Why change the name? How about St. John's Lutheran Hospital?

Letter to the Editor,

Going across the Kootenai River bridge toward town, the new hospital stands out with a dominating presence above the existing Libby skyline. 

Hearing that the hospital board wants a new name, catchier than St. John’s, I thought of Graceland, like Elvis Presley’s mansion. Then I thought, why stop there? Why not give it a local spin and name it W.R. Grace-land, in recognition of one of our most infamous corporate carpetbaggers.

Then I thought maybe the name should be along the lines of our latest community theme, “The City of Eagles.” Then the hospital could become the hub of these huge iron birds radiating in all directions, and be called “The Nest” ( or more technically correct in the case of raptors, “The Aerie”). 

A huge wad of steel cable artwork could be built on the roof with “eggs” the size pick-up trucks, that would certainly draw awestruck tourists and marketing strategists throughout the nation.

I would be a little cautious about this though, as Libby’s “themes” don’t seem to last too long. We had a short-lived rustic Western theme, followed by a Nordic look, that has pretty much disappeared, too. The only “theme” that seems to show some permanence in  Lincoln County is the, “We don’t enforce our junk vehicle laws” motif.

Come to think of it, I think it’s time we lose the “Libby Loggers” mascot, as the local timber economy has all but vanished. Our once thriving sawmill has disintegrated into an “Industrial Park” money pit, and hardly anyone under the age of 65, (especially the kids on the High School wrestling team), has a clue what the, “green chain” was. With casinos taking over as the most noticeable “industry” left in town,  I would like to suggest that our new moniker be the “Libby Gamblers.”. 

Seriously, I would like to throw in my two cents to keep the name St. John’s Lutheran Hospital just like it is. The name, as well as the hospital itself, has served the community well for over 60 years, and I expect and hope it will continue in that tradition for another 60. 

That’s my vote. Thank you for asking.

— Tom Horelick     

Libby