Wednesday, January 4
Standing Rock panel
“Standing with Standing Rock” will be presented on Wednesday, January 4 from 6 to 8 p.m. upstairs at the Bedford Building (City Hall) on S. 2nd in Hamilton. Hear Salim Matt Gras and a panel of Bitterrooters who’ve spent time at Standing Rock for a behind-the-scenes exploration of what really happened (and is happening) there, and why. Learn how peace, prayer, and ceremony can trump violence and orthodoxy. Discover how Native American wisdom can fuel a successful resistance to environmental devastation. Explore ways in which people can band together to take the Standing Rock messages and amplify them in ways meaningful both locally and globally – and come away with a feeling of hope that we can change things for the better. There will be a panel presentation with slide show followed by Q&A discussion. If you’ve spent time at Standing Rock and would like to join the panel, contact Salim Matt Gras at 241-1292, salimmattgras@gmail.com.
Friday, January 6
North Valley Pachyderm Club
The North Valley Pachyderm Club will meet Friday, January 6 at 12 noon at The Frontier Café, Hwy 93 in Stevensville. There will be an open forum discussion with Chris Rosenau about raw milk versus store-bought. The North Valley Pachyderm Club is an educational arm of the Republican Party. All are welcome.
Saturday, January 7
Winter Storytelling Series
Montana State Parks invites the public to Winter Storytelling 2017 at Travelers’ Rest State Park, 6717 Highway 12 W, Lolo, on Saturdays at 11 a.m. throughout January and February.
The season opens on January 7 with “Dueling Paintbrushes: George Catlin & Karl Bodmer on the Missouri” presented by Kristi Hager. Hager shares stories and images from two painters, George Catlin and Karl Bodmer, who created a rich visual record of the High Plains after Lewis & Clark, but before the arrival of railways and photography. Cost is $5 per person. Travelers’ Rest Preservation (TRPHA) members are free depending on level of support.
Winter Storytelling 2017 celebrates the Salish tradition of sharing stories during the long, dark winter. This year’s schedule offers a diverse array of presenters from artists and musicians to living historians and popular Native American storytellers.
Winter Storytelling 2017 Schedule
Jan. 7 – “Dueling Paintbrushes: George Catlin & Karl Bodmer on the Missouri” with Kristi Hager
Jan. 14 – “A Ride Back in Time to the Rocky Mountain Rendezvous Era” with Peri Knize
Jan. 21 – “Traditional Ways in Modern Society” with Stephen Small Salmon
Jan. 28 – “Who We Are, Where We Come From” with Tony Incashola
Feb.4 – “Song of the Storyteller” with Shane Clouse
Feb.11 – “The Corps of Discovery: Tomahawks, Rifles & Food for Thought” with Stephen Sylvester
Feb. 18 – “Well Behaved Women Rarely Make History: Women in Science” with Mary Jane Bradbury
Feb. 25 – “Chérie Newman Live” with Montana Public Radio Host Chérie Newman
For a complete schedule and program descriptions visit: travelersrest.org.
Senior bingo
Hamilton Senior Center will be hosting a Special Saturday Bingo on January 7. Doors open at noon, games start at 1 p.m. Paper cards will be used. Free refreshments. Must be 18 to play. Call Cathy at 375-9276 for information.
Square dance
Boots & Calico Square Dance club will be having its first dance of the new year on Saturday, January 7. Ray Dunbar will be calling a Mainstream Dance with Don Scheline providing the Round Dance music. The evening starts at 7 p.m. with Plus level for a half hour, then Mainstream level dancing till 9:30 p.m. at the Golden Age Center, 5th & Main in Hamilton.
Sunday, January 8
Center for Spiritual Living
“Listening Deeply” will be presented by Lea Guthrie, an intentional creativity coach and program director for the Path of Self Love, on Sunday, January 8 at 10 a.m. at the Center for Spiritual Living, 1720 N. 1st Street, Suite C in Selway Commons, north of Sears in Hamilton. She will inspire you to listen for what’s is being called forth in 2017. Meditation is at 9:30 a.m. Refreshments and meaningful conversation follow at 11:15 a.m. For further information call Dave 381-2355 or visit CSLbitterroot.org.
Monday, January 9
Stevi school menu
Monday: Breakfast – Breakfast Pizza or yogurt, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch – Pizza, peas & carrots, pineapple, bread & butter, milk
Tuesday: Breakfast – Bagels with cream cheese or yogurt, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch- Taco Salad, chips & salsa, oranges, bread & butter, milk
Wednesday: Breakfast – Cereal or yogurt, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch – Tuna Salad Sandwich, fresh veggies, apricots, bread & butter, milk
Thursday: Breakfast – Pancake on a stick 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, milk.
Darby Library January events
The Darby Community Public Library’s January events include the return of Walk the Darby Trail on Monday, January 9 at 10 a.m. Meet at the Darby Library for a 90-minute walk. These community walks began in September and have been very popular.
The Techie Table Construct-I-Can Contest continues on Tuesdays January 3 and 10 from 3:45 to 5:30 p.m. Participating kids can help Darby fight hunger, while also honing their science and engineering skills. Participants will compete to design and build structures from non-perishable groceries, and after judging, the groceries will be donated to the Darby Bread Box. Structures will be judged on January 10 at 5 p.m.
In a presentation through Montana Humanities, Tami Haaland will discuss “Developing Community Literary Programs” on Wednesday, January 11 at 6 p.m. Haaland has helped Montana’s rural communities establish writing groups for all ages, find innovative ways to cultivate local talent and create a program for guest artists. Raised on Montana’s Hi-Line, she has first-hand experience with the benefits active cultural programming can bring to the state’s rural environments.
Continuing in January is Story Time, on Tuesdays at 11 a.m. for kids from birth through age 5, offering early literacy, games, songs and books.
Green Thumbs Up
Green Thumbs Up Garden Club will meet Monday, January 9 at 2 p.m. in the downstairs meeting room of the Bitterroot Public Library in Hamilton. The meeting is free and open to the public. Local gardening expert and garden club member Margaret Sharp will assist in an open discussion of gardening tips, tricks and techniques. Whether you are interested in seed starting, plant selection, cover crops, winter care of houseplants or some other topic, you are encouraged to share your questions and expertise. People are welcome to bring any garden-related items to place on the free table. Contact Karen at 381-1395 for more information.
Bitterroot Women’s Solidarity Group
Women’s Solidarity March on Helena – Bitterroot Group will meet Monday, January 9 at 6:30 p.m. at the Bitterroot Public Library, 306 State Street, Hamilton in the downstairs meeting room. Public is invited to a general meeting to help organize people in the Bitterroot (and surrounding areas) to provide outreach, publicity and transportation for January 21st Solidarity Women’s March in Helena. For more information about the group and its mission visit www.womensmarchmontana.com. Local contact for information is Merle Ann Loman at 406-241-6181.
Drum Circle
An African Drum Circle will be held Monday, January 9 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at The Center for Spiritual Living, 1720 N. 1st (north of Sears), Hamilton. Bring your drum, rattles, and other instruments and be part of the fun. No drums? No worries, there are instruments to share. Drum Circle meets the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month. By donation. For information, contact Jerry at 381-7220 (jelb229@aol.com) or visit CSLBitterroot.org.
Thich Nhat Hanh Book Club
A month-long discussion of the book “You Are Here” by Thich Nat Hanh, a renowned Zen monk, author and meditation master, will start on Monday, January 9 at The Center for Spiritual Living, 1720 N. 1st (north of Sears), Hamilton. In the book he distills the essence of Buddhist thought and practice, emphasizing the power of mindfulness to transform our lives. Videos and meditation will accompany the book discussion. The book club meets for four weeks from January 9-30. Choose the day/time that works best for you: Mondays, 10-11:30 a.m. or Tuesdays, 6:30-8 p.m. Purchase the book from your favorite book source. Call Elaine at 381-2874 to register. By donation. For more info visit CSLBitterroot.org.
Tuesday, January 10
Stevensville school board
The Stevensville School Board of Trustees will hold a regular board meeting on Tuesday, January 10 at 7 p.m. in the Stevensville Music Center Choir Room.
Wednesday, January 11
Zen Buddhism
A class on Zen Buddhism will be held Wednesday, January 11 (ongoing on 2nd and 4th Wednesdays) from6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at The Center for Spiritual Living, 1720 N. First Street, Suite C in Selway Commons, north of Sears in Hamilton. Over the past year, this group has studied the basic sutras of the Buddha as translated by Thich Nhat Hanh, and now will listen to talks by various Buddhist teachers, starting with Anam Thubten, author of “No Self, No Problem” and “The Magic of Awareness”. Listen, discuss, and then sit in meditation for a time. Discussion is led by Jill Davies (642-3601). By donation. For more information visit CSLBitterroot.org.