Page 31 - Flathead Beacon // 12.25.13

FLATHEADBEACON.COM OPINION DECEMBER 25, 2013 | 31

UNCOMMON GROUND Mike Jopek
Rim Ranch

Christmas in the Flathead

Jr Rodeo 2013
M
Y UNCLE WILL CALL THIS and do countless classes. Pull up their
week. More likely he’ll Skype website to get the full overview.

Would like to send out a big “Thank You” and a “Happy New as Wi-Fi now allows much bet- We’ve been practicing yoga for some
ter video quality around the world. My time. I clearly need more practice. It’s
Year” to its very valuable Sponsors. ** Thank you so much Mormon bishop uncle calls on Christ- easier for us in the winter months as we
for all your support in putting on an awesome Jr Rodeo!! mas Eve. I cherish these visits.
can get away from the daily farm du-
We’ll talk about his traditional ties. I’m amazed at how much stretching
We could not have done it without you!
Christmas foods like beet salads, tur- helps my muscles and middle-aged aches
nip casseroles, hams with mustard, liver and pains.
VANCE BRASH RODEO & THE BLUE MOON ARENA, COLUMBIA FALLS * ARENA
THREE RIVERS AMBULANCE, COLUMBIA FALLS
casseroles, sweet breads and rice pud- We’ve been to gentle yoga, yoga
SHELLY OTOUPALIK * EMT
ding with prune sauce.
low and pilates to name a few classes.
My uncle lives where broadband in- I’m amazed at how fast I am again get-
JILL CARPENTER * RODEO SECRETARY
ternet access is a legal right. It is not un-
ting stronger since reacquainting my-
SUZANNE WEEKES * POINT SECRETARY
self to stretching. All
MIKE TWILLMAN * ANNOUNCER
those years of hard work
TRISH MARQUARDT, SUSAN SCHMID, KELLY HAWKINSON & LEEANNA MATELLI “WE ARE BLESSED TO LIVE IN THE and spending time with
*CHECK IN SECRETARIES
hands in the soil have
DAN & GAIL THOMSON * ELECTRIC EYE AND EQUIPMENT
MOST BEAUTIFUL PART OF THE WORLD.
taken a toll on our bodies.
KELLEY HAWKINSON & RIM RANCH GIRLS * OFFICIAL TIMERS
THE FLATHEAD SIMPLY ROCKS, AND The WAVE is helping
VANCE BRASH * BAREBACK’S & BRONCS
me be stronger and more
BRANDON BRASH & RODDY GADDYBURG * PICK UP MAN
LOCALS MAKE IT SO. I HOPE YOU ARE balanced again. Not as
ELMO MCDONALD * BULLS
strong as I was in the late
GERALD & STEVEN EASH * BULL FIGHTERS
GENEROUS TO THOSE AMONG US WHO 1980’s when I could pick
ERNIE & WENDY MCCAFFREE & RIM RANCH * STEERS
4 tons of apples every
ARE LESS FORTUNATE.”
JOHN & ALI RAY * BREAKAWAY AND TIE DOWN CATTLE
day. But strong enough
MIKE & ROCKY KNIGHT * GOATS
to more easily ill the
wood box or ski across
----BUCKLE SPONSORS----
Blanchard Lake. And sta-
CIRCLE R MOTEL & CONSTRUCTION, EAST GLACIER
common to ind public spaces with 100 ble enough to better love my parents as
Mb speeds. That surprises me.
they approach their 80s.
VANDORT HEATING, KALISPELL
The fastest internet for us is 30 Mb, In last week’s yoga class, veteran in-
AC ENTERPRISES, WHITEFISH
and it wasn’t long ago that we chugged structor Kelly Medelman reminded us
FRONTIER BUILDERS OF WHITEFISH
CHS, KALISPELL
along at 1.5 Mb. For our line service we that winters can be cold and long. At the
WHITEFISH CREDIT UNION, KALISPELL
pay some $50 a month, compared to the end of her hour-long class Medelman
$15 per month my uncle pays for unlim- said, “Keep some heat, light and breath
AIRWORKS, KALISPELL
ited 4G service to his iPad.
about you.”
JIM & CAROL SHADE, SALINAS, CA
My mother-in-law is celebrating I make Christmas time overly stress-
MURDOCH’S RANCH & HOME, KALISPELL
Christmas with us on the farm. It’s a ful. The expectations run high and there
PAUL & KIM ALBERTONI, COLUMBIA FALLS
great, fun time. This season we pre- is too much sugar everywhere. It’s good
COREY & KAREN SHADE, SALINAS, CA
sented her with a personal trainer at the
GARLIN & NANCY IVY, KALISPELL
to eat better and breathe as Medelman
WAVE Aquatic and Fitness Center. We reminds me.
RED EAGLE MOTEL, ST MARY
chose four short sessions with certiied The WAVE is a nonproit, and ofers
MATELLI FAMILY, KALISPELL
instructor Michaelann Lee.
membership scholarships. Consider do-
MITCH & MICHELLE BARNES, MOUNTAIN HORSE LLC, KILA
We explained to Lee that mom would nating a Christmas gift of a scholarship,
WALLY & MICHELLE WILKINSON FAMILY, KALISPELL
use all of her talking talents to chatter or simply donate money to the North
MONTE SPARBY, WESTERN AG INSURANCE, ARIZONA
away from the workout. Lee assured us Valley Food Bank across the street.
DARWIN & TRISH MARQUARDT FAMILY, KALISPELL
that she has heard it all before. I’m excit- This week I’ll Skype with family liv-

LASALLE EQUINE CLINIC, KALISPELL
ed that a trained professional will work ing far away, exchange modest gifts with
CRAIG &LEXY KALLENBERGER, GREAT FALLS & JONDIE RIANDA, KALISPELL with mom while I do some yoga.
loved ones and spend time with family
LES SCHWAB TIRE, WHITEFISH
I was a bit skeptical when former and community friends.
SUSAN J SCHMID, CPA P.C., KALISPELL
Sen. Dan Weinberg told me of his vision We are blessed to live in the most
ABC COLLECTORS INC., KALISPELL
to build an aquatic center in Whiteish. beautiful part of the world. The Flathead
FLATHEAD BEACON NEWPAPER, KALISPELL
Boy was I wrong. Every day the parking simply rocks and locals make it so.
lot is full and the WAVE is undergoing its I hope you are generous to those
BRUCE & LISA RIANDA FAMILY
second expansion. We are proud mem- among us who are less fortunate. What-
BRUCE RIANDA CO, KALISPELL
bers.
ever your beliefs, make your limited
----ADDITIONAL AWARDS----
The Olympic sized pool at the facility time spent with family joyous.
LEXY’S LEATHER, GREAT FALLS ** A C ENTERPRISES, WHITEFISH is amazing. But members can cycle, stair I wish you peace and a Merry Christ-
step, run, play racket ball, lift weights
mas.
**VANDORT HEATING, KALISPELL ** FRONTIER BUILDERS, WHITEFISH
**JIM PEIRCE PROMOTIONAL PRODUCTS, KALISPELL ** LJC COWBOY GEAR
**AIRWORKS, KALISPELL** STICK HORSE MATERIAL
Mike (Uncommon Ground) Jopek and Dave (Closing Range) Skinner often fall on op-
** WESTERN BUILDING CENTER, WHITEFISH
posite sides of the fence when it comes to political and outdoor issues. Their columns
FOR MORE INFORMATION OR IF YOU WOULD alternate each week in the Flathead Beacon.

LIKE TO BE A VALUED SPONSOR

Please call or e-mail LISA RIANDA @ 406-871-7210

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WE’LL MAKE YOU FAMOUS!!!