Montana on the (political) map
Inter Lake editorial
We're not sure how it happened, but this year "Montana finally matters" to the folks in Washington, D.C.
Since May, we've had visits to the state by both Barack Obama and his former opponent Hillary Clinton, and visits to Kalispell by their spouses, former President Bill Clinton and Michelle Obama. Just this week, Democratic vice-presidential candidate Joe Biden drew a crowd of 1,600 at Flathead High School.
It was Kalispell Mayor Pam Kennedy, a fellow Democrat, who noted that "Montana finally matters" when introducing Biden to the crowd. It's certainly not surprising that every electoral vote counts when the country is divided so closely between red and blue states.
It is worth noting, however, that John McCain hasn't set foot in the state yet this year. Montanans probably aren't spoiled yet, but if McCain wants to be confident of carrying a fellow Western state, he might consider scheduling an event or two here. Better yet, he could send his own vice presidential pick, Sarah Palin, and all will be forgiven.
That strange kayak-type craft turning six-kilometer loops in Whitefish Lake Monday and Tuesday was one man's attempt to set a world record for distance covered in a human-powered boat.
In the end, Greg Kolodziejzyk succeeded, covering 152 miles in his high-tech trimaran powered only by his legs churning away on the pedals.
The Calgary, Alberta, endurance athlete picked Whitefish Lake because it is generally calm and protected from wind - two attributes that help when you're pedaling a 24-foot-long boat that's only 9 inches wide.
After his exhausing record-breaking feat, Kolodziejzyk planned to eat, sleep and maybe have a few beers - normal recovery techniques for what was anything but a normal feat.
We can all learn a thing or two about philanthropy from 6-year-old Libby Goldhirsch of Whitefish. First and foremost: fundraising can begin at any age.
With a sign that declared "Buy My Cookies and Help Others!" the young girl sold homemade baked goods at the Whitefish farmers market and raised more than $1,000 to help drill water wells for people in Africa. When she was just 5, she raided her piggy bank to send money to the Red Cross for Hurricane Katrina relief.
It's heart-warming to see compassion of this magnitude instilled in young children. And it's a reminder that we're never too young or too old to make a difference in the world.