Giving thanks for a quiet Fourth

It was a quiet Fourth of July, wasn’t it?

With fireworks (even the big commercial shows) banned in Flathead County, the booms and whistles and sparkles of Independence Day celebrations were noticeably absent.

And that absence was welcome, not just by citizens enjoying a peaceful holiday but also by everyone justifiably concerned about what could happen when fireworks mix with a skyrocketing fire danger.

The Fourth of July in the Flathead Valley, as it turned out, was another record-setting day for heat (99 degrees), just as July 3 set a daily record and just as five days in June topped or tied all-time heat records. On top of that, winds were howling throughout the evening.

In other words, the stage was set for trouble if the valley’s normal pyrotechnic pursuits were followed.

Our local firefighters perhaps were the most appreciative of the restraint shown by people shooting off fireworks this year.

For the most part, firefighters were actually able to enjoy the Fourth festivities without being on edge or racing from fire to fire.

A Fourth of July without fireworks was just what we all needed.

Thanks to everyone for cooperating.

Dr. Beach’s story touched us

After bringing nearly 4,000 babies into the world over 35 years, Dr. Randy Beach is stepping out of the delivery room for good and will focus solely on women’s health.

As a board-certified obstetrician/gynecologist, Beach has been an integral part of the Flathead Valley’s OB/GYN services since he founded Alpine Women’s Center in Whitefish in 1998. Beyond his skills in the delivery room, Beach’s amiable demeanor and ability to connect with people have made him a beloved local doctor. This was quite evident when the Daily Inter Lake’s story about Beach’s career change was posted on the Inter Lake’s Facebook page. The article went viral locally, reaching 20 to 25 times as many people as most other Inter Lake stories, as people shared the story with their friends and it made the rounds online.

Beach, and anyone who delivers a baby, has the very special honor of being witness to a newborn’s first cry, Day 1 of a new life unfolding. We thank Dr. Beach for his many years of faithful service, delivering babies at all hours of the day and night, and we’re glad he’ll still be seeing patients at Alpine Women’s Center.