Monument taking shape

This is an update to the Community Spirit Monument project in Kalispell for those of you that have contributed artwork or messages and an introduction to those of you that have yet to hear of the project. The purpose of the project is to recognize the value of all types of people in our community and to promote cooperation in resolving issues.

The monument's design is a four-pillar gazebo-like structure. The monument will take the place of an aging gazebo in Woodland Park that is scheduled for removal by the Kalispell Parks Department. Ceramic tiles with messages and artwork created by the community will be mortared to the pillars. People ages 3-93, groups of scouts, senior art classes, head start, church groups, school classes and many others have made hundreds of tiles.

People have been asked to create tiles that reflect what they appreciate about their lives in this community. The four-pillar pavilion has been designed by Kay Lynn of Stillwater Studios and will sit by the pond in Woodland Park. The City of Kalispell has donated the land and many community businesses and individuals have contributed their materials, time and dollars toward construction of this monument to community spirit. United Way is serving as the fiscal sponsor of the project.

We'd like to thank those businesses that have agreed to donate funds or materials to the project. They include Classic Tile, Western Building, Ace Hardware, Laticrete Inland Industrial, Archie Brae Clayworks of Helena, Amoco Glaze, Kalispell Glass, Paperchase Printing, Mailboxes Etc., Rocks Pro, Coon Forge Ironwork, LHC, Glacier Bank, Mountain West Bank, Pacific Steel and Airworks Heating & Air-conditioning. Individual tiles will be made to recognize businesses that have helped with the project.

We'd also like to thank the very generous individual contributors. Contributions in materials and labor raised so far towards the project total over $20,000. It is estimated that another $7,000 in materials or funds is needed to construct the monument.

We'd like the tiles placed on the four pillars to represent all of us. So we invite businesses, community organizations, churches and others to contribute a message to be placed on a tile. The cost is $10 per tile. It may take a few tiles to fit your message.

Some of the themes represented so far include family, peace, skiing, water quality, fishing, tolerance, respect for civil dialogue, music, patriotism, logging industry, farmers, conservation and mountains. One church from Columbia Falls called to have the following message: "Do all that you do in love." An individual created a tile that states, "When hell freezes over, I'll ski there, too."

Several community leaders have added tiles to the project. Also, many of the valley's well- known artists have contributed to the project, including Mark Ogle, Bob Cavanaugh, Linda Katsuda, Kelsey Schmidt, Frank Tetrault and Linda Christensen. Two of the pillars have been constructed, and tiles are being placed on them at Stillwater Studios.

Donations may be sent to the following address: The Community Spirit Monument Project, 258 Riverside Drive, Kalispell MT 59901. For further information, contact 752-2351 or 862-7610.

Karin Hilding, Kay Lynn, Helen Pilling, Jean Kramer, Toni Wells, Layah Cottonwood and Gaelyn Moore