November: The month when turkeys are selected (or elected)

On this day in 1967, as the Vietnam War raged, a political ad appeared in the lower right-hand corner of the Coeur d’Alene Press. The ad, sponsored by the Community Action Committee, was backed by then-Mayor L.L. Gardner and three former Coeur d’Alene mayors – Marc Souther, P.A. Christianson, and O.W. Edmonds. They all supported an energetic political newcomer in his five-way race for one of two council seats. The ad read: “We endorse Ron Edinger because we like the youthful enthusiasm that has been shown by this young man to tackle civic problems. New approaches to city management are always needed to keep our community progressing, and we feel that Ron has shown that he has the ability and desire to be a civic leader.” The Mayors 4 and the Community Action Committee had already endorsed incumbent Ivan Hanson for the other council opening. Five days later, the two men won handily and are shown shaking hands in a Press photo. Edinger would go on to serve as mayor and gained a reputation as an elected leader who looked out for the little guy. Today, 50 years later, he is in the middle of yet another term. Edinger is one of those public servants who lives up to expectations.

Typical Louise

Many knew and were enriched by the late Louise Shadduck, one of the most influential women in Idaho history. In her day, Shadduck ran the offices of two governors, a U.S. senator, and a congressman. And led Idaho’s Department of Commerce and Development for 10 years. You can find that info on the inside cover of Mike Bullard’s well-penned book: “Lioness of Idaho: Louise Shadduck and the Power of Polite.” You need look no further than the epilogue to find the first of many stories that typify Louise. The author met Louise, then in her late 70s, soon after he began preaching at Coeur d’Alene’s First Presbyterian Church in summer 1993. Seems Shadduck had sat near Bullard’s restless young sons. After the service, Bullard’s wife, Betsy, was concerned that her boys had disturbed Shadduck. The “Lioness of Idaho” told the minister’s wife: “The only thing that disturbs me is cranky old people who don’t like kids.”

Huckleberries

Poet’s Corner: This month turkeys/ are selected/ some get stuffed and/ some elected – Tom Wobker, The Bard of Sherman Avenue (“November Ritual”) … Last week, Huckleberries noted that, a quarter of a century ago, Frank Crnkovich was fighting for his political life as the Shoshone County sheriff stood trial accused of helping illegal gambling and prostitution interests. Ultimately, Crnkovich was found innocent. But not before some bar patrons began referring to him as “the sheriff of Naughtyham” … Former CdA school trustee Christa Hazel admits feeling “rebellious and a little naughty” after she piled leaves from her yard in the street early for the city’s annual fall leaf pickup. (Coeur d’Alene residents live on the edge) … Sign of the Times (on a wall at the Coeur d’Alene Library, courtesy of author Potter Stewart): “Censorship reflects a society’s lack of confidence in itself” … Duane Rasmussen offers photographic proof that Lt. Gov. Brad Little ate breakfast at McDonald’s on Appleway while campaigning for governor Friday in the Lake City. Huckleberries hasn’t heard whether Burger King, Wendy’s or Carl’s Jr., elsewhere on “fast food row,” are demanding equal time … Cathleen Ryan, of Wallace, reports that a kid in armor told on her to his mother Halloween night because Ryan answered the door, saying: “Trick or treat, smell my feet.” The trick-or-treater wondered: “What’s wrong with her?” Answer? Nothing … Thom George, former Kootenai County Democratic Party chairman now living in Boise, realized he was a dinosaur while recently buying an Idaho Statesman at a Fred Meyer. The clerk observed: “I never bought a paper. I get the news on my phone.” And that’s why journalists are an endangered species.

Parting shot

Mike Kennedy of Intermax Networks offers this remembrance of Jack Bannon, the former TV actor and Coeur d’Alene stage personality who died recently at age 77. Mike recalls the time a bored or distracted Bannon whispered to him “some wildly funny joke” during a Coeur d’Alene Summer Theatre board meeting. Mike LOL’d. Inappropriately. Which caught the attention of others at the meeting. Mike: “(Jack) sat there stone-faced, and even mildly faux-irritated that I wasn’t paying attention.” RIP, Jack.