Relay for Life
At this moment there are more than 9 million Americans who can proudly call themselves cancer survivors. They continue to get well and thrive because of their sheer determination, the excellent medical care available to them and the work of many researchers who continue to seek a cure. A good portion of the money that will be raised at this summer's American Cancer Society Bigfork Relay for Life will be used by the Society to continue its funding of that cancer research, both nationwide and right here in Montana.
Many of the cancer survivors in and around Bigfork will be celebrating their triumph over this terrible disease when they take to the track for the opening lap of this year's Bigfork Relay for Life, set for Friday and Saturday, July 18-19, 6 p.m. - 8 a.m., at the Bigfork High School Football Field.
The planning committee for this year's Bigfork Relay for Life wants to invite every man, woman and youngster who has been diagnosed with cancer and their caregivers, to join the celebration and walk the ceremonial survivors lap that kicks off the event. All cancer survivors and their caretakers are also invited to attend a free dinner reception at 5 p.m. on Friday, just prior to the opening ceremonies.
Cancer can and is being defeated and we want every cancer survivor in the Bigfork area to come out and celebrate that fact. To register for the survivors lap and reception or to learn more about the American Cancer Society Bigfork Relay for Life, contact Susan Kratt at 837-5035 or email her at shk63@bresnan.net.
Debbie Ingram/Relay for Life, Chair
Worried about costs
We are all concerned about the rising cost of fuel, and how it can impact every facet of our lives, from transportation to food and clothing. A June 9 article in the Daily Inter Lake describes difficulties faced by Montana's Food Bank Network. As the energy situation worsens, and grocers' shelves no longer supply our favorite box of cereal from the midwest, or strawberries from South America, how will we feed our families?
Of course, local farmers already raise hens for meat and eggs, and many families hunt and fish. We can plant gardens, but the Flathead has a short growing season. What will we do the rest of the year?
While we can preserve many of our foods by drying, canning, brining, smoking and fermenting, some of the most nutritious foods can be grown in our kitchens any time of the year. Moisten some sunflower or lentil seeds in a jar and within a few days you will have tasty and nutritious sprouts. You can grow these plants in the summer, harvest their seeds in the fall, and then sprout them through the winter and spring.
Or you can grow wheatgrass in flats. But, you protest, that's for cows and goats! Well, perhaps. But you can make a nutritious juice from young wheatgrass to supplement your diet. A nearly complete food, it is a rich source of immune-enhancing chlorophyll, enzymes, vitamins, minerals, vegetable sugars, fats and protein, and can be grown in all seasons.
The Essential Stuff Project (ESP) in Bigfork will host a presentation by Robben Leingang on June 25, 7 PM, at Clementine's, 165 Bridge St. in Bigfork, concerning sprouting and wheatgrass juicing. The event is free, but donations are appreciated. Contact Edd Blackler (blackler@acrossmontana.net, 837-5196), Edmund Fitzgerald (edmund@montanasky.net, 837-5548) or Catherine Haug (cmhaug4@earthlink.net, 837-4577) for more information.
Catherine Haug/Bigfork