Annual event in park puts smile on many faces

The smiles on their faces and the excitement in their voices tell the story.

An annual tradition for the Libby Dam Good Sams is throwing a summer picnic for their friends from Achievements - a local organization that makes lives better for mentally-challenged individuals.

“They look forward to it every year,” chapter president Luana Neisess said Tuesday during the event at Fireman's Park. “Whenever we see them downtown or somewhere they ask, ‘when are we doing to have our picnic?' We try to feed them as many hot dogs as they can eat.”

Indeed, those in attendance were having a good time eating hot dogs, chips and ice cream. And the weather cooperated - unlike last year.

“It thundered and we had lightning and it really scared the heck out of us all,” Neisess laughed. “We had it anyway but we didn't get to play too many games because it got too wet. But the kids really enjoy doing things like this.”

Bean-bag games and baseball are among the events offered at the event. Each participant received a badge as a remembrance of the day.

“We've been doing this for a number of years,” Neisess said, a resident of Troy now in her second year as president. “This chapter has been in Libby for 30 years so we try to do quite a few community things. This is one of our favorite things that we like to do.”

With those beaming smiles, it's easy to see why.