Thanks for Visiting!

Great Horned Owl and the Supermoon Eclipse, January 2018

Snake Valley is an awesome place, and we welcome visitors!

We don't have time to update this blog often, but we have updated the major events in the valley on the calendar.

2018

March 8 & 9 at 8 p.m. (MST) Production of Thoroughly Modern Millie at EskDale High School

May 24 EskDale Graduation

June 12-14 Beetle BioBlitz at Great Basin National Park

July 4 Fourth of July Celebration at EskDale

August 31-Sept 3 Snake Valley Festival

September 6-8, 2018 Astronomy Festival at Great Basin National Park

Baker Community Center open Tuesdays from 10 am - 2 pm (NV time). Yoga on Wednesdays from 10-11:30 am.

Ladies' Lunch every other Thursday.

Preparing for the 2016 Snake Valley Festival

Planning for the 2016 Snake Valley Festival has been going on for a few months, and it's going to be a great one!

You can find the whole schedule at the Snake Valley Festival Website.

Check it out.
Invite your family and friends.
This is going to be great!

2015 Snake Valley Obituaries

We are sad to see our friends, family, and neighbors leave us. Here we pay tribute to them and the roles they played in our lives. May they rest in peace.
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William R. "Bill" Coffman, of Baker, NV

Robert James Conrad, of EskDale, UT

Andrew "Andy" John Ferguson, of Baker, NV

Ann S. Garbett, previously of Callao, UT

Susan Lewis Reynolds, previously of EskDale, UT

Darlene Swallow Whitlock, of Baker, NV (and previously Garrison, UT)

Marian Bagley Woodward, formerly of Callao, UT

Previous lists:
2014
2013
2012
2011


Search of Obituaries on Tributes.com for:
Baker
EskDale and Garrison

If you know of someone else from Snake Valley who has died in the last year, please leave a comment below and we will include that person as soon as possible.

Snake Valley Festival Coming Soon!

The Snake Valley Festival is always the third weekend of June. In 2015, that falls on June 19-21. This will be the seventh festival, and it should be better than ever! (We're getting the hang of things!)  Here's the schedule:

SEE YOU ON THE THIRD WEEKEND OF JUNE, JUNE 19-21, 2015!
Don't forget to like our Facebook page to stay up-to-date!

Tentative Schedule
SNAKE VALLEY FESTIVAL
JUNE 19-21, 2015

Before the Festival, put up Road Art
and buy 50-50 raffle tickets!
Friday, June 19, 2015
2-7 pm Booths near Baker Hall and on Baker Avenue
5-7 pm Ice cream social, in front of Baker Hall6-9 pm Beer Tasting, Border Inn
7-9 pm Silent Auction only - with “premium” items at the Border Inn
 Saturday, June 20, 2015
7:30-9:30 am Breakfast at the Community Center8 am – noon - Community Yard Sale
8 am – 3 pm Booths near Baker Hall and on Baker Avenue
8 am – 3 pm Book Sale near Baker Hall
10 am Small Town Parade 11 am - 1 pm Solar Telescope on playground11 am - 2 pm Kids' Games on Baker Hall lawn11 am - 2 pm Lunch and Food booths in and near Community Center11 am - 2:30 pm Silent Auction in Baker Hall11 am - 3 pm Bake Sale in Baker Hall11 am - 3 pm Pie Sale in Baker Community Church
1 pm - 3 pm Free Entertainment Baker Hall lawn 3 pm Massive water fight on playground5:30 pm BBQ dinner at Border Inn
7 pm  – 50:50 Raffle winner & Road Art winners announced--All road art from July 2014-June 2015 will be considered, so start putting it up now!
7:30 pm Pageant and Talent Show at the Border Inn
8:30 pm Astronomy Program, Great Basin National Park
 Sunday, June 21, 2015
7 am Snake Valley Slither 5k/10k & Kids’ Race start at Baker gas station8 am - ? Booths
8 am - Noon Bake Sale corner of Hwy 487-488

And for more information, check out the Snake Valley Festival page!

R.I.P. Snake Valley 2014

We are sad to see our friends, family, and neighbor leave us. Here we pay tribute to them and the roles they played in our lives. May they rest in peace.
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Natalie Jean Hale Bennett, formerly of Trout Creek

Clinton Brent Eldridge, formerly of Spring Valley

Elva Eldridge, formerly of Spring Valley

Peter Blythe Ford, of Baker

Cecil Garland, of Callao

Tonia Harvey, of Baker

Wendell S. Lambert, formerly of Baker

Wesley Ray Lewis, of Partoun

Tori Lee Murray, of Garrison

Catherine Lucile Bagley Reese, formerly of Callao

Dennis Schlabsz, of Baker

Timothy Arlo Swallow, formerly of Spring Valley

George Frederick Tripp, formerly of Callao

Previous lists: 2013, 2012, 2011

Search of Obituaries on Tributes.com for:
Baker
EskDale and Garrison

If you know of someone else from Snake Valley who has died in the last year, please leave a comment below and we will include that person as soon as possible.

2015 Snake Valley Calendar

Sorry I've gotten so far behind on posting on this blog! Just goes to show that life is busy in Snake Valley!

To keep track of it all, buy a Snake Valley Calendar for 2015! Check out all the details, plus all the photos included, on the Great Basin Water Network page.

Bridging the Gap Concert

No one disputes that EskDale has a marvelous music program. In March, people all over the country got to hear the choir during a unique concert that was broadcast over the Internet. You can read more about it on Janille's blog.

The music program also had great success with Solo/Ensemble, with numerous entries making it on to state.

If you want to hear a little music, there will be a recital this Sunday, May 11 at 3 pm (UT).

Successful Winter Carnival

 The 2014 winter carnival was great. Held in Baker Hall, lots of school parents and community members came out to support the local schools. About $2,000 was raised.

Face painting and some prize glasses.

The theme was Year of the Horse.

Don't miss the next school event: Aladdin at EskDale March 13 and 14, starting at 7 pm (NV)/ 8 pm (UT).

EskDale Concert March 5

Here's an exciting opportunity!

Cisco Systems and the nonprofit Urban Entertainment Institute will host the third national Bridging the Gap concert. The nationwide event will use Cisco’s TelePresence video technology to connect students and educators with national recording artists and schools across the country.

The free concert will take place on March 5th at 2:00 p.m (UT) in the EskDale Auditorium. The schools will perform 3 numbers (Length of Concert ~ 2 hours). Celebrities are involved (We're not sure which ones right now).  

They've picked 11 sites around the country this year to participate:

Los Angeles, CA

Oakland, CA

San Francisco, CA

Seattle, WA

EskDale, UT

Chicago, IL

Deer River, MN

Greenway, MN

Austin, TX

Houston, TX

Miami, FL

Please come and support this amazing experience!

2014 Sheepherders' Party

 It's January, which means it's time for sheepherders, sheep owners, and sheep lovers to gather at the Border Inn to celebrate the sheep industry! Denys started this annual event in 2004 (click here to read in her own words why she started it.)

This year's event started Friday night with an excellent turnout for the sheep industry appreciation dinner and the open mike program. Saturday events begin in the morning and continue late into the night (see the bottom of the post for the schedule).

 Hank returned as the emcee, full of stories and wit.

 Reita shared stories about sheepherders visiting her business in Baker when she was just getting set up.

 Melanie has been a long-time performer at the open mike night. It's great to see how she is transforming from a little girl into such a lovely young lady.

 Joe shared some tales about sheep--and wolves.

 Gordon related a story about sheep in Spring Valley.

 Christine and her sister shared stories about their Dad Newell's dogs (because dogs are always a favorite topic with sheep folks!) and read excerpts from their Dad's book.

 Edna had some great stories.

 Buddy, a sheepherder for 41 years, read some of his Sheepherder Poetry and graced the audience with a song.

 Mary Kaye, the featured performer for Saturday afternoon, provided a taste of her Western Music with three songs. That sneak peek will help make it a full house--her music is fantastic! She won many awards and accolades in 2013, and it looks like she's going to make 2014 even better.

Francisco shared some stories of being a sheepherder.

It was a great evening, and it continued on past when I could stay. It's so interesting to see glimpses into this traditional way of life that is slowly disappearing.

Check out previous Sheepherders' Parties: 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013.

SCHEDULE:
Saturday, January 18, 2014

~ Dave Okelberry's Sourdough Pancake Breakfast Buffet from 7-10 a.m.

~ Concert featuring Mary Kaye Knaphus at 2:30 p.m.

Manti, Utah resident Mary Kaye Knaphus has been awarded the 2012 "Song of the Year" and the 2010 Female Vocalist of the Year by the Western Music Association. She was also named the 2011 Western Female Performer of the Year by Academy of Western Artists. Learn more about Mary Kaye at mary-kaye.com.

~ Family Style Roast Lamb Dinner ($25) at 5:00 p.m.

~ Sheepherders' Ball featuring Kirk Hoggard and the Silver Sage Family Band at 7:30 p.m.

Call Denys or Gary at (775) 234-7300 or 234-7312 for room accommodations.

Co-sponsored by the Great Basin National Heritage Area and the Border Inn.

New Cell Tower Going Up in Snake Valley

 Yesterday afternoon, something caught my eye: a change in the scenery in Snake Valley. Something really, really tall was going up.

Was it finally arriving? A permanent cell tower? I drove closer to get a better look.

 I saw a worker climbing on it. He looked so small. Since summer we've been able to use cell phones in the Baker/Garrison area due to a temporary Commnet cell tower, about 30 feet high. They said once they got the permits in place, they would put up the permanent tower, 180 feet high.

 What I was seeing wasn't even the whole tower.

They put on the top section this morning, and I went back for a closer look.

What at first looked like part of the tower turned out to be three guys, clipped into the tower and assembling the top section. What a job!

 Cell service will certainly improve communications here in southern Snake Valley. Commnet specializes in cell towers in rural locations, and a kiosk is supposed to open in the Border Inn soon. Do you think you'll be using a cell phone more often now, or will you save it just for traveling?

R.I.P. Snake Valley 2013

We are sad to see our friends, family, and neighbor leave us. Here we pay tribute to them and the roles they played in our lives. May they rest in peace.
-----------------------------------------

Belen "Celia" Torres Ayala, of Baker

Edward John "Robin" Bell, III, of Ely and Baker

Margaret Fay Davis Carlson, formerly of EskDale

Robyn Ashley Ewing, formerly of Baker

Rob Ewing, formerly of Baker

Josephine Anne "JoAnne" Brown Garrett, of Baker

Albert R. Genz, of Baker

Merle Maxine Gardner Henriod, of Pleasant Valley

Jack McCune, formerly of Baker

Richard Mortenson Swallow, formerly of Spring Valley

Frank J. Yacapraro, of Baker


Previous lists: 2012, 2011

If you know of someone else from Snake Valley who has died in the last year, please leave a comment below and we will include that person as soon as possible.

Return of the Turkey Shoot

 The weekend before Thanksgiving, Don Geary and Bill Rountree reinstated the annual turkey shoot down at the dump south of Baker. This had been a long-time fundraiser for the local EMTs, but was discontinued seven years ago for various reasons. This year they were ready to try it again, and enthusiastic sharpshooters turned out despite the cold weather. The funds this year benefited the Great Basin Water Network to help protect Snake Valley's water.

 The shoot consisted of many categories, and after each round, participants checked how they did. Whoever won that round won a turkey.

 It was interesting seeing the different guns folks had.

 The kids got involved, too, and there was even a special class just for them.

To make the day even better, refreshments were available.

Hopefully next year will bring an even bigger crowd to this fun Snake Valley event.

Border Inn Craft Fair Today

 Get ready for Christmas and support local crafters today at the Border Inn Craft Fair. It's from 1-5 pm (PDT). Quite a few crafters are expected. Some local groups (4-H, Community Center) will also be raising money at the event.

 Here are some photos from last year's craft fair.

Come join the fun!

2014 Snake Valley Calendars for Sale

It's that time of year to start planning for 2014, and what better way to plan than with a beautiful 2014 Snake Valley Calendar! Every month enjoy a stunning scene from Snake Valley.

Calendars cost $15 each, 2 for $25, or bigger quantities at a discount. You can buy them at the Border Inn or from Susan Wetmore. Susan is able to send calendars by mail (approximately $3 s&h for 1 calendar and $5 s&h for 2 calendars). You can reach her by email: sywetmore @ wirelessbeehive.com or phone: 775-234-7265.

Proceeds go to the Great Basin Water Network to pay legal and specialist fees to help keep Snake Valley's water in the valley.

You can learn lots more about the wonderful features of Snake Valley on the Protect Snake Valley website.

What To Do during the Government Shutdown (and Great Basin National Park is Closed)

Great Basin National Park is officially closed during the Government Shutdown, which means no entry. That's a bummer with the fall colors changing, not to mention that the Lehman Caves Cafe had to shut a week early (and their employees unexpectedly had a week less of pay), and all the visitors that have traveled near and far now have to figure out what to do.

Fortunately Snake Valley has a treasure trove of wonderful things to do in it. We are blessed with many beautiful and interesting places. Here's a list of the Top Ten Things to Do in Snake Valley.

Wheel-a-thon 2013

 Baker and Garrison schools had their annual wheel-a-thon in mid-September. Despite some morning rain showers, the rain eventually stopped (or rather paused--we got more in the afternoon), allowing for most of the wheel-a-thon to happen in nice weather.

The Baker kids rode from Highway 6 & 50 to Garrison and back (16 miles), while the Garrison school kids rode one way (8 miles). The kids got a snack break at each mile.

 Even though many of these kids don't ride their bikes frequently, they all made it the whole distance. Way to go! They had friends and family pledge money per mile for the school.

It was a great event!

For more about the Wheel-a-thon, check out Jenny's blog!

EskDale Summer Concert

EskDale held two wonderful summer concerts in addition to the Fourth of July bonanza. These concerts are always a joy to attend, with a variety of musical talent showcased. Above, Sharon delights the crowd with a comical song--where she finds these gems, I don't know!

Lois always plays something fantastic and makes it look so easy!

If you missed these concerts, or even if you didn't, be sure to put December 12 & 13 on your calendar for more EskDale music, with the Christmas banquet and production. Looking forward to that makes it easier to handle the colder temperatures and shorter days!

2013 Snake Valley Days BBQ

 The Snake Valley Volunteer Fire Department holds an annual BBQ and dance as a fundraiser during the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend. It was a great day for a BBQ, with nice weather. Here are a few photos from the event:

Making the root beer

Volunteers help prepare the meet

Part of the excellent dinner--the baked potato and roll didn't fit!

Melissa was part of the awesome behind-the-scenes crew that made it all happen. Thanks!

To see more photos, check out the SVVFD's Facebook page.

Thanks to everyone who came and helped at the BBQ!