GRIZZLY: Battle of two towns

When I read that a man from Porthill had shot and killed a grizzly bear, I felt I knew what is driving this story.

Porthill officials have been trying unsuccessfully since the early 1920s to match the achievements of Eastport, the other North Idaho border town.

Following is a sampling of the achievements of those two towns...

1931: Eastport builds only international ski jumping hill in the world. The hill is located only 200 yards east of the Moyie River, runs from south to north. With a jump of 150 feet or more, jumpers sail from one country into another.

1931: Porthill holds Grange dance.

1932: (February 21) Eastport hosts first ski jumping tournament on International Ski Hill. World-class jumpers compete.

1932: Porthill holds Grange dance.

1933: (February 5) Eastport hosts second ski tournament on world's only International Ski Hill. Also, sponsors hockey game, Spokane vs. Kimberley, B.C.

1933: Porthill plans Grange dance. (Dance canceled. Locals say they are tired of dancing to the same tune, "Turkey in the Straw.")

1936 (circa): Eastport - Two residents shoot and kill three grizzly bears in one afternoon.

2011: Porthill: Resident shoots one grizzly bear.

I am not sure this bear story will even things up.

MARK THOME

Bellevue, Wash.