A runway short of a safe landing sends visitors to Sandpoint instead

If I have heard it once … Overheard at Spud's restaurant from a group of well-heeled visitors. They were upset because they wanted to go to Bonners Ferry but ended up in Sandpoint instead … because the runway at the Bonners Ferry airport is too short for the group's jet to land.

Now what? The Summer Sampler looked to be a success Thursday night. The cooking contest between Gabe from Trinity's and some poor sap from Coeur d'Alene was a crowd pleaser. Iron Chef meets North Idaho.

As part of the event, Sears donated two barbecues for the contestants to use. After the competition, the barbecues were raffled off.

For $5 I thought I could afford a chance. Since I can't play the lottery anymore, I have to roll the dice somehow.

Well, I didn't win the first barbecue. But I was ready when Mayor Miller picked the second ticket.

"Pick my number and I'll endorse you in the fall," I yelled from the audience. He picked my number.

Most of the crowd let out a cheer. Some laughed. One person demanded a recount.

We aren't in Florida, lady, no recounts.

So the Daily Bee has a new barbecue thanks to Mayor Miller.

Well, OK, the Keyes residence has a new barbecue but the Daily Bee has a newish barbecue that used to reside with the Keyeses.

Miller promises a new barbecue in every backyard if re-elected and I have to endorse that!

Guess which presidential candidate used to stay with a Sandpoint resident while he was a teen-ager? Stay tuned to this column next week.

When insults had class: "I've had a perfectly wonderful evening but this wasn't it." Groucho Marx.

Bonner County Dispatch log: "Deputy responded to a report of a screaming animal in a garbage can. Deputy discovered mating skunks."

? "Deputy responded to Fry Creek Road to a report of a trespasser mowing a lawn."

? "Deputy responded to Blanchard to a report of "XXXX is up to his old tricks. He is prowling around in his Ninja suit again."

? Last Saturday: "A deputy investigated a report of skeletal remains found at the top of Trestle Creek Road in Hope at 6:26 a.m. They were the remains of a bear."

A duck's quack doesn't echo and nobody knows why.

E-mail of the Week:

While attending a marriage seminar dealing with communication, Tom and his wife Grace listened to the instructor.

"It is essential that husbands and wives know each other's likes and dislikes."

He addressed the man. "Can you name your wife's favorite flower?"

Tom leaned over, touched his wife's arm gently and whispered, "It's Pillsbury, isn't it?

David Keyes is publisher of the Daily Bee. His column runs weekly.