The Slice: Spokanites say size does matter

Spokane residents’ fondness for annual events that attract big crowds makes me wonder.

Are there a lot of people in our midst who would be happier living in a much larger city?

OK, let’s move on.

“Not all pets can tolerate dairy: But among those that can, what is the favorite flavor of ice cream?

“Slice answer: Peggy Arendt saw the question about comparing experiences at local hospitals with those of friends and relatives in other regions.

“I don’t know how the medical establishment pulls it off, but whenever we swap hospital experiences with someone in another part of the country, EVERYONE had ‘the country’s top specialist’ as their own physician.”

She’s right. That is amazing. But I’m still waiting to hear someone acknowledge what I have come to firmly believe. And that is, Spokane nurses tend to actually care about their patients.

“Tale of the tape: Sportscaster Dennis Patchin is taller than a lot of people would guess.

“Reruns requested: Among the old shows readers said they wish they could find on some channel were “WKRP,” “Taxi,” “McHale’s Navy,” “Shindig” and “That Girl!”

But one respondent said the thing that would make him happy is if “Walker, Texas Ranger” never aired again.

“Feedback: “I subscribe and read the newspaper,” wrote a dissatisfied customer. “Although I agree with freedom of the press, I think you could clean up your act. This weekend I read your Slice question, ‘Who around here would you like to see naked?’ You know, who cares?

“I trust you are an intelligent person. Can’t you find a more interesting and worthwhile topic to write about? Also, a few weeks ago there was yet another ridiculous topic (although I can’t recall it today). The Spokesman-Review does not need to stoop to the level of trash magazines we can purchase at the grocery store. Thank you for listening.

“Sincerely,

“Cathy Hughes

“P.S. I usually enjoy the Slice, too, by the way.”

“Warm-up questions: What Inland Northwest man would cause the biggest stir by showing up at work wearing a tie? What’s the best thing about hair turning gray? The worst thing?

“Today’s Slice question: Last Sunday’s “Today in history” featurette on page A2 started with an event that took place in 1859. “Col. Edwin L. Drake drilled the first successful oil well in the United States, near Titusville, Pa.”

Drake was a cousin of my late grandmother’s grandfather. I think I’ve got that right. Anyway, that gave me an idea.

What name from the pages of history is perched on some distant branch of your family tree?