Fashion Statement

 

 

I alluded in this week's Main Street column about experiencing the most painful injury ever in my entire 58 years of life this past Tuesday. Not only is it painful but I'm breaking a rule of fashion by wearing white after Labor Day. :)

Ready to serve

The newly-sworn firefighters for Kootenai Fire and Rescue at Station 1 on Monday evening. Read about the group in Main Street print column HERE. Chief Ron Sampert (on left) is pictured with the new crew members. Kneeling l-r, Carl Riegert, Mike Ohlenkamp, Nick Newton, Mara Humbird, Thomas Brunett, Brandon Beveridge, Cody Nicholson. Standing l-r, Justin Savell, Luke Szymanski, Gage Theard, Bridger, Gaul, Donovan Eggleston, Brady Capaul. On truck l-r, Martin Lebsock, Liam Dooley, Brandon Combs.

My Friend the First Responder

On Monday night Carl Riegert and 15 men and women saw nearly 300 hours of training over the past year culminate with attaining Firefighter 1 status for Kootenai Fire and Rescue. Chief Ron Sampert (on left) administered the oath and I had the honor of pinning Carl's badge ... one of those moments now etched in the tapestry of being part of this community.

FAQ

I've been asked alot about the photographs here on More Main Street. Unless noted, or I appear in the photograph, they're taken by me. I'll share the secret for getting great photos ... have a camera with you at all times! Simple as that. :)

A Youthful 95

Rev. Earl Hunter enjoys visiting with friends during a celebration of his 95th birthday on Saturday at the Coeur d'Alene Church of the Nazarene. We should all live such a life of service as Reverend Hunter.

Triumph

Sgt. Christie Wood, vice-chairman of the Kootenai Co. Task Force on Human Relations, gives a hug to artist Julie Wood at the unveiling of the black marble tablet commemorating the 10th anniversary of the Keenans V. The Aryan Nations verdict while Marshal Mend, Task Force board member and Coeur d'Alene Tribal Vice-Chair Ernie Stensgar look on. More on the case and the ceremony from the Press, HERE.

Guess Who's Coming to Dinner

This young bull moose made short work of the flowers in front of a Pinewood Drive home in Post Falls on Tuesday evening. On Labor Day he visited the backyard of Cliff and Jeanne Hayes several blocks to the west for brunch. Since swimming across the Spokane River on Friday and enjoying the hospitality of the Riverside Harbor neighborhood over the weekend, he seems to be making himself quite at home. Reminder that no matter how docile these creatures may appear, they're wild animals and shouldn't be approached. After getting a call from my friend Carl Riegert just past 7 p.m. on Tuesday I was able to track the moose down for this photograph ... taken with a telephoto lens from the safety of my car. :)

In case you wondered ...

...this is what nearly 400 Harley motorcycles lined up for three city blocks in downtown Coeur d'Alene look like. More photos of the 2010 Idaho H.O.G. Rally HERE.

ESGR Boss Lift

In this week's Main Street column HERE, there's mention of the annual Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve BOSS Lift. Cyndie Hammond, Regional Director of Lewis-Clark State College, was one of the civilians who took part in the event at Gowen Field's Idaho Army National Guard Joint Command Base in Boise last week.

Memories

If you're like me, you've passed by this statue near the Third Street boat launch without paying much attention to what it represents. Lt. Col. Warner Gardner is the memorial's namesake and his story can be found HERE.

Like a rolling stone ...

Bob Dylan will perform in Post Falls on Sept. 1 at the Greyhound Park with John Mellencamp as a bonus. On Tuesday afternoon the stage crews dealt with wind and rain during set up for the concert.

Demo Derby

For decades the final grandstand event of North Idaho Fair week is the demolition derby. This year's rock 'em, sock 'em free for all didn't disappoint. Plenty of action to go around!

Saturday at the Fair

It was a great day to be at the North Idaho Fair ... not too hot, not too cold and no rain or wind! During my appearance in the Coeur d'Alene Press booth I met a lot of long-time Main Street readers and gathered nearly 50 names to add to the Main Street Birthday Club. After my stint there Bert and I strolled through the vendors and booths, seeing lots of familiar faces in our travels. Fairgrounds Manager Chris Holloway was also photographing fairgoers, finding me in my corn shirt in of all places, the Ekness booth with a bowl of North Idaho Beer Balls. :) Check out the album HERE to see some of the people I met in my travels at the fair, including the newest Birthday Club members!

The Great Fair Beer Debate

The new and relaxed rules at the 2010 North Idaho Fair regarding where beer can be consumed by those in the 21-over crowd has generated much debate. After the Friends of the Fair dinner on Thursday night I spent a few hours strolling around the fairgrounds. Note the dust-filled sky created by high winds. I ran into my friends, Tom Messina and Robert Cliff, who were enjoying a beer with their German sausages. I saw a few more people with beer in hand during the evening and they, too, were consuming food at the time. As I mentioned on the air on KVNI this morning, hopefully people will reserve judgement on the impact of the new rules until this year's fair is in the books.

Blue Ribbon Grilling

On Sunday, the final day of the North Idaho Fair, amateur grillers will fire up the barbeques and smokers at 10 a.m. Fairgoers will be able to buy sample plates throughout the day, with proceeds going to the North Idaho Fair Foundation. At 5 p.m. the winners will be named in the categories of ribs and chicken. The winning ticket for a Weber Smokey Mountain grill will also be drawn at 5 p.m.
The 1910 Smoking Wood Company, Tim's Custom Meats and Sysco Foods are sponsoring the grilling competition. Me? I get to judge! :)

Show Time!

Tom and Teresa Capone run one of the most popular watering holes in the area, there are actually two Capone's Pub and Grill locations ... in mid-town Coeur d'Alene and in Post Falls. On Monday a Food Network luminary paid the Capones a visit in their Coeur d'Alene pub. Main Street print column with the details HERE.

*thanks to Tom for the photo!

We all win!

The bond election for the Kootenai Technical Education Campus passed in all three school districts on Tuesday. No matter where you stood on the issue, we all win when voters show up at the polling place. For an August election with a single issue on the ballot, the voter turn out was phenominal. Take a bow, all of you who cast a ballot!
Story from Coeur d'Alene Press HERE.

KTEC Election

On Tuesday, August 24, vote from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Polling locations for the school district of your residence:
Post Falls
Frederick Post Kindergarten
Ponderosa Elementary School
Prairie View Elementary School
Lakeland
Athol Elementary School
Betty Kiefer Elementary School
Garwood Elementary School
John Brown Elementary School
Spirit Lake Elementary School
Twin Lakes Elementary School
Hauser Fire Station
Bayview Community Center
Coeur d'Alene
Lake City High School
Coeur d'Alene High School
Lakes Magnet Middle School
Project C.D.A. High School
Hayden Meadows Elementary
Ramsey Elementary School
Information on the Kootenai Technical Education Campus HERE.

Rooster Tail

Mother Nature put the kibosh on the running of the thunderboats Sunday afternoon, but the Miss Wahoo made about four spins on the course to the delight of the diehard spectators lining the shore. I watched the last Diamond Cup races in 1968 on Lake Coeur d'Alene and this exhibition brought back some great memories. Photos HERE.

Racing Rock Star

Mira "the flying Czec" Slovak, 81, is still as handsome and charming as he was back in the 1960s when he ruled the Diamond Cup hydroplane races on Lake Coeur d'Alene. What a treat to meet him and see my high school classmate, Doug Miller, who organized this weekend's Diamond Cup Regatta ... a fundraiser for the Museum of North Idaho!

We can't afford to forget ...

Two steel beams from the World Trade Center will be on display in Post Falls on Saturday, Aug. 21 in front of Road House Cycles and the Hot Rod Cafe. The truck with the two 5,000-pound steel beams, will arrive at 10 a.m. and be escorted by Post Falls Police and Kootenai County Fire and Rescue ladder truck where it will remain on display until 6 p.m. A public welcome ceremony will be held upon the truck’s arrival at 10 a.m. The beams are being transported from New York to Silverdale, WA for the Kitsap 9-11 Memorial Project in Kitsap County. On Sunday, Aug. 22 the Patriot guard Riders of Washington State will escort the beams from the Washington/Idaho state line to its final destination. More photos HERE.

Votes for Women

Rep. Marge Chadderdon and actress/historian Tames Alan at the Soldiers in Petticoats presentation Wednesday evening. About 200 people attened the event to hear about the stuggles and victories of the Women's Suffrage movement. In addition to Marge and me, other women holding elected office in the area who attended were Coeur d'Alene Mayor Sandi Bloem, Post Falls City Councilor Betty Ann Henderson, former state senator Kathy Sims, and the only two women to have served on the Kootenai County Board of Commissioners, Evalyn Adams and Katie Brodie.

Big Checks

New Post Falls Walmart GM Joey Smith presented community checks totalling $15,000 on Wednesday to Mike Baker/Dirne Clinic, Ryan Davis/Boys & Girls Club, Dave Fair/Post Falls Recreation, Sherry Wallis/Post Falls Food Bank and John Chambers/KTEC.

Soldiers in Petticoats

Wednesday, August 18, a celebration of the 90th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment will be at the Coeur d'Alene Resort at 7 p.m. This living history presentation by actress/historian Tames Alan will bring the Women's Suffrage movement to life. My friend, Rep. Marge Chadderdon is hosting this free and open-to-the-public event and will also give an overview of Women's Suffrage in Idaho's history. I'm honored that she's invited me to emcee the evening.

The Beatles!

The Wednesday concerts at the Post Falls Library in August are a real treat. This week Tribute to the Beatles drew quite a crowd on a perfect summer night.

road trip

We had a great time visiting friends and family in Montana and North Dakota but sure won't be missing all the bugs out there!

CHS Class of 1960 Reuniting

Coeur d'Alene's Class of 1960 will mark a half century since graduation. Dick and Nona Kay (Shern) Barclay provided some information about the festivities: "The Coeur d' Alene High School Class of 1960 will be celebrating their 50th class reunion August 12,13,& 14th. On Thursday we will all meet at the Eagles Dance (which was a weekly event in 1960), on Friday there will be registration and gathering at the Eagles Pavilion on 15th St. and then we will have the banquet at the Elks on Saturday."
Interesting who's who trivia from the class ... Sandi (Crimp) Bloem is a member of this class as is Dixie (Johnson) Reid. Chairing the reunion are Dick Jurvelin and Betty Gaye (Bennion) Hartz with Butch Stoddard as e-mail guru. Nat Pieper, now of Tampa, Florida, was the Class President.

August 11 Main Street

This week's print column from the Coeur d'Alene Press HERE.

The Winners!

The Chili Cookoff at the Lake City Senior Center's Fun Day drew eleven entrants and a large crowd of people eager to sample their creations. Team KVNI prepared a fabulous chili that I'm sure was just out of the money when the judging was complete! I did my part by sampling all of the entries, with some salad and cornbread to boot! Pictured l-r: Judge Steve Masterson, overall winner Spencer Peet of Bestland Senior Living, People's Choice winner - Jason Ball of Four Seasons Assisted Living and judge Kim Masterson.

Kootenai Fire District Bond Election

The first of two August elections this year is taking place on Tuesday, August 3. The Kootenai Fire District election is for a $2 million, 10-year bond for the development of a training center and administration building remodel. Cost would be $7.04 per $100,000 of assessed property value. Polls are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and polling places are at Station #3 on 16th Ave. in Post Falls and Station #5 on N. 4th in Dalton. For more information call 676-8739 or visit the KFPD's website HERE.
Remember to vote ... those who do have a voice!

Grand Opening

The newly-expanded Hospice Thrift Store in Post Falls is still a work-in-progress, but manager, Linda Cartwright is celebrating with a grand opening on Friday, July 30. The store is open Mon.-Sat. from 10-4 p.m. It's all for a great cause, Hospice of North Idaho!

Senior Fun Day

The Lake City Senior Center is holding a chili cook-off on Thursday (July 29) along with a cake walk, putt putt golf and raffle prizes. For just $5 you can have a salad bar and bowl of chili for lunch, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. My pals, El Paso Pam and Minnesota Madge, from KVNI will compete in the cook-off and Downtown Joe will be broadcasting live from the Lake City Senior Center. I'll pop in to sample some chili and vote in the People's Choice Award, hope to see you there! 667-4628, 1916 Lakewood Dr., Coeur d'Alene.

Family Reunion

The Coeur d'Alene Tribe's annual Julyamsh Pow Wow and Tribal Encampment is a celebration of native culture and tradition. Members of tribes from all over the country and Canada gather in Post Falls each year and we're fortunate to share in the reunion. Photographs from the 2010 Pow Wow HERE, and from 2009 HERE. Nathan Chasing Horse was one of the men's traditional dancers over the weekend. The Lakota Soiux from the Rosebud Nation appeared in the iconic Dances with Wolves in 1990. This photo of Chasing Horse was taken as he waited for the Grand Entry to begin on Sunday.

Still beautiful ...

Debra Johnson Brown was crowned Miss Coeur d'Alene the year after graduating in 1970 and in that capacity appeared in a number of promotional tourism publications, including this issue of The Fun Guide, circa 1971. Attending our 40th high school reunion this past weekend, I think Debbie is even more beautiful now. When we chatted about this magazine cover she grimaced at the memory of the matronly swimsuit she was modeling in the photo shoot. Like a fine wine, our beautiful friend is just getting better and better!

KVNI ~ The Voice of North Idaho

While I filled in as guest host on the morning show with Kris Siebers, the original Mr. KVNI popped in for a visit. Bob Hough, 83, was the popular host of the station for two decades in the 1950s and '60s. He's still a real pro and livened up the airwaves Monday.

Class of 1970 - 40 years later

A whirlwind weekend of reuniting for several classes of local high schools, including Coeur d'Alene high school's Class of 1970. The main event was held at the Roosevelt Inn, where several classmates attended elementary school. If I receive class photos from any of the reunions this summer, they'll be posted here!

Blooming "tree"

We have a petunia tree in our yard this year for the first time and while it's really pretty, it's no where near as gorgeous as this one. Brian (Kiwi) and Diana Kirk of Post Falls have knocked it out of the park with their blossoms!

Two Sisters Remembering a Third Sister

The Johnson sisters, now known as Kathy Hlebichuk and Karen Ouren, have found a way to honor, Barb, the sister they lost to pancreatic cancer. Their Two Sisters Cookbook Volume 2 is just back from the printers and available for purchase. For $15 you can own a great cookbook knowing the profits will go towards pancreatic cancer research. Copies of Volume 1 are also available for $12. Pick up your copies at Lather Salon & Spa at 1710 N. 4th St. in Coeur d'Alene or call Kathy or Karen at 664-1325.

Training Wheels

Saw this middle-aged woman on what looked to be a Goldwing heading south on Idaho Street in Post Falls this afternoon. As Goldwing owners, my husband and I got a kick out of these training wheels.

A Hero's Farewell

I've met some great people, famous people and extraordinary ordinary people in my life. But meeting Vernon Baker was an honor beyond what I'm adequately able to describe. He was a gentleman, humbled by the adulation of the public and a wee bit mischievious I sensed. Mr. Baker was a genuine hero for the history books and like the handful of real heroes I've met, would never describe himself as such. Word came on Wednesday that this Congressional Medal of Honor recipient and the last surviving member of the 92nd Infantry Division's Buffalo Soldiers, the first all-black unit to see combat in the war, had passed away. He lived an incredible 90 years of life, the last decades in north Idaho. We were honored to know him. Press stories HERE and HERE.

This week's Main Street

in print, in the Coeur d'Alene Press. Read which major movie star was in town this week and more HERE.

Dust in the wind

Monday's wind storm brought clouds of dust from the farmlands of Eastern Washington through north Idaho. Gusts up to 50 mph didn't deter these two women from their after work walk on the Centennial Trail through Riverstone. We'll be raking leaves and twigs from our poplar trees in our Post Falls yard for the next day or so in the aftermath.

Crushed in a good way

Coeur d'Alene Crush 97 won the Idaho Jr. Olympic Girls Fastpitch State Championship with two extra innings of International tie breakers and a final game score of 10-9. The Coeur d'Alene Crush won all three games in Lewiston over the weekend to earn the championship. Crush 97 will host a tournament in Coeur d'Alene July 23 -25 and will compete in the Western A Nationals August 2-8 in Spokane. Pictured are: front row (l-r) Mariah Montee, Breana Burke, Kylie Smith, JaeCie Wilson, Bryce Catt and Jadyn Behm; second row (l-r) Coach Travis Smith, Abby Howard, Kylie Rasmussen, Erin Higbie, Madisen Scholwinski, Analisa Raynor and Coach Julie Stark. *thanks Cynthia Raynor for sharing the photo!

Up the river

Kim Washko (pictured) of Coeur d'Alene enjoyed a Saturday afternoon kayaking with her husband, Jim on the North Fork of the Coeur d'Alene River near Prichard.

Familiar faces

Idaho Governor Butch Otter and former Kootenai County Commissioner Katie Brodie made an appearance at the American Legion State Convention at RedLion Templin's in Post Falls on Friday.

Perfect cure for a hot day

Day 2 of 90+ degree temps created a crowd on Coeur d'Alene's city beach on a Friday afternoon.

Wildlife watch

Quite a few of my Facebook pals have been posting photos of urban wildlife of late, mostly deer, elk and moose. On Thursday on E. Riverview Drive a wild turkey hen was herding her dozen-plus chicks (poults) across the road as I drove by. Several of the babies huddled in a rock crevice alongside the road, posing for this quick photo. *For the past four years my OnLocation North Idaho blog has offered a pictorial view of life as we know it here in our little slice of paradise.

Bring on summer!

In print

This week's print Main Street from the Coeur d'Alene Press HERE.

It's open!

Just in time for the 90+ weather, the Q'emilin Park boat launch on the Spokane River is now open since the gates of the Post Falls dam have been closed. The public beach is open and the lifeguards are on duty! Story HERE.

Hard Landing

Those of thousands of us who were downtown in Coeur d'Alene to view the fireworks on Sunday night found ourselves in a traffic jam of enormous proportions after the show. I discovered last night, after we'd taken the long way home to Post Falls, the reason for the stalled traffic. A Cessna made an emergency landing on I-90 near Atlas Road just before the fireworks show ended. Miraculously neither the pilot Michael Eller, his passengers or anyone on the ground was hurt. On Monday afternoon, Christa Hazel shot this photograph of the plane being lifted by crane onto a tow truck. Coeur d'Alene Press story HERE.

A hometown parade

The 4th of July parade in Coeur d'Alene is a tradition for many in the region. It doesn't get more "mom and apple pie" than this. There's an album of photographs HERE. Be sure to read the Main Street print column on Wednesday in the Coeur d'Alene Press for some of the fun back stories from the 4th of July!

Fireworks!

We enjoyed the fireworks from the patio of the Coeur d'Alene Chamber visitor center. Fun to see friends and the families all coming out for the celebration of America. But our drive back to Post Falls required some creative routing ... up 4th Street north to Prairie Avenue and across the prairie. Turns out that a small plane had made a hard landing in the median of I-90 causing a traffic back up for thousands of cars.

4th of July Parade!

Since the 1960s when our family lived in the historic John T. Wood house on the corner of 9th and Sherman Ave. in Coeur d'Alene, the 4th of July parade has been a tradition for us. No fighting the crowds, we watched it pass by from the shade of our front porch. Through the years my daughters and now their sons, have enjoyed watching the parade, too. We've been in the parade with floats, I've driven a grand marshal or two in my car, and for years loved to see my father and his Marine Corps League buddies ride on the tank with the Chosin Few at the front of the parade. In 2004, I was on the fireworks fundraising team for the parade and met up with Dad in his tank before it started. (see photo) It was to be his last but it was a good one. We still attend the parade every year and while it's a bit bittersweet to see the veterans there at the front of the parade without him, it's a lasting patriotic legacy to celebrate our nation's freedom. See you at the parade!
NOTE: Idaho's Governor Butch Otter will appear in this year's parade in Coeur d'Alene!

Good News/Bad News

The bad news is that Avista will keep the flood gates of the Post Falls Dam open at least through the holiday weekend, which means the city beach and boat launch at Q'emiln Park will be closed for swimmers and boaters. The good news? The wide open gates provide for some spectacular viewing of the falls at Falls Park this weekend!
For current information on Spokane River flows and Coeur d’Alene Lake elevation call 769-1357. Coeur d'Alene Press story HERE.

Five generations on the 4th

Not long ago I came across this photograph from the 1990s that brought a smile. It's a favorite 4th of July memory for me. My 90-year-old grandmother made the trip from Santa Rosa for the holiday which we spent watching the Coeur d'Alene parade, followed by a picnic in city park. With my father, Ron Rankin, my daughter, Alyssa and my grandson, Matthew, we posed for a photograph that I will long treasure. My father and grandmother have since passed away but they'll be in my thoughts on the 4th of July for sure.

Pirates!

Lake Coeur d'Alene Cruises has added a pirate cruise for the summer. On Thursday's maiden voyage from Independence Point, Hagadone Hospitality President Jerry Jaeger was seen boarding with his grandchildren. The pirate captain was heard telling the passengers they were heading to Kidd Island!