Tim. Say it isn’t so. You are the soul of the Statesman. From your old Boise friend.

Charles Hummel

I am surely not the first nor the last to thank you for all the years of enjoyment that came with reading your columns in the Statesman as well as your books. However, my gratitude is sincere!

I also want to thank you for your attntion paid to calligraphers. It has been my life’s profession and passion — just as I assume writing — albeit typing — has been yours. You have been gracious whenever we have met — in the grocery store or in church. Even though, I know, like Harper McGarr, you are recognized and probably accosted by fans wherever you go.

I have been told you and your family are “east enders,” as am I — so perhaps our paths will cross again. I am not in the habit of attending funerals of people I don’t know, so it is unlikely we will meet at another funeral — but who knows?

I wish you well in your retirement, and if you’re ever on the a walk in the east end stop by my studio for a cup of tea. I can also be found at Goody’s occasionally, as I am the “keeper” of the stuffed animals there. There is to also be a toy store “G. Willikers” next door to Goody’s where I will be the merchandizer. With the proliferation of the computer and text messaging, a calligrapher has to diversify...

I wish you good health — and happiness — in your many years ahead.

Sincerely,

Martha Noonan (Martha’s Pen), Boise

Thank you for showing how much you care for Boise through your writing. You are truly gifted.

It was a privilege to meet you at the Boise Parks and Rec Municipal Park meeting.

Best wishes to continue writing as long as it’s fun.

Bruce A. Fabbi, Boise

Carroll had told me you were retiring, but to see the front page column re your retiring made me happy for you but certainly a bitter pill for your readers.

You have been so populare with the readers — all of us looked forward to your great columns thru the years. No one will take your place, Tim, ever.

You were always a real favorite of mine and I wish you well.

My love and may God bless you and Sheila.

Dorothy McClure, Meridian

I’ve been reading the Idaho Statesman for more than 40 years so I’ve been a fan of Tim’s for a long time. In my scrapbook I’ve saved several of his articles, one on King Hill, one on Bruneau’s postmaster, Fern Graham, one on Vardis Fisher. I wrote him a letter on the last as I am a fan of Fisher’s book.

The one I like best was the part of every father that wants to have a son. It was all about little girls except the last line which said, “Her name is Mark.” I just loved it and I will miss Tim.

Eileen Hitesman, Meridian

Thank you for your wonderful columns. I always looked forward to reading them. And afterwards, I always felt more connected to people and events in Boise and beyond.

I’m also a history buff and thought you might like to have this postcard.

Thank you again!

Marilyn Cosho, Boise

You have had a remarkable career.

I hope your retirement years are as satisfying.

Sincerely,

Miriam Barr, Meridian

Tim,

You are retiring!! So what are we do do for entertainment? You “topped” the comic page. I may as well cancel!!

Your vacation trips to Washington were so like ours. Anything that could go wrong, did.

With three sons and a daughter some, if not all, would get ill or have an allergic reaction. Count on it!! (Yes, Dr. Venning was our doctor, too.)

I’m looking forward to reading that “new book”.

Thanks for the many laughs and enjoy your retirement.

We’ll miss you.

Shirley Aarestad, Boise

Tim,

Thank you for the many years of wonderful columns that have entertained and informed me for the past 40 years. Coffee and a column from Tim starts a beautiful day so I was happy to read reruns will continue.

I send congratulations and best wishes to you and Sheila for a very happy retirement.

Love and cheers from Jean Patrick, Boise

Hi Tim,

I have been a college football coach for over 50 years. During that time we have moved 15 times; living on the East coast, in the Midwest and Rocky Mountain areas.

No one from those areas has been able to match Tim Woodward in his heart-warming reports of everyday living in the Treasure Valley.

Thank you Tim for your wonderful talent, you will always be remembered. Enjoy your retirement, our prayers go with you.

Barbara and Bill Hickey, Boise

Somewhere between September ‘65 and June ‘66, I took lessons from Dwight Johnson (who introduced me to Tim Woodward). Dwight had been drafted so he was no longer available for lessons. He took me to Woody’s house one day and asked if he would take me (on) as a student. I remember thinking “Wow, I’m getting lessons from the lead player of the Mystics.”

As fate would have it, I later got to sit in with the Mystics at the Fiesta, due to the fact Rich Smith, the drummer, had to perform at halftime of a football game in LA. I played rhythm guitar on Tim’s Gretsch, Vance played all the leads on piano — Tim played drums. After that night I knew what I wanted to do.

Ted Schubach, Boise

We first met Tim Woodward one day in January 1971. My husband, John, and I were at our home in Olympia, Wash., anxiously awaiting a visit from our daughter, Sheila, and her boyfriend, “Woody.” Sheila was on semester break from Washington State University and Tim from University of Idaho — both seniors.

I was in the kitchen fixing dinner and John was behind the frig installing an icemaker when they arrived.

After the usual hugging and kissing Sheila introduced us to this handsome young man, Tim Woodward. Sheila had had many boyfriends during her years in college — all likeable, but this one was special.

Sheila started to introduce Woody to her dad, but before Tim could say anything, John said, “Hand me that copper tubing.” Tim obliged and joined John behind the frig.

The ensuing silence was interrupted only by brief comments from John; “Give me that bolt … hand me that wrench … the screwdriver, over there, now that rag, etc.” After about 10 minutes, John gave a sigh, looked over at his apprentice, extended his hand and said, “You must be Tim!” They came out from behind the frig and were formally introduced. Sheila and Tim were married in June 1971.

Since then Tim has become a good friend and special member of the Ryan family and the Westby (my maiden name) family. Everyone loved Tim.

Our only regret is that we were in Washington and Tim and Sheila established roots in Boise, Idaho.

The good news now is that we have moved into a cozy apartment overlooking the Boise River. We are looking forward to spending some prime time with the Woodward clan.

P.S. Tim, we love you. Enjoy your retirement. It is well earned.

Elsa and John Ryan, Boise

Living in this valley for 33 years has given me much exposure to Tim’s wonderful words of insight. His sense of humor is a treasure and not finding him in the Statesman regularly will be a HUGE loss.

Yes, everyone should get to retire but hopefully he will occasionally sent a tidbit for publication our way. Words are a tremendous part of his life and he probably will continue to find an outlet for them. Perhaps he will become a freelance writer. He has stirred up memories for me more than once but nothing like this Sunday’s (May 1) column on Spudnuts. Oh, how he turned up the longing for those childhood treats. For years, everytime I returned to SLC, I searched for those treats.

I have the recipe but it just isn’t the same; something about the frying process and the glaze. Krispy Kreme comes real close with their glaze but their glazed donut is too small and lacks the fluffy potato effect. Even my son’s fantastic pastissier talents don’t satisfy this particlular pastry need.

Tim literally made the saliva glands start working. He wrote about Spudnuts and the Idaho connection but I know them from Salt Lake City. My mother used them as a way to supplement income. In the fifties, Mothers stayed home if possible. Spudnuts made a way for moms to earn a little money from their houses. Once or twice a week, spudnuts were delivered to our house. Children would then be given a counted number (no eating the treats while working) to sell door-to-door for 10 cents apiece. With six children of her own and a whole slew of our friends, there was a supply of willing workers. We loved it; a way for children to earn penny-candy money, a little profit for my mother and those pastry delights came to us. What more could we want for a summer job. Yum, sometimes there were even leftovers.

Peggy Shaw

After working for the past 45 years, 28 of them spent working two jobs; 17 years in the US Army Reserves (three years active back in the ’60s prior to that) and 11 years managing Blacks Creek Public Shooting Range, not to mention my actual day job at the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, I finally retire as of April 29th only to read in the Sunday, May 1st, edition of the Statesman that Tim is stealing my thunder by retiring too. LOL!

Our family moved to Boise in June of 1981 from the state of Washington. One of the first things we did back then was subscribed to the Idaho Statesman, and we have been subscribers since. Back then the Statesman was “The news source” for all things Idaho/Boise Valley related. We immediately became fans of Tim’s writing and stories. Reading his columns and books allowed us to feel as if we grew up here rather than being transplants.

As with many, I suspect, we are sorry to see him go but understand all too well his well deserved retirement. It is fitting, from my perspective, that we are retiring together.

Huge fans of Tim and we wish him well in his retirement,

Don and Christine Bledsoe, Boise

I came to Boise with The Associated Press in 1973 and until I retired in 1999 worked closely with Statesman reporters and editors. During that time and even today I felt Dan Popkey and Tim Woodward were the mainstays of the Statesman staff. Both were must-read writers for someone who goes through 12 daily newspapers a week and more online. I hate to see Tim leave but think of all the interesting things he will be able to do.

Quane Kenyon

I’ve been a faithful reader of Tim’s column since 1980 when I moved to Boise. I loved his family vacation stories. Every vacation where I found myself on the side of the highway cursing a broken down car or cleaning the vomit off a car-sick kid, I would think, “Tim Woodward could make this seem funny.” You will be missed, Tim.

Theresa Howe, Boise

A Statesman without Tim Woodward — impossible. I hope for the Statesman’s sake, that is not true — but it does take a bit of imagination to visualize how you’ll carry it off.

Tim and the Statesman have been one and the same in my mind for all Tim’s years with the paper. I was aware of him when we were both in high school, aware of his presence in the music scene, and then, pow — there he was at the Statesman. He was not only writing, but the paper printed his stuff and the city seemed to pay attention to what he had to say. It was a great time to be a young adult in Boise — Tim gave us voice and validity.

Time passed, I moved to Challis and Tim’s and my paths did not cross again until the tragedy of the abduction/death? of Stephanie Crane. Tim and a photographer came to town and interviewed a number of people after the terror of the event had sunk into our community. I have no idea what I said, though he quoted me, but I clearly remember that his compassion and his deep awareness of the impact of the event on our small community was evident in both his conduct and his article. I was also in Challis for the 1983 earthquake where two children were killed and again, I was interviewed as was nearly the whole town, it seemed. The difference between Tim’s conduct and that of the reporter following the earthquake epitomizes the difference between muck-raking and journalism, between compassionate interest and ghoulishness.

I mentioned that I was quoted in Tim’s article about the Stephanie abduction because of the “trickle-down” effect of his column. On the Sunday after Tim’s article appeared in the Statesman I received a call from a woman from out of town who had information about Stephanie she felt needed sharing. She was very reluctant to contact the police and asked if I would pass her comments on for her. She said she decided to call me after reading Tim’s column and felt that “if Tim thought you were OK, then I’ll trust you too.”

After our conversation I mulled over her story, relayed it to the sheriff, and then digested the day’s events over a cup of tea. Clearly the story was weird but it was not my place to judge. The phone call though totally off the wall, I decided, nonetheless genuinely honored Tim’s relationship with his readership. I’ve looked for an opportunity to relay this to him and to thank him for consistently honoring the dignity of the individuals he writes about and for his contribution to the quality of life in his larger southern Idaho community.

Thank you Tim and thanks also to the Statesman for having the good judgment to keep him on staff. Job well done.

Sharon Maughan, Challis

Thanks for all of the great columns over the last 40 years — I don’t think I’ve missed very many of them! You will be missed by every Statesman reader, particularly those of us who have followed your humorous, touching and informative columns for so many years.

Best of luck to you and your family as you enjoy retirement. Hopefully you can sneak in a free lance column every once in a while!

Pam Beaumont, Garden City

The Idaho Statesman just will not be the same without Tim Woodward. He has been a staple for so many years. He had an amazing way of putting his special twist on a story to make it even more interesting. I’m thinking of my experience with him when he interviewed me regarding “the painting of the dome,” with both my Daddy (Clarence Stricklin in 1940’s) and my younger brother (Dean Stricklin, 1989) having painted the dome of our Capitol Building in Boise. Tim did the article up proud! Thanks, Tim, for your expertise and for sharing with us. You will be missed!! (See you at SugarDoodles for a Spudnut next September!)

Lila “Boots” Stricklin Faulks, Parma

Tim, you wrote about my life. We had the same North End childhood and alma maters — Lowell, North Jr. High and Boise High (but not the same college!) We shared a love of the work of Robert Benchley.

Whether it was the exploits of the McCrackers, the front-page stories, the special sections or Ask Tim, I never missed your work. I’ll miss it now.

Congratulations on your well-deserved retirement. We’ll miss you terribly, but wish you the very best.

Susan Mattefs Kelley

I did not grow up in Boise but rather moved here, from the Midwest, with my husband and kids 17 years ago. I have enjoyed reading Tim Woodward’s columns over the years as he has given such an intimate peek into the past of this city that we have adopted as our home and which he so clearly loves.

So thank you, Mr. Woodward, for your writing, your sharing and your openness. With one of my daughters studying writing and communications at her university and one of my sons currently writing for his high school newspaper, I hope your brand of writing does not go out of style but continues in print — on paper — to hold in our hands as we drink our coffee at breakfast or lounge in an easy chair, not in front of the computer screen. The tactile nature of a newspaper and the personal stories you have shared are a form of journalism I hope to always enjoy. All the best in your retirement!

Delma Atwell, Boise

I have enjoyed reading Tim’s stories from the very beginning and watched the paper for each one. I have laughed with him during his home remodeling jobs and his family vacations and ached for him and his family when his darling daughter became ill. I still have the great story that he wrote about her years ago.

He is such a down-to-earth guy and a great writer and he will be missed.

Have a wonderful and fun retirement, Tim.

Sue Mell, Payette

Remembering Tim! We are 90 years old and for 40 years you have challenged, amused, cajoled and brightened our lives, contrasting our Eastern heritage with your insight, humor and artistic view of life here. On our wall in our winter home in Yuma, Ariz., hangs your poetry, on our shelves in Boise, your books. We have laminated the articles that describe our environmental efforts — “Passive Solar Home in Boise” and “Green Before it was Fashionable.”

We read you on our computer with “My Favorites” linking with”Always Idaho” while enjoying 6 months in the south. You have added to our understanding and joy; we will miss the contemplative commentary, remembering we have come to know your family as you know ours in the heart of Idaho. Thank you.

Ken and Ethel Farnsworth

I remember several of Tim Woodward’s columns over the years. I enjoyed the one about the birth of his son because I had a son about the same time. The most memorable column was the one about his couch. He wrote about all the fun and heartbreaking memories associated with the couch and how it finally was left on the curb to be hauled away. I also have an attachment to family objects — I still have my children’s 30-year-old red wagon that is dented beyond use, most of their silly drawings, and a box of toys that no one wants. Should I make a planter out of Castle Grayscull? What to do with all the He-Man characters?

Tim wrote about his life in such a way that it prompted us to think about our own lives, to include all the fun, the angst, and stubborn hope for the future. I don’t know Tim personally but by reading his regular columns, I feel as if I’ve been associating with a good friend all these years.

Elaine Ambrose, Eagle

THE BELLOWING, HOLLERING WOMAN OF YOUR 1980’S LOWELL SWIMMING POOL COLUMN RESPONDS AFTER ALL THESE YEARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dear Tim,

This is not my first letter to you! You have supplied our family with laughter and a few tears over the past 40 years as we raised our kids while you were raising yours! We roared with laughter as you described your attempts for family vacations amid outbreaks of chicken pox, kids vomiting, fevers and other disasters! You have been part of our lives for four decades!

Lowell swimming pool was in danger of closing in the ’80s. I wrote letters, called each city council member twice, was interviewed on television and somewhere in my valiant attempts to save the pool talked with you! I was the subject of a column of yours as you described me as the bellowing woman who screamed into the phone that the pool must not close!!!

Now Tim, that was pure literary license you took on my behalf!!!!I did not beller, bellow, or holler!!! I had to laugh and I was grateful you did not name names at that time. Lowell pool did not close and it has been well over 25 years since that effort!

Your column was the first thing we read in the paper. We have clipped your columns, sent them off to friends and roared with laughter over your home improvement disasters! You not only raised your family along side ours via the columns, you remembered the North End history so well.

Your description of your crush on Ruth Iverson, the life guard at Lowell Pool, was a hoot! My Mom’s sister married Ruth’s uncle Bill, so we knew the Iverson’s family. What fun we had with that column! You described her as beautiful to you and guess what, she is still beautiful!!! Her sister, Mary, lives in Boise and could update you on her life.

Please please publish a book with your writings. Your are part of our history! We will miss you in the Idaho Statesman! When they described you as “beloved journalist” that is right. You have touched our hearts and we will miss your writings terribly.

And I want to remind to to my best recollection I did not bellow into the phone as you said in that Lowell Pool column! Or did I??

God Bless you and thank you for sharing your life with all of us,

Gloria Hall Pettinger, Boise

I’ve not lived in Idaho for over 60 years, but Tim’s stories and columns have helped me keep in touch with my home state for a good portion of that time. All through the years my late sister over in Nampa faithfully snail-mailed me clippings of Tim’s columns and other topics of interest from the Statesman and for the last decade or so I’ve been able to read Tim’s columns on the Statesman’s website.

And about 10 years ago during one of our visits to Idaho, Tim graciously agreed to have lunch with my sister, my wife Christy. and I. My sister was thrilled to finally meet Tim.

We will certainly miss Tim’s columns but in recent years Tim and I have become e-mail “pen pals” and have swapped numerous stories about baseball, the Chicago Cubs, the Broncos, travel, our families, etc, etc.

I hope that Tim and his wife, Shelia, will be able to visit us in St. Louis sometime in the future.

Enjoy your retirement, Tim!

Bob Hagar, Weldon Spring, MO

My name is Sherryle Jorgensen and Tim has written several stories about My grandparents.

I was able to get my grandfather listed as a Idaho pioneer because of the stories he had written. I remember him coming to the house to talk and get stories. I would like to talk to someone about all the things Tim has done.

Sherryle Jorgensen, Boise

I used to shake my head in disbelief and chuckle about all the disastrous vacations and other mishaps of the McCrackers — the Woodwards’ alter egos — until I got to know Tim and Sheila. He didn’t have to make up things! “Stuff” really happened to them. Rerouted flights, rampant chicken pox, rain squalls in the midst of a drought during roof replacement, purple juice spewing out of a disconnected hose of a juicer to decorate a newly refurbished kitchen. Not possible that all this and more could happen to one family.

Then we invited the Woodwards up to Lucky Peak to go boating. We ended up seeking shelter in the restrooms as hail pelted down on us on what had started out as a beautiful sunny day. When Sheila asked if we wanted them to go to Hawaii with us, my husband and I chorused, “No.” We didn’t want a McCracker vacation!

Impact on my life? He made me truly grateful for all the nice, uneventful trips and disaster-free vacations my family has enjoyed. We’ll miss Tim’s articles and observations but he deserves to enjoy a long and healthy retirement. Just be careful, Tim!

Glenna Crawforth

Being of the same age, I can’t fault Tim for “retiring,” but I hope he keeps writing. “Tiger on the Road” sits squarely in the middle of my Idaho books. Tim’s columns almost always caused the first one with the paper to tell the next in line “you’ve got to read Woodward today!”

Tim has brought to life a “golden” time of growing up in the valley in the ’50s and ’60s with garage band tales, teen hang-outs and family activities. He has expressed the pre-teen freedom when we had the run of the town and knew everyone we encountered. His people stories always ring true, and his family reflections touched our hearts. Tim’s peer openness has prepared us better for facing our own life challenges.

Have a great time Tim! Oh, and the garage band was pretty darn good!

Bob Lamm, Caldwell

I think Tim should be recognized again for his book on Vardis Fisher. “Tiger on the Road” brought us Idaho’s great literary hero and after delving deep inside this book nothing in Idaho should ever be named after Hemingway again. Tim’s personal stories about his daughter’s cancer, his empty nest, and the death of his brother-in-law all are great memories for me. Thanks.

Curtis Pratt

When my daughter, Ashley, was 14, I read Tim’s column about his daughter turning 16. I was so touched that I saved the column until my daughter turned 16. I took my daughter to dinner for her 16th birthday and read the column to her with tears coming down my cheeks. She cried as well. We hugged and told each other how much we loved one another. It was one of the best moments of my life. Most excellent. Thank you Tim Woodward.

Melville W. Fisher II, Boise

Tim Woodward is retiring. A news flash I have been trying to absorb.

Because, yes, I have been enjoying his “special turn of words” to make his writing so unique for these last 40 years.

As an English and journalism teacher, I would attend his workshop presentations and used his ideas and stories to create emphasis in my own classes. And I would beg him to come to Payette to talk to and inspire my students with his stories and experience in classic feature and column writing. As I recall, he came over a couple of times. Tim was rather shy and public speaking was not his choice, but he charmed my young journalists, and was a real hit.

I have bought and read all his books, and it was a real hoot when Tim and Jim Poore shared their antics, as well.

As a life reader of the Statesman, I will miss Tim’s columns and special stories. But, yes, everyone gets to retire, and I guess we have to let him do it too. Godspeed Tim.

Anne DeBord, Payette and McCall

I met Tim about 40 years ago and he was playing music in a rock band. My boyfriend/former husband was also playing music in a rock band, and the two of them became good friends.

Tragically, in 1977, my former husband was killed in a car accident and Tim wrote a wonderful piece, “Eulogy for a Meadowlark,” about him and it was printed in the Statesman.

At the time, my former husband and I had a baby boy and he was too young to understand the circumstances of his father’s untimely death. Through the years, that eulogy has served as a valuable remembrance of his father and has helped me tell him the life story of his father. The kind and comforting words from Tim in this eulogy are a great reminder to keep and cherish the memories of all the meadowlarks, (be they musicians, friends or family who make our heart sing) who may enter our lives. I wish Tim and his family the best in his retirement.

Linda Dunn

Dear Mr. Woodward,

You have a dear place in my heart. Although I have moved away from my home of Idaho, I was raised in Boise and attended Capital High School (’81). At some point during my high school career, I called the Statesman asking to leave a message with your assistant regarding your obvious bias leaning towards Borah winning the city football title. When I called I was somewhat shocked (and frightened) that I was connected to you in person. You were a perfect gentleman speaking to a 16-year-old, and you then wrote a humorous article about the calls you had received from myself and some of my fellow classmates regarding your “bias”. I still have the newspaper clipping and look back on it fondly.

As our class approaches our 30th class reunion, I want to tell you hello and to wish you well. A friend connected an article of yours on Facebook and I saw your name and thought “OMG- he is still around.” (sorry)

Regardless, thanks for the memories and keep on.

I miss Idaho and you were a part of the everyday life I remember there. Take care.

Robin Wellhouser

You are more connected to this story than you know — my cowboy hat came from someone you wrote a column on — Manetta Shrite (sp?) from Idaho City. The hat was one of the last ones she made and was made for Pat Warner who never wore it. When she heard my personal account of meeting Manetta and regretting that I didn’t take her up on the offer to learn hat making, she gave me her hat — with your column tucked in the hat band....

From Andrea Scott, who Tim wrote about on May 29, 2011.

Tim Woodward’s wonderful stories simply kept my focus on “home” with his many tales of “just folks” living in Boise during all his childhood and the years beyond. He speaks of real life in so many hilarious and touching ways. Thanks for the memories, Tim.

M. Parks, Meridian

Tim Woodward wrote a column in the Statesman in September 2008, lamenting the fact that while there were various memorials dedicated to significant people who had made a difference in Boise, there was no monument to Gib Hochstrasser, an influential voice in jazz, and leader of the Kings of Swing, and who had died a few years earlier.

The Idaho Jazz Society Board of Directors noted the coumn by Tim, and took action and began raising funds to erect such a monument. The result is a monument dedicated to Gib Hochstrasser that is now found outside the river entrance to the Morrison Center. A formal monument dedication ceremony and concert by the Kings of Swing was held in September 2009, and was attended by Tim Woodward, as well as many of Gib’s fans throughout the Treasure Valley.

This was something the Idaho Jazz Society should have noticed and acted upon on our own, but it was a column by Tim that spurred us into action.

Thanks Tim. Your voice will be missed.

John Erisman, Idaho Jazz Society

My acquaintance with Tim Woodward has lasted almost as long as his tenure at the Statesman. My husband and I moved to Boise from Wisconsin in 1976. We discovered Tim’s column our first Sunday in town and from then on we were fans. At that time he was writing about the tours, one-day, or weekend, one could take to discover Idaho. The Sawtooth-Redfish Lake tour was one of our favorites and we camped in that area for years. Silver City became a place to take visiting relatives after we’d explored it ourselves with Tim’s column as our guide. We came to consider Idaho our home over the years with encouragement from Tim’s enthusiasm for his home state.

In the late nineties, Tim covered the citizen’s police academy class that I attended. I was impressed by the respect he showed to each class member, as well as to the officers who taught us. His columns were true and factual reports of what went on in those classes. It was a pleasure for me to meet Tim and to read about his impressions of the academy. Even after the class ended, Tim stayed involved with the CPA Alumni group. He participated in every event to which the activity coordinator invited him.

About that time, he began writing the Lunch with Tim series and he took me and my daughter to lunch and wrote a column about the youth organization with which she was involved, giving it a promotion boost that was greatly appreciated.

I’ve enjoyed reading Tim’s columns throughout the 35 years in which I’ve called Idaho home and am glad you will continue to reprint them. I truly am a fan and you can be sure I’ll bring the June 5 Special Section to the afternoon party for Tim to sign. I might even bring along the copy of his book, The Shirttail Journalist, which he signed for me in 1982! Perhaps he’ll sign it again?

Tim is one of the nice guys we all hope to meet sometime in our lives. He’s one of Boise’s, and the Statesman’s, real treasures.

Enjoy your retirement, Tim! God bless you, my friend.

Margaret Wadley

Tim,

As with most folks, you have been a part of my family’s life for the past 40 years.

Because my mom was an Iowa transplant and because some of my brothers and I attended college in Iowa, we always loved reading your “Idaho vs. Iowa” articles. Mom used to say, “Just because they both start with an ‘I’ and have an ‘o’, doesn’t mean they are the same place!” (Mom liked to keep things simple!)

Before her death in 2004, my mom had to deal with the dementia associated with Parkinson’s Disease. It was very hard on her in many ways, but especially because she was aware enough to know that her thinking was not always clear. I have to tell you, though, that she always knew who you were, always enjoyed hearing me read your columns aloud, always felt like you were someone important in her life. Thank you for the times of respite that you gave her.

Your recent column on how your family has dealt with mental illness especially touched me. Depression tends to run in my family, on both sides, and about 17 years ago I was diagnosed with it. I decided, in my own journey to better health, to talk about it openly and without shame. It is an illness, just as diabetes and cancer and heart disease. I have learned a lot in this journey, and one of the main things I’ve learned is that I am not alone in it. Your article reminded me of that. Thank you for being willing to share your story ... I imagine there are an enormous number of people who, thanks to you, are now getting the medical attention and counseling they need.

You are a part of our family, Tim, and you always will be!

Many thanks,

Barbara Horner, Boise

Dear Mr. Woodward,

I could be less formal and address you simply as Tim because I believe I might be a bit your senior.

The reason for this missive is to let you know that for some time now I have been blessed to read your articles, courtesy of a neighborhood friend dating back to the ’40’s. I am an Idaho boy but even after the mandatory course of Idaho History in order to get out of the 8th grade in 1945, I never knew the golden nugget bits about Idaho, in particular Boise and the nearby surrounding area. For that you have broadened my knowledge several fold. Thank you, and from a selfish standpoint, I am sorry to see you retire even though we all long for that day. Thank you Tim!

A bit about myself. We moved from the Upper Cow Creek area to Notus, population 119 in 1938, so I would have better schooling. I had spent the first year and a half in a one-room, multi-graded, one-teacher school. When I reached the “city” I was so far ahead of the others I sat there the whole second semester just waiting for them to catch up so we could progress together to the 3rd grade.

I went on to graduate from High School at Notus in 1949 but soon left the area to seek my fortune. I returned within a couple of months, broke and hungry, took my mother’s advise and enrolled in the Nampa Business College where I learned telegraphy, eventually going to work for the UPRR.

In 1952 came the Navy, back to the RR in Wyoming for a short stint in 1956. Having fallen in love with a girl from Nyssa, to be closer I moved to Burns, and then to Reverse, ID outside of Mt. Home. I doubt there is anything left there now as a reminder. Then the USG beckoned, I married the girl from Nyssa and we drove to WDC on our honeymoon. I spent the next twenty-nine years in USG harness, retiring in the Philippines in 1986. In 1989 I married a Filipino lady. We have a daughter almost twenty-one and, God Willing, I will become an octogenarian this next October.

Sorry to drone on like that but I sometimes get carried away; my wife says it is the coming of my second childhood. I guess it could be.

Again, thank you very much for all the interesting articles I’ve read of yours. You have brightened my life even more.

All the best in your retirement, I remain,

Sincerely,

James P. Morden

Mixed feelings about you retiring. On the one hand, I am happy for you. You have been at it a long time and I think you need some time off! But I am sure you will find plenty to do. Just ask me, a little old retired lady, who the minute I retired I had people saying things like, “By the way now that you are retired, how would you like to do’ several things?”

I have read your column all the years you have been writing it as have been a subscriber to Statesman all those years. Your writings have made me laugh, made me cry, and given me food for thought. You have an exceptional talent for knowing just how to express some very hard to express thoughts and sentiments. But I am going to miss your part of the paper something awful. Guess I will just have to be happy with the crossword puzzle!!!

I was happy that you accepted induction into the Idaho Hall of Fame. You really deserved the honor. We did a great one last Thursday night at the Steuckle Center honoring the Idaho Youth Ranch. It was marvelous, large crowd, and some wonderful testimony about how they have helped young people. Governor Andrus was our Master of Ceremonies. They said they had helped over 23,000 young people since they have been working at it. It was a very moving celebration, not a dry eye in the crowd. We also did an induction for the Boise Rescue Mission a few months ago, another very worthy organization.

You may have some ideas about people or charitable organizations we could honor in the future. If so please do not hesitate to let me know. Looking for some more board members too. Have decided to have Honorary Board Members as well. They don’t have to take an active role, but will receive our minutes and we look to them for suggestions as to things we could do. Do you think that is a good idea? Professor Emeritus Earl Bennett of Genesee has accepted. (U of I). And we already have Pro. Emeritus Wm. Vaughn of Pocatello. (ISU) Want someone from BSU and I think we have someone in mind from College of Idaho.

Hope I haven’t been too long winded. I will be waiting for the announcement of your new book. I will be in line to get one, autographed, of course!!!

Mary Hartung

Congrats on your retirement. I have enjoyed reading your articles over the years. They are always informative and entertaining.

I also want to thank you for the contribution you and the other bands made at the Fallen Soldiers Concert. We never would have been able to put it off without you. If I were able to vote on the best band for that night it would be the Mystics.

Our ages are close and I remember you, John and Gary from the old school days. Sorry about the meeting of body parts. I also had the same problem with Gary once even though we were friends.

Good luck in the future. I would love to have coffee or a beer sometime.

Dennis Wheeler

N-O-O-O-O-O!!

That was my reaction, Tim, to Sunday’s front page notice of your impending retirement! But I will look forward to your new book and the occasional reprint of your past columns.

I know I am very tardy in telling you how very much I appreciated your March 20 column about Medicaid. Your message was timely and very moving and it was truly courageous of you to share so much of your life with all your readers. You are certainly right about the many Idaho families who for one reason or another rely on Medicaid. A close member of my family has autism and thanks to help from Medicaid (and a very loving and supportive family) he has been able to benefit from therapy begun when he was only a toddler and from the public school programs for youngsters with special needs. Please accept my very sincere (if belated) thanks for your speaking out on this subject.

Jean Terra

Tim, I wanted to congratulate you on your retirement. I have been retired for 5 years now (Vic’s Countryside Fresh Eggs) and it is great. I was never the “Egg Man” my dad was. (Refer to your article “Eggman Keeps on Truckin.”) I know when I am done for the day. I am very busy with the Boise Highlanders, City of Boise Police Pipes and Drums, and a competition band the Snake River Pipes and Drums as well as teaching at the Boise Highlanders Piping School. Last Year I took training as a Master Naturalist and do volunteer work for them. This is completely different than what I have done in the past. I have a Degree from the College of Idaho in Biology and have gone back to my roots. Volunteering is a great way to become involved and I enjoy it. You will wonder how you ever had time to work. Holidays take on a new meaning without the stress of working and dead lines. I really appreciated the articles you did on my dad and the 50th anniversary of the Boise Highlanders and I WILL MISS your articles in the Statesman.

Ron Lopez

Tim. Say it isn’t so. You are the soul of the Statesman. From your old Boise friend. Charles.

Congratulations on your retirement announcement. Although I will truly miss you in the Statesman, I am happy for you to begin the next chapter in your life. I look forward to hearing updates. Take care and keep in touch!

Stacy Connelly

I’m sure you’re awash in congratulations right now, but let me add mine. You have done a fabulous job under what were often really trying circumstances. I know this is something you’ve been thinking about for a long time, and I hope you get to do things you really enjoy. Can we expect a new book in a few years?

Thanks for everything, Tim. Enjoy all the hoopla.

David Proctor

I had a feeling this was in the works, from some of your past columns, you were getting reminiscent. I am very happy that you are retiring and young enough to still enjoy it. I am sure you will be glad not to be under a deadline anymore. But I am really bummed out that I won’t get to read your columns anymore. You were the main reason I subscribe to the Statesman, well, that and the comics...

You are one of the most refreshingly normal, good guys. You are humble and sincere. I had been meaning to write to you to tell you how much your columns; about your family and Medicare, and others have touched my heart and brought me to tears.

I don’t know who could possibly take your place. Maybe Zimo.

I hope we can still be e-mail buddies. I will sure miss ya lots.

Karen Swanson

“Tell ‘em it ain’t so, Tim. Tell ‘em it ain’t so”.

Now we’ll never find out

• the most popular creek name - cow creek, dry creek or some other generic name.

• the answer to that burning 70’s question: “How many cattle guards does Idaho really need, anyway”?

• what giant meat tastes like.

• what to do if a food outlet advertises 1/2 baked chicken for some price but you’d like it fully cooked.

We’ll sure miss ya.

Don Sutter

Thanks for all of the great columns over the last 40 years — I don’t think I’ve missed very many of them! You will be missed by every Statesman reader, particularly those of us who have followed your humorous, touching and informative columns for so many years.

Best of luck to you and your family as you enjoy retirement. Hopefully you can sneak in a free lance column every once in a while!

Pam Beaumont, Garden City

Just a few thoughts from me regarding Tim’s retirement. My parents both worked at the Idaho Statesman for years. Of course all our family are “newspaper people,” as I remember my Grandpa putting it. We followed Tim and his column for years. In the early 1980’s, I moved to Sacramento, California, thinking I would not be able to enjoy Tim’s columns anymore. Low and behold my mother just didn’t keep me updated on Tim and his family through the years, she sent me all his columns. Of course, I would share some of his stories with co-workers, as they always seemed to enjoy the stories and would look forward to hearing them.

I moved back to Idaho in 2001, so continued reading Tim’s column. Mom passed away several years ago and Dad is in an assisted living center, although did know Tim was retiring when I mentioned it to him. Although I have never met Tim, I feel he is another part of “my family” that will no longer be with me.

I look forward to revisiting the favorite columns from throughout the years. I will be watching for the book to be released.

Thanks to Tim for the wonderful memories and may he have a wonderful and fulfilling retirement. He will be greatly missed by many.

Donna Lohrey

I have enjoyed reading Tim’s columns for many years. There are a good number of them that have left a lasting impression. Among them are the story of the Idaho hermit that lived in a cave and the columns about Ry, Tim’s courageous and inspirational brother-in-law, who died after a long struggle with a debilitating illness.

When Tim wrote nostalgically of his carefree, Huck Finn-style boyhood summer days in Boise, I thought of how much today’s hi-tech, young boys miss out on.

A recent column that chronicled generational mental health challenges in his family was both heartbreaking and hopeful.

Tim’s stories reminded me that there is a plethora of interesting people living in Idaho and their life stories are often fascinating and unexpected.

Congratulations on decades of fine work, Tim. You will be greatly missed by your readers.

Jan Nordstrom

Definition: Tim Woodward — a humble man with the ability to “catch the spirit” of an everyday life story — a true wordsmith!

Tim interviewed and wrote a story about my dogs and I in 2009. He is an exceptional guy with an amazing talent to make you feel relaxed and put into words better than I ever could what we do.

I love to read his stories - even the ones not about us. :>) And, he and I still communicate every now and then. I am amazed at how he remembers us. We just pick up the relationship where we left off. He’s not an acquaintance; he’s a friend.

Diane Rampelberg, Kuna

Congratulations to Tim for a job well done and a much deserved retirement. I have been reading his articles since he started at the Statesman. How could one not enjoy the stories of his children, empathize with house remodeling and projects; reminisce over the stories of bygone Boise places, people and music; pray with him when he daughter was diagnosed with cancer; and cry with him when we all lost Jim Poore? I was most proud of him when he continued to keep track of Jim’s mom after Jim’s passing. He is a true jewel in Boise’s crown.

My favorite Tim Woodward? Has to be the column titled “When you are tired of Idaho, you are tired of life.” My all-time favorite. Tim really nailed that one. I thought I knew the state well -- Tim surpassed my knowledge and helped me define why I am a proud Idahoan and always in awe of our states’ grandeur.

Best of luck to Tim on his retirement. May his home projects always go well, his family prosper and stay healthy, and his days be filled with sunshine and good music.

Debie Chivers, Boise

We have enjoyed Tim’s columns over the years and have kept a file that includes many of our favorites. It is fun to see how his picture changes over the years.

When the Woodwards lived on N. 24th Street, my mother lived several blocks north, so we often drove by to see how the latest disaster in their remodeling was coming along. We have appreciated his sharing of their family life as it mirrored our own, though always written with his special sense of humor at their disasters.

Their travels were always hilarious.

Tim’s growing up in the North End showed how much he appreciated Boise. We followed him through the birth of his son, his children’s growing up, his daughter’s severe illness, family pets, and his parents’ deaths.

Tim’s many interviews with people or stories about a particular place have always been excellent. Whenever he wrote about someone, the reader knew that he would not only be informative but show a special appreciation for the person or place he was writing about.

We are going to miss him.

Phyllis Burda, Boise

Tim influenced my life by writing an article covering a Downtown fruitcake contest sponsored by the Capital City Market which I won, on a cold Saturday morning in December 2010. My family recipe dates back many many years. Fruit cake is hugely popular in England (check out Kate & Will’s wedding cake!) and my homeland, South Africa. For weeks after the article and recipe appeared in the Life section people would stop me and ask, “Aren’t you the Cake Lady?” The article ended up being passed around family and friends in South Africa and was on Facebook.

I wish Tim many happy years of retirement, enjoying all the things he so richly deserves.

When I make the next Christmas fruit cake, a large slice will be on its way to you, Tim.

RoseMarie Frost, Boise

Back in the early 70’s, I was fortunate to be among a peer group of upstart reporters and editors who had the privilege of working with Tim.

The Statesman newsroom in those days was a nostalgic hub of ringing rotary dial telephones and clacking typewriters. As “beat” reporters we eagerly sought bylines, filed hard carbon copy stories on deadline and endured unforgiving scrutiny of tough editors; all in the pursuit of being good newspaper reporters.

Many of us left the newsroom for other careers. Yet, Tim stayed. And, as I’ve read his wonderful columns over these many years, there’s a little piece of me that remained in the newsroom with him. All news reporters share a unique kinship, it’s that ink in our blood thing.

This I know is true about Tim.

Long before email, 24/7 news cycles and Oprah, Tim was the “real deal.” He was ahead of his time. Tim cut his reporter’s teeth on city and county government activities, and made hard hitting news stories more interesting and relevant by putting a human face on the bare facts. No one did it better. As a result, he is the subject matter expert on human interest reporting, the official pundit for the little guy, and our favorite storyteller of cherished life in Idaho.

Congratulations and best wishes to you Tim, on a much deserved retirement! Your readers are going to miss you dearly. But we know we’ll enjoy your wit and wisdom in future mediums and venues.

Pat Wynn, Nampa

Statesman Religion and Family Living Editor, 1970 to 1976

I have been a reader of the Statesman for longer than I like to remember. My lifelong project, Roseberry has also been the subject of a couple of articles by Tim. I just can not even imagine The Statesman without Tim Woodward.

A Statesman without Woodward is like a day without Sunshine! (cliche as this is, I really mean it)

Frank Eld, Roseberry

We moved to Boise in the ’70s and lived in the North End, near St. Mary’s Church. Reading Tim’s columns helped me to get a feel for the history and personality of the area. He wrote about Lowell School and his experiences growing up in the neighborhood with humor and warmth. His stories were funny and educational and made me feel more welcome and familiar with Boise. Some of my favorites, because we were having similar experiences, were the ones about the adventures and challenges of raising young kids, especially the family vacations!

Thanks, Tim. We will miss your columns.

Sally Blackwell

One of my favorite “Tim stories” was several years ago, when the Olympic Torch was coming through Boise and Tim was invited to be one of the torch bearers. He asked if he could ask his “hero” — his daughter — to carry it for him. She had been battling cancer — chemo, etc. — with such determination and grace that he wanted her to carry it for him! (I don’t remember his exact words.) (It just so happens that my daughter and son-in-law both went through Paramedic School around the same time as his daughter and I heard about her struggles and determination from them also.)

By the time I got through reading his beautiful, touching article, I was in tears and made it a point to go out there on that cold night to see his precious daughter carry that torch with pride.

God Bless Tim and his family,

Kathy Old

Tim and Morley Nelson had a long and valuable connection over the many years that Morley worked to save the Snake River Canyon, bringing The Peregrine Fund to Idaho and many other stories. It’s funny as Dad would simply say “call Tim, we’ve got to get this in the paper.”

We had five wounded eagles and no place to house them. Tim came to the rescue with an article, and Cece Andrus got it on the CBS news, and the eagles all got homes. Once Morley made the cover of the Statesman twice in one week, once for a Tim article, and once for the sheer value of the news, so my friends called and asked, “how do you guys do that, what’s your trick?” We call Tim.

After we lost Morley, Tim invited my brother, Tyler, and I to take him to the Snake River canyon and reflect on our Dad’s successes and wild haunts. We took Tim to the cliff where Dad tought us to cliff climb. We showed him Dad’s favorite views, the locations for many of the films we shot, and where the eagles had always nested. It was an inspirational and inspiring article, but most all we have a fun time with Tim and all his enthusiastic questions. Dad would have loved seeing the three of us just sitting there on a rock with the expanse of desert behind and the Owyhees in the distance just talking about a man and his unwaving desire to protect birds of prey. Not only was Dad popular with Tim but Tim knew he could get some readers if the article had anything to do with Morley Nelson and his many friends like, Senator McClure, Cece Andrus, and even Larry Craig. Due to the press coverage Morley’s many conservation efforts were well known and nicely received as this association started in the ’50s and would have continued today if Dad was still at work.

Thanks Tim and the Statesman. Dad appreciated “ all you have done for us old eagles.”

I could do a lot more on this if you wanted but I’m not a journalist. Have Tim call me and we’ll fix it.

Norm and Tyler Nelson

Shortly after I moved to Boise in 2003, Tim ran a story about Sheriff John (Rovick), a television icon from 1950s-era Southern California who had recently moved to Boise. Sheriff John was surely the gentlest soul imaginable on the black-and-white screen and was the law-enforcement equivalent of Mr. Rogers. Mr. Rovick gently guided us down the path of good manners and values in between reading off the names of thousands of young L. A.-area denizens celebrating birthdays over the many years he was on a local channel. He even hosted an avant-garde cartoon (of sorts) called “Crusader Rabbit,” who, with his trusty tiger friend Rags, entertained us with occasional asides that poked fun at adult society years before Rocky and Bullwinkle became ulta-hip. Thanks, Tim, for helping many of us momentarily relive those days of innocence. Reading Tim Woodward--whose column I will certainly miss--makes me wish I had come of age in the City of Trees rather than in the L. A. suburb I once called home.

Randal C. Hill, Boise

I like the way Tim Woodward writes, laid back and easygoing. It’s one of few articles that I really look forward to in The Idaho Statesman. Most news these days is bad news. His articles are generally good news, entertaining anyway. I am really sorry to see him leave the paper and can’t help but wonder if there will be anything worth reading when he leaves.

John J. Cline

Tim has been one of the main reasons I have been a long-time subscriber to the Statesman. I’ve always enjoyed reading his stories and columns; in fact, if I see his byline I will take the time to read whatever he has written whether the topic interests me or not. Tim has a way of making any subject intriguing and finding the funny side in everyday experiences. From marriage, to children, to parents, to in-laws, to old Boise, to travel, and even to remodeling, Tim has generously shared his personal experiences with humor and humility.

I’ve been most touched by his stories about his children, particularly the most recent one about his son’s brave struggle with mental illness. Tim handles sensitive and controversial subjects with grace and aplomb.

I had the fun and good fortune to be interviewed by Tim in 2008. I was expecting to be contacted by someone from the Business section because the subject was my international consulting company. Tim explained that the fact I had created the business after being laid off from a 25-year state career was a human interest angle that would inspire other people during these difficult economic times. He titled the story “Around the world in a second career.” Tim enabled me to appreciate the personal achievement behind my business story, something I had not yet recognized. This is an example of how Tim inspires even his subjects through his words.

I’m sad that Tim’s retirement date has finally arrived but happy that he will have more well-deserved freedom. I’m aware that Tim has won many awards and earned several honors, yet he chose to stay in Boise. To me, he is the epitome of “a hometown boy makes good.”

Virginia Stacey, Boise

I read a story that was written by Tim Woodward and placed the article at the entry door to my Blue Room in Caldwell, Idaho, where it has been for 27 years. The title is” So you think its easy to be an umpire.” Try it sometime. The story was a first-hand experience written by a little league umpire who happened to accept an invitation to volunteer to umpire a little league game. The Man in Blue happened to be the most wonderful person everybody should have the pleasure of meeting. Tim Woodward.

At that time I was struggling with keeping up a commitment that I had made to my community and I too had volunteered to be a Little League umpire. I was thinking of quitting and using the one-size-fits-all excuse that umpiring was just not for me. Well I had never quit at anything and I continued to read the story every afternoon after work before I rushed home to put on my umpire uniform and head to the field and on my way while driving in traffic I mentally and spiritually prepared myself for what I had coming.

Well the years went by and I continued to umpire, attending national umpire schools every winter and finally had the opportunity to be selected to the National Umpire Crew. Before every game I read the story that Tim Woodward had written a long time ago. I umpired the game for 35 years and enjoyed being around umpires and watching our children grow up, get married and have their own children and some of them also became umpires. I think it may have had something to do with the story that Tim Woodward wrote. Congratulations Tim and we wish you a happy retirement.

Raul Morin and Family

For many years now, my Aunt Dorothy Green, from Boise, has been clipping your columns and sending them to me in Port Townsend, WA. I was raised in Boise, am a ’48 BHS grad, a BJC grad and a ’52 ISU grad. After that I was home economist for Idaho Power so I remember a lot of people and places.

The special thing about this story is that my Aunt Dorothy will be 100 years old in September and she has lived in her apartment at 3003 Overlook, #20, for about 35 years. She nearly always includes a note with your columns.

Thanks for the enjoyment you have brought me. I’ll miss your columns when you retire but I hope you have many joyful years of retirement.

Sally Robbins

Boise has been blessed to enjoy the talents of Tim Woodward over several decades. I could relate to his travel misadventures. I understood his arduous efforts at home improvement. I felt encouraged by the optimism of a writer who endured through a myriad of trials and managed to make his readers smile as he told about them.

However, the columns that touched me the most were those in which he revealed the family situations and relationships which touched his life. Tributes to his father and father-in-law were written from deep places in his heart. We celebrated with him at the birth of his son, and sympathized as that same child struggled to overcome life challenges which all parents hope to see far, far from their own children.

His friendship with Jim Poore and their collaboration as writers was a rich one. How tragic that the friendship and collaboration ended with Jim’s death.

I loved the column in which he shared the journey of his daughter and the melancholy truth revealed in her quest — “Some happy endings take longer than others.”

I recall that Tim had an opportunity to work in New York, but ultimately discovered that Time magazine held less allure and satisfaction than his hometown of Boise. I’m so glad he returned. His writing is the caliber of Calvin Trillin, Erma Bombeck, and other contemporaries who have simultaneously made us smile and tugged at our hearts.

He is Boise’s own treasure because of his skill as a wordsmith — and because he shared deeply of himself as he crafted his columns.

Elizabeth Boone, Boise

You might elect to omit this, but Tim’s column inspired my late husband’s wicked sense of humor.

Several years ago Tim was soliciting reader input on the most noticeable Boise feature. While waiting at the stoplight at 8th and Front, I asked my husband if he thought tourists would nominate the Foster’s Warehouse sign. Without a moment’s hesitation he replied, “if they change the “a” to “o”.

Diane Knipe

It hardly seems possible that you and I became acquainted almost 40 years ago, sitting side by side in the Boise City Council meeting room.

You made me a better reporter — by competing so well you made me work harder trying to beat you. And I honestly can’t remember which of us got the most “scoops” (such as they were).

Thank you for having such loyal readers. When I left Boise valley for new York I had no idea your column would follow me the past 30 years. Whenever you mentioned me I’d get 10-15 copies from friends and relations through three states and back to Boise.

Thanks again for so many good memories.

Pauli Crooke

My sincere congratulations and best wishes for your upcoming retirment. I certainly hope that it will be as enjoyable and productive as my time off has been for the last few years.

My daughter, Christina, also sends her best thoughts to you. She grew up reading your column, and, in part, learned to read while doing so. From Boise to Wellesley College to interesting employment in Boston — Thank you for our part in that.

Gary Bettis

Tim really did change my life.

I would be remiss if I did not respond to the Statesman invitation to comment on the influence of Tim Woodward on their lives.

Tim is responsible for changing my life dramatically and he is (I am sure) blissfully unaware of this — until, now. It is time he knew, and past time to say thanks.

Back in January 1987, I was experimenting with making a living with a hobby I had for many years — handwriting analysis. It was kind of tough getting customers so I had the bright idea of contacting Tim Woodward about writing an article about me. Here’s what I thought would be an interesting article. Tim would gather a number of samples of unsigned handwriting from the Statesman staff and give them to me to analyze. I would have no idea of who each sample belonged to so it would be an interesting test of my accuracy in analysis.

As I thought about doing this I grew kind of nervous, especially as I reflected on some of Tim’s past articles. If Tim thinks someone is fraudulent or trying to put something over on you then he’ll go for the jugular. I weighed the possibility that I may not be accurate enough for him and he may declare me a shyster and I’d have to hide under a rock for years to come.

I decided to take the chance and gave him a call and ran the idea past him. He responded by telling me that they had done something on handwriting recently and it was too soon to do anything now.

That seemed to be the end of that. I was almost relieved that I wasn’t putting my head on a possible chopping block.

Then mysteriously, a couple days later Tim called me back and said he was interested in doing the article after all and for me to come to the Statesman office and pick up some handwriting samples. He gave me a couple days to go over them and then I’d give him the analysis.

After I picked up the samples and took a look I saw that the Statesman staff was composed of a wide range of personalities and talent — an interesting group to analyze.

A couple days later Tim woke me up with a phone call at about 7:30 in the morning wanting me to give him the analysis over the phone. This was a possible problem because I am a night person who retires in the wee hours of the morning and I rarely arise before 9 a.m. If awakened before 8 a.m. I am not even sure where I am.

Anyway, I figured I needed to go for it rather than ask for more time and I analyzed the handwritings one by one.

After I was finished I was still half asleep and could barely remember what I said. This may have been the worst analysis I have ever given, I thought. I could just see Tim’s headline now: “Crazy Incoherent Man Thinks He Can Analyze Handwriting.”

I was very nervous in waiting for the article to come out, but then on Jan 25, 1987, there it was. Tim liked my analysis, thought it was surprisingly accurate and the article was very positive.

Then at the end of the article he wrote an unexpected sentence that changed my life. He mentioned that I told him I was going to give a seminar at the Holiday Inn that weekend and expected it to be interesting.

Now I’ve done a lot of things in my life that required advertising but I’ve never had an ad as powerful as this good word from Tim. Even though there was no contact information or specific details, the phone started ringing off the hook right after I finished reading the article. For the next couple days all I did was answer calls from people wanting details about the seminar. It wasn’t long before all the available space was full and we had to schedule a second seminar to accommodate everyone. Within a day that filled up also.

So how did all this change my life?

Simple answer… One of the people who read Tim’s article and called me was my future wife. We have been happily married now for 23 years.

Tim has been unaware the many times I thought about him as I have enjoyed my relationship with her over the years. If Tim had not changed his mind and given me that call, if he had not written a positive article, if he had not mentioned the seminar… if just one small thing had been different I may have never met her. She’s also been a central character in three books I have written and published. Even these would not exist as is without Tim.

Thanks Tim for the ironic twist of fate. You’ll always have a soft spot in both of our hearts.

Joseph J. Dewey, Boise

It’s April 1, 2011. I open the Statesman to do the JUMBLE puzzle and it’s announced this is the last day for the jumble. I say “They can’t do this...they can’t stop!!” I didn’t attempt to solve the answer...just tried to console myself. Next day, saw a miracle. The jumble was still there and so was the answer, “April Fool.” They got me good.

Several weeks later, the Statesman announced “Tim Woodward Retiring.” I say “They can’t do this! Tim Woodward just can’t retire!” Evidently, I’ve enjoyed his column for these 40 years.

Articles included traveling with young children on family vacations. The “everything that can’t go wrong” did! The McCrackers, mumps, car mishaps, diarrhea, bumps, bruises, broken limbs, etc. Also told of playing in a band.

There were stories of buildings being replaced by modernization like the mom and pop grocery stores, old school buildings, landmarks and the natatorium. And don’t forget the Mirimar Ballroom. This country girl got to spend one summer dancing the Saturday evenings away at the Mirimar.

Years ago I met Tim at a book signing, purchased a book for my son. Would be nice to have all. Feel like I know Tim, as if he could be one of “my kids.” After all, I’m 85.

Would write more but we're limited to 250 words. Good luck and much happiness, Tim, to you and your family.

They are carrying me away kicking and screaming “TIM CAN’T RETIRE! He can’t r-e-tire!” and it isn’t April Fool!

Florence Chadez Paxton, Homedale

We will miss Tim’s contribution to the Idaho Statesman so much, for years we have looked forward to reading his columns and learned so much about Idaho characters and culture. Twice Mr. Woodward has honored me in your newspaper, once for my 80th birthday party, where he noted that the population of Bruneau, Idaho, doubled for the celebration, and the other story featured my lifelong passion for history and my Hall Ranch Museum. What impressed me most about Tim was his ability to capture the true essence of a subject’s personality, humor and character.

I wish Tim all good things in his retirement and I am proud to call him my friend. I am a better man for having known Tim Woodward.

Tom Hall, Bruneau

One of the attributes of a great place to live is a strong sense of local identity, a sense of place.

Gertrude Stein once famously and critically said of her own hometown, “There is no there there.”

Well, there is a “there” in Boise. This city has a strong local identity, a sense of itself as a place that has its own character, its own lore, its own traditions, its own habits and modes of living.

For the past four decades, in an age of mass communication and massive population movements that have so homogenized much of America, Tim Woodward’s storytelling has contributed immeasurably to the preservation of the “there” in Boise.

Through his profiles of our people, our places, and our history, he has fostered that sense of place. He has helped old-time Boiseans hold on to the memories of the much smaller, personal city they knew in the past. And he has invited new residents — the tens of thousands who have come here in the last 40 years — to see the city not merely as a place to commute and work, but as a place with an identity that they can know, appreciate, and incorporate into their own senses of who they are; in other words, to become Boiseans too.

Tim Woodward’s writing has enriched Boise’s cultural landscape. Tim Woodward is one of those who makes Boise Boise.

Alan Virta, Head of Special Collections, Boise State University Library