Firefighters add twist to ribbon tradition

The dedication of the Kootenai County Fire and Rescue training tower in Post Falls on 9-11 was respectful of the somber occasion and there was no small amount of irony that crews were called out shortly before the ceremony began and just after a group photograph was taken in front of the fire trucks.

Another unexpected tradition came at the time of the ribbon cutting for what is now, at five stories, the tallest building in Post Falls. Chief Ron Sampert explained that firefighters don't cut ribbons, they uncouple hoses. And they did just that with two bright yellow fire hoses held at both ends by firefighters Taylor Carr and Gage Theard. Uncoupling duties were done by Chief Sampert and Fire Commissioners Joe Doellefeld, Mike Hunt, Rich Nordstrom, Paul Wagner and Phyllis Knox in honor of her late husband ... former commissioner Jack Knox.

We also attended the Sept. 11 ten-year anniversary ceremonies at American Legion Post 143 on Sunday. For the first time in the past nine years a wreath was laid in honor of the United and American Airlines flight crews who died during the terrorist attacks. Thank you to Jeanette Mackin, former United flight attendant, who made it her personal mission to include the 33 pilots and flight attendants who were among the first to perish along with their passengers on Sept. 11.

Bert and I ended our day on Sunday at a spaghetti dinner fundraiser for Tina McWhorter's mission trip to Haiti at the Post Falls Church of the Nazarene. As we drove through the neighborhoods I remarked how few flags were flying on the 10th anniversary of 9-11 this year. It was a bit sad. Coming south on Compton Street, like a beacon in the night, was the most beautifully landscaped yard with borders of red and white geraniums and petunias interspersed with American flags. I planned to take a photo on our way home.

An hour or so later we were driving by the house again when we saw our friend Mary Scalise across the street, stopping to chat. We remarked about the flags and beautiful yard and were told the home belonged to Rich and Nancy Noordam. Walking over to their yard, the Noordams came out to visit and even gave us a tour of their incredible backyard gardens. Rich said that several times a year, including Memorial Day and the Fourth of July, he places 13 flags, one each for the original American colonies, in the flower border.

It may seem like a simple thing but the Noordams' patriotic gesture on that particular day was a most welcome and heartwarming sight.

Attended the wedding of John Hayes and Kelley McElhenney in Wallace on Saturday, which was 9/10/11. Getting off the freeway I stopped at the Wallace Chamber Visitor Center to double-check the location of the church and was happily surprised to see none other than Mike and Janet Feiler volunteering there that day. Mike is former managing editor of the Press and Janet, a former Press reporter who retired last year from the Coeur d'Alene School District, are loving life high up in the Silver Valley. It was also a pleasure to see former State Senator Dick Compton and his wife, Janette at the wedding. They're doing well, too.

Kudos in advance to the 300-plus volunteers who will work on more than two dozen projects large and small in our communities tomorrow during United Way of Kootenai County's Day of Caring. I do love where I live!

Happy Birthday today to Tammy Rubino, Diane Lemas and Anna DeTar. Tomorrow celebrants are Brad Medlock, Jerry Deitz, Jean Wright, Shannon Englander, Kathie Colosimo and Nick McDonald, who's turning the big 3-0. On Friday Jeff Thompson and Terrie Lynn Gonzales mark their birthdays and Saturday's birthday girls are Harmony Oaks, Connie Evans and Linda Wright. Sept. 18 is the birthdate of Brad Peugh, Eric Benjamin, John Holm and Debra Smart, who will blow out 40 candles. The most senior member of this week's Main Street Birthday Club is honored World War II veteran Wally Connally marking 90 years, with a close second being Jeanne Wright turning 88 on Monday. Kim Cooper, Karen Lindbergh, Brock Morrow and Rich Kemption share their Sept. 19 birthdays. Julie Chadderdon, Craig Brosenne and Carrie Marias celebrate on Tuesday.

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. Kerri can be reached at [email protected]

Thoreson

Main Street