On the final day of the 21st century, a 23-word message from a Hayden second grader will be read in Washington, D.C.

Chloe White’s inspirational note was buried in a time capsule for 100 years, along with dozens more from other students, on Dec. 31, 1999.

But her words were special.

Chloe’s entry — complete with her name, age and hometown — was the only one included in the program for America’s Millennium Time Capsule celebration. And the only one read by first lady Hillary Clinton at the ceremony.

On Feb. 4, 2000, reporter Bill Buley of the Coeur d’Alene Press described Chloe’s essay as “short, sweet and striking.” Her message read: “I hope the world is peaceful. I wish that all children have a loving family. I wish someday I will help the world.”

Chloe, now 32, a Peloton account manager and 2010 Coeur d’Alene High graduate, vividly recalls the day a manila envelope from the White House arrived for her at Hayden Meadows Elementary.

“I was wearing a floral skirt and a white top,” Chloe told Huckleberries in a telephone interview.

Chloe and her 22 classmates were asked to write a paper of up to 25 words by the late Judy Bieze, the 1999 Idaho Teacher of the Year. The students were instructed to share their hopes for either the country’s future or their own future. In November 1999, the White House Millennium Council requested that all state teachers of the year assign their students the topic.

“Judy (Bieze) was an amazing woman, and we were so fortunate to have had her as part of our community,” Chloe said. “I can’t speak highly enough of the educators I had at Hayden Meadows. I have such fond memories of my time there, and several of my friends I met in first grade continue to be my best friends today, including two who were in my wedding party.” 

Chloe, the daughter of Mike White of Hayden and Denise White of Coeur d’Alene, collaborated with her 13-year-old sister, Chelsea, to produce the remarkable essay. Weeks later, Chloe received the envelope containing a letter from Hillary Clinton aide Sarah Hawes.

“You are already helping the world,” Hawes wrote.

Chloe still has the packet with the millennium program in the Hayden home she shares with her husband, J.J. Baisch, and her infant daughter, Sofia.

After high school, she received a psychology degree from the University of Arizona, spent a year abroad, and began working for the Peloton fitness company eight years ago in New York City. In 2020, Peloton's business surged when COVID hit. And Chloe decided to work remotely in her former hometown.

Her sister, Chelsea, and Chloe’s twin brother, Connor, work for their father’s Mike White Ford dealership — Chelsea as general manager. Her mother, Denise, is a nurse practitioner.

“I never thought I’d move back,” Chloe said. “But we plan to stick around.”

Unsinkable menu

The old Beachhouse Restaurant (formerly INNtrepid and Jackson’s) at Silver Beach and the Titanic had something in common.

On the dead-calm night in 1912 when Titanic hit the iceberg, the crew served a final meal that included oysters, roast duck, poached salmon with mousseline sauce, filet mignon, cold asparagus vinaigrette, Waldorf pudding and four other dishes.

And on a winter-calm night on Lake Coeur d’Alene 93 years later, Beachouse Chef Tim Heinig was inspired to replicate the fateful 10-course meal as a Monday attraction.

According to Press reporter Lynn Berk, the menu and the ambiance of the Titanic were created at the Coeur d’Alene Lake Drive restaurant, beginning at 6 p.m. Mondays and continuing “til we sink.”

The official launch for the novelty feast was Feb. 28, 2005.

A Titanic meal at a Seattle exhibit motivated Chef Heinig to try his own version. He wanted something to bolster quiet winter Mondays, not realizing that the “indestructible” ship sank on a Monday (April 15, 1912).

The Beachouse hit its own iceberg in fall 2014 when Hagadone Hospitality closed and razed it.

‘Kale of the Sea’

You may not know that squid have three hearts. Or that they’re a popular seafood delicacy that some call “the kale of the sea.” Or, according to Luke Mallory, they taste like onion rings (when fried in batter and breadcrumbs).

Luke was a second grader in an after-school program at Ponderosa Elementary in Post Falls 20 years ago when squid popped up on the science schedule — and menu.

In February 2005, according to Press reporter Brian Walker, Luke and other students dissected squid one day and ate them the next. Some crinkled their noses. And a vegetarian said: No thanks. Otherwise, the youngsters dug in, under the guidance of Camy Popiel.

“It’s certainly not for the faint of heart,” she said.

Pupil Harrison Perry had second thoughts about a career in plastic surgery after his squid encounter. Said he: “Its eyeball is like a monster’s.”

But presenter Beverly Johnson, a retired Dalton Elementary teacher, plunged her fingers into a bowl of squid and proclaimed: “It’s cheap, it smells, and it’s great fun.”

Then, she cranked up the volume on a recording of “Billy the Squid.”

Cookin’ with Sandi

For decades, we've known her as Sandi Bloem, the only three-term mayor in Coeur d'Alene history. But in a Press society feature on Feb. 11, 1970, she was Mrs. Dean Lundblad, a fourth grade teacher at Hayden Elementary.

At the time, Sandi and then-husband Dean, a high school teacher and future hall-of-fame basketball coach, were remodeling an older Stanley Hill home on 4 acres of orchard with a “spectacular view” of Lake Coeur d’Alene.

They were also raising two boys — Dean (D.J.), 6, and Kurt, 4 — and twin German shorthairs.

Of her teaching job, Sandi said: “I would hate to ever have to give it up.”

As part of the interview, she revealed to reporter Kay Prosser her recipe for Chinese marinade. And said: “I HATE to bake, but I love to cook.”

Huckleberries

• Poet’s Corner: No golden necklace/no fancy French wine —/we’ll share this six pack/if you will be mine — The Bard of Sherman Avenue (“North Idaho Valentine”).

• Hot Lots: Despite the February 1960 chill, new owners, like Merle Acton of Fort Grounds Grocery, were busy clearing 32 of 53 original building lots on the expanding Coeur d’Alene Public Golf Course. Nine holes were in play. And six of the remaining greens in the back nine were roughed out. The entire 18 holes of the course were expected to open in August.

• Tony Unchained: Today, Tony Stewart is a battle-tested defender of human rights. But in February 1980, the now-retired North Idaho College instructor was willing to try anything – anything! – to raise money for worthy causes. At the third annual NIC-Coeur d’Alene High dance-a-thon, Tony, who doubled as emcee, swallowed goldfish and wallowed in a vat of whipped cream to help raise a record $15,200 to fight muscular dystrophy.

• True Hero: On Feb. 9, 2005, The Press revealed what a true hero is when it profiled Marine Cpl. Stephen Henry, a 2001 Lake City High grad. He had served two tours of duty and earned three Purple Hearts from the Second Gulf War (2003-11) -- and was going back for more. Then 22, he’d suffered several shrapnel and gunshot wounds. Of his third Purple Heart, he said: “It wasn’t nothing big – it was a little shrapnel, and nothing worth bragging about.”

Parting shot

Blessed are the tellers of North Idaho history, for they shall keep us tied to our roots. And Bert Russell of Harrison was among the best. Published in 1967, Bert's first book, “Calked Boots and Other Northwest Writings,” about lumbering folklore, sold at least 16,000 copies. Then came two oral histories Bert compiled from interviews with long-time residents: “Hardships and Happy Times” (1978) and “Swiftwater People” (1978). In February 1985, Bert, then 76, published his fourth book, “North Fork of the Coeur d’Alene River.” Bert focused on ordinary people. He told Press reporter Nils Rosdahl: “History is written of the bigshots. … The common people are ignored. But some of their values are a lot more worthwhile. They weren’t greedy. They held tight to honesty and sincerity.” After Bert died in April 1997, at age 88, his wife, Marie, compiled two dozen unpublished interviews into a final book, “Rock Burst.” Local historians may die but they keep our collective back story alive.

• • •

D.F. (Dave) Oliveria can be contacted at dfo@cdapress.com.

    Chloe White today.
  

    In 2024, Chloe White, husband J.J. Baisch and Santa celebrate baby’s first Christmas with Sofia.
  

    In 2005, Beachhouse chef Tim Heinig displays a menu for a Titanic “final meal.”
  

    From right, Ponderosa Elementary after-school students Harrison Perry, Bryanna Devine, Pierce Johnson, Nick Goodman and Ryan Norris react after their teacher tears a squid’s head off in 2005.
  

    In 1970, Mrs. Dean Lundblad (Sandi Bloem) shares a tender moment with sons Dean (D.J.), left, and Kurt.
  

    In 1960, Merle Acton, owner of Fort Grounds Grocery, views his lot in the Coeur d’Alene Public Golf Course subdivision.
  

    In 1980, North Idaho College instructor Tony Stewart steps into a vat of whipped cream to raise money for a worthy cause.
  

    In 2005, Marine Cpl. Stephen Henry plays video games during a break from combat duty in Iraq while his father, Isaac, watches.
  

    In 1985, author Bert Russell, right, chats with 89-year-old Ward Smith, the oldest subject of Bert’s fourth book: “North Fork of the Coeur d’Alene River.”