Kindness always is nearby
Phyllis Putter, her husband, Al Winegarten, and grandson Julian Picard were traveling July 20 to Glacier Park when they were involved in a serious accident. Their recreational vehicle rolled down an embankment and overturned, causing serious injuries to her husband, and some bruises and scrapes to Putter and her grandson. Fortunately, all walked away.
As unexpected visitors to Kalispell from Dallas, they were deeply touched by the neighbors, emergency and medical personnel, even the towing service that came to their aid.
The wreck took Bolster's Towing nearly 24 hours to clear, and its crew spent many hours the next day recovering everything from their rig that was scattered through the trees and brush.
"We were not only given attention and great care, but kindness and concern about our plight and well-being," Putter wrote, about the ALERT staff, ER nurses and surgeons, the group from Potter's Field Ranch who visited them in the hospital and, later, the wait staff at Finnegan's Restaurant.
"Is it that only people with these endearing qualities reside in Kalispell or does Kalispell bring out these wonderful attributes?" Putter asked. "We will not forget our experience in your community."
Putter said everyone is healing, and when they're able to make it to Glacier Park, they will stop back to thank everyone they met. "You all made a truly horrific and frightening experience more tolerable and have made our recovery easier."
A Nebraska truck driver was traveling through the Flathead last month when his trip took a turn for the worse.
Randy Hoerle had stopped for the evening to make a delivery the next morning to a business on Montana 35. His two 1-year-old Pomeranians - his traveling companions - usually stay close to where he can keep an eye on them, but L.P. heard another dog on the other side of the highway and was struck and killed as he crossed the road.
Although his heart was broken because he'd had the pups since the day he helped kkellogg 9/7/06 the veterinarian deliver them by Caesarian section, he wrote the Inter Lake to thank the folks who stopped to help.
One woman stopped to let him know his dog had been hit, and the driver who'd accidentally hit him stopped to apologize. "Sir, that took great courage to do. Most would have driven on," Hoerle wrote.
Hoerle also thanked Ed Lowe for helping him get to a local store to get supplies so that he could bring his "little buddy" home and lay him to rest in his home yard.
"Ed is truly an asset to you community and has a heart of gold."
In closing he implored drivers everywhere, "Please keep your eyes open and slow down."
It may be only September, but Christmas is off to a good start thanks to 10-year-old Katy Sargent, 8-year-old Jessie Sargent, and 12-year-old Megan Schurman of Marion.
As junior members of the Marion Sew 'N Sews, the three seamstresses have made and donated more than 25 machine-sewn flannel doll quilts to be distributed to needy children during the holidays.
This is the second year Katy has contributed to the Marion Sew 'N Sews' annual donation of doll quilts and rocking-chair cushions to the Toys for Tots Foundation.
To donate a new toy or cash to Toys for Tots, call John Olsen at 257-4043.