Season of gratitude

"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them." - John F. Kennedy

What I love most about our communities is the fact that generous hearts are evident not just at the holidays, but throughout the year. It seems to me that these challenging times have increased the spirit of giving, even by those without deep pockets but who are grateful for having a paycheck, a roof over their heads, their health and food in the cupboards ... simply wanting to pay it forward. It's easy to get discouraged by the news of the economy, but by lifting each other up, we are also lifted up.

I can assure you that even beyond the stories you see on the news and in this newspaper there are hundreds of acts of selflessness that take place every single day. What a blessing it is to know the heart of the place we call home.

I've had the chance to give a quick read to a printer's galley of a new book, "Bobby Convict - School of Hard Knocks. It's an incredibly raw and authentic true story written by Bobby Wilhelm of Post Falls. There's interesting history of our community and the characters who inhabited it back in the 1950s and '60s. There is also a life bravely laid bare by Bobby, who grew up here and made a name for himself in law enforcement circles as one of the top drug kingpins in the Northwest. It's stunning to read the crime boss circles Bobby traveled in, from Miami to Seattle, trafficking drugs and all that involves.

After 16 years in prison, Bobby has embraced a life that is rather mundane and normal. He appears not to have pulled any punches in this autobiography, nor does he glamorize the life of crime. Insight and redemption, sprinkled with names we know from the news ... a Spokane serial killer, Tylenol killer, Aryan Brotherhood and even the Oklahoma City Bomber. True crime novel, indeed.

Bobby will host a book signing on Saturday at Bob's 21 Club in Post Falls, the bar his late parents, Bob and Donna Lou Wilhelm, started in 1966.

Looking forward to emceeing the Festival of Trees Senior Social on Saturday morning with the wonderful people of North Idaho Eye Institute as well as the friends who attend the event every year. From the Holiday in Lights Parade on Friday evening throughout the weekend's festivities, it really is beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Spend your holiday dollars locally whenever you're able. It comes back to the community throughout the year!

Happy Birthday today to Maureen Dolan, Bob Driscoll, Kaci Medlock, Susan Martin, Barbara Bryan, Gary Schwalbach and Vonnie Satchewell. Thanksgiving birthdays will be celebrated by TJ Barnhart, Dustin Ainsworth, Hazel Fox, Tyeson Bennett, Brenda Hanson and Leland Johnson. Make a wish on the wishbone! On Friday David Eachon, his daughter, Dana Ortega, Hayden Lake Mayor Chris Beck, Dennis Hall, Dee Dee Morris, Julia Hopkins, Ronda Mitchell, Stephanie Morrison, Tim Williams and Carol Daniels are blowing out the candles. Saturday is a special day for Mike Jarrett, Jeff Morrison, Lisa Black, Jesse Gunderson, Debbie Magnuson, Mike Lindquist and Eric Knudtsen. Another trip around the sun on Sunday for Sue Thilo, Sue Servick, John Cocoran, Barb Oliver, Mike Reagan, Tammy Rovik and Buck Wilhelm. Next week starts with Monday birthdays for Tom Torgerson, Marilyn Fisher and Renee Cook and Nov. 27 birthdays for Bob Eachon, Sue Hutter and Ian Martin.

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 [email protected].