Letters to the editor
Quilt winner
In this time of close money I wish to share a positive note. Our women’s club for years has raffled off a quilt in Ronan to benefit the Ronan Senior Meals on Wheels program.
The 2010 drawing was Dec. 6 in Ronan and Jennae Welker, of Ronan, won this year’s quilt celebrating 100 years since homesteading in our area. The story is we were able to donate $550 to each worthwhile cause due to our loyal, generous supporters and everyone that appreciates these two very worthwhile organizations.
We wish to congratulate Jennae Welker and thank everyone for their continued support.
Clara Miller
Ronan
Friends in deed
Hello again dear “friends in deed.” The board of the Bread Basket wishes everyone a happy and prosperous New Year filled with hope as we thank our community for their unfailing support in these difficult times. Our families will continue to receive food during the tough months ahead because of the generous concern of our neighbors. Thank you one and all.
Most people never have an opportunity to see how much our clients appreciate the helping hand, or how they try to give back when they can, and yet; everywhere in our community people remember our neighbors in need throughout the year. They use their creativity, time and energy to organize programs to either raise money or collect food, especially during this holiday time.
Then there are those who volunteer their time to unload trucks, stock shelves or work at the center throughout the year. Many find ways to have fun while encouraging help for their neighbors and don’t consider it someone else’s issue/problem to solve. You have our unending gratitude.
There are so many faithful individuals; not to mention clubs who gave generously to each of the food pantries in the valley; local businesses, as well as bigger corporations, organizations, and our churches who keep on giving. When added up, 3,891 pounds was given to the food pantry during the holiday season. We made our $5,000 matched funds pledged from Town Pump and our local Town Pump donated another $1,540 collected here in the valley. It seems more and more people are “sharing the spirit” along with the raffle of gift baskets, which keeps growing each year.
There are many individuals who work together to make a better community and because of this community effort, the job of keeping the Bread Basket operating does not seem such a heavy load. There is no gift too small when given from our hearts and we are grateful that you share so much with our local Bread Basket.
God Bless you all in the coming year.
Bread Basket
board of directors
Ronan
Postal support
Winter storms and the cold, snow and ice are here, making it more challenging for letter carriers to deliver your mail.
The Charlo Post Office reminds postal customers to always clear a safe, accessible path to your mailboxes. Please make sure your mailbox itself is visible and free of snow and ice, and clear your mailbox area of snow, sleet, slush, ice and debris.
If possible, do not park your vehicles in front of your mailbox. Combined with the snowy and icy conditions, this can make it very difficult for your letter carrier to access and deliver to your mailbox.
If mailboxes are blocked off and conditions are too difficult, letter carriers must consider safety and accessibility first. Letter carriers are instructed not to deliver to mailboxes and locations they consider having access too difficult or unsafe. The U.S. Postal Service, the Charlo Post Office and postal letter carriers greatly appreciate your support.
Neoma Cox
Charlo
Donations appreciated
Family Matters would like to thank Super 1 Foods and Safeway for donating turkeys for our Gift Give Away on Dec. 11. Thank you also to our giving community for donating. It was a huge success and so many families had a few more presents under the tree this year. We will do it again next year so keep those nice things that someone else could give as a gift.
Check out Family Matters’ website for our literacy programs, all free to the public. www.polsonfamilymatters.com
Julia Roberts
Polson
Soup’s on
When your feet feel frozen from sloshing around in the slush and snow, there is nothing like a steaming bowl of homemade soup to thaw them. The friendly, welcoming atmosphere at “Soup’s On” will not only warm your toes, it will warm your spirit.
I would like to thank the many community members who have supported this important free-lunch project with cash and in-kind contributions. I hope everyone will join me in supporting “Soup’s On.” Go in for some great soup and make a donation. Every little bit helps.
The “Soup’s On” team is actively raising money to complete a critically needed electrical upgrade to their building. They are willing to sleep on the street until they raise the $1,800 it will take to compete the upgrade. Watch for them camped on Main Street, near the Glacier Bank drive-thru during the week of Feb. 21 to 26.
Then, on Feb. 26 from 5 p.m. to midnight, the Second Annual Winter Fest will be held at the Elks Club, to raise operating funds for “Soup’s On.” Mark your calendar for this exciting event, which features a gourmet spaghetti dinner and entertainment by the Southern Comfort band.
“Soup’s On” is open Mondays through Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at the Wander Inn (101 7th Ave. West in Polson).
Sandy Farrell
Polson
What if?
What if you woke up and money no longer had any importance? What if all that was important is what you had done as a steward of Earth and its people? What if you had to rely only on the love you had built with friends and family? What if there was no longer electricity? What if you could only get food once a month? What if water no longer came out of you tap?
The world we know can change in a day, ask the fish and bird lovers. If you do not feel comfortable with your answers to the what ifs, maybe today you should work on those answers.
Patricia Lundgren
Polson
Big Arm school progresses
Last week the Big Arm Association volunteers took advantage of the slightly warmer weather to continue work on the Big Arm historic school. A number of enthusiastic volunteers worked two afternoons to prepare the twelve foot walls for new wiring and insulation.
We are very appreciative of David Bruner, a master electrician, who next week will be volunteering his time to bring the historic building’s wiring up to code.
We thank everyone involved in this great project especially everyone who helped last week.
Please contact 849-6628 if you would like to help in any way.
Alison Meslin
Big Arm