Community Thanks March 20, 2011

HEALTH: KMC staff cares

I recently had a very bad reaction to drops that are routinely administered in ophthalmologist offices. My heartbeat felt out of control, my blood pressure spiked almost 90 points and I was disoriented, confused and weak. I went to Urgent Care who immediately attempted to get my blood pressure down. They then recommended that I go directly to Kootenai Emergency. I had barely walked in the emergency room door and started completing registration paperwork when my name was called. Once assigned a room, I only had seconds to get a gown on before a group of nurses descended on me. One, taking my bold pressure, one my temperature, one getting me ready for an EKG and yet another entering my personal information into a computer. Once the initial tests were complete they continuously checked to see if I needed a blanket, water, etc. Everyone that came in the room introduced themselves and explained what procedure they were about to perform. As soon as the results of my tests were complete, the doctor came in to share the results. At that time I was allowed to go home with after care instructions and the assurance that I could come back the next day things were not better.

By 2 p.m. the next day it was clear that my blood pressure was again out of control so I returned to Kootenai Emergency. I was admitted within minutes and again had a team of nurses rushing to take my vitals and perform another EKG. As before, they continuously checked on my comfort and welcomed my husband into the room. Thankfully the medications helped bring my blood pressure down until I could get in to see my regular doctor.

So thank you Kootenai Emergency Room Staff for your caring attitude and professional expertise.

TERRI PRATT

Hauser

KROC: Thanks from Sandpoint

Sandpoint Masters swimmers want to thank the Kroc Center for hosting yesterday's USMS meet. The Kroc Center is truly beyond beautiful. The staff was gracious; we felt welcomed.

ROBIN HELM

Sandpoint

KROC: Swim

meet a success

As members of the Lake City Masters Swim Team in Coeur d'Alene, we would like to express MANY THANKS to the Kroc Center for making our Spring Splash swim meet on Saturday, March 5, such a huge success.

Without their support this meet would not have been possible. Their state of the art facility welcomed 99 Masters Swimmers from around the Pacific Northwest. We had a great time, swam hard, and broke more than 100 Inland Northwest and Northwest Zone records.

Our officials worked hard to make sure that the meet ran efficiently. With so many athletes and so many heats (including four heats of the mile), it was an epic event.

Because of the dedicated organizers, everything went smoothly.

The swimming programs of the Inland Empire are alive and well. Ray and Joan Kroc would be pleased with our Coeur d'Alene Community Center.

MARGARET HAIR

Lake City Masters Swim Team

Coeur d'Alene

THANKS: Fernan event went well

Fernan Elementary School held its annual fundraising event, Fernando's Ristorante, last week. The event is an exciting evening that features a spaghetti dinner and silent auction with raffle prizes and carnival activities.

We'd like to thank our teachers, students and parents as well as community businesses for their contributions to this important event: 360 Fitness, ACE Hardware, Avondale Golf Course, Barrel Room No. 6, Baskin Robbins, Bill Smith Handyman, Bistro on Spruce, Breakfast Nook, Brendan Mielke, MD of the Rockwood Clinic Kidney Center, Calypso's Coffee, Caruso's Deli, Childers Family, Coeur d'Alene Casino, Coeur d'Alene Paddleboard Co., CoiNuts, Costco, Dink Carpenter/Forest Steel, Doug and Debbie Birmingham, Everson's Jewelry, Expressions Dance Studio, Fins and Feathers, Frame-It, Gardening by Sandy, Great Floors, Hands to Art Studio, Holiday Inn Express, Hudson's Hamburgers, Isola Massage, Janet and Bernie, Java on Sherman, Jennifer McLeod, K Tigers Tae Kwon Do Academy, Kim Carpenter, Koerner's Furniture, Lake City High School, Lookout Pass Ski Resort, Lowe's, Marcy Canale, Michael D' Eatery, Moon Time Restaurant, Motion Auto Supply, Northwest Kenpo Karate, Panhandle Carpet One, Parker Toyota, Quicksilver Photography, Rite Aid, River City Animal Hospital, ROW Adventures, Rusty's Auto Detailing, Silverwood Theme Park, Skate Plaza, Sports Cellar, Starbucks, Studio S Dance Studio, Summer's Glass, Super Silver, Syringa Japanese Cafe, Texas Roadhouse, The Big Picture, Garnet Cafe, Kroc Center, Meredith Family, Pegoraro Family, Weisel Family, The Wine Cellar, Triple Play, Uncle Books & Games, Valentino's Pizza, Vertical Earth, Walmart, Willow Smith.

GAYLA FLEMING

Fernan PTA Treasurer

SCOUTS: Girls say thanks

Girl Scouts Troop 3020 out of Post Falls would like to send out a big "THANK YOU" to our local businesses that helped support our event Friday, March 11. Your generosity to help make this event a success is greatly appreciated: McDonald's (Post Falls), Olive Garden (Coeur d'Alene), Pizza Hut (Post Falls), Rosa's Italian Market & Deli (Post Falls), Sahara Pizza (Post Falls), Super 1 Foods (Post Falls), Sweetwater Bakery (Post Falls).

AMY FAULKNER

Post Falls