Lions thank raffle ticket buyers, community

The members of the Sandpoint Lions Club want to thank the people of our community who devoted time and money to this year’s Independence Day celebration. All of the day’s activities, including the children’s parade and the grand parade during the morning, as well as the fireworks at City Beach are paid for by the folks who buy Lions raffle tickets and by donations the club receives.

Between Lost in the ‘50s and July 4, Lions Club members spent many hours selling raffle tickets to raise most of the money it takes to pay for the annual celebration. Special thanks go to Yoke’s Fresh Market, Walmart, Co-Op Country Store, North 40, and Super 1 Foods for allowing Lions club members to sell raffle tickets on their premises.

We want to thank all the people who bought those tickets, even when we often heard “I never win anything” — this year’s prize winners tell us that they will never say that again!

The grand prize, 2017 Polaris 500 Ranger, was won by Kyle Duke. Although Kyle is from Billings, Mont., he spends most of his summers at Glen Gary Bay. Second prize, $2000 Bonner County shopping spree, was won byRoberta Witts, from Ardrossan, Alberta.

Third prize — $1000 cash, was won by Ray Wright, from Hope.

We also want to thank the Community Assistance League, Idaho Forest Group, Ben Stein, Pierce Auto, Litehouse Inc., Ponderay Veterinarian Services, TIFCU, A&P Bar & Grill, Banner Bank, Sandpoint Marine and Auto Sports, and Speciality Auto Glass for their generous cash donations. Thanks also to Sandpoint Marine and Motorsport for a great price on the grand prize, the 2017 Polaris 500 Ranger.

The celebration kicked off on the morning of July Fourth with the children’s parade. We had a great turnout and the smiles and high energy of all of those young people were the perfect start to a wonderful day.

The Lions Club extends a very special “thank you” to our military veterans who led the Grand Parade, to Bruce Duykers for providing and driving the Grand Marshal’s vehicle, and to Tom Spade for providing and driving the current Lions president’s vehicle, and to the Elks golf cart patrol for distributing water to the parade participants. We also want to thank all of the people who entered the Grand Parade and helped make it a great success.

Parade prize winners by category:

- Community/civic — Community Assistance League, Sandpoint.

- Youth organizations — Bonner County 4-H, Cocolalla.

- Commercial — Fiesta Bonita, Ponderay.

- Forest products — Idaho Forest Group, Laclede.

- Antique transportation — Panhandle Antique Tractors, Sandpoint.

- Individual effort — Injectors Car Club, Sandpoint.

- Veterans — Daughters of the American Revolution, Athol.

- Animal — Panhandle Animal Shelter, Ponderay.

- GRAND PRIZE WINNER — Fiesta Bonita, Ponderay.

The fireworks display was one of the best in recent memory. Great work by Rich Vaughn and Jason Gellhaus, Pyro Spectaculars North, Inc.

Everyone who attended the Independence Day celebration also needs to thank the Sandpoint Parks and Recreation, police, EMS and fire departments and the Bonner County Sherriff’s Marine Patrol. The folks in those organizations did a great job of keeping our residents and many visitors safe.

The annual Independence Day celebration in Sandpoint is a special time for the members of the Sandpoint Lions Club. When we see the smiles on the faces of the all the children and visitors to our community during the parade and fireworks, we are truly grateful that we get to do this each year.

Thanks again to everyone who made the 2017 Independence Day celebration a success.

JUDY DABROWSKI

Sandpoint

President

FRANK VISGER

Sandpoint

Chairman, 2017 Celebration