Checkers champ pays visit to the community

10 Years Ago — 2009

Recession brings

funding woes

At the May 13 West Bonner County School District Board of Trustees meeting, business manager Debra Schaper outlined the conditions required for the district to be able to declare a financial emergency — conditions that the WBCSD meet and far exceed.

20 Years Ago — 1999

Good behavior rewarded

PRLHS students shook it up in the school gym Friday at an afternoon dance that Principal Ron Hopkins said was a reward for the students’ good behavior. The kids went to school without incident last week while Sandpoint High School was closed by bomb threats. Hopkins brought in a DJ and served up ice cream and pizza.

30 Years Ago — 1989

Maines honored

Charles Maines of Priest River was recently honored by the National Federation of Interscholastic Officials Association when he was chosen to receive the award for Outstanding Official for 1989 in Idaho for boys and girls basketball officiating.

40 Years Ago — 1979

Going to State

Six boys and one girl from PRLHS will be going to Boise My 18-20 for the State Track Meet: Betsey Rea, Scott Campbell, Ted Rea, Eric Smith, Mike Wear, Mark Jones and Mitch Wardrop.

50 Years Ago — 1969

Early-day resident dies

Arthur Beard, former resident of Priest River, died May 5 in Seattle. Mr. Beard was with A. O. Kendall when they started the Kaniksu Mercantile Co. in Priest River about 1913, located at the present site of Maio’s Dept. Store and Gregory’s Coast-to-Coast. He worked as a bookkeeper for Kendall until the outbreak of the First World War. He came back to Priest River and worked temporarily as a timekeeper at the Dalkena Lumber Company camp, then went back to the Kaniksu general store. About 1928 Mr. Beard sold his stock in the store to Charlie Campbell and went to Seattle, then moved to Arizona.

60 Years Ago — 1959

Knights of Columbus formed

The 4th Degree council of the Knights of Columbus assisted at a High Mass on Sunday, April 28, at St. Catherine of Siena church. They honored the newly formed Priest River council, and 58 men received communion in a body. Mike Bombino, district deputy from Coeur d’ Alene, installed the officers, after a breakfast by the Altar Society.

Lud Swanberg has purchased the building in which his Furniture Exchange building is located from Paul Mears of Los Angeles.

70 Years Ago — 1949

Log drive under way

According to Bill Whetsler, foreman, the Priest River log drive started this week and will be at excellent vantage points during the celebration June 2-5. Sometime this summer the Saturday Evening Post will feature an excellent article on the drive with color pictures.

80 Years Ago — 1939

Checkers champ visits Laclede

William Ryan, world’s professional checkers champion, will meet all comers at the Laclede Grange Hall Saturday night, May 27. If you like to play checkers, be on hand at the above place and Mr. Ryan will be glad to play you.

90 Years Ago — 1929

Old-timers feted

May 5 was “old timers” night at the Community Congregational church. Classed as old-timers were those men and women who had lived in the community for 20 years or more. Mrs. Kreszence Kramer of Thama Ferry has lived here for the past 41 years.

100 Years Ago — 1919

Equal or superior

A carload of potatoes was shipped out of Priest River last week, through the efforts of County Agent Ludwick. The potatoes were consigned to Kansas City, Mo., and the grower received $1 per cwt at the car. The buyer is reported to have said the potatoes furnished by George Dempsey were equal if not superior to any he has purchased anywhere.

Frank Naccarato is now a partner with Phil Naccarato in the Empress Billiard Hall.