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| Kerri Thoreson |
Love for Shriners passed down
On July 4, 1956, a young Bill Hamilton rode in the Coeur d'Alene parade on the rear fender of the Shriners' now-famous octocycle for the bike's debut. His father, CJ Hamilton, was the rear brakeman. In the 1970s CJ took over steering duties, which he continued in hundreds of parades all over the country until his 84th year. That bicycle built for eight has been an iconic part of every local parade for over half a century, as was CJ Hamilton's smiling face as a Shriner extraordinary. The well-known local attorney was a 56-year member of the country's oldest philanthropic fraternity. Fast forward 52 years since Bill Hamilton's first ride on the octocycle and he's been installed as Potentate of Calam Shriners/Temple. The Potentate's Ball is this coming Saturday at the Coeur d'Alene Inn. Although CJ passed away in 2005, I have no doubt that he's wearing that well-remembered grin as his son follows in his footsteps in an organization he loved.
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How sad to see an obituary yesterday for Alice Roberts, the 37-year-old Post Falls woman who'd won the hearts of the American Legion Post 143 Auxiliary this past year. Fundraisers were held for Alice last fall to help defray her living expenses in Minnesota where she traveled to await a heart transplant at the Mayo Clinic. She planned to return home without a new heart earlier this month when miracle of miracles, she moved to the top of the list and received her heart in mid-March. I only visited with her once for a brief few minutes and she radiated hope and an underlying strength. Condolences to her husband, Jon and stepsons, Jay and Bryce and all who knew and loved this special young woman.
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Kurt Selberg, PFHS Class of '96, is now Dr. Kurt Selberg, DVM. He's engaged to be married to Dr. Anne Harrington, DVM. Kurt was recently awarded the one and only residency in equine radiology from Colorado State University Veterinary Hospital. Kurt's proud parent "group" include Senator Jim Hammond and Dr. Cyndie Hammond, Tom Selberg and Jean McIntosh.
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A good man to have around ... when more than 100 people stood to say the Pledge of Allegiance at the Post Falls chamber luncheon last week, there was no flag to be found. Post Falls PD Captain Scot Haug was in uniform, which includes a flag patch, which served the purpose in a pinch.
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Jackie Sharp is today's birthday girl and Sharon Erickson will celebrate her birthday on the hillside tomorrow.
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In-Box: Judy Busath wrote that her favorite granddaughter, Chloe Elizabeth Collins, turned 4 on Sunday. She'd wondered how often her only grandchild's birthday would fall on Easter and finding out that it would be a couple hundred years made it even more special.
Kerri Rankin Thoreson is a member of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists and the former publisher of the Post Falls Tribune. "Main Street" appears in The Press every Wednesday. Kerri can be reached at rkthor52@aol.com or on her blog http://fyinorthidaho.blogspot.com.
