Boundary County Fair, Swish 3v3 Bonners Ferry, Rod Benders Car Club, HorsePower Collides, Carrie Figgins, Kootenai River Run
PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT
DIRECTOR OF PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT Jackson Russo | jackson@like-media.com
DESIGN
CREATIVE DIRECTOR | Maddie Horton
DESIGN DIRECTOR | Darbey Russo
SENIOR DESIGNER | Kennedy Pew
SENIOR DESIGNER | Sam Stoke
DIGITAL CREATIVE DIRECTOR | Whitney Lebsock
ADMINISTRATION
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER | Rachel Figgins EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | Steve Russo MANAGING PARTNER | Kim Russo
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Living Local magazine is published seasonally and distributed freely throughout the Pacific Northwest and Inland Northwest: Gig Harbor, Edmonds, Bonners Ferry, Sandpoint, Dover Bay, Coeur d’Alene, Hayden, Rathdrum, and the Spokane Valley. Opinions expressed in articles or advertisements do not necessarily reflect the publisher’s opinions. Living Local magazine is not responsible for omissions or information that has been misrepresented to the magazine. Living Local magazine is produced and published by Like Media, and no part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted without the publisher’s permission.
MORE THAN Asummer destination
Summer has a way of showing Bonners Ferry for what it really is.
The Kootenai River runs wide through the valley. Main Street gets busier. The farmers market fills with growers, makers, music, and familiar faces. Classic cars return downtown, the fairgrounds come alive, and visitors passing through on Highway 95 begin to understand what locals already know. Bonners Ferry has never been interested in being like everywhere else.
That is part of what makes this Summer issue so fitting. With a focus on real estate, tourism, and the season that draws people north, we look at the way Boundary County continues to attract attention without losing the qualities that set it apart. The river, the mountains, the wildlife refuge, local shops, restaurants, farmstands, trails, and gathering places all work together to create something grounded and hard to duplicate.
Tourism supports local businesses. Local businesses strengthen the community. Real estate reflects the deeper decision many people are making: to move beyond the quick visit and consider what it would mean to build a life in a place with space, grit, beauty, and purpose.
In these pages, you will find stories that capture that connection. We look at Bonners Ferry as a different kind of Idaho, one where the river is still the center of summer and the mountains are not a backdrop, but daily geography. We also celebrate local food and farmers market traditions, highlight businesses built on consistency and hard work, and share stories of service, family, and commitment to Boundary County.
The timing also feels significant. As America prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday, that milestone deserves more than fireworks. It deserves reflection. Our Good News feature looks back at moments in America’s story that point to Providence, resilience, and the remarkable endurance of a country that has weathered more than its share of uncertainty.
That same spirit shows up in the business owners who keep showing up, the farmers and makers who feed the season, the veterans who continue serving, the families putting down roots, and the neighbors who still believe place matters.
This summer, may we enjoy the river, the mountains, the markets, the celebrations, and the slower days. But may we also notice the gift of living in a community worth caring for.
Welcome to the Summer issue of Bonners Ferry Living Local.
The Summer 2026 edition of Bonners Ferry Living Local features Nature's Design Landscaping and Excavation (NLD Inc.), the Bonners Ferry excavation and property services company that Matthew and Christine Petefish have built over more than thirty years in Boundary County.
Read their full story on page 30.
Meet Steve Russo Executive Director
SECOND CHANCE ANIMAL ADOPTION
For more than two decades, Second Chance Animal Adoption (SCAA) has served Boundary County with practical compassion and consistent care. Founded in 1998, the organization grew from temporary kennels in a barn to the county's only non-kill shelter, later expanding to include a dedicated cat facility. Today, SCAA provides safety for abandoned, lost, and abused animals while supporting pet owners through accessible food assistance and community resources.
The shelter and its thrift store operate as one mission, with thrift store proceeds funding veterinary care, staffing, and daily operations. Volunteers, foster homes, and local partners step in when capacity is stretched, ensuring animals receive the time, treatment, and trust-building they need.
TO LEARN MORE OR GET INVOLVED visit SecondChanceAnimalAdoption.com
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FRESH IN Boundary County
The market, farmstands, and a summer of local food
The Bonners Ferry Farmers Market is one of the longest-running in the Idaho Panhandle, dating back to 1980. Every Saturday from late April through early November, vendors set up beside the Gateway Visitor Center, and the town shows up.
People run into each other, catch up, and shop from the same growers week after week. It becomes familiar.
“Our mission is to provide fresh produce and local crafts to our community along with friendships and fun,” says Cassidy Lumen, Chairman of the Bonners Ferry Farmers Market.
Live music plays each week, and the calendar fills throughout the season with community events, including Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Kids Day,
the Garlic Festival, and the Holiday Festival. The market also contributes to local efforts like the Hope House and the Restorium.
For many, the market is personal. Vendors and shoppers still talk about Marcia Vee, known as the “worm lady,” whose presence helped shape the market.
The market might be a Saturday tradition, but it doesn’t stop there. Across Boundary County, farmstands carry that same connection through the rest of the week.
At Homestead Produce, Jordan and Kayla Dyck have built their farm around consistency and trust. Their mobile pastured eggs lead both production and demand, supported by a steady rotation of washed
"Supporting local farmstands is about more than convenience."
lettuce mix, heirloom tomatoes, English-style cucumbers, basil, garlic, and their fresh garlic powder. Their approach centers on regenerative practices, prioritizing soil and animal health to produce nutrient-dense food.
“Your dietary needs and lifestyle choices matter to us. We’re here to help you eat well and feel good,” Kayla says.
That connection continues beyond the farmstand through delivery routes and direct communication with customers. Visitors can sign up for the newsletter at HomesteadProduce. farm to stay updated on seasonal availability and events, including the June 18 Farm Tour and Farm-to-Table Lunch as part of the Panhandle Farm Corridor.
For Cloud Eleven Mountain Farm in Moyie Springs, growing food comes with a different set of challenges. With roughly 90 frost-free days each year, every crop reflects careful planning and adaptation. Edward, Julie, and Seamus Newcomb grow USDA Certified Organic produce that is also Real Organic Project certified and Certified Naturally Grown, focusing on heirloom varieties, Arc of Taste heritage crops, and Asian culinary varieties requested by their customers.
“Supporting local mitigates dependency on non-local supply chains and strengthens our communities,” Edward says.
Their path began with the University of Idaho Extension Master Gardener program and expanded into multiple markets, including Bonners Ferry and Sandpoint. Today, they continue to share what they’ve learned with others working to grow food in the same conditions.
At Meadow Creek Farm Stand, the story is as much about place as it is about product. Patrick and Renee Murphy restored an old milk house on land that has been in Renee’s family since 1964. Inside, the boards were hand-milled by her 85-year-old father from trees on the property, turning the structure itself into part of the story.
Their stand brings together multiple generations, offering sourdough bread, raw unfiltered honey, farm-fresh eggs, jams, freeze-dried goods, and handmade products, including Renee’s huckleberry treats, which took years to perfect.
“Supporting local farmstands is about more than convenience. It’s about getting out, seeing what’s being produced nearby, and being part of the community that supports it,” Renee says.
Taken together, the market and these farmstands are part of how this community feeds itself. In a place with a short growing season and long winters, it matters. It keeps knowledge close to home, supports the people doing the work, and gives you a direct connection to what’s on your table and where it came from.
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A LIFE OF SERVICE FROM THE ARMY TO BOUNDARY COUNTY
Teresa Rae returned to
after two decades in the Army and has continued serving Boundary County through education, housing, and community programs.
Bonners Ferry
Q.You and your husband Brian moved back to Bonners Ferry in 2012 after each serving twenty years in the Army. Why here?
A. Brian is from Bonners Ferry, a third-generation local. At about the 10-year mark in our Army careers, we decided we would return after retiring so he could work for his brother at General Feed and Grain. The lure of our girls growing up in a small town was also appealing. After moving fourteen times in twenty years, putting down roots where our girls, then 10 and 5, could grow up in a stable, safe, and healthy environment was key.
Q.Your daughters grew up here. What did Bonners Ferry give them that mattered?
A. It gave them a sense of community, a sense of purpose, and a true sense of self that instilled in both of them the drive and confidence to go out and challenge themselves to achieve whatever goals they set for themselves. Brian and I are grateful for the village that helped raise our girls.
Q.You came home from the Army and kept serving. What pulls you toward volunteering?
A. Seeing the need in our community and the work organizations do to address it. I'm passionate about education, low-income housing, food insecurity, and health and wellness. There's also a personal draw toward coaching kids in our county and continuing or developing opportunities for them that I had growing up.
"I'm aboutpassionate education, low- income housing, food insecurity, and health and wellness."
Fun Facts:
A few things you may not know about Teresa Rae:
• West Point Class of 1992: Earned a degree in Civil Engineering before her 20-year Army career
• Retired Deputy Brigade Commander: Served a tour in Iraq before retiring in 2012
• BCFCH President for 9 Years: Leads the Boundary County Fuller Center for Housing
• Volunteer Coach: 12 seasons coaching shot put and discus at Boundary County Middle School, plus Parks and Recreation Volleyball each fall
• Finest Person of the Year (2025): Voted top three by Bonners Ferry Living Local readers
Q.Where are you investing your time right now?
A. I'm Vice Chair of Boundary County School District 101 School Board for Zone 5 in Naples, going on 9 years. I'm also Region 1 Chair of the Idaho School Board Association.
I'm President of the Boundary County Fuller Center for Housing (BCFCH), also going on 9 years, which provides homeownership opportunities for our county's most impoverished residents who otherwise couldn't afford a home of their own.
I'm on the board of the Boundary County Weekend Food Kit Program, BoCo Backpacks, providing weekend food kits to over 160 food-insecure children each week.
Most recently, I joined the Boundary Community Hospital Board, where I work with CEO April Bennett to keep our rural hospital viable.
And I coach Parks and Recreation Volleyball in the fall for upwards of fifty third- through sixth-grade girls in a clinic-style approach focused on individual touches, plus 12 seasons as a volunteer shot put and discus coach at Boundary County Middle School.
Q.Is there a moment from your volunteer work that has stayed with you?
A. The most impactful is probably the building of the new Valley View Elementary School, scheduled for completion in September 2027. The Superintendent, School Board, and I have been planning and fighting for this locally and at the state level for almost five years. With recent legislation, we now have the state funding to make it a reality. Knowing that over 400 students will attend a safe, secure, modern school is the most rewarding project I have ever been part of. At a more modest level, our Fuller partner families, whom I've been fortunate and blessed to work with over the past
decade, stay with me. They are and will forever be part of the Fuller family. Weekly, I am humbled to be part of distributing meals to around 160 children in our community experiencing food insecurity at home.
Q.What's the latest with BCFCH, and what keeps you committed to this work?
A. BCFCH is taking the summer of 2026 to do major site work in preparation for our next builds. We anticipate soliciting a partner family in late 2026 or early 2027, with construction starting in the spring or summer of 2027. Seeing the need in our community keeps me personally committed. As long as I have the time, can meaningfully contribute, and am passionate about the cause, I'll keep volunteering until I'm physically or mentally unable.
Q.For someone who wants to get involved, whether with Fuller Center or another community group, what's the first step?
A. Reach out to whatever organization interests you and volunteer. Start small, work up to your comfort level, and remember that every little bit helps.
BONNERSFERRY: A DIFFERENTKINDOF IDAHO
Why buyers are moving past resort towns and heading north
by LIKE MEDIA TEAM
The Kootenai River bends wide through the valley floor just south of Bonners Ferry. From certain parcels on the North Bench, you can see three mountain ranges at once: the Selkirks to the west, the Cabinets to the east, and the Purcells straight ahead. People come here on vacation, take in that view, and something shifts. They stop looking at the scenery and start looking at the real estate signs.
Boundary County has watched this happen for years. Visitors pass through on Highway 95 and slow down. They stop at the Kootenai River Brewing Company or drive the auto route through the Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge, find Copper Falls or the Deep Creek boat launch or the Saturday farmers market on Main Street, and by the second quiet morning, they start asking
questions. What do homes cost here? How far is it to Sandpoint? What are winters like?
The answers tend to surprise them.
Bonners Ferry is not Coeur d'Alene. It is not Sun Valley or McCall or any of Idaho's resort towns. The population sits under 3,000, and the whole of Boundary County holds fewer than 14,000 people. There is one high school. One municipal golf course. Three grocery stores and a handful of locally owned shops along a Main Street that still looks like Main Street. Elk Mountain Farms grows hops a few miles from downtown. Wheat, barley, and canola come out of the valley every fall. Log trucks still run Highway 95, and the smell of the sawmill is not a memory here.
A place where the nearest national forest trailhead is a fifteen-minute drive.
Buyers who find Bonners Ferry through tourism are not chasing a resort lifestyle. They are chasing the opposite. They want land that has not been subdivided into quarter-acre lots. They want a place where the neighbor has horses and the nearest national forest trailhead is a fifteen-minute drive. Boundary County offers that at a scale most of western Idaho lost a decade ago. Ten-acre parcels. Twenty-acre parcels. Properties that back up to Forest Service land and border year-round creeks. Listings here routinely mention well water, southern exposure, and views into Canada.
The Canadian border sits fewer than thirty miles north. Two border crossings connect Boundary County to British Columbia, one at Porthill on State Highway 1 and one at Eastport on Highway 95. That proximity has always
2,774 acres
The 2,774 acre Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge provides diverse habitats for a large variety of wildlife.
shaped Bonners Ferry. Edwin Bonner built his original ferry in 1864 to move gold prospectors across the Kootenai River on their way to British Columbia's Wildhorse Creek. The county's name comes from the international boundary itself. For buyers relocating from other states or countries, proximity to Canada is a practical asset, not just a geographic curiosity. Cross-border travel, family connections, and easy access to the East Kootenays of B.C. factor into purchasing decisions more than most outsiders would expect.
But the border is only part of the geography that matters. The Kootenai River runs through the center of Bonners Ferry, deep and wide enough for waterskiing south of town, calmer and suited to float trips and fishing to the north. The Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge spreads across nearly 2,800 acres just west of downtown, home to migrating waterfowl, moose, elk, and black bear. In the fall, tens of thousands of birds pass through on the Pacific Flyway. The Selkirk
Crest holds alpine lakes accessible only on foot. Roman Nose Lake, west of town, is the only wheelchair-accessible lake in the Selkirks. More than 300 miles of trails run through Panhandle National Forest land in Boundary County.
Buyers who first discover this on a weekend trip realize it is not a vacation amenity. It is a Tuesday afternoon. It is the walk before dinner. It is the reason people who live here do not leave.
The Kootenai Valley itself is part of the equation. The river deposited rich, fertile soil across the valley floor over centuries of flooding, earning it the nickname "Nile of the North" among early settlers. Completion of the Libby Dam in 1975 ended the worst flooding and enabled farm expansion. Agriculture still generates tens of millions of dollars annually in Boundary County, and the working landscape, hay fields running to the base of timbered mountains, is a major
It is the reason
PEOPLE WHO LIVE HERE DO NOT
LEAVE.
“
The
working landscape, hay fields running to the base of timbered mountains, is a major part of what makes the place feel the way it does.
part of what makes the place feel the way it does. Buyers relocating here are not just buying a house. They are buying into a place where farming and timber are still part of daily life, where 4-H and FFA matter, and where the Boundary County Fair draws the whole town.
Bonners Ferry gives buyers access to the Idaho Panhandle without asking them to live in the middle of a resort market. The Kootenai River, national forest land, nearby lakes, trails, farmland, and open space are all part of daily life here. For remote workers and retirees especially, that tradeoff is straightforward. The outdoor access is real. The cost of entry is lower. The pace is slower, and it stays that way.
Bonners Ferry gets real cold and real snow, and anyone considering a move needs to know that. The seasons here are not decorative. They are structural. Hard winters keep the population steady and the landscape intact. Spring breakup is earned, not scheduled. Summers are short and warm, and locals treat them accordingly, which is partly why Kootenai River Days, the Fourth of July, and the Saturday market carry the weight they do. Fall arrives early, and the cottonwoods along Deep Creek Trail turn gold weeks before most of Idaho notices the shift.
Buyers who come through on vacation in July see the best version of this place. The river is up, the mountains are green, the days run long. But the ones who actually buy, the ones who stay, are the ones who ask about January. They want to know about plowing, about propane, about whether the school bus makes it up their road. Those are the questions that separate a tourist from a neighbor.
What pulls people north is the place itself, unchanged enough to feel like something most of the country already lost. A town where the grocery store cashier knows your name by the third visit. A county where you can own twenty acres with a creek and old-growth cedar and a view of three mountain ranges, and your nearest neighbor is a quarter mile through the timber.
People discover Bonners Ferry on their way somewhere else. They come back because they realize they already found it.
BONNERS FERRY:
Outdoor access is part of daily life here, from the Kootenai River and national forest land to trails, farmland, and open space. Residents get the North Idaho lifestyle without the traffic, resort pricing, or crowds. For remote workers and retirees especially, the tradeoff is straightforward: lower cost of entry, a slower pace, and room to breathe.
Turning Raw Land Into Lasting Property
Serving Boundary County from the ground up by LIKE
NLD Inc.
6410 Main St., Bonners Ferry, ID
208.267.1132 | 208.610.3261 | 208.946.7470
NLDInc.com f NaturesLandscaping
Matthew and Christine Petefish started with a Bobcat, a few small jobs, and a lot of determination. That was 1992, in a small Arizona town, where the business grew through excavation work, word of mouth, and a willingness to take on whatever needed to be done. Three years later, they came north, fell in love with Bonners Ferry, bought property, and put down roots. Nature’s Design Landscaping and Excavation (NLD Inc.) has been operating in Boundary County ever since, growing steadily through the same approach that got it started. Show up. Do the work right. Stand behind it.
The business expanded the same way it started. One job at a time, one relationship at a time. What began as basic excavation has grown into land clearing, road building, site development, septic installation, concrete work, trucking, grading, and the property services that make raw land usable. If something needs to be dug, moved, poured, or cleared in Bonners Ferry or Boundary County, NLD has probably done it.
“NLD is a locally owned excavation and property services company that helps homeowners, businesses, and landowners develop and improve their properties,” Matthew says. “We take on projects big and small,
focusing on quality workmanship, reliability, and helping people turn raw land into usable, lasting spaces.”
Concrete and foundations keep the crew busiest. As Boundary County continues to grow and more people build homes, shops, and outbuildings, the demand for solid groundwork has stayed strong. NLD handles it all, from the initial site prep through the pour. Every project, large or small, gets the same level of care.
Some of their most demanding work has come through large-scale environmental projects. NLD spent nearly four years on the Holden Mine Cleanup and has also contributed to cleanup efforts at the Idora Mine. That kind of work requires meticulous planning, sustained coordination, and a crew committed to seeing a job through no matter how long it takes.
“Those jobs represent the kind of work ethic, dedication, and pride we bring to every project we take on,” Matthew adds.
In spring 2026, NLD opened a material yard at 6410 Main Street. The
MEDIA TEAM
grand opening on May 2 drew the community out, and the response has been strong. The yard stocks mulch, bark products, gravel, decorative rock, and more, with soil amendments, landscape fabric, and additional stone options being added as inventory grows.
Customers can load up on site by bucket, bin, pickup, or trailer, or order delivery. NLD can haul anywhere from one yard to 100 yards, using a dump bed pickup, dump trailer, 10 to 12 yard dump truck, and walking floor trailers for lighter materials. If someone needs a specific material that the yard does not stock, the team will work to source it.
Looking ahead, Matthew and Christine plan to keep expanding the material yard and eventually offer recycling services for concrete and wood debris, keeping those materials out of local landfills and finding better uses for what would otherwise go to waste. It is the same practical thinking that has driven the business from the beginning: find a better way, then follow through.
Through all of it, the through line is the same as it was in 1992. Show up, communicate honestly, and do the work right.
“We work closely with our clients from start to finish to understand their goals, keep communication open, and help bring their vision for their property to life,” Christine notes. “Our focus has always been on honest work, reliable service, and creating results that are built to last for the people and families here in Bonners Ferry.”
NLD has called Bonners Ferry home for more than thirty years. They intend to keep building here for many more.
A Nation That Should NotBe Here
FIVE IMPROBABLE MOMENTS. ONE THREAD. AND A QUESTION WORTH ASKING 250 YEARS LATER.
By STEVE RUSSO
Four bullets passed through his coat. Two horses died beneath him. He walked off the field. He was twenty-three years old.
It was July 9, 1755. The British column had marched into an ambush near the Monongahela River, deep in what is now western Pennsylvania. The commanding general was dead. The officers around the young Virginia colonel were being cut down where they stood. The battle was a slaughter.
George Washington should have been one of the bodies. He wasn't.
Days later, he wrote to his brother. He had no explanation that satisfied him. So he reached for the only word that did. “By the all-powerful dispensations of Providence,” he wrote, “I have been protected beyond all human probability and expectation.”
He did not say lucky. He did not say skilled. He said something had kept him beyond human explanation. The all-powerful dispensations of Providence. In other words, the hand of God.
That is the documented account. It is in Washington’s own hands. It needs nothing added to it.
But years later, the story took on another layer. A Native chief who had fought against the British that day reportedly sought Washington out. He said that during the battle, he had ordered his best warriors to single out the tall officer on the white horse. They fired again and again. Nothing touched him. The chief said he had finally stopped firing himself and ordered his men to do the same, convinced the “Great Spirit” was shielding the young man.
He had come, he said, to see the face of a man who could not be killed.
And he was not the only one. Somewhere in that same column, a young wagoner named Daniel Boone cut his horse loose and rode clear of the
slaughter. He was barely twenty. The frontier he would open, the road west through the Cumberland Gap, the settlement that would carry his name; all of it was still ahead of him. On that field, two men whose names the country would never forget came within a musket shot of dying as strangers. Both walked away.
Twenty-one years later, whatever had kept him during the battle at the Monongahela River would have to keep him again.
It was August 1776. The Declaration of Independence had been signed weeks earlier. The ink was barely dry. And the army carrying the new country on its back was about to be destroyed.
Washington had lost the Battle of Long Island. Nine thousand
Washington made a decision that should not have worked. He ordered an evacuation across the river by night. In open boats. In silence. With the enemy a mile away.
men were pinned against the East River with the British army closing in behind them. The Royal Navy was moving to seal the river. By morning, the war would be over. The country would be over. The signers would hang.
Washington made a decision that should not have worked. He ordered an evacuation across the river by night. In open boats. In silence. With the enemy a mile away.
The boats moved through the dark for hours. Men. Horses. Cannon. Everything.
Dawn came too early.
The last boats were still on the wrong side of the river when the sun began to rise. The British would see them. The river was about to become a killing field.
And then the fog rolled in.
It came up from the river itself. Thick. It covered the Brooklyn side and
left the British side clear. It held until the last boat crossed. Then it lifted. Benjamin Tallmadge, who was there, called it “a peculiar providential occurrence.”
The army lived. The country lived.
While Washington was being kept alive, the Continental Congress was on its knees.
On May 17, 1776, weeks before the Declaration was even written, Congress called the entire country to a day of humiliation, fasting, and prayer. Not a moment of silence. Not a vague appeal to the divine. A summons for a whole people to kneel. The Library of Congress describes the proclamation as setting May 17, 1776, as a “day of Humiliation, Fasting and Prayer” throughout the colonies.
They asked the people to confess their sins. They asked God for pardon. And they named the One through whom that pardon would come.
“Through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ.”
The two men most responsible for the Declaration of Independence. Political rivals, then friends, then the last living signers died on the same day.
Those are not my words. They are the words of the Continental Congress of the United States of America, on the eve of independence.
The men who built this country asked for mercy by name.
Eleven years later, the country they had won was nearly lost again. This time, not on a battlefield, but in a room.
It was June 1787. The Constitutional Convention had been meeting for weeks in Philadelphia. The delegates could not agree. The arguments had grown sharp. The small states would not yield to the large. The large would not yield to the small. The whole project was about to collapse.
Benjamin Franklin was eighty-one years old. He was the least orthodox man in the room. For most of his life, he had called himself a deist. He had questioned almost every doctrine Christianity holds.
He stood up.
“I have lived, Sir, a long time,” he said, “and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth, that God governs in the affairs of men.”
Then he asked the convention to stop and pray.
The deadlock broke. The Constitution was written.
The least religious man in the room was the one who told them to look up.
Fifty years after the Declaration was signed, on July 4, 1826, John Adams lay dying in Massachusetts. He was ninety years old. The day he had helped create was being celebrated in every town in America.
His last reported words were “Thomas Jefferson survives.”
He was wrong.
Six hundred miles away, in Virginia, Thomas Jefferson had died a few hours earlier. The two men most responsible for the Declaration of Independence. Political rivals, then friends, then the last living signers — died on the same day. Fifty years to the day from the document they had built together.
Two men. One day. Fifty years.
The odds are hard to dismiss.
Five moments stand out: Washington surviving a battlefield, an army escaping under fog, Congress calling the colonies to prayer, Franklin urging a convention to look up, and Adams and Jefferson dying on the same Fourth of July.
Two and a half centuries apart at the edges. One thread running through them.
A young officer who should have died. An army that should have been destroyed. A
Congress that named the Mediator. A deist who told a convention to pray. Two founders who died on the same improbable day.
You can call it all ‘coincidence.’ Some people do. But coincidence happens once. Maybe twice. It does not keep arriving at the exact moments a nation is about to be lost.
But it did. Again and again. At the longest odds, in the narrowest moments, what Washington could only call “the all-powerful dispensations of Providence.”
And this is not the whole list. These are only the moments that fit on a page. The rest could fill books.
So the question is yours to answer.
What do you call it when the same hand keeps showing up?
The Founders had a word for it. They used it openly. They wrote it into proclamations, letters, and last addresses. They did not always agree on theology. Washington was not an evangelical. Jefferson was not orthodox. Franklin called himself a deist for most of his life.
But when their country was being saved, they did not credit themselves. They looked up.
And in 1776, when Congress called the colonies to humiliation, fasting, and prayer, it did not speak only in vague terms of Providence. It wrote the name plainly:
Jesus Christ — “through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ,” a sinful people might “obtain his pardon and forgiveness.”
America turns 250 this summer.
The fireworks will go up over towns the Founders never saw. The grills will smoke. The flags will hang from porches across the Inland Northwest. There will be parades from Bonners Ferry to Coeur d’Alene to Spokane, and in thousands of small towns across the country.
And somewhere in the middle of all of it, it is worth stopping to ask the question history keeps asking.
What do you call it when the same hand keeps showing up?
A young man walked off a battlefield, where he had no business walking off. An army crossed a river under a fog that lifted at exactly the right moment. Congress put the name of Jesus Christ into the founding documents of a nation that did not yet exist. An old skeptic told a deadlocked convention to look up and pray. Two old men died on the same day, fifty years to the hour from the day they helped build.
Look at those five moments together. Then decide for yourself. If it was coincidence, it was the greatest chain of coincidences ever recorded.
But if it was “Providence,” then the hand that guided a nation through centuries can certainly guide one soul home.
Happy Birthday, America!
The fireworks will go up over towns the Founders never saw. The grills will smoke. The flags will hang from porches across the Inland Northwest.
Non-Opioid Pain Relief CLOSER TO HOME
Focused treatment that targets the source of pain, not just symptoms
Living with ongoing pain can wear down every part of life. It can make it harder to work, sleep, stay active, enjoy time with family, or simply get through the day without frustration. For many people, pain does not just affect one area of the body. It affects mood, energy, mobility, and quality of life. When pain lingers, it can begin to feel like every decision revolves around what hurts and what has to wait.
Many patients are looking for relief, but they are also looking for options that do not rely on opioid medications. That is one reason nonopioid pain clinics can be so valuable. Instead of only trying to mask pain, this type of care focuses on identifying the source of the problem and building a treatment plan around the individual patient’s needs, symptoms, and goals.
A non-opioid pain clinic may offer advanced, non-surgical treatments designed to target the cause of discomfort more directly. These can include injections, nerve blocks, radiofrequency ablations, trigger point injections, physical therapy, and other supportive therapies. The goal is not just to reduce pain, but to improve function and help patients
by DANIELLE LARSSON, BOUNDARY COMMUNITY HOSPITAL
return to more of the activities that matter in daily life. For some patients, these approaches may also help reduce reliance on pain medication or delay the need for surgery.
This kind of care can be especially important in rural communities, where traveling long distances for specialty services can add even more stress to an already difficult situation. Having access to pain management closer to home can mean less time on the road, more convenience for families, and a better chance of staying consistent with treatment.
That is why the availability of Holistic Pain Management at Boundary Community Hospital is such a meaningful resource for our community. HPM offers specialized non-opioid pain management services at BCH, giving local patients access to advanced pain care without having to leave the area. For those living with chronic pain, it means another path forward right here at home, one focused on relief, improved movement, and a better quality of life.
Selkirk Kennels
30 Years of Trusted Dog Boarding
Built on consistency, with families returning year after year
Tim and Wendy Bertling opened Selkirk Kennels in Moyie Springs thirty years ago, just minutes from Bonners Ferry. They started small, grooming dogs out of their house while raising their kids.
Looking back, Wendy says, “It was a way for me to be home with my kids but also help provide for our family. Then it turned into something much bigger than I expected.”
The boarding kennel came next, and from there it expanded into a full operation at 120 Selkirk Street. The approach, though, has stayed the same. It is built around paying attention to each dog.
When dogs arrive, they are greeted at the door and led straight to the play yard to run while the team sets up each kennel with beds and toys from home. Each dog’s routine is shaped by what that animal actually needs, whether that means heavy play sessions, quiet downtime, or socializing with other dogs. Wendy and her team let each dog set the pace. Some want constant activity. Others need space. The team pays attention and adjusts.
New options are coming this year, including a scent room where dogs can hunt for hidden items using their noses. A treadmill gives high-energy dogs extra run time beyond the play yard. The team also adds
variety with neighborhood walks and car rides, especially for longer stays.
All dogs must be up to date on vaccinations before arrival. No exceptions. Keeping illness out of the facility is a priority.
“We prioritize making sure that we surround the dogs with things that make them comfortable,” Wendy says. That includes confirmed vaccination records and kennels set up with each dog’s own belongings.
For dogs with higher needs or owners who worry, the team sends regular updates. A photo or a quick note about their day. Whatever puts the owner at ease. That consistency has turned many clients into close friends over the years.
“We are very blessed to have the trust of our clients to care for their pets,” she says.
Some families have trusted Selkirk Kennels with their pets for months at a time.
One stay stands out. A female St. Bernard arrived for a threemonth stay. No one, including the owners, knew she was pregnant. A couple of weeks in, she gave birth to eight puppies. The team cared for the mother and all eight pups for the remaining two months. Her kids were young at the time and came out to the kennel every day to play with them.
She does not take the business’s longevity for granted. “I feel so blessed that it’s made it this long,” she says. The business has stayed relevant by continually learning and improving. How the kennel operated in the early days looks very different from how it operates now, and she is still finding ways to improve it.
Rather than competing with other boarding facilities in Boundary County, Wendy maintains strong relationships and refers clients to kennels she trusts when her own schedule is full. When asked what sets Selkirk Kennels apart, the answer is simple: consistency. Families come back with their second and third dogs to the same place their first one stayed.
Looking ahead, the goal remains unchanged. Selkirk Kennels is known for attention to detail and genuine care for every animal that comes through the door. A true home away from home, built over three decades by Tim, Wendy, and their team.
SELKIRK ENERGY SOLUTIONS
Get Your Deck Summer-Ready
Scrub away moss, mildew, and winter grime with a deck cleaner rather than a pressure washer. High pressure frays wood fibers and worsens surface damage.
• Sprinkle water on the surface before resealing. If it beads up, the sealant is holding. If it soaks in fast, it is time to reseal. Never skip it.
• A penetrating stain holds up better in wet climates than a film-forming product. Film-forming finishes peel, require full stripping, and create more work down the road.
• Walk every board before furniture goes out. Loose fasteners, soft spots, and popped nails are worth fixing now. A solid deck is the one people actually use.
• A conversation area, a dining spot, and a drink station make even a mid-size deck feel organized and ready for summer.
Serving residential and commercial clients throughout Bonners Ferry and surrounding North Idaho, Selkirk Energy Solutions provides insulation services designed to improve comfort, efficiency, and long-term performance. Their team offers spray foam insulation, blown-in insulation, dense pack cellulose, fiberglass batts, rock wool, air sealing, and crawl space encapsulation. Focused on lower energy costs, moisture control, and professional installation, they help homeowners, builders, and business owners create spaces that perform better year-round.
208.295.9780
BonnersFerry.SelkirkEnergySolutions.com
95 NORTH RENTALS & EXCAVATION
95 North Rentals & Excavation provides equipment rentals to make your job easier: excavators, forklifts and loaders, skidsteers, telehandlers, trailers, wood chippers, and more. They also do septic systems, dirt work, roads, and driveways.
85 Three Mile Rd. Bonners Ferry 208.290.7535
ALLIANCE TITLE & ESCROW
Deeply rooted in the Pacific Northwest, Alliance Title & Escrow has been one of the largest independent title insurance agencies since 1995 and knows how to ensure a smooth, professional closing. The title professionals you want working for you.
6977 Main St. Bonners Ferry 208.267.3129
ELITE REALTY PARTNERS | NEDRA KANAVEL
With over two decades of experience, Nedra Kanavel is a top-producing real estate expert serving North Idaho, based in Sandpoint. She specializes in luxury, waterfront, and vacation properties, offering trusted guidance and a personalized approach for buyers and sellers alike. Nedra’s deep market knowledge, strong negotiation skills, and unwavering commitment make her a go-to advisor in today’s competitive real estate landscape. nedra@nedrakanavel.com 208.610.4624
HOME TOWN EXPERTS
BADGERS DEN CAFE & LATTE
The Badger’s Den Cafe & Latte is a family style hometown restaurant serving breakfast sandwiches, burgers, huckleberry milkshakes and other American favorites. Open for breakfast, brunch and lunch 6am to 2pm daily or drive-through for your morning latte starting at 5:30am.
BOUNDARY COMMUNITY HOSPITAL
A five-day journey into America’s history and heritage
At Boundary Community Hospital, patients receive compassionate care close to home with a wide range of services, including emergency, inpatient, and outpatient care. Dedicated professionals deliver quality healthcare in a trusted environment, ensuring wellness and support for the entire community.
CDA STUMP GRINDING LLC
6551 Main St.
Bonners Ferry
208.267.1486
f TheBadgersDenCafe
6640 Kaniksu Street
Bonners Ferry
208.267.3141
BoundaryCommunityHospital.org
Located in Bonners Ferry, Idaho, CDA Stump Grinding is a trusted provider of professional stump removal services. They are committed to quality and efficiency and offer expert stump grinding to help property owners clear their land and enhance their outdoor spaces. Serving Bonners Ferry and the surrounding areas, CDA Stump Grinding is dedicated to delivering reliable, top-notch service that gets the job done right.
1605 Crossport Rd.
Bonners Ferry 208.946.6772
REBECCA BACZEWSKI, MARKETING EXECUTIVE
Rebecca Baczewski partners with local businesses to create impactful marketing strategies through print, digital, and community outreach. Known for her creativity and dedication, she helps brands grow through authentic storytelling and smart visibility. With a strong media background and a heart for connection, Rebecca ensures every campaign is tailored for success.
253.363.8830
rebecca@like-media.com
Like-Media.com
BONNERS FERRY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Serving Greater Boundary County, The Bonners Ferry Chamber of Commerce is here to help both locals and visitors alike enjoy all that the great community of Bonners Ferry has to offer. Be sure to visit their website to find all of the wonderful businesses, restaurants, hotels, outdoor adventures and community events that await.
Info@visitbonnersferry.org
VisitBonnersFerry.org
BONNERS FERRY FUNERAL HOME
Treating your family as their own, Bonners Ferry Funeral Home has been serving and supporting the community for more than a century with an understanding of the best ways to meet the needs of the families they assist through expert counseling in funeral, cremation and memorial services.
6485 Harrison St., Bonners Ferry
208.267.2146
BONNERS FERRY GLASS & DOOR CO.
Bonners Ferry Glass & Door specializes in windows, doors, garage doors, shower doors, cabinets and countertops. Their large showroom features products from many manufacturers and can help you design just about any project. They are also a full-service locksmith.
6821 Main St. Bonners Ferry 208.267.3195
GENERAL FEED AND GRAIN
Serving Bonners Ferry since 1942, General Feed and Grain supplies field seeds, lawn seeds, grain, and fertilizer for local farms and homes. They sell granular fertilizer in 50 lb bags, totes, and bulk, and rent bulk fertilizer spreaders. Full line of Non-GMO pig, chicken, cattle, and horse feed.
7128 3rd Street
Downtown Bonners Ferry
208.267.3185
LEWISTON LIVESTOCK MARKET
Lewiston Livestock Market consigns cattle for ranchers, farmers, 4-H and FFA groups all over the Northwest. Feeder calves, butcher cows, stock cows, bred heifers and anything in between. Small animal sales (hogs, sheep, goats ...) held the last Wednesday of each month.
208.743.5506
SANDPOINT GARAGE DOORS
Sandpoint Garage Doors offers expert installation, repair, and maintenance for residential and commercial garage doors across North Idaho. Known for reliable service and quality workmanship, their locally owned team ensures every job is done right. They keep your garage doors secure, efficient, and operating smoothly from new builds to upgrades.
95 North Rentals & Excavation provides equipment rentals to make your job easier: excavators, forklifts and loaders, skidsteers, telehandlers, trailers, wood chippers, and more. They also do septic systems, dirt work, roads, and driveways.
85 Three Mile Rd. Bonners Ferry 208.290.7535
SUPER 1 FOODS
At Super 1 Foods in Bonners Ferry, they set the standard. Stock up and save with their weekly ad. And don’t forget that they offer online shopping with Super 1 Smart Click and have all the groceries you know and love available for convenient pickup at the store!
6452 S. Main St. Bonners Ferry 208.267.4000
WINK INC.
Bonners Ferry's best source of aggregate products, excavation, crushing, and hauling services. Their goal is to continue providing quality gravel products at great prices and maintain their reputation as the area's best excavation/construction services.
493 Scenic Dr. Bonners Ferry 208.267.5804
Winkelseth@hotmail.com
UNBOXED RETAIL OUTLET
Find your favorite things for less at UnBoxed, where shoppers will be treated to discount prices on department store returns and overstock items. From kitchenware and household items to hardware, home decor, toys and more, UnBoxed at 3 Mile is the place to go.
85 Three Mile Rd. Bonners Ferry 208.267.6081
THICK ‘N’ THIN
Your local hometown sawmill, Thick ‘n’ Thin specializes in custom beams (beautiful locally sourced Doug Fir custom cut to your exact specifications) and lumber (hot off the Woodmizer rough Doug Fir boards), flooring and siding. Find out more on their website.
4355 Cow Creek Rd. Bonners Ferry 208.267.1330
TNTBeams.com
Maximize Your
EQUITY
Data-Driven Results
Serving Boundary and Bonner Counties, Munro Murdock applies a disciplined, data-driven approach to legacy property sales. With more than $80 million in career volume and 14+ years of licensed experience, each listing is positioned to protect equity and maximize return. Strategic pricing, targeted exposure, and skilled negotiation ensure every detail works toward a stronger bottom line.
Sellers considering a move can request a personalized net sheet to understand projected proceeds before going to market.
Your Legacy. Our Priority.
LES SCHWAB - J.B.’S TIRE AND AUTOMOTIVE
Get your net sheet: 208.610.8564 (call or text)
Munro Murdock Realtor® | #7671372
Munro@LegacyLifestyleRE.com
LegacyLifestyleRE.com eXp Luxury Realty Legacy Lifestyle Real Estate
Doing the right thing since 1952, Les Schwab in Bonners Ferry is ready to serve customers in the community as they provide local access to worldclass quality when it comes to tires, wheels and accessories, alignment, brakes, batteries, shocks and struts, and more.
6804 Denver St. Bonners Ferry
208.267.2411
NOVINGER MUSIC CENTER
Glenda Novinger provides students of all ages and skill levels private lessons through her namesake music studio, Novinger Music Center. To find out more about enrolling yourself or your child, she invites you to reach out to her today.
Since 1990, TrussTek has delivered top-quality roof and floor trusses across North Idaho, Eastern Washington, and Western Montana. Serving Sandpoint, Coeur d’Alene, Bonners Ferry, and beyond, this locally owned and operated team provides dependable craftsmanship to help contractors and homeowners start their next project with confidence.
64679 Hwy 2 Bonners Ferry 208.267.7471
Health Beauty&
Your Summer Skin Strategy
APPROACH
Summer changes everything your skin has to handle. UV exposure intensifies, sweat strips away moisture, chlorine and saltwater disrupt the barrier, and constant air conditioning leaves skin dehydrated from the inside out. Most people respond by doing less – simplifying their routine, switching to lighter products, applying SPF on their way out the door. That's a good start, but healthy summer skin requires more than the bare minimum.
Dermatologists and wellness researchers in 2026 are reframing summer skincare entirely, moving away from damage control and toward what they’re calling skin longevity. The goal isn’t to survive summer. The goal is to finish it with skin that’s healthier than it was at the start of the season.
Why Summer Is Harder on Your Skin Than You Think
UV radiation breaks down collagen and elastin over time. That process, called photoaging, is responsible for deep wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, and loss of skin elasticity. It happens gradually, and the effects appear years after exposure. While one summer of insufficient protection won't look like much in September, the effects can add up.
Heat compounds the problem. When skin sweats and loses moisture, a process called transepidermal water loss accelerates. The skin’s outermost layer, the stratum corneum, becomes compromised. That's your barrier – when it’s weakened, irritants get in more easily, hydration escapes more quickly, and skin becomes reactive. The oiliness many people notice in summer isn’t a sign of hydration. It’s often the opposite.
Add chlorine, saltwater, and the drying effects of air conditioning, and the summer barrier challenge becomes clear. Most summer routines address none of this directly.
SPF: The Whole Story
Sunscreen remains the single most impactful tool for preventing photoaging and skin cancer. Dermatologists recommend SPF 30 as a daily minimum, with SPF 50 offering stronger protection for long outdoor days. The SPF count doesn't matter as much compared to what most people miss: reapplication. Most people apply sunscreen once and consider the job done – but no formula, regardless of SPF, remains effective for more than two hours outdoors.
Broad-spectrum protection is non-negotiable. SPF measures UVB protection only – the rays that cause burning. UVA rays, which drive long-term aging and penetrate clouds and glass year-round, require a broad-spectrum sunscreen. That distinction should be the first thing you check on the label.
Mineral sunscreens, formulated with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide to physically reflect UV rays, naturally provide broad-spectrum protection. They're also an excellent option for sensitive skin. Newer mineral formulas have largely overcome the older concerns about white cast and heavy texture, with many now offering lightweight, fragrance-free wear suitable for everyday use. Wide-brimmed hats can add another layer of protection alongside SPF, and help reduce the need for constant reapplication when moving in and out of the sun.
Summer Scalp Care
SPF mist, not body sunscreen. Your scalp is skin. UV rays reach it through your hair, burning the part line, weakening follicles, and speeding up thinning over time. Standard body SPF clogs follicles. Use a scalp-specific SPF mist or powder formula instead. Reapply every two hours outdoors, sooner after swimming or sweating.
Clarify weekly. Sweat and sebum build fast in summer heat. A sulfate-free clarifying shampoo, once or twice a week, lifts that residue without stripping the natural balance. Look for salicylic acid or apple cider vinegar in the formula. Either ingredient keeps the scalp microbiome intact while clearing buildup.
Cool rinse finish. After shampooing, a cool water rinse seals the cuticle and calms heat-related irritation. Skip the blow dryer when possible. Air-dry instead.
Style for airflow. Tight ponytails trap heat and moisture, creating conditions for irritation and inflammation. Loose buns, braids, and claw-clip styles let the scalp breathe. Small habit, real payoff.
Barrier Care: What Summer Actually Requires
The skin barrier needs consistent support in the summertime, not a stripped-down routine. Lightweight protection doesn't mean minimal. Hyaluronic acid serums draw moisture into the skin and help retain it. Niacinamide calms inflammation while supporting barrier health. Ceramides, whether in a serum or moisturizer, replenish the lipids your skin loses to heat and sweat. These aren’t extra steps; they’re essential.
One thing to stop: aggressive exfoliation during peak summer months. Harsh scrubs and high-concentration chemical exfoliants disrupt the barrier further when it’s already under seasonal stress. The principle is simple: consistency, not intensity, transforms skin, especially in a season when inflammation is already elevated.
Vitamin C serums applied in the morning provide antioxidant protection against UV-related free radical damage. They work alongside SPF, not instead of it. A vitamin C and SPF combination in the morning, followed by barrier-supportive hydration, covers the essential ground.
Recovery: The Step Most Routines Skip
Post-sun recovery matters as much as prevention. Aloe vera and cucumber-based mists cool skin immediately after time outdoors and lower surface temperature. Applied after coming inside, they give skin a chance to reset before layering anything else. At night, ceramides and hyaluronic acid restore what the day took away.
Hydrating the skin isn't always topical – what happens from the inside shows up on the surface. For example, electrolytes support hydration from the inside out in a way that plain water alone can't always achieve.
The Payoff
Summer in the Pacific Northwest is short and worth being present for. The outdoor life here pulls people in every direction: water, trails, long evenings, and weekends that deserve full presence. Your skin can handle it all, with a routine built around protection, barrier care, and recovery that means you get to enjoy the season without paying for it later. That’s not a wellness trend. It’s taking care of your skin for the long run.
ONE THING TO STOP: AGGRESSIVE EXFOLIATION DURING PEAK SUMMER MONTHS. HARSH SCRUBS AND HIGH-CONCENTRATION CHEMICAL EXFOLIANTS DISRUPT THE BARRIER FURTHER WHEN IT’S ALREADY UNDER SEASONAL STRESS.
RADIANCE AESTHETICS AND WELLNESS
Radiance Aesthetics and Wellness in downtown Bonners Ferry offers Botox and other neuromodulators, SkinPen microneedling, ezGEL, vitamin IV infusions including Radiance Drip and NAD+, and Celluma red light therapy. Each visit is designed to feel calm and welcoming, helping clients look refreshed, feel their best, and leave feeling confident and cared for.
7196 Main Street Bonners Ferry RadianceNorth.com
KANIKSU COMMUNITY HEALTH
Kaniksu Community Health delivers accessible, high-quality care across North Idaho, focusing on the whole person. Their integrated services include medical, dental, behavioral health, and pharmacy care. With a mission to strengthen communities through better health, Kaniksu is committed to serving patients with compassion, dignity, and respect— regardless of income or background.
6615 Comanche Street
Bonners Ferry 208.267.1718
LASTING LOOKS ELECTROLYSIS + PMU
BOUNDARY COMMUNITY HOSPITAL
Caring for our rural community every day through guidance and care, from routine checkups to unexpected challenges, BCH understands unique health care needs and delivers comprehensive services from acute critical care to rehabilitation to transitional care and community outreach.
6640 Kaniksu St. Bonners Ferry 208.267.3141
CORNERSTONE URGENT CARE & FAMILY MEDICINE
Voted Bonners Ferry’s Finest New Business for 2023! At Cornerstone Urgent Care & Family Medicine, Dr. Ryan Gorman is committed to caring for the Bonners Ferry community, partnering with his patients on a more personal level to address their health care needs in a comprehensive way.
32 David Thompson Dr. Bonners Ferry 208.267.3934
Lasting Looks Electrolysis + PMU in Bonners Ferry provides permanent hair removal and cosmetic tattoo services in a welcoming, professional setting. Using electrolysis, the only FDA-recognized form of permanent hair removal, they offer safe, effective treatment for all hair and skin types.
6378 Main St. Bonners Ferry 208.659.8396
LastingLooks.Comb.Works
REFINED AESTHETICS MED SPA
At Refined Aesthetics, their focus is to enhance one’s natural beauty and leave you feeling more confident. Dedicated to enhancing the lives of their patients, both men and women, they utilize the most advanced treatments, products and techniques. Services include injectables, peels, facials, dermaplaning, light therapy, lash and brow, microneedling, PRP injection, and much more.
215 Cedar St. Sandpoint 208.304.7535
Summer Lymphatic Support
Summer works against your lymphatic system. Heat dilates blood vessels, fluid pools in tissue, and less consistent movement stalls drainage. The lymphatic system has no pump of its own — it relies entirely on what you do.
Dry brush before you shower. Use a natural-bristle body brush on dry skin, moving in long strokes toward the heart for two to three minutes before stepping in.
End showers on cold. Thirty seconds of cold water at the finish creates a vascular push-pull effect that stimulates lymph flow and reduces morning puffiness.
Walk after sitting. Travel, long meals, and desk hours all stall drainage — ten minutes of walking restarts it.
Hydrate early. Lymph fluid is mostly water; even mild dehydration thickens it and slows the whole system down.
APEX FITNESS AND MARTIAL ARTS
Apex Fitness and Martial Arts in Bonners Ferry, Idaho, offers top-notch fitness and martial arts programs for all ages and skill levels. With skilled instructors, they empower individuals to achieve their fitness and selfdefense goals.
6686 Main St. Bonners Ferry 208.946.2739
Mane Street Hair Design
Nails & Hair
6371 Kootenai St., Suite 6, Bonners Ferry 208.267.1170 f Manestreethairdesign
Shop, Stay & Play
A local guide to the best of the season
by LIKE MEDIA TEAM
Shop
Under The Sun anchors Main Street with home goods, gifts, and a bistro tucked inside. Grab a locally brewed Red Rooster coffee while you browse. The Dressing Room carries women's brand-name fashion and accessories right downtown. Unboxed, out at 85 Three Mile Road behind the antique mall, buys overstock and store returns from major retailers and passes the savings along. Kitchenware, bedding, tools, toys, baby items, and a rotating inventory worth checking often. Out on Highway 95, Sharon's Country Store keeps going and going. Produce, dairy, Amish rocking chairs, and the Bread Basket bakery all under one roof.
Stay
The Best Western Plus Kootenai River Inn Casino & Spa sits right on the river across from downtown. Rooms, The Springs Restaurant, a spa, and the casino floor all in one place. Dodge Peak Lodge offers cabin-style accommodations, with the Tavern at the Lodge on-site, plus RV parking and weekly rates for longer stays. Northside School Bed and Breakfast, housed in a 100+-year-old former school building, is within walking distance of Main Street and serves a hot, home-cooked breakfast every morning on the deck, with mountain and river views.
Play
Copper Falls sits near the Canadian border off Highway 95. The 1.4-mile loop takes you through cedar forest and across wooden bridges to both upper and lower views. Snow Creek Falls is a shorter option, nine miles from town with easy access for the whole family. Mirror Lake Golf Course handles morning tee times, and Saturday mornings, the Bonners Ferry Farmers Market fills the Visitor Center lot with local vendors and fresh produce.
BOUNDARY COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY & MUSEUM
Conveniently located downtown, it’s easy to plan a visit to the Boundary County Historical Society & Museum to see original artifacts, period rooms, exhibits and displays designed to present the history of North Idaho and the indigenous Kootenai people.
7229 Main St.
Bonners Ferry
208.267.7720
THE HISTORIC PEARL THEATER
Providing quality performing arts in an intimate historic downtown Bonners Ferry art house, The Historic Pearl Theater is home to live entertainment, workshops, special performances and events. The Pearl is a place where the community comes together.
7160 Ash St.
Bonners Ferry
208.610.2846
LIBERTY LANES BAR & GRILL: HISTORICALLY AJ’S
Renovated in 2023, Liberty Lanes Bar & Grill: Historically AJ’s is the go-to place for food and fun in Bonners Ferry. Highlighting bowling and arcade games, the space also includes a pool hall, sports bar with immense tap options and seven TVs, as well as a restaurant.
6662 Lincoln St. Bonners Ferry
208.267.1506
NORTHSIDE BED AND BREAKFAST
Family owned and operated, the historic Northside School Bed & Breakfast offers incredible mountain, river and valley views from the deck, and nine charmingly decorated themed rooms (each with a private bathroom), located just a short walk to downtown Bonners Ferry.
6497 Comanche St.
Bonners Ferry
208.267.1826
SELKIRK NORTHERN TREASURES
Always changing with new inventory added every week, this is the place to visit to browse and shop antiques, collectibles, carvings, jewelry, furniture, works from local artists, Western and Native American pieces, vinyl records, vintage books, comics and so much more!
7202 Main St. Bonners Ferry 208.290.3060
SANDPOINT FURNITURE & MATTRESS
Since 1945, Sandpoint Furniture has been family owned and operated serving all of Northern Idaho, Eastern Washington and Western Montana. With a passion for beautiful home interiors, their goal is to provide their customers access to finer home furnishings that offer style, performance and affordability.
401 Bonner Mall Way, Ste. A Ponderay 208.263.5138
UNBOXED
From kitchenware to home decor, clothing and shoes, seasonal items and so much more, UnBoxed is your local retail outlet store, where they buy overstock store returns from other retailers. UnBoxed customers reap the great deals on new items.
85 Three Mile Rd. Bonners Ferry 208.267.6081
SUMMER food, fun & drinks
A Taste of the Season
From cool drinks and fresh flavors to patio favorites and easy seasonal bites, summer is made for slowing down, gathering around the table, and enjoying bright, simple flavors made for warm days ahead.
Finest Drinks
Mugsy's Tavern & Grill 7161 Main Street MugsysTavernandGrill.com
Kootenai River Brewing Company 6424 Riverside St. KootenaiBrewing.com Finest Cup of Coffee
Two
A LOCALfavorite
TUESDAYS July -August
Boundary County Fairgrounds Summer Concert Series
f Boundary County Fair
The Boundary County Fairgrounds brings free live music to Bonners Ferry on Tuesday evenings this summer from 7 to 8:30 pm at 6567 Recreation Park Way. The series offers an easy way to enjoy warm summer nights with family, friends, and community. Confirmed performers include Scott Stover on July 7 and Montana Mike Man Without a Band on July 14, with more acts being added throughout the season. Bring your family, friends, and chairs.
Sundown Strawberry Smash
Ingredients (Serves 2)
• 4 fresh strawberries, hulled and halved
• 6 fresh basil leaves
• 1 oz fresh lemon juice
• 3/4 oz simple syrup
• 1 1/2 oz vodka (omit for mocktail version)
• 3 oz sparkling water (increase to 5 oz for a mocktail)
• Ice, for shaking and serving
Optional: pinch of tajín or flaky salt for the rim
Instructions
• Muddle strawberries and basil in a cocktail shaker until broken down and fragrant.
• Add lemon juice, simple syrup, and vodka (or additional sparkling water for the mocktail), fill with ice, and shake hard for 15 seconds.
• Double-strain into two glasses over fresh ice, top each with sparkling water, and stir once.
Optional: Run a lemon wedge around the rim and dip lightly into tajín or flaky salt before pouring.
guide FOOD, FUN & DRINKS
Grilled Peach and Burrata Crostini
Ingredients (serves 6)
Ingredients Method
• 1 baguette, cut into ½-inch slices
• 3 ripe peaches, halved and pitted
x x
• 8 oz burrata
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp honey
• 10 fresh basil leaves
• 1 tsp flaky sea salt
• ½ tsp black pepper, freshly cracked
• 1 tbsp balsamic glaze
Instructions
• Heat a grill or grill pan to medium-high.
• Brush the cut sides of the peaches with olive oil and grill cut-side down for 3 - 4 minutes, until char marks form and the fruit softens slightly.
• Brush the baguette slices with the remaining olive oil and grill for 1 - 2 minutes per side until golden and crisp.
• Let the grilled peaches cool slightly, then slice each half into thirds.
• Tear burrata over each crostini, then top with a slice of peach, a basil leaf, a drizzle of honey and balsamic glaze, a pinch of flaky sea salt, and a crack of black pepper.
Optional: Add a thin slice of prosciutto under the burrata for a more substantial bite. Nectarines work equally well if peaches aren't at peak.
THE BADGER’S DEN
At Badger’s Den Cafe and Latte, you’ll be greeted with fast, friendly service and a smile. On the menu you’ll find delicious breakfast and lunch items, a variety of specialty coffee drinks, smoothies and more! In a hurry? There’s a driveup window for your convenience.
6551 Main St. Bonners Ferry 208.267.1486
CHIC-N-CHOP
At this Bonners Ferry diner, known for their large portion sizes and customer favorites like the broasted chicken, omelets, pies and more, you’ll be treated to wonderful service and an inviting, homey atmosphere where the staff treats you like family.
6421 Main St.
Bonners Ferry
208.267.2431
GOAT MOUNTAIN PIZZERIA
Dishing up amazing pizza to the community since 2014, locally owned and operated Goat Mountain Pizza is Bonners Ferry’s go-to choice for the best pizza in town, along with pastas, salads and desserts. Pair with their great selection of beer and wine.
7217 Main St. Bonners Ferry 208.267.1123
PIZZA FACTORY
Serving Bonners Ferry for more than 40 years, Pizza Factory delivers fresh, hand-tossed pizza made with 100% real mozzarella and their signature sauce. Known for quality and hometown flavor, this local favorite keeps customers coming back. Order online or visit them at 6637 Fry Street.
6637 Fry Street Bonners Ferry 208.267.7771
FROYO MAMA
Craving a cool treat in Bonners Ferry? Froyo Mama is a self-serve frozen yogurt shop with rotating weekly flavors, all your favorite toppings, and more! It’s a fun, family-friendly spot where you can build your perfect swirl. Grab a cup, load it up, and treat yourself today!
7206 Main Street
Bonners Ferry
986.205.8758
SUPER 1 FOODS - BONNERS FERRY
Super 1 Foods in Bonners Ferry, Idaho, offers a wide selection of quality groceries at competitive prices. Known for friendly service and customer satisfaction, they provide a convenient shopping experience, serving the community with care and quality.
6452 Main St. Bonners Ferry 208.267.4000
THE RUSTY MOOSE TAVERN & GRILL
The Rusty Moose Tavern & Grill will celebrate 20 years in business come this August! And this is all thanks to owners Dan and Jill Nystrom’s commitment to continuing to dish up great food, service and friendship to each customer they serve.
7211 Main St. Bonners Ferry 208.267.1950
UNDER THE SUN BISTRO
Under the Sun Bistro prides itself on their allnatural and organic approach to food. Open for lunch, this sweet and intimate bistro specializes in an array of delicious sandwiches and wraps, fresh and crispy salads, soups and dessert.
7178 Main St. Bonners Ferry 208.267.6467
Grilled Chicken Skewers with Herb Butter and Grilled Corn Salad
INGREDIENTS
FOR THE CHICKEN SKEWERS
1½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1½-inch chunks
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp lemon zest
1 tsp garlic powder
½ tsp onion powder
½ tsp kosher salt
¼ tsp black pepper
8 wooden or metal skewers
FOR THE HERB BUTTER
4 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
2 tbsp fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
1 tbsp fresh chives, finely chopped
1 tsp fresh lemon juice
1 small garlic clove, minced Pinch of flaky sea salt
FOR THE GRILLED
CORN SALAD
4 ears of fresh corn, husked
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
¼ cup red onion, finely diced
¼ cup fresh basil, torn
2 tbsp olive oil
1½ tbsp red wine vinegar
½ tsp kosher salt
¼ tsp black pepper
OPTIONAL TOPPINGS: LEMON WEDGES, EXTRA FRESH HERBS, CRUMBLED FETA
INSTRUCTIONS
• If using wooden skewers, soak them in cold water for at least 20 minutes before grilling to prevent burning.
• Combine the olive oil, lemon zest, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper in a bowl. Add the chicken chunks, and toss well to coat; set aside to marinate at room temperature for 15 minutes.
• Mix the softened butter with the parsley, chives, lemon juice, garlic, and flaky salt until fully combined, then roll into a log in plastic wrap and refrigerate until needed.
• Preheat a gas or charcoal grill to medium-high heat (around 400°F) and oil the grates thoroughly.
• Place the corn directly on the grill and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, turning every 2 minutes, until the kernels are charred in spots and tender; remove and let cool
slightly before cutting the kernels off the cob.
• Thread the marinated chicken evenly onto skewers, then grill for 5 to 6 minutes per side, until cooked through with no pink at the center and the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Do not overcrowd the grill, or the chicken will steam instead of sear.
• Toss the corn kernels with the cherry tomatoes, red onion, basil, olive oil, red wine vinegar, salt, and pepper in a large bowl.
• Plate the corn salad, lay the skewers across it, and finish with a slice of herb butter melted over the hot chicken.
SUMMER 2026
EVENT OF THE SEASON!
Bonners Ferry Celebrates America's 250th
The Bonners Ferry 4th of July Celebration marks the 250th anniversary of American independence with a full day of music, tradition, and one of the largest fireworks displays in the region. The event is volunteer-run, donation-funded, and produced by Forerunner Inc. under the direction of John Becker.
The Independence Day Parade starts at 3 pm through downtown Bonners Ferry. From there, the celebration moves to the Boundary County Fairgrounds at 6567 Recreation Park Road, where food and product vendors, games, and live music carry the evening.
The 2026 music lineup runs from late afternoon through dusk. Scott Stover opens at 4 pm with acoustic folk, country, blues, and bluegrass. The Herndon Girls, a family band of five sisters, follow at 5:15 pm with Americana and Celtic harmonies. The Bonners Ferry Community Orchestra takes the stage at 6:30 pm under the direction of Glenda Novinger, performing patriotic pieces. Headliner Brenn Hill closes the music at 8 pm with his signature cowboy country.
Closing ceremonies, led by the American Legion and VFW, begin at 9:30 pm. The fireworks display launches at 10:10 pm.
Admission is free. The event is entirely funded by community donations. BonnersFerry4th.com
July 4
JUNE2026
IdahoRodBenders.info
27th Annual Borders 3
Jamboree Car Show
Eventbrite.com
2 The Border Motorcycle Rally 06 1921
f HorsePower Collides
HorsePower Collides: Two Worlds, One Arena
Bonners Ferry Farmers Market Hosts Games with Dad 13 20 TOP PICKS THIS MONTH!
BonnersFerryFarmersMarket.org
f HorsePower Collides
HorsePower Collides: Two Worlds, One Arena
Two sports, one dirt arena. On Saturday, June 13, barrel racers and dirt bikers go head-to-head in Bonners Ferry for the return of HorsePower Collides. Money and prizes are added at both the Bonners Ferry race and the Sandpoint event the following weekend on June 20. Horse racers can call Alexcia at 208.301.0183 to enter. Dirt bikers can call Chaun at 208.691.1343. More information is being released as the date approaches, and updates are posted regularly to the event's Facebook page.
Eventbrite.com
2 The Border 2026 Motorcycle Rally
2 The Border returns to North Haven Campground in Bonners Ferry June 19 through 21, celebrating two iconic Idaho motorcycle routes: the International Selkirk Loop and the Idaho Backcountry Discovery Route. The weekend includes poker runs, a simple BBQ lunch, a Saturday evening dinner, and on-site motorcycle parking. Truck parking is available but limited and must be added in advance. Hosted at 78 Tobe Way, the rally is built for riders who love far North Idaho. Tickets and details are available on Eventbrite.
13 1921
JULY2026
f Bonners Ferry Chamber of Commerce
River Days
Bonners Ferry's biggest community celebration of the year returns July 16 through 18. The Bonners Ferry Chamber of Commerce hosts three days of downtown festivities, including the Rotary Wine Walk on Thursday evening, an all-day performance by the Jam Shack Band on Friday, and a full Saturday lineup with another live band. Expect Crazy Dayz sales at area businesses, the Saturday farmers market, vendors lining Main Street, family games, and traditions that have anchored the weekend for years.
KootenaiRiverRun.com
Kootenai River Run 5K and 10K
Lace up Saturday, July 18. The Kootenai River Run sends 5K and 10K runners off from the Boundary County Fairgrounds at 8 am, with an outand-back course winding through Bonners Ferry's northside neighborhood and across the Kootenai River. The race has been going strong since the 1980s and is part of the Kootenai River Days weekend. Entries are accepted through race morning. Net proceeds benefit the Bonners Ferry High School cross-country program and local college scholarships. Register and find course details online.
AUGUST 2026
BonnersFerryFarmersMarket.org
Bonners Ferry Farmers
Market: Hope House and The Restorium Fundraisers
BoundaryCountyFairgrounds.com/fair
Boundary County Fair: There's Magic in the Fair 1115
f Swish 3v3 Bonners Ferry
Bonners Ferry 3v3 Swish
Basketball Tournament
Eventbrite.com
f Swish 3v3 Bonners Ferry
Bonners Ferry 3v3 Swish
Basketball Tournament
Swish 3v3 returns to Bonners Ferry on Sunday, August 2. The half-court tournament brings teams of all ages and skill levels together for one day of bracket play, billed as one of Idaho's premier 3-on-3 competitions. Brackets are organized by age and division, and registration opens ahead of the event. Players, families, and spectators fill the courts for a full day of basketball, with food, music, and prizes throughout. Follow the event's Facebook page for registration details and updates.
BoundaryCountyFairgrounds.com/fair
Boundary County Fair: There's Magic in the Fair
For over a century, the Boundary County Fair has been the centerpiece of summer in Bonners Ferry. The 2026 fair runs August 11 through 15 at the Boundary County Fairgrounds with the theme “There’s Magic in the Fair.” Admission is free all week. Expect livestock shows, 4-H exhibits, food vendors, contests, nightly entertainment, and the local talent that defines this gathering. The fair sits immediately west of downtown and remains one of the few fairs in the region with no gate fee.
