He Steers Humor Into Seniors’ Lives
‘No speeding in the hallway,” Al Wutzke barks at the white-haired woman with the walker. She smiles coyly at the 75-year-old tease. He’s laughing like a boy who’s slipped from the house before chores were done.
“I like to joke,” Al says.
“I don’t like to be a grouch.”
The people Al sees nearly every day need his light heart. They are blind or deaf, have cancer or heart problems, can’t walk or think clearly anymore. Al is the volunteer who drives them to their appointments with doctors in Coeur d’Alene and Spokane.
“So many people need so much help,” he says, his high energy pushing out words at jet speed. “One of these days I won’t be so healthy and I’ll need help. It’s good to have someone not grumbling.”
A life in the military disciplined Al. He’s as trim, punctual and precise at 75 as he was at 25. His white hair stays in a buzz cut. His mustache is as straight and stiff as a janitor’s broom.
Cancer took Al’s wife 10 years ago. For 43 years, he had come home to her. Then his house was empty.
“My life was a blank,” he says in a rare serious moment. “I had to do something, and I didn’t like gardening so well.”
He had shuttled his wife to Spokane for treatment for three years. There was some comfort for Al in continuing that routine, so he volunteered at the American Cancer Society.
His reputation for dependability spread quickly, and other agencies snatched him as a volunteer. Now, he spends about 50 hours a month driving seniors. He even knows how long their appointments take. It’s instinct and years of observation, he says.
“You have to carry on with your own life and do the best for the living,” he says, jumping up to change the video at Coeur d’Alene Homes. “You might as well do what you can for those who are able to appreciate it.”
Leaving her mark
Anton Bryant of Sandy, Ore., began saving for his wife’s 75th birthday bash years ago. Ruth Wheatley Bryant would have turned 75 this month. But Ruth, who was born and raised in Mullan, died three years ago.
Anton gave her birthday presents anyway. Last month, he spent $2,000 on her hometown, buying a curly slide for the school’s pool (bet that’s in good use now) and a television, VCR and video equipment for the city library.
Once upon a time, Anton was principal of Mullan’s elementary school and Ruth taught. Her sister, Avriel Henikman, still lives in Mullan and works at City Hall.
Winter blues
It’s hard to think of February when tan lines are distinct and Lake Coeur d’Alene is more inviting to a tired body than a hot bath. But the Coeur d’Alene Arts Commission is planning now to brighten up dull winter days with an arts festival.
The group wants ideas and activities to fill 10 days. It’s suggesting concerts, dances, an arts and crafts show, dinner theater, workshops for children and living arts displays. What do you think? Call Jane Thurston at 667-4040, Thomas Orjala at 667-4178 or Julie Vrh at 664-9553 and tell them.
All’s fair
Fatten up the pigs and dig up the dahlias. It’s county fair time. What does it take to produce a grand champion? In “Charlotte’s Web,” Wilbur the pig gets a buttermilk bath before the fair to make him pinker. Do people really do that? Tell me some other tricks saved for fair time.
If you live at the fair from beginning to end tending your animals or displays, I want to hear from you. Feed your fair stories to Cynthia Taggart, “Close to Home,” 608 Northwest Blvd., Suite 200, Coeur d’Alene, ID, 83814; FAX them to 765-7149; or call 765-7128 and moo in my ear.
, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color Photo