Festival's fantastic first week spreads plenty of musical cheer

The life of a small-town publisher means I have an opportunity to wear many hats at many times.

For example, last week I was asked to help identify the object in the accompanying photo. Here was the note that was attached to the photo that was sent by Henning R. Otto:

"Having just arrived from the big city down south and never having seen anything like this, would you please identify this bird. Thanks."

My informed answer was this:

"I would be udderly delighted to identify this bird — It's a brown-chested hamburger bird, Mr. Otto. I hope I didn't steer you in the wrong direction because I am a no-bull kind of bird identifier."

If you keep asking, I'll keep answering.

The Festival At Sandpoint hit a new high note on opening night, Thursday.

The "On Broadway" pops concert with the Spokane Symphony and local talent was as masterful as it was entertaining.

Carol Winget and Eclipse opened the concert and instantly transformed the FAS stage to a smoke-filled room just off Beal Street in New Orleans. Winget was simply awesome and she prepared the audience for an avalanche of local talent.

Jon Brownell, Amy Craven, Joni Dirks and William Rhodes could take their show on the road … any road. Brownell has big-time talent and a star quality that threatened to at times to steal the show. He keeps raising the bar! Craven and Dirks awed the audience with their talent and made everyone smile with their love for the pieces they were singing.

William Rhodes did a wonderful rendition of "If I Were a Rich Man" from Fiddler on the Roof.

Kudos, also, to Rob Kincaid and the Festival Youth Chorale for performing a very moving and difficult piece. Bravo!

In my informal poll of everyone I have talked with since, it is unanimous that henceforth and forevermore a pops concert should open the Festival.

Good news from the Festival. The pops concert actually made money and is the second most attended concert so far this season.

Joanne Kelly and company, you are challenged to try to beat this year's performance next season.

The Festival has just been great so far. The changes to the entrance by Idaho Stone and All Seasons and others has added to the ambience. To see a smiling, beautiful Janeen Schissler sitting next to her wonderful original poster art is also a bonus. If you haven't seen "Song Sparrow's Nocturne" yet, please do. The silent auction price for the piece is already at a record high with Greg and Laurel Taylor owning the top bid. All proceeds go back to the Festival.

Other writers will share their reviews of the individual concerts, so I'll just summarize my feelings so far with a huge "wow!"

The road rage incidents are increasing in and around Sandpoint as traffic consistently backs up past the Long Bridge to the north and way past the Y at the intersection of Highway 95 and 200.

I just hope the aggressive drivers don't cause serious damage to any pedestrians. I have seen a few close calls.

We received a few phone calls from drivers who were witnessing two tractor trailers with doublewide trailers on them backing up along Larch Street. On a normal day that would be a challenge, on this day it reminded me of a game called Tetris.

Stay tuned…

Congrats to Eric Ridgway and crew on a fabulous 11th annual Long Bridge Swim on Saturday. This race is the premier open water swim in the country and is a unique, Sandpoint event.

Hundreds of spectators lined the Long Bridge to root on family members and friends. The fastest swimmer stepped out of the water in just under 35 minutes and the slowest just under three hours. The most inspirational swimmer was Ted Lowman, who is blind. He completed the course with the assistance of his wife, Melanie, who was in a kayak next to him and gave him directions.

I spotted him later at the Festival. He was the one with the white cane, the Long Bridge Swim T-shirt and a smile that wouldn't quit.

The entire region owes Eric a big pat on the back. It was his vision to start the LBS and his willingness to share that vision that keeps it going.

Mark your calendars for Aug. 5, 2006, for the 12th annual Long Bridge Swim. It's the place to be, whether on land or in the lake. Nearly 500 swimmers can't be wrong. Look for Marlisa Keyes and her nonswimming husband to get wet next year.

Because I can't be at every summer party, I asked an anonymous friend of mine to report on the Panhandle Alliance For Education to report back to me from the gala, here is her report:

"Wow!!!" That was a one-word e-mail message last week after the Summer Sunset Gala sponsored by the Panhandle Alliance for Education on July 30. Others who attended were a little more long-winded in their praise of the events and its planners, but equally wowwed.

The party at the gorgeous lakeside home of Georgia Shonk-Simmons and Howard Simmons is now being touted as THE event of the summer. The weather, of course, was perfect.

For many the party began by boarding school buses and arriving without the hassles of parking. Others arrived by boat and were taken ashore by the PAFE harbor master.

The highlight of the evening was an unscripted moment in a program carefully planned by PAFE president Bill Berg. Just as Bill was listing a few of the many grants PAFE has given in the last three years, teacher Pam Lippi came forward to take the microphone. "I just have to say something," she said. Pam is the recipient of PAFE grants for equipment used to teach character building. She gave a passionate testimonial for PAFE and then got back to work. She had to serve dinner. Her husband, Jim Lippi of Ivano's, catered the event and Pam was part of the work crew.

After just three years PAFE is the buzz of the community. At the party it announced a major new initiative, a $400,000 four-year strategic partnership with the school district, RPMS — Reading Partnership for Maximum Success.

You know it's a great party when people don't want to leave. The school bus delayed its departure so guests could stay a little bit longer on the dance floor. Or maybe they were writing checks. PAFE netted more than $40,000 at the event, thanks to numerous generous donations from local businesses and residents.

Rumor has it that Bill Berg took advantage of the moment to line up two corporate sponsors for next year's Summer Sunset Gala.

Wow, indeed.

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