Community briefs Sept. 19

Winter decorations

Whitefish community volunteers will prepare the Whitefish winter decorations for the 2018-19 winter season beginning on Wednesday, Oct. 3 and continuing through Nov. 14 on Wednesdays from 6 to 8 p.m. Volunteers should meet at the north door of the Roy Duff Armory in Whitefish. New volunteers are welcome to help with this long-time community project. For questions, call Chris Schustrom at 406-260-1198.

Learn to Skate

This weekend Glacier Skate Academy is hosting a Learn to Skate USA workshop for instructors and the local youth will get to benefit as well. The weekend workshop includes a free two-hour Learn to Skate class for any interested community members ages 3 and older. The other part of the workshop will offer education for all class assistants, instructors and directors. The workshop will be facilitated by two representatives from Learn to Skate USA, based in Colorado Springs.

The free two-hour Learn to Skate class will take place on Saturday from 3-5 p.m., with a simultaneous parent information session from 3:30-5 p.m. Information about upcoming Learn to Skate classes will also be available. No pre-registration is necessary for Saturday’s free event. Skate rental is $3 and bring a helmet.

For class assistants, instructors, and directors, the Learn to Teach workshop takes place Saturday from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and is an abbreviated, refresher course covering elements of group instruction, lesson planning, age-appropriate instruction, and skill development. The Art of Teaching workshop takes place Sunday from 9 a.m.- 3:15 p.m. and offers a more in-depth approach to the same topics. The fee for the workshops is $25 per day or $40 for both days. Registration is required and contact Cindy Ruth at (406)890-0155 to register.

Pet blessing

All Saints’ Episcopal Church will conduct the Blessing of the Animals in the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals, on Saturday, Sept. 22 at 10 a.m.

The Blessing of the Animals is an annual service welcoming pets and people of all denominations. Prayers with special intention will be offered for each pet present. As well, those wishing to honor their companion animals who have died are welcome to bring the ashes of the pet, a toy, a picture, or another article which reminds them of the pet for that portion of the service.

Each pet will receive a magnet commemorating his or her blessing, a St. Francis medal for their collar, and a treat.

All pets must be on leashes, in crates, or kennels, or otherwise restrained for their and other’s safety. For pets that can get anxious or aggressive among other animals, and would not do well at the service, Fr. Bradley Wirth, the Rector of All Saints’ Church, is more than happy to make “house calls” for the blessing of that pet.

All Saints’ Church is located at 2048 Conn Road, half way between Whitefish and Columbia Falls, off Montana 40. For more information, email at allsaintsmt@gmail.com or call 406-862-2863.

Economics

Joe Coco offers a free presentation and open discussion about the marriage between government and economics on Thursday, Sept. 27 from 7-8:30 pm. Space is limited. Please RSVP to Erika @ 406-862-9400 or erika@coco-ent.com

Public lands

Montana State Parks and Flathead Lake State Park are celebrating public lands with a volunteer event and a viewing of the World Record Bighorn Ram Horns on Saturday, Sept. 22. At 10 a.m., join park staff at Flathead Lake State Park at Wayfarers for a national day of service, and get outside and give back to your public lands. Projects may include refinishing picnic tables, trail cleanup, and noxious weed removal. Bring water, work gloves, and clothes you don’t mind getting dirty. After the work is finished, we will gather for snacks and refreshments.

Continue your celebration of public lands at 2 p.m. for a short program about the bighorn sheep on Wild Horse Island, and to view the world record bighorn ram skull. Viewing will be open from 2 to 4 p.m., and there will be a silent auction of bighorn artwork from 2 to 3:30 p.m. The viewing and program are free and open to everyone, participants need not volunteer to see the ram’s horns.

Participants will meet at the Harry Horn Picnic Shelter in the Harry Horn Day use of Wayfarers. For more information contact the Flathead Lake Ranger Station at 406-837-3041.