Valley Views

valley views Hiding behind the monogram

They sat indiscriminately on the clearance rack marked down like a thousand percent from their initial price. Hand towels. Not your everyday, ordinary, run-of-the-mill hand towels. These happened to be emblazoned with the letter “P” as in the first letter of my last name. I contemplated my good fortune for a millisecond before tossing a pair in my cart.

A couple bucks later, I returned home with monogrammed towels.

Monogrammed towels! I figured I’d finally hit the big time. Never mind they cost like a dollar apiece. It’s not everyday you find yourself confronted with the possibility of a monogram. A monogram practically sings your name – at least the first letter of it. Monograms are snazzy and jazzy and they look like they were made just for you – or for someone who shares your initials. I hung them in the bathroom and waited for company to come over.

Meanwhile, I took the old, worn and tattered towels that had previously hung in the bathroom and tossed them in the back of a cupboard. No need for friends, family or visiting strangers to witness our tatters.

I took another proud look at my new monograms and the metaphor hit me: People are like towels. (Which I realize is actually a simile, but bear with me here.)

We display our monograms for the world to see and hide the tatters in places where they aren’t as likely to be noticed. Whether it’s a monogram on a towel, a logo on a purse, a label on the back of jeans or a brand name on the back of a vehicle, we work hard to show only our best side when the world’s camera comes in for our closeup. Consider social media. When’s the last time someone posted “At a youth sporting event. My kid struck out twice – so far,” or, “Report cards came home today. Billy got three D’s. At least it’s better than last semester.” How about, “TV dinners again tonight,” or, “Please excuse the lack of beach photos. We can’t afford a vacation this year.”

Posts like these aren’t going to happen because these examples simply aren’t monogram material. They’re probably all real and all accurate, but they are not our choice for sharing in public because we consider them our tatters. We don’t want people to see our worst; we want them to be aware of our monograms. In all honesty, life is messy and flawed. There’s just no need for anyone to know about it.

If you visit, and you use my bathroom, you might note I have monogrammed towels and you might surmise that I have money to purchase monogrammed towels. From there you might jump to the conclusion that I have an orderly and well-organized household where the laundry is never piled high, no one ever gets angry, homework is done on time every time without any reminders from parents and the towels remain perfectly folded on the rack monogram side out never becoming soiled or tattered.

And if you thought that, you would be wrong. Despite the monograms bought on clearance, I have my share of tatters – and piles of laundry. And it is okay. Even during the best times, life is not meant to be perfect. I’ve discovered over the years that good can be great and so-so might be the best you’re going to get, depending on the day. But even when it’s two steps forward, one step back, you are making the effort and that counts for something – whether you are monogrammed, tattered or, like most of us, somewhere in between.

And when you have friends and family who love you, tatters and all, it begins to make sense and you understand there’s no need to hide behind a monogram. Not really. Even though I still do sometimes.

Slices of Life Jill Pertler Syndicated columnist

letters

Concerning irrigators

Editor,

On Dec. 6, the Montana Water Court extended the date to make objection to the CSKT water compact. The extension will be to Feb. 9, 2023. The Mission/Jocko Irrigation District will file an objection. It does not appear the Flathead District is going to file an objection. Understand if you do not object, you will never be able to appeal for you Civil and Property rights again, you will never be able to access the Montana Water Court again. There has been no compensation for the loss of property rights as stated in our State and Federal constitution. Remember, due process and equal protection is your right as an American citizen. Help is still offered at www.saveyourwaterright.org, other organizations are helping as well.

On Tuesday night Flathead Irrigation had their yearly meeting, you know that Irrigation fees were raised to $35/ acre for 2023. For 2024 fees will be raised to $39/acre. Flathead Irrigation will be purchasing 14 new pickups and six new dump trucks. Several new trucks have already been purchased from 2015 to 2021, note FIP has 32 full time employees, you pay for 51 employees. There is $2,500,000 in reserve accounts. What more disturbing is the Flathead Irrigation Project is going to write a check to the CSKT for over $1,000,000 from old CME funds and wind funds for flathead pumps. Remember these are tax dollars from the project. Call you Irrigation Commissioners for verification of this. The BIA has been sued from ever Indian Tribe in America

see page 11 But I’m working on it.

Jill Pertler is an award-winning syndicated columnist, published playwright and author. She welcome having readers follow her column on the Slices of Life page on Facebook.

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Wrap it up

By Eric Donovan for the Valley Journal

POLSON — The North Lake County Public Library District has been in need of a building update for many years now, and this community hub has finally been granted its wish.

Library Director Abbi Dooley and Librarian Mallory Witham were at Murdoch’s donating their time wrapping presents for customers, and spreading good cheer on Dec. 10. Murdoch’s does this gift wrapping day as service to the community, supplying all the wrapping paper, boxes, tags, bows and tape. Any customer is welcome to use the workstation, located by the store’s front doors, free of charge.

Beginning the last weekend of November, Murdoch’s offered Saturdays and Sundays to local volunteers to use the station all day. The gift wrapping is free, but donations are welcomed. This is where the Lake County Library comes in. They were hoping to wrap some presents on Saturday, as well as receive some monetary donations. So far, the Mission Valley Ice Arena, Safe Harbor, and Lake County Search and Rescue have used the gift-wrapping booth, with 4-H Mission Valley Ranch Hands to participate on Dec. 23.

Dooley said the library had reached 80% of their $2 million fund raising goal. Because of this, plans are moving forward for construction in March. Beginning in January, the library is asking patrons to check out as many books as they like since the return date has been lifted. If patrons are able to keep the books for three to six months, this will help the library staff during the construction phase.

Dooley also said they are still looking for a temporary location while the building is under renovation.

This would greatly help staff run the day to day functions of the library. If you or someone you know has a building that the library could use temporarily, please contact them at 406- 883-8225. This would speed up the process, allowing the contractor total access to the building and not having to work around the public and the employees. “We will move into the meeting room if needed, and still meet all of the patrons need from there,” Dooley added. She and her staff are committed to serving the public during this transition period of the library.

Clay Fischer was having some presents wrapped and commented, “I am all for the renovation, it’s great for the community and great for the kids.”

ERIC DONOVAN PHOTO from page 10

for misappropriation of funds, appeal to the Federal registrar asap.

One more note, the compact lets the CSKT be involved in the operation of Flathead Irrigation, know that the Tribe tried to get the Project Manager to shut off Irrigation water July 19, 2022, all reservoirs were full, irrigators were finishing first cutting hay, remember all the rain in June. This and many more reasons why you should object. Share this with your neighbors.

Tim Orr St. Ignatius

vj

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Governor Gianforte welcomes Amazon to Montana

New facility to create more than 100 new Montana jobs

News from the office of Governor Gianforte

HELENA — Governor Greg Gianforte today announced Amazon’s first facility in Montana is currently under construction in Missoula. Representing Amazon’s first major investment in Montana, the new facility will create more than 100 new jobs.

“Today’s a great day for Montana as we welcome Amazon to the Treasure State,” Governor Greg Gianforte said. “We’re thrilled Amazon has recognized Missoula’s business-friendly environment, unmatched quality of life, and hardworking and talented workforce, and look forward to the 100 good-paying jobs their investment will bring to Missoula.”

The site, located at 9121 Cartage Road, will be a 72,000 square foot delivery station. Categorized as the “last mile” stage of the shipping process, the new delivery station will receive orders from larger Amazon facilities across the United States and dispatch delivery vans to bring those orders to customers’ front doors.

“This new delivery station in Montana will connect Amazon’s national fulfillment network to customers in Missoula and beyond, while also creating more than 100 new jobs within the community during the coming years,” said Amazon spokesperson Leigh Anne Gullett. “We look forward to bringing faster and more efficient package delivery to Montana residents, as well as to growing our partnerships with businesses and community organizations in the area.”

The construction project has been a collaborative effort among multiple Montana-based businesses including GroundSpeed Concepts, Dick Anderson Construction, True North Steel, Temp Right Service, INC, PETES Electric, and Hyalite Engineers.

Daines receives ‘Friend of Farm Bureau’ award

News from the office of Senator Daines

HELENA — On Dec. 13, Senator Daines was presented with the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF)’s “Friend of Farm Bureau” award recognizing his efforts to support Montana agriculture.

“I’m grateful to receive the Friend of Farm Bureau award from the American Farm Bureau Federation,” Daines said. “Ag isn’t only Montana’s number one economic driver, it’s part of our way of life. I will always be an advocate for Montana ag and continue to support hardworking Montana farmers and ranchers who feed not only our great state and nation, but the entire world.”

Daines’ award was presented by Nicole Rolf and Cyndi Johnson of the Montana Farm Bureau Federation.

Montana Districting, Apportionment Commission changes meeting format

News from Montana State Legislature

ZOOM — The Montana Districting and Apportionment Commission has changed the format of its Dec. 21 public hearing on the state legislative redistricting plan. The meeting will be held entirely on Zoom. The Zoom hearing starts at 9 a.m. and will be streamed live at the legislative website for those who wish to watch but not comment.

Register by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 20, to offer comment. The registration link, agenda, and other materials are found on the webpage for the hearing.

The public can offer comments on the commission’s tentative redistricting proposal that it will send to the Montana Legislature in early January. Maps and other resources related to the proposal are available on the commission’s website, and additional materials will be added prior to the 21st.

Written public comments may be submitted through the webform at the commission’s website, by email at: districting@legmt. gov, or by mailing the comments to Montana Districting and Apportionment Commission, PO Box 201706, Helena, MT 59620. To ensure commissioners have time to weigh comments prior to the meeting, please send comments by 5 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 19. Comments received after that time but before Dec. 21 will be given to the commissioners prior to the meeting. Written comments received on the meeting day will be given to the commissioners after the meeting but before the commission takes final action on the plan in early 2023.

Link to registration page for Dec. 21 hearing: https:// mtredistricting.gov/ remote-participation-request/ Commission website: https://mtredistricting.gov/