LOCAL ROUNDUP: Advance carnival tickets on sale
North Star Amusements and Paradise Amusements will light up the Midway at the Northwest Montana Fair and Rodeo with a variety of rides and games, including an expanded area for young children and the G-Force and Vertigo rides for thrill seekers.
“We’re very pleased to have the new Vertigo ride as part of this year’s carnival line-up,” said fairgrounds manager Mark Campbell. “This type of ride hasn’t been in the Flathead Valley before and offers a great option for guests who want a bigger thrill.”
A limited number of discounted tickets for the carnival are on sale now at CHS Convenience Store, 120 W. Idaho in Kalispell, all seven Whitefish Credit Union branches and the fairgrounds office.
The advance tickets cost $25 each and are good for unlimited rides for one person for one day, excluding the G-Force and Vertigo rides, which require additional tickets. The tickets can be used any day of the carnival from Aug. 17 to 21 and are the lowest-priced way to experience the carnival rides. Fairgoers can purchase the advance tickets until 5 p.m. August 16 or while supplies last.
Beginning Aug. 17, fairgoers can purchase a “Pay One Price” carnival ride wristband for $30 at the carnival ticket booths inside the fairgrounds.
Gate admission into the fairgrounds is not included in the price of the carnival ticket. Advance gate admission tickets can be purchased at all Whitefish Credit Union branches for $4 each, a savings of $3 from the adult admission price.
For more information about this year’s Northwest Montana Fair and Rodeo, visit www.nwmtfair.com.
After-school program offered for youths
Kalispell Parks and Recreation is offering an after-school program for children in kindergarten through fifth designed to meet the needs of working parents.
The safe and creative environment includes healthy snacks, homework time, organized games, arts and crafts, and playground access.
Bus transportation from your child’s school to Elrod or Russell School can be arranged through School District 5.
The program is offered on school days, Monday to Friday from 3:30 to 5:45 p.m. at the Elrod Elementary and Russell School gym.
The cost is $8 per day for in-city residents and $10 per day for out-of-city residents. For more information or to register, call 758-7975.
Eisinger donates $10,000 to Lakeside QRU
Eisinger Motors recently donated $10,000 to the Lakeside Ambulance/Quick Response Unit for equipping a new ambulance and meeting the organization’s goals of upgrading necessary medical equipment.
The donation was a big kickoff for the organization’s ham-dinner fundraiser on June 5.
The Lakeside QRU has been in operation since 1981 and averages more than 7,000 volunteer hours per year. The QRU is dispatched approximately 350 times each year, serving a geographic area from Rollins to South Kalispell, Lower Valley Road and Blacktail Road, including the Blacktail Mountain Ski Area.
The organization is licensed to respond to Basic Life Support as well as Advanced Life Support emergencies. Currently, it has a fleet with two ambulances and an aide car. A new ambulance has been ordered and should arrive by January 2017.
Museum donations sought
The Museum at Central School in Kalispell is seeking donations to help balance a budget shortfall resulting from unexpected repairs.
The museum is housed in a 123-year-old building and the 40-year lease with the city of Kalispell requires the nonprofit organization to be responsible for all maintenance and repairs inside and out.
In 2010 the Northwest Montana Historical Society, which operates the museum, came up with $86,600 to replace the failed leaky roof with an all-new 50-year roof.
In 2014, $35,000 was required to upgrade outmoded, inefficient and failing heating circulation pumps; $3,482 to repair and replace failed concrete sidewalks and handicap ramp, and this year $11,000 to replace worn-out carpeting.
On June 5, the museum’s aging air conditioning unit was turned on for the first time this season. It worked for about six hours and then died. After doing extensive research and getting bids, the museum contracted for $48,300 to replace the unit. The new equipment is now installed and working well, so the museum is again cool and comfortable, although the budget has taken a serious hit.
“This was an unexpected and unbudgeted expense,” museum Executive Director Gil Jordan said. “We’re applying for grants, tapping into our modest reserves, have secured a low-interest loan, and are appealing to our members and generous donors to help us fill this surprise shortage of funds. In this 22,000 square-foot stone and brick building, where we host upwards of 250 events each year, air conditioning is not a luxury, it is a necessity. If any of our friends and supporters are in a position to help with a special donation, no matter how big or small, you can help us all breathe a little easier in 2016 and beyond.”
Checks can be made out to the Museum at Central School, 12 Second Ave. E., Kalispell, MT 59901. Note “AC Project” on your donation. The Northwest Montana Historical Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Donations are tax-deductible.