Main Street: Archived interviews tell story of our town
On Friday, Bert and I enjoyed dinner at Sargent’s in Hayden, a place you’re bound to see familiar faces. Seated at the table next to us was a couple celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary. I was thinking the gentleman looked familiar and later figured out why. The long happily married couple were Don and Fern Johnston and Don served as Coeur d’Alene’s mayor 1977-81.
When looking online for the years Don served, I came across a real treasure at PortraitofaTown.com. A few years back the Coeur d’Alene Library Foundation project by Barbara Mueller (now known for her wonderful Gizmo project) was created. Portrait of a Town is an incredible collection of video interviews with dozens of people who have a history here and those who are creating a future in Coeur d’Alene, including former mayor Johnston.
When the project launched it included a black and white portrait wall in Sherman Park Square downtown aka where Woolworths was located before it burned down in 1980 and later developed into the park by Don Johnston. These oral histories preserved on the website are priceless. At least two of those interviewed, attorney/activist Scott Reed and former mayor John McHugh, are no longer with us but their stories live on.
Each of these interviews are 3-4 minutes in length but full of substance. Over the next month or so I intend to take some time to view them all. If Coeur d’Alene is your newly adopted hometown or whether you’ve lived here for a lifetime, you’ll be informed and inspired. Thanks again, Barb, for this gift of stories.
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Saturday night I made new friends and enjoyed the company of old friends at a benefit for Matt’s Place Foundation. Matt Wild, a Marine Corps veteran who received the ALS diagnosis less than two years ago, along with his wife, Theresa Whitlock-Wild have created a foundation that helps others faced with such a daunting road to travel. What I love about these two warriors is that they’re grateful that they have resources and a support system for their journey but have found meaning in making a difference for those who struggle while the disease progresses. Every 90 minutes someone is diagnosed and every 90 minutes someone dies from ALS.
A longtime Wild family friend, Stephanie Saterfiel, organized Saturday’s outdoor art auction to benefit the foundation and local artist and all around good guy Terry Lee offered up his home, yard and large studio for the event.
My good friend Ryan Davis did auction duty and our always generous community stepped up in a big way. I encourage you to learn more about this foundation and how you can be a blessing in a very real and tangible way. Info: www.mattsplacefoundation.com
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Parade season is upon us so if you plan to enter any of the area parades now’s the time. Coeur d’Alene’s American Heroes Parade on July 4, with info at Coeur d’Alene Chamber. In Post Falls the parade will be on Saturday, July 11 with a start time of 10 a.m. Contact the Post Falls Chamber for an entry form. 773-5016.
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Tuesday is Flag Day and we celebrate the 239th anniversary of the Continental Congress approving the design for our nation’s flag, which they did on June 14, 1777.
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Happy birthday today to Tammy Rickard, Courtney Everson, Dustin Pilcher, Argonne Dotts, Jaymie Starr, Emma Hoffman, Dave Haugen and Ted Pryor.
The same tomorrow to Paul Deckon, James Hart and Darrell Hull.
On Friday Chelsea Hough, Jared Mans, Taylor Gonzales, Lori Kaye Gaboury, Joan Crawford, Tanzi Hanson and Shannon Boston take another trip around the sun.
Deb Wheeler, Kellie Palm, Eddie Bateman (40!), Sandy Green, Gary Schneidmiller, Colin Evans, Tori Daily, Billy Anderson and Erna Rhinehart will blow out the candles on the cake on Saturday.
Nicci Cushman, Vivian Worth and Kamryn Peacock celebrate on Sunday.
June 13 birthday wishes to Meg Andrews, Ann Heinen, Jacklyn Holovka, Mark Tucker and Dave Siroshton.
Flag Day birthdays are celebrated by Oskar Owens (18!), Christina Hatfield, Shawna Virgil, Don Morgan, Chris Doyle, Lisa Odenberg, Carmen Myklebust, Brandon Bedwell, Susan Noble and Steve Bruno.
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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 [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @kerrithoreson.