She’ll Be Outstanding In Her Own Field
‘Whether people want to admit it or not, we are in a soccer town. There’s no doubt in my mind.”
- Bill Eisenwinter, Coeur d’Alene Soccer Club coach
Those words are music to Irma Anderl’s ears. Soccer town. Who would’ve thought back in 1980 that 1,000 kids would play soccer in Coeur d’Alene in 1996? Irma.
She knew the first time her youngest son played soccer that it was more than an after-school diversion, an opportunity for parents to stand in the freezing rain, another practice to wedge into the schedule.
Soccer had few boosters then. It was an oddity, a foreign sport where spectators rioted. Still …
“I never played. I just love the sport. There’s something about it that really appeals to me,” says Irma, who’s 64.
She saw soccer as a good thing for kids. Children were her life. She’d taught kindergarten and first grade. She was a school librarian. She joined the boards of organizations that served kids - the YMCA, EXCEL, the public schools, the library.
“Her caring is not just surface and words. It runs deeply. She truly cares about children,” says Lee Starr, co-director of the Kootenai County Library where Irma works as a children’s librarian.
Irma pushed soccer everywhere. It offered kids scholarship opportunities, lifetime involvement, fun. Her persistence and passion won her an army of support that eventually prompted the Coeur d’Alene School District to adopt the sport.
“I’m an only child,” Irma says, the wind carrying her rusty laugh across Finucane Park where she’s coaching her grandson’s soccer team. “I don’t know why I just love being around children.”
Lake City High will dedicate its soccer field to Irma Thursday afternoon, which surprises no one involved in soccer but Irma. Lots of people promoted soccer, she says. But Irma gave it life.
“She doesn’t even have any kids of her own playing anymore, but she’s still involved in every way,” says Anne Thompson, the parent of soccer players. “Her enthusiasm hasn’t waned one bit.”
Show stoppers
The people who do it best will act, sing and dance to benefit the North Idaho AIDS Coalition in a special musical revue May 18 in Lake City High’s auditorium.
The Coeur d’Alene Summer Theatre’s artistic director, Roger Welch, mixed songs, scenes and monologues from Broadway productions into “Putting It Together.”
Then he invited friends Tom Cooper, Darcy Wright, Bobbi Kotula, Frank Jewett and Julie Powell to test his work on stage. He liked the results.
The talent in this group has brought audiences to its feet over and over again. Do yourself a favor - buy a ticket to “Putting It Together” before they’re gone. There’s only one show and 500 seats.
Tickets are $10 in advance at Pink Flamingo, 1200 Sherman Ave., and Roxy Antiques, 115 S. Fourth St. Call 1-800-423-2849 for details.
One ringy-dingy
If you’re older than 60, someone from Aging and Adult Services may telephone you this month to find out what you need to make life better. If the questions alarm you, make sure the caller is from aging services. Then confess your need for more public transportation, mail and newspaper deliveries to your front door or lower snow berms across your driveway.
May is Older Americans month. Make the most of it.
Endless pothole
I drove U.S. Highway 2 from Sandpoint to Priest River last weekend and can’t believe that cratered, disintegrating road is part of the federal highway system. Where are the biggest potholes you’ve seen in North Idaho? Describe the worst in gory detail 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