Priest Lake

<sub>photo in banner:  "Priest Lake Shoe Tree"
Thank You Joe and Gina Blanke

ake, Idaho</sub>

NEW Priest Lake Splashes HERE

( send yours)
and visit

www.ilovepriestlake.com

DEAR PECKY..

Last night, right at Paradise Point (just north of Bear Creek and across from Granite Creek) something swam across our dock, to our neighbors dock...go out of the water, heard a firework and than hurriedly jumped back into the water and swam away! It was too dark to see what it was, even with our dock light on. Did any...one else see it? All I saw was a black figure swimming really really fast (like, almost Olympian fast) out front of our dock. Maybe it was someone with flippers, but who swims at 11 PM, and has an outline the size of a moose?

AS THE LAKE CHURNS HEARS

...THAT Bishops Marina people have contacted the county waterways last fall and offered for them to attach a dock on the north side of the breakwater. This dock could be up to 120 feet long for additional public parking only and fishing for anyone. It can be attached to the existing county dock already there. There are plans in place to rebuild and open the resturant.

Family place, no loud music, bring the kids and have a beer or soda and watch the sunset. I am told it will match the quality and looks of the existing improvements. The existing break water is just that. it controls the waves from the north and west and south. Heavy concrete tops are needed to keep the deep underwater breaks in place. The county can use the existing pillings provided by Bishops to attach there new dock to. There will also be parking added for the resurant for boats. Leonard Paul Store will also under go a landscaping project starting in Sept and completed in Spring 2011. It will resemble the marina and tie it all togather on there side. Leonard Paul Store will also start remodleing the deli in late winter, doubling the size and provide more services and indoor seating.

Lots of good things happening in Coolin!

THIS WEEK AT THE LAKE

CLICK HERE for other date/events and HERE for golf tournaments

Wednesday July 28, 2010

10:00 am – Pickleball Tournament - Hill's Resort 443.2551

11:30 – Chico's Fashion Show and Luncheon – $20, no host wine and cocktails – Hill's Resort 443.2551

6:00 pm Sushi Wednesday followed by 7:00 pm Live Music in the Lounge - Mike Wagoner  - Hill's Resort 443.2551

6:00 pm Waterfront Wednesday – two for $20 spaghetti and Homemade meatball dinner, salad, garlic bread - Waterfront Restaurant 443.2240

8:00 pm Karaoke - Elkins Resort 443.2432

9:00 pm – Larry Meyer – Millie's Restaurant and Bar 443.2365

Thursday July 29, 2010

8:00 pm Live Music – Mike and Sadie Wagoner - Elkins Resort 443.2432

9:00 pm Live Music – Bobby Schaeffer - Millie's Restaurant and Bar 443.2365

Friday July 30, 2010

8:00 pm to midnight – Live Music in the Lounge – Sammy Eubanks - Hill's Resort 443.2551

8:00 pm Live Music –  Trapper Creek - Elkins Resort 443.2432

Saturday July 31, 2010

8:00 pm – July-o-ween Costume party at Millie's Restaurant and Bar, DJ for dancing 443.2365

8:00 pm to midnight – Live Music in the Lounge – Sammy Eubanks- Hill's Resort 443.2551

8:00 pm  Live Music – Trapper Creek - Elkins Resort 443.2432

DEAR PECKY.. (!)

...my hubby and I found this poor thing floating in front of our place just south of Steamboat Bay. Anyone know who could be so cruel?? What a thing for our kids to see!!!

Photo POSTED HERE  - viewer's  discretion is advised

LIFE AT PRIEST LAKE..

" future wake boarder - Alexa- "

DEAR PECKY..

I wish to comment regarding the land swap at the boat launch area in Coolin. From a boaters perspective it seems like the access has been shrinking. While I totally suppport "Private Property Rights", and appreciate the improvements at Bishops, it seems to me more could have been done to be more hospitable to incoming boaters. In fact, it looks like every attempt is being made to keep people out with the huge "breakwater" that looks like a dock but isn't.

THE BEARDMORE ART WALK

 
CLICK on poster for better view

ADVENTURES IN GOD'S COUNTRY

The Screening for "Lady Lili" is Monday August 2nd at 10 pm in Elkins Lounge at 10 pm

Adult Content

 

CLICK on poster for larger view

SEND YOUR SUMMER SPLASH PICTURE

CLICK ON IMAGE
Photo - Gerry S.

send your PRIEST LAKE SPLASH

 to pecky@sisna.com
www.peckycox.com/smile/splash.html

SNOWMOBILE CLUB MEETING

August 21, 2010 -  9:00 AM

at Nordman

DEAR PECKY.. (COOLIN - BISHOP'S MARINA)

click on image

Please share with your readers.

Priest Lake Bishops Marina has offered a land swap to help create more parking and increase the beauty of the downtown waterfront in Coolin.
 
1) PLBM will give up a area of land at the north end of the ramp area to increase the parking lot size.
2) The county will give  up a sliver of land 30' at the water front and 10' wide at the street.
3) The waterfront has already been updated by PLBM with a waterfall from spring water and  a retaining wall that replaced the old log wall. This is at the south side of the ramp.
    This was all done at the expense of PLBM and has made this area now very nice.  There was never any beach here as this was marina area .
4)  Ramp will stay the same in the same location.  A new approach will be hard surfaced.  New parking will be increased to handle up to 30 cars and some trailer spots. Now it is at best if 15 can park there.  This will greatly effect the local businesses in the area and help keep the roads clear for emergencies.
5) There will be storm water run off installed with swales so not large puddles will form.
6) Hard surface will restrict and eliminate the dust.
7) The new lot will have two entrances so one could enter in and make an easy turn to launch boats, and offer a great turnaround for the fire department.
8) A kiosk for the Museum will be installed at the waterfront just north of the ramp with landscaping.  This is about the history at Priest Lake.
 
All in all this is a great project that will greatly improve the waterfront of Coolin, and the people that use the ramp and parking. 
 
The waterfront area in the swap was never used  and again updated and made nice by Priest Lake Bishops Marina
 
I hope everyone does their homework on this and gets the right info!  There is a handlful of people , of which most don't even use the property fighting this change.  They are uninformed, and need to look at everything before they get all worked up and try to stop this.  If they stop it, we are stuck with a dusty lot , with very limited parking.
Please get informed and help this move ahead! This is not about someone taking over waterfront, but about making this community better for everyone!
 
Thanks
Pat Akins
Leonard Paul Store

AS THE LAKE CHURNS HEARS..

that people have started to put shoes on the tree! - yes! on the vandalized tree

BEAR CREEK BAY AREA NOTICE

WELCOME

Tom and Margrethe Farr
Pam Ness
Moss Family
Autumn Kennedy
Ron and Marcia Yep
AND
Dawn, Raychel and Ciarra Workman

TO our Priest Lake Task Force

CAVANAUGH'S

Cavanaugh's will start their weekend with  Neva - singer/guitarist, at 7 PM to 10 PM on the deck.  Saturday will feature Luke Gerrells - he will be playing in the upstairs from 9 PM 'til Midnite.  The balance of the summer will feature Neva as live entertainment every Saturday as well as Mondays for "Mojito Monday" . Welcome aboard the new Cavanaughs....plenty of parking whether by land or sea.  See you there!

click here for " This Week At The Lake" post.

Cavanaugh's Grand Re-opening Huge Success

It looked like a massive boat flotilla as Priest Lakers jammed the docks, tables and  bar at the landmark lake restaurant.

After months of being dormant the east side facility has re-opened under the management of Mike Belles and Katie Blackwell.  The establishment has been re-modeled from the bottom up including new docks for the sea faring set.  The upstairs bar and lounge is up and running as well as downstairs and the umbrellaed deck.
 
Welcome back Cavanaugh's !

SHOE TREE DESTROYED

Priest Lake, ID (July 16, 2010)- Shortly before sunset Thursday night Forest Service firefighters responded to a report of smoke in the Priest Lake area to find a single tree fully engulfed in flames. The tree, known locally as the “shoe tree” due to hundreds of pairs of shoes that have been nailed to the trunk or hung from the branches, was completely destroyed. Firefighters had some difficulty suppressing the fire due to shoe rubber melting and dripping from the tree, but they successfully kept the fire from spreading more than 30 feet from the tree.

The “shoe tree” has been an informal local landmark for many years in the Priest Lake area despite Forest Service officials discouraging locals and tourists from adding shoes. According to Sandpoint and Priest Lake District Ranger Dick Kramer, “I really feel for the community’s loss of this tree. People started adding shoes to this tree as early as the 1940’s, so we appreciate the history and the community’s attachment, but we would like to discourage the public from creating another shoe tree take this one’s place.”

The cause of the fire is unknown and is currently under investigation. Members of the public who have information related to the fire are encouraged to contact the local Forest Service office in Priest Lake at (208) 443-2512.

 

AS THE LAKE CHURNS will create an online album - in memoriam -
of our shoe tree - send your pictures to pecky@sisna.com with
name

 

REWARD
Dear Pecky:
I'm posting a reward for capture of this person/people.  See attached.  This should be posted on the message board at Leonard Paul shortly.  


click here

IT'S THAT TIME AGAIN!

We are planning the annual Priest Lake survey for JULY 27-28. This will be a survey like we have done in the past, with an "information session" that will include plant identification and aquatic invasive species updates. From there we break into groups and survey designated swathes of the shoreline, throwing the rake to document native and non-native aquatic plants. Weather permitting, it is also nice to be able to snorkel and dive for suspect species.
 
We need boats! Anyone who can commit to bringing a boat will be drowned in joyous appreciation. Please let me know.
 
We would like the best participation yet this year! Attached you'll find a flyer made just for you to put up around your favorite places and neighborhoods. Please respond one way or the other (preferably the one way-"YES, I CAN MAKE IT!"). ;)

 
Kate Wilson
Pend Oreille Basin Commission
Program Coordinator
120 E. Lake Street, Suite 301
Sandpoint, ID 83864
www.lakescommission.com

DEAR PECKY... (ON PRIEST LAKE RESPONSIBLE BOATING)

Dear Pecky: I may post this on FB but not sure how much good it will do, if any.  You may not want to post it on your site either, but I'll tell you my thoughts just the same.  As you know, I go out on my paddle board just about every morning and sometimes in the afternoon if it's not too windy.  Several times I've had boats come way too close to me (10 feet) even when there isn't any other traffic on the lake.  It happened again this morning when I paddled around Reeder Bay.  A boat came straight at me and then turned only at the very last minute.  At that point I was crossing the bay to get home so they had hundreds of feet on either side of me to pass.  I would like to tell you that this doesn't happen often -  but it DOES.  I realize it's not just me as I see boats/wave runners cut each other off all the time.  Thanks for letting me vent.  -j.

QUESTION to Churns' readers:  How are your boating manners?

RESPONSE to all commenters below and phone call from Don:

I long ago ordered my BOAT IDAHO Guide to Responsible Boating sponsored by IDAHO State Park and Recreation and have found it most helpful. 

- General information concerning boats and maintenance
- Information to make your boating experience safer and more comfortable
- Boating laws etc

I also often check THIS  - BONNER COUNTY BOATING REGULATIONS
I will be taking my Boating Idaho Certification Exam soon and encourage you to do the same - you can find it here below

http://parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/recreation/boating/education.aspx

Let's all be responsible boaters and teach our kids to do the same.  P. Cox

PLAY SAFE

MORE ON "DISCOVERY AT PRIEST LAKE"

July 16--While the 50-year-old human remains discovered at the bottom of Priest Lake undergo DNA analysis in Boise, historical researcher Silvia Pettem is using her gumshoe style of research to help identify the bones and bring resolution to relatives.

The remains were found in 2004 by Ralston & Associates, a consulting biology company out of Idaho. They didn't extract the remains until late May, using a remote-operated diving vehicle.

Boise State professor of biology and criminal justice Greg Hampikian will profile the DNA, and then relatives with missing family members will be tested for a match, Pettem said.

"These families are waiting," she said. "Even several generations removed, they want to know."

CLICK HERE for Spokesman.com whole of story

www.ilovepriestlake.com

Pecky: We picked up a bunch of plastic grocery bags and a Doritos bag out of the south end of the lake on Sunday--I think the unusual wind on Saturday carried some things off the shore or docks. Please add Sheila Dunlop, Reg, Chance, Faith, & Joy Unterseher to the list!

Thank you Untersehers. Sheila, Reg, Chance, Faith and Joy have been added to list. Welcome to "the power of one"

"one beach, one trail, one road at a time"

PRIEST LAKE TASK FORCE - www.ilovepriestlake.com

♦♦♦

photos below: GETTING LAST PIECE OF STYRO FROM 8 MI ISLAND TODAY (photos below) Thank you, BIG THANK YOU to Priest Lake Task Force Member: M.R.

♦

 

PRIEST LAKE PTO

Priest Lake Elementary PTO would like to thank everyone that supported our bake sale on July 2nd.  It was a resounding success with all 50 pies and all our other baked goods selling out.  We made over $1700 and couldn’t have done it without our local supporters who donated such delicious baked goods!

It was a pleasure to visit with everyone who stopped by.  Thanks again and we will  see you next year!

DEAR PECKY..

Pecky, These were all alive and were found in an old tarp that was thrown in the dumpster at the dump.  From :  Gary Fry and Joyce Fry.  Photos John Crowley CLICK ON IMAGES

 
 

PRIEST LAKE'S E BULLETIN BOARD

Building a cabin in Coolin, and looking for someone to help me install a wood stove. Call 509-220-5863, ask for Scott.

CLICK HERE for Priest Lake's eBulletin Board

Town Hall Meetings for West Priest Lake Fire District

We would like to take this opportunity to present to the public an update on their fire district and the improvements over the decades, with a presentment for the need for a proposed levy rate increase ballot measure for the November Election.
 
Dates, locations & Times:
 
Saturday July 17th 10 am - 12 pm @ Nordman Fire Station just South of Nordman Store
 
Saturday August 14th 10 am - 12 pm, @ Lamb Creek Station just North of NLI substation just before mm 27 on Hwy # 57
 
Saturday October 30th 10 am - 12 pm, tentative set @ Priest Lake Elementary School
Respectfully submitted,
 
Chief Ventress, West Priest Lake Fire District

CLICK ON

RIDING THROUGH PRIEST LAKE

Idaho's Most Memorable Bike Ride
August 8-14, 2010
Northern Idaho
7 days, fully-supported ride, 300 cycliststs

Why do we call it Idaho’s most memorable bike ride?   Is it because every year we create a route that showcase’s yet another beautiful area of our state?  Is it because our host communities provide friendly, warm, and genuine hospitality? Or is it because the many dedicated volunteers that return each year to support you, do such a great job?    While each of these is part of our success; our rides are most memorable because of YOU!

PLEASE RE POST

If you had a post  in PRIEST LAKEeBulletin Board please re type it.
Our Priest Lake eBulletin board had to go through "cleaning" and is open again and working better.. please re post and contact me if you need information from old b-board.

Sorry for the inconvenience..

CLICK HERE for new Bulletin Board / also on right sidebar menu.

Thank you!

THE VIDEO

CLICK HERE for
related articles

Questions for Gene Ralston
POST them below under "comments"

This is video of an old wooden boat we found near Eight Mile Island while searching for a drowning victim in 2004. We also found human remains nearby, but they are not the drowning victim we were searching for. The boat is nearly filled with sediment, more on the inside than the outside, so we think it may have been being used to transport sand or gravel when it sunk. This video was taken using our remote operated vehicle (ROV). The ROV has a grabbing device on the front (the pipe looking thing on the right with the jaws attached. The black horizontal rod is part of the frame of the ROV and it also acts as a bumper. We recovered a major part of the remains on May 18,2010, and are in the process of trying to identify who it may be. Silvia Pettem, www.silviapettem.com is assisting with research into possible identification. If you know of anyone missing on the lake for many years, please let us know.

- Gene Ralston

These outages will affect the entire Priest Lake area

The Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) will be upgrading the transmission line, from Albany Falls to Sandpoint, to provide continued safe and reliable transmission service. The BPA has requested three nine-hour outages
scheduled for:

.Sunday September 19th at 10:00 p.m. through Monday, September 20th at 7:00
a.m.
.Sunday, September 26th at 10:00 p.m. through Monday, September 27th at 7:00
a.m.
.Sunday, October 3rd at 10:00 p.m. through Monday, October 4th at 7:00 a.m.

These outages will affect the entire Priest Lake area and the Priest River area served by Northern Lights, north of the river.

Northern Lights appreciates your patience during these BPA outages so that BPA can make these system improvements.

Sincerely,

NORTHERN LIGHTS INC