Visitor's tale proves area is great place to live
This is a great place to live.
Most people who follow this column know that I am a "glass is half full" kind of guy. So my heart soars when I see or hear about the many good things that go on in and around North Idaho.
It's easy to get caught up in the abundant beauty that surrounds us. I am going out on a limb, but I think the natural attractions pale in comparison to the random acts of kindness that occur around here.
Exhibit A:
Doug Miller of Hayden recently sent us this note:
"Below is a story that I feel speaks to the reason many of us choose to live in N. Idaho. It was an encounter that speaks for itself on many levels, a reflection of the character that still exists in small towns that should be nurtured, and it happened this week in Sandpoint.
"On June 27, my wife and children were on vacation for a week in Hope with my parents who are in their 70s and in town to visit from Michigan.
As a business owner, I had to bring a bit of work with me, which caused a chain reaction of events that put me in a situation where I needed some real help in Sandpoint that day.
"I had seven sizable boxes that needed to be brought to UPS in Sandpoint. Knowing there was a store on Cedar, we took the boat to town and I borrowed a hand truck from Starbucks, planning to send them off and then enjoy my birthday in Sandpoint.
"Unfortunately, the local UPS store was unable to process the shipment after my father and I worked in the 90-degree temps to lug them there and we needed to get them a couple miles out of town to the UPS shipping center. Now the whimsical decision to come by boat instead of driving had turned into a serious error as we had no way to get nearly 200 pounds of boxes there and we didn't know anyone in Sandpoint to call.
"The UPS store kindly tried to reach a local taxi company but could find no contact information.
"Noticing a green Toyota pickup across the street equipped with bike racks in front of the bike shop, I left my father with the boxes and headed back out into the heat.
"I hoped my own biking interests would help convince the owner to drive us out to the shipping center. The bike shop owner told me the Toyota was owned by local architect Tim Boden, so I climbed the stairs to his offices worried that in my sweat stained T-shirt and sandals I did not look like someone you'd lend a vehicle to.
Tim greeted me at his door and I awkwardly explained my predicament. He looked me in the eye for a few moments, and made his decision. Tim handed me the keys to his truck, apologizing that he had to finish up some work for a client, and then turned down a deposit. To say that I was impressed grossly understates the feeling you get when a complete stranger hands you the keys to his personal vehicle — something you have to experience to fully grasp.
"Back on the street, my father looked at me quizzically "He just handed you the keys — are you serious?" Proudly, I explained that we still do things the right way here in North Idaho. My father brought us up in a small town back east, but over the years he has watched with dismay as things changed with the times, and the old days and ways disappeared forever. He had a smile on his face all the way to the boat, to UPS, and back to Tim's office.
"I am proud to say that in Sandpoint the small town values that defined America still exist in people like Tim Boden. It's refreshing to know that character still matters, and that acts of kindness are still the order of the day in your town. As visitors, we have always enjoyed Sandpoint but now we have a special memory to add to the tapestry of our experiences there.
"I'll close by saying a very special thank you to Tim for being a man whose business is state of the art, yet whose values reflect days gone by, and someone whose character and handshake clearly echo those values."
Look for Exhibit B, tomorrow.
David Keyes is publisher of the Bee.