Bonners Ferry is SO ready for Spring!

You can see it in their eyes when folks turn their faces to the sun as they wander down the sidewalks. You can hear it in their voices as they chirp, "it's a beautiful day in Bonners Ferry!" to each other.

And as yet another way to bolster our sagging economy and jump-start businesses into summer, "The First Robin of Spring Fling" has hatched.

"It all started the other day, when I was taking photos inside E.T. Wireless for their new facebook page," said Carolyn Testa. "Eileen Marcotte, co-owner of E.T. Wireless, pulled out a fuzzy little Robin Beanie Baby that her husband Terry had bought for their grandchildren at the auction." 

And that's when the idea came to life.

"I thought, why not have the traveling robin show up at different locations and give prizes to the first five (or three, or one) people who guess the store and go there with the question, 'Has the Robin been here?'" said Eileen. "What a great way to reward customer participation and encourage visits from those who might not otherwise have stopped in!" 

So off Carolyn went, photographing the Robin in unique locations of more than 15 participating stores so far, up and down the South Hill and Downtown.

"I'm not finished yet," said Carolyn. "It took the whole day to get those merchants photographed, and anyone is welcome to call me to request a visit from the Robin if I don't get to them first."

Merchants are having a big hoot over this. It's clever, it's upbeat, and it doesn't cost them a thing -- except for the prizes they have to come up with.

Beginning Monday, April 11, the Bonners Ferry, ID Facebook page will post a photograph on Mondays and Wednesdays with the Robin in a new location. Just enlarge the photo on your screen by clicking on it and take a good look around. You should be able to figure out where the Robin is.

Then, high-tail it to that retail establishment and ask, "Has the Robin been here?"

There will be prizes for a limited number of winners.  Prizes will vary, and numbers of winners will vary per establishment, so don't dilly-dally!