Outsiders have stepped up

Editor:

While many long-time residents of this area are concerned about the constant influx of “outsiders” moving here, I’d like to put in a good word for some of those newcomers.

My husband and I were newcomers 13 years ago. When we moved here, we immediately got involved in some community projects like the Elks Lodge, Huckleberry Festival, Noxon Rod and Gun Club, the dog training club and several others. Now that we are somewhat established (albeit still newcomers), we are soliciting the help of other community members for our current projects, like the Elks, Thompson Falls Dog Park, Trout Creek Community Improvement Association, and the refurbishment of Whitepine Grange. What we have found is that the newest residents of our area are the ones, by and large, who step up FIRST to volunteer their time and labor on these projects. They have a desire to contribute and to belong.

Most of the folks who’ve offered to help me renovate Whitepine Grange are residents who are fairly new to the area. The same thing is true with Thompson Falls Dog Park. And the Elks continue to enjoy a steady stream of new members who have come from elsewhere and stepped up to help in numerous community projects.

I’d like to thank all those who’ve arrived here from other places in the past few years and have gladly stepped up to say, “We’ll help!” I am grateful these newcomers have stepped up to share their experience,wisdom, and muscle to make this an even better place to live.

Jan Manning, Trout Creek