Track Provided Some Memories

I’m not going to miss greyhound racing. I don’t gamble, and I’m still bothered about charges of animal cruelty at the Coeur d’Alene Greyhound Park. I watched the dogs run only twice. Still, one of my family’s golden moments happened at the Post Falls track. In summer 1988, my wife and I visited the track with my father-in-law, Norman Orrmins of Susanville, Calif. He owned a couple of race horses and enjoyed gambling. At the time, he was hobbling around on crutches. For the first few races, he tried unsuccessfully to talk my wife Brenda into placing $2 bets for him. Finally, she acquiesced after Norman tried to get up and limp to the ticket window. He hit on his first bet. And the one after. We won $57 on the day, and my wife got caught up in the excitement. We never saw Norman alive again after that visit. He died the next spring. I thought of the old horse racer Sunday night after the greyhound track closed for the last time. He’d probably sneer at my hand-wringing over track conditions. Then, we didn’t agree on much, except our love for his second daughter.

Sorry, there’s no room in the building

I’m glad to see Coeur d’Alene Press columnist David Bond looking out for The Spokesman-Review’s financial interests. In his Sunday column, he suggested that we fill our beautiful Coeur d’Alene office on Northwest Boulevard by leasing it to Westin Hotels for a corporate office. After all, according to Bond, the fourth floor “has been vacant forever” and the third houses only “a columnist and a tattle-tale.” Actually, D.A. Davidson and the law firm of Witherspoon Kelley Davenport & Toole lease the fourth floor. And a Canadian mining company has contracted for the entire third floor - though it decided not to move in and is trying to sublease it. All the space is taken. Of course, the truth isn’t as sexy as Bond’s tall tale. Maybe he was inspired to fabricate by eating a Blue Ox special in the shadow of the giant Paul Bunyan next door.

Christmas vandals deserve no mercy

‘Tis the time of year that vandals get their jollies ripping off Christmas lights and decorations. Tom Robb, co-owner of the Iron Horse Restaurant on Sherman, writes that thieves recently stole several pieces - engines, cars and miscellaneous - of a model train layout, enjoyed for years by many. They also damaged or completely broke other items. Writes Tom: “Someone knows who is responsible for this. Don’t let them get away with it. They can’t be worth it. Someone so lacking in character couldn’t be.” I agree. Let’s help Tom get this Christmas tradition back together again.

, DataTimes MEMO: D.F. Oliveria’s “Hot Potatoes” runs Tuesdays and Thursdays. You can comment on the items by calling (800) 344-6718 or (208) 765-7125.