Spreading the Christmas spirit - Justyna's Christmas column

There is no better time than the holidays to reflect on what you are thankful for and I have a lot to give thanks for.

Throughout my journey here, I have met some amazing people and have been welcomed into a wonderful community.

Now with snow on the ground and Christmas lights on the houses, I find myself thinking of the true meaning of this holiday. Everyone knows the season is not about receiving presents or getting a glimpse of Santa. The meaning reaches far further than that. Of course the holiday has its roots in religion, something many find important. That’s a topic I will leave to each and every one of you. That set aside, the holidays are a time to give back to those you love. And maybe even those you don’t know.

These are the times when people give the best of themselves to everyone around them. Christmas is a time of cheer and ‘holiday spirit.’ Being situated in the beautiful Clark Fork Valley, one does not have to look far to see this spirit throughout the towns. Thousands of lights glitter and countless windows are festively decorated by the high schools, making it clear the spirit of Christmas is alive and well.

If you look deeper, it’s evident that this spirit thrives throughout all of Sanders and Mineral Counties. I can’t even keep track of the amount of stories we’ve ran in the last few weeks about people taking care of each other. Whether its free holiday meals, stockings stuffed to the brim for the abused and neglected or boxes filled with goods, it is apparent that people are giving back.

As everyone comes together to help spread that cheer, a few names come to mind. The list is long and varied but now is my time to give thanks to the community I have grown to love.

First off, I want to thank everyone in the office for everything they’ve done for me. The ladies have grown to be more than just my coworkers – they’ve grown to become my friends and my family away from home. I’d like to thank Sally Braun for her helpfulness. She is always willing to help and is a wealth of knowledge. This stretches to all the school secretaries in Sanders County including Val, Tami, Nancy and Amy. I want to thank Thom Chisholm for working with me as well as Jason Slater and the countless teachers, counselors and staff that come together to help the students. A big thank you goes out to the Plains-Paradise Rural Fire Department for always being so helpful with a special thanks to Pat Erving, Johnny Holland and James Russell. I’d like to thank all Sanders County coaches for working alongside me to ensure the kids get good coverage. I look forward to working with Chadd Laws, Courtney Burke, Mike Tessier, Ashley Singbeil, Ben Ulrick, Ian Taylor, Kenny Marjerrison, Russ Baker, Richard Griffin, Ricky DePoe and Robert Kearney this season.

The list continues so I better get straight to the point. Thank you to the commissioners – Tony, Carol and Glen and all the helpful ladies working at the Sanders Court House. Thank you Shawn Emmett, Kathy Emmett, Jasmine, Michael Brinson, Randy Woods and Plains Town Council members. Thanks to Sandi Lane and the Plains Woman’s Club for being so welcoming.

A big thank you and Merry Christmas goes out to Monte Turner – thanks for all the witty emails. Thank you Jerrie Bullock, Stephanie Price and Rod Stamm for all your beautiful submissions. For everyone in Mineral County who has helped Adam adapt to his new surroundings – you all are amazing. Thanks to the Updikes and Mineral County Commissioners.

I’d like to thank my publisher, Dan Drewry for having faith in me and continually guiding me as I progress further into my career. I’d also like to thank my general manager Laurie Ramos for all of her help.

I couldn’t have done anything without these people and the amazing communities who work with me on a daily basis. As the holiday season winds down, I challenge each and every one of you to keep that spirit alive. Why should we only extend a helping hand to those in need around Christmas time? Let’s keep that tradition alive and continue to improve on the already great communities of this area.

As I sign off from my ranch on the hill, I have to give one more thank you to my family and my boyfriend, Aaron. You all mean the world to me and without you, none of this would have meaning.