A surprise dinner and dessert open house is planned from 12:30 to 3 p.m. next Sunday at Spald ing Park to honor Rose Frank of Sweetwater who will celebrate her 80th birthday. If it rains, the celebration will be held at the Pi Nee Waus at Lapwai.
Frank was born May 6, 1912, near Sweetwater. She was orphaned at age 6 and went to live at St. Joseph's Mission at Slickpoo near Jacques Spur.
Frank is renowned for her cornhusk weaving, a traditional Nez Perce Indian art, which she has been doing for more than 40 years. She weaves handbangs, belt buckles, hats and other things.
In 1986 she was given the Governor's Folk Award by then-Idaho Gov. John Evans.
She was honored in September 1991 by the National Endowment of the Arts for her cornhusk weaving. She traveled to Washington, D.C., to accept a $5,000 award and attend a reception with the 15 others who won the National Heritage Fellowship, including blues guitarist B.B. King. There were 209 people nominated for the award in 1991.
Her husband, Ken Frank, family and friends will be hosts for the celebration.
