Letters to the Editor

Thank You To The Elves

Decorating Bigfork in celebration of Christmas exemplifies the sprit of volunteerism and the special people of our community. It is their effort that ensures the success of various projects each year. Over the years Decorating Day has grown and become a fun, festive, and wonderful social interaction for all ages. Thank you to all who participated.

For some, the effort goes on all year. Thank you to those who untangled lights and replaced bulbs. THANK YOU to Toot Sward and her squadron of bow makers who prepare for Decorating Day well in advance. A special thanks to Marina Cay for providing the courtesy cart. Thank you Rick Trembath for organizing the dozens of volunteers who spent a day thinning overgrown forests and collecting over 500 trees.

The Masons provided a hearty chili lunch and the Lady Lions served the 200 plus volunteer Elves. Thank you to David May for providing the warm atmosphere of the Bigfork Inn, Mister and his staff at the Garden Bar for providing chili and beer for the Undecorating crew and to Bruce Solberg of the Bigfork Chamber for coordinating and distributing roping and greenery to each of the businesses to be ready for Decorating Day. A special thanks to Flathead Bank, Glacier Bank, Rocky Mountain Bank and United Tool for providing aerial lifts to make decorating safer and quicker. And thanks to the Flathead Lake Lodge staff and those who assisted with the operation of the lifts, fire pit and clean up. Thank you Century Tel and Bresnan Communications for offering additional support staff and trucks.

Over 30 flight leaders commit to taking responsibility for overseeing each sector of the Village and offering Elf assistance. The flight leaders are an essential part of the process. If you would like to volunteer as a flight leader call Deb at 837-4391.

Undecorating Day was warm and the turn out of Elves was plentiful. THANKS to everyone who helped and to Sliter’s for sending two guys and a truck to haul trees and garlands.  

Once again the trees will be recycled to help fight erosion on the north shore of Flathead Lake.

It was a pleasure for Deb Kampsula and myself and the Flathead Lake Lodge staff to organize the efforts the last 10 years. Please help us keep the tradition alive in Bigfork.

Thank you to all the Elves.

Doug Averill

Secretary of Decorating