Thursday, July 7
Stevi school facility committee
The Stevensville School Board Facility Committee will meet on Thursday, July 7 at 10 a.m. in the Superintendent’s office.
Art exhibit
Missoula Art Museum (MAM) is a place where artists are not afraid to use their work to speak out about the state of things. The diversity of their commentary says a good deal about the state. “Expressing Montana” is an exhibit, hour-long Montana Public Radio special, and event that focuses on social, political, and environmental commentary –poets, songwriters, visual artists — from right to left, from folk to fine, from rural to urban. “Expressing Montana” will be on display through August 28, with an Artists’ Reception on Thursday, July 7 from 5 to 8 p.m. An Artists’ Gallery Talk will also be held on July 7 at 5 p.m. Musical performances will be held July 7 from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Museum, 335 North Pattee, Missoula. Admission to all these events is free.
Some of the Montana artists featured in the exhibit include: Bill Ohrmann, Drummond, a metal sculptor and painter whose work portrays the consequence of environmental and social ills; Kate Davis, Florence, who learned metal sculpture from Ohrmann; Monte Yellow Bird Sr., Great Falls, collects antique documents and overlays American Indian iconography as a statement about American history; Dave Bogess, Butte, carves an iconoclastic vision of nature and society. Artists Toni Seccomb, Butte, and Kristi Hager, Missoula, make statements about greed, heart, and faith. Ray Jacobs of Eureka devotes his life to making as small an impact to the earth as possible. Even his guitars and other stringed instruments are built from found materials such as cardboard.
Performing at the Artists’ Reception on July 7 will be old-time songwriter Ray Jacobs, Poet Laureate of Montana Henry Realbird, satiric songwriter and rancher Sandy James, and Tongue River songwriter Martha Scanlan. A full list of exhibiting artists and performers will be available at missoulaartmuseum.org.
The exhibition was researched and assembled by guest curators Hal Cannon and Taki Telonidis. An archive of interviews and documentation form the basis of this project sponsored by the Western Folklife Center with generous support from the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation.
For more information contact the Missoula Art Museum at 728-0447, visit the MAM website at www.missoulaartmuseum.org or contact Stephen Glueckert, Exhibitions Curator, stevegl@missoulaartmuseum.org, 728-0447, x226.
Friday, July 8
Preschool playgroup
“Ready Set Play for Parents & Preschool Children” is held every Friday from July 8 through August 12 from 10:30 until 12 noon at the Local Living Family Center, 5501 Hwy 93N in Florence. Parents and other family members play an important role in supporting children’s growth and development. Development occurs at a unique pace for each child. The purpose of “ready set play” is to help parents and caregivers learn ways to support children’s learning through fun and interactive activities. Call 273-0142 to register. Go to www.locallivingfamilyctr.org to see the full schedule.
South Valley Pachyderm Club
Ravalli County Attorney Bill Fulbright will be speaking at the next meeting of the South Valley Pachyderm Club on Friday, July 8 at 12 noon at BJ’s Restaurant, 900 North 1st street, Hamilton.
Fulbright will be speaking about the work of his office. There will be opportunity for questions and discussion. The South Valley Pachyderm Club, which meets on the second and fourth Fridays of the month, is an officially recognized allied organization of the Republican Party. Members of the public are welcome.
Bull Riding Competition
The 3rd Annual Elite Bull Riding competition, to be held in Darby on July 8 and 9, expands the famously popular Professional Rodeo event to include a full day of Montana music, Rockin’ in the Root! Several Montana bands will be featured along with a talent competition for 10-18 year olds, seeking to find this year’s Bitterroot Icon! Cash prizes will be awarded to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners.
Derailed, Mae’d with a Kiss, Northern Lights, and Mad Anthony are the four outstanding Montana bands that will be featured. They each bring a different style of music for all to enjoy, including blue grass, folk, country and rock. All day admission to the rodeo grounds is $8/adults, $5/7 – 14 yr olds, with children 6 and under admitted free with an adult.
The Bitterroot Icon competition will begin on Friday, July 8 at 3 p.m. to be followed by the bands from 5 until 11:30 p.m. Singers must submit an application form and $10 entry fee to Music Box or Mountain Music in Hamilton, Valley Drug in Stevensville, or Darby City Hall.
Vendor spaces are available for the full weekend starting Friday, July 8 for the Rockin’ in the Root concert and through the July 9th Elite Bull Riding competition at the Rodeo Arena grounds on Hwy 93 North, Darby. For more information on the event, contact: katy@fromrivertoridge.com or call 370-8084.
Florence Civic Club Golf Scramble
It’s not too late to put a team together for the 15th Annual Florence Civic Club Golf Scramble on Friday, July 8 at Whitetail Golf Course in Stevensville. It promises to be an evening of fun, food, friendship …and prizes! If you don’t have a team, the club will try to put one together for you. The fundraiser is a 9-hole best-ball, preceded at 5:30 p.m. by dinner catered by Caffé Firenze. There will be a shotgun start at 6:05. Cost is $35 per person, which does not include golf cart rental. Each year specific community needs are selected as the recipients of the funds donated to this event by local businesses and individuals. This year funds will support the Florence Civic Club Scholarship Fund and trails in the Florence area. Your participation will make this a very special day. To obtain a registration form, contact Candi at 273-0002, or email par.montana@gmail.com. The Florence Civic Club is a citizen volunteer, community-based, non-profit organization dedicated to supporting and promoting community education and involvement in recreational, cultural, natural and economic interests to preserve and enhance our quality of life.
Saturday, July 9
Family Fun Dance
Healthy families dance together. Come boogie with your loved ones at the Family Fun Dance on Saturday, July 9, in Hamilton’s Legion Park. Dancing starts at 9:30 a.m. and continues until 12:30 p.m. This event will include performances by Chip Jasmin, GROOVZ Studio of Dance and Fitness, DancEFX, and River Street Dance Theater as well as group instruction on a variety of fun, silly dances such as the Bunny Hop, the Hokey Pokey, and The Twist. This event is free and open to all who want to have some family fun. For more information, contact the Coalition Team at SAFE by calling 363-2793.
Women’s bull riding clinic
Chicks N Chaps Women’s Bull Riding Clinic is coming to the Darby Rodeo Arena on Saturday, July 9 starting at 3 p.m. Ladies, come have fun for a great cause before the rodeo begins. Enjoy the exclusive Chick Pit Package. It includes premier parking and free entry to the Elite Bull Connection Rodeo event starting at 7 p.m. Private chick pit seating next to the bull chutes, chick goody bag, including a Pink Lady drink and full bar (with 4 extra drink tickets) and more. Enjoy fine hors d’oeuvres, opportunity to ride “Mighty Bucky”, practice your roping techniques, win great prizes, and bet on your favorite bull and rider. Have a fabulous girl’s night out for a great cause. Proceeds benefit Tough Enough to Wear Pink Montana, which provides funds to Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital to enable low income or under-insured Ravalli County women to have annual mammogram screenings. The cost is $45 per person. For more information or to register visit www.chicksnchaps.org or call 360-1712.
Sunday, July 10
Museum benefit
Join the Ravalli County Museum members at the Bitterroot Brewery in Hamilton on Sunday, July 10 for an afternoon of food, drinks, and live music from 3 to 6:30 p.m. to benefit the Ravalli County Museum. Purchase some fine local handcrafted items in the silent auction. Buy raffle tickets for the full-sized quilt made by members of the Newcomers Club. Take a chance in the 50/50 Raffle. All proceeds go to the Courtroom Restoration Fund for the Ravalli County Museum. The event is sponsored by the Bitterroot Women Newcomer’s Club. For more information contact Dona at 381-6444.
Monday, July 11
Summer dance workshop
River Street Dance Theater is hosting a dance workshop “Two Weeks, Twice the Fun” on July 11-July 22 at the studio, 421 N. 2nd St., Hamilton. Guest artists are Heather Adams Torma, director of the Downtown Dance Collective in Missoula, Laurel Wall-MacLane, dance artist from Corvallis, now in her second year of the Master’s degree program at Arizona State University, Cassy Kempf, talented dancer in her tenth year of study, and Pam Erickson, who holds a bachelor’s degree in dance from the University of California and is director at River Street. Dance styles offered in this workshop are Modern, Ballet, Jazz, Hip-hop, and Tap. Ages served are from age 9 and older. Call 363-1203 for a complete schedule.
Summer arts & crafts group
“A Palette of Fun” Arts and Crafts, a free activity for parents and their children 6 years and older, will be held Mondays, July 11 through August 15, from 10 a.m. until noon at the Local Living Family Center, 5501 93N in Florence. Amazing Math Games, Book Binding, Arts and Crafts! Call 273-0142 to register or visit www.locallivingfamilyctr.org to see the full schedule.
Family games group
“Quicksilver Adventure Games” for parents and their children 9 years and older will be held Tuesdays, July 11, 19 and 26 from 10 a.m. until 12 noon at the Local Living Family Center, 5501 93N in Florence. Initiative games are fun, cooperative and challenging games in which the group is confronted with a specific problem to be solved. The games demonstrate and teach leadership, promote exploration and demonstrate a process of thinking of about experiences that help explorers learn. Call 273-0142 to register for this free activity or go to www.locallivingfamilyctr.org to see the full schedule.
Wednesday, July 13
Women Newcomers’ Club
The Bitterroot Women Newcomers’ Club will meet on Thursday, July 14, at 10 a.m. at the Ravalli County Museum in Hamilton. The meeting will include social time, a business meeting, and a speaker from Ravalli County Weed Abatement Office. For more information, call Melanie Bakken, 777-9814.
Weekday farmers market
The Hamilton Farmers Market will hold a weekday evening Market on Wednesday, July 13 from 4 to 7 p.m. on Bedford Street in front of the Museum with music provided by the Bitterroot’s own Blue Melon. Come get a taste of locally grown and crafted products.
Thursday, July 14
Darby Library reception
The Darby Community Public Library will host a reception for Peggy Smith and Martha Hayes on Thursday, July 14 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the library. The public is invited to attend. The reception will honor the last two trustees serving from the original library board for their almost two decades of service. Their service spans the period when the Town of Darby Library changed from a small town library to the present day Darby Community Public Library.
Business classes
The Ravalli County Economic Development Authority (RCEDA), kicks off its 6th session of business planning and technology classes for summer starting with its first evening classes. QuickBooks classes will be offered from 6 to 9 p.m. starting Thursday, July 14. Excel starts the following Tuesday, July 19.
Schedule of classes is as follows:
• MS Excel Basics, $40, 2 class meetings: Tuesdays, July 19 & 26, 6-9 PM
- QuickBooks Basics $75 (includes pre-loaded flash drive), 3 class meetings, Thursdays, July 14,21 & 28, 6-9 PM. Package Deal: Excel and QuickBooks, $100.
- Business Plan I, $15, Wednesday July 13th, 9-11am.
- Business Plan II (Financials), $15, Wednesday July 20, 9-11am
- Marketing, $15, Wednesday July 27th, 9-11am
- Human Resources, $15, Wednesday August 3rd, 9-11am
- Choice of Business Entity on Capitalization and Taxes, $15, Wednesday August 10, 9-11am
- Debt and Alternative Financing, $15, Wednesday August 17, 9-11am. Package Deal: All six Business Basics Classes, $80.
To sign up or for more information contact RCEDA at 375-9416 or the Bitterroot College Program of the University of Montana at 375-0100, www.receda.org or www.umt.edu/bcp/continuingeducation.aspx
Fellowship Club
The Bitterroot Public Library’s Fellowship Club will be meeting on Thursday, July 14, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. to discuss “Feelings Buried Alive Never Die” by Karol K. Truman.
Karol Truman’s book provides a comprehensive and enlightening resource for getting in touch with unresolved feelings which, she explains, can distort not only happiness but also health and well-being.
Leaving no emotion unnamed and, in fact, listing around 750 labels for feelings, Truman helps identify problem areas and offers a “script” to help process the feelings, replacing the negative feeling with a new, positive outlook. Taking the reader on a journey to the center of his Be-ing and his “heart of gold,” the book combines a supportive, common-sense, results-oriented approach to a problem that is widespread and that can stop people from living fully.
Karol Truman is a self-published author of three very successful books and an accomplished pianist and music instructor. She has been exploring health and healing for over 40 years. Karol is also a remedial counselor, therapist, and a true teacher assisting others in achieving success in their endeavors as well as emotional and spiritual wellbeing.
The Fellowship Club meets every second Thursday of the month in the West Meeting Room of the Bitterroot Public Library and is free and open to anyone seeking to promote individual and collective wellbeing.
Call 363-1670, or email jacostant@gmail.com for more information.
Friday, July 15
Forest Moon Walk
The Bitterroot National Forest will host a “Nocturnal Fish Moon Walk” on Friday, July 15 at Blodgett Canyon Campground and trail, Stevensville Ranger District. Trout are cold-blooded creatures that are strongly influenced by light and temperature. In mountain streams, trout essentially have two seasons – winter and summer. When trout “winter” sets in, fish behavior dramatically changes. Come learn about these behavior changes from a fisheries biologist from the Bitterroot National Forest as you walk along Blodgett Creek under the July moon.
Saturday, July 16
Animal Rescues Party
Montana Companion Animal Network (MTCAN), along with other animal rescues and shelters, is helping celebrate Petfinder.com’s 15th birthday by holding an adoption event on Saturday, July 16 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Murdoch’s Ranch & Home Supply (formerly Quality Supply), Hwy 93 South in Hamilton. Animal welfare organizations throughout North America and beyond will be participating in this birthday celebration, with a nationwide goal of 15,000 adoptions on the weekend of July 15-17.
Petfinder, the largest and most successful online venue for adoptable pets, was launched in early 1996 and has facilitated an estimated 17 million adoptions. The site is free to both visitors and the more than 13,000 animal welfare groups that post their pets there. On a national level the public is invited to sign a Petfinder birthday card at www.petfinder.com/birthday.
The local event will feature healthy, adoptable pets from MTCAN’s Dawg Gone Acres, the Bitter Root Humane Association, Feral Cat Rescue and more. The new animal control officer for Ravalli County will be available for questions and answers. Bring the family out to visit with all the wonderful animals, enjoy some birthday cupcakes and free balloons for all the kids. For more information visit www.mtcan.org or email info@mtcan.org
NV Library ‘Cheap Movie Night’
Looking for family entertainment this summer? Did you know that every third Saturday of the month North Valley Public Library shows a free movie? The movies all have a family theme with ratings of G or PG. This month the library will be showing a film about a girl living on a South Pacific island who contacts her favorite author to help her when her scientist father goes missing. Come down on Saturday, July 16 at 6 p.m. to watch the movie on a big screen with your family. Doors open at 5:45. Popcorn is provided. Bring your own non-alcoholic drinks. North Valley Public Library is located at 208 Main Street, Stevensville. For more information on the movie, call 777-5061.
Monday, July 18
Our Savior Lutheran VBS
Our Savior Lutheran Church of Stevensville holds this summer’s Vacation Bible School July 18 through 22, for ages 3 through 12. Jesus says, “I Am…” seven times in the Gospel of John: “I am the Good Shepherd.” “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” “I am the Door.” “I am the Light of the World. ” “I am the Bread of Life.” “I am the True Vine.” “I am the Resurrection and the Life.”
At Our Savior’s VBS the children will learn what each of these statements means. They will learn how these “I Am” statements teach about Holy Baptism, Holy Communion, the Holy Gospel, the Holy Ministry, and the resurrection of the flesh. They will learn the true meaning of the person and work of Jesus Christ by reaching a real understanding of these unique “I Am” statements.
Bring your beloved child or grandchild to Our Savior’s VBS to learn the great mysteries of the “I Am.” Classes run from 9 to 11:30 a.m., the week of July 18. Call 777-5625, Monday, Wednesday or Friday mornings for more information. Our Savior, located at 184 Pine Hollow Road, is affiliated with the Lutheran Church––Missouri Synod. To find the church, head south from Stevensville on the Eastside Highway. One mile past the intersection of Middle Burnt Fork Road, turn east on Pine Hollow. Cross the tracks and the canal, and the church will be on the left, marked by three crosses.
UM science adventure camp
Registration is now open for “MOLLI Summer Adventures in Science: Connecting the Circle,” a summer camp for children ages 6 through 12 and their grandparents hosted by the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at The University of Montana. The science day camp will run Monday and Tuesday, July 18-19 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Participants will learn from one another in scientific exploration through classroom and field experiences, starting with the “Mr. G Science Show” with Glenn Govertsen, who has taught physics at Missoula’s Sentinel High School for more than 30 years and is a recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science Teaching.
The following summer camp courses are designed for children 6 to 9 years old:
• Incredible Edible Bugs with Annika Johns, UM graduate and recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence.
• Explosive Chemistry with a team led by Amanda Lockwood, spectrUM Discovery Area educator.
• Farm to Table with Jason Mandala, Garden City Harvest community education director.
The following courses are available for children 9 to 12 years old:
• Bones & Stones with Garry Kerr, UM Department of Anthropology lecturer.
• Buzz about Bees with UM Professor Jerry Bromenshenk and Bee Alert field technician Scott Debnam.
• Robotics Sensory Garden with spectrUM Discovery Area operational manager Jessie Herbert and software engineer and guest spectrUM educator Will Bain.
The summer camp costs $100 per adult and child pair. A $20 MOLLI membership also is required for adults who wish to participate. The membership allows registration for lifelong learning courses offered through the institute each spring and autumn at UM. Those who purchase a membership for this year’s summer camp will be eligible to register for all MOLLI courses offered through June 30, 2012.
Full summer camp course descriptions, information about instructors and registration forms are online at http://www.umt.edu/molli. For more information, call Dannette Fadness of UM’s School of Extended Studies and Lifelong Learning at 243-2905.
Friday, July 22
HHS Class of ’81 reunion
The Hamilton High School Class of 1981 will be holding its class reunion July 22-24. For list of events contact Brent Huseby at 363-4226 to leave a message for Lisa Green-Dow at 406-381-9258. Or for more information go to Facebook at Hamilton High School.
Saturday, July 23
Darby Library family event
The Darby Community Public Library’s Summer Reading Program, “One World, Many Stories,” closes with a celebration on Saturday, July 23 at 11 a.m. There will be some “out of this world” fun, and a sneak peak at the 80 new children and young adult books received from a Libri Foundation grant and the Friends of the Darby Library.
The event will begin with a blast at 11 a.m. in the library for the Astronaut and Rocket Family Event with special guest speaker, Barbara Barrett. Learn what it takes to be an astronaut, make a rocket, and sample space food.
Finally, gather for the Summer Reading Program Raffle Drawings and borrow one of the new books donated by the Libri Foundation, the Friends of the Darby Library, and Hal Berenson and Laura Ackerman.
Clubs and Groups
Hamilton Senior Center activities
Monday – 11:45 lunch, cloggers at 1:30 p.m.; bingo on 1st & 3rd weeks, pinochle on 2nd week, 7 p.m.
Tuesday – line dancing at 9:30 a.m., cloggers at 3 p.m., stompers 7-9pm
Wednesday – 11:45 lunch, bridge at 1 p.m., cloggers at 5 p.m.
Thursday – exercise at 9 a.m.; pinochle on 3rd week, 1 p.m.
Friday – line dancing at 9:30 a.m., 11:45 lunch
Saturday – flea market every 2nd Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Special Bingo at noon, June 4
Sunday – bridge, 1 p.m., Variety Show 7pm June 5, Church of Christ Potluck, 12:30pm June 12
Stevi Senior Center activities
Mon-Friday – Lunch, 11:30 a.m.
Monday – Bridge and Special Music, noon
Monday & Saturday – Pinochle, 7 p.m.
Tuesday – Exercise class, 10-11 a.m.
2nd Tuesday – Quilters, 6:30 p.m.
Every Other Wednesday – Fiddlers at Lunch
3rd Wednesday – Special Birthday Dinner, noon, with music. Blood pressures taken.
Thursday – Exercise class, 10-11 a.m.
1st & 3rd Thursday – American Legion Bingo, 7 p.m.
For more information call the Center at 777-5681 04 777-5707.
Victor Senior Center activities
Sundays – AA meeting, 7 p.m.
Monday-Thursday – Men’s Coffee, 8:30-10 a.m.
Monday-Friday – Lunch, 11:30 a.m. Includes main course, salad bar, beverage, dessert. Senior donation $3.25, under 60 years $5.75. (RSVP 642-3320)
Tuesdays – Bingo, 7 p.m.
Wednesdays – Pinochle, 7 p.m.
Fridays – Ladies’ Coffee, 10-11 a.m.
Golden Agers
The Golden Age group meets every Friday from 7:30 to 10 p.m. at 727 S. 5th in Hamilton. If you are a senior citizen and are bored, looking for fun or just want something new to experience, attend and enjoy good food, live music, dancing and fellowship. Cost is $5 per couple and $3 per single. Snacks are potluck. Exercise classes are held every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 9 a.m. Blood pressure is checked every first Wednesday of the month. Also on the first Wednesday of every month a potluck is held at 12:30 p.m. followed by the business meeting. Card parties are held on the second Wednesday at 7 p.m. On the last Wednesday of the month a birthday party is held at 2 p.m.
Al-Anon
Stevensville Al-Anon Group meets each Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at the
North Valley Public Library. Anyone who is affected by the compulsive
drinking of a relative or friend is invited. For more information call
721-5818.
Gamblers Anonymous
Gamblers Anonymous meets Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. at St. Francis Catholic Church, 411 S. 5th Street in Hamilton.
TOPS
Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS), a weight loss support group, meets in Stevensville every Thursday at 9 a.m. at the Community Baptist Church, 409 Buck Street. Guests are always welcome. Call Jerry Sue at 777-5355 for more information.
VFW meetings
VFW Post 1430 meets the first Monday of every month at 8 p.m. at the American Legion Hall in Hamilton.
Florence American Legion
The Florence American Legion Post 134 meets the first Monday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Florence Fire Hall. For further information contact Post Commander Jim Hamilton at 777-3948.
Stevensville American Legion
The Stevensville American Legion Post 94 meets on the third Tuesday of every month at 7:30 p.m. at the Post Home on Middle Burnt Fork Road. For more information contact Jerry Esmay, 777-5517.
American Legion Auxiliary
Fort Owen Post 94, Stevensville, American Legion Auxiliary meets the first Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. Call 777-4335 for location.
Corvallis American Legion
The Corvallis American Legion Post 91 meets the third Thursday of every month at 7:30 p.m. in the Corvallis High School library. For further information contact Post Commander Alex Ivanoff at 961-8997 or Post Adjutant Roy Meyer, 961-4272.
WIC clinics
A WIC clinic is offered in Hamilton Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. at 205 Bedford St, Suite P, District Courthouse building in Hamilton.
The Stevensville clinic is open on Wednesdays at the United Methodist Church, 216 College St. in Stevensville. The Victor clinic is open the second Monday of the month at the Victor Nazarene Church. The Darby clinic is open every other month, the third Monday of the month at the Darby Library. For more information call 375-6685.
Sapphire Quilt Club
The Sapphire Quilt Club meets monthly on the second Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the Stevensville Senior Center, 100 Mission Street. Teaching of short cuts and easy techniques begin at 6:30 p.m. Join this fun group of people to learn about quilting. For information, contact Linda Powell at 777-1070.
Grief Support Groups
When you grieve the death of a loved one, you sometimes hide it so others think you’re over your sorrow and loss. Marcus Daly Hospice offers an opportunity to share grieving experiences and grow from them.
For the men in our community dealing with the death of a loved one, Marcus Daly Hospice offers a men’s breakfast support group. The Men’s Bereavement Support Breakfast meets at 9 a.m. every second and fourth Friday of the month in the Marcus Daly Hospice dining room. Breakfast is provided for a $3 donation per person. Call 375-4752 to reserve your spot.
For anyone in our community dealing with the loss of a loved one, Tuesday afternoons from 2-3:30 p.m. a bereavement support group meets in the Marcus Daly Hospice Center living room. All are welcome.
For more information, call Cathy Palmer, LCPC, Bereavement Coordinator, at 363-6503.
Spanish conversation group
Habla Espanol? Do you travel? Do you work with Latinos? Do you just want to keep your mind sharp? If you are a beginner or just a bit rusty, join the Stevi Spanish Conversation Group at the North Valley Public Library Wednesdays from 6 to 7 pm to brush up on your Spanish language skills. This is not a class to learn to speak Spanish. It will be an informal, weekly gathering to practice speaking the Spanish language. The focus will be role playing for situations experienced during travel and everyday life. For more information, call the library at 777-5061.
Soroptimists
Soroptimist International of Hamilton meets the first, second and third Thursdays of each month at noon at BJ’s Restaurant. Soroptimist is a worldwide organization for women in management and professions working through service projects to advance human rights and the status of women. All interested business women are encouraged to attend.
Rotary Club
The Hamilton Rotary Club meets Mondays, 12 noon at BJ’s Restaurant, 900 N. First Street, Hamilton. For information about Rotary, call 363-2960.
PFLAG Chapter
Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) meets every third Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, in the basement, 600 S. 3rd St., Hamilton in order to offer support to families and friends of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people in the local community. Chapter representatives Dr. Michael Moran and Terry Moran list one of PFLAG’s primary objectives as maintaining families in loving relationships and to keep families together.
For more information contact Terry Moran, 363-7656.
Center for Spiritual Living
The Center for Spiritual Living, Bitterroot Valley meets every Sunday at 10 a.m. at the South Valley Child & Family Center, 515 Madison St. in Hamilton. Learn and share while celebrating our individual and collective spiritual growth. Services are based on Ernest Holmes’ Science of Mind philosophy and support positive global transformation through personal spiritual practice (visit the website: UnitedCentersforSpiritualLiving.org/). Transportation to the Sunday gatherings can be arranged from several communities in the Bitterroot Valley. For more information, contact Barb at 375-9996 or Dave at 381-2355; or email: BitterrootCSL@gmail.com/.
Legion bingo
B-I-N-G-O! Join American Legion Fort Owen Post 94, in Stevensville, for free popcorn and an entertaining evening of bingo. The action starts at 7 p.m. at the Senior Center in Stevensville on the first and third Thursdays of the month. All prizes are cash and proceeds go to support American Legion youth activities.
Valley Veterans Services
Ever wonder what VA benefits you’re entitled to? Valley Veterans Service Center provides free assistance to veterans and their dependents in filing claims with the VA. Valley Veterans Service Center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Stop by for a visit or call for an appointment at 363-9838. The center is located at 299 Fairgrounds Road, Suite 4 in Hamilton or online at http://valleyveteransservicecenter.org/
Veteran-to-Veteran (V2V) meetings
The V2V outreach group meets every Friday morning at 8 a.m. in the backroom at BJ’s Restaurant in Hamilton. These informal meetings are for all veterans. Many veterans have both unresolved and resolved issues from their experiences in the military that impact their lives. At the meetings participants can discuss whatever they want and the outreach group gives veterans an opportunity to get together to share information and talk about issues. For further information contact Dan Mayer, 360-5435, from the Bitterroot Chapter of the Vietnam Veterans of America.
Vietnam Veterans of America
The Bitterroot Chapter #938 of the Vietnam Veterans of America meets the first Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. at 319 N. 3rd. Vietnam era veterans often need assistance with problems and issues and many have similar stories. The Bitterroot Chapter VVA is your organization to provide the opportunity to obtain and share information, to organize grass root activities, lend a helping hand, and offer assistance to all veterans in dealing with the Veterans Administration. Also, through the National VVA organization, the local chapter supplies input to state and federal government legislators on issues important to veterans. For more information contact George Mayer, 360-5435.
Waldorf Inspired Parent-Child
Waldorf Inspired Parent-Child meets Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for creative play, songs, stories, crafts, cooking, baking and nature walks. All families, expectant parents, and children birth to 6 years are welcome. For more information and location contact Kim at 369-0213. This Early Childhood Education Program as well as seasonal workshops and festivals for the community are sponsored by The Bitterroot School. Visit www.thebitterrootschool.com and www.whywaldorfworks.com to find out more about this and other programs.
Veterans affairs clinics
Andrea Montee, Service Officer for the Montana Veterans Affairs Division in Missoula, will be available to veterans and their dependents that have questions or need to file a claim with the Dept. of Veterans Affairs on the second Tuesday of every month from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at the Stevensville Town Council Chambers and from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Hamilton Job Service office. She will also be at the Job Service office every fourth Wednesday of the month from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. For more information call 542-2501.
Trap Club
The Hamilton Trap Club is open every Wednesday and Sunday from 12 noon until dusk unless people get done shooting trap before dusk. For more information contact Dick or Cheryl Wallis at 546-3856. The Trap Club is located at the Hamilton Airport.
Bitterroot Toastmasters
Bitterroot Toastmasters Club meets Wednesdays from 12 to 1 p.m. at Perkins Restaurant in Hamilton with optional no host lunch before or after. Meetings are designed to build confidence and skills in communication and leadership. Guests are welcome. Call Douglas at 381-3214 for more information.
Toddler story time
It’s never too early to introduce your baby or toddler to the wonderful world of books and reading. Together you will discover the joy of songs, finger plays, simple books and bouncing rhymes. The toddler story time for babies through age 2 meets every Friday at 10:30 a.m. in the downstairs meeting room of the Bitterroot Public Library. Toddler story time lasts approximately 45 minutes. For more information, call 363-1670.
Safety seat fitting station
Mildenberger Motors will be teaching families how to safely transport their children on the first Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The dealership will serve as the site of a monthly child safety seat checkup event to help ensure that children are using car seats, booster seats and seat belts the right way on every ride. At these events, nationally certified child passenger safety technicians will teach families how to transport children correctly. The events are open to the public. Appointments are encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome. To make an appointment call Lonie Hutchison at 546-9640 or 258-3880.
American Sign Language Group
An American Sign Language Bible discussion group meets Wednesday evenings from 7:30 to 8 p.m. at the Kingdom Hall, 1115 S. Reserve St., Missoula. For more information contact Tom Gacek, 777-0747, aslgal@rocketmail.com.
Elks dinner
The Elks Club at 203 State Street in Hamilton serves dinner to the public every Wednesday at 6 p.m. The $8.50 complete meal includes dessert and coffee. Proceeds help to aid Elks charities. For more information call 363-3031.
Sabre Soccer meetings
Stevensville Sabre Soccer meetings are held the third Monday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Main Street Association building in Stevensville. The general public and all interested parties are welcome to attend. For more information contact Brooke Flynn at 880-2903.
Bitterroot Connections
Bitterroot Connections referral group (a sub-network of the Missoula Businesswomen’s Network) meets monthly for lunch from noon to 1 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month at the Hamilton Perkins Restaurant. Looking to grow your business? Come and meet a group of supportive women who get to know each other through member spotlight presentations, educational topics, and the referral and promotion of each other’s businesses. Call Sue Gust at 360-0820 or e-mail suegust@kikapaprika.com for more information or visit www.discovermbn.com for additional opportunities.
Empowerment group
The Bitterroot Empowerment group (a sub-network of the Missoula Businesswomen’s Network) meets the first Thursday of every month at Perkins Restaurant in Hamilton from noon to 1 p.m. Participate in an experience that can help you reach your goals, both personal and business related. Programs have a wide range of interest varying from month to month but the feeling of support and camaraderie will remain constant. Call Jane Foster at 406-531-9556 or 777-2280 or email Jane@fosterandfosterfs.com for more information or visit www.discovermbn.com for additional opportunities.
Fiber Arts Guild
Big Sky Fiber Arts Guild meets the last Saturday of every month. If you are a wool spinner or work with fibers, contact Shelley at 777-5205 or Marty at 777-2421 for location or information.
Women Helping Women
Want to be a healthily you? Looking for a support group to help you lose unwanted pounds? Women Helping Women meets Tuesday mornings at 9:30 a.m. at the Conner Wesleyan Church, 4674 Hwy 93, seven miles south of Darby. For more information call 821-3570.
Canyon View MOPS
MOPS International (Mothers of Preschoolers) is a non-profit organization dedicated to encouraging and developing mothers to reach their full potential. The Canyon View MOPS group meets at Canyon View Church off Skalkaho on the first and third Wednesdays of each month from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. For more information, contact Jen at 375-9183.
Men’s Bereavement Breakfast
Marcus Daly Hospice sponsors a monthly Men’s Bereavement Support Breakfast on the second and fourth Friday of each month at 9 a.m. in the Marcus Daly Hospice Dining Room. This is a special opportunity for men coping with the loss of a spouse or loved one to gather and share their journey of healing. Informal discussions are led by a trained Bereavement Facilitator and cover topics such as, embracing our grief, personal growth, forming new relationships, and more. Interested parties can contact Cathy Palmer, MFT, Marcus Daly Hospice Bereavement Coordinator at 363-6503. A donation of $3.00 for breakfast is greatly appreciated.
Mindful Recovery support group
A peer-directed support group meets Thursdays from noon to 1 p.m. at the Bison Internet Café, 164 S. 3rd in Hamilton. People in recovery from mental illness and/or substance abuse or addiction can find support and mentor help from group participants. All interested persons are invited to attend. The Café is closed during meeting times. For more information, leave a message at 363-2222.
Darby Library story time
Reading to young children helps develop good reading skills while igniting their imaginations. The Darby Community Public Library offers two Preschool Story Times every Monday at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. All children from age one to five are welcome to come with a caregiver for interactive stories, games, songs, and fun activities that focus on letter and number recognition, and the joy of reading.
Acoustic music jam sessions
Everyone is invited to the music jam sessions at the Rocky Mountain Grange Hall south of Hamilton each Sunday afternoon from 2 to 4 p.m. Players of all levels are invited to bring their guitars, mandolins, harmonicas, fiddles, banjos, Dobros, or other acoustic instrument. Music includes old-time country, swing, cowboy, folk, old standards, etc. There is no charge for admission. And folks who just want to listen are encouraged to come – it’s always more fun with an audience. And don’t forget the monthly concert: The Bitterroot Valley Good-Time Jamboree. It’s the first Saturday of each month from 7 to 9:30 p.m., also at The Grange. The Grange Hall is located about a mile south of town at 1436 South 1st Street (93 highway), just south of the Valley Pet Clinic. For more information call Clem, 961-4949.
Ragtime Society
The Bitterroot Valley Ragtime Society meets on the first Saturday of each month from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Hamilton Pub in Victor. There is no charge for membership, all are welcome. Come on out and listen to some vintage American music from the ragtime and early jazz era! For further information call 916-759-3168.
Book discussions
The Bitterroot Public Library offers a “Brown Bag It” Book discussion group on the last Thursday of the month from noon to 1 p.m. in the West Meeting Room. Newcomers are welcome.
July 28 – “Cutting for Stone: A Novel” by Abraham Verghesa
August 25 – “Daughter of Fortune” by Isabel Allende
September 30 – “The Innocent Man” by John Grisham
October 27 – “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” by Mark Twain
November 17 – “Siddhartha” by Herman Hess
December – “A Hope in the Unseen” by Ron Suskind
Grace Lutheran Preschool registration
Grace Lutheran Learning Center in Hamilton is accepting preschool registrations. Fall preschool starts in September and will run through May. There are half day and full day openings. Call 363-1924; space is limited.
NV Library story time
The North Valley Public Library Story Time, a program for preschool age children will meet on Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. in the Community Room of the library. The special Story Time theme for this summer is “Nature’s Little Explorers.” Children will read books, have a nutritious snack, and make a craft or do an activity outside. Contact Patricia at 777-5061 for more information.
Military Kids Campout
The Hamilton Rotary club is sponsoring the second annual Military Kids Campout to be held at Lake Como July 28-30. Children ages 8 to 12 of active duty military personnel are invited to attend. There are many fun activities planned at no cost to the military families. There is a limit of 20 participants so sign up early. For more information and a registration form go to hamiltonmtrotary.org.
Summer reading program
Read your way to the Ravalli County Fair – join a summer reading program at your local Public Library and earn a chance to win an all day carnival ride pass or 4-day event pass courtesy of the Ravalli County Fairgrounds! Information on summer reading programs can be found at: Bitterroot Public Library, www.bitterrootpubliclibrary.org, 363-1670; Darby Public Library, www.darbylibrary.net, 821-4771; North Valley Public Library, www.northvalleylibrary.org, 777-5061.
Bitterroot growers’ market
The Bitterroot Valley Growers’ Market is held every Saturday from 9 a.m.to 1 p.m. at Caffe Firenze in Florence. The market features all locally grown and locally made products. Vendor spaces are free. Call Eric or Suzanne at 777-0709 for more information.
Clothing drive
The 2nd Annual School Clothing Drive continues through August 12. Drop off locations are Super 1 outside of Ravalli County Bank, Farmers State Bank, and Leaps ‘n Bounds on Main Street in Stevensville. Items needed are shirts, pants, coats, hats, mittens, socks, underwear (new only), shoes, winter boots, backpacks, and school supplies. All sizes from Infant to Adult will be accepted – new items are preferred but gently used (no holes, broken zippers or missing buttons) will be accepted. Distribution is August 18 and 19 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church, 402 Church Street, Stevensville. Any remaining items will be brought to the Clothes Closet on August 20. For information or if you need to schedule a pick up, contact Beth Perkins at 207-5748.
Summer lunch program
The North Valley Public Library and the St. Mary’s Mission Parish have partnered to host a free lunch program every Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the St. Mary’s Family Center through August 12 for children 18 and under. (Adults may purchase a lunch for $3.50.) Volunteers are needed to help prepare, serve and clean-up. For more information or to volunteer to help, call Patricia Meakin at 531-8338 or Rita Pfau at 546-8916. St. Mary’s Family Center is located at 333 Charlos Street, Stevensville.
Library summer matinees
Watch a movie at the Bitterroot Public Library on the first and third Fridays of the month at 3:30 p.m. in the Meeting Room. Admission is free. For details call 363-1670.