Because there’s more to life than bad news
A Newsmagazine Worth Wading Through
Organic
Oasis
bloOMS in Hot Springs, Montana
Photo by Janet Young
Bye, Joe May 2016 • FREE
TIMBERFEST
Saturday, June 4• 9:30 am Carson Exhibition #1 • 10 am–11 am TUG of war (team competition) • 11am–12pm Carson Exhibition #2 •12 pm–1 pm TUG of war (team competition Semi’s) • 1 pm–2 pm Carson Exhibition #3 • 2 pm –3 pm TUG of war (team competition Finals) • 3 pm–4 pm Awards and Auction • 4 pm–5 pm Jell-O Wrestling • 5 pm– 6 pm Dance to live music with the Devon Wade band 7 pm– Midnight (doors open at 6 pm)
Carson Bosworth Exhibition will display competition in standard logging events such as: Cross Cut Back – Hot Saw – Axe Throw – Underhand Cut – Self Saw – Springboard Chop – Birling – Pole Climbing Team Tug of War: Men’s and Women’s 8 member teams
At your Bonner County Fairgrounds All Seasons Garden & Floral
31831 Hwy 200 Sandpoint Open Daily Monday-Saturday 9 to 6 Sunday 10 to 4 208.265.2944
Your HOMEGROWN Vegetable Headquarters!
Give Us a Try Before You Buy!
Certified Organics Available Hardy Veggies for OUR region Heirloom and Extra Early
Harvest Supreme Compost or Planting Mix
Buy 3 Get one FREE! Super Charge Your Garden! Hurry in, valid through May 12-24 only!
ALPINE MOTOR CO. • 476749 Highway 95, Ponderay
Sales: 208.946.5282 Service: 208.946.5286 www.AlpineMotors.net
Custom design and repairs by Karl & Jason
Special pricing on monthly birthstones. WE SET THE STANDARD Open 7 Days a week Sayers Jewelers, inside the Bonner Mall in Ponderay
208.263.0010
Internet.... Everywhere
View or download our weekly sale ad at
Super1Foods.net
SAVE MORE every week with our mobile app! just text to
SUPER 74121
Need reliable, high-speed Internet service? Call for a free site survey today! Intermax serves many areas of Bonner County from Dover to Hope as well as locations throughout Kootenai County.
208.762.8065 in Coeur d’Alene •
In Sandpoint at 624 Larch St.
208.265.3533 in Sandpoint
208.255.2417
www.IntermaxNetworks.com
In Bonners Ferry at 6452 Main
208.267.4000
A Record You Can Trust
Please Vote May 17!
Paid for by the Committee to Re-Elect Shawn Keough, Shawn Keough, Treasurer
Spring is Here and it’s Time to Get Outside! Check out these activities: Upcoming dates to remember: FREE COMMUNITY TRACK MEET Brought to you by Sandpoint Parks and Rec., SHS Cross Country, and SHS Track Team Friday, May 6 • ages 9 – 14 • Sandpoint High School track• 3:30 – 5:30 pm. Form available online, please pre-register at Sandpoint Parks and Rec.
1123 Lake St. in Sandpoint
208-263-3613
www.SandpointIdaho.gov Scholarships available.
FREE – UNPLUG AND BE OUTSIDE May 10, 11 and 12, a series of free events to empower families to be active. Each youth that collects event leader signatures on their passport, by attending 2 or more events during the week, is eligible for fabulous prizes! Adult Summer League Tennis – Doubles & Singles Doubles Regular season play is May 17 – Aug. 3 Doubles Extended season play is Aug. 9-Sept. 28 Singles season runs the week of May 22- July 2 REGISTRATION DEADLINE: May 12, 2016
SUNDAY CELEBRATION Join Sandpoint Parks & Recreation, Brother Music, and Creations for Sandpoint for an afternoon of family friendly music from local groups and churches, poetry, live portraits and other artistic venues by our local artists. This FREE event is open to everyone. Come share your art with us. Every Sunday May through September ADULT COED SOFTBALL REGISTRATION DEADLINE: (Monday, June 6) Play held Mon - Thurs. beginning July 7 – Aug. 25. Sponsor and Players fees are due in full at the Captains Meeting, Thursday June 16 at 5pm in the City Hall Council Chambers. FEE: $300 sponsor + $360 players 8th ANNUAL – SAND CREEK PADDLERS’ CHALLENGE This event is all about FUN (and some healthy competition if you want) There are four divisions, solo race, tandem race, SUP and recreation. Trophies for 1st in each division. All other prizeS are awarded by random drawing. This is a 4 mile paddle up and back on Sand Creek. LOCATION: City Beach (check in & late reg. at pavilion 9-9:30am) DATE: Saturday, June 11 TIME: 10am race start FEE: $10/boat THE SUMMER ACTIVITIES BOOKLET WILL BE DISTRIBUTED ON MAY 21. Available online at www.sandpointidaho.gov/parksrecreation and available in our office by May 25.
Page
May 2016
THE RIVER JOURNAL • May 2016 •
A News Magazine Worth Wading Through ~just going with the flow~ P.O. Box 151•Clark Fork, ID 83811 www.Facebook.com/RiverJournal (Webpage under redesign) 208.255.6957 • 208.266.1112 RiverJournalIdaho@gmail.com
STAFF Calm Center of Tranquility Trish Gannon • trishgannon@gmail.com
Ministry of Truth & Propaganda
Jody Forest • reach him in the great beyond
Sales & Other Stuff
David Broughton• 208.290.6577 • davidcbroughton@gmail.com
“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” Aristotle Proudly printed at Griffin Publishing in Spokane, Wash. 509.534.3625 Contents of the River Journal are copyright 2016. Reproduction of any material, including original artwork and advertising, is prohibited. The River Journal is published the first week of each month and is distributed in over 16 communities in Sanders County, Montana, and Bonner, Boundary and Kootenai counties in Idaho. The River Journal is printed on 40 percent recycled paper with soy-based ink. We appreciate your efforts to recycle.
6. ORGANIC OASIS. In Hot Springs, Mont., there’s a growing industry that’s going organic. Trish Gannnon
8. CLARK FORK IS GROWING EAGLES. A surprising number of young men are earning their Eagle badge in this small town... and beyond 9. GET READY TO PLANT. Make sure your dirt is ready for those tomatoes. NANCY HASTINGS - GET GROWING
10. TAKING FORD FOR A TEST DRIVE. David changes his endorsement for Bonner County Sheriff. DAVID KEYES - AS I SEE IT. 12. PRIMARILY RECOMMENDATIONS. Gil shares his choice for best candidate on both tickets in Bonner County. GIL BEYER - IN THE MIDDLE 13. THE VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOW. While those might not be familiar “colors” to you, Mike said the birds that sport these are truly a fan favorite. MIKE TURNLUND - A BIRD IN HAND 14. MEMORIES, NOSTALGIA & THE PRESENT. Memories are delightful, but Gary tries to keep his focus on the memories he is creating today.
GARY PAYTON - GARY’S FAITH WALK
15 AVERAGE IS AN AVERAGE. Life is always offering opportunities to learn, especially if you golf. SANDY COMPTON - THE SCENIC ROUTE 16. RANDOM THOUGHTS Those with a serious illness never walk their path alone. AC WOOLNOUGH - ALL SHOOK UP 17. MEET IN THE CIRCLE One of the many values to be found in public land is the natural chance to meet in the circle for council. ERNIE HAWKS - THE HAWK’S NEST 18. JOE DEFOREST, 1949-2016. “How lucky I am to have something that makes saying good-bye so hard.” (Winnie the Pooh, A.A. Milne) 19. WHAT DID SENATOR CRAPO SAY TO THE DYING VETERAN? In his final column, Jody Forest pushes for medical marijuana. JODY FOREST - SURREALIST RESEARCH BUREAU 20. NO NEWS IS GOOD NEWS. Catching up with what’s going on in the world might make you want to break your television. SCOTT CLAWSON - ACRES N’ PAINS
Our Thanks to these fine businesses where you can pick up a copy of the River Journal: Coeur d’Alene North Idaho College Athol Athol Conoco Westmond Westmond Store Sagle Sagle Conoco Sandpoint Waterfront Conoco The Panida Theater Vanderford’s Books Eichardt’s DiLuna’s Cafe
Monarch Mountain Coffee Columbia Bank Dairy Depot Burger Express Sandpoint City Hall Sandpoint Super Drug Gas n’ Go Ponderay The Hoot Owl Cafe Babe’s One Stop Co-Op Country Store The Bonner Mall Schweitzer Conoco Hope
Holiday Shores Clark Fork Hay’s Chevron Monarch Market Clark Fork Beverage Samuels Samuels Service Station Elmira Elmira Store Naples Naples Gen. Store Bonners Ferry Super One Foods Safeway
Bonner Books Bonners Visitor Center Noxon Big Sky Pantry Aitken’s Quik Stop Noxon Mercantile Trout Creek Trout Creek Local Store Thompson Falls Town Pump Harvest Foods Plains Conoco The Printery
May 2016
Page
CAMAS ORGANIC MARKET AND BAKERY 300 Main St. Hot Springs, Mont. Open 9 am to 6 pm
www.CMPMontana.com
Trudy Berge
223 Main St. Hot Springs, Mont. 406-741-2125
Sales Associate 222 Main St. Hot Springs, Mont.
406-741-3737
trudy@cmpmontana.com
Lodging/RV
Sun-Thurs 7am to 10:30pm Fri-Sat 7am to midnight 209 Wall St., Hot Springs, Mont. SymesHotSprings.com • 406-741-2361
210 3rd Ave. North, Hot Springs, Mont.
StillwatersMineralSprings.com 406-741-2326 • Lodging/RV
Fergie’s Pub & Grill
Swedish and Couples Massage available at Symes Hot Springs 406-741-5433 • Sandra Sitzmann
Rainbow Zen Organic Cafe 411 N. Wall 406-741-2142 Astrological and Tarot Readings Page
on Main St. in Hot Springs, Mont.
406-741-2416
309 N. Spring St., Hot Springs, Mont.
AlamedasHotSprings.com 406-741-2283
Ayurvedic Consultations, Massage and Spa Treatments at Alameda’s Hot Springs
406-741-3461 • Kathy Kendall
Loafin’ Around Bakery & Cafe Open for breakfast and lunch Wed-Sun from 6 am to 2 pm on Main St. in Hot Springs, Mont.
406-741-5993
On the corner of Wall and Main in downtown Hot Springs, Mont.
May 2016
An Organic Oasis is Blossoming in Hot Springs Driving east into Montana along the Scenic Byway (Hwy. 200), the landscape is traditional temperate spruce/fir forest: dominated by Douglas fir, lodgepole and western white pine, rocky mountains, and, just past Thompson Falls, Bighorn sheep. In Plains, appropriately, the landscape begins to open up as it transitions into sagebrush steppe, mountains replaced with large, rolling hills covered in sage brush and, at this time of year, blushing yellow with arrowleaf balsam root. Pronghorn antelope can be spotted and, if you continue on 200 until its end, the buffalo responsible for the highway’s other name: The Road to the Buffalo. Head north just east of Plains and drop down into the Camas Prairie, part of the Flathead Indian Reservation, where signs are still visible of the awesome power of Glacial Lake Missoula. Partway up its western edge, about midway between Missoula and Kalispell, you’ll find the tiny town of Hot Springs, Montana (pop. 544 in the 2010 census), where an organic oasis is beginning to bloom and, at its heart, you’ll find one of North Idaho’s most famous potato farmers — David Ronniger, founder of Ronniger’s Potato Farm of Moyie Springs, now under the management of his son and changing its name to Potato Garden. Ronniger expanded the image of potatoes around the country far beyond the yellow, red and white found in the typical grocery store, offering, at one time, 274 varieties of potato seed from his 100+ acre farm in Moyie. It was the first certified organic farm in the state,
and for over two decades he educated the public on potato varieties and propagation before leaving the business to his son and “retiring,” with his partner Linny Gibson, to Hot Springs, Montana. “I’ve spent my whole life traveling regularly to hot springs,” he said, touting the health benefits to be derived from their nutrient-rich waters. “The springs
here in Hot Springs are [in terms of nutrients] rated the second-best in the world. You have to travel to Germany to find the best,” he explained. He had planned to teach organic farming techniques to interested farmers on the Flathead Reservation. “Historically, these tribes were gatherers. So I came to teach them to garden.” And there were plenty who were interested: today, there are over 40 organic farms growing produce in the Hot Springs area. Ironically, potatoes play only a small role in what is produced. “It’s hard to grow potatoes and carrots in the soil here,” he laughed. Nonetheless, on his own two acres he’s growing greens and root vegetables, much of which is sold in his new —and surprisingly successful — organic market in town, the Camas
by Trish Gannon Organic Market and Bakery. “I didn’t intend to open a market,” David explained, but he’d agreed to help a friend open an organic bakery. “The building was too big for just the bakery, so I opened the store. I thought it would be easy,” he said. That’s because organic markets played a role in his life before even farming potatoes. He opened his first organic market at the age of 25 in his home state of Utah, and has been involved in several other markets through the years. “This is the store of the future,” he offered, “and the present. Rural people are very interested in organic food; after all, it’s the food we all used to eat, before corporate farms and processed foods.” Currently, the 1,200 sq. ft. store and bakery is undergoing expansion that will almost double its size. It offers fresh produce, whole grains, rice, beans, pasta, whole-grain and gluten-free flours and baking supplies, spices, medicinal herbs and teas. There’s eggs, dairy, cheeses, seeds, nuts and organic local meats available as well, along with vitamin and mineral supplements. Most dried goods are sold out of bulk bins so the customer can buy just the amount they want. “We’re searching for the best food in the country,” David said. “Right now, 99 percent of our produce and 90 percent of processed food in our store is certified organic and GMO-free.” Home gardeners already understand
Continued on next page
The Historic
MONTANA BAR 201 Main St. Hot Springs, Mont. 406-741-5552
Open 9 to 4 most days. Ring the bell and we’ll invite you in. Eric and Norah Potts, Proprietors at the Corner of Wall and Central
406-741-5096 Page
May 2016
OASIS - from previous page there’s a vast taste difference between a tomato fresh off the vine and the tomatoes grown and shipped to local supermarkets. Ronniger says that same taste difference can be found in every food — even in the wheats and barleys ground into flour and used in baking. “We offer three varieties of barley, which is the grain of the north country,” he said, “and three corn flours. There are three beekeepers in the valley, and we go through almost 300 gallons of honey every year. And this is what people want. Before our market, they had to drive to Kalispell or Missoula to buy this kind of food. Now, we even have customers coming from Sandpoint and Coeur d’Alene.” Anyone driving into Hot Springs to shop should know there’s more to the town than just an organic market. After all, there’s those hot springs as well. There are five places with “plunges,” as they’re known, where visitors can soak in the healing, hot water. Three offer plunges for the day visitor (Symes, Roses and Big Medicine), while the other two (Alameda’s and Stillwaters) offer private plunges to their overnight guests. There are also a number of hiking trails in the area, plus four waterfalls. There are Glacial Lake Missoula interpretive tours and, after Memorial Weekend, a small, local museum. In addition, a very active artist’s society ensures there is plenty of music — free music. Every Friday and Saturday night, from 8 to 10 pm at the Symes Hot Springs, the music rings out. May’s offerings are an electic mix, from folk to blues to swing to boogie woogie. (A complete event schedule can be found at symeshotsprings.com.) Later in the summer, travel to Hot Springs for its increasingly famous Blues Festival. And, of course, eat your fill on many of the organic offerings that are creating new roots for this growing community. If you’re coming from the south, reach Hot Springs, Montana by traveling east on Scenic Hwy. 200. Turn north on Hwy. 28 just east of Plains. Follow Hwy. 28 to Hwy. 77, which takes you directly to the town of Hot Springs. From the north (Kalispell), take Hwy.93 south to Hwy. 28, and follow 28 to Hwy. 77. Page
Clark Fork’s Growing Eagle Wings
Eagle Scouts Derrick Horton, Derek Lowry, Geoffry Boudousquie and James Cope
Clark Fork High School have earned this Life for kids today, it seems, is full prestigious award: Geoffrey Boudousquie, of trophies and awards for various accomplishments, and the sheer plethora Derek Lowry, James Cope and Derrick Horton. Two more, still in high school, are can work to diminish the achievement. currently working on earning their Eagle But there is one award, earned standing: Jordy Dick (who has earned exclusively by young men, that still an astounding 38 merit badges) and carries with it an air of exclusivity and honor — attaining the Boy Scout’s rank of Geoffry’s younger brother, Hunter. “It’s pretty amazing that kids still do Eagle. And in the little town of Clark Fork, this,” said Barb Holub, office coordinator a growing number of young men are at Clark Fork High School whose attaining this significant achievement. husband, Rich, is also an Eagle scout. In Boy Scouts, young men have “They have to work really hard to get it. the opportunity to earn merit badges We should be proud of them. These kids in various disciplines, ranging from tend to be role models, leaders in the citizenship to emergency preparedness, school. These are the kids I can rely on.” and environmental science to lifesaving. Depending on the number of badges they Debbie Weber, the school’s administrative assistant, concurred, saying, “To achieve earn, they attain different ranks: Scout, this requires self-motivation. It really Tenderfoot, Second-class, First-class, shows they know how to follow through, Star, and Life, and finally culminating in and businesses recognize those traits the Eagle rank. Only around 5 percent of when they see this on an application.” Boy Scouts ever attain this highest rank, There are approximately two million According to the National Association scouts who have attained Eagle rank of Eagle Scouts, “Merit badges signify since 1912, including President Gerald the mastery of certain outdoor skills, as Ford, astronaut Neil Armstrong, former well as helping boys increase their skill Speaker of the House Tom Foley, and in an area of personal interest. Of the Academy Award-winning director and 130+ merit badges available, 21 must be producer Steven Spielberg. earned to qualify for Eagle Scout. Of this And while it might seem odd that a group, 13 badges are required, including town as small as Clark Fork has so many First Aid, Citizenship in the Community, young men achieving this prestigious Citizenship in the Nation, Citizenship in rank, it’s hardly alone — surrounding the World, Communications, Cooking, areas see this same high rate of Environmental Science, Personal Fitness, completion. Personal Management, Camping, and The David Thompson District for Family Life. In addition, a Scout has a choice between Emergency Preparedness scouting encompasses North Idaho from the Canadian border to Kootenai County, and Lifesaving and a choice among and from Newport to Troy, Montana. Cycling, Hiking, and Swimming.” Joanne Walker, Advancement Chairman Attaining the Eagle rank, therefore, for the district, says that just since represents a commitment to hard work, January of 2014, 33 scouts have earned perseverance, and a commitment to their Eagle badge. And while they all community that makes Eagle scouts must work hard and persevere to do so, highly valued when they enter the work they don’t do it alone. Behind each Eagle force. Scout is a community that has supported In recent years, four young men at May 2016
them in their efforts. So perhaps it’s not surprising to learn that there are dozens, if not hundreds, of men in our area communities who are Eagle Scouts themselves. Maybe it’s something in the water that draws them here. Or perhaps it’s the values that the oldtimers from North Idaho and our neighbors to the east have made such a predominant part of our community life. As for the four in Clark Fork: Derek Lowry joined scouting when he was five and his brother became a cub scout. “He set an example for me, and inspired me,” Derek said. He added, “Scouting was an adventure for me. From hiking up “unbearable” mountains and learning survival skills, to the plethora of service projects and merit Badge Colleges, I enjoyed it all. Without the influence of my family and God on my life, none of this would have been possible; it was by the concrete foundation of service, through scout organized events, and the guidance to morality, from scouting and religion, that steered my ethical rules of conduct, and set me on the right path.” In 9th grade Derek was placed in honors physics and “I dreamed of becoming a physicist.” But then he fell in love with computer programming and chose software engineer as a career path. Physicist, however, is still on his horizon. James Cope began his scouting career at age 8, with his Grandma as his Den Leader. In 2011, he attended National Youth Leadership Training at Camp Cowles. His dad was his scout leader for many years, and their adventures included a 50-mile kayak trip down the Coeur d’Alene River, hiking over four mountains in two days, camping in snow caves, participating in a Klondike Derby, attending an LDS Encampment at Camp Cowles and performing countless hours of service for others. James will graduate from high school this year. Derrick Horton was born in Florida and lived in many places growing up given his father was an active duty naval officer. It was in Pensacola, Florida where he began with scouting. Over the years, he would earn 28 merit badges, 14 of which were Eagle requirements. For his Eagle project, he designed, planned and supervised the building of a 48-foot
bridge over a recreational trail on Fort Belvoir in Virginia. It took 101 man hours to complete. Derrick is currently attending ITT Technical Institute in the Spokane Valley, where he hopes to attain an associate’s degree in Network Systems Administration. He then plans to earn his Bachelor’s in Information Systems and Cyber Security. Geoffry Boudousquie started his scouting experience when he was eight years old. Over the years, he grew through the ranks of the scouting program with the determination to earn the highest rank of Eagle Scout. He is a young man who likes to work hard and serve others. Nowhere is this more evident than in the project he took on for achieving the rank of Eagle with the Boy Scouts of America. He took on the challenge of developing a picnic area along the Clark Fork River near Noxon, Montana. It is located at the Two Rivers RV Park and open for public use. Geoffry had to meet with a representative from Avista Power to discuss what was desired. He then made plans for development of the area. This included: clearing the area of all of the dead trees, underbrush, and limbing the live trees. Much of this material was chipped and the rest was hauled out to be used for firewood. The ground where a short trail is, had to be leveled and the chipped material was then placed on top of the trail. Geoffry organized a group of twenty or so volunteers to make this happen. He decided what equipment and tools were needed and made sure they were provided. Once the area was cleared and the trail was done, he put in a fire ring, picnic table and two benches, which he built. Between the work Geoffry did and the work of the volunteers he organized, there was approximately 175 man hours of service provided to accomplish his project. Geoffry is currently serving a two-year mission with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints at the Las Vegas, Nevada mission. When finished, he plans to attend BYU in Rexburg, Idaho. If you’re interested in learning more about Boy Scouts, or joining a local scout troop, visit scouting.org and follow the links to find a troop in your area.
Get Growing! by Nancy Hastings
Yes, it seems like we’ve all been waiting forever, but the time to plant your garden is just around the corner. In Bonner County, roughly, Memorial weekend is our traditional time to plant. So what can you do to get ready? First, work your soil. This means digging up and raking your garden beds, especially if you’re starting from scratch this year. A foot of loose soil is ideal. Once you have your soil nice and loose, test to see what amendments you might need for the healthiest garden possible. Test your tilth: squeeze your soil in your hands. Ideally, it will hold together under slight pressure, and then break apart again easily. If it doesn’t, your soil will need to be amended. Too loose to hold together and your soil is too sandy. If it doesn’t break apart easily, the clay content is too high. Soil organisms: dig a hole at least 6 inches deep and watch it for 5 minutes. Count the types of “critters” you observe. Less than ten and your soil needs more organisms. Less than 3 earthworms and your soil also needs some help. Collect a cup of soil from different parts of your garden bed. Put 2 teaspoons of soil in a container, and add 1/2 cup vinegar. If your soil fizzes, it’s too alkaline. If it does not fizz, put 2 teaspoons of soil into another container, add distilled water until it’s muddy, then add 1/2 cup baking soda. A fizz this time indicates your soil is too acidic. In either case, your soil will again need amendments. Take all your observations into your favorite garden center, and ask the knowledgeable people there how best to amend your soil for healthy and strong plant growth. Do this now, and you’ll be ready to get growing on Memorial weekend! Nancy Hastings grew up on a 300-acre farm and owns All Seasons Garden and Floral in Sandpoint with her husband John. They have been cultivating community gardens and growing for almost two decades in North Idaho. AllSeasonsGardenandFloral@gmail.com
May 2016
Page
Taking Ford for a Test Drive
208-290-5947 Desirable Sandpoint location close to schools, parks, library, walking & biking trails and health club. Large corner lot with southern exposure. Large backyard, views of Baldy Mtn. Great family home with 4 BR and 2 1/2 BA. $250,000 20161257 Bright, contemporary Sagle home with geothermal heating and air conditioning. Plenty of room for critters! 20+/- acres. Huge barn includes 3-bay shop. Lots of fruit trees, south-facing views and sunshine. $475,000 20160996. Homestead ready single level home nested in the woods in Clark Fork. Fenced open area, 4 BR, 2 BA on 5 +/- acres. Well cared for with multiple outbuildings. Beautiful mountain views, quiet road and peaceful setting. $283,000 20161388 Expansive Schweitzer views at Sandpoint home on dead end private road. 5+/- acres, 4 BR, 3 BA recently updated home. Barn/shop, greenhouse, chicken coop, fenced in garden. Property is flat and usable with newly built tree house. Close to town for easy access. $449,000 20161217 Meticulously maintained Sandpoint home on 1/4 acre corner lot in Sandpoint. Approx. 2,000 sq ft with 3 BR, 2 BA and gourmet chef’s kitchen. Master suite with jetted tub. Covered, wrap-around Trex porch. Landscaped with plenty of room for parking, plus heated shop/garage. View of Schweitzer. $239,000 20160299
I shook Terry Ford’s hand for the first time several Saturdays ago when he came to my home. I wanted to meet him and spend some time with the GOP sheriff candidate when it became evident to me that our current sheriff, Daryl Wheeler, is not doing his job. Yes, you could say I wanted to take Ford out for a test drive. I have always supported and endorsed Wheeler because I like him. He and his family are generous and try to make a difference in Hope and Bonner County. When he was first elected sheriff I heard nothing but good reports about his fiscal management, his impact on morale and the fact he was fair to staffers and the public. A lot of that has changed – but I am still betting he is nice and his family is awesome. All a person has to do is follow Sheriff Wheeler’s adoption of the constitutional sheriff nonsense that Rep. Heather Scott and the Tea Party are pushing, to follow his path to jumping on: • A publicity stunt in Priest River where a veteran was supposedly going to be banned from having a gun. • Grandstanding about the Syrian refugees who weren’t coming here anyway. Wheeler jumped on the bandwagon to say he would oppose having refugees in Bonner County. Anyone knows he has no say in the matter. • Purchasing an expensive, and not necessary, armored personnel vehicle for
DiLuna’s Presents
John Craigie
May 14 Tickets: $12 advance $15 at the door
Call Carol Curtis Asso. Broker, GRI, Realtor
208-290-5947 Page 10
$250,000. While these attempts by the sheriff to keep tight with the Tea Party are of concern, what really worried me was how he allowed(?) or wasn’t aware (?) when his pitbull of an undersheriff decided to put up a fake website under his opponent’s name. Undersheriff David Hale confessed to launching the fake website but only after trying to cover his tracks with a phony name on the registration of the website. Sheriff Wheeler kept Hale on staff after Hale resigned, even though Hale and the sheriff are being investigated in the fake website scheme. If Wheeler is re-elected, Hale will be back. Mark my words. Wheeler has also gone radio silent in talking with the county commissioners, press and employees in the apparent hope he can run the clock out on the primary election and assuming that an uninformed electorate will be supplemented by his Tea Party friends. Ford retired from the Idaho State Police a few years ago after 24 years of service with no intentions of ever running for office. Four years ago, some folks approached him to run and said things at the BCSO were bad. He declined. “These same folks were back this year— plus many more — and are telling me horror stories about what is going on in the sheriff’s office,” he said. “I have investigated a few of the stories and the ones I have looked into are true.” Ford almost didn’t run this time around either. On the last day to file, some of his friends tracked him down
Doors open at 5:30
220 Cedar St. Sandpoint 208.263.0846
Join us for breakfast & lunch, Wednesday-Monday, 8AM-2PM
May 2016
The Way I See It and talked him into jumping in. He needed signatures to turn in his petition and quickly found people to sign for him — including Sandpoint Police Chief Corey Coon and at least one other SPD officer. With only a short amount of time left, Ford — whose campaign photo shows him standing in front of a Dodge, of all things — was in the race. He is running because his brand of leadership is different than Wheeler’s. First, he is concerned that Wheeler has lost his way by signing on as a socalled constitutional sheriff. “I don’t really know what that is, but every sheriff follows the constitution,” he said. “I have been asked if I am one of those and I have to say I am not — but I will follow the constitution and not some group trying to interpret it.” He has gained voters because of his stance. Many feel that Wheeler is being manipulated by the local Tea Party group. Back to leadership. “How would you have handled an undersheriff who made up a fake website for your opponent?” I asked. “He would have been fired immediately, no excuses,” Ford said. “I would have then made sure there was an investigation into what happened. I would have taken charge, gone public and apologized and would make sure it didn’t happen again.”
EVERGREEN REALTY
Curt Hagan
Sales Associate, GRI
by David Keyes David Keyes is the former publisher of the Bonner County Daily Bee, Bonners Ferry Herald, and Priest River Times.
DavidKeyes09@gmail.com These are all actions the current sheriff didn’t take. “The undersheriff said he was putting up the website to help me and I guess he was right,” Ford said. “It is the gift that keeps on giving because everyone is talking about it and everyone tells me that they didn’t appreciate this dirty trick.” Ford said he wants to bring honesty, integrity and professionalism back to the BCSO. Ford is up to the challenge and knows he has to lead by example. “We need a sheriff who is on the job, making the right hires and training and promoting from within,” he said. “None of that is happening right now.” Former(?) undersheriff Hale wasn’t pleased when he learned that Sandpoint Police Chief Corey Coon and another officer signed Ford’s petition. He confronted Coon and demanded to know who Coon was supporting. That didn’t go over too well. “That’s the kind of leadership we have now at the BCSO and that has manifested itself in so many negative ways,” Ford said. Ford received a medal of valor concerning his heroism in a shootout a few years ago. He also pushed a K9
protection bill that became state law. He was also a trainer for the ISP and founded the Pacific Northwest Police Dog Association and watched it grow. According to Ford, Wheeler has spent a lot of his time out of Bonner County and while he has been away, there has been a leadership void. For example, one of his deputies drives a patrol car back and forth to his Cougar Gulch home every day at taxpayers’ expense. “These stories keep finding their way to me and I keep writing them down and shaking my head,” he said. “Leaders have to make decisions all the time and from what I see he is either ignoring all of the problems or causing them. Morale won’t get better by itself.” Of all of the complaints, the two that hit him the hardest and are the most prevalent are: • A lack of investigating burglaries. “We will respond and investigate all burglaries,” he said. • Not taking drug trafficking, drug abuse and its impact on property crimes seriously. “I did a lot of drug intervention with the ISP – it will be a priority,” he said. • Not keeping good deputies and Wheeler surrounding himself with yes men. “Won’t happen on my watch,” he said. “There are a lot of good employees at the BCSO and they are just waiting to be set free to do their jobs.” Ford passed the test drive and I am now firmly convinced that Sheriff Wheeler has probably occupied his position a bit too long and is way too close to the Tea Party and the party’s plan to have a constitutional sheriff it can control. Have you voted for a Ford lately? You might consider it this time.
Cedar Outlet
Fencing • Decking • Siding Garden Project Lumber 321 N. First Ave. - Sandpoint 800.829.6370 208.263.6370 EvergreenRealty.com SchweitzerMountain.com
Opening April 7-8 for the Season
1-208-263-1208 1 mi. north of WalMart on Hwy. 95
Like us on
facebook/CedarsofIdaho
May 2016
Page 11
Primary Recommendations
Previously I’ve discussed the fact that we seldom, if ever, vote in our own best interests. We’ve also covered the necessity to be registered, informed on the issues and knowledgeable of the candidates’ positions on those issues. Most importantly, we must actually get out there and vote. The primary being held on the 17th of this month is probably one of the most important local elections held in recent history. For the first time in several years we actually have contested races on both sides of the ballot and at every level. On the Democratic ballot we have vigorous write-in campaigns for State Senator and State Representative Position B. There are even contested races for the two County Commissioner seats and County Sheriff on the GOP side. As Lewis Carroll said it so well a long time ago, “Curiouser and curiouser!” I think the reasons for this can be found in the simple fact that we Idahoans are fed up with the status quo. We want representatives that actually represent the majority of Idahoans (not just the Far Right fringe group). I believe that most of us want balance in our legislators. We want legislators who are willing to compromise for the good of the majority of Idahoans. The incumbent in House Seat LD 1 B (Sage Dixon) is on record as saying, “The little Supreme Court in my head says it’s okay” (using the Bible as a text book in schools). The hard fact that those views conflict with both the US and Idaho Constitutions don’t seem to matter to him. He was also part of the contingent that went to support the occupiers at the Malheur Refuge in Oregon in January. The other incumbent, House Seat LD 1 A (Heather Scott), missed more time in Boise in February while she and Representative Judy Boyle (R–Midvale) acted as “human shields” at the ending of the occupation of the Malheur Refuge in Oregon. Representative Boyle said, “We figured the FBI wouldn’t kill legislators as much as regular citizens like they did two weeks ago” (referring to the death of ‘LaVoy’ Finicum when he was shot after running a roadblock). Why three Idaho lawmakers would leave Boise during the Page 12
by Gil Beyer
Legislative session is anybody’s guess unless it has something to do with the Coalition of Western States –‘COWS’. COWS is a relatively under-publicized group of western states legislators that support legislation to turn federal lands over to the individual states. COWS appear to be reluctant to provide lists of their membership and also seem to avoid media interviews. In the Sheriff’s race it appears that someone in the Sheriff’s office got caught doing something somewhat underhanded. A phony website purported to be the ‘official’ website for candidate Terry Ford looks like it came from the incumbent’s second-incommand. My pick in this race would be the challenger, Terry Ford. I think that it’s time we replaced a politician with someone with a proven track record and who believes that the phrase, “To protect and serve” is for everyone. Since this piece will come out just a week before the primary I am going to list my picks for LD 1 & LD7 and the Bonner County offices on the ballot. It will have to be in two parts thanks to the paranoia of the GOP that created their closed primary. Weird note: You MUST be a registered Republican to vote in the GOP Primary but anyone can vote in the Democratic primary — even registered Republicans. And you thought you understood the voting process. On the GOP Primary ballot my picks look like this: State Senator LD 1: Shawn Keough This is a no brainer. Shawn has worked long and hard for everyone in LD 1. Bonner County Commissioner, District 2: Jeff Connolly A common sense voice that works well with others. Bonner County Commissioner, District 3: Lewis (Louie) Rich. His opposition thinks the Commissioners didn’t go far enough in their xenophobic reaction towards refugees. Bonner County Sheriff: Terry Ford. Again, it is time to apply reason to the laws and in law enforcement. On the Democratic Primary ballot my picks are these: State Representative LD 1 A: Kate McAllister. She would work for consensus
Here in the Middle A retired Navy man, Gil Beyer has served as a library trustee and on the county Planning & Zoning board, (where he had the distinction of being fired from a volunteer position). He is currently the county Democratic State Committeeman and LD1 Chair.
40vintage@gmail.com solutions, not ideology. State Representative LD 1 B: Write-in candidate Stephen F Howlett. We cannot allow a DINO to steal a place on the November ballot. Stephen would listen to everyone — unlike the incumbent. State Senator LD 7: Kenneth Meyers. The incumbent has seldom voted for the majority of Idahoans. The incumbent was part of the group that created the need for the Special Legislative Session costing the Idaho taxpayers thousands of dollars unnecessarily. State Representative LD 7 A: Jessica Chilcott The incumbent has never, to my knowledge, been the lead on any bill. Nor has she ever voted in the interests of the majority of her incredibly Gerrymandered district. Those are my recommendations for the upcoming Primary. I only ask that everyone register, become an informed voter and above all vote in their own best interests. We need to break the hold on elected office created when only 17 percent of all the age eligible voters even bother to come to the polls. Your vote does count! In closing, I would like to say farewell to one of the truly good guys around here. Jody Forest lost his long battle with cancer on Monday, April 11th. For many years it has been my honor and privilege to help Jody with the annual DAV ‘ForGet-Me-Not’ events on Memorial Day. He honchoed this annual fundraiser for the DAV van for a long time. Veterans get this free ride to the Spokane VA Medical Center from the monies he helped raise. He will be missed. All hail Xena!
May 2016
A Bird in Hand
Violet Green Swallow: A Fan Favorite
Swallows are a favorite family of birds, if only because they are faithful harbingers of spring. It’s almost as if the warm weather follows these fair-weather birds. And in my experience, the first swallow to appear is always the violetgreen swallow. The violet-green is one of my favorites and this month’s featured bird species. The violet-green swallow gets its name from its coloration. This is a remarkably beautiful and exceptionally colorful bird. But you might not know this without using a pair of binoculars. When seen from underneath, which is the most typical view, you’ll see a body of white and relatively short dark wings. But once the bird lands or swoops low, a palette of colors becomes apparent. The head, nape, and back are a green of various hues, sometimes a forest green, other times seemingly mixed with a dash of blue, other times a combination thereof. But green. The tail feathers above are a distinctive violet — not purple, not blue, but definitely violet. These birds also have bright white cheeks. Females will have a duller head, often more brown than green, but they’re still a colorful bird. But the most distinctive feature will be the white saddle bags that straddle and almost wrap around that violet rump. These are unique to the violet-green and
by Mike Turnlund Do you love birds, and want to know more? Check out Mike’s bird photos, online at birdsidaho. blogspot.com.
mturnlund@gmail.com
are a definitive field mark. The only other bird you might confuse a violet-green with is the tree swallow. These are also summer residents in our area and also very beautiful. But the tree swallow lacks the violet coloration, is more green or greenish-blue in hue, and lacks the saddle bags and the white cheeks. The violet-green swallow is a West Coast bird, ranging from Alaska to Mexico and points further south. Its summer breeding grounds are north of the Mexican border and its wintering grounds south of the border. Sounds like my neighbors. There is also a year-round population in southern California. Those sound like my neighbors-to-be. Like its cousins, the violet-green is strictly an insectivore, catching bugs on the wing. Unlike other swallows, the violet-green might range higher into the sky, almost out of sight. They will also feed together with other violet-greens and perhaps other species, such as the similar but unrelated swifts. They will also take insects over water while also grabbing a sip, always on the wing.
What’s fun about violet-green swallows is their willingness to take advantage of backyard nesting boxes. I have had multiple pairs every year successfully raise broods in my Sandpoint backyard. They are even tough enough to fight off the House Sparrows. That is moxie. Though if a swallow decides to nest in a nook of your house, consider that a positive. Traditionally, a swallow’s nest is good luck. Violet-greens will also pluck feathers or pieces of twine or string off the lawn as nesting material. It is not uncommon for folks to spread pieces of brightly colored string on their yard, cut into short lengths, for the birds to use for their nest building. Other bird species will be equally appreciative of this helping hand. The name “swallow” is rather odd when you consider it. In fact this is not an uncommon question: “why are these birds called swallows?” The word is an evolved form of the Old English swealwe or swealewe. How that sounded in the original language, I do not know, but I’m sure it just rolled off the tongue. We have many other swallow species around us besides the violet-green, including the barn swallow, the bank swallow, the northern rough-winged swallow, the cliff swallow, and the aforementioned tree swallow. Swallow nirvana! Have fun this summer with the violetgreen swallow. Set up some nest boxes, scatter some thick colored threads on the lawn, and enjoy the show. Help spread violet-green colored happiness across our world. Happy birding!
Vote May 17 for Traditional Idaho Values
LEWIS RICH Bonner County Commissioner, District 3
Paid for by the committee to elect Lewis Rich May 2016
Page 13
Gary’s Faith Walk Gary Payton is an environmental advocate who is actively engaged with Presbyterians for Earth Care, Fossil Free Presbyterian Church (USA), and leading conservation organizations in Idaho and the region. May is a month of triggers for me. Our family has a collection of birthdays and graduation remembrances all packed into the space of very few weeks. When May 22 rolls around (the birthday of our son, Adam) I flash back to the day of his birth over three decades ago. We lived on the island of Oahu in Hawaii in a mid-career U.S. Air Force assignment. The drive to the Honolulu hospital is emblazoned in my mind — a crystal blue sky morning, the deep blue of the Pacific Ocean as we journeyed past green pineapple fields, and the joyful expectation that in a few hours a new child would be born to us. I’ll hold the beauty of the morning forever. Then there is the cluster of memories of our children’s graduations. From Memorial Field in Sandpoint to stadiums flung across Oregon, Minnesota, Colorado, and Florida, the images flood back. They do so because the memories are about hope and expectation as young adults take another step into their future. Wise spiritual leader, Sister Joan Chittister, tells us memories “remind us that the past has been so life-giving, so full of hope in all the tomorrows of life” and “do not so much immerse us in the past as they prod us toward the future.” And, then there is nostalgia, “an immersion in the past,” “a trap,” “a place of melancholy,” a substitute for “the delight of the present for the fantasies of the past.” I imagine we’ve all know such persons, the perpetually grumpy ones whose nearly every utterance is a recounting of a past glory, a seemingly better time from years gone by, and filled with persons far superior to any with whom he or she now associates. A part of Page 14
Memories, Nostalgia & the Present by Gary Payton
me mourns for these persons… seemingly no joy in their life and no sense of promise for the future. Not only are they a challenge to be around, but through their nostalgia for the past they make themselves miserable in the present. If I accept that memories remind me of what has been good before and what can be good now, if I accept that wallowing in nostalgia traps my soul and holds my present hostage, then how will I act each day this spring and summer? Will I breathe in deeply the greening trees, the birds in the air, the passing of the clouds on daily walks? Will I set aside the demands of unanswered emails or stored voicemails when I’m in conversation with loved ones and friends? Will I savor the food and drink which passes my mouth and be thankful for the day? Will I be fully present to my grandchildren as we do puzzles and build Legos on the floor? Simple questions. Seems like it is up to me how I choose to live my life each day, one day at a time stepping into the future. In my faith walk, I regularly turn to Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Matthew: 5, 6, and 7) for spiritual guidance. The teachings are profound — on loving our enemies, on anger, on prayer, on the Golden Rule, and much more. But, for me this day the message I receive is about
living in the present. We read, “So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own.” It is a message I receive of living with open hands, not clinging to the past, not obsessing over future outcomes which are beyond my influence. It is about an abiding awareness of the Divine. It is about my attentiveness to people, critters, and creation around me. For me, the message is clear. Be present. Be there now. This is life. Live.
The vision of panelized, realized.
Sustainable. Adaptable. Sensible. www.mehomes.net
(208)264.6700 Dan McMahon, Gen. Contractor dan@mcbldg.com
WRITE IT IN! and don’t forget to fill in the oval
Stephen F. Howlett
a REAL Democrat for State Representative Legislative District 1, Position B
Make Idaho Better!
Vote May 17 on the Democratic primary ballot Paid for by the candidate, Stephen F. Howlett - treasurer
May 2016
Average is an Average
A number of years ago, before Hidden Lakes was turned into The Idaho Club, a friend and I were playing par-5 Number 11 and came upon a huge moose in the small lake that lay across the fairway half way between the tee box and the green. The moose was browsing on the lake bottom plants and had its head under water, excepting its antlers. Charlie had hit his tee shot to 30 yards short of the lake. It was another 220 to the pin. He was a much better golfer than I, but he hadn’t much experience with moose. He asked me what to do. I told him to hit over the moose, which he did, firing a three-wood to the fringe. Just after his shot settled at the edge of the green, the moose came up for air. I was lying two, and had decided that I would hit over the moose as well, but I never got the chance. It took one look at us and charged out of the lake and into the woods. “Evidently, he’s seen you play golf before,” Charlie said. It was a classic moment. As many years that I’ve “played” golf, I’m not much better at it than I was the day the moose ran at Hidden Lakes. I put quotes around “played,” because golf, in my opinion, is not a game. It’s an endeavor. And, I’m not so great at it. I’m not a lousy golfer, though at two o’clock yesterday afternoon, you couldn’t have convinced me of it. But, according to no less an authority than the great golf teacher Harvey Pennick, I am an average golfer. Average. I shoot consistently in the 104 to 110 range — double bogey golf. So do most folks who play once a week or less. And there are a bunch of us. We get a “C” in golf. Does this make me feel any better
by Sandy Compton
when I chunk one into the water or slice my drive into the woods? No. At that point, I forget I’m average and begin to think I’m a lousy golfer. Average. It’s an interesting word, don’t you think. The Hoot Owl Cafe’s reader sign had sported the adage, “The average person thinks (s)he isn’t,” for months. It’s so true they can’t take it down. In our world, the word “average” has come to mean substandard. “Just an average student.” “Just an average golfer.” It’s not easy, being average. There is so much pressure to be exceptional. It is applied subtly by our culture daily. And sometimes, not so subtly. According to the gods of media, we have to be rich, beautiful, sexy, extraordinarily fit, dynamic and extremely productive. Or, we are just average. And just average is not good enough. No wonder we have such a problem with depression in our world. Golf courses, particularly here in the wet world of the Northwest, tend to be beautiful places. The rich variety of greens and the undulation of fairways fringed with trees — troublesome though they may be — recall savannahs where the youthful human species got their start. Perhaps to the order and varieties of dangers present to a hacker like myself might be drawn a comparison to those present to the ancient hominids who had to deal with lions and tigers and jackals, oh my. The penalties for going out of bounds then and there were much greater than stroke and distance. But perhaps that’s why golf is so compelling, that in its mirror of the wilds of prehistoric Africa, it is also the opportunity to be completely alive. Even when I am playing average golf,
The Scenic Route Sandy Compton’s book The Scenic Route, as well as his many others, is available online at bluecreekpress.com, or at Vanderford’s Books or The Corner Bookstore in Sandpoint.
mrcomptonjr@hotmail.com I sometimes make above average shots. I’m pretty good with my wedge from around the green. And, when I remember to pay attention to what I’m doing, I can hit most of my other clubs extraordinarily well. That, of course, is why I continue to endeavor my way around the golf course; for those rare moments of awe and elation when I do everything right, the ball rockets toward my target and then actually lands somewhere close to where I wished it to. Average is an average. It is not a life sentence. I’m probably never going to be an above-average golfer, but I’m a pretty good writer. I practice writing much more than I practice golf. Although, if I could afford it . . . We average people make up the great bulk of the human population. Like the Velveteen Rabbit, we are also real. When we begin to compare ourselves to the iconic images presented to us by popular media as “normal,” we are doing ourselves and all of our average friends a huge disservice. Golf helps keep me humble, but not by humiliation. It is no humiliation to be average.
WATERFRONT • RESIDENTIAL • ACREAGE • COMMERCIAL
Buying or selling, our experienced staff can help make your real estate dreams come true! 113 Cedar St. Sandpoint • 208.263.3167 • CMBrewster.com May 2016
Page 15
All Shook Up A.C. Woolnough has spent a lifetime in education. He serves the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation as both a Research Asso. and a member of the People with Parkinson’s Advisory Council. In addition, he is the Asst. State Director for the Parkinson’s Action Network.
ACWooly@gmail.com
Within a 72-hour time span, I recently attended meetings related to Parkinson’s Disease (PD) and medical research in New York City and Portland, Oregon. In between meetings, 5,000 of my closest friends and I participated in the Unity Walk in Central Park to raise funds for Parkinson’s research. As a result of the coast-to-coast travel, I’m writing this without being certain what day it is much less what time zone I’m in. Tired, exhausted and feeling brain dead, I thought I would share whatever comes to mind as I continue my journey with PD. First, let me tell you how awesome high school kids are. It’s been six years since I’ve spent time in a high school and my faith that our future is in good hands was once again renewed. I had the privilege to speak to the Health
Random Thoughts on PD Occupations classes at Sandpoint High School last month and noted that nearly all choose to pursue a career in the medical profession. That’s really good news for our aging population. Not only that, the students asked good questions—they were thinking critically and using their knowledge base. Changing gears, let me share that New York (specifically, Manhattan) is exciting, awesome and awful. We stayed in a postmodern hotel—small, dark, cramped, stark and expensive. The other 15 million or more New Yorkers didn’t care what kind of hotel we were in. Their job was to be part of the crowd—the crowded subway, the crowded sidewalks, the crowded restaurants and the nightmarish traffic. On the other hand, seeing and hearing, in person, the iconic sights and sounds of the city is tremendously stimulating and exciting. The World Trade Center, 9/11 Memorial, Statue of Liberty, Rockefeller Center, Radio City Music Hall, Natural History Museum, Times Square, Riverside Drive and on and on. Nevertheless, it was a huge relief to come home to Paradise North— Sandpoint, Idaho. Governor Butch Otter officially proclaimed April as Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Month as did our very own
Majestic Landscaping Supplies
Blended top soil • Organic garden soil & compost • Peat Moss • Sand and Deco Bark and more • Rock (U-pick, we haul & set) • U-haul or We haul
THE GARDEN CENTER is open for the season!
increase nutrients, such nitrogen and We have a large selection of fruit trees, ornamental treesasand shrubs, Organic greenhouse amenities, indoor and outdoor potting soils, seeds, Thisoffer septic pilot and project is blend being vegetables, grass and flowers. We also fertilizers garden introduced order tocan comply withorder. water top soil. We have added Evergreen trees thisinyear, and special quality standards as determined by the Need us to lend a hand with your home landscape project? Just ask! We Federal Clean Water Act. Designated have the manpower and tools for most any job. Do it yourself, rent ourto protect water quality, the plan, known as rototillers, skidsteer, excavator, trailers and other tools available. a “Total Maximum Daily Load” for Lake Pend •Oreille, addresses Mon-Sat 8:00am to 5pm Sun 9:00am to nutrient 3pm issues
PLUS Annie’s Orchard Antiques, Equipment Rentals and Kayak Rentals! In addition, many lakeshore Don’t Travel Miles... Check participated Out Our inPiles! homeowners a survey in 2007 concerning a variety of water Majestic Landscaping Supplies at Annie’s Orchard issues. As is turns out, their Hwy 200 1 milequality west of Clark Fork • 208-266-1245
by A.C. Woolnough
Bonner County Commissioners. A stranger saw me in my PD t-shirt while walking in Central Park. When asked in whose memory was I walking and raising funds, I replied, “My father and myself.” The stranger responded, “You can’t have PD. You walk just fine.” As a PwP (Person with Parkinson’s), my first reaction was anger. Upon reflection, I realized the words were well-intentioned and simply reflected a lack of knowledge. Nevertheless, let me suggest some ways to approach people with serious, though perhaps not immediately obvious, medical issues. The symptoms, the pain and the fears are not always visible. I like straightforward questions such as: How are you doing? Then, it is my choice how much I want to share—how honest I want to be right at that moment. What I don’t like to hear is how devastated I must be. Actually, after the initial shock wears off (and since the diagnosis may take two years or longer) most PwPs are too busy getting educated about their condition, working with a team, and being active partners and managers to be devastated. We know it is chronic and progressive. We’re living with it. There is no medical research on PD in the entire state of Idaho. The last time I checked, there were no movement disorder specialists (neurologists with two additional years of training), either. Idaho can do better than that! For more information about Parkinson’s Disease go to PDF.org
Council website at tristatecouncil.org.
Hay’s Chevron Gas • Convenience Store Unofficial Historical Society
Oil Changes Tire Rotation by appointment
208-266-1338
ver Journal Worth Wading Through | www.RiverJournal.com | Vol 17 No. 18 | November 2008 | 2016 Page 5 Page 16- A News Magazine May
Meet in the Circle
Nothing inspires conversation quite like a circle around a fire. I’m not sure if it is the fire, the friends or the circle. Circle has been the source of conference and council for millennia, crossing cultures and natural or national borders. My guess is the circle served as a community gathering and decision assembly until we moved away from the fire. The fire provided light, safety and warmth, making it the natural center. Several years ago, several of my friends and I were around a fire in our woods. All of our wives were at a women’s retreat, so many of us circled at my place. Conversations varied, but were energetic and vigorous. A couple guitars came out and some songs were sung— not well, but that didn’t matter—mostly old rock and roll. The circle, which materialized because of the fire, meant everyone was an equal in the conversations. This natural arrangement with no beginning and no end was not planned, but was expected since nothing else could have worked. There was talk of spirit animals and other totems. We shared about our oneness with all creation and how interconnected we are with the universe. Then someone commented on how easy the fire and circle made for personal and in-depth sharing. A circle is an ancient form of council that has passed down without any serious attempt to save it — it is a natural setting.
by Ernie Hawks
We can see it many times in mythologies. Sometimes it is intentional, but usually it seems to just form. In the myth of King Arthur’s court a round table was chosen because, once again, the circle equalized everyone in attendance. While the circle within our woods was not on public land, often times the only opportunity for such a conversations is on public land. Our parks, national forests and in wildernesses are the only access available to many. I have access to private land where I live yet many of my most memorable experiences have taken place while sitting in a circle in one of the magnificent natural cathedrals on our public lands. Privatizing our public lands would be a loss to humanity. Thoreau said, “In Wildness is the preservation of the world.” The only way to insure the wildness of much of our land is to keep it in the public trust. I do not see where our economy is so desperate as to make it imperative for every square foot to feed the monetary stores rather than be available to feed the souls of all who commune there. I realize this is not a new discussion; in fact it is as old as our National Parks. Still we must be vigilant to their natural beauty and intention. Perhaps it is time for the decision makers to meet in Circle around a fire, surrounded by wildness. Let them congress under the stars of an open meadow bounded by miles of forest. A
Brenner Landscape
Kent & Leanne, Owners • Sagle, Idaho
503.860.1881
lcbrenner58@gmail.com
The Hawk’s Nest
Ernie Hawks is the author of “Every Day is a High Holy Day: Stories of an Adventuring Spirit,” available on Amazon, Kindle or in your favorite bookstore.
ernestmhawks@gmail.com place where all communication is in the ring around a dancing flame, the music is wind in the trees and water in the streams. A place where the advisors on the periphery of the circle are the wild animals, their influence presented simply by their presence. This meeting place must be away from the interruptions of phones and Internet. My hope for such a council would be a new understanding of what value is and needs to be. I have sat in just such cathedrals with granite spires reaching many thousands of feet above an ageless basin. It is a place where water, ice and stones visually describe the magnificence of God without human interpretation. It is a place where our Spiritual connection is fed by a natural curiosity, a curiosity for nature’s plan, not ours.
Editor’s note: The first director of the national parks system, Stephen Mather, said, “The parks do not belong to one state or to one section.... The Yosemite, the Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon are national properties in which every citizen has a vested interest; they belong as much to the man of Massachusetts, of Michigan, of Florida, as they do to the people of California, of Wyoming, and of Arizona.” In this discussion now being held about the future of our national treasures, with arguments made to “return their ownership” to the individual states, we must recognize the irreparable loss we will be imposing on our future generations. President Lyndon B. Johnson said, “Once our natural splendor is destroyed, it can never be recaptured. And once man can no longer walk with beauty or wonder at nature, his spirit will wither and his sustenance be wasted.”
May 2016
Page 17
Joe Bert DeForest 1949-2016
On April 11, at almost 3 pm, my Veterans. Here locally, he was tireless beloved brother, Joe DeForest, died in in working to establish the DAV van, his sleep, just 9 and a half months after which takes local veterans to and from we learned he had terminal esophageal appointments at the VAMC in Spokane. cancer. He was 66 years old. In the almost 20 years he lived in Joe was born on 11 January 1949 North Idaho, he supported the River in Houston, Texas. Though we shared a Journal in numerous ways; he wrote mother (who died last August), his father several columns (most recently, the was George Boyd DeForest, Sr. Surrealist News) and was indefatigable At the age of 17, my mother signed in helping deliver the magazine into the papers to send him off to Viet Nam, Boundary and Sanders counties. In where he served as a Paratrooper with the days when we hand-delivered the the 173rd Airborne. He fought at Dak-To, newspaper in the Sandpoint area, he in the battle for Hill 875, and received would dress as Santa Claus to do it every a Purple Heart when wounded while December. searching for American prisoners of war. For 40 years he was also a prolific He missed the Tet Offensive because writer in the Surrealist movement, mainly my brother and I had measles, and he poetry and short stories. On attending a came home to make sure we were okay. Lovecraft convention in Portland, Oregon (At least, that is what I believed up until one year, he was surprised to learn he has about a decade ago, when he told me that a small (but fervent) fan base there. was actually just a coincidence.) He was an avid follower of All told, he would serve four tours cryptozoology — he didn’t believe in God, there, coming home with a national but he was pretty sure that lake monsters defense service medal, the Vietnam and Bigfoot actually exist. He once did service medal with one silver service a four-state driving tour searching for a star and three bronze service stars, the stuffed (and lost) specimen of the Shunka Republic of Vietnam campaign medal Warak’in, a hyena-type creature that was with device, the army commendation found the next year in Bozeman, Mont. medal, four overseas service bars, the And he created a rather memorable (if parachute badge, meritorious unit execrable) home movie of his search for commendation, Republic of Vietnam Lake Okanagan’s Ogopogo, with family Gallantry cross with palm unit citation friend Tana Smith, and his niece Amy badge, meritorious unit commendation, Gannon in the role of “Stupid.” the Republic of Vietnam civil actions After Viet Nam, and before coming honor medal first class unit citation to Idaho, Joe lived in Summerland, Calif. badge (2nd award) and a Purple Heart. He worked as a firefighter and as a He left me a note that I could probably lobster fisherman, lived on a boat for a get $30 or $40 for his medals at a pawn time, and often spent summers hiking shop, which might be the saddest thing through Central America. Those were I’ve ever read in my life. some of his favorite memories. He also came home with a broken Joe was weird, no matter what soul, and spent the rest of his life trying standard one might use for normal. to heal it. He began by devoting as much He was also the kindest man I have time to opposing war as he did to fighting ever known in my life. When I was friend and fellow one; beginning with Viet Nam (where he three years old, he ran into a burning paratrooper, Lee was often found pushing the wheelchair building to pull me and my brother Clay “Bill O’Reilly” Over. of Ron Kovik (“Born on the 4th of July”) out of it. He has been my hero my entire Vaya con Dios, Joe. “... for in that sleep and, most recently, on the street corners life, and I can’t even imagine what this life of death, what dreams may come!” of Sandpoint, where he was a vocal will be like without him. Our deepest thanks to the nurses opponent of our war in Iraq. He never married, but he leaves at the Sandpoint VA Clinic; Kootenai He also spent his life fighting to behind a family who sees him just as I Cancer Center and Dr. Allen; and Bonner improve the lot of veterans, through both do; his boon companion and great love, Community Hospice — especially to Vietnam Veterans of America and through Vivian Ainsworth; and his most dear Wayne. various chapters of Disabled American Page 18 May 2016
• Surrealist Research Bureau
Jody Forest •
Senator Crapo Tells Dying Veteran, “Go F... Yourself!” (or something like that) Editor’s Note: Jody died on April 11. He wrote the following as a “final” column. It should be noted that he used quite a bit of “artistic license” in writing this; or, in other words, he lied. Please see further note at the end. I’ll probably be dead by the time you read this, my last column for TRJ. Yep, a cowardly battle with esophageal cancer has sent me to the Choir Invisible where, after a short dirt nap, I’ll probably be a root inspector or something, maybe checking out turnips or carrots from their bottoms up, who knows? Medical marijuana has been one of my few consolations in my final days, relying on friends and fellow veterans to bring it to me from Montana or Washington, at great personal risk since it’s still illegal in Idaho. I’m past Commander of Sandpoint’s Disabled American Veterans Chapter and I thought my impending death would be a perfect opportunity to go to one of Senator Crapo’s local town hall meetings and query him about the subject. When asked about his support for medicinal marijuana, however, he immediately declared it was a state’s rights issue on which he, as a federal official, could only take a hands off approach. I then asked why he couldn’t do something as innocuous as removing it from the list of most dangerous drugs, on a par with heroin and his answer, though I may be misquoting or paraphrasing, was along the lines of “Go F... Yourself.” In the darkest depths of Mordor lies a dank, dirty cell reserved for hypocritical bigots like Crapo and as Grid is my witness I’ll still be fighting him and his ilk from beyond the grave! As Sauron found out to his dismay on the docks of Minas Tirith, the fleet of the Dead is naught to trifle with. America, Idaho, I’ll be putting my dead, heterosexual shoulder to the wheel! My only regret is that I was not kinder to people, and to all you youngsters out there looking for some kind of answers I can offer you Surrealism! Trust me, I’ve
been there! Surrealism will burst the fetters of the mind, if need be with real hammers! I leave you with this road map of sorts, written shortly after my return from Vietnam. Technicians of the Sacred With a Prophet’s wrench They tighten the bolts in the necks Of the Frankenstein Monsters of God They adjust the emerald innards Of the Melting Watches of Time They punch the tickets of the Trippers on the Cosmic Train and dodge between the raindrops of a hard, hard rain. They value shadow over substance Yearn for and will know The Great Beyond in their own lifetimes. They’ve ran guns with Arthur Smoked with Charles in the Hashish Club Shot up with Sid Viscous, Flew trapeze without a net in the Flying Circus Left the Fire Sign when On the Road On the bus that just said “Furthur!” They’ve walked point with a Grunt In an Asian War When the Butterfly screamed (As lovely as an alcoholic’s trembling hands and as fortuitous as the chance meeting on a dissecting table of a sewing machine and an umbrella). The Language of the Birds Will not be forgotten in their Lifetimes. Yet still they are around us and with a prophet’s wrench They tighten the bolts in the necks of the Frankenstein Monsters Of God! Beauty will be convulsive Or it will not be at all! So, with the vermouth-lipped duck of Doubt slowly roasting in my oven of Truth, I bid you adieu. Keep spreading the word: Soylent Green is People! All Homage to Xena.
Further note: Senator Crapo, to reiterate, did NOT tell Jody to go “F” himself. He did, however, respond that he felt medicalizing marijuana was a decision for the states, a cop-out that, to Jody, felt like much the same response. Crapo did not expand on whether he believes access to ALL prescription drugs should be a decision of state legislators instead of medical doctors. And he did not express any support for removing marijuana as a schedule 1 substance under federal law. In addition, and despite the fact that Jody identified himself as a veteran of four tours in Viet Nam, dying of cancer. Senator Crapo neglected to thank him for that service; nor did he express any sympathy or sorrow at Jody’s impending death. An oversight, I’m sure. Further, Jody exaggerated his dependency on medical marijuana. He lived with me, and to my knowledge actually chose not to use it to deal with his pain and misery, only because he had great difficulty keeping any food down, and was afraid that if he used marijuana he might actually want to eat. Nonetheless it remains a fact that marijuana is of great benefit to many who are ill, particularly those who suffer from cancer. Four of the six states that neighbor Idaho (Washington, Oregon, Montana, Nevada) have recognized this and passed some form of marijuana law that allows for its medical use. Last year, Idaho’s legislature approved S1146, a bill that would, at the least, prevent seriously ill Idahoans from being convicted for possessing medical marijuana oils with very low amounts of THC. That bill was, however, vetoed by Governor Butch Otter. If you would like to encourage our legislators to support legislation to allow ill Idahoans access to a beneficial drug, contact the Marijuana Policy Project at mpp.org. Or visit legalizeidaho.org to learn of local efforts to change Idaho’s laws. Or simply write your legislators. Photo: Sen. Crapo speaks at the Phi Center in Clark Fork. by Trish Gannon
Joe
May 2016
Page 19
No News is Good News (until it’s been
208.263.4272
HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY! A free flower to the first 50 Moms on Sat. May 7
Plant Sale, Farmer’s Market & Bonner Co. Gardening Club
May 6 & 7 9-3
Will be held inside if raining
Monthly Used Book Sale
I’ve come to a serious conclusion, costing several brain cells. This being, obviously, the headline above: that ‘new news’ can be as toxic as lutefisk, Aunt Zelda’s homemade “Kimchi Casserole Surprise” or even what’s hiding in the old pizza box you forgot you slid under the sofa some time ago! Maybe not quite as bad as the dirty socks my brothers used to tape under my nose when we were kids, but the reflexes triggered by each are identical to the naked nose. Reflexology is actually the study and careful manipulation of my brothers’ old socks. Now back to the news. Simply put, any news, other than nature-related emergencies (such as a two cent rise in gas prices), needs to be aged through the grey matter of professional comedy writers. This process, highly technical, neutralizes the ‘bad’ Ph (personality hazard) factor from as high as “splitting headache” and “fingernails on a chalkboard” levels (sometimes referred to as “a
Saturday, May 28 10-2
Your eyes may change with time but your lifestyle doesn't have to.
Join Us For All Kinds Of Spring Savings at the Bonner Mall!
Bonner Mall Cinemas, J.C. Penney, Petco, Sayers, Sears, Smoker’s Express, Staples, The Dollar Store, Vapor Depot, Walkers Furniture & Yokes Fresh Market
All general vision needs with many insurances accepted. An independent optometrist with 14 years local experience.
BONNERMALL.COM
Page 20
RON’S REPAIR
Hope, Idaho 264-5529 Or 208-290-7487 Email r.repair43@gmail.com
Repair & Recycling
Lawn, Garden, Snow Equipment, Generators, Pumps and Older Outboards.
Two doors west of the Hope Post Office
208.255.5513 Paul Koch, O.D.
300 Bonner Mall Way in Ponderay
screeching 2-year-old on an airplane”) into a ‘good’ Ph (potentially humorous) factor producing at least light guffaws if not projectile inducing chortles. The important thing here is the eventual, “Oh, I get it now! Ha, Ha!” An example would be, say, this fresh news feed: “Last night, there was a record shattering attendance at the National Convention of the Baloney Party!” This would, properly aged (possibly in a matter of seconds), turn appropriately into, “The Guinness Book of World Records will have to be rewritten following last night’s fiasco at the National Convention of the Baloney Party. The new record for ‘largest gathering of professional clowns under one roof’ now stands at…” See what I mean? What would you prefer, a tablespoon of Cod Liver Oil or a chewable vitamin C? You can verify this conclusion yourself by studying the glazed and wrinkled expressions of those who have recently been exposed to any news programs or even a bad ‘News Brief,’ which, if you once had older obnoxious siblings, you will remember is even worse than sweaty socks when taped under your nose. Entertainingly, you can always spot Fox News viewers by their nervous twitches, annoying tics and how one eye is often noticeably twice the size of
Offices conveniently located in the Vision Center at Ponderay WalMart
I Buy Batteries Ron Powell
I buy, sell and repair Auto, Truck, Marine and ATV batteries
May 2016
n properly aged)
the other and acutely dilated. These are signs of “Shock and Aaaarrrgh”, which is a disease that, as you would remember if you hadn’t been watching so much news, was originally discovered by G. W. Bush. As a matter of fact, in an all-out effort to expunge a wad of mental phlegm brought on by 3 minutes and 27 seconds of Fox’s “Outnumbered,” I was saved from incalculable mood damage by this: “And now a few words from our sphincters!” This is a trigger mechanism I often use to lob shoes at the screen, thereby breaking its hold on my concentration. And, when it comes to “Breaking News,” the best thing to do is RUN! This is, by now, a very old gag and is only a slick segue into a fifteen minute long commercial message-fest and the only thing breaking in the end will be your demeanor. Speaking of breaking, Fox News, whose motto seems to be: “We see what we mean and we mean what we see,” has been recently noticed to be the world’s largest oxymoron. Oxy, of course, is Latin for “air” with moron being selfexplanatory. This news/rhetoric hybrid is so caustic it has been known to entice viewers to stick their heads in body parts I can’t mention here without getting dirty looks from the editor. If you feel this happening to you, simply hit the remote so hard that it
by Scott Clawson audibly squeaks (use a boot, not your hand). This entices the “magic box” you pay roughly $2,000 a year to have perplex your life to its absolute fullest to shut down like a tased goat (don’t ask me how I know this). More examples of raw, inappropriate news and how it could be detoxified could be: Last night at a rally, Donald Trump outlined his Build a Wall plan by stating, “None of your business, but it’ll be GREAT!” And coming up, we’ll explain how you too can fart rainbows at will! Or this: It seems that the old leak at the Hanford waste site has dramatically increased recently, although it appears that none of the radioactivity has leaked into the environment. Noted one alert employee, “I couldn’t see any radioactivity from my house!” Or even: Today it was learned that North Korea now has the ability to strike U.S. targets with long-range images of his latest hairstyle! These illustrate just how much I miss George Carlin’s wit and wisdom in this an exemplary year for toxic news. Another pet peeve I harbor, and one that I’ve hardly ever encountered outside of pot-lucks and dinner parties, involves people who interrupt each other for the sole purpose of finishing a sentence, often going so far as to blow the punchline of a good joke. News anchors, in an effort to be socially endeared, have taken this aggravation to a higher level. One
Acres n Pains Scott Clawson ruminates on life somewhere in the backwoods of Careywood, and turns it all into humor. And he’s even on Pinterest now! (Facebook, too.)
AcresnPains@dishmail.net that I expect any day now to become a leapfrogging jargon so brain impaling that you will openly weep for a lengthy commercial break. There’s an old saying, so I won’t say it here. Instead, I’ll substitute, “Humor is as Humor does.” All’s I care is this — that someday, perhaps when I least think it’ll happen, some innocent reader will giggle-snort over something I’ve written. And because these and other bodily functions, like yawns and armpit farts, are so highly infectious, a ripple effect might start then grow exponentially until it gets so big it becomes the “First Annual Giant Thundersnort-Gigglefartfest” and the entire planet gets over itself by having a good hard laugh. Sort of like “One small laugh by a man, one giant (bleep) of a guffaw by mankind.” One can certainly hope. Now a word from my sphincter…
May 2016
Page 21
Featuring local and regional food.
OPEN 301 Cedar St. Suite 105
Behind the Pend d’Oreille Winery
Whatever Your Event Needs
We’ve Got It Covered
All About Weddings Custom Wedding & Event Supplies
VISIT US
Monday-Friday 7-4 Saturday 8-3
Dishes, linens, chairs, tables, tents and more. Expanded selection covers any event, big or small. 1201 Michigan St. • Sandpoint www.weddingsinsandpoint.com
208.263.9748
Live Band
Page 22
May 2016
First Free Saturday at the Museum
Welcome Back to Birkenstock Weather!
On the first Saturday of every month, visit the Bonner County Museum from 10 am to 2 pm for FREE and learn more about the area’s exciting history!
611 S. Ella, Sandpoint
Summer 2016 program sponsored by Summit Insurance, Dr. Ken Conger, Dan & Ruth Wimberly, Hay’s Chevron & Co-Op Country Store 301 N. First, Sandpoint • 263.3622 • www.FinanMcDonald.com
Photo: The Halley Family of Priest River. Photo by Dorothea Lange, 1939, courtesy Library of Congress.
CHALLENGE OF CHAMPIONS VS. BULL RIDING MINIATURE BULL RIDING - NEW THIS YEAR!
Dance with Devon Wade after in the Holly Barn! TOP 10 Barrel Racing Finalist will compete for Championship Title and belt buckle!
Gates open at 6:30 with Al Parsons, announcer. Come on down and check out these Professional Riders & Top Ranked Bulls!
Saturday, June 18 • 7:30 pm
at your Bonner County Fairgrounds, SandpointPage 23
May 2016
TRADER’S
1007 Superior, Sandpoint, Idaho • 208-263-7518 • TOLL FREE: 1-877-263-7518 • FAX: 265-4220 Open 6 Days a Week • Monday-Friday 8 am to 5 pm, Sat. 8 am to 3 pm
Sheds & Greenhouses Other sizes available too!
8x12 Standard Shed
8x8 Greenhouse
$1799.00
Idaho Pine Boards
1 x 4..........................68¢/ft 1 x 6..........................88¢/ft 1 x 8........................ 1.15/ft 1 x 10.......................1.35/ft 1 x 12.......................1.75/ft
CABINET GRADE REMNANT PLYWOOD PIECES Good Selection • All Sizes Below Cost!
$1299.00
Western Red Cedar Lumber
Odd sizes, overruns, many sizes to choose from! 1 x 4...........................82¢/ft 1 x 6..........................1.18/ft 1 x 8 ........................1.72/ft 1 x 10........................2.30/ft
DOORS, DOORS, DOORS!
Special on 1”x 4” x 8’ Cedar Boards $3.99 ea. Good for fencing, trim, etc.
HUGE SELECTION OF HARDWOODS! Walnut Maple Red Oak White Oak Cherry Ebony Rosewood
NEW WINDOWS
Hickory Hemlock Tigerwood Poplar African Sapele Aromatic Cedar Wenge
Ash Teak Mahogany Purple Heart Canary wood Zebra wood Padouk & MANY MORE!
Most Interior Doors just $15 100s in Stock!
FORMICA AND WILSONART
COUNTERTOP MATERIAL IN STOCK $1.49 SQ/FT
TRADER’S