Volume XIX, Number 26

Wednesday, January 21, 2004

Sacajawea art contest

The Sacajawea Gallery in Stevensville is sponsoring an open art competition to "Draw Sacajawea," open to elementary, junior high, high school and home school students. Entries must be no larger than 16 by 20 inches, including a 1-inch border on all sides, and mounted on posterboard or cardboard. Any medium will be accepted. Turn in entries to the Stevensville High School office by Wednesday, Feb. 4. For more information call the Sacajawea Gallery at 777-5591, ext. 108.

In response to Noni Belland's detention in Canada, her friends have organized a "Bring Noni Home" fundraiser to help her pay her legal fees so that she may come home and rejoin her daughter in Hamilton where Noni has lived for the last 16 years. The event will be held on Saturday, January 24 at 7 p.m. at the River Street Dance Theater and will include two dance performances, one by the Bitterroot Children's Ballet Company, featuring Noni's daughter Lauren, and one by the River Street Dancers. It will also include the musical talents of LeGrande Harvey and Bill LaCroix. In addition there will be a chocolate tasting and a silent auction which will include one of Noni's original photographs, other fine articles of original art from local artists, and various other items. Tickets are $20 and will be available at both Chapter One Book Store and the Frame Shop on Main Street in Hamilton, and Robin's Nest Floral in Stevensville, as well as for purchase at the door.

Donations can also be made at any Farmers State Bank under "Noni Belland Fundraiser." For more information, call Colleen Stimpson at 375-8095.

Bitter Root Humane Association

The Board of Directors of the Bitter Root Humane Association is preparing for the annual membership meeting on March 16, held for the purpose of electing directors and for the transaction of other authorized business. In accordance with standing by-laws, one-third of the Board seats are up for election each year, so three current Board members will be voted upon at the March meeting. Any member wishing to have their name added to the ballot is reminded that an application must be submitted by the regular February board meeting which will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, February 2 at the Marcus Daly Hospital conference room B. Written notice of intent may be mailed to the Nominating Committee, BRHA, PO Box 57, Hamilton, or dropped off at the animal shelter office during regular business hours.

Mining City Hoopfest

The fourth Mining City Hoopfest has been scheduled for March 12,13, and 14 in Butte. The three-day basketball tournament will be held at several Butte locations including the Montana Tech HPER Complex, West Elementary School, the Butte Civic Center, and the Butte Central High School gym. Five divisions for both boys and girls will be featured in the tournament. The divisions include 5th grade, 6th grade, 7th grade, 8th grade, and 9th grade. The tournament is sponsored by the Butte Central High School Booster Club. The tournament will begin Friday evening and all teams will be guaranteed 4 games. The entry fee for each team win be $125.

For tournament information or to register a team, individuals may call 723-6706 during the day or 494-0698 on weekends and evenings.

Hamilton Players at Daly Mansion

The Hamilton Players and the Daly Mansion cordially invite you to the Daly Mansion on Friday, February 13 and Saturday, February 14 for "The Love Diary," an evening of romantic entertainment. "The Love Diary" is an extraordinary look at life and love. Music, skits, and banter are sure to entertain even the hardest of hearts. Seating is limited and is by reservation only. Tickets are $35.00 per couple or $20.00 for individuals. Doors will open at 7:30 p.m. when the audience will hear music by Light and Variable Winds. Champagne and dessert will also be served at this time. Tickets will be available at the Hamilton Playhouse box office. Box office hours are Monday through Friday, 2 to 6 p.m. This fundraiser benefits the Hamilton Players and the Daly Mansion. For more information or to purchase tickets over the phone with a credit card, call 375-9050.

Danmore Stables accepting riders

Danmore Stables, a program providing hippotherapy or therapeutic riding for people with special needs based in Florence, is now taking riders for its spring and summer sessions. Sign up now to reserve a spot for March classes. Danmore Stables is also hosting a First Time Horse Owners Class for adults. Classes will run all four Saturdays in February from 1 to 4 p.m. and cover basic riding, horse care, maintenance, feed and fencing. Danmore Stables is also looking for volunteers to assist in Hippotherapy and Therapeutic riding classes. For more information, class sign up, or to make a donation, contact Corrie Schilling at 273-6623.

MS Support Group

The Bitter Root Valley Multiple Sclerosis Support Group will hold its monthly meeting Tuesday, February 3 at the Willow Court Apartments meeting room, 150 Skeels Ave. in Hamilton from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Guest speaker will be Mathew Schlechten, N.D. of Hamilton Natural Health Clinic, who will conduct an Eating for Health Cooking Class. Anyone with MS, or their caregivers, family and friends are invited to attend. The meeting room is handicapped accessible and refreshments will be served. For more information contact LaRoy Williamson at 360-1117 or Nancy Holzer at 363-1149.

International volleyball exchange

The Goodwill Ambassadors are currently accepting applications for high school age volleyball players, in the USA and Canada, to participate in the 2004 Goodwill Ambassadors Volleyball Exchange to Europe.

Members of this team will represent their country, community and the Goodwill Ambassadors teams, in volleyball tournaments and local competitions in London, Paris, Geneva, Venice and Rome. The program is open to all boys and girls age 15-20 years old.

For additional information call 425-255-8102 or log on to www.volleyballtours.com

Auctioneers Convention

The halls of the Heritage Inn will ring with the melodious auctioneers chant later this month as professionals from across the state head to Great Falls for the 43rd Annual Convention of the Montana Auctioneers Association. The convention will be held January 30-31 at the Heritage Inn at 1700 Fox Farm Rd. Mayor Randy Gray will kick off the events with opening comments on Friday at 1 p.m. The convention is packed with business meetings, seminars and continuing education topics for auctioneers.

An auction open to the public will be held at 5:30 on Friday, January 30 at West Gate Mall, 1807 3rd St NW. The 2004 Bid Call Championship competition is your chance to listen to 10 to 15 of the finest auctioneers in the state competing for the 2004 Montana Champion Bidcaller title. If you've ever attended an auction, you've no doubt been struck by the performance of the auctioneer. With enviable verbal skills and a quick wit, the auctioneer keeps the crowd focused and the sale moving at a steady clip. These hard working auctioneers will be judged by 4-6 individuals on their introduction, presentation, appearance, confidence, delivery, poise, eye contact, clarity, rhythm, and timing. The items available Friday for the public to bid on include a collection of old American coins, a muzzle loading rifle, silver bracelet, Civil War type saber, antiques and collectibles, gift baskets, dolls, etc. The registered bidders will also have a chance to vote on which auctioneer they feel does the best job with a People's Choice Award. There is also a division for rookie auctioneers, those that have been in the auction business for less than three years. The contest is then followed with a Calcutta Auction allowing you to buy the option of selecting the winning auctioneer. Past winners include Edward Hinton of Scobey as the 2002 Champion Bid Caller and Mark Lacher of Fairfield in 2003. The auction will be held at West Gate Mall with seating and refreshments available.