Getting an early start on summer

Special Olympics, Arbor Day, Earth Day, cleanup day, a park dedication, outdoor excursions — all those themes and more are represented this weekend across the Flathead Valley.

You can tell when the spring/summer season is getting into full swing by the length of the Weekend Update that we publish on Fridays.

Today’s version on Page A3 is testament to how many and varied the opportunities are for people to engage in events in the Flathead.

Activities range from an all-day Earth Day extravaganza in Whitefish to cleanup projects at all ends of the valley to a special dedication of Thompson Memorial Park in Kalispell in honor of Gus Thompson, an early-day Kalispell resident who pitched in the very first World Series.

Or you could participate in the March for Babies at Lawrence Park, learn how to track wildlife in Kila or join in an old-fashioned community gathering at Mountain Brook.

There’s no shortage of things to do this weekend. 

Making Whitefish better 

Whitefish is losing an eyesore and gaining some green space, thanks to philanthropist and venture capitalist Michael Goguen. He has purchased the former North Valley Hospital property and plans to demolish the graffiti-covered, boarded-up old hospital.

The nearly 12-acre site — bordered by mature pine trees on the west and the Whitefish River on the east — will become green space until a long-term vision is established for the prime real estate.

This is wonderful news, given that the aging hospital building has been deemed unsalvageable. Once again, Mr. Goguen has stepped forward with the financial resources to make the Whitefish community a better place.