Wednesday, May 24, 2006

Valley News at a Glance

Library receives grant for children's books

Daly Hospital Foundation partners with MAPS for film

Nominations open for Florence Community Service Award

Girls State delegates honored

Ravalli County EDA finalist for economic development award

Births

Obituaries

Library receives grant for children's books

The North Valley Public Library in Stevensville has been awarded a Books for Children grant from the Libri Foundation in Eugene, Oregon. The Friends of the North Valley Public Library have committed to raising $500 on the library's behalf, which the Foundation will match at a 2:1 ratio, providing $1,500 worth of children's books (approximately 95 titles) for the library.

The Libri Foundation was established in 1989 for the sole purpose of helping rural libraries acquire new, quality, hardcover children's books they could not otherwise afford to buy. Since October 1990, the Foundation has donated over $2.8 million worth of new children's books to more than 2,200 libraries in 48 states.

The Foundation supports the concept that children who learn to enjoy reading at an early age continue to read throughout their lives. In order to develop a love of reading, children must have access to books which stretch their imaginations, touch their emotions, and expand their horizons.

For many children in rural areas, the local public library is often their primary source of reading material. Many rural schools either have no library or the library is inadequate to meet the needs of the students. At a time when more and more children and their parents and teachers are using the public library, these same libraries are facing increasing financial hardships and are unable to buy the books their young readers need.

The Foundation works with the library's Friends of the Library or other local organizations because they believe in community involvement and want to encourage and reward local support of libraries.

The local librarian, familiar with the needs of the library and the community, selects the books the library will receive from the Foundation's 700-title booklist, which has been highly praised by participating librarians for the quality and variety of fiction and nonfiction titles offered. The majority of books have been published within the last three years, but old favorites are also offered. All of the books have been highly recommended by recognized authorities in the library and education fields.

The books donated through the Books For Children program are used for storytelling; toddler, preschool, and after-school programs; summer reading programs; "book buddy" programs in which older children read to younger children; holiday programs; teacher check-out and curriculum support; early childhood development programs; school projects and to just provide children with a "good read."

To contribute to the libraryıs Books For Children fund, make checks payable to the Friends of the North Valley Public Library and mail to North Valley Public Library, 208 Main St., Stevensville MT 59870.

The Daly Hospital Foundation is the latest organization to partner with Media Arts in the Public Schools (MAPS) to produce a movie about Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital (MDMH). The group of Corvallis High School students conducted interviews, filmed, edited and produced the piece, under the direction of teacher Peter Rosten, a former television and movie producer who retired to the Bitterroot Valley after a 30-year Hollywood career.

"It was a logical choice," said Kevin Hurt, Executive Director of the Daly Hospital Foundation. "The students are passionate about making movies, and the film is built on interviews with hospital employees passionate about their careers and jobs at Marcus Daly. These kids are professionals, capturing the spirit of the hospital in order to move others."

Doctors and staff at the hospital volunteered their time to talk on camera about their work at Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital. Their stories thread throughout the movie, documenting the beginnings, transitions and expansion of the hospital.

"The hospital has always been great to work with," said Rosten, referring to a previous project that was filmed at Marcus Daly. "It's been a good experience for the students to learn why people have chosen a career in health care, and to hear the enthusiasm they have for their jobs."

The movie will be completed towards the end of May to premiere at the Daly Hospital Foundation Dessert Extravaganza on Thursday, May 25 held at the Bitterroot River Inn. The movie will become part of other presentations used to introduce the hospital to the community. Anyone interested in attending the Dessert Extravaganza should contact the Daly Hospital Foundation at 375-4764.

MAPS is a "School to Work" program based in Montana that teaches high school students skills that can develop into quality careers. The students produced public service television spots for Ravalli County DUI Task Force and SAFE currently airing on Montana television.

Nominations open for Florence Community Service Award

The Florence Civic Club is currently seeking nominations for the annual Florence Community Service Award. The Civic Club is seeking nominations for individuals or groups who have made a significant public service contribution by serving others in the Florence community in the last two years.

If you would like to nominate someone for this service award, write a letter describing how your nominee has served others. In your letter include the following information: nominee name, type of contribution, results achieved, duration, and how their service has made a positive, significant influence in the Florence community.

Nomination letters should be mailed to the Florence Civic Club, P.O. Box 544, Florence MT 59833 postdated by June 30, 2006.

The American Legion Fort Owen Post #94 Auxiliary hosted a Girls State Tea on May 1. Girl State candidates being sponsored by the Corvallis Auxiliary and Hamilton Auxiliary joined those from Florence and Stevensville being sponsored by Unit #94.

Beverly Aquirre is the Unit #94 Girls State coordinator. Beverly's mother made each of the girls a corsage. Each girl also received a "bag of goodies" and a scrapbook to take with them when they go to Helena.

Girls State is sponsored by the American Legion Department of Montana Auxiliary. It is a week-long workshop in state and local government, citizenship and patriotism. The girls set up their own town and form a government to run it.

The delegates are: Kailin Hall, Elizabeth Miller, Alyssa Sadowski, coordinator Beverly Aquirre, Brooke Peizer, Cassandra Austin and Natalie Bishop.

The U.S. Commerce Department's Economic Development Administration (EDA) has announced that the Ravalli County Economic Development Authority has been chosen as a finalist for the 2006 Excellence in Economic Development Awards in the category of Rural Economic Development. In the category of rural economic development the nominations are evaluated to determine how effectively they utilize innovative, market-based strategies to improve rural economic development results.

"The finalists in the Economic Development Administration's national awards program represent the best and brightest economic development methods and practices in use today. These organizations' commitment to sound, research-based, market driven economic development provide America's communities the help they need to grow their economies and create jobs. President Bush, Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez and I are grateful for their participation in our national awards program," said U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Sandy K. Baruah.

"The Ravalli County EDA is thinking outside the box and using innovative methods to foster economic in the Valley," said U.S. Congressman Dennis Rehberg. "They're luring good-paying, high-tech jobs to the area and that will benefit Montana's economy as a whole. The Bitterroot Valley is primed for expansion and to be a major contributor to the statewide economy. The Ravalli County EDA is seeing to it that the Valley's economic potential is realized and I look forward to working with them in the future to help them meet their goals."

Nominations are made in specific categories announced each year and nominees are evaluated by a Selection Panel appointed by the Assistant Secretary for Economic Development. This year, nominations were taken in seven categories: Excellence in Urban or Suburban Economic Development; Excellence in Rural Economic Development; Excellence in Enhancing Regional Competitiveness; Excellence in Economic Adjustment Strategies; Excellence in Technology-led Economic Development; Excellence in Community and Faith-based Social Entrepreneurship and Excellence in Innovation.

Winners of the 2006 EDA Excellence in Economic Development Awards will be announced on Tuesday, May 30, 2006.

EDA serves as a venture capital resource to meet the economic development needs of distressed communities throughout the United States. EDA's mission is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting innovation and competitiveness, preparing American regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy.

Additional information on how EDA investments are helping distressed communities create a positive and sustainable economic future can be accessed at: http://www.eda.gov.

Births at Marcus Daly Hospital, Hamilton

5-12-06
Girl, 7 lbs., 5 oz., 20 inches, to Isaiah and Carla Grose, Salmon, ID

5-14-06
Boy, 6 lbs., 18-1/2 inches, to Elijah Phelps and Margo Morgan, Hamilton

5-16-06
Girl, 7 lbs., 6 oz., 20-1/2 inches, to Justin and Rebecca Aspell, Stevensville.

Alice May Zook Shepard
1923-2006

Alice Zook Shepard, 82, beloved mother, passed away on Sunday, May 7, 2006 at her home southeast of Stevensville. Her four children with the aid of Aspen Hospice cared for her during her final months.

She was born in Strool, South Dakota on June 17, 1923 to farmer Elmer Zook and his wife Ella May Jones Zook. Her mother passed away in December 1924 leaving Alice and her two older brothers. Her father married Grace Lyman Hall, a widow with three children of her own in 1925. Later, Grace and Elmer had one son together. A terrible drought during the Great Depression forced the family out of farming and they moved to Post Falls, Idaho where Alice graduated from high school.

During World War II, Alice served our country proudly as a Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps. She was stationed at the Marine Air Station in Cherry Point, North Carolina as an Air Traffic Controller. Over the years she continued to support the United States Marine Corps with her participation in the Marine Corps League.

After the war she attended college in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho where she met and married Francis Shepard in March, 1946. Their four children were born in Idaho and in 1956 they moved to Great Falls, Montana. She was employed as an auditor for Sears until her retirement when she and Francis moved to McGregor Lake outside of Kalispell. They moved to Stevensville in late 1983.

Alice loved gardening, cooking, nature and the outdoors, and spending time with her family. She often lent a helping hand to the elderly and eventually was involved in the Hospice program serving as a volunteer. Wherever she lived, Alice was always active in community and church activities. She served as a Sunday school teacher and superintendent, church elder, deaconess, and officer of the Presbyterian Women's Association.

Alice was preceded in death on May 15, 2001 by her husband, Francis Shepard after 54 years of marriage, her parents Elmer and Ella Zook, her stepmothers Grace Hoyt and Edna Hickel, her two brothers Duane and Dell Zook, her two stepbrothers Ed and Harvey Hall and her stepsister Eunice Hall Larson.

Survivors include her daughter Janis and son-in-law Dave McCleerey of Missoula; her daughter Donna and son-in-law Marcus Binkley of Port Orchard, Washington; her son Larry and daughter-in-law Cindy of Evans, Georgia; and daughter Sharon and son-in-law Bob Baillargeon of Glasgow, Montana; a brother Casson Zook of Post Falls, Idaho, eight grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.

Her funeral service was held Saturday, May 13, at the First Presbyterian Church in Hamilton, Montana. Urn placement followed at Riverview Cemetery in Hamilton with military honors presented by the Hamilton American Legion and the Marine Corps League Bitterroot Detachment. Arrangements are under the care of the Daly-Leach Chapel in Hamilton.

Memorial gifts can be donated to Aspen Hospice, 3972 N. Hwy. 93, Stevensville MT 59870.

Glen Phelper
1919-2006

Glen E. Phelper, 86, of Victor, passed away on Thursday, May 18, 2006, at The Springs in Missoula.

Glen was born on July 24, 1919 in Aurora, Illinois.

He married Juanita Niles on March 16, 1939. Glen had many natural talents, some self-taught such as figure skating. Beginning at an early age he learned the art of figure skating, and was accomplished enough to be offered employment performing in The Ice Follies around 1939. He worked as a tool and die maker until enlisting in the Navy during World War II, where he earned the rank of Chief Petty Officer.

After he returned from the war, he started his own tool and die business in Sandwich, Illinois. One of the many functions in the machine shop was producing dies for plastic molding presses. Glen's creativity led him to invent a lapping machine which won him government contracts and an association with the James Knights Company, also of Sandwich.

Glen's business expanded to include phenolic and injection molding machines, which produced various products from tiny model airplane parts to large fish and tackle boxes for Plano Molding Company. Glen's heartfelt compassion for the Open Door in Sandwich provided assembly jobs for the mentally challenged.

Glen loved nature and the outdoors. In 1966, he retired his business in Sandwich and moved his family to Hamilton. He brought a few of his injection presses with him to Montana, and occasionally produced small plastic parts for Tandy Company.

In 1983, Glen was elected to the grade of life member in the Society of Manufacturing Engineers. This is an organized and functioning institution for the advancement of scientific knowledge in the field of manufacturing and engineering. He was a member of the American Legion, Post 94, of Stevensville.

This self-made businessman worked hard to give his children what he never had as a child growing up during the Depression. Those happy days that Glen and his wife Juanita gave their children on Davis Street will never be forgotten.

Glen lost the love of his life, Juanita, in December, 1992.

He is survived by his children: Judy (Jim) Martin of Victor, Carole (Wendell) Smith of Whitefish, Ginger (Harold) Dannewitz of Sandwich, IL, Sonja (Fred) Huskey of Victor and Handy (Donna) Phelper of Boulder, CO; nine grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, May 20 at the Whitesitt Funeral Home in Stevensville. Burial was at the Victor Cemetery with American Legion Post #94 presenting Military Honors.

Should friends desire, memorials may be sent to: Alzheimer's Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave, Fl. 17, Chicago IL 60601-7633; Open Door, 405 Wells Street, Sandwich IL 60548 or Hospice of Missoula, 800 Kensington Ave. #209, Missoula MT 59801.