Oval office hopefuls have paid us a visit
The visit by Ted Cruz on Saturday drew large crowds to the Kootenai County Fairgrounds but despite the fact that Idaho’s four electoral votes don’t generate much excitement in the big picture of winning the nomination, he’s not the only presidential candidate who’s paid a visit to North Idaho in recent years.
In 2000, Alan Keyes packed in the crowds at NIC, and in 2007 America’s Mayor and then-presidential-hopeful Rudy Giullani was the guest of honor at a private reception at John Magnuson’s Lake Coeur d’Alene home and afterward surprised the U of I alum association gathering at The Coeur d’Alene Resort.
In 2012 Rick Santorum and former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich visited Coeur d’Alene at the Hagadone Event Center and Coeur d’Alene Inn, respectively.
In 2011, nine years after his run for his party’s presidential nomination, Howard Dean spoke at a Democrat party luncheon at the Coeur d'Alene Casino Resort.
Prior to throwing his hat in the ring for the presidency, Gov. Chris Christie made an appearance in 2013 at The Coeur d'Alene Resort with our own Gov. Butch Otter.
It’s interesting to see and hear in person these candidates who seek to represent us in the highest office of the land but often we only read about or see them on television.
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This week the board of the North Idaho Housing Coalition hosted a meeting with the directors of a number of local organizations who provide housing and shelter in our communities. What an incredible group of people serving people. We hope to continue this dialogue and partnership to benefit the housing challenges that are the mission of the attending agencies; Habitat for Humanity, Family Promise, UGM, Safe Passages, Light Works, Children's Village and St. Vincent dePaul. It's a joy to serve as NIHC president with executive director Lori Isenberg, vice president Amy Evans, treasurer Kevin Vedder and board members Vicki Isakson, Jackson Hite and Gretchen Marks.
Every day in this community good people give of their time to make life better and to be a blessing to their fellow man. The generosity of thousands in every corner of the community is a sight to behold. Thank you all! Info: northidahohousing.org
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PFHS alum tonight at Dueling Irons, 5-7 p.m. All classes, young and not so young, are invited to attend these informal monthly gatherings. Contact Wayne Dust (PFHS ‘62) for info at 699-6146.
Tomorrow night North Idaho Young Professionals and CASA are teaming up for a social at Moose Lounge from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Text your RSVP to (208) 771-4274 or email erika@northidahocasa.org.
VFW Post 3603 is holding a community breakfast from 8-10:30 a.m. on Saturday at 1225 E. Third St., next to the Post Falls Senior Center. Great opportunity to get reacquainted with the VFW and enjoy breakfast by donation.
The annual Post Falls Historical Society luncheon is on Saturday at Garden Plaza. The group was founded in 1988 with a mission to preserve and share the history of the community. Longtime Post Falls businessman Bob Templin, who’s also a WWII veteran, will be the speaker. If you’re looking for a place to volunteer, the historical society could use you at the Post Falls Museum. Info: 262-9642.
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Forget the weather forecast, March always comes in like a lamb for Dave and Marnie Fair. As of press time they have 11 new lambs in the barn, with a target of 43 little bundles of wooly joy this spring. Two dozen ewes still on baby watch, that’s a whole lot of cute for sure.
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Happy birthday today to Karen Roetter, Bob Frazey, Keith Van Slate, Debbie Myles (60!), Megan Round and Giuliana Roge.
Tomorrow Nancy Frazey and Jon Dingman will blow out the birthday candles.
On Friday Jim Booth, Ed Robar, Clay Larkin (80!), Heather Callahan, Mindy Newby, Jim Faucher, Travis Jank, Rachel Burkhardt (40!) and Bill Paradee Jr. turn another page on the calendar.
DeAnn Johnson, Will Henderson, Sylvia McCormick, Josh Vesser, Faith Hazard Wiley, Ali Hanson, Kim Maksen, Jan Daugharty, John Neirinckx, Christel Fredericks (60!) and David Wegner will have their cake and eat it, too, on Saturday.
Paula Sharp, Robin Karrick, Laurie Boeckel and Erich Eickmeyer have March 13th birthdays.
On Monday Tom Capone, Wayne Cofield, Bud Evans, David Cehr, Candace McEnespy, Teri Rouse, Fabian Medina, Ina Bressler and Sheila Kemmis will raise their glasses to celebrate.
On March 15 John McGruder, Bill Haughton, Terie Huston, Len Crosby, Rick Noordam, Barry Rubin and Zack Yost take another trip around the sun with twins Pam Humphrey and Penny Brownell.
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.