Downey–This year’s South Bannock County Fair theme, "What’s New in 2002," is sparking the imaginations of volunteer organizers says advisory board chairwoman Karen Bloxham. The theme, meant to honor the anniversary of the 4-H clubs in the area, has given rise to several new activities for this years event in August.

Scheduled for Tuesday night of the Fair is the Baby Contest, with Wendy Dunn in charge. It will begin at 7 p.m. on the new stage trailer being refurbished by the Downey Lions Club. The stage will be used for performances at the fair throughout the week.

Children’s Days at the Fair will be Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Wednesday will feature the South Bannock Library District with "Story time at the Fair," with books and crafts for kids. Thursday is under the direction of long-time volunteer Karla Bybee, who will bring Country Day for Kids, including free horse-drawn wagon rides.

Friday is Water Day under the direction of Elizabeth Bloxham. This will be a day of water activities of all kinds, so kids are urged to wear clothes they can get wet in.

The annual parade will once again be on Wednesday night with long-time 4-H leaders and volunteers Albert and Karen Whitworth of Inkom as Grand Marshals. Anyone interested in taking part in the parade can contact co-chairwomen Evie Sorenson or Karla Bybee for details.

Also on Wednesday will be the Chamber of Commerce Steak Fry supper at City park, with a rib eye steak, Dutch oven potatoes, corn on the cob, roll, watermelon and drink. The Utah based singing group, The Prairie Crooners, will perform during the meal.

The Farm Bureau Talent Contest will once again come to the South Fair this year and is open to talent from all over the county. Details are available from Beverly Phillips at 775-3307, or Anjanele Degn at 897-5141. This event is scheduled for Thursday night on the new stage.

A Community Flea Market will take place Friday beginning at 10 a.m. on the ball diamond. Tables are $5, and folks from all over Bannock County are invited to bring their good used things to sell. To schedule tables, contact the fair office in Pocatello at 237-1340, or Karen Bloxham at 897-5955.

Also on Friday is the annual Downey Lions Amateur Rodeo, sponsored by the Downey Lions Club. Bloxham said the Lions are a major influence on the success of the south fair because of their continually volunteerism and assistance.

The Lions have rented the "Jumping Tent" for youngsters for entertainment on Wednesday. Kids can get into the air-filled tent and jump for a quarter.

"I don’t know what we’d do without the Lions," she said.

American Legion Post #21 will have their annual cook-out Friday night at 5 p.m., Bloxham said, with a menu to be announced later.

For those who have always wanted to assist with the Fair, this is the year, Bloxham urges. With the entire fair being done by volunteers, many are need to enter and release exhibits and sit with exhibits during the week. Even if a volunteer can only come an hour or two during the week, their assistance is needed, she said. Call her at 897-5955 to see how to help.

Dee and Gloria Nelson have begun their annual summer procession of grandchildren visitors at their Downey home. The grandkids love to come and stay in Downey, and perennial visitors have been Heather and Lyndsay of Ephraim, Utah. Heather has been here a week and will be joined by her big sister Friday, along with Jade and Isaac of California. While here, Gloria and the kids have weekly crafting days and baking days and several area outings.

Featured in the May/June issue of Reminisce magazine is a wonderful piece by Downey’s Beth Rees Golson about a sixty year old photograph of her father "reading the lucky lilacs." Golson says that when the lilacs bloomed in spring, the youngsters in her family would race in search of the "lucky" lilacs–those with three, five, or six petals instead of the usual four. The kids would run back to their dad’s lap and wait for him to "read" it. As each child’s turn came, that child would sit on Dad’s knee while the others gathered round. He would examine the flower, then he would look through his "magic glasses and give clues to the child’s wonderful treasure–usually a piece of gum or candy.

Golson, now a 75-year-old great grandmother, says the tradition still goes strong with her own offspring, with the grown-up children doing readings for their own youngsters. It is a choice story, and we’re glad Beth shared it with the world, along with the wonderful photograph of her father. The magazine is available at the Downey Public Library. The article is located on page27 of the book.

Downey and Lava Hot Springs children are in the midst of the annual Library Summer Reading Program at both facilities. "Join the Winner’s Circle" is this year’s them, with the program running until the week of July 15. Each week there is a story hour, and kids are encouraged to read between times to keep up reading skills, says head librarian Marcy Price. There is also a craft time, with little activities to go along with scheduled stories and films. Workers at the libraries operate the sessions, and this year will also present Story Time at the Fair, during the South Bannock County Fair in August.

June 27 has the theme "Imagine Yourself a Winner!" with books "The Wizard and the Rainbow," "A Wizard Came to Visit," and "The Witch, The Cat and the Baseball Bat. The craft will be creating Crystal Balls.

July 1 will feature "Together We Can Win." The books will include "Plateo’s Big Race," "Ready, Get Set, Go!" "Tony and His Friends," and "We’re Very Good Friends, My Mom and I." The craft will have the theme "Friendship Grows and Grows."

"Winners Play the Game" will be the title of July 8's program, with books "Who Cares About Disabled People?" "Soccer Game," I Like to Win," and "The Great Race." Children will create Olympic torches for the craft.

The final session on July 15 will be a reading and game day, with several activities scheduled to wind up the program. There will also be treats for participants. The Lava Library Summer Program is held each Thursday from 3:30-4:30 May 30-July 15. The weekly themes are the same, with some difference in stories and activities. Iris Frandsen is in charge. At Downey, Julie Rasmussen is in charge. Downey children meet Mondays from 2-3 p.m. June 3-July 15. Children can earn prizes, play games, and enhance the reading skills they’ve learned during the school year. All activities are free to the public.

The membership of the Downey Area Chamber of Commerce is growing by leaps and bounds as area business people jump on the bandwagon to be a part of the new City/Chamber website, at a special rate. Spearheading the drive is webmaster Ann Yearsley, who has offered special incentives for new members, who may join at the special price of $10 for the remainder of this year. Normal price is $25 per year.

Each new member receives a free business card on the Chamber’s Business listing on the website, and can purchase Yearsley’s services to design their own web page at a special price. The official launch for the website will be the last week of this month.

Yearsley and Penny Greaves will also be compiling "Welcome Wagon" folders to be given at the City Office to new residents. These folders will include coupons and gift certificates at area businesses, maps and brochures about city services.

Names are being taken through the City and Chamber of Commerce for the Gem Community Committee as nominees for "Yard of the Season," where Downey’s most beautiful summer yard will be honored. If you know of a worthy yard, contact City Clerk Brenda Kay, Chamber President Karen Bloxham or Gem Committee President Jim Parke to nominate. Plaques will be awarded to winners.

The Chamber of Commerce is interested in publishing a monthly newsletter of town news, which will sell for fifty cents a copy, much like the publication now being distributed by the Lava Senior Center.

Anyone with items for the newsletter can contact Penny Greaves. Besides being published, the newsletter will appear on the City Website each month. Those wishing to purchase advertising can also contact Penny Greaves. Ads are $10 for 1/4 page, $20 for half page, and $40 for full page. The paper will be 8 ½ x 11 inches.

Robert Hahn is the new president of the Downey Lions Club. Hahn, who has served in the position previously, is an avid volunteer in the Downey community–even though he lives in McCammon! He is a past recipient of the Downey Area Chamber of Commerce Volunteer of the Year Award along with his wife, Vicky. Both have donated hours to Lions Club and the Marsh Valley Senior Citizens.

Jim Parke, owner of Downey Food Center, will once again chair the Chamber’s annual Dinner at the Fair. A special meal will be sold this year featuring Rib eye steak and all the trimmings. Plans are being made to feed a large crew, and tickets will be sold at the gate. The meal is held at the City Park pavilion.

A clean-up crew will be needed before and after the dinner to assist. Anyone interested in helping can call Parke. The meal will begin about 7 p.m., right after the parade. The Prairie Crooners will be on stage next to the picnic site to entertain, and the Lions Club children’s tent will be open for jumping.

Ann Yearsley has taken on duties of preparing the Chamber float, but she will need lots of assistance. Fifty dollars has been earmarked to purchase new materials to go with items retained from past years on the float. Twenty pounds of candy will be tossed out by the Chamber during the parade.

Karl McQuivey is working on an addition to the new city sign north of town. The addition will be the city’s website address, to encourage passersby to check in.

A printed business directory is being prepared to go along with the one on the website, and to be included in the Welcome Wagon folders. Anyone wishing to be included can contact Penny Greaves or Ann Yearsley.

City Arborist Wendy Anderson reports that the Master Gardening Class and a group of volunteers have planted seven spruce trees and twenty three poplars along the north entrance to town, along with a watering system. A white vinyl fence will be installed next, making the area more attractive to those entering town.

Volunteers have also planted ten flats of flowers in the downtown area. Most of these growing things were purchased with money from a grant from the IFFT Foundation in Pocatello. Downey has much appreciated IFFT grants in the past, and has seen great improvements in area parks and entryways because of their generosity, Anderson said.

Plans are being made to dedicate Downey’s war memorial on July 4, according to chairperson Vern Bloxham, who has collected funds for the project. The edifice will be located at Henderson Park on Main Street, across from the City Office. The base is now dug and work should be progressing this week.

Dedication ceremonies will be announced by next week. Donations for the project are still being taken at a special fund at Ireland Bank in Downey. There will be memorials for all officers who served in the military from this area of southeastern Idaho.

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