The Slice: Memories of local small-screen time

The Slice had asked about the circumstances when readers found themselves on TV.

“I was about 5 or 6 years old,” wrote Linda Murray. “My brother and I got to go to the ‘Cap’n Cy’ show.”

She remembers one on-air game. The kids had to take off their shoes and put them in a big pile. Then, once they got the signal, they scrambled to find their shoes and put them back on and lace them up. The first kid to accomplish this won a prize.

“I didn’t win but I’m pretty sure my brother was dead last.”

Jeri Hershberger was also on “Cap’n Cy,” with her Wilson Elementary Bluebirds troop. “I won a jar of peanut butter.”

Putting Spokane on the map: In March of 1999, during the NCAA basketball tournament, Larry Garvin was wearing his Zags cap in the pro shop at a Myrtle Beach, S.C., golf course. “The pro asked me how to pronounce Gonzaga. He then asked where it was located. After I told him he smiled and said two previous golfers were discussing that. The first guy thought it was in upstate New York while his partner figured it to be in California.”

Slice answer: The Slice had asked about bonding with those dealing with the same medical condition. Steve Heaps shared this.

“Writing a book about my experience with prostate cancer led me to rewarding discussions and new or deepened friendships with men, especially those newly diagnosed and in the decision-making stage. When a high school football coach told me he was so depressed about his diagnosis that he could barely get out of bed but felt hopeful after reading my book, I was glad that I spent the time writing, even though I did not get rich doing so.”

Today’s Ice Palace memory: “For eight years I was the Special Olympics coach for speed skating and ice skating at the rink,” wrote Bill Dropko. “At times it was very cold but that did not matter because our athletes and my assistant coaches could hardly wait to get there.”

In hindsight …: “My niece loved musicals and the stage and ‘Mamma Mia’ seemed like something this 12-year-old would love,” wrote Karyn Christner. “I did not know the story line and, as it unfolded, it became very obvious this was not really appropriate. I opted to ‘Say nothing and it will go away.’

“We didn’t discuss the story when we left but were singing ABBA songs. I think she escaped unscathed.”

Today’s Slice question: How do your pets and your children’s stuffed animals get along?

Write The Slice at P. O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210; call (509) 459-5470; email pault@spokesman.com. Steve Puccio suggested Spokane residents could be known as “Potholeians.”