On December 3, sixty GSK employees and their families “partied” in the site cafeteria: they wrapped 67 presents, decorated 50 dozen cookies and filled 70 goodie bags. All to ensure 50 critically ill Montana children and their families were remembered this holiday season when they gathered for the Montana Hope Project’s Winter Reunion held December 5-6, 2009.

The Montana Hope Project is a non-profit organization that grants wishes to children with severe health issues. Wishes may include trips to Disney World or Hawaii, the opportunity to see a favorite sports team in action, or a meeting with an admired celebrity. The average wish amount is $6000. In addition to granting wishes, the organization also hosts spring and winter “reunions” each year for families and volunteers. Tiana Hader, Wish and Reunion Coordinator, said, “The efforts of the volunteers at GSK Hamilton are amazing. In terms of the gifts purchased, it is the dollar equivalent of a ‘wish’. The baking and wrapping would’ve taken a single person a month to accomplish.”

When Site Director, Michael Covarrubias, attended a fundraiser for the Montana Home Project, he was inspired to invite the site to participate as well. He said, “Hamilton employees are known for their ‘extreme’ volunteerism. Individuals and teams give numerous hours of their time and talents throughout the year to make life easier for their friends and neighbors in this close-knit community and state. While I know site employees wish to keep their volunteer efforts ‘low key’, I believe it’s important to recognize and thank them for what they do.”

Michael rallied a core group of six site volunteers to help make the Project’s Winter Reunion special: Lauretta Horton, Rita Jones, Doug Nation, Tyler Gross, Julie Lieberth, and Karla Rocheleau. In November, the volunteers decorated a tree in the site lobby with 67 ornaments listing names of children, their siblings, and information about what kind of gift may be suitable based on age and physical abilities. Site employees were invited to volunteer to purchase a gift (each and every one of the requests was fulfilled) as well as to lend a hand with the baked goods and gift wrapping.

Hamilton Production Facility Manager, Tyler Gross, his wife Michelle, and their two young children traveled to the Winter Reunion held at the Fairmont Hot Springs Resort to deliver the goods. Tyler said, “It was very heart warming to see the support GSK employees gave to this program, and to see the smiles on the kids’ faces when these gifts were distributed. My family and I were able to see first hand how we positively impacted these children’s lives; it makes me want to contribute even more.”

The Montana Hope Project is a non-profit organization sponsored by the Association of Montana Troopers and is funded entirely by donations and local fund-raising events.

Smiles were all around at the Montana Hope Project Winter Reunion held December 5-6 at the Fairmont Hot Springs Resort. GSK volunteers provided toys and treats for the event.

Tyler Gross and his daughter, Mackenzie, decorate cookies given to families at the Montana Hope Project Hope Project Winter Reunion.

Children opened gifts beautifully wrapped by mother-daughter team Karla and Kailan Rocheleau.

From The Big Sky to The Big Sea: Montana natives excel at U.S. Naval Academy

By Cari Furman, U.S. Naval Academy

Montana natives Roarke Baldwin and Scott Shaffer knew the United States Naval Academy had more to offer than just a solid education when they first applied for admission. Now, only months away from graduating and being commissioned as officers in the U.S. Navy or Marine Corps, these midshipmen are confident they are ready to serve their country.

“I came for a campus visit… liked the town [of Annapolis] and the fact that it was on the east coast,” stated Midshipman 1st class (senior) Shaffer of Belgrade, Mont. “I knew there would be many opportunities for me here.”

Prospective students of the Naval Academy must go through a rigorous application process to be considered. The academy’s official Web site recommends that interested applicants apply as early as their junior year of high school in order to complete all of the required steps.

“Before you apply, make sure this is something you really want to do,” offered Midshipman 1st class Baldwin of Stevensville, Mont. “The application process is long, but worth it if you’re serious about coming.”

The Naval Academy offers countless benefits in and out of the classroom.

“The teacher-to-student relationship here is amazing,” explained Shaffer. “The academic experience is really great. There are a lot of possibilities academically because the academy is so well known.”

Outside the classroom, the Academy offers the unique opportunity to travel all over the world. Unlike other schools, midshipmen are required to participate in summer training programs every year. The Naval Academy considers these equivalent of professional internships.

This past summer Baldwin had the chance to travel overseas to Poland for three weeks to engage in a Holocaust study with applications to military ethics. After this trip, he chose to spend a week of leave in Germany before flying to Japan for another three weeks of travel.

“I got to participate in high-value things that tourists don’t get to do,” Baldwin explained. “After I returned home from Japan, I got to spend two weeks flying helicopters in Cherry Point, N.C., before returning to school. These are the kinds of opportunities we have here that other people don’t have.”

Midshipmen at the Naval Academy are also given many opportunities to serve as leaders among their peers. Baldwin currently serves as the 6th Company commander, in charge of over 152 other midshipmen, while Shaffer serves as the Brigade honor advisor to nearly 4,400 midshipmen.

“It’s an honor to serve in this position, but I’m going to have grey hairs after this,” Baldwin joked. “I’m glad I could learn these hard leadership roles now so that I’m prepared for the future.”

“It’s awesome how much responsibility the administration gives you in terms of leading and being in charge,” added Shaffer. “There’s so much opportunity to fulfill leadership roles and motivate your classmates.”

Making the adjustment from high school to a service academy can bring many obstacles, but Shaffer explains how the Naval Academy supports each student in the transition.

“You might have a few speed bumps along the way, but just as in all things, you learn to adapt,” he explained. “This school is looking to produce officers in the military…they’re focused on making sure that every single person is developed morally, mentally, and physically, so they’ll help you in any way you need it.”

“Once I started I never really had any doubts about coming here,” added Baldwin. “I’ve never had any regrets.”

The future is very bright for these two young men. While each one has already selected their top choices for military service upon graduation, they will not receive their final assignment until November. Regardless of what this assignment may be, Baldwin and Shaffer both agree that the Academy has done everything to meet and surpass their expectations.

“The Academy definitely gave me all the tools I need to succeed,” stated Shaffer confidently. “I think it’s the best choice I’ve ever made.”

Birders needed for Stevi Christmas Bird Count

Bitterroot Audubon will sponsor the 45th annual Stevensville Christmas Bird Count on Sunday, December 27 (please note the change from the usual Saturday date). Birders of any skill level are invited to participate, since the emphasis is on having fun and learning more about birds and their habitats, in addition to collecting valuable scientific data. The Stevensville count is typically one of the largest in Montana, both in terms of number of participants and number of bird species seen.

Birders can participate in the Count in two ways. Field observers can gather in the basement conference room of the Stevensville Ranger Station (88 Main Street) between 7:30 and 7:45 AM on December 27 to form small teams that search portions of the count circle. This is a great way for beginners to learn about birds from experienced birders. There is a $5 voluntary participation fee. Many counters return to the Ranger Station at noon to warm up and trade stories of birds seen over the traditional bean soup potluck.

Feeder watchers stay at home part or all of the day and count the birds on their own property, as long as the land is within the Count circle (a 7.5-mile radius circle centered on the Ranger Station). Organizers are especially interested in adding new feeder watchers to replace some that have moved away over the past few years. Both groups contribute valuable data and help make the Count successful. Either way, participants can spend as much or as little time as they have available that day.

Call Count organizer Dave Lockman at 777-2929 for additional information.

Bitterroot College Program Steering Committee to meet

The Bitterroot College Program Steering Committee will hold a meeting at 3 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 17, at the Bitterroot National Forest Headquarters, located at 1801 N. First St. in Hamilton.

The steering committee is a public board and welcomes members of the public to observe and participate at its meetings.

Agenda topics will include operational and educational planning issues. The meeting agenda will be available Monday, Dec. 14, on the BCP Web site at HYPERLINK "http://www.umt.edu/bcp" http://www.umt.edu/bcp (click on “Meetings” under “Steering Committee”) or by calling BCP Interim Director Victoria Clark at 406-375-0100 or e-mailing victoria.clark@umontana.edu.

The BCP Steering Committee is a collaborative group composed of local Ravalli County stakeholders, University of Montana officials and state higher education representatives. The committee is charged with planning an entity to provide responsive and sustainable adult and higher education opportunities to the residents of Ravalli County.

BCP currently offers six UM College of Technology courses in the Hamilton area.

Hamilton Christmas Bird Count scheduled

On Saturday, December 19, Bitterroot Audubon members and other birders will count all the birds present in a 7-? mile radius of Hamilton. The 23rd annual Hamilton Christmas Bird Count, sponsored by National Audubon Society and Bitterroot Audubon, adds information to the other Christmas Bird Counts throughout the nation and the rest of North America. 2009 marks the 110th anniversary of Christmas Bird Counts in North America. Volunteer citizen scientists will count birds in over 1,000 CBC circles, and pay $5 for the privilege to participate, in the effort to document trends in wintering bird populations. Hamilton birders meet at 7:30 a.m. at the Teller Wildlife Refuge Education Building (Slack Barn) about ? mile south of the junction of Chaffin and Quast Lanes, north of Corvallis. There they will organize into parties of 3 or 4, always matching bird “experts” with people who are not as skilled or confident of their abilities. Everyone is welcome, no matter their skill level. The day can be a marvelous learning opportunity for the beginner and extra eyes in a party will contribute to more birds seen and identified.

At noon everyone meets back at the Education Room to compare the morning results and enjoy Bill Good’s special chili and Oreos lunch, enhanced by some of the best Christmas desserts found anywhere. Participants then reorganize and spend the rest of the day finding birds in places not covered in the morning.

If you cannot participate in the field counts you can help by counting the birds at your feeders. If you live within about 7 miles of Hamilton, know most or all the bird species frequenting your feeders and have a few hours, or all day, to count the visitors, call Colleen Powell, 363 2116, to receive instructions so you can help.

Around 30 participants are expected to see about 65 different species of birds and a total of over 6,000 birds, if the future reflects history. Bring your binoculars, bird guide, warm clothes, and a jug of hot something to help Bitterroot Audubon have a great birding day.

If you have endurance for winter birding and want a second chance to challenge the elements and count birds, the 45th Stevensville Christmas Bird Count kicks off at 7:30 a.m. on Sunday, December 27 at the Stevensville Ranger Station. The Stevi circle includes some outstanding habitat and the count often leads the State in species documented. It should be a great way to end the year.

The third annual Big Hole CBC is scheduled for Saturday, January 2, 2010, your chance to do some real winter birding.

For more information call John Ormiston at 363 5464, or go to the Bitterroot Audubon website at http://www.bitterrootaudubon.org.

Attention BicyclistslWalkers/Runners

The Stevensville Main Street Association is currently forming a committee of people interested in helping with developing and expanding the Stevensville area bicycling/walking trail system. Projects would include: obtaining funding for bike racks in town, expanding the current bike/walking path and finding areas for connector trails in the area. Your help with any or all of these projects could make a difference in the community and make it more pedestrian friendly. If you are interested call John Conlan at 777-3754.

Commissioners’ Activity Report

Weeks of Nov. 30 Dec. 7:

Friday, Dec. 4:

-Voted 5-0 to approve Resolution 2427, designating an Environmental Certifying Official for Neville Log Homes.

-Voted 5-0 to resign Appendix H: Authorizing Application for Rocky Mountain Log Homes.

-Voted 3-0 to rescind Dec. 3 motion to sign a contract for Services with Ace Mechanical Insulation for cold and hot water pipe insulation.

Monday, Dec. 7: (Driscoll out)

-Voted 3-0 to approve one year extension for the Riverside Meadows subdivision (Not voting: Rokosch).

-Voted 3-0 to approve hangar leases for hangars #326 and 250

-Voted 4-0 to execute an $83,000 contract with AMEC Geomatrix for septic impact modeling.

-Voted 4-0 to approve payment of three outstanding insurance claims totaling $4,594.20.

-Voted 4-0 to deny an employee grievance filed under a collective bargaining unit procedure.

Thursday:

-Voted 5-0 to continue the Hamilton Heights (Misty Vale Dairy) major subdivision until Dec. 21.

-Voted 5-0 to send a letter to Montana Department of Transportation recommending speed limits and advisory signs on Secondary 269 at Tammany Lane and Fairgrounds Road.

DEQ seeking public opinions on Montana air pollution

Helena - The Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) wants to know how you feel about air pollution where you live.

To find out, the department has launched an informal Internet survey of Montana residents regarding air pollution in the state. The short survey can be taken at www.deq.mt.gov, "Air Pollution Public Survey." The survey will be available until January 8, 2010.

Eric Merchant, Supervisor of the DEQ Air Quality Planning & Policy section, expects the survey to provide useful information: "I'm interested to see the results from this survey to gain a better insight regarding Montanans' perceptions of air quality," Merchant said. "Because the survey is informal and experimental, it will also help us determine how well Internet surveys measure public opinion."

The DEQ will use the survey information when it develops the 2010 Montana Ambient Air Monitoring Network Assessment Plan. A draft of the Plan will be posted on the DEQ website for further review and comment by May 15, 2010.

For more information about this survey, contact Bob Jeffrey at (406) 444-5280 or by email at rjeffrey@mt.gov. More information about Montana air quality is available on the DEQ website at www.deq.mt.gov.

Page One •	Valley News •	Op/Ed •	Sports •	Calendar •	Classifieds •	Legals •	Links •	About Us •	Back Issues •	Email Us •	Home
©2009 Bitterroot Star This site was Done By Dooney