Kicking off the season at Kettle Falls Historical Center

Author and naturalist Jack Nisbet will be on hand Saturday, May 14th at the season opener for Kettle Falls Historical Society where he will offer the presentation “Leno’s World”. Covering the life and times of Inland Northwest artist Leno Prestini, Nisbet takes his usual meandering approach to tying the landscape to the people that it helped to shape. This presentation begins at 7:00 PM and is open to the public, free of admission, thanks to a grant from Humanities Washington. 

Leno Prestini was an Italian born artist who immigrated to the United States with his parents in 1907. He lived in Clayton, Washington, where he painted during the early part of the 20th century between jobs as a bricklayer and mason. His dramatic landscapes capture the rugged wildness of the inland northwest with ferocious passion. 

As the first official event of the season, the evening kicks off the beginning of summer hours at the museum, which start May 15th and run through September 15th, 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily. Volunteers and the Historical Center Committee are excited to show off the upgrades, renovations and new exhibits that have been underway during the off season, lending the museum a fresh new appeal to both new and returning visitors. 

As always, membership at the museum is $15 for an individual or $20 for a family annually, providing free admission and 10% off purchases in the “Shop at the Falls” gift shop which features local art and souvenirs. Daily admission is $3 for an individual and $5 for an entire family. The historical center hosts an annual art contest for local artists along the river, as well as the School of Primitive Skills and a series of guest speakers and events throughout the summer. This year the “River of Baskets”, a display of local native basket weavers will be featured at the museum along with a display of Native American Beadwork from local artists. 

The museum is formatted as a laid back, self guided tour through dioramas and displays, and a path on the outdoor grounds for an interpretive “walk in the woods”. The Kettle Falls Historical Center is located 4 miles west of Kettle Falls on highway 395, turn right onto St. Paul’s Mission road and follow it briefly to the museum. For more information, check out their website https://sites.google.com/site/kettlefallshistoricalcenter/ or call 509-738-6964. 

Feathering the Empty Nest

By Liv Stecker

With an empty nest creeping up on them, Greg and Trisha Schwartz were looking for something to take on that would both entertain and employ them. Residents of Loon Lake since 2002, they have owned and operated Loon Lake Motors, selling quality used cars, but according to Trisha, the used car business isn’t always a walk in the park and they were ready to find something that tapped into their creative side. In 2011, the Schwartzes attended a bottling event at a nearby craft distillery and were instantly captivated. Appealing to both Trisha and Greg’s affinity for cooking, distilling small batch artisan spirits offered a challenge and creative flexibility that they both appreciated. 

Trisha’s family has owned property on Loon Lake since 1972, but it wasn’t until 2002 that they brought their children to the area to raise. As the kids reached college age, Greg and Trisha wanted to find a way to tap into the creative tourist community of the rural area, understanding the trials and triumphs of small business ownership as it relates to the vitality of a small town. They jumped in feet first, enrolling in a week long distilling course in Western Washington where they learned the ins and outs of craft distilling as well as the technical and legal requirements on the industry. Opening 2 Loons in 2014, it’s been an ever evolving education for the couple as they have experimented with recipes and techniques along the way. 

It’s a complex procedure to develop unique recipes that adhere to industry standards set by the liquor board, meeting distillation requirements for alcohol content and again to qualify spirits under certain classifications. Trisha laughs that it hasn’t always been successful, and finding a system that works has been a challenge that they have enjoyed in spite of the speedbumps along the way. The 2 Loons line of Loon Lightning is an example of a spirit that didn’t fall into the category that they intended with the first batch, so they adapted it and expanded the popular spirit with naturally flavored variations that have become some of their most popular trademark products, including Loon Lightning Coffee, Blackberry and Mint. “It would be easier if we just made one or two recipes,” Trisha says with a laugh, “but we got into this for the creative aspect,” and branching out is all part of the adventure. All of their spirits are created using Washington grown fruits and grains, and infused with natural local flavors. 

In addition to the Loon Lightning, they produce a corn whiskey, bourbon, cinnamon whiskey, vodka and gin that all present a fresh, unique twist on standard classics. At the distillery, located just off Highway 395 in Loon Lake, Trisha and Greg are on hand on Thursday from 11-4 in the afternoon, and from 11-5 on Friday and Saturday. They also do tours and tastings by appointment by calling (509) 998-0440. At present, their products are only available in the tasting room at their distillery. Distribution to local restaurants, bars and stores is a part of the long term plan for the distillery. 

The last few months has seen 2 Loons expanding their operation from the ground up with new 500 gallon fermentors, water tank and mash tun, and a still constructed with the help of local distiller Henry Anderson using his patented Gatling Still technology to maximize the flavor capturing techniques of copper in a process that is as pretty as it is productive. Partnering with other local artisan distillers, brewers and coffee roasters, Greg and Trisha work hard to establish a solid rapport with the growing industry and help spread the love of community driven business and tourism. In addition to Anderson of Dominion Distillery in Colville, they have strong working relationships with Quartzite brewing in Chewelah, Chamokane Creek coffee, Chew Vino Wine Bar in Chewelah and many other local businesses. Together, these local small business owners build a network toward a rewarding tourism experience in the rural area of Stevens County. 

For the Schwartzes, raising their children in the pristine setting of Loon Lake has been a rewarding experience. They want to share the beauty and strength of their small community with visitors and friends, enjoying the natural haven of the lake and the richness of all four seasons in the area. For these 2 Loons, distilling craft spirits is all about enjoying their time as their children leave the nest, building new relationships and sharing the adventure of small town living. The summer of 2015, 2 Loons had trouble keeping up with demand for their product as locals figured out what was going on and gave the delicious spirits a try. The hearty reception of 2 Loons in the community has helped the business take flight into the next phase of production and given Greg and Trish the push out of the nest that they need to spread their wings. 

Three Pines Youth Camp - “hit the reset”

By liv stecker

Perched high above the confluence of the mighty Columbia and Kettle Rivers, a rambling green landscape opens out of dense woods along a gravel road that winds up the mountain. Three Pines Youth Camp lies on a 50 acre parcel of land that slopes gently toward the dramatic scenery of the Columbia River valley. A cozy lodge constructed out of log is the centerpiece of the setting, surrounded by tiny, efficient cabins, a cookhouse, game barn, bathhouse, basketball court and softball field, with more facilities springing up every year. 

In 2010, ranch owner Jerry Balswick approached Dennis and Patty Roberts with a proposal that they had been waiting on for years. Jerry had become acquainted with the dedicated vision that the Robert’s shared for serving youth in the community and asked if they would help to coordinate youth camps at their secluded ranch on the mountain. Dennis and Patty fell in love with the setting and after a trial run with their youth group, they began to make plans to develop a program establishing camps for various ages throughout the summer. 

Kettle Falls Youth Works was created as the non-profit organization from which to launch their project, and Dennis and Patty branched out from the work they had been doing in youth centers in the community for years. The Three Pines Youth Camp was born, situated at the scenic Gaius ranch located above the Columbia River on Flat Creek Road. Only a few short miles from Kettle Falls, it’s just far enough out of town to get in touch with nature, or according to organizers,”take advantage of the spiritual blessings that can be derived from being amidst the beauties of the Creator's handiwork.”

The mission of Three Pines Youth Camp according to their website is to “lead youth to Christ”, but like Dennis says, the goal is to primarily build a loving family atmosphere for visiting kids and out of that relationship be able to share the leader’s passion for Christ. In keeping with the establishment of building strong interpersonal friendships, Dennis and Patty said that they have hosted camps up to 80 students, but prefer to keep the number closer to 30. “When it gets much bigger, you start to lose that feeling of family”, says Dennis. And for some kids in the summer time, with working parents, broken families, or other hardships, a three day escape to the serene forest can do wonders for a child.  

The biggest motivator for facilitators is to keep the cost of the camp reasonable for busy families in the community. At a suggested donation of $45 for a three day camp, Dennis admits that the fees the families pay barely covers the cost of food. That’s where sponsors and donors come in and  offset the overhead expenses to keep the beautiful landscape flourishing and facilities all functional. This year, donations covered the installation of a new commercial septic system, and soon a new bathhouse will follow as Dennis and the rest of the committee jump through the various hoops of keeping the health department happy. 

The basketball court was the contribution of a visiting men’s retreat, and all camp staff and counselors are volunteers. A collection of tiny cabins serve as cozy housing for the students, three for the girls nestled near the main lodge and three on an upper bench near the forest edge for the young men. This year two new ADA accessible cabins were added on the main campus, and plans for a new kitchen facility are underway with generous donations of siding from Columbia Cedar among other contributions. As plans for Kettle Falls Youth Works and The Three Pines Youth Camp move forward, owners of the Gaius Ranch, Jerry and Carolyn Balswick are working with the committee on a long term plan to keep the organization alive. 

For Dennis, as the volunteer coordinator, he says the way that the endeavor has been blessed is truly humbling. Even with legal obstacles to overcome and some lofty standards to meet, he says there has been a solution for every problem as they go. Camps are broken into various age groups, starting at age 7, as well as father/child, mother/child, grandparent/grandchild and even a few adult retreats. Most of the camps are hosted and staffed by area churches and youth groups. The vision of Kettle Falls Youth Works is to reach out and make the camps available to kids across Stevens and Ferry County from all walks of life. There are also scholarships available for students with financial obstacles. For information, contact Dennis at 509.675.5234. 

On May 21, Three Pines Youth Camp kicks off the camping season with an open house for the community, where visitors are invited to come up with friends and family to tour the facility, hear about the mission of the camp and see all of the new additions. The theme for camp in 2016 is “Hit the Reset” - helping kids start over and keep going down a different path in life. This year the camp will be adding an inflatable obstacle course and a competition slip n’ slide for the campers, which Dennis is very excited about. For information about the open house, camp schedules and registration, volunteering or donating, check out the website at kettlefallsyouthworks.org or contact Dennis at 509.675.5234. 

Making Dreams Come True

Working with local disadvantaged youth, Wendi Andres has witnessed first hand the heartache of young women in the community who come from broken homes, extreme poverty and other difficult life situations that project them at a young age into survival mode. The last priority in a troubled existence is being able to afford a high-quality wardrobe or at times even passably fashionable and clothes that aren’t already worn out. Watching girls in foster care and other tough spots forgo formal dances and other events because they couldn't afford a dress motivated Wendi and a group of other dedicated volunteers and donors to do something about it. 

“Some of these girls feel like they’re walking into school with a label already, and without the right clothes, it’s that much worse.” Says Wendi. Some of them are placed in homes with only the clothes on their backs, some with little more, or clothing that doesn’t fit, usually purchased from thrift stores. 

Stephanie’s Closet was launched at the beginning of 2016, after much planning, praying and dreaming. It is a boutique clothing store open by referral only to young women in the community who are in need of wardrobe upgrades, formal dresses, and basic clothing necessities. Teachers, social workers and other involved adults can refer high school age students from the Stevens and Ferry County areas to make a shopping appointment at the fairy tale nook on Oak and Third Street in Colville. February of this year, Stephanie’s Closet welcomed the first shopper with a completely donation driven selection of high end, barely used and new clothing to choose from. “Stephanie’s Closet is not a thrift store,” Wendi points out - it’s a high end boutique with name brand and designer clothes that many of these girls have only dreamed of trying on, let alone owning. The first shopper found a pair of $100 jeans that were a perfect fit, much to her delight. 

Stephanie’s Closet accepts donations of very gently used quality clothing appropriate for high school aged girls. Donations of new, with tags on undergarments are also accepted and one of the biggest needs. “Girls always need jeans, they always need shoes, and they always need undergarments.” Wendi says. The other big focus of the boutique is formal dresses for prom and homecoming. Donations of dresses in excellent condition are always accepted, especially larger sizes. Many girls in foster care can’t afford a dress and will often skip prom or homecoming for lack of something to wear. Wendi and the volunteers and Stephanie’s closet hope to prevent that for girls in the area. 

Donations have poured in from community members, including a donation drive from the Kettle Falls High School, where Wendi says they collect so many of the things that girls that age are looking for. “Those are the clothes they want,” she says, the same styles that their peers are sporting. Cash donations are also helpful, and help volunteers shop for items to fill the gaps at the boutique. Last year when Macy’s went out of business downtown, Wendi and her helpers were able to take cash donations and purchase brand new designer clothes at huge discounts. 

It all comes down to the individual experience for the shoppers and maybe even for the donors. Earlier this year, someone donated several formal gowns with matching accessories and shoes, also offering to pay for the hair and makeup of a girl in need before prom. A shopper came along and after finding her dream dress with all of the accessories and shoes at the boutique, Wendi matched her up with the generous community member who not only paid for, but chauffeured her from appointment to appointment and finally to her date, where she photographed the couple and created the perfect evening for a girl who wasn’t sure she’d be going to prom at all. 

Wendi and the volunteers at Stephanie’s Closet are just beginning to see the dream of helping girls from less than ideal situations have one less worry in the world. As referrals begin to trickle in, Wendi hopes that the word spreads to teachers and caseworkers so that the good work can spread across multiple counties. If you are interested in donating to Stephanie’s Closet, contact Wendi Andres at 509-609-0577 or find the Facebook page, where you can follow the blog. 

Pop Bob- Greatness in Humility

I met Pop Bob when I moved into Northport. I was leaving behind a lot of baggage, including a broken marriage and a lot of damaged relationships. Only 7 miles behind, but it was behind me. I was starting a new life in the tiny town, working at the hardware store and figuring out what life was all about, with a fresh-faced new boyfriend sporting a chew in his lip and a herd of tiny girls.

I remember Bob leaning on the counter at Northport Hardware and asking me questions. Not light, fluffy, nice grandpa questions, but hard questions, about where we were headed next, how we were gonna do it, and just life. Bob knew how to cut to the chase in a conversation but still make you feel like you were talking about the weather when the topics were actually life altering. The smile behind his eyes remained through the toughest conversations and the unspoken understanding that he offered. The best thing about Bob, though, was that in the end of every conversation, he had a way. A way to fix the worst problems. Not with tools and books and recommendations, but with a worldview. An outlook on life: nothing was too big to overcome, and there's always a way. 

There isn't a kid who has grown up in Northport in the last 20 years that couldn't learn the value of a good rake, a working lawn mower, a happy dog, fishing or family from Bob Long. Cruising around town from the wee hours of the morning in his little blue pickup, Bob was an icon of community spirit and removing everybody's excuse for not being a decent human being.

Bob was born in Red Lodge Montana on November 8th, 1932. In 1951 he graduated from Red Lodge High School, and a year later married the love of his life Connie Babcock. They had five children while Bob worked as a rancher and in the oil industry for the next couple of decades. In 1970, they relocated to Washington State, where they lived in Colville, while he worked at Vaagen Brothers Lumber. Two years later moved his family to Northport and worked for a limestone company, before he returned to Montana to work  for Carbon County.

After a brief time back in Montana, Bob retired in 1995 and he and Connie moved back to Northport, where they have lived for over 20 years, surrounded by their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Beyond a pillar in the community, Bob was a dedicated member of his church wherever he went, and perhaps an even more devoted believer in the power of a good day fishing. After raising his own children, Bob continued to pour into the generations following, taking his grandchildren under his wing and mentoring many local young people in the pathway of community service and hard work that were Bob's mainstay.

Delivering meals, maintaining yards and running errands for elderly shut-ins around town were only a handful of the mountains of work that Bob did to care-take his town. In the words of his pastor: "If anyone could earn their way into heaven by good works, it was Bob Long." When he wasn’t serving his neighbors, you could find Bob down by his beloved river with a fishing pole in his hand and his big golden retriever Hercules by his side. 

On March 26th, Bob passed away unexpectedly surrounded by his large family and community. More than a father and grandfather, Bob was a friend to generations of people in both Montana and Washington, and they overwhelmed the high school gymnasium in Northport at his memorial on April 23rd in testimony to his great heart.

Men like Pop Bob are few and far between, with that gap ever widening as the generations that understand the importance of moral integrity, honesty and kindness seem to be fading. But Bob diligently passed along these values to the ones that would listen, that would take the time to go down to the river and fish, or drop off dinner for a lonely neighbor. If you had the time for Bob, he had the way for you. Often it was the things that Bob knew he didn't need to say that had the most effect.  A knowing look, with those smiling eyes and it was like Bob was highlighting the path that you already knew. Countless family members, neighbors, church friends have all told me that Bob was one of their closest friends, because that's how Bob lived: making the person he was with the most important one in the world. He could communicate worlds with the shake of his head and the twinkle in his eye.

When I met Bob Long, he reminded me that there are good people in the world. He taught me that being humble and kind were far better than being bitter and frozen. And that bad things are exactly what you make out of them - a chance to learn and grow and be a better person. Obstacles and struggles aren't the end of the world - you just have to find a way around them, and there's always a way.