Times are a changin' Sandpoint for anyone with an inflated pocketbook

When I moved here just two decades ago, my mother, aunt and uncle picked me up at Spokane airport in an old International pickup. We had sold our cracker box two-bedroom for $250,000, and bought 21 beautiful acres with home for $50,000. There were no traffic lights in Sandpoint, and you actually did have to pack your own groceries at Yokes. The sign said "Sandpoint is a walking town," and it was.

I expect any day now for the sign to read "Welcome to Sandpoint, your North Idaho resort community." As businesses in downtown run for their lives, Tomlinson Black will no doubt occupy an entire city block on First Avenue and increase their workforce from 50 to 250.

Need a new home site? Check out the million dollar quarter-acre parcels at Schweitzer.

For your convenience, we offer hangers to park your Lear jet, connected to your very own condo at the airport.

Purchase your very own heated storage unit for $57,000.

Stretch limo parking is now available downtown. Ford and Chevy dealerships are now Lexus and Infiniti.

Our information publications are printed in six different languages to accommodate our global resident population.

Looking for a condo on the lake? Check out our numerous lakefront complexes, built by Lydig Construction, who will also build you a home at Schweitzer, should you want more than one residence.

Park in Sagle and take the trolley into Sandpoint for the price of an "E" ticket

The cost of a permit to park within city limits to watch the fireworks on the fourth is $25 (get yours while supplies last!)

Welcome one, welcome all. Everyone with an inflated pocketbook is invited to get a piece of Sandpoint.

LAURIE WADKINS

Priest River