Sandpoint Magazine | Summer 2022

SUMMER 2022

INSIDE:

sandpoint

Visitor Guide Summer 2022

5 ways

Lake - to hit the -

... and 5 more of

EVERYTHING this summer

SURPRISE DONATION

New sports facility for Sandpoint

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COWBOYS CHEERLEADER Local dances onto field

UFOS IN NORTH IDAHO? It’s a History Mystery!

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Nothing Compares.

Nothing Compares.

www.WaterfrontAtCapeOfArt.com Hope, ID $4,800,000

www.HomeOverLakePendOreille.com Sagle, Idaho $3,495,000

www.HopeWaterfront.com Hope, ID $3,295,000

www.CapeOfArtLoop.com Hope, ID $2,675,000

www.GlengaryWaterfront.com Sagle, ID Starting at $1,975,000

www.RileyCreekParkDriveSandpoint.com Sandpoint, ID $1,490,000

www.WestShoreWayLot7.com Sandpoint, ID $1,649,000

www.AboveHopeEstates.com Hope, Idaho Starting at $950,000

www.HopeWaterviewProperties.com Hope, ID Starting at $ 239,000

Nothing Compares.

Nothing Compares.

5359 Gleason McAbee, Priest River

2 Story Stunner on approx. 850ft of River Front 3 beds | 2 baths | 2,432sf $1,800,000

33 Birch Banks Road

Custom, Timber Frame Home w/ Big Lake Access 6 beds | 5.5 baths | 7,384sf $3,500,000

37 Whiskey Jack

Classic Family Home Near Ponder Point 3 beds | 1 bath | 1,484sf $430,000

Ponderay Cottages

2 New Floorplans Now Available!

3 to 4 beds | 2.5 baths | 1621sf & 1727sf $599,000-$849,000

780 Selkirk Road

Large Shop House in Selle Valley 3 beds | 3.5 baths | 7,200sf $1,800,000

106 Jaclin Way, Sandpoint

Pride of Ownership and Craftsmanship on Display 3 beds | 6 baths | 8,178sf $7,250,000

Dedicated To The Extraordinary The Exceptional And The Unique.

500 Guthrie Place #1304, Dover Pristine and Serene Condo in Dover Bay 2 beds | 2 baths | 1,354sf $765,000

25, 31 and 71 Padre Drive

3 Individual Properties for 1 Great Price 1 House + 2 Duplexes $1,750,600

102 Euclid Avenue, Sandpoint

Fully Leased Historic Commercial Property 43,000sf | 3,700sf grand auditorium | .48 acres $6,750,000

Chris Chambers www.ExtraordinaryIdaho.com 208-290-2500 chris.chambers@sothebysrealty.com 200 Main, Sandpoint, Idaho

© MMVII Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Claude Monet’s “Marine View With a Sunset,” used with permission. Sotheby’s International Realty® is a licensed trademark to Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates, Inc. An Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity. Each Office Is Independently Owned And Operated, Except Offices Owned And Operated By NRT Incorporated. Sandpoint office: 208-263-5101, 200 Main Street, Sandpoint, ID 83864.

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LOCAL EXPERTS WITH GLOBAL REACH

Kent Anderson

Kelly Armstrong

Paul Bauman

Heather Bouse

Steve Carlson

Coral Edwards

Bobby G

Audra Gabica

Nathan Hester

Cindy Hunter

Stefane Johnston

Julie Parker

Shari Keelin

Jenna Miller

Jean Tillotson

Rachel Nordgaarden Ciara Normandeau

Bob Lesniewski

Karin Willroth

Cassandra Cayson Elizabeth Kitelinger

Lacey Shirah

Randy & Darla

Dave Wilson

Jeff Woodall

Serving North Idaho For Over 50 Years!

WATERFRONT | SCHWEITZER PROPERTIES | RANCHES | CONDOS | VACANT LAND

202 South First Ave Downtown Sandpoint 208-263-6802

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cbsandpoint.com

166 Village Ln #201A Schweitzer Mountain 208-265-1649

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Sandpoint's Finest

Villa Z Estate

Kaniksu Shores

Chadwick Place

Luxury Vacation Home Rentals Staying in the best homes has its benefits. We offer a wide selection of gorgeous properties including: private waterfront homes, ideal family reunion retreats, downtown condos, Schweitzer stays and more! Each home is fully appointed and exceptionally cleaned. Concierge services, boat & paddle board rentals too.

Call or book direct and save: www.StaySandpoint.com

Pet Friendly Homes

Seasons at Sandpoint

Kootenai Bay Lodge

www.StaySandpoint.com

208-263-1212

101 N. First Ave., Ste 2, Sandpoint

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“

FURNITURE

Custom Design Available

Always Something New. Always Something Different.

GALLERY

Over 100 Local Artisans

N O R T H W E S T H A N D M A D E . CO M | 208.255.1962

Over 25 years in Downtown Sandpoint • 308 N. First Avenue

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“Committed to Quality Craftsmanship”

“Our commitment to our customer is to provide exceptional quality and craftsmanship, an unmatched customer experience, the highest level of trust, while providing the best value.”

208-889-9196

209 N. 1st Ave North, Sandpoint, ID 83864

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Charlie Parrish 208-290-1501

Becky Freeland 208-290-5628

Charesse Moore 208-255-6060

Kathy Robinson 208-255-9690

Maddie Gill 208-597-3955

John Dibble 208-290-1101

Brian Jacobs 208-610-3188

Courtney Nova 208-290-7264

Chelsea Nova 208-304-8979

Ron Nova 208-304-2007

Danny Strauss 208-290-2946

Kris Kingsland 208-290-1509

Luke Webster 208-255-8597

Curt Hagan 208-290-7833

William Mitchell 206-390-2751

“Top producing Independent Real Estate firm for the past 37 years!”

www.Evergreen-Realty.com // www.SchweitzerMountain.com 321 North First Avenue, Sandpoint, ID Toll Free 800.829.6370 // Office 208.263.6370 // Fax 208.263.3959 Evergreen Realty is pleased to sponsor our local Habitat for Humanity

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features 10

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hickey farms

Harvest Festival grows into must-do fall event

james e. russell sports center Surprise donation provides for indoor courts in Sandpoint

holding on to history

The Mary Marge to return to Lake Pend Oreille

Making the call

Sports officials keep the games going

twenty years of support Organizations a big part of local education

just keep swimming

Cabinet Gorge Dam builds a “stairway” for bull trout

our citizen scientists

Abundant opportunities to make a scientific splash

Meet George eskridge

Dover’s new mayor and a man of many hats

I was there

Kennedy assassination and the Glen Canyon Dam protest

go native

Nonprofit supports local flora and fauna

rock creek alliance turns 25 A quarter century standing guard

A really big tree

400 years of history reside in the Humbird Hotel

main features 72 PHOTOS CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: ON THE PACK BY MARY FRANZEL; ENJOYING AN ICE CREAM BY CAMERON BARNES; VIEW FROM THE MICKINNICK TRAIL BY DON OTIS; AMBER LAICHE, COURTESY DALLAS COWBOYS CHEERLEADERS, AND BONNER COUNTY BIOBLITZ BY TRISH GANNON.

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SANDPOINT MAGAZINE

S U M M E R 2022, VOL. 33, NO. 2

no boat? no problem!

5 ways to get out on Lake Pend Oreille

5 hikes worth the drive Area hikes that you might not know about

Monday hikers turn 30 Local hikers still full of surprises

trailblazers

Local groups renovating and creating trails

On the cover:

Photographer Woods Wheatcroft captured Lizbeth Zimmerman getting a hatful of Lake Pend Oreille.

SandpointMagazine.com SANDPOINT M A G A Z I N E

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departments

contents

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almanac

27

calendar

30 interview: Amber Laiche 58 Pictured in History: The Power House 75

THE PUBLISHER MAPPING OUT HIS COURSE ON WEST FORK MOUNTAIN, A HIKE NOT TO MISS.

history mystery: UFos in Sandpoint?

102 Photo Essay: Backyard birds

PUBLISHER’S NOTE

It’s fitting that, as our Summer Sandpoint Magazine goes to press, I just happen to be writing this on Cinco de Mayo. That makes it the 5th day of the 5th month for an edition of the magazine that has an awful lot of 5s in it.

Why 5, you might wonder? There was, of course, careful analysis and contemplation devoted to crafting a magazine devoted to 5. It’s a notable number. In math, it’s the first so-called “safe” prime number. It’s important in multiple religions; Christ suffered the 5 Sacred Wounds on the cross, while the 5 Pillars of Islam set out the obligatory acts of worship for followers. There are 5 Olympic rings, 5 vowels, 5 lines in a limerick, 5 core values in numerology and the 5 senses of sight, sound, touch, smell, and taste.

Okay, truth is, our careful consideration started basically with the idea for a story about 5 great lake experiences. Then we tacked on one for 5 great hikes. Someone thought we should ask Amber, in our feature interview, to give her 5 favorite things about Sandpoint.

And pretty soon we had a whole lot of “5s.”

On the plus side, it’s a nice compact number. And you have to admit, it is kind of fun.

With that, read on and discover in this edition a lot of things about our town that you can count on one hand. And then get out there, for a most splendid Summer 2022.

- CB

128 marketwatch 131 natives and newcomers 137 Lodging directory 155 dining guide 160 Sandpoint of view

REAL ESTATE 106 A dream in wood

A timber-framed haven on Muskrat Lake

113 looking to buy or sell?

5 local Realtors (plus one) offer some advice

123 Growing pains

Hard choices lie ahead for managing growth

EATS & DRINKS 138 5 hot spots for a cool dessert

Local restaurants offer luscious choices for desserts

141 A slice of home

Pack River Store expands into Hope

144 A heart for eating healthy

Heart Bowls expands into former Ivano’s building

147 A Nibbler’s paradise on the mountain Schweitzer’s summer dining scene has never been better

149 An Evolving Success story Sweet Lou’s opens third location in Athol

Publisher Chris Bessler COO Jeff Lagges Editor Trish Gannon Events Editor Misty Grage Advertising Director Clint Nicholson Art Director Pamela Larson Design Team Robin Levy, Dan Seward Social Media Laura Walsh, Jenifer Caudle, Emmett Jones Office Manager Susan Otis IT Manager Ethan Roberts Sales Mitchell Fullerton

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Contributors: Ashley Aumick,Rachael Baker, Cameron Barnes, John Bonar, Bonner County History Museum, Hannah Combs, Sandy Compton, Rich Cower, Carol Curtis, Jason Duchow, Mose Dunkel, Jennifer Edwards, Patricia Ericsson, Dan Eskelson, Karen Forsythe, Mary Franzel, Beth Goodnight, Zach Hagadone, Beth Hawkins, Ernie Hawks, Cate Huisman, Patty Hutchens, Lyndsie KiebertCarey, Jennifer Lamont-Leo, Marianne Love, Doug Marshall, Emilie McGrath, Jim Mellen, Cory Murdock, Ben Olson, Annie Pflueger, Cameron Rasmusson, Leo Schmeltzer, Jacob Styer, Tom Trulock, Jason Welker, Woods Wheatcroft.

Sandpoint Magazine is published twice yearly, in May and November, by: Keokee Co. Publishing, Inc. 405 Church St., Sandpoint, ID 83864 208-263-3573 • www.keokee.com Printed in USA by Century Publishing, Post Falls, Idaho. ©2022 by Keokee Co. Publishing Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Subscriptions: $12 per year, payable in advance. Subscribe at www.

SandpointMagazine.com.

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7BTV is a proud supporter of Sandpoint Rotary’s CHAFE 150 Gran Fondo.

Join the ride on

JUNE 18, 2022 CHAFE 150 Gran Fondo is a one-day bike ride that supports our community. Proceeds benefit Lake Pend Oreille School District's Book Trust Program and other Rotary youth service projects. The ride enables all LPOSD first and second grade students to purchase books every month during the school year for reading at school and home.

Ride in Sandpoint’s premier biking event and make a difference in the life of a child.

Choose from 150, 100, 80, 40 and 25 mile routes. Learn more at www.CHAFE150.org.

Call us today to see how you can help!

7BTV 208-263-7288

105 S. 3rd Ave., Sandpoint, ID 83864

www.7BTV.net

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Almanac T U BIN G + Rafti ng

Floatin’ on the

pack river IT’S SUMMERTIME... AND THE LIVIN’ IS EASY

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5

Things

1 wear a lifejacket 2 paddles can be handy 3 Don’t park illegaly 4 don’t forget sunscreen 5 Tie kids’ rafts together 10

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el Davis’ first adventure on the Pack took place in the early ’90s. It was a high flood year and she was an inexperienced paddler, though traveling with three well-seasoned paddlers on that day. At one point, attempting to get over a submerged log, she disturbed a spider nest in a tree and baby spiders rained down over both her and her boat; when she got to a place where she could safely try to escape the spiders, fire ants began raining from the trees. “It was a blast!” she said, appreciating the adventure of it all, and she and her family have navigated the Pack every single year since, from the time her children were young enough to ride strapped to her chest up until now, when they are nearly grown. “It’s an important part of our summer,” she said. “Sometimes we go three or four times in the year.”

Davis prefers a kayak (she owns the one that used to be displayed at Eichardt’s years ago), and that’s the choice for most who navigate more than a short stretch of the river. But for the short stretches (from the bridge on Colburn Culver to the Pack River Store), you just can’t beat a lazy float in an inner tube.

“It’s hard to think of anything more relaxing,” said Misty Grage, who has enjoyed the Pack River for over two decades.

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ABOVE, CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: THE BEST DAY ON THE RIVER IS A DAY SPENT WITH FRIENDS. PHOTO BY MARY FRANZEL; FLOATING IS AN EASY ACTIVITY WITH KIDS. PHOTO BY MISTY GRAGE. THERE ARE SEVERAL SANDY BARS AVAILABLE ALONG THE ROUTE. PHOTO BY MARY FRANZEL.

There’s an unpredictable window of time for navigating the river (an even shorter window if you’re in a tube) that’s dependent on water levels; for the first-timer, your best bet is to go with someone more experienced or, failing that, to watch for when cars begin to gather and park. “If the water feels comfortable,” offered Davis, “you’re too late.” Those water levels, and the speed the water is moving, will also determine how long you’re on the water. The full trip can be made in ten hours when conditions are right; the short ‘tubing’ float can take six or seven hours if you’ve left it too late in the season and will require a lot of wading while hauling your tubes.

The length of time on the water also depends on how often you stop. There are sandy beaches, rocks to jump from (make sure the water is deep enough before you jump), and even rope swings along the way. Study a map beforehand, as “You want to make sure you respect private property,” said Davis.

It’s also important to take your trash out when you leave, as litterbugs have been a significant problem on the river.

Generally, river riders choose one of three sections (or a combination of sections): from Highway 95 to the bridge on Colburn Culver just northwest of Northside School; from that

bridge to the Pack River Store; and from the Pack River Store to Highway 200. At least two vehicles are needed; one parked where you put in, and one where you get out.

Mary Franzel manages to get out on the Pack at least once every summer and she warns, “the mosquitoes can be horrible!”

She also points out how easy it can be to tip yourself into the water. “I’m not always very coordinated, but I’ve managed to flip myself in just a few inches of water.” So note: bug repellent and a life jacket are good choices. “Don’t forget sunscreen,” added Grage, who came home burned from a ‘short’ tubing trip that took 7 hours due to low water. “And plenty of water to drink.”

Grage also said that if young kids are floating, have a rope in order to tow their floats; the kids likely won’t make the full trip without help. And those life jackets are crucial.

“A hot weekend can be really crowded,” offered Franzel, and that means be especially careful where you park. Last summer the sheriff’s office warned they would begin towing vehicles parked at the bridge on Colburn Culver as there were so many they were impeding traffic.

– Trish Gannon SandpointMagazine.com SANDPOINT M A G A Z I N E

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Come visit your local drug store for all your shopping needs in one place!

604 N Fifth Ave Sandpoint, ID 83864 (208) 263-1408 www.sandpointsuperdrug.com

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A SHORELINE PRESERVED

LAND PURCHASE EXTENDS PEND D’OREILLE BAY TRAIL

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vision of a shoreline connection for local communities came 100 feet closer to fruition on this past New Year’s Day. For years, the popular Pend d’Oreille Bay Trail came to an abrupt end at a gate across the route.

The opening of this gate—celebrated with a ceremonial ribbon cutting—became possible as the city of Ponderay completed purchase of the 100 feet of shore that lies beyond the gate.

In a landscape where most hikes head up steep mountainsides and require just as steep a descent to return, the Pend d’Oreille Bay Trail provides, instead, a relaxed alternative.

Mostly shaded and almost always enhanced by a breeze off the lake, it’s a pleasant respite on a hot summer day.

The 1.5 mile trail, whose trailhead is just north of City Beach at the end of Sandpoint Avenue, is what remains of a road the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built as part of work to stabilize the shoreline. Owned chiefly by the family of late photographer Ross Hall for decades, it was deemed “bum jungle” for hobos who would camp there, while walkers and cyclists would use it unofficially.

But the idea to make it an official public shoreline trail was in the works for years. With the formation of the Friends of the Pend d’Oreille Bay Trail in 2008, a dream coalesced to connect Sandpoint and Ponderay along their lakefronts. The group raised money and the cities of Ponderay and Sandpoint both contributed to its purchase in 2012.

The newly acquired 100 feet are particularly significant. The section connects the former end of the trail with the infamous Black Rock, a pile of toxic waste left behind by the Pend Oreille Smelting and Refining Company more than a century ago. That section, contaminated with lethal levels of lead and arsenic, remains closed for obvious reasons.

But the city of Ponderay has received a federal grant to clean up Black Rock and its contaminated environs further along the shore. That land is critical to Ponderay’s vision of its

future, which includes a railroad underpass from a city park to a newly nontoxic shoreline. Game cameras have shown whole families — kids, grandmas, dogs, parents with babes in strollers, bicyclists — clambering across the active railroad tracks to get to the lake on the far side. While visitors from Sandpoint look forward to easy access from their town, Ponderay residents can look forward to much safer trips to the beach, with town fathers and railroad personnel breathing a sigh of relief.

For the time being, however, another gate will remain at the end of the newly opened property, where Black Rock rears its ugly contaminated head. Cleanup should be completed by the summer of 2024. Eventually, the trail will continue all the way to a northern trailhead in Kootenai, fulfilling the vision of connection.

Meanwhile, the waterfront to the south has been gobbled up by expensive condos and closed to public use. The Friends’ work has created more than a connection — it has saved two miles of shoreline for everyone to enjoy in perpetuity. And that is truly visionary.

Learn more at www.pobtrail.org – Cate Huisman

ABOVE: THE TRAIL STRETCHES FROM THE SANDPOINT TRAILHEAD NORTH TO PONDERAY. INSET: SUSAN DRUMHELLER WIELDS THE SCISSORS TO FORMALLY OPEN THE GATE TO THE NEW PROPERTY.

SandpointMagazine.com SANDPOINT M A G A Z I N E

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Almanac

UCAN: A FITNESS CLUB FOR SPECIAL NEEDS

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PHOTOS TOP: EQUIPMENT AVAILABLE AT THE UCAN FITNESS CENTER. ABOVE: KELLI AND JACOB BULT WITH THEIR CHILDREN CALEB AND OWEN. COURTESY PHOTOS.

ince their son Caleb was born in 2015, Sandpoint residents Jacob and Kelli Bult have done a great deal to ensure he has a fulfilling life. Inspired by all they have witnessed, they are now on a journey to make a difference in the life of many who, like Caleb, have special needs.

Caleb was born 10 weeks premature. Due to a micro chromosome deletion, he has many physical and mental disabilities. For much of Caleb’s life, the Bults have spent countless hours meeting with therapists and doctors who provided several early intervention therapies.

“We quickly realized that there is not a lot of opportunity for special needs fitness in our community,” said Kelli. So, the couple set out to come up with a solution, not only for Caleb but for special needs people of any age.

In 2021, they formed a nonprofit organization called UCAN–Unique Center for Athletes of all Needs—and officially opened their center in January of this year. It’s a place where the special needs community can come and learn about functional fitness and nutrition. At UCAN, people of all ages can participate in group fitness classes, one-on-one fitness training, and receive an individual nutrition plan.

“We are also running adaptive PE classes for Sandpoint High School as well as adult classes and women’s classes for Panhandle Special Needs,” said Kelli.

UCAN provides specialized fitness equipment including an adaptive climbing wall, a wheelchair-accessible, arm-powered stationary bicycle, an adaptive harness for treadmills, a full support children’s swing, and more.

“Eventually, we see fitness events and Special Olympics of some sort in our future,” said Kelli. The center is located at 1007 W. Superior St. in Sandpoint.

Learn more at www.ucansandpoint.org – Patty Hutchens

Emergency • Family Practice • Performance Therapy

re entu Adv is out there.

Quality, compassionate care when you need it, is HERE.

We hope you won’t need us...

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(but we‘oull dbo)e h. ere if y

520 N. Third Avenue | Sandpoint, ID 83864

Proud to be your Hometown Hospital. www.BonnerGeneral.org

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fitness club for special needs + raising money for high tech

BGH LAUNCHES FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN

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magine having to learn to walk all over again. Now envision traveling over four hours to receive the therapy you require to achieve this goal. This is a dilemma many patients locally currently face. In fact, some choose to not make the trip at all and instead settle on whatever therapy they can receive nearby.

This summer, Bonner General Health Foundation is kicking off a campaign to fund an Exoskeleton for local patients: a state-of-the-art rehab technology that has transformed the lives of many who have lost the ability to walk whether through stroke, injury, multiple sclerosis, or cerebral palsy, just to name a few.

“There is one local gentleman who used the Exoskeleton with great success,” said Bonner General Health CEO Sheryl Rickard. “Unfortunately, the closest facility with this technology is in Wenatchee, Washington so the travel ultimately became too much for him and his family.”

The goal is to raise $200,000 to purchase the equipment for Bonner General Health. Some businesses have already stepped up and agreed to match funds up to $2,500, including Capstone CPAs and Trinity at City Beach. The foundation welcomes other businesses and individuals who want to be a title sponsor for this important fundraising opportunity.

The foundation plans for the Find Your Strength campaign to culminate with a race event in August, although details are still yet to be determined.

“Having this technology at Bonner General Health will not only benefit people in our community but those from throughout the Inland Northwest,” said the foundation’s Vice President Grant Simmons. “It’s going to put us on the map and change lives.”

Learn more by emailing molly.behrens@bonnergeneral.org or call 208-265-1005 – Patty Hutchens

BONNER GENERAL HEALTH FOUNDATION IS WORKING TO FUND A STATE-OF-THE-ART EXOSKELETON TO PROVIDE THERAPY FOR LOCAL PATIENTS. COURTESY PHOTO.

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SandpointMagazine.com SANDPOINT M A G A Z I N E

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CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: SQUIRRELS SEEM AS INTERESTED IN US AS WE ARE IN THEM. PHOTO BY MARIANNE LOVE. HANK THE SQUIRREL, WITH HIS FRIEND MOSE DUNKEL, WAS A LOCAL CELEBRITY. PHOTOS BY MOSE DUNKEL.

A NUTTY THING ABOUT SANDPOINT SQUIRRELS

O

They’re not from around here

nce there were only two varieties of tree squirrels in North Idaho. One is the northern flying squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus), a nocturnal critter seldom seen or heard. The other is the chattering red (or pine) squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus), which keeps busy tipping forest dwellers to the presence of anything that might be trying to eat them. But now there’s a third.

Early in the 1900s, eastern gray squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) were imported to Washington state, presumably for their sartorial splendor. They eventually invaded Boise, where, legend is, they were observed by one of Sandpoint’s leading matrons. She expressed her admiration to the publisher of the local paper. He had some captured, brought them to Sandpoint and released them into the grounds surrounding said matron’s home. The rest is history. Or squirrelstory.

It didn’t take long for those few to become many. Their progeny today inhabit Norway maples along Pine Street and Sixth Avenue, perch in every other kind of tree along every other street, and are occasionally crushed on the streets themselves.

They may be pretty, but they’re not so smart or fast as to avoid automobiles.

Some curse them. Some feed them. Some feed them in spite of great efforts not to. Cate Huisman notes that husband Dan Krabacker went to great lengths to keep squirrels out of his bird feeders, and squirrels went to great lengths to get in. “I don’t know why they bother,” she said. “The birds are so messy, there are tons of food on the ground anyway.”

Mose Dunkel once captured and raised a kit fallen off a roof he was working on. “Hank” became a legend in South Sandpoint, fearlessly visiting backyard gatherings in search of handouts, sometimes breaking up parties by his (or maybe her) insistence. Hank eventually disappeared, much to the distress of some and to the delight of others, depending.

Not content with their conquest of Sandpoint, these nonnative squirrels have been moving into surrounding territories.

They have been seen as far north as the Selle Valley and as far east as Clark Fork. And they’re not just in trees, yards, and parks. A certain downtown business owner said, “One is wreaking havoc in my attic or wall that I would love to move along.

Gently, you understand.”

– Sandy Compton SandpointMagazine.com SANDPOINT M A G A Z I N E

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Almanac

SHE’S GOT HISTORY IN THE BAG

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“Let’s Get Something Straight!”

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rs oo

For Personal A c

en t em ev hi

Anderson’s Autobody, Inc

Open i ng

TERRI FARMIN-COCHRAN WITH SOME OF HER HOME-SEWN CREATIONS. PHOTO BY MARIANNE LOVE.

t began with a pandemic-era brainstorming session around a campfire, when Terri Farmin-Cochran and her husband Mike hatched a new business. Advice from Bonners Ferry graphic designer Jason Steffen inspired the inclusion of Terri’s family heritage and her love for trees/mountains in their products.

The concept eventually evolved into Idaho Mountain Co. and its high-quality leather clutches and totes, adorned with classy, cowhide leather logos on the outside and a touch of rich Sandpoint history inside.

Farmin-Cochran, 57, a fifth-generation Sandpoint native, is downright giddy with the response after first introducing her home-sewn creations online last fall.

“People will come back multiple times to buy for family members after they have bought for themselves,” she said, “and now to see these beautiful totes being sold on First Avenue [at Out West Trading Co.] in Sandpoint brings a smile to my face.” Under the Sun, a Bonners Ferry boutique, also carries the totes.

The idea jelled quickly, thanks to advice from Steffen and her husband’s knowledge of leather. Mike’s experience provided a key component in the early development of the clutches and totes.

“He was actually the one who helped me design the pattern,” she said.

Each finished tote includes an attractive card with a brief story about Farmin-Cochran’s great-great grandparents, L.D. and Ella Mae Farmin, Great Northern Railway agents and influential Sandpoint pioneers.

Idaho Mountain Co. not only represents a dream-come-true for Farmin-Cochran, but also a dream job for the former educator.

Learn more at www.idahomountainco.com – Marianne Love

PSNI Panhandle Special Needs Inc.

“Providing Services to Adults with Disabilities since 1975” • • • • •

Employment Training Life Skills Training Adult Day Health Center Retail Greenhouse The Cottage Thrift Store

Complete Frame Body & Paint Repairs Car Rentals On Site

263-6443

www.aautobody.com

31466 Hwy 200 (Hwy 200 & Kootenai Cutoff) Ponderay, ID 18

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PanhandleSpecialNeeds.org

208 263-7022 1424 N. Boyer Ave.

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a bag with history + last year for jacey’s race

AN END TO JACEY’S RACE

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stage IV cancer diagnosis can be devastating, particularly when it's for a four-year-old child. That's what faced the family of Jacey Lawson two decades ago, and family, friends, and total strangers decided to do something to help: Jacey's Race was born. Believing such a good thing should continue, the Lawson family and friends have carried on the race since; this July 10 will mark their 20th — and final — year. This last race will be held at Sandpoint High School.

“Jacey's Race has benefited 55 children with more than 35 different life-threatening diagnoses,” said Lawson, who survived her diagnosis. “Around $250,000 has been distributed to families and various organizations that support children. And far more in love and hope has been shared,” she said. “We call it the magic of race day. (It) shows individual families in our community that they are loved and supported.” The race has been entirely run by volunteers throughout the years.

“It has been our great pleasure to share this event with our neighbors and friends in Bonner County and beyond,” said Jacey’s mother, Nanci Jenkins. “Our daughter is alive and well at 25 years old after surviving two primary cancer diagnoses with the love and support of the community. We are happy to have been able to share this love with other children in need.

“We are so grateful for the opportunity to serve families in this way,” Jenkins added. “It really does take a village to raise a child. Thank you Bonner County and beyond for being that village for our precious Jacey and all the other children we have benefitted over the years!"

Learn more at www.jaceysrace.com – Trish Gannon

JACEY WAS A YOUNGSTER WHEN HER MOM, NANCI JENKINS, PUT ON THE FIRST RACE IN 2002. COURTESY PHOTO.

Fresh Produce-Tasty EatsFine Arts and Crafts OverProduce-Tasty 80 Local Vendors Fresh EatsFresh Produce-Tasty EatsLive Fine Arts music and Crafts Fine80 Arts andVendors Crafts Over Local Over 80 Local Vendors Live music Live music

APRIL 30 UNTIL OCTOBER 15 FARMIN PARK IN DOWNTOWN APRIL 30SANDPOINT UNTIL OCTOBER 15 APRIL UNTIL 15 FARMIN30 PARK IN OCTOBER DOWNTOWN FARMIN PARK IN DOWNTOWN SATURDAYS 9AM-1PM SANDPOINT SANDPOINT WEDNESDAYS 3PM-530PM farmersmarketatsandpoint@gmail.com SATURDAYS 9AM-1PM SATURDAYS 3PM-530PM 9AM-1PM www.sandpointfarmersmarket.com WEDNESDAYS WEDNESDAYS 3PM-530PM SNAP gladly accepted! farmersmarketatsandpoint@gmail.com farmersmarketatsandpoint@gmail.com www.sandpointfarmersmarket.com www.sandpointfarmersmarket.com SNAP gladly accepted!

SNAP gladly accepted!

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I look forward to helping you nd your dream property in North Idaho

Carol Curtis, Associate Broker, GRI, PMN, ePro (208) 290-5947

ccurtis@sandpoint.com Century 21 RiverStone SandpointMagazine.com SANDPOINT M A G A Z I N E

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SAGLE TIK-TOK ARTIST REACHES MILLIONS

I

MARIAM MARKS’ CLEVERLY PAINTED FACE CAN TAKE ON A MYRIAD OF PERSONAS. COURTESY PHOTO.

t started as a way to pass time during COVID. Just two years later it has led to over 3 million followers, and contact from some very big names eager to secure her talent.

“I had downloaded the app for Tik-Tok,” explained Sagle resident Mariam Marks “and I came across a lot of videos for full-body face paintings. They were really cool,” she said, but as an artist who creates in various mediums, “I didn’t really want to do that.” Nonetheless she came up with an idea for a face-only painting of dancing dogs... and a star was born.

“No one’s ever going to recognize me in the grocery store,” she said, “but it’s a really unique way to be an influencer and yet retain my privacy.” As the mother of a new baby, she added, “It’s a great way to make income while I stay at home.”

Yes, income. Marks’ videos, generally only 15 seconds long, feature a gloriously painted face in action — that is, with lip-synch movements that add humor and vibrancy to the image. Brands began reaching out to her to be featured in her videos, and the money began trickling in, the trickle increasing as she branched out to other programs such as Instagram and Likee, a Chinese firm that hosts Tik-Tok-like videos.

YouTube reached out to her as well, and she began to earn a steady income. “It definitely pays for the groceries,” she said. Her one splurge was to invest in more professional lighting—an upgrade from the toilet-paper-draped lamp she began with.

While not yet ready to “quit her day job,” so to speak, making a living solely off her videos may soon be in reach. Projects currently under discussion will lead to an even larger presence for this stay-at-home mother and her quirky artistic talent.

You can follow “Mariam Marks” on Tik-Tok, Likee, Instagram, and YouTube.

– Trish Gannon

LIFE IS: WE'RE HERE TO HELP YOU THROUGH IT ALL Bonners Ferry 208.267.1718

PEDIATRICS FAMILY MEDICINE

Sandpoint VA 208.263.0450

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH

Sandpoint Pediatrics 208.265.2242

DENTAL

Priest River 208.448.2321

VA

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kchnorthidaho.org

Ponderay 208.265.6252

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tik-tok facepainter + meet the fur men

HE BRINGS THE ‘FUR MEN’ BACK TO LIFE

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ike Reeb’s fascination with the colorful and dramatic fur trading era of the Inland Northwest began almost a lifetime ago — when the 83-year-old was in high school and ran his own first trapline.

During a long career as a forester for the Idaho Department of Lands, a job that took him around much of the state, “I trapped every year,” he said.

“I’d take my annual leave and spend it trapping.”

After his retirement he began researching those first trappers and fur traders to come to the region in the early 1800s, sharing the homeland of the Inland Salish peoples. Unlike the waves of white settlers to come, the fur men lived off the land, moving with the season in native fashion and often taking wives in friendly tribes.

The lives of the fur men were fraught with danger and hardship — but also adventure and discovery, in a pristine land of great beauty.

Reeb’s research crystallized into his first book, “Inland Salish Journey: Fur trade to settlement,” published in 2015.

But he found there was more to tell. This May, his second book, “Upper Columbia Fur Men: The first arrivals onward,” was published by Keokee Books of Sandpoint. It contains more true tales of the trappers’ quest for furs and the risky enterprise that often resulted in deadly accidents and violent deaths for the trappers, as well as both harmony and conflicts with the indigenous peoples.

Ultimately, Reeb’s work reflects his more than a half a century’s enchantment with the fur men and their outsized era—one he hopes others will discover.

“It’s all pretty interesting,” said the understated Reeb. “Anyone who is interested in that time is going to like either of these books.”

Look for Reeb’s books at local bookstores or at www.keokeebooks.com – Chris Bessler Waterfront

MIKE REEB HAS TWO BOOKS, AVAILABLE LOCALLY, THAT LOOK AT THE LIVES OF THE FIRST TRAPPERS AND FUR TRADERS TO COME TO THE REGION.

Schweitzer Mountain Resort

Over double the size of any other lot currently available and with water frontage on Brown’s Inlet, this 1.84 acre lot is ready for your custom home.

Located in the beautiful resort community of Dover Bay, offering ample privacy and natural beauty, just three miles to downtown!

Here’s your opportunity for development, or just a great home on a large and private lot at one of the fastest emerging ski resort markets around. This 5 density lot sits on .55 acres with recent topo survey completed and front side Mountain Views!

Downtown Sandpoint

Acreage

Sagle Area

Kootenai Area

A nicely updated home on a wonderful mid-town street. This 3/2 home has cedar siding and mature landscaping—tons of curb appeal!

There’s an amazing covered patio, great for entertaining and a fenced yard. Inside you’ll find nice living spaces and lots of custom finishes!

A stunner of a northern Idaho property! Completely private 44 acres, surveyed and split into three lots. Great year-round access, two creeks, a sizeable pond, underground power, well and septic in!

A lovely and well-maintained 3/2 single level home on 2.36 acres with great year-round access.

Spacious and open floor plan with very comfortable living spaces.

There’s also a full and separate apartment above the spacious detached garage!

Located on a sun-filled corner lot, with several interior and exterior updates completed this spring, you’ll find a move-in ready, spacious, 2/1 home with views of Schweitzer and ample room for garage out back.

Alison Murphy, Associate Broker, GRI, Realtor

alisonmurphyidaho@gmail.com

208.290.456 7

m a e r d e h t e v a sIt not enoLuigvhe tiot. h

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Project 7B Planning for Rural Growth Interactive Storymap

PROJECT 7B MAKES INNOVATIVE USE OF ITS WEBSITE TO SIMPLIFY COMPLICATED PLANNING ISSUES, WITH USE OF VIDEOS, WEBINARS, AND A SCROLLABLE “STORY MAP” THAT ZEROS IN ON SPECIFIC ZONES IN BONNER COUNTY.

GROUP SUPPORTS CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT IN PLANNING FOR GROWTH

F

ive years ago, Bonner County changed how it made land-use decisions. The new process was more efficient, but left some citizens concerned: now the general public had fewer opportunities to learn what was planned for their communities.

The response was the founding of Project 7B, a nonpartisan venture that helps Bonner County residents comprehend land use in the county and how it can be changed.

“People think of land use planning as something that doesn’t affect them,” said Molly O’Reilly, one of the group’s founders.

“They don’t get involved until it’s in their back yard.” Then, she said, they often wish they had found out sooner.

Project 7B’s purpose is to inform the public about knotty land use issues. Its mission, carefully formulated by its board and stated on its website, is “to educate citizens about, encourage citizen involvement in, and convene constructive public dialogue around land use planning.” It is funded by private donations and grants and has one part-time staff person.

To get the word out about what’s happening Project 7B uses

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Facebook, where it publishes dates of and information about upcoming land use hearings and decisions. In addition to these notices, Project 7B has used innovative media approaches to bring a new understanding to land-use issues: The Story Map link on its Facebook page graphically illustrates how changes to land use designations can affect the county overall. And a lively slide show about the Whiskey Jack area unravels the complexities of minor land divisions, short plats, and subdivisions, so residents understand how a single piece of rural land can be split up into many smaller pieces without a public hearing.

The group’s work seems to be hitting home; Facebook shares of Project 7B’s posts have sometimes numbered in the thousands, and public hearings on county land-use issues this past winter have drawn some large crowds. With the county’s rapid population growth, the information the project provides may be just what residents need to decide where best to locate the new neighbors that will inevitably arrive.

Learn more at www.project7b.org – Cate Huisman

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NOTEWORTHY

PHOTOS: SEARCH AND RESCUE HOPES FOR NEW DRONE. SANDPOINT DISC GOLF GETS KUDOS. LAND DONATION PROVIDES KALISPEL PROTECTED CANOE ACCESS AS THEY ONCE HAD, AS SHOWN IN THIS VINTAGE PHOTO. COURTESY PHOTOS.

campaign FOR SEARCH DRONE begins

Disc Golf Course Gets Top Ranking

A fundraiser to purchase a $35,000 drone with night vision and thermal imaging for the Bonner County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue team was kicked off with a $5,000 donation from Dr. Ispirescu of the Idaho Pain Clinic. He was inspired to launch the fundraiser after the death this winter of Riley Hadeen, age 27, who disappeared on Schweitzer Mountain while skiing and was not found until the next day. Search and Rescue had to suspend search operations during the night due to inclement weather.

Sheriff Darryl Wheeler said a drone would be helpful in numerous situations faced by Search and Rescue. “A drone or UAS would be... much more readily available, as well as [being less likely] to risk the lives of crew members in poor weather conditions.”

Those interested in donating can write a check to Bonner County Search and Rescue and deliver it to the Bonner County Sheriff’s Office. All donations are tax deductible.

You’re probably aware that North Idaho is home to some beautiful golf courses, but what might surprise you is that it also hosts a number of disc golf courses including, as of this spring, the 8th best course in the entire world: Caliber Disc Golf in Sandpoint.

(As ranked by UDisc, the leading disc golf course directory and scorekeeping app.)

Located at 110 Caliber Dr. in Sandpoint, just north of Colburn Culver and off of Shepherds Lane, the wooded, mountain property opened in April 2019. Owner Paul Stiller is currently building a second, 18-hole course next door he hopes to be able to open to the public. You can learn more on its Facebook page, @CaliberDiscGolf.

A party WITH A HEART for art

A Valentine’s tea party led to a plan to increase available art offerings in Clark Fork to students after school hours. The

First in Fashion

Visit us downtown and pamper yourself with unique, carefully chosen apparel collections and accessories to complement you and your contemporary lifestyle.

326 North First Avenue, Sandpoint a 208.263.0712 www.EvesLeaves.com 24

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Seventh Day Adventist Church sponsored the get-together, designed to promote “A Better Clark Fork,” and the Music Conservatory of Sandpoint is raising funds for a satellite program to provide musical theater/drama and private lessons for those interested. Some scholarships will be available.

MUSEUM GUILD opens downtown

Bonner County History Museum has opened a new store downtown, just inside the north storefront of the historic Panida Theater. Stop in and check out all it has to offer. The Museum Guild is open Wednesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

LAND DONATION TO TRIBE FOR CANOE ACCESS The Idaho Club, owned by Valliant Idaho LLC, has donated a parcel of land in the Pack River Delta to the Kalispel tribe. The deal was put together with support from Kaniksu Land Trust,

WWW.ALPINESHOPSANDPOINT.COM

who were to be the initial recipients of the donation, in order to keep the land from any future development. KLT works to protect culturally significant lands, and was aware the tribe was looking to revive their canoe culture but was limited by lack of access.

William Haberman, managing member of Valiant Idaho, LLC, said, “What started as a collaboration with Kaniksu Land Trust resulted in what we believe will be a “best-case” scenario for the property and critical habitat in and around the Pack River Delta. We believe that this parcel is particularly significant from a conservation perspective due to its direct frontage on the Pack River Delta, natural vistas from the Pack River and Lake Pend Oreille and prominent location within the natural habitat of the delta. Given our desire to make an impactful donation that permanently benefits the area, we believe we could not have found a more qualified and motivated permanent steward for this critical habitat than the Kalispel Tribe.”

Downtown Sandpoint 213 Church St 208.263.5157

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EVENTS

summer 2022

calendar of

CHECK WWW.SANDPOINTONLINE.COM FOR AN UPDATED CALENDAR SOME PLANNED EVENTS WERE NOT FULLY SCHEDULED BY PRESS TIME. CHECK SANDPOINT ONLINE’S EVENTS CALENDAR (UPDATED WEEKLY) FOR THE MOST CURRENT INFORMATION.

June

4-5 Boulder Beach, Silverwood’s water park, open on weekends, and daily as of the 11th. 208-683-3400 or visit www.silverwoodthemepark.com 17 Schweitzer Opening Day. Summer season kicks off with village activities and scenic chairlifts. Come up for hiking, biking, and exploring! www.schweitzer.com 17 ArtWalk Opening Receptions. Pend Oreille Arts Council presents the 44th annual ArtWalk, with opening receptions from 5:00 p.m. to 8 p.m. at local galleries and retail locations throughout downtown Sandpoint. Maps will be available throughout downtown and online at www.artinsandpoint.org 18 CHAFE 150. Sandpoint Rotary hosts the annual 150-mile CHAFE bike ride through Montana and Idaho, along with an 80-mile option and Family Fun Ride.

Proceeds benefit the Lake Pend Oreille School District’s Literacy Initiative and after-school reading programs. www. chafe150.org 25-26 Race the Wolf. Ultra-marathon and trail race series: 52 km ultra-marathon, 26 km and 8km trail races. www. schweitzer.com 30 Summer Sampler is serving up samples from some of Sandpoint’s best restaurants in beautiful Farmin Park.

Live music and free entry. Food tickets sold at the door. Must be 21 or older to purchase alcohol, ID required. www.sandpointchamber.com. 208-263-2161

July

4 Fourth of July Celebration.

Sandpoint Lions host downtown parades in the morning, festivities at City Beach in the afternoon, and a fireworks display over Lake Pend Oreille at dusk. Also look for celebrations in Hope, Clark Fork, Priest River, and at Farragut.

7 Pairings in the Pines. Enjoy a progressive tasting event while strolling through Pine Street Woods. www.kaniksulandtrust.

org or call 208-263-9471 for information.

9 Beerfest. Sample local and regional brews and enjoy a festive beach party from noon to 5 p.m., sponsored by the Sandpoint Chamber. www.sandpointchamber.com. 208-263-2161 10 Jacey’s Race. This will be the last ever Jacey’s Race! 5k race for runners and walkers, 1k fun run for kids. Benefits local children with cancer or life-threatening illnesses. Starts at Sandpoint High School, 410 S. Division Ave, 8:30 a.m. www. jaceys-race.com. See story on page 19.

16 Sandpoint Pride Festival. PFLAG Sandpoint at the Granary Arts District, 513 Oak St., 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. Speakers, children’s crafts, vendor booths, and a drag show and dancing. www.sandpointpride.com 16-17 Northwest Wine Fest. Schweitzer hosts its two-day summer wine tasting event. Sample great wines from around the Pacific Northwest. www.schweitzer.com 28-31 Festival at Sandpoint Opening night features the Revivalists. Successive days bring Chris Janson with LOCASH; Mt. Joy; and Pink Martini featuring China Forbes. See page 29 for full concert information. www.festivalatsandpoint.com 30 Crazy Days. Downtown merchants offer big deals in annual sidewalk sale, sponsored by the Sandpoint Shopping District. www.downtownsandpoint.com

August

3-7 Festival at Sandpoint Week 2 features Kaleo; the Beach Boys; Gregory Alan Isakov and Shook Twins; Lindsey Stirling and the Grand Finale and wine tasting featuring the Spokane Symphony.

See page 29 for full concert information. www.festivalatsandpoint.com 5-6 Bonner County Rodeo. PRCA/WPRA rodeo at the Bonner County Fairgrounds, 4203 N. Boyer Rd. In conjunction with the PRCA event, there will also be women’s barrel racing sanctioned by the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association.

www.sandpointbonnercountyrodeo.com 6 Long Bridge Swim. 1.7 mile open water swim along Sandpoint’s Long Bridge, now in its 27th year. www.longbridgeswim.org 13 Priest River Sprints. Non-motorized watercraft races on the Priest River from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., hosted by the Pend Oreille Rowing and Paddling Association, in partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Priest River Recreation Area (Mudhole). www.porpa.org 13-14 50th Annual POAC Arts and Crafts Fair. Featuring artist booths, food vendors, and a youth art arena. Free admission; hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 13, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 14. www.artinsandpoint.org 17-20 Bonner County Fair. Oldfashioned country event at the Bonner County Fairgrounds, featuring the Challenge of Champions bull riding on Friday, and the Demolition Derby on Saturday night. www.BonnerCountyFair. com. 208-263-8414 20 16th Annual Wings Over Sandpoint Fly-in. Gates open at 8 a.m.; breakfast 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., and planes displayed 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sponsored by the Sandpoint EAA Chapter 1441. 208-255-9954.

22-23 Spokane to Sandpoint Relay.

Two day, 200-mile relay adventure begins at Green Bluff north of Spokane, and finishes on the beach of Lake Pend Oreille in Sandpoint. www.spokanetosandpoint.com

FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION AT CITY BEACH IN DOWNTOWN SANDPOINT. PHOTO BY CORY MURDOCK

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U BIN G + Rafti ng Almanac Tcalendar

September

2-5 Fall Fest. Four days of beer tasting and fun at Schweitzer. www.schweitzer. com 3-6 Artists’ Studio Tour. Self-guided driving tour of working studios through North Idaho 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. www.arttourdrive.org. 800-800-2106 3-4 Coaster Classic Car Show. Classic cars from across the Northwest converge on Silverwood Theme Park during Labor Day Weekend. www.silverwoodthemepark.com. 208-683-3400 9 Scenic Half. 13.1-mile Half Marathon and a 10K. Presented by Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce. www.scenichalf.com 10 Ponderay Neighbor Day. Familyfriendly community carnival, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Harbison Field (behind the Hoot Owl restaurant) in Ponderay. For more information, call 208-265-5468.

12-17 WaCanId Ride. Bicycle tour encircling the Selkirk Mountains of Washington, Canada and Idaho. The sixday event covers 370 miles/595 kilometers. www.wacanid.org Sept. 29-Oct. 29 Scarywood at Silverwood Theme Park in October, on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. www. scarywoodhaunt.com

October

1-2 Panhandle Preparedness Expo.

Bonner County Fairgrounds, 4203 N. Boyer Rd., hosts two days of preparedness, demonstrations, presentations, and vendors. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m Sunday. www.panhandleprep.org *DATES TO BE ANNOUNCED

32 RV SITES AVAILABLE

www.reserveamerica.com/explore/

*Crosstoberfest. Cyclocross race and beerfest sponsored by Syringa Cyclery, Hickey Farms and Pend Oreille Pedalers.

Races for all ages. Preregistration is encouraged. www.pendoreillepedalers. org/crosstoberfest *Harvest Fest. The Farmers’ Market closes the season with entertainment, food booths, activities, displays at Farmin Park. www.SandpointFarmersMarket.com.

208-597-3355.

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’22 lineup festival

the Revivalists

The Festival at Sandpoint’s 39th annual summer concert series at Memorial Field features an extra day of music under the stars! Gates are open at 6 p.m. (5:45 p.m. for early ticket holders, and 5 p.m. on the final night), and concerts begin at 7:30 p.m (7 p.m. for Pink Martini). Get tickets, maps and info online at www.FestivalatSandpoint.com.

Chris Janson

Thursday, July 28 - The revivalists

Chart-topping rock band the Revivalists kicks off the 2022 Festival season with hit songs like “All My Friends” and “Change.” Renowned for live firepower, soulful, alt-rock anthems, and a distinct mix of many of the classic styles of American music, the 8-piece ensemble of pedal steel guitar, unique two-drummer set up, horns, and more is led by front man David Shaw.

Friday, July 29 – Chris Janson with LOCASH mt. joy

Breakout country star Chris Janson is a high-octane entertainer, and will be joined by rowdy outliers LOCASH, a country music duo of singer-songwriters widely known for mixing backwoods pride with big-picture positivity, creating a signature sound that fuses modern country and classic heartland rock in an edgy, vocal blend.

Saturday, July 30 - Mt. joy

Pink martini

Mt. Joy channels bright, bold, and brilliant energy in their music. The Philadelphia group received acclaim for “Silver Lining,” which eclipsed 104 million Spotify streams and counting. The group explores a sonic spectrum of eloquent folk daydreams, blissful, guitar-propelled psychedelic rock, and artful alternative alchemy.

Sunday, july, 31 – Pink Martini /China Forbes

Pink Martini, with lead singer China Forbes, returns for the third time to the Festival stage as the biggest little orchestra around. The group crosses genres of classical, jazz, and old fashioned pop, and tours the world singing in 22 languages. Pink Martini was inducted into the Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame and into the Oregon Music Hall of Fame in 2014. kaleo

wednesday, Aug. 3 – kaleo

Icelandic Rock Band KALEO, known for their electrifying live performances, are bound to bring you to your feet! Led by frontman/songwriter JJ Julius Son, their 2016 breakthrough album, A/B, spawned three hit singles: the Grammy-nominated “No Good,” the gold-selling “All the Pretty Girls,” and the chart-topping, two-time platinum-certified “Way Down We Go,” used in over two dozen television shows. KALEO has proven to be a worldwide phenomenon.

thursday, Aug. 4 – the beach boys the beach boys

Catch a wave and sit at the top of the world with the Beach Boys, an iconic American band who will bring “Sixty Years of the Sound of Summer” to the shores of Sandpoint. The concert will be led by Mike Love with longtime member Bruce Johnson and others to continue the legacy of the iconic band. Brian Wilson, Al Jardine, and David Marks are not a part of the show.

friday, Aug. 5 - Gregory Isakov / Shook Twins gregory isakov + The shook twins

Horticulturist-turned-musician Gregory Alan Isakov has cast an impressive presence on the indie-rock and folk worlds with his five, full-length studio albums including “Evening Machines,” which was nominated for a Grammy for Best Folk Album. He will be joined on the stage by local powerhouse duo Shook Twins, who combine folk, Americana, cinematic instrumentation, and hummable melodies into an evening guaranteed to please.

saturday, Aug. 6 – Lindsey Stirling

lindsey stirling

Renowned violinist and performer Lindsey Stirling provides a ground-breaking vision of cinematic, violin-driven electronic music. Known for her mesmerizing stage presence, powerful performance, and incredible control, she draws fans from around the world. Her sophomore opus “Shatter Me” was #2 on the Billboard Top 200 and #1 on the Dance/Electronic Album Chart, and #1 on the Classical Album Chart as well.

sunday, Aug. 7 – Grand Finale, the Spokane Symphony

symphony finale

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The annual grand finale concert for the Festival season welcomes the Spokane Symphony, with conductor Morihiko Nakahara, includes a complimentary wine tasting, and a fireworks finish! The Symphony will evoke nature, through such work as Beethoven’s “Pastoral Symphony” and Bizet’s “Carmen,” plus the evocative music of Smetana which celebrates the Czech countryside. The wine tasting takes place from 5 to 7 p.m. Must be 21 to participate.

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Interview

am ber lai che

THIS PAGE: FOR AMBER LAICHE, THE ICONIC DALLAS COWBOYS CHEERLEADER UNIFORM REPRESENTS THE ACHIEVEMENT OF A LONGHELD DREAM. PHOTO DALLAS COWBOYS CHEERLEADERS. PHOTO PAGE 32: AMBER DANCED FOR THE SANDPOINT HIGH SCHOOL DANCE TEAM. PHOTO BY JASON DUCHOW.

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Prime time AMBER LAICHE JOINS DALLAS COWBOYS CHEERLEADERS

A

by Patty Hutchens

mber Laiche does not recall a time when she did not dance. It is her passion and something she has worked at her entire life. And it turns out that hard work has paid off. A graduate of the class of 2017 at Sandpoint High School, Amber was named to the Dallas Cowboys cheerleading team in July of last year after an intense process that winnowed nearly 700 applicants to just 36. The training camp tryouts were broadcast to a national audience on the Country Music Television show, “Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team.”

SM: What was your early life like?

Amber: I was born in Louisiana and lived there until I was 12 years old. My parents, my two older brothers, and I moved to Sandpoint the summer before I started eighth grade. It was really hard to leave Louisiana. The people at the dance studio there were like my family. We spent all our free time together. I was at the studio five days a week and traveled most weekends to competitions.

How old were you when you started to dance?

My parents enrolled me in dance just before I turned two years old. My mom had always danced, and I went to the studio with her often. I began dancing in competitions when I was about 4 or 5.

I have two older brothers who have always been in sports. I come from an athletic family, and they have all been very supportive of me over the years.

What other hobbies or sports were you involved in growing up?

but each time I came home from class, I danced all around the house. Needless to say, that did not last long.

Dancing has been my passion from early on. Although I’ve always received fairly good grades, there was a time in elementary school when my teacher told me I needed to focus on my grades more as I had the ability to improve them. I told her then that my priority was dance because I knew I was going to be a professional dancer when I grew up.

What was it like to move to a place without a large dance culture?

My parents (Dawnell and Darren) really encouraged me to try out for the Sandpoint Middle School dance team. I loved it and was okay with taking time off from the competition aspect of dancing. At the end of my eighth-grade year, I attended the Sandpoint High School dance show and was blown away. Cindy Smith was the coach then, but she retired the following year. I would have loved to have her as a coach. I made the decision then that I would make the dance team my main focus going forward.

My parents enrolled me in gymnastics when I was about 8, SandpointMagazine.com SANDPOINT M A G A Z I N E

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amber ber lai laiche che Interview am How was team dancing different from individual competition?

It played a large part in developing many of the values I hold today. I learned how to put the team before myself. I was captain my senior year and for the summer leading up to that, we weren’t sure if we would even have a coach. I felt the responsibility to keep the team motivated, and I had to make a lot of important decisions. I grew up and matured a lot during that time, and I knew then that I wanted to dance for the rest of my life.

Eager to pursue the dream of professional dance, Amber attended the University of Montana in Missoula where she majored in dance and was a member of the University of Montana dance team.

How did college lead you to the Dallas Cowboys?

College dance was amazing. It was a year-round sport because we danced at football, basketball, and volleyball games.

During my sophomore year, my coach was Megan Carcioppolo. She was a former Dallas Cowboys cheerleader and highly encouraged me. She witnessed my passion for dance and made me realize that my dream of being a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader was attainable.

How did you prepare for tryouts?

COVID-19 consumed my senior year of college. The dance team was only able to perform at two football games. While

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that was very unfortunate, it also offered me the opportunity to dedicate that year to training and preparing for my auditions.

I focused on workouts and changing my diet, studied the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders organization, and followed current and former DCC online.

I was really dedicated to my workouts and stretching, something that is extremely important in dance, and I also enrolled in virtual DCC preparation classes. One was led by Jennifer Amburn each Thursday and Saturday. It actually isn’t just focused on preparing for the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders auditions, but it is also for anyone who wants to pursue professional dance.

What was the tryout process?

It was an extremely long process that began in April of 2021.

During the first round, we sent in a short video of our dance skills (to showcase what we could) offer the team. I believe there were almost 700 women who submitted videos at that point.

Once I received confirmation that I made it to the second round, we were provided with dance choreography by the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders organization and were required to produce a video of that. We were given 48 hours to do it.

When did you learn you would be attending Training Camp?

I was two weeks out of college when I received the notice that I made the second-round cut and was heading to the DCC

training camp. I made a quick trip home from Missoula to Sandpoint to say goodbye to family and friends before flying to Dallas. It was a whirlwind.

What it was like in Dallas?

The organization put me up at the Gaylord Resort. I arrived two weeks before training camp began. I woke up early each day and traveled to a local gym. They provided us with over 20 routines we had to learn prior to training camp. So I had to put in a lot of work.

Back at the hotel I would continue to jump, kick, and work on perfecting all the dances. We had to have hair and makeup “game day ready” before arriving to practice. There were five other women staying at the same hotel so we carpooled to the stadium together and always showed up much earlier than when we had to be there.

What was the schedule for camp?

Because it’s a requirement of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders organization that all on the team be employed, the veterans showed up to training camp following a long day at work. Our sessions would go from 7 pm to 11 pm and sometimes even later.

I am so grateful I was not working during the camp and really admired those veterans who did.

We had Saturdays and Sundays off but most of us committed that time to practicing on our own.

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amber ber lai la iche che Interview Interview am Did you grow up being a football fan? Were you a Cowboys fan?

Growing up in Louisiana, we were all New Orleans Saints fans. But my dad told me shortly after (Saint’s former coach) Sean Payton left New Orleans, that if he became the coach of the Cowboys he would convert! My dad has put on a Dallas Cowboys shirt though, so that was a big step for him!

What did you find to be the most stressful part of training camp?

The most amazing, yet frightening, part of the whole selection process took place over the last two weeks of the competition. I realized then that each candidate there was an incredible dancer and extremely qualified. Any one of us could have been cut due to something minor like a memory mistake. At that point, even the tiny things made a huge difference. No one was safe, and you just had to pray that this year was your year.

What was it like to try out in front of a national TV audience?

Dance auditions have always been a natural for me. But honestly, knowing it was happening on national TV added an extra layer of hype and awareness.

When did you learn you made the team?

We found out on July 30, but because the season finale was not broadcast until November 19, I could only tell my family and a few close friends. The night of the final selection, my mom was back at the hotel waiting to hear. I Facetimed her and was crying so she really didn’t know if it was good news or bad.

Then I held up my uniform and told her, “I did it! I’m a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader!”

The other cheerleaders and I watched the final episode together. We cried and celebrated our accomplishments.

What were your days like once the season began?

We practiced Monday through Friday from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. with an occasional Friday off. Once I made the team, I began to work during the days at a local dance studio teaching kids from 3 to 18 years old. I love witnessing young dancers build confidence, memories, and friendships that will last a lifetime, the way dance has affected me.

What has been the biggest surprise, positive or negative, of being a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader?

Throughout tryouts and training camp, I was so focused on perfecting my routines I never realized the impact the cheerleaders have on the fans and the younger generation.

It really surprised me to see the amount of support we receive from everyone. Kids especially really look up to us. The fans have been the biggest blessing.

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5

Things Five things I enjoy about Sandpoint 1. Eating a breakfast burrito from Joel’s 2. Going boating on Lake Pend Oreille 3. Skiing at Schweitzer 4. Enjoying a cup of coffee from Rejavanate 5. A meal from the Secret Thai Cafe

by Amber laiche

What is the role of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders during the off season?

The team meets once a week for Technique Tuesday. It’s a time devoted to sharpen our skills and catch up with each other. But it is the responsibility of each of us as professional dancers to work out, stretch, and take care of our bodies during the off season.

We also do several appearances during the off season. There are one to two appearances each week which usually require two to four of us to attend. My first appearance was the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders alumni parade.

What do you think makes the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders one of the most recognized dance troops in the NFL? There is so much diversity among the team. We all come from different places and bring different aspects to contribute. I feel that is what makes the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders so iconic.

Do you plan to audition again?

Definitely! This is really a dream come true, and it’s amazing to know I’m going to be part of this sisterhood forever.

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Picking Ripe for the

HARVEST FESTIVAL BLOSSOMS

by Beth Hawkins

J

ust like seeds that grow into bountiful pumpkins, the Harvest Festival at Hickey Farms has been nurtured along the past 11 years to become one of the most anticipated events in North Idaho. Families from near and far, including school groups from across the Inland Northwest, flock to the 360acre working farm east of Sandpoint every October to soak up its festive country vibe — complete with corn maze, pumpkin patch, local vendors’ booths, children’s activities, live music, food, and more.

The autumn festival’s success has been a welcome surprise for the Hickey family, comprised of multiple generations. “When we started and came up with the idea to do it, the closest thing was Green Bluff,” said Dean Holt, referring to the popular agricultural area near Spokane, Washington. Holt helps manage public relations for the festival along with his wife Karrie, and is the grandson of Jack Hickey who moved his family to the farm in 1923. “We knew it was possible, and it’s grown way beyond what we originally planned. The SandpointMagazine.com SANDPOINT M A G A Z I N E

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features h ickey farms community has really supported us, and we can’t say enough.”

Along the way, many of the Hickey family members have pitched in to make the festival happen, from growing pumpkins and arranging vendors, to handling the day-to-day business matters of such a large production; it’s a family affair.

Dean’s twin brothers, Jeff Holt and Mark Holt, work every day on the farm, and also prep the event area, while uncle Jim Hickey works on the day-to-day farming and cattle side of the business, and dad Jim Holt does the books and helps with the labor, and more family members join in during the busy October season.

The farm has also hired a ‘jack-of-all-trades’ named Steve who works year-round, plus an additional 15 to 20 employees — mostly high school students — who are brought in to work the event.

One of the biggest behind-the-scenes projects that takes up an enormous amount of time is the corn maze. “It’s a lot of work, you prep all year,” Holt said.

They also grow delicious sweet corn sold fresh at the farm along with other edible produce. “Last year we planted 70 different varieties of pumpkins and squash.

We’re trying to grow more all the time.” Visitors to the festival can find a variety of local products for sale, including locally grown honey and artisan crafts.

Just like the famous quote goes — “If you build it, they will come” — the event venue keeps getting bigger and better. In June 2020, they built a 100-foot by 80-foot barn to house the vendors’ booths, bouncy house and slide, and birthday party rooms, constructed a large patio space for seating and live music, plus built a new parking area. It was just in time for the wave of visitors they had during COVID lockdowns, where stricter rules in Washington sent even more visitors into Idaho.

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PHOTO PAGE 37: PUMPKINS ARE A THEME AT HICKEY FARMS. THIS PAGE, LEFT AND BELOW: THERE ARE LOTS OF ITEMS TO PURCHASE IN THE FARM SHOP. CONSTRUCTED IN 2021, A NEW BARN AND PATIO ARE AVAILABLE FOR FARM VISITORS. COURTESY PHOTOS.

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features h ickey farms

“

We knew it was possible, and it’s grown way beyond what we originally planned. The community has really supported us, and we can’t say enough.

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PHOTOS, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: EXAMINING PUMPKINS AT HARVEST FEST. COURTESY PHOTO. BOUNCE HOUSES ARE UNDER COVER IN HICKEY FARMS’ NEW BARN. AVERY AUMICK ENJOYS THE HUGE SLIDE, THOUGH SISTER ALLY IS LESS SURE ABOUT THE RIDE. LAST TWO PHOTOS BY ASHLEY AUMICK.

An exciting part of the event’s growth is its attraction of school group tours, which visit Hickey Farms during the school weeks in October from as far away as Coeur d’Alene and even schools in Washington. “The kids see how things are grown on a real working farm,” Holt said. “They get to interact with the cattle. For a lot of them, it’s their first time seeing a cow in person.”

Last year, Hickey Farms hosted Crosstoberfest — a Pend Oreille Pedalers bike race event that’s held on the last day that the farm is open in October — and they have plans to do it again this year, as well. The farm is also open for birthday parties during the month; call for details at 208-290-1539.

2023 will be a special year for Hickey Farms as the family celebrates its centennial as a 100-year-old working farm. And at this pace, the future of this special place looks especially bright for another 100 years.

Learn more at www.HickeyFarmsIdaho.com

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a history-making

Gift to Sandpoint

JAMES E. RUSSELL SPORTS CENTER WILL FILL NEED FOR YEAR-ROUND COURT SPORTS

by Chris Bessler

I

t may just be the largest donation to a municipality in Idaho history — but that distinction aside, one thing’s for certain: the $7.5 million gift from the family of the late James “Jim” Russell will give an historic boost to yearround court sports in Sandpoint, with the construction of the James E. Russell Sports Center.

It’s a gift that follows from Russell’s heart for the hometown where he was born, reared, and played a variety of sports through high school before obtaining an engineering degree at the University of Idaho.

Russell died in 2019 at the age of 86 after a successful career helping build one of the nation’s largest science and engineering firms. When his wife, Virginia “Ginny” Russell, and son Jim were considering ways they might honor their husband and father, a need he had identified long ago came immediately to mind.

“It was Jim’s idea years ago,” said Ginny. “He would say, ‘I should build a tennis court.’ I bet for 20 years he would say that.

And he was an avid tennis player. So it was simple, when he passed, to do this as a memorial to him.”

But it was an idea that grew substantially as Ginny and son Jim weighed out an idea for a donation that might provide improvements for tennis courts, possibly at a city park. They reached out to City Administrator Jennifer Stapleton to explore how they might do that.

Early conversations focused on undertaking repairs at the aging courts at Travers Park. “The initial thought was basically to do

a resurface and possibly expand with pickleball,” said his son, Jim. But thanks to work the city had just recently accomplished to develop detailed master plans for its major parks, Stapleton was able to present a variety of options from resurfacing the existing courts, to making covered courts, to building a fully enclosed indoor sports center that the master plan ultimately envisions at Travers Park.

After careful appraisal with financial advisors to ensure that Ginny’s needs are fully met, the Russells decided they could commit the full $7.5 million to create something the city completely lacks at present: a four-season facility for court sports that can include tennis, pickleball, basketball, volleyball, and potentially even lacrosse or others. The new facility will include locker rooms and other amenities.

It will be a place where James Russell himself would no doubt have spent a lot of time. He was born here in 1933, one of six children of Alex and Mae Russell. He played basketball and football at Sandpoint High — the latter sport with future NFL Hall of Famer Jerry Kramer — and was an avid hunter and fisherman. One of his best friends, and a fellow Boy Scout, was the future best-selling outdoor humorist Patrick McManus.

Their hijinks as youngsters proved fruitful for McManus, who modeled his fictional buddy Retch Sweeney after Russell.

Russell met his future wife Ginny at a dance at the Oden Grange Hall, and three years later they married in 1956. Russell graduated that year and served in the Army at the Redstone Arsenal OrdSandpointMagazine.com SANDPOINT M A G A Z I N E

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features S ports Facili ty A Fine and Pleasant Remembrance Could it be one big gift begets another? While the Russell family was preparing to make its historic donation to the city, another couple proposed their own large donation that will ultimately provide a grand entrance to the new James E. Russell Sports Center.

Retired veterinarians Ann Hargis and Denny Liggitt have owned a home locally more than 40 years, and were also good friends of the late humor author and Sandpoint native Patrick McManus. They've commissioned Seattlearea sculptor Georgia Gerber — whose work includes the bronze pig at Pike Place Market — to create a pair of bronze sculptures that will animate some of the wildlife from the McManus books. Gerber's now at work crafting bronzes of a bear plus a cougar and cub.

With the lifelong friendship between Russell and McManus a guiding point for the sculptures' placement, plans call for the artwork to be installed in a courtyard at the new sports center.

-Chris Bessler

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PHOTO PAGE 43: CITY ADMINISTRATOR JENNIFER STAPLETON, DONORS JIM RUSSELL JR. AND GINNY RUSSELL, PLUS MAEVE NEVINS-LAVTAR AND JASON WILEY WITH THE CITY. PHOTO

BY CHRIS BESSLER. ABOVE: WHAT THE NEW SPORTS CENTER MIGHT LOOK LIKE. LEFT: JAMES RUSSELL WITH SON JIM AND JAMES’ WIFE GINNY. NEXT PAGE: JAMES RUSSELL. COURTESY PHOTOS.

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So you can spend more time

doing what you love nance Guided Missile School in Huntsville, Alabama, before a series of career steps that led him in 1972 to a small science and engineering firm, Science Applications International Corporation, as one of its first 110 employees. For more than 30 years as a senior vice president he helped the company grow to $6 billion in annual revenue. He later stepped into the role of consultant for SAIC and others, helping more than 100 innovative companies chart their growth.

Throughout his life Russell remained an avid athlete, playing tennis and golf, coaching youth basketball and baseball, and passing the love of sports on to his son.

Sadly, the Russells’ daughter Debi died in a car accident more than 30 years ago.

The family maintains a vacation home in Dover, where they visit annually without fail and also spend time with the senior Jim’s siblings who still live here, Ross, John, and Vivian; sister Bonnie lives in Tacoma, while the youngest, Dave, died years ago. “It was some piece of heaven to come out here,” younger Jim remembered fondly of vacations during his youth.

And what are his and his mom’s dreams for when the James E. Russell Sports Center is built and operating?

“I’d love to see families using it,” said Ginny. Added Jim: “The dream is literally just for it to be used. I would love to see tournaments held there and people coming from other places to participate. ...Dad really believed that sports contribute to the health and well-being of people, and that it teaches them things about life. He firmly believed that.”

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History Holding on to

RESTORATION BRINGS A BOAT BACK TO LIFE

by Ben Olson

I

t took about 65 years, but the Mary Marge is finally home.

The 26-foot wooden boat is the last of its kind on Lake Pend Oreille. Thanks to restoration efforts by Brian Scott, the boat has returned just feet from the spot where it was first built.

The Mary Marge was built by Herrick “Swede” Heitman, who purchased the marina at Glengary Bay in the mid 1940s.

“At first he had a little store and was selling gas, and he was going to build all these cabins,” said Marjorie Trulock, Swede’s daughter, who now runs the marina with her husband Tom. “But what he really wanted to do was build boats. The marina sort of supported his boat-building habit.”

Swede was a character straight out of Bonner County history.

“No, he wasn’t Swedish,” Marjorie smiled. “My dad had really straight blonde hair, so that may have been the reason they nicknamed him that. When he was a teenager, him and his friend Johnny Clemer found a barrel and wanted to know what was in it, so they stuck their heads in and lit a match.”

The barrel then exploded, causing both Clemer and Swede to lose all of their hair.

“Johnny’s never grew back, but my dad’s came back black and curly,” she said. “They still called him Swede though.”

The boat was commissioned by a local dentist named Mal-

colm “Mac” McKinnon, who was born in Sandpoint in 1900.

Mac graduated from Sandpoint High School in 1918, went to Oregon Dentist School and came back to Sandpoint in 1930 to open a practice. Mac commissioned Swede to build him a large boat that could make speedy transits across the lake while also handling the large waves with ease.

With a design known as a “Husky,” Swede got to work on the boat in 1948, finally launching it six years later. He had built a variety of smaller versions of this design, along with dozens of rowboats, small powerboats, and other crafts, but the Mary Marge would be Swede’s largest construction yet. Marjorie remembers christening the launch with a bottle of champagne when she was just six years old.

The original boat designer was Lindsay Lord, who was known for building fast boats for the mafia to use for bootlegging during prohibition.

“Later on he did a lot of stuff for the Navy during World War II,” said Scott. “The planing hull design was pretty advanced.”

“If you look at some of the older pictures of boats of the time, you’ll see the bow throwing a big wave and the stern never comes out of the water,” said Tom. “With the midship more aft, it was designed to come more out of the water. … It was a fast boat. The last time we rode in the thing, at idle it was going about 8 knots.”

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“

I think it’s important to just hold onto history, Sometimes that’s all we have left.

PREVIOUS PAGE: MARJORIE TRULOCK, LEFT, BRIAN SCOTT, CENTER, AND TOM TRULOCK, RIGHT, WITH THE MARY MARGE IN THE BACKGROUND. PHOTO BY BEN OLSON. ABOVE: THE MARY MARGE LAUNCHED ON SEPT. 6, 1954. BOTTOM: THEN OWNER MAC MCKINNON STANDS BY HIS BOAT. PHOTOS COURTESY JON BONAR.

The Mary Marge boasts twin 120 cubic inch Chrysler Crown engines in a V-drive configuration, a spacious stern to allow fishing room and an enclosed pilot house to keep the crew warm on colder days.

Jon Bonar, who is Mac’s grandson, said he has fond memories of the Mary Marge in its heyday.

“Some of my first memories are sitting on the back engine covers with my grandmother [Marge] and falling asleep to the hum of the engines,” Bonar said. “It was a very powerful boat. You could hear it coming.”

The McKinnons owned three of Swede’s boats in total; the Mary Marge, a rowboat, and a long, narrow motorboat that was double-sided like a canoe with a big engine hanging off the back.

Bonar said his grandparents kept a cabin near Glengary Bay, which is where he spent every summer growing up, going out on the boat and swimming in the lake.

Mac passed away in 1988, followed by Marge in 1991, leaving the fate of the Mary Marge in the hands of Bonar’s mother Mary.

“She really wanted me to take it over, but I was leaving town, moving to Boise,” Bonar said. “She said I could take it on for free, but I had to put $10,000 into it over the next two years.”

With golf school and college in his sights, Bonar decided not to take on the project, and the Mary Marge was sold to Jamie and John Black in 1994.

Having spent its entire life moored at Glengary Bay, the Mary Marge was trailered and relocated to the Portland, Oregon area, with Bonar claiming it had made a trip to Alaska and back at one point.

“It first went to Coeur d’Alene for restoration, and was in the water there for at least one boat show,” Tom said. “Then it was taken out of the water and taken to Portland, but wasn’t in the water very long over there.”

The aging vessel was now languishing in drydock on the West Coast, far from its home, its future uncertain.

Some years later, Marjorie recalls receiving a phone call from the owners.

“They said, ‘We don’t know what to do with this boat, do you want it?’” Marjorie said. “We talked it over and realized they were going to trash it if we didn’t take it.”

“I came home the next day and saw it floating in the water,” Tom said. “We threw a pump in it and it sucked up some water, but it was pretty dry in there. It had a great hull.”

Made of Alaskan yellow cedar on the inside, with double-planked strips laid diagonally for structural purposes, the Mary Marge has a mahogany outer hull with fabric between to keep the seal tight.

After a few years floating unattended in the docks, the Trulocks pulled the Mary Marge out of the water and stored it in a boathouse right next to the shore, where it lived the next dozen years of its life, slowly deteriorating. That’s when Brian Scott began dreaming of restoring it to its former glory.

“My father-in-law used to keep his boat here, so I probably first saw the Mary Marge 50 years ago,” Scott said.

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came along and scooped it up before he finalized the deal.

“I always said I wished I had the opportunity to do some restoration, and the Mary Marge was there,” Scott said. “That’s when Marjorie said, “Well, you can do this one.’”

Scott was intrigued by the idea.

“I’ve always looked at it and thought it was a cool boat,” Scott said. “Having known Swede and that he built it, that it was born right here, gave me some good feelings.”

The Trulocks said Scott could take the boat on for free, so long as he restored it and pulled it out of the boathouse afterward.

With that goal in mind, Scott began the long, arduous restoration process. He got underneath the hull and dug out caulking, shored up planks that needed tightening, and brought the hull back to its original state. After bottom painting, it looked just as new as when it rolled out of Swede’s shop more than 65 years ago. Scott plans to tackle the engines next, followed by the interior and top decks.

“The top deck, cockpit area, and exterior of the cabin will each be done in phases,” Scott said. “Then the interior. This boat has almost seven feet of standing head room inside. It has one of the coolest helms ever. Swede was a real craftsman. I heard stories that he’d work on a piece, take it off, work on it again, and put it back. He might do that numerous times until he got it right.”

Scott said working on the boat has been difficult, but it’s the best kind of work.

“I love it down here,” he said. “I love this place, and it’s been good therapy for me to work here, because my wife’s been sick.”

After restoration work has been completed, Scott said he plans to moor the Mary Marge right in the same bay where it lived for most of its early life.

“It’s going to stay here as long as I’m here,” he said. “It belongs here. When I finish, Marjorie is going to have to rechristen it, because I’m changing the name from the Mary Marge to The Swede.”

“Brian is the perfect person to do this restoration,” Marjorie said. “We want to see that boat brought back to life, otherwise we’d have put it on the burn pile. We’re thrilled it’s going to continue being here.”

Bonar is also pleased to see someone has taken on his grandparents’ boat to restore it to former glory.

“My mom passed away in 2014,” Bonar said. “I’d go out to our cabin there and walk down to the marina where Mary Marge was drydocked. It was tough seeing it. I regret not keeping it.

I’m very excited to see it used again. It brought back a lot of nostalgia. It got me thinking of some really cool times and I hope I can be there when they launch it.”

When the Mary Marge’s restoration is complete and the boat takes on its new life as The Swede, it will be the last functional boat built by the Swede still operating on Lake Pend Oreille.

“I think it’s important to just hold onto history,” Bonar said.

“Sometimes that’s all we have left.”

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Making the

call

SPORTS OFFICIALS KEEP THE GAMES GOING

by Lyndsie Kiebert-Carey

F

or many children raised in North Idaho, sports are an integral part of life. Programs in and outside of local schools provide opportunities for athletes to learn life skills, travel, have fun, and grow as people.

There are many figures who make sure that those sports seasons happen, from parents and administrators to coaches and bus drivers. Also important to the success of these seasons are the referees — fewer and fewer of whom are compelled to return to their chosen sport season after season.

According to statistics from Officially Human, an organization dedicated to promoting positive treatment of sports officials, 50 percent of refs interviewed across 15 states in 2020 were 55 or older. In addition, 45 percent of refs say there are less than six years left in their officiating career, and only 12 percent of active refs are under 34 years old.

All signs point to a mounting crisis for youth sports, including in North Idaho, where the North Idaho Officials Association, covering football, basketball, volleyball, softball, and soccer, is launching a campaign to recruit new blood. Among those eager to train new officials is Rayna Longstreet, who serves as District 1 volleyball commissioner for Idaho, and who also referees basketball.

“We need young people who are invested in contributing to high school athletics in some way,” Longstreet said, adding that reffing can often be a more manageable way to get involved than coaching. “You’re in control of your own schedule and training, and you have a responsibility to the game but it’s on a whole different level than being a coach.”

Studies suggest that a main driver for the lack of new officials is poor treatment from fans and coaches. According to Officially Human, 55 percent of refs rank verbal abuse as the number one reason that officials quit.

Bill Bopp, who reffed basketball in North Idaho for nearly four decades before his recent retirement, credited injuries rather than verbal abuse as the reason he hung up his whistle.

Still, he has noticed the increased negativity.

“There was always stuff coming from the peanut gallery.

When I started, the rule was ‘[have] thick skin, just ignore people.’ The things they yelled weren’t that personal. They were more directed to ‘three seconds’ or ‘traveling’ — that type of stuff,” Bopp said, noting that over the past 10 years of his career, the energy coming from the stands changed.

“The stuff they yelled was stuff where they really didn’t know what they were talking about, for one, and they got SandpointMagazine.com SANDPOINT M A G A Z I N E

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personal about it. The respect for coaches and officials is getting lost,” he added.

Despite this trend, some young officials are taking up this important role. Mike Martin, a 2008 graduate of Clark Fork High School and current varsity basketball coach at Kellogg High School, is among the ‘young’ blood in North Idaho officiating. He currently refs football, and officiated basketball for 10 years before taking up coaching. He was introduced to officiating as early as high school, but delved in further when he got to college.

“I never really planned on doing it once I graduated, but [it was] supplemental income — a little money in the pocket to stay connected to the game that I love,” Martin said.

More than the cash, Longstreet — the first woman to officiate a state basketball tournament in Idaho — said reffing can be personally enriching.

“The older I’ve gotten, I’ve realized that I have gained a ton as a human being from being an official,” she said, noting relationship building and traveling as some of those gains. “You also learn how to manage yourself — take charge when you need to, remain calm and look like you know what you’re doing even if you don’t. The benefits personally are huge. I’ve had lots of doors opened to me through officiating, also.”

Bopp, who is seen by many as a shining example of where empathy and hard work can get you as a referee, said he was fortunate to turn his love for basketball into a fulfilling career.

“I just constantly kept my head to the books, knowing the rules and understanding how to enforce the rules, too, and using the spirit of the rule and the spirit of the game and putting those together,” he said, adding that working his first official game — a JV matchup at Sandpoint High School in the ’80s — was “a wild high.”

“I knew after that first night that I was going to love this and I did,” Bopp said.

It will take a true team effort to keep youth sports alive in North Idaho. From fans to coaches to officials, it’s important to remember the central goal: giving kids a chance to play. It will also take some new refs willing to give officiating a shot.

“I just hope they want to do the best they can and enjoy it — enjoy every moment you’re out there,” Bopp said. “Put yourself in the coaches’ shoes and communicate with them. They’re human, too.”

Bopp’s love for the game and spirit of empathy persists, and has the potential to enrich the lives of many more community members who choose to pursue officiating local sports.

“Everybody likes to be a ref from the stands, but it can be a whole lot harder when you’re not in the stands watching and you’re the one actually doing it,” Martin said, adding later: “It makes you more appreciative of the people who do it, and it might be a hobby that you really enjoy and continue to do to help give back to the kids who are playing the game.”

To learn more about becoming a sports official, go to www. idhsaa.org/new-officials. The North Idaho Officials Association is on Facebook @NIOAstripezone.

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PHOTOS, PREVIOUS PAGE: MIKE MARTIN BEGAN OFFICIATING JUST OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL. THIS PAGE, TOP: RAYNA LONGSTREET OFFICIATES BOTH BASKETBALL AND VOLLEYBALL. ABOVE: BILLY BOPP JUST RETIRED FROM OFFICIATING AFTER ALMOST 40 YEARS — AND WANTS YOU TO TAKE HIS PLACE. ALL PHOTOS BY JASON DUCHOW.

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Twenty Years of

Educational

Support

ORGANIZATIONS PROVIDE EXPERIENCES THAT LIVE IN MEMORY

by Cameron Rasmusson

T

hey say a teacher’s job is never over — a new class of kids is only a year away.

Even so, there are certain milestones worth celebrating. And for two local educational institutions — Panhandle Alliance For Education and Forrest M. Bird Charter School — 2022 is a big one. Both organizations celebrate their 20th anniversary this year. That’s 20 years of students. Twenty years of programs. Twenty years of leveraging resources to ensure kids get the best local education possible.

Despite the shared goal of excellence in education, PAFE and the FBCS are two very different organizations serving very different purposes. PAFE is a nonproft that supports local teachers through its grant programs. Many of the special ini-

tiatives and projects that teachers introduce to their students aren’t funded through the budget, and that’s where PAFE steps in. Thanks to the average of $200,000 the nonprofit distributes annually, half earmarked for grants, teachers can receive grant funding for everything from special supplies to the field trips and events that students will never forget.

“We always listen to the educators on ways we can help as they are the experts in their field,” said Amy Longanecker, executive director of PAFE. “We take pride in this supportive role and look for ways to measure success and report back to our donors. We have seen some amazing grants through the years and are proud to have been a part of it all.”

FBCS, meanwhile, is a charter school designed for stuSandpointMagazine.com SANDPOINT M A G A Z I N E

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“

Our donors recognize the importance of education and see the needs of the district. They trust in PAFE as a good steward of their contributions. dents who may not fit perfectly into Lake Pend Oreille School District’s traditional public schools. The charter school places a higher emphasis on teacher-student relationships and community building. To that end, the school maintains an enrollment cap and smaller class sizes. According to some students, it’s also a better environment for those who find more educational benefit in creative expression or other non-traditional learning methods.

“I feel confident we’ll have another 20 years ahead of us,” said Mary Jensen, charter school administrator. “We’ve built up a consistency over that time that allows a family to really put their trust in us.”

“To me, it’s a validation that we’re in this community to stay, and that feels good,” added Jennifer Greve, FBCS principal.

Community is also central to Panhandle Alliance for Education’s success over two decades. Momentum is not an easy thing to maintain in nonprofit work — it takes a dedicated, involved team, strong leadership, and perhaps most importantly, broad support from local businesses and residents.

“We would not be celebrating 20 years of success without the willingness of like-minded community members and business leaders to serve as a board of directors; the partnerships and generosity of local businesses; and the consistent support from this amazing community,” said Longanecker. “Our donors recognize the importance of education and see the needs of the district.

They trust in PAFE as a good steward of their contributions.”

The brainchild of husband-and-wife founders Bill Berg and Mindy Cameron, PAFE’s priority in its earliest days was to create sustainability. Early on, PAFE enjoyed major support from women’s clothing retailer Coldwater Creek. When the local

business giant closed its doors, it was a real blow, but the same sustainability and community spirit kept the organization going through the most difficult of times.

“Organizations cannot grow and prosper on the work of well-intentioned board members and community volunteers,” Cameron said. “PAFE’s success is thanks to great staff and a diverse and committed board over two decades.”

“Without the steady support of the business community, PAFE would be just another struggling foundation," Berg added.

And the results are undeniable. In addition to the teacher grant programs, PAFE provides the READY! For Kindergarten workshops that teach at-home educational play prior to formal education. Likewise, early childhood literacy programs like the Born To Read partnership with Bonner General Health connect kids with books and other valuable literacy tools.

“Most importantly, these programs expose students to ideas and experiences they wouldn’t otherwise have — they build life skills like teaching resilience, collaboration, public speaking, and performance,” said Lisa Gerber of Big Leap Creative and PAFE’s communications team.

It’s undeniable that vivid experiences live in memory long after textbook lessons have faded. And that’s a lesson FBCS staffers have taken to heart, too. One of the signature elements of the charter high school’s final weeks, for instance, is the student-driven learning project, which sees students tackle a presentation based on their own passions and interests. The project selections are as diverse as the students themselves.

Some have designed robots, while others tackle drama or musical performances, and still others put together documentaries.

Likewise, generous supporters make all the difference.

Thanks to a donation from a community member, the charter middle school is in possession of two powerful telescopes. The donation prompted the students to brainstorm up an entire observatory. Student-led from its inception, the kids are spearheading the design and grant writing themselves, and they intend to be a part of the construction, too.

It’s a great example of how FBCS prides itself on flexibility and seizing the moment. That certainly came in handy during the challenging two years of COVID-19, according to administrators. It’s also why the school selected famous local inventor and aviator Dr. Forrest Bird as their namesake — to staff, he embodied a spirit of innovation, curiosity, and a lifelong passion for learning. The school was renamed in 2013 just a few years after another major milestone: the addition of the high school.

Both PAFE and FBCS officials agree that community support is the secret to their longevity. Through good and bad times, through victories and challenges, that support has always been unflagging. And as long as they have that wind in their sails, there’s no limit to what the future could hold.

“We live in a community of such talented people,” said Mitzy Vesecky, FBCS academic advisor. “What we want to do is bring that community involvement into the school. If we can do that, it enriches everyone.”

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Plugged In - Sandpoint gets lit PHOTO OF EQUIPMENT INSTALLATION COURTESY BONNER COUNTY HISTORY MUSEUM.

by Jennifer Lamont-Leo

C

rossing the Long Bridge into Sandpoint, or passing through on the byway, it’s hard to miss the imposing brick structure standing beside Sand Creek, a big-shouldered monument to the Industrial Age. Today it houses up-to-date commercial businesses and offices, but the Old Power House once lit the city as Sandpoint’s first significant source of electrical power.

The Sandpoint town council passed the first electric light ordinance in 1903. At that time the franchise was awarded to M. R. Rutherford, a former manager of Missoula Light & Power Company. Rutherford in turn made an agreement with the Humbird Lumber Company to furnish power until the first plant could be built, sensibly named Sandpoint Electric Company. An electrician named Irvine set to work wiring streetlamps and downtown businesses. “He expects to be reinforced by three or four other electricians within another week,” reported the Kootenai County Review in a hopeful tone, “and it is safe to predict that by July 1st electric lights will be one of the modern conveniences to be enjoyed by the people of Sandpoint.”

In the fast-growing city, demand soon outstripped capacity.

In 1909 the Pend d’Oreille Review announced that the Northern Idaho & Montana Power Company would soon be “juicing up” the city by erecting a power house near the site of the existing plant. The brick, concrete, and steel building ultimately cost $200,000 to build and powered Sandpoint and immediate surroundings. Outlying communities and farms continued without electricity until the Rural Electrification Act of 1936.

The Power House opened in 1910, with Earl Farmin as plant manager. To generate electricity, water from Sand Creek

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plus waste fuel from local sawmills powered a 500-kilowatt, 670-horsepower Allis-Chalmers engine. Thirteen-inch walls separated the engine and boiler rooms.

The plant proved costly to run, and its hours of operation shrank. Meanwhile, Sandpoint continued to expand. Eventually the plant’s capacity was limited to powering the hospital and downtown. By the 1940s, as more modern methods were introduced, the Power House remained idle except during power outages. When an outage occurred, volunteers from the community stoked the fires needed to run the plant.

By the 1950s, mainly used for storage, the building’s future looked dim. In 1958, after the smokestack and machinery had been removed, Fred Kennedy bought the building for $30,000, added boat slips on Sand Creek, and opened the Kenmore Marina. A few years later, Leo Hadley and Ted Farmin bought the business and ran Sandpoint Marina (complete with rooftop boat) for over three decades.

In 1995 Ralph Sletager purchased the building and transformed it into today’s modern office complex. When asked what inspired him to refurbish the aging structure, he said, “I like preserving historical things — old houses, railroad stations.

The Old Power House is really well built.” Location was another factor. “Sand Creek and Lake Pend Oreille distinguish Sandpoint from other mountain towns,” he said. “I’m pleased to see businesses revitalizing the waterfront.”

While the light and spacious exterior bears little resemblance to the industrial plant of yore, the building’s exterior remains largely unchanged. The Old Power House was awarded the Orchid Award from Preservation Idaho in 1990.

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Just keep

Swimming CABINET GORGE DAM FISHWAY LATEST IN BULL TROUT CONSERVATION TECHNOLOGY

by Lyndsie Kiebert-Carey

W

ith great hydropower comes great responsibility — or something like that.

This is the philosophy of Avista Utilities, which uses hydroelectricity as part of its work to provide more than 400,000 customers with power throughout the Inland Northwest.

One of the facilities providing that hydropower, Cabinet Gorge Dam, will soon have an operational fishway, furthering Avista’s mission to restore efficient and safe upstream passage for endangered native bull trout in the Clark Fork River system.

That’s where the responsibility component comes in.

“By having the dam in the river, impounding water and changing flows, we have impacts to all kinds of different natural resources, so we always have had a regulatory requirement to address those impacts,” said Nate Hall, Avista’s Clark Fork license manager.

“We’ve always had a philosophy, really, of environmental stewardship — not just meeting our regulatory requirements, but taking care of the resource,” Hall continued. “We recognize we’re utilizing a publicly-owned resource — in this case water — to produce electricity in a manner that provides reliable, safe, and cost-effective electricity for our customers, but by doing so, we have impacts, and we need to be sure to address those impacts.”

Cabinet Gorge Dam was built “extremely fast” between 1951 and 1952, Hall said, and is currently operated by Avista under a 45-year license signed in 1999 by 27 state, federal, tribal, and even some nongovernmental organizations, all invested in protecting the natural resources associated with operating the Cabinet Gorge and Noxon Rapids Dams. It is Hall’s job to oversee those license requirements, including the commitment to conserve native salmonids — chief among them, the threatened bull trout.

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“

Another huge aspect was, how best can we capture bull trout to move them above Cabinet Gorge Dam? (There really) hasn’t been any structure built specifically for bull trout passage.

“With the listing of bull trout as threatened [in 1998], the focus very much [moved to] bull trout, and recognizing that Cabinet Gorge Dam prevented the historic run of adult bull trout from Lake Pend Oreille into their spawning tributaries upstream in Montana,” Hall said.

As part of its relicensing in 1999, Avista agreed to spend $171 million on conserving native fish and enhancing their habitat, including fish passage efforts.

“With that shift in focus, we also ... really started working with all the partners” — like Idaho Fish and Game; Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and others — “to get a much better idea of, ‘What is the status of bull trout? If we’re able to pass bull trout, where would they go? What is their habitat like? What can we do to help improve that habitat?’” Hall said.

“Another huge aspect was, ‘How best can we capture bull trout to move them above Cabinet Gorge Dam?’” Hall said there really “hasn’t been any structure built specifically for bull trout passage.

“They’re a totally different type of fish and have different requirements,” he said.

As a result, Avista and its partners have found themselves “on the leading edge” of creating a system friendly to bull trout. It bears noting that Albeni Falls Dam is also currently in the process

of creating a fish passage for bull trout, centralizing the unique effort to Bonner County’s neck of the woods.

Avista has been using various fish passage methods around the Cabinet Gorge Dam since 2001, according to fisheries biologist Shana Bernall, including electrofishing at night, angling, and utilizing a fish ladder downstream from the dam, originally built for kokanee.

“Those techniques have been fairly successful, but we know for multiple reasons that we’re not capturing the total run of bull trout each year,” she said, “and in addition, electrofishing can be stressful on fish and we want to make sure that we can utilize the method … that will be hopefully less stressful, and with the fishway, more successful.”

The $25 million fishway, which saw its trial run in late March and should be operational from April to mid-October, acts as a fish’s one-way ticket to being lifted over the dam, then sorted and trucked to its genetically determined home.

It begins with a siphon in front of the dam that produces a flow that “attracts bull trout that are swimming up to the dam looking for a way to keep going upstream,” Hall said. Next, they swim into an entrance pool and then through a one-way, V-shaped gate, and into a holding pool. A hopper — or “big bucket,” as Hall described it — is then lifted out of the fishway and placed on a truck. The fish are driven to a handling facility where they are sorted, and native species — including westslope cutthroat trout and bull trout — are prioritized for transport.

In the case of bull trout specifically, fin clips are taken and sent to a lab for rapid testing to determine which of the 50 upstream tributaries that fish is headed to. Bull trout are also microchipped with that information once it is determined, making the process more efficient if the fish is ever caught and scanned at the fishway again.

Finally, those trout are driven to — or close to — their home tributary to spawn.

“The furthest upstream we’re releasing right now is St. Regis,” Bernall said, “and then the fish can, on its own, continue upstream to wherever it wants to travel.”

According to Hall, the fishway isn’t meant to simply send fish on their way, but is an effort to take extra steps toward improving our local fishery. “[We’re] not just getting them past the dam, but getting them to flourish in their spawning streams — making sure they have the habitat and things like that,” he said.

As Avista begins its new fishway operation, Hall said it is important to realize the collaborative work required to achieve the latest in bull trout understanding and fishway technology.

“There have been so many entities who have contributed to this,” he said. “It’s not just Avista by any means. It’s everyone, from various Native American tribes to state and federal agencies to nonprofit organizations.

“It is a huge effort and support,” he added.

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Our Citizen

scientists Area offers abundant opportunities for Citizen Supported Science VOLUNTEERS POWER A VARIETY OF LOCAL RESEARCH PROJECTS

by Patricia Ericsson

A

frizzy-haired man bends over his microscope under glaring fluorescent lights. A woman in a white lab coat carefully dips strips of litmus paper into a grid of test tubes. Too frequently our imaginations conjure up similarly outdated images of “scientists.” But another sort of scientist works in our mountains, lakes, rivers, and other habitats. Wearing fleece vests, hiking boots, or life jackets, they trek, paddle, photograph, measure, and participate in scientific research as citizen scientists.

Definitions of Citizen Science vary, but CS is scientific research conducted in whole or part by amateur or non-professional scientists. Enthusiasm for CS is often motivated by local priorities, so data collection becomes a venue for advancing mutual understanding between professional scientific and local communities.

Although citizen scientists have been around for hundreds of years, easy-to-use digital devices have caused a boom in the CS world. A popular CS app, iNaturalist, registered over 29 million observations in 2021 alone.

Even more impressive is the 122-year old Audubon Christmas Bird Count, held continuously since 1900. During that time participants have observed over 4.5 billion birds.

Sandpoint’s most recent Christmas Bird Count took place January 4. Coordinator Rich Del Carlo organizes count circles centering in Sandpoint and reaching out 14 miles. Small groups of participants, led by experienced birders, set up spotting scopes. Del Carlo said, “Looking through a spotting scope, especially for those with less experience, creates both interest and inspiration.” First-time participant Mary Toland agreed, saying “Waterfowl came to life before my eyes.” She added that the experience expanded her appreciation for birds and their habitat “far beyond my backyard feeder.”

All Bird Count information is shared with the national Audubon site. Recently, conservation ecologist Simon Butler reconstructed historical soundscapes using Bird Count data and recorded bird sounds. These reconstructed soundscapes allow researchers to track changes and, sadly, the degradation in SandpointMagazine.com SANDPOINT M A G A Z I N E

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c i t i z e n sci ent i st PHOTOS, PREVIOUS PAGE: GREY HENDERSON TAKES A WATER SAMPLE FOR LAKE PEND OREILLE WATERKEEPERS. COURTESY PHOTO. AT LEFT: MISTY GRAGE FOCUSES IN WITH THE INATURALIST APP DURING THIS SPRING’S BIOBLITZ. PHOTO BY TRISH GANNON.

PHOTO PREVIOUS PAGE: PRESTON ANDREWS SAMPLES WATER IN LAKE PEND OREILLE. PHOTO

BY PATRICIA ERICSSON. THIS PAGE, ABOVE: XXXX XXXXXX PARTICIPATED IN THE FIRST CITY NATURE CHALLENGE BIOBLITZ. PHOTO COURTESY XXX XXX.

bird-sound environments. In his ten years with the Bird Count, Del Carlo has noted a drop in the numbers of diving ducks observed.

For nine years, Sandpoint’s Lake Pend Oreille Waterkeeper’s Water Quality Monitoring Program has been conducted by a small brigade of citizen scientists coordinated by Associate Director Carolyn Knaack. The program provides data to regulatory agencies such as the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality so professional scientists in those agencies can track the health of local waterways.

This year, operation of the program will transfer to the Idaho Conservation League.

Once monthly between May and September, volunteers monitoring local water quality paddle or motor to 13 different sites on Lake Pend Oreille and the Pend Oreille River to collect samples. These citizen scientists attend a brief training session each spring to learn standardized collection techniques.

Preston Andrews, who collects samples on Morton Slough, loves seeing the changes in the slough throughout the sampling season. “There are osprey nests near the slough, so the spring sampling is accompanied by hungry chirping hatchlings. By September the osprey nests are silent and empty, but the slough is filled with the sounds of migrating waterfowl.” The program often needs back-up sampling teams as well as people to help with sampling equipment prep, so Knaack is always looking for additional volunteers.

Known as the “Super Bowl of bioblitzes,” City Nature Challenge is an international CS project that involves over 50,000 participants making over a million observations each year. Bonner County participated in the CNC for the first time in 2021, with 59 citizen scientists making 1,312 observations.

The CNC uses the iNaturalist app for uploading photo and sound observations of local plant and animal life. One

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area participant earned the coveted “research grade” for her observation of a moose eating shrubbery at the Ontario Street Lutheran Church. After noticing the moose, she drove home to grab her phone, hoping it would not move on. She sped back to the church and “toyed with the idea of getting out of the car and getting closer,” but her better judgment won over her enthusiasm. The photo was taken from the street.

The CNC inspired Tom Bokowy to explore a nature reserve he’d never visited, where he took photos and recorded bird sounds. He and his family also enjoyed the riddles the local CNC team posted on the whereabouts of their mascot Sassy the Sasquatch.

CNC observations have been used in hundreds of scientific publications. The most immediate importance of local CNC data is that new species can be found, rare or invasive species can be documented, and local organizations can use the data in decision-making.

These featured CS projects are not the only ones in the Sandpoint area. One of vital importance to forest well-being is the Western Red Cedar Dieback project which is housed on the Forest Health Watch website. It tracks dieback of this iconic PNW species. Besides the local Waterkeeper project, IDAH2O Master Water Stewards trains citizen scientists to understand and monitor water quality in local streams of Idaho and northeast Washington.

The Panhandle chapter of Trout Unlimited has helped the USDA monitor water temperatures in Priest River. The Friends of Scotchman Peak supported the Idaho Fish and Game’s carnivore research, and other citizen scientists assisted the IDFG in its Bears to Bees Climate Adaptation project.

Whether it’s hiking to count birds, paddling to sample water, or walking a trail to photograph flora and fauna, all CS projects have one vital element in common: volunteers. Even if the time available is limited, there’s likely a CS project to fit most every interest.

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Meet

george Eskridge DOVER’S NEW MAYOR AND A MAN OF MANY HATS

by Patty Hutchens

A

s a businessman, U.S. Navy veteran, state legislator, and mayor, George Eskridge has had a full life, and the people of North Idaho have voted repeatedly to have a man with his passion involved in the political scene.

Eskridge was born in Bonners Ferry on January 1, 1943, the first baby born that year at the local hospital. His father passed away shortly before George was born so his mother moved the family to Dover, where they lived with her parents.

“She remarried and moved to the East Coast, but my grandfather was so attached to me that he would not let me go,”

said Eskridge, who lived the rest of his childhood in Dover, a childhood filled with memories of playing marbles in the street after school and playing basketball and touch football late into the evening.

Shortly after graduating from Sandpoint High School he joined the U.S. Navy. “My duty was extended due to the Vietnam War,” said Eskridge, whose squadron was assigned to the carrier, U.S.S. Midway, which is now a museum in San Diego, California.

A year prior to his discharge in 1966 he married Sandpoint native Jenise Stilwell; the pair have been together now 57 years.

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With a degree in business administration, Eskridge worked for Anaconda Building Materials in Montana. The couple later moved to Washington, D.C. where he worked for the Rural Electrification Association. He left his position there to work for Bonneville Power Administration, a job that took him to Spokane, Kalispell, Missoula, and ultimately Boise.

While in Boise, Eskridge worked closely with the state legislature, particularly State

Representative Jim Stoicheff. Eskridge retired from Bonneville Power in 1998, and when Stoicheff passed away Eskridge, now living in Dover, ran for the available seat in 2000 and prevailed. He served in Idaho's legislature from 2000 to 2014.

He believes one of his greatest accomplishments while serving in the state legislature was his work on building ties between the region and Canada. “I was appointed to represent the House in the Pacific Northwest Economic Region,

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which is comprised of state legislators from Montana, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, and Alaska, along with members of parliament from British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, the Yukon, and Northwest Territory. The goal of PNWER was to work on border issues between Canada and the U.S.” In that role, Eskridge said he gained much respect for both countries. “In Canada, the individual provinces have more independence than the states do in the U.S., and the politicians can only run for a set period of time leading up to an election and can only raise a certain amount of money.”

Eskridge was also instrumental in supporting the Sandpoint Byway and developing a Veteran’s Recognition fund to assist in building another veterans’ home in North Idaho. He is also extremely proud of the way he and then-state Senator Shawn Keough, and his fellow legislator in the House at the time, Eric Anderson, worked together to accomplish goals for North Idaho. By speaking with one voice, they amplified the concerns of their northern Idaho constituents.

But Idaho's conservatism was taking a hard right turn and, in 2014, Eskridge was defeated in the Republican primary

by Sage Dixon. He was ready to fully enjoy retirement. He and his wife built a home on the same property Eskridge grew up on, having inherited it when his aunt passed away. They traveled to places such as the East Coast and Canada until his wife became ill. She now lives in an assisted living facility in Coeur d’Alene; Eskridge makes several trips each week to visit her when COVID restrictions allow.

With a passion both for his adopted home of Dover and for the political process, Eskridge announced his candidacy to serve as mayor of the small village just east of Sandpoint in 2021.

“No one was showing any interest in running,” Eskridge said. He, along with his dog Charlie, who is known to many Dover residents, knocked on many doors — a practice he followed throughout his

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PHOTO, P. 67 - GEORGE ESKRIDGE OUTSIDE OF DOVER CITY HALL. PHOTO

BY CHRIS BESSLER. CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: ESKRIDGE WORKED WELL WITH THEN-GOVERNOR BUTCH OTTER; ESKRIDGE BESIDE A U.S. NAVY A3D DOUGLAS SKYWARRIOR, THE TYPE HIS SQUADRON FLEW IN WWII. ESKRIDGE DRIVES HIS CLASSIC MUSTANG IN THE 4TH OF JULY PARADE FOR THE AMERICAN LEGION. ALL COURTESY PHOTOS.

legislative campaigns as well — and took time to listen to the citizens’ concerns. He was elected with over 70 percent of the vote.

“The biggest challenge for Dover is resolving issues between the city of Dover and the Dover Bay Property Owners Association,” said Eskridge, who adds that with a few lawsuits pending, disputes have the potential of being divisive and expensive.

“Politics has become more complex with the influx of people who have different ideas of what government should or should not be doing,” Eskridge said about the changes he has witnessed over the years.

That being said, he is positive about the future. “Before, Dover was dying. Now we have new life. I’m enthused by seeing a number of young families moving into the area.”

Eskridge believes in preserving and protecting our greatest asset, Lake Pend Oreille, and preserving all that is special to Dover and Sandpoint. “We offer a great place to live and to be free of the worries that face bigger cities,” he said.

The Eskridges raised two sons: Perry, an attorney for a real es-

“

We offer a great place to live and to be free of the worries that face bigger cities. tate association in Bellingham, Washington, and Jim, who works for Sandpoint’s Aspire Institute and lives in the Spokane Valley.

Eskridge enjoys visits from his grandchildren and seeing them enjoy all the wonderful things about Dover that he did as a child: swimming in the river and enjoying the carefree lifestyle that rural living provides.

“They are making memories,” he said with a smile.

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‘i was there’ As told to Patty Hutchens Sue Vogelsinger – The John F. Kennedy Assassination When Sagle resident Sue Vogelsinger was just 24 years old, her boss was known to the world and hers was a high-profile position.

Vogelsinger was a staff member of President John F. Kennedy's Office of the White House Press Secretary. She worked with Pierre Salinger, who described their role as directing the flow of news to tens of thousands of newspapers, magazines, television, and radio stations around the world. On November 22, 1963, Vogelsinger was on board Air Force One in President Kennedy’s cabin preparing for their next stop after Dallas, Texas. The world changed in an instant that day with the assassination of President Kennedy.

My colleague, Chris Camp, and I were in President Kennedy’s office on Air Force One updating press materials for the last stop, the Lyndon B. Johnson ranch outside of Austin. Suddenly a steward came running through the plane and told us to get ready to go. We were leaving. The President had been shot. We turned on the television on Air Force One and that is when we learned that President Kennedy had died. From that point on, much is a blur.

No one asked Chris and me to leave, but we knew we had to make room on Air Force One for Vice President Lyndon Johnson’s team and many of President Kennedy’s staff to travel back to Washington, D.C. I was on the tarmac when President Kennedy’s body arrived back at Love Field. We stayed behind and then boarded Air Force Two along with reporters, the Texas delegation, and off-duty Secret Service agents. The atmosphere on the plane was very grim. Some members of the Texas Congressional

SUE VOGELSING ER WITH WASH INGTON D.C. NEWS LEGEND PIERRE SALINGE R. COURTESY PHOTO.

delegation were quite vocal about their pleasure at the way the day ended. It became very tense to the point that the Secret Service agents sat with Chris and me to shield us from what was happening. We were in a state of shock.

We arrived back in Washington, D.C. around 2 a.m. the following morning and the rest of the week was nonstop, with only a few hours off to go home and change clothes. Our staff had to oversee the press that came in from all over the world, informing them of what would be covered and open to the press and what would be private.

I was very lucky to spend a lot of time in the presence of JFK. As is well known, he was smart, funny, and of course, good looking. He had the ability to make you think you could do anything. I, for one, was frequently amazed at some of the things I was able to accomplish during those wonderful days.

While President Johnson chose to keep our staff on, many of us felt we could not be effective for him as many of our hearts were not in it. I left the White House the following April to assist Pierre Salinger in his campaign to be a senator from California.

I also worked for Robert Kennedy at the time of his assassination and later worked for Ted Kennedy, as well as George and Eleanor McGovern, Jimmy Carter, and Hillary Clinton. Our last event in Washington, D.C. was a New Year's Eve party in December 1999 at the White House. We then moved to Sandpoint to be closer to our kids and grandchildren.

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PHOTO, NEXT PAGE, TOP: ELLEN WEISSMAN AND A FRIEND AT THE TIME OF THE GLEN CANYON DAM PROTEST. COURTESY PHOTO.

Ellen Weissman – The Glen Canyon Dam “Earth First” Protest The Glen Canyon Dam in Arizona has been surrounded by controversy since it was built in 1963. In 1981, a protest against the dam was led by Edward Abbey, an American author and environmental activist, and a radical environmental group Earth First!

Sandpoint resident Ellen Weissman attended the famous protest.

I lived in Maine before moving to Flagstaff, Arizona in December of 1980. While in Maine, I was involved in anti-nuclear issues. Since first studying environmental issues in both high school and college, I believed in the capacity for solar and wind power to provide the majority of our nation’s needs.

When I moved to Arizona, I learned about the Glen Canyon Dam and that introduced me to the environmental issues of the Southwest.

The history of the Glen Canyon Dam goes back to April 11, 1956,

when the Colorado River Storage Project authorized the building of Glen Canyon Dam. Seven years and three hundred million dollars later, a dam 710 feet high was built. In 1963, Glen Canyon was closed and Lake Powell, the nation's second largest artificial lake, was created. At that time, I was growing up on the East Coast.

The protest led by Edward Abbey took place in March of 1981, just three months after I moved to Flagstaff. It took us about two and a half hours to drive. We stayed there for about two hours and listened to Edward Abbey's speech as well as a couple of others who spoke. The portion of the day sponsored

by Earth First! lasted about 45 minutes.

The protesters unfurled a sheet of plastic along the dam which was made to look like the dam was cracked. It was incredibly realistic. It rolled down the side of the dam and looked just like a crack would look. That, as well as Ed Abbey’s speech, was compelling.

It was a peaceful protest with park rangers and dam per-

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sonnel on hand in case of conflict, but nothing happened. There were about 50 to 75 of us in attendance, and we were stretched out along the side of the dam.

About 10 to 15 of those folks were the ones who put on the event and demonstrated the "crack."

There is currently a lot of discussion about taking down the dam. The water level of Lake Powell has dropped considerably, and if it keeps dropping at the rate it is now, at some point there won't be enough water to make the turbines run to produce the electricity. It is located in an area that could easily be turned into solar and wind farms.

I would love to see the Glen Canyon Dam taken down; however, there are other considerations besides electricity, such as the water levels affecting vegetation.

Also, one must take into consideration the recreation aspects, such as boating and river running, on the Colorado River and in the Grand Canyon. Area towns would be affected as well as the farmers and agricultural industry and cities downstream. It's a complicated issue.

Were you, or someone you know, a witness to history in the making? We’d love to hear your story. Email us at editor@keokee.com SandpointMagazine.com SANDPOINT M A G A Z I N E

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ARE

Real?

UFOS

MAYBE THERE’S A MORE IMPORTANT QUESTION…

by Hannah Combs

Y

our family is nestled into the living room, sleepily UFO sightings in Bonner County have been described as chatting after a full day of hiking, playing on the lake, “impressive,” “bizarre,” “electric.” From 1973 to 1982, there was and a big dinner. Inside, it’s warm and cozy, but for an “ongoing saga” of UFO sightings reported to the Bonner some inexplicable reason, you are drawn outside to County Daily Bee. Most involved red and green lights, and Ocpeer up into the dark night sky. As your eyes adjust to the dark, tober seemed to be an auspicious time for sightings. Some were you grow quiet and absorb more and more of the universe above corroborated by people living in different parts of the county; you. Suddenly, you notice bright lights some were individual encounters. The out of sync with the space around sheriff’s office at one point seems to them, perhaps moving slowly, perhaps have grown weary fielding calls about so fast that you think you imagined UFOs. it. Maybe fast, slow, fast, tapping like Then, ironically, in 1982, Bonner Morse code. The red and green light is County Sherriff’s Deputy Chip Roos not filmy streams of Aurora Borealis, sighted lights in the sky that “were huge – Brought to you by the Bonner County Museum – but a sharp, insistent glow. and they dwindled to nothing.” After SandpointMagazine.com SANDPOINT M A G A Z I N E

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PAGE 75 ILLUSTRATION BY DAN SEWARD. IMAGES ABOVE: LOCALS WHO HAVE SEEN UFOS, LIKE MRS. VALISON AND DALE SNIPES (AS RELATED IN THE BONNER COUNTY DAILY BEE) GOT A BOOST IN 2021 WHEN THE U.S. GOVERNMENT ADMITTED, FOR THE FIRST TIME, THAT THERE ARE OBJECTS IN THE SKY THEY ARE UNABLE TO IDENTIFY; UNIDENTIFIED AERIAL PHENOMENA, OR UAPS, IS THEIR PREFERRED WORD CHOICE.

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the sighting, he used a compass and protractor to calculate the object’s speed through the air: approximately 1,950 miles per hour. He said, “My whole job and everything I do depends on logic, and there’s not a whole lot of logic you can apply to that…

I could have gone all week without seeing that.”

Roos’ experience illustrates the core struggle we as humans seem to have with UFOs. How do we handle something we have seen with our own eyes, when it contradicts or mystifies what we rationally know about our world? How do we have empathy for people when their experiences don’t make sense to us?

After World War II, the U.S. military began to grapple with the UFO question, but from a far more practical than philosophical perspective. Were extraterrestrial entities posing or capable of posing a national security threat to the nation? They dedicated significant funds to find out.

The term ‘UFO’ was coined by the director of Project Blue Book, the U.S. Air Force’s 1952–1uuuu969 national security investigation into “unidentified flying objects.” During this period, 12,618 sightings were reported to the USAF. After a thorough investigation and examination of the evidence, each one was placed into one of three categories.

Those sightings which had been positively identified as a human-created object, astronomical phenomena, atmospheric effect, the result of human “psychological frailty,” or a hoax were considered “identified.” Others were labeled “insufficient data.” Only those that were fully investigable and still inconclusive were deemed “unidentified flying objects” — fewer than 6 percent of total sightings in the study.

Of course, “fully investigable” is a moving target that leaves room for speculation. In ancient Mexico, flying fires in the sky were considered arrows released by the gods. Modern science knows them as meteors. As we learn more, our ability to scientifically investigate something changes, and hopefully expands. Phenomena that are inexplicable today may have reasonable explanations in the future. This leaves room for questions and possibilities.

When the Blue Book investigations were declassified in 2015, officials were cautious to make any conclusive statements about the decades-long work. Despite the diligent process of documentation and the statistics that were produced, it opened up more questions than answers.

Many people hold beliefs about UFOs and how information about them is disseminated. Other people call these beliefs conspiracies and deny any possibility of extraterrestrial presences.

At this point, there’s no way to know for sure. When there’s no way to know who’s “right,” perhaps it’s more useful to examine what our beliefs and thoughts about UFOs say about us.

Every family seems to have a UFO story. At the same time Operation Blue Book was being conceived, my grandfather was trying to impress my grandmother by “hunting” UFOs with her brother, the two of them perched on top of his Buick, shotguns at their sides. I like to think I’m a little more rational and a lot more romantic than my grandfather. But regardless of whether or not I believe in UFOs like he did, I hold his story close, be-

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Radio Gets Results! cause it tells me something about who he was and how he experienced the world.

It’s tempting to align ourselves with one extreme perspective or the other: that UFOs are an absurd improbability and source of mass hysteria, or to throw ourselves wholeheartedly into speculation and mythologizing. But perhaps there is a middle road. Can we accept that something with zero evidence behind it can still offer us a spark of awe and wonder, a connection to something bigger than ourselves? It's worth noting that in 2021, no less than the U.S. government itself admitted that UAPs (the new, preferred acronym, which stands for Unidentified Aerial Phenomena) do indeed exist, and that at this time our government is unable to explain what they are.

When I look up at the night sky as a flat palette of stars, I rejoice in their beauty. When I think of our Earth as an insignificant rock in an endless maw of emptiness, I’m rocked by existential vertigo. I think UFOs exist in the narrow interstice where science and wonder coexist. We don’t know all of the answers, and that’s okay.

Next time you’re out stargazing, before you head back inside to the comforts of home, perhaps give a friendly wave to a passing light. Somewhere up there, an unknown being might be waving back.

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Go Native with Kinnikinnick

GROUP HIGHLIGHTS THE BENEFITS OF LOCAL FLORA

by Sandy Compton

T

he Kinnikinnick Native Plant Society is a relatively small organization (currently 105 members) with a big reach. Their efforts to “foster an understanding of native flora and its habitats in the Panhandle of North Idaho” — from their mission statement — span a quarter of a century.

In the mid 1990s, Lois Wythe decided Sandpoint needed an arboretum. She recruited volunteers and made them promise to

“sign away one summer morning per week for the rest of their lives.” Sandpoint City Council, at the urging of then Parks and Recreation Director Kim Woodruff, enthusiastically offered space at Lakeview Park south of Bonner County Historical Museum.

Out of building the Arboretum came the Kinnikinnick Chapter of the Idaho Native Plant Society. The relationship with INPS ended in 2010. “Our interests were different,” said Mary Jo Haag, a KNPS member since 2000. “We were into conservation and SandpointMagazine.com SANDPOINT M A G A Z I N E

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bringing awareness about native plants. Their focus was determining what was going into the rare plant directory.” It was an amicable divorce; INPS is still listed on the KNPS site as a resource.

In 2011, KNPS published “Landscaping With Native Plants in the Panhandle of North Idaho,” an idea born in the mind of Carol Jenkins, former KNPS president. “(Then) County Planner Clare Marley was committed to ‘keeping Bonner County looking like Bonner County,'” said Jenkins. “She came up with many pictures for the book. It took 12 people two years to complete, and we have distributed over 2,000 copies from Moscow to Bonners Ferry.”

KNPS helps people learn about and use native plants in their yards. They offer members free consultation and have an online list of local companies who sell and consult about native plants.

The website also has a 14-page native plant list with details to help a person choose what might work best on their site. High school students and Bonner County third-graders spend time in the Arboretum, and KNPS offers the Lois Wythe Grant to “carry out a project in Bonner County designed to promote awareness and appreciation of our native plants.”

“We are also going to be doing more programming with the Museum,” Jenkins said. “We will be taking part in their ‘First Saturday’ programs this summer.”

KNPS has lent its skills to many local projects, including a plant survey of the Pend d’Oreille Bay Trail, landscaping at the Mickinnick trailhead and Kootenai Elementary School, and maintaining the flora at the Waterlife Discovery Center on

Lakeshore Drive. KNPS has cleaned up the Sand Creek bank at the Healing Garden, built a Native Plant Demonstration Garden at the County Administration Building and carried out a shoreline revegetation project near Dover City Hall in cooperation with Molly McCahon of Lake*A*Syst and Sandpoint High teacher John Hasting and his students.

Since the beginning of the Arboretum, KNPS has “borrowed” the log cabin at the Museum to store tools, records, and Lois Wythe’s rolltop desk. “In July of 2020, the museum let us know they wanted their cabin,” said former KNPS President Ken Thacker. “It took us eight months to decide to build our own.”

As Wythe did in the early going, KNPS asked for volunteers and started construction, though no promises of life-time commitment were solicited. In addition to their community of volunteers, they got help from Three Amigos Plumbing, Sandpoint Building Supply, Stoneway Electric, and the White Pine Chapter of the Idaho Native Plant Society. They moved Lois’ desk into the new cabin last summer. The cabin provides space for Arboretum coordinator Cara Johnson to work and represents a commitment by KNPS to continue with their mission.

Lois would be proud.

In a prescient move, KNPS grabbed www.nativeplantsociety. org early in the settling of cyberspace. Visit them there. They meet on the third Saturday of the month at the East Bonner County Library in Sandpoint, and are ready to help you get your hands dirty as you go native with them.

reserve a private balcony for your group

Breathe.

Relax.

Release.

WILDFLOWER SPA AND SALON AT SEASONS 424 SANDPOINT AVE., SUITE 300 Located on the top floor of Season’s Retreat building

thewildflowerdayspa@gmail.com www.thewildflowerdayspa.com

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g ua r d HIKERS AT ROCK LAKE, AN ALPINE TARN THE PROPOSED MINE WOULD TUNNEL UNDER AND POTENTIALLY DEWATER.

ROCK CREEK ALLIANCE NOW 25 YEARS ON THE JOB

by Lyndsie Kiebert-Carey

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or decades, mining exploration has been happening beneath the Cabinet Mountains in Montana. For 25 years, Sandpoint-based nonprofit Rock Creek Alliance has been dedicated to stopping one of the proposed operations to arise out of that exploration: the Rock Creek Mine, located approximately 25 miles upstream of Lake Pend Oreille, which would tunnel under the Cabinet Mountain Wilderness.

“While there was definitely opposition in Missoula, and locally in Sanders County, communities in North Idaho demonstrated the greatest opposition to the mine because they represented the largest directly affected population base, and had nothing to gain from the mine in terms of jobs or the economy, but everything to lose,” said Mary Costello, RCA’s executive director and co-founder.

A quarter-century has passed, and the focus remains on what could be lost — namely, the pristine water quality and wildlife habitat for rare species including grizzly bears and bull trout.

Wastewater and tailings, say mine opponents, threaten to permanently contaminate the watershed, specifically Lake Pend Oreille.

“I can’t walk away because there is just too much potential for harm,” said RCA co-founder Jean Gerth. “The proposed mine exemplifies how we have gotten into climate change, and the potential downfall of our species: exploit resources for a profit, and don’t worry about the scars you leave and the mess that is made. Clearly, we need [and] want copper and silver — I certainly

benefit from them. But the price needs to include whatever it takes to do it responsibly.”

Through many legal challenges, RCA and other invested groups have successfully halted operations at Rock Creek Mine... for now. In a recent development, the company behind the mine has announced a shift in focus to exploring an already existing tunnel on the east side of the Cabinets rather than at Rock Creek, the Kootenai Valley Record reported.

“If we have learned anything over these past 25 years, this is just another twist in the never-ending saga of the proposed Rock Creek Mine, and things could change again tomorrow,” said cofounder Diane Williams.

“We will still be here when the mining plan resumes, as it inevitably will,” she added.

Everyone who contributed to this story — from longtime RCA board member John Edwards to board president Sandy Bessler to every other person noted above — displayed a concern for not only the Lake Pend Oreille they know and love, but for the North Idaho of the future.

“It’s funny, but I can become pretty emotional about this body of water, especially when the sun is setting across its breadth,” said Bill Borders, who, along with wife Kathy, has been an RCA volunteer since about 1999. “Like many, we sacrificed quite a bit to live at its edge. I guess that’s also where we draw much of our ongoing inspiration from to shield it.”

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AT TOP: GLEN COLLEN SAWS THROUGH THE TRUNK OF WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN A U.S.RECORD-HOLDING TREE. RIGHT: TOM TRULOCK NEXT TO THE FINISHED PRODUCT IN THE HUMBIRD HOTEL. PHOTO BY SANDY COMPTON. AT FAR RIGHT: RON STUTZKE WAS ONE OF THE MEN WHO CUT THE TREE DOWN. PHOTOS ABOVE AND AT FAR RIGHT FROM THE COLLECTION OF TOM TRULOCK.

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400 YEARS OF HISTORY NOW RESIDES IN THE HUMBIRD HOTEL

by Sandy Compton

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n the late 1990s, Tom Trulock was Schweitzer’s mountain operations manager.

Ron and Bobby Stutzke were logging for him in the woods below Musical Chairs and found a huge, wind-thrown Douglas fir that Trulock guessed had been down for 15 years. It was at least six feet in diameter. They counted 350 rings, which put its germination somewhere around 1630. Pilgrims were on the continent only a decade when it sprouted.

There was opinion that it might be the biggest Doug in Idaho. If it wasn’t, it was almost. The largest Rocky Mountain variety of Pseudotsuga menziesii in Idaho — and the nation — was recorded in 2018 in Clearwater County with a diameter at breast height of 73 inches. Trulock’s tree was close. Considering that it had been down for 15 years, it might well have been the U.S. record when it was living.

Trulock decided to save some of it for what was then a vague idea about a display.

He had the Stutzkes carve a 6-foot section off the butt and transport it to the Red Barn, where it went into storage. The rest of the tree that was usable became firewood. A lot of firewood.

In 2011, Trulock had Cole Gollen cut a round off the top — the smaller end — of the chunk Stutzkes had delivered and then put that into one of the smaller buildings to get it out of the weather. Cole took a slab for himself, as well. The remaining piece sat in storage for another 10 years. Until the Humbird Hotel came about.

“When the hotel naming process got underway,” Trulock said “and it appeared that Humbird and a timber theme were going to prevail, I realized that this might be an opportunity to use the slab.”

Hotel architect Skylab liked that idea and contacted John Edwards and Misty Mountain Furniture to see what could be done with the big round that remained.

Edwards consented to try and brought it to their shop in Sandpoint. This involved a backhoe, a flatbed truck, and a forklift.

“When we first got it,” Edwards said, “it was 10 to 12 inches thick and it weighed maybe 300 pounds. It was too thick and heavy for the hall space it’s in, so we got an Alaska chainsaw mill and cut it down to five inches thick.” The piece was also fragile — checked and breaking into pieces. Edwards and crew had to take some extreme measures to hold it all together— using spray foam and epoxy — before they milled it.

“After that, we sanded it smooth and epoxied the surface,” Edwards said. “It took five rounds of epoxy to seal it. Then, Golden Rule Manufacturing came up with a really cool mounting bracket.”

Twenty-five years after the Stutzkes found it, a piece of very local history sits in the Humbird Hotel alongside a short history of Humbird Lumber, a reminder of the company and the industry that built Sandpoint in the first place. Trulock’s perseverance is also on display.

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ways to get out on Lake Pend Oreille

by Zach Hagadone

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wimming, sunning, fishing, wading, and floating are all easily accessible from any of the beaches dotted around the 100-mile shoreline of Lake Pend Oreille, but it is a lake best experienced on the water itself — that is, on a boat.

Of course, we all know the adage: boat stands for “bust out another thousand,” meaning that boats are generally expensive to purchase, transport, and maintain. Not everyone has pockets deep enough to regularly ply the deep waters of Lake Pend Oreille, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t ways to avoid the high costs of boat ownership while still enjoying the thrill of motoring, paddling, or riding across the waves.

From Dover to Sandpoint to Hope there are several opportunities to rent or charter a variety of watercraft to suit whatever experience you, your family, and friends wish to enjoy on Lake Pend Oreille. Here are a few.

1 Motorized Boat Rentals

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Just three miles west of Sandpoint, at Dover Bay, is Sandpoint Watersports, which for the past eight years has offered a range of options for would-be boaters looking for everything from a half-day cruise to a week or even month of temporary boat ownership.

Owner Gary Chapman said some folks who are visiting long-term will even mix and match the kinds of watercraft they rent.

“They’ll spend two weeks here, rent a house on the water, and come and get jet skis for a while or the pontoon boat or one of the ski boats,” he said.

Sandpoint Watersports has a fleet of 17 watercraft available for rent, including a pontoon boat that can be chartered if the renter doesn’t want to double as the pilot.

Those who want to take out a boat or jet ski will need to prove that they can responsibly be on the water, of course, and Chapman said, “Safety is a first issue — making sure they can handle what they’re going to get.

“Like anything else that you rent, there’s a process to make sure that you’re qualified,” he added.

The rental season at Sandpoint Watersports typically runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day, though Chapman said they’ve had requests to start earlier, and the company can accommodate those requests, depending on the lake level.

Action Water Sports has been living up to its name since 2010, offering high-energy experiences on the lake ranging from waterskiing to wake surfing. The company offers rentals that range from lessons to private lake tours to a host of other motorized and nonmotorized watercraft — all accessible from Sandpoint Marina in downtown Sandpoint.

Owned by local Sandpoint brothers Pat and Nate Holland — who between them have competed at the highest levels of snowboardcross, including the Olympics — Action Water Sports boasts a lesson boat, three wakesurf boats, five pontoon boats, four Seadoos, eight kayaks, and eight stand-up paddleboards.

The wakesurf boats are all high-end Malibu or Axis brand, and the lesson boat is a specially made Nautique G23, piloted by U.S. Coast Guard captains. Up to 15 people can be accommodated on the rental wakesurf boats and six at a time on the lesson boat.

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4 PHOTOS BY NUMBER: 1. A WAKESURFER ENJOYS TIME ON THE LAKE. PHOTO BY DOUG MARSHALL 2. THE SHAWNODESE OFFERS STYLISH ACCESS TO THE LAKE. SHAWNODESE PHOTO. 3. SANDPOINT SAILING ASSOCIATION OFFERS A FUN INTRODUCTION TO SAILING. COURTESY PHOTO. 4. PULL A BIG ONE OUT OF THE WATER WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM A CHARTER. PHOTO BY EAGLE CHARTERS. 5.

HUMAN-POWERED VEHICLES ARE AVAILABLE TO RENT ALL AROUND THE LAKE. PHOTO BY DOUG MARSHALL. PHOTO IN INFORMATION BOX BY ACTION WATER SPORTS.

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the most popular way to get on the water — especially for people without a lot of experience.

“They feel fairly secure and safe to operate; they’re pretty simple operationally,” he added. “We describe them as a living room on the water.”

Rentals are offered from Memorial Day to Labor Day, though the season can run to early October, weather permitting.

Non-motorized rentals are offered by the hour, Seadoos for a minimum of two hours, and the pontoon boats are rented for a minimum of four hours with multi-day discounts available.

Customers must be 18 or older to rent their own boat, with those under 18 requiring a parent or guardian. Holland said families especially enjoy the kayaks, paddleboards, and pontoons, but “I’ve taught kids as young as 3 years old how to waterski and wakesurf.”

If you want to get out on the eastern part of the lake, Hope Boat Rentals is new on the scene and offering rentals of pontoon boats and waverunners out of the Hope Marina. Multi-day rental discounts are available, as is the ability to make reservations online.

2 Take a tour At or near the top of the list of most distinctive boats on Lake Pend Oreille is the Shawnodese. Its origins go back to 1966, providing ferry service to Coronado Island in the San Diego area. It had another life as a charter boat on Lake Mead, and as a crew boat in San Francisco.

It sat mostly idle in North Idaho from the early 1980s to 1992, when the original owners of Lake Pend Oreille Cruises bought it and embarked on a multi-year redesign and rebuild that put the Shawnodese back on the water in 1995.

Since then, it has been a favorite of locals and visitors alike, providing a unique and stress-free way to experience the scenery and history of the lake and its surrounding area.

Eric “EJ” Jensen, who took over Lake Pend Oreille Cruises four seasons ago, said the Shawnodese operates out of Kramer Marina in Hope during the early season, which begins May 14, but relocates to City Beach for the summer season, beginning on or around June 13. After that point, the Shawnodese offers three cruises per day until early September.

The first cruise, which begins at 12:30 p.m., is an hour-and-ahalf, 10-mile loop from City Beach, along the railroad bridge and shoreline to the vicinity of Bottle Bay, then the north shore of the lake and back toward City Beach.

Following the history cruise is the birds of prey cruise, which also operates for an hour-and-a-half, and takes passengers past three bald eagle nesting areas. The sunset cruise, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., is a stunning way to end the day.

“The lake history cruise is probably our busiest cruise we take,” Jensen said.

The 43-foot-long Shawnodese is Coast Guard rated to accommodate up to 36 passengers in four seating areas — including indoor, outdoor, and covered sections — in the bow, stern, and upper and lower decks.

Families with kids of all ages are welcome, with children 12

and under invited to participate as “captain of the day” on the history and birds of prey cruises.

“We let them come into the wheelhouse and pilot the boat for a minute,” Jensen said. “It’s really just about cruising around the lake. You get to see everything North Idaho has to offer.”

As for the Shawnodese: “It kind of has its own following on the lake,” Jensen said.

3 go for a sail For those with or without sailing experience, there are a multitude of options for experiencing the thrill of coasting over the waves by the power of the wind.

The Sandpoint Sailing Association, based at the Windbag Marina at City Beach, welcomes old hands as well as greenhorn sailors with a Thursday evening non-competitive “beer can race” in which crews sail around buoys.

“We open that up to the community — if you want to try out sailing and if there’s space on a boat, people will take you out sailing,” said SSA Commodore Chris Ankney, adding that participants don’t need to have a boat or be a member of the association, and young sailors should be in the 8 and older age range.

“I’ve never had to turn anybody away in the past four or five years that I’ve been active in it,” Ankney said.

Another option is to enroll in a class, with three sessions offered per summer in June, July, and August. The classes are run in collaboration with the Sandpoint Parks and Recreation Department, with additional information, including registration, at www.sandpointidaho.gov under “Your Government.”

For the most bang-for-your-sailing buck, SSA membership costs $65 for an individual and $85 for a family and affords access to the club’s six sailboats anytime they’re available.

“You pay that membership fee and you get to take those boats out whenever you want,” Ankney said. “You basically own four boats that you can take out sailing whenever you want.”

For the more experienced, captains on Saturday racing nights “are always looking for crew,” Ankney added.

The sailing season begins in earnest in early June, with various events offered throughout the summer.

Finally, there are captains on the lake such as Bruce Robertson who own a boat and are also happy to offer lessons or take folks along for a ride.

“If someone wants some instruction in sailing, they can do that. If they want to sit on the bow and look at the scenery, they can do that, too,” said Robertson, who got bitten by the sailing bug after crewing on one of SSA’s races.

A Coast Guard-certified captain, Robertson can take six passengers on his 29-foot boat, moored at Hope Marina. His season ends in October, with sailing routes determined by clients — wind and weather permitting.

4 fishing charters Few things are as satisfying as landing a catch — or several — from Lake Pend Oreille’s famous fishery, out of which have come multiple record-breaking specimens over the years. They SandpointMagazine.com SANDPOINT M A G A Z I N E

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call it “fishing” rather than “catching” for a reason, but your odds increase greatly with the experience, equipment and, most important, vessel of an experienced captain.

They don’t come much more experienced around here than Ken Hayes of Seagull Charters.

Affectionately known as “Captain Ken,” Hayes has been operating out of Hope for 23 years, running an average 150 charters per year. With a Coast Guard-certified inspection, the Seagull can take out as many as 23 people, with no age or experience limit.

“I’ve had babies on the boat — starting them early,” he said.

The Seagull has a large, covered aft deck and heated cabin, making it comfortable year-round, and Hayes indeed operates year-round thanks to the deep-water moorage at Holiday Shores Marina, which also gives the Seagull and other charter companies ready access to the so-called “Big Lake,” extending from the Clark Fork River delta to the Green Monarchs, taking in Cottage and Pearl islands and all along the opposite lakeshore.

Hayes’ route takes him throughout the whole area, though “it depends on where the fish are going to be,” he said — and that depends on the season.

Hayes said his spring season books up almost a year in advance and the fall fishing is already nearly full, though he added that the best fishing is mid March through almost Christmastime.

“As far as booking, you’ve got to get ahead of the game,” he said.

It’s worth it, though. Patrons on the Seagull have reeled in several fish pushing the 25-pound mark, and two rainbow trout in the past year that were only a few ounces off that size.

“I spend almost all my time on the lake, and I rarely get out and about,” he said. “But being out on the lake still has that old quality; it’s still peaceful, there’s serenity.”

Also located at Holiday Shores in Hope is Pend Oreille Charters, which operates the largest fleet of fishing boats on Lake Pend Oreille: five vessels, ranging from big-water fishing boats to more shallow-water bass and river boats.

The Wiley family has operated Pend Oreille Charters for the past five years, but the company has been around for about 40 years. Chris Wiley, who serves as primary captain of the fleet, has been fishing Lake Pend Oreille since he was about 6 years old, back in 1995, and his father, Bob Wylie, has been angling on the lake for close to 30 years.

Chris Wiley said Pend Oreille Charters runs about 260 trips a year — 180 of them with him as primary captain.

“We’ve expanded enough that it’s hard to book us up,” Wiley said. “Very rarely do we have a problem taking someone out.”

Like the Seagull, Pend Oreille Charters operates year-round, and frequently in the same fishing grounds. “The charter services all work together. We kind of piggyback off of each other’s experiences,” Wiley said.

Pend Oreille Charters’ vessels typically cruise under a six-pack license, which allows a maximum of six occupants regardless of the size of the vessel and with no age or experience restrictions.

“It’s very safe for families,” Wiley said, adding that kids aged

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5 to 7 don’t even need life vests, though “every safety accoutrement is available.”

Pricing varies based on the number of patrons and the season, and Wiley said they take kids under 12 out for free: “We want to get kids out on the lake as much as possible.”

Regardless of the season, Wiley said, “It’s more just about going out pleasure cruising, enjoying each other’s company and enjoying Lake Pend Oreille.”

But Pend Oreille Charters has pulled in some big ones — including a 31.12-pound bull trout in January 2022 that weighed in .88 ounces below the world record for weight, though it did break the world record for length and broke some gear records.

And that’s not to mention the legendary “Old Man Sparkles” — a state record-breaking 36.5-inch Gerrard rainbow trout caught and released by then-8-year-old Sophie Egizi under the captaincy of Bob Wiley in 2019.

“If you ever want to win the lottery, take her,” Chris Wiley said of Egizi.

5 non-motorized

watercraft Rentals

Not every lake excursion has to happen under engine power and on the big water; a leisurely paddle along the nearshore is a great way to take in the scenery in a quiet, contemplative connection with the waterscape, not to mention a great way to get some exercise.

For more than 20 years Outdoor Experience has been renting out kayaks and stand-up paddleboards right in the heart of downtown Sandpoint.

Located at 314 N. First Ave., Outdoor Experience has access to Sand Creek right out its back door, renting a fleet of three singleperson 10.5-foot Wilderness Systems Aspire sit-inside kayaks, three Wilderness Systems Tarpon 12-foot sit-on-top kayaks and three Boardworks SUPS — all of which are also sold in the store.

Owner Jenny Curto said most rentals are put in at Farmin’s Landing around the corner and behind the store, though customers are welcome to transport the boats elsewhere if they have a safe and reliable way to do so. Racks, straps, or padding are not provided, so plan accordingly, though OE does include life jackets and paddles.

Rentals are offered in 2- and 24-hour options, with no experience necessary. Curto said OE only offers adult kayaks, “However, children over 12 can typically enjoy these boats,” further noting that kids under 18 must have a parent or guardian present.

As for the season: “We typically start rentals when the lake reaches full pool in early June. This ensures we can safely access the water in Sand Creek. We typically rent until late September when the water level and temperatures drop. If you have the means to transport the boat yourself, we are happy to rent in the weeks before or after the water level restrictions — temperature permitting.”

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Not every lake excursion has to happen under engine power.

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For more Information Sandpoint Water Sports www.sandpointwatersports.com 208-920-9292 Action Water Sports www.actionwatersportslessons.com 208-255-7100 Hope Boat Rentals www.hopeboatrentals.com 208-920-1824 The Shawnodese www.lakependoreillecruises.com 208-255-5253

Seagull Charters www.seagullcharters.net 208-266-1861 Pend Oreille Charters www.pendoreillecharters.com 208-274-3263 Sandpoint Sailing Association www.sandpointsailing.org Cloud Nine Sail Charters www.cloudninesailcharters.com Outdoor Experience www.outdoorexperience.us 208-263-6028

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5hikes to get way out there

by Jim Mellen

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ecently, some of the finest trails in our region have become heavily traveled. But there is still the lure of the trail not taken... and some absolute gems that are not that busy. I’ll tell you about a few, but you have to promise to treat them as though they were the most sacred places on the planet. Pick up after yourself. Pick up after someone else. Channel some water to prevent erosion. Cut a few small blowdowns. Take only pictures; leave only footprints. Yes, these trails involve some driving but are well worth the price of admission!

Rather than include lengthy directions to the following trailheads, apps such as All Trails, Gaia, Hiking Project, and MTB Project have directions included and will get you off to a good start. All of the mileages listed are one way.

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upper priest river trail 308

Upper Priest River Trail 308 is perhaps the most stunning trail in the Selkirks. This 8-mile trek immerses the hiker in a lush, fern-carpeted stroll through old-growth cedar and hemlock. Roughly following the river, the trail starts out easy, becoming progressively more difficult and ends at American Falls, about half a mile from the Canadian border.

Distance from Sandpoint: 82 miles

Red Top Mountain

Red Top Mountain is a rocky peak, roughly 8 miles from the Canadian border. The amazing, 360-degree views on this 6,142 foot crag are exactly why a fire lookout was constructed there in the early 20th century. All that remains of the lookout are the foundation piers and some of the wire that fire lookout personnel communicated through. But the views remain and they are fantastic. There are basically three ways of access: SandpointMagazine.com SANDPOINT M A G A Z I N E

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BY JIM MELLEN. THIS PAGE, PHOTOS CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: WEST FORK MOUNTAIN FEATURES A GRANITE RIDGE WITH LOOKOUT. PHOTO BY CHRIS BESSLER. JIM MELLEN PAUSES TO REST AT THE TOP OF AMBERCROMBIE, WITH VIEWS ALL AROUND. PHOTO BY JACOB STYER. UPPER STANDARD LAKE IS A SUMMER DESTINATION WORTH THE EFFORT. PHOTO BY JIM MELLEN.

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5 Guides

for hikers and bikers

I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.

- Robert Frost Past Hidden Lake on trail 102, past the West Fork Cabin on trail #21 and the steep climb from the N.E. end of 102. This makes a popular mountain bike loop for hardy riders.

Distance from Sandpoint: 75 miles

abercrombie Mountain

Abercrombie Mountain is a magnificent 7,308 foot peak northwest of Metaline Falls. Trails 502 and 117 access this peak from the east and west respectively and are part of the Pacific Northwest Trail. The majestic views were once enjoyed from a fire lookout that once stood here. Five miles to the north lies British Columbia and the Selkirk Crest is 40 miles to the east, with a view of Chimney Rock on a clear day.

Distance from Sandpoint: 94 miles to east trailhead, 118 miles to the west trailhead.

west fork Mountain

West Fork Mountain is a 6,416 foot chunk of granite on the Selkirk Crest. This peak still has an intact fire lookout, however, the lower steps have been removed to prevent access. Trail 21 joins trail 347 and leads to both West Fork Lake and Mountain.

A short spur leads to the lake where excellent camping and fishing can be found. The lookout lies on a granite ridge which makes it delightful to stroll along while enjoying the views.

Distance from Sandpoint: 77 miles

upper standard lake

Upper Standard Lake lies west of the Selkirk Crest and east of Priest Lake. This 4.5 mile trail begins on an old road, then climbs 2,100 feet, winding its way over 12 switchbacks of old growth forest consisting of cedar, larch, and hemlock to a beautiful, crescent-shaped alpine lake.

Distance from Sandpoint: 69 miles

The increasing number of users on popular trails has been a bit startling for locals. But it’s been concentrated on a relative handful of the nearly 300 trails in the mountains around Sandpoint.

A good way to discover the lesser-known gems is with one of the several guidebooks to our area. One premier guide is “Trails of the Wild Selkirks,” by Jim Mellen and Dennis Nicholls. First published in 2004, a fully updated third edition will be out by August. It has descriptions for more than 170 trails to help hikers of all abilities find terrific trails.

Here are more guides to help you get out there.

2. Trails of the Wild Cabinets. This companion to the Selkirks guide, also by Mellen and Nicholls, covers 100plus trails in the awesome Cabinet Mountains. 202 pages.

3. On the Trail of the Ice Age Floods: The Northern Reaches. It’s a geological field guide to the massive Ice Age floods that were among the biggest in the history of the planet. It all started right here, where a lobe of the continental ice sheet formed the dam that released the floods. 480 pages.

4. Legendary Lake Pend Oreille: Idaho’s Wilderness of Water. This one is a complete lake recreation guide, including prime hikes. More, it is loaded with lake history and lore. 416 pages.

5. Maps and more for MTB. The website for local biking group Pend Oreille Pedalers (www.pendoreillepedalers.org) provides printable maps for the trail systems at Syringa, Pine Street Woods, and Little Sand Creek. Schweitzer (www.schweitzer.com) provides a map for its excellent trails too. And just north, the 9B Trails group (www.9btrails.org) has growing systems at Enchanted Forest, Section 16, and others.

Books are available at local stores, as well as www. keokeebooks.com.

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Still full of

Surprises

Monday Hikers Turn 30

by Cameron Rasmusson

J

ust about everything is a little better with a community behind it.

That goes double when it comes to the wealth of hikes in the North Idaho–northwest Montana region.

No matter how experienced you are and how long you’ve hiked the area, there’s always the possibility to be surprised by a little-known trail or new experience.

For the past three decades, the Monday Hikers have helped newcomers and regional veterans alike do exactly that. Now consisting of two groups, their mission as articulated on their Facebook page is simple: to provide a community for people who “love to hike, kayak, and snowshoe year-round in North Idaho.”

One of those hikers is Herbert Klein. An individual enjoying his retirement in the great outdoors, Klein got involved with the Monday Hikers four or five years ago. He thought he knew a thing or

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two about the regional outdoor options, but as the Monday Hikers quickly proved, there was a whole new world to discover.

“So many people don’t know how many hikes are in this region,” he said. “People usually know about the main ones, but there’s so much more out there.”

Monday Hikers was exactly the kind of collected knowledge and experience he needed to crack open the full experience of North Idaho hikes. Thanks to years of experience, it didn’t take long for him to encounter the new sights, sounds and experiences of local trails.

Monday Hikers got started in 1991 by outdoor enthusiast Rosalyn Clark, who sought out like-minded folks by placing an advertisement in the Bonner County Daily Bee. That advertisement brought together the initial members of a group that would endure for three decades.

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Monday Hikers now exists in two related groups: a main group and an alternate group. According to Klein, the main group will tend toward more challenging trails and weather circumstances, while the alternate group is a bit more easy-going.

That’s important, as the group includes members of all ages among its ranks. Outdoor lovers in their 70s and 80s frequently join younger hikers. Sometimes they prefer to take it a little slower. And other times they show the group a thing or two about endurance hiking.

“I’ll tell you, there’s times when they beat me to the top,” Klein said.

The hiking groups range from just a handful of hikers — particularly in the winter when the snowshoes come out — to larger group sizes in the summertime. The hikes they tackle range from week to week, from Moose Lake in Idaho to Rock

“

So many people don’t know how many hikes are in this region. People usually know about the main ones, but there’s so much more out there.

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PHOTO PAGE 97: IT’S A VARIED GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO HIKE ON MONDAYS. THIS PAGE, TOP AND ABOVE: SOMETIMES HIKING IS ABOUT STOPPING TO TAKE IN THE VIEW. ALL PHOTOS BY BETH GOODNIGHT

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Lake in Montana. During that time, members have seen it all.

Klein recalls one July outing to Moose Lake when a lightning storm rolled in, allowing members a 360-degree view of the storm. Then came the summertime sleet and snow, a surreal sight made possible by the higher elevation. Since he was using a hiking pole, Klein had to switch his hands in and out of his jacket pocket to keep them warm.

“I wasn’t dressed for it at all,” he said. “It was like a blizzard.”

Given the wild circumstances the group has faced down, it’s all the more remarkable that the Monday Hikers haven’t logged any serious injuries or emergency situations. And that’s another benefit of the community — they have the collective experience and know-how to keep people prepared and safe.

A love of hiking isn’t the only thing that brings Monday Hikers together. They’re also bonded by a strong spirit of volunteerism. Among the Monday Hiker ranks are strong supporters and volunteers for outdoor organizations like Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness, the Idaho Trails Association, and Pend Oreille Pedalers. And they gather 30 to 40 people together a few times a year for an Adopt-a-Highway cleanup of Highway 95. It’s just one way the group aims to keep the great outdoors beautiful and accessible.

“It’s so important to keep these trails open for everyone,” Klein said. “You meet people from so many different walks of life out here.”

Keep track of the Monday Hikers’ latest adventures on their Facebook page @SandpointMondayHikers.

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TRAIL BLAZERS Volunteers provide labor for trail projects

by Cate Huisman

Y

ou only need to drive by the trailhead for Mickinnick Trail — at any daylight hour, in any weather, in any season — to realize that people around Sandpoint like to use their trails. The parking lot is never empty, and often it’s overflowing. Many other area trails are almost as well loved.

Fortunately, we have a good and ever-growing network of places to hike and bike. Trail users seem to like building and maintaining trails almost as much as they like traveling on them.

The Pend Oreille Pedalers work on trails in and around Pine Street Woods and in the basin below Schweitzer. Although their name suggests their origins as a biking group, the trails they build are popular with hikers and runners as well. They have rocketed into overdrive since they funded a position for an executive director last year, enthusiastically recruiting both newcomers and old-timers to create many miles of new routes in both locations.

Two regulars in these endeavors have been Geoff Meek, who came to almost every work party last summer, and Devin Raynor, who has come to almost every work party for the last three summers. That’s a lot of working; POP has work parties pretty much every Thursday night from when the snow melts until it flies again, and there are many Saturday gatherings as well.

Meek, who helped fight fires for the Idaho Department of Lands for 35 years, describes hard labor in company with others

as “a simple pleasure.” Raynor, a stay-at-home dad, also enjoys the work. “I never built a trail before I came here. Turns out it’s fun,” he said. After a day of household chores and child care, “It’s nice to get out and dig and cut and do some manual labor.” He and his wife, Sandpoint physician Hannah Raynor, moved here in 2018, and their son Bjorn was born the same year. Bjorn and Hannah join him on some of the Saturday work parties.

The Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness doesn’t build new trails; instead it maintains 16 already existing trails with a total length of 95 miles, all within the area around Scotchman Peak at the eastern edge of the county.

A major annual chore is removing trees that have blown down across trails during the winter. Over the past couple of summers, much of this work has focused on the bottom half of Goat Mountain Trail, which “in some guidebooks is described as the steepest trail in all of Idaho,” said longtime Executive Director Phil Hough. “The first two miles now have no blowdowns and fabulous views,” he is pleased to report. But he estimates there are 400 more blowdowns on the upper two miles of the trail, and that removing them all will take another summer or two.

Among the most enthusiastic of FSPW’s recent volunteers is Perky Smith-Hagadone, who retired from a career as a public schoolteacher and principal in June of 2020 to bask in the relative ease of trail work. Smith-Hagadone particularly seems to SandpointMagazine.com SANDPOINT M A G A Z I N E

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Trails PHOTO PREV IOUS PAGE: STEVE SANCHEZ, JIM MELLEN, AN ANONYMOUS VOLUNTEER, DIERDRE WERT, AND LEVI SCHOONOVER WORK WITH PEND OREILLE PEDALERS FINISH OUT WORK ON THE LOWER THIRD OF ZEN GARDEN. ABOVE: OFTEN TRAIL BUILDING INVOLVES A LOT OF BRIDGE BUILDING. PHOTOS BY JASON WELKER.

enjoy removing blowdowns with a crosscut saw, possibly because it’s easier than herding sixth-graders. “Cross cutting is awesome.

These trees are not little — two-and-a-half feet in diameter, completely across the trail. It’s exciting when that tree goes.” She notes that it’s a little scary to be on the end of a crosscut saw under such a tree, “but there’s a huge discussion about where it’s going to roll.

Nobody has ever gotten hurt.”

Several trail builders echoed their organizations’ concern over safety. The worst injury that anyone seems to have incurred is bee and wasp stings. People who try to root out beargrass with a Pulaski axe run the inherent risk of digging up a ground nest as well.

FSPW cooperates with the Idaho Trails Association to provide first aid and leader training to both groups. ITA’s work this year will include 73 different trail projects, 18 in the Idaho Panhandle National Forest alone.

“There are so many trails in IPNF, we don’t need to build new ones; we need to keep the ones that we’ve got alive and well ,” said Tom Dabrowski, a board member of ITA. The list of projects they work on will sound familiar to local hikers: it includes trails to Pyramid, Ball, Harrison, and Beehive lakes as well as Chimney Rock. Most trails require maintenance every three years, but “some we have to do every year,” Dabrowski said, such as the aforementioned Mickinnick Trail. “It is an enormously popular trail that always needs to have trees and brush removed.”

Last year Dabrowski led five different work trips, two of them each a week long. While hard work outdoors attracts him as much as anyone, “The thing that I love the most about trail projects is the people,” he said. “There’s something special about being outdoors, working outdoors, figuring out how to get around this tree, or how to move this boulder. You get to work with people on challenges like that every day.”

Two other trail-building groups include the Sandpoint Nordic Club, whose members work in summer to maintain the wide trails in Pine Street Woods for winter skiing, and Schweitzer Mountain Resort, whose employees and contractors build and maintain ever more miles of hiking and biking trails on their property.

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New or Renewed Trails to Look for in the Summer of 2022 1. Rotarian is a 1.7-mile loop built by Pend Oreille Pedalers that begins and ends at their new trailhead on West Pine Street (just a half mile off US Highway 2). It’s good for beginners, with rolling elevation changes but no long climbs.

Green Heart is a steeper trail that connects the new trailhead into the network of trails in Pine Street Woods.

2. Below Schweitzer, POP has been working on the Lower Basin Trail since last summer. When it is done, it will provide an alternative to the current trail that is used by speeding downhill riders.

The new trail will be less steep and better for slower traffic both uphill and down.

3. The Friends of Scotchman Peak are enthusiastic about the rerouted bottom two miles of Goat Mountain Trail. There are more switchbacks, fewer downed trees, and more fabulous views up the Clark Fork River and out to Lake Pend Oreille.

4. Workers with the Idaho Trails Association removed about 50 fallen trees from the Evans Landing Trail in Farragut State Park last year.

There are still steep switchbacks, but not having to crawl over logs should improve the experience of getting down to the lakeshore.

5. Cyclists at Schweitzer will find three new downhill trails to explore this summer, all in the South Bowl. Shenanigans, for experts, takes advantage of some natural rock features as it drops a mile from Pinch Flat to Zig Zag. Two other new intermediate trails add a total of four miles to the options off Bear Grass.

– Cate Huisman

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trailheads and trail systems

CANADA ABERCROMBIE MOUNTAIN

95 RED TOP MOUNTAIN

METALINE FALLS

WEST FORK MOUNTAIN

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UPPER STANDARD LAKE

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b ackyard

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PHOTOS CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT PAGE: RICK COWER CAPTURED THIS SHOT OF A PYGMY OWL; A SHARP-SHIN HAWK WAS ATTRACTED TO PHOTOGRAPHER ANNIE PFLUEGER’S WATER FEATURE; DAN ESKELSON’S GARDEN OFTEN ATTRACTS QUAILS; A PILEATED WOODPECKER ENJOYS A CHOKECHERRY BUSH. PHOTO BY RICH COWER.

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PHOTOS CLOCKWISE FROM OPPOSITE PAGE: THE CEDAR WAXWING IS AN EASY BIRD TO SEE AND, FOR DAN ESKELSON, AN EASY TARGET TO PHOTOGRAPH; STEVE JAMSA CAPTURED AN AREA FAVORITE, THE RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD, AS IT CAME IN FOR A SIP; THIS STELLARS JAY’S BLUE AND BLACK COLOR IS DISTINCTIVE. RICH COWER PHOTOGRAPHED THIS NOISY BIRD. JENNIFER EDWARDS PHOTOGRAPHED TWO YOUNG GREAT HORNED OWLS.

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Dream IN wood A

A timber-framed haven on Muskrat Lake

by Cameron Rasmusson

M

ost people have their own idea of a dream house. But for Lief Youngberg, the phrase goes just a little deeper.

He didn’t want a home that simply suited his needs and lifestyle with its location, amenities, and square footage. On the contrary, he aimed to build a house that was a work of art unto itself, a true masterpiece. And since he aimed to oversee the process from its inception, its very creation would be an act of self-expression.

If nothing else, it’s also a reminder that dreams sometimes come true. Because sure enough, Youngberg built his timber-frame chalet, located on 2.5 acres in Sagle and overlooking Muskrat Lake. Currently up for sale, the chalet born from a dream maintains its unique character even today.

“I have seen countless beautiful homes throughout Bonner and Boundary County, but this one captivated my heart and left me speechless,” said Charlene Matheson with Windermere Hayden LLC, who is managing the listing.

The four-bedroom, three-bathroom residence certainly has the feel of a dream home.

Between the top-of-the-line kitchen, Brazilian hardwood flooring, balcony, covered porch, and much more, the 3,500-square-foot chalet offers seclusion and peace while still only 20 minutes away from Sandpoint.

Perhaps more remarkable than the house itself is the story behind it. Taking inspi-

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PHOTOS, PREVIOUS PAGE: THE HOME’S TIMBER-FRAME CONSTRUCTION WAS UTILIZED TO HIGHLIGHT BEAUTIFUL VIEWS. THIS PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: THE HOUSE IS LOCATED IN SAGLE ON MUSKRAT LAKE; OWNER LEIF YOUNGBERG AND HIS PARTNER, JEN DANCY; THE HOME’S CENTRAL STAIRCASE WAS HANDCRAFTED FROM DOUGLAS FIR, JATOBA, AND MAPLE WOOD. COURTESY PHOTOS.

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JEREMY BROWN

Realtor® GRI®

208.953.SOLD(7653) www.northidaho-realestate.com 402 Cedar St. Sandpoint, ID

ration from the European chalets of centuries gone by, Youngberg set out to introduce his own spin on the style, set alongside his beloved Muskrat Lake.

Committed to the project, Youngberg hit the books, studying timber-frame construction techniques and observing homes with similar construction. Once he had a design in mind, he began the search for materials, finally locating a mill that could supply 100 beautiful Douglas fir beams for a reasonable price.

Partnering with a talented woodworker, Youngberg processed the beams five to seven at a time. It was a long, painstaking process, with each beam requiring its own precise cutting, drilling, and chiseling. It required a delicate balance between Youngberg’s professional and personal life, but each completed batch contributed to a growing excitement.

After months upon months of work, the construction materials were ready to be shipped.

Thanks to the help of workers, the SandpointMagazine.com SANDPOINT M A G A Z I N E

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THE KITCHEN FEATURES MAPLE AND JATOBA CABINETS AND A FRENCH LACANCHE WOOD STOVE, ALONG WITH THE LIGHT-FILLED OPENNESS THAT IS A HALLMARK THROUGHOUT THE HOME. COURTESY PHOTO.

I’ve seen countless beautiful homes, but this one captivated my heart and left me speechless. concrete foundation was poured and ready to be built upon by the time the beams arrived. Next came the painstaking process of constructing the frame piece by piece. By late summer 2004, the framing and roofing were complete.

Eventually, the interior expanded to match the grandeur of the exterior. A Portland retailer supplied the windows and assisted in their installation. The chef’s gourmet kitchen came together with jatoba and maple cabinets, two sinks of handhammered brass, and a French LaCanche wood stove. And the

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spa bathrooms, constructed from Idaho materials, are a little bit of luxury with dual shower heads and a step-in shower in the primary room.

Perhaps the crowning feature, however, is the central staircase. Handcrafted from Douglas fir, jatoba, and maple, it took almost as long to construct as the house beams themselves.

Jatoba in particular is a difficult wood to work, exceptionally dense and requiring special machines just to bore holes. But the effort was worth it, resulting in a staircase that monopolizes the attention upon stepping into the foyer.

While the timber-frame chalet was Youngberg’s passion project, he acknowledges that it couldn’t have come together so beautifully without the help of some brilliant local contractors.

Combined with the suppliers of high-quality materials, it all adds up to a beautiful, durable home.

Youngberg finally moved into his dream home in 2005, later completing his woodworking shop in spring of 2006. For almost two decades, the home served as a sanctuary and a creative haven. And with the timber-frame chalet now on the market, Youngberg’s dream home might just make someone else’s dream come true.

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LOOKING TO

Buy or sell?

5 local Realtors (plus two) offer some advice

by Trish Gannon

T

he real estate market in the greater Sandpoint area has been... interesting, for several years now, as prices for homes seem to climb into the stratosphere. Both sellers and buyers can be confused about what's going on, and how best to take advantage of what seems to be an unprecedented market.

Those with the closest understanding of what's going on, of course, are the area's real estate professionals, many of whom have been helping people buy and sell properties for decades.

And there are a few things—at least five!—those Realtors would like you to know.

“Our area is continuing to experience a very robust market,” explained Cindy Bond, a Realtor with Tomlinson-Sotheby's International Realty who has been working in the market for over a quarter of a century. “The imbalance we are experiencing concerning the demand for properties, coupled with the lack of inventory, is still creating a seller’s market in North Idaho.”

She added, “In addition to the lack of inventory, there is a supply chain issue for most new construction products which is having a big effect on construction timelines. Buyers are becoming discouraged and many are choosing to postpone

a purchase, hoping for a shift soon. In some cases they are stopping their search altogether. Buyers choosing to proceed are prepared to accompany offers with evidence of funds to purchase or a pre-approval from a financial institution. They understand they are paying a premium and often are prepared to make full, if not over, list price offers when finding the property of their choice.”

She went on to explain, “On the flip side of the coin, sellers want to take advantage of the robust market and capitalize on the positive gains in the values of their property. Many of those sellers bought in the height of the market in the mid 2000s and experienced a decrease in property value. They have been patiently waiting for the pendulum to swing once again to the positive side, which took more than a decade! One of the best things a seller can do to make the most of their investment, is to take time to carefully plan and prepare their property or home prior to putting it on the market.”

Bond said a diligent seller should put in some ground work before placing a “for sale” sign. “If the property is vacant land, a seller should conduct research regarding zoning, certificate of compliance, available utilities, water and sewer/septic, quality of internet and cell service, access, taxes, and confirming school

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5 things to know

Our area is continuing to experience a very robust market. zone,” she said. These are all things a buyer will want to know prior to making an offer. “If time allows and funds are available, having confirmed water—a drilled well and sewer/septic source if out of town—takes away a lot of the hesitation of a buyer and will likely result in a higher price offer and faster close.”

As all the home improvement shows on television insist, there's only one chance to make a good first impression. Bond agrees. “If the property is residential, presenting the home in showcase condition, i.e., clean and tidy, yard and grounds dressed up, deferred maintenance items addressed, and ideally a prehome inspection completed prior to going on the market are all recommended. Not only will the home be more appealing, but the chances of a sale failing or a delay in closing due to an unknown problem will be minimized. The timeline for the transaction could be reduced with these pre-listing preparations and result in increased confidence on both sides of the transaction.”

Bond said the best way to prepare for a sale is with knowledgeable help. “An experienced Realtor is a valuable resource to help guide a seller through the marketing and sale/transaction process in quickly changing market conditions. Your Realtor of choice should be able to articulate the value of their knowledge, expertise, and explain their proven business plan.

The Realtor/seller relationship is a partnership,” she said.

She added, “It is very important to have regular communication regarding market conditions, marketing activity and potential buyer feedback from showings. The best thing a seller or buyer can do is ensure they find a Realtor who meets their specific needs.”

Chris Chambers, also with Tomlinson-Sotheby's, is another experienced local agent and he offers that setting proper expectations is one of the roles of a selling agent. “While it sounds so simple, it is actually quite difficult to execute with consistency,” he said. “There are so many variables to consider when representing real property for sale.”

Each seller, he said, even close partners, “often make dramatically different decisions. Your listing agent must, one, understand the offering as well as or better than you do; two,

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be able to articulate the offer clearly and accurately with the urgency the market demands, and be diligent to never play down the facts of the offering; and three, be authoritative in their representations of your, the seller's, instructions.

“Buyers and buyer’s agents are expected to push the boundaries of a transaction,” he added. “It is ingrained in our culture.

The selling agent must set the expectations and assure those expectations are met.”

He warns, “Many deals fall apart because of information revealed in the middle of the escrow period, which is far too late. Most people do not like surprises and will start to suspect foul play — buyers spending hundreds of thousands of dollars are no different.”

Another long-term area agent is Chareese Moore, with Evergreen Realty. Moore has been working in real estate for decades in the Sandpoint area, through both lean times and fat. “Right now, the market is red hot,” she said, and she urges sellers, in particular, to “have a plan in place for when their home sells.

“Many times a seller will find a buyer much quicker than they expected to, and often before they've found a place they want to buy or move to,” she said. Her advice is to “know where you are going (and) have a backup plan in place.” When should you make those plans? “Before you even list your home,” she said. That's how fast things can move.

Forrest Schuck, a Realtor with Century 21 Riverstone in Sandpoint, said for a buyer, the number one thing to know is “get your financing in place before you start.” Knowing just how much you can afford to pay, and being able to show a buyer that a lender will help you purchase their home, makes it more likely a seller will accept your offer. “If there's any waiting involved, a seller may back out and go with a buyer who was more prepared, and you'll miss out.” He shared that one house he showed recently, “had been visited by 31 Realtors and their clients, just in the first day it was for sale.” A savvy buyer will understand they are not the only fish in the seller's pond. Make sure your lender knows exactly what areas you're willing to negotiate on in order to allow negotiations to happen as quickly as possible, given that there's often dozens of buyers (if not more) for every seller.

Jeremy Brown, with North Idaho Real Estate, agrees.

“If you’re not paying cash for a home, then you really need that pre-approval,” he explained. “You and your agent need to know your actual budget and loan type before you start seeing any homes. Also, in a situation where several offers are on the table, having a local, trusted lender could be the difference between getting your offer accepted or not. Some sellers and real estate agents may not even consider offers from national banks or online lenders because of previous bad experiences, or because of the bad reputation some of these have. Your agent should be able to provide you with a list of some great local lenders,” he said.

In today's market, "Many buyers are having a hard time find-

FORREST SCHUCK, NORTHWEST REALTY GROUP

JEREMY BROWN, REALM

RICH CURTIS, TSIR SandpointMagazine.com SANDPOINT M A G A Z I N E

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5 t h in gs to know

Tune in to Sandpoint Non-commercial Community radio ALISON MURPHY, NORTHWEST REALTY GROUP

Listen 24/7 at 88.5 FM Stream live at KRFY.org

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ing the perfect property for their budget," he said. "You'll most likely need to be more patient, or more flexible to find a property."

When you do find a suitable property, he warned, "Don't sleep on it! You'll typically need to make an offer right away."

For buyers looking to buy vacant land and build their own home, Brown said to be aware it might be a long process. "Since we live in a smaller community we don't have an excess of service providers and with the influx of so many new residents, it has put a lot of stress on home builders and every other contractor. I recently spoke to a local home builder that said to expect a 2-year wait on starting construction of a new home. Also, trying to get an electrician, plumber, handyman, and the like can be challenging on short notice. Keep this in mind if you are under time constraints,” he said.

In a market this hot for sellers, an out-of-area buyer will have one major disadvantage — not being here at the right time. Rich Curtis, an associate broker with Tomlinson’s Sotheby, has been selling property in the area since 2005, and said it’s crucial for buyers to get an agent to represent them.

“You need a buyer’s representative who truly understands what you’re looking for and what you have the ability to buy,” he said. Giving your agent as much information as possible allows them to work effectively on your behalf, avoiding any type of buyer’s remorse. “(Buying) is tough for locals, but it can be even harder for someone coming from out of state,” Curtis explained, particularly for buyers looking for rural property.

“What is the access like? Is it going to be accessible in winter? Is the road maintained and how is it maintained? What are the tax implications for the type of property you’re buying? A non-local buyer may not be aware that over 3,000 ft. elevation there’s going to be a lot more snow in the wintertime.”

These are some of the things a buyer needs to be aware of before they even make an offer, no matter how fast the market is. And it is fast. “I’ve never seen a seller’s market like this before,” said Curtis. A savvy buyer will go into it having done their due diligence beforehand.

Alison Murphy with Northwest Realty Group is marking her 19th year selling real estate locally, and while she concurs with all the above, she said there's a really important facet to understand about real estate in our area.

“Most people I know in our area truly love where we live and value our way of life. Kindness is a big part of this,” she explained. “As a buyer, especially if you're from out of the area, I think acting with kindness will take you a long way to having this become your new favorite place or your forever home.”

Along those same lines she offers that, “while the home buying process can be both challenging and stressful, I also believe it can be fun. As a local Realtor, I firmly believe I can help make your lifestyle dreams come true, and what’s not fun about that?! Working with someone with knowledge and experience puts so much stress behind you that you can focus on the dreamy parts,” she said.

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Growing pains Hard choices lie ahead for managing growth

by Cate Huisman

W

ith everyone talking about growth in the area, a major choice must be considered. In order to keep the rural nature of the county so beloved by its citizens, growth must be concentrated in city centers. And that raises some thorny questions for city planners.

When the pandemic shut down public interaction worldwide, the process of updating Sandpoint’s aged comprehensive plan came to a halt that lasted close to two years. Aggravating the situation, the city’s planning director left, and that position went unfilled for most of 2021.

So as housing costs have soared beyond the reach of many local working families, no far-reaching plan has been in place at the city to create badly needed affordable — or even, attainable — housing.

A city planner was finally hired last January, and the process of preparing for growth that is already upon us is revving up again. An analysis of land-use needs should be completed by the end of June, and public engagement should begin by the fall.

Planning involves a number of land use issues, housing being only one of them. But the housing issue alone presents a number of thorny questions, and public involvement will be essential to address them.

SandpointMagazine.com SANDPOINT M A G A Z I N E

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real estate growing p ai ns

PHOTO, PRECEDING PAGE: NEW HOMES ARE SPROUTING UP AT THE FORMER UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO PROPERTY ON BOYER AVENUE, A DEVELOPMENT THAT WILL HELP MEET HOUSING DEMAND BUT WHICH POSED A SERIES OF DECISIONS FOR THOSE GUIDING CITY GROWTH. PHOTO ABOVE: NEW CONDOS UNDER CONSTRUCTION AT CEDAR STREET AND FIFTH AVENUE. TOP RIGHT: FENCING LIKE THAT ALONG NORTH BOYER CAN PRODUCE A “PLASTIC CANYONS” EFFECT IF IT BECOMES TOO PREVALENT. BOTTOM RIGHT: NEW CONSTRUCTION ON PINE STREET AT FOURTH AVENUE WILL FEATURE A CAFE AND RETAIL ON GROUND FLOOR AND THREE CONDOS ABOVE, A GROWING TREND OF MIXED USE IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA. PHOTOS BY CHRIS BESSLER.

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Thorny questions: Should we rezone some of our industrial land to make more land available for housing? Would this help drive down housing costs? But would it at the same time lower our chances of attracting good jobs?

For example, last year, the city council turned down a request to rezone an industrial parcel to build housing on Great Northern Road. A concern was that this was the last parcel within the city limits that was big enough to support a large industrial operation. “I think it would be shortsighted to randomly sell that off,” said Forrest Schuck, a planning and zoning commissioner and area real estate agent, noting that the land also had good road and highway access.

Thorny questions: Should planning standards be amended to require that new homes be further away from existing ones? This might decrease the number of homes that could be built in a given subdivision, driving up the price of each home.

Or, should we limit home heights further? Perhaps require that a new home be no more than half a story higher than neighboring homes?

Alternatively, instead of adding more land for housing, we can increase the number of housing units built on a given lot.

Current zoning allows for multifamily houses to be built in many parts of town that currently have only single-family homes. When multifamily homes are built, they must be “compatible” with their neighbors.

This nebulous term, compatible, has been a bugbear of

hearings and appeals as new, multifamily houses are built. No one questions the need for the additional housing, but adjacent neighbors often ask: Does it need to be so close to mine? So high? Where a two-and-a-half-story wall replaces a line of trees in the back yard, these changes are hard to take.

Another challenge that comes with growth is traffic. When new homes are built, developers are required to assess how their owners will affect traffic patterns. When a subdivision is built next to an arterial road, homes next to the arterial are built so their backs face the busy traffic, and another, quieter street is built along the front of the home. These arrangements are called double-frontage lots. They are discouraged by the current comp plan, but they have been allowed at several places along North Boyer Avenue, most notably in the new development going in at the old University of Idaho property.

The interplay between housing and efficient vehicle movement brings up several questions: Thorny questions: Do we care about plastic canyons? Could we require some alternative to fencing, such as a screen of trees or a berm along a wider setback? Would this drive up the price of the housing by adding to the cost, or by reducing the number of units that could be built in a subdivision?

Or are we willing to risk having slower traffic movement by having many crossing streets instead of an arterial? If none of the streets were arterials, houses could face all of them, and there would be no double-frontage lots, no street-facing fences,

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no canyons. This is more similar to the pattern of housing in south Sandpoint.

Or can we zone in some way that puts commercial storefronts and other businesses along the busy arterials, so that houses can be built on quieter streets behind them? This approach appears along some portions of Fifth Avenue and Division Avenue, where businesses face the arterial, and houses are on the streets behind them. This model was, in fact, proposed for the University of Idaho property by the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission.

Often developers put up a high fence between an arterial and the backs of houses in double frontage lots. These fences are all that passing drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians see. The term plastic canyons was coined for these arterials last year, because many of these fences are built of some kind of synthetic polymer. You can see such a canyon starting to form along the east side of Boyer Avenue north of the rail crossing.

Sandpoint residents will have an opportunity to address these questions (and many others) as they update the city’s comp plan. There are no easy answers.

But as E. T. MacMahon wrote in Planning Commissioners Journal, "No place will retain its special appeal by accident.” In the absence of citizen action, if we let growth just happen without considering the future we want, Sandpoint will lose its special appeal as well.

Get INvolved Resources for citizen engagement: Regarding the waterfront development projects in Ponderay, visit www.cityofponderay.org and click on "Front Yard Project."

Engage Sandpoint: www.sandpointidaho.gov/your-government/engagesandpoint Bonner County: www.bonnercountyid.gov/departments/Planning/public-hearings

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Luz Ossa, REALTOR® Rich Curtis, associate broker, REALTOR® 208.610.9977 208.290.2895 luz.ossa@sothebysrealty.com richard.curtis@sothebysrealty.com © MMVII Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Claude Monet’s “Marine View With a Sunset,” used with permission. Sotheby’s International Realty® is a licensed trademark to Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates, Inc. An Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity. Each Office Is Independently Owned And Operated, Except Offices Owned And Operated By NRT Incorporated. Sandpoint office: 208-263-5101, 200 Main Street, Sandpoint, ID 83864.

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real estate

m arketwatch

MARKET SLOWS BUT CONTINUES TO GROW

I

f anyone was looking for our dizzying market growth to reverse itself, winter was not their season. Although 19 percent fewer homes were sold in the period from September to April, compared to the same period the year prior, the median sale price in our area continued to increase, jumping 32 percent to a new high of $550,000, with an average sales price of $692,072. According to a joint statement from the U.S. Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the median sales price of a new home in the U.S. was $436,700, with an average sales price of $523,900. That's for new houses only. So Sandpoint, we can safely say, is still a hot market nationwide.

If you're looking to buy, there's some good news in those numbers. The increase in average sales price was only 28 percent; at the same time the year prior, the increase was 33 percent. Is our market beginning to level out?

“It appears that we may be reaching a peak regarding price increases,” said Sarah Mitchell, a realtor with Tomlinson Sothebys and the president of the board of the Selkirk Association of Realtors. “However, if demand persistently outweighs supply, and supply chain issues continue to increase the cost of building materials, we may see some price movement in an upward trend,” she added. “Having said that, this may be counterbalanced by the increase in interest rates. We may see the terms of a transaction changing in favor of buyers in the future, so that they may not have to waive their inspection contingencies, or to compete against multiple offers — all with escalation clauses — on the same property.”

Those increased prices were seen in all areas but one — vacant lakefront property, which saw a 43 percent drop in the average sales price, and 59 percent in the median. That's bad news for buyers, however, because the price isn't actually going down, there just isn't much of it for sale anymore. “We are without a doubt seeing a scarcity in availability,” said Mitchell. “Waterfront is always highly sought after. Mother Nature only created so much of it — need I say more?” she added.

There is construction of new homes underway, but Mitchell said, “With a competitive market like ours, it will take time for supply to catch up with demand.” For those in the market now, she said that, “Planning ahead is essential and whether a buyer or a seller, treat all parties with kindness, patience, and integrity. You've probably been in their shoes before.”

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Selkirk Multiple Listing Service Real Estate Market Trends Vacant land—bonner county

residential sales—All Areas 2021

2022

Sold Listings

745

604

% Inc/Decr

Volume - Sold Listings

$403,948,235

$418,011,565

3

Median Price

$417,00

$550,000

2021

2022

Sold Listings

563

253

-55

Volume - Sold Listings

$109,062,452

$87,636,760

-20

32

Median Price

$139,000

$230,000

65

$193,716

$346,390

79

161

136

-16

-19

% Inc/Decr

Average Sales Price

$542,212

$692,072

28

Average Sales Price

Average Days on Market

92

89

-3

Average Days on Market

2021

2022

2021

2022

Sold Listings

107

70

-35

Sold Listings

27

21

-22

Volume - Sold Listings

$47,549,597

$38,332,424

-19

Volume - Sold Listings

$21,708,980

$16,908,678

-22

Median Price

$382,500

$497,000

30

Median Price

$585,000

$680,000

16

Average Sales Price

$444,388

$547,606

23

Average Sales Price

$804,036

$805,175

0

Average Days on Market

78

63

-19

Average Days on Market

94

104

11

2021

2022

Sandpoint City

Residential Sales—schweitzer % Inc/Decr

Sandpoint Area

% Inc/Decr

residential sales—all lakefront % Inc/Decr -19

2021

2022

Sold Listings

57

51

Volume - Sold Listings

$60,842,809

$74,397,192

22

$922,720

23

Sold Listings

416

339

Volume - Sold Listings

$245,297,984

$263,197,965

Median Price

$475,000

$635,000

34

Median Price

$750,000

7

% Inc/Decr -11

Average Sales Price

$589,658

$776,395

32

Average Sales Price

$1,067,417

$1,458,768

37

Average Days on Market

84

88

5

Average Days on Market

103

93

-10

RESIDENTIAL SALES BY AREA based on information from the Selkirk MLS© for the period of September 20, 2020 to April 20, 2021 versus September 20, 2021 to April 20, 2022. Real estate stats for Bonner and Boundary counties. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

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introducing locals |

nati ves + newco m e rs

Newcomers &

NATIVES story and photos by Marianne Love

T

his issue’s “Natives and Newcomers” feature offers a fun twist.

Two long-time residents can share a lifetime of rich local experiences. While one recent transplant is just starting to add her personal touch to the Sandpoint story, the other “newcomer” has enjoyed a life-long association with the community through family connections.

Now, like all the others, he’s thrilled to live here.

Native

Ruthann Nordgaarden

Whenever Ruthann Kiebert Nordgaarden visits west Hope, she sees the community through an historical lens, including her own history and that of Hope itself.

An area between the Old Ice House Pizzeria and the Hope Hotel, for example, reminds her of when her dad owned the nearby Kiebert Mercantile.

A flight of wooden stairs just across the old highway leading to the train depot served as “one of my favorite places, where many memories were made.

“That was, of course, the shoreline and the city dock,” Nordgaarden, now 76, recalled. “Getting to that favorite place meant crossing those busy tracks. Trains were often blocking the tracks, so crawling underneath was a must.”

Like the old white fountain at the top of those steps, Nordgaarden’s memories virtually bubble over when sharing her childhood adventures.

Those years, with brothers Kermit and Marty, and sister Kay, were spent in Old Hope and later on the Hope Peninsula in a house with a panoramic view of the lake and mountains.

“There were only four places on what we considered ‘our side’ of the peninsula,” SandpointMagazine.com SANDPOINT M A G A Z I N E

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features nativ es + Newcomers she recalled, “and not all of those were year-round homes.”

After graduating from Sandpoint High School, Nordgaarden attended Moscow Beauty College of Cosmetology and married the love of her life, the late Glen Nordgaarden. The couple had two children and, later, four granddaughters.

Horses played a key role in her life, often taking her to mountaintops and alpine lakes.

As a retired dog groomer and former 4-H leader, Nordgaarden enjoys a different form of exploring, with her son Eric, daughter Kiersten, and canine sidekicks.

Her bright orange ATV side-by-side allows her to still explore the backcountry.

“I continue to hit the trails and do what I love most,” she said, “and that’s to head for the hills.”

Q. Who is a longtimer who positively impacted your life?

A. Carolyn Gleason, my lifelong childhood friend. Growing up in the ’50s in Hope and operating her own very successful business, Second Avenue

Pizza, plus putting on Lost in the ’50s for so many years, Carolyn has shown how, with hard work and dedication, one person can contribute positively to our community.

Q. What do you think is the most difficult part of community growth?

A. The influx of newcomers moving here with their wealth, buying and developing lands, makes it impossible for those who’ve grown up here to live here, let alone buy land … there's no affordable housing. With the inflation of land prices, it has become a nightmare.

Q. What's your advice to newcomers?

A. Learn who your neighbors are. Be a part of the community. Blend in. Contribute to what we have without wanting to make changes.

Q. What classic Sandpoint stories stand out in your mind?

A. Cruising, known as “dragging the gut” back in the day, was just the thing to do. Don’s Drive-In for fries and a Coke and meeting up to talk with friends.

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Newcomer

Julie Ann Connary East Coast family interests paved the way for Julie Ann Connary’s adventurefilled life and significant achievement in the technology world.

“As a family we were very active in sports, the most prominent being ski racing,” Connary said. “We also had a family house on the north shore of Massachusetts where we learned to swim, sail, and enjoy seafood.”

While one older brother inspired her competitive skiing, another influenced her pursuit of an engineering career, concluding in 2020 with her retirement as a computer network engineer/technical leader for Cisco Systems.

Twenty years of working remotely for the company led to involvement in high impact projects with the Department of Defense, cruise ship companies, and international efforts to combat drug trafficking.

While volunteering for proof-ofconcept projects, she led technical teams building software to automate “the deployment and management of the service provider networks.”

Last fall Connary, 55, and her husband Shane, a retired Air Force officer, moved from the Vail, Colorado area to a mountainside home in Sagle with a stunning view of Lake Pend Oreille. Daughter Ally attends school in Bonners Ferry.

“We decided we wanted to relocate

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SUN, JULY 31 PINK MARTINI FT. CHINA FORBES

SUN, AUGUST 7 SPOKANE SYMPHONY

WITH THE MOSS

GRAND FINALE + WINE TASTING

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features nativ es + Newcomers to Sandpoint to take advantage of a lake, ski mountain, and a small, welcoming town,” said Connary, who enrolled in a Master Gardener class and has enjoyed many days of skiing at Schweitzer. She also looks forward to kayaking and hiking in the area.

Mountains have played a key role in the couple’s worldwide adventures, as they’ve scaled peaks in Canada and Alaska.

These confirmed outdoors lovers, who have made multiple career moves, figure they’ve found heaven.

“Sandpoint fits the bill,” Connary said, “with the lake, ski hill, and hiking/biking, plus the natural setting.”

Q. What influenced you to move here?

A. Shane and I fell in love with the Sandpoint area because of a slower lifestyle, super nice people, and a lake and ski area!

Q. How has life improved since your move?

A. Slowing down and taking time for myself, ourselves (Shane and I). Enjoying the Panida Theater. Exploring the area’s trails for hiking with our labradoodle Thunder.

Q. How do you hope to contribute your talents to this community?

A. As a retiree, my plans include volunteering in the schools for STEM, Pend Oreille Pedalers, and gardening. I plan to join the Bonner County Master Gardener Association.

Q. What have you discovered since moving here?

A. Sometimes it rains and snows at the same time. Great sunsets over the lake and mountains, even though our house

faces due east! Go to Schweitzer for skiing, even on a foggy day over the lake, and it will be sunny up there.

Native

Kevin Dreier

Kevin Dreier feels a deep sense of pride in his family’s Sandpoint history, dating to 1907.

His maternal grandfather Sam April worked for Humbird Lumber Co. as well as the Northern Pacific Railway.

A year later, the Dreier family settled in Laclede where his paternal grandfather Albert Dreier worked as a blacksmith.

“I’m proud that five generations of both the Dreier and April families have lived and worked in Sandpoint,” said Dreier, a 67-year-old, coffee-loving, easy-going SHS grad and grandfather.

“I can’t imagine living anywhere else,” he added. “I have friends I’ve known for over 60 years . (We) might not see each other that often but when we do, it’s like we had coffee yesterday.”

Childhood memories include sports, hunting, fishing, riding

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Professional Movers

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introducing locals | motorcycles, and just hanging out.

“The lake” provided the premium spot for Dreier’s growingup experiences. “We spent countless hours at the beach or Sam Owen or Garfield Bay,” he recalled.

His career included working as a welder and machinist for his dad, truck driver, car salesman, utility inspector, and estimator. He and his wife Susan also dabbled in the wholesale candy business.

One summer, while attending college, he pulled lumber on the green chain at the Pack River Lumber Co. Colburn mill.

“That was the hardest physical job I ever had,” he noted.

Nowadays he continues the Lake Pend Oreille passion, boating with his kids and grandchildren for hours.

“Something about the lake changes your whole attitude,” he said. “I believe that the lake is the main element that ties all the locals together.”

Q. Who is a longtimer who positively impacted your life?

A. My wife has always held me up and done everything in her power to help me through life. Also, George Andrews, Kim Keaton, and Rob Kincaid. We’ve all been friends since grade school and before. If I ever need anything, I can call one of them, and it’s done.

Q. What do you think is the most difficult part of community growth?

A. Losing that “small town, know everyone” local feeling.

Q. What's your advice to newcomers?

A. Take the advice that the locals tell you.

nati ves + newco m e rs

Q. What classic Sandpoint stories stand out in your mind?

Kim Keaton’s 19th birthday. I won’t go into detail, but Rob Kincaid somehow ended up falling out of a tree at the beach, onto the road, and breaking his leg.

Newcomer

Brad Benoit

Newcomer Brad Benoit’s travel passion pays the bills and takes him on continual journeys to “see more.”

“That’s why engraved on my wife’s and my wedding rings is the phrase ‘There Is Still So Much to See,” the 39-yearold California native said.

He may happily suffer from wanderlust, but Benoit has also planted his roots right back where they sprouted: Sandpoint, Idaho. He grew up in Santa Rosa, California, and worked for several years in the film industry in Los Angeles, acting in commercials and movies and working with special effects.

After a year of traveling

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features nativ es + Newcomers with his wife Christina and son Finnigan, the couple decided that the place where Benoit had visited his grandparents every year would be the perfect spot to call home.

The pandemic influenced their permanent move here.

“In 2019 we hit the road with our 2-year-old son to find ‘home,’” he explained, “and after an amazing year on the road, the world changed forever.

“We were living in Boise at the time,” he said, “and decided that the best thing would be for us to ‘ride it out’ in Sandpoint, where my family owns a home.”

Benoit’s grandfather, Bud Benoit, owned The Bootery, taught boxing at the Elks Club, and served on Sandpoint’s City Council.

Yearly trips to Sandpoint forged wonderful connections to the community.

“My childhood is saturated with the fondest memories of Schweitzer, City Beach, Dubs, and much more,” he said. “My son is the fourth generation of Benoit boys to grow up in this home.”

While completing their own home at Sunnyside, Benoit and Christina both work as travel writers in the house where his grandparents lived.

“When we landed here, we had no idea what the future held for us,” he said, “and it turned out that it was meant to be.”

Q. What influenced you to move here?

A. My deep family connection to this town as well as finding a great school that our son loves. Gorgeous outdoor spaces and

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proximity to nature for our son. A lifestyle that encourages adventurous outdoor time is very important to us.

Q. How has life improved since your move?

A. Our son loves his school and has found several friends.

We spend the majority of our free time outside. We’re able to instill a deep love of the outdoors in our son. We’ve also found our own corner of paradise, where we’re building our new home. If you can’t tell, I’m pretty excited.

Q. How do you hope to contribute your talents to this community?

A. As a photographer/ artist, I hope to share my talents with the community through artwork, galleries, and commerce. My wife and I run a travel site called “Live a Wilder Life” (www. liveawilderlife.com). We share our adventures across the country and around the world, hoping to open people’s minds to more travel for the everyday adventurer (to) take away the stigma that travel is hard, expensive, or unattainable for the everyday family.

Q. What have you discovered since moving here?

A. From new hiking paths to secret food discoveries, from local shops to artists, (there's) always something new and exciting to discover in Sandpoint. While revisiting the deep history this town offers, I can see why my grandparents decided to call Sandpoint home almost 80 years ago.

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LODGING

sandpoint

Spa or Sauna

Pool on site

Restaurant

Bar or Lounge

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x Downtown Sandpoint on the lake. Indoor pool, sauna, fitness room, hot tub. All rooms with lake view. Dine at Trinity at City Beach. Also 22-site RV park.

208-263-3194 or 800-635-2534

Beyond Hope Resort

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Dover Bay Bungalows

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Free breakfast with waffles, 24-hour hot tub, free wireless internet. Family suites. At the base of Schweitzer Mountain, two miles from Lake Pend Oreille. www.fairbridgesandpoint.com

208-263-2210

Lodge at Sandpoint

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Fully furnished condos and on-site athletic club on Lake Pend Oreille. Stay and play packages. See ad, page 73. www.posresort.com

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x Mountain accommodations, stay-and-play packages. Spectacular mountain and lake views. Outdoor heated pool and hot tubs. See ad on back cover. www.schweitzer.com

208-265-0257 or 877-487-4643

Sleep's Cabins

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208-255-2122

Twin Cedars Camping and Vacation Rentals 208-920-1910

Accommodations for retreats and banquets. Lakeside with swimming and docks.

Views of lake and mountains for an unforgettable Idaho vacation. www.lodgeatsandpoint.com

x

Pend Oreille Shores Resort

Selkirk Lodge

Sandpoint’s luxury vacation home rentals, with properties on the lake and the mountain. See ad on page 3. www.staysandpoint.com

Waterfront bungalows at Dover Bay in Marina Village. Fully furnished, lake and mountain views. Fitness center, marina, hiking/biking trails. www.doverbaybungalows.com

208-263-5493

FairBridge Inn & Suites

Located on the Hope peninsula. R.V sites, tent sites, restaurant, cafe, showers, marina and private venues available. See ad page 39. www.beyondhoperesort.com Two cute cabins, 400ft apart from each other on beautiful Sunnyside. Minutes from Lake Pend Oreille and under 15min to downtown Sandpoint and Mt.Schweitzer. Up to 4 guests: www.airbnb.com/h/CabinInTheCedars Up to 6 guests: www.airbnb.com/h/LittleHouseInTheWoodsBnb

Cabin in the Cedars

Daugherty Management

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Meeting Rooms

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Kitchen

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DAUGHERTY MANAGEMENT VACATION RENTAL, VILLA Z ESTATE WATERFRONT HOME

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Sleep's Cabins have been a beloved part of the community and a landmark on Lake Pend Oreille since the 1930s. Perfect for family vacations. See ad page 50. www.sleepscabins.com Vacation rental homes, Boho bell tents, RV sites and a camping cabin amongst two beautiful acreages on Lake Pend Oreille and in the Selle Valley, both with outdoor hot tubs. www.twincedarssandpoint.com

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spots 5hot W cool dessert for a

by Emilie McGrath

hether you are coming off the lake or just perusing the shops in downtown Sandpoint, here are five places to grab a scrumptious dessert to help beat the summer heat.

Jalapeños Any season is a great time for authentic Mexican food at this local favorite but don’t pass on dessert this summer. Their classic flan embodies a creamy custard topped with a rich caramel glaze. The perfect amount of cinnamon tops off this traditional dessert.

Also try their huckleberry fried ice cream which brings a regional twist to another Mexican restaurant favorite.

Creamy huckleberry ice cream with just the right amount of tangy sweetness is rolled in crunchy, cinnamon-sugar cornflakes and finished off with a huckleberry sauce and a generous amount of whipped cream. Stop in for your sweet treat at 314 N. Second Ave. Panhandle Cone and Coffee Known for their unique flavor combinations and locally sourced ingredients, this downtown shop offers a wide selection of creamy ice cream options. With regionally inspired flavors like the

Buttermilk Huckleberry and Sasquatch as well as an everchanging seasonal flavors menu, this quaint ice cream shop makes choosing as much of a treat as enjoying their well-crafted desserts. They also offer vegan options and classics like “Just Plain Chocolate.” Their friendly staff who greet you when you walk through the door add to the delight! Visit them at 216 N. First Ave. MickDuff’s Brewpub Renowned for their expertly crafted beer, this brewpub has a cool treat you may have overlooked. They craft their own root beer, which they use to create an old-fashioned root beer float that

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PHOTOS, CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: JALAPENOS FRIED ICE CREAM IS A CELEBRATORY TREAT; PANHANDLE CONE AND COFFEE OFFERS A HEFTY SERVING IN A WAFFLE CONE; A MICKDUFF’S CRAFT BEER OFTEN OVERLOOKED IS ROOT BEER. YOU CAN EVEN ORDER IT WITH ICE CREAM! PHOTOS BY CAMERON BARNES.

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ABOVE: THE KEY LIME PIE AT BAXTERS IS A TASTE SENSATION: CITRUSY, SWEET, TANGY, AND CRUNCHY. PHOTO BY CAMERON BARNES. BELOW: AMY BORUP OFFERS DI LUNA’S DOUBLE-LAYERED CARROT CAKE, WHICH ALWAYS BRINGS SMILES. PHOTO BY KAREN FORSYTHE. RIGHT: SOFT SERVE ICE CREAM IS JUST ONE OF MANY TREATS AT MILLER’S COUNTRY STORE. COURTESY PHOTO.

will take you and your taste buds on a nostalgic walk down memory lane. The root beer has a robust flavor and produces the perfect amount of fizz. The float is served with creamy vanilla ice cream and is a must try on a hot day. Visit the Brewpub at 419 N. Second Ave. Open daily.

Baxters on Cedar As the perfect completion to their upscale pub cuisine, Baxters has their own pastry chef to offer you dessert options that both cool you down and allow you to experience a refreshing twist to some of your favorite classic desserts. Their key lime pie is rich and creamy, concocting the ideal balance of citrus, sweet, and tangy. Served on the perfect crunchy and not-too-sweet graham cracker crust, this indulgence is beautifully presented and topped with a candied lime zest. They also offer varying seasonal dessert options you must not miss. Baxters is located at 109 Cedar St. Di Luna's Always serving up comforting breakfasts and delectable lunches, this hot spot offers a dessert they have been showcasing for forty years. Their Sandpoint renowned carrot cake is a moist, double-layer masterpiece featuring the quintessential cream cheese frosting. Enjoy this classic after your meal or just pop in on a hot summer day and indulge in dessert before dinner. You'll find Di Luna's just down the road from Baxters, at 207 Cedar St. BONUS! Miller’s Country Store, located at 1326 Baldy Mountain Rd. in Sandpoint, offers just about every type of sweet your tummy is craving. From soft serve ice cream to homemade pastries to frozen cinnamon rolls you can pop in the oven and cook “fresh,” they’re worth a stop!

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A Slice of

home

JACOBSONS CONTINUE TRADITION AT PACK RIVER STORE WHILE EXPANDING INTO HOPE

by Cameron Rasmusson, photos by Cameron Barnes

T

here’s nothing quite like keeping it in the family.

When it comes to a beloved local institution like the Pack River Store, a family legacy provides a sense of continuity while ensuring devotees that the products and service they know and love will maintain their character well into the future. Fortunately, the next generation of management is here, and they know exactly what keeps patrons coming back.

As the (somewhat) new owners of Pack River Store, Brittany and Alex Jacobson assure fans that while big things await for the business, the essentials that keep customers coming back aren’t changing. And they should know—it’s been a part of Alex’s life about as far back as he can remember.

“Alex‘s mom, Arlene, ran the store for the previous 18 years, and she was considering selling it because she was ready to retire,” Brittany Jacobson said. “The store had been such a SandpointMagazine.com SANDPOINT M A G A Z I N E

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Delicious nDailys Come & Taste!

Monday - Saturday 11:00 am-9:00 pm

Baxtersoncedar@gmail.com • 208-229-8377 • 109 Cedar St, Sandpoint

CRAFT BEER, WINE, EATERY, EVENTS, LIVE MUSIC

SANDPOINT, COEUR D’ALENE, & NEW! SPOKANE WONDER BUILDING 524 CHURCH ST, SANDPOINT 504 E SHERMAN AVE, COEUR D’ALENE WONDER MARKET, 821 W MALLON AVE, SPOKANE

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“

This opportunity gave us the best of both worlds: save the store and move back to our hometown.

big part of Alex‘s life — and as a local my life, too. And we really couldn’t bear the thought of somebody purchasing it and plowing it down to build condos or something similar.

“We had been living and working in CDA and the ultimate goal was always to move home,” she added. “This opportunity gave us the best of both worlds: save the store and move back to our hometown.”

Of course, fresh eyes mean an opportunity for a few tweaks here and there.

Ultimately, the Jacobsons knew what they wanted to preserve: Pack River Store’s reputation for great, home-cooked food, fresh ingredients, and a community-oriented spirit. But they seized the chance to inject both new efficiency and variety.

“We started by making changes to the menu,” Jacobson said. “[Arlene] had such a large menu with not a lot of cross utilization, so we wanted to elevate the dishes she created by roasting, smoking, and curing our own meats, making most everything from scratch, and utilizing the firm community in the Selle Valley and the greater Sandpoint area. We also consolidated the grocery section of the store to make more room for seating and more functional dining space and kitchen.”

Of course, any kind of change in a longstanding business causes some tension.

But the Jacobsons have been quick to become acquainted with their regulars. It’s been a steady process of learning the business: managing the office, waiting tables,

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ordering inventory, manning the gas station, and working the kitchen.

“We try our best to know everybody’s name who comes in often — what they like to eat, what they like to drink. It’s so important to connect with your community and know your customers,” Jacobson said.

That’s not the only exciting development in the Jacobson world. They also plan on leasing the Beyond Hope Resort this coming summer.

In the course of catering 32 weddings last summer, Jacobson said they learned the lease was up for grabs. She and her husband decided to step in and fill the void. The resort offers a great view and lakeside summer fun. With a liquor bar, the ability to cater on site, and some of the best lakeside sunsets in the region, they see it as a one-of-a-kind experience.

“My joke is that Alex wanted a second restaurant, and I didn’t want a second restaurant, so we compromised on a second seasonal restaurant,” Jacobson said. “We love summertime and Hope, and the opportunity to be on the lake was one we couldn’t pass up.”

More than anything, though, they look forward to giving Pack River Store customers the same familiar slice of home they’ve come to love.

“The store isn’t closing or changing,” she said. “We are super grateful to have an amazing team that we know will hold down the store through the summer. Not that we won’t be there every day ourselves — we totally will.”

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312 N First Ave.

Beer Hall & Brewery

419 N. 2nd Ave

MickDuffs.com SandpointMagazine.com SANDPOINT M A G A Z I N E

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A heart for

eating healthy HEART BOWLS EXPANDS FROM FOOD TRUCK INTO FORMER IVANO’S BUILDING KATIE ADAMS IS EXPANDING INTO NEW TERRITORY AS HEART BOWLS OPENS UP IN THE FORMER IVANO’S BUILDING IN SANDPOINT. PHOTO BY CHRIS BESSLER.

by Trish Gannon

Quality Homemade Goods & Local Products

BULK FOOD

LUNCH

TAKE-N-BAKES Hours M-F 8:30-5:30 208-263-9446 Now Available With

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hen Katie Adams returned to Sandpoint in 2014, she wasn't sure what specifically she wanted to do, but she knew she wanted to make a difference. Her life, she had determined, would be one that was true to her own core values of equality and inclusivity, treating the planet like a living being, and living as healthily as possible. Freshly married to Gwen LeTutour, the pair started a blog, Plant Positive, and utilizing social media, set out to influence the world — or at least, their little corner of it. Vegans themselves, the goal was to encourage people to eat healthier, but without preaching about it.

They wanted to show people healthier options, and watch as those people began making better food choices on their own.

That “If-you-build-it-they-will-come” philosophy has held true in the intervening years. By 2019, Adams' vision had grown, and she and a friend opened up Heart Bowls, a food truck offering exactly those healthy options to area residents, in the form of smoothies and smoothie bowls, rice bowls, and baked goods.

“So many people told me I was crazy to open a vegan food place in Sandpoint,” Adams said. “You wouldn't believe how many people said 'no one will come.' I thought it would take a while to catch on. But it didn't — after two weeks, we were so busy we had to hire extra staff.”

That popularity remained, even though Adams has been upfront about her commitment to inclusivity, which has translated

into Gay Pride flags, and Black Lives Matter slogans, topics that have sometimes been controversial in Sandpoint. “There are more of us (who care about these things) than people realize,” she said.

Heart Bowls filled a niche Sandpoint didn't even know it had.

Turns out the area wanted whole, healthy foods or, as Adams describes it, “Food I am willing to eat every single day.”

Building on that success, Heart Bowls will greet the summer season in Sandpoint in a new location: the former deli/wine bar in the old Ivano’s building on the corner of First and Pine streets.

“I’m excited to be here,” Adams said as she worked on painting the room in anticipation of opening. “We’ll share the patio with The Blue Room (which will be opening at the same time in the other portion of the building), plus there’s seating inside.”

The new location will offer Heart Bowls a four-season operation downtown, easily accessible to shoppers and beach-goers.

Adams, a former barista, is excited to add coffees and espresso drinks to the Heart Bowls menu, featuring Evans Brothers coffee and plant-based milks, but the smoothie bowls will remain the same. “We’ll probably add to the menu as we move on,” she said.

Vegan, (mostly) gluten-free, and even plastic-free—the 100 percent compostable serving dishes are made out of plant-based by products—“it just sort of happened that way,” Adams said. “Heart Bowls is really about being welcoming and loving,” respecting the world and all its inhabitants. The type of food, and the way the business operates, “just grows out of that,” she said.

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Hwy 95 N Ponderay | 208.263.1381 • 601 Front Ave. 208.667.1170 | DOWNTOWN Cda • The Crossings | 208.561.9496 | Athol www.sweetlousidaho.com SandpointMagazine.com SANDPOINT M A G A Z I N E

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It’s a

Nibbler's Paradise on the Mountain SCHWEITZER’S SUMMER DINING SCENE HAS NEVER BEEN BETTER

by Beth Hawkins

G

ot company in town? Looking for a great place to eat? Take in the splendor of North Idaho’s mountains while enjoying some of the finest cuisine around with a summertime meal at Schweitzer, where there are some outstanding restaurants that remain open beyond the ski resort’s traditional winter season. In fact, Schweitzer is becoming a summer destination thanks to its bounty of outdoor activities and cooler temperatures.

Makes sense, then, that the food scene has kept pace with its year-round popularity. It's adventure and deliciousness all rolled into one!

This past winter, the ski resort opened its new boutique hotel, Humbird, in the heart of Schweitzer Village. With its arrival came The Crow’s Bench, a culinary experience that’s been well received thus far, according to marketing manager Dig Chrismer.

She said the alpine-inspired menu includes some unique offerings including wiener schnitzel, a traditional Austrian meat dish that’s served with creamed kale, potato latkes, lemon cream cheese and lingonberry. Don’t skip the appetizer menu as well, which offers an intriguing bison, elk, and wild boar meatballs

dish served with a mustard sauce.

And just in time for summer, the hotel’s new patio will be completed and ready for diners. Its location in the heart of Schweitzer Village offers a terrific new vantage point. “All in all, I can’t wait to experience the new outdoor seating at Crow’s Bench,” said Chrismer. “The patio will extend into the village and offer a great spot for people watching during the summer months.”

Crow’s Bench is open all summer from 2 p.m. until 8 p.m.

Thursdays through Mondays, and closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Reservations are recommended by calling 208255-3051.

If you’re looking to wow out-of-town guests with our region’s breathtaking beauty, the perfect adventure plus meal is a visit to The Nest Restaurant and Bar in the Sky House. The restaurant is perched at Schweitzer’s summit, and accessing it requires either the purchase of a scenic lift ticket to ride the Great Escape chairlift — a memorable experience in and of itself — or hike the moderately difficult one-hour Nature Trail to the top (and not worry about calories!). Either way, you’ll be rewarded with spectacular views that are not to be missed. Step inside the Sky House, or dine SandpointMagazine.com SANDPOINT M A G A Z I N E

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PHOTOS, PREVIOUS PAGE: THE CROW’S NEST IS SCHWEITZER MOUNTAIN’S NEWEST OFFERING FOR THOSE WHO HAVE WORKED UP A HEALTHY APPETITE. PHOTO BY CAMERON BARNES. ABOVE: THE SKY HOUSE OFFERS UNFORGETTABLE VIEWS ON A SUMMER’S AFTERNOON. COURTESY PHOTO.

Local Natural Delicious

Winter Ridge Natural Foods is your onestop-shop to support your healthy lifestyle.

Organic Produce Salad Bar Deli Hot Food Bar Local Grass-Fed Meats and Dairy Extensive Wellness and Beauty Departments Exclusive Wines and Cheeses Beer and Kombucha on Tap Robust Bulk Items Healthy On-The-Go Foods And So Much More.

703 Lake Street at Boyer St Sandpoint, ID

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(208) 265-8135 www.WinterRidgeFoods.com

on the deck, with a selection of homemade lunch items including small plate options, salads, and a full bar menu. Open during the summer season, which begins June 17, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

Back in the village, a tried-and-true favorite place to eat is the Chimney Rock Grill. It’s located on the ground floor of the Selkirk Lodge and offers both indoor and outdoor seating. A top pick by those in the know (locals and Schweitzer staff) is the C-Rock Burger— topped with smoked gouda, garlic aioli, and candied bacon on a brioche bun. Cool things off with a signature cold drink from the bar like the Huck Press, featuring 44 North Huckleberry vodka and lemon lime soda.

Chimney Rock is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, and closed Sundays and Mondays.

Finally, Mojo Coyote Café is moving to the Gourmandie shop for the summer, so you can order up your favorite mocha along with a delicious selection of meats, cheeses, wines, and more. Open daily from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Learn more at www.Schweitzer.com/ dining.

Stay ile!

Awh

Try our Locally Made Wine!

...and a full menu of artisan pizzas, salads, and Farmer’s boards + a Gift Shop with Local Art!

Open Tues-Sat Noon - 8 pm 301 Cedar St #101 | Sandpoint, ID 83864

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An evolving

Success Story SWEET LOU'S OPENS THIRD LOCATION IN ATHOL

by Trish Gannon

I

n 2001, Chad and Meggie Foust opened a restaurant they called Sweet Lou's in Hope, and a dynasty was born.

Although hard to pinhole in just one category, the restaurant began as a family friendly eatery serving simple American fare where diners could come in with the kids, have a drink, and maybe catch a game while leaving the cooking and clean-up to someone else. It was a formula that appealed, and this spring saw Sweet Lou's continuing to expand. The Sweet Lou's success story, featuring three active restaurants, now stretches from Ponderay to Coeur d'Alene, with its latest offering located halfway between the two in Athol, next to the Super 1 Foods grocery store.

“Our Athol location is a casual, family friendly restaurant where the game will always be on,” Meggie Foust explained.

“When we were new parents, we found too many times when dining out that young families aren't always welcome in restaurants where you can get great food and drink. Our goal in each location has been to make everyone that walks in the door feel comfortable while enjoying a great dining experience. We do our best to offer something for everyone — creating delicious dishes with quality ingredients.”

At a time when most restaurants seem to be struggling to find staff, Sweet Lou's has had no problems in staffing the new restaurant. “Most of our employees live in the area and have proven to be dedicated, hard working and talented. We've built a strong crew and we plan to be prepared for the summer season,” said Foust. “We don't have a secret for building our teams — we offer competitive pay, a dynamic, creative work environment, and full benefits for those full-time employees. We do our best to make everyone feel welcome and respected when at work,” she added. “We have several long-term employees in Coeur d'Alene and Ponderay and we are proud of that. We care about each and every one of our employees and we do our best so they know that they are appreciated.”

Athol may seem to be a strange choice for locating a restaurant; as of the 2020 census it boasted a population of just 840, and way back in 2014 improvements to Highway 95 effectively bypassed the town proper. But as Foust pointed out, “The Athol area is growing rapidly. Farragut State Park and Silverwood have been large attractions for years and now with high numbers of families moving into the area from out of state, anywhere north of Hayden seems to be a destination to build SandpointMagazine.com SANDPOINT M A G A Z I N E

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eats+

drinks PHOTOS, PREVIOUS PAGE: SWEET LOU’S THIRD RESTAURANT IS NOW OPEN IN ATHOL. PHOTO BY ERNIE HAWKS. AT RIGHT: MEGGIE AND CHAD FOUST IN THEIR NEWEST KITCHEN ARE READY TO SERVE UP MORE FAMILY FRIENDLY FUN AND FOOD. PHOTO BY RACHAEL BAKER.

homes. The traffic along Highway 95 is also increasing. The Athol location gives those on a road trip somewhere to stop by for dinner and locals another dining option in town.”

Although only recently opened, the new location has proved popular with those in the area, and Foust described the “secret sauce” that makes all three restaurants so appealing. “Consistency is a big key to our success. We are strict with following our recipes and maintaining our standards. Customers know what they can expect when they walk in our doors. If we do have mistakes (we are human), we do our best to make it right... right away.

“Another important factor is that Chad and I are very involved in all three of the restaurants,” she added. “We do our best to work alongside all of our team members as much as possible.

Chad is consistently coaching and mentoring — from bussers and hosts to the entire kitchen team. We are also often on the floor of our restaurants, eager to meet our regular customers.

Being part of the North Idaho community is important to us and we do our best to find ways to become involved in the area as much as possible.”

Will Sweet Lou's continue to grow? And if it does... where will the next restaurant be located?

“Chad is never one to become complacent,” Foust offered.

“He is always looking for the next plan — the next idea. For now (though), we are going to focus on getting Athol up and running while maintaining Coeur d'Alene and Ponderay.

“We are proud and excited to be part of the Athol community,” she added. “So far, we've been graciously welcomed by fellow restauranters and other business owners. It is a very supportive and generous community and we look forward to being part of the area's growth.”

Stop by for a visit at any one of the Sweet Lou's locations.

The game is always on.

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Things We’ve learned in the restaurant business 1. Know who you are and what you offer; don’t try to be something you’re not 2. Be proud of who you are 3. Make lists: crossing things off is rewarding and todo lists make things less overwhelming 4. Don’t skimp on training 5. Always have each other’s back by chad & meggie foust

H BOW OWLLSS HEEA ART RT B

Serving lunch daily Tuesday through Saturday 10am - 3pm

102 N 1st Ave, Sandpoint 208-265-4311 • Spudsonline.com

5

AÇAÍ TOAST | | COFFEE COFFEE AÇAÍ | | SMOOTHIES SMOOTHIES || TOAST

OPEN DAILY DOWNTOWN SANDPOINT 102 1ST AVE

|

WWW.HEARTBOWLS.COM

|

208.304.7631

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DISH

paddler’s alehouse

the local with Carol Curtis and Beth Hawkins

T

he born-and-raised, long-time locals, and newcomers all try to keep pace with the activity in restaurants downtown. Here's the news we've been able to obtain to date on changes.

The Hydra is under new ownership, and new eateries arise in the Old Ivano's building — Heart Bowls will transition from their food truck and open in the wine bar area, while The Blue Room,

owned by the Bond family, will locate in the restaurant area.

Beet and Basil, once across the street, has simply picked up and moved down the road to Ponderay. The restaurant’s general manager Jeremy Holzapfel aims for a late May reopening in their new building located in Kessa's Court, next to Kessa's Coffee at the east end of the Bonner Mall parking lot.

On First Avenue, the Panhandler Pies building has new own-

ALL NATURAL!

July thr u Octo ber is

Huckleberry Season!

Seasonal Pub Fare with a Unique Twist Summer Hours Tues-Sat 4:00pm to 10:00pm 301 Cedar St., Suite 102 208.265.PORK

www.sandpointfatpig.com

100 Vermeer Dr. Ponderay Idaho 83852

208) 946-5256

Locally Picked Huckleberries!

Enjoy one of our many Huckleberry products at the Pantry:

Pies | Danishes | Bread | Muffins Jams | Ice Cream | Milk Shakes

all made fresh in our bakery!

Purveyors of quality locally crafted ales, ciders, and seltzers.

Open Daily from Noon to 8PM SandpointMagazine.com SANDPOINT M A G A Z I N E

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clubhouse restaurant

Old west texas bbq

eats+

drinks

ers (no word on their plans), while the two properties burned on First Avenue in 2019 are now in development. The buildings will “turn their back” on First, so to speak, and put their faces toward Sand Creek. Further down the block, the former MickDuff's location will host the Pickled Kitchen, formerly in Cedar Street Bridge. The Hive has also changed hands, but new plans have not been announced.

Turning the corner on Cedar, Idaho Pour Authority is under new ownership; former employee Erin Brannigan and local Josh Hedlund plan to keep the place a craft-beer-lover's downtown destination. Former owner Ben Higgs still owns and operates Powder Hound Pizza at the south entrance to town and on Schweitzer Mountain.

Over on Main Street, look for action in the old Truby's building, the future home of Trinity now that plans to tear down and rebuild the Best Western at City Beach can move forward.

And the new building going up on Pine and Fourth will host a restaurant and retail on the ground, with condos above.

Outside of town, the rumors of new restaurants appear to be unfounded, although Paddler's Alehouse, at 100 Vermeer Dr. in Ponderay, is now open and offering craft beer, ciders, and seltzers in style. Owners Chris and Stephanie Wiens opened a place that celebrates local — fitting for a couple of locally grown 'kids' — offering not only locally made drinks, but locally made art and merchandise. You'll find 24 taps along with a hefty list of baked bar treats (and more than ten sauces to go with them). You can also purchase locally made wines, non-alcoholic offerings and, if you're the DD, free coffee.

Construction next to Wendy’s will be retail, while across the highway a new car wash is going in.

Heading east on Highway 200 always offers some great dining experiences. The Clubhouse at the Idaho Club, 216 Club House Way, just off the highway a few miles east of town, is once again ready to wow diners with their eclectic menu and scenic location, while The Floating Restaurant, 47392 Hwy. 200 in Hope, is open for the season Thursdays through Sun-

SINCE 1994

Hope, Idaho

Magic Sundays—5-8pm | Margarita Monday—all day Taco Tuesday—all day

FAMILY Y FRIENDL

Hope, Idaho

Lunch & Dinner Seasonal Waterfront Dining

PATIO DINING

Beer Craft Cocktails Wine

FULL BAR BANQUET ROOM

“We Salt The Margaritas And The Side Walk”

www.PearlsOnTheLake.com 1267 Peninsula Road, Hope, ID | 208-264-0664 | PearlsOnTheLake.com 152

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diluna’s

floating restaurant

Idaho Pour Authority

E ATS + D R I N KS

FROM LEFT: FOR BARBECUE COOKED ‘COWBOY STYLE,’ STOP IN AT OLD WEST TEXAS SMOKEHOUSE PIT BBQ. YOU WON’T WANT TO MISS THE CRAB FEAST AT THE IDAHO CLUB’S CLUBHOUSE. IDAHO POUR AUTHORITY OFFERS A CHARCUTERIE BOARD TO GO WITH YOUR CHOICE OF BEER OR WINE. YOU’LL FIND THE FOOD IS AS BEAUTIFUL AS THE VIEW AT THE FLOATING RESTAURANT. DI LUNA’S OFFERS A NEW FALAFEL SANDWICH MADE WITH IDAHOGROWN GREEN GARBANZOS TOPPED WITH A YOGURT SAUCE. COURTESY PHOTOS

days for dinner, and for lunch/brunch on the weekends. And on the water behind Holiday Shores you’ll find Drift Lakeside Kitchen and Bar. At the end of the (Idaho) line, in Clark Fork, stop in at the Clark Fork Pantry, 204 W. Fourth Ave., for some of the finest sandwiches, soups, and baked goods around! The food, they promise, is “just like Grandma used to make.” The store also features bulk food purchases and grocery items.

Now that it's relatively easy to cross the border again, a trip to our northern neighbor calls for a stop in Moyie Springs at Old West Texas Smokehouse Pit BBQ, 73400 Hwy. 2, for a cold

beer and some mesquite-fired barbecue. It's worth every mile of the drive. The barbecue restaurant dishes up savory meats that are cooked ‘cowboy style’— meaning they’re cooked using a more direct heating method than traditional smoked meats, and most often over mesquite for a distinct, smoky flavor.

Owner Johnney Walker opens the restaurant by Memorial Weekend, and stays open for the summer Tuesdays through Sundays. Walker is adding a new Backwoods Smoker to his cooking arsenal and will also offer several new meats and sides. Check it out!

1587 Rapid Lightning Rd, Sandpoint, ID (208) 263-2409 Acex@packriverstore.Com www.packriverstore.com

Restaurant & Catering Life is Good at Con nies!

Open Monday through Saturday 7-8 (Lounge open until 10) Sunday 7-3

323 Cedar St | Sandpoint, ID 38364 | 208-255-8791

serving Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner 150+ bottles of wine • 100 different beers

VISIT US on

Gas • propane • showers • ice • convenience store

info@conniescafe.com

SandpointMagazine.com SANDPOINT M A G A Z I N E

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Downtown Sandpoint eats+ drinks

Dining Map 6 3

To Bonners Ferry & Canada

15

17 11 9

To Schweitzer Mtn. Resort

To Hope & Clark Fork

19 26 Kootenai Cut-off Rd.

Schweitzer Cut-off Rd.

Evans Brothers Coffee Mojo Coyote at Schweitzer

3

Clark Fork Pantry

4

Heart Bowls

5

Miller’s Country Store & Del

6

Pack River Store

7

Winter Ridge Natural Foods

8

Baxters

9

Chimney Rock at Schweitzer

5 Baldy Mountain Rd.

Boyer Ave.

1

Division Ave.

Bonner Mall

2

Visitor Center

Larch

SA

N

D

13 The Floating Restaurant

Healing Garden

14 The Idaho Club

Bonner General Health

Poplar

17 Sky House At Schweitzer

Farmin Park

26 Paddler’s Alehouse 27 Pend d’Oreille Winery

Division Ave.

Church

Boyer Ave.

Oak

25 MickDuff ’s Beer Hall

Pine

23 1

To Dover & Priest River

Cedar St.

Town Square

20

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Panida Theater

Bridge St.

City Beach

18 4

Lake St. 21

Marina

To Sagle & Coeur d’Alene

S

154

Cedar St. Bridge

8

Pine St.

7

Superior

N

27 12

First Ave.

Brewpub

10 Main

Second Ave.

23 Matchwood Brewing 24 MickDuff ’s Brewing Co.

25 22

S. Second Ave.

Cedar

22 Eichardt’s Pub & Grill

24

S. Fourth Ave.

21 Second Avenue Pizza

Main

Third Ave.

20 Jalapeños

Fourth Ave.

Alder

19 Sweet Lou’s

Fifth Ave.

18 Spud’s Waterfront Grill

PARKING

15 Old West Texas BBQ 16 Pearl’s on the Lake

E

K

Pend d’Oreille Bay Trail

Fir

12 The Fat Pig

W

CR

EE

Crow’s Bench

Elks Golf Course

Sand Creek Byway

10 Connie’s Cafe 11

16

LAKE PEND OREILLE

2

13

14

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Pack River Store, Courtesy Photo

COFFEE & CAFES EVANS BROTHERS COFFEE

Restaurant index by type of cuisine. Locate by number on dining map

01

06

PACK RIVER STORE

524 Church St. Located in downtown Sandpoint’s historic Granary Arts District. Enjoy exceptional coffees and espresso, including the popular Headwall Espresso Blend. Locally baked pastries, breakfast burritos and more. Open daily.

208-265-5553 www.evansbrotherscoffee.com

1587 Rapid Lightning Rd. A country store with gourmet fare, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Grab ‘n’ go burritos and salads, grocery necessities, plus a chef’s menu featuring weekly specials and more.

Open daily. 208-263-2409 www.packriverstore.com

MOJO COYOTE AT SCHWEITZER 02

WINTER RIDGE NATURAL FOODS 07

10000 Schweitzer Mountain Rd. Enjoy a fresh Evans Brothers espresso and treat your sweet tooth to a warm scone. Fresh-baked pastries, breakfast burritos and lunch specials. Fine selection of beer and wine.

208-255-3037

703 Lake St. A natural foods grocery store with in-house deli, bakery, meat department, organic produce department, a juice and espresso bar, and hot food bar with indoor seating.

Open daily. 208-265-8135 www.winterridgefoods.com

DELICATESSENS & MARKETS CLARK FORK PANTRY

ECLECTIC/FINE DINING 03

204 E. 4th St., Clark Fork. All-natural, made-from-scratch baked goods, homemade soups and sandwiches, on freshly baked bread, made to order from the deli. Plus soft-serve ice cream and shakes just in time for summer. Wide selection of bulk foods, snacks, spices, and gift items. Open Mondays through Saturdays. 208-266-1300 www.ClarkForkPantry.com

HEART BOWLS

04

08

BAXTERS ON CEDAR

109 Cedar St. Daily specials, fresh local products. From steaks and chops to half-pound burgers, great salads, and Baxters’ signature Key Lime pie. Open Monday through Saturday.

208-229-8377 www.baxtersoncedar.com

09

CHIMNEY ROCK

New location opens this summer at the corner of First and Pine in downtown Sandpoint. Superfood cafe serves 100 percent vegan and gluten-free Acai + smoothie bowls, baked goods, rice bowls, drinks and coffee, plus a kids’ menu. 208-304-7631. www.HeartBowls.com

10000 Schweitzer Mountain Rd. Relax and enjoy casual dining inside or outdoors on the patio. An extensive menu includes savory pub fare, scrumptious salads, and an enticing drinks menu. Open Tuesdays through Saturdays in the Selkirk Lodge at Schweitzer.

208-255-3071 www.schweitzer.com

MILLER’S COUNTRY STORE & DELI

CONNIE’S CAFE

05

1326 Baldy Mountain Rd. Wholesome goodness with a selection of fine deli meats and cheeses, bulk food items, pie fillings, fresh-baked pies, breads, and pastries—plus soup and sandwiches, take-home dinners, and soft-serve ice cream. Inside and outside seating. Open Monday through Friday. 208-263-9446 www.millerscountrystoresandpoint.com

154_160_SMS22_DiningGuide+Index+LastPg copy.indd 155

10

323 Cedar St. Welcoming atmosphere in the heart of downtown Sandpoint, Connie’s Cafe is all about good people, good drinks, and good food.

Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, plus a lounge with full bar hosts many local musicians. Open daily.

208-255-2227 www.ConniesCafe.com

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Eats Drinks | Local Dining Guide &ts ea

drinks

CROW’S BENCH

11

PEARL’S ON THE LAKE

10000 Schweitzer Mountain Rd. Located in the new Humbird hotel, Crow’s Bench features fabulous views and a Bavarian-inspired cuisine. Open Thursday through Monday, 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Reservations recommended.

208-255-3051 www.schweitzer.com

THE FAT PIG

SKYHOUSE AT SCHWEITZER

12

SPUDS WATERFRONT GRILL

13

OLD WEST TEXAS BBQ AT THE HEMLOCKS 73400 Highway 2, Moyie Springs.

Authentic slow-smoked Texas barbecue restaurant and steakhouse at The Hemlocks, featuring ribs, sandwiches, brisket, and more. New outdoor pavilion and live music. Open Tuesdays through Sundays.

208-267-4363 www.OldWestTexasBBQ.com

for a complete interactive guide to all local dining, go to www.sandpointdining.com

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SWEET LOU’S

14

151 Clubhouse Way. Enjoy fine dining at the grand clubhouse with both indoor and outdoor seating options overlooking the golf course and Pack River. Steaks, seafood, burgers, and more a starters menu and full bar. Open Thursdays through Saturdays, with a terrific brunch served Sundays.

208-265-2345 www.IdahoClubHospitality.com

15

18

102 N. First Ave. A landmark restaurant in Sandpoint since 1995, Spuds creates everything from scratch, from soups and elaborate baked potatoes, to loaded salads, unique sandwiches and desserts.

Serving lunch Tuesday through Saturday.

208-265-4311 www.spudsonline.com

47392 Highway 200, Hope, at Hope Marina. Dine indoors or outdoors on the covered and open patios. Regional, handmade fare, fresh seafood, and local products. Enjoy the views and that “on the lake” experience. Open daily.

208-264-5311 www.HopeFloatingRestaurant.com

THE IDAHO CLUB

17

10000 Schweitzer Mountain Rd. Experience a lunch outing unlike any other at the summit of Schweitzer! Buy a lift pass or hike up and enjoy Sky House’s chef-inspired menu from locally sourced, farm-fresh ingredients. Open for the summer season starting June 17.

208-263-9555 www.schweitzer.com

301 Cedar St. Suite 102. Enjoy an extensive draft beer selection in a warm pub environment with a rotating wine list. Refreshing twists on classic pub fare with a complete vegetarian menu. Open Tuesday through Saturday for dinner.

208-265-PORK (7675) www.sandpointfatpig.com

THE FLOATING RESTAURANT

16

1267 Peninsula Rd., Hope. An exceptional waterfront dining experience unlike any other. Gourmet cuisine from renowned chef Alex Jacobson includes beef, pork, pasta, seafood, and vegetarian options.

Full drink menu with fun concoctions and must-try appetizers. Open Thursdays through Sundays.

208-264-0664

19

477272 U.S. Highway 95 in Ponderay.

Terrific traditional and regional fare.

Serving hand-cut steaks, freshly ground burgers, wild salmon and smoked ribs in a family-friendly environment. Full bar.

Two more locations in Coeur d’Alene and Athol. Open daily.

208-263-1381 www.sweetlousidaho.com

ETHNIC FOODS JALAPEÑOS RESTAURANT

20

314 N. Second Ave. A Sandpoint favorite for over 20 years offering both traditional and Americanized Mexican dishes in a family-friendly atmosphere. Full bar, patio seating, banquet facilities, glutenfree menu and quick to-go menu. Open Thursdays through Tuesdays (closed Wednesdays). 208-263-2995 www.sandpointjalapenos.com

SECOND AVENUE PIZZA

21

215 S. Second Ave. Savor the piled-high specialty pizzas, loaded with fresh ingredients on homemade dough, or calzones, specialty salads and sandwiches. Gluten-free choices. Beer and wine, take-and-bake pizzas available.

Delivery available; open daily.

208-263-9321 www.secondavenuepizza.com

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E ATS + D R I N KS

PUB-STYLE EICHARDT’S PUB & GRILL

22

212 Cedar St. Relaxing pub and grill mixes casual dining with seriously good food.

Completely family friendly. More than a dozen beers on tap, good wines and live music. Upstairs game room with fireplace. Locally supported and nationally recognized since 1994. Open daily.

208-263-4005 www.eichardtspub.com

MATCHWOOD BREWING CO.

23

Pearl’s on the Lake

513 Oak St. Sandpoint’s neighborhood brewery offers high-quality handmade craft beers for every palette, along with a savory eatery menu featuring shareables, handheld favorites, daily soup specials, seasonal menus, and more. Ample indoor seating, or sit outside on the spacious patio. Open Wednesday through Sunday.

208-718-2739 www.matchwoodbrewing.com

MICKDUFF’S BREWING CO. BREWPUB

24

419 Second Ave. Enjoy craft ales in the iconic restored old federal building downtown. Menu includes traditional and updated pub fare, gourmet burgers, sandwiches, and soups. Open daily.

208-255-4351 www.mickduffs.com

TAVERNS, BREWERIES AND WINERIES MICKDUFF’S BREWING CO. BEER HALL & BREWERY

25

220 Cedar St. Around the corner from the brewpub, the family-friendly brewery tasting room boasts 16 taps, local bar art, free popcorn and weekly entertainment.

Beer Hall is BYOF (Bring Your Own Food)friendly and has a beer for every taste. 21 years or older. Open daily.

208-209-6700 www.mickduffs.com

PADDLER’S ALEHOUSE

26

100 Vermeer Dr., Ponderay. Our area’s newest gathering place features local and regional beers on tap, plus wine bar, cider, hard seltzer, and non-alcoholic options in a casual atmosphere.

Shareable snack menu. Open daily.

208-946-5256 On Facebook @paddlersalehouse.

PEND D'OREILLE WINERY

Paddler’s Alehouse

27

301 Cedar St. Locally made wines, tasting room, house-made pizza and bites, live music, local art installations, and refillable wine growlers, located in the renovated and historic Belwood 301 Building. Open Tuesday through Saturday.

208-265-8545 www.powine.com

Heart Bowls SandpointMagazine.com SANDPOINT M A G A Z I N E

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eats+

INDEX

drinks

advertiser

7B TV

9

A Glass Act

130

68

Sandpoint Building Supply

129

Greasy Fingers Bikes

72

Sandpoint Movers

134

Ameriprise Financial

74

Gregory Homes

All Seasons Garden Center

66

Guaranteed Rate

Alpenglow Construction Alpine Shop

124 25, 44

Anderson’s Autobody Barry Fisher Custom Homes

18 128

Hendricks Architecture Hope Marine Idaho Club International Selkirk Loop

5, 130 26 118

Sandpoint Online

158

Sandpoint Online TownCrier

135

Sandpoint Reader

136

48

Sandpoint Super Drug

35

Satisfaction Painting

109

130

Scherr Haven Studio

66

12

Barry, Jenni - Artist

66

Kaniksu Community Health

20

Schweitzer Mountain Resort

BC

Beyond Hope

39

Keokee Books

62

Selkirk Craftsman Furniture

130

77

Keokee media + marketing

132

Signature Aesthetics

42

KRFY Radio

120

Skeleton Key Art Glass

66

Blue Sky Broadcasting Boden Architecture

125

Bonner County Fair

28

Lake Pend Oreille Cruises

77

Skywalker Tree Care

Bonner General Health

14

Lake to Mountain Vacation Homes

32

Sleep's Cabins

74

Lewis and Hawn – Dentists

15

Super 1 Foods

45

Lewis and Hawn – Sleep Solutions

38

Taylor Insurance

33

Century 21 Riverstone – Carol Curtis 19

Litehouse Foods

41

The Local Pages

Century 21 Riverstone

23

Maria Larson Art

66

Timberframes by Collin Beggs

Co-op Country Store

16

Monarch Marble & Granite

Coeur Private Wealth

70

Mountain West Bank

73

Tomlinson Sotheby’s

Northern Lights Electric

36

Tomlinson Sotheby's

4

– Chris Chambers

112

Tomlinson Sotheby's

Capstone CPA & AGP Century 21 Riverstone – Camp Bay

Coldwell Banker Resort Realty

121

2

Community Assistance League – Bizarre Bazaar Dana Construction Daugherty Management

Northwest Handmade 52

Northwest Realty Group

115

Northwest Realty Group

122

Tin Roof Furniture

– Cindy Bond

3

– Alison Murphy

21

Eve's Leaves

24

Northwest Self Storage

135

Evergreen Realty

6

126 50

120 111, 130 46 116-117 1 IFC

Tomlinson Sotheby's – Rich Curtiss

65, 127

Panhandle Special Needs Inc.

18

Town Crier

135

Evergreen Realty – Charesse Moore IBC

Pend Oreille Shores Resort

73

Wildflower Day Spa

80

Evergreen Realty – Nova group

126

Realm Partners – Jeremy Brown

Willamette Valley Bank

78

Farmers' Market at Sandpoint

19

Festival at Sandpoint

158

Finan McDonald Clothing

|

SANDPOINT M A G A Z I N E

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133

109

Realm Partners

56-57

Rock Creek Alliance

84-85

SU M M E R 2 0 2 2

5/11/22 11:23 AM

Villages

SimplyVoting Taxes sandpoint &

ote South Pacific island demic I was asked to

VILLAGES VOTING & TAXES

s the story.

E ATS + D R I N KS

Hometown Professional Movers

SandpointMovers Villages

Voting & Taxes

rlmsandpoint@gmail.com 208.265.5506 1326 Baldy Mt. Rd. Sandpoint, ID 83864

le stranded on a remote South Pacific island ng a world-wide pandemic I was asked to e a story of America.

VILLAGES VOTING & TAXES

Villages

Vanderford’s Books

ages, Voting & Taxes is the story.

& Office Products

While stranded on a remote South Pacific island during a world-wide pandemic I was1978 asked to Est. share a story of America.

Voting & Taxes

VILLAGES VOTING & TAXES

Villages, Voting & Taxes is the story.

Leif Youngberg

Visit us on Facebook, or at: bookshop.org/shop/vanderfords

available at:

Author

Leif Youngberg

201 Cedar Ave. Sandpoint, ID 83864 | 208.263.2417

This is a historical political story, woven together loosely like a Navajo rug, sharing legends of villages, voting and taxes.

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an extensive website offering information about Leif Youngberg Shop Sandpoint Go to www.shopsandpoint. how to receive help in areas com, for local web links to trusted services, Leif Youngberg as diverse as healthcare, housing, utilities, merchants, artists, craftspeople, farmers and clothing, while also connecting those who and green building. Write your own reviews want to help with groups in need of volunteers. in the new SandpointBlog. Fun reading, recyThere is even an option to register your cling, and more! organization’s need for volunteer support.

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providing web design, hosting, search engine optimization and marketing, graphic design, editorial, media consultation and more. 405 Church St., 208.263.3573. www.keokee.com.

We publish Sandpoint Magazine and sandpointonline.com

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Alpine Motors Your Buick, GMC truck dealer. New and used sales and leasing. Full service, parts and body shop. Highway 95 N., Ponderay, 208-263-2118, 1-800-430-5050. www.alpinemotors.net

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Order online. 201 Cedar St.,

Sandpoint Super Drug The Center for Functional Nutrition offers a full line of clinical nutrition products including Klaire, Thorne, Pure, Ortho Molecular, and Apex. 604 N. 5th Avenue.

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SandpointMagazine.com SANDPOINT M A G A Z I N E

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eats+

drinks

THE TRAIL n ot m a i n tai ned, and t hat has made

by Sandy Compton

all the difference

M

y mom was a big fan of my hiking adventures.

She loved vicarious trips through wild country via my photos. We were once browsing a selection from my latest backpack and came upon a picture of me standing hipshot on a high country boulder. I’m wearing Carhartt shorts, a favorite hiking shirt, several scars-to-be on my bare legs, and a makeshift guard of duct tape and gauze pads on my right shin to prevent further damage.

“We don’t need no stinking trails,” she said, which made us both laugh.

In my briar patch — the interior of the Scotchman Peaks — manmade trails are rare. As far as I’m concerned, that’s good.

The necessity of route finding in often nasty country — depending on what you’re finding a route through — assures me that I’m not going to run into big crowds. I recall only two encounters with someone not part of my party while on adventure beyond the end of the trail, of which I’ve had my share. And maybe someone else’s share, as well.

I’ve seen only one Forest Service sign warning, “Trail Not Maintained Beyond This Point.” Still, it’s pretty easy to tell where that point might be. The trail may not disappear completely, but there are indications that it might right soon — a surfeit of moss and grasses growing in a narrowing tread encroached upon by goddam alder (Those who have suffered it understand the adjective) and other pernicious botanical pests.

Goddam alder and its brushy friends — vine maple, mountain ash, hawthorn, devil’s club, and false huckleberry — are native to places before and beyond where maintenance stops.

Beyond, you will meet them, try to beat them, and come to know that they will not be beaten. You will change course to avoid their jungles and fall in among them anyway. You will

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curse, trip, fall, slip, slide and sometimes crawl on hands and knees to get through.

You will learn to persevere.

This makes it all the more special when you stumble onto a trail that makes life easier, even if it’s just for a little while.

Large critters — deer, elk, moose and mountain goats — do maintain trails through that country, after all. Bears, wolves, coyotes, and occasional humans use them, as well. Elk, in particular, are good at finding ways around in goddam alder, cliff bands, and scree slopes, along with the easiest way to the top of ridges. “Easiest,” however, is a relative term.

These animals don’t have Pulaskis, crosscuts or clinometers, so their trails often go through goddam alder, over windthrown trees and straight up — or down — the fall line. Finding an exceedingly well-maintained elk trail can fool you into thinking it was made by a trail crew, and raise hopes that it can be followed back to the trail that was originally left — or any maintained trail, for that matter.

It is most often not to be. Elk are fickle trail builders that change direction for mysterious reasons and then spread out to browse as soon as the way is not the only way. And what do they browse on? Goddam alder and its friends.

There you are in the jungle again.

And that’s fine with me. When I am in places that trails not maintained beyond certain points take me, I can (almost) forgive the goddam alder and its jungle friends. Experiencing such magnificent pieces of the planet are worth the struggle, and a benefit of living in this area.

PHOTO, TOP: SIGNS GO BY THE WAYSIDE WHEN TRAFFIC IS SPARSE. PHOTO BY LEO SCHMELTZER.

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5/11/22 11:23 AM

C haresse Moore

K n o w l e d g a b l e • E x p e r i e n c e d • D e d i c a t e d • Ho n e s t Marketing That Sells

An Expert in our Area Full-Time Agent Top Producer

208.255.6060

Choosing The Right Realtor Makes A Difference email. charesse@evergreen-realty.com

321 N. First Ave., | Sandpoint, ID 83864

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