Organ donation wins race

When Paul Burke came ashore at the finish of the inaugural Coeur d'Alene Crossing 2.4 mile open water swim on Sunday, one of his kidneys was there waiting. The kidney now belongs to Kim Beagley, the recipient of Paul's organ donation in 2004. Kim beat Paul in the swim by several minutes. Quipped Paul, "just my luck that I gave away the fast kidney."

It was an incredible moment to see Paul and Kim on the beach at The Coeur d'Alene Resort golf course celebrating the finish, both fit and healthy and definitely happy. A reminder of the generosity and gratitude of organ donation from both sides of the process. Kudos to Paul and Kim.

And swim caps off to the organizers and volunteers of the inaugural event. What a well-run and fun morning for swimmers and spectators of all ages. The beneficiaries were the NIC Booster Club, Union Gospel Mission and the Coeur d'Alene Area Swim Team.

So how about that Post Falls Little League team making it all the way to the championship game in San Bernardino last weekend! It was such a thrill to see them play on the national stage of the ESPN broadcast and represent Post Falls and all of Idaho with such class. And these youngsters are just ages 10-12! What an incredible experience that will serve them all well in any of their future sports participation.

Loved the signs that our fans held up during the games, making it obvious that they'd heard a lot of "Where's Post Falls?" and "Idaho?" inquiries. A favorite moment during Saturday's championship game was Kerri Zeller, mother of center fielder, Brock, and wife of assistant coach, Mick, holding up a real potato with Post Falls Little League printed on the side when the ESPN cameras panned the Post Falls cheering section. :)

Brenda Smith took a trip to Boston for her birthday to see her favorite team, the Red Sox, play. She's such a fan that even her dog is named Fenway. As if the trip wasn't exciting enough, when she returned her friend Dee Barnes threw her a surprise birthday party with a unique theme ... bacon! On the menu: bacon-wrapped jalapeno poppers, bacon-wrapped green beans, bacon-wrapped water chestnuts, bacon-wrapped smokies, bacon maple bars, a variety of bacon dips, bacon pizza and a plate of bacon for good measure.

All this week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. the Idaho Hall of Fame traveling display is in the lobby of the Post Falls Chamber of Commerce building. It's a wonderful display and IHF board member Freeman Duncan is pleased to be bringing more awareness to the statewide program and the incredible Idahoans who are featured. www.idahoshalloffame.org.

About noon on Monday you might have noticed the big warbirds, Sentimental Journey and Maid in America, winging their way to Pappy Boyington Field at the Coeur d'Alene Airport. The World War II B-17 and B-25, respectively, return again this year and in conjunction with a number of other great activities taking place at the airport for the Heritage Wings Over Coeur d'Alene celebration.

Throughout this week the World War II planes will be available for public viewing as well as for rides. I had the thrill of flying in the B-25 last year and came away with a profound respect for what the airmen of the Greatest Generation experienced during war time, especially after watching the movie Memphis Belle again. Call (602) 448-9415 for ride info. Event info is at www.heritagewings.com.

Also happening this week is the Third Friday Festival in Post Falls with vendors, art displays and even a car show, 4-7 p.m. in the Post Falls city center. Call 773-5016 for info. On Saturday is the annual Viking Luau to celebrate the CHS football team, their families, fans and alumni on the grounds of the most beautiful estate on Sanders Beach. www.chsvikingboosters.com

Birthday wishes today to Wayne Longo, Rick Currie, Anne Couser, Thomas Sorci, Dan Clark and Mary Chestnutt. Tomorrow Brandia Young turns 40 years young sharing the day with Susan Selle, Brian Kirk, Jennifer Ross, Cindy Wagner, Andrea Fulks, Kim Brown, Serena Carlson, Sarah McCool and Paul Sullivan. Friday birthdays are being marked by Derek Garcia, JR Conrow, Kristin Largent, Cynthia Rayner, Terri Seymour, John Gertenbach, Brandee Peacock, Linda Mannschreck, Christina Gardner and Lugene Broadsword. Sunny Saturday celebrants are Jim Hail, III, Brandi Meeks, Jaqueline Dickinson, Jake Medlock, Toni Prince, Keva Wolfe, Julie Pierce and Althea Carpenter. On Sunday Amy Elder, Vicky Jo Carey, Frank Garcia, Peter Woods and Scott Noordam will blow out the birthday candles. Starting next week off with birthdays are Art Elliott, Nancy Scofield, David Buerge, Wendy Thornton (60!) and Elaine Carda (60!) on Monday and Chrystal Shofner-Moore, Jared Phay, Betsy Bullard, Matthew Behringer, Doris McCaulley and Kelly Chadderdon on Tuesday.

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 2012 by the readers of the North Idaho Business Journal. Main Street appears every Wednesday in The Press and Kerri is on the air Mondays and Wednesdays on 1080 ESPN AM (KVNI). Find her on Facebook!