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ImagineIF Libraries Director Connie Behe invites the public to a question and answer series about intellectual freedom, censorship and free speech from 6 to 7 p.m. Monday, June 24, in the Oak Room of ImagineIF Kalispell on the second floor.

Libraries play a unique role in our society by providing open access to information, a necessity for a democracy, Behe said. Libraries must also contend with objections to free speech raised by individuals in the community. Behe is responsible for maintaining neutrality and ensuring that all voices are represented. In this question-and-answer session, participants will learn about how libraries protect First Amendment rights and how library policies guide the work of the library today.

Additional open dialogue sessions will follow on Monday, July 8, from 6 to 7 p.m. at ImagineIF Columbia Falls, and on Wednesday, July 10, from 6 to 7 p.m. at ImagineIF Bigfork.

Southerners to meet for annual catfish fry

The 23rd annual Flathead Southerners Catfish Fry & Gatherin’ is set for Sunday, June 30, at Vista Linda Pavilion, 240 Boon Road in Somers. Everyone is welcome.

A social hour gets underway at 4:30 p.m. The all-you-can-eat Southern buffet starts at 5:30 p.m. and features fried catfish filets, hushpuppies, Cajun-baked chicken, fried gizzards, fried okra, jambalaya, turnip greens and cornbread, Cajun gumbo, cole slaw, stewed okra with tomatoes, fried dill pickles, fruit cobbler, and sweet tea and lemonade.

The cost for adults is $22; for children under 13 the cost is $1 per year.

New Orleans hurricanes, Southern mint juleps and Georgia peach sangria will also be available, along with great prizes, Southern jokes and fun.

A raffle and silent auction will be held at 6:15 p.m. and proceeds will benefit A Ray of Home and Peggy’s House women’s and children’s shelter. For raffle and silent auction donations, call Bill at 406-250-4117.

For reservations, call Vista Linda at 857-3158 by June 28. Covered seating is limited to 200 maximum, with seating outside for an additional 100.

Fundraiser aids man battling pancreatic cancer

A fundraiser for Marcelle “Soup” Wood, who is battling pancreatic cancer, will take place Saturday, June 29, at SunRift Beer Co., 55 First Ave. WN, in Kalispell.

Wood was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in April following exploratory surgery. He is a familiar face to many, having worked as a lift operator at Blacktail Mountain Ski Area, bartending at Tamarack Brewery and as the food and beverage manager at MacKenzie River Pizza North in Kalispell.

He and his wife, Jesse, have two children, Lucy, 8, and Aidan, 6.

A full day of outdoor music is planned:

- Noon to 1 p.m. — Ken Sedardahl from Kenny James Miller Band

- 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. — Luke Lautaret Project from Marshall Catch

- 4 to 6 p.m. — Bird Hop featuring Alex Hogan

- 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. — Headliner - Pump Alley

SunRift Beer Co. is donating all proceeds from beer sales for the day to the Wood family; employees are working for no pay. A silent auction and raffle includes fly fishing trips, outdoor adventures, custom kegerator, beer-for-a-year and much more. To donate items, call Arin Lever at 406-890-9767.

A variety of games and activities will be available for the kids, including a dunk tank, mini putting, face painting and a photo booth with props.

If you cannot make the event and wish to help, visit www.gofundme.com/supporting-soup

Flathead Electric holds open house in Libby

Flathead Electric Cooperative is hosting an open house for members in Libby from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 26.

Learn about the new rate design, talk with the FEC board of trustees, check out electric vehicles on display, and enjoy light appetizers.

The family-friendly event will feature prizes and games for the kids, and members who attend can also enter to win the grand prize of a $500 electric bill credit.

The co-op’s office is located at 121 West Fourth St.

Montana House in Apgar hosts fire education event

The Montana House will host a Look, Listen and Learn event featuring the engaging one-hour film “The Era of Megafires” at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 26.

The intent is to provide information to the public about megafires and the threat of wildfire in the local community.

Fire history has shown that wildfires have been burning differently in more recent years and that new ways of action and thinking are required by both wildfire professionals and citizens.

After the presentation wildfire partners from neighboring agencies will be available for discussion and questions about how families can prepare their homes for wildfire.

The recent Montana Climate Assessment highlighted the likelihood in the area of future summers that are much hotter and drier than the past. “Flash droughts” could lead to even more extreme fire danger in the Flathead County area in the future.

This event is free and open to the public. RSVP to reserve a seat by calling 406-888-5393 or email 1960mthouse@qwestoffice.net

Refreshments will be served.

Musician connects music and nature in W. Glacier event

Ben Cosgrove presents a program titled “New Music of the American Landscape” from noon to 1 p.m. Thursday, June 27, at the West Glacier Community Building, 162 Mather Drive in West Glacier. The program is free and open to the public.

Cosgrove has pondered the question of how music and art can help derive meaning from a landscape while traveling around the country as an artist-in-residence at national parks and public lands for most of the last decade. He will play some of his music inspired by these iconic landscapes, and ask the audience to think with him about what a piece of music inspired by Glacier National Park might sound or feel like.

For more information, call Ginger Rigdon at 888-5827.

Flathead Valley Bridge Center results

Friday, June 14

North/South Pairs

Robert Walstad – Mary Ann Chestnut 1st A

Bob Gerhard – Bob Sleadd, 2nd A 1st B

Patricia Connolly – Shirley Dean 2nd B

East/West Pairs

Gary Stephens – Tanya McCully 1st A

Nuala Uhde – Hartley Leppard 2nd A

Ginny Larence – Shelly Arbuckle 1st B

Trish Eaton – Linda Petersen 2nd B

Saturday, June 15, 2019

Novice Game

Edwin Harris – Linda Walker 1st A 1st B 1st C

Marilyn Tate – Darlene Harder 2nd A 2nd B 2nd C

Monday, June 17

North/South Pairs

Pauline Murray – Patricia Connolly 1st

Guy Lam – Mitzi Anderson 2nd

Bob Gerhard - George Miller 3rd

East/West Pairs

Julie Cassetta – Porki Harris 1st

Frances Ollendike – Tanya McCully 2nd

Robert Walstad - Don Doan 3rd

Wednesday, June 19

North/South Pairs

Jerome Dunst – Mary Ann Chestnut 1st A

Frances Ollendike – Tanya McCully 2nd A

Robert Walstad – Carole Koch 1st B

Marjorie Simpson – Shirley Dean 2nd B 1st C

Patricia Connolly – Mamie Parpart 2nd C

East/West Pairs

Michael Boreson – Cathy Brown 1st A

Virginia Bright – Kaye Hoffmaster 2nd A 1st B

Deb Johnson – Marion Streich 2nd B 1st C

Lynne Hilleboe – Andrea Palmer 2nd C

Wednesday evening results

1. John Murrey - Becky Murrey

2. Trish Eaton - Alden Boreson

3. Shelley Brown - Peter Skarstedt