Something for everyone this season

The Festival of Trees and holiday lighting and fireworks once again kicked off the season in style. Loved, loved, loved the Idaho Drug Free Youth parade entry!

Took a cruise over to the North Pole last week during the Arctic blast and highly recommend the trip to people of all ages. The Coeur d'Alene cruise boat is decked out for the holidays and I never tire of the beauty of the lights at the North Pole, aka Casco Bay. A real treat for the kids when Santa calls out to them by name from his workshop on the water.The Senior Social was a fabulous time ... my annual visit with Dr. David Wold, his wife, Kristine and their adorable granddaughters, Ava and Ashley Yates and Ellie, Libby and Mallory Morrisroe. Kudos again to the sponsor, the North Idaho Eye Institute, and organizer Karen Sines. Always an honor to spend the morning with our local seniors.

The showstopper was without a doubt the incredible voice of Aaron Baldwin. Look for this talented young man to make his mark on bigger stages in the coming years.***

The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) has a great name for their annual awards ... the Brass Ring. Equally as great is having a local business be named the 2010 Top Family Entertainment Center of the World! Hayden's Triple Play Family Fun Park is in good company with approximately 10,000 family fun centers in just the good old USA, including Sea World, Disneyland and even the San Diego Zoo. Kudos to owner John Geddes, GM Mike Murphy and Jennifer Ross, Marketing & Sales Director. They enjoyed a trip to Orlando, Fla., to accept the award.

And the biggest theme park in the whole state, Silverwood, has just announced two new rides for 2011 that sound like fun ... the Frog Hopper and Butterflyer.***

Marge Chadderdon is celebrating her birthday today in Boise with fellow legislators, being sworn into office. Chris Pappas shares Marge's Dec. 1 birthdate. Tomorrow Brandie Halterman-Hauge, Lois Holom and Hope Connally are the birthday girls. On Friday wish a happy birthday to Joyce Ekness, Jennifer Keefe, Carol Fairhurst, Sandra King and Steve Shenefelt. On Saturday, Carrie with a "C" Cook and Bob Brooke mark their special day and Jennifer McGrath celebrates Sunday. On Monday, Hazel Day and Jennifer Hawkins join Frank Henderson on the Dec. 6 birthday list. Frank will blow out 88 candles this year! Tuesday is the date of Dean Opsal and Randy Duncan's birth.***

Looking forward to renewing my acquaintance with Chef Jon Ashton tomorrow night at the Relish Cooking Show and Expo at the Greyhound Park. Had a nice chat with him via phone on Monday and he's as entertaining as always. Even though I was an also-ran to Ben Wolfinger in the shopping cart dash, I've put it all behind me and will "relish" the opportunity to see what Chef Jon will cook up at the show. Join me!

***Hope you caught the new movie, "Unanswered Prayers," that aired Monday on Lifetime starring our very own Anna Pearce, aka Patty Duke. She's a treat on the big screen, little screen and in real life.

***Tips for the weekend ... Friday is WinterFest in Post Falls with a tree lighting, caroles, cider & cookies and a visit from Santa. 6-8 p.m. in the City Hall rotunda. Two big small town celebrations on Saturday. Hayden's 5th annual Holiday Tree Lighting starts with the lighted parade at 5 p.m. on Government Way from Hayden Avenue to Honeysuckle. The tree lighting follows at Hayden City Park. Rathdrum's Holiday D'Lites runs from 2 to 6 p.m. with family activities taking place on Main Street and a lighted parade to top off the celebration.

***THERE'S MORE ... at More Main Street see photos of local people and places Access More Main Street under the columns tab at www.cdapress.com. Listen to Main Street Monday on KVNI AM1080.

***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. More Main Street blog is at http://moremainstreet.blogspot.com. Kerri can be reached at [email protected]