Sore muscles part of the journey
Two things I know I’ll never do; jump out of a perfectly good airplane or become a professional dancer. Although the past several weeks I’ve spent quality time in a dance studio.
In December, when I accepted Laura Little’s invitation to appear in the Coeur d’Alene Summer Theatre’s Dancing with the Celebrities, I knew it would be quite a journey to perform a ballroom dance in public. It certainly has been — but not in the way I expected.
Once a week since late February, I’ve received one-hour dance lessons from professional dance instructor Ryan Starr. He’s a gifted and very patient teacher, tasked with the challenge of making a novice like me ready for my turn on the Kroc Center stage. In just nine days, ready or not, I’ll put on a ball gown and my pretty blue dancing shoes and perform a beautiful waltz in front of an audience.
Weeks of doubt mixed with glimmers of optimism when every step was as it should be. Sore muscles, feeling terrifically uncoordinated and ungraceful, I realized that the largest obstacle to achieving anything is in our own heads.
And therein lies the lesson I’ll take far beyond the dance studio or stage: a sense of accomplishment. One month away from my 64th birthday I take on a challenge far outside my comfort zone or area of expertise. I highly recommend doing just that, in whatever endeavor might present itself.
On Friday, April 22, I’ll join Al Williams, Eve Knutdsen, Nick Smoot, Dustin Ainsworth, Greg Helbling, Troy Braga, Nancy Rudolf, Molly Trotter and Lindsay Nadrich in finding our inner dancer to support the performing arts in our community. Kroc Center, 7 p.m., 660-2958.
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On Monday, Avista tested a new emergency warning and evacuation signal at the South Channel dam in Post Falls. Last year the dam underwent extensive renovations. The announcements and sirens were heard all throughout the day and it seems a lot of people within the couple of miles of range hadn’t gotten the memo.
The Post Falls Police Department dispatch center fielded a number of calls after citizens heard the shrill air-raid-type siren and the message that the river can rise quickly, proceed to higher ground immediately.
I hope we never hear it beyond a test but it’s good to know that the warning can be heard. Kristina Rogers was hearing the sirens on Idaho Street, near Poleline Ave. and Kris Seibers heard it from his home near Chase Park.
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On Saturday a baker’s dozen of the best and brightest in the Coeur d’Alene School District will participate in the Distinguished Young Woman of the Year scholarship program. Kudos to Micah Hudlet, Maya Burgess, McKenna Gilbert, Sophia Cruzaedo-Wagner, Tricia McCullough, Paige Renaldo, Elizabeth "Libby" Goodwin, Carleigh Waites, Annaliese Cheeley, Jackie Callihan, Caitlin Conway, Alexus Mata and Megan McPhee. The show starts at 6 p.m. at the Kroc Center.
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Sunday is the 34th annual Spring Dash to benefit United Way of North Idaho at McEuen Park in downtown Coeur d’Alene. Five mile run/walk for a great cause, 9:30 a.m.
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Happy birthday today to Chloe Hudson, Evalyn Adams, Kathy Behm and Corbin Messina.
Tomorrow Phil Damiano (50!), Joan Harmon, Mark Robitaille, Stacey Mann, Delaine Lewis, Dana Shapland and Bill Gough, aka the One Man Band, put on their party hats.
April 15 birthday means another trip around the sun for Betsy Hawkins, Brian Walker, Denise Edmonds, Doug Harms, Dave Holmes, Clay Ownbey, Caroline Crollard, Tori Gray, Randy Teall, Kara Hicks and Judy Donner.
On Saturday JD Dickinson, Leslie Gourley, Kevin Johnson (50!), Kay Riplinger, Chris LaVoie and Tom Fisher.
On Sunday Pat Krug, Jaime Meyer (40!), Andre Ney (70!), Dot Rook, Betty Stone, Blythe Templin, Jonna Harris-Bowman, Sheila McDaniel, Curtis Ormesher and Peggy Fairfield (60!) will celebrate.
Anna Goodwin, Brad Dugdale, Chris Mueller, Pat Stroud, Rebecca Priano, Glenn Gatherer, Ryan Edmonds, John Cross, Branson McAlister and Lisa Johnson mark their special day on Monday.
Angie Hannon, Rick Seymour, Petrina Spellman, Carolyn Beard, Rich Piazza, Rick Gonzalez, Steve Adams, Charlie Staples, BreAnna Brunton, Joe Bodman and Gerlinde Hamilton will enjoy a slice of birthday cake on April 19.
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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.