BONNERS FERRY — Ida Trower came to the Bonners Ferry Herald in June of 2017, after working for an elementary school for 17 years followed by work as a travel agent and Data Entry Specialist when she needed to stay home and care for her mother.

Trower brings a friendly, honest attitude to the Bonners Ferry Herald, with her detail-oriented work and a true passion for helping local businesses grow and thrive in the community.

“In marketing and advertising, there’s a saying, ‘People buy from who they like.’” said Northern Regional Publisher Larry Riley. “Well, the BFH not only gets results for our clients, but Ida represents us well when it comes to dealing with a friendly and consistent newspaper representative.”

Alsy Brinkmeyer, the advertising director and general manager for the Bonner County Daily Bee, Bonners Ferry Herald and Priest River Times, said, “Ida is fully engaged in her passion to drive success for the local business leaders in Boundary County.”

Trower has lived part time in Boundary County for a year and a half, sharing her time with her family in Elk, Wash., where she grew up. After traveling around Washington, living in different areas, she bought a house in her hometown of Elk, where she raised her three children, Ian, Zac’Kory, and Coreena.

Although Ida says that she is happy her children are all finally grown into adults, she claims her boyfriend, Joe Hafner, is her part-time child. She also has “grand-puppies” since her grown children have dogs.

Trower has a sense of humor that keeps everyone, both in and out of the office, laughing. She says her favorite thing about her job is that gets to meet and talk with the many people in the community.

Among Trower’s favorite things to do when she is not working is to go boating on her boyfriend’s boat, and when that one is too small, she loves going on cruises. She also enjoys camping and outdoor activities, as well as baking for friends and family.

Trower has embraced her job with enthusiasm and tackled the many aspects as the Herald changes to keep up with the times.

“The lights can’t stay on without readers and advertisers supporting our efforts,” said Riley. “Ida is a key link in the newspaper business model and we’re glad she’s on the team. Ida is a ‘learner’ too. Something we need as print and digital coexist moving forward.”

“In the short time that she’s been a member of the Herald team, she has proven to be an invaluable asset,” said Brinkmeyer.