A buzz cut for a friend
A medical condition necessitated Gary Logsdon taking an early retirement as a residential appraiser for Kootenai County, with months until disability pay will kick in. So Gary's fellow employees took up a collection last week, prompting Chief Deputy Assessor Rich Houser to volunteer to shave his head if they raised $1,000. Pretty soon employees throughout the county chipped in and with $1,050 raised, Rich took the hot seat Tuesday morning during Gary's going away party. Jan Lindquist did the head-shaving honors while Gary and a few dozen friends cheered her on.Inspired by the turn of events, County Assessor Mike McDowell offered up his silver follicles if another $1,000 can be raised as did Residential Appraisal Manager Darin Krier. Both have agreed to also shave their beard and mustache when the pot gets to $1,500. Reba Grytness, administrative secretary, said donations from the public are also welcome.
When I asked Rich about his clean-shaven 'do he commented ... "we raised over $1,000 for a friend who needs to be lifted up and it was worth every hair." For photos, visit More Main Street online. ***
He experienced tragedy and loss beyond what any of us can comprehend, but Steve Groene continues to carry on the fight to honor his murdered sons' memory. His newly-launched www.onestrikeforlife.com website is advocating for passage of a national "one strike" law to put violent sex offenders in prison for life. Slade and Dylan Groene were much loved and not forgotten.***
April 23 marks 40 years since Larry Oleson and Rod Hart died in a car crash on East Sherman Avenue. Since that day Larry's daughter, Melani was born, she graduated from high school, served in the U.S. Army, married, became a mother and grew up to be an incredible woman who will mark her 40th birthday in November. Larry never knew his daughter, never met his son-in-law or now 14-year-old grandson, Jared, and has been missed every day of the past four decades by his family. Generations impacted by the senseless loss of life that occurred when someone made the decision to get behind the wheel of a car after drinking.***
On Monday we experienced snow, hail, thunder, lightning and some sunshine, all within an hour or so. It must be spring in North Idaho.***
Kudos to Hayden Lake's Kaylee Kosareff, U of I freshman, who has been inducted into the National Society of Collegiate Scholars.***
On Thursday head out to the Greyhound Park for the Commerce and Community Fair with an incredible array of local businesses, door prizes and more. Something for the whole family. Call 773-5016 for details!
On Saturday you can help Jessica Smalley honor her late father, Marty, who passed away in 2008 while waiting for a donor. Jessica has coordinated the inaugural Marty Smalley Organ Donation Awareness 5K walk/run. Give her a call at (208) 818-3709.***
Happy birthday today to my mother, Alice Rankin, marking No. 80! Sharing the day are Jerome Pollos, Bill Hilbish, Laura Warner and John Smith. Tomorrow Brent Hostetler and Sandy Goedde will blow out the candles. On Friday George Greenfield turns the big 6-0, it's also the birthdate of Dave Nordby, Corey Beaver and Janna Robnett. Shelly Enderud, Tracey Singer, Kathleen Schmidt and Tracy Williams celebrate on Saturday. An Easter basketful of birthday wishes for Mary Watson, Mark McWorter, Pascale Cafferty, Mike Regusa, Tim Ketzenberg and his son, Jordan and Eric Haakenson. On Monday it's Cathy Biby and Joey Grunden's special day. Tuesday Doneda Ziegler, Patrick Lippert, Sandra Landberg and Tim Skelton put on their party hats!***
THERE'S MORE: Photos and tidbits on More Main Street each week. There's a link also for adding your birthday to the Main Street Birthday Club.***
Kerri Rankin Thoreson is a member of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists and the former publisher of the Post Falls Tribune. She was voted Best Local Writer for 2011 by the readers of the North Idaho Business Journal. Main Street appears every Wednesday in The Press. More Main Street blog is at http://moremainstreet.blogspot.com. Listen to Main Street Monday on KVNI AM1080. Kerri can be reached at [email protected]