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Huckleberries: Athol not only asset of ‘other North Idaho’

Athol continues to revel in its 15 minutes of fame. FOXNews.com noticed North Idaho’s little posterior in an article Friday, “When Life Gives You Athols …” It reprises the story by Jared Paben/ Spokesman-Review about resident Lynne MacKinzie, who’s on the verge of cashing in on her town’s odoriferous name by marketing a tongue-in-cheek line of Athol Gear products. Which prompts Huckleberries to suggest that we North Idahoans embrace more of our quirky places and events. Forget the chamber of commerce promos of our lakes, mountains and all Coeur d’Alene Resort things that float. We should have an ad campaign devoted to the “other North Idaho.” It could feature: the pee trough in the men’s room at the Sunset Bar on Appleway. Chillers Bar on Sherman (the only place where a certain Berry Picker saw a dancing man wearing nothing but a fanny pack). The Rocky Mountain oysters served at Joe Peak’s Enaville Resort. The Shoe Tree on Tillicum Creek Trail. Cruiser’s Butt Crack and Armpit Serenade contests at Stateline. The lawnmower races and World’s Second Shortest Parade at Spirit Lake. The gutted car that serves as a septic system for Athol’s Pastime Bar. “Three-for-a-dollar” hot dogs at Gittel’s Grocery. “Dufort Mall,” the trash bins near Sagle that locals cull for secondhand treasures. Iron Horse Derailers. Old houses of prostitution in Wallace. Babes brawlin’ in Bayview bars. The Fightin’ Creek mayor’s contest, where lyin’, cheatin’ and graft are encouraged. Hey, somebody call Blue Collar TV.

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