County celebrates Badger Homecoming
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| Folks from all around Boundary County ushered in the first day of fall, packing the Middle School cafeteria at the Rotary Club's 10th annual CommUNITY breakfast. |
Photos by Mike Weland, Debbie Weland, Angela Tucker and Lisa Solt
Though the game didn't go as Badger fans hoped, Homecoming weekend in Boundary County ushered in the first day of autumn in fine style replete with Badger pride and events that brought folks from all around the county together.
The
festivities kicked off Friday at noon with a
spirited homecoming parade that featured
cheerleaders, dancers, the Bonners Ferry High
School band, smoke-belching floats, tossed candy
and streets lined with folks showing their
Badger pride.Panhandle State Bank was also bustling, showing their customer appreciation and supporting the Badgers with a Badger Booster barbecue, cheerleaders and Buddy Badger waving to passing rigs, most of whom obliged the encouragement to either pull in or show their Badger spirit by honking ... filling the air with a din of cacophonous sound.
The stands at Kenny Mendenhall Stadium were packed for the homecoming game pitting the Badgers against the Orofino Maniacs, and while the Badgers fell behind early and never could catch up, no one on the hometown side, not the spectators in the stands, the cheerleaders, the Badger dance team or the high school band ever let their school spirit waver, nor did the boys on the field ever stop fighting.
Though trailing 36-14 in the final minutes of the game, the Badgers continued to drive; epitomized by Number 10 Josh Pluid, who took a beating but wouldn't quit, always driving forward in spite of a maniacal Orofino defense. For his never-say-quit attitude, Josh was named the Riverside Auto Player of the Game.
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| Badger booster Shelly Deitz works the kitchen counter while compadre Laura Anderson helps cook up a wonderful CommUNITY breakfast. |
As always, this year's CommUNITY breakfast was well attended, with folks meandering through table after table of great silent auction items donated by many community minded businesses and individuals to raise funds for the many scholarships the Rotary gives to deserving Boundary County students each year.
With Rotarians greeting folks and working the floor, Badger Boosters were busy in the kitchen cooking up a hearty free breakfast, served up in firsts, seconds and sometimes even thirds by the ladies on the Bonners Ferry High School Dance Team.
Also, as is usual, those who attended the free breakfast not only bid generously and ate hearty, they used the occasion to visit old friends and make new ones. The din of animated chatter enlivened not only the cafeteria, but the hall and the sidewalk as well, living up to the "Unity" in "community.
On Saturday afternoon, downtown Naples, Idaho, celebrated the roots of its name with its second annual Italian Festival, turning the lawn outside the Hostel renaissance with all things Italian, from the red, white and green of its flag to Italian sodas and pizza.
Homecoming weekend ended on a traditional and sometimes even romantic note with the umpteenth-annual homecoming dance at Bonners Ferry High School.
The high school cafeteria, transformed into a ball room, was filled with young couples flirting, working up courage their courage and dancing, some making that boy-girl acquaintance shyly for the first time, others already knowing who they intend to share their lives with.
Many of them were the children or grandchildren of couples who danced first together, once upon a time, not on this same floor, but on the dance floors of Badger homecoming celebrations of yore.
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While technically not allowed, it proved hard for those who lined the streets of downtown Bonners Ferry Friday to resist the great assortment of candy thrown by smiling Badgers during the Badgers Homecoming Parade. |
| With the Bonner Ferry High School Band leading the way ... it was nearly impossible not to feel the spirit of Badger pride ... |
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... Even when they set their instruments down to sing Badger fight songs! |
| The smiles and spirit of the Badger cheerleaders ... |
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... introduced this year's Badger Royalty |
| ... Waving and smiling ... |
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... representing their class and their school ... |
| ... with dignity and aplomb. |
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Most times, though. words aren't needed at all to convey Badger pride. |
| Buddy Badger didn't stop marching after the parade, either ... |
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... Nope .. Buddy and friends took Badger spirit to everyone passing through! |
| Even though the Badgers didn't win their homecoming game, we admired who our Badgers are. Players like Josh Pluid, the Riverside Player of the Game, epitomized what it means to always fight on. Joslyn Invernon's smile shines with the pride we all feel in our Bonners Ferry Badgers. |
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Getting up at the crack of dawn Saturday, the first day of fall, the Bonners Ferry Rotary once again exemplified the UNITY in "community," joining forces with Badgers and Badger Boosters to promote and encourage this community's students to excel. |
| Amid good friends and better company, those who attended the CommUNITY breakfast enjoyed a hearty breakfast, the warm smiles of the talented young women on the BFHS Dance Team, and the knowledge that their participation will contribute to the continuation of the many successes anticipated of the next generation of students. |
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Meanwhile ... in Naples... the spirit of the Renaissance was infusing the metropolis with all things Italian ... |
| ... and even the chefs donned the colors of the old country. |
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Italian sodas were well received ... |
| ... Kids held still for Italian-themed face paintings ... |
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... and "ti voglio molto bene" was shown in so many ways. |