Audubon calendars available
Bitterroot Audubon has produced a new calendar with photos by local photographers and local students. The photos and drawings highlight the beauty of the fascinating birds found in the Bitterroot Valley. You can buy this one of a kind calendar online at the BAS website http://www.bitterrootaudubon.org/support-us or at the Farmers Market, Bitterroot Drug, Robbins Hallmark, Chapter One, Paper Clip, Art Focus, Sam’s Spade, Lakeland Feed, and Stranahan’s Fly Shop in Hamilton, at Lisa Archer Silks in Stevensville, and at the Naturalist’s Mercantile in Missoula. All proceeds from the sales go to BAS Education and Scholarship Funds. Call Becky Peters at 369-5210 for more information.
MAPS enrollment open
Applications for the 2013 session of the MAPS Media Institute are now available. Visit the website’s ‘contact’ page to apply at www.mapsmediainstitute.com for after-school classes in film, design, music and – brand new this year – cyberskills. For more information, call Wendy at 381-7230.
Scarecrow Fest caw for entries
The 8th annual Scarecrow Festival will start on First Friday, October 4. Deadline for entries is Sept. 27. The contest is open to everyone with cash prizes awarded. Info and entry forms at Stevensville Main Street Association, Bitterroot Star, River’s Mist Gallery in Stevensville and the Paper Clip in Hamilton or at www.mainstreetstevensville.com. This year the Stevensville Scarecrow Festival will again include Living Statues. Win cash prizes ($100 for 1st Place, $60 for 2nd Place, $40 for 3rd Place) and keep your donations! Living statues will be posted on Main Street in downtown Stevensville from 5 to 9 p.m. on Friday, October 4. Living statues can appear in any type of costume and typically pose until someone makes a donation. Then you can repay that person by changing positions with a flourish, acknowledging the person in some way, or whatever. Call 777-3773 to sign up or for more information.
Volunteer opportunity
Volunteers are needed for the 34th annual Apple Day on Saturday, October 5 at the Ravalli County Museum in Hamilton. Come join the festivities and help with apple pie preparation, caramel sauce making, or by manning a booth on Apple Day itself. Call the Ravalli County Museum for information, 363-3338, ext. 13.
Darby Bread Box
The Darby Bread Box is collecting the following items for the months of September, October and November: turkey or chicken stuffing, pumpkin pie mix, soup broth and olives. Drop off the donated items at People’s Market and the Bitterroot Credit Union in Darby. All donations are appreciated.
Volunteer opportunity
Habitat for Humanity of Ravalli County is in need of volunteers to help build a new home on Fridays and Saturdays at 105 Mission Street in Stevensville. Call the Building Volunteer Coordinator at 207-0247 for more information.
Driver services hours limited
All Montana Driver License employees will be attending training in Helena from September 23-27. Hours and services will be limited during those days at the driver services office in Stevensville. No testing (written or driving) will be conducted. Services offered will be MT Identification Cards, MT License Renewals and Replacement and Out of State Transfers. Hours will be Monday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Tuesday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The office will be closed from 12 to 1 p.m. daily.
Wednesday, September 18
RCEDA
Ravalli County Economic Development Authority will hold its regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, September 18 from 3 to 5 p.m. at the RCEDA office, 274 Old Corvallis Rd, Hamilton. The meeting is open to the public.
Leadership Bitterroot
Leadership Bitterroot will hold an orientation on Wednesday, September 18 with the first session the following Wednesday, September 25. This program helps develop effective leaders to take Bitterroot communities into the future and involves a strong focus on a forward vision, a mix of values and determination of our past pioneering spirit and our heritage of independence. Our ability to evolve and embrace change will give us a blueprint for a brighter economic future. Fear of change and being complacent has no room in a future plan of economic vitality. Local employers are encouraged to send an employee. For more information contact the Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce, 363-2400.
DCPL book discussion
“Small Town Renaissance” book discussion will be held Wednesday, September 18 at 6:30 p.m. at the Darby Community Public Library. In response to requests from the community, a second book discussion of Richard Waverly Poston’s “Small Town Renaissance: The Story of the Montana Study” has been scheduled. If you missed the first discussion, register now for this opportunity to explore the impact of the study in the 1940’s, and discuss its benefit to communities today. Register at the library or by calling 821-4771.
Thursday, September 19
Library Lunch and Learn
Have you ever thought about writing a book and then wondered how you would get it published? Come to the Lunch and Learn Program hosted by the Friends of the North Valley Public Library in Stevensville on Thursday, September 19 at 12 noon in the library community room to hear from three local published authors, Kathy Dufresne, Roberta Swartz and Kathleen Meyer, who will be relating a little about their reasons for writing their first books, and their subsequent adventures in getting them published. Bring your lunch if you wish, and beverages and dessert will be provided.
Voice for Life Rummage Sale
A Voice for Life rummage sale will be held Thursday, September 19 from 4 to 8 p.m., Friday, September 20t from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, September 21 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 515 Madison in Hamilton in the old brown Parish building. Come help support efforts to spread education on fetal development, promote adoption and support families in their efforts to fulfill their pregnancies and provide support after the birth of the child. To help or for questions call Phyllis Oellette at 363-2367 or Pat Gilchrist at 961-4314.
Back Country Horsemen
Bitter Root Back Country Horsemen host their monthly meeting on Thursday, September 19, at the Corvallis School Cafeteria on Eastside Highway in Corvallis. Potluck dinner is served at 6:30 p.m. and the general meeting starts at 7:00. The program is a Power Point presentation of this summer’s East Fork Project. Guests are welcome to attend, and for more information call Karen at 961-0101 or check the website at www.bchmt.org/bitterroot.
Friday, September 20
Driver safety class
A Driver Safety Class will be presented at Marcus Daly Hospital in Hamilton on Friday, September 20. The class begins at 9 a.m. and will last approximately four hours. This safe driving strategies class is designed for drivers age 50 and over but all drivers are welcome. There is no written test. Montana mandates an insurance discount for qualified graduates. The class fee is $12 for AARP members and $14 for non-members. Attendees are requested to bring a check made out to “AARP” for class fees. Pre-registration is requested. Contact Jones Korman Insurance at 363-6583 for further information.
BPL Kids Storytime
Young children are invited to meet in the children’s corner of the Bitterroot Public Library on Friday, September 20 to enjoy “Weather Wonders” with storyteller Jamie Ogden. Hear some great stories and try some weather activities! 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.
North Valley Pachyderm Club
The North Valley Pachyderm Club will meet Friday, September 20 at 12 noon at the Frontier Café, Hwy 93 in Stevensville. Guest speaker will be David Whitesell, Superintendent of Stevensville Schools. The North Valley Pachyderm Club meets the first and third Friday of each month from noon to 1 p.m. and is an educational arm of the Republican Party. All are welcome.
DCPL Improv Fun
The Darby Community Public Library will host Improv Fun on Fridays after school from 2:45 to 4 p.m. starting September 20. Let the acting out begin with a class of spontaneous fun as you discover the actor within you. This club will focus on creating skits, acting out scenes from legendary stories and using props to create small plays. Volunteer Amy Arnold is leading this community club at the library. All middle and high school students are encouraged to register at the library or call 821-4771.
Christian concert
On Friday, September 20, the Jost family will be holding a free concert at Valley Christian School in the auditorium at 2:30 and 7 p.m. The Josties are a family of high energy, musically talented people. They “bring an organic blend of acoustic/country folk and light contemporary music along with humor and a desire to exalt the faithfulness of Jesus Christ.” The whole family will love this concert.
Stevi homecoming dinner
On Friday, September 20, the Stevensville High School Junior Class will be hosting a dinner for the public before the Homecoming football game. It will be served on the tennis courts by the football field from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The menu includes pulled pork sandwich, corn on the cob, watermelon, chips, cakes and beverages. Cost is $5 per person or $20 for a family of 5 or more (parents and siblings only).
Golden Age dance
September is back to school time in the valley, so the Golden Age Club has planned a “Back to School” theme for its Friday night dance on September 20. The young-at-heart seniors will don cards or overalls, pleated skirts, ankle socks and saddle shoes for a fun everning of “way back when.” Individual lunch buckets or bags, brought from home, will be the refreshments (bring extra for trading). The Golden Age Hall is located at 727 S. Fifth, Hamilton. Bob Olson’s New Bitterroot Five band plays that evening (Dick Reinbold’s group on Sept. 27). Admission is $3 per person; dancing is from 7:30 to 10 p.m.
The next business meeting is Octobe 2, after the 12:30 potluck.
Saturday, September 21
Women’s Health Symposium
Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital with support from Soroptimist International invites you to the fourth annual Women’s Health symposium held on Saturday, September 21. Learn how to de-stress, maintain a healthy spine and embrace the aging process. This year’s symposium offers experienced and interesting speakers from the Marcus Daly medical staff and keynote speaker Dr. Richard Day. Each speaker has created engaging and interactive sessions covering an array of topics, including whole food nutrition made easy, be happy all the time, stay healthy as you age, unleash traditional and alternative care, truths and myths surrounding belly fat and the heart and more. All medical experts welcome your questions and want you to leave with your answers. In between, enjoy a heart healthy breakfast, relax in the pampering area and get your cholesterol screening results. You will be rejuvenated, refreshed and informed, and possibly go home with a fabulous raffle prize! Unwind, be pampered, and get active while obtaining important health and lifestyle information that can positively impact your life.
The Women’s Health Symposium runs from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. and begins with a cholesterol screening. Cost is $40. For more information or to make reservations call Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital at 375-4500 or visit www.mdmh.org. Pre-registration is required.
Pantry Partners open house
Pantry Partners invites the community to an Appreciation Open House on Saturday, September 21 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon at the Pantry, located at ALC Way and Middle Burnt Fork. Coffee and goodies will be served.
Perennial exchange
Attention perennial gardeners! The annual perennial exchange will be held Saturday, September 21 at 11 a.m. at Sam’s Spade, 111 S. 4th, Hamilton. Bring your autumn divided perennials, labeled and free of pests, and trade with other gardeners. This is not limited to plants. You may bring anything garden related (tools, gloves, books, houseplants, stories of the season). At the end of the day you may take your excess plants home or leave them for new gardeners to start their own perennial gardens. If you submit a list of plants you intend to bring they will be posted on the website. Call 363-1293 or e-mail samantha@samsspade.com.
Harvest Party
Sustainable Living Systems’ annual ‘Root Food Dinner and Harvest Party will be held Saturday, September 21 at the Victor Community Garden, just west of Victor on 5th Ave. Salsa making starts at 3 p.m., ingredients provided (donations requested, either in ingredients or money), bring your own knives, cutting board and jars. BBQ Potluck Dinner will take place around 5 p.m. Lifeline burgers and drinks provided. Musicians, bring your instruments for some jamming around the campfire. Call Jill at 642-3601 for more information.
Stevensville Museum Pie Social
The Stevensville Historical Museum will sponsor a Pie Social on Saturday, September 21 from 6 to 8 p.m. on the grounds of the Museum located at 517 Main Street, Stevensville. The cost of a piece of homemade pie and beverage is $4.00. Tickets are available at Valley Drug Store and on the evening of the event tickets can be purchased at the Museum. This event will be held as a fund-raiser for the Stevensville Museum. The Shenanigans will play a variety of music that evening. A new exhibit of the History of the Salish Indians in the Bitterroot Valley will be featured in the Museum opening on that weekend. For more information call Stacey at 777-5126 or Ruth at 777-3201.
Elks Lodge anniversary dinner
Bitterroot Valley Elks Lodge #1651 is holding a 70th anniversary celebration on Saturday, September 21 at 6 p.m. at the lodge, 203 State, Hamilton. Reservations are now being taken for a steak dinner. Cost is $18 per person. The public is welcome. Call 363-3031 to reserve or for more information.
Operation Christmas Child event
Good news! Great joy! Operation Christmas Child invites you to a special countdown event on Saturday, September 21 at 7 p.m. at Cornerstone Bible Church, 280 Fairgrounds Road, Hamilton. Join in a fun and inspiring event as volunteers prepare to collect millions of gift-filled shoeboxes for needy children around the world. For information contact Greg Reinhardt, 360-4253.
Labyrinth Equinox event
The 14th annual Fall Equinox Open Walk at Redsun Labyrinth, 1802 Pleasant View Drive, Victor will be held Saturday, September 21 (weather permitting). The labyrinth will be surrounded with luminaria from dusk until 10:30 p.m. You may bring a stone to leave. There will be music and bonfire. Be sure to dress warmly. Park outside the electric gate and proceed to the labyrinth through the twig gate to the right of the electric gate. Look for the arch as the starting point. Brochures and information are available there. Visit www.redsunlabyrinth.com for more information and directions. Volunteers are needed to help place and light the luminaria, call 642-6675.
Sunday, September 22
Awana Club
Awana Club for pre-K thru 8th grade aged children meets in Stevensville every Sunday evening beginning September 22 from 5:30 to 7:15 p.m. at Community Baptist Church, 409 Buck Street. Call Mark Jensen at 369-0355 for more information.
Accordion jam
The 5 Valley Accordion Association invites one and all to join them Sunday, September 22 at the Sunrise Saloon in Missoula from 1 to 5 p.m. Come listen and dance to accordions, guitars, banjos, drums and more. Admission is $3 for members and $4 for nonmembers. Call 240-9617 for info.
Monday, September 23
Stevi school menu
Monday: Breakfast – French toast or yogurt, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch – Cheese-filled breadsticks with marinara sauce, broccoli Normandy, peaches, bread & butter, milk
Tuesday: Breakfast – Cinnamon rolls or yogurt, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch – Burrito, salsa, lettuce, Spanish rice, watermelon, bread & butter, milk
Wednesday: Breakfast – Cereal or yogurt, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch – Chef’s salad with turkey & cheese, mandarin oranges, bread & butter, milk
Thursday: Breakfast – Pancake on a stick or yogurt, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch – Cheeseburgers, lettuce, tomato, pickles, taters, pears, bread & butter, milk
Friday: Breakfast – Scrambled eggs or yogurt, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch – Chicken tenders, corn, apples, bread & butter, milk.
Rotary Club
Rebekah Stamp, Vice President of the 2013 State Champion Bitterroot Swim Team, will be speaking at the Monday, September 23 meeting of the Hamilton Rotary Club. The club meets Mondays at 12 noon at BJ’s Restaurant, 900 N. 1st Street, Hamilton. Rotary meetings are open to the public. For further information call 363-2960.
RCFWA
The Ravalli County Fish & Wildlife Association will have a general meeting on Monday, September 23 at 7 p.m. upstairs at the Hamilton Fire Hall. Guest speaker will be Kerry Foresman, retired wildlife biologist and author with a power point presentation from his recent book entitled “Mammals of Montana.” The meeting is open to the public and anyone with an interest in wildlife issues is invited to attend. For more information contact Dave at 777-5786.
Tuesday, September 24
Republican Women’s Club
The Ravalli County Republican Women’s Club will hold its monthly meeting and lunch on Tuesday, September 24 at 11:30 a.m. at BJ’s Restaurant in Hamilton. Ravalli County Republican Women meet the fourth Tuesday of each month.
Mule Team
There has been some interesting news in our county lately! Join the Mule Team on Tuesday, September 24 from 12 to 1 p.m. at Liaisons Cafe in Hamilton. The group will be discussing the public health system in the county. Be up on the latest about what you can do to help, and be sure to bring a friend with you. Call Becky Peters at 369-5210 if you have any questions.
WECAN job networking event
On Tuesday, September 24, Rural Employment Opportunities (REO), in conjunction with the Bitterroot Job Service, will be hosting a job networking event called Workers Employed through Community Asset Networks (WECAN). The meeting will be from 5 to 6 p.m. in the Bitterroot Job Service building at 274 Old Corvallis Road, Suite D. Free food and beverages will be provided for all attendees. Participants at the meeting will have the opportunity to learn about building a focused resume, connect with fellow community members, and share information about jobs and training opportunities. The program also provides opportunities for community members to volunteer as financial coaches or career mentors. “Job Networking Nights are a great opportunity to build your job searching skills, work with other people in your community, and just have a good time,” said Bruce Day, Executive Director of Rural Employment Opportunities. WECAN is a community-based, collaborative program that connects job seekers to employment and networking opportunities, in addition to financial education information. Rural Employment Opportunities is a statewide nonprofit organization. REO works with more than 300 rural families as they struggle to support themselves and their families. Through REO, adults and children access and complete education, job-training and individual development programs that lead to year-round employment, improved family income, and greater economic security. For more information visit wecanmontana.org, email wecan@reomontana.org, or call Haynes Hansen at 406-442-7850.
Friends of BPL book sale
Attention all bibliophiles! The 2013 Annual Friends of the Bitterroot Public Library Used Book Sale is coming to the downstairs Community Room in the Bitterroot Public Library at 306 State St. in Hamilton September 24-28. The sale times will be Tuesday from 5 to 8 p.m., Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. On Tuesday evening only there will be a $3.00 admission for adults. The price for all items is $1.00 per inch thick.
The ever-popular Bag Sale when all the items that can be stuffed in a grocery bag are $2.00 per bag will be on Friday – bring your own bags or the Friends will provide them. Another popular feature of the book sale is free books all week long outside on the sidewalk. And on Saturday all remaining books will be free.
The Silent Auction of Special Items will run from Tuesday at 6 p.m. to Friday at 6 p.m.
Volunteers are needed to help set up and sort books, and clean up, before, during, and after the sale. A sign-up work schedule is posted on the Friends of the Library bulletin board near the front door of the library. Donations to the book sale may be brought to the Bitterroot Public Library during regular open hours. Do not put donated materials in the library book return boxes. All proceeds from the book sale go to benefit the Bitterroot Public Library.
For information contact the Bitterroot Public Library 363-1670.
Wednesday, September 25
DCPL Write On Club
The Darby Community Public Library Write On Club meets Wednesdays after school from 4 to 5 p.m. beginning September 25. All you need is pen, paper and your imagination. This club will “write on” from prompts, props and word association games. Your creativity will spring forth as you allow your inner writer to emerge. The club is led by Amy Arnold. Registration is required by calling 821-4771.
NVPL travel presentation
North Valley Public Library will host world traveler Cookie Greene on Wednesday, September 25 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the community room. Greene will present a travelogue of her trip to South Vietnam, Cambodia and temples of Angkor Wat. This will be a 90 minute presentation of a trip with three veterans returning to the hill they defended during the Khe Sanh siege, the longest of the entire war and the start of the Tet offensive. Cookie will take you to Ho Chi Minh City, Saigon, Hue Khe Sanh, and incredible Angkor Wat. Admission is free. North Valley Public Library is located at 208 Main Street, Stevensville. For more information, call the library at 777-5061.