by KATHY HUBBARD / Contributing Writer
| April 21, 2026 1:00 AM
Alfred Tennyson, the first Baron Tennyson, wrote, “In the spring a young man’s fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love.” And that may be true, but the rest of us are thinking about planting our gardens.
Panhandle Special Needs, Inc. is thinking that it’s time to open the Greenhouse and to add to the excitement are hosting a Customer Appreciation Carnival at the same time.
Mark your calendars for Saturday, May 2. The Greenhouse will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. while the Carnival will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Both events are held at Panhandle Special Needs, Inc.’s campus at 1424 N. Boyer Road in Sandpoint.
“This is our way of giving back and saying thank you,” said Megan Albertson, chief marketing and development officer at PSNI. “For 50 years, the Sandpoint community has supported our mission and the individuals we serve. We hope everyone will come celebrate with us.”
The Greenhouse is stocked with their well-known beautiful hanging flower baskets along with a wide selection of bedding plants and flowers, vegetable starts, herbs and select perennials. Everything the anxious gardener is looking for.
The Carnival is a free event that features carnival games, free hot dogs and popcorn. A perfect way for the whole family to get involved and celebrate spring whether one’s a gardener or not.
Also on tap, is a Tap Takeover at Smokesmith Bar-B-Que on Thursday, May 7, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. This party will wrap up the regional giving campaigns; Idaho Gives and Live Give 7B.
Albertson said that a portion of the food and beverage purchased will benefit PSNI, and the evening will have music, a silent auction and PSNI’s famous hanging flower baskets for sale.
“We hope that all of Sandpoint will either stop by the Greenhouse and Carnival or join us at Smokesmith,” Albertson said.
For more information about Panhandle Special Needs, Inc. go online to panhandlespecialneeds.org. There you will learn about the services they provide for the developmentally disabled community.
PSNI is about to begin a capital campaign for a new facility, so the donation you make online will be much appreciated, PSNI officials said.
