Seiad Day Fun 2007
By Judy Bushy
Seiad Day is a big event in the little town of Seiad Valley. Being one of those little places along Highway 96 where you might be missed if someone closed their eyes, they nonetheless are not lacking in community spirit. This is especially true when it comes to the local Seiad Valley Volunteer Firefighters!! The firefighters are greatly appreciated and supported by the community. One way is by the Seiad Day activities.
This year Seiad Day began with a Fun Run. You could Run (or walk) one mile or three and get your blood pumping for the rest of the day’s activities. Then it was time to line up for the Seiad Day parade. First came the sirens. The rescue vehicles came down the street and the crowd cheered their appreciation of them, although the kids scramble for candy. Mario Gomez was driving the Forest Service truck with Smokey Bear!
Connie, Rebecca, Gwen and Pat are the lady Miners from Mid River RV park and about the ‘best old crazy’ gold diggers call themselves. Mid-River Lady Miners.
River Valley 4H Club had Philomena, Rita, and Zoey Walsh, Jeffrey Kanawyer, Abigail Eadie, Natalie Driskell, Gabriella, Michael and Christopher Riehm, Nonna Simmons with their current year awards and projects. They gave special Thanks to Jennifer Johnson for her help with the Gardening project and Richard McLearan and Seiad Mini-Storage for donation of the quad for their float. The 4 H leaders are Danielle Riehm-Cruz and Rebecca Sehuh.
Chris and Max on bicycle and cart behind the bike represented River Connection Realty encouraging bystanders to see Mom, Carol Nelson at River Connection for all Realty needs.
Wes Timbrook was driving Brian Helsapple’s State of Jefferson tractor. Brian Helsapple was the man who started the Seiad Day and for many years was the announcer. Brian was also the ‘spark’ behind the Klamath River Chamber of Commerce and an active leader in not only birding and such, but also many community activities.
All the Way from Happy Camp were Gini, Ivan and Jerry in a balloon-covered car inviting one and all to come buy antiques at Siskiyou House! Ron Heatherington drove his Model A Ford from ’29.
Representing the Boy Scout Troop and Cub Scout Pack 52 was Vickie Simmons, Chairman and James Simmons, Jeffrey Kanawyer, and Michael Riehm. Some others who were in both 4H and Boy Scouts didn’t make the quick change to go around twice.
Then came the horsewomen, Sam O’Reilly rode Joey; Victoria Jones rode Sammy and Kelsea McLearan. Peggy Goshgarian came on Sunny and Hellsley while Bill had Freddy. Bill later introduced me to Johnny and Florence and some of the other mules who are so friendly and like big Labrador dogs who like to be petted and scratched and given some attention. These are some of the animals that help packing in work crews and supplies to accomplish work on the trails of the wilderness areas.
After the parade there were numerous games for the children, and a bounce house that looked like a clown that was particularly fun. Snow cones and popcorn were available thanks to teenage helpers. They also did the ping-pong ball toss, the shotgun (cork) duck targets, the twirling wheel of prizes and other games for the little tykes.
In the meantime the Horseshoe tournament was getting started on the lawn. Smokey Bear was posing for pictures while his helpers handed out posters and goodies for the kids. There were beautiful wooden toys and objects for sale by a woodworker. The Klamath Valley Four H Club had a display of trophies, plaques and ribbons that they had won, some from the fair. Chicken poop bingo was also surrounded by crowd cheering the reluctant fowl on.
One of the big fundraisers is the auction of donated items. There were woodworking, sewing, ink stitches and paintings. Almost every imaginable craft has a craftsperson in Seiad Valley busy making something to auction at the Fire Hall. It was fun just to see all the items. A Care-bear Quilt and an old barn sketch were some of the items. White Elephant items, some really treasures, were offered at silent auction. The bidding was hearing up all morning to be the last to make the winning bid!
Hamburgers and snacks were also available at the Seiad Fire Hall. Later in the evening a big dinner would take place and the evening end with a community dance with Bluestews making music.
The place is so beautiful! People who close their eyes when passing the place will really missed a big thing in their life.
It would not be advisable to close your eyes anywhere along the Klamath River Highway 96 drive either 75 miles from Interstate 96 near Yreka, CA or 80 miles from Willow Creek, CA on Highway 299, You see, the wildlife are not trained to avoid cars or trucks, or even motorcycles! We’ve had several encounters with deer in three of our vehicles that I recall right off. Fortunately we haven’t hit an Elk, and with their larger size it would be incapacitating to do so!!
I have a couple of times seen a mountain lion glide effortlessly across the highway in front of us, and didn’t come close to hitting them. I’ve seen a bear cub roll into the road ahead of me on more than one occasion on switchbacks. A friend hit a young bear who wouldn’t be missed when driving me and then wanted to get out and see if it had survived. I was, of course, concerned that it was just dazed and would be angry, but it was hit by a truck before she got near to check it’s health!! Besides that, aroma frequently shows skunks, stripped cats, raccoons and other animals have not crossed safely!
Besides that, some of these curves have 25 mph signs, some a little more, but straight stretches are small and rare!!
One must drive carefully and pay attention One ladt drove out on a winter day and didn’t find her for a year…
It is beautiful and we love it!!
What ever happened to Brian Helsapple?
Is his brother, Tom still in the area?
Brian lived in Wabasha, Mn. up thru 5th grade.
I fished with him many days.
Harry (Brians Dad) was a friend of my father, and he did some work in our house. Great carpenter.
If anyone has any information, it would be appreciated.
Thank you John, we fondly remember Brian I will ask if his brother may be in Seiad Valley, and get back to you.
Hi John–Tom still lives in the bay area, he was up to visit in 2012–sorry I do not know much more then that. A tree fell through his house in the 2016 snow–very sad, Brian was an awesome carpenter too. Hope they can fix it.