Building a better Whitefish

It was with great interest that I read two articles in this past week’s Pilot — Pat LaTourelle with her “Is Whitefish losing its soul?” and Grace Kurtz with her “Grateful for Whitefish.” It was great to hear the old and the new express their individual views of this incredible village.

I’m sorry Pat visualizes Whitefish as a place where many see the old town changing in a not to positive way. Sure, there is some truth in what she says. On the other hand, change many times can be good. I seem to feel the underpinnings for town are still in place. At least since my family arrived her in 1972.

During our college days at the University of Montana, we visited the community on several occasions for skiing and family ties. It seems almost all of my roommates were from here and I was so impressed with their character and zest for life. After I married my wife there was always, in the back of our minds, the idea that Whitefish was the place we wanted to live and when a teaching position came open we were on it.

There is a spirit here you just don’t find in many communities. There isn’t a time when you can’t find something positive happening here. It started with the spirit of our founding fathers and continues to this day. To name a few — farmers market, Winter Carnival, Thursday art walk, Clean the Fish, Christmas Stroll, and on and on!

And what about those who come and go? Many who stay in Whitefish part of the year have contributed generously to the community. We have a new food bank building, we have the performing arts center, a wonderful library and the Whitefish Community Foundation, which contributes a lot of funds to the betterment of our community.

And there is Grace Kurtz. She stated, “Simply put, this is my heart home. It was love at first sight with the wilderness recreation here, but it has been the sincerity of this town that has expanded my heart and how the people of Whitefish love their high school students.”

Wow! Way to go Grace — I am with you, Grace. I moved into the West Valley after my wife passed away, and all the time I lived there I knew I would come back. That happened last year.

I, like Grace, love this place and can’t tell you how happy I am to be back in “The Fish.” Sure, this little community has growing problems and yet they are not insurmountable.

I remember going to an old car show at the Kalispell mall many years ago, and overheard an older gentleman pat one of the cars and say, “They don’t build them like they use to.”

My friend said, “No, they build ‘em better!”

Whitefish will survive. Thanks, old town for being there for me. Yes, it is a love affair for me!

— Bill Schustrom, Whitefish