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| February 3, 2019 4:00 AM

The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation hosts the 34th annual Flathead Valley Chapter fundraiser banquet and auction Feb. 16 in the Trade Center at Flathead County Fairgrounds in Kalispell.

The evening begins with a cocktail social at 4:30 p.m. and prime rib dinner at 7 p.m., followed by a live auction for firearms, world-class wildlife art, unique collectibles, home furnishings and more.

Tickets are $70 per person, $105 per couple and $35 for youth age 17 years and under. Each single and couple ticket includes a yearly foundation membership and a Bugle magazine subscription.

For ticket information and reservations, contact Kim Wold at 257-9110 or 406-261-4111 or email: sterling_kwold@yahoo.com or purchase at https://events.rmef.org/shop/flatheadvalley1

Since 1984, the foundation has permanently conserved or enhanced more than 7.3 million acres of habitat for elk and other wildlife. It also opened or improved access to more than 1.2 million acres of public land for Americans to hunt, fish and enjoy for other forms of recreation.

Funds generated in the last year from hunting licenses and fees, excise taxes and donations to wildlife conservation groups amounted to more than $2 billion. That money directly benefits wildlife and wild places.

“The funding also helps elk herds and enhances elk habitat and conservation projects across the country,” said Terry Wiegand, Flathead Valley Chapter co-chair.

Polson foundation accepting grant applications

The Greater Polson Community Foundation has opened up 2019 grant applications. The application deadline is Friday, April 26. Grant applications will be accepted from nonprofit organizations with a 501c(3) status in the Greater Polson area.

Grants from the Greater Polson Community Foundation make a significant difference. Over $500,000.00 has been contributed to meet needs in the community since grants were first awarded in 2009. Grants are funded annually by the earning’s from the foundation’s growing permanent endowment and other available foundation funds. Past grant awards have supported a variety of youth and community projects.

The grant committee looks for how well the prospective project matches the mission and values of the foundation, as well as addressing critical needs that strengthen, enhance and improve the lives of the people in the community.

To jumpstart the 2019 cycle, the foundation is planning two grant application workshops at its offices located in the lower level of the Salish Building,110 Main St., Polson on Thursday, Feb. 21, or Tuesday, Feb. 26, from noon to 1:15 p.m. Either of these workshop sessions are available for the first 10 participants to register for either session and pay $5 (a light lunch is included). The workshop will walk an applicant through the basic grant application process. The foundation will accept applications for pre-screen (preview and advise on completeness) until April 12.

Complete applications must be postmarked no later than April 26. The complete 2019 Grant Application is available to download at www.greaterpolsoncommunityfoundation.org where you will also find a list of previous grant recipients. If you have questions or would like to register for a grant workshop, contact Jennifer at 883-4723.

All invited to plant-based potluck

Join Plant-wise Flathead’s plant-based potluck from 5 to 7 p.m. Feb. 10. in the Fellowship Room at Northridge Lutheran Church at 323 Northridge Dr. Kalispell.

The group’s focus is on healthy eating. After the meal an interactive overview of a recent retreat with Dr. Thomas Campbell, author of “The China Study Solution,” will be given. The public is welcome. Bring a plant-based dish to share. (No meat, dairy, eggs or fish.)

RSVP at www.meetup.com/kalispell-Plant-Wise-Flathead- Meetup/ or call Diana Blend at 406-253-0498.

Wilderness speaker series scheduled

Local wilderness organizations are partnering to host the Wilderness Speaker Series to be held the first Wednesdays in February, March and April in the Arts and Technology Building at Flathead Valley Community College.

The series brings timely and interesting wilderness topics to the public and is presented by the Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation, the Montana Wilderness Association Flathead-Kootenai Chapter, the Northwest Montana Fire Lookout Association, and the Natural Resources Conservation Management Program.

Each program is free and open to the public, and runs from 7 to 8:15 p.m.

The series kicks off with John Fraley, author and Flathead Valley Community College adjunct faculty member. Fraley will give a presentation on his latest book, “Rangers,Trappers and Trailblazers,” which focuses on Forest Service Ranger Henry Thol’s patrols in the upper South Fork in the early days, Big Prairie rangers, and the 1928 trip of Bob Marshall’s through the South Fork.

Grant to light area around Woodland Ice Center

A $2,000 Roundup for Safety grant will help provide safety lighting at the Woodland Ice Skating Center.

Christy Eisinger applied for the grant on behalf of the Flathead Valley Hockey Association. The building was originally constructed as a summer use facility, Eisinger said, but is now being used during the winter months for public and private ice skating.

“We’re going to use the grant to add exterior lighting to the entrance of the center, because the area at the front steps and the sidewalk to the north are poorly lit. This is a safety concern due to the winter snow and ice and also parents and kids walking in a dark area at night. We have approximately 120 kids in our program and 30 coaches who use the rink on a daily basis. We also rent the rink to various local school groups, clubs, church groups and families for private use, so this lighting will be provide a much safer environment for all concerned.”

Flathead Electric Cooperative’s Roundup for Safety Board awarded grants for the following safety related community projects, bringing the total awarded at the January meeting to $12,986:

• Whitefish Community School — $5,000 for a safety accessible walkway

• Flathead Podium Club — $5,000 for a pole vault pit

• Hope Pregnancy Ministries — $500 towards an AED

• Peterson Elementary School — $486 for safety identifying vests

Roundup for Safety is a voluntary program for Flathead Electric Cooperative members who allow their electric bills to be rounded up to the next dollar, with the extra money going into a fund for community nonprofit safety projects. For additional information, call Wendy Ostrom Price at 406-751-1820 or visit www.flatheadelectric.com/roundup.

Beard votes help Montana kids

Join Montana Beardies and help grant wishes for Montana kids with critical illnesses. World-renowned outdoorsman Tom Oar supports Make-A-Wish Montana and encourages all “beardies” —- real and creative — to join in the fundraising effort.

Enter your beard in the Montana Beardies contest online at www.crowdrise.com/o/en/campaign/montana-beardies2 and be sure to share the link with your friends, family and co-workers where they’ll vote for your beard by donating to your page. Raise money and grant a wish for a Montana child.

Flathead Valley Bridge Center results

Jan. 25

North/South pairs

Janet Weiss - Frances Ollendike 1st A

John Murrey – Jeff Daniels 2nd A 1st B 1st C

Alden Boreson – Melissa Martin 2nd B

Jan Arnett – Ken Arnett 2nd C

Susie Moore – Dianne King 1st A 1st B 1st C

Athena Mosxona – Anne Gentry 2nd A 2nd B

Charrisse Bourquin – Wendy Fregerio 2nd C

Jan. 26 MP Limits – 50/20/5

Sue Madler – Stephanie Walls 1st A 1st B

Darci Nielsen – Lee Honeyman 2nd A 2nd B 1st C

Jack Biddle – Nancy Biddle 2nd C

Jan. 28

North/South pairs

Bill Pellett – Jim Swab 1st A

Janet Weiss – Dan Shura 2nd A

Charisse Bourquin – Patricia Connolly 1st B 1st C

Christie Deck – Marilee Wood 2nd B 2nd C

East/West pairs

Porki Harris – Cathy Brown 1st A 1st B

George Miller – Bob Gerhard 2nd A 2nd B 1st C

Wendy Fregerio – Paulette Fopp 2nd C

Jan. 30

North/South pairs

Shirley Schmidt – Caryl Miller 1st A 1st B

Mamie Parpart – Shirley Dean 2nd A 2nd B

Bob Gerhard – Bob Sleadd 1st C

East/West pairs

Michael Boreson – Cathy Brown 1st A

Mary Ann Chestnut – Bill Pellett 2nd A

Susie Moore – Patte Corbett-Doty 1st B 1st C

Annie Alex – Marian Strong 2nd B

Charisse Bourquin – Marjorie Simpson 2nd C

Jan. 30 evening results

1. Frank Wesolovski - Susie Robley

2. Anita Cole - Stuart Cole

3. Trish Eaton - Alden Boreson