The Star - News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area

Sometimes I just have too much to talk about. So this week I will give you a few paragraphs of thoughts or a potpourri of pondering, if you will.

It is a rare occurrence that you can ask a chef if he can cook something, something you have always wanted to have and he says, yes, he can do it. It is a special day when that same chef cooks for you and your wife and four friends in his restaurant and makes it a very special time. Thanks Juan for the awesome eats and outstanding flexibility. You’re a rock star in this community. Oh, and Happy Birthday Jeffy.

OK, the crosswalks need to come back to Coulee. It has become dangerous, and with school coming up our children will need them. Three times over the weekend, I saw someone almost get hit crossing the road in downtown Grand Coulee. This is a safety concern and needs to be addressed.

Karrie and I had appointments in Wenatchee last week, so afterward we decided to drive back through Pateros. “Pateros Strong.” That was what the sign said hanging on the barbwire fence as we approached the town. It was a humbling experience as we drove around the streets of the devastated neighborhoods. Blackened ground leads right up to the charred remains of buildings and other family treasures now lessened to nothing. This was a disaster that did not discriminate. The rich and the poor, the important and the struggling all were affected the same. But the sign said it all. The cleanup continues. The rebuilding has begun. The town is still in business, and I believe the people of the little town of Pateros are an inspiration to all of us. No matter the struggle, no matter the devastation, no matter the disaster “We will be strong, we will survive.”

Ok, so I took the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. Yes, I nominated some local stars to take the icy dump to the head too. It has been stated on social media that maybe we have lost the idea behind the challenge to begin with and this is all a popularity stunt now. I disagree. ALS is now being talked about on a global scale, and whether you donate or not (obviously people are donating, they are setting records) the disease is being pushed to the forefront of all media and thoughts of millions of people around the world that would not have otherwise even heard of the affliction. I guess people are going to see more and more of these types of fund raisers because they work so well. It gets us all involved. Like the polar plunge, the ice bucket challenge and other similar things, it makes us all become active, it makes us get up off our butts and do something fun and for a good cause. Well, maybe not everyone had fun doing it. Sorry Phil. Not really.

Over the weekend I found out the sad news. The Neiberdings will soon be moving to Ohio. This is a big blow to the community. They will be missed, but we cannot be too sad for them because they will be closer to the grandkids. As long as I can remember they have been active in the community and positive roles models for all ages. They had such a positive impact on young people. I know they had a heart for teaching the younger generation about how the choices you make today can impact not only you but an entire family and community for a long time.

So thank you, Tom and Pat, for sharing your lives with us, and feel free to come back and visit anytime. There will always be a little Coulee waiting here for you with initials painted on it. The paint may fade but the memory will last forever.