Sandpoint Friendship Station

Sandpoint Friendship Station celebrated the 250th anniversary of America with grand movement, sing-a-longs from our Celebrate America song book and LIVE music share from Denis Zwang. Our hearts and feet were dancing, as we shared many traditional tunes to honor the treasure of beauty, freedom and community we share together in America!
What captured our hearts even MORE, was an unexpected flower delivery from SUMC youth to honor our Friends. Their cards says it all: "Good is still growing ..... you matter"!!!

We gathered around tables to create a card quilt that invited reflection about what we are grateful for -and the things in our lives that truly light us up! Our "America Through Our Eyes" creative project uncovered some tears of joy and appreciation for the connections that have great meaning and importance in our lives.
Miles introduced our desert cake to Celebrate America's Birthday and closed our day with joyous balloon volleyball and bean bag throwing tournament. As we gathered in a circle, our prayers included a shared song, "Let There Be Peace On Earth" -which opened our hearts of deepened appreciation for having a community in which we enfold each other in peace, encouragement and loving presence!
Thank you All -- our wonderful volunteers .. our Friends and Family members -- for the gift of BEING and CELEBRATING the home within our Hearts.

We offer our heart-filled gratitude to I'm Still Here Foundation and Dogsmile Adventures -- for teaming with our mission and vision to create joy-filled experiences for our Friends and Family walking this journey of Dementia. Our newest program: ALL ABOARD OUTDOORS is pictured here with our first official sail on Lake Pend Oreille with our Advisory Team, Miles & Cindie & Elissabeth. With the wind beneath our wings, we are dreaming BIG for building a foundation of outdoor experiences that will touch our hearts with deepened adventure, joy and connection!
July 1st, 2026--Sandpoint Friendship Station has been awarded a 2026 Innovation Grant from the I'm Still Here Foundation (ISHF) to launch ALL ABOARD-OUTDOORS, a program designed to engage people living with dementia and their care partners in accessing the healing benefits of therapeutic sailing. In partnership with Dogsmile Adventures, (a 501c3 therapeutic sailing program), the Sandpoint Friendship Station develops an inclusive program that provides safe compassionate and skilled companionship while sailing on the beautiful waters of our Lake Pend Oreille.
SHOUT OUT to Deni Williamson, for being the 'visionary beacon and skilled grant writer' to make this program possible!!!
May the summer-time flow with enthusiasm, smiles and inspiring adventures on the water!

Our theme at Sandpoint Friendship Station was "Show Me", which opened doors of exploration, giggles, story-telling and interesting projects. Deni Williamson shared a new nautical language with our community -- with colorful flag-creations shared by all. One of our Friends was delighting in pure joy -- for completing a fun puzzle, while others were focused on our service projects and whimsical building block designs.
Elissabeth guided us in a rhythmic drumming experience & sing-a-longs and closed with a spontaneous circle of love, gratitude and connection whilst joining our voices to "He's Got the Whole World In His Hands". Our prayers go with you, Deni -- as you fly to the other side of the world to be in presence with family! We love you!

Sandpoint Friendship Station celebrates the gift of herbs with the cultivation of our "Green Thumbs". Our volunteer and Master Gardner, Becky -- guided us all in the intricate, yet simple creation of herb gardens. Deni Williamson shares her beloved herbs from her home garden - and even our therapy dog, Shy Shy took part in the circle of fun - nourishing us with loving presence.
Elissabeth led the sing-alongs as we honored Simon and Garfunkel, "Scarborough Fair Canticle" - in the celebration of herbs.. and kicked up some dance steps, led by youth volunteer, Michaia to Frank Sinatra.
We gathered for ring toss competition and balloon volleyball - only to nestle in the yummilicious desert created by Deni to share in the sweetness of life.
Our closing sing-a-long always brings us in the swoon of togetherness, fellowship and open-hearted cheer -as we celebrate the gift of one another...heart-to-heart!

Sandpoint Friendship Station heralded the honoring and celebration of Flag Day, with Deni Williamson at the helm to share about all of the history of stars and stripes - including the artful expression of Betsy Ross. Flags were waving and exuberant movement and dance followed as Elissabeth Defreitas guided us in marching to Grand Ole Flag & Boogie Woogle Bugle!
Deni introduced Dogsmile Adventure Sailing - to tap into the heart of any inner sailors that have dreamed of being on the water. ALL THUMBS UP - was the outcome of dreaming up the experience of sailing on our beautiful Lake Pend Oreille -which will begin this summer! Deni invited us to CHEER ON the Dogsmile sailing team whilst singing "anchors away"-- to send them off with prayer and well wishes for their active race to Alaska: a 750 mile journey that begins in Port Townsend, Washington this month.
Sandpoint Friendship Station celebrates "All Aboard Outdoors", a dementia-friendly, community-based initiative that uses therapeutic sailing and other outdoor experiences to help people living with dementia stay engaged, active and connected. In partnership with I'm Still Here Foundation, we look forward to creating memories for our participants, care partners, volunteers & community.
STAYED TUNED .. for the wellspring of adventure, beauty and JOY that we have the tremendous gift of sharing together!

Our theme for Sandpoint Friendship Station was "We Can Grow"! In this sweetness of Spring, our volunteer and Master Gardner, Becky - shared her wisdom for planting tomatoes. Everyone had an opportunity to 'get their hands in the dirt' and send off the new starts with love! Thank you Becky!
Our table conversations were all about ways we grow: in love, in spirit and in our lives. Deni Williamson guided our table discussions about the evolution of a dragonfly and Elissabeth Defreitas guided us in 'drumming up' the rhythm of JOY with song.
We also grow, in our gift of connections, friendship and fellowship! We offer this moment of remembrance and celebration for our Friend, Captain Dan Mimmack -who was one of our first participants at the Sandpoint Friendship Station. On May 29, 2026, Dan, a courageous and loving wisdom-filled man, surrendered his final breath surrounded by his beautiful family and beloved wife, Pamela. While Dan was diagnosed with Alzheimer's dementia at age 58, Dan embraced his journey openly as an inspired spokesman for the Alzheimer' Association; as well, helped to nurture Sandpoint's first "Memory Cafe", as he shared heartfully, his personal journey of living life. Dan would share, "Alzheimer's did not define me" - He passion was 'creating memories' .. a gift of whimsical presence was shared with thousands of children with his Pirate boat; as well, his love for teaching children about creating with their hands. As a life-long woodworker, his expression of purpose was "creative hands expand the mind". He was never limited in his endeavors of whatever he set his mind to. He shared his passion for 'living life to the fullest' and accomplished every adventure that was part of his dream. In fact, he exemplified an essence of absolutely 'living the dream' which included lots of playfulness, the love of music, exploring, contemplative moments on the water, story-telling and loving other with such an open heart.
You will be forever in our Hearts!!!

The Sandpoint Friendship Station celebrated "Flower Power" to honor the joyous blossoming of beauty and color in Sandpoint! Deni Williamson guided a group table discussion about the exquisite design of 'lilacs', while our Friend, Ken - shared his vibrant artwork with all!
Elissabeth Defreitas guided us in a celebratory song and color dance, grooving to the movement 'like a flower welcoming the sun' to "Let the Sun Shine In"! We had quite a robust shuffleboard play.. then to calm in the artwork of creating lilac paintings.
After our divine lunch.. we activated our energies for a delightful and FUN balloon volleyball tourney! Thank you, sweet Deni -- for your yummilicious rhubarb brownies!!! ... we were in the hummmmmm vibration!
Our time of community came to conclusion in a circle of gratitude, as we remembered the treasure of being in connection. We moved our open hearts with song - to Karen Drucker's - "Thank you For This Day" .. Thank you for our Friends! Thank you for the beauty of being Alive!

Sandpoint Friendship Station honored a 39 year tradition, as they celebrated the upcoming May, "Lost In the 50's" week-end.
This annual event, guided by community member, Carolyn Gleason and many amazing volunteers, organizations and planners, attracts approximately 500-600 cars each year. Lost in the 50's celebrates with music, dancing in the streets and a spirited car parade in downtown Sandpoint. This event inspires and activates the nostalgia of the 50's and fosters community spirit.
Our Friends and Volunteers at the Sandpoint Friendship Station created their own nostalgic environment, with checkered table-clothes, hats, glasses and table-discussions about 'what groceries were like in the 50's'. Our volunteer, Erin -- surprised us with decades of 'every colored champion ribbons' from the local car shows - along with hats and even 'ginormous window dice'. WE HAD IT ALL! Miles was the Lost in the 50's hot dog chef - cooking up a picnic type meal -- while our volunteer, Becky supplied us with potato salad a plenty. But, wait ... we danced to the music prepared by DJ Elissabeth -- and sang many 50 tunes.. swooning all the way.
Deni and Erin .. prepared old fashioned Root Beer Floats -- with stylish curly straws ... only to activate our hearts of JOY, remembrance .. and love of Being together for an experience of true fun .. laughter and a journey of community.
Thank you ALL -- for the treasure of YOU.

The Sandpoint Friendship Station offers our heart-felt gratitude to Dave Smee and his Search and Rescue dog, Laddie - for the treasure of their Presence and interactive sharing about the techniques, training and love that goes into 'saving lives'.
Dave brought LOTS of carrots to share with 13-year old Laddie! While trained for service - he definitely 'captured our hearts' with his gentle presence!
Because Dave and Laddie will be heading south to California for another Search and Rescue Training --our community joined in laughter and JOY, as we created 'thank you cards' to share with the Search and Rescue Team. "We love you, Rescue Dogs", shares our Friend Ken.
We followed with dance, song and movement while Elissabeth shared 'love songs for our dogs'. Deni led the way with artwork and match up table games. Our day was FULL of much laughter and a bit of rowdiness -- as we exuberantly tackled 'balloon volleyball'.
We are infinitely blessed to have the opportunity for fellowship, loving presence - and precious moments of Being. Each week, our volunteers share how their hearts are moved, joy-filled and FULL at the end of our shared time.
If you are called to be a part of our Sandpoint Friendship Station Volunteer Team -- our next training is scheduled for Monday, June 15, 2026 from 10:00 a.m to 2:00 p.m. with a complimentary lunch included. R.S.V.P is all you need.. with a heart of wonder and call to be in Presence. For additional information - please call:
208-304-6624 or email: [email protected]

As we celebrate the amazing Spring sunshine at our Sandpoint Friendship Station- our theme was “ Good Times”! And good times we’re had by All!
Elissabeth Defreitas led the drumming circle to “Happy Days are Here Again”..and our rhythmic expression led to laughter and scarf dancing to celebratory tunes!
Deni Williamson guided the conversations about “ good time memories” and teamed with our volunteer, Erin to offer a baked potato bar! A very special thank you to our volunteer- Kevin, for donating the potatoes!!!
Our hearts were warmed in remembrance, as our team-mate Miles dressed in Ice Cream Man extraordinaire- as the ice cream cart parked ready to share the joy for all!
Hearts were racing big- as we engaged in a “ hot potato toss” with bean bags, .. competition shuffle board.. and then softened with a circle of singing.. sharing our gratitude for this cherished community.. and sharing our experience with fun artwork.
Tears of sweet appreciation touched every heart— as we were reminded of the gifts of “ being”.. with simplicity, wonder, silliness, joy AND deep, soulful connection! The true “ good times”, we learned- is Friends coming together and celebrating the treasure of our community of care!