Bonner County History - April 7, 2026

Brought to you by the

Bonner County Historical

Society and Museum

611 S. Ella Ave., Sandpoint, Idaho, 83864

208-263-2344

50 Years Ago

Sandpoint News-Bulletin

and Sandpoint Bee

April 7, 1976 – CLUB ELECTS OFFICERS 

The Idaho Nu chapter of Beta Sigma Phi held elections, voting Marilyn Lane in as president, Gwen Pogue as vice president, Carol Linscott as recording secretary, Edie McCormick as correspondence secretary, treasurer as Pat Amstutz, and Charlie Welch as the new extension officer.  

• • •

SERVICE NEWS 

Airman Leland W. Byfield, whose father and step-mother are Mr. and Mrs. Leland J. Byfield, Sagle, has been selected for technical training in the U.S. Air Force munitions and weapons maintenance field at Lowry AFB, Colo.  Byfield, a 1975 SHS graduate, completed his basic training at Lackland AFB, Tex.  

• • •

BOWER HAD LONG CAREER AS EDUCATOR 

Gertrude Crowell Bower doesn’t tell her age, but does give hints. “My parents came to this area in 1900 and I was with them.” Her father homesteaded 160 acres 1½ miles west of Naples. Gertrude and her three sisters had to go three miles to the one-room Elmira schoolhouse, now home to an antique shop. Her higher education was a degree from North Idaho College of Education and an advanced degree from the U of I. She “taught in practically every school in the area,” becoming principal of elementary grades and later, Bonner county superintendent of public instruction, an elective office. “I really liked the children and they put up with me,” laughed Mrs. Bower, who retired in 1959.  

75 Years Ago

Sandpoint News-Bulletin

April 7, 1951 – SIXTH BIRTHDAY PARTY 

Judy Brown, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wade Brown, celebrated her sixth birthday Saturday. After games, the traditional birthday cake and ice cream were served. Enjoying the affair were Gary Michael, Marjorie Masted, Raymond, Kenneth and Thomas Bruhn, Charmain and Larry Standish, Eddie Walson, Janice Slette and Mrs. Slette, Judy’s grandmother.  

• • •

SMOKEY CHUBB HAS BIRTHDAY 

Smokey Chubb, son of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Chubb, celebrated his fourth birthday Saturday by taking five of his small friends to the matinee at the Panida theatre, after which they returned to the Chubb home for birthday cake and ice cream. Guests were Margaret Forgey, Stanley Brixen, Wilma Osterlund, Mike Lines and Kathy Sayers.  

• • •

NEWS FROM CLARK FORK by Anna M. White 

Mr. and Mrs. Harold Ruen and son, Gary, came for the Cabinet Gorge program Sunday. Mr. Ruen is architect engineer in the Bremerton ship yards. 

Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Reed of Sagle were among those who came to Sunday’s dam site ceremonies.  

The local school ground on Sunday served as the landing field for two helicopters.  

An odd mishap befell Edna Hunter while combing her hair with a rat tail comb. Her arm was jostled,forcing the comb’s handle end into her ear, injuring the eardrum. She went to Sandpoint for treatment.

For more information, visit the museum online at bonnercountyhistory.org.