Spreading the Word
Boundary County Middle School teacher Amy Cowley and her husband, Michael, have adopted a 3-year-old orphan from the Democratic Republic of Congo in Africa.
Joel arrived on March 3 and joins big sister, Elisabeth, 9.
The Cowleys worked with Jim Hagen from First Baptist Church to adopt the boy. Hagen worked with a pastor in Africa to locate Joel in Lubumbashi.
“It took quite a bit of time to get all the paperwork done, especially with getting a visa from the United States,” Amy Cowley said. “It was a lot of praying and a lot of encouragement. God really had his hand in all of it to get Joel here.”
The little boy's three siblings and father attempted to get away from the civil war in the capital of Kinshasa, and died along the way. Joel's mother died sometime after giving birth. A nun found Joel and took him to an orphanage.
Joel speaks four languages.
More than 50 pilots and family members from Clark Fork, Creston, Bonners Ferry and Libby, Mont., attended Saturday's annual potluck at Boundary County Airport, according to guest Brad Buerge. It was hosted by Northern Air owner Dave Parker and his family.
Among guests was Jack Offord. The event included a slide show set to the theme from the television show “Cheers,” which was a tribute to the late Clint Chamberlain.
Buerge also attended the annual appreciation barbecue at North Columbia Equipment. JoJo Baker estimated that 300 burgers and more than 250 hot dogs were served.
Door prizes included hats, coolers, John Deere drinking glasses, figurines, a propane grill, tractor lawn sprinkler and an overnight trip to Quinn's Hot Springs in Paradise, Mont.
Dallas Amoth brought a 1948 John Deere D from Mt. Hall for the open house. He is the third generation Amoth to own the tractor. Dallas is the son of Victor Amoth and grandson of Albert Amoth.
Joe Hill, son of Paul Hill and Jane Bodle-Hill of Coeur d'Alene and grandson of Merle and Helen Hill of Bonners Ferry, was awarded one out of four Sports Turf Managers Association National Field of the Year trophies for Short Season A Leagues.
Joe was the sports turf manager for the Spokane Indians' 2007 season. The award recognizes the excellence of Avista Stadium and the turf manager's expertise. Winning this award had extra meaning for Joe, who was attending school full-time in Pullman while making sure the field received excellent care.
Joe, who graduated from Washington State University in December, noted that being a former baseball player for Coeur d'Alene High School, Spokane Falls Community College and CDA American Legion Baseball was a factor in his commitment to making Avista Stadium one of the top baseball fields in the country.
A two-time CDA Ironman, Joe said the challenge of a different venue and motivation to learn additional skills led him to take a position with The Club at Black Rock, a private golf course in CDA. He acknowledged that a supportive family has always been
one of the most important aspects in his life and always looks forward to the annual Hill Bowling Party in Bonners Ferry each Christmas.
Dale Pyne made his first solo two weeks ago in a Cessna 182.
According to flight instructor Carla Dedera, Dale indicated four years ago he wanted to learn how to fly.
Last fall, Dale, his wife Terri, and their son, Shane, decided they would all participate in the experience. Terri planned trips, while Shane, who was completing a finance internship at Coldwater Creek last fall, found time to make a few flights.
The three took Private Pilot ground school and passed the test with high scores. After much research, they bought a Cessna 182 in New Mexico. Dale's first dual cross-country flight was flying his new purchase to North Idaho.
Dale began formal flight training last November. He learned the aerodynamics of slow flight, steep turns, ground reference maneuvers and various emergency procedures. All his training culminated in three great landings by himself on March 13.
Afterwards, the staff at Northern Air at Boundary County Airport hosted a celebration. Carla cut his shirt-tails and the staff toasted his accomplishment with sparkling cider.
Pat and Xyla Carson granddaughter, Jackie Molen, will have a part in a Willie Nelson movie that is based on the song “Beer For My Horses.”
Spreading the Word is about the people of Boundary County. If you've gone on a vacation, have a wedding planned, are moving or anything else you'd like to share, call Gwen Albers at 267-5521 or send an e-mail to galbers@cdapress.com.