Where have the 80 years gone?

My belief is that we are only as old as we feel. I teased my peers as octogenarians while fully realizing what goes around comes around. Now it is my turn.

I have no idea how it feels to be 80 years old but do not anticipate any big change in the next day or so.

My 13th birthday was on Friday the 13th in June, 1941. The following January I was diagnosed with pneumonia and went into Kalispell General Hospital on Friday the 13th. Sulfa was a new medicine and it was used. I also had a section of rib removed to permit a tube to be placed to drain my lung. It was April 28 when I returned to eighth grade classes. It's mind boggling to think what those weeks of hospitalization would cost now.

Once again Friday the 13th occurs in June to mark 80 years now.

It is a triple event to celebrate as my son, Howard, hits the big 55 and grandson, Aaron, becomes 18 years old the same day. It is also a banner day as Gail is retiring and it is her last day of school. There will be a lawn party Saturday as family members mow the lawn, trim trees, shrubs and perform any other fun jobs I can dream up for them.

It does seem impossible to realize I received my first paycheck as a newspaper employee 66 years ago.

My first experience with newspaper writing was as reporter for my Girl Scout troop. I was 14 years old when I started at the Kalispell Times with Lou Knight, editor, and Rabbit Robertson, printer, and my first job.

Flathead County High School years saw working on the Flathead Arrow and an assistant editor of The Flathead, 1946 yearbook. I was inducted into the honorary Quill and Scroll, Appinokwis (Honor Society) as well as the National Forensic League as a Speech club member.

Frank and Olive Trippet hired me while I was in high school. I did a weekly news and ad beat in Columbia Falls as part of my duties when I was a senior. Frank planned to start another weekly newspaper here and I was to act as editor. My Flathead annual includes best wishes from friends for my newspaper career.

Mel Ruder came here to start a newspaper in July, 1946, and asked if I would work for him. So I moved to Columbia Falls and went on the Hungry Horse News payroll Aug. 1, 1946, as the only employee. I was reporter, society editor, advertising, bookkeeper and circulation.

Mel could not pay much so I also worked two other jobs. I was receptionist for Drs. John Whalen and John Mitschke and bookkeeper for Pat and Tynee Kelly at Columbia Falls Lumber Co. I lived with my grandparents, Anna (Lewis) and Ira Ross. I went home weekends, riding the Galloping Goose with my father, who was conductor.

Later there was a bus from Kalispell to take workers to Hungry Horse Dam and I used it for transportation as it stopped in Columbia Falls.

It's time to remember and wonder just where the years disappeared. I can remember six times nine is 54 because I was pregnant 54 months. They were busy years with family and in those days I canned, baked, cooked, sewed and even dusted.

I wrote news articles at home and worked at the Hungry Horse News office as assistant editor, reporter and general duties. I have never liked bylines and Mel went along with my wishes, or were they demands.

My parents and grandparents were always organization-oriented and interests continued through my lifetime. I was active in Ladies Auxiliary to VFW Post 5650, Newcomers Club, American Cancer Society Chapter, Circle 2 for Methodist Church, Rebekah Lodge, Columbia Falls Library Association, Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Rainbow Assembly, which I started as my worthy matron's project for Eastern Star in 1954, Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, North Valley Senior Citizens, Inc.

All I am now is retiring secretary of Columbia Falls Lions Club, president of the VFW Auxiliary, Boy Scout Troop 41 committee member and an associate member of Kalispell Lions Club. I attend Beulah Circle of the Methodist Church when they have a party as our Brunch Bunch and pinochle takes precedence over their business meetings.

These interests also worked well for news stories, and community awareness. I also formed many lifetime friendships. Actually, I was either secretary, president or head officer of almost every organization I was associated with through the years.

Personal circumstances made it necessary to resign in November, 1976. I became a receptionist briefly for Dr. Robert Cotner, and started at Montana Veterans Home in April 1977 working as a clerk typist and nurses aide. A year later I started as clerk and became manager of Montana State Liquor Store until forced to take a disability retirement from Montana Department of Revenue.

Newspaper reporting has continued as a hobby through the years.

I have been fortunate to have Gail, Janet, Howard, Laurie, Tim, Becky and family members to help through the years.

There is also an old adage about a woman who tells her age will tell everything. Or is it anything.

Gladys Shay is a longtime resident and columnist for the Hungry Horse News and celebrates her 80th birthday this week.