The Slice: The Slice: Tried and true

After years and years of dependable service, seemingly ordinary objects can achieve the status of prized possessions.

Slice readers offered examples. Here’s a sampling.

Colfax’s Jack McBride still has the 1963 Schwinn Continental he purchased at Columbia Cycle on North Monroe. “I love my bike.”

Moscow’s Scott Fedale still uses a Columbia 300 bowling ball acquired 44 years ago.

Doug Kropff has no intention of parting with his “totally reliable” 1987 Buick Century.

Deer Park’s Dave Swett has his grandfather’s shovel. “When you hit it with anything metal it rings like a bell.”

Gerry Giles has a snowblower acquired in 1969. “Still going.”

Kathleen Urice, Theresa Halmai, Dee Hargitt, Midge Thorin, Eileen Hartzell, Karen Meye and Karen Mobley were among those who told about old but remarkably durable sewing machines.

Jim Corcoran in Sagle, Idaho, has a 1984 Honda Civic with nearly 300,000 miles on it. “I still get between 30 and 32 miles per gallon.”

Kathy Hansen and Orene Harder have mixers that have served them well for decades.

Sandpoint’s Art Haley has a 12-inch color TV from 1972. “Actual wood case. Still has a great picture.”

Gary Hicks has the metal yard stick he purchased in 1973.

Hayden’s Bill Kaufman still wears a Western shirt he acquired in the 1980s, when he and his wife were in a square dancing group.

George X. Hale has a handmade leather belt his wife of 35 years crafted for another guy before she and George were married. “It served me well.”

Yakima’s Bill Ailes still uses a microwave oven purchased in 1984.

Teresa Lowe has a pair of ski gloves acquired in 1972.

Faye Gallagher still has an iron skillet bought in 1939.

Janice Karst has a cookware set purchased from a door-to-door salesman in 1967. “They are the best.” (Moscow’s Lynda Post told a similar story.)

Mary Enders uses a washing machine that’s now 34 years old. “Still working fine.”

Eric Johnson praised a 1984 Toyota Tercel, which he uses as his daily driver.

In 1985, Steve and Nancy Kellner bought a Larson boat, “which has served us honorably.”

And when Rathdrum’s Jean Anne Sharrai considered things that have served her well for more than 30 years, she thought about a yearling quarter horse named Cracker Jack, acquired 32 years ago. “He is a little stiff in his joints but can still trot out to pasture when I open the gate.”

There’s no friend like an old friend.

Today’s Slice question: Ever shot at a rural road sign?

Write The Slice at P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210; call (509) 459-5470; email pault@spokesman.com. Find more “Served me well” stories on The Slice Blog.