Giving thanks for our many blessings

This Thanksgiving I'm especially thankful not only for the good health of our family but for the simple fact we all have roofs over our heads and food in the pantry. We all have paychecks coming in, even if they're less than they've been in years past. It doesn't go unnoticed that there are many in our communities who cannot make the same statements of fact. I'm thankful for ... my nephew, Dallas Scharf and his fellow solders who are spending this holiday on foreign soil in the service of our country .. good friends and neighbors who still dig deep to give to worthy causes and make time to volunteer their time, all in the hopes of making things a little brighter for others not so fortunate ... for our many blessings give thanks.

"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them." - John F. Kennedy***

The passing of Hilde Kellogg leaves a void in our community and state. She was quite a gal and a stellar example of public service. Brian Walker's story about Ms. Kellogg in the Tuesday Press did her justice. Hilde and I were members of a very special club, in fact, the only two members. We shared the dubious distinction of being the only two women who have ever run for the office of Post Falls mayor, both being roundly defeated. It was a little inside joke ... our special club that had no meetings or bylaws or dues.

Hilde's sometimes no-nonsense demeanor belied a big heart for the community she loved. Ms. Kellogg made an impact in Post Falls and the Idaho legislature through the years, blazing trails in this community that made the journey possible for those of us who've come after. The quality of life we all enjoy is due in no small part to those citizens who served in the 1970s and 1980s and had the vision of what Post Falls could and would become. Hilde left the world a better place for having lived a wonderful life of service.***

Much excitement over Coeur d'Alene High School's thrilling state football championship victory on Friday night, the first in a quarter century and only the third football title in the school's history. Some interesting trivia about two local men who played on those first two title teams: Rick Rasmussen played for the Vikings in 1982 when they won their first title. He went on to become valedictorian of his CHS Class of 1984, as well as Academic Athlete of the Year.. His brothers, Steve and Bryan, played on the 1985 Viking state championship team, and Steve was valedictorian of his graduating class in 1987.

Physical Therapist Justin Kane played on the 1985 championship team and became North Idaho Athlete of the Year and CHS Academic Athlete of the Year in 1987.Both Rick and Justin remain involved with the schools and the athletic programs at Coeur d'Alene High School. Looking for role models in athletics today? Here's a couple of genuine success stories after the glory days of high school.

***Kudos to Luke English, 10-year-old fifth grader at Bryan Elementary. He placed 4th out of 59 runners at a regional competition in Portland last weekend. Now Luke, the son of Eric and Wendy English, will compete in the Jr. Olympic Cross-Country Nationals in Alabama on Dec. 11.

***Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks? Beginning on Nov. 29, I go from being an occasional contributor on the KVNI morning show to headlining Main Street Monday each week. As it has for decades, this column will continue to appear in the Press each Wednesday and on Mondays we'll have guests on the air who have interesting stories to tell. My on-air partner, Joe Paisley and I are really looking forward to this new adventure. Being vertical and verbal at 6 a.m. in the morning will require some getting used to, though. :)

***Welcome Milli Lou Cushman, the newest member of the Main Street Birthday Club. Milli Lou arrived on Monday and her parents Levi and Nicci (Piazza) Cushman and her big brother, Dawson are over the moon with joy. Today is the birthday of Mike Jarrett, Jeff Morrison and Carol Daniels. Thanksgiving Day birthdays will be celebrated by Pearl Harwood, who's turning 90 years young, Buck Wilhelm, John Cocoran, Mike Reagan, Sue Thilo and Tammy Rovik. On Friday, Tom Torgerson, Joe Culbreth, Kate Vieslmeyer, Renee Riegert Cook and Elijah Ott will blow out their candles. Sue Hutter and Rob Eachon will get their party on come Saturday. Sharing a Nov. 28 birthday are Cody and Tristan Webb and Judy Dahl. On Monday Amanda Hildebrant Robinson marks her big 3-0, with Gary Ingram and Carol Ann Eachon also born on Nov. 29. The last day of the month will find Carol Krieghbaun celebrating another year.

***Retailers earn 50 percent of their annual revenue in the final two months of the year. Give a lasting gift to those who generate paychecks for your neighbors and generously support activities and donate to events year 'round in our communities. Shop local!

***THERE'S MORE ... at More Main Street see photos of people and places including from this weekend's big events, Festival of Trees and Holiday in Lights. Access More Main Street under the columns tab at www.cdapress.com. Listen to Main Street Monday on KVNI AM1080.

***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