Community Thanks April 21, 2013

TAXES: Thank to all our clients, businesses

Liberty Tax Service in Post Falls and Coeur d'Alene would like to thank our clients and local businesses for all of their support for our food drive this March. Each office surpassed their goal of 1,000 pounds with the generous donations we received. The Post Falls office collected 1,355 pounds and the Coeur d'Alene office doubled their goal and collected 2,000 pounds! We would like to send a special thank you to all our local businesses that donated items for our drawings. Meineke, Skinny Boy Tattoo, Rob's Seafood and Burgers, Slick Rock Tanning and Spa, AiCM, Academy of Cosmetology, Nickel's Worth, Literary Souls, Toro Viejo, Warhorse Karate, Domino's Pizza, Shameless Studios, Pastry and More, Lightning Comics, Texas Roadhouse, Hudson's, Pizza Factory, River City Lanes, Pauli's Tattoo, Papa Murphy's, Urban Edge Salon, Vivid Tattoo and Piercing, Porky G's, La Cabana, Capelli Salon, Buck Knives and HairCrafters. This year we beat last year's total and next year we hope to beat this year!

LIBERTY TAX SERVICE

SCOUT: Support enables trip to Jamboree

I would like to extend a HUGE thank you to family, friends, and the community supporting my son, Tyler Sears, in helping him reach his goal to earn his way to the Boy Scout National Jamboree camp. The camp is two weeks in July in West Virginia where 40,000 scouts are expected to attend. Tyler and another scout from Cocolalla are the only ones from North Idaho attending.

Tyler has sold wood, candy bars, cookie dough, pizza cards, and scout o rama camp cards. Thank you to residents from Coeur d'Alene to Bonner's Ferry and even Spokane! Thank you to his fellow shooters at the Bonner County Sportsman's Association, Cole's Automotive, White Pine Cafe, and Papa Murphy's.

While selling door to door, a few people really stood out for Tyler. To the gentleman on Skylark in Hayden, shaking Tyler's hand and visiting a few minutes with him was special! To the family in Hayden (on a Sunday) who purchased $12 in candy bars, it was cool 4 or 5 of you came to the door. He was a bit apprehensive due to all the cars, but came back with a big smile making it all worthwhile! To the firefighter named Joseph living by Finucane Park who bought 5 scout camp cards, you put a pep in his step to keep selling on that day! A thank you even to those who decline graciously. It gives a little more drive to achieve goals. If you happen to have Tyler cross your path between now and July, please accept my thank you! I am sure he will be inspired by more people he meets.

Tyler couldn't do this without the efforts of his scoutmasters from the Jamboree troop. Bruce donated wood for Tyler to sell and Paul has spearheaded fundraising. The leaders have been amazing! Thank you to Austin and Colette for inviting Tyler to the informational meeting to go to the Jamboree.

This is a great learning process for Tyler and we are greatly appreciative to everyone!

KIM BRISTLIN

RUN: Volunteers make event a success

The Hauser Lake Watershed Coalition's president, Jo DesMarais, expressed appreciation to the 40-plus volunteers and 250 running enthusiasts who put forth a supreme effort to ensure that this year's 10K Ice Breaker Run was again a success. The Hauser community groups of the Fire Department and their Ladies Auxilary, the Lions Club, the Ladies of the Lake in addition to community residents came out in the cold drizzle to assist the Coalition members.

First place male and female finishers, Daniel Shaw and Lindsay Burdett, both received $100 gift certificates from Fleet Feet. Second and third place male and female finishers, Bryan Tevis and Tami Hicks (2nd); Andy Lefriec and Amber Yassine (3rd) all received gift certificates from Cabela's. Race results for all runners may be found on the Coalition's website at www.hauserwatershed.org as well the Bloomsday website.

Many thanks to our generous sponsors: Washington Trust Bank, Avista, Fleet Feet Sports, Centennial Beverage, Cabela's, Saturday Night, Inc., Inland Empire Paper Company, Steins, Super 1 Foods, and Harry Watson & Family Parking. A special thank you goes to the Post Falls Highway District for their extra efforts to ensure that the road conditions around the lake would be clean and safe.

Join us next year as we get better and better and the weather is slowly improving.

JIM WALLACE

Hauser Lake Watershed Coalition Vice President

DIVERSITY: Thanks to supporters

I'd like to express thanks and gratitude to several entities that recently made our first "Celebrating Diversity through Writing" symposium a success. First to Kootenai Electric Cooperative for the Round-up grant and to Karen Coghenour and Lyn Muggleston. These donations allowed our Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy students to attend at reduced cost.

To Evanlene Melting Tallow with the American Indian Student Alliance at North Idaho College for the facilities and rich cultural additions. To the presenters from our local schools for their expertise and enthusiasm. For the volunteers who made the day work like a well-oiled machine.

And, of course, to our participants from around the community who put pen to paper and then volunteered to share with the group. It was a wonderful day to celebrate the art of writing as well as, the rich oral tradition of storytelling.

NANCY J. LARSEN

Writing Symposium Chair

Coeur d'Alene

PEGGY: Appreciate the efforts in time of need

My beloved wife, Peggy Irving, died on March 28, 2013. I wanted to thank all of those people who have been so kind to myself and our family through these difficult times. It would be too difficult for me to thank all of you in person so I will do so en masse this way. Thank you to all of you for your kindness towards Mom, both when she was alive and at her funeral. Special thanks to Lidwina Dirne for expressing her appreciation and warmth towards Peggy while they were forming the Dirne Community Clinic years ago and for coming up to me following the funeral to extend her condolences and warm wishes. Thank you to all of you who sent cards of appreciation and condolences. Thank you to those of you who stopped by to see me and express how much you loved Mom in the fond memories of your times together. Thank you also to PEO members who have stopped by to share Mom's adventures in PEO. Finally, to my daughter, Janet, I express my love for taking such good care of me in the days following Mom's passing. I love you so much, Little One.

BOB IRVING

Coeur d'Alene