Ace: A hole in 1(03)
The past few years have erased several of our region's staunchest community contributors.
Dr. Bill Wood, who seemingly delivered 90 percent of Kootenai County babies over a half century or more; Louise Shadduck, almost as prolific in her writing as she was in serving her friends around the state; and now, Ace Walden, who squeezed every single minute out of his amazing life, most of them devoted to improving the lives of those around him. And that's saying something. Having died shortly after noon Saturday, Ace logged more than 54 million minutes on this planet.
While these three examples all lived long and fulfilled lives, it's less the duration than the dedication that sets them apart. We admit to feeling a void in their wake, but rather than dwell on what's no longer here, we prefer to consider what lies ahead.
That's an opportunity, one waiting for the next generation of Bills, Louises and Aces. It's an open door through which only giants may walk; giants by deed, not by physical stature.
Our community is blessed with many citizens active in various organizations outside the home and work place. They are what sets apart our community from most others in the state and nation. They serve earnestly with no expectation of remuneration, other than the amazing feeling that service provides them. Jim Elder comes quickly to mind, as do a handful of others.
Maybe right now there are several young adults who are charting paths in community service like Ace, Louise and Dr. Wood did, but their imprint is not yet deep enough or broad enough to fully distinguish them. We can think of several with that potential and hope there are others ready to step forward.
We're not saying that Coeur d'Alene will ever see an Ace Walden again. How many 103-year-olds do you know who attend Rotary meetings religiously, and likely get a kick out of being told to turn down their squealing hearing aid? But the opportunity is there, and if we can be so bold as to speak for Ace, we'll share the most important qualifications.
Take your community's needs more seriously than you take yourself, and never stifle the urge to make somebody smile.
Flag faux pas - and apology
Yesterday we were proud to share with readers our 2010 general election voter's guide, focusing on key Kootenai County races. By 8:30 a.m. we weren't quite so proud.
As several citizens informed us, we committed a patriotic misstep by the way we positioned the American flag on the publication's cover.
"The American flag flown upside down is a signal of distress and I see next week's election as a positive thing, not distress," wrote Jerry Baltzell of Post Falls. Jerry is a retired lieutenant colonel in the Air Force, so when he speaks on these matters, we listen.
And we humbly apologize not just for the oversight, but for not knowing flag etiquette as well as we thought we did.