Downey–It’s easy to be patriotic in Downey and fly the flag on appropriate holidays–thanks to the Downey Second Ward Boy Scouts and leaders under direction of Corey Simpson.

The group is offering a service that will have them doing the work of putting up an American flag on eleven special days. Cost of the service is $25 per year and includes the flag, flag storage, putting up and taking down on the holidays. Flags will also be maintained in good order, Simpson says.

Funds raised on the project will be used to support various scouting activities and supplies through the year. Flags will be flown on New Year’s Day, President’s Day, Human Rights Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, during the Downey Fair, Labor Day, Columbus Day, election day, and Veteran’s Day.

To sign up for the service, contact Corey Simpson at 897-5294, or at 51 South Third East, Downey, ID 83234.

Former Downey resident Rox Burkett, the son of the late beloved town doctor, Leo Burkett, visited last week in Downey with LaRue Godfrey. LaRue’s late wife, Laura, worked many years for Dr. Burkett prior to his retirement. Rox now lives in Utah.

Congratulations to the Downey seniors who graduated this year from Marsh Valley High School. Among them are Jennifer Jones, daughter of Terry and Michelle Jones; Michael Downs, son of Bret and Darlene Downs; Christopher Ingersoll, son of Jeff Ingersoll and Marilyn Hart; Jennifer Daniels, daughter of Vere and Annette Daniels; Amy Davis, daughter of Chris and Lori Davis; Jenette Evans, daughter of Morgan and Charla Evans; Thomas Probst, son of Mr and Mrs John Probst, Swan Lake; Todd Welch, son of Mike and Zinda Welch; Landon Yearsley, son of Bret and Ann Yearsley; Julie Parke, daughter of Jim and Kayleen Parke; Randall Brady, son of John and Karen Brady, Virginia; Jennie Criddle, daughter of Rex and Kathleen Criddle; Michael Babbitt, grandson of Floyd and Eunice Babbitt, Virginia; Lyndsey Bennett, daughter of Mark and Penny Bennett, Virginia; Matthew Downey, Virginia; Steven Hansen, son of Mel and Margie Hansen; Amanda Morse, daughter of Evan and Nola Morse; Melissa Peterson, daughter of Lori Criddle; Spencer Salvesen, son of Rocky and Evie Salvesen; Kassy Slaven, daughter of Dennis and Patty Thompson and William Slaven;Bobbylee Southworth, daughter of Shawn and Kathleen Miller.

Visiting with Erwin and Twila Henderson over the weekend were their daughter and son-in-law, Joan and Clarence Funk of San Diego, and the Funks married daughter and family. The Funks were enroute to Provo to attend the blessing of a new baby and the baptism of a grandson.

New members of the Downey Area Chamber of Commerce are Julie’s Best Bakery, Smithland Construction, Handiman Dan and Althea Christensen.

Julie Anderson is owner of the Best Bakery. She is a cook at the Senior Citizens Center and in her spare time creates delectable baked concoctions which she sells through Downey Food Center and to individuals. She uses the facilities at the Senior Center to do the baking. A particular favorite in town already are her chocolate chip cookies, followed closely by the rich chocolate brownies. She can be reached at 897-5681.

Smithland Construction and Smithland Bed and Breakfast are owned by Steve and Aprille Smith. He builds and remodels buildings and does carpentry and construction work. She operates the bed and breakfast south of Downey near Red Rock Pass, offering breakfast of pancakes and waffles made from an old family sourdough start. The couple also sell solar energy systems. They can be reached at 897-5148.

Handiman Dan is also a licensed contractor who does all types of construction and home remodeling. Althea will soon open her crafts business with wood, tole classes and gift items. It will be located in the house next to theirs on Fourth East. They can be reached at 897-5224.

Kent Winward has been hired to fill the vacant position of city maintenance man with Downey City. The position was left vacant after the resignation of Tony Hancock, who is forming his own construction company.

Winward has been employed for some time with Bannock Paving in Pocatello. His wife, Debbie, is owner of a new gift service, Winward Woods, which features home gift parties that sell commercial and hand made gift items. Information on that service is available at 8977-5986.

Rand Greaves was honored at a retirement party Wednesday by nearly 40 colleagues at the Marsh Valley Middle School Commons Area. The invitation only party allowed co-workers the opportunity to talk about Greaves’ 35 years as a teacher and technology coordinator in School District #21.

He began in 1968 teaching English and journalism, and later developed the first computer lab at the school–one of the very first in Idaho. At the time there were no textbooks for computer classes, so Greaves compiled a book to teach on the Commodores that the school purchased. The book was used for several years.

He oversaw the technological development at the school until four years ago, when he was named District Technology Coordinator, overseeing systems at schools in Inkom, Lava Hot Springs, Downey and Arimo.

Health problems with himself and his family have been a factor in his early retirement, Greaves said, but he will miss his colleagues at the District office. Hosts for the event were Bobbie Spencer, Frank Howe, Sydney Mae Lowry and Louise Wilding. Greaves’ son, Rand C., came from New Plymouth, Idaho, for the event.

Jay and Elizabeth Hartvigsen were in Logan and Richmond, Utah, over the weekend to attend the wedding and reception for her granddaughter, Amanda, daughter of Robert and Barbara Yardley, Richmond. The Yardleys are former Downey residents.

Louise Webb was released Sunday as Relief Society President in the Downey Second Ward after several years of service. Also released were her counselors, Ellen Rasmussen and Keri Bloxham, and secretary Connie Johnson.

Sustained as the new Relief Society president was Barbara Bybee, who is vice-president in charge at the Downey Branch of Ireland Bank. She is an active member of the Downey Area Chamber of Commerce and an avid community service worker. She has served as Young Women’s President and several other jobs in the church.

Barbara’s counselors will be Keri Bloxham and LaRue Higbee, with Valois Baker as secretary.

More than 30 trees were planted along the north entrance to town last week as part of Arbor Day activities, according to City Arborist Wendy Anderson. Most of the work was done by volunteers from the Master Gardening Class. The class and community volunteers also planted flowers in the downtown flower beds last week–just in time to get snowed on Sunday. Many Downey folks lost flowers and vegetable gardens in the freak snowstorm which left about half an inch of snow on the ground.

Return to Downey News Page