BOCC chairman shares favorite holiday memories

SANDPOINT — While most children are “forced” to participate in holiday traditions they don’t enjoy, many end up reminiscing about those childhood memories as they eventually have families of their own.

Bonner County Commissioner Luke Omodt experienced that phenomenon this year when he, again, picked up his fiddle and, alongside his daughter, blessed a local nursing home with Christmas carols.

“I started playing violin in 1981 as a part of the Fiddler's Hatchery and played in a family group called the Fiddlers Five,” Omodt said. “Every year, my parents and violin instructor would take us to play Christmas carols at the old folks home.”

Now, the daughter of one of Omodt’s old teachers teaches violin to his daughter. On Dec. 20, the violin teacher brought her students to the Bridge to play Christmas carols for the residents and let Omodt tag along. She also brought a basket of bells, allowing the residents to join in on “Jingle Bells.”

“As a kid, I didn't get it,” Omodt said. “As an adult, having experienced the world, I know how lucky I am to be playing Christmas carols with my daughter in the same traditions forced upon me as a child.”

The commissioner said another favorite Christmas tradition of his is reading "The Littlest Angel" by Charles Tazewell to his children.

“My dad still reads it to his kids and grandchildren every Christmas,” he said. “It is a poignant reminder of what is truly important in life.”

The other two commissioners did not respond to multiple requests to share their Christmas memories.