He’s All Wright: Nothing Foreign About Visiting Teen

The kids were grown and long gone when Dave Wright asked his wife for another child.

“I was a little hesitant at first,” Nancy said with a slight smile. “I was worried about feeding him. You think of all the things your children did - dating, etc.”

But Nancy was a good sport and two months later a healthy, 16-year-old boy arrived in the Wrights’ lives. The Coeur d’Alene couple had chosen Ignacio Botaz from 150 foreign exchange student applicants.

Dave was giddy as a new father before Ignacio arrived. He called the boy’s home in Vitoria, Spain, planning to use his limited Spanish to introduce himself.

“But his mom answered the phone and I was so excited I forgot all my Spanish and blurted, ‘This is Dave Wright,”’ he said. Ignacio’s siblings translated.

After seven years without children, the Wrights had some adapting to do. Ignacio quickly dubbed Nancy the “Viking Queen” after she insisted he make his bed every day and follow the house rules. He knew he was part of the family the day she wore a Viking helmet for him.

Dave was used to watching what he wanted on television. Ignacio wanted MTV. Now, they watch sports together.

“He’s very similar to our children,” Dave said, smiling at the tall boy slumped on his couch. “We worry about the same things we did with our children.”

Ignacio misses his brother. He is an only child in Coeur d’Alene. But he likes having girls in his classes at Lake City High. In Spain, he attended a boys’ school.

With his good-natured ribbing, Ignacio has erased most fears Nancy had about opening her home and heart to another child. Only one worry remains.

“It will be very difficult to let him go,” she said, her smile sagging. “It will be hard not to have the fun we’ve been having.”

Spring cleaning

For 35 teenagers from the Hayden First Ward of the Mormon Church, spring couldn’t come soon enough. So they decided not to wait. They launched into cleaning mode last week, steering their vacuums through the homes of eight elderly women.

The Area Agency on Aging pointed the teens to the right homes and let ‘em rip. I don’t suppose those kids would be interested in my house …

Pint-size donations

Squeeze out some blood at Kootenai Medical Center from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Wednesday, and local docs will reward you with a pint of juice. It never hurts to have a little blood on account for family emergencies.

Give me a break

The Coeur d’Alene Association of Realtors wants posters that represent equal opportunity for everyone, including all families. No political statement intended. OK?

Royalty watch

Here’s something you don’t see everyday: Miss Idaho Amy Tolzmann’s beaded evening gown is on display at the Seven Trumpets Bead Studio in Coeur d’Alene.

It’s worth a look. It was designed locally by Geri Moen of Sew Fine Originals with help from Ellen Franz, and is covered in sequins, bugles and other fancy stuff.

Amy wore the gown in the recent Miss U.S.A. competition. Go be dazzled at 1607 Third St.

No equal

It’s a clean sweep - three nominations for best boss so far, three Bobs. Today’s is Roberta Truscott, owner of Coeur d’Alene’s Biofeedback Clinic.

Janet Javorka says Roberta leaves cheerful messages for her, makes corrections in a positive way and “is just the kindest person I have ever worked for.” Janet’s also sold on her job - she runs an independent secretarial service.

BOB must stand for Best of the Bosses. Any Bills or Marys out there doing a great job? Send some new names to Cynthia Taggart, “Close to Home,” 608 Northwest Blvd., Suite 200, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, 83814; fax to 765-7149; or call 765-7128.