Wednesday, March 28
BPL Preschool Story Time
Preschoolers are invited to meet in the children’s corner of the Bitterroot Public Library on Wednesday to enjoy “Jungle Jamboree!” with storyteller Sami Twedt. Story time begins at 10:30 a.m. and is designed for children 3-5 years of age. All story times are free and open to the public.
NVPL Story Time
Music Makers Story Time will be held Wednesday, March 28 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Melissa Sparks leads this program through singing, movement, fingerplays and stories. Ages 0-7 are welcome with an accompanying adult. March’s theme is “Weather” and it is sure to be a fun time whether the sun is shining or the rain is falling. A healthy snack is always provided. North Valley Public Library is located at 208 Main Street, Stevensville. For more information, call the library at 777-5061.
NVPL ‘READ to a Dog’ event
Dogs make the best listeners! Improve your reading skills and make a new friend by reading aloud to a certified therapy dog in the library children’s room on Wednesday, March 28 from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. No registration is necessary and it is open to all ages. The dogs and handlers are from the Intermountain Therapy Animals READ (Reading Education Assistance Dogs) program. A furry friend will be at the library every second and fourth Wednesday of the month at 2:30. North Valley Public Library is located at 208 Main Street, Stevensville. For more information, call the library at 777-5061.
Bitterroot College Advisory Council
The Advisory Council for the Bitterroot College Program of The University of Montana will hold its monthly meeting on Wednesday, March 28 at 3 p.m. in the Human Resource Council Building Meeting Room, located at 316 N. Third St. in Hamilton.
The BCP Advisory Council is a public board and welcomes members of the public to observe and participate at its meetings. The meeting agenda and supplemental meeting materials is available on the BCP website at http://www.umt.edu/bcp/advisorycouncil.aspx#meetinginfo or by calling the BCP Business Office at 375-0100 or by emailing victoria.clark@umontana.edu.
Growers/vendors meeting
Want to sell your produce & plants this year? New vendors are needed for the annual Bitterroot Valley Grower’s Market. A vendors meeting will be held Wednesday, March 28 at 7 p.m. at the Local Living Family Center, located near Town Pump in Florence. For more information contact Becki at 777-0949 or Suzanne at 777-0709.
Thursday, March 29
Social media workshop
Glacier Country Tourism is hosting a social media workshop on Thursday, March 29 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Stevensville Main Street office, 102B Main. Tia Troy, PR and Communication Manager for Glacier Country, will describe how social media is changing marketing, especially as it pertains to the tourism industry. She’ll also look at the role social media plays in Glacier Country’s marketing and communication efforts. Also on the roster: case studies, setting social media goals and hands-on training.
“Tourism is the second largest industry in Montana,” said Racene Friede, Executive Director of Glacier Country Tourism. “It’s important to our organization to regularly offer workshops to help support and expand the tourism industry and help all of our partners stay on the leading edge of marketing.” The workshop is free of charge and refreshments will be provided. If you have a laptop, bring it along. RSVP to gcpr@glaciermt.com or call 406-532-3234 for more information.
BPL ‘Fun With Science and Math’ workshop
A “Fun With Science and Math” workshop will be held Thursday, March 29 from 6 to 6:50 p.m. in the children’s corner of the Bitterroot Public Library in Hamilton.
This Ready to Read program meets in the children’s corner from 6:00 PM to 6:50 PM. The workshop presents interactive science and math activities that parents and caregivers can use to help children (age 2 – 5) learn more about the world, acquire new vocabulary, and develop other early literacy skills. Please register: 363-1670
BPL brown bag discussion
The Bitterroot Public Library’s “Brown Bag Book Discussion Group” will meet Thursday, March 29 at noon to discuss “Stones from the River” by Ursula Hegi. The discussion is held in the west meeting room of the library and newcomers are welcome.
Art Club Studio Drawing
Art Club will meet Thursday, March 29 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the North Valley Family Center, 5501 US Hwy 93 N, Suite 3, Florence Business Center (next to Town Pump). The club is open to anyone interested in art/drawing, from beginning to experienced, and everyone in between. Bring your own materials. Call 273-0142 for more information.
Friday, March 30
NVFC Toddler Time
Ready!Set!Play! Toddler Time will be Friday, March 30 from 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon at the North Valley Family Center, 5501 Hwy 93 N, Suite 3, Florence Business Center (behind Town Pump). Come enjoy story time and arts and crafts with your toddler. Learn tips that help promote language and literacy development in your toddler. This month’s theme is Friends and Family, and Weather. There will be a book reading about friends, and making a craft of “muddy pigs”. Snack is provided. Call 273-0142 for more information.
Back Country Horsemen Convention
With a theme of “Back Country Horsemen in the 21st Century”, the Beartooth Chapter of the Back Country Horsemen of Montana (BCH) will host the 2012 Statewide Convention in Billings beginning Friday, March 30 through Sunday, April 1. The Billings Hotel and Convention Center will be the site for the event, which will feature seminars and workshops on topics of interest to horse people, backcountry advocates, and outdoor enthusiasts. Chapter displays from across the state will be set up for browsing beginning Friday afternoon, March 30, at 1 p.m., along with the annual photo competition and sales by a number of vendors. Silent and live auctions highlight the Saturday evening banquet alongside entertainment by Val Geissler, “the best darn cowboy singer and entertainer you’ll ever see.” Both members and non-members can download a registration form in advance at BCHMT.org or by contacting Carolyn Eucker at (406) 322-4752 or horseqtrsranch@aol.com. Registration at the door will also be available.
BPL tech classes
Tech Classes on the Missoula Public Library’s Web on Wheels Bus will be available at the Bitterroot Public Library on Friday, March 30. The classes are free, open, and pre-registration is required. Computer Fundamentals will be offered from 1 to 2 p.m. Beginning Word will be offered from 3 to 4 p.m. There will be a reception for the Web on Wheels Bus between 2 and 3 p.m. The W.O.W. Bus is Missoula Public Library’s new mobile branch. Made possible through federal funding, this bus has Internet access, database training stations, and a reference librarian on board. The bus comes to Victor every other Friday.
Eagles Friday Dinner
Chef Greg will be serving tacos at the Eagles Friday Dinner on March 30 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Eagles Lodge, 125 N 2nd St, Hamilton. Proceeds go to the Eagles Scholarship Fund.
Golden Age Easter dinner
The annual Easter dinner at the Golden Age Club is scheduled for Friday, March 30 at 6 p.m. at the hall, 727 S. Fifth, Hamilton. The club will furnish ham, scalloped potatoes, rolls and coffee. Members and guests who are attending should bring a salad, vegetable or dessert to share. Set-up time is 5 p.m. the afternoon of the dinner – volunteers are needed. An Easter bonnet show, with prizes, will be part of the festivities. The charge for dinner and dance is $5 for a couple, and $3 for singles. Dick Reinbold’s band will play that evening; Bob Olson’s New Bitter Root Five will play on March 23 and the Valley Rhythm Boys on April 6. All band members and spouses are guests of the club on March 30.
Saturday, March 31
Stevensville soccer tournament
The Stevensville Soccer Program is sponsoring its 7th Annual Youth Soccer Tournament on March 31–April 1 at the Stevensville Soccer Complex. Thirty-five teams have signed up to participate in the tournament. These 35 teams are based out of Missoula, Polson, Kalispell, Whitefish, Great Falls, Butte, Belgrade, Stevensville, Hamilton, Coeur d’Alene, Post Falls and Spokane. Players compete in the following divisions: U-11 Boys, U-12 Boys, U-14 Boys, U-16 Boys, U-18 Boys, U-14 Girls and U-16 Girls. For the second year, a college scout will be attending the tournament. The scout will be paying attention to three Stevensville soccer players, Wes Porter, Carson Stevens and Jacob Giese. A tournament schedule is posted on the Stevensville Soccer website (www.stevensvillesoccer.com). For more information regarding this tournament, please contact Ralph Serrette at 543–3514.
Presbyterian ‘Spring Fling’
The Presbyterian Women are hosting their annual “Spring Fling” on Saturday, March 31 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the church at 1220 West Main, Hamilton. There will be attic treasures, used books and entertainment stuff, lunch, pie by the slice, baked goods, plants, and a new department called “Spring Chick Boutique.” That will include nicer and professional clothes, jewelry, handbags, hats, scarves and jackets. The money raised goes to mission projects both local and world wide.
Crop & Soil Management Seminar
A free crop and soil management seminar will be held Saturday, March 31 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Fort Owen Inn, Stevensville. You will learn research data on wheat and other cereals, alfalfa and other hay crops, corn, sugar beets, beans, peas, lentils and other field crops, increasing yields 10-20 %, lowering total fertilizer cost per acre, secrets of national yield champions, soil and plant tissue testing interpretation, improving herbicide, insecticide and fungicide performance, starter and deep placement fertilizer concepts and implementing a successful foliar feeding program. For more information contact Kris Pierce at 406-288-3287.
WIC farmer training
Ravalli County WIC will be holding training on Saturday, March 31 at the Corvallis Grange starting at 3 p.m. for farmers who need to have annual training. Training for farmers who would like to start accepting WIC coupons at markets or farm stands will be on Saturday, April 21 at 2:30 p.m. Questions regarding trainings should be directed to Ravalli County WIC, 375-6685. You can also find information on line about the Farm Direct Program: http://wic.mt.gov/farmdirect.shtml.
Hamilton Farmers Market meetings
Hamilton Farmers Market Co-op will hold two vendor meetings this spring. The first one on Saturday, March 31 is for Market Co-op owners only. This will be a business meeting with an election of new Board members. Co-op owners will receive an agenda and other forms in their Information Packet mailed in early March. If you do not receive this by March 12, call 961-0004 for a replacement. A Market Co-op Owner is a vendor who purchased their Market stock before the end of October 2011.
The second meeting will be Saturday, April 21 for vendors new to selling at the Hamilton Farmers Market. It will be a training session focusing on the Rules of the Market and how to increase your sales as a vendor. This meeting will be at the Corvallis Grange Hall at 1 p.m. Call for a New Vendor Information packet before the meeting as there will be a review of its contents at the meeting. New vendors must live in Ravalli County and their products must be grown or crafted in Montana.
Hamilton Farmers Market Co-op’s opening day will be Saturday, May 5 with the May Fest for Children. This year there will be a Cinco de Mayo party and all local day schools and children’s programs are invited to have a free booth that day. The kids’ parade and May Pole dances will return, plus a piñata silent auction fundraiser. The University of Montana Marimba Band will welcome in the summer! If you would like to promote your children’s group at Opening Market or submit a piñata for the auction, call Laura at 961-0004. Proceeds from the auction will be split equally between the piñata creators and the Market.
Laura Craig, Market Manager at 961-0004, will answer questions, mail Information Packets and opening day and piñata silent auction registration forms to you.
FOE Eagles Memorial Service
The Bitter Root Fraternal Order of Eagles will hold a memorial service on Saturday, March 31 at 5:30 p.m. at the Eagles Lodge at 125 N. 2nd, Hamilton to recognize all deceased members who passed away this last year. A potluck dinner will follow with year pin presentation. The state FOE President will be attending. Entertainment will follow. This is open to all members and their families (sign up to attend in the lounge).
Monday, April 2
Rotary Club
Jean Matthews and Russ Lawrence will be speaking at the next meeting of the Hamilton Rotary Club, Monday, April 2. In June of 2009 Jean and Russ picked up mid life, leaving their home in Hamilton and their award winning bookstore, Chapter One, to serve 27 months in the Peace Corps working in Peru as small business development volunteers. They will be sharing some of their numerous and unique experiences. The club meets Mondays at noon at BJ’s Restaurant, 900 N. 1st Street, Hamilton. There will be time for questions and discussion. This meeting is open to the public. For further information, call 363-2960.
Tuesday, April 3
Employer seminar
The Bitterroot Job Service Employer Committee (JSEC) presents: “Rejecting Recession, Connecting with Customers” with Tim Gard on Tuesday, April 3 from 8 to 11 a.m. at the Bitterroot River Inn, 139 Bitterroot Plaza Drive in Hamilton. Attend this session and learn how easy it is to develop your own “Comic Vision” philosophy! Discover how to use rehearsed spontaneity to solve problems on the spot. Experience humor procedures that will improve your ability to think on your feet: Tim will share proven methods to prepare for “unexpected” problems and enable you to quickly think on your feet time after time. Learn why your before work “game face” and end of day “dismount” can improve your morale. Discover how to improve your listening skills – with humor. Learn why, as with any humor, timing is critical to success. Discover the difference between employee entrepreneurs and employee tourists.
Cost is $45 per person. To register, contact Heather Mousley at the Bitterroot Job Service, 375-6042.
Sons of Norway
Bitterrootdalen Lodge, Sons of Norway, will meet Tuesday, April 3 at 5 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, 275 Hattie, in Hamilton. The program will involve Easter, including making Easter creations from feathers. The Lodge will provide a main dish, drinks and service, members and visitors are invited to bring a side dish. For more information call 961-4538.
Fly Fishers of the Bitterroot
The monthly meeting of Fly Fishers of the Bitterroot will be Tuesday, April 3, at BJ’s Restaurant in Hamilton. The social hour, cocktails/optional dinner, is from 6 to 7 p.m. This month’s featured speaker is Mark Raisler, a Missouri River outfitter and guide. He is co-owner of Headhunters Fly Shop in Craig. Mark was featured in the movie “Sipping Dry” presented at the Fly Fishing Film Tour recently in Missoula. He will present “Four Seasons of the Missouri” along with tips and techniques. People interested in the club are invited to come check it out. For more information call Dorreen at 363-0744.