The end of an era on the air

Friday, May 10, was a milestone day for the local AM radio station and the end of an era that spanned over half a century. The live local broadcast of a morning show aired for the final time on 1080 ESPN /KVNI (the VNI stands for Voice of North Idaho).

Through the years and thousands of early mornings a number of voices and personalities sat behind that microphone, including the legendary Bob Hough. Bubblehead Bob first worked for Burl Hagadone in the 1950s and then had another decade and a half run that lasted until 1990. Dick Haugen was behind the mic for over a decade and then an assortment of hosts including Bret Bowers, Dave Walker and Norm McBride entertained the listeners.

In January of 2010 I was invited to guest co-host, which I did a few times a month with Kris Siebers through the summer before coming onboard as a regular co-host. So this Baby Boomer paired up with a talented 20-something partner, Joe Paisley, and learned how to be verbal and vertical at the crack of dawn. We had the best time and made a great team despite our generational difference. I absolutely loved meeting some incredibly interesting people in the community for interviews that were more like conversations over coffee. A lifetime night owl, I learned to appreciate sunrises and the quiet of downtown Coeur d'Alene through the seasons, discovering that laughter is the best way to start the day.

It was an incredible privilege to shine the light on so many people of every age, many of whom were making their radio debut when they sat down in the studio for the morning show. It was also incredibly emotional to turn off the lights in that studio on Friday morning, literally and figuratively.

There are no villains in the KXLY Broadcast Group's decision to end the production of a live local show. I understand business decisions in these challenging and changing times aren't personal. I'll always be grateful for the opportunity provided by Steve Herling and Gary Allen to experience something I'd never considered and am honored to have been behind the microphone in the last three years of the era of local morning AM radio in Coeur d'Alene.

Bob and Colleen (Coke) Hough are octogenarians, at 86 and 84 years young respectively, but they're still having most excellent adventures. This month they traveled to Utah for the BYU graduation of their son Bruce, who already held an associates degree from Ricks College after graduating from Coeur d'Alene High School in 1972, and decided after four decades it was time to finish his education with a BS in business management.

Then it was off to Los Angeles to visit son Terry. They also were on set for "Dancing with the Stars" to say hello to grandson and DWTS professional dancer, Derek Hough. Coke had quite a time taking a twirl or two with judges Len Goodwin and Bruno as well as dancers Maks and Tony. The elder Houghs are incredible ballroom dancers who could probably teach the pros a step or two.

One more adventure was a high point that wasn't on the dance floor but on the pitcher's mound at Dodger Stadium before a Dodgers/Rockies MLB game. Bob threw out the first pitch and announced the starting lineup, a treat arranged by his granddaughter Julianne Hough. Bob played for the Triple A Dodgers farm team while attending radio school back in the day so it was quite a thrill. Another surprise for Bob was when son Terry called his brother Scott in Coeur d'Alene and asked him to overnight their dad's baseball glove from the 1940s to have for that first pitch.

Can't wait to see what adventures await Bob and Coke when they're in their nineties!

So on Saturday, CHS senior softball players Rashell Schaffer, Lindsie Scholwinski, Caelyn "Goose" Orlandi and Sydney Parker were celebrating a great 10-0 victory over Capital of Boise in the state 5A play-in game. That's the good news. The bad news is that it was prom night and they were 400 miles from home in Fruitland. Not to worry, the belles made it to the ball on time thanks to Jim Parker chauffeuring them aboard his private jet.

Via Lake City High School and the U.S. Air Force Academy, career Air Force Captain Sarah Thilo Brehm served as Mission Commander of the U-28 air coverage for the rescue of hostage Jessica Buchanan, the U.S. aid worker taken hostage for ransom in Somalia in 2011. Sunday night on "60 Minutes" the rescue was featured. All in a day's work for Captain Brehm, the daughter of Dr. Tom and Sue Thilo. Inspiring for all of us.

Tonight at the Coeur d'Alene Library the Library Foundation is presenting Novel Destinations, a travelogue featuring David Kilmer and Dave Yadon. Their travels this year sailing from Sea to Sea took them from the Pacific to the Caribbean, through the Panama Canal and into the jungles. This free, public event starts at 7 p.m. in the library's community room.

Looking forward to joining hundreds of you at the fairgrounds on Friday into Saturday for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life. I'll be taking laps for my nephew Thomas Park and my little friend Sophie Medlock with Team CEO.

Special thanks to The Coeur d'Alene Resort's "gooey" pastry chefs for the gorgeous and delicious caramel cashew birthday cake Tuesday. I had such fun on the Birthday Cake Tour sharing the treat in my travels around town! Happy Birthday today to Suzanna Spencer, Lorri Gum and Barbara Welch and tomorrow to Diane Wahl, Kari Malkovich and Michelle Richter. On Friday Jared Janke, Shawntel Shofner, Brad Enders and Christine Brannon will celebrate. Saturday is a big day for Vicki Isakson, Jeanne Helstrom, Amy Corbett, Tom Ball, Corky Chadderdon, Richard Alderman, Shaun Johnson and Tina Haskin. Happy May 19 birthdays to Tom Lien, Alison McArthur, Jill Nolan, Vera Brown, Julie Kohut, Jessica Smalley, Laura Stensgar, Tammy Rupinski, Burt Hissong and Rick Nowoj. Putting on their party hats on Monday are Jeannie Steele, Heather Hart, Barry White, John Goedde, Shawn Nash, Tina Smith, Jana Hull and Lindsay Herbert and on Tuesday Jessica Bauman, Ruth Fullwiler, Jessica Capaul (30!), Dick Epstein, KV Nelson, Pam Freeman and Carter Hamby.

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 2013 by the readers of the North Idaho Business Journal. Main Street appears every Wednesday in The Press. Find her on Facebook or via email [email protected].