Myni Ferguson is the 2008 First Lady of Whitefish

By OLIVIA KOERNIG / Whitefish Pilot

Local artisan Myni Fergu-son had a bad feeling when she got a phone call from Cathy Juno on behalf of the local chapter of the Beta Sigma Phi sorority. Ferguson, a breast cancer survivor, feared the worst.

"I thought, 'Oh, God, I hope she hasn't had a diagnosis,'" she said. "Then she said it was about an award, and I said, 'You're not going to put me in jail and make me call people for money, are you?'"

Happily, both of Ferguson's fears were unfounded. Instead, a week or so later, three cars showed up at her door, four women got out and Ferguson was presented with a bouquet of flowers and read a proclamation declaring her First Lady of Whitefish for 2008.

"It was a total absolute shock," she said. "I thought, 'I hope they have the right house.'"

Although Ferguson trivializes her accomplishments, it's her irreverent sense of humor coupled with her philanthropic efforts that made her a natural choice for the honor.

And while it's been said that dog is man's best friend, it may be more correct to say that Ferguson is dog's best friend. She's co-founded five animal-advocacy groups in the Flathead Valley and been involved with at least eight others. Her current pet project is W.A.G., Whitefish Animal Group, the organization supporting the dog park project here.

Ferguson also volunteers with the Kalispell-based WINGS cancer support group. WINGS assists area kids and adults with funding to offset travel costs associated with cancer treatments. Every year, the group puts on a radio-thon, and every year, Ferguson helps out.

"It's a wonderful experience," she said. "There are people with hair, people without hair, people like me with thinner hair. It's rejuvenating."

Diagnosed with late stage-three breast cancer 15 years ago, Ferguson said she "blames the city of Whitefish" that she's still alive today. As a small-town artist supporting herself off her etched-glass artwork, battling cancer quickly depleted her resources. But Whitefish banded together, held a fundraiser on her behalf and rounded up $36,000 to help her out.

"It took the pressure off," Ferguson said. "I was able to throw everything I had at it — and the outlook wasn't very good. The community is what healed me."

Whitefish may also have cured another of her conditions — itchy feet. Although she's of Scottish descent, Ferguson was born in India and has lived all over the world. She jokes that she's been asked to leave of some of the nicest countries in the world.

"I've had a case of itchy feet most of my life," she said. "Now Kalispell seems too far."

In addition to her animal activism, Ferguson's etched glass can be found in some of the most prominent buildings in town. The Wave, the library and the middle school are all adorned with her unique creations.

"I don't have cash, but my glass work is one asset I can donate," she said.

And sometimes, donations come back her way as well. The Robert Tucker Hayes Foundation gave W.A.G. $10,000 toward the dog park. Ferguson said the efforts have raised $22,000 of the $35,000 needed to open the park.

"We've had a lot of $25 donations," she said. "We're dancing as fast as we can."

Another recent effort combines her love for animals with her love of canning. She says canning is something Zen she does. Using her grandmother's pickle recipe, Ferguson conceived Grandma Maggie's pickles. They're available at Montana Coffee Traders. A portion of all proceeds supports Marvin's Fund of Montana, a nonprofit organization that educates the public on animal cruelty. Next year, she'll introduce chutney to the Grandam Maggie's line.

Ferguson will be honored at a banquet May 3, at noon at the Moose Lodge in Whitefish. Tickets cost $15 and are on sale at Whitefish Credit Union.