Big, colorful gathering celebrates Fourth in Troy

By GWEN ALBERS Western News Reporter

The folks of Troy have come to expect the best of holiday displays from Toddy Mossey.

The 80-year-old didn't disappoint them for Tuesday's annual Old Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration.

As an estimated 4,000 flocked to town for the parade, car show, bands and fireworks, many saw the baskets of petunias and begonias in full bloom at the Mossey home at 202 Missoula St. Toddy Mossey also decorated her two, 6-foot tall pink yard flamingos in red, white and blue, and lined her white picket fence with 2- to 4-foot tall firecrackers and red, white and blue pine cones.

"We decorate for every season," said Mossey, whose 84-year-old husband, Len, made the firecrackers and flamingoes.

The Mosseys on Thursday, July 6, celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.

A great day

Tuesday's 100-degree heat made for a hot afternoon at Roosevelt Park, where vendors set up their wares and sold food.

"By mid-afternoon, it was a little quieter, but we still had people milling about looking for shade," said Tammy Anderson, secretary-treasurer for Troy Area Chamber of Commerce.

"As soon as the sun dropped behind the mountains, the park just started to fill up. When I looked at the soccer field, it was covered with people," Anderson said. "The fireworks were absolutely stupendous."

Troy Volunteer Fire Department led by T.J. Boswell put on the holiday display.

Quilt show winners

Willa Garber, who lives west of Troy on the Idaho border, won the "Best of Show" people's choice award during the 14th annual quilt show sponsored by Tender Lovin' Quilters at Morrison Elementary School.

Garber, 57, spent five years on and off working on the handmade, queen-size Southwest Sampler.

"I was thrilled of course," she said. "I spent a lot of time doing that. I thought it was a show winner, but wasn't sure what the competition would be."

Garber recently retired from Bonners Ferry schools, where she worked as an aide for 3- and 4-year-olds with special needs. Her husband, Dan, recently retired as a second-grade teacher at Morrison Elementary School in Troy.

Mary Ellen Solem, 76, of Yaak won Best of Show for her quilted wall hanging "A Bouquet for Jackie." Solem made the quilt for teacher Jackie Erfle, who recently retired from Libby Public Schools.

" I was thrilled," Solem said. "You don't quilt to win a prize. You do it to please yourself. If someone else likes it, that makes it even more special."

Nadine West won the queen-size quilt, "Native Spirits," for the quilt group's raffle.

All winners in car show

Organizers for the Fourth of July car show skipped awarding a people's choice trophy.

"We just gave out plaques to everybody," said Joyce Welch, who helped her husband, Bob, organize the event. "We just decided that this way everybody's a winner."

Seventy-three cars were entered.

Swishalicious wins 3-on-3

Swishalicious team members B.J. Orr, Sam Henderson and John Willis won the 3-on-3 basketball tournament for the 14 and older division. They defeated Lance Vonbracht, Cray Keenan and Ryan Winebark for the title. Nine teams participated.

The Pistons won the under 14 group. Team members were Ryan Rayson, Cree Maloney and Zack Watson. Six teams participated.

"It was so hot," said Launa Baas, who organized the event with Rich Ramondelli and with help from Bonnie Price and Judy Orr. "Rich gave up a good part of his day to do this. He was there the whole day."

Teams battle it out

The team of Mike Patti, Kevin Miller, Bill McCann, Ben Schneider, Brian Smith, John Courtier and Ken Guinard won the tug-of-war. They defeated Dan Koch, Jeff Jensen, Steve Hoffman, Chance Olooney, Dustin Irwin, Doogie Garrison and Cecil McDougall.

The event was delayed two hours until 8 p.m. because of the 100-degree heat, said organizer Heather McDougall.

The third team consisted of Darryl Hand, Mike Lee, Teri Lee, Cecil McDougall, Michael Dunn and Alfred Wright.