Wednesday, May 10
Habitat dedication
Join Habitat for Humanity of Ravalli County in celebrating the Larson Family home dedication ceremony on Wednesday, May 10 at 5:30 p.m. at 511 N. 6th Street, Hamilton. Cake will be served.
Course in Miracles Study Group
A weekly ongoing and deepening discussion of A Course in Miracles, a journey of spiritual transformation, continues on Wednesday, May 10 with a discussion of LESSON 130 – It is impossible to see two worlds. The class meets Wednesdays from 9:45 a.m. to 12 p.m. at The Center for Spiritual Living, 1720 N. 1st Street (north of Sears), Hamilton. By donation. For more information visit cslbitterroot.org or call Selma at 381-6480.
Thursday, May 11
Women’s Newcomers’ Club
Are you new to the Bitterroot Valley? Have you recently retired? Have you been here for awhile and would just like to meet new people? If so, the Bitterroot Women’s Newcomers Club welcomes you to join them at their next meeting, Thursday, May 11 from 10 a.m. until 12 noon. They will be taking a field trip to a member’s house in Darby to have a demonstration on wood turning and bowl making. Meet at the Skalkaho Highway parking lot to carpool by no later than 10 a.m. After the meeting there will be a sack lunch prior to leaving. For more information contact President Deb Tennant at 503-871-9249.
Friends of Fort Owen
A group has recently formed to show support for Fort Owen State Park in partnership with the Montana State Parks Department. The group will meet on Thursday, May 11 at 12 noon at the North Valley Library Community Room in Stevensville. Anyone who is interested in the preservation of Fort Owen State Park is encouraged to attend. Contact Ruth Baker at 777-3201 for more information.
Fort Owen was established in 1850 when John Owen purchased the property belonging to St. Mary’s Mission and built a trading fort to trade with the Indians (Salish) and the growing number of trappers and settlers. The town of Stevensville began to grow to the south of the Fort as more settlers moved into the area. Fort Owen was significant in influencing the development of commerce in the Northwestern United States and the development of permanent settlements in the Bitterroot Valley.
Fort Owen is now managed by the Montana State Parks Department and sits on an acre of land off of the cut-off road (Highway 269) just north of Stevensville. The mission of the group that has formed is to work in partnership with the Parks Department to restore, maintain, develop, enhance and interpret Fort Owen State Park and its associated sites and artifacts for future generations.
Hoyt book signing
Come and hear Michael Hoyt, a dedicated wilderness mountaineer, give a talk about hiking in the Bitterroot on Thursday, May 11 at 6 p.m. His newest book, “Bitterroot Mountain Trails – Vol. 2”, will be available for signature.
The new all-color hiking guidebook, the second in a series, details trails on the middle portion of the Bitterroot Mountains from Blodgett Canyon to Soda Springs Canyon. The guide includes some of the most popular trails in the Bitterroot Mountains in that section, and serves as a guide for hikers, trail runners, horseback riders, mountaineers and families.
Hoyt, who is Corvallis based. has spent 15 years concentrating on trails in the Bitterroot Mountains. He has carefully documented the hikes covered in his books, using notes, photographs and maps. His aim is “to inspire more people to go off-trail and visit the summits of the Bitterroot Mountains and gain a better appreciation of these glorious peaks.” He believes the long-term survival of wilderness lands will only be possible if more people feel they have a vested interest in their preservation and is writing the guidebooks in hopes it will bring more people into the back country, and in so doing increase the probability the wild areas of the Bitterroot Mountains will continue to be protected and preserved.
He is also the author of the hugely popular book, “Hikes and Climbs to Bitterroot Mountain Summits,” published in 2010 and a novel released a year ago titled “Ranger”, about a pack of wolves fighting for survival in the Bitterroot Mountains, a book aimed at young adults on the theme of wilderness and its wildlife in a contemporary setting.
Michael is partially responsible for starting the website SummitPost and is still a major contributor.
Research for the book required several climbing seasons, one of which included more than 600 miles of hiking and climbing. The book covers mountains in the portion of the Bitterroot Range along the west side of Montana’s fabled Bitterroot Valley, one of the most popular hiking and climbing destinations in the American West.
The North Valley Public Library is located at 208 Main Street, Stevensville. For more information, call the library on 777-5061.
Fellowship Club
The Bitterroot Public Library’s Fellowship Club will be meeting on Thursday, May 11 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. to discuss the book “Inspiration: Your Ultimate Calling” by Dr. Wayne W. Dyer.
In this ground-breaking book Dr. Wayne Dyer explains how we have chosen to enter this world of particles and form and how a voice in the Universe entreats us to remember our purpose, our reason for being here now. That voice belongs to inspiration, which is within each and every one of us.
Inspiration can be cultivated and be a driving force throughout life, rather than showing up now and then and just as mysteriously disappearing, seemingly independent of our desires. Dr. Dyer reveals how inspiration is for everyone, inherent in our divine birthright. The problem is that as children we are gradually taught to believe exclusively in the world of phenomena where ego is dominant and inspiration diminished. Each chapter in his book provides specific suggestions for living “in-Spirit.” and a personal blueprint through the world of inspiration – our ultimate calling.
Dr. Wayne Dyer (1940-2015) is an internationally renowned author, teacher, philosopher, and speaker in the field of self-development. He authored over 28 books, created many audio programs and videos, and appeared on thousands of television and radio shows, several of which have been featured as National Public Television specials.
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.
Selway-Pintler Wilderness
Back Country Horsemen
Spring is here and it’s time to hit the trails! The Selway-Pintler Wilderness Back Country Horsemen’s next meeting will be Thursday, May 11 at 6:30 p.m. in the Hamilton Forest Service Bldg. located at 1801 N 1st St. Entry is in the rear. There will also be a special meeting starting at 6:30 where First Aid and CPR training will be offered for free to all paid SPWBCH members. The class will be taught by Connie Long, a member of the Back Country Horsemen of MT Education committee. Guests are always welcome for coffee, snacks and lots of “trail talk”! Visit bchmt.org/spwbch for more information or call Mike at 777-4383.
Friday, May 12
Mommy & Me Tea
One of the most important days of the year is quickly approaching, Mother’s Day! Enjoy a Mommy & Me Tea on Friday, May 12 from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at the North Valley Public Library, 208 Main Street, Stevensville. Bring your moms, grandmas, or aunts for tea and cookies, bracelet making, do-it-yourself mom portrait drawing, and board games. This event is appropriate for all ages. For more information, call the library at 777-5061.
Spring Auction
Hamilton Christian Academy will hold its 18th Annual Spring Auction on Friday, May 12 at 5:30 p.m. at Hamilton Assembly of God Church, 601 W. Main Street, Hamilton. All proceeds will benefit student programs and scholarships at HCA. For ticket information call the office at 363-4534.
Boot, Scoot & Boogie
SAFE in the Bitterroot invites all community members to the 29th annual spring fundraiser – Boot, Scoot, & Boogie on Friday, May 12 at the First Interstate Center in Hamilton. Boot, Scoot, & Boogie will be a night of fun, food, and fundraising. The evening will start at 6 p.m. with a no host bar followed by dinner catered by UpNSmoke BBQ House. A silent auction and live auction will take place during and after dinner. SAFE will use the funds raised to keep offering services to victims of domestic and sexual violence in Ravalli County. The community can help by enjoying a night of fun, delicious dinner and contributing to a great cause. For more information or to purchase tickets please go to www.safeinthebitterroot.org.
Saturday, May 13
Pancake breakfast
A free pancake breakfast will be served Saturday, May 13 from 8 a.m. to 12 noon at the Florence Fire Department on Holloway Lane in Florence (behind Town Pump). Fresh pancakes, eggs, bacon and sausage will be served. Stop by and enjoy a free, hot breakfast sponsored by members of the Florence Fire Department.
Bike for Shelter
The 17th Annual Bike for Shelter will be held Saturday, May 13 from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Watson Children’s Shelter and Community Medical Center parking lots and lawn, 2901 Fort Missoula Road, Missoula. Buckle your helmet and pump up your tires! Part cycling, part carnival, 100% fun! This exciting event includes a 2-mile and an 11-mile bike ride plus a bike rodeo where participants can earn a medal. After the ride, enjoy a barbecue lunch, cotton candy and snow cones while listening to music on the lawn. There will be a costume contest and carnival games with prizes, face painting, miniature horses, bouncy house and more. Most importantly, by attending this event, participants are helping Watson Children’s Shelter provide a safe and nurturing home to abused and neglected Montana children. So grab your bike, helmet, family, friends and superhero costume and help make a difference in the life of a Montana child in crisis. Learn more at watsonchildrensshelter.org and click on “Special Events.”
Register online by May 10 for a discounted rate of $12/person, $40/family (up to 4 people; each additional person $5). Event day registration is $15/person, $45/family (up to 4 people; each additional person $5). For more information contact Alley at Watson Children’s Shelter: alley@shelter4children.com or (406) 549-0058.
Beekeepers
Beekeepers of the Bitterroot will meet on Saturday, May 13 from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Hamilton Assembly of God at 601 W Main Street (entry in the rear). Bring a nonperishable item as donation to the food bank. Agenda will be: I have bees, what do I do now?; Swarm “prevention”; Splits; June plans – Rather than a regular meeting, there will be hive inspection visits at various locations and times. If you’d like to sign up to have one at your location come talk about it at the meeting. Time permitting, split up into smaller groups with mentors for easier group interaction.
For more information about the club go to www.beekeepersofthebitterroot.org.
Youth Conservation Expo
The fifth annual Youth Conservation & Education Expo will take place at Teller Wildlife Refuge’s Slack Barn (1180 Chaffin Lane, Corvallis) on Saturday, May 13 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. About 50 local and national wildlife and conservation organizations will host free-of-charge educational booths and activities and give away prizes. Activities include a climbing wall, games and demonstrations, paintball, pellet, BB gun and archery ranges, telemetry, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks’ poaching trailer and laser shooting range, fly casting clinics, crafts, game calling, horse packing clinics, big game scoring and much more. Youth 6-18 years of age who participate in 12 or more of the activities will have a chance to win one of 100 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 find us on Facebook.
Doll display
The Bitterroot Blizzard Doll Club is presenting a display of dolls, bears, toys, miniatures, and books about dolls on Saturday, May 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the North Valley Public Library in Stevensville. Members of the club will be available all day to talk to about the display and answer questions. The club will have some items that can be handled by both adults and children, as well as some doll clothes. If you’re interested in dolls, then this is one event you won’t want to miss! Stop by to see this wonderful display and learn about antique, vintage and modern playthings.
The North Valley Public Library is located at 208 Main Street, Stevensville. For more information, call the library on 777-5061.
Sunday, May 14
Center for Spiritual Living
“How to Fly a Horse” by Kris Bayer, Socrates Café Facilitator and Essential Oils Distributor, will be presented Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 14 at 10 a.m. at the Center for Spiritual Living, 1720 N. 1st Street, Suite C in Selway Commons, north of Sears in Hamilton. Kris will share about the liberty to be who you are, to show up in the world, and to create satisfying solutions. Enjoy creative ideas and uplifting music. Meditation is at 9:30 a.m. Refreshments and meaningful conversation follow at 11:15 a.m. For further information, call Dave Schultz 381-2355 or visit CSLbitterroot.org.
Mother’s Day concert
Enjoy an afternoon spring concert with The Montana A Cappella Society on Sunday, May 14 at 3 p.m. at the Hamilton Masonic Lodge. The whole family is invited to a very special concert on Mother’s Day. The concert, Gifts of Song, will feature many favorite tunes as well as a selection of delightful contemporary songs and is sure to have something to please everyone. So if you are a mom, know a mom or have a mom, come enjoy the afternoon with Gifts of Song! Homemade cookies and refreshments will ber served after the concert. The Masonic Lodge is located at 115 S. 3rd St. Hamilton, next to the Fire Station. For more information call 363-5778.
Monday, May 15
Stevi school menu
Monday: Breakfast – Waffles or Yogurt, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch – Pizza, peas & carrots, pineapple, bread & butter, milk
Tuesday: Breakfast – Muffins or Yogurt, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch – Taco Salad with chips & salsa, oranges, bread & butter, milk
Wednesday: Breakfast – Cereal or Yogurt, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch – Tuna Salad Sandwiches, fresh veggies, apricots, bread & butter, milk
Thursday: Breakfast – Churros or Yogurt, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch – Spaghetti, tossed salad, grapes, bread & butter, milk
Friday: Breakfast – Ham Bites or Yogurt, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch – Chicken Tenders, corn, mixed fruit, bread & butter, chocolate or regular milk.
Rotary Club
Josh Vanek, Associate Director, Montana Campus Compact Americorp, will be the speaker for next meeting of the Hamilton Rotary Club, on Monday, May 15. The Club meets Mondays at 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.
Hamilton High School jazz concert
Hamilton High School Jazz Band will perform in concert on Monday, May 15 at 7:30 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center 327 Fairgrounds Road, Hamilton.
Thirteen student musicians will perform a variety of music, including songs by John Coltrane, George Gershwin and Antonio Carlos Jobim, among others.
“People will love the diverse styles of music we will be playing and appreciate the level of musicianship of these high school students,” says director Robert Prince. “We are playing everything from Gershwin to Michael Jackson so there is something for everyone. We have a great singer joining us on a few tunes and, it’s a great opportunity to support our student musicians that work really hard all year. I think folks will be glad they came whether they’re a jazz fan or not.”
The jazz program at Hamilton High School is made up of students in grades 9-12. In the jazz program, students have the opportunity to learn the language of one of America’s truly unique and important art forms. The course focuses on learning the essential musical skills and vocabulary of jazz music as well as covering topics of theory, and the social/historical importance of jazz in American society and culture.
Students get the opportunity to practice and play a variety of jazz styles, and learn improvisational skills. Throughout the year, the jazz ensembles present a variety of concerts in the performing arts center, and throughout the community.
In the jazz program, students get to participate in several exciting field trips throughout the year. Past highlights have included a trip to see the Grammy winning band Snarky Puppy at the Wilma Theatre in Missoula, a Q+A session with the band Big Bad Voodoo Daddy in the PAC, and the annual trip to the Buddy DeFranco Jazz Festival in Missoula, among other things.
Bitterroot Audubon
Bitterroot Audubon’s May 15 meeting will feature a presentation on pikas in the Bitterroot Mountains by Kerry Foresman, retired UM mammology professor and author of the popular guidebook “Mammals of Montana.” Pikas are small relatives of rabbits that inhabit talus slopes at higher, cooler elevations. Kerry and other scientists are monitoring pika populations because they are thought to be sensitive to increasing temperatures, and are thus an indicator of climate change. Kerry’s pika presentation is scheduled Monday, May 15 at 7 p.m. at the Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge Visitors’ Center on Wildfowl Lane north of Stevensville. The public is invited. For additional information contact Becky Peters, 369-5210.
Stevensville Playhouse auditions
Auditions for “Annabelle Broom, The Unhappy Witch” by Eleanor and Ray Harder, a full length musical, will be held Monday, May 15 from 7 to 9 p.m. Callbacks will be Tuesday, May 16 from 7 to 9 p.m. (if needed). There are singing roles for 1 boy and 1 girl ages 10-17 and for five singing witches, open age and gender. Rehearsals begin August 21. Show dates are October 13-29 on Friday and Saturday evenings and Sunday afternoons. Scripts and song books available at North Valley Public Library. Contact Laura Hunt at 406-381-4435 for more information.
Tuesday, May 16
RCEDA
Ravalli County Economic Development Authority will hold its regular monthly Finance Committee meeting on Tuesday, May 16 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. and the regular monthly meeting of the Board of Commissioners on Wednesday, May 17 from 3 to 5 p.m. Both meetings will be held at the RCEDA office, 274 Old Corvallis Road, Hamilton. The meetings are open to the public.
Wednesday, May 17
Course in Miracles Study Group
A weekly ongoing and deepening discussion of A Course in Miracles, a journey of spiritual transformation will continue on Wednesday, May 17 with a discussion of LESSON 134 – When I am healed I am not healed alone. The class meets Wednesdays from 9:45 a.m. to 12 noon at The Center for Spiritual Living, 1720 N. 1st Street (north of Sears), Hamilton. By donation. For more information visit cslbitterroot.org or call Selma at 381-6480.
Himalayan Singing Bowls Sound Journey
Join us on Wednesday, May 17 as we experience the restorative power of Fire Reiki and Himalayan Singing Bowls. Cami Cote, Fire Reiki and Sound Healing Practitioner, will lead a Soul Alignment Sound Journey using Himalayan Singing Bowls, Gongs and other complimentary instruments to create a sense of relaxation by dissolving patterns of stress, worry and anxiety. Cami guides you into deep relaxation with a Holy Fire Reiki meditation while playing the sound healing instruments. The combination of Reiki and Sound Healing, effortlessly takes you to a divine inner place of acceptance, balance and peace, leaving you feeling renewed and energized. Wear comfortable clothing and bring mats, blankets or anything else that will make you comfortable laying on the floor. Arrive at 6 p.m. to set up. Door will close at 6:15 p.m. By donation. Meet at The Center for Spiritual Living, 1720 N. 1st Street (north of Sears). For more information, call Cami at 406-218-9040.