Bonus Day

Sandpoint's Jerry Kramer, flanked by former Bulldog teammates Leon Lewis and Terry Thompson. 

Lewis and Thompson joined several other locals during a filming segment on the stage of Sandpoint Events Center formerly Sandpoint High School where Jerry attended high school in the 1950s. 

It's a bonus day that comes along every four years. 

We call this a leap year because of the extra day. 

This day gives us one extra opportunity to get out there and make the best of our lives, of others and of this planet. 

How we utilize the opportunity is uniquely up to us.  

I discovered a little bonus opportunity first thing this morning while walking past my Iphone which is usually plugged in overnight on a kitchen counter. 

Before looking at the phone, I always switch on the coffee pot, throw yesterday's clothes into the wash and flip on the kitchen light. 

This morning's message, which lit up the phone, came from just up the road where my neighbors and dear friends Janice and Mark live. 

Janice sent me a link and a password, which her cousin Carol had shared with her, telling me it was okay to share. 

Janice's cousin Carol has a big brother who's kinda famous in the NFL world and especially here in Sandpoint. 

We've all followed Jerry Kramer's path toward induction into the NFL Hall of Fame.  

I'm thinking that if Jerry hadn't been inducted, I may never has seen my high school study table mate again in this life. 

Happily, though, Carol and I reconnected after several decades when Jerry and some NFL officials came to Sandpoint High to present the "Hometown Hall of Famer" plaque.  

Since then, we've both enjoyed keeping that friendship alive.  Let me say that in my mind Carol is the "salt of the earth." 

And, she's very proud of her big brother.  

Jerry Kramer's remarkable story continues, thanks to the efforts of Glenn Aveni, a documentary filmmaker who grew up in Wisconsin and faithfully followed the Green Bay Packers during those glory years where the Packers were coached by legendary Vince Lombardi. 

The film includes interviews with some other Green Bay greats of Jerry's era AND some of his Sandpoint High Football teammates, as seen above when Jerry came to the Sandpoint Event Center for several segments of reflection with key locals who played a part in his life. 

Jerry Kramer's story is also inspirational, especially for kids from Sandpoint.  He continues to inspire through his own story telling, and, though he's already sealed his spot in football history, I have a feeling that Glenn Aveni's production will punctuate his legendary status. 

Local pride in this home town product will continue to skyrocket, maybe even into eternity. 

Thanks so much to Janice and to Carol for sharing this segment which highlights the story and the folks behind "If You Can You Will."

The film is expected to be released later this summer or fall.  

https://vimeo.com/382095969

Password:  icontvmusic

To learn about film director Glenn Aveni and the evolution of the film itself: 

https://greenbaybobfox.wordpress.com/2019/06/07/wisconsin-filmmaker-is-producing-jerry-kramer-documentary/

In other news, we're still in that end-of-February mode where we want to get on with spring, but winter continues to hang on. 

Still, no real complaints as I remember distinctly that winter hit us head on in February last year and continued well into March.

So, even though it's messy and dirty, we're seeing progress in the annual meltdown. 

And, if we're good, we may just get off without another big blast of snow. 

On this Bonus Day, the ZAGS are playing their final season game tonight in Spokane. 

Let's hope Bonus Day shines well on them as they take on one of their chronic nemeses for the second time this season.  

GO, ZAGS.  

RUAIG AN GAELS!