Back (l-r): Wayne Taylor, Frank Poulsen, Miriam Weatherston, Margaret Freestone, Ezma Musgrave, Dorothy Richardson, Milo Ross, Earl Hipwell. Middle: Ray Charlton, Junior Taylor, LauRene Thompson, Jean Etherington, Cleone Carver, Myrtle Hampton, Eugene Maw, Van Elliot Heninger. Front: Keith Hodson, Orlo Maw, Howard Hunt, Ellis Lund, Delmar White, Ted Christensen, Lyle Thompson, Ivan Hodson.
Here is another photo grade school photo, this one from Grandpa’s 8th Grade year. This is a much clearer picture, and not a photocopy. This was taken outside the old Plain City School in Plain City, Weber, Utah. This is a clearer picture than the one I had previously shared. I am sharing this in honor of what would have been his 105th birthday this week.
I have been taking pictures of various Idaho County Courthouses as I get around. Here is another in that series.
I don’t get to Gooding County very often. It is still in the 5th Judicial District, so I get there once and a while. Normally something doing a title search in the land records or rarely for a court appearance.
The last time I was at the Gooding County Courthouse in mid 2025, I found a 1942 French two francs coin in the parking lot. It was my lucky day. I told the bailiff and employee in the recorders office in case anyone showed up asking about it. I still have it, so its owner doesn’t know where they lost it, or didn’t know they had a two francs coin. It is worth between $10 to $30 as of when I found it. France is on the Euro now.
On 5 April 2020, I had to go digging to find my Hosanna Shout Handkerchief. It was the 200th Anniversary of the First Vision of Joseph Smith Jr. and President Russell M. Nelson had indicated we would be having a Hosanna Shout the day before to honor and celebrate. At some point on that day I snapped this picture of my handkerchief.
This handkerchief was given to me in Runcorn, England by John and Rose Byrom. It had been used in the Hosanna Shout for the Preston England Temple Dedication. I do not know who it belonged to or why it was being given to some missionary from Idaho, but I gladly accepted it. I got to use it for the first time on 8 October 2000 in the Manchester England Stake Center for the dedication of the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. Several days later I recall my companion, Elder Gheorghe Simion, telling me that during the night he heard me muttering the Hosanna Shout in my sleep. Later, again, we were in the car and he told me I should stop saying the Hosanna Shout under my breath. I had not realized I was doing it. But I do catch myself once and a while repeating its words to myself on particular occasions. It is deeply entrenched in my soul.
As I sat thinking about this handkerchief in 2020, I was thinking about all the occasions on which I have had the privilege of using it since then. For a record, I thought I better list the dates this handkerchief was used for a Hosanna Shout. I have updated it even for additional uses since 2020, particularly in dedicating our own Burley Idaho Temple.
Preston England Temple – 7-10 June 1998 – Preston England Temple, Chorley, England. I did not use it, someone else did.
Conference Center – 8 October 2000 – Manchester Stake Center, Altrincham, England.
I continue to scan many of the photos belonging to Dave and Betty Donaldson. Some of the photos are a group or series, like this one. I don’t know why, but this one stood out enough for me to do a post on it.
Dad often helps me name some of the individuals in photos, or at least he looks at them. He does not always know who people are in the photos. When skimming these photos, he made the comment, “If you looked at the sign in sheet on the top of that arch, my name is there.” He told me it was one of the stops on a Boy Scout whitewater trip down the Colorado River in about 1957.
That trip was while the Glen Canyon Dam was under construction. They had to take their canoes out and hike around the dam construction and put back in below. When they were passing the canyon where Rainbow Bridge is located, they pulled out and hiked up the canyon. They then climb up on top of the bridge, which is a big no-no now.
These photos show a Rainbow Bridge much more accessible by water through the still filling Lake Powell.
As you can see in the photo below, these photos were likely taken in the middle to late 1970s. The dam did not fully fill until 1980! 17 years to fill! It has not been full since that time, continuing to decline due to prolonged drought.
It is an awe inspiring site to behold.
Dave Donaldson and Irene Telford
I do not know anything more than what the photos tell. Family trip to Lake Powell? Who is the instigator? Rented boat?
Irene Telford, children, and Betty Donaldson
Irene is the daughter of Sterlin Delaino Telford Jr and Maxine Donaldson. David and Maxine are siblings to my Grandmother, Gladys Donaldson Ross. I scanned this photo just recently of Irene and Mel Rawlinson. I believe the daughter’s name is Shelly.
Standing (l-r) Scott & Sarah Erekson, Jolene Maloney, Anne Taylor, Teresa Molitor; Seated: Trish and Tony Geddes, Amanda and Paul Ross
This is an election year. All our Idaho Constitutional Officers are up for election again. I hope some great candidates will step forward to run.
Amanda and I were fortunate to attend the Inaugural Dinner in January 2023. Many who were working on the new Idaho State Public Defender legislation were invited to attend. It was an honor.
We also walked up to the Capitol afterward for some of the festivities there.
What will the inauguration in January 2027 look like?
Amanda and Paul Ross in the Idaho State Capitol – Boise, Idaho
Extra points for those who recognize my lapel pin…
James sneaked down to catch Santa, but fell asleep
Since we just passed Christmas, I thought I would share a couple of pictures from our first Christmas in our current home. The difference 3 years makes!
Have to wait before they can descend to see the presents or trees on Christmas morning
Traditionally we make all the kids get up and get together and we go in together. That way nobody peeks or otherwise gets ahead of the other kids.
This year was unique in that we arrived home after midnight. Kids slept in until past 8 am.
I previously wrote of our trip to Alaska in 2021. We hit Denali, Anchorage, and visited Jonas cousins. On that same trip we also drove down to Kenai Fjords. It was a memorable trip.
Looking down the valley from Exit Glacier.
That glacier apparently once was down in this vicinity in the last 100 years. The hikes were not so bad for the kids, we just had to take our time.
What remains of Exit Glacier.
You can see that some of the terrain is now being filled by greenery.
Aliza, Hiram, Lillie, Amanda, James, and Paul Ross with Exit Glacier in 2021
More terrain below Exit Glacier – once all under the glacier too
We also drove down the way to Seward while we were there.
Aliza, Hiram, Lillie, and Amanda Ross looking out at Resurrection Bay
As I worked through the photos of Dave and Betty Donaldson, I stumbled on some pictures sent from Dad. Dad, Milo Paul Ross, attended the 1957 Boy Scout Jamboree in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. I thought I would share those photos along with some other items I have scanned related to that trip. Since there were a couple of photos from the 1958 High Adventure Trip, I thought I would include those too.
First, be aware that the Great Salt Lake and Lake Bonneville Councils published a book about their trip. “Onward for God and My Country” was the motto. I have scanned the entire book – it is provided below.
The book says the trip occurred in July 1957. The book provides plenty of photos of the highlights. These few photos show what Dad thought was interesting enough to take pictures.
The trip took them east through a variety of states. Included was Chicago, Detroit, and Palmyra. Stops included the Sacred Grove and Smith Farm. Albany, Springfield, Boston, and New York City.
Dad does not recall the names or even knowing anyone in the photos at Jamboree.
I remember Dad talking about the Statue of Liberty. They climbed the stairs to the crown. He also indicated that at that time they let some of them climb to the torch. It was a very memorable experience. He also mentioned the Empire State Building and Independence Hall in Philadelphia. Vice President Nixon addressed the Scouts.
Kammeyer’s supported the Jamboree.
For those LDS Scouts, Harold B Lee and Delbert L Stapley spoke to the boys on Sunday. Here is a letter Dad wrote home while there.
I previously wrote about Dad and scouting. Here is his Eagle Scout picture.
Milo Paul Ross achieved Eagle Scout
Here is a note Grandpa made about this picture.
Milo Ross, Bill McBride, Leon Taylor, Freddy Cox Eagle Announcement
Milo James Ross commented about Milo Paul Ross receiving his Duty to God award on 27 April 1959
Duty to God Award
Letter from Church Headquarters
Here are a couple of the photos from the Colorado River rafting trip. Dad thinks there are more photos. He does not remember or recognize any of the individuals in the photos.
Dad remembered they had to pull out of the river to go around the Glen Canyon Dam construction.
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Both of these were trips of a lifetime. Neither have been forgotten.
Sagacity 