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RITA: The carousel crusader

| May 26, 2021 1:00 AM

Thanks to The Press for the article recognizing Rita Sims Snyder’s contribution to the success of the Coeur d’Alene Carousel. There are some other important elements that were not mentioned.

When the original Press article of Dec. 24, 2010, regarding the attempt to return the carousel to Coeur d’Alene appeared, she was one of the first to call to help.

When the carousel arrived back home after the generous donation of John and Pat Foote just 50-plus days later, Rita offered free storage space at Coeur d’Alene Honda, her family’s business. This lasted until the new carousel building (jump-started by Bud Ford’s donation) opened in 2017.

During all of this time, Rita has been completely selfless and determined to make the carousel a success with marketing, graphic artwork, communicating with interested parties and working thousands of hours in every work function. She is at the carousel working most Sundays, so bring the kids and give her a thumbs up.

The irony of all this is that Rita gets motion sickness and can’t ride the carousel she loves!

RICHARD LE FRANCIS

Coeur d’Alene