Holiday season already upon us

Sometimes it seems the weeks at a newspaper go by as a long succession of holidays interrupted by short bursts of regular days.

Holidays, for an editor, are both a boon and a bane. On the upside, I don't have to think too hard about what story will grace the front page following the 4th of July. It will be fireworks, or I'll be run out of town. By the same token, however, I'm absolutely married to a fireworks photo and story right after the 4th. Anything else and I'd spend the next few days fielding phone calls from angry readers wondering why I hate my country.

And all of a sudden, it seems, here we are in the thick of the holiday season. In today's paper you'll see an announcement calling Bigfork's elves back to service to decorate the village. Groups are preparing for this year's Christmas parade, looking to liven up the annual event. Last week the village was flooded with ghouls and goblins for trick or treating and despite the rain, downtown shops were packed with adorable kids.

Though holidays can sometimes be a pain, it's hard to beat this time of year in a small town, and Bigfork is a perfect example. So put on your silly elf hat, donate some turkey to the food bank for Thanksgiving baskets and get ready for the holidays.

Halloween, Veterans Day and elections

In a particularly difficult twist, this week's paper should include pictures from last Friday's Halloween celebration, results from Tuesday's election and something about Veterans' Day, which is next Tuesday, Nov. 11.

Look forward to Veterans' Day coverage in the Nov. 13 issue of the Eagle, which will include the annual Bigfork High School Veterans' Day assembly, a yearly tribute to those who have served that is a moving reminder of their sacrifice.

Also on the subject of Veterans' Day, it is difficult to imagine a town more heavily invested in supporting the troops than Bigfork. A seemingly constant stream of care packages, magazines and letters have gone to soldiers overseas from our tiny town.

It makes a difference. Please take the time to read a very kind "thank you" in today's Letters to the Editor section from a soldier stationed in Iraq whose unit has received many of these packages.

—Alex Strickland