The April 9th program featured representatives from the Sandpiper Gallery.  Formed in 1972, scholarships have been given since 1981 to encourage art for young people.   They sponsor the annual Art in the Park-the same weekend as Rotary's Youth Fundraiser and will be sharing the highway banner this year with Rotary and the Car Show.

 

They have 6 areas in the Plan of Work including a new program "Art to the Community" with a goal of $6,000 to beautify the community with murals on available surfaces such as traffic boxes, sides of buildings, etc.  A GPCF grant is possible.

 

On April 16, Rotary was invited to an open house at the Boys and Girls Club in Ronan.  The director and several program heads spoke emotionally about their involvement in making a difference in kids' lives.

 

Carolyn McDonald, elected coordinator of the Lake County Conservation District gave an update on her first year in the position on April 23 meeting.  With a perspective of Neighbors helping Neighbors focusing on collaboration and education of adults and youth, various programs are offered.  A newsletter (email) is available and so are free wildflower packets.

 

Doug Wold spoke on April 30th continuing his somewhat historical tour of the area this year covering from Rollins with the Painted Rocks and sturgeon fishing, Shelter Island with the new 10,000 square ft mansion, Cedar Island and its new camping area on state land, Lakeside with the lavender farm, the radar station (now a ski resort and the Youth with a Mission facility), the 1912 fish hatchery, the Wooden Boat Show inspired by the 1937 Stancraft boat manufacturer and finally Somers with its 1903 railroad tie mill (now a Super Fund site), the 1913 railroad hotel/yellow mansion visible on the hill and its colorful history now being rehabilitated into a boutique wedding venue.

 

In May, the Global coalition for Guatemala will be meeting in Polson and the District conference will be in Missoula celebrating the individual Montana clubs.