Newe Creations Christmas Expo has 120 vendors

Ugly Christmas sweater contest entries at the Newe Creations Christmas Expo.

By ROSELYNN YAZZIE
Sho-Ban News
FORT HALL — The Newe Creations 2018 Christmas Expo was November 29-Decemer 1 and had 120 vendors.

Leah Pandoah Bryan, coordinator of the event, said the event was a couple weeks early because of prior commitments at the venue. They figured after Black Friday they would open the season for holiday sales.

There was something for everyone at the expo, where the sellers included Shoshone-Bannock tribal members, other federally recognized tribes and non-Natives. 

“We have everything from rocking horses to T-shirts, to sport shirts, to baked goods. We have our beadworkers; we have our hides for sale here. We have earrings and everything you need for presents, and unique presents,” said Pandoah Bryan.

Beadwork sold at the expo.

Besides arts and crafts, entertainment was also provided with school performances, contests, a visit from Santa and a daily drawing from vendors, which will be use to build up funds for next year. 

Pandoah Bryan said she hoped everyone had a good time. This was the sixth annual event hosted at the Shoshone-Bannock Hotel & Event Center, but they’ve done the event for about 15 years.

“It’s growing each year,” she said. 

Pandoah Bryan is a crafter herself; she does fleece jackets and aprons, beadwork and is an artist. She likes to sell unique items that catch the eye.

Bison Coffeehouse owned by Loretta Guzman in Portland, Ore.
sold a Bannock and Shoshone blend of coffee.

The event brings vendors and their families together to share their talents. Her daughter does graphic arts and sells some items, her mother also is a beadworker and crafter and getting ready for the event helps her feel more involved.

“A lot of the vendors that come out here are families. We have families even among the Navajos that come here. We have our families that come from Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, from everywhere, from Canada, Washington, Oregon. It’s amazing how everybody comes here – it’s not all just local. It’s everybody coming here and people find that so surprising.”

Vendor table showcasing artwork.

 

New women's showers at Timbee Hall

Newly installed handicap shower at Timbee Hall.

By ROSELYNN YAZZIE
Sho-Ban News
FORT HALL — Fort Hall Recreation recently remodeled their showers in the women’s locker room at Timbee Hall.

Recreation Manager Mike Sakelaris said it took a long time to do the project and they used the year end capital improvement funding to pay for it.

There are five shower stalls with one of them designated for handicap accessibility. 

It took about six months to complete the project, which was done by the work of Facilities, B & G Plumbing, and Bob Johnson installed the seats.

Facilities demolished the old showers, which were rusted, according to Sakelaris. He said they did a good job putting everything in.

The shower is heavily used during the morning hours. He said sometimes they don’t have water at their homes, so they utilize the gym showers. 

Sakelaris thinks next year’s capital improvement project may be fixing up the elevators. They are currently down because it’s outdated and they can’t find anyone to work on it.

December is a busy month for Recreation.

They just started Arts & Crafts for Baby Board making this week. Next week they will do potholders and the week of December 17 do ceramics. All classes are from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. downstairs. 

Boys cooking class are on Monday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Girls cooking class is on Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. 

Hip-hop classes are on Tuesday and Thursday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Gymnastics are also on Tuesday and Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. 

Women’s basketball and Men’s basketball will also be played. 

Santa will visit Timbee Hall on Saturday, December 22 and will drive around Fort Hall starting at 8 a.m. and will get back to the gym at 12 p.m. 

Timbee Hall will be closed at noon on Monday, December 24 at noon and on Christmas Day.

An 8 & Under Basketball Camp is on December 26-27 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Boys 11 and under basketball camp is December 26 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Girls 11 & under basketball camp is December 27 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The Ira Waterhouse Powwow is December 28 and 29.

Timbee Hall opens at 6 a.m. Monday through Friday. Open gym is Friday 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., unless there is a scheduled activity.