THIS IS YOUR THANKSGIVING ADDITION!

Giving Thanks in the Heart of Idaho Falls + 

Local Recipes to Make Your Table Shine!

As the crisp November air settles over Idaho Falls and the Snake River mirrors the golden hues of autumn, our community prepares to gather around tables filled with love, laughter, and way too much food.

 Thanksgiving remains one of the most cherished holidays here in eastern Idaho — a day when we pause, reflect, and count the unique blessings of living along the Snake River.

This year, many local families will once again feature Idaho-grown favorites on their Thanksgiving menus. Russet potatoes from nearby Bingham County (mashed, of course), sweet yellow corn from Bonneville County fields, and huckleberry pies made with berries picked from the Caribou-Targhee National Forest are just a few of the homegrown treasures that make our holiday tables distinctly Idaho.

The Idaho Falls Community Food Basket is busier than ever this season, ensuring no one in our area goes without a Thanksgiving meal.

Thanks to generous donations from residents, businesses, and youth groups like the scouts and 4-H clubs, hundreds of holiday food boxes complete with turkeys and all the fixings will reach local families in need.

If you still have a few cans or a turkey to spare, drop-offs are welcome through Wednesday at their location on Science Center Drive.

Around town, several beloved traditions continue:

• The annual Turkey Trot 5K at Freeman Park on Thanksgiving morning — bundle up, because it’s usually chilly, but the hot chocolate at the finish line is worth it!
  
  
• The Idaho Falls Downtown Alliance’s “Shop Small Saturday” the following weekend, encouraging everyone to support our local merchants after the big meal.
  
  
• Tautphaus Park Zoo’s “Feast with the Beasts” event, where keepers give the animals their own Thanksgiving enrichment treats (the lions tearing into pumpkin piñatas is always a crowd favorite).
  
  

Whether you’re a fifth-generation Idahoan or new to the area, Thanksgiving reminds us that gratitude looks a lot like community. It’s the neighbor who plows your driveway without being asked, the teacher staying late to help a struggling student, the veteran waving from the parade route, and the volunteer ladling soup at the City Rescue Mission.

Local Recipes to Make Your Table Shine

Here are three classic eastern Idaho recipes that show up on almost every Thanksgiving table from Rigby to Swan Valley.

1. Idaho Russet Potato Funeral Potatoes (a.k.a. “Cheesy Potato Casserole”)

The ultimate Idaho comfort dish – because nothing says love like potatoes, cheese, and corn flakes.

Ingredients (serves 10–12)

• 8–10 large Idaho Russet potatoes (or 1 large bag frozen hash browns if you’re short on time)
  
  
• 1 can of cream of chicken soup
  
  
• 2 cups sour cream
  
  
• ½ cup melted butter (divided)
  
  
• 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  
  
• ⅓ cup chopped green onions (optional but delicious)
  
  
• Salt & pepper to taste
  
  
• 2 cups crushed corn flakes
  
  

Directions

1. Boil potatoes with skins on until fork-tender (or skip this step and use frozen hash browns, thawed).
   
   
2. Peel (optional) and grate or cube. Mix with soup, sour cream, half the butter, cheese, onions, salt, and pepper.
   
   
3. Spread into a greased 9×13 pan.
   
   
4. Mix crushed corn flakes with melted butter, then sprinkle on top.
   
   
5. Bake at 350°F for 45–55 minutes until bubbly and golden. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.
   
   
   

6. 2. Snake River Huckleberry-Pear Crisp
   
   

   Huckleberries from the South Fork canyons meet local pears for a dessert that screams eastern Idaho.
   
   

   Filling
   
   

   • 4 cups fresh or frozen huckleberries
     
     
   • 4 large pears, peeled and sliced
     
     
   • ½ cup sugar
     
     
   • 2 Tbsp cornstarch
     
     
   • 1 tsp lemon juice
     
     

   Topping
   
   

   • 1 cup rolled oats
     
     
   • ¾ cup flour
     
     
   • ¾ cup brown sugar
     
     
   • ½ tsp cinnamon
     
     
   • ½ cup cold butter, cubed
     
     

   Directions
   
   

   1. Toss filling ingredients together and pour into a buttered 9×13 or deep-dish pie pan.
      
      
   2. Mix the topping ingredients with your fingers or a pastry cutter until crumbly, then sprinkle over the fruit.
      
      
   3. Bake at 375°F for 40–45 minutes, until the fruit bubbles and the topping is golden. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream from Reed’s Dairy.

3. Grandma’s Idaho Butterhorn Rolls (Reed Family Recipe – Ammon Ward Famous)

Light, fluffy, and brushed with melted butter – these disappear fast.

Ingredients (makes 32 rolls)

• 2 cups scalded milk (cooled to lukewarm)
  
  
• ½ cup sugar
  
  
• ½ cup butter, softened
  
  
• 2 tsp salt
  
  
• 2 Tbsp instant yeast
  
  
• ½ cup warm water
  
  
• 2 eggs, beaten
  
  
• 6–7 cups flour
  
  
• Extra melted butter for brushing
  
  

Directions

1. Dissolve yeast in warm water with a pinch of sugar.
   
   
2. Mix milk, sugar, butter, salt, eggs, and yeast mixture. Add flour gradually until a soft dough forms.
   
   
3. Knead 5 minutes, place in a greased bowl, let rise until doubled (about 1 hour).
   
   
4. Punch down, divide into 4 balls. Roll each into a 12-inch circle, brush with melted butter, and cut into 8 wedges.
   
   
5. Roll up from the wide end to form crescents. Place on greased sheets, let rise 30–45 minutes.
   
   
6. Bake at 375°F for 10–12 minutes until golden. Brush with more melted butter as soon as they come out.
   
   

From all of us at the Snake River Stream, we wish you a warm and joyful Thanksgiving surrounded by the people (and pets) who make life along the Snake River so special. May your turkey be moist, your pies perfectly flaky, your funeral potatoes extra cheesy, and your football team victorious. (or at least entertaining).

Happy Thanksgiving, Idaho Falls — we’re thankful for every one of you! 🦃

— The Snake River Stream Team

Interesting Facts

• Idaho Falls is home to the Idaho Falls Greenbelt, a scenic trail that runs along the Snake River and features beautiful views of waterfalls, parks, and wildlife. - The city's downtown area is known for its unique and colorful street art, with murals depicting local history and culture. - Idaho Falls is home to the Museum of Idaho, which showcases exhibits on topics such as regional history, science, and art.

As Thanksgiving 2025 nears on November 27, families nationwide gear up for a day of gratitude and celebration.

This holiday stems from early settlers in Plymouth, where colonists and Native Americans shared a harvest meal symbolizing unity amid survival struggles.

However, it also evokes complex histories of harmony overshadowed by later conflicts.

Modern festivities include New York's dazzling Macy's Parade with giant balloons and performances, plus community events in Washington DC.

Football enthusiasts anticipate games like the Dallas Cowboys clash, while millions travel for reunions, boosting local economies.

Volunteer efforts, food drives, and turkey trots promote generosity across communities.

President Abraham Lincoln established the national holiday in 1863 to foster healing during the Civil War, inspiring traditions like the turkey pardon.

Controversies linger, with some observing it as a day of mourning for Native experiences.

Yet, Thanksgiving 2025 encourages sharing meals like turkey and pie, reflecting on resilience and humanity in gatherings big and small.

An evening in Idaho Falls turned tense when 60-year-old Danny Oswalt allegedly trapped a truck driver in a Broadway parking lot, sparking a confrontation around 7 p.m. on Sunday.

Police arrived to find Oswalt attempting to flee across the lot.

Officers cornered his vehicle and ordered him out, but the intoxicated man refused, later exiting and defiantly challenging them to shoot.

As he reached into his pockets despite warnings, police fired less-lethal foam projectiles from a 40 mm launcher, striking him three times for a safe takedown.

A search uncovered open alcohol containers in his car.

After hospital clearance, Oswalt faced charges including false imprisonment, DUI, eluding police, open container, and resisting arrest at Bonneville County Jail.

This incident joins recent disturbances near Broadway, from a mental health rally to other arrests, amid the area's growth with new parking systems and community events.

Local residents call for calmer times in this bustling Idaho Falls spot.

Joke Of The Day

Why did the potato break up with the sweet potato in Idaho Falls?

Because it couldn't handle the heat!

Black Friday on November 28, 2025, kicks off the ultimate online holiday shopping spree with massive discounts across tech, fashion, and more.

Retailers unleash deals early, drawing crowds in cities like New York and Los Angeles for unbeatable steals.

Cyber Monday follows, often featuring even deeper rebates on electronics and home goods as stores push inventory.

Mondays stand out year-round for fresh promotions and rebates, contrasting midweek price hikes from lower demand.

Local online hubs blend national events with community offers, with shoppers reporting up to 90 percent off on hot items like headphones.

Extended weekends like those around holidays provide previews, but nothing beats the November surge for savings.

Plan ahead to maximize value—compare deals and time purchases for a rewarding holiday haul.

What are the cheapest days for online holiday shopping in 2025?

Black Friday and Cyber Monday top the list, with Mondays offering reliable rebates.

How can you boost savings?

Track early launches, compare sites, and shop during peak discount windows.

Why do prices drop then? Retailers leverage high traffic to clear stock and drive sales.