It's the Simple Things: Don't be that dad

Recently, Scott DuCoeur and I drove to Garfield, Wash., to watch a high school baseball game between Garfield and Colton. Scott is the most fanatical, and knowledgeable, sports fan I’ve ever known, and his love of small-town life is contagious.

We enjoyed the bumbling play on the lumpy field in rural Garfield and chuckled as number 13 moved like a sloth between his third base position and the dugout. 

After four innings of the first game of the double-header, and 21 runs, we drove one mile to Garfield for a burger at Grumpy’s Tavern. We struck up a conversation with the Coors Light drinker at the end of the bar. 

“Where are you from?” he asked. 

“Coeur d’Alene. We came to watch the baseball game,” I said. 

“It’s probably still going on. I hate baseball. My two sons play for Garfield. My wife texts me the score every five minutes,” he said with an irritated tone. 

We chuckled in surprise. 

Don’t be that dad!  

Go West Old Man

I live in downtown Coeur d’Alene and meet most of my needs and entertainment at locations between Appleway and Lake Coeur d’Alene. 

Recently, however, I had an unusual and enjoyable stretch when I ventured west to Post Falls multiple times in one week.  

First, it was the Empty Bowls Fundraiser for the Children’s Backpack Program. Located at Templin’s, Empty Bowls is a community fundraiser where guests receive a hand-painted bowl and have a choice of 20 soups, raising funds to fight hunger in Post Falls. It was well-organized, well-supported and delicious. I’ll look for it next year. 

After Templin’s, I stopped by the Jacklin Arts and Cultural Center to experience the fifth year of the “Art Uplifts” show in memory of Jimmy Magnuson. It is “a community exhibit that celebrates the healing power of art and the strength of the people in our community.” It was packed with arts supporters, in this cozy facility, and was delightful.

In the same week, while between medical appointments at Northwest Specialty Hospital, I stopped at Kindred and Company, a spacious bookstore and coffee shop and lunched on a memorable pear kale salad.

I also completed my TSA preapplication in Post Falls and Jenny and I enjoyed a beverage at Post Falls Brewery. 

Post Falls, a town in which I can go months without entering, enriched my life that week. 

Three Musical Treats

North Idaho College brought in Fulbright Scholar Robert Cozma from Romania to explore “jazz as a global language.” Also included was a presentation by local musician, composer and filmmaker Gary Edwards, on the legacy of Coeur d’Alene Tribe member Mildred Bailey.

A Fulbright scholar is a recipient of a prestigious, merit-based grant from the U.S. government's flagship international exchange program (founded in 1946) to teach, conduct research or study abroad in over 160 countries. Scholars are typically faculty, professionals or artists who foster cross-cultural understanding and advance their fields. The purpose: To build international relationships and find solutions to global issues through academic exchange. We are fortunate that NIC pursued this connection. 

At the lovely Pepper and Midge Smock Theater at Kroc Center, accomplished pianists Matt Goodrich and Melody Puller performed “250 Express — An American Piano Journey.” Their “Wizard of Oz Fantasy” was my favorite and the standing ovation was well-deserved.

And yet another high-level performance was by the Charter Jazz band, under the direction of Micheal Harrison. While students confidently launched into solos with a variety of combos of musicians, the overall feeling came through loudly. These kids are having fun with music! An added feature was the addition of Aaron Hill, a Washington State University saxophone professor, who had been an artist-in-resident at Charter. His improvised closing duel with Charter saxophonist Jordan Hudson was impressive.

One Amazing Thing About Our World

The satin bowerbird is an Australian bird that likes the color blue. These birds are known for decorating their bowers (an attractive dwelling or retreat) with blue objects.

Quote on Life

“When I’m playing bass in a band, if I make a mistake once, I make it again so people think it was correct.” 

Gary Edwards, local musician, composer, filmmaker

• • •

David Groth retired in 2016 after 37 years in elementary education. His last 17 years, the favorite part of his career, were spent teaching fifth grade and juggling at Sorensen Magnet School of the Arts and Humanities. He has lived in Coeur d’Alene since 1982 and has always appreciated the people, the geography, the climate, the rivers and lakes, and the simple things that make days special.