By Cloann McNall
The Phantom is unmasked! His identity is revealed. This week I married the Phantom after a 22 month courtship.
The Phantom is Charlie Pottenger, and he has resided in Lewiston for the past 15 years. A former Potlatch Corporation executive Charlie came into my life Dec. 7, 2006 at a property tax meeting at the Mexican restaurant.
Charlie was invited to the meeting by his friend, the late Chuck Cline. Also present was LeeAnn Callear who had talked earlier to me about Charlie and invited me to join them. Of the four persons present Charlie was the only one who did not know the meeting was a set-up.
When I sat down beside Charlie he and Cline were engaged in a conversation about Idaho property taxes. I was introduced to Charlie and didn’t have much to say. I just listened.
When LeeAnn had called earlier she said “There is someone I would like you to meet, Cloann.”
Then she asked “What do you like in a man?” I hadn’t had a date for 12 years and didn’t care. I was busy and happy with my family and business and was not looking for romance. My life was good.
So while I sat at my desk and doodled on the desk calendar I rambled off without much thought, “Someone who is physically fit, well groomed, intelligent and sophisticated.” I knew I was aiming for the moon when I described my dream man.
LeeAnn said “Well, I don’t know much about Charlie and whether or not he fits those qualifications. But come on over to the restaurant and judge for yourself.”
When the day of the meeting arrived I told my daughter Marcie Stanton “I don’t know as I want to go over there” (meaning the Mexican restaurant.) She said “Go ahead, what do you have to lose?”
We were at the restaurant for an hour when Cline said “I got to get back to work.” We all stood up and while at the cash register, with me wearing sunglasses as always, I had ample opportunity to get a good look at Charlie.
Then I realized “Oh my gosh, Charlie is exactly everything, and even more, that I had described earlier to LeeAnn.
Two weeks later I was invited back to another property tax meeting at the Mexican restaurant. LeeAnn called and said “This one is Charlie’s idea and he wants us to invite you, but you’re not suppose to know it.”
This time I was eager to go and after 45 minutes or so I realized Cline was gone and then LeeAnn left. There sat Charlie and Cloann staring across the table at each other without much to say.
He walked me to the Clearwater Tribune and I invited him in to meet Marcie and other Tribune personnel. He told us he had been in the office several times when he was working with the American Legion baseball. His son Andy Pottenger was one of the players. Charlie and I agreed we had never seen each other in the Tribune.
Charlie went to his truck and returned with a can of his homemade peanut brittle which he makes each Christmas for his family and friends.
While he was gone from the office Vicki McLeod and Andrea Dell along with Marcie agreed “He’s a keeper.” The peanut brittle didn’t last long after he left and we all agreed it was ‘the best ever.’ As is he.
While in the office Charlie asked if I wanted to attend the Josh Turner concert in Boise with him. Marcie, who was sitting at the front desk, said “Sure she will. We will take her to Boise and spend the weekend there with her.”
After that Charlie and I started seeing each other on a regular basis and for the past 21 months on the 7th of each month, he has sent a dozen roses to me at the Tribune.
I tell him now “You were like a lamb being led to the slaughter at that first meeting of ours on Pearl Harbor Day, Dec. 7, 2006.”
I managed to lead him to the altar Friday, Sept. 26 where Jeremy Gering performed the wedding ceremony and pronounced us man and wife. Seems nowdays we talk about everything…except property taxes.