Airport Pegs Cda Parents As Gunrunners

Yes, that was Steve Massey and sobbing wife Pam explaining to Boise airport security why they weren’t dangerous. Steve, our assistant city editor, tried to smuggle two handguns onto his plane. At least, that’s what the gendarmes thought after looking at the security monitor. Sure enough, it clearly showed guns outlined inside Steve’s handbag. Steve was flabbergasted. He’d just raced 4 hours through the mountains after miscalculating the distance from Sun Valley to Boise - via Stanley and the Sawtooths. Now, he faced a quick trip to the pokey. At this point, Pam recalled buying a cowboy set for her 6-year-old. The “handguns” were toys. Pam’s tears persuaded the wary guards to open the bag and see for themselves. Bonnie and Clyde finally were waved through security - followed by the glares of fellow travelers who’d been detained 20 minutes. Some folks don’t appreciate a mother’s love.

Mother’s Day, Idaho style

At an Idaho City restaurant (read: a grimy saloon with one employee), Dad, sporting tattoos and a Harley-Davidson T-shirt, treated Mom to a pitcher of Budweiser while Junior, age 8 to 10, played Playboy Pinball. Brings back memories, don’t it? … Signs that Idaho no longer is Idaho: Cards in Sun Valley Lodge rooms warning guests that - “even in Idaho” - they need to lock their doors. Wardner residents, all 248 of them, starting a Block Watch program a stone’s throw from where Noah Kellogg’s jackass stumbled upon gold. A typical Kootenai County police blotter reporting nine thefts in two days (and not catching them all). … What’s wrong with this picture? Kellogg High 18-year-olds were dismissed Friday to help fight flooding Friday - while Bill Scott, Shoshone County disaster services director, vacationed.

Discovered again

Dick and Shirlee Wandrocke smile from the cover of Where to Retire magazine’s summer issue. Inside, they join Commissioner Dick and Janette Compton and Jim and Margie Foster in singing the praises of our little paradise. Quoth Dick, who moved here in 1990 and later was “elected” mayor of Fighting Creek: “The town, the lake, the mountains just overwhelmed me (along with) the warm, congenial, lovely people.” The magazine also features Gainesville, Fla., and Ruidoso, N.M. Spokane lost a chance to share the spotlight when its chamber of commerce failed to provide the names of three retired couples.

Huckleberries

A framed wall plaque in the Grub Box at St. Maries says it all for small-business owners: “The only thing more overrated than natural childbirth is owning your own business.” … My bloodhounds say Concerned Businesses of North Idaho is looking for someone to run against Coeur d’Alene Mayor Al Hassell. Apparently, he doesn’t genuflect enough. Stay tuned. … Steve Badraun wouldn’t mind seeing this town Hassell free. The veteran planning commissioner’s miffed that the mayor rejected his offer to re-up for a third term - sans explanation or thanks for services rendered. Can’t blame him. … For the lack of a space, the electronic reader board for North Idaho College reads: “Welcome tonic.” I’ll settle for a Mountain Dew. … A Jeep recently cruised Sherman Avenue, with a baby in a car seat in back and a guy in the passenger’s seat holding a large, hungry-looking snake. Is that how you pick up chicks nowadays? … A classified advertiser was surprised when a respondent offered an illegal gun in exchange for his motorcycle - surprised that the caller didn’t come from North Idaho, that is.

Parting shot

Some people might be uneasy that Idaho’s tribes are supporting local schools with gambling money. Betty McLain might chuckle. The North Idaho College commencement speaker recalled that part of NIC’s initial funding came from the Liquor Control Board. And folks thought that was tainted money. But the only complaint from the first board of trustees was: ‘Taint enough.

, DataTimes MEMO: Gotta Huckleberry? Call the Huckleberry Hound Hotline: (800) 344-6718 or (208) 765-7125; daveo@spokesman.com.

The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = D.F. Oliveria The Spokesman-Review