Wednesday, April 1
Plant Swap & Sale
If you just can’t wait for the gardening season to begin, be sure to mark your calendar for Stevensville Garden Club’s third annual Plant Swap & Sale, to be held on Wednesday, April 1 (no joke!) from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Community Baptist Church at the corner of Buck and Ravalli Streets.
There will be plants, seedlings, perennial divisions, seeds, books, and lots of other garden paraphernalia, as well as refreshments. Bring a garden-related item to ‘swap’ for other items, or if you don’t have an item to swap, shop at the sale table (prices range from 10¢ to $5.00).
Stevensville Garden Club holds this event each year to kick off the gardening season and stimulate community interest in gardening. Garden club members will be present to answer questions about gardening or about the garden club, which sponsors a variety of community events, such as Yard of the Year, Town Beautification, the annual Christmas Luncheon, and this year, in celebration of the garden club’s 75th anniversary, a summer flower show at St. Mary’s Mission. So, come by, have a piece of cake and a cup of coffee, and, regardless of the weather, start thinking about spring!
For more information call Judy at 961-0209.
Spiritual Video Masters Series
The Center for Spiritual Living will present a Spiritual Master Series film on Wednesday, April 1 at 6:30 p.m. “Cultivating Grace and Transforming Suffering” with Ram Dass, Jack Kornfield, and Krishna Das will be shown. They discuss significant transformational questions such as: How do we transform suffering into grace? How do we cultivate a process that allows grace to fill our lives? How do we turn anger into compassion – chaos into equanimity – separation into unity and oneness? The Center for Spiritual Living is located at 1720 N. 1st Street In Hamilton (north of Sears). For more information visit the website at CSLBitterroot.org.
Thursday, April 2
Blood drives
The American Red Cross encourages eligible donors to give blood during National Volunteer Month this April and make a difference in the lives of patients in need. The Red Cross salutes the hundreds of thousands of volunteers who help fulfill its lifesaving mission and encourages others to join their ranks as volunteer blood donors. Volunteer donors are the only source of blood products for those in need of transfusions. Donors of all blood types – especially those with types O negative, A negative and B negative – are needed to help ensure blood is available for patients this spring. Those who are unable to give blood can support blood donations and invite others to make a lifesaving donation by creating a SleevesUp virtual blood drive at redcrossblood.org/SleevesUp. To make an appointment to give blood, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
Upcoming blood donation opportunities
Hamilton: 4/2/2015: 9 a.m. – 12:15 p.m., Bitterroot National Forest, 1801 North 1st Street; 4/14/2015: 1 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Grace Lutheran Church, 275 Hattie Lane.
Faith Lutheran Holy Week
Faith Lutheran Church, 171 Lewis Lane, Hamilton invites you to celebrate Holy Week with the following activities:
April 2, Maundy Thursday, 7 p.m.
April 3, Good Friday, 12 noon
April 5, Easter Sunday, Festival Worship at 8 and 10:30 a.m. Breakfast at 9:15 a.m. Way more great food than you can eat and good Lutheran coffee. Bring the family. Freewill offering for FLC college scholarships. Served by FLC youth, families, and friends.
Contact the church office for additional information at 363-2964.
Friday, April 3
North Valley Pachyderm Club
The North Valley Pachyderm Club will meet Friday, April 3 at 12 noon at The Frontier Café, Hwy 93 in Stevensville. Guest speaker will be County Attorney Bill Fulbright. The North Valley Pachyderm Club is an educational arm of the Republican Party. All are welcome.
Hamilton First Friday
Downtown Hamilton businesses will celebrate April’s First Friday with their “Egg-Stravaganza and treasure hunt,” on Friday, April 3 from 5 to 8 p.m. Participating stores will have a basket of plastic eggs, with a “prize” in each one. Customers may receive a discount, a free item, or a coupon, and the Hamilton Downtown Association is also providing one free ticket to the Wine Fest, to be given away in each participating store. Many downtown businesses will be open extra hours on that Friday, and the HDA encourages valley residents to spend the evening browsing downtown, dining in our many great eateries, or enjoying a beverage. Some businesses will be offering live music, and others may offer refreshments for customers. The HDA reminds readers that downtown is “where Hamilton happens!” For more information, contact the HDA at 360-9124.
Library concert
Celebrate the advent of Spring with an evening of piano music for your listening enjoyment on Friday, April 3 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the North Valley Public Library. Arthur Kostuk studied at the University of Vienna and at Salzburg, Austria under Professor Huntz. He won the first place award at the Israel Piano Competition. More recently he has performed at many concert halls in New York, Boston, Montreal, St. Louis and Seattle. Chicago newspapers have described Arthur as “The Silver Bullet” for his ability to play rapid passages and his exceptional virtuosity and his ability to enthrall audiences. This performance is part of the Stevensville Main Street Association’s April First Friday celebration. Admission is free and all ages are welcome. North Valley Public Library is located at 208 Main Street, Stevensville. For more information, call the library at 777-5061.
Open house
Crescent House invites you to a First Friday Open House on April 3 at 258 Roosevelt Lane, Hamilton. Come and tour the beautiful facility and grounds and meet the practitioners, Star Jameson (Time Out Stress Management & Reiki) and Patty Tolar (Life Coaching & Hypnotherapy). A Crystal Bed from John of God will be introduced at Crescent House. Information will be available on the Crystal Bed. Nibbles, beverages, music, and great conversation. Call 360-7864 for more information.
Saturday, April 4
Easter Egg Hunt
Three Mile Fire Annual Easter Egg Hunt for children ages 0-10 will be held Saturday, April 4 at 12 noon at 1064 Three Mile Creek Road. Lots of eggs and fun! All children welcome. For information call Colleen at 777-3710.
Darby Library events
In April, the Darby Community Public Library will celebrate National Poetry Month by displaying the poetry of children and adults from the community. Everyone is encouraged to contribute their original poetry for display. Also in honor of Poetry Month and as a part of the National Library Week Celebration, the library will once again host Cowboy Poetry Night. This event will feature local favorites Verna Molenda, Buck Hafer, Dusty Rhodes aka Dominic Farrenkopf, and others. In addition to the local talent, Montana Cowboy Singer Doug Hogan will be returning for this year’s celebration. Decorated with poetry from the famous and the yet to be discovered, the library welcomes visitors to celebrate Poetry Month and National Library Week, which will be happening April 12–18th. The dates and times of the upcoming special events that are sponsored by the library are as follows:
• April 4, 11 a.m. – Community Easter Egg Hunt in Tin Cup Park
• April 14, 5 p.m. – Block Party: Free Family Play at the library featuring early literacy block stations
• April 16, 6 p.m. – Cowboy Poetry Night at the library
For more information call the library at 821-4771.
Saturday bingo
Hamilton Senior Center will be hosting a Special Saturday Bingo on April 4. Doors open at 12 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.
Chamber banquet
The Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce will hold it’s 109th annual banquet on Saturday, April 4 at the Bitterroot River Inn Conference Center in Hamilton. No-host cocktail hour will begin at 6 p.m. with dinner catered by Caffe Firenze at 7 p.m., followed by a live auction at 7:30 p.m. and awards presentation at 8 p.m. Reservations can be made by calling 363-2400.
Sunday, April 5
Easter services
Join Light of the Valley Assembly for Easter! Special musical guest Cissy Padgett. Free Breakfast at 9:30 a.m., Sunday Service at 10:30 a.m., Easter Egg hunt after the service. Nursery available for children 0-5. Light of the Valley is located at 103 N. Kootenai Creek Road (just off Hwy 93) Stevensville.
Center for Spiritual Living
The Center for Spiritual Living hosts Star Jameson presenting “Dying To Live” on Sunday, April 5 at 10 a.m. Star shares an Easter message of personal transformation and renewal. Special music with Brian Jameson and the CSL Choir. Conversation and refreshments follow at 11:15 a.m. Come early for Meditation at 9:30 a.m. The Center for Spiritual Living is located at 1720 N. First Street, Suite C in Selway Commons, north of Sears in Hamilton. For further information call Dave at 381-2355 or visit CSLbitterroot.org.
Easter Egg Hunt
The Bitter Root Eagles Lodge will host its Annual Easter Egg Hunt on Sunday, April 5 for community children 12 and younger. The hunt will be at the Ravalli County Fairgrounds at 1 p.m. The hunt will be in three age groups with prizes for each. All are welcome.
Monday, April 6
Stevi school menu
Monday: Breakfast – Pancakes or yogurt, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch – Pizza, peas & carrots, pineapple, bread & butter, milk
Tuesday: Breakfast – Muffins or yogurt, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch – Taco Salad, Chips & salsa, oranges, bread & butter, chocolate or regular milk
Wednesday: Breakfast – Cereal or yogurt, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch – Tuna salad sandwich, taters, apricots, bread & butter, milk
Thursday: Breakfast – French toast or yogurt, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch – Spaghetti, tossed salad, grapes, bread & butter, milk
Friday: Breakfast – Egg wraps or yogurt, fruit, toast, milk; Lunch- Chicken tenders, corn, mixed fruit, bread & butter, chocolate or regular milk
Stevi kindergarten registration
Stevensville School is holding kindergarten registration for the 2015/16 school year April 6-24 from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the K-3 office, Building C. Bring immunization record and birth certificate.
Rotary Club
Monte Monroe, Off Highway Vehicle Ranger for the Bitterroot National Forest, will be speaking at the next meeting of the Hamilton Rotary Club, on Monday, April 6 at 12 noon at BJ’s Restaurant, 900 N. 1st, Hamilton. He will discuss Forest Service policy regarding use and restrictions for off highways vehicles. The meeting is open to the public. For further information, call 363-2960.
Tartan Day Celebration
All those with a heart for the Scottish people are invited to join members of the Bitterroot Celtic Society for a no-host evening of socialization and conviviality to celebrate National Tartan Day on Monday, April 6 between 6 and 9 p.m. at the Hamilton House Pub in Victor. The day, April 6, recognizes the many contributions of Scottish-Americans to the United States. There will be a fund-raising raffle for multiple items, including a beautiful 100% wool tartan throw donated by Kilts.com. Funds raised will support the sixth annual Bitterroot Celtic Games & Gathering, to be held August 15 and 16 on the Daly Mansion grounds in Hamilton. See complete information at www.BCGG.org or call 406-274-8886. Wear your tartan plaid, order pub food from the menu, or just raise a glass to the Scots! Slainte!
Healing and Arts Series
Crescent House Healing and Arts Center is sponsoring a series of lectures. Moonday Healing and Arts Series will be on the first and third Mondays through April. Fabulous speakers! Cozy atmosphere and amazing information. The next presentation will be Monday, April 6 at 6 p.m. with Rae Linden, MA presenting “What Vitamin – What Mineral – What Supplement.” More than just a lecture, Rae will actually teach you how to determine what supplements will benefit you, which ones you can and can’t tolerate, what your optimum dose is. Gather up all those bottles and bring them with you. Stop guessing and hoping and watching infomercials. Rae will teach you exactly how to use your body’s innate wisdom to figure out what you need and stop wasting money on things that can’t, don’t, won’t work. The series takes place at Crescent House, 258 Roosevelt Lane, Hamilton. Donations are appreciated.
Spiritual Discussion Group
Spiritual Discussion Group will meet Monday, April 6 (1st and 3rd Mondays) from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at The Center for Spiritual Living, 1720 N. First, Suite C in Selway Commons north of Sears in Hamilton. This discussion group honors all paths and is led by Jim Tree-Gilmore. Mutual respect during the discussion–not a debate–is the norm. Bring an open heart. Learn to listen as well as share perspectives. A “talking stick” is used to make sure all who want to have time to share their views of the chosen subject for each meeting. Donations accepted. For more information call Jim at 406-370-4519 or visit the website: CSLBitterroot.org.
Tuesday, April 7
Social media workshop
Glacier Country will be presenting a free social media workshop in Stevensville on Tuesday, April 7 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon at the Stevensville Main Street office, 102B Main Street. Social media is here to stay. But heck, you already know that. It’s a part of what you do on a regular basis as you work to promote your business. But what’s next? This session will help pump up your social media savvy, with tools and training to elevate your already existing social media efforts. You’ll also learn the best ways to tackle various social media channels, the key of listening, speaking to your audience and defining your voice, as well as best practices. The class will be taught by Tia Troy, Public Relations and Communication Manager for Glacier Country Tourism. Call 777-3773 for your reservation or e-mail: info@mainstreetstevensville.com; a minimum of 15 is required to hold the workshop. Deadline is March 31.
Sons of Norway
Bitterrootdalen Lodge, Sons of Norway will meet Tuesday, April 7 at 5 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church in Hamilton. The program will feature Henrik Skagen, an exchange student from Norway, who is attending high school in Stevensville. The Lodge will provide a main dish of chicken gravy and biscuits; service and drinks will be provided. Members are invited to bring a side dish. The public is cordially invited to attend. For information contact Jackie at 961-4538.
Government Study Commission
The Ravalli County Local Government Study Commission is holding a community meeting on Tuesday, April 7 at 7 p.m. in the Commissioners’ Conference Room on the 3rd floor in the County Administrative Building at 215 S. 4th Street, Hamilton. The public is encouraged to attend.