High Five: Teresa Milholland

Woman makes U-Scan a breeze

“I enjoy working,” says always cheerful cashier Teresa Milholland, who works the U-Scan self-checkout at the Fred Meyer store at Sprague Avenue and Sullivan Road. “When people come in and call out my name, even if they’re not using the U-Scan, it makes me really happy.”

Milholland, has lived several decades here and worked at Fred Meyer for more than 12 years. She knows many of her customers’ names and, often, if she doesn’t, she’ll ask. She likes visiting and saying hello as customers pass by.

With Milholland’s smile and good spirits, one would never know if her feet hurt or she’s just assisted a grouchy customer who tried to hand her his lousy day. She quickly and handily solves problems, whether they are of the U-Scan, coin dispenser or human kind. I always enjoy chatting with her, and she manages, even in busy times, to make me feel I’m the only one there.

Some customers are initially afraid of using the U-Scan. “I say, ‘Don’t be scared; it’s simple,’ and show them what to do,” Milhooland said. “And they say, ‘All right, I’m coming back!’ ” Many of those customers do because of Milholland’s reassuring tutorials. She adds, “U-Scan is very helpful for those with disabilities or physical limitations.”

It’s nice to be friendly with your grocery cashier. In a huge store, Milholland makes me feel as if I’m shopping at a small corner grocer.

I think Mr. Fred Meyer would have liked that.

Deborah Chan, Spokane Valley

Gonzaga book drive huge success

I am an Americorps VISTA member writing on behalf of Page Ahead Children’s Literacy to thank the Gonzaga University SAAC and Heather Gores for their commitment to literacy in Spokane.

On February 2, Gonzaga hosted a book drive during the women’s basketball game and generated enough support and received enough donations to buy books for an entire school in Spokane. These books are all new, and given to partner schools, targeting populations that are living at or below the federal poverty line.

For four years, Gonzaga SAAC has partnered with Page Ahead to give all kids in need the chance to read. Each year there is more support. I am encouraged by such an enormous response to promote literacy in Spokane, and by the dedication that Gonzaga SAAC has.

Thank you for helping me express my gratitude.

Alisha Blalock, Community Partnerships, VISTA Page Ahead, Spokane

Neighbor thanks Wally Schoenleber

We’d like to tell you about a neighbor of ours. His name is Wally Schoenleber.

He is 84 years young, and he takes care of a large apartment complex that he gets up around 5:30 a.m. to shovel drives, sidewalks, and cleans windshields for the ladies in the neighborhood. He brings in the paper for one of the neighbors that has a broken leg and can’t get outside in this weather.

He drives another one of the neighbors to and from doctor appointments and on the way home, he takes them shopping if they need it.

He takes care of his adopted daughter that lives in another country.

If you happen to see him walking down Pines, just honk and wave and say “Hey!”

Thanks, Wally, for being the best neighbor ever!

Wendy and Dawn Van Den Driessche, Spokane Valley

Yakima State B fan thanks Spokane

Congratulations to the Spokane community for another outstanding State B tournament! Your hospitality is first class!

The comments I hear from our fans each year are nearly universal… “Spokane always throws a great B tourney!” We enjoyed riverfront walks, downtown shopping without having to jump in a car and the warm hospitality of your restaurants and pubs. Our girls were treated like princesses by their hosts John and Jane Schreiner along with Randy McDonald of the Spokane County Title Co. And, the Arena is a super place to watch basketball.

Well done Spokane! We hope to be back every year!

Tim McGree, president, La Salle High School, Yakima, Wash.

Grateful to kindness of strangers during ordeal

This is not just another “stolen purse” horror story. There really are some good people out there. Strangers willing to spend some time to help another person.

My purse was stolen at Kmart on Feb. 9. I was frantic and immediately went to the customer service counter to report it. Available staff helped us run through the store looking for any sign. Complete strangers offered to help us look. One customer took the time to give a description of a possible suspect.

Although I have lost everything that was in there and have to replace house locks, car keys, and notify every card/bank/insurance company you could imagine, it was so heartwarming that those people took the time out of their lives to help another person. Thank you to those “unnamed” individuals that helped me Saturday night. You make this whole ordeal a little more bearable.

Vickie Merriott, Spokane