Arnzens are Grand Marshals
By Lorie Palmer Familiar 4-H and fair
supporters will serve as grand marshals for 2022: Brad and Char Arnzen
of Grangeville will be the face of the Idaho County Fair this year.Idaho County Free Press “It means we’re getting older,” laughed Brad. “It’s an honor,” Char added. Brad was born in Greencreek where he attended school for six years; then,when the schools consolidated, he went on to school in Cottonwood.Brad and Char were high school sweethearts, and both graduated from Prairie High School. After graduation, Brad worked at local ranches and then went to lineman school. Char moved to Boise, where she worked. “I followed her,” Brad smiled. The couple married, and he began his career for Avista, working in Spokane and Orofino for about six years total before obtaining a position in Grangeville in 1986. In 1991, they built their current home on Fish Hatchery Road. Char stayed home to raise their three children: daughters Katie (White Bird), Maggie (Lewiston), and Rusty (Grangeville). “I had taken care of my grandma and really enjoyed that, so in 2000, once the kids were older, I went to nursing school,” Char said. Within five years, she was a registered nurse. She worked at St. Mary’s Hospital and Clinics and then at Gem Endoscopy in Lewiston. She retired a few years ago after 14 years in the field. Brad retired five years ago from Avista. However, “retired” is a relative term in his life. “I don’t really like to sit still much,” he laughed. And he hasn’t. He had an outfitting business he sold last year, though he still enjoys pack trips and has mules and horses. In the spring of each year, he works at his fire mitigation and brush mulching business which keeps him on the road part-time. In the winters, he works for a steelhead outfitting business out of Asotin that travels into the Hells Canyon area. He also spent 34 years on the Grangeville Border Days Committee. Char has a greenhouse that Brad built for her, and she enjoys flower and vegetable gardening and taking care of the couple’s two dogs and other animals. They both enjoy hunting, salmon fishing, jet boating, spending time with their children and five grandchildren, andhelping out daughter Katie and family on their White Bird cattle ranch. Both Brad and Char participated in the Idaho County 4-H program growing up, which led them to enroll their own children and also serve as leaders. The Arnzens said they believe in the 4-H program and its positive benefits for not only children, but also for families as a whole. “It offers a positive experience for kids and their parents together,” Brad said. “And Idaho County’s 4-H program is so well run,” the Arnzens agreed. In addition to their 4-H participation, they were also involved in the fair itself: Brad was on the livestock sale committee for 20 years and served on the fair board for a six-year term. Char provided her skills as clerk for the livestock sale and has worked in an advisory position for the 4-H Ambassador program. “It’s an honor to be chosen as grand marshals,” the couple agreed. “We’ve been involved in the Idaho County Fair for many years, and we love it and look forward to it.”  Brad and Char Arnzen are the Grand Marshals for the 2022 Idaho County Fair. Photo by Lorie Palmer.
Ambassadors are 25 years strong By Lorie PalmerIdaho County Free Press Have
you seen those high schoolers at the fair in their green shirts and
khaki pants? They're more than a fashion statement - they're at the
heart of what keeps the fair running smoothly. The brainchild of former University of Idaho extension agent, Mary Schmidt, the Idaho County Ambassadors made their debut in 1997. Twenty-five years later, Idaho County 4-H Program Director, Susie Heckman, said she thoroughly appreciates the work Idaho County 4-H Ambassadors provide. "I count on them, especially during the fair," she said. "They work hard. They are kids who lead very busy lives yet take time to make the commitment to community service." This year's group consists of Harlee Brannan, Kieran Gallagher, Olivia Klapprich, Rayne Martinez, Owen McIntire, Brooke Romney, Rebecca Seubert, Rachel Sonnen, Raney Walters and Makenna York. The group started, Heckman explained, as a way to retain older 4-H kids in the local clubs. "We didn't want to take them out of their clubs, because they are mentors and leaders in those groups and are needed there," she said. Those who are Ambassadors must maintain membership in their chosen club(s), be a sophomore through senior in high school (public, private or home-schooled), and have been a member of 4-H for at least four years. Those who qualify - up to 10 per year -- and are interested apply and interview for the extracurricular honor. "These kids are the face of what goes on in 4-H, as well as the help - the volunteers -for many county events, including the Idaho County Fair," Heckman said. For information on the program, contact Heckman at 208-983-2667.  Idaho County 4-H Ambassadors for 2022 are from left: Harlee Brannan, Rebecca Seubert, Rachel Sonnen, Raney Walters, Owen McIntire, Olivia Klapprich, Rayne Martinez, Brooke Romney, Makenna York and Kieran Gallagher. Photo courtesy Kelly Turney
By Lorie Palmer A familiar face across the state in Idaho agriculture will bid farewell to his 39-year career at the end of August.Idaho County Free Press University of Idaho-Idaho County Extension Agent Jim Church will say goodbye to his current job as University of Idaho Extension Agent-Grangeville. However, Church said he recently accepted a promotion to interim Northern District Director for the University of Idaho Extension. In his new role, Church will provide leadership and support for the 10 northern Idaho county extension programs. He will remain in the position until a permanent replacement is hired. Although his new job is based in Coeur d’Alene, Church will work remotely from Idaho County part of the time. Church recently sat down to visit about his memories and those who influenced himduring his life thus far. “My number one mentor and encourager was my dad, Joe,” Church smiled. Eighth in a line of 10 children (“My mom was a saint,” he laughed), Church was raised on a ranch near Fruitland. “My dad and mom were both hard workers and taught all of us kids their values,” he said. Although the kids all had chores on the farm and ranch, they were also encouraged to enjoy and excel in sports, academics, 4-H and FFA. Church literally began following in his father’s footsteps as a child. “Besides working on the land, my dad was an auctioneer. From the time I was knee-high, I would go to auctions with him, and I just picked it up,” he recalled. His first “sale” was one that only he and the family cows attended. “I was out there at the feedlot, doing chores and selling those cows,” he laughed. That led to high school and church auctions, and then, years later, Church’s voice became synonymous with 4-H livestock and organization auctions, including those for Sts. Peter and Paul School, Kids Klub and St. Mary’s Hospital, to name a few. Church said he knew from a young age that college attendance was expected. By the time he was in in high school, he had figured out that he would go the agriculture route. An ag science teacher in high school, Duane Tesnohlidek, and his mentoring through FFA, positively influenced Church. “We had to learn to spell his name to pass his class, so I remember how to spell it to this day,” Church smiled. Though they called him by his full name in school, following graduation, students were allowed to call him by his nickname, “Tes.” “He was a great man, teacher and mentor,” Church said. During college at the U of I, he majored in agriculture education with an emphasis in animal science. Church met Julie Lothspeich of Grangeville while they were in college; she was in the nursing program at Lewis-Clark State College. Following his graduation in 1981, a downturn in the economy did not leave a lot of job openings. Church taught agriculture science for one year in Castleford before he took a job as an extension agent for Washington State University in Asotin, Wash. In Asotin, Church said he had the chance to be mentored by “another great guy.” “Clint Luce was an extension agent there, and I really learned a lot from him,” he nodded. As he and Julie continued to visit her family in Grangeville, Church began to feel the area would be an excellent place to land if the opportunity ever arose. “After four years in Asotin, an extension job in Grangeville came open, and I’ve been here 35 years,” he said. The Churches raised three sons, all of whom graduated from Grangeville High School: Dave, Kevin and Joe. Now, two are in the medical field, and one is in agriculture. All are married, and the Churches have six grandchildren. After 41 years as a registered nurse, Julie retired from St. Mary’s Hospital in Cottonwood. While his sons were in high school, Church had an ag program on local KORT radio. At the time, Dave Williams was broadcasting area high school sporting events. As the extension agent in Idaho County, Church has served as the animal science expert for the region and has traveled in the state and beyond to offer educational programs and conferences. Church has had the chance to work with students throughout the region through 4-H, FFA, and specifically at the Idaho County Fair and the Idaho County 4-H Horse Show each year. He also started the Idaho Young Cattle Producers Conference at the state level as part of a leadership training program. “I enjoy helping people,” he said. “I have had the occasion to do that for almost 40 years, and I’m so thankful.” He said he will miss people in that capacity and the people he works with. “I’ve worked with Susie Heckman [Idaho County 4-H Program Director] for 34 years,” he said. “Working with her and Jill Bruegeman [Idaho County Extension Office] — well, I don’t know how I got so lucky. They are both the best.” In retirement, Church plans to raise some of his own cattle again. “And I’ll find out where else I fit in, in the community, in time,” he said. As far as whoever will take on his job, Church said, “It will be good.” “Someone younger, new blood,” he nodded. “Change is good.”  Jim Church in his office.  Jim and Julie Church.  Jim and Julie Church and their children and grandchildren.  Jim Church at the Livestock Sale.  Jim Church at the other job he is well known for, calling local hgh school sports for the radio.
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