Reel in summer memories

As fall routines take root again, memories of those warm summer days will carry us through to the next.

A picture of a child's first caught fish is pressed into the pages of many a family photo album in Montana. Maybe it's the concentration on their faces as they cast their lines, or maybe the sheer giddiness that arises when the fish come up wiggling on the ends of the poles, but they are magical moments stored in a parent's heart forever.

Sean and Mary McRae wrote the Inter Lake recently to thank Snappy Sport Senter for hosting their Kids' Fishing Days. Their daughter had just received her first fishing pole for her third birthday. Sunglasses perched on her nose and fishing hat perched on top of her head, Olivia and her parents headed for Snappy, anxious to try out that new pole.

Mary wrote that Snappy was the perfect venue for Olivia's maiden fishing trip.

"The pond was well stocked, worms and other necessities were provided, along with fishing poles for the kids who needed them," she wrote. Plenty of employees were helping out, and the McRaes especially thanked the one who let Olivia reel in a few with his fishing pole.

"The store even provided lunch for all attending, and in our case, a fish dinner!" she said. "Our daughter couldn't have been more excited and proud. With her grandparents watching and keeping an eye on her younger sister, it was a great way for the family to spend a Saturday morning!"

Snappy has been giving kids a chance to snag fish in their pond since it was built in 1999.

An underwater glass window gives kids a fish-eye view of their watery world and proof that those lunkers are really in there.

Landscaped with shrubs, flowers, and even a terraced rock waterfall, it's just one more of the best little things for young families in the Flathead.

The 18-foot-deep pond is stocked with rainbow trout and is open through the summer months.

During the school year, Fish, Wildlife and Parks has access to the Snappy pond for its Hooked on Fishing program.

Most of us would agree it was a hot summer in the valley. Hardy gardeners have remained faithful to their diligent watering schedules to mitigate mostly dry conditions and temperatures consistently in the 90s.

Thanks to their efforts, everyone can appreciate their beautiful gardens and bountiful flora.

For more than 15 years, Linda Spangle's abundant floral terrace has graced U.S. 93 at the intersection of Indian Trail Road north of Kalispell.

And people take notice.

The hillside is on Karen Reeves' way to and from work. Reeves took a moment to write to thank the gardener who graces her daily commute.

"That lovely garden on a steep embankment must be a nightmare to work and weed," she wrote.

"Your labors face a four-lane highway and not your own home, so we commuters get the full glory of your efforts. It is much appreciated."