The Slice: Readers weigh in, figuratively

Today I would like to present 10 pounds of reader feedback in a 5-pound bag.

“You bet I remember using a (family) pass to ride the train,” wrote Debbie McMurtery.

Her grandfather, father and two uncles worked for the Great Northern.

“It was a real treat for my sister and I to get on the train at Havre, Mont., and ride to Bonners Ferry, Idaho, to see Grandma and Grandpa.”

Thanks to all who shared similar stories of free rides.

After asking about sharing birthdays with neighbors, The Slice heard from Kim Turner.

“I grew up in Spokane on 12th and Oak. Our immediate neighborhood was a dead-end consisting of seven homes. Five of us in five different homes shared a June 6th birthday — two adults and three kids.”

Bonnie Hedquist has the same birthday and is the same age as a neighbor.

Steve Wilder thinks a college named after a local body of water could be Hauser U. “It should be followed by a question mark.”

Bill Mahaney and Bruce Au said driving in Spokane would not be adequate preparation for driving in Boston.

Boris Slayman mentioned Houston and Ro Lisk nominated Los Angeles, among others.

In the matter of knowing that you are getting old, Tom Latimer wrote, “I notice that young women now smile at me. Wasn’t always so.”

Bill Reichert offered this. “One knows he may no longer be young and rockin’ when … he bends over to tie his shoes and looks around to see if there is anything else he can do while he’s down there.”

Several readers suggested that the way to attract a million new residents to our area is to protect our water supply and stand back as legions of thirsty Californians move here.

Gary Rust wonders if anyone else remembers Shriners handing out cups of beer to spectators at the Lilac Parade back in the day. As he recalls it, they pumped the tail of a fake donkey and beer poured forth from a tap in its belly.

And Francie Radecki takes a back seat to no one when it comes to admiration of dogwood trees. She has enjoyed seeing them for years but never had the pleasure of owning one until Mother’s Day.

Today’s Slice question: Wearing shorts in the workplace: Yes or No?