First-class people

Enough already! Let’s give the folks in Columbia Falls a break. We are all sorry to hear the man from Patten (Readers Write, Sept. 8) feels he got a raw deal on his first experience as a blueberry raker, but surely he is smart enough not to judge the whole town on one two-week stay here. If it was the worst experience of his life, perhaps his life has been too sheltered so far.

We may be a little hard-headed but we are very soft-hearted. We may be a decade or two behind the times socially or slow to develop in some areas, but it is by choice. If people don’t like it here, Route 1 leaves in both directions. Do you need help packing? …

The local rakers are not provided with transportaiton, equipment, lodging, food stamps or general assistance. They rise early, work hard and take care of themselves. That, folks, is called pride, something the people in Columbia Falls do have. In some people’s eyes, we may live in second-class houses, travel in second-class vehicles and dress in second-class clothing, but in my eyes, we are first-class people. I am proud to hold my head up and say I live here.

Why don’t we concentrate on the positive side of living in a small country town and focus on our luck in having a safe place to raise our children and grandchildren, the blessings of caring neighbors and the pride of taking care of our own. Hold your head up and smile; the world will look a lot brighter. Lenora Chizmas Columbia Falls