Saturday Slight

 

Elizabeth "Liz" McNeil Pinson and Lily 

Two former students and two meaningful visits made my day yesterday.

Elizabeth "Liz" McNeil Pinson, now living in Eugene, Ore., is in Sandpoint for a visit, while Cherry Fitzpatrick Lane drove a couple of miles  from her home on Sunnyside Road and met me at the Oden Hall. 

It had been a few years since Liz and I last met at Ponderay's Starbuck's.  

Yesterday I decided that instead of sitting somewhere over a cup of coffee, we would go into full action with our visit.  

After picking her up in town, we drove to the Lovestead where the first item on the agenda fit perfectly in with my usual day's pattern:  it was time to bring the horses up from pasture. 

Then, we sat at the dining room table and talked over coffee and Oreos. 

This was a nonstop affair with lots of laughs amidst the stories.  Time sped by, and the fact that I would be meeting Cherry later meant an end to all that fun and a trip back to town. 

On the way, we stopped at the food bank where Liz met Debbie for the first time.  The two swapped some Arby's stories since both Liz and Willie had worked at Arby's back in the day. 

We made one more stop before saying good bye.  Liz had not seen her art teacher Dan Shook since her 1994 graduation from Sandpont High

 School.  

His Bonner County Bicycle Shop is just around the corner from where Liz is staying, and Dan was on the job working on bikes with his sidekick Dick Ross.

During a brief visit, Liz thanked Dan for the extra effort he made as her teacher and for giving her a foundation in art which she still enjoys today. 

Cherry Fitzpatrick Lane with a desk from the old Oden School given to the Oden Hall by the Johnson family. 

"My dad could have sat in that desk," she said, then adding, "probably not---he would have written on it." 

Debbie Love and Elizabeth "Liz" McNeil Pinson. Both work as advocates for people in need. 

Dan Shook, Liz McNeil Pinson and Dick Ross.  Dan and Dick are both retired Lake Pend Oreille School District educators. 

Meanwhile at the historic Oden Hall, there's a community activity today, beginning at 11 a.m.  

It involves a silent and live auction of items and desserts donated by residents of the rural area east of Sandpoint.

I'd call Cherry one of the guardian angels of the Grange Hall.  She has spearheaded today's event, and she's a fountain of knowledge about the grange. 

Yesterday she stood amongst the wooden benches and proudly announced that her grandfather made those benches. 

As I strolled around taking pictures of some of the items up for auction today, she told me who had donated what among pieces of art, a gift basket for the Elks golf course, a miniature piano, dishes, vacuum cleaners, etc. 

Cherry and her husband donated a beautiful canoe which is set  up on a frame crafted by one of the Saters.  

Jeff Sater and Tom Spade will be doing the autioneering honors today. 

I see from an article in today's Daily Bee that hotdogs will be served, and there will be plenty of desserts donated by Oden residents. 

The article also features snippets from longtime Oden residents. 

https://bonnercountydailybee.com/news/2026/jun/06/oden-halls-past-meets-present-at-spring-benefit/

Today's gathering should be a fun event. 

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I've thought about my very different experiences yesterday with Liz and Cherry, and once more am reminded that the rewards of teaching are both short and long-termed. 

Years ago, if these students learned a little more about their language and how to use it from my teaching, I was happy.  

These days, seeing them happy and content in their own skin, doing exactly what their passions direct them to do, fulfills a long-term reward for an educator that seems all the more meaningful. 

I can say with confidence that Liz and Cherry are doing just that, and the world is a better place because of their efforts. 

Keep up your good works, ladies. 

And, to readers, head on out there to Oden Hall for some Saturday fun.  

 Happy Saturday. 

 

The items in this picture will be sold via live auction.  

Several of the silent auction items are below. 

I'm happy and thrilled to donate these three autographed books to the cause. 

Cherry said the Grange will receive its new paint job soon if all goes well today. 

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Finally, here's some rather dramatic community news from an AI summary:

Sandpoint Pedestrian Bridge Closure Over Lake Pend Oreille

The Long Bridge pedestrian path in Sandpoint will be closed indefinitely starting at 5 p.m. Friday, June 5, 2026, due to significant structural deterioration identified in recent inspection reports.

Reason for Closure

Engineering and bridge safety experts have determined that certain areas of the bridge can no longer safely accommodate public access until repairs are completed. The closure is intended to protect public safety and preserve the bridge’s structural integrity.

Scope of the Closure

• Public access is restricted at both the north and south ends of the pedestrian bridge.

• The vehicular bridge and US‑95 traffic are not affected by this decision.

• The pedestrian portion does not have separated lanes, so it is not recommended to bike or walk across with vehicle traffic on US‑95.

Impact and Support

The closure is an expansion of a partial closure in May. ITD acknowledges that some residents rely on the bridge for work, healthcare, and other essential needs. The department is exploring partnerships with the city and local transit to help affected individuals.

Next Steps

• ITD is finalizing details on the closure’s duration and will share updates as soon as available.

• Residents facing hardship are encouraged to contact ITD at 208‑772‑1200 or email heather.mcdaniel@itd.idaho.gov to discuss needs and possible solutions.

• ITD is also notifying event organizers with permits for bridge use.

Broader Context

A study to explore replacement options for both bridges crossing Lake Pend Oreille is underway, but design and construction funding is not yet available.

Tip: If you need to cross the bridge, use the vehicular bridge during off‑peak hours or check with local transit for alternative routes.

School's Out; Hello, Summer

 

I remember this monumental moment in life 61 years ago as a proud graduate of the Sandpoint High School Class of 1965. 

Our ceremony was held in what's now the middle school gym. 

We had some important businessman as a commencement speaker.  The Elks Club, then on Second Avenue, always hosted a party after graduation. 

Some of us, however, thought we needed to go above and beyond that activity.  So, our foursome of Ray Holt, Leland Gray and Laura Delamarter drove to Spokane and arrived there in time to learn that no restaurants were open except for Denny's. 

So, that's where we "dined" for our after-graduation dinner.  The table wobbled back and forth through the  whole meal. 

Then, we drove back to Sandpoint and I arrived home around 2 a.m.  

In the meantime, the kids at the Elks had a great time. 

Nowadays, however, I don't think there's any desire for kids to leave town and go to the big city when they can participate in an amazing all-night after graduation party  with lots of perks. 

Congratulations to the Class of 2026.  

I had the privilege of meeting a few of you over the past year or two, and you're all neat people. 

Good luck in your next chapters. 

THIS IS TOMORROW, so plan to make your way out to Sunnyside.  

Cherry Fitzpatrick tells me that folks have been calling her left and right, announcing what kind of pie they're bringing for the dessert feature---including huckleberry cheesecake. 

Auctioneer Jeff Sater (my birthday twin) is going to look over items today and decide which will go silent auction and which will go live. 

I'm hoping to put in a bid on Cari and Doug Stockdale's neat horse shoe flowers.  They would go perfectly with my funky yard art. 

Plan for more photos of sale offerings on tomorrow's blog AND plan to attend so that building can continue to house many more years of local and neighborhood historical events. 

I was mowing the front lawn yesterday afternoon when Annie sent me this photo with the text:  

"They have dandelions," she wrote.  "You could come mow in Iceland."

"Get a flight for me and my mower," I responded. 

Then, I sent her a photo of me on my mower. 

Dang, she hasn't offered up on the flight. 

I guess I have a reputation for loving to mow. And, since Annie had seen me mowing almost more dandelions than grass on her last visit home, she knew I'd be in my element in Iceland. 

Actually, we visited Iceland a few years ago in early July.  At that time, the lupine were gorgeous and ubiquitous. 

Happily, around here, the dandelions have slowed down and we're on the back end of this year's lupine show. 

For the rest of my mowing segment yesterday, Iceland was on my mind.  We enjoyed ourselves about as well as anyone could with Covid.  

We didn't know we had Covid at the time.  We were just off a bit when we spent two days in Iceland with Willie and Debbie. 

Twas the day we arrived home that Bill's inability to smell some wild ginger while fishing at Grouse Creek gave him a clue to try out the Covid test. 

His was positive so I used another test and learned that I also had it. 

We actually had a pretty easy go of it, and it wasn't too hard for us to isolate here on the farm. 

If I recall correctly, we even went kayaking, by ourselves, of course. 

We were very fortunate, to say the least. 

Anyway, Annie is in Iceland, and I don't think she has Covid, but she's enjoying all the sights most folks will recognize if they've been to Iceland. 

Below are a few neat photos of her day after flying there yesterday from Rome. 

I think she has felt a major weather difference. 

Now, back to yesterday's front-yard mowing project.  

It was looking pretty nice yesterday after its grooming job. 

Lots more mowing to do today. 

Happy Friday. 

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Thursday This, That; TBT

 

Great weather for lettuce. 

Bill has been enjoying it in his salads every day. 

I can now say that my garden spots for 2026 are planted. 

The cukes went out from the green house yesterday, finishing off the main garden. 

A few odds and ends remain in the greenhouse, and they'll go to spots wherever there's room to plant them. 

It's always a good feeling to know that the garden is finally and completely off and running. 

Now comes the weeding and watering, which never ends until the last item is harvested. 

I couldn't have asked for a better day to finish the garden project.  It was pleasant weather for planting and, later, a rain storm saved me from hose dragging. 

All a good feeling, to say the least. 

Every once in a while it's fun to take a dorky picture of the horses.  

These two are pals, and they hang together in the same stall in the barn on warm afternoons. 

All three horses received their seasonal worming medicine yesterday.  

So, to keep the vets happy, I'll say with conviction, they've been DEwormed. 

Did I get it right, Eileen???😆

In other news, Bill is taking the travel trailer in for it to prepared for summer use. 

It's our guesthouse, and it sits right next to the house, making it nice for the company and for us to have moments of privacy and quiet during the visit. Since we are very early risers, that is an important perk for all involved.  

We have a friend coming for three days next week, and she has stayed in the trailer before so she'll know the drill. 

Annie has left Italy and will now spend some days in Iceland.  She's looking forward to cooler temperatures, which Iceland can provide easily. 

Thursday Throwbacks:  Images of past times from the photo library.  Enjoy the photos and the music.  

When I saw the school buses go by this morning, I thought, "One more morning . . . and not again 'til fall."