Long John's Day

My father, Rod Fisher, is about to turn 74. He grew up in Whitefish and lives there now. He worked at the Whitefish Pilot in his youth, and you may remember him from the write up he did for your 100th anniversary.

My father wrote me an email the other day that I would like to share with you. It went like this:

"Hi. We're finally getting some real cold weather in Whitefish. I decided to put on long johns today and it struck me that this act could be compared to [Punxsutawney] Phil's appearance—ground hog day. It only gets cold enough in Whitefish for long johns about once a decade and this is generally followed by a dip in the real estate market when [disillusioned] Californians, not yet inured, bail out for good, leaving a surplus of big beautiful homes on the market.

"This phenomena has significant repercussions for the realtors and people with property for sale. Long Johns Day would serve as a warning to folks trying to sell real estate that they had better drop the price and get it sold before the market collapses.

"SO…when Geezer Rod puts on his long johns it should be noted with appropriate press and hullabaloo to befit the occasion. The TV people could pixilize my behind so the ceremony wouldn't be confused with mooning.

"I think I'll get me some red long johns so I'll be more colorful on camera."

That's my Dad at almost 74.

Happy birthday, Dad. Hopefully, the Whitefish Pilot will drop by with a camera and capture your feisty, knowing, 74 year old spirit and then pixelate it, thereby qualifying as noted "press and hullabaloo."

LONG LIVE LONG JOHNS DAY!! And my Daddy.

Zo Herriges

3rd daughter of "The Rod"

Anchorage, Alaska