Parade, happenings good reminders of why we live here

Sandpoint has attracted the attention of a national magazine — again.

We were all collectively thunderstruck with the attention Sunset Magazine bestowed upon us several months ago. A superb Schweitzer story one month, followed by an issue calling Sandpoint one of the best cities in the West.

But now, Outside Magazine, with its 650,000 Thule bike rack owning, latte drinking, SUV driving subscribers, called Sandpoint "The Cool Northwest's Hot Property" and one of the 20+ Dream Towns and the New Best Places to Live and Play in its August edition.

On pages two and three is an ad for Hummer.

Copies will be on a newsstand near us and everywhere else later this week. I received an early edition because Outside Magazine circulation folks hope advance notice will help sell magazines. It's going to work, isn't it?

Yoke's and Safeway carry Outside.

The half-page story shares that it is easy "to get seduced by Sandpoint: You cross the two-mile bridge over Lake Pend Oreille and drink in the spectacular Selkirks mountainscape looming over downtown."

The story tells readers of Sandpoint's small-town sense of community, mentions the Panida, Lost in the 50s and Winter Carnival.

"And then there's the big-town lineup of restaurants: "The best place to eat in Spokane," goes the joke about the city of 194,000 lying 75 miles southwest, "is in Sandpoint.""

The story mentions the "twin playgrounds" of Schweitzer and Lake Pend Oreille, and reminds Outside readers that real estate here is still relatively inexpensive.

Realtor and part-time GQ model Charlie Parrish told the reporter that any house under $200,000 is getting snapped up almost overnight.

The story also recommends The Coit House as well as Eichardt's elk burgers, seared ahi tuna and live music.

The Sandpoint Lions Club has received all kinds of grief after changing the local Independence Day celebration from July 4 to July 3 this year at the urging of some churches.

In the old days, when the Christians and the Lions met the Lions always won. Look it up.

One message on the Lions' answering machine even called the Lions a nasty name for their stand. There was no return phone number left.

There was some grumbling from downtown businesses who enjoy busy Saturdays without parades in front of their stores. They would have preferred a busy Sunday with a parade in front of their businesses.

Several people booked motel rooms or rented boats in anticipation of a Fourth of July parade and fireworks spectacular. They were peeved.

What's lost in all this debate, however, is that the Lions Club has taken on the Independence Day celebration for years and the brain trust honestly thought Saturday was the best day for the parade, variety show and fireworks.

Independence Day is a major effort for the Lions Club. So is the Toys for Tots drive, the Easter Egg hunt and the many other causes the men and women in the red vests support with their time and money.

I want to publicly thank the Lions for all they do for our communities. We are all better off because of the Sandpoint Lions Club. A person should judge this organization by what it has done for our area not whether you agree with the Independence Day decision.

What a great parade!

I was struck by the 90 minutes of patriotism, small-town charm and history lesson that were on display Saturday.

I proudly wore a red, white and blue pair of shorts my mother-in-law made. Austin and Olivia also wore homemade, patriotic outfits. As we crossed Church Street I noticed my eight-year-old son walking a few steps ahead of me mumbling something about not wanting to be seen with a dork.

I'm pretty sure he wasn't talking about me.

I knew I was in good company when I spotted Kim and Gina Woodruff wearing matching Statue of Liberty crowns.

As Mayor Ray Miller rode on top of a fire truck and retired military personnel marched by with the American flag, I thought to myself this is what living in a small town is all about.

For how many years have soldiers and sailors marched in this parade during a time of war? How many years has the mayor ridden on top of a fire engine?

The crowd along the parade route was sometimes four and five people deep. It is heartening to see a parade still beats out the best TV has to offer.

Who didn't laugh at the poor young man following the horses with his pooper scooper?

For how many years has the Panhandle Antique Tractor and Engine Club started up their old John Deere tractors to ride in a parade? When's the last time people actually clapped for people driving tractors in circles? When is the last time people cheered for anyone driving a tractor … period?

The law enforcement folks and firefighters had a lot of fun blaring their sirens with their sons and daughters on their laps in their patrol cars and fire engines.

When the veterans marched by a Vietnam-era soldier threw out candy to a few kids. An adult yelled the soldier was breaking the "don't throw the candy in the parade" rule.

"We earned a right to throw this candy," a soldier said. Everyone clapped. People took their hats off as the flags went by.

The Selkirk School earned a few "aahs" by mixing cute kids and and dogs in their parade entry.

Businesses new and old participated — from pest control to Desert Stone.

The two bagpipe groups were wonderful. The St. Joseph's Pipe and Drum is made up of youngsters. Every parade needs a bagpipe. Great parades get two bagpipe groups.

Many people pointed out there was only one logging truck in the parade. I'm glad Jim Gage did it. I was reminded that one logger — Dan Balch — went from logs to rocks since last parade.

The county Republicans took over the amphibious Delirious Duck. Insert wise quack here…

Ginny Jensen, Joan Wanamaker and Eric Daarstad did a great job as judges. The same trio of citizens of the year were judges last year.

Lion John Hunt pointed to his hat after he promised three different people they had the winning raffle tickets. "I'm Lion about that," he said with a smile.

Those who hung around after the parade were treated to a variety show at City Beach and downtown. The world premiere of Generations went over well once bass player Paul Gunter showed up.

"He was booked here and the Farmers Market at about the same time," said an elderly Generations band member. " He's the only bass player for 100 miles and he's awesome and works cheap."

The fireworks show was the best ever and the Lions Club announced that next year's Fourth of July celebration will take place…on the Fourth of July.

It's great living here. I would take a healthy debate about when the Fourth of July should be celebrated over urban blight any day. Do you think that has anything to do with all of the publicity we are receiving?

Just a thought: Go see Your a Good Man Charlie Brown at the Panida this week before it is too late.

David Keyes is publisher of the Bee. His column runs weekly.