Upriver, ID

UpRiver Community United “graduated” on June 30 from the Horizons sponsorship and now stands on its own. On Thursday, July 31st the board met at Emida and the treasurer’s report actually showed money in the account which has come from different activities such as the Saturday Flea Market in Fernwood and donations.

Yes, the Entrepreneurial Development Team reported that the Flea Market, in its infancy stage, has been showing good success. Now they are looking into the possibility of offering classes of various kinds in the community. Watch for their survey and respond as quickly as possible.

A simple project to collect and reproduce some historical photos has turned into something much bigger. So much inerest has been generated in this project that the board approved a new UpRiver Historical Society under the auspices of Upriver Community United. This new team is putting together a beautiful collection of photographs and other memorabilia including artifacts of the area. They plan to make and sell calendars to raise money to support their efforts. There will be public showings of the photo reproductions that have been made so far. Watch for more information on these developments in the future. They will also be having their own meeting, with dates to be announced, to discuss business and choose some leadership for the group. There is still time for you to get involved in this project!

Great things are happening and everyone is excited about the possibilities! You need to be a part of it all! It seems like there are no end of activities to stir the interests of young and old. One thing leads to another and before you know it new ideas are generated and new projects are taking off.

The next board meeting will be held August 25th at the Fernwood CAF building at 6:30 PM. Anyone who lives in the UpRiver communities of Emida, Santa, and Fernwood are welcome to participate in discussions and voting. The meetings are open to all.

The Fernwood Church stepped up to save the Fernwood Senior meal site from closing by taking over management and fiscal responsibilities from the previous provider out of St. Maries. There is also a meals on wheels available in UpRiver. The church also acquired a school bus which they are willing to make available for public transportation, particularly for special events related to the UpRiver Community and organizations.

The Medley Cedar Mill in Santa has donated fencing to repair the fence around the Fernwood community building (CAF). Many thanks for this generous donation to help update our community building.

No, this is not a set of minutes for the board, and I don’t even know how everyone will feel about my putting up information on the board meeting when I am not “the blogger” for that group, so it is an informal little head’s up. If someone wants more particulars posted, they may do so or ask me to. . .

The Board (with the approval and votes of the co-chairs of the committees present) voted to include all of the committees under the board in the interest of streamlining the 501(c)3 process. It seemed to be a general consensus that this was only common sense for the sake of unity and resources and that it was pretty much the feeling that this relationship had always existed in spite of a bit of confusion. Now it is official.

There was a good turnout with representatives reporting from all of the committees. A great big Thank You goes out to all who helped with the community clean up. In recognition of your hard work and community spirit, a better thank you should be coming your way soon!

What words of wisdom would I share to a community just starting a program like Horizons? “Go for it!!! ” You have everything to gain and nothing to loose, in my humble opinion! My only warning would have to be not to set your sights too high in order not to be too disapointed. Social change happens slowly but it does happen, and one person can make a differance. Personal growth, trusting relationships, lifelong friendships, these can be expected when people choose to work together for a common good. Personal integrity, pride and a feeling of ownership towards ones community are some of the changes I can see happening in myself.

Answer to What community’s chamber os commerce recently met with high school youth to work together to involve more youth in their community? Kooskia!

Richard Pullman, Rosemary Niemier, Fred Niemier, Bill Crocker, and Judi Heicksen met at the Hideout Café in Fernwood Monday evening, March 17th, at 7:00 PM as scheduled. It was a comfortable meeting of sharing the news from many other committees and a discussion of what more the Communications Committee can be doing. The real purpose is to make sure all of the committees and the community members keep updated on what each other is doing and what the community members expect as well as what they need to know.

We are pleased with the fact that the newsletter seems to be well received and is disappearing from the various placements around Emida, Santa, and Fernwood. We also got some feedback on some of the activities, though it wasn’t all positive. Some are excited that cell towers are not only being planned and actively pursued, but that they are looking more and more like a reality, while we have heard from at least one community member that is concerned about what is perceived as possible health risks surrounding the installation of the cell towers. The Communications Committee appreciates any dialogue, as this is what communication is all about.

The blog site is also starting to take off again and visitors to the site may post comments that can stimulate more discussion about the various activities of the committees who are devoted to strengthening the community member’s stand in the area, before others come in with other visions, but more influence or money. Make your interests and wishes known. Better yet, get involved with one of the committees. Everyone is welcome to have a voice and the sooner you offer your opinion the more weight it may be able to carry. And committee members express a desire to incorporate more people in the process as this equates to more workers, more hands, and lighter burdens for all.

Check the newsletter and the calendar, for more specific information such as time and locations of meetings, workshops, and other events. We look forward to seeing YOU come out to any or all of these!—The next Communications meeting is on Monday, April 21, at the Hideout in Fernwood at 7:00 PM. See you there!

We had our first Newsletter Alive meeting with representatives from all our Upriver Action Committees. Here’s some highlights from my notes of the meeting.

Community Structure: Currently working on fixing up our old community buildings, have added electricity to parts of the Emida Community Center. Starting the process of planning a new community building in Fernwood. We’ve completed draft bylaws for our new organization, Upriver Community United, Inc. The first annual meeting will be November 29th at the CAF building, agenda includes approving new bylaws and electing our first board of directors.

Community Pride: Planning to have regular highway cleanups in the spring and fall, local sections of the highway are still available for adoption. Collecting information for the signs, the first one will be at the Santa Y. Arranging for chain link fencing around dumpster buckets on three sides. In planning stage for an annual Upriver Community Festival. The Upriver school district has received a grant, “Gear Up”, to mentor poor kids and help them go to college.

Entrepreneurial Development: First priority projects are an internet business directory and a cell phone / wireless internet tower. Long term goals include: Community Economic / Business Centers in each village, an Annual Upriver Community Festival, Technical & Business Classes and Training, Physical and Technical Infrastructure Development, and Commercial Awareness (local business association).

Communications: We continue to work on developing our internet website, blog, and monthly newsletter. On the internet we continue work on the business directory and community history / culture. Looking into improving our newsletter distribution via email and post office. The new monthly newsletter deadline is the 1st Thursday each month.

Horizons Steering Committee: We are here to support the other committees. Have received two $10,000 grants, one from NW Area Foundation, and one from the University of Idaho. These monies come with strings attached, rules about where we can and cannot spend the money. More grant money is available from Horizons in June if we meet their criteria.

Lots more was talked about, come to the next meeting January 31, 2008 at the Emida Community Center for new face to face reports.

Held on October 8, 2007. Present: Carlene Carney, Nancy Corbin, Jim Craft, Melody Eckroth, Harry Eder, Joanne O’Dwyer, Debby Powell, Richard Pullman, Judy Turner, Scott Whealy, Stephaney Williamson

We got back copies of the Articles of Incorporation for “Upriver Community United, Inc.” that were stamped by the Secretary of State of Idaho. The Benewah County commissioners want us to have an entity to work with before they allow Upriver to repair, maintain, and manage the CAF community building in Fernwood.

There are new community buildings in Kamiah and Deary, we can visit to get ideas. Some ideas for our new building; seniors, recreation, library, youth, theatre, kitchen, coffee shop. Harry Eder is willing to donate one or two acres for a new community center, located about 100 yards past Crystal Creek rd on the north side of the Hiway. It could be used for a possible trade with someone in town.

The county currently pays $3,400 yr for the existing CAF building. The kitchen is not up to code and cannot be used by the public. We need lots of base trim and electrical outlet covers to finish the building. Both bathrooms need to be completely remodeled with additional toilets. Horizons grant money cannot be used for materials to refurbish the CAF building. Debby will determine if the county has ownership of the CAF building. Scott and Stephaney will inspect the CAF building to look at what needs done.

Stephaney Williamson and Candy Crocker will create some draft bylaws for us to review next meeting. We will hold officer elections for Upriver Community United at the next meeting.

Jim Craft wants to build a gazebo for the community, somewhere.

The next committee meeting will be on Wednesday, October 24 at 7pm at the Senior Center.