Beverly Helrich, President of the Friends of the North Valley Public Library in Stevensville, was recently selected by the Montana Library Association for its Special Friend to Libraries Award. The purpose of this award is to "recognize individuals or groups who have rendered outstanding service in support of library interests within Montana."

Helrich was chosen for this award, which is granted to only one individual in the state of Montana each year, for her various contributions to the North Valley Public Library, among them:

• recharging the energy of the Friends of the Library group,
• spearheading a library district campaign,
• engineering major and successful fundraising efforts on behalf of the library,
• providing off-desk time to library staff during a staff shortage,
• designing displays for the library featuring the work and collections of local residents,
• tending to holiday decorations, and
• providing refreshments at library events.

She will be honored at an awards luncheon that will take place on Friday, May 5, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Parkside in Missoula as part of the Montana Library Association Centennial conference. Guests are welcome to attend the luncheon. Tickets are $10.00 and may be ordered through the North Valley Public Library. Call 777-5061 for details.

Helrich was nominated for the Special Friend to Libraries award by Montana Library Association member Renee McGrath, Library Director. Letters of support were submitted by Susan Gerould, Friend of the Library, and John Conlan, Chair of the Library Board of Trustees. The library staff, board, and Friends also join in celebrating Beverly's remarkable accomplishments. Like the award selection committee, they are grateful for all of her contributions of time, energy, enthusiasm, and heart.

Threemile Creek improvements continue

If you've noticed some changes along upper Threemile Creek recently, you may have seen stream restoration activities of the Ambrose-Threemile Creek watershed project. Last October a series of stream banks above "Four Corners" were stabilized along one mile of the stream. Where the creek was eroding the public access road to the upper Threemile, a small area of creek channel was relocated, stabilized and revegetated. Other complementary work included new fencing, a new cattle guard, and substantial revegetation of the creek banks.

The work was a collaborative effort of Brown Valley Ranch, which owns the land, and the Bitterroot National Forest, which is responsible for maintenance of the access road. Geum Environmental Consulting of Hamilton provided technical expertise, and funding came from the Environmental Protection Agency, Montana's Future Fisheries program (MFWP), Bitter Root Water Forum, the Bitterroot National Forest, and Brown Valley Ranch. The Tri-State Water Quality Council coordinated the project.

Westslope cutthroat trout in upper Threemile Creek were measured during monitoring for the Ambrose-Threemile Watershed project in 2004. Stream bank stabilization and habitat improvements are expected to increase the number of trout in this reach of the stream.

Now the Council and Friends of Lee Metcalf Refuge are organizing other projects in the watershed, including a study of road improvement options in the Four Corners area, weed management projects, and a proposed stream restoration/erosion control project along Wheelbarrow Creek within DNRC school trust lands. All these projects were identified as high-priority needs in the Ambrose-Threemile Watershed Assessment, a report finished in May, 2005, by the Tri-State Water Quality Council after multiple community meetings at Lone Rock school in 2004-2005.

Jim Rokosch, who worked on the Watershed Assessment and is now coordinating activities in the watershed for Friends of Lee Metcalf Refuge, says, "We are working systematically to implement the priority projects identified in the watershed assessment, starting upstream, and progressing downstream. Right now we'd like to contact landowners in priority reaches of both Ambrose and Threemile Creeks, to discuss their interest in new improvement projects. We encourage anyone in the watershed to call us."

Copies of the Ambrose-Threemile Watershed Assessment and Recommendations Report are available at the Stevensville Library, Lone Rock School Library, and Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge visitor center. A field day will be organized in early summer 2006 for an up-close tour of stream bank stabilization efforts on Brown Valley Ranch. Call Will McDowell of the Council (327-8443) or Jim Rokosch (777-2511) for consultation on projects and funding options for private landowners.

Head Start accepting applications

Ravalli Head Start is taking applications for fall 2006. Do you have a child who will be 3 by September 10, 2006, but not yet eligible for kindergarten? Ravalli Head Start is a cost-free comprehensive preschool for low-income Ravalli County families. Classes are held in Lone Rock and Hamilton that may meet your family�s needs. Last year the program was fully enrolled by mid-summer. Call Jan at 363-1217, ext. 14, to receive an application.

St. Mary's Mission needs volunteers

Nestled in the Bitterroot Valley, in the shadow of St. Mary's Peak, stands Historic St. Mary's Mission. Fr. Pierre De Smet, S.J. founded the Mission in 1841 and the State of Montana grew from the humble settlement of St. Mary's, now known as Stevensville. The town holds the distinct honor of being the place "Where Montana Began" and 2006 marks the 165th Anniversary of its founding.

Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, St. Mary's Mission is a cultural and historical icon of the early days of the American West. Historic St. Mary's Mission, Inc., a non-profit corporation, continually strives to strengthen ties with, and acknowledge its roots in, Native American culture, while preserving the delicate past for future generations.

Through the years the Mission, and thus the town of Stevensville, has gained recognition both nationally and internationally. Each year brings more visitors eager to view this historic area and learn its history. Moreover, each year sees the need for additional volunteers to give tours, work in the gift shop, tend the flowerbeds, and perform other duties that occur on a regular basis. It is due to the generosity of the time and talent of volunteers that the Mission is able to continue to provide this historic educational resource for schools, groups and individuals. It is due to volunteer efforts that visitors can continue to experience the place "Where Montana Began."

Volunteer, become a part of Montana history and help celebrate the 165th Anniversary of the birthplace of Montana. For more information on volunteering contact Colleen Meyer, Director, 777-5734.

Four schools benefit from philanthropy

Four public schools in Ravalli County have received grants to upgrade their technology infrastructure and curriculum. The grants, totaling nearly $94,000, were announced by Linda Reed, executive director of the Montana Community Foundation, who worked with a private donor, Don Valentine, to determine how his generous gift could be put to its best use.

Reed and her staff reviewed grants from seven schools in the county. Based on their recommendations, part-time Ravalli County resident Don Valentine awarded four grants: Corvallis School District #1, $24,755; Darby Public Schools, $24,006; Lone Rock School in Stevensville, $22,086, and Victor School District #7, $22,927. Generally, the grants will be used to purchase equipment for computer labs and media production, textbooks and software for training and website design, and digital camera equipment.

Reed said these grants illustrate the power of philanthropy in small communities like Ravalli County and thanked Valentine for sharing his resources with his new Montana community. Considered by some to be the "grandfather of Silicon Valley venture capital," Valentine founded Sequoia Capital in 1972. The venture capital firm has helped start and finance roughly 600 highly successful companies, including Apple Computer, Cisco Systems and Oracle.

His granting program complements the work of the Greater Ravalli Foundation to fund programs that support Ravalli County schools, according to Reed. The Greater Ravalli Foundation is a local affiliate of the Montana Community Foundation.

Bailey recognized by Investment Centers of America

John Bailey, CFP, of Investment Centers of America, Inc. (ICA) was recognized as one of the top 15 producers out of more than 250 investment representatives affiliated with ICA at the company's national education conference in Fort Lauderdale, FL. The event, held at the Marriott Beach Resort from March 1-5, provided valuable networking and educational opportunities for attendees and awarded ICA's top performing representatives of 2005.

Last year was an important transition period for investment professionals, as the industry underwent many changes," said ICA President and CEO Greg Gunderson. "Top producing reps like John thrived in the face of many challenges through his hard work, dedication and a real commitment to providing outstanding service to his clients."

The theme of this year's conference centered on "Life Time Planning," which is a holistic approach to financial planning that takes all of a client's unique needs and goals into consideration.

"We are on the cusp of one of the greatest demographic changes in history, as the Baby Boomers prepare to enter their retirement years," said Gunderson. "There will be 60 million people � one in five Americans � turning 60 over the next 18 years, and they will be seeking out experienced financial professionals who can help them make the transition from asset accumulation to income distribution."

John Bailey is located at Investment Centers of America in the Sterling Savings Bank at 711 S. 1st Street in Hamilton and can be reached at 363-6125.

Tobacco Free Program needs magazines

The Kids First Tobacco Free Ravalli Program is looking for old magazines for a Kick Butts Day activity for the Hamilton Middle School. If you have magazines that you wish to donate, drop them off at the Westview Center o the corner of 9th and Main in Hamilton. The following magazines will be accepted: Sports Illustrated, Glamour, Sporting News, Time, Jet, Cosmopolitan, Entertainment Weekly, People and Rolling Stone. For more information contact Ari Santamaria at 375-9588.

Tobacco Free Program seeking members

The Kids First Tobacco Free Ravalli Program is seeking individuals who would like to be a part of the this local tobacco prevention coalition. By joining, you will have the opportunity to help make a difference and get involved in the community. For more information contact Ari Santamaria at 375-9588.

Obituaries

Herbert Niesslein
1925-2006

Herbert Michael Niesslein, 80, of Stevensville, died at Valley View Estates Nursing Home in Hamilton on Thursday, March 23, 2006.

He was born on September 27, 1925 in Barbing, Germany.

Herb is survived by his wife Maria of Stevensville; two children: Raymond Niesslein of Stevensville and Renate Munn of Las Vegas, Nevada; and four grandchildren.

No services are scheduled at this time. The Whitesitt Funeral Home and Cremation of Stevensville is in charge of arrangements.

Lena May Swigert
1918-2006

Lena May Swigert, 87, of Missoula, died at her home on Monday, March 20, 2006. She was born on May 17, 1918, at Albany, Missouri to Jesse and Elizabeth (Comer) McCrory. She received her early education in Albany.

Lena and Alvin B. Swigert were married on January 18, 1950. They raised five children, and lived at their present home for 53 years. They farmed and raised many farm animals during this time. Lena�s passion was her family. She enjoyed raising poultry, sewing and gardening. She and Alvin loved country music, and danced many weekends.

Lena will be remembered as being a marvelous homemaker and dedicated wife.

She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Louise Farrow and brother Bob McCrory.

Lena is survived by her husband Alvin of Missoula; sons Daniel Swigert of Missoula, Alvin J. (Jerry) Swigert of Boyd, MT and daughters Linda Rooney, Missoula, Karen (Trent) Fairclough of Missoula and Shirley (John) Boxley of Manning, S.C. Also surviving are grandchildren Jenny, Chris, Rick, Sherry, (Shirley May), Pat and Bonita and four great grandchildren and three nephews.

Graveside services will be held at a later date at the Victor Cemetery.

The Whitesitt Funeral Home and Cremation of Stevensville was in charge of arrangements.

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