His Boys Are Too Much Fun To Miss

‘Say it ain’t so,” I cried into the telephone. I knew from Jordan Keough’s nervous laugh that the rumor was true: He was going out of business.

My throat tightened as I tried to visualize life without Jordan’s Bitterroot Bike. What had happened? Hadn’t I spent enough at his shop? Had his many donations of bike equipment and water bottles to local races finally done him in?

“I need more family time, time with my boys,” he said, amused at my alarm. “They’re so much fun. I really enjoy them.”

I wanted to beg him not to desert me. His shop has won my complete loyalty and trust, probably because Jordan is a throwback to the turn-of-the-century grocery store owner. He knows all his customers, wants them happy, even at his expense, and trusts that they’ll return his good will.

I couldn’t believe Jordan would turn his back on all those people who depend on him. Then, mildly ashamed, I realized he was giving up the business for the people who depend on him the most.

“I had to choose between having a business or a family,” he said later, at his home. His two blond boys, just 4 and 7, wrestled on the rug near his feet. “I wonder if you can ever see enough of your kids growing.”

When the boys were babies, Jordan brought them to the shop. They slept in infant seats in the dressing room while he worked 16-hour days and his wife worked in an orthodontist’s office.

Now, his sons play T-ball, go to school. Jordan wants to see it all. But small business is always a struggle and he can’t afford to hire the help to free him from the shop. He almost closed midday last week to go to his son’s ballgame. A friend helped him out.

Jordan, who’s 37, figures he’ll work for someone else after his shop closes at the end of the month. That will give him the income he needs and time for his family.

It’s easier for me to find another bike shop than for Jordan’s little boys to live without a dad. But I’ll never drive past Coeur d’Alene’s Sunset Mall without sighing. It’s hard to say goodbye to integrity, even for a good cause.

DARE to donate

Rathdrum’s Arthur Degenhardt may belong to The Retired Officers’ Association, but he’s putting his money on today’s youth. When Art was president of the Washington/ Idaho association, he suggested the members give their money to DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education).

Last week, Art plunked another $300 on Kootenai County DARE Officer Don Kline, for a total of $900.

The money buys the black and red T-shirts all DARE graduates get, and those neon bracelets. Kids need to look good while they learn.

Dress up

The parishioners at Coeur d’Alene’s First Presbyterian Church know that clothes usually have enough wear in them for several owners. Why else would thrift stores be so wildly popular?

That’s why the church collected children’s clothes this summer and plans to give them away 9-11 a.m. Saturday.

The church is at 521 Lakeside Ave.

The clothing is for families without much money.

Go and take if you need or donate if you can.

Public servant

What makes people run for public office, especially for the non-paying board jobs?

It’s nice to be the one making decisions, but at what price? Join any school board, and people who used to like you begin blaming you for 20-year-old problems.

Tell me the funny or annoying things that have happened to you while you served on a board.

How many midnight phone calls from angry constituents? Whine all about it to Cynthia Taggart, “Close to Home,” 608 Northwest Blvd., Suite 200, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, 83814; FAX to 765-7149; or call 765-7128 and bend my ear.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color Photo