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The Sealy Blachly family were honored as Pioneer Family of the Year at the 2022 Pioneer Annual Meeting, held at the Seeley Theater and Opera House Saturday. Front row, from left: James Blachly, Mason Blachly, Patty Blachly, Hallie Tardif, Sawyer Tardif, Jane Blachly, Andie Holmberg, Beau Blachly, Carla Blachly, and Nate Holmberg. Back row: Kelly Johnson, Dani Bird, Pearl Blachly, Lee Blachly, and Rick Johnson.
Pirate Ponies members Evelyn and Karl Burnstad lead the Equestrian Centre's parade entry.
POMEROY-The 2022 Pioneer Days meeting and honored Pioneer family; All–Class Reunion celebration; Parade, and Tumbleweed Festival events were held on June 10 and 11.
The family of Sealy Blachly, who settled on the north fork of the Deadman in 1877, were the Honored Pioneers at the 110th Garfield County Pioneer Day Program. Included in the program was a history of the town of Ilia given by Dotty Van Vogt and Diane Koller
Ilia was situated on the Snake River and shipped grain from Garfield County farmers. The original site of the town now lies under water from the Little Goose Dam.
The parade with floats and cars representing PHS alumni; Pioneer family of the Year; antique cars, horses, was held on June 11. Emma Rose Berglund was honored as a sixth-generation graduate of Pomeroy High School. Winners of the parade were: Best Car, won by Mike Gwinn's 1953 Ford Pickup; Best Tractor, won by Jerry Wilcey's entry of 10 vintage John Deere tractors; Best Horse, won by Pirate Ponies Equestrian Centre; Best Class Float, won by the class of 1972's giant pirate ship, complete with confetti cannon; and the Johnny Capwell Best of Show award to the 1995 Cougar owned by Mike and Alice Gwinn and the 1960 Thunder Bird owned by Mike Gwinn.
Lunch on Saturday was provided by many local groups. The Class of 2025 offered a baked potato bar, The Pomeroy Senior Center offered a selection of pies, lemonade and cotton candy by the Pirate Boosters, Ice Cream and homemade waffle cones were provided by Catalyst Student Ministries, a salad buffet was catered by the Spinners, the pirate football team offered hamburgers and hot dogs.
The weekend was kicked off with the Wine and Stein Seeley Theater fundraising event at the Spinner's Maple Hall on Friday, June 10. To participant, event goers purchased a glass with two tickets for a beverage of their choice. Additional tickets could be purchased if desired.
"This is our main, large fundraiser of the year, said Seeley Theater Board President Lisa Lund, "It is a nice get together for all the alumni who come back for their reunion, and come to the Pioneer annual meeting. The funds from this and other events go right into the Theater," Lund added. "We just finished plaster work and we will be working on windows and the candy counter.
This year the Baker's Table provided a sandwich meal and a charcutier plate along with two choices of dessert. Serving crafted beer was offered by the Riverport Brewery, and the Seeley Theater provided a selection of domestic lagers and ales, in addition to free lemonade and water. The wineries presenting a variety of wines were Clearwater Canyon Cellars located by the river, and from the Orchard area, Lindsay Creek Vineyards; Basalt Cellars, and Seeley Theater provided a selection of popular wines to try.
