Sunday, May 31, 2009

Local Band Lazarus To Perform at Spokane's Battle of the Bands


A roller coaster ride. That is how Stephen Fredericks describes the music that he and his four band mates perform.

“We play everything – jazz, classical and metal,” said Derek Deitz, who along with Fredericks plays guitar.

Deitz, his twin brother Dillon on drums, Fredericks, Jacob Craner, who plays keyboard and is lead vocalist, and bass player Keith Anderson, comprise the band is called Lazarus.

“We like the story of Lazarus,” said Stephen, 21. “Jesus raising him from the dead.”

Lazarus has been playing together only since October. They take their music seriously and have already made a name for themselves.

Derek and Dillon Deitz, both 18, and Anderson, 17, attend Bonners Ferry High School and travel every Thursday to Sagle, just south of Sandpoint, where they practice with Craner and Fredericks.

Craner’s parents, who may be the band’s biggest fans, cook them dinner and the three boys spend the night before heading back to Bonners Ferry on Friday mornings for school.

“They (Jacob’s parents) are Lazarus’ Jesus,” said Anderson.

It was Jacob’s mother, Margaret Craner, who encouraged the boys to enter Spokane’s Battle of the Bands. Put on by the Chase Youth Commission, the event is intended to give high school bands a chance to play in a concert setting.

This year’s Battle of the Bands is planned for June 13 from noon to 6 p.m. near the Clocktower at Riverfront Park in Spokane.

“We will announce the winners at about 5:40,” said Mike LeaderCharge, the youth involvement coordinator of the Chase Youth Commission.

Fredericks and Jacob Craner did not think they were good enough to make it but reluctantly agreed to give it a shot. They recorded three songs at Craner’s house and sent in their demo.

“We even forgot about it,” said Craner. But when his mother called and said they had received a letter saying they had been accepted into the June competition, the boys were shocked.

There are 12 bands chosen for the competition. Lazarus is one of two bands from Idaho. The other band is Arete from North Idaho Christian School. According to LeaderCharge, the rest of the bands are mostly from the Spokane area. Each band was recently given 1 1/2 hours at College Road Recording in Spokane to record one song for a CD that will feature all 12 bands. One hour of that time is devoted to recording and a half-hour to mixing the song. It was a time constraint the band was unsure of, considering the song they chose to perform is 9 minutes long. But the young men nailed it. They recorded it on the first take, which gave them more time to mix the song.

“They told us that it was the first time in six years that someone has recorded it on the first take,” said Craner.

The Battle of the Bands competition requires each band to perform for a maximum of 15 minutes. Lazarus will perform its own music. While it is not a requirement, the band members agree it is important to be able to say they wrote the songs they performed.

LeaderCharge said the winner of the competition will receive 20 hours of recording time at College Road Recording, Hoffman’s Music gift certificates, and will perform three paid shows at Riverfront Park: a Fourth of July show; another during Pig Out at the Park and the third during First Night Spokane. Bands are judged on originality, stage presence and overall performance.

According to LeaderCharge, most of the music at this year’s Battle of the Bands will have a rock and alternative sound. But the music of Lazarus is eclectic. The band members say they play the type of music they enjoy and do not try to target a specific audience.

“We are all music lovers and we do not want to be tied down to one type of genre,” said Dillon Deitz.

Craner agrees. “It is fun to be innovative and new” he said.

Craner and Fredericks have been playing together for a while, as have the boys from Bonners Ferry. But when they were each looking to replace band mates they had lost, they found each other through MySpace.com. They all immediately clicked.

“These guys have my exact sense of humor,” said Derek Deitz.

The first song they recorded is an acoustic rock song called “Wasted Away.” To date they have completed four songs with three more in the works.

Fredericks said being a musician is like being an artist. It takes a lot of time to make the final product perfect, and that is what they all strive for.

“When we write we put 100 percent into every single song,” said Stephen. “If we’re not working we are playing.”

The young men take pride in the fact that they do not succumb to the stereotype of a rock star.

“We have a pact that never, ever, ever will any of us be under the influence of anything when we perform or are practicing,” said Dillon Deitz.

“We do not need artificial highs. Being on stage is the best high ever,” said Derek Deitz.

Jacob says that belief carries over into their lyrics. They do not write about broken relationships, violence or anything non-Christian.

“There are better things to write about,” said Comer who is the main lyricist.

“Object of the Night Sky,” a song the band wrote, addresses the fact that the Earth only has a limited capacity. “The philosophy (of the song) is on conservation, not on going green,” said Fredericks.

Another song, “Modifying the Spectrum,” is a look at the struggle between good and evil.

“Good and evil is set to society’s standards,” said Craner, who instead suggests that people should look at the difference between selfishness and selflessness. “Each act we do is either directed to ourselves or another person. It is a line that can’t be blurred.”

While they all have special talents, Anderson summed up what is perhaps the real reason for the band’s success.

“We connect, but the most important thing is we are all friends. The music comes second,” he said.

National Trails Day Celebrates Beauty of North Idaho

With the snow finally gone and the gardens in bloom, people in this area are tuning up their bikes and dusting off their hiking shoes to enjoy all the beauty that Sandpoint has to offer.

And while many trails are already busy with bikers, Rollerbladers, joggers, walkers and hikers, there are many interested in developing even more trails to cater to the increasing number of people interested in getting out.

Saturday is National Trails Day, an event created by the American Hiking Society to raise awareness about nonmotorized trails. To celebrate the event, local organizations are planning a gathering in Sandpoint to discuss and educate the community on existing trails and on how individuals, businesses and organizations can help construct new ones.

The event will kick off on the lawn of Pend d’Oreille Winery at Third and Cedar streets in downtown Sandpoint. From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, trail advocacy groups will be available to provide information on new and existing trails as well as details about the two-day National Trails Day celebration in and around Sandpoint.

The weekend includes information on native plants, a bike ride on one of the more scenic trails in Bonner County and a hike to enjoy views from the county’s highest point.

The Kinnikinnick Chapter of the Idaho Native Plant Society will sponsor a native plant walk along the Pend d’Oreille Bay Trail, where participants will learn more about efforts being made to make this shoreline path into a public trail and also about the native plants that line the path.

There is also a work party planned for the Gold Hill trail, and about 25 people are needed. The Forest Service will provide tools and lead the crew in grooming the trail for the upcoming hiking season. Those interested can meet at the Saturday morning gathering at the winery and carpool at 12:30 p.m.

Some of the many trail advocacy groups involved in planning this weekend-long celebration include The Friends of the Pend d’Oreille Bay Trail, Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness, Pend Oreille Pedalers, Schweitzer Mountain Resort, the Backcountry Horsemen, the Bonner County Trails Advisory Group, Native Plant Society and Idaho Conservation League.

For a complete list of activities, go to www.scotchmanpeaks.org or www.pobtrail.org.

Bike ride benefits early education program
For the second year in a row, Panhandle Alliance for Education is hosting the Cycle Hard for Education fundraiser ride. Last year’s ride took place in September, but this year organizers decided to change the date to June 13 to better accommodate the biking community.

“This (the June date) fits better into the planning for many riders,” said Geraldine Lewis, the ride coordinator for this year’s event.

“We are excited about the new date, and we plan to stick with it every year.” She adds that most of those registered so far this year are first-time participants. “They are excited to find a ride for the June month.”

Another change this year is the addition of the half CHaFE. Those who prefer to ride 75 miles instead of the full 150 will stop in Troy, Mont., and be bused back to Sandpoint. However, organizers need to know by Monday if people are choosing this option so they can assure everyone has transportation.

The start and finish line this year will be at the scenic Edgewater Resort at Sandpoint’s City Beach. It will be a daylong celebration with breakfast provided by Trinity at City Beach and snacks, beverages and music upon the participants’ return. Organizers encourage everyone to attend the events at City Beach and cheer the riders on.

Registration and rider packet pickup will be June 12 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Panhandle State Bank Events Center, 414 Church Street, in Sandpoint. Afterward, there will be an opportunity for riders to meet and mingle at Sandpoint’s Ivano’s Ristorante. Participants will receive a free meal coupon and will be offered several meal choices.

Assisting in the organization of the day’s events is Schweitzer Mountain Resort, which is giving time to serve as start- and finish-site organizers. Lewis said the three companies working on the construction of the new Sandpoint highway bypass – Parsons Construction, Pacific Pile and Marine, and Peak Sand and Gravel – also are playing a large part in this year’s CHaFE 150.

“They will be a large presence in our community for the next five-plus years,” said Lewis. “They wanted to team together to give something back to the community and what better way than to give to children and education. We are so glad they are underwriting this event.”

All of the proceeds from the CHaFE 150 will go toward Panhandle Alliance for Education’s Ready! For Kindergarten program, an early childhood program beginning its second year.

According to Lewis, registration is still open for the ride, and those who register as a group of three or more will be given a 20 percent discount off registration fees.

CHaFE 150 organizers say that because all of the proceeds benefit a nonprofit organization, they strongly encourage riders to do their best to maximize donations, soliciting from friends, co-workers, church and social communities.

“The Ready! For Kindergarten program grew beyond our expectations last year, making our fundraising efforts that much more important in 2009 and future years,” Lewis said.

For more information, log on to www.chafe150.org or contact Geraldine Lewis at (208) 290-7148 or e-mail ride@chafe150.org.

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Seeking Hospice’s Services Early Can Help Improve Quality of Life

The phone call to Hospice is a big step. Some think it’s a sign of losing hope, but nothing could be further from the truth.

“In fact,” says Debra Kellerman, Director of Bonner Community Hospice, “it is not uncommon for patients entering hospice to experience an improved sense of wellbeing and comfort. Sometimes this is a reflection of the patient’s sense of control over their active participation in their care.”

Hospice delivers comprehensive palliative care to patients with a prognosis of 6 months or less.

“Part of the reason those who are eligible do not call Hospice is that patients and families are not aware of nor do they understand hospice care” says Kellerman.
But ask anyone who has benefitted from Hospice services and they will tell you they were grateful for making the call to Hospice.

“A lot of people fear Hospice will come in and take over,” said Sandpoint resident Kathi Moore, who was her father Glen Newton’s caretaker after he was diagnosed with inoperable cancer in October 2007. “But I do not know how I would have done it without Hospice.”

Newton passed away last September.

“The same day he was diagnosed a Hospice staff member was there,” said Moore, who said it was extremely helpful to have them present to answer questions. “If you’ve never been in that situation you do not know what to expect.”

Moore said Hospice staff and volunteers followed her lead as to what exactly she and her family needed; never forcing decisions or ideas, but always a support.

“They stepped right in, but were never pushy,” said Moore. “They left it up to us how often they would visit and what services we utilized. And they were always at the other end of a phone call.”

She credits Hospice with helping her father make his end of life journey comfortable. They explained to the family what was happening, going through the different stages of death and grief.

“Very often hospice serves as a model for “teaching” both the patient and the caregiver how to die and how to survive the death of a loved one”, said Kellerman.

Moore is impressed with both the Hospice staff and volunteers.

"They are the most loving, compassionate people I have ever met in my life. They loved my dad dearly,” she said.

At the beginning Hospice staff and volunteers visited with Newton and Moore once a week. It increased to twice a week as their needs increased.

“They would have been there every day if we needed them,” said Moore. “He (her father) just had to say the word.”

Kellerman said that while it is the desire of most patients to die at home, home can have several different meanings.

“Home is wherever the patient calls home,” said Kellerman. “It can be in a skilled nursing facility, family home, or even on rare occasion it winds up being the hospital in the final moment.” Hospice will visit and help care for the patient wherever they reside.

Mary Cochrane, a current Hospice patient who has been under Hospice care for the last several months, said one service she values highly is the Hospice nurses who serve as a liaison between her and her doctor.

Because she is under Hospice care, Mary no longer has to go through the trouble of taking her walker, oxygen tank and finding a ride to take her to the doctor.

“They (Hospice) are there for you whenever you need them,” said Mary, who adds that they are even able to do her blood tests right at her home. “It is so convenient just to be at home.”

Mary’s caregiver, Rexcene Schendel, says she is grateful for the twice a week Hospice visits.

“They’re like an old friend coming in,” said Schendel.

Both the Moore and Cochrane families agree that Hospice also provides a tremendous amount of emotional support to the family.

Moore said Hospice wanted to make sure her father fulfilled any last wishes or goals he had yet to achieve during his lifetime.

“They asked him if there was anything he wanted to do in his life that they could still help him achieve,” said Moore. “Whatever his wishes were that is what Hospice strives for.”

Moore is sure that if it weren’t for Hospice she would have had to put her father in a nursing home. Instead, he lived with Moore and her family where they could enjoy what time he had left, and that, said Kathi, helped him live life to the fullest in the time he had left.

“I don’t think he would have lived nearly as long had he gone into a nursing home,” said Moore. “It gave us all peace of mind having him at home. The staff and volunteers at Hospice definitely made my dad’s transition to heaven very comforting. They get all of my love.”

To learn more about the services Bonner Community Hospice provides, please contact them at 208-265-1179. Bonner Community Hospice serves both Bonner and Boundary counties

Monday, May 25, 2009

Community Will Honor Hazel Hall May 30th With Children's Garden Dedication

When Sandpoint resident Hazel Hall turned 95 last year, her friends in this tight-knit community wanted to honor her. So the mayor declared it Hazel Hall day and many gathered at City Hall to pay tribute to a woman who has won the hearts of many.

“Hazel lights up a room when she walks into it,” said Hall’s friend Marsha Ogilvie. The wife of the late photographer Ross Hall, Hazel ran the couple’s studio while Ross was stationed at Farragut during the war.

“I was the only photographer in the county for a while,” said Hall.

Hall was also one of the first recipients of Sandpoint’s Women of Wisdom award, an honor bestowed upon area women over age 65 who have given of themselves to help make Sandpoint a better place in which to live. At that time, Hall was asked to share her pearls of wisdom and her answer was simple: attitude and gratitude.

“Optimism is another word I like for life,” said Hall recently.

Because she has enriched the lives of so many people, Hall’s friends wanted to do something more than just honor her for a day. As ideas were being bounced off one another, e-mails started circulating and cell phones began to ring. One suggestion was a bench in the park dedicated to Hall. But when someone mentioned a children’s garden they all knew it was the perfect idea. But ask Hall today why people are doing this for her and she is baffled.

“The question I ask is why? Because I don’t know why. There are so many more deserving people,” said Hall who says she is grateful but believes there is really nothing special about her. “There’s nothing unusual about me except maybe I am about the oldest person in town.”

Through many years of raising three children, Hall said she was involved in many of their activities, including Campfire, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.

“I just love the little kids,” she said.

She also worked with several community organizations over the years including a civic club that helped build trails and plant flowers. “I just love to plant flowers,” said Hall.

She also assisted in the Little Theater and was instrumental in the start up of what is now Pend Oreille Arts Council.

Linda Plaster is the Healing Garden committee chairman. According to Ogilvie, Plaster said one of the plans for the Healing Garden was to create a Children’s Garden, but that it would take an estimated $10,000 to finance it. Ogilvie and her friends went to work and through an e-mail campaign the group raised more than $12,000.

Now after a year of planning, fundraising and hard work, the new Children’s Garden, created in honor of Hall, will hold its grand opening celebration on Saturday.

The garden has several interactive toys and has been transformed into a magical and whimsical place where children can play and simply be kids.

Until the Healing Garden was created about five years ago there was no place at Bonner General Hospital for anyone – children or adults – who has a sick or dying loved one to go and meditate, pray or just find some peace. Now with the opening of the Children’s Garden there is also a place for the younger members of the community.

Entering the garden, children will find a purple pig, kangaroo, toadstools, bird houses, a fort and rabbits.

The grand opening promises to be a magical day. The plant sale will open at 9 a.m. and the children’s activities will begin at 10 a.m. and go until 3 p.m. Sandpoint Mayor Gretchen Hellar and Hall, now 96, will cut the ribbon at 11 a.m.

Ogilvie said there will be many costumed characters who will entertain the children and instruct them in the activities.

“There will also be mini terra cotta pots available for children to paint,” said Ogilvie.

The children will receive a goody bag as they enter the garden and can collect raffle tickets at each activity. At the end the tickets will be drawn and prizes will be awarded.

In addition to all the children’s activities there will be 11 local artists painting and selling terra cotta planters. All of the proceeds will be donated to the Healing Garden.

“The pots that the artists will create make great gifts,” said Ogilvie. “There are also plants for sale and the Master Gardeners will be there and can plant them in the pots.”

The plan is to make this event into an annual spring festival. Ogilvie said she hopes to work with local elementary schools and have the children learn about planting and come and plant their seeds each spring in the garden.

Children are already enjoying all the garden has to offer.

“One little boy who visited the garden last week calls it the happy garden,” said Ogilvie. “The Healing Garden and the Children’s Garden were an answer to a need in Sandpoint.”

Hall who continues to live her life by her own words of wisdom – attitude, gratitude and optimism – says she is looking forward to the grand opening celebration.

“I think it was a grand idea that they made the Children’s Garden whether they named it after someone or not,” said Hall.

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Sandpoint Officials Considering Ban on Drive Throughs

Imagine being up all night with a sick toddler.

Exhausted, you call the doctor. Relief is in sight; he can see you in a couple of hours. During the appointment, your child refuses to let the doctor look in his throat or his ears. He squirms and cries. He just won’t sit still.

Desperate, you finally do what all parents resort to at one time or another – you bribe your child. You tell him that if he sits still for just one minute he can have his favorite lunch from the local fast-food restaurant.

Relieved, you leave the office holding the piece of paper that you hope will provide your child with some relief and you with some rest – a prescription.

Next stop is the pharmacy. But you realize you are out of cash and used your last check to pay your co-pay at the doctor. So, now, before going to fill the prescription, you must go to the bank. And after being up all night, a double-tall latte is just what you need to get you through until the antibiotic kicks in.

If you live in Sandpoint, all those errands – which could have been conducted at the drive-through windows of banks, pharmacies, coffee stands and restaurants – may instead require you to take your sick child out of his car seat at each and every stop.

The Sandpoint City Council introduced an ordinance last month that would ban all new drive-through businesses and prohibit the rebuilding of any existing drive-through services in the event of remodel or destruction. The town is buzzing about drive-through businesses – to ban or not to ban?

Many residents worry the proposed ban will force new and existing businesses to move to nearby communities such as Ponderay or Kootenai. Others see the proposal as necessary to stop the intrusion of businesses on residential areas and to relieve traffic congestion.

It’s no secret that Sandpoint has seen a drastic increase in population over the past decade. Because of the increases in areas such as housing prices and traffic, a committee has spent the past two years working on an updated comprehensive plan. The plan, first introduced in 1977, serves as a guide for city government when formulating policies about housing, natural resources, zoning and transportation. The goal is to have a detailed plan that will help the city absorb growth as best as possible.

The ban on drive-through services is part of the comprehensive plan and will go before the council this month. But those on the planning and zoning commission say that instead of an all out ban, they will recommend that businesses that want to offer drive-through services apply for conditional- use permits.

The proposal will go in front of the council at 5:30 p.m. May 20 at Sandpoint City Hall. The meeting is open to the public.

Sandpoint’s musical restaurants

If you haven’t been to downtown Sandpoint for a while, you could have trouble finding that wonderful restaurant you once dined at. The last month has brought a game of musical restaurants to the area.

If you want to go to what was once Café Trinity, you’ll have to travel down the road to the Edgewater Hotel, where you will find Trinity at City Beach. The menu offers fresh seafood, steaks and prime rib as well as many of the favorites from the menu at the former Café Trinity.

But what about the Beach House Restaurant that occupied the Edgewater for the past several years? To dine there, you’ll have to go to Fourth Avenue and Cedar Street to what was formerly Connie’s Restaurant.

And the Oishii Sushi Restaurant has moved across the street from its old location inside Café Trinity to the now-closed Pastime Bar and Grill on First Avenue. You should not have trouble finding it: It is painted in fresh coats of two shades of lime green (another hot topic of conversation, in addition to drive-throughs).

The reason for all the moves? Mel Dick, who owned Café Trinity with his wife, Claudia, but has transferred ownership of Trinity at City Beach to their son, said Café Trinity was outgrowing its location near Starbucks. Now, he said, it will be able to seat more people, indoors and out, and offer a full bar.

Another factor was that Oishii Sushi and Café Trinity were operating out of the same kitchen, and it was becoming increasingly difficult to time the sushi dishes along with the other menu items, Dick said.

And issues that go along with the construction of the bypass – trucks, noise and excavation equipment – cannot be overlooked. The scenic view at Café Trinity’s former location would have been obstructed by bypass work. The new site at has outdoor seating right on the water.

While locations of these great restaurants may have changed, each continues to offer the same great food it always has.

Come to Sandpoint and check them out.

And you may want to enjoy the convenience of that drive-through espresso while you still can.

Festival at Sandpoint Announces 2009 Lineup

Friday kicked off the official start of summer in this North Idaho community.

With the announcement of the 2009 performers for the Festival at Sandpoint, people begin to strategically plan which concerts they will attend, put in requests at work for specific vacation days so they can stand in line to secure a close-up seat, and line up those high-in-demand baby sitters.

Sandpoint resident Dave Olson and his family have purchased Festival at Sandpoint season passes for the past 10 years. They love the casual atmosphere, attending the concerts with a group of friends and just simply being able to sit back and relax and enjoy the variety of music the Festival offers.

“We are often delighted and surprised by groups we’ve never heard about before,” said Olson. “Actually, some of the most entertaining acts have been from the opening acts, a real bonus and delight.”

And it looks like Olson and other festival patrons won’t be disappointed by the lineup produced by festival executive director Dyno Wahl and her staff.

On Aug. 6, Firefall and Poco will open the series of eight concerts. With Firefall’s 1970s hits “Just Remember I Love You,” and “You are the Woman,” and songs such as “Heart of the Night” by Poco, baby boomers will surely be lining up to purchase tickets.

Both Poco and Firefall, who typically perform together, were supposed to appear at last year’s festival but mistakenly double-booked on the same night. They worked it out with Wahl and agreed to attend this year’s event.

On Aug. 8, Grammy award-winning singer, songwriter and guitarist Boz Scaggs will perform. Some of his well-known hits include “We’re All Alone,” “Lowdown” and “Look What You’ve Done to Me.”

The Festival at Sandpoint is in its 27th year and is a big attraction across the region. It takes place at Memorial Field on the shores of the Pend Oreille River in south Sandpoint. People line up early to be the first to spread their blankets, picnic baskets and coolers prior to the show. But the truth is there is not a bad seat in the entire setting. Whether sitting in the bleachers, lawn chairs or on a blanket spread out on the grass, it feels as though the artists are performing in one’s own backyard, organizers say.

The festival sells a limited number of early bird season passes prior to announcing the lineup. For a price of $169 a season pass includes eight concerts throughout the two-week event.

According to festival’s office manager Carol Winget, the struggling economy did not impact season ticket sales this year.

“We have sold out of our season passes (prior to announcing the lineup) for the last several years,” said Winget, who adds that this year was not any different. But that doesn’t mean that people cannot still get tickets.

Individual ticket prices this year range from $29.95 to $49.95. Family night is offered at only $5 a ticket and is a big hit for young and old, offering activities for the children such as a bounce house and face painting.

Classical music lovers always enjoy the grand finale, which this year will highlight a tribute to Benny Goodman. The last Saturday of the festival will be Super Country Saturday and will feature Grammy-winning country music star Clint Black.

Wahl said the businesses, individuals and organizations in this town have continued to support the festival year after year, even in tough economic times. Not only is it great entertainment, but it also brings recognition to the area.

“People see it as an investment in the community,” Wahl said.

Olson said he and his family plan their summer around the festival and look forward to it each year.

“It is our stay-at-home vacation every summer. We’ve had more fun, seen more shows, and all within two blocks of our house. It’s the best bargain about living in Sandpoint,” he said.

Tony Marohn and Brett Evans Team Up to Provide Housing for Disabled Veterans

When Tony Marohn was released from prison three years ago, he was determined to never return. Having served eight years for manufacturing methamphetamines, Marohn said if he slipped once and was caught, he would be in prison for the rest of this life. Knowing he had a challenging road ahead, Marohn sought help.

He attended an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting and looked around the room for a sponsor, the person who just might save his life.

“Then this man came up to me and said, ‘I’m going to be your sponsor. I’m going to change your life.’ I looked at him like he was crazy,” said Marohn, now 48. The man, David, is an ex-Marine and did, in fact, change Marohn’s life.

“He came up to me that day and gave me his orders, and I’ve been taking his orders every day since. God put him in my life at that time for a reason.”

David took Marohn, who was then living in California, to visit disabled veterans at the Veterans Hospital in Loma Linda, Calif., and Marohn was moved by what he saw – people without arms or legs, breathing through a tube to activate a wheelchair.

“You think of your day and think you have it bad. Then you see these people and your day isn’t so bad after all,” said Marohn, who said the moment he visited these, he knew he wanted to do what he could to help veterans. “We (he and veterans) identify with each other’s problems. I have PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) from prison and they have it from war.”

Shortly afterward, Tony came to Idaho to meet the son he had never met. After meeting his son, already a grown man, Marohn decided to stay in Coeur d’Alene. Shortly thereafter, Marohn was introduced to Dover resident Brett Evans, owner of Evans Rentals, and the two hit it off. They both wanted to do something to give back to their community, and when Marohn mentioned helping veterans, Evans thought it was a great idea.

Evans said disabled veterans are often found in bigger cities – sometimes homeless and wandering the streets. The two decided to build a home specifically for disabled veterans, a place to enjoy the beauty of North Idaho.

“We need to get them out of the busy cities and help them find some peace,” said Evans.

While Evans says he has volunteered time with his church and other organizations, he has never contributed to a major project like this.

“Once he (Tony) used the word ‘helpful,’ I jumped on the bandwagon with both feet,” said Evans.

Evans is financing the first home, which is now under construction in Moyie Springs, north of Sandpoint, on a one-acre parcel of land he owns. With a target completion date of June 1, the house in Moyie Springs is 1,100 square feet with three bedrooms, two baths and an attached two-car garage.

“The garage is the same elevation as the house so (a handicapped person) can wheel their chair right through,” said Evans.

According to Evans, all of the cabinets in the kitchen as well as the bathrooms will all be in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

The general contractor for the job is Toby Schnuerle of Alpine Construction in Bonners Ferry, who has been building for Evans for the last few years.

In addition to a handicap-accessible bathroom and lower counter tops to accommodate a person in a wheelchair, Schnuerle said they have also adjusted the height of the windows, used 36-inch wide doors and installed the heating system so that it can be controlled in each room of the house.

According to Evans, many of the subcontractors involved in the building have offered to volunteer additional time and donate supplies to increase the value of the home but to also help keep the cost down.

Evans said the framer and his crew are hooking up the water line from the street, an electrician has offered to put a light post at the end of the driveway, and a landscaper has offered to design the landscape plan and will lay the sod free of charge.

“We want to be able to sell this for under $160,000,” said Evans, who adds that the breathtaking view toward Troy and Libby, Mont., will provide a nice place for people to relax and enjoy the beauty of the area.

“With this economy, it is hard to get people to donate,” said Schnuerle. “But everyone is behind him (Evans) and thinks this is a great idea.”

When initially researching the idea, Evans said he spoke with Idaho Housing and Finance Association, which has agreed to finance up to $975 per month for those who qualify. Evans inquired whether Idaho Housing thought there would be a market for such a home.

“They told me we will pull people from all over the country,” said Evans. “They said everyone wants to be in North Idaho.”

Building a spec home specifically targeted for handicapped individuals is unique in this area. While Marohn and Evans initially intended for the home to be used by disabled veterans, they are hoping any person in need of a handicapped accessible home will purchase or rent this home.

According to Schnuerle, the added cost of constructing a home that is ADA compliant is minimal. “More (contractors) should be doing it,” he said.

Evans said he has two more one-acre parcels in Moyie Springs as well as two lots in Old Town near Newport that he intends to use to build homes for disabled veterans.
Evans said this is not a project on which he is hoping to make money; instead the goal is to break even and provide nice homes to people who need them.

The two men are excited about helping others, and Marohn said it feels good to have turned his life around and help others.

“I can now see the good in life and can stop and smell the roses,” he said. “It’s not about what you have, but what you can give to help other people.”

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Bonner Community Hospice Helps People Thrive at the Last Stages of Life


Hospice. An approach to care where patients and their families can turn for care and compassion during the end of life’s journey. But what many people don’t know is that the philosophy of Hospice centers around life.

“We are all dying,” said Debra Kellerman, the Executive Director of Bonner Community Hospice. “Yet Hospice care is really all about living fully throughout the course of a life threatening diagnosis. And while hospice is what you do at the end of life’s journey, it can actually prolong life.”

When there are no curative treatment measures left and it is estimated that a patient has six months or less to live, Hospice is a natural next step for supporting both the patient and the family.
But what Sandpoint residents Bob and Sharon Nale want people to know is that Hospice can save lives too.

“It is not a death sentence when you call Hospice,” said Bob Nale. “There’s much more to it than that. Hospice ministers to people in the healing process.” And if anyone should know, it is Bob.

In the summer of 2006 Bob suffered from poor lungs, kidney problems, a non-functioning colostomy, and a fistula - an abnormal opening – from his stomach area to his skin which was draining large amounts of fluid. He was extremely weak.

One doctor said he probably had two weeks to live; another said possibly six weeks.

“I was convinced I was going to die. I wanted to come home,” said Bob of his 2006 hospitalization at Kootenai Medical Center. “I came home and went right into the hands of Hospice.”

But even doctors cannot predict miracles, and after being under Hospice care for two years, Bob was discharged in October 2008.

"I didn’t meet their expectations,” he says with a smile.

During the time Bob and Sharon were preparing for Bob’s death, the team of Hospice staff and volunteers worked hard to make sure Bob was comfortable and that the couple’s needs were met. They exercised Bob’s legs, brought in medical equipment to help drain the opening in his stomach, gave Sharon some respite to attend to her needs, and provided spiritual support.

Both Bob and Sharon say the reason Bob is alive today is because of Hospice.

“They helped Bob with any physical pain or discomfort he had,” said Sharon. “They also helped us, especially me, with our emotional and spiritual pain. Those were down times, but Hospice was there through it all.”

With the help of Hospice, Sharon was able to get the medical equipment she needed to help drain the fluid from Bob’s fistula, providing relief from constant bandage changes while also providing Bob time to heal. According to Bob and Sharon, that was the turning point.

“When there was a need, Hospice saw to it that the need was met,” said Sharon, saying that Hospice always adapted to whatever the family’s needs were at the time. “Everything seemed to work together to fit all the medical puzzle pieces together tightly to make the conditions right for Bob’s healing, rather than his death.”

Initially confined to a hospital bed set up in their kitchen area, Bob was too weak to call when he needed help. Sharon slept many nights on the living room couch nearby but was still worried she would not be able to hear Bob when he needed her.

“Hospice brought me one of those monitors people use to hear their babies,” said Sharon, who was able to rest easier knowing she could hear Bob if he summoned her.

A pastor at Clark Fork Lutheran, Bob received a visit from the Bishop for the local Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America and was anointed with oil the Bishop brought from the Holy Land. It was two days later a local doctor examined Bob and said he thought he would recover and advised him to begin to try eating solid foods again

A goal setter by nature, Bob’s initial goal was to live until his 80th birthday; November 16th, 2006.

On that day Bob was able to get out of bed and sit in his living room chair where sixteen people from his congregation helped him celebrate. From there it progressed to sitting at his computer writing devotions, writing sermons and returning to preach his weekly services at Clark Fork Lutheran. His next goal is one of retirement which will likely take place at the end of May after 60 years of preaching.

Sharon says had it not been for Hospice, Bob would not have been able to meet those goals. She encourages people who aren’t sure if they should call Hospice to contact someone they know who has had their services or to call Hospice itself. “They’ll be enlightened,” she said.

Sharon and Bob said one of the Hospice staff, Joy, visited on a regular basis, exercising Bob’s legs while he was still bedridden. Sharon believes if it hadn’t been for that, she is not sure Bob would have had the strength to walk again.

After awhile Sharon said she saw her husband gain not only his physical strength but also his emotional strength. Bob and one of the Hospice nurses formed a special bond.

“They were on the same intellectual level,” said Sharon. They exchanged books and talked about world events.

“Bob didn’t have an interest in anything when he first came home. And when she (the Hospice nurse) first came there was a tiny flame still in Bob. Each time she was here she fanned that flame and it just got bigger and bigger,” said Sharon, who also credits Hospice Chaplain Steve Neuder with providing wonderful spiritual support.

“His coming was special because he always had a prayer. And his prayers were always from the depth of his heart,” said Sharon.

Kellerman said that only one out of every three people who qualify for Hospice actually utilize its services. But surveys find that the majority of people state being able to die free from pain with loved ones nearby in their own home as one of their most important values at end of life.

“But many people are not dying on their own terms. Too many people are dying without the support of good palliative care. While people are more and more aware of the difficult decisions that may be needed at the end of life, communicating those wishes is imperative,” said Kellerman. She hopes that through education and improved communication, both residents and the medical community will become increasingly aware of the value of Hospice and how they help people not only prepare for death but to live fully while doing so.

And now nearly three years after her husband was first referred to Hospice, Sharon says it makes her smile when she sees Bob walk out into the yard to pick up some twigs or just take a short stroll. She adds that listening to Bob preach is also a very special time.

Both Bob and Sharon are grateful for the last few years and believe had it not been for Hospice they would not have had that gift.

“They take their quality of care mission seriously,” adds Sharon.

“I appreciate all the help they gave me,” said Bob. “They gave me hope and gave me the physical support I needed. They really saved my life.”

To learn more about the services Bonner Community Hospice provides, please contact them at 208-265-1179. Bonner Community Hospice serves both Bonner and Boundary counties.

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Community Cancer Services Starts Men’s Support Group in Sandpoint

Cancer. The disease knows no boundaries. It affects people of all ages, economic backgrounds and both men and women. The media is full of information and does its best to raise awareness on many types of cancer. Unfortunately most of the attention is directed to those cancers that affect primarily women -breast cancer, ovarian cancer and cervical cancer. The lack of attention paid to cancer that affects men can sometimes leave them feeling isolated.

Community Cancer Services is doing its best to change that. Recently a men’s support group for Sandpoint residents was started at CCS. The group meets the fourth Tuesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. at CCS. It is a place where men can share their fears, support one another and find strength from others who are traveling the same or a similar journey in life.

“Everyone is welcome,” said Jim Shirrell, a volunteer for Community Cancer Services and facilitator for the Sandpoint men’s support group. Shirrell helped CCS begin a similar group in Bonners Ferry in February 2008, and it has proven to be a huge success. “We have a total mix. We have survivors, those who are in treatment or those who are facing a recent diagnosis.”

But the men’s support groups are not limited to men who have cancer or who are survivors. Shirrell said any man affected by cancer is welcome. “Men who have family members or friends who have cancer are also welcome to attend,” he said.

While women’s support groups are typically well attended, it is more of a challenge to encourage men to seek support in a group setting.

“I think many men who have been diagnosed with cancer may not choose to seek emotional support because society has taught hem to “tough it out,’” said Bambi Lassen, LCSW, CCS’s part time social worker. “But a cancer diagnosis can bring up many difficult emotions such as anger, fear, guilt, worry, anxiety, shock and sadness.”

Shirrell is a trained volunteer with Hospice and has worked with cancer patients, aids patients, people with disabilities and many others afflicted with health issues.

“My life has always been around health and healing” said Shirrell, who has had many family members diagnosed with cancer and have won the battle.


Shirrell said his role in the support group is that of a facilitator only. “I facilitate, but I do not lead,” said Shirrell. “I let the group lead. It is amazing the stories that come out.”

While men may initially be reluctant to attend a group setting, Shirrell said that once they come they are glad they did.

“They are there every month,” he said. “Support is very important to men because it helps them express their anger and let out their emotions. We laugh together and cry together.”

Each session opens with a featured speaker. In the Bonners Ferry group, they have had social workers and male cancer survivors speak – all offering a message of hope.

“We focus on the positive things that can happen in our life,” said Shirrell.

Both Lassen and Shirrell agree that the support group can be invaluable to the healing process, both emotionally and physically.

“If men choose not to express their emotions or experiences during their journey with cancer, this may cause more problems to arise now or in the future with relationships and mental stability,” said Lassen. “A men's cancer support group can provide a place for just men to explore their feelings and experiences with other men experiencing similar issues.”

To find out more about the Men’s Support Group or any of Community Cancer Service’s programs, please call 208-255-2301 or stop by CCS at 1215 Michigan Street, Suite B in the Westside Center.

Community Cancer Service’s Bambi Lassen Receives Clinical Certification


It has been a little over a year since Bambi Lassen began serving clients at Community Cancer Services, and the impact her services have had on cancer patients in the community has been overwhelming.

“We are so fortunate to have a licensed social worker who can serve our clients at their time of need,” said CCS Board President Stefanie Nostdahl, adding that there is no cost to the CCS client for Lassen’s counseling services.

Community Cancer Services is a non-profit resource and information center whose mission is to provide both financial and emotional support for members of the community that have been diagnosed with cancer.

“We provide many of our clients with financial assistance whether it is through gas vouchers to assist in transportation to and from treatments, prescription assistance and many other expenses that come with a cancer diagnosis,” said Nostdahl.

CCS also includes the non cancer patient in its mission, striving to educate both the youth and older members of the community on cancer prevention and nutrition.

Lassen, who graduated from Sandpoint High School as Valedictorian in 1996, recently passed the clinical level state board exam gaining her the credentials as a licensed clinical social worker.

“The LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) is the highest clinical licensure a social worker can achieve, allowing a clinician to have their own practice if desired,” said Lassen.

The LCSW certification is in addition to Lassen’s Licensed Master Social Worker certification which she received in 2005 after graduating from Portland State with her Masters in Social Work.

“After obtaining my LMSW I was required to receive 100 hours of supervision from Ginna Maus, LCSW at Temanos Counseling Center here in Sandpoint and have 3,000 hours of direct client contact to qualify to sit for the LCSW examination,” said Lassen, who in addition to her part time position at Community Cancer Services also works with Maus at Temanos Counseling.

In her work at CCS, Lassen specializes in giving cancer patients and family members tools to reduce anxiety and she provides a safe place to explore the many emotions cancer brings to individuals and family members.

Lassen first introduced a children’s support group to CCS a little over a year ago. It has been met with great response and fulfills a need for those younger members of the community who have family members diagnosed with cancer.

In addition to working with clients at Community Cancer Services, Lassen continues to work with Maus at Temanos Counseling.

“I am honored to be a part of the team at Community Cancer Services and continue to work at Temanos,” said Lassen.

To learn more about Community Cancer Services, please call 208-255-2301. If you would like to make a tax deductible donation to CCS, please mail your contribution to CCS, 1215 Michigan Street, Suite B, Sandpoint, ID 83864. A receipt for your records will be mailed to you.