What are the opening hours?

Monday 8am - 5pm Tuesday 8am - 5pm Wednesday 9am - 5pm Thursday 9am - 5pm

http://www.clearwatertribune.com/

Clearwater Tribune, 161 Main Street, Orofino, ID (2025)

09/23/2025

76th annual Lumberjack Days Log Show results
The 76th annual Orofino Celebrations Inc. log show was held Sunday in the log show arena at the Orofino City Park. Results are as follows:
All Around Jack
Nate Hodges, Northfork, CA

All Around Jill
Erin LaVoie, Spokane, WA

Jack & Jill Sawing
1st Erin Cramsey, Veneta, OR & Cody Labohn, Salem, OR, 8.48
2nd Erin LaVoie, Spokane, WA & David Moses, Jr., Snoqualmie, WA, 10.37
3rd Brenda Boyko-Pouchnik & Derek Pouchnik, Viola, ID, 10.73
4th Kailee Curtis, Dallas, OR & Joey Long, Albany, OR, 10;82
5th Brianna Kvinge, Spokane, WA & Angus Nicholson, Littleton, CO, 11.03

Tree Topping
1st Eric Holberg, Clinton, MT, 1.02:84
2nd Seth Bergman, Kalispell, MT, 1.35:02
3rd Henry Norwood, Missoula, MT, 5.02:34
4th Makayla Greany, Moscow, ID, 11.48:39

Women’s Single Buck
Erin LaVoie, Spokane, WA, 21.78
Erin Cramsey, Veneta, OR, 25.44
Lauren Bergman, Kalispell, MT, 26.44
Andrea Hand, Kaslo, BC, Canada, 27.64
Brenda Boyko-Pouchnik, Viola, ID 32.44

Men’s Birling
1st Karson Wilson, Aurora, Co
2nd Mike Johnson, Philomath, OR
3rd Mason Banks, Ponderay, ID
4th Cody Labahn, Salem, OR
5th Ian Wilson, Port Orchard, WA

Women’s Birling
1st Erin LaVoie, Spokane, WA
2nd Lauren Bergman, Kalispell, MT
3rd Brenda Boyko-Pouchnik, Viola, ID
4th Chrissy Marcellus, Spokane, WA
5th Kailee Curtis, Dallas, OR

Junior Jill Birling
1st Aspen Bergman, Kalispell, MT
2nd Rylee Hatfield, Council, ID
3rd Avery Hartley, Colbert, WA
4th Timberly Bergman, Kalispell, MT

Hot Saw
1st Robert Groce, Elk WA, 2.15
2nd Nate Hodges, Northfork, CA, 2.18
3rd Mike Forrester, Idlyld Park, OR, 2.40
4th Cody Labahn, Salem, OR, 2.62
5th Mel Lentz, Diana, WV, 6.69

Power Saw
1st Mel Lentz, Diana, WV, 11.33
2nd Nate Hodges, Northfork, CA, 12.65
3rd Robert Groce, Elk, WA, 13.03
4th Erin LaVoie, Spokane, WA, 13.41
5th Mike Forrester, Idlyld Park, OR, 13.80

Men’s Single Buck
1st Mike Forrester, Idlyld Park, OR, 19.05
2nd Eric Hoberg, Clinton, MT, 19.29
3rd James Hartley, Colbert, WA, 19.87
4th Nate Hodges, Northfork, CA, 20.04
5th Nick Barrett, Kelso, WA, 25.09

Springboard Chop
1st Nate Hodges, Northfork, CA, 1.14:08
2nd Cody Labahn, Salem, OR, 1.43:32
3rd Eric Hoberg, Clinton, MT, 2.15:60
4th James Hartley, Colbert, WA, 2.17:81
5th Derek Pouchnik, Viola, ID 2.25:22

Women’s Vertical Chop
1st Andrea Hand, Kaslo, BC, Canada, 54.56
2nd Lauren Bergman, Kalispell, MT, 57.68
3rd Erin LaVoie, Spokane, WA, 1.10:56
4th Erin Cramsey, Veneta, OR, 1.33:41
5th Kailee Curtis, Dallas, OR, 2.16:19

Jack Axe Throwing
1st Ian Wilson, Port Orchard, WA, 15
2nd Mike Johnson, Philomath, OR, 15
3rd James Hartley, Colbert, WA, 14
4th Nate Hodges, Northfork, CA, 14
5th Derek Pouchnik, Viola, ID, 14

Jill Axe Throwing
1st Brenda Boyko-Pouchnik, Viola, ID, 13
2nd Erin Cramsey, Veneta, OR, 13
3rd Lauren Bergman, Kalispell, MT, 12
4th Kailee Curtis, Dallas, OR, 11
5th Erin LaVoie, Spokane, WA, 11

Junior Jill Axe Throw
1st Avery Hartley, Colbert, WA, 5
2nd Rylee Hatfield, Council, ID, 3
3rd Madison Hartley, Colbert, WA, 3

Obstacle Pole Sawing
1st Nate Hodges, Northfork, CA, 13.20
2nd Owen Vredenburg, Roseburg, OR, 14.84
3rd Seth Bergman, Kalispell, MT, 15.33
4th Mason Banks, Ponderay, ID, 16.08
5th Eric Hoberg, Clinton, MT, 16.77

2 Jack Sawing
1st James Hartley, Colbert, WA & Cody Labahn, Salem, OR, 7.93
2nd Mason Banks, Ponderay, ID & Nick Barrett, Kelso, WA, 10.17
3rd Derek Pouchnik, Viola, ID & Mel Lentz, Diana, WV, 10.48
4th Angus Nicholson, Littleton, CO & Joey Long, Albany, OR, 11.25
5th Karson Wilson, Aurora, Co & Chris Graham, Castle Rock, CO, 12.28

Horizontal Chopping
1st Nate Hodges, Northfork, CA, 30.29
2nd Eric Hoberg, Clinton, MT, 40.89
3rd Cody Labahn, Salem, OR, 45.51
4th Angus Nicholson, Littleton, CO, 55.22
5th Mel Lentz, Diana, WV, 59.59

Vertical Chopping
1st Nate Hodges, Northfork, CA, 30.73
2nd Cody Labahn, Salem, OR, 34.28
3rd David Moses, Jr., Snoqualmie, WA, 39.53
4th James Hartley, Colbert, WA, 41.32
5th Mike Forrester, Idlyld Park, OR, 42.67

Master Single Buck
1st Mel Lentz, Diana, WV, 23.18
2nd Mike Nicholas, Buckley, WA, 26.71
3rd Robert Groce, Elk, WA, 29.54
4th Eyler Adams, Eureka, MT, 40.43
Martha Nicholas, Buckley, WA, 52.39

Women’s Horizontal Chop
1st Andrea Hand, Kaslo, BC, Canada, 37.30
2nd Brianna Kvinge, Spokane, WA, 1.02:12
3rd Lauren Bergman, Kalispell, MT, 1.05:84
4th Kailee Curtis, Dallas, OR, 1.21:38
5th Brenda Boyko-Pouchnik, Viola, ID, 1.27:79

2 Pole Speed Climbing
1st Spenser Stenmark, Moscow, ID, 11.21
2nd Eric Hoberg, Clinton, MT, 12.38
3rd Henry Norwood, Missoula, MT, 32.35

Junior Jack-Jill Sawing
1st Owen Hatfield and Rylee Hatfield, Council, ID, 17.35
2nd Madison Hartley, Colbert, WA & Wyatt Hatfield, Council, ID, 17.87

Junior 2-Jill Sawing
1st Avery Hartley and Madison Hartley, Colbert, WA, 20.21
2nd Rylee Hatfield, Council, ID & Trinity Duncan, Orofino, ID, 34.21
3rd Aspen Bergman & Timberly Bergman, Kalispell, MT, 1.26.52

2-Jill Sawing
1st Erin LaVoie, Spokane, WA & Lauren Bergman, Kalispell, MT, 9.87
2nd Amanda Chenowith, Coeur d’ Alene, ID & Andrea Hand, Kaslo, BC, Canada, 10.27
3rd Chrissy Marcellus, Spokane, WA & Brenda Boyko-Pouchnik, Viola, ID, 13.79
4th Brianna Kvinge, Spokane, WA & Kailee Curtis, Dallas, OR, 15.14
5th Makayla Greany, Moscow, ID & Gillian Shannon, Missoula, MT, 15.54.

Choker Setting
1st Angus Nicholson, Littleton, CO, 13.56
2nd Cody Labahn, Salem, OR, 14.32
3rd Seth Bergman, Kalispell, MT, 15.73
4th Mason Banks, Ponderay, ID, 16.57
5th Mike Johnson, Philomath, OR, 17.10

Tug of War
1st University of Montana
2nd University of Idaho

Tag Relay
1st University of Idaho
2nd University of Montana

Horse Pull
Heavy weight winners:
1st Cameron Whitman with Doug and Rocky pulled 7,500 pounds, Ferndale, WA
2nd Richard Cameron with Mike and Rich, Springdale, WA

Light Weight winners:
1st Carson Whitman with Jack and Trump, Ferndale, WA
2nd Carson Whitman’s team Nickle and Charlie, Ferndale, WA
3rd Don Lee with Pete and Kate, Estacada, OR

Ponies:
Pony teams belonged to Cameron Whitman, Springdale, WA.
1st Colton Cameron with Jack and Jess
2nd Clint (Colton’s cousin) with Sam and Davis.

Parade
Vehicle Commercial
1st Clearwater Health and Rehab
2nd Clearwater Valley Health
3rd Hanson Garage, Inc.

Vehicle Non-Commercial
1st TLC Foundation
2nd Maniac Football-High School
3rd 6C Motorcycle Club

Royalty Float
1st Idaho County Fair Royalty

Royalty Auto
1st National American Miss Teen

Float Commercial
1st Brookside Landing

Float Non-Commercial
1st Girl Scout Troop #2447
2nd TLC Foundation
3rd Class of 1990

Antique Auto (1950 &
1st Clearwater-Potlatch Timber Protective Association
2nd Olive’s Auto Parts 1941 Chevy

Antique Auto (1951 &
1st Olive’s Auto Parts
2nd Jay Lee
3rd B Model Mack Truck

Equestrian No Royalty
1st Carman Girls & Ponies

Equestrian Royalty
1st Grangeville Border Days
2nd Wild Weippe Rodeo 2025 Royalty
3rd Wild Weippe Rodeo 2026 Royalty

09/17/2025

Grand Marshals, Ted Peterson honored at OCI Auction
By Nancy Butler
During the Orofino Celebrations, Inc. (OCI) Auction, this year’s Grand Marshals, Ben and Jane Green, and long-time announcer Ted Peterson who passed away earlier this year were honored.
As part of the auction, a special scholarship in Ted Peterson’s name was started with bidding on two “Ted” tee shirts and a bottle of liquor. Corby Finke won the bidding and donated it back to be auctioned again.
There were also numerous $100 donations to the scholarship fund. It will be awarded by OCI to a student going into vocational programs.
The Monk Montgomery Scholarship will continue to go to a student going into an academic program.

09/10/2025

Auction set for Saturday
This year’s OHS Shop piece special tribute to OCI’s late Ted Peterson, The Voice
By JZ Savage
The OHS Shop has prepared another piece for the OCI Auction! This year’s seniors have worked up a uniquely figured, single live edge, “spalted” maple shelf. It measures an honest 5’ in length, averages 10” in depth, and is a solid 1 3/8” thick.
This piece was generously donated again by Bill Samuels, and was originally harvested from Jason Mechling’s property. It is another piece that has been able to come full circle from harvest to finished within our community.
The concept behind this years’ piece is a “Quilt Shelf.” The shelf comes with two steel “Corbel” braces and a matching finished hardwood dowel. The braces have been painted semi-gloss black, and are pre-mounted under the shelf ready for hanging.
The students are so proud to be able to work up a piece that can be given back to support OCI. The students also created some artwork this year to be engraved to the top surface of the shelf.
A special tribute to the late Ted Peterson as “The Voice” of the OCI Lumberjack Day’s.
These students are really proud to be a part of giving back to a community that has been so supportive of them, as well as keeping a tradition alive!

09/04/2025

OCI Princesses Trinity Duncan and Kailey Hall invite you to this year’s Orofino Lumberjack Days and Clearwater County Fair, set for next week, Sept. 11-14. See the Clearwater Tribune’s special edition in the Aug. 27 issue for schedules of the four-day event. With a parade, carnival, food booths, Fair exhibits, 4-H livestock auction, a free logging show, the always-popular horse pull, Fireman’s Breakfast and much more, there’s something for everyone! This year’s theme is “Once Upon a Fair-ie Tale”. See you at Lumberjack Days and the Clearwater County Fair! Photo by Tammy Gilmer

08/27/2025

Orofino Lumberjack Days is almost here
By Tammy Gilmer
Orofino Lumberjack Days is quickly approaching! At the time the paper comes out there will be two weeks, 14 days until the 76th Annual. Several important reminders for time sensitive items.
The presale tickets for the carnival are out and will be picked up on Wed., Sept. 10 at 1 p.m. The presale price is $30 per ticket and the ticket can be used any of the four days. The tickets can be purchased at Barneys, Banner Bank, LCCU, and P1FCU. If you wait to purchase tickets at the park, each ticket is $35. Save $5 and buy early.
Merchandise has been restocked at Summer Garden Gate. There are only tee shirts this year with the theme and in colors of Heather Red, Olive Green, and Sand. Buy early to insure you can get the size and color that you want.
There are also onesies, toddler and youth sizes available.
Older merchandise from previous years which include hoodies and tee shirts are at Elite Repeats and are discounted.
The inventory of new merchandise that is still available will be down at the fairgrounds at the OHS Volleyball trailer on Saturday and Sunday.
Remember our website has a new address orofinolumberjackdays.com. If you have googled or used the old website, you may need to refresh your computer so that it will recognize the new address.
Parade entry forms can be found on the website orofinolumberjackdays.com under the participant info button. You can print off the entry form, fill it out and mail it back to Orofino Lumberjack Days, PO Box 543, Orofino. There will be a folder on the office door after Aug. 27 that you can place completed entry forms in. The OCI office is at 635 Main Street.
The Auction Committee is busy contacting and collecting items for the Auction on Saturday, Sept. 13. The proceeds from the Auction are used to continue offering a free log show and horse pull contest each year.
Many people call that may be new to the area or visiting and they want to know how much it costs to attend. They are always surprised that it does not cost to come on the grounds and that our log show and horse pull are free. The only costs are the carnival rides and food/drinks. There are not many things in life that are free. We are very fortunate to be able to continue that part of the tradition.

Photo: Jane and Ben Greene are this year’s Orofino Celebrations Inc. (OCI) Lumberjack Days Grand Marshals. The 76th annual Orofino Lumberjack Days and Clearwater County Fair is set for Sept. 11-Sept. 14. This year's theme is "Once Upon a Fair-ie Tale".

08/21/2025

OCI meetings schedule
By Tammy Gilmer
Orofino Celebrations regular monthly meeting is Wed., Aug. 27 at 6 p.m. BBQ dinner is at 5:30 p.m. and side dishes can be brought.
We will begin having weekly meetings after this one on Sept. 3, 10, and 17.
Merchandise is selling very well. It seems that the design and shirt colors are liked.
Summer Garden Gate has the new tee shirts on sale there. Everyone might want to buy early to insure getting the color and size you need and/or want. Larger sizes have been ordered to restock and should be here by next week on Monday or Tuesday. No hoodies or sweatshirts were ordered this year.
Our inventory needs to be cleared out. The old tees and hoodies from past years are at discounted prices at Elite Repeats.
The presale carnival tickets are currently on sale at Barneys, Banner Bank, LCCU, and P1FCU for $30. They will be available until Wednesday, Sept. 10 at 1 p.m. If you do not buy them ahead they will be $35 at the park.
Parade entry forms are online at Orofinolumberjackdays.com. The drop down button with participation info has the parade entry form that you can print off, fill out and return in the mail to OCI.
Only 22 days until Orofino Lumberjack Days and Clearwater County Fair.

08/14/2025

Plan to attend this weekend, Aug. 16 & 17
Schladers are Wild Weippe
Rodeo Grand Marshals

By Norma Brand
One day Sherry Schlader heard a vehicle arrive at their home in the Fraser community, she thought someone needed flowers. Instead it was Tony Christopherson with a different request. He invited Sherry and her husband Larry to be the 2025 Grand Marshals for the Wild Weippe Rodeo. They were honored and immediately agreed to the request.
Larry and Sherry were both born and raised in Clearwater County, they were married after graduating from Timberline High School and found work in the area.
Larry Schlader’s dad Andy and brothers Lloyd, Bob and Bart and sister Emily, along with family and friends were among the people interested in forming the first rodeo. The Weippe Rodeo Association was incorporated in 1963, making it a proper working organization, and the scene was set for the first rodeo featuring Andy Schlader as Grand Marshal and Cathy Currin as queen, along with her royalty. (Some of this information came from an article “Weippe Rodeo History” written by Eva Wolfe.)
The rodeo is supported by the area and remains an exciting event to attend on the third weekend in August.
Larry spent many years in the logging industry and later worked at State Hospital North in Orofino. After retiring, he now spends time raising cattle on their ranch.
Sherry came from a farming family, each year they always looked forward to attending the rodeo. The rodeo took place during harvest time, so her mother, Donna Jackson, would prepare lunch ahead of time for the harvest crew, so she could attend.
The Clearwater Ruralite magazine featured Sherry in the September 1994 issue. The article shared her story about opening her own business “Sherry’s Cakes and Bouquets” in 1991. It all started when she organized several flower arranging workshops in Weippe. Mel Bryant, owner of the Orofino Flower Shop, offered her a job where she worked for 13 years.
Eventually the commute and long hours away from her family resulted in burnout. She then worked at several other jobs, saved her money, and opened her own shop where she applied her talents to creating with flowers.
Later she added all-occasion and wedding cakes to the business. Sherry’s husband Larry supported her endeavors and both their daughter and Sherry’s mom helped out during busy times.
Aug. 20, 2021, the 50th Anniversary of the Wild Weippe Rodeo, Larry and Sherry hosted a luncheon for all Rodeo Royalty at her store in Weippe. She still remembers and appreciates all the people that helped serve that day.
After many years Sherry sold her store in Weippe. She moved the business to their farm in Fraser where she continues to offer her baked cakes and flowers.
Each year, Sherry lends her talent to help the rodeo royalty arrange the flowers for the blankets that appear behind their saddles.
Monte Vanderpool and his wife Colleen offered their services to use their Jeep for the ride in the parade and in the Grand Entrance to the Rodeo.
Larry and Sherry are humbled and excited to serve as the Grand Marshals for the Wild Weippe Rodeo.

Photo: Sherry and Larry Schlader are this year's Wild Weippe Rodeo Grand Marshals.

08/06/2025

This year's events set for Aug. 16-17
Ella Goetz: Your 2025 Wild Weippe Rodeo Queen
By Brittany Goetz
Ella Goetz proudly reigns as the 2025 Wild Weippe Rodeo Queen, gracefully representing her community on her trusted 21-year-old Quarter Horse, Dani. The daughter of Chris and Brittany Goetz and sister to Ava, Ella comes from a family deeply rooted in the horse world. Her grandparents are Nancy Goetz of Orofino, Teresa Vankirk of Orofino, and Brit and Sandy Moen of Lusk, Wyoming.
Ella’s lifelong passion for horses began with her Welsh pony, Puff, and was fostered through her family and 4-H. Her two years with Dani have been packed with activities, including 4-H, play days, horse shows, team penning, trail rides, and, of course, countless parades and rodeos. This extensive experience was perfectly complemented by her reign as the 2024 Wild Weippe Rodeo Princess, which helped her and Dani prepare for the Queen title.
Currently a senior at Orofino High School, Ella is also earning an Associate’s degree in Liberal Arts from Lewis Clark State College, set to graduate this spring. Her future plans are ambitious: attending the University of Idaho for Pre-Veterinary Medicine before moving on to vet school.
As Rodeo Queen, Ella has cherished the opportunity to travel the region, representing the Wild Weippe Rodeo and connecting with new people. She especially loves inspiring young children who look up to her, dreaming of their own equestrian and royalty futures. Her travels have taken her to numerous regional events, including the Lewiston Veteran’s Day Parade, Orofino Christmas Parade, Lewiston Roundup Horseman’s Ball, and rodeos in Asotin, Riggins, Whitebird, and Grangeville, among others.
Ella’s experience as Queen has been truly amazing, and she hopes future girls will find as much joy in representing the Wild Weippe Rodeo. She extends heartfelt gratitude to her sponsors—DEBCO Construction, Hillcrest Aviation, and Hanson’s Garage—whose support ensured she looked her best at every event.
She also thanks C&S Saddlery for her custom chaps and serape, Don Ebert for stunning photos, her parents for their unwavering support, Hollow Horse Hat Company for her custom red hat, and the entire Wild Weippe Rodeo Board for this incredible opportunity.
The Wild Weippe Rodeo parade will be held on Saturday, Aug. 16 at 10 a.m., followed by the rodeo at 2 p.m. Sunday includes a Cowboy Breakfast from 7 to 10 a.m. and the rodeo starts at 1 p.m.

07/31/2025

OCI has a NEW website
By Tammy Gilmer
Secretary/Manager OCI
The news that the community needs to know regarding Orofino Lumberjack Days.
The first hiccup of the year has occurred and hopefully been fixed. The website for Orofino Lumberjack Days was disabled from the domain’s site, and due to the time constraints, it was decided to purchase another domain and move the information. We have transitioned from a dot org to a dot com domain.

New Website address
Our new website address is orofinolumberjackdays.com and our email address is [email protected].
All the forms for the parade, horse pull, and log show are still available on the new site.
The presale carnival tickets will be available on Monday, Aug. 4, at the same helpful locations that have been selling them in the last few years: Barneys, Banner Bank, LCCU, and P1FCU. They will be available until Wednesday, Sept. 10.
The new merchandise should be arriving sometime this week. Information on what is available and where it will be located will be posted as soon as it happens.
The organization is still adjusting to the loss of our member and announcer, Ted Peterson. Then we also had to say good-bye to our married couple that have been part of OCI for the last three years and also participated in the log show as competitors.
Hank and Emily Johnson have moved to Minnesota to take a job. Hank was to be our Vice President this year and then President next year. They will be missed.
Heidi Summers graciously agreed to step into Hank’s vacant seat as Vice President.
At the last meeting, Nancy Bretz and Janet Burnham were both in attendance. They came to inform the group that the Luncheon Committee, which includes the two of them along with Debbie Anderson, Bernie Pippenger, Bobbi Samuels, and anyone else who may help would be retiring after this year. They also expressed that the loggers luncheon was no longer being used as it was intended when it was started.
Sixty years or more OCI arranged to have the contributors and bidders able to have lunch and a beverage, and then they could proceed down to the arena for the auction. Up until the last 20 years, people had to show their letter that was sent inviting them to the luncheon.
With the members declining, there were no extra bodies to be checking at the door and it was on the honor system.
The committee has found that many people are walking in off the street and having a free lunch and drink, and never coming down to the auction to take part. The membership decided to make another cut and do away with the logger’s luncheon. Unfortunately, that also affects the VFW which made money during the luncheon too.
The committee will continue to make sure that the OCI workers have food for Saturday and Sunday. We apologize to the contributors and bidders who came as they were invited, but changes have to be made, and we know that change is hard. Every cut we have to make takes away from another time-honored tradition that will no longer be done.
Remember that Orofino Lumberjack Days is Sept. 11-14. The theme is “Once Upon a Fair-ie Tale.”

07/24/2025

Courthouse trees are memorials
By Tammy Gilmer
The Clearwater County Commissioners recently asked the Clearwater Historical Museum, if we had any information on the trees planted in front of the courthouse. They wanted to know if they were protected memorial trees or just decorative trees. In searching through files, the only information found were pictures from when the courthouse was newly completed to its ivy-covered walls and then there were spruce trees in front of the building, and finally the leaf trees that now stand in front.
I wrote an article and shared the pictures from 1928 to present and asked for help. When I returned from vacation, I had a very nice answer on the museum’s answering machine from Mike McCarthy, a longtime Orofino resident, who was able to shed some light on the trees.
How appropriate that this coincided with Independence Day also called the Fourth of July and commemorates the passage of the Declaration of Independence. The day is also notable for its display of patriotism by flying the American flag, parades, barbeques, and fireworks.
Yes, the trees are protected memorial trees. The first trees were blue spruce trees, and they were in remembrance of the men who lived here or had close ties to the town and fought and died in WWI. Five casualties had their names on plaques at the base of the trees. Then, sometime in the 1970s, the blue spruce trees were taken out and the current leaf trees were planted in remembrance of the same individuals.
The five plaques have the following names on them, and the notation that they were killed in action in WWI. They were Second Lieutenant Harold E. Kinne (Mike’s Uncle), Private Charles A. Bobbitt, Private Glenn R. Dieterle, Fireman First Class Elmer Renner, and Private Adolph Hendrickson.
There have been many articles written on Lieutenant Harold E. Kinne with the Orofino’s VFW being named after him. The recent 90th anniversary of the VFW have made mention of Kinne. He was born in Orofino on Feb. 28, 1896 and his casualty date is noted as July 19, 1918. Kinne was in the Army as a Second Lieutenant in the 1st Division, 16th Infantry Regiment.
He was listed as missing in action, killed by machine gun fire at the Battle of Soissons in France at the age of 22. His place of burial is noted on the tablets of the Missing at Aisne-Marne American Cemetery, Belleau, France. He was a recipient of the Purple Heart.
Private Charles Augustus Bobbitt was listed as coming from Nezperce, Idaho.
He was born on Oct. 11, 1893 and his casualty date was Oct. 6, 1918. Bobbitt was in the Army and served with Company G, 28th Infantry Regiment, 1st Division. The records show that he died in France due to a traumatic event, which ultimately resulted in loss of life at 24.
He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery and was awarded the World War 1 Victory Medal. Charles was the brother of Andrew Jackson Bobbitt. M. Merle Loseth, long-time administrator at the Clearwater Valley Hospital was born to Andrew Jackson Bobbitt, thus making Charles her uncle. The road called Bobbitt Bench is named after the Bobbitt family.
Private Glenn R. Dieterle was listed from Idaho. He was born Feb. 7, 1891 and his casualty date, was Oct. 11, 1918. He was with the Army in the 77th Division, 306th Infantry Regiment. The newspaper article said that he was killed in action in France at the age of 27. Dieterle was buried or memorialized at the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery in Romagne, France. This is an American Battle Monuments Commission location. He was awarded the WWI Victory Medal. Glenn’s father, Fred Dieterle, was a Clearwater County Commissioner, elected in 1924 and served 14 years.
Fireman First Class Elmer Renner had no recorded date of birth, but he served in the Navy. No family names were listed, and it is believed he came from Kentucky. He died on September 30, 1918, while aboard the U.S.S. Ticonderoga, which was listed as missing in action or lost at sea. The U.S.S. Ticonderoga was torpedoed and sunk by a German submarine.
Originally built as the steamer Camilla Rickmers in 1914 at Bremerhaven, Germany, the ship was seized by U.S. Customs in 1917 and turned over to the Navy. It was converted into a transport ship and renamed Ticonderoga. During the night of the 29th and 30th, the ship developed engine trouble and fell behind the convoy traveling from New York. At 5:20 a.m. the next morning, a German submarine, U-152, was spotted on the surface.
The Ticonderoga was cleared for action, and for the next two hours, her gun crews fought the enemy in a losing battle. At 7:45 a.m., the ship sank beneath the sea. Of the 237 sailors and soldiers aboard, only 24 survived. Twenty-two survivors were in a single lifeboat and rescued four days later by the British steamer S.S. Moorish Prince.
The remaining two survivors were taken prisoner by the U-boat and eventually landed at Kiel, Germany. Renner is listed on the tablet of the Missing at Suresnes American Cemetery in France. He was awarded the WWI Victory Medal, a Purple Heart, and the Navy Expeditionary Medal.
The last honoree was Private Adolph Christian Hendrickson. He was born Feb. 12, 1894 and died Oct. 14, 1918. He was drafted from Clearwater County and was the son of John and Gina Hendrickson. His parents lived in Troy and around Christmas he married Mrs. Schumacker, who had three children.
Hendrickson was 24 years old when he died at Jefferson, Missouri of Spanish influenza. He was buried at the Moscow Cemetery.
Thank you to Mike McCarthy for your initial information, Bob Campbell who helped find information on Hendrickson, and the VFW for your help and sharing of the websites used. If any family or individuals know more about the five honorees Harold Kinne, Charles Bobbitt, Glenn Dieterle, Elmer Renner, and Adolph Hendrickson or have pictures of these individuals, the Clearwater Historical Museum would be interested in updating and adding to their files. The museum can be called at 208-476-5033 or [email protected].
Thank you to these individuals for representing the United States of America and giving the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

07/16/2025

Nelsons are Pierce 1860 Days Grand Marshals
By Greg Gerot
The Grand Marshals of this year’s 1860 Days Celebration Aug. 1-3, are Darvin and Ronda Nelson.
Darv has lived in Pierce his entire life, while Ronda moved here in fifth grade. The couple recently celebrated 50 years of marriage.
Darv coached basketball from P*e Wee through high school levels, baseball from T-Ball through Little League, as well as high school softball.
He began his career in logging with his uncle’s company, Carl Nelson Logging. Other employment has included Clearwater County, where he managed the hilltop transfer station and the cruise line agencies of Alaska, where he still does seasonal work as a security guard at the AJ Dock in Juneau.
He has served as the President of the Pierce Recreation District for many years.
Ronda was a homemaker in their children’s early years, followed by a number of employment opportunities and, finally, she spent 10 years at the Idaho Youth ChalleNGe Academy, where she was part of the initial crew starting in 2013. After serving as Advocate Case Manager for three and a half years, she transitioned to the position of Counselor. She retired in January 2024.
The couple are members of New Life Fellowship where they have, at various times, served in leadership, and as youth group leaders. Ronda was worship leader there for over 30 years.
They raised four children in Pierce, who, like their parents, are Timberline High School graduates. They have 10 grandchildren and two great grandchildren. They enjoy family time, travel, and the amazing outdoor recreation our area has to oﬀer. Darv loves hunting, fishing, hiking and camping. Ronda loves reading, sewing, writing, and is a singer/song writer. They are two very talented and interesting people indeed!
When asked, “What is the best thing about living in Pierce?”, they said the enjoyment of small town living, a refreshing refuge in a busy world, and the proximity to the mountains.
When asked, “In just a few words how would you describe Pierce?”, they responded with Pierce is beautiful, with caring people and sometimes very entertaining.
When asked, “What was their favorite job during their working years?”, Ronda said IDYCA and Darv really loved logging.
They both agreed that raising their children here, in a quiet environment was an advantage, and they stated emphatically that they love the climate, the seasons, the cool evenings in the summer. They talked of family fun camping in the summer and sleigh riding in the winter, sledding on Fromelt hill.
Reflecting back on past 1860 Days they spoke of the funny, the spectacular, of participating in the parade, of Carl Nelson Logging winning the first sanctioned logging competition. It was quite a show then, and in Pierce logging was king. This year a logging competition will take place at the city park ball field again, seeking to capture the excitement and challenge of working in the woods.
We are seeking to honor those like Darv and Ronda who have lived here so long, called Pierce home, and contributed to the aura of our beloved town.
Thank you Darvin and Ronda Nelson! We are proud to honor you this year as we celebrate and remember, this our 165th year of Pierce!

Clearwater Tribune

09/23/2025

09/17/2025

09/10/2025

09/04/2025

08/27/2025

08/21/2025

08/14/2025

08/06/2025

07/31/2025

07/24/2025

07/16/2025

Address

Opening Hours

Telephone

Website

Alerts

Contact The Business

Shortcuts

Share

Category

Monday	8am - 5pm
Tuesday	8am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm