All on a Sunny Sunday

 

Yesterday, with its bluest of skies and brightest of suns was a fabulous day for walking. 

I walked the fields, atop crusted snow, with the dogs two or three times. 

Later, I drove to town and enjoyed walking around some blocks. 

I figure if I do that often enough, I might learn the store names downtown before new stores replace them. 

While I'm on the subject of new store fronts, we can all plan for some good times when Becky Sawyer opens her new store this summer. 

Becky was a student in my graphic arts class back in the 1990s.  Since then, she has raised a family and graduated from culinary school. 

I've heard wonderful reviews of her baked goods. 

Seems like I'll have to plan a Sunday afternoon walk around some downtown blocks and top it off with a Sunday afternoon tea at Sawyers this summer. 

🍰🍪🍩🍯

After my downtown storefront adventure, I walked through a group of residents and some friends who were protesting the sad and disturbing situation in Minnesota. 

One of the protesters is a Minnesota native, who keeps in close touch with her sisters about the day-to-day happenings in her home state. 

I also enjoyed some "catch-up" visits with friends among the group whom I had not seen in a while. 

After the trip to town, my walking turned into couch potatoing and cheering for the Seahawks.

It was a well-played and slightly nail-biting game, and I knew the Seahawks would win. 

Don't ask me why.  I just knew. 

It was a happy time for our family, some of whom live in the Seattle area.  

Now, we can all look forward to extra-special Super Bowl parties as the Seahawks take on the New England Patriots in San Francisco. 

In the meantime, we hope and pray that the situation in Minnesota is resolved peacefully and reasonably very soon. 

Those folks deserve to get back to their normal lives of enjoying athletic events, school programs and other aspects of day-to-day living. 

Anyway, I loved the blue skies of Sandpoint, and I'm sure it was a similar feeling in Seattle. 

So, enjoy the video about beautiful Seattle and the photos from equally beautiful Sandpoint. 

Happy Monday.

Although it is known as the Music Conservatory, many of us still view the building on the left as the Old City Hall.  My dad, who worked for the City Water Department, hung out there often, visiting with his firefighter and police friends. 

Also, many of us oldtimers remember climbing the stairs to the second story to check out our library books. 

Below:  a window reflection at the old Panhandle State Bank. 

Lots of colorful reflections abounded throughout town yesterday afternoon. 

Foster was quite pleased with the final score for yesterday's game.  That means he can wear his Seahawks jersey again in two weeks. 

I think I'll order one for Bridie too. 

It used to be the Rowlands Hotel at First and Church in downtown Sandpoint. 

My mother and brother and her dog Peggy lived in that building during her first few weeks in Sandpoint circa 1945-46. 

I met Bonnie and Blaze for the first time yesterday while walking around town with my camera.  

We had a great visit with our dogs as the focal point of our conversation.

Yay, Sandpoint Reader

Sad Times in America

 

It's just a sad day. 

I watched the news events in Minnesota throughout the day yesterday. 

It made me sick to my stomach. 

It also made me angry that our nation has come to this, especially as the day wore on and as we learned more information about Alex Pretti, the VA nurse who was shot and killed in the streets of Minneapolis. 

It made me cry last evening when I read the message from his parents. 

I have many thoughts about yesterday but some are in their infant stages and they are my personal thoughts so I will not share them. 

What I will share, however, is that I believe we are experiencing some of the darkest days I can ever remember in my 78-plus years as a citizen of this country. 

It's difficult to know what to do or what to say to make it better. 

I believe that when these difficult times come, we need to pause and reflect on similar times which we have already experienced. 

What did we do after the initial shock of what had happened?  

What seemed to make it better for those involved and those who felt helpless in their desire to make the situation better.

One time, several years ago, when I was following a  hopeless situation with refugees in another war-torn country and feeling sad about their plight, I thought and thought for a long time. 

Then, I came up with an idea; it was called "Cash for Kosovo." 

Long story short, between our Sandpoint mayor Paul Graves and myself acting as cheerleaders, in about three weeks our community raised $18,000 through donations in jars and collections from students in classrooms throughout the district and from other substantial private donations. 

We saw that the cash went to through the proper channels, and we felt proud that we had done something to help some people thousands of miles away.

The effort not only helped me feel like I had done something of value, but more importantly it helped others who had felt helpless to participate in a good cause.  

Also, at times like these, it's vitally important to turn our focus on what we can control.  

One example that I have seen suggested is to "flood our legislators with our messages of concern." 

Their job is to respond to their constituents, so for us to express our thoughts en masse is vitally important at times like these.

This morning I received this note from my friend Gretchen who lives in Minneapolis:  

Please contact your Senators and representatives.  

Please ask everyone you know to do the same.  It’s hard to express what it’s like to be under siege by the Federal government.

It is absolutely overpowering and there seems to be no resolution possible.

Despite what you might be seeing in the news, the Federal government is not meeting with state and local officials. 

I’m guessing the rest of the country has no idea that the murders of US citizens on the streets of Minneapolis are not being independently investigated.

We must each Demand a peaceful and lawful resolution.

Minnesota is the canary in the coal mine for our fragile democracy. 

It's really hard to wrap one's arms around all these shocking events because there are so many layers and so many perspectives to consider.

Let us hope that in the coming days and weeks, some constructive and productive answers to how we deal with this situation and others like it across this country will rise to the top, and that we can move forward once again as proud Americans. 

For now, it's a sad and frustrating time in our nation.

Let's hope for brighter days. 

 

Saturday Slight

 

Glory Whittaker and Linda Rogers Wiley.  Both are Sandpoint High Class of 1975 graduates and retired educators.  Linda served as a Catholic school principal in the Los Angeles area while Glory spent her career as a speech therapist in Alaska and Sandpoint. 

The final score wasn't exactly what we all wanted at Les Rogers Gym last night, but the rest of the time spent when Willie's players took on the Lewiston Bengals was filled with fast ball action, fun, familiar faces and even an exhilarating moment of family history for one of the fans. 

Linda Rogers Wiley and her longtime friend and classmate Glory Whittaker came to the game. Having known Willie since he was born, they were excited to watch him coach. 

Before the game, while balls were bouncing or flying in the air as the Bulldog varsity warmed up, Glory and Linda braved the action to stand by near some large red letters on the wall, letting everyone who comes to the gym that it's named for Linda's father Les Rogers.

For decades, as he raised his family and managed and owned grocery stores, Les was a well-known,  generous and beloved supporter of Sandpoint athletics.

In fact, this morning I found the speech I wrote a while back when the gym was dedicated to Les. Note:  Disregard the spacing.  Just enjoy the words. 

Les Rogers Gymnasium Dedication

January 28, 2003

by Marianne Love

 

I’ve known the Rogers family since the 1950s when all us little Catholic kids had to go to Sister School for two weeks every summer.  Les’ niece, JoAnn, was one of my classmates at St. Joseph’s where nuns from Coeur d’Alene tried to make angels out of us hooligans.  I’ve also known another niece, Paula Greenleaf, forever because she’s a classmate and friend of my older brother.  Over the years, I’ve known many of Les’ siblings and have enjoyed my occasional visits with his wife Pat.

I’ve even taught Rogers kids.  In fact, Les’ nephew Mike sat in first period English class on my first day as a full-time teacher at Sandpoint High School.  That was a LONG time ago.  His nephew Johnny also occupied a seat in my classroom at school and went through my husband’s Boy Scout troop outside of school.

Over the years came others, including Marty Patrick, another niece, and even some of  Les’ four daughters Carol, Linda, Francie and Leslie.  Just this past year, I worked with another generation of the Rogers clan when, in my last full year of teaching at Sandpoint High School, Mike Rogers’ daughter Katie  sat in my first period English class.  Throughout my lifetime, the Rogers family members have been wonderful citizens and contributors to this community.   Many have served as dedicated educators both in Sandpoint and throughout the West.

To all the Rogers family here tonight, I extend my deepest condolences.

As a teacher and longtime Sandpoint resident, I had the good fortune to know Les through my church, through shopping at his grocery stores, through our dealings in the teacher-parent relationship, through 4-H activities, and especially as an adviser for many SHS organizations.

When you advise youth organizations like 4-H, Drill Team, yearbook, and such, you learn really fast how to become a beggar.  

And as a beggar looking for handouts to support your club’s activities, you learn really quickly where to go and where not to go.  Your short list always includes the folks in town with the softest and the biggest hearts.  You knew they were good for a generous donation.  

Les Rogers was always at the top of my short list. Les was a Bulldog through and through; he knew how to bark at you when you came asking, and he always played a little game of hard to get.  He’d keep on working at whatever he was doing and make you think you were bothering him. 

 “Whaddya up to now?”  or  “Whaddya need?” he’d say.

You’d plead your case, giving all the reasons this was an important project.  When he’d heard enough, he may even cut you off in mid-sentence and send you to whoever wrote the checks.

When I heard that Les had died, I worried that the many new residents in this community would not appreciate what a loss his death was to the Sandpoint humanitarian spirit.  

So, I wrote a letter to the paper, calling him a “giant of generosity.”   In the following days, I found it comforting to learn that everyone who knew Les had the same concerns about keeping this man’s memory alive.  And when I heard about the plan to name Bulldog Gym after this humble local hero, my worries evaporated.  What a magnificent tribute to a truly deserving human being!

In closing, I think when it came to giving, Les Rogers was poorly named because instead of doing “less,” he almost always gave much “more” than anyone could ever be expected to do.   And so, to all of us----especially all the young people who benefit so often from behind-the-scenes support from people like Les---let’s remember this special night and this genuine giant of generosity.  In the future, every time we see his name while walking into this gymnasium, let’s think about his example and do our part to follow his footsteps of quiet giving toward others. 

💚💙💛💜

After the game, I snapped this shot of Glory and Linda with their SHS government teacher, Terry Iverson.

Below:  our group of Willie and Debbie fans.  Some are associated with the food bank, some of "outlaws" and others are just great friends.

A good time was had by all, and I just want to say, as a proud mom, how much the fan support is appreciated.  Thanks to all.   

While we were at the game in Sandpoint, Annie attended a Seahawks rally in Seattle where she met former Seahawk Gary Gilliam.

Annie said that the band and dancers came to the rally on an old ferry. 

"It was pretty cool," she added.  

Bill and Willie enjoying some visiting before the game. 

Below: the SHS dance team at halftime. 

I met and razzed this player from the JV team just briefly last night.

**** 

Below:  when we learned that Jetta, on the right, will be attending the University of Idaho to major in forestry,  I thought a photo of her with the retired forester would be neat. 

Besides, Bill likes to follow Jetta who has played varsity basketball and who is among the highest ranked javelin throwers in the nation. 

Jetta suffered a knee injury in a game before Christmas, and she'll have to put her athletic pursuits on hold for a while.  

Neat young lady AND her proud mom Nikki was one of my students. 

These folks, who grew up in Cody, Wyo., are loving their new community of Sandpoint.  

Below:  some of the SHS cheering squad. 

I always like to snap photos of these scoring table volunteers, Bob Moore, Jr. and his grandson. 

And, they don't seem to mind. 

  The scoreboard is named for Bob's father. Four generations of the Moore family have volunteered at the scoring table over the decades. 

It's Game Day for the ZAGS.  YAY!

Gonzaga (now 20-1)  hosts San Francisco in the Kennel. 

Tip off is at 5 p.m. PST

Game will be telecast on CBS Sports. 

GO, ZAGS!!!

I put seeds in this pot on Sunday or Monday.  

By Wednesday, the zinnias had popped out the soil. 

So, the garden is officially started and somewhat successful. 

It's cold and beautiful outside on this Saturday.  

We don't mind the cold, especially when we know how harsh the winter is to our east. 

Hope everyone stays warm and safe. 

Happy Saturday.