A few months ago, I wrote a story about a disabled veteran whose family was trying to build a home for him, his wife and their son. That veteran, 29-year-old Kevin White, passed away over the weekend in his sleep. The home, according to an Associated Press story, was two weeks away from completion.

White was injured in April of 2007 on his second tour in the Iraq War when a rocket-propelled grenade ripped his right shoulder open and caused other injuries, including brain trauma. While he struggled with aspects of daily life, when I met him he was clearly happy to be in the company of his loved ones in Lakeside.

He leaves behind a wife and 15-month-old son, who will move into the home. I wish his family the best during this difficult time.

 

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The folks at Fresh Life Church, which also hosts Skull Church, have plans to fill up the Majestic Valley Arena this weekend for its Easter celebration.

As part of that weekend, the Skull Church event on Friday, April 4, will feature the popular crossover band, "Red," as well as a gospel message from pastor Levi Lusko.

According to Fresh Life, Red's most recent album reached No. 2 on Billboard’s charts and No. 1 on all of iTunes. The event is free, and the doors open at 6 p.m. The evening starts at 7 p.m. Skull Church attendees typically head to the Strand and Liberty theaters in downtown Kalispell, but the church hopes to fill the 6,500-seat arena for this event.

Then, on Easter Sunday, April 8, Fresh Life Church will host its celebration at the arena complete with a performance from "For King & Country," a Billboard 2012 “Artist to Watch." That event is also free, and begins at 10 a.m., with doors opening at 9 a.m.

For King & Country's debut album, "Crave," made it to No. 2 on the iTunes Christian and Gospel charts, and the band was part of the 2012 WinterJam tour.

For more information on Fresh Life Church, visit www.freshlifechurch.com or call 406-257-3339 or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

 

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A Flathead Valley dentist has decided that good deeds shouldn't go unnoticed. Dr. Tom Pittaway will give away a new computer to a local youth, 18 years old or younger, who submits a short essay about their recent accomplishments.

The Good Deed Contest will last until May 15 and essays can be submitted online. Pittaway said as a parent there is no greater joy than knowing his child has done the right thing.

“We believe that children deserve a helping hand to make their own choice of what is right or wrong, to make their own choice of how to reach their goals without compromising their morals,” Pittaway said. “We all know that negativity will not improve a situation, but complimenting or rewarding a job well done will actually prompt more of these good activities.”

For more information visit www.dentistkalispellmt.com or call (406) 755-7117.

 

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With Spring just around the corner, it may be a good time to clean out the basement or back room and see what junk should occupy the curb. But before you trash your treasures, swing on by the Hampton Inn in Kalispell this week to let the Ohio Valley Gold and Silver Refinery evaluate it.

The refinery is holding an event in Kalispell from April 2 to April 6 and is looking for gold, silver, antiques and other collectables. According to spokesperson Korey Scott, the items can range from old war mementos to old baseball trading cards.

“We see a lot of cool stuff that you just don't see everyday,” he said.

According to Scott, Ohio Valley Gold and Silver has been around since 1996 and serves as a middle man between sellers and collectors from all over the world. The refinery representatives are able to evaluate the pieces onsite and offer cash right away. According to a press release, some rare coins have been purchased for upwards of $100,000, and recently an Ohio resident brought in a letter from President Abraham Lincoln that she thought was fake. Turns out it was the real thing and worth $25,000.

The event is free and open to the public. The refinery encourages people to bring anything they think may be worth something. It's open Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Hampton Inn in Kalispell. For more information call (217) 726-7590.

 

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There are a handful of signs that mark the beginning of spring in Northwest Montana and one of them is the annual Creston Auction and County Fair. Held in the fields near MT Highway 35, as well as the Eastside Grange Hall and Creston School, the annual event is now in its 46th year.

On Saturday, March 31 the field near Creston School will be full of items to be auctioned off throughout the day. Meanwhile, inside the grange hall, a craft fair will feature handmade quilts, handbags, totes, baby clothes, toys, jewelry, beadwork and other crafts. Montana Coffee Traders will be on hand with breakfast and lunch items. There will also be food at the Creston School.

The auction and country fair is the Creston Fire Department's largest fundraiser.

The rummage and bake sale will kick off at 8 a.m. Saturday, and an hour later the craft fair and auction will begin. On Sunday, April 1, the auction will continue with cars, boats and other heavy equipment going up for bid at 12 p.m.

 

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We've written about Evergreen-based band Marshall Catch a couple times in the past year or so, and the band just keeps picking up speed.

On March 23, the band will celebrate the release of the band's new EP release at a CD release party at the Great Northern in Whitefish.

Not sure what the band sounds like? Follow this link to a free download of their song, "These Times."

For more information on Marshall Catch, check out their website.

 

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First Best Place and the Columbia Fall High School class of 2013 are in high gear this week preparing for “an evening of epic proportions.” On Friday, March 23, Columbia Falls will host the Showcase and Endowment Ball as a fundraiser for the two groups.

The evening kicks off at 5:30 p.m. with a dinner and live auction at Glacier Discovery Square before moving down the road to Columbia Falls High School for a ball that will feature food, games and live music by the Copper Mountain Band. Tickets for both events are $50 or $12 for just the ball.

First Best Place is a community action group and its primary goal is to help build stronger communities in the Flathead Valley and specifically Columbia Falls. One of its most notable projects is the Glacier Discovery Square, a community center on Nucleus Avenue.

For more information about the showcase and endowment ball on Friday, March 23, visit www.firstbestplace.org or call (406) 892-1363. All proceeds from the casual and semi-formal event go toward the First Best Place project and the Columbia Falls High School Academic and Alumni Fund.

 

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Whistling Andy Distillery in Bigfork is releasing a new whiskey on St. Patrick's Day.

The Whistling Andy Distillery opened its doors on New Year's Eve 2010 and has since been creating a wide variety of spirits at its location along MT Highway 35, just south of the Swan River. Spiced Rum, Gin and Vodka have all become regular offerings from the distillery and they will now be joined by a barrel-aged, one-year whiskey called Harvest Select.

According to the distillery, Harvest Select Whiskey is made with grain from Lake Seed in Ronan for an American-style spirit consisting of barley, wheat, corn and rye, aged in white oak barrels from Tennessee. According to a press release, the whiskey “has a sweet, fruity nose leading into warm spiciness mid-palate and finishes smooth with accents of toasted caramel and well-rounded oak flavors.”

Whistling Andy Distillery will be releasing one barrel of the whiskey on Saturday, March 17 and there will be limit of two bottles per person. After that, the whiskey will be available at state liquor stores in the Flathead Valley, Missoula and Bozeman.

For more information visit www.whistlingandy.com or call (406) 837-2620.

 

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