A Favorite Face
BY ISAIAH FRIZZELL
Born in Twin Falls, Betsey Young has lived most of her life in Sun Valley; since 1989, in fact. From Bellevue to Ketchum she’s known in the community as a hardworking, loving mother and a joyous, recognizable face. Young has a 13-year-old daughter in seventh grade at Wood River Middle School who is the fawning focus of her life. “I’m just trying to get my daughter through school and she’s gonna be going to college! She’s super smart and I don’t care if she has the desire or not [for college]—she’s doing it!” Loving, caring mothers are the first pillar of a strong community!
“I’ve lived here forever so I guess I know a few people,” said Young, who currently resides in Ketchum, commuting to Hailey to work at the Idaho State Liquor Store where familiar faces abound.
When asked about her favorite spots in Ketchum, Young is quick on the draw: “Grumpy’s! Oh, and the Casino! Yeah, for sure!” So undoubtedly she knows Matt Gorby. “Oh yes, I’ve known Gorby forever!” Gorby was also highlighted in People You Meet, a steadfast barkeep at the Casino who seems to literally know everyone in the Valley. Read that article here: woodriverweekly.com/index.php/2024/10/16/pop-in-to-the-casino/
This community never ceases to amaze with genuine connections and a thick fabric of friends that keep us together.
Young spent quite a few years working in restaurants, including China Pepper, the Red Shoe and Big Belly Deli, some of which are no longer around. An excellent cook, she’s a fun and funny hostess who’ll make your day that much brighter. For the last three years she was a manager at the Shell station on South 3rd Avenue in Hailey and now an official employee of Idaho State Liquor Store.
So now, as one of the faces you’ll meet at Idaho State Liquor Store in Hailey, you’ll have the chance to riff with one longtime resident of Blaine County as you grab a bottle of Don Julio, Chartreuse or Casamigos.
Betsey is an avid outdoor recreationalist, a cat lover and has a fascination with prolific classics author John Steinbeck and a penchant for bizarre comedy.
What’s your favorite slope?
“Oh, they’re all good! I find myself, these days going to Soldier Mountain. It’s never crowded.” Plus the drive and a chance to enjoy the lovely town of Fairfield, Idaho, makes for a great day.
Are you reading anything?
“Yes, in fact I just picked up a bunch of John Steinbeck books at the Hailey library book sale. I’ve always loved Steinbeck and I found some that I haven’t read.” Steinbeck’s To a God Unknown might be the story of most of our lives here!
Netflix or YouTube?
“Yeah, I like Netflix but we’ve lately been watching Only Murders in the Building on Hulu. It’s really funny. It has Martin Short, Steve Martin and Selena Gomez. They do podcasts solving murders in this old building in New York, where they all have apartments. It’s only murders in their building.” Dark comedy is the only comedy!
Finally, a fellow feline fanatic. Young is a feline lover and has a dear cat friend. “We have a cat, he’s a crippled cat named Steve. He was born with this condition called cerebellar hypoplasia, so he just falls over all the time. He’s my drunken sailor.” Betsey laughs a lot. “He’s cool. I got him to catch mice, but I don’t think he’s good at it.” It’s all about timing, just wait until he falls on one.
Say hi to Betsey Young the next time you’re in the Idaho State Liquor Store and maybe bring her some catnip!
