CdA’s Chief Of Staffs Tapering Back

“It’s been a long, fun ride,” said Norman Oss, aka Stickman, on Thursday, of about 15 years of making walking sticks and giving them away. He is being moved out of his longtime spot near Tubbs Hill in Coeur d’Alene. “Maybe not forever,” he added. (SR photo: Kathy Plonka)

Ask anyone walking down the street in Coeur d’Alene where to find Stickman, and odds are they’ll know who you’re talking about. Stickman’s name is Norman Oss, and he’s been producing hand-carved walking sticks under the carport next to his home near East Tubbs Hill Park for the last 15 years. He estimates that he’s made about 11,000 individual sticks – an average of two or three per day – and he’s given them all away. He’s never accepted money, trades or tips: His motto is “Not everything in life is for sale.” Oss’ sticks are simple creations – he merely peels away the bark and sands them smooth, a process that takes about two hours – yet they’ve become a Coeur d’Alene institution. But on Wednesday afternoon, Oss made an announcement on his Facebook wall: His makeshift walking stick factory, which he calls Sticks and Stones, will be closing/ Nathan Weinbender , SR. More here.

Question: Do you have a Stickman walking stick?