Ellington

Well-kept secret

The Veteran's Center in Bigfork is probably one of the best kept secrets in town, but members don't want it to stay that way.

Nothing equals nothing

Two hours in the wee hours of the morning I walk through the house, with a cup of hot chocolate in my hand. I take that with me and go back to bed where I read a few pages of a book that so far is uninteresting. I hope as I turn the pages something in the plot will grab my interest. Nothing grabs me. I slip lower under the covers, turn off the light and sleep until 8:30 a.m.

Valerie May Haley

Valerie May Haley joined her father, Clell Hudson, in heaven after fighting a courageous battle with the devastation of childhood diabetes on April 4, 2005.

Painful football memories

The disgraceful and embarrassing details of how a "scruffy ragtag" Whitefish Bulldog football team once defeated the "smooth and powerful" Flathead Braves of Kalispell, was the subject of one of these columns sometime back. It was not easy for this writer to recall that agonizing night, now sixty years past. To make matters worse, the distressing game was played on our (the Braves) home field.

Self preservation

Chain saws and bulldozers are about to destroy Kootenai Lodge National Historic site at the confluence of Swan Lake, Swan River and Johnson Creek.

iDig it, iBury it, iHop

So at any rate, the other night the wife decided to make pancakes for supper, and one kid started doing one thing, and another kid started doing another thing, and it turned out a whole stack of pancakes got left in the oven.

Thanks for the help

To the editor,

Student of the week

Torri Hoye, a senior at Columbia Falls High School, is student of the week of April 25. She was nominated because she is a great gal and always willing to help out. Torri is the daughter of Cora Hoye, of Columbia Falls, and receives a personal pan pizza compliment of Pizza Hut.

Boys track team takes first at Libby Invite

The Columbia Falls boys track team took first at the Libby Invitational last week, led by Kyle Rosenbaum, who took first in the triple jump, second in the long jump and sixth in the javelin.

Investigators still looking into tragic Hall accident

Hungry Horse News

North Valley squeaker

Good news came to the Flathead from Sen. Max Baucus' office this week.

Sun Road plows close to Pass

But snow hits St. Mary

Girls lose to Whitefish, as do boys in tennis

The Columbia Falls girls tennis team was edged out by Whitefish last Thursday 4-3, and the boys lost 5-2.

Fields close to major league dream

Hungry Horse News

Erik Rocksund

Erik Paul Rocksund, 55, died peacefully April 20, 2005, at his home north of Columbia Falls after a heroic battle with cancer.

Mountain Madness Motocross attracts 523 riders

A total of 523 riders in 33 classes showed up at the Hungry Horse Motocross Track on Sunday, April 24, for the Mountain Madness Motocross. The event was presented by Columbia Falls Kiwanis The annual event raises thousands for the club. Here's the results of Montana riders:

Dorothy Johnson letters found in Iowa barn

Hungry Horse News

Tennis splits against Polson

It was a good tennis meet for the Columbia Falls girls Tuesday, but not so great for the boys.

Board cancels school levy

Hungry Horse News

Stoltz leads girls at Missoula meet

In a crowded field of athletes, Bekah Stoltz stood out in Missoula last weekend, taking first in discus and shot put and fourth in the javelin at the Missoula Invitational.

Winters sentenced as Canyon assault case comes to a close

Hungry Horse News

Slide show

Internationally acclaimed photographer Tom Ulrich will present a slide show of his photographs of wildlife from around the world on May 3 at 7 p.m. at the Outlaw Inn and May 5 at 7 p.m. at Grouse Mountain Lodge. Admission is $5 per person. Proceeds benefit the youths of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Flathead County. Call 752-0092 for more information.

Law needs changing

To the editor,

Girls softball squad splits doubleheader against Havre

The Columbia Falls girls softball team got its first win of the year Saturday, splitting a doubleheader against Havre, winning 5-2, but losing 12-6.

The value of

volunteers

Earth Day Tips

With over seven different kinds of plastics, knowing which can be recycled in the Flathead is important. When plastics aren't properly sorted, recycling businesses lose money and improperly sorted plastic ends up in the county landfill, an expense tax payers want to avoid.

Social Change Gains Momentum

Many people have commented on the recent trend toward democracy in the Middle East and have also noticed the continuation of peaceful transitionsof power in Eastern Europe. It seems that most of the media and manyexperts are missing the full scope of the story. Undercurrents of change are also stirring in China. Recently, a Chinese Language newspaper published an editorial called the Nine Commentaries on the Chinese Communist Party. The editorial comments on the nature and origin of the CCP, its tyranny, how the CCP persecutes Falun Gong and destroys traditional Chinese culture and religions and its responsibility for numerous genocides. This document has spread like wildfire all over China and the Chinese speaking world.

Lady 'Dogs win a close one

SAM KAUFMAN

Thank you to library volunteers

The week of April 17 through April 23 is National Volunteer Week.

Kathryn Bess Wamsley

Kathryn Bess Wamsley, 80, passed away, after fighting a courageous battle with cancer, on Wednesday, April 13, 2005, at her home in Kalispell. She was born Feb. 11, 1925 in Cut Bank, Montana.

Keep your eye on the bar

A gymnast at last weekend's Region Two Championship Meet reaches for the top uneven bar. Gymnasts from Oregon, Montana, Alaska, Hawaii, Washington and Idaho met to compete in the balance beam, floor excercise, uneven bars and the vault.

Letters to the editor

Earth Day for

William S. Elliott

William (Bill) Schuyler Elliott, 77, of Helena passed away from kidney cancer on the 13th of April 2005. Born October 28, 1927 in Boise, Idaho to Frances Myers and Howard Elliott, Bill grew up in Three Forks and Deer Lodge where he graduated from Powell County High School. He then served in the US Navy for a year. Bill married Corinne Briscoe in 1947 in Illinois and then returned to Montana where they had three daughters: Patricia, Christine and Annie.

Arthur H. Green (Art)

Arthur H. Green passed away peacefully April 17, 2005. He was 81 years old. At his request there will be no services at this time. Cremation has taken place. A celebration of his life will take place at a date in the future.

Hicks places in five events, Missoula Invite a bright spot

Some sunshine comes our way, but then again, it's spring in Montana so don't hold your breath.

Republican rebuttal

Representative Mike Jopek stated in a Guest Opinion that Flathead Republicans lied to him about their support of Senate Bill 337 which locked up 25,000 acres of school trust land near Whitefish and other cities with conservation easements. He further stated that people should honor their word. Jopek, who has falsely accused us of lying did not even have the courtesy to talk to us about SB 337 which affected the Flathead Valley. What is the value of his word?

Guest opinion

Ring the alarm

Bigfork Eagle editorial

Death at the hands of a child

Deer cure

Listen Up! Those who love deer and their flowering landscape as well-here is a proven method that means it has been working effectively for years to keep deer out of the garden without a 10-foot high fence!

Rabbits, worms and schmoos

The Feds have outlawed "chain letters" but they keep popping up in one form on another. Last week Montana's Insurance Commiss-ioner told us the con men are now putting chain letter scams on the Internet.

Two Ferdas fight winds but post top performances Invitational

In another stretch before the bigger meets coming up this month and next, Whitefish track and field got tested once again last Saturday at the Bigfork Invitational.

Suspect in arson gets prison time

Hungry Horse News

Girls tennis starts out well, boys so-so

Hungry Horse News

'Cons'

We are totally opposed to the Milhous Group's proposal for the Historic Lodge Condominium Subdivision for the following reasons.

Branden Louis Frey

Branden Louis Frey, 20, passed away Sunday, April 10, 2005, as a result of a vehicle accident. He was born July 21, 1984, in Whitefish to Donald and Sharon (Hilton) Frey.

Destination: Plains, Mont.

Traveling the back-roads of Montana gives one a chance to see this state at grass root level. Highway 28 goes to Hot Springs and Plains. Plains was our destination. The Flathead River meanders through hillsides yellow with Balsam root, green pastures dotted with patches of bluebells and rock ledges flanked by clumps of Aspens.

Letters to the editor

Super One

It was a tight performance

I got a fill of musical theater this weekend. First, the kids over at Ruder Elementary put on Missoula Children's Theater production of The Frog Prince, a musical adaptation of the fairy tale, and then later that same night, the high school drama students and the wind ensemble put on Oklahoma!

Softball team thumped by Pirates and Maidens

Hungry Horse News

Girls take first at Bigfork meet

Hungry Horse News

Legislature take bipartisan stand on individual freedoms against Patriot Act infringement

Montana is the fifth state legislature to speak out against the Patriot Act and joins more than 375 local governments that have passed similar resolutions defending essential liberties. The bipartisan resolution calls on Congress to bring the controversial anti-terrorism legislation in line with the Constitution, and prohibits state agencies from participating in abusive federal security measures. The Montana measure is the strongest state-level resolution in the country against the Patriot Act.

Impending ban has local smokers livid, bar owners worried

Hungry Horse News

Beware of Blue Cross privatization

I am a pathologist living and working in the Kalispell area for nearly three years. I want to raise awareness of significant public concerns while providing personal as well as private information regarding what appears to be going on with the non-profit Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana.

C. Falls man killed in rollover

Hungry Horse News

Hog feed

Deer Park Baseball Association's 39th Annual Barbecue and Auction takes place April 23 at the Silver Bullet Bar, on Highway 206. There is a barbecued hog with all the fixings served at 4 p.m., and the auction fun will begin at 7 p.m. There are lots of donated merchandise and great raffle prizes. Call 892-9600 for more information.

Josephine Marie (Knudson) Gregg

Josephine Marie (Knudson) Gregg, 91, formerly of Kalispell, passed away, Sunday, January 23, 2005, in Great Falls.

Bill's property tax break is broken

Beware SB520!

What Happened to Hell?

"REPENT! Repent you sinners while there is yet time. The devil is after your soul. Confess your sins and turn to the paths of righteousness-or you will burn in the smoldering depths of Hell."

Ode to Big Mtn

There once was a ski area called Big Mountain

Deola Stolte

Deola "Tiny" Stolte passed gently into God's arms, at Mountains Community Hospital, Lake Arrowhead, CA, on April 2, 2005 at the age of 83. She was born August 18, 1921 in Sundance, Wyoming. As a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and dear friend to many, she touched the lives of many people and she will be dearly missed by those blessed by her love and kindness. Tiny was preceded in death by her loving husband, Orval, two sisters Kay and Millie and her brother Bill.

LeRoy Walter Brown

LeRoy Walter Brown, 85, passed away at his home on April 2, 2005 in Whitefish, Montana of natural causes. LeRoy was born on January 22, 1920 in Rice Lake, Wisconsin. LeRoy's family came to Montana in 1929 and lived and worked on a sheep ranch near Bynum. He moved to Whitefish in 1940 and married Winifred Wood in 1942 at St. Mathews Church in Kalispell. They have 3 daughters: Linda, Sherry and Raye. In 1961 thru the Catholic Dioceses of Helena, they became foster parents to Mary Terry and Julio Delgado, 2 Cuban children exiled by communism.

News from the Capitol

Now that the legislative session is more than two-thirds over, I'd like to bring the people of Senate District 2 up to date on my activities at the State Capitol.

Alberta Vasquez

Alberta Vasquez, 92, passed away March 26, 2005, at her home in Whitefish. Alberta lived in Eureka for many years and had many good friends there. She lived the last 20 years at the Whitefish Manor and was very happy there.

Keep faith after school trust setback

Last week, Republicans killed plans for the Whitefish community to purchase the development rights off school trust lands. This sets back the implementation of major sectors of the Whitefish State Lands Plan. Not a single Republican Representative from the Flathead delegation supported the concept of preserving the engine of the Whitefish economy.

Alysa Rose Huffine

Alysa Rose Huffine, infant daughter of Eric and Leigh Huffine is resting in the arms of Jesus. She will forever be loved by her parents Eric and Leigh of Polson and grandparents, Karen and Gary Lenz of Polson, Bruce Huffine of Belgrade, Dallas and Laurel Torgerson of Polson and numerous other family members and friends. A private family service will be held. Arrangements are by Grogan Funeral Home, Polson.

Hospital's critical care status in critical condition

$30 million in HUD loans for the new North Valley Hospital and $1 million in medicaid and medicare reimbursements are on the line unless a Medicare board allows North Valley Hospital to maintain its critical care access status.

Editorial viewpoint

Minor technical difficulties

The Trailwatcher

G. George Ostrom

Paul Peters

Whitefish Pilot

Good job on Big Mountain

Congratulations to Fred Jones and to all of the Big Mountain crew for the outstanding job they did last winter season despite so little snow and unpredictable "Mother Nature."

Reaching for the sky

Ryland Jolleymore and Dan Troupe boost Flathead Moose (blue and gold) teammate Eric Taber into the sky as they try to deflect the pass inbounds during Saturday's rugby club match against the Missoula Maggots. There has been a rugby club in the Flathead for over 20 years and they are always looking for more players. For more information call Seth Carbonari at 862-1185.

Chamber meets

The Columbia Falls Chamber lunch is April 12 at noon at the North Valley Community Room.    Lunch is available for $8 which includes gratuity. Guest speaker is Michael Daigle of Glacier Park International Airport

Katherine "Katie" Mueller

As the sun rose over the mountains, Katie's spirit soared to Heaven. She passed away at the Immanuel Lutheran Home in Kalispell at the age of 86. Born in Podolsk, Russia, to Austrian parents, interred by Russians during the 1918 Revolution, and immigrated to Detroit, Mich., at age 7 with her parents Anton and Kathe Markel. She never forgot her beloved Austria. She married Joseph Mueller at the age of 18.

You're in analysis

Do you think professional big-time stars of television poker games should be given urine tests for brain enhancing drugs? Don't laugh. It's probably on the way.

Life on the edge

I watched the glass fall off the ledge and it seemed like slow motion as it bounced off the poor woman's head below. I think she said, "Oh my" or "Oh no." Then she felt her head to see if it was broken. It wasn't, of course, because the cup was light plastic, thank God.

Frances Yenne Gudgel

Frances Yenne Gudgel went to be with the Lord Tuesday, March 22, 2005, in a very peaceful way. She was 93 on March 16, 2005. Frances was born March 16, 1912, in Creston, Mont. She was the fifth of six children born to Peter and Martha Yenne, pioneers in the Flathead Valley. She is survived by her younger sister Anne Hollinburger, 89 of Creston.

Prayer for wisdom

I live at 202 Sunburst Drive in Swan Sites. I wish to submit my objection to the proposed Milhous development at Kootenai Lodge. There are too numerous reasons to mention at this time. Most importantly is the historic nature of this property.

Save the hospital

Lack of a critical access designation by the federal government threatens the future of North Valley Hospital just when it's in the midst of a much needed expansion.

C. Falls track teams finish in back of pack at home meet

Hungry Horse News

Miracle mutt survives avalanche

Hungry Horse News

Guest opinion

Just say no

Bowling

Glacier Lanes Bowling News, March 27 - 1 April 1

Mervin A. Nagy

Mervin A. Nagy, age 71, a long time farmer from Sweet Grass, passed away Saturday at his retirement home in Bigfork due to natural causes.

Medicare rule change threatens hospital project, hospital's future

Hungry Horse News

Their front yard

When I moved here from Portland, Ore., with my family in 1996, I couldn't believe how beautiful it was. The lakes are crystal clear, the mountains full of big, gorgeous trees, the valley floor blanketed with farmers crops of golden wheat and corn, and an abundance of wildlife running around everywhere.

Hilda Iverson

Hilda Marie "Ginger" Iverson, 81, of Columbia Falls, died March 30, 2005, at Brendan House in Kalispell.

Wisdom of youth

I read the article about the man who poisoned the deer. I felt sad for all those poor deer. I love having deer around our house. At night they wonder around the barn, by the bird feeder and in the yard. Now, I understand if everyone doesn't enjoy the deer as must as I do. If deer are eating their flowers, I can see if you wanted to get rid of them. However, poisoning deer is a little different, that would make them suffer. Other animals would eat the poison too, and then they would die or get very sick. No animal deserves that.

Local catholics mourn passing of Pope John Paul II

Hungry Horse News

On only their third night on a tennis court, the Columbia Falls girls tennis team showed some talent.

The Wildkats won 6-1 at Eureka Wednesday. It was the Wildkats first match of the season, and due to previous cold weather, just their third night not playing tennis in Ruder Elementary School's gymnasium.

Thanks for the winefest

On behalf of the board of the Big Mountain Commercial Association, thank you to those who helped out with and attended our inaugural Big Mountain Winter Winefest on February 19.

Democrats blind to road closures

Shannon Hanson, fresh off the campaign trail, has spoken. But, a guy should step back from the shoeshine stand long enough to avoid not being blinded by his own over wrought brilliance. Governor Schweitzer's lip service to our dying forests will not be discharged by calling up the National Guard. The National Guard is not his personal socio-political tool. We are all grateful for their heroic actions during natural disasters. Heaven forbid they should actually be deployed to Guard the Nation!

Alfred Christian

Barbara Bliss Shinpoch

The Whitefish High Class of 1948 is in great sorrow over the passing of one of the greatest members of their class, Barbara Bliss Shinpoch.

Corey Linden McMillan

Corey Linden McMillan, 44, passed away March 16, 2005 at his home near Kalispell. Corey was born on Sept. 25, 1960 in Denver, Colo. Corey fought a long, hard and courageous battle from injuries he received in a car accident when he was 16. He attended high school in Whitefish where he played football, baseball and ran track. He was a very kind and generous man and maintained a good attitude despite the challenges of his life. He cared deeply for his family and brought joy to everyone around him.

Why should Amtrak pay full fare when no one else does?

The news from Washington is that Amtrak doesn't pay its own way so it should be eliminated. However, yesterday's news is that the U.S. Department of Transportation has granted $9.5 million to improve airports at about a dozen Montana towns, including towns along the Amtrak route.

It's a question of priorities

It's a question of priorities. Moral priorities at that. The President has not only chosen to put our young men and women in mortal peril in Iraq, but is now attempting to dismantle the social safety net of our country's most at risk. His 2006 budget, if made law, would devastate the system that is dedicated to looking after the young and old, eviscerating the safety net that the most vulnerable Americans depend upon.

From Tee to Green

League Organizational meetings

Thanks for The Wave

I want to express my heartfelt appreciation to the people in and around Whitefish for their generous contributions to The Wave. This magnificent facility was made possible by your contributions of money, time, creativity, and moral support.

Ticketing trash cans a bad idea

What a great idea. Let's cite our citizens for putting out their trash a day a head of time. Who is going to enforce this. I think the police should handle this serious crime. While patrolling the streets looking for "Garbage Criminals" the drug dealers, burglars, DUI's, etc. will have a better opportunity to do their deeds. Keep it up council.

Like minded judges don't serve justice

As President George W. Bush searches for potential judicial appointments, he should keep in mind the meaning of the words truth and justice rather than seeking to appoint like-minded judges. What good is a democracy without a just judiciary? Judges are responsible for ascertaining the truth that is vital to maintaining balance, a task which involves the ability to be completely set apart from all interests other than the complete pursuit of the truth. For a bunch of rich-kid-suit-and-tie politicians to have the right to appoint a person of such importance to a life-time term is a hilarious notion.