The last weekend in January was a good one for lovers of good film and Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness. Against the backdrop of the Banff Mountain Film Festival at the Panida Theater in Sandpoint and then at the Kroc Center in Coeur d’ Alene, FSPW signed up over 40 new Friends. In its five years of existence, FSPW has had a table at the Banff Mountain Film Festival every year.
Michael Boge of Mountain Fever — who has been bringing the Film Festival to Sandpoint and Coeur d’Alene for over a decade — has consistently given FSPW permission to have a table in the lobby during these shows. FSPW tables and displays at BMFF over the years have brought in literally hundreds of Friends.
“The Film Festival has always been a good spot for us,” says Phil Hough, FSPW executive director. “It’s the event that keeps on giving.”
Volunteers Jacob Styer, Linsey Larson, Jim and Sandii Mellen, and Susan Compton signed on 33 new Friends over three nights in Sandpoint, January 28-30. Todd Dunfield and David Lindsay signed up 11 during the single night in Coeur d’ Alene, January 31. On top of that, a quanity of “swag” items were sold, including a good number of our new $5 T-shirt. The tables were also a good spot for “old” Friends to stop by and get caught up on what’s going on with our effort.
If you are looking for a volunteer opportunity for FSPW, tables at events like this and our booths at county fairs and local festivals are a very important part of the outreach portion of the Friends mission to obtain congressional wilderness designation for the Scotchman Peaks roadless area straddling the Idaho/Montana border. It’s fun, it’s easy and its good opportunity to meet new friends and make new Friends.
Look for the FSPW table March 16 at the next Banff Center show to come to the Panida, Radical Reels, again brought to Sandpoint by Mountain Fever. Bring a friend and turn them into a Friend.