Bonner County History - Feb. 3, 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

Feb. 3, 1976 – BIRTHS 

Jan. 30-To Mr. and Mrs. Rodney Mason, Sandpoint, a 7 lb. 7 oz. boy.  Feb. 1-To Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hovanski, Sandpoint, a 7 lb. 14½ oz. boy. 

•••

WINDS TOPPLE TREES 

Gusting winds up to 40 mph plagued Bonner county yesterday and today, causing damage to roofs and power lines. In the Clark Fork area, 470 PP & L customers were without power for four hours when two trees fell across the main line. Customers in the Spring Creek area also had outages due to trees on the line. Temperatures tonight will dip to 5 degrees; chill factors will be minus 10-20 degrees.  

•••

NO SNOW, BUT WINTER CARNIVAL WAS FUN 

The cross country ski races had to be moved to Schweitzer, the snow shoe softball games were played without snowshoes (from lack of shoes AND snow), the broom hockey game was moved from downtown to Memorial Field (where there was snow, but a distinct lack of well-built brooms), and the annual wrist wrestling tournament at Riccardo’s was about as crowded, smoke-filled and nitty-gritty as one could imagine. Maybe it was the Spirit of ‘76 that made participants in the Winter Carnival events overcome Sandpoint’s environmental shortcomings that snowless weekend. At any rate, the contestants seemed to enjoy themselves and those attending events seemed to enjoy themselves just as heartily.  

75 Years Ago

Sandpoint News-Bulletin

Feb. 3, 1951 – PARTY FOR KAREN HAYDEN 

Miss Mary McKinnon entertained at the home of her parents, Dr. and Mrs. M.P. McKinnon Saturday with a farewell party for Miss Karen Hayden. The evening was spent playing games. Guests included the honored guest, Sally Holz, Susan Oberg, Polly Spangle, Charlene Jahnke, Virginia Sulzle and Shirley Brixen.  

•••

MRS. HARDY LYONS HONORED 

Mrs. Jessie Lyons and Mrs. W. F. Tyler co-hosted two luncheon parties at the home of Mrs. E.F. Lyons last week honoring Mrs. Hardy Lyons, a recent bride and newcomer to this city. On Monday, Bridge was played, while Canasta was the game of the day on Friday. Monday’s guests were: Mrs. C.S. Barlow, Mrs. Frank Evans, Mrs. D.L. Haynes, Mrs. Jim Brown, Mrs. Ted Huetter, Mrs. A.K. Walden, Mrs. J.R. McFarland, Mrs. Robert Nelson, Mrs. Clifford Coons, Mrs. Lloyd Davis, Mrs. Erling Logan. Guests on Friday were Mrs. Jack Bopp, Mrs. Pat McCrum, Mrs. Lyle Bergstrom, Mrs. Joan Vincent, Mrs. Karl Greef Jr., Mrs. Edgar Pye, Mrs. John McFarland, Mrs. Raymond Green, Mrs. John Nelson, Mrs. Norm Bauer, Mrs. Ralph Sletager and Mrs. Richard Frye. 

•••

BARBER MOVES 

August Olson, who has operated LaFond’s Barber shop for the past two years, moved Monday to a new location in the Crystal Barber shop on First avenue following the closing of the LaFond shop.

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