Let there be Light!

Just in time for the season, the Main Street project is now substantially completed and has been crowned with the earlier than expected placement of Christmas lights on the new downtown light poles.  City Services Director Justin Hansen and the city crew suggested earlier in the year that the lights would be different this year, and the bright and new poles certainly provide a stunning backdrop for a now well-lit downtown.  

In addition to the newly illumined downtown, Main Street itself is now back in business in full, with parking and store access available for the season.  If you’ve been too wary of construction to make it down for a movie, a meal, gift shopping, or anything else, there’s no reason to stay away.  In addition, the businesses along and adjacent to Main street would very much like to return to normal and let people know they are open and ready for business.

With Main Street opened up, there are a number of seasonal events coming up in the next few weeks to make sure have a place on your calendar.  

Movies for Thanksgiving

Moana 2 will be showing at the Idan-ha Theatre Indoor on Thanksgiving Thursday at 6:00 p.m. if you and yours would like to get out of the house after the big meal.  The film will also be showing on Black Friday at 6:00 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. if you’d rather do that than fight with people after driving to a Wal-Mart in the bitter cold.  A Saturday Matinee is a 2:00 p.m. and regular evening shows at 6 and 8:15.  

Lighting of Tuescher Square—Dec 2 6:00 p.m.

It’s time for Santa Claus to head to Bancroft for the annual lighting or Teuscher Square downtown.  Monday, December 6 at 6:00 on 95 S. Main Street. Come gather to enjoy the beginning of the Christmas month in style.  The event will feature traditional Christmas music, hot cocoa, sugar cookies, ginger snaps, and Homemade spudnuts at no charge.  Members of all communities are invited to be there when the switch is thrown and a little more light comes into the world.  The lighting has been a tradition in Bancroft for years, and whether you are from there or just know someone who is, head into town for an evening with friends.  

Memorial Tree—Dec 2 6:00 p.m.

The annual Caribou County Memorial Tree program will be held at the Soda Springs Public Library at 6:00 on December 2nd as well.

The program will be in the kids center at the Soda Springs library, and will include a short talk by Sue Goodenough.  Heidi Walker will play postlude and prelude music on her harp.

The Soda Springs Soda Pop have prepared a couple of numbers, and there will also be a musical number by Kalea Christmas.  

Participants will gather around the memorial tree for a candlelight ceremony.  There will be refreshments following the program in the library. 

The memorial tree is nondenominational, and seeks to honor the memories of those who have gone.  Please come bring a ribbon or ornament to hang on the tree in memory of a loved one.  

Organizers give a huge thank you to all those who will be part of the program and a huge thanks to Bayer for sponsoring the Memorial Tree. 

Robot Open House

Okay, perhaps not a holiday item, but certainly interesting.  The Caribou Medical Center will be hosting a unique opportunity to see and operate the brand new Da Vinci 5 surgical robot.  CMC is the only hospital in a 5 state area to have such a device, and will be showing it off on Tuesday, December 3 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  The event is free and refreshments will be served.

Festival of Trees—Dec 6 5:30-6:00

The Memorial tree is one of the many trees that will be featured at this year’s Festival of Trees, which is sponsored by the Friends of the Soda Springs Library.  The Festival accepts decorated trees from local individuals, businesses and organizations for donation, and it also provides decoration services for those who would rather go that route.  The Friends of the Library have been hard at work decorating and showcasing the trees as they come in, and a fair number are already on display at the library.

The festival will be held December 6th from 5:30 - 8:00 pm. The whole community is invited to attend. All proceeds will benefit the library. 

Traditions of Christmas Community Concert—Dec 8 4:00

The Caribou Community Orchestra and Choir is almost at the finish line preparing for the December 8 “Traditions of Christmas” Concert at 4:00 p.m. at the Soda Springs High School Auditorium.  

The concert is a cherished community tradition, and will present a number of well-loved traditional Christmas pieces, including Once in David's City, Deck the Halls, Joy to the World, The Christmas Song, Go Tell It on the Mountain, Still, Still, Still, Star of Wonder Medley, African Star Carol, What Child Is This?, O, Come All Ye Faithful, Is He Worthy?, The Hallelujah Chorus, and some surprises along the way.

The Executive Orchestral Director is Anne Olorenshaw, who is described by Kathleen Campbell as “very artistic in her interpretation of the music, and very articulate in her directing. As the former music director in Bancroft, she has many years experience as a choral and instrumental director. She is a beautiful singer and an accomplished pianist.  When not directing the music she will either be singing or playing the string bass in the orchestra.”

The Executive Choral Director is Kimberly Mumford.  She has been soloing as a soprano since she was a young girl and has a beautiful and well-trained singing voice.  She currently is the music teacher in Soda Springs, and has taught in other areas, including Grace, Pocatello and the Phoenix area.  Campbell explains that “Kim is a seasoned actress who directs the high school musicals.  She is creative in her interpretation of the music.  If not directing or singing, she can be found behind the piano, accompanying.”

The returning director is Vince Burgoyne of Montpelier.  As an accomplished band teacher of many years in Spanish Fork, Utah, he brings energy and precision to the orchestra.  He will also be directing the choir this year, bringing the same results, no doubt.  When not directing or singing bass, he can be found playing the trumpet.

Making his debut this year as a choral director for the Christmas concert is Tanner Davis.  Tanner brings a new perspective to the music he directs.  When not directing he will be singing tenor or playing the cello.