Scouting for Food bags, left, last Saturday will be picked up on Saturday morning.

This worthwhile program has been a great help to local food pantries, and I urge folks to leave  a non-perishable food item in the bag on their porch for Cub Scouts of Pack 25 to retrieve Saturday.

In fact, leave more than one item, if possible.

The instructional slip of paper attached to the bag left on my storm door asked that the food be placed by 10 a.m. Saturday.

Certainly, it’s a good cause, and it not only benefits our Libby Food Pantry just before Thanksgiving and Christmas, but this little “community service project” also helps the young Cub Scouts learn about citywide service and qualifies them for rank advancement.

In short, it helps these lads further experience the joy of helping others in their community. 

“Last year, we gathered about 4,000 pounds of food,” said Pack 25 Cubmaster Louis Kuennen, who’s been with the unit for 38 years.

The pack is sponsored by the Libby American Legion Austin Reedy Post 97.

“Oh, I guess we’ve been gathering food in this effort for about 20 years,” said Kuennen.

Louis said Cub Scouts and their pack and den leaders will scour the neighborhoods of Libby to retrieve the bags. However, he said, if it becomes late afternoon and the bags on your front porch have not been picked up persons are urged to call Den Mother Tessa Knapp at 293-7686 and someone will come by and gather the bags.

Also, persons wanting to contribute who may not have received a Scouting for Food bag may place food in any plastic bag for retrieval.

Just set it out by 10 a.m., Louis said, and someone will be by to gather them up. 

*   *   *

I am continually amazed at the musical and performing arts in our town and last Saturday was another testament.

While there was a great turnout Saturday, I understand, at the Kootenai River Rhythm concert at the Memorial Center, there also was a dance benefit for the Libby Ballet production of “The Nutcracker” at Asa Wood.

Two grteat events and two venues.

Photographer Paul Sievers attended the Kootenai River Rhythm event, and I thoroughly enjoyed the displays of dance and musical talents at Asa Wood.

Both events were great successes, and we look forward to another holiday performance of “The Nutcracker.”

*   *   *

Recently, I had the opportunity to talk again with local wood carver Ron Adamson, and he has expanded this field of expertise from not only carving intricate sculptures of wood and much larger pieces with a chainsaw, but Adamson has added another medium to his repertoire, that of stone sculpting.

Adamson, who I came to know from his reputation as one of the best carvers in the Northwest and has the awards to prove it, recently carved a stone bust.

It’s a beautiful piece.

Seems some artisans are quite capable of applying their talent to whatever media they choose.

Great work, Ron!

(Alan Lewis Gerstenecker is editor of The Western News. His column appears weekly.)