Smarter than the Average Bear

Hello Palouse,

I just found out that my friend “Bear” Bruce Nisse died of a heart attack this week. I knew that he had a heart condition. But, he rode his bicycle, worked out on his treadmill and tried to stay one step ahead of the old grim reaper. Sometimes marathons are longer than you think, and the bud guy catches up.

I can only remember one argument that we had. I wrote a story about methane and philo-plankton that his wife, (the REAL boss,) LuJane had edited. I got upset about how it was edited and LuJane and I got into an argument. Then, when I tracked down Bear, we got into an argument because he was pissed off at me for arguing with his wife. We all got over it.

Then there was the time that Bear wrote an editorial in which he mentioned, “I have this friend who comes by and borrows a couple of bucks all the time. He tells me, like Whimpy in the Popeye cartoon, that he will play me back next week.”

I read that, and in my next story at the end I said, “Whimpy asked for a hamburger today, and he would pay for it the second Tuesday of next week.” We all know that the second Tuesday never comes. But Bear and I actually let the People of Palouse know our financial arrangements for one month.

One day, Bear was giving me a ride home, and we were talking about prejudice. Bear said, “It would be like me walking into the Oakland office of the Black Panthers and asking to join up.” I replied, “What about a black guy joining the KKK?” He asked me if I could write that, and I told him that I could give him something. It became the “Story of Elgin.” The put it on page two!. I heard Maxwell Smart say, “You missed the front page
by this much.” Not really, of course, but I could hear Don Adams in my brain.

I am comforted by the fact that when it is my time, I will have an editor waiting for me. And I will hear, “That story is too long... It doesn’t make any sense... There’s no continuity...” and I will know that I am home.

God Bless You Bear. I am not that far behind you. And, we will meet again.

Your Friend, — Charles Sack

Need a car? See Mike or Bud

Bagott Motors has served the Palouse area for some 79 years. The business has survived fire, flood and economic times both good and bad. Yesterday when I was in Palouse I spoke briefly with Mike Bagott. He told me that the business has recently forgone the sales of new vehicles to concentrate on the sales and service of pre-owned vehicles.

Hey, that makes good sense. I am something of a “car nut” myself, and I fully appreciate how tough it is for any small dealership to make any money on new car sales. The smaller dealerships make their money through the sale of the vehicles that they take in trade and in the service of the cars that they have sold.

The Bagotts have earned the loyalty of the many people that they have served over the years. Their contribution to the community of Palouse in terms of economic impact and personal service has been huge. If you are in the market for a car or truck or if your present vehicles need service, you would be doing yourself a favor to contact Mike or Bud Bagott.

Welcome to the Palouse Blog

This blog is a forum for residents, former residents, and prospective new residents of the town of Palouse, Washington to share their thoughts and stories about Palouse.

This is not the place to find current news about Palouse. We recommend that you subscribe to, "The Boomerang," newspaper to find current news. But, if you are a resident, business owner, or prospective new-comer to the town, we invite you to submit your stories, thoughts, concerns, suggestions, photos and/or drawings to share with others who may have a similar interest. Send what you want to appear as a new post, including any attachments to: will@murrayco.com

Your post will appear here within 24 hours. And, of course, anyone can immediately post their comments regarding your post.

I am the moderator of this blog, and as such I reserve the right to edit out any obscene, or otherwise offensive material that would be unacceptable for journalistic print. No doubt, there will be posts and/or comments that are controversial. But, gentlemen can agree to disagree.

The topic of your post is wide open, and up to you. If you want to plug your business... fine! Just keep it decent and fit to print.

The purpose of this blog is to inform and expand upon issues relevant to the town of Palouse. And, to perhaps garner new and/or creative ideas and suggestions that would enhance the City of Palouse.

I hope to hear from you...

Wilford D. (Will) Murray will@murrayco.com