to the car show
After seven years of underwriting the Haul Ass to Harrison Car Show And Shine, Harrison chamber members wonder: Should the popular September show be renamed? Seems someone complained the name was over the top. Mechanic Big Al Henning took the pro-HA position with the St. Maries Gazette-Record: “I didn’t feel that there was a connotation other than ‘donkey.’ After all, the word ass is in the Bible.” Eileen Duhamel took the con: “They can call it anything they want, but I don’t think the chamber should give them money when it offends some people.” Bev Reinhardt, meanwhile, has printed T-shirts with “Haul Ass” for adults, without for youngsters. The kids can’t wear them to school. Perhaps local educators didn’t want the car show to make a jackass out of them, too.
Kids say darndest things
At Sandpoint’s Washington Elementary, teacher Sally Loveless was watching her fourth-graders file out for a break when she noticed that one was downtrodden. What’s wrong, she asked the youngster. “I left my dollar for the salami at home,” he responded sadly. Sally: For – what? Boy: “For the salami.” Sally: “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Boy: “The big salami that killed all the people.” Seems the school was raising money for tsunami victims. The little one’s heart was in the right place – although his vocabulary wasn’t.
Big kids, too
After seeing photos I posted of myself (recent and mid-1970s) to kick off Best of Huckleberries Online last week, my firstborn in Colorado e-mailed: “I don’t know which worries me more: that the long-hair resembles the guy I see in the mirror, or that 30 years from now, I might resemble the guy in the color photo” … Another quotable: “What a thrill to look up and see the president looking you straight in the eye and smiling back at you! The entire reviewing stand came alive and started dancing along with us lil’ ol’ mamas. Quite a day for the common folk” – Mikki Stevens, Red Hot Mamas founder, re: the RHMers second inaugural parade (Huckleberries Online has photos, too) … “Ever since Huckleberries and associated bloggers have listed me, my stats are getting bigger than my bust size and folks – that is a healthy number!!” – The Angry Commentator about increase in blog hits.
Poet’s corner
The pearly gates glowed bright/And bonny,/As Gabriel announced,/ “Heeeere’s Johnny” – The Bard of Sherman Avenue (“His New Gig”).
Huckleberries
Deputy Dawg C. Osborn of Bonner County was busy last Monday evening, checking animal sightings – a loose horse on Selle Road and a loosey goosey elsewhere. Don’t laugh. It beats refereeing domestic disputes … Psst. Wanna play 18 holes of miniature golf online while the boss isn’t watching? Check out Best of Huckleberries Online today … Jan & Dean mighta been singing about “Surf City” back when, but North Idaho College isn’t far behind – you know, “two girls for evvv’ry boy.” NIC is 63 percent femme, prompting Senate Dem Mike Burkett of Boise to say at a budget panel hearing: “I now think I understand why so many boys from this community are going up to the place with the beach and the gender imbalance” … On the other hand, 27 percent of the Idaho Legislature is female – or in Jan & Dean parlance: three boys for evvv’ry girl.
Parting shot
In a meticulous report, Jim Fromm, the early ‘80s mayor of Coeur d’Alene, challenges other historians who say the Lewis and Clark expedition had an Indian guide named “Toby.” You can find a link to Jim’s Web site in Best of Huckleberries Online today. Also, Jim sez the name “Coeur d’Alene” doesn’t mean what most think it does: “Heart of an Awl.” But he said he’d save that story for another day. Meanwhile, we can only guess what it means: White guys will get the silver mine, we’ll get the shaft.