Sandpoint’s stories need to be told

There will be a bonus Geezer Forum next week.

Usually, our “geezer season” concludes in May. But a special opportunity presented itself so we hoped that some folks would join us Tuesday, June 13, 2:30-4 p.m. at the Umpqua Bank’s Community Room.

Our guest speaker is Heather Upton, art and historic preservation officer for the city of Sandpoint. Heather is beginning a unique historic preservation project, and wants to invite Geezer Forum participants to be part of the project.

She is looking for people who have stories about Sandpoint and want to share them in a lasting way. More specifically, Heather wants to interview people who have favorite Sandpoint-centered memories.

She is looking for “super fun stories.” Heather is looking for stories that made an indelible mark on the storyteller. She also wants to hear stories that seem to make Sandpoint a unique and special place to you. If you want to know more, I hope you’ll join us at the June 13 Geezer Forum.

Some of the history topics that Heather gave me to share? Travers Park, tennis stories, moments on Sand Creek, downtown history, stories about the trails in the Watershed, stories about any of the City’s public art.

Sandpoint is a pretty complex community, for many reasons. Heather’s examples only briefly touch the surface of what makes Sandpoint a special place for a great many people (residents and frequent visitors alike). Even as I write this column, my mind skips from one simple story to another, or from one multi-layered story about some decades-old historical event to another more current community event.

I don’t know what all Heather wants to tell us about this project. I am confident she will come hoping to recruit people who are willing to tell their stories to her. I don’t know if the stories will be recorded visually, aurally, or in written form. These details will be shared by Heather.

Many folks attended our April Geezer Forum when we watched the “Sandpoint Centennial” film with cinematography by Erik Daarstad and interviews conducted by Bob Gunter. This delightful, informative film may be part of the impetus for Heather’s project. I don’t know. But I find myself thinking of her project as a possible continuation of the 2001 Sandpoint film.

I hope you will join us to find out more how wonderful stories from longtime Sandpoint/Bonner County residents can add to the colorful and rich history of the place so many of us call home. So put next Tuesday, June 13, 2:30-4 p.m. on your calendar. We can visit together at the Community Room of Umpqua Bank.

Paul Graves, M. Div., is the lead geezer-in-training of Elder Advocates, a consulting ministry focused on issues of aging. Contact Paul at 208-610-4971 or elderadvocates@nctv.com.