The man on the corner

For the past few years on spring, summer and early autumn days, I had noticed an elderly man sitting in a folding chair on his front lawn, not on the porch or front step, but out on the lawn near the sidewalk.

His house was modest and long lived-in. Whenever I'd drive by I'd smile and wave. He never returned my wave, which didn't dampen my enjoyment of seeing him out there. I kept telling myself that one of these days when I wasn't hurrying off to somewhere I'd bring a chair and lemonade and join him, and discover his story ... connect with a stranger.

During the big windstorm last month, the trees in his yard lost several branches. I thought about stopping by and helping to pick them up but never did. Last week I drove down the street where he lived and was stopped in my tracks to see that his old truck that never went anywhere was gone as was his chair. The lawn and yard were neatly groomed and the house was vacant. My heart sank. The man I never met who always made me smile, who became such a familiar sight in this town I love was there no more.

I don't know his name, don't know if he passed away or went to live with relatives or to a care facility. I think I will long regret never having made his acquaintance. There's no doubt the loss was mine.

Saturday was a great day for all of the No. 12s in Katie Brodie's life. The San Francisco 49ers honored their Hall of Fame players by unveiling bigger-than-life bronze statues of each, including Katie's big brother John Brodie, who wore No. 12 during his time as a Pro-Bowl NFL quarterback.

Meanwhile Katie's grandson, Connor Halliday - No. 12 for the WSU Cougars and the leading college quarterback in the nation for two weeks in a row - threw for 544 yards and six touchdowns in a 59-21 victory over Portland State. The torch is being passed to two more grandsons, Ryan Chapman, 13, and Brodie Beebe, 9, who each sport the No.12 for their youth football teams.

Facebook friend post of the week by Christina Petit: "The moment when you realize you (mistakenly) texted 'I love you baby' to the father of one of your daughter's best friends."

Things to do ... Thursday is the third annual Sip to Support Ronald McDonald House, 5:30-8:30 p.m. at Coeur d'Alene Cellars.

On Friday, join the Post Falls High School Homecoming Community Tailgate Party in the high school parking lot, starting at 4 p.m. until the 7 p.m. game kickoff.

The sixth annual Breast Fest at Paddy's Sports Bar on Appleway, with proceeds to the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure and the Patient Support Fund at the Kootenai Cancer Center, is at 6 p.m.

On Saturday, the Norwegian Heritage Fair runs from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Oddfellows Hall in Post Falls, 200 E. Railroad Ave., sponsored by the Sons of Norway and open to the public.

And what a great idea for those who garden and are good at it: A plant "pot luck" is Saturday at 5:30 p.m. at Westwood Gardens Nursery in Rathdrum. Bring some plants you've divided and a homegrown/homemade dish to share and you'll take home plants and sample some tasty recipes.

Happy Birthday today to Steve Widmyer, Harmony Oaks, Connie Evans, Lynda Wright, Russ Giles and Mary Riffe. The same tomorrow to Brad Peugh, Jaimee Myers, Eric Benjamin, John Holm, Jennifer Schroeder and Debra Smart.

Friday birthdays belong to Rich Kempton, Kara Fredekind, Debbie Sala, Jeanne Wright, Brock Morrow, Marshall Baltzell and Karen Lindbergh.

Saturday's celebrants are Julie Chadderdon, John Stevens, Craig Brosenne, Haley Walker and George Balling.

On Sunday, Stacy Hudson, Katherine Ekhoff, Dina Hourland and Margaret White are the birthday girls.

Monday birthday shout-outs to Jerry Lyon, Amy Reagan, Vic Slater, Scott Livingston and George Beebe.

On Sept. 23, Craig Owens, Wendy Young, Patty Kilcup, Stacie McGrath, David Thompson (60!), Sue Enright, Brian Harris, Denise Bechel and Madeline Singleton will welcome autumn and their birthdays.

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 2013 by the readers of the North Idaho Business Journal. Main Street appears every Wednesday in The Press and Kerri can be contacted on Facebook or via email mainstreet@cdapress.com. Follow her on Twitter @kerrithoreson.