Spreading the Word
A music scholarship has been established through Boundary County Education Foundation in memory of longtime Bonners Ferry resident Allan MacDonald.
MacDonald, a former co-owner of Kootenai Lanes in Bonners Ferry, died in 2005 at age 86. His wife, Mildred MacDonald and children Linda, Joel and Dorothy MacDonald all survive in Bonners Ferry.
Allan MacDonald was a violin maker and belonged to the Old Time Fiddlers. He also was an Idaho champion fiddler.
The scholarship is for $250. Plans call for increasing it to $500. Anyone interested in contributing, should contact Roberta Bowen at 267-5652. Anyone with questions is asked to call Dr. Don Bartling, superintendent with Boundary County School District, at 267-3146, or foundation president John Lindberg at 267-2992.
• The Wreath Farm in Bonners Ferry was featured on KXLY television station in Spokane, Wash., last week.
Owners Julie and Travis Smith and their employees make 200 wreathes a day from white pine, grand fir and cedar. They compliment the wreathes with bows, ribbons and pinecones.
Wreathes are shipped across the country.
As part of the segment, wreath-maker Josh Thomas commented to the reporter while wearing elf ears.
“I’m Santa’s little elf,” Thomas told the KXLY reporter. “I’m the head elf, ain’t that right boss?”
• Retired Bonners Ferry High School teacher Richard Hollenbeck dressed up his bassethound, Bogie, in hopes of spreading some holiday cheer.
Bogie was wearing a pair of oversize sunglasses and moose antlers.
The 12-year-old dog also serves as the Moyie Shrine Club’s mascot. Bogie rides on a four-wheeler in the Memorial Day Parade in Bonners Ferry and Fourth of July Parade in Sandpoint.
• Rex Theatre served free popcorn and pop to 198 kids, for the annual free showing of its Christmas film.
Movie theater owner Carol Mesenbrink was pleased with the large turnout for the morning and afternoon showings of Kung Fu Panda.
“It was much better than last year,” she said. “Hopefully it means people will start to support the city of Bonners Ferry. I have to thank the merchants because I don’t do it myself.”
• First-graders at Valley View Elementary School collected $155 in pennies for Care ‘n Share, which gives Christmas presents to the needy. Students prepared a wish list, and teachers purchased toys, which the children wrapped.
• The 16 students in Lyndsay Hart’s first-grade class at Mt. Hall Elementary School raised $300 for Heifer International, a nonprofit dedicated to relieving global hunger and poverty.
The students made 60 to 75 beaded bracelets and sold them after last week’s school Christmas program. Bracelets were sold for $5 for adults and $3 for children.
“I wanted them to learn about charity and people around the world who are hungry,” Hart said.
• Far North Outfitters has a fun holiday greeting from its employees on its new electronic reader board.
Manager Chris Langan superimposed the faces of store employees onto elves that dance across the reader board. In addition to Langan, the elves include the store’s owner, Butch Short, and employees Jack Bliss, Robert Baker and Twinkles Flory.
It’s been a hit.
“Everyone seems to like it,” Langan said. “People are calling us. It’s pretty hilarious.”
People are coming in the story and saying ‘it’s making their day.’”
• Boundary County Middle School teacher Robin Merrifield is undergoing treatment at Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane, Wash., after suffering injuries in a car accident in Bonner County.
Our thoughts and prayers Merrifield and her family during her recovery.