Thanks for concerts

To the editor,

I just wanted thank the Columbia Falls Lions Club for another wonderful Concert in the Park series.

From the large and small band sounds to the marvelous Community Choir presentation last Thursday, you provided such outstanding talent and so much fun for everyone who attended.

Thursday evenings needs to be set aside next year, by everyone who enjoys top quality music in a beautiful setting.

Thanks too for your sponsors, the funds raised do so much good.

Keep up the great tradition

Camille Carstens

Columbia Falls

Thanks for WAEA support

To the editor,

On behalf of the Wildcat Athletic Endowment Association Board of Directors, "thank you" all for your support in making this year's WAEA auction and golf tournament such a tremendous success. Through your generous contributions the fund has grown another $37,500 — pushing the endowment principal to an unbelievable $230,000! As always, this principal remains untouched, and only the interest earned will be used to assist CFHS athletes and their families to defray the cost of participating in high school athletic programs. The goal of the WAEA is to provide necessary funding to allow CFHS athletes to play without paying for fees and essentials.

As a board, we're truly humbled by the overwhelming community response and support of these annual fundraisers, and we are very pleased to have exceeded our goal of earning $35,000!

Thank you notes are on the way to a substantial list of volunteers, sponsors and participants who each helped to reach this year's target. We especially recognize Jim Porteus, Karl Skindingsrude and Troy Bowman for their roles in making the auction a true community event. Thanks also to CFHS Activities Director John Thompson for his unending work and assistance and to Superintendent Michael Nicosia for school district assistance and support.

I'd like to personally thank our board members, Kim Cheff, Doug Cordier, Jana Fields, Michelle Goodman, Sarah Dakin and Gary Luce for their endless enthusiasm, selfless investment of time and unbelievable passion for the WAEA.

Thanks again to all you Wildc/kat supporters. Your contributions will work for our athletes for years and years to come!

Go Wildc/kats!

Jim Thompson (Class of '73), President

Wildcat Athletic Endowment Association

Class of '67 says thanks

To the editor:

What a great 40th class reunion! A thank you to all the wonderful classmates who organized a successful and fun-filled weekend. This was one of the best. This group put in many long hours and months preparing for this.

Also, a big thank you to the town of Columbia Falls. Thanks, thanks, thanks to all!

Judy Dickey Agan

Billings

Wildfires affect environment

To the editor:

After seeing several horrendous pictures in different newspapers of the fires burning up Montana, I would like to suggest that people cut out those pictures and send them to their favorite environmentalist — and ask how close did the fires get to their cabin?

Twenty years ago, the green side of the ledger proclaimed that logging should be eliminated because it was "not cost effective." How cost effective is it now to watch the state go up in smoke?

Clare Hafferman

Kalispell

Stand up for couple

To the editor:

With the recent stories about brucellosis and the devastating impact it had on Jim and Sandy Morgan of Bridger, we have an opportunity to do the right thing. If we as a community, county and state join to come alongside this couple, we could make a huge statement to our government and to each other.

We could make our voices heard and let our representatives know that if they expect us to make huge sacrifices, to give up all we have worked for or whatever they ask next for the good of the majority, we will stand up against the failure of the powers that be to treat us fairly in return. In the Morgans' case, they were treated like common criminals when all along they were cooperative, and then were left with no help or support from the state that has, in their own words, "saved millions and millions of dollars" by the Morgans' sacrifice.

Can we not see the injustice of it all, and do we think we are immune to such mistreatment? Any one of us could be next. Please do not be silent, for silence only emboldens and creates tyranny.

The Morgans have earned our support in word and/or financial compensation to ease the heartache and burden and help restore faith in humanity. Coming together in large numbers with a loud voice, we can make this statement: "We will not be at the mercy of such tyrannical, Gestapo tactics."

Jackie Taylor

Billings

Twins' facility needs work

To the editor:

This letter is concerning the condition of the facility the Glacier Twins are currently playing on in Whitefish. I attended my first game in over 20 years in late July. As a former Glacier Twin, I was disappointed in the condition of what I considered at one time to be one of the best baseball facilities in Montana and also the Little League field next to it.

I understand the reason that the old bleachers were torn down, but the replacement bleachers are a disappointment. They provide little seating and no shade from the sun. The radio broadcast even had to be done from the center field press box instead of behind home plate.

I am currently a high school basketball coach in Idaho and understand the importance of facilities to a program. Having a top-notch facility helps team morale, boosts community pride and shows other visiting teams and fans the importance that you place in your town and team. Lewiston, Idaho, is playing host this year to the American Legion Regional Tournament. The incoming teams and patrons will remember the quality facility that they get to play on here.

I don't know what can or will be done with the facilities, but I hope something is done in order to restore the once proud Glacier Twins' tradition.

Dave Cornelia

Lewistown, Idaho