Royalty honors note pair's sunny outlook

SANDPOINT — For residents at The Bridge assisted living community, friendliness and positively take top priority when selecting their Valentine’s Day king and queen.

Edward Quinn and Myrt Burnett took top honors at the annual buffet lunch Monday afternoon, receiving their crowns before residents and visitors dove into the grub. Voters agreed that the two best represented the spirit of the day.

“Residents are asked to nominate candidates,” The Bridge general manager Annie Miller said. “Thought is given to those individuals who exemplify love and friendship. Both Burnett and Quinn have a life filled with compassion to family and friends.”

The crowning is the highlight of the annual event that draws plenty of guests for food and conversation. The Bridge staff put significant effort into decorating the dining room and fostering a celebratory atmosphere. They also carefully craft music selections and sometimes even bring in live entertainment.

“We just try to make sure the event is as festive as possible,” Miller said. “We try to create an atmosphere that is warm and inviting to friends and family.”

Miller added that the day was also a great opportunity to see old acquaintances.

“A lot of times we invite former residents back for the day,” she said. “Family and friends continue to be family and friends beyond their stay here.”

However, the staff isn’t the only force involved in making the day a seasonal success. Visitor participation plays its part, too.  

“We encourage people to dress in red as part of the day’s celebration,” Miller said. “I thought it was kind of fun to see so many people participate.”

The honored residents also play a role in lending a fun-filled spirit to the day. For Quinn and Burnett, the award is as much a recognition of a well-spent life as it is a commendation of their character.

Born Jan. 18, 1918, Burnett is an Idaho native originally from Rose Lake. She married her husband Art in 1937 and moved from Sandpoint to Coeur d’Alene six years later.

“It took us seven and a half hours to make the trip on muddy, dirty roads,” she said. “My husband had a homemade tractor, and we brought three children and a pregnant pig.”

As for Quinn, he was born Sept. 30, 1920, in Honolulu, Hawaii and was present during the attack on Pearl Harbor, where an enemy plane descended near his home and fired shots at his nephew. Quinn has been recognized throughout his life for his honesty and compassion, which he demonstrated toward fallen and captured enemy soldiers during his four years in the European Theater of World War II.

“We were there on a mission, but those young boys volunteered just as did I,” he said.

After the war, Quinn married his wife of 60 years, Margaret, in 1947. He continues to live his life by a simple yet rarely-seen philosophy.

“I promised God when I was a little boy to never use my voice to injure another person,” he said. “I’ve always tried to keep that promise.”