Sharps named Sprague Days Grand Marshals

SPRAGUE-- Dick and Claudette Sharp have been announced as the 2022 Grand Marshal for the Sprague Days Parade, which will be Saturday, Sept. 10.

Dick Sharp was born and raised in Sprague, graduating from the high school in 1967.

He worked for the Sprague Advocate and later was hired by a newspaper in Tri-Cities where he moved to for a year before returning to work for John Deere dealers in Spokane, Cheney and Sprague.

He also worked for several area farmers over the years until he went full-time to Sprague Grange Supply until his heart forced him to leave full-time employment.

Claudette moved to Sprague with two of her four children in 1986 to be nearer her twin sister Claudia Lowman. Her first employment here was at Stan’s Drive in with Mary Ford. She then went to do housekeeping and laundry at senior homes in Ritzville and Spokane.

When Dick’s dad Bob’s health deteriorated, they took over providing his full-time care and Claudette left her job to care for him, and then Dick when he began having heart problems. As life went on, they took turns caring for each other during health issues. She said she didn’t know much about Sprague, so she felt that the best way to meet people was to volunteer.

Dick was raised by parents who were actively involved in Sprague Chamber and the community. He volunteered on the fire department and as an EMT, served on the City Council and 18 years at Turkey Bingo, He designed the ‘Sprague Harvest Hoof-it’ T-shirts and worked at the race turn-around out by Sprague Lake.

He met Claudette in 1990 and she began joining him in volunteering at Turkey bingo, serving as Chamber officers and putting up and taking down Veteran flags at McAbee Cemetery each Memorial Day Weekend.

Dick started volunteering as Santa’s Elf to help give children goody bags and get pictures and later was ‘promoted’ to Santa. Claudette became Mrs. Claus.

They noted that several of the younger children would be intimidated by Santa’s big beard and Ho Ho Ho, but they would go up to Mrs. Claus, so instead of assisting, she got her own chair next to Santa for the last few years.

Dick also designed and painted sets for the high school plays. As his romance grew with Claudette, she would join him up there helping.

They also both help with the Easter Egg Hunt-including Claudette serving as the ‘Bunny’ for a few years originally at the school. They still buy eggs and stuff them with candy and money for the little ones. They have also volunteered for the food bank and donated food to the Christmas Food & Gift Program.

Claudette started the Red Hat Ladies in Sprague, and a couples Pinochle Club for many years until many of the members began to have health issues, move closer to doctors or died. She tried to resurrect a Lady’s Pinochle Club a few years ago and it was very popular until COVID-19 hit and shut it down. Some members still try to get together and play after senior meals now.

Dick has also been a member of a band of 5-6 members, four of which are Sprague High School graduates. They, known as “The Rusty Vikings,” will be playing at the Lincoln County Fair again this year.

In addition to the Sprague Days parade, there will be a Car & Bike Show with a Beer Garden hosted by Renegade Restorations, lunch, a bake sale, vendors in the Park, family activities presented by SHS FFA, Sprague Days Raffle with a drawing at 3 p.m. at the Park and ‘The Old Dogs’ providing live music in the park from 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. and on First Street from 4 p.m-7 p.m. The Sprague Railroad Depot Museum will also be open Noon-3 p.m.

Sunday there will be Church in the Park hosted by St John Lutheran Church at 9 a.m. and breakfast will be served at the Community Hall by the Little League from 8 a.m.-Noon.