Sons' participation in CHaFE is inspiring

With fatherly pride, Sandpoint journalism giant David Gunter has stated in print that his talent-laden son, Paul, is the orchestra leader for the Panida’s upcoming production of “The Music Man”.

I, a one- time journalism giant wannabe, want to report with similar pride that our sons, Tim B. of Park City, Utah, and Justin of Sandpoint, rode the recent CHaFE 150-mile bike race and in doing so raised the Henney name to new glory. Among 125 or so racers who braved the wind and rain, Justin finished fifth (right behind Sandpoint super speedster Suzanne Jennifer Kaplan). Tim B., having waited en route for his brother to repair a blowout, came home sixth.

Their mother, Jacquelynn, and I drove the route in a Toyota with our bikes strapped to the back in a blatant bid for athletic acceptance — then rushed home for a nap.

Justin, 45, is known hereabouts for, among other deeds, twice riding a unicycle non-stop to the top of Schweitzer in that grueling annual nine-mile ascent. (The same intrepid Dave Gunter described the first such effort in the Bee). Big brother Tim B., 54, twice competed in the invitation-only world championship Iron Man in Hawaii. Before college, both captained competitive high school wrestling and football teams in Illinois and New Jersey, respectively. Not surprisingly, their mother and I vigorously dispute which side of the family, hers or mine, contributed such muscular and determined DNA. Inasmuch as she can outrun me I probably should concede. On the other hand, I’m almost 81 and she’s a girlish 77. (It is mere rumor, believed only by such trusting Sandpoint citizens as Don and Ilene McCabe, Jean and Lynn Courville, Frazier and Suzy King, Jim Spagon, Shannon May and others, that I once won the Heisman Trophy for outstanding college football player).

As newlyweds Jacquelynn and I lived in NYC’s Greenwich Village in 1957, the year “The Music Man” opened on Broadway. We saw that original production. It is one of the most memorable of Broadway musicals, a truly happy treat. See you at the Panida.

TIM H. HENNEY

Sandpoint