Cowboy Ron gets the last laugh
Whatever one thinks about the Montana Legislature's performance this year, you have to give credit for one singular achievement: Cowboy Ron got his gambling machines back thanks to legislators.
Despite the partisan shouting, political posturing and impasses that have marked the 2007 Legislature, our representatives did manage to right one wrong.
"Cowboy Ron" Turner of Whitefish had his antique gambling gear seized on Jan. 31 by what can charitably be described as overzealous agents of the state Gambling Investigations Bureau.
Turner's antiques were confiscated because the state concluded he had unlicensed gambling equipment - even though by Turner's estimation the equipment was too old, battered and expensive (worth about $77,000) to be used viably for gambling.
As Turner's plight became a cause celebre, legislators rode to the rescue, swiftly rewriting state law to allow antique gambling equipment to be sold (on a limited basis) for nongambling purposes.
The day after that legislation was signed by the governor, state agents returned the seized merchandise to Turner. Congratulations to Ron, his wife, and to those who helped them.
If you've got artifacts from early-day Flathead communities or stories about how your ancestors came to the valley, it's time to dust them off and deliver them to the Museum at Central School in Kalispell.
Museum Director Gil Jordan has embarked on an exciting project that will bring new life to local history. Inspired by a child's red velvet dress worn by Margaret Duffy 116 years ago on an arduous Christmas Eve trip to Kalispell, Jordan is on track to fill a 1,000-square-foot space in the museum with a treasure trove of artifacts and stories that will provide new insight into how the area was settled.
In addition to telling the stories about how pioneers traveled to the Flathead, Jordan also wants to delve into the history of communities that no longer exist, such as Holt and Ashley. American Indian history plays into the display as well. He's recruited top craftsmen, including Tom Rogers, who builds displays for the Smithsonian Institution. New technology will make it a user-friendly, interactive exhibit.
It's an ambitious project and we commend Jordan for taking the reins. Flathead Valley residents can help by telling their stories and sharing bits of history that might otherwise languish in attics or be swept away at an estate auction.