Bonner County History - Dec. 31, 2023
Brought to you by the
Bonner County Historical
Society and Museum
611 S. Ella Ave., Sandpoint, Idaho, 83864
208-263-2344
50 Years Ago
Sandpoint News-Bulletin
Dec. 31, 1973 – NEW YEAR PARTIES
A quick look around the Sandpoint entertainment hubs shows there is plenty of fun for the holidays:
Powerhouse Pucci, the man in charge of the action at the Middle Earth, is bringing back The Avalanche All-Stars, one of the most popular bands ever to appear in Sandpoint, for the special New Year’s Eve party. According to “Big Don,” Pucci’s right-hand hippie, “anything can happen!”
The Wagon Bridge will present the Don Weise trio, which has played all over the West and offers the “modern sound in country music.”
At Connie’s Cafe and cocktail lounge, “a nice party for everyone” is planned by proprietor Bill Bowman. Hats and favors will be had for all, and Kentucky Velvet, a local country-western band, will play the sounds of the New Year.
A spokesman for the Elks Lodge said there is no cover charge for members and guests and invites all to join with the Nitebeats to bring in the New Year.
At the Eagles’ annual New Year’s Eve party, The Rhythm Kings, out of Bonners Ferry and Canada, will play the tunes for Eagles and invited guests to dance to. The Eagles Lodge will hold their annual breakfast following the bringing on of the new year and the food will be a fitting way to start 1974.
75 Years Ago
Sandpoint News-Bulletin
Dec. 31, 1948 – WINTER SPORTS AT HEIGHT
Skiing, skating and coasting are top sports among the younger set during the Christmas vacation. Sub-zero temperatures put a good safe coating of ice on the lake and large numbers of skaters are enjoying the sport daily. There is good ice on the river west of the long bridge and there are other good ice patches at the end of the city dock. Pine street hill, the ski area developed by the local ski club, is getting well broken in and several good runs have been established. The portable tow went out of order late Sunday after being utilized most of the day by beginners trying out their legs for the first time. Plenty of “sitz” marks dotted the landscape as the youngsters found the flying boards hard to manage and piled up in the snow. The banks of Sand creek east from north Fifth avenue also are attracting both amateur skiers and coasters who are negotiating the slopes of the hill all day long. Dearborn St. between Fourth and Second again is the most popular sliding area in the city with hundreds of youngsters trying out their Christmas sleds for the first time.
•••
DECEMBER COLDEST IN 16 YEARS
The cold weather gripping the area was broken Wednesday when the temperature climbed to 30 degrees after hovering in subzero regions most of last week. With the temperature change came 6.7 inches of snow. This is the first subzero December weather since 1932. The month’s snowfall was 34.6 inches compared to the 20.9” average. At present there are 22” on the ground.
•••
DANCE AT ODEN NEW YEAR’S EVE
Local Music. Admission 60c. Lunch Served.
For more information, visit the museum online at bonnercountyhistory.org.