Good books shared with good friends
The only thing better than a good book is a good book shared with good friends. Book clubs are not a new concept but this one just might hold a local record for longevity.
More than 16 years ago, a group of doctors’ wives began meeting monthly for the purpose of celebrating the literary and socializing. Each year in July they meet with recommendations and vote on the book selections for the coming year. They gather for the monthly meetings at various members’ homes.
Karen Ebert, Melanie Chun, Amy Bartoo, Linda Barnes, Teresa Wait, Linda Michaelson, Andrea Peters, Birgid Niedenzu and Brook Root make up the current core group who met this month at the home of Mary Larson. The book under review, "Go Set a Watchman," the second novel (actually the first draft of “To Kill a Mockingbird”) by author Harper Lee.
Of course the theme for dinner was gumbo, black-eyed peas salad and a sip of chicory. Mary joked that she was channeling a bit of a southern drawl by the end of the evening. But in the book discussion, the group rated the writing style as good but the story disjointed. They welcomed the discussions on race relations and comparisons to the original book, while complimenting the To Kill a Mockingbird editor for her decision decades ago to shelve this draft.
I had "Go Set a Watchman" on my short list of books to read but perhaps I’ll simply re-read the Pulitzer prize-winning, decades old classic.
You don’t need to belong to a book club to experience the joy of intentional reading. I’d love to hear from Main Street readers about the books you’re reading.
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While I’ve lived here long enough to know that winter isn’t over in mid-February, the balmy 50-degree temps and sunshine are a welcome respite from the dreariness. Car washes are doing brisk business, motorcycles have emerged from the garage, golfers are on the greens which are actually green and a few brave souls have lowered the tops on their convertibles. No question that winter will return but it’s good to be reminded that spring is just around the corner.
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A mystery that has remained unanswered for quite a few years — why is gas at the pumps routinely so much higher in Post Falls than it is in Coeur d’Alene, a mere 8 miles away? On Tuesday I spotted several stations in Coeur d’Alene with gas advertised at $1.63 per gallon. In Post Falls, $1.99! Over the course of a year, that difference for a two-car household could run a couple hundred dollars.
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Rest up for the weekend, which will feature a plethora of Valentine's Day events including the annual Coeur d’Alene Downtown Association’s “A Chocolate Affair” on Friday. Start the culinary adventure at the Plaza Shoppes at 5 p.m.
Also on Friday is the “All You Need is LOVE” art show opening reception at the JACC from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., featuring the work of 30 local artists.
On Saturday, the Post Falls Community Volunteers’ annual Sweetheart Ball at the Greyhound Park and Event Center, featuring music by Tuxedo Junction at 6:30 p.m.
Sunday, American Legion Post 143 in Post Falls is holding a steak dinner and dance starting at 5 p.m., open to the public.
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Happy birthday today to Kiki Miller, Julia Pierce, Melanie Lambrecht, Judy Riba Nelson and Tate Merry.
The same tomorrow to Carole Tabakman (70!), Trevor Smith, Eleanora Capaul, David Clark, James Shepperd, Jarryn Siebers, Jeff Carlson, Sharon Link, Gordon Leigh, Chad Salsbury and Heather Frayer.
On Friday, Faith Valente, Bonnie Guindon, Kim Edmondson, Rochenda Crane, Elizabeth Glidden and Laura Wilson blow out the candles on their birthday cakes.
On Saturday, Elmer Currie celebrates his 96th, sharing the date with Rachel Fehling, Sam Crawford, Ron Vieselmeyer, Jim Prussack, Sherry Adkins, Ken Martin and Toby Flood.
Valentine's Day birthdays will be celebrated by Don James, Jason Hayes, Tripp Rogers, Jan McDaniels, Joe Doellefeld, Susan DuBois, David Lunceford, Jean Bledsoe, Mike Shepperd, Kaelyn Bingham, Sarah Schell and LaDonna Beaumont.
Feb. 15 is a special occasion for Jeff Conroy, Linda Jagar, Mindy Hatcher, Tracy Dickinson (50!), Craig Smith, Art Sullivan, Sandi Hall and Donna Montgomery.
On Tuesday, Bob Hough, the perennial bobby soxer DJ turns 89, sharing a birthday with Stephanie Smith, Paula Rehrmann, Tom Thompson, Diana Farquhar, Adam Averill (40!), Craig Bronson, Deanna Goodlander, Morgan Dickinson, Bruce English, Quinn Kennedy and Jim Wilson.
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.