The Golden Age group meets every Friday from 7:30 to 10 p.m. at 727 S. 5th in Hamilton. If you are a senior citizen and are bored, looking for fun or just want something new to experience, attend and enjoy good food, live music, dancing and fellowship. Cost is $5. Snacks are potluck. Exercise classes are held every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 9 a.m. Blood pressure is checked every first Wednesday of the month. Also on the first Wednesday of every month a potluck is held at 12:30 p.m. followed by the business meeting. Card parties are held on the second Wednesday at 7 p.m. On the last Wednesday of the month a birthday party is held at 2 p.m.

Florence American Legion

The Florence American Legion Post 134 meets the first Monday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Florence Fire Hall. For further information contact Post Commander Claude Nichols at 273-3051.

Stevensville American Legion

The Stevensville American Legion Post 94 meets on the third Tuesday of every month at 7:30 p.m. at the Post Home on Middle Burnt Fork Road. For more information contact Jerry Esmay, 777-5517.

Corvallis American Legion

The Corvallis American Legion Post 91 meets the third Thursday of every month at 7:30 p.m. in the Corvallis High School library. For further information contact Post Commander Alex Ivanoff at 961-8997 or Post Adjutant Roy Meyer, 961-4272.

Lilies of the Valley singing group

The Lilies of the Valley Ladies Ensemble welcomes you to share your time, talent, wit and humor in the joy of singing together, short programs to share with others. No auditions to participate, only your love of the language of music and the desire to sing it in melody and harmony. Come and relax Thursday evenings, 7 to 9 p.m., at 211 N. 6th St., Hamilton. For more information call Thelma, 363- 1598.

WIC clinics

A WIC clinic is offered in Hamilton Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. at 205 Bedford St, Suite P, District Courthouse building in Hamilton.

The Stevensville clinic is open on Wednesdays at the United Methodist Church, 216 College St. in Stevensville. The Victor clinic is open the second Monday of the month at the Victor Nazarene Church. The Darby clinic is open every other month, the third Monday of the month at the Darby Library. For more information call 375-6685.

Sapphire Quilt Club

The Sapphire Quilt Club meets monthly on the second Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the Stevensville Senior Center, 100 Mission Street. Teaching of short cuts and easy techniques begin at 6:30 p.m. Join this fun group of people to learn about quilting. For information, contact Linda Powell at 777-1070.

Grief Support Groups

When you grieve the death of a loved one, you sometimes hide it so others think you’re over your sorrow and loss. Marcus Daly Hospice offers an opportunity to share grieving experiences and grow from them.

For the men in our community dealing with the death of a loved one, Marcus Daly Hospice offers a men’s breakfast support group. The Men’s Bereavement Support Breakfast meets at 9 a.m. every second and fourth Friday of the month in the Marcus Daly Hospice dining room. Breakfast is provided for a $3 donation per person. Call 375-4752 to reserve your spot.

For anyone in our community dealing with the loss of a loved one, Tuesday afternoons from 2-3:30 p.m. a bereavement support group meets in the Marcus Daly Hospice Center living room. All are welcome.

For more information, call Cathy Palmer, LCPC, Bereavement Coordinator, at 375-4752.

Spanish conversation group

Habla Espanol? Do you travel? Do you work with Latinos? Do you just want to keep your mind sharp? If you are a beginner or just a bit rusty, join the Stevi Spanish Conversation Group at the North Valley Public Library Wednesdays from 6 to 7 pm to brush up on your Spanish language skills. This is not a class to learn to speak Spanish. It will be an informal, weekly gathering to practice speaking the Spanish language. The focus will be role playing for situations experienced during travel and everyday life. For more information, call the library at 777-5061.

Soroptimists

Soroptimist International of Hamilton meets the first, second and third Thursdays of each month at noon at BJ’s Restaurant. Soroptimist is a worldwide organization for women in management and professions working through service projects to advance human rights and the status of women. All interested business women are encouraged to attend.

Rotary Club

The Hamilton Rotary Club meets Mondays, 12 noon at BJ's Restaurant, 900 N. First Street, Hamilton. For information about Rotary, call 363-2960.

PFLAG Chapter

Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) meets every fourth Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, in the basement, 600 S. 3rd St., Hamilton. The building is handicap accessible from DeSmet Street through the back door of the church. For more information contact Terry Moran, 363-7656.

‘Science of Mind’ fellowship

Science of Mind fellowship gathers every Sunday at 10 a.m. at the Carriage House in Hamilton to watch a downloaded message from Seattle's Center For Spiritual Living. Join like-minded metaphysicians in spiritual community. For info call Barb Lucas, 375-9996.

Legion bingo

B-I-N-G-O! Join American Legion Fort Owen Post 94, in Stevensville, for free popcorn and an entertaining evening of bingo. The action starts at 7 p.m. at the Senior Center in Stevensville on the first and third Thursdays of the month. All prizes are cash and proceeds go to support American Legion youth activities.

Valley Veterans Service Center

Find out what VA benefits you may be qualified for at the Valley Veterans Service Center, open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. to assist veterans and their dependents in filing claims with the VA. If you have questions or need help dealing with the VA, call Rob Embree at 363-9838 or stop by the office at 229 Fairgrounds Road, Suite 4, Hamilton.

Veteran-to-Veteran (V2V) meetings

The V2V outreach group meets every Friday morning at 8 a.m. in the backroom at BJ’s Restaurant in Hamilton. These informal meetings are for all veterans from the Boxer Rebellion to the present. Many veterans have both unresolved and resolved issues from their experiences in the military that impact their lives today. At the meetings veterans can discuss whatever they want and the outreach group gives veterans an opportunity to get together to share information and talk about issues. For further information contact Dan Mayer (961-1577) from the Bitterroot Chapter of the Vietnam Veterans of America.

Vietnam Veterans of America

The Bitterroot Chapter #938 of the Vietnam Veterans of America meets the first Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. at 229 Fairgrounds Road (just east of Hamilton High School). Vietnam era veterans often need assistance with problems and issues and many have similar stories. The Bitterroot Chapter VVA is your organization to provide the opportunity to obtain and share information, to organize grass root activities, lend a helping hand, and offer assistance to all veterans in dealing with the Veterans Administration. Also, through the National VVA organization, the local chapter supplies input to state and federal government legislators on issues important to veterans. For more information contact Bill Decker at 369-2252.

MOPS group

The Bitterroot MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) group meets at Lone Rock Bible Church, around the corner from Lone Rock School, just off Eastside Hwy, down Three Mile Creek Road, between Stevensville and Florence. The group meets every other Tuesday, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Age-appropriate childcare including snacks, stories and activities, is available for children up through age five. For more information about Bitterroot MOPS, contact Jeannie Tischler at 777-0506.

Waldorf Playgroup

Waldorf Playgroup, Parent/Child Classes meet Tuesdays 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Bitterroot Public Library in Hamilton, and Daly Mansion Children's Garden. Welcoming parents, expecting parents, and children birth to 6 years for creative play, songs, stories, baking, crafts and gardening in a homelike setting. For more information contact Kim at 369-0213 or Elissia at 381-1981. Waldorf Playgroup, Parent/Child Class is sponsored by the Bitterroot School. More information about the Bitterroot School and Waldorf education can be found at www.thebitterrootschool.org and HYPERLINK "http://www.whywaldorfworks.org" www.whywaldorfworks.org.

Veterans affairs clinics

Andrea Montee, Service Officer for the Montana Veterans Affairs Division in Missoula, will be available to veterans and their dependents that have questions or need to file a claim with the Dept. of Veterans Affairs on the second Tuesday of every month from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at the Stevensville Town Council Chambers and from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Hamilton Job Service office. She will also be at the Job Service office every fourth Wednesday of the month from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. For more information call 542-2501.

Trap Club

The Hamilton Trap Club is open every Wednesday and Sunday from 12 noon until dusk unless people get done shooting trap before dusk. For more information contact Dick or Cheryl Wallis at 546-3856. The Trap Club is located at the Hamilton Airport.

Recovery support group

“High Noon” Meeting: A newly formed, peer-directed support group meets weekly on Thursdays from noon to 1 p.m. at the Bison Internet Café, 164 S. 3rd in Hamilton. The Café is not open during meeting times. People in recovery from mental illness and/or substance abuse or addiction can find support and mentor help from group participants. All interested persons are invited to attend. Participants demonstrate hope and strength to each other, share resources and celebrate successes. The café’s open hours are Wednesday through Saturday, from 3 to 9 p.m. For more information, call during those hours or leave a message at 363-2222.

Bitterroot Toastmasters

Bitterroot Toastmasters Club meets Monday evenings from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Perkins Restaurant in Hamilton with optional no host supper before or after. Meetings are designed to build confidence and skills in communication and leadership. Guests are welcome.

Aquatic Center classes

Power Pilates at the Bitterroot Aquatic Center will gently create a systematic routine that builds a foundation of strength and balance, without getting wet. Power Pilates will strengthen your core abdominals and gently assist your pelvis, spine, and neck to attain their natural alignment. Classes are held Mondays and Wednesdays from 5:15 to 5:45 p.m. Continue your exercise and attend Water Aerobics from 5:45 to 6:45 p.m. Call 375-8200 for more information.

Toddler story time

It’s never too early to introduce your baby or toddler to the wonderful world of books and reading. Together you will discover the joy of songs, finger plays, simple books and bouncing rhymes. The toddler story time for babies through age 2 meets every Friday at 10:30 a.m. in the downstairs meeting room of the Bitterroot Public Library. Toddler story time lasts approximately 45 minutes. For more information, call 363-1670.

Safety seat fitting station

Mildenberger Motors will be teaching families how to safely transport their children on the first Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The dealership will serve as the site of a monthly child safety seat checkup event to help ensure that children are using car seats, booster seats and seat belts the right way on every ride. At these events, nationally certified child passenger safety technicians will teach families how to transport children correctly. The events are open to the public. Appointments are encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome. To make an appointment call Lonie Hutchison at 546-9640 or 258-3880.

American Sign Language Group

An American Sign Language Bible discussion group meets Wednesday evenings from 7:30 to 8 p.m. and Sunday mornings from 10 to 11:45 a.m. at the Kingdom Hall, 1115 S. Reserve St., Missoula. Discussion focuses on how to use the Bible in your life. For more information contact Dianr Gacek, 777-0747, aslgal@rocketmail.com.

Elks dinner

The Elks Club at 102 State Street in Hamilton serves dinner to the public every Wednesday at 6 p.m. The $8 complete meal includes dessert and coffee. Proceeds go towards the youth scholarship fund. For more information call 363-3031.

Sabre Soccer meetings

Stevensville Sabre Soccer meetings are held the third Monday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Main Street Association building in Stevensville. The general public and all interested parties are welcome to attend. For more information contact Brooke Flynn at 880-2903.

Lone Rock Bible Club

The Lone Rock Bible Club meets Wednesdays from 2:45 to 4:30 p.m. Escorts from Lone Rock School to the church building will be provided and homeschooled children are also invited. Guaranteed to be fun! For more information call Russ Scheffel (240-3048), Randy Turner (360-1771) or Cheri Perez (777-2570).

Darby food collection

The Darby Bread Box is collecting canned milk, canned pumpkin, cranberrry sauce and stuffing during October and November for Holiday Boxes. Drop off locations are People's Market and the Bitterroot Credit Union in Darby. Any donations are appreciated.

Bitterroot Connections

Bitterroot Connections referral group (a sub-network of the Missoula Businesswomen’s Network) meets monthly for lunch from noon to 1 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month at the Hamilton Perkins Restaurant. Looking to grow your business? Come and meet a group of supportive women who get to know each other through member spotlight presentations, educational topics, and the referral and promotion of each other's businesses. Call Sue Gust at 360-0820 or e-mail suegust@kikapaprika.com for more information or visit www.discovermbn.com for additional opportunities.

Bitterroot Empowerment group

The Bitterroot Empowerment group (a sub-network of the Missoula Businesswomen’s Network) meets the first Thursday of every month at Perkins Restaurant in Hamilton from noon to 1 p.m. Participate in an experience that can help you reach your goals, both personal and business related. Programs have a wide range of interest varying from month to month but the feeling of support and camaraderie will remain constant. Call Jane Foster at 406-531-9556 or 777-2280 or email Jane@fosterandfosterfs.com for more information or visit www.discovermbn.com for additional opportunities.

Fiber Arts Guild

Big Sky Fiber Arts Guild meets the last Saturday of every month. If you are a wool spinner or work with fibers, contact Shelley at 777-5205 or Marty at 777-2421 for location or information.

Positive Parenting Program

Is there a lot of attitude in your home? Do tantrums abound? Does defiance, the silent treatment, or do arguments between adults and kids rule in your household? Want to change all that? South Valley Child and Family Center will help you achieve that change. If you have a child from 3-14 years of age having behavior problems, the Positive Parenting Program at SVCFC is for you. This eight-week program is designed for parents who are committed to raising happy, healthy kids and features a low fee, one hour a week time commitment and is simple and positive. Booking individual sessions now. Call 363-3450 to sign up.

Operation Santa Paws

Animal lovers everywhere are invited to donate to Operation Santa Paws and help support the Bitter Root Humane Association. The BRHA houses hundreds of animals a year and helps find them homes. They are in need of the following items: liquid laundry detergent, dishwashing liquid, paper towels, toilet paper, Simple Green all-purpose cleaner and surgical gloves, hand sanitizer and other items. BHRA also operates a “pet food bank” for people who might otherwise have to surrender their animals to the shelter. Donations of dry and canned cat food would be greatly appreciated. Last year, over 300 pounds of pet food was collected through Operation Santa Paws, as well as numerous cleaning supplies and other necessities. Donations can be dropped off at the Animal Shelter in Hamilton or Sapphire Animal Hospital (777-4399) or Burnt Fork Veterinary Clinic (777-3844).

Gift toys available

South Valley Child and Family Center experienced a deluge of giving and good will and now has wonderful toys galore for children under ten years old. If you are a parent in need of great gifts for your children, call 363-3450 to arrange a time to come in. Also remember SVCFC is serving great family dinners for the community Monday through Thursday evenings from 6-7 p.m.

Wednesday, December 22

Stevi school facility committee

The Stevensville School Board Facility Committee will meet on Wednesday, December 22 at 1 p.m. in the superintendent’s office.

Thursday, December 23

Library holiday open house

The North Valley Public Library will be hosting a holiday open house on Thursday, December 23 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Thursday, December 23 at 208 Main Street in Stevensville. The public is invited, and cookies and hot drinks will be served. The library will be closing at noon on Thursday, December 23, and will be closed all day on December 24 for winter holidays. For more information, call the library at 777-5061, or visit www.northvalleylibrary.org.

Friday, December 24

Methodist Christmas Eve Service

The Stevensville United Methodist Church, 216 College Street, Stevensville will hold a Christmas Eve worship service at 7 p.m. Join the congregation for worship, singing, and a joyful greeting of the Christ child. The service will close by singing “Silent Night” by candlelight.

Lutheran Christmas services

Our Savior Lutheran Church, Stevensville, invites everyone to receive the joyous message of God's gift, the Christmas child and Savior Jesus Christ. The Christmas Eve candlelight service will begin at 7 p.m. on Friday, December 24. A Christmas Day festival service with the Sacrament of Holy Communion will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Saturday. Epiphany will be observed on Thursday, January 6 at 7 p.m. Our Savior, located at·184 Pine Hollow Road, is affiliated with the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. To find the church, head south from Stevensville on the Eastside Highway. One mile past Middle Burnt Fork. Road, turn east on Pine Hollow. Cross the tracks and the canal, and the church will be on your left, marked by three crosses.

Saturday, December 25

Christmas meal

The King’s Christian Church, 9830 Valley Grove Dr., is sponsoring a Christmas Meal from 5 to 7 p.m. on Christmas Day. You and your family are welcome. Reservations are not needed. However, calling a few days ahead with the number of people attending will be helpful. If you live within the Lolo and surrounding area and you need transportation or a meal delivered to the home bound, call 273-0682.

Monday, December 27

Youth culinary arts program

South Valley Child and Family Center invites Ravalli County youth in Middle School (Monday evenings) and High School (Tuesday evenings) to learn the culinary arts in a free six-week program (offered 5 times in 2010-2011). This is a great opportunity for youth to learn basic culinary arts skills, create wonderful meals for the community and develop life skills. South Valley Child and Family Center served over 3500 meals in 2009-10. The Youth Volunteer Program will prepare and serve meals on Monday and Tuesday evenings and Session Three is starting up December 27, 4-7:30 pm. Call 363-3450 to register; space is very limited.

Wednesday, December 29

Stevi school facility committee

The Stevensville School Board Facility Committee will meet on Wednesday, December 29 at 1 p.m. in the superintendent’s office.

Sunday, January 2

Stevi Christmas Bird Count

Bitterroot Audubon will sponsor the 46th annual Stevensville Christmas Bird Count on Sunday, January 2 (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 a.m. on January 2 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 bird 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). New feeder watchers are needed 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 or 381-7679 for additional information.

Monday, January 3

Stevi School menu

Monday: Breakfast – Cereal, peaches, milk; Lunch – Burrito, green beans, apricots

Tuesday: Breakfast – Waffles, fruit, milk; Lunch – Chili, fresh carrots, kiwi

Wednesday: Breakfast – Danish, fruit, milk; Lunch – Sea Shapes (fish), coleslaw, pineapple

Thursday: Breakfast – Breakfast burrito, fruit, milk; Lunch – Chicken tenders, tossed salad, oranges

Friday: Breakfast – Cereal, fruit, milk; Lunch – Hot dogs, taters, mixed fruit.

Hamilton Players auditions

Auditions for the musical “My Fair Lady” are January 3 and 4 at 7 p.m. at the Hamilton Playhouse, 100 Ricketts Rd. Hamilton. Roles are available for men and women, character ages 18-60 (plus 3 chorus roles for kids character ages 5-13). No experience or special preparation necessary. Auditions will consist of 3 parts: 1) cold readings from the script, 2) a short musical selection to be taught at auditions, and 3) a short dance/movement piece to be taught at auditions. If you have any questions or need to schedule an outside audition – due to schedule conflicts only – call the director, Denise Rose, at 369-1104. Scripts are available for 24-hour checkout from Chapter One Book Store in Hamilton.

Wednesday, January 5

Library Story Time

The North Valley Public Library Story Time will resume on Wednesday, January 5 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 pm. Story Time is held every Wednesday in the Community Room of the Library. The Library is located at 208 Main Street, Stevensville. For more details, call the library at 777-5061 or online at HYPERLINK "http://www.northvalleylibrary.org" www.northvalleylibrary.org.

Saturday, January 8

Lions Club ski bus

The Hamilton Lions Club has sponsored the ski bus program for local youth since 1975. The Lions Club, along with the Greater Ravalli Foundation, is doing so again this year. The bus will take skiers from the Westview Center in Hamilton to Lost Trail Ski Area every Saturday from January 8 through February 19. Load at 8 a.m. and leave at 8:30 a.m. Return to the bus at Lost Trail Ski Area at 3:30 p.m. with the bus leaving at 4 p.m. and arriving back at Westview by 5 p.m. Cost is $5 per rider. Discounted ticket prices are $15 for under 13, $20 for 13 and older. Riders should bring exact cash for riding and skiing; no checks. All skis and boards will be carried in escort pickup, with boots and lunch bags carried on bus. If rental is needed a signed rental slip must accommodate the rider. Rental forms are available at the bus. Rental fees paid at lodge when getting equipment.

Tuesday, January 11

German Music Lingua

Parent/Child Winter classes for German Music Lingua for ages 0-8 runs Tuesdays from January 11-March 29 at 10 a.m. at Hamilton Seventh Day Adventist Church, 117 W. Bridge Road in Hamlton. Cost is $130 including take home materials. Contact Elke West at 375-9243 or visit www.musiclingua.com

Saturday, January 15

Square dance lessons

Boots ‘n’ Calico Square Dance Club will be starting a new beginners square dance class on January 15 for anyone who would like to become a square dancer. The class is held open for new dancers for two weeks only, January 15 and 22). Lessons will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Hamilton Senior Center, 820 N. Fourth Street. Square dancing is an activity that the whole family can be involved in and children accompanied by a parent will learn free (no charge). The charge for the adults is $4.00. According to the Mayo Clinic, "Square dancing can be as good as any other regular exercise activity, and it’s probably more fun. Square dancing provides the health benefits of walking, the mental stimulation of a chess game, and the fun of moving to music — all rolled into one fun-filled evening." For more information call Laurie Dunbar at 961-4528 or Donna Hicks at 961-0111.

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