| Greencreek
Dinner a success
Democrats from around Idaho, Twin Falls to Sandpoint, attended the Idaho County Democrats’ election year dinner at Greencreek, Saturday, September 24. Candidates, State Party members and campaign staff spoke of their reasons for supporting the Democrat platform and running for office. Jessica Chilcott, candidate for District 7 Idaho House, very eloquently told about a client of hers needing mental health care that wasn’t covered. The woman said that she wished she would get diagnosed with breast cancer so that she could receive the help she needed. Chilcott, of Sagle, said that was the tipping point in her decision to run two years ago. That passion remains strong enough to run for the office, a second time. Fingers pointed to Idaho candidate for United States Senate, Jerry Sturgill, to work on resolving issues such as healthcare, when he is elected, November 8. Sturgill, a fifth-generation Idahoan, said he felt he was on “hallowed ground” at Greencreek as the late Senator Frank Church had announced his campaign at the Greencreek dinner, in 1976. Sturgill worked with the Senator as an aide and considered Church to be his mentor. Other candidates in attendance were Ken Meyers, candidate for Idaho District 7 senator, Deborah Silver, candidate for Idaho District 24 senator and Idaho State Rep. John Rusche (District 6) of Lewiston. The theme of the event was “Celebrating Idaho Women Breaking Barriers” and the Greencreek Community Hall was decorated with a flag bouquet, banners and the bar was named “BARrier Free Zone – Women Welcome.” Jared Reynolds and Dani Brooks bartended. The meal prepared by the St. Anthony’s Altar Society was meatloaf, scalloped potatoes, salad, rolls and an array of desserts with fresh whipped cream. Vegetarian dishes prepared by ICDP members were also offered. The tables were resplendent with white table cloths and glass column vases holding tea lights, the chairs with black cloth covers. Jackie Zumalt and Jennifer Artley put together a tabletop display of cards highlighting Idaho women who had “broken barriers” a few of who included Gracie Pfost, Idaho’s first female State representative; Polly Bemis; Louise Shattuck, the “Lioness of Idaho” and Shelley Dumas, former Grangeville City Council member. Attendees were given a matching quiz with answers found on the various table tops, encouraging guests to mingle. Mary Ann Davidson and Linda Bietelspacher won the quiz. Jerry Zumalt gave the invocation and the group sang the Idaho State Song, “Here We Have Idaho.” Boise standup comedian, Mundek Clement-Stein emceed the evening with entertaining repartee, about the political climate in Idaho. The fourth volume of “The Potato” was published and passed around. Musical entertainment by the Syndicat Bros, Pete Northcutt of Grangeville and Johnny Henderson of Kamiah, was lively during the social hour before dinner. A glass ceiling piñata filled with candy and other trinkets, made by Connie Johnson was broken at the end of the evening. Small pieces of foil caught the light as the piñata was broken and resembled bits of glass falling to the floor. The dinner and a silent auction brought in thousands of dollars to be used as campaign contributions for the Democratic candidates. A beautiful stone, laser cut with a Pacific Northwest Native ovoid and u shape designed salmon, made by Larry Nims of Kamiah, was the raffle ticket prize and won by Borg Hendrickson, Kamiah. October 8 will find ICDP members gathering at John and Laurie Andrechak’s home in Kamiah for the semi-annual Highway 12 cleanup. The Highway 95 cleanup will be held later this autumn. The next monthly meeting of the ICDP will be Monday, October 10, 6:30 PM at the Grangeville Senior Center. Doors will open at 6:00. Plans for an election night party will be made and a Greencreek debrief session is on the agenda. For more information, call Michelle Perdue at 983 3763 or visit the ICDP Facebook page. Please remember that early voting is now open at the Idaho County courthouse outside Room 5 and requests for absentee ballots must be received at the courthouse, 320 West Main Street, Grangeville, 83530, by 5:00 PM on October 28th. Election Day voting will take place at your polling place on Tuesday, November 8. Editor's Note: There were some photos to go with the event but their use was limited by the photographer and we felt publishing them to the web would be violating those terms of use. |
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