Newton honored as 2018 WOW

SANDPOINT ­— “When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left and could say, ‘I used everything you gave me.’” – Erma Bombeck

Dignity, integrity and honor. These are some of the qualities that have earned Helen Newton the life achievement award as a Woman of Wisdom for 2018. Her leadership and commitment to Sandpoint and Bonner County are something to be celebrated.

Helen has lived in Sandpoint nearly all her life and has served her community well. Many may know Helen from the approximately 25 years that she served as Sandpoint’s City Clerk where she consolidated and stored all the city’s records for safe keeping. “Through the years, several mayors came and went, but the City Clerk’s office under Helen’s leadership was run with integrity and confidence,” wrote Shirley Parker in her nomination letter.

Helen also served on the board of directors for Bonner General Health (then Bonner General Hospital) and was a valued member, always forward thinking and engaging.

As a longtime member of First Methodist Church, Helen has been an integral part of the church’s leadership and mission committees.

“Her desire to advance education has kept her active in a Philanthropic Education Organization (P.E.O.) for women that provides loans and scholarship awards for Cottey College,” said Parker.

Anna Marie Casey has spent a great deal of time with Helen through the P.E.O. and is grateful for Helen’s leadership. Casey shares that Helen has served in many capacities in the group including treasurer, recording secretary, corresponding secretary and several times as president.

“She strives to make the group stronger when her term is over,” said Casey. “I learned so much from her, and she is always available to answer a question and help newer officers and members.

“She has given me so many kind words of encouragement.”

Helen’s knowledge of and passion for the history of Sandpoint is unmatched. Something Casey said has played an important role in the growth of the community.

Kathleen Flaherty agrees that Helen Newton has done much to better the place she calls home. “If Helen sees a problem that needs solving or something that needs revamping to make it more efficient, she is right there to see the job is done and done right,” said Flaherty in her nomination letter.

When it comes to supporting certain local causes, Helen Newton is always ready to help. “So many of the things Helen does are behind the scenes,” wrote Suellen Crettol.

“This includes making handcrafted items for years to support the Festival at Sandpoint, the Panida Theater and Holly Eve, calling on shut-ins to brighten their days, being a good listener to friends, sharing their ups and downs.”

Helen’s friend, Marianne Love, said Helen has earned a list of impressive credentials that have contributed toward her abundance of wisdom, common sense and positive leadership.

“In all the decades I’ve known her, I have seldom seen her without a smile. She is a positive, upbeat person, endowed with an abundance of genuine and comforting warmth, along with an infectious zest for life,” wrote Love.

These are just some of the many extraordinary qualities that have earned Helen Newton the honor of being named one of this year’s Women of Wisdom. Thank you, Helen, for your part in making Sandpoint such a special place to live.

In addition to Helen, the other Women of Wisdom 2018 honorees include Rose Chaney, Terri Albertson, Jennifer Leedy and Loris Michael. This year’s Women of Wisdom Gala will take place on Saturday, May 12, beginning at 11am with a welcome reception followed by a luncheon and program from 11:30am to 1:30pm at the Columbia Bank Events Center, 414 Church Street in Sandpoint.

To be nominated for Woman of Wisdom, candidates must be 65 years or older. She possesses vision and achieves goals through collaboration. She exhibits a love of learning through the pursuit of knowledge by study or experience. She shows a commitment to the Bonner County community and its members, and has had a positive impact, such as in the areas of art, music, theatre, dance, sports, education and service. She demonstrates dedicated leadership that results in admiration and respect from others. She is an inspiration to others and an example for future generations of women. She faces life’s challenges with grace and courage, and lives with dignity, integrity and honor.

The 2018 Women Honoring Women committee members are: Kari Saccomanno, chair; Diane Arrants, Robin Bianco, Kathy Chambers, Kathy Conger, Barbara Eacret, Deanna Harris, Alana Hatcher, Patty Hutchens, Julie Jurenka, Pat Lewis, Debbie Love, Sally Lowry, Laurie Mattila, Jeralyn Mire, Marlene Rorke, Sandy Ross, Marilyn Sabella, Tina Sleyster, Kendall Stratton, Sally Transue and Linda VanDellen.