It's hard to believe that summer is winding down, but the Land of the Yankee Fork Historical Association, which provides tours in Custer City, will shut down after the Labor Day weekend.

That peripatetic French artist, Blanche-Laura Herrick, just back from France, Switzerland and Alaska, reports that the Custer tours, which are conducted from Memorial Day through Labor Day, include historic sites such as the Empire Saloon (drop in for soda pop), the schoolhouse museum, boarding houses and the Yankee Fork Gold Dredge.

Blanche is quite a history buff and fell in love with the Custer area when she first visited there. Now she is on the Land of the Yankee Fork Historical Association board of directors and edits the newsletter. She also is a former president of the Nampa Art Guild. She has her studio in Boise's BoDo.

Blanche said the new 2008-09 officers for the association are president Jack Pounder, vice president Dan Fansler, secretary Kelly Martin and treasurer Margaret Pounder.

To join the association and receive its newsletter (coming out in September), send a donation of $5 for an individual; $7.50 for a family; or $100 for a lifetime membership to: President Jack Pounder, Land of the Yankee Fork Historical Association, 201 Ashe Drive, Brigham City, Utah 84302. Donations are tax deductible.

FUN NEW EATERY OFFERS FREE APPETIZER

A few of the members of the former Syringa Toastmistress Club that used to meet in the Nampa Public Library still get together monthly for fellowship and to share each other's adventures.

This month, Lila Morgan, Donna Lee Mallory, Barbara Forrey and I met at the new T.G.I. Friday's at Nampa's Marketplace. It's across the boulevard from the big complex of stores, and you can't miss its bright red and white striped exterior.

We were welcomed by the personable general manager Barry Yager who graciously gave us a free appetizer (yummy Tuscan Spinach Dip with chips) and told us about Friday's new "Give Me More Stripes" recognition program. You can sign up online at www.GIVEMEMORESTRIPES.com , and the perks "kick in right away," Barry said.

You get a one-time skip to the front of the line pass and a coupon for a free appetizer or dessert. Every time you eat at Friday's locations you get one stripe for each dollar spent, which can be redeemed after you spend $100. Friday's opens every day at 11 a.m. and closes at 11 p.m., except Friday and Saturday, midnight; and Sunday, 10 p.m.

SORRY FOR THE YARN ABOUT YARN

When I reported on the scarf project for the 2009 Idaho Special Olympic participants last week, I incorrectly stated that Wal-Mart was donating the special blue and white yarn.

Actually Coats & Clark donated some yarn, but the Special Olympics office tells me that it has all been given out.

One reader, Angie Howell, suggested we see whether someone else would donate some yarn or cash to the project, but Dawn Thomas at the Special Olympics office in Boise said they really don't have the personnel to coordinate this.

So anyone willing to make and donate a scarf may purchase the yarn at Wal-Mart or online at www.yarncollection.com.

The project estimates it needs 5,000 scarves, each 4 inches by 50 inches long, by Jan. 15.

Crafters should use Red Heart Yarn color 0885, Delft Blue, and 0311 White.

Marie D. Galyean is a journalist and freelance writer who has lived in Canyon County for more than 30 years. Do you have any news about West Treasure Valley people, events and other subjects of interest? E-mail your ideas to riedevine@cableone.net.