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Days is this week at Grangeville
Idaho County Free Press Events are set to take place Wednesday through Friday, July 4, 5 and 6. A full schedule of events was inserted in last week’s Free Press, along with the Border Days special section, which highlights many of the week’s activities. Find these at local businesses or pick up copies at the Idaho County Free Press office, 900 West Main Street (across from Zip Trip/Taco Johns and in front of P1FCU). Grand marshal 2018 Ernie Robinson, White Bird, welcomes friends, family and visitors to Grangeville for the celebration. “I am honored to serve as grand marshal of these festivities and represent the oldest rodeo in Idaho,” he said. Be sure to give Robinson a wave as he rides his horse in the parades and also makes his way through the Border Days Arena prior to the rodeos. Border Days Queen Micaela Farris and Princess Bella Klapprich, both of Grangeville, are also excited to continue their reigns through the week. “We love Border Days and have grown up with it our whole lives,” the Grangeville High School seniors said. “We hope to see the whole community out for the special events this week.” The Cowboy Breakfast at the Masonic Lodge just off Main Street (across from U.S. Bank) will be served each day from 6 to 11 a.m. Street sports, with old-fashioned foot races and the Super Egg Toss, are set for Main Street every day at 9 a.m. The Bicentennial Historical Museum offers an array of displays, focusing this year on World War I, the commemoration of the sinking of the Tuscania and local Quilts of Valor honorees. The museum is open 1 to 5 p.m. and is located at 305 North College Street. Parades will be held at 2 p.m. each day with the Kiddies Parade on the Fourth at 1 p.m., and the Toy Scramble following the parade on July 5. Cut ’em Loose at rodeo, set for 6 p.m. each night. Family night is July 4 and “Pink Out the Stands” for cancer awareness is set for July 6. Enjoy live music following the rodeos July 5 and 6. Robinson is Border Days grand marshal Idaho County Free Press 
Born in Grangeville and raised on a ranch on Deer Creek, Robinson attended school there through eighth grade. “I rode a horse to school for eight years,” he recalled. Robinson learned to work on the family cattle ranch – an ethic that has served him throughout his life. When he entered high school, he got to White Bird by vehicle, then caught the bus from there to attend Grangeville High School. “I was a country boy, so this was a change,” he laughed. Still, the ranch chores called, and he did not spend any additional time at school for sports or other extracurricular activities. Robinson’s parents felt an education was important, he said, so after high school graduation he went on to Boise Junior College (now Boise State University) for general studies. “Boise was a very big change from how I grew up,” he said. There, as fortune would have it, he “met a girl,” from Nampa, originally from California. “She was a city girl,” Robinson smiled. He married the love of his life, Judy, in 1957, and, he said, she was a true partner. The couple moved to a cattle ranch where they worked for several years and later built their own ranch in White Bird (near Twin Bridges), the “41 Ranch.” Cattle winter in White Bird and spend summers at the family ranch just outside of New Meadows. “Judy took to the country life,” he said, riding horseback with him on many outings and trips along the Salmon River and beyond. For eight years, he said, there was no road to their home at Twin Bridges, and they got their three kids to school and home each weekday by boat. “We were sure glad to see that road come in,” he recalled.
Farris, Klapprich are Border Days Royalty Idaho County Free Press Border Days Queen Micaela Farris “It means so much more to me than just holding the title ‘Queen of Border Days,’” Farris explained. She said she has grown as a person through her royalty experience and has enjoyed representing her hometown. “To have people look up to me and to have the support of my family, Grangeville and surrounding communities means so much to me,” she said. Farris, 17, is the daughter of Jeff and Amy Farris. She and her twin sister, Macenzie Farris, will be seniors at Grangeville High School this fall. She is the granddaughter of Ray and Ellen Aiken of Grangeville. Aside from her busy schedule that has included High School Rodeo, volleyball, basketball and softball, Farris also recently became a certified physical therapy aide. She volunteers and works at Grangeville Health and Rehabilitation, a place she has been running the halls of since she was a baby; her mother and grandmother are both employed there. Farris is also a long-time member of the Triple Bar Drill Team where she served as queen in 2015. “I would encourage other girls to try out for Border Days royalty because you create many new memories that will always stick with you,” she said. “It also teaches you many life lessons.” Farris was recently a participant in the Distinguished Young Women of the Camas Prairie program and was awarded the Spirit Scholarship for 2019. She enjoys spending time trapshooting with her family each season. A variety of sponsors has helped support the Border Days royalty in 2017-18, including major patrons Wharton Cattle Co., Farris Transport, Super 8 and Miller Brothers Electric. Farris hopes to attend college on a softball scholarship; however, her backup plan includes applying to Washington State University to major in physical therapy and athletic training. Klapprich, 17, is the daughter of Melissa Miller Klapprich and Bilejo and Lindsay Klapprich, all of Grangeville. She is the granddaughter of Rick and Mickie Miller of Grangeville and Judy Klapprich and Lloyd Uhlenkott of Cottonwood. “We have met so many amazing people, started new traditions for our hometown, traveled and involved ourselves in every event, and I’ve gotten to do it all with one of my best friends,” Klapprich said of her experience with Queen Micaela. “It’s something I will never forget. Klapprich has a passel of siblings who have cheered her on this year, including twin sister and brother Demi and Tate, 14; sisters Elli, 12, and Julia, 7; stepbrothers Mason, 14 and Gavin, 6; and half-brother, Liam, 1 month. She has played volleyball and basketball in high school, is a member of Animal House 4-H Club and has been a member of Grangeville’s Triple Bar Drill Team for the past six years. She has tap danced for Shirley’s Dance Studio for 14 years and works at Grangeville Health and Rehabilitation. Klapprich is no stranger to royalty as she served as 2016 White Bird Rodeo Queen, 2015 Riggins Rodeo Queen and 2014 Triple Bar Drill Team Queen. “Being royalty is a wonderful opportunity to represent one of the best sports in the world,” she said. “There’s no other experience like it and it helps build self-confidence.” Following high school, Klapprich plans to either pursue dental hygiene in Boise or nursing at Lewis-Clark State College. “A big shout out to my mom and my second mom, Amy. They have been with us every step of the way and have eaten more glitter than a human should,” Klapprich laughed. She also thanked her Nana, Papa and Aunt Kami for their support, as well as chaperone Anna Wren and Queen Micaela. “Thanks for making this year so much fun – from rodeos, community fund-raising and tricycle races, we have had the best year ever,” she smiled. 
A couple of photos of Border Days Queen Micaela Farris, brunette, and Princess Bella Klapprich, blonde. Photos by Melissa Miller. Museum open house during Border Days Idaho County Free Press This year the museum will feature a display on World War I. In addition, veterans will be honored in the basement where many will display their Quilts of Valor. The Tuscania display will also be housed in the basement. The museum, located at 305 N. College Street, will be open Wednesday through Friday, July 4, 5 and 6, from 1 to 5 p.m. Museum manager Pam Northcutt said she looks forward to museum’s annual visitors. “It’s always a good time to visit with people, and we have so many knowledgeable volunteers,” she emphasized. “They really bring to life the museum’s displays.” This includes a large World War I collection upstairs and the Tuscania display as well. The Tuscania sank in 1918 and carried many forester-soldiers from Idaho, including a contingent from Idaho County. The Idaho County Historical Society will also have for sale a 16-by-20 inch frameable print of “The Same Spirit” poster for $15 ($14.15 plus .85 cents tax). This will also be sold at Art in the Park. This is the famous print by American lithographer W. I. Haskell. Member and volunteer Floyd Whitley of Cottonwood explained an original poster was purchased and the society has now made prints. Money raised will help cover the cost of a Tuscania Survivors Association medal that was presented to the crew and captain of the HMS Mosquito for their lifesaving efforts to American citizens. “There is a great history of the Tuscania here because quite a contingent of Idaho County men were aboard as part of the U.S. Forestry regiment,” Whitley explained. This year, instead of the basement’s regular art show, a variety of veterans will be on hand to visit, along with their Quilts of Valor. Some quilts will also be on display who were owned by area veterans who have died. Pictures of each of these veterans will also be displayed. In addition, veteran Mark Gravatt will be on hand to discuss a collection of WWI aircraft photos and prints. “Of course, we will also have our regular displays available for the public,” said Northcutt. This includes a variety of mining equipment, beaded American Indian work, the old Greencreek switchboard, old canisters and bottles, uniforms, a plethora of photos and early sewing machines and toys. Parking is available in the lot or on the street. The building has air conditioning and bathrooms available for public use. The museum offers air conditioning, rest rooms and refreshments. Call the museum at 208-983-2573. |
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