I have to mow the lawn today, and I am not happy to think about doing what normally would be one of my most favorite jobs.

With Labor Day weekend coming up, though, and the possibility of company coming, I'll go out there and grin and bear it as the dust flies in my eyes from gopher hole piles and other dirt.

This morning, while walking along the paved road, I observed that, ironically, the easement along the road, which was the dirtiest part of lawn mowing last year and the years before, is as bright and vibrant as it can be.

Speaking of dust and dirt, my friend Chris Pietsch may encounter some of both in the desert this weekend.

Chris goes to Burning Man every year. In fact, over the years, he has ascended to a strategic staff assignment with the eclectic event that attracts thousands every year. Seems like it's parking or greeting or something like that.

So, he has already arrived on the scene of the huge event in the Nevada desert, and, of course, he's found ways to occupy his time through hot sun, dust, wind and rain.

It's always fun to follow Chris's Burning Man experiences.

If you've never heard of Burning Man, by all means, check the link. It happens every year around the Labor Day weekend.

https://burningman.org/

Burning Man is a global cultural movement advancing a more creative, connected and thriving society. With events and groups in 34 countries, Burning Man Project brings people together to co-create art, community, and shared experiences of awe.

Here's the overall goal for this year's event in the Nevada desert, as stated by the events coordinator.

Burning Man isn’t about showing up with the biggest, flashiest thing you can haul to the Black Rock Desert — though we do love all of your wild creations. It’s about showing up as YOU.

Remember your first year? Maybe you brought something small, simple, manageable — and it was enough. It still is!

So let’s honor that. Let’s make space for the first-timers, the dreamers, the ones still finding their way. Let’s drop the pressure to outdo, and return to the beauty of simply doing.

For 2025, Black Rock City is about simplicity: less red tape, more ease. Fewer hoops, more hands reaching out to help. The teams that help produce Black Rock City are working to reduce bureaucracy and make it easier to get the support you need — you are encouraged to build more ease into your Burn, too. This is a call to move beyond “competitive camping” and into a shared commitment to thoughtful participation. Let’s normalize humble beginnings and open the door for new voices and fresh perspectives.

Ask yourself: Do I need to bring everything? What if I brought just one thing — and did it with love, intention, and care? What if showing up with less helped us all leave with more?

I can’t wait to see you out there.

– Charlie Dolman, Director of Event Operations

Second cob of corn, Summer 2025

Bill ate all five or six bites and said it was good. One of the horses at the husk but did not report back on its flavor.

I might even pick three or four cobs in the next few days. Seems this year's corn came on late and small.

But that's a lot better than no corn at all.

Hear Ye! Hear Ye!

There's a post office at the Bonner Mall.

I made this discovery yesterday when I went to drop some envelopes in the blue box by Walker's Furniture.

The box appeared to have been turned sideways. As I stepped to the front, I saw that this was not a post office box anymore. The notice directed me to "across the parking lot" or to go to Yoke's.

Upon surveying the parking lot, I saw a blue mail box over by what was once a credit union.

And, by golly, now it has a sign, saying United States Post Office.

It would be my luck that this situation is not new to most folks, but it seems like I used the blue mail box about a month ago, so it could be fairly new.

Anyway, I mailed my letters and was happy to see the post office in the mall parking lot.

Also, while doing personal business, I went to the Umpqua Columbia Bank.

On Monday, it will officially be known as the Columbia Bank, like the name it had before it became Umpqua Bank.

I still yearn for the days when I could walk into Idaho First National Bank, and Bill Dowling would sit and visit with me and then take care of whatever problem or request I had that day.

Once, when it was a loan to finance my second book, he asked, "How much does that husband of yours make?"

Apparently, Bill Love was good but not rich enough for Bill Dowling to deny the loan.

New name. Same team. Same commitment.

Changing our name is part of our plan to unify our brands and simplify your experience. It reflects how we’re evolving to serve more communities and deliver more of what matters.

But at the core, we’re still the same people, with the same values, focused on the same relationship-based banking.

And, so it goes, the last Friday before another school year, and a three-day weekend for the working crowd ahead.

Happy Friday. Make it a safe and fun weekend. Enjoy the TBT's.

Bonner County History - Aug. 28, 2025

Aug. 28, 1975 – WHAT A GUY!

Guy Hesselgesser will be Grand Marshal for the Rodeo Parade. Hesselgesser, who came here with his wife from a ranch near Rosebud, S. Dak., has missed only one Sandpoint rodeo parade in the last 22 years.

At 86, he’s a real old-timer who knows his stuff - you won’t find a more authentic horseman in Sandpoint. As Guy said, “See you at the Rodeo!”

----Courtesy Photo Jean Martin

Note: Guy Hesselgesser trained my mother's first horse, Largo. He was a fixture in the Sandpoint area, always riding somewhere around town.

75 Years Ago

PIG CONTEST TO BENEFIT HOSPITAL

The pig feeding program being conducted by the Sandpoint Farm store, 502 Cedar, is putting weight on two pigs which are being fed the same quantity of rations, but one is getting a special patented formula.

When one of the pigs reaches 250 pounds, at about Bonner county fair time next month, it will be given away. County 4-H club boys and girls are selling tickets on the top pig, with 50 percent of the proceeds going to the hospital fund and the balance to 4-H club activities. Tickets are selling rapidly.

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Thursday Throwbacks: from the photo library. Enjoy.