First-ever Sandpoint Fly-In is sure to soar

Don't let this Saturday slip by without visiting the Sandpoint Airport's first-ever Sandpoint Fly-In. More than 50 warbirds, classics, homebuilt and antiques are expected to be lined up for visitors' inspections.

The fly-in is the brainchild of the Friends of Sandpoint Airport and will not be a fundraiser. The main reason is the group is not charging admission.

This fun, family event will run from 7 a.m. to noon. Remember, it's free!

There is nothing more exciting than watching a boy or girl get next to a real airplane. It's also been my experience that those who love to fly enjoy showing off their crafts.

Some of the airplanes that will be displayed, include: a squadron of Stearmans from Spokane, a Quest Kodiak (manufactured at this airport), a Republic Seebee, a Mallard and a Cobra helicopter. If you don't know about these aircraft, you had better stop by the airport.

Phil Role, one of the show's organizers, said that word has spread quickly about the show an he has no idea about what kind of airplanes might show up. FSA member John Corn anticipates the first ever fly-in will the first of many.

I have a feeling he is right.

Speaking of Quest … if you are out at the airport on Saturday after 1 p.m., why not stop by Quest Aircraft's open house?

The Quest Kodiak will be on display and the folks at this exciting company would be happy to show you what they do.

There is no way anyone here can say they are up in the air about something to do Saturday. The open house will be from 1-4 p.m.

We'll see you at the airport.

Take a million dollar view, mix it with the professionalism and charm of Darcy Chambers (Heaven, The Spa) and her crew and you have all the makings of a great new spa in Sandpoint.

As part of my chamber of commerce duties, I stopped by Tuesday night for a ribbon cutting at the new Heaven spa at Seasons, located at the Seasons on the lake next to the Edgewater.

Wow!

All I can say is this spa has to be seen to be believed. Let's just say if the jaws that were dropping from people who know spas is any indication, Darcy is going to be very busy.

The Seasons at Sandpoint is already under-promising and over-delivering as the first residents have started moving in. Jae Heinberg and his team discussed a vision for The Seasons two years ago. It's great to see the vision come true. With Chris and Kathy Chambers watching the homefront, it was bound to be a success.

Whom do we trust? On one hand, common sense tells me that every body of water in North Idaho will be choked with milfoil if nothing is done.

On the other hand, do we really trust the chemical companies to tell us their products are safe for those of us who live and play near water?

Here's is my theory: If left alone, milfoil will choke every body of water in Bonner County.

The state and county will someday be sued by property owners who pay a lot of money to live on the lake but who can now walk above the water because the milfoil is so thick. Forget about swimming around docks or having a boat. The value of the lakefront property should be lower if the water is in a solid form, don't you think?

Now all we need is a good attorney in this town …

For the past few years, there has been limited success in attacking this aggressive, foreign invader (milfoil, not attorneys). It's like using a bandage when a tourniquet is needed.

Rep. Eric Anderson spearheaded legislation this year that makes available more money than has ever been used in this battle.

We need to give it a shot.

I don't like the idea of using chemicals in our lake, either. I have looked into it.

If we are ever going to get ahead of milfoil we have to catch up. Spinning our wheels and hoping for a miracle cure doesn't cut it.

And no, since some of you will ask, I won't swim directly behind the applicators and drink the water.

Please join me in welcoming a new bay-BEE to the hive. Christian Amador joins mom, Brittney and dad, Josh, as well as big sister, Kyra. Christian tipped the scales at 9 pounds, 13 ounces and apparently will be starting in the backfield for the Bulldogs in the fall, I'm told.

Brittney ably mans our front desk when she isn't giving birth.

Brittney's sister, Nichelle, is filling in for her sis during Brittney's maternity leave.

Who else is looking forward to the Fourth of July parade? It is one of the best things Sandpoint does. It starts promptly at 10 a.m. And yes, it's on the fourth. Thanks, Lions Club! And if you are looking for some way to give back, look for the guys and gals with the red vests on Tuesday and ask them how to join this great organization…tell them a Rotarian sent you!

From Bonner County dispatch: Received a controlled substance call on May 26 at 7:30 a.m. from the Blanchard area. "New owner from Ohio didn't know a weed that grows in the area looks somewhat like marijuana. They were advised they can pull the weeds and not have to advise the BCSO next time. The weeds were removed from the owners."

Last week's question: Do you feel the milfoil problem should be handled with chemicals? 957 people cast ballots in six days of voting. 58 percent voted yes while 41 percent voted no. There were also 13 non-electronic votes cast: 8 yes and 5 no.

Question of the week: Do you plan on voting in the general election?

E-mail of the week:

Two brooms were hanging in the closet and after a while they got to know each other so well, they decided to get married. One broom was, of course, the bride broom, the other the groom broom.

The bride broom looked very beautiful in her white dress. The groom broom was handsome and suave in his tuxedo. The wedding was lovely.

After the wedding, at the wedding dinner, the bride-broom leaned over and said to the groom-broom, "I think I am going to have a little whisk broom!!!"

"IMPOSSIBLE!!" said the groom broom.

"We haven't even swept together!"

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