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For all who step up to the election plate

| October 31, 2018 1:00 AM

It should come as no surprise to anyone who’s been paying attention, or breathing, that there’s an election on Tuesday. I’ve watched the local candidate forums, read the voter guides and candidate profiles and am active on social media.

I also hold elected office, serving my third four-year term on the Post Falls City Council. So I know what an outside-the-comfort-zone experience running for office is for most people. Several years ago during a contentious election someone said to me that I shouldn’t take things personal. Seriously? There’s nothing more personal than stepping into the arena, placing your name on a ballot, asking people for their support monetarily and with their vote. Every insecurity you can recall from junior high school sneaks into your head.

It’s not an easy thing to do, nor is it something anyone would do on a whim. For the family of a candidate it’s also tough. Family knows more than anyone in the public how hard the candidate is working, how important it is and how personal — yes personal — placing your name on a ballot truly is.

The longest day of any campaign is election day. You’ve done all you can do, made all of the phone calls, addressed envelopes, walked the neighborhoods, attended meetings and answered questions ... put it all out there on the line. On Tuesday the candidates realize that it’s now out of their control, that the people who will decide the outcome are those who show up at the polls to cast a ballot, or have voted in advance. There are only two possible outcomes for a candidate ... you win or you don’t.

So no matter which candidates you support I hope we can all show some grace and gratitude to everyone who has believed in the system, believe they can and will represent their community and stepped up.

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Last week I went through the drive-up window at McDonald’s on Seltice Way, something I do every couple of months. The booming cheerful voice that came over the speaker to take my order is a familiar one. For as long as I can remember it seems that it’s the same fellow any time I’ve come through the window. I placed my order and when I came up to the first window to pay I thanked him for always being an upbeat day brightener, telling him he definitely has a voice for radio. Then I asked his name and how long he’d been there at McDonalds.

“Going on 18 years,” said Steve proudly. With a thank you and a smile he turned his attention to the next order to be taken.

Here’s to Steve and all of the people who figuratively whistle while they work, who deal with customers in jobs large and small and do it with a joie de vivre. A friendly voice on a fast food speaker might seem like a little thing but I appreciate people who wake up every day and make the decision to put on a happy face and share the joy.

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Things to Do Highlights:

Today, Trick or Treat on Halloween at Post Falls City Hall and the Post Falls Chamber from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Trick or Treat in downtown Coeur d’Alene, 4 to 6 p.m. and Trunk or Treat on 6th and Sherman hosted by First Presbyterian Church.

Opening night Friday at 7:30 p.m. and continuing through a Sunday matinee, Out of the Shadows Theater presents Mary Poppins, Jr. at the Kroc Center. Actors with special needs come out of the shadows and into the spotlight. It’s magical!

Friends of the Community Library Network book sale at the Hayden Library, Friday, 4 to 7 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. All proceeds support library programs at Athol, Harrison, Hayden, Pinehurst, Rathdrum and Spirit Lake.

Trinity Lutheran Church’s Annual Holiday Bazaar, quilts, crafts and lefsa! Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., 812 N. 5th in Coeur d’Alene.

Post Falls High School’s annual craft fair, Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. More than 100 vendors, $2 admission benefits PFHS visual and performing arts.

Also on Saturday the Post Falls Park and Recreation Department hosts a holiday craft fair at the Trailhead center at Q’emiln Park, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Rocky Horror and Monster Bash, Saturday at the Human Rights Education Institute, 6 to 9 p.m., free admission. Hosted by NI Pride Alliance.

Give Hunger the Bird! fundraiser for the Post Falls Food Bank at StanCraft, 2936 W. Dakota in Hayden. 5 to 9 p.m. on Saturday. www.postfallsfoodbank.org

Don’t forget to turn your clocks back one hour when you go to bed on Saturday night! The good news is that we get an extra hour of sleep this weekend, but the bad news is that it’s now going to be dark by about 5:30 p.m. for months.

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Happy Halloween birthday today to Kathy Prosser, RaeAnne Capaul, Krysta Huft, Amber Copeland, Tom Hasslinger, Rob Moser, Jabet Wheeler, Tyler Engelbrecht, Kevin Grady, Linda Haughton (70!), Jaks Fowler and Susan Johnson. First day of November birthdays belong to Brandon Burchfield, Randy Martens, Bernice Dymek and Pam Jank. On Friday Alex Capaul, Mike Miller, Alan Zerba, Charity Thompson and Kathleen Lazor take another trip around the sun. Saturday Helen Nuener, Jill Jurvelin, Hara Allison, Karen Pearl, Patty Harris, Tammy Bray (60!), Darin Hanson, Jerry Mason, Tim Wark and Kelly Tuntland will blow out their birthday candles. Alan Wolfe, Annie Mote, Angela Cross, Bryan Poland, Judy Jorgensen, Kirsten Donovan, Nancy White, Mic Armon, Julie Schmidt, twins Zachary and Ryan Englebrecht and father and son, Chris and Mitchell Copstead were born on Nov. 4. Betty Baker, Laura Gray, Marijo Guindon, Debbie Boe, Heather Clark, Ken Brandvold, Marci Anderson and Kim Wilhelm will put on their party hats on Monday. Celebrating Election Day birthdays on Tuesday are Anna Rolphe, Joe Lenon, Lauren Gray, Kim Wilhelm and Ken Brandvold.

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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.