Sandpoint Magazine - Winter 2010

M a G a Z i n E

Quest for Solace at

WintEr 2010

Sandpoint WeSt fork cabin

Tracks in the snow

inside:

SanDPoint

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WINTER GuIdE

interview with classical Guitarist leon atkinson, Whitefish on the comeback, the Sandpoint-africa connection, immigrants in Sandpoint, Preparing for teotWaWki*, calendars, Dining, real estate ... and so much more *the end of the World as We know it

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memorable home celebrates past achievements while inspiring future ones.

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208.255.7561 | Cindy.Bond@SothebysRealty.com | 200 Main | Sandpoint © MMVII Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Farm Bouffan, © Cezanne Museum/Superstock, Inc., used with permission. Sotheby’s International Realty® is a licensed trademark to Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates, Inc.An Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity. Each Office Is Independently Owned And Operated, Except Offices Owned And Operated By NRT Incorporated. Sandpoint office: 208-263-5101, 200 Main Street, Sandpoint, ID 83864.

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coNteNts S a n dpoi nt MaGaZinE Winter 2010, Vo l. 20, n o . 1

FeATURes First season

by Sandy Compton

58 Hooked and happy skiers and riders reflect on their Schweitzer baptisms.

Plus: Olympic hopefuls Nate and Pat Holland and a snow reporter’s musings

29 31

Bonner General Hospital

by Patty Hutchens With humble beginnings in 1949, the hospital now celebrates 60 years

39

Lake Whitefish in Pend Oreille by Kate Wilson Most abundant, most alien and most likely for a comeback

35

Worlds Away but Close to the Heart by Beth Hawkins How Sandpoint residents have fostered unique connections with Africa

39

Fleeting Moments at West Fork Cabin by Chris Park Backcountry skiers seek solace as they reflect on endangered caribou immigrants in sandpoint

46

by Marie-Dominique Verdier How love brought four people from four different continents to our town

52

Winter Tracks by Jerry Pavia Photo essay documents a project originating in the Canadian wilderness

Almanac

Who, What and Why in Greater Sandpoint

Calendar

With POAC calendar and Hot Picks

19

interview

Leon Atkinson, classical guitarist

23

Photo essay

64

Frozen in Focus

Real estate

Retirement Mecca: National publications tout Sandpoint’s attributes Preparing for TEOTWAWKI: Seeking self-sufficient properties New Spaces: Charter School, Ranger District add to commercial mix WinTeR 2010

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68 68 74 79

Lodging

97

eats & drinks

98

dining Guide

104

services

110

sandpoint of View

114

On the cover: Doug Marshall captured snowboarder Sara Hansen, one of three cover story subjects in “First Season,” page 58 Top: Jim Mellen photographed the splendid scenery from Strong Creek Trail No. 444 near Round Top while backcountry skiing, a sample of offerings in this issue’s photo essay, “Frozen in Focus,” page 64 Above: Backcountry skier Chris Park examines a map inside West Fork Cabin in this Doug Marshall image. See story, page 39 sANDPoINt MAGAZINe

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dePARTMenTs

natives & newcomers 85

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contributors A common denominator in enjoying a first season at Schweitzer seems to be “friends,” and interviews several of his about what made their first year on the mountain special (“first season,” page 58). He talks to another friend about driving forces behind the Sandpoint handball community (page 10) and, finally, says goodbye to a friend to all of Sandpoint, Hazel Hall (Sandpoint of View, page 114).

Sandy compton

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Patty Hutchens

has been a freelance writer for the Spokesman Review since 2000 and is a first-time contributor to this magazine. She wrote about Bonner General Hospital (BGH) for its 60th anniversary (page 29) and a real estate feature on Sandpoint as a popular retirement locale (page 68). The two stories were closely related, she discovered. BGH’s updated technology and vision will enhance medical care, attracting more retirees. Read more of her work at http://sandpointplacesandfaces.blogspot.com.

chris Park first skied into the Colorado backcountry in

1979. Since then, the siren song of the mountains continues to pull him away every winter. For his story “fleeting moments” on page 39, Park shares his thoughts on our ever-diminishing wild places, the animals that reside there and the lifelong bonds we form with both nature and humanity in an increasingly busy world. This is his first contribution to Sandpoint Magazine.

Marie-Dominique Verdier’s photo-

graphic contributions to Sandpoint Magazine have become more prominent of late, but this issue presents her as a writer, which she doesn’t consider herself to be. An immigrant from France, she was drawn to write “immigrants in Sandpoint” (page 46) and offer a glimpse of what it is like to experience Sandpoint having come from a foreign country. More of her photos can be seen at www.SandpointPhoto.com.

Sandpoint

Magazine

is

published

twice

yearly,

in May and November, by Keokee Co. Publishing, Inc.,

606 N. Third Ave., Suite 101, Sandpoint

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208-263-1435

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time-on-the-mountain story. I remember my first time at

E-mail: inbox@keokee.com

Schweitzer, on skis, in the winter of 1982-83. My skiing

Web: www.keokee.com Phone: 208-263-3573

experience to that point comprised two attempts many

Publisher Chris Bessler

years before. Even so, I disdained the idea of ski lessons.

Editor Billie Jean Plaster

I was also determined to make do with the clothes in

Editorial Assistants Beth Hawkins, Amie Wolf

my closet, which included mainly blue jeans. So my first

Advertising Director Clint Nicholson

mountain memory is mainly of a lot of wreckage, and

Art Director Laura White

being wet and cold to the bone. of that first time out. The thing is, cold and awkward as

Huisman, Patty Hutchens, Kathleen Mulroy, Ben

it was, it still offered a hint at how exhilarating skiing

Olson, Chris Park, Jerry Pavia, Carrie Scozzaro, Marie-

can be and how gorgeous the place is. And with that

Dominique Verdier, Kate Wilson and Dianna Winget

much of a start, I’ve piled on plenty of terrific mountain

©2010 by Keokee Co. Publishing, Inc. No part may be

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Of course, now it’s easy to have a fond recollection

Contributors Sandy Compton, David Gunter, Cate

The entire contents of Sandpoint Magazine are copyright

sANDPoINt MAGAZINe

everyone who skis or boards has one: A first-

405 Church St., P.O. Box 722, Sandpoint, ID 83864.

Administration Catherine Anderson

Visit us online at www.fhcsandpoint.com

publisher’s note

memories since.

Sandy Compton’s cover story in this issue, about first

reproduced in any fashion. Subscriptions: $12 per year.

seasons at Schweitzer, offers a small smorgasbord of

Send all address changes to the address above. Visit

experiences. Compare them to your own. If you haven’t

our Web magazine at www.SandpointMagazine.com.

had your own first season, maybe this winter is the time

Printed in USA

to try. Just take it from me. Get a ski lesson. And don’t wear blue jeans.

–C.B.

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carpenter-turned-guitar maker

V

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ance Bergeson lives up on Pack River. He wears flannel shirts, drives an old BMW motorcycle and plays a mean guitar.

He’s North Idaho all the way.

Until about five years ago, he was a full-time carpenter who played music on the side. It was then, however, that he embarked on a new trade that would take the place of his old job for good; he started building his own guitars.

“It started as a hobby in the late ’90s, but I really started taking it seriously around 2005, about the same time I started building my house,” Bergeson said. “An Epiphone I used to have had an arch top and I liked it, but I knew there was an actual difference between a manufactured guitar and a hand-pressed one. I figured I’d take the money it would cost to buy a nice archtop and put it into building my own.”

Using only hand tools, each of Bergeson’s guitars goes through a lengthy process. “The archtop is a structurally wise design, because they’re really strong,” he said. “It’s like making a bridge.”

Bergeson, 34, starts by selecting the wood, all of it local to the area. “I use all different types of wood,” he said.

“Walnut has a real warm, subtle tone.

Cherry has a brighter tone, and birch is unique. It’s real bold sounding.” Next, Vance will do a “tap tone” on the raw piece of wood to help determine a good piece to begin carving the general shape of the body. “I then carve out the neck and sides, what they call a ‘Spanish heel’ design,” he said. “I’ll glue the backs and work on the bulges and bevels.”

Every step takes time, and every guitar is a labor of patience. Average turnaround time for each of his guitars is anywhere from one to two months.

But, Bergeson’s work is starting to pay off. Bergeson Guitars has seen a boon of clients lately, all by word of mouth. sANDPoINt MAGAZINe

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PHOTO BY BEN OLSON

Vance Bergeson hand carves archtop masterpieces

Musician Vance Bergeson builds hand-pressed guitars from local wood

Archtops are traditionally used for jazz, blues, baroque or classical musicians because of the rich sound they produce.

Leon Atkinson, a well-known classical guitarist in Sandpoint, helped get Vance’s guitars noticed simply by ordering one of his own.

“I’ve known Vance since he moved here,” Leon said. “One time I saw him playing with this nylon string archtop, and I said, ‘Where’d you get that?’ He told me he made it. I was very interested, I told him what I wanted, told him about Spanish heel design, and he built it. It’s a wonderful guitar, very bright and vibrant. I’m very happy with it.” (See interview, page 23.)

“I’m trying to keep the price

affordable, anywhere from $1,500 to $2,000 usually, but I’ve done wheeling and dealing for wood,” said Vance.

“I traded Mark Kubiak a guitar for enough claro wood to build two. That’s how you gotta do business sometimes.”

“Unfortunately, my music has taken a back burner to making guitars,” he said. “Sometimes I’m frustrated, but I still find time to play, and if I have a gig I’ll make the time to practice. I’m never gonna be a rock star, I know that.”

Rock star or not, Vance Bergeson has a rich following here in Sandpoint.

To learn more, look up www.bergeson guitars.com.

–Ben Olson

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AlMANAc

acoustic teen

Holly McGarry strumming her way through teen years

PHOTO BY BILLIE JEAN PLASTER

H

olly McGarry, a slender 16-year-old who looks years younger, met Carrie Rodriguez’s concert promoter at the Panida Theater in July. When she was introduced as the opening act, his reply was, “Well, you’re just a kid!”

Soon thereafter, the unassuming young woman got on stage with her guitar and started the show with a riveting cover of the Beatles tune “Blackbird.”

“That’s sort of my gig, too, surprising people. They don’t expect whatever I am,” she said.

The Sandpoint High School sophomore, who carries a 4.0 GPA, has been taking lessons with Doug Bond, a local bluegrass musician and singer, since age 11. She grew up in a music-loving family who exposed her to all kinds of music but primarily 1960s rock. She remembers hearing the Beatles for the first time, on “Magical Mystery Tour,” and becoming obsessed with music after that. “It just hooks you in somehow – the melodies are somewhat addictive,” she says.

As a nontypical, folk rock-loving teen, she says, “It would be nice if some kids my age were into the same

type of music so we could get together and jam,” McGarry said.

Performing in different venues around town has allowed her to meet many musicians, however. She’s astounded at how many live here.

“They’ve been coming out of the woodwork,” she said.

Music is definitely in her career plans, and she hopes to continue to play weekend gigs in Sandpoint and around the region while maintaining her grades. A member of Sandpoint High’s performing choir, she also snowboards, although

Holly McGarry is a 16-year-old acoustic musician

the rest of her family skis. In fact, that hobby is what brought the family here from Akron, Ohio, when she was 9.

“We always loved skiing, but Ohio didn’t have much to offer in that department, and the lake is a bonus as well,” McGarry said. “My mom bought a house on her first trip to Idaho. We were surprised, but it was a good move.”

–Billie Jean Plaster

It’s a book of legendary dimensions

eaching bookstores Nov. 28 is “Legendary Lake Pend Oreille: Idaho’s Wilderness of Water,” and the making of this new book was … well, legendary.

Authored by Jane Fritz, the book includes contributions from another 10 writers, images by more than a dozen photographers, several artworks including the original watercolor cover by Karen Robinson, vintage photos from the Ross Hall Collection, and a color shaded relief map by Sylvie White of TerraPen Geographics.

The final result tallies 450 pages all told and took almost six years to produce.

Maybe it’s only to be expected that

Idaho’s biggest and grandest lake required a big and inclusive book.

“Legendary Lake Pend Oreille” is a comprehensive guide to the lake and its public access sites, paddle routes, hiking trails and fisheries.

But Fritz, a journalist and oral historian, turned it into much more than a guidebook with dozens of vignettes about the lake’s people, places, history, biology and botany.

Fritz’s own awe and affection for the lake spills out as she explores Lake Pend Oreille’s many facets. As she writes, “Mystery, it WinTeR 2010

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seems, is just another facet of this great gem of a lake that is both fully alive and so full of life.”

“Legendary Lake Pend Oreille,” published

by Keokee Books of Sandpoint, is $24 at local stores, or online at www.SandpointGeneral Store.com.

–Chris Bessler

sANDPoINt MAGAZINe

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Almanac

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on and Sue Helander began managing Sandpoint West Athletic Club six years before purchasing the club in 1997.

Well-matched to the business, they are a lively, happy couple with two daughters, Cody and Abby, who all put their personalities into pitching their mission: “Adding years to your life and life to your years!” Sue is a “cardio queen,” regularly leading stationary bike sessions sure to get pulse rates into the red zone. Don is a “gamer,” able to make a sport of almost any activity.

One of Don’s favorites, which he began playing in 1974, is handball, and his love for the sport has helped make Sandpoint a handball mecca.

“Not every community has handball players,” Don says. “Only about 25 percent of health clubs do. But there are

PHOTO BY BILLIE JEAN PLASTER

Helanders build up handball mecca

SWAC’s Don Helander has helped make Sandpoint a handball mecca

‘pockets’ of dedicated players.”

Handball players’ common bond is a love of the sport. It’s harder than racquet sports, requiring a player to use both sides of their body. A suc-

Watching the water Waterkeeper’s mission: protect Lake Pend Oreille

. . . your body, your spirit — and your life!

A longtime haven for recreation,

Lake Pend Oreille is a pristine and cherished part of our community. A recently formed local organization affiliated with an international group aims to keep it that way. Lake Pend Oreille Waterkeeper Alliance (LPOW) Please sign with your approval: is a growing nonprofit that encompasses members of the now-dissolved Panhandle Signature Date Environmental League.

“Our mission to protect Lake Pend Oreille A signed proof releases Keokee Publishing, Inc. from any reponsibility for error on copy. Please read all copy and check this job carefully. Thank is you multifaceted in that our priorities are to for your participation in ensuring your product is the best we can make it. improve an array of water quality issues Please note: This color comp is produced by an in-house printer andsuch is not as wastewater treatment, storm water indicative of the quality of the final printed piece. This proof may not accurately management and the milfoil control program,” reflect the colors. says Executive Director Jennifer Ekstrom.

LPOW received its approval in March 2009 to join the Waterkeeper Alliance, an interna208.265.8648 tional organization fighting for clean water and attempting to hold polluters accountable worldwide. LPOW operates as a local organization, though, and remains completely auton30410 Hwy. 200 | Ponderay | MyAmmara.com omous. Funded by foundation support, com10

SANDPOINT MAGAZINE

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PHOTO BY Doug MARSHALL

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Approved Winter stops Approved with changes at our Changes; please provide Spa door. another proof

Jennifer Ekstrom heads Lake Pend Oreille Waterkeeper in its mission to protect the lake

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cessful handball player has to strike the ball with either hand. “And, it hurts your hands,” Don says, “especially as a beginner. But, it’s also a game you can play for decades.”

SWAC opened in 1985 with four handball courts. Don, then a member, lobbied the owners to host a tourna-

ment. Twenty-four years later, the Spring Classic, which draws players from the Northwest and Canada, is still held on the first weekend in June.

In 2002, Sandpoint West hosted the state tournament. “The tourney was held for years in Boise,” Don says, “but we got them to start moving it out of Boise every other year.”

The tournament will rotate back to Sandpoint in the future, though Don doesn’t know when. Two things are certain, though: SWAC will host it, and Don, who was Idaho A champ in 2006, will play in it.

–Sandy Compton

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–Amie Wolf

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munity donations and fund-raising events, LPOW’s top priorities include advocating for herbicide reform in the lake and closely monitoring Bonner County’s current milfoil management process. Last spring, LPOW worked with other local organizations in an effort to implement the use of native weevils in combating the invasive aquatic species The group will launch a boat monitoring program in summer 2010 to help better deal with issues that impact water quality. It also set its sights on improving local water treatment plants and working with developers on safe storm water runoff procedures.

According to Ekstrom, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Waterkeeper Alliance’s founder and president, plans to attend a May 20-21 event in Sandpoint in support of Lake Pend Oreille Waterkeeper and other regional Waterkeeper organizations.

Log on to www.lakependoreillewater keeper.org or call 597-7188 to get involved or report water quality concerns.

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AlMANAc

remembering the Great War

A

Veteran creates Armistice Day exhibit

PHOTO BY BILLIE JEAN PLASTER

World War II veteran who was born six months before the first World War ended in 1918, Paul Rechnitzer has long had a fascination with what is known as the “Great War.” His 50-plus year study of that conflict is culminating with an exhibit about Armistice Day at the Sandpoint Library Nov. 5-Dec. 16.

Working all year on the exhibit, this local historian purchased 22 airplane models, built a replica of an observation balloon and acquired various memorabilia, such as a 1918 magazine cover for a Lewis machine gun.

Armistice Day is the symbolic ending of World War I, at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month.

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Opposite: Paul Rechnitzer shows a model of the Sopwith Camel F.I. – a German World War I fighter plane – one of 22 models he acquired for an exhibit on Armistice Day at the Sandpoint Library

The conflict was unprecedented: 20 million people died, both civilians and military personnel, and thousands of horses perished. Incredibly, the Western front averaged only 85 miles long and was all located in France.

“I think it’s a story that needs to be told,” Rechnitzer said.

The advent of the machine gun was a key factor in World War I because it could kill a lot of people a whole lot easier, Rechnitzer explained. First it

was used on the ground and then put in airplanes.

“In order to be a pilot in World War I, you had to be the cream of the crop. They lasted maybe two weeks.

The war in the air was wiping out the best men,” he said.

Armistice Day, which was renamed Veterans Day after World War II, is still commemorated in many allied nations. The holiday is known as Remembrance Day in countries of the British Commonwealth of Nations. In many parts of the world, people take a two-minute moment of silence at 11 a.m. on that day.

“It was nonsensical in the beginning, all because an Austrian archduke

got assassinated,” Rechnitzer said.

“There was a lesson to be learned, but we didn’t learn it and did it again in World War II and are still doing it.”

Rechnitzer, 91, says he thinks it all boils down to man’s innate desire to dominate.

Rechnitzer explained that his yearlong work on the exhibit was part hobby and part fascination, but his motivation came from the realization that people don’t know what Armistice Day is or what it means. “The whole purpose is to remind people of Armistice Day,” he said. “It was a time that’s hard to describe and hard to remember.”

–Billie Jean Plaster

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Almanac

BONNER COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Sandpoint streetcar

O

Could historic transportation become new again? ne hundred and one years ago, a group of enterprising citizens formed the Sandpoint and Interurban Railway Company to build a streetcar line across town and out to the mills in Ponderay and Kootenai. Sandpoint’s residents, they figured, experienced two seasons each year – the mud season and dust season – and would welcome an alternative to the only means of transportation most of them had – walking.

The idea stalled hard when it ran up against the city council in 1908.

Will Valentine, a tireless volunteer at the Bonner County Historical Society, has carefully collected news reports about the line’s inception, which took well over a year as the council created roadblocks. “Action of Mayor Causes Turmoil” was a headline in the Northern Idaho News that September.

“Election of New Alderman Declared Illegal – Tangle Delays Public Matters.”

But by August 1909, the News was finally able to report “strictly up-to-date cars” that would “be a credit to any city” would be in service the following

Creating buzz

Brothers find common ground in coffee roastery Last winter, on the long ride up Chair

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6 at Schweitzer, brothers Rick and Randy Evans, who both moved here with their families in 2008, started brainstorming.

The result is Evans Brothers Artisan Coffee Roasters, which opened in September in a large warehouse at 524 Church St. The joint venture was a natural transition for the brothers, who share passions for skiing, biking and water sports. Having spent 10 years in the coffee industry, Randy, formerly of coffee-centric Seattle, acts as roast master. A self-proclaimed “coffee geek,” he talks about the process from plant to bean with an easy familiarity. He looks forward to sharing that knowledge with the masses during the roasting studio’s series of neighborhood tastings on the second Saturday of every month.

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“We try to balance it out and feature coffees from all over the world that have unique and different flavor profiles,” says Randy. “It’s my responsibility as a roaster to highlight what the farmer worked so hard to achieve.”

A Tomlinson Sandpoint Sotheby’s International real estate agent with 15 years of experience in hospitality, Rick’s role is head of sales and operations.

“Part of what’s inspiring me to do this business is that coffee can be an avenue for so many fun things,” says Rick. “We want people to engage over coffee.”

The brothers plan events featuring local artists and musicians, collaborate with nonprofits such as Panhandle Animal Shelter, and support local business partners whenever possible.

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11/10/09 6:31:02 PM

Almanac

Opposite: Sandpoint and Interurban Railway car on Main at Second. Henry Traue is shown walking across the street in this vintage postcard

month. For the next eight years, streetcars carried riders the length of Main Street between the two train stations in town. A spur line ran out to the mills, and a midway stop allowed baseball fans to attend games at a ballfield where the Sandpoint airport is now.

Alas, the streetcar fell to the onslaught of the motorcar and folded in 1917. But with a goal of “multimodal transportation options” in its new comprehensive plan, might Sandpoint look to its past for transportation ideas? Matt Janssen of Vapor Locomotive Company, a Sandpoint enterprise engaged in developing modern steam locomotives, thinks so.

“Most of the right-of-way for the streetcar system is still on the city books,” he said. Further, he notes that the line passes not so far from big box stores, which are the destination for many Sandpoint consumers today.

How does that sound, Wal-Mart shoppers?

–Cate Huisman

PHOTO BY AMIE WOLF

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Evans Brothers: Randy, left, and Rick

“We’re something different. The space is like a community center of sorts,” says Rick.

Their aim is to create a homegrown Sandpoint business that locals can be proud of. Evans Brothers’ roasting studio may be on its way to becoming a Sandpoint landmark. Visit www.EvansBrothersCoffee.com to learn more.

–Amie Wolf

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Sandpoint-africa connection

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hey’re my local ambassadors for HeroRATs,” says Courtney Baggett, about her parents, Larry and Barbara Baggett, who retired to Sandpoint in 2007. They’re always happy to spread the word about their daughter’s connection with a unique and important program.

Since April 2008, Courtney has been the development and donor support coordinator for APOPO, the nonprofit umbrella organization for HeroRATS. A program at Sokoine University of Agriculture, Mogorogo, HeroRATS trains African giant pouch rats to sniff TNT in deadly land mines using their acute sense of smell. After a year of training in Tanzania, rats that meet requirements are deployed for demining operations.

Courtney first fell in love with African culture while volunteering there following college, between 2004-05.

After working for two nonprofits in Washington, D.C., she longed to return to East Africa – so the HeroRATs position was a dream come true.

Besides working closely with founder Bart Weetjens – a Belgian “social entrepreneur” and ordained Buddhist monk – Courtney assists photographers and film crews visiting Tanzania; writes letters “from” rats to their sponsors; helps

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found in HeroRATS

trainers; maintains the organization’s Web site; and travels to the United States on funding quests. She also supervises a worldwide group of volunteers. When she has time off, she joins her parents in Sandpoint.

The appealing rodents are an ideal, low-tech solution to the land mine problem because they’re highly trainable, easy to maintain and transport, and enjoy performing repetitive tasks for rewards. And, being only about the size of a small cat, they don’t trigger land mines.

HeroRATs are also learning to sniff out tuberculosis in human sputum

Courtney Baggett, a trainer and a HeroRAT get ready for a training session in Tanzania

samples. Although still in the research phase, this project has real potential.

“When HeroRATs began, people laughed at the idea,” Courtney says, “but now that we’ve proven how effective the rats are, they’re not laughing.

Instead, they’re very impressed – and wondering what else these rats can do!”

For more information or to adopt a HeroRAT, visit www.herorat.org.

–Kathleen Mulroy

Train depot Effort afoot to save historic building nested between the Seasons at Sandpoint and the soon-to-be Sand Creek Bypass, the historic Sandpoint train depot sits in limbo, waiting for a decision that will either ensure its place in the town’s future or possibly signal its demise. Currently situated on Amtrak’s Empire Builder route, the Gothicstyle station owned by BNSF Railway has been a fixture in Sandpoint since 1916.

Interest in the fate of the train depot spiked after it was closed June 29 due to a leaky roof, and the Sandpoint Historic Preservation Commission (SHPC) identified it as an imporsANDPoINt MAGAZINe

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tant structure to Sandpoint – the last remaining one of the original townsite.

“It’s a historic, one-of-a-kind depot that’s the foundation for Sandpoint’s growth,” said Aric Spence, SHPC depot subcommittee chairman. “Transportation in rural communities, especially public transportation, is extremely important.”

Supporters hope to preserve the Amtrak stop and train depot and invite others to join the effort. Visit www.SandpointTrainStation. com to learn more.

The historic Southern Pacific Daylight steam locomotive passes Sandpoint’s 1916 train depot, a town fixture with an uncertain future (photo by Aric Spence/www.spencedesign.com)

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calendar

Ca l e nda r november 2009

oct. 31-nov. 8 lakedance international film festival. 54 short and feature independent films from Idaho and ‘round the world screen at the Panida. Lakedance.com. 597-0961 14 Songwriters’ circle. Inaugural benefit event with singers and songwriters in an intimate hometown evening of song and discussion, 7:30 p.m., Panida. 263-5447 20 “that thing You Do” art reception.

POAC reception for fine crafts exhibit at 5 p.m. in the Power House. 263-6139 21 Holly eve. Annual gala at 6:30 p.m. in the Events Center benefits Panida and Festival at Sandpoint. Enjoy champagne, hors d’oeuvres, entertainment and more. 263-8956 27-29 k&k thanksgiving fishing Derby.

Lake Pend Oreille Idaho Club’s annual fall fishing contest. LPOIC.org. 264-5796 27-Dec. 31 Holidays in Sandpoint.

Traditional tree lighting ceremony and caroling at 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 27 at Jeff Jones Town Square.

Sponsored by the Downtown Sandpoint Business Association. 255-1876 28 “legendary lake Pend oreille” book launch Party. Author Jane Fritz and contributors sign new book; lake-affiliated nonprofit groups also exhibiting and will benefit from sales, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Community Hall. 263-3573 29 eric church. Country music artist performs at the Panida. See Hot Picks. 263-9191

December 2009 3-5 festival of trees. See Hot Picks.

4 “the nutcracker.” See POAC calendar.

5 Schweitzer Holiday kick-off. The lights come on and the holiday season begins at Schweitzer Mountain Resort with hot cocoa, cookies and carolers. 263-9555

6 christmas for africa Gala and auction.

See Hot Picks.

11 a Day for Heather. Annual Schweitzer event in memory of Heather Gibson; lift tickets are $10 with all proceeds benefiting Community Cancer Services. 263-9555 11-12 Holiday art Soiree. Arts Alliance event with wine, hors d’oeuvres and music on Friday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.; art vendors and activities on Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sandpoint Center for the Arts. 265-ARTS

climbing the charts. Country music singer eric church has been taking Nashville by storm recently, reaching the Top 10 on both the Billboard and Mediabase country radio charts with his latest single “Love Your Love the Most,” from his critically acclaimed album “Carolina.” This album precedes the breakthrough success of Church’s first effort “Sinners Like Me,” which claimed three Top 20 singles and a No. 1 video.

Hear this up-and-coming country star perform in the Panida Theater nov. 29 at 7 p.m., as part of The Young & Wild(er) Tour. EricChurch.com.

Generosity shines through during holidays. Two Sandpoint events support great causes – one at home, another across the world. the luke commission (see story, page 35) is a Sagle-based medical mission which serves AIDS-stricken Swaziland in South Africa. For the second year, TLC hosts the

christmas for africa Gala and auction, happening Dec. 6 at 5:30 p.m. in the Events Center. It’s an evening filled with food, music, and auctions featuring handmade items from Swaziland. And TLC’s founders will share a hearttouching overview of their work. 265-5973.

Another worthy benefit is kinderhaven’s festival of trees in the Events Center. The public is welcome to Family Night on Dec. 3, where Santa Claus will greet children; ticketed events include a Holiday Luncheon Dec. 4, and the Gala on Dec. 5. 610-2208 13 the Jazzy nutcracker. Studio One’s jazz version of the classic at 6 p.m. in the Panida.

263-9191 17 Danceworks christmas Show. Dance students perform at 7 p.m. in the Panida. 263-9191 24 Santa’s Schweitzer Visit. Santa skis the slopes and passes out treats from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., then leads a balloon parade at 2 p.m. from Basin Express chair down to the village. Follow

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Sandpoint knows how to party. Folks make the most of a long winter by throwing a really fun celebration – Sandpoint Winter carnival, a fourday extravaganza that’s jam-packed with gleeful events.

Jan. 14: Treat your taste buds to the perennially delicious Taste of Sandpoint at the Events Center.

Jan. 15: Check out the Dover Bay Mid-Winter ArtFest, the Winter ArtTrek in downtown Sandpoint, plus the bonfire and Rail Jam at Jeff Jones Town Square. Jan. 16: Schweitzer hosts a Torchlight Parade, followed by fireworks.

And Jan. 17: The amazing K-9 Keg Pull features our mightiest dogs in the alley by Eichardt’s.

Gotta love winter! 263-0887 let’s repeat … Sandpoint knows how to party! If you thought the fun ended

in January, think again. Because February is when the Downtown Sandpoint Business Association gets out the beads and throws their annual Mardi Gras, starting with the Bayou Bash and Masquerade Party at Trinity at City Beach feb. 6. Then catch loads of events feb.

11-16, including the hysterical Follies at the Panida, games and events, and ending with Fat Tuesday.

DowntownSandpoint.com. 255-1876

cool competition. Catch some gnarly riding when Schweitzer Mountain Resort hosts its popular Stomp Games March 19-21. The region’s best riders compete for serious cash prizes, and spectators are treated to phenomenal stunts. Categories include Rail Jam, Slopestyle and Ridercross. Schweitzer.com. 263-9555 him to the Selkirk Lodge for cocoa and last-minute wishes from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. 263-9555 31 new Year’s eve. Schweitzer hosts parties at Taps and other resort locations. Schweitzer. com. 263-9555. In town, Angels Over Sandpoint host annual “Semi Normal Semi Formal,” featuring Carl Rey and the Blues Gators, an auction, food and more in the Events Center.

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5 Gurdjieff/de Hartmann Music-Piano concert. Features Larry Rosenthal, an awardwinning music composer for film, stage and television, sponsored by The Center for Organic Studies and The Gurdjieff Foundation of Idaho, 7 p.m. in the Panida. 265-3626

[Hot Picks]

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Calendar January 2010

8-29 Starlight Junior Race Series. Local race series at Schweitzer takes place on Friday nights in January. 263-9555 14 Taste of Sandpoint. Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce sponsors annual taste treat at Sandpoint Events Center. See Hot Picks.

263-0887

14-17 Sandpoint Winter Carnival. Annual celebration. See Hot Picks.

15 “Our Town” Art Exhibit. Pend Oreille Arts Council hosts an all-media art exhibit reception featuring the people of Sandpoint at 5:30 p.m. in the Power House. ArtinSandpoint.com.

263-6139 15-16, 22-23 “Red Tape.” The Panida Theater hosts the play “Red Tape,” based on the art of Stephen Schultz, at 8 p.m. each night. 263-9191 16-18 Schweitzer Winter Carnival Celebration. Parade and more. See Hot Picks.

22-23 24 Hours of Schweitzer. Second annual ski-a-thon team relay begins on Friday and finishes on Saturday, raising money for Cystinosis.

24HoursforHank.org. 263-9555

ors community excellence at the Events Center. SandpointChamber.org. 263-0887

February 2010

5-March 5 Starlight Racing. Friday night races at Schweitzer are a perennial favorite for locals, followed by parties in Taps. 263-9555 6 “King Arthur’s Quest.” See POAC calendar.

6-16 Sandpoint Mardi Gras. The town goes wild during this five-day celebration filled with outrageous events, contests and performances.

Sponsored by the DSBA. 255-1876 12-13 The Follies. Annual Angels over Sandpoint production features zany local acts at the Panida during Sandpoint Mardi Gras. See Hot Picks. AngelsOverSandpoint.org. 597-3670 12-14 Sportsman’s Expo. The Men’s Alliance of Christian Churches hosts a threeday Sportsman’s Expo at the Bonner County Fairgrounds. 263-9887 26-27 Outrageous Air Show. Olympic skiers join local talent in a Big Air Show at Schweitzer.

Crazy themed parties follow in Taps. 263-9555

March 2010

4 Banff Radical Reels. Mountain Fever presents extreme sports films at 6:30 p.m. in the Panida. 263-9191

29 Chamber Choice Awards. Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce hon-

5 Calo Flamenco. See POAC calendar.

14 Grom Stomp. Schweitzer hosts a grom-sized slopestyle and boardercross competition for those ages 6-11. 263-9555 19 Student Art Show. Pend Oreille Arts Council opens annual Student Art Show with a reception at 5:30 p.m. in The Old Power House. 263-6139 19-21 Stomp Games. See Hot Picks.

26 Mud Bay Jugglers. See POAC calendar.

April 2010 11 Telluride Mountain Film Festival. The Selway-Bitterroot Foundation presents this independent documentary film festival at 7 p.m. in the Panida. 263-9191

16 Manding Jata. See POAC calendar.

23 Annual Wine Tasting, Dinner and Auction. Festival at Sandpoint hosts annual fundraiser, a gala event at Bonner County Fairgrounds.

FestivalatSandpoint.com. 265-4554

30 “Escaping Reality – Abstract Expressionists” Art Reception. Pend Oreille Arts Council hosts reception at 5:30 p.m. in The Old Power House. 263-6139

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28-30 Banff Mountain Film Festival.

Mountain Fever presents popular adventure film festival at 7 p.m. each night in the Panida. 263-9191

13 Heuga Center Vertical Express for MS. Schweitzer hosts this annual event to help raise funds for the Heuga Center for Multiple Sclerosis.

263-9555

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Calendar

[POAC]

The 26th season of the annual Pend Oreille Arts Council (POAC) Performance Series continues to transport audiences ‘round the world with a variety of lively music, unique dance performances and enchanting plays. To purchase tickets with a credit or debit card, head to the POAC office inside the Old Power House Building or call 263-6139.

Two other ticket outlets in Sandpoint – Eve’s Leaves at 326 N. First Ave. and Eichardt’s Pub at 212 Cedar St. – accept cash or check only. All performances take place in the Panida Theater, 300 N. First Ave., and are ADA accessible; listening devices are available for free.

King Arthur’s Quest Saturday, Feb. 6, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Tien Hsieh Friday, Nov. 13, 7:30 p.m.

Calo Flamenco brings an unforgettable experience that leaves audiences energized and awestruck. This electrifying dance and music ensemble will arouse the passion of the human heart in a brilliant display that only flamenco can deliver.

Mesmerizing audiences since her early childhood, pianist Tien Hsieh has appeared at New York’s Carnegie Hall, and at festivals, colleges and universities, and art centers across the United States, Europe and Asia.

Missoula Children’s Theatre is back for another splendid production including many talented young actors who make this timeless story about King Arthur, of legend and song, come alive. Children in the community are the stars, guided by two professional actors.

Calo Flamenco Friday, March 5, 7:30 p.m.

Mud Bay Jugglers Friday, March 26, 7:30 p.m.

Eugene Ballet’s The Nutcracker Friday, Dec. 4, 7 p.m.

A hit with young and old alike, the Mud Bay Jugglers blend juggling, comedy, dance and music into a unique and amazing performance.

A holiday tradition continues with the Eugene Ballet professionals along with talented young dancers from the Sandpoint region. Everyone loves this imaginative story line, colorful sets, costumes and dancing. Get your tickets early!

Manding Jata Friday, April 16, 7:30 p.m.

Uniquely staged and culturally authentic, the Manding Jata feature 800 years of cultural arts and include a drum ensemble, flutes, dance, masquerade, acrobatics and Mande songs of celebration. It’s spectacular!

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WINTER 2010

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11/12/09 4:16:41 PM

At Panhandle State Bank we love the local Communities we live in... in... local lakes, local camping, local fun. Plus it’s only a hop, skip, and a jump away. We know youwant to keep your money invested in your community and with someone you trust. Since 1981 we have been your community bank and now we are engaging local leadership to create community-based economic prosperity with our Powered By Community Program. Check out www.PoweredByCommunity.com to get involved.

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11/10/09 6:31:57 PM

Interview

leon atkinson

Leon Atkinson, a classical guitarist, emigrated from New York to Sandpoint in the 1970s

the artist in this decade – he fought cancer nine years ago and continues to undergo treatments for kidney failure today.

Those battles aside, Leon Atkinson has recommitted himself to what he calls the “higher level of selfishness” needed to return to the role of performing artist.

“That’s what I’m going to be doing for the next 30 years,” he said.

Do you recall when you first decided to become a guitarist?

Yeah, totally. I was 3 years old and my dad took me to the Apollo Theater to see a friend of his perform – Josh White Sr. He was on the stage with a stool and a pink floodlight, and he sang a song called “One Meatball.” It just touched me and I knew that’s what I wanted to do.

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n the 1960s, guitarist Leon Atkinson met The Beatles and was wholly unimpressed.

“I just thought they were a bunch of shaggy haired guys playing three-chord songs,” he said. “Paul was nice, George was OK, John was intense and Ringo was an a------.”

Almost a decade later, he met Andres Segovia, a Spaniard who was one of the most important figures of the classical guitar in the beginning and mid 20th century. The man’s very presence charged the room with energy and convinced Atkinson that he was in the presence of greatness.

Atkinson, 63, latched onto the idea of playing guitar almost as soon as he was old enough to have such notions.

Before he was out of school in New York, he had appeared on national television, was earning money by intercepting calls meant for his older, violin-playing brother and, in the same way, began picking up gigs on electric bass by booking himself through calls intended for his father. Music carried him into the recording studio and onto the stages of the Apollo Theater, Town Hall in New York and Carnegie Hall.

In the world of classical music, Atkinson was an anomaly – a black musician in an environment where, at the time, few were to be found. He met the challenge heartily, establishing guitar programs at Jersey State College and the extension division of the Manhattan School of Music. The guitarist later “helped break the barrier” on Broadway, working an extended run of the hit show, “Promises, Promises” as a black musician on the Great White Way. Given his own family history, Atkinson pointed out, race was never a big deal.

“My grandfather was a white Jew,” he said. “Our house was like the League of Nations.”

In the early 1970s, Atkinson walked away from the life of a successful New York performing artist to immerse himself in a simpler lifestyle in Sandpoint. One of his new friends here told the guitarist that being black in a town of virtually all white residents shouldn’t be a problem, just stay away from a particular watering hole with a bad reputation. The year before, Atkinson’s friend reported, a longhair had been held down and given a chainsaw haircut by patrons of this same tavern.

“So what did Leon do?” Atkinson said. “I went straight down there for a beer.”

From his home base in Sandpoint, he founded the guitar programs at Whitworth College, Gonzaga and Eastern Washington universities and North Idaho College and, for the past 19 years, hosted the popular “Guitar Hour” program on Spokane Public Radio.

Atkinson’s health has presented two major challenges for

PHOTO BY BEN ANDERSON

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By david Gunter

classical guitarist

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11/10/09 6:32:05 PM

Interview Did you come from a musical family?

My mom and dad both played violin in the symphony. My dad had learned the upright bass, and he was playing big band dance music. My brother was six years older and, at 10, he was winning competitions for violin. My dad wanted me to play cello. If I played cello, since my dad could also play viola, then we had the Atkinson String Quartet. He had it all figured out, and I ruined it for him when he took me to hear this guy play guitar.

You received widespread recognition pretty early as a guitarist.

Did audience response hook you into a life of performing?

It definitely was a big part of it. When you get that much attention and everyone is fussing over you, as a little kid, you eat it up. Audience response is a big thing. I think it hooks all performers, all athletes. When you get all that energy being focused on you – and if you view it

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I was very lucky. When I was 8 years old, my dad took me to a place on the Lower East Side called the Henry Street Settlement where I studied with a guitarist named Mark Oalth. That year, the people from the Arthur Godfrey Show came to pick different kids to be involved in this steeplechase show that they were doing at Coney Island. I was

probably standing out – because there weren’t that many black kids, mostly little Jewish kids – and I got picked. We did the show and I sang “Skip to My Lou.” Arthur Godfrey liked it, and I ended up on the Arthur Godfrey Show, where I won.

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Interview properly – you can take that energy and nurture it and put it back out to them.

You get this reciprocal thing going on that elevates, and it’s better than sex.

You had a chance to meet and play for Andres Segovia. What was your impression of the man?

It was amazing. I had heard that, if you were ever in the presence of a great person, you’d know it. You’d feel it.

This class took place in this beautiful, old, stone room. I was in there with about 30 or so students, along with journalists and photographers. He came into the room while I was talking to somebody and I just felt something.

And there he was. It was an overwhelming presence. It’s hard to explain it.

He looked around the room and who stands out? The only black face in there – me. So he points to me to play. I had a pretty big ego and I had performed a lot, but this was my all-time idol and I was not very calm. So I get up and I’m tuning my guitar, I’m stalling, trying to think of what to play for him. I played one of his favorite pieces that I knew he particularly loved. By the time I finished playing the piece, he asked me, “Do you like what you do?” I was afraid he might say something like, “Well, give it up kid.

Throw away your guitar!” He told me, “It’s easy to see that you like what you do. You play music straight from your heart. Very beautiful.” It was the greatest compliment I could ever get in my life. From Segovia himself. It was quite an honor to be in his presence, to watch him play close up and to have him like my playing.

How did you get started in studio work?

A good friend of mine, a drummer who has become world-renowned, named Billy Cobham, knew that I was playing electric bass for some jobs. He said they were doing a record date and he could get me on it. From that, it went to another one and another one and then, in 1964, I was on a record that became a big hit. That led, for a

short time, to me becoming involved in the rock ‘n’ roll thing, which I hated. It just wasn’t my thing.

What was the hit song?

It was a song called “Tell Him.” Do you remember it? (Sings the phrase: “I know … something about love … you gotta want it bad ….) That’s me on that, playing bass. That big hit put me into being a headliner with that

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Did reaching that level of artistry and musicianship open doors for you?

Yes and no. I would say more no than yes. Unfortunately, there’s a lot of racism in the classical world and it still exists. A black classical guitarist?

There was no such animal. The minute someone saw me they would say, “Oh, you play guitar – do you play blues?

You play jazz?” Yeah, I can play blues; I can play jazz. But they’d never stop to think, “Maybe this kid plays classical guitar.”

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Interview

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group. We played the Apollo Theater when I was 17, playing next to the Isley Brothers and Dionne Warwick.

But I had started to play electric bass so much that it was getting in the way.

I remember hearing about two of my friends having an argument about Leon Atkinson – one knew me as a classical guitarist and one knew me as a bass player. They didn’t know it was the same person. That’s when I stopped playing the electric bass, cold turkey. I’d put all of these years into the guitar and people weren’t going to remember that? Go to hell with the bass! (laughs)

That was July of 1973. I got in my car and went to check out Sandpoint.

I bought land that year, stayed here a while in ’74 and moved here in ’75.

When I was moving out here, my dad said, “What is wrong with you? You’re going to give up more great jobs than most people can get in a lifetime to move to Idaho? Are you nuts?” I told him, “Pop, I’m a funny kind of person.

I’m the guy that runs after the bus until I catch it. But once I get on and I sit down, I don’t enjoy the ride.”

It doesn’t compute, huh? I was doing Broadway, I was doing a lot of record dates and I had this guitar program at Jersey State College that was the largest program in the country at the time. I mean, I was really busy. I started thinking, “You know, I’m not feeling satisfied. I don’t feel musically rewarded anymore.” I felt like a musical factory.

A buddy of mine and I were visiting someone up in the hills of upstate New York. After dinner, we walked outside and he said, “God, this is beautiful. But if you think this is beautiful, there’s a place out west called Sandpoint, Idaho.

It’s a lot like this and land is cheap.”

people who dislike me for no other reason than that I’m a black person. And there are people who are just curious about me and what I do.

Were you at all concerned about being one of a very few, if not the only black person in Sandpoint when There’s an interesting progression in you moved here? your career: Early discovery on the No, I really didn’t give that any conArthur Godfrey Show, successful stu- sideration or thought when I came here, dio musician, playing on Broadway and because I liked the area and that was in front of Segovia – drop everything all that mattered. I really have had no major problems in Sandpoint. There are and move to Sandpoint, Idaho?

What was the cultural environment like here in the early 1970s?

There wasn’t very much happening culturally at that time. At least, I didn’t feel there was. I got involved in helping to start the Pend Oreille Arts Council and I started the Classical Guitar Guild.

I thought it was important to bring culture to wherever I live.

After the move, you shifted your focus from being a performing artist to the

Serving Bonner County for more than 20 years

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Interview role of full-time teacher. Was that a part in that is that I stopped teaching and I had to go back to me to get that artistic kind of “artistic transference?”

I would say yes to that. The transference was definitely very strongly happening for me with my students. I was getting what I wanted through them. I got a lot of satisfaction out of watching them grow and learn the instrument.

Now I’m at a point in my life where I’m not teaching – I am still doing the radio show, which I enjoy – but it’s time for me to get back out on a full-time basis as a performer.

satisfaction. Plus, I love playing. Thank God my hands still work and I can still play. As long as my body will allow me to do it at the level and with the expertise I’m capable of – not like a fighter who has been in the ring too long and should retire – then I’m going to do it.

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in a very general sense, how would you describe music? let me put that another way: What is music?

I see music, not in any kind of isoDid your health-related issues add lated way, but as a part of the involveany urgency to your decision to get ment with the landscape of life – the back in front of audiences? trees and the water and the rain. It’s all

No, I think what played the biggest

music and it all connects.

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11/10/09 6:32:32 PM

Health

Bonner General Hospital celebrates 60 years

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off building, Bonner General opened its doors in 1951. The original building was replaced in 1973, and today Bonner General Hospital houses a modern surgical center, provides cancer treatment, has a rooftop helipad and offers a myriad of wellness and prevention programs.

Jack Parker, a member of the hospital’s board of directors since 1964 and chairman of the board from 1968 to 2006, recalls one of the biggest challenges in the early years was the recruitment of physicians. “Rural medicine is tough,” said Parker. “We started out with three doctors but now have 50.”

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Bonner General Hospital staff in the 1960s, top, and a few today, from left: longtime board member Jack Parker, nurse Denis Simko, Dr. Richard Neher, Chief Nursing Officer Charlene Godec, Community Development Director Lynda Metz, nurse Dawn Snelson and CEO Sheryl Rickard

ing additional space to house its outpatient services. But a need that was not met until recently is in the area of canSANDPOINT MAGAZINE

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hen Bonner General Hospital first incorporated in 1949, it marked a turning point for medical care in this small northern Idaho community. This year the hospital not only commemorates 60 years of providing medical services for Greater Sandpoint, but it also celebrates the hospital’s accomplishments as the staff and volunteers continue to successfully meet the demands of Sandpoint’s fast-growing community.

The beginning of Bonner General Hospital’s story began in 1949 when a single-story, wooden infirmary from Farragut Naval Training Station at the south end of Lake Pend Oreille was transported 25 miles by barge to the hospital’s current location. After raising the funds to reunite the sectioned-

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By Patty Hutchens

BONNER COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY

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Health cer care. A portion of Bonner General Hospital was remodeled in 2007 to accommodate Kootenai Cancer Center, which now rents that space. The center handled 6,534 visits last year, saving many residents the need to travel to Coeur d’Alene for their oncology needs.

Also in 2007 a hospital foundation was formed and Lynda Metz was hired as director of community development.

“It (the foundation) was a result of the hospital board’s desire to create a vehicle to fund equipment that the

hospital might not otherwise be able to afford,” said Metz. “Bonner General receives approximately 95 percent of its revenue from the services it provides to patients. Often those payments do not fully cover the cost of treating the patient, such as when the patient is insured by Medicare or Medicaid. The foundation helps to offset this imbalance by raising additional funds for the hospital’s equipment and technology needs.”

Last fall the hospital opened a fourth operating room and is now in the pro-

Photo: Bonner County Museum

Much has changed since Bonner General floated up Lake Pend Oreille in 1949.

60 years ago, who would have imagined our not-for-profit, community hospital would offer: • Digital mammography, MRI and CT scanning • State-of-the-art surgical services with four operating rooms • A network of rehabilitation centers

•

cess of raising funds to replace all the surgical warming cabinets. Last year alone 5,786 surgical procedures were performed at Bonner General. There were also 2,937 inpatient admissions and more than 58,000 outpatient visits during that same time period.

Earlier this year the hospital formed a 30-member Hospital Foundation Advisory Council that is made up of business and community leaders. Their role is to provide recommendations on how to improve the hospital’s services.

Bonner General is the county’s fourth largest employer, with 415 fulland part-time employees. Through its “BGH Cares” program, it provided nearly $800,000 last year in unreimbursed charity care to patients who would not otherwise be able to afford the services they received. Bonner General Hospital’s CEO, Sheryl Rickard, said the hospital continues to plan how to best meet the needs of the growing community.

“Our short-term goals are to maximize the services we currently provide by focusing on quality, efficiency and cost while continuing to improve our patients’ overall experience,” said Rickard.

Looking ahead, Rickard said the hospital needs to determine whether there is a need to build a new facility.

“Considering our space challenges for our growing services and the neverending need for additional parking, we need to look at whether we can stay in our current location or if we need to move to a new location to better accommodate our growing community,” said Rickard.

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• In-room birthing in our family-centered maternity unit

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• On-site, comprehensive laboratory services

Imagine what we can do for you in the next 60 years!

Find out more at www.BonnerGeneral.org

BONNER GENERAL HOSPITAL 60 Years of Quality, Compassionate Care Additional Locations:

Priest River Medical Clinic, Priest River Bonner General Immediate Care, Ponderay SANDPOINT MAGAZINE

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W IN T E R 2 0 1 0

11/10/09 6:32:46 PM

FIShING

Lake whitefish in Pend Oreille Most abundant, most alien, most likely for a comeback

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By Kate Wilson

Avid whitefish angler Ron Raiha with a winter catch, above, and the S.S. Fish House, on Lake Pend Oreille in 1931, which took customers whitefishing for $2 a day, including lunch (Ross Hall)

Today, we know a bit more about the lake whitefish. There is a movement – albeit semi-small at this point – to recapture that original purpose of the introduced whitefish. Lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) netting by Idaho Fish and Game has shown lake whitefish catches to outnumber lake trout 10-to1; today more than 125,000 are estimated to live in Pend Oreille.

Bill Hawkins, a Sandpoint native, comes from a long tradition of whitefish WINTER 2010

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angling. In the winter when work was scarce in the 1930s, Hawkins’ uncle Bob Selle would walk across the Long Bridge to his rented cabin in Bottle Bay to fish.

“Uncle Bob would go out for a week at a time just to feed his family,” said Hawkins. “Bob would make $5 a week if he caught his limit. It cost $2 for lodging – he could make $3 a week at best.”

Raiha too, recalls old stories from the days of “five plank” boats.

“Nobody had any money then – the Humbird Mill workers would throw SANDPOINT MAGAZINE

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he large and often ominous ear-shaped beauty that is Lake Pend Oreille is full of all kinds of critters and tales of old. One of the biggest mysteries that occupy the deep dark parts of Pend Oreille is a peculiar fish – one of the most numerous, but the least known, the lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis).

Lake whitefish are not native in our narrow neck of the woods; they were introduced in 1898 for the sole purpose of producing a more accessible fishery for locals. Ironically, the lake whitefish fishery has never really taken off.

There are two prominent lake whitefish anglers in the community, the last connection to a little-known legacy. These two, connected by a history of frosty first-light fishing, wish to see the species play a more significant role.

There are native whitefish in Pend Oreille, the mountain whitefish (Prosopium williamsoni); they occupy different depths and roles in the ecosystem as well as the community. From 1900 to 1937, there was a commercial fishery for these natives. It was quite successful for some time, with fresh fish shipped to nearly every state and nourishing families when they needed it most.

Sometimes anglers targeting perch or native whitefish would get lucky and catch a lake whitefish under the ice, but it was rare.

“Lake whitefish were never successfully caught by the locals,” says Bonner County Marine Deputy Rauno “Ron” Raiha, an avid whitefish angler.

“Nobody ever really caught them on purpose; there are just a few of us.”

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FIShING

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planks over the fence one at a time and come back for them at night,” said Raiha.

These boats were comprised of 1-by12 foot pine planks – three on the bottom and one on each side. They had no motors and homemade oars, a sign of the Great Depression days. These boats were also targeting the native whitefish, which congregate in much shallower waters than the lake whitefish.

The Northern Idaho News, in 1937, wrote about a Fish & Game commissioner responding to the “needs of Idaho people during strenuous times,” being particularly interested in the mountain whitefish planting program at the Sandpoint Hatchery. The article asserts that the whitefish industry kept 200 families off relief rolls. Funny though, the hatchery boosted the native whitefish, while the lake whitefish, undeterred by anglers, took off on their own.

Today, nobody is counting on either kind of whitefish to keep their family from starving, but there is potential for some new blood and business in town.

Just upstream in Flathead Lake, there is a large market for fresh whitefish eggs, dubbed “golden caviar.” In Canada, more than a million pounds of whitefish are sold per year.

“The best lake whitefish fishing is in January and February,” said Hawkins.

“Typically I like to hand-line at 60 to 100 feet deep with a double anchor line. In summer, a pole braided line

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works well – drift until you hit a school of whitefish. Drop the anchor and jig.”

Raiha notes that the old kokanee fishing method – trolling near the bottom – works well on whitefish during the summer also.

“When I am hand-lining, they are so thick you can feel the sinker bouncing off those fish!” said Hawkins, with a reverence fortified by tradition. “That is the reason to hand-line. It is so much more sensitive than a pole.”

Not only are these fish fun to catch, but they are tasty too. Light-fleshed and mild in flavor, whitefish are known for their excellent eating.

“Deep fried, baked whole, sautéed with butter and rolled in flour. I’ve

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11/12/09 4:30:58 PM

Avista fisheries technician Angie Hill, left, holds a lake whitefish, a bycatch on the predator netting boat. January and February are the best times for whitefishing, according to local anglers

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even made whitefish seviche,” said Raiha, with a grin.

So how can we make a market for these fish? In 2007, graduate student Mike Hosack of the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point studied the feasibility of establishing a commercial fishery for lake whitefish in Lake Pend Oreille.

Lake whitefish are an “ecologically and economically important freshwater fish throughout their range,” wrote Hosack. “In 2005, commercial harvest of whitefish in the Great Lakes was 8.5 million pounds valued at over $6.8 million.”

Hosack surmised that the whitefish in Pend Oreille are indeed a good candidate for a commercial fishery, so long as harvest is managed for sustainability; he estimated a limit of approximately 100,000 pounds annually.

The theory is that lake whitefish could sustain a viable commercial fishery, boost the local economy and assist current efforts to suppress lake trout, the major by-catch species. Hawkins is working to organize a perch and whitefish derby in February. Stay tuned: You just might find this fishery was meant for you.

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414 ChurCh Street, Suite 201

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11/10/09 4:40:07 PM

COMMuNITy

WOrLds aWay but close to the heart Sandpoint residents foster unique connections with Africa

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season for The Luke Commission’s second annual Christmas for Africa Gala and Auction fundraiser at the Sandpoint Events Center on Dec. 6.

“We’d like to raise awareness in the Sandpoint community,” Echo said. To learn more, visit www.

TheLukeCommission.com.

Here at home, Sandpoint residents may have noticed the presence of 25 African children when the Matsiko Children’s Choir visited this past August, marking the second visit in as many years for this talented young group of children from Uganda. The choir performed at several area churches and Festival at Sandpoint concerts while 24 local families hosted the children in their homes.

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PHOTO bY LEONARD SCOTT

Dr. Harry and Echo (PAC) vanderWal, above, treat patients in Swaziland, southern Africa, from a mobile medical clinic. The Matsiko Choir, right, poses at the Festival at Sandpoint before their performance

Sandpoint’s Heather Pedersen was instrumental in bringing the Matsiko Choir to the United States; she and daughter Rio, 14, flew to Africa earlier in the year to assist in getting the choir ready for their tour.

“We had to go into the villages and help get the kids prepared,” said Pedersen, who worked through red tape and bureaucracy to finalize the choir’s trip. And while Heather was busy with the paper trail, “Rio played with the kids every day in the orphanage. It was great.”

Pedersen says the choir will return in 2010, and Sandpoint will definitely be a stop on its nationwide tour. “They just love it here – of all the places, Disneyland, everywhere – Matsiko SANDPOINT MAGAZINE

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eographically speaking, Sandpoint is about as far away from Africa as one can get. And culturally speaking, the insufferable conditions endured by millions of Africans seem even further away from the relatively prosperous lives led

by Bonner County’s citizens.

But despite these differences, local residents are extending their reach around the globe to lend support to an impoverished people – whether it’s opening the doors of their comfortable home for several days to visiting orphans, or leaving their comfortable home to serve a mission in diseaseravaged villages.

One such couple who hopes to make a difference are Sagle residents Dr. Harry and Echo (PAC) VanderWal. They founded The Luke Commission, a mobile medical clinic that brings services to AIDS-stricken Swaziland. Once a part-time cause, the mission went fulltime in 2007, and now the VanderWals, along with a handful of Swazi workers, treat between 40,000 and 50,000 people every year.

Although the VanderWals call Sagle their “home base,” they live in Swaziland with their four homeschooled sons for about 10 months out of every year.

“We are blessed by being here,” Echo said while on location in Africa.

“It’s been very, very exciting. We felt God calling us to work in the wild.”

She says that despite the dire situation, Swazi people are simple and happy: “There’s a tremendous amount of contentment among the devastation. As Americans, we can learn from this.”

Echo, who grew up in Sandpoint, says her family will return this holiday

COURTESY PHOTO

By Beth Hawkins

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11/10/09 4:40:17 PM

COMMuNITy

Landis says his experiences have further strengthened his own connections to the people of Africa, and he feels that Sandpoint, in general, has received the Matsiko children with open arms.

“Sandpoint people are very warm and hospitable,” he said. “We do have a unique thing in our community about being big-hearted.”

Another Sandpoint resident whose PHOTO bY HEATHER PEDERSEN

couldn’t wait to get here,” she said.

Another Sandpoint resident, Justin Landis, had the unique opportunity to travel to Uganda for the International Children’s Network, Matsiko Choir’s parent network, to perform some video work. He filmed a short video about a girl named Sandra, and it is now used as part of the Matsiko Choir’s tour and is also on YouTube.com.

Delivered by Rio and Heather Pedersen, a gift of sugar from U.S. sponsors delights 7-year-old Ibrahm Mwesigwa, a Ugandan orphan

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passion for Africa runs deep is author Tina Friedman, who journeyed to Africa twice – both for extended periods of time with her daughter. After returning home, Friedman wanted to share the “other world” she found in Africa with students here in Sandpoint. She opened a cultural center in 2002 called Global Village, and filled it with African crafts, dancing, photography exhibits and more. Friedman welcomed more than 1,000 local schoolchildren and visitors during its one-year existence. She also had exhibits entitled “Echoes of Africa” at two other local locations.

“The kids loved it,” said Friedman, who donated proceeds to a village in Zimbabwe. “I was able to bring my love of Africa into the community in many ways, sharing stories. I’ve really enjoyed that connection with the community.”

Although Friedman – nicknamed “The African Lady” by local students – eventually had to close the center due to financial reasons, she still believes it was a worthwhile pursuit.

“I felt that the children were able to see a positive side of diversity,” said Friedman. “It was my way of working toward world peace.”

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WINTER 2010

11/10/09 4:40:35 PM

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WINTER 2010

11/10/09 4:41:02 PM

BACkCOuNTry SkIING

Fleeting moments at West Fork Cabin

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Story by Chris Park, photos by Doug Marshall

about 1,700 woodland caribou remain (in Canada they call them mountain caribou).

Woodland caribou’s widely splayed hooves function like snowshoes, and their winter diet consists mainly of the weird, stringy lichen – some folks call it “Old Man’s Beard” – that hangs from the spruce and fir bows. This particular lichen has about as much nutritional value as cardboard, so the caribou need to have a plentiful supply. It takes at least 70 years for a conifer forest to grow enough lichen to support woodland caribou. Not surprisingly, they have had a lot of competition for their mossy trees over the years from the timber industry.

In addition, on a moss diet, the caribou’s energy can be dangerously depleted if forced to avoid snowmobiles and, yes, even skiers. For that reason snowmobiles are not supposed to venture off established roads here on Smith Creek or off the trail that goes to the West Fork Cabin. In recent years concern about the caribou’s welfare has resulted in the closing of a significant portion of Idaho’s Selkirk Mountains to motorized travel.

The caribou, when they were more plentiful, were popular with hunters, especially American Indians. Although they are off limits to hunting now, caribou still have to contend with

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SANDPOINT MAGAZINE

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oodland caribou are scarce, but it still startled me when Doug Marshall, my photographer ski buddy, told me that biologists knew of only two or three animals in the American Selkirks.

“Where else in the Lower 48 do you find caribou?” I asked, as we made our way through the tight trees up to the West Fork Cabin.

“Nowhere,” said Marshall, as the small log cabin just then came into view. “We’re it.”

They must be the most endangered animal nobody seems to know about, I thought, as we stood back to admire the stout cabin with its large, covered deck and finely scribed logs. I work with wood myself at Misty Mountain Furniture, so I know a thing or two about good craftsmanship. People had obviously put a lot of love into this well-built structure.

The 46 caribou that call the Selkirk Mountains home are mostly in Canada. In the United States, the woodland caribou once ranged from Maine to Washington, living in the old-growth conifer forests that suited them. The woodland caribou, just as us skiers, migrate to higher elevations in the wintertime. We want the good skiing and the caribou cows want the isolation of the mountains to have their calves.

Farther north in British Columbia, Canada, woodland caribou are faring better, but the closer you get to the U.S. border, they steadily thin out. In all of British Columbia,

CARIbOU bY JERRY PAvIA

Backcountry skiers seek solace as they reflect on endangered caribou

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Backcountry SKIING

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poachers and predation from carnivores.

Like the caribou, it had been a tough year for me as well: My best friend, Paul Donaghue, had died in September 2008 from cancer. It felt good to get out on a backcountry trip with Doug. We were here for the next couple days to ski, explore, maybe catch a rare glimpse of a woodland caribou and to spread some of Paul’s ashes. It had been six years since my wife, Lizbeth, Paul and I had last been to the

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West Fork Cabin. We, too, had come to stay at the cabin, explore, ski and hope for a caribou sighting. We also came with heavy hearts as earlier that winter, our dear friend Tim Parnow – father, husband and favorite mentor – had been killed in an avalanche.

Of course, anyone who knew Tim would know that he wouldn’t want anyone down in the mouth when staying at a backcountry cabin on a ski trip. Still, we took a solemn

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SANDPOINT MAGAZINE

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WINTER 2010

11/10/09 4:41:43 PM

Backcountry SKIING Opposite: Chris Park drops into a powder stash from above Hidden Lake Left: The author studies the West Fork Cabin journal while remembering his fellow backcountry skier friends who have passed on

moment for Tim, saying a few words, taking in the beauty of the night sky and lighting a candle that we placed on the snow outside the cabin. Remarkably, that candle burned through the windless night, melting a hole a foot deep by the morning. When we returned from an excellent day of skiing later that evening the hole was still deeper and there was only a tiny piece of wax remaining. Like the candle, Tim had been an inspiration, burning brightly and warmly, but in the end, not quite completely. The same was true of Paul.

And it was sadly ironic that I was here again on the same mission. Also, like Tim, Paul wouldn’t want anyone moping around on his account.

It was early May, and we had been experiencing a cool spring that kept the snow pack in good shape. A few days earlier there had been a big storm, and we were anticipating good powder on the north-facing slopes. Once Doug and I were settled into the cabin, we were chomping at the bit to get out for a tour. Wasting no time, we headed northwest from the cabin and found excellent ski terrain after about 45 minutes of easy climbing through well-spaced, old-growth spruce and fir trees. We were on a ridge looking down on

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WINTER 2010

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Backcountry SKIING

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Hidden Lake. Although it’s only about 500 vertical feet down to the lake, the terrain was irresistible. We carved our skiers’ signatures into the dry, boot top powder, knowing that we were getting some of the last powder turns of the season. We did several runs on those aspects, then with a little more climbing and contouring, made the summit of Joe Peak (6,743 feet) where the bigger terrain and longer runs greeted us. The sun, however, was dipping low on the horizon and it was time to head back to the cabin. No problem, we would be back tomorrow!

Turns out that the West Fork Cabin, a Forest Service cabin dating back to 1931, sits in an area known to be caribou range. The cabin we had been staying in had been built in 1999 after the original structure was burned down in 1998 by some genetically challenged rowdies. Previous visitors chastised the unknown pyros in the pages of the cabin journal.

Maybe, however, it was a blessing, as the old cabin was reportedly run down and getting more use from pack rats than people. Now we had two nice bunks, a table, plenty of windows and a big woodstove that had us in T-shirts while we sipped Irish whiskey.

The next morning we were up early

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Chris Park releases ashes of deceased friend Paul Donaghue into the wind atop Joe Peak

and made tracks straight for Joe Peak.

The sun was out in full force today, and we knew the powder wouldn’t last.

As we climbed, I thought about how fortunate we were to be here skiing in these beautiful mountains. My thoughts wandered: Backcountry skiing is a rare experience; it’s rare in life to have good friends like Paul and Tim; the woodland caribou are now the rarest mammal in the United States. I thought, Be thankful, respectful and appreciative of all that we are blessed with today.

As I braced myself against the stiff wind blowing across Joe Peak and raised my hand, releasing Paul’s ashes to the mountaintops, I thought of the fleeting moments we experience in life, some of which we have no control over and others that we do. Tim and Paul are now gone forever, but the West Fork Cabin was rebuilt. Perhaps, if we put our hearts into it, we can “rebuild” the woodland caribou, too.

Accessed by Smith Creek-Red Top Ridge Trail No. 21, West Fork Cabin is a first-come, first-served Forest Service facility; contact the Bonners Ferry Ranger District at 267-5561 for more information.

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800-282-6880 www.TSSIR.com

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M

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imply Incredible Sandpoint, Idaho

ore than a REALTOR®

ollowing a successful entrepreneurial career of starting and leading technology companies, Stan built a home on Lake Pend Oreille and relocated to Sandpoint, Idaho, in the mid 1990s.

Having been a season-pass holder at Schweitzer Mountain for over twenty years, Stan was recruited to assist the resort with its growth and management, including a number of real estate development issues. This led him to earning an Idaho Broker’s License and the beginning of what has turned out to be a thriving second career.

Stan’s fundamental philosophies that have produced an impressive number of delighted clients are: excellent listening proficiency; analytic creativity in formation of solutions to meet clients’ needs; and competence in communicating and negotiating an agreement fair and acceptable to all parties to the transaction. The result is Stan’s extremely high level of proven and demonstrable client satisfaction.

Huge views from every room, 21’ ceilings; sunrises & sunsets.

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Live at the top of Moose Mountain at The Idaho Club!

Phenomenal speculation home by Russo Construction, projected completion early 2010. Magnificent in every way, top of the line everything, majestic views to the south. $3,300,000 MLS# 20903642

10 min. from Sandpoint, 4700 sq.ft. 3BR/4BA main home + 2BR/2BA guest house + Boathouse with Apt. on 174 front feet on Lake Pend Oreille. 1.7 acres with southern exposure. A unique estate. $1,950,000 MLS# 2075626 www.secretcovesandpoint.com

Glengary Bay on Lake Pend Oreille. Sunrises & sunsets unrivaled.

Quiet privacy in a 4BR/4BA European Chalet style home w/ detached guest-house/4-car garage. Gourmet kitchen w/6-burner Viking range. Wood, logs, amazing rock work both inside & out.

Hydronic heat. Deep water moorage year round. Walk right into your private swimming beach. $1,390,000 MLS# 20900491

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Incredible, Unique, Exquisite ... words cannot describe this amazing waterfront home on the Hope Peninsula. Lodge look and feel, rock fireplaces, unmatched gourmet kitchen, 600 sq.ft. glass-enclosed conservatory overlooking Lake Pend Oreille and the Monarch Mtns. $2,695,000 MLS# 20902503

Above East Hope, unsurpassed 180-degree huge views of Lake Pend Oreille. Highest of quality remodel in 2006, cabinets, fixtures, huge decks, tile throughout. Additional lot available next door (MLS 20903742). $569,000 MLS # 20903741

Magnificent EaglePoint Construction 4BR/5.5BA 3180 sq.ft. home overlooking the south fairways at The Idaho Club golf resort.

Fabulous views of the mountains. Expansive great-room with 24’ fireplace, dining, and bar. Built in flat panel TV’s, high-end appliances. Stunning outdoor dining patio with built-in BBQ and wood burning fireplace. $1,999,000 MLS# 20900019

Dover Bay Waterfront architectural work of Art. Absolutely spectacular, too incredible to describe. Must see to experience and believe. Featured in “Inland Northwest Luxury Home Living.” $2,695,000 MLS# 20902703

BEAUTIFUL CUSTOM HOME on the 13th fairway of the Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course. Large open great room, hydronic heat, large custom kitchen with walk-in pantry.

Large bonus/guest rm with two walk-in closets. $595,000 MLS # 2084560

Build at The Idaho Club, a Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course!

Choose from your choice of lots on the course with territorial views or on Moose Mountain with fairway, lake and mountain views.

Planned amenities include Marina, tennis courts, dining, swimming pool, spa and hiking trails. Call for additional information.

Moments off Lakeshore Drive, a 4BR/2.5BA, 2393 sq. ft., fully furnished turn-key home, including all house-wares. Lush landscaping provides a pristine full acre of quiet privacy. Created in the perfect location close to bike paths, deeded access to Lake Pend Oreille and Sandpoint, Idaho, this is truly a wonderful place to call home. $599,000 MLS# 20805273

Your luxury & recreational property professional cell: 208.290.7024 stan.hatch@sothebysrealty.com

Stan Hatch, PhD Associate Broker

© MMVII Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Farm Bouffan, © Cezanne Museum/Superstock, Inc., used with permission. Sotheby’s International Realty® is a licensed trademark to Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates, Inc. An Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity. Each Office Is Independently Owned And Operated, Except Offices Owned And Operated By NRT Incorporated. Sandpoint office: 208-263-5101, 200 Main Street, Sandpoint, ID 83864.

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800-282-6880 www.TSSIR.com

imply Incredible Sandpoint, Idaho

Ultimate Waterfront Ranch

North Idaho Masterpiece Theater 9,736 square feet Wine cellar 34 fenced acres Guest house 800 waterfront feet Integrated Smart Home Indoor basketball court

Coeur d’Alene

Mountain Elegant Lifestyle Two complete living areas 6,738 square feet 10 acres

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Sharing the Privilege

Cheri Hiatt

REALTOR® ID & WA

208.290.3719 208.265.6411

Cheri.Hiatt@Sothebys Realty.com

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Sagle

© MMVII Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Farm Bouffan, © Cezanne Museum/Superstock, Inc., used with permission. Sotheby’s International Realty® is a licensed trademark to Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates, Inc. An Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity. Each Office Is Independently Owned And Operated, Except Offices Owned And Operated By NRT Incorporated. Sandpoint office: 208-263-5101, 200 Main Street, Sandpoint, ID 83864.

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[Immigrants in Sandpoint] Story and photos by

Marie-Dominique Verdier

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With extensive training in breast surgery, body contouring, and facial surgery, she offers cosmetic procedures with an emphasis on natural results, safety and personal attention to your individual goals.

208.265.4005 | 30544 Highway 200 | Suite 102 | Ponderay, ID 83852 46

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he drive to explore is inherent in some people, while in others it remains dormant, and they are content to spend their entire lives in the same town or region. Yesterday’s explorers have become today’s tourists and immigrants. Yet, while tourism is basically pleasure-yearning travel, immigration is fueled by many other causes: social, economic, political and, of course, love!

I had my first “taste” of immigration as I was a toddler when my father, a French national and resident, was sent to Algeria for two years to practice medicine. Although I do not have many memories from that period, I believe it gave me a real capacity to connect with people from other cultures. My parents made it a point to teach us a strong sense of respect for the local customs; we were going to learn from the country and its people and would not impose our own world views upon the Algerians, who still had the trauma of the French occupation fresh in their minds. (Algeria had painfully gotten its independence in 1962, just five years before my family moved there.)

When it comes to relocating for living purposes, I don’t consider myself an explorer. I am one of those people who still need some familiarity. The transition from France to New Orleans was fairly easy since my sister was living in the city at that time. And of course, Louisiana had been French just 186 years before my arrival!

But moving to Sandpoint was a different story. I found it so foreign from New Orleans, my home for 10 years.

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Love

PEOPLE

How

from

4 people

4 different continents to our town

P E RU

brought

A match made in Peru: Michael and Anavel Boge with their daughter, Laura

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Switzerland, and his fifth daughter, Gabrielle, wedded Moroccan-born Mohammed Mouttaqi. The latter two met rather dramatically in 2000 in San Rafael, Calif., when Gabrielle was almost hit by a car. She was crossing a street at an intersection with no crosswalk when the car barely missed her, thus giving fate a chance as Mohammed rushed to help her. They exchanged phone numbers.

“We had our first date three days after that, and the rest is history,” Mohammed said.

He had left North Africa and lived in the San Francisco Bay area for several years before he and his wife decided to relocate to Sandpoint, a relatively short move, and yet, a real change. “The snow was a big difference to me, but I am starting to do things outside and it’s not too bad,” he said.

WINTER 2010

Mohammed is mostly a family man who stays in touch with his relatives in Morocco and in Belgium. He also makes sure his daughter, Leila, and son, Ali, learn Arabic and celebrate the Muslim holidays.

One thing he notices is how his nationality is perceived. “Most people think I am Native American versus a Moroccan,” he said. The mistaken identity doesn’t seem to bother him; quite the contrary, his appreciation for Indians makes him see it as an honor.

In Catherine Earle’s case, if her looks do not give away her origins, wait until she speaks and you will know without a doubt that she is French. Her middle school English teacher would be shocked to learn that Catherine has made English her first language for the past 20 years: “Miss Lemaître, you will never speak SANDPOINT MAGAZINE

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At least, that was the way I felt until I met my neighbor, who, strangely enough, immediately reminded me of my sister – and this allowed for the familiarity. That was almost nine years ago. Since then, my appreciation for the people of Sandpoint has grown to a degree I never could have anticipated, and it is without hesitation that I now call Sandpoint “home.”

The love of my life, pianist Scott Kirby, took me to New Orleans, then to Sandpoint where, thanks to the love of the people, I choose to stay.

Love has been a big factor in getting other immigrants to Sandpoint as well. Pierre Huguenin came from France in the mid-1960s to settle in Sandpoint after finding love. Now two of his daughters have had their hearts stolen by foreigners: His eldest, Daniele, married Carlo Pati from

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Morocco

PEOPLE

Gabrielle Huguenin and Mohammed Mouttaqi with their children, Leila, 8, and Ali, 2

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BUSINESS - HEALTH HOME - AUTO - LIFE

English!” Although the warning inhibited her for the next 10 years, when love pointed its nose and she fell for a handsome American actor, Catherine eventually kissed the curse goodbye.

The transition between France and the United States still was not an easy one, which may sound rather surprising considering the relatively close cultures between the two countries, as opposed to the cultural differences between the United States and Morocco, for example.

The most significant episode occurred when she first arrived in the Sandpoint area to meet her future in-laws. She quietly did what any decent guest would do in France: She sat on the couch and waited patiently to be told what to do or where to go next. By 7 p.m., she had been sitting for several hours

and started to be really hungry. So she finally asked, shyly, “When do we eat?”

Her fiancé looked at her with surprise and informed her that everyone had already eaten.

“The crackers? That was dinner?”

It turned out that it was dinner, and if she was still hungry she was welcome to help herself to the fridge.

“I couldn’t do that,” she said.

I can relate, being French myself.

There is some sort of taboo in the French culture: You just don’t go into somebody’s fridge, period. The offer to go to the fridge eventually became a menace, and after being told that she was not going to survive in this country if she could not open the fridge, she complied, with help from her fiancé.

Catherine admits that the challenges were mostly brought on by herself, her culture and expectations; today her view of Sandpoint and its people has shifted 180 degrees. There is one thing, however, that attracted her senses and heart from day one when she arrived in August 1990 in northern Idaho: the beauty and serenity of the golden fields, their sweet, soft smell, in which she found a reassuring familiarity.

Yet, Catherine’s strongest appeal for Sandpoint lies in its people.

“I love my rapport with the people of Sandpoint. I feel welcome, and I am happy to raise my children here,”

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WINTER 2010

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France

PEOPLE

she said.

As much as there is no question in Catherine’s mind that she will ever move back to France, Pradeep Shrestha is hoping to relocate to his native Nepal someday, a country he and his American wife, Jennifer, bid farewell to in a matter of life or death in 2002. Jennifer had gone to Nepal as a Peace Corp volunteer in 1998 when she met Pradeep through his cousin, who happened to be her language teacher. Three years later, in July 2001, the Maoist rebels started a new wave of violence, which soared by the end of the year after a failed truce, leaving several hundred people dead. Americans, who had become a preferred target, were eventually encouraged by their embassy to leave the country as soon as possible, advice Pradeep and Jennifer took seriously.

In two months, they sold their home as well as their belongings, bought one-way tickets to Spokane and left.

Catherine Earle and daughters, Gabrielle, 12, and Alexandra, 9

Pradeep mostly misses his relatives, as well as a simpler way of life, a place where people come and go to your house without being announced, and have time, or at least make the time, to connect with their friends and family.

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PEOPLE

Pradeep and Jennifer Shrestha with their 4-yearold daughter Asia. Their second child, Raina, was born in September

N E PA L

Sandpoint was already familiar territory for Pradeep upon his return, since he and Jennifer were married here in December 2000 and spent their honeymoon at Schweitzer – a rather memorable experience for Pradeep.

“It was my first time to ski in my life. We had a great time except the skiing part,” he said. “I fell more than 50 times! When I see other people ski it looks so easy and fun, but when I ski it’s not fun!”

Ultimately, tripping on a little girl convinced him that the sport was just not for him. Yet the mountains, the evergreens, the clean air and, most of all, the friendliness and kindness of the people of Sandpoint have all contributed to making his return here a smooth transition. However, the lan-

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Morning Coffee…

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SANDPOINT MAGAZINE

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909 Hwy 2 W. • Sandpoint ID 83864 • (208) 255.2955 WINTER 2010

11/10/09 4:44:02 PM

PEOPLE

guage has remained a major issue for Pradeep, who still struggles with the English pronunciation. (To give you an idea, imagine putting a handful of marshmallows in your mouth while trying to talk: This is honestly how it feels at first for some of us foreigners!) So if you ever cross his path, don’t talk too fast, and please, don’t use any slang.

Although the language also came as a struggle for Peruvian-born Anavel Boge, the quietness of the area has proven to be the hardest issue to deal with after moving to town in 2004 as a pregnant newlywed of Michael Boge.

The couple had met when Michael took up Anavel’s offer to visit Peru following a climbing trip to Ecuador. They had been exchanging e-mails while she was working for the travel agency Michael used to book his intricate schedule of bus rides from Lima to Central Peru.

“The first few months I was here I cried a lot, as it seemed like nobody was here in Sandpoint!” Anavel said.

Growing up, her experience of community was dramatically different from that of Americans: “People in Peru live very close to one another, so close that they cannot keep secrets from each other.” She also had to adjust to the northern Idaho weather, as well as the sun’s year-round seemingly capricious rising and setting times, unlike in Peru where it faithfully sets 365 days a year at 6 p.m.

It was all very hard, but she told husband Michael that she would not visit her family in Peru for one year in order to learn the local culture. She started to dress warmly and followed her father-in-law’s advice to learn skiing, which, as it turns out, provides her with great joy. She remembers the first time she saw snow: “It was so special and romantic! It looked like a Christmas card,” which made her family members in South America change their mind about her being “nuts” for moving to such a cold place.

Five years later, Anavel travels twice a year to Peru to visit family and friends and to facilitate a program she and Michael founded in 2006, the Satipo Kids. The project brings funds to underprivileged kids in her hometown, thus giving them an opportunity to get public education. She has gotten used to the many “curious ideas” she first encountered in Sandpoint, and now owns her own helmet for skiing and biking, along with a life jacket for their kayak. She would even like to add a porch to their house at some point. There is one thing, however, that even now she is not accustomed to: Sandpoint is still way too quiet.

I suppose it’s all about perspective. Like delightful, spicy dishes, the world’s traditions provide ingredients for an infinite choice of flavors and points of view. My experiences living in France, Algeria, Germany, New Orleans and now Sandpoint have been extremely varied, but all so tasty!

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PHOTO BY WAYNe SAWCHUk

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The making of ‘Yellowstone to Yukon: Corridors’

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Jerry Pavia has been a resident of Boundary County for 34 years. For the last 25 years he has ran a successful photography business. He has been the sole or principal photographer of 13 books, including a book he authored on Rocky Mountain wildflowers. His work has appeared in more than 250 other gardening and nature books. Pavia has had shows of his platinum images in New York, Seattle, Los Angeles, Whitehorse in Yukon Territory, Canada, and other locations.

Since 2001 he and his wife, Ingrid, have been working on a project called “Yellowstone to Yukon: Corridors.” Jerry has been photographing the wildlife and scenery in all seasons from the Arctic Circle in the Yukon to Yellowstone National Park using 35mm and 11x14 formats. He is creating both color and platinum prints. Ingrid will be creating poems and writings to accompany the images. A show of this project opens in New York in 2011 and then will travel across Canada and the United States to help educate people about the importance of these large landscapes.

The accompanying photo essay showcases Jerry’s images of winter animal tracks taken in northern British Columbia, Canada, over the past several winters. Although these tracks were found in the wilderness hundreds of miles north of Idaho’s panhandle, it is interesting to note that all of the same creatures find habitat in northern Idaho as well.

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Story and photos by Jerry Pavia

he thermometer said minus 25 degrees. It was evening and I had just returned from outside to my small cabin that was used as a sauna in the summer. Without a coat of fur to warm me from the cold of a new moon, star-filled sky, I had little choice but to opt for alternative creature comforts, so I began stoking the stove in my cabin to bring the temperature up to zero degrees Fahrenheit. I then climbed into my sleeping bag. My cabin was right on the north shore of Mayfield Lake, which now lay dreaming under a soft and insulated blanket. There was no wind. Tomorrow, we would see who had visited overnight.

When I had been outside, I noticed that my friend’s kerosene lamps were out in the larger cabin up the hill. That’s where we cook our meals on the wood cookstove and sit around in the evenings discussing everything that crosses our minds in between games of Scrabble.

Wayne Sawchuk and I are photographers, and we were more than 100 miles from the nearest roads in northern British Columbia, Canada, in the heart of the 5 million hectare Muskwa-Kechika Land Management Area.

We have been flying in on a ski plane nearly every winter since 2002 for two to three weeks to photograph the spectacular mountain scenery and animal tracks. We also cut firewood for the following summer for visitors to the area and make any necessary repairs to the cabin.

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TRACKS At times, moose have an energy-saving way of moving through snow. Note the marks to the left of the main tracks – what I call a “slide mark.”

The moose doesn’t totally raise its back leg out of the snow. It just glides it along the surface until it steps in the snow again.

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2010

SANDPOINT MAGAZINE

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Each day while we’re in this wilderness, we take our old, battered snowmobiles, a 1984 and 1987 Yamaha, and explore six alpine lakes, all frozen. At the lakes, we can see who had been moving around the evening before. There is always a lot going on! The evidence is so visible in the winter, unlike in summertime when tracks are difficult to find. We find that so many stories are contained in the snow, making winter a special time.

A few winters ago, we had a lone wolf follow us for two weeks. That wolf was quite shy. We would see it watching us from the woods. We were both curious about each other.

One evening a big snowstorm blew through, dumping a foot of snow. The next morning was cold and clear, and we snowshoed about a mile past the end of Mayfield Lake and found a beautiful caribou shed.

After photographing it, we dug around in the snow and found fur and blood. A wolf pack had gotten that caribou.

We then noticed our friend watching us from the edge of the woods. When he left, we snowshoed up to that spot and found that he had spent the night under a big old spruce as the snow fell and the wind howled. There wasn’t any snow where that wolf had curled into a ball and slept.

Wayne and I don’t see many animals in winter when we travel to the Muskwa-Kechika, but they are there as evidenced by the stories they tell in the snow each evening.

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We saw six wolves in this pack. They were fairly hidden from our view most of the time, except for one of them that hung around for most of the time we were at the cabin. We would glimpse it occasionally watching us from the edge of the woods as we snowshoed around the lakes.

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Once Wayne Sawchuk, also a photographer, and I captured this caribou shed on our digital cameras, we dug it out of the snow and found that it was a wolf kill. Blood and fur still covered the ground. It was probably killed by the pack of wolves that we saw in the area.

This print from a lone wolf moving through the landscape was an unusual find, as wolves in the northern Rockies tend to travel in packs.

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Alpine Shop

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This is a mountain caribou, a subspecies of the woodland caribou that are found in the American Selkirk Mountains.

One of the differences between the two types is that our caribou eat lichen that hangs from old-growth trees, while the mountain caribou eat ground lichen.

Neither are to be confused with the massive herds of barren ground caribou that migrate across the northern Arctic.

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Corner of First & Cedar St.

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THE MERIWETHER INN 121 Antelope Loop Clark Fork, Idaho tel. 208.266.1716 fax. 208.266.0131 SANDPOINT MAGAZINE

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schweitzer

First season Hooked and happy skiers and riders reflect on their Schweitzer baptisms

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By Sandy Compton

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Sara Hansen’s first season at Schweitzer was dedicated to refining her new skills as a snowboarder (Doug Marshall photo)

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– another 1,900 acres hide behind Schweitzer Peak.

And there are a hundred more moments like that in a first season at Schweitzer.

Every Schweitzer skier or boarder remembers their first season on the mountain. Even though I’m a longterm local and my first trip across the Long Bridge may have been in utero, I too had the pleasure (and some associated pain) of a first season on the mountain. It was not as long ago as some but long enough that my neophyte experiences were considerably different from those of skier Donnie Mendez; snowboarder Sara Hansen; and ski patroller Emily Roser.

These folks had their first full winter at Schweitzer in one of the past two seasons. The commonalities of their experiences – and mine – have not to do so much with uphill lift capacity, which significantly increased since 1990, when I took my first trip to the top of the Great Escape Quad. They have much more to do with that incredibly important, intangible “com-

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munity” and the tangible downhill aspect, the joyous, exhilarating and sometimes daunting task of returning to the lift line.

Wait a minute, what lines?

Donnie Mendez, whose first season at Schweitzer was also 200708, learned to ski in a large area, at Kirkwood near Lake Tahoe in California – 2,300 acres with an uphill capacity of well over 10,000 skiers per hour. He was 16 and, well, not too impressed with snow sports.

“I wasn’t very good,” he says.

“I got cold. Skis were very different then, and I couldn’t ski with my friends, because they were all much better skiers. In six years, I might have skied a dozen times.”

After that, he didn’t ski for 18 years. Then, he moved to Sandpoint.

“My friends here told me, ‘If you’re living here, you have to get a ski

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here are epic moments – and days – in the life of a Sandpoint “newbie.”

Perhaps first is the “Long Bridge epiphany.” Many have confessed to having a similar realization, that this is the place. A first entrance to the span across the Pend Oreille River ceases car conversations. That sweep of blue water spreading from Dover to Kootenai Point hovers into view, backed by green shores and Baldy Mountain’s rise into the sky. It’s too much to take in completely on a first crossing, for there is no stopping on the Long Bridge, but the observant might take note of another moment to come.

There, on the right, just past the shoulder of Baldy, peeking over the edge of the South Bowl, looms the forerunner of that second moment – openings falling through the trees at the end of the next ridge north. An inveterate snow rider will identify with these, and should they stay in Sandpoint, they will come to know them as Abracadabra, Quicksilver, Loop Hole and the line of Sunnyside Chair.

The next moment occurs on Schweitzer Mountain Road, at the roundabout at Fire House corner, the welcome point for Schweitzer Mountain Resort, where the mountain begins to truly reveal itself. And, the one after that might be standing in Schweitzer Village for the first time and gazing up toward the top of Schweitzer Peak and the ridges falling from it, witnessing 1,000 acres of skiing opportunity, and thinking “This is incredible.” But wait, there’s more

PHOTO BY CORY MURDOCk

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pass.’ I finally bought a pass on the last day of the discount,” he adds.

He still didn’t go skiing. It was his friends, again, who finally got him to use the pass about six weeks into the season.

“I didn’t have any skis, no equipment. Finally, Jeff Nizolli and Rob Goldworm just said, ‘C’mon, let’s go.’

Jeff made some phone calls and when I got to the village, Johnny Hutto (NASTAR manager) was waiting for me. He took me to see Kirk Johnson (manager of The Source rental shop), and Kirk set me up.”

That’s what friends are for, after all. I should know.

In my first season, oh, so many years ago, it was my friends who finally shamed me into trying skiing.

I was a waiter at Jean’s Restaurant in Green Gables, Schweitzer’s then brand-new hotel. Chairs One and Five were still in place and the concrete holding up the towers of the Great Escape Quad was still curing. Like Mendez, I hadn’t tried skiing in nearly two decades – not since a disastrous first day at age 19 that involved very long, very straight skis, leather boots, cable bindings, a rope tow, blue jeans, a leather jacket and the “R” word – rain.

No wonder it was a 20-year hiatus, but my fellow waiters insisted. The season pass and lessons were free, part of the employee package. When I cried poor, they threatened to pay for my rental equipment.

I finally acquiesced – and acquired a new addiction in the process.

After a first lesson and some hints

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Six weeks into the season, friends convinced Donnie Mendez, left, to start using his ski pass. emily Roser, opposite, spent her first full season at Schweitzer as a ski patroller (photos by Doug Marshall)

from friend Kenny Mayginnes on the physics of skis (“By putting pressure on one ski,” he instructed very patiently, as he still does, “you create a curved edge upon which to caaarve a turn across the surface of the snow.”) I couldn’t stop. This doesn’t mean it was all fun, for there were days when my face was often upon that surface I should have been carving across, but the slopes continued to call. They still do, and always will, I hope.

Emily Roser, whose first full season at Schweitzer was last year as a patroller, learned to ski at a much earlier age than I. When asked at what age, she got a funny look on her face and mused,

PHOTO BY WOODS WHeATCROFT

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“When do kids learn to walk?”

Roser grew up in Durango and learned at Purgatory. Her approach to Schweitzer was a back-and-forth dance. “Durango to Missoula to Durango to Missoula,” she says.

“Finally, I was living in Missoula and not skiing enough, and I decided ‘I’m moving somewhere where I can work and ski all winter.’ ” Somewhere turned out to be Sandpoint. Work turned out to be skiing. Perfect.

How did she get on patrol in her first year on the mountain? She is very persistent, which is a good thing for a patroller at Schweitzer.

“The weather here makes it a challenge. I came from Colorado – solar powered, you know,” she says. “If I hadn’t been skiing with someone who knew the mountain on my first couple of days, I

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Yosemite National Park, which isn’t bad, but has its limits. “It’s pretty flat,” she says, “800 vertical feet with five or six lifts.”

Though Hansen started out on skis, a torn ACL converted her to snowboarding. Her first season at Schweitzer, last year, was dedicated to refining that skill, which she had tried years ago at Badger.

“I went one time at Badger. A girlfriend and I rented snowboards, when nobody snowboarded,” Hansen says, laughing. “We had no idea what we were doing, and nobody gave us any advice. We strapped in both of our feet. The chairlift was 50 feet away. It took us an hour to get to it. I’d wiggle up and give her a push, which would make me go backwards. When we finally did get to the top, we just went straight down the hill. We had no idea what else to do. Just went straight back down to the lift line.”

She’s gotten a lot better. This witness spent half a day with her last year, a day she says contained the best and worst moments of her first season. The worst was on a trip through the trees between Stella’s and Springboard. She bogged down, and after all other efforts failed, she finally took her board off and postholed out to Springboard. An hour later, though, she took her first run down black-diamond Sundance.

I was amazed to learn that was just the sixth day of her first snowboard season. On a limited budget, and without a season pass, Hansen only rode about seven days in the 2008-09 season.

No matter, Hansen has a perpetually sunny outlook. “I had lots of $10off tickets,” she says.

How on earth did she make the leap from Musical Chairs to trees and Sundance in six non-consecutive days? “I had two very patient teachers on my first couple of days, Justin SANDPOINT MAGAZINE

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would have been totally lost. The first time I actually saw the whole mountain – wow!”

Yes, inclement weather – particularly the “F” word, fog – is a factor in the ski experience in northern Idaho. It settled in about a month after I began learning and stayed and stayed – and stayed. Finally, I couldn’t stand it any more. I went skiing anyway. When the sun came out again, I was a much better skier, because, when you ski by feel, you learn to pay attention to what your feet are telling you.

A few seasons ago, I was halfway down Ridge Run on a relatively rare “R” day when I saw a woman standing at the edge of the run looking off toward South Ridge in such a manner that I thought she might be having some difficulty. I was a mountain host that year, so I stopped to see if she was OK. When I asked how she was doing, she turned to me with a sort of confused expression on her face, and said, “I’ve never skied in the rain before.”

It was definitely her first season at Schweitzer.

Like the little girl with the little curl, though, when it’s good, it’s very, very good.

And, Schweitzer can be better on a bad day than some areas are at their best.

Sara Hansen learned to ski at a little area called Badger Pass in

PHOTO BY CHRIS GUIBeRT

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Olympic hopefuls from Sandpoint

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PHOTO BY chris guibert

Schuck and our friend Rob Arrano,” she says.

By the time I ran into Hansen on her best-and-worst day, she had already been on every lift on the mountain – excluding the Magic Carpet. Although she didn’t know it, she had also collected her first black diamond, one that had special meaning to her, as it does to many folks who ride at Schweitzer.

“I felt pretty moved by the first time I went up the Triple and boarded down Heather’s Run,” she says. “It touched me emotionally.”

Heather’s is named for Heather Gibson, whose commitment to battling her cancer and helping others fight theirs continues to provide inspiration and real help for cancer victims in Sandpoint even after her death (See “Gibson leaves legacy of care behind,” Sandpoint Magazine, Winter 2007).

It is the community aspect of Schweitzer, the same spirit that put Heather’s Run on the Schweitzer trail map, that hooks all these first seasons together.

Friends should help friends go skiing.

For Mendez, the mentoring of Nizolli, Goldworm, Hutto and Johnson (sounds like a law firm, doesn’t it?) was priceless. That and lessons with Schweitzer instructor Tom Brie allowed him to put in 25 good days in his first year at Schweitzer.

“Tom was able to just watch me ski – I can’t remember all the things he told me – and shortly into my first lesson, I got a much better sense of how to control the skis,” Mendez says.

One particular day last season sticks out in his memory.

“At the end of one of my best days,” he says, “when I had pretty much had the mountain to myself on a spectacular day, I stopped for a slice of pizza, and there was this guy just staring up at the mountain. I said ‘Hi,’ to him, and he turned to me and said, ‘Is it like this all the time?’ ” Well, maybe not all the time. But, in a first full season at Schweitzer – or a 20th, for that matter – you can expect to have plenty of those kinds of days.

ith final preparations under way for the 2010 Winter Olympics, held Feb. 12 to Feb. 28 in Vancouver, British Columbia, brothers Nate and Pat Holland – both born and raised in Sandpoint – are hopeful that the snowboard cross team’s Olympic roster includes both of their names.

At press time (mid-November), the Hollands were training hard at the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association’s headquarters in Park City, Utah, in preparation for four World Cups in December and January.

Ten men are vying for four positions on the U.S. Olympic snowboard cross team, and results from the World Cup races will determine the top four. The team won’t be named until Jan. 21, 2010.

“We’ll be absolutely thrilled if both Nate and Pat are part of the Olympic snowboard cross in Vancouver,” said Rebecca Holland, Pat and Nate’s mother, who lives in Sandpoint. She added that both of her sons are ready for the challenges ahead. “Pat said that training has been going really well, and Nate echoed the same. He’s ready to make his mark this season.” Nate competed with the snowboard cross team in the 2006 Olympics in Torino, where he placed 14th.

Back in Sandpoint, folks who want to cheer on the United States can head up to Schweitzer and watch the Olympics among fellow snow enthusiasts on the big TVs at Taps. Schweitzer’s management team is hoping that Vancouver’s Olympic-sized crowds will steer Seattle-area vacationers over to northern Idaho, where they just might help cheer on the hometown boys.

–Beth Hawkins

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SCHWEITZER MOUNTAIN FACTS 2009-10

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Acreage: 2,900, 92 designated runs plus open bowl skiing and

Hours of Operation: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

riding and two terrain parks Terrain: 20% Beginner, 40% Intermediate, 35% Advanced,

5% Expert Longest Run: Little Blue Ridge Run, 1.7 miles Vertical Drop: 2,400 feet Top Elevation: 6,400 feet Average Annual Snowfall: 300 inches Cross Country Trails: 32 kilometers Lifts: 9 total – Four high-speed chairs, the six-pack Stella, quads

Great Escape and Basin Express, and the Lakeview Triple;

three double chairlifts; Idyle Our T-bar; and a beginner’s

Musical Carpet Total Uphill Capacity: 12,502 per hour SANDPOINT MAGAZINE

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Night Skiing: Fridays, Saturdays and holidays from Dec. 26, 2009, through March 6, 2010, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Season: Late November or early December 2009 to April 2009,

subject to conditions Lift tickets: Adult $59; junior 7-17, $42; children 6 and under,

free; college or seniors 65 and over, $48. Night rates: adult

$15; junior 7-17, college or seniors 65 and over $10; children

6 and under free. Cross-country: $10 adult, $8 junior.

Snowshoe: $4 all ages.

Tubing: $10 Website: www.schweitzer.com Phone: (208) 263-9555, (800) 831-8810 Activity Center: (208) 255-3081

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SCHWEITZER

First season snow reporter Adrift in dreams of grandeur

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By Sheryl Bussard

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a devoted radio audience, a loyal Web following, and the usual celebrity stuff: public appearances, TV interviews, movie offers, snow groupies.

Never mind that it would be only my second season of skiing and that I’d just begun to brave blue square runs without throwing up. Undaunted, I vowed to become the consummate snow reporter.

I’d learn the lingo. I’d entertain. I’d inform. But I would never, ever, use the term “bullet proof” when describing surface conditions. No sirree, that directive was underlined and bolded in the snow reporter manual.

In preparation for my new career, I researched snow terms and weather phrases. As it turned out, I needn’t have worried about such technical issues. “Would you say it’s mostly sunny or mostly cloudy?” I’d poll the other members of the marketing team once they strolled in at 7 a.m. “Are these snow flurries or flakes?”

At 4:30 a.m. it is lonely at the top, beautifully so. I carved my own first tracks through the village, sometimes in fresh powder up to my thighs, as I made the morning trek to our highly specialized scientific snow measuring equipment, aka The Snow Stick.

Alas, being a snow reporter wasn’t quite as glamorous as I had imagined.

There were copy machines to unjam, phone messages to record, Web sites to update, and e-mails to write. With no assistant to bring me a caffe latte.

Looking back, I’m pretty sure I enthralled my three loyal Web devotees with such bon mots as Snowly moly! …

We’ll cross that cat-track when we come to it! … and my favorite, Let’s not make a mountain out of a mogul!

Other days I fancied quotes that were blatantly self-referential: To be great is to be misunderstood.

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The author basking in the glory of her first (and possibly last) season as a snow reporter

–Ralph Waldo Emerson And some were pretty much for no reason at all: The snow doesn’t give a soft white damn whom it touches.

–E.E. Cummings Traditionally, the snow reporter winds up his or her shift with one last bit of pomp and circumstance: the ringing of the opening bell. This is a pretty big deal, especially to hardcore skiers who keep a tally on the number of days skied each season and pride themselves on being first chair. Standing under the clocktower, radio in hand, I’d cock my head and listen attentively to the pre-opening check-offs and behindthe-scenes banter. Finally, I’d hear my cue: “Dispatch to Bell Ringer, do you copy?” If the update from Dispatch met with my educated approval, I’d give the bell a few powerful pulls. Or allow some kid the honor of doing it for me.

Bitter as I may have been that the CBS Evening News didn’t discover me, I do run into fans from time to time who inadvertently gush (while I’m signing autographs) about how addicted they were to my snow reports. So there you have it – fame or no fame, there’s no business like snow business. And in my case, the legendary Mae West couldn’t have said it better: I used to be Snow White, but I drifted.

SANDPOINT MAGAZINE

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hat delirium inspired me to become a snow reporter at Schweitzer Mountain Resort last winter? To voluntarily set my alarm every Friday and Saturday for 2:30 a.m. throughout the ski season, braving the lonely cold so you would know the conditions?

It wasn’t the big fat paycheck, I can tell you that. Nor was it the employee discount in the Schweitzer Village shops. In fact, I spent more than I earned on Spyder and Helly Hansen apparel in order to soothe the raging shopping goddess within and take full advantage of my employee “savings.”

It wasn’t even the free employee season pass, though there is the status that comes with flaunting your employee ID badge when swiping the time clock.

Admittedly, I had my doubts. Like being the first to drive the nine miles of unplowed switchbacks up to the resort.

Having moved here from Laguna Beach, I wasn’t exactly accustomed to winter driving challenges.

“Oh, it’s not so bad,” said my soonto-be boss Patrick Sande during our interview. “Your insurance is paid up, right? And you have four-wheel drive?

An emergency roadside kit? Then you’ll be fine. Just allow an extra hour, take some blankets, and be sure to charge up your cell phone.”

And what about my real job? I figured I would wrap up by 9:30 a.m. and be back at my laptop before my clients ever caught on that I was seeking greater fame and fortune up on the mountain.

That’s why I did it, of course. For the glory. The chance to be a celebrity.

Yes, being a snow reporter would be the start of My Next Big Thing. A small jump, I imagined, from snow reporting at Schweitzer Mountain to leading a primetime news team. Better watch your back, Katie Couric. I envisioned

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photo essay Frozen in Focus

When temperatures drop below freezing, fantastic things happen to the landscape. In this photo essay, photographers aimed their lenses at some of those frozen moments. Whether or not you favor winter, this collection of images, “Frozen in Focus,� definitely pleases the eye.

Snow Ghosts :: David Marx

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photo essay

Crystal Tear Drop :: Richard Heinzen

Ice Pattern on Rock :: Tim Cady

Icy Feet Dance on East Fork Creek :: Jim Mellen

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photo essay

Frozen Fog :: Billie Jean Plaster

Wind Drifts :: David Marx

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Leaves in Suspense :: Will Venard

Ice Games :: Marie-Dominique Verdier

Ice Curves :: Will Venard

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R _ eal Estate E Retirement Mecca

National publications tout Sandpoint as ideal for retirees

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of publications that have promoted Sandpoint as a desirable place to retire; and local Realtors are witnessing the effect.

“I meet empty nesters and retirees all the time who have either newly discovered this area through the press or have reacquainted themselves with Sandpoint, triggered by some article or conversation with someone who read about our town,” said Jeff Rands, an agent with Tomlinson Sandpoint Sotheby’s International Realty.

In July 2006, Business Week highlighted Sandpoint as one of the “Best Places to Retire.” The article stated, “It might sound like the middle of nowhere, but this funky community in the Idaho panhandle pretty much has it all.” The article also cited some of what attracts retirees: low altitude, affordable real estate, art galleries and restaurants that are accessible by boat.

Rick and Linell McCrum moved here from Alaska in 2005.

Rick was born and raised in Sandpoint but had been gone for more than three decades. When Rick and Linell both became eligible for full retirement from a school district in Alaska, they did not hesitate making Sandpoint their home.

“We love this area,” said Linell, who enjoys the access to beautiful Lake Pend Oreille as well as the proximity to larger cities. “We enjoy all the things available to do here, including all the great restaurants, kayaking on the lake and going to the farmers market.”

Moving here was the right choice for the couple.

“It is just spectacular,” said Linell, who along with Rick, 60, returned to work in different professions, he part-time and she 36 hours a week. Linell, 57, said she likes to take

PHOTO BY DOug MarsHall

I

t is more than just a small town; it is a community. A beautiful place with friendly people. That is how both longtime residents and newcomers describe Sandpoint.

What has been a secret for decades is now being discovered by people nationwide. Over the past few years, an influx of retirees have flocked to Sandpoint. According to the Idaho Department of Labor, the percentage of people in Bonner County who are between 45 and 64 years of age has risen from 20 percent of the population to 32 percent in a 15-year period ending in 2005. The only age group that has not risen over the last decade is age 15 and under.

Sandpoint developer Bob Thurston believes the increase in the retiree population can be attributed to both the baby boomer generation reaching retirement age and the draw of the lake and mountains.

“There is very little boat traffic compared to Lake Coeur d’Alene,” said Thurston. “Much of our shoreline is federally owned whereas in Coeur d’Alene it is privately owned.”

While the beauty of the area alone is a selling point, the interest in this quaint community has been fueled by a number of national publications praising Sandpoint as an ideal retirement spot.

Strong community spirit; charming; delightful surroundings; small town sense of community; and intimate small town experience are just some of the many phrases used by the national media who tout Sandpoint as one of the more desirable places to spend the later years of life.

In October and November 2009, NARFE and Where to Retire magazines, respectively, became the latest in a long list

By Patty Hutchens

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one day off each week in the summer to tend to her garden, something she was not able to enjoy in the Alaskan climate.

Longtime Sandpoint real estate agent Bernie McGovern says he is continually surprised at how many people have heard of his hometown.

“If you say Sandpoint, it is amazing how many people know about us,” said McGovern, who attributes that in part to the national media.

“Press coverage about North Idaho, and Sandpoint in particular, has affected the market for retirees and young couples,” said McGovern. “It is a friendly community, next to a beautiful lake and surrounded by mountains.”

Whether hiking on the abundance of community trails, swishing down the slopes of Schweitzer Mountain Resort or answering to the beckoning of the pristine beauty of Lake Pend Oreille, Sandpoint has a year-round attraction for those seeking an active resort community in which to retire.

“I think the unique combination of a small town in a mountain-lake topography is a compelling proposition for many people looking for a change, retirees or not,” said Rands. “People love nature and four seasons, and this place has both in abundance.”

In June 2007, an article in U.S. News and World Report praised the beauty of Sandpoint, saying the rural setting coupled with the beauty of the mountains and Lake Pend Oreille are just some of the reasons people find this town hard to resist.

But while many people tend to assume that it is retirees from large cities, especially cities in California, who find refuge in Sandpoint, Rands says that is not the case.

“While California has been a consistent provider over the years, it has slowed recently given the market turmoil there,” said Rands. “But we all expect to see more as their market turns around this coming year.”

Rands said that retirees come from all over the country, usually as a result of being connected in some way to people

Opposite: Dog days at schweitzer, where mountain sports add to year-round attractions that draw retirees to the sandpoint area. above left: rick and linell McCrum enjoy access to lake Pend Oreille, a big factor in their choice to retire here from alaska

who live or vacation in the area. The attraction, he says, boils down to a common desire to live in a beautiful setting with four seasons, a lake and a small-town-friendly community.

“Sandpoint has become more diverse and interesting than

PHOTOs BY DOug MarsHall

Real Estate

U.S. News and World Report praised the

beauty of Sandpoint, saying the rural setting coupled with the beauty of the mountains and Lake Pend Oreille are just some of the reasons people find this town hard to resist.

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SANDPOINT MAGAZINE

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WINTER 2010

the typical 10,000-person town,” said Rands.

Something unique to Sandpoint is its plethora of art – both performing and visual. From the foreign films and documentaries shown at the historic, community-owned Panida Theater in downtown Sandpoint, to its abundance of art galleries, Sandpoint offers more culture than many large cities.

In September 2008, Mountain Living magazine cited the unique art community as an attribute that makes Sandpoint so desirable, naming Sandpoint one of the nation’s best small arts towns and calling it a true Northwest gem.

Developer and realtor Kyler Wolf said even young couples are building homes with their future retirement in mind.

“We are currently building a home for a young couple and making adjustments to the original house plan so we can make it livable over several generations,” said Wolf. Singlelevel homes, wider doorways to accommodate wheelchairs and walkers, and generally smaller homes are becoming more popular. “Also, home buyers are looking at who is most likely to purchase their home in the future and they realize the retiree population in this area is continuing to grow,”

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R _ eal Estate E National Geographic Adventure Magazine praised Sandpoint for its civic mindedness and strong sense of community.

PHOTO BY Billie Jean PlasTer

said Wolf.

But even if retirees are not in the market to purchase a home, there are other options for them in Sandpoint that have proven to be popular.

In December 2008 First Lutheran Church in Sandpoint opened a senior housing facility – Luther Park at Sandpoint. It had a waiting list before construction even began.

“Luther Park at Sandpoint has attracted residents from across the country,” said Dave Olson, pastor of First Lutheran Church. “Approximately one-third (of our residents) came to Barbara and serve Luther Park from outside of the Greater Sandpoint area, and Wilson chose to return many more had recently moved to Sandpoint prior to moving to sandpoint to retire into Luther Park.” because of its beauty and Olson said many of the residents came here because of the proximity to national parks large-city amenities coupled with the small-town feeling and and larger cities affordability.

“In spite of the increase in property values over the last

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WINTER 2010

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Real Estate

Sunset Magazine named Sandpoint as one of the top 10 dream towns of the West, citing its four seasons of recreational activities as well as its strong community spirit. decade, the cost of retiring in Sandpoint and of services for retirees in Sandpoint is significantly less than in some of the more populated urban areas,” said Olson.

After working in Sandpoint from 1993 to 1996, Sandpoint retirees Serve Wilson and his wife, Barbara, chose to return here in 1999.

An avid outdoorsman, Serve skis four times a week at Schweitzer and enjoys the beauty and proximity of national parks as well as the convenience of larger cities such as Coeur d’Alene and Spokane.

“Sandpoint is a beautiful place to live and is convenient to so many places,” said Serve, who echoes the sentiment of many when he speaks of the breathtaking view one witnesses when entering Sandpoint from the south.

“When you come across that bridge you thank God that you can live in this area,” said Serve, adding that the same can be said for the spectacular view from atop

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R _ eal Estate E

From vacation home to retirement spot Couple feels blessed to settle in sandpoint

Schweitzer.

While the beauty and recreational opportunities of Sandpoint are what many people see as the initial appeal, when they move here they are truly impressed by the strong sense of community.

There is an abundance of nonprofit organizations that have strong community backing.

This feeling of community was recognized in the August 2008 edition of National Geographic Adventure Magazine, which praised Sandpoint for its civic-mindedness and strong sense of community. Also last year Sunset Magazine named Sandpoint as one of the top 10 dream towns of the West, citing its four seasons of recreational activities as well as its strong community spirit.

Rands says that marketing to the retiree niche has been accomplished through literature and the Web, all of which address the town’s beauty, four seasons, amenities and friendliness as reasons that make Sandpoint so appealing.

He adds that he is sure the trend as a top retirement community will continue.

“As long as beautiful mountain towns that sit on huge, usable lakes are considered in style, retirees will consider living in Sandpoint,” said Rands.

F

or Jim and Diana Carlson, both 70, retirement in sandpoint is a blessing. natives of Colorado, the couple appreciates the beauty of the outdoors and all the recreational opportunities

that come with it.

“We have always liked the mountains and had an interest in looking for an area with mountains and water,” said Jim, who enjoys hiking beautiful scotchman Peak near sandpoint among other outdoor activities.

The couple met while attending Colorado state university.

Following graduation, they moved to norway for one year and upon returning to the united states, they lived in Madison, Wis., where Jim received his graduate and doctoral degrees in biochemistry. The couple then moved to Pullman, Wash., in 1966 where Jim was a professor, department chair and later associate dean at Washington state university. Diana taught english and technical writing at nearby Colton High school.

While raising their two children, Jim and Diana often traveled to sandpoint for a day of skiing at schweitzer Mountain resort. But one day in 1982, the couple opted to forgo a day at the mountain to

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Real Estate further explore this quaint mountain

Carlsons are pleased with the ser-

town. Before they knew it, they were

vices offered in sandpoint’s medical

purchasing property at sourdough

community.

Point.

in addition to skiing and snowshoeing

“Diana fell in love with this place,”

in the winter months, they enjoy life on

said Jim. They built a small cabin that

the water during summer. They also take

they visited frequently over the years.

advantage of the relative proximity to the

after Jim retired in 2000 and

ocean where they travel at least once

Diana in 2001, they stayed in

each summer.

Pullman until selling their home

The Carlsons are active members of

and moving to sandpoint full-time

the community. Diana volunteers with

in 2005. When contemplating

Community assistance league and

where they would like to spend their

edited its 384-page cookbook, “savoring

retirement years, Jim said it was an

sandpoint,” published as a fund-raiser.

obvious choice given the couple’s love

she also serves on the board for luther

of boating, fishing, hiking, skiing and snowshoeing.

retiring to sandpoint, where they had vacationed for decades, was an obvious choice for Jim and Diana Carlson

“it is as pretty a place as you can

Park, while Jim is a board member for lutherhaven Camp and on the First lutheran Church Council.

find,” said Jim, adding that the attraction of the four seasons and the breathtaking landscape are hard to resist.

Their experiences in the community have confirmed what they knew all along – this area is an ideal spot in which to enjoy their

although they consider themselves small town people, Jim and Diana say the proximity to Coeur d’alene and spokane is a plus.

Because medical care is an important issue facing retirees, the

retirement. “We love the sandpoint area and really enjoy all the people,” said Jim. –Patty Hutchens

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11/10/09 5:38:56 PM

ost of us allow ourselves to assume, as we go to bed each night, that the world will be pretty much as we left it when we wake up again in the morning. We’ll plug in the coffeemaker, and after the first couple of sips, we’ll carry on as we always have.

But there are some – perhaps a growing number – of earthly citizens who don’t allow themselves to make such assumptions.

They envision the possibility of a future in which no coffee will be made, because there will be no electricity coming out of the plug and no water coming out of the tap, and the Yoke’s truck that once brought the Folgers will stop coming. The systems that support us – systems that are so common that we don’t even notice they exist – will disappear. There’s even an acronym for this eventuation: TEOTWAWKI, which stands for “the end of the world as we know it.”

“I feel our society has too many points of failure,” notes Joe Brown*, who is looking to move to northern Idaho with his family when he retires from the military. “The electrical grid, ‘just in time logistics,’ quickly spread pandemics, financial meltdowns, and just the grinding down of our system of life by the over burdening of cost and regulation by the government. For these possibilities and other more far out and less probable ones, I chose to take out some insurance by looking for property where I can sustain myself and my family with as little outside help as possible.”

Northern Idaho, apparently, is an ideal place to set oneself up to do what Brown wants to do. A popular Web site for the self-sufficient, survivalblog.com, lists Idaho as the No. 1 state in the country for enduring after TEOTWAWKI. It recommends that “you will probably want to move to a remote, lightly populated farming region with plentiful water.” It’s hard to escape the similarities between this description and our idyllic panhandle.

An ideal location will meet several specific criteria. Karen Green, another concerned individual who recently moved to northern Idaho from the Seattle area with her husband and two children, said, “We looked for properties that had good sun exposure, some sort of fresh, running source of water, and a view of some sort.”

In addition, the best land, according to www.survivalblog.com, will be free of noxious weeds, not in a flood plain, and out of the 74

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PHOTO BY Marie-DOMiniQue VerDier

R _ eal Estate E

WINTER 2010

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Real Estate The Mega DisasTer index: Northern Idaho Version

The top 10 disasters listed below were chosen from among many listed on a variety of Web sites. While this tongue-incheek assessment is thoroughly unscientific, the odds of these disasters affecting sandpoint are marginally greater than a wide variety of other possible disasters. readers should note that if a disaster spared sandpoint but hit a more heavily populated part of the country – a tsunami taking out new York City, for example – the resulting social upheaval and disruption of public and private services might ultimately also have significant, if not catastrophic, effects on us.

1. Yellowstone Supervolcano: even if sandpoint is not buried in ash and cinders, ash in the atmosphere would prevent sun from reaching our gardens for several years; not even zucchini would grow.

2. Monster Hurricane: These form from massive amounts of heat over large bodies of water. although it gets pretty darned hot here in the summer and we do have the largest lake in idaho, the possibility is remote.

3.

Earthquake: Quakes are more likely in idaho than in all but four other states. a big toss could empty much of lake Pend Oreille into town, generating a localized, freshwater tsunami that might leave only the top floor of the sandpoint Financial Center building dry.

4. Mega Drought: improbable in our area short of global climate change, which presumably we would have some warning of. (some say we already do!)

Opposite: Karen green, who moved here with her family from seattle, found property with good sun exposure and running water, important factors for self-sufficient living. Top: The greenhouse is the only thing visible above ground at the underground bunker home listed by Michael White in Boundary County. above: listed by Tom renk, this remote log home features a solar system and running water

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6. Plague of Locusts: They could take out our farms and gardens, although it’s unlikely they would finish off the zucchini. Yoke’s trucks may still bring food from wherever the locusts hadn’t been.

7. Gamma Ray Burst: Could destroy ozone and irradiate everything, even zucchini. Fortunately, scientists expect them only once every billion years.

8. Electro-Magnetic Pulse: Would fry all our electronic and communications systems, so we would all have to go back to the land. not a bad idea.

9. Global Pandemic: Our odds are better than those of people in more densely populated areas, but we would have to avoid everyone, not just the folks with whom we disagree about the Comp Plan.

10. Economic Collapse: economy has appeared close to this several times in our country’s history, and one of them is now. Yoke’s truck would not come.

Probably more worth preparing for than any of the other disasters.

SANDPOINT MAGAZINE

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path of encroaching real estate development. Open pasture land is important for maintaining a herd of animals for meat and milk, but it’s also helpful to border on empty public land, such as a national forest, for access to game to hunt. Properties that meet these criteria are useful for self-sufficiency in the event of economic or social collapse, and they also put families in a good position to avoid global pandemics, as they can avoid contact with other humans if necessary. But the most prepared families want to be ready for even more.

Deep in the woods of Boundary County, a unique property now listed for sale reflects the previous owners’ efforts to prepare for a more complete cataclysm. Its central visible structure is a translucent-roofed building; this rests on top of a much larger pyramid-shaped underground concrete bunker. An ingenious system allows sections of the four-inchthick floor of the building to be raised to let light into the living spaces below, which include a modern kitchen and dining area set, loft-like, in the upper, narrower part of the pyramid. Light can penetrate past the four sides of this loft into the lower, wider areas, where there are bedrooms

5. Massive Forest Fires: We’ve got the trees and the deadfall piled up under them. But we also have a lot of lakes. More likely in drier areas.

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R _ eal Estate E

and bathrooms just like those of their numerous above-ground counterparts (and rather nice ones, too).

A labyrinth of concrete underground storage rooms surrounds the pyramid.

The stores include all the necessities for a protracted period – generations, not just years – of living without support of any kind from beyond the compound.

There are extensive food supplies: purchased tin cans of flour, beet powder and “low moisture butter product” as well as dried mushrooms and canned peaches the occupants evidently preserved themselves. There are childbirth supplies, holiday decorations, herbal remedies to treat everything from anxiety to cancer, and box after box of brand-new, unwrapped coloring books and comic books. A large selection of clothing includes shoes in a variety of sizes and styles, assuring that no one growing up or old here will ever need to go unshod. There is even a pair of red high heels for whatever special occasions a post-Armageddon world might provide. Hazmat gear and five-

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76

gallon buckets of stored dirt suggest a preparedness to grow food after all the soil above has become radioactive or otherwise contaminated.

And should a threat materialize from within rather than without, there is even a hidden escape tunnel that would enable occupants to disappear into the surrounding mountains.

“I’ve had probably more showings on this than any other listing I’ve had,” said Michael White, a Coldwell Banker Resort Realty agent, but he has yet to find a buyer.

Perhaps this is because the desire to be self-sufficient “tends to be more muted,” as another agent, Tom Renk, puts it. “People are more rational about it. They think it through. It’s not just a knee-jerk thing,” he said. Renk knows this market niche and its mindset well. He and his wife, Nancy, came to Sandpoint in the 1970s as part of a “back to the land” wave. As a real estate agent and later broker of C.M. Brewster & Co. Real Estate for more than 30 years, he has specialized in remote, rural properties and worked with clients seeking self-sufficiency for decades.

White has heard of individuals concerned about an imminent ending in 2012 forecast by the Mayan calendar and prognostications that future alignments of the planets will make northern Idaho and Tahiti the two best places in the world to ride out the coming cataclysm; however, most of the folks he’s talked to have ideas that are a bit more down to the earth we still have left.

They simply want to be as prepared as they can when TEOTWAWKI comes – in any of its literal or metaphorical guises.

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WINTER 2010

11/10/09 5:39:16 PM

Real Estate “It’s something you do little by little, day after day. You get in that mindset of always preparing,” said Green, whose religion recommends she store a year’s worth of food. She has already put away several years’ worth of clothing and schooling materials for her young children.

A central quandary for those who would carry on after a devastating event is how to address the needs of others who are less prepared. While the stereotype of the “survivalist” is “a crazy kook

with a lot of guns in his bedroom,” as Brown puts it, neither he nor Green sees defense as much of a solution to this challenge of post-disaster living.

“If you do anything that soldiers have to do, your energies are being diverted from other priorities, such as growing food, educating kids and providing for your family,” said Brown.

“People need people,” added Green.

“One of the most important survival tools that you can have is each other.”

In fact, another advantage to our rural

area is that people here have retained some of the skills for living off the land that are lost to others in urban areas.

So it’s good to know that when the end of the world as we know it comes, we are in a good place to end it, and with good people. That’s something to think about as we sip that second cup of coffee, still warm from its electrically heated pot. *To protect their privacy, names of individual property owners in this article have been changed.

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w w w. s a n d p o i n t o n l i n e . c o m

a d e s i g n n b u i l d c o m pa n y

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Real Estate

NEW SPACES

Charter school, ranger District add to mix of new commercial properties

By Cate Huisman

C

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068-090_SMW10.indd 79

Top: an artist’s rendering of the new sandpoint ranger station shows how the building utilizes rocks and logs reminiscent of older Forest service structures, and cupolas that echo forest lookout towers. The cupolas bring in natural light to work areas, helping the building meet leeD standards. above: The sandpoint Charter school, also a leeDcertified building, features windows and overhangs designed to optimize solar energy

w w w. s a n d p o i n t o n l i n e . c o m

ommercial construction has slowed since the flurry of activity over the past several years, when new bank buildings were constructed to include leasable office space and handsome new commercial and medical offices began rapidly filling part of the McFarland Cascade pole yard at the north end of Division Street.

Perhaps the most recent opening is of the Sand Creek Office Park in Ponderay, where tenants are offered glorious views across Sand Creek to the mountains beyond.

But owner David Brown is waiting to act on his plans to enlarge that building until the market improves.

Currently, according to Brown, demand is “almost nil” for office space in Greater Sandpoint.

“The market really has changed commercially in the last 12 to 18 months,” Brown said, noting that rents have fallen by nearly half.

With commercial and residential construction slowing, the few active construction sites this past summer and fall have included two government/institutional projects at the south end of town: Sandpoint Charter School is putting up a high school on Madison Street, and the Sandpoint Ranger District of the Idaho Panhandle National Forest is building itself a new headquarters on U.S. Highway 2 at Division Street.

Architect Sean Fitzpatrick of CTA Architects/Engineers designed the nontraditional school in concert with the former eighth-graders, now ninth-graders, who will be using it as soon as it is completed in March.

“The unique thing about the charter school is their learning style. The whole building is designed around it,” said Fitzpatrick.

“The students spend less time in a classroom receiving direct instruction from a teacher and more time working on projects, with the teacher circulating among them,” added Principal Alan Millar.

Each student will have a work area in one of two large central spaces that will flank a central meeting area called the piazza, which will also be used for large group gatherings and lunch. Science labs, smaller meeting areas and administra-

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R _ eal Estate E

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w w w. s a n d p o i n t o n l i n e . c o m

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80

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SANDPOINT MAGAZINE

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tive offices will fill in around three sides, and large southern windows will allow for natural solar heating in winter, while a roof overhang will protect the building from solar heating in summer. A carefully planned ventilation system will make air conditioning unnecessary in most areas.

The solar light and heat, along with the school’s plans to manage its stormwater on site, use paints and adhesives that don’t emit volatile compounds, and use materials with high recycled content are some of the features that will give the charter school points toward a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) gold rating. If the budget permits, meters will be installed to collect data that will enable students to monitor energy use.

The ranger district’s headquarters is also a project of CTA and will also be LEED certified.

“LEED silver status is actually a Forest Service requirement for all new buildings,” said Sandpoint Ranger Dick Kramer. And that isn’t the only way the construction will fit the Forest Service mold. “We got to design a building that we felt fit Sandpoint and the Forest Service,” Kramer added, noting how different the new headquarters will be from the district’s former home in the 1974 federal office building across the highway.

“It’s going to have Dutch hip roofs,” he said, which will call other Forest Service buildings to mind. The construction will make use of logs and stone, reminiscent of older Forest Service structures and also reflective of the style of some of the newer commercial buildings in town. The siding, however, will only appear to be traditional wood – it will actually be fire-resistant cement.

Architect Rob Porch notes that the building will have five cupolas, which will echo the fire lookout towers that were once emblematic of national forests. But they also serve to bring light into the office areas below, as will windows on both sides of the two wings on the west side of the building. The project will get LEED points for this use of natural light as well as for its efficient use of water, superior insulation to minimize heating and cooling costs, and landscaping with native plants that will require minimal watering.

Perhaps the most intriguing of its innovations is its geothermal heating system, which makes use of a technology that has been around since the 1940s but is little used.

“Enough one-inch tubing to reach from here to Laclede has been buried down seven feet, where the average temperature is 52 degrees,” Kramer said. A geothermal heat pump exchanges this relatively cool air for the hot air in the building in summer, and similarly removes the cold air from the building in winter and replaces it with this relatively warmer air in winter. Eleven different heating zones will also allow users flexibility to heat or cool only the parts of the structure that are in use at any given time.

From its new naturally lit, geothermally heated, traditional-appearing headquarters, the ranger district will continue to provide the services forest visitors have come to depend on. Kramer said that 80 to 90 percent of their interest is in recreation; depending on the season, individuals come for information on campgrounds, firewood, Christmas trees, huckleberries, road closures and how to rent Lunch Peak Lookout.

“We purposely placed the building so it can be seen from the highway,” added Kramer, who hopes the new location and design will help visitors to find the office and get the information they need.

Construction is scheduled to be completed in February 2010.

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11/10/09 5:39:26 PM

*Based on Selkirk MLS data for 2004-2008

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Log home with guest studio & views on 3+ acres at the base of the ski resort. Cathedral ceilings, wood & tile floors, granite counters, 3 bedroom, 3.5 bath (1 bedroom, 1 bath are in the guest studio). MLS #20900527

Single-level home in quiet culde-sac 2000 sf, 3 bedroom 2.5 bath, spacious living room with fireplace, sunroom, security system, central airconditiong, decks & a 2-car garage. In town, large lot. MLS #20903286

Caribou Creek log home, deeded lake access with dock, sandy beach, a boat/RV shop (30’x42’x36’) & a 2-car garage (24’x30’). Sit on the covered decks & surround yourself with extreme quality, comfort & privacy. MLS #20901938

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5200 sf waterfront home with guest area & dock.

Gourmet kitchen, stone floor to ceiling fireplace, 6 bedroom, 2 offices, hot tub & landscaped with rock paths to the water’s edge. Desirable location. MLS #20903539

4000 sf home in Syringa Heights! Remodeled from top to bottom. Chef’s kitchen, 4 bedroom, 4 bath 2 dens, inground pool & a 3-car garage.

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20 pristine acres with home site nestled back from the road. Level land with mature trees & creek. Phone & power nearby. State & Government Land nearby.

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Waterfront parcel with boat dock. Almost an acre that gently slopes to the water’s edge. Views, bike trail, paved access, community water, septic installed. Great access, close to Sandpoint.

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11/10/09 5:39:27 PM

R _ eal Estate EMarketwatch: National recession drags down local market R

already 47 percent lower in 2008 than the previous year, and in 2009 the rate of vacant land sales dropped again by 37 percent. if sellers want to sell, it’s all about the price, realtors say. “if (homeowners) want to get it sold, they’ll have to drop their prices,” Deitz said. “With the amount of inventory and less buyers, we’re going to see some more decreases as sellers’ motivation increases.”

Dan Mclaughlin, president of the selkirk association of realtors, concurs. “Our inventory is extremely high, and the prices are still coming down. it’s been a rough year.” He points out the vast majority of recent home sales have been at the lower-priced end of the market for homes below $250,000.

Both Deitz and Mclaughlin point out

that this winter’s weather will be a major factor on how bad – or good – the upcoming real estate market season performs. “if it’s a mild winter, it will be a little busier,” Deitz said. “it will really have an impact on bare land.” looking beyond the current sluggish real estate market, Mclaughlin says he remains “cautiously optimistic” about the future, depending on the economy.

Dietz cautions that although the bottom is in sight, a recovery will be on a slower, more digestible pace. “everyone needs to forget what happened in ‘04 through ‘06,” Dietz said, referring to the years when real estate prices went through the roof. “The recovery will be slow to moderate … back to normal.”

–Beth Hawkins

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eflecting national economic trends, home sales across northern idaho continued a downward spiral in the first nine months of 2009. residential home sales in sandpoint, which had already dropped by 35 percent in the comparable timeframe of 2008, slumped nearly 20 percent further in 2009. in Bonners Ferry, home sales had fallen by nearly 24 percent in 2008, and 2009’s further decrease of over 27 percent just added to the grim news for the real estate industry. “it has been slower than everybody would have liked to have seen,” said Chad Deitz, president of the selkirk Mls. “it picked up a bit in summer, but there’s definitely a slowdown.” and vacant land sales were even more abysmal. For all areas, sales were

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WINTER 2010

11/10/09 5:39:28 PM

Real Estate BONNER/BOUNDARY REAL ESTATE TRENDS Residential Sandpoint

YTD 2008

YTD 2009

2008 2009 YTD

Residential Priest River

YTD 2008

YTD 2009

2008 2009 YTD

Residential Bonners Ferry

YTD 2008

YTD 2009

2008 2009 YTD

sold listings

91

73

-19.8%

sold listings

57

43

-24.6%

sold listings

86

62

-27.9%

Volume sold listings

31,462,418

18,496,417

-41.2%

Volume sold listings

14,981,652

8,352,780

-44.2%

Volume sold listings

17,114,370

10,918,865

-36.2%

Median Price

$220,000

$191,000

-13.2%

Median Price

178,000

169,900

-4.6%

Median Price

163,000

153,500

-5.8%

average sale Price

$288,646

$253,375

-12.2%

average sale Price

262,836

194,250

-26.1%

average sale Price

$199,004

$176,110

-11.5%

average Days on Market

151

143

-5.3%

average Days on Market

120

135

12.5%

average Days on Market

144

168

16.7%

Vacant Land Sandpoint

YTD 2008

YTD 2009

2008 2009 YTD

Vacant Land Priest River

YTD 2008

YTD 2009

2008 2009 YTD

Vacant Land Bonners Ferry

YTD 2008

YTD 2009

2008 2009 YTD

sold listings

11

11

0.0%

sold listings

29

20

-31.0%

sold listings

37

33

-10.8%

Volume sold listings

991,200

746,950

-24.6%

Volume sold listings

2,523,000

2,030,000

-19.5%

Volume sold listings

3,866,800

4,466,900

15.5%

Median Price

$80,000

$60,000

-25.0%

Median Price

$75,000

$98,000

30.7%

Median Price

95,000

60,000

-36.8%

average sale Price

$90,109

$67,904

-24.6%

average sale Price

$87,000

$101,500

16.7%

average sale Price

$104,508

$135,360

29.5%

average Days on Market

181

188

3.9%

average Days on Market

139

160

15.1%

average Days on Market

145

178

22.8%

Based on information from the selkirk MlsŠ for the period of 1/1/08 - 9/30/09 information deemed reliable but not guarenteed.

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Natives and Newcomers

Natives and Newcomers

By Dianna Winget Photos by Marie-Dominique Verdier Welcome to another edition of Natives and Newcomers, the department where you get to compare the opinions of your neighbors – some new to our area, some longtimers – on issues of local interest. This time the topics include the quality of life in our area, support of local charities, as well as what type of services our area lacks or has too many of. Compare the following thoughts and enjoy the differing perspectives.

Natives

Tom’s Garage on Forest Avenue, Sam’s Produce in Sagle during the summer and Mr. Sub has the best sandwiches of the … other shops I’ve tasted.

What type of businesses/services would you like to see more/less of in our area?

We have more than enough real estate office and small eateries. How many can a town of 8,500 need? Other than that, no more box stores, nor do I see why a second supermarket is moving in across the street from Safeway.

What is needed is a small grocery store in the south … like around the Mountain West bank.

If you had $1,000 to donate to a local organization or charity, which might you choose to support?

I mountain bike, so the Pend Oreille Peddlers, to construct trails on land that wouldn’t be marked “private” in a few years.

When you consider the changes to Sandpoint since your childhood, do you think they’ve been good or bad?

On a scale of 1-10 how would you rate the quality of life in Sandpoint?

Lawrence Fury Larry is a long time employee of Unicep Packaging and also writes a monthly column for The River Journal dealing with local ghost stories and tales of unusual phenomenon. When he’s not working or writing, Larry, 53, spends his time mountain biking, lifting weights, cooking, reading and playing computer games on his Macintosh.

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Up until 10-plus years ago, a 9. Now, a 7. It’s becoming harder to make a living, high rent and housing costs, taxes are going up with little apparent benefit.

(There’s less) open access to land for biking, hiking and horseback riding close to town.

Any professional people or services you’d recommend to a friend? winter 2 0 1 0

Helen Newton Helen arrived in Bonner County in 1947 at the age of 5. She grew up 10 miles northeast of Sandpoint in “an idyllic 1950s setting” and graduated from Sandpoint High in 1959.

Helen held the position of Sandpoint City Clerk for 24 years before retiring in 2005. The following year she was elected to the Sandpoint City Council. She enjoys playing bridge SANDPOINT MAGAZINE

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Other than a wider variety of some goods, the majority (of changes) have been bad. People have moved here to enjoy what we have, but then … instead of blending in, want to remake our area into a reflection of where they escaped from.

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Natives and Newcomers

one of the most beautiful lakes in the country. We have an abundance of public land to enjoy for little or no cost. Cultural events abound. … Few small towns offer the variety of activities and opportunities that Sandpoint does.

Any professional people or services you’d recommend to a friend?

PHOTO BY MARIANNE LOVE

with friends, reading and quilting.

She and her husband, Skip, have two “wonderful” daughters and four “incredible” grandchildren.

On a scale of 1-10 how would you rate the quality of life in Sandpoint?

What type of businesses would you like to see more/less of in our area?

We need more businesses like Unicep, Litehouse and Quest – businesses that provide jobs for local people, pay good wages and benefits, practice sustainability and are environ-

If you had $1,000 to donate to a local organization or charity, which might you choose to support?

Our congregation (the Sandpoint United Methodist Church) practices community outreach on an ongoing basis, and I would add that extra $1,000 to what we already give to sustain and expand the services provided there.

When you consider the changes to Sandpoint since your childhood, do you think they’ve been good or bad?

After 62 years here, I have seen the city’s population nearly double in size and that has brought an infusion of people with talents, enthusiasm and a desire to experience the small-town lifestyle many of us have enjoyed for years.

Every one of us was once a newcomer and each of us has – and others will – be a part of creating what Sandpoint is.

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Nine. Sandpoint has something to offer for nearly everyone. We live beside

I can’t think of anyone I would not recommend. People and/or businesses that don’t perform or stand behind their work or keep their promises, don’t last. … We’re especially lucky to have the quality and quantity of good businesses and professional people that we have.

mentally acceptable.

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Natives and Newcomers

Newcomers

Any professional people or services you’d recommend to a friend?

That’s a tough one, I have so many to recommend. The thrift and consignment stores in town are great. I love to treasure hunt. The library is another family favorite.

What type of businesses/services would you like to see more/less of in our area?

I would not like to see more chain stores in town. I don’t mind driving to Spokane or Coeur d’Alene if there is something I must purchase at a chain.

I would love to see more individual shops, restaurants and businesses in downtown. I would love to patronize a shoe store and a Victorian Tea House.

If you had $1,000 to donate to a local organization or charity, which might you choose to support?

The Community Assistance League.

Rebecca Kovalchuk

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The six-member Kovalchuk family moved here from Mount Pleasant, Pa., in August 2007. After stumbling across Sandpoint through Internet searches and coming to visit, they fell in love and fulfilled their dream of “finding a small Western town with a strong community, a big lake and a ski mountain.” Rebecca, 43, is a Mary Kay beauty consultant and also does bookkeeping for her husband’s financial planning business, Financial Solutions Group.

The couple, along with their four children, enjoy snow skiing, boating and biking. They like that in they can pretty much bike anywhere they want to go in Sandpoint. Children Susan, Elizabeth, Kenny and Mary attend various schools in Sandpoint and love school and living here.

On a scale of 1-10 how would you rate the quality of life in Sandpoint?

The important qualities of life, Sandpoint embraces them. So I give it a 10.

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NatIves aNd Newcomers

There are so many wonderful charitable

organizations in town, it is hard to decide, but CAL helps so many of them.

Do you plan to make Sandpoint a permanent part of your future?

1-year-old son, Aiden. A large part of her current work is done in collaboration with her husband, a professional wilderness photographer who studied with Ansel Adams. She

Sandpoint is our future. It is an allaround beautiful community where our family is able to enjoy what we think are the important things of life.

Maia Leisz

Growing up in northwestern Montana without television or electricity “left a lot of room for creativity” and contributed to Maia becoming a professional artist.

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NatIves aNd Newcomers

majored in art and minored in French at the University of California–Santa Cruz. Later she was accepted to an intensive language program in the south of France. While living there she accepted a full scholarship to the Marchutz School of Painting and Drawing in Aix-en-Provence.

She draws or paints daily, and her work can be seen online at www. maialeisz.com, where she writes: “I believe that Art is much like a language; the more that you speak it, the better you become at expressing yourself through it.”

On a scale of 1-10 how would you rate the quality of life in Sandpoint?

here. I’d also like to see more bakeries.

I miss France where they have one on every corner.

If you had $1,000 to donate to a local organization or charity, which might you choose to support?

Probably the Healing Garden. It’s so beautifully done and open to the public. It’s one of Sandpoint’s treasures.

What a neat place to teach children about flowers and nature.

Do you plan to make Sandpoint a permanent part of your future?

Yes, definitely. I’d like to not travel so much and do more local painting workshops. Sandpoint is a great draw.

There’s lots for families to do and a lot of beautiful places to paint.

FeSTivAl ATSAndpoinT AuguST 5 - 15, 2010 The

At least a 9.5, maybe a 10. When you travel all over as I have, you see what Sandpoint has to offer. It’s close to the airport, has plenty of restaurants, beautiful seasons. I think people in general are very friendly.

Any professional people or services you’d recommend to a friend?

I haven’t yet had much time to do more than move, paint and babysit, but I love Eichardt’s. It reminds me of a British pub. You can bring the family.

And I love the Festival (at Sandpoint).

There’s such an emphasis on art in this town. I really appreciate it.

What type of businesses would you like to see more/less of in our area?

Yoke’s is great, but I think we need a Trader Joe’s. It would fit so well

Early Bird SEaSon PaSSES on Sale now! while they laSt for only

Music under the stars, on the Lake,

in sandpoint, idaho Tickets & Info1-888-265-4554

www.FestivalAtSandpoint.com WINTER 2010

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Winter Guide

OUTDOORS

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Sleigh Rides. Western Pleasure Guest Ranch, 16 miles northeast of Sandpoint on Upper Gold Creek Road, offers sleigh rides in a rural setting for groups and couples. www.WesternPleasureRanch. com (263-9066). Stillwater Ranch also provides sleigh rides in a country set-

DOWNHILL SKIING High in the Selkirk Mountains above Sandpoint, Schweitzer Mountain contains 2,900 acres of terrain beckoning skiers and snowboarders to shred 300 inches of powder, the average annual snowfall. The Inland Northwest’s largest ski resort, Schweitzer is a mere 11 miles from downtown.

Uncrowded slopes offer 2,400 vertical feet among the 92 named trails, two open bowls, treed glades and two terrain parks. Select slopes are lit for night skiing part of the season. Four highspeed chairs serve the mountain: “Stella,” Idaho’s only six-pack chair; quads Great Escape and Basin Express; and the Lakeview Triple. The mountain also has three double chairs, a T-bar, a beginner’s Musical Carpet, tubing, and snowshoe and cross-country trails. www.schweitzer.com (800831-8810 or 263-9555). See story, page 58.

Other downhill ski choices exist within a couple hours of Sandpoint. Serviced by a gondola, Silver Mountain Resort is in Kellogg, about 85 miles southeast of Sandpoint.

Open Thursday-Monday and holidays, Silver features five chairs, one surface lift and tubing.

Top elevation is 6,300 feet; vertical is 2,200 feet; and there’s 1,600 skiable acres with 73 named trails. About 98 miles northwest of Sandpoint sits 49 Degrees North, outside of Chewelah, Wash, open Friday-Tuesday and holidays. The top elevation is 5,774 feet, with 1,851 vertical and 2,325 skiable acres. The mountain features 68 trails, five chairlifts, a surface lift and the brand-new Nordic Center. And finally, for an experience off the beaten path, there is Turner Mountain, 80 miles northeast of Sandpoint near Libby, Mont. Turner is a small, little-known ski area admired by many skiers for its steep runs. Open Friday-Sunday and holidays; top elevation is 5,952. The mountain has one surface lift and 20 runs, with 2,110 feet of vertical.

WINTER 2010

SANDPOINT MAGAZINE

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Backcountry and Snowshoeing.

For terrain that’s pristine and ungroomed, there are nearly unlimited options on the public lands surrounding Sandpoint. Right downtown, locals often take their Nordic skis and snowshoes and ski or ’shoe the lake shoreline alongside the proposed Pend d’Oreille Bay Trail.

Other, more serious areas up national forest roads include Roman Nose, accessed outside of Naples, about 22 miles north of Sandpoint; and up Trestle Creek, about 12 miles east off Highway 200.

For info on those or other areas, call the Sandpoint Ranger District (263-5111) or the Bonners Ferry Ranger District (267-5561) for maps and current conditions, including avalanche advisories. For backcountry with guided know-how, take an excursion via snowcat or snowmobile with the Selkirk Powder Company (866-464-3246). For rental gear, try

Schweitzer’s Ski & Ride Center (2553070); or in downtown Sandpoint, the Alpine Shop at 213 Church (263-5157) or Outdoor Experience, 314 N. First Ave. (263-6028). More snow sport information online, at www.SandpointOnline. com/rec or www.fs.fed.us/ipnf.

PHOTO BY WOODS WHEATCROFT

Cross-Country Skiing. For groomed and maintained trails, you can kick and glide or skate on 32 km of scenic groomed trails at Schweitzer (263-9555); Round Lake State Park has 3 miles of various groomed trails for diagonal stride (2633489); Farragut State Park (683-2425) has more than 7 km of groomed trails, 25 miles south of Sandpoint on Lake Pend Oreille. Groomed trails (15 km) are also maintained at Priest Lake Nordic Center (443-2525) and connect to Hannah Flats for more than 40 km of trails.

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Winter Guide

Clark Fork

Map Š TerraPen Geographics. Purchase full size maps at Maps & More | 109 Main Street, Sandpoint, ID | (208) 265-8883 | SandpointMaps.com 92

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WINTER 2010

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PHOTO BY JOANNE HEAVILAND

If you watch the weather forecasts to avoid storms and hazardous driving conditions, a winter drive offers the special beauty of snowy landscapes. Most well-known is the International Selkirk Loop, a 280-mile drive through the majestic Selkirk Mountains of Idaho, Washington and British Columbia.

Budget time to enjoy the small towns along the way. www.Selkirk Loop.org (888-823-2626).

The Pend Oreille National Scenic Byway, 33.4 miles of lake and mountain views on Highway 200, meanders east to the Montana state line along the rocky shores of Lake Pend Oreille. To make a 150-mile loop, continue east into Montana then north on Highway 56 through the Bull River Valley to Troy, then back east and south on Highway 2 through Bonners Ferry.

The Highway 2/41 Pend Oreille River scenic route goes west on Highway 2 through historic Priest River and Newport/Oldtown; then south on Highway 41 through the Blanchard Valley. Brochures with maps are available at the Sandpoint Visitor Center, Third and Oak.

ting for groups large and small, south of Sandpoint in Sagle on Dufort Road. www.StillwaterShires.com (263-0077).

Snowmobiling. It’s one of the most popular and fun ways to reach the wondrous wintry backcountry. Snowcat trails around Sandpoint and Priest Lake in the Selkirk Mountains are renowned; for more information, contact Winter Riders (265-5797) or Priest Lake Trails & Outdoor Recreation Association, (4436502 or 443-3309). For guided rides at Schweitzer, contact Selkirk Powder Company. www.SelkirkPowderCo.com (263-6959 or 888-Go-Idaho).

State Parks. Three state parks are within close range to Sandpoint –

Farragut, Round Lake and Priest Lake.

Farragut is located four miles east of Athol, with 4,000 scenic acres alongside the southern tip of Lake Pend Oreille.

Camping and groomed cross-country ski trails available (683-2425). Round Lake is located 12 miles south of Sandpoint just west of Highway 95 on West Dufort Road. Round Lake is a small, scenic lake; camping, fishing, sledding and crosscountry skiing are all available (2633489). Priest Lake State Park is located north of Coolin alongside the clear waters of Priest Lake. Camping, cross-country skiing, ice fishing and snowmobiling available (443-2200). www.IdahoParks.org.

Winter Guide

DRIVING TOURS

Walking. For a 2-mile walk on cleared paths with dazzling views, the Pedestrian Long Bridge runs alongside Highway 95 over Lake Pend Oreille. You’ll also find paved, cleared paths at Travers Park on West Pine Street; City Beach downtown; and the Dover Bike Path along Highway

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PHOTO BY JOANNE HEAVILAND

Winter Guide

2 west. Paths also at Lakeview Park through and around the Native Plant Society Arboretum; and overlooking Sand Creek at the Healing Garden next to Bonner General Hospital.

PHOTO BY KAREN DINGERSON

Wildlife Refuge. Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge, 30 miles north of Sandpoint near Bonners Ferry, has more than 2,000 acres and abundant wildlife including elk, deer, moose and bear, plus migrating birds. Hiking trails to waterfall and around pond, auto tour routes. www. fws.gov/kootenai (267-3888).

Sandpoint WaterLife Discovery Center. On Lakeshore Drive, the center offers interpretive trails and self-guided tours of fish habitat and an educational interpretive area on Pend Oreille River. www.fishandgame.idaho.gov (769-1414).

Fishing. Dedicated fishermen don’t let a little cold weather stop them. When the

water freezes, there’s great ice fishing at the north end of the Long Bridge in front of Condo del Sol. Main prey is perch, though bass and trout also are caught.

Ice fishing is also popular on smaller lakes Cocolalla, Mirror, Gamlin, Shepherd, Round, Antelope and Priest. Lake Pend Oreille’s deep waters rarely freeze and even in mid winter charter fishing boats pursue its trophy Kamloops trout, macki-

Austin Johnson and dad Brandon, of Athol, Idaho, ice fish on Lake Pend Oreille by the Long Bridge

naw and rainbow, which often go over 10 pounds. Try Diamond Charters (2652565), Eagle Charters (264-5274) Pend Oreille Charters (265-6781) or Seagull Charters (266-1861).

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Ice Skating and Sledding. It takes several days of sustained below-freezing temperatures without too much snow, but when conditions are right, local ice skaters flock to Sandpoint City Beach or Sand Creek below the Cedar Street Bridge; city crews often help by clearing snow from the ice. Another favored skating spot is the Third Avenue Pier, where the street terminates at Lake Pend Oreille. Or head out to Round Lake State Park, south of Sandpoint, where there is often a bonfire blazing. Park staff maintain both regular and speed-skating

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Indoors

Art Galleries. Truly an arts town, Sandpoint has numerous galleries in the area, and many artists open their studios as well. Downtown you can easily make a walking tour of galleries; on First Avenue check Art Works, Hallans, Hen’s Tooth and multiple shops on the Cedar Street Bridge. Turn west two blocks to 225 Cedar St. for Timber Stand Gallery. A couple more blocks north is Chris Kraisler Gallery at 517 N. Fourth; swing south to Sixth and Oak for Redtail Gallery. Art lovers may also visit revolving art exhibits in several yearround gallery locations sponsored by the Pend Oreille Arts Council. Locations in Sandpoint include The Old Power House at 120 E. Lake St., Taylor-Parker Motor Co. at 300 Cedar St., and Northwest Mortgage at 216 N. First. www.ArtinSand point.org (263-6139).

Bonner County Historical Museum.

Enjoy many fine displays depicting oldtime Bonner County, including a display featuring Native American artifacts and

history from geologic formation to the present day. An extensive collection of Ross Hall photos are on exhibit, as well as a pioneer kitchen with memorabilia from the bygone era. Open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Located at Lakeview Park, 611 S. Ella. (263-2344).

Movies. The Bonner Mall Cinema is a six-plex theater inside the Bonner Mall on Highway 95, featuring new releases daily (263-7147). The historic Panida Theater downtown at 300 N. First shows foreign and independent films most weekends.

Check www.SandpointOnline.com for movie listings.

Athletic Clubs. Sandpoint West Athletic Club, 1905 W. Pine St., has a 25-meter indoor pool; courts for racquetball, wallyball and basketball; a big weight room with treadmills, stair, rowing and bike machines, a sauna and spa. Open daily. www.SandpointWest. com (263-6633). Also, Natural Fitness at Superior and Ella has cardiovascular, weight and circuit machines; open weekdays (263-0676). The Integrative Athlete is a training facility specializing in functional movement and wholistic training, on the Cedar Street Bridge (946-4855). Curves at 110 Tibbetts Ln. in Ponderay (255-1661) caters to women, as does Evolution Fitness, 30736 Highway 200, Ste. 104, in Ponderay (255-7010).

Fine Jewellers & Goldsmiths

Winter Guide

rinks. To get there, drive 10 miles south on Highway 95, then west two miles on Dufort Road (263-3489). If it’s sledding you want, Schweitzer maintains its Hermit’s Hollow Tubing Center, open Fridays through Sundays (call for rates; 263-9555). And a second fine sledding hill is at Round Lake State Park, with a 1,000-foot run to the lake, and often that bonfire (263-3489).

“Discover the unique and distinctive.”

For over 30 years in Sandpoint, Idaho.

110 S. First Ave. Wed. thru Sat. 10 to 5

www.SunshineGoldmine.com

208.263.6713

Spas. Get pampered at The Spa at Seasons, in downtown Sandpoint, www. w w w. s a n d p o i n t o n l i n e . c o m

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SeasonsatSandpoint.com (263-5616); Ammara Medicine Wellness & Spa, 30410 Highway 200 in Ponderay, www.

MyAmmara.com (263-1345); Dreams in Beauty Day Spa, 4.5 miles north of Sandpoint, www.DreamsinBeauty.com (263-7270); Su Geé Skin Care, 324 S. Florence Ave. 263-6205; or Solstice Well Being Spa and Wellness Center at Schweitzer Mountain. www.SolsticeWell Being.com (263-2862).

Brewery Tours. Take a tour and taste handcrafted ales at Laughing Dog Brewing in Ponderay, open daily. www.

LaughingDogBrewing.com (263-9222).

Downtown, see brewing in action at Sandpoint’s own craft brewpub, MickDuff’s at 312 N. First. www.mick duffs.com (255-4351).

Winery & Wine Bars. The Pend d’Oreille Winery, Idaho’s Winery of the Year in 2003, features tours of the winery plus its award-winning wines, wine

tasting, a gift shop open daily, and live music on weekends, 220 Cedar St. in downtown Sandpoint. www.powine.com (265-8545). Two more wine bars worth tasting, all within easy walk downtown,

andpoint S

The Days Inn

are the Coldwater Creek Wine Bar, upstairs at 311 N. First Ave., also featuring live music; and Enoteca La Stanza, inside Ivano’s Caffe, 102 S. First Ave. (263-0211).

Your place to stay for a fun winter getaway! Enjoy our lodge-style setting at the base of Schweitzer Mountain.

Treat yourself to our complimentary hot breakfast featuring Belgian waffles, fresh baked evening cookies with hot cocoa, and use of the indoor hot tub, sauna, and gym.

Call 208-263-1222 and mention this ad for a rate of

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PHOTO BY Doug Marshall

Winter Guide

S hopping

Shopping. Downtown, discover a fine array of eclectic shops and galleries with clothing, art and gifts galore.

Highlights include the Cedar Street Bridge Public Market with retailers and food in a beautiful log structure spanning Sand Creek. www.Cedar StreetBridge.com (255-8270). Just down the street is Coldwater Creek in its flagship store at 311 N. First, with a wine bar upstairs and live music on Fridays and Saturdays. www.thecreek. com (263-2265). Antiques abound at Foster’s Crossing, a mini mall with lots of collectables, on Fifth between Cedar and Oak streets (263-5911); and MarketPlace Antiques & Gifts, Sandpoint’s newest antique market, open daily, at Fifth and Church (2634444). Out of town, Bonner Mall in Ponderay has many stores large and small, and often hosts events; it’s on Highway 95 two miles north of Sandpoint (263-4272).

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$

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or

59

$

for 4

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Meeting Rooms

Kitchen

Bar or Lounge

Restaurant

Pool on site

Spa or Sauna

No. of Units

Comments Archer Vacation Condos (877) 982-2954 / drarchers@msn.com

4

x

x

Best Western Edgewater Resort (208) 263-3194 or (800) 635-2534

54

x

x

Church Street House B&B (208) 255-7094

2

Days Inn Ski Lodge (208) 263-1222 or (800) 543-8193

50

x

Dover Bay Bungalows (208) 263-3083

19

x

x

x

x

x

La Quinta Inn (208) 263-9581 or (800) 282-0660

68

x

x

x

x

x

Holiday Inn Express 208-255-4500 / Fax (208) 255-4502

83

x

x

Lodge at Sandpoint (208) 263-2211

25

x

Meriwether Inn (208) 266-1716

15

Motel 6 (208) 263-5383, (800) 4-MOTEL6

70

x

Pend Oreille Shores Resort (208) 264-5828

50

x

x

Sandpoint Quality Inn (208) 263-2111 or (866) 519-7683

62

x

x

Sandpoint Vacation Rentals (208) 263-7570 or (866) 263-7570

75

x

x

Selkirk Lodge (208) 265-0257 or (800) 831-8810

167

x

x

Sleep’s Cabins (208) 255-2122 or (866) 302-2122

6

Super 8 Motel (208) 263-2210

60

x

Vacationville (208) 255-7074 or (877) 255-7074

60

x

Waterhouse B&B (888) 329-1767

2

Western Pleasure Guest Ranch (208) 263-9066 White Pine Lodge (208) 265-0257 or (800) 831-8810

x

x

x

Downtown Sandpoint on the lake. Indoor pool, sauna, fitness room, hot tub.

All rooms with lake view. Dine at Trinity at City Beach. Also 22-site RV park.

SandpointHotels.com Beautifully restored arts and crafts classic, period furnishings, queen-sized beds, private baths, scrumptious breakfasts. Walk to shops, restaurants, beach. ChurchStreetHouse.com.

x

x

x

Downtown location, high-speed Internet. Free breakfast, themed spa suites.

Silverwood, ski and golf packages. Kids stay free. See ad, page 32.

Hotels-West.com

x

The newest hotel in Sandpoint. 100 percent smoke free. Our Ponderay location is at the base of Schweitzer Mountain next to Slates Prime Time Bar & Grill, close to Wal-Mart. See ad, page 41. HIExpress.com

x

Accommodations for weddings, retreats and banquets. Lakeside with swimming and docks. Views of lake and mountains for an unforgettable Idaho vacation. LodgeAtSandpoint.com

x

Located on Scenic Byway Highway 200. Beautiful views, wildlife and bird watching, biking and more. See ad, page 56.

x

Free wireless Internet, free cable with HBO and ESPN, free 24-hour coffee in lobby, Jacuzzi suites, and hot tubs. Inner corridor rooms with all queen beds, next to Schweitzer. Motel6.com

x

Fully furnished condos and on-site athletic club on Lake Pend Oreille.

Stay and play packages. See ad, page 50. posresort.com

x

Indoor pool and hot tub. Close to downtown Sandpoint. 5th Avenue Restaurant and Mitzy’s Lounge on property. Kids stay and eat free. SandpointHotels.com

x

x

75 luxury homes and condos in Sandpoint and on the lake. First-class properties at affordable rates. Plan your perfect vacation. Boat rentals, tee times.

See ad, page 14. SandpointVacationRentals.com

x

x

Mountain accommodations, stay and play packages. Spectacular mountain and lake views. Outdoor heated pool and hot tubs. See ad, page 115. schweitzer.com

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

New accommodations featuring log furniture. Free high-speed Internet and continental breakfast. Silverwood and ski packages. Kids under 12 stay free. Walk to Bonner Mall shopping and dining. See ad, page 96.

Waterfront bungalows at beautiful Dover Bay in Marina Village. Fully furnished with lake and mountain views. Fitness center, marina and hiking/biking trails.

See ad, page 28. DoverBayBungalows.com

Free breakfast with waffles. 24-hour hot tub, free wireless Internet. Family suites. Schweitzer ski packages. At the base of Schweitzer Mountain, 2 miles from lake. x

Luxury lakeside homes, cozy mountain cabins and lovely condominiums in the heart of Sandpoint. See ad, page 87. vacationville.com

x

x

Deluxe spa suites with private hot tub on deck, jetted tub for two in bath. Gas fireplace, AC, kitchenette, free wireless Internet. sandpoint.org/waterhouse

9

x

x

x

Private cabins sleep 2-8. Lodge rooms with private baths, rec room, horseback riding and meals available. See ad, page 42. WesternPleasureRanch.com

50

x

x

x

New accommodations, stay and play packages. Spectacular mountain and lake views. Outdoor hot tubs, access to heated pool. See ad, page 115. schweitzer.com

x

x

x

x

WINTER 2010

SANDPOINT MAGAZINE

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On beautiful Lakeshore Drive. Sleep’s Cabins consists of six log bungalows decorated with original furnishings and collectibles. SleepsCabins.com

x

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Beautiful 3-bedroom, 2-bath waterfront condos on Lake Pend Oreille in Hope.

Discount ski and golf tickets available. See ad, page 94.

10kVacationRentals.com/Sandpoint/index.htm

x

Lodging Lodging

Lodging

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The cheese tortellini at Ivano’s Ristorante is dressed up with fresh mushrooms and prosciutto in a tomato garlic cream sauce

Pasta

recession-proof food

Sandpoint’s eateries serve up options aplenty

I

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By Carrie Scozzaro

f your passion is pasta, the Pend Oreille area offers plenty! Just about every eatery offers some variation of this popular yet humble menu mainstay, dating back to the “invention” of flour. On the west side of town, Babs’ Pizzeria (1319 Highway 2) has a daily pasta special, such as their new shrimp andouille sausage ravioli and cheesy lasagna. Back downtown at Eichardt’s (212 Cedar) smoked salmon penne is a house favorite. Slate’s Prime Time Grill and Sports Bar (477272 Highway 95, Ponderay) has eight pasta dishes, including a hearty cheese tortellini stirfried with chicken. Connie’s Café (323 Cedar) makes a mean “twisted” mac ’n’ cheese, just one of many down-home dishes from this longtime diner.

If you’re in the mood for more spicy, Bangkok Cuisine (202 N. Second) cooks up classic Thai noodle dishes

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like pad thai, sticky noodles stir-fried with veggies and topped with tamarind sauce. Variations of egg noodle dishes include Szechuan beef, with broccoli and garlic soy sauce. For a Thai variation of traditional pasta, try the koong woonsen, or shrimp with cellophane noodles (made from mung bean) served in a hot pot.

Most people, however, when they hear “pasta,” think Italian. And Italian in Sandpoint means Ivano’s Ristorante (102 S. First), where pasta pairs with everything from prawns to portobello mushrooms to Pecorino cheese.

One of the perks of pasta is that it can be fresh, and frozen or dried – and all types can be found at Pend Oreille Pasta and Wine (476534 Highway 95, Ponderay). All the better, it’s topped with their own brand of bottled sauces like spicy puttanesca. Fresh pasta, such as the basil fettuccine, is available by the

PHOTO BY Sean Haynes

Eats

& Drinks

EATS & DRINKS

pound and in ready-to-go pasta dinners for two, four or six. In the freezer are more flavored pastas (made for them), such as sun-dried tomato, chicken-rosemary, and even lobster ravioli.

Fresh, frozen or dried, pasta is simply made from flour and water, or in the case of noodles, egg and water – truly a universal staple of cooking. The word pasta, in fact, is related to pastry, essentially dough. That brings to mind pasta’s distant cousins – pastries and pizza – without which eating would be boring.

For a pasta-like experience, you can’t beat the pizza at Second Avenue Pizza (215 S. Second), featuring familiar tomato sauce, meatballs and other goodies you would otherwise find on spaghetti. At the Pie Hut (502 Church), pastry dough does doubleduty in sweet and savory pies, like quiche and ever-popular chicken pot pie. And for the ultimate upgrade to flour and water, Pine Street Bakery (710 Pine) is the place for pastries and cakes, breads and baked goods that are perfect for any meal.

Filling, wholesome and versatile – not to mention highly affordable – pasta is a timeless staple in virtually any kind of cooking, a food you can count on to nourish your body without putting a dent in your wallet.

WINTER 2010

11/10/09 6:15:55 PM

Eats

Cooking classes, anyone?

Or, call on restaurants for catering

PHOTO BY HEATHER PEDERSEN

& Drinks

T

091-109_SMW10[Winter-Eats].indd 99

also find a link to cooking classes scheduled to start up again in the fall/winter.

If cooking isn’t part of the plan, consider catering options like 41 South (41 Lakeshore, Sagle, 265-2000) or Trinity at City Beach (105 Bridge St., 255-7558) or Dish Home Cooking restaurant (1319 U.S. Highway 2 at Division, 265-6100), all of which can cater small, intimate gatherings, as well as large parties.

Pend Oreille Pasta and Wine (2631352) is well-known for catered Italian meals.

If you’ve ever taken a ride with Lake Pend Oreille Cruises, you know that this pasta and gourmet shop on U.S. Highway 95 in Ponderay is around-the-globe good.

Di Luna’s (207 Cedar, 263-0846) makes catering easy with its Web-based menus and ordering. Examples include breakfast and brunches, holiday menus, buffet dinners, design-your-own. And the next time you’re invited to a potluck, knock their socks off with Louisiana jambalaya or mushroom moussaka, two of the items from their “bring-a-dish” catering menu.

If you don’t mind a little chopping, Hope

WINTER 2010

Chef Gabe Cruz taught several students how to make tamales, as well as the history of the dish and different kinds of chilies, in this cooking class at Talus Rock Retreat in November 2008

Market Café (620 Wellington Pl., Hope, 264-0506) has a gourmet market full of artisan cheeses, homemade desserts, inviting wines and more for your last-minute party needs. Owners Bob and Mila Hailperin plan to move the café into Sandpoint sometime over the winter, so call first.

And if your idea of a dinner party is more like watching the game with the gang, order some Zip’s (1301 Highway 2, 255-7600) burgers and sides of crispy tater gems or onion rings. Second Avenue Pizza (215 S. Second, 263-9321) has the perfect pie, calzone or hot sandwiches for you, while Mr. Sub (602 N. Fifth, 263-3491) can hook you up with any number of hot and cold subs.

So whether it’s black-tie and boeuf bourguignon or just burgers with your buddies, local restaurants can “cater” to all your needs.

–C.S. SANDPOINT MAGAZINE

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he 2009 movie “Julie & Julia” may have inspired a whole new generation of foodies in the footsteps of Julia Child, yet for most folks, just saying boeuf bourguignon is a challenge (forget about boning a duck!). Fear not, foodies. Sandpoint is full of friends in the kitchen who’ll teach you to cook or help cater your event, no matter the size.

At Talus Rock Retreat (255-8458), a resort-like home in west Sandpoint, friends have gotten together for cooking parties with such local chefs as MaMaSan’s Nadja Lane and former-Dish restaurant chef, Gabe Cruz. The first one in November 2008 brought Lane in to teach Chinese Dim Sum. The class was nearly full two days after it was announced. Call homeowner Heather Pedersen and get added to her e-mail list to stay posted on upcoming lessons with themed menus.

For more formal instruction, check out Spuds (102 N. First, 265-4311), where chef/owner Peter Mico might teach you how to cook with fruit, seafood and Asian influences in a Maui Beach dinner. Spuds also has an extensive to-go and catering menu, both available at www.spudsonline.com, which is where you’ll

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Last summer we invented a new pairing of our own: a Q&A with two chefs serving Sandpoint. As the weather turns cooler, we turn our thoughts inward – to holidays, times with friends and family, and the kinds of food that nourish both our need for comfort and for nutrition. So it’s fitting that we interview chef-owners from two family restaurants known for making you feel at home in their restaurant – Jim Lippi of Ivano’s and Chet and Shari French of Jalapeno’s.

–C.S.

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Eats

& Drinks

Serving Sandpoint Chef Q&A with Jim Lippi and Chet & Shari French

100

Jim Lippi

Chet and Shari French

Background

Jim and his wife, Pam, both teachers, moved to the area unable to find work. His cousin, who owned a restaurant in the San Francisco Bay Area not only suggested he open a restaurant but provided the first chef, Carl Agazzi, who taught Lippi, as well as current lead chef, Dustin Riechold.

“For me it is like having Derek Jeter and A-Rod in your lineup.”

Chet’s folks owned a tortilla factory-turned-local chain of Mexican restaurants in California, while Shari’s father owned a seafood restaurant in Rhode Island. They purchased one of Chet’s father’s restaurants, expanded it and then started over with their own place upon arriving in Sandpoint.

Advice

“Do every job you can to learn as much as you can. Work at different places until you find the opportunity you are looking for.”

“The restaurant business is not just about putting your favorite recipe out there. It’s about enjoying people and creating an environment that feels inviting. Oh, and working days, nights and weekends!” says Shari.

Cooking at home

Same philosophy as at Ivano’s: “Buy the best product you can and don’t screw it up by getting too fancy.”

“Chet can whip anything up at home in a flash and the family loves it,” said Shari, who jokes that she “can’t cook a lick.”

Food idols

Carl Agazzi, his first chef, as well as grandmothers, Nonna Adella and Nonna Annunziata. “We would spend close to five hours eating on Sundays … It was unbelievably good.”

Chet: My father, who was an intuitive businessman.

Three staple ingredients in their kitchen

Kosher salt, black pepper, good quality extra virgin olive oil

Olive oil, garlic, Jalapeno’s salsa (naturally)

What they do when not cooking

Hunt for things to cook: wild mushrooms, birds and other fruits of the earth

Waterskiing, snow skiing. Shari is also an artist dba Southern Charm; her jewelry can be seen locally at Zany Zebra.

What they would have done if not cooking

Continued his career as a teacher and coach

Chet: anything involving the golf course. Shari: “I would spend 24/7 in my studio. … Well, I would always leave it to have dinner with my hubby.”

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PHOTO BY SEAN HAYNES

& Drinks

If Barney Ballard sounds years. In Sandpoint, the like a proud father talking Ballards have been making about Tango Café’s an impact since 1984 when (263-9514) new owner, they opened The Cupboard, it’s with good reason. After creating a legacy for a long, varied career in interesting, often ethnically restaurants, Barney and diverse, quality menus with his wife, Carol, are finally modestly priced food. retiring. Tango Café, which While the Ballards head Judy Colegrove and Barney off to be with their own he started two years ago Ballard, of Tango Café daughters, Tango Café will inside the Panhandle State continue serving Monday through Friday, Bank, will live on in Judy Colegrove. including made-to-order omelettes for “Like a daughter,” is how Barney breakfast. For lunch, choose from salads describes Colegrove. like the Cobb or Asian ahi tuna. Signature Like family is how both Colegrove and the Ballards describe the staff at Tango sandwiches include the Reuben and Café, including Shelly Yeck, Brad Vogler open-faced steak, while various pastas and Gary Baughn. are available with sauces ranging from Colegrove recalls meeting the creamy alfredo to zesty pesto.

Ballards at age 16 when they were –C.S. running Dock of the Bay (now Jorge’s Jetty Bar & Grill). Inspired by Bon Appetit magazine and a love of cooking, Colegrove worked up through the ranks: kitchen manager and eventually head chef at The Beach House, head chef at The Idaho Club and an integral part of the launch of The Jetty.

“Blessed” is how Ballard describes his experiences in the restaurant business, including the mentoring influence he and Carol have had over 30-plus

Eats

Transition time for Tango Café

passion for PERFECTION

Sandpoint’s award-winning winery Tastings and tours daily Live music Fridays

open daiLy | 220 Cedar STreeT SandpoinT | 208.265.8545 | powine.Com

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Restaurateur claudia dick welcomes you to 4 1 south, a casually elegant neighborhood establishment. dine inside the warm lodge-style dining room by the river rock fireplace.

A Sl ic e of N ew YoRk New locatioN NOW OPEN

208.265.7992

corNer of HwY 2 & DivisioN

Private dining Room | catering Dinner and Sunday brunch, year round Cocktails fireside in the lounge

208.265.2000 41 LakeShore Drive SagLe…South enD of the Long BriDge

WINTER 2010

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closed mondays ReseRvations Recommended

SANDPOINT MAGAZINE

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11/10/09 6:16:10 PM

& Drinks

The Local Dish

News and events foodies need to know

Eats

“I

It’s always fIner at the 219er!

A long-time traditional watering hole

e

le

b r At i

n

75

g

C

Full bar

YeArS

219 First Avenue Sandpoint | 208.263.9934

AWARD WINNING

102

Cold Nose Winter Ale Alphadog Imperial IPA Dogzilla Black IPA

(208) 263-9222 HOURS: MON. - WED. 11-5 pm THURS. - SAT. 11-6 pm

Two Blocks North of Wal-Mart on Hwy 95

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• Serving the best hometown meals • Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner 7 days a week

Slates

Slates is the Place

www.slatesprimetime.com

Just off HWY 200 across from Bonner Mall SANDPOINT MAGAZINE

First), which celebrated its 75th anniversary in October. In the meantime, check out Laughing Dog’s latest yearround imperial IPA called AlphaDog (it’ll make you howl).

In other wildlife news, over at the Elk’s, Wily Widgeon (30196 Highway 200) is cooking up a storm seven days a week for breakfast and lunch during the regular season, closed Monday through lunch in winter but opening especially for Monday night football with prime rib. And the Hoot Owl

PRIME TIME

Gift shop / tours by appt. www.laughingdogbrewing.com

Grounded Coffee and Crepes is a new eatery and coffee house in downtown Sandpoint

ATES

H wy 95

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CRAFT BEERS ON TAP FOR TASTING

f music be the food of love, play on,” wrote Shakespeare. Now you can have both music and food at 41 South (41 Lakeshore, Sagle), which offers fine dining with gorgeous views of Lake Pend Oreille any time of year. Six concerts are planned winter through spring, with three entrée choices and two dinner seatings for $30 per person.

If you’re more of a folk and funky music fan, check out the new Grounded Coffee and Crepes (214 Cedar). The combined effort of Rob Repp and his daughter, Michelle Higgins, this new eatery has the art and music feel of a local coffee house, with a nice assortment of both sweet and savory crepes, like the pesto mozzarella or zesty chipotle.

Next door at Eichardt’s (212 Cedar), winter beers are being featured on tap as Sandpoint gears up for ski and board season. Fuel up for winter with any one of A & Ps (222 N. First) dozen or so burgers made from fresh, hand-formed Wood’s Meat. Or check out appetizers like fish and chips or jalapeno poppers, great go-withs for a cold beer.

Speaking of beer, you can find Laughing Dog Brewing beer all over Sandpoint, including a brew made specially for the 219 Lounge (219 N.

• Prime Rib Special Friday & Saturday • Happy Hour 4-7 pm daily

208-263-1381

477272 Hwy 95 N • Ponderay, ID WINTER 2010

11/10/09 6:16:14 PM

Eats Cyber restaurant guide What’s cooking around town? Find the right food to hit the spot online in

SandpointOnline.com’s database-driven restaurant and nightclubs guide at www.

SandpointDiningGuide.com. There you’ll find every local establishment – more than 100 restaurants, nightclubs and taverns. The guide is searchable by a tasty menu of criteria: type of cuisine, typical cost and amenities such as live music, kids menu, meeting room, waterfront dining, etc. Give it a click.

Not to worry, though, their focus is still the original cheesesteaks, made fresh onthe-spot (with or without the cheese).

And heading west toward Dover, Dish Home Cooking (1319 U.S. Highway 2 at Division) welcomes new head chef, Luke Mason, who was born and raised in Sandpoint, worked locally at Café Trinity and Arlo’s, then in Southern California and Oregon before returning to Idaho. Welcome home, Luke. May the force be with you!

–C.S.

& Drinks

(30784 Highway 200) is now serving dinner, starting at 4 p.m., TuesdaySaturday. Try the weekend prime rib.

Meanwhile The Loading Dock (Bridge and First) has gone into winter hibernation, expecting to reopen in spring.

Come spring, you’ll be able to sit outside at MickDuff’s Brewing Company (312 N. First) with a pair of outdoor tables put in last summer.

Nearby, Cedar St. Bridge Café (inside Cedar Street Bridge Public Market) has adopted more space as well.

The Café is hosting a kiosk full of local goods: huckleberry jams and syrups from Wild Mountain, barbecue sauce from Gem Berry, and books by local authors published by Keokee Publishing (hey, that’s us!), as well as its own Cedar Street Bridge Café coffee.

All the remodeling is complete at Connie’s Café (323 Cedar), which reopened in May 2009 and experienced a successful summer. Meanwhile at Trinity at City Beach (58 Bridge), owner Justin Dick has updated the dining facilities they occupy inside the Best Western Edgewater Resort.

In related news, Oishii (209 N. First) has expanded even more since vacating Café Trinity’s location and taking over the old Pastime spot. Their new nightclub, gangster-themed interior and awesome sushi will blow you away.

Over at Joe’s Authentic Philly Cheesesteaks (102 Church) new owners Pam and John Lueck, have added burgers and fries, filling a niche left vacant when The Point eatery closed.

Sandpoint’s Best Thai Food • Peanut sauces • Curry • Stir frys and soups • Wine and beer • Vegetarian choices • Now Catering

Eat in or take out

208-265-4149 • 202 N. 2nd Ave.

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LAKE PEND OREILLE

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Pine Street Bakery Cedar St. Bridge Café Connie’s Café Dover Bay Café Hope Market Café Joe’s Philly Cheesesteak Mr. Sub Schweitzer-Mojo Coyote Zip’s Drive-in 41 South Schweitzer-Chimney Rock Di Luna’s Café Baldy Dish Home Cooking Spuds Rotisserie & Grill Trinity at City Beach A & P’s Bar & Grill Eichardt’s Pub & Grill Mick Duff’s Brewing Co. Slates Prime Time Grill & Sports Bar Babs’ Pizzeria Bangkok Cuisine Ivano’s Ristoranté Jalapeño’s Pend Oreille Pasta Pie Hut Second Avenue Pizza Tango Cafe Coldwater Creek Wine Bar Main Enoteca La Stanza Laughing Dog Brewing Cedar Pend d’Oreille Winery 219 Lounge

1

Sa

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 = q w e r t y u

Fifth Ave.

Eats

& Drinks

Downtown Sandpoint DINING Map

a

qi To Dover 4 Priest River

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0 To Sagle

Coeur d’Alene

WINTER 2010

11/10/09 6:16:16 PM

Eats

Bangkok Cuisine

Cedar St. Bridge Café

Connie’s Café

DINING GUIDE Restaurant index by type of cuisine Locate alphabetically in listings BAKERIES, COFFEE & DESSERTS

1 Pine Street Bakery

710 Pine St. Specializing in European pastries, breads and cakes made using fresh butter and cream, farm eggs and fine chocolate. Enjoy a complete line of coffees, espresso drinks and Tazzina teas.

Custom order birthday, specialty and wedding cakes; fine French pastries; and a complete line of tarts, cookies and bars.

The bakers create more than 10 varieties of breads every day. Open Tuesday to Friday, 7 a.m. until 5:30 p.m., Saturdays 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. Plenty of parking and outdoor seating. 263-9012.

CAFéS, DELIS & FAST FOOD

2 Cedar St. Bridge Café

3 Connie’s Café

323 Cedar St. Historic hospitality!

Connie’s Café, the landmark Sandpoint restaurant, reopened its doors after a comprehensive remodel. New owners Dave and Penny Libbey are proud to lovingly restore this northern Idaho icon to its = number on Dining Map (p 104)

4 Dover Bay Café

At Dover Bay Marina, Dover.

Waterfront dining, breakfast, lunch and summer dinners. Serving appetizers, burgers, and sandwiches. DoverBayBungalows. com. 263-5493

5 Hope Market Café

620 Wellington Place, Hope. Simply put, the Hope Market Café is all about flavor. Artisan cheeses, fine wines, ales, a gourmet market and an epicurean café with exceptionally prepared dishes for lunch and dinner – all located in an old mercantile in beautiful Hope. A true destination along a truly scenic byway. The café offers gourmet sandwiches, soups and pizzas throughout the day, with a hazardous dessert selection – all made in-house.

In the evening they push the envelope with their nightly dinner selections; elegant and exotic foods using only the freshest ingredients, complemented by impressive wines and microbrews. Cozy up to the woodstove on the weekends and savor brunch specials or enjoy an artisan cheese plate with a glass of wine as you watch a spectacular sunset over the lake. A limited selection of fine spirits are available for sipping. On the old Highway 200 Business Loop in Historic Hope. Call for hours and reservations. The cafe may move to Sandpoint sometime over the winter, so call ahead. 264-0506.

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6 Joe’s Philly Cheesesteak

102 Church St. Joe’s proudly serves authentic Philly cheesesteaks. Each cheesesteak is made from a generous portion of grilled steak and onions, cheese, and served on Amoroso rolls brought in from Philadelphia. In addition Joe’s expanded its menu to include hamburgers, hot dogs, fries, BLTs, veggie burgers, grilledcheese sandwiches and milkshakes.

Open Monday to Saturday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. A complete menu is available at JoesPhillyCheesesteaks.com. 263-1444.

7 Mr. Sub

602 N. Fifth Ave. Mr. Sub – where there is always a daily special. Mr. Sub is a family-owned-and-operated business providing a tradition of great service and quality foods for more than 20 years.

Their delicious subs are made with fresh ingredients, the bread is baked at a local bakery, and the salami is specially made

by Wood’s Meats. Enjoy local favorites like the turkey bacon sub, potato salad or great garden fresh salads. With a 24-hour notice, the 3-foot and 6-foot party subs are party pleasers. Delivery until 2:30 p.m. on weekdays in the Sandpoint area. Credit and debit cards accepted.

SubSlinger.com. 263-3491.

8 Schweitzer-Mojo Coyote

10000 Schweitzer Mountain Rd. Enjoy a fresh Tully’s espresso and treat your sweet tooth to a warm scone. The menu features fresh-baked pastries, breakfast burritos, and lunch specials as well as beer and wine. Schweitzer.com. 263-9555.

9 Zip’s Drive-in

1301 Highway 2. This Northwest favorite serves up its signature burgers, grilled SANDPOINT MAGAZINE

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On the Cedar Street Bridge. Family and friends love to gather at this Europeanstyle café, located in the heart of downtown Sandpoint inside the renowned Cedar Street Bridge. Experience exceptional coffee and tea drinks, premium crafted gelato, delectable cakes and pastries, fine chocolates, and tasty panini sandwiches all in a unique and warm setting. 265-4396.

former glory. Their approach is to maintain Connie’s legacy of a 1950s coffee shop with breakfast, lunch and dinner offerings that are of the highest quality while highlighting the quirky nature of this longstanding eatery. 255-2227.

& Drinks

Babs’ Pizzeria

A & P’s Bar & Grill

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& Drinks Eats

Di Luna’s Café

Dish Home Cooking

chicken, halibut ’n’ fries and a variety of appetizing sides, such as tater gems and onion rings. Plus enjoy one of Zip’s famous milkshakes, sundaes or hurricanes. Enjoy the casual atmosphere or outside patio and taste what’s made Zip’s famous for

more than 50 years. Located on the west side of Sandpoint on the Dover Highway.

255-7600.

ECLECTIC OR FINE DINING

0 41 South

41 Lakeshore Dr., Sagle. Casual, waterfront fine dining located at the south end of the Long Bridge in Sandpoint. A popular spot for locals, tourists and business travelers. A relaxed lodge setting and great service paired with innovative, classical cuisine make for one of North Idaho’s premier dining experiences. 41 South stocks a full bar, extensive wine list and has an outside patio overlooking the pristine waters of the Pend Oreille River.

Hours vary by season. Sunday brunch.

Private dining room. Reservations suggested. 265-2000.

- Schweitzer-Chimney Rock

Di Lu n a ’s CAFE

American Bistro Dining & Catering For delivery call

208.263.0846

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www.DiLunas.com 207 Cedar Street

proved proved with changes anges; please provide another proof

e sign with your approval:

ture

Eichardt’s

10000 Schweitzer Mountain Rd. Enjoy the warm fireplaces, comfortable lounge style seating in the bar and a diverse selection of cuisine, from high quality steaks, hearty pasta dishes, scrumptious salads and exquisite seafood. Schweitzer. com. 263-9555.

= Di Luna’s Café

207 Cedar St. Di Luna’s is an American bistro café offering hand-cut steaks, homemade soups and vegetarian cuisine.

Open for breakfast and lunch, Wednesday

41 South

Hope Market Café

through Sunday, serving breakfast all day.

Specializing in theme catering menus, Di Luna’s catering staff works with customers to take the hassle out of special events so they can enjoy the experience along with guests. At Di Luna’s they love good music, so they host dinner concerts and bring in the best acoustic musicians from around the country. DiLunas.com. 263-0846.

q Dish Home Cooking

Division and Highway 2. Sandpoint’s newest restaurant venture is already finding something magical. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Dine in, carryout or drive-through makes Dish convenient for all. Catering also available. Private parties welcome and don’t miss Bingo Night.

SandpointDish.com. 265-6100.

w Spuds Rotisserie & Grill

102 N. First. Located on the beautiful Sand Creek waterfront, offering outdoor dining in downtown Sandpoint. For lunch, choose from the savory soup list, a loaded salad, one of the unique sandwich concoctions or the original Spuds potato. Dinner is a casual event, with table service, candles and outdoor dining. They feature specials like grilled steaks, marinated tritip, rotisserie chicken, fresh seafood and southwestern fare. Dine in or carry out.

SpudsOnline.com. 265-4311.

~ Eichardt’s Serves up the Best of Northwest Microbrews, Food and Local Live Music ~ Full Lunch and Dinner Menu 16 Micros on Tap • Oak Cask Red Wines Upstairs Game Room Open Daily From 11:30 am

Date

212 Cedar St. • Sandpoint • 263-4005

106 SKeokee ANDPOIN T M A G A Z I NInc. E W I N T E R 2 0for 10 d proof releases Publishing, from any reponsibility n copy. Please read all copy and check this job carefully. Thank you r participation in ensuring your product is the best we can make it.

note: This color comp is produced by an in-house printer and is not 091-109_SMW10[Winter-Eats].indd 106

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Eats

Jalapeño’s

e Trinity at City Beach

58 Bridge St. The “new Café Trinity.”

Enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner with the best view of Lake Pend Oreille. Deck seating. Outstanding menu featuring seafood, steaks, salads and appetizers. Full bar serving a great selection of wines, beers and cocktails featuring a daily happy hour. Open daily from 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Located at the Best Western Edgewater Resort adjacent to Sandpoint City Beach. 255-7558.

PUB-STyLE

r A & P’s Bar & Grill

222 N. First Ave. A traditional tavern located downtown on Sand Creek. Serving “the best burgers in town” and pub fare.

Enjoy Taco Tuesday every week. Pool and dart leagues run every week throughout the year. Enjoy the friendly atmosphere, food and drink. Located on First Avenue in downtown Sandpoint. 263-2313.

t Eichardt’s Pub & Grill

212 Cedar St. A comfortable pub and grill, Eichardt’s is located downtown in a charming, historic building. This relaxing pub mixes casual dining with seriously good food. There’s something for everyone – more than a dozen beers on tap, good wines including oak cask local red wines, and regional touring live music. Upstairs you’ll find a fireplace-warmed game room with a pool table, darts and shuffleboard.

Joe’s Philly Cheese

MickDuff’s Brewing Co.

Eichardt’s has been nationally recognized and locally supported since 1994. Open daily at 11:30 a.m. for smokeless dining seven days a week. 263-4005.

y MickDuff’s Brewing Co.

312 N. First Ave. Come and enjoy MickDuff’s fine handcrafted ales in a family dining atmosphere. They offer a variety of top-of-the-line beers ranging from fruity blondes to a seasonal porter. MickDuff’s also brews a unique-style root beer for those young in age or at heart. The menu is packed full of flavor with traditional and updated pub fare. You will find toasted sandwiches, hearty soups, gourmet hamburgers and much more at this cozy brewpub located in downtown Sandpoint.

MickDuffs.com. 255-4351.

Mr. Sub

REGIONAL/ETHNIC

i Babs’ Pizzeria

1319 Hwy. 2. In its new location at WestPointe Plaza, Babs’ Pizzeria bakes = number on Dining Map (p 104)

u Slates Prime Time Grill & Sports Bar

477326 Highway 95 in Ponderay.

Slates serves breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week, with mouth-watering Black Angus prime rib on Friday and Saturday nights, and some of the best burgers, salads and steaks in the area.

Numerous big-screen TVs, plus a full bar and happy hour every day from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The kitchen is open late on Friday and Saturday nights and closes at 9 p.m. the remainder of the week. SlatesPrimeTime. com. 263-1381.

hoagies, hamburgers, fries & shakes Full Menu Online

JoesPhillyCheesesteaks.com Authentic Philly Cheesesteaks 102 Church St. Sandpoint. 263-1444

FINE WINES & ALES • SPECIALTY FOODS

Old Hwy. 200 • Hope

(next to the Hope Post Office)

PASTRIES • ESPRESSO BAR • SPIRTS

264-0506

-Fine Italian dining serving Sandpoint for over 25 years Lunch served Mon-Fri 10:30-2:30 Dinner served 7 nights a week starting at 4:30 Corner of First and Pine

208-263-0211

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Great Mexican Food Awesome Atmosphere 314 N. Second Avenue Sandpoint, Idaho 83864 Phone: 208-263-2995 SANDPOINT MAGAZINE

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EPICUREAN CAFE • ARTISAN CHEESES

HOPE MARKET CAFE

& Drinks

Ivano’s

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Pend Oreille Pasta & Wine

The Pie Hut

New York-style pizza in an open kitchen with dough hand-made fresh daily and four sauces to choose from. Babs uses family recipes handed down from Sicilian grandparents, including the top-secret meatball recipe starring in the Parmesan Hero and spaghetti. Try Babs’ signature appetizer, Raspberry Chipotle Wings, or sample the Stromboli, a pizza pocket of sorts. Open daily at 11 a.m.; some outdoor seating available. 265-7992.

o Bangkok Cuisine

202 N. Second Ave. Enjoy authentic Thai food in a welcoming atmosphere.

All of Bangkok’s dishes, including a wide variety of vegetarian, are cooked to order using the freshest ingredients with no added MSG. Bangkok offers a fine selection of wine and beer as well as Thai tea and coffee. All desserts are made on-site.

int’s Sandpo b Shop

Local Su

Second Avenue Pizza

Takeout also available. Open for lunch Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and dinner Monday through Saturday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Closed Sundays. 265-4149.

p Ivano’s Ristoranté

102 S. First. Serving the community for more than 25 years, Ivano’s Italian dining accompanied by classic wines and gracious atmosphere add to the enjoyment of one of Sandpoint’s favorite restaurants.

Pasta, fresh seafood, buffalo and beef, veal, chicken and vegetarian entrees round out the fare. Dinner served seven nights a week starting at 4:30 p.m. Lunch served Monday through Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. An excellent bakery featuring organic coffee, fresh pastries and a delistyle lunch offering, Monday-Friday. Offsite catering available. IvanosSandpoint. com. 263-0211.

[ Jalapeño’s

SUBS - SALADS - DELIVERY AVAIL. 10-6 WEEKDAYS • 11-5 SATURDAYS DELIVERY WEEKDAYS UNTIL 2:30 PM

263-3491 CREDIT & DEBIT CARDS ACCEPTED

602 NORTH 5TH

314 N. Second. Authentic Mexican food in a fun and friendly environment serving traditional and unusual south-of-the-border specialties, plus even a few gringo dishes!

This popular dining establishment also boasts a full cantina bar with traditional frosty margaritas that complement any dish. The banquet room seats up to 35 of your closest friends. And when the weather’s warm, Jalapeño’s invites guests to dine on the outside deck. Conveniently

Slates Prime Time

located in the historic Elks building in the heart of downtown Sandpoint. 263-2995.

] Pend Oreille Pasta

476534 Highway 95 (one block south of Wal-Mart). John and Valerie love to help their customers select from their outstanding selection of fine wines and artisan cheeses. Market food items include international wines at competitive prices, ravioli and olives, bulk olive oil and many gourmet grocery items. Fresh homemade pastas and sauces made on-site may be purchased as part of a complete dinner package including salad and fresh daily-baked artisan bread.

Custom quality catering for large and small events. PendOreillePasta.com. 263-1352.

\ Pie Hut

502 Church St. Sandpoint’s culinary treasure, the Pie Hut is a gourmet café where the locals like to eat. This charming little café offers exactly what you want: small-town service where quality still matters. Daily lunch specials include homemade soups, panini sandwiches (meat and vegetarian), chicken pot pies, Cornish beef pasties, assorted quiches and salads, with more than 30 hand-rolled fruit and cream pies, baked daily. Open Tuesday through Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Phone ahead for pick-up. 265-2208.

a Second Avenue Pizza

215 S. Second Ave. Try the piled-

wine • beer • gift baskets • catering

sausages • ravioli • gourmet sandwiches fresh baked breads • cheeses • olives

w w w. s a n d p o i n t o n l i n e . c o m

Pine Street Bakery

International Wine Selection Artisan Cheeses & Breads Fresh Pasta Dinners To Go Gourmet Deli

www.pendoreillepasta.com 476534 Hwy 95 Sandpoint • 208.263.1352

Complete carry-out fresh pasta dinners 108

SANDPOINT MAGAZINE

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“Tastes as good as it looks!”

Deirdre Hill Liz Evans

The Pie Hut

502 Church Street • Sandpoint, ID • 208-265-2208

Great Soups v Sandwiches v Pies

710 Pine Street • Sandpoint

208.263.9012

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Eats

Tango Café

high specialty pizzas at Second Avenue Pizza loaded with fresh ingredients on homemade dough, or one of the excellent calzones, specialty salads and sandwiches.

Beer and wine also served. Rice crusts and soy cheese now available for specific dietary requirements. Take-and-bake pizzas also offered. For an out-of-this-world pizza experience, come to Second Avenue Pizza! Open Monday to Friday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. Free delivery available.

SecondAvenuePizza.com. 263-9321.

s Tango Cafe

414 Church St. Located in the atrium of Panhandle State Bank’s Sandpoint Financial Center. Tango has become a favorite among locals, for breakfast at the bank and lunch creations, including signature omelettes and original lunch specials. Other highlights include fresh salads, scrumptious baked goods and a full barista bar featuring Evans Brothers coffee. In addition, Tango has added a dinner takeout menu – a convenient option that includes unique selections, such as gaucho chicken or bife de lomo (shoulder tenderloin). Tango also offers extensive catering for that special event. Wi-Fi connected and space for private meetings. Open Monday to Thursday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Fridays 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. 263-9514.

Trinity at City Beach

WINE BARS & LOUNGES

d Coldwater Creek Wine Bar

311 N. First Ave. The wine bar at Coldwater Creek offers many types of wine available by the glass. Although they carry wines from all over the world, the emphasis is on Northwest wines. Enjoy a glass of wine with any of their delicious appetizers or panini. 255-1293.

f Enoteca La Stanza

102 S. First. Enoteca (full bar) La Stanza (the room). Sandpoint’s only specialty martini and wine bar, located in Ivano’s Ristorante. Serving exotic martinis such as the Fallen Angel, Mayan Temple, Flirtini and the Pear Sage Margarita, classic wines and a bar menu with all entrees under $9. Open Wednesday through Saturday at 4 p.m. 263-0211.

g Laughing Dog Brewing

219 Lounge

Zip’s Drive-in

shop with items for home, garden and life.

Quality and elegance in vinting is the trademark of Pend d’Oreille Winery – Idaho’s 2003 Winery of the Year. Live music on weekends. POWine.com. 265-8545.

j 219 Lounge

219 N. First Ave., downtown Sandpoint. Full service bar offering beer, wine and cocktails. A “locals” favorite proudly serving Sandpoint for 75 years.

Enjoy a cold glass of “219er” beer brewed by local, award-winning brewery Laughing Dog. Open seven days a week, 365 days a year from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. Pool table and big screen TV. Stop in for a coffee, a drink, a game of pool and a good time.

263-5673. = number on Dining Map (p 104)

Full Service Catering

55 Emerald Industrial Park Rd., Ponderay. Take a tour and taste handcrafted ales at Laughing Dog Brewing, open daily. Sample all the ales on tap and view the 15-barrel PUB brewing system.

LaughingDogBrewing.com. 263-9222.

h Pend d’Oreille Winery

220 Cedar St. Sandpoint’s winery produces local, award-winning wines. The tasting room is open daily, plus a gift

“Out of this W

orl

d”

263-9514 open m-f 7am-5pm, 6pm on friday

The Caroline

215 S. 2nd Ave.

414 Church St. Sandpoint

263-9321

Panhandle State Bank

Located inside

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SANDPOINT MAGAZINE

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Rice crusts & soy cheese now available

• Delivery • Sandwiches • Calzones • Specialty Salads • Homemade Dough • Beer/Wine • Take & Bakes

& Drinks

Spuds Rotisserie & Grill

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Service Directory AccommodAtions See the LODGING DIRECTORY on page 97

ARts oRGAniZAtions Foundation for Human Rights Action & Advocacy See ad, page 26.

Pend oreille Arts council 120 E. Lake St., Ste. 215, 263-6139 – Presents the finest quality experiences in the arts for the people of northern Idaho.

ArtinSandpoint.org

ARt & PHoto GALLERiEs Hallans Gallery 323 N. 1st, 263-4704 – Since 1906. Celebrating the century in photos by Ross Hall and Dick Himes. See ad, page 38.

RossHallCollection.com J.R. Hutslar Watercolors 263-1448 – Offering intuitive commissions and private in-home consultations to create the perfect piece for you and your home. See ad, page 38. JRHutslar.com

AssistEd LiVinG the Bridge Assisted Living 1123 N. Division, 263-1524 – A total continuum of care on the campus of Life Care Center of Sandpoint. See ad, page 89.

Luther Park at sandpoint 510 Olive Avenue, 265-3557 – Sandpoint’s newest senior living community. Independent and assisted living options as well as enhanced and memory care services.

See ad, page 88. Luther-Park.org

w w w. s a n d p o i n t o n l i n e . c o m

AUto / motoRsPoRts Alpine motors company Hwy. 95 N., 263-2118, 1-800430-5050 – Your Cadillac, Buick, Pontiac, GMC truck dealer. New and used sales and leasing. Full service, parts and body shop.

AlpineMotors.net Anderson’s Autobody 31466 Hwy. 200, Ponderay, 2636443 – Since 1989. We specialize in complete frame, body and paint repairs. Car rentals on-site, free pick up and delivery. See ad, page 76.

AAutoBody.com Ponderay Yamaha 1005 N. Triangle Dr., 263-1124 – Family-owned business, started in 1994. Our goal is to serve the needs of our customers to the fullest. The largest showroom in the Idaho Panhandle. See ad, page 33.

PonderayYamahaMotors.com sandpoint marine & motorsports 195 N. Triangle Dr., Ponderay, 263-1535 – Authorized dealer for Blue Water boats, Mercury outboard motors, and Polaris ATVs, snowmobiles, and utility vehicles. See ad, page 88.

SandpointMarineandMotorSports.com

110 S A N D P O I N T M A G A Z I N E

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six star Automotive 909 Hwy. 2 W., 255-2955 – Dealing in sales, repair and service for foreign and domestic vehicles.

We specialize in Asian imports. See ad, page 50. SixStarAuto.net

BAnKs / FinAnciAL

distRiBUtoRs Bill Jones distributors, inc.

61 Bottle Bay Rd., 263-5912 – Celebrating 58 years as the only locally owned beverage distributor in Bonner/Boundary counties. Wine, beer, kegs, alternative and nonalcoholic beverages. See ad, page 88. BillJonesDistributors.com

AmericanWest w w w. SBank andpointOnline.com 5th & Poplar, 255-1700 – Come visit our new financial center, one of 43 full-service financial centers throughout Washington and northern Idaho. See ad, page 82.

AWBank.net Edward Jones 303 Pine, 255-7405, Rob Kincaid; 521 N. Fourth, 263-0515, Dave Reseska; or 1305 Hwy. 2 W. Ste. B, 263-0346, Jim Zuberbuhler – Since 1871, financial advisors. See ad, page 70. EdwardJones.com Horizon credit Union 520 N. 5th, 263-7525 and 480 Bonner Mall Way, 2631371, 800-852-5316 – Serving Washington and northern Idaho for 60 years. Full-service financial institution. See ad, page 11. hzcu.org Hutchens, James, cPA 1211 Michigan St., Ste B, 265-2500 or 800-338-9835 – Corporate tax preparation, payroll and accounting services. Financial and tax planning. See ad, page 90.

Jensen, Brian c., cPA 520 Cedar St., Ste. A, 263-5154 – Specializing in tax preparation, payroll and accounting services.

Financial and tax planning. See ad, page 90.

Panhandle state Bank 414 Church St., 263-0505 or 2653336 – Branches in Bonners Ferry, Ponderay and Priest River. Also bank in Post Falls, Rathdrum and Coeur d’Alene. See ads, pages 22 and 70. PanhandleBank.com spokane teachers credit Union Hwy. 95 and Kootenai Cutoff Rd., 800-858-3750 – Offering e-statements, direct deposit, and online bill-pay. At STCU, you’re not just a member, but an owner as well. See ad, page 49. stcu.com

BoAts / docKs northwest docks & Water Works 263-4684 – New dock construction, dock rebuilds, mooring buoys, shoreline protection, amphibious pile driving, crane service. See ad, page 32. DirtnDocks.com

BooKs Vanderford’s Books & office Products 201 Cedar St., 263-2417 – Offering the latest bestsellers, office supplies, machine supplies and free delivery in Sandpoint. Order online at Vanderfords.com.

BUiLdinG / HomE Ace septic tank service 263-5219 – “Where a Flush Beats a Full House.” Portable toilet rental, construction/all occasion, permanent or temporary. Septic tank pumping, residential and commercial.

Acme integrations 255-1110 – We provide custom home cinema, structured wiring, phone and network systems, audio, security systems, HVAC control systems, central vac, lighting control, and more. See ad, page 73. AcmeIntegration.us Bowers, ted construction 263-5447 – Specializing in remodels. Creative designs for custom finish work and cabinetry.

Registered and insured. See ad, page 77. TedBowers.com ctA Architects 414 Church St., Ste. 201, Sandpoint, 265-5087 – Architecture, engineering, facility management, graphic design, interior design. IT/ communication, landscape planning and sustainable design. See ad, page 34. CtaGroup.com dan Fogarty custom Builder 263-5546 – A fully-insured, local builder with the experience and history you can rely on. In Sandpoint since 1981. See ad, page 77.

DanBuilt.com dss custom Homes 263-2853 – Family-owned business serving Sandpoint and northern Idaho since 1974. Building with honesty, pride, integrity and responsibility. See ad, page 78.

DSSCustomHomes.com.

Floor show, the 880 Kootenai Cutoff Rd., 2635198 – Featuring Mohawk and Lauren floor coverings. Great selection of carpet, tile, natural stone, hardwood, bamboo, vinyl, countertops and window fashions. See ad, page 25. FloorShowSandpoint.com Fogg Electric 597-1121 – Our team has 125 years in the electrical business.

Commercial, industrial and residential. Licensed/bonded/insured.

Serving all of North Idaho. Free estimates. See ad, page 77. idaho sash & door 3895 N. Schreiber Way, Ste. 300, Coeur d’Alene, 765-8620 – Opening up a world of possibilities

for your home with the creative craftsmanship of premium-grade, custom windows, doors and bronze hardware. See ad, page 80.

IDSashAndDoor.com miller Handyman services 1606 Baldy Mtn. Rd., 265-5506 – For carpentry, painting yard work, repairs, hauling, office relocation, moving, packing, and storage. See ad, page 76. SandpointMovers.com Panhandle Art Glass 514 Pine St., 263-1721 – Est. 1982. Studio specializing in stained, etched, beveled and fused glass: residential, commercial and liturgical. Artistic design and fabrication for projects of any size tailored to the needs of our clients.

Panhandle Pump 500 Vermeer Dr., Ponderay, 2637867 – Serving the Idaho Panhandle with quality service and merchandise for over 25 years. The area’s leader in water purification and filtration plus complete water and sewer systems. Residential and commercial. Mon-Fri 7 a.m.-6 p.m., Sat 7 a.m.-noon. PanhandlePump.com.

Paint Bucket, the 714 Pine St., 263-5032 – Sandpoint’s complete paint and wallpaper store. Paint and sundries, wall coverings, and custom framing. See ad, page 80.

Pend oreille mechanical 1207 Dover Hwy., 263-6163 – Service 24/7. Plumbing, cooling, heating, sheet metal, hydronic, refrigeration. See ad, page 70.

POMechanical.com Pend oreille stone Sandpoint, 263-4571 – Full-service masonry contractor serving both residential and commercial. See ad, page 76. PendOreilleStone.com Restore Habitat for Humanity 1424 N. Boyer, 265-5313 – New and used building materials such as doors, windows, flooring, lumber, cabinets, countertops, plumbing and electrical supplies, lighting fixtures, tools, paint, appliances and furniture at 25-50 percent off retail. See ad, page 27.

Revelstoke Homes 120 E. Lake St., 263-4442 – Custom home builder and TrussTek distributor. Remodels, interior design, commercial, landscape design. See ad, page 55.

RevelstokeCustomHomes.com sandpoint Building supply 477421 Hwy. 95 N., 263-5119 – Everything from lumber, siding, doors and cabinets, and all the way to the tools that help you get the job done. See ad, page 71.

SandpointBuildingSupply.com sandpoint construction 208-304-3571 – With more than

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Service Directory 25 years building custom homes and historic renovation, we are Sandpoint’s premier builder providing the highest quality at the most reasonable cost. See ad, page 18.

SCI.bz selle Valley construction 401 Bonner Mall Way, Ste. 1, 2631808 – We build quality custombuilt homes suited for the land we all love. See ads, pages 36, 77.

SelleValleyConstruction.com studio of sustainable design 100 Jana Ln., 263-3815 – Bruce Millard, Architect. Personal, environmentally sensitive and healthy design, incorporating natural, recycled and durable materials including straw bale. Full services. bemarchitect.com timber Frames by collin Beggs Sandpoint, 290-8120 – Handcrafted traditional timber frame homes. Wooden, draw-bored joinery. Handrived pegs. See ad, page 77.

TimberFramesByCollinBeggs.com

cLotHinG coldwater creek 311 N. First, 800-262-0040 or 263-2265 – In downtown Sandpoint, discover one of the most unique collections of women’s apparel and accessories. See ad, back cover. ColdwaterCreek.com Finan mcdonald clothing co.

301 N. 1st Ave., 263-3622 – Unique selection of men’s and women’s outdoor and natural fiber clothing; woolens, fleece, cottons and silks. See ad, page 40.

FinanMcDonald.com Zany Zebra 317 N. 1st Ave., 263-2178 – We offer the latest fashion trends for all ages. Many accessories adorn our store, great prices, friendly and fun atmosphere. From A to Zebra. See ad, page 12.

cRAFts & toYs A child’s dream come true 214 Cedar St., 255-1664 – Wood toys, soft dolls, art supplies, baby gifts and games are just a few of the natural crafts and toys we have.

See ad, page 38. AChildsDream. com

FARm / GARdEn the co-oP country store 125 Tibbetts Lane, Ponderay, 2636820 – Farm, home, hardware. The CO-OP has just about everything for the farm and home. See ad, page 27. CoopCountryStore.com

FURnitURE Fine Art Upholstery 1714 Industrial Dr., 265-6341

GiFts/FLoWERs/JEWELRY Fritz’s Frypan 329 N. 1st, 255-1863 – Downtown at First and Cedar, featuring a wide array of fine cookware such as Le Creuset, J.A. Henckel, Cuisinart and more. See ad, page 56. FritzsFrypan.com meadowBrook Home & Gift 205 Cedar St., 255-2824 – Offering a timeless selection of unique and affordable gifts, home decor and furnishings. See ad, page 13. MeadowBrookHomeAndGift. com nieman’s Floral & music 215 Cedar St., 263-3024 – Enhance your surroundings with beautifully designed floral arrangements, plants, and gifts for your home, office, or any special occasion. See ad, page 49.

NiemansFloral.com Petal talk 120 Cedar St., 265-7900 – Fullservice floral and gift shop! Fresh flowers, bundled or custom designed. Special event and wedding services. Delivery available. See ad, page 26. SandpointFlowers.com scandinavian Affär 319 N. 1st Ave., 263-7722 – The Scandinavian countries are represented in this specialty shop including their kitchen items, table tops, candles, electric candleholders, books, cards, rugs, pewter Vikings, mugs, Danish irons, tomtes, fjord design tableware. sharon’s Hallmark 306 N. 1st Ave., 263-2811 – Special gifts for special people including Vera Bradley bags, Big Sky Carvers, Baggallini, Tyler and BeanPod candles, souvenirs, balloon bouquets, Hallmark cards, books, gift wrap and stationery. sunshine Goldmine 110 S. 1st, 263-6713 – Come discover the unique and distinctive. Serving Sandpoint for over 29 years, the No. 1 stop for handmade jewelry and gold. See ad, page 95.

Advertiser Index A Child’s Dream Come True 38 Acme Integrations 73 Adesso Wellness 84 Aging Better In-Home Care 86 Albertson / Barlow Insurance 90 Alpine Shop 56 AmericanWest Bank 82 Ammara 10 Anderson, Dr. Steven DDS 48 Anderson’s Autobody 76 Archer Vacation Condos 94 Bill Jones Distributors 88 Bitterroot Group 7 Bonner General Hospital 30 Bonner County Daily Bee 50 Bonner Mall Association 20 Bonner Physical Therapy 84 Bridge Assisted Living, The 89 Century 21 RiverStone 24 Coldwater Creek 116 Coldwell Banker 83 Coldwell Banker, Michael White 37 CO-OP Country Store, The 27 CTA Architects 34 Days Inn 96 Dan Fogarty Custom Builder 77 Dover Bay 28 Downtown Yoga 84 DSS Custom Homes 78 Edward Jones 70 Evergreen Realty 4 Evergreen Realty, Charesse Moore 81 Family Health Center 6 Farmers Insurance – Dave Neely Agency 90 Festival at Sandpoint 89 Finan McDonald Clothing Co. 40 Floor Show, The 25 Flying Fish Company 30 Fogg Electric 77 Foundation for Human Rights Action & Advocacy 26 Fritz’s Fry Pan 56 Hallans Gallery 38 Holiday Inn Express 41 Home Sweet Home Consignment 10 Horizon Credit Union 11 Hutchens, James CPA 90 Hutslar, J.R. 38 Idaho Sash & Door 80 International Selkirk Loop 94 Jensen, Brian CPA 90 Keokee Books 38, 112 Keokee Creative Group 90 Koch, Dr. Paul E. O.D. 84 KPND Radio 51 Lake to Mountain Massage 84 LaQuinta Inn 32 Laughing Dog Brewing 102 Local Pages, The 113 Luther Park 88

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Maps & More 95 MeadowBrook Home & Gift 13 Meriwether Inn 56 Miller Handyman Services 76 Mountain Spa & Stove 72 Nieman’s Floral 49 North Idaho Animal Hospital 15 North Idaho Spas 54 Northwest Docks & Waterworks 32 Northwest Handmade 21 Outdoor Experience 42 Pacific Far West Insurance 90 Paint Bucket, The 80 Panhandle State Bank 22 Panhandle State Bank Loan Center 70 Pend d’Oreille Winery 101 Pend Oreille Mechanical 70 Pend Oreille Shores Resort 50 Pend Oreille Stone 76 Petal Talk 26 Ponderay Yamaha 33 ReStore Habitat For Humanity 27 Revelstoke Homes 55 River Journal, The 113 Sandpoint Building Supply 71 Sandpoint Business & Events Center 11 Sandpoint Construction 18 Sandpoint Marine & Motor Sports 88 Sandpoint Outfitters 33 SandpointOnline.com 93 Sandpoint Property Management 15 Sandpoint Sports 42 Sandpoint Super Drug 84 Sandpoint Vacation Rentals 14 Sandpoint West Athletic Club 95 Schweitzer Mountain Resort 115 Schweitzer Real Estate 57 Seasons at Sandpoint 17 Seasons Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery 46 Selle Valley Construction 36,77 Six Star Automotive 50 Spokane Teachers Credit Union 49 Su Geé Skin Care 49 Summit Insurance Resource Group 48 Sunshine Goldmine 95 Taylor Insurance 26 Ted Bowers Construction 77 Timber Frames by Collin Beggs 77 Tomlinson Sandpoint Sotheby’s Int’l Realty 2-3,43-45 Vacationville 87 Western Pleasure Guest Ranch 42 Wildflower Day Spa 84 Winter Ridge 84 Zany Zebra 12 Zero Point 38

SANDPOINT MAGAZINE

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EVEnts FAciLitiEs sandpoint Business & Events center 515 Pine St., Ste. 102, 2637770 – The most convenient ceremony, reception and performance center located in downtown Sandpoint. See ad, page 11.

SandpointEventsCenter.com

– 34 years in business; exceptional workmanship in upholstery, repairs and antique restoration.

Custom-made pieces built from frame up: sofas, chairs, ottomans, home theater seating ... no job too big! Commercial and residential.

Wholesale GREEN Eco friendly fabrics and leather available.

Home sweet Home consignment 300 Bonner Mall Way, Ponderay, 255-1818 and 101 Main St., Kootenai, 265-9898 – Unique variety of antiques, furniture, home decor, lighting and gifts. See ad, page 10.

HomeSweetHomeConsignment.com northwest Handmade 308 N. 1st, 255-1962, 877880-1962 – Featuring a variety of regional artists. Custom log furniture, wood carving, metal art, one-of-a-kind gifts. See ad, page 21.

NorthwestHandmade.com

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Service Directory Zero Point 226 N. 1st Ave., 255-2522 – An exquisite collection of gifts and tools that will assist you on your journey of spirit. Each product hand-selected for its beauty, quality, and its authentic and meaningful nature. See ad, page 38. ZeroPointCrystals.com

HEALTH CARE

Hospitals Bonner General Hospital 520 N. 3rd St., 263-1441 – Offering a spacious, state-of-the-art surgical services center, a rooftop helipad, private treatment and counseling rooms. See ad, page 30.

BonnerGeneral.org

INSURANCE Albertson Barlow Insurance 120 E. Lake St., Ste. 203, 265-6406 – Specializing in life, disability, individual, group health, and now home and auto too. Assisting the Sandpoint community for over 15 years. See ad, page 90.

Farmers Insurance – Dave Neely Agency 105 Pine St., Ste. 110, 2633741 – Serving Sandpoint and the rest of North Idaho since 1997.

Specializing in personal lines of insurance at competitive rates. See ad, page 90.

North Idaho Insurance 102 Superior St., 263-2194 – A full-service, independent insurance agency serving northern Idaho since 1978. Business or personal risks: property, liability, workers comp, bonding, home, auto, life and health. NorthIdahoIns.com ISU Pacific Far West Insurance 120 E. Lake St., Ste. 311, 263-1426 – Serving Sandpoint and northern Idaho for 25 years.

Quotes on auto, home, business,

life and group insurance. See ad, page 90. isu-haddock.com Summit Insurance Resource Group 1205 Hwy. 2, 265-9690 – The largest independent insurance agency in North Idaho, specializing in business, personal, life and health. See ad, page 48.

Taylor Insurance Co., Inc. 1009 W. Superior St., 2634000 or 773-6441 in Post Falls – Insurance and financial services for all your personal and business needs. See ad, page 26.

TaylorInsuranceSandpoint.com

INTERNET SERVICES SandpointOnline.com 263-3573 – Sandpoint’s community Web site. Complete online services include Web site design, hosting and search engine optimization. See ad, page 93.

Laundry/Dry Cleaners W Cleaners 675 Kootenai Cutoff Rd., Ponderay, 263-8383 – Brand new stateof-the-art equipment using many efficient and environmentally friendly aspects. Dry cleaning process uses a filtered, odorless solution. Quickly becoming the premier cleaner in North Idaho. WCleaners.com

MALL Bonner Mall 300 Bonner Mall Way, Ponderay.

263-4272 – For your one-stop shopping convenience, visit Bonner Mall and more than 30 retail shops.

See ad, page 20. BonnerMall.com

MAPS Maps & More 109 Main St., 265-8883 – Carrying a complete line of travel and recreational maps, wall maps, atlases and much more. See ad, page 95. SandpointMaps.com

MARINAS Dover Bay Marina Marina District, Dover Bay. 2633083 – Waterfront bungalow rentals with gorgeous lake and mountain views. New Lake Club Fitness Center with swimming pool and hot tub. Dine or shop at Dover Bay Café and Market. See ad, page 28. DoverBayBungalows.com

MASSAGE / SPA Adesso 290-6091 – In a time of fast-paced living, craniosacral therapy and life coaching is essential for health and wellness – physically, emotionally and spiritually. See ad, page 84.

AdessoWellness.com Dreams in Beauty Day Spa 263-7270, 877-422-6240 – Offering massage: the rolf method, deep tissue, sports, Trager, Swedish, reflexology, pregnancy and more. DreamsInBeauty.com Lake to Mountain Massage 610-3591 – Therapeutic integrative massage with Suzanne Guibert, B.S. Exercise Physiology. See ad, page 84.

Wildflower Day Spa 219 Cedar St. Ste B, 263-1103 – Providing a full range of services, including massage, facials, body treatment, waxing and tinting. See ad, page 84. TheWildflowerDaySpa.com

MEDIA Bonner County Daily Bee 310 Church St., 263-9534 – Bonner County’s No. 1 daily newspaper. See ad, page 50. Bonner CountyDailyBee.com The River Journal 255-6957 – A monthly publication of the news and events of our area.

Get in touch with Sandpoint by reading the community paper. See ad, page 113. RiverJournal.com

OPTOMETRY / OPTICAL Paul E. Koch, O.D. Located inside Wal-Mart, Hwy. 95 N, 255-5513 – Full-service optometry office. Same day fitting for most contact lens prescriptions.

Treatment of minor eye infections.

See ad, page 84.

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT Sandpoint Property Management 314 N. 3rd, 263-9233 – Since 1993, providing exceptional real estate management. Representing the Beardmore Building in Priest River. See ad, page 15.

SandpointRentals.com R&L Property Management 204 E. Superior, 263-4033 – Over 26 years of rental management

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Aging Better In-Home Care 263-7889, 866-464-2344 – North Idaho’s most trusted provider of in-home care services for the elderly and disabled. Skilled nursing services, respite care, hospice care and housecleaning. See ad, page 86.

Ammara•Medicine•Wellness•Spa 30410 Highway 200, Ponderay, 263-1345 – Medical health care for men and women. Dermatology, botox, restylane, massage, pedicure and manicure. Women’s health, family practice, internal medicine, medically managed weight loss. See ad, page 10. MyAmmara.com Anderson, Steven DDS 311 S. Division St., 263-7597 – Your smile is our top priority.

The entire team is dedicated to providing you with the personalized, gentle care that you deserve. See ad, page 48. SteveAndersondds. com Bonner Physical Therapy 1327 Superior St., 263-5731 – Providing cutting-edge technology and manual techniques to obtain the optimum result for pain control and recovery or resolving symptoms from diabetic neuropathy. See ad, page 84.

Downtown Yoga 119 N. First Ave., 255-6177 – The ancient art and science of preparing the body and mind for the eventual liberation and enlightenment of the soul. See ad, page 84.

Family Health Center 606 N. 3rd Ave., Ste. 101, 263-1435 – At Pinegrove Medical Center, family practitioners specialize in caring for every member of the family. See ad, page 6.

FHCSandpoint.com Sandpoint Super Drug 604 N. 5th, 263-1408 – Family-owned pharmacy serving Sandpoint for over 32 years. Four

knowledgeable pharmacists on staff. See ad, page 84.

Seasons Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery 30544 Hwy 200, 265-4005 – With extensive training in breast surgery, body contouring, and facial surgery, Dr. Spring offers cosmetic procedures with an emphasis on natural results, safety and personal attention.See ad page 46, www.

SeasonsPlasticSurgery.com Su Geé Skin Care 324 Florence St., 263-6205 – Extensive menu of exquisite facial and body treatments provided in a serene and relaxing environment.

See ad, page 49. sugeeskincare@ yahoo.com

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Service Directory experience. Tenant screening, rent collection, accounting, maintenance and marketing.

Residential, commercial and mini storage. Friendly, prompt service.

RLPropertyManagement.com

REAL ESTATE

Cindy Bond Shelley Healy Stan Hatch Cheri Hiatt Sarah Mitchell Natalie Leatherman Brian Harvey Michelle Sadewic Allison Murphy

REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENTS Bitterroot Group South Fork Big Sky, MT, 888-7750006 – Architects, interior design, builders and timberwrights. See ad, page 7. BitterrootGroup.com Dover Bay 265-1597 – New waterfront community. Homesites, condominiums and cabins. Custom built homes.

On the shores of beautiful Lake Pend Oreille. See ad, page 28.

DoverBayIdaho.com Seasons at Sandpoint 313 N. 2nd, 255-4420 – Luxury waterfront condominiums and townhomes. Experience the best of both worlds – lakefront in the heart of downtown. See ad, page 17.

SeasonsAtSandpoint.com

RECREATION / TO-DO Festival at Sandpoint 120 E. Lake St., Ste, 207, 2654554 – Annual music festival showcases international and local composers and performing artists in an outdoor setting on the shores of Lake Pend Oreille. See ad, page 89. FestivalAtSandpoint.com From the Heart Ranch – Alpacas 1635 Rapid Lightning Rd., 2652788 – Tour the ranch to see what life is like with alpacas! Shop for the wonderful alpaca fiber hats, scarves, sweaters, rugs, throws, and yarn. Open year-round, closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

FromTheHeartRanch.com International Selkirk Loop 267-0822, 888-823-2626 – 280mile scenic drive encircling the Selkirk Mountains in Washington, Idaho and British Columbia. See ad, page 94. SelkirkLoop.org Sandpoint West Athletic Club 1905 Pine St., 263-6633 – Fullservice club with indoor pool, aerobics, racquetball and more.

Daily rates, flexible/affordable memberships. See ad, page 95.

SandpointWest.com

RESORTS Pend Oreille Shores Resort 47390 Hwy. 200, Hope, 264-5828 – Fully furnished condos on Lake Pend Oreille. Full-service athletic club with indoor pool, racquetball. Boat moorage. See ad, page 50. POSResort.com Schweitzer Mountain Resort 11 miles from Sandpoint, 800-8318810, 263-9555 – Lodging packages, skiing and boarding on 2,900 acres, plus tubing and Nordic trails, shopping and dining. See ad, inside back cover.

Schweitzer.com

SPA & Stove sales Mountain Spa & Stove 1225 Michigan St., 263-0582 – Featuring spas and saunas, stoves and fireplaces, furnaces and boilers for your home, garage, shop or barn. See ad, page 72.

MountainStove.com North Idaho Spas Hwy. 200 and McGhee Rd., 265-5434 – Your local source for Sundance Spas and more. Stop by the showroom to see the exciting products they offer. See ad, page 54. NorthIdahoSpas.com

SPORTING EQUIPMENT Alpine Shop 213 Church, 263-5157 and at Schweitzer, 255-1660 – Ski and snowboard sales and rentals.

Winter apparel and more. Custom boot fitting. See ad, page 56.

Outdoor Experience 314 N. First Ave., 263-6028 – Quality equipment and clothing for outdoor enthusiasts. Specializing in everything you’ll need to spend time in the great outdoors this winter. See ad, page 42.

OutdoorExperience.us Sandpoint Outfitters 400 Schweitzer Plaza Dr., 2639119 – Local guide to fishing and hunting. Firearms and ammunition, archery pro shop, fishing and hunting supplies, lessons and classes. See ad, page 33.

SandpointOutfitters.com Sandpoint Sports 476930 Hwy. 95, Ponderay,

265-6163 – Specialized bike sales – mountain, road, hybrid, cruisers and kids. Clothing and accessories, custom bike fitting, rentals, demos and full-service repairs. See ad, page 42. SandpointSports.net

SPECIALTY FOODS Flying Fish Company 620 N. 5th, 255-5837 – The finest selection of fresh and frozen seafood in northern Idaho.

Open Wednesdays and Fridays year-round. See ad, page 30.

FlyingFishCo.com Winter Ridge 703 W. Lake St., 265-8135 – Organic produce, natural and organic meats, coffee and juice bar.

Deli, bulk foods, supplements and homeopathic medicines. See ad, page 84. WinterRidgeFoods.com

VACATION RENTALS Archer Vacation Condos Beautiful 3-bedroom, 2-bath waterfront condos on Lake Pend Oreille in Hope. Discount ski and golf tickets available. See ad, page 94.

10kVacationRentals.com/Sandpoint Sandpoint Vacation Rentals 606 S. Division, 263-7570 or 866-263-7570 – Variety of fully furnished accommodations in the Sandpoint area, at Schweitzer and on Lake Pend Oreille. See ad, page 14. SandpointVacationRentals.com Sleep’s Cabins Lakeshore Drive, 255-2122 – Six historic log and bungalow cabins decorated in original furnishings on beautiful Lake Pend Oreille. Sleeps 4-12. SleepsCabins.com Vacationville 109B N. 1st, 255-7074, 877255-7074 – Sandpoint’s oldest vacation rental company. Specializing in vacation rentals on the lake, the mountain and the city. See ad, page 87. Vacationville.com

VETERINARIAN North Idaho Animal Hospital 320 S. Ella Ave., 265-5700 – Safety, skill and compassion are the cornerstones of our practice.

We strive to continually celebrate the human-animal bond. Grooming and boarding. See ad, page 15.

IdahoVet.com

In Sandpoint it’s the first choice

The phone directory with the most

White pages • Yellow pages • Information pages • Fold-out maps • Reverse directory • Directory on a disk • Digital Business Cards Local businesses, make sure you‘re represented!

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SANDPOINT MAGAZINE

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Century 21 RiverStone 316 N. 2nd Ave., 255-2244 – Nationally known, locally trusted.

Sandpoint’s premier real estate firm. Any of the 48 professional agents can help you. See ad, page 24. c21sandpoint.com Coldwell Banker Resort Realty Sandpoint 263-6802, Schweitzer 263-9640 – If you are looking for real estate in the Sandpoint area or at Schweitzer Ski Resort, we can help fill your needs. See ad, page 83. CBSandpoint.com • Michael White 290-8599 or 263-6802 – B.S. in forestry and ecosystem management. Specializing in land, ranches and homes on acreage. See ad, page 37. NorthIdahoLandMan.com Evergreen Realty 321 N. 1st, 263-6370, 800-8296370 – For all your real estate needs in Idaho, Washington and Montana. Waterfront, Schweitzer and commercial properties. See ad, page 4. Evergreen-Realty.com or SchweitzerMountain.com.

• Charesse Moore 255-6060, 888-228-6060 – Hard-working professional.

Sandpoint’s top producing agent 2004 to 2008. See ad, page 81.

Evergreen-Realty.com Schweitzer Real Estate 255-7300 – An intimate mountain resort village for those that have always gone their own way. A collection of ski-in, ski-out neighborhoods offering fractional ownership. See ad, page 57. SchweitzerLand.com Tomlinson Sandpoint Sotheby’s International Realty 200 Main St., 263-5101, 800282-6880 – No. 1 in sales and service, year after year! We’re the market leader for a reason. Offering top-notch service for residential, land, commercial land, waterfront properties. TSSIR.com. See ads, pages 2-3 and 43-45.

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Sandpoint of View

Hazel Hall, that’s all

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O

nce upon a time at Hallans Gallery – back in the days when it was still on Lake Street – on the wall above Dann Hall’s desk hung a black-and-white photo of an absolutely stunning young woman.

“Dann,” I said, “who’s the girl?”

He looked up, befuddled about which “girl” I might be referring to, and then followed my pointing finger to the picture.

“Oh,” he said, with a laugh, “that’s Mom.” I didn’t confess the nature of my interest to Dann, but I thought, Holy cow! I’ve fallen in love with an older woman.

I’m not the only one who ever had that experience, I’m sure. Hazel Hall was, for all of her 96 years up until her last breath on August 14, 2009, a beauty.

Her beauty went beyond appearance. It manifested itself in her smile, her quick and sure wit, and the twinkle in her eye. Her beauty went clear to her core.

She never forgot anyone she met.

If you were engaged in conversation with Hazel, you might forget, for a few moments, everyone but her. She had a way of paying attention that made you believe you were the center of the Universe.

She knew how to laugh – at herself and the rest of the world. She knew how to make the rest of us laugh – at her, at ourselves and the rest of the world.

Once, some years after her beloved husband, Ross, died in 1990, she had a male admirer about whom she joked to me, “He’s just after me for my money.”

She continued, with a wink, “The joke’s on him, ’cause I don’t have any.”

And then she laughed that special laugh of hers, the one only she had.

Hazel had an accent that was built of western Colorado, where she grew

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up. I don’t know why, but that accent and her sensibilities caused her to clip her words precisely, shaping sounds into unmistakable words that no one listening would misinterpret.

Because of this, if you were in trouble with Hazel Hall, you knew it. But her nature was such that you also knew that it would not last forever.

“Wisdom is a woman,” so goes the Bible proverb. Hazel lived that proverb for most of her many years. Wisdom and modesty were built into her. Several times I went to interview her about something or other – she saw and helped make three-quarters of a century of Sandpoint history – and she would beg off.

“There are other folks who you haven’t written about, yet,” she would say. “I think there’s been enough said about me.”

When she did grant an interview, it was always interesting, refreshing, exhilarating even. And she was a stickler for getting things right. Once, days after we had a conversation involving a pen and notepad, she called me.

“I need to recant part of that story,” she said. “It just wasn’t true.”

I half expected some confession about embellishment or exaggeration, but I should have known better. “It wasn’t October when that happened,” she said. “It was November.”

Hazel had many facets, so many that no one could know all there was to know about her. I did not know, for instance, that she was a talented limerick writer, until after she was gone. I’m sure she entertained many friends with those specially formed poetics.

PHOTO BY Ross Hall

By Sandy Compton

Sandpoint matriarch Hazel Hall, 1913-2009, shown in the 1932 photograph that caught the author’s eye. She arrived in Sandpoint in 1932 with her new husband, photographer Ross Hall

It’s a little late, but I couldn’t resist writing one just for her. I’m sure it would bring that special laugh of hers bubbling to the surface. I call it “A Short History of Hazel Hall.”

There once was a young girl named Hazel Who more than once did Ross amazel.

He told her his standpoint and moved her to Sandpoint where she lived all the rest of her dayzel.

Many of us are very glad he did and she did.

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Sc

John Pucci - Ski Patrol Director

avy control morning

13 inches of fresh

{ Has a double diamond run and pub named in his honor.}

Happiness here is contagious. With such a genuine experience it’s no surprise. From the coffee topped with a dollop of personality to a lifty’s undying enthusiasm, we know that a memorable day is more than the turns from top to bottom. As Idaho’s largest ski area, Schweitzer’s terrain speaks for itself with a little, or rather a lot of something for everyone. With 2900 acres, over 300 inches of annual snowfall and some of the best tree skiing in North America, you’ll surely leave satisfied.

If you ever leave. We live and work up here because we love it. Sandpoint is the ultimate laid back mountain town with a community chockfull of genuine folks. Unpretentious in every way, we treat our guests as we treat each other; with respect. You’ll quickly discover why it’s impossible to wipe the grin from your face. Maybe it’s something in the snow. Chances are it’s just Schweitzer.

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