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Vol. 18, No. 19
January 26, 2022
Water Board pg. 5
PHOTO BY MARIE TOROSIAN
Writing pg. 7
Heritage Restored Story and photos by Rob Zolman / Valley Journal
Sports pg. 12
ST. IGNATIUS – Seventeen months after a devastating arson caused fire engulfed the Confederated Salish and Kootenai People’s Center in Pablo, eight historic works of art damaged by soot, smoke and extreme heat have been returned, rejuvenated to their former
“
This is somebody’s legacy as an artist. So, if I can save something from not going in the trash it means a lot.”
glory. On Thursday, Joe Abbrescia, a Kalis-
- Joe Abbrescia, art conservator
pell-based conservator specializing in restoring damaged works of art,
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delivered the revitalized paintings. “Just glad to see them
come home again,” said Three Chief Cultural Center program director Marie Torosian. “It just makes us happy. They’ll be able to be seen by everybody and shared by their families.” During Thursday’s reunion, Abbrescia gave a comprehensive explanation of the complex and tedious process he see page 2