As 2014 comes to a close, we’re apt to look forward and surmise ways to make the next year better than the last. And while I hold plenty of optimism for 2015, this week I decided to look back, peruse our annual collection of newspapers and jot down some of the most memorable stories of the last 12 months, many of which won’t make lists ranking “top news stories.”
History I knew nothing about: “Funky Town,” a piece penned by Tristan Scott on the history of disco in Whitefish, was one of our most read stories of the year. It chronicles the rise and fall of the Palm Discotheque in Whitefish in the 1970s and how “this infusion of young people in white polyester suits” changed the town forever.
Trend I knew nothing about: “Glamping” arrived in my lexicon this year after Molly Priddy wrote a story about the company, Glacier Under Canvas, which brings the luxuries of home to the woods. Instead of traditional sleeping bags and nylon tents, these sites include large canvas temporary homes furnished with king-sized beds, roll-top bathtubs and hot water. Who knew?
Most interesting profile: As part of a large profile on the Canyon communities and residents who live between Columbia Falls and West Glacier, Justin Franz interviewed Mountain Man Reggie (or Reggie Dunkin), who makes “hillbilly huggies,” or wooden beer koozies, and can readily explain the secret behind throwing an ax into a wooden target.
Second most interesting profile: Tristan’s profile of Le Grizz 50-mile Ultramarathon founder Pat Caffrey, who retired from race directing after this year’s event, included some of the best quotes of the year. On how the 33-year-old race began, Caffrey said, “There was a point in my life, many points in my life, when I was in a bar and some crazy ideas were brought up and I’ve been psychotic enough to act on some of them.”
Most overlooked blessing: While much of the West battled drought and record firestorms over the summer of 2014, Montana enjoyed solid snowpack and barely 20 square miles burned across the state. As Dillon Tabish reported, just $1.7 million was spent fighting fires, the lowest amount in a decade.
Best sports accomplishment: There was a lot to root for over the last year. Columbia Falls basketball. Glacier Wolfpack football. Whitefish freeskier and U.S. Olympian Maggie Voisin. Perhaps lost among all these feats was the Bigfork High School boys’ historic season on the hardwood. The Vikings went 26-0 and claimed its first basketball title ever and was the first team from western Montana to win the Class B crown in 26 years. As Christian Evans said, “It’s a dream come true.”
Most interesting issue heading into 2015: Maybe not the most important, but how the Legislature addresses alcohol regulations is worth watching, especially now that alcohol distributors split from a new industry coalition that had hoped to sway lawmakers to reform the system. The Legislature’s decisions in the coming months could impact how your favorite bars, breweries and restaurants operate. As the general manager of a local distributor told Dillon, “It’s going to be very interesting.”
Most persistent board: We’ve written a lot about the Kalispell City Council over the past year, including our relatively new Mayor Mark Johnson. What’s refreshing is watching this council maintain focus on improving the city’s downtown despite setbacks, including missing out on two grants that would expedite its core revitalization plan. Instead of getting discouraged, the council continues to look at alternative avenues for much-needed improvements.
Most promising indicator: Flathead’s jobless rate was 5.8 percent in November. A year ago at this time it was 7.3 percent. Five years ago it was 9.3 percent.
Happy New Year!