Newcomer touched by community warmth

Erin Scott, Leader Staff

I spy with my little eye, someone who holds compassion in her hands, poetry on her tongue, adventure in her hair, timidity in her smile, curiosity in her glare, persistence in her step and understanding in her soul. I spy your new Lake County Leader reporter Erin!

Before I begin talking about myself I want to take a moment and thank Lake County residents. Without your readership, I would not have a reason to write. Every writer is driven to write for someone - whether that writer be a novelist, poet or political reporter - and I find myself writing for a small-town crowd. It is my intention to cover a variety of issues facing our county in an honest, clear manner.

I also want to thank the community members for your overwhelming hospitality and friendliness. I have never experienced such a close-knit community where age doesn't matter, and everyone is everyone's friend. I was granted a closer look into this pleasant environment by way of a column I wrote covering the Carol Sampson Sherick trail dedication - which I was privileged to write. That being said and for those reasons, I am more than delighted to write and live in this wonderful location.

I came to Polson from Michigan two weeks ago by car. The drive was scenic enough, but when the sun shown across Montana's big sky I felt myself begin to fly. I was instantaneously captivated by the sheer brilliance of the mountains and untouched beauty of the landscape; I felt as though I had been cast in an old western movie.

When I first entered the Southeast corner of the state a dark blanket of night hid the inspiring terrain, but a few locals caught the glance of my dilated pupils. I met numerous herds of deer lining the desolate highway - I saw more deer in ten miles then I had in ten years in Michigan. A sprightly fox scurried across the pavement paying me little regard. Initially unfamiliar with the concept of a reduced speed limit at night, I quickly became aware of its necessity.

After about three hours of road trekking I pulled into a small, generator-powered gas station; it was this initial warmhearted encounter with the clerk that set the tone for all other conversations throughout the state. Everyone asked where I was from, where I was going, how I felt about all the above. This home-grown courtesy is a kind of welcoming that, although alien to me, was sorely needed.

I am a soft-spoken girl, who has turned to writing for the past decade or so to express my views. As with many writers, a feeling of deep peace and satisfaction comes over me when my work clearly defines my intentions. I thrive off of the life-giving power of the written language, and hope that my position with the Leader will foster dialogue and further unification within the community.

I come from a rather large family, and have several brothers and sisters. As the children grew, our jobs and families took us to different locations throughout the world. My sister lives in North Carolina with her US Naval Dentist husband and three children. My brother's position with the US Air Force has taken him and his wife and two children to Germany. I have a mother and brother in Alabama, a sister in Ohio, relatives in Florida, and my remaining family in Michigan.

After high school I went to the local community college for some years, and graduated from Grand Valley State University two years after obtaining my associate degrees. In the course of those years, I've developed my own interests and independence outside the classroom. (Here's where the bland laundry list of hobbies are imposed.)

I have played several instruments over the years, including the flute and violin. I taught myself the guitar two years ago and like to mimic favorite female, singer/songwriter artists. I enjoy singing. I am close to my family. I had a gecko for three years, Nova, who I donated to an elementary school science class before the move. A few of my favorite books are "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Bronte, "Ten Stupid Things Women Do To Mess Up Their Lives" By Dr. Laura Schlessinger, and "Living Buddha Living Christ" by Thich Nhat Hanh. I love watching "Sex and the City," "Project Runway" and "Dirty Jobs." My dad owns a telecommunications business and I have been his administrative assistant, secretary and accountant over the years. I love being an aunt, but am uncertain if children of my own are in the distant future.

Well … that's me in a nutshell. I am eager to meet everyone in the community and get your input on the stories you feel need covering. I want to make myself available to everyone, and let you know that I am here to disseminate news to you in a timely, accurate manner … with an occasional column that allows my reflective voice to be heard.