Marathon success

Congratulations and a huge thank you to Two Bear Marathon race directors Gayle Weinberg and Brad Seaman, The Wave, volunteers and sponsors for a splendiferous event.

Your attention to detail, from conception to completion, created the finest marathon we've ever participated in. We're not alone — we heard runner after runner comment about how well run the race was, and how much fun they had on an admittedly difficult course.

Many of us remarked on how beautiful Beaver Lake was in the early morning mist with a touch of fall color fringing the shore. We heard others praise the beauty of the course as they huffed their way between Murray and Woods Lakes. Aid stations were well placed and easily negotiated.

The family banging on pots and pans near City Beach gave everyone a boost and the kids in their super hero capes by the high school eased the agony of the last mile.

After the race as we visited with runners, many of whom were first-timers from out of town, we were proud to say this was our home town. Everything about the Two-Bear Marathon was first rate and participation will only grow.

Thanks again for an outstanding day — you did our community proud.

Richard and Suzanne Hildner

Whitefish

Eight 'maniacs' on the marathon

We, the Marathon Maniacs (on the Web at http://www.marathonmaniacs.com, there were eight of us who ran), can't say enough good things about the Two Bear Marathon experience.

The entire community of Whitefish made our race and stay a memorable one. How many marathons can state a one-to-one ratio of volunteers to runners? The volunteers were so enthusiastic and helpful it seemed like they've been doing it for years.

We felt that the race was so much more organized (and more enjoyable) than most of the big-budgeted marathons. From the post-race feast, the massages, all you can drink beer, The Wave, the wonderful finishers medals — everything was just a positive.

Obviously that must come from having a great coordinator/race director. So please give yourself, the volunteers and the race sponsors a huge pat on the back for a job well done. We'll be back for sure.

Marathon Maniacs

Pacific Northwest

Race well planned

The inaugural running of the Two Bear Marathon would not have been possible without the well thought through planning of the race creators and all the volunteers out to support The Wave and those participating in the race.

I would like to thank all of them for doing an amazing job. The support, not only the continuous aid but also of the entire town, was seen through all 26.2 miles of the course.

From the mountain bikers and Croc Hunter who rode in to support the aid station deep in the woods between miles 11 and 12 to the family sitting on the hill at mile 23 making noises of support with spoons and pots from the kitchen.

And, of course, no runner can forget the two bears that scared us on our way and then greeted us at the finish.

The course had the feel not of a first-year race, but that of one already a tradition to those running and supporting it. It was awesome to see a scholarship fund-raiser created that not only makes The Wave possible for all but also sparks the healthy athletic spirit The Wave was built to support.

It was great to see such a large percentage of the runners on a marathon course for the first time. Many of these runners were able to conquer a lifetime goal that they did not know how to challenge until the option of The Wave. This is one marathon many others and I will return to run year after year, but next year we'll bring friends.

Nathan Driggers

Seattle, Wash.

Creating morals

I do not like the direction this society is heading. Our morals and ethics are obviously being debased.

Part of this is undoubtedly due to the influence of TV, movies, and part of it is due to the fact that some adults simply enjoy wallowing in moral depravity.

One place where I have seen this kind of behavior is in the local bars and casinos, especially in Whitefish.

Parents are bringing their small children into these establishments. I have seen small children setting on chairs on each side of their parent, while the parent is guzzling beer and playing an electronic gambling machine in casinos in Whitefish.

What is wrong with this picture? I cannot fathom what kind of children these parents are trying to raise or what kind of society this behavior will produce in the future, but I sincerely believe it smacks of child abuse.

The casinos and bars get around child-protection laws in Montana by serving food. And the local church parishioners are turning a blind eye to this abhorrent practice, when they really need to become more involved by pressuring Montana legislators to pass laws to stop this practice.

Children are our most precious hope for this country, and they simply do not deserve to be treated like an imposition or like excess baggage because of a parent's debased need to gamble and/or drink alcohol.

The bar and casino owners are just as guilty for allowing this to go on there.

Sinowa Cruz

Whitefish

Sexual exclusion

I never thought I'd see the day when blatant discrimination would raise its ugly head in Whitefish but, alas, it has in all its harmful and hurtful glory.

Have women been excluded from the golf course? No. Have minorities been denied access to our many fine saloons? No. But were men prevented from attending an evening of "women's music" at the Tandoor Indian Restaurant? Yes.

On the 27th of this month, a program admitting "women only" was held in this establishment in shocking violation of federal and state antidiscrimination statutes. Use of a public accommodation was denied to almost 50 percent of the residents of our community based solely on misconceptions about gender and musical preferences.

Oh, how I would have enjoyed a few hours of dulcimer strumming and flute playing while sipping herb tea. So many of the fellas at the Northern and the Moon were ready to join me. But, no, we were denied our musical rights. How demeaning. Where is the ACLU when you need it?

I understand that another night of invidious exclusion is scheduled for Oct. 25, unless of course the diversity police intervene. Let's hope that equal rights for men will someday prevail.

Bill Fitzpatrick

Whitefish