Wednesday, December 14
BPL story time
Preschoolers are invited to meet in the children’s corner of the Bitterroot Public Library in Hamilton on Wednesday, December 14 to enjoy “Winter Solstice” with storyteller Laura Craig. 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 story time
Toddler/Preschool Storytime will be held Wednesday, December 14 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the North Valley Public Library in Stevensville. Introduce young children to books and reading at fun storytimes. Each week, children hear engaging stories and create a craft to encourage early literacy skills. This week, guest storytellers Liz and Delaney Gillpatrick will be reading favorite fairytales such as, “The Three Little Pigs” and “The Gingerbread Man”. There will also a holiday ornament craft to make and take home to hang on the tree! A delicious and healthy snack is always provided. Call 777-5061 for more info.
Victor Park District
The Victor Park District will hold its December meeting on Wednesday, December 14 at 7 p.m. at the Farmers State Bank meeting room in Victor (enter rear door). Members will finalize the upcoming 2012 budget, and discuss the snow plowing on the bike path. Standard meetings will resume on the fourth Thursday of the month in January. Call Roger De Haan at 961-3953 with any questions.
Thursday, December 15
Blood drive
During the holidays give the perfect gift – give blood, it can save a life! In the Montana service area every 27 minutes someone needs blood. The American Red Cross strives to collect over 700 pints of blood to meet the needs of the patient’s in this area alone. On Thursday, December 15, Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital is sponsoring an American Red Cross Blood Drive at Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital in Conference Rooms B & C from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. To make an appointment, call Gary Schulz at 375-4451. Donors, remember to eat complete meals and drink plenty of water before donating blood, and identification is required. For more information visit www.mdmh.org.
Alcohol sales training
Western MT Addiction Services is holding a Responsible Alcohol Sales and Service training on Thursday, December 15 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon at 209 N. 10th, Suite C in Hamilton. The cost of the training is $15 for materials. The “Let’s Control It” curriculum is approved by the MT Dept of Revenue and participants will receive a certificate of completion. For further information or to register call 532-9149 or email ffavara@wmmhc.org. Register by Dec. 14.
Stevi school facility committee
The Stevensville School Board Facility Committee will meet on Thursday, December 15 at 10 a.m. in the Swank Construction Trailer.
Friends of NV Library membership party
If you would like to join a busy organization that raises money for the library with outstanding events, and has a good time doing it, then you are invited to a Christmas Membership Party that the Friends of the North Valley Public Library are giving on Thursday, December 15 at noon in the Community Room of the library located on Main Street in Stevensville. Meet the members, enjoy good food and be entertained by the talented Brown Family.
Genesis House open house
Genesis House will hold an open house party on Thursday, December 15 at 5:30 p.m. at 116 College, Stevensville.
Back Country Horsemen
Bitterroot Back Country Horsemen host their monthly meeting on Thursday, December 15, at the Corvallis School Cafeteria on Eastside Highway in Corvallis. Potluck dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m. and the general meeting starts at 7:00. The annual membership drive will take place, and all members who have paid their dues for 2012 are eligible to win raffle prizes. Guests are welcome, and for more information call Karen at 961-0101 or check the website at www.bchmt.org/bitterroot.
PFLAG holiday potluck
PFLAG will host a holiday potluck with the main course provided on Thursday, December 15 at 7 p.m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church located in Hamilton at 600 S. 3rd. St. A white elephant gift exchange will increase merriment for those who want to participate in the exchange. Also, for any PFLAG Families, Allies or LGBT individuals needing extra support during the holidays, there will also be a discussion of how to get through the potentially stressful holidays. For more information note the following sources: Local website: PFLAGHamiltonBitterroot.org; National website: PFLAG.org; Facebook: Pflag Hamilton Bitterroot; email: PFLAGHamiltonBitterroot@yahoo.com.
Hamilton band concert
The Hamilton Middle and High School Bands will present their annual Holiday Concert on Thursday, December 15 in the HHS Performing Arts Center beginning at 7:30 p.m. The concert will feature the 6th Grade Band, 7th-8th Grade Band, and the High School Band performing seasonal and Holiday favorites. The concert is free of charge and everyone is invited to attend. For more information, call 375-6060, ext. 6248.
Friday, December 16
Driver safety class
An AARP Driver Safety Class will be presented at Marcus Daly Hospital in Hamilton on Friday, December 16. The class begins at 9 a.m. and will last approximately four hours. This safe driving strategies class is designed for drivers age 50 and over but all drivers are welcome. The class fee is $12 for AARP members and $14 for non-members. Pre-registration is requested. Contact Jones Korman Insurance at 363-6583 for further information. There is no written test. Montana mandates an insurance discount for qualified graduates.
Toddler play group
Music and Motion: Toddler Play Group will take place on Friday, December 16 from 10:30 a.m. to noon at the North Valley Family Center. Music and Motion is the perfect opportunity to introduce your child to structure and fun through the many wonders of music. Facilitated by Melissa Sparks and Traci Kutzleb. Snack provided. The North Valley Family Center is located at 5501 Hwy 93 N, Suite 3, Florence Business Center in Florence, behind the Town Pump. Call for more information: 273-0142.
North Valley Pachyderm Club
North Valley Pachyderm Club will meet Friday, December 16 at noon at the Frontier Café, Hwy 93 in Stevensville. There will be installation of 2012 officers, Christmas lunch and white elephant gift exchange. The North Valley Pachyderm Club meets the first and third Friday of each month from noon to 1 p.m. at the Frontier Cafe. The North Valley Pachyderm Club is an educational arm of the Republican Party. All are welcome.
Humane Society benefit
A bucket auction to benefit the Bitter Root Humane Association will be held Friday, December 16 from 12 noon to 7 p.m. during the Fort Owen Christmas Bazaar in Stevensville.
Golden Age Christmas dinner
The Golden Age Club annual Christmas dinner will be held Friday, December 16 at 6 p.m. at the hall, 727 S. Fifth, Hamilton. This is a potluck meal. Set-up time is December 15 at 1 p.m. Volunteers are needed for this. Dick Reinbold’s band plays for the dance after dinner. There is a charge of $5 for a couple, $3 for single, at the door. The Valley Rhythm Boys furnish the dance music on December 23rd and Bob Olson’s New Bitter Root Five on the 30th.
Saturday, December 17
Corvallis Methodist Bazaar
The Corvallis United Methodist Church will hold its annual Christmas Bazaar on Saturday, December 17 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. A soup and dessert luncheon will start at 11 a.m. The church is located on the corner of Eastside Highway and Cemetery Road, south of Corvallis.
‘Kids Only’ Christmas shopping
Stevensville Clothes Closet is hosting a “Kids Only” Christmas shopping event on Saturday, December 17 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. No adults allowed (unless accompanied by a child). Children are invited to come and do their Christmas shopping. Gift wrapping will be available. If adults would like to contribute items that would be of interest for children to give to those on their Christmas list, they can be donated during regular Clothes Closet business hours or taken to Stevensville United Methodist Church. Volunteers to help wrap would be appreciated. Call Gail Fisher, 777-5694.
Daly Mansion Christmas Party
Santa Claus will be the guest of honor at the Daly Mansion’s Community Christmas Party on Saturday, December 17 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. This family celebration will include holiday festivities such as live holiday music by The Bitterroot Ragtime Society, harp and flute with Jane Shigley and Jean Matthews, and piano with Joan Roe. Guests will also enjoy dance performances by the River Street Dance Theater, Archive Team book signing of “Copper Gleanings,” self-guided tours of the Mansion, cookie decorating, crafting, children’s story time with Mrs. Santa, photos with Santa by Spotlight Photo, and refreshments. There will be a special holiday admission rate that day of $5.00 for adults and $2.00 for children. Children under six will be admitted free. In thanks to our veterans, veterans will be given a $1.00 discount off of their admission and children of enlisted men and women will be admitted free. For more information, call 363-6004, ext. 3#. The Daly Mansion is located at 251 Eastside Hwy between Hamilton and Corvallis and is operated by the non-profit Daly Mansion Preservation Trust.
Book signing
The Daly Mansion Archives Writers will be signing their new book, “Copper Gleanings – New Montana Archives Enrich Marcus Daly’s Legacy,” at the Community Christmas Party at the Daly Mansion on Saturday, December 17 from 12 to 3 p.m. The book is also available by calling the Mansion at 363-6004, at Chapter 1 Bookstore in Hamilton, and Fact & Fiction Bookstore in Missoula.
Family Fun Day
White Elephant Bingo – Family Fun Day – will take place Saturday, December 17 from noon to 3 p.m. at the North Valley Family Center. Bring your gently used books, games, toys, and DVD’s, etc. to exchange for bingo cards. Bingo winners will have first pick! Play until everything’s gone (no white elephant exchange afterwards). It’s free, so bring the whole family and enjoy lasagna, too. See you there! The North Valley Family Center is located at 5501 Hwy 93 N, Suite 3, of the Florence Business Center, in Florence, next to the Town Pump. Call 273-0142 for more info.
Sunday, December 18
Book signing
Local author Jane Lambert will be signing her action filled new book, “Charlie Russell, The Cowboy Years” on Sunday, December 18, from 1 until 2:30 p.m. at Fact and Fiction Bookstore, in downtown Missoula. This well researched new book was ten years in the making, and takes the reader out on the trails with the open range cowboys of the 1880’s, and early ’90’s. Relive the antics and dangers of these wild young men, and gain a better understanding of Russell, the man, and the origins of his art. Author Jane Lambert grew up in the cowboy genre, and is a lifelong horsewoman, and retired Vocational Agriculture teacher. She has lived in Stevensville, for 30 years, and is a fifth generation rancher. This background created her interest in Charlie Russell’s cowboy career, and his special relationships with his horses. Sections in the book cover his cowboy years, his horses, his cowboy cronies, and the brands of the era. Also included is a previously unpublished, illustrated letter from Charlie Russell to Pete Vann, written in 1918, wherin Russell thanks Pete for saving his life in a blizzard on Dry Wolf Creek, early in his cowboy career. (Yes, there is a connection to the Missoula Pete Vann family.)
A Capella Society concert
Come one and all to a joyous celebration in song! The Montana A Cappella Society is presenting a free “Welcome Yule” concert on Sunday, December 18 at 3 p.m. at the Corvallis United Methodist Church on the corner of Eastside Highway and Cemetery Rd. Refreshments to follow. For more information call 363-5778.
Monday, December 19
Stevi school menu
Dec. 19-21
Monday: Breakfast – Cereal, fruit, milk; Lunch – Chicken fajita, lettuce, salsa, mixed fruit, milk, bread and butter
Tuesday: Breakfast – Pancake on a stick, fruit, milk; Lunch – Hamburgers, taters, apples, chocolate or regular milk, bread and butter
Wednesday: Breakfast – Cereal, fruit, milk; Lunch – Peanut butter & jelly sandwich, cheese sticks, carrots, peach cups, bread and butter, milk
Thursday & Friday – No school, Christmas breaks begins.
Rotary Club
Laura Henning and Kay Crowe of the Bitterroot Youth Home
will be the speakers for the next meeting of the Hamilton Rotary Club, on Monday, December 19 at noon at BJ’s Restaurant, 900 N. 1st Street, Hamilton. This meeting is open to the public. For further information, call 363-2960.
DPL Family Story Hour
The Darby Library will hold a Family Story Hour on Monday, December 19 at 11 a.m. Don’t miss this Special Family Story Hour with stories, games, rhymes, and songs. The Story Hour, with a focus on food and nutrition, will also include a healthy holiday snack. This program meets the WIC requirement for nutrition.
Friday, December 23
Dragon Brigade benefit
Come enjoy Christmas with the taste and sound of Ireland! The Bitterroot Dragon Brigade is hosting a Christmas dinner party on Friday, December 23 at 6 p.m. at the Bedford Building in Hamilton. There will be dancing to live music by “The Voodoos,” an Irish rock group. Beer from the Blacksmith Brewery will be available. There will also be a silent auction. Cost is $20 per person which includes entrance and an authentic Irish dinner. Tickets are available at Wireless Connection and The Canyons Athletic Club in Hamilton and the Blacksmith Brewery in Stevensville. All proceeds benefit the Bitterroot Dragon Brigade.
Sunday, December 25
Community Christmas meal
The King’s Christian Church is sponsoring a Free Community Christmas meal from 4 to 6 p.m. on Christmas Day. You and your family are welcome. Reservations are not needed. However, calling a few days ahead with the number of people attending will be helpful. If you live within the Lolo and surrounding area and you need transportation or a meal delivered to your home, call 273-0682.