to serve in the Mexico Puebla Mission for two years for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He entered the Missionary Training Center on July 21, 2010.

The great summer weather and hospitality of the Samaritan Spirit teamed up to make a memorable 13th annual celebration for Samaria Days on July 23 and 24. The center of attention was the new “replacement” pavilion located in a new spot just west of The Blue Goose. 

Scott Larsen was honored to ride in the 150th Anniversary Re-Ride of the Pony Express during which many, many riders carried mail from San Francisco to St. Joseph Missouri, over about a two-week period. 

MHS graduate Riker Carter earned 26th place in the National High School Finals Rodeo, held July 18 – 24 in Gillette, Wyoming. Carter won the title in the 2008 National Rodeo Finals.

20 YEARS AGO (2005)

Making up the 2005 Samaria days Royalty are Queen Brooke Hill, Princess Kami Orgill and Duchess Amy Evans.

Pictured in The Idaho Enterprise are the children in the Malad Sixth Ward all decked out for their mini-pioneer trek in hats and bonnets made by Primary President LaNada Bosworth. Children shown in the picture are Christopher Austin, Tru Peabody, Amanda Murphy, McKenzie Willie, Elizabeth Lish, Shalae Moss, Trisha Danielson (leader), Bracken Willie, Houston Thomas, Tiffany Williams, Kade Bosworth and Jacob Stevens.

Publicity about Malad’s recent Welsh Festival has reached the mother country. Jean Thomas, who helped organize the Malad event, had a telephone interview, with Jo, last Thursday night with the BBC Wales Radio Network. The interview, which occurred at 10:15 p.m. (5:15 A.M. there) was taped and rebroadcast during the station’s Morning Show on July 22.

There’s been a new face at the Malad Valley Clinic this summer – but it’s a familiar one. Kyle Tubbs, first-year medical student at the University of Washington in Seattle, has been working in a summer program at the Malad Valley Clinic for the last four weeks.

The Malad Little League Minor League team kept their streak alive, finishing the “Battle of the Bear” Tournament with an award. The second place team members were Bailey Edwards, Brandon Sorensen, Kyle Daniels, Dan Blaisdell, Jess Blaisdell, Courtland Goddard, Brody Hubbard, Nishon Neal, Griffin Green, Joshua Jensen, Jayk Brooks, and Zach Jeppsen. The coaches were Geoff Green, Clair Neal and Allen Edwards.

Inductees into the Bowler’s Hall of Fame are Sheila Clark, Lois Blaisdell and Mary Ann Tracy.

30 YEARS AGO (2000)

Betty Jones took the oath of office on July 18 when the Oneida School Board held its Annual Meeting. Jones was elected to represent Zone 3 during balloting May 15. Also sworn in that evening was returning board member Cheryl Shepherd.

Holdover lightning is suspected of being the cause of the Big Hollow Fire that burned 160 acres on the Samaria Mountains last weekend. Investigation into the fire, however, is still continuing.

Chanda Asay, a senior at Malad High School, her mother, Nancy Asay, and adviser, Sarah Robbins were part of the more than 5,500 members, advisers, alumni and guests attending the Family Career and Community Leaders of America’s (FCCLA) 2000 National Leadership Meeting held in Orlando, Florida.

During the week of June 4, three delegates from Malad had the opportunity to attend Idaho Boys’ State. Those attending were Alex Blaisdell, David Evans and Andrew Crowther. 

When the Malad Chapter of the Lions Club met on Thursday, July 20 they honored the “oldest member of the oldest Lions Club in Idaho,” according to President Tom Strah, when they honored Veryl Henrie for his years of service to the group. He has been a member of the group for 55 years, and is the longest continuous Lion in the state of Idaho.

Former Oneida County Deputy Sheriff Dale Ward was among the two hundred and sixty-five law enforcement officers who graduated from the FBI National Academy Program at Quantico, Virginia on July 16, 2000.

Sarah Robbins, a teacher at Malad High School and the school’s advisor for the Family Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), received the 2000 Spirit of Advising Award at the National Leadership meeting in Orlando, Florida.

40 YEARS AGO (1985)

Larry L. Evans, son of Don and Demona Evans, recently received his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Civil Engineering from Stanford University.

Travis Palmer, son of Tom and Edna Palmer, recently returned from the High School National Rodeo held in Rapid City, South Dakota.

Tiffany Dawn Isaacson was named second runner-up in the “Little Miss Idaho Star” pageant held in Twin Falls. Tiffany was also named “Miss Hospitality” for the pageant.

Kristie Kennedy has been named the winner in the American Legion Auxiliary Americanism Essay Contest. Kristie will receive a $10 cash award for her efforts.

50 YEARS AGO (1975)

Malad will be losing its dentist, Dick Oyler, shortly as he makes plans to move himself and his family some 5,000 miles away to the Samoan Islands. Originally from Tremonton, he has been practicing here for four years.

Malad’s July 24th Pioneer Day celebration was a smashing success as way over 200 hungry residents awoke to a sunny morning and scrumptious breakfast, getting an early start on a very busy day.

Hundreds of spectators then lined city streets to view a parade of colors, tissue paper and dignitaries “floating by”. Leading off the event were Pioneer King and Queen, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur T. Williams followed by George Daniels who had just celebrated his 100th birthday the day before.

Also participating were the Malad Valley Junior Posse, Malad Stake leaders astride horses, the mayor and city council members, children with mock push-carts and covered wagons, the Malad High School band and more.

Floats worked around the theme “Put Your Shoulder to the Wheel.” First place prize went to the Second Ward adult float “Eternal Progression.” The float pictured a paradise-like scene of a Mormon family clothed entirely in white and reading the scriptures. Behind the group was a large picture of a golden path leading up to the Salt Lake City Temple.

Second place went to Cherry Creek Ward for a missionary scene entitled “Go Forth and Teach All Nations.” Third place went to First Ward youth float depicting the theme, “The Family that Prays Together, Stays Together,”

Adult honorable mention went to Mr. Daniels, riding in a shiny black Chevrolet. Youth honorable mention was awarded to Bracken Budge, son of Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Budge, who peddled a colorful, winged bee with the subscription “Beelievers.”

Thomas Mark Grubb, a senior at Malad High School, was selected as one of Prep Track and Field’s “Athletes of the Year” for 1975, Coach and Athlete magazine has announced. Tom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Grubb.

Johnny Christopherson was the happy winner of Zote’s Fun Arcade bicycle give-away last Saturday Other prizewinners were Lynn Hess and Teresa Hubbard who each received a five-dollar bill.

60 YEARS AGO (1965)

Two U.S. Air Force enlistees from Malad, Airman Third Class Bobby D. John, son of Mr. and Mrs. David W. John, and Airman Third Class, Timothy Fred Davis, son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph A. Davis, have completed basic military training at Lackland AFB, Texas.

Kinder Kollege, a nine-month kindergarten, will be opening at Malad this fall. The children will be taught two and a half hours a day, five days a week. The program will consist of a wide variety of activities, which will be geared to develop the child as a whole. It is designed to give children a good background of readiness in reading, number work, science, health, safety, social studies, vocabulary development, music, rhythm, art, crafts and social development. Instructor will be Mrs. Thomas Henretty.

Misses Christie Champneys and Bernice Briggs were chosen as attendants to Queen Doris Hunsaker, Honeyville, to reign over the Preston Rodeo which will be held Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

70 YEARS AGO (1955)

Colen Sweeten Sr., of Holbrook, was selected as the Oneida County “Grassman of the Year” in a contest conducted by the Malad Chamber of Commerce. He will compete against other Idaho counties for the state title. Runner-up in the local contest was Pete Thomas of St. John.

Gerald E. Jones, son of Mrs. Veda Jones, who has served with the U. S. Marines for 2 years, received his release Tuesday, July 26, at Bremerton, Washington.

The Bureau of Reclamation is drawing up plans to irrigate 100,000 acres and to supply supplemental water to another 23,000 along the Bear River in southeastern Idaho and northeastern Utah.

Leon Leroy (Andy) Anderson is one man who has completely mastered the deadly rapids of the Middle Fork of the Salmon River, it is reported in the current (July 30th) issue of The Saturday Evening Post.

In an article entitled “He Tamed Our Wildest Rapids,” Andrew Hamilton relates that the river, which lies entirely within the largest remaining wilderness in the United States – a region in Central Idaho about the size of Connecticut, has defeated a long list of determined opponents.

He reports Anderson developed the skills, the techniques and the equipment needed to turn a life-risking gamble into a jackpot of some of the biggest fishing and hunting adventure in the United States.

The Post article says that although Anderson has roared down its foaming white water 42 times, the Middle Fork still gives him nightmares. Nevertheless, he was guided 140 persons down the river and never lost a life. Mr. Anderson is the son of Mr. and Mrs. L. L. Anderson.

80 YEARS AGO (1945)

T. Sgt. John D. Jones arrived in Malad from Germany where he has been a prisoner of war since December 1942. He is with the air corps and has been overseas since May 1942. He has 97 days home before reporting back for duty.

Eight solders from Malad who are stationed at Camp Maxey, Texas, and their wives enjoyed a picnic Sunday, July 8. This is quite a coincidence for so many from the same town to be together at the same camp and in the same company. The soldiers are Roland B. Jones, Eph Hawkins, Clyde Thorpe, Rex Reynolds, Carl Isaacson, Steve Jones, Ervin Allen and Ivan Schwartz.

S-Sgt. John Anderson, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. William Anderson, has been awarded the Air medal for achievement as an engineer who has participated in more than 300 missions in serial attacks upon such enemy strongholds as Dortmund, Magdeburg and Gottingen.

WITH THE 42ND RAINBOW DIVISION OF THE THIRD ARMY IN GERMANY – Pfc. Keith L. Merrick, 19, a members of the 222nd Infantry Regiment of the famed 42nd Rainbow division has been awarded the Combat Infantryman badge in recognition of his exemplary performance of duty in ground combat against the enemy.

Pfc. Merrick, the son of Mrs. Sylvia Merrick, Malad, Idaho, participated in the Rainbow’s 450-mile smash from the Hardt mountains of France through the very heart of Southern Germany to the Austrian border. In this drive the division captured the historic Nazi cities of Wurzburg, Schweinfurt and Furth – which is the eastern third of the city of Nurnberg – and captured the center portion of the city of Munich.

Early in January the Rainbow Division, of which Pfc Merrick is a member, aided in repulsing the last frantic efforts of the German army to smash back into France through Alsace in bitter fighting north of Strasbourg, at Hatten and Rittershoffen and along the Moder River in the vicinity of Hagernau. In March it began its drive into Germany, which was halted only by the conditional surrender of the Nazi army. In this offensive the Rainbow fought its way through the Hardt mountain, breached the Siegfried Line in 26 hours, made six crossings of the winding Main River, forced crossings over both the Danube and Lech rivers in 24 hours, captured the center of Munich and liberated 32,000 persons at the infamous concentration camp of Dachau.