No headline
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
Jan. 26, 1967 — COUNTY UNMATCHED
The Sandpoint March of Dimes radio auction held annually during January is scheduled for next week at the Elks Club dining room and is broadcast live over the local radio station.
The people of Bonner County can be proud of the fact that last year they gave more per capita to the March of Dimes than did any other county in the state of Idaho or any other one county in the entire United States! A net amount of $3,277.13 was raised for this worthwhile organization that fights birth defects.
The annual event started “accidentally” when Sandpoint’s Idaho Nu chapter of Beta Sigma Phi decided to raise money for the March of Dimes by sponsoring a talent show to be heard over KSPT with listeners calling in donations. Someone came to the radio station with one dozen roses and offered to give them to the person who called in with the highest bid. With that, merchants began calling in to donate merchandise to be “auctioned off”. That was in 1950.
Since that time the event has grown into a “three night stand” with Norm Bauer donating his time and the use of his facilities, and local auctioneers donating their time and talents, while members of Beta Sigma Phi continue to spend many hours organizing, gathering donations, manning telephone and typewriters.
The community spirit and participation are what brings real success to this auction.
100 Years Ago
Pend d’Oreille Review
Jan. 26, 1917 — INTRODUCE BRIDGE BILL
The legislative appropriation bill for $50,000 for construction of a bridge across Clarksfork river at Clarksfork was introduced in the house Friday. The bill bears the name of the Bonner county house members, Moody, Hitchcock and Seymour.
•••
NEW ALTAR AT ST. JOSEPH’S
The new altar for St. Joseph’s Catholic church is now in place and services to honor the event will be held Sunday at 10 o’clock a.m. The altar, a gift of Mr. and Mrs. Herman Lane in memory of their little boy, Herman Felix Lane, deceased, is in white and gold and very handsome in design and finish. The Rev. Fr. Kelly went to Dubuque, Iowa for its selection and it was built per his special order.
It might not be out of place at this time to recall the early history of St. Joseph’s which at this time finds itself entirely out of debt. Fr. Kelly organized the parish March 19, 1902 and the first services were held in a private home in mill town. After the KP’s erected their building, services were held in the city’s only auditorium at that time. The curtain over the improvised altar had directions to the drink emporiums located along First street.
In 1907 the present church building (6th & Oak) was erected and the parish built and paid for a parish house and a valuable property all within a few years. Fr. Kelly also built a new Bonners Ferry church two years ago, now entirely paid for.
For more information, visit the museum online at www.bonnercountyhistory.org.