Community Thanks April 19, 2015

DOCTOR: Going above and beyond

On Saturday, March 28, we had to have our 16-year-old Toy Poodle put to sleep. It was a difficult decision to make - one we had put off for a very long time. But we knew it was the thing to do for our precious Bubba.

We called Prairie Animal Hospital and talked with our vet, Dr. David Tester. This is what my letter is about.

Dr. Tester had a full surgery schedule that Saturday - I can only imagine how tired he must have been at the end of his last surgery. Dr. Tester did not hesitate for even a minute to help us. He came to our home around 6 p.m. that Saturday, and he and Megan helped our Bubba go in peace with the dignity he deserved.

Thank you again, Dr. Tester and Megan.

CHARLIE and KATIE FLOOD

Post Falls

PFPD: Thanks for your diligence

To the Post Falls Police Department and all law enforcement personnel involved:

Re: Drug House, 319 W. 20th Ave.

From the entire neighborhood of 20th Avenue in Post Falls, we want to thank you for the diligent effort that was put in to rid us of the infestation in that home. You went above and beyond with patrol, man hours and work that were put into keeping the residents of that house under control and the damage to our homes and neighborhood to a minimum. Your effort was greatly appreciated. Since their removal, we all feel the difference. We are able to walk without the fear of being charged by dogs, there is no longer an abundance of foot and vehicle traffic at all hours of the day and night. The quiet, peaceful, atmosphere has returned to our neighborhood once again. We thank you for giving that back to us.

It is without hesitation that we can say that we have the best law enforcement department protecting our city.

THE RESIDENTS OF 20TH AVENUE

Post Falls

EVENT: Thanks for the support

Thank you to everyone who attended the Gold Rush 2015 Event on March 21, 2015.

We appreciated the community support for our event. We would like to publicly express how much we appreciated the major sponsors, Garden Plaza of Post Falls, ROW Adventures, Knudtsen Chevrolet, The Rhythm Dawgs and River City Hospice.

Not to be forgotten are all of the table sponsors, Garden Plaza of Post Falls, Life Care Center of Post Falls, Auburn Crest Hospice, 3 Acorn Insurance and Financial, North Idaho Advanced Care Hospital (2 tables), Bell Tower Funeral Home, River City Hospice, Northtown Auto Liquidators, Bestland Senior Living, Mathews Lumber, Findley Auto Group, MJ and Friends, Bag Ladies, Northwest Specialty Hospital, North Star Retirement Home, North Idaho Home Health, Washington Trust Bank Post Falls, Perfection Tire Post Falls, Blue Dog RV, Bankcda, Women in Business Post Falls, Rockwood Clinic and Kootenai Health.

We also want to acknowledge that there are many businesses that donated to our silent auction and we appreciate what they gave to help us in raising funds to keep our center going. One of the other businesses that helped out that night was Potlatch Federal Credit Union as they helped process the silent auction items for us.

Last but not least, our chairman, Rob Clark of Bell Tower Funeral Home - he worked night and day to ensure that we had a successful event. The numbers are now in and we had more than 319 people attend, raised $37,000 and have already planned to do the same event next year on March 19, 2016. Please plan to attend. If you want to get involved next year please contact the Post Falls Senior Center at (208) 773-9582 or at postfallsseniorcenter@frontier.com.

Again, A big thank you to this community for helping us ensure that no senior goes without a meal and a place to take part in activities.

ALISON McARTHUR

Executive Director Post Falls Senior Center

STAND DOWN: Great sponsors

Dear Veterans Stand Down Committee and Community Sponsors,

The 2015 North Idaho Veterans Stand Down will be held May 9 at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds. It has been six months in the planning with the committee working diligently on all the details. We also have many sponsors who contribute generously to the event. Without their support we would not be able to do all we do for the veterans in our community. I would like to extend a big "thank you" to the Veteran Stand Down Committee and all our generous community partners.

2015 North Idaho Veterans Stand Down Sponsors: 2nd Harvest, AFS Home Health, AHA Creative Services, Angel Wings Day Care, American Legion Post 143, American Legion Post 154, Avista, Becker Tackle Shop, Bellevue Healthcare, Black Sheep, Buck's Golf Carts, Buck Knives, Cabelas, Carenet, Coeur d'Alene Association of Realtors, Combat Veteran Motorcycle Association, Cannon Hill Industries, Capones, Crosscut Band Saw, Disabled American Veterans, Elks Lodge 1254, Fernan Rod and Gun Club, Fred Meyer, Food Services of America, Guardian Angel Homes, Generations Dental, Hauser Lake Rod and Gun Club, Home Helpers, Idaho Forest Group, Intermountain Sign and Safety, Johnson's Johns, Knights of Columbus, Kootenai County Fairgrounds, Kootenai County United Way, LA Aluminum, Lake City Rental, Life Care Center of Idaho, Mica Flats Grange, Northern Lakes Fire, Pepsico, Pilgrims, Select Brokers, StandOut Printing, Ragan Equipment, Rathdrum Grange, Rathdrum Lions Club, River City Hospice, Ruby Frog Entertainment, Starbucks, Strike Zone, St. Vincent de Paul, Texas Road House, Tidbits, United Way of Kootenai County, USAA, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, U.S. Submarine Veterans Farragut Base, Texas Road House, VFW Post 889, Waste Management and Women in Business Network.

Sincerely,

ERIC SWANBECK

Veterans Stand Down Chair

St. Vincent de Paul Veterans Services

GIFTS: Supporting our nation's finest

For many years we have mailed "care packages" to men and women in our armed forces. During this time we have had the benefit of several patriotic partners whom we would like to thank, local business owners who kindly discount or donate items so appreciated by fathers mothers, sons and daughters serving in dangerous faraway lands.

People you readers may know or have met as two current recipients are from North Idaho and who at the end of their enlistments plan on returning here to continue their honorable service in their own communities. We have been blessed with many gracious letters from servicemen we have yet to meet filled with noble plans, dreams and sincere gratitude, not only for the boxes but also for the comfort they feel knowing someone other than their immediate family cares and is willing to act on it.

One young father a "Green Beret" polled his peers and in more than 100 years of combined service not one had ever received a package from a grateful American that was not a family member. He wrote it as a compliment to us but it saddened me to read it. A large flat rate box filled with snacks and magazines ships all the way to the other side of the world for less than a tank of gas. The magazines don't even have to be new.

As an example; take the 11 men who executed the last combat mission of "Operation Enduring Freedom," when they prepared for the mission they worked out wearing excess Iron Man staff T-shirts donated by Jim Kozak of Cycle Metrics, 7600 N. Government Way. They each carried a custom-engraved 6-ounce stainless steel flask courtesy of Dave Lyda of North Idaho Trophy across from the Kootenai County Fairgrounds. The men also carried in their kits Leatherman's and Buck knives we purchased at a discount from Scott at Rocky Mountain Distributing also on North Government Way.

When they returned to their base and were able to relax, they smoked a quality cigar generously donated by Paul and the customers of the Bulldog Pipe and Cigar shop in the Silver Lake Mall. Stop by sometime to see the photo of a group of Marines in Djibouti east Africa on the Red Sea enjoying Paul's cigars, grateful enough to pose for and send the picture. Please support the businesses that support our nation's finest, they have our sincere thanks gratefully given.

TAD and DEBBIE BROWN

Post Falls