Carol Anderson was born and raised in Duluth, Minn. With a skating rink in every playground and a dad who was active in curling, it was only natural that she grew up feeling more comfortable on ice than on sidewalks. She began skating at age four and while growing up became known as a "rink rat," regularly walking a mile after school to the nearest ice rink.

Her passion for skating and perseverance in practice paid off and she made it to the big time — a professional skater in the original Ice Follies, traveling from show to show throughout the Midwest and Canada by private train.

After the Follies, she returned to Duluth, where she met and married James, a railroader, which resulted in various moves throughout the system. He retired in 1985, and the family moved here from Spokane. Carol has four sons, six grandchildren, and one great grandchild.

Carol began volunteering in Whitefish by giving open-air lessons in figure skating and performing in revues. She has been an integral part of the development of skating here, from an activity with little or no organization into a viable program involving the schools, the city and the public.

She has served on various committees and is president and mentor of the highly popular Whitefish Figure Skating Club. Co-workers speak of her in glowing terms, describing the hundreds of hours she freely gives to the program, the talent she displays and the enthusiasm she spreads.

She volunteers, she says, because 'skating is my passion and I just love to work with kids." She enjoys watching youngsters gain confidence and develop into responsible adults. She sums up her philosophy by saying "it just makes you feel good when you do something nice."

Carol, you've "done something nice for many people." Our community is fortunate to have someone of your talent and temperament, and we thank you.

— Jake Heckathorn

This column is dedicated to those who give freely of their time and energy to worthwhile community projects, but whose efforts often go unnoticed. If you know such a person, please e-mail [email protected].