Simple Things column: The Loss of Glen Harsard, Wallace mine tours and swimming

I have two memorable movies that I watched in a theater without first knowing anything about them. No one said, “You’ve got to see this movie.” I had read no reviews.  

“Dirty Dancing” was released in 1987, starring Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze. It featured the song, “Time of My Life” and the prideful quote, “Nobody puts baby in a corner.” It was a classic story of a socially mismatched male and female who ultimately dance their lives together. It was a risky production at the time, with a subplot related to abortion.

My second memorable, under-the-radar movie, “Once,” has been in the news in the past two weeks for unfortunate reasons. It was released in 2007, an Irish romantic musical drama film starring Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová as two struggling musicians in Dublin, Ireland. Hansard and Irglová had previously performed music as the Swell Season, and composed and performed the film's original songs. 

It received awards, including the 2007 Independent Spirit Award for Best Foreign Film. Hansard and Irglová's song "Falling Slowly" won the 2008 Academy Award for Best Original Song (making Irglová the youngest person to win an Oscar in a non-acting category), and the soundtrack received a Grammy Award nomination. The film has also been adapted into a successful stage musical.

But the tragic news that brought this movie and music to the forefront, is that 56-year-old Glen Hansard died July 29, 2026, in a single-vehicle motorcycle crash in Dublin. Since then, the streets of Ireland have been packed with thousands of people singing “Falling Slowly” and other songs of Glen’s, deeply moved by the loss of this man. The humble, talented person he plays in the film “Once” appears to be the way he lived his life.  

Wallace Mine Tour

After 44 years living in Idaho, this summer I took my first mine tour. We made reservations at the Sierra Silver Mine Tour in downtown Wallace and, before hopping on the bus to the outskirts of town, wandered around the fascinating museum at the pick-up location,  

Our guide was Ward, a 79-year-old Wallace resident who worked in Idaho mines for 40 years! He showed us what it was like to work underground with only candlelight, fired up mining equipment to demonstrate the painful level of noise in the mines, and explained that if the mining lights ever went out, miners were taught to sit down, for they would not be able to find their way out of the mine in total blackout. They were then at the mercy of other miners finding them. 

At one time, Ward worked 10,000 feet underground and it took his crew one hour to get to that level to start work — and one hour to return to ground level at the end of their shift!   

We were clearly in the presence of a man who lived it. It was 90 minutes invested in better understanding our local history and the courageous men who worked the mines. 

Thank you, Michael Koep

Wednesday evening music at McEuen is underway —  and what a delightful atmosphere has been created! No I.D. check at the entrance, just a logical I.D. check if you choose to purchase alcohol. No bag search at the entrance, so there is no possibility of feeling like a felon. And no charge! This is a gift of considerable work by Michael to recruit sponsors. The Aug. 12 concert with Paper Flowers filled McEuen almost to Tubbs Hill, the largest crowd I’ve ever seen. The surprising numbers caused unfortunate waits in the beer line, but Michael will figure this out. Thank you, Michael Koep, and thank you sponsors! 

Long Bridge Swim

Sandpoint's 31st annual Long Bridge Swim on Aug. 1 was well-covered in the Coeur d’Alene Press. So we know that brothers Owen Bennett (17) and Trace Bennett (14), of Coeur d’Alene, came in first and second overall, with Trace a mere three seconds behind! Bravo for these two! 

What I’d like to add, is how well Coeur d’Alene was represented in the overall list of top swimmers. 1) Riley Taylor won the 20-24 age group; 2) Courtney Chase won the 40-44 age group and finished second overall, while Lindsey Lembower was second in the age group; 3) Marz Everett won the 25-29 age group; 4) Jeff Rigg won the 50-54 age group; 5) Sally Robers was second in the 50-54 age group; 6) Kip Taylor finished third in the 55-59 age group; 7) Cindy Rust was second in the 55-59 age group;  8) Todd Cory won the 60-64 age group; 9) Howard Burns finished second in the 70-74 age group; 8) and Rejeanne Lessard was second in the 75-79 age group. 

Coeur d’Alene, with gratitude for the fabulous swimming facilities at our Kroc Center, has generated a thriving swimming community.  

Bravo for all of these strong swimmers, who happen to be fine people I get to chase in the lake all summer!  

One amazing thing about our world

Idaho has an estimated 8,800 to 16,000 abandoned mines and prospects scattered across public and private lands. State geological and conservation groups note that thousands of these historical sites present physical safety hazards and environmental concerns. 

Quote about life

“The only way to do great work is to love what you do.” — Steve Jobs

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David Groth retired in 2016 after 37 years in elementary education. His last 17 years, the favorite part of his career, were spent teaching fifth grade and juggling at Sorensen Magnet School of the Arts and Humanities. He has lived in Coeur d’Alene since 1982 and has always appreciated the people, the geography, the climate, the rivers and lakes, and the simple things that make days special.