I was completely surprised at the Huckleberries Farewell-fest when Deputy City Administrator Sam Taylor asked for the mic (even though we had no mic) and read a proclamation from Mayor Steve Widmyer proclaiming today, Aug. 17, 2017, as "DFO Day in CdA." Amazing. (Brenda Oliveria…
We had a sweet time at the Huckleberries Farewell-fest tonight. Many came. We roasted and toasted. Brilliant photog/friend Brian Plonka snapped this photo. Also, Don Sausser posted a number of photos on his Facebook wall. You can find a link to them below.
My SR email account, daveo@spokesman.com, will be active for another 2 weeks. You can also contact me on my new Gmail account: dfo.northidaho@gmail.com. And/or you can follow me on my Huckleberries Facebook and Twitter. More info below. See you, guys.
Occasionally, Tom Wobker wrote about me. There's 3 or 4 rhymes in "The Bard of Sherman Avenue: Poems by Tom Wobker." Here's one I saved for this special occasion. Also, I saved this cartoon from Noah Kroese.
I can think of no one else who can provide the last words for Huckleberries Online than the Bonner County blogger who provided some of the first, Cis Gors, who never had a Simple Mind.
Here's Mrs. O and I after renewing our vows on our 40th anniversary two years ago at the JACC in Post Falls. At 5 o'clock today, she will have my less-divided attention as we greet the Huckleberries Online crowd at the Fort Ground Grill. Afterward, we'll go on dancing through life. I'll miss you guys.
This last week has been an emotional roller coaster. I chose to announce early. So we can spend a week digesting the end of Huckleberries. (I've heard no plans to continue this forum.) You're probably tired of the week long drama. So I promise I won't be back tomorrow to continue it.
Scanner Traffic for Thursday PM (13 items & counting + link to AM Scanner Traffic with 15 more items) includes 2 morons in a Toyota pickup who shot someone with a paint gun at a Hayden intersection ...
The final Cutline Contest photo was taken, without my knowledge, by KHQ's Adam Mayer. I applaud all of you who have participated in this "contest" over the years, including formidable competitors gitrdun and JohnA. Wednesday Winner: JohnA.
It just hit me. I need to make some remarks at Farewell-fest. And we need to toast the dearly departed: Patrick, The Bard, Dave (of Atmospheric Ruminations), Joan Harman ... And then it hit me that this could be emotional. Portuguese men don't do emotions. So I have a problem on my hands.
I've just submitted my final newspaper column. For the first time in 47 years, I'm through with newspaper deadlines. Alleluia. Free at last.
One thing I'm miss most as a result of my departure from Huckleberries Online is posting the rhymes of my dearly departed friend, Tom Wobker, The Bard of Sherman Avenue. Washington Poet Laureate Tod Marshall wants to get together early next year to see how we can promote Tom's work further. Stay tuned.
Several HucksOnline faves have RSVP'd that they can't make the Farewell-fest today due to schedule conflicts (Mayor Widmyer, Christi Wood, Spudbob, etc.). But I hope some of you show. It'd be embarrassing if Mrs. O and I are the only ones at Farewell-fest. The SR provides the cake and treats. Be there, or be square: 5-7 p.m. at Fort Ground Grill.
Duane took this photo of two women who were enjoying the downtown concert last night. They saw him taking photos and invited him to take one of them. I like this photo because it expresses joy -- 2 friends having a good time on a viewtiful summer evening in this special place of ours.
What would Huckleberries Online be without one last word from TUBOB (The Unbearable Bobness of Being). TUBOB was a royal headache -- and an incredible talent that drove many uber-cons away from Huckleberries. Yet, he helped moderate my view of others who didn't share my personal viewpoint. I owe him for that.
Betsy Russell, the long-time Eye on Boise blogger and Idaho Capitol reporter, checks in on my farewell tour: "It has been a blast working with Dave over the years as he went from reporter to highly opinionated editorial writer to blogger extraordinaire." Opinionated? Moi? More below.
Wayne Hoffman of the Idaho Freedom Foundation claims that his organization had to change venue for its "annual celebration of freedom" as a result of pressure from the Left. Quoth: the Left is successfully bullying businesses, badgering, trolling and harassing anyone who dares to contradict their progressive worldview." Sounds like pay back to me.
An Athol man in a pickup was T-boned and killed by a semi early this morning at the H95/Chilco Road exit. Gary C. Knoblich, 58, of Athol, was killed at about 5:47 a.m. when he drove into the path of a truck driven by Ryan B. Crabtree, 35, of Athol.
Scanner Traffic for Thursday AM (15 items & counting) includes 90YO male who used a ladder to climb up to roof of his home and now can't get down ...
In this Duane Rasmussen photo from Wednesday evening, a woman walking along the sidewalk in downtown Coeur d'Alene glances twice at a dress display.
"I want to talk about The Best DFO-ism. Ap-hollow-gy for sure is in the mix. Fer Shame fer sure. And ...?" -- JBelle. (DFO: Now you're talking. I'll list some of my favorites below. Feel free do join in.)
I encountered former Mayor Sandi Bloem. I thanked her again for her grace and guidance in leading this town for 12 years. And for persevering on McEuen Park. Searcher (below) sez helping stop the recall against her & 3 others was shiniest moment at HucksOnline. I agree. Now, let's imagine what would have happened if Sandi & Co. had been recalled.
Here's another terrific photograph by my bud Duane Rasmussen. You may have had issues with his politics. But no one can argue with the quality of his photography. He caught a lot of political heat over the years from uptight Republicans. But he continued to send his photos to Huckleberries. I'm glad he did.
JohnA: "You may want to check that cooler on the way out. Like that last forgotten piece of huckleberry cheesecake hidden behind the pickle jar, you may find the likes of Sisyphus, TUBOB and TWolf." (DFO: I released Tubob last week. And just released Sisyphus, TWolf and Gary D. Rhodes)
Onset asks: What was the most memorable kerfluffle of the Huckleberries Online era? Mitchell/Amaro judge race. Douglas/Kalani email flap. 2012 attempted recall. CAVErs opposition to Kroc Center/Dirtgate. I give my answer below. And invite you to provide your answer.
D.F. Oliveria started Huckleberries Online on Feb. 16, 2004. Oliveria's Sunday print Huckleberries is a past winner of the national Herb Caen Memorial Column contest.
