Collection Highlights

Cozy

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by Jan Brett

A New York Times Bestseller … A group of clever animals find an unusual but warm and furry home during Alaska’s long winter in Jan Brett’s newest snowy adventure.

Cozy is the softest musk ox in Alaska, with the warmest fur you ever did feel. When a storm hits while he’s separated from his family, he starts to feel lonely-but not for long. As the snow piles up, animals start to notice just how warm and cozy Cozy really is! One mama lemming has a bright idea . . . maybe the best place to spend the winter is under Cozy’s fur!

As more and more animals burrow in, Cozy adds to the house rules—quiet voices, gentle thumping, claws to yourself, no biting, and no pouncing. That seems easy enough . . . until the lemmings, snowshoe hare, snowy owl, arctic fox, and wolverine begin to bicker. Luckily, signs of spring soon appear, and that means Cozy can find his herd and his new friends can head to their summer homes. But not before promising to get cozy with Cozy next year!

Jan Brett brings a new lovable character to life through this gorgeous tale of sharing, friendship, and living in harmony.

Snuggle up with all of Jan Brett’s snowy treasures: The Mitten, The Hat, The Snowy Nap, The Three Snow Bears , and The Trouble With Trolls.

Find it in Picture Books here.

The Reidy Memorial Cross-Country Race

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Amber Reidy on skis and wearing a costume.
Amber Acker in costume at the 1988 Reidy Memorial (RHD F 15005395)

In March 1972 the first annual Reidy Memorial Cross-Country Race set off. But in comparison to the very competitive and professional racing Sun Valley is known for, the Reidy Memorial was anything but. Skiers of all skill levels and ages were invited to race, dress up, and have a good time.

The race was started by Barbara and Jamie Reidy in memory of Lynn Reidy, who tragically passed away in an accident at twenty-five years old. Barbara, Lynn’s mother, and Jamie, Lynn’s sister, decided that something needed to be done in memory of Lynn. They decided on a ski race, as Lynn loved Sun Valley and skiing, and chose to do a cross-country race to ensure Lynn’s many friends in town, who may not be able to afford to ski on the mountain, would be able to participate.

Woman wearing hat with sign saying "I heart the Reidy".
A Reidy Memorial spectator with a fun hat for the race. (RHD F 15005398)

The first Reidy Memorial Cross-Country race took place in March of 1972, and was attended by about eighty racers and was won by Kevin Swigert. By 1984, the race grew to over 200 participants. There were many classes so that everyone could participate, including a class where you weren’t timed and received a pin just for completing the course. Additionally, there were classes such as “Best Valentine’s Day Hat” or the “Crazy Cap Class”, which encouraged dressing up, creativity, and the jovial nature of the entire event.

The race became a place where everyone was welcomed. It was beloved for its unserious nature and fun-for-the-whole-family atmosphere. It became exactly what Barbara and Jamie Reidy imagined when they started the race, and an incredible tribute to the life and memory of Lynn.

Featured image from the Michael Riedel Collection, Jeanne Rodger Lane Center for Regional History (F 09209)

View more History Collection Highlights on the Library Blog

Kent Kreitler’s Custom Painted Helmet

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This hand-painted helmet, donated by extreme skier Kent Kreitler, is a remarkable blend of athletic gear and personal expression. Kreitler, a pioneer of big mountain skiing, made his name by pushing the boundaries of the sport in ways few had before. Born in Kansas City, MO and raised in Sun Valley, Kreitler honed his skills in the challenging terrain of the Sawtooth Mountains, and Ketchum became a home base for his lifelong passion for skiing. His influence is deeply felt in the world of extreme sports, where his daring descents and inventive tricks earned him a place in the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Hall of Fame.

The helmet, which he wore during his illustrious career, is covered in vibrant, hand-painted details. On the left side, a man in a red shirt with a clenched fist stands out against a white background, symbolizing resilience and strength. The center features “JONES” in hand-painted letters, a nod to one of Kreitler’s key sponsors, Jones Soda, along with “Boeri” in white stickers, representing the helmet manufacturer. The right side adds a playful touch with “WHOOP ASS” written in red novelty font, while the back repeats the Boeri name in yellow stickers.

One of the most distinctive features of the helmet is the red chin guard, which boldly displays “THE KREITLER”, marking this helmet as a true piece of personal memorabilia from his distinguished career.

Kreitler’s connection to the Wood River Valley runs deep. He was part of a generation of skiers who helped solidify Ketchum’s reputation as a hub for extreme sports. This helmet, with its mix of personal touches and sponsor shoutouts, represents not just an athlete but a pivotal moment in the culture of skiing.

From the Kent Kreitler Collection, Wood River Museum of History and Culture.

All Things Plaid

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The Fall/Winter Opening at the Gold Mine Thrift store has revealed a delightful selection of hats, boots, and apparel – for adults and children – in a wide assortment of colors, shapes and sizes.

And … new merchandise is hitting the floor every day to keep you warm, cozy, and stylish during the chilly season!

Mens plaid shirts Gold Mine Thrift

Pictured above:

  • Plaid Aviator Cap from REI in charcoal, men’s small/medium for $18
  • Girl’s Skirt with Dog Appliqué from Mini Boden in houndstooth plaid with button tab closure, 100% cotton, size 9-10Y
  • Ceramic cup from the housewares department will add charm and delight to your autumn hot chocolate
  • Men’s plaid, long-sleeved shirts in flannel, cotton, and corduroy, with choices in many sizes, patterns, and colors

Proceeds from the Gold Mine help support books, literacy, and programs at The Community Library. The store is located at 331 Walnut Avenue in Ketchum.

The Blaine County Fair Horse-Pull

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This dramatic photo, taken at the Blaine County Fair in 1983, shows the incredible power of a team of horses competing in the horse-pull event. In this event, individual horses or teams compete to see which can drag the most weight over a pre-determined distance. The event has its roots in friendly competitions between farmers with their draft horses, but these days horses are trained specifically for the horse-pull event, and typically are not involved in regular farm work.

Teams take turns pulling a sled with a substantial weight on it, with the traditional distance of the horse-pull being 27 feet and 6 inches. This distance is based on scientific studies done at Iowa State University in the early 1900’s that determined that a horse lost its maximum pulling power after about 27.5 feet. Any team that is able to pull the sled the required distance qualifies for the next round, where more weight is added and each team remaining pulls again. The weights pulled are truly incredible, with some pairs of horses pulling upwards of 4,000 pounds!

This photo was taken at the Carey fairgrounds during the annual Blaine County Fair, which in addition to the horse-pull event in 1983, featured a wide variety of other events such as livestock showing, archery, dog obedience, motorcycling, and an astounding number of judged competitions for best crops, baked goods, quilts, pottery, paintings, flowers, canned goods, and many, many, more!

From the Pedro Salom Collection of the Wood River Journal Photo Morgue (F 10202), Jeanne Rodger Lane Center for Regional History

A House of My Own: Stories from My Life

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by Sandra Cisneros

From the author of The House on Mango Street, a richly illustrated compilation of true stories and nonfiction pieces that, taken together, form a jigsaw autobiography–an intimate album of a beloved literary legend.

From the Chicago neighborhoods where she grew up and set her groundbreaking The House on Mango Street to her abode in Mexico in a region where “my ancestors lived for centuries,” the places Sandra Cisneros has lived have provided inspiration for her now-classic works of fiction and poetry. But a house of her own, where she could truly take root, has eluded her. With this collection–spanning three decades, and including never-before-published work–Cisneros has come home at last.

Ranging from the private (her parents’ loving and tempestuous marriage) to the political (a rallying cry for one woman’s liberty in Sarajevo) to the literary (a tribute to Marguerite Duras), and written with her trademark lyricism, these signature pieces recall transformative memories as well as reveal her defining artistic and intellectual influences. Poignant, honest, deeply moving, this is an exuberant celebration of a life in writing lived to the fullest.

Find it in our collection here.

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