COEUR d'ALENE - One of the benefits of turning 100: You get to celebrate for a whole darn year if you feel like it.

And as a matter of fact, the Coeur d'Alene Chamber of Commerce does.

The Chamber will officially join the ranks of centenarianism this Sept. 21, but the party started with a huge bash last fall during a kick-off luncheon at the Hagadone Event Center. And it's not about to peter out now.

Kiki Miller and Sharmon Schmitt, ringleaders of the Centennial Celebration Committee for the Chamber, have fancy badges, new banners, Coeur d'Alene Cellars wine bottles with special centennial labels, and a long list of scheduled events to keep the party going. But right now their attention is on something that's missing.

Information.

On June 25, 1972, the Desert Hotel was destroyed by fire. Unfortunately for the Chamber, that's where its archives were stored.

"When it burned, all of that Chamber history burned with it," Miller said.

And with those crispy archives went records of key people who led the Chamber's growth and development over the years.

"The committee is especially interested in names/descendants of board chairmen from 1915 to 1947," said Schmitt, hoping in particular for contact information for descendants of the following past chairmen:

Eldon Koehler (1951), A.B. Lafferty (1952), Tony Moen (1955), Gil Kramer (1957), Martin Chestnut (1958), Merle Stoddard (1959), Pat King (1967), Roger Carlson (1968), Francis Smith (1972), Leon Doane (1973) and Joe Haynes (1983).

"Someone might say, 'Oh, that's my uncle,' or 'that's my grandfather,'" Schmitt said. "We're just looking for details."

The research committee is also seeking contact information for past presidents and general managers of the Chamber, as well as past Miss Coeur d'Alene and Junior Miss representatives.

Chamber President Steve Wilson is eager for any and all historical Chamber information, photos or memorabilia. You can contact Wilson by calling 415-0104 or email steve@cdachamber.com.

The Press will publish two full pages of information each month, talking about significant events and sharing a little Chamber history. KXLY TV 4 is airing programs on the history of businesses in Coeur d'Alene. A golf tournament, scavenger hunt and fundraising cruise are among the many events being planned.

"We even have an official centennial song," said Miller. "It's beautiful - sung to the tune of 'You Are My Sunshine.'"