A good guy calls it a career
Gary Dagastine is sporting the short-timer's glow today, his last day on the job after more than three decades with the Kootenai County Sheriff's Department. Don't look for this retired guy on a porch swing or at the local fishing hole, I predict that Gary will be one of those who jump into retirement by doing even more of what he's been doing for years ... giving back to the community. A sincere thank you, Gary, for your years of protecting and serving the citizenry. He's definitely one of the good guys.
Hundreds of flocking robins have been seen around the neighborhoods in recent days and were especially active during the weekend snow. When I posted a few photos of the fat robins congregating in my yard, the following Facebook friends from all corners of the county also reported sightings ... Lee Periman, Pam Campbell, Chris Megera, Stephanie Smith, Jeanne Helstrom, Mary Herrick, Corinna Hunter, Mike Jarrett, Tim Kastning, Robert Page, Michelle Rielly, Kathy Prosser and Susan Larsen. On Monday morning I noticed dozens upon dozens of robins in the trees and shrubbery of the grounds of The Coeur d'Alene Resort. Spring must be on the way.
Dorene Russell was on the wrong side of the Fourth of July Pass Saturday afternoon during the snow storm. A crash blocked the westbound lanes of I-90 for hours. She did mention that the numerous roadside snowmen created by bored, stranded motorists made the eventual drive home a visual treat.
Good luck to the Post Falls Trojans and the Coeur d'Alene Vikings as they head to the State 5-A boys basketball tournament that begins tomorrow. I know both will do a great job of representing for the North. It's not unlikely that the two could be meeting up in the championship game on Saturday!
Saturday ... Wine, Stein and Dine to benefit the Post Falls Education Foundation at the Greyhound Park and the Sorensen Magnet Art School annual auction and soiree at The Coeur d'Alene Resort. Fun events for good causes!
Leap Year comes every four years and while it's the year we elect a president, for these folks it's also the chance to celebrate a birthday on the actual date of their birth (Feb. 29); not to be confused with the number of years they've been alive. Here are some of our local Leap Year "babies" ... Boston Smock, 12- 3rd birthday, Kris Helstrom, 40- 10th birthday, Dean Walsmith, 44- 11th birthday, Dr. Jim Anderson, 52- 13th birthday, Lana Johnson Fensky, 60- 15th birthday, Nancy DiGiammarco, 64- Sweet 16th birthday and Charlet Hannon, 84, is celebrating her 21st birthday today! On the first day of March my sweet friend from junior high, Faye Griffiths turns 60, Connie Chalich is the big 5-0, both sharing the day with John Billetz and Megan Aker. On Friday LeeAnn Cheeley, Rhonda Shippy, Carin Lynch, Alexander Endo, Sharon Menti, Randy Hurt and Nickolas Aker celebrate. Saturday celebrants are Rebecca Kilmer, Dawn Magness, Gail Kinloch. Chris Guggemos and Jon Newcomb are Sunday's birthday boys. Starting the work week by blowing out their birthday candles on Monday will be Kelly Lattin, Nichole Barnhart, Amy Tolzmann, Allison Meehan, Becky Funk, Paula Ryan, Matt Matthews and Carly Hall (40!). On Tuesday beautiful Gladys Schneidmiller will mark 94 years of a wonderful life.
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.