EDITORIAL: Gold coins reflect well on community
As we approach the end of the Christmas season, we should all be touched by the golden generosity of the donor or donors who touched hearts by opening their purses when pitching valuable coins into the red kettles of the Salvation Army.
Either one or two kind-hearted donors gave gold coins to the Salvation Army this year. The first anonymous donation happened earlier this month in Columbia Falls at the Smith’s store, when someone dropped a Liberty Head Double Eagle gold coin in the kettle. Another gold coin, a Standing Liberty $50 gold piece, was donated at Bigfork Harvest Foods last week. Both donations are worth more than $1,000.
This generosity does not go unremarked, but we should also remember the hundreds and thousands of other donors who give anywhere from a few pennies to a few dollars to help the cause of the Salvation Army and other charities every year. It does the heart good to see the community working so hard to help those in need at this time of the year, or any other.
Downhill Gospel
On this Christmas Eve, the dozens of employees who keep Whitefish Mountain Resort operating day in and day out during the busy holiday season are getting a well-deserved thank-you and some Christmas goodies from Skiers & Snowboarders for Christ.
This outreach mission aims to bring the Gospel message to the skier and snowboarder community, with the idea of being a “light on the hill.” The organization is a bridge between the mountain culture and local churches. It’s a worthy ministry, and one well suited to Whitefish and Montana.
Caring for our history
Earlier this week we learned about the crumbling plaster at the St. Ignatius Mission that threatens to damage historic frescoes adorning the ceiling of the 124-year-old church south of Flathead Lake.
The church is a landmark in Northwest Montana and is quite well-known for the 58 spectacular murals depicting scenes from the Bible. One of those scenes depicts the Christmas story itself, with Joseph, Mary and the Baby Jesus.
It’s good to hear efforts are materializing to restore the church and save the frescoes. St. Ignatius Mission is an important part of our local history.