EDITORIAL: 50 years and growing for Creston Auction

The first Creston Auction in 1966 was a rather low-key neighborhood event that raised $486 to help keep the Creston Fire Department running. Farmers in that neck of the woods knew the importance of having a well-equipped fire department to protect their homes and fields, but they never could have imagined how big the auction would become over the span of 50 years.

Tomorrow, auction participants once again haul their used treasures to Creston to be consigned for the annual sale. Organizers are expecting more items this year because of the golden anniversary, and special activities are planned, too, so don’t miss this social event of the season. A crowd of more than 7,000 buyers from across the West is expected over the two-day auction and country fair.

Fundraisers for nonprofit organizations rarely achieve the success and popularity of the Creston Auction. There are good deals to be had, of course, but perhaps more importantly, it’s a chance to meet up with old friends and neighbors.

Deep Aquifer presentation proves to be timely

A topic that will be on everyone’s minds in Creston this weekend is the proposal for a water bottling plant in the area.

A story on today’s front page explains why the Creston Fish Hatchery is concerned about the plan by area resident Lew Weaver to use a well to provide water for a massive quantity of bottles to be filled from the Deep Aquifer.

If you want to learn more about the Deep Aquifer and the area’s water resources, a good starting place will be a couple of events next week featuring two scientists from the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology. John Wheaton and James Rose just recently completed an in-depth study of the Deep Aquifer and will share their findings.

A preliminary event will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday in an informal setting at the Flathead Lake Brewing Co. in Bigfork. This is part of the Flathead Lakers’ “Science on Tap” speakers series. Then on Wednesday, the main event will be held at Flathead Valley Community College in the Arts and Technology Building from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Of course, these presentations are not directly related to the water bottling project, and the sponsors ask audience members to come to learn about the science of the aquifer rather than the politics of it. Still, it is a timely presentation that will definitely add to our community’s knowledge of a complicated issue.