There are very few times when Burley seems like a “big city” town. When I drive down Overland, or Main, I usually complain that there are 5 or 6 cars on the road in front of me.  I even get uppity when I have to wait at Stevo’s for 20 minutes to get a seat. When I am in a “big” city that actually has traffic, or you have to call for reservations weeks in advance for a great restaurant, I am completely beside myself.

That is why Wednesday night was so very out of the norm for our little town of Burley, Idaho. You see, there is a movie that is coming out tonight called New Moon. It is the second movie in the Twilight Saga book series that has taken the nation by storm, and has every teenage girl wishing that they could go to prom with a vampire.

The Century Cinema 5 is going to show the first movie of the series entitle Twilight at 9 p.m. Directly after that showing, New Moon will start at midnight (Yes, there is actually something other than Walmart that will be open past midnight tonight).

So now the question is, “What does this have to do with Big City Life?” I will tell you, usually going to the movies in Burley consists of showing up 5-10 minutes late, catching at least one preview and sitting in a peppered-with-people cinema. Shows do sell out, but for the most part you can avoid a line, get great seats, and still see the desired flick of choice.

That is not the case for New Moon.  As a matter of fact, the line started at 6 p.m………the night before the movie was going to show!

I have heard that in “big cities” people camp out in front of theaters to get tickets, but in Burley, Idaho? I had to see this one for myself. So, I loaded up my brother-in-law, and a few of his friends around 10 p.m. to head over to the movie theater in order to secure tickets for our family.  I figured there might be a few die-hards in front of us, but I was not prepared for the site of 20+ people dressed up like Eskimos in the November chill with tents, chairs, mats, and lots of snacks.

We quickly settled in with the excited crowd that seemed to continue to double with each passing hour. There was laughing, snoring , and teeth chattering every where you looked. Though some had been in line for 12+ hours, the mood was light, and it seemed that the majority of the people got a kick out of the fact that there were others crazy enough to brave the cold.

By the time the doors opened at 7 a.m. for ticket sales, there were well over 100 in line. I am sure the theater sold out for the 2 screen showing within 20 minutes. So, if you see someone with a big smile and a red nose today, changes are they are headed to New Moon and they had a “big city” experience in our “big city” small town.

Mike Ramsey

Once a year a competition comes around that might not be widely advertised, but still draws a rather large crowd. That competition is Mr. BHS. Students from the Burley High School vote on the Seniors who they think should be in the competition each year, and then the boys do their best to put on a “beauty pageant” like production.

The contestants this year were Dallas Allred, Christian Barraza, Robert Caldera, Bryson Cole, Sam Handy, Bo Hawker, Jaram Jones, Brent Lee, Christian Loya, Bret Ramirez, Alfonso Sanchez, and Christian Winmill.

Formal Wear

To start off, Mary Frances Adams and Art Silva introduced the boys one by one as they were escorted down the isles by their girl of choice. They were dressed in everything from tuxedos to pink converse all-stars while the MC’s read answers to questions the boys were asked like, “What is your favorite  ‘yo mamma’ joke?”

Talent Competition

Next, the audience was entertained with a wide variety of talents such as a hill billy fiddler, guitar rock band group, and even a Napolian Dynamite dancer. Laughter and applause accompanied the acts, and dry MC jokes filled the downtime.

Sports Wear Modeling

The boys then partnered with Special Olympians in showcasing a sport of choice. There were hunters with nerf guns, ice fishing, swimmers with a kiddie pool, and even ping pong (with balls being hit into the audience).

Impromptu Questions

The last event is a series of random questions asked to the participants. There were questions about “what teacher they would be”, or “who their favorite person was”.  Brent Lee, the hill billy fiddler, was asked to describe his experience at Burley High School in one sentence.  He said, “Burley High School is a great school where you can chill with your friends, and learn stuff sometimes…but mainly chill with your friends.” He was told it was a run on sentence.

Auction

After the events, the boys are auctioned off by Keith Couch. They are sold for 3 hours of hard labor (though I hear many talk their way out of it) for prices from $125 to $500.

Awards

The BPA announced the winners of the 2009 Mr. BHS as followed….

• Mr. Personality–Christian Barraza
• Best Sport–Dallas Allred
• Best Talent–Brent Lee

• 2nd Runner Up–Dallas Allred
• 1st Runner UP–Christian Winmill
• Mr. BHS–Brent Lee

Happy Ending

It was a great evening at the King Fine Arts Center and the boys, along with everyone else involved, put on another great show. This event is done each year to help fund the Burley Special Olympics program. There are currently 50 athletes from Cassia County, and over 110 volunteers who contribute their time and talents to the local program. 80% of the volunteers are Burley High School Students. I recommend that if you haven’t been to a Mr. BHS competition, then don’t miss the opportunity to come next year, and help fund a great program that has blessed the lives of many individuals and families in our area.

Reported By Mike Ramsey

After seeing hoards of children roam my street I found it necessary to turn off our halloween lights, lock up the house, and get out for something fun.  I decided to go to the 9 p.m. opening night showing of Dracula at the King Fine Arts Center. The play is being put on by the Burley High School Bobcat Theatre under the direction of Richard Call. Continue Reading

Haunted or not that has been the question for years.  There are so many stories that have been told over the years it is hard to know if they are true. Real or not one young family is working hard to bring haunting alive at Campus Grove.  Troy and Heather Mortensen the owners of Campus Grove @ Albion have enjoyed bringing this new but old attraction to the Campus.  Over the years kids have sought a thrill by sneaking into the historic buildings.  Now the campus is under private ownership and has become off limits to the night time thrill seekers.  The new owners have been forced to put in security systems and seek police help to keep kids safe from the dangers that exist within the buildings. They can’t say if the buildings are really haunted but they know the buildings are scary, dark, and creepy at night.  In hopes to create good clean fun the Mortensen family started THE HAUNTED MANSIONS of ALBION.  Although it’s a lot of work this is not their first experience in this kind of business.  This family has been doing haunted house on a large scale for 7 years.  This is only their second year in Albion but it has already become a huge success for the area.  The Mortensen family enjoys seeing people having fun and stated that is one of their keys to success.  The Haunted Mansions of Albion are not just another spook alley; it is a theatrical haunting that requires upwards of 45 actors and actresses.  Sure there are some amateurs but there are also those people that take great pride in being the best spooks you have ever seen.  This year they will open up earlier to provide young children the opportunity to come have fun.  They are calling the earlier time Haunted Mansions for Kids.  It will be a toned down version that will start at 5:00pm and end at 7:00pm both Friday and Saturday.  There will be jump houses, tours of the buildings and a food court.  This is their attempt to make sure all ages can enjoy the Campus.  Keep in mind that the real haunting doesn’t start until 7:00pm on both Friday and Saturday.  They invite you to come up early to enjoy the food.  Our final weekend is this Friday and Saturday.  If you have any questions, call  208- 430-6430 or go to the web and see the entire exciting package you can do with friends & families at Campus Grove @ Albion. (www.albioncampus grove.com)

Mount Harrison Heritage Foundation would like to announce auditions for the upcoming musical production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, which will be performed in January. Come prepared to sing; a cd player and a pianist will be available. All auditions will be in the King Fine Arts Center Little Theater.

Friday, October 16th          6:30 – 9:30 pm
Saturday, October 17th        9:00am – noon

Audition for the children’s chorus (ages 5 -10):
Saturday, November 14th      9:00 am – 1:00 pm

For more information call:
Julene Thurston 678-8435
Cherie Hamilton 436-6573

The Burley Straw Maze, located below the Albion Grade at 500 south and Highway 77 brings a completely new concept to Halloween activities. Shear 8-foot high walls line crooked and tangled paths of confusion!
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Miss Cassia Jr. Miss Brooklynn Gunnell will be competing in Jr. Miss State Competition September 24, 25 and 26 in Pocatello. Brooklynn is a senior at Burley High School. She is a cheerleader, peer tutor, and a member of the BSOPPS and NHS organizations. She is serving as the youth leader of her church service organization for young women. In the mini-cassia competition Brooklyn won $5000 in scholarships, winning awards for interview, scholastics and fitness. Brooklynn will be presenting a hoedown clogging dance for her talent at state finals where she will participate with 38 girls from all of the state of Idaho.  Brooklynn is the daughter of Kent and Christine Gunnell.  Her siblings include Camille and Bridger attending BHS and Landon a 5^th grader at White Pine.

Tickets will be handled by the Idaho State University Box office at the Stephens Performing Arts Center. Box office: 208-282-3595 or online at: isu.edu/tickets.  If you have questions contact Mini-Cassia Jr. Miss Chairman Candace King.

Welcome

Hello…My name is Mike Ramsey. I am not a journalist. Nor am I a reporter, or anything else that relates to someone that should be writing a newspaper. Continue Reading