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Downey Happenings 4/15/02 by Penny Greaves

Downey - If you're looking for a great way to spend a Saturday with your family-something unusual and hilarious and not too expensive-Downey has an event for you.
The second annual Race Day in Downey Idaho will take place May 18 at Davis Arena on the Bannock County Fairgrounds. Sponsored as a fund raiser by the Marsh Valley Senior Citizen's Center and the Downey Lions Club, the project also has support from local merchants.
Race Day features lawnmower races, an open car show, a kids' electric car race, a motorcycle and 4-wheeler rodeo, a hay bale barrel race, a suitcase race, a toilet paper race, and egg race, and lots more, according to organizers.
The Downey Lions will open their booth just south of Davis arena to sell food and beverages. All types of vendors-food, crafts, games or more-are welcome. To reserve booths, call 897-5324 or 897-5586.
Proceeds will enable the Senior Center to continue operating this year.
Grandma Jo's Ceramics at 24 North Main Street, will sponsor a Mother & Daughter paint class on Saturday, April 20 from 11 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. Cost will be $5 per mom/daughter couple. Information on possible projects is available by calling 897-9935 or 232-3361.
Grandma Jo's features a wide selection of ceramic figures, vases and plaques in both green and bisque ware. Grandma Jo's also operates a retail store in Pocatello.
Brady's Plant Ranch had their grand opening Saturday with a seminar entitled "Tree Trimming Truths." The family-owned nursery is open from April 13 until July 6, Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m., according to owners John and Karen Brady.
Several more seminars will be offered during the coming weeks, Brady says. They all begin at 10 a.m. at the greenhouse on Virginia Road, north of Downey, and include:
"Pamper Your Soil" April 20
"Drip Irrigation-A Drip in Time Saves Nine" April 27
"Container Creations" (Plant a Pot Day) May 4
"Bedding Basics-Planting a Beautiful Bed" May 18
"Patio Gardening" June 1
"Herb How-to" June 8
"Fly Fishing Contest for All Dads" (Prizes!) June 15
"How to Make a Living Wreath" June 22
A special red, white and blue promotion is scheduled on June 29 for Happy Birthday America Day; and July 1-6 will be Brady Bucks Redemption Days.
Brady's Plant Ranch has a wonderful on-line website (www.bradysplantranch.com) through PlantAmerica, which features horticulture information and on-line seminars, and is well worth browsing. Located at 3505 Virginia Road, the business sells both wholesale and retail. Call for information on wholesaling.
Adam Yearsley will report his mission in the Downey Second Ward on April 30. Adam left for his mission from his home in Hooper, but his parents, Bret and Ann Yearsley, live in Downey, so he will also report here.

Sunday's speaker in the Downey Second Ward was Nathan Sorensen, son of the late Brent and Linda Sorensen. The story of the five Sorensen kids is one of inspiration. Linda, a well-liked teacher at Marsh Valley High School, died first of cancer. Brent soon followed her in death-from complications of diabetes, leaving Logan in charge of the little family, although only a teenager himself.
With help from grandparents in town, the kids stayed together, and after Logan married, wife Kristy joined in helping raise the younger kids while producing a family of her own. It was a struggle, but all the kids are now grown (Nathan is the youngest) and have attended college, received degrees and are married or working. Brent and Linda would have been most proud of their offspring, who are all great people.
Nathan's mission was to Seoul, Korea. He told Second ward members, "Everything you say doesn't matter-it's how you live the principals you believe in."
Youth speakers were Allen Brammer and Michael Downs, and a special piano solo was played by T.J. Mangleson of Lava Hot Springs. High Councilman Maynard Mangleson was the concluding speaker.
Dewey and Ila Mae Cunningham returned last week from wintering in St. George, Utah. While there, they learned they were great grandparents for the third time when daughter Sandy's son, Christopher and Linda Zewitski of Beaverton, Oregon, welcomed their son, Karter Anthony on December 28.

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