Hall
Hall, MT · Lifestyle
Whitefish Pilot
PHOTOS: Hootenanny draws trail, music lovers to Depot Park
The Whitefish Trail Hootenanny drew a joyous crowd to Depot Park on Friday, Aug. 21. Local band favorites New Wave Time Tripper and HotDayum! were on stage. The community event celebrated local trails and open lands with live music, local beer, food trucks, raffle and kids activities. The annual Hootenanny is a fundraiser for Whitefish Legacy Partners. Charles Taylor hits a bridge at Depot Park during the Whitefish Trail Hootenanny on Friday. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot) Wendy Ewing celebrates winning a raffle prize at the Whitefish Trail Hootenanny on Friday, Aug. 21. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot) Whitefish Legacy Partners staff member Cynthia Ingelfinger hands out raffle prizes at the Whitefish Trail Hootenanny on Friday, Aug. 21, 2026. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot) The Whitefish Trail Hootenanny at Depot Park on Friday, Aug. 21, 2026. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot)
Hungry Horse News
FWP hosts fruit drive to keep bears out of trouble
From Sept. 8 - 11, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is accepting fruit donations from landowners gleaning or removing fruit from their properties. The fruit drive is an opportunity for the public to help reduce bear attractants while also supporting the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center in West Yellowstone. Community members are invited to drop off fruit from their properties at the FWP office at 490 N. Meridian Road in Kalispell. Donations will be accepted Tuesday through Friday, September 8-11, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. In the fall, bears enter hyperphagia, a period where they seek out extra calories in preparation for winter. During this time, fruit trees are a popular food attractant that can lead bears into residential areas. This collection effort helps to reduce the availability of fruit and prevent bear conflicts. The drive also supports the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center in West Yellowstone, which houses bears that can no longer live in the wild after learning to find food in recreational or residential areas and becoming dangerously comfortable around people. “Fruit trees are one of the biggest attractants for bears during the fall,” said FWP bear conflict specialist Justine Vallieres. “This fruit drive gives landowners an
Lake County Leader
Mission Valley Aquatics & Fitness undergoes major facelift
Devoted swimmers were forced to find their swim fix in Flathead Lake this month while Mission Valley Aquatics and Fitness was closed for significant repairs and upgrades. According to the center’s director, Rayanne Crick, the 13-year-old pool was long overdue for a facelift. She anticipates reopening the Polson facility after Labor Day. “So right now, we're in the process of just giving this place a complete overhaul,” she said Monday. Those improvements include demolition and reconstruction of a new deck around the saltwater therapy pool and diving board and blocks, installation of a new water softener, resealing the roof, removing rust from metal struts that support the ceiling, and repairing the air conditioning units and the motors that run the pumps. The decking around the therapy pool has been corroded by salt splashed on the surface year in and year out. Once new concrete is poured, the surface will be resealed with a corrosion-resistant acrylic/epoxy finish, designed to weather future salt exposure. The two motors that drive the circulation systems were also hoisted out and repaired. The larger motor for the full-size pool was lifted out through the roof and sent to Missoula for a rebuild while the smaller motor
Lake County Leader
Dozen area artists share work, process in annual studio tour
A dozen professional artists showcased their work and creative processes last weekend during the annual Artists of Polson Studio Tour. The free self-guided event spanned studios from Charlo and Ronan north to Finley Point and King’s Point, with many stops in-between, and included disciplines ranging from paintings, mosaics and stained glass to leather, handcrafted furniture and ceramics.
NBCMontana
FWP to host fruit drive to reduce bear attractants
KALISPELL, Mont. — Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is holding a fruit donation to help reduce bear attractants. The public is invited to drop off fruit from their properties at the FWP office in Kalispell. Donations can be made Sept. 8-11 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Bears enter...
seattlerefined.com
Seattle design icon Olson Kundig finds its mountain muse in Whitefish, Montana
If you live in the Seattle area, chances are you've heard of Olson Kundig — or perhaps seen some of their stunning, distinctive works around the region. Among the lauded design firm's creations are public buildings, hospitality projects, wineries, sport facilities, cultural and civic centers and houses, too. Their...
Whitefish Pilot
Wasabi shutters in downtown Whitefish
A beloved Whitefish establishment, Wasabi Sushi Bar and Ginger Grill, closed permanently on Aug 10. “Due to unfortunate circumstances and a tragedy in our Wasabi family, we are forced to end our engagement with you all,” read a Wasabi Facebook post signed by owner Paula Greenstein and her sister, Sharon Katz. “We are permanently closed as of today. Thank you for your patronage. It has been an honor to be part of this beautiful community.” Greenstein moved to Whitefish in 2007 and, with Katz, bought the restaurant from Scott and Kerry Nagel the following year. Showing raw determination and entrepreneurial enthusiasm for a cuisine unfamiliar to Whitefish, the Nagels opened Wasabi at 419 E. Second Street in December 1999. With fresh fish on the menu, local artwork on the walls, Whitefish Pottery on the table, a 16-foot custom sushi bar and a cabaret license to boot, Nagel said in 1999 Pilot article, "It's going to be cool." And cool it was, as thousands of locals and visitors would attest to over the next 27 years. Greenstein did not respond to a request for comment by press time. “It’s been great, people have been wonderful, the food’s been fabulous,” Greenstein had
Whitefish Pilot
New gym opens south of Whitefish
A new family run fitness gym in Whitefish prides itself on being an accessible facility with an authentic training experience. 4 Seasons Fitness is owned and operated by Dave Macaluso, a certified trainer with over 20 years of experience in gym coaching and management. With help from his wife Nicole, a physical therapist at Physio Whitefish, Macaluso renovated a building a mile south of U.S. 93 and Montana 40 and opened earlier this summer. "Our biggest goal is to make people feel comfortable and welcome," Macaluso said. "So people walk in and go, this is nice. The lighting, the smell, the equipment, everything is inviting and relaxing." A Billings native, Macaluso was a track athlete at the University of Montana before beginning his early career as a builder. He was taking a boot camp at a large gym near Bellevue, Washington, when one of the instructors approached him and said, "You have what it takes." So Macaluso applied for a manager's position at the large gym, where he would go on to work for 13 years. He left the position to open his own gym just south of downtown Seattle. "It was fantastic," Macaluso said. "Everything was flowing. We had
Lake County Leader
Much Ado About Shakespeare: Traveling troupe performs in Polson, Charlo
As the sun began its westward slant, a crowd of about 400 people gathered on the hillside above the Flathead River, facing the new stage at the Polson Fairgrounds amphitheatre. Some lounged on blankets, others sat in camp chairs or cross-legged on the prickly grass, flanked by picnic baskets or sipping beverages, all eager for an annual dose of The Bard, courtesy of Montana Shakespeare in the Parks. The traveling troupe of 11 professional actors is about two-thirds of their way through a summer tour that takes them to 64 communities in Montana and beyond, where they’ll stage nearly 80 performances. This year, they alternate between “Much Ado About Nothing,” staged in Polson Monday, and “The Merchant of Venice,” performed Tuesday at Palmer Park near Charlo. The actors come from all over, including Jamaica, where Gabbay Madu was born and raised, although she was largely educated in the U.S. She plays a leading role in “Much Ado” as the fiery and opinionated Beatrice, and a less demanding part as Solania in “Merchant.” After two hours on the stage, Madu was boxing programs, t-shirts and stickers from the merchandise table and stashing them in the back of a truck Monday night.
countryinsider.com
Whitefish Songwriter Fest Names Songwriting Contest Finalists.
Ten songwriters have been selected as finalists in the inaugural "It's All About the Song" Songwriting Contest, a new initiative from the nonprofit Whitefish Songwriter Festival. Six of the 10 are from Montana, including four of the five Under 18 finalists. The contest, developed with judging support from presenting sponsor...
Whitefish Pilot
Whitefish Theatre Company reveals 2026-27 season
Whitefish Theatre Company announced its 2026-27 season which features 14 performances that blend comedy, drama, music, musicals and intimate staged readings. The season opens Sept. 26-27 with "The White Chip," a dark comedy that follows a successful theater professional as he confronts alcoholism and recovery. The production explores addiction with humor and compassion as its protagonist's personal and professional life unravels. Comedian and stunt performer Matt Baker and his one-man show which combines stand-up comedy with audience participation and daring feats is scheduled for Oct. 2. The company's first mainstage play of the season, "Tokens of Affection," runs Oct. 16-24. Described as a grown-up version of The Parent Trap, the comedy centers on two adult siblings who conspire to reunite their estranged parents after a 37-year marriage begins to crumble. Saint of Soldiers, a Northwest Montana Americana band known for blending folk, rock, bluegrass and roots-inspired storytelling is Nov. 6. The Black Curtain Series returns Nov. 14-15 with "Dear Jack, Dear Louise," playwright Ken Ludwig's tribute to his parents' World War II-era courtship. The script follows a military doctor and aspiring actress who fall in love through letters while separated by war. Black Curtain productions feature minimal staging and script-in-hand
Whitefish Pilot
Walkway renovations paving way for new exhibit at Ski Heritage Center
The Whitefish Ski Heritage Center and Museum will construct its outdoor ski lift history exhibit this fall alongside a renovation of its shared entry plaza with Mountain Trails Park. The current surface of the walkway between the Ski Museum, warming hut and park playground is made of brick pavers installed in the 1990s. After three decades, the surface is ready to be revitalized. The new surface will be a combination of concrete with brick pavers highlighting the walkway through the plaza. “We are excited to get started on this project and to help support the Ski Heritage Museum’s fundraising campaign through the installation of the pavers,” said Maria Butts, Parks and Recreation director. "We are also very thankful for the generous donations from community members that have helped this project come alive.” The project includes the installation of a paver walkway around the front of the museum connecting the park and museum to the Wisconsin Avenue SNOW bus stop. The Ski Museum will help fund the improvements through the sale of commemorative brick pavers installed along the walkway. “We are committed to helping fund this project, as well as completing the museum’s new outdoor ski lift exhibit,” said Museum Director
missoulaunderground.com
Weekend PICKS: Thursday, August 13th thru Sunday, August 16th
Hey all you cool cats and kittens – it’ll be a busy (and a little cooler) weekend with live music, farmers markets, concerts, and plenty of fun outdoor events to choose from this Thursday through Sunday. The MUG is here with all the mid-August Weekend PICKS for Missoula and Western Montana!
NBCMontana
Bozeman Symphony to offer free outdoor concert today in Kalispell
MISSOULA, Mont. — The Bozeman Symphony will offer a free outdoor concert Friday, Aug. 14, at the Wachholz College Center’s O'Shaughnessy Amphitheater in Kalispell. The concert runs from 4:45 to 5:45 p.m. and will feature Associate Principal Horn Elizabeth Schmidt and classical guitarist Nora Spielman. The performance will...
NBCMontana
Northwest Montana Fair adds extra ride inspections after deadly Butte Yo-Yo accident
KALISPELL, Mont. — A carnival ride accident in Butte two months ago has fair organizers taking a closer look at ride safety. The Butte incident happened in June, when a 13-year-old boy fell from a Yo-Yo ride. Operated by Midway West Amusements, the carnival at the Northwest Montana Fair...
Char-Koosta News
Elmo Skatepark Opens, Joins Skateparks Across The Rez
ELMO — A new skatepark opened in Elmo Aug. 8, giving this small Flathead Reservation community a permanent home for skateboarding after months of construction funded by Pearl Jam bassist Jeff Ament and built with support from the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. Ament’s nonprofit, Montana Pool Service, financed...