Go Sandpoint Magazine

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08 FINANCIAL FOCUS

Financial tips for the self-employed

11 Q&A: MIKE AND CLINT GUNTER

A multi-generational tradition

14 SUMMER FUN

What you need to know for a season out on the lake

18 SANDPOINT REAL ESTATE

20-22 The State of the Housing Market 24-26 Market Report 29-30 Featured Listings

34 CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Calendar of great local events, arts and entertainment

38 Places to Stay 38 Real Estate 40 Venues 40 Health & Beauty 40 Services 42 Things To Do 42 Top 10 Things To Do 44 Local Eats

36 FUN FACT

Tales from the Deep

38 LOCAL GUIDE

46 CITY MAP

Get to know the places within Sandpoint’s city limits

47 LAKE PEND OREILLE MAP

Explore all of the awesome places along the shores of Lake Pend Oreille

June 2021

MAGAZINE

36

inside!

Summer Fun » » Your local guide on where to stay, what to do, seasonal activities and more » The State of the Housing Market

11 11pg.

Q&A WITH: MIKE & CLINT GUNTER

1 Go Sandpoint Magazine MONTHLY SANDPOINT’S

LOCAL GUIDE

ABOUT THE COVER

Longtime resident and businessman Mike Gunter is the man behind Sandpoint Furniture, Selkirk Glass & Cabinets and Carpet One. With a deep-rooted loyalty to the community and the people they serve, today, the next generation of this multi-generational company is taking the helm and continuing the family legacy. Find out more in this month’s Q&A on page 11.

Financial tips for the self-employed This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward JonesWhy? Because we’re built for listening. Financial Advisor Caleb Bowman

Being self-employed has some benefits: You get to choose your own hours, you don’t have to count “vacation days” and you’ll never worry uneven, you can be vulnerable to financial stress when you face an unexpected expense. To help protect yourself from these threats, try to gradually So what’s important to you? about getting downsized. On the other hand, you’re build an emergency fund containing a few months’ truly on your own—there’s no employer-sponsored retirement plan and no benefits package. So, if you’ve recently started a business or become a “gig worker,” possibly due to the COVID-19 pandemic, what can you do to get on the road to financial security? worth of living expenses, with the money kept in a liquid, low-risk account. • Pay down your debts. Some debts, such as loans to help your business, may be unavoidable—and even productive. But other debts, especially those that We Understand Commitment.Contact me at 208-255-7405 to get started. There are several steps you can take, including the can’t be deducted from your taxes and carry a high following: • Establish a budget. When you’re self-employed— and especially when you’re first starting out—you need to keep tight control over where your money is going. So, establish a budget and stick to it. interest rate, are far less useful, so you may want to set up a repayment plan. With your other expenses, you might not be able to whittle these debts down as fast you’d like, but, over time, your efforts can pay off. • Put money aside for taxes. Because no employer For decades, Edward Jones has been committed to providing financial solutions and personalized service to individual Edward Jones - It’s Time for Investing to Feel Individual. Leaving Your Employer? Understand Your • Open a retirement plan. As a self-employed individual, you can choose a retirement plan, such as a SEP-IRA, a SIMPLE-IRA or an “owner-only” 401(k). When your earnings are limited, you can is withholding taxes from your paychecks, you will likely have to make quarterly estimated payments. Plus, you’re responsible for all your Social Security taxes, which, if you worked for someone else, would be split between you and your employer. To make Locations in the community and face-to-face meetings Study based on responses from more than 4,629 investors who primarily invest with one of the 18 firms included in the study. The majority of the study was fielded in December 2018. 401(k) Options. At Edward Jones, we can explain options for your 401(k), including contribute modest amounts to any of these plans, but when your income rises, you can boost your contributions. While these retirement plans have some things in common, including tax-deferred growth of earnings, they differ in other areas, such as contribution limits, and one plan may be more suitable for you than another, depending on whether you have employees. You may want to consult with a financial advisor to determine which plan is best for sure you’ve got enough money available to pay your taxes, you might want to set up a special account— one that’s not used for any other purpose. • Get proper insurance. Depending on the nature of your work, you may or may not need some type of business insurance, but if you have a family, you should certainly consider the need for life insurance, and you may also want to consider disability Make your Investment Philosophy A long-term approach that focuses on quality investments Investment guidance tailored to your individual needs Your experiences may vary. Rating may not be indicative of future performance and may not be representative of any one client’s experience because it reflects an average of experiences of responding clients. Visit jdpower.com/awards. IRT-1948I-A edwardjones.com Member SIPC Caleb L Bowman Financial Advisor 303 Pine Street Sandpoint, ID 83864 208-255-7405 leaving money in your former employer’s plan, moving it to your new employer’s plan, rolling it over to an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) or cashing out the account subject to tax consequences. financialTo learn more, call today. your needs. insurance. 477100 Highway 95 Suite B MKT-11677-A-AD-JDP future a priority. Ken Wood Financial Advisor 477100 Highway 95 Suite B Ponderay, ID 83852 208-255-2613 www.edwardjones.com Make your . financial future a priority. 303 Pine Street, Sandpoint, ID 208-255-7405 Caleb L Bowman Financial Advisor • Build an emergency fund. When you work for a business or other organization, your income is predictable—but that’s usually not the case when you’re self-employed. And when your earnings are Caleb L Bowman Financial Advisor 303 Pine Street Sandpoint, ID 83864 208-255-7405 Self-employment can be quite fulfilling—and you’ll find it even more rewarding when you make the right financial moves. edwardjones.com Member SIPC Ken Wood

Financial Advisor

. 477100 Highway 95 Suite B Ponderay, ID 83852 208-255-2613 www.edwardjones.com

MIKE AND CLINT GUNTER

A MULTI-GENERATIONAL TRADITION

BY ABIGAIL THORPE

Mike Gunter, Dale Jeffres and Dwight Sheffler purchased Sandpoint Furniture in 1984; almost four decades later, the second generation is now at the helm of the storied family business that now comprises Sandpoint Furniture, Selkirk Glass & Cabinets and Carpet One. For most of us here in Sandpoint, we’ve done business with all three men and their children, and today the multi-family, multi-generational company remains committed to the same trustworthiness, service and sense of community it started with.

Gunter was born and raised on a farm in Sagle—one his grandfather started and he and his brother still keep going to this day. He credits his wife of almost 50 years, Karen, with where he’s come—she worked at the store for 25 years while raising a family and making a home. Today, their son Clint is the manager of Sandpoint Furniture, and their daughter Kari Granier is the principal for Sandpoint Middle School; her husband Ross manages Selkirk Glass & Cabinets.

Nowadays, you’ll often find Mike with his five grandchildren or out working with his horses, who from mountain riding to moving cattle, have always been a big part of his life.

Mike: I think our town and surrounding areas are blessed with a lot more than just natural beauty. It goes a lot deeper than that; we’re blessed with a lot of people who have either been raised here or moved here who want to make a difference in a lot of different ways. This is a very active community as far as people who want to help and volunteer for anything from youth sports to 4-H, to the Festival or Bonner Fair. People get sick or hurt, and the community wants to step in and help. I think that’s a thing a lot of people outside of this community are looking for, and we have it here.

Q.Tell me about the history of Sandpoint Furniture. What sets the company apart as a beloved local Sandpoint business?

Mike: Sandpoint Furniture was established in 1945 by John Hagadone. My business partners, Dale Jeffres and Dwight Sheffler, who were also my childhood friends and classmates, purchased Sandpoint Furniture [with me] in 1984. I had worked for Sandpoint Furniture for the prior owners since 1976, giving me the opportunity to learn the furniture portion of the business from the ground up. Our vision for the business was to be a valuable and trusted asset for our greater community providing furniture and flooring that fit the needs and wants of our local community. We have always tried to build our reputation on trust and good old-fashioned hometown service.

Q.As a multi-generational company, what has been most meaningful and rewarding about passing along the business?

Mike: It was an exciting time as we began to bring our second generation on board, providing new energy, insight, and bringing our business into the digital age. It has been very gratifying watching the second generation grow and become valuable, not only to the business but as cogs in the greater community, as they have become involved in leadership roles with many different organizations right here in our hometown. The multi-generational aspect of our “homegrown” business provides a deep-rooted loyalty to our community and the people who live here. I believe that “family” is what has always rooted me in this community, even beyond the natural beauty. It has been so gratifying to watch the business grow and thrive over the years as we took care of our customers and now watching the second generation at the helm of the business and growing it even in these unusual and difficult times.

Q.What has been a piece of advice or experience that you’ve carried with you, and that has impacted your life for the better?

Mike: Most people in business talk about the value of perseverance and doing everything in a trustworthy or honest way. Trust has always been really important for me in the business, because you can buy a product anywhere, but building a relationship of trust with a business is really special.

I think one of the great experiences is to work on finding—and we’ve found—just great people who work for our business who share these same principles. They genuinely like people, they’ve worked hard at providing great service. No business is perfect, but it’s what I think what’s set us apart.

Q.What vision do you have for the future of Sandpoint Furniture, Carpet One, and Selkirk Glass & Cabinets?

Clint: I don’t think the foundation of our family businesses changes that much. For my partners and I, the opportunity to make a life in our hometown and raise our kids in the greater Sandpoint area is an amazing gift. I would hope that our deep-rooted love of this community and a passion for providing cutting-edge goods and services for our area homes will sustain us for many years to come.

I will say that our incredible staff (both past and present) is largely why we have been in business for 75 years. But I am so proud of our staff for this past year … being pushed to the limits both physically and mentally with all of the new folks moving to this area, meanwhile juggling disruption in school schedules and family needs presented enormous challenges to balance life at work and at home. We are very grateful to work with such a passionate team that refuses to stumble!

While we continue to see growth all around us, our goal is to stay true to our identity as a longstanding family business that is thankful for our customers and continues supporting the community that has been so good to us for generations past, present and future.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW FOR

A SEASON OUT ON THE LAKE

BY ABIGAIL THORPE

June has arrived, and for many of us in Sandpoint it’s finally that time we’ve been waiting for since we hauled the boat out last September: boating season. The sun is out, it’s finally warm, and the lake has risen once again. A jump in the water might still take your breath away this early in the season, but it’s finally lake time, and that’s what summer in Sandpoint is all about.

From Beyond Hope to Forty-One South, there are plenty of places to boat out to for an afternoon of fun and relaxation. After all, we’re fortunate enough to live on Idaho’s largest lake—you could spend a long weekend just boating around its perimeter. On everything from kayaks and paddleboards to powerboats and sailboats, locals know how to take advantage of time on the lake, exploring every inlet, cove and island.

But you don’t have to own a boat to take part in the fun. Regardless of if you’re visiting or you’ve lived here for some time, there are multiple opportunities to rent for the day or longer. Whether you’re paddling your way around Lake Pend Oreille or on a motorpowered adventure, it’s well worth making a point to explore some new places by boat, or try a new form of water transportation. We’ve only got a few months of lake time, so why not make the most of it?

Just getting started?

If you’re new to boating or this is your first season out on the lake, you’re in the right place—there are plenty of resources and people to get you started.

Kayaking, paddle boarding and canoeing are the perfect way to dip your toes in the water and explore Lake Pend Oreille and surrounding rivers and mountain lakes, plus the learning curve is fairly easy—and it’s relatively inexpensive. Borrow a friend’s or rent to get a feel for what you like best, and when you’re ready to own your own, do a bit of research or head to one of our local experts to find the right fit for you. There are even great inflatable kayak and paddleboard options now that make transportation and storage simple and easy.

Sailing is a big pastime on Lake Pend Oreille, and it’s also a fun way to explore the lake, learn a new skill and get outside. But unlike kayaking and paddle boarding, it takes a bit more experience and practice to master the intricacies of sailing. Luckily, there are many local sailing crews that welcome newcomers.

The Sandpoint Sailing Association out of Windbag Marina is a great way to get connected with local sailors, find education opportunities, and maybe even get out on a boat for some practice. In addition, you can book a local skippered cruise or lessons to get a little experience before you head out with a crew for a race or sail across the lake.

On any given summer day in Sandpoint, you’ll see multiple powerboats cruising across the crystal surface of the lake. It’s one of our favorite summer pastimes—and absolutely worth the winter wait for those precious three to four months of boating season. But owning a boat can be expensive—and requires a lot of time and commitment.

Last year saw a huge jump in new boat owners, and this year looks to continue the trend. If you’re looking to get in on the fun, take your time to do some research and find the right boat for you. Also, some boat safety education can go a long way. It’s free through BoatUS Foundation, and Bonner County Sheriff’s Office conducts a Boat Idaho Course about three times each spring/summer season that is free and open to the public.

Set out on an adventure.

Lake Pend Oreille and surrounding lakes and rivers offer a host of boating adventures from short excursions to multiday cruises and paddles. If you’re looking for a relaxing evening or weekend jaunt, head over to the Floating Restaurant or Beyond Hope for some lakeside dining, or if you’re ready to soak up the sun and join some other boaters on the water, the Pack River Flats sandbar east of Hope near Sunnyside is a popular destination.

If you’re looking for some more adventurous excursions, there are plenty of put-in areas and gorgeous routes for kayaking throughout the lake. Talache Landing, Garfield Bay and Hope all provide ideal spots for exploring various regions of the lake and shore, or you can put in at Johnson Creek near Clark Fork, and paddle through the Clark Fork Delta and around the shore of Lake Pend Oreille to the Green Monarchs; just make sure to hug the shore to avoid the sometimes strong winds.

If you’re looking for a more extreme adventure, the multiday, 111-mile paddle around the lake will offer unparalleled viewpoints and access to hard-to-reach areas, but it’s an intense camping and kayaking experience that you’ll need experience, provisions, gear and a friend or two for.

Multiple overnight destinations dot the perimeter of Lake Pend Oreille, and you can access many of them from sailboat and motorboat. From Springy Point Campground where the Pend Oreille River flows out of the lake, you can head to Sam Owen Campground on the shores of Hope, where you can set out from to explore the several small nearby islands, or head across the lake to the majestic Green Monarchs, where the mountains drop off into the lake and several buoys make it easy to tie your boat off and jump in for a swim or picnic on the shore.

As you head south along the lake, Garfield Bay and Green Bay campgrounds offer beautiful views and a quiet bay to enjoy boating, fishing and swimming. Just south of Talache, Maidens Rock and Evans Landing provide primitive camping beaches that are first come, first served, and only accessible by foot or boat. ON ANY GIVEN SUMMER DAY IN SANDPOINT,

YOU’LL SEE MULTIPLE POWERBOATS CRUISING

ACROSS THE CRYSTAL SURFACE OF THE LAKE.

IT’S ONE OF OUR FAVORITE SUMMER PASTIMES—

AND ABSOLUTELY WORTH THE WINTER WAIT

FOR THOSE PRECIOUS THREE TO FOUR MONTHS

OF BOATING SEASON.

IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR SOME MORE

ADVENTUROUS EXCURSIONS, THERE ARE PLENTY

OF PUT-IN AREAS AND GORGEOUS ROUTES FOR

KAYAKING THROUGHOUT THE LAKE.

While you’re at the southern end of the lake, take the opportunity to explore the deepest part of the lake, which still supports U.S. Navy submarine testing near Bayview, and the historic Farragut State Park, an old WWII naval training station.

Where to rent ...

You don’t have to own a boat to get out on the lake. There are multiple boat rentals around the lake for visitors and residents alike that offer everything from kayaks and paddleboards to sailboats and pontoons.

Action Water Sports in downtown Sandpoint offers wake and ski boat rentals, pontoons, jet ski, kayak and paddleboard rentals, as well as lessons and lake tours. Sandpoint Boat and RV Rentals also offers a variety of rental options by the day or month, and Sandpoint Watersports in Dover Bay, Bottle Bay Resort and Marina and Hope Marine Services all have rental options available if you’re staying in a specific location on the lake.

For those who would rather sit back and enjoy the views, there are several charters and tours available on Lake Pend Oreille. Hop aboard the classic Shawnodese ferryboat for daily and specialty cruises from Lake Pend Oreille Cruises, or Cloud Nine Sail Charters out of Hope offers skippered sailing charters for an incredible experience on the lake.

No matter your preferred method of travel, take the opportunity this summer to head out on the lake and explore it from a new viewpoint. From day-long cruises to watersports or overnight adventures on secluded beaches, there is so much our beautiful Lake Pend Oreille has to offer from the vantage point of a boat deck, kayak or paddleboard.

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