Archived Articles and News Stories about Sandpoint and Surrounding Areas

Volunteer School Mentors Invited

Changing lives one child at a time.

What if you could change a young person’s life just by listening to them for 30 minutes once a week? You can.

The Lake Pend Oreille High School (LPOHS) is inviting community volunteers to do just that – actively listen to and encourage a student once a week for a half-hour at the school – as part of the national Check and Connect program launched by the University of Minnesota 25 years ago.

The program pairs volunteer mentors with academically at-risk students, and the resulting relationship prompts the student to engage in their education...

SUMMER KICKOFF

Lost in the ‘50s in its 32nd year! Saturday offers a chance to stroll through downtown and view all the classic cars that line the streets.

IT’S ALMOST MID-MAY, AND FOR SANDPOINT RESIDENTS THAT MEANS it’s time for the unofficial kickoff to summer! Dust off those penny loafers and saddle shoes and prepare to enjoy a very special Sandpoint tradition. It’s a time of year we all look forward to, no matter what our age; a time to turn back the clocks to a simpler time.

Lost in the ‘50s is celebrating its 32nd year, and it promises to be better than ever. Thanks to the dedication and hard work of Sandpoint resident Carolyn Gleason and her countless volunteers, it continues to be a favorite of many near and far.

A Journey With Great Rewards

CHAFE 150 benefits those on the autism spectrum.

A TRADITION FOR BICYCLING ENTHUSIASTS from across North America for the past nine years, the CHAFE 150 just keeps getting better. What started as a 150-mile benefit ride, this increasingly popular event, which draws riders from all over the country, has rapidly grown as organizers do what they can to accommodate various levels of endurance. Shortly after its inception, the CHAFE 150 added an 80-mile half CHAFE, and a few years ago the 30-mile Fun Ride was added in the hope of bringing more participants to the event.

“Over the years, we have had riders from most states in the U.S. and Canada,” said Mel Dick, one of the organizers of the event. “And approximately 50 to 60 percent of our riders are repeat riders.”

FESTIVAL OR BUST!

It’s summertime, and the living’s easy! Pack it up and take a short trip to a local festival! Opportunities abound in our region, and some of the best ones happen right in the middle of summer vacation! check out the following pages and get inspired!

There’s a party to be had just about every summer weekend across the Northwest. Celebrations of music, the outdoors, food and drink, our nation’s independence and so much more make for exciting times all across the area. There are many incredible experiences to choose from, and here are some of our favorites.

CONNECTING TO OVERCOME CHALLENGES

SHS program helps students find strength from one another and community.

THE STUDENTS AT SANDPOINT HIGH SCHOOL are speaking, and the administration is listening. For the past 12 years, the school has facilitated a mentoring program to assist incoming freshmen with the transition to high school. Upperclassmen mentors meet regularly with freshmen throughout the first semester. But Sandpoint High School teacher, Erin Roos, said there has been consistent feedback from students that they want to continue meeting with all classes throughout the four years of school, not just the first semester of freshman year.

THE POWER OF PRAYER

Uniting all faiths, National Day of Prayer is May 4

GATHERING TOGETHER IN PRAYER. It is something that conjures up images of Sunday morning church or group Bible studies. But the National Day of Prayer, observed the first Thursday in May, offers a unique opportunity for people across all religions to gather for one common purpose.

While gatherings are held throughout the country, Sandpoint’s has grown significantly over the last decade, rivaling that of many large cities. According to one of the organizers, Sharlene Wright, locals Ross and Leslie Hall attended a National Day of Prayer in Sandpoint and found that it was not well attended, so they decided to take action.

FRESHNESS AND FUN AT THE FARMERS MARKET

May 6 is opening day!

IT HAS BEEN A LONG WINTER, and the arrival of spring has many anxious for sunshine and warmer days. One of the community traditions that many look forward to is the opening of the Sandpoint Farmers Market; a wonderful opportunity for people to enjoy the fresh produce, crafts, plants, flowers and much more that vendors provide.

The opening day for this year’s market is Saturday, May 6. Located at Farmin Park on Third Avenue and Oak Street, the Farmers Market is open on Saturdays, 9am to 1pm, and Wednesdays, 3 to 5:30pm.

SUMMER KICKOFF

Lost in the ‘50s in its 32nd year! Saturday offers a chance to stroll through downtown and view all the classic cars that line the streets.

A Journey With Great Rewards

CHAFE 150 benefits those on the autism spectrum.

LOCAL DOLLARS ASSISTING LOCAL PATIENTS

Celebrate Life holds 14th Annual Fun Run/Walk.

IT WAS 14 YEARS AGO when Jenny Meyer’s vision came to fruition. Even after being diagnosed with cancer, the young mother continued to live out the end of her life as she always had—with a passion to make a difference in the lives of those in her community.

Celebrate Life Fun Run/Walk held its inaugural event in August 2004, and Jenny was able to see her vision for helping others play out for four years before passing away.

PARCELS AND PEOPLE

The Liquid Limo delivers it all.

THE SOUTH END OF LAKE Pend Oreilleis spectacularly beautiful. Sheer cliffs line the shore, and from just about any vantagepoint on the water you are given a 360-degree view on unparalleled scenery. Because of its remoteness and rugged terrain, very few homes are found along the shoreline. Once you set off from Bayview, it doesn’t take but a few minutes until you feel almost alone on the lake. There are, however, communities in small tucked-away pockets and bays. Some are a handful of homes while others are at most a couple dozen. These include places like Lakeview and Cedar Creek. A run into town for residents here is an all-day journey as they have only narrow dirt roads going to and from their homes, almost all of which are snowed income winter. Many have come to rely on the generosity of one man and his liquid limo.

Heroes Helping Heroes

LOCAL COMMUNITIES SUPPORTING AND ASSISTING OUR HOME HEROES.

Life can change in the blink of an eye; a calm day can quickly turn into dark storm. Heroes arrive in multiple forms to calm the storm. They do not come wearing capes, but a uniform accompanied by lights and sirens. Occasionally they extinguish fires, structural or forest, or they could be giving lifesaving treatment to someone in need.

First responders choose to put the lives of their community members before their own. They are the ones who run toward the chaos when everyone else is running away. They are courageous despite fear and the unknown.

Dover Bay Resort & Marina

Your four-season, full-service getaway.

IF YOU ARE LOOKING for a full-service waterfront resort and marina that offers flexibility and convenience coupled with excellent customer service, look no further than Dover Bay Resort and Marina.

Owner Ralph Sletager, a Sandpoint native, has been successfully developing and managing real estate through his company, Waterfront Property Management, for more than four decades. Since 2008, Sletager’s Dover Bay Resort and Marina has been offering guests from both near and far a surreal retreat in Dover, Idaho. The four-season, full-service resort features well-accommodated vacation rentals and waterfront bungalows for groups and individuals eager to explore the area.

EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT VS IMMEDIATE CARE CLINIC

GUIDELINES TO MAKING THE RIGHT DECISION.

“SHOULD I GO TO the emergency room or to immediate care?” This is a question many people ask when they are injured, ill or have a family member who needs medical treatment. With summer upon us, people are more active, and we are experiencing some extreme heat. Both are factors that can lead to increased injuries.

It is important to choose the right level of care. The Emergency Department is the right choice if you or a family member is experiencing a life-threatening illness or injury.

PARSLEY, SAGE, ROSEMARY AND THYME ROASTED SALMON

A simple recipe inspired by iconic lyrics.

Due to its unusual omega-3 fatty acid content, salmon has earned its research reputation as a health-supportive food. Just 4 ounces of baked or broiled salmon contains at least 2 grams of omega-3 fats. This is important because on average, U.S. adults consume less than this from all other foods combined over several days! The American Heart Association recommends that everyone eats fish (particularly fatty, coldwater fish) at least twice a week.

MUCH MORE THAN A CAR SHOW

Injectors Car Club making a difference in the community.

FOR THE LAST 18 YEARS, the Injectors Car Club of Sandpoint has been donating money to the community and having fun doing so! According to Club President Gary Vanhorn, nearly $40,000 has been donated over the years to various local charities including Bonner General Health Community Hospice, Toys for Tots, Community Cancer Services, Bonner Community Food Bank and the Senior Center, just to name a few.

The proceeds they donate are raised through their annual Injectors Car Show, an event that will take place this year on September 9 in Downtown Sandpoint. “This is the reason we do the car show each year,” said Vanhorn, who has served as club president for the last nine years, “so we can give money to the charities.”

SERVICE LEARNING

Changing the World.

WHAT SOCIAL SKILLS do you think today’s teenagers need to learn? Integrity? Empathy? Communication? In a world in which the consideration index seems to have plummeted, how can adults help to instill these crucial traits into our children? What if it were your job to do so? What would you do if you had 85 teenagers and six weeks to teach them social skills? How would you do it? Luckily, we had an idea.

We wanted to rock our students’ worlds with kindness—for themselves and for others. The solution: Give unto others.

It may sound a little bit strange, but at one local public school, Forest Bird Charter School, students spent more than a month serving others while simultaneously studying core classes.

SHS FOOTBALL - A SUCCESS STORY IN THE MAKING

COACH YARNO SAYS FOOTBALL IS MORE THAN THE WINS AND LOSSES.

SUCCESS. ASK SOMEONE TO DEFINE IT, and you will not get the same response twice. When it comes to coaching football, Sandpoint High School Head Coach George Yarno, Jr. said success does not come in the win-loss column; it is helping boys grow into young men who exhibit good moral character.

Coach Yarno has grown up around football. His dad, George Yarno, Sr., played professional football for 13 years; 11 in the NFL and two for the USFL.

“My dad played for Tampa Bay, Atlanta, Houston and Green Bay,” said George, Jr. His uncle, John Yarno, also played professional football with the Seattle Seahawks before going onto the USFL.

DIAGNOSIS BRINGS BLESSINGS

LOCAL CANCER PATIENT GRATEFUL FOR COMMUNITY SUPPORT

THEY ARE THREE WORDS that canturn a person’s world upside down. “You have cancer.” For Sandpoint resident Dani Deschanel, they were the last words she had expected to hear. After all, she did not have any symptoms that would lead her to believe she had a life-threatening illness.

Dani had been off work as a checker at Super 1 Foods for a few months awaiting approval for carpal tunnel surgery. “I was still in the diagnostic stage [for carpal tunnel]. They did a lot of different scans and in those scans they found something suspicious, which turned out to be endometrial cancer,” said Dani.

SUPPORTING RURAL TOWNS

Livability Opportunity Responsibility Foundation helps Greater Sandpoint Area preserve quality of life and maintain its livability.

RURAL SMALL TOWNS ARE OFTEN home to idyllic landscapes and are stewards to their surroundings. What’s always at stake is their ability to preserve or improve the quality of life there. And, their needs vary from those of more urban areas based on their size, geography and the layout of public and private lands that surround them.

“Rural communities are facing unique challenges as their demographics and economics change with the world,” said Jeremy Grimm, Livability Opportunity Responsibility (LOR) Foundation’s newest program officer, located in Sandpoint. “Often, rural communities are not prepared or don’t have the resources to adapt to the changes they are facing, and sometimes, the livability of a place is degraded or jeopardized due to growth.

FORMER SHS STUDENTS FIND A CAREER AT LPOSD

Giving back to the place they call home.

IF YOU HAVE LIVED IN SANDPOINT for any length of time, you know there is simply no other place like it. The beauty, the friendliness of the people and the true sense of community are just a few reasons people choose to call this town home.

In Lake Pend Oreille School District (LPOSD), there are several educators and staff who graduated from Sandpoint High School (SHS), went off to college and careers in other parts of the country, eventually returning to this small North Idaho town to teach or work in the school system that holds so many fond memories for them.

Jeralyn Mire, SHS’s post secondary transition counselor, worked in Los Angeles, Arizona and Spokane before returning to her hometown in 1994.

A Lifesaver, A Mother, A Model

Yes, you can be all three!

WE ALL HAVE DREAMS on what we aspire to become, but for many, twists and turns in life can sometimes squash or alter those ideas. It can be easy to give up on those dreams and settle into a familiar routine, but for others, that path just isn’t good enough. One local woman is proving that with dedication to your dreams, hard work and balance in your life, you can achieve exactly what you set out to become.

Hannah Wright is a 2014 graduate of Sandpoint High School and leads one of the more interesting lives you’ll find in a young woman from North Idaho. “I began modeling when I was 16 when I found a local photographer in town, Tonya Oleman,” said Hannah. “She did my first set of pictures to start my portfolio, and it took off from there. I’ve been doing it on and off now since then with photographers from Coeur d’Alene, Spokane, Boise, Seattle, Los Angeles and Sandpoint.”

A PERFECT MATCH

Program helps matchvolunteers with nonprofits.

WITH DAILY LIVES FILLED balancing work and family, it is inspiring to know that people in Idaho can still find time to give to others. In fact, in 2014, Idaho was ranked No. 2 in the country in volunteerism, with 35.8 percent of its residents logging 51 million hours of service in one year.

One of the keys to finding an effective and enthusiastic volunteer is to match someone with opportunities that best utilize his or her talents. And if you are involved in any of the several hundred nonprofit groups in Boundary and Bonner counties, you know finding volunteers is never an easy task.

Fortunately, Volunteer Idaho Panhandle Coordinator Elise Boyce has successfully matched volunteers with the needs of numerous nonprofit groups over the last several months.

CHIONOPHILES...

AND THE BENEFITS OF BIG FEET IN A NIVEAN ENVIRONMENT.

THE GREEK WORD FOR SNOW IS CHION. And when it comes to snow, you are either a phobe, euphoreor a phile. A chionophobe is someone who doesn’t like snow and avoids it. Chioneuphores tolerate snow andchionophiles look forward to, and enjoy, snow and the winter months. As the days get shorter and nights get longer, fight the urge to hibernate. Instead of enduring the cold temperatures and snow by staying indoors wrapped in a cocoon of blankets, spread your winter wings and make the most of the nivean (snow) environment. Now is the time to ditch that bikini and break out the snowshoes!

A few thousand years ago, being able to travel and move about in the winter was critical for our ancestors’ survival. However, with our relatively small feet and big bodies, traveling in snow was a substantial challenge.

POISE IN BONNER COUNTY

One girl’s journey to the Miss Teen Rodeo Idaho Pageant

FROM DISCOVERING SHE IS ALLERGIC TO HORSES to her coronation at the Miss Teen Rodeo Idaho Pageant, one could say this girl has endured quite the journey. Sage Saccomanno, a sophomore at Sandpoint High School, took her reign in the Bonner County Rodeo arena to the next level this past July. Competing for the title of Miss Teen Rodeo Idaho at 15 years old being the only contestant from North Idaho (and the first in quite a few years), Sage dove into what might be one of the highlights and biggest learning experiences of her life so far.

Only being involved in rodeo for four years, to some people her resume could view much differently. Starting in the arena as Little Miss Bonner County Rodeo in 2015, Sage has grown tremendously in the last few years. Sarrah Eberley, 2017’s Miss Bonner County Rodeo and a great and true friend to Sage, said, “I watched and taught Sage when she first started riding, and being able to see where she is now is so special to me.”

From Burnt to Beautiful

Local restoration project wins national awards.

As a kid, Chet watched his father replace and refinish vehicles and was eventually allowed to have a small part in the projects. “He let me polish the chrome on the underside of the vehicles because he didn’t want to get under there,” laughed Chet. His father specialized in creating hot rods, highly modified original vehicles built for speed, appearance and noise, and to be able to drive around town. His prized project was a 1921 Ford Model T that was featured in national magazines and won second place at the Los Angeles Roadster Show, one of the top shows in the country for hot rods. Those early days fostered the passion that Chet carries on today, and his most recent project is a testament to what one can accomplish with a deep love for what they do.

Although Chet has fully restored several vehicles in the past, he is most proud of his current restoration, a 1934 Dodge half-ton pickup.

OUT WITH THE OLD, IN WITH THE NEW

New Year’s Eve events offer something for everyone.

THE NEW YEAR OFFERS A CHANCE TO celebrate and look ahead to the future while reflecting on the past. But before we become too involved in self-examination, there are the parties!

In Sandpoint, there is something for everyone when it comes to New Year’s Eve celebrations. At Schweitzer Mountain Resort, there is an opportunity to close out 2017 with a late-night tubing party complete with snacks, hot chocolate, a Twinkie roasting bar and an LED wand to light your way.

The tubing party is from 9:30 to 11:30pm and is followed by a midnight celebration complete with sparklers and cider near the clock tower. Please note that while this is for all ages, there is a minimum height requirement of 42 inches, and those 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

ENJOY THE NORTHERN LIGHTS

Schweitzer Mountain Resort hosts Northern Lights North Idaho style.

YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE A SKIER to enjoy all that Schweitzer Mountain Resort has to offer. One such occasion for skiers and non skiers alike will take place on January 13 as the Schweitzer Mountain Community Association hosts a torchlight parade down Jam Session followed by an amazing fireworks show in the village. But don’t let the fun stop there. There will also be music to enjoy up in Taps Lounge following the festivities.

If you want to be part of the torchlight parade, Schweitzer is opening up the 70 spaces first to its employees. The spots that are not filled will then be offered to guests. The requirements are that one is at least an intermediate skier or snowboarder, must be at least 18 years of age and sign a release form, and must have a valid lift ticket or season pass. If you are a Schweitzer employee, the requirement is that you must not be working at the time, with the exception of approved ski patrol.

2018 REAL ESTATE OUTLOOK

2008 WAS A HORRIBLE YEAR for the American economy. Large companies were laying off employees by the thousands leading to unemployment rates higher than they had been since the great depression. Places like Las Vegas, Phoenix and Southern Florida watched their housing markets go belly up and building come to a complete standstill. It was truly one of the most difficult economic crises in our nation’s history. Tax credits and historically low interest rates were offered to right the ship, and though many places never fully recovered, the overall state of the housing market is vastly more stable 10 years later.

There are dozens of factors that have lead to recovery and stabilization, and far fewer people are under water on their mortgage or facing pre-foreclosure. The hope is that consumerand lender both learned from the experienceso as it not to happen again; something onlytime will tell.

A PLACE FOR FAITH TO RECHARGE

Hope man looks to build special retreat.

WHEN DEALING WITH LOSS of a loved one, difficulty in raising a family, questions of faith and other stresses in life, many turn to their religious leaders for comforting, guidance and spiritual resurgence. These pastors, missionaries, youth pastors and other church leaders have chosen a life devoted to helping others and bringing people back up from low moments in their lives. They aren’t in it for the money but for the betterment of society through belief in their faith. What might be overlooked is who these people turn to when they are experiencing personal issues as well.

“Seeing the struggle with my family and friends who are youth pastors and missionaries was very influential to me,” said Nathan Cohick of Hope. Nathan has lived in North Idaho the past six years since moving his wife and children from Indianapolis.

WHAT IS HOSPICE?

BONNER GENERAL COMMUNITY HOSPICE PROVIDES PERSONALIZED END-OF-LIFE CARE.

One of the most difficult and challenging things to talk about with a cherished loved one is end-of-life care and what will happen when they are gone. It’s a conversation that few would want to have, but for those battling a terminal disease or illness and the dependents and caretakers of that person, it’s an extremely important one.

A common misconception about hospice care is that it is a last resort. At Bonner General Community Hospice (BGCH), the area’s only nonprofit hospice care, staff and volunteers are hoping to change that perception.

“If brought in timely, hospice offers hope, quality and so much more for those facing their end-of-life journey. Timely referrals to hospice result in a higher quality of the time someone has left, and we see families able to cope much better after,” explained Tami Feyen, who has been with Bonner Home Health since 2004 and has been clinical manager of the hospice since 2008.

A Day For You

7B Women Conference set for March 1

The 7B Women Conference is right around the corner, and it’s an event you won’t want to miss!

From the same group that raised nearly $20,000 for the community with its Clothing Swap and Boobs and Beer Fun Run and Oktoberfest, The 7B Women’s Conference on Thursday, March 1, promises to be fun and inspirational. Taking place at the Sandpoint Center from 8am to 4pm, it is a full day of speakers, vendors, networking, and breakfast and lunch provided by Tango Café. A gathering at Pend d’Oreille Winery will cap off the inspiring day.

Sherri Lies is the chair of the 7B Women’s Conference and is thrilled with the topics and speakers she and her committee have lined up. “I think this year will be better than ever,” said Lies, who adds that some of the raffle proceeds from the event will help fund scholarships...

The Cure for Cabin Fever

SANDPOINT WINTER CARNIVAL OFFERS 10 DAYS OF FUN.

Starting to experience a little cabin fever? The cure for that is coming soon as the Sandpoint Winter Carnival offers opportunities for all ages to get out and enjoy a variety of activities.

The events kicks off on Friday, February 16, with the Parade of Lights in Downtown Sandpoint. Beginning at 5:30pm at the City Parking Lot, the parade is a great opportunity for businesses, organizations and groups to get out and light up the night. While pre-registration with the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce is required, there is no fee to participate.

On Saturday, head up to Schweitzer Mountain Resort for a full day of activities including a snowshoe hike, crafts for the kids and a village campfire. Enjoy live music at both Chimney Rock and Taps or head back to town and enjoy Harold’s IGA at The 219 Lounge.

From Teaching to Preaching

Scott Fitchett plays important role in lives of young people.

Easter season is here. It is a time of hope and renewal as Christians around the world rejoice, celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. But the world doesn’t always feel hopeful for many, especially our youth who struggle with many issues. But thanks to those in our community who are invested in our children, there is a path to learning more about God, religion and hope.

Scott Fitchett is a teacher at Sandpoint High School as well as the youth pastor at Cedar Hills Church in Sandpoint. He enjoys working with the younger generation in many capacities and finds his dual career fulfilling.

“The statistics are scary when it comes to young people and the church. I don’t have a huge formula or a program [to bring them into the church], but what I do want to instill in young people is a firm belief in the truth,” said Fitchett.

COMMUNITY VIGIL OF HOPE

GATHER ON MARCH 31 FOR HUNTER JACOBSON BENEFIT

For those who never have met Hunter Jacobson, they have likely heard his name. The young Sandpoint High School freshman was critically injured in an accident on December 2. Since that time, he lies in a coma in a Spokane hospital with family and friends keeping a constant vigil by his bedside while the community rallies around him to do all they can to support his recovery.

“Improvements have been small but encouraging. His eyes are open, and he will watch and follow those around him with his eyes,” said Hunter’s dad, Bob Jacobson. “He is breathing on his ownand is moving all of his limbs, but he is still considered in a conscious coma.”

Outfitted in full, top-of-the-line riding gear, Hunter was riding his dirt bike when he experienced the serious accident.

ANNOUNCING SANDPOINT’S FINEST

WINNERS ANNOUNCED AT MARCH 2 EVENT.

There is no doubt that Sandpoint is home to many wonderful businesses and organizations. All one has to do is wander through our locally owned businesses and visit with store and restaurant owners in our area to know they are passionate about their work and their community. Sandpoint Living Local is no different.

Each month we love to share the stories of your friends and neighbors who are making a difference in the lives around them. We are also humbled by the support the community provides us through reading our stories and choosing our publication to market and brand their business. So it has been with great enthusiasm over the last few months that we have invited members of the community to vote online for “Sandpoint’s Finest” in a multitude of categories.

The response was overwhelming! At the beginning of February we announced the top three in each category and opened up voting again for people to vote for “the finest” out of the top three in each category.

Reap the Benefits

Pine Street Woods will offer a place to explore and enjoy the outdoors.

We live in one of the most beautiful parts of the country—some might even say the world. So why not make the most of being outdoors and enjoy access to natural areas while also improving our health, happiness and overall quality of life?

That is the vision of Kaniksu Land Trust, which is working hard to bring an area known as Pine Street Woods to life for the benefit of the entire community. Once acquired, the Pine Street Woods property will be owned by Kaniksu Land Trust and managed as a working and recreational landscape.

To date, fundraising efforts to purchase the property and get it ready for all the community to enjoy has brought in $1.685 million. With $415,000 still needed, the vision should soon be a reality.

“We feel great about the positive response to Pine Street Woods,” said Jim Zuberbuhler, who co-chairs the Pine Street Woods committee...

100 YEARS AND COUNTING

MEET FRANCIS MCNALL

Born January 1, 1918, Francis McNall has lived the last 96 years of his life on a ranch outside of Sandpoint, Idaho. I was lucky enough to meet him in person, and the time I spent with him that wintry afternoon was delightful. On the kitchen table, old photographs were scattered about. Francis moved from one to the next as he told me stories of traveling in horse-drawn wagons, living in a one-room cabin, raising cattle, teaching school, dancing, love and family. He moved easily through his memories of the last 100 years, tearing up several times as he reminisced. It was endearing. His sincerity and expressions of gratitude, so evident in his stories, brought me close to tears more than once.

Francis moved with his family to the 80-acre ranch north of Sandpoint in 1922, when he was just 4 years old. “Dad drove the four-horse team pulling two wagons. The first wagon was loaded with chickens, pigs and a goose—because Grandma had said you can’t be pioneers without a goose for your down pillows. The second wagon had all the household goods...”

A Taste of the Theatre

TRAVELING SHOW STOPS IN SANDPOINT. Pulling into town the week of April 24

A Rare Gem

CAMP BAY PROPERTY PROVIDES UNIQUE AND AMAZING OPPORTUNITIES TO POTENTIAL BUYER.

For James Green, the property his grandparents, John and Kate van Schravendyk, homesteaded in 1902 at Camp Bay on Lake Pend Oreille is a very special place. But after 116 years, it is time for someone else to enjoy it. And whom ever is fortunate to purchase this property will be treated to one of the most unique and beautiful places in not just North Idaho, but throughout the country.

“It is very unique both from a geographic standpoint and the fact that I’ve been told it’s one of the largest privately owned properties on the lake,” says Green.

The 407-acre property, which is listed for $13.5 million and borders the national forest, has 3,000 feet of shoreline and is in an area that is one of the deepest parts of the lake. The view is across one of the largest expanses of Lake Pend Oreille with the Cabinet Mountains in the distance. “The most incredible views, in my opinion, are in August and September when those harvest moons come up over the Cabinet Mountains and shine on the lake,” Green says.

PURSUIT OF A PASSION

DEVON WADE’S MUSICAL TALENT BEING RECOGNIZED NATIONWIDE

Since he was a young boy growing up in Sandpoint, music has been a big part of Devon Wade’s life. Now, at the age of 41, his passion for music is taking him to places he never imagined.

Devon’s dad was a drummer in a band, so it was natural that was the first instrument Devon played. But he longed to play guitar, so he saved his money, and at the age of 14, purchased his first guitar. “My dad wasn’t too happy, but it was my money so there was not much he could say,” says Devon. It was the beginning of what he hopes will become a full-time career. He taught himself how to play, watching videos and asking questions to friends who played the instrument.

“While other kids were out having fun and chasing girls, I was inside learning to play guitar,” he says. Ironically, Devon didn’t start out listening to the country music he is associated with today.

LOST IN THE ‘50S

THE PARTY CONTINUES

There’s something about a car show that always seems to bring in a crowd. Perhaps it’s the car-enthusiast community, a tight knit bunch, many of whom put all their extra hard-earned money into the hobby they cherish so much. It might be the nostalgia, seeing a vehicle you drove as a teenager, bringing back memories of care free summers and the freedoms and irresponsibility of youth. Perhaps it’s showing the next generation beautiful pieces of history, engines that didn’t need to be hooked up to a computer to be fixed and teaching them the importance of keeping alive memories and images of the past. From late spring through early fall you can find a car show just about every weekend across the Inland Northwest, but it wasn’t always so.

Thirty-three years ago, Sandpoint community members were looking for a way to help raise funds for the Festival at Sandpoint. Being a music festival, the thought of bringing in a few bands to perform seemed logical. To add a little extra, organizer Carolyn Gleason and her small team of volunteers decided to organize a car show as well. “We had 29 vehicles the first time around,” remembers Sally Transue, a Lost in the‘50s volunteer since day one.

Celebrating Music

Festival at Sandpoint hosts summer youth camp

Once again, the Festival at Sandpoint continues to give back to the community in unique and generous ways. This year, it is holding its first ever Summer Youth Camp July 9 through 12 at Sandpoint High School.

With four fun-filled days of musical instruction, participants can take a variety of classes that include symphony orchestra, choir, chamber music, jazz band, classical guitar, ukulele, piano, fiddle ensemble, flute ensemble, master classes and more.

The camp, which is open to ages 8 through 18, welcomes participants of all levels of ability and costs only $25 thanks to the generosity of the Festival of Sandpoint, who has underwritten the tuition as part of its educational mission. The week will kick off with a Festival at Sandpoint Faculty All-Star Concert on Monday, July 9, at the Panida Theater and culminate with a Grand Finale Student Concerton Thursday, July 12.

Leading this unique camp is Dr. Jason Moody, a Sandpoint native who is currently first violin with the Spokane Symphony. Other instructors who are ...

UNCOVERING LOCAL TALENT

JACKIE SUAREZ, ASSOCIATE BROKER CENTURY 21 RIVERSTONE

“You simply cannot be anonymous here. You want to be conscious of other people.”

That quote seems to be the secret sauce to Jackie’s accomplishments in the community.

Jackie Suarez relocated from North Carolina with her husband of 30 years, Carlos (aka Uncle Cha Cha), to North Idaho back in 1999 and shortly after entered the real estate arena as a full-time agent.

It should be noted that prior to launching into real estate, Jackie had a solid background that provides a great foundation for her profession. In the late 1980s, Jackie worked as a paralegal for an attorney whose practice involved title searches and real estate closings. Then, in the early 1990s, she was recruited to manage a title company. Solid credentials, right? Well, there’s more.

FUN FOR A CAUSE

SUMMER ADVENTURE AND FUNDRAISING GO HAND-IN-HAND

It is summer, and it is time to get out and enjoy the beautiful place in which we live. Whether it is a walk along the water, a hike in the mountains or a bike ride to take in the scenery, there is always something to entice us to be outside during these warm summer months.

Here in Sandpoint, there are also ways to couple your adventure with helping a good cause at the same time.

The CHAFE 150 Gran Fondo – June 16, 2018

What started as a 150-mile benefit bike ride, this increasingly popular event, which draws riders from all over the country, has rapidly grown as organizers do what they can to accommodate various levels of endurance. Shortly after its inception, the CHAFE 150 added an 80-mile half CHAFE, and about four years ago the 30-mile Fun Ride was added in hopes of bringing more participants to the event.

Initially, the CHAFE 150 Gran Fondo benefitted the Panhandle Alliance for Education's "Ready for Kindergarten" program...

The Gift of a Miracle

Hunter Jacobson making progress with support of family and friends

Miracles. While many equate them with acts of Jesus that we have read about in the Bible, there are those who are fortunate to witness them first hand. Just ask Bob and April Jacobson. Their lives were turned upside down in an instant when their son, Hunter, was critically injured in a motorbike accident on December 2 of last year.

Riding with a friend in Naples at a designated riding area at the time and outfitted in full, top-ofthe-line riding gear, Hunter was preparing for an upcoming race in Kalispell. While no one witnessed the accident, they do know that Hunter went off of a jump and did not land well.

He was transported to Kootenai Medical Center where he was diagnosed with critical head trauma, a ruptured spleen, 11 broken ribs, a broken collar bone, broken scapula and a collapsed lung. After the medical team at Kootenai Medical Center removed his spleen, Hunter was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital in Spokane.

The Cycle for Good

Rick’s Bike Sale

Rick Anderson is an avid re-user and recycler. When my brother and I were very young, I remember my dad taking us on walks to nearby construction sites where we would pick up soda and beer cans leftover from the workers. After a couple months we had several large trash bags full, which we loaded up and took to the recycling center. To my young amazement, we were given money for these old cans and our first lesson about the rewards of work were born as my dad split the earnings between the two of us to open our first savings accounts. As we grew, we would look forward to Saturday garage sales with Dad where we would find all kinds of fun stuff for pennies on the dollar. I learned to ski in several $2 to $3 pairs of boots, caught baseballs behind the plate with a $.25 catcher’s mitt and still carry around a cooler we’ve had in the family for more than 25 years. My dad, Rick, continues his conquest of finding great deals while keeping items of value out of the landfill and is most interested today in one main item—bikes.

Rick’s Bike Sale most likely got started when it was clear my brother and I wouldn’t be sticking around Minnesota for college.

THE EUREKA INSTITUTE & SANDPOINT SUMMERFEST

EXPLORE. EXPAND. ENJOY.

EUREKA! It’s the audible exclamation for discovery. It represents the sudden, unexpected realization of the solution to a problem. The Eureka Institute in Sandpoint, Idaho, is aptly named. Committed to sponsoring life-long learning and community service opportunities, this organization is focused on helping residents of the Sandpoint area. The Eureka Institute is a nonprofit organization that began in 2011. Its purpose is to sponsor experiential and educational programming for all ages. In an effort to reach young people, including at-risk youth, the Eureka Institute has developed its Construction Basics Initiative. Through this program, the Eureka Institute helps young people explore new skills, expand their knowledge by learning valuable trades and enjoy the benefits of accomplishing something good in and for their community.

Steve Holt has been the director for the Construction Basics Initiative. He is a semiretired builder, and he has acknowledged for years that more vocational training opportunities are needed to help young people prepare for future careers.

A Year in the Making

Library makeover nears completion

Though a library’s goal of providing open access to resources and information remains unchanged today, the ways in which information is given and received is constantly changing. You can see this first hand at the Sandpoint Library as the staff works toward finalizing the yearlong expansion. After breaking ground in July of 2017, construction is now all but complete and the finishing touches, additional furniture and bookshelves are on track to be fully installed by early October.

If you step into the library expecting rows upon rows of books and utter silence, you will soon find out that is not the case. There are still plenty of books and newspapers to read and check out as well as rooms for kids, teens, learning, Internet and an entirely updated department focused on emerging technology.

“This new department will manage 3D printing, virtual reality, drones and any other technology services we offer,” said Marcy Timblin, public relations director.

FAMILY BUSINESS

TRAVELING THE WORLD TOGETHER

At just 10 years old, David DaVinci performed his first professional magic show, wowing audiences with his thrilling and unexplainable illusions. At age 18, he became the youngest magician in history to win the Gold Medal in the Pacific Rim Professional Stage Championship, making him a World Champion Magician before he graduated high school. Today, 25 years after his first performance, this Spokane native and Sandpoint resident is still impressing audiences across the globe.

“What attracted me to this unusual career path was the ability to entertain and amaze,” says David. “In a single moment, I can take someone’s mind off a bad day they’re having and suspend their disbelief.”

As there’s no real “school of magic,” David is mostly self-taught, honing each act through repetition. “It’s about getting up in front of an audience night after night and performing, then sitting back afterwards, no matter how painful it is, and critiquing the video of the show,” he says.

ON THE ROAD again...

IT’S TIME TO GET PLANNING!

Just because summer is quickly coming to a close does not mean you have to wrap up your travel plans. There are opportunities to enjoy all the Pacific Northwest has to offer well into the fall. Whether it is a weekend of football, music, food festivals or Oktoberfest celebrations, fun awaits, so make your plans today.

Festival at Sandpoint
August 2 -12, 2018 Sandpoint, Idaho

Enjoy eight nights of incredible entertainment featuring a variety of genres under the stars and overlooking the water in a breathtaking setting at War Memorial Field. In its 36th year, The Festival at Sandpoint has played host to incredible entertainers drawing people from all over the Pacific Northwest to enjoy the 4,000-seat capacity venue. Intimate in its setting, attendees can choose to bring in their own food and drink or enjoy some of the fabulous food and beverages provided onsite. This year’s lineup includes Big Head Todd & The Monsters, Amos Lee, ZZ Top, a Family Concert featuring The Festival Community Orchestra and activities for kids, Greensky Bluegrass, Sublime with Rome, Gavin Degraw + Phillip Phillips and the Spokane Symphony. FestivalAtSandpoint.com

TOM CRUISE FLIES AGAIN

NORTH IDAHO TIES TO MUCH ANTICIPATED SEQUEL

More than 30 years after its debut, another sequel is in the works that many ‘80s action fans are eagerly anticipating. Cinema’s most famous pilot is back for “Top Gun; Maverick.” The long-awaited sequel to the original 1986 “Top Gun” has been in the works for some time, and production on the sequel began earlier this summer. Only a few details of the plot have emerged, but according to “Variety,” Tom Cruise’s character will now be an instructor, with the film exploring “a world of drone technology, fifth-generation fighters and the end of the era of dog-fighting.”

The movie made Cruise and Val Kilmer household names, and the sound engineering and battle scenes were groundbreaking for its time. The original story is centered around a group of real-life aviators, one of whom has ties to North Idaho.

Christopher “Boomer” Wilson, a resident of Hope at the time of his 2010 death, was a 28-year veteran of naval aviation, having accumulated more than 5,400 hours in the air for the U.S. Navy and taking the controls of 30 different types of aircraft.

People throughout the world caught a glimpse of Wilson’s distinguished career as it was Wilson who was the inspiration for “Viper,” the commander of Top Gun played by Tom Skerritt.

FALLING IN LOVE WITH NATURE

CAMP KANIKSU ALLOWS CHILDREN TO CONNECT WITH AND EXPLORE THE BEAUTY OF THE OUTDOORS

Some of the best childhood memories are of days spent outdoors with friends. For many who were fortunate enough to go to summer camp, those experiences were ones we will likely never forget.

For children in Sandpoint, there are many opportunities to experience great adventure, and one of those opportunities just got even better.

Camp Kaniksu, which is operated by Kaniksu Land Trust, began its summer outdoor camp program in 2017. This upcoming summer, the camp will move from the previous location at the University of Idaho property on Boyer Avenue to the soon-to-be-acquired Pine Street Woods property.

“We’re very excited to be able to move camp to Pine Street Woods next summer. One of the many things which our campers do is choose a ‘special place’ during camp, which they are encouraged to re-visit with their family outside of camp,” said Cami Murray, programs and development associate for Kaniksu Land Trust. “The permanence of Pine Street Woods will take this idea to new levels.

Community Theater Groups Unite

UNKNOWN LOCALS AND PANIDA PLAYHOUSE PLAYERS TAKE THE STAGE

Looking for a little levity to relieve the stress before the holiday season? Come to the Panida Theater to enjoy two one-act comedies put on by the Panida Playhouse Players and the Unknown Locals on November 15,16 and 17 at 7:30pm and on November 18 at 3:30.

The first play, “Thanks A Lot”, was written and is being directed by Sandpoint’s own Becky Revak of the Panida Playhouse Players. The second, “True Believer,” was written by Chris Herron, who is part of the Unknown Locals group.

While the title of “Thanks A Lot” may imply the show is of a Thanksgiving theme, Becky shares that the show is in fact about a case of mistaken identity. “True Believer” will also provide comedic relief while providing a Christmas theme.

Becky and Chris have known one another for along time but have never collaborated on a project until now. “We held auditions from both the Panida Playhouse Players and the Unknown Locals,” said Becky. “It’s the first time we’ve been able to appreciate and combine the talent from both groups. Chris and the Unknown Locals have been great about bringing theater back to the stage.”

Animals in Transition

New programs support animals and pet owners throughoutthe community and beyond

What once was an overburdened animal shelter has now become one that is cutting edge and nationally recognized due to the introduction of new programs, and, of course, community support.

In the “old days,” the majority of animals at Panhandle Animal Shelter (PAS) in Ponderay were housed long term, sometimes for months and even years, until new families were found. The stress on the animals and the impact on their health and the shelter staff were overall unsustainable. They knew they needed to change.

Those involved with the shelter began to ask themselves: “Could we do this better?” “What needs to change?” “Can it change, and if we do change, how do we go about it?”

“The key was being vulnerable and admitting we did not know the answers and sometimes even the right questions to ask,” recalls Executive Director Mandy Evans.

The tide began to turn when Evans consulted Dr. Sandra Newbury, DVM and director of the University of Wisconsin Shelter Medicine program. These consult calls were a game changer for the shelter.

“Dr. Newbury’s advice and support helped us better understand why outbreaks and illnesses occur in shelters and how the flow of animals through the shelter makes a significant impact to health, welfare and even the bottom line,” said Evans.

THE KEY TO POWERING FUTURE INNOVATION

INLAND NORTHWEST TECHNOLOGY PROS ASSOCIATION AND IT/OT CONVERGENCE

Looking forward, successful convergence of information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT) will be a driving force behind business-growth initiatives. Through the integration of these two disciplines, companies can utilize real data to drive efficiencies and productivity that will accelerate product-to-market times and boost demand while reducing costs and risks. It also creates opportunities for economic growth that strengthen communities.

While operational technology brings value to the manufacturing industry through sensors and devices, information technology supports the software used to process the required information to manufacture products and run the business.

Overcoming challenges posed by the traditionally competing priorities of the two groups is crucial to successful convergence; these include merging strategies, governance and protocol, as well as security and data.

Two Inland Northwest companies are leading the charge with significant examples of how IT/OT convergence creates competitive advantages and fuels innovation.

THEY SPOKE. THE CITY LISTENED.

DOWNTOWN SANDPOINT REVITALIZATION PROJECT PROPOSAL GIVES STOREOWNERS NEW HOPE FOR 2019

It’s been an interesting past two summers with construction, reversion to two-way streets and more for the Downtown Sandpoint area. While commuters may have found it to be an inconvenience, downtown business owners have felt a much larger and direct impact on their day-to-day operations, especially given the fact that construction typically takes place during their busiest season from May through October. So, when the City of Sandpoint began to plan for another phase of construction next year, they carefully considered the impact it would have on our local businesses in the downtown corridor. Working together to come up with a proposal that would not only work within their budget and allow them to do construction during the non-summer months but would also not devastate the local business economy was a challenge. But Sandpoint Mayor Shelby Rognstad, Sandpoint City Administrator Jennifer Stapleton and Public Works Director Amanda Wilson, who was hired earlier this year, weighed many options and presented their proposal in late October to a group of downtown business owners and interested citizens.

“Our goal is to have the least amount of impact on local businesses as possible,” said Mayor Rognstad to the crowd who had gathered.

Contagious Compassion

Food bank has many partners when it comes to fighting hunger

It has been nearly three years since Debbie Love took over as the executive director of the Bonner Community Food Bank, and in that time, she has witnessed firsthand how the needs of the community have continued to grow.

“We have families who are employed but continue to struggle to make ends meet,” said Debbie. “Also, since expanding our Priest River site, we have seen an increase in need with our older population who live on fixed incomes, averaging $750 to $800 per month.”

The good news is that Bonner Community Food Bank has been distributing an increasing amount of fresh produce over the last few years. This past year alone they have given out more than 100,000 pounds of produce. Debbie said this is made possible in large part due to the generosity of the Sandpoint Farmers Market, Sandpoint Community Garden, St. Catherine’s in Priest River, The Grocery Rescue Program, local growers and various community gardens.

“We are also fortunate to have raised garden beds on site at the food bank for the last two seasons. I remember sitting in a meeting with Michelle Murphy (who was starting with Bonner County Coalition of Health at the time and had grant funding for community gardens), and she asked me what my vision was for the food bank. I was unaware of her connection to our local school gardens and told her I would love to see a community garden here at the food bank.”

INSPIRING MINDS

THE ART OF MUSIC IS ALIVE IN SANDPOINT THANKS TO DEDICATED STAFF, AMBITIOUS PERFORMERS AND SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY

What began over a shared cup of coffee has become an instrumental part of hundreds of young musicians’ lives over the past decade. Co-founded by Karin Wedemeyer, a German-born opera singer, and Ruth Klinginsmith, a violinist trained through the Toronto Conservatory, these two women launched a music hub unlike any in North Idaho.

The Music Conservatory of Sandpoint opened its doors to musician hopefuls in September of 2009 and over the past decade has fulfilled its mission by expanding opportunities for arts accessibility, teaching music with a consistent curriculum 365 days a year and successfully training aspiring young performers.

“Our vision is to become a leading school of performing arts in the Northwest, the ‘Julliard of the Wild West,’ we like to kid. But we are not kidding,” says Kathi Samuels, Board of Directors chair.

Kathi’s first interaction with MCS involved her interest to teach her son, who was 6 years old at the time, how to read music. She enrolled him in a group recorder class in 2010. “The environment of music was a draw for me as a parent, a place where my kids could be immersed in ‘the language of music,’” she says. “After one visit, it was obviously a place I wanted to visit again.”

THE JEWEL IN SANDPOINT’S CROWN.

THE PANIDA THEATER IS A TREASURE TO BEHOLD

For over 90 years, The Panida Theater in Downtown Sandpoint has hosted many amazing performances. Who would have anticipated way back in 1927 when the Panida first opened that nearly a century later the iconic theater would continue its mission of showcasing great performers and performances for audiences in the Panhandle of Idaho—hence, its name the Panida.

But the past century has not been all glory for this historic structure. In the mid-1980s, the theater had fallen into disrepair. But thanks to the generosity of people and businesses in the community, the fundraising efforts put forth by many resulted in the restoration of the Panida, which today is on the National Register of Historic Places and has received numerous accolades from the governor of Idaho, the Idaho Commission of the Arts, the Idaho Centennial Commission and the U.S. Depart of the Interior.

In 2015 the theater underwent a ceiling restoration which required closure of the historic landmark during several weeks over the summer.

But when all was complete, a new fire alarm and sprinkler system was installed, and with the restoration of the plaster ceiling this beautiful landmark was closer to all the repairs and code requirements needed to carry on business as usual, which delighted locals and tourists alike.

Responding to Crisis

GROUP LOOKING TO EXPAND IN SANDPOINT

For years Americans were great at helping treat the physical wounds of those returning from battles overseas in service to their country, but up until recently, the mental healing process didn’t receive the same amount of attention. Doctors, therapists and fellow servicemen and women took notice of skyrocketing suicide statistics amongst veterans and are taking action. Groups across the country are forming to bring vets together to help them adjust to life as a civilian; speak with others who might be struggling as well; and provide continued meaningful service to their country and their neighbors.

Veterans Community Response (VCR) is a nonprofit organization composed of firefighters, veterans and therapists working diligently to support combat veterans in their postwar readjustment process. Located in Spokane, the group draws in veterans from all over the region.

“Our programs center on the intention of helping combat veterans develop the skills to navigate their post-war challenges to achieve productive and satisfying lives after serving our country,” said President and Co-Founder Darren Coldiron.

VCR recently held a one-day retreat for board members at Talus Rock in Sandpoint as a way for the leadership team to build the visions for the year and give the volunteer board a chance to connect and clear their head. The retreat included yoga, campfire chats, and a Native American sweat lodge—not treatments you might typically associate with those that have experienced heavy combat.

CLOSE OUT THE SEASON

PARTIES A PLENTY

You never know when the snow will actually stop falling in this part of the country, but for skiers and riders, sadly, the season must eventually come to an end. While there should still be plenty of great days here in March, it’s never too early to start planning the inevitable meltdown. Diehards are prepping their spring-condition skis and boards—the ones you don’t mind getting dinged by a suddenly exposed rock or fallen tree limb. While conditions might tend to deteriorate, that doesn’t mean there won’t be plenty of fun to be had.

All of our area mountains enjoy celebrating another successful season by throwing family friendly end-of-the-season bashes. Costumes, contests, food and drink are all present, and those who attend will find the last few days are more about camaraderie amongst fellow outdoor enthusiasts than searching for those last few secret stashes of powder on the mountain. Any day now, it might start looking like spring, but don’t forget there is still snow to be found and plenty of fun to be had on the mountain.

Silver Mountain Kellogg, Idaho
March 30 - Spring

Carnival Kick off your spring break with a toboggan relay, pond skim, barbecue and outdoor party! Enjoy outdoor music and a barbecue starting at 11am on the Mountain House patio.

CELEBRATING SANDPOINT’S Finest

JOIN LIVING LOCAL AT THE HIVE ON MARCH 29

If you live in Sandpoint, it’s hard to pick just one thing you love about it. Is it the scenery? The friendliness of the people? The abundance of year-round outdoor activities? If you are like most, the reasons are plenty. And one thing I am certain we can all agree upon is that our hardworking friends and neighbors who have chosen to call this place home have given their hearts and souls into making sure that Sandpoint has the “finest” of all that life has to offer; that is definitely something to be celebrated!

At Sandpoint Living Local, each month we love to share the stories of our friends and neighbors who are making a difference in the lives around them. We are also humbled by the support the community provides us through reading our stories and choosing our publication and online platforms to market and brand their businesses. It was out of this love of community and desire to celebrate it that Sandpoint Living Local began the Sandpoint’s Finest event last year. We have a passion when it comes to connecting our community and want to acknowledge those who help to make this a wonderful place to live and visit. And what a better place to do it than at a social gathering that brings us all together!

This year, the Second Annual Sandpoint’s Finest event will take place on Friday, March 29 at The Hive in Downtown Sandpoint. With food, drinks, music, dancing, fun and laughter, we will recognize those people, businesses and organizations that the community has voted as Sandpoint’s Finest for this past year.

A Beautiful Partnership

TEACHING ACCEPTANCE AND CREATING FRIENDSHIPS AT SHS

“GOOD MORNING SANDPOINT HIGH SCHOOL! TODAY FOR LUNCH WE HAVE A TURKEY SANDWICH WITH A SIDE OF MASHED POTATOES AND GRAVY. WHAT JOKE DO YOU HAVE FOR US, ANDREW?”

Every morning at Sandpoint High School, a similar opener resonates through each classroom as familiar faces deliver the morning video announcements. The well-known student-led newspaper Cedar Post has created a community within their classroom; a heartwarming community, to say the least. The Cedar Post staff collaborates with the Life Skills class (Sandpoint High School’s class for special needs students) in order to brighten each morning with a joke and a friendly smile.

Samuel Diercks, a 2018 Sandpoint High School graduate, and Bruin Jones, a senior this year, were the masters behind initiating this collaboration. It initially began when the Cedar Post staff wanted to bring a specific student on to tell a joke. “He always had a joke for us,” Diercks said, “but we technically weren’t allowed to have non-Cedar Post members on the announcements.” After a while, though, “we decided to break the rules a little.”

TRUCKS, MUD AND ADRENALINE

MOUNTAIN MAFIA RAISING NEW MOTOCROSS EVENT IN NORTH IDAHO

Mac Miltz really just needed to borrow a trailer, and he knew Ben Spinney had one. Simple enough.

But once the two got to talking on their drive from Sandpoint to Spokane, ideas began to churn.

“We started talking about this concept and idea, and between other jobs we kept working on it,” Miltz said. “Then Grey (Whittier) came on board, and within a year, a year and a half, we ended up finding the right piece of property, and that’s how it all jumped off.”

And so born was Mountain Mafia Entertainment, a company “deeply rooted in outdoor adrenaline sports,” as they describe it on their website. The company’s main event—Mountain Havoc, coming up on its sixth year in June—is the subject of a six-episode series called “Mountain Mafia,” originally on the MotorTrend Network and now available on Amazon Prime.

SANDPOINT’S PARTY OF THE YEAR!

NOTHING'S MORE FUN THAN GETTING LOST IN THE '50S!

Hints: - Vintage cars on parade cruisin’ through Sandpoint, gleaming in the sun ... - Nighttime streets packed with bobby-soxers and cool dudes with slickedback hair, rocking out to Rockin’ Robin...

Yes! You got it on one! It’s time for the 34th Annual Lost in the ‘50s, when the whole town turns out to turn back the clock! Unpack those poodle skirts and penny loafers, and block out the weekend of May 16 through 18. It’s the party of the year—and you’re invited!

In case you wonder how this retro-event started, it was 34 years ago by Carolyn Gleason. With an interesting idea to bring some old-time rock ‘n’ roll to downtown Sandpoint, she organized the very first Lost in the ‘50s. Since this was in the digital dinosaur years of pre-social media, Carolyn actually walked from door to door inviting people with vintage cars to bring them to the event.

A Beautiful Partnership

TEACHING ACCEPTANCE AND CREATING FRIENDSHIPS AT SHS

“GOOD MORNING SANDPOINT HIGH SCHOOL! TODAY FOR LUNCH WE HAVE A TURKEY SANDWICH WITH A SIDE OF MASHED POTATOES AND GRAVY. WHAT JOKE DO YOU HAVE FOR US, ANDREW?”

TRUCKS, MUD AND ADRENALINE

MOUNTAIN MAFIA RAISING NEW MOTOCROSS EVENT IN NORTH IDAHO

Mac Miltz really just needed to borrow a trailer, and he knew Ben Spinney had one. Simple enough.

But once the two got to talking on their drive from Sandpoint to Spokane, ideas began to churn.

SANDPOINT’S PARTY OF THE YEAR!

NOTHING'S MORE FUN THAN GETTING LOST IN THE '50S!

We Trusted Them with Our Country …

NOW TRUST THEM WITH OUR BUSINESS!

Want the job done right? Hire a veteran! TrustVets.com connects the public with thousands of highly qualified veteran business owners and professionals across America.

Joe Johnson got his heart and his back broken in the same car accident when he was just 17 years old. The boy, whose family were all proud veterans, was unable to pass the military enlistment requirements when his time came because of his injury. Giving back was the core of his DNA, and he could not. But good men rise up and move on, and born soldiers don’t quit. Joe Johnson is both. He pursued a successful career in sales.

Then one typical day, in one ordinary moment, an extraordinary thing happened. Joe and his wife were watching TV when a commercial came on with a man who was starting a restaurant and wanted to hire as many veterans as possible. Joe turned to his wife and said, “What if all of us made it a point to do business with as many veterans as we can, giving them a chance to continue to serve their country from home?”

SAILING INTO SANDPOINT

NATIONAL REGATTA SET FOR INAUGURAL VISIT

John Howell III loves Thistles. When he retired, he got word from his wife’s college roommate that her family had found a boat out in Coeur d’Alene. She wondered if Howell might want to take a look at it.

“It was sitting in a barn on their property,” Howell said. “I flew out, looked at it, rented a 26-foot truck and put the boat in the back of it and drove it back to North Carolina. It was worth it.”

Turned out, the boat was No. 48, one of the first of 4,050 Thistles ever made. Being so near the beginning of the boats’ run, this one was made of wood, and it was a beauty, Howell said.

“They’re really phenomenally responsive boats, a beautiful boat in the water,” Howell said. “Just small changes make a huge difference in your boat speed. It’s the difference between sailing the boat and sailing it well.”

Howell is making the trip back to North Idaho again this July for the Thistle Nationals 2019.

OUT OF THE BIRDS' SHADOW

SAGLE MUSEUM MAKES MOVE SOUTH

As she pointed out inventions, airplanes and photos spanning more than a century of United States history, Rachel Riddle Schwam found herself apologizing for mixing up the dates on a few displays at the new location of the Bird Aviation Museum and Invention Center.

The double-checking was understandable. There are a lot of dates for her to keep track of. Some items go back at least 150 years.

“You’ve got old airplanes, new airplanes, antique inventions to modern day inventions,” Schwam said the morning before the museum’s June 1 opening at the Coeur d’Alene Airport. “It’s a big learning environment of the history of the United States, so it’s a pretty awesome place.”

For nearly 12 years the Bird Museum called Sagle, Idaho, home. But now that home is at the end of West Cessna Avenue, in a large blue hangar with a door that opens to the airport tarmac. It is a fitting location for a museum with almost a dozen airplanes and a collection that celebrates, among other things, the history of flight in the United States.

OUT OF THE BIRDS' SHADOW

SAGLE MUSEUM MAKES MOVE SOUTH

The double-checking was understandable. There are a lot of dates for her to keep track of. Some items go back at least 150 years.

A DROP IN THE BUCKET LIST

NORTH IDAHO NONPROFIT MAKES LIFE-LONG WISHES HAPPEN

Darlene Richardson stood from her seat next to the window, lifted her phone and took another picture of the Spokane River. Then she sat, two chairs from her son Bert, and smiled.

A cruise down the Spokane River was on her bucket list, she said, and One More Time made it happen, “before I got too sick.”

“I haven’t found too many people willing to go the extra mile,” Darlene said. “I didn’t even know they existed.”

Darlene, 77, and Bert took their three-hour cruise in mid-July, arranged by a nonprofit called One More Time, which Tiffinay Walker started about a year-and-a-half ago. The mission of the organization “is to enrich the lives of adults with life-limiting issues or disease by helping them to have an experience ‘One More Time.’”

“I’m well pleased that the agency could help with this,” Bert said.

THE PARTY OF THE SUMMER

BEHIND THE SCENES AT THE FESTIVAL AT SANDPOINT

It’s been 21 year since Dyno Wahl took over as executive director of the Festival at Sandpoint. And while she has seen many changes over time, one thing has remained the same. “What I love most about my job is looking at the audience and seeing all the happy faces,” said Dyno.

Bringing the Festival to the community each year requires a great deal of research, year-round work and literally hundreds of volunteers.

When the Festival wraps up each season, the staff, although exhausted, takes the following week to finalize the accounting, take down the venue and wrap up any loose ends. Then they enjoy a couple of well-deserved weeks off.

“Then we go right back into it,” said Molly Rickard, the marketing and operations manager for the Festival at Sandpoint.

BONNER GENERAL ORTHOPEDICS

GETTING YOU BACK TO LIFE, WORK AND SPORTS

Bonner General Orthopedics (BGO) is the leading orthopedics office in Sandpoint led by orthopedic surgeons Dr. Douglas Cipriano, Dr. Brent Leedle, Dr. John Faggard and Dr. Jonathan Klaucke. BGO has built a reputation for excellence in the areas of sports medicine and rehabilitation, minimally invasive surgery, total and partial joint replacement, and arthroscopic surgery for knees and shoulders.

Dr. Cipriano joined his father’s practice, Sandpoint Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, in 1994. “I planned on being here a few years and moving to a larger facility; that was 25 years ago,” said Dr. Cipriano. “I have been blessed in Sandpoint to have a wonderful, loyal base of patients.”

Dr. Cipriano has worked collaboratively with Bonner General Health (BGH) for many years. He served as chief of staff, was a trustee on the Board of Directors and is currently the chief of surgery.

Innovation and Passion Shine Through

LAUGHING DOG BREWING TAKES HOME SILVER

Sandpoint has a colossal amount of educated craft beer drinkers, and what better way to expand on their knowledge than to have extraordinary breweries in the area to learn from. One, in particular, Laughing Dog Brewing, has proven their abilities to create beers that are both tasteful to their customers and also obtain the “wow” factor to win national awards.

This year, Laughing Dog took their talents once again to the North American Brewers Association International Beer Awards competition in Idaho Falls, the second largest in the nation. Although taking four beers to the competition in different categories, the new and innovative English Pale Ale was the one that gained the most traction at the event.

Judging of the beers submitted to the competition fall within four different categories: appearance, aroma, flavor and carbonation levels. “Just because a beer tastes good doesn’t mean it falls into stylistic categories,” as Evan Addario, brewer extraordinaire said, “so we needed to create something that would be appealing to judges and, of course, our customers at home.”

CODING FROM YOUR COUCH

U OF I PROGRAM HELPS BRING NEW SKILL TO SMALL TOWNS

Sean Bonner is quick to call himself a nerd, and during his 15 years living in North Idaho, he has come to realize that he is not alone.

Through the Coeur d’Alene branch of the Innovation Collective, he and other self-avowed nerds have a place to come together and work toward the organization’s mission, which is to create “a global entrepreneurship movement in smaller towns,” nodding to the uniqueness of each town and the skills of each member.

Charles Buck is the associate vice president and executive officer for University of Idaho Coeur d’Alene, and his charge is to increase educational access in the community to foster positive growth and development, not just in Coeur d’Alene but in towns across the state.

So perhaps it was only a matter of time that the efforts of Buck and people like Bonner in the Innovation Collective were able to come together. And come together they have, with a program that is off to a faster start than either of them expected.

A LAKE AND A JOB

KIWANIS CAMP CARETAKER STILL REVELS IN NATURE

Bill Ouimet trudged through waist-high snow and reached a 16-by-20-foot cement building that would be, for the next quarter decade, his home.

It was 1977, and Camp Stidwell, on the south end of Mirror Lake, was in need of a caretaker. Vandalism had creeped in, so his presence was going to stave it off.

“I came here in January, and the old guy that hired me … we went around back, opened the door and I walked in. Cement floors, tin roof, no insulation,” Ouimet said. “He goes, ‘See you in the spring, son.’ I turned around and he was gone.”

The next morning, Ouimet—pronounced “weemet”— cut a path down to the lake, chopped a hole in the ice and carried back some water to heat on his front-porch stove.

“I thought, ‘What am I doing here?’” he said.

Nearly 43 years later, Ouimet is still there, albeit in a much nicer home, but even that wasn’t built until 2005.

MUSIC CONSERVATORY CELEBRATES 10 YEARS

AND FINDS PERMANENT RESIDENCE FOR THE PERFORMING AND VISUAL ARTS

It has been a decade since Ruth Klinginsmith and Karin Wedemeyer embarked on their journey of establishing a music conservatory here in Sandpoint. Guided by their backgrounds as musicians (Ruth a violinist and Karin a German born and raised opera singer), the Music Conservatory of Sandpoint opened its doors to musical hopefuls, with just a handful of students in the cold back room of a dance studio, in September of 2009.

“I do remember our humble start-up when we set out to add to the music world in Sandpoint,” recalls Karin, Music Conservatory of Sandpoint’s (MCS) executive director. “As we had met in a little café, we patiently waited for our coffee to cool down, which took just enough time for us to move away from our initial idea of creating a Saturday workshop to improve general music reading skills to a full-blown idea of creating a music conservatory. One that one would imagine on the East or West coast—but Sandpoint?”

STAND WITH HEATH

Fundraising event to take place October 19

The Sandpoint community is unlike any other, joining together to help out when others are in need and are facing hardships. The community has an opportunity to come out and show their support to a local family as Heath Okon, husband to Diana and father to their two sons Brycen and Christian, has been battling advanced stage synovial sarcoma.

“Advanced stage synovial sarcoma is cancer that starts in the extremities of the body, typically arms or legs near the joints,” says Diana. “Heath’s is in his thigh and, unfortunately, was very large before diagnosed. If the cancer has spread, it typically metastasis to the lungs and continues on from there. This makes it near impossible to cure. Heath's has metastasized to his lungs, and he had over 20-plus in both lobes.”

First diagnosed in May of 2018, Heath has been through chemo and immunotherapy, radiation and inpatient chemotherapy. Though these treatments have shrunk some of the tumors, they are still, unfortunately, inoperable. “The fact that nothing is operable has been extremely difficult,” says Diana.

NEW YEAR’S EVE Mountainside

Schweitzer ready to ring in the New Year

During the holiday break, Schweitzer sees a boost in both local and out-of-state visitors who take a few days off from work or school to enjoy the mountain. There are many events going on during this time, all culminating in the annual New Year’s Eve celebration. For those under the age of 21, you can gather around the giant clock tower in the middle of the village as the clock ticks down to midnight. Those looking to end 2019 with a bang will want to get tickets to the celebration going on at the Lakeview Lodge.

After a day on the slopes, you’ll have plenty of time to recover, wash up and get ready for an unforgettable night. The entire upper floor of the Lakeshore Lodge is reserved for the evening with the doors opening at 8pm. Those 21 and older are welcome to attend, and your ticket gets you admission, drink specials, free late-night snacks, party favors and a special midnight toast with 10 Barrel canned cocktails. The Rub will be performing live starting at 9pm, so be sure to get there early.

OPEN FOR DISCUSSION

THRIVING PROGRAM LEAD BY STUDENTS

As children grow they become more independent. For parents this is both rewarding and challenging. When they hit late elementary school or early middle school, getting kids to open up, even about something as simple as how their day went, can be difficult. It is a time of great change in bodies and social structure, which can lead to feelings of jealousy and anger, loss of self-worth or being bullied. Children who bury these feelings can fall into drug and alcohol abuse as coping methods, and in the saddest of cases even take their own lives. A unique program in the Lake Pend Oreille School District is bringing awareness to kids about how to cope with these feelings while putting them in charge of leading the discussion.

January will mark the third year of the CAST program being implemented in the district. CAST stands for Coping and Support Training and is a nationally recognized program aimed at improving moods of youth, decreasing drug and alcohol usage, and improving classroom skills and success.

FROM GLOBAL TO LOCAL

STUDENTS AIM TO SOLVE COMMUNITY PROBLEMS

In a quest to teach graphic design to elementary students, Ann Dickinson stumbled into a program that has slowly taken over her classrooms in the six years since.

Now there is evidence of it across Sandpoint, too—but Dickinson isn’t the one steering the change. Her students are the ones doing that.

“The adults don’t drive the project, kids do,” Dickinson said.

Dickinson teaches health at Sandpoint Middle School, but before that she taught at Washington Elementary. That was where she first heard about Design For Change: a K-12 program that can be adapted to just about any educational setting.

The program uses the tagline “Young People Changing the World,” and the idea is that Design For Change “equips young people to transform empathy into social action” using four steps: feel, imagine, do and share. “What makes this program so powerful is, with any adult and a group of kids, you can do this program,” Dickinson said. “It’s meant to fit any situation.”

KOCHAVA: SANDPOINT’S DOWNTOWN “STAR”

A WORK CULTURE RELATED TO LOCATION

Turn the corner on Church Street in Downtown Sandpoint, and it’s hard not to notice the large grey modern building that now houses the Kochava offices. The space used to house Inkwell—an office machine rental and office supply store—as well as a few doctors’ offices. Its upstairs was home to the local high school baseball team’s batting practice during the winter months. Before Kochava purchased it and moved its offices from the former Columbia Bank location in 2016, the large piece of real estate was rather rundown and far under serving its potential. “It wasn’t contributing to the local economy, and it’s a very large building in the middle of downtown,” says Kimberly Manning, the senior director of brand for the company and wife of CEO Charles Manning.

Originally from California and then Washington, D.C., the couple decided to make Sandpoint their home back in 2005, driven by the desire to create a better lifestyle in a smaller community...

ENHANCING LIVES

BONNER GENERAL HEALTH FOUNDATION ENRICHES LOCAL HEALTH CARE

Many people move to Sandpoint for the quality of life, beautiful scenery and endless opportunities to enjoy the outdoors year-round. While many may assume that living in a rural area means sacrificing access to quality health care, that is not the case for those who call Sandpoint and the surrounding area home. Bonner General Health, with the support of the Bonner General Health Foundation, provides quality services that many may assume they would have to travel to Coeur d’Alene or Spokane to receive.

The Foundation was originally formed in 1979 with a purpose to educate the community and provide additional medical equipment to Bonner General, but after a while it went dormant.

“It was re-established in November of 2007,” said Bonner General Health’s CEO Sheryl Rickard, who explains that the board of directors for Bonner General Health...

BANFF MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL

World Tour Coming to Sandpoint for its 23rd year!

For the 23rd year, the one and only Banff Mountain Film Festival will be coming back to Sandpoint’s Panida Theater this month! For three consecutive nights, be inspired by the international film competition that all began in 1976 and originated in Banff, Alberta. This show, as previous attendees might know, focuses on footage of specular mountain subjects from all over the world. It originated as an outreach program to bring the festival to other communities with tours across three Canadian cities. However, they saw it as an opportunity to reach other communities that couldn’t make it to the Canadian Rockies. Therefore, Sandpoint made the tour!

Mark your calendars for the weekend of January 17 through 19. On Friday and Saturday night, the doors will open at 6pm, with the film beginning at 7. Sunday, doors will open at 5pm, and the film will follow at 6. Tickets are now available for purchase at Eichardt’s, Burger Express (in Sandpoint and Bonners Ferry locations), Outdoor Experience and the Alpine Shop. Tickets are also available for purchase on the Panida

LITEHOUSE

FROM SMALL-TOWN RESTAURANT TO DRESSING GIANT

In 1949, Edward Hawkins was serving as a chef in Spokane when his boss complained about the quality of the blue cheese dressing they were serving. Hawkins took the challenge to heart, and so was born the first creamy blue cheese dressing. Ten years later, he and his wife purchased Hurschell’s Lighthouse in Hope. Customers liked the dressing so much they’d arrive with jars to bring extra home.

Demand required supply, and brothers Edward and Doug decided to can their secret recipe in 1963, mixing the dressing by hand in soup kettles. Soon Litehouse Bleu Cheese and Litehouse Thousand Island began gracing the shelves of Rogers Thrift in Sandpoint. Fast forward 57 years later, and Litehouse is now the No. 1 refrigerated salad dressing in the world...

CAMARADERIE IN THE WOODS

SNOWMOBILING AN INCLUSIVE SPORT

It’s no secret that Northwest people are typically outdoor people. Our cities and towns are set in and around nature, and our woods, trails and the backcountry is often just a short drive from our front door. After fall sports season and hunting season come to a close, outdoor enthusiasts start doing the “pray for snow” dance. While some of the population could go without snow, a large section also sees a cold winter without snow as a worthless winter. Skis and snowboards get waxed, snowshoes and winter coats, gloves, jackets and pants all come out from their summer hibernation. It’s also the time when another passionate group of people gets ramped up for their favorite season of the year—snowmobile season.

“The adventure of the ride has to be my favorite thing about snowmobiling,” said Jacob Hinrichs, current president of the Boundary Backcountry Association. “Every ride is different, from the people you ride with, the terrain and the snow as well...”

FEBRUARY’S FIX FOR THE BLUES

SANDPOINT WINTER CARNIVAL

Mid-winter in North Idaho is beautiful, but the winter blues settle in in full force. Several months of cold, snow and (mostly) grey have left the majority of us cabin-bound, vitamin-D deficient and desperate for some much-needed activity and fun. Thankfully Sandpoint locals 47 years ago felt the same, and so was born the Sandpoint Winter Carnival—the much-anticipated yearly antidote to North Idaho cabin fever.

The carnival debuted in 1973, put together by local businesses and individuals who saw the need for an event to bring the town together and provide a fun release in the dark winter months. It’s continued every year since, and this February marks its 47th anniversary. “We are [all] getting a little weary of winter at this time, so it’s always fun to spend time together laughing and enjoying ourselves,” says Kate McAlister, Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce president and CEO...

Annual Heart Ball Sets New Record

ADVOCATES FOR THE COMMUNITY’S HEALTH

This year’s annual Heart Ball to support Bonner General Health was a true success, highlighting how the Sandpoint family comes together to support BGH and the continued health of its community. “The Heart Ball has been fabulous, not only because it’s a beautiful, fun event, but it raises money for things that the hospital couldn’t do or purchase without that support,” says Bonner General Health CEO Sheryl Rickard.

Valentines-themed decorations including large floral centerpieces, violet backlit curtains and magical twinkle lights transformed the Bonner County Fairgrounds, where the event took place on Saturday, February 15. “Georgia Simmons was the chair of this year's ball, and her background in design was clearly evident in the breathtaking decorations,” says Bonner General Health Foundation member Patty Hutchins.

THE STEM OF THEIR FUTURE

PRIEST RIVER BOYS NOMINATED TO ATTEND SEATTLE LEADERSHIP PROGRAM

When a letter first arrived with a gold seal, Malarie Laffoon was a bit skeptical. It looked like spam mail.

But when she opened it, it revealed a delightful surprise: Brady, her 8-year-old son, had been nominated and invited to attend a prestigious STEM program in Seattle this summer.

In order to be nominated, his grades had to be high and he had to demonstrate an extreme amount of maturity, both attributes Laffoon recognized. But still, a week at a camp in Seattle?

“I’m thinking, ‘Really, my 8-year-old kid is gonna do this?’” Laffoon said. Brady was skeptical, too, she said, which made her feel a bit better: It was fine that he didn’t want to go. Laffoon couldn’t sleep, though, she said; it was too great of an opportunity, too huge for his future, to not encourage him more to go. And when they re-assessed, Brady was on board—and so was she.

24 HOURS FOR HANK

Racing for a cure

When he was 16 months old, Brian and Tricia Sturgis’ son Henry (Hank) was diagnosed with cystinosis, a rare genetic disease that causes the amino acid cystine to build up in the cells and over time destroy various organs including the kidneys, liver, muscles, white blood cells, eyes and central nervous system.

Cystinosis is an orphan disease, with only 500 cases in the U.S. and 2,000 worldwide. As a result, there is no incentive for pharmaceutical companies to fund research, which means any research for a cure or treatment must come from private funding.

When Hank was diagnosed, friends of the family wanted to know how they could help. Hank’s cystinosis requires care 24 hours a day, so the group asked themselves what they could do for 24 hours without stopping. The result was the first fundraiser bike ride in 2008, followed by 24 Hours at Schweitzer—a full day of around-the-clock skiing to raise funds for cystinosis research.

Sandpoint Teen Center

A SAFE SPACE TO LEARN AND PLAY

Over 16 years ago, Marilyn Fargo started an after-school drop-in center where teens could do crafts and socialize. Two to four kids would stop in for a bit in the beginning. Today, the Sandpoint Teen Center serves 35 to 40 teens a day, providing a safe space for them to gather, learn and build friendships.

But the path to get here has not been without hurdles. The center moved to various locations over the years, looking for a home they could gather and offer cooking and other educational opportunities. They had a part-time staff and board of directors including Jim Payne, Joan Avery and other community members. It was difficult to keep staff on however, and in 2010 Avery volunteered to serve as the director until someone was willing to take on the part-time position for little pay.

FROM SOLDIERS TO CAMPERS

FARRAGUT’S VARIED HISTORY DEMANDS EXPLORATION

As long as Errin Bair has a say— and she has for more than a decade so far—Museum at the Brig inside Farragut State Park will not become stale.

About 18,000 people passed through the museum in 2019, and the park ranger wants to ensure each year there is a new reason for them to come back. So, the newest addition is an exhibit on Women of World War II, which she has been working on for some time.

It follows any number of exhibits at the museum, which celebrates and chronicles the ever-churning use the park endured since it began in 1942 as a training camp for United States soldiers.

One of Bair’s many roles at the park is to be in charge of this museum, as well as the volunteers who help keep it and the rest of the park humming during its open season.

Spring Treks

EXPLORING ALL THE INLAND NORTHWEST HAS TO OFFER

As we are in the midst of spring with summer just around the corner, the ample opportunity to enjoy each season outdoors is undoubtedly a top perk of living in the Inland Northwest. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or simply craving some fresh air, North Idaho and Eastern Washington have a lot to offer for those who want to get outdoors and explore. The areas surrounding the Inland Northwest offer shorter, more accessible hikes, sites perfect for a day trip to a nearby peak, and plenty in between.

Save the Day!

HELP KEEP OUR SANDPOINT INDEPENDENCE DAY TRADITIONS ALIVE

There is nothing like Independence Day and the celebrations that we’ve all come to know and love here in Sandpoint. It was recently announced that due to health and safety concerns for the community amid COVID-19, Sandpoint’s Lion Club has decided to cancel the annual Fourth of July events usually put on by its organization and members.

But, there is good news—and great news! After hearing this unfortunate news, Sandpoint resident Ron Korn wanted to do something about it. As a result, he went to social media, where he created a public Facebook page—Save Independence Day, Sandpoint. With help promoting the campaign from Steve Wasylko, the page had already garnered more than 1,400 members by the end of May, all who share the same patriotic goal—to keep Sandpoint's Fourth of July celebration alive.

FAMILY OWNED, COMMUNITY FOCUSED

SUPER 1 FOODS: NORTH IDAHO’S SUPERMARKET

Walk in your local Super 1 Foods store, and odds are you’re met by a friendly face, helping hands and a sense of community. Particularly during these uncertain times, our supermarket and grocery workers have been on the frontlines, making sure their communities have the goods they need, with a sense of “we’re all in this together” at every stage of the process.

While many of us were (or are) stuck at home, they’ve been the often unseen hands stocking shelves, cleaning carts and making sure the elderly and those most in need have access to the necessities.

But It’s not just COVID-19 that’s brought this about—Super 1 has always had community at its core. “At Super 1 Foods we emulate our founders’ values: trust, loyalty, integrity, dependability, safety,” says Jeff Hamley...

SANDPOINT FARMERS’ MARKET

A favorite community event kicks off its summer season

Sandpoint’s beloved Farmers’ Market has long been a community staple. Held in Farmin Park bordered by Oak and Main streets every Saturday and Wednesday throughout the spring, summer and early fall months, it’s an opportunity for the community to meet, relax and source fresh fruits and veggies from local farmers while perusing the local artisans and food vendors.

This year the market started later than expected due to COVID-19— Saturday May 16, was its opening day. The market looks different than in past years due to health precautions, but it is still committed to keeping Sandpoint and local communities supplied with the fresh, local goods they return for every year. For now, the market only offers staple products like vegetables, meat, cheese, bread and soap.

A Penny a Mile

RIDING ACROSS AMERICA

Melvin Dick’s plan is simple: He’ll ride 5,000 miles if you agree to donate a penny a mile—just $50, that will all go toward helping the youth services provided by the Sandpoint Rotary Club.

He plans to leave Sandpoint on August 1, ending in Key West by October 15 at the latest. His ride will take him through Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri and Western Tennessee along the way, finishing in the Florida Keys where he will stay for several months before returning to Sandpoint by train.

If you live in Sandpoint, chances are you know Dick—or at least know of him. He’s often supporting local initiatives and working with the Rotary Club to raise money for advancing youth services and education in the community, in addition to helping to put on the CHAFE 150 every year...

CANINE COMPANION

UNIQUE SERVICE DOG TO ASSIST NORTH IDAHO TEEN

Since being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes (T1D) at the age of 8, Carson Magee has devoted much of his young life to bringing awareness about the condition to the masses. He’s conducted fundraisers by unicycling long distances; invented technology that helps others like him; and even lobbied from North Idaho to Boise to Washington DC, securing funds and awareness days on behalf of the thousands of children across the nation dealing with T1D.

Unlike Type 2 diabetes which can often be managed with diet, exercise and medication, there is no cure for Type 1. People like Carson need insulin pumped in or injected many times a day in order to survive. This means constant monitoring of insulin levels throughout the day and night. Most T1D patients wear a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) and, while very reliable, it’s a technology that can still fail, which could lead to Carson having a seizure— or worse.

Faith. God. Relationships.

North Idaho Realtor unites buyers with their dream home

When it comes to guiding clients through the process of buying and selling real estate, Jackie Suarez brings her years of experience and expertise home.

A real estate broker for the past two decades, selling in Sandpoint and throughout North Idaho, she plays a crucial role in uniting buyers with their dream home.

Jackie and her husband Carlos, a professional structural engineer, moved to Sandpoint from North Carolina in 1999. The following year, Jackie, who has a background as a paralegal, title insurance officer and manager, and business owner, decided it was time for her to make the next natural step in her career—real estate. Today, Jackie is a real estate broker at Century 21 RiverStone.

It’s Pumpkin Season!

CELEBRATE AT HICKEY FARMS' FALL PUMPKIN FESTIVAL

Hickey Farms is getting ready for their eighth annual Fall Pumpkin Festival, starting the first weekend in October! Head on out to the family favorite farm every weekend in October for live entertainment, a large pumpkin patch, kids’ activities, food vendors and more.

Set in a beautiful valley just Northeast of Sandpoint off Highway 200, Hickey Farms boasts beautiful views of Schweitzer Mountain and the changing colors of the season while visitors wander the pumpkin patch and corn maze. The family farm—now in its fourth generation—has been in the family since 1923.

Each year, the Pumpkin Festival offers a place for families to come together and celebrate the best of fall. The farm is open Fridays, 3 to 5:30pm, and Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 5:30pm. ...

The Inside Scoop: All About Apples

SANDPOINT ORGANIC AGRICULTURE CENTER SHARES LEARNING, RESEARCH ... AND FRUIT!

Nearly 50 acres of orchard land at the base of Schweitzer Mountain off Boyer Road is recognizable to locals as the former Sandpoint Orchard, with its diverse selection of varieties. Today, the orchard and adjoining acreage make up the Sandpoint Organic Agriculture Center (SOAC)—an organization with the University of Idaho Extension Office that provides a hands-on research and education facility for students and community members.

Established in August 2018 through support of a USDA grant and a generous donation from the Pence family, SOAC now covers 66 acres, including a certified organic orchard specializing in heritage apple varieties, dormitories, a retreat center and additional land for growing and research.

“Our primary goal is to attract organic agriculture research, as we are the university's only certified organic research station,” says Kyle Nagy, superintendent and orchard operations manager for SOAC.

CAMP OUT OF THE BOX

PANHANDLE FOREST PROVIDES MANY UNIQUE LOCATIONS

2020 was the summer of camping. Just about every RV sales lot you drove by was nearly empty of inventory as cooped up Idahoans fled to the woods. Campgrounds all across the Panhandle where one might typically pull in and easily find a spot were suddenly in high demand, and those who arrived late sometimes ended up driving around in hopes of landing anywhere to park a trailer or pitch a tent. It’s hard to predict whether this will be a one-off or the new normal in outdoor recreation.

While Idaho boasts many exceptional campgrounds, when at capacity, noise from other campers can detract from the sense of peace, quiet and serenity in nature that many campers seek. One place you are sure to find solitude is by booking some of the Panhandle’s more unique camping options, which can include fire lookouts, outposts and decadesold cabins. One such cabin is Red Ives, which provides a fun and unique shelter far from anything resembling a town.

Be Your Best Self

SANDPOINT TEEN TO REPRESENT IDAHO

Camille Neuder grew up hearing stories of her mother’s experience with the Junior Miss program. She watched her older sister participate, which had an immediate impact. “Watching her performance, her practice, her smile, it was eye-opening for me and got me excited to join,” she said.

Now known as Distinguished Young Women (DYW), the nationwide program invites girls in their junior or senior year of high school to participate in a program that includes five criteria: Scholastics, Interview, Talent, Fitness and Self- Expression. Throughout the year, the young women work on each category, culminating in a competition which includes thousands of dollars in scholarship money. That competition was held this past March, in which Camille took home top honors in several categories. “Fortunately we were still able to hold it in-person with family members in attendance. All the girls were feeling excitement and nerves, but it is such a great group of girls, and we were all there to support each other,” recalled Camille...

THE SEASON OF GIVING

FIND WAYS TO HELP THOSE IN NEED IN YOUR COMMUNITY

November is a time of expectation. Looking forward to family dinners and gatherings with friends, it’s a time to cozy up by the fire and wait expectantly for the snow to come. But most importantly, it’s a season of thanksgiving for what we have, and a reminder to give back.

For many, the advent of colder weather and harsher months means higher living costs, less access to food and a hard six months ahead. As we look forward to the joy of this season, may we also stop to consider how we can share that joy with those around us.

Throughout the entire year, food banks, shelters and soup kitchens are in need of volunteers and donations, but in this season especially, there is a need for those willing to give of their time or their resources in whatever way they can.

SHOP LOCAL

Downtown businesses prepare for the holiday season

New sidewalks, fresh storefront facades and a lively holiday spirit have replaced the torn-up streets of yesteryear. The new face of Sandpoint’s Downtown Shopping District opened up to a record summer, and shop owners are ready for an exciting holiday season.

With Thanksgiving and Christmas just around the corner, it’s once again that time of year to write up your gift list. This year, take advantage of the fresh face of downtown to support the local stores that make our town a charming, successful destination. This is the year to shop local!

Get ready for a Very Sandpoint Christmas. The Historic Downtown Shopping District is hosting several holiday events, making this the ultimate time to get out and shop local this season. From clothing stores to gift shops, furniture stores and children’s stores, downtown offers a bit of everything to help check off your Christmas list. “So many of us carry local artisans and makers as well; we always have our local community scattered throughout our stores,” says Shery Meekings, owner of Creations and Carousel Emporium in the Cedar Street Bridge.

Running With a Passion

DESPITE THIS YEAR’S CHALLENGES, CROSS-COUNTRY TEAMS TAKE EIGHTH STRAIGHT REGIONAL TEAM TITLES

In July, Matt and Angie Brass were uncertain if the Sandpoint High School cross-country team would even have a full season, let alone compete at State Championships. Several months later, the boys’ and girls’ teams were celebrating their eighth straight regional team titles.

No one knew what this year would hold. The team faced different challenges than normal due to the pandemic. There was a constant focus toward staying healthy and ensuring the team didn’t have to quarantine; masks and social distancing became a part of every practice and meet; and there were no high fives or hugs to celebrate big moments. But the team pulled through, resilient, tight-knit and committed as ever.

A NORTH IDAHO CHRISTMAS

OPTIONS ABOUND FOR SEASONAL FUN

There is nothing quite like the holiday season to put a smile on our faces. Crisp winter nights with bright lights illuminated by a fresh dusting of snow can make all of us take a deep relaxing breath; something we can all surely benefit from. Families have many long-standing traditions. Some might continue this year while others take a pause. The same goes for our regional entertainment venues, businesses and events. Some of these might look a little different in 2020, but the spirit remains the same. Enjoy a sampling of our favorite holiday activities and traditions this December, and let’s end 2020 with a smile on our face and joy in our hearts!

SANDPOINT SKATE SCENE

Big plans to expand available skate terrain

In its infancy, skateboarding was considered a counterculture. Surfers in California who couldn’t spend enough time on a board created one that could be used on land. It wasn’t long until the early pioneers were refining the boards and challenging their limits. Empty pools became the first skateparks, and curbs, handrails, and doing tricks off other urban obstacles was another way for emerging skaters to push the limits. It didn’t go over well with everyone. Dodging boarders on public sidewalks and seeing marks and cuts on concrete left by the grind of a skateboard initially turned a lot of people off to the activity and those who participated in it. 7b Boardshop owner Rory Whitney was part of the early skateboard scene around Sandpoint during the mid-‘90s and early 2000s. “There were very scarce opportunities at the time, so we found spots—curbs, ledges, gaps—and made do with what we could find,” he explained.

The Sandpoint Community Does it Again

FUNDS RAISED THROUGH TOUR OF TREES SURPASSES GOAL

The Kinderhaven committee knew that their 2020 annual fundraising event— Festival of Trees—would be different, having the foresight back in June to begin making plans for an alternative event. “Even if the world returned to ‘normal’ by December, we assumed many people would not be ready to gather for a large indoor event,” shares Kathy Chambers, Kinderhaven Board Chair.

While the venue was vastly different, the outreach was incredible. Last month’s Tour of Trees took place virtually, online, which allowed this wonderful local organization to be able to engage the community in a way they had never done before.

FROM THE BASEMENT TO THE NHL DRAFT

THE QUICK RISE OF BEAR HUGHES

There was no great epiphany that sparked it, no pressure to continue it and no particular reason why the Hughes family became enamored with hockey. Neither Michelle nor Vince, parents of 10 children, played it growing up.

They were athletes, sure, but living in Spokane and then Post Falls in the early 1990s, hockey wasn’t in their blood or much even in their neighborhood, with few hockey rinks to speak of in the area. But Vince took their oldest son, Rance, to a Spokane Chiefs game, and a love for the game was sparked.

A Commitment to Community

Building a healthy spirit, mind and body for all

Serving the Inland Northwest and North Idaho since 1884, the YMCA’s Coeur d’Alene branch closed many years ago, but the Y, as it is referred to by many, returned to North Idaho in December of 2018 with the opening of the Litehouse YMCA right here in Sandpoint!

Going back almost a decade, Y staff and Sandpoint community volunteers talked about and planned for a YMCA in the community, according to Mary, who is the director of communications and marketing for YMCA of the Inland Northwest. One of the realities facing the group was the possibility of an enormous capital campaign to build a Y from scratch. So when the Y had the opportunity to purchase the former SWAC from the Helanders, it offered a less expensive option while still being able to offer facilities and programs to the community.

The Sites, Sounds and Smells of Americana

A CROSS-COUNTRY RIDE THROUGH AMERICA’S HEARTLAND

“When you ride, you see things you’d never see from a car,” explains Mel Dick, who returned from a cross-country bike ride from Sandpoint, Idaho, to Key West, Florida, just a few months ago. In the six months leading up to his trip, Mel road 20 to 75 miles every day to prepare for the grueling 4,000-mile ride that would take just two months.

It was like having a job—only each day instead of heading to the office, he’d jump on his bike for an average of 85 miles through the heartland of America, where he made new friends, connected with old ones, and gained a picture of life in America that inspired, sobered and delighted.

GOLDEN GUERNSEY GOODNESS

A LOOK INSIDE BONNER COUNTY’S ONLY GRADE A COW DAIRY

Drive down Dufort Road in Sagle, and tucked back in off a side road you’ll find Pleasant Meadow Creamery, a family owned, family run dairy that produces milk the gold old-fashioned way, and where the cows still graze freely in the fields. It’s Bonner and Kootenai counties’ only Grade A cow dairy, and as you drive up you can glimpse the Guernsey cows roaming contentedly in one of the several open fields.

The Herndon family owns and runs the dairy, which first started back in 2011 with one Guernsey cow, a commercial castoff from Lynden, Washington. But before she arrived, a dairy farm, and indeed cows themselves, weren’t in the picture at all.

A PATHWAY TO THE FUTURE

Changes in store for Sandpoint’s City Beach

Since City Beach was first formed almost 100 years ago in 1922 on land donated by the Northern Pacific Railroad, the waterfront land has served as a community gathering place for families, visitors and locals alike.

Improvements in the 1950s served to create a more welcoming and usable spot, without the flooding that early years saw in the area, and over the years, City Beach has become a popular spot cherished by locals and enjoyed by visitors. On any sunny summer day, its waterfront is filled with families and individuals enjoying the lake and grassy open spaces.

24 HOURS FOR HANK

HEAD TO THE SLOPES AND HELP RAISE MONEY FOR CYSTINOSIS RESEARCH

The longest giant slalom in the U.S is back! March 27 marks the annual 2,400 Feet of Schweitzer alpine, snowboard and telemark event to support 24 Hours for Hank, so get ready to hit the slopes. At sunrise, the event begins at the Sky House Lodge on the summit of Schweitzer, finishing at the Outback Lodge at the base.

All skill levels are welcome, and each team will include two or four people, with timed runs. Seeding for the race will be determined on participant fundraising efforts, but even if you haven’t fundraised, you can still join in the fun of the event and help raise money for an important case.

THE BGH EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT GETS A FACELIFT

Updates bring efficiency, improved patient care and infection prevention

For some people in Sandpoint, the Emergency Department might be the only part of Bonner General Hospital you have ever, or will ever, visit. If so, you probably noticed that incredible staff and exceptional care are a hallmark of the BGH Emergency Department, but the facilities have long since started to show their age. Thanks to a grant from the Sunderland Foundation and community support through the Heart Ball, the facilities now have a new lease on life. Flooring and surfaces over time had seams or cracks where dirt and contamination could collect; cabinets, lighting and paint were dated; and space was limited for the doctors and nurses on shift.

Today, when you drive up to the Emergency Department, you are greeted by a brand new sign that clearly marks the entrance...

STEPS FOR SCHOOLS: THE CHALLENGE CONTINUES

64 Idaho legislators walk to support local schools

Walking may be a simple activity we do daily, often without giving it much thought, but such a simple thing can bring great change—in our health, in our attitude and outlook, and now, in our schools. The walking challenge is back, and despite a year of challenges and a pandemic, our Idaho legislators and leaders are eager to champion for health, and they’re starting out by leading by example.

In February, members of the Idaho State Legislature, as well as the lieutenant governor, attorney general and state controller, joined the walking challenge to help raise awareness of healthy habits, as well as raise money for schools throughout the state.

NAVIGATING THE SLOPES

MEET THE ARTIST WHO GUIDES YOUR WAY

Growing up on a small farm in Western Colorado, Jim Niehues’ love of the outdoors started early. Situated amongst 10,000-foot mountain peaks, and with red rock canyons and deserts within an hour drive, Jim was drawn to outdoor adventure. From a young age he was paddling the Colorado River and hiking and hunting with his brothers and father, all while mesmerized by the scenery around him. When he would come back from trips he would attempt to sketch and paint what he had seen firsthand, as well as his surroundings on the farm. “As a very young child I would draw the animals on the farm, and my mother figured I had some talent,” Jim recalled.

An unfortunate bout with Nephritis in the ninth grade had Jim bed-ridden for three months, but it was during this unfortunate time that he would begin his painting journey, which would become his life’s work.

THE FRESH FACE OF THE FESTIVAL AT SANDPOINT

The Festival at Sandpoint has long been a much-anticipated and loved epic music festival that combines the things we love most about Sandpoint: community, summer, fun and art. COVID changed a lot of things last summer, including the Festival that so many look forward to each and every year, but the Festival is back this year—and better than ever!

“Ultimately, our goal is to bring live music back to Sandpoint with our concert series this summer and the economic impact that comes with it. Although we’ve seen our fair share of challenges, we’ve continued to adapt, and I’m excited and optimistic about our plans,” explains Ali Baranski, the new executive director of The Festival at Sandpoint.

Each year, the internationally renowned Festival brings a diverse collection of talented artists to Sandpoint for the over week-long event held outside at Memorial Field...

Sandpoint’s Urban Forest Program Gets Strategic

A NEW VISION, NEW PROGRAMS AND A RENEWED DEDICATION TO OUR CITY’S TREES

Drive through Sandpoint, and one of the first things you’ll notice—even subconsciously appreciate—are the beautiful variety of trees that line our streets and dot our public and private lands. Sandpoint’s tree canopy is one of the things that make our downtown and residential streets so special—and that’s for good reason.

Trees have long been prized and valued by the local community, and the City of Sandpoint has been a member of Tree City USA since 1996— soon celebrating its 25th anniversary of caring for our urban canopy through membership with the national program. Sandpoint has a long history of participating with the Tree City USA program and protecting its urban canopy—a passion that comes from the community and members stressing the importance of our local trees.

A LIFE OF AVIATION AND INNOVATION

BIRD’S LEGACY LIVES ON AT MUSEUM

Since the Bird Museum opened 14 years ago, Todd Moore has been a loyal volunteer. Even after the museum moved from Sagle, Idaho—near where Moore lives—to its present site about 35 miles south in Hayden, he still makes the drive so he can guide visitors and answer their questions.

“There’s just so many different people (who visit),” Moore said. “Fighter pilots (visit), medical people come to see the respirators. Just really interesting people that come in for a variety of reasons.”

Forrest Bird’s interests were equally diverse, so perhaps it is fitting that people come to visit the museummuseum—its full name is the Bird Aviation Museum and Invention Center...

A Hand Up in Sandpoint

SANDPOINT COMMUNITY RESOURCE ENVISION CENTER PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES AND RESOURCES FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO FLOURISH

Sandpoint Community Resource EnVISION Center Executive Director Linnis Jellinek brought together 19 community stakeholders and dozens of local service organizations to give people immediate help and create generational change.

When I think about people with a heart for serving our community, I immediately think of Linnis Jellinek. I got to know Linnis shortly after moving to Sandpoint, and I was impressed with her vision for the Resource Center and her heart for creating generational change. Now that she and her team have brought that dream to life as the Sandpoint Community EnVision Center, I’m excited to celebrate the good being done and share how we can all get involved.

LOOKING FORWARD TO THE FOURTH

THE INLAND NORTHWEST’S BEST WAYS TO CELEBRATE INDEPENDENCE DAY THIS YEAR

The biggest summer holiday is on the way, and this year, the Inland Northwest is more than ready to embrace Fourth of July celebrations. As COVID restrictions lift and holiday gatherings begin to make their return, many annual events that were passed by in 2020 are returning, leaving the region ready to truly set off Independence Day with a bang!

Across North Idaho and into Spokane, a selection of celebratory events are in store for Inland Northwest locals and visitors to take their pick of July 4th festivities.

Practice That Swing!

SUMMER BRINGS PLAYERS OF ALL SKILL LEVELS TO THE GOLF COURSE

It’s the great unconquerable game that we both love and despise. A slight twist in the hips, movement of the head or proximity to the ball and your shot might be heading for the woods, the drink, or the beach. Still, when you line everything up just right, strike the ball cleanly and smash a perfect drive down the fairway, or watch your approach shot land softly just feet from the pin, there really is no feeling like a great golf shot. Whether you’re a weekend duffer, retiree playing with friends, scratch player, or just getting started with the game, every round of golf is a challenge.

With the most stable weather of the year, summer is when the courses see, by far, the most visitors. The weekend warriors come out of hibernation, typically cruising in a power cart and taking down several nerve-calming beverages...

In Support of Football

THE CHANCE TO SUPPORT SANDPOINT’S YOUTH FOOTBALL TEAMS ARRIVES, ALONG WITH THE CHANCE TO WIN BIG

At the height of summer, many football players instead have their sights set on the upcoming fall, their season to shine. Through the years, it’s been clear that Sandpoint’s local high school and middle school football teams create an undeniably infectious energy that is closely felt by the entire community. This closeness is created through mutual respect and support.

“We have the most supportive community a coach could ask for,” Sandpoint High Football Coach Ryan Knowles shared, looking forward to leading his team into the upcoming season. Each fall, Sandpoint’s youth football teams rely on community support in its many forms, from game encouragement and attendance, to the critical preseason process of fundraising. That’s where the Sandpoint Football Foundation comes in.

NORTHWEST FLAVORS

PLENTY OF FOOD AND DRINK TO SAMPLE ALL SUMMER LONG!

Most of us probably have a favorite local restaurant. It’s the one you can always count on for a solid meal, especially if the family can’t agree on what to eat. Many of us also prefer a certain style of wine, be it Cab or Ros , or the particular hop combination used in the IPA produced at the brewery down the street. While there will always be brand loyalty, the near staggering amount of quality eateries and drinkeries around the region has provided eager customers with a wide range of food and beverages in which to challenge their ever-evolving taste buds. The competition challenges chefs, brewers, and bartenders to utilize their creativity to attract an audience that’s always looking for what’s new, different, or downright tasty.

One of the best ways to find these unique offerings is by attending one of the region’s outstanding tasting events.

ARE YOU READY?

THE FESTIVAL AT SANDPOINT KICKS OFF JULY 29!

The excitement can be felt all throughout Sandpoint, as the biggest music festival in North Idaho returns to Memorial Field after a year sorely missed. Drum roll please … The 38th annual Festival at Sandpoint kicks off its 2021 season at the end of this month on July 29 with the rock-n-roll soul sound of St. Paul & The Broken Bones, with opening act The DIP, an electrifying seven-piece ensemble that melds vintage rhythm and blues with classic pop storytelling. Gates open at 6pm (5:45pm for early entry ticket holders), with the show beginning at 7:30.

Downtown Again

POWDER HOUND PIZZA REBUILDS TO OPEN A BRAND NEW DOWNTOWN LOCATION

Whether you're a Sandpoint local, a Schweitzer passholder, or a visitor to the area, it’s likely you’re familiar with Schweitzer Mountain gem Powder Hound Pizza. A local favorite, Powder Hound Pizza is known for its great pizza, beer selection and inviting atmosphere, serving guests daily throughout the winter season and on festival weekends during the rest of the year.

After losing their second location in downtown Sandpoint to fire damage in February 2019, restaurant owners Ben and Jeannie Higgs look forward to serving the downtown community once again with a new location opening this fall.

Their downtown location was known as The Hound, and had been open just short of four years before the fire brought their operations to a halt.

‘SEED TO SEAL’

LOCAL YOUNG LIVING FARM DOES SOMETHING NEW

Pharmaceuticals (especially medications that regulate anxiety or depression) not only have a hefty price tag but are often laden with overbearing and damaging side effects. It has many locals looking into alternative medications, even unregulated ones. There are many such proactive remedies that are backed by doctors, such as clinical therapy, art therapy, dietary changes, exercise and aromatherapy. Essential oils fall into the aromatherapy category, although in the world of high-quality essential oils such as Young Living, it doesn’t just stop at aroma. In an unregulated market littered with products that possess low levels of essential oil mixed with mineral oil, Young Living stands out from the crowd. The business grows not necessarily through a masterful marketing plan, but by honest manufacturing and the testimony of its users.

‘Lettuce Turnip the Beet’!

The Bonner County Fair and Rodeo bring local family fun this month

Celebrating all things related to local heritage and agriculture, the Bonner County Fair and Rodeo will return in full swing this month. The fair promises lighthearted family fun with its themed event “Lettuce Turnip the Beet,” following the return of the treasured Sandpoint Bonner County PRCA Rodeo.

For decades, the mission of the Bonner County Fair has been to promote agricultural heritage and the future of the county. Offering a space to gather and celebrate the heritage and accomplishments of the Sandpoint community, the Bonner County Fair and Rodeo are celebrated for their positive economic and social impacts felt throughout the local area. This year, the rodeo will be held August 6 and 7, followed by the fair from August 18 through August 21.

IDAHO AT SEA

ADVANCED NAVAL VESSEL IN PRODUCTION

Once completed, she will be 377-feet long and carry a crew of approximately 135 mixed gender enlisted sailors and officers. She’ll be tasked with escorting battle ships and aircraft carriers, as well as gathering surveillance, reconnaissance and other intelligence. She’ll be ready to defend the homeland from underwater attack and will be capable of launching land attacks from below the surface. She’ll be one of the most technologically advanced submarines ever created, and she will carry the name USS IDAHO SSN 799.

It’s a once-in-a-century celebration for residents of the Gem State. While there have been other naval vessels that carry the name Boise (currently in service), Pocatello, and Twin Falls, this is the first naval vessel to carry the state’s namesake since the USS Idaho BB42...

SongFest Hits the Town

Sandpoint’s songwriters show kicks off its inaugural year

Musician and songwriter Thom Shepherd has been visiting Sandpoint since he first stopped off here in 1992. Almost 30 years and Nashville, Texas and a world tour later, Sandpoint is now home to Thom and his wife and fellow musician Coley McCabe Shepherd.

It was after moving here in 2019 that Thom stopped off at the Music Conservatory of Sandpoint to inquire about posting a flyer for a songwriters seminar he was planning. He met with the director of the conservatory, Karin Wedemeyer, and Thom ended up teaching the first songwriting class at the conservatory in spring of 2020—and the roots of SongFest were planted.

GAME ON

HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETES TAKE THE FIELD

Back to school; it means something different to each student. While some look forward to the routine of the school day, others are eager to see friends on a daily basis. Moving up a grade means new challenges, tougher assignments, and often more personal responsibility. Where summer can be the carefree time of lounging, hanging with friends or working a few hours a week, the school/life balance is about to begin again. This is especially true for those who will also be returning to the field, pitch, course and court this fall.

To say the last few seasons of high school sports have been a challenge would be a true understatement. Before 2020, a season being canceled was something that wasn’t even a remote thought in the minds of coaches, athletes or parents, but all across the country it happened. The graduating class of 2020 missed out on their final seasons of baseball, softball, track and field, and golf. And while there are definitely bigger hardships that have come out of the pandemic, missing out on your final year of high school competition is something that will continue to sting those athletes for years to come.

Ensuring a New-Look Fundraising Event Endures

FOR CHILDREN IN NEED OF A SAFE HOME

Kinderhaven is a community organization dedicated to supporting children in crisis and giving them back their right to thrive by providing a safe and secure home in which their emotional, physical and mental well-being are protected and enriched. For 19 years, Kinderhaven has been putting on an annual fundraiser called the Festival of Trees, until the COVID-19 virus struck and changed everything. This fundraising event traditionally funds 75 percent of Kinderhaven’s annual operating budget, so it is very important they find a way to continue fundraising during this Festival of Trees season.

The Evolution of Support

Soldiers needed in the fight against cancer

With a mission to ease the burden of those affected by cancer in Bonner and Boundary counties, Community Cancer Services (CCS) is a nonprofit that serves individuals who have a verifiable cancer diagnosis while in treatment and when no other treatment is available.

CCS continues to evolve to meet the needs of local cancer patients and their families, while recruiting volunteers and growing their board member numbers to raise funds to continue to provide a plethora of services.

Small Purchases Add Up

CHOOSE LOCAL THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

Online purchasing has completely revolutionized how we shop and how retailers grab our attention. The mall was once the central gathering point, not just for bored teenagers, but for shoppers to find everything they needed in one location. While some still thrive, others have gone by the wayside as more people turn to the convenience of online shopping.

It’s tough to blame them. There are no open and closing times on a website; you don’t have to battle parking or the elements or other shoppers; and your purchase eventually shows up right to the front door. Online shopping can save time and money, two things just about all families would enjoy more of.

Answering the Call

WARMING HEARTS, HEATING HOMES

During the cold winter months, North Idaho can be a dark and frigid existence. Without the proper means or ability to warm one’s home, things can turn quickly to a life-or-death emergency. Who better to step up in an emergency than a community who is looking to do something miraculous for their neighbors?

“In 2017, a woman I knew in the community contacted me. Her husband was disabled, and they needed firewood,” recalled Paul Krames, founder of Firewood Rescue. “I knew that the VFW was providing firewood to veterans, so I contacted a guy I knew who was providing wood off his property.

Bonner General Health Foundation Announces Heart Ball 2022

Proceeds will benefit BGH trauma radiology

It is a nonprofit organization that affects nearly everyone in our community at one time or another. A place where we witness new life brought into the world, and a place where we say goodbye to loved ones as they end their life journey. We take our children, parents, friends and neighbors there in times of crisis and hold their hands as they face uncertain times. Bonner General Health is our community’s “Hometown Hospital” and has been with many of us through our life’s experiences, offering compassion and excellent care.

FIVE PERCENT FOR THE FUTURE

IMMENSE TRANSFER OF WEALTH ON THE HORIZON

The numbers in what’s being called the greatest wealth transfer in history are simply staggering. The Silent Generation and Baby Boomers have spent a lifetime accumulating retirement savings, assets, properties and other forms of wealth. According to research and analytic firm Cerulli Associates, nearly 45 million U.S. households will transfer a total of $68.4 trillion in wealth to heirs and charity over the course of the next 25 years. About $30 trillion of that could come in just the next 15 years. It is truly a difficult number to comprehend, and this transfer will have far-reaching effects on just about every aspect of our daily lives.

From Homeless to Home Full

Battling homelessness through education

It all started on the corner of Church and Third Street when an individual donated a two-story apartment building to create Bonner Homeless Transitions (BHT) in 1991. The only problem was, due to city ordinance, the building had to be moved from its Church and Third location to a new location on Florence and Michigan. Luckily, an anonymous benefactor donated the funds needed to move the building, which they did by night, all in the name of their mission to help combat homelessness—a mantra that continues to fuel their desire to expand their operations and tackle new challenges through friendraising and fundraising.

Bravo! Bravo!

Orchestra’s debut a hit, next performance coming soon

It was less than six months ago, this past October, when acclaimed international conductor Jan Pellant teamed up with local professional musician Marcy Hogan to begin recruiting musicians for a new orchestra in Sandpoint. “There are a lot of great professional musicians in our region that are hungry to play,” said Marcy. “The distance between our communities can make it tough, but we really feel we can bring them all together.” In short order, they not only recruited top local talent but were able to bring in artists from all over the U.S. as well as Poland, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands and Brazil for the opening performance of the North Idaho Philharmonia (NIPH). “The inaugural performance in December was a great success, with sold-out seating and standing ovations after the final piece,” stated Jan.

2,400 FEET OF SCHWEITZER

Race for the Cure

Calling all racers! Mark your calendars for 2,400 Feet of Schweitzer, the longest Giant Slalom in the United States. This year, 24 Hours for Hank presents this annual fundraising event to help raise money to cure Cystinosis. Teams of skiers, boarders and telemarkers will ride for prizes, bragging rights, an online auction and, most importantly, fundraising for Hank’s future, providing financial support for vital research for the cure to Cystinosis.

Cystinosis is a rare disease that affects a small population. In November 2007, Henry (Hank) Sturgis was diagnosed with Cystinosis, a rare genetic disease that affects 500 people in the United States (mostly children), and roughly 2,000 people worldwide.

Put the Spring in Spring Training

HOW TO BEST PREPARE YOUR YOUNG ATHLETE

The idea of spring training is when professionals of all sports unite with their teams and start training together to see what changes need to be made to the roster and who has put the most effort into being the valuable parts of the team. For our youth, it’s more about getting the individual athletes prepared for the upcoming season. The pros, they get to show how well they have already prepared. We should take a note from the pros and prepare our kids well before the spring training begins. Athletics is a year-round endeavor. Our kids can be multi-sport athletes, specialized athletes, or both, by utilizing a strength, conditioning, speed and agility program. Playing different sports trains our body to adapt, learn and master varied sets of skills, resulting in more well-rounded athleticism, higher potential and a reduced risk of injury.

NOW HIRING

Local Sandpoint businesses eagerly looking for new team members

Whether you own a business or are employed by one, you know that the past couple of years have been tough for most—if not all—businesses, much in part due to the pandemic. And once it was time to get back to business, it seemed as though the employee pool had diminished.

“The last two-plus years have been challenging, and businesses all over town have really had to rethink the way they do things to adapt,” shares Kelley Kennedy, who co-owns The Fat Pig with Brett Mullinder.

CAMP BAY

A Special Place

Recently, there has been a lot of news generated about a new development in Camp Bay. Being unfamiliar with Camp Bay, I decided to visit the property with Eric Skinner and Brent Stevens, owners of Century 21 RiverStone who are marketing the property, to see firsthand for myself what is really going on and to try to discern what is fact and fiction.

As we drove to Camp Bay together, Eric and Brent shared with me the story of this special property that was owned by the same family for over 100 years until its sale in 2021. Since the early 1900s, Camp Bay was homesteaded by the Van Schravendyk family, where they raised cattle in the early days of settling Camp Bay and then made money by leasing land for folks to build waterfront cabins in the late 1950s. Ultimately, the family had about 21 leases of waterfront property, and between property leases and logging the property, the family held the land until its sale in 2021.

Boom Town

NORTH IDAHO REALTORS HELPING CLIENTS THROUGH CHALLENGING MARKET

Before the 1980s, the Idaho panhandle was a fairly sleepy place. Many families made their living off the land whether by farming, mining, or the timber industry. A small wave of big-city dwellers discovered the area and decided to uproot their families and take root in the smaller communities North Idaho offers. As the popularity of Schweitzer grew and the building of the Coeur d’Alene Resort in 1986, the area began to take shape as a tourist destination. As more visitors came to the area, they were also taken by the scenery and slower pace of life. While growth continued through the ‘90s and 2000s, the past two years are like nothing the area has ever seen.

Find Your STRENGTH

Bonner General Health event will raise funds to benefit those who have lost the ability to walk

Life can change in an instant. That is something that Sandpoint resident Chris Owens knows all too well. Owens began a career in logging at the age of 21. Growing up and as a young man, he immersed himself in the adventures of hiking, hunting, skiing, and motorcycles. But that was taken away from him at the age of 30 when a tree fell on him, breaking his back and leaving him paralyzed.

Now 43 years old, Owens struggled for years. After his accident, his muscles atrophied, and he lost over 40 pounds. “It took me a number of years for my body to recover to the point where I didn’t have to nap daily,” said Owens.

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

Idaho Forest Owners Association Education Foundation works to educate and equip Idaho forest landowners

The state of Idaho—and particularly the northern panhandle— is full of vibrant forest lands that provide habitats for wildlife, water resources and timber production.

Since its founding in 2016, the Idaho Forest Owners Association Education Foundation (IFOA-EF) has raised funds to support various projects that promote sustainable forestry practices and educate the public about the beautiful state that they call home.

DOWNLOADING … COMPUTER LAB UPDATES INSTALLED

Sandpoint High School receives grant for new esports gaming lab

For those who do not already know, Sandpoint High School has a flourishing computer science program and competitive esports team led by teacher and SHS graduate Dalton Hawkins. And it just got better.

In the spring of 2022, Hawkins applied for a grant through Ting Internet with the permission of David Miles II, the principal of Lake Pend Oreille Alternative High School and founder of Video Game Club—Sandpoint’s original gaming club that Hawkins himself participated in as a student.

THE MANY GAITS OF LENA HAUG

Local equestrian, pilot and adventure enthusiast competes in 2022 Mongol Derby

Lena Haug fondly remembers her childhood car rides to school each morning, when she’d glance out the window imagining herself galloping on horseback and blasting past the cars.

“Horses are just kind of one of those mystical, magical creatures that caught my heart,” Lena recalled.

‘A LABOR OF LOVE’

Festival at Sandpoint announces Kelly Whitman as its first-ever Volunteer of the Year

Kelly Whitman first joined forces with The Festival at Sandpoint in the early ‘90s, volunteering her time as an EMT. There was no tent like today; they would bring the ambulance right onto the field. She would do this every festival season for a decade.

After taking a few years off, Kelly returned to volunteer as the organization’s front gate co-chair...

‘Tis the Season to Shop and Support Local

Downtown businesses come together to provide wonderful experience to locals and visitors alike

“I love the camaraderie of our group. We have such a variety of owners with such diverse backgrounds, and we all love being a part of the downtown experience,” shares Deanna Harris, owner of Sharon’s Hallmark and secretary/treasurer of the Downtown Business Association, better known as the Sandpoint Shopping District.

Return Retreats

Katie Begalke shares her story of escaping domestic violence to create a better future in Sandpoint

Return Retreats was born out of my personal experience with domestic violence and my journey to restoration and rejuvenation here in Sandpoint,” shared Katie Begalke, executive director and idea generator behind Return Retreats.

Return Retreats are one-of-a-kind retreats designed for women to gather and connect on a deeper level.

BIGGER BRAIN - No Beauty Without Intelligence

Sandpoint High School graduate launches youth clothing apparel business to empower students

One evening last year, Sage Saccomanno and her friends were sitting in their dorm room playing a game together when someone quipped, “Bigger brain energy—can’t even hold up my own head.”

15TH ANNUAL HEART BALL RETURNS IN PERSON

February 4 event to benefit BGH Mammography Department

Since its revival 15 years ago, the Bonner General Health Foundation has worked tirelessly to raise well over $1 million to support the needs of Bonner General Health, thereby enhancing the services and quality of care for those in our community.

Pepper the Service Dog

Local school taken by storm

Pepper the service dog at Farmin Stidwell Elementary (the first and only therapy dog in the district) is taking the community by storm, one connection at a time. She is at the elementary school two to three days a week, and boy is she busy when she’s in! All the kids love her and look forward to the days that she’s in office. Whether the kiddos need some extra snuggles to calm down, a pet to lift their spirits, a nonjudgmental ear to listen to their woes, or some help with literacy, Pepper is there to lend a paw.

'POP' into Action!

Pend Oreille Pedalers paving the way for cyclist enthusiasts of all ages

What began in the mid-2000s with the purpose of providing local cyclists fun and engaging opportunities in the way of social rides on area trails—such as Gold Hill, Mineral Point, and further afield around Priest Lake and in the wild mountains of the Idaho Panhandle—Pend Oreille Pedalers (POP) has evolved over the years to encompass so much more.

GET READY TO BE INSPIRED!

NIBCA Home & Garden Show comes to the fair grounds

It’s time to say goodbye to winter and hello spring, as the official start of spring is just around the corner. Though it might feel like winter for a few more weeks than we’d like, if you’re looking to get in the spring spirit, then make plans to attend the the North Idaho Home & Garden Show in Sandpoint, presented by the North Idaho Building Contractors Association (NIBCA).

A Beacon of HOPE

Sandpoint’s healing clinIc of compassion

Here in Sandpoint, nestled amidst the majestic mountains and sparkling lakes, a beacon of compassion and healing shines bright. Hope Health Clinic, an esteemed medical facility, stands as a testament to the power of hope and the unwavering commitment to providing quality health care to all. With a mission to serve the underserved, the clinic has become a sanctuary for the vulnerable, offering a lifeline of support and a renewed sense of possibility to those in need. Let us embark on a journey to discover the compassionate oasis that is Hope Health Clinic.

HARMONIOUS HAVEN Of Rhythmic Revelry

Experience Sandpoint’s 40th and finest music festival

Prepare to be serenaded, delighted and tickled by the musical extravaganza that is the Festival at Sandpoint! This highly anticipated annual event draws in music enthusiasts from far and wide, eager to soak in the harmonious melodies and unforgettable performances. Get ready to groove to the rhythm, because this year’s festival lineup is like a Pandora’s box of musical wonders, featuring legendary icons and rising stars that will leave you begging for an encore.

The Art of Functional Medicine

Sandpoint wellness center focuses on healing the body naturally

Melinda Adams made the conscious choice to turn heartbreak into healing. She and her husband Barrett welcomed their beautiful baby girl, Trinity Melinda Adams, to the world on February 13, 2002. Born with a rare heart condition, the hospital would be Trinity’s home for nearly two-and-a-half years and where she endured various procedures, including four open heart surgeries—she passed away after her final heart surgery in 2007. Trinity was laid to rest at just 5 ½ years old.

FROM STRIDES to Smiles

Running together for health, hope and happiness in Bonner County

In the heartland of Bonner County, the annual Find Your Strength Fun Run, organized by the Bonner General Health Foundation, stands as a beacon of health and hope. The foundation, which was revived in 2007, is in its second year of this extravaganza, and it has quickly become an integral part of the community, igniting a spark of inspiration and camaraderie among its participants. The Find Your Strength Fun Run is more than just a race; it embodies the spirit of unity and resilience that thrives in the picturesque corner of the world that is Bonner County.

Eclectic Performances take to the Stage at the Panida

Performing Arts Series returns September 27 for the 2023-2024 season

The Pend Oreille Arts Council is excited to announce their 2023-2024 Performing Arts Series season lineup, and it kicks off in September. The premiere of this year’s series happens Wednesday, September 27, with Utah’s Repertory Dance Theatre (RDT) taking the Panida stage. RDT dancers will captivate the audience as they showcase beauty, innovation and immense athleticism through their variety of dances filled with high-energy, humor and drama.

North Idaho Article Archive

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A Renaissance Man

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PAINT, BUFF, WAX, LOVE

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FROM FARM GATE TO DINNER PLATE

The award-winning Bonner County Fair provides fun for all.

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I GET BY WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS

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Making an impact on the local economy.

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