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| Kerri Thoreson |
ELECTIONS, LIBRARY AND WISHING FOR KIDS
Sept. 12, 2007 note: this week’s column runs a little longer than usual but hopefully you’ll find it worth your while to follow it inside.
For most of the two decades I’ve been a newspaper columnist, each November I’ve encouraged citizens to be informed and to be involved in the process. I’ve congratulated everyone who’s put their name on a ballot to give voters a choice and have a lifelong respect for the process of choosing representatives in our free republic. It’s because of that respect and my respect for the Fourth Estate known as the press, that I’ve asked Editor Mike Patrick for a hiatus from writing Main Street until after the November elections.
As in other communities I write about, two months from now Post Falls will hold municipal elections. It’s an exciting and pivotal time with two new seats having been added. I have officially filed as a candidate to fill Seat 1, being vacated by appointee Dick Harris. Fellow citizens Kristy Johnson and Jack Evans have also filed for that seat. In the coming weeks I’d prefer that the playing field is level and that the focus be on the issues that will most impact our community.
And again, I encourage each of you, in whichever community you live, to get to know the candidates and the issues and then get out and vote on election day. I’ll meet you back here the day after.
The ribbon cutting for the new Coeur d’Alene Library was a stellar event. There had to be at least five hundred people attending on a sunny Sunday afternoon. I told Sandy Bloem that I still thought of the library on Harrison Avenue as the “new” library, having spent many hours in my youth at the library when it was on Lakeside Avenue and 7th. She dated herself by saying that the Lakeside library is the one she considered the “new” library. Judy Meyer, Judy Bacon and Jeannette Smith were all wearing stylish hats. Deanna Lee Goodlander and Caroline Wilkins Crollard were chatting like old friends. Turns out they are old friends, having attended all of their school years together in the Coeur d’Alene School District, graduating in 1956. Charlie Nipp displayed the athleticism he was known for as a Viking back in the 1960s when he jumped up onto the speaker’s stand to make his remarks during the program. Russ Patterson signed for hearing impaired special guests and told me there’s some exciting technology in the new library for the sight and hearing impaired. Library Director Bette Ammon was absolutely giddy with delight on the eve of the library opening for business. Yes, that was a kazoo she played a time or two during the festivities. But my favorite part of the ceremony came when the front doors opened for the public and inside stood a double reception line of library staff who applauded for the senior citizens, young children with their parents and everyone else who came through the doors. It’s a beautiful building full of books and technology and a view that goes on forever. As a child my own love of language and writing was nurtured in the local library. The sky’s the limit for a new generation of dreams within the walls of this extraordinary learning place.
Tomorrow night is the annual Wishing Star Foundation Celebrity Appetizer Challenge at the Coeur d’Alene Resort from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.. It’s a slight change from their Celebrity BBQ Challenge of years past but should be lots of fun. Kiki Miller and I are teaming up and joining nine other teams all in the name of making wishes come true for children from our area who are fighting life threatening illness. Rumor has it that the world famous Ekness North Idaho Beer Balls just might be part of Team Miller/Thoreson’s appetizer tray. Jan Olsen, 699-3940, has advance tickets or they’re available at the door.
Jim Dickinson retired this summer after a 40-year career in the insurance business and on Friday he'll join the next generation of Dickinsons, son JD, to celebrate the grand opening of Dickinson Insurance's new building at 609 Syringa in Post Falls. From 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. the public can come enjoy food and beverages and toe-tapping to Kelly Hughes. Jim can be found in retirement at any one of North Idaho's beautiful golf courses.
On Saturday there’s an American Heroes celebration at the Lake City Senior Center sponsored by American Legion Post 14 Inland Northwest Veterans History Project. An incredibly entertaining evening is planned with dancing and dinner.One of my favorite local veterans, Jim Shepperd is the featured speaker. Everyone is invited, but bring your favorite veteran if you can. Contact American Legion Post 14 at 754 N. 4th St. or 664-2250 for info.
September is a big birthday month....former mayor and decorated veteran Ray Stone marked his on the 2nd, Vicki Currie blew out the candles on her cake this past Sunday, my youngest sister Ronna celebrates on the 22nd, oldest grandson Matthew turns 18 on the 29th and youngest daughter Sarah will be 31 years old on the 30th. On October 8 be sure to wish the two latest inductees into the Double Nickels Club a happy birthday. Dale Bennett, another CHS Class of ‘70 classmate turns 55 and Pat “We went to different high schools together” McGaughey will qualify for those early diner senior specials.
Kerri Rankin Thoreson is a member of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists and the former publisher of the Post Falls Tribune. “Main Street” will return to The Press on November 7. During the hiatus, Kerri can be reached at rkthor52@aol.com or http://kerrithoreson.blogspot.com.
