Spring Thaw
The 4th Annual Spring Thaw is scheduled for Saturday, March 16 in the First Interstate Center at the Ravalli County Fairgrounds. This is a marketplace to see what your neighbors have been making over the long winter, and to sell your goods. Crafters and businesses are invited to participate, applications are available at http://rc.mt.gov/fair/forms.mcpx. Call 363.3411 for more information.
Challenganza signups
Do you believe in a great life above the influence of drugs and alcohol? Need to make a change? Come and celebrate fun, safe choices and your healthy self at the Above the Influence Challenganza on Saturday, March 23 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon at the Rocky Mountain Grange, 1436 S. 1st Street in Hamilton. What is a Challenganza? A football toss, basketball shoot, archery range, putting green, soccer kick and more challenging and fun things for everyone 10 years old and up. Teams of four can also enter. Everyone wins! Free t-shirt and lunch for participants! Sign up by March 15. Entry forms are available online at www.bckn.weebly.com, by calling 532-9149 or at your school’s front office. This is a fundraiser for Tobacco Free Ravalli and WMAS Prevention and all monies will go to providing youth-oriented community events.
Capitol field trip
Would you like an opportunity to travel to Helena and tour the Capitol as well as sit in on some sessions and ask our representatives questions? Well – Leadership Bitterroot is offering you this opportunity. On Wednesday, March 20, Chamber of Commerce members will be traveling by bus to Helena. The bus will leave the Chamber around 7:30 a.m. and will return approximately 8 p.m. It will be a long day, but a very interesting one for everyone going. There will be e a guided tour of the Capitol, followed by lunch with our representatives. You will then have an opportunity to sit in on whichever session you choose. Cost will be $45 per person, which will cover lunch, Capitol tour and traveling expense. You will also be able to tour the Capitol Museum, which is within walking distance, at a discount price (usually around $5). On the return trip there will be a stop at The Law Dog Saloon for a light dinner. If you are interested, give Pat a call at 363-2400. Seating will be limited so don’t wait – call now!
Friday, February 22
NVPL Chocolate and Authors
The 18th Annual Chocolate and Authors Fundraiser will be held on Friday, February 22, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the North Valley Public Library, Main Street, Stevensville. Get rid of the February doldrums by meeting local and very talented authors, greeting your friends and neighbors, and eating chocolate, chocolate, chocolate. All kinds of delectable desserts will be served, with door prize drawings every hour, and the opportunity to purchase tickets for outstanding raffle prizes as well. All this for just a $5.00 donation at the door, with children under 12 years free. Advance tickets can be obtained at the check-out desk in the library. All proceeds will go to the many ongoing repairs and general maintenance for the library. Authors who have already accepted invitations to attend include Robert Bigart, Dale Burk, Jim Cotton, Albert and Lila Douglas, Kathy Dufresne, John Eickert, Marty Essen, Mark Gibbons, Molly Hackett, Michael Hoyt, Kathleen Meyer, Jeanne O’Neill, Joanne Puccinelli, Eva Poor, Roberta Swartz, Howard Wilson, Riga Winthrop and Ed Wolff.
Eagles dinner
Chef Greg will be serving Friday night dinner at the Bitterroot Eagles Lodge on Friday, February 22. The menu is baked chicken, mashed potatoes, veggies and dessert for $8 per person. Proceeds go to the scholarship program.
Stevensville Playhouse production
“God’s Favorite,” a comedy by Neil Simon, will be presented Fridays and Saturdays, February 22 and 23, March 1 and 2 at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays, February 24 and March 3 at 2 p.m. at the Stevensville Playhouse. Successful Long Island businessman Joe Benjamin is a modern-day “Job” with a demanding wife, ungrateful children and wise-cracking household employees. Just when it seems things couldn’t get any worse, he is visited by Sidney Lipton, aka “A Messenger from God” (and compulsive film buff) with a mission: test Joe’s faith and report back to “the Boss.” The jokes and tests of faith fly fast and furious as Neil Simon spins a contemporary morality tale like no other in this hilarious comedy. Tickets are $10 advance purchase or $15 at showtime. For reservations call 777-2722.
Saturday, February 23
Youth Homes Gala
Raise funds for at-risk youth in Ravalli County at the Bitterroot Youth Home’s 10th Annual Gala, L’Amour in the Big Easy, on Saturday, February 23 at 6 p.m. at the St. Francis Pastoral Life Center at 411 S. 5th Street in Hamilton and features a Cajun-style dinner, open bar, live music, a free photo booth, raffle prizes and a variety of live and silent auction items. Tickets are $60 per person and are available online at www.youthhomes.com or by calling Laura Henning at 541-1650. The Bitterroot Youth Home, a satellite program of Missoula-based Youth Homes, provides short-term shelter and long-term care for boys and girls, ages 10-18, who are unable to remain in their own homes due to abuse, neglect, emotional issues, substance abuse or family crisis. The home is the only licensed shelter in Ravalli County, and since its opening in 2002, has served more than 500 youth.
Rotary Club
Bill Delaney will be the speaker for the next meeting of the Hamilton Rotary Club on Monday, February 25 at 12 noon. The club meets Mondays at BJ’s Restaurant, 900 N. 1st Street, Hamilton. Delaney will bring an extraordinary collection of old photographs and share some of their history. His collection is amazing. This meeting is open to the public. For further information call 363-2960.
Accordion dance
The 5 Valley Accordion Association invites you to a dance on Sunday, Feb. 24 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Eagles Lodge in Hamilton. Dance and listen to accordions, guitars, banjos, drums, piano and more. The fee is $3.00 for members and $4.00 for nonmembers. Call 240-9617 for more information.
Tuesday, February 26
Republican Women’s Club
Ravalli County Republican Women’s Club will hold its monthly meeting and lunch on Tuesday, February 26, at 11:30 a.m. at BJ’s Restaurant in Hamilton. Guest speaker will be County Commissioner Greg Chilcott. Ravalli County Republican Women meet the fourth Tuesday of each month.
Stevensville Science Fair
The Stevensville Science Fair will be held Tuesday, February 26 in the Stevensville Multipurpose Room. Displayed will be projects from Stevensville students grades 7-12. Judging will take place between 2 and 3:20 p.m. The fair will then be open to the public from 3:20 to 6:30 p.m. Those students, grades 7-12, with projects rated as superior will advance to the State Science Fair at the University of Montana in Missoula on March 18. Volunteer Judges are needed for the local Science Fair. If you interested contact Terry Rosin at 777-5481, x221 or the Junior High School Office at 777-5533.
Valley Christian School dessert show
The Valley Christian High School Fine Arts department is hosting the “All You Need is Love” dessert show on Tuesday, February 26 at 7 p.m. in the gymnasium. Tickets may be bought from students or at the door for $5.00. Come enjoy songs, art and homemade desserts served by students in the band, choir and visual art departments. Valley Christian School is an interdenominational Christian school located at 2526 Sunset Lane, Missoula. For more information call 549-0482.
Wednesday, February 27
Golden Age Club
The Golden Age Club, 727 S. Fifth in Hamilton, will hold a birthday and anniversary celebration on Wednesday, February 27 at 2 p.m. Refreshments will follow the program. Dancing to the music of Dick Reinbold’s band will take place Friday, March 1 at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $3 per person at the door. The next business meeting will be on Wednesday, March 6 following a 12:30 p.m. potluck dinner.
Thursday, February 28
Business legal issues class
A class on legal issues for entrepreneurs will be held Thursday, February 28 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon at the Ravalli Entrepreneurship Center (REC), 274 Old Corvallis Road, Hamilton. This three-hour class will be taught by Hamilton attorney Richard Weber and covers several aspects of law including the legal business structures that small businesses assume and the advantages and disadvantages of each. Negotiations, contracts, intellectual property and legal liabilities will be explored. Most importantly, advice is given as to where to get legal information and help. Cost of the class is $30 which includes instructional material. To sign up call 375-0100. Call 375-9416 for more information.
Marketing workshop
The Bitterroot Public Library is offering a marketing workshop on Thursday, February 28 from 7 to 8 p.m. Market Your Business with Fortune 500 Business Strategist John Kauffman and help your business align priorities with customers’ wallets. This is free and open to the public. Sign up for preregistration by calling the library at 363-1670.
South Valley Civic Group
The South Valley Civic Group will meet Thursday, February 28 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at The Naughty Moose. Guest speaker will be Julie Foster, Director of the Ravalli County Economic Development Authority.
NVPL Literacy Night
North Valley Public Library invites families to Living with Winter, A Family Literacy Night on Thursday, February 28 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Learn about animal tracks and test your skills with an Animal Track Challenge. Then create your own track stories! Enjoy winter picture books, poems, and nonfiction books along with literacy activities. Visit the Hibernation Station and explore ways that animals survive winter. Create your own snow globe to take home! This event is free and open to the public. North Valley Public Library is located at 208 Main Street, Stevensville. Contact Caitlin at 777-5061.
Friday, March 1
Knights of Columbus Fish Fry:
Knights of Columbus will hold a Lenten Friday Fish Fry on March 1 from 5 to 6:45 p.m. at St. Francis’ Pastoral Center, 411 S. 5th St. Hamilton. The meal consists of fish, fries, coleslaw, “Niezgodzki’s Mac n Cheese”, vegetables, dessert and soft beverage. It is “all you can eat”. The price for the meal is $10.00 per person; children under nine are free. Wine can be purchased separately. The money earned at the fish fries goes back to the community through various charity and community events conducted by the Knights of Columbus. Your donation is tax deductible. Everyone is welcome so come out, bring a friend and enjoy the evening. For information contact Nick Hooper at 961-3930.
Chili cookoff
A chili cookoff fundraiser for Troop 115 will be held on Friday, March 1 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Florence Carlton Community Church. $5 per person gets you two bowls, fry bread, corn bread, lemonade, coffee and dessert.
NVPL First Friday
The Bitterroot String Band featuring Tim Hunter and Cleo Gunther will play on First Friday, March 1 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the North Valley Public Library in Stevensville. They will play bluegrass music with banjos, guitars, accordions, etc. The performance is free and all ages are welcome. Light refreshments will be served.
Saturday, March 2
Women’s Self-Reliance Fair
The Bitterroot Women’s Self-Reliance Fair will be held Saturday, March 2 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the LDS Church building, 100 Middle Burnt Fork Road in Stevensville. This is a free event for all women (12 years and up) to gather together, celebrate, share and learn new skills. Women will be sharing skills and becoming more self-reliant. There will be workshops, demonstrations and displays. A sample of the fair’s offerings: Family finances and budgeting; Pressure canning and food preservation; Tax preparation; Gardening; Automotive basics; Family history; Estate planning; Addiction recovery; Basics of banking; LDS Home Storage Center; Fruit tree selection and care; When to use the Emergency room and basic wound care; Women’s Health; Sprouting; Home Improvement; Composting. In addition there will be a Red Cross to benefit the residents of the Bitterroot Valley. Women will be making lap-size fleece blankets for disaster response bags. If possible, bring a pair of scissors and a donation of fleece 30”x36” for children or 50×60” for adults. The Self-Reliance Fair is sponsored by the Relief Society of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Lincoln-Reagan Luncheon
The Lincoln-Reagan Luncheon, presented by Ravalli County Republican Central Committee, will be held Saturday, March 2 starting at 11 a.m. at the Bitterroot River Inn, 139 Bitterroot River Plaza in Hamilton (next to The Edge). Featured speaker is Congressman Steve Daines. Other events include a live auction, drawings, and entertainment. Food served includes barbequed steak and chicken, salad, garlic potatoes, beans and desserts. Ticket price is $25, seating is limited. For information contact 777-5014 or 273-3222.
South Valley Stamp Club
The South Valley Stamp Club will meet Saturday, March 2 in conference room B of Marcus Daly Hospital. For the duration of the season, this will be the club’s meeting place. Use front (south) entrance and look for room across from the cafeteria. This month’s meeting will be an open discussion where members choose things to question, ask, or rebut as it pertains to collecting stamps. For more info, call Clyde at 375-5222.
Daly Mansion Casino Night
The Daly Mansion Preservation Trust will be hosting a winter fundraising event entitled Gatsby Gala & Casino Night on Saturday, March 2 from 6 to 10 p.m. The evening will include dancing to prohibition era music by the Ed Norton Stomperz and the Bitterroot Ragtime Society, a variety of hors d’ouevres, bar (including one free drink ticket), live poker, bingo, and great prizes. Guests are encouraged to “dress the part.” This 20’s themed event raises funds for the Daly Mansion and the Margaret Daly Memorial Arboretum. Reservations are $35 per person or $50.00 for two. A seat at the poker tables and chances for other prizes is additional so guests are encouraged to bring plenty of “loot”. To make reservations or for more information, call 363-6004 ext. 3#. The Daly Mansion is located at 251 Eastside Hwy between Hamilton and Corvallis.
Sunday, March 3
Pancake breakfast
The public is invited to a Scandinavian Pancake Breakfast to be held Sunday, March 3 from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Sons of Norway Nordic Pines, 5795 Hwy 93 S, Lolo. The menu includes Scandinavian pancakes, ham, fruit, juice and coffee. Cost is $6 per person.