Local volunteer to lead parade

The 2024 Christmas on Main Street parade grand marshal has been busy since moving to Thompson Falls in 2022.

You may have met Rob Viens through his choral group, the Clark Fork Valley Singers, but he's involved in many projects throughout the community.

The Sanders County Chamber of Commerce chose Viens as the grand marshal to lead the community parade next weekend. Chelle Mitchell, secretary for the chamber, nominated Viens for the honor. "He directs music for the Thompson Falls Main Street Christmas and tree lighting and provides voice lessons for singers. Rob also volunteers as secretary for the Rex Theater Project and in that role volunteers as their sound tech for events and the house manager to bring talent to the theater," Mitchell wrote in her nomination letter. Rob also donates time to help local schools with their sound systems.

This year, Viens stepped up to chair the Rex Theater's Spaghetti Western Fundraiser, raising $13,000 for the theater, Mitchell continued. She said that each time she reaches out to Viens to participate in a chamber event, "I have appreciated his 'can-do' attitude. His passion to bring music and the arts to Sanders County has been consistent and effective. ... His heart for volunteering exemplifies the role of grand marshal."

The Sanders County Chamber also received a letter from the Thompson Falls Woman's Club nominating their member Tammy Dean for grand marshal. "Over the years, Tammy has been actively involved in the community in a variety of ways. She and her husband, Lyman, have held an open-door policy that has supported many local area children by providing a safe place for them to stay when home was not," wrote Woman's Club President Lorraine Renard. "Tammy has been a member of the Thompson Falls Grange and served on the Thompson Falls Senior Center Board of Directors as both their Secretary and Treasurer; and many people know Tammy from when she was a driver for the Council on Aging before it became Sanders County Transportation. Tammy has also provided sustenance for the body and soul for many area residents. She began working in the soup kitchen at the Assembly of God church in Thompson Falls, and recently retired as the cook preparing the community meal each Tuesday for the Church on the Move in Plains." Renard said that Dean has been a Thompson Falls Woman's Club member for more than 25 years.

The Christmas on Main Street parade starts at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, traveling Main Street from west to east. To sign up, contact Joanne Burk at First Security Bank, (406) 827-6225.