Canner gauge checks
Free pressure canner dial gauge checks are available at the Ravalli County MSU Extension Office. The dial gauges must be checked yearly to ensure accuracy. Bring the gauge itself or the gauge on the lid to be checked. Weighted gauges do not need to be tested since they remain accurate as long as they remain intact. Contact the MSU Extension Office at 375-6611 or 215 S. 4th Street, Hamilton for more information.
Volunteers needed
The 7th annual Bitterroot Celtic Games & Gathering will be on August 20 and 21. It requires many volunteers to manage this event that includes Clans, Scottish and Irish dancing, Pipe bands, Highland Athletics, activities for kids, Bonnie Knees and Beards and Braids contests, and so much more. Volunteers who work a four-hour shift receive a free ticket for the day they work. There are also opportunities to help set up fencing the Thursday or Friday before and receive a ticket for the day of your choice. Contact Kristina for types of assignments and shifts available, cjaskar@gmail.com or 360-1332.
Call for poetry
All poets and aspiring poets are invited to submit original poems on any topic and in any form, including Haiku, to the Ravalli County Fair Poetry Contest. Entries may be submitted to amonteith@rc.mt.gov or by direct mail to: RC Fairgrounds, 100 Old Corvallis Rd, Hamilton MT 59840, or delivered in person to the fairgrounds office. Deadline is Friday, August 12. Call 363-3411 for more information.
Fair parade signups
The Ravalli County Fair Parade will take place on Wednesday, August 31 at 10 a.m. in downtown Hamilton. The theme is “Western Nights, Carnival Lights.” The Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce Leadership Bitterroot class will once again be putting on the parade. Sign-ups for parade entries are being taken at the Chamber office, located at 105 East Main in Hamilton. You must register your entry and pick up your number at the Chamber office, which is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, contact Pat at 363-2400.
Wednesday, August 3
Stevensville Garden Club
Stevensville Garden Club meets every first Wednesday of the month at 1 p.m. in the Community Baptist Church, 409 Buck Street, Stevensville. On August 3, members and guests will be working on making “toad houses” from natural materials for the Fall Board Mini Conference that the club will be sponsoring in October. Bring your creative talents and have fun at this meeting/workshop. If you have any questions, call Sue at 369–0406.
Spiritual Masters Video Series
Join in viewing and discussion of two inspiring TED Talks by Dr. Brene’ Brown as she addresses “The Power of Vulnerability” and “The Price of Invulnerability” on Wednesday, August 3 at 6:30 p.m. at the Center for Spiritual Living, 1720 N. 1st Street (north of Sears). Brown studies human connection — our ability to empathize, belong, love. In our anxious world, we often protect ourselves by closing off parts of our lives that leave us feeling most vulnerable. Yet invulnerability has a price. When we knowingly or unknowingly numb ourselves to what we sense threatens us, we sacrifice an essential tool for navigating uncertain times — joy. These talks will explore how and why fear and collective scarcity has profoundly dangerous consequences on how we live, love, parent, work and engage in relationships — and how simple acts can restore our sense of purpose and meaning. The video, discussion and popcorn begins at 6:30 p.m. Collection taken. For more information visit www.cslbitterroot.org.
Stevi Committee of the Whole
The Stevensville Town Council will hold a Committee of the Whole meeting on Wednesday, August 3 at 7 p.m. and FY16-17 Preliminary Budget Workshop is Thursday, August 4 at 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, August 4
MDMH sports physical program
All male and female valley athletes in middle and high school are invited to the Marcus Daly Rehabilitation Center on Thursday, August 4 or Wednesday, August 10 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. for the annual sports physical program. Over the past nine years, this program sponsored by Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital and medical providers has raised over $78,000 for the valley’s school athletic programs. The cost is $25 per student and 100% of the proceeds will be donated back to the students’ school athletic program. Cash or check only, payment is due at the time of visit, no refunds. Enter the Marcus Daly Rehabilitation Center through the main entrance, located on the south west end of Westwood Drive.
All participants must have a sports physical form. They are available at medical clinics or through your coach; or online at www.mdmh.org. Parents must fill out and sign the form and accompany their child at the examination. The physical includes height, weight, blood pressure, pulse, vision, evaluations for posture, joints, strength, flexibility, heart, lungs, abdomen, ears, nose, and throat.
Marcus Daly medical staff members donate their time to make this program possible. This year’s participants are: Frederick Ilgenfritz, MD at Bitterroot General & Vascular Surgery; Michael Dolecki, MD and Timothy Woods, MD with Bitterroot Orthopedics and Sports Medicine; Walker Ashcraft, MD, Robert Smith, MD and Anne Weinberger, ANP at the Bitterroot Physicians Clinic; Yvonne Courchesne, MD, and Nicolett Weston, FNP at Corvallis Family Medicine; H. Brett Heath, MD Family Medicine Center of the Bitterroot; Brian Kelleher, MD and Samuel Urso, MD at Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital’s Emergency Department; Katherine Herczeg, APRN, Bitterroot Physicians Clinic South, and Lawrence Brouwer, MD, Kathi Harder-Brouwer, MD, Allisun Jensen, PA-C and Shaun Lalonde, PA-C at Ravalli Family Medicine.
For more information, call 363-2211 or visit www.mdmh.org.
Stevensville Playhouse production
Stevensville Playhouse will present “Laundry and Bourbon” and “Lone Star” on Thursday and Friday, August 4 and 5 at 7:30 p.m. and Friday, August 6 at 2 p.m. These two gritty, poignant one act plays feature three men and three women, respectively, in compelling scripts by James McLure about the relationships of all six people in a post Vietnam War small Texas town. Warning: Strong adult language and content. Tickets are available at www.stevensvilleplayhouse.org, by calling 777-2722 or at the door. All tickets are $10.00.
Friday, August 5
North Valley Pachyderm Club
The North Valley Pachyderm Club will meet Friday, August 5 at 12 noon at the Frontier Café, Hwy 93 in Stevensville. Guest speaker will be State Representative Ed Greef. The North Valley Pachyderm Club is an educational arm of the Republican Party. All are welcome.
Stevi Class of ’81 reunion
The Stevensville High School Class of 1981 is having a 35th Class Reunion during the upcoming Creamery Picnic. On Friday, August 5, a meet and greet social is planned from 4 to 8 p.m. On Saturday, the class will ride in the parade followed up by a barbeque at the American Legion starting at 4 p.m. Contact Dawn (Lambert) Lujan at 406-381-0679, ddlujan@hotmail.com, or on facebook at Stevensville, Montana Class of 1981 and Stevi class of 1981 35th reunion.
Model Railroaders
The Bitterroot Valley Model Railroaders will be operating their train site in the basement of the Kohl Building the following times during the Creamery Picnic: Friday, August 5 from 5 to 8 p.m. and Saturday, August 6 from when the parade ends until 4 p.m. The club will not be running trains the third Saturday of August (20th). Beginning in September, the running time for the trains on the third Saturday is 1 to 4 p.m.
Stevi Fire Dept. Awards Ceremony
The Stevensville Fire Department will present its 2016 Meritorious Awards at a ceremony on Friday, August 5 at 7 p.m. at the Stevensville Fire Department, 206 Buck Street. The 2016 Meritorious Awards will honor Stevensville Fire Department staff and citizens who have made a difference in the community in 2016. Promotions and special accomplishments will also be recognized. An open house and reception with light refreshments will be held after the awards ceremony. The Stevensville Fire Department was organized in 1901 with a roster of about 10 men, a hook and ladder cart and two hose carts. Today, the Stevensville Fire Department consists of nearly 50 volunteers who commit over 5,500 hours to making Stevensville a safer and better place to live and work.
Saturday, August 6
Pancake breakfast
In conjunction with the annual Creamery Picnic festivities, the Stevensville Masonic Lodge will hold its annual pancake breakfast on Saturday, August 6 from 7 to 11 a.m. at the lodge, 3rd and Church, Stevensville (one block east of main at the stop sign). All brother, sisters, sojourners and the public are invited for eggs, bacon, pancakes and beverages. Cost is $7 for adults, $3 for children. Proceeds assist the Florence, Lone Rock and Stevensville Schools “Bike for Books” and Kindle programs.
Creamery Picnic Parade
The annual Creamery Picnic parade will take place on Saturday, August 6 at 11 a.m. The theme is “Friendships and Relationships.” Judging of entries will take place at 9:45 a.m, prior to the start of the parade. Entry categories include: Classic Cars, Antique Vehicles (built before 1949), Classic Tractors & Farm Equipment, Organizations (Clubs, Churches, Political, etc.), Youth Groups (4-H, Scouts, Sports Teams), Commercial/Business, Walking Entries (Individuals, Families), Horses, Miscellaneous, Floats. Pre-registration is required and no entries will be accepted the day of the parade. Visit the website at www.creamerypicnic.com to find the parade entry form or call Melissa Sundberg at 546-5176.
Trekker Kids
Montana State Parks will host “Get WILD” at Travelers’ Rest State Park, 6717 Hwy 12 W, Lolo on Saturday, August 6 at 11 a.m. MT WILD will be at the park for a morning program full of learning about wildlife! Trekker Kids at this free event will get to experience hands on learning and fun activities all about some of Montana’s greatest wildlife critters! This 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. For more information, call Loren Flynn or Dani Staunton at 273-4253.
Senior Center fundraiser
The Stevensville Senior Center, 100 Mission Street, will be holding its annual Creamery Picnic fundraiser on Saturday, August 6 from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Members will be serving deluxe hamburgers, homemade potato salad or chips and a cold drink for $6.00, with cheese $6.50. Homemade pie for $1.50 a slice will also be available. So come and enjoy a lunch in the air-conditioned Senior Center.
Round up at Riverside
Join the Daly Mansion Preservation Trust for their annual major fundraiser, “Round Up at Riverside,” on Saturday, August 6. This important event provides the Daly Mansion with operating funds so that it can continue to be a center for community events and to bring the story of our shared heritage to life through tours of the Daly home. This fundraiser also makes it possible to maintain the restored beauty of the home and grounds. The evening will include a gourmet dinner provided by “A Moveable Feast” featuring roasted pork tenderloin with an onion jam and molasses BBQ sauce along with delicious side dishes and huckleberry cheesecake shooters for dessert. Mike and Tari Conroy will provide foot stompin’ fiddle and banjo music along with Ellie Nuno. Live and silent auction fun also awaits you! Auction items include beautiful and original works of art by local artists. You can bid on fabulous trips to Kentucky Bourbon Country, Sonoma/Napa Valley, and New Mexico as well as unique Montana experiences like Virginia City, Flathead Lake and a Coeur d’Alene getaway! Fly fishing casting lessons, fine wines, Taste of the Bitterroot, and even an antique surrey with the fringe on top and many other terrific items are calling your name! $70 per person includes wine and a no host bar. Call for reservations or more information at 363-6004.
Sunday, August 7
Center for Spiritual Living
“Wisdom from Creatures Great & Small” will be presented by I Serenity, a CSL Licensed Spiritual Practitioner, on Sunday, August 7 at 10 a.m. at the Center for Spiritual Living, 1720 N. First Street, Suite C in Selway Commons. This starts off the August theme of “Beauty, Nature, Art & Aesthetics” by presenting how animals are our teachers and give us gifts when we’re willing to learn their ‘speak’. Serenity will offer the wisdom of “Whisperers” and the power of totems and how they support us in living more spiritual, balanced, and connected lives. Come early for Meditation at 9:30 a.m. Refreshments and delightful conversation follow at 11:15 a.m. For further information call Dave at 381-2355 or visit CSLbitterroot.org.
Tuesday, August 9
Tuesdays at ‘The Patch’
Summer activities in “The Patch,” a youth garden at the Daly Mansion, are held every Tuesday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. through August 9. Children are invited for an hour of exploring nature in the garden through outdoor activities, creative expression and open exploration. Activities include crafts and fresh snacks made from the garden, an ecology themed book reading, music and more! The garden season will end with the Harvest and Pumpkin Party on Saturday, October 8 from 1 to 4 p.m. Help harvest the rest of this year’s bounty and decorate some pumpkins.
Tuesday at Twelve concert series
The Jean Matthews Tuesday at Twelve free summer concert series is held every Tuesday at 12 noon in front of the Ravalli County Museum at 205 Bedford in Hamilton.
The schedule is:
August 9 – Josh Farmer
August 16 – Tin Cup
August 23 – Joan Zen.
For more information contact Russ Lawrence at 363-1279.
Canning class
Make sure you’re ready to preserve all your garden goods this year. Katelyn Anderson, from the MSU extension office, will teach a free course on canning on Tuesday, August 9 from 12:30 to 2 p.m. at the North Valley Public Library. This class will cover high acid and low acid preserving techniques, the difference between hot water bath and pressure canning, and how to avoid the most common canning mistakes. Participants are encouraged to register in advance by registering with the MSU extension office at 375-6611 or emailing ravalli@montana.edu. North Valley Public Library is located at 208 Main Street, Stevensville.
Stevensville school board
The Stevensville School Board of Trustees will hold a regular board meeting on Tuesday, August 9 at 7 p.m. in the Stevensville Music Center Choir Room.
Wednesday, August 10
Benefit sports physicals
Lifespan Family Medicine in Stevensville will hold a Sports Physical Clinic on Wednesday, August 10 from 1 to 5 p.m. 100% of the $25 cost will be donated to Stevensville School for multiple programs. Last year $1000 was donated and this year the clinic hopes to double it. All participating students will receive a free water bottle.
Thursday, August 11
Astronomy at NVP Library
International award-winning astronomer, Kevin Manning, returns to North Valley Public Library with his Star Tour astronomy program on Thursday, August 11 from 7 to 9 p.m. Manning has worked with NASA, the Chandra X-Ray Observatory and the Brookhaven National Laboratory. Now retired, he tours the country annually with his astronomy program. This year’s new presentation is “A Grand Tour of the Solar System & Beyond,” including a virtual tour of the sun, planets, moons and more! It will feature the latest information and photos available for Pluto, coming from the New Horizons spacecraft. The presentation will be followed by a guided viewing of the night sky through a powerful, custom-made telescope. This event is sponsored by the Rapp Family Foundation, and is suitable for families and children ages 8 and up, and adults of all ages. This event is free to the public, but space is limited. Advanced sign up is required. To register, call the library at 777-5061 or email maryw@northvalleylibrary.org.