Efforts show locals aren't fair-weather supporters

The weather played bait-and-switch for a Kalispell Montana Conservation Corps crew recently. Earlier this month, the crew hiked in on a sunny and warm September day for a 10-day trail work project on Alpine Trail No. 7 in the Jewel Basin. But three days later, on Sept. 9, an early winter storm blew in, and the crew's plans headed south, according to senior crew leader Addy Wygmans.

Snow accumulated throughout the night, coating tents, tools and the trail with several inches. When morning rolled in, the cold crew planned on hunkering down to wait out the storm. But the Forest Service radio weather channel promised only more snow accumulation, creating a dangerous combination of cold weather and wet, slippery conditions, and crew members were forced to pack up camp and hike the five miles of slick, steep trail back to their rig.

Back in the valley, Wygmans reports that the Corps crew has been busy painting picnic tables for Kalispell Parks and Recreation, organizing Kalispell's Habitat For Humanity Resale Store, and moving bags of clothing for the local Thrift Store of the Salvation Army, which has been providing aid to victims of Hurricane Katrina. They also headed to the local high schools to start rounding up next year's crew of volunteers.

The Montana Conservation Corps' mission is to equip young people with the skills and values to make a positive difference in their community and environment. To find out more, contact regional supervisor Cliff Kipp at 755-3619 or log on to www.mtcorps.org.

Young students from several area schools made some bread recently for the Red Cross Hurricane Relief Fund. Kids from Kalispell Montessori, Hedges, Elrod and Fair-Mont-Egan schools pooled their banana bread-making efforts and raised $689 on a rainy Saturday afternoon.

Andrea and Carl Henthorn, along with their children, Connor, Eric and Sarah, would like to thank everyone who stopped by their home Sept. 11 on Fourth Avenue East in Kalispell and donated to the hot chocolate and bake sale.

"A huge thank-you to Danny Power and his mom, Carrie, Toth Mendius and his parents, Kaki and Troy, Kendall Chounard and her mom, Shawn, and the Bukowski boys and their mom, Janine Corey," wrote Andrea Henthorn. "These children and their wonderful parents stood out in the rain and cold for hours. Thank you for being such wonderful friends. You we were able to teach our children the power of giving."

The show goes on for the dedicated thespians of Flathead Valley Community Theatre. Whitefish resident Nelson Roosendahl wrote to share his enthusiasm for the current production of "Deathtrap." "FVCT has enough talent to pull off a great show every time," he wrote.

Troupe members were challenged by such makeshift contrivances and limitations as a hallway and wooden trunks to store props, having to set up and then take down seating before and after each show, and staging performances in classrooms. Roosendahl was particularly astounded by the show and encourages everyone to support the troupe's efforts. The last show is at 8 p.m. today in Room 123, of the Learning Resource Center at Flathead Valley Community College.