Someone Who Made A Difference

IDAHO FALLS- We would all like to think that our lives have made a difference, but one eastern Idaho gentleman can rest assured that he has truly made a difference in the lives of nearly 4,000 hunter education students. On Thursday, May 19th the Idaho Fish & Game Commission will be recognizing Idaho Falls hunter education instructor James R. Greenhalgh as Idaho State Hunter Education Instructor of the Year for 2004. James Greenhalgh, or "Jim" as everyone calls him, has been a fixture with the hunter education program in the Idaho Falls area since 1992. Since that time he has volunteered his free time to personally lead 84 complete hunter education classes. According to Regional Conservation Educator Gregg Losinski, "When you figure that each class easily involves 30 to 40 hours of prep, classroom and range time, Jim has donated a big hunk of his live to keeping kids safe and creating future sportsmen." Jim Greenhalgh is one of those people who believe in giving things back to the community. Born in Chester, Idaho in 1943, he was the oldest of six children and enlisted in the United States Army in the fall of 1960. He served until the fall of 1966 and was honorably discharged. He still proudly serves his country and comrades in arms by serving as part of the leadership of the local Veterans of Foreign Wars Post and on the VFW color guard. Along with leading classes, Jim also assisted with another 85 classes being taught by other volunteer instructors. He also has served as part of the leadership of the Upper Snake Region Hunter Education Instructor Association, the most active group of its kind in the state and the only group to promote a junior instructor program. Last fall, Jim was selected as the Upper Snake Instructor of the year and then proceeded on to compete against instructors winning the same award in the six other regions of the state. As state instructor of the year, Jim will not only receive a handsome plaque, but a lifetime hunting license! In a place where a man's worth is often judged by the fecundity of his progeny, Jim Greenhalgh is the Father Abraham of sportsmen in the Upper Snake Region. All of Jim's friends, family and past students are invited to a reception at 7:00 P.M. on Thursday, May 19 at the IDFG regional office located at 4279 Commerce Circle in the St. Leon Business Park.