Community briefs for March 11

Book group

The Whitefish Community Library Book Group’s monthly meeting will be on Wednesday, March 25, at 6 p.m. in the Community Room. This month’s book is “Educated” a memoir by Tara Westover. The author was 17 years old the first time she set foot in a classroom. Born to survivalists in the mountains of Idaho, she struggled trying to find a place for herself in the world without losing her connection to her dysfunctional and violent family. Her quest for knowledge transformed her. She was awarded a doctorate from Cambridge in 2014. Newcomers are always welcome. For more information, call Whitefish Community Library at 862-9914.

Blood drive

The American Red Cross will host the Whitefish Community Blood Drive on Thursday, March 19, in the gym at The Wave, 1250 Baker Avenue, from 11 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. The entire blood donation process takes about an hour, including check-in, a brief health review, drawing the blood and snacks afterwards.

Appointments are recommended and a blood donor card or a driver license is required at check-in. To schedule an appointment, call Jean at 406-862-4332 or go online to www.redcrossblood.org and search for blood drives in the 59937 area. Walk-in donors are welcome; however, there may be a short wait. It is suggested that donors eat a hardy meal and drink plenty of water prior to giving blood. Snacks, water and juices will be provided at the blood drive.

What is a Soroptimist?

That question and much more will be answered at a wine and cheese membership event Thursday, March 12, hosted by Soroptimist International of Whitefish. This “meet and greet” gathering runs from 5 to 7 p.m. at the new Unleashed Winery, 20 Spokane Ave. in Whitefish.

Soroptimist International is a global organization whose mission is to improve the lives of women and girls in local communities and around the world. The Whitefish Soroptimists have been a part of the local community since 1951, and operate the Soroptimist Thrift Haus in Whitefish to raise money for a variety of programs that meet the organization’s mission.

If you’re interested in joining Soroptimists or learning more about the organization and its flagship programs for women, please join the group on March 12, or call Lynn Grossman at 406-471-8458 for more information.

Ireland program

Kathy Borchers will present a program entitled Beautiful Ireland at the Whitefish Community Library on Saturday March 14 at 1 p.m. Irish guitarist Maggie Ferguson will be playing and signing Irish music before and during the program. Borchers provides a tour of Ireland with a visit to the Stone Age ruins in Europe, the home of Thomas Francis Meagher, the Irish patriot who died in Montana while serving as acting territorial governor, many castle ruins and a visit to the Kilmainhan Gaol to see where the patriots from the 1916 Rising were executed. The Irish National Anthem will be played, and there will be chance to learn some Irish words and sample some Irish soda bread.

Auditions workshop

Whitefish Theatre Co. is holding an auditions workshop on Saturday, March 21 beginning at noon.

Do you get anxious and nervous when auditioning? Do you feel your audition doesn’t represent what you are capable of? Want some tips on how to get that part? Learn basic techniques to help you be your best when you audition. WTC Artistic Director Kim Krueger is teaching a class on the basic techniques to help you when you audition. Plan to spend two to three hours for the class. Bring a notebook, pen, water and a monologue or scene you are interested in (one will be provided for you if you don’t have one you like). Cost is $50 for the first-time workshop and only 10 spots are available. To signup, contact Kim Krueger at 862-5371.

Toastmasters

Area 11 Toastmasters International and Humorous Speech Contests will be held Sunday, March 15th from 2-4pm at the Evergreen Fire Station. Enjoy a day of inspiring speeches by local toastmasters. The public is welcome, audience is appreciated. For more information call 212-6433.

History talk

The Northwest Montana Posse of Westerners (a history organization) next meeting on Monday, March 16 will include the presentation “Herman Schnitzmeyer: Homestead Era Photographer” by Denny Kellogg of Bigfork. Herman Schnitzmeyer, Illinois native, studied photography and opened a studio in Illinois. In 1910, he ventured west and filed for a homestead on Wild Horse Island after the Flathead Reservation was opened to homesteading. After proving up on his 160 acre homestead, he opened a photo studio in Polson where he produced studio images and documented the growing communities and thriving agriculture of the Flathead and Mission Valleys. His true love was landscape photography and he spent the next 10 years traveling the Northwest. Settling in Missoula in 1930, he lectured and exhibited at the University of Montana. After his death, with no descendants or business associates to promote his photographic contributions, he faded into obscurity. Schnitzmeyer’s 1914 Eastman View No. 2 camera will be on exhibit from the presenters collection.

The meeting will be held at The Red Lion, 20 North Main, Kalispell, starting at 5:15 p.m. for a Grab ’n’ Greet session and book signings by local authors. Dinner is at 6 p.m. (reservations required; $19 which includes the presentation). The presentation is at 7 p.m. which is free for members, youths under 16, and nonmembers with dinner reservations. Nonmembers may attend at a cost of $5 which does not include the dinner. Call 406-752-9642 (leave message with names and phone number); or send email to kbrittonrn@gmail.com for a reservation.

Choir Concert

The Columbia Falls Community Choir will be presenting their annual choral concert on March 21 and 22 at the Columbia Falls High School Little Theater. Saturday’s concert will begin at 7 p.m., and Sunday’s performance will be at 2 p.m. This choir is made up of singer from all areas of the valley will be singing songs of hope and encouragement. The choir is directed by Steven Holte and accompanied by Dawn Hashley. The concert will feature a selection accompanied by a Jazz Combo, another with an oboe, and one interpreted in American Sign Language. Songs include choral literature, spirituals, and hits from Broadway and Jazz. There is not admission fee, but there will be a free will offering to help with the cost of running a choir. For questions, contact Steve Holte at 730-2396.

Plant society

The Montana Native Plant Society and the Center for Native Plants invites the public to landscaper Kathy Ross’ discussion of “The Dynamic Relationship of Native Plants, Insects and Birds,” focusing on why we need our native insects, the vital role native plants play in their survival, and how to use native plants in landscaping to create healthy environments for humans and birds. The talk is Wednesday, March 18, at 7 p.m. at the North Valley Community Hall, 235 Nucleus Avenue, Columbia Falls.

Youth softball

Spring youth softball is open for Whitefish and Columbia Falls students in grades kindergarten through eighth. TO register, visit www.wildkatsoftball.org. Coaches will be selected and teams formed before spring break and practices will begin March 30.