Credit where credit's due

When Luke Thoreson was a standout scholar-athlete on the Post Falls Trojans state championship boys basketball team a few years back, Bert and I received a lot of comments about our son/grandson/nephew being such a great kid.

We have no sons and our grandsons are great kids but Luke isn't related - although he is a great kid without a doubt. There aren't too many Thoresons in these parts so the confusion was understandable.

We attend most of the PFHS boys basketball games and became friends with Luke and his parents, Nate and Barb Thoreson. Luke is now a student at Williams College but his two younger sisters are keeping busy excelling this summer.

Kiana, soon to be a junior at PFHS and Sara, entering eighth grade at Post Falls Middle School, have danced for several years at Expressions School of Performing Arts in Post Falls. They will each have wonderful stories to tell when the question of "What did you do on your summer vacation?" is asked. Kiana attended Rockettes training in New York City then was off to San Francisco to train with the Joffrey Ballet. Sara spent four weeks with the American Ballet Theatre in Austin, Texas.

So kudos to Nate and Barb Thoreson, who are the actual parents of Luke, Kiana and Sara - and deserve all of the credit.

In June we celebrated the graduation of our grandson, Jared Gonzalez. Next month he'll head to a new adventure with the U.S. Navy. Jared is the fourth generation of our family to serve his country. His great grandfather (my dad, Ron Rankin) served in the Marines in World War II and Korea; Jared's grandfather (Larry Oleson) a Purple Heart recipient, served in the Army in Vietnam; and his parents (our daughter, Melani Oleson Gonzalez, and her husband, Rick) are both veterans of the Army from the Gulf War era.

I've never worn the uniform of the United States military but am grateful for all who have and do.

Facebook Post of the Week: "2 1/2 days, 10 states, 2138 miles, I'm in Louisville, Kentucky as a guide for the Blind Veterans Association Convention. When the convention is over I'm headed to Bowling Green to the Corvette museum. Then on to Denver to visit a very close friend. As always I don't know when I'll be home but I'll be a day late." - Lew Allert.

There's something for everyone this week, starting with the 3Cs Annual Appreciation Luncheon at The Coeur d'Alene Resort on Friday. The organization will distribute thousands of dollars to local nonprofits.

The annual Cops and Kids and Rodders runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday at the Post Falls Police Department with a car show, demonstrations and a parade of vehicles on Polston when the open house ends.

An ice cream social fundraiser takes place Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m. to benefit the restoration of the 1920 Upper Twin Lakes Elementary School, 10017 W. Twin Lakes Road.

Saturday and Sunday hold the fifth annual Sophie's Sluggers Homer Dome co-ed softball tournament, taking place at Chase Sports Complex to benefit childhood cancer kids.

The Coeur d'Alene City Park Concert Series presents a free concert by 9 Lives at 1 p.m. on Sunday.

For 36 years, the boys of summer, aka the Birthday Boys, Ed Hatter (8/22), Art Flagan (8/23) and Warren Bakes (8/25) and have celebrated their August birthdays together. Here's to enduring friendships and happy birthdays!

Happy birthday today to Vicky Jo Carey, Scott Noordam, Amy Elder, Peter Woods and Frank Garcia.

The same tomorrow to Mary Condie (50!), Nancy Scofield, Elaine Carda, David Buerge, Louise Gillespie, Christina Gardner and Art Elliott. On Friday, Crystal Shofner-Moore, Jared Phay, Matthew Behringer (30!), Doris McCaulley, Mike Warren, Ed Hatter and Kelly Chadderdon put on their party hats.

On Saturday, Brett Seright, Leanne Campbell, Mary Gomer, Cathy Smith, David Walrath, Cecilia Peterson and Lilliana Raynor are celebrating. On Aug. 23, wish a happy birthday to Chad Chalich, Beth Dagastine, Debbie Berger, Eileen Mann, Bobby Bunch, Donnie Goodnature and Rod Robins.

Sharing Aug. 24 birthdays are Mike Dodge, Linda Fox, Sarah Sistek, Lori Chissie, and Eric Burgeson. Taking another trip around the sun on Tuesday are Jeff Selle, Ali Shute, Angie Penzkover, Rhonda Budvarson, Staci Anderson, Cindi Carlson, Jack Mannschreck and Lydia Myers.

Kerri Rankin Thoreson is a member of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists and the former publisher of the Post Falls Tribune. Main Street appears every Wednesday in The Press and Kerri can be contacted on Facebook or via email [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @kerrithoreson.

Kerri Thoreson

Main Street