The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America is hosting the Alzheimer’s and Caregiving Educational Conference from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on July 18 at the Springhill Suites Boise at 424 E. Parkcenter Blvd.

The conference is free and open to the public. It is an opportunity for participants to learn from experts in Alzheimer’s disease, brain health, caregiving and self-care, according to a press release. 

“Knowledge is a useful and powerful tool that can help make any situation easier to navigate, especially something as challenging as caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease,” Alzheimer’s Foundation of America President and CEO Charles Fuschillo Jr. said in the press release. “Connecting families with useful, practical information and support that can help them now and be better prepared for the future is what this conference is all about. Whether Alzheimer’s is affecting your family, you are a caregiver, or just want to learn more about brain health, we invite you to join us on July 18.”

Key speakers include:

• Dr. J. Audie Black is the owner and a board-certified clinical neuropsychologist at Idaho Neuropsychology. Black will discuss neuropsychological changes in Alzheimer’s and behavioral strategies for management.
• Judy Taylor, the director of the Idaho Commission on Aging and the chair of the Idaho Board of Nursing, will provide six strategies for caregivers to improve their quality of life for both caregivers and their loved ones.
• Tiffany Robb, health program manager for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias for the State of Idaho’s Division of Public Health, will offer tips for maintaining brain health and address misconceptions about dementia. 

To register for the conference, visit the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America website. 

REXBURG (BYU-Idaho Scroll) – Rexburg Community Theatre is hosting “Matilda the Musical“ at the Madison Performing Arts Center this weekend.

The performances are happening June 21, 22 and 24 at 2300 University Boulevard. Shows will begin nightly at 7 p.m. with a Saturday matinee at 2 p.m.

“Matilda“ is a story about a young girl who discovers she has magical powers and faces opposition from both her parents and a dangerous principal named Miss Trunchbull. The musical is adapted from Roald Dahl’s book, “Matilda,“ with music written by Tim Minchin.

A live-action movie was produced in the 1990s. Netflix produced a musical version in 2022.

While “Matilda“ was traditionally made for a small cast, so many people in the community auditioned that the cast grew to around 90 people. Sadie Steel, the director, explained there are around 70 kids in the cast, ages 8 to 15, and 20 adults.

A large production crew is involved as well.

Steel says their lights are unlike what is normally seen in a community theatre.

“We have a lot of stage magic in the show in the story of Matilda, but I’ve really found that the real magic is within the children telling the story and within the community putting the story together,” Steel said.

Managing around 70 kids at a time has been a challenge for Steel, but she has welcomed it, and the story of Matilda has inspired her.

On difficult days, she reminds herself to be more like Miss Honey and less like Miss Trunchbull.

Steel says the power in Matilda‘s story comes from finding the beauty in childhood and letting out one’s inner child.

“It’s actually been a really beautiful discovery for me,” Steel said. “It’s really a story of protecting the children, valuing the children in our lives and standing up for being childlike.”

It’s a story that people of all ages will enjoy, Steel says, and she invites the community to attend.

“It’s fun, it’s magical, it’s sweet and loving and it’s just — it’s got everything,” Steel said. “I never wanted to direct a story that I didn’t believe in, and I believe in this story.”

To buy tickets or learn more, click here.

FAIRFIELD, Idaho — Camp Rainbow Gold, a local non-profit organization, has partnered with CBH Homes to construct six ADA-compliant cabins for Hidden Paradise, Idaho’s first ever medical camp, and they’re doing it in just 3 days.

From August 6-8, CBH Homes will be constructing the cabins for Camp Rainbow Gold’s inclusive medical campground. To find out how you can volunteer or support in other ways, click here.

Camp Rainbow Gold started 41 years ago when a 10-year-old boy with cancer was told he couldn’t attend summer camp because camps were not equipped to handle kids who need special attention.

Four decades later, CRG now provides an inclusive camp experience for 400 Idaho children and their families battling pediatric cancer.

CBH Homes is donating build materials and labor to construct new cabins for the growing non-profit. The cabins will be located on 172 acres of land in Fairfield, Idaho.

Hidden Paradise aims to provide a safe and inclusive haven for children facing various medical challenges such as children with cancer, epilepsy, muscular dystrophy, and other disabilities.

“CBH has been supporting Camp Rainbow Gold for 20 years, and when the call came in, we had to say yes,” said Ronda Conger, Vice President of CBH Homes. “Hidden Paradise is a beacon of hope for so many families in Idaho, and we are honored to contribute our expertise and resources to help make it a reality. To construct six cabins in just three days is going to take the entire CBH village, but we know that this amazing community will jump in and be ready to help to make these kids’ lives better.”

Hidden Paradise will serve as the new home for Camp Rainbow Gold and many other non-profit organizations and will offer a wide range of programs and activities designed to foster healing, growth, and connection all while being accessible and adaptive to the needs of all campers.

You can learn more about Camp Rainbow Gold here.