Thursday, March 28, 2024
39.0°F

Prom-goers feel the kindness of strangers

| April 25, 2018 1:00 AM

It’s the little things, and not so little things, that bring a smile and the awareness that there’s much good to celebrate in our communities and world. Jane Hamons, who owns Embers by the Lake in Hauser Lake with her husband Chris, shared a sweet story from Saturday night.

A dozen Lakeland High School seniors were enjoying a pre-prom dinner at the restaurant when they became the surprised recipients of a random act of kindness. A couple dining nearby had noticed how the group of teens were so well-mannered and polite. “Like ladies and gentlemen,” said the couple as they paid the group’s entire tab. Needless to say the recipients were thrilled at the kindness.

Jane said their parents and Lakeland High School deserve thanks for loving, guiding and giving them a special night to get fancy, to celebrate and feel joyful. That joy spread to the servers, Danielle Valerio and NIC student and Lakeland grad Christina Hull, as well as to the other restaurant patrons.

“Such a gift that couple gave us all. Not just to those 12 students but everyone who heard about it that night just lit up with smiles,” said Jane. “That couple has spread the love and joy so far with their act of kindness.”

Jane suggests we all can do similarly in the world, even without spending money ... open a door, say thank you and smile at people you pass during your day. I agree wholeheartedly.

The late Maya Angelou said it perfectly: “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

•••

Signs of spring: Bert mowing the lawn for the first time and the ice cream truck making an appearance on our street Sunday afternoon. Studded snow tire removal deadline on Monday and motorcycles sprouting up on the roadways. Teenagers decked out in formal finery for prom and oh yes, sunshine, glorious sunshine!

•••

Post Falls’ new Chief of Police Pat Knight was confirmed by the city council on April Fool’s Day. His public pinning ceremony was held on Friday the 13th. Chief Knight quipped that he keeps thinking he’ll be told his promotion was just a prank. No such luck, Chief, we’re not fooling.

•••

The newest member of the Main Street Birthday Club is Hayden Alexander Hustoft, who came into the world bright and early (7:53 a.m.) on Friday, April 20 at Kootenai Health. He’s the first child of Alex and Kim Hustoft, the first grandchild of Rod and Susie Heitstuman, and the first grandson of Howie and Molly Hustoft. Hayden’s great grandparents are Norman and Cherry Heitstuman, and loving him from Heaven, Bill and Sheron Brill. Welcome to the world young man!

Arriving on the swing shift (11:32 p.m.) on April 20 was Rowan David Bauman, second son of Jessica and Bob Bauman and baby brother of Brock. Weighing in at 8 pounds, 11 ounces, Rowan is the grandson of Roger and Peggy DeHaan and David and MaryPat Bauman. He’s the sixth grandchild for both sets of grandparents. Welcome to the Birthday Club, Rowan!

•••

Tonight is the annual Community Business Fair hosted by the Post Falls Chamber of Commerce at the Greyhound Park and Event Center. More than 100 local businesses will be displaying their wares from 4-7 p.m. Free admission, free parking and families welcome.

Friday through Sunday, Scout-O-Rama celebrates 100 years of scouting in North Idaho at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds. Info: Mark Whitt, mrkwhitt@gmail.com.

Also on Friday, the Sons of Norway host the 20th Annual Taste of Norway at Trinity Lutheran Church, 812 N. Fifth St., Coeur d’Alene. Public welcome. 6:30-8 p.m.

Saturday the Rotary Clubs of Post Falls and Hayden hold the AGAVE tequila tasting and celebrity margarita mix-off at the American Legion in Post Falls from 5-8 p.m. Tickets www.agaveforrotary.com.

The third annual Dancing with Celebrities to benefit Coeur d’Alene Summer Theatre at Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort on Saturday. Doors open at 6 p.m., show starts at 7 p.m. Tickets www.cdasummertheatre.com or 208-660-2958.

Post Falls Senior Center’s A Taste of Jazz, 5-9 p.m. on Saturday. www.postfallsseniorcenter .org.

Saturday morning the annual City of Post Falls E-Recycling and Prescription Drug Turn In Day from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at City Hall.

•••

Happy birthday today to Matthew Wild, Cheryl Burchell, Lori Hess, Patricia Keller, Cathy Biby, Tom Hern, Krystal Arthur, Eric Haynes and Joey Grunden (75!). Tomorrow Marilyn Desjarlais, Sandy Landberg, Patrick Lippert, Tim Skelton and Doneda Allen celebrate. Dee Sasse, Steve Kane, Frank Jackson and Brittney Blaski take another trip around the sun on Friday. Saturday birthdays belong to Glorie Ward, Tootie Reynolds, Martin Teall, Linette Freeman, Sue Barnard, Beth Bollinger, Barb Forgacs, Star Hart, Corinna Whiting, Jana Pool, Kristina Lallatin, Caitlin Rielly and Larry Locke. On Sunday Steve Wilson, Tanner Mort, Chris Cooper, Stephanie Brodwater, Jeremy Jones, Patty Muhlhauser and Susan O’Neill make a wish. Bailey Jaworski, Michele Jensen, Amy Lyons, Christina Bollman, Keith Ekness, Luke Griffin, Louise Zimmerman and Jai Nelson will party on the last day of April. Happy May Day birthdays to Jeri DeLange, Suanne Harris and Diane Duncan. On May 2 Becca Atkinson, John DeLuca, Jan Bryant, Miranda Hamilton, Tre Lewis and Randy Hurt will blow out the candles.

•••

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.