Wednesday, September 27
Park plan on hold
As a member of the Lakehills/Crestview park committee, I wanted to inform the community that we have withdrawn our application to the county. Given the controversy over the use of this space, the committee felt it was best to discontinue development of the park as originally planned. Because there has been such a tremendous and positive response to this park project, I hope some amenities will be incorporated into this open space in the future.
Montana on their minds
For the past few years, my husband and I have been researching US cities in an effort to decide where we would like to retire. As a military family, we've lived in many diverse regions and our wish has been to find a close-knit community with recreation based on earth's natural beauty. After studying climates, geography, crime and city populations we decided upon Michigan or Montana. We overruled Montana due to the fact that our families are located near the northern east coast. So, we spent the last 6 months "stalking" the Little Traverse Bay area of northern Michigan and even spent a few days there to experience the region for ourselves. I also subscribed to their local newspaper in order to learn more about the people in the community and their ideals. However, I was disheartened to find a strong anti-war sentiment that demands that America live and let live even at the expense of innocent people who don't have the ability to defend themselves.
Support for Tester
In his letter appearing in the Daily Inter Lake of September 6, headlined: "Please hold your nose and vote for Burns," Mr. Bill Fitzpatrick issued a one-candidate voters' guide for the undecided fraction of the voting public including some who may be doing things with their lives other than closely following Washington/national politics.
Needs help getting to D.C.
Hello, my name is Abbey Bryson. I'm entering my junior year at Whitefish High School, and I have been nominated and have been accepted by invitation to attend the National Young Leaders Conference in Washington, D.C.
Bulldog gridders continue their unbeaten streak
The Whitefish High School football team continued its unbeaten streak Friday, as Bulldog running back Luke Fennelly rushed for 225 yards and four touchdowns to lead his team to a 34-20 win over the Ronan Chiefs.
Whitefish teacher earns top honors
Whitefish schools continue to reel in the awards. In February, Central School principal Kim Anderson was named Montana's top middle school principal by the National Distinguished Principals Program.
A raw deal for taxpayers?
Many people that I have talked to recently think that the courts have "taken care of" CI-97(SOS), the dangerous and unnecessary budget cap initiative. That is NOT the case! This initiative and the others supported by big out-of-state money, CI-98 and I-154 are still on the ballot. Until the Supreme Court rules we will not know whether the votes will be counted. Urge everyone you know to vote as if it will count.
Montana moving in the right direction
Over the past few weeks I have had the privilege of visiting with many residents who live in House District 9. I have been very encouraged by the fact that most of my unsolicited visits have been greeted with sincere Montana friendliness. It has been gratifying to discover that my concerns about protecting the water quality of the Flathead Basin and preserving the attractive physical attributes of our "Last Best Place" are shared by most of my neighbors. The fact that so many of the people I talked to are in favor of quality, affordable education for our youngsters and quality, affordable health care for us all, convinced me that I will be able to be a strong voice for these issues when I am elected to represent them in the next legislative session.
A vote for Burns
Over the course of the next few weeks, the public will be bombarded with political advertising. A huge amount of time, effort, and money will be spent to get candidates elected to many offices. As we carefully consider how we will vote, we need to get beyond the rhetoric and be certain that the right candidates are put into office for the good of all of us.
Frank Leonard Hougen
Frank Leonard Hougen 76, a resident of Kalispell, Whitefish and Somers, Montana laid down for his final nap on Friday (Sept. 15, 2006). He died of old age peacefully in his sleep at his home in Evergreen with his family holding him and loving him.
Amber Maxine Smith/Nelson
Amber Maxine Smith/Nelson, 20, passed away Thursday, Sept. 14, 2006.
Paul Everett Lawson
Paul Everett Lawson, age 76, of Bigfork passed away on Sept. 23, 2006 at KRMC after fighting a courageous battle with pulmonary fybrosis. He was born Sept. 18, 1930 in Drumright, Okla., to Everett and Daisy (Taylor) Lawson.
Task force was bitterly divided
Thanks to the Pilot for what was the most comprehensive coverage of the Flathead County task force on both the roadless issue and forest planning.
That's a long doggone walk
CONSTANCE SEE
Making waves
A Wave solution. Play Muslim music as if it's the "Wave" of the future.
"C.W."(Christopher Wagner) Miller
"C.W."(Christopher Wagner) Miller left this world on Sept. 23 in a fatal car accident. He was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Feb. 2, 1985 to Steve & Suzie Miller. He grew up in Minnesota attending Excelsior Elementary School through the fifth grade where he excelled in school and in all sports. During this period in Minnesota he was a national karate champion and a national BMX champion traveling around the nation with his family and team. He moved with his family to Bigfork, Montana in 1996 where he attended Bigfork Middle School and then transferred to Polson High School his sophomore year. He graduated from Polson High School in 2003.
Roger Morris
Roger J. Morris Jr., 54, publisher and editor of The Western News, died Sept. 21, 2006, in Libby.
Protest is a part of democracy
I could not agree less with Nicole Shoshenskiy's guest editorial in the Sept. 21 Pilot. I sincerely hope the education and professional skills Ms. Shoshenskiy had to leave the Flathead to realize are not supposed to include a knowledge of history.
Farewell to a friend
One of the behind-the-scenes facets that make a newspaper like the Hungry Horse News work is cooperation with other weeklies in the state.
Painless griz bites
Last Sunday my son Shannon and I spent a couple of hours in a grizzly jam on Many Glacier Road. Talk with visitors led to topic of griz attacks and how much pain is involved. That reminded me of this article I did ten years ago:
Cynthia Richards
Cynthia Lynn Richards, 43, passed peacefully "into heaven" at her home in Woods Bay, out of Bigfork.
Robert Blake
Robert Morris Blake passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by all his children and loving wife on Aug. 20, 2006, at the age of 72 after battling cancer for several years.
Should taxpayers foot the bill?
I am sorry that Ms Shoshenskiy felt a peaceful protest was rude to Vice President Dick Cheney, and I am dismayed that that she would think that the expression of opinion against war is "Extremist Behavior."As for the Rude-o-meter, the peaceful protest I saw was in no measure anything close to Mr. Cheney's use of obscenities directed to an esteemed member of Congress in the Rotunda. That was rude.
John Alan Morrison
John Alan Morrison passed peacefully away at his home in his sleep during the early morning hours of Saturday, Sept. 23, 2006. He had a beautiful Friday evening doing what he loved best - cruising the North Fork with his wife and best friend, Mary, and their new puppy, Winnie. They scouted for firewood, searched for wildlife, and visited with friends they encountered.
1,761 acres in Swan Valley protected
Condon - The Trust for Public Land (TPL), Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), and Plum Creek Timber Company announced Monday the protection of 1,761 acres in the Swan Valley, thanks to a $10.7 million grant from the Bonneville Power Administration.
Patricia Blood
Patricia Lou (Martin) Blood, 69, of Columbia Falls died of Lou Gehrig's disease Sept. 18, 2006, surrounded by family and friends.
Friday, September 22
Digging deep
I dug some holes this weekend.
Snow, rain, put fires all but out
Hungry Horse News
Decorate now
Cornstalks, straw bales and scarecrows will decorate Columbia Falls again this fall. The Columbia Falls Chamber will spear head the decorating campaign.
Boys nipped by Dogs, trounce Bigfork Vikings
Hungry Horse News
Wednesday, September 20
Didn't deserve the press
I was amazed that you would give a convicted drug dealer a half-page article along with a color picture so he could explain that he is the only person not responsible for his circumstances.
Beverly Trodgon Lieberman
Beverly Trodgon Lieberman, 54, of Highland Beach, Fla., and of Bigfork, "peacefully left us" on Sept. 11, 2006, after a 12-year-long battle with breast cancer. Her healing spirit, love of family and friends, and her ability to light up a room will be greatly missed.
Letter from the editor
The Pope and the religion of peace
Harold Kellam
Harold Kellam, age 65, was safe in the arms of Jesus following an accident at his home in Kalispell, Mont. on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2006. He was born June 13, 1941 in Camden, N.J., to Harold and Laura (Mayers) Kellam.
Increase pay for staff at rest homes
Where have all the honorable men gone?
Wave board defended
This letter is in response to the Whitefish Pilot's article on Sept. 7, 2006, regarding music at The Wave.
Debate challenge
hThe people of Senate District 5 will be voting shortly to elect their senator. I have done my best to meet as many of you as possible. I and my campaign team have knocked on thousands of doors, attended countless events and have had many great community meetings.
Laughs with Lederer
Very few teachers in grade, high, or colleges save their student's class reports but Richard Lederer began doing that many years ago and maybe he has earned more money from his columns and books than from teaching school. Two books are called "Anguished English." Several years ago before Lederer got famous, a friend mailed a sample of his stuff. Enjoyed it immensely so when I found some in files this week, decided to share.
Kelli Stephenson
Kelli Kay (Bowden) Stephenson, 37, passed away Sept. 8, 2006, as the result of a motorcycle accident.
Kathleen Donovan
Kathleen Gloraine Donovan, 69, a longtime Whitefish resident, passed of natural causes away Sept. 13, 2006, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.
Ugly ski runs deserve scrutiny
The Flathead National Forest published a legal notice on Aug. 27 announcing that a project was approved to allow the operators of the Big Mountain Ski Resort to modify a section of terrain on the Hellfire ski run.
Frank Hougen
Frank Leonard Hougen, 76, a resident of Kalispell, Whitefish and Somers, laid down for his final nap Sept. 15, 2006. He died of old age peacefully in his sleep at his home in Evergreen, with his family holding him and loving him.
Vice President deserved some courtesy
I was raised in the Flathead Valley and visit my family here frequently, and for love of my hometown, I keep up to speed with the issues at hand.
Wednesday, September 13
Outburst at school leads to charges
Hungry Horse News
Whitefish after-school program kicks off
Drive past any school at just the right moment any weekday afternoon, as the school buses are warming up in the parking lot, and you'll hear it — the dismissal bell or buzzer.
Antonio Carbonari
Antonio Pete "Tony" Carbonari, 81, lately of Portland, passed away Sept. 2, 2006.
Steven Laxson
Steven E. Laxson, 56, looked forward to meeting his maker, and his day came when he sustained a severe heart attack on Sept. 5, 2006.
Betty Ann (Elizabeth) Woods
Betty Ann (Elizabeth) Woods, 54, of Columbia Falls, grabbed a ray of sun and rode away while held by her family Sept. 10, 2006, at HealthCenter NorthWest in Kalispell.
Letter from the editor
Of men and beauty salons
Larry Kelch
Larry Dean Kelch, 65, passed away Sept. 3, 2006, at Kalispell Regional Hospital from heart arrhythmia due to complications of cancer.
Don't be duped by CI-97
Deregulation of our energy providers was sold to us as a simplistic notion — more competition in our energy market would decrease rates. With every utility bill, I'm paying the high cost of that simple-sounding idea.
Wave speaks out on music policy
This letter is intended as an update to our members and the community regarding The Wave's music policy.
Lily Ediger
A musical memorial for Lily Ediger, who died Aug. 4, 2006, will be held at her home at 5595 U.S. Highway 93 South, in Whitefish, directly across from Headwaters Church, at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2006.
State's highway speed formula makes no sense
So there's been another serious accident at the intersection of U.S. Highway 2 and River Road (just past the bridge over the Flathead River).
The class of '46
Had an operation on eyelids August 30 to restore lost peripheral vision. Naturally there was some swelling and bruising. Daughter Wendy said it looked like I had been in a bar fight. To have an interesting comeback for people who inquired about my condition, I began telling everyone the doctor said when the swelling went down and stitches removed, I would look a lot like the movie actor, Brad Pitt.
Wilson runs over Chiefs
Hungry Horse News
Michael "Mike" Alan Sacherer
The Heavens rejoiced and the Angels sang, on Sept. 7, 2006 when Michael "Mike" Alan Sacherer went home to be with his Lord and Savior. He was born on Aug. 22, 1971 in Daly City, Calif., and grew up in the Bay area. Mike moved to Montana in 1996 where he met his wife Jessie and they married in 1998. Mike loved hunting, fishing, camping, four wheeling and watching Nascar. He loved to go fast on anything that made a lot of noise. He had a deep love for his God and his family. Mike was passionate about his children, they were his world. He had a laugh that was very contagious and a wonderful sense of humor. He loved to make people laugh. He ran his own company and loved what he did.
Wednesday, September 6
Grace Eisinger
Grace P. Eisinger, 82, died Aug. 28, 2006, at the Brendan House in Kalispell.
Filling the boot
It is with immense gratitude to the generous people of Whitefish and the surrounding areas that we are writing about the success of the Muscular Dystrophy Association's Fill-the-Boot fund-raiser held by the Whitefish firefighters.
Skier needs help
I am the current United States National Telemark ski champion, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank several people who have donated money to help me realize my dream of racing in the World Cup races this winter in Europe.
Hire in the ranks
Congratulations to the city of Kalispell for hiring their new chief of police from within the ranks.
The Truth about Partisan Politics
Partisan politics is a reality because there is a huge difference between the Republican and Democrat platforms and action plans. Recently, my Democrat opponent, Ric Smith from Finley Point, commented about me and partisan politics in a letter to the editor.
Golfers win match play over Braves
The Whitefish boys golf team defeated Flathead High in match play this past Tuesday by a score of 2 1/2 to 1 1/2 in the four matches.
Preventing mold
Your Aug. 30 story "Housing project runs into host of problems" underscores the importance of proper building design, site drainage, building material storage during construction and product application in preventing mold and other moisture-related building performance problems.
Bulldogs down Blue Devils
Three Corvallis mishaps laid the foundation for a Whitefish win as the Bulldog football team improved its record to 2-0 with a 21-0 win over the Blue Devils Friday night at Memorial Field in Whitefish.
Sister Bernice Simon
Sister Bernice Simon, OSB, 72, died Monday, Aug. 28, 2006, at St. Martin Monastery, Rapid City, S.D., after battling leukemia for several years. The sixth child in a family of seven, Bernice Margaret Simon was born March 9, 1934 at New Prague, Minn., to James and May (Kubes) Simon.
Homicide charge filed in accident death
The driver of a vehicle that wrecked his truck and killed a Columbia Falls man now faces several charges, including a charge of vehicle homicide under the influence.
Has Image
Larry Kelch
Firemen's ball
The 31st annual Coram-West Glacier Firemen's ball and dance is Sept. 23 at 8 p.m. at the Dew Drop Inn in Coram. The Don Lawrence Orchestra will provide entertainment. A raffle for a $1,000 shopping spree at Bitney's will be held and there will be other great auction items and prizes.
Editor's note: This is an open letter that Donald Stein sent to Wayne Heaton, the new owner of the Electric
Avenue Gift Shop.
Letter from the editor
Living history
Respectful rally
I would like to respond to J. B. Stone's comments regarding the recent successful peace rally held in Whitefish to mark Vice President Dick Cheney's visit to town for a fund-raiser for Conrad Burns (at considerable taxpayer expense).
