Community briefs

| October 16, 2022 12:00 AM

Prestige Living offers free cognitive health guide

Those diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease require support and ongoing care from their loved ones as they help them on the path of cognitive decline.

To help those facing cognitive decline and their loved ones, Prestige Senior Living offers a free Guide to Cognitive Health. The guide is available for download through October 2022.

The Guide to Cognitive Health was created to provide information and resources covering a wide variety of topics, including information about different stages of memory loss, advice for those living with cognitive decline and their caregivers, cognitive assessments, memory games, and much more.

The guide presents itself as a tool to aid those living with cognitive decline and their loved ones. The goal of the guide is to provide tips to help a loved one facing cognitive decline remain a vital, valued member of their family.

For more information and to download the free guide, visit PrestigeCanHelp.com.

Meals in Lakeside

The Meals on Wheels program serves lunch on Tuesdays and Thursdays at The Gathering Place, 258 Adams Street, Lakeside. Lunch includes a hot or cold entree, a side dish, vegetable, and dessert. Doors open at 10:30 a.m. and lunch is served promptly at 11 a.m. A donation of $4 is suggested. Call (406) 844-3413 to reserve a seat or for more information.

Home buyer education class Nov. 5

Community Action Partnership of Northwest Montana (CAPNM) is once again presenting in-person HUD-approved Home Buyer Education Classes at its Kalispell location on Main Street. The class is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 5, from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. The cost is $75 per household; however, scholarships are available. All registration material with payment must be received no later than Oct. 26 at 5 p.m. This is the last class for 2022. The first class in 2023 will be held on Feb. 4.

Registration packets are available by contacting sbriggs@capnwmt.org or visiting the website at www.capnm.net and clicking on “Workshops” and then “Homebuyer Education.” All intake packages must be completed and returned no later than 5 p.m. on Oct. 26, to CAPNM at 214 Main Street in Kalispell, via email to sbriggs@capnwmt.org or via Fax to 406-565-4834, or mailed to Sara Briggs, CAPNM, P.O. Box 88, Kalispell, MT 59903. A check or cash must also be received by 5 p.m. The regular cost is $75 per household. However, partial scholarships are available by contacting Sara Briggs.

After the intake package is received, a one-on-one HUD-required counseling session must be scheduled and completed before receiving a certificate after attending the class. Normally, this session takes place prior to the class being held. The counseling session schedule is very flexible. Registrants may elect to have it over the phone or in person; it takes approximately one hour.

During class registrants will meet and be able to interact with several area lenders and other professionals such as realtors, insurance agents, home inspectors, and more.

Completion of this class and the one-on-one counseling session is one of the key elements to qualifying for various loan products and down payment assistance programs. All first-time home buyers are required to take this class.

Women’s Connection fall fundraiser

The Columbia Falls Women's Connection fall fundraiser will be held Saturday, Oct. 29 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the First Baptist Church gymnasium located at 827 Ninth Street West in Columbia Falls. Various craft and art items will be featured; along with homemade baked and canned goods. A silent auction will be held for items donated by area artists and businesses. Lunch will be served with soup, bread and pie for a donation. Affiliated with Stonecroft Ministries.

Code Girls cornhole tournament

Code Girls United is holding a cornhole tournament fundraiser on Nov. 5 from noon-6 p.m. at Gateway Community Center, 1203 U.S. 2, Kalispell.

Code Girls United is a free statewide after school program with a mission to expand the future career opportunities of fourth through eighth-grade girls through hands-on experiences in coding, technology, and business.

There is a $100 entry fee for a team of two. The tournament includes pro and novice cash prizes.

The event includes a 50/50 split jackpot raffle, live music by Eric Alan, free childcare with crafts and food for kids and an optional costume contest.

Mountain View Mennonite Church holds gift festival

The international gift festival, Windows to the World, will return to the facilities of Mountain View Mennonite Church on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Nov. 10, 11 and 12. The event features fair trade gift items, a Village Café with soups, pies and more, and the opportunity to learn about worldwide artisans and their work.

This year the festival will feature Ukraine, with options for donations in kind or direct financial donations via Mennonite Central Committee, in addition to the opportunity to support third-world artisans by purchasing their handicrafts, coffee, chocolate, and more.

The hours are from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. Special features include Thursday evening at 7 p.m., a presentation by Valley Neighbors about the work of refugee resettlement and immigrant assistance here in the valley; Friday at 7 p.m. a performance by Crown of the Continent Choir; and Saturday morning is activities for children.

Mountain View Mennonite Church is located at 795 Mennonite Church Road in the Creston area east of Kalispell.