I found myself glued to the radio on Friday night listening to the play-by-play of the Coeur d'Alene Vikings and Highland Rams football game. Wow, what a game that was and the victory moved the Vikings to one game away from going down in Idaho High School football history.

Their back-to-back state championship last year was a thrill for sure. It was against the odds that they would find themselves playing in the championship game for the third year in a row. But here they are indeed. On Friday night in Pocatello the home town team will meet undefeated Madison of Rexburg in Holt Arena. The stuff that high school memories are made of without a doubt. And as an old Viking, a tip of the hat to the team that's inspiring a community with their talent and drive. Go Vikings!

On the way home from Hayden Lake Saturday evening we slowed for a deer on the side of a narrow road. I asked Bert to stop the car so I could take a photo. I rolled down my window and said to the deer, "wait just a minute so I can take your picture." The darling doe was maybe 5 feet from the car. I fumble for my camera while she waited patiently, seeming to pose. I raise the camera, take the photo and off she scampered into the night. I felt a little like the deer whisperer.

Rest up, there's a lot going on in our communities this week: On Thursday the third annual Souport The End of Homelessness Soup Off is at the fairgrounds from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. with all proceeds to assist the St Vincent de Paul warming centers. Nearly three dozen soups to sample ... and one of the few times a year I'll be wearing an apron.

On Friday you might have to flip a coin to choose one of these fundraising events to attend. The EXCEL Foundation's Big Event at the Coeur d'Alene Inn features a tailgating theme as well as a live broadcast of the Coeur d'Alene Vikings state championship game from Pocatello. The Big Event raises funds for classroom grants for School District 271. The Post Falls Rotary Club is holding its annual Wine and Music Social "Music by Candlelight" at the Post Falls Senior Center on Friday from 6-9 p.m. 773-2020. The Post Falls High School senior parents have a 1950s-themed ice cream social, including music and an auction, at the PFHS commons at 6 p.m. to benefit the Class of 2013 all night graduation party. On Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., crafters and artists will sell their wares in the Community Room at the Coeur d'Alene Library.

Happy birthday today to Jane Hansen, Jill Satterly (50!), Tim Curry (50!) and Robert Chatters. Blowing out the candles on their cakes tomorrow are Cheryl Siroshton, Mark Fisher, Teresa Peugh, Jan Pollard, Joan Antonich, Charlie Miller, Matt Backs, Mary Scalise and 85-years-young Colleen Allison. On Friday, Peter Smith, Jim Morris, Sue Spinazza, Chris Fillios, Cathleen Lenon, Karen Pichotta and Stan Purcell will celebrate. Nov. 17 birthdays belong to Susan Weathers, Al Hassell, Hazel Dennis, Kareen Link, Maddie Kate Hansen, Neil Oliver and Laura Simon. Gina Mote, Michelle Rielly and Bob Johnson mark another trip around the sun on Sunday. Starting the week with a birthday are Aaron Baldwin and Debbie Irby and on Tuesday Mayor Sandi Bloem, Dave Oliveria, Bob West, Michael King, Brian Smith, Kristin Hoppe, Linda Alby, Kim Jacklin, Pat Thyssen, Chase Blakley and Kayla Pleger will put on their party hats!

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 2012 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). Find her on Facebook or via email mainstreet@cdapress.com.