Wednesday, February 18

Lutheran Lenten services
Our Savior Lutheran Church of Stevensville welcomes members of the community to Lenten services. Ash Wednesday, February 18, opens the season of Lent and will be observed that evening at 7 p.m. Thursday Lenten Vesper services begin February 26, and continue each Thursday at 7 p.m. through March. Pastor Andrew Eckert will preach on the theme of the Passion of Christ. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a period of Christian contemplation and penitence. On a deeper level, the Lenten season is a time for personal reflection on the sacrifice of a most personal Savior, Jesus Christ, for the complete forgiveness of one’s sin. Such contemplation can result in wonderment and gratitude for God’s graciousness. A simple meal is offered before each Thursday evening Lenten service. Free soup and sandwich suppers are served in the fellowship hall at 6 p.m. Come for food and fellowship, then join in worship after supper. Our Savior, located at 184 Pine Hollow Road, is affiliated with the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod. To find the church, head south from Stevensville on the Eastside Highway. About one mile past the Burnt Fork Market, turn east onto Pine Hollow. Cross the tracks and the canal, and the church will be on your left, marked by three Roman crosses. For more information call 777-5625 weekdays from 9 a.m. to 12 noon.

Hunter Safety class
Signups for the next Hunter Safety class at the Lee Metcalf Wildlife Refuge in Stevensville will be held Wednesday, February 18 at 6:30 p.m. at the Visitors Center at the refuge or you can go online through FWP’s website as class size is limited. Two class times are available: Mon/Wed or Tue/Thurs. Both classes will meet on February 18 to pick up materials and get class schedules. The classes are free and parents or interested adults are strongly encouraged to attend class. For information look online through FWP’s Hunter Education at the class schedule or call Jerry at (406) 550-9422.

Spanish Conversation Group
There will be a meeting of the North Valley Public Library Spanish Conversation Group on Wednesday, February 18 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the Community Room of the North Valley Public Library, located at 208 Main Street, Stevensville. For more information, call Amy at 777-5061.

Thursday, February 19

Marketing Basics class
Learn the marketing basics in a class on Thursday, February 19 from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. by Cynthia Rademacher, CMR Marketing Strategies. Learn how to think about your brand, components of marketing and how they relate, traditional and digital advertising, how to set a budget and get the most out of your advertising dollar. The class will be held at the Bitterroot College, 274 Old Corvallis Rd, Hamilton. Cost is $25. Register by calling 375-9416.

Chamber luncheon
The Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce will hold a community luncheon for local businesses (members and prospective members) at the Corvallis Fire Hall on Thursday, February 19 at 12 noon. RSVP to 363-2400 to order lunch which will be provided by the The Merc. This is a great way to learn about the Chamber and network with other businesses.

Friendly Gardener’s Club
The Friendly Gardener’s Club of Darby/Conner will be holding their monthly meeting on Thursday, February 19 at 12 noon. You are cordially invited to this fun, social get together. No gardening experience or skills are required. For location and more information regarding this meeting phone 821-2229.

Back Country Horsemen
Bitter Root Back Country Horsemen host their monthly meeting on Thursday, February 19, at the Corvallis School Cafeteria on Eastside Highway in Corvallis. Potluck dinner is served at 6:30 and the general meeting starts at 7 p.m. Information on trail projects scheduled for spring and summer will be presented. Program speaker is Harry Lee, owner of Bug Out Montana, who will describe outdoor survival techniques, including use of Bug Out bags and emergency items like medical kits, water purifications systems and food. He will discuss the “High Five to Stay Alive” components needed to survive for 5 to 14 days, including fire, water, food, defense mechanisms, and shelter. Guests are welcome, and if you are interested in preserving and maintaining trails on our public lands for riding and hiking, check out this group. 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, February 19 at 7 p.m. at the Hamilton Elks Lodge, 203 State St in Hamilton. Indefatigable MFWP biologist Chris Clancy will present the program on the Bitterroot River, both the good news and recent worrying developments. The title of Chris’s presentation will be “The Bitterroot River: great fishing, but growing challenges.” Chris will discuss fish populations, West Fork Bitterroot River angler use survey, angler induced cutthroat mortality, cutthroat identification, an update on the Supply Ditch diversion, Veteran’s Bridge stabilization problem, excavators in the River and potential removal of fish from a reach of Overwhich Creek. He will also describe implications of the County Commissioners’ recent decision on building in the flood fringe. These issues impact anglers, conservationists, and the business community, so don’t this meeting! The public is invited to attend and there is no charge for admission. For more information, contact Ross Rademacher (monkeykatet@gmail.com) or Marshall Bloom (drtrout@mtbloom.net).

Stevensville COW meeting
The Stevensville Town Council will hold a Committee of the Whole meeting on Thursday, February 19 at 7 p.m. at the Stevensville Town Hall to discuss the Draft Personnel Policy.

Friday, February 20

BPL storytime
Join storyteller Jennifer Crawford for “I Love You the Purplest!” on Friday, February 20 at 10:30 a.m. in the meeting room of the Bitterroot Public Library in Hamilton. This story time is designed for ages 3-5 and includes books, movement, and early literacy fun.

North Valley Pachyderm Club
The North Valley Pachyderm Club will meet Friday, February 20 at 12 noon at The Frontier Café, Hwy 93 in Stevensville. Guest speakers will be Hertha Lund, a Montana attorney who specializes in property rights, water rights, and eminent domain issues, and Krista Lee Evans, who runs a government affairs consulting office, featuring protection of water rights, energy production, and agricultural businesses. The North Valley Pachyderm Club meets the first and third Friday of each month from noon to 1 p.m. The North Valley Pachyderm Club is an educational arm of the Republican Party. All are welcome.

Stevensville school concert
The Stevensville Elementary School 5th and 6th grade band concert will be held Friday, February 20 at 2 p.m. in the elementary gym.

Art Quilt Show
The Montana Bricolage Artists invite you to the 8th Annual “An Affair of the heART” Art Quilt Show and Sale, on Friday, February 20, 5 to 8 p.m., Saturday, February 21, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, February 22, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Masonic Temple 115 South 3rd, Hamilton. Admission is $3.00. An Art Quilt reflects the artist’s style, is original in design; shows a personal expression of color, design and techniques; deviates from traditional patterns and settings in an innovative way. There will be a special exhibit honoring the works of Jamie Grant and Mickey Frissell. The Montana Bricolage Artists will also be presenting their Snow Dye Strata Challenge. For more information contact SueAnne at 360-0658 or Susan at 360-9458.

Friday Night Fish Fry:
The Knights of Columbus Council 6130 will hold their First Lenten Friday Fish Fry on Friday, February 20 from 5 to 6:45 p.m. at St. Francis Pastoral Center, 411 S. 5th, Hamilton. This is an excellent opportunity to get out of the house and let someone else do the cooking for you. The all-you-can-eat meal consists of fish, fries, coleslaw, and mac & cheese, vegetables, dessert and soft beverage for $10.00 per person; children under nine eat free so bring the kids! As a special offer a family of four or more (2adults and children) can eat for $35.00. Wine can be purchased separately. The “Shenanigans” will provide entertainment. The Lenten Friday Night Fish Fry continues every Friday through March 27. For information contact Nick Hooper at 961-3930.

Chocolate and Authors Fundraiser
The 20th Annual Chocolate and Authors Fundraiser will be held on Friday, February 20 from 4 to 8 p.m. with the theme of “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.” Come if you can to the North Valley Public Library, 208 Main Street, Stevensville, to meet wonderfully talented local authors and greet your friends and neighbors, all the while eating the ever-delicious chocolate that will be served, as well as tempting non-chocolate desserts, and supporting your local library. As usual there will be door prizes every hour, and raffle tickets for sale at $1.00 each and 6 for $5.00 for these great items, with three chances to win: $125.00 Cash; $50.00 Gift Certificate for the Mission Bistro and a $50.00 Gift Certificate for the Burnt Fork Market, both in Stevensville; Big Basket of Books and Box of Montana Chocolate Co. Chocolate. Raffle tickets are on sale now at the library check-out desk. Need not be present to win. The evening is also one of the biggest bargains around. The $5.00 donation to attend has never increased over the 20 years, and children under 12 are free. Just wait until you see the marvelous decorations! They alone will be worth the price of admission. The list of the authors who have accepted the invitation so far are, in alphabetical order: Robert Bigert, Angela Breidenbach, Dale Burk, James Cotton, Maire Ester, Richard Ellis, Robert Gensmer, Norma Gilmore, Molly Hackett, Patricia Holmes, Jane Lambert, Mark Lewing, Rebecca Ondov, Elliott Oppenheim, Robert McCallum, Kathleen Meyer, Alicia Sprinkle, Roberta Swartz, Craig Thomas, Ed Wolff, and last, but never least, Riga Winthrop.

Saturday, February 21

Trapper Education Class
A trapper education class is scheduled for Saturday, February 21 at the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks office in Missoula (3201 Spurgin Road). The class is free and students do not need to pre-register. The class, taught by instructors from the Montana Trapper’s Association (MTA), will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and students should bring a lunch and notebook. Topics will include trapping equipment and trap setting, ethics, rules and regulations, furbearer identification, and fur handling. The class is open to people of all ages who are interested in learning about trapping. Students under 10 must be accompanied by an adult. Class participants will receive a certificate of completion and a MTA student handbook and workbook. This class does not certify participants for Montana’s wolf trapping season. For more information, call MTA’s Toby Walrath at 406-369-5119.

No-till gardening talk
Organic grower Rod Daniel, will discuss the benefits of no-till gardening and describe the destructive effects of rototilling, plowing, and disking on soils on Saturday, February 21 at 10 a.m. at Sam’s Spade Garden Tools and Wares, 111 S. 4th St, Hamilton Daniel will make the case for gradually eliminating tillage in a quest for a healthier more balanced garden ecosystem. Combining this practice with composting, cultivating worm populations and growing cover crops and green manures, one can sustainably grow the soil. 2015 is officially the International Year of Soils; this is a great place to start learning about soil health. This is a free event. Contact samantha@samsspade.com for more information.

Ski Patrol Steak Fry
The Lost Trail Ski Patrol will hold its annual Steak Fry fundraiser on Saturday, February 21 starting at 4 p.m. at Lost Trail Ski Resort. There will be food, games and music by Britchy. The public is welcome.

Chili Chow Down fundraiser
A Chili Chow Down will be held Saturday, February 21 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Hamilton Fire Department, 173 S. 3rd Street to benefit MacKenna Passey. Chili, cornbread, cookies and cupcakes will be served for $5.00 per person or $20 per family. There will be a silent auction and a raffle. All proceeds will benefit MacKenna Passey, Hamilton High School junior, who was nominated to attend the National Youth Leadership Forum on Medicine in June 2015. She will have a 10-day opportunity to witness open heart surgery, walk rounds with first year medical residents at the University of Maryland, visit the County Examiner’s office in Washington DC, help in the children’s cancer center in Maryland and have hands on experience in medical procedure simulators. Call Krista Mohn for more information, 381-4188.

Square dance club
Boots ‘n Calico Square Dance Club will hold a dance on Saturday, February 21 at the Golden Age Hall, 727 S. 5th, Hamilton. Barry Bartlette will be the caller. Pre-rounds will start at 7 p.m. followed by a mainstream dance with plus tips from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Monday, February 23

Stevi school menu
Monday: Breakfast – Waffles or yogurt, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch – Beef steaks, mashed potatoes & gravy, peaches, bread & butter, milk
Tuesday: Breakfast – Bagels & cream cheese or yogurt, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch – Chicken Fajitas, Spanish rice, apples, bread & butter, milk
Wednesday: Breakfast – Cereal or yogurt, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch – Pulled pork sandwiches, taters, mandarin oranges, bread & butter, milk
Thursday: Breakfast – Pancake on a stick or yogurt, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch – Chili & crackers, fresh carrots with ranch dressing, bananas, bread & butter, milk
Friday: Breakfast – Ham bites or yogurt, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch – Corn dogs, baked beans, applesauce, bread & butter, chocolate or regular milk.

Rotary Club
Brent Holmes, Hamilton High School Welding/Drafting/Manufacturing teacher and students, will present a program at the next meeting of the Hamilton Rotary Club, on Monday, February 23 at 12 noon. Holmes and students will be discussing “Enhanced programming” at the high school. The Club meets Mondays at noon at BJ’s Restaurant, 900 N. 1st Street, Hamilton. The meeting is open to the public. For further information, call 363-2960.

African Drum Circle
Join in an African Drum Circle on Monday, February 23 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Bring your drum, rattles, and other instruments and be part of the fun. No drums? No worries, there will be instruments to share. Drum circle meets the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month at the Center for Spiritual Living, 1720 N. 1st Street (north of Sears). For information, contact Jerry at 381-7220 (jelb229@aol.com) or like it on Facebook at CSLBitterroot.

Tuesday, February 24

UMW benefit brunch
A fundraiser for Stevensville United Methodist Women’s missions will be held on Tuesday, February 24 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the church, 216 College Street, Stevensville. All are invited to a “Cowboy Up For Missions” brunch. Gluten-free available. A freewill offering will be taken.

Republican Women
Ravalli County Republican Women’s Club will hold its monthly meeting and lunch on Tuesday, February 24 at 11:30 a.m. at BJ’s Restaurant in Hamilton. Guest speaker will be Mark Grotbo, GM, Ravalli Electric Co-op, discussing the pros and cons of “Net Metering.” The public is welcome.

I Ching class
I Ching is a 3,000-year-old Chinese text used for divination and self-awareness. Come and learn how to interpret I Ching readings to enhance and set intentions. This class is offered at two different times and locations: Tuesday, February 24 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Center for Spiritual Living, 1720 N. 1st Street (north of Sears) or every Thursday from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. at the Carriage House located at 310 N. 4th Street. For more information call Jim at 360-1915.

Dessert Show
The Valley Christian High School Fine Arts Department is hosting their annual Dessert Show, Tuesday, February 24 at 7 p.m. in the VCS Gymnasium. This year’s theme, “Daddy-O’s Diner”, will feature far-out instrumental and vocal music from the 1950’s, performed by the hip Valley Christian School band and choir. High School art work will also be displayed at this cool bash and homemade desserts and coffee will be there for the taking. Tickets are $5.00 each or $20 per family and may be purchased at the Valley Christian School Office or at the door. Call 549-0482 for more information.