A tale of two good men
The last days of October brought two losses in our community of much-loved men. I write often about our extraordinary community and the people who make it special. Jack Bannon was a real gift. When he and his wife, Ellen, decided to make this their home they jumped in with both feet and big, generous hearts. They embraced the performing arts community and shared their love of theatre with everyone. I was always moved by the joyful collaboration of Jack and Ellen, in life and on the stage.
Jack has been described as a story-teller, an apt depiction of a man who could take the words of others and bring them to a life of full dimension on a stage. As a writer, staged readings are my fondest memories of Jack. He was humble and unassuming and kind and witty. Jack took time and made time for people. Everyone mattered to Jack.
News of his passing has appeared all over the country, in the New York Times and Los Angeles Times ... he was held in high regard by those in the industry for his decades of work on the stage, screen and in television.
But here in a small North Idaho town Jack Bannon will be best remembered as a good man, a good neighbor and a good friend to all.
Rick Seward was one of my favorite Marines, having known Rick for many, many years due to his friendship with my late father. They were a pair to draw to ... two Marines who didn’t know each other when they both served and survived combat at the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir in Korea but met later as members of the last man organization, The Chosin Few. They were founders of the Pappy Boyington Detachment 966 of the Marine Corps League and were world-class story tellers, too.
Every Fourth of July, they could be seen leading the parade, perched on a tank. The first Fourth of July after my father passed away, the tank still came down the street with Rick walking point and a wreath next to my father’s helmet on the tank. I’ll never forget that quiet honor.
Rick and his bride, Joy, were married for more than six decades and they absolutely adored each other and their daughters.
When I heard the news of Rick’s passing over the weekend the Marine Corps hymn began playing in my head. I know exactly what Dad and Rick are doing ... “If the Army and the Navy ever look on Heaven’s scenes, they will find the streets are guarded by United States Marines.”
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I saw quite a few ghosts and goblins over this weekend but my two absolute favorites were spotted on Saturday night at Coeur d’Oween. Elizabeth Brown gets huge bonus points for authenticity. She said that when she realized she’d be eight months pregnant at Halloween she was inspired to channel the Queen B herself, Beyoncé. The talented mom-to-be designed and created a beautiful baby belly enhancing gold illusion dress that was incredible, much like Beyoncé wore in her 2017 Grammy performance. Elizabeth’s husband, Tanner, was decked out as Flavor Flav Father Time, gold grill and all. Baby Boy Brown is due Nov. 21.
And anyone who saw Randy Oaks on Saturday had to be awed by his transformation into a most believable Mr. Clean. Gold earring, shaved head, bushy white eyebrows and real muscles in a tight white tee shirt. Well-played Mr. Oaks!
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Daylight Saving Time ends on Sunday when we fall back one hour at 2 a.m. Just set your clock before going to bed on Saturday night. Change the batteries on your smoke detectors, too!
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Things to Do: Opening night Friday for Christian Youth Theater’s production of “Annie” at the Kroc Center, play runs through Nov. 12. Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Post Falls Senior Center Craft Fair. Also on Saturday the annual Post Falls High School Craft Fair with more than 100 crafters and artisans, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday night from 5-9 p.m. Give Hunger the Bird for the Post Falls Food Bank at Stancraft Boats, 2936 W. Dakota Ave.
Tuesday, Nov. 7, annual Special Needs Recreation basketball games at North Idaho College. Athlete introductions at 5:30 p.m., tip-off at 5:45 p.m., second game to follow. Post Falls and Sandpoint high school bands will perform. Admission is a canned food item for the food bank.
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Happy Birthday today on the first day of November to Brandon Burchfield, Randy Martens and Pam Jank. Tomorrow Alex Capaul, Mike Miller (75!), Alan Zerba, Charity Thompson (40!) and Kathleen Lazor put on their party hats.
Friday Helen Nuener (80!), Jill Jurvelin (75!), Hara Allison (50!), Karen Pearl, Patty Harris, Tammy Bray, Darin Hanson, Jerry Mason, Tim Wark and Kelly Tuntland will blow out their birthday candles. Taking another trip around the sun on Saturday are Alan Wolfe, Annie Mote, Angela Cross, Bryan Poland, Judy Jorgensen, Kirsten Donovan, Nancy White, Mic Armon, Julie Schmidt, Ruth Olsen, twins Zachary and Ryan Englebrecht and father and son, Chris and Mitchell Copstead.
Betty Baker, Laura Gray, Marijo Guindon, Debbie Boe, Heather Clark, Ken Brandvold, Marci Anderson and Kim Wilhelm will put on their party hats on Sunday. Nov. 6 is a big day for Anna Rolphe, Hap Hilbish, Joe Lenon, Lauren Gray, Kim Wilhelm and Ken Brandvold. On Tuesday Chuck Lempesis, Rocky Watson, Tracy Akerman, John Williams, Mike Dornquast, Lauren Dornquast and Harold Howard will celebrate.
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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.