God bless Affinity
Barbara Richardson waves a flag from her balcony at Affinity at Coeur d’Alene, a 55-plus living community, while singing God Bless America on Friday.
Photos by BILL BULEY/Press
Donna Orr, left, and Darlene Blomgren, from their balcony, join in some patriotic songs at Affinity at Coeur d’Alene on Friday afternoon.
BILL BULEY/Press A resident of Affinity at Coeur d'Alene, a 55-plus living community, holds a flag on Friday as residents gathered to sing God Bless America and other songs.
BILL BULEY/Press Darlene Nicholson, left, and Laurie Macklin wave from their balcony at Affinity at Coeur d'Alene, a 55-plus living community, after singing God Bless America on Friday
Residents of 55-plus community show off singing voices and pride
COEUR d’ALENE — Of all the voices at Affinity at Coeur d’Alene Friday, Darlene Nicholson’s stood out.
Standing on her balcony, she belted out “God Bless America” with confidence. Loud, bold, and clear.
Irving Berlin, author of the famous patriotic song, would have been proud.
“I did use to sing,” she said when finished, shouting from the fourth floor.
Nicholson joined about 50 others at Affinity at Coeur d’Alene, a 55-plus community on Cederblom Street, in coming outside for an a capella performance and to wave flags to show their support for the USA, President Trump, and to encourage each other.
Some stayed on their balconies. Others came down to the main courtyard area. Many wore masks. All showed heart.
Nicholson, smiling and waving, beamed with pride.
“It really lifts our spirits,” she said.
Michael Scherr wore a white T-shirt with the words, “United We Stand,” next to a picture of Old Glory and an eagle.
He said Affinity has a number of people who served in the military.
“This gives us a chance to really point to the military and to the United States,” he said.
Shortly before 4 p.m. people began coming out on their balconies and mingling on the ground floor.
“Hi guys,” one woman shouted from above. “Whatcha doing down there?”
They warmed up with “Row Row Row Your Boat” before the main performance, which some considered a gift to the community.
“I’m feeling really good,” Scherr said. “I’m glad people are coming out there.”
He joked that trying to coordinate everyone to sing in unison was “going to be like trying to herd chickens.”
But they pulled it off like pros.
Trilby Neitz, who used to live in Philipsburg, Mont., waved a red, white and blue pinwheel and wore a red vest. She grinned as she sat in a chair waiting for the call to sing.
Asked how she was enjoying things, she said, “Perfect.”
Donna Orr and Darlene Blomgren were in the partying mood on their balcony, waving flags with their left hands while holding glasses of wine in their right.
“We love it,” Orr said after the echo of voices drifted away. “We love America.”
“Any excuse to celebrate,” Blomgren added.
