Land of the free, home of the brave

Oh, say can you see by the dawn’s early light

What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming?

Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight,

O’er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?

And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air,

Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.

Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave

O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

- • •

In June 1977 an article in the Coeur d’Alene Press announced that there would be no marching bands in the Fourth of July parade that year. High school bands were disbanded for the summer months.

So Larry and Sharon Strobel and assorted family members decided they could start a band for the parade, a band that would rely upon former CHS band members, high school and college musicians, professional musicians who lived local and just about anyone who owned an instrument and was willing to play and march.

The 100-plus member volunteer band is known as much for the outrageous and zany costuming of each member as it is for the surprisingly well-performed music and marching. For four decades plus a year it’s been a badge of honor to practice a time or two a few days before the parade and then march down Sherman Avenue to the delight of thousands.

A local luminary who doesn’t play a musical instrument is making his 41st appearance with the Perfection-Nots. Tom Torgerson is the elaborately costumed marcher who pulls the wagon that holds the bass drum! It takes a village.

- • •

An appropriate announcement on the Fourth of July is the project to place eagle artwork in the median on Spokane Street just north of the Spokane Street bridge. The eagle is the symbol of this great nation and here we’re blessed to actually see these beautiful birds in the wild routinely. For generations on the Spokane River, near the bridge and the dam, eagles nest and raise their young.

The Post Falls Public Arts Committee has a goal of raising $7,500 to purchase and place the full color eagle art. It would be similar in size to the colorful salmon that graces the north end of the median on Spokane Street near City Hall.

My friend and fellow city councilor Linda Wilhelm is spearheading the project and invites the public to contribute to this public art. Donations of any size are welcome and can be dropped off at City Hall or at any branch of Community 1st Bank. Designate EAGLE in the memo line of your check, made out to City of Post Falls.

Plans are to have the eagle placed by the end of summer. Thanks in advance!

- • •

This summer it’s been feast or famine, weather-wise. Last year we’d been sweltering in the heat for about a month already. This year it’s been gray, windy and cool. My preference is sunshine and mid-80s for the next three months. Sigh.

- • •

A PSA from our daughter Melani Gonzalez, who’s with the U.S. Forest Service regional office in Portland ... Fireworks are illegal on public lands: every forest, every campsite — every day!

- • •

Thursday, Idaho Youth Ranch’s fashion forward fundraiser, Wine, Women and Shoes — from 6-9 p.m. at The Coeur d’Alene Resort — is appropriately themed, Stars and Stripes 2018.

Also on Thursday, Coeur d’Alene Arts and Culture Alliance kicks off the free Riverstone Summer Concert Series, with performers from Coeur d’Alene Summer Theatre’s upcoming “Guys and Dolls” and “Legally Blonde” productions singing show tunes, starting at 6 p.m. on the pond.

Friday, July 6, “The Wedding Singer” opens at Lake City Playhouse, running Thursday-Sunday through July 22.

On Saturday, the second Brewfest will be held at McEuen Park from 2-8 p.m.

- • •

Happy Birthday today to the United States of America (242!), Jedidiah Riley, Brent Regan, Chris Atkinson, Jennifer Locke (40!), Joscelyn Ramsey, Jake Campbell, Keri Roybal, Dan Brockway, Sr., MaryBeth Matthews, Dick Lind, Tyson Chamberlain, Britney Davenport, Jack Smetana, Glenda Johnson, Amber Hunt, Teresa Espe, Orla Kahl and father and daughter, KD and Keely Spalding, celebrating star-spangled birthdays.

Thursday Steve Hanson, John Beutler, Chris Hollibaugh, Kaila Hansen and Amy Dreps blow out their birthday candles. Taking another trip around the sun on Friday are Alivia Lickfold, Barb McCarley, Bill Brooks, Wade Jacklin, Suzanne Holland and Robin Ducote. Marking lucky 7/7 birthdays are Becky Lee, Renei Yarrow, Susie Jameson, Devon Dixon, Jeff Populus, Tim Adams and Susie Sullivan.

On Sunday Taryn Thompson, Samantha Babich (50!), Peter Finney, Bev Hammond, Dawson Brown, Ron Jacaban, Beverly Knapp and Carrie Erickson celebrate. Tucker Morrison, Madison King, Jenny Seaman, Brooke Bowers, Loren Mitchell, Brooke Hell, Jenny Joyner and Renee Christensen have their cake and eat it, too on Monday. Tuesday is the anniversary of birth for Jason Faulkner, Collin Coles, Jim Hail, Sr., Ryan Starr, Amber Blanchette, Gene Gertson, Jan Ryan, Mike Stevens, Heather Wichman, Darren Olson, Pat Fuller and Michael Garrett.

- • •

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.