Wednesday, November 11, 2026
45.0°F

Band showcase

HEIDI DESCH | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 8 years, 11 months AGO
by HEIDI DESCH
DEPUTY EDITOR, FEATURES Heidi Desch is the Deputy Editor at the Daily Inter Lake, overseeing coverage of arts, culture, lifestyle, community, and business. Desch leads reporters in developing stories that highlight the people, traditions, and events shaping Northwest Montana, guiding content across print and digital platforms. With more than 20 years of journalism experience, including serving as managing editor of the Whitefish Pilot, Desch is a graduate of the University of Montana School of Journalism. She has received multiple Montana Newspaper Association awards, including part of the team leading the Daily Inter Lake to Best Daily Newspaper in Montana Award and the General Excellence Award in 2024 and 2025. IMPACT: Heidi’s work connects readers with stories that deepen the understanding of the community beyond daily news. | November 28, 2017 2:44 PM

photo

Whitefish High School student Turner Haugen demonstrates the djembe drum for Muldown Elementary students during a recent performance at the high school. The WHS Percussion Ensembel and Birdland Jazz Combo performed for Muldown students. (Heidi Desch/Whitefish Pilot)

photo

Kathryn Rossi plays the rain stick during a recent performance at Whitefish High School. The high school Percussion Ensembel and Birdland Jazz Combo performed for Muldown Elementary students. (Heidi Desch/Whitefish Pilot)

photo

Port Nugent smiles to the audience while playing the guitar during a recent performance at Whitefish High School. The high school Percussion Ensembel and Birdland Jazz Combo performed for Muldown Elementary students. (Heidi Desch/Whitefish Pilot)

photo

Student Caden Means plays the drums during a recent performance at Whitefish High School. The high school Percussion Ensembel and Birdland Jazz Combo performed for Muldown Elementary students. (Heidi Desch/Whitefish Pilot)

photo

Hunter Grimes plays the flute during a recent performance at Whitefish High School. The high school Percussion Ensembel and Birdland Jazz Combo performed for Muldown Elementary students. (Heidi Desch/Whitefish Pilot)

Members of the Whitefish High School Percussion Ensemble and Birdland Jazz Combo recently performed for a group of Muldown Elementary students at the high school Black Box Theater. “Start thinking about what instrument you want to play wen you get to high school,” WHS Band Director Mark McCrady told Muldown students. “It’s good for your brain.”

ARTICLES BY HEIDI DESCH

Whitefish aims to finally bring affordable housing to downtown lot
November 1, 2026 11 p.m.

Whitefish aims to finally bring affordable housing to downtown lot

Whitefish City Council on Monday will consider hiring a consultant to bring long-planned affordable housing to the parcel formerly known as the snow lot.

Grand views found on Glacier hike in an area with a haunted past
October 28, 2026 midnight

Grand views found on Glacier hike in an area with a haunted past

The hike to Loneman Lookout starts in flat terrain, wandering through the trees between U.S. 2 and the Middle Fork of the Flathead River and Nyack Creek before beginning a steady climb up roughly 3,800 feet, offering views to the valleys below and surrounding mountains.

Whitefish wildfire protection plan up for City Council review
October 5, 2026 midnight

Whitefish wildfire protection plan up for City Council review

Fourteen areas of concern that are primed for mitigating wildlife risk are at the center of a draft Whitefish Community Wildfire Protection Plan.