On personal interests

Personal interests ranging from Lions clubs to Shriners Hospitals for Children to class reunions form paragraphs for my column this week.

Two residents were honored by Columbia Falls Lions Club during the concert in Marantette Park last week.

Don Lawrence received the Lion of the Year award. Don has been responsible for contacting area musicians to perform at the weekly summer concert series since they started.

Joe Sova was awarded the Citizen of the Year plaque in recognition of his continual service to the Lions Club. He has covered meetings and other events with his photos and stories.

President of the club is Ed Smollack, serving his second term in that office. Darryl Young, past president of both Columbia Falls and Whitefish Lions Clubs, has completed his terms as zone chairman and cabinet member for District 37N. Clubs in Alberta and Montana form the district.

Great news is that the Spokane Shriners Hospital will stay open.

Children from Montana, Idaho, Washington, Alaska, Canada and Mexico are treated there. It was reported there are approximately 6,000 patients in the system. Spokane facility has approximately 170 employees.

Delegates to the International Shrine made the decision during their sessions in Texas. Total of 22 hospitals are dedicated to providing pediatric specialty care, innovative research and outstanding teaching programs. Children up to age 18 with orthopaedic conditions, burns of all degrees, spinal cord injuries, cleft lip and palate are eligible for care and receive all services at no charge regardless of financial need.

It was explained hospitals will begin to explore possible opportunities for collaboration with research and medical facilities in their communities. News release started discussions with Sacred Heart Children's Hospital to explore a possible partnership in the future has been started.

Hospitals will be asked to take a budget cut.

Past Imperial Potentate Douglas Maxwell, St. Louis, became new president and CEO of Shriners Hospitals for Children July 9.

Next is an incident occurring when members of FCHS Class of 1946 met for their July luncheon. We have a mini reunion every two months.

A birthday card was being passed around so we could all enjoy it. A very loud, very high, pitched wolf whistle sounded each time the card was opened.

It was not planned, but a young male waiter was walking past our long table when the wolf whistle sounded. He stopped, looked shocked, then hurriedly continued on to take the order at the next table. He did not walk past us again. Perhaps because we were still giggling.

Does not take much to entertain us.

Gladys Shay is a longtime resident and columnist for the Hungry Horse News.