Community news
Veterans Day
Columbia Falls High School’s National Honor Society will host the annual Veterans Day Assembly in the high school gymnasium on Thursday, Nov. 8, with seating at 10 a.m. Three local veterans will be honored in a special presentation, and the public will recognize veterans from the Montana State Veterans Home who are in attendance. Local elementary students will read winning essays composed for the event. Inspiring musical selections will be performed by Columbia Falls High School band and choir students. For more information, call the high school at 892-6500.
Chamber after-hours
The Columbia Falls Area Chamber of Commerce will hold its after-hours social at the Stonefly Lounge in Coram on Thursday, Nov. 8, from 5 to 7:30 p.m. The “pre-holiday party” will feature live blues and soul-ternative music by Erin & The Project, hors d’oeuvres by The Simple Chef, fall cocktails from Glacier Distilling Co. and holiday door prizes.
Library hours
A survey conducted by the Flathead County Library System showed strong support for changing hours at the Columbia Falls Branch Library. The new hours likely would start Jan. 1. Most library users favored keeping the library open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday; from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday; from noon to 6 p.m. on Friday; and from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday. Current hours are from noon to 8 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday; from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday; and from noon to 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. County library director Kim Crowley said the total number of hours will not be reduced.
Chamber meeting
The Columbia Falls Area Chamber of Commerce will hold its general membership meeting in the North Valley Community Room on Nucleus Avenue on Tuesday, Nov. 13, from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. The guest speaker will be Doug Shanks, from Western Building Center. Lunch costs $10. Reservations are not needed. For more information, call Carol Pike at 253-5963.
Retirement
An open house retirement party with cake for Sgt. Rich Wicks will take place in the Columbia Falls City Council chambers in City Hall on Friday, Nov. 2, from 1 to 3 p.m. Wicks worked 20 years for the city police.
Fall volunteers
The United Way Volunteer Center is organizing the ninth annual Rake Up The Flathead for Friday and Saturday, Nov. 2-3, to assist senior citizens and disabled people with yard work and fall projects. Volunteers can sign up for half or a full day by calling 752-7266. People needing assistance can call the same number.
Smorgasbord
Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 401 Seventh St. West, in Columbia Falls, will hold a smorgasbord on Saturday, Nov. 3, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. with turkey and dressing, meat balls, mashed potatoes with gravy, baked beans, salads, lefse and Scandinavian treats. Cost is $10 adults, $4 children 7-12, $2 children 3-6 and free or children under 3.
Church bazaar
St. Richard’s Catholic Church, in Columbia Falls, will hold its annual bazaar on Saturday, Nov. 10, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Lunch will be served, with homemade soup, sandwiches and pie, along with large selections of craft items, homemade baked goods and religious articles. Raffle prizes are $500 first, $200 second and $100 third. For more information, call Carol at 871-1734.
Bell ringers
The Salvation Army is looking for volunteers to ring bells at 19 locations across the Flathead this Christmas season. Money raised by bell ringers will stay in the Flathead. Last year in the Flathead, the Salvation Army provided 17,783 hot meals, 1,555 showers, 8,400 clothing articles and household items, and 783 gifts for children. For more information, call Bob Blake at 257-4357 ext. 236 or e-mail bob.blake@usw.salvationarmy.org.
Toys for Tots
Carey Dill, the U.S. Marine’s Toys for Tots coordinator for the Flathead Valley, says the group will be set up in the Stagecoach Room at the Outlaw Inn this year and have a new phone number, 257-1333. The group collects new, unwrapped toys and distributes them to less fortunate children. Give-away dates this year will be Dec. 21, 22 and 23 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.