Wednesday, May 11
Blood drive
A Red Cross blood drive will be held Wednesday, May 11 from 2:15 to 7 p.m. at Florence-Carlton High School, 5602 Old Highway 93, Florence.
SPWBCH
Trail riding enthusiasts are invited to join Selway-Pintler Wilderness Back Country Horsemen members at their Wednesday, May 11 meeting at 6:30 p.m. at the Bitterroot National F.S. Bldg at 1801 N. 1st, Hamilton. Use the west entrance. Discussion will include highlights of the recently held pack clinic, the upcoming Youth Expo on May 14, summer trail work, scouting rides, pack support and other events. If you are interested in riding and helping maintain and reclaim trails, join in for coffee, cookies and trail talk. For more information call Linda at 961-1435.
African Children’s Choir
The internationally acclaimed African Children’s Choir will perform on Wednesday, May 11 at 7 p.m. at Hamilton High School, 327 Fairgrounds Road. The African Children’s Choir melts the hearts of audiences with their charming smiles, beautiful voices and lively African songs and dances. The program features well-loved children’s songs, traditional spirituals and gospel favorites. The concerts is free and open to all. Donations will be accepted at the performance to support African Children’s Choir programs, such as education, care and relief and development programs.
Music for Life (the parent organization for The African Children’s Choir) works in seven African countries such as, Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan, Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa. MFL has educated over 52,000 children and impacted the lives of over 100,000 people through its relief and development programs during its history. MFL purpose is to help create new leadership for tomorrow’s Africa, by focusing on education.
The African Children’s Choir has had the privilege to perform before presidents, heads of state and most recently the Queen of England, Queen Elizabeth II, for her diamond jubilee. The Choir has also had the honor of singing alongside artist such as, Paul McCartney, Annie Lennox, Keith Urban, Mariah Carry, Michael W. Smith, and other inspirational performers. The African Children’s Choir is a nonprofit humanitarian and relief organization dedicated to helping Africa’s most vulnerable children today so they can help Africa tomorrow.
Thursday, May 12
Stevensville Civic Club
The Stevensville Civic Club will meet Thursday, May 12 at 12 noon at St. Mary’s Mission downstairs meeting room. Lunch is $6. Everyone is welcome.
Lunchtime Learning
“Adding Edibles to your Flower Garden” is the title of a free lunchtime learning talk on Thursday, May 12 from 12 noon to 1 p.m. at the O’Hara Commons & Sustainability Center, 111 S. 4th, Hamilton. Come and learn and share ideas about how to mix edible crops into your ornamental beds. Food crops can replace many of your annual flowers and maintain the beauty of a garden. Bring a brown bag lunch and a fresh green salad will be provided. Call 369-6451 for more information.
Valley Christian Kindergarten Roundup
Preschool and Kindergarten Round-up at Valley Christian School is on Thursday, May 12 at 2 p.m. for children entering preschool or kindergarten in the fall of 2016. Parents and students are encouraged to attend. Classroom activities and kindergarten readiness activities will be available for the children while the parents learn more about Christian education. Valley Christian School focuses on the whole-child’s education for 4-year-old preschool students through high school graduation. Come see for yourself how the school combines academic excellence with a Biblical worldview. RSVP at admissions@valleychristian.org or 549-0482 ext. 231.
Advance directive presentation
“Advance Care Planning (Advanced Directives): It’s Your Choice, Make It Known!” will be presented by Dick Weber, Attorney and Alan Baum, Consultant, on Thursday, May 12 from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Pastoral Center, 411 S. 5th Street, Hamilton. What kind of medical care would you want if you were too ill or hurt to express your wishes? Advance directives are legal documents that allow you to spell out your decisions about end-of-life care ahead of time. They give you a way to tell your wishes to family, friends, and health care professionals to help avoid confusion later on. Learn what advance care planning is and why it’s important (i.e. Living Wills, medical power of attorney, etc), decide what types of treatment you would or would not want should you be diagnosed with a serious illness, and if ready, complete an advance directive so your wishes for medical treatment are in writing. No RSVP needed. Everyone welcome!
Fellowship Club
The Bitterroot Public Library’s Fellowship Club will be meeting on Thursday, May 12 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. to discuss the book “The Fifth Agreement: A Practical Guide to Self-Mastery (A Toltec Wisdom)” by Miguel Ruiz.
In “The Four Agreements,” a New York Times bestseller for over seven years, don Miguel Ruiz revealed how the process of our education, or ‘domestication,’ can make us forget the wisdom we were born with. Throughout our lives, we make many agreements that go against ourselves and create needless suffering. The Four Agreements slowly help us to break these self-limiting agreements and replace them with agreements that bring us personal freedom, happiness, and love.
In this book don Miguel joins his son don Jose to offer a fresh perspective on the Four Agreements, and a powerful new agreement for transforming our lives into our personal heaven: the Fifth Agreement. The Fifth Agreement takes us to a deeper level of awareness to the power of the Self, and returns us to the authenticity we were born with. In this compelling sequel to the book that has changed the lives of millions of people around the world, we are reminded of the greatest gift we can give ourselves: the freedom to be who we really are.
Don Miguel Ruiz is a master of the Toltec mystery school tradition. He is a nagual from the Eagle Knight lineage, dedicated to sharing his knowledge of the teachings of the ancient Toltec. For more than two decades, he has worked with a small group of students and apprentices, guiding them toward their personal freedom.
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.
Lone Rock park board
The Ravalli County Division of the Lone Rock Park Board will meet on Thursday, May 12 at 7 p.m. at the Three Mile Fire Hall. The public is welcome.
Friday, May 13
South Valley Pachyderm Club
Bitterroot South Valley Pachyderm Club will meet Friday, May 13 from 12 to 1 p.m. at BJ’s Family Restaurant, 900 N. 1st in Hamilton. Featured speakers will be candidates for Ravalli County Commissioner, incumbent JR Iman and his opponent, Sheriff Chris Hoffman. Pachyderm Clubs are the official educational arm of the Republican Party. The meeting is open to the public. For more information call 961-4406.
Stevensville Playhouse production
Prepare yourself for a million laughs with the Stevensville Playhouse production of Jim Sperinck’s British comedy version of “Treasure Island.” A cast of 12 actors work together to defeat Long John Silver’s attempts to steal a buried treasure lost for centuries. Supported by a band of young lost pirates, sea creatures and skeletons, Long John’s plan starts to come unraveled. This show will appeal to young and old with pantomimed songs, audience participation and a healthy dose of British slapstick humor. This show opens May 13. It runs May 13,14, 20 and 21 at 7:30 p.m. and May 15 and 22 at 2 p.m. Reservations can be made at www.stevensvilleplayhouse.org, by calling 777-2722 or at Valley Drug.
Saturday, May 14
Pancake Breakfast
The Florence Firefighters will hold a free Pancake Breakfast on Saturday, May 14 from 8 a.m. to 12 noon at the Florence Fire station on Holloway Lane (behind Town Pump) in Florence. Fresh pancakes, eggs, sausages and bacon will be served.
Florence Trail Cleanup
The Florence Civic Club will hold its monthly Trail Cleanup on Saturday, May 14. Meet at the Fire Hall at 9 a.m. Bring gloves. Safety vests will be provided. For more information call Ann at 403-6491.
Women Veterans Recognition Luncheon
A Women Veterans Recognition Luncheon will be held Saturday, May 14 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 825 Ronan Street in Missoula. The event will start with opening ceremonies, information from the Veteran Service Officers, Veteran Centers, and the VA with special recognition to our remaining WWII female veterans. There will be a guest speaker during the luncheon. Information will be provided that will help the veteran know what is available in Montana for them. The event is free and pre-registration is highly recommended. Contact Debbie Hancock at 406-654-4279 to register or for more information.
Youth Conservation & Education Expo
The fourth annual Youth Conservation & Education Expo will take place at Teller Wildlife Refuge’s Slack Barn (1180 Chaffin Lane, Corvallis) on Saturday, May 14 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Over 35 local and national wildlife and conservation organizations will host free-of-charge educational booths and activities and give away prizes. Activities include paintball, BB gun and archery ranges, poaching trailer and laser shooting range, climbing wall, game calling, horse packing clinics, big game scoring and much more. Lunch will be available for purchase. Youth 6-18 years of age who participate in 12 or more of the activities will have a chance to win one of 85 summer camp scholarships. For a complete list of partnering organizations, sponsors and prizes visit the Youth Conservation & Education Expo events page on Teller’s website, www.tellerwildlife.org or on Facebook.
Trekker Kids
Montana State Parks is hosting ‘Plants and Their Uses’ at Travelers’ Rest State Park on Saturday, May 14 at 11 a.m. From cucumbers to foxglove, plants come in all shapes and sizes. These green friends of ours are more than just pretty! Come learn about the variety of different uses plants have and the function they serve in our everyday life. At the end of the program you can take home your very own purposeful plant. This free program is part of the Trekker Kids series and is open to kids around 5-10 years old. Trekker Kids is a series of activities and programs for children and families that celebrate the outdoors of western Montana and the rich history of the Travelers’ Rest site. Travelers’ Rest State Park is located at 6717 Highway 12 W, Lolo. Regular programs are held on Saturdays at 11 a.m. unless otherwise posted. For more information, call Loren Flynn or Dani Staunton at 273-4253.
Scholarship workshop
A Scholarship Workshop for students and parents will be held Saturday, May 14 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the North Valley Public Library. Students who are in 8th grade or above are encouraged to attend. Start early – you can begin earning scholarships at age 13! Education Coordinators, Wendi Fawns and Patricia Meakin, will show you how to find scholarships that will cover part or all of tuition costs and help you navigate financial aid and student loans. Registration fee is only $5. Space is limited. To register call 531-8338 or email wrfawns@yahoo.com.
Basketmaking class
A workshop entitled “Build A Harvest Basket” will be held on Saturday, May 14 at the O’Hara Commons and Sustainability Center, 111 S. 4th in Hamilton. Pat Kreider will be the instructor and she will teach you to make a beautiful and functional 16” woven reed harvest basket during this five-hour workshop. Included in the fee of $25 is instruction, supplies, refreshments and lunch. Class is limited to 6 people, so sign up now: oharacommons@gmail.com.
Monday, May 16
Stevi school menu
Monday: Breakfast – Waffles or yogurt, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch – Cheeseburgers, taters, pears, bread & butter, milk
Tuesday: Breakfast – Bagels & cream cheese or yogurt, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch – Burritos, Spanish rice, apples, bread & butter, milk
Wednesday: Breakfast – Cereal or yogurt, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch – Chicken & Noodles, tossed salad, mixed fruit, bread & butter, milk
Thursday: Breakfast – Pancake on a stick or yogurt, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch – BBQ Pork Sandwiches, fresh veggies, bananas, bread & butter, milk
Friday: Breakfast – Ham Bites or yogurt, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch – Ham & Scrambled eggs, hash browns, applesauce, bread & butter, milk.
Rotary Club
Wendy Campbell from Darby Community Library, and Bryan Dufresne and JP McCrossin, administrators/sponsors of the new Darby High School Interact Club, will be speaking at the next meeting of the Hamilton Rotary Club on Monday, May 16 at 12 noon at BJ’s Restaurant, 900 N. 1st Street, Hamilton. The meeting is open to the public. For further Rotary Club information, call 363-2960.
First-Time Homebuyer class
The Bitter Root Resource Conservation and Development Area, Inc. (Bitter Root RC&D) will hold a class for first‐time homebuyers May 16-18, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Human Resource Council Building (corner of 3rd and Pine), Hamilton. The Bitter Root RC&D provides the only HUD-approved first‐time homebuyers’ prepurchase classes in Ravalli County. The cost for the in‐person class is $50 and includes the one‐on‐one financial counseling session required prior to taking the group class. Attendees must attend all three sessions and participate in a one‐on‐one financial counseling session to qualify for the certificate. Participants must be fully registered by Thursday, May 5, at 4 p.m. Call 406‐363‐5450 to reserve your space and schedule the one‐on‐one. The one‐on‐one may be completed with a phone appointment and is included in the cost of the pre‐purchase class. Payment in full is required to confirm space, and may be made by cash, check, money order, or MasterCard or 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. A First time homebuyer is defined as anyone who has
not owned a home within the last three years. Contacting the Bitter Root RC&D and registering for the group class and one‐on‐one counseling is the first step to homeownership. You will learn various loan products, how to shop for a lender
and a realtor, how to shop for a home, and what to expect at closing.
Florence spaghetti dinner
The Florence Civic Club is having a Spaghetti Dinner for the community on Monday, May 16 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Florence Fire Hall. The community is welcome to enjoy a free spaghetti dinner. For more information contact Ann at Florence Ace Hardware, 273-4333.
Nonviolent Communication Discussion Group
Learn to communicate in a non-violent way at a discussion group on Monday, May 16 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. (ongoing on the first and third Mondays of the month) at The Center for Spiritual Living, 1720 N. 1st Street, Hamilton (north of Sears). Peace and violence start within each individual and is expressed by the way we communicate with one another. This discussion group is based on the book “Nonviolent Communication—A Language of Life” by Marshall Rosenberg. Come and learn Marshall’s simple technique to communicate and build healthy, strong relationships in a non-violent, peaceful, and respectful way. Purchase the book from your favorite book source. Free will offering taken. For more information call Salim at 241-1292.
Bitterroot Audubon
Bitterroot Audubon’s May meeting will feature a program on Common Poorwills, which are a little-known relative of Common Nighthawks. Kate Stone, Avian Ecologist for the MPG Ranch, will discuss her study examining Poorwill distribution, habitat use and breeding ecology on the MPG Ranch. She also coordinated Citizen Scientists from Bitterroot Audubon to survey for Poorwills in other parts of the valley. Most range maps do not show Poorwills occurring west of the divide in Montana, so this is an exciting discovery. Kate’s program is scheduled for Monday, May 16 at 7 p.m. at the Visitors’ Center at the Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge on Wildfowl Lane, north east of Stevensville. The public is invited. Contact Kay Fulton, 642-3794, for more information.
Tuesday, May 17
RCEDA
Ravalli County Economic Development Authority will hold its regular monthly Finance Committee meeting on Tuesday, May 17 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. and the regular monthly meeting of the Board of Commissioners on Wednesday, May 18 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.
Wednesday, May 18
Storytelling series
Montana State Parks will be hosting a Summer Storytelling Series at Holt Visitor Center at Travelers’ Rest State Park, 6717 Highway 12 W, Lolo, beginning on Wednesday, May 18 at 7 p.m. Travelers’ Rest State Park’s popular Winter Storytelling Series is making a summer appearance! The series kicks off with Stephen Small Salmon as he entertains the audience with a variety of traditional Salish Stories. Small Salmon is a Pend d’Oreille elder, traditional dancer, singer and storyteller. Small Salmon is also helping to preserve the Salish language as an instructor at the Nkwusm Institute in Arlee. All programs in the series begin at 7pm, and the cost is $5 per adult; free for members of the Travelers’ Rest Preservation & Heritage Association.
Program schedule and presenters:
May 18th – Stephen Small Salmon, Salish Stories
June 15th – Tom Schenarts, Women of the Corps of Discovery
July 27th – Dawn Dambach, The Beginning is the Best Place to Start: Stevensville
August 17th – Kate Davis, Raptors of the Rockies
For more information call the Holt Visitor Center at 273-4253.