Twas a while back that I had this and another photo of Sandpoint High graduate Cindy Wooden and a Pope on the wall in my classroom. In fact, it's probably been at least 15 years.
It was 26 years ago that I wrote a story for the Spokesman-Review about Cindy (a former English student, 4-H'er and family friend) and her new job as a reporter for Catholic News Service at the Vatican.
I can recall the planning that had to go into that story with Rome being eight hours ahead of us and figuring out a good time to call Cindy for the interview.
Well, times have changed, and information can be accessed almost instantly in comparison to the good ol' days when I sat on my end in the old Sandpoint Spokesman bureau office with a yellow legal pad and pen, asking questions and trying to scrawl her responses as quickly, legibly and as accurately as possible.
Back in 1989, the big story besides Cindy landing a job at the Vatican was that she would be traveling the world on the Papal Jet with the Vatican Press corps, and, at that time, the first woman to do so.
Three Popes later---John Paul II, Benedict XVI and Francis---and just two days ago, the official announcement came that Cindy Wooden has been appointed Vatican Bureau Chief for Catholic News Service in Rome----the first woman ever.
She'll assume her official duties July 1.
This time I did not have to plan a time to call Cindy to congratulate her. Instead, I sent off a text yesterday, figuring she may have already gone to bed. Sure enough, I heard back from her this morning.
"Thank you so much," she wrote. "It's an exciting, crazy, busy, wonderful time to be taking over!"
And, if you wish to read the official version about her new job, check out this link:
http://cnstopstories.com/2015/06/16/wooden-is-named-chief-of-cns-rome-bureau/
It will be an exciting time for Cindy, organizing the coverage of this very busy, dynamic Pope with upcoming travels and with important announcements regarding Vatican policy coming out on a daily basis.
Indeed, a great future ahead for our hometown product. And, since this is Throwback Thursday, I'll borrow and slightly modify from an old-time cheer we used to yell at the top of our lungs on the fan buses whenever the Bulldogs came home with a victory.
SHE'S FROM SANDPOINT AND WE COULDN'T BE ANY PROUDER
IF YOU CAN'T HEAR US NOW, WE'LL YELL A LITTLE LOUDER!
WE ARE PROUD OF YOU, CINDY!
Finally, I hope you enjoy the photos taken along the roadside yesterday. Syringa, spirea, yellow and red and white clover and the daisies are highlighting the landscape with their unique blooms and colors.
Daisies in fields are not pretty to farmers cuz they take away from the food offerings, but they sure do make the hundreds of alpacas along Rapid Lightning Road stand out for all to admire.
Happy Thursday.
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