Caution is watchword in fire season
The haze that drifted over the Flathead Valley Thursday was a vivid reminder that fire season is under way in earnest in the Northern Rockies, and August has yet to come.
Recent forest-baking weather has set the stage for fire starts in Northwest Montana, but so far firefighters have been able to pounce on them quickly. But all it takes is one or two to get away to establish potential for another benchmark fire season in Montana.
Substantial fires are already burning in other parts of the state, most recently in the Bitterroot Valley, which was overrun by fire in the summer of 2000.
Wisely, fire protection agencies this week decided to impose the first level of fire restrictions in Northwest Montana, starting Monday. Keeping a lid on lightning fires is tough enough - but let's make sure we don't let our own carelessness add to the problem.
It was beautifully symbolic when Michael Samdahl of Whitefish laid out the bricks for an attractive new courtyard at the Whitefish Church of the Nazarene recently.
Samdahl and Weston Bartoski are candidates for Eagle Scout awards and the sturdy foundation of that prestigious award is built on community service.
Bartoski, 15, overhauled the Columbia Falls Chamber of Commerce visitor information center at Marantette Park. He coordinated the work on the building, which included reroofing, replacing a door, building a new handicap access, and repainting the exterior.
Samdahl, 16, laid a pattern of new brick, added a sod yard and ordered a gas grill and picnic tables for the church as part of his service work.
The teenagers rounded up donations and volunteer workers, contributed hundreds of hours of their own labor, and built something lasting in their communities.
If they are chosen for scouting's highest honor, they will join a list of people who have gone on to become accomplished leaders. We wish them luck and thank them for their work.
What's more irresistible than a rollicking, playful puppy or a purring, mischievous kitten?
A new Pet Mobile moves adoptable pets around in air-conditioned comfort like furry little rock stars on tour for the Humane Society.
If you've forgotten how much fun a pet can be, the Pet Mobile is here to remind you.
The motor home was donated to the Humane Society by Jake and Connie Heckathorn of Whitefish, renovated for its new use with the help of donated money and labor.
It is also a vehicle for education, with information on spaying and neutering.
The Pet Mobile is a great way to get homeless animals out in front of people who might not think to visit an animal shelter, but are ready to have a grateful new companion in their lives. Good idea.