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Hospital Auxiliary honors Wetherell at revived ball
Considered the "grand dame" of Mountain Home, Claire Wetherell was presented with both the key to the city and a lifetime achievement award on Saturday at the Elmore Medical Center Auxiliary Ball.
Several dignitaries, including Idaho State Sen. Tim Corder and Mayor Joe B. McNeal, were on hand to honor Wetherell for her accomplishments and many years of community service.
"Claire is like that old saying 'when you throw a pebble into a pond, you get ripples'," Corder said. "She has created so many positive ripples for this community it is amazing."
Wetherell served 12 years as a state senator herself and that is where Corder says she first made an impact on him.
"She has made an impact on so many people and often, they don't even realize all the good things she does for them," he said. "Claire stays out of the spotlight, she has never wanted the attention and that is what makes her the person she is."
Wetherell first moved to Mountain Home in 1946 and said there were about 1,100 people living here at that time.
"There were no paved streets when I moved here," she said. "We used to have to put oil on our street just to keep the dust down."
"And I lived on the busiest street in town, (what is now) South 3rd East Street. Can you imagine that not being paved?"
In 1955 she became the hospital's first Auxiliary president and helped lead the bond issue that resulted in construction of the original hospital.
A year later, the first Auxiliary fundraiser was held in the junior high gymnasium. The dance was a hit and soon became an annual tradition in Mountain Home.
"The balls we used to have were fantastic," she said. "And the first one was really something. You should have seen the decorations we had!"
"I think we only charged a dollar for admission, but so many people showed up we still made money for the hospital," she added.
This year's ball was put on by Auxiliary members to not only recognize Wetherell but also to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Auxiliary itself.
"It was a great turnout, we had close to a hundred people and it seemed like everyone had fun," said Doreen M. Krabbenhoft, Executive Director of the Elmore Medical Center Foundation.
"I'm glad Claire was here to be a part of this, since she was so instrumental in starting the Auxiliary and getting the hospital built in the first place," she said.
"We wouldn't be here if it wasn't for her."
Current Auxiliary President Nancie Brininger said the ball was a complete success.
"We wanted the ball to be an opportunity for everyone in our community to have a fun evening out, get dressed up and enjoy the company of friends and neighbors while also helping to support Elmore Medical Center," she said.
All proceeds from the event will be used to purchase emergency room equipment for the hospital.
The evening began with the presentation of the lifetime achievement award by hospital staff and the key to the City of Mountain Home by Mayor McNeal, who's wife Mildred organized the event.
When Wetherell received the key from the mayor she promptly told him, "Now don't go changing the locks on me, Joe!"
Hor d'oeuvres were then laid out and the dance floor was cleared off for all to enjoy.
Even though the event was semi-formal, the atmosphere for the entire night was relaxed as the lights were dimmed and the DJ spun music ranging from soft jazz to classic oldies.
As one attendee put it, "You can eat, talk, dance, mingle--whatever your pleasure. It's casual, yet elegant at the same time."
In addition to Mayor McNeal and Sen. Corder, council member Mark Russell, county commissioner Connie Cruser and Fire Chief Phil Gridley were also in attendance.
But it was Wetherell herself who was the main attraction of the evening.
"I had a great time," she said. "What a wonderful turnout we had with all the other events going on that night."
"It was great to see so many people from the hospital there too."
She said the awards were amazing but that the letters she received from Governor Dirk Kempthorne and U.S. Senators Larry Craig and Mike Crapo were equally important to her.
"Since I served in politics for so long, hearing from them and then seeing Tim (Corder) here really meant a lot to me," Wetherell said.
"I always loved serving in office (she also served two terms, or eight years, on the city council in addition to her years in the legislature)," she added. "The only part I didn't like was all the campaigning."
The fact that she was surrounded by friends and family seemed to cap off the night for Wetherell. "My kids and grandkids were all here this weekend," she said. "Plus, since they (the grandchildren) were on their way to Las Vegas, I felt quite privileged that they took the time to stop in and see grandma."
"And even though they didn't make their beds when they left," she said with a sly grin, "I still love them to death!"