Wednesday, May 14
Smart Driver Course
The Stevensville Senior Center, located at 100 Mission Street, will host an all new Smart Driver Course (formerly ’55 Alive’) on Wednesday, May 14 beginning at 1 p.m. and lasting approximately four hours. While this new safe driving strategies class is designed for drivers age 50 and over, all drivers are welcome. The new program now features laws and updates specific to Montana. Pre-registration is advised. There are no driving tests or written exams and, Montana mandates an insurance discount for qualified graduates. There is a class fee of $15.00 for AARP members and $20.00 for non-members. Sign up by calling the Stevensville Senior Center at 777-5681 or, for further information, call Thom Ainsworth, Instructor, at 369-0149.
Mindfulness class
Mindfulness Class will be offered on Wednesday, May 14, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Common Ground, 258 Roosevelt Lane, Hamilton. Practice breathing exercises, meta practice, walking meditations, and tai chi. Powering down to the quiet place within will bring ease and appreciation to the rest of your life. Bring an item for the food bank and a $5 suggested donation. Instructors are Star and Brian Jameson, and the event is sponsored by Time Out: Rest, Relax & Remember. For more information call 546-5344.
Stevensville Playhouse auditions
Open auditions for “The Drunkard of Old Town Stevi” will be held on May 14 at 7 p.m. at Stevensville Playhouse. There are six male and four female parts available for this melodrama based on the oldest and longest running temperance play of U.S. history. Performances will be during Stevensville’s
Western Days in June and during the Creamery Picnic in August. An old-time Olio (musical addition) will also be included.
Thursday, May 15
Back Country Horsemen
Bitter Root Back Country Horsemen host their monthly meeting on Thursday, May 15, at the Corvallis School Cafeteria on Eastside Highway in Corvallis. Potluck dinner is at 6:30 p.m. and the general meeting starts at 7:00. The upcoming Wilderness Skills Weekend and this year’s trail projects will be discussed. Program speaker is John Favaro, a member of Missoula BCH who retired from the USFS in 2008 after a 35 year career. John served most recently as Regional Trails Coordinator for the Northern Region and he will present “Sustainable Trail Building and Maintenance for Equestrians.” Guests are welcome, and for more information call Karen at 961-0101 or check the website at www.bchmt.org/bitterroot.
PFLAG
PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) will met on Thursday, May 15 from 7 to 9 p.m. in the SAFE Community Room located at 120 Morning Star Way, Hamilton. PFLAG’s mission includes support, education, and advocacy for families, LGBT people and allies. Anyone is welcome to attend. For more information, see the local PFLAG Facebook page or visit pflaghamiltonbitterroot.org. This month there will be a chocolate tasting extravaganza!
Friday, May 16
Rugby tournament
The Bitterroot Valley Rugby Football Club will be hosting the 2014 Montana Youth Rugby Association State Tournament on Friday, and Saturday, May 16 and 17 at the Corvallis Events Center. Spectators are admitted free. Concessions are available or bring a family picnic along with your folding chairs and weather appropriate gear. Teams from all over Montana will be competing. Our Bitterroot Warriors are the defending 2013 State High School Champions, and the Koa Wahines will be fighting to best the competition and bring home their first girls’ state championship. Come support our youth in the high paced game of Rugby! Go to http://www.bitterrootrugby.org for more information or on facebook at Bitterroot Warriors or Koa Wahine Rugby.
Bitterroot Lodging Tour
Tours of Bitterroot Valley Lodging facilities will be held on Friday, May 16 and Friday, May 23. Nine lodging establishments will be featured. The event is co-ponsored by the BV Chamber of Commerce and the Ravalli County Tourism Business Improvement District. Call Pat at the Chamber office for ticket information, 363-6600.
BPL story time
Young children are invited to meet in the main building of Sapphire Lutheran Homes on Friday, May 16 to enjoy a story time created by storyteller Dominic and his friends. Hear great stories and have a cookie! 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. Call the Bitterroot Public Library at 363-1670 if you need more information.
North Valley Pachyderm Club
The North Valley Pachyderm Club will meet Friday, May 16 at 12 noon at The Frontier Café, Hwy 93 in Stevensville. Guest speakers will be County Commissioner candidates Suzy Foss, Ron Stoltz and Ray Hawk, and State Representative Ed Greef, candidate for HD 88. 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.
BRHA adoption event
The Bitter Root Humane Association is partnering with First Security Bank to sponsor an adoption event and community pet food drive on Friday, May 16 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. in the parking lot at First Security Bank, 100 W. Main St., Hamilton (look for the white tent). Volunteers will be showing off available shelter dogs as well as collecting donations of pet food for those in the community that might need a little help with pet food. Come by and say hello! For more information, contact the shelter at 363-5311.
SAFE Crystal Ball
Attend the SAFE Crystal Ball and join others in raising funds to create a future free of violence on Friday, May 16 at the Bitterroot River Inn in Hamilton. Enjoy an evening of music and fun while helping our community continue to work to assure that every home is a safe home. Admission will include a delightful repast offered by Fresh Local Tasty Catering and Concessions, music by the Chuck Florence Trio and silent and live auctions. Admission costs for the Crystal Ball are $75.00 for patron admission, which includes the patrol reception and all general admission activities along with a patrons-only cocktail hour and auction previews. General admission is $50.00, which includes dining, auction and music. Tables for eight are also available. Reservations may be made at SAFE, 150 Morning Star Way, Hamilton, or by calling 363-2793. Admission to the event is also available at the door.
Proceeds to the Crystal Ball are used to fund SAFE services. Offering services to decrease the incident of domestic and sexual violence in Ravalli County, SAFE serves over 450 adults and children each year. Your attendance to the Crystal Ball will help SAFE to provide housing, services and community programs – keeping families safe and fostering violence-free relationships. For more information, call 363-2793.
Florence High School Spring Play
The Florence Carlton High School Drama Department will be performing their annual Spring Play on May 16 and 17 at 7 p.m. and a matinee at 2 p.m. on the 18th. This year’s performance will be a Mark Twain Classic, “A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court.” Prepare for a mystical journey of Hank Morgan as he is literally knocked back in time to June 21, 258 AD, and awakens in Camelot. Enjoy a wonderful evening of theatre at the FCHS gym. Tickets are $4.00 for adults and $2.00 for students. Contact the FCHS Office for more information.
Golden Age dance
Join the Golden Age Club on Friday, May 16 for their every Friday night live band dance from 7:30 to 10 p.m. at the Golden Age Club, 727 S. 5th, Hamilton. This is a non-smoking and non-alcoholic environment with potluck snacks served at music break. Cost is $3.00 a person. For more info call 240-9617.
Saturday, May 17
Rummage Sale
The Bitterroot Quilt Guild will hold a rummage sale on Saturday, May 17, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Corvallis Grange Hall (west of Woodside Junction, up Dutch Hill Road to signs on right). Proceeds for this sale help offset expenses for the two charity groups – Quilts 4 Kids and Comforters for Marcus Daly Hospital Hospice.
Sons of Norway
Bitterrootdalen Lodge, Sons of Norway, will celebrate the 200th anniversary of the signing of Norway’s Constitution, May 17th, 1814 with a display at the Hamilton Farmers Market on Saturday, May 17 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon.
Norway was the third country in the world to create and adopt a democratic constitution (after the U.S. in 1789 and Poland in 1791). Some of the document was based on American and French examples, with the exception that a monarchy was retained. Later in 1814, Norway was united with Sweden and only became an independent kingdom in 1905.
The Farmers Market display will include sales of lefse and other Norwegian delicacies, as well as Norwegian crafts and gifts for sale.
Gem & Mineral Show
The Bitterroot Gem and Mineral Society will present “Treasures from the Universe” on May 17-18 at the First Interstate Center Ravalli County Fairgrounds in Hamilton. There will be dealers, displays, kids activities, geode cutting, world class mineral specimens, meteorites, fossils, jewelry, UV display, silent auction, beads, hands on rock ID, rock hounding equipment, and door prizes Admission is free. Show hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. A pancake and sausage breakfast will be available both mornings from 8 to 10 a.m.
MAPS Media Festival
The MAPS Media Festival will be held Saturday, May 17 from 12 noon to 1:30 p.m. This annual showcase of MAPS film, design, music and technology student work is free of charge and family friendly. For more information, call Wendy at 381-7230.
Democratic Women
The Ravalli County Democratic Women is holding its annual membership coffee on Saturday, May 17 at 2 p.m. at the Rocky Mountain Grange, south of Hamilton on Highway 93. The Ravalli County Democratic candidates will be attending and there will be a discussion of how to support freedom of information and the importance of support of the First Amendment regarding free press. The guest speaker is Michael Howell. For more information call Corrine at 544-8586.
Stevi FFA banquet
The Stevensville FFA Chapter will be holding its Annual Banquet on Saturday, May 17 at 6 p.m. in the Multipurpose Room of the High School. Come and support the success of the students over the past year. Dinner will be served and there will be a live auction. On May 20, there will be an Alumni/Supporter meeting for anyone who would like to help the Chapter with activities and fundraisers. The meeting will be in the Ag Shop at 6 p.m.
Center for Spiritual Living
The Center for Spiritual Living presents Becky Lellek sharing “Choose How You Perceive Your World.” Our most powerful quality is that we can always choose how to perceive our life situations. Come join the discussion. Music with LeGrande Harvey. Children’s program provided. Refreshments and conversation follow at 11:30 a.m. Come early for Meditation in the Sanctuary at 9:30 a.m. The Center for Spiritual Living is located at 1720 N. First Street, Suite C in Selway Commons, north of Sears in Hamilton. Further information call Dave at 381-2355 or visit CSLbitterroot.org.
Monday, May 19
Stevi school menu
Monday: Breakfast – Pancakes or yogurt, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch – Cheese-filled breadsticks with marinara sauce, mixed veggies, apricots, bread & butter, milk
Tuesday: Breakfast – Muffins or yogurt, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch – Burrito, lettuce, salsa, Spanish rice, oranges, bread & butter, chocolate or regular milk
Wednesday: Breakfast – Cereal or yogurt, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch – Chicken & noodles, broccoli Normandy, pineapple, bread & butter, milk
Thursday: Breakfast – French toast or yogurt, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch – Beef steaks, mashed potatoes & gravy, bananas, bread & butter, milk
Friday: Breakfast – Egg wraps or yogurt, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch – Chalupas, lettuce, salsa, corn, strawberry cups, bread & butter, chocolate or regular milk.
Darby Library May Festival
The Darby Community Public Library will host a some special events in May. Celebrate Montana and Bitterroot Valley History through songs and stories with artist in residence Chip Jasmin on Monday and Tuesday, May 19 and 20 at 9 a.m. at the library. All school age children are welcome! Call the library at 821-4771 to connect with your age group.
On Tuesday, May 20 from 2 to 3 p.m., enjoy music at the Sula Clubhouse.
On Thursday, May 22, there will be a Senior Luncheon from 12 to 1:30 p.m. at the Darby Clubhouse with music followed by a student field trip.
Also on May 22, a Community Potluck and Dance will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Darby Clubhouse with a presentation by the Montana Study Group at 7 p.m.
On Tuesday, May 27 at 3:45 p.m. there will be a Community Concert and children’s games in the Darby Town Park to kick-off the Summer Reading Program. For more information contact the library at 821-4771.
Flower show classes
The Stevensville Garden Club is holding a series of “ShowTime” classes, open to the public. You will learn how to enter a Flower Show; how to fill out the entry card properly; how to exhibit Horticulture specimens; how to exhibit Miniature/Small/large Designs, and how to do an Educational Exhibit. Next classes are scheduled for May 19, June 2, June 16 and June 30 at the Community Baptist Church, 409 Ravalli Street in Stevensville. All classes start at 10 a.m. and will go for about an hour. If you miss one class, you can still come and ask questions about the whole series. There will be categories for house plants, herbs, dish gardens and many more at the Standard Flower Show, July 25-26 at St. Mary’s Mission and Museum. Cut off date to enter the show is July 18. For Flower Show schedule and/or info call Mary, 777-4196 or 207-0334.
Rotary Club
Leon Stangl, owner of Yourganic Farm, and Peter Allen, owner of Kangaroo House Gardens, will be speaking at the Hamilton Rotary Club meeting on Monday, May 19 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.
Tuesday, May 20
RASS training
Western MT Addiction Services is holding a Responsible Alcohol Sales and Service training on Tuesday, May 20 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon at 209 N. 10th, Suite C in Hamilton. The cost of the training is $15 for materials. This is a state-mandated training and the “Let’s Control It” curriculum is approved by the MT Dept of Revenue. Participants will receive a certificate of completion good for three years upon passing this training. For further information or to register call 532-9149 or email ffavara@wmmhc.org. Register by May 19.
RCEDA meetings
Ravalli County Economic Development Authority will hold its regular monthly Finance Committee meeting on Tuesday, May 20 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. and the regular monthly meeting of the Board of Commissioners on Wednesday, May 21 from 3 to 5 p.m. Both meetings will be held at the RCEDA office, 274 Old Corvallis Road, Hamilton. The meetings are open to the public.
Tools for the Journey through Grief
The “Tools for the Journey through Grief class will be held on Tuesday evenings from 6:30 to 8 p.m., May 20 through July 1 in the Marcus Daly Hospice Living Room. This is an eight-week grief support group that was developed in the late 1980s for adults coping with the death of a loved one. Hundreds of people have benefited from this group and have made good use of the tools provided throughout the seminar, which enables people to move forward in their journey through grief rather than becoming stranded or immobilized. This program is sponsored by Marcus Daly Hospice Services, and facilitated by Kim Miller, MSW. For more information, call Marcus Daly Hospice at 363-6503.
Wednesday, May 21
Salish cultural presentations
Bitterroot College University of Montana, in collaboration with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and Humanities Montana, has developed two days of programming to provide accurate information for the community and local leaders regarding Salish history and connection to place, both past and present.
At 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 21, Tony Incashola, Salish-Pend d’Oreille Culture Committee director, will present “The Medicine Tree,” a public lecture and cultural education on Salish-Pend d’Oreille worldview, values, stories, beliefs and contemporary connections.
On Thursday, May 22, Bitterroot College will host an invitation-only field trip to the Medicine Tree area for community leaders. At 7 p.m. that same evening, a facilitated panel discussion will focus on accurate information relating to historic and contemporary issues affecting the tribes and the Bitterroot Valley community.
Both evening events are free and open to the public. They will be held in the Montana Room of the Bitterroot River Inn, located at 139 Bitterroot Plaza Drive in Hamilton.
The program is designed to clarify the significance of the Salish belief systems relevant to the Medicine Tree and surrounding areas south of Hamilton. The presentation and panel will provide the community with an opportunity to hear traditional stories within a discussion of worldview. Elders will explain the significance of “place” from an American Indian and ethnogeographic perspective.
The information session and panel discussion will provide an opportunity for the community to listen and engage in dialogue focused on building relationships and understanding between cultures and increasing knowledge of the Salish worldview related to respect for the traditional stories, the Medicine Tree and place.
For more information call Victoria Clark, Bitterroot College Director, at 375-0100.