Benches invite people to sit a spell

Often public art projects can become divisive in a community, provoking strong feelings both for and against. I’ll go out on a limb and predict that the newly installed Come Together Bench Project in the city of Hayden will be universally well-received.

Retired carbon fiber wind turbine blades have been transformed into artist‑painted benches celebrating North Idaho’s beauty. As of late September, nine benches line the central business district on Government Way and Hayden Avenue.

The design of the benches, as well as the original artwork, has a touch of whimsy and pops of color that stand out in a streetscape of cars and storefronts. If ever artwork can bring an immediate smile when you come across it, these benches fit the bill. More than just a visual, they’re functional places to sit a spell.

Kudos to the Hayden Arts Commission, Hayden Urban Renewal District, Hayden Homes and the many community sponsors who envisioned and then worked to achieve the finished project.

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If you’re reading this, you’re obviously a newspaper reader so you know there’s an election coming up Tuesday, Nov. 3. That gives you a little over two weeks to look at the issues and candidates for a variety of offices in our communities, state, congress, as well as ballot initiatives and school district levies in Coeur d'Alene and Post Falls. Try to drown out the noise and look beyond sensational headlines and social media memes in your research.

Every election, large or small, is important. Your vote counts this year and always. If you’re not registered, now’s the time to do it. Early voting opens Oct. 19 at the Kootenai County Elections office, 1808 Third St. in Coeur d’Alene.

To see what’s on the ballot: voteidaho.gov

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How many days until Christmas? 73. Two months and a day or two! And for those keeping track, the first day of summer arrives in 251 days.

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Happy Main Street Birthdays today for Randy Bohach, Leslie Lien, Jeff Elder, Dave Chambers, Karen Hammond, Linda Polley, Gary Ghramm and Suzanne Metzger. Tomorrow, Rich Nyquist, Braxton Kurtz, Dee Jameson, Beth Peters, Katie Smith, Wayne Hammond, Elizabeth McGregor, Laurie Dixon, Beth Myles, Greg Cossette, Dave Smith, Peyton Brown and Patty Cheesman celebrate. On Friday, Kathie Lyon, Jordan Hudson, Misti Flood, Pam Nygaard, Brad Perry and Mike Farquhar will blow out the candles. Faith Tonna, Laurie Cook, Dana Albanese, Rosemary Fuller and Karen Deering mark the day of their birth Saturday. Terry Gurno, Arlene Pischner, Keith Erickson, Will Wolff, Kevin Clement, Kathy Reid and Lauri Armon give thanks for another year Sunday. Turning the page on the calendar Monday are Tom Hamilton, Bobbi Koep, Louise Jackson, Linda Chapman, Dan Gookin and Holly Hall. On Oct. 20, the ageless and fabulous Mary Lou Reed turns 96, sharing a birthday with Luke Malek, Mary Willford, Jodie Krieg, Nick Peacock, Brooke Litalien and Jerry Lee.

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Kerri Rankin Thoreson is a member of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists and a former publisher/editor with the Hagadone Newspaper division. Main Street appears every Wednesday in The Press. Kerri can be reached on Facebook or via email at [email protected].