Birds of a feather

Dr. Pamela Riddle Bird pointed to a couple of gadgets in a glass case and said, "This will probably end up in the Smithsonian." The items happened to be the first respirators invented by her husband Dr. Forrest Bird several decades ago. Pam wanted me to see them because I'd been a teacher.

The display sat among a myriad of gauges, old film reels, research materials and seemingly endless counter space which wrapped it way around the northeast side of a large museum-like facility. We had just enjoyed a sumptuous noontime feast and some rich visiting yesterday afternoon in Glengary along Lake Pend Oreille's east side across the waters from Hope.

We were visiting the Bird Airlodge, which I'm sure was established out there at least 40 years ago. There was no doubt for its name as Mother and I walked, arm-in-arm to the facility over a spit-shined garage floor past three helicopters and a small plane. As we walked up the stairs, it was evident someone at the facility likes Halloween. A grizzled old codger in a black suit stood motionless at the top of the stairs, offering a plate candies to all who walked by. Who knows if the statue was alive; he looked real enough!

A pair of giant candy corns on a table in the huge room surrounded by walls decorated with trophy hides of virtually every species of Northwest wildlife available, tempted Kathy Chambers and me to feign taking a bite. A giant charcoal-grey rat, with its long, snake-like tail sat looking very real in its captive mousetrap on a bench near a door leading to the scientific display area.

We had come to this fascinating place, where a series of more modern respirators along one side of the room put out a continuous whir, because of the Women of Wisdom. Since my mother is one of the group of phenomenal older women in Sandpoint who've been selected for this honor, we were accompanying her to the group's fall luncheon. The purpose was to sip beverages, sample hors d'oeurves and dine on a smorgasboard of tasty meats, salads and desserts. After eating, we digested a large helping of wisdom tidbits.

Hazel Hall, who like my mother, couldn't hear much of what was said, partially because of the respirators, repeated her oft-quoted gem of wisdom. "It's attitude and gratitude," she said. In her brief speech, this 92-year0ld amazing lady, also took us back to a time when earlier women arrived in Sandpoint and courageously planted the early seeds for the special cultural mix we enjoy in our community today.

Those women, like Dr. Forrest Bird, were pioneers in their field. And fortunately for both Dr. Bird and the early Sandpoint fems, their raw essentials have reaped invaluable benefits for countless generations. In Dr. Bird's case, his respirators are known and used the world around. In the case of our early pioneer women, their modern-day counterparts cling to vestiges of those initial efforts that molded this community into its own uniqueness.

After the bits of wisdom, Pamela, whose own company, Innovative Product Technologies, Inc., connects famous inventors with potential clients, told us about what goes on out there at that huge facility located at the end of a confusing network for roads. We learned that it's common for influential people from around the world to visit Bird Airlodge. Research happens. Inventing continues. People come to observe and learn of possibilities for the work that goes on there.

Pamela met Forrest Bird at Disneyworld, while she was coordinating a convention. It's obvious from listening to her that their marriage is based on teamwork and common respect for each other's much-sought-after talents. They're high-powered people, but through a quick observation of yesterday's setting, it's also obvious that some healthy humor plays a major role in their success. They also emanate a sense of sincere bliss because they can continue the majority of their great works in such a quiet setting far away from the craziness.

I thoroughly enjoyed my first visit to the Bird Airlodge yesterday, and once again, will echo what's said so often: to believe all this greatness and wisdom happens here in little ol' Sandpoint.