Free winter fun Saturday

Thu., Jan. 3, 2008

The Spokesman-Review

It’s free cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and free parking at Farragut State Park, 4th of July Pass and 21 other state-owned sites on Saturday when the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation waives fees for the day.

Some sites will also offer free lessons to beginners, plus free or reduced price equipment rental and refreshments. North Idaho sites include:

•Farragut State Park – 4 miles east of Athol on State Highway 54. Free Nordic ski lessons will be held at 9 and 11 a.m., and 1 p.m. Free snowshoeing lessons will be held at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Refreshments available in the park visitor center. For more information, call 683-2425.

•4th of July Pass Park ‘n’ Ski – 15 miles East of Coeur d’Alene off I-90 at 4th of July summit exit. Free skiing/snowshoeing, snow conditions permitting.

•Round Lake State Park – 10 miles south of Sandpoint and 2 miles west of U.S. 95 on Dufort Road. Free admission to park and skiing snow conditions permitting. Call 263-3489 for more information.

•Priest lake State Park – 12 miles North of Coolin on East Shore Road (follow signs off Highway 57). Free skiing, weather permitting. Lessons will be held throughout the day. Refreshments will be served. Call 443-2200 for more information.

•Rocky Point Park n’ Ski – 4 miles North of Coolin on East Shore Road. Free skiing/snowshoeing.

•Priest Lake Golf course Park ‘n’ Ski – 8 miles South of Wordman on Highway 57. Free skiing and snowshoeing.

North Idaho

Project grants available

The Idaho Community Foundation will accept applications through Jan. 15 for North Idaho projects as part of the Northern Region Competitive Grant Cycle.

Grants of up to $5,000 are available for a wide range of projects, including arts, education, emergency services, conservation/environment, health, libraries, recreation, public projects and social services.

ICF’s northern region includes Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Clearwater, Idaho, Kootenai, Latah, Lewis, Nez Perce and Shoshone counties.

Prospective applicants may visit the foundation’s Web site at www.idcomfdn.org to learn more about the application process and to access an online application. Interested persons also may contact ICF via e-mail at grants@idcomfdn.org or by phoning (208) 342-3535. Complete applications must be submitted online no later than Jan. 15 to be considered.

Applications are invited from 501(c)(3) charitable organizations or governmental units or their subsidiaries (including public schools) for projects that will benefit ICF’s northern region.

The ICF this year awarded $271,730 in grants to 114 nonprofit organizations or projects in 10 counties in North Idaho.

The Idaho Community Foundation is a statewide nonprofit organization composed of more than 370 individual funds, pooled together for efficient management. Total assets are more than $70 million. Since it began making grants in 1991, ICF has made charitable distributions totaling more than $31 million.

– From staff reports

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