West Bonner County Lines - March 12, 2025

PRE honors spelling bee participants

Two Priest River Elementary students placed in the top 50 of the 190 youth who took part in the Inland Northwest Spelling Bee. 

Fifth grader Isaiah Davis and sixth grader Clayton Nassath both placed in the competition, principal Lynn Parker told school board members Feb. 19.

Previously known as the North Idaho Spelling Bee, the event expanded this year to include northeast Washington. Held on Feb. 8 at North Idaho College's Schuler Performing Arts Center, the event included students from Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Kootenai and Shoshone counties in Idaho, or Ferry, Lincoln, Pend Oreille, Spokane and Stevens counties in Washington.

“This is a celebration of academic excellence and linguistic achievement,” said Mike Nelson, deputy superintendent of the Coeur d’Alene School District, who coordinated the event for the fourth year.

The winner of the Inland Northwest Spelling Bee will receive an all-expense-paid trip to the national event in late May.

Pysanky egg decorating program announced

Pysanky are raw (empty) eggs that are decorated using an ancient wax-resist method. The word pysanky comes from the Ukrainian word "pysaty" (писати), "to write." Join Lisa Seiler Durkin for a fascinating dive into the art of pysanky egg decorating. There is no cost for the class and all materials will be provided. Open to ages 14 and above, registration is required.

The program will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 15, at the Blanchard Library; and at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 15, at the Priest River Library.

West Bonner Libraries hosting book to film series

The book to film series has returned to the Priest River Library for 2025 featuring some iconic non-fiction books.

This session of the popular series features books that have been made into popular films about the human spirit and endurance against the backdrop of the American West. 

Upcoming films are "Nomadland" on March 19 at 11 a.m. and "Killers of the Flower Moon" on April 16 at 11 a.m. Books can be reserved through the library, contact the library if you are interested.