Scottish Irish Festival meetings
You’re invited to the bi-weekly meetings for the planning of the 2012 Bitterroot Scottish Irish Festival. The Festival is August 24-26 and volunteers are needed to help with the biggest one yet. The meetings are every other Thursday at 6 p.m. at Hidden Legend Winery, Sheafman Corner, Hwy 93, south of Victor. Meeting dates are July 26 and August 9. For info visit www.bitterrootscottishirishfestival.org or call 274-8886.
Hospice fundraiser
Marcus Daly Hospice is holding a silent auction on an Abbyson Living Brownstone 3-piece leather living room set. It is brand new and features a stationary sofa and two recliners. The retail value is over $2000. The 3-piece Italian Leather Collection is on display in the Marcus Daly Hospice Living Room in the Hospice Center, located at the south end of Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital, 1200 Westwood Drive, Hamilton. Also check out this timeless classic online at www.abbyson.com/interactive/brownstone/. Bids will be accepted at the Hospice Center or by phone at 375-4713, until noon on July 31. Auction proceeds go to the Hospice Support Fund, which is used to offset patient costs, provide needed supplies for staff and volunteers, and fund community education events such as the recent End of Life Ethics presentation. Marcus Daly Hospice offers dignity, comfort, and caring to patients and families at the end of life. For information about Marcus Daly Hospice Services call 363-6503 or visit mdmh.org.
Fair premium books available
Premium books for the 2012 Ravalli County Fair are now available in several locations throughout the valley, including Murdoch’s and the fair office, Gary & Leo’s in Florence, and People’s Market in Darby. If you can’t find one, there are plenty at the fairgrounds. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, or call 363-3411 for more information. Entries can be made online at ravallicountyfair@rc.mt.gov or dropped off at the fair office. Deadline is August 10.
South Valley Sellerama
The South Valley Civic Group is sponsoring a Sellerama the second Saturday in August and September. Vendors or garages sales are welcome to set up in Darby. Spots are available at Canyon Springs Log Homes, downtown Darby and at the city park. Each event will run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Last year there were more than 20 sales all within a few miles. Call Anni at 821-3131 or Al at 381-3600 for more info.
Stevi All School Reunion
Coming up August 3rd and 4th is the 100th anniversary of the Stevensville Creamery Picnic. As part of the celebration, there will be an All School Reunion for anyone who attended or graduated from Stevensville High School. If you are a facebook member, look up the page at “Stevensville Allschoolreunion.” If you are not on facebook you can e-mail stevensvilleallschoolreunion@yahoo.com or call 406-239-9431 to get your registration form. Out-of-state “Yellowjackets” should get your RVs and airline tickets reserved now. Those with RVs or tents can contact Russ Hanni at 406-360-0897 with the Knights of Columbus for an RV/tent space in the field south of St. Mary’s Mission. The next meeting for the All School Reunion will be Thursday, July 26 at 6:30 p.m. at the Stevensville Senior Center. Come and help out if you can.
Water testing at farmers market
The Bitter Root Water Forum (BRWF) is providing an easy and effective way for community members to test their well water with a free water screening. Well owners are invited to bring a water sample in a glass jar to BRWF’s Hamilton Farmers Market booth from 9 a.m. to to 12:30 p.m. on Saturdays. By using testing strips that measure Ph, hardness, alkalinity, nitrates and nitrites, well owners can assess their water for any extreme contamination. BRWF will also provide Montana State University’s “Well Educated” take home testing kits for those interested in a more comprehensive assessment — take one with you at no cost and pay the very low fee of $10-$40 to MSU when you send it in. The amount you pay is dependent upon your choice of parameters to be tested. To learn more, give BRWF a call at 375-2272.
Call for poetry
All poets and aspiring poets are invited to submit original poems for the second annual Ravalli County Fair poetry contest in the following theme areas: Fair Food, Rodeo, Carnival, Fair
Parade, Cowboy Poetry, Poets Choice, Haiku. Entry deadline is August 10, 2012. Entries may be submitted at www.rc.mt.gov or by direct mail to: RC Fairgrounds 100 Old Corvallis Road, Hamilton MT 59840 or delivered in person to the fairgrounds office. Entries will be judged in the following categories: K-6th grades, 7th-12th grades and 18 years and over. Submit a cover sheet with your contact information, theme, and age category along with your poem. Name and dedication should not appear on poem. Submit no more than three poems. Ten semi-finalists from each age category will be invited to read their poems on the Entertainment Corral Stage Wednesday, August 29 at 4 p.m. Prizes will be awarded at ceremony. Contest MC will be Dominic Farrenkopf, creator of this year’s winning fair theme, “Summer Days and Western Ways.”
Soccer camp registration
Register now for the Billy McNicol Soccer Camp, featuring former Glasgow Rangers player and current coach with the US Women’s National Team. Camp will run July 30th-August 2nd. Half-day camp 9-noon, boys and girls ages 5-10; Full day camp 9:30-2:30, girls and boys ages 10-16. For more information, visit www.ravallisc.org or call 961-3104. Register now to reserve your spot. This camp is sponsored by Ravalli Sports Club.
NV Library ‘art chair’ fundraiser
The Friends of the North Valley Library in Stevensville will be having a Silent Auction for unique items during Creamery Picnic Weekend. In the 1990’s the University of Montana donated some surplus tablet desks, better known as “chair-desks”, to the library, circa late 1940’s to the 1980’s. Some of the arms were removed by the library staff at that time and the wooden chairs were used in the library. The Friends were happy to find seven of the chair-desks intact and have asked local artists to paint them, and one wooden chair, in any theme that the artists wish. The names of the artists, in alphabetical order and their sponsors, where the items will be shown for a short time, are: Kiana Fecteau, River’s Mist Gallery; Karen Leininger, Valley Drug; Sue Lyons, Friends of the North Valley Public Library; Myra McMannis, North Valley Public Library; Alisha Turgan, Rocky Mountain Bank; Alex Skinner, River’s Mist Gallery; Robbie Springs, Stevensville Hotel; Cassie Zier, Valley Drug. Starting on Tuesday, July 31, the chair-desks and chair will be on display in the foyer of the Kohl Building, which is basically the side entrance to Valley Drug on 3rd Street. You will then have the opportunity to bid, not only on a piece of Montana history, but a work of original art as well. The Silent Auction will end on Friday, August 3 at 7 p.m. Remember, if a member of your family or you attended the University of Montana in the 50’s, 60’s or 70’s, you or they may have used one of these very chair-desks, or at least one exactly like it. The money raised from this event will help defray the costs of the many ongoing projects at the North Valley Public Library.
Wednesday, July 25
BPL preschool story time
Preschoolers are invited to meet in the children’s corner of the Bitterroot Public Library on Wednesday to enjoy “Lullaby and Good Night” with storyteller Dulcie Belanger. 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.
Wild Wednesdays
Get ready to have some fun and enjoy great music when Michelle from Groovz brings Zumbatonic for kids to the library lawn! Kids of all ages will want to join in – have fun while getting fit. Try it out! “Wild Wednesdays” programs begin at 1:30 p.m. on the west lawn of the Bitterroot Public Library in Hamilton.
Stevi West park district meeting
The annual meeting of the Stevi West Park District will be held Wednesday, July 25 at 7 p.m. at 4014 Houk Way, Stevensville.
Thursday, July 26
Art exhibit
Acclaimed Seattle based impressionist painter Madi Adams will be opening her show at the Wild Mare in Corvallis on Thursday July 26. The reception will begin at 6 p.m. with music following by renowned folk singer/songwriter and fleet fingered guitarist Chuck Suchy. The show will run through August. Artist information can be found at www.madiadams.com.
Family Olympics
Enjoy free family fun at The Olympics in Lolo on Thursday, July 26 from 6 to 8 p.m. at The King’s Christian Church, 9830 Valley Grove Drive, Lolo (just north of town on the hillside). There will be eight exciting events, a hotdog roast, and rootbeer floats. Call 273-0682 for more information.
Community Band fundraiser
The Bitterroot Community Band will hold its annual strawberry shortcake fundraiser at the Daly Mansion on Thursday, July 26. Admission is $5.00 for adults, $2.00 for children and $15.00 for a family. Gates open at 5:30 and the concert will begin at 6:30. Strawberry shortcake will be sold at intermission.
Stevensville Town Council
The Stevensville Town Council will hold a regular meeting on Thursday, July 26 at 7 p.m. at the Town Hall, 206 Buck. Agenda items include a proclamation of remembrance of Robert Adams, first reading of new ordinance on transient merchant licenses, discussion/decision on appointment of Ad Hoc Parking Committee, discussion/decision on Planning and Zoning Board By-laws, and discussion/decision on Police Department Taser Policy, to name a few.
Friday, July 27
South Valley Pachyderm Club
Commissioner Suzy Foss will be introducing new Ravalli County Commissioner Jeff Burrows, followed by Fred Thomas, Montana State Senate candidate, at the Friday, July 27 meeting of the South Valley Pachyderm Club. The club meets at 12 noon on the second and fourth Fridays at BJ’s Restaurant, 900 N. First Street, in Hamilton. The South Valley Pachyderm Club, is an officially recognized allied organization of the Republican Party. Members of the public are welcome.
Publishing workshop
A workshop on “Traditional Publishing in the Twenty-First Century” will be held Friday, July 27 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Bitterroot Public Library meeting room. Come learn from someone in the publishing business.
Cost is $8.00 per participant. For more information, call Chapter One Book Store, 363-5220.
Saturday, July 28
Veterans Fun Run
Start off Daly Days with fun for the whole family at the Veterans Benefit 5k and 10k Fun Run or Walk at the Canyons Athletic Club, 472 Tammany Lane in Hamilton. Registration is at 8 a.m. with race start time at 9 a.m. Cost is $25 per person or $5 for kids 8-12. Dogs welcome – on leash please. Food, refreshments, and medical aid on site plus prizes and drawings. Go to www.valleyveteransservicecenter.org to download entry form. Questions: call 363-9838 or Tony (event coordinator) at 396-2755.
Baby Run & Stroller Stampede
Help kick off World Breastfeeding Week at the Bitterroot Baby Run & Stroller Stampede on Saturday, July 28 at the South Valley Family and Child Center, 515 Madison, Hamilton. The event includes a 5K (all ages) and a 1 mile (kids run). 5k starts at 9 a.m., 1-mile kids run starts at 10:30 a.m. Not a racer? No problem; come to learn more about the Bitterroot Breastfeeding Coalition and how you can help encourage and support breastfeeding in the community. For registration and information visit www.bitterrootbreastfeedingcoalition.org. For more info contact Mary at 880-2551.
Daly Days Chalkfest
The Fourth Annual Chalkfest will be held on Saturday, July 28 between 10 a.m. and 3 pm. in front of Sam’s Spade at 111 S. Fourth Street in Hamilton. This colorful event is open to all ages, including adults, and prizes for different age groups will be presented at 3:30 p.m. Sam’s Spade will provide your “canvas”, a 5-foot square of sidewalk, chalk, water and lots of enthusiasm. Participants can bring creativity, any special chalk/pastels and a sun hat. Registration is free, but space is limited so come early. For more information contact Sam’s Spade at 363-1293.
Daly Days at Daly Mansion
Fun for the whole family! Visit The Daly Mansion as the community celebrates Daly Days in honor of Hamilton’s heritage on Saturday, July 28 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. You are invited to step back in time as life during the past 100 years is re-created in the Mansion and on the grounds of the Margaret Daly Memorial Arboretum and Botanic Gardens. Festivities will include re-enactors, demonstrations, antique farm equipment and cars, pony rides, Daly family home movies, self-guided tours, a bake sale, music by the Bitterroot Ragtime Society, a food booth, and more. Admission to the grounds and grounds activities are free. Daly Days reduced entrance fees to the Mansion will be $5.00 for adults and children 12 and under will be admitted free. For more information, call 363-6004 or visit www.dalymansion.org. The Daly Mansion is located at 251 Eastside Hwy. between Corvallis and Hamilton.
Tuesday, July 31
Rotary Club
The Hamilton Rotary Club will be meeting this one time only at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 31 at the Higher Ground Brewery, 518 N. 1st Street, Hamilton. This will be a club business meeting. This meeting is open to the public. For further information, call 363-2960.
WECAN Job Networking Night
On Tuesday, July 31 at 6 p.m., Rural Employment Opportunities (REO), in conjunction with the Bitterroot Job Service, will host a WECAN Job Networking Event at the Bitterroot Job Service, 274 Old Corvallis Road in Hamilton. WECAN Job Networking Events combine critical skills workshops with networking to help you accelerate your job search. This summer’s event will feature a workshop on speaking and interviewing skills. WECAN is a community-based, collaborative program that connects job seekers to employment and networking opportunities, in addition to financial education information. Participants will have the opportunity to connect with fellow community members, share information about jobs and training opportunities, and learn about the new WECAN Online Network at wecanmontana.org. The program also provides opportunities for community members to volunteer as financial coaches or career mentors. There will be a special workshop on “How to
Survive Sudden Job Loss or Disability.” Refreshments will be provided. For more information contact Kristina Cerrone at (406)442-7850
or by e-mail at kristinac@reomontana.org.
Wednesday, August 1
Fair volunteer signup
Volunteers are needed to help put on the Ravalli County Fair in Hamilton. You can answer phones in the office, greet fairgoers at the information stations, help with set up before fair, sell raffle tickets, etc. Volunteer sign up is Wednesday, August 1 at 5:30 p.m. at the Fairgrounds in the First Interstate Event Center or call the office at 363-3411.
Hunter safety classes
Two hunter safety classes will be held at the Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge in Stevensville. A series of Monday/Wednesday classes will start on August 6 and a series of Tuesday/Thursday classes will start on August 7. Registration for both series will be August 1 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Registration is required with on-line sign ups strongly encouraged. The class is free of charge but any child that is under 18 must bring a parent with them to sign up for the class. Adult students and parents are most heartily encouraged to attend. All class sessions must be attended by students with safety criteria met to attain a certificate. Minimum age to attain a certificate is 11. All activity is at the refuge. Questions can be directed to FWP or instructors Lori and Jerry Donaldson (Lori cell 218-8853, Jerry cell 550-9422) or Pat Ahlin, 777-2805.
Thursday, August 2
Sports physicals
All male and female valley athletes in high school and middle school are invited to the Marcus Daly Rehabilitation Center on Thursday, August 2 or Wednesday, August 8 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. for their annual sports physical. Over the past six years, the annual sports physical program sponsored by Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital and the Medical Staff has raised nearly $50,000 for the valley’s school athletic programs. The cost is $25 per student and 100% of the proceeds will be donated back to the students’ school athletic program. Cash or check only, payment is due at the time of visit, no refunds. Enter the Marcus Daly Rehabilitation Center through the main entrance, located on the southwest end of Westwood Drive.
Sports physical forms are available from doctor’s offices or coaches, or online at www.mdmh.org. Parents must fill out and sign the sports physical form and accompany their child at the examination. Payment is expected at the time of the examination. The physical will include height, weight, blood pressure, pulse, vision, evaluations for posture, joints, strength, flexibility, heart, lungs, abdomen, ears, nose, and throat. For athletes experiencing skeletal pain, Dr. Jeremiah Clinton, Bitterroot Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, will have an exam area in the rehabilitation center for a brief exam and consultation. Students with chronic problems should be seen by their primary care provider.