Saturday Slightly Wet and Sandpoint Magazine

A little more wetness this morning. 

Actually, it's not all that bad because it's fairly warm, and Mother Nature is delivering us a soft, gentle rain.

That kinda goes along with the calm quiet around here on this 39th anniversary of the eruption of Mt. St. Helen.

Life was anything but blissful after that major life event for us folks living in the Northwest. 

Twas humid and messy.   

Visibility was severely limited for several days as we dealt with the unknowns that come along with volcanic ash. 

Glad we're just having a little rain today. 

Anyway, the precip should stop around noon, and then the sun is supposed to return for several days. 

Last night Bill and I attended the Keokee publications party, celebrating the latest summer issue of Sandpoint Magazine.

Yesterday I had a chance to pick up the magazine in the early afternoon and actually sit down for a while to peruse the publication and enjoy reading several stories. 

Hats off, to editor Trish Gannon and all the photographers and writers and graphic artists and computer geniuses who teamed up to produce a beautiful product. 

I told Trish I thought this was the best issue I've seen in years.  

It's filled with phenomenal photography, some wonderful short and long features, including a nice story about my neighbor Toni who photographs all the kitty cats for adoption at Panhandle Animal Shelter---among a host of other feline-related contributions. 

You'll read about many aspects of our beautiful lake, you'll learn about two authors from the Bonners Ferry area, one of whom has done rather well for herself, topping the New York Times bestseller list for weeks on end. 

And, of course, I'm thrilled now to announce the names of this issue's Natives and Newcomers.  As usual, I found them fun and interesting people to interview. 

Natives are Shirley Parker and Doug Bradetich, while newcomers are Daily Bee sports editor Kyle Cajero and Woods Grain and Hay store manager Ariel Linn Sanford.

Fun folks with some great perspectives about living here. 

The magazines are available for free at numerous venues throughout the area. 

If you don't live in Sandpoint or if you'd just rather check the online edition, which is very attractive and user friendly, click the link below.  

https://sandpointmagazine.com/issue/summer-2019/

Would you believe these two ladies (sisters Susan and Barbara) were singing an old Baptist hymn with Bill when I snapped the photo?

Their dad was a Baptist minister for a time in Bonners Ferry, and, of course, Bill's Louisiana Baptist roots run deep.

Susan is a dear friend who worked with me at Sandpoint High School during her student teaching gig.  Plus, she's a phenomenal writer who contributes to Sandpoint Magazine.

Her sister Barbara is here visiting from Arizona.  

Bill and Shirley Parker enjoying some good conversation. 

Local cinematographer Erik Daarstad and Shirley Parker. 

                             

 Last night at the Keokee Publication party, I met Mary Friedman Berges, pictured above. 

Mary's pretty savvy about selling books.  

When I asked her how old she is, she told me I'd 
have to read her book "Finding the Light Within:  My Journey of Healing after the Holocaust."

As an author, I know the importance of using every trick in the "book" to sell your books.  So, a shout out to Mary, a spunky and charming lady who lives north of Bonners Ferry where she has a venue for outdoor events; it's called Tamarack Cove. 

Mary's business card says her venue is great for weddings, reunions, meetings, lectures and concerts. 

During our brief visit, I got the distinct impression that Mary, who's originally from Antwerpt, Belgium, has definitely found love in her little piece of North Idaho Heaven. 

And, it's looking like she going to be leading 
a busy life at whatever age she is, keeping track of those events and selling that book. 

I told Mary she'd be on "Slight Detour" today, and she seemed pretty pleased. 

And, I'll tell all you blog readers to be sure to check out her book, which was published by Keokee Publications. 

It's always fun visiting with members of the Hawkins clan. 

This is Dal, son of Bill and Beth.

Dal teaches at Sandpoint High School. 

And, no, he doesn't teach finger painting. 

I have no idea why he has paint on his hands.


~~~~~

Happy Saturday.