Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Tea honors ladies of the 2009 Heritage Court

Women showcase diverse backgrounds


By DELLA SENTILLES
Express Staff Writer

Alice Eaton Schernthanner, Sun Valley Ethel Wells, Ketchum Esther Peterson Boyd, Hailey Rita Green Wade Hurst, Bellevue Dolores Johnson Parke, Carey Photo by Willy Cook

The members of the 2009 Heritage Court made their debut Saturday at a formal tea at the Inn of the Ellsworth Estate in Hailey. The ladies mingled with former Heritage Court members, local mayors and sponsors of the court. Board members of the Ketchum-Sun Valley Ski & Heritage Museum hosted the party.

"The tea was a huge success," said Heritage Court Director Laura Hall. "We had 50 to 75 people, and it was just beautiful."

The court is in its sixth year with current and previous members ranging from ages 70 to 105. Five women, representing the five cities of Blaine County, were nominated to this year's court.

Representing Sun Valley is 71-year-old Alice Eaton Schernthanner. Schernthanner grew up in Maine and fell in love with a ski instructor. She moved to Sun Valley, took up skiing and continues to teach children and instructors at Dollar Mountain. Schernthanner and her husband have been married for 47 years.

Representing Ketchum is 92-year-old Ethel Wells. St. Luke's Wood River Medical Center nominated Wells for her dedication to volunteerism. She served as president of the Idaho Mental Health Association. Wells also holds a national tennis ranking and continues to play both singles and doubles.

Representing Hailey is 89-year-old Esther Peterson Boyd. Boyd grew up in Carey on a cattle and sheep ranch. She said that she and her contemporaries were organic farmers long before it become fashionable. Boyd later worked as a caretaker in Washington and then the Wood River Valley.

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Representing Bellevue is 78-year-old Rita Green Wade Hurst. Hurst grew up in the Wood River Valley. She bucked logs, shod horses and drove logging trucks over Galena Summit as a teenager. Hurst now volunteers for the "helping hand suppers" every Tuesday night at the Rosebud Café in Bellevue.

Representing Carey is 80-year-old Dolores Johnson Parke. Parke grew up working on a family farm, caring for livestock, planting and hauling water. She then worked as an accountant before the existence of computers and calculators. Parke later served as school secretary for the Carey schools for 11 years.

The ladies, will officially become members of the Blaine County Heritage Court, complete with a sash and tiara, at a coronation ceremony on Sunday, June 14, from 3-5 p.m. at the Liberty Theatre in Hailey.

Della Sentilles: della@mtexpress.com




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