Cheers for Ellen's gift to community
Kerri Thoreson
On Friday, the 11th season of Ellen Travolta’s annual Christmas show at The Coeur d’Alene Resort opens. It’s a little bittersweet with the announcement last month that this will be Ellen’s final season. On Oct. 16, the first morning tickets went on sale, I snapped up front-row seats to the Dec. 17 show, which will be her final Christmas show for the season and forever. By Nov. 1, every performance was sold out!
I’ve attended each year except for 2020 when every event went dark.
In October 2017, Jack Bannon, Ellen’s partner in life and on stage, died unexpectedly. Surely, the holiday show would be canceled. But it wasn’t. Ellen is a trouper, even with a broken heart. The show went on and I thought it was absolutely the best way to honor Jack’s lifelong passion for performing.
The Travolta Christmas Show isn’t overly produced but professionally executed with an intimate feel. It’s fun, funny, poignant. There are touching Travolta family memories shared. Singing, dancing, laughing, all with a holiday theme.
What I’ve always found most appealing is just how much fun Ellen is having. This is a woman who, even in her 80s, is having the time of her life. We should all aspire to be doing what we love for as long as we’re able.
In this season of gratitude, I’m grateful that Ellen and Jack chose to make their home in Coeur d’Alene nearly three decades ago. They were generous with their time and gifts, inspiring all ages with what is possible.
Ellen Travolta, star of stage, screen and television, I’m sure has more in store. As long as she’s taking a stage, I’ll be sitting front row, center and cheering her on!
• • •
Random holiday week musings ... As I demonstrate every year since I was a little girl and now to the delight or embarrassment of my daughters and grandsons, you are never too old to stick black olives on your fingers at the Thanksgiving dinner table.
Thanksgiving Eve and there are three categories of people today. Those who are traveling, those who are cooking and those who made restaurant reservations.
• • •
As the holiday shopping begins in earnest Friday, step away from the computer and support our local businesses that are here for the community throughout the year.
Be kind and patient with those front-line people at stores and restaurants. Ho! Ho! Ho!
• • •
Happy birthday today to Dustin Ainsworth, TJ Barnhart, Sam Inman, Kim Anderson, Rodney Duncan, Noel Adam, Tyeson Bennett, Brenda Hanson and Leland Johnson. Tomorrow, we’re thankful for Thanksgiving Day birthday celebrants Dee Dee Morris, David Eachon, his daughter, Dana Ortega, Dennis Hall, Julia Hopkins, Ronda Mitchell, Stephanie Morrison, Tim Williams and Carol Daniels. On Friday, Mike Jarrett (60!), Jeff Morrison, Lisa Black, Jesse Gunderson, Debbie Magnuson, Mike Lindquist and Eric Knudtsen will have fireworks and Christmas lights in Coeur d’Alene on their special day. Linda Dawson (80!), Aniyah Colbert, John Cocoran, Sue Thilo, Nelda House, Sue Servick, Kelly Westover, Buck Wilhelm and Babette Banducci blow out the candles Saturday. Sunday birthdays are marked by Tom Torgerson, Marilyn Fisher, Elijah Ott (20!), Danell Phelps and Sandy Osburn. On Monday, Rocky Shaver and Sue Hutter will celebrate. Katie King, Cody and Tristan Webb, Breanna Joyner and Judy Dahl will share Nov. 28 birthdays.
• • •
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.