Grand Marshals for the Pinehurst Days parade chosen!
Long time Pinehurst residents Bob and Dana Stovern have been chosen 2021 Grand Marshals for the Pinehurst Days Parade to be held August 7 at 11:00am.
Both graduated from Coeur d’ Alene High school in the 1960’s. They were married in 1965. Dana went to Central Washington College while Bob joined the army serving in finance during the Vietnam war, he served 14 months in Vietnam.
In 1967 Nels Stovern and Bob’s brothers purchased Gardner Supply with the intent to begin a family business. They moved into the Kellogg store during winter time, sliding store supplies across the icy grounds with crates loaned them by Pik Kwik grocery.
In 1973 they purchased the Pinehurst store, thinking it would take at least a year before they would see a profit, but they were pleasantly surprised.
Stovern Supply’s best five years were after Bunker Hill closed, people couldn’t afford to buy a new car, they had to fix what they had. Years ago gas stations were service stations. Swan’s was part-time.
Bob Monteith in Cataldo, Pat at Carousel, and a lot of Kellogg and Wallace auto dealerships, kept Stovern Supply busy.
The family business proved to be just that, supporting families and filling a necessary need for people in the Silver Valley.
Dana moved to the valley in 1968 where she worked for Idaho First National Bank. Bob followed after completing his discharge from the Army.
They reminisce about when Pinecreek flooded and people were airlifted out by helicopter. They note the physical growth of the valley from no trees to our current forested area, men’s basketball leagues, golfing with very little grass (your ball would land and dust would fly) and doing business locally whenever possible.
Just as past Grand Marshals Lawanna Watts, Ted and Shirley McClain, and Lois Arvidson, they talked about how others in the community have all come together to make Pinehurst a great place to live .
Stovern’s have always been supportive of organizations, schools and clubs to make this a great area.
Dana was the Easter Bunny one year and another time, Mickey Mouse at a lighting ceremony. Their memories of past Pinehurst days include the theme “Spoke of the past , Hub of the future,” kids dressed as Pine trees, and drag races at the end of town.
They remember prizes provided by the Comancheros of a vehicle one year and pedal cars another time.
They started the Junior Chamber of Commerce, with Lawanna Watts as the first president. Bob is in the Junior Golf program and Rotary.
“Organizations used to be a person’s social life. We have always liked to be involved in Pinehurst Days and assist the Commancheros, even though we never actually
joined. No one was afraid to participate. You only had to ask once, and they were there. Everyone was excited to be involved. The Lions Club was always there. Everything we did took time and energy, but it was fun to do”, Bob said.
They participated in three other organizations involving, retraining of miners after Bunker Hill went down, and getting federal dollars into the area for displaced miners. While Bob was in Washington D.C. in meetings, Dana had the opportunity to do a little sightseeing.
Every person in a community can make a difference! Bob and Dana Stovern have devoted their time and energy to do just that. Thank you for your part in making Pinehurst and the Silver Valley great.
Jenny Duce,
Pinehurst