Huckleberries makes its Press debut
We’re probably saying it wrong — the “Coeur” in Coeur d’Alene, that is.
The French, of course, pronounce it as “cur” (or “kur”) with a slight roll of the R. Or maybe “coor” like the lager brewed from Rocky Mountain spring water.
And if that isn’t enough, the late Louise Shadduck, the Grand Dame of this city with a “Coeur,” enunciated it with a French spin. Kerri Thoreson remembers Louise saying it that way. So do Roberta Larsen, Eve Knudtsen, Sandy Patano, and Bette Ammon.
My Facebook Friends and I paused from fretting about the C-virus this week to discuss the proper way to say “Coeur.” We know, of course, that French trappers dubbed the Native Americans they found here as “Coeur d’Alene,” or “heart of an awl,” for their shrewd trading practices.
And it caught on.
Bill Cowles, the late publisher of The Spokesman-Review, always said “cur.”
Ditto for Tim Shepperd’s grandparents on both sides, one of whom was born in 1883, near Troy, Idaho.
So why do we say, “Core”?
Shepperd, of Coeur d’Alene, was told by his grandparents that the Dust Bowlers who migrated here during the 1930s were to blame for the change. His grandparents lamented the anglicized version.
One thing is certain. “Core da Lane” is here to stay.
David Dodson, of Hayden, explains why.
David was a grade schooler when his father told him the correct pronunciation of “Coeur” was “cur.”
“He also explained that due to the overwhelming popularity of the ‘Core’ pronunciation,” David tells Huckleberries, “he would not expect me to pronounce it correctly as I might be ostracized by others.”
Quipped David, “It took me nearly a year to find out what ostracized meant.”
You can say “cur,” if you must. But don’t expect many to follow suit.
Here we go again
As a joke, Jennifer Drake, owner of The Crown & Thistle pub in downtown Coeur d’Alene, thought she could get her kids to clean the living room by putting on a movie for background noise. She figured an upbeat film, like “Mama Mia,” would speed them up. On the plus side, the catchy 2008 musical starring Meryl Streep caught the attention of her children. They became obsessed with it — AND the sequel. Afterward, they roamed their sequestered quarters singing ABBA songs loudly at all hours. Laments Jennifer: “How could I have possibly made this situation worse?” Sugar?
Huckleberries
• Early risers at Hayden Walmart received a surprise recently, according to Brenda Orrmins of Coeur d’Alene. At the entrance, an employee offered shoppers first dibs on a 12-pack of toilet paper. The employee had three baskets full. Believe it or not, most of the people refused the offer, stating that they had enough already. P’haps there’s hope for mankind after all.
• Many have reported troubling dreams during this time of our travails. But Councilwoman Kiki Miller isn’t among them. She told Huckleberries & FBFriends this week: “I dreamed the InstaCart delivery guy was Kevin Costner.” And that caused some hearts to pitter-patter a little faster.
• Gail Curless of Dover speaks for many when she says: “I am thinking of taking the horse clippers and shaving my head. After all, nobody can see me. And it’ll grow back.”
• What does Evelyn C. Coon, of Coeur d’Alene, miss most in her isolation? Thrift store shopping. Quoth: “It isn’t that there is anything I need, I just really enjoy doing it. It was more of a social experience, plus I have found some really neat things in the stores.” If thrift stores aren’t your thing, insert the words “garage sales,” and you’ll feel Evelyn’s pain.
Parting Shot
Obviously, you notice that my Huckleberries column has migrated to The Press from The Spokesman-Review. It has done so with the blessing of the newsroom managers of my former newspaper of 35 years, column name and all. I’m grateful for all the 35 years and all the Huckleberries columns published in the SR. But times have changed dramatically in the last two months. I’m pleased that Press Editor Mike Patrick has provided a spot in his Friday paper to continue Huckleberries. As Bogie said to Louis (at the end of “Casablanca”): “I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.”
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D.F. “Dave” Oliveria is a Coeur d’Alene resident. You can contact him at dfo.northidaho@gmail.com.
