READER DEAR READERS,

June has always been a great month.

June was my grandmother’s name and I’ve always enjoyed meeting other Junes in the world. Every time June rolls around on the calendar I think of her, even though she died when I was young.

June is also the birthday month for my partner, Cadie, who wears a necklace that was owned by my grandmother. June wore it across the Atlantic Ocean when immigrating to America from Sweden about 100 years ago, and Cadie wore the same necklace while crossing the same Atlantic Ocean in 2018.

June is like a ramp that leads up to summer. Sometimes we get weeks of cold weather and rain. Other years, we’re already seeking shady spots by the lake because it’s so hot. The thunderstorms of June can be spectacular, and Sandpoint hasn’t quite hit its busy peak months of July and August, so there are more familiar faces than usual.

I hope you all enjoy the first day of June out there, dear readers.

–Ben Olson, publisher

111 Cedar Street, Suite 9 Sandpoint, ID 83864 (208) 946-4368 www.sandpointreader.com

Publisher: Ben Olson ben@sandpointreader.com

Editorial: Zach Hagadone (Editor) zach@sandpointreader.com

Lyndsie Kiebert-Carey (News Editor) lyndsie@sandpointreader.com

Cameron Rasmusson (emeritus) John Reuter (emeritus)

Advertising: Kelsey Kizer kelsey@sandpointreader.com

Contributing Artists: Bill Holt (cover), Ben Olson, Lyndsie Kiebert-Carey, Jim Small, Brenda Norrie, Vicki Reich, Mark and Tracy Perigen, Bill Borders

Contributing Writers: Zach Hagadone, Ben Olson, Lyndsie Kiebert-Carey, Lorraine H. Marie, Brenden Bobby, Ed Ohlweiler, Jacob Fischler, Mike Peterson, Liz Johnson-Gebhardt, Marcia Pilgeram, Sandy Compton

Submit stories to: stories@sandpointreader.com

Printed weekly at: Tribune Publishing Co. Lewiston, ID

Subscription Price: $165 per year

Web Content: Keokee

The Sandpoint Reader is a weekly publication owned and operated by Ben Olson and Keokee. It is devoted to the arts, entertainment, politics and lifestyle in and around Sandpoint, Idaho. We hope to provide a quality alternative by offering honest, in-depth reporting that reflects the intelligence and interests of our diverse and growing community. The Reader is printed on recycled paper using soy-based ink. Leftover copies are collected and recycled weekly, or burned in massive bonfires to appease the gods of journalism. Free to all, limit two copies per person

SandpointReader letter policy:

The Sandpoint Reader welcomes letters to the editor on all topics.

Requirements:

–No more than 300 words

–Letters may not contain excessive profanity or libelous material. Please elevate the discussion. Letters will be edited to comply with the above requirements. Opinions expressed in these pages are those of the writers, not necessarily the publishers.

Email letters to: letters@sandpointreader.com

Check us out on the web at: www.sandpointreader.com

About the Cover

This week’s cover was painted by Bill Holt, who passed away. His wife Shirley said Bill was fortunate to see a steam engine pass through town and always wanted to paint one with the Sandpoint Amtrak Depot.