No July 4 fireworks show at Ronan
Editor,
The Ronan 4th of July Committee regrets to announce that it will no longer sponsor, organize or raise funds for the annual Ronan 4th of July fireworks display.
Some of us have been working on the project for over a decade, and we've seen it grow into a display of which Ronan rightfully can be proud. However, a chronic lack of volunteers and our inability to secure local fire suppression during the display this year has made us think it's time to let others try their hand.
The committee thanks all the local business that support the project through donations and ticket purchases, and the townspeople who stayed in Ronan to celebrate with us. Thanks, also to Tribal Fire Control for past support and the organization apologizes for any conflict created in 2006.
Special thanks goes to Mike Plummer, a professional pyrotechnician who set up and set off the displays the past couple years.
The committee had $4,430 in funds and game prizes to donate to any group or organization that wished to continue the fireworks display in 2007. Interested parties should have contacted the fireworks committee within 60 days. There were no takers.
The remaining funds were then donated to non-profit organizations in Ronan. Recipients were the Ronan Fair Board, $2,000; Boys and Girls Club, $1,000 plus all supplies the committee had purchased for the carnival; VFW Post 5652, $700; Boy Scouts, $400; and Ronan Summer Recreation program, $330.
Ronan 4th of July Fireworks Committee
Ronan
Ronan food bank receives $1,000
Editor,
The Diocese of Helena Aid to the Needy Programs of the Catholic Church has awarded $1,000 to the Bread Basket in Ronan. The Board of the Bread Basket appreciates that the Catholic Church has been so faithful in supporting our program here in Ronan. In addition, we are fortunate to have our local citizens and businesses in the Mission Valley continually donate time, food and money to help feed our hungry families.
Each month the Bread Basket is able to give families enough food to last three or four days, including potatoes, canned or frozen meat, sugar, flour, eggs, dry or frozen milk, canned fruits and vegetables, rice, peanut butter, soup, bread, dry beans and juice. We serve an average of 130 families per month.
A special thank you goes to the Charlo and Ronan Rural Postal Carriers. In May, the people in the rural areas of Charlo and Ronan put groceries by their mailboxes and the rural carriers collected 521 pounds of food from Ronan and 213 pounds from Charlo. What a wonderful donation to the Bread Basket for our needy families.
Thanks to all of you in the community who will be responding to the donation envelope which will soon be included in your Ronan Telephone Company bill. A big thank you goes to Ronan Telephone Company for donating this insert.
To all our faithful volunteers who work so hard to keep food available for the hungry, we send a big thank-you. We would ask any of our local citizens who have extra food, especially fresh fruits and vegetables to think of donating them to the Bread Basket. Our families really appreciate home grown produce.
The Bread Basket is so grateful for the many blessings we receive from our community and others. Thank you for caring,
Chris Shrider,
Secretary, Bread Basket
Ronan
Area has more than scenery to offer
Editor,
Your "Word On The Street" in last week's Leader gave me cause for concern. All four interviewed wanted tourists to see more scenery as "the main attraction." Just to arrive in Lake County, travelers would have to pass through some portions of our beautiful valley.
To mutually benefit our valley by having tourists stay longer (spend more money), it is imperative that residents be better informed about our area attractions. There are at least nine museums/historical sites/cultural centers in Lake County.
There are also wildlife refuges, art galleries, antique shops, performing arts groups and many summer activities. Each one has something unique or special worth seeing.
Perhaps your reporters could write about them more frequently, instead of so much sports. Apparently, not everyone reads the Vacation Guide.
Thank you.
Gil Mangels
Polson
Veteran expresses his appreciation
Editor,
Thank you to the City of Polson, Rick Skates and the members of the planning committee for the dedication of the Veterans Bridge.
As an out-of-town veteran from St. Ignatius and Billings, I received a special honor and personal invite and orientation from Rick Skates at the 1st Citizens Bank conference room. This was because of my wartime service and recommendation from Judge Kim Christopher.
I was a past guest speaker at the Polson Veterans Day and also a speaker several years ago in the Ronan City Park and the Custer National Battlefield. I was also a board member of the Montana Vietnam War Memorial and dedication of the memorial at Missoula.
I would like all to know I have never seen anything quite like the effort and recognition the Polson citizens put forth to honor all veterans. We veterans who came from all over are deeply touched and will never ever forget this high honor and dedication. Thank you.
Charlie James
US Army (Ret.)
Special Forces
St. Ignatius
'Friendly folks of Polson' are thanked
Editor,
We are former Montanans and have always been proud of our native state.
On May 31, we were traveling to Polson to place flowers on family graves. On Highway 93, our car was rear-ended in an accident. At that precise moment a very nice lady pulled over and called the necessary agencies.
Within minutes, the fire and police departments arrived. The fire crew checked thoroughly to make sure we weren't injured. Sorry we didn't get names. The police officers, Doug Chase and William Barron, also were so compassionate, kind and efficient.
In a world where we hear the negatives, it's refreshing to know the "friendly folks of Polson" are upholding Montana for being such a great place.
Joyce Mangan
Carol Hargrave
Coeur d'Alene
Teamwork led to superb operation
Editor,
Lake County residents can be proud of their Lake County Sheriff's Office, Sheriff Lucky Larson, and his entire staff, be they administrative staff, detention officers, dispatchers or deputies.
The manhunt for the two escapees from Montana State Prison drained most all of Sheriff Larson's resources. Sheriff Larson turned to other agencies, including county, state and federal for support. The result of all this teamwork was a superb operation leading in subsequent apprehension.
That is what teamwork minus turf issues provides to the taxpayer.
A salute to all involved.
Doug Chase
Police Chief
Polson
RHS Class of '07 is appreciative
Editor,
The Ronan High School class of 2007 extends special thanks to Jim Pierce (Ronan Dodge) for paying for the Missoula Athletic Club for our all-night celebration.
Everyone enjoyed the rock-climbing wall, racquet ball, basketball, tennis and swimming. We all had a blast!
Special thanks for the valedictorians for the scholarships you provided. They are greatly appreciated. You are such wonderful members of our community.
Jenna Rody
RHS Class of 2007
Ronan
Warrior Society appreciates support
Editor,
The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Veteran Warrior Society would like to give a big thank you to the people who made our Memorial Day endeavors possible. A special thanks to Linda King, Jolene Gauthier, and Diana Jones for the construction of our new regalia. We also thank the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal Council for donating toward the purchase of our coats.
Thank you to Rick Skates for the invitation to participate is the Polson bridge honoring. Also a special thanks to Kathy Skates, the winner of a print of the Vietnam memorial wall, at the silent auction. Revenue from this will help us proceed to our next objective, Victor days.
We wouldn't be able to continue these ventures of good will without your support.
Salish and Kootenai Warrior Society
CORRECTION
In Norma Hammerberg's letter to the editor last week about golf rates for city employees' families, the word "no" was omitted. The sentence should have read "Granted, if we did not buy our annual pass there may have been a difference, but we got no special privileges on the price of our passes." Our apologies for the error.