Bob Koep shares a fabulous photo he took of his nephew Mikey (Michael Scott Koep) and Mikey's grandpa, Ken Koep last weekend. Grandpa Ken was holding Mikey up so he could play in the sprinker on a hot day. Bob's brother, Michael B. Koep is Mikey's proud daddy. 
Coeur d'Alene Summer School of Piping and Drumming is a 38-year local tradition that draws students of all ages from all over the country. 50 pipers and 25 drummers arrived at North Idaho College last Saturday for a week of instruction for all skill levels. Chief instructor is Andrew Wright, a top scholar on the history of pipe music, who travels from Scotland. On Thursday evening (tonight) at 7 p.m. there will be a recital in the courtyard between the Ft. Sherman Officers Quarters and the residence hall that's open to the public. Bring a lawn chair and enjoy!
Boarding the C130 on Pappy Boyington Field at the Coeur d'Alene Airport.
Lifelong Coeur d'Alene resident Jim Shepperd celebrates his 83rd birthday July 29 and shared a fun story of that day in the print Main Street column HERE. Our conversation included other interesting tidbits. Jim's father, Warren was a longtime member of the Coeur d'Alene Kiwanis, starting in the 1920s. He had 23 years of perfect attendance. Jim also became involved in the Kiwanis as an adult and made 23 years of perfect attendance himself. The Shepperd family lived on 11th and Sherman, in the St. Thomas area. Jim said that 13 of the boys he knew in the neighborhood later became priests. Dr. Alexander Barclay Sr. was the family doctor and had his offices and a hospital on Garden Avenue across from the courthouse. His two sons, Alexander Jr. (Bud) and Gedney (Ged) became doctors and continued on in the same location for many years. The building in most recent years was the location of the Kootenai County Elections offices. Dr. Barclay Sr. forgave all doctor bills during the Depression, not wanting his patients and neighbors to suffer any additional financial hardships. Jim was brought into the world, not by Dr. Barclay who was gone that day but by Dr. John T. Wood, who later went on to become a US Congressman. Dr. John T's son, Dr. William Wood had a long and illustrious career in Coeur d'Alene including decades as Kootenai County Coroner. He passed away a few years ago in his nineties.
The 2009 Race the River Triathlon at Riverstone took place under stormy skies on Sunday but the enthusiasm of the competitors wasn't dampened in the least. Standing on the winners platform in the Men's 40-44 age group are winner Jeff Yates, center, 2nd place finisher, Bryan Ogle, right and 3rd place finisher, Eric Petersen on left. Click Race the River to see a list of all times and placements.
Into the wee hours of Tuesday morning Mother Nature put on quite a show with sky-to-ground lightning strikes and a background soundtrack of booming thunder. Denise Durflinger captured this strike from her house on Poleline and Cecil in Post Falls. The photograph below was taken by Phil Corless in Coeur d'Alene. If you have lightning pictures email them to me at the address on the right.
The Post Falls Little League All Star team won the state championship and the opportunity to compete in the Northwest Regionals, starting Aug. 6 in San Bernardino. They're just six games away from realizing their dream to play in the Little League World Series. Kudos to coach Michael Hunt, manager Dusty Pfennigs and players TJ Harris, Ryan Hunt, Tyson Bell, Donald Ells, Trevor Hammell, Josiah Hoffman, Jacob Koski, Jacob Lebsock, Max McCullough, Isaiah Parker, Joe Pfennigs and Elijah Schreibeis. The boys are holding car washes at Super 1 Foods and the gas station at Highway 41 and Mullan on Friday from 10 a.m to 3 p.m. to raise funds for the regional tournament. Julie Hunt at 818-2463 or Michelle Pfennigs at 755-7681 have more info for anyone interested in helping. Press story HERE.
The 12th Annual Julyamsh Pow Wow at the Greyhound Park Events Center this weekend was filled with the color and culture of the Coeur d'Alenes and tribes from all over the country. Reigning over the celebraion were Miss Julyamsh Kyra Antone and Princess Olivia Pakootas. Their "crowns" are intricate, handmade with thousands of seed beads sewn onto leather. More photographs of the dancers and horses HERE.
In the latest installment of why I love my husband, Bert and I spent the morning in the Ronald D. Rankin Veterans Memorial Plaza at the Kootenai County Adminstration building. It had to be over 90 degrees before we finished cleaning and then painting the pedestal that the eagle statue rests upon. In 2005 when the plaza was re-named in my late father's honor, our family gifted the eagle to the citizens of Kootenai County. While I may serve as curator of the plaza, it's my husband's willingness to roll up his sleeves to honor his father-in-law and all veterans that makes me grateful.
Jonathan Coe announced on Tuesday that he's accepted a position as director of the Santa Rosa, California Chamber of Commerce. A surprise to some but not so much to me. In fact, Jonathan is a rare exception to the organizational leadership norm. He led the Sandpoint Chamber for 14 years and the Coeur d'Alene Chamber for a decade. These positions generally have about a 5-year shelf life due to the nature of working for boards of directors which change every few years, in effect having a new boss on a regular basis.
Thousands of people enjoy seeing the sights of Lake Coeur d'Alene each year on one of the Lake Coeur d'Alene Cruises boats. We had the pleasure of meeting Captain Harry and his deckhand, Trevor on The Osprey over the weekend. It's great to see people who love their jobs and do them well.
In June, the 35th Annual Pacific Southwest Emmy Awards ceremony took place in San Diego. The Emmy for Sport Event/Game-Live/Unedited was awarded to Cox 3 Sports: Marcus Williams and his wife Tina Williams, Producers/Directors. Marcus, a 1985 grad of Post Falls High School, started in the biz as a cameraman with Cox Communications 15 years ago. He’s the grandson of LaVenia Jacobson of Coeur d’Alene, son of Candice Applegate of Sequim and the stepson of Harley Bush of Post Falls. Pictured: Marcus and Tina at the Emmy ceremony.
During a reception at Camp Sweyolakan on Sunday I met Susannah Kirkham Steffy, who was celebrating her 74th birthday. She was sharing the day with her daughters Seraphima and Gretchen and her grandchildren Sasha and Andre`. Susannah had last been to Camp Sweyolakan in 1952 so it was a special homecoming. All three generations of her family have camped at Sweyolakan. More photos HERE.
Captain Scot Haug of the Post Falls Police Department was officially appointed to the position of Chief of Police at the Post Falls City Council Meeting this evening, effective August 1. Long-time Chief Cliff Hayes announced his retirement earlier this month. (see post down further)
Stein might be best known from his role in Ferris Bueller's Day Off or as the Emmy-winning host of Win Ben Stein's Money but he has an eclectic career and educational background, including valedictorian of his Yale Law School class. Ben's bio HERE. Jim reports that Ben and his wife were headed to their summer home in Sandpoint. Recognizing that North Idaho is a fabulous place to be makes Ben Stein very smart, indeed.
The Coeur d’Alene Police Department Honor Guard received the Coeur d’Alene Chamber of Commerce Award for Top Marching Unit for their participation in the July 4th Parade.
Last Saturday when the temperatures were just south of 90 degrees, more than two dozen Sunrise Rotarians weren't at the lake. Instead they showed up to volunteer for the kids whose families are facing challenges. The Sunrise Rotary donated money and manpower to help improve the play area at St Vincent de Paul North Idaho's Transitional Housing program. SVDP director Jeff Conroy described the day as amazing. Cari Frasier of US Bank coordinated the project and volunteers. The group made four-square boxes, installed a new basketball hoop, planted flowers, landscaping blocks, improved a gazebo, bought toys and new balls. Costco donated a new play structure. Our communities never cease to amaze me with their generous hearts.
Over the weekend in Meridian the girls of summer from Coeur d'Alene Crush earned their first-ever trophy when they took third place in the state tournament. These players, age 10 and under, advance to the regional tournament this weekend at Ramsey Park in Coeur d'Alene. Come on out and cheer on the home team! CRUSH 10U Fastpitch softball team: Reilley Chapman, Kayla Patton, Bailey Gleaves, Ally Dement, Emily Callahan, Miranda Amos, Jane Wilkey, Alanna Osmanski, Mackenzie Longley, Destyni Lari, Lille Brott and not pictured Betty Comak. Coaches are TJ Patton, Holly Gleaves and Danny Dement.
Good wishes for a speedy recovery to Rep. Frank Henderson, who just had bypass surgery at Kootenai Medical Center on Thursday. Just like a good Timex, Frank at 86 keeps on ticking. If most of us in our fifties and sixties had even half of Frank's energy and passion, the world would be a better place. And happy birthday Saturday to his lovely bride, Betty Ann.
began in 2006 when W.J. Lazerus looked for a way that he and local production friends could discuss what was happening in the Coeur d'Alene area industry. People might be surprised to know how many film industry professionals have relocated to North Idaho and the positive economic impact the industry provides. *In 2008 Utah film revenue was $100 million, Oregon $454 million.
This is a great camping trick or even for a big, busy family breakfast at home. Boil water in a large pot. Use a ziplock freezer bag and crack two eggs into it. Add about 1/4 cup milk then "scramble" by squishing the bag between your fingers. Then add whatever you like into the bag ... diced onion or tomato, shredded cheese, cubed ham or crumbled bacon. Seal the bag, write your name on it with a Sharpie (if you're going to have multiple bags in the pot), drop into the boiling water for about 10 minutes. Open bag and slide onto the plate. Voila` ... an omelette!
Today's Birthday Girl, Taryn Hecker, is a real Renaissance Woman as well. Taryn turns 30 today and owns a new photography studio in Spirit Lake. She's an award-winning reporter forced into retirement during these challenging economic times who is reinventing her life. The historic Fireside Lodge in Spirit Lake has been the hub of activity in this small North Idaho town for over a century. Now open only on holiday weekends, Taryn has stepped into the role of waitress on those weekends and enthusiastically stepped up on the stage during jam sessions to sing country songs like a pro. Fireside Lodge owner is Rod Erickson, a musician and yodeler of considerable renown, so a Sunday visit to his establishment after a day on the lake proved to be a real treat.
On the day that Michael Jackson was being eulogized my husband was doing some clearing of clutter at home. He came across a box of old magazines I'd set aside a couple of decades ago for no particular reason. Random magazines of the era. But three of the dozen or so caught my eye. Click here to see their covers. I'm thinking I'll put them on Ebay and see what happens.
For the better part of three generations, kids on bikes, scooters, and wagons ... kids with dogs and kids in costume have paraded down Sherman Avenue in the July 3 Kiddie Parade in Coeur d'Alene. This year nearly 2,000 youngsters participated and a few of the darling faces are pictured in an album HERE.
Through the years I've taken hundreds of photographs of local veterans, many of the Greatest Generation of World War II service. I'm honored beyond measure to call many of them my friends and consider each one a hero, although few would describe themselves as such. God Bless America and those who've fought for and protected the freedom and independence we celebrate on July 4.
