Community Thanks May 15, 2011

PAGEANT: Proud to be seniors

As the newly crowned Ms. Idaho Senior America, I would just like to take a moment to say thank you to the wonderful publicity the Coeur d'Alene Press gave to our contestants and our pageant on April 30. Alecia Warren did a very nice interview with Mary Ann Taibi, Pat Connell and myself the week before the pageant, and the photos by Shawn Gust were beautiful. Nick Rotunno did a great job of interviewing and taking photos after the pageant, and we all felt like real hometown celebrities. You all did an accurate and yet flattering job of reporting and photographing us, and we are very grateful. I know that other delegates from outlying towns were not treated with so much fanfare, and you made us feel very special.

I would also like to extend a great big thank you to the Kroc Center event staff for all the work they did to make our pageant one of the best ever. All of the delegates and former winners were elated with the worship center, the dressing rooms, and the sound and lighting that were available to us. We felt like real stars getting the celebrity treatment. The pre-pageant dinner was delicious, and all of the young people who served and cleaned up after us were so polite and helpful. We couldn't have picked a more perfect venue for this event, and we all hope we can hold future pageants there again. Thank you so much.

Another thank you also goes to our local Lake City Tappers, a senior ladies tap group, who provided the opening dance number and another tap dance to entertain our audience. You all did such a professional job and Coeur d'Alene must be very proud to boast such an enthusiastic, talented troupe of senior women.

I hope I can make all of the over-60 women of Idaho proud to be seniors as I represent our beautiful state in the Ms. Senior America Pageant in October in Atlantic City. I think you are all the best women I could ever hope to meet, and I'll do what I can to represent you at your best to the rest of our nation. Thank you.

STEPHANIE KOENNEL

Ms. Idaho Senior America 2011

Coeur d'Alene

SCOUTS: A great time had by all

Last weekend was the Boy Scouts annual Scout-O-Rama at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds. Our theme was "The Next 100 Years." Kids and adults camped, played, did activities, saw demonstrations, raced Pinewood derby cars and had a great time.

This years total attendance was (despite the weather) more than 1,100. This event is our only public one of the year and would not be possible without the support of our sponsors, outside organizations and volunteers.

This year's sponsors were Super 1 Foods, Mica Grange, Knights of Columbus, the Coeur d'Alene Skeet & Trap Club, Cabela's, Buck Knives, Allegra Printing, Triple Play, Meckle Engineering and the Pizza Factory. We would also like to thank the fairgrounds staff and all our wonderful volunteers. Many outside organizations brought displays and fun activities to add to what was, despite the weather, an enjoyable family oriented time for all. Thanks again, everyone. We'll see you next year!

HELEN FURBEE

Chairman,

Scout-O-Rama 2011

Hayden

HUMANE: All donations helped

Wow, what an amazing community we live in. At times my in-laws call and talk about how their community came together in a big way to help out someone in need. I have to say that Kootenai County is amazing and I am very proud to live here and you came together in a big way!

When the fridge at Kootenai Humane Society was found open by not sealing properly (broke, slammed to hard or just left open by accident) and our medicines went bad it was a tough hit to the bottom line. My first reaction was to get the medicine replaced little by little so that we could help our animals. After time went by and we began getting the bills I realize there was a bigger need than I had expected. So I decided to see if the public wanted to be involved. You did!

We cannot thank you enough for your outstanding dedication to our cause. You have helped more animals than you know and along with that you should be proud of the lives that you have touched.

We did receive a large donation and we were asked not to reveal any details but to remember the legacy of Ed Nissen.

We also want to thank Dr. King and Lakewood Animal Hospital for their great donation.

This was something that could have happened to anyone. I waited to see if we really needed help and we did. NOW I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

RONDI RENALDO

Hayden

CLIPS: Donation helped class

I greatly appreciate the kindness shown to me recently by Gary at Interstate Office Supply. He donated thousands of paper clips to my classroom to help my second-graders with a math project.

The support of this local business made a big difference in my classroom. Gary didn't hesitate in his generosity. The kindness that he showed to my class is just what I hope to help the students learn.

Thank you, Gary and Interstate Office Supply.

Sincerely,

ERICA BUZOLICH

Bryan Elementary

Coeur d'Alene

CONCERT: A perfect afternoon

Thank you North Idaho College Wind Symphony and Chamber Singers. The Mother's Day concert was nostalgic, faith based and patriotic. It was beautiful and much appreciated, a perfect way to spend the afternoon.

Thank you!

KAREN GRACE

Hayden