Donnelly residents excited about Bush's visit

07:23 PM MDT on Wednesday, August 17, 2005

Alyson Oüten
Idaho's NewsChannel 7

DONNELLY -- When the president comes to the Donnelly area for his two-night visit, it is assumed he will stay at Tamarack Resort about seven miles southwest of town. Tamarack's not talking, but the people of Donnelly sure are.

Paul Boehlke-KTVB

Susan and Kristal own a coffee shop and bakery in Donnelly. They were not surprised to learn the president is coming to their small town, but they are excited.

"There are no secrets in Donnelly, it's like Peyton Place," said Kristal.

Flight of Fancy is a local coffee shop and bakery in the heart of Donnelly. Before the White House confirmed the president's plans, before the media released the news, co-owners Susan and Kristal say Donnelly already knew.

"We knew," said Susan.

"We knew something was happening and suspected," said Kristal.

With a population of just 138 news travels fast. As did Susan and Kristal's ambitions.

"We thought about maybe sending him a cheesecake saying look what we do...isn't this the best you've ever had?" said Susan.

"If you could plan his itinerary here in Donnelly, what would you want him to see?" asked NewsChannel 7.

"He needs to go to the hot springs," said Susan.

"The hot springs...he needs to wake board,” said Kristal.

"Will it change Donnelly?" asked NewsChannel 7.

"It’s good P-R. It's really good P-R. I think so. Of all the places to come in Idaho, he came to Tamarack, which is right outside Donnelly, which means this is a huge place to play," said Susan.

"Do you think you'll actually see him?" asked NewsChannel 7.

"No. It would be nice, it would be really nice, but I can understand why no one's really going to see him. He's going to go have fun and he'll give us some good P-R in the process, and if we can figure out a way to smuggle a cheesecake to him, we will," laughs Susan.

Not everyone is happy about this presidential visit. NewsChannel 7 talked with several construction workers from Tamarack who were not willing to go on camera. They say the resort is shutting down for three days, and with less than a week's notice they will be out the pay for those three days worth of work.

So there is mixed reaction in Donnelly as the area prepares for a presidential visit from George W. Bush.

The president will spend next Monday and Tuesday in Donnelly, and on Wednesday he will speak in Nampa.

NewsChannel 7 will let you know the exact location when that news comes in.