The Lakeshore Country Journal was first published in February of 1992 as a monthly publication. I started the paper because I believed there was too much negative information in the local newspapers and that there was an audience for a publication that accentuated the positive aspects of life in and around the Flathead Valley and the community of Bigfork. (Amazingly enough, I still feel that way today and a lot of people seem to agree.) Encouraged by my family and by the support I received from local businesses & community members and the offer of help on the editorial side from Sue Hanson, I plunged into the world of publishing with reckless abandon.

From the beginning, the goal of the Journal has always been to focus on and promote the positive elements and aspects of life. We strive to build bridges between people, to offer praise and congratulations to the many volunteers and event organizers who work to make our community special, and to provide a venue for aspiring writers who fit into the genre we have created. In addition to promoting community events we also promote local businesses by writing human interest stories about the owners.

In December of 1994, the Journal ceased publication so that I could pursue a business venture in Minneapolis, Minn. Upon returning to Bigfork in August of 1995 a number of people asked if I would start publishing the Journal again. I was told that the publication was missed in the community and that it would be wonderful to have it back. I often replied that in order to publish again I would need a partner in the business. Fritz Keck was one of the people who encouraged me to start the paper up again. He thought that he might know someone that would be interested in becoming a partner in the paper. In January of 1996, Jan Krause and her husband Rick came from New Jersey to Bigfork to find out more about the LCJ. We had a very good meeting and by March, an agreement had been reached. In June of 1996 Jan and Rick completed their move to the Flathead Valley and the Journal started publishing again as a bi-weekly publication. In April of 1997 Jan and I formed a sub chapter S corporation under the laws of the state of Montana and we have been growing along ever since.

We are excited about bringing the Lakeshore Country Journal to the internet and hope you enjoy our unique publication. Local and time sensitive material will be included on a regular basis, but our primary focus will be on articles of a timeless nature and broad interest. Whenever possible, we will dedicate our efforts on "the net" towards a rich visual experience that we hope you enjoy.

The Journal staff consists of:

Jim Jackson: Publisher, editor, writer, photography, ad sales, ad design, layout and whatever else needs doing.
Jan Krause: Publisher, editor, writer, photography, ad sales, layout, accounts receiveable, and whatever else needs doing.
Laurie Berg-Shaner: Proof reader.
Afton Russell: Student intern, writing, photography, layout, scanning, internet work, typing.
Sue Hanson: Contributing writer, photography.
Matthew Vlastelica: Cub reporter.

Contributing Columnists in Alphabetical Order:

John Creamer, Jenny Day, Christina Eisenberg, Peter Leander,Sam Porrovecchio, Betty Hartmann Reed, Kathryn Serex, Cynthia Yates,

Special thanks to all the many supporters, subscribers, advertisers, and readers who have spent their precious time and hard earned money so that we might continue this work.