Volunteer spirit alive and well in Spirit Lake

Spring is a time of growth and once the snow melts not only will flowers begin to sprout but so does visible trash and garbage along highways and public land. Every year, some people complain and some people step up. Last Sunday, Spirit Lake resident Elizabeth Glidden rallied her husband, Josh, and sons Jack and Lucas to spend the afternoon cleaning up a piece of state land known as the powerline trail at the end of 10th Street.

She told me her boys spend a lot of time out there every summer riding their trail bikes so she’s grateful they have a place to ride so close to home. The rural area is also enjoyed by hikers, walkers and there’s an area for target practice. Another Spirit Lake resident, Tyler Rees, picked up trash, that included filling a bucket with spent shells, late last week.

So, on Sunday the Glidden family was joined by the Cox family — Craig, Michelle, Alice and Wyatt, Mary Medrishin, Eric and Kyler Klages, and Chris and Sharon Everson, rolling up their sleeves and filling two pickups and over a dozen large garbage bags with all manner of scattered trash.

It’s frustrating that thoughtless people discard their trash for someone else to pick up, ruining things for others. On the other hand, it’s inspiring that good citizens like Elizabeth don’t just complain, they step up and  “do.” And in the doing, they set a good example for their children.

On behalf of us all, thank you!

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Last spring, I managed to arrange a mother/daughter trip to Arizona with my three adult daughters, Alyssa, Melani and Sarah. Our plans were to lounge poolside, order room service and just visit until the wee hours each night. I did, however, surprise them with one activity in Old Town Scottsdale ... a guided tour of the town on scooters outfitted in whimsical costumes. They may have rolled their eyes much like they did in their teens, but off we went on a sequined unicorn, a purple leopard, a camouflage lamb and a cactus led by a fun guide pointing out points of interest along the way. It was absolutely the highlight of our week. I remarked to the girls that someone should open such a tour in Coeur d’Alene.

Over the weekend I came across a social media post from Tour CDA announcing that it was accepting applications for tour guides for the upcoming summer season. But the part that caught my eye was that the six-year-old company was adding Rydables to its fleet of 20 Segways! Yes, Rydables are the scooters dressed up as creatures. OMG!

I talked to the owners, Gary and Linda Cooper, and told them how much fun we’d had last year in Scottsdale. Small world is that Rydables corporate offices are in Tempe and Gary had just returned from a training session there and took the Old Town Scottsdale tour.

Tour CDA is expecting delivery of a dozen of the electric battery-powered scooters any day now. among the inaugural “herd” are a moose, fox, bear, buffalo, a bull and a T-Rex. Of course there will be a sequined unicorn or two.

If you’re a college student, or retiree or anyone just looking for an incredibly unique and fun summer job, check out Tour CDA online. If you’re looking for a new activity for your family or out-of-town guests, I guarantee riding through downtown Coeur d’Alene on a giant “stuffed animal” will be more fun than you ever imagined.

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Friday, April 18 marks the 250th anniversary of Paul Revere’s famous midnight ride. “One if by land, two if by sea” was the signal phrase. The National Daughters of the American Revolution are inviting everyone to put two lights in your window Friday evening to mark the start of America’s 250th celebration!

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“He is not here; he has risen.” Luke 24:6

Blessed Easter my friends.

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Happy birthday today to JD Dickinson, Leslie Gourley, Kevin Johnson, Kay Riplinger, Chris LaVoie and Tom Fisher. Celebrating tomorrow are Betty Stone (101!), Pat Krug, Andre Ney, Blythe Templin, Jonna Harris-Bowman, Sheila McDaniel, Curtis Ormesher and Peggy Fairfield. On Friday, Gerry Wilson, Jason Allred, Anna Goodwin, Brad Dugdale, Chris Mueller, Pat Stroud, Rebecca Priano, Glenn Gatherer, Ryan Edmonds, John Cross, Branson McAlister and Lisa Johnson enjoy April 18 birthdays. Saturday, Gerlinde Hamilton, Rich Piazza, Angie Hannon, Rick Seymour, Petrina Spellman, Carolyn Beard, our son-in-law Rick Gonzalez (50!), Steve Adams, Charlie Staples, BreAnna Brunton and Joe Bodman blow out the candles. Hayden Hustoft, Rowan Bauman, Maritom Pickett, Sherry Mundt, Jerome Pollos, Scott Hough, Bill Hilbish, Sarah Gondo, Marcia Jimenez, Laura Warner, Sarah Myers, Blaise Koep and John M. Smith take another trip around the sun on Easter Sunday. On Monday, Gunnar Amos, Brent Hostetler, Sandy Langston, Ali Taylor, Larry Bird and Janet Johnson will celebrate. April 22 Shirley Grimmett, Ron Strobel, Jeannette Peacock , Cliff Standridge, Mark Nelke, Jim Barrett, Curtis Gregory, Dave Nordby, George Greenfield and Corey Beaver mark the day of their birth.

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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 thoreson.kerri@gmail.com.