EAGLES: Barbecue wings get clipped

We can’t tell you our surprise, last Thursday, as we walked down Sherman Avenue to see the front of the Eagles devoid of barbecues. What we found out was that a couple of neighbors have complained about the smoke and so the traditional Thirsty Thursday fare of hamburgers and hot dogs was being prepared in the ovens in the basement.

This weekly event raises money that is donated to the community, our community. For 20 years the Coeur d’Alene Eagles have opened to the public on Thursday evenings for food and drink, increasing foot traffic on Sherman Avenue. We would think that the nearby businesses would appreciate the increase in people walking by and not be upset at 2 1/2 hours of cooking, once a week, that raises money for local charitable causes.

Forcing the cooking to go underground will decrease the monies that go back to our community as the “advertising” of cooking outside will be lost as well as the casual, inviting, laid back ambiance of a barbecue. Are these businesses willing to take up that slack and donate money in the Eagles’ stead as well as risk a potential decrease in sales? We hope that the Coeur d’Alene Eagles will be allowed to return to the sidewalk and continue to provide refreshment for all who wish to partake and allow the Eagles to continue their generous support of our community.

TARA BEERING and PETER VanGUTMAN

Coeur d’Alene