Roadshow was quite a show

A good time was had by all who were lucky enough to have tickets to the Antiques Roadshow in Spokane last weekend. This was a well-oiled machine, moving a thousand or so people and their treasures through lines for specific categories of appraisers. The people-watching was great and seeing some unique and off-the-wall items that people were bringing in was a bonus.

Bert brought a Thoreson family treasure to be appraised, and while his grandfather's violin dated back to the late 1800s and was owned by Grandpa for more than 70 years, its value is purely sentimental. A tin wind-up toy from my childhood with cars and buses traveling through the Lincoln Tunnel received an appraisal of $50 due to its condition and glazed clay marbles were identified as circa 1875 to 1900 and appraised at $30 for the four of them.

We saw a lot of local people around and across the room and at least one will likely appear on an upcoming broadcast. Jan Chadderdon Olsen was filmed with her items; I watched as we waited in line to have the violin appraised. But while I can confirm she was interviewed on-camera, she had to sign a confidentiality agreement so couldn't give any more details before ARS airs the Spokane stop on its 2015 tour. Stay tuned!

Since I made a $2 exacta box wager on American Pharoah and Frosted to win and they came in first and second in the Belmont, it's worth $13.70. But American Pharoah made history as a Triple Crown winner some have suggested that the ticket itself will have far more value than the payout. Decisions, decisions. FYI, loved an interview with the owner of American Pharoah who said yes, he knows the word "pharoah" is misspelled and he apologized to English teachers everywhere for the oversight. Note: Correct spelling is pharaoh.

Often Coeur d'Alene Ironman competitors are training and racing in lake water that's pretty darn cold. A few years ago the swim portion was nearly canceled due to water temps in the 40s. Well, that certainly won't be the case in a couple of weeks. Lake Coeur d'Alene and the Spokane River are both refreshingly cool but not take-your-breath-away cold for so early in the season. Along with thousands of others in our area, I know this by doing personal water research during this unseasonably early heat wave. Jump in!

Parade season is upon us so if you plan to enter any of the area celebration parades now's the time. In Post Falls the parade will be on Saturday, July 11 with a new start time of 10 a.m. Contact the Post Falls Chamber for an entry form. 773-5016.

Grandson No. 2 (birth order not favoritism ranking!) Jared Gonzalez graduates from Ridgefield High School this weekend. Exciting to see this extraordinary young man head off into the world.

Sunday is Flag Day and we celebrate the 238th anniversary of the Continental Congress approving the design for our nation's flag, which they did on June 14, 1777.

This weekend's highlights: Friday, American Cancer Society's Relay for Life of Coeur d'Alene/Post Falls starts at 6 p.m. at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds. The annual event is free and open to the public. The cancer survivor walk is at 6 p.m. and a luminaria ceremony is at 10 p.m.

Saturday is Free Fishing Day in Idaho, and locally Fish and Game personnel will be at Ponderosa Springs Golf Course from 7 to 11 a.m., Falls Park in Post Falls and Rathdrum City Park from 9 a.m. to noon. Fish on! Sunday the CrazyLove group will show the love to Kiahna Kirk, whose father was killed in a car crash last month, with a Tie Dye in the Park (Bluegrass) from 1-3 p.m. Bring a white cotton T-shirt and make a donation to join in.

Facebook Post of the Week from Mary Riffe - It is with great sadness and regret that this winter I didn't send more wine or vodka to my friends who have pools or boats.

Happy Birthday today to Chelsea Hough, Jared Mans (30!), Taylor Gonzales, Lori Kaye Gaboury, Joan Crawford, Tanzi Hanson and Shannon Boston.

Tomorrow, Deb Wheeler, Kellie Palm, Eddie Bateman, Sandy Green,Gary Schneidmiller, Colin Evans, Tori Daily, Billy Anderson and Erna Rhinehart will blow out the candles on the cake. Nicci Cushman, Vivian Worth and Kamryn Peacock celebrate on Friday.

June 13th birthday wishes to Meg Andrews, Ann Heinen, Jacklyn Holovka, Mark Tucker and Dave Siroshton. Flag Day birthdays on Sunday are celebrated by Oskar Owens, Christina Hatfield, Shawna Virgil, Don Morgan, Chris Doyle, Lisa Odenberg,Carmen Myklebust, Brandon Bedwell, Susan Noble and Steve Bruno.

On Monday, Sharon Bruno, Jody Piper, John McMurray, Richard Wegner, Taylor Brockhoff, Bob Friske, John Hopper and Joe Hutchinson will blow out their birthday candles.

June 16 is the birthday of Tim Shepperd, Jay Troy, Taylor Brockhoff, Bill Dick, Desiree Barclift, Darick Pope, Brenda Gabriel, Frank Bybee, Stephen Parmentier, Shelly Cunnington, Richard Wegner and Rebecca Morelli.

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 [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @kerrithoreson.