Sandpoint, Idaho Guide to North Idaho Information and Media

Be Your Best Self

SANDPOINT TEEN TO REPRESENT IDAHO

Camille Neuder grew up hearing stories of her mother’s experience with the Junior Miss program. She watched her older sister participate, which had an immediate impact. “Watching her performance, her practice, her smile, it was eye-opening for me and got me excited to join,” she said.

Now known as Distinguished Young Women (DYW), the nationwide program invites girls in their junior or senior year of high school to participate in a program that includes five criteria: Scholastics, Interview, Talent, Fitness and Self- Expression. Throughout the year, the young women work on each category, culminating in a competition which includes thousands of dollars in scholarship money. That competition was held this past March, in which Camille took home top honors in several categories. “Fortunately we were still able to hold it in-person with family members in attendance. All the girls were feeling excitement and nerves, but it is such a great group of girls, and we were all there to support each other,” recalled Camille...

THE SEASON OF GIVING

FIND WAYS TO HELP THOSE IN NEED IN YOUR COMMUNITY

November is a time of expectation. Looking forward to family dinners and gatherings with friends, it’s a time to cozy up by the fire and wait expectantly for the snow to come. But most importantly, it’s a season of thanksgiving for what we have, and a reminder to give back.

For many, the advent of colder weather and harsher months means higher living costs, less access to food and a hard six months ahead. As we look forward to the joy of this season, may we also stop to consider how we can share that joy with those around us.

Throughout the entire year, food banks, shelters and soup kitchens are in need of volunteers and donations, but in this season especially, there is a need for those willing to give of their time or their resources in whatever way they can.

SHOP LOCAL

Downtown businesses prepare for the holiday season

New sidewalks, fresh storefront facades and a lively holiday spirit have replaced the torn-up streets of yesteryear. The new face of Sandpoint’s Downtown Shopping District opened up to a record summer, and shop owners are ready for an exciting holiday season.

With Thanksgiving and Christmas just around the corner, it’s once again that time of year to write up your gift list. This year, take advantage of the fresh face of downtown to support the local stores that make our town a charming, successful destination. This is the year to shop local!

Get ready for a Very Sandpoint Christmas. The Historic Downtown Shopping District is hosting several holiday events, making this the ultimate time to get out and shop local this season. From clothing stores to gift shops, furniture stores and children’s stores, downtown offers a bit of everything to help check off your Christmas list. “So many of us carry local artisans and makers as well; we always have our local community scattered throughout our stores,” says Shery Meekings, owner of Creations and Carousel Emporium in the Cedar Street Bridge.