Coming soon to a blog near you, a museum commercial

Have a meeting this morning; will post later. Have a happy Thursday and come back.

Okay, I'm back from my meeting, and I'll discuss a topic hot on my brain from the meeting: museum membership. Bottom line: it needs to increase. So, this will be my first forum for inducing prospective new members to the Bonner County Historical Society roster.

Our Bonner County Heritage Museum runs on a limited budget but does so fairly well, for that matter. Every minute of every day our lifestyle here in Sandpoint becomes history. Imagine the effort needed to preserve it all. Monumental, at the very least, and I can't even think of a word that could describe the ultimate effort.

Preserving history takes writing, photographing, filming, collecting, organizing information, creating displays, planning programs, passing stories to younger generations, preserving documents, constant public relations, inspiring new historians, etc. The list goes on. It takes time, people and money.

Not everyone has the time; not everyone has the money. Therefore, museum memberships, through dues and museum volunteer efforts, can lighten the load and open the doors for folks to do their part in preserving our local heritage.

A single membership in the Bonner County Historical Society costs $10 for seniors and students, $15 for individuals ; and $25 for families.

There are other categories, also. For $30, you can be a "Supporting" member, for $50, a "Contributing" member; for $100, an "Associate" member; for $250, a "Sponsor"; and for $500, a "Patron."

Simply joining and paying the dues will not only help the coffers, but it will also, at the very least, net you an occasional newsletter, informing you of the many wonderful community programs and displays created through the museum. Once you've joined the Historical Society and spent a little time down at that fascinating house of Bonner County's past, you may be surprised with the limitless numbers of fascinating ways you can help as a volunteer.

So, do consider today's blog a commercial. I'm passionate about history. I spend as much time as possible at the museum and find it to be most enriching as I file through old photos and search out tantalizing tales for some of my story assignments. Besides that, the people who hang out there are very nice.

If you're looking for a good cause to support, where every little drop in the bucket (either money or donated artifacts) makes a difference, the museum's it. You can join by contacting the museum at 263-2344, sending an email to bchsmuseum@imbris.net or dropping by at 611 Ella Street. It's in Lakeview Park near Memorial Field. Encourage your friends and any area newcomers to join too.

They'll love to welcome you to this never-ending, positive community cause. Tell 'em Marianne sent you.