Nearly 1,000 people show up each April for the annual Spring Dash, now in its 38th year. Most know what to expect, but every year a few get a bit of a surprise. “Seems like each year we get a few people expecting to run a 5k, but it’s actually a 5-miler,” laughed United Way of North Idaho Executive Director Mark Tucker. While a 5k is a little over 3 miles, don’t be scared off by the extra couple miles, as this is a very fun way to kick off the running season while supporting

Driven by the purpose of providing children, teens and adults with disabilities with greater skills, choice and opportunity, Tesh Inc. is a private nonprofit organization that has impacted the Coeur d’Alene community for decades. Contributing to the self-sufficiency, employability and community involvement of over 8,000 individuals with disabilities since 1976, Tesh continues to provide innovative services in the areas of child development, independent living, adult employmen

“God has done so many amazing things for us.” It is inspiring to witness the incredible people in the community who give of themselves selflessly to impact others in a positive way; devoting countless hours to help improve the lives of those in our community. And one such organization that works toward its mission every hour of every day is Priest River Ministries - Advocates for Women—which strives to do all it can for the betterment of women who have endured, and are contin

For some it’s a pair of warm socks while for others a new play set for their children. Maybe it’s a surprise date night or help with food for a holiday meal. The holiday requests come in to Newby-ginnings from many different people and situations, and remarkably they are all met thanks to the generosity of this community. When Theresa Hart started Newby-ginnings in October of 2013, her mission was to provide any kind of help she could to local veterans, military families and

“There is so much hope here. Kids are so resilient; once they feel safe, you begin to see the hope in them.” Rosa Mettler, LCSW, is the chief program officer at the Children’s Village, which, for more than 28 years, has been providing a safe and nurturing space for abused and neglected children in our community. “It is so rewarding to watch them blossom as they develop healthy, loving relationships,” she says. With an experienced and loving staff who strive each day to offer

Army veteran Rich Henning showed his respect to the first responders of 9/11 by doing what comes naturally. He took a walk. Henning wanted to duplicate the effort of the emergency teams that responded to the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center that ominous morning by climbing 104 flights of stairs. Unfortunately, there are very few buildings with that many floors east of the Cascades. So instead, he did the next best thing. He found an 18-story building and climbed the stai

In early August, at what is now a monthly check-giving ceremony, the partners at Daft Badger took a financial hit—a big one. They gave a check in the amount of $2,136 to CDAIDE, the result of their month-long donation program for the busy summer month of July. “Today’s a tough one,” said Darrell Dlouhy, one of the brewery’s founders. “That’s a big check.” But then, that’s the point, Dlouhy said: “Let’s give until it hurts.” Now in its fifth year of operation, Daft Badger Brew

It’s time once again to celebrate North Idaho as the North Idaho State Fair comes to the Kootenai County Fairgrounds August 21 through August 25, and it’s an event you won’t want to miss! With events, exhibits and entertainment for the entire family, Brittany Teverbaugh, the marketing and sponsorship manager for the fair, says that each year the fair sees upward of 80,000 attendees. “Last year was a record breaker in many ways, with an attendance of 85,448 over the five-day e

When the Dueling Irons restaurant opened its doors in 2014, it wasn’t long before Dan Rankin started showing up each day. He had been having his daily breakfast elsewhere until there was an unexpected breakup in his daily routine. “They let my favorite waitress go, or she quit, anyway, I followed her over here,” recalled Dan. That waitress is Sami, and each morning she or another server at the Post Falls restaurant brings Dan a plate of sausage, hash browns, eggs and toast, a

Like many origin stories, that of Car d’Lane starts with a small idea. In 1990, Idaho’s centennial year, a group from Southern Idaho was coming up as part of the celebration, touring the state in their classic cars. Dennis LeKander, a Coeur d’Alene downtown businessman, got together with a few others and wondered how they might welcome this contingent. LeKander owned a classic car business. “I called as many car people as I could think of and asked them to bring their cars do

End-of-life care is an extremely difficult time, not just for the person battling a terminal illness but for family that surrounds them. For years Hospice of North Idaho has dedicated itself to compassionate and professional end-of-life care for all without regard to a person’s ability to pay. Corporate partners, individual donors and Hospice’s annual Wine Taste event help cover operational costs at the Schneidmiller House, a 24-hour in-patient care facility owned and operate

Dementia is a progressive brain disease that is projected to affect 13.5 million Americans by mid-century. Today, more than 5 million Americans are living with the most common form of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, including an estimated 200,000 under the age of 65. By 2050, up to 16 million people will have the disease. Watching a person’s memory continue to fade each day is heartbreaking for family members and beyond frustrating for those battling the disease. While there i

Carson Magee has accomplished a lot. When we last checked in with him five years ago, he was inventing new technologies and watching a design of his whiz by on a formula one racing car. He’s met and shared stories with sports legends, been featured on local TV and in print articles, and given presentations to congress and the governor of Idaho. Carson was diagnosed with Type I diabetes at 7 years old. Now 16 and a sophomore at Coeur d’Alene High School, Carson continues to us

The mission of Hospice of North Idaho continues, and always will be, to provide professional and expert end-of-life care to both patients and family members, regardless of their financial circumstances. Grief and loss counselors and medical staff help make life comfortable for the afflicted and provide guidance and hope to grieving and struggling family members. While many have insurance, others have little to no funds to pay for services, but no matter the situation, Hospice

The holiday season means many things to many people, but the true spirit of the season is the generosity and kindness shared among family, friends and even strangers. There is a constant need for those who are less fortunate, and December is a time where you can really make an impact in your community. You don’t have to be a huge financial donor to make a difference, as there are so many ways you can help improve the lives with simple acts of kindness, an extra purchase or a

It is an event that keeps people coming back year after year. The Parade of Homes is put on by the North Idaho Building Contractors Association (NIBCA) and showcases the craftsmanship of the area’s top builders, architects, interior designers, landscapers, home automations specialists, kitchen and bath designers and building product suppliers. This year’s event spanned two weekends in September and drew people from all over to view the beautifully constructed homes and provid

With winter on the horizon and the nights becoming increasingly colder, everyday struggles become that much more difficult for those facing hardship in our communities. Despite a surging economy, many are still facing difficult decisions like whether to buy food or pay a heating bill. Thankfully, North Idaho is filled with generous and caring people who want to look after those most in need, and you will find many of them at one of the area’s longest standing beacons of hope.

It’s impossible not to overlook the growth and change that’s currently reshaping the Coeur d’Alene area. Large hotels are going up, new housing developments are going in and older buildings downtown are being renovated for new offices, businesses and restaurants. The Four Corners Project reshaped the landscape and feel of downtown and the waterfront as locals and visitors approach from Northwest Boulevard. When the project was approved, many in the community were thrilled. Th

Keith Boe is a busy man. Between his work in real estate, photography, managing a huge local social media group and hosting special event dinners with area chefs, it’s amazing he can find time to continually throw one of the biggest and most glamorous parties of the year. This October will mark the third year of the Epic North Idaho Life Masquerade Charity Ball. The idea first came to Keith when he discovered a real living castle on top of Schweitzer Mountain while working as

Waiting at a stoplight usually isn’t fun, but if you’re stopped at the intersection of Government Way and Kathleen Avenue on a hot day in August, you may get a burst of excitement. Tucked on that corner is the beautiful Kootenai County Fairgrounds, and many who look forward to the yearly Fair get excited simply by seeing those first trucks pull in and begin setting up. Much like the City of Coeur d’Alene itself, the Fair features events and attractions found in a bigger city