SANDPOINT — For better or for worse, the world is wrapped around technology. This Saturday, the East Bonner County Library is inviting community members to break away from the online world to relax and enjoy activities centered around natural connections, filled with hands-on workshops and educational sessions.  

The event is slated to take place at the Sandpoint Library Garden, 1407 Church St., on Saturday, July 11, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. All events are free and open to the public. 

The first event includes a guided song circle, an activity that event coordinator Joyce Jowdy said is great for meeting new people, learning songs and experiencing the freedom of joyful singing with a group. Song catcher and song leader Kelly McLean will be leading the charge, utilizing her 25-plus years of experience to connect with the group.  

At 11 a.m., the community is invited to learn about the science of joy from Dr. Harvey Eckhart through an interactive workshop that’s aimed to showcase why laughter, movement and dance are among the most powerful tools for health and well-being.  

“In this interactive workshop, we’ll explore the fascinating science behind joy and discover why some of life’s simplest pleasures may be among the most powerful medicines available,” event coordinators said. “When we move and dance, we activate powerful brain networks that enhance memory, coordination, creativity, and resilience. Music has the remarkable ability to influence our emotions, awaken memories, elevate mood, and even synchronize our hearts and nervous systems with those around us.” 

Officials encourage participants to be prepared to experience the medicine of being “fully human.” 

For the third event, author Jane Fritz will share her adventures of canoeing across Lake Pend Oreille at 12:30 p.m., where she explored the wilderness and nature within and surrounding the state’s largest lake. Fritz has used her wisdom and encounters across the lake to publish a guidebook, “Legendary Lake Pend Oreille,” painting a picture of all the lake’s wonders.  

“As a lover of the lake, solo canoeing and camping on our lake is what made me who I am as a person,” Fritz said. “It formed my spiritual and environmental values, my very own Thoreau experience.”  

Outside of her everyday exploration and writing, Fritz is a radio producer and podcaster for the “Voices of the Wild Earth” podcast. She is also the media director for The Idaho Mythweaver, a local nonprofit, and has partnered with Indigenous peoples of the Columbia Plateau region for 35 years on cultural projects.  

To cap the day of activities, Holly Pennington will be hosting a bowls for the souls activity, showing community members how they can turn trash into treasure through papier mache bowls. 

Starting at 1:30 p.m., Pennington will share a variety of techniques through multiple materials to create take-home bowls.  

Pennington is a lifelong creative from Sandpoint who believes inspiration can be found anywhere and that everyone is a special kind of artist in their own way.  

Natural Connections is a monthly series of events hosted by the Sandpoint Library aimed at connecting people and nature through hands-on activities.