
At Lake Coeur d'Alene Neighbors and Hayden Lake Neighbors magazines we are all about bringing people together and fostering a closer-knit community. As the Content Coordinator for these two family-friendly publications, I love writing articles honoring the people who make North Idaho a great place to live, work and play.

Hayden Lake Neighbors April 2024
Meet Bill & Linda Smith
Bill and Linda's love story began in 1975 at a Marie Callender's restaurant in Toluca Lake, California. It was there that Bill, having designed and contributed to the fixtures of many such establishments, would frequently stop by on his way home from work. Little did he know that one of these routine visits would lead to a chance encounter with Linda, setting the stage for a beautiful romance to unfold. Two years later...

Lake Coeur d'Alene Neighbors February 2024
Meet Jojo Dodge: The Heart Behind the Melody
From childhood whispers to grand stages, Jojo Dodge’s journey in music resonates with the soul. A local singer and songwriter born and raised right here in Coeur d’ Alene, Jojo creates a variety of different styles of music, but her main genre is Indie Folk.

Lake Coeur d'Alene Neighbors January 2024
Meet Keith & Atsuko Kroetch
Amidst the echoes of history and the whispers of the lake, Keith and Atsuko Kroetch share their stories of turning challenges into opportunities and dreams into reality, exemplifying the enduring spirit of Coeur d’Alene. Keith told me he was “born right here in the Iron Horse parking lot— which used to be Coeur d’Alene General Hospital.” Raised in...

Hayden Lake Neighbors January 2024
Embers of Solidarity
Last summer, nestled amidst the towering trees and untamed beauty of our region, a fierce adversary emerged: raging wildfires. As the flames licked at the edges of close-knit communities, remarkable stories unfolded - stories of unity, compassion, and unwavering support that showcased the true strength of our residents.

Lake Coeur d'Alene Neighbors December 2023
Meet Dustin & Heather Erickson
On a beautiful sunny day at a mountain lodge nestled on the tranquil slopes of Mt Charleston just outside the bustling city lights of Las Vegas, Dustin and Heather said “I do” and began their life filled with love, adventure and harmony.

Lake Coeur d'Alene Neighbors November 2023
Meet Geraldine Schneider
Originally from England, Geraldine Schneider moved to Coeur d'Alene in 1997. She attended North Idaho College and graduated with a Bachelors of Science degree in Computer Information Technology. Since she couldn’t imaging sitting at a computer desk every day, she decided not to go into that field and kept waitressing at the White House Grill. Andy, who was born in Switzerland...

Hayden Lake Neighbors October 2023
Meet the Christens
The Christen family is kind and generous. Whether it's helping an employee in need of a transmission repair, surprising their hardworking crew with a stack of pizzas during hectic days, or orchestrating grand community events that bring together nearly 15,000 neighbors, the Christens' hearts brim with delight in every transaction.

Hayden Lake Neighbors October 2023
Meet the Dazzling Blazen Divaz
Growing up with scoliosis, Julia Parmann often felt she didn’t fit in. As a child, she spent years in a body cast, unable to do many of the things other girls got to do. Facing constant rejection as a child and feeling like an ugly duckling because of her disability, Julia longed for an environment that provided “a place for everybody” to feel included.

Hayden Lake Neighbors September 2023
Meet Rick & Genie Higbee
Hi Neighbors! This month, Rick and Genie Higbee are our featured residents. Since Genie is a local author, I am excited to have her write their story. I hope you enjoy getting to know them as much as I did!
All the best, Carly
Rick and I say we have the ocean in our blood. Fittingly, we met at the beach, Ventura Beach 1979, in the coastal sun and fog

Lake Coeur d'Alene Neighbors July 2023
Meet Ron & Robin Lowe
Scrap lumber, discarded newspapers, worn-out clothing, even common weeds hold great value to Ron and Robin Lowe who see potential hidden just about everywhere. Spend a few minutes with them and you’re sure to notice a twinkle in their eyes as they share ideas of how to repurpose items others view as trash.

Lake Coeur d'Alene Neighbors September 2023
Meet Nadine Waeghe
After years of long hours and physically demanding work with elite athletes at all levels of sports, Nadine was ready for a change. She thought seriously about what she wanted and determined: she wanted a small house with surrounding property on the eastern shore of a lake, facing west for the sunset, within a 30-minute drive of a town and an hour drive to an airport, near the mountains...

Lake Coeur d'Alene Neighbors April 2023
Meet the New Content Coordinator
Hello Neighbor! My name is Carly and as the new Content Coordinator for Lake Coeur d’Alene Neighbors, I’d like to introduce myself to you. I was born in Yakima, Washington. As a child, I’m certain my hands, and most of my summer clothes, were permanently stained dark red. You see, we had an orchard and I spent a great deal of time perched up in the trees