IDAHO TALKS:
Heritage, Conservation,
Preservation and Legacy
McCall Arts and Humanities Council will be hosting a series of discussions in the study and application of our humanity in relation to our environment. These talks will be held at the Central Idaho Historical Museum’s Carpenter Shop. Built in 1937 and recently restored it is the perfect backdrop to reflect on preservation, restoration, heritage and what it means to leave a legacy. Guest speakers will give a presentation in their field of expertise and then will open up to guests for questions and comments.
LOCATION
Central Idaho Historical Museum Carpenter Shop
1001 State Street, McCall
The Carpenters Shop has no heating or cooling system. Please dress ready for the weather.
DATES AND TIMES
Thursdays in June
June 5th, 12th, 19th and 26th 2025
Doors Open at 6:00pm
Presentation begins at 6:30pm
GET INVOLVED
Would you like to volunteer to help during these talks?
Would you like to be our food and beverage vendor?
Would you like to be a 2025 Idaho Talks presenter?
Please email us at [email protected].
BECOME A 2025 IDAHO TALKS SPONSOR
Every contribution is tax-deductible, and every sponsor receives advertising and appreciation on our event posters, social media posts, newspaper ads, day-of event signs, and our website.
If you’d like to be a sponsor, please email [email protected]
Idaho Talks 2025 Lineup
The Pacific & Idaho Northern Railways-It’s history and how vital railroads were to early Idaho
with Dale Fisk
June 5, 2025
“The Impact of the Early Fur Trade on the Settlement of Idaho” with Jim
Hardee, Journal Editorial Board, The Rocky Mountains Fur Trade Journal Museum
of the Mountain Man
with Jim Hardee
June 19th, 2025
This presentation examines pre-1840 fur trader/trapper influences on Idaho’s early history. The discussion describes the frequency of positive contact amongst trappers and Native populations, demonstrating the degree of cooperation between cultures. These relationships amplify the impact of sites such as Fort Henry (1810), the first building constructed within Idaho’s borders, and others. How Forts Hall and Boise (1834), as well as trails used by Indigenous people and trappers, influenced future overland migrations is also considered.
Jim Hardee is the editor of The Rocky Mountain Fur Trade Journal, published annually by the Museum of the Mountain Man in Pinedale, Wyoming. He is a nationally-known presenter at many conferences and symposiums relating to myriad aspects of pre-1840 Rocky Mountain West studies. He has published three books and numerous articles on various fur trade topics. Hardee hails from Pierre’s Hole, Idaho (today’s Teton Valley), and is a recipient of Idaho Historical Society’s prestigious Esto Perpetua Award. He has been the director of the Fur Trade Research Center for over 25 years.
It’s All About Balance: Paradise is Perishable Conservation in a Changing Landscape
with Craig Utter, Executive Director Payette Land Trust
June 12th, 2025
This talk focuses on balance – the deliberate work of protecting the lands that make this place
special, while recognizing the reality of a changing landscape. We all need a place to live, work and play. There are places we should look to for development and places we should look to conserve. This past year, more than ever, we’ve been reminded that conservation is not about stopping change – it’s about shaping it. Growth is inevitable and happening all around us. We see change in the once open fields that used to stretch out before us. We see it in the increasing applications for development in the Cities and Counties across our region. At Payette Land Trust, we believe growth and conservation don’t have to be at odds. In fact, we believe they must work together.
This talk focuses on balance – the deliberate work of protecting the lands that make this place
special, while recognizing the reality of a changing landscape.
Craig was born and raised in the town of Evergreen on the eastern slope of Colorado, so he is no stranger to the issues faced by developing mountain towns. He received a bachelor’s degree in Animal Science from Colorado State University. Shortly after graduation, owned and operated a 300-head cow-calf ranching operation in the Sandhills of Nebraska for 13 years. During this time, he was involved with the Nebraska Cattlemen’s Association and eventually chaired their Natural Resources and Environment Committee. Simultaneously, he became involved with a variety of private land conservation programs, most notably the Leopold Conservation Award presented by the Sand County Foundation. Craig was instrumental in bringing this prestigious national private land stewardship award to Nebraska. Much of the success of the Nebraska award can be attributed to the collaboratives he helped facilitate between private landowners and a diverse group of stakeholders.
In 2006, he moved to McCall and was hired as a USFS firefighter on an engine stationed in
Warren. “I thought I would fight fire for one year and then go back to graduate school” Craig
said “Then I was hired on as a member of the Krassel Helitack crew and rappelled out of a
helicopter. One summer turned into ten, never made it back to school.” He remained on the
helicopter crew from 2007 until 2017 and today still contracts with the USFS as a Helibase
manager and Night Dispatcher.
During his winters off from fighting fire, he continued to work with the Sand County
Foundation, coordinating the Nebraska Leopold Conservation Award from McCall. Craig has
also worked 3 seasons in Antarctica for the National Science Foundation. Two seasons as a fixed
wing cargo specialist and one year as a helicopter crew member.
In 2018 Craig became the Executive Director for the Payette Land Trust. Craig brings over 30
years of land management, environmental and conservation-based non-profit experience along
with a strong understanding of the importance of collaboration.
Idaho Sled Dogs
June 26th, 2025
More info coming soon…
Idaho Talks Presentation Library
Finnish Steps to Valley County
with F.A. (Floyd) Loomis
took place on June 27th, 2024
Local author F.A. (Floyd) Loomis will take a look at the Finnish migration to Idaho from various stepping points in Finland and across the U.S. His Finnish wife—Kristin
Koskella—was the inspiration for several historical works, such as Ladies with Sisu, A Brief History of the Long Valley Finnish Ladies’ Aid. Floyd has also written novels
Frankie Ravan, Ravan’s Winter, and Confluence of Spirit (an Idaho trilogy), as well as Blue Duwamish, No End in Sight, and The Attic Thief. His short story volumes include A Run of Garnets & Other Idaho Tales, The Rose and Other Urban Stories, and 60 Minute Stories. Poetry chapbooks are Salmon River Lookout, Gold Fork Dreams, and East West West East. His first book was As Long As Life, The Memoirs of a Frontier Woman Doctor, a book that was among sources used for the TV series Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman. Floyd has two Master’s degrees from Yale Univ. and a Bachelor’s degree from the Univ. of Washington in Seattle. He enjoys spending time with his wife Kristin and daughters Amanda and Kathirine, and their giant schnauzer Cozette. He is also a woodworker who specializes in Craftsman style furniture.
Life on the South Fork, The Fritser Ranch
with Kathy Deinhardt Hill
took place June 6th, 2024
In 1902, Harrison and Charlotte Fritser settled on the South Fork of the Salmon River, raising their family until Charlotte’s death due to childbirth in 1919. The story of the Fritser family–one of survival, tragedy, and success–is worth telling.
A native Idahoan, Kathy Deinhardt Hill enjoys uncovering the stories about Idaho’s early residents. She is the author of several books, including Spirits of the Salmon River, For Better or Worse, the Legacy of William “Deadshot” Reed, and Hanged, a History of Idaho’s Executions.
Settling the Southfork —
The Homestead of Simeon Willey
with Kathy Deinhardt Hill
took place June 1st, 2023
The South Fork of the Salmon River was home to many early settlers who arrived in Idaho to mine and then remained to build lives on the river. Simeon Willey was one of those settlers. When the land opened to homesteading in the early 1900s, Sim and his family staked a claim on the east side of the South Fork, a little over four miles downstream from what we now know as Lick Creek Road. They built a successful homestead, living on the land from 1895 until 1940.
On her first trip down the main Salmon River, Kathy Deinhardt Hill was taken by the beauty and history of the isolated area. That trip led to her first book, Spirits of the Salmon River, which details the people who lived, died, and are buried on the river. For the past several years, she has been researching homesteads on the South Fork, an area settled by determined, resilient, and interesting individuals. They have stories worth telling.
Ghosts of the Frank: Solo Winter Traverse of the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness
with Dan Noakes took place June 15th, 2023
Donnelly resident Dan Noakes will take us on his two week journey skiing and hiking over 100 miles across the 2.3-million acres of the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness. We will get to explore not only the most remote place in the lower 48 states with him but also it’s former residents. Noakes gained a great appreciation for the people who once lived, worked and died in “The Frank.” He will also delve into the modern controversy of the Forest Service’s decision to burn down cabins as it acquired private lands inside the Frank in the name of wilderness preservation.
Idaho Powers Environmental Stewardship Program with Taylor Campbell was held on July 27th, 2023
Idaho Power is a locally operated energy company headquartered in vibrant and fast-growing Boise, Idaho. We have been proudly serving our residential, business, and agricultural customers since 1916. Education and Outreach Energy Advisor, Taylor Campbell, will take us on a walk through the rich history of Idaho Power and their current environmental stewardship programs dedicated to the preservation of our natural resources.
Archives and Archaeology:
The Chinese History of Warren
took place June 13th, 2024
Payette National Forest archaeologists will share the history of Chinese in the Warren area around the turn of the 19th century. Historical information sourced from archival research and archaeological finds will be discussed. A small collection of artifacts will be on display.
The Payette National Forest Heritage Program’s team of archaeologists includes Morgan Zedalis (PhD), Molly Eimers, Samantha Westendorf (MA), Stefani Patten, Michelle Platt, Sloan Dickson, and Holly Coleman (MA). The Heritage Program staff have an enthusiasm for sharing cultural information about the Payette National Forest, and members of the team have worked on projects to increase awareness of the Chinese presence in Warren and their contribution to Idaho history.
Niimiipuu stories of the land from the land
with Angel Sobotta-Niimiipuu
took place May 30th, 2024
Stories of the land of Niimíipuu history and language in the pe’x̣selíit kúus “forked water” area, aka Payette Lake/McCall. Stories from the land of Niimíipuu oral tradition, e.g., a Niimíipuu creation story.
Angel Sobotta is an enrolled member of the Nez Perce Tribe. In January, she became a Lecturer at Washington State University. Angel will also continue teaching language classes for her community, where she has worked for the Nez Perce Language since 1998.
Angel received a Master’s degree at the University of Idaho in 2013, and an Ed. D. at the University of Idaho in 2024. The title of her research is Titwáatit, Nimipuutímt, Wéetes: Niimíipuu Ha’áyat Ceptemelíxnikt Nimipuuwíitki kaa Cukwenéewit.
The Stories, Niimíipuu Language, Land: Niimíipuu Women Investigating the Niimíipuu Way of Thinking and Knowing.
She is a Nez Perce Appaloosa Horse Club member and a member of Luk’upsíimey – North Star Collective, which revitalizes language creatively through writing.
Angel is married to Bob Sobotta, and their children are son Payton Francis, daughters Glory Rose, Grace Victory Joy, and Faith Mae Angel (ages 23, 21, 20, and 16 in 2024).
Polly Bemis: The Life and Times of a Chinese American Pioneer with Priscilla Wegars took place on July 13th, 2023
Courtesy Asian American Comparative Collection (AACC),
University of Idaho, Moscow, donated by Johnny and Pearl Carrey
Polly Bemis, Idaho’s most famous Chinese woman, lived here for over 60 years. Although owned at first by a Warren, Idaho, Chinese businessman, she later married Charlie Bemis, and the couple moved to a remote area along the Salmon River. After two years in Warren after Charlie’s death in 1922, Polly Bemis returned to the Salmon River and remained there until just before her death in 1933. Since that time, numerous articles, two books, and a movie have presented fictionalized versions of her life, often stating that she was a prostitute or that Charlie Bemis “won her in a poker game.” Primary sources, combined with Chinese customs at the time, provide evidence showing that both statements are myths. Priscilla Wegars will present a PowerPoint lecture also incorporates photographs of Polly and her home, and diary entries about her by one of her neighbors.
Who Lies Beneath? Idaho-
The Famous, Infamous and Interesting Permanent Residents with David Habben took place June 29th, 2023
Idaho’s cemeteries are the final resting place for thousands of residents. Some are famous and some are interesting people you may never have heard of. We’ll take a virtual tour of their graves and tell their stories that they themselves can no longer tell. Learn about the last hanging in Idaho, the last lady bronc rider, American’s James Bond, the Wyatt Earp of Idaho and Idaho’s Lady Bluebeard. And many more.
David M. Habben is a Cemetery Historian and photographer. He grew up in the Chicago area where he worked in law enforcement. It was his love for the blues and jazz music styles that led him to begin photographing the graves of Chicago area musicians. David moved to Oregon in 1973 where he began his career in Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and moved to Idaho in 1986. He has traveled extensively in his career in EMS as a paramedic and instructor. For over 20 years, David has traveled the U.S. and international locations for his work, and located and photographed historic and unique cemeteries and graveyards. He has presented “Who Lies Beneath?”; a virtual walking tour of the cemeteries in Idaho, and “Carved In Stone” a study of gravestone symbols, for
Boise Community Education and AARP for several years, and has presented at many genealogy and family history conferences and seminars throughout the U.S., and even at ghost and paranormal conferences. When “Who Lies Beneath?” is presented, it is rewritten and “customized” for that specific geographical location. David’s photos and stories have appeared in many printed publications as well as many on-line sites. He has also given historical walking tours of cemeteries in Boise. David is a tour guide at the Old Idaho State Penitentiary in Boise and at the Idaho State Museum. In addition to his continuing work in EMS, David has also worked for a local funeral home assisting with funeral and memorial services for many different religions and cultures.
THANK YOU TO OUR IDAHO TALKS SPONSORS
This program is supported in part by a grant from the Idaho Humanities Council, a
State-based program of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed on this
website or during these discussions do not necessarily represent those of
the Idaho Humanities Council or the National Endowment for the Humanities.
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