Making our community better

Tonya Hayward, a housekeeper on our labor and delivery unit at Kalispell Regional Hospital, makes our community a better place to live. Every day, Tonya ensures safe, neat and clean delivery rooms and an operating room for our mothers and babies. Thank you, Tonya.        

— Dr. John Lavin, Kalispell

Customer service that goes above and beyond

I am writing to express appreciation to one of our local businesses — Airworks. 

Last Friday evening after several hot days my air conditioning was not cooling at all. I had been warned by the Airworks technicians who serviced it each year that it might not last much longer so I just figured this was probably the end of it and I would make do with fans until the outside temperature cooled down. I knew we were facing more hot days and though I didn’t consider it an emergency it was uncomfortable. 

After reading the weekly column written by Bill and Diane of Airworks in the Inter Lake on Saturday morning I decided to call and leave a message thinking I’d get a voicemail and would leave a message for someone to call me after the weekend.

To my surprise, Diane answered the phone and when I explained the situation she said, “Here let me hand this to Bill. He might have some suggestions.” And he did. He also said he’d write my number down and they would call me first thing Monday morning and send a technician and that I should call back if his suggestions didn’t work. Well, his suggestions worked and the air conditioning is still working! 

I was so surprised to get the owners of the company on the phone on the weekend and to have them be so kind and helpful. I probably shouldn’t have been surprised because I know of their reputation in the community of being community members concerned about the common good and making this world a better place.  May we all learn from them.

—Lois Wagner, Kalispell

Delivery driver keeps treasured pastime going

I would like to thank my Daily Inter Lake newspaper delivery person. 

Your daily delivery of the newspaper allows me to carry on a treasured pastime. When I was a kid, my dad and I read the newspaper every morning, quietly passing the sections between us. We had an unspoken rule: whoever ventured out to the get the paper had first pick of the sections. Because of the job you do, I now get to share this experience with my children. Thank you. 

—Gretchen Brown, Kalispell

Thoughtfulness appreciated

I want to thank Libertie Barkley, owner of Soucie Soucie, who always wears a mask when she cuts my hair. Her thoughtfulness is greatly appreciated.

—Ellen Ries, Kalispell

People important to me

This is my effort to thank just some of the people that have been extremely important to me.

My next door neighbors who have answered many calls from dispatch when I could not get up from a fall.

My ex-wife who  actually saved my life because I was not smart enough to admit how sick I was.

During this latest outbreak I really need to thank the gals and guys who take care of me and many others at least three times a week while on dialysis. They are the most dedicated group I have ever known I realize all the doctors and nurses every where are working with little regards to there own health, but the ones I see Monday, Wednesday and Friday are part of my family.

And last but not least, my aide who comes to my home on my days off from dialysis help me live in my home. Thanks to a VA program.

—Richard Payton, Rexford

Grateful for fitness center

This thank you note is to Montana Athletic Club of Bigfork for giving our community a safe place to workout and gather. For years this club has been here for me when it’s rainy, smoky, snowy and icy, and now they are stepping up with above-and-beyond procedures and sanitation protocols for these days when there is a pandemic to fear.

As I have often said, I don’t know what I would do without the club and its thoughtful owners and staff.

—Suzanne Laurion, Bigfork

An invaluable friend

When I returned in May from an extended stay in Arizona, my neighbors Erin and Craig Solin made sure I had enough food and supplies to get me through the 14-day quarantine period. They took my list, did multiple shopping trips and stocked everything in my house in anticipation of my return. I could not ask for better neighbors!

My friend Betty Stuart has taken on the task of providing respite care for me as my husband Tom struggles with Parkinson’s Disease and associated dementia. Betty is unflappable and can handle anything that occurs while I am away. This has given me the much-needed rest and relaxation and has made the summer a fun one.  Betty is truly a Godsend!

My neighbor Mary Rossman has become an invaluable friend as I navigate as a caregiver for my husband. She always has time to talk things out, has dried my many tears, and makes sure I take care of myself along the way. I hope that I can return the kindness she has shown to me.

—Denise Vernon, Kalispell

Thankful for senior center volunteers

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the volunteer drivers and kitchen help at the North Valley Senior Center in Columbia Falls.

Since the coronavirus has hit Montana, the numbers of those who needed help the most in our community has almost doubled – the homebound seniors. It means we needed more helped in our Senior Center to ensure our seniors get all help available.

We have had help come from as far as Polebridge to West Glacier. They offer help with preparing meals, delivering meals, shopping, taxi service and even taking pets to veterinarian. I am so proud of the many people who had stepped up when it is needed.

—Roxy Larsen, North Valley Senior Center site manager

A dedicated mechanic

Thank you Norby’s Car Care, and specifically the mechanic that has taken care of my car forever, Bob. 

I have a 1987 Oldsmobile Regency Brougham, a beautiful car that is not made anymore. Bob has kept it running like it is a new car for maybe 20-plus years. The car is getting younger and I am getting older but still drive. 

Bob is semi-retired, but Norby’s will call him in to fix my car any time, and he comes in to work on it. I always bring him Russell Stover chocolates but he deserves a big thank you also.  

—Beatrice (Bea) I. O’Donnell, Kalispell (age 90)

Immanuel Lutheran staff appreciated

Immanuel Lutheran Communities is so blessed to call the Flathead Valley home. During these uncertain times, your support and kindness have helped support our cause, and we cannot thank you enough!

Specifically, we would like to thank all of our incredible employees, for showing us your dedication every day, our board of directors, for guiding our community with wisdom and grace, our donors and corporate sponsors, for building our community stronger and furthering the reach of our mission, and our residents and families for entrusting us to care for, protect, and support them during this pandemic.

We are also blessed with an amazing volunteer group who tasked themselves with sewing enough masks and gowns to equip our facility during a PPE shortage, and absolutely conquered that challenge! Thank you to ME Labs, Thompson Machining, and Lowes for also donating PPE for our staff and residents. We are ever grateful for the support, love, and prayers received during this time. Thank you for lending a hand to support our mission!

—Jason R. Cronk, Immanuel Lutheran Communities CEO

Random act of kindness

I’ve been hiking with some other “hunker” buddies who have been careful to maintain social distancing, avoid travel, washing hands, etc.  Those hikes have been emotional life-savers to provide positive perspective, healthy exercise and gratitude for living in such a gorgeous state. 

One week I was having difficulty sleeping due to 14-hour construction next door. I have been restricting calories to make up for my Covid sourdough habit, and I went hiking on a hotter/more-humid/steeper day than usual. I was exhausted and should have skipped the hike. 

At 5 miles — the halfway point where we were to turn around — I realized I was stumbling and totally drained. I jokingly asked some other hikers we encountered if I paid them would give me a ride back. Evidently I looked like I was ready to collapse. They dropped their activities for an hour, donned masks (as did we) and drove us a considerable distance back to our trailhead, about 20 miles by car. 

I found out they were from California, had self-isolated when they arrived, were on vacation, and they were on their last day before returning home. Over their protest, I insisted they take some gas money and was very grateful as I realized how really tired I was (I slept for four hours when I got home). 

I have a long-standing prejudice about Californians and out-of-state tourists and was humbled by my ignorance. I realized how wonderful people can be by doing something nice for someone. Thanks, Mel and Mrs. Mel (sorry I forgot your name, but not your kindness).

­—Carole Jorgensen, Kalispell

Thankful for services we take for granted

Some heartfelt thank yous for services that we often take for granted in more normal times.

Thank you to the hardworking Flathead Electric employees who repaired the lines following the terrible early-summer storm, and for keeping our electricity dependable and working at all times.

Thank you to the many employees of  the city and county  who keep fresh, clean water coming to our houses; keep  our wastewater systems functioning; and our garbage picked up.   

Thank you to the managers and employees of the grocery stores during this virus epidemic, who kept the stores open, clean and stocked as well as humanly possible. It has been a monumental task.  

Thank you to the truck drivers who never stopped  delivering food and supplies to every area of the country,  including ours, in recent months, at great risk to their  own health and safety.  

Thank you to our local police and sheriff’s departments,  and to the 911 dispatchers, who keep us safe every day,  often in very difficult circumstances. Your strong presence and dependability is important every single day, and so very much appreciated. 

—Bob and Barbara  Ludwig, Kalispell

Thank you to Prestige staff

We would like to give the Prestige Senior Living staff a heartfelt thank you for the kindness, care and consideration given to our mother. She has been a resident in memory care for just over a year.

Bless you all and be safe.

—Sharon, Bill, Jim and Nancy

Faith in humanity

I would like to thank the FWP, Flathead Electric and Bird Rescue.

Recently, a few friends and I were out at Olsen Pioneer Park when I noticed that an osprey was hanging by its leg across from us. They came together and freed it before it was too late. It just gave me some faith back in humanity. Thank you all that were involved.

—Larry Mohs, Kalispell