HUCKLEBERRIES: The attentive civilities of The Lioness of Idaho

Mike Bullard remembers meeting “The Lioness of Idaho.”

It was 1993, and he was the new pastor of the First Presbyterian Church.

During a service that first summer in Coeur d’Alene, Mike’s wife, Betsy, was sitting near the back of the church with her two restless sons. Afterward, she approached a dignified, 70-something woman in the same pew and said, “I hope our boys didn’t disturb you.”

The woman replied, “The only thing that disturbs me is cranky old people who don’t like kids.”

Then, bending down and reaching out her hand, the woman said, “Hi, guys, my name is Louise Shadduck.”

Mike tells that story in the prologue to his book, “Lioness of Idaho: Louise Shadduck and the Power of Polite.” Mike self-published his book Jan. 1, 2013. And discussed it in a Coeur d’Alene Press profile on this day 11 years ago.

"Lioness" explains how a Coeur d’Alene dynamo helped shape Idaho.

Louise Shadduck, who grew up with six brothers in the shadow of Canfield Mountain, was the friend of presidents, governors, U.S. senators, congressmen and almost everyone who met her. She was a historian, author, lobbyist, Republican activist and the first woman to lead an Idaho department (Commerce Department and Economic Development director).

And all this began for Louise at age 18 in 1933 as a cub reporter for the Coeur d’Alene Press.

Again, Mike Bullard provides her back story.

Shortly after her graduation from Coeur d’Alene High, Louise was delivering milk in the Shadduck Dairy truck when a man followed her into a customer’s house and introduced himself. He was Burl C. Hagadone, then advertising manager of the Coeur d’Alene Press.

Louise later described the encounter for the Idaho Historical Society:

Burl Hagadone said, “Louise, we’ve been watching you, and we’d like you to work for us at The Press.

Louise replied, “What would I be doing?”

The future Press publisher responded, “Everything.”

And that’s what she did.

Louise took classified ads over the phone. She became Burl Hagadone’s assistant in advertising. She filled in when the society editor became ill. She wrote stories and columns, peppered with local names. Her “This and That” column, comprised of “an eclectic listing of anecdotes, poems, and human-interest stories,” was a must-read.

She was interested in everyone and sent thank you notes to all who did something for her. Author Bullard said he almost subtitled his book, “The Powerful Politics of Thank You Notes” because her “attention to such civilities would become the source of a great deal of her political currency.”

Above all, she listened to people — Republican or Democrat — and compromised. In his 2013 interview with The Press, Mike Bullard said, “Many people think of a moderate as being wishy-washy, and Louise Shadduck was definitely not wishy-washy."

You can read how Louise moved from journalism to politics in Mike Bullard’s well-crafted book.

Mae McEuen, RIP

Cancer claimed Mae McEuen, 61, the guardian angel of local youth sports, on this day 60 years ago (Sept. 1, 1964). But not before she, environmentalist Art Manley and others prevented the construction of a shopping center in 1956 on the greenspace that carries Mae's name today.

Some might say that Mae was self-interested when she fought the mall. After all, she and her husband, Virgil, owned McEuen’s grocery at 12th and Sherman. But her advocacy for the town’s youth went much deeper than that.

In 1957, as a member of the city’s Parks and Recreation Committee, she helped launch boys baseball, an effort that attracted 56 teams and 900 boys within two years. Coeur d’Alene native Sandy Emerson recalls that Mae’s market sponsored “a sports team at every level in every league.” And that players who wore a McEuen team t-shirt into her store received a free pop or a popsicle.

On June 11, 1965, the city honored her memory by changing the name of the play area from Mullan Park to Mae McEuen Playfield. In 2014, after the $20 million overhaul of the field, the city shortened its name — to McEuen Park.

Today, in Coeur d'Alene, the name McEuen stands for volunteerism, a love of youth sports and a vision for the future.

Price Is Right

So what prizes do you get when you hit the jackpot at the “Price Is Right” game show?

In 2009, for Tammie Neal, of Rathdrum, the answer was: a plasma TV, furniture, several boogie boards, dance lessons and a trip to Argentina.

Funny thing? Tammie had talked smack to her friends beforehand about someday winning the big prize at “The Price Is Right.”

When Tammie finally attended the show in summer 2009, however, the odds weren’t great that producers would pick her to be a contestant from an audience of 300. But the show was looking for high-energy people. And Tammie fit the bill.

“I’m pretty much like that all the time anyway,” Tammie told The Press later, “so I didn’t have to do anything out of the ordinary.”

Ultimately, Tammie turned down the trip to South America because the show didn’t cover meals. And she’d have to pay thousands in taxes. For the same cost, she figured, she could take her husband and three kids to Disneyland. And enjoy the other prizes.

Huckleberries

• Poet’s Corner: The yellow bus came by today/and carried summertime away — The Bard of Sherman Avenue (“School”).

• Family Portrait: In late August 1959, the introduction of color advertising to newspapers brought two media executives to town to meet with publisher Burl Hagadone and his assistant, son Duane. Later, the four men posed for a newspaper photo with Beverly Hagadone, Burl’s wife and Duane’s beloved mother. Sadly, three months later, Burl Hagadone died at the young age of 49. Duane Hagadone, who would build a media and hospitality empire, based in his hometown, was only 26.

• Drivers Beware: In the old days, police warned motorists before weekend holidays to drive carefully. Such was the case for Labor Day Weekend 1964 when local gendarmes, including Sheriff John Bender, told The Press: “If we all follow the traffic laws, on Tuesday morning we can point to a good record in this area.” That message still applies today.

• Short Honeymoon: On Sept. 2, 2014, Lee White was sworn in as police chief by City Clerk Renata McLeod, as 120 people watched. Lee's wife, Kristi, pinned a badge on him. A former assistant chief from Mesa, Ariz., Lee inherited a PR firestorm only days later named “Arfee.” Remember? The hubbub involved a cop killing a pet dog in its owner's van in a downtown parking lot. More next week.

• Top Priorities: On Aug. 31, 1994, Jerry Evans, the state school superintendent, said the dedication of Lake City High that day was “the second most important occasion for the school this week.” And the most important one? Said Evans: It was the first-ever football game between LCHS and Coeur d’Alene two days later. The Viks rained on the Timberwolves' parade by winning 35-0.

Parting shot

First, you should know that Francis “Franny” Wilhelm was mayor of Post Falls from 1976 to 1981. Now, onward. In late summer 2009, for his 97th birthday, Franny rode a parasail with Alice Thibault, owner of Living Springs Assisted Living, where he resided. Said Thibault, “He was excited from the get-go.” Meanwhile, Bev Larsen, Franny’s daughter, didn’t know what to make of the derring-do by her nonagenarian father: “What’s next on his bucket list?” she asked. “I’m afraid to ask.” Her father, she said, was in good health physically — and mentally — which was key to his late-life adventure. You see, Franny was an avid reader who perused two daily newspapers and kept himself informed — unlike too many today who brag that they don't follow the news — but have an opinion about everything.

• • •

D.F. (Dave) Oliveria can be contacted at dfo@cdapress.com.

    In August 1999, the Idaho Department of Lands named its new building in the Coeur d’Alene Industrial Park after Louise Shadduck.
  

    In 1965, the city honored Mae McEuen by renaming Mullan Park after her. Pictured are, from left, future mayor Don Johnston, chamber president Virgil Thompson, widower Virgil McEuen, Mayor Marc Souther and parks and rec director Red Halpern.
  

    In 1960, Mae McEuen is shown with the Boys’ Baseball League city champions and their sponsors.
  

    In August 2009, Tammie Neal, of Athol, right, is shown with her friend, Robyn Bell, of Hayden, after Tammie won the Showcase Showdown on “The Price Is Right.”
  

    In August 1959, Burl, Beverly and Duane Hagadone, middle, were shown with two media executives who visited Coeur d’Alene to discuss color advertising for newspapers.
  

    Prior to Labor Day 1964, local police, from left, Lt. Jack McGinniss of the Idaho State Police, Coeur d’Alene Police Chief George Lenz and Sheriff John Bender pointed out potential careless drivers.
  

    In September 2014, Kristi White penned a badge on her husband, Lee, the new Coeur d’Alene police chief.
  

    In 1994, school superintendent Doug Cresswell helped dedicate the new Lake City High School.
  

    In 2009, “Franny” Wilhelm and Alice Thibault celebrated Franny’s 97th birthday with a parasail ride.