Looking Back: Ski patrol honored, neighbor extinguishes fire
The Rev. Gordon Temple bestows a blessing upon Dawn Blair's pet duck, Puddles, during the annual St. Francis of Assisi Day blessing of the animals at the Golden Agers center in 1994. (Mark Goldstein photo)
A look back at past Pilot articles by Julie Engler
50 Years Ago
Oct. 10, 1974
Mrs. Ray Eanes spoke to the Council on behalf of concerned parents whose children living within 3 miles of the schools no longer had busing available. If the children had to walk, increased pedestrian traffic offered multiple problems, particularly in areas lacking sidewalks and crosswalks. When parents provided transportation, congestion of traffic around the school areas increased hazards for those walking. Parent-financed bussing, according to figures provided by Mrs. Eanes, would have cost approximately $10 per child per month and would have been prohibitive for many families with more than one school child.
40 Years Ago
Oct. 11, 1984
State Highway Department Director Gary Wicks accompanied Governor Ted Schwinden at a meeting with about 25 people to discuss the general road and transportation situation in the Whitefish area. “We are trying to do all we can within the confines,” Wicks told the gathering. He threw cold water on request that Highway 93 south of Whitefish would be widened soon, said a bypass was out of the question, and there "is simply no way” that Highway 93 between Whitefish and the Canadian border would be rebuilt in time for the 1988 Olympics.
30 Years Ago
Oct. 6, 1994
The National Ski Patrol Association named the Flathead Nordic Ski Patrol Ski Patrol of the Year. And the 16 members who helped with the rescue of avalanche bound snowmobilers on New Year's Eve on Peters Ridge were given special merit awards for their efforts. The Flathead Nordic Ski Patrol was chosen from dozens of ski patrols across the nation, according to Laura Nugent, the patrol's newly elected leader. “We are all pretty proud of it,” said veteran patroller Rusty Wells, who was the team leader for the patrol last winter.
20 Years Ago
Oct. 7, 2004
Whitefish residents Leon and Glenda McDowell had John Lamberson to thank for saving their lives in a fire that badly damaged their West Fifth St. home. Lamberson, who lived nearby, happened to be going outside when he realized the Mcdowell's home was on fire about 10:30 p.m. He jumped into action with a fire extinguisher and got the McDowells to safety on the lawn before using a garden hose to wet down hot spots. “John basically put the fire out,” said Whitefish Fire Chief Dave Sipe. “He did a real good job he's a quick thinker on his feet.”
10 Years Ago
Oct. 8, 2014
Whitefish City Council decided it did not want gated communities within the town, but did not specifically address a request from the Grouse Mountain homeowners association to gate its entrances. The council unanimously approved a resolution that strengthened the city's policy on gated communities and amended city engineering standards to specifically prohibit gated roads.