Friday, June 19, 2009

Soup's On!

As I update this blog, Roger is winging his way home from Panama. What started out as a two week stint, ended up being two months so he is definitely ready for a break. Brad and Anette are renting a car (so that Roger or Anette don't have to be strapped to the roof of the Delorean) and the 3 of them will drive to Idaho tomorrow for our own mini family reunion. Not sure how long Roger will be here, but Brad and Anette will be here for a week which we're thrilled about. Brad has a week off from his Animation Mentor program (you can see his work on his new website http://www.bradkinley.com/ ) so the timing is perfect. Hopefully we'll be able to launch our flotilla of jet skis and boat and get some time on the water.

Over the last few weeks I've started volunteering in the community including helping out at the Priest River Soup Kitchen held in the Seniors Center.

















Various business and service groups host the lunch and we typically serve 60 - 75 people in about an hour. It's a popular gathering place for young and old, and I've enjoyed meeting new people.











I usually hang out in the kitchen because I've found it's a good way to get to know the volunteers from the host organizations while we wash dishes!


Nadine Parker (below left) is a dynamo and very active in the community. She is the one that I contacted about volunteer opportunities and it's been a pleasure spending time with her.


Gary Bell (below right) is President of the Senior's Center and is also an important part of the community. His assistant, Jeannie (below left) keeps everything at the Center organized.
















Nadine needed someone to fill in at the Visitor Center & Museum this week (shown below), so she called me. I really enjoyed being there and it was interesting reading the guest book and seeing that people from all over the world have stopped by our little town.













After spending 15 years in the area, I was glad to share information with visitors to the Center (which occupies the Keyser House built in 1895), and did o.k. until one lady who came in and stumped me with her request. I sheepishly admitted I didn't know much about the churches in the area but fortunately Nadine was just a phone call away. Now -- if the lady had just asked me where the best place to eat, drink and boat....

I also met Priest River's Chief of Police, Ray Roberts, who is the President of the Chamber of Commerce. He kindly dropped by to thank me for helping out and we talked about how our paths led to Priest River.

Volunteering has given me the opportunity to meet interesting people that I might never have met, and I love feeling a part of a community.

What's next?? I have no idea --- but as Brad put it, "your lives are like a Clive Cussler novel" so I guess we'll have to wait for the next chapter to be written!

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