Amanda, Aliza, Milo, Hiram, and Paul Ross at the Pocatello Idaho Temple
Hiram turns 12 this year. That means he is of sufficient age that in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints he can be conferred the Aaronic Priesthood, ordained a Deacon, and attend the holy temple to perform work on behalf of the deceased. The year that a youth turns 12, starting in January, they may enter the temple to do that work. We did the same thing with Aliza.
We were originally slated to go 12 January but a winter storm closed the Twin Falls Temple. Our Ward, the Burley 8th Ward, also had a temple trip planned to the Twin Falls Temple on 13 January. Weather cancelled that trip as well. The temples are usually booked out a month or two in advance. Looking around, I found a little opening in the Pocatello Temple on 26 January, so I booked it. Twin Falls is about 45 to 50 minutes away, Pocatello is about 65 to 70 minutes away.
We loaded up Dad and trekked off to Pocatello. Lillian and James stayed with Aunt Lolane Andra in Chubbuck and we ran up to the temple. We snapped this picture on the way in. A bit fuzzy, but it preserves the date! Grandpa Milo and I were able to baptize and confirm Aliza and Hiram.
Afterward we hung out with Aunt Lolane for a bit and then squeezed in a trip to Denny’s before heading home. Unfortunately we forgot to get a picture with Lolane.
Until Idaho has their county land records online, from time to time I have to travel to do some title and land searches at various counties. On 25 August 2023, I made a stop at the Franklin County Courthouse located in Preston, Franklin, Idaho to do some lien searches.
The building is under renovation and I was able to see into the new District Courtroom from the stairs in the hallway. It will be a beautiful courtroom when it is completed.
My family has a personal connection to this courthouse. My Grandmother, Colleen Mary Andra, was born and raised in Preston. In fact, my Grandmother, born in 1928, attended the dedication with her parents of the Franklin County Courthouse in 1939.
I have quite a treasure trove of photos of my grandmother, Colleen Mary Andra. But the earlier you go back in her life, the less there are. Born in 1928, photos were not inexpensive in the 1930s. In a family of 12 children, 10 who lived to adulthood, those photos would have to be selectively chosen on occasion and who they captured. I believe there are more photos, but whether I will ever have them is the question.
It was with some excitement that I found these photos. I believe these all depict Colleen as a teenager. The one above with a 1930s vehicle and an early 1940s car rear end. I couldn’t figure out what either car was with the limited view of the cars. I also tried to pin down the mountains, but they don’t seem to line up with Preston or Richmond. The mountains are too close for Preston or Whitney, so it must be farther south on the Utah side of Cache Valley.
Colleen Andra
Here is another photo of Grandma. I don’t know the location of this photo either. I believe she is older in this photo.
This photo was also in the stack. The non-color and non-spotty version I shared earlier.
Brandon Woolf, McCord Larsen, Paul Ross with Idaho State Capitol
This year I was more involved in the legislative process than in the past. There were a few bills I was particularly interested and closely involved. I even helped write a few.
On 3 March 2023 I traveled to the Idaho State Capitol with my friend and Cassia County Prosecutor McCord Larsen to testify on a particular bill related to Public Defense. While there, we took the opportunity to make a number of other calls and visits in addition to the legislators/legislative. This photo comes from one of those visits.
Brandon Woolf is the Idaho State Controller. More importantly he is my friend. He is always out and about in visiting communities and friends. I have run into him in Preston, Soda Springs, Malad, Burley, Rupert, and Boise. Not only do I respect and honor this friend, our families have been friends for generations. Brandon is from Preston, where my Andra, Nuffer, and Wanner lines are all from. I have ran into Brandon at That Famous Preston Night Rodeo, the Rodeo Days Parade (also in Preston), and even the Independence Day Breakfast in Preston. It has been a small world and an oddity that I run into this guy as much as I do.
He took us through and shows us the new Transparent Idaho website. He is pretty excited for this website to continue to be rolled out and outfitted with all information for Idaho government. That is not just state, but every taxing district from cities, to counties; from cemetery districts to school districts.
The highlight was catching up between old friends (and Aggies). For the occasion, we snapped this photo from Brandon’s office. Somehow it seems enchanting. My beloved state, a phenomenal Idaho Constitutional Officer, friendship, and a beautiful Capitol. My experience with Idaho is that we are in good hands.
As for the legislation we were working on that day, well it was a disappointment. Representatives Weber and Cannon apparently were more interested in passing a bill than getting it right. We have tons of clean-up, which is always harder the second or third year than at the beginning. I have many, many reservations on the bill generally and don’t think it cannot be cleaned up but for a rewrite. But they didn’t care about that either. For a state that is independent, local control, and willing to do things different, this bill flew in the face of all that. It centralized power, removed local stakeholders, consolidated processes, ignored processes, and all at the same time wildly underfunded. I hope I am wrong, but I think it will get worse before it gets better.
Other bills were introduced too late and didn’t get too far. Others passed through unmarred and become clarifying law. The updates of bankruptcy related law all seem to have failed. But we will try again next year. Too bad it does not pay, it is hard doing all this on your own dime and sacrificing your gainful employment.
We were able to do lunch with our local Representative Clay Handy and visit with Representative Doug Pickett. Senator Kelly Anthon was kind enough to introduce us and welcome us from the Senate floor. We were unable otherwise to meet up with him.
Idaho is still small. I hope we do not lose the small state legislature, the gentleman’s creed, and the ability to do business. Please like Brandon keep hope in government when it is sometimes hard to keep hope in such a process.
I actually have no idea what this photo was taken for, where at, or what occasion. Based on the car behind, I presume this is mid to late 1960s. William Frederick Andra and Mary Louise Wanner Andra. My Great Grandparents through their daughter, Colleen. Both lived long enough that I have various memories with them, even though I was fairly young and grew up more than 2 hours away from them. I remember playing Cribbage with Grandpa Andra. I remember playing Aggravation with Grandma Andra. They are my two Great Grandparents I have yet to write a history on. I have not done so because of the sheer amount of photos I have for them. Some day.
This photo caught my attention. Let’s say it is the summer of 1966, that makes Bill 68, Mary 65. They look happy, content. They look healthy, both lived to be over 90. As my hair thins, it reminds me of Grandpa Andra. I think I have his hair and cowlicks. This is a good photo of Bill and Mary Andra, whatever year.
As we celebrate Christmas once again, one cannot help but remember the Christmas past. I scanned this photo in the last month and it brought back many memories.
My Grandma was then named Colleen Elliott (1928-1999), married to Evan Kay Elliott (1934-2007). This was their home in Paul, Idaho.
There are quite a few presents around that tree. But what do I remember?
I remember my Uncle Doug, Aunt Linda, and cousin Brook Jonas that Christmas. They moved to Alaska in 1987. I think this was the same year Brook accidentally broke my nose. I think that year or next Grandma and Evan were divorced.
I remember getting a harmonica that Christmas that I loved and played for many years. It disappeared after my Grandma passed away while I was on a mission in England in 1999.
I remember my Uncle Willie and Aunt Jackie Melycher. They were married in 1987 in this house.
The house evokes more memories than the Christmas. Although I do recognize and remember some of the balls on the tree.
I remember loving the big dinners at Grandma’s house. I think I remember this Christmas dinner, or maybe it was Thanksgiving. It was a feast as usual. Homemade coleslaw was amazing, still do not believe I have tasted one like hers since.
Part of the meal was the homemade pies. Lemon meringue was my favorite. The pie crust cookies were the best!
I remember the guys talking in this room during the morning. I remember napping in the front room after the meal on one of the couches.
I remember building fires in the fireplace. One time the window shattered outward and made a mess.
Is it strange I want to walk through the house again? But like a funeral viewing, it gives a new memory that I think I would rather not have.
Now, back to the present. I am grateful for my family. I hope they remember Christmas fondly in the future. I hope they have pleasant memories. I hope they remember! Perhaps a photograph for them will conjure a flood of pleasant memories and feelings too. May the joys of the season remain and be recalled.
This doesn’t mention the ultimate reason for the season. But we celebrate his birthday by bringing our family close.
Colleen Mary Andra graduated 24 May 1946 from Preston High in Preston, Idaho
I was given a box of photos. I have been working through those photos to scan and catalogue them. In that box were the Diploma from Preston High School for my Grandma and her Certificate of Graduation from Seminary.
Colleen Mary Andra (1928-1999) graduated 24 May 1946 from Preston High School in Preston, Franklin, Idaho. I was able to do a little homework on the individuals behind the signatures.
Orvid Ray Cutler was born 21 July 1903 in Preston, Idaho and died 24 January 1975 in Preston. A physician and surgeon, he was also active in public service. He was on the Eastside School Board for over 30 years, Mayor of Preston, and on the Idaho Cancer Board.
William Horland Simmons was born 13 February 1905 in Clawson, Teton, Idaho and died 10 April 1988 in Idaho Falls, Bonneville, Idaho. He spent 24 years as Superintendent in Preston. He then went to Idaho Falls. A charter member of the Preston Lions Club.
Colleen Mary Andra graduated 20 May 1945 from L.D.S. Seminaries.
Colleen graduated 20 May 1945 from L.D.S. Seminaries in Preston. I have a suspicion it was actually 1946, but I am not certain. The wrong year is one thing, but there is another interesting twist. Heber J Grant’s signature is on the Certificate. President Grant had passed away on 14 May 1945, so he passed away before the graduation in 1945, but did they really use the same certificates in 1946? I don’t know what is correct but presume the current graduation with high school is probably correct. So those old 1945 certificates may have been used in 1946.
Heber Jeddy Grant was born 22 November 1956 in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah and died 14 May 1945 in Salt Lake City. He was president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1918 until his passing in 1945. He is the son of Jedediah Morgan Grant and was a long time church leader. Grandma would not have known another church president as he became President before she was born.
Paul Richard Wynn was born 18 September 1899 in Lyons, Rice, Kansas and died 23 March 1966 in Preston. I cannot find much about him but he was apparently the President of the Board of Education and he lived in Preston. Sounds like he was Stake President in Preston at one time. Even says he prayed in General Conference. A boy from Preston apparently led the Church Board of Education. Of interest, he married to Mary Ellen Hemsley, sister of Richard John Hemsley, Amanda’s ancestor.
Ernest Eberhard Jr was born 20 June 1909 in Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany and died 29 June 1988 in Bountiful, Davis, Utah. I could find where he was the first Mission President of the Idaho Mission when created in 1974 and the Utah Mission in 1976. He was signer as Principal of the Seminary in Preston. He was called by Elder Widtsoe to take the position in Preston for which he stayed for 26 years. He was Bishop of the Preston 1st Ward for 10 years (1944-1954) as well as Mayor of Preston (1951-1955).
Franklin Lorenzo Richards West was born 1 February 1885 in Ogden, Weber, Utah and died 21 October 1966 in Salt Lake City. He was the Dean of Arts and Science at Utah Agricultural College and became Commissioner of Church Education until 1953.
Andra and Sandy Ross (back), Colleen Lloyd (center), Jackie and May Melycher
I first saw this picture this month. I don’t know the occasion and I don’t know why it was taken. But it captivates and surprises me.
This is my Grandmother, Colleen Andra Jonas Elliott Lloyd (1928 – 1999). She is dressed up a bit more than usual, so it must have been an occasion.
I had assumed the photo was taken after I had moved away to attend Utah State University in 1997. But that would put May around 8 years old, she looks more like 6 years old.
I visited with Andra, she thought it was taken at the Burley Elks Lodge when she was about 9th Grace, which would put it about 1994. That fits about right for May’s age. Andra also thought it was some occasion at the Elks and that is why Grandma is dressed up.
This is my mother, Sandy Ross, and my Aunt, Jackie Melycher. They are sisters. Andra is my sister, May my first cousin.
Whatever the occasion, it was a surprise to see a somewhat formal photo of my Grandma, Mom, Sister, Aunt, and Cousin. We as a family did not really do photos together so it was a treat.
Sagacity 