Thirty years ago Meghan Slick’s birth made the newspaper. Now, it’s her newborn son’s turn to shine. In this tangled tale of moms, babies and doctors, Payton Slick seemed a bit bored by all the fuss. Eight days old at the time of this interview, he yawned, hiccupped and declined further comment. So his grandmother, Cheri Erpenbach, started the story at the beginning, with the birth of Payton’s mom, Meghan. Erpenbach went into labor with her second child on a chilly November morning in 1981. They called her doctor, John McKenna, and she and her husband, Michael Erpenbach, headed to Sacred Heart Hospital. They didn’t get far/Cindy Hval, SR. More here. (SR photo)

• Adoption reunion often rich for those choosing one/Cindy Hval
• Front Porch: The gift every mom wishes for/Cindy Hval

Question: Do you have any similar birth stories in your family?

I have a confession to make. I’m a girl. A girly-girl. I don’t like playing team sports, sweating, getting dirt on my hands or fishing. Well, I’ve never actually gone fishing, but it involves bait and bad smells, so I’m confident it’s not for me. I like pretty china, pink and smelling good. The irony of course, is that I have four sons, a husband and two male cats. My menfolk don’t mind me smelling good or wearing pink, but pretty china is wasted on them. They’re not interested in the plates – just what’s on them. Every so often, I need to spend time with my own kind – girls’ night out saves my sanity. Usually, I meet friends at an upscale restaurant where we enjoy food that we haven’t cooked and estrogen-laden conversation. It’s all very civilized. In fact, I started to feel like girls’ night out had become a little too tame and predictable. Then I heard some friends were planning a girls-n-guns get-together at a local shooting range. Revolvers, zombies and ammo? “I’m in!” I said/Cindy Hval, SR Front Porch. More here.

Question: Do you enjoy guns or target shooting?

Nebraska's Chad Christensen (2), home plate umpire Pat Spieler and Nebraska third base coach Will Bolt (6) signal a safe call for Richard Stock (39) sliding past Illinois catcher Kelly Norris-Jones in the third inning of an NCAA college baseball game Saturday in Lincoln, Neb. (AP Photo/The Journal-Star, Ted Kirk)

On her Facebook wall, Cindy writes: “The only thing worse than watching Major League Baseball is a root canal. Unless they offer nitrous oxide. Then I'll take the root canal.” Dunno about you, but I (heart) Major League Baseball. I've followed it and the San Francisco Giants since I was 8 in 1958. Even pay $20 to MLB.com, so I can listen to any ballgame I want while puttering in my home office. How about you?

Question: Are you a true blue fan like DFO or are you an unbeliever like Super Sub Cindy?

Giggling newlyweds, golden anniversaries, glamorous weddings – I’ve covered them all as part of my Love Story series for this newspaper. And while I’m supposed to be objective and unbiased, I confess I do have a favorite love story – my own. Twenty-six years ago today, I walked down the aisle toward Derek, absolutely confident I was making the best decision of my life. The years have proved me right. We met at church. I spotted him sitting down the row from me and whispered to my friend, “Who is that?” “That’s Darrol’s brother, Derek,” she whispered back. “He just got back from flight school.” I’m afraid I don’t remember a single word of the sermon because I couldn’t take my eyes off the tall, handsome blond at the end of the row/Cindy Hval, SR. More here.

Question: Do you remember the first time you laid eyes on your true love?

It was the cold she noticed first. Two years ago, when Cat Davis returned to Spokane, she couldn’t seem to get warm. She thought maybe living in Arizona had left her unaccustomed to Spokane’s October chill. But days went by and she grew more miserable.She finally went to the doctor. “I was diagnosed with Raynaud’s disease,” she said. The disease causes arteries that supply blood to the skin to narrow, limiting circulation to affected areas.Davis was told she’d be better off living in a warmer climate, and she wanted to return to Arizona anyway. But once there her health problems continued/Cindy Hval, SR. More here.

Question: What would you do if you were given a death sentence?

February is a busy month at our house. In addition to Valentine’s Day, we celebrate three family birthdays: Milo’s, Thor’s and mine. The less said about my 40-something-and-counting birthday, the better. But Milo’s third birthday and Thor’s first are truly reasons to celebrate. Pre-Milo, our family had been petless, unless you count goldfish. Alas, the boys and I had grown weary of watery funerals. When we adopted Milo, he was an 8-week-old fuzzy furball of need. He skittered around his metal cage at the pet store during pet adoption week like a kid in desperate need of Ritalin/Cindy Hval, SR. More here.

Question: Do you celebrate your pet's birthday?

When Spokesman-Review columnist/blogger Dave Oliveria started bugging me about Twitter, I scoffed at the notion that I needed any more social media in my life. Facebook already ate up too much of my time. Oliveria insisted that Twitter is far more valuable than Facebook when it comes to tracking and reporting breaking news. However, the only breaking news I usually cover is when I break a fingernail. Yet as more and more of my media friends started jumping on the Twitter-wagon, I wondered if I might be missing out/Cindy Hval, SR Front Porch. More here.

• Also by Cindy: Hard times strengthened couple's bond/Love Stories

Question: How long will you resist the Twitter bug.

Since 2001, Boys & Girls Clubs of Spokane County have offered a safe place for children ages 6 to 18 to spend their after-school hours. And since last January, the clubs have filled more than just empty hours – they’ve filled empty bellies. While the clubs have always served a healthy snack, the impetus to offer dinner came from a conversation Northtown branch director Jason Anderson had with a hungry little boy/Cindy Hval, SR. More here. (Christopher Anderson SR photo: Fidil Nzohabonimana enjoys dinner at the Boys & Girls Club Jan. 4. The Boys & Girls Club serves a healthy meal and a snack every day at three locations)

• Love Story: Diluzios married after he left Navy/Cindy Hval

Question: Feeding hungry kids shouldn't be a political issue but a moral issue. Agree or disagree

AK-47s. Bodies falling out of moving vehicles. Biker bars. These generally don’t come to mind when most folks think of family home movies. But these things do occur to Spokane siblings David Ball and Donna Larsen. For them, these are staples in the movies they’ve been filming together for 11 years. On Jan. 7, they premiered their newest film, plus two others at the Garland Theatre. Although they’ve shown their home movies at smaller venues, this was their big screen premiere. “We’re so excited!” Larsen said/Cindy Hval, SR. More here. (Jesse Tinsley SR photo: Siblings David Ball and Donna Larsen at Garland Theatre Jan. 5)

Also by Cindy:

• Front Porch: Riding in the car with boys
• Clayton-Hamilton brings the big sounds

Question: Have you ever worked on a creative, collaborative project with one of your siblings? How did it turn out?

I could tell something was wrong the minute he got into the car. His face was flushed and his eyes bright with unshed tears.As I slowly navigated the school parking lot, an avalanche of words tumbled out. “Alex went to California for Christmas break,” said Sam, 12. “And he’s not coming back!”While I drove, Sam expressed his sadness at the sudden move of a boy who’d been his friend since preschool. “It was just supposed to be a visit,” he said. “But now they are staying in California, and I didn’t even get to say goodbye.”By the time we reached home we’d decided he would write a letter to Alex to tell him how much he’d miss him. Sam said his teacher had his friend’s new address/Cindy Hval, SR Front Porch. More here.

Question: How many times did you have to say goodbye to school friends during your formative days, as a result of moves made by your parents?

When Tevye and the cast belt out “Tradition” in “Fiddler on the Roof,’ they’re singing my song.I, especially, love the ritual, familiarity and comfort of holiday traditions. For me, it begins on the day after Thanksgiving. While many folks shop til they drop on Black Friday, I decorate til I drop.My sons unearth the red and green plastic tubs bulging with garlands, angels, Santas and candles, and lug them to the living room. Then I pop a Christmas CD in the stereo and spend the day awash in memories of Christmas past/Cindy Hval, SR. More here.

• Also: Aerial silks classes teach suspended poses/Cindy Hval, SR

Question: Is it hard for you to let go of old traditions?

A northerly blast rattles the windows and threatens the few leaves still stubbornly clinging to our apple tree. The russet and amber brilliance of autumn is fading fast. Seasons change.I can’t stop the days from growing darker any more than I can stop my children from growing up.Two weeks ago, my third born got his driver license. Zack flashed me a grin and two thumbs up as he walked into the waiting area at the Department of Licensing, after completing his drive. “Way to go!” I said, and gave him a high-five.I’ve learned the hard way not to jump up and give a new driver a hug and a kiss – in public, anyway/Cindy Hval, SR Front Porch. More here.

• More by Cindy: Couple stays 'foot loose, fancy free' to keep good times rolling

Question: Do you fight change or embrace it, or something in between? Or What life/season changes have been hardest for you to adjust to?

On her Facebook wall, Cindy writes: “Not quite passionate enough to be a pet peeve, so file this under vaguely annoyed: I don't like it when men say, 'The Wife.' As in, “Took The Wife out to dinner last night. Or, 'The Wife has the flu.' Does The Wife not have a name? Is she not your wife? Is she someone else's wife? I would write more, but The Husband is calling.

Question: What do you think of the expression “The Wife,” as a title that a husband might use for his wife?

On her Facebook wall, HucksOnline super sub CindyH shows what happens when she's left alone with a dozen hot pumpkin doughnuts at Green Bluff.

Question: What draws you to Green Bluff?

I’ve always been a hands-on journalist, because I believe the best reporting comes from actively experiencing community life. I’ve sat on a $600 toilet, flown in a biplane and fired fancy handguns, all to accurately report a story. But Saturday, I took hands-on to a whole new level when I was invited to judge the Knobbly Knees and Bonny Knees contests at the Spokane Highland Games.

For more than 50 years, folks from around the region, and even the world, have gathered at the Spokane County Fair and Expo Center to celebrate all things Scottish. The heavy athletics competition anchors the annual event. Kilt-clad contestants throw hammers and toss cabers among other traditional contests.

Pipe bands and highland dancers add musical flair, and savory haggis (sheep organs mixed with onion, oatmeal and suet) tempts brave-hearted foodies.

Organizers strive to keep the games fresh and exciting. Last year, they introduced the Pull for the Haggis, a tug of war between Irish and Scots. And this year, co-chairs Steven Schneider and Ruby Devine decided to launch a contest for fearless fellows with nice or knobbly knees.Cindy Hval, SR  More here.  Pictured:  John Forsyth, 35, winner of the Knobbly Knee contest.

Have you ever judged any kind of contest?

A couple weeks ago, Derek and I took our 25th wedding anniversary celebration on the road and journeyed to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland, Ore. Our official anniversary was in March, but we’ve been celebrating ever since. After stocking up on red licorice and beef jerky, we programmed Lee (my GPS) and hit the Oregon Trail via Starbucks on North Hamilton. Five minutes into our 10-hour drive, I posted this Facebook status update: “We are still married”/Cindy Hval, SR Front Porch. More here.

Also by Cindy:

• Love Notes: Faith is key to couple's bond

Question: What's the longest road trip you've ever taken? Any travel tips on how to survive a long road trip?

Cindy received some great news today. A big—time New York Literary agent called her home and left a message, saying she's very interested in “War Bonds” (Cindy's collection of stories re: romance and long marriages of the Greatest Generation) and would like to see the full proposal. She also had some bad news: In his excitement to play the message for Cindy, hubby Derek accidentally erased it. But the literary agent followed up with an e-mail. Posts Cindy: “Literary agent already read the proposal and LOVES it. 'It's charming! It's so sweet. I love these stories. I want to start pitching it now to get it in stores by Valentine's Day,' she said. She's sending me a contract right away.”

Question: Will Cindy will remember us little Berry Pickers when she's a superstar?

Writing a book is a lot like giving birth, except it takes a lot longer than nine months and nobody offers you an anesthetic. For the past 18 months, in between newspaper deadlines and family responsibilities, I’ve been writing my first book, “War Bonds: Love Stories From the Greatest Generation.” The book is a collection of stories about couples who married during or shortly after World War II – many of them featured in my Love Stories series in The Spokesman-Review. Just like the birth of my four sons, this endeavor is all my husband’s fault – or at least his idea/Cindy Hval, SR. More here.

Question: What would you write about, if you wrote a book?

Some folks hanker for simpler times. They long for the Old West era, when you could spot the bad guys by the color of their hats. Days when skills like good riding and fast shooting garnered praise. One local group does more than pine for the good old days – they’ve recreated them. In 2000, Northwest Mounted Shooters introduced the fast-growing equestrian sport of cowboy mounted shooting to the Inland Northwest. Club president Rachel Peters said, “It is a family oriented activity. It’s not uncommon for Mom, Dad and kids to all compete in the same event”/Cindy Hval, SR Washington Voices. More here. (SR photo/Jesse Tinsley: Alisa Peters, 12, leans out from her horse, Gator, and fires at a balloon on a pole during mounted shooting practice April 23.)

Question: When did you last ride a horse?