Coach receives unexpected homecoming surprise
Matt Barkley has been teaching music in Post Falls schools for 22 years, including 18 years as the band director at Post Falls High School and now at Mullan Trail and Westridge elementary schools. This is also Matt’s third season as Head Coach of the Post Falls Lady Trojans varsity volleyball team.
When the Trojan volleyball team was scheduled to play in the Kent Classic Volleyball Tournament this past Saturday in Kent, Wash., Matt was able to schedule a regular match with Kentridge High School on Friday.
Kentridge High School just happens to be Coach Barkley’s alma mater.
It had been a couple of decades since he’d been in his old high school gymnasium, so imagine his surprise when the administration decorated the gym with Welcome Back posters. Matt said his team got a particular kick out of a giant poster featuring his senior yearbook photo from the Class of 1991.
Who says you can’t go home again?
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A day early I surrendered to the end of summer by wearing socks for the first time in months on Friday. While I truly enjoy fall, I love summer best. Everywhere in our neck of the woods, pools, cabins and river campsites are being closed, boats coming out of the lake and into storage. The collective sigh of lovers of summer can be heard for miles.
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Last chance to buy a $50 raffle ticket with a better than 1-500 chance to win a $25,000 scholarship to use at North Idaho College, U of I or Lewis Clark State College. The winning ticket will be drawn at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at the Post Falls Chamber of Commerce. While it would be great to win to give to your child or grandchild, if you’ve dreamed of going to — or back to — college this would be a wonderful gift to yourself. www.postfallschamber.com or 208-773-5016.
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Things to Do Highlights:
There’s a lot to choose from for your entertainment in the coming week ...
Tonight is the final Downtown Farmers Market of the season, from 4-7 p.m. on Fifth and Sherman.
On Friday the Heritage Health charity golf tournament, Indian Summer Scramble, starts at 12:30 p.m. at Avondale. phouser@myheritagehealth.org.
Saturdays with the Symphony features members of the Coeur d’Alene Symphony performing classical music in a program geared for children. This free family activity in the Coeur d’Alene Library’s community room runs from noon to 1 p.m.
The Walk to End Alzheimers is Saturday at Riverstone Park, with registration at 8 a.m., ceremony at 9:45 a.m. and the three-mile walk at 10 a.m.
Saturday also has the Bras on Dudes live auction and fashion show, featuring decorated bras modeled by local ‘dudes!’ All proceeds benefit local cancer charities through The Windermere Foundation. Doors open at the Coeur d’Alene Eagles at 5 p.m. for the 6 p.m. event.
Turkeys and More Sharecase of Talent, benefiting Community Action Partnership Food Bank and the drive to provide the makings for over 1,000 Thanksgiving dinners for local families. The event is 7 p.m. on Saturday at the Kroc. 208-763-0681.
Post Falls Booster Club’s annual dinner and auction at the Post Falls American Legion on Saturday from 6-9 p.m.
For 24 years, the Oktoberfest celebration at Daanen’s Deli was always an authentically good time. Even though Mark and Irene Daanen sold the business in January they’re partnering with the Hayden Rotary Club to present the 25th Annual Oktoberfest on Saturday. The location at the Elks on Prairie Avenue is different, but the same great German food, beer and music will be on tap from noon to 9 p.m.
Make it a truly international celebration with the Latin Dance Cruise on Lake Coeur d’Alene Saturday from 6-9:30 p.m.. Bachata, cumbia, salsa and merengue with DJ Heber Santos. Info: Tammy 208-704-556 or Bree 509-769-9225.
On Saturday the Special Needs Rascal Rodeo, free for all ages, 9-11:30 a.m. at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds as part of the Pro West Rodeo Finals weekend that starts Friday night. Info: 208-765-4669.
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Happy birthday today to Darci Allert, Hannah Riorden, John Oaks, Lisa McElwain, Joseph Doutre and Dan Tesutov. Tomorrow beautiful golden girl Ruth McDermid (90!), is sharing a birthday with Cindy Lash, Delraya Anstine, Kaley Fowler, Julie DeGon, Robert Hoyt and Paul Landers. Friday Kayla Troxell, Kylie Solberg, Meg Elyard, Natalie Loval, Ken Cook, Wayne Riddle and Bryan Czarapata will have their cake and eat it, too!. Saturday our oldest grandson Matt Snider shares a birthday with A’mya Ohlig, John Holley, Gina Myers, Peg Mettalia, Phil Corliss, Tina Crane, Greg Youngman, Jim Rosenlund, Shellie Mundy and Marilyn Griffitts. On Sunday our youngest daughter Sarah Elizabeth shares a last day of September birthday with Steve Griffitts, Chickie Albright, Debra Raymer, Don Schmitt, Jeff Baltzell, Dan Grimmett, Valerie Mesenbrink, Brett Hollenbeck, Ann Siebert, Liz Arakelian and Donna Cooper. Oct. 1 birthdays belong to Casey Irgens, Jill Gardner and Kathi Southland. On Tuesday Wendy Medlock, Jack Sjostrom, Dana Kinsey, Rebecca Armstrong, Millie Eylar, Linda Harris, Renee` Mullan, Karla Derton and David Tabakman are celebrating another trip around the sun.
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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.