Natives & Newcomers

story and photos by Marianne Love

This issue’s Natives and Newcomers offers diverse stories about living in Sandpoint or recently choosing to live here. They also universally agree that Sandpoint offers a lifestyle that suits them just fine.

JANICE RAINEY JOHNSON Native

Janice Rainey Johnson’s love for family history has led her on some fascinating journeys. In 2018, she and husband Mark visited Mason, Wisconsin, from where lumberman John Humbird led several families, including Johnson’s Knudson ancestors, to work at the Sandpoint mill he established in the early 1900s.

“We saw the Humbird home, which in its day was no doubt the nicest in town,” she recalled. “It’s now abandoned and has seen much better days.”

The couple also visited Green Bay to watch her cousin, NFL Hall of Fame honoree Jerry Kramer, be honored and given his Pro Football Hall of Fame Ring of Excellence.

Johnson has always loved her life in Sandpoint. Born in 1955, she grew up on South Boyer near the “old” fairgrounds and Memorial Field.

“My favorite activities included swimming, picking huckleberries, and camping,” she said. “The county fair was a big deal.

“We had our own amusement park,” she added. The Raineys had permission to use a vacant lot next door. Her dad built a big swing set, merry-go-round, and swinging chairs which attracted “lots of friends” until the owner sold it.

A graduate of Sandpoint High, where she enjoyed business classes and marching in the Ponderettes drill team, she completed business studies at Spokane Community College. Back in Sandpoint, she worked in a law office and married Mark. The couple raised three daughters—Melissa, Julianna, and Laura—at their Selle Valley home. They started Johnson Excavating in 1986.

“I was the friendly voice that answered the phone and helped our customers,” she said. “We saw many changes in Sandpoint, many of which we were a part of.”

Now retired, Johnson is enjoying her grandchildren, gardening, traveling, and, of course, coming home.

“I have always enjoyed living in Sandpoint,” she said. “I’ve seen many changes but to me, Sandpoint still has a lot of smalltown charm.”

Q. Who were some Sandpoint local(s) who left an impression in your life?

Cleo and Emma Lockwood, the neighbors across the road when we built in 1980. Their kindness was beautiful: fresh bread, pastries, bags of garden vegetables, handmade quilts, snowplowing the driveway so we could get to the hospital when we were expecting our first baby.

Q. What was life here like in the good ol’ days?

Sandpoint was like living in Mayberry. As kids, we roamed freely with our friends, “dragged the gut” as teenagers, never missed football or basketball games. We considered all of our classmates as friends. It was ideal.

Q. Where do you take visitors?

Second Avenue Pizza. City Beach is mandatory. A drive in the mountains is fun—better if huckleberries are ripe. The beauty at the top of Schweitzer is unmatched.

Q. What is the most sacred aspect of Sandpoint you think is worth preserving?

Sandpoint’s downtown walkability possesses a charm that many cities do not have. In this age of busy lives, it’s a welcome atmosphere.

MIKE WINSLOW Native

When Mike Winslow started his career at Vern’s Barbershop in 1960, haircuts cost $1.50. When he closed his shop in

2010, the going rate was $12.

After graduating from Sandpoint High School, Winslow considered working in the woods like his dad Frosty, a local truck driver. Aware of woods-related injuries, he instead chose to attend barber school in Seattle.

He worked with local barbers before starting his own business on South First, known as Mike’s Sportsman’s Barbershop: Headquarters for Hunters, Fishermen, and All Other Fancy Liars.

Twice voted “Best Local Barber,” Winslow served several customers daily, including one well-known football player, NFL Hall of Famer Jerry Kramer.

“His hair was a little wild one time,” Winslow recalled. “I asked if he wanted me to put some spray on. He paid me. I said I’d spray him. He said he could do it, so he grabbed a bottle and sprayed his hair. It was the wrong bottle,” Winslow said. “He used clipper lube.”

Avoiding woods work did not exempt Winslow from danger. In 1969, he was kidnapped by two prison escapees who opened his car door while he was parked by the Pastime. One tried to shoot him.

“He pulled the trigger several times and caught the hammer with his thumb,” he remembered. Later, north of town, one kidnapper did graze him in the arm, but he escaped and called the cops.

Other than that, Winslow, a father and grandfather, figures he’s led a charmed life here. He enjoys fishing, hunting, golf, an occasional “eat-out” with his partner Linda at Second Avenue Pizza, and taking a spin in his red T-Bird with the top down.

He also treasures his hometown.

“I’ve lived here all my life,” Winslow, 81, said. “I’d say there’s never been a better place to grow up in than Sandpoint.”

Q. Who were some Sandpoint local(s) who left an impression in your life?

My parents, good hard-working people, gave me my hometown values. Charlie Stidwell, junior high principal. Tough, but great mentor! Police Chief George Elliot. If he caught you doing something, he’d talk to you about what you did wrong, say, “Don’t do it again,” and send you on your way.

Q. What was life here like in the good ol’ days?

Winters were different. In 1957 we had a blizzard in March and one in October with no warning, no permanent antifreeze, and lots of busted motor blocks. The worst winter I remember started the last couple of days of ’68. By January 23, 1969, it had snowed 82 inches. The temperature at Eddie’s Shell was minus 44. Drifts were 12 feet deep.

Q. Where do you take visitors?

To Schweitzer Basin to see the mountain ranges with views of the lake and Sandpoint or take them out on the lake by boat; (it’s) always a “wow” factor.

Q. What is the most sacred aspect of Sandpoint you think is worth preserving?

Keep our area as pristine as we can for years to come. It’s why we live here! And, the fairgrounds, the one place that supports all sorts of events, covering so many groups, nonprofits, sports, etc.

STEVE WIMER Newcomer

Educator and retired Navy reservist Steve Wimer views Sandpoint as unlike anywhere he’s ever lived.

“I grew up in a California resort town, so I feel like I understand the dynamic that goes along with providing services for those who come here for the lake and mountains,” Wimer said. “What’s different are the strong family legacies and connections along with the traditions.”

The Wimers moved here from Seattle. Steve’s wife Kathy works as a nurse. Their children include Sandpoint High senior Jack, and Sophie, who recently earned her AA degree.

Wimer, 57, a St. Mary’s College graduate with several years of teaching experience, started with Lake Pend Oreille School District as a substitute teacher. He now instructs residential carpentry at Sandpoint High School.

“I’m fortunate that between SMS and SHS, I was able to find a niche,” he said. “I’m now in a position to make a contribution each day.”

A scouting mission, Kathy Wimer’s experiences vacationing here, and skiing at Schweitzer influenced their Sandpoint move.

“She thought it was the best fit for us,” Wimer said. While looking for property, a relaxation break at a MickDuff’s sidewalk table sealed their decision.

“People were friendly,” he said. “It [felt] easygoing and comfortable. It left an impression.” The family settled with their dogs on a small acreage off Lakeshore Drive.

Wimer hopes to revive his interest in cycling and fishing. A lifelong water lover, he’s already taken up kayaking.

He’s also gotten a taste of local huckleberry culture and strategy.

“We’ve tried to get into hiking and huckleberry picking,” he said, “but have found that advice from trusted people on huckleberry locations has been rather vague.”

That aside, he has no regrets about “starting over.”

“So far, Sandpoint has been enjoyable,” he said. “And we continue to learn about the community and the history.”

Q. Where was your hometown?

I grew up in Soquel, California, adjacent to the beach town of Capitola. The two were separated by the highway. The junior high was in Capitola; the high school in Soquel. It was small enough that we walked or rode bikes to school.

Q. How do you plan to contribute to the community?

Doing what I’m doing now, teaching and coaching. Those are keeping me active and connected.

Q. What’s been your best Sandpoint experience?

Each time I see something new or go somewhere I haven’t been. My favorites are Garfield Bay, Mirror Lake, Ice House Pizzeria, and Gold Hill Trail.

Q. What’s the most comfortable aspect of living here?

The quiet. It’s a lot easier to enjoy living without the constant noise of the city. Also, the ease of access to outdoor activi- for a hike.