For Him, Giving Is A Reward

If Ron Corder ever needs someone to lean on, most people in Athol will volunteer. He’s the guy who helps them cut firewood, watches their children in emergencies, pushes their cars out of snow banks.

“He’s a really good neighbor,” says Helen Kathman, a ninth-grader at Lakeland Junior High. “He’d help anyone.”

Ron blushes at Helen’s praise. He’s not one to talk about himself. He has a fire district to run, a sick truck to fix.

But he admits that good-neighborliness is one of his priorities.

“That’s what this world needs more of - people helping out their neighbors,” he says almost gruffly. “Don’t find that much anymore. This world is going to heck.”

That’s why Ron stays in small towns. He’s lived in Lewiston and seen fear and distrust among neighbors silence offers of help. He didn’t like it.

“You get to know people better in small towns,” he says. “I’m a little country boy, always will be.”

Ron grew up in Orofino in a family of good neighbors. His father helped neighbors butcher their chickens, pack in wood for the winter. He didn’t make a big deal of it. It was just the right thing to do.

Ron, who’s a grandfather now, settled in Athol 10 years ago so his wife could be near her family. The town was just the right size for him. People still took care of each other there. He fit right in.

He was elected to the City Council and hired as the fire district chief. He joined a church that keeps a food and firewood bank. He offered the extra hands to finish a roof, cut up a felled tree.

“Some people are users,” he admits. “But if someone’s in need, they’re in need. You try to help.”

Ron expects nothing in return.

“It’s gratifying to me to see a smile on a little kid’s face when I help their dad,” he says, allowing himself a slight smile. “That makes it all worth it.”

Think summer

It’s hard to plan for July in January, but it’s worth it to get good seats for the Coeur d’Alene Summer Theatre’s 1996 season.

The theatre’s Carrousel Players are so hot, their shows sell out, even in North Idaho College’s 1,200-seat Schuler Auditorium. But then, they have 28 years of experience.

The theater’s boasting performances by Ellen Travolta - yeah, John’s sister - and Jack Bannon this year. They’re great, but it’s terrific performances by up-and-coming stars that has sold the region on the Carrousel Players.

In case you’re wondering, here’s this year’s lineup of shows: “Gypsy,” “How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying,” “Evita” and “Brigadoon.” Call 769-7780 for tickets.

Upsy-daisy

Sure, it’s a stunt to woo shoppers back to Silver Lake Mall after Christmas, but it’s a first-class stunt - skiers and snow-boarders flipping and flopping on trampolines.

They’re Outrageous Air and they’re worth watching. Who needs Warren Miller’s ski movies when the mall has two gigantic trampolines and world-class free-style skiers?

The shows are short and free. Four on Saturday, three on Sunday, before the Super Bowl starts.

Young minds

Coeur d’Alene’s Sandy Mamola was ready for a visit from her 4-year-old granddaughter, Lauren. But she wasn’t ready for the questions. Especially the one about the myth that Walt Disney’s dead body was frozen.

“How do you explain cryogenics to a 4-year-old?” Sandy asks. “Or for that matter, to a 50-year-old?”

What’s the toughest question a child has asked you? How did you answer it? Stretch your brain waves for Cynthia Taggart, “Close to Home,” 608 Northwest Blvd., Suite 200, Coeur d’Alene 83814; FAX to 765-7149; or call 765-7128.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color photo