STORY AND PHOTOS BY KAREN BOSSICK

Toy soldiers bobbed across the stage and the Wildwoods Band comprised of Chip Booth and Ember Jensen sang a jaunty rendition of “Tonight You Belong to Me” as the community came together to fete the latest women to be inducted into the Blaine County Heritage Court.

Four women—Jeanne Cassell, Diane Cordes, Laura Fiscus and Lorna Kolash—were inducted into the Blaine County Historical Museum’s 22nd Annual Heritage Court in a Coronation Ceremony held Sunday at the Wood River High School Performing Arts Theater.

The court was founded in 2024 by Laura Hall and Teddie Daley to honor women who have contributed to the fabric of the Wood River Valley community.

“Had Sacajawea not assisted Lewis and Clark, they would have ended up in the Hudson Bay,” said Blaine County Heritage Museum President Bob MacLeod as he spoke of women’s contributions throughout history.

Cassell was escorted by Sun Valley City Councilman Mike Burchmore; Cordes, by Hailey City Councilman Dustin Stone; Fiscus by Carey Mayor Alyssa Cenarrusa, and Kolash by Bellevue Mayor Christina Giordani.

Among those feting the women in song were Anne Cunyas, who played a Vivaldi Concerto on violin; Romina Zavala, who performed the Flower Princess solo from “Alice in Dancerland” and Footlight Dance Center’s Aria Crofts, Vivian Cunningham and Aaliyah Simental, who performed a tap dance as soldiers from “Alice in Dancerland.”

Vocalists Charlotte Cox and Brooke Sali harmonized on Simon and Garfunkel’s “America,” accompanied by Museum Director Rebecca Cox on piano. And Trey Dice performed his original instrumental guitar solo, “Almost a Dream.”

Next up for the new ladies: A ride down Hailey’s Main Street during the Fourth of July Parade.