Local Masons donate bikes, Kindles to kids

The Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Montana, or Thompson Falls Lodge #70, has been a large supporter of western Sanders County schools for more than 100 years. In the past, Lodge #70 has donated bikes to each of the elementary schools in Thompson Falls, Trout Creek and Noxon as an incentive for their reading programs. Donating the bikes proved very successful and the program has since been updated and split into two age groups with the younger ages still receiving a bike and helmet and the older age groups now receiving Kindles (electronic readers).

This year’s reading program winners from Noxon were, second grader Jasmin Orin, who received a bike, and fourth graders Jessy Hill, Miguel Fanning and fifth grader Brian Risch, who all received a Kindle. In Trout Creek third grader Arya Krick received a bike and fifth graders Megan Stover, Jazmyn Hancock and Gracie Hill received a Kindle. The Thompson Falls winners were Evan Lofthus receiving a bike, and the Kindle winners were Harlen Best, Kaylei Hinck and Madison Toyias.