welcome to Sandpoint, where the fun is all around
Dwayne Parsons
Welcome to Sandpoint, where life can be lived with open or private joy and glee, where people you may not know will often greet you with a smile or kind “hello” in passing.
Perhaps it is the first view of lake to the right and river, left as you enter the marvelous view from the south shore for the first time, traveling by vehicle north toward the modest dity of Sandpoint, nestled as it is against the scenic backdrop of Schweitzer Mountain Ski Resort, seen at once, and our landmark Baldy Mountain due west terminating in the Selkirk Mountain Range. Maybe it is the breath-taking memory of white caps swimming across the water from Sunnyside toward Sagle while you drift across the Long Bridge in awe and wonder. It could be your first impression of this walk-about community where history played a role in lumber, with smiling people and ample parking, great restaurants (not common elsewhere) and coffee houses, beer brewers and wineries that draws so many to settle here.
We hear it all the time from people who discover Sandpoint, Ponderay and Kootenai upon first entry crossing the Long Bridge. They are taken by the culture of arts and music, by the genuine smiles and positive attitudes of so many strangers walking by on the tree-decorated sidewalks of 1st Avenue, Cedar Street and other easy pedestrian walks coursing through Sandpoint’s commercial district.
We have the world famous Sandpoint Music Conservatory here right downtown and the Pend Oreille Arts Council both decorating our stores and offices with pleasant sounds in the air and the accompanying richness of fine arts of all sorts, including the city’s monthly-change-out of sidewalk sculptures and the Healing Garden just north of Cedar Street where visitors to Bonner General Hospital and Medical offices can take their quiet moments outside in fresh air of North Idaho when need be.
All this is not to mention yet, the scenic asphalt pathway up the east shore of Sand Creek, our beautiful summer estuary seen first when crossing the short bridge to Sandpoint City Beach. Gliding past the Sandpoint Marina harboring boats out of the sometimes blustery lake winds and opening your eyes to the sailboat views of the west most shore of Pend Oreille Lake where cold summer waters greet kids and parents on sandy beaches where some of us grew up, shivering sometimes from refreshing dips along the comfortable shallow shoreline, large enough in area to accommodate entire family trees on special occasions and still not seem crowded.
Then, for those who find it, the wonderful experience of the two-mile long trek of the Pend d’Oreille Bay Trail where you can walk your dog if you care to, unleashed along designated areas, only a pebble’s throw in most places from the lapping sounds of the bay now preserved into perpetuity while connecting Sandpoint to Ponderay on the shoreline side. You can walk it; you can bike it. You can cross country and ski it too at times of the year, preserved for those fortunate souls who need it’s comforts and respite retreats from the burdens and stresses of life. And as you walk about, you are graced by our seemingly endless array of talented, well-meaning people who make this arts and music culture what it’s known to be garnished by multiple choices of fine restaurants, cafes, pubs and wineries, clothing stores and galleries, small shops and office buildings that combined make it a central place to be.
This cultural richness gives rise to the weekly Calendar of Arts and Entertainment found on these two pages of The Bonner County Daily Bee every Thursday, year-round. Because this community, even with its wonderfully preserved Panida Theatre where you can watch rare movies, documentaries and live performances to sometimes packed houses filled with memories that go way back.
May the joy of Sandpoint be found alive in your heart throughout the coming winter and on into spring when the festivities again come out into the park-like streets of Sandpoint.
~Dwayne Parsons
THURSDAY, OCT. 17
Season of Life Stroll
Venue: Pend d’Oreille Bay Trail
Time: 4 p.m.
Walk is facilitated by Peter Gilmore, Hospice volunteer & co-director Hospice Kids Grief Camp. Our seasonal transition to fall is a beautiful metaphor for the ongoing flow of life’s infinite change. Experience conversation, silence, reflection, wonder, and presence as we walk together to celebrate “living life” – honoring the changes, transformations and loss in our daily lives.
Part of the weeklong series, Conversations on Living & Dying Well.
Admission: Free and open to the public.
Sip & Spook Open Mic Night
Venue: Pend d’Oreille Winery, 301 Cedar St.
Time: 5-8 p.m.
This is the First Ever Sip & Spook OPEN MIC at the Pend d’ Oreille Winery. Settle in with a glass of L’Oeuvre and listen to local spooky tales! Have a ghost story? Tell it here! or read your favorite scary tale as you take your turn at the OPEN MIC. Great fun with shivers, thrills and lots of laughter.
Admission: Free and open to the public.
‘Scarywood’
Venue: Silverwood Theme Park, Hwy. 95 in Athol.
Time: 7 p.m. (Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings in October)
Please Note: Scarywood is not recommended for children 12 and under.
Tickets an information: ScarywoodHaunt.com.
‘Give Me Liberty’
Venue: Panida Theater, 300 N. First Ave.
Time: 7:30 p.m.
In this freewheeling comedy, medical transport driver Vic risks his job to shuttle a group of rowdy seniors and a Russian boxer to a funeral, dragging clients like Tracy, a young woman with ALS, along for the ride. Film is not rated.
Information: panida.org
Devon Wade
Venue: 219 Lounge, 219 First Ave., Sandpoint.
Time: 9 p.m.
An independent country music artist with a strong love for what country music has always been – songs about real life.
Admission: Free for those 21 and over.
FRIDAY, OCT. 18
Hickey Farms Pumpkin Patch Harvest Festival
Venue: Hickey Farms, located off of Highway 200 at 674 Hickey Road, east of Sandpoint and Kootenai.
Time: 2-5:30 p.m. (also 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays through the end of October.)
Festival family fun with a pumpkin patch, crafts for sale, and more.
Information: 208-290-1539
Bright Moments Jazz
Venue: Pend d’Oreille Winery, 301 Cedar
Time: 5-8 p.m.
Come groove to the live music of Bright Moments — Peter Lucht, jazz piano, and Arthur Goldbloom, jazz vocalist and brass accompaniment at the winery.
Admission: Free and open to the public.
Live music
Venue: Idaho Pour Authority, 203 Cedar St., Sandpoint.
A go-to spot for great music – and a great time with friends.
Time: 5-7 p.m.
Admission: Free for patrons 21 and over.
‘Mobile Home Sweet Home’ comedy-drama
Venue: Circle Moon Theatre, located on Highway 211, 3 1/2 miles north of Highway 2, near Newport, Wash.
Time: Doors at 5 p.m., 6:30 p.m. dinner service,
Concert starts at 7:30 p.m. – Friday, Oct. 18 & 19.)
Laughter begins the very moment it rolls onto the Circle Moon Stage
Watch what happens when a quiet, little trailer park is turned upside down by a reality T.V. production crew.
Admission: $25 per person for dinner and show, or $12 for show only. Senior and children tickets are $10.
Reservations: Call 208-448-1294 or visit online at northwoodsperformingarts.com
Mike and Shanna Thompson
Venue: Idaho Pour Authority, 203 Cedar St., Sandpoint.
Time: 5-7 p.m.
Admission: Free for those 21 and over.
‘Give Me Liberty’
Venue: Panida Theater, 300 N. First Ave.
Time: 5:30 p.m.
In this freewheeling comedy, medical transport driver Vic risks his job to shuttle a group of rowdy seniors and a Russian boxer to a funeral, dragging clients like Tracy, a young woman with ALS, along for the ride. Film is not rated.
Tickets & information: panida.org
‘Death Over Dinner’
Venue: Sandpoint Community Hall, 204 S. First Ave
Time: 6-8 p.m.
Share a meal and the opportunity to connect over an uplifting and interactive conversation about living & dying well; facilitated by Ginna Maus, LCSW.
Tickets & information: bit.ly/2OvcWPl
The Heart of Practice in Daily Life
Venue: Heartwood Center, 615 Oak St.
Time: 6-8 p.m. (retreat continues Saturday and Sunday)
Retreat will highlight Frank Ostaseski’s book, “The Five Invitations … What Death Can Teach Us about Living Fully” as well as meditation and participatory exercises that extend our horizons and beckon us deeper.
Together, you will learn to quiet the mind, open the heart and deepen your wisdom practice as we support each other in bringing spiritual practice into daily life. All are welcome. No previous meditation experience is required.
Registration & information: sandpointsangha.com
Devon Wade Duo
Venue: MickDuff’s Beer Hall, 220 Cedar St., in Sandpoint.
Devon Wade is back at the Beer Hall with his father Mac on the drums
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Admission: Free for those 21 and over.
‘Scarywood’
Venue: Silverwood Theme Park, Hwy. 95 in Athol.
Time: 7 p.m. (Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings in October)
Please note: Scarywood is not recommended for children 12 and under.
Information: ScarywoodHaunt.com.
Vanna Oh! and the Any’s
Venue: 219 Lounge, 219 N. First Ave.
Time: 9 p.m.
Don’t miss Vanna Oh! as she blends the brazen and infectious movement of rock ’n’ roll with a modern, feminine twist.
Admission: Free for those 21 and over.
SATURDAY, OCT. 19
The Heart of Practice in Daily Life
Venue: Heartwood Center, 615 Oak St.
Time: 9 a.m-8 p.m. (retreat continues Sunday)
Together, you will learn to quiet the mind, open the heart and deepen your wisdom practice as we support each other in bringing spiritual practice into daily life. All are welcome. No previous meditation experience is required.
Registration & information: sandpointsangha.com
Hickey Farms Pumpkin Patch Harvest Festival
Venue: Hickey Farms, located off of Highway 200 at 674 Hickey Road, east of Sandpoint and Kootenai.
Time:, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday.
Festival family fun with a pumpkin patch, crafts for sale, and more.
Information: 208-290-1539
Awaken the Dawn
Venue: Sandpoint Community Hall, 204 S. First Ave.
Time: 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
Come and join in a time of worship and mountain-moving prayer with 12 hours of worship music, song and prayers. This grassroots movement began in 2017 focused on covering the nation in prayer through worship, song and music. For the first time, Sandpoint joins more than 400 locations to cover cities, counties, states and nation with a canopy of God’s presence.
Prayer will be led by coordinator Allie Espinoza. Music includes: Dwayne Parsons, worship piano, 11 a.m.; Dawn McCabe, saxophone, and Julie Gagnon, guitar vocal, 1-2 p.m.; McCabe, 2 p.m.; Gagnon, guitar vocal, 3 p.m.; Parsons, 4 p.m.; Jennifer Stoehner, vocal piano, 5:30 p.m.; Gagnon and Stoehner, 7 p.m.; Parsons, 8 p.m.; group vocal, prayer leader Allie Espinoza, 9:30 p.m.
Information: awakenthedawn.org
‘Mobile Home Sweet Home’ comedy-drama
Venue: Circle Moon Theatre, located on Highway 211, 3 1/2 miles north of Highway 2, near Newport, Wash.
Time: Doors at 5 p.m., 6:30 p.m. dinner service, show starts at 7:30 p.m.
Laughter begins the very moment it rolls onto the Circle Moon Stage
Watch what happens when a quiet, little trailer park is turned upside down by a reality TV production crew.
Admission: $25 per person for dinner and show, or $12 for show only. Senior and children tickets are $10.
Reservations: Call 208-448-1294 or visit online at northwoodsperformingarts.com
Ponderay Paradox
Venue: Idaho Pour Authority, 203 Cedar St., Sandpoint.
Time: 5-7 p.m.
Admission: Free for those 21 and over.
‘Conversations on Living and Dying Well’
Venue: Panida Theater, 300 N. First Ave.
Time: 5:30 p.m., doors open; 6 p.m., panel discussion begins
A series of movies scenes moderated by a panel of palliative care experts and community members including questions and conversation from the audience about ‘“living & dying well” in our town. Sponsored by Bonner General Health Community Hospice in collaboration with North Idaho Palliative Care Coalition. Panel members are Jenning, filmmaker; Dr. Nicole Pelly, Palliative Care Physician; Lissa DeFreitas, Bonner General Health Community Hospice and Dan & Pamela Mimmack, living well with Alzheimer’s.
Presented by Bonner General Health Community Hospice
Tickets for this event available at the Panida, Eichardt’s, Winteridge Natural Foods and Northwest Handmade.
Information: bit.ly/2OvcWPl
Scarywood
Venue: Silverwood Theme Park, Hwy. 95 in Athol.
Time: 7 p.m. (Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings in October)
Please note: Scarywood is not recommended for children 12 and under.
Information: ScarywoodHaunt.com.
Red Blend
Venue: 219 Lounge, 219 N. First Ave.
Time: 9 p.m.
Sandpoint musicians, Megan Turner, Chris Lynch and Brian Jacobs artistically blend soul, blues, pop and classic covers with party time fun.
Admission: Free for those 21 and over.
SUNDAY, OCT. 20
The Heart of Practice in Daily Life
Venue: Heartwood Center, 615 Oak St.
Time: 9 a.m-12 p.m.
Registration & information: sandpointsangha.com
Hickey Farms Pumpkin Patch Harvest Festival
Venue: Hickey Farms, located off of Highway 200 at 674 Hickey Road, east of Sandpoint and Kootenai.
Time:, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday.
Festival family fun with a pumpkin patch, crafts for sale, and more.
Information: 208-290-1539
Peter Lucht
Venue: Pend d’Oreille Winery, 301, Cedar St., in Sandpoint.
Time: 3-5 p.m. – Sun., Oct. 13
Come enjoy the spectacular sounds of jazz pianist Peter Lucht on the winery’s 9-foot concert grand piano.
Admission: Free and open to the public.
‘Give Me Liberty’
Venue: Panida Theater, 300 N. First Ave.
Time: 3:30 p.m.
In this freewheeling comedy, medical transport driver Vic risks his job to shuttle a group of rowdy seniors and a Russian boxer to a funeral, dragging clients like Tracy, a young woman with ALS, along for the ride. Film is not rated.
Information: panida.org
MONDAY, OCT. 21
Truck Mills Blues Jam
Venue: Eichardt’s Pub & Grille, located at 212 Cedar St., Sandpoint.
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Host Truck Mills invites local and visiting musicians to join him on the Eichardt’s stage.
Admission: Free and open to the public.
TUESDAY, OCT. 22
Night-Out Karaoke
Venue: 219 Lounge, 219 First Ave., Sandpoint.
Time: 9 p.m.
Hosted by DJ Webrix, come sing your heart out or just enjoy the show.
Admission: Free for those 21 and over.
Cornhole League
Venue: MickDuff’s Beer Hall, 220 Cedar St., in Sandpoint.
Time: 6-9 p.m. (Every Tuesday for 9 more weeks.)
All skill levels, drop-ins welcome. For more information, check out: Facebook.com/SandpointIdahoCornhole or email: SandpointCornhole@gmail.com
Admission: Free for those 21 and over.
Tuesday Trivia
Venue: MickDuff’s Beer Hall, 220 Cedar St., in Sandpoint.
Test your useless knowledge by yourself or as part of a team. Win prizes and bragging rights.
Admission: Free for those 21 and over.
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 23
Wind Down Wednesday
Venue: 219 Lounge, 219 N. First Ave.
great blues, folk, gospel and jazz with Truck Mills and Carl Rey with Truck Mills and Carl Rey.
Admission: Free for those 21 and over.