Reality tops reality TV in love match
The new season of "The Bachelor" kicked off this month with Denver software accounts manager Ben Higgins in the starring role. It’s reality TV, if using a very loose definition of the word 'reality.'
Reality TV has nothing on real life as another bachelor Ben found love and executed a most memorable proposal of marriage. Coeur d’Alene’s Ben Miller and Carrie Black have been dating for three years. A few months ago Ben told his friend, Tammy Schneider, that he was planning to propose and wanted it to be memorable. As the producer of the regional Bridal Festival for the past three decades, Tammy is no stranger to all things wedding-related.
Carrie was scheduled to model wedding gowns at the 2016 Bridal Festival last Saturday, which also happened to be her birthday. Ben and Tammy plotted the perfect proposal by having Carrie and her 7-year-old daughter, Lily, the last to take the stage for the finale. As they walked the runway, a tuxedoed Ben came unseen behind them.
At the end of the runway a surprised Carrie turned and saw him. There on the runway in full view of 1,000 in the audience, Ben got down on one knee and popped the question. She said yes.
The style show proposal was a first for Tammy’s Bridal Festival and likely one of the few anywhere with the future bride attired in a wedding gown when asked for her hand in marriage.
My money’s on real-life bachelor Ben going the distance, happily ever after!
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On Sunday, Dani and Alan Wolfe were wearing six layers on top, three scarves, two hats, two pair of gloves, three layers of pants and two pair of socks inside winter boots ... each! They joined Alan’s sons Joe, Ben and Jake, along with about 50,000 more diehard football fans for the post-season matchup of the Seattle Seahawks and the Minnesota Vikings at the University of Minnesota’s stadium.
Dani said the official temperature at kick off was -6 with a wind chill of -25, although the shady south side of the stadium where the Wolfes were seated is about 20 degrees cooler. The brutal cold did little to dampen their enthusiasm and they had praise for how nice the Minnesota fans were to their little band of No.12s.
So when the field goal attempt by the Vikings looked to give the Seahawks just 22 seconds for one final drive, Dani said she didn’t know which team's fans were more stunned when the kick went wide -- the score 10-9 Seattle, ending the Vikings’ season.
This Sunday the Wolfes will be cheering on the Seahawks against Carolina but without the layers of outerwear needed in the comfort of their Post Falls living room.
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Be a blessing to a local businessman who’s recovering from injuries sustained when he was hit by a car in September. Andy Dickinson is a barber, and with hand injuries and a shattered leg, he hasn’t been able to work. On Sunday from 2-5 p.m. at the Coeur d’Alene Eagles, friends are hosting a benefit with live music, raffles and prizes. Info: (208) 661-0093.
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Happy birthday today to JJ Dion, Joni Clevenger (50!), Janice Myers, Alison Roberts, Mike Jorgenson, Karen Gage, Judy Manley, Tory Lee, Karen Holt, Teddi Johnson and Andy Irgens.
The same tomorrow to Teresa Wasileski, Addison Baltzell, Judy Eichelberger, Anita Weaver, Claudia Elliott, Jason Wereley and Jaden Alexander.
Friday, Rex Grace, Gayle Erickson, Paula Laws, Betsy Anderson, Kelli Ormesher and Jim Roberge will celebrate.
On Saturday, Kenny Peterson, Anita Millward, John Keener, Shelly Robson, Kelly Blaski, Charlie Kimball, Mary Mort, Nick Dimico, Bill Miller and Elaine Cook will put on their party hats. Kurt Gomer, Michelle Martens and Charles Newman will have a slice of cake on Sunday.
Jan. 18 birthdays are shared by Travis Chaney, Mike Webb, BJ Holinka, Suzanne Bowers, Amanda Kralicek, Kristy Walsh, Mike Taylor, Dustin Peacock and Nina Tikalsky.
On Tuesday, Austin Isakson, Wade McLean, Roy Carlson, Gavin Krieg and Terry Drapeau take another trip around the sun.
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.