I’ve always believed that what defines us as a community is less about big moments but the thousands of little moments ... when a smile sneaks up and we collectively think, “I love where I live.”

Taryn Thompson, mother of two active Lakeland High schoolers, witnessed what she described as an amazing example of sportsmanship at a cross country meet on a recent Saturday. She was taking photos about 400 yards from the finish line where a Coeur d’Alene HS runner was struggling down the final stretch. Another runner from Coeur d’Alene Charter Academy was cheering him on saying, “C’mon, Coeur d’Alene, you can do this!”

Writes Taryn, “He told him they’d finish the race together, placed his hand on his back and spurred him on to the finish.”

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A day early I surrendered to the end of summer by draining the pool and putting the floaties and patio furniture into the storage shed. Sigh. While I truly enjoy fall, I love summer best. Everywhere in our neck of the woods, pools, cabins and river campsites are being closed, boats coming out of the lake and into storage. The collective sigh of lovers of summer can be heard for miles. And this weekend the collective moan of anyone not quite ready to bypass fall and go right into winter may be heard when the first snowflakes drift down.

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Last chance to buy a $50 raffle ticket with a better than 1-in-1,000 chance to win a $25,000 scholarship to use at North Idaho College, U of I, Lewis Clark State College, Idaho State or Boise State. The winning ticket will be drawn on Thursday during the Post Falls Chamber of Commerce Membership Appreciation Party, from 4-6 p.m.. While it would be great to win to give to your child or grandchild, if you’ve dreamed of going to college this would be a wonderful gift to yourself. Info: www.postfallschamber.com or 773-5016.

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At the beginning of summer I wrote about the end of an era for the Post Falls Lions Haunted House after four decades. For those who missed the announcement, the iconic and spooky October event will not happen in 2019. Much of the house has been dismantled over the summer in preparation for future development.

Sarah Gondo and her family salvaged most of the shingle siding, and starting in October at Barn 31 DIY Studio she’ll feature Lions Haunted House barn wood in sign making classes. A portion of the proceeds from each sign will go to the Post Falls Lions Club.

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Things to Do Highlights:

Tonight is the final Wednesday downtown Farmers Market of the season, from 4-6:30 p.m. on Fifth and Sherman; and A Martini Affair at Season’s to benefit Safe Passage and violence prevention, from 5:30-8:30 p.m.

The Post Falls High School Homecoming Parade is tonight at 6, starting on Fourth Avenue and Spokane Street. The Trojans’ homecoming game is Friday night with a PFHS alumni photo happening at 6:30 p.m.

On Friday the Heritage Health charity golf tournament, Indian Summer Scramble, at Avondale starts at 12:30 p.m. Info: phouser@myheritagehealth.org

Pour for Polio with the Coeur d’Alene Rotary at Coeur d’Alene Cellars Winery is Friday from 4-6 p.m., with 100 percent of the proceeds going to Rotary International’s Polio Plus.

The Rathdrum Masonic Lodge benefit auction is 3-6 p.m. on Saturday at Nashville North. Info: www.rathdrum41.org

Saturday the Bras on Dudes live auction and fashion show features decorated bras modeled by local ‘dudes’! All proceeds benefit local cancer charities through The Windermere Foundation. The event is 5:30-11:30 p.m. at Coeur d’Alene Eagles.

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Happy birthday today to James Hagman, Susan Cliff, Beck Jacobsen, Brenda Watkins, Gladys Sullivan, Michael McGee, Ronald Schlepp, Rebecca Greer, Marcia Hughes, Cheryl Snyder, Cate Kuhlmann, Teri Oliver and Charlie Taranto. Tomorrow Darci Allert, Hannah Riorden, John Oaks, Lisa McElwain, Joseph Doutre, Teresa Hooker and Dan Tesutov blow out their candles.

On Friday beautiful golden girl Ruth McDermid is sharing a birthday with Cindy Lash, Delraya Anstine, Kaley Fowler, Julie DeGon, Robert Hoyt and Paul Landers. Saturday Kayla Troxell, Kylie Solberg, Meg Elyard, Natalie Loval, Ken Cook, Wayne Riddle and Bryan Czarapata will have their cake and eat it, too. Sunday our oldest grandson Matt Snider (30!) shares a birthday with A’mya Ohlig, John Holley, Gina Myers, Peg Mettalia, Phil Corliss, Tina Crane, Greg Youngman, Jim Rosenlund, Shellie Mundy and Marilyn Griffitts.

On Monday our youngest daughter Sarah Elizabeth shares a last day of September birthday with Steve Griffitts, Chickie Albright, Debra Raymer, Don Schmitt, Jeff Baltzell, Dan Grimmett, Valerie Mesenbrink, Brett Hollenbeck, Ann Siebert, Liz Arakelian and Donna Cooper. Oct. 1 birthdays belong to Casey Irgens, Jill Gardner and Kathi Southland.

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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 mainstreet@cdapress.com. Follow her on Twitter @kerrithoreson.