Last year I used the following quotation in this column at Thanksgiving. This week I witnessed the embodiment of the message. "As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them." - John F. Kennedy

Early Monday evening I received a call from a friend who wondered if I'd heard what our mutual friend, Ron Nilson had done that day. When I learned that Ron was providing a warehouse for a homeless warming center there was no surprise but I wanted to go see it for myself. Several weeks ago I'd been to that warehouse for a groundbreaking celebration for Underground Force with guests including Governor Otter, elected officials and community leaders.

On Monday night as I entered the warehouse, there stood Ron in a circle of two dozen or so homeless men and women, leading a prayer of gratitude. He was gracious and humble and visited with each of the people who were his guests that night. A spaghetti dinner was served, sleeping bags provided and the feeling of relief from those who would spend the night being warm and dry was palpable.It was a most special and spiritual moment to witness. God bless everyone in our communities who don't simply utter words of gratitude and service but who live by them.

***The EXCEL Foundation's Big Event was taking place Friday night during the Coeur d'Alene Vikings championship football game in Boise. Emcee Mark Peterson provided regular scoring updates to the crowd. When the game was over and the Vikings were victorious, a football autographed by the CHS players went up for auction. The lucky and generous bidder was Chris Barone. Perfect timing!

***Another CHS football note of interest ... my baby sister, Ronna Park, CHS '78, lives in Blackfoot, Idaho. On Friday night she and her husband, Kerry, were in the stands at Holt Arena for the State 4-A championship game with the Blackfoot Broncos, Kerry's alma mater. Ronna said they announced Coeur d'Alene's 5-A victory in the stadium and she was likely the only one who cheered loudly at the news. The Broncos went on to take the 4-A title. So for the Parks of Blackfoot it was a banner night. Ronna and Kerry each had a state football championship to celebrate!

*** Kootenai County Sheriff's Deputy Gary Dagastine miraculously escaped serious injury while on duty this past Friday. I-90 at the Fourth of July Pass was an ice rink when Gary's patrol car was struck from behind by a truck going about 50 mph. The most serious damage was to the patrol car and according to his daughter, Tara, thankfully Gary's sense of humor was unscathed.***

Why shop local? Local businesses pay taxes, provide paychecks, donate and contribute to organizations and events throughout the year. If not for local businesses, who would be donating to the auctions, raffles, scholarships, grad night parties, senior centers, charitable causes, youth sports sponsorships etc., etc.? This Christmas season let your gift giving pay it forward in our communities ... Occupy Main Street ~ SHOP LOCAL!***

This Thanksgiving I'm especially thankful not only for the good health of our family but for the simple fact we all have roofs over our heads and food in the pantry. I'm thankful for good friends and neighbors who still dig deep to give to worthy causes and make time to volunteer their time, all in the hopes of making things a little brighter for others not so fortunate ...for our many blessings give thanks.

***Will be getting up before dawn on Friday morning, not to get a jump on the bargains, though. With my partner, Joe Paisley, we'll be broadcasting the morning show live from the Festival of the Trees at the Coeur d'Alene Resort from 6 to 9 a.m. You can listen at 1080AM or come down and say hello!

For the 8th year I have the absolute pleasure of emceeing the Festival of Trees Senior Social on Saturday morning, thanks to the fine folks at the North Idaho Eye Institute. It's always a very special morning with so many Main Street readers! And don't miss the entertaining and nostalgic Holiday GI Jukebox shows at the Coeur d'Alene Resort with the Coeur d'Alene Summer Theater through Dec. 23.***

Today is the birthday of Dana Ortega and her dad, David Eachon, Chris Beck, Dennis Hall, Dee Dee Morris, Ronda Mitchell and Stephanie Morrison. Thankful for a Thanksgiving birthday are Mike Jarrett, Eric Knudtsen, Mike Lindquist, Jessie Gunderson, Carol Daniels and Jeff Morrison, who's turning the big 3-0! Friday birthdays will be celebrated by Pearl Harwood (91!), Buck Wilhelm, John Cocoran, Mike Reagan, Sue Thilo, Barb Oliver, Sue Servick and Tammy Rovik. On Saturday, Tom Torgerson, Joe Culbreth, Kate Vieslmeyer, Renee Riegert Cook, Marilyn Fisher and Elijah Ott will blow out their candles. Sue Hutter, Ian Martin and Rob Eachon will get their party on come Sunday. Sharing a Nov. 28 birthday are Cody and Tristan Webb and Judy Dahl. On Tuesday Amanda Hildebrant Robinson, Gary Ingram, Shirley Thagard, Carol Covell and Carol Ann Eachon will celebrate another year.***

Kerri Rankin Thoreson is a member of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists and the former publisher of the Post Falls Tribune. She was voted Best Local Writer for 2010 by the readers of the North Idaho Business Journal. Main Street appears every Wednesday in The Press and Kerri is on the air Mondays and Wednesdays on 1080 ESPN AM (KVNI). She can be reached at mainstreet@cdapress.com