For the past couple of decades I've enjoyed several memorable experiences through the writing of this column, but the tale of the cardboard box oil painting is certainly unique.What began with a simple request for information in the Jan. 26 Main Street has brought two families together. Joni McCoury's late father, Howard Scott bought an oil painting done on a Runge's Furniture cardboard box at the Athletic Roundtable in the 1960s. Kathy Hughes' late father, Elmer Johnson, was the artist. Much has happened in the two weeks since the women first met at Shellie Mundy's Art Conscious Framing store in Post Falls.

Tomorrow will be a reception from 4-7 p.m. at the business, 316 N. Spokane St., with several of Elmer Johnson's now vintage folk art paintings on display. Jeff Runge, third generation of the furniture family, is delighted by the story and plans to attend as well.***

Just in time for Valentine's Day, the Coeur d'Alene Downtown Association is hosting the annual Chocolate Affair on Friday evening.Gay Glasson has tapped my services as a judge in the professional division. What a hoot! I've lost over 40 pounds since last Valentines Day and haven't consumed chocolate in many months, which makes me the perfect taste tester. As long as I remember it's about the tasting not the eating and everything in moderation!

My judging partners, Marilee Wallace and Susan DuBois will make if fun for sure. And I can always dance off the chocolate at the Greyhound Park on Saturday night at the annual Sweethearts Ball with Tuxedo Junction and Ruth Pratt providing the music. On Sunday is a spaghetti dinner and dance at the American Legion Post 143 to benefit the Post Falls Senior Center. ***

Missed a couple of U.S. Military Academy nominations by Senator Jim Risch last week ... congrats to Joshua James, Coeur d'Alene and Kyle Siegwarth, Hayden Lake on their nominations to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. And earning nominations as U.S. Presidential Scholars (3,000 top SAT/ACT scorers in the country) are Nicholas Induni and Taylor Stewart of Coeur d'Alene High School and Lewis Ellis and James George of Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy.***

Congratulations to District 5 Rep. Bob Nonini who received the Idaho Legislator of the Year Award on Friday evening in Boise. The award was presented by Gov. Butch Otter on behalf of the Idaho Republican Party.***

If you're like me, holding a garage sale is just too darn much work. Having the public in my garage, driveway and yard makes me a bit uncomfortable. So when the folks at the Greyhound Park started holding a monthly indoor "garage sale" at their place, I decided to jump on the "get rid of a bunch of stuff" bandwagon. For $15 I'll get a 10-foot x 10-foot space and hundreds of people through their front door. Our spare bedroom closet, aka Museum of Formal Wear, is going to be emptied. Come see me and a couple of racks of sparkly dresses and sweaters on Feb. 25 and 26. I've given my three daughters notice that everything is going. :)

***Facebook Status of the Week ... Karen Corcoran, "Face to face is the original social media and is still important! Anyone want to do lunch?"

***Happy Birthday today to Bill Buley (50!), Jessica Prka (40!), Linda Wilhelm, Brandie Shofner, Julia Free and Alta Steele. Kiki Miller celebrates tomorrow and on Friday Jeff Carlson, James Shepperd, Jody Hissong, Trevor Smith, Jarryn Siebers, Carole Tabkman and David Clark will blow out their candles. Bonnie Guindon, Ann Koustrup and Chris Curlee have Saturday birthdays. Ken Martin, Sam Crawford, Fran Harms and Toby Flood were born on Feb. 13, along with Elmer Currie, who's celebrating 91 years! Valentine's Day birthdays belong to Don James, Susan DuBois, Tripp Rogers, LaDonna Beaumont, Jan McDaniels and Mike Shepperd, who will earn the right to wear the Shepperd family crown on the occasion of marking six decades. Panhandle Area Council marks the 39th anniversary of incorporation on Feb. 14, too. On Tuesday Mindy Hatcher, Joe Doellefeld, Jeff Conroy, Craig Smith, Donna Montgomery, Art Sullivan and Tracy Dickinson have birthdays.

**THERE'S MORE ... at More Main Street see photos of 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. Listen to Main Street Monday on KVNI AM1080. Kerri can be reached at mainstreet@cdapress.com