Blast from the past

Eileen and Larry Bieber organize Friday night cruise to raise spirits

COEUR d’ALENE — From blocks away, the horns could be heard.

Then, as the procession drew closer, a few shouts.

And as the short line of cars passed, there were waves and smiles and more horns honking.

Welcome to the return of Friday night cruising on Sherman Avenue.

“It was big back in the day. That’s how kids connected on weekends to find out where the party was,” said Eileen Bieber, who led the parade with husband Larry Bieber, both longtime Coeur d’Alene High School teachers.

A handful of vehicles, one with signs saying “CDA Strong,” started the cruise just after 7 from Lakeside Harvest Foods at 12th and Sherman. From there, they cruised Sherman, circled North Idaho College, followed the dike road, then passed by Coeur d’Alene High before a final visit to Lake City High School.

Just like the good old days.

Eileen Bieber, who was also a CHS cheerleading coach, said the 2020 cruise was the idea of Kathy Taylor, who was one of her cheerleaders in the 1980s, back when cruising was wildly popular.

Teens listened to the radio as they drove slowly along, revving engines and showing off.

“They were fun, spirit-filled kids. They loved it,” Eileen Bieber said as she waited for the cruise to start. “I did it in my day, in the ’60s.”

But in the ’90s, authorities cracked down on downtown cruising as tourism took hold and streets were more crowded with visitors, and it pretty much came to an end.

Taylor believed bringing back Friday night cruising could rekindle memories of good days and uplift spirits, as well, during these coronavirus times.

So, she posted some messages on Facebook to see who was interested.

“I called her last night, ‘Is this a go or not? If you guys are doing it, Larry and I are in,’” Eileen Bieber said.

The response, while small, was enough to give it a try and they plan to do it all over again next Friday night and perhaps weekly.

They hope to swing by some senior homes, involve more drivers, and get a few businesses on board, as well, all with the goal of having old-fashioned fun.

Heidi Wolf drove the second car in the cruise line, her Toyota Camry, with Taylor riding shotgun.

She said it was wonderful to see friends like the Biebers again. She recalled cruising in her Volkswagen Rabbit in the 1980s.

“It brings back good memories,” Wolf said.

Larry Bieber, who today teaches algebra at NIC, was all in, too.

“I think it’s great to get out and show some spirit,” he said.