Kris Storey: Settled in Rathdrum

RATHDRUM - If something needs to get done around Rathdrum, Kris Storey often raises her hand to help.

Storey has been involved in a variety of ways, including with the historical society, chamber of commerce, GEM Community, Real Life Ministries, Kootenai County Republican Central Committee, in the quest to start up a Veterans of Foreign Wars post again and finding sponsors for benches around town.

During her youth, Storey moved often as her father served in the military.

"I'm an Air Force brat and loved the life," she said. "My dad always made wherever we were moving sound interesting. My mom didn't like to fly so we would take off in our station wagon and drive."

These days, Storey is content serving her community and living close to her daughter Julie and her family. She loves Rathdrum's small-town feel.

"It's so easy to get to know people here," she said. "I really like the historic feel of the town. We have buildings dated from the late 1800s still standing.

"I would love to be able to buy the old mortuary on Main Street and have a historically-minded group fix it up as a museum or Rathdrum Visitors Center, telling the story of Westwood/Rathdrum."

What was your upbringing like on the move and where was it?

Along the way, both of my parents would point out scenic or historical spots. They would try to drive by that state's capitol and always seemed to know interesting facts. I know so much about the U.S because of them. Both were very patriotic and proud to serve our country. I used to be able to count to 10 in a half a dozen languages. I've traveled to all but four U.S. states and have lived in England and Germany.

How much did your upbringing have to do with who you are as a person today?

I think I learned a lot of key values from moving so much. We had to learn to accept whatever state we were in and accept being where someone else wanted us. The negative might be that I've often had a hard time making deep friendships. We made surface friends quickly and then three years later there were new friends to make. I think I was the first in my family with a computer because I wanted to e-mail friends from all over the world. I think we all have people we touch bases with, maybe only at Christmas sometimes, that it just feels good to know them.

What brought you to Rathdrum?

My third grandson. I kept missing important events in the grandkids' lives because I lived so far away. When the third grandson appeared on the scene I really, really wanted to be there for his first steps. As it happened, I was going through a divorce right then and it just seemed like I could make a choice to move a lot closer than Rapid City, S.D., a 13-hour drive away. I fell in love with Rathdrum immediately. I did get to see Isaiah's first steps and actually got to be in the birthing room with Seth.

What do you believe Rathdrum needs more of to improve?

I like the way it is now. We have plenty of stores and Coeur d'Alene or Spokane is only a 30-minute drive. We have enough houses. I really hate to see our farmland disappear. I wouldn't mind having a public swimming pool. Jim Stein told me there once was a time when he knew everyone who walked in his (grocery) store by name. I'm sure he still knows a whole lot of people by name, but we do seem to grow every year.

How does the GEM Community's effort on community benches and sponsorships work?

The city council liked the idea and gave us seed money for several benches. Any money earned goes back into more benches. That was all it took and we were off and contacting local businesses. Whatever money is made goes back into producing the next benches. Benches can be sponsored for $300. The sponsor comes to City Hall and selects a bench site and what they would like to have written on the metal plaque. Park and Rec places the bench and maintains it. City Park has several that have been donated in the memory of family members. People can call 687-2700, Ext. 124. People have asked if we'll ever do picnic tables that could be placed at Majestic Park. Sounds good to me. I sponsored a bench on Main Street that has my grandkids' names on it.

Rathdrum is trying to get a VFW Post again. What's the update on that and what happened to the previous post?

Our VFW folded, probably due to age and (lack of) energy. The mayor (Vic Holmes) and others would like to see a VFW get started that would include veterans of all ages. When the old VFW folded, the city took on holding the Veterans Day service at Pinegrove Cemetery. Honoring our many vets is a priority for our mayor and the city council. Hence, the drive to support another group started. There are a number of people interested, but no one has really stepped up and said they'll be active on the board yet. We are looking for that special vet willing to serve on the homefront. We do have a couple of places they could meet. It's just a matter of them setting the day and time.

Why are you so passionate about each of the areas you've served?

I just like to give back to my community and I just happen to be the kind of person who likes to be involved and know what's going on. I like going to meetings. I don't think there is a better community than Rathdrum. We have a little bit of everything here.

What kind of meetings do you go to now?

I'm the past president and now secretary of the GEM Community Committee. We are willing workers to help keep Rathdrum a great city to live in. The committee was big supporters of getting a local farmers' market started. We also have been available behind the scenes, helping with food service at the grand opening of Majestic Park and a recent city fun event held at Stub Myer Park. We worked with the city to get grant money for the parking area near the corner of Second and McCartney, helped with the phone calls and legwork to get "Welcome to Rathdrum" signs put up. A GEM grant of $10,000 put a roof on the old Kootenai County Jail. I have several service positions at Real Life Ministries in Post Falls. Another big chuck of time involves Koinonia Institute, which includes online Bible classes and conferences. I volunteer at Koinonia House in Post Falls helping in the warehouse getting product out. We have students from more than 70 countries taking classes.

What is something that most people don't know about you?

That I'm adopted and that about a year ago I found my birth family. I only have nieces and nephews left and, after the original shock, they have been very kind. We e-mail and exchange Christmas gifts. It's been interesting. My daughter was the one most interested. She's an only child so was just sure there were lots and lots of cousins out there. There were. My oldest brother had seven kids. Guess I'm not a lot like him. Both my real parents have now passed.