CSC Weekend lights up late August

Two premier events will put the new Cancer Support Community (CSC) Kalispell at center stage the last weekend of August.

On Saturday morning, August 27, the second annual Rad Ride for Cancer Support will draw a crowd of bicyclists for a family-friendly ride. Then on Sunday evening, August 28, a farm-to-table organic-sourced dinner and wine tasting will link the best of the Flathead’s cuisine with great wine.

Both will raise funds for CSC Kalispell, formed in 2015 to expand support for individuals impacted by cancer. The center at 37 West Washington Street in Kalispell provides a gathering place for patients and families to find strength, laughter and inspiration by sharing their experiences.

CSC Outreach Coordinator Jennifer Young, who is helping organize both weekend events, is grateful for the backing coming to the new cancer support initiative.

“CSC is the psychosocial, emotional part of the healing component available at Kalispell Regional,” Young said. “It’s the complete package.”

Rad Ride for Cancer Support
Kalispell Regional Medical Center Laboratory Director Steve Rademaker, a bicycling enthusiast who died of cancer in December 2014, is the Rad Ride’s namesake.

“Steve called Kalispell his healing place,” said Steve’s friend and ride organizer Kip Smith. Smith is the executive director for Health Information Exchange of Montana at Kalispell Regional Healthcare. “This continues his healing place – here in Montana in a community that has all these healing resources.”

The family-oriented bicycle ride is definitely not a race but it is expanding its route distances for the second annual event. Bikers start at Fun Beverage, which is hosting the ride again this year at its property in south Kalispell, and head out on the Great Northern Historical Trail toward Kila. They will choose turn-around points for 8, 16, 26 and – for the true bicycling enthusiasts – 46 miles. The latter turns around at the end of the paved portion of Browns Meadow Road.

Riders return to a gourmet picnic lunch, music and a brief program. Kids also will have fun with expanded activities located closer to the event grounds this year. A climbing wall, bouncy house and face painting will keep the youngsters entertained, whether they ride part of the route with the family or stay and play the entire morning.

The ride starts at 9 a.m. and lunch will be available at 11:30 a.m., with brief recognitions scheduled for noon. Registration is $25 a person or $55 for a family, and includes lunch. For registration information, check the Facebook page at https://runsignup.com/Race/MT/Kalispell/RadRide.

Lead Rad Ride sponsors are Fun Beverage, Freedom Bank, Kalispell Regional Healthcare and The HealthCenter. To become a sponsor, make a donation or learn more, contact Tony Patterson or Kip Smith at 752-1724.

Farm-to-Table Dinner and Wine Tasting
Two Bear Farm will host a unique evening on Sunday, August 28, designed to showcase the finest in the farm’s organically grown produce prepared to perfection, each course paired with exquisite wines. Musical entertainment will accompany the sit-down dinner and social time. This fundraiser also offers the opportunity to support CSC through live and silent auctions.

A brief program will explain the CSC services, and feature the first-hand account of how these services impacted the life of one participant who drew on the strength available through CSC while going through cancer treatment and recovery.

Anyone interested in seeing how the CSA-based operation works is welcome to join tours of the farm that will be offered that evening, as well.

The farm, now in its second year of operation, is a partnership between Ten Lakes Farm and Whitefish philanthropist Mike Goguen. Todd and Rebecca Ulizio founded Ten Lakes Farm near Eureka, then transplanted themselves to the Whitefish area when they outgrew their spot. Located at 1978 KM Ranch Road, Two Bear Farm is situated on 65 acres bordering the Stillwater River about seven miles west of Whitefish.

More information, as well as tickets to the farm-to-table dinner and wine pairing, are available at www.csckalispell.org, or call CSC Coordinator Schelene Browning at 752-0130.