Bigfork Eagle letter from the editor

Farewell, Bigfork

There are so many ways to say goodbye—adieu, ciao, see ya, until then, ta ta, Godspeed, bon voyage, au revoir, adios, and so on. I have thought a lot about how to say goodbye to Bigfork and the community I have called home for more than three years. I have come to the conclusion that farewell is most appropriate.

Farewell is an expression of goodwill at parting. I leave Bigfork with nothing but goodwill for her people and those individuals who have made my job enlightening and mutually beneficial. It is hard to leave a situation into which so much time and energy has been allotted. But I have been proud to be your editor. I have worked very hard to give you a newspaper that is respected by the town and recognized by the Montana Newspaper Association. It has been my privilege to accomplish both.

Bigfork is like no other town I have encountered. It is truly a community that takes care of its own. Not being incorporated has yielded a necessary pool of volunteerism. And Bigfork's volunteers accomplish tasks that other places with city councils and local government funding do not. It is the same people who give of themselves over and over again. From Clean the Fork to the Bigfork Elf Brigade to the Community Foundation for a Better Bigfork to the Rotary Club, this town's heart is reflected in its philanthropy.

During my time here a lot has changed. Businesses have come and gone and the face of downtown is much altered. Growth is inevitable. But the residents of Bigfork have a big voice. There is an inherent charm to this town, and that cannot be sacrificed to the almighty dollar. Never forget what makes Bigfork unique—I know I won't.

So, farewell, my friends. Thank you for allowing me into your lives. Thank you for sharing your stories. Thank you for your support and kindness. Thank you for the occasional kick in the behind. Thank you for your respect and your encouragement. Thank you for your praise and appreciation. It has been an honor.