Appreciating newcomers

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Barbara Stone has lived in many places in the United States and abroad. Her father flew in the Air Force during the Korean War. He was then a pilot for Eastern Airlines. While with Eastern, he and his family were based in Amsterdam, Holland They for thirteen years. During that time Barbara Stone went to an International American School and so, while learning enough Dutch to get by, she really didn’t have the need to become conversant in the language.

The family then moved to Curacao, Dutch West Indies where Stone’s father flew for ALM. During the approximately six years the family lived there, Stone enjoyed sailing, scuba diving, and water-skiing.

School was altogether a different situation in Curacao. She was tutored so she could learn Dutch fluently. School went six days a week for eleven months a year. Days on the beach were spent mostly studying. Upon graduating she had the equivalent of an Associate’s Degree at an U.S. college.

On to Miami with more warm water and sail boats. There, Stone took classes in business, accounting and computer programming. She worked for an accounting firm and also met her first husband there. They moved to Hartford, Connecticut where he was killed in an automobile accident.

Later, she married her second husband Ken Stone. They have been married for twenty nine years. He is from San Diego California and typically, spent his early teen years at the beach surfing. He then joined the military and later worked as a civilian helicopter mechanic in Vietnam.

The Stones lived in San Diego and then moved to Palm Springs. They have one son, David, who is twenty four and married. He is in nuclear engineering and works at the INL.

Less than two years ago, the Stones arrived in Pocatello.David was the most important factor in their decision to move here. But, there is more.

“I love it here. The small town quality of life makes it really special. We bought a house up in Johnny Creek and the view from there is spectacular,” says Barbara Stone with great enthusiasm.

She goes on to elaborate about the lack of heavy traffic, which after California freeways, comes as a great relief to newcomers. She describes how instead of spending at least an hour in travel to and from one’s place of employment, here it is easy to get to work in fifteen minutes. “We also appreciate the low crime rate, the feeling of safety, and the low population density.”

Another factor in the Stone’s decision was their desire to get away from a stressful life on the West Coast. They both have great appreciation for the more relaxed pace in Pocatello.

Barbara Stone works as a Financial Advisor. Her husband Ken does long distance hauling of radioactive material. Their jobs keep them busy and energized, but they also love the opportunity to explore so many new activities.

Ken Stone is a Harley Davidson guy. “I’ve been riding motorcycles since I was fourteen, says Stone. “Here, I ride the Harley when the weather permits.”

Barbara Stone, however, still longs for warmth and water for her leisure activities. “One thing I haven’t gotten used to yet is the cold. Most of my life has been spent in warm climates with warm ocean water close by. Also, I love to sail and need to satisfy that at least once a year. And, it has to be someplace where the water is warm.”

She goes on to describe how a week in Hawaii with sailing on a two person craft every day is enough to keep her going through the low winter temperatures found in Pocatello.

Barbara Stone keeps busy with a variety of other activities. She is taking a belly dancing class. “I love it. You really become more aware of your body. I find that the core abdominal and back muscles become so much stronger and I am much more aware of them now. Besides, it is wonderful fun and the other women in the class are really great,” she says.

She is also diligent about an exercise class where she works out six days a week. That provides a lot of insight into her will power and dedication

Interested in and willing to participate in volunteer activities, Stone was recently appointed to the Advisory Board for the Animal Shelter. And, her interest in animals does not stop there.

She enthusiastically walks Roscoe, their Black Lab, at every opportunity. “Roscoe is an indoor dog. I couldn’t bear to have him get out into the street and be hit by a car. He is seven years old and he is my buddy,” exclaims Stone.

“We are still discovering Idaho. We are going to Bear Lake soon so we can check it out because it is supposed to be warm in summer.”

When asked if Pocatello will become a long term home to them, Barbara Stone replies for herself and her husband, Ken. “We are going to stay here. This is our home now. We look forward to finding out more about the state and especially this part of it.”

“This is the first time I have lived in seasons since leaving Connecticut. I’m really enjoying them because in Connecticut, fall mostly signaled that winter was coming. Here the seasons are all distinct, and the fall colors are beautiful. Spring is my favorite season, however.”

People such as the Stones are interesting. They bring new ideas to Pocatello. Further, they have seen enough of the world to understand that everyone has cultural and personal differences that generate varied perspectives on issues.

The Stones also understand that friends are an important part of life, regardless of where you live. The character of Pocatello should enable them to make friends easily.

Barbara Stone is friendly and easygoing. She has ready laughter, while also having a deep sense of compassion and understanding of the human condition. People such as her are easy to get to know and value.

The Stones didn’t come to Pocatello to change the world or prove to Pocatello how sophisticated they are. They simply came here to be close to family and get away from a stressful existence.

They work and they contribute to a sense of community. They bring perspectives gleaned from the many places they have lived. Pocatello will benefit from newcomers who offer those characteristics.

By Kay Merriam

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