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A pair of excellent track records

| May 10, 2007 12:00 AM

By Paul Fugleberg

Last Friday was Nate Traylor’s last day at the Leader. He started with us as a cub reporter and rapidly developed into a first rate professional journalist. Several things I admire about Nate. He was willing to tackle any story, no matter how difficult, controversial or how sensitive it might be — and to treat it objectively.

He is among the best telephone interviewers I’ve ever known — able to tuck the phone between shoulder and ear, ask questions and type responses a mile a minute!

Perhaps one of the most difficult things a reporter must do is to be able to listen closely to what people are saying — particularly in situations where tempers and emotions are involved. Some reporters never learn that. After a few learning experiences, Nate mastered that technique.

Working alongside Nate was a 100 percent pleasure. I predict you’ll be hearing and reading a lot from him in the years ahead as he advances in his career.

It may not always be in newspapering, but it will be in the writing field in one form or another. He’ll do well.

While I hate to see him leave here, I’m glad for him as he steps out in faith to see what the future holds.

Remembering Everett Smith

Speaking of special people, Everett Smith certainly was one. He died last week at the age of 101. In recent years, he would be seen frequently riding his electric scooter to the post office, grocery stores — even as far away as Safeway — and to the Community Church at the bottom of Skyline Drive. At age 100 he rode his scooter in the Polson Fourth of July Parade, accompanied by family members.

He was a well known citizen ever since coming to Polson in 1932 when his father, the Rev. C.E. Smith, served the Methodist Church here. After graduating from Montana Wesleyan College with a BS degree in chemistry, he taught school in Antelope and Baker before accepting an offer to join Dow Chemical in Minneapolis, only to join about 60 other workers whose jobs were lost due to the Great Depression.

So he returned to Polson intending to apply for a teaching job. He attended the University in Missoula to renew his teaching certificate and practice taught in Ronan. The Depression slammed the door on his teaching plans, too.

Instead, he got into the restaurant business — first as a cook on a 4 p.m. to midnight shift, then buying into the business, and ultimately starting his own restaurant, the Grill Caf/, (next to Gull Printing) which he and his wife Luella operated successfully for 35 years.

Despite the demands of business, Everett was active in community work. He served on the city council for six years, was active in local, state and national I.O.O.F. lodge, was a 25-year Lions Club member, for 30 years headed the local Salvation Army chapter, was a member of the Lake County Council on Aging, the American Red Cross, and the Lake County Tax Appeals Board. He and Luella were charter members of the Polson Senior Citizens.

Quite a remarkable track record Everett made over the years.

Polson is fortunate to have had him as a resident.