Contest heats up for homeowner

Kristin Hollemans is breathing easier, thanks to a brand new furnace from Aire Serv heating and air conditioning in Kalispell. Aire Serv co-owners Mark and Julie Beede held an “Oldest Furnace” contest during the Flathead Home and Garden Show in March.

Having acquired their business, formerly All Weather Heating and Cooling, just a little over a year ago, they thought a contest would be a fun way to get their name out into the community. They invited residents to send in their stories of the old, outdated and inefficient furnaces they were having to contend with in their homes. Nearly 30 people submitted entries.

Hollemans, a longtime local resident and veterinarian, ultimately was chosen for the free furnace and installation after submitting her vintage 1967 furnace.

After the Beedes notified her they discovered that not only was her old furnace racking up her heating bills, it was also exacerbating Hollemans’ allergies.

After suffering an ice dam on her rooftop last winter and some resulting mold problems, Hollemans said it was good news, indeed, to win the new furnace.

In fact, it was the first time she had ever attended the home and garden show and she was there specifically to find someone who could perform maintenance on her furnace.

She also had no idea just how old it was. Technicians took photos of all the “contenders” and researched their serial numbers to determine their age.

The new furnace was installed last week. Hollemans said she was impressed with how professional a company Aire Serv is and would recommend them to anybody. She now has a spanking new high-efficiency gas furnace and clean duct work that will keep her and her three dogs warm and cozy next winter while alleviating her allergy symptoms and whittling down her utility bills.

“I’d say it more than paid for my ticket to the home show,” Hollemans said. “

Three Texas brothers are bicycling coast to coast this summer for two worthy causes benefiting children.

Bobby, Raleigh and Dennis Jenkins passed through Kalispell June 1 on their 3,500-mile ride from Seattle to New York City. Their effort, named appropriately Brothers Bike, aims to raise awareness and money for two charities near to their hearts.

The brothers founded A Child’s Hope Christian ministry and will be joining forces with Haitian partners to build homes for orphaned and abandoned children in the wake of the catastrophic 2010 earthquake in Haiti. Their first home will house 42 children.

Jenkins family members also founded the Moss Pieratt Foundation in 2015 in memory of Bobby’s grandson, who died of Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood (SUDC). The mission of the foundation is to raise funds to find a cause or cure for the sudden unexplained death of children over the age of 12 months.

In a press release sent to the Inter Lake, Dennis Jenkins said, “We’re excited to commence this physically challenging journey benefiting two very personal charities, which we hope will inspire donations and spread awareness at home and across the country.”

The Jenkins brothers are being accompanied by their mother, Sandy Jenkins, and Bobby’s daughter, Chelsea Jenkins, who are driving their support vehicle and delivering their message.

Brothers Bike commenced May 23. To learn more, donate or track their progress, go to brothersbike.org. Donations are tax deductible and 100 percent will go toward the two causes.

Community editor Carol Marino may be reached at 758-4440 or community@dailyinterlake.com.