Chamber Recognizes Kiwanis Club as April’s Business of the Month

The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce recognizes Kiwanis Club as April’s Business of the Month. Kiwanis Clubs motto is “Serving the Children of the World”. This year Kiwanis International won a Blue Ribbon at the Rose Parade for their Float titled, “A Childs Magic Carpet Ride.”

Watch them accept there award, click here.

Kiwanis Club in Sandpoint has been serving youth of our community since their beginning. Things the Kiwanis Club sponsors or supports currently or in the past includes the Key Club at the high school, scholarships, Boy Scouts, Camp Stidwell Bonner County Fair, Kinderhaven and the Backpack Program in the schools.

‘When Boy Scout Troop #111 was in need of a sponsor, Kiwanis stepped up to the plate and to this day sponsors that same troop,’ explained Kiwanis Club Member Dick Vail. ‘Kiwanis owns about 2,000 acres of land around the lower end of Mirror Lake. The facility is called “Camp Stidwell”. The resident, Kiwanian caretaker, stated that last year over 1,600 young people took advantages of the facilities at Camp Stidwell.’

In order to make these items happen, Kiwanis has their own fundraising activities that include selling of Cotton Candy at major events, as well as selling raffle tickets for a pig, selected at the Bonner County Fair, and tickets for other worthwhile causes. When you see someone from Kiwanis selling cotton candy, a raffle ticket for a pig, or an award card to be cashed in at a store of your choice, they hope you look at it as an investment in the youth and young people of Bonner County.

‘It takes a number of various working organizations to make up a whole vital body,’ said Vail. ‘Kiwanis is pleased and proud to be part of the body that makes up a great place to live, work, and raise children.’

Please join the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce in congratulating Kiwanis Club in being honored as April’s Business of the Month. For more information or to reach out to them, call 208-255-6645.

Chamber Welcomes 2nds Anyone? Thrift Store to New Location

The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce is excited to welcome 2nds Anyone? Thrift Store to their new location!  2nds Anyone? Thrift Store was created as a teaching site for the Lake Pend Oreille Alternative High School students and started because of a grant almost five years ago. It is still, today, a teaching site for these students.

‘We have students come to the store for class periods during store hours to obtain work skills,’ explained Barbara Phillips. ‘We are a non-profit 501(c)3 and operate at no cost to the school district or tax payers.’

The students are involved in every aspect of the store from cleaning, sorting and money handling.  All of the items in the store are donated from the wonderful citizens of Sandpoint and they accept almost anything they can get in the door. They tell their shoppers that they are a different store every day because they are continually putting out new-to-you items. 

‘Our prices are very low and our claim to fame is our Super Sack Sale,’ said Barbara. ‘We try to have one every week, it all depends on the volunteer help that we have available.’

The store is always in search of volunteers. They are located at 503 Cedar Street suite E in the Cedar Street Station. They send out email notices to anyone on their mailing list and they also make announcements of special items or sales on their Facebook page, Seconds Anyone, always seeking new Facebook ‘Fans’.

Please help the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce welcome 2nds Anyone? Thrift Store to their new location. Visit their store in the Cedar St Station during regular business hours of 10am-5pm Monday through Friday and 10am-3pm on Saturdays. Reach them by phone at  (208)263-3247.

Photo: Executive Director Barbara Phillips and Chamber Ambassadors cut the ribbon.

Chamber Welcomes The Pottery Bug

The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce is excited to welcome The Pottery Bug. The Pottery Bug is a "paint your own pottery" studio owned by Gena Gibson in the heart of Sandpoint’s downtown core. The Pottery Bug is located at 101 N 2nd Avenue, Sandpoint, on the corner of 2nd and Pine in the Bonner Building and has available parking. 

Gena is an Idaho native and moved to Sandpoint from Boise in 2003. She was in the mortgage lending industry since 1991 and most recently was with Mountain West Bank as a Loan Processor/Closer since 2003.  After a long career in the mortgage industry, she was ready for a more creative career change.  

‘My sister opened The Pottery Bug studio in Otis Orchards, WA in May 2012,’ explained Gena. ‘The studio has been very successful and well received in her community. The Pottery Bug in Sandpoint is now our second location.’

The Pottery Bug offers affordable fun which you create. At The Pottery Bug studio, you will find hundreds of pieces to choose from and have additional fun with stickers, fun writers and bumpy paints. The only cost is the piece you choose. The process is simple: you pick a piece, create your own artwork and leave it to be glazed and fire in their kiln. 

‘We'll have your finished keepsake or gift to you in 3-5 days. We are open seven days a week.’

The Pottery Bug is affordable fun for everyone. They have a private party room for kids' birthday parties, baby or bridal showers or any special occasion. They would like to invite everyone to visit their large and bright studio. They are a great destination for school groups, youth groups, reunions or family outings. 

‘We have many projects available for Mother's Day coming in May and a special mug created for Sandpoint High School Bulldog supporters. Graduation is approaching and we can help create a great memento for your favorite graduating senior.’

Please help the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce welcome The Pottery Bug to the Chamber and wish them success. For more information, visit them at www.potterybugstudio.com, find them on Facebook, email Gena at gena@potterybugstudio.com or call them at 208-263-0232.

Photo: Carol Warren, Gene Gibson, Jan Korsten, Marlee Korsten, Macy Korsten, Gena Gibson, Denton McGlothlin, Pat McGlothlin, Lila Zavala, Judy Gibson, Peggy Shadel and Paralee Gates.