Sliter Park Memorial Dedication will be Sunday, June 5th, 2011 at 4 pm - Bigfork Montana

Sliter Park Memorial Dedication will be Sunday, June 5th, 2011 at 4 pm
The Dedication of the new Memorial will honor Bigfork's pioneers and veterans.

The new Memorial features two bronze statues, Pioneer Woman and Fallen Heroes along with a 25' lighted flag pole, signs and plantings. Surrounding the base of the flag pole are memorial bricks purchased to honor family members and friends.

Roughly 100,000 pounds of rock were brought in for the memorial, the biggest weighing 12,000 pounds for the military part of the memorial, Murphy said, Landscaping work is also being done.

The sculpture for the veterans memorial is complete, as the finished sculpture by Ken Bjorge was donated by General Paul and Muffin Vallely.

Approximately 120 of the 4-by-8 inch bricks that will make up a path to circle the U.S. flag have been purchased for inscriptions.

The pathways will also have room for more as needed. Jerry Murphy hopes to have 200 sold by the dedication. The bricks are one of the key fundraisers to pay for this project. People have also made monetary donations as well as donations of time and equipment.

The cost for one brick is $50. Those who order two or more can purchase them at $40 apiece.
Orders and payments for bricks can be sent to
Jerry Murphy
474 Electric Ave Unit B
Bigfork MT 59911

Checks should be made out to the Community Foundation for a Better Bigfork and marked for the Sliter Park Memorial Project.

For more information on the project or to purchase a brick, contact Jerry Murphy at 837-2459.

Thoughts of Summer - Glacier National Park - Kintla Lake Fishing

The remote setting of Kintla Lake

with it's spectacular scenery of Glacier National Park gives you a recipe for a wonderful fishing trip.

Kintla Lake is a beautiful lake that lies in the remote, wild, northwest corner of Glacier National Park.

Kintla Lake's remote setting, combined with the bumpy, slow ride, tend to keep visitor traffic and use of Kintla lake low.   A must see Kintla Lake in Glacier National Park is well worth the long and bumpy drive to reach it though.


A small campground at the end of the road and no other amenities to be found nearby create a great place for your remote fishing/camping trip. The fish in Kintla Lake are fun to catch.


Kintla Lake is over 8 miles in length and up to a mile wide in spots.
Kintla Lake is surrounded by towering mountains and lies in a spectacular setting.

The fishing in Kintla Lake is good for whitefish and cutthroat trout.
The fish eagerly rise to most small dry flies.
Small spoons on spin casting outfits work well too.

Motorized vessels are not allowed on Kintla Lake but it is an ideal place to fish using a canoe, pontoon boat, float tubes, or inflatable kayak. While Kintla Lake can be windy at times, the winds are usually light to moderate.  The huge size of Kintla Lake combined with the  very cold water can limit your fishing time when you use float tubes to fish.

Most of Kintla Lake and it's vicinity are used for camping or for hiking there is a fairly popular trailhead -the Boulder Pass Trail - used for overnight backpacking that begins at Kintla Lake.

This section of Glacier National Park is very remote and is prime habitat for grizzly bears,
be sure to take all necessary precautions for storing of food and when hiking in the area.

Graduation Party Ideas - Bigfork High School Graduation - Bigfork, Montana

June means graduation time for students across the United States from Kindergarten, Sixth Grade, Junior High, High School, and College grduates.

Bigfork High School’s graduation ceremony will be held at 11 am on Saturday, June 4th, 2011.

For parents, professors, and teachers it means trying to come up with some fun graduation party ideas to keep graduates entertained and the center of attention for this monumental occasion in their lives.

Graduation Party ideas…….Dare to be different! Be imaginative!

If your graduate is a pizza freak, have the graduation party at their favorite pizza place – Riley’s Pub and Sports Bar. Mix it up by serving some unique gourmet pizzas in addition to the standard favorites, cheese and pepperoni.

If your graduate loves desserts, have a dessert party in Riley’s or Terra Steakhouse. Feature graduation cupcakes with frosting/decorates in the graduates school colors. Candy bars with personalized wrappers to give out to your guests. Smores at the Lodge fire pit. Baskets of marshmallows, chocolate bars and graham crackers with plenty of roasting sticks. Root Beer floats a huge hit at our friend’s party. Petit Fors, assorted cookies, and mini cheesecakes in a variety of flavors served with different toppings. Add a cotton candy machine, slushie machine or popcorn machine fora festive flair.

A weekend Brunch is a great idea for a graduation party.

You'll get a great turn out and your guests will be hungry. A selection of chilled Fruit Juices, Coffee & Hot Tea, Scrambled Eggs with Cheddar Cheese, Hash Browns or Cowboy Potatoes, Pancakes or French Toast, Ham, Bacon or Sausage, Biscuits and Gravy, Sliced Seasonal Fruits, or Huckleberry Bran Muffins are just a few of the favorites we recommend.

Salad bar, Veggie Tray and fresh fruit for the health nuts.

BBQ sandwiches, hamburgers and hotdogs, ribs or chicken served with coleslaw and chips, baked beans, fruit salad and gourmet brownies.

“Build your own” Sandwich Bar with all the fixings.

Baked Potato Bar

Pasta Bar - different pastas (eg: rotini, penne, shells) and different sauces (marinara, a white or alfredo sauce, and a meat sauce). Let your guests create their own favorite pasta dish.

The options are endless one is sure to please your Bigfork Graduate.

Bigfork High School’s graduation ceremony will be held at 11 am on Saturday, June 4th, 2011.
Congrats to all those graduating this June form Bigfork Mountian Lake Lodge

Note is you are not able to attend the graduation in person BHS graduation ceremony will stream live for the first time on the Bigfork Schools website, one hour before the actual graduation ceremony. Two cameras will provide the live video feed.  To watch visit http://www.bigforkschools.org/
Then click on the graduation/awards assembly link (on left panel)

Thoughts of Summer - Glacier National Park - Piegan Pass

Piegan Pass to Many Glacier--If you're looking for a longer, tougher hike from Logan Pass, try this hike.

Pick up the Piegan Pass trail at Siyeh Bend about 3 miles (5km) on the east side of Logan Pass Visitor Center.

It's a 12-1/2-mile (20km) walk up over Piegan Pass, past Grinnell Glacier and Grinnell Lake down to Josephine Lake and Swiftcurrent Lake before reaching  the Many Glacier Lodge.

There are long stretches of up and down walking.

This trail is an excellent way to get a sense of Glacier National Park's wilderness.

Amazing spectacular scenic views, beautiful Flora and Fauna.

And Preston Park were the trail junction for the

Piegan Pass Trail and Siyeh Pass Trail intersect is famous for wildflowers and a photographers paradise.

On the far side of the pass after entering into a grove of sub-alpine-fir you will find Feather Plume Falls.

The Piegan Pass Trail provides you with many different views of this spectacular water fall. 

Feather Plume Falls cascades over a large expanse of the Grinnell (red rock) Formation.

Note:
Piegan Glacier is one of very few glaciers in Glacier National Park that shows little sign of change when comparing photographs of Piegan Glacier in 1900's photographs to the present day photographs. 

Piegan Glacier is situated in a cirque on the southeast slope of Piegan Mountain just below the summit at an elevation between 8,800 feet and 8,200 feet.

Piegan glacier covers an area of approximately 62 acres.

Memorial Day Parades and Activities around Bigfork Montana

Memorial Day – originally called “Decoration Day” – unofficially began in 1865 as a way to honor fallen Union soldiers of the Civil War.

Memorial Day has since became an occasion to honor fallen soldiers that made the ultimate sacrifice.
Honor them with the traditions of this special holiday:

    -Fly the flag at half-staff from dawn until noon, local time.
    -Participate in a national “moment of remembrance” which occurs at 3PM, Washington DC time.
    -Place flags on the graves of war veterans.

    -Visit or volunteer at your local Kalispell VA hospital.
    -Support your local area VFW – and remember, thank a veteran when you’re there!
    -Donate your old cellphones to help our military stay in touch with loved ones at home.
    -Donate donate calling cards for service members at Operation Uplink.
    -Let those who are currently serving know they’re appreciated; Operation USO Care Package
      lets you sponsor a gift box containing needed and requested items for a service member overseas.

B

Bigfork Memorial Day Ceremony
The Bigfork VFW Post 4042 will host a memorial Day Ceremony at 11 am at the Bigfork Community Cemetery to honor Bigfork Veterans.

Miracle of America Museum - Polson Montana
“Because they served (and serve) we are free” is just one of the many slogans paying tribute to America’s armed forces at the Miracle of America Museum, Polson, Montana.  

Gil & Joanne Mangles founded the Miracle of America Museum  in 1981 and are still passionate  about it today.

This museum houses Montana’s largest tribute to our veterans.

Much more than plaques, bronze statues or granite monuments, the displays create an atmosphere where visitors say they can feel the price of freedom.

Miracle of America Museum
36094 Memory Lane
Polson MT 59860
(406) 883-6804,
email: info@MiracleOfAmericaMuseum.org
web site: www.MiracleOfAmericaMuseum.org

Hours of Operation
Summer hours: 8 AM to 8 PM daily;
rest of year: 8 AM to 5 PM Monday - Saturday
1:30 PM to 5 PM Sunday

Miracle of America Admission Rates:
Under 3 years: free
Child 3 - 12 years: $2.00
Adult over 12 years: $5.00
AAA and seniors over 65 years: 50¢ off adult rate

Memorial Day Parades on May 30,2011

Memorial Day Parades -  Ronan Montana
Parade at 10 am in Ronan 
and Memorial Services at the Gold Star Mother's Monument
then move to Ronan's Cemetary to honor medal of honor receipient
Contact Polson Chamber Office for more info 406-883-5969



Memorial Day Parades - Polson Montana
Parade at Noon in Polson
and Memoridal services held at First Citizens Bank immediately after the parade
and move to Polson's Lakeview Cemetary
Contact Polson Chamber Office for more info 406-883-5969

Memorial Day Parade - Whitefish Montana

4:30 pm Depot Park
4:45 pm Set up at  Depot Park
5:00 pm Parade will leave Whitefish Depot
and will follow Central to West 2nd Street to the Bridge
over the Whitefish River where a wreath will be laid.
It will then continue west on 2nd Street to the Whitefish Cemetery.

5:45 pm Ceremony at Whitefish Cemetery
For more information  please phone 261-3231

It's Cherry Blossom Time Once Again!!! - 2011 Flathead Lake Cherry Blossoms

A sign that Spring is really here and Summer is on it's way....

The Cherry Trees have finally bloomed!!!

and the Cherry Blossoms are Beautiful!

Whitewater Festival Bigfork Montana Saturday, May 28th & Sunday May 29th

Register at GARDEN BAR
Saturday Registration 9AM to 10AM

Saturday's Events
11 am --- Beginners Slalom

2 pm --- Expert Slalom

TRIANTHLON REGISTRATION 8AM TO 9AM

Sunday's Events

9:30 am --- Trianthlon Race

12 Noon --- Down River Race

1 pm--- Boaters Cross

Entertainment at local pubs & eateries throughout the Whitewater Festival Weekend




For more Whitewater information contact Mike or Nikki Dizzani at 406 892 2256

For Triathalon information contact Kalispell Athletic Club (Stan) at $06 752 2880  

 

The Wildflowers are in Bloom at Wayfarers State Park - Bigfork Montana

It's a great time to stroll along the Wayfarer's State Park hiking trails. 

 You will see beautiful wildflowers in a rainbow of colors.

 Can you name all of the wildflowers shown here?

Kerr Dam - Polson Montana

Plan a visit soon to the Kerr Dam!

Kerr Dam is at “Full Arch Spill” with all 14 gates open.

Kerr Dam’s generating capacity is 194 megawatts and is located at 43069 Kerr Dam Road, Polson, MT 59860

Kerr dam, began operation in 1938, and is 541 feet long and 205 feet high. The installation of Kerr Dam raised the level of Flathead Lake by 10 feet over the natural lake outlet.

Kerr Dam’s 28-mile-long reservoir has a storage capacity of 1.2 million acre-feet of water. Kerr Dam is classified as a “storage generation” project because it uses the water stored in its reservoir to generate electricity.

Kerr Dam is operated under a joint license with PPL Montana and the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Indian Nation. The CSKT have the option of purchasing and taking over the operation of Kerr Dam in 2015.

Flathead Lake, which lies in the Flathead Valley of northwest Montana, is the largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi. The lake is 28 miles long, up to 15 miles wide and more than 300 feet deep. The Flathead River empties into the Clark Fork River, then empties into the Columbia River. The Columbia then empties into the Pacific Ocean.

Treasure State Chorals Performance - Saturday May 21st, 2011 7 pm

The Treasure State Chorale

under the direction of Phil Harris

will be performing in BIGFORK, Montana

  AN EXCITING EVENING OF CHORAL MUSIC

on Saturday, May 21st, 2011

at Crossroads Church

7 pm
This performance is free!

They will be paying tribute to all VETERANS

and singing music about America it's land and it's people

There will be music for everyone to enjoy on the program. 

SEE YOU THERE!

.

The Jewel of Bigfork Fundraiser - Thursday, May 19th, 2010 - Bigfork Museum of Art and History

Each year for the past fourteen years the Bigfork Museum of Art and History has held it's

annual fundraising auction to supplement thier income. 

This years "The Jewel of Bigfork Auction" will be held at

BruMar Estate

29048 Broken Leg Road

Bigfork, Montana 59911 

on Thursday, May 19th, 2011

from 5:30 pm to 8 pm.

A hearty array of wonderful appetizers and desserts

and a cash bar will be available

There will be a "quick finish" featuring these artists:

Rob Akey

Kelly Apgar

Mary Kelley

Thomas G. Lewis

Tabby Ivy

Plus there will be a silent and a live auction by a professional auctioneer.

Auction items include Fine Art, Gift Certificates, Jewelry, Flight Tours and much more!!!!

Tickets are on sale for

$25 per person or

$20 per person for BMAH members

Non-member tickets will be available at The Jug Tree Liquor Store

Member and Non-member tickets may be purchased at the

Bigfork Museum of Art and History Gift Shop

or over the phone at 1-406-837-6927

Directions to Brumar Estate:

 follow signs Starting at the Bigfork Museum of Art and History
(BurMar Estate is off the Swan Highway 83)

Thoughts of Summer - Walk in the Tree Tops - Whitefish Mountain Resort

Walk in the Tree Tops

The newest Whitefish Mountain Resort (formerly Big Mountain Resort) experience is a three-hour, half-day educational adventure that offers a unique view of a majestic, managed forest and the interconnected ecosystems of water, wildlife and plants.

Walk in the Tree Tops begins with a one mile bike ride to a clearing amid a large stand of trees.

For those who prefer, a motorized shuttle is also provided for transportation.

A safety orientation is given before the tour continues with a short hike to the start of the boardwalk for a visual orientation of the course.

You must wear climbing harnesses and are connected with relay lines to safety cables suspended above the boardwalk.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ad4uHZQ2jkY&feature=related

The tour takes you along a canopy boardwalk suspended 70 feet above the forest floor through a canopy of trees including Douglas fir, Grand fir, Pine, Larch and Spruce.   The ages of these trees is between 50 and 200 years old.

You will enjoy spectacular vistas of the Flathead Valley and may encounter wildlife varying from birds and their nests to some of the larger creatures of the woods.

Cost is $51 per person
at least 10 years and older
Minimum height requirement is 54 inches.
Harness size requires that you have a waist smaller than 42 inches
Closed toed shoes required
Tour goes rain or shine please dress appropriately
A snack and water is provided
Walk in the Tree Tour Times: 10 am 1:30 pm 5:30 pm daily

Reservations are recommended for the Walk in the Trees
by calling Whitefish Mountain Resort Guest Services at 406-862-2900.

Walk in the Trees Driving Directions:
Walk in the Tree Tops is located by taking Highway 35 North from Bigfork, Montana;
Highway 35 becomes Highway 2 continue on Highway 2 through Kalispell, Montana;
Go to the Junction of Highway 2 and Highway 93 turn right going North on to Highway 93 toward Whitefish, Montana ; when you reach Whitefish, follow the signs to Whitefish Mountain Resort, Walk in the Trees is about 8 miles outside of Whitefish, Montana

Thoughts Of Summer - Trial of the Cedars - Glacier National Park

Trail of the Cedars
This wheelchair-accessible tail in Glacier National Park is half mile boardwalk loop through an ancient cedar and hemlock forest is a favorite of families with small children and people with disabilities.

The bridge over Avalanche Gorge is a hightlight of the Trails of the Cedars Nature Trail.

The Interpretive Signs alont this trail describe the habitat and natural history of this rain forest area in Glacier National Parkl.

Avalanche Lake Trail

For those wanting to hike to Avalanche Lake the Trail of the Cedars continues on upward to the mountain-ringed Avalanche Lake.   The trail ascends 500 feet making the trail to Avalache  Lake one of the most accessible backcountry lakes in Glacier National Park.

The Trailhead is across from the Avalanche Creek Campground just 15 miles north of Apgar on Going-to-the-Sun Road.