Punkin Chunkin in Kootenai County: It takes a community

So many people and groups joined together in making the Nov. 3 Punkin Chunkin Fall Festival at Kootenai Fairgrounds a smashing success. Planned and organized by ElderHelp of North Idaho to raise funds for low-income seniors in Kootenai County, it's estimated that between 400-600 people came out in the miserable rain to enjoy themselves and help those less fortunate. We're glad they came and appreciate their enthusiasm.

However, Punkin Chunkin would never have happened without sponsorships. We want to thank the help and cooperation of Kootenai County Fairgrounds staff for the site, Coeur d'Alene Press, Fairground Reader Board, INB Reader Boards, KVNI radio and KREM 2 for advertising, Texas Roadhouse for donating their proceeds, Arctic Kat Espresso for sharing their proceeds, The Fun Guy for setting up his Bounce House. Kim Cooper of Select Brokers was our first sponsor, but many others quickly came together to provide financial support: Carenet of Kootenai County, Avista, Kiwanis, Dave Smith Motors, RDI Heating and Cooling, Kootenai Medical Center, Kootenai Title, Century 21 Beutler & Associates. Let's not forget Bryant Elementary for their cash donation and the wonderfully colorful face-painting they did. Coleman Oil gave us 3 burn barrels that everyone hovered near.

There were over 50 volunteers, including ElderHelp, to run this fun-time event. We've got to mention Keith Orchard and Mike Anderson who refurbished a trebuchet, built 3 giant slingshots and ran them plus smashing pumpkins; and, we have to thank Ken McGuire, Scott Luna and their Scouts of the CDA LDS church for the 2nd trebuchet. Volunteers from Lake City Church ran the parking scene in pouring rain; volunteers from Inland Northwest Bank, Washington Trust Bank and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and Boy Scouts of America helped out with trebuchets, slingshots, smashing pumpkins and other events, all during the same rainy day.

You can't have this type of fun without food and drink. Dan and Annette Davis of the Texas Roadhouse had great pulled pork sandwiches for donations to ElderHelp, Kathleen at Arctic Kat provided cold and warm drinks and shared her proceeds with us. Davis Donuts donated (wait for it) 3 dozen pumpkin donuts and Community Action Partnership gave us apples and pumpkins for trebuchets and slingshots as did Post Falls Wal-Mart.

Jon Beebe was a great emcee and had some wild music to go with a wild day. Those proficient with apples and pumpkins were eligible for or won prizes donated by Best Western CDA INN, Jan Jesberger, Super 1 and by several private individuals. Grace Tree Service gave a hay-ride if you didn't mind the wet (everyone did) and hundreds of pounds of smashed pumpkins and apples were scooped up by volunteers and ended up in the compost piles of Cd'A Unity Church.

WOW, that's a lot of "thanking", it does take a community pulling together to help our fellow citizens. We're doing it. This is a great and giving community. See us at www.ehoni.org.

JERRY R. BOGGS

Executive Director

ElderHelp of North Idaho

Cd'A Resort: 1st class treatment for common people too

My wife and I wanted to take the time to write a note of recognition to the folks at The Coeur d'Alene Resort for their great facility, great staff, great food, great rooms and for working with Family Life in hosting the "Family Life Weekend to Remember Conferences" at their facility.

Family Life (www.familylife.com) hosts two separate weekend marriage conferences each November that are designed to help married couple's refresh or to begin the journey of repair in their marriage relationship. Typically we have 200-400 couples attending these events with people coming from the surrounding 4 states. From newlyweds to couples who have been married for over 50 years, these recharge and tune-up conferences provide a focused marriage enrichment time. It should be no surprise that in these troubled economic times many couples are experiencing additional stresses on their marriage relationships.

For over a dozen years, The Coeur d'Alene Resort has provided a great destination location to which these married couples of all walks of life can enjoy their surroundings while working on improving their marriage relationship. As just two of the many local area volunteers who work with Family Life (a nonprofit) we have observed first hand the care and attention provided to the Family Life organization, the event speakers, volunteers, and the couples attending these marriage conferences.

To Duane Hagadone, Jerry Jaeger, Bill Reagan, Chris Bellardi, and all the other supporting staff at The Coeur d'Alene Resort, your supportive actions and attentiveness truly make the marriage enrichment conferences memorable to all who attend. Please extend a big "thank-you" to each of your staff for taking such great care of all who attend.

As locals, we feel fortunate to have such a top notch destination resort right here in North Idaho that is so willing and supportive in catering to the mostly mom and pop next door couples who attend these seminars.

BOB and PAIGE BINGHAM

SILVER VALLEY: You made a difference

To all who assisted with the Lead Awareness and Let's Make a Difference Day. Thank you!

For the contributions of the Silver Valley Community Resource Center board and members, ABC Business, Dave Smith and the Children Run Better Unleaded van work to the parents and grandparents who made appointments to have their children tested, Dirne Clinic who brought the mobile unit, Michael from the National Lead Awareness Center, sponsors, Shoshone Medical Center, CAP agency and University of Washington Superfund Research Project to the wonderful members especially Edie of the Smelterville Lions Club and Lois White for her delicious cookies and to all those who turned out to support the fundraiser.

Who says people of the Silver Valley don't want to make a difference in the community!

Sincerely,

SHANE STANCIK

SVCRC Board Member