One day several years ago, a grader turned into our driveway. I was puzzled as it continued coming in rather than backing out and heading the opposite direction on the road. The operator put down his blade and proceeded to to grade the driveway, which has always been notorious for its roughness due to its glut on mudholes and a short supply of rock base.
I found out later that Bill had seen Perry Palmer that day and mentioned that it was my birthday. He happened to be in the area so he decided I needed a birthday present----a free driveway manicure. I've always appreciated Perry for the gesture. That's how it is, though, with folks you've known forever, always willing to lend a hand or to give a little extra.
Perry's daughter Zale inherited her dad's generous spirit, only her gesture nearly 29 years ago went a bit sour when I didn't show up for the surprise baby shower she'd planned for me during second-period honors English. Zale was a sophomore at Sandpoint High School at the time, and she knew, like all the other kids, that I was due to pop any day.
I'd planned to make it through that week of school, but Willie decided to start arriving on the actual day he was due, March 31, 1977. It took him a while, so he did end up a lifelong April Fool, and his mom felt a bit foolish when she learned later the extent to which Zale and her classmates had gone in order to surprise me.
Cake and all did not go to waste, however, cuz the kids happily partied through their English hour in my absence. I always thought that was pretty nice of Zale, and like so many of the kind things that have happened to me over the years, I've never forgotten her thoughtfulness. Zale went on to the University of Idaho and roomed with my sister Laurie for at least a year.
She became a CPA and moved to Portland where she worked in the corporate world for Northwest power companies. I haven't seen her for years, but as of yesterday, I've learned we're neighbors. The Palmers---Perry and Zale---have purchased property in Metalbuildingville. And, while Zale remains in Portland as comptroller for her brother Wade's trucking company, Perry's been busy constructing a shop for his heavy equipment.
I learned all this while on a walk with the dogs through the fields behind our barn, across Quest's parking lot and along a pathway that connects to Larry Donnerberg's road leading to the Fishback Airpark. Larry used to own a large chunk of land bordering the airport, but he sold a major portion of it a few years ago to Jim Fishback who developed it into a private airpark.
The Palmers bought one of several lots, to the west of the airpark, still owned by Larry. I had been watching that new metal building going up over the past few weeks and had been curious to learn who owned it and what their plans were. Perry happened to be leaving in his pickup just as the dogs and I arrived at the paved road running past the new building. He told me he'd had originally run his shop over on Ontario for more than 20 years but was given a year to vacate because------you guessed it----a new subdivision was being developed at the spot.
So, Perry and Zale are now our new neighbors, and I couldn't be happier. The Palmers have lived around Sandpoint forever, and they've contributed so much to this community. Perry's brother Bud helped build the original Schweitzer Road back in 1962-63. His sister Marian Ebbett served as mayor of Sandpoint in the 1980s. His wife Charlotte faithfully worked for the school district central office for decades. Perry's happy to have his shop in this location and especially happy to own the land with his daughter.
As I continue my walks in the areas around our place and learn that the new development involves good people like the Palmers and the folks from Quest Aviation, I'm feeling much more optimistic about the future on this piece of earth. I've often heard said that people make the difference in any situation, and these folks are definitely good neighbors.
I hope that trend continues.
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