Holderman tourism volunteer of year

BONNERS FERRY — The annual Take Pride in Idaho awards were presented on Thursday by Lt. Governor Brad Little in conjunction with the Idaho Conference on Recreation and Tourism in Boise. 

The Bonners Ferry Visitor Center was recognized as the Outstanding Visitor Center in Idaho, with Mike Sloan accepting the award. 

  Take Pride in Idaho awards are given annually to organizations and individuals for their outstanding efforts to promote and preserve Idaho’s tourism and recreation resources.

“It was a great experience and quite an honor,” said Sloan.  “Not that many years ago we became Idaho’s friendliest city and now honored for being the gateway into Idaho from Canada is fantastic.”

Sloan said it shows a lot about the town and about Solinda Holderman who was also recognized as  Idaho Tourism Volunteer of the Year for her service to the Bonners Ferry Visitor Center.

“Solinda has been very committed to the visitors center and she really puts her heart and dedication into the center,” Sloan said. 

Holderman modestly said she felt like someone else in the group should have won the award.

“There are others that do a great job here too,” Holderman said. “I had no idea, and never thought I would be the one to get this award.”

No stranger to volunteerism Holderman has also been with Hospice since 1994.

Holderman said the visitors center is coming up on the busy season with the summer months.  People from all over the country stop in. Holderman meets the tourist and said it is one of her  favorite things about volunteering at the visitors center.

“I just love it here and really enjoy visiting with all the travelers, they are always so nice and very happy,” She said.  “We have a lot of information not just for our tourists  but also for local community members.”

Winners were selected by a panel of judges from the Governor’s office, National Arts Commission, Idaho Historical Society and Preservation Idaho, Idaho Recreation and Tourism Initiative, Idaho RV Campgrounds Association. 

 Bonners Ferry is the gateway into Idaho from Canada and the region offers outdoor activities of all kinds in nearby forests and on the rivers.

Visitors to the area can gather information about all there is to see and do in Boundary County at this visitor center.

The visitors center is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day in May through November, and is located at 7198 Highway 95 in Bonners Ferry.

For information call 267-5922.