Thursday, March 27
House District 9 race gets crowded
By ALEX STRICKLAND / Bigfork Eagle
How to be 'built good'
Practically every magazine we pick up these days features America's love affair with "physical fitness," while our head medical person says the number one health problem in America is overweight people. The average person doesn't know which way to turn… or bend. Eating, dieting and exercising have apparently become national commercial phobias, competing for our money and attention.
St. Richard's celebrates 116th year
Holy Week and Easter masses were celebrated for the 116th year in a St. Richard's Catholic Church in Columbia Falls.
Sidewalk dog waste enraging
Reading Alan Finston’s letter from last week’s Pilot prompted me to finally write this long overdue letter.
Columbia Falls Invite kicks off spring sports seasons
Track and field kicks off the spring sports season as the Wildcat boys and Wildkat girls host the Columbia Falls Invitational on Saturday. Events begin at 10 a.m.
District 6 approves elementary, high school mill levies
By JOE SOVA / Hungry Horse News
Cartwright named new Glacier super
By CHRIS PETERSON / Hungry Horse News
Resler sentenced to 10 years for teens' deaths
Bigfork Eagle
Ray Price
Ray G. Price, 74, a Whitefish resident, passed away of natural causes on March 17, 2008, at North Valley Hospital in Whitefish.
Glacier road to Avalanche Creek could open soon
Plowing crews on the Glacier Park's Going-to-the-Sun Road had reached a section called "Moose Country" by Wednesday night. The hope is to have the road plowed to Avalanche Creek campground by the end of the week. Snow depths are running two to four feet. The road, however, has less ice than previous years and looked bicycle-friendly, with some icy patches in between.
Three decades turning the tables on hunger
Local man goes from standing in line for food to opening a soup kitchen here
Cave dwellers
By FAITH MOLDAN / Bigfork Eagle
In election time media has strong hold
As this election cycle has gone on, I've found myself strangely addicted to all the twists and turns of the candidates and their staffs as they plug on down the election trial. I've watched news conferences and debates, read countless stories and commentaries and checked for updates on new polling numbers.
Locals do well at World Cup telemark finals
By DAVID ERICKSON / Whitefish Pilot
Spring cleaning in Glacier
To the editor,
Nate Chute Hawaiian Classic a success
The ninth annual Nate Chute Hawaiian Classic, Montana's biggest snowboarding event, was held Easter weekend at Whitefish Mountain Resort. Nearly 100 snowboarders took part in the two-day event, which included a banked slalom on Saturday and a boardercross on Sunday.
Bigfork Fire looking for recruits
By ALEX STRICKLAND Bigfork Eagle
Election 2008
Former sheriff casts hat in ring.
Babe Ruth Baseball tryouts set April 3 at Sapa-Johnsrud complex
There will be a Babe Ruth Baseball draft tryout day on Thursday, April 3 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Sapa-Johnsrud fields in Columbia Falls. This is for all Columbia Falls and Whitefish players, and is mandatory. Players must bring their gloves and cleats; a protective cup is recommended for infield or catching. If you cannot make this tryout day, you must notify Ray Queen at 253-0857 or Chuck Houston 892-2918 by Monday, March 31. Players not attending the tryout day will not be placed on a team until a second tryout date is set.
Creston station celebrates four years on the air
By ALEX STRICKLAND / Bigfork Eagle
Hope, fear and property taxes
In Helena, Democrats and Republicans are getting along nicely to mitigate the effects of the 2009 property tax reappraisal in a cooperative manner. The Revenue and Transportation Committee is entrusted with finding solutions for local businesses and homeowners to the property tax reappraisal. As one of the legislators on this committee, I see folks rolling up sleeves to do the people's work with an open ear.
Tester, Baucus support lease solution
By CHRIS PETERSON / Hungry Horse News
Krause signs to play golf for Spokane Community College
The Community College of Spokane announced Monday that Sam Krause, of Whitefish, has signed a letter of intent to play on the school’s men’s golf team.
What is happening in Whitefish?
It is a sad day when a small town in Northwest Montana has to be shaken by our Flathead County government and told to stop destroying their own residents' property values, as has happened in Whitefish. This is what normally happens in major metropolitan areas around our country, but not in Whitefish, or so we thought.
The 'Last Great Race'
Local brothers work as 'all-access' guides to the Iditarod
Flathead's Premier League soccer team holding tryouts
By DAVID ERICKSON / Whitefish Pilot
Eagle Bend Golf Course opens for season with snowy first day
By FAITH MOLDAN Bigfork Eagle
Thursday, March 20
McVay celebrates 51st year as Hunter Education instructor
By HEIDI DESCH / Hungry Horse News
Clarke to play ball at Great Falls U.
By DAVID ERICKSON / Whitefish Pilot
Spring Mack Days off to strong start
The first weekend of 2008 Spring Mack Days was a fishing success for some and a trying time for others. Once anglers were able to locate lake trout and get anchored above them several anglers were able to enter their limits on Friday and Saturday. Six anglers turned in limits on Friday and Saturday — Don Peters, Paul Haines, Mike Benson, Bill Swaney, Marty Noyd and Bryon Zempel. Breezy conditions on Sunday hampered the limits and numbers were lower for some of the anglers.
Rex Breneman
Rex Eugene Breneman, long-time resident of Coram, passed away on March 14, 2008, at the Brendan House in Kalispell.
Skiercross and Banked Slalom results
By DAVID ERICKSON / Whitefish Pilot
North Fork has plenty of oil, gas leases in U.S.
By CHRIS PETERSON / Hungry Horse News
Softball team looks to have big season
By DAVID ERICKSON / Whitefish Pilot
Kudos for Cowabunga, community
By Jacob Doran
Big Mountains disgust tourists
While enjoying a ski vacation in your lovely community, I was struck by a simple observation that I feel the need to share with your readers. First, let me say we have come to Big Mountain in previous years and thorougly enjoyed ourselves. The resort staff were friendly and the accomdations clean and well priced for a family condo experience.
County votes to rescind 'doughnut' area
Resolution claims city is unfair to county residents
BHS students now part of paper
If you flip this week's paper to page eight, you'll find a brand new feature in the Bigfork Eagle. It's called "Decoding BHS," and we didn't write a word of it.
Moody March weather
Olivia, the middle kid, wanted to go fishing and the other day I saw some guys fishing Lake McDonald and they were catching fish, so I figured what the heck, let's go there.
Managing March Madness mayhem
By FAITH MOLDAN / Bigfork Eagle
Loudermilk placed third.
All-Conference players announced, Little Guy goes to state, Bigfork Middle School finishes basketball seasonsBigfork High School's Roland Benedict and Brock Boll were among the Northwestern A boys basketball players selected to the 2007-2008 All-Conference Team. Benedict received 2nd team All-Conference honors, while Boll was honrable mention.
Mail-in ballots on bond are due by March 27
By OLIVIA KOERNIG / Whitefish Pilot
Former Lady Bulldog is the best free-throw shooter in UM women's basketball history
By DAVID ERICKSON / Whitefish Pilot
Hold someone accountable for child's death
In regards to the death of Rocky Plawman, I couldn't agree more with his grandparents.
Logan Pass could get much greener
By CHRIS PETERSON / Hungry Horse News
Grilley honored as Class A all-state pick
Nolan, Getts, Ladenburg have been named to all-conference hoop squads.
Get the facts on high school
Five years ago, when we had a chance to move to Whitefish from Missoula, one of the first things we considered was the quality of the school system. It was important to us because we had young children but also because we felt it was a great barometer of community. We both grew up on Montana's "Hi Line," where schools are the center of the communities.
Don't weaken Park gun rules
National parks are special places that enjoy the highest level of protection provided to public lands by Congress. Originally, the U.S. Army, and since its creation in 1916, the National Park Service, have continually worked to protect park resources, including wildlife, and to inspire park visitors.
Keep the sun shining on government
°°No person shall be deprived of the right to examine documents or to observe the deliberations of all public bodies°-°± ¨CArticle II, section 9, Montana Constitution
Miffed by the bond
I don't understand why the bond measure failed. Since I don't have a big, expensive house, it wasn't that expensive and it would have provided a better high school AND a new library. Seemed like a bargain to me. I voted yes both times and I don't have kids or a high income. I think decent school facilities are worth the sacrifice of a few dinners out very year. Seemed like a small price to pay make our community a better place for families. Sorry I'm so clueless, but why did so many people vote no?
Flathead River marina proposal withdrawn
Bigfork Eagle
Glacier's budget not nearly as rosy as first predicted
Glacier National Park's 2008 budget looks like a decidedly mixed bag, with some divisions seeing hiring increases, while others will see far less funding. While the base budget did see a sizable boost, trails and other projects, which fall under different funding categories, will see significantly less funding.For example, the Park's trails budget will not get $248,000, building maintenance will not get $300,000 and visitor use area maintenance will not see $161,000."Lack of funding for these projects will result in an overall net loss of temporary employees in these areas unless funding is secured through other means. Loss of special project positions will impact trail repair work as well as historic preservation, buildings and campground maintenance activities. Further, there will be no road chip sealing," Park officials said in a prepared release.That's not good news for a Park with 700-plus miles of trails, several historic structures and roads that get pounded by the weather. Some trails funding, for example, comes from the base budget, but not all of it.Speaking privately, some Park employees likened it to a shell game, where one section of the Park budget benefited, while others fared poorly.For example, several Park divisions actually see increases in employment.Under the Park Service's new Centennial Initiative, funding corresponds to specific park requests and covers a variety of activities. The interpretation division will restore two seasonal positions ?one in Two Medicine and one in Many Glacier, and will also add a new seasonal position. The Facility management division will hire nine new seasonal positions and will extend several current seasonal positions. Visitor and resource protection divisions will hire several new positions including: two biological technicians, one fire forestry technician, one permanent non full-time ranger, and three seasonal rangers. Additionally, 16 rangers will work longer seasons. Funding was also provided for a new volunteer coordinator.There were also additional operational increases for interpretation, including hiring an education specialist as a permanent non full-time position and a permanent non full-time visual information specialist. This specialist is also partially funded by the Park Service's Intermountain Region and will work with other parks to develop media for them. Further, five seasonal rangers were restored and an additional position will work a longer season.Acting Superintendent Stephanie Dubois tried to put a positive spin on the mixed bag of numbers."In practical terms, this base operating funding increase means that we will be able to hire more seasonal employees and visitors will see more rangers out in the park," Dubois noted. "We will begin a special watchable wildlife program in Many Glacier. We will be able to better protect the public and park resources through the extension and/or hiring of protection rangers. Our education program will be permanent, which will foster stewardship among youth. We will be able to continue connecting people to Glacier with the use of cutting-edge technology."Glacier's total pot of budget funds is about $25 million. About half of that is its base budget.The park's base operating budget increased from $12.030 million to $13.19 million, which is an almost 10 percent increase and fully covers pay increases for employees paid from base funding. The increase will also help with escalating utility and fuel costs for daily operations. Included within this operating budget is $624,975 from the National Park Service's Centennial Initiative. This is a permanent increase to the park's operating budget that will provide for enhanced seasonal operations, Park officials said.The Park also is awaiting Congressional approval on other Centennial projects, including funds for programs to celebrate Glacier's centennial which is coming up in 2010, a volunteer stewardship program for native plants and a dorm project at Lake McDonald Lodge.The Centennial Initiative is a Bush Administration program designed to match private donations with federal dollars to get programs funded in national parks.
Bond will add to other increasing costs
Let me see if I understand the school bond issue here in Whitefish. Our economy has changed dramatically, gas prices are way up, which effects anything that arrives here by motorized transportation (groceries, clothing, lumber etc.), and our housing boom has slowed considerably (which means, fewer jobs, less income and less money in our local economy).
Bigfork takes third place in academic competition
By FAITH MOLDAN / Bigfork Eagle
North Shore Ranch back to planning board next week
By ALEX STRICKLAND / Bigfork Eagle
Council votes to sue the county
City attorney's letter does not sway commissioners
Analyst sees local housing bust looming on the horizon
By RICHARD HANNERS / Whitefish Pilot
Lakeside woman sends magazines to soldiers
By JACOB DORAN / Bigfork Eagle
Shocking health care experience
Health care costs have been a pet peeve of mine for a long time, probably 25 or 30 years or more. But my personal experience over the last several months takes the proverbial cake.
Board accepts bond vote
By ALEX STRICKLAND / Bigfork Eagle
Dunk doughnut
Flathead County commissioner Gary Hall has astutely recognized that the Whitefish doughnut should be exempt from the proposed critical areas ordinance.
Improve high school for us
We are two sixth-graders who are 12 years old from Whitefish Middle School. We want the bond to pass because we have seen Whitefish High School and we do not think the it is a nice high school.
Tradition of Montana free press
Pick up almost any Montana newspaper and you probably won't have to look far to see stories made possible by Montana's laws on open records and open meetings. News of city council meetings, school board discussions, county commissioner decisions, meetings of state decision-making bodies — all are open to the media and the public because the law says they must be, except in very limited circumstances.
The facts from a high school student leader
I have been a student leader in Whitefish High School for the past four years. As a senior, I was the captain of the football and wrestling teams, and I am currently the school board representative from the Whitefish High student government.
Downtown plan not yet 'conceptual'
Councilors table vote for second time
City prevails in Lawler suit
By HEIDI DESCH / Hungry Horse News
Bowling alley prepares for move to Highway 82
By ALEX STRICKLANDBigfork Eagle
Presentation highlights lighting issues
By ALEX STRICKLAND / Bigfork Eagle
Bond proposal needs 'cost-effective' solution
Way to go Torie Powell, Alex McDonald and Kayli Johnson for speaking out when you felt there was a problem with the Whitefish High School bond. High school students are not unintelligent, and I agree that consulting students might have been one of the greatest ways to discover exactly where the focus of this bond ought to be.
LaDon Ann Hardman, 79
LaDon Ann Hardman, age 79, passed away Friday, March 14, 2008 in Kalispell, Montana. LaDon was born April1, 1928, in Wilmot, Arkansas, and was the daughter of Lloyd Joseph and Edith Opal (Reynolds) Linton. LaDon grew up in Wilmot and moved to the Long Beach California area where she graduated in1946 from Polytechnic High School in Long Beach. She married Kenneth E. Hardman in Washington D.C. in 1945. LaDon primarily was a homemaker raising her family and spent many years volunteering at the Long Beach VA Hospital. She was appointed director and served for 3 years at that program for the American Legion Auxiliary and following that, she was elected Departmental President for the year 1976-77. LaDon was a fine vocalist and sang with the "Mother Singers" in Long Beach, which was sponsored by the P.T.A. for several years. While living in Bigfork, she was active and spent time with the local ceramics group. LaDon is preceded in death by her parents, a son Daniel in1974 who was in the U.S.A.F. in Thailand during the Vietnam Conflict when he died, and a granddaughter Rebecca. She is survived by her husband of 62.5 years Kenneth E. Harman of Bigfork, MT; daughters Nancy Wallace of Lincoln, MT; Martha Jones of Norco, CA; sisters Marjorie Furry of Battleground, WA; Betty Henderson of Bridger, MT; grandchildren Jef Wallace, April Smalley of Arizona, Daniel Wallace of Great Falls, MT; great grandchildren Emma and Molly Wallace; Japer Smalley; Sierra and Kadence Wallace. Memorial services for LaDon will be held on Tuesday, March 25, 2008 at 1:00pm at the Swan Chapel in Swan Lake, Montana. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home caring for the family.
Thursday, March 13
Opposition out in force at marina meeting
By ALEX STRICKLAND / Bigfork Eagle
Neighbors at odds over River Road plan
By HEIDI DESCH / Hungry Horse News
Whitefish girl is top gun for third year
By DAVID ERICKSON / Whitefish Pilot
Track Season Opens
Monday (March 10) was the first day of practice for track, softball and tennis teams. The Columbia Falls Invite opens the track season on March 28. The Wildkats start the softball season on April 3, and the CFHS tennis teams get into action on April 4.
Resurrecting the southern line
Conference focuses on linking Billings and Missoula
We owe kids
We would like to take a moment to express why we are voting yes to the current high school modernization and renovation project.
Out of Africa
Local couple returns from bicycle mission to Mozambique
Stunt Studs' add edge to cheer squad
By FAITH MOLDAN / Bigfork Eagle
Theora Granmo
Theora L. "Teddy" Granmo, 71, passed away March 4, 2008, at her home in Kalispell.
Hockey tourney to honor local legend
By DAVID ERICKSON / Whitefish Pilot
Conservation easement clarifications
By Mark Schiltz
Standing up to the radicals
I am enormously grateful to all who have recently sent thanks to me for my efforts to protect the "doughnut" residents of Whitefish. As always, your stories have been sincere, heartfelt and full of the concern for our community that I have so long admired. For those who may question my commitment to your property values, rights and clean water, I want to take this opportunity to set the record straight, again.
No-wake zone hearings draw varied reactions
By Jacob Doran / Bigfork Eagle
Protect grizzlies
When I first heard a live bear was going to be at Majesty Valley Arena for a sports show on March 7-8, I felt dismay. Bears should lead a wild life, not be caged for promotion. I went to the show to see how people reacted to the bear and learn the circumstances of that bear's life.
Homicide suspect surrenders after standoff
After a 31-hour standoff off with police ended Monday a man accused of murdering a Columbia Falls woman is in custody.
Helen Mulloy
Helen M. Mulloy, 77, of Kalispell, passed away March 3, 2008, after a short fight with cancer.
Global warning?
Global warming is a verifiable fact, but whether it is human-caused is still open for debate. According to the assistant director of the Environmental Protection Agency in Washington, D.C., there is no scientific evidence that humans are causing global warming.
Gun-toting in national parks
It was said many years ago, "When guns are outlawed only outlaws will have guns." A controversial gun-toting issue is being tossed around like a hot potato lately. Specifically, the regulations pertaining to carrying a firearm in Glacier and other national parks are at the forefront.
BSC still looking for treasurer
By ALEX STRICKLAND / Bigfork Eagle
Has ImageJacob Doran/West Shore News
The Lakeside Mercantile is nearly vacant, along with plenty of other commercial spaces in Lakeside.
Columbia Falls man offers folks a different view of Park
By CHRIS PETERSON / Hungry Horse News
Free Throw Shooting Winners Crowned
The Knights of Columbus District 1 Hoop Shoot crowned free throw shooting winners for boys and girls from ages 10-14 on March 1 in the Columbia Falls Junior High gymnasium.
What about Rocky?
To the editor,
Darlene Brower
Darlene Brower, 72, died Feb. 20, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nev.
Benjamin Ringo
Benjamin Hunter Thompson Ringo was born on Oct. 24, 1922 to Robert E. Lee Ringo and Ida Thompson Ringo in DeFuniak Springs, Fla. Benjamin was raised by a single mother, five sisters and one brother. Ben always said he had more bosses than any kid should have.
'Band-aid' bond
Among the signs around Whitefish, this one seems lacking. The school board seems very fond of digging into the pockets of Whitefish residents at the drop of a hat. Central School is hardly finished and now they are asking for more.
Leaking roofs plague new middle school
By OLIVIA KOERNIG / Whitefish Pilot
Shirley Beick
Shirley L. Beick, 61, formerly of Whitefish, died Feb. 13, 2008, at Regional Hospital in Idaho Falls, Idaho.
Friday, March 7
Vote for bond
As one drives through small towns in the state of Montana, generally the most prominent and centrally-located building is the public school. This building was usually constructed of brick or some other expensive, sturdy building material to indicate the permanency and importance of the building.
Girls head to state tourney still hungry
Contest with Livingston Lady Rangers starts at 6:30 p.m. tonight
School board justifies bond
We, as members of the Whitefish School Board, feel our stewardship obligation very keenly. In order to provide the best public schools possible for our community, we have taken on the task of weighing the increasing urgency for improvement against the financial burden to our taxpayers.
Students speak out on bond
After reading letters written from the current residents of Whitefish, it is very clear that the population is casting their emotions for the opinions of others to be shifted or controlled.
Bond unfair to taxpayers
With all due respect to the volunteers and staff of School District 44 who have donated considerable time and effort in developing a plan for upgrading Whitefish High School, it is of concern to me that the voters of this district are being asked to approve a $21.5 million bond for the renovation of the high school when there are less costly alternatives available.
Duane Clark
Duane Lee Clark Jr., 52, of Whitefish, passed away peacefully in his sleep at his residence on Feb. 28, 2008.
Pamela Dryer
Pamela Ellen Dryer, 60, a resident of Choteau, passed away at home on Feb. 27, 2008.
Property rights not protected
In a recent op-ed piece, Rep. Mike Jopek, D-White-fish, wrote an eloquent appeal to the residents of the greater Whitefish area to adopt a charitable and compromising attitude in the ongoing discussion regarding land-use policies adopted by the Whitefish City Council.
Gambling machines: Use 'em or lose 'em
Idled night club could lose 'grandfathered' status
Patricia Murphy-Reyner
Patricia Jane Murphy-Reyner, 60, of Lolo. Passed away of natural causes on Feb. 12, 2008, at St. Patrick's Hospital in Missoula.
Bond excessive
In all good faith, I cannot vote in favor of the presently proposed high school. Don't get me wrong; it is quite beautiful and expansive, amazing plans. But I have to agree with Phil Mitchell, it is excessive.
David Askevold
David Askevold, 67, passed away at the hospital in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, on Jan. 23, 2008, as a result of complications following a stroke.
Students headed to Junior Olympic ski races
By DAVID ERICKSON / Whitefish Pilot
Approving bond is our duty
This March, the Whitefish School District is asking voters to pass a $21.5 million bond for Whitefish High School.
Tough schedule opened with match-up against eventual champion Browning
By DAVID ERICKSON / Whitefish Pilot
Portrait of the artist as a young skier
David Askevold, 67, was a ski racer at Big Mountain when it first opened, and he made art shown around the world
City attorney: 'Doughnut' agreement is valid
By RICHARD HANNERS / Whitefish Pilot
Robert Lacy
Robert Raymond Lacy, 73, of Great Falls, died of cancer Feb. 28, 2008, at Peace Hospice, in Great Falls.
Thursday, March 6
Gary Hamilton
Gary D. Hamilton, 61, of Lakewood, Wash., formerly of Columbia Falls, died of natural causes on Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2008, at the Regional Medical Center in Tukwila, Wash.
Familiar foes await Valkyries at State Class A Tournament
By FAITH MOLDAN / Bigfork Eagle
Duck Lake derby fishermen rewarded
March certainly came in like a lion for the anglers who were on the ice for the Duck Lake fishing derby last weekend. The derby, which was postponed and rescheduled, was a fundraiser for the Babb-St. Mary Volunteer Fire Department on Saturday and Sunday.
Betters opens hearts of NFL players to children
By JOE SOVA / Hungry Horse News
Evergreen man charged with negligent homicide in child's death
An Evergreen man has been charged with negligent homicide in the shooting death of his girlfriend's 19-month-old female child. Dwayne Scott Smail, 23, made an initial appearance on Friday in Flathead County Justice Court. He is being held on $200,000 bail. His arraignment is scheduled for March 27 in Flathead County District Court.
Downtown parking sinks application
By ALEX STRICKLAND / Bigfork Eagle
Bigfork High School bond fails again
By ALEX STRICKLAND / Bigfork Eagle
Knees in need: Female athletes much more susceptible to damaging one of the body's most complex joints
By FAITH MOLDAN / Bigfork Eagle
Proposed boat facility risky at best
In today's Eagle you'll find a story concerning a proposed boat dock and boat storage facility on the Flathead River. You'll notice two things in that story. One is that there are a lot of people who think it's a bad idea. Two is that there doesn't seem to be anyone who can do a thing about it.
Boat storage facility, docks proposed for Flathead River
By ALEX STRICKLAND / Bigfork Eagle
Setback questions
While to a large extent I agree with them, I am puzzled by the Flathead County commission's reaction to the City of Whitefish "Critical Areas" ordinance, as this new ordinance would be applied to county property located within the "donut" area of the city.
Water projects to disrupt traffic on Grand
By ALEX STRICKLAND / Bigfork Eagle
JV boys finish year with 12-4 record
By JOE SOVA / Hungry Horse News
ACL injuries not always the end
By FAITH MOLDAN / Bigfork Eagle
Sheep so soft and warm
I know what you're thinking: Hey Chris, tell us another story about the virtues of merino wool. Puleeeze.
Conservation easements in perpetuity are for a long, long time
By Clarice Ryan
Get screened - It may just save your life
To the editor,
Pilot error blamed in plane crash
By HEIDI DESCH / Hungry Horse News
Dime a dozen millionaires
The kids started giggling when I told the clerk at Rising Sun Store that I wanted a big pack of that "Experiment" gum. Back in the car, 13-year-old Wyatt said, "Grampa, I know that you know that's not really the name of that gum." Parker and Tana told him, "Grampa just likes to have fun with people."
