Go Sandpoint | June 2026 by Like Media

FRIDAY, AUGUST 7

TOP-QUALITY

CHIROPRACTIC CARE CHIROPRACTIC CARE

Intermountain Wellness and Chiropractic is proud to be leading the chiropractic industry in North Idaho with a comprehensive, whole-body approach to wellness. For four consecutive years, we’ve been awarded 1st place for Best Chiropractic Clinic in Bonner County, a testament to our commitment to delivering the most thorough and high quality care possible. At Intermountain, we prioritize “quality over quantity” in everything we do, offering a variety of specialized therapies and modalities, including chiropractic and extremity care, in-depth blood lab analysis, functional nutrition, natural neuropathy treatment (through the Neuropathy Center of Idaho), sports therapy and rehabilitation, muscle therapies, and more.

Our goal is to be a one-of-a-kind clinic, proudly serving our community. Dr. Cameron VanDenBerg and Dr. Joseph Sweeney are among only six Gonstead-certified doctors in Idaho—a technique recognized as the “gold standard” of chiropractic care for over 50 years.

Your first visit with us will take about 1.5 to 2 hours and includes a comprehensive consultation, a full spine x-ray (with detailed results provided by your doctor), a muscle scan, and an individualized, specific adjustment and extremity care, or muscle therapy if needed.

We are passionate about helping entire families, from newborns to seniors, and also specialize in Webster technique to support pregnant women throughout their pregnancies. Call us to get started on your path to better wellness at Intermountain Wellness and Chiropractic!

A Higher Standard of Real Estate Marketing

At Elite Realty Partners, we believe every home deserves exceptional marketing and that great exposure doesn’t happen by accident.

Voted Best Real Estate Agency in 2024 and 2025, our team has built a reputation around a passion for innovative marketing, cinematic video production, and cutting-edge technology designed to help homes stand out in a crowded market.

From high-end photography and compelling video to strategic digital placement and immersive online presentation, we’re constantly investing in better ways to showcase the homes we represent.

That’s why every home we list is featured on Zillow Showcase — a premium listing experience designed to highlight only a limited number of homes in each market, giving your home an advantage in front of more buyers with a stronger, more engaging presentation.

Because in today’s market, it’s not just about being listed. It’s about being seen. And remembered.

If you’re thinking about selling, work with a team that believes your home deserves more than the bare minimum.

MARKETING

DIRECTOR OF MARKETING

Allyia Briggs | 208.620.5444 allyia@like-media.com

MARKETING EXECUTIVE Rebecca Baczewski | 253.363.8830 rebecca@like-media.com

OPERATIONS & MARKETING MANAGER Kamy Jones | marketing@like-media.com

PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT

DIRECTOR OF PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT

Jackson Russo | jackson@like-media.com

EDITORIAL

EDITOR

Taylor Shillam | taylor@like-media.com

DESIGN

CREATIVE DIRECTOR | Maddie Horton

DESIGN DIRECTOR | Darbey Russo

SENIOR DESIGNER | Kennedy Pew

SENIOR DESIGNER | Sam Stoke

DIGITAL CREATIVE DIRECTOR

ACCOUNTING / OPERATIONS

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER | Rachel Figgins EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | Steve Russo MANAGING PARTNER | Kim Russo

CONTRIBUTORS

Edward Jones Financial Advisor Ken Wood, The Bonner County Historical Society & Museum

PHOTOGRAPHY

Photographer: Racheal Baker Photography pg. 16-17

Jason Duchow Photography pg. 26-29, 32 Cynthia Schmit pg. 31

Courtesy Photos:

The Festival at Sandpoint, Bonner County Historical Society & Museum

the magazine. Go Sandpoint Magazine is produced and published by Like Media, and no part

Annie Pollock

FEATURED ON THE JUNE 2026 COVER, the Festival at Sandpoint returns to War Memorial Field for its 43rd summer, July 30 through August 9. The series brings together artists across genres and generations while funding year-round music education throughout North Idaho. Every ticket supports programs that put instruments in students' hands and live instruction in local classrooms. Two weeks of music on the lakeshore. One of Sandpoint's most anticipated traditions.

CHRIS BOTTI

WHY CHOOSE NEDRA?

BEST-IN-CLASS MARKETING

Bringing her background in journalism and public relations to every interaction, Nedra provides not only her expertise in marketing but pricing strategy, negotiation, strong communication skills, and showcasing properties with best-in-class marketing and luxury branding.

100% ATTENTION

When you work with Nedra, you get her 100% commitment. She’ll answer your messages and calls promptly, and connect with you on all showings. Your home isn’t just another listing to her. She wants to see you to the finish line and won’t stop until that happens.

PROVEN PERFORMANCE

Nedra is a highly successful real estate agent with a proven track record of selling multimillion-dollar homes, as well as cozy family homes and beautiful land in North Idaho. Her dedication to providing exceptional service has earned her a reputation as a trusted advisor in the luxury real estate market.

Discover your private paradise on over 6 wooded and landscaped acres in the coveted Selle Valley of Sandpoint, Idaho. Crafted by a local award-winning architect, this estate features a 5,965 sq. ft. main residence and a 1,500 sq. ft. guest house, offering boundless potential—think retreat center, family compound, or lucrative vacation rental. Unwind on the wraparound deck, perfect for birdwatching or soaking in the tranquility. Gardeners and homesteaders will thrive with abundant fruit trees, an attached greenhouse, and six frost-free hydrants. The vast basement expands your options with a living area, second full kitchen, bedroom, and ample unfinished storage. Whether you crave a secluded escape or a hosting haven, this North Idaho gem delivers it all.

Four estate planning myths THAT COULD COST YOUR FAMILY

This article was written by

Edward Jones

for use by

your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor Ken Wood

Consider this scenario: A teacher of 30 years and mother of three passes away at age 58. She leaves behind a modest home, a retirement account and cherished family heirlooms – but no estate plan. Her children, still grieving, find themselves navigating a confusing probate process, disagreeing about when to sell the house and considering who gets their grandmother's ring.

This mom wasn't wealthy by most measures, but her lack of planning created confusion, conflict and uncertainty at a time when her family needed clarity. Her story reminds us of an important truth: estate planning is about easing conflict and making sure what you have goes where you want it to go.

As you think about your own legacy, consider these myths that can lead to costly mistakes and unintended outcomes.

Wood

•Myth 1: Estate planning is only for wealthy people. The desire to make things easier for loved ones has nothing to do with net worth. Formally documenting your wishes reduces the burden on family members and gives you control. Without a plan, your state's laws will decide how your estate is handled, and you may not like what those laws say.

•Myth 2: Having a will is all you need. While a will is important, it only takes effect after death. That means it offers no protection if you become incapacitated and cannot make decisions for yourself. It does, however, allow you to name legal guardians for dependent children.

The foundation of most estate plans includes a will (which directs asset distribution), a financial

power of attorney (for financial decisions), a health care power of attorney (for medical decisions), and a medical directive (to share your end-of-life wishes). While not everyone needs a trust, there are several that allow you to make special provisions, such as for minor children, a special needs family member or even a cherished pet. Consulting with a financial advisor and an estate planning attorney can help determine the right combination based on your situation.

•Myth 3: Equal distribution is always fair. It’s likely that the individuals in your estate plan, especially if they are adult children, have different family and financial situations. You may have one child who’s extremely successful financially, while another is struggling. Or you may have assets, such as a house or ownership of a family business, that are more suitable for one beneficiary than another. It's important to consider any unique circumstances as you develop your estate plan.

•Myth 4: I can set it and forget it. You'll want to review your estate plan every few years or when a major life event occurs. Life is full of changes, such as marriages, divorces, new children and relocations, and they will likely impact your goals. Reviewing your plan helps keep everything aligned with your wishes and serves as a reminder to keep your beneficiaries on all your assets up to date.

Ultimately, estate planning is about helping ensure your voice is heard and your loved ones cared for, no matter what the future holds.

474 Granite Ridge Rd E, Sandpoint, Idaho

Set behind a gated entrance at the base of Schweitzer Mountain, this nearly 6-acre estate spans three separate lots and centers around a private 1-acre pond with two docks for year-round recreation. The 3,454 sq ft home offers primarily single-level living with 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, and high-end finishes throughout. Designed for entertaining, the proper ty features expansive covered outdoor living spaces, a 4car attached garage, and a 24’ x 64’ RV garage with full hookups, bathroom, and laundry. An upstairs bonus room is preplumbed for a future guest suite or ADU. Just minutes from downtown Sandpoint, this is a truly one-of-a-kind Schweitzerarea retreat.

Q&A with the FESTIVAL AT SANDPOINT

by LIKE MEDIA TEAM

Forty-three summers in, the Festival at Sandpoint returns to War Memorial Field July 30 through August 9. What happens on stage draws the crowd, but what happens around it is what keeps people coming back. The series brings two weeks of live music to the lakeshore. Every ticket funds year-round music education across North Idaho.

Q.The 2026 lineup runs from Andy Grammer to George Thorogood to a live-scored film. What are you actually balancing behind the scenes?

A. Booking for the following year’s Summer Series starts over a year in advance. One of the primary factors we consider when sending artist offers is our audience and what they want to see. This feedback is delivered in many ways, namely, by the artists

and genres that have performed best in the past, and by direct audience requests. Our goal is to offer multiple genres like pop, country, and rock, with something for every age group to enjoy. There are many variables, like whether the artist will be in the area during our dates or if our stage can support their production, to name a few. The best way to describe it is an intense, multi-faceted game of chess.

Q.Opening night is July 30. When the gates open at War Memorial Field, what does that first hour look like?

A. Despite a majority of the staff having several years of the Summer Series under our belts, nerves are always high during the first hour of gates opening. In that first hour, every department is on alert, looking for ways to make real-time adjustments to improve the guest experience. For example, we constantly observe the flow of each line so we can redistribute staffing across gates to efficiently admit guests.

Q.Community Night on August 2 brings Hannah Meehan together with Joseph and Sydney Dale at $20. What makes that night different?

A. The 2026 Community Night will be our second annual. As a nonprofit, our main goal is to make a night of live music accessible to the community at an affordable price. At $20, Community

Night is our most affordable ticket. This year, we are also excited to showcase two North Idaho singer-songwriters and give them a larger stage to share their work.

Q.How to Train Your Dragon 2 – In Concert closes the series on August 9. Who shows up, and what does a live orchestra add that a soundtrack can't?

A. From grandparents and grandkids, aunts and nephews, parents and children, and more, our movies in concert, including How to Train Your Dragon 2, offer a live music and movie experience that guests of all ages can enjoy and where families can connect. The orchestra makes the film’s score feel much more impactful, with the music being performed live in front of you. The live orchestra also provides kids with a meaningful connection to classical music brought to life through a movie they already love.

Q.Programs like Snacks at Midnight, Little Live Radio Hour, and the instrument library run year-round. How much of the Festival's work happens outside the two weeks people see?

A. We operate with seven full-time staff and two part-time staff. The team works year-round, planning, booking, and marketing for the Summer Series, often beginning 18 months before the concerts. We also run our year-round free music education programs, including in-class pre-K lessons, an instrument library, a youth strings orchestra, scholarships, and more. We also offer production services to support other local organizations’ events, like the Heart Ball, Lost in the 50s, and Little Live Radio Hour.

Q.Every ticket supports music education across North Idaho. Where does that show up for students?

A. Every ticket purchase and donation supports our music education programs, allowing them to be offered at little to no cost for participating community members. Since 2024, we have partnered with Lake Pend Oreille School District to provide 14 trombones to students in the 6th Grade Band program. Over 300 students across the district now have access to trombone, an option previously unavailable.

During the 2026 school year, we provided 78 hours of music instruction across 188 in-class lessons to 84 preschool students at Huckleberry Montessori, Kaniksu Community Health Kids Club, Selkirk School, and Sandpoint Play & Learn. Students learn specific rhythmic elements while integrating new instruments, such as sousaphones, didgeridoos, and bongos. This rhythm-based approach helps students establish strong foundations between the ages of 3 and 6, an age group with one of the largest gaps in music education nationwide.

Q.Forty-three summers in, what's one moment that says everything about why people come back?

A. It is not a specific instance but rather a collection of moments that represent the reason our Summer Series is more than a concert. It’s guests encountering friends they haven’t seen in years, singing along in unison, or dancing like no one is watching. The Summer Series is a community, whether you are from Sandpoint or not. Everyone unites over the same thing: the music.

Venue

REAL

Sandpoint, Idaho ESTATE

BUILDING VS. BUYING in Bonner County

A

local look at cost, land, and timing

by LIKE MEDIA TEAM

DErive any back road off Highway 95 right now, and the math of Bonner County real estate shows up in real time. A framed shell cut into five acres of timber. A finished home two lots over with a for-sale sign that has been up since spring. Same county, same week, two completely different paths to a front door. The question every buyer is asking in summer 2026 is which one makes sense.

The build-versus-buy debate has shifted here. In 2021 and 2022, building looked like the only way to get what you wanted. Resale inventory was thin, prices were climbing fast, and waiting a year or two for a custom home felt reasonable when nothing existed to buy. That calculus has changed. Inventory has loosened. Buyers have options. The decision is no longer about availability. It is about fit.

Land is the first variable. Bonner County still has lots, but buildable lots are a smaller share of the market than the listing count suggests. A parcel needs more than acreage. Road access. Power within reach. A workable septic site. A well that produces. Lots that check every box move quickly. Others sit for months while buyers walk away during due diligence. Anyone shopping for land in Sagle, Hope, Sandpoint, or the outer corners of the county should plan to spend on a perc test and a well evaluation before falling in love.

Timeline is the second variable, and the one most buyers underestimate. A Bonner County build is shaped by weather as much as by crew availability. Winter shuts down dirt work for months. Spring brings the subcontractor backlog every builder is working through at once. Permitting through the county adds its own window. From the day a lot closes to the day someone moves in, a custom build here is rarely under a year and often longer. A summer start usually means a next-summer finish, and a fall start often means waiting until the ground thaws before real work begins.

Cost is where the conversations get honest. The per-square-foot number buyers hear early is almost never the final number. Site work is the line item that swings hardest. A flat, treed lot off a paved road is one budget. A sloped parcel with a long driveway, a deep well, and a sandmound septic is another budget entirely. Snow load requirements shape the roof structure. The finish level shapes everything from cabinets to flooring to lighting. Buyers who go in with a fixed dollar figure and a vague vision usually meet reality somewhere in framing.

Resale wins on certainty. The home exists. The well already produces. The septic already passed inspection. Closing happens in weeks rather than a year of construction draws and change orders. For buyers facing a job start date, an upcoming school year, or the exhaustion of living in transition, resale is the answer most weeks of the year.

Established neighborhoods carry weight, too. Mature trees. Known neighbors. Walkable streets where they exist. A buyer looking within the Sandpoint city limits, along the established stretches of Dover, or in the older parts of Ponderay, is choosing resale almost by default. Buildable lots inside those areas are rare and priced accordingly.

The build case still holds for the right buyer. Someone who wants acreage. Someone who wants a layout that does not exist on the market. Someone who already owns land and has been waiting for the right moment. A family that bought a parcel in 2018 is in a different position than a buyer starting from zero in 2026, and the math reflects it.

The clean answer for 2026 is that there is no clean answer. Timeline, lot, budget, and patience decide it. A buyer who needs to be in before the fall is buying resale. A buyer who wants a specific home on a specific piece of ground is probably starting conversations now for a 2027 move-in. Either way, the decision is being made on lots and listings within twenty miles of the Long Bridge.

REAL ESTATEMarket Report

$592,500

Median Sales Price +7.4% year-over-year

Number of Homes Sold

year-over-year

Median Days on Market -103 year-over-year

Homes Sold Above List Price -6.7 pt year-over-year

99.3%

Sale-to-List Price +0.8 pt year-over-year

20.8% Homes with Price Drops +4.5 pt year-over-year

*Data provided by Redfin.com, collected from March 2026

Baldy Mountain Rd, Sandpoint

Sunterra Circle, Priest River, ID

266-6900 300 Sunterra Circle, Priest River, ID

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Scan with your phone to view the listings, no signup required (208) 266-6900

Majestic Mountain Rd, Clark Fork 300 Sunterra Circle, Priest River, ID

Rare double waterfront offering just minutes from Sandpoint, Idaho, with a combined 215 feet of prime frontage and boatable access to Lake Pend Oreille Situated in a quiet neighborhood, this custom 5,045 sq ft contemporary Mediterranean home (built in 2007) features 5 bedrooms, 4 baths, expansive windows, and seamless indoor-outdoor living designed for entertaining and relaxed lake life Set on over an acre with 64 acres above high water, the property includes a private dock and the adjacent waterfront lot offering exceptional privacy, expanded shoreline, and future ﬂexibility in one of North Idaho’s most coveted settings $3,150,000

An extraordinary opportunity awaits with this 1.66-acre commercial parcel located in the highly sought-after North Addition of the Sandpoint Airpark. Unlike most parcels at the Sandpoint Airport, which are leasehold, this lot offers fee simple ownership, a rare and valuable asset for long-term investment and development With direct runway access to the Sandpoint Airport and private frontage on Woodland Drive, this property is uniquely positioned for aviation enthusiasts, commercial developers, or businesses seeking high visibility and utility access Power and sewer are already in place, making this lot truly shovel-ready $1,200,000 shovel-ready

Rides for READERS READERS CHAFE 150

A new gravel route, a familiar mission, and a community that shows up

by LIKE MEDIA TEAM

On Saturday, June 20, hundreds of cyclists will roll out of Sandpoint City Beach for the 18th annual CHAFE 150 Gran Fondo. Some will climb into the mountains. Others will coast the bike path with their kids. All of them are riding for the same reason: every dollar raised funds literacy programs for local students in the Lake Pend Oreille School District.

That mission has not changed since 2008, even as the ride itself has expanded.

CHAFE 150 started as a single 150-mile road ride founded by longtime Sandpoint residents Brad Williams, Bill Berg, and Geraldine Lewis as a fundraiser for the Panhandle Alliance for Education. In 2013, the Sandpoint Rotary Club took over the ride and built it into one of the largest charity cycling events in the region. Today, CHAFE offers seven ride options: 150mile, 80-mile, 40-mile, and 25-mile road rides, two gravel routes, and a 4-mile Family Fun Ride along Sand Creek Trail.

Over the years, CHAFE has raised more than $1.25 million for youth education in North Idaho. The 2025 ride alone delivered $80,000 to "Every Student Graduates a Reader," the literacy initiative now in its second year as the ride's primary cause. The 2026 ride aims to match or exceed that figure.

"The ride has truly impacted the education of a generation of local youth," says Mariah Williams, CHAFE 150 Ride Director.

WHAT EVERY MILE SUPPORTS

"Every Student Graduates a Reader" is a Lake Pend Oreille School District initiative reaching more than 3,800 students across 11 schools. CHAFE 150 dollars fund annual screenings, diagnostic assessments to catch reading challenges early, personalized instruction for struggling readers,

and evidence-based teacher training to strengthen classroom reading support.

Brad Williams, CHAFE 150 Committee Chair and Co-Founder, points to a national statistic that made the need feel especially clear. “The fact that 20% of high school seniors nationally graduate functionally illiterate was very striking,” Brad says. Since CHAFE’s initial investment in the program, Lake Pend Oreille School District (LPOSD) has seen encouraging progress in literacy across the district, making the connection between the ride and the classroom easier to see.

Every registration, donation, and sponsorship feeds directly into that work and other Rotary Club of Sandpoint youth programs.

A NEW GRAVEL ROUTE FOR 2026

Gravel riders who have ridden CHAFE before will find a different course waiting for them this June.

Major flooding in late December 2025 damaged key sections along Lightning Creek and Trestle Creek, rendering the gravel routes CHAFE had used for the past several years unusable. Deep snow slowed scouting through the winter, but the committee has spent the last several months riding, testing, and refining a new course.

The day begins at City Beach. Riders check in, meet other riders, and load their bikes onto a shuttle to Priest River. From there, both gravel distances roll out together on Eastside Road toward the enchanting Experiential Forest. Then the Gravel 60 riders split off and head north toward Jack Pine Flats for a 20-mile extension loop, joining the Gravel 40 again after some extra miles. The Gravel 40 and Gravel 60 will both turn east and start the climb toward Baldy Mountain. Riders will cross the aptly named Happy Gap before rolling back toward Sandpoint’s finish line. The 60-mile route will have about 4,100 feet of elevation gain, and the 40-mile route about 3,500.

FROM CHECK-IN TO FINISH LINE

More than half of this year's registrants are riding CHAFE for the first time, and the committee has planned the weekend with those riders in mind.

Riders can check in on Friday afternoon or early Saturday morning. A Friday night check-in gives first-timers a chance to meet volunteers, look over maps, and ask questions about the next morning. On ride day, early riders sit down to a full breakfast on the shores of Lake Pend Oreille. Later starts get a continental breakfast in the same setting.

The 150-mile and 25-mile road riders launch from City Beach with a timed start and police lead-out. The 80-mile and gravel riders board buses to their start lines.

All routes finish back at City Beach. A hot meal, drink tickets for adult riders, music, and a lakefront celebration wait at the end. Whether riders cross the line at midday or just before the course closes at 8 pm, volunteers and other riders cheer them in.

Behind every smooth ride day is a year of work. The CHAFE committee works year-round on permitting, route planning, volunteer management, medical staffing, and emergency response. A command center operating alongside local radio crews tracks riders in real time and coordinates responses in areas where cell coverage is limited. CHAFE 150 takes more than 100 volunteers and over 115 sponsors to pull off, and riders feel every bit of it.

Mariah says riders consistently cite the same reasons for coming back: volunteer support, the organization, scenic routes, stocked rest stops, support and gear (SAG) crews, mechanical support, the post-ride celebration at the lake, and the cause behind it all.

Not everyone in Sandpoint rides a bike, but CHAFE 150 still gives the community plenty of ways to take part. Community members can join an aid station crew, help on course, work the start and finish line, cheer riders through town, donate, sponsor, or simply join the postride celebration at City Beach. Meal tickets are available at the door.

Across the country, charity cycling events are disappearing. They are complex, volunteer-heavy, and face more challenges every year. CHAFE 150 continues to move forward while many similar rides have faded. It is one of the largest fundraisers for youth education in the region, fueling literacy programs, scholarships, and opportunities for local kids who need them.

"We're proud to be a symbol of what's possible when a community comes together, both on the road and in the classroom," Brad says. Registration, volunteer sign-ups, and donations are open at CHAFE150.org.

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ATHLETE

BUILT TO BELIEVE: OF THE MONTH

ELIA HOWARD HEADS TO STATE

Discipline, faith, and years of work shaped the final season of Sandpoint’s senior sprinter by LIKE MEDIA TEAM

Speed has never surprised Elia Howard. The Sandpoint High School senior knew early that she was fast, and she's spent years turning that instinct into a sprint and hurdles career that now ends with a state berth in the 100m hurdles, 100m, and 200m. She also spent four years on the varsity soccer team while attending Coeur d'Alene's Coeur du Christ Academy, where she sits at the top of her class.

Being selected as Athlete of the Month means something to her. "It reminds me that consistency matters and that the little things you do every day eventually add up." She thinks about the younger athletes watching and what commitment and character should look like up close.

Her growth this season has been mental as much as physical. Elia learned to navigate injury, fatigue, and pressure differently, leaning into recovery, sleep, and nutrition instead of just pushing harder. The hour commute to Coeur d'Alene means many days of training and preparing largely on her own: a setup that has forced self-discipline and patience, especially when early-season times weren’t where she wanted them to be.

Her pre-race routine is stripped down. "I visualize, lock in, breathe, eat a banana, and say a prayer before I compete." Then she trusts the work.

Motivation comes from improvement, competition, and faith. She points to 1 Corinthians 9:24 and the grit required to chase any prize worth having. Her soccer coaches, Conor Baranski and Alan Brinkmeier, built her early belief; sprint coach Tyler Haynes, head coach Douglas Fry, and hurdles coach Luke Lee helped turn her goals into plans. Her parents, both former athletes, gave her the foundation for all of it.

Off the track, Elia is introverted, funny once you know her, and prone to random foreign accents on the right day.

Next comes state, where she plans to compete as the underdog, followed by a gap year focused on building a business, traveling, and figuring out what comes after track.

She carries a strong mindset with her: “Believe the impossible and you can do the incredible."

BULLDOGS BRING HOME THE

HARDWARE

A STATE BASEBALL TITLE AND A SPRING TO REMEMBER FOR SANDPOINT HIGH

by LIKE MEDIA TEAM

Nearly two decades is a long time to wait. Sandpoint’s baseball program ended that drought on May 16 in Idaho Falls, claiming the 5A State Championship over Skyview at Melaleuca Field. The Bulldogs finished 25-2, won their final 17 games, and left no question about who the top team in Idaho 5A baseball was this season.

First-year head coach Jesse Dunham built something fast. The roster was loaded with experienced seniors, and the Bulldogs hit their way through every opponent the postseason threw at them. Sandpoint piled up 44 hits across three state tournament games, with a run differential that only hinted at how complete the run really was.

The path was not easy. Sandpoint came from behind to edge Twin Falls in the opening round, then survived a wild, high-scoring semifinal before closing it out the following day. Senior Mason Little was the offensive engine throughout, driving in runs in every state tournament game. Senior Sage Medeiros had the best day of anyone in the championship, going deep twice and knocking in five. Senior Dallen Williams, junior Brennan Shaw, and senior Parker Reichart showed up on both sides of the ball when it mattered most.

It was the program’s second state title in school history and its first since 2006.

On the girls’ side, the Lady Bulldogs lacrosse team built its own historic season. Senior Molly Sloan was the most dangerous player on the field most nights, finishing the regular season with 40 goals and helping lead Sandpoint to a 6-2 record in WSGL Eastern Division play. The team knocked off the Spokane Stealth for the first time in program history, a win that showed just how far this group had come under sixth-year head coach Nancy Dooley. Senior Tess Sloan reached 20 goals on the year, and senior Grace Gavin was consistent in every game she played.

Baseball brought home a trophy. Lacrosse made history. Together, they gave Sandpoint a spring worth remembering.

SCHWEITZER ADVENTURE CAMP (Ages 6–10, weekly sessions)

(Ages 8–13) TWIN EAGLES CRAFTS & FORAGING DAY CAMP (Ages 6–13)

SCHWEITZER ADVENTURE CAMP (Ages 10–12, weekly sessions) SSA JUNE SOCCER CAMP (Ages U5–U18)

TWINLOW CAMP (Grades 1–12, day and overnight sessions)

WHERE TO STAY

Bonner General Health

Find Your Strength 5K

june 13

The BGH Foundation's superhero-themed Find Your Strength 5K and 1K Fun Run is back at Sandpoint City Beach on Saturday, June 13. Capes and costumes encouraged. All ages welcome.

The 5K kicks off mid-morning, with the 1K following an hour later. Both routes run along the Sand Creek Trail, one of the most scenic stretches of pavement in town. Costumes are part of the tradition. Superheroes of every age are welcome, and registration is open to all.

A family-friendly after-party wraps the morning at the beach. Music, snacks, and the kind of community turnout that makes a Saturday in June worth clearing the calendar for.

Every dollar raised supports the Hometown Health Grants program, which funds equipment and patient care needs across Bonner General Health departments. Past grants have touched everything from emergency services to oncology to women's health. Local money. Local impact.

Check-in opens Friday afternoon, June 12, at the race site, and continues race-morning before the start. Sign up early to lock in your shirt size.

Visit BonnerGeneral.org/find-your-strength for full event details and registration.

13-14

JUNE

20 JUNE

JUNE 2026

8TH ANNUAL SANDPOINT RENAISSANCE FAIRE

Step into a weekend of medieval entertainment at the 8th Annual Sandpoint Renaissance Faire, held June 13–14, 2026, at the Bonner County Fairgrounds. Gates open from 10 am to 6 pm each day. Highlights include jousting tournaments by the Seattle Knights, mounted archery and equestrian performances, live music, magicians, and dancers. An artisan market features handcrafted leatherwork, jewelry, pottery, and more. Costumes are encouraged for guests of all ages. Tickets are available online or at the gate. Visit SandpointRenfaire.com for full event details.

ANNUAL CHAFE 150 GRAN FONDO

Sandpoint Rotary’s annual charity ride rolls out from City Beach on Saturday, June 20. Riders choose from 150, 80, 40, or 25 miles on road, two gravel options at 60 and 40 miles, or a 4-mile Family Fun Ride. The 150-mile loop circles the Cabinet Mountains through lake and river valleys. Registration includes breakfast, on-course support, and an afterride party at City Beach. Proceeds support the Lake Pend Oreille School District’s Every Student Graduates a Reader literacy initiative. Since 2008, CHAFE has raised more than $1.25 million for youth education in North Idaho. Visit Chafe150.org for full event details.

6TH ANNUAL ENVISION INVITATIONAL (FORMERLY IDAHOPE CLASSIC)

22 JUNE

25 JUNE

The Community Resource EnVision Center's signature golf fundraiser tees off Monday, June 22, at The Idaho Club in Sandpoint. The day runs from 10:30 am to 6 pm and includes a round of golf, lunch, on-course beverages from local breweries, contests, and a dinner and awards ceremony. Individual tickets are $250 and foursomes start at $1,000. Proceeds connect Bonner and Boundary County residents with the people, places, and programs that help them overcome obstacles. Sponsorship and raffle ticket options are also available for those who can't attend the tournament itself. Visit CRECIdaho.com/events for full event details.

SUMMER SAMPLER

The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce hosts its annual Summer Sampler on Thursday, June 25, from 5 to 8 pm at Farmin Park. The downtown tasting event brings together Sandpoint's restaurants and caterers for an evening of small bites, libations, and live music in the heart of the park. Food tickets are sold at the event, with most samples costing a few tickets each. Live music, giveaways, and family-friendly activities round out the night. Admission is free and open to all ages. Held annually on the fourth Thursday in June. Visit SandpointChamber.org for full event details.

Events are subject to change. Check directly with organizers for the most current details.

local fun fact

THE BOYS OF SUMMER

PLAY BALL IN SANDPOINT’S EARLY DAYS

brought to you by THE BONNER COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY & MUSEUM

In a town like Sandpoint, baseball was not just a game. It was part of the summer itself, about as necessary as sunshine after one of those long North Idaho winters. The American pastime followed people west.

This was lumber-town baseball. Mill hands, clerks, storekeepers, railroad men, and local hotshots all took their turn on the diamond. More than one fellow was said to have found a new job when a better ball club came calling. And the uniforms? Plenty of those were stitched together by a patient wife, mother,

or sister, or paid for by a hometown business glad to have its name seen sliding into second.

Games sprang up on the flats at City Beach, on a diamond at Euclid and Michigan, and out near what we now know as the Bonner County Fairgrounds. The Humbird Mill folks went one better and built a real ballpark with grandstands on Boyer Avenue, roughly where Super 1 stands today. And whether the visitors came from Clark Fork, Bonners Ferry, Dover, Priest River, Sagle, or Spokane, the town turned out to cheer the home boys.

Ashley Martinez, Joslyn Chapman, Lexi Coker