Wednesday, April 8

York Rite Masons
The York Rite Masons of Hamilton will have a Commandery meeting on Wednesday, April 8 at 7:30 p.m. in the Masonic Lodge Hall, 115 S. 3rd Street, Hamilton. Commander Richard King will chair the meeting. The meeting will be preceded by a potluck supper at 6:30 p.m. in the north lounge. All able members are encouraged and requested to attend and sojourning members in good standing are invited. Ladies welcome at the potluck supper. Grand Sessions will be held in Lewistown June 4-6.

Nicaragua Mission meeting
A Nicaragua Mission interest meeting featuring Corner of Love Directors Tanya and Nelson Amador will be held Wednesday, April 8, at 7 p.m. at Faith Lutheran Church, 171 Lewis Lane, Hamilton. Interested in an adventure with a purpose? Grab a bite of dessert and learn what’s going on at Corner of Love. Tanya and Nelson, a native of San Ramón, Nicaragua, have led international medical, dental, clothing, clean water, and education efforts in the Matagalpa region since 2000. Last summer, a dozen Bitterrooters joined them in their work. Some are returning this summer; others will join trips scheduled year-round. Meet the leaders of this awesome organization and see if it calls to you. For additional information, contact the church office at 363-2964.

Thursday, April 9

Women Newcomers
If you live in the Bitterroot Valley you have no excuse to be bored! Join the Bitterroot Women Newcomers Club and enjoy some of the varied activities that members organize. The group on the second Thursday of each month at 10 a.m. at The First Christian Church, 328 Fairgrounds Road in Hamilton. On Thursday April 9, after a social half hour and short business meeting, the group will learn about how Habitat For Humanity came into being, after which some members will go to lunch at the Bitterroot Brewery. Don’t be misled by the name, the club welcomes all residents of the Valley, both new and old. Call Valerie Dannels at 360 0770 if you would like more information.

Medications and Supplements Class
Nutritional supplements are one of the fastest growing industries in the world but which supplements are best for you? Join Keith Brown, RPh, an experienced pharmacist with Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital, as he presents this month’s Healthcare Education Series’ class on “Medications and Supplements for Optimal Health.” Class will take place Thursday, April 9 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the hospital in the Blodgett/Canyon View conference rooms. Learn the myths, dosages and interactions with traditional medications, and which supplements are the most popular and prescribed by physicians. MDMH wants to be prepared for you; email your medication and supplement combinations to MDMHOptimalHealth@mdmh.org prior to class, and this information will be used anonymously as examples during the session. For more information, visit ww.mdmh.org/hes or call 363-2211.

Homeschoolers museum event
You’re invited to walk through history with the Bitterroot Homeschoolers as your guide on Thursday, April 9 at 6 p.m. at the Ravalli County Museum, 205 Bedford, Hamilton. Meet Temple Grandin, Betsy Ross, Mother Theresa, Henry Ford and 30 other historical figures all portrayed by your homeschool community. The children will be dressed in costume with beautiful displays and are looking forward to sharing their stories with you. Come support them and all their hard work. For more information call the Museum at 363-3338.

SPW Back Country Horsemen
If you are a horseman/horsewoman and you want to ride new trails and help maintain them, attend the Selway-Pintler Wilderness Back Country Horsemen’s next meeting which will be held on Thursday, April 9 at 6:30 p.m. in the Hamilton Forest Service Bldg. located at 1801 N. 1st Street (ntry is in the rear). The SPWBCH is a friendly, hardworking group of volunteers dedicated to preserving the common sense use of horses in the backcountry. Discussions will include summer trail work, scouting rides, pack trips and highlights from the BCH of MT State Convention and Boomtown. Guests are always welcome to join in for coffee, cookies and lots of “trail talk”. For more information call Kathy at 363-8230.

Cross Country Ski Club
The Bitterroot Cross Country Ski Club will meet Thursday, April 9 at 7 p.m. at the Presbyterian Church 1220 W. Main in Hamilton. Peter Stark, author of “Astoria, Astor and Jefferson’s Lost Pacific Empire, Leadership Under Extreme Stress in the Astor Expeditions of 1810,” will give a talk on his book about ambition and survival on the early American frontier. Unfolding from 1810 to 1813, “Astoria” is a tale of high adventure and incredible hardship drawing extensively on firsthand accounts of the men who made the journey. The Astorians met with incredible disasters with only about half the original members surviving. After an overall telling of the story, Stark’s readings will focus on how each leader reacted under extreme stress.
Stark has also authored “The Last Empty Spaces: A Past and Present Journey Through the Blank Spots on the American Map”; “Last Breath: The Limits of Adventure”; “At the Mercy of the River: An Exploration of the Last African Wilderness”; and the essay collection “Driving to Greenland: Arctic Travel, Northern Sport, and Other Ventures in the Heart of Winter”. A correspondent for Outside, he has written for Smithsonian and The New Yorker, among other publications, and has been nominated for a National Magazine Award. He lives in Missoula.
The public is welcome.

Fellowship Club
The Bitterroot Public Library’s Fellowship Club will be meeting on Thursday, April 9, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. to discuss the book ”A Joseph Campbell Companion: Reflections on the Art of Living” selected and edited by Diane K. Osbon.
In 1984, Joseph Campbell and ten students gathered in Big Sur, California, at the famed Esalen Institute, to immerse themselves in an intense exploration of the mythological dimension. During the course of this seminar, Campbell shared intimate insights and elucidated the full range of his life-long scholarly pursuits. From this unique, thirty-day encounter, Diane Osbon has selected Campbell’s most illuminating perceptions into those fundamental subjects that are of perennial human concern: the challenge of living in the world, the process of spiritual awakening, the struggle to come into awareness, and the art of living in the sacred.
Joseph Campbell was a celebrated American scholar, author and teacher best known for his work in the field of comparative mythology. His first original work, The Hero With a Thousand Faces, became acclaimed as a classic, and his 1988 television series with Bill Moyers, The Power of Myth, introduced his views to millions of people. Diane Osbon is a poet whose intense interest in spiritual emergence and shamanism led her to study at the Esalen Institute, then on to India. Joseph Campbell became her final teacher, as well as friend.
The Fellowship Club meets every second Thursday of the month in the West Meeting Room of the Bitterroot Public Library and is free and open to anyone seeking to promote individual and collective well being. Call 363-1670, or email jacostant@gmail.com for more information.

Dances of Universal Peace
Dances of Universal Peach will be held Thursday, April 9 at 7 p.m. at Crescent House, 258 Roosevelt Lane, Hamilton. From the beginning of time, sacred movement, song and story have brought people together – at times of seasonal ceremony and celebration, as part of everyday life and life passages, in daily renewal and meditation. The Dances of Universal Peace are part of this timeless tradition of sacred movement, song and story. All are welcome! Live music and fragrance free. $3 donation. Information at 363-4026 or tsitlali@montana.com.

Lone Rock park board
The Lone Rock Division of the Ravalli County Park Board will meet Thursday, April 9 at 7 p.m. at the Three Mile Fire Hall. The public is welcome.

Friday, April 10

South Valley Pachyderm Club
The South Valley Pachyderm Club will meet Friday, April 10 at 12 noon at BJ’s Restaurant, 900 N. First. Guest speaker will be Ravalli Sheriff Chris Hoffman. The South Valley Pachyderm Club is an officially recognized allied organization of the Republican Party. Members of the public are welcome.

Family Fun Night
Prepare for a great evening for the entire family on Friday, April 10 when the Bitterroot Cares for Kids Network presents Friday Family Fun Night at the Bedford Building, 223 S. 2nd in Hamilton from 5:30 to 8 p.m. What to expect: a great meal for all, parenting tips and door prizes, a teen coffee café (serving free mochas and vanilla lattes!), bingo for the entire family with fun prizes and it’s all free. All youth 13 and under must be accompanied by parents. For further info call 532-9149.

Eagles Taco Night
Tacos and more will be served Friday, April 10 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Eagles Lodge, 125 N. 2nd, Hamilton. The public is welcome.

Golden Age dances
The Hamilton Golden Age Club will hold dances on Friday, April 10 and Friday, April 24 at the hall at 727 S. 5th. Dancing begins at 7 p.m. and continues until about 10 p.m. The club has a good floor and danceable music is provided by a variety of musicians. Break time features potluck snacks, so bring something tasty. Admission is $3.00 per person.

Eagles Charity Dance
The Eagles Lodge, 125 N. 2nd, Hamilton, will hold a Charity Dance to benefit Bitterroot Children’s Hamilton-Corvallis Backpack Program on Friday, April 10 from 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. Admission is $7.00. Tacos and more will be served from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Call 363-1113 for more information.

Saturday, April 11

Trekker Kids program
Montana State Parks (stateparks.mt.gov) will introduce Trekker Kids, a new program at Travelers’ Rest State Park. The program will launch with an open house at the park on Saturday, April 11 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Trekker Kids is a series of activities and programs for kids and families that celebrate western Montana’s outdoors and the rich history of the Travelers’ Rest site. In celebration of Thomas Jefferson’s birthday, participants will make nature journals and record observations, just as Lewis and Clark did during their epic journey. Following the inaugural open house, regular programs will be held on Saturdays through the end of the school year, then on predetermined weekdays throughout the summer.
The program is aimed at children in 2nd through 6th grade. A donation of $20 per participant is requested which allows for unlimited participation in the series, or a $2 donation per participant per program. The donations will offset the cost of supplies and materials.
Parking for the open house is available via the administrative entrance to the park at 6550 Mormon Creek Road in Lolo or through the main park entrance at 6717 Highway 12 west and a short hike through the park. For more information call the park office at 273-4253.

Spring Fling
The Presbyterian Women of Hamilton are hosting their annual “Spring Fling” on Saturday, April 11 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the church at 1220 W. Main. There will be Attic Treasures, books, baked goods, lunch, a quilt raft1e, plants, and the very popular homemade pie by the slice. The money raised goes to charities and camperships for Presbyterian youth and their friends.

Welcome Back Waterfowl Day
Join Bitterroot Audubon for Welcome Back Waterfowl Day at Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge on Saturday, April 11 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. to celebrate the birds that have arrived in our valley this Spring. You can find the group on the road between the ponds, just below the Metcalf office. There will be birding experts there to help identify the feathered friends you are seeing. Bring the kids and have them practice looking through binoculars and scopes (and you can, too). There will also be bird identification books to borrow so you can help to keep track of all the birds out in the ponds. Then make sure to get up to the Pavilion behind the Metcalf office for a birthday celebration! Bitterroot Audubon is excited to be celebrating its 30th year here the valley! To find the shelter – just look for the balloons. There will be games there for the kids to play, books to read, an array of waterfowl wings to look at, stickers and pencils, and of course a yummy birthday cake to eat! Bring your friends and family!

Welcome Back Waterfowl Day
Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge, in partnership with Bitterroot Audubon, will host Welcome Back Waterfowl Day on Saturday, April 11 from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Visitor Center and along Wildfowl Lane. This special event is open to the public and the primary focus will be viewing all manner of birds using the Refuge wetlands. Bitterroot Audubon members and Refuge staff will have high quality optical equipment on the County Road to assist in identifying (informal duck identification workshop will continually be “looping” to assist beginning birders) and observing some 19 species of waterfowl present. Same location, Judy Hoy of Bitterroot Audubon will do programs on-demand with her rehabilitated raptors, a Long-eared Owl and Northern Saw-whet Owl. A big part of the event this year is a celebration with cake and cookies at the Refuge Visitor Center to mark the 30thAnniversary of the Bitterroot Audubon Society. The refuge will also have a variety of self-guided activity stations at the Visitor Center targeting young and old.
For more information or questions, call Bob Danley at 777-5552 x203 or email Bob_Danley@fws.gov.

Eagles Memorial Service
The Fraternal Order of Eagles, Bitter Root #1693, will host its annual Memorial Service on Saturday, April 11 at 6 p.m. in the Aerie Hall, 125 N. 2nd, Hamilton. The ‘Old Timers’ Potluck Dinner, with year pin presentation, will follow the service in the Auxiliary Hall for members and guests. Members need to sign up at the lodge. Attending the service and dinner will be the Montana State Aerie and Auxiliary Presidents.

Bitterroot Dancers
The Bitterroot Dancers, Inc. will be sponsoring a community Country Western Dance on Saturday April 11 from 7 to 11 p.m. at the Bedford Building in Hamilton. $8 entry, with the Soul City Cowboys Band. No host bar. Information at 381-1392.

Sunday, April 12

Center for Spiritual Living
The Center for Spiritual Living hosts Becky Lovejoy presenting “What Is Enough? – Finding Personal Power Through Generosity” on Sunday, April 12 at 10 a.m. Becky is a gifted author and teacher who practices the arts of simple abundance and personal freedom. Special music with LeGrande Harvey. Conversation and refreshments follow at 11:15 a.m. Come early for Meditation 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. For further information call Dave at 381-2355 or visit CSLbitterroot.org

Monday, April 13

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 fajita, Spanish rice, apples, bread & butter, chocolate or regular milk
Wednesday: Breakfast – Cereal or yogurt, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch – Pulled pork sandwich, tater, applesauce, bread & butter, milk
Thursday: Breakfast – Pancake on a stick or yogurt, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch – Chili, fresh veggies, bananas, bread & butter, milk
Friday: Breakfast – Scrambles eggs or yogurt, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch- Dave’s catch of the day, Cole slaw, mandarin oranges, bread & butter, chocolate or regular milk

Green Thumbs Up
The Green Thumbs Up Garden Club will meet Monday, April 13 at 2 p.m. in the downstairs meeting room of the Bitterroot Public Library in Hamilton. Katrina Mendrey, MSU Extension Agent, will discuss characteristics of good garden soil, ways for building soil in your garden, methods of sampling and characterizing your soil, and what role organic matter plays in a healthy soil, as well as soil considerations for plant selection.
In addition to the programs already enjoyed this year, the giveaway table of garden-related items has been a successful addition to each meeting thanks to the generosity of members. It has given the opportunity to visit with–and learn from–each other. You may wish to share with other members items like those extra plants you just knew you had to have when you bought an entire flat or that garden tool you never use just because your old one suits you better. Most likely, someone will give them a new home and be happy to do so.
GTU meetings are free and open to the public. For more information, call Carol at 363-2403.

First-time homebuyer class
The Bitter Root Resource Conservation and Development Area, Inc. (Bitter Root RC&D) announces its next first-time homebuyer pre-purchase class is April 13, 14 and 15. The Bitter Root RC&D provides the only HUD-approved first-time homebuyers’ pre-purchase classes in Ravalli County. The cost for the in-person class is $50 and includes one-on-one financial counseling at no extra cost.
The April 13-15 class is from 6 to 9 p.m., at the Human Resource Council Building at the corner of 3rd and Pine streets in Hamilton. Attendees must attend all three sessions to qualify for the certificate. Participants must be fully registered by Thursday, April 9 at 4 p.m. Call 363-5450 to reserve your space today. Payment in full is required to confirm space, and may be made by cash, check, money order, and MasterCard and Visa. If potential attendees are financially challenged, partial scholarships are available for those who qualify. The office is located at 1709 N. 1st Street in the building adjacent to Mildenberger Motors.

African Drum Circle
Join in an African Drum Circle on Monday, April 13 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 are 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 visit the website: CSLBitterroot.org.

Tuesday, April 14

Sexual Assault Awareness Month
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and SAFE is hosting events to help you learn more about the problem of sexual violence in our community, resources and support for victims and how to promote healthy relationships.
On Tuesday, April 14 there will be a brown bag luncheon to discuss types of sexual violence, sex crimes, resources and support for victims, as well as human trafficking. The discussion will be from 12 noon to 1:30 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church (West Main Street) in Hamilton. On Tuesday, April 21 there will be an evening discussion focused on “myths and realities” about sexual violence, as well as ways to promote consent. This discussion will be at 7 p.m. in the Ravalli County Commissioners’ Conference Room (Fourth Street in Hamilton). Both events are free and all are welcome.
On Tuesday, April 28, the Tenth Annual Take Back the Night will be held at 7pm at Hamilton’s Legion Park. Take Back the Night marches and rallies are held throughout the world each year to advocate for the rights of everyone to feel safe from violence, inspire communities to take a stand, and to raise awareness about violence against women.
For more information, call Jamie at SAFE, 363-2793.

Bicycle Tourism Forum
A public forum on bicycle tourism will be held Tuesday, April 14 from 2 to 5 p.m. at the North Valley Public Library community room, 208 Main in Stevensville. Guest speakers will be Ginny Sullivan, Director of Travel Initiatives at Adventure Cycling, speaking on “Building Bicycle Tourism,” Jean Belangie-Nye, President, Bike Walk Alliance of Missoula, on “Lolo to Missoula Update,” Melinda Barnes, Executive Director, Bike Walk Montana, on “Local and Regional Benefits of Bicycle Tourism,” Roger DeBrito, Journeys From Home Montana & Florence Civic Club, on “Bike Path Kiosks & Signage” and Amy Leach and Kathleen Meyer, on the Stevensville Bicycle Camp Committee’s “Mission & Vision.” The event is hosted by the Stevensville Bicycle Camp Committee, a sub-committee of the Stevensville Main Street Association. For more information call 777-3773.

RCEDA
Ravalli County Economic Development Authority will hold its regular monthly Finance Committee meeting on Tuesday, April 14 from 3:30 to 4:30 pm, and the regular monthly meeting of the Board of Commissioners on Wednesday, April 15 from 3 to 5 p.m. Both meetings will be held at the RCEDA office, 274 Old Corvallis Road, Hamilton. These meetings are open to the public.

Library Block Parties
Get ready for Block Parties in April at your local library! Developed by the University of Wisconsin Extension Service, Block Party events are times of free play with blocks of all sizes for families and their children ages 8 months to 8 years. Families interact and play with their children while learning how to help them develop a variety of skills including math, science, problem-solving, and pre-reading skills such as vocabulary development. The Darby Community Public Library and the Bitterroot Public Library will offer Block Parties for families during National Library Week. These events will be held on Tuesday April 14 from 5 to 6 p.m. at the Darby Community Library (821-4771), and on Friday, April 17 at the Bitterroot Public Library (363-1670). Contact your nearest library for more information about these free family events.

SAFE Informational Tours
Back by popular demand – SAFE has scheduled an informational tour for Tuesday, April 14 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. These tours offer you the opportunity to visit the program, learn more about why SAFE does the work it does and hear a bit about the people whose lives are touched as a result of using SAFE services. You’ll also have the opportunity to ask questions about the way SAFE does its work. A light snack will is provided. We hope you’ll join us. To RSVP, call 363-2793 or send an e-mail to safe@safeinthebitterroot.org.

Sapphire Quilt Club
The Sapphire Quilt Club will meet Tuesday, April 14 at 6:30 p.m. at the Stevensville Senior Center, 100 Mission Street. The program is being presented by Anna Dilben who will be sharing a wonderful trunk show. Come visit and enjoy all of her beautiful projects and see which ones you would love to make and learn from her experience. All quilters, from expert to beginner, are always welcome. For more info call Judy at 363-4676.

Stevi school board
The regular meeting of the Stevensville School Board of Trustees
will be Tuesday, April 14 at 7 p.m. in the Stevensville Music Center Choir Room.

Labor Film Festival
The Missoula Area Central Labor Council presents the 10th Annual Missoula Labor Film Festival – Together We Win! on two Tuesdays at the Missoula Public Library, 301 E. Main Street, Missoula, premiering award-winning feature films and documentaries.
April 14, 6 p.m. – “The Hand That Feeds” – Immigrant coworkers fight abusive conditions at a popular New York restaurant chain.
April 14, 7 p.m. – “Cesar Chavez” – Famed labor organizer and civil-rights activist Cesar Chavez (Michael Peña) is torn between his duty to his family and his commitment to securing a living wage for farm workers.
April 21, 6 p.m. – “Together We Win: The Fight to Organize Starbucks”
April 21, 7 p.m. – “Pride” – in 1984 Wales gays & lesbians fight gender stereotypes as they lend their support to striking coal miners in Margaret Thatcher’s repressive regime in England.

Wednesday, April 15

St. Mary’s Mission opening
Join in the Opening Day Celebration of Historic St. Mary’s Mission on Wednesday, April 15 at 10 a.m. with Mass in the historic Chapel. The Stevensville FFA Chapter will conduct a flag raising ceremony, followed by refreshments. Guided tours are available Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information call 777-5734. Visit St. Mary’s Mission and Museum at the west end of 4th Street in Stevensville and learn about the site “Where Montana Began.”

Bingo for Books
On Wednesday, April 15 from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., North Valley Public Library will host “Bingo for Books” night in the Community Room in honor of National Library Week. Families and children of all ages are encouraged to come, play bingo for books and eat pizza. There will be books for prizes and a raffle prize at the end of the night. Admission is free and all ages are welcome. North Valley Public Library is located at 208 Main Street, Stevensville. For more information, call the library at 777-5061.