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PEOPLE compiled by
Susan Drinkard
watching
“Who is someone special in your life and why?” “Probably my dad. He talked to me a lot about science and religion and how they go together. He is 85 and is a really smart man.” Jodi Stoddard Office worker Bonners Ferry
“I’m getting married on Sunday. My husband-to-be and his two children are the most important people in my life and they have given me the best gift I could ask for: them.” Kelsey Munro Cosmetologist Ponderay “My mom, LaTresa Pemp. She is just the best.” Colin Pemp Care provider Hope
“My nana, Vicki Reeves, because throughout my life I have been able to call her when I need someone to talk to and she always answers her phone.” Jaylee Fjelsted Eighth grade at charter school Ponderay
“My mom, Jackie Owens. Anytime I need her she is there—when I’m sick or at my sporting events. She is always there for me.” Dawson Owens Senior at SHS Sandpoint
DEAR READERS,
It’s hard to believe it has been 19 years since the devastating terror attack on Sept. 11, 2001. The world has certainly changed since that horrible day. Take a moment on Friday to remember the 2,997 people who died in the attacks. I hope we never see a dark day like that again in human history. As this week’s cover photo suggests, we have a story from our friends at the Bonner County History Museum about the historic schoolhouses of Bonner County. Check out Page 11 for the glimpse at our local history. Fun fact about the schoolhouse on the cover: This is the old Westmond School, and it was actually my barn growing up. My parents built the log house that stands on the property in the 1970s, which was a junkyard at the time, and they used the old schoolhouse as a snowmobile hangar and storage area. I have fond memories of this building. Stay safe out there, Sandpoint. – Ben Olson, publisher
READER 111 Cedar Street, Suite 9 Sandpoint, ID 83864 (208)265-9724
www.sandpointreader.com Publisher: Ben Olson ben@sandpointreader.com Editorial: Zach Hagadone (Editor) zach@sandpointreader.com Lyndsie Kiebert (News Editor) lyndsie@sandpointreader.com Cameron Rasmusson (emeritus) John Reuter (emeritus) Advertising: Jodi Berge Jodi@sandpointreader.com Contributing Artists: Ben Olson (cover photo), Susan Drinkard, Lyndsie Kiebert, USFS, BCHS, Zach Hagadone, Bill Borders. Contributing Writers: Zach Hagadone, Ben Olson, Lyndsie Kiebert, Lorraine H. Marie, Susan Drumheller, Steve Holt, Chris Corpus, Hannah Combs, Brenden Bobby, Gail Bryan, Sandy Compton, Marcia Pilgeram. Submit stories to: stories@sandpointreader.com Printed weekly at: Tribune Publishing Co. Lewiston, ID Subscription Price: $115 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.
Sandpoint Reader 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 Like us on Facebook. About the Cover
This week’s cover photo is the Westmond schoolhouse, taken by Ben Olson from his childhood home. The building is located in Westmond, south of the cemetery. September 10, 2020 /
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NEWS
High Labor Day winds fuel area fires
Western U.S. moving into what could be a heavy fire season
By Zach Hagadone Reader Staff Area fire crews continue to battle a trio of blazes in or very near Bonner County — two fanned by high winds that ripped through the region on Labor Day, Sept. 7, and the other reported the morning of Sept. 8. As of noon on Sept. 9, the Bernard Fire was burning on 188 acres of steep timber from Echo Bay to Bernard Peak southeast of Bayview at the southern end of Lake Pend Oreille. First reported around noon on Sept. 7, the fire quickly spread uphill, driven by high winds into rough terrain requiring fire managers to use several aircraft, including two large tankers and two helicopters, to attack the flames with aerial-dropped retardant. According to a Sept. 8 news release from the Forest Service and Idaho Panhandle National Forests, ground crews are also working the Bernard Fire, coordinating with aircraft to pinpoint the best targets for further retardant drops. A total of 27 personnel were assigned to the fire as of Sept. 9, according to the Incident Information System wildfire reporting database at inciweb.nwecg.org. Officials reported on Sept. 9 that three engine crews and two “initial attack modules” are working the fire on its southern edge, where the terrain is “more accessible.” The cause of the blaze is still under investigation. Fire managers announced Sept. 9 that suppression efforts focused on keeping the fire from spreading east, closing a number of roads and trails to allow crews unrestricted access to the area: Forest Service Roads 2707, from its intersection with Trail 6001 and Road 2707B; 2708 and 2708A; 278A, 278B, 278D and 278E; and the portion of 2707UA on National Forest Service lands. The portion of Trail 37 on NFS lands and Trail 2707A are also closed. Bernard Fire information is available at inciweb.nwcg.gov/ incident/7160. 4 /
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Meanwhile, to the west, the Hunter 2 fire is burning on about 700 acres a half mile northeast of Blanchard, near the junction of Hunter Road and Highway 41. According to InciWeb, the blaze jumped the highway to the Stoneridge Golf Course, prompting evacuation orders and road closures. The Bonner County Sheriff’s Office announced late Sept. 9 that all evacuations in the area are lifted, while Hunter Road, Flying Geese Way and Stone Road are open to residents only. “All other roads are open to normal access,” BSCO stated in a Nixle alert. “Be cautious of fire equipment in the area.” As of presstime, four crews and five engines were reported to be assisting Idaho Department of Lands firefighters, engines and bulldozers, alongside several rural fire department engines and tankers. Finally, a smaller fire — logged at about 20 acres when it was initially reported on Sept. 8 — is burning in the high country northeast of Lunch Peak near the Idaho-Montana border in the Kootenai National Forest. The
Callahan Fire, burning about 12 miles west of Troy, Mont., in the South Callahan Creek drainage near Smith Mountain, is currently being worked by 25 fire personnel, using engines, hand crews and aircraft. The fire is moving uphill west-northwest through steep, snag-filled terrain, with the possibility of rolling material, creating “moderate to high potential for spread,” according to officials. Fire crews have closed Road 4530 to access the burn. Fire managers underscored that private drones should under no circumstances be flown over or near active wildfires. “If you fly, we can’t,” stated USFS-IPNF in a news release, citing the risk of mid-air collisions with firefighting aircraft. If fire managers encounter drones in their flight area, air operations could be suspended until the collision risk is resolved. “When firefighting aircraft are grounded for any reason, fire crews lose access to a valuable resource, which can adversely affect the safety and efficiency of the overall firefighting effort,”
officials stated. As of Sept. 9, more than 20 active fires were burning in Idaho or very near its borders with Washington, Montana, Wyoming and Nevada. According to the National Interagency Fire Center, based in Boise, 12 states in the West — from Alaska to New Mexico — were reporting 96 large active fires, encompassing nearly 3.5 million acres. A rough count of active fires in the West on InciWeb showed well more than 100 as
An aerial view of the Bernard Peak fire on the south end of Lake Pend Oreille, looking west Photo courtesy U.S. Forest Service. of Sept. 9, while national reports state “much of the American West is on fire” as it enters what is typically considered only the beginning of fire season. For fire updates go to inciweb.nwcg.gov, nifc.gov/fireInfo/ fireInfo_main.html or sign up for real-time local alerts at nixle.com.
City passes $34.6M budget, $930K+ in property tax relief End of downtown construction, sunset of 1% tax trims $4.7M from previous year By Reader Staff
The Sandpoint City Council unanimously passed a $34.6 million dollar budget for Fiscal Year 2021 and approved a budget ordinance at its meeting Sept. 2, also providing $934,757 in property tax relief for Sandpoint ratepayers. The 2021 budget is approximately $4.7 million less than 2020, due to completion of the Phase 2 Downtown Revitalization Project in 2020 and the scheduled expiration of the
five-year voter-approved Local Option Sales Tax on Dec. 31. Greenlit by voters in 2016, revenues generated by the 1% LOT funded the construction of the new Cotton Barlow Stadium and gateway at War Memorial Field, as well as the recent field improvements and upcoming infrastructure work on the parking lot, lighting, boat launch and waterfront access. The tax relief intended to benefit Sandpoint residents is provided through Idaho Gov. Brad Little’s Public Safety Grant Initiative for Cities and
Counties. Under its terms, local municipalities must voluntarily opt in to participate in the program, which leverages federal coronavirus relief funds to cover local public safety personnel salaries, thus giving cities and counties the opportunity to pass along those savings to property taxpayers. Participating jurisdictions must agree not to increase their tax levy or use any foregone levy amount available from prior years. The property tax levy rate in Sandpoint for 2021 is projected at $3.78 per $1,000 of assessed
property value, compared to $4.70 in 2020. Based on a median-valued home of $359,000 with a homeowner’s exemption, the property tax savings from the prior year will be $240.28. “The city, through good fiscal stewardship, is in a strong financial position that enables participation in this program without impacting city services,” stated Sandpoint Mayor Shelby Rognstad. “We are pleased to be able to pass along the tax relief to our property owners in Sandpoint.”
NEWS
‘Tell us what you need’
Gov. Brad Little visits Sandpoint High School
County approves digital poll books
By Lyndsie Kiebert Reader Staff
By Lyndsie Kiebert Reader Staff Sitting down in the Sandpoint High School library across from Lake Pend Oreille School District Superintendent Tom Albertson and a host of other administrators, Gov. Brad Little made the purpose of his Sept. 9 visit to the north clear in one sentence: “Tell us what you need.” As the 2020-2021 school year commences amid the ongoing novel coronavirus pandemic, Albertson said his goal is to keep students and staff safe and in school. So far, Albertson said, the modified schedules and safety protocols are going well. Throughout the school on Sept. 9, students in the hallway wore face coverings — a requirement in LPOSD secondary schools. Albertson acknowledged that LPOSD likely has a few families choosing not to attend in-person due to the mask requirement. “The adults are a much bigger problem than the kids,” Little said, when it comes to adhering to masks and social distancing practices. Albertson said his main
concern right now is how the decreasing enrollment across the district — including an 8.9% drop at SHS — could impact future funding, seeing as the dip in students is likely temporary. In response, Little gestured toward longtime former-state Senator and current Idaho State Board of Education member Shawn Keough. Though nothing is finalized, Little said the board is likely to address school funding concerns in the near future. Albertson also shared that in surveying local parents, LPOSD found that many struggled with the spring’s soft school closure, further prompting the district to find a way to get kids into classrooms. “The hardship of having kids at home isn’t just about child care,” Albertson said, adding that providing children the materials to learn is a challenge completely separate from the ability to motivate children to learn. When asked how the state plans to help working parents should the schools need to close again, Little told the Reader to “stay tuned,” referring to a press conference the governor’s office announced for Friday, Sept. 11 addressing “education funding
Gov. Brad Little answers questions outside Sandpoint High School on Sept. 9. Photo by Lyndsie Kiebert. and supporting parents.” Meanwhile, as Idaho sees a projected $500 million tax surplus coming down the pike, many are wondering whether some of those funds could or will be used to backfill the $99 million in K-12 education funding that Little announced earlier this year. The governor said allocating some of those surplus funds to help school districts might be on the table, but the Sept. 11 announcement will go into more detail. “That gives us all the more reason to come up [to Sandpoint],” Little told the Reader. “We’ve got an idea [of what to do with that money] … Boardmember Keough has an idea. But it’s always important for us to hear from the local areas.” Watch Little’s Sept. 11 press conference at 11 a.m. (Pacific) on Idaho Public Television, or stream it online at idahoptv.org/ shows/idahoinsession/governor.
Bonner County commissioners voted unanimously Sept. 8 to approve the purchase of electronic poll books, bringing Bonner County Elections operations into the modern era of digital, up-to-date bookkeeping. County Clerk Mike Rosedale underscored the point that the new poll books don’t mean anything will change with voting — residents will still cast their votes on paper, but each voter’s information will now be kept on digital tablets rather than in cumbersome paper poll books. “It’s not electronic voting,” he told the commissioners Sept. 8. “It’s an electronic version … of the paper stack of stuff telling us whether somebody can vote here or there.” Rosedale said the 80 new poll books will cost a total of $78,145 — including software, hardware, accessories, annual maintenance support, cables, 80 thermal bluetooth printers, hard-shell carrying cases and a charging cart that can charge 75 of the devices at a time. The purchase will come out of a $138,000 grant allocated to the county from the Help America Vote Act, along with a $36,000 county match. The poll books are capable of scanning voters’ driver’s licenses to pull up information on their designated precinct, affiliation and whether they’ve already voted. The database on each device will automatically
An example of a digital poll book. Courtesy photo. update every five minutes based on new information added to the Idaho secretary of state’s website, where voter data for every registered Idahoan is kept. The poll books come from the Florida-based elections technology firm Tenex Software Solutions — the same company responsible for creating and maintaining the state’s voting database. During the Sept. 8 commissioner meeting, Bonner County resident Doug Paterson questioned whether a “third party” would be in control of the county’s voting system. It’s a sentiment that Rep. Heather Scott, R-Blanchard, also brought up during the special legislative session Aug. 25 when digital poll books were discussed in the House as a means of ensuring better security in Idaho’s elections. When Scott asked whether there were “any strings attached with getting those polling books,” Ada County Clerk Phil McGrane told her there weren’t any of which he was aware. Rosedale went one step further in his response to Paterson, reassuring him that voter information stayed between the county and the secretary of state, with the help of Tenex’s direct line between county and state software. “Nobody else touches our county equipment,” he said. “Just Bonner County.” Additional reporting by Zach Hagadone. September 10, 2020 /
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NEWS
Legislature racks up $78K in state police costs for special session CARES Act funds will foot the bill
By Reader Staff The special session of the Idaho Legislature, which took place Aug. 24-26, accumulated a $78,600 bill from the Idaho State Police and more costs from the Boise Police Department have yet to be finalized, according to the Idaho Press. Alex Adams, the governor’s budget director and chair of the Coronavirus Financial Advisory Committee, said ISP costs ran to about $26,000 a day for the three-day session, which saw large groups of protestors storming the Statehouse; ignoring social distancing protocols; and, in one instance, creating a tussle while attempting to push past ISP personnel to enter a gallery area, breaking a glass door in the process. The session also saw a number of arrests, including famed anti-government activist Ammon Bundy, who was arrested twice and won’t be allowed to enter the
Capitol building for a year. The Idaho Press reported Sept. 3 that CFAC — which is made up of legislators, members of local governments, tribal representatives and business owners — voted unanimously to pay the police bill with part of Idaho’s $1.25 billion share of federal CARES Act funds. “I think it was a costly session in more than one way,” Boise Democratic Rep. Melissa Wintrow told the Press. “But financially, that’s a lot of money.” Wintrow added that she felt the Legislature’s budget should have covered the ISP cost, rather than the CARES Act, but acknowledged that what happened during the special session couldn’t be foreseen. “When we do the ISP budget, we didn’t budget in $78,000 for a special session,” she said. “I think no one would have allocated that. … I had never experienced anything like that. I don’t think I’ve ever felt unsafe doing my job.”
ICL releases wastewater study
Report finds only 1 of 4 facilities in Idaho comply with EPA discharge permits
By Reader Staff The Idaho Conservation League’s fourth annual study of Idaho’s wastewater treatment plants found more than 75% failed to comply with Clean Water Act permits for harmful bacteria, chemicals, toxic metals and other substances. During the three-year review period (2017 to 2019), there were 1,606 total violations in Idaho. ICL logged 16 violations in Sandpoint over the three-year study period, traced to various amounts of oxygen-depleting aquatic effluent pollution, chlorine, E. coli, elevated acidity and sediments. According to the report, 10 of 112 facilities were responsible for nearly half of all violations reported statewide — the top 10 were evenly split between communities north and south of Grangeville — while 28 cities or towns reported zero discharge violations during the threeyear review period (19 of these also had zero violations in last year’s report). Six facilities improved their compliance with zero violations: American Falls, Fruitland 6 /
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(Payette River), Fruitland (Snake River), Kamiah, McCall and Middleton. “When sewage plants violate EPA’s water quality standards before discharging into Idaho waters, that pollution threatens the health of all Idahoans, our families, our pets and wildlife,” said Austin Walkins, ICL’s climate campaign coordinator. “We write these reports every year so Idahoans and local leaders who live in areas with facilities that have violations can act to fix these problems. The end of this report has concrete recommendations on ways to engage local leaders and communities to act to improve sewage treatment plants that are violating clean water laws.” ICL issued its first Wastewater Treatment Plant report in 2017. The annual report compiles and examines discharge permit violations for every Idaho facility and reports on their record of meeting legal standards pursuant to the Clean Water Act. Read the report at idahoconservation. org/our-work/clean-water-and-air under the “Wastewater Treatment Plants” section.
Bits ’n’ Pieces From east, west and beyond
East, west or beyond, sooner or later events elsewhere may have a local impact. A recent sampling: Beginning Sept. 1, FICA collection, which funds Social Security, was suspended until Dec. 31. A White House adviser told Fox News there are plans to delay collection of SS funds indefinitely through a series of executive orders from President Donald Trump. According to Social Security Works, a long-term funding suspension will starve Social Security, creating a crisis. What’s more, Social Security’s chief actuary reports that defunding Social Security will result in no SS disability payments next year and the end of program payments in 2023. Currently 10 million people get SS Disability (averaging $1,125 per month), and 55 million receive SS old-age and survivor benefits (averaging $1,440 per month). To close Social Security all that is required is for Trump, if re-elected, to renew disaster declarations, which allows suspension of FICA collection. Prior to the election Trump advocated for privatizing Social Security and upping full retirement age to 70. Today the trust fund can pay all benefits for the next decade, then 80% after that. But if the wealthy paid in their proportionate share, the program would be on solid ground and benefits could be expanded, according to Social Society Works President Nancy Altman. More than 7 million children returning to school this year lack computers, according to politico.com. A further 17 million live in homes without high speed internet. If 90% of U.S. citizens would wear masks, the COVID-19 pandemic could be brought under control within four to 12 weeks, according to CDC Director Robert Redfield. Hong Kong confirmed the first case of COVID-19 re-infection. The 33-yearold male had moderate symptoms in his first bout and no symptoms the second time. His case was detected at an airport. Two more re-infection cases were reported from Belgium and the Netherlands, according to The WEEK. Republicans will not renew $600 a week unemployment benefits, and are instead aiming for less, using emergency funds diverted from FEMA. According to Politico, distribution has varied from state to state, with some states delaying checks due to computer problems.
By Lorraine H. Marie Reader Columnist
The claim that a man in Texas filled out 1,700 ballots, made by Attorney General William Barr on CNN, was false, The Washington Post confirmed after an investigation. Rather, one man cast a ballot fraudulently. Barr was said to have been given an inaccurate memo. Meanwhile, in North Carolina, Trump urged his supporters to first cast ballots by mail, then go to the polls again “to test the system.” The state’s Board of Elections quickly said voting twice would be a Class One felony. Homeland Security stated that Russia is spreading the same kinds of vote-bymail rumors as those shared by Barr and Trump. A quarter of Americans already vote by mail, and in the five states with vote-by-mail, none have had any voter fraud scandal, according to numerous data and the Brennan Center for Justice. A Military Times poll showed 74% of active duty personnel oppose Trump wanting to use them at civil unrest locations while 22% are in support. Wildfires in California are being compared to the devastating fires in Australia last year, according to The WEEK. The physics of fire tornadoes are understood by scientists, but, Scientific American reported, “they cannot yet predict when and where one will appear.” The phenomenon is increasing in frequency. Fire tornado damage from the Carr Fire included picking up a 100-foot-tall power line tower from its base and carrying it 1,000 feet through the air. Estimates for one fire tornado included winds at 165 miles per hour, a base 1,000 feet wide and a height of three miles. Fire tornadoes have been triggered by earthquakes that start fires, by massive bombing and by weather conditions that combine with fire. Blast from the past: Unemployment Insurance (UI) was created in 1935, one of the New Deal programs inspired by hardships of the Great Depression. To operate, employers pay into a state’s trust fund, and that is paid out to the unemployed — those who have not quit or been fired — at 50% of normal wages, which can vary from state to state. The more UI claims linked to an employer, the more they pay into the UI fund. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Center of Budget and Policy Priorities reported the program was “barely functioning,” since only 29% of unemployed workers received UI benefits.
PERSPECTIVES
Dysfunctional discourse, unmasked at city council chambers By Susam Drumheller Reader Contributor When I woke up the morning of Aug. 20, it was out of a dream that was almost comical. The protagonist of the story in my slumbering head was my mask, one lovingly made by a friend out of colorful flower-patterned material and cord to secure it over my nose and mouth. My mask came galloping up over a rise, like Eric Idle’s knight and fellow crusaders in Monty Python and the Holy Grail. I woke and nearly laughed. Here was my mask, the hapless hero — so appropriate this morning after sitting through one of the most bizarre and disturbing afternoons and evenings in Sandpoint, where I witnessed both the best and the worst of our community. A few hours earlier, I was in the City Council chambers, wearing my flowery mask, and watching deliberations on a very weighty and important question: Whether or not to grant the mayor emergency powers to issue a mask mandate to protect the public health. In a few short days leading up to this moment, the council had received more emails on the topic than they ever had on any issue: 889. The breakdown was roughly 50/50 for and against masks. As they thoughtfully considered the pros and cons, you could hear the small but loud mob outside the doors, who was following the proceedings virtually on Zoom, because they couldn’t fit into the council chambers due to the social distancing protocols. As Deb Ruehle, the council member who proposed the mask mandate, suggested adopting the health district’s enforcement measures, we could hear chants outside the doors: “Recall Ruehle! Recall Ruehle!” The commotion conjured up images of people brandishing pitchforks and preparing to tar and feather any council member who defied them. Inside the chambers, a young man behind me wearing black armbands spoke quietly to organizers outside on a radio receiver attached to a cord that snaked out of his shirt. I couldn’t quite read the armband — something like “Regain our Rights.” At one point, a large older man with a MAGA hat shouted at the mayor, calling him a hypocrite and, as police escorted
the man from the room, he spat out a parting insult: “Nazi!” Over our masks, our eyes widened. What was going on? This wasn’t our home we know and love. It was as if all the vitriol from Facebook leapt off the screen and trampled down the goodwill that has defined this small town — one to which we were drawn because of its warm sense of community. The place where hippies and loggers — though they often disagreed — all generally got along by adopting a live-and-let-live creed. We had a brief throwback to that time earlier that afternoon. Some friends and I — mostly mothers, a couple teachers and a handful of young people — sat outside City Hall in our lawn chairs, with our masks either on or hanging around our necks, waiting for the doors to open. We knew we had to be there early to get in. The early arriving anti-mask contingent lined up, too. A few people from each camp knew each other and chatted politely. The ice cream truck came by and we all enjoyed some cool refreshments this hot August afternoon. One of my friends had brought chalk and other art supplies, to help pass the time. The kids of the anti-mask contingent drew pictures and some anti-mask signs. We disagreed, but that was OK. That was before the more militant people showed up with their black armbands, radios and — I suspected — an armful of QAnon (and other) conspiracy theories. Why were we here in the first place? The federal government kicked the can of pandemic prevention measures down to the states. Our governor kicked them down to health districts and mayors. Our library
district took matters into its own hands and imposed a mask mandate, earning the ire of Ammon Bundy’s peoplesrights. org group, which stormed the library and harassed the staff. (Bundy reportedly also organized the mob that stormed the state capitol on Aug. 24, breaking a glass door as they forced their way into the gallery.) Dreading the schools becoming coronavirus petri dishes in September, constituents asked Ruehle to pursue the mandate. Ruehle, prepared with science, pleas from health care professionals, and other evidence regarding the benefits of masks to protect the public health and ultimately the economy. Her packet of information was backed up by the testimony of Panhandle Health District experts who attended the meeting. Yet, as Councilmember Shannon Williamson — a biologist — pointed out, no amount of science would convince the mob outside the doors. In an attempt to kick the can back up the road, she reasoned that if it gets bad enough in our county, the health district may come to our aid. She didn’t have to say it, but the takehome message was we are living through a new Dark Ages. In the end, with a pained look on her face, Williamson voted against the emergency powers ordinance, and with a vote of 4 to 2, the issue failed. When I walked through the doors, the anti-mask mob videoed us and cheered as if they had won. A sinking feeling washed over me — not a dread of maskless people and COVID, but of the power of internet rumors and conspiracies to tear our community and our country apart.
September 10, 2020 /
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‘Trust horse has left the barn’ with Dover medical project…
Bouquets: • We have a story in this week’s edition about an Eagle Scout project to build and install drop boxes for worn U.S. flags that need to be retired. Last year, I wrote a story about another Eagle Scout project installing skateboard locks for students to safely lock their boards up with bicycles, so they don’t have to carry them into school with them. I have to say, I’m so impressed with the scope, function and completion of Eagle Scout projects in this community. These future leaders have embraced what it is to give back to their community, and I applaud them for it. Keep up the good work! Barbs: • My heart sank last week when reading an article in The Atlantic regarding statements that President Donald Trump reportedly made denigrating U.S. service men and women who fought and died for our country. My father fought in Korea. He owes his life to a U.S. Army doctor who saved him after he was shot in the stomach. After some time in the hospital, my dad returned to combat and was shot again, this time in the neck. He survived and went on to serve throughout the duration of the Korean conflict, eventually retiring after two decades of military service. I am proud of the sacrifices he and so many others made for us. I cannot even fathom the pain and suffering they have endured in service to our country. They are not “losers,” or “suckers,” as Trump has called them, but heroes who deserve better than this. To those of you who refuse to validate this reporting on our president’s comments, Google video results for Trump’s comments about the late U.S. Sen. John McCain, or his comments about the parents of Capt. Humayun Khan, who died in Iraq serving in the U.S. Army. If I were to write any of these statements that our president has made — on camera — in the pages of this newspaper, I would be run out of town on a rail, yet he continues to get a pass because... why exactly? Honor those who serve. We wouldn’t be here if not for them. 8 /
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Dear editor, AARK Labs/Lynx Healthcare/ Pinnacle Pain Centers’ (or whatever name they’re using) PR machine has shifted into high gear, and CEO Ian Evans feels “attacked” and wonders how all of the rumors started. Maybe it was when Aaron Dahle, his partner, declared that their plan was to have the “biggest COVID test lab in the Northwest” at Thorne, then got evasive when the questions began. Mr. Evans states that: “As of right now [emphasis added], we’re not going to use the building for any purpose other than what it was set up for.” Thorne Research operated under a Special Use Permit, which specifically states that the building can be used for “a medicinal/botanical dietary products manufacturing facility.” Any other use means going through a new SUP process, subject to public hearings before P&Z and the City Council, because a manufacturing facility was built on land that was zoned residential and abuts numerous residential properties. The “as of right now” qualifier means his plans could change in the future. Everyone’s in favor of more living-wage jobs in Bonner County, stem cell research, lower-cost health care and cancer research. And, our hearts would go out to anyone dealing with a childhood cancer diagnosis. But, there are a few things that don’t seem to add up here, and if Mr. Evans thinks that people should just trust him, he’s going to have to go a ways to earn that. He could have started by informing the city early on as to his plans, even going door to door in the neighborhoods (Dover is not that big of a town), and introducing himself and what he intended to do with Thorne. But, it might be too late for that approach, as the “trust” horse has probably left the barn. John Hansen Dover
County’s ‘frivolous lawsuit’ expense needs to be recouped… Dear editor, About a year ago today I wrote a letter to the Reader regarding the frivolous lawsuit filed by the county against the city of Sandpoint over the no-firearms policy at The Festival at Sandpoint. At that time I pointed out that Bonner County
had basically no standing to bring a lawsuit on behalf of special interests groups. I further stated that I was totally against my tax dollar being spent on such lawsuits. In addition to the $80,000 spent on legal fees by the city to defend the action, $100,000 plus of our tax dollars have been spent by the county on the lawsuit, which at the time was supposed to be minimal, according to Commissioner Dan McDonald. I suggest that the city of Sandpoint, The Festival at Sandpoint and the citizens of Bonner County sue Mr. McDonald and Sheriff Darryl Wheeler for payment of all legal fees and court costs for bringing such a frivolous lawsuit on behalf of Bonner County. Beth F. Allen Sandpoint
‘Devastated’ by hate, disrespect and misinformation... Dear editor, Mob mentality at the Legislature, protesters bullying Sandpoint librarians and recently the verbal assault on Councilwoman Deb Ruele (“a tall tree and a rope is the best idea for her”). Really? Where are the voices of this community that are fed up? As a nurse of 30 years — 20 of them as a hospice nurse — I am devastated by the hate, disrespect and misinformation. I find it shocking that wearing a mask that could decrease the death rate of the state and save a person’s life is the “next step to taking our guns.” Have you ever had to walk out to a parking lot so that you can choose only one waiting family member to enter a facility and say goodbye to a loved one dying from COVID-19? Have you ever held the hand of a 57-year-old man with MS who is dying from COVID-19 contracted from his caregiver wife due to misinformation that she had received? Have you ever had to make your own hand sanitizer or borrow PPE to keep yourself safe because your company “ran out”? I have. And “yes” to Ian Evans (of Lynx Healthcare), the residents of Sandpoint do want to know what you are doing — that shouldn’t cause you alarm or question whether “America is America” or accuse us of not being good “neighbors.” “Neighbors” have come from all over this summer to disregard our health requests and disrespect our
community. So to all the people who widened our sidewalks, moved our art show for more “phase plans,” changed the traffic patterns for more confusion, dismantled our ballfields for “Hollywood stadiums,” I say “yes,” continue to question the people who want to “improve” or not respect the community we live in but be kind and know that love lives here. Sue Kiselica-Baker Sandpoint
Practicing the ability to listen… Dear editor, I had cause recently to have a discussion with an Idaho State Police patrol officer. From the beginning, he was kind and respectful — so much so that, as he started to walk back to his patrol car, I asked him to wait. I told him that I am a Democrat, that I wanted him to know that I respect him as an officer, respect what he does and
respect law enforcement in general. I told him that my Democrat friends share my feelings as do my Republican friends. Noting that I had said that I am a Democrat, he said that he thought that the leadership of the Democrats had lost its way. I, of course, demurred. I asked him if he agreed that there is a difference between protesters and rioters; he said that for sure he did. I asked him to go back to his fellow officers and tell them what I said about the collective respect I had told him about. We shook hands and we both left. The reason that this story is important is that the two of us, law officer and Democrat, were able to listen to each other and hear each other without tribalism raising its ugly head. It was an experience that I will always treasure because I am so afraid that I have lost the ability to listen to, to really hear, people from the other “tribe.” Ilene Bell Sandpoint
Litehouse YMCA collaborates with local schools, organizations for a safe return to learning and athletics By Reader Staff
Passersby may have noticed tents in the back field at the Litehouse YMCA. These have been established by YMCA’s next door neighbor, the Waldorf School, which has decided to create a safe, fun environment for returning students. The outdoor tents are to be used for classrooms and leaders at Litehouse YMCA said they are happy to provide the space for the tents as well as the “outside-the-box” way of thinking and learning. “I believe this kind of creativity, and these partnerships, will allow us as the YMCA and our community to thrive and succeed,” said Litehouse YMCA Branch Executive Tammy Campbell. Litehouse YMCA is also embarking on another education-related partnership, hosting the Sandpoint High School Swim Team’s meet on Saturday, Sept. 26. Waldorf School administra-
tors have offered the use of the school’s tents for parents, spectators and teams to use during the event, while the YMCA plans to work closely with the high school and Insight Restoration to maintain the safest environment for participants and members alike. Insight Restoration, which specializes in disaster restoration and intensive cleanup, has offered to donate its cleaning services to make sure the community and kids remain safe. “We are very fortunate to live in a community that believes that working together is the absolute best way to be safe, successful and build a stronger community for our future,” Campbell said. “Thank you for all of your support and being a part of our YMCA family.” For more info contact Tammy Campbel, Litehouse YMCA branch executive, at 208-2636622 or tcampbell@ymcainw. org.
OPINION
Investment in Baldy property is a win for the city, residents By Steve Holt Special to the Reader This is in response to Carrie Logan’s Aug. 18 guest opinion in the Bonner County Daily Bee [also published shortform in the Reader on Aug. 19 as a letter to the editor titled “Baldy purchase is a ‘sweetheart deal’ for disc golf course…’]. Her article is an attempt to dissuade the Sandpoint City Council from considering the purchase of the Baldy property, home to the only disc golf course here in Sandpoint, which experiences approximately 10,000 visits between May and October. The Baldy property, carefully considered, has the potential to be one of the premier parks in the region. It could easily accommodate an extensive trail system for hiking, biking and skiing; offer a much needed dog park; as well as provide overnight camping for cyclists passing through the area. There is an amazing site for an amphitheater that could easily serve as home of The Festival of Sandpoint. The property is ideally situated between the Mickinnick trail head, Pine Street Woods and the city of Sandpoint, with trail connections that could be made over time. The restrictions of what this property can offer are only limited by narrow thinking. I recently spent time in the Methow Valley, in the Winthrop and Mazama area of the northern Cascades. Over the past 40 years this small mountain community has been able to create a Mecca of recreational opportunities, via a network of 120 miles of trails and parks, for the enjoyment of millions throughout the Northwest. This effort to serve recreational needs has also turned out to be an incredible economic driver. Methow Trails states on its website: Today the network of trails generates about $4.5 million directly, another $4.1 million indirectly, and another $2.7 million annually through related industry earnings in the Methow Valley. Additionally, some 49 full-time jobs and 159 seasonal jobs
An aerial view of the Baldy property, with the Baldfoot Disc Golf Course outlined in blue. Courtesy city of Sandpoint.
can be directly attributed to the network of trails and adjacent lands. Whitefish, Mont.; Ketchum; and Kimberley, B.C., are examples of other towns that have invested in trail systems that are creating similar economic opportunities for their communities. I, along with many others, strongly encourage the Sandpoint City Council to purchase and/or partner with other organizations to bring the Baldy property into the city park system. Currently a city utility owns the property. The current approved city budget has $200,000 allocated for park land acquisition. The city has other properties it is considering disposing of that can help with a down payment and it can essentially buy it back, financed on terms it can set. If the current City Council can see the long-term value of the property, I’m confident we have the financial wherewithal to facilitate a purchase. We only need to look at the risk/return decision that the Kaniksu Land Trust made a few years ago when it raised the funds to invest in Pine Street Woods to realize
what a benefit the Baldy property could be for our community. I encourage the city to do everything it can to hold on to this property, for as long as it can, until a well-considered decision can be made. It can always be sold, which is the easier choice; but, as we know, once open space is gone, it’s gone. In her closing sentence Ms. Logan refers to a “sweetheart deal for the Eureka Institute,” which is ridiculous, as we share a meager amount of funding through the on-site donation box (approximately $5,000 per year, $4,400 pays the license fee) which is shared with the Sandpoint Disc Golf Association as the only source of funding. We administer the license agreement with the city simply as a community service. The mayor has not been a board member for several years. Steve Holt is executive director of the Eureka Institute, which partners with the Sandpoint Disc Golf Association to operate the Baldfoot Disc Golf Course. September 10, 2020 /
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Mad about Science:
Brought to you by:
high altitude magic By Brenden Bobby Reader Columnist Have you ever baked something — especially in this area — only to discover that it didn’t come out quite like you had hoped? The air around you may be the culprit. This week’s subject is courtesy of East Bonner County Library staff member Vanessa Thiele. Thanks, Vanessa! If you are an avid baker, you have probably noticed that some recipes call for different amounts of ingredients when baking at higher elevations — in other words, anything over 3,000 feet above sea level. The reasons for this are rooted in the science of air pressure and how it affects water evaporation. Atmospheric pressure is greater the closer to sea level you are, as there is more air pressing down on you from above. While air pressure changes this minuscule are virtually imperceptible to humans, we can see the effects of pressure displayed more dramatically in the ocean. Simply put: the deeper you go underwater, the greater the pressure becomes. As more pressure is exerted on you, it alters the way your body can process gasses like oxygen and nitrogen. If you were to don scuba gear and dive deep into the ocean, then rise quickly, the change in this pressure would cause something called DCS, or decompression sickness. If you were to travel from a high-pressure area (deep water) to a lower pressure area (returning to the surface) very quickly, your body would not have time to properly process the nitrogen 10 /
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you’ve inhaled from your scuba gear, and this gas would get trapped in your blood vessels and tissue, creating bubbles. This causes a host of bad symptoms from dizziness and nausea to joint pain and skin rashes. Pressure is a big deal. Just ask any high-school student. Air pressure — and the lack of thereof — has an interesting effect on baked goods. Lower air pressure at higher elevations allows water to evaporate from dough more easily, as there is less pressure keeping the water in place. This will often result in drier and more crumbly baked goods. Lower air pressure doesn’t just affect the moisture of a baked good, however. It can also influence more air. Air is important in baking. Yeast needs air in order to maximize its cellular growth — in so doing, creating waste in the form of carbon dioxide. I’ve talked before about how bread becomes pillowy because it has been well aerated by what are (essentially) yeast farts. Yeast will produce less CO2 in the presence of low air pressure; and, because there is less pressure exerted on the surface of the dough, the CO2 that they do manage to produce will more easily escape the dough. This principle is exemplified by whipped egg whites, used for things like meringue pie to create white peaks of delicious, sugary goodness. Less air pressure makes it easier for oxygen to escape the aerated egg whites and cause the structure to break down and collapse, which can lead to a flat and disappointing meringue. Luckily for dessert lovers everywhere, all is not lost when
baking above sea level. A slight increase in moisture can help offset the effects of lower air pressure — the presence of more water compensates for what will naturally evaporate during the baking process. This can be achieved with simply adding water or by adding something with a little more substance, like an egg yolk, which also contains fats, cholesterol, potassium and protein. Fats and cholesterol aren’t entirely bad for you. Fats are a necessary part of the human diet, which allow our bodies to process calories into useful energy that — our brains in particular — can use to keep functioning. It’s a misconception that consuming fats will make you fat. There is overwhelming data suggesting that the majority of weight gain and obesity can be attributed to two major factors: genetics and sugar consumption. Sugar appears in a frighteningly large portion of American meals. White breads contain a huge amount of sugar, both to feed the yeast during the baking process as well as making humans crave more after consumption. The biggest offender, however, is most definitely sugary beverages like soda. That being said, all sugar isn’t bad. Sugar from fruit is extremely important for our brains to function, in addition to all of the vitamins and nutrients naturally present in most fruit — provided it hasn’t been processed and doused in cane sugar or high fructose corn syrup. Those forms of sugar aren’t very healthy, but their potential to build fat can be mitigated by exercise. Returning to the subject of this article, barometric pressure can do more than wreak havoc
on your crème brûlée. Sudden changes in air pressure — such as the presence of a low-pressure air system pushing into town ahead of a rain storm — puts less pressure on our muscles and tissue, allowing them to expand. This expansion is completely imperceptible to most of us, but those who have suffered from a traumatic injury — such as a broken leg, in my case — may find their joints aching when bad weather comes on. This ex-
pansion acts similar to swelling, and can cause the expanded tissue to press against nerves in sensitive areas like our knees, elbows or knuckles, resulting in aches and pains. Thanks again for the topic suggestion, Vanessa. You managed to convince a guy that can’t eat wheat to pen an article about baked goods. Stay curious, 7B.
Random Corner glish Don’t know much about the en • Between 1.5 billion and 1.75 billion people speak English, at least at a functional level. That’s upward of 25% of the world population. • 80% of information stored on all computers in the world is in English. • The longest common English word without vowels is “rhythms.” • A new word in English is created every 98 minutes. Some noteworthy new additions: anytown, bling, buzzworthy, textspeak, unfriend, noob and muffin top. • The word “mortgage” comes from a French word that means “death contract” or “death pledge.”
language? We can help!
monosyllabic words in English. • There are 24 different dialects of English in the US. • The word “hypocrite” — or hyopkrites — was first used by the ancient Greeks to refer to actors. It wasn’t until the early 1700s that it gained its current usage in English. • The shortest grammatically correct sentence in the English language is “Go.” The shortest complete sentence is “I am.” • Phrases in English such as “long time no see,” “no go” and “no can do” come from literal translations of Chinese phrases.
• ”Time” is the most commonly used noun in English.
• “LOL” was formally recognized in the 2011 update of the Oxford English Dictionary. OMG.
• There are more English words beginning with the letter “s” than with any other letter.
• “Ironic” is the most commonly misused word in English according to dictionary.com.
• According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the 10-letter words “scraunched” and “strengthed” (the latter an archaic past-tense form of “strength”) are the longest
• In archaic English, the day after tomorrow is called “overmorrow.” • Bald eagles get their name from the Old English word “balde,” meaning “white.”
HISTORY
One room to school them all
A brief history of Bonner County schoolhouses
By Chris Corpus and Hannah Combs Reader Contributors Scrambling onto his brother’s shoulders and waving his arms wildly in the air, he knew he could catch the teacher’s eye. Spotting the young boy above his peers’ heads, his schoolmistress knew he was going to be one to watch — and probably discipline — regularly. But she couldn’t help but be charmed by his huge grin, and she said briskly, “Very well, off you go!” He ran into the belfry and leapt for the rope above his head. His feet left the ground as he swung back and forth, the bell ringing out the inaugural peals of the newly built one-room schoolhouse. As students enter their classrooms this year, much is up in the air. Some students may see only the 20 or so students in their immediate class throughout the day, even eating lunch in the classroom. As they navigate this new “normal for now,” we’re exploring the original self-isolated education: the history of the one-room schoolhouse. At the turn of the century many families homesteaded and lived far from any town, but they valued hard work and cared that their children received a proper education. The roads to town were rough, long and — especially in early Bonner County — not always passable. But if you had at least six students, found a willing teacher, had a tax structure to support the operations and a proper building, you could petition to be granted a school district status. Homestead families chipped in to build the one-room schoolhouses that dotted the countryside. Volunteerism seemed natural and necessary. One might think they built log cabins, and a few were in the late 1890s. But this was lumber mill country, and getting milled wood was an easier way to build. Many of the early schools even featured small bell towers to announce the start of school. School buses didn’t drop off students promptly before class, so getting there meant a long trek through the woods and fields, along the railroad tracks — sometimes even crossing a stream on a fallen log. For the teacher and students alike, a “commute” could be between one and six miles. The lucky ones had a horse, and some relied on their neighbors. Schools built stalls for the horses and hay. Later,
some entrepreneurs rigged horse-pulled wagons to provide a fee-based “school bus,” transitioning to a sleigh in winter. River crossings created extra challenges. Delta Merritt was known for crossing the Pend Oreille River every week on horseback to teach music to students on the south side of the river. Ed Hamshar ferried students across to the Priest River school on a “cable car” in the 1920s. One retired Sandpoint teacher taught at the Cabinet School in 1951 just before it was consolidated. She lived at the provided onsite “teacherage” but would flag down the train or bus to visit family on the weekends. To get to the bus, she would have to walk across the swinging footbridge that crossed the Clark Fork. When the wind would blow, “the bridge would get to swinging so hard you had to hang on for dear life.” If a school had enough taxation and foresight, a teacherage was built next to the schoolhouse. The tiny abodes made it easier to attract teachers, who were often single women moving here straight out of teachers college. One teacher in the 1930s recalled taking the train with her cousin for her first teaching assignment in North Idaho. Her cousin, a seasoned teacher of three years, said that her dream used to be to teach what she wanted to teach. Now, she said with emphasis, the goal was to teach where she wanted to live. But being a teacher in these small schools was not for the faint of heart
nor the lazy. They taught all ages and all subjects. Teachers arrived early to fire up the stove that sat in the middle of the room and hauled in water for washing and drinking — sometimes from sources up to half a mile away. At the end of the day, they swept the classroom, split wood for the next day, cleaned the chalk erasers and blackboards, and began lesson planning. After doing all this through a harsh winter on their own, it’s no surprise that many teachers got married and left their positions rather than come back for a second year. In the Priest Lake village of Nordman, the school district fell below the required threshold of six students when one family moved away. Eager to stay open, school leaders advertised for a teacher who had at least two children. It took two years to entice one, but because they were willing to break the unwritten rule that teachers could not be married, they were able to continue educating in one of the most remote parts of the county. Schools have always been at the heart of our communities. Their desks were often pushed to the perimeter to make room for Saturday night dances, Fourth of July celebrations, school programs, Sunday school, picnic socials, election polls, even weddings and funerals. The neighbors counted on this sense of togetherness in a rough environment. These gathering places resiliently stood for decades, and some still do. Near Elmira on Highway 95, you can see a one-room schoolhouse built in 1910, its
Left: The original Bronx School in 1913. A group of children stand outside the log building with a shingled roof. Photo donated to BCHS by Henry and Betty Lunn. Right: Ed Hamshar on the cable car on Priest River. The car was used to cross Priest River School (Peninsula) children to school in about 1925. Photo donor unknown. cement walls perhaps a response to the “Big Burn” that consumed more than 1 million acres in Idaho and Montana. Yet, many of the original schools are lost to the ages. Historical records suggest that most of the school bells, once rung so enthusiastically, were melted down to aid in World War II supply efforts. In the 1950s, thanks to improved roads and the advent of school buses, the state of Idaho decided to consolidate schools and do away with the small, rural buildings. As the buildings came down, families reclaimed scraps of wood from the walls that their fathers had erected. Going to school in a one-room schoolhouse was rarely comfortable or convenient, but rural families did what was needed to bring learning and community to our children. As we enter a semester of learning that will surely be uncomfortable and inconvenient at times, let’s find inspiration in our resilient past and make the most of these trying times. In a hundred years, what a story we’ll have to tell. Brought to you by the Bonner County Historical Society. September 10, 2020 /
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LITERATURE
Songwriting tips for budding musicians
By Ben Olson Reader Staff
A bright side of this pandemic has been embracing new talents that might not have been possible if we weren’t all spending a bit more time at home. Music stores have recorded high sales across the nation over the past few months, as more and more people are finally making good on their intentions to learn how to play an instrument. One question I get from time to time regarding my own band is how to write a song. There is no correct way to write a song, just as there is no correct way to write a poem, a story or a love letter. You must feel what is in your heart and allow that to come to the page. While I’m the first to say I’m no expert, I’ve come across some tips over the years that can help lasso the muse to suit your purposes. Establish a concept, but don’t marry yourself to it Some songs are centered on a certain concept, be it love, war, anger, inequality or otherwise. The problem with this idea, in my opinion, is that songs shouldn’t be too descriptive. People who listen to your music shouldn’t necessarily know exactly what you are talking about. Let them find it on their own and they’ll love you more for it. Embrace the conflict of ideas Tom Waits has a songwriting technique that deserves to be repeated: He listens to five radios at a time, all playing something different, and then picks out interesting overlaps for his own purposes.
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This is, in a word, brilliant. Songs are essentially poems set to music, so there should be an emphasis on word craft and an interplay of concepts that may not normally be associated with one another. It can be quite an interesting experiment to cram two dissident themes together to see what shakes loose. I wrote a song years ago about an incident that happened in Canada where a Greyhound bus passenger flipped out and decapitated the guy sitting next to him for no reason. It was macabre subject matter, but I married those lyrics to a warm ballad that contrasted completely with the story. If you didn’t speak English, you would have no idea I was talking about a murder that occurred on the Canadian tundra. It was this merging of ideas that intrigued me, and even though it’s a song I have since cast aside, I still like the way it was put together. Don’t use cliches This goes against the lexicon of popular music, which is buttressed by a legion of poorly written songs full of trite, meaningless lines. But I’m sticking to my guns, because rarely does a true musician yearn to write a bubblegum pop song that appeals only to 13-year-olds. If the thought you are trying to express is a cliche, try to flip it on its head. Want to write a song about your significant other? Instead of writing, “I’ve never met anyone else like you before,” try something weird, like, “All of those I met before were missing your eyes,” or “I thought I knew love’s game until I saw you.” Strive to craft your words in a way that they may not have been expressed before. Cliches stick out in songs and can ruin it for your listeners.
It doesn’t matter where you start Some songwriters claim they always write the lyrics to their songs first, then the music. Others are the opposite. I go back and forth. Often, I’ll hear a line that captures my attention. I’ll chicken scratch it on the nearest piece of paper, returning to it later to expand the concept into something more. From there, I’ll marry the words with music. Other times, I’ll play around on my guitar and come up with a unique combination of chords, then hum along a melody until I have an idea of what the lyrics will sound like, then write lyrics to fit. Use whatever method works the best for you. Have fun; be inventive Writing songs is hard work, but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be fun. If you hit a wall and are unable to express a particular emotion, make up words. Have fun with it. You’re in charge. If you have to invent a word, do it. While playing live, I’ve often substituted lyrics that are completely nonsensical just to see if anyone is paying attention. Most of the time, they aren’t. Best of luck on your songwriting journeys. If you get stuck and need a jolt, my final piece of advice is to just sit and look out the window until something comes to you. Could be a bird alighting on the tree by your window, or the funny way your neighbor struggles with his lawnmower. The world is full of songs waiting to be written. Go out and get yours. Ben Olson plays in the band Harold’s IGA. To hear examples of his own songwriting, visit haroldsiga.com.
OUTDOORS
Forest specialists are raising awareness of a tussock moth outbreak in North Idaho
By Reader Staff
Forest entomologists wish to spread awareness that portions of North Idaho forests are currently experiencing a tussock moth outbreak. Why is this important? Some people who come into contact with the insect — while picking huckleberries for instance — may experience allergy-like symptoms, such as itchiness. But the outbreak also has potential to defoliate large patches of vegetation across forests in the area. “Patches of Douglas-fir tussock moth defoliation are scattered through Shoshone County with some patches visible from I-90 near Lookout Pass,” said Forest Service Entomologist Gina Davis. “Entomologists with Idaho Department of Lands and the U.S. Forest Service coordinate monitoring for this insect. This fall we will gain a better idea of the extent of defoliation using remote sensing techniques and of the expected defoliation for next year based on adult trap catches and egg mass surveys.” Two types of moths, the Douglas-fir tussock moth and the rusty tussock moth, have been observed in North Idaho this year. Douglas-fir tussock moths feed on the needles of spruces and firs, causing visible defoliation on infected trees, while rusty tussock moths are defoliating broadleaf plants, such as huckleberry and alder. Allergic reactions from tussock moths
Photo courtesy Missouri Dept. of Conservation.
are called “tussockosis.” Tussock moth caterpillars, egg masses and cocoons are hairy. Their hairs, or setae, have a harpoon-like barb at the end. This allows caterpillar hairs to become lodged in skin and in some cases cause dermatitis. In rare instances, more serious allergic reactions such as shortness of breath and wheezing can occur. Most commonly people complain of itchiness. Specialists recommend wearing long sleeves, pants and gloves when working near an outbreak, and people should consider wearing face masks, as well. The current outbreak is part of a natural cycle that repeats itself every eight to 12 years, on average. The outbreaks can occur anywhere the preferred host species grow; however, defoliation tends to occur in the same general areas as historic outbreaks. In North Idaho, outbreaks regularly occur in Latah, Benewah, Idaho and Kootenai counties. Outbreaks usually last two to four years and produce three years of defoliation before natural controls, such as predators or parasites, cause the outbreak to collapse. For more information visit go.usa.gov/ xG2e8. September 10, 2020 /
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COMMUNITY
September rounds out FSPW trail work season Summer is almost over, but there’s still plenty of time to put some TLC into those trails. A handful of dates yet remain to sign up for a Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness trail crew. Trail volunteers enjoy a day in nature with work that really matters for our wild backyard. To keep everyone safe this summer, FSPW staff have implemented bolstered safety procedures. So you’re sure to feel safe and secure while you’re out. The following are dates scheduled for September trail work.
Friday, Sept. 18 — Star Gulch Trail: Trail work to help rehab a burned area from 2015 wildfire. Saturday, Sept. 26 — Morris Creek: Celebrate National Public Lands Day with FSPW. Trail work will focus on heavy brushing along Morris Creek. Stick around afterward for a barbecue near the trailhead.
FSPW also offers other ways to pitch in to maintain area trails, including adopting a trail to make maintenance a shared project with friends or family. The nonprofit conservation group also invites volunteer “trail ambassadors” to help hikers keep their distance from the wildlife — especially the iconic Scotchman Peak goats. FSPW reports that it especially needs hike leaders who can share their love of and knowledge of trails with a small group. The 2020 trail stewardship season is funded in part by the National Wilderness Stewardship Alliance’s Trail Stewardship
An FSPW trail crew gets to work making a trail more walkable and accessible. Courtesy photo. Program. To learn more about volunteer opportunities or to sign up, visit scotchmanpeaks.org/volunteer. Or send an email to autumn@scotchmanpeaks.org. Cutline: An FSPW trail crew gets to work making a trail more walkable and accessible.
YMCA announces new CEO
Alan Lesher, current YMCA CFO, to take over as president and CEO early next year
By Reader Staff Alan Lesher has been named YMCA of the Inland Northwest President and CEO effective Jan 1, 2021. Lesher will take over the role from Steve Tammaro, current president and CEO, upon his retirement at the end of the year after more than 40 years with YMCA. Lesher has been with the organization since 2009 in the role of chief financial officer. A search will be undertaken for the CFO position vacated by Lesher. “When I think about turning the leadership of our organization over to Alan I am filled with both optimism and excitement,” Tammaro stated in a news release announcing the transition. “He 14 /
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By Ben Olson, Reader Staff
DEPUTY FINDS REPORTED ALLIGATOR IN SHED. TURNS OUT IT WAS A ‘POOL FLOATIE’
By Reader Staff
Friday, Sept. 11; Saturday, Sept. 19 — Goat Mountain Trail No. 135: A focus on tread work to maintain a degraded trail. It’s a nice hike with exposed uphill climbing. Goat Mountain Trail is known as the steepest trail in Idaho, and FSPW is working to make it a little less intimidating for new hikers.
WEIRD NEWS
brings an extraordinary business sense, a true commitment to our Y’s mission and a strong ability to engage people, whether it be staff, volunteers or the community. “Despite these most difficult of times I have every confidence that Alan is the perfect choice to lead the Y to a whole new level of community impact,” he added. Lesher was appointed by the YMCA corporate board of directors after a thorough process. Bryan Cox, YMCA of the Inland Northwest corporate board chair, stated, “Alan was the best and most obvious choice to lead the YMCA through not only this pandemic, but into a bright and strong future for the organization. His detailed understanding of the organization and deep relationships across all segments
Alan Lesher. Courtesy photo. of the Y and the community ideally position him to take on this role.”
A Sheriff’s deputy in Florida — where else? — responded to a home after the department received a report of an alligator loose in a storage shed. Polk County Sheriff’s Deputy Mark Texler geared up to face the beast and found it was actually an inflatable pool toy. The sheriff’s office reported that the woman who dialed 911 told the operator her husband encountered the gator while moving some boxes outside their apartment in Winter Haven, Fla. The department had some fun with the call, posting pictures of Deputy Texler “wrestling” the gator with the following tweet: “Deputy Trexler went to a call about an alligator in a storage shed,” the department tweeted. “He came ... he saw ... he conquered the beast. He even knocked the wind out of it. Literally. The gator turned out to be a pool floatie.” The tweet also included the hashtags: #Crikey, #TheGatorHunter and #TuneInNextTimeWhenHeWrestlesAPoolNoodle.
It was pretty wild last week, with a brutal windstorm and a couple of fires sparking in the county. Here are the photos that made the cut this week. If you’d like to submit a photo for a future edition, please send to ben@sandpointreader.com. Top right: “Our Fiber Arts Group has taken this increased downtime to create a yarn mural on the fence of the Pine Street Athletic Fields,” wrote Barbara Nunke, the activities director with Alpine Vista Senior Apartments. “These amazing ladies have been working on this project for six months now and all of that hard work and abundant love really shows! Their hope is that this happy little piece of art will be a small bright spot in everyone’s day. They had so much fun doing it that there is a good chance it just may happen again!” Photographed is Barbara Nunke (second from left) and Nancy, Shirley and Dorothy of Alpine Vista. Bottom right: An aerial photo of the Bernard Fire, which flared up in Echo Bay on the south end of Lake Pend Oreille southeast from Bayview. The fire was estimated at 188 acres on Sept. 9, but very steep terrain has challenged effective suppression efforts. Photo courtesy U.S. Forest Service. Bottom middle and left: High wind blew through the county on Labor Day (Sept. 7), causing big waves, downed trees and widespread power outages. These photos show the Lady Liberty sculpture nearly covered by spray at Sandpoint City Beach, as well as windblown trees on the Windbag Jetty. Photos by Zach Hagadone.
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FEATURE
Continuing a delicious legacy
Dub’s Drive-In owner Marty Mire passes the torch to his daughter and son-in-law
By Ben Olson Reader Staff Anyone who has lived in Sandpoint has a story to tell about Dub’s Drive-In. The small town diner has been serving ice cream, shakes, burgers and everything between for generations in Sandpoint. When longtime owner Marty Mire decided this year that he was ready to enter “semi-retirement,” Dub’s regulars were overjoyed to hear that he would be passing the torch to his daughter Kristi and her husband Austin Terrell. “After 32 years, I was looking to do something different and semi-retire,” said Mire, who has owned Dub’s since 1988. “We talked about it for the last couple years, but when Kristi and Austin came up here from Boise, we jumped on it. We couldn’t jump on it quick enough.” Kristi and Austin met while attending University of Idaho in Moscow, but Kristi was born and raised in Sandpoint and can remember working for her dad’s restaurant at an early age. “I started working here officially in middle school,” Kristi said. “I worked summers and weekends when he needed help. Worked here throughout college, too. I grew up here.” When Kristi met Austin, who is originally from Boise, she moved there to be with him after he was offered a job right out of college. After working in Boise for a few years, the couple decided they wanted to come home to Sandpoint to raise their family. Austin, who studied rangeland management in school, never thought he’d own a restaurant — especially in his mid-20s. “We just couldn’t pass it up,” he said. The restaurant has been in the same location in Sandpoint since the 1950s, when it started as a Dairy Delite. When longtime Sandpoint local and 18-year veteran of the Sandpoint Police Department Dub Lewis took over the restaurant from Dairy Delite, the name was changed to Dub’s. Mire moved to Sandpoint from 16 /
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Florida with his brother in 1986, Joe, who started his own burger and shake restaurant, Serv-a-Burger a year later. Mire said it was his father who drew the brothers to Sandpoint after he relocated here from Albuquerque to retire. When Mire took over Dub’s, he decided to keep the name to honor Lewis’ legacy. “I tell people I was looking for a job at the time, so I just bought one,” Mire joked. Kristi and Austin also plan to keep the name — and most everything else about the business — just the same. Over the years, families have established Dub’s as their gathering place for a quick bite and some quality time with loved ones. My own first memories of Dub’s involve tee-ball games where, win or lose, our coach took us over to Dub’s for Dee Dee Bars and dipped cones. Often we would sit alongside the opposing team, sharing stories of the game and celebrating sportsmanship in those iconic high-backed booths. Mire said one of the best parts of running Dub’s for 32 years has been serving the local population and watching generations of employees come and go. “We depend on the locals, the ones that are every day and once or twice a week,” Mire said. “Also, people that come to Sandpoint for the summer and maybe they grew up here, and they bring their own kids. They say, ‘This is where I hung out in high school.’” Mire said he’s had several multi-generational employees over the years. “One kid we have in the back right now, his dad worked for me,” Mire said. “When he was in high school, his brothers also worked for me. We also end up hiring a lot of people for their first job.” One longtime staple personality at Dub’s — even pre-dating Marty’s tenure — is Nina Pinsonneault. “Nina was actually here before my dad bought it,” Kristi said. “She actually trained my dad. She was his boss.” “I always told Nina that she comes with the place, so you go with the place, too,” Mire said,
“She ended up retiring about five months ago. She’s been a big part of our business over the years.” Mire said one of the reasons Dub’s has taken such a prominent place in locals’ hearts is because it isn’t fast food, and the restaurant doesn’t cut corners. “We don’t cook an order until it’s ready to be cooked,” he said. “When that paper comes to the back, the burger goes on the grill.” Some menu items have endured as favorites over the years, including the bacon cheeseburger, the Bulldog burger, Dee Dee Bars and dipped cones, and the famous chili — the latter made using a secret recipe handed down from Dub Lewis himself. “Dee Dee Bars, we actually had before Dairy Queen,” Mire said. “Dub’s niece Dee Dee invented them when she worked here and they continue to use them to this day.” Austin said it’s a bit overwhelming to step into a Sandpoint institution like Dub’s, but he’s ready for the challenge. “I have some big shoes to fill,” he said. “We’re going to take it really slowly and try to learn everything as much as we can. The biggest part is that Marty has a huge reputation with a ton of customers, and it’s been great because all of our customers have been awesome so far and have been re-
ally supportive of the transition.” “They really seem to like that the restaurant is staying in the family,” Kristi added. When asked for a piece of advice to hand down to Austin and Kristi, Mire said it’s always important to treat your employees right. “Work with the kids,” he said. “If you don’t have happy employees and good employees, it can be rough. About 80% of our help is high-school students.” It was a bit of a rough March and April, as the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic began to be felt locally, but Austin and Kristi said business increased back to the normal summer peak for the past couple of months. “We had strong community support during that time,” said Marty’s wife, Jeralyn. “Our customers went out of their way to help us. The Sandpoint community really stepped up and supported their local people. We don’t have a drive through, but we did really well with call in orders and curbside pickups. Sandpoint has been good to us. Marty and I feel good to pass this on and keep it in the family.” “This is a landmark for a lot of people that come through town,” Mire said. “We’ve been to different places out of town and they say, ‘Where are you from?’ When I tell them Sandpoint they say, ‘Oh, do you ever go to that place
The Mire family in front of Dub’s Drive-In (from left to right): Austin Terrell, Kristi Terrell, Jeralyn Mire, Marty Mire, Daniel Mire. Photo by Ben Olson. called Dub’s Drive-In?’ Yeah, I think I’ve been there a few times. No, everyone in Sandpoint has a story about Dub’s. Everyone likes bringing their families from out of town here, and telling them, ‘You gotta get a large ice cream cone,’ just to mess with them.” For those who haven’t ordered a large ice cream cone from Dub’s, it probably holds a record for being the most tonnage of soft serve ice cream that can be contained on a cone. There’s a reason they often ask if you want a cup with your cone. For Kristi and Austin, the future is definitely looking bright at Dub’s. “We’re so excited for this new adventure, excited to be back in Sandpoint,” Kristi said. “We are hopefully going to be starting a family sometime soon. Dad would appreciate that. Austin can coach tee-ball at Dub’s Field. We just really want to support the community we have.” Dub’s Drive-In’s hours are 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 11 a.m.-8 p.m. on Sundays. Check their Facebook page for specials, ice cream flavors of the day and any other news.
COMMUNITY
Eagle Scout project installs drop boxes for U.S. flags that need retiring By Gail Bryan Reader Contributor When local veteran James Livingston suggested a drop box of some kind where people could leave worn U.S. flags that needed retiring, a 15-year-old Sandpoint High School student took up the challenge. William Dotson with Troop No. 308 received approval from his troop to build these boxes for his Eagle Scout project and got to work. Dotson was tasked with finding a location for the boxes, raising funds to build them and overseeing the completion of the project. To generate funds for the project, Dotson first made custom corn hole game sets, with some help from his father as well as other members of his troop. Thanks to additional support from James and Marie Bayles from MakerPoint Studios, many
of the boards were able to feature elaborate logos. In all, Dotson made 55 custom corn hold boards that sold for $100 to $180 each. They were all beautifully made, featuring unique designs that cater to any taste. Dotson said he was “impressed with how many people bought boards just to contribute to the Eagle project. The community was very interested in the flag drop.” With funding secured, Dotson found that the Sandpoint VFW Hall agreed to host the permanent flag drop boxes. Local veteran and VFW President Larry Pederson worked with Dotson to help install and unveil the new drop box at the VFW Hall, 1325 Pine St., in Sandpoint. In late August, Dotson was joined by Pederson, Scoutmaster Kevin Bryan, Assistant Scoutmaster Patrick Dotson and fellow troop members to unveil the new drop boxes at the VFW Hall.
Now, community members can drop off their worn flags so they may be properly retired. The flags collected in the drop box will be retired by local scout troops and veterans. Troop No. 308 joined Troop No. 141 recently at Camp Stidwell and retired dozens of flags, including the recently replaced giant flag from Sandpoint’s Super One grocery store.
Top: Attendees at the installation ceremony at the Sandpoint VFW Hall (left to right): (Back row) Steve Kaufman, Larry Pederson, Cameron Copher, Kevin Bryan, Isaac Copher, Jake Oliver, Nathan Dotson. (Front row) Matthew Bryan, Garrett Copher, Noah Kaufman, William Dotson, Patrick Dotson. Courtesy photo. Right: One of the 55 cornhole sets Dotson made to fund the flag drop box project. Courtesy photo.
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events
September 10 - 17, 2020
THURSDAY, September 10
Critic Camp: Why We Like Movies • 7pm @ Little Panida Theater Attendees will be shown clips, story creation boards, and analysis techniques gleaned from hundreds of hours of work in and around the motion picture industry. Panida.org
FriDAY, September 11
Pend Oreille Cup Soccer Tournament 8am-8pm @ Travers and Memorial Field Tournament goes from Sept. 11-13, sponsored by the Sandpoint Strikers Live Music w/ Bright Moments Jazz 6-9pm @ Matchwood Brewing Co.
Live Music w/ One Street Over 5-8pm @ Pend d’Oreille Winery
#No2ndBridgeTalk 4-6pm @ Gardenia Center Sponsored by WildIdahoRisingTide.org
SATURDAY, September 12
Sandpoint Farmers’ Market 9am-1pm @ Farmin Park The Market is back at Farmin Park! Live Music w/ Dusty Drennen 6-8pm @ Idaho Pour Authority Live Music w/ John Firshi 5-8pm @ Pend d’Oreille Winery
Green Monarchs annual soccer game 8pm @ War Memorial Field Kids wearing soccer jerseys attend free, $5 admission for 13 and up. Green Monarchs soccer team is made up of mostly SHS grads who are former or current college players Direct Action Training - front line skills 2-5pm @ Gardenia Center Sponsored by WildIdahoRisingTide.org
SunDAY, September 13
Piano Sunday w/ Tom Fletcher 3-5pm @ Pend d’Oreille Winery
Sixth Panhandle Paddle 11am-1pm @ City and Dog Beach Parks Info at WildIdahoRisingTide.org
monDAY, September 14 Monday Night Blues Jam w/ Truck Mills 7pm @ Eichardt’s Pub Monday Night Run Posse (free) 6pm @ Outdoor Experience
Lifetree Cafe 2pm @ Jalapeño’s Restaurant “How to Spot a Liar: Secrets From a Former FBI Agent.” Free admission
tuesDAY, September 15
VFW September Meeting 6pm @ Sandpoint VFW Hall, 1325 Pine St. Call 208-263-9613 for more information
wednesDAY, September 16 Sandpoint Farmers’ Market 3-5:30pm @ Farmin Park The Market is back at Farmin Park! Live Music w/ Ben Olson 7-10pm @ Eichardt’s Pub
NAMI Far North general meeting 5:30pm @ Zoom (email for link) Sen. Jim Woodward is the guest speaker for the NAMI Far North general meeting. Email NAMIfarnorth2003@gmail.com to obtain a Zoom ID to attend the meeting
ThursDAY, September 17
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STAGE & SCREEN
Explore ‘Why We Like Movies’ at the Little Panida Theater Revak said her favorite part about hosting workshops like this is the preparation that goes into it. “It makes me revisit all the films I Why do we cry as the music rises love and remember why I liked it from at the end of a movie? What makes a production side, and then from an us laugh or ache with sympathy for entertainment side,” she said. an imaginary character? What makes Attendees will watch clips, explore us rant and rave about an incredible story creation boards and learn analfilm while admonishing other releases, ysis techniques that Revak picked up wishing we had those two hours of our through a lifetime of experience in the lives back? motion picture industry. She said her Becky Revak, associate director years of participation in filmmaking of the Panida Theater, means she sees the magic knows the answers to all from both sides: both as that and more, and plans Critic Camp: Why We Like Movies (G) the filmmaker and as the to share the behindawestruck viewer. Thursday, Sept. 10; doors the-scenes secrets of “I have a little differat 6:30 p.m., seminar at compelling filmmaking ent viewpoint because 7 p.m.; $20. Little Panida as she hosts a Critic I know what it takes to Theater, 300 N. First Ave., Camp seminar at the 208-263-9191, panida. produce, shoot and edit Little Panida Theater on org. Seating is limited a film,” she said. “I love due to social distancing; Thursday, Sept. 10 at 7 it all, and people like please purchase tickets p.m. to address “Why movies.” ahead of time. We Like Movies.” By Lyndsie Kiebert Reader Staff
A group of friends watches a movie on a rooftop patio. Photo by Impact Photography.
Priest River raft slide will be temporarily unavailable during construction By Reader Staff The Priest River raft slide, located along Idaho Highway 57 immediately downstream of the outlet of Priest Lake, will be closed to public use until Friday, Oct. 2. The Idaho Transportation Department is expanding the parking area for the raft slide and will be occupying the site with heavy equipment. The site is scheduled to reopen when higher river flows typically start to permit better floating, and the increased parking is intended to help users of the site.
The Priest River natural raft slide. Still frame from YouTube. For more information or questions about this project, contact the Priest Lake Ranger Station at 208-443-2512. September 10, 2020 /
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FOOD
The Sandpoint Eater Homegrown tomatoes By Marcia Pilgeram Reader Columnist
Between COVID-19 and anticipating that my Chicago road trips would keep me away from home a lot this summer, I spent neither much time planning nor planting a garden. I am a fair-weather gardener and — other than my mother’s beloved rhubarb plant, some favorite herbs and a few token vegetables — I’ve always relied on my steadfast and talented landscaper, Jake, to give my yard some street cred (a.k.a. curb appeal). If neighbors with bright green thumbs didn’t surround me, I might not be as conscientious about how things look, but it’s a lot of pressure to live amongst such beautiful yards tended by masterful horticulturists. With my COVID-19 triggered income loss this year, I had to cut back on a few of my nonessential expenditures, and, sadly, lawn care was one of them, so I did my best to clean out my beds before I left for a month in Chicago. As soon as I returned, I masked up and headed to our hybrid Farmer’s Market in the public parking lot for my favorite tomato starts. It was one of my first outings and I can’t lie: It felt surreal to be sandwiched between healthy plants and healthwary humans. I took my young plants home and, with visions of juicy, plump tomatoes dancing in my head, I lovingly planted each variety into my raised bed. Though I was planting them later than usual, it felt good to have something green to grow and look after, and it was an excellent motivation to be outdoors. I was home for about six weeks before my second road trip 20 /
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to Chicago. Though my tomato plants weren’t dying, they weren’t exactly on track for any Bonner County Fair produce awards. Even so, before I left, I made sure they were carefully staked and would receive enough water from my automatic sprinklers. I was pleased when I returned to see lots of promising young tomatoes. I pruned off extra blossoms that were destined to die anyhow and gave the plants some vegetable fertilizer to help them thrive. It worked, as these dear little tomatoes were just the right size for plucking by the dear little deer that rambled through my yard in the wee hours. I carefully wrapped protective fencing around the remaining plants and hid the smallish-fruits into the green foliage as best I could. Then came the September winds of 2020 and my weak fenc-
ing effort was no match. I found a dozen or so of my wee-little tomatoes strewn about the bed. Those left on the vines are not mature enough to pick and, undoubtedly, my next tomato challenge will be a match between more of Mother Nature’s wind and Frosty the Snowman. These tomatoes are so small that Marvin, our resident bull moose, doesn’t even bother to stop by for a snack (actually, my tomatoes are smaller than the walnut-sized lump I’m currently sporting on my foot, produced by an angry hornet which was sunbathing next to my inert tomatoes). I’m rethinking next year’s gardening projects. Actually, I’m hoping that business picks up again and I can turn my yard and landscaping back over to Jake. It might be time to turn my tomato beds into a home for perennial
flowers and leave the vegetables to one of our local produce farmers. We are fortunate to have such outstanding local producers, like Mountain Cloud Farm, Red Wheelbarrow Produce and Pack River Farm. Each of them offers beautiful and affordable produce from May through October. They also offer a community supported agriculture (CSA) program (a season-long agreement between a farmer and a customer that will ensure the producer can make a living through the winter months and the consumer will receive a bounty of produce during the growing season). Each of the aforementioned farms offers a different program, and they are easy to find both on the web and at the Farmer’s Market. On a recent Saturday, I masked up and headed down to the market and was happy to
see so much support for all of our hard-working farmers. I was especially pleased to see The Corn Man, Jim Cadnum, and his committed Saturday companion, Bob, The Bag Man. Keeping the prerequisite six-foot spacing, I lined up for my share of plump-looking ears, fretting that their ample yet dwindling supply would be gone before I made my way to the front of the line. I was able to buy a dozen ears and then headed to the next line over at Mountain Cloud Farm. If you haven’t shopped at their stall, it’s worth the distanced lineup and waits. It’s my favorite stall for broccolini, cherry tomatoes and big bags of aromatic basil. Jim’s corn, combined with those cherry tomatoes and basil, are about all you need to whip up this delectable savory tart.
Savory tomato and corn tart Serves 8 Perfect for brunch or lunch or as an appetizer. Serve with a garden salad and a chilled white wine. Don’t shave the corn off the cob until you’re ready to make.
INGREDIENTS: • 1 pie crust recipe • 3/4 cup ricotta cheese • 1 egg, beaten • 1/4 cup fresh finely chopped basil leaves (save some nice leaves for garnish) • 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil • 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, finely grated (save a little to sprinkle over top before baking) • 1/3 cup corn kernels, shaved from cob • 1 finely chopped jalapeño • 12-18 cherry tomatoes, sliced in half, sprinkle cut side with 1 tsp salt and drain after 1/2 hour • Maldon (or other flaked sea salt • Freshly ground black pepper
DIRECTIONS: Preheat oven to 400 F. In a small bowl, mix together ricotta, egg, basil, olive oil and Parmesan. Roll out crust and line in a tart pan with a removable bottom. Spread ricotta mixture evenly onto the crust. Sprinkle on corn and jalapeño, and press cherry tomato halves into the ricotta. Sprinkle generously with sea salt flakes and black pepper and remaining Parmesan. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until crust is golden brown. Cool slightly before lifting from pan and cutting into wedges. Garnish with fresh basil leaves.
MUSIC
They’ve got it covered
One Street Over will bring uplifting tunes to Pend d’Oreille Winery Sept. 11
By Lyndsie Kiebert Reader Staff
“We’ve played shows [there] year round, every year, and it’s always been one of our favorite places to play,” he said. “We really seem to connect well with the peoFather-daughter musical duo Michael and Bridgette Lewis have ple who come out to see us there.” The connection the band is created something special over able to forge with all kinds of the years. Between his more than people is audible in many of its three decades of performing exlive performances on YouTube, perience and her incredible stage as audiences gasp and say “wow” presence and soaring vocals, the once Bridgette finishes the final Coeur d’Alene-based pair brings note of any given song. When charismatic and airtight covers and originals to venues throughout One Street Over covers tunes ranging from Celine Dion’s “My North Idaho and beyond as the Heart Will Go On” to Dua Lipa’s band One Street Over. “Don’t Start Now,” Michael, injects Bridgette and One Street Over Bridgette new life into the keyboardist Jordan Friday, Sept. 11; 5-8 p.m., lyrics and Michael Lewis — a new FREE. Pend d’Oreille Winery, adds his own spice addition to the 301 Cedar St., 208-265with guitar loops band who also 8545, powine.com. Limited seating; please respect social and layered vocals. happens to be When One Street Michael’s son and distancing. Listen at youtube. Over isn’t performBridgette’s brother com/user/onestreetover. ing throughout the — will bring One northwest, Michael said they’re Street Over’s upbeat and easy working in their recording studio sound to the Pend d’Oreille Winproducing music for other artists ery on Friday, Sept. 11 from 5-8 p.m. for a limited-seating, socially — an endeavor he said they take very seriously. Still, the hope is distanced show. that by creating and sharing that Michael said One Street Over music, One Street Over can help officially formed about 12 years others not take life so seriously. ago and began playing the Pend “It’s our passion and an intid’Oreille Winery in its previous mate part of who we are, but it is location more than a decade ago.
also something we want to give to our listeners,” Michael said of his band’s music. “It’s not just about us, it’s about sharing it in a way that makes people happy, feel good, feel encouraged, uplifted or comforted. One of our favorite
Jordan Lewis, left; Bridgette Lewis, center; and Michael Lewis, right, of One Street Over. Courtesy photo. responses is when people say, ‘Oh, that’s one of our favorite songs.’”
Museum hosts annual yard sale By Reader Staff The Bonner County Historical Society will host its annual yard sale fundraiser Saturday, Sept. 12, benefiting the Bonner County History Museum’s programs and operations. The sale features objects donated by community members — objects from the museum’s collection are never part of the sale. Remember: “It’s not from the museum, it’s for the museum.” Please select the finest of your gently used items (no clothing, please) and donate them to the sale by dropping them off at the museum during open hours — 10 a.m.-4 p.m. through Friday, Sept. 11. Check in at the front desk and staff or volunteers will be able to help you unload your car. Please call ahead to make special arrangements for large objects like furniture. The yard sale will take place
on the lawn at Lakeview Park starting at 8 a.m., Sept. 12. No early bird purchases allowed. A wide variety of items will be available: office supplies, furniture, a huge selection of books, athletic equipment, vintage hats and many more. Many objects are one-of-akind treasures. The sale ends at 3 p.m., but organizers recommend arriving in the morning. Precautions are being taken in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. If you are wary of visiting in person but would still like to support the museum, you can always make a donation at bonnercountyhistory.org. Founded in 1972, the Bonner County History Museum has been collecting and preserving the Bonner County region’s significant stories for more than 40 years. The museum is located at Lakeview Park, at 611 S. Ella Ave., in Sandpoint.
This week’s RLW by Lyndsie Kiebert
READ
I have fond memories of my junior high English teacher, Mrs. Ineck, reading my class works by O. Henry. His short stories from the turn of the 19th century were famous for surprise endings. Nothing was ever as it seemed in an O. Henry story, which always resulted in a collective gasp from Mrs. Ineck’s audience of eager 13-year-olds. I still get a kick now and then from reading his stories, which are widely available online.
LISTEN
Big Thief is one of those bands that I never skip, but that rarely makes it into my heavy listening rotation. That changed when I found the track “Shark Smile” — an upbeat and flawless combination of easy going lyricism and distorted guitar. Then I found “Not,” which establishes lead vocalist Adrianne Lenker as one of contemporary indie’s most intense female rockers.
WATCH
I’d never seen Drunk History until a random episode recently popped up on my Facebook feed. Lin-Manuel Miranda happened to be the inebriated storyteller for this episode, which was about Alexander Hamilton. I laughed so hard I cried, and proceeded to watch a whole season on DVD thanks to the local library. Something about talented actors elaborately mouthing the stumbling words of an adorable drunk person sits just right with me.
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BACK OF THE BOOK
From Northern Idaho News, Sept. 1, 1925
MIDNIGHT FIRE DAMAGES HOPE Starting in an unoccupied building from what is thought to be incendiary origin, a fire destroyed the business section of Hope Wednesday night, almost all the businesses buildings in the town burning to the ground, causing a loss that is estimated to be $40,000. The fire started in an unoccupied building next to the Odd Fellows building at 11:30 Wednesday night and despite the heroic efforts of the volunteer fire department spread both ways, consuming five business blocks before being brought under control. Time after time the flames threatened the houses on the land above the fire but each time were checked by the firemen with nominal damage. Charles Goss, the owner of the unoccupied building, formerly known as the Wanamaker market, where the fire broke out, lost $1500. N.G. Sisson’s general store with his dwelling on the second floor was a complete loss. The damage to the store and residence is estimated at $15,000. But $100 insurance was carried. Mr. Sission has been in business in Hope since 1888. He was burned out once before 20 years ago. The Twin Wo store with a lodging house on the second floor, which catered to the oriental trade of the district, is also a complete loss. Damage is estimated at $6000. No insurance was carried. 22 /
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On rights and responsibilities By Sandy Compton Reader Columnist Recently, I witnessed a BMW fast little car and a burly Chevy pickup try to occupy the same lane space at the same time. The person in the BMW thought they were a NASCAR driver, and the person in the Chevy took exception to the BMW trying to cut in front of them by forcing their way into the Chevy’s lane. For about five seconds — during which I decelerated so as not to be involved in a big mess if it turned into one — life on the road got too exciting. They ran side by side about six inches apart at 60 miles an hour next to a car in the second lane and three feet off the bumper of the car in front of them, both driven by people who seemed to be just minding their own business. The mess got disentangled without requiring wrecker or Life Flight, only because other drivers around the idiots didn’t panic and got the hell out of their way. The capper was that both idiots turned off — in opposite directions — at the next intersection. I don’t know what the motivation was for this bit of stupidity, but I do find it fascinating — in a morbid sort of way — that some will endanger themselves and others to save 15 seconds or less on the road and then sit in their (idling) cars for 10 minutes waiting in line for a latte. In the United States, we are privileged to drive on one of the best highway systems on the planet. With a driver’s license (and proof of registration and insurance) we are given the right to travel at will via internal
STR8TS Solution
combustion or electric machine. Our responsibility — rights carry responsibilities — is to do so in a safe, courteous and respectful manner, obeying traffic laws and signs and watching out for other drivers on the road. Don’t act so surprised. That’s really true, though many drivers don’t seem to know it — or model it. Many drive like selfish children, getting away with as much as possible and bullying others out of their way. The death toll from road accidents hasn’t climbed faster because auto manufacturers have figured out how to keep people alive through 70-mile-an-hour pileups. Another of our rights as citizens of the United States is the right to vote. I believe it is our supreme right; to express our choices for representatives at all sorts of levels of government as well as certain laws and referendums. It is also our supreme responsibility. We live in a republic/democracy. “Republic: a state in which supreme power is held by the people and their elected representatives, and which has an elected or nominated president rather than a monarch”; “Democracy: a system of government by the whole population of a state, typically through elected representatives.” I include definitions to demonstrate the similarity of the two. They are not quite the same, but they are very closely aligned. To vilify others because of an affiliation as Democrat or Republican is ludicrous, but we are encouraged to do so by those who benefit by sowing divisiveness and concentrating on issues that keep us apart, rather than leading us into areas of agreement and unity. We might be, first and fore-
most, human and planetary citizens; next, Americans, and then whatever our political affiliations call us to be. As such, and as holders of the right to vote, it is our responsibility to vote. To not vote is an egregious error on the part of a citizen, perhaps the worst that can be made short of treason. If we believe it’s too much trouble, inconvenient or ineffectual; if we act as if one vote, more or less, makes no difference; if we remain apathetic about our representatives and where they are leading us; we move closer to living in a country where some won’t have the right to vote, based on the whims, ambitions and agendas of leadership. And if that happens, it follows that some won’t have the right to drive, either. Vote on Tuesday, Nov. 3. Make no assumption or excuses about who will win if you don’t. Exercise your responsibility.
Crossword Solution
Sudoku Solution I think people tend to forget that trees are living creatures. They’re sort of like dogs. Huge, quiet, motionless dogs, with bark instead of fur.
Solution on page 22
Solution on page 22
legerity
Woorf tdhe Week
By Bill Borders
/ luh-JER-i-tee / [noun] 1. physical or mental quickness; nimbleness; agility.
“Brace yourself! The crossword puzzle this week requires a lot of legerity.” Corrections: Looking in this box, You’ll often find corrections. Not today, my friend.
A corrections box haiku by Ben Olson.
Copyright www.mirroreyes.com
Laughing Matter
CROSSWORD ACROSS 1. Throw up 5. Briefly shut the eyes 10. Backside 14. Incite 15. Eagle’s nest 16. Anagram of “Meat” 17. Bandoneon 19. Flying saucers 20. Little bit 21. Entertain 22. Napped 23. Improvised 25. Become narrower 27. Female chicken 28. Scar 31. Fruity-smelling compound 34. Inclination 35. Arrive (abbrev.) 59. Kitchen appliance 36. Not fast 60. Hazard 37. Mountain crest 61. Bucolic 38. Parasitic insect 62. S S S S 39. Take in slowly 63. Permits 40. Gash 41. Autocratic 42. Versions DOWN 44. Cut down 1. Treaties 45. Type of retinal cells 2. Submarine 46. Disregard 3. Japanese stick fighting 50. Beat with force 4. And so forth 52. 3-banded armadillo 5. Barkeeper 54. Historic period 6. Abatement 55. Afflicts 7. Colored part of an eye 56. Sacred Christian 8. 90th writings 9. New Zealand parrot 58. Sandwich shop
Solution on page 22 10. Scarab 11. Recommendations 12. Cease 13. Where the sun rises 18. Keen 22. WW1 plane 24. Expresses relief 26. Skin disease 28. Pepperwort 29. Angers 30. Roentgen ray 31. To be, in old Rome 32. Skidded 33. Anagram of “Optically” 34. Conducts business
37. Maguey 38. Poultry 40. Make melodious sounds 41. Sired, biblically 43. Part of the throat 44. Shingles 46. Unsophisticated 47. Creepy 48. Top of a wave 49. Chores 50. Dry riverbed 51. Hotfooted 53. Not amateurs 56. South southeast 57. Website address
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