Routt County Spotlight: Mike Forney
Sunday, August 5, 2007
Mike Forney
Age: 66
Occupation: Volunteer
Place of birth: Havre, Montana
Q. When did you move to Routt County?
A. Part time in 1999; Full time in 2003
Q. What's the biggest risk you've taken recently?
A. Landing my 45-year-old airplane on remote mountain airstrips in the Idaho wilderness area
Q. Describe your morning routine.
A. Starting the coffee maker and reading the New York Times, Denver Post and Steamboat Pilot & Today on the Internet.
Q. Has a book ever changed your life? What was it?
A. Goodbye Darkness by William Manchester
Q. What's the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
A. Keep it simple, stupid.
Q. What three things would you want people to know about you?
A. I'm a Montana native, I love to read and I'm happy as a clam.
Q. What did you want to be when you grew up?
A. Be a pilot
Q. If you could invite any four people to dinner, who would they be and what would you talk about?
A. Bill Clinton, Bob Dole, Newt Gingrich and Jimmy Carter on governance, ethics and national values.
Q. Do you collect anything?
A. Far too often my wits
Q. In the Meatloaf song, "I would do anything for love, but I won't do that," what is that?
A. Eat Rocky Mountain oysters
Q. What was your first job?
A. Pin setter at a bowling alley at age 11
Q. Who is your favorite superhero? Why?
A. My wife, Janet, whose talent and serenity constantly amazes me
Q. Do you have a tattoo? If so, what of and why did you chose it?
A. You've got to be kidding!
Q. Do you have any phobias?
A. I'm not partial to snakes
Q. If you could go back in time, to what event or time period would you go?
A. Tomorrow because each day gets better
Q. What is your favorite thing to do in Routt County?
A. Swim laps at the Rec Center
Favorites
Book: Blink, Malcolm Gladwell
Song: Blowin' in the Wind by Dylan
Color: Green
Food: Sweetbreads
Sport to watch: Golf
Vacation spot: Bahamas Out Islands
Recreational activity: Golf
Movie: Flight of the Phoenix
Magazine: The Rotarian
Comments
id04sp 5 years, 9 months ago
?
I mean, damn!
?
No offense meant to Mike Forney, but holy cow, how is this news?
another_local 5 years, 9 months ago
id, do you think that the only purpose of a community paper is news?
I know Mike, our community is lucky to have him here. I hope that I encouner other equally interesting, contributing community members through this feature. I'll keep an eye out for it from now on.
id04sp 5 years, 9 months ago
Local,
There was no tattoo. No crime. No great achievement posted. No accolades worthy of someone who has done good for our community.
Maybe those of us who don't know him would like to hear what he has done; it might inspire someone else to volunteer.
We don't get a lot of news in this community about unselfish people. It would be nice to hear some. Fair enough?
another_local 5 years, 9 months ago
id,
You are right, the story could do a better job presenting the person.
Mike either is or was the chair of the local United Way (a volunteer post), is a volunteer SCORE counselor who helps local small businesses and aspiring small business owners, an active Rotarian giving much of his time effort and, as a private pilot, has been donating flight services through the "Angel Flight" program to people needing transport for medical reasons that can not afford it since long before he moved here. He has also given his time to numerous community activities and commitees.
techno_babble 5 years, 9 months ago
id
This is a weekly column that profiles a "local" and has been running for at least a year in the Sunday paper. This must be the first one you have come across.
I do think, however, if you went back through time with this column, you would find that most people profiled have lived here less than 5 years. I would like to see more of the old timers profiled.
PS Let's not start the "what makes a local" argument again.
PPS Mike Forney rocks!!
Matthew Stoddard 5 years, 9 months ago
It's been running for a few years, actually. Had mine in there about 5 years ago, if I remember correct.
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