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From the archives of the

Bonner County History Museum

611 S. Ella Ave., Sandpoint, ID. 83864

208-263-2344

50 Years Ago

Sandpoint News-Bulletin

Dec. 8, 1966 — SCHWEITZER ADDS SNOW

With snow depth increasing at Schweitzer Basin almost daily — and Mount Spokane and other nearby resorts still suffering from lack of snow — the big bowl here had one of its biggest days in history on Sunday. The parking lot was filled and cars were parked alongside the road to a point below the Red Cricket apartments.

The area is enjoying a brisk sale of season tickets which are available on family, adult, college student or junior basis. They can be purchased at the office on the third floor of the Lodge. It is charge of Shirley Hamacher.

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HOSPITAL’S BEGINNINGS

The structure known today as Bonner General Hospital is the result of the hard work and perseverance of a handful of determined people. The novel scheme to salvage war-time buildings from Farragut Naval Base was spear headed by Donald J. Diehl, the new mayor and chairman of the hospital board. J.M. Brown, Jr. was chairman of the all-important finance drive. Among some coworkers were James Breinich and Ross Hall. Many others lent a hand, of course, but these men were the advance guard, the “riot squad.”

An overland haul was impossible so buildings were sawed into sections of varying sizes, loaded on barges and towed the length of Lake Pend Oreille — an eight hour job for each section.

100 Years Ago

Pend d’Oreille Review

Dec. 8, 1916 — SANE THANKSGIVING

For the first time in years, if ever, Thanksgiving festivities passed in Sandpoint without drunken orgies. If there was any gambling, it was done in such secrecy that officials did not discover it.

•••

NOVEMBER WEATHER

November weather, as reported by Observer LaFrenz of the state experimental station, was as follows: Average maximum, 39 2/10; Average minimum, 32 6/10; Warmest day, Nov. 1, 53; Coldest day, Nov. 13, 1 above; Precipitation, 3 59/100; Snowfall, 15 inches.

•••

QUIETLY MARRIED

George Yaw of the Pacific Transfer company, was quietly married to Miss Carrie Spreaton of Bronx on Thanksgiving, the wedding performed at the Presbyterian parsonage by Rev. Livingston.

•••

FIRE WEDNESDAY MORNING

The fire department was called to the home of M. Chaffins (705 N. 5th) at 6:55 a.m. Wednesday to extinguish a blaze in the dining room wall which started from an overheated stove. The men made a fast run and put out the fire with a hand extinguisher, although 650 ft. of hose was laid. (Nearby) Spokane International workers swarmed to the roof and succeeded in biting out $10 worth of shingles before the arrival of the department. Total damage was about $20.

For more information, visit the museum online at www.bonnercountyhistory.org.