Scarecrow Contest
Do you have a great idea for a scarecrow? Would you like to win up to $200? You can, by entering the 6th Annual Stevensville Scarecrow Contest on First Friday, October 7. Pick up an entry from at The Paper Clip in Hamilton, The Bitterroot Star or Rivers Mist Gallery in Stevensville or go on line to www.sassart.org. Prizes are given for people’s choice 1st $200, 2nd $100, 3rd $50 and artistic merit $50. Anyone can enter so get those creative juices flowing and sign up today. Deadline for entries is Friday, September 30.
Pumpkin carving contest
Call for Jack-O-Lanterns! First Friday, October 7, there will be a contest for the best carved and decorated Jack-O-Lanterns. In partnership with SASS and the Scarecrow Festival, the Stevensville Main Street Association will be hosting a Jack-O-Lantern contest at the Creamery Park on Main Street.
Bring your carved pumpkin to Creamery Park next to the New Coffee Mill on Main Street by 7 p.m. on First Friday. Carved pumpkins will be displayed at Creamery Park and judging will be completed by 8 p.m. Winners will be posted at the Park. Prizes will be awarded for the best carved pumpkins in the following categories: Grades 1-6, Grades 7-12, and Adults. Prizes will be awarded in Main Street gift certificates for the first place winners in each of the three categories. There is no entry fee and anyone can enter. Be creative and participate; it will be a fun evening for all! Entry blanks are available at Valley Drug and Variety, the Bitterroot Star, Rocky Mountain Bank and the Stevensville Main Street Office. For more information, call 777-3773.
Wednesday, September 28
BPL preschool story time
Preschoolers are invited to meet in the children’s corner of the Bitterroot Public Library on Wednesday, September 28 to enjoy “Underwater Adventures” with storyteller Jennifer Crawford. Story time begins at 10:30 a.m. and is designed for children 3-5 years of age. All story times are free and open to the public. For information, call 363-1670.
NVPL preschool story time
Preschool story time will be held Wednesday, September 28 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. in the North Valley Public Library Community Room. Help your child gain important early literacy skills and music appreciation at Music Makers! Join Melissa Sparks as she leads the group through an educational and fun music and storytelling hour. Sing songs, dance, play instruments, participate in fingerplays, read and share a delicious and healthy snack. This week’s theme is all about animals!
Library book sale
The 2011 Annual Friends of the Bitterroot Public Library Used Book Sale continues through Saturday, October 1 in the downstairs Community Room in the Bitterroot Public Library at 306 State St. in Hamilton. Sale dates and hours are Wednesday, Sept 28 from 12 noon to 8 p.m., Thursday and Friday, Sept. 29 and 30 from 12 noon to 6 p.m., and Saturday, Oct. 1 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday all day will be the ever-popular Bag Sale when all the items that can be stuffed in a grocery bag are $3 a bag or 2 bags for $5 – bring you own bags if possible. Another popular feature of the book sale is free books all week long outside on the sidewalk and in the gazebo. On Saturday after 2 p.m. there will be a Truckload Sale – $15.00 per load! Bring your own truck and load it up! A silent auction of special books ends at 2 p.m. on Saturday. All proceeds from the book sale go to benefit the Bitterroot Public Library. For information contact the Bitterroot Public Library at 363-1670.
Bitterroot College steering committee
The steering committee for the Bitterroot College Program of The University of Montana will hold its monthly meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 28 at 3 p.m. in the Human Resource Council Building Meeting Room, l316 N. 3rd St. in Hamilton.
The BCP steering committee is a public board and welcomes members of the public to observe and participate at its meetings.
Agenda topics will include operational, educational planning and fiscal issues. The meeting agenda and supplemental meeting materials are available on the BCP website at http://www.umt.edu/bcp (click on “Meetings” under “Steering Committee”), by calling BCP Director Victoria Clark at 375-0100 or by emailing victoria.clark@umontana.edu.
Thursday, September 29
Blood drive
Someone in Montana needs blood every 27 minutes. Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital and the American Red Cross are having a blood drive on Thursday, September 29 from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. in the Marcus Daly Conference Rooms B & C. Approximately 39,000 units of blood are used in the USA daily. The need is constant. Give blood and save a life. Make an appointment by calling Gary Schulz at 375-4451. Donors, remember to eat complete meals and drink plenty of water before donating blood and for more information visit www.mdmh.org.
Hunter blind drawing
The hunter blind drawing and pre-hunting meeting for the opening weekend (October 1 and 2) of the 2011 waterfowl season on Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge will take place on Thursday, September 29 at 7 p.m. in the Okefenokee Room of the Lee Metcalf NWR Headquarters/Visitors Center building on Wildfowl Lane. Anyone interested in hunting waterfowl on Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge on opening weekend must attend. Participants must bring the following information to be eligible for the drawing: ALS #, Federal duck stamp, and photo identification.
Devotional singing
Take a little time to enjoy harmonies and easy melodies from the world’s spiritual traditions through devotional singing on Thursday, September 29 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at 607 B Grantsdale Road, Hamilton. There will be live music accompaniment and no experience is necessary. All are welcome. The singing is led by Brian Vayu Jameson whose gentle nature and humor encourages the shy singers. For more information contact Brian at 381-0617.
Friday, September 30
A Car Seat Safety Class will be held Friday, September 30 from 10:30 to noon, at the Local Living Family Center during Ready!Set!Play! regular time. Car seat safety information for parents will be facilitated by Heidi Kestrel. Activity, snack, and story time will also be provided. Low cost car seats will be available to purchase. Local Living Family Center is located at 5501 Hwy 93 N, Suite 3, by the Town Pump in Florence. All activities are free. Call for more information, 273-0142.
Stevensville Playhouse production
“Something’s Afoot” is a musical spoof that takes a satirical jab at the Agatha Christie ‘who dunit?’ murder mysteries. Ten people are stranded in an isolated English country estate during a raging thunderstorm. One by one they are killed in mysterious (and hilarious) ways as they try to discover the murderer’s identity. The situation is complicated by rising floodwaters, power failures and suspicious behaviors carefully noted by Miss Tweed, an elderly amateur detective. Show dates are Sept. 30, Oct. 1, 7-8 and 14-15 at 8 p.m. with matinees Oct. 2, 9 and 16 at 2 p.m. Tickets: adults $10 advance purchase/$12 at the door; children $8 advance purchase/$10 at the door. For reservations call 777-2722.
Saturday, October 1
Apple Day Demolition Derby
The Apple Day Demolition Derby will be held at the Ravalli County Fairgrounds, on Saturday, October 1. The gates open at 3 p.m. and the Derby starts at 4:00. Tickets are $10.00 for all, children under 5 are free. Go to ravallicountyfair.org for rules and application or Ravalli Fairgrounds on Facebook for updates. For more information call the fairgrounds at 363-3411, 8-4, Monday-Friday.
Hamilton Players auditions
The Hamilton Players will be holding auditions for the hilarious holiday comedy: “Every Christmas Story Ever Told (and then some!)” on Sunday, October 2, at 7 p.m. at the Hamilton Playhouse (100 Ricketts Rd., Hamilton). Roles are available for 3 men or women, ages 16 and up. Perusal scripts are available from Chapter One Book Store in Hamilton. Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script. No experience necessary. For more information, call the Hamilton Players Box Office at 375-9050, M-F, 1-5 p.m.
Sunday, October 2
Life Chain demonstration
The annual Life Chain will be held Sunday, October 2 from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. in Hamilton. Join with Christians from thirty valley churches in taking a stand against abortion. Participants will hold signs as they line both sides of Hwy. 93 in Hamilton. The event will include prayer and meditation against abortion. Pick up a sign at the corner of Pennsylvania and Hwy 93. Call 360-1485 for more information.
Monday, October 3
Stevi school menu
October 3-7
Monday: Breakfast – Cereal, fruit, milk; Lunch – Quesadilla, glazed carrots, pineapple
Tuesday: Breakfast – Pancakes, fruit, milk; Lunch: Chicken fajita, lettuce, salsa, apples
Wednesday: Breakfast – Fruit bar, fruit, milk; Lunch – BBQ pork riblets, stir-fry veggies, rice, honeydew melon
Thursday: Breakfast – Waffle, fruit, milk; Lunch – Beef stew, tossed salad, bananas
Friday: Breakfast – Cereal, fruit, milk; Lunch – chicken patty sandwich, potato salad, apricots.
Homeschool choir program
Heartsong Music Studio is offering a homeschool choir program beginning Monday, October 3 in Hamilton. Rehearsals will be on Mondays and Thursdays from 2:15 to 3 p.m. No audition is necessary, but a love of singing is a plus! For more information contact Dawn Matt, Choir Director, at 363-8951.
Corvallis Harvest Dinner
The Corvallis United Methodist Church will hold its annual Harvest Dinner and Dessert Auction (silent and open) on Monday, October 3 from 5 to 7 p.m. A free will offering will be taken. The church is located at the corner of Eastside Highway and Cemetery Road, 1 mile south of the Woodside Cuttoff Road.
Tuesday, October 4
Parenting classes
Parenting with Love and Logic will be held every Tuesday and Thursday from October 4-October 18, 9 to 11 a.m. at the Local Living Family Center. Classes are for parents of children 4-14. Each class will cover a different topic in how to parent with Love and Logic. A light snack will be provided. Call for more information, 273-0142. Childcare is available upon request. Register early. The Local Living Family Center is located at 5501 Hwy 93 N, Suite 3, by the Town Pump, in Florence.
Wednesday, October 5
Stevensville Garden Club
The Stevensville Garden Club will meet Wednesday, October 5 at 1 p.m. to get answers to all questions about growing roses in our valley. Ray Hoffman, Master Consulting Rosarian, will be the speaker. Then on Wednesday, November 9, the club will hold a workshop on holiday wreaths. For more information on both events call Nina at 239-5361 or JoAnne at 961-5642.
Speechcraft program
Want to feel more comfortable about public speaking? Want to sharpen your communication skills? A 6-week Speechcraft program designed to ease anxiety in speaking and to improve fluency is being offered by the Bitterroot Toastmasters Club. Participants learn to handle prepared and impromptu speaking situations by practicing in a friendly, non-threatening environment while being assisted individually by friendly, experienced Toastmasters. The program will be offered on Wednesdays, October 5 through November 9, 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Perkins Restaurant in Hamilton. Cost, including workbook, is $60. Enrollment is limited to 10 adults. For information and to enroll, phone Pamela Morris, 961-4296; or Ruth Campbell, 210-9638.
Thursday, October 6
Business success seminar
Residents of the Bitterroot Valley and beyond are invited to bounce business ideas off some of the industry’s best minds during a seminar in Hamilton next month.
“The Sunflower MATRIX: Introducing a New Model for Business Success” will feature an afternoon and early evening of business strategy discussions, question-and-answer sessions and mentoring led by three expert panelists. Sponsored by the Bitterroot College Program of The University of Montana, the event will run from 1 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 6, at the Hamilton Performing Arts Center.
Victoria Clark, director of the Bitterroot College Program, said the seminar is for people who have a business idea, want to know how to launch a business or are wondering how to improve on a business that already exists.
Panelists are Rob Ryan, founding CEO of Ascend Communications, a company that grew to 5,000 employees and sold to AT&T for a record amount; Joe Graziano, former CFO of Apple Computers Inc. and a retired Silicon Valley financial executive; and Dan Floyd, a business development and implementation strategist and founder/co-founder of VSLI Technology, CASI and Coastal Inns of Distinction.
Each panelist will present an afternoon session and combine for an evening panel.
• 1-2 p.m.: “Your Business Idea,” presentation and question-and-answer session by Ryan.
• 2:15-3:15 p.m.: “Your Business Idea and Financing,” presentation and question-and-answer session by Graziano.
• 3:30-4:30 p.m.: “Your Business Idea and Implementation,” presentation and question-and-answer session by Floyd.
• 4:30-5 p.m.: Intermission, concessions available.
• 5-7 p.m.: “Putting Your Business Idea to the Test.” Ryan, Graziano and Floyd provide on-the-spot feedback to audience members on their business ideas, as well as troubleshoot issues with existing businesses. Audience members interested in participating may fill out questionnaires during intermission; business ideas and issues are then selected at random from the pool of questionnaires.
The seminar costs $75 if guests register on or before Friday, Sept. 23, after which the fee increases to $100. Those interested in attending only the “Putting Your Business to the Test” panel discussion may register at any time for $50.
All seminar proceeds benefit the Bitterroot College Program.
To register visit http://www.umt.edu/bcp/sunflower.aspx or call 375-0100.
Friday, October 7
Rummage/bake sale
TOPS will sponsor a rummage and bake sale on Friday, October 7 from 5 to 8 p.m. and Saturday, October 8 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the community room of the North Valley Public Library in Stevensville. TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) is a weight loss group offering caring and support.
White Ribbon Week
The Ravalli County Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence will host White Ribbon Week from October 7-14. The White Ribbon campaign is a community-wide event to raise awareness about domestic violence in Ravalli County. The campaign gives people an opportunity to remember victims of domestic violence, examine their own beliefs about violence, and publicly denounce acts of violence against women.
People can show support by wearing a white ribbon throughout the week. Ribbons are available at SAFE, Safe on First Thrift Store, and Chapter One Book Store. Also, ribbons can be delivered to your workplace or organization. Call 363-2793 to request ribbons. Wearing a white ribbon signifies your commitment to ending domestic violence.
Community members are also invited to participate in White Ribbon Week by attending the Report to the Community luncheon on Friday, October 7, from 12 to 1:30 p.m. at St. Francis Community Center at 401 S. Fifth in Hamilton. On Sunday, October 9, at 5:30 p.m., Dancing For Dignity, a SAFE fundraiser with Joan Zen, will be held at the Wild Mare at 283 Second Street in Corvallis. A “Sin By Silence” film showing will be held on Tuesday, October 11 at 7 p.m. in the Bitterroot Public Library in Hamilton. The Revolution Worship Team will host an inter-denominational prayer and music service on Wednesday, October 12, at 6:30 p.m. at Hamilton Assembly of God Church at 601 W. Main Street.
For more information, call Sonya at SAFE at 363-2793.
Library Oktoberfest
Fall is here and time for celebrating harvests, friendships and family with Oktoberfest at the Library. The Fun & Support Accordion Group will be playing traditional polka music as well other songs. Join your friends for sing-a-long fun time, October 7, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the library. Refreshments will be served. For more information, call 777-5061. The North Valley Public Library is located at 208 Main Street in Stevensville.
Art exhibit
Rich Adams will be the guest artist for October at River’s Mist Gallery of Fine Art in Stevensville. This show will be a fund raiser for Seattle Children’s Hospital with a portion of each sale of Adams’ work going to the hospital. Adams is well known in western Montana for his graphite drawings and colored pencil drawings done in photographic detail. A master of his craft, Rich brings the beauty of wildlife indoors. An artist’s reception will be held Friday, October 7 from 6 to 9 p.m. At approximately 7:30 there will be a short talk on Seattle Children’s Hospital and Mr. Adams’ inspiration for this fund raiser. The budding artist is Cassi Kopsa. The show runs October 7 through November 1. The gallery is located at 317 Main Street in Stevensville. For more information call 777-0520.
Art exhibit
The Artists’ Shop, gallery of regional art and fine craft, 304 N. Higgins, Missoula, presents “Forever Barbie,” a mixed media show using recycled Barbie dolls by artist Mary Byers of Hamilton. An artist’s opening reception will be held on First Friday, October 7, from 5 to 8 p.m. The show may be viewed through October.
Saturday, October 8
MOPS pancake breakfast
MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) is hosting a fundraiser Pancake Feed on Saturday, October 8 from 8 to 11 a.m. at Lone Rock Bible Church. The menu will be blueberry, chocolate chip, strawberry, and plain pancakes, eggs, sausage, juice, milk, coffee, and tea. Cost is $5.00 single, $10.00 couple, and $15.00 family. Lone Rock Bible Church is located at 1142 Three Mile Creek Road, just past Lone Rock School. For more information call Whitney at 210-9567
Florence Homecoming pancake breakfast
On Saturday, October 8, the Florence-Carlton School Music Boosters will be hosting the Annual Homecoming Pancake Breakfast. Immediately following the parade in the old gymnasium, breakfast will be served until noon. Proceeds support the Florence Carlton School Music Programs.
Lone Rock dinner
A Stromboli Dinner plus live and silent auctions will be held Saturday, October 8 at Lone Rock School with proceeds going to students earning their way to China in May of 2012. Dinner will be served from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Cost is $6.00 plate or 4 for $20.00. The silent auction will run from 5 to 7 p.m. and the live auction will be at 7 p.m. Auction items include: Montana River Guide Raft Trip, Lost Trail lift tickets, art work, hay, massages, teeth whitening, topsoil and more. For information call 777-3314.
Sunday, October 9
Stevensville Awana
Awana will once again be offered to the Stevensville children beginning Sunday, October 9 at Community Baptist Church, 409 Buck Street, Stevensville. Awana is a kid’s club that offers weekly Bible teaching and curriculum, music, games and awards. Awana helps churches and parents work together to develop spiritually strong children who faithfully follow Jesus Christ. For more information call Lynn at 531-2684.
Monday, October 10
Suppertime program
The Suppertime Program at South Valley Child and Family Center will serve free meals starting October 10. Meals will be served Monday-Thursday evenings from 6 to 7 p.m. for families, seniors, any individual in need of a great sit-down dinner and connection with the community. As part of the Suppertime Program, SVCFC also offers the free Culinary Arts Program for middle school students on Monday evenings from 4 to 7 p.m. and for high school students on Tuesday evenings from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday evenings. As a youth volunteer, you’ll get great cooking experience and help serve your community. The first 6-week program starts Monday, October 6. If you’d like to be a part call 363-3450 to sign up.
Tuesday, October 11
Veterans affairs clinics
Roxanne Blanche, 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 Department of Veterans Affairs on the following dates: Tuesday, October 11 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the Stevensville Town Council Chambers and 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Job Service office in Hamilton. For more information, call 542-2501.
First-time homebuyers class
The Bitter Root Resource Conservation & Development Area, Inc. (RC&D) is holding a nationally certified homebuyer education class on October 11, 12, and 13 from 6 to 9 p.m. each night at the Human Resource Council Building, 316 N. Third St., Hamilton. The class is especially beneficial to first-time homebuyers with below median incomes, but any potential homebuyer will benefit from the class. Anyone who has not owned a home for 3 or more years is considered a first-time homebuyer and may be able to purchase a home for monthly payments comparable to what they are paying in rent. Completion of this class is required in order to qualify for some of the special homebuyer loan assistance programs. Call the Bitter Root RC&D office at 363-5450 to reserve a space. Attendance on all three nights is required for certification. The charge is $25 to cover the cost of reference materials. (If you are buying your home as a couple, one household, you both need to attend the class.)
Thursday, October 13
Fellowship Club
The Bitterroot Public Library’s Fellowship Club will be meeting on Thursday, October 13, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. to discuss “Home with God in A Life That Never Ends: A Wondrous Message of Love in A Final Conversation with God” by Neale Donald Walsh.
This is the last of nine books that Neale Donald Walsch wrote as “conversations with God” over an 11-year period. It deals mostly with the topic that we all consider the “finality”, about which we all want to know more, and perhaps are most afraid to talk about – death.
In this uplifting masterwork of comfort and compassion, Walsch asks the ultimate questions of existence and transcendence. Through his profound and personal dialogue with God, Walsch explores the process by which all humans must end their days on Earth and begin their new life in God’s Kingdom, to which all eventually return, regardless of their earthly deeds. This astonishingly spiritual work offers hope, comfort, and surprising revelations for all human kind.
Neale Donald Walsch is an American author of the series “Conversations with God.” Walsch’s vision is an expansion and unification of all present theologies to render them more relevant to our present day and time. He created Humanity’s Team as a spiritual movement to communicate and implement his spirituality beliefs, mainly that we are all one with God and one with life, in a shared global state of being.
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 well being.
Call 363-1670, or email jacostant@gmail.com for more information.
Saturday, October 15
Fall Festival Marketplace
The second annual Fall Festival Marketplace will be held at the First Interstate Center in Hamilton on October 15 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. There are still booth spaces available for the event. The Marketplace is an opportunity to get your Christmas shopping done early. There will be a host of products to choose from – jewelry, handmade creations for the home, antiques & collectibles, beautifully handcrafted items from nature, woodworking, and a host of other great Montana-made products. There will be food and beverage available also. For an application, or other information, call 363-3411. The spaces are assigned on a first come first served basis.
Moon Walk series
“Ghost Moon” will be the topic on Saturday, October 15, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Walk by the Light of the Moon Series presentation at the Larry Creek Group Camp, Bitterroot National Forest. Sit around the campfire and hear historical Bitterroot Valley ghosts share stories of their lives and untimely deaths. For more information visit www.fs.usda.gov/bitterroot and click on “Learning Center” or call the Bitterroot National Forest at 363-7100.