Thursday, July 16

Back County Horsemen
Bitter Root Back Country Horsemen host the second in their series of outdoor summer meetings on Thursday, July 16, at Coyote Coulee Trailhead, located up Lost Horse Road. Potluck dinner begins at 6:30 p.m. and the general meeting starts at 7. Program speaker is Brad Pollman who will present information on trailer maintenance. Upcoming Boulder Creek, Burnt Fork and May Creek trail projects will be discussed and signups for the fair start. Guests are welcome and people who want to keep trails open for stock users and hikers, take note — this is what BCH does! For more information, call Karen at 961-0101 or check the website at www.bchmt.org/bitterroot.

SAFE vigil
SAFE will host an informal gathering on Thursday, July 16 at 7 p.m. at 111 S. Fourth Street, inspired by the bravery of the individuals who recently used their voices to disclose sexual abuse, those who believed their voices and those who worked tirelessly in a recent sexual abuse trial. SAFE would like to provide an opportunity for community members to express their thoughts on abuse, heal from traumatic experiences and stand in solidarity with others. SAFE especially encourages anyone involved with the trial or anyone who has experienced abuse to join us. Together we can create a future free of violence.

Friday, July 17

Nez Perce Trail Tour
Experience the beauty of the ancestral homelands of the Nez Perce people on the Summer Educational Trail Tour July 17-24 sponsored by the Nez Perce Trail Foundation. Explore history and culture while camping along the Sacred Trail. The journey begins at Wallowa, Oregon with participation in the three-day Tamkaliks Celebration Pow Wow, experiencing traditional ceremonies, dancing, and Friendship Feast. The journey continues into Idaho, touring the White Bird and Clearwater Battlefields. Following the Lolo Trail eastward, stop at historical points of interest, while continuing south through the Bitterroot Valley. The trip concludes with a guided tour of the Big Hole Battlefield near Wisdom, Montana. 425 miles, space is limited. Basic camping equipment is required. Cost is $200 per adult. For more info: www.nezpercetrail.net/summer-educational-trail-tour/.

North Valley Pachyderm Club
The North Valley Pachyderm Club will meet Friday, July 17 at 12 noon at The Frontier Café, Hwy 93 in Stevensville. Guest speaker will be State Senator Fred Thomas. The North Valley Pachyderm Club meets the first and third Friday of each month from noon to 1 p.m. and is an educational arm of the Republican Party. All are welcome.

Flower Show
The Stevensville Garden Club is presenting a standard flower show on July 17 and 18 at St. Mary’s Mission Museum in Stevensville. Hours are July 17, 1 to 5 p.m. and July 18, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Everyone is welcome and admission is free. There will be much to see and items for sale. The Stevensville Garden Club is celebrating its 75 years in the Bitterroot and would love to have everyone come see part of what the club is all about! For more information call Mary at 406-207-0334.

Saturday, July 18

Science Saturday
“The Science of Spin” will be the topic at Science Saturday on July 18 at 10 a.m. at the Ravalli County Museum, 205 Bedford St, Hamilton. Experiment with tops and explore the science of spin. Invent and design your own top to take home. Explore gyroscopic motion with a bike tire and spin yourself around. Don’t get too dizzy!

Habitat Scavenger Hunt
Montana State Parks (stateparks.mt.gov) is hosting Trekker Kids Scavenger Hunt at Travelers’ Rest State Park on Saturday, July 18 at 11 a.m. Discover native wildlife habitat with Darcy Lester, AmeriCorps member for the National Wildlife Federation! Darcy will lead a nature scavenger hunt around Travelers’ Rest State Park that focuses on discovering some of the natural history elements that create a good habitat for the flora and fauna of the Bitterroot Valley. This program is part of the Trekker Kids series and is open to kids in 2nd through 6th grade. Trekker Kids is a series of activities and programs for kids and families that celebrate the outdoors of western Montana and the rich history of the Travelers’ Rest site. Regular programs are held on Saturdays at 11 a.m. unless otherwise posted. The cost will go to support further Trekker Kids programs. For more information, call Loren Flynn or Kelly Byard at 273-4253 .

Sunday, July 19

Center for Spiritual Living
The Center for Spiritual Living hosts I Serenity presenting “Gandhi Wisdom: Selfless Service” on Sunday, July 19 at 10 a.m. The theme for July is Being In Sacred Service. Serenity will share Gandhi’s lessons about serving others. Special music with LeGrande Harvey. Refreshments and conversation follow at 11:15. 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.

Pancake breakfast
Come enjoy a neighborhood pancake breakfast on Sunday, July 19, from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Stevensville Seventh-day Adventist church on the corner of Pine Hollow and Baldwin Road. There will be good food and fun fellowship for all. Everyone is welcome. No charge.

Music at the Mission
Music at the Mission will take place Sunday, July 19 at 7 p.m. at St. Mary’s Mission Grounds, west end of 4th Street, Stevensville. Bring your lawn chairs or blankets and enjoy the beautiful setting and great local music featuring “Sunrise,” “Bittergrass” and “Squeeze Box Sisters.” Donations will be accepted in support of Historic St. Mary’s Mission.

Monday, July 20

Baptist VBS
Grab your expedition gear and prepare to take a “Journey Off the Map” and discover truths about Jesus – the ultimate guide, at Vacation Bible School on July 20-24 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon at First Baptist Church, 354 Cooper Lane, Hamilton. Kids from 3 years old through 6th grade will embark on a journey like never before! A pre-registration Bock Party will be held Sunday, July 19 from 4:30 to 6:15 p.m. with a concert by “The Proclaimers” There will be a bounce house, cotton candy, popcorn and more. You may also call the church at 363-3735 to pre-register.
Rotary Club
John Ayers, Rotarian and retired funeral home director, will be speaking at the next meeting of the Hamilton Rotary Club, on Monday, July 20 at 12 noon at BJ’s Restaurant, 900 N. 1st, Hamilton. John will be speaking about Mortuary Science, and his funeral home business. The meeting is open to the public. For more information call 363-2960.

Tuesday, July 21

Tuesdays at the Patch
Kids can enjoy an hour of exploring nature in the garden through outdoor activities, creative expression and open exploration on Tuesday, July 21 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Daly Mansion. Activities will include crafts and fresh snacks made from the garden, an ecology themed book reading, music and more! July 21 is “What’s Cookin’ in the Patch?” Katelyn Anderson, Ravalli County Extension Agent, will be fixin’ up a fun and healthy snack from the garden and talking about ways to eat healthy throughout the seasons.

Community Band rehearsal
Fulfill your lifelong aspirations of performing in a wind ensemble! The Bitterroot Community Band rehearses in the Stevensville Band Room on Tuesday, July 21 at 7 p.m. All ages and playing abilities are welcome! For more info contact director Jeremy Ruff at 363-8962.

Wednesday, July 22

On Wednesday, July 22 from 6 to 8:30 PM, Stevensville’s Our Savior Lutheran Church and Preschool is hosting a Family Fun Night. All community families with children aged preschool through sixth grade are invited. Following dinner there will be games, stories and opportunities to register the children for Our Savior’s Vacation Bible School the following week, July 27-31. Everyone is welcome. The evening is completely free, paid for by Thrivent Financial, an in-service Helping Hands project to benefit communities served by Lutheran congregations. Call 777-5625 for directions and to RSVP for this event.

Zen Buddhism class
A class will be held Wednesday, July 22 on the fundamental teachings of the Buddha as taught by Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh including exercises of mindful breathing, listening, walking, eating; the Eightfold Path with the basic teaching on Mindfulness; the Five Precepts for living in the world; and the Heart Sutra. The class meets 2nd and 4th Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 8 p.m. and is led by Jill Davies (642-3601). Donations accepted. The Center for Spiritual Living is located at 1720 N. First Street, Suite C in Selway Commons, north of Sears in Hamilton.