HUCKLEBERRIES: Part of our world

The dedication of The Coeur d’Alene Resort’s floating green didn’t go as planned, thanks to an afternoon wind, but it still sizzled.

It also attracted dignitaries, like Idaho Gov. Cecil Andrus, Coeur d’Alene Mayor Ray Stone, and Kootenai County Commissioner Frank Henderson.

And a mermaid.

But the blustery conditions swept away a dramatic reveal.

On Oct. 1, 1990, organizers had arranged for a helicopter to lift a covering off the unique green. But the wind thwarted them. And it frustrated the 10 of 11 VIP golfers who missed the portable green from tees 100 yards away.

The Coeur d’Alene Press reported that the commemorative nine irons issued to the notables were no match for the stiff headwind. Only one reached the green, although several of them claimed credit for doing so. There was no way to confirm who was the successful golfer since all hit the same brand of Resort golf ball.

The wind also hampered the grand entry of mermaid Sue Welburg, a professional diver. She was to be revealed by the aborted helicopter unveiling. Instead, she emerged shivering from a sand trap, walked across the green and dove into chilly Lake Coeur d’Alene.

The improvised celebration was witnessed by 400 invited guests on the Mish-an-Nock tour boat and volunteers from the Mica Flats Fire Department who shot water into the air.

Despite the weather challenges, spokesman Steve Wheeler of the Hagadone Corp., deemed the dedication to be a “crowd pleaser” and a “fun event.”

Developer Duane Hagadone addressed the risk he took by conjuring the floating green.

Said he: “We could have been the laughingstock of the golf world — instead, we’re the envy.”

Since opening in spring 1991, The Coeur d'Alene Resort Golf Course and its floating green have become major Coeur d'Alene attractions.

Move over, Evel

Everyone’s heard of Evel Knievel. A daredevil gets noticed when he tries to fly over the Snake River Canyon.

Mention “Reckless Rex” Phelps, however, and most will scratch their heads. Yet, Rex followed in Knievel’s footsteps — and achieved some success.

In October 1980, he was living in Coeur d’Alene when he talked to The Press about a challenge jump against Don Torman, the Montana motocross champion, in Missoula. The showdown would decide which stuntman could jump the farthest, beginning with 20 cars.

At that point, Rex had been a daredevil for five years — and not seriously hurt. Maybe a broken leg or two.

“The most scary thing is going toward the (takeoff) ramp,” he told The Press. “Once you become airborne, it’s not scary at all.”

Rex won the face-off with Montanan Torman. But stunts and mishaps would take their toll. In 1987, a crash during a backflip into a water tank in Oakland, Calif., broke both his legs, damaged his hip, and mangled his ear

Reckless Rex slowed down after that, much to the delight of his wife and five kids.

Name Game

You may know that in June 1983, Duane Hagadone gained control of Bob Templin’s Western Frontier hospitality empire, including the North Shore Resort Hotel.

But did you know that Duane awarded $1,000 to the Coeur d’Alene resident who submitted the winning entry to rename his new resort?

On Oct. 2, 1985, Duane handed a $1,000 check to Ned Satterlee of Coeur d’Alene for recommending the resort’s future name: “The Coeur d’Alene.”

The Name the Resort Contest attracted more than 10,000 entries.

Three other Coeur d’Alene residents received $500 awards for naming resort attractions.

Violet Briggs suggested the name “Beverly’s” in honor of Duane’s mother for the future seventh-floor restaurant. Marion Walker offered “Dockside” for the ground-floor restaurant. And Dan Yeatts successfully proposed that the main lounge keep its old name: “Shore Lounge.”

Forty years ago, it took a village to name a Resort.

Car-less in Hayden

Hayden has come a long way since October 1980, when the city was so poor that it couldn’t repair four police cars.

During the previous six months, council members had routinely rejected pleas from Police Chief Al Kulig for minor repairs.

One patrol car, a 1974 Plymouth Satellite, had sat rotting on studded tires in the City Hall lot since spring. Chief Kulig’s 1978 Chevrolet needed a new battery.

“My car will run,” Kulig told The Press, “but it’s not safe.”

So, Kulig stopped vehicle patrols, answered phones, and caught up on paperwork.

The gambit prompted Mayor Russell Greenfield to order repairs — and forced Councilman Joe Hunter to admit that there was enough money in the city budget for a car battery.

Methinks Hayden is in better shape today.

Huckleberries

• Poet’s Corner: Some vampires now prowling,/it seems fair to note,/care less for your blood/then they do for your vote — The Bard of Sherman Avenue (“Scary Creatures”).

• In the Blood: Retired Coeur d’Alene fire chief Kenny Gabriel knew firefighting was for him from the start, as a reserve in 1984. After all, his father was a former Spirit Lake fire chief, and his brother was a reserve fireman. After being appointed chief in October 2000, Kenny said, “I wasn’t quite fast enough, and I didn’t throw hard enough to play for the Mariners. So, I had to do something.”

• One & Done: On Oct. 10, 1980, Mayor Don Johnston of Coeur d’Alene and Mayor Frank Henderson of Post Falls raced each other in the River City — on giant tricycles. The Press cutline doesn’t say why they raced -- only that Johnston won. Did they race again? Does Coeur d'Alene still hold the giant-trike crown? Inquiring minds want to know.

• Perfect Reward: Is there a greater prize for a young newspaper carrier than a “Burger Belly Bust” at Hudson’s Hamburgers? In October 1970, The Press rewarded carriers with a burger binge for signing up at least eight new subscribers in a 25-day period. Those carriers are in their mid-60s now. And they're likely still fans of Hudson's Hamburgers.

Parting shot

I apologize for abandoning you for the last three weeks.

But the chance to visit England with Mrs. O, daughter Amy Dearest and her hubby, Aubrey, was irresistible — eight days in London, five days in the Shire-like Cotswolds region, three days in ancient Bath and one in Oxford.

We saw the usual sites — Westminster Abbey, Tower of London, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle. We enjoyed five plays in London’s West End, including “MJ (Michael Jackson): The Musical.” We visited art galleries, museums, ancient Roman baths and Harry Potter’s “library.” We walked in the footsteps of Tolkien, Rowling, C.S. Lewis, H.G. Wells, Mary Shelley.

And we ate and ate and ate.

Even in my dotage, travel is transformative. Still, it’s “lovely” — as the English say — to be back in Idaho’s version of Tolkien’s Shire.

• • •

D.F. Oliveria can be contacted at [email protected].

    From left, three VIP golfers Mayor Ray Stone, Commissioner Frank Henderson and Hagadone Corp. executive Jerry Jaeger tried to hit the floating green 100 yards away in 1990.
  

    “Reckless Rex” Phelps displays a scrapbook of his daring exploits, some of which weren’t successful, in 1980.
  

    “Reckless Rex” Phelps soars over 20 cars at the fairground in Missoula, Mont., to beat Montana challenger Don Torman in 1980.
  

    Duane Hagadone, right, presents a check for $1,000 to Ned Satterlee, left, winner of the Name the Resort Contest in 1985. Watching were Marion Walker, left, who named the resort’s downstairs restaurant (Dockside), and Violet Briggs, who named the upstairs restaurant (Beverly’s).
  

    Police Chief Al Kulig of Hayden points out the bald tires on one of the city’s patrol cars in 1980.
  

    Kenny Gabriel slides down a fire station pole after being named the Coeur d’Alene department’s chief in 2000.
  

    Mayor Don Johnston of Coeur d’Alene and Mayor Frank Henderson of Post Falls race on giant tricycles in 1980.
  

    Coeur d’Alene Press carriers, from left, Tom Alexander, Bryon Guimond, Ray Folstad and Dave Moore enjoy burgers at Hudson’s in 1970.
  

    Dave Oliveria poses in Westminster Abbey in London at the beginning of a three-week vacation to England in late September.