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Hungry Horse News
Opinion: A call for love stories
“What’s that noise?” my friend asked as we cruised down Highway 2. “I don’t know, I’ve been turning the music up,” I said, and I did. That noise was the CV axle, an expensive fix. Pops is a car guy, he called when he heard my problem. “Want me to come get it?” he asked as soon as I picked up. He left the next morning, a nine-hour trip from Wyoming. I’m driving his car while he fixes mine at a sub-mechanic rate. Every time I buckle up, I’m grateful someone’s there to save me when I can’t save myself. ˜˜˜That’s my 100-word love story. The New York Times has a series of them, “Tiny Love Stories,” and I would invite you to look them up. This Valentine’s Day, I’d like to hear some from our readers – when did you know you loved your spouse, how did you meet your best friend, how do you know your dog loves you back – the only limit is the word count. If you submit them to editor@hungryhorsenews.com, we will run them for our Feb. 14 issue. Let’s spread some love in the Flathead.
Huckleberry Patch remodeled with 'modern cabin' style
Hungry Horse’s Huckleberry Patch is growing.The little red building off of U.S. 2 has been under construction this winter, with plans to open up the restaurant and gift shop, modernizing the whole property. “I wouldn’t call it an expansion, but kind of like a facelift,” The Huckleberry Patch’s manager Sky Duncan said. “It’s going to keep that rustic country feel and everything, but just kind of bring it into the 21st century.” The ceilings will be higher, and the red exterior will be exchanged for a wood and dark metal and trim, sort of a “modern cabin” look. The front facade and...
Hungry Horse News 'Yesterdays' for Feb. 7
70 years agoFeb. 5, 1954The community of Polebridge had been isolated for about a month due to five to six feet of snow; families there were traveling by snowshoe. Plowing progress was about a mile a day, but where the road was clear moose were hijacking the right-of-way, “The big animals dislike leaving the cleared road to get out of the way of vehicles. They run ahead with their hackles bristling, occasionally turning to challenge the right of cars. Sometimes, they charge.” 60 years agoFeb. 7, 1964A wood fiber plant proposed by Big Sky Corporation near Columbia Falls prompted concern about...
Death notices Feb. 7
James Dean "Porky" Cox, 91James Dean "Porky" Cox, 91, died Jan. 23, 2024 in Whitefish.Services will be held privately at the convenience of the family. To send online condolences, please visit columbiamortuary.com. Neil "Doc"John Holliday, 83Neil "Doc"John Holliday, 83, Jan. 27, 2024 in Columbia Falls.Services to be held at a later date. To send online condolences, please visit columbiamortuary.com. Sally Andersen, 86Sally Andersen, 86, died Jan. 27, 2024 in Kalispell at Heritage Place. A celebration of Sally's life is being planned. Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls is caring for Sally's family.Enfred Lee Hurd, 74Enfred Lee Hurd, 74, Jan. 28, 2024 in Columbia Falls at the Montana Veterans Home. Enfred's life and military honors will be celebrated at a later date. Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls is caring for Enfred's family. Glen A. Phillips, 62Glen A. Phillips, 62, died Jan. 29, 2024 in Whitefish at Logan Hospital. No services have been scheduled. Austin Funeral and Cremation Services in Whitefish is caring for Glen's family.
Park Side Credit Union selects nonprofits for partner program
Park Side Credit Union has selected a group of nonprofit organizations the credit union will be supporting with its 2024 Park Side Partner Program.Through these strategic partnerships, each organization will receive cross-promotion, volunteer support, shared advertising, and a donation of $5,000 from the credit union. This unique, innovative campaign is in its 13th year and Park Side has donated more than $350,000 to over 60 nonprofit organizations through the Partner Program. “We are creating through this program an unparalleled network of cooperation and we are simply amazed at the depth of relationships and immeasurable positive community impact,” said Josh Kroll, Vice President of Marketing and Business Development at Park Side.This year, the credit union has established partnerships with Glacier Institute, Ravenwood Outdoor Learning Center, and Gateway to Glacier Trails, all based in the Flathead Valley. In Missoula, the group includes Zootown Arts Community Center, Dubbers Care Foundation, and Glacier Ice Rink. Park Side Credit Union is working to increase awareness of these critical nonprofit organizations.
Donald McMillan, 86
Donald James McMillan, 86, passed away peacefully on Jan. 27, 2024, in Sun City, Arizona. He was born Feb. 15, 1937, in Los Angeles, California and raised in Butte.Don married Helen Allene Ashley in 1959 and they were married for 64 years. Helen passed away on Jan. 17, 2024, just ten days before Don's passing. Don is survived by his daughter, Deanna Tymofichuk of Salt Lake City, Utah. He also leaves behind a brother, John Merrett, of Albuquerque, New Mexico; three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, along with numerous nieces and nephews. Don was preceded in death by his wife, Helen and daughter...
Flathead Valley housing nonprofits begin partnership
Two Flathead Valley nonprofits that work to overcome affordable homeownership challenges are joining forces. Northwest Montana Community Land Trust and Habitat for Humanity of Flathead Valley have signed a memo of understanding to work together to build homes that will remain permanently affordable and available only to income-qualified purchasers in perpetuity. The Northwest Montana Community Land Trust will own and lease the property under the houses that homeowners who have worked with Habitat for Humanity’s staff and volunteers to construct. Kim Morisaki with the land trust praised Habitat for its work. “Habitat is a great organization with qualified staff and volunteers and by partnering...
Helen Allene (Ashley) McMillan, 84
Helen Allene (Ashley) McMillan, 84, passed away peacefully on Jan. 17, 2024, in Sun City, Arizona. She was born August 26, 1939, in Spokane, Washington and raised in Butte. Helen was a truly kind and loving person who leaves behind a void that will be deeply felt by her family and many friends. She was loved by all who knew her. Helen married Donald James McMillan in 1959 and they were married for 64 years. Don passed away on Jan. 27, 2024, just 10 days after Helen. Helen is survived by her daughter, Deanna Tymofichuk of Salt Lake City, Utah. She also leaves...
Barbara Cromer, 79
Barbara Cromer passed away in Columbia Falls, her hometown of nearly 60 years, after battling an illness. Barbara was raised in the Bitterroot valley by a close, loving family that adored her. She was well-loved by her parents, Arlene Stepp and Mickey and Walt Smith, and ten siblings: Pat, Niles, Bruce, Nancy, Annette, Sandy, Earl, Ralph, Cliff, and Wayne. The Smith family embraced her and loved her, and they are all still close to this day. Barb met and married Chuck Cromer and moved to Columbia Falls. They raised two children there and, later, watched their two granddaughters grow up there as well. Barb dearly loved her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. They were her joy and a bright light in her life. Barbara is survived by her son Cory; daughter Michelle and son-in-law Jerry; granddaughters Amanda and Clarissa; great-grandsons little Kip, Gabriel, and Grim; sisters Sandy and Nancy; and brothers Wayne, Ralph, Bruce, and Earl. Barbara was a loving, kind wife, sister, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Her family misses her.
Cabin Fever Days and Barstool Ski Races this weekend
The annual Cabin Fever Days and World Famous Barstool Ski Races return Feb. 9-11. Many events occur at multiple locations throughout Martin City, Hungry Horse and Coram. Martin City is the location of the World Famous Barstool Ski Races on Saturday, with several kids' events and snowshoe softball. Cabin Fever Days organizer Steve Paugh says the barstool ski races down Sugar Hill are an “edgy and competitive” sport. Racers come from all over to compete including Canada. “It’s a two-person race,” Paugh said. “The winner of the race is sometimes the winner who didn’t fall off. If you fall down when you’re...
FVCC hosts community lectures
Flathead Valley Community College’s Continuing Education Center is hosting six community lectures from Thursday, Feb. 22 to Tuesday, April 9 in the Arts & Technology Building on campus in Kalispell. Each lecture is free to attend and registration is not required. Rick Trembath, of Flathead Forestry & Fire Consulting, will present a talk entitled the History of Wildland Fire in Northwest Montana on Thursday, Feb. 22 from 6-8 p.m. in Arts & Technology room 139. The picture-based presentation features area wildfire history and influences from pre-European Native American times to recent wildfire events. Learn from historic fire to better anticipate future fire...
PHOTOS: 23rd Whitefish Penguin Plunge raises $94,000 for Special Olympics Montana
Participants leapt into the frigid waters of Whitefish Lake during the 23rd annual Penguin Plunge as part of the Whitefish Winter Carnival on Saturday, Feb. 3. Organized by the Law Enforcement Torch Run, this year's event raised $94,000 for Special Olympics Montana. Participants react after jumping into Whitefish Lake at the Penguin Plunge at City Beach in Whitefish on Saturday, Feb. 3. Organized by the Law Enforcement Torch Run, as part of the Whitefish Winter Carnival, the event raises money for Special Olympics Montana. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake) Casey Kreider Participants jump into Whitefish Lake at the Penguin Plunge at City...
Yesterdays: Flathead County overpays for postcards
70 years agoJan. 29, 1954A large bull moose was frequenting West Glacier, causing concern that children walking to school on paths walled off by three feet of snow on either side may run into him. A pheasant feeding project was started by the Northern Rocky Mountain Sportsmen’s association, with plans to clear snow from strips in the Sunrift area and spread grain. 60 years agoJan. 31, 1964A new chapter of the Flathead Lifesaving and Rescue Association was organized in Hungry Horse, with the Hungry Horse Homemakers Club to serve as the ladies’ auxiliary. A “unicorn” mule deer was spotted by Ousel...
Glacier superintendent gives talk on visitor use in Park
Glacier National Park Superintendent Dave Roemer shared findings from last season’s approach to visitor use management during a presentation at the Northwest Montana History Museum on Monday.The Jan. 22 event was hosted by the Glacier National Park Volunteer Associates, a volunteer group in the park that put in over 6,000 hours last summer across 23 different roles. Many volunteers were in attendance as Roemer went over data from last season and talked “inside baseball” for park operations. Starting with its annual work plan, Roemer said park leadership wants to continue to focus on communication and collaboration with employees and volunteers. Pointing...
At workshop, city reveals its short-term rental numbers
Seats were filled at Columbia Falls City Council on Monday, Jan. 22 for a workshop on short term rentals. Currently there are no recommended changes, and all information gathered by the council is being taken under advisement. City Manager Susan Nicosia outlined present STR regulations in Columbia Falls. The current zoning code was adopted in 2012, allowing conditional use permits (CUPs) for STRs in agricultural and residential zones and permitted use within commercial zones CB2, CB4 and CB5. The city reported 128 total vacation rentals, with 108 in city limits and 20 outside but in the city’s planning jurisdiction. Within city limits,...
FWP will file suit over wolverine listing
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks last week filed a 60-day notice of intent to sue to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service over placing the wolverine on the Endangered Species List.The Service a few weeks ago announced it would place the rare animal on the Endangered Species List, due in part to climate change melting the snows where it dens.Wolverines typically den in downfall that’s buried deep beneath snows high in the mountains.But FWP, in its notice, claims that studies done in Sweden show the animal is more adaptable than previously thought.“The Service continues to use the possible effects of...
Concerned about Blankenship
I live just upstream of the proposed Blankenship bank stabilization project on the North Fork and am very concerned about anything that could have lasting harmful effects to the free flowing nature of the Wild and Scenic Flathead River.This project, for which Flathead County and the Forest Service are seeking comments through Jan. 31, (today) needs to be halted. At the very least, the comment period needs to be extended until information is presented to demonstrate the purpose and need of the project. In speaking with the county, they are concerned about the erosion from the backwater created by the...
Reps that show up
The weekly FishTank podcast, from the Montana Tap House in Whitefish, kicked off a new season Jan. 17. The podcasts are hosted by Ed Docter in a relaxed, informal way and are a great tool to get to know our current representatives and those running for office. In-person attendance was low at this one due to the weather which kept me away. But the snow didn’t stop Monica Tranel from being there as Ed’s first guest. As she joked, “I figure I’m running for the US House of Representatives, I can’t let a few flakes stop me from showing up!”Check...
Opinion: Presto, you’re a gorilla. But is that a good thing?
So the other day my daughter asked me for a reference picture of someone snowshoeing, so I hopped on Photoshop and starting browsing for photos through my hard drives.The latest, greatest version of this software — which we’ve used to edit photos for the last 25 years at this newspaper — has a “generative fill” filter that shows up under a photo by default.This allows you to change just about anything you want in a picture with a click or two.Don’t like your landscape photo? Change the sky. Tree in the wrong spot? Move it. This has always been an option...
Skiathon coming up
The Glacier Nordic Club will hold the Winslow Nichols Community Skiathon starting at 11 a.m. Feb. 4 at the nordic trails at the Meadow Lake Golf Course.The event includes an obstacle course and then a race at noon with 2.5 k and 5k loop options., There is also a team fundraiser.Proceeds go to the Winslow Nichols Travel and Race scholarship program.There will also be chili and at the Meadow Lake Bar and Grill as well as a cash bar for adults. Skis will be available for rent.Winslow Nichols was a local athlete and West Point candidate who was an avid racer as well. He died after a fall while climbing Mount Brown in Glacier National Park in 2022.The event will go on if its low snow or raining and will just be a party in memory of Nichols. Visit the glaciernordicclub.org or call (406) 962-9498 for more info or to register.
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The Hungry Horse News has been in publication since 1946. It is the only weekly newspaper in Montana to win a Pulitzer Prize and has a reputation for fine photography of the Flathead Valley and Glacier National Park. It is housed in a log cabin in Columbia Falls. Visitors with story ideas are always welcome to stop by.
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