Thursday, January 27
Ruth Barker
Ruth Barker, 84, passed away on Jan. 11, 2005 at St. Joseph's Medical Center in Stockton, Calif. She was a resident of Flathead County for 27 years. Ruth was born Dece. 17, 1920 in Springfield, Mass. She was raised and educated in Providence, Rhode Island. She married Jensen Clark Barker on Aug. 26, 1944 in Kings Chapel in Boston, Mass. They were happily married for 60 years and four months. In 1978 Jensen retired and he and Ruth moved to Bigfork where they lived for five years and then moved to Forest Hill Village in Kalispell. She was a librarian in Gonzales, Calif. and Twin Falls, Idaho and volunteered at the Bigfork Library. She loved to fish, bowl, camp and sew.
Talk of the town
Whoa citizens of Whitefish-let ME explain.
Underestimating Jim Cole
Few people would say I actually owe Jim Cole an apology, but in my heart I know I do. Have never said anything bad about him. Was never discourteous or mean to him. What I did do was seriously underestimate Jim's energy, his dedication, and his talent.
Kats have a rough week with starters out, lose to Vals by 20
Hungry Horse News
Family's belongings reduced to cinders in fire
SHANNON VELEZ
Where the wild horses are
It was a great day that required us to be in Missoula recently. The sun was out but snow the night before had dusted the mountains surrounding the Flathead Valley. As we cruised toward Elmo the spectacle of Wild Horse Island rose before us. It's a beautiful sight, this 2,700-acre island that rises 700 feet above the lake and has an elevation of 3,172 feet. It is the largest island on the lake. It's impressive enough in the summer but the winter snow coating makes it even more intriguing.
Fond farewell
This is what I'd have to call "a red letter day" for me. This week's column marks the exact end of twenty years of writing it. January 1985 to January 2005. Twenty years of 52 weeks amounts to 1040 columns. How is the world did I come up with 1040 topics?
To build a fire
I went over to the Klondike Saturday. The Klondike is a big gathering of local Boy Scouts. They all get together for a weekend of winter camping and training in survival skills. I even met a couple of boys who were learning how to hang and then, later, fold an American flag.
Student of the Week
Jessica Flansaas, a freshman at Columbia Falls High School, is the student of the week for the week of Jan. 24. She was nominated because of her honesty and integrity when confronted with choices. The faculty and staff make nominations for student of the week. Jessica is the daughter of Katrina and Brian Lane, of Coram, and receives a personal pan pizza compliments of Pizza Hut.
Jack Hood
Jack Hood passed away unexpectedly on Jan. 18, 2005, from a heart attack in Midvale, Utah.
Edward Clarence Fuller
Edward Clarence Fuller, age 84, passed away Monday, Jan. 17, at the Health Center Northwest, in Kalispell. He was born on April 7, 1920 in Winifred, Mont. to Frank and Helen (McLaughlin) Fuller.
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.
MatCats need to shore up upper, lower weights, beat Ronan
Hungry Horse News
Speech and debate kids offer hope for the future
I just wanted to tip my hat (which I always wear) to the students, teachers, coaches, fellow judges, and parents that participated in the Speech and Debate Invitational at the high school this past Saturday. My neighbor asked me to volunteer as a judge and I really did not know what to expect. I found all the speakers to be excellent and it was very difficult for me to have to rank them from one to eight in each group.
Unhappy with hospital charges
I wish to express my horror at the cost of emergency health care. Recently whilst shopping in Kalispell, my 21 month-old son fell and sustained a cut above his eye. Not being of medical background I had no idea of the severity of the wound and rushed him to the nearest Emergency which was KRMC. The staff were courteous and did an excellent job of putting in seven stiches.
Folks searching for couple who saved truck driver's life
Hungry Horse News
Man pleads down in brutal Canyon assault
Hungry Horse News
A 'hard day's night' in Helena
Since I can remember, I've always had a negative view of politics and politicians. In fact, my entire concept of politics has resembled the Beatles' song "Piggies" more than anything else.
Canadians eyeing another coal mine prospect in Flathead
Hungry Horse News
Cats get Braves again, fall just short to Hellgate
Considering their competition, the Columbia Falls basketball team had another solid week, beating AA Flathead for the second time this year, 63-52, Thursday, and losing by a slim margin to Missoula Hellgate, 60-57, Friday.
Robert H. Shennum
Robert H. Shennum, age 82, died on Monday Jan. 17, 2005 in Bigfork. He was born near Scobey, Mont. on a farm on April 12, 1922 to Joseph M. and Nellie Mae (Robinson) Shennum.
Education bill could cause vast tax increase
It is now 12:26 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 21. Since before 6 p.m. we Republican senators have been debating Senate Bill 152 with the Democrats on the floor of the Senate. This is Senator Ryan's bill to
Misjudging Jim Cole
Few people would say I actually owe Jim Cole an apology, but in my heart I know I do. Have never said anything bad about him. Was never discourteous or mean to him. What I did do was seriously underestimate Jim's energy, his dedication, and his talent.
Carl "Bud" Karnes
Carl E. "Bud" Karnes, 79, of Columbia Falls, died at the Montana Veterans Home on Jan. 17, 2005.
Good Samaritan
To the editor,
Thursday, January 20
L-J-MLK Day
Martin Luther King Jr. Day passed me by without a parade or any sort of hoopla. I was among the 94 percent of Americans who planned nothing special Monday, according to a CNN.com poll I participated in. Granted, it was an unscientific poll. I went to work like most people and that was that.
Are you interested in filling out the survey that the Bigfork Steering Committee hopes to release soon?
a) Yes, I think it will provide valuable information for the future of the village.
The Value of Whitefish's railway industry
The joy on the faces of the 800 children and parents who rode a real train to the North Pole to pick up Santa is reason enough for the Chamber to plan this event, although the main thrust behind launching the Whitefish Polar Express was to educate the community about the importance of rail travel and industry.
Dog in the sky
What if you got hit on the head by a dog from the clouds? After the unbelievable thing that happened near Bozeman, we know such a thing could happen.
Whitefish schools get progress reports
SHANNON VELEZ
The Dog In the Sky
What if you got hit on the head by a dog from the clouds? After the unbelievable thing that happened near Bozeman, we know such a thing could happen.
Letters to the editor Skate Club thank you
On behalf of the Whitefish Figure Skating Club, its members and Board of Directors, we would like to thank the community for its generous support of, and attendance at, our holiday ice show last month. The turn out was excellent and the skater's performances were top notch. Most importantly, the skaters and the audience were able to pay tribute to Logan Taylor, a great young man who was a fine representative for the quality of young people growing up and living in Whitefish. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.
Little to big
In a small town, located on the western side of a big state, northwards in a vast country, lives a little-not so little really, about a medium size-elderly person.
Happy 100th You Young Ol' Gal
Dear Whitefish,
Wednesday, January 19
Cats get back on a roll, face Braves in rematch
One was convincing. One was a squeaker. Both were W's. That's how the week went for the Columbia Falls boys basketball team.
30 years wild
It's time to celebrate one of the splendors in our backyard. This month marks the 30th anniversary of the protection of the Mission Mountains Wilderness Area.
Act takes the wrong tack
Last week we reported the Columbia Falls Junior High School failed to meet federal standards for progress under the No Child Left Behind Act. Because one segment of the school's population -a segment that is considered "poor" by the feds-didn't make the standards, the whole school is considered a failure.
Girls hoops splits the bill, Stoltz injured
Hungry Horse News
Robert Hilt
Robert Patrick Hilt, 58, of Fairfield died Jan.11 at his home in Fairfield from complications of diabetes.
Kavanagh's leg can't be saved after avalanche
Hungry Horse News
Parent angry over bus driver chatting on cell
Hungry Horse News
Tarr takes third at Rocky, MatCats beginning to heal injuries
Hungry Horse News
Dinner auction
Big Brothers Big Sisters select dinner and auction tickets are on sale now. Buy a ticket before Feb. 2 and be entered into a special drawing for Mark Ogle's framed Glacier Grotto. The event is scheduled for March 5 at the WestCoast Kalispell Center. For tickets or more information, call 752-0092.
Thursday, January 13
Jack Sheldon Dalton
Jack Sheldon Dalton, 71, of Charlo, passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 22 at home. His big heart finally gave way.
An argument for freedom
After being absolutely incorrigible for my holiday celebrations, I vowed to celebrate the next holiday, which happens to be Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Hallmark doesn't have a section for this particular holiday, but for that matter it doesn't cover President's Day all that well either.
Letters to the editor
Former prime minister's mea culpa
Kermit Clark Pearson
Kermit Clark Pearson, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine passed away from cancer at 79 years, Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2005 at the family home in Somers. He was born on June 23, 1925, in Spokane, Wash. to Elza and Pearl (Kreiling) Pearson, the only boy in a family of five.
Rally for Relay
This year, the American Cancer Society will host more than 4,200 Relays For Life nationwide. That impressive total may be increased by one if enough interest is generated to hold an event in Bigfork.
Bigfork Eagle editorial
Above average
Holy sitcoms, Batman!
A lot of bad things happen in history. I decided to write about something good instead. So what happened on Jan. 12, 1966?
Smudging Made Easy
'First wife Iris' has never been attacked by a tiger, and we have to consider that good luck may have come about because when our first son Shannon was a small boy, he made her a bracelet which he said was meant to keep tigers away.
Editorial View
A long negotiated document, the city-county interlocal agreement, got a second chance thanks to county commissioner's Monday decision. Although the major sticking point, representation for the county residents within city planning jurisdiction, remains, commissioners Gary Hall and Joe Brenneman proved they were willing to listen to the people in a formal process by initiating the public hearing.
Wednesday, January 12
Park finalizes concession plan
Hungry Horse News
Republicans choose House Speaker
The opening week of the 59th Legislative Session was a first on many fronts. Each party met in caucus meetings Sunday night before session and discussed the upcoming week. Republicans had chosen Roy Brown as Speaker of the House during November meetings, when we thought the control would be in the hands of Republicans with Constitutionalist Rick Jore getting the nod in Lake County. Democrats chose Dave Wanzenried from Missoula as the Minority Leader, a post he held last session.
Boys learn a little something in Logger loss, pound Bulldogs
The Columbia Falls boys basketball team had a down and then way, way up week.
Kats rumble into conference play
Hungry Horse News
Battling injuries, boys have a tough week on the mats
Hungry Horse News
Brown bill would protect outfitters, guides
Hungry Horse News
Card parties
Canyon Quick Response Unit will be starting their pinochle card parties on Friday, Jan. 7, at 7 p.m. at the QRU building in Martin City. The parties will continue every Friday and Saturday evening until March
Electroshock therapy
The damn dog keeps jumping over the fence in the backyard. At least that's what I figured. The day after Christmas, having worked most of the holiday cheer out of my system, I decided to fortify the place with an electric fence.
Sherry Kline
On Jan. 7, 2005, God gazed down from Heaven in search of a helper with a good heart and called upon Sherry Kline.
Thursday, January 6
Editorial viewpoint
One city's gain is the city's loss characterizes Whitefish City Council's recent decision to withdraw from the Tri-City planning office. Council absolutely acted in the best interest of Whitefish - three proposed full-time planners will give Whitefish the resources necessary to properly prepare for growth. Yet the Tri-City planning office, and the three-city collective awareness that it brought to the valley, was a unique example of collaborative effort that is not present in many counties in the United States.
Volleyball fans salute the Lady Dogs
For many, the most sensational event of the year 2004 was a little ol' varsity volleyball team from our own Flathead Valley that won Divisionals in Libby and went on to take State in Montana.
2004 Volleyball season in review
NATE GREEN
Letters to the editor
"Christmas at the Beach" a great success
The Whitefish Bulldogs look to get their first win of the '04-'05 season after getting blanked in 2004, as they face undefeated Columbia Falls tomorrow night on Logger turf.
A new year of hopes as Bulldogs face Loggers Friday
Allow me to introduce myself
Allow me to introduce myself, I am not Lindsey Nelson. Amazing, I know!
Stetson helmets and love in the wilderness
Woke up in the middle of the night last week and realized I had made a mistake in telling you good folks the Cox Christmas was the first involving white men in Montana. It upset me so much I had trouble getting back to sleep. When I'm shooting the bull, the truth may suffer, but in relating a bit of history I prefer accuracy. Let it be hereby noted that David Thompson did spend Christmas at Thompson Falls a few years before the Cox adventure. I even have one of the rare copies of Thompson's journals so there is no excuse for the mistake except that I may be approaching "the changes of life." O.K.?
Quality Education
Recently, the Montana Supreme Court ruled that the state legislature has not satisfied the state constitution by providing a quality education to all public school students.
Wednesday, January 5
Something to ponder, something to protect
For centuries the privacy of the individual has been paramount in the protection of liberty; and nothing can bring the American political left and right together quicker than government assaults on that privacy. For this I am thankful, because I don't have to decide whether I'm a liberal or conservative on the issue. Neither do you.
Toast and marmalade
My Christmas gift from Santa Claus is a brand new set of beautiful white teeth. It's what I wanted and needed.
Year ends on a dry note
But there's enough snow for weekend events; Blacktail opens
Prospectors meet
The Northwest Montana Gold Prospectors meet Jan. 8 at 2 p.m. in the North Valley Community Center in Columbia Falls.
Pirates down Columbia Falls MatCats
Hungry Horse News
Stetson helmets and love in the wilderness
Woke up in the middle of the night last week and realized I had made a mistake in telling you good folks the Cox Christmas was the first involving white men in Montana. It upset me so much I had trouble getting back to sleep. When I'm shooting the bull, the truth may suffer, but in relating a bit of history I prefer accuracy. Let it be hereby noted that David Thompson did spend Christmas at Thompson Falls a few years before the Cox adventure. I even have one of the rare copies of Thompson's journals so there is no excuse for the mistake except that I may be approaching "the changes of life." O.K.?
Luke Johnston
Luke Shannon Johnston, 32, of Columbia Falls, died in a motor vehicle accident Dec. 24, 2004.
Destructive personalities
To the editor,
Spare change offers hope
Bigfork schools and FOBS are organizing-together with the three Banks in Bigfork, Flathead Bank of Bigfork, Glacier Bank and Rocky Mountain Bank-a fund-raising project to aid tsunami victims.
Hoops heat back up
Columbia Falls basketball meets its "real" season this week. Which is to say, the start of conference play.
Cost zooms for Fourth Ave. project
Hungry Horse News
Hill takes bull riding success in stride
Hungry Horse News
What I've learned
Esquire magazine does this feature every month called "What I've learned." It's sort of like an interview, but the interviewee expounds on, well, you guessed it, what they've learned.
Family could use help finishing home for cancer survivor
Hungry Horse News
Getting crushed
Are you ready for uncontrolled gravel pit operations including smelly asphalt plants, round the clock crushers and cement batch plant operations in Big Fork; How about downtown Lakeside or Big Mountain area? Recently an opinion was handed down by Forest Sanderson of the Flathead County Planning Board stating that commercial gravel pits can operate with No planning or zoning restrictions such as hours of operation, dust, noise, or odor control unless it is located in an area designated as" Residential" (few places in the county are designated as Residential). In addition Gravel mining operations suddenly and mysteriously do Not have to comply with original reclamation plans if they are sold to a different Corporation. This reverses at least 11 years of county policy and is contrary to planning policy in other high growth counties in Montana. Mr. Sanderson's opinion comes at a convenient time when State and County Bureaucrats (including the County Commissioners) have to choose between the job of protecting the health and well being of the citizens or catering to Big Corporate Interest.
