Galena Lodge snowshoe guide Kandis Larson has been taking groups for guided snowshoe trips on Galena trails all winter, and she always offers a bit of history and some stories about the area. One of Larson's favorite stories is about a man buried in the Galena Pioneer Cemetery, which contains three graves.
One of the gravesites is the resting-place of a man who was working at the Senate Mine and traveled two-miles on foot in the snow for a letter from his lover, which was delivered to Galena Lodge. On the way to Galena he triggered an avalanche.
His body was found in the spring from the red dye of the sweater he was wearing. This story is printed in "Sun Valley An Extraordinary History" by Wendolyn Spence Holland and befits Valentine's Day because it shows that love knows no
boundaries.
Today Galena Lodge is easily accessible, and for Valentine's Day will offer a multi-course gourmet dinner prepared by Chef Don Shepler. The dinner will include an appetizer of laughing bird shrimp over creamy polenta and organic butternut squash bisque soup with crème fraiche. Entrée choices will include large seared scallops in a fennel beurre blanc with green lentils and roasted vegetables or roasted beef striploin with red wine demi glace, smashed yukon gold potatoes and roasted veggies. For dessert, enjoy a trio of delights, which include chocolate truffle, strawberry sugar cookie and chocolate mousse. For reservations, call 726-4010.
For couples wanting a night out without the kids, take advantage of the Dual Immersion Viaje Club Valentine's Day Babysitting Fund raising event at the Hailey Elementary School on Sunday, Feb. 14, from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m.
The Dual Immersion Viaje Club was organized this year to give 7th and 8th grade students a chance to use what they have learned in an actual Spanish speaking country. This June the club will take its first trip to Costa Rica. Most of the students cannot afford the entire cost of the trip, so they are holding fundraisers to make it more affordable for their families. The students and their families have been working very hard putting on these fundraisers, which it itself has been a valuable experience for the students.
The cost for babysitting is $25 per child. Several parents and teenagers will work together to care for the children.
Babysitting activities include playing, gaming, sleeping and watching movies. Food will need to be provided by parents, and children must picked up by 1 a.m. or a late fee will be charged. All children need to be potty trained. Reservations are requested, but walk-ins will be accepted. For details and reservations, call Jane Rosen at 788-1900.
Another fundraising event, a benefit for the nexStage Theatre, is the second annual, Divas and Desserts: Cabaret Evening, on Sunday, Feb. 14, from 6:30-9:30 p.m. at the nexStage Theatre in Ketchum.
The Valentine's day benefit concert will feature the singing talents of Melodie Taylor-Mauldin, Jilla Webb and Wood River Valley entertainer Cheryl Morrell. Tickets are $80 per person. Seating will be at round tables with seating for 12, but there will also be romantic tables for couples looking for a great way to spend their Valentine's evening. Sponsor tables of 12, 10 and eight are also available. All other tables are available at a first come and first reserved basis. For details, call 726-9124 or 726-4857 to book tickets or reserve a table for the event.
The Sun Valley Resort will have several Valentine's Day events including Dine with your Valentine at the Lodge Dining Room on Sunday, Feb. 14, from 6-9:30 p.m., which is $185 per couple and includes a four-course gourmet dinner and music by jazz pianist Brooks Hartell and vocals by Melodie Taylor-Mauldin and Teddy Cunningham. For reservations, call 622-2800.
The Sun Valley Boiler Room will have a special Valentine's Day performance of "Forever Plaid" with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. and show time at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $30 per couple and include any item off the entree menu and a root-beer float per person, Valentine candy and a chance to win raffle prizes. Raffle prizes include one night's lodging and dinner for two at Sun Valley Resort, Boiler Room show tickets to the Vuarnettes and Winter Comedy Series or a gift basket from Sun Valley Village shops valued at $75. Tickets are available at the door or call the Sun Valley Recreation Center 622-2135. In addition, the Sun Valley Ram Restaurant will have a special dinner for two for $45. For reservations, call 622-2800.
Sabina Dana Plasse: splasse@mtexpress.com
The Senior Connection in Hailey has lots of love for Valentine’s Day. Photo by David N. Seelig
