Sandpoint Living Local | SUMMER 2026

LAYER OF YOU

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Five

The

More Than a Summer Destination

Summer has a way of showing Sandpoint at its best.

The lake fills with boats. Downtown gets busier. Trails climb into the Selkirks and Cabinets. The Festival at Sandpoint brings music back to War Memorial Field, and visitors who come for a few days start to understand why people build entire lives here.

That pull is at the heart of this Summer issue. With a focus on real estate, tourism, and the season that brings so many people to town, we look at the way Sandpoint continues to grow without losing the qualities that made it worth discovering in the first place. Lake Pend Oreille, Schweitzer, downtown, the Long Bridge, the farmers market, local shops, restaurants, trails, and gathering places all work together to create something that cannot be manufactured.

Tourism supports local businesses. Local businesses strengthen the community. Real estate reflects the deeper decision many people are making: to trade a quick visit for a more rooted way of life.

In these pages, you will find stories that capture that connection. We look at Sandpoint as the town people return to, explore summer in the mountains, revisit the history carried by the Cedar Street Bridge Public Market, and highlight the people, businesses, and organizations that help shape the community in meaningful ways.

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, on a local scale, shows up throughout Sandpoint: in the business owners who create gathering places, the artists who keep creativity alive, the volunteers who show up, the builders shaping what comes next, and the neighbors who still believe place matters.

This summer, may we enjoy the lake, the music, the long evenings, 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 Sandpoint Living Local.

Featured on the Sandpoint Living Local Summer 2026 Real Estate & Tourism cover, BluBird Renovations turns complex, large-scale renovations into refined results across North Idaho. Fixed pricing, defined timelines, and a reputation for solving problems no one else will touch. Read more on page 40.

Cover Photo Courtesy of BluBird Renovations

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

EDITORIAL

EDITOR

Taylor Shillam taylor@like-media.com

CONTRIBUTORS

BluBird Renovations, Bri Williams, Bonner General Health, Edward Jones Financial Advisor, Caleb Bowman

EDITORIAL INQUIRIES

editorial@like-media.com

PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Amy Henderson Photography pg. 24, Racheal Baker pg. 79, 90, Jason Duchow pg. 92, Selkirk Ridge Photography pg. 94

COURTESY PHOTOS

BluBird Renovations, Better Together Animal Alliance, Debbie Love, Signature Aesthetics, BeerFest, Festival at Sandpoint, Music Conservatory of Sandpoint, Bonner County Fair, Idaho Aviation Association

Moments to town but feels like you’re miles away. Marvel in Mountain Modern. This thoughtfully designed perfect blend of rustic luxury style can be built in the coveted, well-established neighborhood of Stanley Hill . No CCR’s- No HOA and still all city utilities from the quaint city of Coeur d’Alene. This oversized lot has numerous possibilities with a half-acre and features Southern exposure with vast views of mountains, city lights and trees as far as the eye can see.

suites, spacious kitchen, and four bedrooms on the lower level.

Prime opportunity! These 3 lots, totaling over 61.4 acres, includes over 400’ of waterfront on a year-round creek, which leads into the Coeur d’Alene River (World Famous for Fly Fishing) just 125’ from the property. The property backs up to approx. 11,186 acres of State Land, with groomed trails starting on the property and continuing throughout. An explorer’s paradise!

A true recreational paradise placed right in the middle of grand forests. Attached to 60 acres of paper company property for your use. For seclusion and peace of mind here is remarkable Makridge Lane.

Discover a rare legacy lakefront property just five minutes from downtown Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. With 90 feet of sandy beachfront, a large dock, crystalclear swimming, and beautiful mountain and lake views, this property is built for waterfront living. Enjoy boating access, southern sunlight, resort views, holiday fireworks, connected water and electricity, and a septic-approved site.

A true recreational paradise placed right in the middle of grand forests. Attached to 60 acres of paper company property! For seclusion and peace of mind here is remarkable Makridge Lane. This is a home for every leisurely activity and for every conceivable guest. Enjoy the gated log cabin lifestyle at the lodge at 122 Makridge Lane in the low populated town of Kingston, ID.

Rathdrum, ID | MLS #: 22-9057 | Listed at $230,000 Rare Tandem Drive-thru Unit coming soon! Two back-to-back 20x50 units that can be driven through. 78 Brand New Units Coming Soon at Hayden Lake Executive RV & Boat Storage!

Coeur d'Alene, ID | MLS #: 22-9794 | Listed at $1,100,000

Charming downtown Coeur d'Alene home on two city lots totaling .25 acres. This turn-key home is currently set up as a vacation rental and includes all furnishings! Close proximity to City Beach, shopping and the downtown lifestyle.

This rare parcel offers rolling terrain, pasture, forestland, landscaped yard, fruit trees, and two natural ponds—all surrounded by 5,000+ acres of Heyburn State Park. A charming cottage with detached garage makes an ideal guest house or base while you build, with space for a family compound or multiple homesites. Enjoy sweeping mountain views, a classic red barn, several outbuildings, and easy access to Coeur d’Alene Lake, a marina, trails, and nearby golf.

within walking distance to the public boat dock.

modern farmhouse estate on 20 usable, fully fenced acres just seven miles from downtown Coeur d’Alene in desirable Cougar Gulch. This private, gated property features manicured lawns, a year-round pond, apple orchard, greenhouse, raised garden beds, and chicken coop. With solar power, battery storage, generator backup, extensive garage/shop space, no HOA, StarLink internet, and low taxes, it offers rare luxury, privacy, and self-sufficiency.

Incredible Lake Coeur d'Alene and Carlin Bay views! Build your dream home on this east side of the lake lot with stunning sunshine and sunsets. Located

Humble Hillside Farm Maternity Home

Humble Hillside Farm Maternity Home (HHF) was founded by Jake and Jacci Humble after the birth mother of their adopted daughter came to live with them during the final six weeks of her pregnancy. That experience shaped everything. HHF now provides long-term residential care for mothers navigating pregnancy without stability or support, including housing, meals, transportation, parenting education, and lifeskills development. A dedicated House Mom and trained volunteers walk alongside residents daily. Overnight newborn care, several nights a week, gives mothers space to rest and recover. Learn more at HHFSanctuary.org, call 208.261.1361, or find them on Facebook at Humble Hillside Farm Maternity Home.

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GET READY TO RECOGNIZE THE FINEST OF 2026!

ABOUT THE FINEST

EACH YEAR, Sandpoint Living Local’s Finest honors the people, businesses, and organizations that make Sandpoint a great place to live, work, and play, as voted by the community.

GET INVOLVED and show your support by becoming a sponsor. With Title, Platinum, Gold, Silver and Category sponsorship options, there is a level for every budget and a strong opportunity for local visibility.

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FOR MORE DETAILS, SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AND VOTING DATES, SCAN HERE!

Better Together Animal Alliance (BTAA) runs an animal welfare model that breaks from the one most people picture. It is a shelter – but it's also one reason many Bonner County pets never need one. The nonprofit serves North Idaho with adoption, spaying and neutering services, a community Helpline, rehoming support, and temporary boarding during emergencies, all built around a simple premise: strengthen the bond between people and their pets, and keep fewer animals in the system.

Mandy Evans serves as the organization's Executive Director. Under her direction, BTAA's first question is not how to take in a pet. It's how to keep that pet at home.

"If we can support community members with the tools they need to care for their pets at home, being proactive instead of reactive, that leads to better outcomes for both pets and people," Evans says.

The work shows up in programs many Sandpoint readers already know by reputation. The Helpline supported more than 4,000 people last year, triaging calls for vaccines, spay and neuter surgeries, temporary boarding, food, supplies, and community cat trapping. Pets for Life sends BTAA staff doorto-door in Kootenai, Ponderay, Sagle, and Clark Fork, offering free services with no judgment. Fences have been built. Endof-life pet care has been covered. A person living in their car has been handed a leash, blankets, and food for the dog in the passenger seat.

"

If we can support community members with the tools they need to care for their pets at home, being proactive instead of reactive, that leads to better outcomes for both pets and people."

Home To Home is the program with the longest reach. Evans founded it in Ponderay in 2016 as an online tool that connects owners directly with adopters, moving pets from one home to the next without a stay in a shelter. In its first year locally, surrenders to BTAA dropped 26 percent. By 2025, 170 shelters across the United States and Canada were using the platform. It assisted 100,647 animals nationally and 429 right here.

The Temporary Loving Care (TLC) program, funded by donations, addresses short-term crises that would otherwise lead to surrender. When a local family's apartment flooded, TLC took their pets in until housing was stable. The animals returned to their families, which is exactly the goal of the program.

"BTAA is an organization dedicated to advancing animal welfare in our region. We're a local nonprofit with a national impact," says Dig Chrismer, Storytelling and Public Relations Manager.

The calls BTAA plans for all year never really stop: owners traveling, housing shifting, unexpected vet bills, lost pets, and found pets. The Animal Care Center stays open. The Helpline stays answered. The BTAA Thrift Store keeps the funding flowing, and every monthly donor extends what the team can say yes to.

Support takes many shapes, from adopting and fostering to volunteering, giving, or stopping by the care center to meet the animals and the people who care for them.

Keeping pets where they belong is not a slogan at BTAA. It is the measurement. Every door knocked on in Sagle, every Home To Home match, every TLC stay that ends in a reunion is one more animal that stayed in a family, and one more family kept together.

LOCAL &

Q A DEBBIE LOVE: A

LIFE BUILT ON SHOWING UP IN SANDPOINT

Being named Sandpoint Living Local’s 2025 Finest Person of the Year reflects how a community sees someone.

In Debbie Love’s case, it points to a life built on steady service and a clear focus on people. From her early years in Boise to her work today at the Bonner Community Food Bank, the approach has stayed consistent: show up, pay attention, take care of others.

Q. Tell us about your background and what continues to shape your perspective today.

A. I was born and raised in Boise and moved to Sandpoint full-time in 2009. I grew up in a hardworking, entrepreneurial family where giving back was part of life. My grandparents and my mom showed me what it means to care for others, share what you have, and lend a hand when someone needs it. Volunteering was something we did regularly, and those experiences shaped how I see the world. Watching their work ethic and the way they treated people had a lasting impact, and those values have carried into my work in human services and now at the food bank. That sense of service stayed with me. I see every day how much of an impact simple acts of care and consistency can have on someone. Every day, I also see resilience in the people we serve and generosity from volunteers, which continues to reinforce those early lessons.

Q. What does the food bank represent to Bonner County, in your view?

A. At the food bank, everything we do depends on people stepping in for each other. That says something about Bonner County. People here support each other regardless of their situation, and the food bank is a direct reflection of that. It isn’t about one organization. It reflects a county that chooses to take care of its own. I’m grateful to be part of that, and to see it hold steady even as the need grows.

"I’ve learned that success isn’t about recognition. It’s about relationships and how you treat people."

Fun Facts:

A few things to know about Debbie and the Bonner Community Food Bank:

• Executive Director: Debbie Love leads the food bank's day-to-day operations, overseeing staff, volunteers, and food distribution across two locations.

• Founded in 1980: The Bonner Community Food Bank has served Bonner County for over 45 years, beginning with the Ministerial Association and growing into one of Sandpoint's most reliedupon resources.

• ~3,000 clients per month: That's how many people receive assistance from the food bank across its Sandpoint and Priest River locations each month.

• Two locations: The main site sits on Culvers Drive in Sandpoint. A satellite location in Priest River extends the reach into West Bonner County.

Q. What has contributed most to the way you lead?

A. A lot of it comes down to the people around me. Family, mentors, and community have all set examples of generosity and care. I’ve learned that success isn’t about recognition. It’s about relationships and how you treat people. At the food bank, that shows up in listening, showing empathy, and treating everyone with dignity. When you stay focused on helping people and keep that at the center of your work, everything else tends to follow.

Q. Can you share a moment that captures the impact of your work?

A. One that stands out is a man in his 80s who called after losing his wife. He didn’t have family nearby and wasn’t just looking for food. He was looking for a connection. We welcomed him in, got him involved in volunteering, and helped connect him with an older workers program. Over time, he became part of the food bank community. He found purpose again while helping others. Moments like that are a reminder that the work goes beyond food. It’s about relationships, dignity, and making sure people don’t feel alone.

Q. What does your day-to-day look like right now at the food bank?

A. Every day looks a little different, but it always centers around people. There’s coordination among staff, volunteers, and the community to ensure food is coming in, getting sorted, and going back out consistently. There’s problem-solving, whether it’s helping someone navigate services, working through supply challenges, or preparing for days when demand runs high. I try to stay connected to what’s happening on the floor. That might mean stepping in to

help, talking with someone who’s come in for support, or just listening. What stays constant is making sure people feel welcomed, respected, and supported when they walk through the door.

Q. What are you seeing in Sandpoint right now that people might not fully realize?

A. One of the biggest things is that the need is more widespread than people might expect, and a lot of it is hidden. People tend to get by quietly for as long as they can. We’re seeing working families, seniors, and individuals who have never needed support before coming through our doors. Costs of housing, fuel, groceries, and essentials have made it harder for people to keep up, even when doing everything right. What stands out is how much people continue to care for one another. Even with increased need, we see volunteers stepping in, neighbors helping neighbors, and Sandpoint showing up for itself. That compassion is what makes it possible to keep meeting the need, even as it grows.

THE TOWN PEOPLE COME BACK TO

Why visitors return ready to make it home

by LIKE MEDIA TEAM

The Long Bridge crosses Lake Pend Oreille straight into downtown Sandpoint. Two miles of water, the Cabinets to the east, the Selkirks to the north, and a small town at the other end with a theater on the National Register, a ski resort eleven miles up the road, and a farmers market that shuts down First Avenue every Saturday in summer. Visitors drive in from Spokane, cross the bridge, and something registers. They stop at Evans Brothers for coffee. They walk Cedar Street. They grab a table on Second Avenue and watch the light change on the water. By the third morning, they are asking a local at Joel’s what homes cost here.

That conversation is shaping the Sandpoint real estate market in a real way. Not as a rush, not as a speculative wave, but as a steady, year-over-year pattern of buyers who show up as tourists and come back as residents. The pipeline from visit to address has become one of the defining forces in how Bonner

By the third morning, they are asking a local at Joel’s what homes cost here.

County changes. The reasons people make the move go deeper than any of the marketing ever captures.

Lake Pend Oreille is the starting point. Forty-three miles long, 1,152 feet deep, and one of the deepest lakes in the United States. The U.S. Navy still tests submarine acoustics at Bayview, on the southern end, because the lake’s depth gives it acoustic properties like the open ocean. That level of scale matters here. But the buyers who move here are not chasing size. They are chasing what the lake makes possible on a Tuesday evening. A paddleboard off City Beach before work. A sunset cruise off the dock at Hope. A swim after a long afternoon. The difference between a lake you visit and a lake you live on is the difference between watching a life and having one.

13.8%

BONNER COUNTY HAS GROWN MORE THAN 13.8% OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS — making it one of the fastest-growing counties in Idaho.

Schweitzer sits eleven miles up the mountain road from downtown. Idaho’s largest ski resort. 2,900 skiable acres, 92 runs, and more than forty miles of mountain bike and hiking trails that open in late June. The drive is under thirty minutes. For many buyers, that proximity is what closes it. Not a destination resort booked weeks ahead, but a mountain they can ski after lunch on a Thursday and be home for dinner. The Humbird Hotel opened in the village in 2022. The real pull is that Schweitzer is the second backyard. The lake is the first.

What separates Sandpoint from other mountain-and-lake towns across the West is the scale and independence of what sits in the middle. Downtown is not a retrofit of a resort strip. Cedar Street is the spine.

The Panida Theater opened as a vaudeville house in 1927 and continues to host film festivals, concerts, and live performances nearly a century later. Eichardt’s, MickDuff’s, Evans Brothers, and the Cedar Street Bridge Public Market all run on their own terms, built and owned by people who live here. The Festival at Sandpoint fills Memorial Field for a stretch of nights every summer. None of this was built for visitors. It has an arts-and-music identity that is mentioned in the same breath as the lake and the mountain, and for good reason.

Most buyers who make the move will tell some version of the same thing. They went home after their first trip and could not stop comparing. The morning commute is measured against a walk to the Bay Trail. The

THE LIFE PEOPLE LIVE HERE, CASUALLY AND DAILY, IS THE LIFE PEOPLE ELSEWHERE PAY THOUSANDS TO SAMPLE FOR A WEEK.

Schweitzer is the second backyard. The lake is the first.

weekend in traffic is measured against a Saturday on the Pack River. The restaurant, a forty-minute drive from home, measured against 113 Main. Sandpoint does not sell through a brochure. It sells through contrast. The life people live here, casually and daily, is the life people elsewhere pay thousands to sample for a week.

Then the calendar takes over.

Four real seasons. Winter here is not decorative. Schweitzer runs a full ski season most years. The lake does not freeze over, but the shoreline ices in, and the eagles gather at Trestle Creek in January. Spring comes in slow and wet, and the rivers come up. Summer runs hot and dry by August, with the lake warming by mid-June and boats on the water through September. Fall is the quiet one. The crowds leave. The cottonwoods turn. The water stays warm enough to swim in through early October. That is the season that converts the most buyers, because the people who visited in July come back in September and see what the place looks like without the line at the market.

The other half of the decision is not the lake, nor is it the mountain. It is the scale of what comes with them. Sandpoint’s population is just over 10,000, with Bonner County at nearly 50,000 across 1,919 square miles. That is a working county, not a resort. Timber still runs the roads. Agriculture still matters. The Bonner County Fair still draws the town. Schools are small enough that teachers know siblings. The grocery cashier knows your name by the third visit. That kind of scale has become rare in places this scenic, and finding it still intact is often the final factor that turns consideration into commitment.

That is the season that converts the most buyers, because the people who visited in July come back in September and see what the place looks like without the line at the market.

“ Buyers who once needed a corporate office now choose where to live based on what they want their daily life to look like.

Proximity matters too. Coeur d’Alene sits 46 miles south on Highway 95. Spokane is 72 miles southwest, with a metro area of roughly 600,000. Medical access at Kootenai Health and Providence Sacred Heart, and an international airport that connects to the rest of the country. Sandpoint has its own Amtrak station, the only one in Idaho, with the Empire Builder running east to Chicago and west to Seattle. The combination gives Sandpoint the feel of a small, independent town with the infrastructure of two larger cities within an hour or two.

The housing market reflects all of this. Inventory has grown compared to the tight stretch of a few years back, giving buyers more room to shop and negotiate. Prices sit above the national median and have softened off the 2022 peaks, but well-located properties, lakefront and lake-view homes in particular, hold their ground. Remote work has accelerated the whole pattern. Buyers who once needed a corporate office now choose where to live based on what they want their daily

THE PEOPLE WHO BUY HERE ARE NOT FOLLOWING HYPE. THEY ARE FOLLOWING A STRETCH OF DAYS IN A TOWN THAT FELT, FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A LONG TIME, LIKE EXACTLY WHERE THEY WANTED TO BE.

life to look like, and for the ones choosing Sandpoint, that daily life includes the lake, the mountain, a downtown grid that holds together, and a town with its own identity that was never borrowed from somewhere else.

The lake was here before the market caught national attention. The theater. The festivals. The street grid. All of it was here before the migration. The people who buy here are not following hype. They are following a stretch of days in a town that felt, for the first time in a long time, like exactly where they wanted to be.

That is the conversion: visit to permanent address. In Sandpoint, it keeps happening.

BLUBIRD RENOVATIONS

MADE FOR MEMORIES

courtesy of BLUBIRD RENOVATIONS

For BluBird founder Lou, complex renovations are not obstacles to avoid—they are invitations to innovate. “Challenge accepted,” he says simply.

One of the company’s most ambitious transformations began with a remarkable but highly constrained waterfront property in North Idaho. The client owned a coveted lakefront lot with an existing structure originally intended for toy and equipment storage. While the location offered extraordinary potential, every contractor they consulted delivered the same conclusion: the property was “unbuildable.”

The vision was to convert the utilitarian structure into a refined, four-season retreat—a place designed for gathering, entertaining, and embracing lake life yearround. But two critical issues stood in the way. First, there was no viable solution for septic access, making permitting nearly impossible. Second, the existing attic space lacked both natural light and sufficient headroom to create a functional second story.

Rather than walk away, BluBird began solving the problem from the ground up.

The property sat tightly constrained between the lake and an active railroad corridor. The railroad initially denied easement access for a drain field; there were no nearby sewer associations, and the nearest accessible private property was located more than a tenth of a mile away across the tracks.

“We couldn’t let a property like this go to waste,” Lou recalls. “A setting this extraordinary deserved a home built around experience, gathering, and memories. There had to be a way.”

After an extensive and persistent permitting process, BluBird successfully secured approval to bore beneath the railroad, roads, and neighboring driveways to reach a negotiated drain field easement with an adjacent property owner. The engineering solution preserved the site’s existing landscape and natural topography while unlocking the ability to fully reimagine the structure.

From there, the transformation accelerated.

BluBird raised the roofline to create a functional second level complete with additional bedrooms and expansive lake views, turning what was once a storage building into a sophisticated waterfront retreat designed for entertaining and year-round living.

“We love solving the problems no one else will touch,” Lou says.

Based in Sandpoint, BluBird Renovations specializes in largescale home renovations, additions, and elevated kitchen and bath transformations throughout North Idaho. The firm has built its reputation not only on craftsmanship, but on bringing clarity and certainty to a renovation process that is often known for the opposite.

Unlike the industry norm of escalating costs and open-ended timelines, BluBird provides clients with a fixed project price and defined completion schedule before construction begins— allowing homeowners to move through the renovation process with confidence and peace of mind.

“It’s remodeling, reimagined,” Lou says. “We’re replacing the stress and unpredictability people associate with construction with an experience that feels energizing and exciting—like a bluebird day at Schweitzer.”

That client-centered philosophy extends throughout every phase of construction. Daily progress updates, direct communication with the team, and a highly organized process keep homeowners informed and engaged from demolition to completion.

“The only surprise,” Lou says with a smile, “should be how quickly the project comes together.”

Looking ahead, Lou’s vision for BluBird is clear: to become North Idaho’s trusted name for homeowners seeking exceptional renovations executed with precision, transparency, and integrity.

Because in a place as extraordinary as North Idaho, homes should do more than simply exist—they should elevate the way people live.

“Our homes are where life happens,” Lou says. “They’re where families gather, memories are made, and everyday moments become meaningful. Home should be your favorite place to be.”

BluBird Renovations

217 Cedar St #191 | Sandpoint, ID 208.946.3433 | BluBirdRenovations.com

 blubirdrenovations f people/BluBird-Renovations

Sandpoint Summer IN THE MOUNTAINS

The Selkirks, the Cabinets, and the trails that connect them

by LIKE MEDIA TEAM

Drive ten minutes out of downtown Sandpoint in almost any direction and the elevation starts climbing. The Selkirk Mountains rise to the north and west. The Cabinet Range stands to the east.

Both ranges are granite, cedar-forested in the lowlands and alpine at the peaks. Over the past fifteen years, the trail systems running through them have expanded significantly. For summer visitors looking to spend time in the high country, Sandpoint has turned into one of the deeper trail towns in the Pacific Northwest.

The Syringa Trail Network

Two miles from downtown, the Syringa Trail Network stitches together a mix of conservation easements and public land into a cross-country riding and hiking system for beginner to advanced riders. The network includes Pine Street Woods, Sherwood Forest, and the VTT conservation area, all of which are accessible from the Pine Street Woods parking lot.

North Idaho Real Estate Experts

LEGACY WATERFRONT ESTATES

LEGACY WATERFRONT ESTATES

55 IDEAL DRIVE, SANDPOINT

SANDPOINT

5 BEDS | 7.5 BATHS | 10,680 SQ FT | 1.49 ACRES

816 PONDERESA RANCH ROAD, SAGLE

6 PONDERESA RANCH ROAD, SAGLE

6 BEDS | 5 BATHS | 7,748 SQ FT | 44.6 ACRES

6 BEDS | 5 BATHS | 7,748

$8,000,000

ience 44 6 acres on the Pend Oreille River - this extraordinary Caribou log estate captures the spirit of North Idaho waterfront living. The -square-foot residence offers six bedrooms, five baths, and a grand concept great room anchored by a chef’s kitchen with custom hickory etry and premium appliances. A vaulted primary suite creates a private t, while multiple guest spaces and a loft provide flexibility for

Experience 44 6 acres on the Pend Oreille River - this extraordinary Caribou Creek log estate captures the spirit of North Idaho waterfront living. The 7,748-square-foot residence offers six bedrooms, five baths, and a grand open-concept great room anchored by a chef’s kitchen with custom hickory cabinetry and premium appliances. A vaulted primary suite creates a private retreat, while multiple guest spaces and a loft provide flexibility for gatherings

xperience 44 6 acres on the Pend Oreille River - this extraordinary Caribou Creek log estate captures the spirit of North Idaho waterfront living The ,748-square-foot residence offers six bedrooms, five baths, and a grand pen-concept great room anchored by a chef’s kitchen with custom hickory abinetry and premium appliances A vaulted primary suite creates a private etreat, while multiple guest spaces and a loft provide flexibility for gatherings

$8,950,000

$8,950,000

5 BEDS | 7.5 BATHS | 10,680 SQ FT | 1.49 ACRES

$8,950,000

Set within the coveted Oden Bay community, this gated Lake Pend Oreille estate blends rare sandy beachfront with timeless luxury. Featuring a chef’s kitchen, indoor pool and spa, detached guest house, and conditioned toy barn, the property is thoughtfully designed for privacy, comfort, and elevated North Idaho living.

Set within the coveted Oden Bay community, this gated Lake Pend Oreille estate blends rare sandy beachfront with timeless luxury. Featuring a chef’s kitchen, indoor pool and spa, detached guest house, and conditioned toy barn, the property is thoughtfully designed for privacy, comfort, and elevated North Idaho living.

Set within the coveted Oden Bay community, this gated Lake Pend Oreille estate blends rare sandy beachfront with timeless luxury. Featuring a chef’s kitchen, indoor pool and spa, detached guest house, and conditioned toy barn the property is thoughtfully designed for levated North Idaho living

Pine Street Woods

IS THE FAMILY-FACING ENTRY.

Managed by Kaniksu Land Trust, the trails are wide, machine-built, and flowy.

flowy. Strollers, wheelchairs, first-time riders, and casual walkers all fit here. The adjacent Sherwood Forest is more technical, with switchbacks and rockwork that ride well on intermediate and advanced terrain. Momentum, a newer trail in the network, adds banked turns and real flow and draws riders from across the region.

The work here comes from Pend Oreille Pedalers, the local nonprofit that has built and maintained the Syringa system for over a decade. What riders experience here comes from volunteer labor and local support. It shows in how the trails ride and how people treat them.

The Lower Basin and the Watershed Farther up Schweitzer Mountain Road, the Lower

Basin Trails drop 1,600 vertical feet through beginner, intermediate, and advanced terrain. Three access points along the road make the system easy to shuttle or climb. The trails are maintained by Pend Oreille Pedalers with support from the City of Sandpoint, which owns most of the land in its municipal watershed.

The newest standout is E.T., a flow-and-jump trail that opened on Memorial Day 2024. Fifteen small gap jumps, each with a ride-around, each built to let riders sample features without committing. It rides cleaner than expected and has quickly become one of the most talked-about trails in the area.

For ambitious riders, the full summit-to-city circuit is available. The Highpoint Trail descends from the top of the Selkirk ridge through Uleda Ridge and into the Lower Basin network, delivering 4,000 vertical feet and roughly twelve

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Priced to sell! Classic 3-bed, 2-bath A-Frame on 1.40 acres, just 15 miles NE of Downtown Sandpoint. 3,040 sq ft featuring a rec room, loft/flex space, 2-car garage with workspace & walk-in storage. Investment opportunity with fenced garden area, established lawn & nearby creek and river access. Private, quiet setting with level land, gardens & mature Cedar trees. Near the Pack River, Kaniksu National Forest, Western Pleasures Horse Guest Ranch & Pack River Store. Power, private well & septic. County road access, no CCRs or HOAs.

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Live where others vacation! This fully furnished 2-bed, 1-bath waterfront corner condo at The Driftwood sits on Sand Creek in the heart of Downtown Sandpoint. Original hardwood floors, private boat slip, Lake Pend Oreille access, shaded patio, swimming beach & kayak launch. Steps to dining, shops & live music. Schweitzer Mountain, 24 minutes away. HOA covers heat, water/ sewer/garbage, snow removal & exterior upkeep. Active Airbnb — ideal as a personal retreat or incomegenerating investment. A rare waterfront gem!

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Scotchman

Peak,

thirty minutes east in the Cabinet Range, is the biggest day hike in the area.

miles of nearly continuous singletrack to the valley floor.

The ongoing Watershed Crest Trail project, a multi-year effort, will eventually extend this into a thirtymile circuit around the Little Sand Creek watershed.

The Classic Hikes

For those who prefer boots to pedals, the Sandpoint hiking list runs deep. The Mickinnick Trail climbs 2,100 feet over three and a half miles to a rocky overlook with open views of the Cabinet Range. The trailhead is off Woodland Drive, ten minutes from downtown. It is a hard hike with switchbacks in the upper half, and a summer staple for locals training for bigger objectives.

Scotchman Peak, thirty minutes east in the Cabinet Range, is the biggest day hike in the area. Four miles of climbing and 3,500 feet of gain, with mountain goats often gathering near the summit. The Forest Service asks hikers to keep their distance. The trail is steep and exposed at the top, with views out across northern Idaho and into Montana.

Mineral Point Trail, on a bluff west of town, runs six miles of shaded, mellow trail through old forest. The trailhead is at Green Bay Campground, which makes it an easy fit for anyone already planning a day at the cobbled beach below. Gold Hill, a local favorite, offers a 3.7-mile climb that locals ride and hike in equal measure. Beetop-Roundtop, farther afield, adds a longer option for hikers and riders looking to get further from the pavement.

Schweitzer in Summer

Eleven miles up the mountain road, Schweitzer runs a full summer season with chairlift rides, lift-served downhill biking, scenic hikes, and huckleberry picking tours timed to mid-summer ripening. It’s worth the drive, but most of what defines summer here happens below the resort, spread out across the surrounding trail systems.

Rentals and Local Knowledge

Sandpoint has a bike economy, not just a rental counter. Outdoor Experience, Sports Plus, and Greasy Fingers handle rentals, tune-ups, and real-time trail advice when the weather shifts or a downed tree changes a route. For anyone planning a week of riding, the Pend Oreille Pedalers' Trailforks region is worth downloading before leaving home. GPS tracks for most trails are free, and conditions are updated by riders in near real time.

A Note on Huckleberries

Mid to late July is when huckleberries start ripening in

the Selkirks, and they hold through August depending on elevation. The high country above 4,500 feet holds berries longer than the lowland patches. Locals do not share locations. Visitors are welcome to pick what they find on public land, and most trails above Sandpoint cross into huckleberry country at some point. Bring a small container and expect purple fingers.

The Shoulder of the Season

The trails are quietest in early June and late September. The network is rideable by the first week of June in most years, with the higher-elevation trails opening as the snow melts. September is the quiet window most people miss. Cooler temperatures, fewer riders on the Syringa Network, and the first of the larch needles starting to turn yellow in the high country. The huckleberries are done by then, but the light is better, the bugs are gone, and the best trails are wide open.

Sandpoint earned its outdoor reputation on what happens at elevation. The people who figure that out early usually aren’t one-time visitors.

Gem State Floors and Design

Brings High-End Finishes Home

A full-service showroom for Sandpoint-area homeowners, builders, and designers

by LIKE MEDIA TEAM

Gem State Floors and Design

468211 US-95

Sagle, ID

208.263.1058

GemStateFloors.com

Sean Gavin and Cody Persling opened Gem State Floors and Design with a clear read on what was missing. Sandpoint’s custom home market was growing — lake properties, mountain-modern builds, and high-end remodels were reshaping expectations — and homeowners needed local access to quality materials and design guidance. Not a big-box aisle. Not an online catalog. A showroom where the full picture comes together, and where homeowners don’t have to scale back the vision they had in mind.

The showroom sits on Highway 95 in Sagle, just south of Sandpoint, and it carries more under one roof than most people expect. The flooring selection includes hardwood, luxury vinyl plank, laminate, carpet, and tile, with styles and price points suited to everyday homes, custom builds, and high-end remodels. Wall surfaces include tile for showers, backsplashes, and feature walls, as well as stone and decorative finishes. On the cabinetry side, Gem State offers Crystal Cabinets and Fabuwood lines, with custom options ranging from clean, contemporary looks to more classic designs. The tile selection, already among the strongest in North Idaho, is expanding to include large-format tile, natural stone, and handcrafted options.

The products are only part of it. “Full service means guiding the client through the entire process — from design inspiration and material selection to measurements, ordering, project coordination, and professional installation,” Gavin and Persling say. The same team handles all of it from start to finish and stays involved through the final walkthrough. For local builders, that continuity streamlines the selection process, reduces delays, and keeps projects moving.

That approach shows up on the job. A recent project in Sagle replaced a plush white carpet in a homeowner’s den with rich hardwood. The boards were installed to draw the eye from the room’s entrance straight through to a sliding glass door and the lake view beyond it. The result was exactly what the homeowners had imagined.

Design consultation at Gem State is built around one thing: clear communication from the first appointment to the final decision. The process starts with understanding style, goals, lifestyle, and budget, then narrows selections so that flooring, tile, and cabinetry read as a cohesive whole. The detail most homeowners underestimate? “Things like transitions between rooms, trim

and edge profiles, grout color, and finish sheen,” Persling says. “Those smaller decisions are what determine whether a space feels polished and cohesive.”

Right now, clients are gravitating toward warm wood tones, wide plank flooring, matte finishes, large-format tile, and earthy neutrals. The direction is what Gem State calls mountain modern and organic luxury — clean lines, natural materials, layered texture, and warmth without trend-chasing.

Installation is where the entire plan has to prove itself. “It starts with craftsmanship — proper prep work and making sure every detail is handled correctly before anything is set in place,” Gavin says. No project is considered done until the final walkthrough confirms that the space matches the original vision.

A second location is already in the works. The goal is straightforward: give Sandpoint-area homeowners, builders, and designers local access to high-end materials, practical guidance, and experienced follow-through. No one should have to leave North Idaho to find it.

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.”

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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.

Improving Quality of Life with Local Urology Care

Bonner General Health adds urology to its specialty care offerings

Bonner General Health (BGH) is expanding specialty care in Sandpoint with the addition of urologist Dr. Ron Barrett. His arrival brings essential services closer to home, reducing the need for patients to travel for care.

Q: Welcome to Sandpoint! Can you tell us a little about your background and what led you to specialize in urology?

A: I grew up in Warwick, New York, a small town in the Hudson Valley. I returned to school to pursue medicine after an earlier career in engineering.

I was drawn to urology during my time at the University of Pennsylvania, where I saw the range of conditions treated and how much it improves a patient’s quality of life. I earned my medical degree there in 1997 and completed my general surgery internship and urology residency in 2002. I later practiced for many years in a multispecialty group in Scranton, Pennsylvania, before moving west with my family in 2014.

My wife, Julianne, and I have two adult children and a dog named Sprint. Outside of work, we enjoy skiing, kayaking, hiking, and camping.

Q: What attracted you to practicing in Sandpoint and joining the team at BGH?

A: Throughout my career, I’ve cared for many patients from rural communities who often traveled long distances for specialty care. I’m excited to bring essential urologic services closer to home and to make a direct impact on the health and quality of life in the Sandpoint area.

Q: For those unfamiliar, what is urology and what kinds of conditions do urologists treat?

A: Urology is a surgical specialty focused on conditions affecting the urinary tract in both men and women. At BGH, our focus will include kidney stones, bladder cancer, evaluation of blood in the urine, prostaterelated urinary concerns, and vasectomy.

Q: How does urology support women’s health as well as men’s?

A: For women, that often includes kidney stones, bladder conditions, blood in the urine, recurrent urinary tract infections, and general urinary health concerns.

Q: What urologic concerns have become more common as people age?

A: As we age, urinary issues often become more noticeable. Men may experience noncancerous prostate enlargement that affects urine flow. Urinary tract infections become more common, particularly for women. The risk of urologic cancers, including bladder, prostate, and kidney cancer, also increases with age.

Q: Are there symptoms people shouldn’t ignore?

A: Persistent changes in urinary habits, blood in the urine, flank or pelvic pain, or testicular lumps should always be evaluated. Sudden inability to urinate, visible blood in the urine, or severe pain with fever or chills requires urgent medical attention.

Q: What message would you like to share with community members who may feel hesitant to talk about urologic health?

A: Urologic concerns are common and often treatable. Many are not simply “part of aging.” Addressing symptoms early can improve quality of life and help prevent more serious problems.

Dr. Barrett will begin seeing patients in July 2026. Learn more at BonnerGeneral.org.

Bonner General Urology 423 N. Third Avenue, Ste. 110, Sandpoint, ID 83864 | (208) 265-3342

article provided by BONNER GENERAL HEALTH

OUR SERVICES:

• Acute Care Unit

• Anticoagulation

• Behavioral Health

• Bereavement Services

• Cardiopulmonary Services

• Diabetes Education

• Diagnostic Imaging

• Emergency Department

• Family Practice

• Hospice

• Immediate Care

• Infusion & Procedures

• Intensive Care Unit

• Internal Medicine Clinic

• Laboratory Services

• Ophthalmology

• Orthopedics

• Physical Therapy

• Occupational Therapy

• Speech Therapy

• Sandpoint Women’s Health

• Support Groups

• Surgical Services

• Swing Beds

• Urology

Soak Up Better Health

Summer is finally here, bringing bright mornings, warm evenings, and endless reasons to get outdoors. Whether you’re tackling yard work, refreshing your garden, or hitting the trails, the season inspires movement. But after months of cooler weather and slower routines, pushing too hard too fast can lead to aches, strains, or unexpected setbacks.

We’re committed to providing exceptional, compassionate care right here in the community—so you can stay active, healthy, and ready for everything summer has in store.

SUMMER 2026

Local Guide 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 filmforming 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.

GEM STATE FLOORS & DESIGN

Gem State Floors & Design was founded after years of renovation experience revealed how essential knowledgeable vendors and quality materials are to a successful project. Their team focuses on products that support both homeowners and designers, paired with full-service installation that makes it possible to bring even ambitious ideas to life.

468211 Hwy. 95

Sagle GemStateFloors.com

ALLIANCE TITLE & ESCROW CORP.

One of the largest independent title insurance agencies in the Pacific Northwest, each branch will greet you with a friendly, skilled professional who knows the area and is ready to close your title and escrow. Yes, it matters where you close.

105 Pine St. Sandpoint 208.263.2125

AQUA PLUMBING

Since 2012, Aqua Plumbing has been Bonner County’s premier commercial and residential plumber. This local, family-owned and operated business is dedicated to providing guaranteed customer satisfaction and high-quality plumbing installations.

Sandpoint: 208.265.2782

Bonners Ferry: 208.267.2782

CARPET ONE FLOOR & HOME

Sandpoint Furniture’s Carpet One & Home is committed to making your search simpler when it comes to your home flooring needs. From hardwood with timeless styles, stains and finishes, plus water and scratch resistant, to tile in stylish colors, patterns, shapes and sizes, to the warmth and comfort of carpet, with innovation and performance you’ll love.

401 Bonner Mall Way Ste. B

Sandpoint

208.946.5065

SandpointFurniturePonderay.com

Cedar Street Bridge Public Market Carries Sandpoint

How a former crossing became one of downtown’s most unexpected

by LIKE MEDIA TEAM

Most people step inside the Cedar Street Bridge Public Market and start looking around. They notice the shops, the windows, the creek below, and the easy connection to downtown Sandpoint. On a summer afternoon, it feels like a natural part of the town, the kind of place that has always belonged there.

But the story beneath your feet is anything but ordinary.

Long before it became a public market, the Cedar Street Bridge was simply a way across Sand Creek. Its earliest version dates back to the late 1800s, when a simple wooden crossing helped connect the two sides of town. Over the years, the bridge was rebuilt and improved as Sandpoint grew, eventually carrying both pedestrians and automobiles between downtown and the train depot across the creek.

By 1971, the bridge had been closed to vehicle traffic. Later, it was condemned, ending its use as a public crossing.

That could have been the end of the story. Instead, local entrepreneur Scott Glickenhaus saw a possibility where most people saw a failing structure. Inspired by the Ponte Vecchio in Florence, Italy, a bridge lined

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Sandpoint

with shops, he leased Sandpoint’s old bridge and set out to give it a new purpose.

The bridge was rebuilt with tamarack timbers and opened in 1983 as the Cedar Street Bridge Public Market. On opening day, the marketplace was full.

Its next chapter brought an even bigger piece of Sandpoint history. In 1988, a small local mail-order company called Coldwater Creek opened its first retail store inside the bridge. By 1995, the company had grown enough to lease the entire building. By 2005, it had outgrown the bridge completely.

Since then, the Cedar Street Bridge has continued to shift, survive, and reinvent itself, remaining one of downtown Sandpoint’s most recognizable landmarks.

So the next time you walk through, pause for a second.

You are not just walking through a market. You are walking across a bridge that survived floods, traffic, closure, condemnation, reinvention, and one of the biggest business stories Sandpoint ever produced.

WILLIAMS HOMES THE GREATER SANDPOINT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

SERVICES

The Best Ski Town to Raise Your Family NEW HOMES IN SANDPOINT

Travis Mire | NMLS# 1021365

208.290.6607

Pam Grutta | NMLS# 1495344

208.920.3797

COMMUNITY CANCER SERVICES

Easing the burden of those affected by cancer, this community-funded cancer resource center provides counseling, yoga classes and financial support, as well as a boutique with wigs, scarves and post-mastectomy prosthetics.

1205

Located along Lake Pend Oreille, Base Camp by Williams Homes offers access to Idaho’s natural beauty, outdoor recreation, and vibrant arts scene. Positioned between the Cabinet and Selkirk mountains, near Schweitzer Mountain Ski Resort, this community is ideal for adventure seekers. With 47 new homes now available, Base Camp is close to schools, shopping, and major highways, providing convenience for families in up-and-coming Sandpoint.

641 University Park Way Sandpoint 208.494.2266 WilliamsHomes.com

The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to supporting local businesses and the community. Focused on promoting economic growth, the Chamber connects businesses, encourages tourism, and provides resources to help the local economy thrive. Serving Sandpoint and the surrounding areas, they are committed to fostering collaboration, expanding business opportunities, and strengthening the community.

1202 Fifth Ave. Sandpoint 208.263.2161 SandpointChamber.org

Helping builders, contractors and retail lumber yards obtain specialty lumber products and building materials at competitive prices and with completely attentive, personal service, Lumber Marketing Services offers mill-direct lumber sales, wholesale lumber sales, smaller specialty orders on a custom basis, as well as custom millwork and framing packages.

208.264.5813

Lumber-Marketing.com

HOMETOWN EXPERTS

BROWN’S NORTHSIDE MACHINE & GEAR

Brown’s can do your custom metal machining, welding and fabrication, plus driveline and hydraulic repairs and parts in stock. Their parts specialists will make your u-bolts and hydraulic hoses while you wait. Transmission and engine rebuilds and exchanges. Brown’s ASE and Cummins Certified Diesel Mechanics are on duty six days a week. No job is too big or too small. Open 7am to 5pm Monday - Friday, 7am to 1pm Saturday.

1100 Triangle Dr. | Ponderay 208.263.4643

STAY AT HOME HOMECARE

Serving Sandpoint and surrounding areas, owner Lisa Olson, CNA, assists clients with dignity and patience while improving their quality of life, encouraging independence where possible and empowering them to be confident and comfortable in their own familiar home. Providing excellent and affordable in-home care, she offers a wide variety of care services to those of all ages and cognitive abilities.

208.627.6935

JASON DUCHOW PHOTOGRAPHY

Capturing the essence of athleticism and personality, Jason Duchow Photography specializes in dynamic sports shots, team photos and senior portraits. Serving North Idaho and Eastern Washington, Jason’s distinctive style, enhanced by dramatic lighting, elevates portraits to exceptional quality. You can view his work online and call to book your session today.

208.290.5810

JasonDuchowPhotography.com

C&M CLEANING SERVICE

Whether you are a homeowner, residential or vacation rental manager, or in construction looking for help with cleanup, C&M Cleaning Service can help. Fully licensed and insured, their staff will exceed all your expectations. They offer interior window cleaning, residential cleaning, complete floor cleaning and much more. Now offering all-natural Melaleuca cleaning products by request. 120C South 2nd Ave. | Sandpoint 208.610.8645

SandpointCleaningService.com

ELITE

PARTNERS | NEDRA KANAVEL

As a trusted real estate expert in Sandpoint, Nedra Kanavel offers personalized services to help clients find their dream homes or investment properties. Specializing in luxury and waterfront properties, she brings dedication and expertise to every transaction.

Sandpoint

208.610.4624

NedraKanavel.com

THICK N’ THIN BEAMS AND FLOORING

Specializing in high-quality reclaimed wood, Thick n’ Thin Beams and Flooring provides custom beams, flooring, and timber accents for homes and businesses. Their sustainable materials and craftsmanship bring warmth and character to any space.

4458 Cow Creek Rd.

Bonners Ferry

208.267.1330

P1FCU

Your community. Your credit union. For more than 80 years, P1FCU has worked hard to provide excellent products and services to help members improve their financial well-being by offering the right products to help clients on their financial journey.

476844 Hwy. 95

Ponderay

208.746.8900

THE STEVE NOVOTNY TEAM AT RATE

Located in North Idaho, The Steve Novotny Team at Rate has rapidly emerged as a leader in the mortgage lending industry. With a team of seasoned professionals and a solid commitment to the community, they have set themselves apart by offering unparalleled service and innovative mortgage solutions. Serving Sandpoint and Coeur d’Alene, they bring more than 55 years of combined experience with a shared goal to provide clients and industry partners an exceptional mortgage experience.

208.771.3674

TeamNovotny@rate.com Rate.com/loan-officers/novotnyteam-376423

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 Sandpointfurniture.com

TING INTERNET

Delivering lightning-fast fiber internet, Ting Internet provides reliable, highspeed connectivity for homes and businesses in Sandpoint. Offering seamless streaming, gaming, and browsing, they are dedicated to bringing the community top-tier service.

1411 N. Division Ave. Building 2 Sandpoint 855.846.4626

VCA NORTH IDAHO ANIMAL HOSPITAL

At VCA North Idaho Animal Hospital, a full-service veterinary facility, their veterinarians, technicians and other pet-friendly support staff help pets live long, healthy and happy lives by delivering high-quality and compassionate medical care for pets and the best experience for pet owners.

320

SKINNER & STEVENS PROPERTIES

CENTURY 21 RIVERSTONE

Let Eric Skinner, owner/Associate Broker, and Brent Stevens, owner/ Realtor, help you on your real estate journey. Eric and Brent are fine homes and estates specialists, ready to guide you in your next home buying or selling transaction, from residential and waterfront, to bare land, commercial or development.

Eric Skinner

208.290.6314

Eric.Skinner@Sandpoint.com

Brent Stevens 208.290.0502

BStevens@Sandpoint.com

Idahorealestatelistings.com/ Skinner-Stevens.php

SANDPOINT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

Sandpoint Christian School is a nondenominational faith-based learning community for preschool through eighth grade, partnering with Christian families to promote academic excellence and prepare learners for a lifetime of commitment to Christ.

477954 US 95, Ponderay

208.265.8624

Office@sandpointchristian.com

SANDPOINT GARAGE DOORS

As a locally owned and operated company, Sandpoint Garage Doors takes pride in their top-quality service. Serving both residential and commercial customers, they provide garage door and opener sales, installations and repair services.

1309 Wright Way

Sandpoint

208.263.6040

Monarch Marble & Granite specializes in custom fabrication and installation of kitchen and bathroom countertops, showers, tub decks, fireplace surrounds, hearths, desks, tabletops, and more! They work with granite, quartz, marble, soapstone, quartzite, sintered stone and porcelain slabs. Client focused and quality driven, find superior craftsmanship with stunning results.

336 McNearney Rd., Ponderay 208.263.5777 SandpointGranite.com

EDWARD JONES - CALEB BOWMAN

Helping individuals and families secure their financial futures, Caleb Bowman provides personalized investment strategies for retirement, college savings, and estate planning, guiding clients toward their financial goals with tailored solutions.

303 Pine St. Sandpoint 208.255.7405

STEEL STRUCTURES AMERICA

The Northwest’s largest, most experienced pole building contractor, Steel Structures America specializes in constructing custom garages and shops and is dedicated to providing tailored steel construction solutions for their clients.

154 Ivy Dr. Sagle

800.833.9997

Founded in 2008, Big Lake Recreation is a family-owned boating partner serving the Sandpoint area. They handle storage, maintenance, detailing, seasonal preparation, pickup, and concierge coordination, giving boat owners one trusted team to work with instead of managing multiple service providers. Nearly half their staff has been with the company for over a decade. The goal is simple: less time managing your boat, more time on Lake Pend Oreille.

468501 US Hwy 95, Sagle

208.265.BOAT (2628)

BIG LAKE RECREATION

MONARCH MARBLE & GRANITE

Which retirement plan is right for your business? FINANCIAL FOCUS®

This article was written by

Edward Jones for

use by your local

Edward Jones Financial Advisor Caleb Bowman

If you’re a local business owner, a workplace retirement plan can be a powerful tool – helping you manage taxes, strengthen employee retention and build personal financial security.

Many in your situation, however, assume retirement plans are complicated or only suitable for large companies. The reality is quite different. Today’s retirement plan options encompass businesses of every size, from solo entrepreneurs to companies with dozens of employees.

The key is understanding which plans work best for different kinds of businesses:

Self-employed individuals or businesses without employees. Three commonly used retirement plans:

• Simplified employee pension (SEP) plans are relatively straightforward, lowmaintenance, lower-cost and flexible on how much you contribute each year.

• Owner-only 401(k) plans are ideal if you’re willing to accept additional cost and complexity in exchange for benefits like higher contribution limits and borrowing options.

• Owner-only defined benefit plans work best for owners with high, steady income who want to maximize their retirement contributions and guaranteed retirement income. These plans come with required annual funding and greater administrative complexity.

Businesses with employees can also consider an SEP plan, although it only allows for employer contributions. Other plan options include:

• The SIMPLE IRA (savings incentive match plan for employees) can work well for companies with 100 or fewer employees seeking a low-maintenance option. Employer contributions are required, and

it has lower contribution limits compared to other plan types.

• Traditional 401(k) plans offer maximum flexibility by allowing both employee salary deferrals and employer contributions that can be adjusted based on business performance. These plans have added costs and administrative responsibilities.

• Safe harbor 401(k) plans are ideal if you want to maximize your retirement contributions without the complex testing requirements and are willing to make the required employer contributions.

• A cash balance plan is often paired with another plan type, such as a 401(k), to allow greater retirement savings. It works well when you have a smaller company with high-earning employees and consistent cash flow, and you’re comfortable making required contributions.

Each plan type involves different eligibility requirements, establishment deadlines, contribution limits, complexity and costs. In determining a workplace retirement plan that's right for your business, you'll want to consider the number of employees, desired contribution levels, comfort with required employer contributions and willingness to handle administrative responsibilities. And, of course, the goals for your business and your own retirement are important criteria.

Fortunately, you don’t have to navigate this decision alone. A financial advisor can help you evaluate the trade-offs among different plan types and select the option that best fits your situation. They can explain how various plans work and guide you through the setup process.

Starting a workplace retirement plan is an investment in your future, your business and your employees. With professional guidance, you can find a plan that helps everyone build financial security while positioning your business for continued success.

Health Beauty&

Your Summer Skin Strategy

A SMARTER APPROACH TO SUN, HYDRATION, AND RECOVERY

by LIKE MEDIA TEAM

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 number matters, but what most people miss is 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.

Melasma in the Summer

How to prevent and control it

MBri Williams, WHNP-BC

Refined Aesthetics Med Spa, pllc SandpointMedSpa.com 215 Cedar St., Sandpoint

208.304.7535

elasma is a common skin condition that causes patchy brown or gray-brown pigmentation, most often on the cheeks, forehead, upper lip, and jawline. It is driven by overactive melanocytes (pigmentproducing cells), often triggered by hormones, genetics, and most importantly, sun exposure.

Summer tends to make melasma worse because UV radiation and heat both stimulate pigment production. Even brief sun exposure or indirect heat (like being outdoors on a hot day) can deepen existing patches and make treatment more challenging.

Here are pro tips to help keep melasma under control during the warmer months:

• Wear broad-spectrum sunscreen daily (SPF 30-50+). Choose one with zinc oxide or iron oxide for added protection against visible light.

• Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours, especially important when outdoors, sweating, or swimming.

• Use tinted sunscreen or mineral powder. Visible light can worsen melasma, and tint helps to block it.

• Add a wide-brim hat and sunglasses. Physical barriers are just as important as topical protection.

• Incorporating pigment-regulating skincare ingredients like azelaic acid, tranexamic acid, vitamin C, and retinoids can help.

• Avoid heat exposure when possible. Saunas, hot yoga, and even prolonged sun exposure can trigger flares.

• Be consistent with your routine. Melasma requires maintenance and skipping days can set you back.

• See a professional for advanced treatments. Options like chemical peels or prescription creams can improve results when used appropriately.

Melasma can be frustrating, but with the right combination of sun protection, targeted skincare, and consistency, it is very manageable. Staying proactive, especially in the summer, makes all the difference in keeping your skin clear and even.

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.

7B-IV Trinity Wellness Center provides personalized IV therapy and wellness services designed to support hydration, immunity, energy, and recovery. Their experienced team offers customized vitamin infusions and injections in a comfortable, professional setting. Focused on proactive health, they help clients feel revitalized, balanced, and ready to perform at their best.

420 N. 2nd Ave.

Sandpoint

208.217.1877

BONNER GENERAL HEALTH

Sandpoint’s “Hometown Hospital,” BGH is a 25-bed critical access hospital and health care network of outpatient clinics and services serving Sandpoint and the surrounding region. For their full list of clinics and services provided, visit their website.

520 N. Third Ave.

Sandpoint

208.263.1441

LEWIS & HAWN DENTAL: MORE THAN JUST TEETH

At Lewis & Hawn, their goal is for their patients to love to smile. From sameday crowns, implants and invisalign, to veneers, TMJ treatments, sleep apnea and snoring therapies, and more, call today. Accepting new patients.

2025 W. Pine St.

Sandpoint

208.265.4558

MISSI BALISON FITNESS

Missi Balison, a personal trainer, exercise physiologist and certified precision nutrition coach, is the owner of Missi Balison Fitness, a women’s boutique fitness studio offering fitness, nutrition, coaching and massage. Voted Sandpoint’s “Finest Gym” five years running.

1250 Gooby Rd. Sandpoint 208.290.2081

SIGNATURE AESTHETICS

Providing a holistic approach to aesthetics, health and wellness for 15 years, Signature Aesthetics specializes in injectables, fillers, body contouring, skin rejuvenation, lasers, vascular treatments, skin peels, wellness, and pain management.

1202 N. Division Ave. Sandpoint 208.627.6869

SignatureAesthetics.com

Sun-Smart Recovery: Three Moves for Summer Skin

Rinse first. Shower within an hour of outdoor exposure to remove salt, chlorine, and sunscreen residue before they deepen dryness.

Hydrate in layers. Apply a water-based serum while skin is still damp, then seal with a lightweight moisturizer. This two-step method delivers hydration faster than a single-product application.

Cool, don't scratch. A chilled aloe vera gel calms post-sun inflammation without disrupting the skin barrier. Avoid exfoliating for 48 hours after extended exposure.

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.

SANDPOINT URGENT CARE

Sandpoint Urgent Care in Sandpoint, Idaho, provides fast, high-quality care for nonemergency medical needs. With a skilled team, they offer compassionate treatment for minor injuries and illnesses, serving Sandpoint and surrounding areas with convenient, trusted care.

302 South 1st Ave. Sandpoint 208.265.4383

REFINED AESTHETICS MED SPA

At Refined Aesthetics, their focus is to enhance one’s natural beauty and leave him/her feeling more confident. Dedicated to enhancing the lives of their patients, both men and women, they utilize the most advanced treatments, products and techniques.

215 Cedar St. Sandpoint 208.304.7535

LEWIS & HAWN DENTISTRY - SLEEP SOLUTIONS NORTHWEST

Lewis & Hawn Dentistry - Sleep Solutions Northwest in Sandpoint, Idaho, offers expert care for dental and sleep issues, specializing in sleep apnea and snoring. Their personalized, innovative treatments improve health and overall well-being.

2025 W. Pine St. Sandpoint 208.265.4558

SHRINERS CHILDREN’S

Shriners Children’s in Spokane provides pediatric specialty care. Shriner’s experienced care team brings hope and healing, and are driven to make lives richer, easier and less complex for children and families in Washington, Idaho and beyond.

911 W. 5th Ave. Spokane 509.455.7844

Botox/Dysport | Dermal Fillers

Microneedling | Sculptra Aesthetic

Skin Care | Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy

EmSculpt Neo Body Contouring

Kybella | Microblading | Chemical Peels

Morpheus-8 Microneedling with

Radiofrequency | Laser Hair Removal

IPL | Medical-Grade Corrective Facials

Elleebana Keratin Lash Lift & Tinting

Brow Shaping & Tinting | Dermaplaning HydraFacials

FOLLOW

AFTER YEARS OF TREATMENTS, THE VISITS BLUR. THE DIFFERENCE DOESN’T.

That difference traces back to Nancy Andrews, RN-C, founder of Signature Aesthetics.

Linda’s treatments have evolved over time, from neurotoxins like Xeomin and Dysport to fillers including Juvéderm, Radiesse, and Belotero, along with earlier treatments like laser resurfacing and microneedling.

She no longer thinks about the number of visits. What matters now is simpler. It’s how she feels when she leaves, and what she sees in the mirror day to day.

It wasn’t always that way.

"Before Nancy, I felt age creeping up on me, no matter what products I used. Then Nancy did her magic, and with maintenance, I not only look amazing and younger, I feel amazing and younger.”

Signature Aesthetics: An Artist's Hand

A

LONGTIME CLIENT ON

NANCY'S APPROACH by LIKE MEDIA TEAM

Linda Bruchman has been a client of Nancy Andrews for years. What started as a single visit became a long-term relationship she credits with helping her feel like herself again. She came in looking for results. She stayed for the way she was treated, for the consistency of Nancy’s care, and for the trust that has grown between them.

WHAT STANDS OUT MOST IS WHAT ISN’T PUSHED.

In an industry that often leans toward more, that restraint stands out. Linda has felt it in every appointment for years.

“Nancy takes her time deciding which products are right for me and what I want, and don’t want. Nancy has never tried to talk me into changing the shape of my face. Just working with what I have to make it the best it can be.”

The practice has been built around a simple idea: “Every Face is a Signature.”

With over 35 years of medical experience, including intensive care and medevac work, the focus has always been on individualized care. The Sandpoint and Coeur d’Alene locations have built a loyal client base around that approach.

For Linda, that philosophy shows up in every visit, in ways large and small. Appointments feel considered,

Nancy Andrews RN-C

WHERE SANDPOINT SPENDS ITS SUMMER

Shop, Stay, Play&

by LIKE MEDIA TEAM

SShop

ummer in Sandpoint has a rhythm. The lake gets busy, downtown fills in, and everyone ends up at a few of the same places without really planning to. Here's where to shop, where to stay, and what to do while summer is in full swing.

Cedar Street Bridge Public Market The covered market at 334 N 1st Ave spans Sand Creek and runs 10 am - 6 pm daily. Inside are vendors like Sandpoint Toys, Sugar Tooth Sweet Shop, and Zwazo Nich's fair-trade goods.

Finan McDonald Clothing Company A First Avenue staple for mountain-ready apparel and outdoor goods. The shop carries brands that hold up on Schweitzer trails and long days on Lake Pend Oreille, pulled together with an eye for how Sandpoint actually dresses when the summer wedding weekend shows up.

Sandpoint Furniture Family-owned since 1945, three generations deep, now running out of Bonner Mall Way in Ponderay. Furniture for every room in the house, a clearance center for close-outs and overstock, custom orders for whatever isn't on the floor, and noncommission staff who won't hover while you think about the couch.

Grace & Joy Clothing Co. The flagship boutique on Cedar Street, carrying small-batch clothing alongside handcrafted jewelry and scarves sourced directly from the markets of Thailand. Bright summer dresses and easy pieces built for the Fourth of July, Festival at Sandpoint nights, or any warm evening that calls for something new.

Stay

The Lodge at Sandpoint Boutique waterfront hotel on 600 feet of private shoreline along Lake Pend Oreille. Spacious rooms, a sandy beach, and a full lawn, good for visiting family who want to see town but sleep close to the water.

Cedar Street Hotel & Suites Downtown lodging within walking distance of Cedar Street, First Avenue, and City Beach. Pet-friendly and clean with an on-site EV charger for guests, useful to know when friends ask where to send parents for a weekend visit to town.

1The Festival at Sandpoint runs July 30 through August 9 at War Memorial Field. Here are a few things you might not know about the summer series:

• It started in 1983 with three Spokane Symphony concerts.

• Johnny Cash, Tony Bennett, ZZ Top, and Brandi Carlile have all played War Memorial Field.

• The Festival is a nonprofit that runs a Fifth Grade Music Outreach Program and an Instrument Assistance Program for local students.

FestivalAtSandpoint.com

ALPINE SHOP

Alpine Shop is one of the largest watersports and snow sports outfitters in the Inland Northwest. Offering both a downtown location and shop at Schweitzer, they make it easy to find what you’re looking for, no matter the season.

Downtown Sandpoint | 208.263.5157 Schweitzer Village | 208.255.1660

BEST WESTERN EDGEWATER RESORT

The Best Western Edgewater Resort is sure to provide a peaceful and comforting home away from home for any traveler. Free internet access, business center, superior customer service, cleanliness and value, your needs will be met beyond your expectations.

56 Bridge Street Sandpoint 208.263.3194

CEDAR STREET BRIDGE

Located in downtown Sandpoint, the Cedar Street Bridge offers the public a unique marketplace filled with boutique shops, restaurants and local artisans. It’s a perfect stop to shop indoors and cool off between summer stops downtown.

334 N. First Ave. Sandpoint

208.304.7383

BONNER COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY & MUSEUM

Museum exhibits immerse visitors in local history dating back to the ice age floods, the early days of the Kalispel and Kootenai people, the fur trade, steamboat era, log drives and stump ranches. Learn about the early beginnings of the small logging, mining, agriculture and railroad communities.

611 S. Ella Ave. Sandpoint 208.263.2344

TALUS ROCK RETREAT

Escape to Talus Rock Retreat for your special getaway. Rented by the room or in its entirety, this peaceful villa is perfectly situated on an 18-acre wilderness playground and only 1 mile from downtown Sandpoint!

291 Syringa Heights Rd. Sandpoint 208.255.8458

Panida Theater

The Panida Theater has been a Sandpoint staple since 1927. Throughout each month, the theater presents a variety of entertainment opportunities, including concerts, film festivals, fundraising events, comedy shows and so much more.

300 N. First Ave. Sandpoint 208.263.9191

Talus Rock Retreat A lodge-style retreat on 32 private acres less than two miles from downtown. Fully equipped kitchens, hot tub, outdoor pool, and a fourth-floor tower with 270-degree views of the Selkirk and Cabinet ranges, built for a family reunion or a long weekend with a group.

Western Pleasure Guest Ranch Family-run working ranch on 960 acres of summer pasture with views of the Selkirk and Cabinet ranges. Horseback riding, lodge rooms, and cabin rentals for anyone hosting guests who want the full Bonner County version of a vacation instead of the downtown one.

Play

Beeracuda Boat Rentals Family-owned pontoon rentals out of Dover Bay Resort, with everything from a quiet fishing pontoon to a 26-foot double-decker with a water slide off the top. Skis, paddleboards, lily pads, and tubes come with, and they'll deliver to Lake Pend Oreille or haul the boat to Priest Lake if that's where the day is going, which is the point of renting instead of owning.

Pend d'Oreille Bay Trail An easy, mostly flat path running from downtown Sandpoint along the shore of Lake Pend Oreille and north toward Sunnyside. Short enough for a prework walk, flat enough for kids on bikes, good for anyone showing family the lake without committing to a real hike.

Festival at Sandpoint The outdoor concert series at Memorial Field runs late July through early August, the anchor event of the Sandpoint summer calendar. Reserved pavilion seats sell out months in advance, lawn seating stays open, outside food and non-alcoholic drinks are welcome, and 60- to 70-degree evenings on the lake call for layers.

Sandpoint City Beach The sandy beach at the end of Bridge Street along Lake Pend Oreille, with swimming, three volleyball courts, tennis and pickleball, horseshoe pits, BBQ pits, and a public boat launch. Lifeguards on duty in season, still the first stop when summer hits and the default meeting spot when nobody wants to pick one.

Summer moves fast up here, and most of what sticks is what you weren't planning on. These spots hold up either way, whether you built the weekend around them or just ended up nearby.

V isit our beautiful showroom to see the latest st yles and t rends in...

Kitchen Cabinets, W indows, Inter ior & Exter ior Doors

Glass Show ers, Mir rors, and More

Open Monday through Friday 8am to 5pm Next to Sandpoint Furniture

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.

What’s on tap?

A LOCALfavorite

July 5

12th Annual Sandpoint Beerfest

The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce brings Beerfest back for its 12th year on Sunday, July 5, 2026, with 20+ craft beers from regional breweries, live music by local bands, and food and non-alcoholic drinks available on site. Attendance is capped at 750, and you must be 21 with valid ID to taste. Find full event details and tickets at SandpointChamber. org/sponsorship-opportunities/beerfest.

SIP SIP HOORAY!!! A LOCAL FAVE IS BACK FOR THE 12TH

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.

Evans

• 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.

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.

219 LOUNGE

Sandpoint’s hometown full-service bar for more than 80 years, customers are treated to exceptionally skilled bartenders serving up classic cocktails, 20 craft beers on tap and a unique wine list. Unwind with entertainment including pool, foosball, live music and more!

219 N. First Ave. | Sandpoint 208.263.5673 | 219Lounge.com

CITY BEACH ORGANICS

City Beach Organics downtown offers topnotch, made-from-scratch organic, glutenfree food and drinks. Everything from their acai bowls, wraps and melts, soups, salads and quinoa bowls to their juices and smoothies showcase their passion.

117 N. First Ave. | Sandpoint 208.265.9919

CityBeachOrganics.com

FIESTA BONITA

Authentic Mexican cuisine prepared fresh daily, Fiesta Bonita’s menu is full of many unique and authentic recipes. They have a full bar at their Ponderay location and outdoor seating. Bring the family or make it a date night. There is something for everyone at Fiesta Bonita!

700 Kootenai Cutoff Rd. | Ponderay 208.263.6174

PEND D’OREILLE WINERY

Pend d’Oreille Winery tasting room in downtown Sandpoint features Pend d’Oreille Winery wines by the glass or bottle, artisan pizza and delicious bites, all paired with live music/piano, local art and handcrafted gifts. The perfect place to unwind.

301 Cedar St. | Sandpoint 208.265.8545 | POWINE.com

YOKE’S FRESH MARKET

Yoke’s Fresh Market in Sandpoint, Idaho, is known for high-quality groceries, fresh local produce, and exceptional service, providing a great shopping experience while supporting the community and offering a wide selection of products.

212 Bonner Mall Way | Sandpoint 208.263.4613

YokesFreshMarkets.com

Proudly offering something for everyone, specialties include chicken fried steak, smoked prime rib, bison ribs, and grilled PB&J and bacon sandwiches, and a full bar. All menu items are reasonably priced, fresh and made to order.

477272 US-95 | Ponderay 208.263.1381

6915 E. Athol Crossing Rd. | Athol 208.561.9496 SweetLousIdaho.com

THE FORGE ARTISAN PIZZA

The Forge Artisan Pizza in Sandpoint, Idaho, is a local favorite known for its wood-fired, handcrafted pizzas made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Blending traditional flavors with a modern twist, The Forge delivers an unforgettable dining experience. Whether you’re stopping by for a casual meal or a special night out, their commitment to quality and excellent service keeps customers coming back for more.

306 Pine St. | Sandpoint 208.252.9433

ForgeArtisanPizza.com

Open for lunch, happy hour, and dinner, 113 Main’s cuisine exudes modern scratch American. Now open seven days a week, everything is made in-house with a menu featuring in-season vegetables and proteins that changes with the season. The full-service bar highlights amazing craft cocktails with fresh fruits, house-made simple syrups, fresh squeezed juices, and various garnishes from candied blood oranges to edible flowers.

113 Main St. | Sandpoint 208.946.5309 113MainSandpoint.com

Fresh and unique, Jalapeños Mexican Restaurant in downtown Sandpoint has been a favorite of many for over 35 years for its delicious, quality Mexican cuisine. Whether it’s Margarita Monday, Taco Tuesday or Magic Sundays, there is something for everyone here.

314 N. Second Ave. | Sandpoint 208.263.2995

SandpointJalapenos.com

Located in Ponderay, Idaho, Chicks Teriyaki is a local go-to for bold, flavorful Asian-inspired dishes. Open Monday through Friday from 11 am to 7 pm and Saturday from 12 pm to 6 pm, the menu features customer favorites like the Chicks Teriyaki Bowl, Teriyaki Sandwich, and Bang Bang Chicken. Gluten-free options are also available. Whether you’re dining in or taking out, Chicks delivers fresh ingredients and satisfying meals every time. Explore the full menu at ChicksTeriyaki.com.

476864 US 95 | Ponderay 208.597.7091 ChicksTeriyaki.com

SWEET LOU’S RESTAURANT & BAR

113 MAIN

CHICKS TERIYAKI

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! July

The Festival at Sandpoint

Forty-three summers in, the Festival at Sandpoint returns to War Memorial Field for nine nights of live music on the shores of Lake Pend Oreille. Booking starts more than a year in advance, balancing audience requests, artist routing, and stage capacity across genres. The 2026 lineup:

Thursday, July 30: Andy Grammer with Walk Off the Earth

Friday, July 31: Aaron Lewis and the Stateliners

Saturday, August 1: Portugal. The Man

Sunday, August 2: Community Night with Joseph, Sydney Dale, and Hannah Meehan

Wednesday, August 5: George Thorogood and the Destroyers with the Robert Cray Band

Thursday, August 6: Midland

Friday, August 7: Switchfoot

Saturday, August 8: Rick Springfield

Sunday, August 9: How to Train Your Dragon 2 - In Concert

Community Night returns for its second year at $20, the most affordable ticket of the series, and gives two North Idaho singer-songwriters a larger stage. The Grand Finale brings the Festival at Sandpoint Orchestra together with a live-scored screening to close the run. War Memorial Field sits at 801 Ontario Street. General admission is available. Satellite parking and a free shuttle are available from Sandpoint High School. FestivalatSandpoint.com

30-

BGH Find Your Strength 5K & 1K Fun Run

BONNERGENERAL.ORG/FIND-YOUR-STRENGTH

SANDPOINTRENFAIRE.COM

Sandpoint Renaissance Faire 13 1314

CHAFE150.ORG

18th Annual CHAFE 150 Gran Fondo Summer Sampler 20 25

SANDPOINTCHAMBER.ORG/SPONSORSHIPOPPORTUNITIES/SUMMER-SAMPLER

BGH Find Your Strength 5K & 1K Fun Run

The Bonner General Health (BGH) Foundation’s superhero-themed fun run returns to Sandpoint City Beach on Saturday, June 13. The 5K starts at 10 am and the 1K follows at 11 am, with both routes running along the Sand Creek Trail. A family-friendly after-party wraps up the morning. Costumes are encouraged, and registration is open to all ages. Proceeds support the Hometown Health Grants program, which funds equipment and patient care needs across BGH departments. Check-in begins Friday afternoon, June 12, and continues the morning of the race. BonnerGeneral.org/find-your-strength

18th 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 four-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 after-ride party at City Beach. Proceeds support the Lake Pend Oreille School District’s Every Student Graduates a Reader literacy initiative, which has received over $1 million from CHAFE since 2008. Chafe150.org 13 20

Sandpoint Lions Club Fourth of July Parade & Fireworks

The Sandpoint Lions Club hosts the town’s Independence Day celebration on Saturday, July 4. The Children’s Parade kicks off at 9:30 am downtown, followed by the Grand Parade at 10 am. Festivities then move to Sandpoint City Beach for food, drinks, raffles, and family activities throughout the afternoon. New this year, the Lions will host a beer garden at City Beach to help offset the $25,000 fireworks show, which lights up Lake Pend Oreille at dusk. The Lions Club has organized this celebration since the early 1950s. Facebook.com/SandpointLionsClub

Chris Botti at The Fox

Grammy-winning trumpeter Chris Botti performs Saturday, July 11, at the Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox in Spokane, presented by the Music Conservatory of Sandpoint. Botti's career has spanned three decades and includes collaborations with Sting, Tony Bennett, Barbra Streisand, and Frank Sinatra, as well as performances at Carnegie Hall, the Hollywood Bowl, and the Sydney Opera House. The concert supports the Music Conservatory of Sandpoint, an accredited international school of performing arts based at 110 Main Street in Sandpoint. Tickets and travel packages are available online. SandpointConservatory.org/chris-botti

31st Annual Long Bridge Swim

LONGBRIDGESWIM.ORG

Sandpoint Bonner County Rodeo

SANDPOINTBONNERCOUNTYRODEO.COM

TOP PICKS THIS MONTH!

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Bonner County Fair

BONNERCOUNTYFAIR.COM

22nd Annual Wings Over Sandpoint Fly-In 1822 22

IDAHOAVIATION.COM

Bonner County Fair

The Bonner County Fair runs Tuesday through Saturday, August 1822, at the fairgrounds at 4203 N. Boyer Road in Sandpoint. The fair has been a Bonner County tradition since 1927 and includes livestock shows, 4-H exhibits, home economics displays, fruit and vegetable contests, food booths, carnival rides, and live entertainment. Competitive categories include dairy and beef cattle, sheep, swine, poultry, rabbits, and field crops, as well as clothing, needlework, and baking competitions. The fairgrounds sit just north of downtown Sandpoint at the foot of the Selkirk Mountains. Schedules and exhibitor info are online. BonnerCountyFair.com

22nd Annual Wings Over Sandpoint Fly-In

Regional pilots fly into Sandpoint Airport on Saturday, August 22, for the 22nd Annual Wings Over Sandpoint Fly-In. The day features a country breakfast served from 8 am - 10:30 am, with aircraft displays running through approximately 1:30 pm. Visitors can see general aviation planes, classic antiques, experimental craft, and float planes up close. Admission to the aircraft display is free. Breakfast proceeds benefit the Sandpoint EAA Chapter 1441 Flight Scholarship Program, which supports local high school students pursuing aviation careers. The event is sponsored by EAA Chapter 1441. IdahoAviation.com

COMFORTABLE

We’re a senior living community based in Sandpoint, Idaho. Our professional, well-trained staff specializes in Assisted Living for older adults. Every detail of Luther Park was designed with you in mind. From the spacious suites to the layout of our community, Luther Park suits your ideal lifestyle.

We are deeply honored to receive Best of Bonner County for Assisted Living Community, and Activated Insights 2026 Customer Experience Award. It is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire team who strive every day to provide the highest quality of care. We are incredibly proud of our commitment to providing exceptional service and creating a positive and enriching experience for each and every resident. Thank you for voting us as your favorite for the past 16 years!