Chamber Honors Les Schwab Tire Center

The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce is proud to recognize Les Schwab Tire Center as March’s Business of the Month. With more than 25 years as a Chamber Member and great community member, the Chamber give them this award as a way to say “thank you for always supporting our community and thank you for exemplary customer service.”

“We’re aware of businesses around our community who are leaders and contribute some of their time and as much as they can back to the community,” explained Clem Hackworthy, Chamber Ambassador. “This month we have chosen one of the largest independent car dealers in the world. I can attest for the job they do and the service they give.”

Some of the places they show their support include the Senior Gift Card Center, 4H Fundraisers and Animal Auction, School fundraisers and graduation, little league and other team sponsorships, Backcountry Horseman, car shows, Bonner County Fairgrounds, Rotary and other local clubs.

Please join the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce in congratulating Les Schwab Tire Center for their success and thanking them for their commitment to our community. For more information, call them at 208-265-4518 or stop by and see them at 279 Bonner Mall Way, across from Yoke’s.

In photo left to right, Clem Hackworthy and Nick Badoux.

Chamber Welcomes Northwest Auto Body in Ponderay

The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce is excited to welcome Northwest Auto Body in Ponderay, their second location, to the Chamber. With more than 35 years’ experience in Sandpoint, Northwest Auto Body has branched out with a new second location in Ponderay and some new amenities to go along with it.

“We are very excited to announce the opening of a second location in Ponderay, located at 1202 Triangle Drive,” said Eric Donenfeld. “Both locations have computer networking systems for online claim filing, providing faster and more efficient insurance claim settling. Our new Ponderay Branch offers 2 new paint booths from Italy and all the newest technology making the repair process even more seamless.”

In 1976, at the age of 26, Mel Donenfeld opened Northwest Autobody in Sandpoint on a premise of providing top quality work and customer service on all vehicles, as well as 24-hour towing in North Idaho. During those 36 years, Northwest Auto Body has created deep ties to the region through volunteering and superior customer service. The business is still family owned and operated with Mel's two sons, Eric and Cory, positioned to continue the tradition of excellence in collision repair and caring for the greater Sandpoint and Ponderay community.

Please join the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce in welcoming Northwest Auto Body to their second location in Ponderay, 1202 Triangle Drive, and wishing them continued success in our community. For more information, give them a call in Ponderay at 265-9999 or visit them online at www.northwestautobody.com. 

Chamber Welcomes AXIA Home Loans

The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce is excited to welcome AXIA Home Loans. With over 9 years in finance and mortgage lending, Teresa Lunde, Senior Mortgage Loan Specialist with AXIA Home Loans has opened a branch in Ponderay.

Axia Home Loans, a division of Axia Financial LLC, is a residential home mortgage banking company. Headquartered in Washington State, Axia is one of the fastest growing, independently owned mortgage companies in the Northwest and located in states throughout the West and Southwest.

“We want to help anyone looking to refinance or purchase a home or investment home, whether it’s a condo, duplex or single family residence, we have programs to best suit you,” said Teresa.

AXIA originates processes, underwrites and funds their loans in house, giving the customer special care and attention. Communication with their customers is tantamount, from the personal touch of the originator, to the updates as your loan passes each milestone. Through calls from your originator and email updates, they assure you’ll never wonder what stage your purchase or refinance has reached.

The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce wishes AXIA Home Loan continued success in our community. They are located at 476394 Highway 95 in Ponderay, their office is inside the Pend Oreille Insurance office. For more information, contact Teresa with your mortgage needs at 208-263-1182, email at teresa.lunde@axiahomeloans.com.

Chamber Honors Clint Gunter

The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce honored Clint Gunter as January’s Volunteer of the Month. Clint’s hard work and willingness to get involved in the community is one to be honored.

“When I spoke to people about this month’s nomination for the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce’s Volunteer of the month, one word came up over and over again. That word was DEDICATED,” explained Ken Wood. “People told me that he was DEDICATED to his family, DEDICATED to his career, DEDICATED to his friends, DEDICATED to whatever cause he gets involved with.  And this dedication shines through on his commitment to our community.  This DEDICATED individual and this month’s Volunteer of the Month is Clint Gunter of Sandpoint Furniture.”

Clint is involved in the Bulldog Financial Fair, a one-day event held for local high school seniors to understand the in and outs of finances and life after high school. In addition, Clint volunteers a great deal of time to Bulldog Bench, an organization geared at helping our local school athletic departments. Due to his ongoing dedication to our community, Clint has been asked to be on several local organizations Board of Directors and is recognized as a leader in our community. Clint has been involved in all of this, while at the same time serving as the youngest President ever of the Pacific Furniture Dealers. 

“Having grown up in Sandpoint, many of the opportunities that were available to me when I was young came from volunteers who love this community as much as I do,” explained Clint Gunter. “Like most folks in the greater Sandpoint area, my passion for helping with local programs is not driven by recognition, but to pass along opportunities that were afforded to me. While our community needs change from year to year, all of us here at Sandpoint Furniture Carpet One are committed to an active role in keeping this a wonderful place to work, live, and play for future generations.”

Please join the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce in congratulating Clint Gunter for being honored as the Volunteer of the Month and thanking him for all of his contributions and dedication to our community. From the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce, as well as the whole community, Thank You! 

Left to right: Ken Wood presents Clint Gunter with Volunteer of the Month Award. 

Chamber Honors Sweet Lou’s

The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce is proud to recognize Sweet Lou’s as December’s Business of the Month. After opening their first location in Hope in April 2011, they have loved being a part of our community and give back in numerous ways. In February of 2012, Sweet Lou’s in Ponderay is now their year round location with the same great menu and standards as their Hope location but with a family sports-bar angle.

“At Sweet Lou’s, I make great food and excellent customer service our top priorities,” explained owner Chad Foust. He added, “During training, I stress to my employees the importance of a satisfied customer, not only with their meal, but their entire experience while in the restaurant.”

They realize the importance of giving back to the community that has given them the opportunity to live out their dream as business owners. While they wish they could give to all organizations, they are strategic in their philanthropic efforts. We focus our giving efforts on local children, public education, cancer services, youth sports and the Panhandle Animal Shelter. A few of the organizations they support to include the Long Bridge Swim, 24 Hours for Hank, local sport teams, Hope Memorial Center, Relay For Life, Bulldog Bench, Susan G. Komen Foundation, EXCEL Foundation, The Festival of Trees, SHS Grad Night and Kinderhaven.

“We are reminded daily with how blessed we are to live and work in beautiful Sandpoint, ID,” added Chad. “Our town has provided us with great business opportunities, but more important, it has provided us with a home and a lifestyle that can be based around family and we are eternally grateful.”

Please join the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce in congratulating Sweet Lou’s for their success and thanking them for their commitment to our community. For more information, visit their Ponderay location at 477272 US Hwy 95 or their Hope location at 46624 Hwy 200, call them at 265-5999 and 263-1381 respectively, visit www.sweetlousidaho.com. Like them on Facebook, facebook.com/sweetlous.

In photo: left to right, Carol Warren and Chad Foust.

Chamber Honors Perfection Tire as October's Business of the Month

The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce is proud to recognize Perfection Tire as October’s Business of the Month. After opening in May of 1996, Perfection Tire has loved being a part of our community and give back in numerous ways.

They sponsor multiple baseball teams every year, a youth club basketball team for three years running. They also give donations to many community fundraisers for community events and non-profits including the Sandpoint Senior Center, Veterans organizations, Pend Oreille Bay Trail, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Habitat for Humanity and more. In the past, they donated the wheels for the high school Chuck Wagon and donated a set of custom wheels for the all-night senior graduation party.

“We would rather spend our extra money on meaningful local causes than anywhere else,” explained Heath Okon, Manager. “We give customers a $10 discount if they donate a couple items of food to our year-round Bonner County Food Bank Donation Bin.”

Perfection Tire prides themselves on their high percentage of customer satisfaction. They love their customers and really enjoy their work environment. They are an AAA approved auto repair center and NAPA Auto Care Center. They’re your auto repair center for anything under your hood and on your car with people who can rebuild your engine and transmission. They offer a dozen or so tire brands including Cooper and Bridgestone and available for same day tire appointments most days.

Please join the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce in congratulating Perfection Tire for their success and thanking them for their commitment to our community. For more information, visit their location at 476927 US Hwy 95, call them at 208-265-8473, email them at perf21@perfectiontire.com or visit www.perfectiontire.com. Like them on Facebook, facebook.com/PerfectionTireSandpoint.

In picture: left to right Les Clark, Dan Baldwin, Heath Okon and Colleen Spickelmire.

Chamber Honors Ponderay Garden Center

The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce recognizes Ponderay Garden Center at September’s Business of the Month. They pride themselves as being an example of what can happen when agricultural space meets city expansion and when vision is combined with a sense of community. Their community centric focus allows them to prosper and help others do the same.

Watch Ponderay Garden Center accept their award here >>

Last summer they held another successful Concert for a Cause series, in conjunction with Horizon Credit Union, and was able to give out checks totaling $10,000 this year to non-profits including Friends of Ponderay Bay Trail, Panida Theater, Kinderhaven, Forest Bird Charter School and more. These free concerts are open to everyone and raise money by donations. Other annual events the Ponderay Garden Center hold are the Garden of Artistry and Easter Egg Hunt.

When general manager Kevin Mansoor was asked why and how is their staff is so good, he answered, “I give my staff free reign to go above and beyond.”

Their venue is 9.5 acres and open to events of all kinds. They’re open through the month of October from 8am-4pm before closing down and preparing for next year.

Information: Please join the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce in congratulating Ponderay Garden Center in being honored as September’s Business of the Month. For more information or to reach out to them, call 208-255-4200 or visit www.ponderaygarden.com.

  

In Photo: left to right Clem Hackworthy, Angeline Ramsay, Kevin Mansoor and Ken Wood. 

PEND OREILLE SURGERY CENTER ANNOUNCES BUSINESS REORGANIZATION

Restructuring Will Position POSC for Even Greater Opportunities

Pend Oreille Surgery Center, LLC has successfully completed a year-long reorganization. The reorganization was the result of collaborative efforts of POSC board members and management, accountants, attorneys and banking professionals.

POSC has provided high-quality, cost-effective outpatient surgical care to residents of Bonner County and surrounding areas since opening in 2009. Changes in the way health care is provided and reimbursed led POSC to consider what needed to be done in order to survive and thrive in a changing health care environment.  

The reorganization involved splitting POSC into two distinct entities. POSC, LLC will continue to provide quality, cost-effective outpatient surgical care. The center remains owned by local physicians who care for their patients at the center as well as the local hospital.

A new entity, POSC Holdings, LLC, now owns the building and land. Separating the real estate from the operations provides an opportunity for investors to become involved in a business that, prior to reorganization, could only involve physicians who intended to use the facility. Successfully executing these changes has positioned POSC for growth and success in an uncertain health care environment.

POSC would like to thank the following businesses for their assistance throughout the process:

·         Washington Trust Bank in Sandpoint (Allen McClelland)

·         Berg & McLaughlin Attorneys in Sandpoint (Bill Berg)

·         Christoffersen Accountancy in Salt Lake City (Mel Christoffersen)

·         Sandpoint Title Insurance in Sandpoint (Tom Williams)

The reorganization wouldn’t have been successful without their confidence in the center and commitment to POSC’s success.

Please contact Kris Sabo at the contacts below for more information.

Work:  208 265-8194

Email: kris@poscllc.com

Chamber Welcomes Woodlands Family Medicine

The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce is excited to welcome Woodlands Family Medicine (WFM). Their same day appointments, experience working with everyone from infants to geriatrics and onsite resources makes WFM a great choice as a medical office.

Dr. Joan Bloom has been practicing in Sandpoint since 2002.  She was previously with North Idaho Medical Care Center and started Woodlands Family Medicine in 2011.  In May of 2012, they welcomed Dr. Volney Willett to their practice.  Both doctors are Board Certified and have many years experience treating patients.  At the doctors disposal is their on-site laboratory, on-site x-ray, on-site orthopedic practice and nutritional therapy.

‘You will enjoy outstanding care for the entire family at Woodlands Family Medicine,’ explained Katie Fisher, Practice Manager. ‘Our wonderfully trained and compassionate team of physicians, nurses and family-oriented support staff have dedicated themselves to providing you with the finest health care available.’

They specialties and coverage area is extensive. They offer women’s health and pediatric care, as well as management for chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, hyperlipidemia, high cholesterol, coronary artery disease and musculoskeletal disorders. Also, they provide general proactive healthcare such as well-child exams, sports physicals, annual physicals, employment physicals, holistic nutrition programs, diet and exercise counseling, cancer screening, geriatric exams.

‘We have Board certified doctors with specialties in Family Medicine and complementing areas of expertise assure a full range of care for injuries, illnesses, preventative care and routine checkups,’ added Fisher.

Please help the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce welcome The Woodlands Family Medicine to the Chamber and wish them continued success. For more information, visit them at their location on in Ponderay at 30544 Hwy 200, Suite 101, across from the Bonner Mall, call them at 208-263-6300, online at www.woodlandsfamilymed.com, and connect with them on Facebook www.facebook.com/woodlands.familymedicine.

Photo:  Woodlands Family Medicine Employees cut the ribbon with Chamber Ambassadors. 

Chamber Welcomes North Idaho Orthopedics and Sports Medicine

The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce is excited to welcome North Idaho Orthopedics and Sports Medicine. The quality of care is outstanding and it is no wonder why so many refer friends and family to North Idaho Orthopedics and Sports Medicine. Their wonderfully trained and compassionate team of physicians and family-oriented support staff has dedicated themselves to providing you with the finest orthopedic care available.

‘We are orthopedic surgeons with specialists in sports medicine, hand repair and ankle and foot injuries’ explained Dr. DiBennedetto. ‘We can recognize, diagnose, treat, and help rehabilitate you in the best way possible to get you back on the mountain, golf course, lake or even back to work quickly.’

Dr. Michael DiBenedetto started North Idaho Orthopedics & Sports Medicine in 2002. In 2008 Dr. Jonathan Fisher joined the practice. Recently North Idaho Orthopedics & Sports Medicine partnered up with Dr. Joan Bloom’s practice Woodlands Family Medicine and has since hired a new family physician Dr. Volney Willett. 

‘Our physicians operate at the beautiful outpatient Pend Oreille Surgery Center & Bonner General Hospital,’ explained Dr. DiBenedetto. ‘We have Board certified and fellowship trained doctors with specialties in all orthopedic fields. Our complementing areas of expertise assure a full range of treatments for every fracture, sprain, or sports injury.’

Their specialties and main services provide arthroscopic shoulder and knee surgery, foot and ankle surgery and reconstruction, hand surgery, fracture management, joint replacement, lumbar surgery, heel and achilles pain, customized orthotics, foot pain diagnosis and treatment and Laser for toenail fungus. If you are experience any orthopedic pain, they suggest going to them to relieve yourself and to get back doing the things you love. Now, they even have a safe, painless & effective laser treatment for nail fungus. For more information on their new nail treatment, visit www.healthynaillasercenter.com 

Please help the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce welcome North Idaho Orthopedics and Sports Medicine to the Chamber and wish them continued success. For more information, visit them at their location on in Ponderay at 30544 Hwy 200, Suite 102, across from the Bonner Mall, call them at 208-265-9817, online at www.niosm.com, and connect with them on Facebook www.facebook.com/north.idahoortho.

Photo:  North Idaho Orthopedics and Sports Medicine employees cut the ribbon with Chamber Ambassadors.