Solberg to represent Idaho in Illinois

In June, Kylee Solberg came oh-so-close to winning the Miss Idaho crown, but the first runner-up consolation prize is pretty sweet.

The 2013 Coeur d'Alene High grad headed out Monday morning to represent Idaho in the National Sweetheart Pageant in Hoopeston, Ill., on Labor Day weekend. The pageant debuted in 1941 and invites the runners-up in all Miss America state pageants to participate. So just a week after getting moved to Boise to start classes at BSU, Kylee packed her bags for Hoopeston with the added bonus of sharing the morning flight with more than 50 World War II veterans headed to Washington, D.C., with Honor Flight.

Heady stuff for the hometown girl, a classical ballerina with her dream of becoming Miss America not far on the horizon. Kylee can receive cards and well wishes this week at Miss Sweetheart: Kylee Solberg/IDAHO c/o Cliff and Michelle Crabtree, 701 N. 4th St., Hoopeston, IL 60942.

In all my years of loving our North Idaho summers I've never seen such widespread joy and gratitude for a rainy August weekend. The wind on Saturday wreaked havoc on one of our 28-year-old poplar trees, snapping off a huge limb and sending it crashing onto our fence, narrowly missing my husband, who was mowing the lawn at the time. We've seen it all weather-wise this year and you can count me as a summer sun lover who's eagerly awaiting a snowy winter. Snow is a small price to pay for keeping our forests green and our rivers flowing.

Nothing says "summer's over" like mention of Festival of Trees. Tonight, auditions for the event's signature fashion show for men, women and children of all ages are set for 6 p.m. at the Kootenai Health Resource Center building. If you'd like to sashay down the holiday runway, come to audition or call 208-262-9473 for more info.

Start Labor Day weekend with a free movie on Friday night at 8 p.m. at Chase Park. The family evening is hosted by the Post Falls Police Department who encourage attendees to bring a non-perishable food item for the Post Falls Food Bank. Lawn chairs and a blanket are all you'll need to enjoy "Big Hero 6" on the outdoor big screen.

Saturday from 2 to 6 p.m. there's a car wash benefit for PFHS teacher and football coach Jeff Hinz at Super 1 Foods on Idaho Street in Post Falls. Coach Hinz has been fighting hard since a 2013 diagnosis of Stage 4 Metastatic Adenocarcinoma Non-Small-Cell lung cancer. New medical challenges are creating financial challenges for the family so Trojan football players, cheerleaders and friends are helping out. Jeff is one of the really good guys and everyone is teaming up to help him tackle cancer.

On Sunday, Labor Day on the Grass at Spirit Lake includes a car show and vendors in the park. On Monday, the town hosts the only Labor Day parade in the region at 11 a.m. on Maine Street. If you want to be in the parade just show up a few minutes early. Info Spirit Lake Chamber of Commerce, 623-3411.

A fun birthday story that I just learned last year ... on Sept. 3, 1932 a local couple were attending a Labor Day barbecue at Silver Beach. About 6 p.m. the woman goes into labor and tells her husband it's time to get to the hospital, the baby was coming! Off they go and at 10 p.m. the baby entered the world. Burl and Beverly Hagadone's son, Duane has made quite an impact in the 83 years following his Labor Day arrival.

Happy birthday today to Bonnie Miller, John Parmann, Dale Borley, Tammy Kelly, Debbie Pohlmeier, Kelley Inman and Stephanie Foster (60!).

Getting their party on tomorrow are Willi Buerge, Lesli Lind, Emily Davis, Dave Bobbitt, Kris McIlvenna, Jim Hamby, Robin Merrifield (40!), Patty Jacobs, Jeremy Moser, David Armstrong, Jeff Tyler and Taylor Valente.

On Friday, Paulette Fabian, Maggie DeTar, Steve Yost and Rich Dickman will be celebrating. On Saturday, Ken Bookamer, Bobby Olson and Dave Pulis mark another year.

Taking another trip around the sun on Sunday are Carl Riegert, Jack Evans, Claudia Pryor (70!), Evelyn Wegner, Dave Chamberlain and Della St. Clair. Putting on their party hats on Labor Day are Keri Alexander, Sherry Krulitz, Vicki Fulton, Laura Umthun, Kathleen Cavender, Nikki Luttmann and Jim Brannon.

Sept. 8 is a special day for Anne Mitchell, Vicki Currie, Lisa Gould, Sheena Dunn, Angie Demmig, Lorna Price, Gayle Simpson, Imogene Sverdsten, Irina Ponomarenko, Sonya Fernandes, Rosemary Dickson and Bob Coles.

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.