On Nov. 22, 1963, I was an 11-year-old sixth-grader in LaHabra, Calif. I recall being in the cafeteria and getting ready for my duty as a lunch ticket taker. Before all of the kids came in for lunch the adults gathered in little groups talking. Not long after they announced that the president had been assassinated and we were all to go home for the day. Most of us had no clue what assassinated meant but we knew that getting out of school early on a sunny Friday was a good thing. I ran most of the several blocks home and into the house.

My mother, then in her early 30s, was sitting on a foot stool in front of our black and white TV watching the breaking news with tears running down her face. Ours was a political family and I knew she wasn't much of a fan of President Kennedy so I asked her why she was so sad.

She turned to me and said, "He was the president of the United States."

Throughout the weekend we watched the news. No Internet or 24/7 news cycles on multiple channels. But that weekend the enormity of what had happened became much more real to me. I do have memories of watching the funeral procession and being most moved by the visual of the horse-drawn caisson, the sounds of the drums and horses' hooves on pavement and especially by the riderless black horse.

I've heard others of my baby boomer peer group say that it wasn't until Sept. 11, 2001, that any national event impacted this country to the magnitude of the day John Kennedy was killed. It's been a half century since that November day but the memories are clear, the loss of innocence easily recalled.

Tomorrow is the fourth annual Souport the End of Homelessness luncheon event to benefit the St. Vincent de Paul's warming centers in our communities. From 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds just $10 buys sampling of nearly three dozen homemade soups. Local luminaries will be serving and encouraging the purchase of chips to vote for your favorite soup. Mayor Sandi Bloem, mayors-elect Steve Widmyer and Ron Jacobson, council members-elect Kiki Miller and Amy Evans, Coeur d'Alene Fire Chief Kenny Gabriel and Kootenai County Fire and Rescue Chief Warren Merritt, Post Falls' Police Chief Scot Haug and Chamber President Pam Houser will be among those bussing tables for a good cause.

Wayne Moeller passed away last week at the age of 86. I've known Wayne for more than a decade, such a nice man, a true gentleman who adored his wife, Norma. Through the Lions Club, the Historical Society and the Senior Center Board of Directors Wayne was one of those unassuming good citizens who make our community better just by being part of it. I also learned something about Wayne this week: He was valedictorian of Post Falls High School's Class of 1945. Rest in peace, Wayne.

Most years I attend the annual Soroptimist Women of Distinction luncheon that's long been held at the Cedars Floating Restaurant. And most years, no matter the weather the day before or the day after, on luncheon day it's blustery and rainy. The word "floating" in the name gives a clue that this is a restaurant literally on Lake Coeur d'Alene. Last Friday the wind created white caps and swaying like the high seas. Another of those uniquely North Idaho experiences.

Happy birthday today to Mayor Sandi Bloem, Dave Oliveria, Dr. Bob West, Michael King, Brian Smith, Kristin Hoppe, Linda Alby, Kim Jacklin, Pat Thyssen, Chase Blakley and Kayla Pleger. Tomorrow celebrating are Maureen Dolan, Bob Driscoll, Kaci Medlock, Susan Martin, Barbara Bryan, Gary Schwalbach and Vonnie Satchewell. On Friday TJ Barnhart, Dustin Ainsworth, Noel Adam, Hazel Fox, Tyeson Bennett, Brenda Hanson and Leland Johnson will mark their special day. Nov. 23 birthdays are shared by 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. Sunday is a banner day for Mike Jarrett, Jeff Morrison, Lisa Black, Jesse Gunderson, Debbie Magnuson, Mike Lindquist and Eric Knudtsen. Another trip around the sun on Nov. 25 for Sue Thilo, Sue Servick, John Cocoran, Barb Oliver, Mike Reagan, Tammy Rovik and Buck Wilhelm. Wish Tom Torgerson, Marilyn Fisher and Renee Cook a happy birthday on Tuesday.

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 Kerri on Facebook or via email mainstreet@cdapress.com.