Thanks for support of WAEA

To the editor,

On behalf of the Wildc/kat Athletic Endowment Association I would like to extend a big THANK YOU to the Columbia Falls community for your attendance and support at the WAEA auction, barbecue and golf fundraiser. Once again the Wildc/kat supporters have made our event a huge success. The weekend added to the endowment fund an additional $24,000 that will benefit our CFHS athletes for many years to come. With this effort, our endowment principal will total over $285,000!

As always, the principal will remain untouched, with the interest earned to be used to assist the CFHS athletes and their families defray the cost of participating in the high school athletic programs. The goal of the WAEA is to provide necessary funding to allow CFHS athletes to play without paying for the fees and essentials. As an example, the WAEA has provided for several years — with the help of the community — a meal (champ chow) for each athlete in all sports during an out-of-town contest.

I would like to recognize Jim Porteus, Chris Motichka, Troy Bowman and Bruce Adams for their continued support and volunteer work. WAEA is very fortunate to have a list of volunteers that we call on each year and their continued support and commitment is greatly appreciated. A special thank you to John Thompson, for your continued hard work and dedication to the Wildc/kat athletics throughout the year and for this event and to school superintendent Michael Nicosia for district assistance and support.

I am also so grateful to have such a great team on my side with WAEA board members Kim Cheff, Sarah Dakin, Lori Grilley, Michelle Goodman, Gary Luce and Jim Thompson. Their commitment and passion for the WAEA is obvious.

Thank you again WILDC/KAT supporters! Your continued support and contributions will work for our athletes for many years to come.

Jana Fields, president

Wildc/kat Athletic Endowment Association

Irene Shafer will be missed

To the editor,

Hungry Horse will never be the same. Long-time Canyon booster Irene Shafer left us Aug. 2. For over 40 years she worked to better the Hungry Horse community by serving on the Water District Board, working with the Hungry Horse and then Glacier Chamber of Commerce, Hungry Horse Community Club, parks and VFW.

As an owner of Hungry Horse Coral, Irene represented the area well. She will be missed.

Jan Nicholas

Hillsboro, Ore. (formerly of Hungry Horse)

Thanks for return of wallet

To the editor,

Whenever someone asks me, "How are things in Columbia Falls?" My answer is always the same. "We just love it here! We love that it is still a small town and we are so thankful to be part of such a wonderful community." And today I have another reason to add to my growing list.

Unknown to me, my wallet fell out of the stroller as my children and I were walking to story time at the library. Thankfully, Robert Mack Jr., found it and turned it in at the Harvest Health Shoppe. While I was, very gratefully, retrieving my wallet we all commented on the honesty of Mr. Mack. Apparently, earlier he had shrugged off the compliment by saying, "Why wouldn't I turn a missing wallet in?"

Thank you, Mr. Mack, Harvest Health Shoppe and the community of Columbia Falls! I am so thankful to be living here!

Hilary Ypma

Columbia Falls