Fighting back against cancer
Inter Lake editorial
Two dedicated Whitefish public servants are back at work after enduring intensive rounds of cancer treatment this year.
After a year-long battle with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma that included a stem-cell transplant, Whitefish Fire Chief Dave Sipe has resumed his duties, though he'll be doing desk work from now on.
Whitefish Finance Director Mike Eve is still undergoing treatment for renal-cell carcinoma, but is able to work full-time crunching numbers for the city.
Both men have fought their cancer with positive attitudes that go a long way in dealing with such a disease. And both are thankful for strong support from their families and the community.
Cancer seems to brush up against most people's lives at one time or another. We all know those who are struggling with various forms of the disease, and we never know whether we'll be the next in line to get cancer. That's why it's so important to come together as a community to help cancer patients keep their chins up and focus on their recovery. We're all in this together.
Eve's sentiment echoes what many cancer patients have felt: "You've got to live day by day. Now, as long as a guy wakes up and feels OK, it's a good day."
Beyond the chance to cheer the Griz on to greater glory, when the University of Montana football team reaches the playoffs, it's a geography lesson for Griz fans.
This year we get to find out where Wofford College is, Spartanburg, S.C. - a mere 2,300 miles from Missoula, where the Wofford Terriers challenge the Montana Grizzlies on Saturday afternoon.
Wofford is the latest in a string of far-away schools that have ended up in the Griz vernacular as a result of playoff matchups. In previous years we got to find out about schools such as Furman, James Madison, McNeese State, William & Mary and Appalachian State.
Whatever the name or whatever state they hail from, however, the teams are always happy to visit Montana, and enjoy our hospitality, however briefly.
We hope that the Wofford Terriers enjoy their stay in Missoula before they exit the playoffs at the hands of the Grizzlies.
It is said that big things often come in small packages, but we did not know until last week that the small package might be a popcorn box.
Kalispell Boy Scout Jaben Wood opened our eyes recently when he sold more than $16,000 worth of popcorn during the Scouts' annual fund-raiser. That was a state record, and it showed just how much one person can accomplish with determination and hard work, even a person who is 12 years old.
It was also nice to read that soldiers overseas will be among the beneficiaries of this year's popcorn sale, which traditionally is held to raise money for summer camps and community service projects.
Good job, Jaben, and good job also to the rest of the Scouts who participated and to those who donated to the cause. All contributions are important.