Scanning some photos from a photo album of my Aunt Jackie, I found these treasures. These pictures appear to be 1977 to 1978 based on the age of my cousin. It took me back to my own memories of this back yard growing up. This is Grandma’s home on what was 50 South, now 584 Sunnyslope Drive, Paul, Idaho.
Brook Jonas on a new backyard patio
The old red barn over the canal from Grandma’s back patio
The same shed a few years later, boarded up.
Sandy, Jack, and Paul Ross
Sidewalk to shed. That flower bed had amazing gooseberries. May have climbed that antenna pole to get on the roof a few times.
The back of the yellow shed with the old outhouse and little red tar paper shack. I do remember many years of the yellow apples.
Another photo I found with me on the back patio about 1980.
Milo Ross, Paul, and dog.
Here is the same back yard from a different angle probably 3-5 years later. Grass is now in place and the ditch side looks prepared as the flowerbeds I knew them.
Unknown, Jackie, Unknown looking toward the same back yard and ditch.
In the same area, 1992.
Paul, Milo, Sandy, and Andra Ross 9 June 1992
Another showing the same background in 1992.
Paul, Milo, Sandy, and Andra Ross in 1992
And then another photo from 1995.
24 August 1995. The old apple trees are all gone, just a red maple then. Flower beds built up along ditch along with the rail fence.
Looking at Google Maps today, it appears all the flower beds are gone, most of the fences, most of the trees. A minimalist attempt at landscaping. I spent many a Saturday morning with my Dad mowing those lawns.
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
Lagoon old style photo, Back (l-r): Brook Jonas, Paul Ross; Front: May Melycher, Colleen Jonas, Jackie Melycher
This photo was found by an acquaintance and who recognized me. I am glad they did! They were kind enough to provide this photo, and some other photos and documents, to me. You can see it had something spilled on it and has a number of scratches. Makes it seem more authentically old.
Honestly, I forgot this photo was even taken. I did not have a copy of it. I seem to remember seeing it once or twice through the years, but here is a copy for me. I was pretty excited about it. The back of the photo says 1993, which does not seem correct. Based on the age of May and me, I am thinking this is more like 1995. I seem to recall that Brook came to visit before going into the Navy, and 1995 would have put him at 18, later if he was older. However, I found this photo from the same occasion, which is dated 12 June 1993. So I have adopted that date as accurate and Brook was visiting when he was 16. This will post at 30 years after the fact! Time flies… Grandma and Jackie took us to Lagoon. I would have thought Andra would have come as well, but I don’t remember her being there and I have no idea why she would have been left out of the photo. If she had been at Lagoon, we would surely have waited for her to be in the photo.
Lagoon in 1993
A year or two later, this photo was taken of me and my friend, Dustin McClellan. This photo has 1994 written in the name, perhaps it was written on the back as well.
The Silver Nickel Saloon is in old town of Lagoon found in Farmington, Davis, Utah. There are probably even more photos out there from high school, but I do not have copies of those photos.
May Melycher, 8, enjoys the food at a special picnic for students who participated in a successful summer reading program at Heyburn Elementary.
By Wayne Hoffman
Heyburn – You don’t picture students reading and taking tests during the summer. But at Heyburn, students have just finished a program which encouraged them to do both on their own.
Heyburn Elementary School Students have been going to the school library two days a week since June. They’ve been encouraged to check out books based on how well they’re able to read on their own.
When they’re done with each book, they take a computer comprehension test. Correct answers earn them points to spend at the school’s Reader’s Emporium.
The Parent Teacher’s Organization sponsors the Reader’s Emporium – a special store where earned points earn everything from costume jewelry to stuffed cougars to radios.
May Melycher, 8, said she enjoyed reading books to her little brother, Jesse, 3.
“I mostly read Disney books because he likes the stories,” May said. “He likes Lion King the best.”
May’s mom, Jackie Melycher, said the reading program has helped Jesse, as he’s been a slow talker.
It’s helped May, also.
“May is a good reader,” Jackie Melycher said. She’s done so well in Mrs. Jones’ class.”
About 500 hundred students signed up to check out books and take tests during the summer. Yesterday, the kids who took part in the program and the parents and school staffers who helped with it were honored at a special picnic on school grounds.
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
Julian Rodriguez, center, performs a 50’s dance step and song while surrounded by several female counterparts Tuesday afternoon in Rupert. Rodriguez joined several youngsters at Minidoka Memroial Hospital’s extended care facility during a Kids in Dancing and Singing (K.I.D.S.) performance for the area’s senior citizens. K.I.D.S. is comprised of 3-12-year-old age grounds from the Mini-Cassia region, said organizer Cindy Capson. Also pictured are: Kambree Franks, May Melycher, Holly Haynes, Alyce Rollins, Bridget Murray, Bekah Rich, and Jennifer Lewis.
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.
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 