I remember the very first day I crossed over the state line into Idaho. I had just gotten a radio job in Boise, and was moving across the country from the Midwest.

Which means only one thing: My #1 expectation for Idaho was broken the moment I arrived in Boise.

Keep Scrolling To Read: Here’s The One Thing No One Tells You About Moving To Idaho

So, what was my #1 expectation when moving to Idaho? That’s right, that there would be potato fields everywhere.

I swear to Justin Bieber, every single person responded with “Ope, hope you like potatoes,” when I told them I was moving to Idaho. None of them had ever been there, mind you, but they had me convinced that Idaho was one giant potato field, with some potato factories and potato stores sprinkled in here and there.

Much to my dismay, I drove across most of the state to get to Boise, and…nothing. No potato fields. Maybe I drove by some and missed it? Maybe they’re “off the beaten path” and nowhere near highways and interstates?

Or, maybe I was lied to. Maybe Idaho isn’t all potato fields. Because, if it is, I’m having one hell of a time finding them!

Correct me if I’m wrong, but you do have to do a little searching and sightseeing to find Idaho’s famous potatoes. Right?

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If you think I’m making up this potato craze in Idaho, then please explain to me why these very explicit Christmas cards are something that exist in 2024:

TWIN FALLS, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) —Idaho Gives Week continues until Thursday, May 2, and for many local and statewide organizations this is the biggest fundraiser of the year.. as donors are encouraged to go to one website to make a donation to their favorite charities or maybe a new one.

Idaho Gives is a statewide program of the Idaho Nonprofit Center and powered by Idaho Central Credit Union (ICCU). According to the website, the program is designed to bring the Gem State together to raise funding and awareness for the many Idaho nonprofits

To donate, go to idahogives.org and you can search for your favorite nonprofit and click on the donations tab, there are so many to choose from, and all donations are tax-deductible.

Local Magic Valley organizations that you may be interested in donating to are Simply Hope Family Outreach, Friends of Minidoka, and any one of the area senior centers like the Burley Senior Center, you can also choose any one of the local public libraries or animal shelters throughout the region.

Copyright 2024 KMVT. All rights reserved.

IDAHO FALLS – The East Idaho Falls Rotary Club is pulling out the red carpet for aspiring young filmmakers at the 20th annual Idaho Teen Film Festival.

The event, formerly known as the Kiwanis Teen Film Festival, is happening on May 4 — Star Wars Day — at Hillcrest High School. Workshops will be held throughout the day for participants. Students can see their work on the big screen in 4K during a public film screening at 6:30 p.m.

A red carpet event will be held before the screening, where participants can take photos and limo rides with the local chapter of the501st Legion, an international organization dedicated to celebrating “Star Wars” by wearing costumes.

“We thought it was particularly pertinent, considering it’s Star Wars Day,” Alex Purcell, president of the East Idaho Falls Rotary Club, tells EastIdahoNews.com.

Following the screenings, an Oscars-like ceremony will be held where awards will be given in different categories. Category winners will get a trophy and $300. The overall winner will receive $1,000.

Purcell is encouraging the community to come and support these kids at the festival.

“We aren’t charging admissions. If we can load up that auditorium for these kids — how cool and special is that going to be for them,” says Purcell.

Justin Hemsley participated in the film festival the first year it was held. The 35-year-old Idaho Falls man now works as a freelance visual effects artist in Hollywood. He’s worked on films like “Spider-Man: Homecoming,” “The Suicide Squad,” “Free Guy” and the miniseries “WandaVision.”

He and another film festival alum, Josh Contor, are helping to organize the event and will be teaching workshops to participants.

Hemsley was a huge “Star Wars” fan as a kid and made a short “Star Wars” film in high school.

He submitted a different project in the film festival, which didn’t win any awards. But Hemsley says his participation in the event was still beneficial because it helped him realize what he was capable of.

He and his friends reunited in 2016 with a lot more experience under their belts, to shoot a remake of the “Star Wars” film in 4K.

One thing Hemsley finds rewarding about making movies is that it’s a “hybrid” of many different careers.

“You’ve got acting and writing but you also bring in photography as an element. With visual effects, you get magic,” he says. “There really isn’t anything else like that.”

He’s grateful to be working in Hollywood, living his dreams and it’s a thrill for him to mentor young artists interested in a similar career.

Hemsley says the film festival is important for aspiring filmmakers because it provides an outlet for them to showcase their work.

“Nowadays, anyone can put something online … but there’s something special about watching it in a theater with an audience,” Hemsley explains.

Purcell, whose son is a participant this year, expresses a similar sentiment. Media production is a viable career option, he says, and this film festival illustrates that for parents and students.

He’s excited to celebrate its 20th anniversary with the community.

To watch student films from previous years or learn more, visit the website.