Let the season begin
Thanksgiving is just a week away, then full speed ahead to Christmas. In Coeur d'Alene, the day after Thanksgiving is filled to over-flowing with events and fun for the family. The official flipping of the switch on over 1 million lights to kick off the holiday season follows the lighted Christmas parade. This week the lights are going up all over downtown and at the Resort and the "North Pole."I'll be back in the role of emcee for the KMC Festival of Trees Senior Social, sponsored by the North Idaho Eye Institute, on the Saturday after Thanksgiving and look forward to seeing many of my favorite Main Street readers at the event.
***The incredible Amy Bartoo was honored by Governor Butch Otter with the Brightest Star Award in Boise last week. With all due respect to our esteemed governor, I'm thinking Amy is deserving of an entire solar system in recognition of her many years and many hours of dedication to the youth of our community.
***Bob and Mary Templin will be honored on Friday as part of the Post Falls History Walk. The Templin's investment in the business community a quarter century ago spurred much of what was to come in the River City. Their dedication to historical preservation is also to be applauded. Come to the Post Falls Chamber on Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. for the unveiling of Bob and Mary's History Walk figures and also enjoy Third Friday in the city center.
***Susan and Robert Cliff were in Norman, Okla., last Saturday for the Oklahoma University vs. Texas Tech football game. But it was the halftime ceremony that was the draw for the couple. Susan's father is Bo Bolinger, captain of Oklahoma's 1955 undefeated National Champion team, first team All-American and eighth in the Heisman Trophy balloting that same year. During Bollinger's college career Oklahoma achieved college football's longest winning streak ... 47 games. It's a record that still stands today. Susan's parents, Bo and Babs, live in Tempe, Ariz., now and weren't able to make the trip to the ceremony honoring the team so her son, Brey Barker, represented his grandfather on the field.
***Congratulations Pepper Francis Paisley on her arrival Monday, making her the newest member of the Main Street Birthday Club. Pepper's proud daddy is aka North Idaho Joe on KVNI. Congratulations Joe and Erin!
***Happy birthday today to my 39-year-old daughter, Melani Oleson Gonzalez and Al Hassell, Laura Simon, Neil Oliver, Susan Weathers and 101-year-old Hazel Dennis! Bob Johnson and Gina Mote celebrate tomorrow and Susan Larsen in Friday's birthday girl. On Saturday Brian Smith turns 50, sharing the day with Mayor Sandi Bloem, Dr. Bob West, Dave Oliveria, Michael King, Kristin Hoppe, Kim Jacklin and Kayla Pleger. Wish a happy birthday on Sunday to Vonnie Satchwell, Maureen Dolan, Susan Martin, Brenda Martin and Bob Driscoll. Dustin Ainsworth and Brenda Hanson share a Nov. 22 birthdate. Daddy-daughter duo David Eachon and Dana Eachon Ortega were born on Nov. 23, as were Dennis Hall, Ronda Mitchell, Chris Beck and Stephanie James.***
THERE'S MORE ... at More Main Street new stories and photos added often! Come on over.***
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 every Wednesday in The Press. More Main Street blog is at http://moremainstreet.blogspot.com. Kerri can be reached at mainstreet@cdapress.com