Knights like life in the 'Dog House'

COEUR d’ALENE — The “Dog House” is a good place to be at the North Idaho State Fair.

It’s there in the Food Court you’ll find the best of burgers, hot dogs, corn dogs and French fries.

But while this stand operated by the Knights of Columbus is about serving good food at a good price, there’s more to its secret of success that dates back more than three decades.

“Camaderie among all my brothers,” says Glen Abbott on Tuesday afternoon as he mans the grill, flipping burgers, toasting buns and adding cheese, bacon or both.

Abbott is one of about 140 volunteers pitching in for the Knights of Columbus, a Catholic fraternal organization, with men coming from St. Pius and St. Thomas parishes in Coeur d’Alene.

They will fill 329 shifts during the 10-day fair at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds.

Abbott dismisses the 120-degrees in his small station.

“I love running the grill,” says Abbott, whose parents, Glen and Virgina, started the Hayden Lake Eagles Club.

The Knights of Columbus have had a food stand at the fair since at least 1990. It’s one of the longest-running concessionaires at the annual event that is expected to draw more than 150,000 people.

Alexcia Jordan, North Idaho State Fair general manager and CEO, said many of their volunteers, vendors and superintendents have been with the fair for years — some more than 40.

“It’s incredible the level of commitment, longevity and pure passion for our fair and what they do at our fair,” she said.

A few thousand guests will stop by the Dog House. The brotherhood of Knights serve them with smiles and laughter.

Craig Frei and Lee Lutovsky greet customers, one writing down the order and turning in the ticket, the other ringing up the sale on the register.

It's not all business.

“We meet a lot of nice people,” Lutovsky says.

“Good people,” adds Frei.

The trio of Gary Fessler, Ray Stongle and Darryl Cutler, all wearing red aprons in the cozy kitchen, are having fun as they joke back and forth, while handling whatever tasks need doing.

“These are good guys. They really are,” says Cutler.

Stongle and Fessler are both working 15-hour shifts. They open, close and in between prep, train, cook and clean up.

Both laugh about the long hours and low wages — by low they mean zero.

Stongle says despite the muggy kitchen conditions, he’s enjoying himself.

“Just being with the guys and doing stuff,” he says.

Cutler offers another motivating factor as to why more than 100 Knights volunteer for the fair: Proceeds go to nonprofits like St. Vincent De Paul, Special Olympics, Union Gospel Mission and overseas missions to help children.

This is their biggest fundraiser.

“It benefits the community and it’s a good thing to do,” he says.

On Tuesday afternoon, the Food Court is packed as people seek shade from the sun and the 90 degrees outside.

The options to eat, inside and out, are endless. Pizza, burritos, elephant ears, huckleberry shakes, and even more burgers.

The Knights hold their own with prices that range from $5 for a hamburger to $9.50 for a bacon double cheeseburger.

Dave Rusconi, Grand Knight of Coeur d’Alene Council 1363, said it’s a joy to be there.

“You’re working with your brothers. Two separate parishes, but we’re very close,” he said.

Fessler was one of the crew when the Knights of Columbus started serving food at the fair in 1990. Then, it was in the old Food Court before it was condemned and a new one was built and opened in 1995.

They tried different things each year to see what people wanted, and what they didn’t.

Like all good Knights, they found a tried and true method and stuck with it.

“Hamburgers and hot dogs are our business,” Fessler said.

“And fries,” Cutler adds.

Knight Ron Hartman said the best part of volunteering at the fair was the “good support group from my brother Knights."

But what about the food?

“Only the best,” he said. “You can’t ask for a better burger.”

The people aren’t bad, either, added Knight Phil Hostak.

“You can’t ask for a better crew,” he said.