Stories for October 2005

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Thursday, October 27

October 27, 2005 11 p.m.

Zucchini disguise and skivvy races

For reasons I no longer remember, I volunteered to get dinner for myself, first-wife Iris and our two sons last Thursday. As the afternoon hours seemed to be rapidly passing by, certain amount of panic set in, and I decided to not roll out a batch of my famous homemade noodles.

October 27, 2005 11 p.m.

Lady Bulldogs show persistence

I urge everyone who supports Whitefish High sports to come out and support the girls soccer team when they host the state championship final game this Saturday at noon on Smith Field.

October 27, 2005 11 p.m.

I just read the Pilot's report on a lawsuit concerning American Bank and left turns at Baker/Second.

How stupid can those involved be? First, there was this shiny new yogurt joint, then that was hauled off and a fancy new bank built, awfully close to the corner, I thought. But I'm just a humble citizen and I know our brilliant planning board and council must know something I didn't. Someone had to approve this, and did.

October 27, 2005 11 p.m.

Insurance. Adj. Sports

"Of, relating to, or being a score that increases a team's lead enough to prevent the opposing team from tying the game with one more scores." -Websters

October 27, 2005 11 p.m.

Susan Ingrum

Susan E. "Susie" Ingrum, 82, passed away Oct. 16, 2005, at Colonial Manor in Whitefish.

October 27, 2005 11 p.m.

I first met Al Rierson - a former Flathead County Sheriff and Montana Highway Patrolman who recently passed away - in the late 1960s when he was an MHP supervisor within this patrol district.

The community of policemen was relatively small, and all had a radio call and car number that became interchangeable with their name. It was easy to listen to the radio traffic and know instantly who was working and where. Sometimes the "dead air" would extend for several minutes when nothing was happening anywhere in the county.

October 27, 2005 11 p.m.

Dali Llama

Dali Llama passed away Sunday night as a result of wounds received from an attack by dogs the previous week.

October 27, 2005 11 p.m.

'Big government at its worst'

Richard Hanners' Oct. 20 front-page article in the Whitefish Pilot entitled "Left-turn signal held up in court - American Bank built too close to the roadway" failed to present the facts relating to Montana Department of Transportation's (MDT) suit to condemn a portion of the northwest corner of Second St. and Baker Ave.

October 27, 2005 11 p.m.

On Saturday, Oct. 15, my little red Miata convertible was egged on Central Ave. while I was attending a performance at the O'Shaughnessy Center.

It's ironic that in my 12 years of ownership of this car, I have driven it across the country, visiting cities such as Key West, Miami, Tampa, Atlanta, Chicago, Milwaukee, Omaha, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Seattle without ever having experienced an incident of vandalism and that my hometown of little ol' Whitefish is where my car is damaged.

October 27, 2005 11 p.m.

Dorothy Wixson

Dorothy Darling Wixson, 94, Columbia Falls, died Oct. 16, 2005, at the North Valley Hospital in Whitefish.

October 27, 2005 11 p.m.

Harriers Donovan and Mallams make All State

The Whitefish cross-country teams headed to Missoula with hopes of earning high team-finishes at the state championships. Last season's 17th placing was not the type of finish that you could talk much about.

October 27, 2005 11 p.m.

Kate Wilson

Kate Mosler Wilson passed away peacefully on Oct. 3, 2005, at her home in Rancho Mirage, Calif.

Wednesday, October 26

October 26, 2005 11 p.m.

Bigfork Eagle op-ed

Comments on the Swan Valley Conservation Plan

October 26, 2005 11 p.m.

Bigfork Eagle editorial

A visionary

October 26, 2005 11 p.m.

Judith (Judi) S. Verdeck

Judith (Judi) S. Verdeck, age 61, died at her home in Bigfork on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2005.

October 26, 2005 11 p.m.

Gary A. Burt

Gary A. Burt, age 63, passed away on Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2005 at Lakeview Care Center, in Bigfork after a long battle with progressive cognitive dementia. He was born May 29, 1942 in Aitkin, Minn., to Harry O. and Evelyn (Smith) Burt.

Thursday, October 20

October 20, 2005 11 p.m.

Evening stroll

It was a cool autumn evening, about 5:30 p.m., and neither of us felt like eating dinner quite yet. So I suggested we go for a little hike and see a bit of Whitefish.

October 20, 2005 11 p.m.

Daniel R. Wilson

As president of the Northwest Montana Bar Association, I write in response to Valarie Eve's letter expressing her disappointment.

October 20, 2005 11 p.m.

Dark side of the moon

Cli-boing, Cli-boing, Cli-boing!

October 20, 2005 11 p.m.

Mallams, Coco, Donovan and Miller make All Conference list

There wasn't a whole lot of noise on the bus ride down to the Northwestern A Championship in Ronan.

October 20, 2005 11 p.m.

Animal shelters

This letter is to clarify information in Oct. 6's Whitefish Pilot letter by Gee Weaver.

October 20, 2005 11 p.m.

Take action

It is time to act—forcefully! Dylan Groene's burned remains were found in our state. Although he was kidnapped in Idaho, he was very likely molested, tortured and murdered in Montana.

October 20, 2005 11 p.m.

Misrepresented

I am writing to express my disappointment with the Northwest Montana Bar Association for failing to properly inform the public about the upcoming Whitefish City Judge candidates debate.

October 20, 2005 11 p.m.

Crazy contracts

One cannot reasonably expect answers to why or where from the human mind comes the inspiration for great poetry, invention of the wheel, sliced bread, Beethoven's 5th Symphony, or this week's column.

October 20, 2005 11 p.m.

This letter is to clarify information in Oct. 6's Whitefish Pilot letter by Gee Weaver.

As a longtime board member of the local Humane Society, which operates the Charlotte Edkins Animal Adoption Center on U.S. Highway 93, even I, who am familiar with the subject, was having a difficult time discerning what was being said. I had to re-read the letter several times.

October 20, 2005 11 p.m.

Robert Walter Sanderson

Robert Walter Sanderson, age 57, died on Thursday, Oct. 13, 2005 at his residence in Columbia Falls. He was born on May 18, 1948 in Reno, Nev., to Donald and Rosemary (Staszkiewicz) Sanderson.

October 20, 2005 11 p.m.

Left-turn signal held up in court

American Bank built too close to roadway

Thursday, October 13

October 13, 2005 11 p.m.

Georgia Gawe

Georgia A. (Schrlau) Gawe, 63, of Clifton Park, N.Y., died peacefully with her family by her side Oct. 9, 2005.

October 13, 2005 11 p.m.

Sports2

Only at Whitefish High School would a team be disappointed with a second-place finish at the State Tournament.

October 13, 2005 11 p.m.

Eagle drivers strike

We the drivers of Eagle Transit work hard to serve the citizens of Flathead County. Now we need your support.

October 13, 2005 11 p.m.

I was happy to read that the city is going to deal with "signage" around Whitefish. It was shocking this summer to see the huge and obnoxious double-sided billboard on U.S. Highway 93 at Highway 40.

Not having carefully read it at first, I found out later it was not only an ad for Realtors, but the very team who brought us the latest version of clearcutting, flooding, erosion and lake polluting at Hellroaring Creek.

October 13, 2005 11 p.m.

Charles Dickens and bull trout

It would be ironic if Charles Dickens, arguably the greatest 19th century British novelist, were alive today to fish for bull trout from the shores of Whitefish Lake. Perhaps as he waited for a nibble at the end of his line, he might reflect upon his early career, after he penned his 1841 novel Barnaby Rudge.

October 13, 2005 11 p.m.

Conners leads boys to state championship

The Whitefish Bulldog boys golf team, lead by Chris Conners, captured its second straight state championship — this one at home at Whitefish Lake Golf Course.

October 13, 2005 11 p.m.

Hydrogen promises and pitfalls

With an energy symposium planned for Oct. 18-19 in Bozeman, where Gov. Brian Schweitzer will meet with other governors and notables to discuss energy solutions, it's worth making a few points about an important subject.

October 13, 2005 11 p.m.

Bulldog harriers split dual with Frenchtown Broncs

The Whitefish High School cross-country teams tuned up for the upcoming Northwestern A Championships by splitting a dual meet against Southwestern A opponent Frenchtown on Saturday. The Lady Bulldogs won, 17-40, while the boys narrowly lost, 27-29.

October 13, 2005 11 p.m.

Lisa Chenault-Clark

Lisa Chenault-Clark, passed away Sept. 23, 2005.

Wednesday, October 12

October 12, 2005 11 p.m.

Lindsay V. Clarke

Lindsay V. Clarke, 54, passed away suddenly on Sunday, October 9, 2005, at his beloved farm.

October 12, 2005 11 p.m.

'Tired' coach

I grabbed the tire and carried it onto the field and thought, well, at least this might make things interesting for a little while.

October 12, 2005 11 p.m.

Special paid in full option. $29.95

Ask about bulk orders!

October 12, 2005 11 p.m.

Suspicious fires under investigation

A suspicious fire is being investigated by authorities at Glacier Mountain Shadows hotel.

Thursday, October 6

October 6, 2005 11 p.m.

Protecting the court

In 2003, I was designated as a substitute judge for Whitefish City Court and received appropriate credentials from the Montana Supreme Court.

October 6, 2005 11 p.m.

Thomas Torgerson

Thomas (Tom) Gordon Torgerson passed away Sept. 22, 2005, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

October 6, 2005 11 p.m.

Planning board needs public input

Unless you have attended meetings of the Whitefish City-County Planning Board, you would probably be surprised to learn how much we on the board value input from the public.

October 6, 2005 11 p.m.

Rain, rocks, mud, keep Logan Pass closed

Hungry Horse News

October 6, 2005 11 p.m.

Melissa Mueller

Melissa "Missy" Ann Mueller, 35, of Whitefish, passed away Sept. 27, 2005, at the Kalispell Regional Medical Center of natural causes.

October 6, 2005 11 p.m.

The 'natural'

\You hear about "natural athletes" all the time. Not often does a natural coach come around. Coach Cheff is that man. As a teacher and coach, Coach Cheff has been there for our kids on the field and in the classroom.

October 6, 2005 11 p.m.

Last Tuesday, Realtors from the area picked up donated food to re-supply the North Valley Food Bank. How wonderful it was to see the spirit of caring and generousity displayed by our neighbors.

Last Sunday, many hit the bricks (actually asphalt and gravel roads) to drop off empty grocery bags at the houses of our assigned streets. Tuesday night was pick-up night.

October 6, 2005 11 p.m.

Bulldog golfers looking good for state

To say Tyler Holtet had a good week would be a gross understatement. Tyler, a junior, won three tournaments in one week, shooting a 64, 70, 70 and 77, and he was five under par for his last four rounds.

October 6, 2005 11 p.m.

HUD approves loan for new hospital

North Valley Hospital received news Sept. 30 that the Department of Housing and Urban Development had approved a $30 million mortgage loan needed to finance the new hospital south of town.

October 6, 2005 11 p.m.

Gary Frank

Gary Benjamin Frank died July 15, 2005, in the Seattle, Wash., area.

October 6, 2005 11 p.m.

Larry Mackaman

Larry "Mac" Mackaman, 69, of Whitefish, passed away Sept. 27, 2005, of natural causes at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Wednesday, October 5

October 5, 2005 11 p.m.

A letter from the editor

The big, fat lie

October 5, 2005 11 p.m.

Helen Claire Bradbury

Helen Claire Bradbury, 82, passed away on Monday, Sept. 26, 2005 at the Kalispell Regional Medical Center. She was born on March 15, 1923 in Berkeley, Calif., to Ralph and Grace Twogood.

October 5, 2005 11 p.m.

Oct. 15 offers oodles of autumn fun

Tamarack Time! makes taste buds happy

October 5, 2005 11 p.m.

Friends of Wild Swan defeated in district court

A recent court order from the U.S. District Court of Missoula upheld the Flathead National Forest in litigation regarding the Meadow Smith Project.

October 5, 2005 11 p.m.

How to punish a car

I will not soon forget the night in 1951 when the Missoula police called the Smokejumper barracks to tell me they had "one of my men," Al Cassieri, in jail.

October 5, 2005 11 p.m.

The healing power of critters

The little girl is severely handicapped. She sat in a wheelchair blankly staring at a pen of friendly farm animals.