Letters to the editor
May 21
Leader event coverage poor
Once again Ronan is snubbed in the Lake County Leader. More than 1,300 people attended the Ronan Cabaret and all it warranted was a photo. No story. Why is it hunting for Easter eggs gets two full pages of photos and stories yet an event of this size gets nothing? I have lived in Ronan for most of my life and have read the paper back when it was the Ronan Pioneer (oh how I miss that paper). I have noticed that other than the bad news very little good news is ever shared about Ronan events. Is it because more business’ support the paper as far as advertising in Polson than Ronan? It stands to reason there ARE more businesses in Polson than Ronan. I’ve also noticed most stories include the same people all the time. There are lots of people in this valley. Are the reporters and photographers that biased? For those of you that missed Cabaret and want to know all about it, it was fantastic. Two nearly sold out and one night sold out performances. Thanks to all of the Ronan Show Choir kids, Mrs. Gillhouse, all her helpers and all the others for making a wonderful show.
Shelly Cordis, Ronan
BBBS thank you
We wish to thank all the businesses who made our end of the year party in Ronan a success last Monday, May 11. The businesses who donated prize bags for all the participants were Ronan Eye Clinic, Ronan Sports and Western, Salish Kootenai College, “The People Center,” The Flower Mill, and Lorrinda Fimbres (Mary Kay). Donations, refreshments and gift certificates came from Dairy Queen, Java Junction, McDonalds, Lucky Strike Lanes, Showboat and Entertainer Theaters, Jackie Ms, Harvest Foods and Salish Kootenai College.
More than 90 students filled the auditorium for games, races, Dilly Bars and to say goodbye for the summer. Special thanks to Principal Dave Marzolf for hosting the School Mentoring Program at K. William Harvey Elementary, and to Erin Anders, school counselor and Janet Sucha, Ronan High Prevention Specialist, who kept things running smoothly all year long. Finally, we want to thank all the high school mentors who show up every week and bring so much joy to their Little Brothers and Sisters. Their commitment and dedication over the years is truly a gift.
Kevin Avison, Board Chair, Julie Wenner, Executive Director, Julia Williams, Program Director
Thanks to SKC for space
We have heard Joe McDonald say that Salish Kootenai College is truly a community college. SKC sure proved it this past weekend when the local YogaHeart studio was able to rent space in the new Joe McDonald Health and Fitness Center. The studio sponsored a workshop taught by Ross Rayburn, a yoga teacher who came here to the Flathead from teaching yoga in Italy and Japan and headed out after our workshop to teach in New York and then Bali. For us to be able to bring such a world renowned teacher here to Montana was very special and would not have been possible without having access to such a beautiful facility. Over sixty-five yoga students and teachers came from all over the State of Montana and from as far away as Calgary. We had a spectacular view of the Missions in a beautiful space, with a kitchen ready for catering by the people from Mission Mountain Natural Foods. As Polson yoga students, we felt so proud to show off our college and our mountains from the vantage point of The Joe (McDonald event center). We are blessed to have a college that truly shares with the community; blessed to have The Joe, and the man for whom it was named, who has always seen to it that the college stays connected to the community, even as both grow.
Michele Lansdowne and Jack Liebschutz, Polson
MVA needs your help
Mission Valley Aquatics is a nonprofit organization dedicated to building a state-of-the-art aquatic facility in the Mission Valley. For the past several years, MVA volunteers and staff have been actively working to achieve this goal, and are pleased to report on several recent important developments. In 2008, we passed a levy to help sustain the operations of the facility. Land was donated (in Ridgewater Development, on Polson hill off U.S. Highway 93), allowing us to begin working with a pool designer and a local builder to create the architectural plans.
Community support has been wonderful. We have received three extremely generous anonymous donations (two for $1 million each and one for $250,000). Recent local grants and trusts we have received are the Barnowsky Estate, the George W. Taber Foundation and the Marselius and Verna Rolfson Trust. Numerous community members continue to donate pledged funds and volunteer time to our efforts.
This summer, we are seeking individuals or organizations to host a community or neighborhood event where MVA can present information and updates about the pool project. If you are interested in hosting, volunteering, learning more or making a donation, please contact MVA at 883-4567.
Raina Stene, MVA Board Member
Cancer won’t win with help
I am angry, I am confused, I am sad – I have breast cancer. The news was unexpected, a total shock. What did I do wrong? The doctor gave me some options. My initial reply was, “What if I do nothing?” He said, “You will be dead in 18 months!!” My world was crashing. My children are still young; they need me. I am still in love with my husband after 22 years. I cannot go. I am not ready. I have so much life to live. God, please tell me what to do.
And then it all began; the lumpectomy, chemotherapy and now radiation. How would I get through it all? My prayers were answered by family, friends and even mere acquaintances. You all came forward, encouraged me, cried with me and laughed with me. I have had many phone calls, cards and well wishes. I can’t feel sorry for myself – too many people have put their lives on hold to help me regain mine. I now stay positive and I am adamant about beating this cancer.
I want to thank all of you for your kindness and love. The Cancer Benefit took a lot of work and you all so unselfishly gave your time, hard work and monetary contributions. I will never forget what you have all done for me and my family.
In times like this, you sure find out who your friends are and I am thankful to be blessed with all of you.
I love you and I will never stop fighting.
Love,
Debbie Benson, Polson