Life isn't a dress rehearsal

When attending the Post Falls Chamber's Reverse Job Fair last week, where hundreds of high school seniors present themselves and their career goals to the business community, I met one of those seniors and was captivated. We have so many inspired and inspiring young people in our high schools who are just weeks away from spreading their wings and flying off into the future.

In a sea of students with traditional, technical and academic aspirations Ashley Honnell's display identified her goal to become a country music artist. She has the look and drive and yes, the pipes to match her career plan, although I'm reasonably sure there were no music promoters coming through the job fair meeting the students. But that didn't dampen Ashley's enthusiasm. With an iPod of two demo songs, she was undaunted.

What I love about Ashley and all of those students filling the big hall at Real Life is the palpability of their dreams. Big dreams, big plans. A wee bit of uncertainty about leaving the hallowed halls of high school could be sensed, too.

I wouldn't want to be a teen or 20-something again for all the world but I would definitely like to be re-infused with the hope and excitement of dreaming large. I'm not sure what the magic age is where we become more measured and limited in setting our goals but am grateful to Ashley for reminding me that the whole world is a stage and life is not a dress rehearsal.

Kudos to all of the young people who will forever be the Class of 2012.

Last Sunday we had ABC's "Good Morning America" tuned in. I was surprised when the Mom Tested feature showcased Slumber Mitt. If you recall, that's a locally produced product, the brainchild of Chris LaVoie and on the market for just over a year. So the huge national exposure is a real boon. I can give a first-person testimonial to the clever and comfortable Slumber Mitt after taking mine all the way to London last year. Spent a night in Heathrow on a bench in baggage claim so definitely appreciated having it along.

This Saturday some brave souls will be taking a plunge in the lake at City Beach on the last day of March. Coeur d'Alene Special Olympic athletes will meet up at the Rotary Band Shell at 9 a.m., do a parade of plungers at 9:30 a.m. and then plunge into the lake at 10 a.m. Each athlete needs to raise $50 from the community for the cause so if you'd like to contribute call 762-4800. I plan to be there to cheer them on Saturday morning!

Happy Birthday today to Page Hibbs, Richard Wegner, James Heilman, Brandon Clearwater, Barbara Forgacs, Robert Durflinger and Cindy Sweeney. Sharing March 29 birthdays are Bob Koep, Mary Hawkins and David "Bo" Gerzina. On Friday Linda Schmidt, Gloria Weidner and Kathleen Perez are the birthday girls. On the last day of March Priscilla Baker turns the big 6-0, blowing out the candles with fellow Saturday celebrants Crystal LaFountain, Crystal Owens, Rick Vernon, David Holloway, Patrick Reagan, Shirley Christie, Chris Jones and Joey Nowoj. No foolin' around on April 1 when Ed Frazey, Kim Haddock, Chris Thompson and Payton Peugh enjoy some birthday cake and Steve Gibbs marks 60 years. Lee Periman, Neil Gordon, Judi Jackson Messina and Beth Barclay were all born on April 2 and beautiful Enid Nissen will celebrate her 94th birthday on April 3.

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 and Kerri is on the air Mondays and Wednesdays on 1080 ESPN AM (KVNI). She can be reached at [email protected] or on her Facebook page.