Ross

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Lincoln Days 2025

Minidoka and Cassia Counties celebrated their joint Lincoln Days this year on February 22. It was the first time held at Wick’s Steak Place in Declo. Minidoka County Republican Central Committee chaired the Lincoln Days Committee for the two counties. Many thanks to the committee members who organized and orchestrated the event, from the silent auction, donations, auction, meal, location, and more!

It was a great crowd for an election off-year. Denton Darrington, and Virgene, both attended this year. Denton is the longest serving Idaho Senator in Idaho History. Kelly Anthon, and Joelle, also attended and was one of our speakers. Kelly is currently the Senate Pro Tem and stands on the shoulders of Denton Darrington in the Senate.

Here is a copy of the program I received. The final agenda had a change for the national anthem performer, I believe Kiya Fife. The lot fell on me to conduct. I made note that it was George Washington’s birthday. I brought to attention that he was born 11 February 1731, but with the change from the Julian to Gregorian calendars, it moved from 11 February 1731 to 22 February 1732. Imagine if government tried to do that now! How many people would refuse? How many would say it was a deep state secret agenda? How many decades afterward would we hear about it? What would you do if you lost over a year of your life due to a calendar change?

Many others attended the Minidoka – Cassia Lincoln Days. Some of them include Idaho’s Lieutenant Governor Scott Bedke, and Sarah; Idaho’s Secretary of State Phil McGrane; Idaho’s Comptroller Brandon Woolf; members of Senator Risch’s office including our Region Chairman Mike Mathews; members of Senator Crapo’s office; LD 27 Representative Clay Handy, and Kristine; all six county commissioners for Minidoka and Cassia (Jared Orton, Dan Schaeffer, Sheryl Koyle, Leonard Beck, Bob Kunau, and Kent Searle); and other local county elected officials.

Idaho’s Lieutenant Governor, Scott Bedke

Robert Moore was kind enough to donate a portion of the proceeds from the auction of two of his paintings at our Lincoln Days.

Idaho’s Secretary of State Phil McGrane

Idaho Republican Chairman Dorothy Moon, and Darr, were also in attendance representing the party. Locally Minidoka Chairman Jenny Bateman and Oneida Chairman Bryan Kerr were present (I serve as Chairman of Cassia County Republican Central Committee).

Idaho’s Senate Pro Tem, Senator Kelly Anthon representing Cassia, Minidoka, and Oneida Counties

Sen. Kelly Anthon spoke on the history and representation of Denton Darrington and his imprint/impression left on Idaho politics and history. He gave a brief overview of the currrent legislative session and the sausage being made in Boise.

Representative Clay Handy representing Cassia, Minidoka, and Oneida Counties

A note was made of the passing of former Cassia Chairman Tim Preston, also a native of Declo.

Idaho Republican Party Chairman Dorothy Moon

It was a successful Lincoln Days for the two counties. We will be headed over to Oneida County’s Lincoln Days on 15 February 2025. Looking forward to the trip and time associating with the good people of Malad.

I look forward to planning our Lincoln Days for 2026, which will be in honor of the Semiquincentennial (250th) of the Declaration of Independence.

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6th Grade, Paul Elementary, Paul, Idaho

Front(l-r): Augustin Gonzales, James McCray, Sharlyn Maughan, Kami Klosterman, Emily Neibaur, Erin Zemke, Kyle McCoy, Douglas Hayden, Ryon Carney; Middle: James Mendenhall, Fenton Mayes, Colleen Harper, Monica Woodland, James McKenzie, Mandy Kaster, Deanne Williams, Amber King, Wade Moss, Frank Peterson; Back: Tom Kunzler, Wes Grace, Ben Frank, Carrie Presley, Kevin Orton, Travis Butcher, Paul Ross, Jeri Lyn Parks. Absent Chad Higley.

I have mentioned before when I shared class pictures from Paul Elementary for Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 5th Grades, that I was glad to have other classmates who allowed me to scan the class photos. All mine were lost due to a flood in our basement while I was on my mission in 1998-2000. I am happy to report that the missing 3rd and 6th Grade pictures have been provided, thanks to Erin Zemke.

This is our 6th grade class picture from Paul Elementary, Paul, Idaho. This was the 1990 – 1991 school year.

Normally I organized photos with married names and dates. Since all are still alive, I will forgo any of the dates. I have added the married last name for the ones I know. If you have corrections, please let me know.

Frank Peterson

James Corless Mendenhall (1935-2013)

Travis Butcher

Ryon Paul Carney (1978-1991)

Ben Frank

Augustin Gonzales

Wes Grace

Colleen Harper married Barnes

Douglas Hayden

Chad Higley

Mandy Kaster

Amber King

Kami Klosterman married Beall

Thomas Kunzler

Sharlyn Maughan

Fenton Mayes

Kyle McCoy

James McCray

James McKenzie

Wade Moss

Emily Neibaur married Haynes

Kevin Orton

Jeri Lyn Parks

Carrie Presley

Paul Ross

Deanne Williams

Monica Woodland

Erin Zemke married McKindree

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John Reese’s 9th Grade Class

Back (l-r): Cleone Carver, Vera Wayment, Margaret Freestone, Emza Musgrave, Jean Etherington, LauRene Thompson.  Third: June Wayment, Miriam Weatherston, Ellis Lund, Ray Charlton, Ivan Hodson, Warren Williams, Ruth Wade, Tamara East, John Reese.  Second: Lyle Thompson, Milo Ross, Eugene Maw, Earl Hipwell, Bill Hill, Keith Hodson.  Front: Ted Christensen, Wayne Rose, Howard Hunt, Orlo Maw, Owen Wayment, Ellis Stewart, Delmar White.

This my Grandpa Milo Ross’ 9th Grade class.  I believe this was at Weber High School, but I cannot confirm what grade year switched between Plain City School and Weber High School in Ogden.  Several of these boys died in World War II.

Mr. John Major Reese (1896-1976), teacher.

Cleone Carver (1921-1994)

Ray S Charlton (1920-1991)

Edwin “Ted” Daniel Christensen (1921-2005)

Talma Bernice East (1921-2006)

Vesey Jean Etherington (1921-2000)

Margaret Freestone (1921-2017)

John Earl Hipwell (1921-2000)

William Stanley Hill (1919-1945)

Benjamin Keith Hodson (1920-1970)

Ivan Alma Hodson (1919-1982)

Howard Hunt (1921-1944)

Ellis Marion Lund (1921-1984)

Orlo Steadwell Maw (1921-2004)

Wilmer Eugene Maw (1920-2009)

Emza Ameriam Musgrave (1922-2007)

Wayne East Rose (1921-2017)

Milo James Ross (1921-2014)

Ellis Wayment Stewart (1921-1940)

James Lyle Thompson (1921-1999)

LauRene Thompson (1921-2010)

Ruth Wade (1921-2012)

June Ellen Wayment (1920-2012)

Owen Urry Wayment (1921-2008)

Vera Mary Wayment (1921-1989)

Miriam Weatherston (1921-2001)

William Warren Williams (1921-1988)

Heber Delmar White (1921-2008)

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Vicki’s Class Pictures

These are photos shared to me of Victoria “Vicki” Kay Feldtman Ross. I don’t know anything more than what I have listed on the photos. I believe she graduated from Weber High School in 1963, or would have graduated. She married Dad, Milo Paul Ross, 5 March 1963 in Ogden, Weber, Utah. She was born 23 December 1945 in Ontario, Malheur, Oregon and passed away 31 December 2018 in Twin Falls, Twin Falls, Idaho.

4th Grade Ms. Morby, Vicki is back row, fourth from the right
Vicki is middle row, sixth from the right
Mixed Chorus: Back row (l-r): Robert Grieves, Arnold Burr, Deon Mayhew, Bill Fife, Bob Findess, Tommy Bartow, Ronald West, Jay Holley, Rex Judkins, Lynn Gould, James Petterson; Third row: Dee Bradshaw, Doug Giles, Dan Thompson, Blair Hadley, Dave Vesnieuw, Deloy Bentley, Doug Cheshire, Kenneth Groberg, Roger Bingham, Alan Cox, Kent Cevering; Second row: Adele Buff, Tamara Houston, Linda Perkins, Mary Carver, Betty Leach, Jolene Anderson, Carol Johnson, Linda Mapes, KayLynn Peterson, Linda Neilson, June Thompson, Carol Wheeler, Betty Yoshida, Linda Taylor, Judith Jensen; Front row: Jane Meldrum, Virginia Parker, Joyce Gunnerson, Susan Martinson, Donna Marchant, Linda Wells, Carolyn Kingston, Jelene Flinders, Vicki Feldtman, Annette Maw, Lynda Panunzio, Kay Ohlson, SheriLyn Gibson

These names are taken from the back of the photo. Please correct if you think I have them wrong.

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3rd Grade, Paul Elementary, Paul, Idaho

Back(b-r): Mrs. Ella Suhr, Shane Ball, Kaleb Winn, Scott Torix, Genevive Olivas, Kevin Orton, Jamie Mingo, Kristi Jensen; Middle: Jeff Hayden, Karlene Hansen, Jacob Timmons, Jalene Woodward, Paul Ross, Adrienne Neibaur, Archie Winnett, Nathan Jones; Front: Shaun Bettazza, Alfonso Jaramillo, Nicole Catmull, Emmy Mendoza, Erin Zemke, Kelli Osterhout, Cody Strunk, and Michael Thompson.

I have mentioned before when I shared class pictures from Paul Elementary for Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 5th Grades, that I was glad to have other classmates who allowed me to scan the class photos. All mine were lost due to a flood in our basement while I was on my mission in 1998-2000. I am happy to report that the missing 3rd and 6th Grade pictures have been provided, thanks to Erin Zemke.

This is our 3rd grade class picture from Paul Elementary, Paul, Idaho. This was the 1987 – 1988 school year.

Normally I organized photos with married names and dates. Since all are still alive, I will forgo any of the dates. I have added the married last name for the ones I know. If you have corrections, please let me know.

Ella Lucille Senften Suhr (1927-2005)

Shane Ball

Shaun Bettazza

Nicole Catmull married Manning

Karlene Hansen married Ashcraft

Jeff Hayden

Michael Hollis now Thompson

Alfonso Jaramillo

Kristi Jensen married Rich

Nathan Jones

Emmy Mendoza married Deal (interesting side note, I remember coming back from a field trip at Craters of the Moon and dropping her off at home out near Kimima, our whole group of busses stopped)

Jamie Mingo married Harman

Adrianne Neibaur

Genevive Olivas

Kevin Orton

Kelli Osterhout married Bates

Paul Ross

Cody Strunk

Jacob Timmons

Scott Torix

Kaleb Winn

Archie Winnett

Jalene Woodward married Richman

Erin Zemke married McKindree

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Escalante and Zions

Amanda, James, Aliza, and Hiram at Zion National Park

I previously wrote of the Ross family excursion in March 2021 with the Hemsley family to Junction, Utah. With them we hit Bryce Canyon National Park and some other locations. I previously wrote of our visit to Capitol Reef National Park. Here are a few photos of our visit to Escalante, Utah and Zion National Park.

We spent the night in Junction, headed to Capitol Reef National Park, and then spent that night in Escalante. It was a long day of driving and we covered many miles.

Homestead Overlook near Boulder, Utah
Picture from the Hogback south of Boulder
Boynton Overlook looking up the Escalante River toward the Natural Bridge

I wish we had time to hike up the trail to the Natural Bridge.

Escalante Heritage Center in Escalante, Utah

We spent the night at the Canyon Country Lodge for the night. It was pretty cold outside. The photo at the Heritage Center doesn’t look cold, but we did not stay very long.

The next day we drove to Zion National Park. It was generally pretty empty, both due to middle of March and being cold.

Paul and Lillie Ross riding the bus into Zion National Park

Zion was its usual beautiful self. Ageless.

Looking at the Patriarchs

We decided to go up the Riverside Walk.

Riverside Walk in Zion National Park

We walked, and walked, and walked, and walked. No pioneer children were singing though.

Aliza, Amanda, Hiram, Lillie, and James Ross on the Riverside Walk in Zion NP

We went as far up the trail as we could go before without getting wet.

From this point the trail became known as The Narrows. It was too cold and wet to go any further. But the hike back provided pretty views too.

Riverside Trail, Zion National Park

We spent the next day or two in St. George and visited various sites there before heading home. At least it was warmer in St. George. I only had a couple of pictures from St. George I wanted to share.

Some of downtown St. George with the St. George Temple

The temple was under renovation during this time, so we could only walk around some of the grounds.

St George’s Dixie sign

We visited Thunder Junction in St. George. We had to ride the train.

James, Amanda, and Aliza riding the train at Thunder Junction
Lillie, Hiram, and Paul Ross at Thunder Junction
Aliza and James at Thunder Junction

Last, we also hit the Children’s Museum in the old Dixie Academy.

Hiram driving his farm jeep
James doing a little light cooking at the children’s museum
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Republican Winter Meeting 2025

Last week was the Idaho Republican Party’s Winter Meeting in Boise, Idaho at the Riverside Hotel. Fortunately, the whole family could go and enjoy the swimming pool and other activities in Boise.

I appeared in one of the official photos of the Winter Meeting. It is my better side.

I serve as the Cassia County Republican Central Commitee Chairman. As such, I serve on the Idaho Republican State Central Committee. I have also been appointed to serve on the Idaho Republican Rules Committee. Mr. Regan is the Rules Committee Chairman.

Brent Regan and Paul Ross in Boise, Idaho

We made sure to stop and take the kids to the Idaho Capitol.

Wandering near the rotunda, we stumbled upon a fellow Cassia County citizen, Scott Bedke. Mr. Bedke also serves at Idaho’s Lieutenant Governor. He brings honor to Cassia County.

Scott Bedke, Hiram Ross, James Ross, Paul Ross, Aliza Ross, and Lillie Ross on the floor of the Idaho Senate Chamber.

We also paid a visit on a friend in his office.

Lillie Ross, Hiram Ross, Paul Ross, Phil McGrane, James Ross, and Aliza Ross in the Secretary of State’s office in the Idaho State Capitol

We also made a visit to the Meridian Idaho Temple while in town.

Aliza and Hiram Ross at the Meridian Idaho Temple

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Bryce Canyon

In March 2021 the Ross family went on a little excursion with the Hemsley family to Junction, Utah. With them we hit Bryce Canyon National Park and some other locations. I previously wrote of our visit to Capitol Reef National Park. On that same trip, before Capitol Reef, we hit Bryce Canyon National Park.

Ross family at Bryce Canyon National Park

Here are a few photos of that excursion.

Aliza Ross and Zach Smart at Bryce Canyon, 21 March 2021

We entered from the north side of the Park through Bryce Canyon City.

You can probably tell from the photos. It was pretty chilly with the fairly new snow. The snow created some beautiful contrasts in color.

Some of it was a bit harrowing with the long drops from either side of the trail. Thank goodness we had Grandma and Grandpa, and aunts and uncles to help shepherd the children through.

These photos are all from the trails near Sunrise Point and Sunset Point.

Some of the hoo doos were definitely interesting.

Amanda taking a picture of James Ross with Zach and Alyssa Smart

Of course, I had to get a picture of Queen Victoria in the Queen’s Garden.

Amanda and James Ross with Queen Victoria
Amanda Ross and Alyssa Smart hiking Queen’s Garden Trail to the Navajo Trail

Once you hike down a trail, you must invariably hike back up. The Navajo Loop Switchback of course was our choice to return.

Jack and Derek Hemsley, Amanda and Aliza Ross in the background, hiking up the Navajo Loop Trail

We may have been huffing and puffing, along with exhausted and moody children, at the end of the loop switchback.

Some of the rock formations were simply amazing.

In the middle of the day I had to sequester myself to the van for some 341 bankruptcy hearings. After the day, we started heading toward Capitol Reef National Park and spending the night in Escalante for Escalante National Park.