A community tribute to Sun Valley Co. owners Earl and Carol Holding delivered an unanticipated gift from the honored guests. During an impromptu speech at a tribute dinner Sunday, Jan. 29, Earl Holding promised that Sun Valley Resort ownership would remain in the Holding family for the foreseeable future, that is as long as he, his wife and his children are alive.
The promise crowned the community celebrations that began Sunday afternoon at Carol's Dollar Mountain Lodge, in Sun Valley. During the afternoon, Wood River Valley children thanked the couple for opportunities to ski, snowboard and skate with on-hill demonstrations and hugs.
Everett Ford, 13, launched the evening tribute dinner at the Limelight Room in the Sun Valley Inn. Accompanied by resort musician Joe Fos, Everett sang "To Dream an Impossible Dream" for the Holdings and nearly 500 attendees seated for dinner.
The song, one of the Holdings' favorites, made way for tributes to the couple's accomplishments, including the vast improvements to the resort and personal stewardship of the Sun Valley area.
"You can see there are a great number of people who want to say thank you to you Earl and Carol," said Jed Gray, a lifelong resident.
Guests at the sold-out dinner included retired Utah Sen. Jack Garn and Idaho Gov. Dirk Kempthorne. Kempthorne thanked the Holdings on behalf of Idaho, declaring Monday, Jan. 30, as "Earl and Carol Holding Day."
The declaration came after an evening of historical highlights, accolades and live performances.
Emcee Mike Turzian introduced "Sun Valley's Glory Days," a historical film by David Butterfield. The film traced the Averell Harriman years, with appearances by Bill Janss, Clara Spiegel, Gretchen Fraser and Don Fraser, offering memories of the resort's early days. Throughout the movie waves of applause celebrated the past memories and present stewardship.
"As a community, the thing we should be most thankful for is your overall vision for the area," Gray said following the film. He commended the Holdings for their personal stewardship of the resort, noting the preservation of the Wood River Valley's character and land.
Commended for their contributions within Idaho, the Holding's achievements as successful oil and lodging executives stretch across the United States.
"Earl's life is a testament to good citizenship," Vice President Dick Cheney said. Cheney offered his message on a second video that highlighted the couple's professional accomplishments, with accolades from business associates, family and friends.
Personal vignettes traced the couple's achievements from their first joint venture as owners of a fruit orchard in the Salt Lake City area to later successes as proprietors of the Little America hotel chain and Sinclair Oil. On-screen kudos came from Sun Valley, Sinclair Oil and Grand America hotel employees.
With a glimpse of the couple's broad influence, such as helping to bring the 2002 Olympics to Salt Lake City, the celebration remained focused on the contributions to the Wood River Valley. Familiar Sun Valley acts the Vuarnettes and Forever Plaid offered performances. Thanks also came from Rick Kapala, coach of the Sun Valley Ski Education cross-country team and Sun Valley Mayor Jon Thorson.
"Carol and Earl, your exceptional taste and unwavering commitment to beautiful development is truly the hallmark of Sun Valley," Thorson said.
The hallmark of the evening occurred when the Holdings, invited on stage for a toast, each took a turn at the microphone. Thanking the community, Carol Holding expanded on stories from the orchard days.
Emphasizing his affection for Sun Valley, Earl Holding stated that neither he nor his heirs would sell the resort. Applause erupted, thanking the Holdings for past contributions and future endeavors.
The comment is certain to subdue speculation about the future of Sun Valley Resort, which the Holdings bought in 1977. In recent years, as Earl Holding recovered from a stroke, many valley residents wondered if ownership or management of the resort would change in the near future.
Carol and Earl Holding enjoyed hugs from Wood River Valley children who gathered Sunday at Carol's Dollar Mountain Lodge for the Holding tribute. Members of the Sun Valley Figure Skating Club and Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation cross-country, alpine, freestyle and snowboard teams thanked the couple for the recreational opportunities in the valley.
Photo by Willy Cook
