Sanders County Ledger - Your Best Source For Sanders County News

Last weekend was exciting. Not only did the Blue Hawks win a quarterfinal football match at home, but the Hawks won the division volleyball title, also at home. The court and field at Thompson Falls High School were booming with energy.

The community also benefited. It felt like the summer tourism season was in full swing once again as hundreds of players, families and fans came to Thompson Falls. The city was booming with energy as the visitors explored the area between sporting events.

I had family from Bigfork staying with me to watch their daughter play volleyball. They spent a lot of time at the high school gym, but they also visited shops, restaurants, the grocery store and other businesses. Our motels were full. During a break in games on Friday we visited Main Street businesses and saw other team fans doing the same.

The sporting events are a nice little boost for our community, and several out-of-town guests I talked to said businesses were welcoming and excited to have them. Everything slows down in the winter, but perhaps some of these people will be back to spend more time in our area and help our economy even more.

As the Blue Hawk football team hosts the semifinal matchup against Park City this weekend, the community will also have home-field advantage as a new group of visitors comes to Thompson Falls.

—Annie Wooden