Loyalty Is Love’S Heavy Lifting

Thu., Oct. 7, 1999

Love story isn’t Ryan O’Neal and Ali McGraw jerking tears on the silver screen. It’s Spokane Valley instructor Jane Schelly trekking to the Himalayas each year for the past four years to search for her kidnapped husband, psychologist Donald Hutchings. It’s her enlisting everyone possible in her cause to find him, including the U.S. Congress - and tracking down every lead. It’s her refusing to give up hope - until now - that her husband was still alive, not dead at the hands of Al-Faran gunmen. To be loved like that is to be loved well. Donald Hutchings must have been a special person. His wife certainly is.

Ogden Nash for Spokane County commissioner?

My Ode(ous) to A Billboard fell flat last week. So, how about one from the master, Ogden Nash? “I think that I shall never see/A billboard lovely as a tree./In fact, until the billboards fall,/ I’ll never see a tree at all” … Good grief! Spokane County forks over $8,700 in overtime pay to keep the peace at a Steelworkers rally observing the first anniversary of the Kaiser strike - and Sheriff Mark Sterk bellyaches. That’s Small Potatoes in Kootenai County. We pony up 100 G’s every time the Aryans goose-step down Sherman Avenue. Wanna trade problems? … This Potatohead loves it when (Not Quite) Washed-Up State makes me eat my words … Everyone who’s ever enjoyed the tasty pizza, cold beer and powderhorn at Moose’s Saloon in Kalispell, Mont., should join me in a moment of silence for its namesake. Moose Miller, 67, died recently of cancer. R.I.P. … Say what you want about her politics, Rep. Helen Chenoweth made a finelooking sixty-something bride.

Hold off vote on center for 12 months? Ahaha

Anyone who’d urge Coeur d’Loonians to study the Community Center proposal for another 12 months is selling snake oil. And wants to kill the project in the name of deliberation. Don’t fall for it. Lake City’s waited 15 years already … (Why are you Coeur d’Loonians so surprised I support a community center? My priorities are 1, parks; 2, recreation; 3, parks & recreation) … French Fries on the Side (or “Why Jesse Ventura and the Reform Party aren’t quite ready for prime time”): 1, Too many “weak-minded” Christians vote; 2, Cyber porn has made Playboy obsolete, especially the interviews; 3, Feminists remember Tailhook; 4, You can’t count on the prostitute vote; 5 No one wants to see The Body (Without A Mind) reincarnated as a 38 DD bra … Today’s edition of Hot Potatoes was brought to you by the Number 474 - or the number of ballgames “The Voice of the Vandals,” Bob Curtis, has broadcast for the University of Idaho.

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