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Singing the swan song of summer

| July 29, 2015 9:00 PM

For as far back as I can remember (decades!), the first weekend of August with Art on the Green, Taste of Coeur d'Alenes and the downtown street fair has signaled the home stretch of summer. Back-to-school shopping began in earnest at the sidewalk sales and there was a sense of urgency to soak up the sunshine while we could.

The lazy dog days of summer are anything but as I find myself scrambling to squeeze in every opportunity to be outdoors and on and in the lake and river. Not to mention the fact that we've had typical August weather since way back in June. So take time my friends to enjoy the incredible place we're blessed to call home. See you at the beach!

Don McNall turned 77 on 7/7 and was feeling lucky so he bought 7 MegaMillion lotto tickets for the 7/7 drawing. I think he'll have to find a new lucky number since his "big" win totaled $1.

You know you're in oil field country and a booming economy when the Dairy Queen's help wanted sign includes the message "$500 sign on bonus." FYI, the fast food jobs in the Baaken pay more than $15 per hour and Walmart jobs start around $18 per hour.

Another observation from our trip to Medora, N.D., for a Thoreson family reunion - coming over Lookout Pass on our way home I was disappointed to see that my beacon of homecoming had disappeared. I'm hoping when I-90 road construction is complete that the "Welcome to Idaho" billboard will be replaced.

On Saturday an event to benefit ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) services in the community will take place in Post Falls.

As is the case with so many charitable events that happen, someone who has experienced the devastation or loss finds purpose in making a difference for others. Jacki Ackerman's husband, Larry, was diagnosed with ALS five years ago, succumbing to the disease in March. The second annual Take a Putt for pALS motorcycle ride, scavenger hunt and more is Saturday. Proceeds will benefit the local ALS Service Organization which offers support for families.

It's "kick stands up" as they say, at 10 a.m. from Post Falls American Legion Post 143 on Poleline and Syringa, and when the bikes return it's picnic time. The public is welcome for both the ride and activities. Contact Jacki for info: 208-964-3357 or see Take a Putt for pALS on Facebook.

Happy birthday today to one of my favorite members of the World War II Greatest Generation - the ageless Jim Shepperd turning a youthful 89, sharing the date with Mark Anthony, Tanya Peugh and Sam Taylor.

Tomorrow, Sharmon Schmitt, Nicole Coquette, Terra Karl, Dianne Ansbaugh, Brenna Meehan and Peggy Coleman put on their party hats. Friday, Patricia Richardson, Bill Hamilton, Adam Durflinger, Mary Beth Broderick and Tab Bray launch into a new year.

On the first day of August, Rich Houser, Tatiana Harrison, Bev Moss, David Noordam, Duane Oliver, Patricia Kaufman, Dennis Harlan and Dodge Gonzales will be celebrating. On Sunday Austin Viles, Mandy Averill and Matt Odd are marking their birthdates.

Come Monday, wish Ronda Smithson and Steve Cox a happy birthday. On Tuesday the fabulous Ruthie Johnson and Toni Caywood, Ben Fairfield, Michele Wood, Erin Delaney and Amy Ford will have their cake and eat it, too!

Kerri Rankin Thoreson is a member of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists and the former publisher of the Post Falls Tribune. 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.