A previous review described shelby as a "filthy, run-down, border town." After growing up in Shelby and living there for over 20 years, I can assure anyone traveling to the area that Shelby is a great place to live, visit, and raise a family.

The town is about 1/2 hour from the Canadian border and it is just a 2 hour drive to Glacier National Park's east side (St. Mary, Many Glacier, Two Medicine). There is a fabulous 18-hole golf course called Marias Valley Golf and Country Club that lies in the valley along the Marias river. I have played this course many times and it is well kept and and well worth the stop to play.

Shelby has a great mayor, city staff, and volunteers that are continuously trying to "beautify" Shelby and boost its ecomony. I believe it is doing much better than many other high-line and Montana small communities through the economic downturn and new businesses are contantly opening.

Shelby is surrounded mainly by flat land and there is quite a drive to the mountains if you are mainly interested in those activities. The area industry is mainly agricultural and oil/gas.

During the summer there is the Marias 4-County Fair, fishing, wakeboarding and jet-skiing at Lake Elwell and Lake Francis, golfing, fun runs, the swimming pool and the Roadrunner walking trail to enjoy. The downtown area has many shops to check out also.

I won't say Shelby is perfect, but great schools, medical care, restaurants, activities, but most of all, the people, make Shelby a great place to live and visit. I hope you give my town a chance!

The town's website is www.shelbymt.com