The Slice: The Slice: Let’s just say it’s near enjoyable

This is the time of year when, if you find yourself near one of the interstate exits, you might encounter a summer traveler passing through our area.

“What is there to do around here?” the visitor might ask.

There are several ways to respond.

My favorite is “It depends.”

“E for effort: With Independence Day coming up, the folks at Graham Construction and Management decided to get into the patriotic spirit.

They went out and bought some inexpensive banners and bunting. “One of which was a sign that was to read ‘United We Stand,’ ” wrote Michelle Anderson, a project administrator.

But after that made-in-China banner (pictured above) was hung up in a break room, everyone realized something was wrong.

“The letter ‘e’ was missing in the word ‘United,’ ” said Anderson. “It reads ‘Unitd We Stand.’ “

Oh, well. Maybe it’s the thought that counts.

In these challenging economic times, perhaps that expression has been downsized by one vowel.

“Lesser-known stars of Hoopfest: Beth Biel told about her husband’s friend, Rudy. “He plays Hoopfest in his work boots, checkbook hanging out of his back pocket, keys dangling down and usually wearing jeans,” she wrote. “He is in his 50s and doesn’t exercise any other time of the year.”

“Slice answer: I heard from several readers who still have some Expo ‘74 commemorative postage stamps (re: Sunday’s Slice).

Apparently, those 10-cent stamps are now worth a few bucks.

One reader recalled a stamp dealer telling him that the Peter Max design represented “all the hippies in the country heading to Spokane for Expo.”

People who were here back then can debate whether that came to pass. But I suspect most would agree that the counterculture’s lasting influence on Spokane was marginal. Unless, of course, you believe hippies are responsible for golf courses and strip malls.

Now if Peter Max had designed a stamp depicting Air Force retirees flocking to Spokane, well, that would be a different story.

“Reader challenge answer: Recent retiree Tim Wink was the first to note that Spokane’s link to “Caddyshack” is that the late Albert Salmi, who appeared in the movie, lived here.

“Today’s Slice question: Who around here most frequently uses expressions borrowed from the set-in-Seattle book “Ball Four”?