Service with a smile

The good old days are back.

Thanks, Marion.

Thank you, Tom.

Marion Walker and Tom Paschane have never met, but they will when the snow flies, if not before. Marion is now the local celebrity and senior citizen activist who penned a letter to the editor, asking on behalf of others who might need an assist for a gas station in the area, any gas station, to please pump gas for their customers when winter weather sets in.

Tom answered the call, leaving a message at The Press first thing Sunday morning.

"I read her letter first, and then I read the editorial," he said Monday, when The Press returned his call. "I couldn't even finish the editorial before I started dialing you."

Paschane is the energetic, creative, community-minded general manager of three Chevron stations in the area, including the one at U.S. 95 and Honeysuckle Avenue in Hayden that will answer Marion's high-octane prayer.

This November through March, the station will have attendants on hand to pump customers' gas and clean their windshields. Hours for full service will be Mondays and Tuesdays from 8 a.m. to noon, and Fridays and Saturdays from noon to 4 p.m. By spreading out the days and hours, Paschane said he hopes to be able to accommodate every customer's schedule.

Now, in your book this might be a little thing. But it isn't to Tom, who's footing the bill, it isn't to Marion, who won't have to foot it on icy pavement, and it isn't to us, who marvel at the depth and breadth of service rendered over and over again throughout North Idaho. Where there's a need, someone always comes through. Sometimes more than some one.

In this case, Marion Walker will no longer be filling up at - well, never mind where she used to buy gas. She indicated the Chevron station in Hayden is now her favorite station.

She's not alone.