Thursday, April 19

Back Country Horsemen
Bitter Root Back Country Horsemen host their monthly meeting on Thursday, April 19 at Corvallis School Cafeteria on Eastside Highway in Corvallis. Potluck dinner is served at 6:30 p.m. and the meeting starts at 7:00 p.m. Guests are welcome. Program speakers Jack Ader, West Fork Wilderness Ranger and winner of the 2017 Burk-Brandborg Conservation Award, and Adam Washebek, Stevensville Wilderness Ranger and Region 1 Crosscut Saw Coordinator will describe their work on forest projects. Deb Gale, Bitterroot National Forest’s Wilderness Program Manager, will discuss the proposed Watchtower bridge project. If you are a rider or hiker who wants to help keep trails open and meet like-minded folks, you’re invited to attend. For more information call Karen at 961-0101 or check out the website at www.bchmt.org/bitterroot.

Friday, April 20

North Valley Pachyderm Club

The North Valley Pachyderm Club will meet Friday, April 20 at 12 noon at The Frontier Café, Hwy 93 in Stevensville. Guest speakers will be Jason Ellsworth and Scott Roy McLean, candidates for SD 43 currently held by State Senator Pat Connell who has a previous commitment. The North Valley Pachyderm Club is an educational arm of the Republican Party. All are welcome.

Saturday, April 21

Early Farmers Market
Early Farmers Markets will be held Saturdays, April 21 and 28 from 9 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. on Bedford Street in Hamilton. Weather changes are making for longer growing seasons! You may have to bundle up or bring an umbrella, but come on down for what’s up early!
These are mini markets before the May 5th May Fest Celebration of Our Children when Third Street construction will be completed. The parade theme this year is “Winged Migrations Know No Borders ~ Birds & Butterflies Fly Free Forever! Viva las Monarch Mariposas!” and is open to flying critters of all ages. For more information call Laura at 961-0004.

Horsemanship Clinic
Bitter Root Back Country Horsemen invite the public to their third free horsemanship clinic of the year on Saturday, April 21. Using members’ stock for demonstration, participants will learn how to navigate obstacles, solve problems that arise, and perform various trail challenges. Members of the public are encouraged to attend and learn more about how to safely handle their stock while trail riding. The event takes place at the C-Max Stables, 657 Bass Lane, Corvallis. Two identical sessions are offered from 9 a.m. to 12 noon and from 1 to 4 p.m. Bring your own chair in case the weather is bad and the indoor arena has to be used. Coffee, tea, cocoa, and light refreshments will be available.

For more information, contact Bonnie Morgan at (406) 381-9021 or check the BBCH website at http://www.bchmt.org/bitterroot/ under training.

Learning Adventure Series
A free kids’ program on making a recycled tin can craft will be held Saturday, April 21 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Ravalli County Museum, 205 Bedford, Hamilton. Transform a recycled aluminum or tin can into a beautiful work of art! Make an animal, a monster, anything you can imagine! For more information contact the museum at 363-3338.

Puppy training class
Want to teach your dog trail manners, to “come,” and much more? Bitterroot dog trainer Natasha Osborn is holding a talk on dog training at the North Valley Public Library on Saturday, April 21 at 11 a.m., so come with all your dog questions. Natasha provides full spectrum dog training including obedience, behavioral advice, agility, hiking safety and etiquette, games, tricks and more. Using only reward based training and force-free methods, Natasha focuses on training while building a lifelong, cohesive, trusting partnership between owners and their dogs.
Natasha studied and researched dog body language and behavior and has been a Certified Veterinary Technician for 25 years. When not working, training or traveling to Agility Trials, Natasha is found on the trails and mountains of Western Montana hiking, biking and horseback riding. She lives in Stevensville with her five dogs, four cats and two horses. Please note: This event is open to people; leave your dog at home. All library programs are free and open to the public. North Valley Public Library is located at 208 Main Street, Stevensville. For more information, call 406-777-5061 or visit northvalleylibrary.org.

Open Space Roundtable
Co-sponsored by the Center for Spiritual Living, join Cultivating Connections on Saturday, April 21 from 1:30 to 7 p.m. to explore topics related to Nurturing our Bitterroot Community using Open Space technology with the question, “What if we create new solutions to the old problems?!” The agenda will be formed around topics of real interest and value to everyone who attends, and will be determined by the participants who convene around the open space. Everyone who wants to participate is welcome to attend; refreshments provided all day. The event is free and will be held at the Center for Spiritual Living, 328 Fairgrounds Road, Hamilton, (across from Hamilton High School).

Sunday, April 22

CSL Sunday Service
“Micro-organisms and Mindfulness” with Jill Davies will be the topic of the Sunday Service on Sunday, April 22 (Earth Day), at the Center for Spiritual Living, 328 Fairgrounds Road, Hamilton. Take a brief Walk through Time to contemplate our place in the Cosmos, and orient ourselves on this Earth Ship for Earth Day 2018. Then take a look at the microorganisms in healthy soil and in our bodies and explore the inter-relationships that exist there, and with our capacity for consciousness. Agriculture is our primary health care system. Rudolf Steiner once said: “So long as one feeds on food from unhealthy soil, the spirit will lack the stamina to free itself from the prison of the body.” Davies thinks the best solution, which is both fun and do-able, is to build local food systems, in conjunction with building sustainable local economies. A better world is possible. Jill got her bachelors degree in mathematics and physics intending to pursue a career in analytical science, but after a taste of graduate school changed course and went into more wholistic studies and a pursuit of truth. Her world view is an amalgam of Rudolf Steiner’s teachings and Buddhism. She has the view that the basis of life is not to be found in quarks but in Mindfulness. Meditation begins at 9 a.m., service begins at 9:30 a.m. For further information call Dave Schultz at 381-2355, or visit CSLBitterroot.org.

Bitterroot Baroque concert
Bitterroot Baroque will hold its next concert on Sunday, April 22 at 7:30 p.m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 600 S. 3rd, Hamilton. The Montana Cantata Project will present J. S. Bach cantatas led by Gonzaga’s Timothy Westerhaus, tenor with singers Tasha Fain, soprano; Amanda Glover, mezzo and Joshua Vander Plaats, bass and Bach’s Double Concerto for Oboe and Violin with Curtis Foster, baroque oboe, and Lindsey Strand-Polyak, baroque violin. Tickets, on sale at Chapter One and at the door, are $25 general admission, $10 students, or “pay-as-you-are-able.” For more information: bitterrootbaroque@gmail.com or 314-852-5099.

Monday, April 23

Stevi school menu
Monday: Breakfast – Waffles or Yogurt, fruit, toast or cereal bar, milk; Lunch – Turkey & Cheese Sandwich, sweet corn, apricots, bread & butter, milk
Tuesday: Breakfast – Cinnamon Rolls & Cream Cheese or Yogurt, fruit, toast or cereal bar, milk; Lunch – Beef & Cheese Chalupas, refried beans, oranges, bread & butter, milk
Wednesday: Breakfast – Cereal or Yogurt, fruit, toast or cereal bar, milk; Lunch – Chicken Noodle Casserole, tossed salad, grapes, bread & butter, milk
Thursday: Breakfast – Pancake on a Stick or Yogurt, fruit, toast or cereal bar, milk; Lunch – Tater-Tot Casserole, green beans, pears, bread & butter, milk
Friday: Breakfast – Egg Wraps or Yogurt, fruit, toast or cereal bar, milk; Lunch – Grilled Cheese Sandwich, tomato soup, mixed veggies, pineapple, bread & butter, milk.

Rotary Club
Gary Hanvey, with the Forest Service, will be speaking at the next meeting of the Hamilton Rotary Club, on Monday, April 16 at 12 noon at BJ’s Restaurant, 900 N. 1st Street, Hamilton. Gary will be discussing management of Lynx in the Northern Rockies. The meeting is open to the public. For further Rotary Club information, call 363-2960.

Poetry Slam
Share your poetry by performing at the North Valley Public Library’s first ever Poetry Slam on Monday, April 23 from 4 to 5 p.m. Submit the poem you plan to read to the children’s program coordinator, Annika Riley, by April 18. Choose a poem that you can read in under 3 minutes. Not sure what a poetry slam is? It is a competition for the reading or performance of poetry. The top performer wins a gift card to Florence Coffee! Content of poems should be appropriate for all age ranges. No offensive words or content allowed. North Valley Public Library is located at 208 Main Street, Stevensville. For more information, call 777-5061 or visit northvalleylibrary.org. All library programs are free and open to the public.

Tuesday, April 24

Republican Women
Ravalli County Republican Women’s Club will hold its monthly meeting and lunch on Tuesday, April 24 at 11:30 a.m. at BJ’s Restaurant in Hamilton. Guest speakers will be State Senator Pat Connell, and Jason Ellsworth and Scott Roy McLean, all Primary candidates for SD43.

Animal Wonders at NVPL
Animal Wonders is back on Tuesday, April 24 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the North Valley Public Library in Stevensville. This popular program features live animal ambassadors. Come learn about unique creatures and possibly have a chance to pet, hold, or feed them. Registration is required. Come to the library to sign up and reserve a spot, as space is limited to 60 people.
North Valley Public Library is located at 208 Main Street, Stevensville. For more information, call 777-5061 or visit northvalleylibrary.org. All library programs are free and open to the public.

Wednesday, April 25

Economic Development Authority
Ravalli County Economic Development Authority will hold its regular monthly Finance Committee meeting on Wednesday, April 25 from 2:15 to 2:55 p.m., and the regular monthly meeting of the Board of Commissioners on Wednesday, April 25 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.

Friday, April 27

Rummage sale
Florence Carlton Community Church will hold its annual rummage sale on Friday and Saturday, April 27 and 28. Friday’s hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday’s hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Donations gladly accepted on the 25th and 26th. The church is located at 2007 Old Highway 93, halfway between Lolo and Florence. For more information call Colleen at 240-1504 or Dace at 240-6601.

Smart Driver Class
An AARP Smart Driver Class (Driver Safety) will be presented on Friday, April 27 at Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital, located at 1200 Westwood Drive in Hamilton. The class starts at 9 a.m. and lasts approximately four hours. While this safe driving strategies class is designed for drivers age 50 and over, all drivers are welcome. The class fee is $15.00 for AARP members and $20.00 for non-members. There are no written exams or driving tests. Montana mandates an insurance discount for qualified graduates. Pre-registration is advised. To sign up, contact Jones-Korman Insurance at 363-6583 or, for further information, call Bob Graler, Instructor, at 381-4428.

Arbor Day celebration
You’re invited to an Arbor Day celebration on Friday, April 27 at 2 p.m. at the Ravalli County Fairgrounds. There will be a planting of three new trees in Mandy Park! There will also be a special drawing for two day passes to the Fair!

Tuesday, May 1

Fair manager meet & greet
You’re invited to a Meet & Greet to welcome new Fair Manager Melissa Saville, on Tuesday, May 1 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Ravalli County Fairgrounds, 100 Old Corvallis Road, Hamilton. Beverages and hors d’oeuvres will be provided. Bring your business card to be eligible for a drawing of two adult day passes to the Fair! RSVP is appreciated – 363-3411 or email bperkins@rc.mt.gov.

Wednesday, May 2

Garden Club
The Stevensville Garden Club invites the public to their monthly meetings every first Wednesday of the month at 1 p.m. at the Community Baptist Church, 409 Buck Street, Stevensville. There are interesting program topics and speakers that deal with various aspects of gardening. A tour of a member’s garden is included for the May 2 meeting. For details, contact Colleen at 273-3973.