Sewing seeds of goodwill

Community gardens, fundraisers and dinners harvested plenty of help in Kalispell last month:

The Montana Conservation Corps kicked off Kalispell's community garden April 22. The 15 to 20 plots draw a wide range of green thumbs, from novices to experts - children, seniors, students and families - every year. Their collective efforts pay off not just in beans and greens and the opportunity to take a patch of ground and turn it into a productive garden, but also in letting neighbors get to know each other and learn new skills.

Thanks to the many businesses that donated everything including woodchips and flowers, use of a rototiller and even a portable toilet, it was a banner day for everyone.

Hardworking gardeners tilled soil, planted seeds and plants and, with the support of Kalispell Parks and Recreation can look forward to producing delicious homegrown food and flowers for their tables and for the food pantry.

On behalf of the Montana Conservation Corps, youth crew leaders Emily Good and Tom McClure thank everyone who got their hands dirty opening day. They look forward to watching their garden grow.

Almost $15,000 was raised April 24 at the CASA Dinner at Cafe Max and silent-auction reception at the Noice Studio and Gallery. The event benefited Flathead County's CASA for Kids program, which trains volunteer advocates to represent the best interests of children who have been placed under court protection because of abuse or neglect.

This was the third year for the event. Each year Cafe Max has reserved the restaurant and volunteered for this dinner. Nearly 50 people filled the seats at the tables and participated in the silent auction, setting the stage for success thanks to the generous support and donations from a bevy of businesses, artists and private people. On behalf of CASA, Tabby Ivy, member of the advisory council and fundraising committee chair, expresses her most grateful appreciation to each of them.

For information about CASA for Kids or to volunteer, call Jamie Campbell at 755-7208.

The BOLD, Beautiful Babes of the local Red Hat Society celebrated the Columbia Falls Community Kitchen's 10th anniversary last month by pluckily taking charge, preparing and serving a lasagna dinner.

Roxy Larson, "queen mum" of the Babes, says they served about 55 people, mostly seniors, and she encourages more individuals and families to come.

Meals are served to the hungry and those in need of fellowship on the last four days of each month at St. Richard's Parish Center. The kitchen was started in 1996 by Sister Lorraine Coffin, past pastoral administrator at St. Richard's, who saw a need for such a program in the community.

The Bold Beautiful Babes were founded about three years ago and now have 20 members. This is the second time the group has cooked and served for the Community Kitchen. They also have taken cookies to the veterans home. Larson says she wants people to understand that though Red Hatters like to get together for a good time, the groups can do other things for the community, too.

Now the Babes have cooked up a challenge to other Red Hat groups to become involved in the Columbia Falls Community Kitchen project.