The economic hard times our country is facing haven’t spared Island Park. Fall River Electric Coop has seen a decrease in revenues as well. For example, this year Fall River has only connected 75 new homes. Contrast that with the 472 they did in 2007 and you can see the magnitude of the problem. For that reason, the coop has started with their first round of layoffs.

But layoffs may not be enough. Fall River says they will have to raise rates by early next year even with the significant budget cuts they are currently making. But before you get out your pitchfork and head for Fall River headquarters, keep in mind that we’re only paying 6.5 cents per kilowatt hour up here (compared to a national average of around 11 cents.

As talks continue and things progress, we’ll keep you informed. This is an issue that affects all of us — both those who live here (directly) and those just passing through (indirectly.) One thing is certain: our electric cooperative will work to make things fair and right. They have never taken advantage of anyone and are unlikely to do so for the foreseeable future. But we’ll keep a close on on this one nonetheless.

If you’re tired of the rat-race in Yellowstone, you’re water-logged from too much water skiing and encrusted with three inches of dust from being number 6 in a flight of six ATV’s, I have something you might really enjoy — a day trip to Virginia City, Montana.

Virginia City (and neighboring Nevada City) is a ghost town. Nevada City has restored about four or five blocks of the original city just as it was in the 1800′s. It’s fascinating to see everything as it was, from furniture to wagons, to general stores, etc. There’s also a steam-powered train that runs between the two towns.

Virginia City is just past Ennis (from Island Park, go to Henry’s lake, turn west on the road to Ennis, and follow the signs from there.) It’s about an hour and a half from Island Park. Don’t forget to put your foot down on the accelerator when driving in Montana. The speed limit is 70 mph and with the big, long straight stretches of highway, you’re going to want all of that.

For more information, google virginia city montana. This is one you won’t want to miss.

Fishing is heating up as the water levels in the Henry’s Fork starts to drop. What was outrageously high water as recently as three weeks ago has turned into perfection in the last few days. Couple that with the fact that the hatches are coming fast and furious, and you have a recipe for great fishing.

They’re seeing great success on the Henry’s Fork with brown drakes. During the middle of the day there are a few green drakes hatching as well, but the brown drakes are working all day. Up in Box Canyon the golden stones are working well as the stone flies start in earnest. Up on the Madison they’re seeing the beginning of the salmon fly hatch and fishing has been great up there as well.

Lakes continue to be spotty, with the best success coming early in the day. Island Park Reservoir is good down toward Trude’s and Henry’s Lake is good wherever it’s good today. There doesn’t seem to be any rhyme or reason (however a good place to start is on the South side near the cliffs.

Bring your pole and get up here!! Judging from the traffic already, this is going to be a good weekend. We hope you can be part of it.

Organizers for the Sawtelle Fun Run, coming up on the 4th of July, have decided to waive the $10 late fee for this year. They have indicated that this is a way to help those affected by the sagging economy. Although that means that you can register all the way up to the day of the race with no penalty, organizers request that you register as early as possible to reduce the chaos on race day.

Participants can register as individuals or as teams. And remember, all proceeds from the event go to fund the non-motorized trail project, which helps maintain and expand the very trail system on which the race is run. If you would like to support the non-motorized trail project here in Island Park, you can call the Island Park Chamber of Commerce at 208-558-7755 and they’ll make sure your money goes to the right place.

This fun run is a great event for Island Park and enjoyable for those who like to get out and exercise in nature. You don’t have to be a hard core trail runner to participate. There are categories for just about everyone and you can run, jog, walk or crawl and everyone will just be happy you came to participate with us.

See you there!

If you come to Island Park this time of year, you’re going to get a bite or two. You can slather on all the DEET-containing products you want. Somewhere out there waiting for you is a valiant soul willing to give her life (it’s only the females that bite, remember) for a drink of your blood.

When that happens, you have three choices. You can ignore the bite until the itch goes away (if you have that much self-discipline.) Or, you could just scratch that sucker ’til it bleeds and risk dying from the infection. Or, you could try some of the following itch remedies. I advise the latter.

Here are some things that work (some better than others.)
1. Calamine lotion will take out the sting.
2. Rub the bite with soap.
3. Apply an ice pack to the bite.
4. Mix baking soda with enough water to make a paste and apply to the bite.
5. Apply lavender and tea tree oils directly to the bite
6. You can rub a piece of freshly-cut onion on the bite.
7. Try a dab of toothpaste

If those don’t work, you can find a black cat with yellow eyes and take it out behind the barn at exactly midnight on the night of the full moon and . . . . well, I guess that one really doesn’t apply — unless, of course, you’re desperate.

The best thing is don’t get bitten. Yeah, that’s the ticket.

This weekend (tonight and tomorrow night, the 19 – 20 of June) kicks off what will hopefully be the first of many free concerts here in Island Park. “Just Warmin’ Up,” a bluegrass band from Utah will take the stage tonight on the deck at the Landing restaurant (across the river from Macks Inn.)

The concert is free and everyone is invited. You can come sit by the river and enjoy the music from 8:00 p.m. to about 9:30 (or maybe longer if the applause is intense enough.) If you’re over 40 years of age, bring a lawn chair. The ground is awfully hard at your advanced age. If you’re younger, just a blanket will probably do. Food and beverages will be available from the Landing, so please don’t bring those with you.

There is more excitement surrounding this concert than there has been around anything since the Macks Inn dances were started in the 60′s. Don’t miss this opportunity to enjoy some great music, fun and friends on the banks of the gorgeous river at Macks Inn.

See you there!!!!

I just returned from a week in New York City. I enjoyed myself immensely among the culture and the diversity but found significant truth in the statement, “You can take the boy out of the country, but you can’t take the country out of the boy.”

I’m a country boy. I’m not ashamed of it. In fact, I rejoice in it. I rejoice that within 2 – 3 minutes I can be in a place where I never see another individual until I choose to. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not anti-social. I love spending time with friends and family. But I have to admit I don’t enjoy spending time with 8 million people I’ve never met (many of whom I would never choose to spend time with, given the choice.)

I’m impressed with the buildings that block out the sun. They are engineering marvels. According to one source, there is a building in downtown in New York that casts a seven acre shadow. That’s impressive. But if we’re telling the truth here, what really gets my attention are purple mountain majesties rising out of the fruited plain. I love the rocks and rills, the woods and templed hills . . . For me, those aren’t just words to a song we sang more in years past. They’re part and parcel of who I am — to the very core.

Call me crazy. I like looking up at night and seeing a blanket of stars, not buildings with neon electric signs. I like waking up to the chirping of the birds, not the wail of sirens. I like walking outside and smelling the fresh scent of pine trees, not the stale smell of car exhaust that has yet to escape into the atmosphere where it can bring to pass Al Gore’s wildest nightmares.

Yes, I’m a country boy — true blue, through and through. There’s no way around it and there’s no making excuses about it. I know you may love the city as much as I love the country. I respect that. I hope you’ll continue living there. Of course I hope you’ll come visit us a couple of times a year, but all in all I hope you continue to find joy in the city. When you consider all the things you do for fun and recreation in the city, you have to come to the conclusion there’s nothing like that for you here. Let’s make a deal. I’ll visit you in the city on occasion and you come here whenever you want. We’ll both have what we want and we can continue to live separate lives together. What do you think?

If you’re tired of paying the exorbitant fees to get into Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks, you’re in luck. The park service has announced they will be waiving the entry fee on one weekend each month this summer. During those weekends, visitors will enter for free!

The weekends are as follows: June 20 – 21, July 18 – 19, and August 15 – 16.

The park service estimates they will lose about $1 million dollars in revenue for each free weekend. Let’s see, if they charge $25 per car, there are a lot of cars entering the park on an average weekend. The good news is the park received $750 million in stimulus money for this year (thank you to everyone who will pay for that for years to come.) Hmmmmm. . . The free weekends cost them $3 million and they get $750 million in stimulus money. I wonder where the other $747 million is going?!?

If you’re always wanted to live in paradise, there are still a few summer jobs available here in Island Park. Of course most are in the hospitality industry, but there are others as well. The great thing about jobs in the hospitality industry is they often come with some sort of housing. If you’ve been thinking about spending the summer up here, check now. Positions are limited and they fill quickly. The chamber of commerce can give you a list of people to contact if you don’t know anyone yourself.