Sandpoint Magazine Winter 2009

M A G A Z I N E

WINTER 2009

Sandpoint

JOY

OF WINTER A P H O T O E S S AY

Schweitzer:

launchpad for SNOW PROS inside: Sandpoint

Winter Guide

Interview with Quest CEO Paul Schaller, Ice Climbing Adventure, Wildlife in Winter, Daily Painters, Sandpointâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Performing Arts, First Ski Descent of Monarch Mountains, Building Small Beautifully, Calendars, Dining, Real Estate ... and more

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Welcoming Families To North Idaho, from the Same Location, For Over 30 Years

Photo #1 and #3 © Karl Neumann - www.karlneumannphoto.com

A Name You Can Trust

Resort Realty

Full Service Real Estate. 25 agents, 3 locations.

Specializing in • waterfront • land • commercial • residential • farms & ranches • investment property SandpoinT 202 South First Avenue Phone: 208-263-6802 Toll-Free: 800-544-1855

Bonners Ferry 6606 Lincoln St. Phone 208-267-8575 Toll-free: 866-375-8575

Schweitzer 155 Village Lane Phone: 208-263-9460 Toll-Free: 866-673-2352

www.cbsandpoint.com

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SERVING ALL OF KOOTENAI, BONNER AND BOUNDARY COUNTIES

Michael White, Realtor

BS Forest Resources & Ecosystem Management For land, Ranches, and Homes with Acreage

Óän°Ó ä°nx ÊUÊwww.Nor thwestLandman.com

R E SORT

RE A LT Y

You will get more knowledge skills and service

690 ACRES - borders the Clark Fork River & National Forest with paved county road access. The views are spectacular in all directions, but from Castle Rock you can see all the way to Lake Pend Oreille & Schweitzer ski mtn. Property consists of about 1/3 good, productive pasture lands & about 2/3 forest land. Power & phone on site, plus a little year-round creek. Easy to subdivide. $3,500,000

THE 196 ACRE PERKINS LAKE RANCH Your own secluded side of the lake, surrounded by USFS, year-round creek, ponds, all this on a county-maintained road. Property features 4,334 sf home, new cedarsided horse barn, new hay/ equip. storage, older barn/silo, 2 lrg shops, & caretaker quarters. Ride on trails into USFS lands. Abundant wildlife... great hunting ranch! $995,000.

90 ACRES on Deep Creek w/ alternative energy cabin, Borders state land, good productive pasture land, beautiful forest and great views. 20 minutes to Sandpoint Bring offers! Asking $495,500

240 ACRES OF FORESTED LAND With beautiful lake, mountain and valley views. Four contiguous parcels (two 80-acre and two 40-acre) borders USFS on multiple sides. Less than 25 miles NE of Sandpoint, in the Rapid Lightning Creek area. Good roads, some newly constructed, high timber values both now & into the future. Great wildlife and big game habitat. The ultimate private retreat. $995,000

130 ACRES bordered by DEEP CREEK & RUBY CREEK, incredible views, large underground cement house w/ well & electric plus solar and generator backups, two good log cabins, nice shop bldg, green house & misc. outbuildings. Newly built interior road system and county road frontage too! Borders timber company land. Surveyed into 8 parcels w/ mult. bldg. sites. Only $649,500!

60 ACRE HIDDEN VALLEY ESTATES is less than 5 mi from downtown Sandpoint, Lake Pend Oreille & Schweitzer Ski Resort. Incredible views of Ski Mtn, Selkirks & Cabinet Mtns. Great new road system w/3 bldg pads on view sites with power & perc tests, too. 20ac to 60ac parcels available. 60ac for $795,000 Bring OFFERS!!!

21 ACRES ON LOST LAKE! Great views, power & phone, two building pads w/ roughed-in roads, mostly paved roads on the 10 mile drive to town. Area of nice homes. Great price at $275,000 40 ACRES bordering a huge tract of timber lands, good access w/ great views, a developed spring feeding a small pond & small creek. About 30 minutes to Sandpoint, $199,500

8 ACRES, less than 5 miles from downtown Sandpoint, Lake Pend Oreille and ski mountain. Great views. $200,000 21AC W/ BIG VIEWS OF THE LAKE, Great views of Lake Pend Oreille, Lost Lake, surrounding Mountains and valley below. Easy drive to Sandpoint, mostly on paved roads. On the edge of Selle Valley, in an area of very nice homes. Firm at $199,500

VERY NICE, well-built cedar sided house on 4 beautiful acres with awesome views and well manicured yard. Two nice little spring fed ponds and a great private location at end of a county maintained road. Motivated Sellers, Asking $229,000

20 ACRES with nice cedar sided home, wired for conventional, solar and generator electric. One mile off paved county road, on newly rocked private road with secondary access road too. Big barn, good views, private but easy drive to town. Asking $299,500

5 ACRES bordering Bonners Ferry city limits, with great views. Good subdivision potential, utilities on-site $149,500. 10 AC PARCEL one mile off county maintained road, views, good useable land $69,900

WHY LIST WITH ME?

Consistently ranked top 10% in sales. Your listing advertised in The Real Estate Book, Homes & Land, Coeur d’ Alene Mag., Sandpoint Mag, Inland Northwest Real Estate Guide, Farm & Ranch Mag and more... Member of Cd’A and Selkirk MLS, doubles your exposure.

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208-263-5101 TomlinsonSandpointSothebysRealty.com

imply Incredible Sandpoint, Idaho

DOVER BAY~This stunning 285 ac waterfront community on the shores of Lake Pend Oreille celebrates all that Idaho has to offer with an abundance of outdoor recreation including 9 miles of paths, 9 acres of parks and beaches, varied wetlands and inlets for kayaking and endless activities on the lake and river! Enjoy access to the full service Marina and Retail Village w/ Café & Market, Lake Club Fitness Center and Beach Bungalows!

MARINA TOWN CONDOMINIUMS~Luxury waterfront residences featuring over 500ft of frontage on Pend Oreille w/ 2 to 4 bedrooms, granite, wood floors and more! Starting at $595,000. Call Cindy (208)255.8360 or Stan (208)290.7024 .

BAYSIDE SOUTH CONDOMINIUMS~Two bedroom condos w/ 1380 sq ft and a den from $388,000! Call Sue (208) 255.1601 or Sandy (208) 290.1111 for details.

CABINS IN THE WOODS~A Four Season Lifestyle... Homes boast 2 & 3 bedrooms, hardwood floors, granite counter tops, T&G ceilings, wrap-around cedar decks &d siding, and a gorgeous indoor/outdoor rock fireplace! Call Kyler (208) 290.0399 or Stan (208) 290.7024.

COTTAGES IN DOVER MEADOWS~Customizable Craftsman-style homes. 2 to 5 bedroom plans. Standard features include: Granite, tile, gas fireplace, 2 car garage, covered porches, fully landscaped & maintained yards, and more! Prices starting at only $279,900 Call Brian (208) 290.2486 or Rick (805) 252.0937 for details & personal tour.

PARKSIDE BUNGALOWS~Cozy 1 & 2 bedroom bungalows in the heart of the action at Dover Bay! Fireplace, deck & loft option. Reservations starting at $198,500! Call Rick (805) 252.0937 or Stan (208) 290.7024.

DOVER POINT~Estate-sized lakefront home sites with amazing 270 degree views, starting at $998,000. Privacy, waterfall at entrance & adjacent to lake view park! Call Stan (208)290.7024 or Cindy (208)255.8360 for details.

SUNSET SADDLE ESTATES~Dover Bay’s most exclusive neighborhood! Lakefront home sites located in the far west wing of our resort community. Call Stan (208)290.7024 or Cindy (208)255.8360 for details.

REEDWALK~Spacious Waterfront Homesites! Reedwalk is located on Brown’s Inlet Bay. These sites offer Southern exposure, mountain views and kayak access to Lake Pend Oreille. Lot sizes range from .51 to .99ac. Priced from $288,000 $354,000. Call Michael (208)610.9197 or Chris (208)255.2491.

BAYSIDE SOUTH HOMESITES~Excellent Homesites just steps from the city beach, and Marina Village at the heart of the Dover Bay Community. Close to 9 miles of bike paths & trails. From .26 to .38 acre. Priced from $225,000 - $234,500. Call Chris (208)255.2491 or Michael (208)610.9197 for details.

BAYSIDE NORTH HOMESITES~Affordable Homesites in Dover Bay’s Waterfront Community. Build your dream home in Bayside North and enjoy lovely surroundings of wetland nature and gorgeous views. Lot sizes range from .19 to .29 acre. Priced from $145,000 - $225,000. Call Michael (208)610.9197 or Chris (208)255.2491.

all the Discovery Center at Dover Bay:

208.265.0627

© MMVII Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates, Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Yellow House, © Van Gogh Museum/Superstock, Inc., 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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800-282-6880 TomlinsonSandpointSothebysRealty.com

15 ACRES with CREEK FRONTAGE! More than 1,000 feet of Rapid Lightning

Creek running through 15 acres with views of Schweitzer and surrounding mountains. Access from property to Fish & Game Recreation property running all the way to Pack River Flats. Treed, open, flat and usable. Southwest exposure. Endless building sites. On Rapid Lightning County Road across and east of the Pack River Store. #2081785 $299,000 Owner / Agent. Call Brenda 255-8197

Brenda@BrendaFletcher.com, RapidLightning.BrendaFletcher.com

imply Incredible Sandpoint, Idaho

TRULY A “ONE OF A KIND” 103 acre property. This one has it all! The front portion of the property consists of level, lush natural meadows w/a seasonal stream. The back portion is wonderfully forested (cedar & pine) and rises to a pinnacle that has 360 degree views of all the surrounding mountain ranges (from Montana to Canada). Electric & phone available along the paved county maintained road. Great estate, horse or alpaca ranch. OWC. Only $589,000. #2083403 Call Brian @ 208.265.8000

PRIME VISIBILITY ON HIGHWAY 200 EAST. 13,700 + square foot industrial building with office suites and shop/warehouse. Asphalt parking, over 40 spaces, top quality construction. Additional 4,000+ square foot warehouse with triple net lease-all on 3.5 acres zoned industrial. #2084060 $2,198,000. Call Mickie 208-290-5116

BEAUTIFUL 5 BEDROOM 4050 SQ FT HOME ON 4.17 ACRES CLOSE TO SANDPOINT, private and peaceful, 3 car garage. Landscaped

TWO ADJOINING SPECTACULAR, RARE, EXCEPTIONAL PONDER POINT WATERFRONT LOTS with a creek & protective cove. Stunning

HIGHEST QUALITY NEW CONSTRUCTION! 3900 sq ft, 4BR, 3 1/2 baths, 3 car attached garage on 5 acres w/spectacular Mountain View. Master Suite w/fireplace, Gourmet Kitchen w/Granite Countertops, Breakfast Nook. Great Room with Wood Floor and Fireplace. Den/Office, Formal Dining and two Covered Decks, Zoned Heating and Central Air. #2074658

views. All utilities available. Friends of the Lake P.O.Bay trail are working on a shoreline trail from Ponder Point to Sandpoint. $1,395,000. # 2084176. Or sold Separately #2084216 $698,000 Lot 1. #2084222 $789,000 Lot 2 (with

cove.) Call Shelley 208-290-5453 or Doug 208-290-5183

front entry with a pond and waterfall plus patio area. 36x50 hydronic heated shop with 220, 3/4 bath and hot water heater! Hook-ups in place for an easy guest house conversion. Full RV hook up too! #2082937 $560,000. Call Deanna Clogg (208) 610-4414 deanna.clogg@sothebysrealthy.com

$669,000. Call Paul @ 208.255.3436

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Seasons – the only Sandpoint community perfectly situated in town, on the lake, and convenient to Schweitzer Mountain.

Ask about our winter sales incentives. Call us today to schedule your private tour. • Luxurious one, two and three bedroom condominium and townhome residences on the shores of Lake Pend Oreille – the only Sandpoint community located downtown and on the water! • Resort-style services and amenities featuring an exquisite spa, clubhouse and pool – overseen by a staff that includes a Concierge and Resort Activities Director. • Seasons’ own private marina offers the nest in Lake Pend Oreille boating - boat slips for owners and experienced Dock Masters and Captains at your service. Let the memories begin!

SeasonsAtSandpoint.com Move in today! From the $400s to over $2 million

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A P R I VAT E R E S I D E N T I A L R E S O R T & S PA

Sales Gallery and Designer Models Open Daily Toll-free 877.265.4420 | Local 208.265.4420 Rental Accommodations 888-896-0007 Tomlinson Sandpoint Each Ofce is independently owned and operated. Prices, plans and specifications subject to change without notice. Offer void where prohibited by law. ORAL REPRESENTATIONS SHOULD NOT BE RELIED UPON AS CORRECTLY STATING REPRESENTATIONS OF THE DEVELOPER. FOR CORRECT REPRESENTATIONS, MAKE REFERENCE TO THE DECLARATION OF CONDOMINIUM AND PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT TO BE FURNISHED BY A DEVELOPER TO A BUYER OR LESSEE.

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Evergreen Realty is pleased to sponsor our local Habitat for Humanity.

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10/13/08 7:56:00 PM

Contents

FEATURES Schweitzer Launchpad

First Descent

Follow the careers of snow pros who

66 went “up the fall line” from their home mountain. Plus: What’s new for the 2008-09 season and backcountry skiing with Selkirk Powder Company

Fringe Benefits 76

Sleeping in and hitting the chairlifts by 9 a.m. is, like, part of the package for teens

Making History 39

Vignettes about Sandpoint-born Sarah Palin, the first female Republican VP nominee, and her family

Wintering In

Singing in the Choir

While some wildlife straight up fly away, other native species stay put and cope with winter

How one family left North Dakota for Idaho at the height of the Great Depression

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After the heady days of Unicorn Theatre and a lull, community theater is staging a comeback

Daily Painting

Part II on Sandpoint High’s high achievers and just what they’re achieving with their lives

A trio of daily painters take their lives’ works – paintings done on a daily basis – and go online

Change in Sandpoint

New stores, 2nds Anyone? and ReStore, plus expanded stores give boon to “thrifting” opportunities

Part IV in this series focuses on

101 local leaders’ efforts to make

Sandpoint’s housing affordable

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Winter Wildlife

Thrift Store Shift 53

When winter temps fall, axmen ascend Copper Falls near the Canadian border

The Performing Arts

Inclusive chorales provide plenty of occasions to croon. Plus: The Reiners share their lives’ devotion

SHS Valedictorians 49

Solid State

dozens of ways for non-snow people to enjoy winter

ON THE COVER During one Arctic blast without wind or snow – and ice that was the best it had been in years – photographer Doug Marshall captured his wife, Margaret “Gritz” Williams, as she rapidly skates west on Lake Pend Oreille.

Deserting the Dust Bowl

42 From concerts to classes, there are

How the intrepid Lawson Tate made an unprecedented descent of the Green Monarch Mountains on skis after dreaming of doing the feat since childhood

THE JOY OF WINTER

PHOTO BY WOODS WHEATCROFT

W i n t e r 2 0 0 9 , Vo l . 1 9 , N o . 1

PHOTOS BY W. STEVE SHERMAN AND PATRICK ORTON

FEATURES

SA NDP O IN T MAGA Z IN E

WINTER 2009

86 SANDPOINT MAGAZINE

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PHOTO BY PATRICK ORTON

Contents

D epartments Almanac

Who, What and Why in Greater Sandpoint

Calendar

What’s happening, with POAC calendar and Hot Picks

Paul Schaller, CEO of Quest Aircraft Company

Photo Essay

The Joy of Winter

Small is Beautiful: Home-building trend driven by lifestyle preferences It Takes a Village to Build a Home: Twentysomethings set the example Plus: More twentysomethings prove home ownership possible Extreme Makeover: Sandpoint’s Fifth Avenue gets a facelift Neighborly Neighbors: How neighbors are doing better, together Marketwatch: Realtors say it’s the right time to buy Plus: Bonner/Boundary real estate trends

106 106 113 119 123 126

Natives & Newcomers

129

Winter Guide

135

Lodging

143

Eats & Drinks

144

Dining Guide

150

Services

155

Sandpoint of View: Are We an Arts Community? 162 10

SANDPOINT MAGAZINE

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Real Estate

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106

PHOTO BY CHris Guibert

Interview

WINTER 2009

10/13/08 7:56:20 PM

SMS08

The Life Winter's warm inside the Cedar Street Bridge, in downtown Sandpoint spanning beautiful Sand Creek. The only marketplace-on-a-bridge in the nation, it’s home to nearly a dozen shops and restaurants. Find unique apparel, exquisite jewelry, exotic gifts, objects d’art and more. Relax with a tasty meal or delectable treats with beautiful water views. Or drop in for an entertainment event. Come, experience the life of Sandpoint. Downtown Sandpoint at First and Cedar • www.cedarstreetbridge.com Prime retail space available for energetic entrepreneurs: Book or music store; florist; restaurant, martini or wine bar; unique retail. Go to cedarstreetbridge.com or call 208.290.5153

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Contributors

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editor’s note This issue celebrates winter as we have never done before, all hung on the photo essay theme: “The Joy of Winter.” That may sound ironic to those who remember the record-breaking winter of 2007-08. But what I remember best are a string of weeks with layers of the lightest powder I’ve ever seen sparkling under bluebird skies. At one point in January, we had a rare combination of weather: lots of powder, a full moon and clear skies. I got up early one morning – on a workday, no less – and strapped on my snowshoes. Without any artificial light whatsoever, I left the house at 5:28 a.m. for a jaunt in the woods and fields around our house in the Selle Valley. In the woods, it was quiet and still, but out in the open fields the wind was raging. At the corner where they meet were sastrugi (thanks, Kevin Davis, for the vocabulary lesson). I paused to gaze at the two mountain ranges we’re nestled between. The moon was hovering close to the Selkirks, and Schweitzer’s slopes fairly glistened. The fields were white, sparkling waves. The only sound was an eerie screech of trees scraping against each other. I finished my route and arrived back at my front door – inspired and invigorated – after just 38 minutes. That was only one of many happy memories related to last winter’s abundant snowfall. I believe if you embrace the snow, it’s a wonderful thing – yes, a joyful blessing. –B.J.P.

Sandpoint Magazine is published twice yearly, in May and November, by Keokee Co. Publishing, Inc., P.O. Box 722, Sandpoint, ID 83864. E-mail: inbox@keokee.com Web: www.keokee.com Phone: 208-263-3573 Publisher Chris Bessler Editor Billie Jean Plaster Editorial Assistant Beth Hawkins Advertising Director Clint Nicholson Account Executive Mike Roberts Art Director Laura White Designers Mel Davis, Sean Haynes and Dan Seward Administration Carole Eldridge and Catherine Anderson Contributors Desirè Aguirre, Katie Botkin, Jenna Bowers, Sandy Compton, Stephen Drinkard, Susan Drinkard, David Gunter, Mathew Hall, Kathryn Hamshar, Cate Huisman, Jennifer Lamont Leo, Becky Lomax, Marianne Love, Kathleen Mulroy, Teresa Pesce, Carrie Scozzaro, Pam Webb, Kate Wilson, Amie Wolf and Dianna Winget The entire contents of Sandpoint Magazine are copyright ©2008 by Keokee Co. Publishing, Inc. No part may be reproduced in any fashion. Subscriptions: $10 per year. Send all address changes to the address above. Visit our Web magazine at www.SandpointMagazine.com. Printed in USA

SANDPOINT MAGAZINE

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Kate Botkin, Returning to the area after nine years of

school and travel, Katie Botkin found inspiration in her own childhood back yard for the feature “Daily painters” on page 95, her first contribution to Sandpoint Magazine. To see if she could ever become a daily painter herself, she even tried painting a small plein air oil of Sandpoint City Beach and discovered that manipulating pigment is harder than it looks.

Jenna Bowers

is a Sandpoint native who has been writing for Sandpoint Magazine and other local publications since 2006, covering such topics as nightlife, artists and events, real estate, and adventure sports. Bowers resides in Sandpoint at times, and other times on the road, enjoying wherever life takes her. While this twentysomething lives a fairly nomadic life, she wrote about a couple of her contemporaries who put down roots by building their own home in “It takes a village,” page 113. Interestingly enough, her mom, Karen Bowers, was interviewed for a story in this same issue, the performing arts feature by Teresa Pesce, a first-time contributor. For “Schweitzer launch pad” Sandy Compton lived vicariously while interviewing the famous Holland brothers, freestyle ski champ Jessica Baker, former U.S. Telemark Team member Brandon Moon and ski coach Chris Thompson (page 66). With a proper launch, you can make a life out of skiing or snowboarding, but start when you’re very young. Compton fears it may be too late for him, but we’ll see.

Mathew Hall was an adventurer before he was a photographer. A classically trained scientist, exploring wild places brought insight and motivation to his natural resources education. Soon, he discovered that a dynamic landscape or an intense mountain climb could inspire him more than formulas or data. He now packs his camera on every adventure, such as ice climbing Copper Falls (page 84).

Kathryn Hamshar was born in North Dakota

and moved to Sandpoint in 1936 with her parents and four siblings. She tells the story in “From the Dust Bowl to paradise,” page 90. A four-time winner of Idaho Poet of the Year, she says her favorite job was an 11-year stint at the Priest River Times. Hamshar lives on a former dairy farm near Priest River and, despite being legally blind, she says her life is never dull. Upon reaching her 86th birthday in August, she quipped, “Each year I think will be my last and then, eureka, another year pops up in front of me!”

Jennifer Lamont Leo

Cocolalla writer had the happy task of finding neighbors who have helped each other for her story, “Neighborly neighbors” (page 123). Moving here from Chicago in 2006, she knew she was in the right place when, before the truck was even unloaded, a neighbor appeared with a jar of jam. She encourages people to meet their neighbors. “Just say hello; they won’t bite,” she says, “most of them, anyway.” This is her first contribution to Sandpoint Magazine. WINTER 2009

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Almanac

Photo courtesy Bonner County Justice Services

Arlis Harvey, friend to errant teens

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Arlis Harvey, the driving force behind the Youth Accountability Board, is shown above with Bonner County Director of Justice Services Debbie Stallcup in 2007 after the Idaho Juvenile Justice Association presented Harvey with the John Shuler Award for her impact on youth. A self-sufficient individual who built her own house, Harvey bags a deer yearly, field dressing and butchering it herself.

Every Tuesday, Arlis Harvey, a sprightly octogenarian with a wry smile and a shock of white hair, drives the 20 miles into town from her home up Rapid Lightning Creek to spend the morning teaching math at the juvenile detention center in town. In the afternoon, she meets individually with first-time juvenile offenders and explains their once-in-alifetime option to go before the Youth Accountability Board (YAB), a diversion program that will keep them from having to go through juvenile court. The board couldn’t function without this volunteer commitment, and Harvey has been involved nearly since the board’s inception 30 years ago. Harvey, 82, grew up in Wisconsin wanting to be a teacher, but her family had no money to send her to college. Good at math, she worked in a variety of scientific testing labs out of high school and went to college as she could afford it. She finally got a degree SANDPOINT MAGAZINE

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in math and education in 1962, having started college in 1949. She taught high school for the next 12 years in Evansville, Wis., developing a fondness and respect for teenagers that would stick with her. Then she retired. Retirement brought Harvey to northern Idaho in 1974. She bought a deer rifle and fished for perch in Lake Pend Oreille, and she built her home herself without the aid of a contractor, learning what she needed to know about plumbing, framing and wiring as she went. Later she started volunteering at the arboretum in Lakeview Park, donating many of the plants there from her own property and helping raise money by building and selling arbors and benches out of alder saplings – another skill she taught herself. But “I wanted to be involved with kids again,” she said, which brought her to YAB. Bonner County Director of Justice Services Debbie Stallcup, confirms that

Harvey “has a lot of compassion for kids. I’m always amazed at how open she is. It doesn’t matter who they are or what they have done.” The kids, of course, don’t know about the hard-earned teaching degree or the long drive Harvey makes to work with them. They wouldn’t guess at her self-sufficiency or consider it possible that this elfin individual still shoots a deer yearly and skins and butchers it herself. And no one tells them that she has been named a Woman of Wisdom in Sandpoint and given the John Shuler Award from the Idaho Juvenile Justice Association for her work with youth. But something about her must stick with them. Of the past 200 or so youngsters that have come through the Youth Accountability Board, fewer than 10 percent have reoffended. That’s a record that not many taller or younger individuals can measure up to. –Cate Huisman

WINTER 2009

10/13/08 7:56:34 PM

Almanac

Jim Payne, a Renaissance Huck Finn PHOTO BY SKYE GOLSON

he continues to sing, as he did in high school and college, with local chorales. Kayaking came later, in his 50s. “The kayaker encounters a world bypassed by the ordinary tourist,” he writes in the introduction to his most recent book, “One Inch Above the Water: Running Away on America’s Rivers.” This makes it the perfect craft for a man who claims: “I like to do things the unusual way, the

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itics, economics and government policy. His own thoughts in these areas are revealed in a series of children’s books about the “enlightening political adventures” of Princess Navina. The fact that Navina finds nirvana in “Voluntaria” reflects Payne’s belief that “one should avoid the use of force in collective affairs as much as one can.” As a “voluntarist,” Payne has for nearly a decade published a list of volunteer opportunities in the Sandpoint area; it’s available for free at the library and Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce. Music serves as both vocation and avocation. After an unfortunate introduction to the piano with “a rather strict, domineering teacher” in third grade, Payne finally reached a rapprochement with the keyboard as a teenager, when he fell under the spell of the organ in his prep school chapel. As an undergraduate at Oberlin College, he apprenticed himself to the college’s tuner. Now he does about 400 tunings a year of pianos and the few organs in the Sandpoint area, and WINTER 2009

A man of many talents and interests, Jim Payne tunes pianos and organs as one side business. For fun, he has kayaked the lengths of major American rivers – and written a book about it.

way people aren’t doing it. If there’s a famous sight to be missed, I’ll miss it.” Hence, the book recounts little about famous sights along the Potomac, Hudson, Mississippi and Columbia rivers where he’s paddled. But it does suggest a bramble-choked back door approach to George Washington’s home, Mount Vernon, on the Potomac, and details the difficulties of traversing Columbia River dams by kayak. Payne’s now launched into yet another career – as salesman for his new book – and it’s cut into his kayaking time. Readers can find a copy at Vanderford’s in Sandpoint or Auntie’s in Spokane.

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It’s hard to pigeonhole Jim Payne. He started out as a scholar, teaching politics for two decades at the likes of Yale, Wesleyan and Johns Hopkins universities. But after becoming “increasingly disenchanted” with academia, he left a tenured professorship in 1985 to pursue the life of a sort of Renaissance Huck Finn. “It was the smartest move I ever made in my life,” says Payne, 69, who has since tuned pianos, conducted academic research, panned for gold, sung tenor, facilitated volunteering, kayaked the lengths of several rivers, and written 16 books (published by a variety of academic and university publishers as well as by Payne’s own Lytton Publishing). Gold brought him to Sandpoint: Panning didn’t make him wealthy, but it taught him to read landscapes, and he chose this town in the wide Purcell Trench because it had more hours of sunlight than the steeper valleys farther south. His academic credentials gave him credibility to win grants to conduct and publish research in the fields of pol-

–Cate Huisman SANDPOINT MAGAZINE

10/13/08 7:56:41 PM

Almanac

Stuntwoman, retired She doesn’t look the part, but blonde, bubbly Cherie Tash is a stuntwoman with 23 years of film industry experience in perilous precision driving, treacherous falls and getting strangled by Freddy Krueger. The stunt world is competitive, and she survived by “perfecting her craft and being willing to get bloody without complaining. But I learned to say no when it was too dangerous,” she adds, after injuring her neck in a bridge jump and shattering both ankles leaping Los Angeles rooftops four stories up. Pain is a constant of the life. Tash was inspired to be an actress by the “Wizard of Oz” movie until stuntman friend and mentor Walt Robles showed her she could be both actor and stunt person. “Pad you up and you’ll get $500,” he tempted, and she agreed to be tackled in a hospital corridor and flung down the hallway by fleeing executives. Since then she’s been knocked off a 30-foot ledge in “Honey I Shrunk the Kids” and spent a week filming “Total Recall” with Arnold

Schwartzeneggar, tumbling down a mountainside and getting bloody hands hanging from a metal bar. In “Shy People,” she was dumped into the alligator and water moccasin-infested swamps of Louisiana after the crew “stirred up the water first to scare them away, hopefully.” Auditioning for Tom Anthony’s Driving Team put her behind the wheel for precision driving in films and commercials: “You have to be able to do a 90-degree turn into the camera and not take out the crew.” She misses the stunt world, but loves her peaceful life. A magazine described Sandpoint as a town that “turned back the hands of time for 40 years” and Tash was charmed, moving here in 2006 with her teenage son Casey, now

PHOTO BY Skye Golson

Tash settles into post-Hollywood life

Cherie Tash worked as a stuntwoman for 23 years, playing minor roles, such as this hostile soldier who shot Worf on Star Trek Next Generation.

a high schooler at Clark Fork. The single mom of three works as a commercial driver in Sandpoint. Safely. –By Teresa Pesce

Pilot program paves way for DayBreak Center

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For the 13th time in one-half hour,

the elderly woman asks her daughter if she’s had enough to eat. Her daughter is devoted to her mother, who has dementia, but she is tired and needs a break, even if it’s just for a few hours. Providing respite for caregivers of dementia patients is one of the reasons DayBreak Center opened in Sandpoint last July. The main focus, however, is on providing dementia therapy in a stimulating and pleasant social environment for individuals 61 or older. There is no known cure, but the therapy helps to delay the progress of dementia through exercise, mental stimulation and interaction, said Sandpoint’s SANDPOINT MAGAZINE

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Esther Gilchrist, the VISTA member for the Area Agency on Aging who worked with a steering committee to open the center. A local survey revealed there are as many as 400 Alzheimer’s patients in the immediate area. The Alzheimer’s Association estimate is closer to 900. Grants have funded the pilot program,

which is staffed by Judy Totten, CNA and exercise therapist, and Kelly Hurt, administrator who holds a master’s degree in social work, but volunteers are sought for fund-raising, teaching crafts and for musical entertainment. There is one caregiver for every four people at the center, which is now sponsored by the Sandpoint Area Seniors, Inc. Located at 502 N. Second, the center is currently operating its pilot program on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, call DayBreak Center at 265-8127 or go to www.daybreakcenter.org. –Susan Drinkard

WINTER 2009

10/13/08 7:56:48 PM

Almanac

From cowgirl wannabe to Miss Rodeo Idaho Freya Ford, 23, has never waited for opportunity to come knocking at her door. Instead, she tends to grab life by the bullhorns and make things happen. A wannabe-cowgirl since she could crawl, Ford didn’t even own her own horse growing up. She depended on the kindness of horse-crazy neighbors, offering to clean their barns in exchange for letting her ride a horse. Now the Sandpoint girl is representing the state as Miss Rodeo Idaho 2009. Ford graduated from Sandpoint High School in 2003 and served as Bonner County Rodeo Queen in 2006. The following year, she decided to compete for Miss Rodeo Idaho. Contestants are judged on horsemanship, appearance and personality; they take written tests, model, give a speech and ride their horses in front of judges. Tryouts take two full days. “I tried writing a speech about rodeo stars,” Ford said, “but just couldn’t do it. I wanted them to know about my home, Sandpoint.” Her speech’s theme focused on huckleberries, because “they need fresh air to thrive and don’t grow just anywhere.”

Ford went to Boise in 2007 as a small-time rodeo queen, full of questions and a handful of sponsors she rustled up herself. She wowed them with her apparel, which she designed and made with the help of her mom. That year, she took first place in appearance and was voted Miss Congeniality. Overall, she came in second place. After she graduated from college, Ford returned to compete for Idaho’s rodeo queen title. When the judges changed one of the rules at the last minute, putting Ford in second place instead of first, she stood up for herself – and for Sandpoint – and insisted that they play fair. “I really believe,” Ford said, “that if you’re interested in something, not just rodeo, but music, art, whatever, you have to follow your heart and pursue your dreams.” Ford won her battle with the judges and is being crowned Miss Rodeo

PHOTO BY Jim Ford

Freya Ford takes the reins in 2009

Freya Ford, Miss Rodeo Idaho 2009

Idaho 2009 in January. Her next battle comes in the form of competing for Miss Rodeo America in December 2009. Stay tuned. –Desirè Aguirre

Spiritual growth outgrows building

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The 35,000-square-foot church encompasses all of the traditional architectural features of a Catholic church while reflecting a Northwest building style. Dual walls of stained glass flank the narthex, or main entrance. The nave has a capacity of 600, more than double the former building. Daily mass and smaller services are held in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel, which utilizes six of the treasured stained glass windows from the old building. The new building features a social hall, a practice room for the church choir and St. Joseph’s Pipe and Drum Corps, and an office wing for the Rev. Dennis Day and other church personnel. WINTER 2009

Dennis Day inside new church (Skye Golson photo)

To learn more, visit www.st-josephchurch.net.

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As Sandpoint’s growth begins to stabilize, St. Joseph’s Catholic Church is still feeling growing pains. After more than 100 years on Oak Street, the church moved in October to a newly constructed building on 10 acres at the corner of Lincoln and Ontario on the west side of Sandpoint. The move was prompted out of necessity, according to Marilynn McDonald, chair of the building committee and a parishioner at St. Joseph’s. While the busiest times for the church are Easter and Christmas, attendance also spikes during the summer with the influx of visitors to Sandpoint, which would fill the old space to capacity.

–Amie Wolf SANDPOINT MAGAZINE

10/13/08 7:56:52 PM

Almanac

Animal accommodations open Architectural elevation of the new Panhandle Animal Shelter in Ponderay

dogs and cats each – can be housed in the new facility, which includes rooms to showcase dogs and a separate area for dropping off pets. Improvements also include a dog socialization room, outdoor exercise pens with covered canopies, a separate puppy room and several roomy cat habitats. Dog kennels have a privacy suite, an automated cleansing system and are built in a way that should reduce barking. Directors hope the new building and location attracts more volunteers to help run the shelter and store. With only 15 paid employees, the organization depends greatly on volunteers to

maintain its facility. “Our goal is to use volunteers as much as we can to keep costs in line. Adoption fees don’t cover the expense of housing the animals,” says Contor. PAS must maintain its operating budget, since it receives no tax dollars and depends on donations and store revenue to function. Folks can support the Panhandle Animal Shelter by making a donation, purchasing a donor tile or shopping in store. Look up www.pasidaho.org or call 265-7297 to view animals available for adoption or get more information. –Amie Wolf

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Life for Bonner County’s homeless cat and dog population is drastically improving with the new Panhandle Animal Shelter (PAS) and Thrift Shop, set to open late in 2008. The 27,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility, made possible by grants from the Wild Rose Foundation, is located on Kootenai Cutoff Road in Ponderay. Kris Contor, president of the nonprofit Friends of the Shelter, believes the prime location and combining the shelter and store should help increase pet adoptions above its current rate of about 1,200 animals a year. Approximately 200 animals – 100

SANDPOINT MAGAZINE

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WINTER 2009

10/13/08 7:56:55 PM

Almanac

Pack River Yak Ranch is pretty quiet because Christine and Sam Stoneham’s 20 registered Tibetan yaks don’t moo – they just make a low grunting sound. What’s a yak? It’s basically a hairy bovine with personality. The yak originated in the high plateaus and mountains of Central Asia, so it is extremely well-adapted to cold climates and mountainous regions, with its thick coat, great lung capacity and ability to navigate rough terrain. Four years ago, Christine began thinking about raising yaks on her family’s rural property between Sandpoint and Bonners Ferry. It took some serious persuading to get Sam to fall in line with her idea. When he finally did, he grew to love this interesting beast. Christine says, “Some yaks are aloof, and others are very friendly; each has a different personality.” Their friendly

yaks have become “pasture pets.” The Stonehams have a breeding bull named, appropriately enough, Bull Dozer, as he weighs about 1,400 pounds. Plus, they own a few other bulls and steers and several cows and calves. Area restaurants, including Beverly’s and Dockside in Coeur d’Alene, and folks at the Sandpoint and Bonners Ferry farmers markets are buying most of the meat. They like its delicate flavor and ultra-leanness. The deep-red meat is high in protein, iron and polyunsaturated fats. “Because it’s so lean, yak meat needs to be served medium-rare to rare,” says Christine, who admits to being “fiber crazy.” She sells the ultrasoft yak yarn and other “exotic” yarns at shows and online. See www.packriveryaks.com. –Kathleen Mulroy

Photo by Skye Golson

Tibetan yaks at home in northern Idaho

The friendliest members of the Stonehams’ yak herd are pasture pets. They raise the domestic animal for its fur and lean red meat.

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Unique choices from

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WINTER 2009

SANDPOINT MAGAZINE

10/13/08 7:57:00 PM

Almanac

Bicyclist rides for the kids Mel Dick’s cross-country bicycle adventure is much like a child learning to read: There are moments of discovery, periods of great challenge and big triumphs. While the Sandpoint resident’s epic 10,000-mile adventure was nearly done at press time, its effect on literacy will resonate for years to come. All proceeds from Dick’s trek – about $8,000 in pledged donations by the third week in September – help fund a program introduced in Lake Pend Oreille schools called Ready! for Kindergarten, promoting early childhood literacy. As he writes on www.Ride4Education.org, his blog: “Raising funds to support this effort will be one of the most satisfying things I have undertaken.” It took Dick, age 55, just 97 days to touch the Atlantic Ocean from his starting date of June 1 in Sandpoint. This includes first heading west to the Pacific Ocean before biking the full length of the United States. He wraps it up in Florida in November. Out on a bike day after day, Dick has been subjected to all that Mother Nature offers: rain, snow, heat, cold,

thunderstorms, lightning, humidity, a tornado warning and lots of wind (he can attest that harnessing wind power in the United States has great promise). And he has had to share the open road with more than just cars: a herd of longhorn cattle in Central Idaho, flocks of geese in Montana, and hundreds of dead rattlesnakes lying along the highways in South Dakota. Aside from flat tires, the only serious mishap Dick encountered was a run-in with a car in Oregon. He was sore but uninjured; the bike, however, was a total loss, and he had to buy a new one. Dick takes time to stop at every historical roadside marker along the way and often writes in his blog about historical points of interest. For someone who is getting to know America’s back roads so well,

Visiting national parks and historic sites were highlights of Mel Dick’s 10,000-mile ride.

experiencing the nation from the seat of a bike, and affecting the future of our youth, one must wonder: What does Mel Dick ponder during his seven to 10 hours alone each day? “I spend most of the time watching for glass on the road in the next 20 to 30 feet in front of my bike to avoid flat tires,” he said. –Beth Hawkins

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Hearthside Cocoa, created by two

single mothers, Donna Flood and Melinda Reed, is moving into its second year of production with the boost of nationwide distribution. The initial idea came out of a need for Flood to work from home, to mesh more with her children’s schedules. With Reed’s history of making chocolate products, along with Flood’s business background, it was only a matter of finding the right income avenue. “We developed our own recipe, with lots of experimenting,” says Reed. “We are committed to using non-artificial ingredients.” Both women wanted to involve the SANDPOINT MAGAZINE

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community in their business. The tin design and crate are locally commissioned, and a percentage of profits are distributed. Community Cancer Services was the first to receive a contribution. Last year Hearthside Cocoa sold in 12 Idaho businesses and in Montana. The cocoa is sold at Schweitzer and at the Litehouse Bleu Cheese Factory Store; however, this year they are packaging product for a local company with nationwide distribution under the company’s imprint – which is part of their vision. “We would like to create signature cocoa for other companies, while maintaining our own label,” says Reed.

PHOTO BY SKYE GOLSON

Hearthside Cocoa a heartwarming business

Melinda Reed (left) and Donna Flood

“Another part of our vision is to create a fund and work with local agencies to assist other struggling households,” adds Flood. This vision is printed on the label: “May blessings be poured out on you.” See www.hearthsidecocoa.com. –Pam Webb

WINTER 2009

10/16/08 12:27:29 PM

Welcome to Dover Bay, a luxury waterfront community with outdoor recreation for each season. Situated just three miles from downtown Sandpoint, Idaho, Dover Bay provides a true four-season lifestyle, with the shores of Lake Pend Oreille just steps from your front door and Schweitzer Mountain Resort out your back window. With 12 distinct neighborhoods and the Marina Village offering boat moorage, a CafĂŠ & Market and the Lake Club Fitness Center, you are sure to find that perfect vacation getaway, primary home or simply a smart investment.

208.265.1597 | DOVERBAYIDAHO.COM

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10/13/08 7:57:07 PM

Almanac

Locals find fame

Compete on television game shows PHOTOS Courtesy of ABC anD Chambers family

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Clockwise from the top: Darcy Sletager competes in an elimination round on the first episode of I Survived a Japanese Game Show. This portrait was posted on the showâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Web site. Buddy Chambers gets prepped in the dressing room on AFVâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s set, and the Chambers family visits Graumanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, Calif.

WINTER 2009

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–Beth Hawkins

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WINTER 2009

SANDPOINT MAGAZINE

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to be famous – they were competing for camera time. It was a different mindset.” After losing out in the third show, Sletager said she was happy to be returning home to her family after 16 days away. And when the network aired the first two episodes of the show, family and friends got together for a big gathering to watch the shows together. But by the third episode Sletager just stayed home: “I knew I was getting kicked off.” Now that Sletager is a famous face, does she get recognized in her hometown? “I get stopped at Wal-Mart constantly.” Now that’s when you know you’ve truly arrived. Another national television encounter featuring Sandpoint residents happened last spring when the Chris and Kathy Chambers family appeared on the hit ABC show America’s Funniest Videos (also referred to as AFV). Buddy Chambers, then a 13-yearold at Sandpoint Middle School, filmed the clip with his older sister, Katie. Buddy says the two were “just goofing around” – dancing in front of the camera with music blaring when Katie suddenly fell off the side of the bed, hit a lamp and blew a circuit. As the room goes black, Buddy lets out a highpitched scream. “We were watching it on the computer right after we taped it, and we’re like, ‘We have to send this to AFV!’” Buddy said. When they got the call that their video was chosen, the Chambers family traveled to Los Angeles on an allexpenses-paid trip for two days. “I was really excited,” said Buddy. “We had never been to Hollywood.” The video ended up winning third place, earning the clever brother-andsister team a $2,000 prize – a hefty $1,000 each. Not bad for 15 seconds worth of filming.

10/13/08 7:57:21 PM

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Ca l e nda r

Calendar

NOVEMBER

Cancer Services in Sandpoint. 263-9555 12 Lilliput Reception. Pend Oreille Arts Council hosts a reception to launch “Lilliput – A Miniature Show,” 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. in The Old Power House. 263-6139

6-9 “Murder at the Castle.” The Sandpoint Theatre Company presents Murder at the Castle, 8 p.m. in Panida’s Little Theater. 263-9191 7 Jazz Concert. “Stolen Sweets” Jazz Concert, part of the Think SWING! Jazz & Blues Festival, 8 p.m. at the Panida Theater. 263-9191

12, 14 “Gloria.” Pend Oreille Chorale performs Antonio Vivaldi’s Gloria with the Pend Oreille Chamber Orchestra. The Dec. 12 performance

will be 7 p.m. at the First Lutheran Church, Olive and Ontario; Dec. 14, 3 p.m. at the Church of the Nazarene, Highway 95 north of Sandpoint. 13 Swing Street Christmas Concert. The Panida Theater hosts the Swing Street Christmas Concert at 7 p.m. 263-9191 14 “The Jazzy Nutcracker.” The Panida hosts annual jazz version of this classic. 263-9191

POAC

8 Hot Club of Cow Town. Part of the Think SWING! Jazz & Blues Festival, 8 p.m. at the Panida. 263-9191 11 Xiayin Wang Piano Concert. The Panida Theater hosts a concert by pianist Xiayin Wang at 7:30 p.m. 263-9191 14 Imagine Tomorrow – Today. Multi-media presentation by the Sandpoint Transition Initiative, 7 p.m. at the Panida Theater. 263-9191 15 Teton Gravity Research. The Panida Theater hosts Teton Gravity Research, a ski and board film at 7 p.m. 263-9191

The 25th season of the annual Pend Oreille Arts Council (POAC) Performance Series continues to transport audiences around the world, with a wide international variety of lively music, unique dance performances and enchanting plays. Tickets available at the POAC office, located in the Old Power House, or by credit card at 263-6139. Other outlets include FC Weskil’s next to the Panida, Eve’s Leaves and Eichardt’s Pub in Sandpoint, and Bonners Books in Bonners Ferry. All performances take place in the Panida Theater, 300 N. First Ave., and are ADA accessible; listening devices are available for free.

16 Golden Dragon Chinese Acrobats. See POAC calendar.

Golden Dragon Chinese Acrobats

22 Holly Eve. Holiday fashion show and gala benefit for the Panida and Festival at Sandpoint, 6:30 p.m. at the Panida Theater. 263-9191

Trained in the rigorous art of acrobatics since early youth, this performance troupe from China has garnered international acclaim.

Sunday, Nov. 16, 7:30 p.m.

The Nutcracker

22-30 Thanksgiving Fishing Derby. Lake Pend Oreille Idaho Club’s annual fall fishing contest. 264-5796

Wednesday, Dec. 3, 7:30 p.m. A holiday tradition continues with Ballet Idaho pros and talented young dancers from the Sandpoint region. The imaginative storyline, colorful sets, dazzling costumes and spectacular dancing continue to make it a timeless holiday tradition. www.BalletIdaho.org.

28-29 Hills Resort Arts and Crafts Show. Hills Resort at Priest Lake presents 23rd annual ‘Tis the Season Arts and Crafts Show. 443-2551 28-Jan. 1 Holidays in Sandpoint. Tree lighting ceremony and caroling at the Town Square open the holiday season in Sandpoint, with store specials and entertainment throughout the season, sponsored by Downtown Sandpoint. 255-1876

Casey MacGill’s Blue 4 Trio Friday, Jan. 16, 7:30 p.m. Three-part harmony vocals and a piano-ukulele-bass-and-drums rhythm section seamlessly weave music from the ‘20s to the ‘60s into a variety of textures.

D ecember

Moscow Cat Theatre

3 The Nutcracker. See POAC calendar.

Death-defying balancing acts, dancing, acrobatics all performed by 35 cats, one dog and five clowns! Don’t miss this fun-filled family event.

Wednesday, Feb. 18, 7:30 p.m.

6 Schweitzer Holiday Kick Off. The lights come on and the holidays begin at Schweitzer with cocoa, cookies and carolers. 263-9555 6-7 “Christmas Oratorio.” The North Idaho Chorale performs this traditional oratorio by Camile Saint-Saens. Dec. 6 performance at First Lutheran Church, Olive and Ontario; Dec. 7 at Seventh Day Adventist Church, 2255 W. Pine St. Both at 7 p.m. 255-2223

Saturday, March 14, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Missoula Children’s Theatre is back for another splendid production where many talented young local actors take the stage in this classic tale.

Bottom Line Duo

Friday, March 20, 8 p.m. Talented chamber musicians entertain the audience with their warm sonority of the Double Bass combined with the soaring melodic beauty of the Cello.

10 Human Rights Art Show Reception. Pend Oreille Arts Council hosts reception for this art show featuring regional students’ artwork, 5:30 p.m. in The Old Power House. 263-6139

Aché Brasil Friday, April 24, 8 p.m. This high-energy group fuses music, dance and Capoeira (martial arts and acrobatics) into a dynamic, colorful performance.

12 A Day for Heather. Schweitzer hosts $10 lift tickets with all proceeds going to Community

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Pinocchio

WINTER 2009

SANDPOINT MAGAZINE

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6 Dave Womach Magic Show. The Panida hosts popular magic show, 7 p.m. 263-9191

10/13/08 7:58:00 PM

Calendar 18 A Danceworks Christmas. Annual show by students from the Danceworks studio, 7 p.m. at the Panida Theater. 263-9191 19 Shot in the Dark Rail Jam. Schweitzer hosts monthly rail jam under the lights. 263-9555 24 Santa at Schweitzer. Santa skis in for the day to Schweitzer for photos and last-minute wishes, in the Selkirk Lodge lobby. 263-9555 27 Music with Altitude. Schweitzer hosts live music by regionally and nationally known acts in this concert series at Taps. 263-9555 31 New Year’s Eve Parties. Schweitzer Mountain hosts parties for all ages including a rockin’ Music with Altitude concert in Taps, a teen tubing party and the popular “tween” party for kids. Parties will sell out – purchase tickets early! 2639555. In town, the Angels Over Sandpoint bring back their New Year’s Eve Bash, the “Semi Normal Semi Formal” at the Sandpoint Events Center, with a silent auction. See Hot Picks. 597-3670

JANUARY 10 Music with Altitude. Schweitzer hosts live music by regionally and nationally known acts in this concert series at Taps. 263-9555 15 Taste of Sandpoint. The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce sponsors this annual taste treat. Location to be announced. 263-0887 16 Casey MacGill’s Blue 4 Trio. See POAC calendar. 16 Shot in the Dark Rail Jam. Schweitzer hosts monthly rail jam under the lights. 263-9555 17 Schweitzer Lights Up the Night. Schweitzer hosts torchlight parade and fireworks with live music following in Taps. 263-9555 17-19 Winter Carnival Celebration. Schweitzer Mountain hosts family-friendly events to celebrate the weekend. 263-9555 22-24 Best of the Banff Mountain Film Festival. Mountain Fever Productions presents popular adventure film festival each evening at 7 p.m. in the Panida Theater. 263-9191

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24 Music with Altitude. Schweitzer hosts live music by regionally and nationally known acts in this concert series at Taps. 263-9555 30 Toyota Ski Free Day. The driver of any Toyota vehicle gets a free day pass at Schweitzer. 263-9555 31-Feb 1 24 Hours at Schweitzer. Schweitzer Mountain Resort hosts a 24-hour ski race to raise money for Henry “Hank” Sturgis and cystinosis research. 263-9555 31-Feb 1 Schweitzer College Daze. Schweitzer Mountain Resort hosts a weekend of special activities for college students. 263-9555

FEBRUARY 7 Music with Altitude. Schweitzer hosts live

SANDPOINT MAGAZINE

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WINTER 2009

10/16/08 12:32:38 PM

Calendar music by regionally and nationally known acts in this concert series at Taps. 263-9555 14 Shot in the Dark Rail Jam. Schweitzer hosts monthly rail jam under the lights. 263-9555 18 Moscow Cat Theatre. See POAC calendar. 19-24 Sandpoint Mardi Gras. Five fun-filled days of outrageous activities. See Hot Picks. 20-21 The Follies. Angels Over Sandpoint presents “The Follies,” a hilarious, politically incorrect variety show. See Hot Picks. 263-9191 21 Music with Altitude. Schweitzer hosts live music by regionally and nationally known acts in this concert series at Taps. 263-9555 24 Todd Snyder Live in Concert. Panida hosts folk musician Todd Snyder, 8 p.m. 263-9191 27-28 Outrageous Air Show. Olympic skiers join local talent at Schweitzer for an evening of spectacular jumps and stunts. Crazy themed parties follow in Taps. See Hot Picks. 263-9555

MARCH 3 Banff Radical Reels Tour. Mountain Fever Productions presents extreme sports films, 6:30 p.m. at the Panida Theater. 263-9191 5-10 Western Regional Championship Races. The West’s best skiers compete for berths at Nationals during races held at Schweitzer Mountain Resort. 263-9555 7 Bar D Wranglers. Panida Theater hosts the ‘Bar D Wranglers’ from Durango at 7 p.m., featuring cowboy tunes and comedy for young and old. See Hot Picks. 263-9191 14 Heuga Center Vertical Express for MS. Schweitzer Mountain Resort hosts an annual event raising funds to support the Heuga Center and people with multiple sclerosis. 263-9555 14 “Pinocchio.” See POAC calendar. 14 Music with Altitude concert. Schweitzer Mountain Resort hosts live music by regionally and nationally known acts in Taps. 263-9555

hot picks Ring in 2009 If you like to ring in the new year with a few hundred friends, there’s a pair of big parties to choose from for New Year’s Eve. At Schweitzer Mountain Resort there is a family-friendly selection of New Year’s Eve parties on Dec. 31; those 21 and older can shake and roll at a rockin’ concert in Taps; for teens there’s a tubing party; and even the ‘tweens have their own celebration for kids only. Get details at schweitzer.com. In Sandpoint, the Angels Over Sandpoint will host the Semi-Normal, Semi-Formal and pack the Sandpoint Events Center with music, a silent auction, refreshments and fun. 597-3670

Get crazy It’s been a long winter, so no need to explain if you let your wild side loose during the Sandpoint Mardi Gras, happening Feb. 19-24. Sponsored by the Downtown Sandpoint Business Association (255-1876), this giant party features five fun-filled days of outrageous events and ‘round-town activities. Contests this year include the very popular Golf Stumble, an indoor golf tournament held at various downtown businesses, plus the fast-paced Poker Run. Participants of all ages love the Chicken Fling, mask making, and the high-stakes Oreo cookie-stacking contest. And for adults only, The Follies tops off the Mardi Gras celebration with two shows rated R – for racy, risque and ridiculous – at the Panida on Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., presented by Angels Over Sandpoint. Wild, indeed! 266-0503

High-flying skiers Bodies festoon the skies in spectacular fashion at Schweitzer when the Outrageous Air Show takes flight Feb. 27-28. Elite professional skiers and boarders – including Olympians – launch from massive ski jumps just uphill of the village, performing synchronized double and triple twisting flips. You don’t have to be a skier to appreciate the difficulty and artistry of the jumpers; the air show is Schweitzer’s biggest spectator event of the season. There are themed parties, autograph sessions and other activities, too. 263-9555

15 Grom Stomp. Calling all groms! Schweitzer Mountain hosts this first-year event for skiers and snowboarders ages 6-11, with ridercross course and slopestyle tailored to age group. 263-9555

Boot-stompin’ fun

19 “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” Idaho Shakespeare Festival presents this Shakespearience performance, 7:30 p.m. at the Panida. 263-9191 20 Bottom Line Duo. See POAC calendar. 20-22 Stomp Games. Schweitzer Mountain hosts the best riders in the region for over $10,000 in prizes. Rail Jam, Slopestyle and Ridercross categories in pro and amateur divisions, ages 12 and older. 263-9555

APRIL 4-5 Tropical Daze. Bring out your Hawaiian shirt for fun in the sun at Schweitzer Mountain. Pond skimming and family activities daily, plus a downhill

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dummy derby on Sunday. Live music both days. 263-9555 10 One If By Land, Two If By Sea. Pend Oreille Arts Council launches this show to celebrate Lost in the ‘50s and the Wooden Boat Show, 5:30 p.m.-7 p.m. in The Old Power House.

WINTER 2009

263-6139 24 Aché Brasil Concert. See POAC calendar. 26 An Evening with Leo Kottke. The Panida Theater hosts renowned guitarist. 2639191 SANDPOINT MAGAZINE

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These folks rode into town last year and had such a darn-tootin’ good time they’re back at it again. The Bar D Wranglers from Durango bring their nostalgic repertoire of cowboy tunes and comedy to the Panida Theater on March 7 at 7 p.m. Young and old alike will relish this western treat; spurs optional. 263-9191

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Interview History

Paul Schaller, CEO of Quest Aircraft Company

PHOTO courtesy of quest aircraft

Sandpoint start-up brings Silicon Valley exec full circle

By David Gunter

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WINTER 2009

Quest Aircraft CEO Paul Schaller moved from his corner office to a spot where he can see the Kodiak assembly line at the Sandpoint manufacturing plant.

after the end of the Vietnam War. He received a Bachelor of Arts in management and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Cleveland State University, and then he went on to earn a master’s SANDPOINT MAGAZINE

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PHOTO BY David Gunter

aul Schaller does something that would scare the hell out of most CEOs. On a regular basis, he mentions God in the context of his business. Not obliquely, mind you, but very directly. “When people ask me, ‘Who owns Quest Aircraft Company?’ it’s kind of an awkward question, because there really isn’t any stock outstanding as you would normally think of it,” he said. “My response is, ‘God owns Quest,’ because that’s the purpose that we’re here for.” Schaller, 60, can afford this theological luxury because the business model for Quest is founded squarely on a field of religious and humanitarian outreach called “mission aviation.” Within that field, numerous church-funded groups and international aid organizations have helped the Sandpoint-based airplane manufacturer move from a pie-in-the-sky start-up in 2001 to a bustling business that employs more than 250 and plans to turn out a couple of planes a week as production continues to ramp up. The aircraft, known as the Kodiak, is a barrel-chested workhorse designed to drop into remote airstrips that other planes couldn’t navigate and get back out of them just as easily. Four years ago, Schaller, a pilot himself, left a senior executive position in Silicon Valley to come on board as Quest’s CEO. In a way, the move meant coming full circle for the man who grew up in Iowa in a family that loved flying almost as much as life in the outdoors. After a four-year stint in the Navy ended in 1972, he moved to Cleveland, where he met his wife of 34 years, Mary, and finished school not long

10/13/08 1:47:37 PM

Interview History

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degree in management science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Sloan School of Management. Schaller is not the only chief executive in the family – Mary is CEO of a ministry organization called “Q Place.” The couple has three children, Kristin, Michael and David, all of whom are grown and either finishing their educations or well into careers and families of their own. With more than 125 orders stacked up for the $1.45 million Kodiak aircraft, Schaller anticipates it will take three years for the company he now leads to catch up on back orders. In response, he has shifted much of his focus from the corner office to the manufacturing floor, where employees have completed about a half dozen Kodiaks and have the next half dozen moving down the line in various stages of completion. Looking relaxed in jeans and a zip-neck sweater, Schaller talked about balancing the demands of constantly increasing efficiencies with those of communicating to his people that the Quest mission is more than just a mission statement. It is, as he said, God’s work.

Paul Schaller hands over the keys to the co-owners of Spirit Air, the launch customer, on Jan. 25, 2008, at the first Kodiak delivery ceremony.

ness model?

Well, certainly there are organizations led by people who have a strong faith commitment. Typically, it’s a partnership or individual owner who will dedicate their company toward mission types of activities. Very seldom is the product that they produce also the vehicle for providing that vision. Their purpose is to make money so that they can then take a portion of it and provide it to missionaries. In our case, our product is really the service we’re providing to fulfill the vision.

PHOTO COURTESY OF QUEST AIRCRAFT

• Same-day appointments

Is that part of the reason you’re here?

That was one of the things that attracted me to the organization – the opportunity to bridge the two between a commercial, for-profit company and something with a mission and ministry purpose associated with it.

It’s not often that you run across someone leading a company that might best be described as “faithbased manufacturing.” Are you aware of anyone else using a similar busi-

The Kodiak is a sexy airplane, as far as its recreational applications. Do you ever foresee demand from that audience taking focus away from the mission aircraft side?

WINTER 2009

10/13/08 1:47:38 PM

Interview History

The sole purpose for the company has been to build a substantial and credible production activity that provides aircraft for mission aviation but, at the same time, builds aircraft that can be used for cool and sexy, if you will, commercial operations as well. Our business model, right now, has us providing nine aircraft for commercial purposes in order to be able to provide the funding for the 10th aircraft that we would “pay back” as part of the deposits from the mission organizations. Under that model, we would be building several hundred aircraft in order to pay back those initial deposits. At the end of that period, when we’ve paid back that amount of money, plus our loans, we would be in a position where we’d have to make a decision about how to continue. How different is the commercial side of the business, as far as the customers and how they plan to use the Kodiak?

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It has actually been kind of exciting to be in the commercial business, because we’re seeing a lot of different uses. Through a close interaction with the mission organizations, we’re building a very rugged aircraft that can get into and out of very remote regions. That generates an aircraft with lots of power that can be easily repaired and maintained in the field. From there, our commercial activity branched into some of our early adopters – people who want to take it into the backcountry, or the Bahamas or the Amazon, for their own personal use. Beyond that, we’ve had orders from a variety of other segments like air taxis, which take people into remote areas on a for-hire basis. The jump plane market could be a substantial one from our point of view. We have prospects from customers for medical evacuation applications, and we have people who are very interested in an aircraft like ours that can fly very slowly and in a stable fashion to be used for border patrol and other types of surveillance.

10/13/08 1:47:39 PM

Interview History

It’s rumored that Harrison Ford has ordered a Kodiak, though I know you can’t confirm that due to confidentiality agreements. But would it be safe to say the plane has the kind of cache that attracts that kind of buyer?

Absolutely. That’s really our launch customer – high net-worth individuals who have a remote location they need to get in and out of with lots of gear or

people. And they want to do that safely and with high reliability. We’ve had quite a few people order the aircraft that are of that ilk. Is the backlog for new orders – which seems to keep growing quickly – any cause for concern?

There are well over 100 aircraft on order at this point, and our next deliv-

ery slots are in early 2012 based on our current manufacturing ramp-up plan. We’ve had more acceptance for the aircraft than we initially thought, so our business model has changed, and we’re going to ramp up sooner than that. Will the things you’re learning as the company grows manifest themselves as changes in the actual airplane, or just the manner in which it’s being built?

Just the manner in which it’s being built. We did a pilot run of five and now we’re putting systems in place that will allow us to build them in more of a production fashion, but it’s all around the same aircraft.

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Looking out your office window at the planes lined up on the assembly line, it’s reminiscent of what Henry Ford developed – a continuum of specialists who do their thing and hand the product off to the next production stage. Is that an apt analogy?

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Well, certainly it’s a large product assembly, not unlike cars were at the time. Many of the principles he came up with ended up being incorporated into the high-volume production that went into World War II, which was then borrowed by our friends the Japanese, and we’re now learning back again. So it’s kind of an interesting turnaround. The Quest production system has borrowed heavily from a lot of things that have worked in other places, but are appropriate for this kind of product, in this kind of location, at this kind of a volume rate. We’re not going to be building three planes a day here. We’re trying to get to a point where we might be able to build two a week, and that would be about 100 a year. This is not going to turn into Boeing, but if we can build 100 planes a year, we think we’ll have a pretty good-sized business. Much bigger than we had initially thought. Have you cleared all the necessary hurdles with the Federal Aviation

WINTER 2009

10/13/08 1:47:41 PM

Interview History

Administration?

Pretty much. In another month and a half or so, we should receive our production certificate. There are two major milestones that the FAA has for you. One is called type certificate, which we got about a year and a half ago and includes all the flight tests, the structural analysis and testing of the aircraft. Since that time, we’ve been taking that airplane design and getting the processes and procedures in place in our factory in order to reliably produce a quality version of that plane that was tested. By doing that, you end up with a production certificate, where the FAA, with their oversight, allows you to produce the aircraft in a more mass volume kind of way.

was an important thing that I needed to be able to do. So I’ve moved my office away from my view of the runway, and I now have a great view of the production facility. You’ve spoken openly about how you brought your own faith to this endeavor. How has the job informed your faith, if at all?

My background, from a business standpoint, was doing start-ups in the Silicon Valley. And faith was not a strong component of doing business there. When I started this, it was interesting to apply my work skills to achieve a mission that had Kingdom purposes and, therefore, feel like you were contributing to faith, generally, in the world. When I got here, I realized

How long will this Sandpoint facility be adequate to keep up with higher rates of production?

When we moved in here, we had about 17 acres, and we’ve gradually acquired property to the point where we have about 30 acres now. We expanded our initial facility from about 27,000 square feet to the current 84,000 square feet. We’re comfortable that we can deliver one plane per week out of this facility as it is right now. What level of employment do you see the company reaching a couple of years out?

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Well, we’re at 250 now and, without too much trouble, one could see doubling that number with a second and maybe a third shift. You’ve changed offices and lost the coat and tie since you started the job. Do you feel more comfortable in your current executive incarnation?

I transition back and forth between the two. As president and CEO, you need to fulfill the role with a tie on once in a while. But having moved to Idaho, I’m more comfortable in this kind of a role. With the importance of the production part of the organization, stepping in and helping out in that area

SMW09_031-58.indd 35

WINTER 2009

SANDPOINT MAGAZINE

10/13/08 1:47:42 PM

Interview History

The good news is that we know where he [Bruce] is and we know we’ll be together again someday and talk about Quest and that’ll be fun. that my goal was to also help provide that same capability to people within the organization. So, in a way, it shifted from being a job with a mission purpose to being more of a ministry to help those who felt called here develop not only their skills, but also their faith. Moving to Sandpoint was a big change for you, personally and professionally. How do you like it now that you’re here?

I had been in Silicon Valley in that kind of fast-paced lifestyle for some time. As long as you are very busy with companies and in the pace of it, it’s OK. When you start thinking about retiring and not spending as much time in the deal flow of start-up businesses, it changes your perspective a little bit. I’m glad I was able to have been there and glad to have moved on from that. Realizing that most CEOs don’t have a lot of free time, what do you like to do with yours?

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We’ve got a plane and I fly that. We have a daughter who lives in the Portland area and a brand-new granddaughter, our first grandchild, so we like to fly down there. We also like to use the plane to fly to California. We have a son, our second child, who lives in Palo Alto and is a design engineer for a medical device company, doing heart bypass devices. And then flying down to Davis, Calif., which is where our youngest son goes to school. He’s a junior in mechanical and aeronautical engineering. He was up here for the summer in an intern program at Quest, which was great.

Did you come from an aviation family and did you pass your passion for flying along to your kids? SANDPOINT MAGAZINE

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My dad was a general aviation pilot and liked to take care of planes. He was a partner in a little club and was able to take the family flying occasionally. My youngest son is working hard on getting his pilot’s license, and his brother already has his. So, we end up, as a family, being able to fly around a little bit. Are you involved in any volunteer work in the community?

I’m involved in our church here in town, Cedar Hills Church. Starting this fall, I’ll be teaching Sunday School for fifth- and sixth-graders. That’s exciting, because it’s kind of a different age group for me from what I’m used to at work. I like kids at that age and I like helping out with teaching, so I got involved as a volunteer. How did the death of Quest’s founding chairman Bruce Kennedy (in June 2007) affect both the organization and you, personally?

From a company standpoint, Bruce was the original chairman and he helped set a lot of the tone for the culture of the company. In that context, it was a loss of the rudder that helped keep us on track with our mission. Fortunately, we’ve had Joyce Godwin step in as chairman. She had been there side by side with Bruce in the early days of the start-up, so she provided a very smooth transition of leadership. On a personal level, Bruce was a mentor to me. I certainly have others to fall back on with the board, but any time you lose someone you have a close, personal relationship with, someone who has helped you through lots of difficult times, that’s a huge change. The good news is that we know where he is and we know we’ll be together again someday and talk about Quest and that’ll be fun.

WINTER 2009

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WINTER 2009

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People

Sandpoint-born Sarah Palin makes history

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Election season 2008

“Sarah-mania” came south from Alaska, invading the Lower 48 and the world the moment Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain introduced his running mate to scores of Republican delegates and millions of TV viewers in August. Like the Sandpoint doctor who delivered her, 44-year-old Sarah (Heath) Palin has broken through barriers as the youngest and first female governor of Alaska and as America’s first female Republican vice presidential nominee. Palin has sealed her place in history, no matter the outcome of the 2008 election. Like the Beatles, her name rose from relative obscurity to worldwide recognition. Virtually overnight, the mother of five, who can shoot a moose and field dress it, too, transformed into a cult figure – inspiring Sarah dolls, Sarah glasses and Sarah hairstyles and even quickly penned Sarah books. McCain’s VP announcement resonated instantly in Sandpoint where locals proudly recounted their connections with the governor and her family. WINTER 2009

Sarah Palin hits the campaign trail at a Sterling Heights, Mich., campaign rally with John McCain.

“I was in the eighth grade. I held her. I remember a ton of black hair; the others (siblings) were blondies,” says Susie Puckett, one of Chuck Heath’s science students and babysitter to Sarah. Susie recalls feeling devastated when “Mr. Heath,” the teacher who turned her on to science, and his family left for Alaska that summer. Though Sarah lived for just three months in Sandpoint, her father’s roots run deep because of his Sandpoint High School athletic achievements, coaching, teaching and even a few pranks. “If I were a principal and something happened, I’d be looking for Chuck,” says longtime Sandpoint barber, Mike Winslow. “He probably knew something about it or did it himself.” While growing up, Winslow knew of Chuck but became better acquainted after riding together to Sandpoint from Spokane Airport several years ago. Since then, Winslow has added several Heath family photos to his barber shop wall S A N D P O I N T M A G A Z I N E

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n February 1964, Beatlemania was invading America. Sandpoint Motors was cleaning up after a fire. And three babies were born at Bonner General Hospital in less than a week. Their parents all taught at Sandpoint Junior High School (SJHS). Tom Albertson arrived Feb. 5, greeting parents, Don and Terri. Sandpoint News Bulletin SJHS correspondent Paul Drinkwater described Don Albertson as “tired and happy,” adding that he “would recover.” Four days later, Bill and Andrea Parenteau welcomed their fourth child, Joseph. Drinkwater noted that the Parenteaus were proud of their baby. On Feb. 11, a fire broke out at Sandpoint Motors. Friends recall that Chuck Heath, living just a few blocks away at 716 N. Fourth, went to watch Jack Parker move the cars. Later, he was summoned home by his wife, Sally, who was going into labor with the third of their four children. That evening at 6 p.m., Dr. Helen Peterson, Sandpoint’s first female general practitioner/surgeon, delivered a 7-pound, 11-ounce baby girl. Though her legal name would be “Sarah Louise,” a light-hearted Chuck Heath told Drinkwater that he would call her “Oscar” and raise her as a tomboy. The Heaths later moved to Alaska. Sarah Louise graduated from Wasilla High School in 1982 and then returned to Idaho for college, first attending North Idaho College and then the University of Idaho, graduating in 1987 with a journalism degree. She returned to Alaska to start her life as a wife, mother, broadcast journalist and, later, a Republican politician rising to the state’s highest office – governor – in 2006. The Albertsons stayed in Sandpoint. Tom became a Sandpoint High School teacher, as his father did before him. Most of the Parenteau family now live in southern Idaho. Joe works as an information technologist in Boise.

By Marianne Love

PHOTO BY Jim West / Alamy

Vignettes on the first female Republican VP nominee

10/13/08 1:48:00 PM

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and scrapbook, including last year’s Christmas letter where Sally Heath, “the consummate cookie lady,” wrote, “We got Chuck (the consummate outdoorsman) into four suits for inaugural balls.” After moving to Hope with his parents, Charlie and Marie Heath, Chuck began to distinguish himself early as a gifted athlete. Don Albertson knew Chuck as a worthy opponent in Thursday-night county league basketball games, organized by Coach Cotton Barlow. “He was a very fine athlete,” Albertson says. “He played for Hope. I played

From left: Sarah Palin’s first home, at 716 N. Fourth in Sandpoint; a reproduction of one side of Sally Heath’s Christmas 2007 letter; and Palin crossing a river in Alaska with daughter Piper.

for Pack River. Pack River didn’t win.” “We also played on the same (high school) football team and competed in track,” Albertson adds. “(He participated) in anything fast in track. He held

the SHS 100-yard dash record until Caleb Bowman broke it in the ’90s.” Heath also led the Bulldog football team his senior year, with 12 touchdown receptions, including the winning catch to beat Lewiston for the first time. He continued his athletic career at Columbia Basin Junior College, where he met Sally, a Richland native. After graduating from Eastern Washington State College, he taught three years in

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WINTER 2009

PHOTOS by Marianne Love and Courtesy of Mike Winslow

People

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People

Sandpoint, and then 30 years in Alaska. In 2004, Chuck was inducted into the SHS Athletics Hall of Fame. “It’s quite an honor,” he wrote. “Coach Cotton Barlow once told me to never blow your own horn. If you do well, someone else will blow it for you. Thanks for blowing my horn.” By 2004, while daughter Sarah was becoming a rising star in Alaska political circles, Chuck had retired from teaching and was employed as a government trapper and wildlife specialist. He even spent time trapping rats in New York after the 2001 World Trade Center attack. He also worked as a commercial fisherman, gold miner and big game outfitter. Chuck’s SHS Hall of Fame biography states that three athletes he coached from 1963 – Larry Jacobson, Brian Timblin and Adrian Lane – had also moved to Alaska, becoming his hunting and fishing buddies.

Lane is married to Marilyn Gray, daughter of former Sandpoint Mayor Floyd Gray. The Lanes, living in Alaska since 1984, have watched the Heath children grow up. Their children have babysat Sarah’s children. “Adrian and Chuck are best friends. … They do everything together from hunting, fishing, trapping – you name it!” Marilyn Lane says. “We go to the movies, play cards and travel.” Marilyn and her sister Loralee Gray have also spent time at the governor’s mansion. In a recent Idaho Statesman article, Gray, now of Boise, described her “fly-on-the-wall” status last March. She created and installed a huge birch wood map of Alaska in the governor’s office, while Palin conducted business. Gray sees Palin as “very capable, very measured, no nonsense, playing things out in different scenarios – just the way you’d like to think politics are done.”

Idaho State Rep. George Eskridge of Dover met Palin at the Pacific Northwest Economic Region forum in January, amongst others from the Pacific Northwest and Canadian provinces. “I was impressed with her sense of direction, where she wanted to go,” Eskridge says, “and that she had a strong sense of resolve as governor of her state. “I told her that she had been babysat by my sister-in-law (Susie Puckett),” he added, “and, given her origins were in Sandpoint, we were all impressed with her and that she had ‘better not mess up!’ She appreciated my humor, indicating that she would try not to.” Whether or not Chuck Heath has to wear another suit for an inaugural ball, the outcome will be OK. “They are so proud of Sarah,” says Marilyn Lane. “They have never doubted her ability to achieve whatever she set out to do.”

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Winter

Wintering in

From concerts to classes, there are dozens of ways for non-snow people to enjoy winter

now is a matter of fact during Sandpoint winters. And winter can be extra tough for nonsnow aficionados. If flying south is not an option, then consider wintering in. Sandpoint has an abundance of activities and events that help make the winter months transition into spring.

Get physical

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Dance the winter away. Be it

ballet, jazz, tap or ballroom, there is a style and instructors available at Danceworks in Kootenai (2659186), Studio 1 Dance Academy (2635220) and Sandpoint West Athletic Club (SWAC) in Sandpoint. “I teach all winter long. It’s such a great form of exercise, and it’s a great way to socially interact with other people,” said Diane Peters, a renowned dance instructor. She teaches classes at SWAC and can be reached at 610-1770. Rec leagues. The Sandpoint Parks and Recreation Department organizes sports leagues for adults and children, SANDPOINT MAGAZINE

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notably volleyball and basketball. The department publishes a guide, available at City Hall, local schools and at the library (263-3613, www.CityofSand point.com.) Work out. Keeping winter weight off and staying in shape is possible without snow sports participation. Check SWAC (263-6633), Curves (2551661), Natural Fitness (263-0676), Evolution Fitness (255-7010), Divine Health and Fitness (265-6757) or Pend Oreille Shores (264-5137). Walk the mall. Walking doesn’t have to stop when snow falls. The Bonner Mall is the perfect indoor walk arena. Doors open at 8 a.m. Bowl. EFX (263-5220) offers special bowling nights, accommodates groups, and also has laser tag, pool tables, a video arcade, tanning beds, and a mini-playland for kids.

Cultural

Concerts. Concerts happen all over town from cozy gatherings

found at Di Luna’s (263-0846) and Pend d’Oreille Winery (265-8545) to larger ones found at the Panida (2639191). The Pend Oreille Arts Council (263-6139) holds its Performance Series during the winter. Keep an eye out for school concerts for additional options. Art galleries. Although Sandpoint may not feature an art museum, there are numerous commercial art galleries as well as revolving art exhibits to peruse. Check out the Pend Oreille Arts Council (POAC) Web site for details on revolving exhibits: www.artinsandopint.org. Five Minutes of Fame. Looking for a bit of time in the spotlight? Try Five Minutes of Fame, an open mic at Café Bodega inside Foster’s Crossing on the third Wednesday of the month. Lectures. Pass the time listening to lectures. Try the Gardenia Center (265-4450), the Sandpoint Library (263-6930), or check the civic calendar at www.Sandpoint Online.com.

PHOTO BY Chris Guibert

By Pam Webb

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WINTER 2009

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Winter

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path. If you would rather stay inside, try exploring the town’s past by visiting the Bonner County Historical Society and Museum (263-2344).

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Do a good deed. It’s said there is no better way to get out of the doldrums than to do something for others. Try the Panhandle Animal Shelter (2657297), Kinderhaven (265-3336), Food Bank (263-3663) or the Bonner General Hospital (263-1441) for starts, or pick up Jim Payne’s guide to volunteer opportunities at the Sandpoint Library. Clean up/clean out. Why wait until spring to clean out the house? Organize the closets, drawers, cabinets, photo albums and garage. Donate to the charitable institution of your choice or hold an off-season garage sale. Develop a skill or talent. Learn to play the piano, tie flies, hone your checkers game or blow the harmonica. Maybe it’s time to learn how to foxtrot, glaze a pot or scrapbook. Check the calendars at www.Sandpoint Online.com, bulletin boards and Sandpoint Parks and Recreation Department’s activity guide for instructors and classes. Pamper yourself. Go ahead and splurge. Check out one of the day spas

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Winter

or check in to one of the local inns, lodges or resorts for a “staycation.”

Theater. Check the

Entertainment

Book it. There’s nothing like a good book to get through the long days of winter. Either check them out at the library or purchase one at one of the many bookstores in town. Consider forming or joining a literary club. Movies. While away winter in your home theater or via the town’s cinematic offerings. The library has a rich collection of DVDs and videotapes. For movie times and selections contact Bonner Mall Cinemas (263-7147), Panida (263-9191) or Schweitzer’s Selkirk Theater, where admission is free (2639555). Another idea is to create your own movie festival. Choose a theme, pop the corn and invite over the crew.

activities calendar at www.Sandpoint Online.com for live theater performances offerings, perhaps by Sandpoint Theatre Company, Sandpoint High’s Mime and Masque and the Pend Oreille Arts Council. Restaurant hop. Try out a new eatery, or frequent a favorite. Sandpoint does not lack in variety when it comes to restaurants. See Eats & Drinks, page 144.

Events

Winter has established seasonal events such as Holly Eve and the Sandpoint Mardi Gras; yet, there are other established and new ones to investigate. Check the events calendars at www.

SandpointOnline.com for current events.

Schweitzer

Although Schweitzer is the place to go for snow, it’s also the place for non-snow events and activities. Jennifer Ekstrom, Schweitzer’s communications manager, says, “We have things to do all winter long like movies, campfires with cocoa, live music, and we even have a Nintendo Wii station set up.” See the “things to do” link at www.schweitzer.com or call the Activity Center: 255-3081. Winter is here, the days are short, the nights long, but there is no lack of things to do. So even if the weather outside is frightful, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow. See Calendar on page 27 and Winter Guide on page 105 for more details. Go online to www.SandpointOnline.com for the most up-todate information on events and activities.

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Music

PHOTO BY TINA FRIEDMAN

Singing in the Choir Inclusive chorales provide occasions to croon

By Cate Huisman

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turns on the silver screen. For the singers, hearing their own voices as part of a swelling, polished performance far surpasses hearing the Mormon Tabernacle Choir perform the same piece. Mark and Caren Reiner have been the most regular of chorale organizers, first with the North Idaho Chorale and more recently with the Pend Oreille Chorale. Their concerts have included several performances of Handel’s “Messiah” (thus giving locals that all-important opportunity to sing the “Hallelujah Chorus”) and other major works for chorus and sometimes orchestra, including masses by Beethoven, Haydn and even Mark Reiner himself. To facilitate including all who want to sing – even those who cannot read music – Alan Ball, a retired physician with a big baritone voice and an amazing machine he calls “the Mighty Kurzweil,” makes a practice CD for each of the voices in the group (usually soprano, alto, tenor and bass). Ball finds a good, recorded performance of the piece and enters it into the machine, which he calls “a combination of computer and keyboard”; then he superimposes the notes for each voice on top. He gives the CDs reassuring labels: “Tenors! Here is WINTER 2009

SLOWER and LESS THREATENING version of ‘The Messiah’ by G.F. Handel with EVERY NOTE of your part EMPHASIZED!” Given this support system, the Pend Oreille Chorale has taken on some pretty challenging pieces. “The Bach had the potential of being a train wreck,” said alto Camile McKitrick of last spring’s performance of an intricate Bach motet. But, “People seem to rise to the occasion if you give them something a little beyond their depth,” said Ball. The Pend Oreille Chorale split off from its predecessor, the North Idaho Chorale, several years ago when some members wanted to take the latter in a somewhat different musical direction. The effect was to create more options for singers, as the North Idaho Chorale in its current form draws its repertoire from a wider range of music than does the Pend Oreille Chorale. “For people that might have more eclectic tastes in music, it gives them a nice counterpoint,” said McKitrick, who sings in both groups. Although it is without a permanent director, for the last few years the North Idaho Chorale has been conducted by McKitrick’s father, Myron McKitrick, a piano teacher S A N D P O I N T M A G A Z I N E

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andpoint’s community choirs – the Pend Oreille and North Idaho chorales – are nothing if not inclusive. Along with plenty of accomplished musicians, many of the music teachers in town, and even the occasional, professionally trained European opera singer, they also include the casual soprano on the street who can’t read music but is mesmerized at the thought of actually singing in the “Hallelujah Chorus.” For these commonplace choristers, rehearsals involve enjoyably warbling through the fun and familiar passages along with moderately desperate attempts to master the difficult parts and not be led astray by the people in the next row who are singing different notes. These challenges are worth mastering, because singing the music yourself is far more exciting than merely hearing a piece performed. To use a metaphor with which many locals will be familiar, it compares in the same way that actually skiing compares to watching a Warren Miller film. Most skiers would rather head down the Lakeside Chutes at Schweitzer themselves – even in a whiteout and out of control once or twice – than merely watch professionals create continuous, perfect

10/13/08 1:48:25 PM

PHOTO BY DAVID MARX

Music

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and retired educator. The elder McKitrick has traveled from Manassas, Va., the past few autumns to direct this group, and â&#x20AC;&#x201C; being retired â&#x20AC;&#x201C; he has the time to provide individual help for anyone who needs it. Rehearsals with either chorale last for the three or four months leading up to a performance, and singers can measure the progression of the seasons by the layers of clothing they need to don when departing for practice. In contrast, the Festival at Sandpoint Chorus prepares in only a few weeks of intensive work to sing with the Spokane Symphony Orchestra during the Festival at Sandpoint in August. Singers generally must have some experience, as there isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t as much time (and no practice CDs) to bring the uninitiated up to speed. Rehearsals are hot, even sweaty, and those unwary enough to wear shorts have to peel themselves off their practice pews when they stand up to sing. Still, this feels like the summer vacation choir, in part because it has performed works that are neither classical nor religious (in 2007 it performed a collection of Broadway show tunes), and in part because of the antics of its conductor, Rob Kincaid, an erstwhile sixth-grade teacher who uses

his skills with the preteen set to manage this overheated group. He lays down the law with the mantra: â&#x20AC;&#x153;To be on time is to be late. To be early is to be on time.â&#x20AC;? But his feedback is supremely tactful, and everyone knows when he says, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need to rehearse that; Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll know youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll get it,â&#x20AC;? he means, â&#x20AC;&#x153;You need to practice at home.â&#x20AC;? The Festival Chorus doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t perform every year. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no pattern to it,â&#x20AC;? said Dyno Wahl, festival executive director. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It depends on whether the program requires a chorus.â&#x20AC;? The chorales, by contrast, are more regular performers, and this winter, singers (and listeners) have much to look forward to: The North Idaho Chorale will perform the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Christmas Oratorioâ&#x20AC;? by Camille Saint-Saens on Dec. 6 and 7, and the Pend Oreille Chorale will perform Antonio Vivaldiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;Gloriaâ&#x20AC;? with the Pend Oreille Chamber Orchestra on Dec. 12 and 14 (see Calendar, page 27).Performances are free, and all are welcome to come listen. Next year, though, you might think about singing instead.

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The Festival at Sandpoint Chorus sings Broadway show tunes with the Spokane Symphony in 2007.

SANDPOINT MAGAZINE

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WINTER 2009

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Music Reiners share their lives’ devotion Every year since they moved from California to Sandpoint in 1992, Mark and Caren Reiner have fashioned choirs of any and all who want to sing and have presented free concerts at local churches every Christmas and again in the spring. “Their inclusiveness is absolute,” says perpetual choir member Alan Ball. “They don’t waiver from that, and they will not charge for a performance.” The Reiners, now both in their early 60s, have been musicians since childhood. Both have had careers as teachers, and Caren continues to substitute teach at Sandpoint schools and to give private music lessons using the two grand pianos in their living room. Mark built their off-the-grid, solar- and wood-heated house on Grouse Creek, shoring up the floor to support the two pianos and decorating with Gothic carvings and stained glass windows of his own design. While he is the more visible of the two as conductor of the Pend Oreille Chorale, the range and depth of Caren’s contributions to the group amaze all who encounter her. She is “able to hear all the parts, and if something needs correction, she can hear that even if she’s playing a different part,” says Ball. In addition to playing or singing virtually any part at rehearsal, Caren performs in several ways as well: At the group’s concert in June 2008, she played instrumental parts in both a quintet and a duet, sang alto in the chorus and two smaller group selections, and sang soprano in a trio. Both their self-sufficient lifestyle and their desire to give any and everyone a chance to perform what Mark calls “uplifting” music reflect the Reiners’ deeply felt concern about human consumption patterns and their effect on the environment. “Music offers us an opportunity to be cooperative rather than competitive,” Mark says. “It opens a door to a whole different way of thinking.” Mark and Caren Reiner, shown in their Grouse Creek home that has two –Cate Huisman pianos in the living room, are passionate about music – a passion they

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People

Valedictorians spell success Part II in a series on Sandpoint High’s top alumni

By Susan Drinkard

andpoint High School has been honoring its highestachieving students, the valedictorians, for 100 years now. We caught up with a few of them for this second part in a series on “what they’re doing now.” Class of 1973: Kathy (Grorud) Gemar is supervisor of the chemistry lab at Kootenai Medical Center in Coeur d’Alene. She is a 1977 graduate of Concordia College in Moorhead, Minn. She and husband Gary raised their three children in Liberty Lake, Wash., and moved to Coeur d’Alene one year ago. Advice: “Education and a strong work ethic will help you succeed at your passion.”

Class of 1977: Pam Bradetich is senior associate director of Cougar Athletics at Washington State University in Pullman, Wash. She was head volleyball coach for the University of Idaho from 1984-88, where she earned her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees. She has family ties to Sandpoint and spends most summer weekends on the lake at Garfield Bay or Bayview. Advice: “Strive for excellence in all you do.” Class of 1979: After graduating from the University of Idaho, Kathy

(Dundon) Moe moved to the Seattle area to work for Boeing for 15 years. In 1999 she left Boeing to become a stay-at-home mother. She recently re-entered the workforce part-time as a project manager for a small software development company. She and her husband, Ron, have two children, Cameron, 9, and Kelsey, 5. Advice: “Doing what you love in a wise and thoughtful way can lead to greater success and happiness than purely focusing on grades or financial success.”

Class of 1983: Regan Dolsby is a pharmacist in Gresham, Ore. She played volleyball for the University of Puget Sound and transferred to Washington State University and earned her pharmaceutical degree in 1987. She lives in Portland where she enjoys trav-

eling, fusing glass, kayaking, hiking and skiing. Advice: “Life happens whether you engage or not. There’s always a choice. Choose wisely.” Stephen Mills was also valedictorian in 1983.

Class of 1987: Kelli Keough is a vice president at Charles Schwab & Co. She lives with her husband, entrepreneur Tony Allen, and their two young children on Lake Austin in Austin, Texas. Keough completed her undergraduate work at Yale and a master’s and a doctorate in psychology at Stanford University. Advice: “There are ways to fund a great education if

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Senior photo artwork courtesy of Monticola, the Sandpoint High School yearbook. All other photos are courtesy of featured valedictorians.

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People you are a strong student. Yale is free for students whose parents earn less than $60,000 per year. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s how I could get the best education in the world, and I took hardly any debt.â&#x20AC;?

Doug Marks was valedictorian in 1987 along with Keough, Jon Berger, Susan Townsent and Andrew Raiha. Marks is a partner in the law firm of Elsaesser Jarzabek Anderson Marks Elliott and McHugh in Sandpoint. He earned his undergraduate and Juris Doctor from Brigham Young University. He lives with wife Sharon and son, Spencer, and twins

Greg and Justin, on Fry Creek in Sagle. Advice: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Stick by your principles. Do what you know is right.â&#x20AC;?

Class of 1988: Megan (Merriman) Blomquist of Mountlake

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Terrace, Washington, was co-valedictorian with Darrin Gleiser. She is a Stanford University graduate who earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Washington Law School in 2002. An attorney specializing in maritime law, she works for a Seattle firm, Holmes Weddle

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People the University of Idaho. She lives in San Jose, Calif., with her husband, Amitabh, and their two young daughters. Advice: “Push yourself to do everything you’re capable of because it opens up doors to opportunity.” Class of 1992: There were four valedictorians of this class: Chris

and Barcott. Blomquist is married and has a son, Tyler, 4. Advice: “If you’re on the fence about trying something new, do it; you never know when, or if, that same opportunity will present itself again.”

Class of 1989: Justin Watkins

Cousins, Niki Parenteau, Angie Rebella and Erin Rand. Erin Rand earned her Bachelor of

received his Bachelor of Arts from Swarthmore College in 1993 and his Juris Doctor from Temple University in 2005. He is a corporate and securities lawyer in Philadelphia at the national law firm Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP. He and his wife, Marie, have three children. Advice: “Cherish what you have in SHS and its teachers. They will give you all that you need to take the next step, no matter what it is, or where it may be.” Aaron Lish was also valedictorian in 1989.

Class of 1990: Jennifer (Cox) Sabharwal is a chemical engineer with a master’s degree from

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Arts from Carroll College in Helena, Mont., and then served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Guinea-Bissau, West Africa. She earned a doctorate in communication studies from the University of Iowa and taught rhetorical theory and criticism at California State University, Fresno from 200608. Her career in academia continues at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., in the department of communications. Advice: “It wasn’t always easy, but I was determined to get a good education, and I’m thrilled that I did. Don’t be afraid to have big dreams.” Angie (Rebella) Knarr is an attorney in Southern California where she practices primarily employment and securities litigation at Latham & Watkins LLP. Knarr attended college at the University of Idaho for two years and then transferred to Chapman University in Orange, Calif., before

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attending Harvard Law School. She married Aaron Knarr in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, in March 2007. Advice: “Go away to college. You’ll have so much fun and get to experience living in a new place.” Niki Parenteau was recently awarded a postdoctoral fellowship at NASA Ames Research Center in the Bay Area to study how bacteria live and become fossilized in extreme environments on Earth, such as in hot springs and salty ponds, as it relates to the search for bacterial life on Mars. She completed her undergraduate work at the University of Puget Sound and earned a doctorate in geology at Portland State University. Advice: “Students may have the misconception that you have to be a ‘brainiac’ in order to succeed in academia; the truth is, it’s actually hard work and perseverance that will take you as far as you want to go.”

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Shopping

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By Susan Drinkard

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scant parking or a difficult turn-around for donations. The store, which is attached to the shelter, features three dressing rooms, handicapped accessible bathrooms, an entrance ramp for wheelchairs, 4,000 square feet of floor space and an additional 2,000 feet for storage and sorting, a security system, and a heating and air conditioning system, according to Elizabeth Willey, director. An enclosed, covered drop-off is lighted and parking is plentiful. You never know what you’ll find at this quirky and fun store, but most likely it won’t be enough volunteers, according to Karleen Angel, manager. Many of the volunteers are ages 70 to 80-plus and can’t move heavy items. Volunteers of all statures are appreciated, but brawn would be helpful, she said. New hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Goodwill Industries of the Inland WINTER 2009

Northwest is combining its retail store and program center at a large, new facility located at 204 Larkspur in Ponderay, down the street from Wal-Mart and across the street from the new Health and Welfare building. Some 8,000 square feet of the 16,500-square-foot facility is retail space, and the rest will house its social services – helping people with disabilities and disadvantages build independence with training and employment. Goodwill plans to add five or six employees to its staff of 33 when the store opens in December. The facility itself will resemble other Goodwill stores and will have exposed pipes, high ceilings and a drive-through donation area, said Diane Galloway, public relations officer. Hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Also out that direction, Home Sweet S A N D P O I N T M A G A Z I N E

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The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors welcome 2nds Anyone?, a new thrift store partnership between the Sandpoint Senior Center and Lake Pend Oreille High School, in this ribbon-cutting ceremony on Oct. 3, 2008.

PHOTO BY HEATHER BENNETT

t’s an exciting time for thrift shoppers. Sandpoint’s long-established Panhandle Animal Shelter Thrift Shoppe and Goodwill Industries are scheduled to move this winter to newly constructed sites at easy-to-access locations near each other and near the flourishing Community Assistance League’s Bizarre Bazaar Upscale Retail store in Ponderay, creating a corridor of “thrifting” opportunities. In Sandpoint proper, you’ll find four thrift or consignment stores in a concentrated area. The brainchild of Lake Pend Oreille Alternative High School staff in collaboration with volunteers at the Sandpoint Senior Center, 2nds Anyone? opened in October on Boyer Avenue. Nearby on Highway 2 is Once Again Consignment (265-8041), which recently expanded to triple its floor space, and Sanctuary Seconds (2630300), a fund-raising enterprise for 185 cats, was given a five-year discounted lease at its new site on Lake Street, the former location of the senior’s thrift shop. A few blocks over you’ll find Butterflies and Bullfrogs New and Used Children’s Boutique at its new location, 723 Pine (265-4422). Down North Boyer Avenue is ReStore, a thriving new business that sells used and new building materials in order to build houses for low-income residents through Idaho Panhandle Habitat for Humanity. Most of these stores benefit different causes; they have a few paid staff but could not function without volunteers, and in most cases, they desire additional help from reliable workers. In all cases they help each other out. In Ponderay, shopping and donating is much easier at the new site of Panhandle Animal Shelter Thrift Shop (formerly spelled Shoppe), 870 Kootenai Cut-Off Rd., where proceeds support the care of more than 200 homeless animals. No more potholes,

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Home Consignment (255-1818) sells “previously loved” household furniture and decor, with a store inside the Bonner Mall and on Highway 200 in Kootenai. “We want to price so reasonably that we have quick turnover,” said Colleen Ross, counselor and work-based learning supervisor at Lake Pend Oreille High School (LPOHS). She worked with staff members Linda Spade, Mona Stafford and Randy Wilhelm to create a hands-on learning environment, 2nds Anyone?, for students at the corner of Boyer and Pine (263-3247). The Ambrosiani-Pastore Foundation gave a start-up grant of $15,000, while Coldwater Creek donated $30,000 worth of racks and tiered tables. Learning opportunities abound, said Ross, and they include janitorial, landscaping, purchasing, merchandising, bookkeeping and people skills. Students will work with mentoring volunteers from the Sandpoint Senior Center to learn aspects of the business as well as other skills, such as quilting with nonsalable clothing. Some 25 percent of the proceeds will go to the Sandpoint

PHOTO BY DAVID GUNTER

Shopping

Idaho Panhandle Habitat for Humanity Treasurer Don Hanset, left, is shown with Dick Ensminger, chapter board member and representative to the Idaho State Association of Habitat for Humanity, center, and William Kopiecki, manager of the chapter’s new ReStore location in Sandpoint.

Senior Center; the rest will fund scholarships for students and educational materials for LPOHS students. The name, 2nds Anyone?, was thought of by Seone Puailoa, the son of an LPOHS teacher, Georgia Puailoa. Hours at the store are 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday. Meantime, ReStore, located behind Panhandle Special Needs at 1424 N. Boyer, opened in August. Building contractors, architects, designers and others involved in remodels and tear-outs are asked to donate appliances, bathroom and kitchen fixtures, lumber, flooring, furniture, lighting fixtures, windows, doors and other building-related materials for a tax-deductible receipt and the satisfaction of knowing they are helping to recycle and contribute to the construction of affordable housing in Sandpoint, said William Kopiecki, store manager.

Idaho Panhandle Habitat for Humanity volunteers build a house each year but would like to build two per year using proceeds from ReStore. With all those building supplies at discounted prices, ReStore is well-suited to the do-it-yourselfer. ReStore does some removal and pickups of quality items on a selective basis. Donators are asked to call first (265-5313) to schedule a drop-off or pickup. Hours for the public are 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday. Whether you’re a collector, a treasure hunter, someone who cannot afford to shop for new, higher-priced items, or if you just like a bargain, there are at least 10 thrift or consignment stores in the Sandpoint vicinity in which to browse. Chances are you’ll be donating to a good cause when you spend your money there.

5IJOL 3FNPEFM t 5IJOL 3F4U re (208) 265-5313 1424 N. Boyer Ave., Sandpoint Call for hours and directions SANDPOINT MAGAZINE

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Adventure

F irst descent of th e

Green Monarch

Mountains

Story and photos by Ben Olson

The first descent The peak of the Green Monarch Mountain, where Tate dropped in Feb. 3, 2008, has an elevation of 5,082 feet. The low-lake level is around 2,048 feet,

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The intrepid Lawson Tate skied right into the boat following an unprecedented descent of the Monarch Mountains one foggy day in February 2008.

which provides more than 3,000 feet of vertical drop, at such an angle as to cause severe bowel discomfort. There are only three avalanche chutes where a descent would be remotely possible, each filled with obstacles, debris, hidden rocks and wrong turns leading to disaster. It was more than a decade earlier when Tate first toyed with the idea of skiing down that legendary cliff. “The Fire Storm (in 1991) exposed the rocks on the cliff face,” Tate said. “I was a kid then, living in Ponder WINTER 2009

Point, and I could see the scars. Once it burned off, there was some talk about a couple of chutes looking like ski runs. Then the question remained: Would there be enough snow, and would you be able to ski the burn areas?” Since then, the only winter that would have provided enough snow before this monster we have just endured was the fabled winter of 1996-97 – the one old gummers referred to when newcomers complained of all the snowfall last season. Tate, 27, chatted with some friends about whether it would be possible to ski the chute. “We decided it would take some recon,” said Tate. “I put my boat in at Hope and buzzed across the lake. Then I sighted three possible avalanche chutes that reached the water.” With the chutes marked on GPS, Tate hit the next hurdle: logistics. It would take a lot of equipment and a lot S A N D P O I N T M A G A Z I N E

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he 21st century is a tough time to be alive for adventurers, explorers, nomads, crazies and edge-seekers. Everything seems to have already been done; every island charted, all mountain ranges climbed by the blind and geriatric, rivers plotted and depths sounded. To do something that nobody has ever done before has become quite difficult. That is why the first descent of the Green Monarch Mountains by Sandpoint’s Lawson Tate is so noteworthy. To my knowledge, no one has ever skied down those sheer cliffs at the east end of Lake Pend Oreille. To set eyes upon the barren rocks and sheer cliff faces, it seems an impossibility for anyone to ski down such terrain and live to tell the tale. But one man did this unprecedented feat during the winter of 2008. Skiing down the Monarchs is insane. Please don’t attempt anything like this unless you are ready to die and/or have the proper experience and resources.

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Adventure

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of people for this plan to succeed. The area behind the Monarchs is some of the most inaccessible terrain in the county, with only the High Drive and a handful of logging roads providing access. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Justin Schuck was my logistics guru,â&#x20AC;? said Tate. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been best friends since second grade and he was all aboard.â&#x20AC;? Schuck organized two ATVs equipped with snow tracks, one that he drove and the other driven by Todd Sullivan. He also got an uncle, David Schuck, and one of his uncleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s brothers, Dale Lockwood, on snowmobiles. They

would shuttle him in. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We had John Peters from Hope on the Lillian B., a 26-foot welded aluminum fishing boat with a GPS system,â&#x20AC;? Tate said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This was our mother ship.â&#x20AC;? To round out the crew, Tate roused me from bed, suffering from a wicked hangover, and asked if I would act as photographer and radio operator for the expedition. The ATV crew would shuttle Tate in, and the Lillian B. was to wait offshore to take him home safely. Everyone met in Hope at 7 a.m. and split ways; Peters and I taking the boat to the foot of the Monarchs and Tate with the other four

toward Johnson Creek. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The plan was to take the High Drive to the closest point as the crow flies to the GPS position I marked,â&#x20AC;? Tate said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We rallied up as far as we could and left the main road to a spur road leading off toward Kilroy Bay. We took a few hours to find the right switchback and used topo maps to determine the route to ascend the ridge of the Green Monarch Mountain.â&#x20AC;? The ideal chute the party marked was just west of a ridge leading northeast away from the highest peak of the cliffs. One wrong turn would lead Tate

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SANDPOINT MAGAZINE

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WINTER 2009

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Adventure

too far east, possibly stranding him atop an 800-foot, sheer cliff face. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was really dense fog most of the way,â&#x20AC;? Tate said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t tell what direction was what except for the GPS.â&#x20AC;?

When the snow machines could travel no farther, the crew put on snowshoes and hiked a difficult sidehill toward the ridge. When they reached the correct ridge, most of the crew had returned to their snow machines. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Schuck and I sidehilled far in where we could get radio contact with the Lillian B. At this point, we had to call in our coordinates to the boat, and they would locate us on their onboard GPS and tell how far we had to go in which direction.â&#x20AC;?

Schuck and Tate bid farewell atop this ridge, still in the fog layer, without a clear view of the lake yet. Tate took the GPS, the radio and a topo map to navigate with. He also took off his skins, turned on his avalanche beacon and put on the AvaLungâ&#x201E;˘, a device that assists breathing if buried in snow. After snapping on skis, he was ready to descend. Tate skied a few hundred vertical feet down the ridge â&#x20AC;&#x201C; mostly spacedout snags and big, wide areas of snow. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I had little confidence I had the right chute when I decided to go for it,â&#x20AC;? Tate said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t see the boat and the boat couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t see me, so we communicated primarily with GPS coordinates. I felt like they had an idea of where I was, but without a visual sighting, it was pretty hairy.â&#x20AC;?

Canyon Creek Ranch S A N D P O I N T,

I D A H O

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S A N D P O I N T M A G A Z I N E

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Adventure

Tate was finally able to see the boat, just a dark speck 2,500 feet below on the lake. After patient searching with high-powered binoculars, the crew on Lillian B. obtained visual contact on Tate’s position and verified he was in the right chute. “When they had visual on me, it was a rush,” Tate said. “Now I just had to follow the chute down.

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Schweitzer Mountain

263-5157

255-1660 (seasonal)

“When you look up at the Monarchs, it doesn’t look skiable because it has big snags and obstructions everywhere, but in reality, you’re so far away from the top of these mountains, it’s a mirage. From the top, it’s steep and open and smooth. It’s the equivalent of skiing down something like Headwall, but much steeper – consistently steeper than anything on Schweitzer.” From the boat, when I got visual of Tate, he looked like one of those tiny snowboard dudes on a Kokanee bottle; just a mere speck of arms waving ski poles around in the air. Tate cruised down the rest of the chute with confidence, stopping occasionally to check the radio and the stability of the snow pack, and also to let his legs rest a bit. “This was definitely the longest run I’d ever taken in my life,” he said. “After I passed the halfway mark, it got nasty and I had to get more technical. Now you’re in a real avalanche chute with debris. It was intimidating, because the sluff was moving a bit. You get into a whole new dimension when you’re skiing on snow that actually moves beneath you, too.” Tate successfully descended the avalanche chute down to a wall of snow that hung over into the lake. The Lillian B. stood by to pick him up. “I was able to ski right into the boat,” Tate said, smiling. Tate was greeted from the boat with shouts of triumph and a 4-pound mackinaw caught by John Peters.

Mission accomplished The first descent of the Green Monarch Mountains on skis. A new frontier. A first in this era of seconds and thirds. The Green Monarchs have been gazed upon by thousands of awestruck eyes over the years, and they sit there, just across the lake. Yet, it had taken until then for anyone to meet the challenge of a first descent on skis. “I like the idea of a challenge,” Tate said. “With this Monarch ski mission, we needed reliable recon, a support crew and the right equipment. It’s not stepping off the chairlift.” The mission was organized more like an Arctic expedition than a backcountry ski run. “We had ATVs, snowmobiles, a sweet boat, GPS, VHF radios and all kinds of timing issues to work out. If it all doesn’t come together, it doesn’t happen,” Tate said. “It was a heavily planned and calculated mission, and that’s why it ended up successful. “I love the lake, I love the mountains, I love this area. Skiing the Monarchs put it all together for me.” Not to be outdone, two more skiers – Matt Shriber and Cody Lile – descended the same chute the very next day. The mission went a bit smoother the second time around, especially with the addition of flares to give instant, visual recognition from the boat. This time, however, Tate watched comfortably from the boat.

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WINTER 2009

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208.255.7561 Cindy.Bond@SothebysRealty.com 200 Main Sandpoint Associate Broker, GRI © MMVII Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates, Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Yellow House, © Van Gogh Museum/Superstock, Inc., 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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imply Incredible Sandpoint, Idaho

ore than a REALTOR®

ollowing a successful entrepreneurial career of starting and leading technology companies, Stan built a home on Lake Pend Oreille and relocated to Sandpoint, Idaho, in the mid 1990s. Having been a season-pass holder at Schweitzer Mountain for over twenty years, Stan was recruited to assist the Resort with its growth and management, including a number of Real Estate development issues. This led him to earning an Idaho Broker’s License and the beginning of what has turned out to be a thriving second career. Stan’s fundamental philosophies that have produced an impressive number of delighted clients are: excellent listening proficiency; analytic creativity in formation of solutions to meet client’s needs; and competence in communicating and negotiating an agreement fair and acceptable to all parties to the transaction. The result is Stan’s extremely high level of proven and demonstrable client satisfaction. Stan brings his professional experience, combined with his education (BA, MBA – Washington State University and Ph.D. – Gonzaga University) to every Real Estate transaction. Equally comfortable with Buyer and Sellers, you will find Stan a tremendous asset when searching for a member of your team to work efficiently and effectively to accomplish your Real Estate goals.

Huge views from every room, 21’ ceilings; sunrises & sunsets. 7800sf & 3000sf patio. 154 private lake front feet, 15000# boat lift + 2 slips. Fully furnished. Must experience to believe a house like this is available on the Pend Oreille. $4,200,000 MLS 2083749

Spectacular waterfront home! You’ll feel like you are stepping back in time when you enter this stunning classic Country French home. Unbeatable big Lake views to the South. Incredible quality throughout with NO “bling” missing. 5bd/6.5 ba and approx. 6300sf +100ff of lawn on Lake Pend Oreille. $2,999,000 MLS #2084853

10 min. from Sandpoint, 4700 sq.ft. 3BR/4BA main home + 2BR/2BA guest house + Boathouse with Apt. on 174 front feet on Lake Pend Oreille. 1.7 acres with Southern Exposure. A unique estate. $2,790,000 MLS # 2075626 www.secretcovesandpoint.com

Brand new 6BR/5.5BA home with 4954 sq.ft. High-end everythingfinishes, fixtures, appliances, 3 home PUD with 1 acre common area. 110 front feet on Lake Pend Oreille. Price includes $20,000 credit for your own dock. $1,970,000. MLS # 2073176

Cozy 2BR/2BA log home on Ellisport Bay in Hope. 100 front feet, bordering 1/2 mile of U.S Forest Service deep woods waterfront. Huge views. Trex decks and dock. $689,000 MLS # 2075831

Custom “Northwest-Style” lodge home, huge views of Lake Pend Oreille and Mountains from every room. Close to Sandpoint, Schweitzer. Highend fixtures, finishes, appliances. Complete privacy – shared ownership of 25 acre PUD with only 4 other distant home sites. $899,000 MLS # 2080476

Nicely profitable, 12 year history, large customer base, great growth potential, 3000 sq.ft. shwrm, 1st Ave. Sandpoint location. Visit northwesthandmade.com. $447,000 MLS # 2075919

1 ACRE & 150 front feet +/- on Chuck’s Slough to fish & kayak on. Raised ceilings, open floor plan, fully landscaped, huge deck, dock, fire pit, Close to town, yet no through traffic. Wonderful feeling of privacy. Extra storage. $529,000 MLS #2083572

BUILD AT THE IDAHO CLUB, A Jack Nicklaus signature golf course!!! Two lots available: .81 ac lot overlooking the #6,7, & 10 fairways for $550K and .31 ac corner lot located near the Club House for $350K. The Idaho Club amenities include a huge log lodge/clubhouse with fine dining, extensive hiking trails, Marina, swimming pool, & tennis courts. Call for additional details.

Fully furnished Luxury Waterfront Seasons at Sandpoint Condominium,1600 sq.ft., 3BR/2BA. Private marina, beach, spa, clubhouse. Unbelievable owner services. $900,000 MLS # 2084258

Your luxury & recreational property professional cell: 208. 290.7024 stan.hatch@sothebysrealty.com

Stan Hatch, Associate Broker

BEAUTIFUL CUSTOM HOME on the 13th fairway of the Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course. Large open great room, Hydronic heat, Large custom kitchen with walk-in pantry. Large bonus/guest rm with two walk-in closets. $595,000 MLS # 2084560

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imply Incredible Sandpoint, Idaho

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Call Sue Brooks GRI, Realtor Phone: 208-255-1601 Cell: 208-255-6782

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IF YOU COULD LIVE ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD… WOULDN’T YOU CHOOSE TO LIVE HERE? P.J. & Carrie Real Estate Team

We can help locate your next residence, in one of the world’s most amazing playgrounds. P.J. Cell: 208-610-8034 pj.nunley@sothebysrealty.com Carrie Cell: 208-290-1965 carrie.lagrace@sothebysrealty.com © MMVII Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates, Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Yellow House, © Van Gogh Museum/Superstock, Inc., 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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imply Incredible Sandpoint, Idaho

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Sharing the Privilege Cheri Hiatt ® REALTOR ID & WA

• • • • •

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3 Homes Barns & outbuildings Manicured grounds Miles of groomed trails Borders national forest

$10,800,000 # 2084166

THREE GENERATIONS OF REAL ESTATE EXPERIENCE Tony has been licensed as a REALTOR ® in Idaho and Washington since his graduation from Gonzaga University in 1994. The Villelli family has been in real estate for three generations and over 55 years! Their largest contribution (thus far) to the Sandpoint area was the development of Hidden Lakes Golf Resort and its award winning log clubhouse, which is now the only Jack Nicklaus course in Idaho, The Idaho Club. Tony and brother, Mike, have over a dozen listings at the Idaho Club, including three fantastic custom homes and several magnificent home sites.

AN ESTATE LIKE NO OTHER, represented by a REALTOR® that called it home. The Villelli cabin, affectionately known as “Big Idaho” was, at the time of its construction, the largest log home in the U.S. It is also where listing agent Tony Villelli grew up. Tony’s parents designed and built the over 21,000 square foot log cabin of primarily western larch and native Idaho stone, as simply a place to raise the five Villelli boys. Resting on serene Lake Marie, surrounded by 228 acres and adjacent to over 100,000 acres of federal forest land this home is a true wilderness getaway. Offered at $12,000,000

For more information about “Big Idaho” or The Idaho Club please call Tony directly at 208-263-5997 or go to www.tonyvillelli.com.

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imply Incredible Sandpoint, Idaho

SPECIAL PEACE OF HEAVEN The Bighorn Lodge, Noxon, MT. Currently a B&B, or private retreat with 420’ of the Bull River, on 5 acres & adjoins National Forest. 5 guest rooms, owners quarters, 2-bedroom River House for guests. Fully furnished, commercial kitchen, huge deck & hot tub overlooking the valley & mountains. 30’x40’ finished shop + 26’x30’ carport. #2083907 $2,250,000

GORGEOUS PANORAMIC LAKE PEND OREILLE & MOUNTAIN VIEWS. Beautiful craftsmanship and quality new log home on over 3 acres close to Sandpoint. 2 bedrooms, den, 2 1/2 baths, Lyptus wood floors, granite countertops. Wood stove, heat pump forced air furnace, large deck overlooking lake and parked out setting. Studio guest quarters in garage. #2082536 $765,000.

20-ACRE ESTATE-SIZED Waterfront Property 555’ on the Pend Oreille River. Sheltered bay setting, gentle topography, gorgeous views. Preliminary plat approval for 5 parcels. Existing 3,500 SF home on 3.55 ac with dock, double boat slip, 40’x60’ shop. #2084906 $2,550,000

METICULOUSLY REMODELED FARM HOUSE IN PARADISE VALLEY ON 19 ACRES. Wood floors, granite countertops, formal dining, propane fireplace, T&G ceilings, master suite downstairs, 2 bedrooms & bath upstairs. Cute guest cottage, 2 garages, 1 new 3-car with loft/den. Year-around creek, pond, artesian well, hot tub, large deck & beautifully landscaped. #2082203 $599,500.

WOW! PARKED OUT NEWER HOME ON 25 ACRES bordering NFS overlooking Blue Lake. 4 bedroom, 3.5 baths, gourmet kitchen, rocked fireplace, propane FA heat. Full basement, family room, workout room/shop area. Spacious decks & covered patio. Seasonal creek, gazebo, gardens, storage sheds, shop. Beautiful retreat or year around home. #2083924 $1,350,000.

BEAUTIFULLY REMODELED HOME IN HOPE WITH INCREDIBLE LAKE PEND OREILLE VIEWS. Completely remodeled in 2002. Open kitchen & dining, 2 family rooms, 4 bedroom & 2.5 baths, 2 fireplaces. Enclosed sun porch and decks for entertaining. Spacious master suite with jetted tub. Lovely Strong Creek adjoins the property. #2084330 $625,000.

BEAUTIFUL LAKE PEND OREILLE and Mountain Views. 5-acre parcel at Ravenwood Estates, within minutes of downtown Sandpoint in an area of all new homes. All utilities are available. Private well and septic installed, natural gas, power, and telephone are in the street. View easements and CCR’S apply. #2080545 $428,000.

NICELY WOODED CORNER LOT WITH COMMUNITY BEACH ACCESS TO COCOLALLA LAKE. Freshly stained cedar sided home featuring open living area, T&G vaulted ceilings, wood stove, 3 BR 3 BA, Oak cabinets, tiled countertops & kitchen floor. Guest quarters downstairs with 3/4 bath, bedroom, kitchen & family room. 2-car garage and nice shop for tinkering. #2082797 $377,200.

PRETTY LAKE PEND OREILLE & MOUNTAIN VIEWS FROM HOPE PENINSULA. Perfect, seasonal or year- around contemporary home on over half-acre with community access to lake. 2 bedrooms, loft, 3 baths, family room & hobby studio. Vaulted T&G wood ceilings, wood floors, lots of light. 2-car carport, wrap-around deck. #2083692 $479,500.

Susan Moon

Brandon Moon

Id & Mt. REALTOR® ABR, CRS, GRI, RRS Cell 208.290.5037 susan@susanmoon.com

Idaho REALTOR® ABR, e-pro Cell 208.610.4685 www.susanmoon.com

brandonm@tssir.com

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UP the FALL line

Skiers, riders launch illustrious careers from Schweitzer By Sandy Compton

SANDPOINT MAGAZINE

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JESSICABAKER including touring and backcountry. This builds self-esteem and gives opportunity to establish long-term friendships based on the common experience. She now teaches and guides for much of the year, including winter camps at Mount Baldy in Canada (owned in part by her dad, Sandpoint contractor Brent Baker); in the Grand Tetons with Jackson Hole Alpine Ski Guides and Exum Mountain Guides; and of course, at La Grave, where the 2009 winter camp is being held for six days in early February. She also runs a ski camp at Beartooth Pass in Montana, scheduled during the first half of June. Baker learned to ride at – you guessed it – Schweitzer, but that wasn’t where she had her first lesson. “We were on a family vacation to Big Sky, and my folks put me in a lesson. I hated it. I was scared to death, and they had to pull me out

INSET PHOTO BY Gabe Rogel

he fall line at Schweitzer Mountain Resort leads to many places. Often, just down will do, down to another ride on Chair 6 or the Lakeview Triple and a gravitydefeating lift to the top for another slide to the bottom. Then down again. As long as there is snow, down we go. But, sometimes, that fall line leads to other places and other directions: up – up into the strata of world-class snow riders. Then, to Chile. Or Canada. Norway. Italy. France. The South American Cup. The North American Cup. The World Cup. The Winter Olympics. And, sometimes, the fall line at Schweitzer leads to a life doing exactly what one wants to do: Ride. Train to ride. Train others to ride. Ride some more. Not everyone gets to do this, but those who do smile a lot. Being at the top of the mountain – or the game – keeps you grinning. Ask Jessica Baker, 2000 North American Freeskiing Champion, 2004 U.S. Freeskiing Nationals Champion and founder of Ski Divas Women’s Ski Camps. At 31, she’s a Sandpoint gal gone global in pursuit of her passion. Baker’s grin is infectious, as is her love for snow, which has mutated these days into teaching others how to deal with the white stuff under their skis. Baker founded Ski Divas after skiing in La Grave, France, where she noticed that the female side of the ski equation was not being addressed. She determined to bring women to La Grave to correct that problem and also provide experiences that increase their abilities under challenging ski conditions,

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S O BR D N A

Olympian Nate Holland, above, is being pursued by younger brother Patrick in the World Cup standings. Below, they share the podium for the first time in a major snowboard cross event, in Sun Valley in March 2008. Both hope to qualify for the 2010 Olympic Team.

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WINTER 2009

PHOTO BY REBECCA HOLLAND

PHOTOS BY Doug Marshall

of ski school that day,” she said. That was at age 5. It didn’t stick. By 9 years old, she was in Schweitzer Alpine Racing School (SARS), where she stayed “for the rest of my life up until I left for college.” “SARS was the start of my pro career,” Baker said. “It laid a foundation for technical skills and introduced me to many people that I see in the industry all the time. SARS was a great program. I’ve never been anywhere else where they support racing the way Schweitzer has. I didn’t know how rare it was to get two hours of practice before the lifts open.” While Baker has made a life of her skiing, on the other side of the riding world are Nate and Pat Holland, sons of Rebecca and Don Holland of Sandpoint and brothers in boardercross. Boardercross is a style of snowboard racing that was (accidentally) born in 1985 during a novelty race called the Mount Baker Banked Slalom at Mount Baker, Oregon. It began as and remains a crazy freestyle combination of downhill, banked turns, jumps, berms, steeps, flats and crash-test dummy action in which four riders start abreast (for a brief moment) and then collide trying to beat each other down the course. If the term seems similar to “motocross,” the motorcycle event, it’s because everyone wears helmets in both disciplines for the same reasons. In fact, Nate Holland is a motocross devotee, trading his board for a bike when he gets a moment off from training, which is rare. “I’m working my butt off right now,” Nate said, as he prepared to go to South America in September. “There are a lot of guys trying to get past me, and any one of them might, but I’m not going to let it happen easy.” The Holland brothers, who now train and live in Squaw Valley, Calif., were heading for Argentina, first for the Continental Cup and then the South American Cup, both sanctioned by FIS, which means they will accrue points against world standings. Boardercross is known as snowboard cross in the Olympic community. The organization regulating Olympic skiing and snowboarding, International Ski Federation, or Fédération Internationale de Ski (FIS), is based in France. FIS dubbed the event snowboard cross when it debuted at the 2006 Torino Winter Olympics because boardercross doesn’t translate well. Anyone who has ever watched boardercross from the standpoint of casual observer might think the sport doesn’t make sense to them either. Nate, who turns 30 this year, is the older of the Holland brothers. He was in the 2006 Torino Olympics as a member of the U.S. Snowboard Team, of which he is still a member. Pat, inspired by watching Nate compete, made it a goal to be in Vancouver in 2010. He’s well on his way. He has since also joined the U.S. Snowboard Team. Nate has been one of the world’s top 20 boardercross racers since 2004, including third, fourth and second place in World Cup standings in 2005, 2006 and 2007 respectively. In 2007, his boardercross points alone ranked him 15th in the overall World Cup standings, which include all other snowboard disciplines: slalom, half-pipe, big air and slopestyle. How good is that? FIS currently ranks 913 male snowboard cross racers and upwards of 2,500 male competitors in all snowboard disciplines. That puts Nate, rated 12th in the world prior to the South American Cup, in the top 2 percent

SANDPOINT MAGAZINE

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10/13/08 2:34:07 PM

of World Cup boardercross racers. His 2007 overall ranking put him in the top one-tenth of one percent of World Cup racers. That’s pretty good. Really good. Stellar, in fact. What about brother Pat? “He’s on the verge,” Nate said. “He’s one of those guys chasing me. It wouldn’t surprise me to see him win a contest.” Nate wasn’t just being kind. At age 26, Pat is ranked 52nd in the world in boardercross at this writing, in the top 6 percent of all boardercross racers on the World Cup circuit. Again, really good. In fact, in that first World Cup event of the 2008-09 season, held in mid-September at Chapelco, Argentina, the Hollands finished No. 8 and No. 10. It was Pat’s first World Cup top 10 finish. It was also Pat who was No. 8. Big brother Nate is a prophet. The Holland brothers learned about the slick possibilities of snow by riding the old T-bar at Schweitzer – since replaced by Musical Chairs – sliding up the hill between their mom’s legs at age 3, then barreling down Sesame Street to catch another ride. Their favorite quote from those days: “C’mon, Mom!” Nate knew snow before he knew his brother. He switched to a board at age 10. At age 12, he won a half-pipe competition at Silver Mountain. “I just figured it out with my buddies,” he said, but when his parents saw his passion, they helped form Storm Riders, a snowboard team that went through a few coaches before finding Jeff Baker, “a good guy who could deal with 16-yearold kids,” according to Nate. Patrick, as little brothers do, wanted to do what the big boys were doing. “Nate boarded, so that was the cool thing to do,” he said. He switched to a board at 10 and also became a member of Storm Riders, setting him on track to where he is today: racing in World Cup events. Another Sandpoint kid who went the extra mile started out as a sleeper. “Mom and Dad gave me a one-day lesson and sort of turned me loose,” Brandon Moon said. “Then, I skied with friends and hung out at Ski School a lot. I didn’t have a lot of lessons. I just tried to hang out with better skiers. “I was in SARS for about a year when I was 7 or 8, but it didn’t intrigue me,” he said. “Our coach made us ski The Face, which scared the crap out of me. After that, I decided to go into the freestyle world, and spent a lot of time with Dave Muccino, who became a real good friend. “There were regional freestyle competitions. If I could find a ride, I would go compete. The local freestyle competition was the Hamm’s Bear Cup, a local series that predated the Starlight races. I did pretty well in that.”

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WINTER 2009

PHOTO BY BOB LEGASA PHOTO BY JEN FORSYTH

BRANDONMOON

Brandon “Moondog” Moon rose to the top ranks of telemarkers, making the U.S. Team for three consecutive years before being sidelined with an injury.

Moon did indeed become a very good skier – and unafraid to ski The Face. In 1986, he joined Schweitzer Ski Patrol, where he worked for 10 seasons. After a few years on patrol, though, the thrill was gone. Five to seven days a week on skis reduced alpine skiing to basic transportation, so, in 1989, Moon learned to telemark. “Leather boots and very skinny 210 centimeter skis. That put the scare back in Midway,” he said. A few years later, he was racing in the Selkirk Classic, Schweitzer’s annual telemark race – most often won by visitors, he noted. Within a few seasons, he progressed from the novice category up to advanced. Then he was encouraged by visiting members of the U.S. Telemark Team – who seemed to be winning the classic on a regular basis – to compete in the elite division. He did SANDPOINT MAGAZINE

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well, which led to an invite to try out for the team. He made it. At age 39, he became the oldest rookie to ever make the team. Moon raced in FIS events on the U.S. Telemark Team for three seasons, 2005, 2006 and 2007, before shattering a leg when he hit a gate just a little bit wrong – on his home turf, during Schweitzer’s first World Cup event. It was his friends on Schweitzer Ski Patrol who hauled him off the course. His best moments? A No. 10 overall finish in the 2005 U.S. Nationals – and winning the Selkirk Classic. He and Jon Waldrup are the only local winners in the event’s history. It’s not always about the World Cup or the Olympics. Sometimes, it’s about an alternative job choice made on the basis of passion rather than economics. That pretty much describes Chris Thompson’s career track as a ski instructor clinician.

Thompson grew up in Sandpoint and learned to ski at Schweitzer at age 15, in the month the area first opened. “I went to work at Schweitzer in the rental shop in 1963 and learned to ski that year. I wasn’t involved in any other athletics in high school, and I got passionate about skiing,” he said. “In 1967, I went to work for (then ski school director) Al Voltz. Five years later, in 1972, I began teaching instructors.” Thirty-six years later, he’s still at it. His degree from the University of Idaho is in finance. In his senior year of college, he worked for Idaho First National Bank and taught skiing part-time. Or did he work for IFNB part-time and teach skiing? When it came time to make the choice, it was obvious to him what was the right way to go. “As a consultant to the Schweitzer Snow Sports Center, all I do is clinic ski instructors. On a more full-time basis, I work with Schweitzer Alpine Racing School, and I coach Masters on Wednesday and Thursday. Last year, I spent 115 days on the snow.” Good career choice, Chris. And now to the final question: What was it about growing up in Sandpoint and learning to ski at Schweitzer that gave these people the edge they needed to follow the fall line to someplace not many other folks have gone? The answer seems to be two-fold: community and conditions. Anna Nystrom, who came to Sandpoint from Sweden as an exchange student in the 1980s, did a bit of bliss-following along her personal fall line when she took a year off from engineering and helped coach SARS kids last season at Schweitzer. She gave her own summation of why Sandpoint and Schweitzer might give kids a leg up. “Sandpoint is a North Idaho, no-bullshit town,” she said (imagine her saying that with a bit of a Swedish accent). “Warren Miller’s not at Schweitzer film-

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ing. So, when things aren’t perfect, it’s just go ski in the fog, the occasional lousy weather, the sticky snow, the off-the-beaten path. The kids who aren’t dedicated quit and go bowling.” Nystrom added that the coaches at Schweitzer are also the same: free of BS. “No glamour, just a good program. A good program has competent coaches who know their business and know which races to take kids to. They come here to just do it, and the kids also come out very competent,” she said. “Sandpoint is a four-season playground,” Nate said. “We played on the lake and the mountain, and I picked what I was best at. Schweitzer was a good, safe place, as well as a free rider’s mountain. Boarding with my friends taught me a lot, as did being involved with Storm Riders. It taught me that I enjoyed competition and that I enjoyed winning.” “I don’t think the resort makes the rider,” Pat said, “but Schweitzer gave me the opportunity to be the best rider I can be. It allowed me to build skills I need to compete. Also, there was a lot of support – from my parents, from our friends and from Storm Riders and from the community. Thom Thayer of Ground Zero was great. We both worked for GZ through high school, and Thom was always helpful with the pro deals.” Moon said: “Skiing at Schweitzer – when it’s great, it’s as good as any resort in the world. Some of the time, though, it’s just ‘deal with it.’ We have a variety of conditions, and you have to adapt to what’s thrown at you. I think that makes the bar higher when it comes to the quality of skiers we have – and the terrain’s pretty darned good, too. Then, growing up in Sandpoint afforded me the opportunity to pursue an active, outdoor lifestyle. Skiing is a natural extension of that.” Thompson agrees. “The opportunity I had to be involved in the community at

Schweitzer as a kid made the difference. … One thing about Schweitzer that’s made a difference: You have skiing opportunities and weather opportunities. That teaches you a lot,” he said. Baker added: “For me, Schweitzer offered the perfect mix for a budding skier. It was family owned then, and the community support on and off the mountain was terrific. In many of the other areas I have visited, the terrain would intimidate young skiers just learning how. Schweitzer had just enough variety in terrain, plenty of acreage and just enough infrastructure.” Baker thinks she would like to do a Ski Divas camp at Schweitzer. “I will always consider Schweitzer my home mountain,” she said. “When I see what else is out there, I realize what a great mountain it is.” This from a woman who has made a life of following the fall line all over the planet.

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Winter 2008-09 at Schweitzer will have a tough time outdoing preceding seasons for exciting developments. The 2006-07 season brought the Idyle Our T-bar and phalanxes of new runs and tree skiing accessed from Little Blue Ridge. Last year, two new lifts – the Basin Express quad and the Lakeview Triple – replaced original Chair One, making the trip to the top of South Bowl more comfortable, safer and a bit faster, even with the unload between chairs. However, there are ways to freshen things up besides building new lifts. “This year,” General Manager Tom Chasse said, “including a new bus, we only spent about $5 million on improvements.” Only. “We spent about $2 million on infrastructure,” Chasse said. “Much of that was improvement to water, sewer and television systems. We’re getting ready to move our lagoon to a better spot. We also gave Taps a facelift and put in big-screen televisions to offer a better après ski experience in the day lodge and play up televised sports more. We rebuilt the bathrooms in the day lodge basement, which was badly needed. Anyone who experienced the old ones will be impressed.” On-slope improvements include brush mowing and tag-alder control (trail clearing). A new grooming machine was also added to the fleet. Improved trail signage was installed, and a new snowmaking system – the most visible and effective change made this year. “We’ll be able to cover a 300-foot swath from the top of the Basin Express down Midway to the village with 18 inches of snow,” says Schweitzer Communications Manager Jennifer Ekstrom. “Our hope, of course, is to ensure that Thanksgiving weekend opening.” A number of Techno Alpin M18 fan snowmaking “guns” can be moved among 23 retractable hydrants to cover the

SANDPOINT MAGAZINE

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PHOTO courtesy of schweitzer mountain resort

New for the 2008-09 season at Schweitzer

Jodi Taggart, the Schweitzer Ski School director, leads a department that covers instruction for all ages.

area. These guns produce 25 percent more snow per energy consumed than other systems. The gravity fed installation is the most energy-efficient, low-impact snowmaking system available, able to sense when conditions favor snowmaking and turn on automatically. They also turn off automatically when conditions aren’t ideal. Ekstrom noted that Schweitzer Magazine debuts this season, a 48-page annual “house” publication released Oct. 16 and designed to add to the resort’s marketing punch at national and regional ski shows. Dani Demmons is the new Activity Center manager this year, moving over from Ski School. The center will maintain its snowshoe tours, the tubing hill and reintroduce air-boarding come spring. The center also added some after-ski activities for teens, including Rock Band video game sessions, all-new craft sessions for younger kids and family night adventures. Call 255-3081 for details. Ski School Director Jodi Taggart announced a new program for her department, the Schweitzer Adventure Posse, an all-season inclusive package designed to maximize the experience of 7- to 12-year-old Schweitzer skiers and snowboarders. For a single price of $999, participants get an unlimited junior season pass, a bus pass, gear check, race arena privileges and 29 days of coaching, which includes all weekend days from Dec. 20 until March 15. The program runs from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturdays and 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Sundays. “The Posse program is a great way to see that your kids are supervised while on the mountain,” Ekstrom said, “and gives them a boost on skills at the same time.” On the Web, Schweitzer added an interactive trail map (www.schweitzer.com/ mountain/trail_maps) that leads skiers on a virtual tour of selected runs. Schweitzerbound folks will also be able to generate and print their own daily grooming map in addition to the ski report. Improvements for 2008-09 may be a bit more subtle at Schweitzer than in the past few seasons but improved it is. –Sandy Compton WINTER 2009

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By Becky Lomax A “whoop, whoop” resounds through snowladen silvered trees. Powder hounds smeared with grins pop from the woods, drawn to the call. There’s no such thing as a whooping Selkirk bird of the woods, but you’ll hear it cat skiing along the three-mile-long ridge behind Schweitzer Mountain. Here, Ken Barrett, chief guide and president of Selkirk Powder Company (SPC), corrals skiers at the bottom of pitches with his trademark “whoop.” In a day with Barrett, skis float through glades, draws and white bowls. As he paints the upcoming route, words tumble out like a fire hose at full pressure. Cat skiing here is simple. While your travel companions who are not ready for the off-piste ski Schweitzer’s groomed slopes, you hop the Great Escape Quad at Schweitzer Mountain Resort and go directly to SPC’s terrain door. The guides, all avalanche and

National Ski Patrol certified, lead off, picking good aspects for the snow conditions. You don’t need a trail map – just follow the guide’s whooping. Behind Schweitzer Mountain, the sweeping Priest River drainage stretches north toward Canada. From this aerie ruled by Selkirk Powder Company, you can spy two countries and three states. More than 50 west-facing runs – some dropping down 2,200 feet – stretch across six bowls of state and private land. SPC’s permit terrain is so huge, that it is nearly on par with Schweitzer’s acreage. That means we don’t repeat runs, and we don’t stack our tracks. Telemark, alpine skiers and

PHOTOs Courtesy of Selkirk Powder Company

Powder hounds hit Schweitzer’s backcountry Cat skiing with Selkirk Powder Company

snowboarders fan out across powder, plucking enticing lines with nobody but our group in sight. Barrett’s six-year-old company is inching up to rival the famed Canadian cat skiing grandfathers. Covering seven to 10 runs per day, many skiers approach heli-skiing’s 14,000 vertical. “It’s true vertical with not much benching out, a truly great skiing experience,” Barrett says. “Plus, since we’re relatively new, we’re not sold out a year in advance.” In fact, Boris, the PistenBully with a 10-passenger, tent-covered coach, sometimes runs half full, making real the option of jumping aboard at the last minute when a big dump hits. Every year, Barrett notches his operation up. Boris is his second rig – much more powerful than its predecessor, which translates into faster cat rides. Clearing and brushing opened up more lines, expanding the run roster. With a streamlined day beginning at 8 a.m. with avalanche safety training and a quick chair ride to the summit, you’re eating up the powder by 9:15. Barrett can arrange for Thor’s pizza to be delivered straight to the cat for private groups. “We’re at the cutting edge of the industry,” says Barrett. That may just be an understatement. Look up www.selkirkpowderco.com, call (866) 464-3246 or (208) 263-6959, or stop in at Lakeview Lodge for more information on snowcat skiing or snowmobile tours. Reservations are required.

SCHWEITZER MOUNTAIN FAST FACTS 2008-09 Acreage: 2,900, 92 designated runs plus open bowl skiing and

Hours of Operation: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

riding and two terrain parks Terrain: 20% Beginner, 40% Intermediate, 35% Advanced, 5% Expert Longest Run: Little Blue Ridge Run, 1.7 miles Vertical Drop: 2,400 feet Top Elevation: 6,400 feet Average Annual Snowfall: 300 inches Cross Country Trails: 32 kilometers Lifts: 10 total – “Stella” high-speed six-pack; “Basin Express” and “Great Escape” high-speed quads; the “Lakeview Triple”; plus three double chairlifts, Idyle Our T-bar, a beginner’s Musical Carpet and a handle tow Total Uphill Capacity: 12,502 per hour

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Night Skiing: Fridays, Saturdays and holidays from Dec. 26, 2008, through March 7, 2009, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Season: Late November or early December 2008 to April 2008, subject to conditions Lift tickets: Adult $59; junior 7-17, $42; child 6 and under, free; college or seniors 65 and over, $48. Night rates: adult $15; junior 7-17, college or seniors 65 and over $10; child 6 and under free. Cross-country: $10 adult, $8 junior. Snowshoe: $4 all ages. Tubing: $10. Website: www.schweitzer.com Phone: (208) 263-9555, (800) 831-8810 Activity Center: (208) 255-3081

WINTER 2009

SANDPOINT MAGAZINE

10/13/08 2:35:49 PM

Ski home to...

The Spires

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High above Schweitzerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s village are a few extraordinary homesites strategically nestled in their natural environment. Fabulous views with ski-in/ski-out access through a dedicated trail network make The Spires at Schweitzer â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the place to be...

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Fringe benefits

Sleeping in and hitting the chairlift by 9 a.m. is, like, part of the package for teens

ust as a suburban teenager heads to the nearby mall for a day of hanging out, Bonner County teenagers flock to their own meeting place – namely, the worldclass Schweitzer Mountain Resort – where they spend many (if not all) of their weekends and holidays during Sandpoint’s long winter months. The 2,900-acre ski mountain provides a perfect venue for teenagers to meet up with friends, socialize and ride the chairlifts together for a day on the slopes. The fact that there’s a ski resort sitting in their backyard is not lost on these local adventure-seekers: Teens appreciate (yes, they actually appreciate something!) the easy accessibility of getting to the hill, the high-speed ski lifts and the incredible terrain. Yet if pressed for their favorite feature about living next door to a ski mountain, Sandpoint’s teens respond in typical, well, teen fashion: They absolutely love the fact that they can hit the slopes by 9 a.m. and still sleep in! For area youth and Schweitzer, it’s a win-win relationship: Teens have a welcoming, quasi-supervised place to hang out in the wintertime, and Schweitzer

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builds a skiing and snowboarding fan base who grow up enjoying the sport. It’s an activity that parents, who hold the purse strings, are obviously embracing: Schweitzer sold more than 3,100 junior ski passes (ages 7-17) last year. Teens in outlying areas such as Coeur d’Alene and Spokane make up a portion of those sales, but for many teens in Bonner County, buying a season pass is an annual must-have purchase. Because Sandpoint teens view Schweitzer as “a great place to be and be seen” during the winter months, Schweitzer officials make sure there is a Teen skier Mike Brown goes off a 9-foot-tall kicker full offering of attractions to keep their that sent him out about 90 feet over a 40-foot drop younger clientele happy. “Schweitzer is a great place for kids to in Schweitzer’s backcountry. Another teen, Chad Hecker, jibs on a Schweitzer condo. hang out,” said Dani Demmons, manager of the Activity Center. “When teenagers come up, it’s a great atmosphere.” A favorite element for teens is the resort’s Stomping Grounds Terrain Park, which is a custom-built ski and snowboard park with a 12-foot-high wall ride and a variety of jumps (beginners can build their skills in the Terrain Garden on smaller rails and jumps). Terrain Park Manager Dan Nylund says the park is a popular attraction with teenagers – so popular, in fact, that he sees some of them on a daily basis. “We have a core group of kids that are pretty much up here every day, and then we’ve got a bigger group that we see every weekend,” Nylund said. He emphasizes the fact that the park is a safe, well-supervised place for kids. “There’s always at least one person working in the park at any given time.” During the height of the ski and snowboard season, Nylund has about 25 features set up, from rails to jumps and more. In addition, the park is open for rail jams on Fridays and Saturdays, playing music over the speakers and creating a fun

PHOTOS BY PATRICK ORTON

By Beth Hawkins

WINTER 2009

10/16/08 12:04:43 PM

PHOTOS BY JOANNE HEAVILAND

These teens, left, pose for a group shot in between competing in events at the 2008 Stomp Games. Below, Christian Heaviland gives a thumbs up one awesome day in the Stomping Grounds Terrain Park.

event that draws in participants and spectators alike. “It’s a cool atmosphere, even if they don’t feel like riding,” Nylund said. Schweitzer offers up even more events for nonskiing teens, including a tubing park, weekly Wii Night competitions, and free movies at the Selkirk Lodge. Schweitzer managers believe keeping prices affordable for youth is important for budget-minded families, so they maintain lower-priced season passes for juniors ($229 this year for the early-bird price), along with $10 night skiing for juniors, and the Sunday Solution (tickets are $20 for skiing on Sundays after 12:30 p.m.). For all of this and more, local teens laud huge praise on Schweitzer. Brennen Chasse, a 16-year-old junior at Sandpoint High School (SHS), skied approximately 80 times during the past ski season, and says he has Schweitzer nearly all to himself. “It’s way different than any other mountain,” Chasse said. “There’s nobody up there … no lift lines or anything.” He also appreciates the fact that it’s so close to Sandpoint. “You can sleep in and still get first chair in the morning.” For Delaina Hawkins, a 14-year-old freshman at SHS, Schweitzer offers the perfect combination of great skiing and a fun social scene: “Everyone skis and snowboards here,” Hawkins said. “Living in Sandpoint, it’s kind of hard not to know friends who ski.” While she loves the outdoors and skiing at Schweitzer, there are days when she will spend time with friends in the lodge, chat and “people-watch.”

Another ski buff who heads up the hill every chance she can is Calena Lawson, a 15-year-old sophomore at SHS. Lawson spends nearly every weekend during the winter season up at Schweitzer, and as with her fellow teenage ski and snowboard friends, she also cited the benefits of having a resort in such close proximity: “Here you can sleep in a little later, and still get there in time.” Although Lawson enjoys the chance to run into friends, she enjoys the challenge of skiing with some of the guys: “They push you to go on harder runs. Black diamonds – bring it on!” For teens really wanting to push themselves, there are racing and snowboarding programs, including Schweitzer Alpine Racing School and the Independence Racing Team, which is offered to local kids ages 6-15 and currently has about 15 members. Skiing prodigy Scott Snow, a 15-yearold with his sights set on one day making the World Cup, is a member of the Independence Racing Team. And although he’ll be out of town for ski races

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104 days this coming winter, Snow has a season pass at Schweitzer and loves to go up and watch all of the activities, such as the Stomp Games. “Schweitzer’s definitely my home hill,” Snow said of Schweitzer. “It’s pretty awesome, and it’s great to have a resort next to our little town. If I didn’t ski, I don’t know if I could live here.” Besides living in a town that’s close to the resort, perhaps the extreme luxury of being a snow-loving teenager is living right up at Schweitzer itself. Sixteen-year-old Dash Kamp lives just steps away from the ski runs (and thus, gets to sleep in even longer than those who must make the trek up!). Homeschooled by his mom, he is often done with his schoolwork and out on the slopes by 11 a.m. In fact, Kamp estimates he went snowboarding approximately 110 times last season. Kamp’s unique situation means he ends up skiing a lot with his brother, since it’s sometimes hard to meet up with friends. “Most of them aren’t out of school yet,” he said. Kamp is quick to credit his mom for his snowboarding lifestyle, acknowledging the fact that she moved them to Schweitzer so that they could be close to the resort. “My mom knew that both me and my brother love snowboarding. And I love her very much,” he said. Speaking of affection, there’s another facet of teenage life – the dating scene – that actually tends to get sidestepped on the slopes of Schweitzer. For some teens, they’re simply too focused on skiing to date. Brennen Chasse, for example, has a major sponsorship he hopes to maintain. “I’m not into girls during the winter,” he said. And then there are the physical limitations of trying to socialize while simultaneously participating in a winter sport, as Calena Lawson notes. “It’s kind of hard to meet guys – everyone looks the same with their goggles on.” See Calendar, page 27, for details on the Shot in the Dark Rail Jams and other special events popular with teens at Schweitzer Mountain Resort, or look up www.schweitzer.com. SANDPOINT MAGAZINE

10/13/08 2:39:09 PM

Photo Essay :: The Joy of Winter

Patrick Orton :: Simple Pleasures 78

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WINTER 2009

10/13/08 2:39:24 PM

Photo Essay

Joanne Heaviland :: Sheepdog Smiles

Alan LeMire :: A Long Winterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Stretch

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Photo Essay :: The Joy of Winter

Woods Wheatcroft :: AirGuitarSnowboardRockerMama 80

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WINTER 2009

10/13/08 2:39:49 PM

Photo Essay

Cory Murdock :: Pond Skimming Pirate

Joanne Heaviland :: Snowshoe Peekaboo

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10/13/08 2:39:52 PM

Photo Essay :: The Joy of Winter

Doug Marshall :: The Johnny Joy of Big Blue 82

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WINTER 2009

10/13/08 2:39:59 PM

Photo Essay

Marie-Dominique Verdier :: Snow Queen

Marsha Lutz :: Winter Bundle

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SANDPOINT MAGAZINE

10/13/08 2:40:06 PM

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Adventure

Above: Craig Pope finds his rhythm on an ascent of Copper Falls. Right: Lee Neer picks his way up the same route. Opposite: Geared up and ready, Craig Pope steps up to the ice. SANDPOINT MAGAZINE

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10/13/08 2:52:23 PM

Adventure

When winter temps fall, axmen ascend Copper Falls Story and photos by Mathew Hall

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on that morning, water cascaded down the left side of the narrow chute, cutting a hole through the curtain of ice. The right side of the falls, however, was solid and plastic; perfect conditions for climbing. The ascent line can be broken into two sections, with the first “pitch” following a not-quite-vertical slab of ice for about 80 feet. At the top of this section is a set of chains bolted into the rock. The second pitch is a series of icy steps, with a low angle section to the trees on top of the falls. This section requires several days of sub-zero temperatures to freeze solidly, occurring maybe once a season. On that day, it looked ominous, with rushing water gurgling under the steps. We decided to stay on the first pitch, which can easily be set up for repeated ascents. Craig took the first lead, quickly finding his rhythm, and occasionally placing an ice screw for protection. Lee tended the other end of the rope, ready to catch him if he fell. After about 20 minutes of constant progress, he reached the bolted anchor, secured the rope, and was slowly lowered to the ground. When my turn came, I donned my well-worn helmet, strapped on my crampons, and grasped my ice axes like weapons, preparing for battle. Much of the ice climbing technique involves the feel of the ax on the ice. Like a perfect firewood chop, a precise, well-executed swing usually results in a solid stick. You know instantly, without seeing it, if your ax is well placed. Narrowing my thoughts to the task-at-hand, I carefully placed each ax, and then each crampon point. When all four points of contact were solid, I stood up, gaining another foot, and moving on to the next obstacle on my way to the top. Climbing a frozen waterfall is an awesome experience, with moments of WINTER 2009

pulsing terror, followed by periods of exhilarating relief. The perception of danger sharpens both the senses, and the skills. And therein lays the magic, and what brought me to Copper Falls on that mid-winter day. We spent the rest of the day taking turns, climbing up and down this little gem of a route, simultaneously honing our skills and exhausting our legs. And when the light began to fade on our icy little world, we packed up our gear and hiked out, all the more content with another day in winter’s chill.

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had a hunch that there would be ice. The days had been cold, the nights frigid, and the weekend promised more of the same. It takes just the right conditions to freeze a waterfall, and this crisp, clear Saturday morning felt promising. So, shunning what would be a beautiful day on the slopes, I headed north, in search of my “other” winter activity. The road to Copper Falls is a few feet shy of Canada, near the Eastport Border crossing. In the summer, a twomile drive on Copper Creek Road No. 2517 brings visitors to a short loop trail, capped off by a 100-foot cascade, all within densely forested mountains. To visit Copper Falls in its solid state, however, requires warm boots and strong legs. As I turned off of the highway onto the unplowed forest road, I was pleased to see that someone else had the same idea. A few feet in, I parked next to the only other car, and followed the telltale boot-track meandering up the snowedin road. They weren’t on a snowmobile, and there is only one other reason to visit Copper Falls in the heart of winter: Ice climbing. After less than an hour on the forest road, the boot tracks veered into the forest, at the summer entrance to the Copper Falls loop trail. Another few hundred feet brought me to the falls overlook, where I was greeted by a familiar face. I knew Craig Pope from my college days in Moscow, where we crossed paths at the climbing gym and at the crags. Now we find each other at the base of the austere frozen amphitheater. Craig was there with friends Lee Neer and Solana Budwig, assessing the ice conditions and preparing for the ascent. Copper Falls rarely freezes solid, and

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10/13/08 2:52:27 PM

Winter

By Kate Wilson

Chestnut backed chickadee by Karen Dingerson

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inter is a treasured season to most people in these parts. We tend to get used to the wicked winters, or love them in the first place, but what do the critters do when the snow flies? Many native species are plentiful and even prolific in the region, but that doesn’t mean that winter ever becomes a piece of cake, or even a walk in the park. Some straight up fly away, while others migrate to lower snow depths, burrow or hibernate in a den, take over a nest, or just get slow. Winter is a time of high stress for most of our wildlife, as food resources dwindle to nearly nothing, and cold temperatures make it hard to stay warm and conserve energy. Though you may not see much of them, most of the critters in our region are around, making the best of the winter season, dropping weight and no doubt dreaming of spring shoots and early flowers. In our bottleneck of land and water, there are countless critters, so let us us begin with the bear and slowly migrate through the antlered ungulates, the winged world, and even wade into the waters of the coveted native trout. Designated “grizzly bear recovery areas” in the region include the Selkirk Mountain range and the Cabinet-Yaak area. In the Selkirk range, Idaho Department of Fish & Game (IDFG) manages the grizzly bears (Ursus arctos horribilis), an estimated 40 to 50 in number. In the Cabinet-Yaak system there is an estimated 30 to 40 grizzly bears; these bears are managed by Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks (MFWP). The griz population is slowly expanding, both in numbers and range, as it has over the past five years or so, reports Wayne Wakkinen, wildlife biologist with IDFG. “As a result we’re getting a lot more interactions between people and bears.” If there are quite a few grizzlies, then there are a lot of black bears in our region, where they are estimated at one bear per square mile of habitat. When bears hibernate, they often lose up to 30 percent of their body weight while denning from fall to spring. During hibernation, the bears do

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COYOTE, BEAVER AND PORCUPINE PHOTOS BY W. STEVE SHERMAN/ LONE WOLF PHOTOGRAPHY

Winter

nothing but sleep and care for their young. Grizzlies and black bears breed in the summer, but fertilized eggs don’t begin to develop until the denning season. In the spring there are increased interactions with humans because bears drop to lower elevations looking for early greens coming up – but people live there now. The same situation occurs in the fall when bears range farther to look for food sources to fatten up for the winter. Rural residents are seldom prepared for a run in with a big bear. “People like to see birds in their backyard so they feed them – this is a great source of calories for a hungry bear, and it trains him to seek out food sources around people,” says Wakkinen. The moose (Alces alces), long-legged creatures that they are, have the best ability of any ungulate in the region to negotiate deep snow. While many wildlife species migrate to lower elevations, the moose tend to rise. Moose are usually solitary but may congregate during rut (mating season) or on excellent winter range.

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“We find that in December these moose go up in elevation, to the 20- to 30-year old clear cuts,” says Bruce Sterling, wildlife biologist for MFWP. “They’ll find locations that have heavy timber for bedding down next to older clearcuts – sites they use for food.” Sterling reports that moose can be found in most of the drainages in the region. Moose are usually associated with riparian habitat and are consistently seen in locales such as the Bull, Vermillion and Thompson rivers. Land acquisitions in these areas by management agencies and partners have greatly enhanced habitat for critters of all kinds. During winters with heavy snowfall, big game animals will often seek out the easiest places to move around and get from spot to spot. “Moose (which are not particularly shy) and white-tailed deer (which are abundant and will let hunger override fear of humans) in particular have a knack for winding up in neighborhoods, moving around on plowed roads and munching on succulent vegetation that was watered all summer long,”

WINTER 2009

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10/13/08 2:52:49 PM

Winter ELK BY W. STEVE SHERMAN PYGMY OWL BY KAREN DINGERSON

MOOSE BY KAREN DINGERSON

says IDFG Panhandle Supervisor Chip Corsi. For this reason, railroad tracks and highways are problematic also – transportation corridors are tough on animals, especially when deep snow conditions increase collision potential. IDFG’s typical approach is to encourage observers to let the animals move along and leave on their own. “On rare occasions, where animals pose an immediate threat to human safety, we will remove that animal,” says Corsi. Agencies try to avoid removing animals not only because of the costs, but also because drugging and relocating animals is dangerous and extremely stressful on the animals. Sterling says that most animals are looking for two things in the winter: food using a minimal amount of movement and thermal cover to keep warmer during those cold winter nights. Elk (Cervus canadensis) are a good example of this. During the summer, elk eat almost constantly, consuming between 10 pounds and 15 pounds daily, but in the winter, food gets scarce. Cold weather requires much more energy. When the snow is deeper than 18 inches, the elk move down to lower sites; bulls typically winter higher than cows and calves. “My elk are not long-distance migrants,” says Sterling, “but some elevational migration does occur here.” With all of the water in the Panhandle, we can’t forget about the critters who like it wet. The beaver (Castor canadensis) is the largest rodent in North America. On land, the beaver looks downright clumsy, but once it hits the water, it becomes sleek and torpedo-like. Their hair provides insulating qualities that keep them warm in the sporadic weather conditions of the West, and they are found throughout the region. Beavers spend the winter eating their cache of

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woody vegetation stashed near shore. “One important aspect for beavers is that the pools behind their dams allow them to safely access food caches built during the summer by swimming under the ice in the winter,” says Avista’s Terrestrial Program Leader Nate Hall. “Land acquisitions through the Avista Clark Fork Settlement Agreement are helping to provide for healthy riparian areas where food for them is plentiful.” Both the westslope cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii lewisi) and the illustrious bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) are found in the Clark Fork and Flathead drainages of western Montana and also in Lake Pend Oreille and some of its tributaries. Both species are designated “species of concern” by Idaho and Montana, and the bull trout is federally listed as threatened. The westslope cutthroat trout has been seriously reduced in its range by two primary factors: hybridization and habitat loss/degradation. The most important thing that anglers can do to help preserve these native species is to know how to correctly identify them. “Both species, being cold-blooded creatures, slow down significantly in the winter months,” says Corsi. Along with slowing down to conserve energy, both species eat only a fraction of what they do the rest of the year; diet becomes more about opportunity than necessity. The great horned owl (Bubo virginianus), unlike most of the winged world, stay here all winter and start to nest as early as February, reports Avista’s Hall. Owls spend their winters in nests made by other birds, broken-topped snags, hollow trees and cliff cavities. The South Fork Bull River acquisition in Montana, a cooperative project with MFWP, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Clark Fork Settlement

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10/13/08 2:53:07 PM

WEASEL IN WINTER COAT BY W. STEVE SHERMAN

WHITE-TAILED DEER BY KAREN DINGERSON

Winter

Agreement, provides important habitat for great horned owls. Human access to this area is restricted in the winter to decrease the potential for disturbance to the wintering wildlife utilizing the property. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The riparian area along the Bull River provides habitat for snowshoe hares and other prey items, while the area that burned in the mid-1990s provides ample snags that can be used for nesting sites,â&#x20AC;? says Hall. This winter, while sitting by the fire, enjoying a nice meal, or swinging on the chairlift, take a moment to contemplate the critters. Without the modern-day luxuries of our world, this region would be a very different place to live indeed. Alas, most of us, unlike the great horned owl, the big game or even the heavy sleepers, would have headed south by now if we had to hack it in the wintertime wilderness with nothing but our own wits to guide us.

BALD EAGLE BY KAREN DINGERSON

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10/13/08 2:53:16 PM

History

From the dust bowl to paradise How one family deserted North Dakota for Idaho in 1936

“G

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oing, going, gone!” Bang, went the auctioneer’s gavel! “To that gent in the straw hat, $2. Box of tools.” Standing in the hot, bare yard, the crowd of farmers sweated profusely, eyeing the collection of farm machinery, tools, harnesses and lots of other stuff. The sale bill, which eventually wound up in the museum at Hope, N.D., announced the auction at the E.P. Still farm on Aug. 29, 1936, all sales cash. As the sale droned on under the blazing sun, the ladies of the neighborhood sat quietly in the living room of the house, listening to my sister Hazel play the piano. She played softly, beautifully, and many of the ladies were wiping their eyes. When she started “Traumerei,” with its haunting melody, I cried, too. We were leaving North Dakota for Idaho, and I knew it was not likely that we would see any of these dear people again. It nearly broke my 14-year-old heart. Two days later, our big REO car left the yard for the last time, pulling a trailer filled with an awesome load of household goods, from furniture

By Kathryn A. Hamshar

“Screen Door,” a painting by Scott Kirby in Visions of the Great Plains series

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10/13/08 3:04:19 PM

History

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a three-burner kerosene stove and food to cook on it; four barrels of water; and a radio, the only one on the train. The coffeepot was in constant use; members of the train crew came back to join him for coffee and listen to the radio. They also shared his treats – donuts and cookies that Mom had amply provided. The crew made everything easy for him: stopping at the big water spouts to fill his water barrels and moving his car up for a smoother ride behind the engine. When they reached Devil’s Lake, N.D., the crew dumped all the water out of the barrels before the car was weighed, and after that was done, they pulled up to the overhead water spout to fill them up again. This saved a lot of money because the car was overweight. The freight car had to be inspected at Libby, Mont., and word was passed that any dogs on the train were required to have had shots before entering Idaho. The crew hid the big collie up with the engineer until they were safely across the border. Richard milked the cows twice a day and put milk through the separator. He had a full can of cream when he arrived at Sandpoint after five days of travel. He had first unloaded the cattle at Naples, where Mom’s brother Art Crabtree had a ranch. Uncle Art had met the train with his truck to haul the animals to his farm and put them out to pasture, as well as to take the household goods for storage until our family could secure a home in Sandpoint. Then Richard continued on the train to Sandpoint, where his first job was to take the full can of cream to the creamery. Meantime, the rest of the family had arrived in Sandpoint and were staying WINTER 2009

with Mom’s sister, Anna Altman. My parents were taken around by real estate agents who, judging them by their farmers’ clothes, took them to old, rundown farms. Mom would take one look at the house and say, “I won’t live in that!” and go back to the car. Finally the Realtors gave up on them, and Mom and Dad went out on their own. They happened to be driving along the Great Northern Loop road one day, and there, in front of a lovely place with an orchard loaded with fruit, was a “for sale” sign! “Turn in here!” Mom said. They were met outside by an old couple wearing odd clothes and wooden shoes. “You vant to see house?” asked the woman. Mom said, “Yes.” She took a quick look, asked the price, which was unbelievably low, and said, “We’ll take it!” They didn’t look at the barn or the fields. The house was a good, well-built one, but I think it was that orchard that made it so irresistible to Mom. We never had anything like that in North Dakota! So that is how we settled on that lovely place. Having come from hot, desolate, dried-up North Dakota, it was paradise. Even today, when I drive by the old home place, tears come. Richard Still started working in Sandpoint for the Aavedal family and later married their daughter, Clara. He eventually built a house on North Boyer and raised three children. Now 94 and a widower, he lives in Burley, Idaho, in a retirement home. Two of his sisters, Mary and Hazel, are deceased. His remaining siblings, Edwin P. Still, 84, and Kathryn Hamshar, 86, live in Priest River. S A N D P O I N T M A G A Z I N E

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to Mom’s canned goods, and carrying our family, except for brother Richard. My parents, with Dad driving, occupied the front, and packed into the back seat were my two sisters, Mary and Hazel, my brother E.P., and me. We had a first aid kit, sewing supplies, books, lots of food, a pillow and a blanket. Yes, it was a big car. We drove west on U.S. Highway 2, a primitive road in those days, barely two lanes. My brother Richard, then 22, had worked all summer farming, not only on the home place but at a vacant farm a mile away. All crops failed that summer; there was no rain. They had also failed the previous year. Our well, with its fine, tall windmill, had in former years flowed abundantly. Now, it furnished only enough water for the house. We had to haul water from the vacant farm for the cows and horses. It was the height of the Great Depression and the onset of the dust bowl on the Central Plains, which was being rapidly deserted by farmers heading west. The decision to give up the farm to the Federal Land Bank was a heartwrenching one. An agent from that organization visited my parents to try to talk them into hanging on for another year. However, my father was ill with asthma, and Richard planned to leave and go out on his own. They really had no choice. On the day we left for Sandpoint, my brother Richard was beginning his own journey to Idaho from the train depot in Blabon, N.D., ensconced in his little kingdom inside a new, 50-foot emigrant freight car on the Great Northern Railroad. Our collie dog, Queenie, and eight cows were in that car to keep him company. Stowed inside were a cream separator; bales of hay and straw; a kitchen cabinet and table; Hazel’s piano; a cot; some farm machinery, including a mower and disk;

From left, members of the author’s family shown are: her mother, Mildred, with siblings Richard and Hazel Still in 1918; Richard and Clara on their wedding day in November 1936; and her maternal grandma, Mary Crabtree, who lived much of her life in Sandpoint, in 1918.

10/13/08 3:04:22 PM

Performing Arts

The theater hath not been dead, Though it hath slept After a lengthy lull, community theater is staging a comeback By Teresa Pesce

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t’s been a long time since the Unicorn Theatre Players vanished from the Sandpoint scene, leaving two mysteries in its wake. Why did it end, and why hasn’t another theater group taken its place? The answers are found in theater’s organic essence: a wheel with an artistic director as the energy hub, spoked with hard-working talent and rimmed by faithful audiences, all propelled by a unified creative vision. If any part of the whole malfunctions, breakdown occurs. Long-term theater participants Karen Bowers, director of the Panida Theater for 21 years, and actor/director David Gunter yield colorful tales of theater’s past in Sandpoint: celebrated productions, thank-the-Academy thespians, and directors with the transforming perseverance of Henry Higgins and the persuasive powers of Svengali to fan an actor’s embers into flame; and, on the other sad side, defeating creative clashes and power struggles muscled by money. Theater is a living force that waxes and wanes but never dies; merely going dormant, awaiting someone to embody it and express it onstage once again. Sandpoint has been visited by several “someones.” Bowers vividly recalls the meteor-streak Robin DuCrest, burning brightly across Sandpoint skies in the late ’60s and ’70s as a brilliant director, writer and playwright. “To this day I remember his Actors and Playwrights’ production of ‘The Wonderful Wizard of Oz’ at (the old fairgrounds at) Memorial Park, and the last play he did, SANDPOINT MAGAZINE

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Unicorn Theatre Players

“Spoon River Anthology,” performed in 1980 at Community Hall, included cast members Laurel Wagers, Deborah McShane, Karen Bowers, David Gunter, Eric Schneider, Jana Weaver, Terry Hayes, Keith Fisher, Gene Hughes King, John Tucker, Nick Robinson and Susie Fuller.

‘Catfish Moon,’ which he also wrote, staged at Farragut Park.” Then in 1979, Terry Hayes created the Unicorn Theatre Players. “She had so much energy,” says Bowers, leaning forward at the mere memory of it, “with an eye for working with people as good directors do, having the vision ahead of time, reading a play, ‘seeing’ it and taking it to a conclusion.” Gunter clearly remembers the years of Unicorn Theatre’s artistic strength and community popularity. “There was a great groundswell of energy, all new, everything fresh – everybody throwing themselves in pursuit of virgin territory. The group was dynamic, doing several productions a year, plus dinner or dessert theater,” he says. “We had a summer musical so successful it funded all other productions. And our children’s productions were the second-biggest money-makers. “As with any organization, core people tend to get burned out,” Gunter adds. “The same people would be in a play, as well as involved in myriad

aspects of it before, during and after.” As the core group’s energy flagged, the shining coin of creative energy flipped and landed on its opposite side: creative control. Two camps slowly took shape. The director of the summer musicals and children’s productions attracted a devoted following, “virtually hijacking that aspect of the theater group,” Gunter says. “This group felt their financial success should grant them leverage to influence which plays should be done, who should direct and who should be cast. It appeared to be an attempt at an artistic coup.” At first, other Unicorn participants considered this harmless, especially since it was hard to argue with success. They also preferred not to take sides, instead devoting their energies to their own projects. “As you could almost hear the Unicorn’s death rattle, people on the periphery put on real strong productions,” says Gunter. “Bonnie Miller did Sondheim’s ‘Into the Woods,’ an aggressively challenging production which went very well. Another group

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Performing Arts Clockwise from left: “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” was a well-received children’s production by Robin DuCrest’s theater company, circa 1975. The cast of “The Matchmaker,” performed in 1981 by Unicorn Theatre at the Panida, included David Jones and Karen Bowers, plus John McShane and Laurel Wagers, who played the matchmaker.

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Su Coffey-Berg, for example, founded the Performing Arts and Humanities of Sandpoint in 1991 and headed up several children’s productions through the bulk of the ’90s, such as “Peter Pan” and “Annie.” For a time, the organization even had its own building, at 506 Oak St., for rehearsals and performances. In 1998, Coffey-Berg moved to Colorado, however, again leaving a gaping hole in Sandpoint’s performing arts scene. In discussing the subject of theater in Sandpoint, everyone involved can cite a roster of talented directors, producers and actors. But everyone also agrees on the missing element. Rob Kincaid, founder of Flat Hat Productions, which provides musical events for the community, voices the general consensus when he says, “No one person is staying with the process long enough to create a new theater.” It’s the long-term commitment that has been missing – someone with the vision to build a venue and the time to make it happen. Theater is a political phenomenon as well as a creative one, and the growing pains can be worse than the birth. Few have the stamina to support the process. Recently, Bowers and Deborah McShane, a gifted director and former Unicorn pillar, tried to revive theater with The Looking Glass Theatre WINTER 2009

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of former Unicorn people mounted a great musical production of ‘The Secret Garden’ with Bryn Nelson directing and drew great crowds.” Bowers, who joined the Unicorn Theatre two years after its inauguration and served as president as well as producer and actress, clearly recalls those strained days. “The Unicorn board of directors was divided between two strong views on what theater was. One was the team approach and … ,” referring to the same director described by Gunter, “ … the other was director-asgod, having total control and dictating to the actors how to interpret their roles, say their lines and move, with no creativity on the actor’s part. It was very old-school. Still, it worked well for a while with well-known musicals.” As these dynamics eroded Unicorn Theatre from the inside, a growing variety of community organizations and activities affected it from the outside, as members became busier in daily life. “The more Sandpoint grew, the less time people had,” says Bowers. The pervading mood was political and confrontive, not creative and cooperative, and the Unicorn bowed its head and vanished in 1997. Other theatrical enterprises have done well along the way, but none has established another enduring community theater.

Company but were thwarted by the recalcitrant time element. “We were able to do ‘The Laramie Project,’ ‘Aesop’s Fables’ and, in conjunction with the group that ultimately became Flat Hat Productions, ‘You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.’ But eventually, time became a serious issue,” says Bowers. “Time was an issue for everyone,” Kincaid agrees. “We all have jobs.” So there has been a “waiting” since the Unicorn topped the horizon and disappeared … an expectation of the next shooting star, someone with time to make a lasting commitment toward building a new Sandpoint theater group. And a recent sighting has indeed occurred, with many observing it and voicing their views. The new “someone” is Kathleen Mazolla, founder and artistic director of the new Sandpoint Theatre Company. A celebrated theater director from Malibu, Calif., Mazolla brings vision and a passionate commitment to professional theater in the community. In 1979, Sandpoint was ready for the Unicorn. “They were a catalyst for things already in motion, and they began the golden years with a wonderful core of people acting and directing,” Gunter says. Apparently, in 2008, the town was ready again. The new Sandpoint Theatre Company’s premier production last summer, “The Black Box Comedy Project,” sold out with a holdover performance and was received with scream-laughter and hand-numbing applause. Many are asking how they can be part of the company (“Audition!” is Mazolla’s invitation to one and all). A theater-seasoned community is beginning to warm to the newcomer. Bowers says, “I was so excited when I attended the first meeting of the Sandpoint Theatre Company. I knew someone would come and make it happen.” “The community sensed a gap, something lacking,” says Gunter, “and

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Performing Arts More productions slated, Web site unveiled Sandpoint Theatre Company was busy preparing two productions and working on www.thesandpointtheatrecompany.org, its new Web site, at press time. “Pizza Girl,” five comedic vignettes by writers of the Sandpoint Theatre playwright comedy workshop, is being presented Nov. 20-23 with – yes – pizza for intermission prepared by local pizzerias; and a heartwarming and occasionally heart-wrenching, family Christmas production is being performed Dec. 11-14 (locations TBA). Call Kathleen Mazzola at 265-9505, or send an e-mail to tsptco@gmail.com for more information.

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it would be great to see them thrive.” “Nobody loses when someone is successful,” adds Kincaid, “and everyone is hoping they succeed.” Mazolla is breaking up the fallow ground with comedy, following the adult-themed vignettes of “The Black Box Comedy Project” with the sly “Murder at the Castle,” a camp whodone-it set in 1920s England that was written by a member of the company and the playwright workshop. Mazolla also has other projects in the works, including romantic comedies, dark comedies, musicals and children’s theater, and unexpected forays into the world of Westerns and

The cast of “The Black Box Comedy Project” broke ground for Sandpoint Theatre Company in July 2008.

Shakespearean-type verse. The scripts are all originals by local playwrights, although she plans established works as well. “But not the ones done a thousand times,” she adds, revealing that she has just enough of a daring streak to keep things interesting. “I don’t want to play it safe. If we do something classical, I want the emotional life of the piece to matter to our audience, the way ‘West Side Story’ presented ‘Romeo and Juliet.’ Hopefully, people will come from Coeur d’Alene and Spokane to see the work.”

Mazolla’s vision extends beyond stage into an integrated, theatrical coming-of-age for Sandpoint, and yet the heart of her hope is simple: “I want people to have a safe place to explore their creativity in a supportive environment where their gift is developed, and more than that, honored.” How this will “play out” in the onstage realm will be plain for all to see in the new company’s upcoming productions. For observers of the stars, Sandpoint Theatre Company is one constellation to watch.

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Painting

bar though, because Mom thought it would make us sick or something. And it was almost dinnertime. After we got the photos developed Mom spread them out on the table. There we were, our faces smeared with chocolate and our teeth sinking into the candy tablet. I had my elbows in properly and my face was relatively clean; my 6-year-old gaze at the camera was noncommittal (stoic, even). My little sister, of course, had taken to the task with gusto, her arms akimbo, her expression – obscured by chocolate – that of a delighted young hedonist. My mom painted my sister. As was her wont, she worked on the piece for what seemed like forever. It was a large pastel, and it ended up selling. To the mayor, no less. That didn’t necessarily hold true for all her paintings, though. WINTER 2009

Consummate daily painter Diana Moses Botkin drives her vintage Hawk, looking for a good painting location for the day.

The danger, too, was that after working on something for so long, especially if it was a painting of her kids, she would become attached to it and not want to sell it anyway. Eventually, we moved to the Northwest. When she got to Bonners Ferry, Mom’s painting speed started to increase. She liked the countryside and decided she needed a lot of practice if she wanted to paint landscapes, which she hadn’t previously done much of. A lot of practice meant a lot of different paintings – small paintings, one a day or nearly every day if possible. She started S A N D P O I N T M A G A Z I N E

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hen mothers offer their children an oversized spoon covered with chocolate batter to lick clean, kids are typically warned not to make a big mess. Not us. One afternoon in the fall of 1987, Mom handed us a dripping wooden spoon with nothing more than an ironic smile. So we took turns licking the spoon until the only batter remaining was the faint grime that had been forced into the pores of the wood. To top this off she gave us – despite the fact that we almost never got pre-packaged sugar – a giant Hershey’s chocolate bar emerging from folds of glistening silver foil and crackling paper. As we gnawed at this stupefying treat in the afternoon light, she photographed our faces. We didn’t get to finish the

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By Katie Botkin

PHOTO BY ISAIAH BOTKIN

Daily painting and the baring of our souls

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Painting

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PHOTO BY DIANA MOSES BOTKIN

Left, Dalas Klein paints a waterfront scene while participating in the Plein Air Paint Out. Klein painted the 11x14 oil Cabin on Kootenai, above left, in the studio from a photo he took in Troy, Mont. He created the same-sized Mt. Alpines, above, from imagination with no photo or reference material. “Some of my best paintings are done this way – just start putting paint down,” says Klein.

All at once people seemed to be having the same idea, and it became more or less a movement: the daily painters movement. painting on primed, untempered hardboard rather than canvas, which could take several hours to stretch in itself. All at once people seemed to be having the same idea, and it became more or less a movement: the daily painters movement. Now that she’s a proponent, she brings her paints just about everywhere – to the Sandpoint beach, SANDPOINT MAGAZINE

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on out-of-town trips. If she’s not painting, she’s hanging out the window of a moving car trying to get the perfect shot to paint later, or posting to her blog or DailyPainters.com. Some claim that the general painting-a-day movement dates back to December 2004, when painterprofessor Duane Keiser decided he

would try to post a new painting or other small work every day on his BlogSpot page. Others say that there are references to such work from the 1800s. DailyPainters.com is perhaps the most well-known cyber gallery of the movement, but even if they post to DailyPainters.com, artists have their own blogs as well. In fact, in order to apply for the right to post on DailyPainters.com, artists must already be posting paintings at least a few times a week on their own blogs. This is not technically difficult with sites like BlogSpot, where anyone can post scans of smaller pieces and even links to PayPal or eBay. Two out of three area artists participating in the daily painting movement have BlogSpot sites: Dalas Klein of Bonners Ferry (http://dalasklein.blog spot.com) and my mom, Diana Moses Botkin (http://dianamosesbotkin. blogspot.com). Bob Bissett of Bonners Ferry maintains a blog at www.buildart. com/blog.htm that he says is above all

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PHOTO BY KATIE BOTKIN

Painting

Diana Moses Botkin, right, doesn’t leave home without her paints. Her 5-inch-square oil Lights and Shadows, above left, reflects a common theme in her work. “Mothers and babies are an enduring inspiration for my work,” she says. The drama of Schweitzer Mountain and overhanging clouds captured her attention for Bridge Viewpoint (10x8 oil).

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my mother posts from the tip of the Idaho Panhandle, the majority of her sales are from the East as well. She’s sold a handful of works to locals on the sites, but most local business is generated by galleries. Klein originally joined the WINTER 2009

DailyPainters.com Web site to help improve his workflow. He discontinued posting on the site because creating a painting every day took up all his time, and the Web site started charging the artists $29.99 per month. He also wasn’t seeing the sales he had read S A N D P O I N T M A G A Z I N E

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a “convenient brochure” he can point interested parties to, and it’s a method of accountability. “When you’re working at home, you may think, Why bother?” said Bissett. In addition to the possibility of selling or advertising over the Internet, Bissett pointed out that knowing people expect a posting every day or nearly every day is motivating. Klein explained that Internet success is not easy to achieve, even if the Internet supposedly levels the playing field. It helps, but people still tend to search for what they already know. “The West Coast is 20 years behind the art world of the East Coast,” said Klein, who sells paintings much more quickly on the East Coast. Although

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Artfully Sandpoint History

about in the success stories of other artists. “I never sold anything on the computer. Never! That was another reason,” Klein said. Bissett also had trouble selling on the DailyPainters.com site and discontinued membership about six months after it started charging.

Klein investigated daily painters’ success stories, and said that while many artists do sell their work online, most don’t explain that some of the sales reported on the Web sites originate from traditional markets. Klein continues to post his work and list prices on

his own painting-a-day blog, however. If nothing else, he says, it’s a good advertising and research tool, due to Web page counters. For my mom, on the other hand, posting to DailyPainters.com as well as her own site has been worth the

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WINTER 2009

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PHOTO BY DALAS KLEIN

Painting

Bob Bissett is motivated by the fact this his blog visitors expect to see new postings daily. He chose a common but beautiful weed for the subject of Mullein Stand, an 8x10 oil on canvas, and an abandoned pickup for Old Truck, a 6x8 oil on paper.

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motivate buyers. From a survey my mother did of the 100-plus artists at DailyPainters.com, she found that nearly all of the works sold are less than $350, with the majority of sales for $100 or less. Because most of the daily paintings are small, artists can also ship them less expensively than larger gallery pieces, which may also appeal to impulse buyers. As for my mother, she still paints her children. I posed for a painting demo at the Festival at Sandpoint last summer, my eyes fastened, unfocused, on the same cluster of leaves framed by the quadrangle of chain link fence. WINTER 2009

People walking by examined my face as if it was the art and I, as the painting, couldn’t hear them. A few days later, I checked Mom’s blog, and there I was, updated from a photo Mom had taken at the last minute. The painting was described as “sold.” One commenter complimented my mother for selling it so quickly, and she responded: “The piece will go to the model’s hubby (shhh ... a secret).” Sorry, Mom, there are no secrets on the Internet. It may be a jungle that’s hard to navigate and for the average person to make lucrative, but as Bissett said, “Anybody in the world can look.” S A N D P O I N T M A G A Z I N E

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money. DailyPainters.com advertises itself and has gotten international attention – which she can attest to. She’s sold a few paintings from the site to people in Great Britain, Denmark and Israel. “I’ve gotten a lot of customers I wouldn’t otherwise have,” she said, “people who don’t make it to North Idaho.” Her paintings are typically low enough in price, however, that people may not feel guilty about buying them immediately. Klein explained that while Internet shoppers will buy small paintings on impulse, they probably aren’t going to buy larger works without seeing them in person. The paintings on his blog range from $400 to more than $3,000. He does sell in galleries, though – locally, the Angel Gallery in Coeur d’Alene, the Redtail Gallery and Timber Stand of Sandpoint, and Naples Gallery. He’s also getting ready to send work to a 2009 national show in Sante Fe for the Oil Painters of America. It is typically true that lower prices

10/13/08 3:05:00 PM

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Social Change

Making Sandpoint affordable

ILLUSTRATION BY DAN SEWARD

Local leaders work to rein in housing costs – one home at a time

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By Stephen Drinkard who think that with strong initiatives we can, in fact, counter the housingto-income gap – and they already have those initiatives under way. The initiatives began in 2006 with the hiring of consultants, BBC Research, Inc., to provide documentation of the housing gap problems in our area. That study triggered a series of public workshops that led to the establishment of two groups: the Employers Assisted Housing (EAH) Coalition and the nonprofit Bonner Community Housing Agency (BCHA).

Building local organizations The BCHA formed in 2007. Comprised of local leaders, including repre-

sentatives of low-income residents, the group has already started to work with the City of Sandpoint, developers and WINTER 2009

the federal government. Soon, it will apply to the state for Community Development Housing Organization status. “That will allow us to tap into federal dollars to build housing for lowerincome people,” says BCHA President Andy Chapman. “We will also form a land trust that is capable of accepting donations of land. With a land trust, we will be able to build houses that remain affordable in perpetuity.” The EAH Coalition has also been in existence about a year now. Composed primarily of human resource officers from major employers, that group is working on tailoring housing benefit programs for each company. For example, one financial benefit a company can offer is a letter of credit to the prospective landlord of a new employee, promising to pay the last S A N D P O I N T M A G A Z I N E

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emographers who follow current trends call Sandpoint an “amenity town” – part of a trend that has affluent newcomers looking to move to or buy a second home in small towns that offer outstanding amenities of place. It’s a trend that is driving growth in other desirable places like Flagstaff or McCall – and one result of the trend here has been to prompt housing costs to double from 2004 to 2006. For residents who have long lived and worked here, the trend is having a sobering effect. Because housing costs, both for purchase and rental, have jumped up so much faster than local incomes, fewer and fewer residents are able to afford housing. Many people think there is nothing to be done; it is the market that ultimately drives prices, after all. But in contrast, there is a band of local officials, employers and community leaders

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Social Change

month’s rent should the employee leave unexpectedly. By helping to reduce the amount of up-front rent money, the company has already saved its employee a lot of money. It can help non-financially by partnering with groups like BCHA to offer employees house buying and credit counseling courses.

Finding the right builders One of the developers BCHA has supported is Whitewater Creek, owned by Todd and Maryann Prescott of Hayden. The Prescotts have become significant players in affordable housing because they have developed expertise on the use of tax credits in development of housing units. Tax credits are provided by the government to encourage investment in social programs. Each year the IRS

issues a limited number of tax credits that developers can compete for with qualifying projects. If a developer wins one of the coveted tax credit offerings, as did the Prescotts for their “Ponderosa” 60-unit low-income apartment project near Woodland Drive north of town, then the IRS issues tax credits worth 40 to 50 percent of the project’s cost. When investors buy those tax credits, and infuse cash into the project, the Prescotts can offer apartments at rental rates well below market rates. At Ponderosa, the apartments will be rented only to people whose household income is 30 to 55 percent of the county’s annual median income, or AMI. Currently, the AMI for Bonner County households is $44,500. These apartments will thus rent to people whose household incomes range from $13,350 to $24,475 annually – or in

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405 Schweitzer Cutoff Road, Sandpoint, ID 208.263.2413 or 208.265.4036 www.bonnercountyfairfoundation.org

SANDPOINT MAGAZINE

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other words, workers earning between $6.50 and $12.80 an hour. Ponderosa will have 12 one-bedroom units, 36 two-bedroom units and 12 three-bedroom units. Besides lots of green space there will be an approximately 2600-square-foot community center with Internet-connected computers, laundry facilities, community meeting and kitchen space for gatherings, as well as community programs for the tenants. The one- and two-bedroom apartments will rent from about $260 to $467, scaled to the tenant’s income. It’s not required, but about six to 10 of the units will be rented at market rate, meaning the one- and two-bedroom market-rate apartments will rent for $575 and $675 respectively. That’s a strategy to maintain quality, said Prescott: “Including market rate in our project units forces us to design them and then manage them really well. If the project looks like or smells like a subsidized, low-income project, then there will be no market-rate renters.” When people talk about local workforce housing, they are usually thinking of teachers and policemen and firemen. There is, however, a cohort of others who work full-time as well, but whose household incomes fall in the 30 to 55 percent of the AMI range. One such resident is “Ted,” a single man who works full-time for a local company making $9.50 an hour, or about $19,500 a year. He works overtime when he can and is paying close to $500 a month for his one-bedroom apartment. If Ted rented one of Ponderosa’s two-bedroom units, he would pay about $360 a month. According to Idaho Department of Labor, about 44 percent of the area workforce receive wages between $6.50 an hour and $12.80 an hour. In Bonner County, that means some 7,000 workers might be eligible for those 60 housing units.

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Social Change

Whitewater Creek hopes to have its Ponderosa project done by October 2009. They are also applying for additional tax credits from the state of Idaho to build 50 units of similarly affordable senior housing just south of Ponderosa. This project, called â&#x20AC;&#x153;Schweitzer Ranch,â&#x20AC;? would start construction next year. If Prescottâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s full vision for the whole 36-acre parcel optioned to him by Dave and Nancy Lewis comes to fruition, in addition to Schweitzer Ranch and Ponderosa there will be a small, adjacent commercial area for a market and other services for those tenants just a short walk away.

Creating land trusts Prescott credits the altruism of the Lewises with making the project

possible. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Without the Lewisâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; interest in leaving a legacy and their desire for regular people to be able to live in Sandpoint, we couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t do this project,â&#x20AC;? he said, noting the family had many offers by developers who wanted to put up higher-end housing. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are getting older and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s payback time,â&#x20AC;? said Dave. â&#x20AC;&#x153;My wife and I know that most working people here canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t afford the upper middle income home.â&#x20AC;? Prescott feels once this project is done other landholders around the area will also step up and contribute in some way. In fact, to encourage area land owners, Whitewater Creek plans to donate land on the site to the Bonner Community Housing Agency so that it can build one to three homes for sale at below-market rates.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The key to lower cost housing,â&#x20AC;? says Mark Rockwell, chair of BCHAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s committee on land trusts, â&#x20AC;&#x153;is to somehow take the cost of the land out of the equation. Getting land donated to BCHA is the best way, though not the only way.â&#x20AC;? Rockwell and his committee are currently studying the community land trust models used across the United States. With donated lots such as those that will come from Prescott and Lewis, BCHA will hire a developer to build the houses. Buyers who fit income parameters â&#x20AC;&#x201C; which might be 120 percent of AMI â&#x20AC;&#x201C; will get down payment assistance and a low mortgage rate. The house is theirs to live in for the rest of their lives and to pass it on to their heirs. But, the house and property is not â&#x20AC;&#x153;fee simple.â&#x20AC;? That is, BCHA owns the land in per-

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petuity and the house owner leases the property upon which their house sits for 99 years at a nominal rate. When and if the property owner wants to sell – and this is the key to keeping the housing affordable for ever – there is a cap to the profit the seller can make. Then the land trust can turn around and re-sell the property, for only a small increase from its original selling price. “This process cools the hot, speculative urge and the pressure to raise prices in the whole area, and provides a way for someone to buy in cheaply, make a profit if they want to sell, and move into a market-rate home,” says Rockwell. Before BCHA gets a chance to build land trust homes near Ponderosa, it may have its first land trust project with Sandpoint Charter School. Alan Millar, principal of the Sandpoint Charter School, and a BCHA board member, recognizes a need for housing his teachers and staff can afford. Millar and his board have already agreed to take a portion of their school’s play field and lease it in perpetuity to BCHA. The agency and the charter school will work together in hiring a contractor to build housing that BCHA will subsequently manage. The number of units and the particular mix of town houses and apartments have not been decided as yet. “We still have a number of hurdles about right-of-ways to get over, but assuming we do, we will hire a design

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Dave and Nancy Lewis stand at the Ponderosa building site, on land they are providing to Whitewater Creek for its affordable housing development.

team and hand in hand with BCHA get going,” said Millar.

Changing land use laws One of the most powerful tools for affordable housing is being forged right now in the city’s new comprehensive planning process, and by city council and planning commission members. One tactic the city is adopting is a new bargaining position toward developers outside the city limits who are requesting water and sewer services. One condition the city may require is that developers who tap the city services provide some portion of their development as affordable housing. Density is also getting a new look. Proponents of accessory dwellings in Sandpoint have tried for years to get

the council and planning commission to change laws and allow small “grandmother” units on single-home lots. Now a new zoning change allows residents to build additional 650-square-foot units over their garages or elsewhere on their lot. There will be limits on what people can build, but the ordinance changes the market dynamic significantly. According to city planner, Jeremy Grimm, the new ordinance will encourage an increase in supply of small units available in Sandpoint and this will dampen rising rent prices. Increasing density in general is a way to depress costs; Grimm says to make affordability a goal, a city cannot insist on keeping large lots as its housing standard. Higher density

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has other benefits. “(It gives) more opportunities for people to live near the city center, providing great opportunity for walking and biking,” he added. Even bigger than this particular ordinance are the changes being recommended in the city’s new comprehensive plan, likely to be approved by city council this winter. With respect to affordability, the plan sets out future changes in zoning that will relax restrictions in zonal areas referred to today as “Residential B” on multi-family housing, allowing for what Grimm calls a “matter of right” to develop duplexes, tri-plexes, “brownstone” dwellings and apartments. In just one residential B area in the city, says Grimm, there will be 117 acres open to redevelopment into greater density.

Holding onto the bottom line People who have lived in Sandpoint all their lives and bemoan the many changes their small town is undergoing have something in common with the more affluent, amenity-seeking newcomers who are helping to spur those changes. Both want very much to enjoy what city planner Jeremy Grimm calls the “fabric” of a small town. This smalltown fabric can have many colors but the weave of the fabric is a demographically diverse population. “Up to this point in time, the greater Sandpoint area is diverse in age, in income, in socio-economic status,” said Grimm. But, he adds, without action to keep housing costs from soaring beyond the reach of local wage earners, Sandpoint’s diversity is endangered as the community becomes affordable only to the affluent.

And eventually, the fabric of diversity will be lost – as will be the rich, small-town culture prized by both long-time residents and newcomers. To make a real impact on the cost and availability of housing will take time – and a community that works together. It will take sustained efforts by nonprofit groups like the BCHA to develop programs; by developers like Todd Prescott; by caring individuals like the Lewises; and by all local governments, not just Sandpoint, to use zoning to encourage affordable housing. But by providing affordable housing for those who work here, it’s possible to maintain Sandpoint’s small-town character. See www.bonnercommunityhousing.org for more information on affordable housing efforts in Greater Sandpoint.

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Small is beautiful

By Cate Huisman Photos by Chris Guibert

Home-building trend driven by lifestyle preferences, economy

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stimates of average square footage vary, but the trend is unmistakable: American home sizes have increased dramatically in the last half century. In 1950, the average American home was slightly less than 1,000 square feet in size. By 2005, this figure had more than doubled, to roughly 2,400 square feet. Baby boomers who grew up sharing a bedroom with a sibling and waiting their turn to use a single bathroom now want to provide private bedrooms and baths for all, along with a garage for two or three cars, a large kitchen, and enough room so that some inhabitants can make noise while others enjoy quiet in a removed spot. In Sandpoint, one need only compare the smaller homes near the center of town with those in some of the more recently developed areas to the west SANDPOINT MAGAZINE

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and south to see how this trend has been borne out locally. But a variety of individuals of all ages prefer smaller homes. A common theme among them is that they feel a smaller home gives them more freedom: Maintenance is easier, and heating costs and taxes are lower than with larger houses, thus freeing up these homeowners’ resources (time and money in varying proportions) to do other things. “You don’t want your house to be a ball and chain,” says Chris Park of the 830-square-foot home he shares with his wife, Lizbeth Zimmerman, out toward Bald Mountain. Park designed the home himself and took a year off work to build it; his sweat equity has left him a home without a mortgage. Like other effective small houses, it uses light efficiently and conserves heat,

with 2-foot-thick walls painted white to enlarge the light from skylights. The stucco exterior requires little maintenance, and the interior can be heated with a single woodstove and just a few cords of wood per year. South of town in Sagle, Betsy Hammet lives in a house of just under 1,000 square feet designed by Bruce Millard of the Studio of Sustainable Design. “It has proven to be not at all constricting,” she says. “Rather, I find the space suits me perfectly.” It’s easy to keep clean, and, like Park’s house, it requires just two cords of wood annually to heat with a single stove. Sometimes whole families prefer bucking the trend of larger homes as well. Sandpoint graphic artist Christine Barrett moved into a new, 1,785-square-foot house in historic

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Opposite: With a family of six, the Edmunsons believe that keeping their house small forces them to get along. Left: Betsy Hammet says she doesn’t feel constricted in her home of less than 1,000 square feet; rather, the space suits her well.

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Open windows and moderate size allow cross ventilation to bring in cool night air, and the house’s insulation keeps it cool after windows are closed in the morning. Sandpoint woodworker Mark Edmundson admits almost sheepishly that his family is adding about 550 square feet onto their 1,450-squarefoot, two-bedroom house now that they have four children. “It was good with just four of us,” he says, but after the twins arrived, he and his wife, Jill, felt they needed more space. They still want their sons Max, 9, and Teigen, 6, to share a bedroom, and the boys’ little sisters Avery and Erica will share one as

Dover last December with her husband Patrick and 2- and 4-year old sons, Race and Fletcher. Her office is in the home, too. Like Park and Hammet, the Barretts preferred a relatively small home because it was less expensive to build and heat and also because it “fosters family,” as Barrett puts it. “You can’t use 5,000 square feet of space, unless you’re going to let your kids roller skate inside,” says Barrett. “I want my kids to grow up with the family, to watch TV downstairs with the family. You don’t hide in your room.” Barrett points out that a welldesigned small house is easy to cool in summer as well as to heat in winter:

well. Mark echoes Barrett’s thoughts about families and space: “With a smaller house you’re forced to get along; you’re forced to work together.” Becky Kemery has a different take on a small home; she has lived the better part of two decades in yurts from 350 to 700 square feet. Kemery, author of “Yurts: Living in the Round,” has developed a tag line for the yurt – big life, small footprint – to reflect the minimal impact that a yurt can have on its owners’ time and money as well as on the environment. Part of this benefit comes from it being smaller than most houses, although she says the area feels a lot bigger when it is round than when it has angles. “In a smaller space there’s less things to take care of and look after,” she says. “Time and energy is freed up for other pursuits.” This attitude toward the accumulation of material things was shared by others in small houses. A smaller house “forces you to monitor the amount of stuff you have, which is a good thing,” says Park. When she moved into her house, Hammet divested herself of a lot of stuff she had kept in a storage facility. “I’d lived without it for years in storage,” she says. Kemery keeps stuff at bay by making sure that each item she owns serves a purpose, and wherever possible she invests in items that multitask. “When you live in a small space, you try to buy one appliance that will work for many things,” she says, mentioning as an example her laptop computer, which functions as her television, movie viewer, radio and stereo system. Nevertheless, a four-season climate requires having a certain amount of stuff that one isn’t using at any given

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The Barretts preferred a relatively small home because it was less expensive to build and heat and also because it â&#x20AC;&#x153;fosters family.â&#x20AC;?

time, and different small-home owners address this in different ways. Kemery suggests using the space under the yurt platform to store the skis in summer and the lawnmower in winter. Hammet keeps her lawnmower in a storage shed. Park has built deep shelves in the breezeway outside his house to store his out-of-season gear, and his company, Misty Mountain Furniture, has provided cabinets with deep drawers that pull way out to give easy access to stuff in the back. The Barretts use cubbies instead of closets, so they can see everything and have easy access to it. In addition to storage considerations, several other aspects of design contribute to successful living in a small home. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The key in smaller homes is to make them look as big as possible,â&#x20AC;? says Millard. Ceilings open to a ridgeline

help to provide this sense of spaciousness, and Millard suggests creating one large public room. Space can be borrowed for this room by creating a loft over neighboring small rooms â&#x20AC;&#x201C; such as bathrooms or a laundry room â&#x20AC;&#x201C; that donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need the height. Millard notes the importance of light from at least two directions in each room, adding that some of this light can be provided by skylights where windows are not an option. In particular, a southern exposure provides both direct natural light during much of the day and heat as well in winter. The north wall of Hammetâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s home is built into a hillside, but the south side is mostly windows, enabling light to penetrate even to the back of the small home. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Large windows that connect to the outside make a space feel larger,

because your eye is going out,â&#x20AC;? says Millard. Owners of small homes are aware of a few drawbacks. â&#x20AC;&#x153;One disadvantage might be that there is a narrower market of potential buyers should one decide to sell,â&#x20AC;? says Hammet. Dan Fogarty, the Sandpoint builder who built Hammetâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s house, agrees. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Appraisers are all about how many square feet it is,â&#x20AC;? he says. Millard adds that houses are often built with appraisal and resale values in mind. In addition to marketability, the size of Hammetâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s house also limits the price she could get for it more than its quality would suggest. But small houses work better if they are built specifically to meet the needs of the people who will be living in them. Hammet addressed this conflict

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Real Estate Chris Park built their small home himself with cash, keeping him and his wife mortgage-free. “You don’t want your house to be a ball and chain,” Park says.

in part by considering the possibility of adding on: “Bruce designed my house so that it could easily and seamlessly accommodate additional space should one desire it.” Another limitation on the production of quality small homes is the cost of developing them. In general, for a given parcel of land, a developer can maximize the return on his investment by building the biggest possible house on it. In the city of Sandpoint, impact fees – which contribute to the cost of providing fire and police services, roads and parks that will be used by residents of new homes – are charged per home built, no matter what the size of the home, and each home must have at least two off-street parking spaces. As a result, fees are a proportionately higher cost of developing small homes, and

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“In a smaller space there’s less things to take care of and look after. Time and energy is freed up for other pursuits.” the day they were completed, and as an investment they provide Lockwood with a reasonable return. Builder Gary Parsons has had similar success with Maplewood Village, which includes homes of approximately 1,500 to 2,100 square feet in size. These homes use high-quality finishes and appliances and are designed for ease of maintenance, providing the freedom that owners of small homes say they find appealing. “Quite a few people out there can afford to live anyplace they want,” says listing agent Bill Drayton. “They have millions to spend on a home, and they’re living there.” Prices are in the $300,000 range, a price that otherwise just wasn’t moving in Sandpoint last summer. This underscores the original point

about small homes: People don’t necessarily choose them because they can’t afford a larger home. And while a desire for minimal environmental impact affects the choice for some, that’s only part of the picture as well. Instead, many people who live in small homes are proud and happy to be living in them. “My desire to live in a small space was not born of any virtue on my part. It just suits my needs and gives me a larger space in my life for pursuits such as hiking, mountain biking, playing music and traveling,” says Hammet. Park describes the advantages of his cozy home more metaphorically: “People say when they come into my house that it feels like they’re getting a hug.”

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parking areas use up a larger proportion of a small lot. But cost effective development also depends on market demand, and one market trend is beginning to mitigate the growth in size of homes: The average number of persons per U.S. household fell from 3.33 in 1960 to 2.56 in 2007. This trend may be magnified in Sandpoint, with its concentration of retirees and empty nesters. Steve Lockwood had this smaller household in mind when he commissioned Millard to design Park Cottages, a group of studio and one-bedroom units varying from 450 to 800 square feet. Each unit has south-facing, clerestory windows and vaulted ceilings to increase the sense of space. The apartments have been fully occupied from

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Real Estate

It takes a village to

Build a home

By Jenna Bowers Photos by Chris Guibert

With a little help, these twentysomethings set the example

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community support, were the most important attributes the couple called upon throughout the project. They started with an odd, pie-slice shaped piece of land at the beginning of Lakeshore Drive, not necessarily ideal for a homesite. Bopp bought it five years ago, at age 24, for a reasonable price because of its small size and odd shape. With the help of friend and architect Tom Runa, they came up with a plan that optimized the use of space, while honoring the elements surrounding them. “We wanted to do justice to the feeling one gets here from the land, the trees, the sky and the lake,” says Bopp, “and we also wanted to respect our neighbors by not building a huge eyesore they have to drive past every day. This home is about integration, not ego.” While the couple wanted to honor the land around them, they couldn’t necessarily afford to build “green” in the traditional sense, so once again they had to think outside the box. “We built based on common sense, not trend. By using the right materials and efficient techniques, we were able to have minimal environmental impact while saving time and money, both now and in the future,” says Lyster. For instance, the home’s siding is metal, a material that will demand far less maintenance and resources in the long run. “While it’s not 100-percent maintenance free, it’s far more efficient than siding or wood,” says Bopp. “We won’t SANDPOINT MAGAZINE

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nybody who knows Kate Lyster and Nick Bopp knows that they are about as quintessentially “North Idaho” as they come. Born and raised in Sandpoint, the pair embodies every aspect of our small town: traditional yet progressive, hardworking, creative and artistic, community-minded, environmentally aware, resourceful, humble and respectful. Their new house, which they moved into early in 2008, reflects all of these attributes, and therefore could reasonably be called the quintessential Sandpoint home. Owning a home in Sandpoint is a dream for many but a reality for few. It often proves even more difficult for twentysomething craftsmen and artists – a subculture most typically found renting spaces they could only hope to afford. However, where there’s a will there’s a way, and for Lyster and Bopp the desire to have their own home outweighed any and all challenges that came their way during the time devoted to building it. For instance, the pair found that by taking advantage of the town’s seasonal residents and lining up house-sitting jobs, they were able to live rent-free for a year to help save money. Though at times stressful, it also provided an adventurous and innovative way to allot funds into their house-building endeavor. Resourcefulness and innovation, along with incredible

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R _ eal Estate E have to stain or repaint every five years or so, and less material goes a long way.” They cut down on aesthetic materials elsewhere as well, from the stacked roof system and vaulted ceilings, to the metal trimmed windows and metal grate balconies. “For us, building green was about efficiency and not wasting time, money or resources,” says Lyster, “while still building a house that is comfortable, appealing and above all, livable.” For two artists, the concept of livable, functional beauty was essential. Lyster is especially adept at working within a

given space. “I use the home structure as a catalyst for the design,” she says. “I wanted this home to be creative but not precious. It has to be fluid, allowing for change and evolution.” Lyster’s interior design model can simply be summed up by two words: live here. She had the unique challenge of incorporating the modern metal structure and attributes (such as the exterior fireplace piping that runs through the interior rooms) with traditional and comfortable aesthetics. “I wanted to combine modern and vintage touches. I find that ancient and recycled pieces really ground a place,”

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Lyster says. She spent hours hunting for the perfect furniture, appliances, shelving and art. By searching yard sales and thrift stores, as well as refinishing and reinventing pieces she already owned, she was able to save money and create a truly unique look to match the originality of the building. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was constantly searching for colors, textures and surfaces to honor the bones of the structure. I wanted to create livable minimism, a blank canvas that can always broaden and shift, a space that both inspires art and makes room for it,â&#x20AC;? Lyster says.

This was no small task but one that the natural-born artist and stylist was up to. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You have to get in there and get your hands dirty, get involved. If there is something I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know how to do, I just asked for help. There is an immense sense of accomplishment from doing something yourself,â&#x20AC;? she adds. Indeed, the entire building process was a combination of their own total involvement and the help and support of their community. â&#x20AC;&#x153;People say not to work with your friends, but we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know anyone else more skillful or trustworthy,â&#x20AC;?

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Thoughtfully Designed...

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Real Estate The home of twentysomethings Kate Lyster and Nick Bopp is full of craftsmanly touches, mostly done by themselves, friends and family. The loft-like top floor, far left, holds the master bedroom. One of three doors in the home opens to this outside deck, increasing the feeling of openness.

old ski condo, a traditional touch in the otherwise modern space, with concrete countertops and gleaming steel appliances. All of the utilities are run along one central wall, making for easily accessible maintenance. Overall, the home is a work of practicality and innovation, with a focus on common sense. “Everything we need to build reasonably and efficiently is right here before us. We are hoping to set an example for others. Anyone can do this. We just have to know how to use our resources,” Bopp says. “We aren’t just making the most of it, we’re making the all of it. Using everything at our disposal, including our incredible community, we were able to make this home a reality.”

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says Bopp. “This is a small town – we survive with and among each other. We have to work together. It’s the natural way of living around here. You have to trust and rely on your friends and family.” They were especially grateful to their parents, who provided inspiration and emotional support, as well as the drive to be self-sufficient. “My father (Doug Bopp) always trusted me to make my own choices,” says Bopp. “He would show me how to do something, then stand back and let me do it myself. It really showed me that I could do anything.” They found proficient help through close friends, such as builder Dan Burghdorff, tile installer Nick Rust and laborer Dave Vangundy, as well as priceless framing and engineering assistance by Brent Sleep and Chris Powers, footings and foundations by Dave Thompson, painting with Eric Rieman, and help from Randy Taylor of Mountain Metal. The payoff was huge. By choosing to work with the people closest to them, the entire project was imbued with a sense of integrity and excitement. “I had every reason to get

up in the morning,” says Bopp, “being a part of something like this – building my own home and working with people with the same values and ethics as us. It was an inspiration.” The structure itself being the work of art, the craftsmen involved were always looking at inventive ways to build with both form and function in mind. The home is built up, with three stories stacked neatly on top of each other. The stairways were left open, to allow the heat from the wood stove on the bottom level to circulate properly. There are only three doors in the entire 1,400-square-foot space, which again creates flow and a feeling of openness. The loft-like top floor holds the master bedroom and evokes the feeling of an

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R _ eal Estate E Twentysomethings prove home ownership possible Steve Wasick, 29, bought a home in south Sandpoint four years ago. He acknowledged the importance of building equity. “I may be in debt, but I have assets to back it up.” These twentysomething homeowners unanimously agreed that staying within one’s means is crucial. “My advice to young people who want to buy a home is to formulate a budget, overestimating what they think the costs are and underestimating what they think they can earn,” says Bryan. Lana Kay Hanson, president of the Selkirk Association of Realtors, is optimistic for young homeowners. “Now is the perfect time to invest in a home. Or, if you can’t afford that, look at bare acreage or building lots. There is a lot of property right now, interest rates are low, and banks around here are willing to work with young people to figure out a program that will work. Find a buyer’s agent to help guide you into the right property, and look at creative financing options.” “I encourage people to be realistic,” adds Taylor. “Buying a house takes sacrifice. At times it’s a struggle, but it’s worth it for the satisfaction of putting the energy into your own home.” –Jenna Bowers

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For many in their 20s, home ownership doesn’t seem like a viable, or even appealing, option. First, of course, is the financial aspect. Buying a home takes cash, not to mention credit, things that young adults are often short on. Then there is the commitment needed to assure staying in a place longer than a few months. If that place is a small town, such as Sandpoint, it can be difficult to find a job that supports staying around. All things considered, twentysomethings have their share of challenges when looking to buy a home in Sandpoint. While the situation may seem dire, there are a few young people who have figured out how to buy a home and live here, lending a ray of hope to others. A homeowner for five years, Brett Taylor, age 29, acknowledges that it was hard to save up the money for a down payment, and even then he needed his parents to cosign on the loan. Still, he says it was the best decision he has ever made. “I feel really grateful to be able to live in a place like this,” he says. Zabrielle and Bryan Dillon, homeowners and Realtors, expressed similar sentiments. “It gives us a sense of pride and confidence that we can do anything,” says Bryan.

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Real Estate

Extreme makeover Sandpoint’s Fifth Avenue gets a facelift

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been excellent. We have been heartily accepted by the community. The community has been gracious to us and we’ve grown because of it,” said bank manager Tom Harvill. Looking forward to their new neighbors and the increased exposure more businesses along Fifth Avenue will offer, Harvill added, “We’re very excited to be part of this Fifth Avenue expansion and what it’s doing for the economic enhancement of our city.” Panhandle Mill Plaza, located just south of AmericanWest Bank, will feature approximately 7,000 square feet on each floor, with the bottom level pegged as retail space and the top floor designated as office space. The plaza will have five potential spots available to lease, with the option to combine spaces if desired. According to leasing agent WINTER 2009

By Amie Wolf Marshall Clark of Clark Pacific Real Estate, potential businesses include a phone company, a title company, a real estate company, financial services and a gift shop, with occupancy scheduled for

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s summer slowly ebbed away, the urgent sounds of construction filled the air along Sandpoint’s busy Fifth Avenue – backhoes digging into the earth, boom trucks revving their engines, and the whir and whiz of power tools vibrating against newly erected walls. The land flanking either side of AmericanWest Bank – which relocated to Fifth Avenue in October 2007 – was quickly transforming from empty lots to a vitalized commercial corridor. Developer Sandpoint Enterprises, LLC has attracted a few national chains to Sandpoint, including a Big 5 Sporting Goods store and a Jack in the Box restaurant. The blossoming retail area also features Panhandle Mill Plaza, a two-story retail and office building. All the new buildings on Fifth Avenue were designed to blend in with the town’s rustic Northwest landscape and harmonize with the existing community. The development of the Fifth Avenue business corridor has proven beneficial for the first occupant, AmericanWest Bank. “Business has

The new Panhandle Mill Plaza, one of four new buildings on Fifth Avenue, holds about 14,000 square feet of retail and office space.

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R _ eal Estate E

December 2008. The exterior of the building will feature Northwest-style attributes such as stone and wood, with parking on both sides and behind the plaza. Clark believes the communityminded construction designed by Russell C. Page Architects couldn’t have a better location, thanks to the close proximity to Safeway and Sandpoint Super Drug and the likelihood of group shopping patterns. “Parking is a plus, and it will be very

visible when you go through downtown,” said Clark, contrasting the new location with the original downtown corridor where he believes it can be hard to spot current businesses. Clark also cites another important benefit in this struggling economy: “It’s brandnew and will (cost) less on utilities.” Although the town has no shortage of local sporting goods retailers, Western retail chain Big 5 Sporting Goods is calling Sandpoint home, with a new store opening shortly before

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Thanksgiving. The 10,000-squarefoot, one-story building will be located between Poplar and Fir streets and will also feature distinctive elements from the region, per city planning documents. Freiheit & Ho Architects of Kirkland, Wash., collaborated closely with the City of Sandpoint to provide a building that reflects the city’s unique personality. The site will comply with city code and provide one parking space for every 250 square feet of retail space, resulting in a whopping 35 spaces. There will also be a bicycle rack, which could come in handy given Big 5’s location along the SandpointDover Trail. Adding to the growing number of regional and national fast food chains in Greater Sandpoint, Jack in the Box joins the ranks of the recently opened Zip’s Drive-in and the Subway Restaurant being constructed at WestPointe Plaza, both located on Highway 2. Jack in the Box is being constructed between Fir and Larch streets, its 26th Idaho location, according to the company’s Web site. The

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Real Estate single-story restaurant, also designed by Freiheit & Ho, will be approximately 2,400 square feet and have dine-in seating for up to 48 patrons. River rock and wood finishes planned for the exterior of the building will help it blend nicely with the other two projects under way. The restaurant is slated to open sometime around the end of 2008. The upcoming retail activity along Fifth Avenue will likely attract more pedestrian traffic, which could concern some residents after the pedestrian fatality at the Poplar and Fifth Avenue crosswalk in December 2006. The city improved safety along the busy stretch of Highway 95 by adding overhead lighting and signage with reflective lettering, as well as the occasional crosswalk patrol to keep motorists in line. Keeping the rise in pedestrian traffic in mind, designers included a pedestrian plaza between the Big 5 and the

existing AmericanWest Bank. Benches, covered sidewalks along parts of the building and a delineated walkway will help facilitate access between the two businesses. The three Fifth Avenue projects are just a few of the commercial buildings going up around Sandpoint. Ironically, the number of commercial building permits issued by the City of Sandpoint is actually lower than in recent years, dropping from 20 permits in 2006 to eight permits in 2007 and a mere three permits from January to June 2008. New residential home construction in the city has also dropped, from a peak of 124 permits issued in 2005 to 40 permits issued between January and June 2008. Jeremy Grimm, Sandpoint’s planning director, believes current developers have not been as affected by the slumping market. “They have a longer horizon and more tolerance to the

ebb and flow of the economy,” said Grimm. The city has seen a significant amount of commercial space developed in the last 18 months, with more sophisticated and involved projects, according to Grimm. With all of the new and upcoming retail and office space, there will be plenty of options for new businesses or an opportunity for existing businesses to relocate. “This will be a bellwether to see if demand materializes,” said Grimm, who wonders whether pressure on lease rates may make all of Sandpoint’s retail space more affordable or if the local economy will enable the available spaces to be filled at the present price (Panhandle Mill Plaza ranges from $18 to $25 per square foot). Nonetheless, time will tell if the expanding commercial development along Fifth Avenue will meet residents’ needs in this bustling retail and office sector of Sandpoint.

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By Jennifer Lamont Leo

“Won’t you be my neighbor?”

–Mister Rogers

the grocery store, the shoveled walkway, the shared garden produce – that make all the difference. And most effective of all are the neighbors who set aside their differences and band together to make improvements to their communities. Nancy Gerth and her husband, Jim Akers, of Sagle cherish those kinds of neighbors. Gerth recalls an incident that still makes her shake her head. “When we purchased our property, there was an access road that crossed several other pieces of property,” she says. Their title company had obtained paperwork WINTER 2009

Above: Nancy Gerth and Roger Kincaide treasure their good neighborly relationship. Right: The Cocolalla Lake Association worked with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game to have this public pressure washer installed at the Cocolalla Lake sportsmen’s access to help keep the lake free from contaminants.

SANDPOINT MAGAZINE

PHOTO BY THOMAS LEO

obert Frost wrote that good fences make good neighbors. That idea might have worked for the curmudgeonly poet back in New England. But here in northern Idaho, reaching across the fence to join forces with your neighbor seems to go a lot farther in bettering the quality of community life. “Good neighbors” are a hot commodity these days – but what does that phrase mean, exactly? For some, being neighborly means gathering for Sundaynight potluck or the occasional game of poker. Or sending a smile and a wave across the driveway. For others, it means staying on your side of the property line and minding your own business. Occasionally, neighborliness is a matter of survival. The story goes that, one blustery night during the dark days of the Depression, a widow living in what was then called Milltown (now the north end of Sandpoint) was fretting about how to feed her children through the long winter. Came a knock on the door, and the woman opened it to find an entire carcass of a black bear – teeth and claws and all – stretched across her doorstep. A kind neighbor had chosen to share his hunting bounty. Once the beast was butchered, the family had plenty of meat to last out the winter. Now that’s being a good neighbor (though one can almost hear the complaints echoing across the decades: “Oh, Mom, not bear stew again!”). But take comfort that you don’t have to slay a black bear to build a friendly relationship with the folks next door. Sadly, you don’t have to scratch the surface very deeply to find bad-neighbor tales. Many people seem eager – perhaps a little too eager – to share harrowing accounts of barking dogs, trampled zinnias and raucous garage bands that shatter sleep with endless loops of “Smoke on the Water.” Rarer, and infinitely more refreshing, are the good-neighbor tales. So often it’s the simple kindnesses – the lift to

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Neighborly neighbors: doing better, together

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granting easements from all of the neighbors except for one. “Instead of simply going to (the neighbor) and asking,” Nancy says, “the title company sent a nasty letter through a lawyer.” Somewhat understandably, the neighbor said no. “The title company also wouldn’t release the neighbor’s contact info to us, so we couldn’t contact him, either.” If they had, Nancy thinks, they might have been able to talk it through. In the end, the title company ended up paying the man $5,000 for the easement rights. That could have been the end of the story – and might have resulted in strained neighbor relations for years to come. But Nancy recalls what happened next. “One day we were driving up the road, and (the neighbor) was out spreading gravel. We stopped and talked to him, and he was very nice. He told us he’d decided to use the money to improve the road.” Her voice fills with satisfaction at the memory. “So we all ended up profiting from it.” There’s almost no limit to what neighbors working together can accomplish. An inspiring example on a larger scale is the Cocolalla Lake Association (CLA), a nonprofit organization that started out as a group of neighbors unhappy about the quality of their lake. In the 1980s, Cocolalla Lake was an unappealing pool of algae and scum, the result of years of logging, farm-

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ing and development runoff. A group of neighbors who had had enough, spearheaded by energetic local activist Betty Stockwell, stepped in to save their lake. Working with the Environmental Protection Agency, Idaho Department of Fish and Game and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and striving to strike a balance between the water quality and the rights of farmers and loggers, the intrepid group made enormous strides in restoring the lake and eradicating invasive aquatic species. “In 2006 we discovered milfoil in the lake. We immediately sent a letter to property owners all around the lake, and over 70 people contributed money to fight the problem,” Stockwell says. Other neighbors contributed to cleanup efforts along the shoreline and donated land for wetlands and wildlife protection. Today, Cocolalla Lake is clean – the last two water surveys have revealed no trace of Eurasian milfoil or other invasive species – and the CLA is “a poster child for the state of Idaho” when it comes to eradicating aquatic pests, says

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Rose Chaney, CLA treasurer. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The state has told us, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;just keep doing what youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re doing,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; â&#x20AC;? Chaney says. Current priorities of the CLA include restoring more wetlands, upgrading the instruments used in monitoring water quality, and spot-testing water samples for coliform. The CLA also invests in community education, involving Southside School students and local Boy Scout troops in plant identification and preservation. And it all sprang from a few neighbors determined to do something about their lake. Getting good neighbor relations off on the right foot is not difficult, according to Gerth. The first step is simply to say hello and introduce yourself. She recalls meeting a new neighbor shortly after he moved in. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The first time we saw (neighbor) Roger Kincaide, he was riding a tractor,â&#x20AC;? Nancy says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We went up to him and introduced ourselves and told him that we were going to have some big equipment working on our property. We said, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;You tell us if anything bothers you.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; â&#x20AC;? Kincaide was so un-bothered by the machinery that he doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t even remember the incident, years later. But heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s quick to recall the kindnesses that Gerth and Akers have shown him over the years. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have the equipment to remove the snow from my land, and Jim has a tractor, so when heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s out plowing, heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll take a swipe down my driveway. And I use propane (for heating fuel), so I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have much use for firewood, but lots of folks around here do,â&#x20AC;? he says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;So when I take down a tree, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll cut up logs for the neighbors,â&#x20AC;? leaving them on the porch for any neighbor in need to pick up. According to Gerth, the wintertime favors go both ways. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When I have trouble getting my vehicle up the hill in winter, Roger lets me park my vehicle at his house,â&#x20AC;? she says. Get to know your neighbors and consider ways to work together to make improvements to your community. At the very least, you could help each other get through the long northern Idaho winter. Bear carcass optional.

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R _ eal Estate E Marketwatch: Realtors say it’s the right time to buy The old adage, “Buy low, sell high” appears to be at least part of the message Realtors are sending about the current market in Greater Sandpoint. Listing prices have been dropping, and thus sales prices, creating a strong buyer’s market here, a situation that is being echoed across the country. The difference about our area, though, is that the market is sure to revive because of the quality of life. Simply put, the Greater Sandpoint area is always a good investment, according to Lana Kay Hanson, president of the Selkirk Association of Realtors (SARS), and Ken Clark, president of the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) serving Bonner and Boundary counties. “Investing in real estate has been ahead of the curve as far as assets depreciation, and real estate will be the first to turn around,” Clark said. “With the panic of Wall Street and stocks, there’s more of a comfort level with something tangible, such as real estate.” Hanson agreed, backing up that sentiment with the real estate proverb: “No investment on earth is as safe as earth.”

Clark pointed out that when the combination of the current stimulus efforts, plenty of real estate inventory and “prices that have been going south for three-plus years,” the Bonner/ Boundary county market is a great buy. They concede that the market has been slow. The sales volume for all categories of properties combined is down 50 percent in the first nine months of 2008, when compared to the same time period in 2007. Listing prices are down by as much as 50 percent, and residential sales prices range from 5 to 12 percent less in the different market segments as defined by SARS. In the Sandpoint residential market, the first nine months of 2008 saw a 30 percent drop in sold listings, as compared to the same time period in 2007. Sales volume is down 33 percent; the average sales price is down 5 percent; and the average days on the market (DOM) is up 5 percent, sitting at 98 days. As for the residential market in Hope/ Clark Fork, the drop in sold listings for the same time period topped 39 percent. Sales

volume declined by 47 percent; and the average sales price fell by 12 percent. The residential market in the Bonners Ferry area was similar: sold listings down by 26 percent; volume down by 34 percent; and the average sales price down by 12 percent. Properties are taking longer to sell, as the average DOM (113 days) was up 23 percent. But Clark and Hanson were quick to point out the positive side. “There are some tremendous deals out there,” Hanson said. Clark believes that existing homes are a much better value than building a new home since the price of labor and materials has become so expensive. Hanson also sees something old becoming new again: owner-carried contracts and lease options, which were popular in the 1950s through the 1970s and are making a comeback. “If owners are able to do that, it’s a way for them to get a better return,” Clark said. It seems that, just like fashion trends, old real estate trends come back into style. –Billie Jean Plaster

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Real Estate

BONNER/BOUNDARY REAL ESTATE TRENDS Residential Sandpoint

YTD 2008

YTD 2007

2007 2008 YTD

Residential Hope/Clark Fork

YTD 2008

YTD 2007

2007 2008 YTD

Sold Listings

264

375

-29.60%

Sold Listings

-39.39%

Volume Sold Listings

$88,876,308

$132,322,342

-32.83%

Volume Sold Listings

$8,821,150

$16,528,700

Average Sale Price

$336,653

$352,860

-4.59%

Average Sale Price

$441,058

Average Days on Market

-5.38%

Average Days on Market

YTD 2008

YTD 2007

2007 2008 YTD

Sold Listings

122

171

Volume Sold Listings

$26,651,400

Average Sale Price Average Days on Market

Vacant Land Sandpoint

Residential Bonners Ferry

YTD 2008

YTD 2007

2007 2008 YTD

Sold Listings

113

-25.66%

-46.63%

Volume Sold Listings

$16,936,370

$25,801,364

-34.36%

$500,870

-11.94%

Average Sale Price

$201,623

$228,331

-11.70%

-15.15%

Average Days on Market

113

22.83%

Vacant Land Hope/Clark Fork

YTD 2008

YTD 2007

2007 2008 YTD

YTD 2008

YTD 2007

2007 2008 YTD

-28.65%

Sold Listings

-65.00%

Sold Listings

-56.00%

$33,510,171

-20.47%

Volume Sold Listings

$1,979,750

$8,417,300

-76.48%

Volume Sold Listings

$3,486,800

$8,258,500

-57.78%

$218,454

$195,966

11.48%

Average Sale Price

$141,411

$210,433

-32.80%

Average Sale Price

$105,661

$110,113

-4.04%

101

0.00%

Average Days on Market

197

109

80.73%

Average Days on Market

103

126

-18.25%

Vacant Land Bonners Ferry

Based on information from the Selkirk MLS for the period 1/1/07 through 9/30/08. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

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Natives and Newcomers

Natives and Newcomers By Dianna Winget Photos by Marie-Dominique Verdier

This continuing department brings together a pair of natives and a couple of newcomers for an enlightening comparison of opinions. The natives in this issue are closely related and both lament the loss of the Sandpoint they knew in younger years. The two newcomers both hail from large, urban areas and love the small-town feel of the area. Rather than changing it, they hope to better it in their own special way. And while all four differ in background and circumstances, they are united in recognizing the beauty and uniqueness of Bonner County. Enjoy their various perspectives.

NATIVES

department. Her hobbies include cooking, sewing, gardening, hiking, reading and writing. You can compare Kathy’s comments to those made by her father, Buzz Watts, our other featured native. What’s your favorite local business?

Hands down my favorite is Belwood’s Furniture. When my kids were growing up, they loved going in there. The staff is more than helpful and the prices are great … and no one did Crazy Days like Ernie Belwood! I miss that.

What’s your favorite local event or activity?

The Bonner County Fair and all related activities. Right after that would have to be the Farm Tour. I look forward to both with equal anticipation. Any advice for a friend considering a move to this area?

I would ask my friend to take a good, hard look at why they want to move here. Whatever it is he/she is drawn to, then I would encourage them to avoid trying to change it later. Can you see yourself living anyplace else?

Permanently? No. As I approach the retirement years, however, I can easily see living part-time in another country if it involved mission fieldwork.

Born in Sandpoint in 1958, Kathy Osborne and her husband, Dan, own a home in Ponderay and have three grown children, a dog, cat and horse. They also own Dan-O Drywall and farm a piece of her parents’ land west of town on Wrencoe Loop, which has been in the family since 1956. Kathy has worked at the Coop Country Store for 11 years and currently manages the advertising

The Sandpoint/ Bonner County I grew up with is mostly gone. When the business focus moved from timber and agriculture, which I believe are family/community oriented, to tourism and real estate, which are more business oriented, something very unique was lost … and it cannot be replaced with concerts and art tours, nice WINTER 2009

Myron “Buzz” Watts A true native, Buzz was born at Wrencoe on the riverbank and has S A N D P O I N T M A G A Z I N E

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What do you feel is the greatest challenge facing Sandpoint?

Kathy Osborne

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as they are. I think the greatest challenge for Sandpoint is growth within the tourism/real estate boundaries – how to manage it and what kind of a town/county the new residents want.

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Natives and Newcomers

lived there most of his 73 years. He and his wife, Shelda, raised four of their own children along with two adopted American Indian girls, one a toddler, the other an infant at the time. Over the years the Watts have built two homes, and Buzz has held every job there is in the

lumber trade “from the tree stump to finished lumber” and trucked it to the East Coast. As you can tell from his succinct answers, Buzz misses the “old” Sandpoint of yesteryear, and he begs people to put an E on the end of Wrencoe since that was the original spelling.

What’s your favorite business?

Merwin’s and the Co-op Country Store. What’s the greatest challenge facing Sandpoint?

Getting rid of the jerks holding up the bypass. I can’t believe Bonner County hasn’t sued them by now. … (Now that the bypass has received a green light) all I can say is “hallelujah!” What’s your favorite event or activity?

My favorite activity is church. It was the County Fair until they screwed it up some 20 years ago. … When you went to the fair everything (used to be) county oriented, now it’s so commercial. I can walk downtown and look in the store windows and see a fair any time. Any advice for a friend considering a move to this area?

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Be my guest and don’t worry about ruining it; the other transplants have already done that. About 15 years ago a guy in a big, fancy Ford truck with California plates stopped to ask me for some information. He said, “I suppose you’re not too happy to see people like me,” and I told him there are two kinds of Californians. Some want to find themselves a little niche and build a home and enjoy themselves. Others want to come and before their tires even get cold, they want to change everything. … A lot of the problem is the building department, too. We got along fine without a Building Department for a lot of years. Then someone moves in and decides they don’t like the hogs across the road and think they have to change things.

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Can you see yourself living anyplace else?

I love it here and plan on staying. I can’t see myself living anywhere else as long as I can afford to live here.

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Natives and Newcomers

NEWCOMERS Jenny Lopresto A former resident of the San Francisco Bay area, Jenny Lopresto, 51, finally gave in to her family’s urging and moved to Bonner County in October 2006. Sandpoint offers the things she loved growing up – puppies and beef jerky for sale on corner lots, hometown parades, horses, and a strong sense of community, family and support. Although she left California prepared to work for McDonald’s if need be, the power of the Internet allows her to work from home as a commodity specialist for Cisco Systems. What’s your favorite local business?

First, Stage Right Cellars: Comfortable, relaxed atmosphere and very involved with the community. Second, Carter Country. They are so helpful with all your critter needs. … Third, Great Stuff, my favorite store in downtown Sandpoint. What’s the greatest challenge facing Sandpoint?

or blower, invest in one, and a truck – an old beat up truck is all you need – and a big ol’ dog, preferably from the Humane Society, and

• Christmas Trees (free hot chocolate/hotcider) • Complete Line of Landscaping Supplies • Plants • Gift Barn • Bird House • Pottery Shed

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How to convert your motorboat to a sailboat? It takes gas to get here, gas to power your boat, your jet skis. How do we keep the tourists coming in during a downturn in the economy? What’s your favorite local event or activity?

I would have to say the Festival at Sandpoint if I have to pick one. My first experience was years ago – one summer vacation spent here with my mom and sis. The Spokane Symphony played Copland. It was amazing … the fireworks and the osprey. Any advice for a friend considering a move to the area?

9+ Acres of Gardening Fun!

If you do not have a snowplow and/

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Natives and Newcomers Morning Coffee…

enjoy life in amazingly beautiful, laid-back Sandpoint.

comed their first child into the family, a boy.

Do your future plans involve Sandpoint?

What is your favorite local business?

Yes. I planted a vineyard this year with 250 grapevines. Next year I will expand, possibly up to 1,000 vines. Hopefully one day my grapes will be good enough to sell to Pend d’Oreille Winery. My future is here. The rest of my life is here.

Cedar Street Café – the people at the café are always friendly and welcoming. Their food is tasty, especially their homemade gelato, and I enjoy their coffee. Also, Sandpoint Women’s Center and Bonner General. I’ve … found the staff, nurses and doctors to be fabulous and supportive. The nurses at Bonner General are fantastic, warm and extremely friendly.

We’re There. Mandy Evans Perk up with informative articles on Sandpoint and the surrounding area.

Keeping the small-town charm with all of us outsiders moving in. My husband and I don’t want to change Sandpoint. We love it here and truly hope that new people moving in can accept Sandpoint for what it is and appreciate why not having a Starbucks on every corner … keeps the local feel alive.

For home delivery call (208) 263-9534

www.bonnercountydailybee.com

What’s your favorite local event?

1. Ski Schweitzer 2. Buy Condo 3. Smile & Enjoy

Fall Fest … it’s hard to describe the energy of this event. There was a great community feeling up at Schweitzer with people dancing to the bands and enjoying the microbrews. It felt more like a celebration of the upcoming season.

Carol Curtis

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208-290-5947 888-923-8484 www.C21Sandpoint.com

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Sandpoint

Junior Academy www.sjasda.org

Quality Christian Education Preschool, Kindergarten to 10th Grade Accredited by the NAAS Open To All Faiths

208.263.3584

2255 W. Pine Street Sandpoint, ID SANDPOINT MAGAZINE

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What’s the greatest challenge facing Sandpoint?

Mandy Evans, 33, and her husband, Rick, moved to Sandpoint in February 2008 from Santa Barbara, Calif. They were in search of a family-oriented area, year-round outdoor activities and gracious people – all of which they’ve found in Sandpoint. Rick is an associate broker for Tomlinson Sandpoint Sotheby’s, and Mandy runs her nonprofit, Molly Inspires Foundation (www. myspecialdog.com/MollyInspires. aspx). Molly is a paralyzed pug that Mandy takes to visit elementary schools to teach children about acceptance of humans who are different. The couple just wel-

Any advice for a friend considering a move to this area?

I would tell them it’s a great place to live and raise a family and about the people who seem to surprise us each day with their generosity and gracious ways. If you are going to move here, take advantage of everything Sandpoint has to offer … and buy a home. Do your future plans involve Sandpoint?

Definitely. We are in the process of buying a new home in Dover (west of town) and have already started talking about our new baby’s schooling. Once you get to paradise, it’s hard to imagine ever leaving.

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DOVERBAYMARINA OPENFORTHE

2009 BOATING SEASON See ya on the Lake Sandpoint Marina

120 East Lake St.Ste.101,Sandpoint • 208.263.3083

Holiday shores / East Hope Marina 46624 Hwy 200 East, Hope • 208.264.5515

Dover Bay Marina 208.263.3083

WAT E R F R O N T P R O P E R T Y M A N A G E M E N T 2 6 3 - 3 0 8 3 • w w w. s a n d p o i n t wat e r f r o n t. c o m

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Winter Guide

OUTDOORS

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(255-3070); or in downtown Sandpoint, the Alpine Shop at 213 Church (2635157) or Outdoor Experience, 314 N. First Ave. (263-6028). More snow sport information online, at www.SandpointOnline.com/rec; or www.fs.fed.us/ipnf.

DOWNHILL SKIING High in the Selkirk Mountains above Sandpoint, Schweitzer Mountain’s 2,900 acres of terrain beckon skiers and snowboarders to shred 300 inches of powder, the average annual snowfall. The Inland Northwest’s largest ski resort, Schweitzer is a mere 11 miles from downtown. Uncrowded slopes offer 2,400 vertical feet among the 84 named trails, two open bowls, treed glades and two terrain parks. Select slopes are lit for night skiing part of the season. Three high-speed chairs serve the mountain: “Stella,” Idaho’s only six-pack chair; plus one triple chairlift, three double chairs, a T-bar; and a beginner’s Musical Carpet and handle tow. www.schweitzer.com (800-831-8810 or 263-9555). See story, page 72. There are other downhill ski choices within a couple hours drive of Sandpoint. Serviced by a gondola, Silver Mountain Resort is in Kellogg, about 85 miles southeast of Sandpoint. Open daily, Silver features five chairs and one surface lift, the top elevation is 6,300 feet, with 2,200 feet vertical, and 1,600 skiable acres with 73 named trails. Rates for ’08-’09 are $49 adult, $34 ages 7-17. About 98 miles northwest of Sandpoint there’s 49 Degrees North, outside of Chewelah, Wash. Open Friday-Tuesday and holidays, the top elevation is 5,774 feet, with 1,851 vertical and 2,325 skiable acres. Featuring 54 trails, four chairlifts and a surface lift, rates are $48 for adults, $39 for youth ages 7-17. And finally, for an experience off the beaten path there is Turner Mountain, 80 miles northeast of Sandpoint near Libby, Mont. Turner is a small, little-known ski area admired by many skiers for its steep runs. Open Friday-Sunday and holidays; top elevation is 5,952. One surface lift and 20 runs, with 2,110 feet vertical (lift rates not set at press time; last year, day pass $28).

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Backcountry and Snowshoeing. For terrain that’s pristine and ungroomed, there are nearly unlimited options on the public lands surrounding Sandpoint. Right downtown, locals often take their Nordic skis and snowshoes and ski or ’shoe the lake shoreline alongside the proposed Pend d’Oreille Bay Trail; it’s about 2 miles to a turnaround spot called Black Rock (park next to the city water plant just past Seasons at Sandpoint). Other, more serious areas up national forest roads include Roman Nose, accessed outside of Naples, about 22 miles north of Sandpoint; and up Trestle Creek, about 12 miles east off Highway 200. For info on those or other areas, call the Sandpoint Ranger District (263-5111) or the Bonners Ferry Ranger District (267-

5561) for maps and current conditions, including avalanche advisories. For backcountry with guided know-how, take an excursion via snowcat or snowmobile with the Selkirk Powder Company (866-4643246; see story, page 73). For rental gear, try Schweitzer’s Ski & Ride Center

PHOTO BY DOUG MARSHALL

Cross-Country Skiing. For groomed and maintained trails, you can kick and glide or skate on 32 km of scenic groomed trails at Schweitzer (263-9555); Round Lake State Park has 3 miles of various groomed trails for diagonal stride (263-3489); Farragut State Park (6832425) has more than 7 km of groomed trails, 25 miles south of Sandpoint on Lake Pend Oreille. Groomed trails (15 km) are also maintained at Priest Lake Nordic Center (443-2525) and connect to Hannah Flats for more than 40 km of trails. StoneRidge Golf also marks trails for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing (437-4653).

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DRIVING TOURS Sleigh Rides. Western Pleasure Guest Ranch, 16 miles northeast of Sandpoint on Upper Gold Creek Road, offers sleigh rides in a rural setting for groups and couples. www.westernpleasureranch. com (263-9066). Stillwater Ranch also provides sleigh rides in a country setting for groups large and small, south of Sandpoint in Sagle on Dufort Road. www.stillwatershires.com (263-0077).

PHOTO BY Jeremy Hanke

If you watch the weather forecasts to avoid storms and hazardous driving conditions, a winter drive offers the special beauty of snowy landscapes. Most well known is the International Selkirk Loop, a 280-mile drive through the majestic Selkirk Mountains of Idaho, Washington and British Columbia. Budget time to enjoy the small towns along the way. www.selkirk loop.org (888-823-2626). Others: Pend Oreille National Scenic Byway, 33.4 miles of lake and mountain views on Highway 200, meandering east to the Montana state line along the rocky shores of Lake Pend Oreille. To make a 150-mile loop, continue east into Montana then north on Highway 56 through the Bull River Valley to Troy, then back east and south on Highway 2 through Bonners Ferry. Highway 2/41 Pend Oreille River scenic route, west on Highway 2 through historic P riest River and Newport/Oldtown; then south on Highway 41 through the Blanchard Valley. Get a brochure with map at the Sandpoint Visitor Center.

Snowmobiling. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s one of the most popular and fun ways to reach the wondrous wintry backcountry. Snowcat trails around Sandpoint and Priest Lake in the Selkirk Mountains are renowned;

for more information, contact Winter Riders (263-5868) or Priest Lake Trails & Outdoor Recreation Association, (4433309). For guided rides at Schweitzer, contact Selkirk Powder Company. www. selkirkpowderco.com (263-6959 or 888-Go-Idaho). See story, page 73. State Parks. Three state parks are within close range to Sandpoint â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Farragut, Round Lake and Priest Lake. Farragut is located four miles east of Athol, with 4,000 scenic acres alongside the southern tip of Lake Pend Oreille. Camping and groomed cross-country ski trails available (683-2425). Round Lake is located 11 miles south of Sandpoint just west of Highway 95 on West Dufort Road. Round Lake is a small, scenic lake; camping, fishing, sledding and crosscountry skiing are all available (2633489). Priest Lake State Park is located north of Coolin alongside the clear waters of Priest Lake. Camping, cross-country

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47390 Hwy 200 Hope, ID 83836 (208) 264-5828 www.posresort.com

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2 west. Paths also at Lakeview Park through and around the Native Plant Society Arboretum; and overlooking Sand Creek at the Healing Garden next to Bonner General Hospital.

PHOTO BY CHRIS GUIBERT

Walking. For a 2-mile walk on cleared paths with dazzling views, the Pedestrian Long Bridge runs alongside Highway 95 over Lake Pend Oreille. You’ll also find paved, cleared paths at Travers Park on West Pine Street; City Beach downtown; and the Dover Bike Path along Highway

Wildlife Refuge. Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge, 30 miles north of Sandpoint near Bonners Ferry, has more than 2,000 acres and abundant wildlife including elk, deer, moose and bear, plus migrating birds. Hiking trails to waterfall and around pond, auto tour routes. www. fws.gov/kootenai (267-3888). Sandpoint WaterLife Discovery Center. On Lakeshore Drive, the center offers interpretive trails and self-guided

Winter Guide

skiing, ice fishing and snowmobiling available (443-2200). www.idahoparks.org

tours of fish habitat and an educational interpretive area on Pend Oreille River. www.fishandgame.idaho.gov (769-1414). Fishing. Dedicated fishermen don’t let a little cold weather stop them. When the water freezes, there’s great ice fishing at the north end of the Long Bridge in front of Condo del Sol. Main prey is perch, though bass and trout also are caught. Ice fishing is also popular on smaller lakes Cocolalla, Mirror, Gamlin, Shepherd,

Fourth-Generation Guest Ranch Located in Pristine North Idaho

True Western 208 263-9066 Hospitality 1413 Upper Gold Creek Rd. Open Open Year-Round Year-Round Sandpoint, ID 8386

Email: stay@westernpleasureranch.com

www.westernpleasureranch.com w w w. s a n d p o i n t o n l i n e . c o m

Approved Approved with changes Changes; please provide another proof

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To Schweitzer, Fairgrounds, and Bonners Ferry

To Hope

95 Ponderay

2 200

Lake Pend Oreille High School

Hickory Street Park

KE A L ND E E P ILL E OR

Fir

Cedar

Cedar St Bridge

Post Office

First Ave

Fifth Ave

Farmin Park

Panida Theatre

Bridge St

Old Lantern

To Travers Park

Pine

District

City Beach

Court House

95 2 County Offices Bike Path

Bik

Memorial Field

To Priest River and Dover

To Coeur dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Alene

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PEND OREILLE RIVER

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Premium Vacation and Long Term Rentals

PHOTO BY CHRIS GUIBERT

Winter Guide

S hopping

It’s on the tip of your tongue!

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Shopping. Downtown, discover a fine array of eclectic shops and galleries with clothing, art and gifts galore. Highlights include the Cedar Street Bridge Public Market with more than a dozen retailers and food spots in a beautiful log structure spanning Sand Creek. www.cedarstreetbridge.com (255-8270). Just down the street is Coldwater Creek in its flagship store at 311 N. First, with a wine bar upstairs and live music on Fridays and Saturdays. www. thecreek.com (263-2265). Antiques abound at Foster’s Crossing, a mini mall with lots of collectables, on Fifth between Cedar and Oak streets (263-5911); and MarketPlace Antiques & Gifts, Sandpoint’s newest antique market, open daily, at Fifth and Church (263-4444). Out of town, Bonner Mall in Ponderay has many stores large and small, and often hosts events; it’s on Highway 95 two miles north of Sandpoint (263-4272).

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in partnership with

888.896.0007 208.263.6000

www.sandpointgetaways.com SANDPOINT MAGAZINE

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Round, Antelope and Priest. Lake Pend Oreille’s deep waters rarely freeze and even in mid winter charter fishing boats pursue its trophy trout, mackinaw and Gerrard rainbow, which often go over 10 pounds. Try Diamond Charters (2652565), Eagle Charters (264-5274); Pend Oreille Charters (265-6781) or Seagull Charters (266-1861).

ding you want, Schweitzer maintains its Hermit’s Hollow Tubing Center, open Fridays through Sundays (call for rates; 263-9555). And a second fine sledding hill is at Round Lake State Park, with a 1,000-foot run to the lake, and often that bonfire (263-3489).

Ice Skating and Sledding. It takes several days of sustained below-freezing temperatures without too much snow, but when conditions are right, local ice skaters flock to Sandpoint City Beach or Sand Creek below the Cedar Street Bridge; city crews often help by clearing snow from the ice. Another favored skating spot is the Third Avenue pier, where the street terminates at Lake Pend Oreille. Or head out to Round Lake State Park, south of Sandpoint, where there is often a bonfire blazing. Park staff maintain both regular and speed-skating rinks. To get there, drive 10 miles south on Highway 95, then west two miles on Dufort Road (263-3489). If it’s sled-

Art Galleries. Truly an arts town, Sandpoint has numerous galleries in the area, and many artists open their studios as well. Downtown you can easily make a walking tour of galleries; on First Avenue check Art Works, Hallans, Hen’s Tooth and multiple shops on the Cedar Street Bridge. Turn west two blocks to 225 Cedar St. for Timber Stand Gallery. A couple more blocks north is Chris Kraisler Gallery at 517 N. Fourth; swing south to Sixth and Oak for Redtail Gallery. Art lovers may also visit revolving art exhibits in several year-round gallery locations sponsored by the Pend Oreille Arts Council. Locations in Sandpoint include The Old Power House, Taylor-

Indoors

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Winter Guide

Sandpoint’s Complete Family Fitness Center Parker Motor Co. at 300 Cedar St., and Northwest Mortgage at 216 N. First. www.artinsandpoint.org (263-6139). Bonner County Historical Museum. Enjoy many fine displays depicting oldtime Bonner County, including a display featuring Native American artifacts and history from geologic formation to the present day. An extensive collection of Ross Hall photos are on exhibit, as well as a pioneer kitchen with memorabilia from the bygone era. Open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Located at Lakeview Park. www.bonnercounty history.org (263-2344). ®

Movies. The Bonner Mall Cinema is a six-plex theater inside the Bonner Mall on Highway 95, featuring new releases daily (263-7147). The historic Panida Theater downtown at 300 N. First shows foreign and independent films most weekends. Check www.SandpointOnline.com for movie listings. Athletic Clubs. Sandpoint West Athletic Club, 1905 W. Pine St., has a 25-meter indoor pool; courts for racquetball, wallyball and basketball; a big weight room with treadmills, stair, rowing and bike machines, a sauna and spa. Open daily. www.sandpointwest. com (263-6633) Also, Natural Fitness at Superior and Ella has cardiovascular, weight and circuit machines; open weekdays (263-0676).

• Daily and Short-Term Rates Available • Professional Fitness Training • Indoor Lap Pool • Court Sports • Dancing 1905 Pine 263-6633 www.sandpointwest.com

AT SEASONS

Within the private resort of Seasons at Sandpoint, lies an exquisite Spa open to the public. After a day on the slopes, you may just want to take a soothing massage break, enjoy an invigorating facial, or relax in the rejuvenating repose of a steam bath. All available in The Spa at Seasons overlooking Lake Pend Oreille.

Spas. Get pampered at The Spa at Seasons, in downtown Sandpoint, www. seasonsatsandpoint.com (263-5616); Ammara Medicine Wellness & Spa, 30410 Highway 200 in Ponderay (2631345); or Solstice Center for the

The Spa at Seasons. A Sanctuary for the Soul.

Call 888.263.5616 or visit SpaAtSeasons.com 424 Sandpoint Avenue, Third Floor of The Retreat

WINTER 2009 TIM652-ad_rev.indd 1 Process CyanProcess MagentaProcess YellowProcess Black

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• Coffee and Sea Kelp Scrub • Bamboo and Ginseng Polish • Aloe Linen Wrap • Hydramax Facial • Refining Fruit Acid Facial • Environmental Control Facial • Body Bronzing • Spa Manicures and Pedicures • Time Together Packages • Little Princess Packages

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PHOTO BY WOODS WHEATCROFT

Sometimes you need to take a mini-vacation from your vacation.

A Few of our Specialty Spa Treatments

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Coit House

Healing Arts at Schweitzer Mountain. www.solsticewellbeing.com (263-2862).

Bed&Breakfast

â&#x20AC;˘ Luxury Rooms â&#x20AC;˘ Quiet Downtown Sandpoint â&#x20AC;˘ Full Gourmet Breakfast â&#x20AC;˘ Intimate Meeting Spaces â&#x20AC;˘ Massage Therapist on-site www.coithouse.com

Brewery Tours. Take a tour and taste handcrafted ales at Laughing Dog Brewing in Ponderay, open daily. www. laughingdogbrewing.com (263-9222). Downtown, see brewing in action at Sandpointâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s own brewpub, MickDuffâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s at 312 N. First. www.mickduffs.com (2554351). Eichardtâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pub, 212 Cedar St., doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t brew but has many regional ales.

I NN DOWNTOWN

Winery & Wine Bars. The Pend dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Oreille Winery, Idahoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Winery of the Year in 2003, features tours of the winery plus its award-winning wines, wine tasting, and a gift shop open daily, 220 Cedar St. in downtown Sandpoint. www. powine.com (265-8545). Three more wine bars worth tasting, all within easy walk downtown, are Stage Right Cellars, adjacent to the Panida Theater at 302 N. First Ave.; the Coldwater Creek Wine

SANDPOINT

â&#x20AC;˘ 1, 2 & 3 Room Suites â&#x20AC;˘ Full Kitchens â&#x20AC;˘ Dish Networks TV w/ HBO â&#x20AC;˘ Morning Coffee, Doughnuts & Local Newspaper www.k2inn.com

501 & 502 N. Fourth Ave Sandpoint, ID 208.263.3441/866.265.2648 Fax: 208.248.0080

PHOTO BY CHRIS GUIBERT

Winter Guide

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Bar, upstairs at 311 N. First Ave.; and Enoteca La Stanza, inside Ivanoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Caffe, 102 S. First Ave. (263-0211). Live music is likely Fridays and Saturdays at any of the wine bars.

The ďŹ nest lodging in Sandpoint

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www.SandpointHotels.com

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The Edgewater Resort 56 Bridge St. Sandpoint, Id 800-635-2534 208.263.3194

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Quality Inn 807 N 5th Ave. Sandpoint, Id 208.263.2111

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Meeting Rooms

Kitchen

Bar or Lounge

Restaurant

Pool on site

Spa or Sauna

No. of Units

Comments x

Beautiful 3-bedroom, 2-bath waterfront condos on Lake Pend Oreille in Hope. Discount ski and golf tickets available. See ad, page 58. 10kVacationRentals.com/Sandpoint/index.htm

Waterfront bungalows at beautiful Dover Bay. Fully furnished with lake and mountain views. Fitness center, marina and hiking/biking trails. doverbaybungalows.com

Archer Vacation Condos (877) 982-2954 / drarchers@msn.com

Beach Bungalows at the Marina Village (208) 263-3083

Best Western Edgewater Resort (208) 263-3194 or (800) 635-2534

Church Street House B&B (208) 255-7094

Beautifully restored arts & crafts classic, period furnishings, queen-sized beds, private baths, scrumptious breakfasts. Walk to shops, restaurants, beach. churchstreethouse.com.

Coit House B&B (208) 265-4035 or (866) 265-COIT

Beautiful 1907 Victorian. Private baths! Gourmet breakfast. Wireless. Massage available. New light thru old windows. New management. See ad, page 142. coithouse.com

K-2 Inn at Sandpoint (208) 263-3441

La Quinta Inn (208) 263-9581 or (800) 282-0660

Monarch Mountain Lodge (208) 263-1222 or (800) 543-8193

Motel 6 (208) 263-5383, (800) 4-MOTEL6

Downtown Sandpoint on the Lake. Indoor pool, sauna, fitness room, hot tub. All rooms with lake view. Beach House Bar & Grill. 22-site RV park. See ad, page 142. sandpointhotels.com.

Quiet downtown location close to lake, restaurants and shopping. Clean rooms. New linens and towels. Wireless Internet. Friendly atmosphere. See ad, page 142. k2inn.com

Downtown location, high-speed Internet. Free breakfast, themed spa suites. Silverwood, ski & golf pkgs. Kids stay free. See ad, page 141. hotels-west.com

At-home atmosphere, wireless Internet, cable TV, gift shop. Free Continental breakfast with homemade sourdough waffles.

Free wireless Internet, free cable w/ HBO and ESPN, free 24-hour coffee in lobby, Jacuzzi suites, and hot tubs. Inner corridor rooms w/ all queen beds, next to Schweitzer. motel6.com

Pend Oreille Shores Resort (208) 264-5828

Fully furnished condos and on-site athletic club on Lake Pend Oreille. Stay and play packages. See ad, page 136. posresort.com

Sandpoint Quality Inn (208) 263-2111 or (866) 519-7683

Indoor pool and hot tub. Close to downtown Sandpoint. 5th Avenue Restaurant and Mitzy’s Lounge on property. Kids stay and eat free. See ad, page 142. sandpointhotels.com

Sandpoint Vacation Rentals (208) 263-7570 or (866) 263-7570

High-end properties that are the perfect lodging choice. Let our staff help plan a memorable getaway. Boat rentals, tee times. See ad, page 18. sandpointvacations.com

Selkirk Lodge (208) 265-0257 or (800) 831-8810

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Mountain accommodations, stay and play packages. Spectacular mountain and lake views. Outdoor heated pool and hot tubs. See ad, page 163. schweitzer.com

Sleep’s Cabins (208) 255-2122 or (866) 302-2122

Super 8 Motel (208) 263-2210

Vacationville (208) 255-7074 or (877) 255-7074

Waterhouse B&B (888) 329-1767

Western Pleasure Guest Ranch (208) 263-9066

White Pine Lodge (208) 265-0257 or (800) 831-8810

On beautiful Lakeshore Drive. Sleep’s Cabins consists of six log bungalows decorated with original furnishings and collectibles. See ad, page 46. sleepscabins.com

Luxury lakeside homes, cozy mountain cabins and lovely condominiums at the heart of Sandpoint. See ad, page 137. vacationville.com

Deluxe spa suites with private hot tub on deck, jetted tub for two in bath. Gas fireplace, AC, kitchenette, free wireless Internet. sandpoint.org/ waterhouse

Private cabins sleep 2-8. Lodge rooms with private baths, rec room, horseback riding and meals available. See ad, page 137. westernpleasureranch.com

New accommodations, stay and play packages. Spectacular mountain and lake views. Outdoor hot tubs, access to heated pool. See ad, page 163. schweitzer.com

WINTER 2009

SANDPOINT MAGAZINE

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Free breakfast with waffles. 24-hour hot tub, free wireless Internet. Family suites. Schweitzer ski packages. At the base of Schweitzer Mountain, 2 miles from lake. x

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& Drinks Eats

EATS & DRINKS Basic fare Local restaurants make meat and potatoes a fundamental feast By Carrie Scozzaro

PHOTO BY Chris Guibert

here’s no doubt meat and potatoes have the humblest of origins. Indeed, telling someone they are meat-and-potatoes calls attention to their plainness. Another perspective, however, is how fundamental these staple foods are to many cultures, particularly in American cuisine, which has embraced this unassuming duo with open oven doors, barbecue grills and more. You can’t get much more fundamental than burgers and fries. In town, try the hand-formed burgers at A & P’s Bar & Grill (222 N. First, 263-2313) or, on the road, drive into the brandnew Zip’s Drive-in (1301 Highway 2, 255-7600), where potatoes get crispy and hamburger patties sizzle on the grill.

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MickDuff’s Brewing Company (312 N. First, 255-4351) does burgers, too, with a Celtic knot twist to accompany their home-brew: one-half pound Kobe beef (Japanese-style moo-cows that gets massaged daily and showered with sake to put the “t” in tenderloin) or one-third pound ground chuck, 100 percent organic and local. Add an order of fresh cut fries (perhaps a smothering of gooey Gorgonzola) and you’ve got a fundamental meal. Over at Slates Prime Time Grill and Sports Bar (477326 Highway 95 N., 263-1381), potatoes warm the bench while steak takes the field with rib eye, top sirloin, prime rib (on weekends) and the popular kabobs. Burgers are a big hit too, especially for game night.

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Savory steaks in an upscale locale are the specialty at The Landing (41 Lakeshore Dr. in Sagle, 265-2000). Mashed or baked potato hobnobs with filet mignon and other cuts, including herb-crusted prime rib seasoned with mesquite. Spuds Rotisserie and Grill (102 N. First, 265-4311) gives equal billing to meat and potatoes. A side of red potatoes or the standard mashed with gravy accompanies grilled steaks and rotisserie-roasted tri-tip. But – true to its name – Spuds puts potatoes first with offerings like the American (butter, sour cream, bacon and green onions) and the Garden Potato, for those readers who favor leaf and beans over lean beef.

At Spuds Rotisserie and Grill, perfectly grilled steak shares the spotlight with signature potatoes.

Potatoes don’t have to be hot to be good. At the new Jimmy’s BarB-Q (418 N. Third, 265-5227), cold potato salad is the perfect foil for hot, spicy beef brisket smoked over hickory and apple chips. Get ready to lick your fingers over dry-rub and slow-smoked ribs, the pulled pork or the half-apound of hot links boiled in beer, seasoned and smoked – a meat-eater’s dream come true. Hot or cold, grilled or griddled, meat and potatoes make for a comfort food family that’s fundamentally satisfying.

WINTER 2009

10/13/08 4:50:55 PM

PHOTO BY MARIE-DOMINIQUE VERDIER

& Drinks

Pine Street Bakery tickles taste buds all around town

Eats

Sharing the love, bakery style

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accents, shelves stocked full with treats to tempt the eye and the tummy. The bread wall, for example, features country loaves and artisan breads of all sizes and textures. Oversized cookies wait in a basket, their pink-icing faces smiling at you from their eye-level perch. “We are proud to make everything on-site,” said owners Dierdre Hill and Liz Evans, who say that “making pastries and cakes by hand is becoming a lost craft.” Favoring butter over hydrogenated oil, they use all fresh ingredients in recipes, many of their own invention. Combined, the bakers have more than 40 years of experience. Hill apprenticed for four years in Australia under both French and Swiss chefs. Hill, whose special interest is in yeasted products, said she is fond of the perfect plain croissant au levain (which uses the bakery’s own organic whole wheat starter). Evans earned a degree in baking from Cabrillo College in Santa Cruz, Calif., WINTER 2009

Dierdre Hill, left, of Pine Street Bakery specializes in yeasted products, such as the croissant, while Liz Evans particularly enjoys working with cakes.

and, while there, worked in catering and for several French bakeries. She particularly enjoys working with cakes, including decorating, as well as anything chocolate (have you had their chocolate croissants?!). Early-to-rise hours of the bakery business keep them both busy, with off-hours full of family time and other activities. An avid gardener, Evans also enjoys skiing at Schweitzer, participating in various civic events and helping with her daughter’s fashion career. Hill – whom you may recognize as the talented double bass player from popular local band Carl Rey and the Blues Gators – enjoys skiing, as well as hiking and biking with her family. And that’s your neighborhood bakery. –C.S. SANDPOINT MAGAZINE

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Even if you’ve never been to Pine Street Bakery, your tastebuds would remember the scrumptious cupcakes, cookies and other desserts this hometown bakery has been providing Sandpoint businesses for years. Places like Coldwater Creek Wine Bar, Monarch Mountain Coffee and the Cedar St. Bridge Café all serve pastries and other goodies courtesy of Pine Street Bakery. The café on the bridge, for example, features Pine Street Bakery’s signature flaky croissants, a perfect accompaniment to a steaming hot café au lait. To truly experience the goodness that is Pine Street Bakery, however, you need to go there. Located in a charmingly weathered, converted house at 710 Pine, Pine Street Bakery is a welcoming place inside and out. Overgrown bushes frame the entrance and front porch for outdoor seating in warmer weather. Inside it’s a buttery yellow with lavender

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Breakfast spots set tone for the day

Sandpoint’s Premiere Fusion Sushi & Saketini Bar

116 N. First Street 208.263.1406

Take out or Eat in!

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Chef Junior Solis ”All About Sushi”

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With lake views at every turn, an early morning drive up Highway 200 makes you glad you woke up on the right side of the dirt. Celebrate by arriving at Hope Market Café (620 Wellington Place in Hope, 264-0506) in time for a breakfast of omelets made with eggs from Cascade Creek Farm of Bonners Ferry, fresh-baked cinnamon rolls and a steaming cup of Caffe Umbria coffee. When taking to the road seems too daunting, there’s breakfast in town. Di Luna’s (207 Cedar, 263-0846) does all your favorites – omelets, egg sandwiches, smoked salmon platters – as well as their special veggie hash. Many happy mornings can be spent sharing eggs benedict, huevos rancheros or a fluffy stack of pancakes in Blue Moon Cafe (124 S. Second, 265-9553), a converted cottage with hometown appeal. The “howler” will make your energy-starved system stand on end with sausage, bacon, onion, scrambled eggs, salsa fresca and cheddar cheese. If lighter fare is more to your liking, stop by Cedar Street Bridge Café (Cedar Street Bridge, 334 N. First, 265-4396) for a European-inspired breakfast of fresh croissants and coffee, tea or espresso drinks. FC Weskil’s (300 N. First, 263-6957) has hot beverages and fresh baked goods like the popular savory croissants and – in the winter – soups, sandwiches and quiches to warm you

Premier Sushi • Infused Sake Fresh Hawaiian Seafood ( Delivered Daily )

SANDPOINT MAGAZINE

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PHOTO BY CARRIE SCOZZARO

Eats

& Drinks

Fine first foods

for that brisk walk to the lake and back. At Monarch Mountain Coffee (208 N. Fourth, 265-9382), they roast their own. Have a cup on-site, relaxing over the morning paper or chatting with friends while eating a treat baked fresh from Pine Street Bakery or Monarch’s own breakfast burrito. Or snag a bag to go, including the subtle Breakfast Blend or any number of fair trade and organic products. Just another glorious day in the Inland Northwest. –C.S.

Come on over Restaurants offer ‘room service’ Baby, it’s cold outside. That’s you, from about November through March (maybe even later). How to balance a drop in temperature and a raise in your locked-in-for-the-winter “cabin fever?” Order out. How about a winter picnic … indoors! Mr. Sub (602 N. Fifth, 263-3491) can hook you up with hot or cold subs. Order the Hawaiian, answer the doorbell, then whip out your ukulele and envision yourself basking on the Big Island. If you’re thinking about hot, fresh and full of comfort, you’re thinking pizza. Call over to Second Avenue Pizza (215 S. Second, 263-9321) and order a pie

WINTER 2009

10/13/08 4:51:02 PM

Eats

Turning to tapas

Small meals make sociable dining

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Moving over to Ivano’s Ristoranté (First and Pine, 263-0211), look for the “antipasti” menu. Food like the earthy and fragrant portobello al forno is so rich with cambozola cheese, you’ll want to split that with a friend (convince them to order polenta tostada – asparagus with prosciutto and Gorgonzola cheeses, red onion and peppercorn sauce). While not every restaurant has a tapas or small plates menu, that shouldn’t prevent you from epicurean experimentation. Most places will bring you an extra plate at no charge, knowing that the more you try – and enjoy – the more likely you’ll return for another dining adventure. –C.S.

FINE WINES & ALES • SPECIALTY FOODS

EPICUREAN CAFE • ARTISAN CHEESES

HOPE MARKET CAFE 264-0506 Old Hwy. 200 • Hope

(next to the Hope Post Ofﬁce)

WINTER 2009

Experience Modern American Cuisine by

Chef Jeremy Heidel - Fresh - Local - Innovative 116 North 1st Ave. Sandpoint

208-255-7558

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Antipasti makes for tasty tapas at Ivano’s. (MarieDominique Verdier photo)

PASTRIES • ESPRESSO BAR • SPIRTS

– like the ridiculously loaded “juke box” special or the ski flake – spinach, feta and Asiago cheese, tomatoes, garlic, mushrooms and black olives. Forget “take and bake” pizza; this is deliver and devour pizza. Something a little lighter sound good? Or are you hankering for some greenery amidst the winter blahs? Di Luna’s (207 Cedar, 263-0846) has the sweetest deal called “Fresh to Your Freezer,” which offers gourmet fresh meals packaged to be frozen, say pork loin in Gorgonzola date sauce with wild rice pilaf and sweet potato pie, for pickup or delivery. The cafe also offers delivery from its regular menu, including breakfast, lunch and dinner, Wednesday through Saturday. You may never have to cook again. – C.S.

& Drinks

Technically, tapas are Spanish snacks, small dishes of such things as olives, almonds and other Mediterraneaninspired morsels. Traditionally served gratis to Spanish café-goers, the term tapas has since come to mean reasonably priced small plates meant to be shared. Thus, tapas may reflect more of a social approach to eating than the dishes themselves, a trend that has long been part of the Asian tradition. Sushi, for example, is a highly sharable meal and Oishii Sushi (116 N. First, 2631406) features sushi, rolls and starters like gyoza potstickers and the Hawaiian style poke or cubed and seasoned tuna. (FYI: when sharing, serve yourself with the reverse end of your chopsticks.) Remember that sushi is also available next door to Oishii at Café Trinity (2557558). At nearby Bangkok Cuisine (202 N. Second, 265-4149), many dishes are designed to be shared. Although you can order individual combo plates, especially for lunch, it’s a treat to try a little of everyone else’s pad thai, lamb curry or the cashew chicken.

www.cafetrinitysandpoint.com SANDPOINT MAGAZINE

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News and events foodies need to know

Fine Italian dining serving Sandpoint for over 23 years Lunch served Mon-Fri 10:30-2:30 Dinner served 7 nights a week starting at 4:30 Enjoy outdoor dining on Ivano’s patio

Corner of First and Pine 208-263-0211

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www.IvanosSandpoint.com

Jimmy Hansen wants y’all to come on over to his place for some Kansas City-style barbecue. Jimmy’s Bar-B-Q (418 N. Third) opened this past summer behind Eichardt’s and Pend d’Oreille Winery with a whole herd of smoked meats like the melt-in-your-mouth brisket, the beer can chicken and the “soon to be famous” baby back ribs. Deliveries available downtown; 265-5227. You’re going to love Valentine’s Day at Stage Right Cellars (301 N. First). A lineup of hot bachelors goes on the auction block for the cellar’s annual charity event.

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PHOTO BY CARRIE SCOZZARO

Eats

& Drinks

The Local Dish

New BBQ hot spot, Jimmy’s is located just off Cedar Street behind Pend d’Oreille Winery.

This year, Lost Marbles will be playing live music so you can get your groove on with your newly purchased pal. Be sure to check out the happenings all year-round at Stage Right, including live music, wine tastings and art shows (www.stagerightcellars.com). Get a little taste of Sandpoint coffee in Clark Fork at Lucy’s Deli & Dogs (Main and Highway 200), still serving bona fide Chicago-style dogs, as well as Monarch Mountain Coffee, which, back in Sandpoint, is expanding at its popular 208 N. Fourth location. Bring

Best Burgers In Town SANDPOINT MAGAZINE

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WINTER 2009

10/13/08 4:51:11 PM

Eats

Cyber dining guide

Serving Breakfast & Lunch Everyday

Eat in or take out

(208) 265.9953

124 S. Second Ave.

208-265-4149 • 202 N. 2nd Ave.

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WINTER 2009

• Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner 7 days a week • Prime Rib Special Friday & Saturday • Happy Hour 4-7pm daily

Two Blocks North of Wal-Mart on Hwy 95

Slates

H wy 95

• Peanut sauces • Curry • Stir frys and soups • Wine and beer • Vegetarian choices • Now Catering

• Ser ving the best hometown meals

Kootenai Cutoff

Slates is the Place

263-1381 477326 Hwy 95 N Ponderay, ID

SANDPOINT MAGAZINE

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Sandpoint’s Best Thai Food

The Area’s Only Sports Bar

PRIME TIME

A change in season usually means a change in ingredients for many of the fine dining locations in Sandpoint, such as Café Trinity, which has several new offerings, including the availability of sushi from Oishii Sushi (116 N. First) next door. Down the road at Sand Creek Grill (105 S. First) the menu continues to “grow” through the restaurant’s partnership with Greentree Naturals and other regional farms, providing organic sustainable produce, seafood, wild game and premium steaks. As the clock winds down and the winter shadows lengthen, many restaurants around town shorten their hours. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays through the winter, for example, is Café Bodega (Fifth and Cedar) – that fabulous little eatery with Dave and Kate’s homemade soups and sandwiches and their special hot chocolate, located inside Foster’s Crossing. SandpointOnline.com’s restaurant directory, direct link www. SandpointDiningGuide.com, provides easy-to-access phone numbers and Web sites for all local restaurants around town. –C.S.

SLATES

your laptop, as Wi-Fi is now available. You’ll go there for the pizza … and end up discovering a whole truckload of other goodies you can’t resist at The Loading Dock (Bridge Street and First Avenue). Check out their convenient mini-mart, cases full of gourmet salads, meats and cheeses, desserts and that irresistible smell of wood-fired pizza. Pend Oreille Pasta and Wine (476534 Highway 95) has a new Web site, making it even easier to order meals to go – fresh pasta, ravioli, even lasagna – as well as soups, salads, sauces and wine. Everything you need for an intimate dinner or an all-out party (except the party favors). Go to www. pendoreillepasta.com and then go to Pend Oreille Pasta and Wine. Now is the time to check out Slates Prime Time Grill and Sports Bar (477326 Highway 95 N.) in its new location in Ponderay. The specially built fish tanks are stocked (not for eating, just for looking at the fish!), the pool tables are racked and ready, and the kitchen is ready with appetizers like beef kebabs or slow-roast prime rib on weekends. And the crew is primed for parties, such as Monday Night Football and other sports galas.

& Drinks

Know before you go. You can find the right food to hit the spot online in SandpointOnline.com’s database-driven restaurant and nightclubs guide at www. SandpointDiningGuide.com. There you’ll find every local establishment – more than 100 restaurants, nightclubs and taverns. The guide is searchable by a tasty menu of criteria: type of cuisine, typical cost and amenities such as live music, kids menu, meeting room, waterfront dining, etc. Give it a click.

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& Drinks Eats

A & P’s Bar & Grill

Bangkok Cuisine Thai

Blue Moon Café

Café Bodega

Café Trinity

Cedar St. Bridge Café

DINING GUIDE A & P’s Bar & Grill 222 N. First Ave. A traditional tavern located downtown on Sand Creek. Serving “the best burgers in town” and pub fare. Enjoy “Taco Tuesday” every week. Pool and dart leagues run every week throughout the year. Enjoy the friendly atmosphere, food and drink. Located on First Avenue in downtown Sandpoint. 263-2313.

Bangkok Cuisine Thai Restaurant 202 N. Second Ave., across from US Bank. Come enjoy authentic Thai food in a welcoming atmosphere. All of Bangkok’s dishes are cooked to order using the freshest ingredients with no added MSG. They also have a wide variety of vegetarian dishes. A fine selection of wine and beer as well as Thai tea and coffee is offered. All of Bangkok’s traditional desserts are made in the kitchen. Takeout orders are also available. Open for lunch Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and dinner Monday through Saturday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Closed on Sundays. 265-4149.

Blue Moon Café

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124 S. Second Ave. The Blue Moon Café offers a great summer and winter dining atmosphere: a deck, large windows and cozy comfortable seating. Our menus and specials combine the best of your favorites and also something new and different, including many vegetarian choices. All the ingredients and cooking methods present guests with the freshest of meals. Homemade soups are Blue Moon’s specialty and show off

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� Di L �

Luna ’s

CAFE

�

Home of the� Dinner Concert

Great Breakfast & Lunch 207 Cedar Street

208.263.0846 SANDPOINT MAGAZINE

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their multicultural backgrounds and interests. They welcome you and your family for gettogethers and meetings. Open seven days a week for breakfast and lunch. Also available for evening parties upon request. 265-9953.

Café Bodega On Fifth Avenue between Cedar and Oak at Foster’s Crossing Antique and Gift Market. Revitalize yourself at Café Bodega, Sandpoint’s Bohemian eatery (with wireless Internet access) featuring an assortment of international sandwiches, homemade soups, all-organic espresso bar, whole leaf tea and Italian artisan gelato. Open Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Café available for catered evening events. 263-5911.

Café Trinity 116 N. First Ave., next to Starbucks in the Old Lantern District. Enjoy the flavors of Café Trinity’s modern American cuisine. They also feature fresh seafood and Tim’s Special Cut Meats. Whether you are having dinner on the wonderful deck overlooking Sand Creek or sitting at our dining bar and exhibition kitchen, you will enjoy a taste of the South in beautiful northern Idaho. Serving lunch and dinner. Beer and wine available. 255-7558.

Cedar St. Bridge Café On the Cedar Street Bridge. Where family and friends gather. A European-style café located in the heart of downtown Sandpoint inside the renowned Cedar Street Bridge. Experience

exceptional coffee and tea drinks, premium crafted gelato, delectable cakes and pastries, fine chocolates, and tasty panini sandwiches all in a unique and warm setting. 265-4396.

Di Luna’s 207 Cedar St. Di Luna’s is an American bistro café offering hand-cut steaks, homemade soups and vegetarian cuisine. Everyone in your family will find their favorites here. Open for breakfast and lunch, Wednesday-Sunday, serving breakfast all day. They specialize in theme catering menus that can make any occasion large or small a success. Their catering staff will work with customers to take the hassle out of special events, so guests can enjoy the experience along with your guests. At Di Luna’s they love good music, so twice a month they host dinner concerts and bring in the best acoustic musicians from around the country. www.dilunas. com. 263-0846.

Eichardt’s 212 Cedar St. Don’t miss this comfortable pub and grill. Located downtown in a charming, historic building. This relaxing pub mixes casual dining with seriously good food. With more than a dozen beers on tap, good wines including oak cask local red wines, and regional touring live music, there’s something for everyone. Upstairs you’ll find a game room with a pool table, darts and shuffleboard. Eichardt’s offers smokeless dining seven days a week. Find out for yourself why Eichardt’s is continually picked as the locals’ favorite hangout. Open daily at 11:30 a.m. 263-4005.

.EXT TO THE (ISTORIC 0ANIDA 4HEATRE 300 N. 1st Ave. s 208-263-6957

~ Eichardt’s Serves up the Best of Northwest Microbrews, Food and Local Live Music ~ Full Lunch and Dinner Menu 16 Micros on Tap • Oak Cask Red Wines Upstairs Game Room Open Daily From 11:30 am

212 Cedar St. • Sandpoint • 263-4005

WINTER 2009

tESPRESSO tOVENFRESH PASTRIES tSALADS tSANDWICHES tBOXLUNCHES

tMILKSHAKES tNON-DAIRYSHAKES tSMOOTHIES tITALIAN SODAS tTICKETOUTLET tLIGHTCATERING

%XCEPTIONALLY 'OOD #OFFEE AND 4AKE /UT #AFE 10/13/08 4:51:15 PM

Eats

Eichardtâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

Enoteca La Stanza

Restaurant index by type of cuisine Locate alphabetically in listings Bakery, coffee & desserts

Eclectic & fine dining

Monarch Mountain Coffee Pine Street Bakery Bistro-style cafes & delis

Spuds Rotisserie & Grill The Landing

FC Weskilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

Join Enoteca La Stanza for a relaxing evening Wednesday through Saturday starting at 4 p.m., or visit Ivanoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dining room for a full dining experience. 263-0211.

FC Weskilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

Pub-style

300 N. First Ave. Named after FC Weskil, the man whose vision became the Panida Theater, and located adjacent to the theater lobby in the heart of downtown Sandpoint is Sandpointâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s newest coffee Regional/ethnic bistro. The aroma from specialties their oven entices you Wine Bars Bangkok Cuisine with fresh baked goods to Enoteca La Stanza Ivanoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s RistorantĂŠ complement your morning coffee. For lunch or a Stage Right Cellars JalapeĂąos light dinner, enjoy a daily Jimmyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s BBQ variety of soups, salads Eclectic & fine dining Oishii Sushi and sandwiches. There are CafĂŠ Trinity MaMaSanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ready-to-go selections if Di Lunaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s CafĂŠ time is tight or the beautiAmerasian Grill Sand Creek Grill ful outdoors is calling your Second Avenue Pizza name. Light catering and box lunches also available. Enoteca La Stanza at Ivanoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Ticket location for the Panida and local events. Ristorante 263-6957. 102 S. First Ave. Enoteca (full bar) La Stanza Hope Market CafĂŠ (the room). Sandpointâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s only specialty martini and wine bar, located in Ivanoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Ristorante, 620 Wellington Place, Hope. Simply put, the serving exotic martinis such as the Fallen Hope Market CafĂŠ is all about flavor. Artisan Angel, Mayan Temple, Flirtini and the Pear cheeses, fine wines, ales, a gourmet market Sage Margarita. Classic wines and a bar menu and a cafĂŠ with exceptionally prepared dishes with all entrees under $9 are also served. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; all located in an old mercantile in beautiful Specialty pizzas, salads, paninis and traditional Hope. A true destination along a truly scenic pasta selections served in a comfortable, soft, byway. The cafĂŠ offers gourmet sandwiches, warm atmosphere all with Ivanoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s integrity. pizzas, salads and desserts throughout the

Blue Moon CafĂŠ CafĂŠ Bodega Cedar St. Bridge CafĂŠ FC Weskilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hope Market CafĂŠ Mr. Sub Zipâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Drive-in

A & Pâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bar & Grill Eichardtâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pub & Grill MickDuffâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Brewing Co. Slates Prime Time Grill & Sports Bar

-PDBM 4V

SUBS - SALADS - DELIVERY AVAIL. 10-6 WEEKDAYS â&#x20AC;˘ 11-5 SATURDAYS DELIVERY WEEKDAYS UNTIL 2:30 PM

Jalapenoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mexican Restaurant

314 N. Second Avenue Sandpoint, Idaho 83864 Phone: 208-263-2995 www.jalepenos-resteraunt.com

CREDIT & DEBIT CARDS ACCEPTED

/035) 5)

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Ivanoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s RistorantĂŠ

day. With an ever-changing evening menu, dinners are fresh and market driven. Their own gardens highlight the summer menu with fresh produce, herbs and fruits. Be it dinner, lunch or dessert, everything is complemented by northern Idahoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most impressive wines and microbrews. Limited spirits are also available. Come enjoy an artisan cheese plate with a glass of wine as you watch a spectacular sunset over the lake. Call for details about music, acoustic jam night and daily specials. On the old Highway 200 Business Loop in Historic Hope. Outdoor seating. 264-0506.

Ivanoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s RistorantĂŠ & CaffĂŠ First and Pine. Serving the community for more than 23 years, Ivanoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Italian dining accompanied by classic wines and gracious atmosphere add to the enjoyment of one of Sandpointâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s favorite restaurants. Pasta, fresh seafood, buffalo and beef, veal, chicken and vegetarian entrees round out the fare. Dinner served seven nights a week starting at 4:30. Lunch served Monday-Friday at 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. An excellent bakery featuring organic coffee, fresh pastries and a deli-style lunch offering, Monday-Friday. After lunch we transform the deli into Sandpointâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s finest â&#x20AC;&#x153;Martini/Wine Barâ&#x20AC;? Wednesday-Saturday beginning at 4 p.m., Enoteca La Stanza. (Also see the Enoteca listing.) Off-site catering available for weddings, family get-togethers and just plain large gatherings. www.ivanossandpoint.com. 263-0211.

JalapeĂąoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mexican Restaurant 314 N. Second Ave. Craving great authentic Mexican Food in a fun and friendly environment? Join the crew at JalapeĂąoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mexican Restaurant for traditional and unusual south-of-the-border specialties. JalapeĂąoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s offers a huge selection of Mexican food specialties, plus even a few gringo dishes! This popular dining establishment also

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Tastes as good as it looks!â&#x20AC;? Deirdre Hill Liz Evans

710 Pine Street â&#x20AC;˘ Sandpoint

208.263.9012 SANDPOINT MAGAZINE

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Hope Market CafĂŠ

& Drinks

Di Lunaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

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Jimmy’s Bar-B-Q

boasts a full cantina bar with traditional frosty margaritas that complement any dish. Have a crowd to feed? The banquet room seats up to 35 of your closest friends. And when the weather’s warm, Jalapeño’s invites guests to dine on the outside deck. Conveniently located in the historic Elk’s building in the heart of downtown Sandpoint. 263-2995.

MaMaSan’s

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DINE-IN

Mr. Sub

312 N. First Ave. Come and enjoy MickDuff’s fine handcrafted ales in a family dining atmosphere. They offer a variety of top-of-the-line beers ranging from fruity blondes to a seasonal porter. MickDuff’s also brews a unique-style root beer for those young in age or at heart. The menu is packed full of flavor with traditional and updated pub fare. You will find toasted sandwiches, hearty soups, gourmet hamburgers and much more at this cozy brewpub located in downtown Sandpoint. www.mickduffs.com. 255-4351.

Monarch Mountain Coffee 208 N. Fourth Ave. Monarch Mountain Coffee has been roasting coffee in Sandpoint since 1993. This friendly coffeehouse and outdoor café is the hub for relaxing, meeting with friends, people watching or getting the latest scoop on happenings in town. Featuring a variety of drinks sure to satisfy your thirst. Fresh roasted coffee, espresso drinks and teas are complemented by an assortment of smoothies, chai and yerba mate. Also serving breakfast burritos, locally crafted baked goods, bagels and desserts. All coffee is roasted on-site in small batches and is available for purchase in our coffeehouse or by mail order. Take a taste of northern Idaho home with you! Monarch Mountain Coffee is open daily. Located next to the post office. Loitering strongly encouraged. www.monarchmountaincoffee.com. 265-9382 or (800) 599-6702.

MaMaSan’s Amerasian Grill On the Cedar Street Bridge. This eatery boasts some of Sandpoint’s finest Asian and American fare. Nadja Lane’s authentic Thai peanut sauce has been passed down through many generations of her family and cannot be matched for its quality and unique taste. Enjoy it either on your Asian or American dish. Treat yourself to MaMaSan’s phad phai, Panang curry, or one of their signature sushi dishes. MaMaSan’s also offers many American dishes to suit the whole family. Eat in, take out or have your meal delivered. Want to take home some of Nadja’s secrets? You can purchase many items from her market. 263-0103.

Monarch Mountain Coffee

MickDuff’s Brewing Company

Jimmy’s Bar-B-Q 418 N. Third, Suite C. New to Sandpoint, Jimmy’s features a large BBQ menu – from ribs to chicken! Enjoy 25-cent wings during every NFL Football game. These tasty smoked wings are flash fried and tumbled in your choice of hot and spicy BBQ, original BBQ, and classic hot wing sauce. Right in downtown Sandpoint, Jimmy’s Bar-B-Q is found behind Eichardt’s Pub and Grill and Bank of America in the old City Forum building. Look for the entrance facing Bonner General Hospital’s emergency room. Look up www.jimmysbbq.com. 265-JBBQ (5227).

MickDuff’s Brewing Co.

PHOTO BY SEAN HAYNES

& Drinks Eats

Jalapeño’s

Mr. Sub 602 N. Fifth Ave. Mr. Sub – where there is always a daily special. Mr. Sub is a familyowned-and-operated business providing a tradi-

tion of great service and quality foods for more than 20 years. Their delicious subs are made with fresh ingredients, the bread is baked at a local bakery, and the salami is specially made by Wood’s Meats. Come in to enjoy local favorites like the turkey bacon sub, potato salad or great garden fresh salads. Having a party? With 24-hour notice, the 3-foot and 6-foot party subs are sure to please. They also deliver fresh subs until 2:30 p.m. on weekdays in the Sandpoint area. Stop into Mr. Sub for great service and excellent food! Credit and debit cards accepted. www.subslinger.com. 263-3491.

Oishii Sushi 116 N. First Ave. Oishii is definitely Sandpoint’s hottest fusion sushi and saketini bar. Energy and excitement pulse through the room with walls dressed in original art by local artist Matt Donahue. The incredible custom lighting creates a surreal effect that makes the

TAKE-OUT

Asian & American Cuisine� Asian Market�C�atering�D�elivery�

Located downtown at the end of the alley behind Eichardt’s. FEATURING HICKORY AND APPLE SMOKED MEATS

418 N. 3rd, Ste C Sandpoint, ID 83864 OPEN Till 2am Fri/Sat 208 265-5227 www.Jimmys-BBQ.com SANDPOINT MAGAZINE

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Approved

Restaurant Located @�

Serving Dinner, Lunch and Sunday Brunch Call for Seasonal Hours 208-265-2000 41 Lakeshore Drive, Sagle ID

Sandpoint Idaho�

WINTER 2009

10/13/08 4:51:22 PM

Eats

Pine Street Bakery

Sand Creek Grill

& Drinks

Oishii Sushi

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design sleek and chic without being too formal; itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an intimate, notoriously stylish atmosphere. You can dress up but donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t necessarily have to. The food is light and healthy, but it is also elegant and reassuringly priced. As for the service, Oishii is the kind of place where everyone knows who you are, or at least treats you like they do. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s very central, making it the perfect place to start or end your evening. www.oishiisandpoint.com. 263-1406.

a complete line of tarts, cookies and bars. The bakers create more than 10 varieties of breads every day, including whole grain organics and sourdoughs. Come in and let the products speak for themselves. Open Tuesday-Friday, 7 a.m. until 5:30 p.m., Saturdays 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. Located right next to The Paint Bucket. Plenty of parking and outdoor seating. Ask for Liz or Deirdre for custom orders and/or questions. 263-9012.

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Sand Creek Grill 215 S. Second Ave. Explore globally inspired Northwest cuisine in the warmth and casual luxury of the Sand Creek Grill and Dulce. In partnership with Greentree Naturals and other regional farms, the Sand Creek Grill embraces organic, sustainable produce, seafood, wild game and premium steaks. Their diverse menus offer excellence in dining from the most special celebration to a relaxed, healthy, weeknight dinner. www.sandcreekgrill.com. 263-9321.

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Pine Street Bakery 710 Pine St. Welcome to Pine Street Bakery, specializing in European pastries, breads and cakes. Also a complete line of coffees, espresso drinks and teas from Tazzina of Santa Cruz. All bakery products are made on the premises using fresh butter and cream, farm eggs and fine chocolate. Custom order birthday, specialty and wedding cakes; fine French pastries; and

215 S. Second Ave. Try the piled-high specialty pizzas at Second Avenue Pizza. Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re loaded with fresh ingredients, and the dough is homemade. The Juke Box Special weighs 7 pounds â&#x20AC;&#x201C; now thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not your average pizza! They also specialize in excellent calzones, specialty salads and sandwiches, or try the garlic bread appetizer, an excellent hand-tossed pizza covered with cheese and garlic, served with marinara sauce. They also offer take-and-bake pizzas for those in a hurry after a long day or those who like an easy fix for dinner. Beer and wine also served. Rice crusts and soy cheese are now available for those who have specific dietary requirements. For an out-of-this-world

A European Style Cafe located in the heart of downtown Sandpoint inside the renown Cedar Street Bridge. Experience exceptional coffee & tea drinks, premium crafted gelato, delectable cakes & pastries, fine chocolates, and tasty panini sandwiches all in a unique and warm setting.

334 N 1st Ave, Sandpoint, ID

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;Where family and friends gatherâ&#x20AC;?

www 208 N 208

www.monarchmountaincoffee.com 208 N. 4th Avenue â&#x20AC;˘ Sandpoint, ID 208.265.9382 â&#x20AC;˘ 800.599.6702 Open Daily

208.265.4396

SANDPOINT MAGAZINE

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& Drinks Eats

Slates Prime Time Grill

pizza experience, come to Second Avenue Pizza! Open Monday-Friday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. Free deliveries available. www.secondavenuepizza.com. 263-9321.

Slates Prime Time Grill and Sports Bar 477326 Highway 95 in Ponderay. Slates Prime Time Grill and Sports Bar is in its brand-new location and is only five minutes from downtown Sandpoint, just two blocks north of Wal-Mart. Slates serves breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week and mouth-watering Black Angus prime rib on Friday and Saturday nights. They serve some of the best burgers, salads and steaks in the area. Slates also has a full bar with happy hour every day at 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. They have numerous big-screen TVs, so there is not a bad seat in the house. The kitchen is open late on Friday and Saturday nights and closes at 9 p.m. the remainder of the week. The bar is open until there is no one to serve or 1 a.m., whichever comes first! www.slatesprime time.com. 263-1381.

Spuds Rotisserie & Grill

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Stage Right Cellars

Stage Right Cellars 302 N. First Ave., “Stage Right” of the Panida Theater. Looking for a particular bottle of wine or a special cigar? Stage Right Cellars carries a variety of fine wines and cigars, along with specialty beers. Pick up a bottle to go, or stay and enjoy a glass of wine or beer in the comfy lounge. The walls are filled with local art for your viewing pleasure, and Stage Right offers free live music on the weekends. Don’t miss Comedy Night, tasting events, art openings and much more. Open seven days a week! www.stagerightcellars.com. 265-8116.

The Landing

Zip’s Drive-in

variety of appetizing sides, such as tater gems, onion rings and mozzarella sticks. Plus, Zip’s Drive-in carries Pepsi products, milkshakes, ice cream shakes and sundaes, and hurricanes. Try the huckleberry shakes made with berries from Priest Lake. Enjoy the casual, new atmosphere and taste what’s made Zip’s famous for more than 50 years. Zip’s Drive-in still keeps founder Robert “Zip” Zuber’s motto “Thrift and Swift” at the heart of its business today. Located on the west side of Sandpoint on the Dover Highway. www.zipsdrivein.com. 255-7600.

The Landing Where the river meets Lake Pend Oreille at Highway 95 south of the Long Bridge on the water. Clearly one of the finest restaurants, with water and mountain views and boat dockage. Serving dinner, lunch and Sunday brunch. Closed Monday and Tuesday. Offering beef, lamb, pork, seafood, fowl and pasta along with the chef’s daily specials. Food is made fresh daily on premises, including all of their breads, wonderful desserts, salad dressings and soups, using the finest and freshest ingredients. They hand-cut all of their meat, grind their own hamburger and make their own sausage. Enjoy the full-service cocktail lounge featuring specialty drinks and an extensive wine list with comfortable seating in front of a large fireplace or the dining room with a large fireplace and a 340-gallon saltwater aquarium. During warm weather, they have two large outdoor patios for dining and cocktails. The Landing offers great food and excellent service at competitive prices. 265-2000.

Zip’s Drive-in 1301 Highway 2. Newly opened in Sandpoint, this Northwest favorite serves up its signature burgers, grilled chicken, halibut ‘n’ fries and a

Rice crusts & soy cheese now available

“Out of this W

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102 N. First Ave. Located on the beautiful Sand Creek waterfront, offering outdoor dining in downtown Sandpoint, Spuds has earned its reputation as a North Idaho restaurant that’s truly “to die for.” Serving lunch and dinner. For lunch, choose from the savory soup list, a loaded salad, one of the unique sandwich concoctions or the original Spuds potato. Dinner is a casual event, with table service, candles and outdoor dining on Sand Creek. They feature specials like choice of grilled steaks, marinated tri-tip, rotisserie chicken, fresh seafood and Southwest specials. Dine in or carry out. www.spuds online.com. 265-4311.

Spuds Rotisserie & Grill

• Delivery • Sandwiches • Calzones • Specialty Salads • Homemade Dough • Beer/Wine • Take & Bakes

The Caroline

215 S. 2nd Ave.

263-9321

SANDPOINT MAGAZINE

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208-265-4311 102 N 1ST Ave. Sandpoint www.spudsonline.com

Now in Sandpoint

WINTER 2009

10/13/08 4:51:30 PM

Service Directory www.SandpointOnline.com Accommodations See the LODGING DIRECTORY on page 143 ACCOUNTANTS Jennifer Brandenberger, CPA 316 N. Third Ave., 208-2554564 – Certified public accountant who specializes in: tax preparation and planning, multistate tax returns, delinquent tax returns, financial statements, accounting and payroll services and QuickBooks consulting. She is a member of the AICPA, ISCPA and WSCPA. See ad, page 33. ANTIQUES Foster’s Crossing Antique & Gift Market 5th between Cedar and Oak, 263-5911 – An early 1900s railroad freight house converted to three floors of eclectic shopping. Antiques, furniture, unusual gifts and yarn. New and used books. See ad, page 136. ARTS ORGANIZATIONS Lakedance International Film Festival 597-0961 – 50 new independent movies shown Sept. 7-14, in Sandpoint. See ad, page 136 lakedance.com Pend Oreille Arts Council 120 E. Lake St., Ste. 215, 263-6139 – Presents the finest quality experiences in the arts for the people of northern Idaho. ArtinSandpoint.org

ASSISTED LIVING The Bridge Assisted Living 1123 N. Division, 263-1524 – A total continuum of care on the campus of Life Care Center of Sandpoint. See ad, page 117. AUTO / MOTORSPORTS Alpine Motors Company Hwy. 95 N., 263-2118, 1-800430-5050 – Your Cadillac, Buick, Pontiac, GMC truck dealer. New and used sales and leasing. Full service, parts and body shop. AlpineMotors.net Anderson’s Autobody 263-6443 – Since 1989. We specialize in complete frame, body and paint repairs. Car rentals on-site, free pick up and delivery. See ad, page 43. Les Schwab 265-4518 – Not just a tire store! We do wheels, batteries, brakes, shocks, alignments and more. No appointments necessary. Located on Bonner Mall Way in Ponderay. See ad, page 40. LesSchwab.com Ponderay Yamaha 263-1124 – Family-owned business, started in 1994. Our goal is to serve the needs of our customers to the fullest. The largest showroom in the Idaho Panhandle. See ad, page 56. BANKS / FINANCIAL AmericanWest Bank Come visit our new financial center at 5th & Poplar, 255-1700 Forty-three full-service financial centers throughout Washington and northern Idaho. See ad, page 122. AWBank.net Edward Jones 263-0515, 800-441-3477, Dave Reseska or Rob Kincaid, 255-7405, 877-777-5677 Since 1871. Stocks, CDs, mutual funds, bonds, IRAs, government securities, tax-free bonds and much more. See ad,

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page 52. edwardjones.com Horizon Credit Union 800-852-5316 – Serving Washington and northern Idaho for 60 years. With a wide range of services and products to choose from, your one-stop, fullservice financial institution. See ad, page 127. hzcu.org Jensen, Brian C., CPA 263-5154 – Specializing in tax preparation, payroll and accounting services. Financial and tax planning. See ad, page 126. Mountain West Bank 476655 Hwy 95 N., 265-2232 – Branches in Sandpoint and Bonners Ferry. Whatever your lending questions, you’ll find the answers here. See ad, page 103. Mtnwb.com Panhandle State Bank 231 N. 3rd, 263-0505 – Branches in Bonners Ferry, Ponderay and Priest River. Also bank in Post Falls, Rathdrum and Coeur d’Alene. See ads, pages 13 and 46. PanhandleBank.com Wells Fargo Bank-Private Mortgage Banking Gain the advantage of an entire team of professionals working on your next high-end real estate transaction. Visit Karen Oaks 666-4519 or Dick Sams 6664502. See ad, page 128. BOATS / DOCKS Alpine Shop 213 Church, 263-5157 and at Schweitzer, 255-1660 – Boat sales and service for all your lake boating needs. Water skis, water gear and Old Town canoes and kayaks. See ad, page 58. Northwest Docks & Water Works 263-4684 – New dock construction, dock rebuilds, mooring buoys, shoreline protection, amphibious pile driving, crane service. See ad, page 124. BOOKS Keokee Books 405 Church St., 263-3573 – Publishing fine nonfiction and guide books. Also offering publishing services to authors and groups that wish to self-publish. See ads, pages 160 and 161. KeokeeBooks.com

WINTER 2009

BREWERY Laughing Dog Brewing 263-9222 – A craft microbrewery that offers tours, taproom for tasting and a gift shop to browse through. See ad, page 51. LaughingDogBrewing.com. BUILDING / HOME Ace Septic Tank Service 263-5219 – “Where a Flush Beats a Full House.” Portable toilet rental, construction/all occasion, permanent or temporary. Septic tank pumping, residential and commercial. Acme Integrations 255-1110 – We provide custom home cinema, structured wiring, phone and network systems, audio, security systems, a HVAC control systems, central vac, lighting control, and more. See ad, page 112. AcmeIntegration.us Burnett, Jim CCM, PMP Priest River, 255-6636 – Certified construction manager specializing in alternative energy. See ad, page 114. jburnett@ gotsky.com Dan Fogarty Custom Builder 263-5546 – A fully insured, local builder with the experience and history you can rely on. In Sandpoint since 1981. See ad, page 114. DanBuilt.com Dennis Springs Concrete 290-2352, 264-5785 – For all your concrete needs: residential, commercial, industrial, decorative, stamped and stained. See ad, page 114. Doty Concrete Company 610-8396 – Custom concrete work since 1985. Residential, commercial, foundations, driveways, or custom stamped work. See ad, page 114. DSS Custom Homes 263-2853 – We are a family-owned business serving Sandpoint and northern Idaho since 1974. We build with honesty, pride, integrity and responsibility. See ad, page 24. DSSCustomHomes.com. Fogg Electric 597-1121 – Our team has 125 years in the electrical business. Commercial, industrial and SANDPOINT MAGAZINE

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ART & PHOTO GALLERIES ArtWorks Gallery 214 N. 1st, 263-2642 – Fine arts and crafts by regional artists, including original paintings, sculpture, jewelry, pottery, glass, tile, photography, prints. See ad, page 98. SandpointArtworks.com Hallans Gallery 323 N. 1st, 263-4704 – Since 1906. Celebrating the century in photos by Ross Hall and Dick Himes. See ad, page 98. RossHallCollection.com J.R. Hutslar Watercolors 263-1448 – Offering intuitive commissions and private inhome consultations to create the perfect piece for you and

your home. See ad, page 98. jrHutslar.com Skeleton Key Art Glass 255-2429 – A working stained glass art studio, where you can get all of your supplies and tools, take classes and attend workshops. See ad, page 98.

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Advertiser Index A Child’s Dream Come True 52 Acme Integrations 112 Albertson / Barlow Insurance 126 All About Chimneys 114 Alpine Shop 58 Aging Better In Home Care 35 AmericanWest Bank 122 Ammara 47 Anderson’s Autobody 43 Archer Vacation Condos 58 ArtWorks Gallery 98 Belwoods Furniture 109 Bitterroot Group 26 Bonner County Daily Bee 132 Bonner County Fair Foundation 102 Bonner Physical Therapy 38 Bowers Construction 115 Bridge Assisted Living, The 117 Burnett, Jim CCM, PMP 114 Cabela’s Trophy Properties 110 Canyon Creek Ranch 57 Cedar Bridge Apparel 22 Cedar Street Bridge 11 Century 21 - Carol Curtis 132 Century 21 30 Cheval Noir 121 Cisco’s 37 Coit House / K2 Inn 142 Coldwater Creek 164 Coldwell Banker - Michael White 3 Coldwell Banker Resort Realty 2 CO-OP Country Store 51 Dale Pyne Real Estate Investments 111 Dan Fogarty Custom Builder 114 Dennis Springs Concrete 114 Doty Concrete Company 114 Dover Bay 21 DSS Custom Homes 24 Edward Jones 52 Evergreen Realty Charesse Moore 100 Evergreen Realty 8 Eve’s Leaves 51 Family Health Center 32 Farmers Insurance Dave Neely Agency 126 Finan McDonald Clothing Company 33 Flying Fish Company 50

1 56 S A N D P O I N T M A G A Z I N E

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Fogg Electric, Inc. 115 Foster’s Crossing 136 Fred’s Appliance 133 Fritz’s Fry Pan 52 Golder Associates 120 Ground Zero 58 Hallans Gallery 98 Home Sweet Home 54 Horizon Credit Union 127 Idaho Club, The 25 Idaho Lights 34 Idaho Sash & Door 130 Innovative Concrete Technology 125 International Selkirk Loop 50 J.R. Hutslar Watercolors 98 Jennifer Brandenberger, CPA 33 Jensen, Brian CPA 126 Kate Lyster Consultation 117 Keokee Books 160-161 Keokee Creative Group 158 Koch, Paul E. O.D. 38 KPND 95.3 Radio 28 Lake to Mountain LLC 115,120 Lake to Mountain Massage 38 Lakedance Film Festival 136 Lakeshore Mountain Properties 125 LaQuinta Inn 141 L’Atelier Jewelry Boutique 23 Laughing Dog Brewing 51 Les Schwab Tires 40 Local Pages, The 158 Longevity Wellness Center 38 Map Store, TerraPen Geographics 136 MeadowBrook Home & Gift 44 Monarch Marble 120 Mountain Spa & Stove 105 Mountain West Bank 103 N.A.T.S. 38 North Idaho Animal Hospital 43 Northwest Docks & Waterworks 124 Northwest Handmade 41 Old Mill Emporium 98 Outdoor Experience 137 Pacific Far West Insurance 126 Paint Bucket 47 Panhandle State Bank 13 Panhandle State Bank Loan Center 46

Pend d’Oreille Winery 22 Pend Oreille Mechanical 124 Pend Oreille Shores Resort 136 Petal Talk 46 Ponderay Garden Center 131 Ponderay Yamaha 56 ReStore Habitat For Humanity 54 River Journal, The 159 Salishan Point 48 Sandpoint Building Supply 108 Sandpoint Business & Events Center 47 Sandpoint Furniture/Carpet One 116 Sandpoint Hotels 142 Sandpoint Interiors 23 Sandpoint Junior Academy 132 SandpointOnline.com 94 Sandpoint Property Management 33 Sandpoint Super Drug 38 Sandpoint Vacation Getaways 140 Sandpoint Vacation Rentals 18 Schweitzer Mountain Resort 163 Sears 118 Seasons at Sandpoint 6-7 Selkirk Powder Company 70-71 Selkirk Welding & Machinery 117 Skeleton Key Art Glass 98 Sleep’s Cabins 46 Spa at Seasons, The 141 Spires At Schweitzer 68, 74-75 Su Geé Skin Care 38 Summit Insurance 36 Sunshine Builders 115 Sunshine Goldmine 52 SWAC 141 Taylor Insurance 104 Terry Williams Construction 115 Timber Frames by Collin Beggs 115 Tomlinson Sandpoint Sotheby’s 4-5,59-65 Vacationville 137 Waterfront Property Management 134 Wells Fargo Mortgage Loan 128 Western Pleasure Guest Ranch 137 Winter Ridge Natural Foods Market 38 Zany Zebra 19

residential. Licensed/bonded/ insured. Serving all of North Idaho. Free estimates. See ad, page 115. Fred’s Appliance All major brands, including complete Viking dream kitchens. Coeur d’Alene or Spokane, 208765-4202, 509-328-3824 or 509-893-3581. See ad, page 133. FredsAppliances.com Golder Associates 208-676-9933 – Specializing in ground engineering and environmental services. See ad, page 120. Golder.com Idaho Lights 402 Cedar St., 265-2308 – Our goal is to provide the most comprehensive, up to date and intelligent service available today in the lighting industry. See ad, page 34. IdahoLights.com Idaho Sash & Door 208-765-8620 – Opening up a world of possibilities for your home with the creative craftsmanship of premium-grade, custom windows, doors, and bronze hardware. See ad, page 130. IDSashAndDoor.com Innovative Concrete Technology Sandpoint, Idaho – 208-6103258 – Don’t replace, resurface. Specializing in all your concrete needs and treatments. See ad, page 125. iccsandpoint@yahoo. com Monarch Marble & Granite 263-5777 – Specializing in custom fabrication of solid-surface, natural stone. Custom kitchen countertops, vanities, showers, tub decks, fireplace surrounds, desks, decorative inlays and more. See ad, page 120. Panhandle Art Glass 514 Pine St., 263-1721 – Est. 1982. Studio specializing in stained, etched, beveled and fused glass: residential, commercial and liturgical. Artistic design and fabrication for projects of any size tailored to the needs of our clients. Panhandle Pump 500 Vermeer Dr., Ponderay, 263-7867 – Serving the Idaho Panhandle with quality service and merchandise for over 25 years. The area’s leader in water purification and filtration plus complete water and sewer

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Service Directory

Terry Williams Construction 265-2936, 290-5423 – Specializing in custom home construction, remodels and additions. Certified ARXX Insulated Concrete Form installer. See ad, page 115. Timber Frames by Collin Beggs Sandpoint, 290-8120 – Handcrafted traditional timber frame homes. Wooden, draw-bored joinery. Handrived pegs. See ad, page 115. TimberFramesByCollinBeggs. com CHIMNEY SERVICES All About Chimneys 265-2226 – HVAC licensed and insured. Wood, oil, and bio diesel. Installation, cleaning, relining, repair, full sales and service. Call Brian Kulp. See ad, page 114. CLOTHING Cedar Bridge Apparel 263-1304 – Quality clothing made in the United States. Featuring unique women’s designer fashions from accessories to footwear to Brazil Roxx Jeans. Located on the Cedar Street Bridge. See ad, page 22. CedarStreetBridge.com Coldwater Creek 800-262-0040 or 263-2265 On First Avenue in Sandpoint. Discover one of the most unique collections of women’s apparel and accessories. See ad, back cover. TheCreek.com Eve’s Leaves 326 N. First Avenue, 263-0712 Sandpoint’s finest specialty store for women. Discover feminine, stylish fashion and pamper yourself with unique, carefully chosen apparel collections and accessories. See ad, page 51. www.eves-leaves.com Finan McDonald Clothing Co. 301 N. 1st Ave., 263-3622 – Unique selection of men’s and women’s outdoor and natural fiber clothing; woolens, fleece, cottons and silks. See ad, page 33. FinanMcDonald.com CRAFTS & TOYS A Child’s Dream Come True 255-1664 – Wood toys, soft dolls, art supplies, baby gifts and games are just a few of the fun things we have. See ad, page 52. AChildsDream.com

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EVENTS FACILITIES Bonner County Fair Foundation 405 Schweitzer Cutoff Rd., 263-2413 – To preserve and enhance the integrity of the Bonner County Fairground facilities. See ad page 102. BonnerCountyFairFoundation.org Sandpoint Business & Events Center 515 Pine St., Ste. 102, 2637770 – The most convenient ceremony, reception and performance center located in downtown Sandpoint. See ad, page 47. SandpointEventsCenter.com FARM / GARDEN The CO-OP Country Store 125 Tibbetts Lane, Ponderay, 263-6820 – Farm, Home, Hardware. The CO-OP has just about everything for the farm and home. See ad, page 51. CoopCountryStore.com FURNITURE Belwoods Furniture 301 Cedar St., 263-3189 – Featuring furniture, floorcoverings, appliances and more. Family owned for over 31 years. See ad, page 109. BelwoodsFurniture.com Edmundson Fine Woodworking 1965 Samuels Rd., 265-8730, toll-free 866-877-1882 – Custom, handcrafted furniture and cabinets built with attention to detail. Carefully selected hardwoods, hand-cut dovetail drawers, curved surfaces and inlay are just a few details. EFineWoodworking.com Home Sweet Home Consignment 300 Bonner Mall Way, Ponderay, 255-1818 and 101 Main St. Kootenai, 265-9898 – Sellers enjoy saving time and money by selling their previously loved items without the hassle of a garage sale. Buyers enjoy the unique variety of antiques, furniture, home decor, lighting and gifts. See ad, page 54. Homesweethomeconsignment. com Northwest Handmade 308 N. 1st Ave., 255-1962, 877-880-1962 – Featuring a variety of regional artists. Custom log furniture, wood

WINTER 2009

carving, metal art, one-of-akind gifts. See ad, page 41. NorthwestHandmade.com Sandpoint Furniture Carpet One 401 Bonner Mall Way, Ponderay, 263-5138 – Unique furniture, flooring, window covering packages. Luminesce Lighting offers full service lighting design. See ad, page 116. SandpointFurniture.com GIFTS/FLOWERS/JEWELRY Cedar Street Bridge Public Market Downtown Sandpoint at First and Cedar. Shops, restaurants, entertainers, special events, and just a splash of nightlife. See ad, page 11. CedarStreetBridge. com Cisco’s 212 N. 4th, Coeur d’Alene, 208-769-7575 – Specializing in investment quality historic American Indian art, collectibles, Americana, fine original paintings and more. See ad, page 37. huntersofthepast.com Fritz’s Frypan On the corner of 1st and Cedar St., 255-1863 – Featuring a wide array of fine cookware such as Le Creuset, J.A. Henckel, Cuisinart and more. See ad, page 52. FritzsFrypan.com L’Atelier Jewelry Boutique 265-2054 – Located on the Cedar Street Bridge, our boutique offers Idaho Opals and Garnets. Unique sterling silver and designer jewelry. See ad, page 23. LatelierJewelry.com MeadowBrook Home & Gift 205 Cedar St., 255-2824 We offer a timeless selection of unique and affordable gifts, home decor and furnishings. See ad, page 44. MeadowBrookHomeAndGift.com Old Mill Emporium 502-B Church St., 265-1960 – Year Round Christmas, Holiday, Silk Floral, Gifts, Décor and Antiques. See ad, page 98. Petal Talk 120 Cedar St., 265-7900 Full-service floral and gift shop! Fresh flowers, bundled or custom designed. Special event and wedding services. Delivery available. See ad, page 46. SandpointFlowers.com SANDPOINT MAGAZINE

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systems. Residential and commercial. Mon-Fri 7am-6 pm. Sat 7am-noon. PanhandlePump.com. Paint Bucket, The 714 Pine St., 263-5032 – Sandpoint’s complete paint and wallpaper store. Paint and sundries, wall covering, custom framing. See ad, page 47. Pend Oreille Mechanical 1207 Dover Hwy., 263-6163 – Service 24/7. Plumbing, cooling, heating, sheet metal, hydronic, refrigeration. See ad, page 124. POMechanical.com Ponderay Garden Center 255-4200 – Located ½ mile north of Walmart on Hwy 95. We offer a full line of landscaping supplies for your yard or business. Plants, shrubs, trees, pottery, and a huge gift shop. See ad, page 131. ReStore Habitat for Humanity 1424 N Boyer Ave. 265-5313. See ad, page 54. Sandpoint Building Supply 263-5119 – We carry everything from lumber, siding, doors and cabinets all the way to the tools that help you get the job done. See ad, page 108. SandpointBuildingSupply.com Sears 300 Bonner Mall Way, 2636090 – Your neighborhood store with all the strength of Sears. Sears is the leading home appliance retailer as well as a leader in tools, lawn and garden, home electronics. Brands include Kenmore, Craftsman and DieHard. See ad, page 118. Selkirk Glass & Cabinets In the Ponderay Design Center, behind Sandpoint Furniture, 2637373 – Specializing in custom cabinets, windows and doors. Studio of Sustainable Design 100 Jana Lane, 263-3815 –Bruce Millard, Architect. Personal, environmentally sensitive and healthy design, incorporating natural, recycled and durable materials including straw bale. Full services. bemarchitect. com Sunshine Builders 265-9140, 290-6697 – Specializing in custom home construction. Call Eddie Jones for all your construction needs. See ad, page 115. Sunshinebuildersinc.com

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GRAPHIC ARTISTS Keokee Creative Group 405 Church St., 263-3573 – Complete graphics, design and editorial for any project. If you like Sandpoint Magazine, you’ll love what we can do for you. See ad, page 158. keokee.com HEALTH CARE Aging Better In Home Care 263-7889, 866-464-2344 – North Idaho’s most trusted provider of in-home care services for the elderly and disabled. Skilled nursing services, respite care, hospice care and housecleaning. See ad, page 35. Ammara . Medicine . Wellness . Spa 30410 Highway 200, Ponderay, 263-1345 – Medical health care for men and women. Dermatology, botox, restylane, massage, pedicure & manicure. Women’s health, family practice, internal medicine, medically managed weight loss. See ad, page 47. MyAmmara.com Bonner Physical Therapy 263-5731 – Providing cuttingedge technology and manual techniques to obtain the optimum result for pain control and recovery or resolving symptoms from diabetic neuropathy. See ad, page 38. Family Health Center Located in the Pinegrove Medical Center at 606 N. Third Ave., Ste. 101, 263-1435 – Our family practitioners specialize in caring for every member of the family. See ad page 32. FHCSandpoint.com N.A.T.S. 610-3690 – Reshape, recreate,

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Scandinavian Affar 319 N. 1st Ave., 263-7722 – The Scandinavian countries are represented in this specialty shop including their kitchen items, table tops, candles, electric candleholders, books, cards, rugs, pewter Vikings, mugs, Danish irons, tomtes, fjord design tableware. Sharon’s Hallmark 306 N. 1st Ave., 263-2811 – Special gifts for special people including Vera Bradley bags; Big Sky Carvers; Yankee, Tyler and BeanPod candles; souvenirs, balloon bouquets, Hallmark cards, books, gift wrap and stationery. Sunshine Goldmine 263-6713 – Come discover the unique and distinctive. Serving Sandpoint for over 28 years, the number one stop for handmade jewelry and gold. See ad, page 52. sunshinegoldmine.com Zany Zebra 317 N. 1st Ave., 263-2178 We offer the latest fashion trends for all ages. Many accessories adorn our store, great prices, friendly and fun atmosphere. From A to Zebra. See ad, page 19. Your RELAXATION DESTINATION 804 Airport Way Ste J., 597 4343 – Pure and organic products. Wonderfully scented soy candles; essential oils; natural skincare; unique art cards. All retail under $35. Gift certificates available; “Gifts to Go”- ready wrapped gift bags at $15, $25 and $45. Hours vary. Please call. www. CureForTheCommonSpa.com

rejuvenate your body both physically and mentally with Natalie, a fitness trainer and wellness consultant. See ad, page 38. NatalieLitzell.com Rolfing 219 Cedar St., Ste. A, 2658440 – Rolfing aligns the body’s structure by releasing old injuries, chronic stress and embedded tension to create an experience of vitality. align.org Sandpoint Super Drug 263-1408 – Family-owned pharmacy serving Sandpoint for over 32 years. Four knowledgeable pharmacists on staff. See ad, page 38. Su Geé Skin Care 324 S. Florence, 263-6205 – Extensive menu of exquisite facial and body treatments provided in a serene and relaxing environment. See ad, page 38. sugeeskincare@yahoo.com Your RELAXATION DESTINATION 804 Airport Way, Ste. E., 597 4343 – Master Herbalist offering herbs and natural healing principles. Stress relief and relaxation with reflexology. www.CureForTheCommonSpa. com INSURANCE Albertson Barlow Insurance 265-6406 – Specializing in life, disability, individual, group health, and now home and auto too. For over 15 years we’ve been assisting the Sandpoint community. See ad, page 126. Farmers Insurance – Dave Neely Agency 263-3741 – Serving Sandpoint and the rest of North Idaho since

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1997. We specialize in personal lines insurance at competitive rates. See ad, page 126. Summit Insurance Resource Group 1205 Hwy 2, 265-9690 – The largest independent insurance agency in North Idaho, specializing in business, personal, life and health. See ad, page 36. North Idaho Insurance 102 Superior St., 263-2194 – A full-service, independent insurance agency serving northern Idaho since 1978. Business or personal risks: property, liability, workers comp, bonding, home, auto, life and health. NorthIdahoInsurance.com Pacific Far West Insurance 263-1426 – Serving Sandpoint and northern Idaho for 24 years. Quotes on auto, home, business, life and group insurance. See ad, page 126. isu-haddock.com Taylor Insurance Co., Inc. 1009 W. Superior St., 2634000 or 773-6441 in Post Falls – Insurance and financial services for all your personal and business needs. See ad, page 104. TaylorInsuranceSandpoint. com INTERIOR DESIGN Kate Lyster Consultant/ Interiors 255.8082 – Analysis of client’s needs, design consultation, budget development, paint color consultation, furniture selection, floor covering selection, lighting, and wall finishes. Window treatments, accessorizing, shopping services, house staging and interior redesign. Practical and functional approach to design

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to help the client achieve a balanced, organized, attractive space. See ad, page 117. LysterKate@hotmail.com Sandpoint Interiors 502 Cedar St., 263-8274 – Specializing in residential and commercial design, custom draperies and window treatments. See ad page 23. SandpointInteriors.com INTERNET SERVICES SandpointOnline.com 263-3573 – Our town’s community Web site. Complete online services include Web site design, hosting and search engine optimization. See ad, page 94. MAPS Map Store/TerraPen 100A Church St. 265-8883 – We carry a complete line of travel and recreational maps, wall maps, atlases and much more. See ad, page 136. GetGreatMaps.com MARKETING Keokee Creative Group 405 Church St., 263-3573 – We help your ideas take shape. Keokee can set your company apart by developing effective advertising, public relations and marketing campaigns. Talent. Experience. Professionalism. Print, brochures, rack cards, logo development and websites. See ad, page158. keokee.com MASSAGE / SPA Lake to Mountain Massage 610-3591 – Therapeutic integrative massage. See ad page 38. The Spa at Seasons 424 Sandpoint Ave., third floor,

888-263-5616 – Offering holistic, healing therapies and luxury skin care treatments, products and gifts. See ad, page 141. SeasonsAtSandpoint.com Your RELAXATION DESTINATION 804 Airport Way, Ste E., 597 4343 – Relaxation guaranteed with reflexology; relief and results with a unique back treat; face/neck massage. Affordable and effective. www. CureForTheCommonSpa.com MEDIA Bonner County Daily Bee 310 Church St., 263-9534 – Bonner County’s No. 1 daily newspaper. See ad, page 132. BonnerCountyDailyBee.com KPND FM - KSPT AM - KIBR FM - KBFI AM - KICR FM 327 Marion, 263-2179 – Blue Sky Broadcasting. Adult album alternative, news, talk, and real country. See ad, page 28. The Local Pages 888-249-6920 –The phone directory with the most. See ad, page 158. LocalPagesInc.com The River Journal 255-6957 – A twice-monthly publication of the news and events of our area. Get in touch with Sandpoint by reading our community paper. See ad, page 158. RiverJournal.com OPTOMETRY / OPTICAL Paul E. Koch, O.D. Located inside Wal-Mart, Hwy. 95 N, 255-5513. – Full service optometry office. Same day fitting for most contact lens prescriptions. Treatment of minor eye infections. See ad, page 38.

PHOTOGRAPHY Simply Pure Art P.O. BOX 571, Kootenai, ID 83840, 597-4541 – Photography for family or business. Portraits, photo illustration, wall prints, digital images, very affordable prints available for order online. www. SimplyPureArt.com PRESCHOOL / EDUCATION Joanna’s Pre-School & Kindergarten 434 Siskin Lane, 263-9823 – An alternative-style preschool located in the Selle Valley. Featuring art, music, yoga, dancing and much more. JoannasPreschool.com Sandpoint Junior Academy 263-3584 – Offering a quality Christian Education from kindergarten, up to 10th grade. We welcome all faiths. See ad, page 132. www.sjasda.org PROPERTY MANAGEMENT Lake To Mountain, LLC 597-2553 – Offering full service property care, including property caretaking, property management, vacation rentals, and more. See ads, pages 115 and 120. LakeToMountain.com R&L Property Management 204 E. Superior, 263-4033 – Over 25 years of rental management experience. Tenant screening, rent collection, accounting, maintenance and marketing. Residential, commercial and mini storage. Friendly, prompt service. RLPropertyManagement.com Sandpoint Property Management 314 N. 3rd Ave., 263-9233

– Since 1993, providing exceptional real estate management. Representing the Beardmore Building in Priest River. See ad, page 33. SandpointRentals.com PUBLISHING / PRINTING Keokee Co. Publishing, Inc. 405 Church St., 263-3573 – We publish Sandpoint Magazine, plus fine books about our region. Offering complete design, editorial and publishing services for books and all other publications. KeokeePublishing.com REAL ESTATE Century 21 on the Lake 316 N. 2nd Ave., 255-2244 – Nationally known, locally trusted. Sandpoint’s premiere real estate firm. Any of our 22 professional agents can help you. See ad, page 30. C21Sandpoint.com, C21Schweitzer.com • Carol Curtis: 888-923-8484, 290-5947 - Providing an exceptional real estate experience. See ad, page 132. Coldwell Banker Resort Realty Sandpoint 263-6802, Schweitzer 263-9640 – If you’re looking for real estate in the Sandpoint area or at Schweitzer Ski Resort, we can help fill your needs. See ad, inside front cover. CBSandpoint.com • Michael White: 290-8599 – B.S. in forestry and ecosystem management. Specializing in land, ranches and homes on acreage. See ad page 3. NorthIdahoLandMan.com Dale Pyne Real Estate Investments 212 N. 1st Ave., 265-5577, 597-1200 – Whether you are

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ONCE A MONTH • 64 PAGES

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looking for a home in Sandpoint, waterfront, a mountain cabin or investment property, you have found the right place. See ad page 111. DalePyne.com Evergreen Realty 321 N. 1st, 263-6370, 800-829-6370 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; For all your real estate needs in Idaho, Washington and Montana. Waterfront, Schweitzer and commercial properties. See ad, page 8. Evergreen-Realty.com or SchweitzerMountain.com. â&#x20AC;˘ Charesse Moore 255-6060, 888-228-6060 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Hard-working professional. Sandpointâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top producing agent 2004 to 2008. See ad, page 100. EvergreenRealty.com Lakeshore Mountain Properties 255-1446, 264-6505 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; We can service anyone from either of our locations. We specialize in Schweitzer and waterfront properties. See ad, page 125. LakeshoreMountainProperties.com Northwest Outdoor Properties/Cabelas Trophy Properties 101 N. First Ave., 263-9703 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Assisting any buyer or seller of farms, ranches, timberland, waterfront, acreage, hunting, fishing, recreational properties in an international marketplace. See ad, page 110. northwest outdoorproperties.com

Tomlinson Sandpoint Sothebyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Intâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;l Realty 200 Main St., 263-5101, 800282-6880 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; No. 1 in sales and service, year after year! Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re the market leader for a reason. Offering top-notch service for residential, land, commercial land, waterfront properties. TomlinsonSandpoint SothebysRealty.com. See ads, pages 4 & 5, 59-65. â&#x20AC;˘ Sue Brooks â&#x20AC;˘ Sandy Wolters/Alison Murphy â&#x20AC;˘ P.J. Nunley/Carrie Logan â&#x20AC;˘ Cheri Hiatt â&#x20AC;˘ Cindy Bond â&#x20AC;˘ Stan Hatch â&#x20AC;˘ Tony Villelli â&#x20AC;˘ Susan & Brandon Moon â&#x20AC;˘ Merry Brown-Hayes R.E. DEVELOPMENTS Bitterroot Group South Fork Big Sky, MT, 888-775-0006 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Architects, interior design, builders and timberwrights. See ad, page 26. BitterrootGroup.com Canyon Creek Ranch 263-6802 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Between Sandpoint and Coeur dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Alene is a beautiful estate development, now selling lots with paved road access, underground utilities and protective CC&Rs. Contact Don McCanlies, Coldwell Banker. See ad, page 57. SandpointCanyonCreekRanch. com

Cheval Noir Call 800-653-7007 for your appointment. Cheval Noir on Lake Pend Oreille features breathtaking waterfront surroundings and home to only nine custom estate properties. See ad, page 121. Dover Bay 265-1597 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; New waterfront community. Homesites, condominiums and cabins. Custom built homes. On the shores of beautiful Lake Pend Oreille. See ad, page 21. DoverBayIdaho. com Idaho Club, The 800-323-7020 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; A private, upscale waterfront community featuring Idahoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course. Amenities include lakefront recreation, spa, marina, kidâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s club. See ad, page 25. TheIdahoClub.com Salishan Point Call Randy Stone 255-8268, or Darla Wilhelmsen 290-4373 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; An exclusive gated community featuring fourteen of the largest waterfront estate parcels on the Pend Oreille. See ad, page 48. SalishanPoint.com Seasons at Sandpoint 313 N. 2nd Ave., 255-4420 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Luxury waterfront condominiums and townhomes. Experience the best of both worlds â&#x20AC;&#x201C; lakefront in the heart of downtown. See ad, pages 6-7 SeasonsAtSandpoint.com

Spires At Schweitzer 208-263-9806 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The Spires @ Schweitzer, is an 80-acre planned mountain development project, located at Schweitzer Mountain Ski Resort on the South Ridge of the main bowl. See ads, pages 68, 74-75. TheSpires atSchweitzer.com RECREATION / TOâ&#x20AC;&#x2C6;DO From the Heart Ranch â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Alpacas 1635 Rapid Lightning Rd., 2652788 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Tour our ranch to see what life is like with alpacas! Shop for the wonderful alpaca fiber hats, scarves, sweaters, rugs, throws, and yarn. Open year-round, closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. FromTheHeartRanch.com International Selkirk Loop 267-0822, 888-823-2626 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 280-mile scenic drive encircling the wild Selkirk Mountains in northeast Washington, northern Idaho and southeast British Columbia. See ad, page 50. SelkirkLoop.org Sandpoint West Athletic Club 1905 Pine St., 263-6633 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Full-service club with indoor pool, aerobics, racquetball and more. Daily rates, flexible/affordable memberships. See ad, page 141. SandpointWest.com

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Service Directory

Selkirk Powder Company At Schweitzer, 866-GOIDAHO – An Idaho licensed backcountry outfitter operating in huge backcountry ski and snowmobiling terrain in the Selkirk Mountains. See ads, pages 70-71. skithegoodstuff.com Wolf People On Hwy. 95 in Cocolalla, 2631100 – Wolf People is a wolf education facility where you can see live wolves and learn all about them. WolfPeople.com RESORTS Pend Oreille Shores Resort 47390 Hwy. 200, Hope, 2645828. Fully furnished condos on Lake Pend Oreille. Full-service athletic club with indoor pool, racquetball. Boat moorage. See ad, page 136. POSResort.com Schweitzer Mountain Resort 11 miles from Sandpoint, 800831-8810, 263-9555 – Lodging packages, dining, hiking, biking, horseback riding, chairlift rides. See ad, inside back cover. Schweitzer.com SPA & STOVE Mountain Spa & Stove 1225 Michigan, 263-0582 – Featuring spas and saunas, stoves and fireplaces, furnaces and boilers for your home, garage, shop or barn. See ad, page 105. MountainStove.com SPORTING EQUIPMENT

Ground Zero Boardshops 265-6714 The snowboard authority. More brands. More models. More choices. Downtown Sandpoint. See ad, page 58. gzboardshop.com Outdoor Experience 263-6028 – Quality equipment and clothing for outdoor enthusiasts. Kayak and bike rentals and sales. See ad, page 137. OutdoorExperience.us SPECIALTY FOODS Flying Fish Company 255-5837 – The finest selection of fresh and frozen seafood in North Idaho. Open Wednesdays and Fridays year-round. See ad, page 50. FlyingFishCo.com Winter Ridge Natural Foods Market 265-8135 – Organic produce, natural and organic meats, organic coffee and juice bar. Deli, bulk foods, supplements, homeopathic medicines and literature. See ad, page 38. WinterRidgeFoods.com VACATION RENTALS Lakeshore Mountain Management 264-5300, 800-772-5522 From Lake Pend Oreille to Schweitzer, the perfect vacation rentals for everyone. Variety of accommodations for all seasons. NorthIdahoRentals.com Sandpoint Vacation Getaways

218 N. First Avenue, 263-6000 – We know the next best thing to living in Sandpoint, is vacationing in Sandpoint. Nightly, weekly, monthly & long-term rentals on Lake Pend Oreille. Premium vacation rentals and superior property management. See ad, page 140. sandpointvacationgetaways.com Sandpoint Vacation Rentals 263-7570 or 866-263-7570 – Offering a variety of fully furnished accommodations in the Sandpoint area, up at Schweitzer Resort, and on beautiful Lake Pend Oreille. See ad, page 18. SandpointVacationRentals.com Ski-in/Ski-out! Heart of the Village. 2BR/2BA Condominium. Sleeps 6. Underground Parking. info: www. schweitzercondo.com. Call 425.301.4229 Sleep’s Cabins Lakeshore Drive, 255-2122 – Six historic log and bungalow cabins on beautiful Lake Pend Oreille. Sleeps 4-12. See ad, page 46. SleepsCabins.com

Vacationville 109B N. 1st Ave., 255-7074, 877-255-7074 – Sandpoint’s oldest vacation rental company. Specializing in vacation rentals on the lake, the mountain and the city. See ad, page 137. Vacationville.com VETERINARIAN North Idaho Animal Hospital 320 S. Ella Ave., 265-5700 – Safety, skill and compassion are the cornerstones of our practice. We strive to continually celebrate the human-animal bond. See ad page 43. IdahoVet.com WINE Pend d’Oreille Winery 220 Cedar St., 265-8545 – Tastings, tours and retail sales of our award-winning wines. Expanded gift and wine shop. Open daily. See ad, page 22. POWine.com WELDING/FABRICATION Selkirk Welding & Machinery 1200 Triangle Drive, Ponderay, 263-1258 – Full service welding and fabrication. Sales, service, installation, load testing, and generators. See ad, page 117.

Service Directory www.SandpointOnline.com

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Sandpoint of View

Is Sandpoint an

‘arts community’… really? By David Gunter

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ILLUSTRATION BY DAN SEWARD

oin me, gentle reader, for a brief moment of community introspection. As the broader world becomes more aware of Sandpoint and its obvious natural attributes, there has been more attention paid, in fits and starts, to our collective penchant for the arts. All of which begs the difficult question: Is Sandpoint an “arts community?” Really? Based solely on the number of activities, gallery showings, concerts and events, it would appear so. But does quantity alone warrant that designation? Let’s hold ourselves up to another, admittedly more famous, arts community in the Northwest – Ashland, Ore. There, in the wooded hinterlands between Portland and San Francisco, a smallish city has managed to create a boomtown based primarily on the works of one William Shakespeare. Art – or at least theater – drives the local economy in Ashland. Motels and supermarkets have constructed mockTudor exteriors and taken on the names of Shakespearean characters. Nearly every business there has jumped on The Bard’s bandwagon. Compared with Sandpoint, however, Ashland is a one-trick pony. That is to take nothing away from its success, which is phenomenal, or its civic support for the arts, which is admirable. It’s just that theater dominates the scene to such an extent that all other art forms are relegated to the role of “something to do to fill time between plays.” Which brings us back home. In Sandpoint, the community has become a personification of the art that happens here. After an extended hiatus, organized community theater is making a comeback as actors, directors and playwrights gather to bring works to the stage (see story, page 92). The Pend Oreille Arts Council continues its long tradition of bringing performing arts to local audiences in the form of drama, dance and music from around the world.

In the visual arts, interest has grown to the point that a few, trendy galleries would never suffice when we have such a wealth of artists whose work demands display space. For that reason, the Pend Oreille Arts Council has negotiated the virtual takeover of the downtown core, where a couple dozen businesses double as galleries during summer’s ArtWalk showings, in addition to ongoing exhibits year-round at several public spaces. The Panida Theater – saved from the wrecking ball by local names inscribed on bricks and tiles at its entrance – has become a symbol of a community’s commitment to art incarnate. She is our very own Cinderella story. We saved her, we dressed her up for the ball, and we turn out to dance with her at every opportunity all year-round. The Festival at Sandpoint, too, was hauled back from the brink of financial ruin not so many years ago by a combination of enlightened philanthropy, grassroots donations and old-fashioned hard work. The payoff – in both aesthetic

and monetary terms – has been entirely gratifying. The festival now returns the favor as it spreads its largesse through grants and educational programs. Art reaches out to support Sandpoint restaurants and wine bars, many of which feature local musicians at least two nights a week. It helps fill rooms at lodging establishments and shore up the sales for gift shops. The Bonner County Daily Bee’s coverage of the arts helps it grow subscriptions in an era where most daily papers are dying off. But behind the scenes, beyond the quantifiable benefits, lies the true secret to our success: Art resides here. We only manifest her presence and celebrate her decision to live in our midst. The talented souls who practice and perfect their artistic skills in and around Sandpoint do so at the whim of an almost tangible spirit that has embraced them and allowed them to stay. In that sense, we are not so much an “arts community” as “Art’s community.” May we serve her humbly and well.

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