More stitches in time

Sixteen kids took a turn at the art of quilting last month thanks to a community outreach program sponsored by the Flathead Quilters Guild. Every summer, the guild takes their talent on the road to a different local quilt shop to give young people a chance to discover the fun in building a quilt they can call their own.

This year's Quilts for Kids workshop was held July 24 through 26 at Kalispell's Quilt Gallery. For three days, the 16 youths, ranging in ages from 10 to 15, were guided through the skills process by Guild members. All went home with completed quilts made from fabrics of their own choosing.

Lanette Cuffe said the students were as diverse as their quilts. Fuzuki Koshizawa, a Japanese exchange student, speaks little English and is learning through hand gestures and her always open Japanese - American dictionary.

Several young quilters visiting from outside the valley also took part in the project, but most are local youths; and three of them were boys.

Cuffe says that some have waited several years to attend the class. Cheyenne Rivera is happy to finally be sewing. "I couldn't wait until I was 10 so I could take this class," she said. Samantha Irvine, who is visiting from Polson, said, "I like learning how to use the sewing machine."

"The one common thread is everyone, students and mentors, had a great time," said Cuffe.

Pierre Kapanian, one of three boys in the class, summed up the week for everyone. "I've learned a lot of new things from everyone and made new friends. It's been a really fun week."

It would have been just a regular stop to Home Depot for Ed Rothfuss one evening in July - except that he came home without his wallet. By the time he realized it was gone, the store was closed.

Then he checked his phone messages. An older gentleman had left a message letting Rothfuss know he'd found his wallet in the Home Depot parking lot and turned it into to the store cashier that night.

The next morning, Rothfuss called Home Depot and, sure enough, the store had his wallet - and everything in it.

Wallet safely returned, Rothfuss thought it would be a good idea to take time to thank its anonymous founder who went out of his way that night, and to let other people know about his good deed.

"With too much media covering the evil-doers, thoughtless persons and other negative incidents locally and world-wide, I'm happy to report a positive tidbit," Rothfuss wrote in his letter to the Inter Lake. "Having my wallet returned restores my faith in humanity! Many thanks to that gentleman!"