I started the morning like any other, with breakfast while I read the CdA Press. Say what you will about The Press but it is KootCo's best source of local news and info. But while I turned the pages I saw three items that made me go "Hmmmmmmm..."
1. Editorial recommending more parks be named after distinguished locals, citing a Post Falls Park named after Hilde Kellogg.
Nothing against Hilde, heck, I've known her since I was a little kid and she has done much for North Idaho & KootCo. BUT, I always have to wonder about naming parks after people. Here are two good examples here in CdA.
Person Field on 15th. I've lived here all my life and am still a little fuzzy on who "Person" was. And over the years it has been erroneously called everything from Persons to Piersons Field. I'm betting that only a handful of locals could tell me about Mr/Ms Person.
GO Phippeny Park on 7th St. I remember that Mr. Phippeny was a long time educator and the park sits on the one time site of CdA High and Jr. High Schools. But I can't give many more details.
Fifty years from now will anyone remember Hilde and what she did?
2. Letters to the Editor regarding the reversal of suspensions for CHS Viking football players.
First question I had to ponder was, who took the photos of beer swilling, minor students? Could it possibly be an LCHS minor student at the same party in a proverbial calling the kettle black situation?
Just because I was a Viking doesn't mean I'd look the other way. But looking the other way when high school students misbehave is nothing new. Remember when the first LCHS graduating class pulled their senior pranks which accounted for literally thousands of dollars of damage to a brand new school paid for with taxpayer dollars? You don't? I guess we looked the other way that time, too.
3. Yet another news article where Fort Hood killer Nidal Hasan is referred to as a "suspect". Suspect? Alleged? Does anyone actually think he's innocent until proven guilty in a court of law? The guy KILLED people, no if's and's or but's about it. Are we so politically correct that we can't call a spade a spade?
Dunno about you, but stuff like this always makes me go "Hmmmmmm...."
Dave, your observation regarding the park naming is one I share and as the person who spearheaded the Hilde Kellogg Park naming, there's a plan. With private donations we will place (probably in the spring) an informational pedistal there at the park, highlighting Hilde Kellogg's contributions to the community. It becomes about preserving the history of our communities as much as honoring a specific person. The information could inspire young people and others to step up and make a difference. We need to do that also in the Ronald D. Rankin Veterans Memorial Plaza.
ReplyDeleteLove this blog!
Thanks, Kerri. Yeah, if we're going to name something after someone, let's make sure people who visit at least have the opportunity to find out who the person was and what things made them worthy of the honor. 8-)
ReplyDeleteIt seems that I remember a discussion with my father where the origin of Person's Field came up...farmland at one time owned by the Person family and deeded over to the city and school district. I believe both entities still maintain ownership of the land. It is still a major piece of land to be held in the publc domain - a legacy to that family if the story is true.
ReplyDeleteI also remember that my mother held Mr. Phippeny in the highest regard, and I would assume that this feeling was shared by many of that generation. I also believe that she shared that he was a music educator that impacted several generations of CHS Viking students (I should have paid more attention to her, so the details would be clearer).
Regardless, like most of the street signs, parks, and other publicly named entities in town, each has a back story and for the generation that named them, they are a connection to someone who impacted the community in a positive way. I guess that is why we don't have Lee Harvey Oswald or John Wilkes Booth Parks in any town or cities in our country. :-)
Update...I spent time on the way to dinner with my Uncle Jim talking about the question about who Person and Phippeny were. Turns out that Mr. Person was a well-loved, respected, and successful track and field coach at Coeur d'Alene HS in the 1930's.
ReplyDeleteMr. Phippeny (I beleive Jim said Geodfrey was his first name) was Superintendent of Schools for Coeur d'Alene schools in the 20's and 30's. He lived into his 90's and regularly attended the Presbyterian Church. He lived on the east side of the street just north of where the park bearing his name is located. It is the white house just beyond Montana St.
I stand corrected on my earlier post. I will resolve to pay better attention in the new year.
A-ha! Good info. Trust it to Uncle Jim. We should have him sit in front of a video camera for a few hours someday. I've seen too much wonderful living history pass on unrecorded.
ReplyDelete