The Slice: Small towns get chance in spotlight

What’s the best Inland Northwest town with a population under 1,000?

The Slice wants to know.

This isn’t really a contest. There are no rules. But I will print some of the nominations. And I intend to visit a couple of the communities to shake a few hands and see for myself.

So tell me. What makes your little town special?

The nominations deadline is April 9, the Monday after Easter.

“Thank-you note to a stranger: “My friends and I were visiting your friendly city,” wrote Betty Davis, who lives near Grand Coulee Dam. “We shopped at the NorthTown mall, then had a wonderful lunch at the Mustard Seed.”

There were six of them, all over 70.

When they asked for the bill, their waitress said a man none of them knew had paid it.

“So, Mr.Wonderful, thank you for giving us a real senior moment to remember.”

“Slice answers: “Paul, you asked if anyone would re-harvest those potatoes seen alongside of the road in or near Moses Lake,” wrote Dwight Hume. “Well, I would, but only as a last-ditch effort.”

In the matter of the region’s loudest mammal, North Idaho’s Terry Steiner nominated Ike the donkey. “It is kind of like standing directly in front of a trucker’s air-horn.”

“There are some people we can’t afford to lose: Spokane hospital chaplain/community volunteer and all-around force for good Julianne Dickelman is moving to Bellingham.

She came to this decision without consulting The Slice.

So if you see her today, try to talk her into changing her mind.

“Reader challenge: I’ll send a coveted reporter’s notebook to the first person who leaves me a message (phone or e-mail) correctly identifying which second-tier comic book superheroes lived in Midway City and Star City.

“Suddenly media shy: “I was one of the lucky people who happened upon Hamilton and Trent just after a car thief who led police through downtown Spokane was finally stopped,” wrote Janelle Baker. “What a mess.”

She later saw a TV report on the incident. The suspect tried to cover his face. Baker found herself thinking that it was a little late for him to be coming to the realization that maybe the whole escapade hadn’t been such a great idea.

“Lost and found: A school ring apparently belonging to someone who is no spring chicken was discovered Feb. 28 in the Chase Gallery at City Hall. It has black and gold lettering and a graduation year can be made out. Call The Slice if it’s yours.

“Warm-up question: What actor, actress or singer do you sound like when you have a cold or sinus infection?

A) Barry White. B) Kathleen Turner. C) Eugene Pallette. D) Eartha Kitt. E) Judi Dench. F) Other.

“Today’s Slice question: How do you react when your ex shows up in The Slice?