Just a Sunday Blend

It was hard to find beauty in downtown Sandpoint last night when Bill and I decided to go to MickDuffs for dinner after he had finished his tree gig at the Pine Street Woods. 

We always park at the future MickDuffs aka old title company aka public library aka post office. 

That's on North Second while the present MickDuff's is in the middle of one of downtown's prime shopping blocks.

These days, with part of First Avenue and part of Cedar Street dug up for a renovation project, a black temporary wall fence means walking through a narrow passageway for about two blocks.  

Because of the extensive obstruction, one side of the sidewalk does create a certain intimacy with downtown store windows----a nice diversion to a hint of claustrophobia caused by the black wall. 

Seems we've heard so much about walls blocking off stuff that experiencing one firsthand kinda brings on a mild sense of paranoia.  Wonder if that Sandpoint version is electrified. 

Well, anyway, Bill and I found our destination, and when we walked into MickDuff's, the greeter told us it would be a 25-minute wait. 

Twas a beautiful evening so we didn't mind one bit especially once we escaped the presence of the wall. 

Sand Creek and its surrounding features were downright stunning last night so it was fun to walk around and look at the sights at dusk, accented with street lights.

The byway across the creek featured some lights of a different kind.  

A cop car's blue and red flashing lights signaled that someone had maybe broken byway rules. 

Still, it was quiet, peaceful and lovely to linger down in that area behind the Panida for a few minutes. 

Intimacy of store windows brought my attention to the sign below at Sharon's Hallmark. 

Always a good reminder in this world of ours. 

Bill and I enjoyed a nice meal and visit and then made our way through an even darker passageway back to the car. 

Someone (they) always say it's darkest before the dawn.  So, I'm guessing we'll have to deal with the darkness of the season and that wall for a while before welcoming the dawn of a new year and a new look in our downtown. 

For now, the best bet (until drawdown makes it ugly also) is to go enjoy beautiful Sand Creek. 

Here at the Lovestead, the day was filled with catch-up after a busy, busy week. 

Stuff got cleaned, tiny ripe tomatoes went from bush to mouth, grass got mowed and some much needed organizing happened. 

A fine and pleasant Saturday, indeed, and it's looking like a great Sunday coming up. 

GO, Seahawks!  Happy Sunday. 

  

Faces: Past and Future Our Town

It's a tale of two pages of Sandpoint history unfolding on the same day. 

It involves a local football hero who earned his due as an NFL legend.

It also involves a plot of ground on a hillside in an area where locals used to ski or sled in the wintertime.

These two separate pages, which I had the good fortune to witness and document yesterday dealt with the past, the present and the future. 

Past history is written and remembered. 

Present history involves the process of permanence. 

Future history promises a film documentary, done from the heart as a labor of love by a lifetime fan of the local football hero.  

The future also involves beautiful piece of property up on Pine Street where future generations can enjoy and see nature as we see it today. 

Yesterday's two events didn't exactly parallel each other, yet they did happen in hallowed settings long revered by Sandpoint natives. 

In one case, an early evening reception was held at the 180-acre Pine Street Woods for those who uncorked the vision for this public recreational and educational plot, along with a host of dedicated volunteers and Kaniksu Land Trust staff members who continue to make that vision happen.

The other event occurred in segments, one in the beautifully renovated auditorium at the "many named" glorious brick structure on Pine and Euclid; the other, in front of the student body at a Sandpoint High School pep assembly. 

High school friends, family members, at least one super fan and teammates of Green Bay Packer great Jerry Kramer gathered in small groups to reminisce in front of cameras, capturing segments of the documentary. 

Later, most of the group and the camera crew moved on to the high school where surprise guest Jerry Kramer was introduced to the student body. 

In his short address, he told students about his big hands and big feet and how a coach told him as a sophomore that some day he'd grow into those and become a great player.  

"You can if you will," the coach added. Who knew that some day those words would fit perfectly as the title of a film featuring that once awkward kid??  

Meanwhile, as a light rain fell,  the folks gathered at Pine Street Woods stood beneath a tent and heard thoughts from nature lovers Henry David Thoreau and President Theodore Roosevelt as part of celebratory remarks aimed at all who had made this dream for the present and future generations come true. 

And, I'm kinda thinking that the words of that coach shared with the 15-year-old football upstart probably fit right in with the Pine Street Woods celebration. 

You can if you will. 

It's for sure that the good people of our town have demonstrated that thought many times over.

And, we're all the better for it. 

  

Good luck, Glen Aveni, with your upcoming documentary. 

Hats off to Jerry Kramer and to the Kaniksu Land Trust.

We're from Sandpoint and we couldn't be any prouder!

Once again, we are reminded that "our town" is pretty darned special.