The golden ticket to fun
By Ben Olson Reader Staff About a decade ago, cuts in school funding forced the Sandpoint High School drama and music programs to think outside the box to ensure students’ creative output wasn’t negatively...
Tagged: Ben Olson
The darkest day, one year later
By Ben Olson Reader Staff Some dark deeds in American history will forever be associated with when they took place: Dec. 7, 1941; Nov. 22, 1963; Sept. 11, 2001. A year ago today, another...
The origins behind the New Year’s song ‘Auld Lang Syne’
By Ben Olson Reader Staff Every year, as the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve, a familiar song is often heard crooned by half-drunk party goers as they ring in the coming year....
The art of nothingness
By Ben Olson Reader Staff There is an art to doing nothing. In this workaday world dominated by how many items we can cram into our daily lives, some might confuse the art of...
Why shop at small businesses this holiday season?
By Ben Olson Reader Staff The shopping season is in full swing, with downtown streets aglow with Christmas lights and shoppers swaddled in parkas and ear muffs. The Sandpoint Shopping District will host its...
2021 Gift Guide: Make your own Christmas gifts this year
By Ben Olson Reader Staff I have one of the coolest girlfriends in the world. Instead of expensive bouquets of roses, she prefers hand-picked wildflowers. Instead of expensive restaurants, she’s more into a healthy...
The changing faces of Sandpoint
By Ben Olson Reader Staff Lao Tzu’s take on change remains just as true today as it was 2,500 years ago when he wrote, “If you do not change direction, you might end up...
Food Bank seeking Thanksgiving food donations
By Ben Olson Reader Staff No matter what state the economy is in, it should always be a priority to keep the people fed. That’s the mission of the Bonner Community Food Bank, and...
‘Where everybody knows your name’
By Ben Olson Reader Staff Without fail, if I hear the Cheers theme song, I’m instantly transported back to a cozy past era. “Where Everybody Knows Your Name,” composed by Gary Portnoy and Judy...
Planting trees is the best way to leave a legacy
By Ben Olson Reader Staff My mid-20s were some of the brokest years of my life. When my college roommate called one day to tell me he was getting married in Ohio, I told...
