Beginning to feel a lot like Christmas

It’s impossible not to be moved by the wonderful spirit of giving and generosity for over a hundred local youngsters and their families during the annual Holidays and Heroes event. It’s a huge event that requires months of planning and logistics and generous donors and volunteering by “elves” to wrap the gifts that are taken to the Greyhound Park, pack and carry out boxes of food for holiday meals, etc.

During the holidays, we often get so busy and frazzled it’s easy to lose sight of the important things. This is the 11th year Bert and I have participated with the Post Falls Police Department to be secret shoppers, and it is absolutely a true gift to us.

You could hear the excitement of the children as they selected gifts for their parents, brothers and sisters. For the children to be able to give a gift is a magical thing in and of itself.

Thanks to all of the law enforcement and first responders from our area and their families who donate their day off to make a very special memory for the children, and to the generous donors who make it possible.

Most of these children have so little, but the memory of the day and all of the people — especially the heroes in uniform — who showed them kindness and a most special adventure will last far beyond the Christmas season.

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No question that downtown Coeur d’Alene is a most magical Christmas place, with The Coeur d’Alene Resort as the centerpiece. For the past couple of years, thanks to the elves at Coldwell Banker Schneidmiller Realty on Northwest Boulevard, the entrance to Coeur d’Alene is also a beautiful visual of the season. The blue and white lights covering the trees, building and grounds are so pretty. I wonder if Gary Schneidmiller would consider leaving them up all year long?

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There may be a few seats remaining for the last performances of Ellen Travolta’s annual show at The Coeur d’Alene Resort, Thursday through Sunday. What I most love about this show is the intimate feel of the stories, song and dance. I attend every year and every year I say to myself, this is my favorite one yet! This year’s Christmas Unwrapped is a gift you can give yourself.

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It’s just not Christmas without multiple viewings of “It’s a Wonderful Life.” I’ve watched it since I was a little girl, and never fail to be brought to tears by Harry Bailey’s toast: “To my big brother George, the richest man in town!” There are so many profound messages and quotes in the movie: “What is it you want, Mary? You want the moon? Just say the word and I’ll throw a lasso around it and pull it down,” “Every time a bell rings an angel gets his wings,” and “No man is a failure who has friends.”

Trivia: there’s a sign on the wall of George Bailey’s office at the Building and Loan that reads, “All that you can take with you is that which you’ve given away.”

’Tis the season.

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Things to Do Highlights: Tonight North Idaho College’s Winter CARDnival and Auction at the Coeur d’Alene Inn, 5 to 8:30 p.m. Also tonight, A Celtic Christmas in Coeur d’Alene, Kroc Center Theatre, 7 to 10 p.m.

On Friday, the Holiday Pajama Jam at the Jacklin Arts Center for kids 6-15 years old and a parent. 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Also on Friday, the Coeur d’Alene Public Library Foundation presents Novel Destinations in the library’s community room at 7 p.m. Mary Sanderson presents stories and photos from a kayaking trip to the Great Bear Rain Forest of British Columbia.

Saturday and Sunday, Emerge Holiday Market, noon to 4 p.m. 208 N. Fourth St., Coeur d’Alene.

The Fort Sherman Chapter No. 9 of the Disabled American Veterans invites volunteers to wrap gifts for the children of local military. Noon to 6 p.m. at the Idaho National Guard Armory on Seltice Way.

The Coeur d’Alene Big Band holds a Christmas Tea Dance on Sunday at 3 p.m. at the Coeur d’Alene Eagles Club on Sherman Avenue.

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Happy Birthday today, on the 12th day of the 12th month to Margot Mitchell (1!), Alexis Davis, Sialas Tripp, Mary Sanderson, Amy Alderman, John Austin, Mary Finley, Teresa Capone, Mark Orlowski, Konrad Hochhalter, Monte Miller, Richard Stevenette, Colleen Williams, Dave Sayers, Lynn Knapp and Jessica White. Tomorrow Catherine Jacobson (93!), Jim Freeman, Austin Lee, Kim Buer and Denise Higgs celebrate their special day. On Friday Kyle Siegert, Jeannette Conroy, Eve Knudtsen, Sybil McCormack, Angie Hatch, Sandy Clemons, Amber Briles, John Medlock, Vicki Peoples, Karen Kastning, Tammy VanBrunt and James Forster enjoy a frosty birthday. On Saturday Nellie Armstrong, Kerri Wilfong, Susan Schneidmiller, Cat Troy, Jann Kinnard, Brenda Young, Janelle Stimson, Anne Marie Toothaker, Travis Gardner and Austin Wuest are taking another trip around the sun. Happy Sunday birthdays to Marci Clark, Pam Pereira, Mimi Eismann, Lori Dawson, Harmony Taylor, Dot Neirinckx and Tim Kastning. On Monday Holly Kincaid, Lori Stanea, Dick Halliday and Cheyenne Peugh celebrate a jingle bell birthday. Opening birthday gifts on Dec. 18 are Randy Shaver, Tami Banker, Catherine Witham, Kris Wold, Krista Vandermark, Mike McDowell and our grandson Jared Gonzalez.

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“When it seems that we have lost our way ... we find ourselves again on Christmas Day. If you just believe.”

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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.