Community news
Speech fundraiser
A taco buffet will be held at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Columbia Falls on Sunday, April 12, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. as a fundraiser for Columbia Falls High School senior Meredith Stolte, who is heading to the National Speech and Debate Tournament in Dallas this June. Menu includes pork carnitas, seasoned ground beef, seasoned beans and dessert. A free-will donation is requested. Any proceeds raised beyond Stolte’s goal of $4,000 will be used for future Columbia Falls national tournament qualifiers.
Park talk
Glacier National Park superintendent Jeff Mow and U.S. Geological Survey research ecologist Dan Fagre will speak about “Advancing Not Retreating, Glacier National Park is a Global Conservation Leader” at the Flathead Valley Community College’s Arts & Technology Building, Room 139, on Tuesday, April 14, from 7 to 8 p.m. The free community speakers event is sponsored by the Glacier National Park Conservancy and the Flathead Valley Community College.
Creston auction
The Creston Fire Department will host the 49th annual Creston Auction & Country Fair and the accompanying RV, Marine, Auto & Equipment Sale on Saturday and Sunday, April 11 and 12. This benefit for the all-volunteer fire department is the largest spring event in Montana and draws thousands of people from throughout the region and Canada. Consignment Day is Friday, April 10, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The sale grounds in Creston will open at 8 a.m. on Saturday. The vehicle and equipment sale will begin at noon on Sunday. For more information, call 406-250-7396 or visit online at http://crestonfire.org.
Chamber meets
The Columbia Falls Area Chamber of Commerce will hold their general membership meeting at the Teakettle Community Room, 235 Nucleus Avenue, on Tuesday, April 14, from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. The guest speakers will be from the Imagine If Library in Kalispell. Luncheon costs $12. For more information, call Carol Pike at 892-2072 or e-mail cpike@centurytel.net.
Quilt show
The annual Teakettle Quilt Show will take place at the Glacier Gateway Elementary School gym on Fourth Avenue in Columbia Falls on Saturday, April 18, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with wonderful quilts on display and for sale and numerous vendors. Raffle tickets for the “Spirit of Montana” quilt cost $1 each or six for $5. All proceeds go to a community charity.
After-hours social
The Columbia Falls Area Chamber of Commerce will hold its business after hours social in conjunction with the Whitefish Chamber of Commerce’s Gone Fishing at the Glacier Distilling Company and Great Northern Resort, 10237 U.S. 2 East, in Coram, on Thursday, April 16, from 5 to 7 p.m. For more information, call Victoria Lee at 406-270-8374.
Economic talks
The Columbia Falls Area Chamber of Commerce will hold its Economic Development Roundtable at the Back Room / Nite Owl on Thursday, April 16, at 7 a.m. For more information, call Carol Pike at 892-2072 or e-mail cpike@centurytel.net.
Freethought
The Flathead Area Secular Humanist Association will present Part 4 of the video series “American Freethought” at the ImagineIF Library in Kalispell on Monday, April 13, at 6 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. This segment will examine the rise of Roman Catholicism, Sunday Laws, the Haymarket incident, the McKinley assassination, World War I and the Scopes Trial. For more information, visit online at www.flatheadsecular.com.
Book sale
The American Association of University Women’s Kalispell Branch will host its annual used book sale on April 16-19 in the Kalispell Center Mall. Donations of good used books will be accepted until April 1. Donation barrels are located in Kalispell at Super 1 Foods in Columbia Falls. For more information, call 608-712-9302.
Farmers market
The Columbia Falls Farmers Market will take place at Pinewood Park in Columbia Falls on Thursdays from 5 to 7:30 p.m. from May 14 through Sept. 17. The market offers locally grown plants and produce and a wide variety of handcrafted items, including certified Made in Montana items. Music will be provided by local bands, including Dan Dubuque, the Montana Marimba Ensemble and others. For more information, visit online at www.columbiafallschamber.org/farmers-market.
Hit Men perform
Glacier Symphony has invited The Hit Men, former stars of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, to perform at this year’s Summer Symphony Pops concerts. Gary Polci and Lee Shapiro count the 1973 hit song “Oh What a Night” among their rock-n-roll gems. The concerts will be held at the Rebecca Farm Equestrian Center north of Kalispell on July 11 and 12, with gates opening at 5:30 p.m. and concerts starting at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available at the gate. Premium seating can be reserved in advance by visiting online at www.gscmusic.org or by calling 407-7000.