Chamber honors Laurel Taylor as July's Volunteer of the Month

The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce honors Laurel Taylor as the Volunteer of the Month for her service to our community. Laurel has been a Pend Oreille Arts Council (POAC) board member for more years than she probably wants to remember. She is currently serving as Secretary, which means she has held virtually every executive position; but most notably she has served several terms as President. Taylor has stepped up to take charge during some challenging times the organization has faced, often when no one else had the courage to do so and has guided the organization as it has grown and expanded the visual and performing arts events that POAC is known for.

“Laurel’s humor, strength of character and eternally positive attitude as well her ability to create a ‘we are a team’ mind set has been instrumental to the ongoing success and positive reputation that POAC has in this community and the broader Arts world. Over the years, Laurel has quietly contributed her time and energy to many organizations in our community. Most notably the Pend Orielle Arts Council. Laurel is also an active member of the Women of Wisdom Organization, helps with Kinderhaven’s Festival of Trees (as well as donates items and purchases trees) and was one of the first to volunteer for the Chamber’s Scenic Half Marathon event when it began 3 years ago and has continued to be there each year to do what ever is needed. Even during last year’s monsoon! She does a great deal to make this a better community.”
- Judy Thomson

Please join the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce in congratulating Laurel Taylor in being honored as the Volunteer of the Month and thanking her for all of her wonderful qualities as citizen of our community.

From left: Chamber Member at Large, Judy Thompson, presents Volunteer of the Month award to Laurel Taylor.

Chamber Welcomes Sweet Magnolia Bed & Breakfast

The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce welcomes Sweet Magnolia Bed and Breakfast to the community. Sitting on the corner of North 4th Avenue and Alder Street, the old grand house, formerly known as the Coit House, is 104 years old. Calvin and Jill Ogle recently purchased the home and opened for business on July 1, 2011. The business had been closed for 2 years.

Calvin got his Innkeeper's roots early, in a small family motel business in the resort town of Gatlinburg, Tennessee. He worked for his aunt during the summers in his younger years and eventually managed the summer seasons.

Jill has always dreamed of living in an old house! The rest is history:

They met while in college at Clemson University and were married in 1984. They spent the first 20 years of their marriage in the Atlanta, GA area raising their 3 children Emily, Eddie, and Madelynn. Then in 2003, after a family vacation in 2002 to the beautiful Northwest, they decided to change things up and make the move to Sandpoint, Idaho. Some called it a midlife crisis...but they did it as a family! After turning 50 and too many years as a traveling sales engineer, Calvin recently turned it all in to become the full time Innkeeper of the Sweet Magnolia. Jill works part-time as a Medical Technologist at Bonner General Hospital (just next door to the Sweet Magnolia) and part-time as the Innkeeper's helper.

In addition to lodging, the Sweet Magnolia offers a beautiful venue for catered holiday parties, wedding or baby showers, tea parties, and receptions.

The Sweet Magnolia boasts "Southern Hospitality in the Heart of Sandpoint" as their motto. The porch is always open to the community for a shady rest along the way, and the Ogles are happy to give tours to passersby.

The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce wishes Sweet Magnolia Bed and Breakfast success and is pleased they have joined our community. For more information and to inquire about vacancies, you can reach the Ogles by phone at 208-263-2425 or visit their website at www.sweetmagnoliabandb.com.

Rooms are still available for this weekend! Call now and enjoy southern hospitality in the heart of Sandpoint, Idaho this weekend while the Festival is happening.

From left: Chamber Ambassador Carol Warren, Chamber Member Ken Wood, Joanie Hamelmann, Calvin Ogle, Ambassador Clem Hackworthy, Madelynn Ogle, Jill Ogle, Kelsey Kittleson, Violet Plummer, Eddie Ogle, Lisa Van Deusen (Daily Bee), Leanna Paulsen Kittleson (Seven Sisters Catering Co.), Ambassador Colleen Spickelmire, Idaho Representative George Eskridge, Ambassador Peggy Shadel, & Chamber Chairman of the Board Cliff Warren.

Chamber Welcomes Bonner County Gardeners Association

The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce is happy to welcome the Bonner County Gardeners Association (BCGA) to the community. Formerly known as the Bonner County Master Gardeners, the BCGA is a non-profit organization, specializing in providing home horticulture education to the citizens of Bonner County. Education is available through many outlets. The members have a natural love for gardening and want to assist others with their gardening questions in northern Idaho.

The BCGA’s programs include a home horticulture workshop series, informational booths at various events, gardening presentations as requested by community groups, the Garden Tour, school gardens, internal education and beautification projects. Currently, the BCGA has taken on a major beautification project at the Bonner County Fairgrounds. The Fairgrounds is a multi-use venue with many visitors throughout the year. This is a large project demanding a high level of resources.

The BCGA look for members who desire not only to further their own knowledge of home horticulture, but also to share that knowledge with others. Their goals are to promote continuing education and a spirit of good fellowship among our members and the community. If you are interested in contributing to this effort please contact the association for more information.

The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce wishes the Bonner County Gardeners Association success and we are very glad they are a part of our community. The BCGA’s new home is at 804 Airport Way, Sandpoint, ID. Anyone who is interested in assisting in any of these projects and programs, or want to become a member of the association is encouraged to contact BCGA President Zoe Bolton at 265-2070 or at bcgardeners@gmail.com. To be placed on the distribution list and notified of upcoming educational events available to the public call the office or email the office. To find out more about the organization check out the website at www.bcgardeners.org.

From left: Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors Carol Warren & Connie Rasco BCGA members Gail Swan & Chris McIntosh, BCGA President Zoe Bolton, BCGA members Jan Griffits, Shirley Barksdale, Bonnie Cavanaugh, Richard Bower & Howard Fennimore, Ambassador Clem Hackworthy, BCGA members Penny Barton & Mikey Haven, and Ambassadors Erin Butler, & Colleen Spickelmire.