The politically incorrect word of the day is ‘Biden,’ as in “Quit biden my ear and keep your grubby paws to yourself.”

Never pass up the opportunity to pet a friendly dog.

Because of the family’s desire to have very little made of her passing, I’m keeping my tribute to Dawn Bellatti Melton as short as possible…

Dawn was born June 30, 1964 in Crescent City, California to Joanne and Stanley Bellatti. She passed away in Medford, Oregon, on April 28, 2019 at the age of 54.

She graduated from Del Norte High School in 1982 and had recently retired from Pelican State Prison having achieved the rank of Captain. Dawn is survived by her parents; her daughter, Tayler Melton; and twin sister, Carrie Bellatti.

Her quick smile and bright personality shall be missed by many, including me.

My dog, Roxy has a liver tumor.
Whether benign or malignant,
it is terminal.
So sad, so drunk.
My heart breaks…

“Steve’s been taken to the hospital again. Please pray,” the Facebook posting stated two-days before he lost his battle for life. Such news is hard to absorb because for the majority of Del Norte County, California residents, current and past, Steve, his brother Rob and the Wakefield name have been a major factor in our lives.

Steve passed away April 26, 2019, at the age of 64. He was born in Crescent City on July 1, 1954, to Bob and Sybil Wakefield and was a lifelong resident of Crescent City.

Steve suffered a stroke January 24, 2018 that resulted in his being transfer to Pacific Medical Care’s Stroke Care Center in San Francisco, before a second, more severe stroke hit him on February 11. Seven days later, Steve announced his retirement.

He returned home on March 9 to hundreds of well-wishers as he landed at Border Coast Regional Airport. The pilot of the air ambulance made a pass over the welcome area, lined with fire, city police, sheriff’s office and CHP patrol vehicles, and all with their emergency lights flashing.

The Crescent City Council proclaimed December 3, 2018, as ‘Fire Chief Steve Wakefield Day,’ noting that he became chief 23 years ago and calling him a driving force in combining Crescent City Fire and Rescue and Crescent City Fire Protection District, “to centralize strength while maintaining exceptional service.” And in May, the Crescent City Chamber of Commerce announced that Steve would be the grand marshal of 2018’s Fourth of July parade, which he was.

Steve attended St. Joseph’s Catholic School, graduated from Del Norte High School in 1972, and went on to Humboldt State University. Following college, Steve and his brother Rob owned and operated Wakefield Brothers Garbage Company for a several years.

In 1976, he joined the Crescent City Volunteer Fire Department, where he served as a firefighter, captain, battalion chief, assistant chief, and finally, fire chief. Two years later, on August 19, 1978, Steve married Debra Day and together during their 40-plus-years of marriage, they raised three sons.

Steve is survived by his wife, Debra; mother, Sybil; sons, Ryan, Marc and Matthew Wakefield; sisters, Sarah Valley and Martha Wakefield; and brothers, Doug and Rob Wakefield.

God knew I would be too powerful if I could do math.

Lord, please don’t let President Trump say that coffee is good. The Democrats will ban it and I’ll die.

Leslie ‘Les’ Miller was born on September 3, 1962, in Crescent City, California. Raised in Crescent City all of his life, Les also passed away in Crescent City on April 9, 2019, at the age of 56.

I’m still reeling from the shock.

While I didn’t know Les very well back in the day, I do remember him as ‘that kid with the goofy smile, who is always cracking jokes,’ when we were in high school. He graduated from Del Norte High in 1980, a couple of years after me.

Later, he worked at Glenn’s Bakery as a baker and short-order cook. I also learned that Les had a hand in building several structures over the years including Pelican Bay State Prison.

But what Les was best known for were his magnificent wood cravings. To be clear, these weren’t ordinary carvings using chisels and such – no, Les used a chainsaw – from start to finish and he became pretty well-known across the U.S. for his craftsmanship.

We reconnected a few years ago through Facebook, sharing many of the same political views and recollections of Del Norte County as it was when were both kids. Les’ passing has left a hole in the hearts of many people, including mine.

My wife asked, “Why are you whispering?”
“The federal government might be listening,” I answered.
She laughed, I laughed, Alexa laughed.

As we starve for wisdom, we drown in information.