Birthday celebration has North Idaho flair
Bebe Miles Fletcher turned 95 this past Friday. I adore Bebe, having known her for nearly a half century. She’s the matriarch of a large extended family and until recent years called Rathdrum home.
All I know is that if I’m blessed to still be around to celebrate my 95th birthday I’d like to celebrate like Bebe did. She spent the weekend camping on the North Fork of the Coeur d’Alene River surrounded by four generations of family.
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Pat McGaughey has owned the personalized Idaho plates, MR1DRFL, since 1994 when he was CEO of the Coeur d’Alene Chamber of Commerce. Although his vehicles sporting the plates over the past 25 years have included three Pontiac Grand Prixs, a Honda Accord and a Dodge Dakota, the plates were a constant for Mr. Wonderful. Until recently when he relinquished the plate.
Pat, now a much-in-demand consultant and speaker, is well-traveled ... so much so that even a Spokane Airport parking shuttle driver noticed that he’d changed out the license plates!
Pat claims that his kids and grandkids were a bit chagrined to borrow a pickup with those plates so he’s released MR1DRFL if anyone else is ready to request them through the State of Idaho. Not to worry Pat, you’ll always be Mr. Wonderful to Gail and the masses, and even to a GEG shuttle driver.
To order personalized Idaho license plates go to www.itd.id.gov
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Having been a resident of Idaho for at least 42 of my 67 years it’s amazing that only this past Saturday did I buy my very first Idaho fishing license. Probably because I don’t fish, although since I love to eat fish, especially trout, I’m glad others do.
But an upcoming staycation on a local lake and the thought of kayaking and quiet time on the water inspired me to finally embrace the Zen of fishing. I’m not sure I want to make a major investment in equipment so a little pocket fisherman rod and reel, maybe a Barbie fishing pole is how I’ll roll. At least I’ll be legal!
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Highlights of summer fun ...
Tonight: Wine, Women and Shoes, 5:30-9:30 p.m., to benefit Idaho Youth Ranch at the Coeur d’Alene Resort.
Thursday: Eighth Annual Human Rights Education Institute Golf Tournament, 1:30-6:30 p.m. at Circling Raven. Butterflies and Memories, 5:30-7 p.m. at the Village at Orchard Ridge. Also on Thursday, from 6-8 p.m., the Riverstone Summer Concert Series.
Friday is the Annual PFPD K9 Golf Tournament at The Links, tee-off at 9 a.m. Info: 208-777-7611, www.postfallspolice.com. Also Friday from 2-6 p.m., the Athol Farmers Market on Third Street.
Friday and Saturday celebrate Rathdrum Days. Friday night street dance with live music and beer garden on Main Street. Saturday parade at 10 a.m., car show, movie at the football field. Info: www.rathdrumchamber.com
Saturday and Sunday, Coeur d’Alene Air Expo, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Coeur d’Alene Airport. The World War II planes are an incredible piece of history.
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Happy birthday today to Steve Roberg, Terry Werner, Callie Cabe, John Malloy, Erik Nelson, Rick Souza, Janet Brock, Belinda Rowe, Amber Flinn, Lori Larkin and Emily Crawford and Thursday to Eric Wurmlinger, Jessica Ohlig, Annette Davis, Kathy LaTourrette, Dustin Peacock, Lori Nelson, Sandie Husby, Joanne Anglin and Cody Jones.
On Friday David Kilmer, Maria Dawson, Brooke Skidmore-Wood, Vic Grilli, Bill Noordam, Hillary Main, Sherri Dust and Micheala Cocoran Hall toast to another year. On Saturday Duffy Smock, Linda Litalien and Kymber Baker take another trip around the sun. Sunday birthdays will be marked by Jim Lien, Cathy Meeks, David Miller, Todd Jenicek, Zofia Schell, Janet Allen, Shane Bell and Matt Gardner.
Monday celebrants are Joe Malloy, Jim Coleman, Debbie Brown, Jennifer Schmidt, Tina Vandenheuvel and Sam Paul. On July 23 Katie Brodie, Steve Anthony, Jeremy Epstein, Marilee Wallace, Bill Singleton, Chris Olson-Wood, Carolyn Kreager, Ginger Harmala, Cassie Ohlig, Anne Kulinsky, Jessica McLean, Darin Hayes, Steve McCabe and Brett Surplus will blow out the birthday candles.
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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.