Wednesday, April 16
BPL Food for Fines
As part of National Library Week, the Bitterroot Public Library is offering its “Food for Fines” event through April 19. Bring in canned or nonperishable foods or pet food all week to wipe away your overdue fines. Canned goods will be donated to Haven House and animal food will be donated to the Bitterroot Humane Society. Call the library at 363-1670 for more information.
Daly Mansion board
The Daly Mansion Preservation Trust Board of Directors will hold its quarterly meeting on Wednesday, April 16 at 3 p.m. at the Daly Mansion, 251 Eastside Hwy in Hamilton. This is a public meeting and will be held on the 3rd floor of the Mansion in the Billiards Room. The Daly Mansion Preservation Trust is a 501(c)3 organization whose mission is “dedicated to preserving and interpreting The Daly Mansion, its buildings, grounds and the history they convey. It is a center for education, cultural and community activities.” For more information, visit www.dalymansion.org.
Center for Spiritual Living
The Center for Spiritual Living presents “The Joy of Less – Adventures in Simplicity,” the first of two Wednesday evening classes, April 16 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., led by Becky Lovejoy. Participants will explore three core beliefs that keep us from simplifying our stuff, our schedule, and our spirituality; find focus for our next life phase; and learn techniques to simplify our life now such as setting limits, the art of subtraction, and creating sacred space in your home and heart. The Center for Spiritual Living is located at 1720 N. First Street, Suite C in Selway Commons, north of Sears in Hamilton. Further information contact Becky Lovejoy at MontanaGal35@gmail.com.
Thursday, April 17
BCPL Bedtime Math Party
A Bedtime Math PJ Party will be held in the Darby Community Public Library on Thursday, April 17 at 6 p.m. All families and children ages 3-9 are welcome to have fun with math and see how easy it is to explore math at home as a fun bedtime activity. Families will make mystery clocks, animal zip lines, and see how fun math can be. Door prizes and refreshments will be included in the event. Every family, registering early for this free event, will receive the new Bedtime Math book by Laura Overdeck. For more information call the library at 821-4771.
Sleeping Child Hot Spring for All
The next meeting of Sleeping Child Hot Springs for All will be Thursday, April 17 at 6:30 p.m. in the meeting room of the Bitterroot Public Library in Hamilton. Call Dorinda at 363-1806 for more information.
Museum lecture series
Get a fascinating look at a hot topic, “Climate Change,” with Amy Cilimburg, Director of Bird Conservation and Climate Policy with the Audubon Society, at the Ravalli County Museum, 205 Bedford, Hamilton on Thursday, April 17 at 6 p.m.
This lecture will wrap up the museum’s Natural History lecture series. If you have not seen this exhibit, you must come to look! The exhibit is displayed in the spacious Old Courtroom Gallery and covers topics such as insects, raptors, fish, bears, geology, water resources and climate change. There is a great display on pine beetles and how they are affecting our forests. Find the ‘scoop on poop’ or identify animals through their tracks! What’s the “Terrible Pig” got to do with a display of dinosaur bones? Know the history behind Lake Como? Gemstones, stone tools and saber-toothed tigers – this exhibit explores the natural history around us from ancient times to recent years.
For more information call 363-3338.
Methodist Easter events
Easter events at Stevensville United Methodist Church start with a Holy (Maundy) Thursday service on April 17 at 7 p.m. A Good Friday service will be held at 7 p.m.
An Easter sunrise service will be held at 7:30 a.m. at 582 Cash Nichols Road off of Middle Burnt Fork Road, followed by an Easter Breakfast at the church at 8:30 a.m.
An Easter egg hunt will be held at 9:30 a.m. on the front lawn of the church. An
Easter service will be held at 10:15 a.m. For more information call 777-5443.
Back Country Horsemen
Bitter Root Back Country Horsemen host their monthly meeting on Thursday, April 17, at the Corvallis School Cafeteria on Eastside Highway in Corvallis. Potluck dinner is served at 6:30 p.m. and the general meeting starts at 7:00. The program is a viewing of “Untrammeled”, an inspiring film about passing the torch for wilderness to the next generation. Filmed in Montana’s Scapegoat and Bob Marshall Wilderness areas, it features Montana high school and college-age youth as they experience wilderness, some for the very first time. Developed for the 50th Anniversary of the Wilderness Act, the film was produced by the U.S. Forest Service Northern Region, in partnership with Back Country Horsemen of Montana, local outfitters, the Arthur Carhart National Wilderness Training Center, Wilderness Institute University of Montana, Montana Wilderness Association, Missoula Public Schools, Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal Education Department, Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation, The Wilderness Society, the Sierra Club Montana Chapter, and others. Guests are welcome, and if you are interested in keeping trails in our public forests open and accessible for riding and hiking, this group works to accomplish that. For more information, call Karen at 961-0101 or check the website at www.bchmt.org/bitterroot.
Trout Unlimited
Bitterroot Trout Unlimited will meet Thursday, April 17 at 7 p.m. at the Elks Lodge, 203 State Street, Hamilton. Guest speaker will be Bruce Farling, Executive Director, Montana Trout Unlimited, speaking on “Beyond Habitat: Troubling Trends for Trout in Montana. In order to maintain Montana’s storied wild trout fisheries into the 21st century, we must focus beyond today’s important issues – habitat, regulations and access. Profound new challenges include outlandish proposals to build mines on the Smith River, conflicts with introduced fish, invasions of nuisance species, climactic changes, and secretive well-funded attacks on recreation and access. Led by Executive Director Bruce Farling, Montana TU is developing the strategies to protect what we all hold dear. Come hear Bruce talk about the problems and learn how we can all help Montana TU in this crucial effort. For more information, contact Ross Rademacher (monkeykatet@gmail.com) or Greg Chester (gchester55@aol.com).
PFLAG
PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) will host guest speaker Stephanie Cole from Missoula’s Open Aid Alliance on Thursday, April 17from 7 to 9 p.m. at Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital, Conference Room C, 1200 Westwood Dr., Hamilton. Stephanie is an HIV Prevention and Harm Reduction Specialist and the recipient of the 2013 Governor’s Award for HIV Prevention. Her presentation will focus on topics such as current HIV/AIDS research, prevalence, attitudes, laws and prevention. Snacks and refreshments will be served.
PFLAG’s missions include support, education, and advocacy for families, LGBT people, and allies. PFLAG welcomes the participation and support of all who share in its vision and mission. For more information, find PFLAG on facebook or visit the website at pflaghamiltonbitterroot.org or call 375-6573.
Eagles Lodge
Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie and Auxiliary will meet Thursday, April 17. The Auxiliary meets at 7 p.m. The Aerie meets at 8 p.m. The meetings will include nomination of officers and the second reading of the by-laws amendment.
Stevensville COW
The Stevensville Town Council Committee of the Whole will meet Thursday, April 17 at 7 p.m. at the Town Hall. Discussion will be a review of water/sewer projects, current and future.
Friday, April 18
Beta Sigma Phi tulip sale
The Bitterroot Chapters of Beta Sigma Phi will be holding their annual Tulip Flower Sale on Good Friday, April 18, beginning at 10 a.m. The proceeds this year will be donated to the Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital to help fund the building of a new Intensive Care Unit. The tulips will sell for $8 per bunch of 10 and can be purchased from members in front of Ravalli County Bank in Hamilton and Rocky Mountain Bank in Stevensville and at various other locations in Hamilton, Victor and Stevensville. Look for members selling tulips on street corners all up and down the valley. Flowers can also be purchased in Hamilton at Parker’s Cannery Warehouse, 307 Hwy 93 N. Enter through the big doors in the alley just west of the light at N Hwy 93 and Pine Street.
BPL Story Time
Young children are invited to meet in the children’s corner of the Bitterroot Public Library on Friday, April 18 to celebrate National Poetry Month with “Put a Poem in Your Pocket” created by storyteller Jamie Ogden. Hear great stories and try some activities and crafts! 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.
North Valley Pachyderm Club
The North Valley Pachyderm Club will meet Friday, April 18 at 12 noon at the Frontier Café, Hwy 93 in Stevensville. The guest speaker will be State Senator Matt Rosendale, candidate for U.S. House of Representatives. The North Valley Pachyderm Club meets the first and third Friday of each month from 12 noon to 1 p.m. The North Valley Pachyderm Club is an educational arm of the Republican Party. All are welcome.
Good Friday Cantata
“Who Do You Say that I Am?” Good Friday Cantata will be presented on Friday, April 18 at 7 p.m. at Faith Lutheran Church, 171 Lewis Lane, Hamilton (turn east at Murdoch’s). Musicians of Faith Lutheran Church will present a Lenten performance of “Who Do You Say That I Am?”, a 35-minute collection of songs with narration that ponders varied answers to this question. Come enjoy this special presentation. For more information, call the church office at 363-2964.
Lutheran Good Friday Service
Faith Lutheran’s Good Friday Service will be held on Friday evening, April 18 at 7 p.m. The service will be presented in “cantata” form, a collection of monologues with accompanying choral arrangements that ask us to ponder the question “Who Do You Say That I Am?” All are invited to this reflective and inspiring evening. Faith Lutheran Church is located at 171 Lewis Lane, Hamilton (east of Murdoch’s). For more information call the church office at 363-2964.
Golden Age Dance
Come join the Golden Age Club at the Friday night live band dance on Friday, April 18 from 7:30 to 10 p.m. at the Golden Age Club, 727 S. 5th St. in Hamilton. A non-alcoholic and non-smoking environment with potluck snacks at the music break. Cost is $3.00 a person. For info or if interested in joining the organization, call 240-9617.
Saturday, April 19
Defensive horsemanship class
Bitter Root Back Country Horsemen invites the public to a free defensive horsemanship class on Saturday, April 19. Using members’ stock for demonstration, participants will review various ways to safely handle stock while trail riding and traveling in the backcountry. Members of the public are encouraged to attend as spectators and learn more about how to riding safely on our local trails. The event takes place at Natural Horse Arena, 3700 E. Carlton Creek Road (three miles north of Florence), from 9 a.m. to 12 noon, with chili provided for lunch. There are indoor and outdoor arenas but dress warmly, just in case. For more information, contact Jack or Lisa Emory at 961-1363 or check the BCH website at http://www.bchmt.org/bitterroot/ under training.
Stevensville Easter Egg Hunt
American Legion Post 94 will hold its annual Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 19 at 10:30 a.m. at Lewis & Clark Park in Stevensville. Ages 0 to 12, divided into four age groups, will hunt for 120 dozen hidden eggs. Special prizes are awarded to those who find special gold and silver eggs. For more information call Bill at 550-3444.
Darby Easter Egg Hunt
The annual Darby Community Easter Egg Hunt will be held on Saturday, April 19 at 11 a.m. in Tin Cup Park. Bring your Easter basket and join in the Community Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 19 at 11 a.m. All children ages 2-7 years are welcome to participate in the hunt for eggs and prizes. Community members donating colored hard boiled eggs may take them to the Darby Community Public Library on Friday after 4 p.m. or to the park on Saturday at 10 a.m. For more information contact the library at 821-4771.
Victor Easter Egg Hunt
Victor Rural Fire District will hold its annual Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 19 at 1 p.m. in the Victor Park across from the main firehouse located at 121 North Tudor Street in Victor. The entire Bitterroot Valley community is invited. According to Chief Dennis Pings, “This year’s Easter Egg Hunt will take place on Saturday instead of Easter Sunday as in the past in order that all Fire District volunteers can spend Easter Sunday with their families. Not unlike the past, this year we expect hundreds of children and we will do our best to make sure that each child goes home with Easter candy and a gift.” All Bitterroot children are invited to this free event.
Sunday, April 20
Assembly of God Easter events
Free Easter Sunday Breakfast will be served at 9:30 a.m. at Light of the Valley Assembly of God, 103 N. Kootenai Creek Road, just off Hwy 93, Stevensville. The breakfast will be followed by a Celebration Service at 10:30 a.m. with special speakers from Missoula Teen Challenge. An Egg Hunt and free family photo booth will follow the service. Call 777-5859 for more information.
Eagles Easter Egg Hunt
The annual Eagles Lodge Easter Egg Hunt will take place Sunday, April 20 at 1 p.m. at the Ravalli County Fairgrounds in Hamilton. The hunt is open to all children ages 12 and under. Come join the fun!
Monday, April 21
Stevi school menu
Monday: Easter Break – No School
Tuesday: Breakfast – French toast or yogurt, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch – Chalupas with salsa & lettuce, corn, oranges, bread & butter, milk
Wednesday: Breakfast – Cereal or yogurt, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch – Chicken & Noodles, peas & carrots, mandarin oranges, bread & butter, milk
Thursday: Breakfast – Waffles or yogurt, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch – Cheeseburgers, taters, bananas, bread & butter, milk
Friday: Breakfast – Egg wraps or yogurt, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch – Chili & crackers, fresh veggies with ranch dressing, peaches, bread & butter, milk.
Rotary Club
The Hamilton Rotary Club will be meet Monday, April 21 at 12 noon at BJ’s Restaurant, 900 N. 1st Street, Hamilton. The meeting is open to the public. For further information call 363-2960.
Bitterroot Audubon
Bitterroot Audubon invites you to experience an evening in the Amazon! Bitterroot Valley resident Janis Cooper recently joined an eight-day guided trip into Peru’s Manu National Park and Biosphere Reserve, one of the largest, most biologically diverse protected regions of rain forest on Earth. Manu is home to over 1,000 bird species, 220 mammal species, 240 reptile and amphibian species and 20,000 plant species. Janis will share her adventures of river travel by “canoe”, rustic accommodations, flora, fauna and fun in this tropical wonderland. Join Bitterroot Audubon for this exotic program on Monday, April 21 at 7 p.m. at the Bitterroot National Forest Headquarters on Hwy 93 at the north end of Hamilton. Enter the building from the west side. The program is free, and the public is invited. Contact Kay Fulton (642-3794) for further information.
Stevensville Community Garden
Anyone interested in participating in the Stevensville Community Garden is invited to attend a meeting on Monday, April 21 at 7 p.m. at St. Mary’s Family Center, corner of Charlo and Ravalli Streets.
The Stevensville Community Garden is growing! Last year the Stevi Community Garden partnered with St. Mary’s Catholic Church to create a wonderfully productive garden on a fenced acre-and-a-third behind St. Mary’s Mission. This year there is a lot of new interest, and luckily there is plenty of room to expand. Resources include the best soil around, automatic watering, a garden shed with loanable tools, deer-proof fencing, sanitary facilities, accessible beds for the disabled, and a host of experienced gardeners only too happy to coach the amateurs on the difference between Blue Lakes and Romanos. Wondering what’s the hoopla about hoop houses? Come see the Community Garden’s and find out. The Garden also donated over a ton of produce to Pantry Partners and Genesis House, giving back to the community. And…the Stevensville Community Garden has parties!
At the meeting, organizers will talk about bed rent, organic methods, the hibernation habits of Columbian ground squirrels, and participants will be asked to fill out a couple forms to make sure you understand your duties, your rights, and to reserve your plot. If you’re a returning gardener, you’re guaranteed to get your same plot back, as long as you make that known by the time of this meeting. Weather permitting, the group will walk over to the garden and assign some spaces. There will be information about the first garden work party on April 26, to put the cover on the hoop house.
The Stevensville Community Garden is also partnering with North Valley Public Library this year to create a permanent site for a kids’ Garden Club, including weekly instruction Thursday mornings throughout the summer, with activities such as making stepping stones, scarecrows, bamboo and rebar trellises, compost, and a field trip, to name a few. (Materials provided.) Kids will take home produce as well as make donations to local charities. To sign your child up, call Mary Winegart at NVPL, 777-5061.
Call Colleen Miller, Stevensville Community Garden Director, at 777-1167, for more information.
Tuesday, April 22
Republican Women’s Club
Ravalli County Republican Women’s Club will hold its monthly meeting and lunch on Tuesday, April 22 at 11:30 a.m. at BJ’s Restaurant in Hamilton. Guest speakers will be Commissioner candidates Suzy Foss, Ron Stoltz, Ray Hawk, Doug Schallenberger and Jan Wisniewski. Ravalli County Republican Women meet the fourth Tuesday of each month.
Democratic Mule Team
The Ravalli County Democrats’ Mule Team meetings are the fourth Tuesday of every month. The next meeting will be April 22 from 12 to 1 p.m. at the TownHouse Inn, on 93 behind Exxon. Each meeting features lively discussions about many subjects and scheduled events. From now until the elections, two candidates will talk at each meeting and answer your questions. Sandwiches will be there for you to buy or you can bring your own lunch. If you know you’re coming, call ahead to reserve a sandwich. And bring a friend or two! For more information call Becky at 369-5210.
Thursday, April 24
Stevensville school board special meeting
The Stevensville School Board of Trustees will have a Special Board Meeting on Thursday, April 24 at 6 p.m. in the Music Building Choir Room.