Fright Night Tours

We held our final Fright Night tour of Old Town Twin Falls tonight until October, when we plan to return with more ghostly tales and stops in some more haunted places in Downtown Twin.

Here Emma Jean and daughter Jaykel (looking frightened!) pose in the Dry Cellar at Stricker Ranch, where we caught some Orbs on camera, especially when Crystal was around! We decided to call her "orb girl" since she seemed to attract more than her share on her camera.

Over the past few months we hosted a couple of hundred guests on our tours, and everyone had a great time learning more about the history of the Oregon Trail, Stricker Ranch, and the haunted spots around town.

Thanks to everyone who came along on this summer's Fright Night Tours, and join us in October for more spooky fun!

Gary Stone Creates Woodcut for Glanbia Foods

On Monday Augus 16th, Gary Stone presented a special Woodcut piece he created for Glanbia Foods during their annual Golf Outing at Blue Lakes CC, to celebrate their reaching ONE MILLION DOLLARS in Charitable donations.

Pictured here is Gary with just 2 of the 3 panels, which features the Blue Lakes Country Club, host of the annual Glanbia golf outing, with 2 Glanbia trucks crossing the Perrine bridge, and "Thanks a Million" written in the mountain tops of panel one.

Gary's tradition of "hiding" names was put to the test, as he hid within the painting over 50 names of Charitable organizations that have benefited from the generosity of Glanbia over the 17 years of their event.

He also included another unique feature of his paintings, adding a recorded message with sounds of the canyon and a message from Glanbia thanking their supporters.

Pictures do not do justice of Garys intricate Woodcut art style, as he painstakingly carves images into the Cedar wood and creates masterpieces to be cherished. Once you have seen a "Gary Stone creation" you recognize his style and immediately begin looking at the minute detail to find "hidden" objects within each of his artistic treasures.

Gary is currently working on a "surprise" Life History woodcut for a family in Twin Falls, which is destined to become an heirloom for that lucky spouse.

Apple Pie at the STricker Ranch

On Saturday, historian Bev Stone and I visited the Stricker Ranch and met with caretaker Gary Guy and my friends Glen Thorne and Aureila Galvin. We enjoyed hearing stories from both Bev & Gary about the history of the Oregon TRail Pioneers, and got a sneak preview of the new Interpretive Center soon to open there.

Mark Baltes and wife Julie were there to work on the project, which has some great old time photos and stories of the critical role that the Rock Creek Station and STricker Ranch played in

the history of the Magic Valley.

Glen baked one of his famous apple pies and shared it with us on the front lawn of the Ranch, which is a beautiful place for picnics, and of course, one of our stops on the Fright Night Tours.

Funny that Glen should choose Apple Pie, as one of the stories on the tour features Lady Bluebeard, who poisoned her husbands with her "secret ingredients" baked into her Apple pies! Gladly, Glen left that out of his pie, and we thoroughly enjoyed it, with no after affects!

Garys Art wins Blue Ribbons at Jerome County Fair

One of Gary Stone's latest Woodcut art creations titled Rustic Barn by the Stream, took home Best of Show honors from the Jerome County Fair. Two of his Wild Horses themed Sawblade paintings were also awarded blue Ribbons, as was his wooden sculpture of "De Bull".

The Barn Painting is on display at the Days Inn in Jerome, along with 2 of the Sawblades, and more of Gary's prints.

The Jerome County Fair was lots of fun, with a great Rodeo, including a milking contest that had everyone in stitches. Coming up soon is the Twin Falls County Fair at the end of August, which is always a very popular event.