David Keyes

You have to give the Where's Winter? Carnival committee kudos.

The lack of winter didn't freeze the enthusiasm of the many events stuffed into two weeks of fun.

Since you asked, my favorite events were the Original Taste of Sandpoint and the fabulous parade.

Friday's parade was the best ever. Leading the way were two people who deserved to ride in the grand marshal's car: Jack and June Young. Not only have the Youngs been married 62 years, they had the fortune to bring this year's Citizen of the Year, Dan Young, into this world.

Jack is a character, pure and simple. He has been a member of the Sandpoint Rotary for 31 years and brings smiles with him every Wednesday at noon at the Power House. His generosity is also legendary.

Mr. Young was recently asked the secret to being married 62 years. He deadpanned: "Neither one of you can die and you can't get divorced."

The best floats in the parade featured smiling, waving children. The Greater Sandpoint hamber of Commerce did a great job rounding up entrants and with the addition of snow next year, this Winter Carnival staple will be huge.

One question, though — so they ban candy throwing in the Lions Fourth of July which occurs in broad daylight so there is less chance of somebody getting run over but candy throwing was encouraged in Friday night's parade?

The Original Taste of Sandpoint Thursday was a great reminder of what this town has to offer. I keep hearing from Spokanites that Spokane's best restaurant is in Sandpoint. Thursday night confirmed it.

The Cedar Street Bridge was alive with sights and wonderful smells for about three hours. It was also a great place to people watch.

Ivano's lived up to its reputation as a must try booth. Jim and Pam Lippi served up bistecca toscano but the gameroni con vinegarette (grilled prawns brushed with herbs) was the best.

Trinity's Chef Gabe outdid himself with crawfish chowder. Marlisa and I liked the Trinity selection so much we went back for a full-fledged dinner date on Saturday night. Wow, what a treat. If you haven't eaten at Trinity, you are missing a treat. Of course, sitting at the table next to four-year-old Anna was a treat in itself.

The steak with Litehouse Bleu Cheese was absolutely great, I have never tasted anything like it.

The Power House served up delicious shrimp scampi. Panhandler Pies, Pine Street Bakery, Our Hus, Cabinet Mountain Bakery and others all ganged up to provide great dessert treats.

Larry and Aneta Stevens showed off the best Our Hus had to offer. The Swedish meatballs were great but the Bacardi Rum Cake was sinful.

My favorite taste of all the tastes? Wigley's line for the bacon wrapped shrimp was long and many folks said Downtown Crossing's smoked salmon pate was good. My favorite was Chef Paul's buffolo stew.

There were a few booths that my diet and time didn?t allow me to sample but I was amazed at the variety of food and the number of people who attended.

Congrats to the 2005 Taste Committee and to Skip Jones and Kate Worden for opening up the bridge for this annual event.

I hear Sandpoint's Madcap Mardi Gras is coming the first week of February. MadcapMardiGras.com still has last year's itenerary and so does two other Web sites. While there are a few posters around, the event is getting bigger each year and more people would like to know what is going on. Let us know so the Bee can spread the word.

Our thoughts go out to all who knew Malcolm Hall. A long-time reporter and part-time editor of the Bee, he was known by most for his big heart and a special writing talent. He'll be missed.

Beth Anne Williams' unique hat has been busy the past few weeks at Sandpoint Rotary Club meetings. A few weeks back, the hat made the rounds at the meeting and raised $950 for tsunami relief. More recently, the hat was passed to help the high school occupational services group raise money for a statewide competition. That time around? $463.

Hat's off to Beth Anne and Rotary. Now that's a hat!

David Keyes is publisher of the Daily Bee. His column runs Tuesdays.