Ellington

Seasons greetings from Australia

I would like to convey my best wishes and season's greetings to all my friends in Whitefish. Especially all those at the VFW and the Grizzly Den.

Special session comes up short

The special legislative session was a lost opportunity to me. Republicans and Democrats alike brought their petitions to try and expand the session call to make the special session as effective as possible.

Public pensions creating burden

The recently concluded, and mercifully short, special session of the legislature spent more than $70 million to more adequately fund our public schools.

Foundation for the arts

I was privileged to be invited to the annual Whitefish Community Foundation Grants Award reception on Dec. 15. This organization, headed up by David Stewart and Carol Atkinson, awarded more than $80,000 that evening to several deserving nonprofit organizations, including ours, the Whitefish Parent Teacher Association.

Remembering a selfish year

Last column for year 2005. As most of you know, the year just past was a tough one for my family and for me but we are carrying on with positive hopes and energy. That it is not just the best way to handle the loss of a loved one…it is the only way.

Another great year in sports

The past year was definitely a memorable one for the Columbia Falls High School sports teams.

There were no deaths this week.

Theresa Burnham

Theresa F. Burnham, 99, died Dec. 19, 2005, at her residence in Kalispell. She was born Oct. 3, 1906, in Springfield, Mass., to Frank and Katherine T. (Fleming) Lyon.

Happy New Year!

Center requests art for two exhibits

Call To Artists: Fire, Earth & Fiber IV will be held June 2 through July1, 2006, at the Bigfork Art & Cultural Center in Bigfork. The premise of the exhibition is to showcase artists working in the media of the earth—clay, metal, wood and fiber. The exhibition is a biennial exhibition (occurring every two years).

Wolf responsibility

This week's news is that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, out of the goodness of their hearts, (a) is now allowing Idaho to take over most responsibility for the wolves, and (b) hopes to do the same with Montana.

A letter from the editor

This is what I know

2005, a year in review

5:

Donald L. Jones

Former Whitefish resident Donald L. Jones passed away in his sleep Sept. 26, 2005, with his son Edward, by his side. He went on to join his beloved wife, partner in life and a host of many friends and family.

FWP holds hunting regulation hearing

The Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission will hold the annual northwest Montana hearing on the 2006 tentative hunting regulations at the West Coast Hotel in Kalispell (formerly Cavanaughs), Kalispell Center Mall, on Saturday, Jan. 14.

Are you eager to see the end of 2005?

a) Yes, it is time for a new start.

Six businesses cited in alcohol compliance checks

Twenty Whitefish stores and bars had an underage "buyer" visit them on Dec. 16 and 17 as part of the Flathead County Alcohol Enforcement Team's compliance check program.

Eleven Kats score in romp over Ronan

Heading into winter break, the one thing the Columbia Falls girls basketball team wanted more than anything was a win to start the conference season.

A gift of color

A large round tin that I keep my sewing thread in slipped to the floor with a clatter, scattering the contents in many directions. As I gathered the spools of thread from near and far to place them back in the tin, a price label on a wooden spool of bright orange thread caught my eye.

Vera Peacock

Vera C. Peacock, 94, passed away Dec. 12, 2005, at Prestige Assisted Living in Kalispell.

Assisting animals

Thank you to all those involved with the Whitefish Community Foundation. Your generosity and dedication has helped our community in countless ways through your support of many worthy non-profit organizations.

Sherwin Bevan

Sherwin Arthur Bevan, 63, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Dec. 16, 2005, as a result of injuries sustained from an auto accident.

School funding face-off

Republicans

The big day

David and Helen Morris wish to thank everyone for the beautiful flowers and cards given for our 70th wedding anniversary and both of our birthdays.

Lloyd Fagerland

Lloyd Fagerland, 79, passed away on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2005 at his residence at Buffalo Hill Terrace in Kalispell. He was born on Oct. 15, 1926 in Kalispell the son of Ernest and Bernice (Dyer) Fagerland.

Henry E. Patterson

Henry E. Patterson, age 79, of Whitefish, passed away Dec. 11, 2005, at North Valley Hospital in Whitefish.

Sports Briefs

The Wave's own volleyball team won the co-ed volleyball championship tournament at The Wave after taking second place in league play with a 6-3 record. Team members include Brynn Atcheson, Jeff Whiteside, Jason Kinley and Cindy Stanley. New leagues for women and co-ed volleyball will be forming in January. Members and non-members are welcome. Cost is $75-$100 per team. For more information, call 862-2444.

Community help

On Dec. 15, the Whitefish Golden Agers, your senior center, was honored by the Whitefish Community Foundation with a grant to enable us to purchase two computers for the use of the senior community.

Guest opinion

Off to a great start

Merry Christmas

There's been a lot of talk of late about whether it's more appropriate to say "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Holidays."

Bar crackdown will hurt business

"For the times they are a-changin'." — Bobby Dylan

LaVona Tucker

LaVona Mae Tucker, 80, passed away Dec. 14, 2005, at Brendan House in Kalispell.

Mary Jordan Gorton

On Dec. 10, Mary passed on to eternal life surrounded by her husband of 64 years and her children.

A Canyon Christmas

Hungry Horse News

Wish list

Call it what you will, but I'm in the giving mood these days.

Cats lose to Braves, drub Hamilton

Hungry Horse News

Guest opinion

Pension fund liability must not fall on taxpayers

Ann Lawson

Beloved friend, mother, sister and companion, Ann Louise Lawson, "went into the embrace of the Lord," having passed away from cancer on Dec. 7, 2005.

Kathleen Keyser

Kathleen B. "Kate" Isakson Keyser, 46, passed away Nov. 27, 2005, at her home in Kalispell.

Bike path impacts discussed

About 30 people showed up at a Nov. 29 meeting in the city council chambers to learn more about the 2006 Wisconsin Ave. bike path project.

Earl Russell

Earl Russell, 55, died Dec. 7, 2005, at his home in Eureka.

Shannon Tallman

Shannon Lynn Tallman, of Whitefish, passed away Dec. 4, 2005.

Motorist saved

On Monday, Dec. 5, I was stranded when I drove into four feet of snow in a whiteout, after leaving a fabulous day of skiing at Big Mountain.

The price of road rage

Is road rage finger waving stupid? There is at least one guy in Utah who will not be making the standard gesture at other drivers for a long time.

Jack Thompson

Jack Thompson, 71, passed away Dec. 4, 2005, after a lengthy illness.

Sports Briefs

The Whitefish parent/swimmer group invites all interested parents and swimmers to attend a breakfast swim-team meeting on Dec. 26 at 9 a.m. at the Pin and Cue. Representatives from The Wave will be attending to show their appreciation of the historical mark made by the initial swim team, the Bullfrogs, during the 1960s to 1980s. The Wave will extend an invitation to the group to arrange a display of memorabilia in the health club. For more information, call 862-3641.

Creating a public forum

Here at the Whitefish Pilot, we consider one of the jobs of newspapers to be creating a forum for discussion on important local issues.

Reflecting on drinking responsibly

Homer Simpson's observation on alcohol is applicable to the open container law of Whitefish: "Here is to alcohol, the cause of — and solution to — all life's problems."

English Yuletide traditions

A few days before my first Christmas on American soil in 1944, our nephew Rod asked if I would make an English Christmas pudding. My culinary expertise was nil, but I didn't want him to know this.

Funds raised

Last week, before the Christmas Stroll, the Pilot ran a photo of the Adams twins at their booth in front of Bear Mountain Mercantile with signs explaining the bake sale to benefit Heifer International.

Dial explains open container laws

I am responding to the letter published in last week's Whitefish Pilot concerning the open-container ordinance in Whitefish. The right to express one's opinion is what makes this a great country. The author, in choosing to not identify him/herself made an unfortunate decision.

Henry Patterson

Henry E. Patterson, 79, of Whitefish, died Dec. 10, 2005, at North Valley Hospital.

Jacob Wendell "Jake" Hill

Jacob Wendell "Jake" Hill, age 82, passed away on Sunday, Dec. 4, 2005 at Lakeview Care Center in Bigfork. He was born on Dec. 26, 1922 in Dallas, Texas, the son of Dewey and Beulah (Smith) Hill.

Guest opinion

Red ink logging

Armin Schmidt

Armin Albert Schmidt, 82, passed away Dec. 1, 2005, at Heritage Place in Kalispell.

Laws in place for a reason

This letter is in response to last week's "anonymous" letter published in the Whitefish Pilot.

Working together

Thank you coach Ferda. In an era of bashing your teammates, premeditated end-zone dances and players putting themselves above others, there was you.

Bigfork Eagle editorial

Tis the season

North Valley 'pavers'

Construction has started on our new hospital, but a lot of work and fund-raising remains to be done. The purpose of this letter is to remind everyone of a great gifting opportunity for the holidays.

Gulf letter

Editor's note: Cindy Burns, who coordinates health and safety programs and disaster training for the American Red Cross of Montana, got a hold of the Flathead County school superintendent when Katrina hit and helped facilitate a writing campaign between local schools and schools in the Gulf. Many letters have gone down to the students. One teacher's response to Burns follows.

Bertha Monroe

Bertha Rein Monroe, 100, passed away quietly at her home in Whitefish with her family at her side Oct. 15, 2005.

Local courts taking action to hold domestic violence offenders accountable

Offenders convicted of misdemeanor partner or family member assault in Flathead County Justice Court or Kalispell City Court are frequently ordered to compliance monitoring and supervision during the period of their sentence.

Sports04

Israeli champion figure skater Michael Shmerkin will perform at the Whitefish Figure Skating Club's 14th annual ice show "Magical Moments on Ice" on Saturday, Dec. 10, at 7:30 p.m. in the Stumptown Ice Den. Club members will also perform. Tickets are available at Imagination Station in Whitefish and Kalispell.

Whitefish speakers take first in this year's only home tourney

In what was truly a team effort, 25 of 26 Whitefish High School speech and debate competitors placed in their events Saturday at the Whitefish Invitational tournament to eke out a 161-150 point win over cross-town rival Columbia Falls. Polson placed third with 39 points.

Nordic fund-raiser a success

The Glacier Nordic Club would like to thank all the businesses and individuals who generously donated to our auction/fund-raiser. You made it another great successful night.

Carl Edward Rauthe

Carl Edward Rauthe, age 75, passed away on Monday, Nov. 28, 2005 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center in Kalispell.

Use it or lose it

I have such frustration going on, I must comment to our town. Everyone has a right to an opinion, and we champion that, but it seems all the concerns that are aired have to do with "Iraq, War, DC, etc." How we, so far removed from the power nucleus, think that we really know what is the truth about such goings on, is beyond me.

Are heating costs breaking your bank this year?

A) No, so far it has been comparable to previous years.

The missing lynx

First wife Iris likes to get things done "NOW!" She does not even understand the concept of "procrastination." In fact, Iris thinks people who habitually postpone any kind of a chore until "later," should be punished…but she married me anyway.

Robert Wilson

Robert O. "Bob" Wilson, 80, passed away Nov. 23, 2005, at Immanuel Lutheran Home in Kalispell.

Christmas dinner

The annual Christmas at Our House Dinner is at the National Guard Armory Saturday, Dec. 17, from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Armory is located at 2989 Highway 93 North, Kalispell one mile north of West Reserve. It is the first public event at the new facility. A free Christmas turkey and ham dinner with all of the trimmings will be served. Santa Claus makes an appearance from 1 until 3 p.m. with gifts for children. Surplus military winter clothing will be available to those who need it.

Hungry Horse land sells for $2.38 million

Hungry Horse News

Geraldine Close

Geraldine Close, 72, passed away Nov. 26 at Colonial Manor in Whitefish.

Brown claims forests mismanaged

Ranking behind only wheat and cattle, Montana's third largest cash crop is timber.

Puritanical values hurting Whitefish

Editor's note: The Whitefish Pilot received the following letter from a concerned Whitefish resident who wished to remain anonymous.

Milton Dale Wolf

Milton Dale Wolf, age 77, passed away on Sunday, Nov. 27, 2005 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Helena Pannell Blend

A Memorial Mass will be held in Bigfork at St. Catherine's Catholic Church on Saturday, Jan. 15 at 10 a.m. for Helena Pannell Blend, 88.

Montana spirit

Whitefish has always epitomized the Montana spirit of rugged independence and a strong sense of freedom. In the last few years, there has been what seems to be a left-coast haze creeping into our wonderful community.

Carrie Jewell

Carrie Johnston Jewell passed away Nov. 20, 2005, at the age of 84 in Kalispell.

Ethel Senst

Former Montana resident Ethel Glenn Senst died of natural causes on Nov. 21, 2005, in Glendale, Ariz.

Long agendas

City council and planning board meetings that run on to midnight or later are an inevitable consequence of growth, but tired officials and hurried staff may not be giving important items the attention they need.

Dennis Brooks

Dennis Wesley Brooks, 40, of Everett, Wash., ended his journey in the rushing waters of McDonald Creek in Glacier National Park on Nov. 21, 2005.

Selling 'Mindless Drivel'

The fun of writing columns and books, speaking at conventions and shooting the bull on the radio, has a downside. Many people communicate by fax, phone, letter, or e-mail and I just love that; BUT then! they want me to reply. Don't like that. Selfish? Pig Headed? Lazy? Yes, most of the time.

Guest opinion

Based on the Constitution

National priority

As someone who has been touched by cancer and as an American Cancer Society volunteer, I believe that investing in cancer research and programs should be a top national priority. That's why I was so disappointed to learn that Congress could cut cancer research funding by as much as $100 million this year.

All Aboard, Part 2

Continued from last week's Eagle…

'Bowl For Kids' a success

The board of directors, staff and participants of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Flathead County would like to thank the community for the wonderful response to the recent Bowl For Kids' Sake fund-raiser. Our appreciation goes out to all of the bowlers, sponsors and businesses for being so generous with their time and financial support.