TWIN LAKES - It was at a water board meeting at the 1920 Upper Twin Lakes Elementary school that the idea to restore the school began to flow.

Community members rallied at the thought of being able to hold more events at the one-room school on Twin Lakes Road and formed a nonprofit that has raised $8,400 in the past year for the $22,000 first phase of the restoration.

"I absolutely love this building," said Brenda Watkins, vice president of the nonprofit Twin Lakes Community Schoolhouse Foundation, Inc.

"It speaks of the history of the area and gives us a sense of pride. We need to share our history."

The building still has some of the remnants of yesteryear, including a wood furnace, bookshelf, chalkboards, a desk that needs repaired and an old drinking fountain.

The 1,000-square-foot building was a school from 1920 to 1947. It was listed on The National Register of Historic Places in 1985 and was the site of holiday parties, election polls, dances, church services, weddings, social events and potluck dinners through 2000.

In recent years, due to a crack in the foundation and a need for other repairs, the activity has been primarily been limited to small family gatherings and the annual meeting of the Upper Twin Lakes Water Association, which owns the building, The first phase of the restoration includes replacing the northern foundation wall, but volunteers have chipped away at other efforts, including painting the outside, offering lot rentals at the site for income and organizing fundraisers.

"The first phase will allow us to have more events here," said Scott Boyle, board treasurer.

The second phase will include electrical, plumbing and HVAC work and completing the interior.

More than 80 families have been involved in the restoration project. An ice cream social fundraiser is 2-4 p.m. Saturday. The nonprofit is also applying for a grant through the Idaho Heritage Trust in hopes of receiving funding.

For more information about the project or volunteer opportunities, call 687-8371 or send a message to TwinLakes CommunitySchool [email protected].

"This school takes me back to my roots," said Jolene Pooley, board president. "This community is pulling together for the future. We see this as a great place for people to stop and visit."

Fundraiser set

There will be an ice cream social fundraiser Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m. to benefit the restoration of the 1920 Upper Twin Lakes Elementary School. The event will be at the school, 10017 W. Twin Lakes Road, nearly 3 miles west of Highway 41. There will be games, raffles, music, family photos for $10 and stories from pioneer families. The suggested donation for root beer floats and ice cream sundaes is $3.