Town taking on Christmas spirit in fine style
100 Years Ago — 1920
Gus buys cigar store
Gus A. Naccarato this week purchased the Pastime Cigar Store from William Emery. The consideration for the transfer was said to be $1,000. Mr. Naccarato, who is also proprietor of the Star Pool room, will consolidate the two establishments.
90 Years Ago — 1930
Christmas spirit showing
The town is taking on the Christmas spirit in fine style, many of the stores having fine window displays and interior decorating. The Cultus Club will soon have a lighted Christmas tree put up at the south end of Main Street.
80 Years Ago — 1940
Beauty parlor opens
The beauty parlor operated by Esther Tobias in the Redmond Barber Shop was enlarged the first of the week.
70 Years Ago — 1950
VFW kids’ party
The Veterans of Foreign Wars will hold their annual party for kids up to 13 years of age inclusive on Saturday, Dec. 23. There will be a free show at the Roxy at 1 p.m. and immediately following Santa will distribute candy and treats at the theater. Arrangements have been made to have the school buses bring children living in the country to town.
60 Years Ago — 1960
Rogers named police chief
Lawrence Rogers was appointed Chief of Police to replace Don VanVleet at a meeting of the city council Dec. 19. The new appointment is effective Jan. 1, 19601. VanVleet was appointed to succeed Robert Butigan on the maintenance crew and will continue to serve as Fire Chief. Robert Butigan will take over duties as Bonner County Sheriff the first of the year.
50 Years Ago — 1970
Tree transposed to food
The beautiful Christmas tree, which for years has presided over the downtown section of Priest River each holiday season, is appearing this year as the Spirit of Christmas in the shape of food boxes and necessities for needy families in the community. The decision against erecting a tree this year was made by Chamber of Commerce board of directors, who voted instead to give $150 to Ruth Treat for the purchase of foodstuff. Mrs. Treat superintends much of the work of packing and delivering Christmas boxes each year.
40 Years Ago — 1980
Quick check affirms faith
A Priest River woman has affirmed faith in human nature for a Sandpoint merchant. Bonita Bombino recently purchased a cookie sheet, but discovered a second sheet had stuck to the bottom when she got home. She fired off a check to Gambles to pay for it. “I think that was just super,” said store owner Ken Moore. “This area is just full of honest people.”
30 Years Ago — 1990
Idaho Hill students to return “home”
After students and staff leave Idaho Hill grade school Dec. 20 for the Christmas break, they won’t be coming back. The school will hold its last day at its temporary location at Priest River Junior High tomorrow. After the break classes will resume at the school’s new building on Idaho Hill. Remodeling and reconstruction revamped the 67-year-old building outside as well as inside the school.
20 Years Ago — 2000
Spartans win Holiday Tournament
Santa left Newport a couple of lumps of coal in the stockings of its basketball teams Saturday night as the Grizzlies fell in both of the home Holiday Tournaments here. Priest River cruised to a 12-point win over their cross-border rival in the boys’ title game, while Ellensburg bounced the Griz in the girls’ game. In the earlier games, Priest River’s girls rebounded from two straight losses to beat Clark Fork in the consolation game.