Caitlin, Brook, Linda, and Doug Jonas with Paul and Amanda Ross
In July 2021 Amanda found some airplane tickets to Alaska for $117 per ticket. They were a red eye flight to Fairbanks. We jumped on the opportunity. I will share some of the photos and other exploits later, but one of the highlights was seeing my Uncle Doug and Aunt Linda Jonas at their home in Anchorage, Alaska. We also got to spend some time with my cousin, their son, Brook and his wife, Caitlin, at their home as well. The above photo is from Brook and Caitlin’s home on 23 July. It is not a great photo, but it is the best we have of the occasion.
Hiram, Aliza, and James Ross with Elle and Blye Jonas, and last with Lillie Ross
We stayed with my Uncle and Aunt for several days. Another highlight of the trip was watching the kids play with their second cousins they had never met. Elle and Blye loved playing with our kids, and our kids had fun at their house!
Doug Jonas, Paul Ross, Linda Jonas at their home in Anchorage
This photo is from our last day when we left. Doug, Linda, and Blye sent us off with love.
Doug, Blye, and Linda Jonas
Our red eye flight was in and out of Fairbanks, a 6.5 hour trip if that was direct. We were taking the long road through Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, so it was a much longer trip that included Glennallen, Paxson, Delta Junction, and North Pole.
The trip to Alaska was so successful, Doug came back that same summer to celebrate his 50th Class Reunion from Burley High School. It was supposed to be celebrated in 2020, but COVID-19 killed that, so they joined up with the 1971 group to celebrate their 50th in 2021.
Paul Ross, Mary Lou Teal, Bill Teal, Jackie Melycher, Doug Jonas, James Ross, Linda Jonas
We celebrated by throwing on a little party for Doug and Linda while they were in town. Jackie and Mary Lou are two other cousins that came to celebrate with us.
Aliza and Lillie Ross, Doug and Linda Jonas, James Ross, and Jackie Melycher
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.
Sandy and Jackie Jonas, 142 State St, Richmond, Utah, 1968
I stumbled on this photo working through and scanning more photos from my Aunt Jackie. This may be the only color photo I have of my Mom in Richmond. That was the first thing that jumped out at me. I believe most of the photos from Richmond are black and white. The photo indicates it was developed in January 1969, which tells me it is from 1968. Good chance it is later in the summer or fall, trees, grass, and shrubs are in full greenery and there appears to be dead grass clippings on the sidewalk.
1968 would also put my Mom at 14 years old, Jackie at 8. Which could very well be. I would be somewhat tempted to suggest 1967. That same year they moved to 2652 Fairmont Avenue in Burley, Idaho. I have written about that move before. But that post also has a photo of Jackie very early on as well that appears to be similar age. Here is that photo again.
Jackie Jonas dancing on Fairmont Ave
Either way, the photo of my Mom about 14 caught my attention. I thought I would share it here to give it some context.
In 2020, the Ross Family took a trip through the Pacific Northwest. Our first stop was the world’s first National Park, Yellowstone! We left Burley, Idaho about noon and headed out for a longer than week road trip.
Hiram and Aliza Ross at Grand Prismatic Spring, 31 July 2020
Aliza, Lillian, Hiram, and James Ross waiting for Old Faithful, 31 July 2020
We arrived for Old Faithful, but it was going to be another hour, so we wandered Geyser Basin to kill some time.
Castle Geyser, 31 July 2020
We took the Upper Geyser Basin Trail and Upper Geyser Hill Trail
Old Faithful proved true to her name!
Aliza, Hiram, Lillie, and Amanda Ross with Old Faithful in the background, 31 July 2020
That night we stayed in Lake Village.
Mud Volcano is a popular stop and one I remember as a kid, 1 August 2020
Aliza, James, Lillie, and Paul Ross at Dragons Mouth Spring, 1 August 2020
Bison Herd at Yellowstone, 1 August 2020
The world famous Lower Falls in Yellowstone’s Grand Canyon, 1 August 2020
Even a selfie, Paul, Amanda, Aliza, Hiram, and James Ross, 1 August 2020
Another picture of the Yellowstone Grand Canyon from further down stream, you can see the top of the Lower Falls, 1 August 2020
James, Amanda, Lillie, Aliza, and Hiram Ross at Mammoth Hot Spring, 1 August 2020
Hiram Ross at Mammoth Hot Spring, 1 August 2020
Mammoth Hot Spring, Yellowstone National Park, 1 August 2020
The kids were worn out after a long day and we were then spending the night in Bozeman, Montana. We made our trip out of the park and to Montana to the C’mon Inn where we crashed for the night. The kids liked the Coy.
Aliza and Lillian Ross watching fish in Bozeman, Montana
You can read out about our visit the next day to the Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman.
Paul – Married in a small private ceremony at the home of the bride’s mother in Paul were Jackie Jonas of LaGrande Ore., and William Francis “Willie” Melycher of Spirit Lake, Idaho. The cemerony, performed at 7 p.m. by Bishop Ronald Nielsen of the Paul LDS Second Ward, was held on July 23 at the home of Colleen A. Jonas, 575 W. 50 S., Paul.
The bridegroom is the son of William Francis “Red” Melycher, Newtown, Conn.
The bridge, given in marriage by Douglas Norwood Jonas of Anchorage, Alaska, wore a gown made by Joyce Miller, fashioned in the full length of white lace with white satin robbon bow around the neck and a cumberbund. Her mesh headdress was enhanced on each side with strands of flowers and beads. Her flowers were gardenias and white roses.
Matron of honor was Sandy Jonas Ross; the flower girl was Andra Ross; ringbearer Paul Norwood Jonas Ross; and the best man Milo Paul Ross.
The bride’s colors were turquoise, aquamarine and teal, with decorations by Patty’s. Candelabra was furnished by Alice Cannon. Pianist was Susan Neibaur.
Cindy Hotchkiss made the three tiered wedding cake, decorated in the bride’s colors and floral accents of gardenias, white roses, and greenery. Colleen A. Jonas cut and served the cake.
Others assisting were Sergene Sorenson and Rae Smith.
The couple traveled to Newtown prior to the wedding.
The bride, a graduate of Burley High School and Boise State University, is a brakeman for the Union Pacific Railroad at LaGrande; and her husband is a graduate of Henry Abbott Technical in Danbury, Conn., and is chief ultrasonic rail inspector for Dapco Industries, Inc., Ridgefield, Conn.
Back (l-r): Milo and Sandy Ross, Willie and Jackie Melycher, Doug Jonas, Colleen Jonas, Brook Jonas; Front: Paul and Andra Ross
(l-r) Norwood Jonas, Jackie Jonas, Susan Jonas, Evan Jonas, Shelly Jonas, Lona Jonas
This was a fun photo to stumble on. I think this photo was 1968/1969. Grandpa & Grandma Norwood & Colleen Jonas moved to Burley, Cassia, Idaho in 1968. I am unclear if they had the house built in 1968 or if someone else built it and they were the first owners of the home. I have written with other photos of the home at 2652 Fairmont Avenue.
I don’t know the occasion or anything else. But it is fun that Evan & Lona brought the two youngest to come and visit at this time. A good looking picture of all of them. Two dapper brothers and their daughters.
I previously wrote about a couch and chair that I inherited. I am happy to report that I came upon a color photo of the couch and chair I mentioned earlier. It gives more context and clarity for the color and look of both.
Sandy Jonas and unknown on couch and chair
I think this photo may have been taken in the basement of the Burley home on Fairmont Street. I don’t know who the guy is in the photo.
This note was dropped at my office in Burley, Idaho several years ago. While I normally get Thank You cards in the mail, this is the anomaly. I believe it speaks for itself.
I was appointed to represent Delores Kelsey, Florence Delores Herron Kelsey, (1930-2017), in an eviction litigation. Some of her children were attempting to evict Bret Kelsey (1959-2020), her son, out of her home. It turned into a slog fest among a number of the Kelsey children/siblings. Brent Robinson defended Bret, Matt Darrington represented Paul Kelsey (1956-2018), Curtis Stoker was appointed as Trustee of the Kelsey Trust, and Peter Wells represented Curtis Stoker as Trustee. It took years of work. A Cassia County case, most hearings were held in Minidoka County. I think this case drove Judge Bollar to retirement faster.
Mr. Kelsey also took it upon himself to protest many attorneys over the years. I am fortunate to have also been in that club.
Matt Darrington had the honors of a protest sign
Matthew C Darrington
Attorney at Law
freeloaden off
“We the People”
Bret Kelsey with a Paul Ross protest sign in Burley, Idaho
Amanda was kind enough to stop and get pictures one day in 2016.
A better view of the protest sign of Mr. Kelsey
Paul N. J. Ross
Attorney at Law
taken advantage of the ELDERLY
We the People
Bret Kelsey with a Ross protest sign in Burley Idaho in 2016
Paul N. J. Ross
Attorney at Law
SKUM SUCKEN
Lien two-face
MORMON TRASH
Mr. Kelsey protesting Mr. Larsen as Prosecutor in front of Zions Bank
PROSECUTOR
McCord Larsen
is a TWO-FACE
backstabben
LYEN PUNK
It was years after it was over that the above love note was left at my office.
Mediel Justice Chronicle
*Bullyous Tyrant Mormons*
This short story was created by those whom in my opinoun became Bullyous Tyrants by abuseing their power in representing Dolores Kelsey’s – Trust n Concerns –
Is Brent Robinson – Attorney at Law – Mormon an “Angel of Darkness?”
Is Matt Darrington – Attorney at Law -Mormon a “Freeloader of People?” – Mormon
Is Paul Ross – Attorney at Law -Mormon “One Whom Takes Advantage of Elderly?”
Is Curtis Stoker – Trustee – Mormon A “Lying – Distrespectful – Dishonest?”
Is Peter Wells – Attorney at Law – Mormon A “Pretender of the Truth?”
Unknowingly pierced by BEELZEBUBS dagger of darkness these Bullyous Mormons have become corrupted, there by extorting unjustifiable cruelties!!!! I leave you with a quote. “Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.
Sagacity 