RUN: A success despite bad weather

We would like to recognize and thank all those who made the recent Ice Breaker Run such a success despite Mother Nature's April Fool's Day joke of a "marvelously miserable" weather surprise.

The Hauser Lake Watershed Coalition's 10K Ice Breaker Run attracted 299 registered runners; however probably due to the unusual weather only 230 ran. On this particular, April Fool's Sunday, a steady stream of rain, snow, wind and even a bit of hail challenged those dedicated athletes.

The coalition's president Jo DesMarais praised the army of nearly 40 local volunteers who braved the cold to ensure that the course and services were provided and expressed many thanks for the generosity of the local sponsors. Volunteers from the Hauser Fire Department and their Ladies Auxiliary, the Hauser Lion's Club, Ladies of the Lake, community residents, and of course, members of the Watershed Coalition have worked closely for the last three months to guarantee all that could be done was done for a successful event.

Generous sponsors included Washington Trust Bank, Saturday Night Inc., Avista, Michelob Ultra, Fleet Feet of Coeur d'Alene, Cabela's, Harry Watson and Family Parking, and Steins in Rathdrum.

A special thank you goes to the Post Falls Highway District for their extra efforts to ensure that the road conditions around the lake would be clean and safe.

First place winners in the men's and women's division, Bryan Tevis and Melissa Von Wyngaardt, both received $100 gift certificates from Fleet Feet. Second place winners in the men's and women's division, Kyle McNaught-Davis and Alyssa Shaw, as well as third place Robert Pflasterer and Robin Bedilion, all received gift certificates from Cabela's. Race results for all 230 runners may be found on the Coalition's website at www.hauserwatershed.org.

Join us again next year. The weather cannot get any worse and it's fun!

JIM WALLACE

HLWC VP

DONATION: Electricians with good hearts

How do you judge a good electrician?

I volunteer at North Idaho Violence Prevention Center as a court advocate. The center has a safe house, where women and children can go when the abuse becomes to dangerous. This house was in great electrical need. I contacted Evergreen Electric and asked if they might be willing to donate some of their time to help out. Seven electricians on their day off, donated 3 1/2 hours each, to the repairs needed.

So how do you judge a good electrician? Maybe by what is in their hearts and their actions. Many thanks to owner Byron Hatlely of Evergreen Electric, (208) 755-4686 and his team of men. Their the kind of people I want at my house.

GEORGE SILVA

Coeur d'Alene