COLUMN: Players help move mountain of furniture

The members of the Glacier High School football team got their game on at West Valley School way before school started this year.

In August, the team volunteered its services to help move a mountain of furniture, boxes and storage shelves from the gym following construction of the school’s 36,000- square-foot addition.  

To prepare for the school’s construction and remodeling last May, the furnishings in all of the rooms affected were moved into the gym. With the new school year approaching and construction wrapping up, everything needed to be moved back in place. 

West Valley teach Wendy Schwarz said the football team tackled the overwhelming piles and in just three hours had moved almost everything to the proper classrooms.  

“It was wonderful to see such teamwork and enthusiasm from a group of young men,” Schwarz said. “Thank you, Glacier Wolfpack, for your community service!”

Voters approved $6.8 million last year to accommodate the school’s growing student population that has increased by 5 percent annually over the past 10 years. Thirteen new classrooms, a music room, Special Education room, science lab, auxiliary gym and a kitchen complete the expansion.

Greg and Chris Robitaille, co-founders and owners of Xplorer Maps in Missoula, wrote to thank the organizers along with the supportive residents and visitors to the Flathead Valley who made this year’s Bigfork Festival of the Arts such a success. 

“Everyone’s efforts, support and enthusiasm succeeded in making this event a remarkable success and one in which the 150 vendors are very much appreciative to have had the opportunity to display and share our locally crafted products,” the Robitailles said. “Everyone that made the decision to leave the alluringly cool and fresh waters of the lake and walk the streets of Bigfork in searing temperatures demonstrated once again that handmade, locally crafted products are an integral component of our local economies; extremely appreciated and certainly valued for their one-of-a-kind unique nature.

The idea for the Bigfork Festival of the Arts arose out of conversation on Electric Avenue 37 years ago by a small group of Bigfork residents and artists. Over the years it has become a well-established tradition for artists, vendors and visitors from across the Pacific Northwest.

The Robitailles spotlighted the handmade, skilled craftsmanship and positive energy evident throughout the festival.

“When you get the chance, please take the time to extend a very special shout-out to Donna Lawson, Gretchen Gates and all the volunteers (street cleaners, booth markers, downtown businesses, etc.) that helped make the weekend an amazing success. Your efforts did not go unnoticed or unappreciated.

 “Thank you, Bigfork and the surrounding communities for supporting your local craftspeople!”

Community editor Carol Marino may be reached at 758-4440 or by email at community@dailyinterlake.com.