Sunday Assorteds . . . .

"Boots" at the Lovestead trick or treat table.

He wasn't very busy last night.  

Idaho State Division 2A high school cross country champ Jessica Duran.
                                                                 
                                                             ---courtesy photo

 

Jessica Duran with her stepfather Josh and mom  Tessa, a Sandpoint High School grad.               
                                                                                                         ---Courtesy Photo

Jessica Duran of Wendell, Idaho, won the girls Division 2A championship at yesterday's Idaho State High School Cross Country meet in Pocatello.

The win topped off a perfect season for Jessica, a sophomore and straight A student who also competes in track and fast-pitch baseball. 

Throughout the afternoon, I followed the pictures and  comments off and on via Facebook, eventually learning more from one of Jessica's many family fans, Pam Standlee. 

My first inkling that something pretty neat was happening came when Rosanna "Rose" Stapleton posted that Jessica had come in first. 

Rose is a Sandpoint High graduate AND Jessica's very proud grandmother. 

Connecting the dots, I then realized that it was Jessica's mom Tessa who had served as my English aide while attending Sandpoint High School. 

I also knew Jessica's grandfather Bob Ward, first as an upper classman and outstanding athlete the Class of 1964 at Sandpoint High School.

Later, the community knew Bob as a much respected deputy sheriff.

  Back in the mid-1970s, my family also experienced firsthand a full day of appreciation and gratitude for this fine man.  

At the time, several family members and a few other locals participated in the Bicentennial Pony Express Trail Ride from the South End of the Long Bridge across Lake Pend Oreille to just north of the Kootenai County border. 

As part of a national celebration, participants were carrying scrolls commemorating America's 200th birthday to be turned over to some Kootenai County horseback riders.

After a program with speakers and music to launch the ride, the group set off down HWY 95 on a HOT July day with Bob Ward escorting them in his sheriff's car. 

He stayed with the group the entire 20-plus miles, always cheerful, always supportive. 

Sadly, Bob passed away a few years later, leaving his son Travis and daughter Tessa, both of whom I have always been proud to know. 

There's another close connection our present family shares with Jessica's clan.  

Her great-uncle Duane and my son Will have worked together as SHS girls basketball coaches and friends for the past several years. 

And, so this morning, congratulations to Jessica on your phenomenal accomplishment yesterday.  

Hope to meet you some day, but, in the meantime, I know you are surrounded with loving and amazing family members, some of whom we here in Sandpoint know well and appreciate. 

One more time, as Bill loves to say, there's always a Sandpoint connection!

~~~~

In other news, Bert Wood's cows left the Meserve Preserve yesterday, bound for their winter quarters.  

Bill saw the action and texted me.  Later, Liz texted and said they were on their way.

I happened to be out near the end of the driveway at the time, which allowed me to snap a photo and wave at Bert as he drove by. 

~~~~~

Boots, the top photo, finally had some customers last night when the Taylor quintet of boys, minus one, came by after dark with their parents for some trick or treating and talking. 

The Lovestead happened to be the penultimate household on their schedule of stops, as they still had to visit the Poelstras over on Shingle Mill road. 

So, we enjoyed a short visit, but still, we HAD trick or treaters. 

AND, the good part:  Bill has plenty of candy left to eat from this year's offerings. 

All's well that ends well. 

~~~~~

And, so we begin November with some major business coming up on election day.  

Yup, we'll be celebrating our sweet Debbie that day as she turns a new age and hoping that when the day is done, we can look for peaceful and happier times ahead.

Happy Sunday.  Enjoy this beautiful day.