After listening to the interviews on the news, I’ve been wondering if any of the people who frequented the place remember that the name came from Popeye Rose – who was the owner 60 years ago. Or if they remember that Popeye’s brother was a town cop – and Popeye ran a poker game in the back room.

I only know that because my Dad used to deal for him sometimes.

We’ve been reminiscing about all the bars that used to be down town, and trying to remember if King’s Bar and Hotel went first, or if it was Phil’s Club. Both of them burned.

Then there was the Log Cabin – which later became Mercer’s Memories. I’ve heard many tales about that place dating back to the 1930’s and 40’s – and had some fun dancing there myself in the 70’s. Back when I was in High School the proprietor rented an apartment from my Mom – and the only way she could collect rent was to send me down to the bar to ask for it.

Now I suppose it would be considered “contributing to the delinquency of a minor” to send a teen-ager into a bar for any reason.

Each time another of the old buildings burns in downtown Priest River we lose a bit of history. But in some cases we get something good in return – just look at the park-like area next door to the library!

Bonner County Homeschool Group is having a family Bonfire Night, Friday Oct 23rd at 6 pm.  We’d really like to meet more homeschooling families in our area!

Come join us.

See our website at www.bchg.webs.com or call Michelle at 208-255-2798 for more info.

…………………

If you homeschool, go and meet like-minded parents and kids. I sure wish something like this had been available way back  when I was homeschooling my kids! I think I was the only “oddball” in town at that time.

Here’s your chance to help them out – and possibly win a cord of firewood!

The little monsters are everywhere!

Today I walked outside and stirred up a huge cloud of them, so by the time I went back inside I was picking them out of my hair.

Later I could feel someone “walking around” under my shirt, but couldn’t find it to get it gone. It wasn’t until a half hour later, when I was on the telephone with a copywriting client, that it decided to jump out from the neckline of my shirt. Then I had to explain to my client why I dropped the phone.

He probably wondered what kind of backwoods gal he was working with!

I went on line and found out that grasshoppers live for about 6 weeks – and since they’ve been here for a week now, it looks like we’ll be putting up with them for a while. And then, of course, they’re busy laying more eggs, so… Maybe until frost?

None of us have ever seen this many grasshoppers before. So my question is this: Where did these creatures come from, and why are there so many?

Anybody know the answer?

Here’s news of two new enterprises:

Survival Seed Bank

Plant A Full Acre Crisis Garden!

22 Different Types of True Heirloom Seeds, non-hybrid

Produce thousands of pounds of nutrient-dense foor for pennies per pound…..Enough to feed friends and family FOREVER!

To Order visit www.earlsofidaho.com and click on the banner, or call Chelsea Earls (208) 265-1741

And then, for the fishermen in the crowd…

Come and bring friends who care about taking back America…

Meanwhile, watch this video about the Second Revolution

This time, hopefully, we can fight with words and pressure instead of bullets.

Now you CAN get them in Priest River – if you don’t wait until they’re sold out. Just go down High Street to Bordertown Feed. Along with the sets, Jack has a good assortment of garden seeds, and it’s time now to get some of those started indoors.

My tomato plants already have 2 leaves – I can hardly wait until summer!

My boys told me that Mr. Benson was the best teacher they ever had in Priest River – he not only “knew his stuff” but presented it in a way that made them want to learn it as well. We were all sorry when he quit teaching in Priest River. The newspaper quotes Donna Jones as saying that Ivan is a “kind, compassionate, encouraging person and a good listener with a terriffic sense of humor.” That’s what made him such an outstanding teacher, as well.

On another note… I see an ad for a spaghetti feed and auction sponsored by the PR Chamber. As a fundraising copywriter, I was immediately hit by what was missing in that ad.

Does anyone know what the proceeds from this event will be used for?  Just curious.

With a foot of ice still on Priest Lake last week-end, these two proved that being in the right spot at the right time can be one heck of a lot of fun. Even if one of the fish had to be tugged through the ice two-handed because the hole was a little too small and the line was in danger of breaking.

Guess I won’t reveal where they were -

Do you know who they are?

Do you have any stories like this to tell? Any photos? If so, send them to me (reduced in size, please) and I’ll post them too.

Send to: writer@marte-cliff.com