DECKING DOWNTOWN
HEIDI DESCH | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 6 years, 11 months AGO
Dawn Oehlerich holds up a snowflake attached to the garland as volunteers work to hang the winter decorations downtown Sunday morning. (Heidi Desch/Whitefish Pilot)
Volunteers hang the winter decorations downtown Sunday morning. (Heidi Desch/Whitefish Pilot)
A lineman from Flathead Electric Co-op attaches garland to a light pole downtown Sunday morning. (Heidi Desch/Whitefish Pilot)
Trinity Workman holds a section of garland Sunday morning downtown. (Heidi Desch/Whitefish Pilot)
Volunteers hang the winter decorations downtown Sunday morning. (Heidi Desch/Whitefish Pilot)
Volunteers hang the winter decorations downtown Sunday morning. (Heidi Desch/Whitefish Pilot)
Dan Fischer holds one end of garland as volunteers hang winter decorations downtown Sunday morning. (Heidi Desch/Whitefish Pilot)
Volunteers hung the winter decorations downtown Sunday morning. (Heidi Desch/Whitefish Pilot)
Mike Muldown lets go as a section of garland is lifted Sunday morning near Depot Park. (Heidi Desch/Whitefish Pilot)
Josh Gansel, with the City of Whitefish, attaches a lantern to a light pole on Central Avenue downtown Sunday morning. (Heidi Desch/Whitefish Pilot)
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 24, 2019 10:52 AM
Whitefish was decorated for the winter season on Sunday morning.
Volunteers strung lighted garland punctuated with red bells, snowflakes and wreaths throughout downtown signaling the beginning of the holiday season. The decorations are a tradition that have brightened town for more than 50 years.
A group of dedicated volunteers have been repairing, replacing, improving and hanging and taking down those same decorations every winter season.
The nonprofit Whitefish Shines takes donations for the materials to keep the tradition alive. To donate to the decoration project, Whitefish Shines, P.O. Box 695 Whitefish, MT 59937.
ARTICLES BY HEIDI DESCH
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.
Kalispell resident advocates for more women in the trades after being crowned Mrs. America
Standing on the stage in Las Vegas, wearing a white formal gown accented with feathers on one shoulder, Qadra Evans gripped hands with a fellow competitor.
Whitefish mulls updates to community growth plan
Whitefish City Council on Monday will consider updates to its community plan including language that looks to protect the historic character of its downtown amid state requirements allowing buildings up to 60 feet in height in certain zoning districts.