FEAST: Thanks for going wild

The 4th Annual Wild Salmon Feast to benefit Family Promise of North Idaho took place March 10, 2012. It was sponsored by three Lutheran Churches in the area - Trinity Lutheran Church, Lutheran Church of the Master, and St. Mark's Lutheran. Over 200 people enjoyed the dinner, featured music, silent and live auctions and a delicious dessert auction. Raised in the evening festivities was a net of $9,589.27. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is providing a $1,000 match of the proceeds, for a grand total of $10,589.27 in support of FPNI's mission to shelter, feed and provide solutions to families in crisis.

The evening would not have been possible were it not for White Cane Sockeye with Al Riendeau of Coeur d'Alene. The signature entree - wild caught salmon from the cold water of Bristol Bay, Alaska - was excellent! Al rolled up his sleeves and cooked up a storm with Bill Dougherty grilling and adding his own flare with some amazing seasonings and techniques. They were most aptly assisted by Russell Flamm, Clifford Roatch, Riley Gunderson and Rod Gunderson.

Prize donors and major contributors to be recognized were Richard & Jill Jurvelin, Best Western Coeur d'Alene Inn & Convention Center, Holiday Inn Express CDA, Silverwood Theme Park, The Ray & Joan Kroc Center, Runge Furniture, Wealth Management Strategies, Capone's Pub & Grill, The Odom Corporation, Century Distributing, A to Z Rental, Pastry & More, Sunflower, Ace Hardware of Hayden, Sweet B Cupcakes, cdacake, Calypso's Coffee, the Heater family, North Idaho Trophy, Great Harvest Bread Company, Wordsmith Web Design and Panhandle State Bank. Hats off to the decorating team of Jean & Jim Davis and Marilee & Doug Renfrew. Special thanks to the amazing kitchen crew: Jan & Craig Leaf, Julie Fisher, Jeff Weiss, Nikki Betts, Darin Payton, Connie Gridley, Carrie Gridley, Devlin Dougherty, Wendy Gunderson, Makayla Lance, Jay Gridley, Dan Payton and Jill Dougherty. Taking tickets and event support throughout the evening were Kay Wardell, Jan D'Arc, Cindy Wood and Taryn Nichols. Finally, I would like to give special praise to the youth of Trinity Lutheran Church who handled waiting tables with good humor and efficiency, Gerry Fairchild, who provided beautiful music throughout the evening, Mike Wood, our talented auctioneer, and most prominently, Tabitha Baker, the Program Developer/Coordinator for the evening whose efforts helped to double the amount raised over last year!

Thank you to everyone for 'going wild' for Family Promise of North Idaho, giving a 'hand up' to families in crisis of homelessness.

JILL DOUGHERTY

Outreach Liaison

Trinity Lutheran Church

KMC: Facilities, staff top notch

Recently I have had the privilege of being treated at the best medical facility in North Idaho, Kootenai Heart and Medical Center.

No only do they have some of the best equipment and buildings, but also the best physicians and personnel. They are very knowledgeable as well as helpful and friendly. I'm working with them for a serious heart problem, I never found anyone that was not friendly, nor one who would not go find the right answer for any question I had.

I remember when we only had a small building in downtown Coeur d'Alene for a hospital and a few doctors for all our needs. I feel it is a privilege to be living so near such a fine facility.

MICK BLAKELY

Hayden