The Stevensville Al-Anon Group meets each Thursday from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at the North Valley Public Library. Anyone who is affected by the compulsive drinking of a relative or friend is invited. For more information call 375-9996.

Gamblers Anonymous

Gamblers Anonymous classes are held at Community Baptist Church, 409 Buck St., Stevensville, on Mondays and Thursdays from 7 to 8 p.m.

Ask yourself these questions:

1) Have you ever felt remorse after gambling?

2) Do you often gamble until your last dollar is gone?

3) After you have won did you have a strong urge to return and win more?

If you answered yes to any of these questions this class might be good for you. For more information call 777-3897.

Lilies of the Valley

Any women who enjoy singing two- and three-part harmony to a wide variety of piano-accompanied music are invited to join Lilies of the Valley singing group. No auditions are required for participation. Have fun sharing your time and talent under the direction of Thelma Laws. The group meets Thursdays from 7 to 9 p.m. at 611 N. 6th in Hamilton. For more information call Lola, 363-4633.

VFW meetings

VFW Post 1430 meets the first Monday of every month at 8 p.m. at the American Legion Hall in Hamilton the Woman's Auxiliary meets at 7 pm.

Overeaters Anonymous

Overeaters Anonymous is a Twelve Step program that deals with eating behaviors. Is one of your goals to reach a healthy weight? This program offers a solution within reach of all those who want to find relief from an obsession with food. It meets weekly on Wednesdays at 10 a.m. at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, 203 Main Street, Stevensville, as well as on Saturdays at 10 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, 1220 W. Main St., Hamilton. For information, call 777-7160.

La Leche League

La Leche League is an international mother-to-mother network for moms who want to breastfeed their babies. Bitterroot LLL chapter meets in the North Valley Public Library community room the third Thursday of each month at 10:30 a.m. Mothers and children and pregnant women are welcome. Call 239-5039 for more information.

Suicide Loss Support

Suicide Loss Support holds informal meetings the second Tuesday of every month at 6:30 p.m. at the community room of the North Valley Public Library, 208 Main and the fourth Tuesday of every month at 6:30 p.m. at Aspen Hospice, 230 Marcus St. in Hamilton.

When you suffer a loss due to suicide the grief is overwhelming. Most people don't know "just how you feel." What you can expect from SLS is someone who has experienced a loss from suicide to listen to you privately, or in a group setting. You may choose to be present but it is ok not to speak if you are not ready. SLS cares. Your loss matters and your grief is very real. SLS will support you in every way possible. Contact Barbara Jo Burditt, 777-3853, or Brian Cherry, Ravalli County Youth Suicide Prevention Coordinator, 360-2708.

Golden Agers

The Golden Age group meets every Friday from 8 to 10:30 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.

Saturday Kids Activities

Join the Montana Natural History Center each Saturday at 2 p.m. for a different exciting children’s program. Admission is 50 cents for kids, $1 for adults and members are free. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Programs run about an hour to an hour and a half. Great for kids ages 5 and older. The center is located at 120 Hickory, Missoula.

SEE Sign Cooperative Learning Group

SEE Sign Cooperative Learning Group meets Mondays at 5:30 p.m. at Active Care Chiropractic in Stevensville. Facilitators are Gayle Thom and Jenn Closson. Admission is a donation toward copies/ink. For more information email Jenn Closson at jennksc@hotmail.com.

Yoga in the Root

Yoga in the Root now offers a night class, beginning Iyengar style, Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. in Stevensville. In addition, there are general hatha classes at 10:30 a.m. Mondays and at 9 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Vigorous ashtanga classes are at 9 a.m. Mondays and 10:30 a.m. Thursdays. The program is at Active Care Chiropractic at 504 Main St. Call Jill at 370-9252, or e-mail yogaintheroot@gmail.com for information.

Senior Center bridge

Just a reminder that bridge is a game you can play for life, it is always a mental exercise that keeps our brains and wits sharp. If you don't play yet keep your eye peeled for the announcement of the fall free bridge lessons. These classes will teach you the basics and you can move on from there. If you already play bridge and want to play duplicate bridge, games are on Wednesdays at the Hamilton Senior Center at 1 p.m. You will need to bring a partner or call Judy Dameral at 363-0738. She will assist you in finding a partner.

The Morning Gig

Attention musicians! St. Stephen's is recruiting musicians for "The Morning Gig." At 11 a.m. on Sunday morning, gather at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church on Main Street in Stevensville to practice, and then play. Sleep in! Play nine holes! Then come play music. There is a place in the band for everyone - whatever you play, you'll have a spot. If your music teacher is bugging you to practice this summer, come and jam! Just dug your clarinet out of the closet? Here's a place to tune it up. Help everyone be more creative! For more information call Suzanne at 529 6194 or email sartley@bresnan.net.

Florence American Legion

The American Legion Post 134 meetings are held the second Thursday of each month at the IOOF hall in Florence at 7 p.m.

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 Russell Vogel, 777-4427.

Waldorf Play Group

The Waldorf Play Group meets every Tuesday at Common Ground in Hamilton, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. with snack provided. Parents are encouraged to attend with their young children (ages 1 to 5) to explore imagination play, with fairy tales, songs, and seasonal creative activities. All are welcome. Contact Kim Delvo at 369-0213 for more information.s

Library storytimes

The North Valley Public Library in Stevensville offers story times for children ages seven and under on Wednesdays at 11 a.m. Volunteer Sandra Wilson shares stories, songs and crafts with children and their families each week. Alternating weeks feature special themes such as letters, numbers or pets. No registration is required. For more information, call the library at 777-5061.

SAFE support groups

SAFE, Supporters of Abuse Free Environments, hosts weekly ongoing support groups for women and children. Women’s groups focus on healing from domestic and sexual violence, building self-esteem, inner reflection, creative expression and other topics of interest to women. Come as often or as little as you want. Groups are held weekly on Tuesday and Thursday nights from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Children’s Groups are held on Tuesday from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Children work on self-exploration, boundaries, and conflict resolution. This group is for ages 5 to 12. Teen Group is held every Thursday from 4 to 5:30 p.m. This group is for ages 13-18 and focuses on teen issues, dating and healthy relationships. Groups are held at SAFE in our Community Resource Building, 150 Morning Star Way, Hamilton. Free childcare is available. For more information contact SAFE, 363-2793.

Caregiver coffee break

Are you one of the millions of Americans who help someone else by providing companionship, preparing meals, running errands, driving to doctors appointments or by simply doing whatever needs to be done to assist someone who is ill or homebound?

Aspen Hospice recognizes the complexity of caregiving and offers a time of respite. Whether or not the person you care for receives services from Aspen Hospice, you, as a caregiver, can find encouragement, support and information at the Caregiver Coffee Break every Wednesday from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at 230 Marcus Street in Hamilton. Stop in anytime and stay as long as you like. Reservations are not required and coffee breaks are provided at no charge. For additional information, contact Elizabeth at 777-5009.

TOPS meeting

TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) Chapter 343, meets every Thursday morning at 9 a.m. in the Community Baptist Church, 409 Buck St., Stevensville. TOPS is a non profit weight loss support group Guests and new members are welcome. For more information call Jerry Sue at 777-5355.

WIC clinics

A WIC clinic is offered the first through the fourth Wednesdays of each month at the United Methodist Church in Stevensville, the second Monday of each month at the Church of the Nazarene in Victor, and the third Monday of each month at the Darby Clubhouse. WIC eligibility guidelines are: yearly gross of $19,240 for family of 1 (including unborn child; $25,900 for 2; $32,560 for 3; $39,220 for 4: $45,880 for 5; $52,540 for 6. For each additional member add $6,660.

Lutheran preschool registration

Grace Lutheran Learning Center is now enrolling students for preschool and kindergarten. Grace Lutheran Learning Center provides a high quality Christian education while nurturing the whole child’s development. Call now to register, space is limited. Call 363-1924.

Kayak club

A new kayak club is forming in the Bitterroot. Trips are being organized from Sula to Polson Dam. Call 917-576-3220 or 961-4818 for more information.

Hamilton Players season tickets for sale

The Hamilton Players are now selling Season Tickets for their 2008-2009 season.

The season will commence June 13-29 with Gilbert & Sullivan’s famous operetta, “The Pirates of Penzance.” That will be followed in November with “Forever Plaid—Plaid Tidings,” a musical holiday salute. In February, the Players will reprise Neil Simon’s urbane comedy, “Rumors,” and follow that in April with A.R. Gurney’s comedy, “Sylvia.” Tickets are $14 for each show, and $56 for a season ticket to all performances.

In addition, the Players have scheduled a number of special events throughout the year. These will be posted on their website as soon as possible. To receive notice of all Hamilton Players events, email info@hamiltonplayers.com.

Western Days Parade signups

The Western Heritage Days Parade will be Saturday, June 14 at 11 a.m. in downtown Stevensville. Early signups can be submitted at the Main Street office, 102B Main or on the website at www.mainstreetstevensville.com. Call 777-3773 for more information.

Chief Victor Days Parade signups

Chief Victor Days Parade will be June 14 starting at 11 a.m. Anyone interested in participating can pick up an entry form at Farmers State Bank in Victor, Victor Video, Victor Merc and Big Creek Family Medicine or online www.victormt.com and click on Chief Victor Days link. This year's theme is "A Community Homecoming." For more information call Andrea Burdett at 777-7024 or Pam Melton at 642-3187. Deadline for registration is June 10th.

”Subdivide And Conquer” comes to Darby

Darby, MT. – On Thursday, May 29th @ 6 pm in the Darby High School Library, there will be another free screening of the documentary, “Subdivide and Conquer”. This will be the second in a series of screenings sponsored by House District 87 candidate, Peter Rosten and his campaign manager, Deborah Rogala.

The first screening on May 3rd drew a capacity crowd to the Pharaohplex Theater in Hamilton. Terry Nobles of Corvallis, who attended the event, says: “I highly recommend this film for all to see.”

Tonia Bloom, also a Corvallis resident adds: “This is a must see film for anyone who is thinking about how we’d like our valley to grow.”

The 56-minute long documentary was produced by Jeff Gersh and Chelsea Congdon, and is narrated by Dennis Weaver. It was shot in Montana, Colorado, Arizona, Oregon, New Mexico and Utah and shows how sprawl impacts peoples’ lives in cities, suburbs and towns, and what some people are doing to plan and change the way we grow.

Rated “A” by Entertainment Weekly, the one hour film is “…An engaging and educational documentary on the consequences and projected solutions of rural growth."

In addition to these showings, copies of the film are now available at the Hamilton and Darby libraries. If you’d like to check out a copy, please contact them directly.

For more information please call Deborah Rogala @ (406) 821-4631 or Peter Rosten @ (406) 370-3745.

Candidate forums

A political forum for candidates for Ravalli County Commissioners and legislators will be held Thursday, May 29, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Hamilton Fairgrounds Art Building.

Spaghetti dinner

A spaghetti dinner will be held on Friday, May 30 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Corvallis United Methodist Church, corner of Eastside Highway and Cemetery Road. A free will offering will be taken.

Hamilton All-Sports Banquet

The Hamilton Booster Club All-Sports Banquet will be Friday, May 30 at 6 p.m. in the high school gymnasium. All letter winners in a sport including Speech-Debate and Drama will be honored with a free steak dinner. All others the cost will be $5.00 for a steak dinner. At the banquet the Bronc and Lady Bronc of the Year Award, along with the Jimmy Robbins Award, the Booster Club Appreciation Award, Fan of the Year Award, and Coach of the Year Award will be presented. Also the Achiever of the Week certificates will be presented. Plan to attend this fun evening of awards, food, and inspiration. Wall of Fame inductees will also be announced.

Be Active Bitterroot - Basic Nutrition/Healthy Kids Seminar

Friday, May 30, 2008 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM at Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital, in Conference Rooms B&C.

Spend a fun hour with Jayne Bridgewater, R.N., obstetrics nurse at Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital to learn about good nutritional habits for kids˜especially important during the summer when hot dogs, chips, and ice cream abound! For more information, contact Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital at 363-2211. No reservation needed to attend! This is a Be Active Bitterroot Activity.

Lions Club golf benefit

The Hamilton Lions Club will hold its 14th annual Charity Golf Tournament on Saturday, May 31 at the Hamilton Golf Course. Four- or five-person teams are now forming for the 9 a.m. shotgun start. Cost of $275 for a team ($55 singles) includes greens fees, lunch, many prizes and snacks. Entry forms are available at the Hamilton Golf Course, Ravalli County Bank offices or by calling Tom at 363-1222 or online at tom@montana.com.

Free concerts

Jeff Fenholt (starred as Jesus in “Jesus Christ Superstar,” on cover of Time Magazine, platinum record sales, sang with several major rock groups including Black Sabbath, international speaker, own tv program) will be performing free concerts and telling how he got supernaturally set free of the occult, abuse, alcohol, drugs, and how you too can have victory over any problem you will ever face. Got a frightening doctor's report? Afraid of the headlines? Oprah not enough? Need more than a book? Got students no curriculum or “expert” can help? You were born for more! Come expecting! Lives are going to be changed all over the place! You do not want to be left out! The concerts will be May 31 at 7 p.m. and June 1 at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. at the big tent on Hwy. 93 just south of Victor. For more information contact Cathy Kulonis, 777-1618.

Bitterroot digging day

Local author John Stroud invites the public to dig bitterroot plants on Saturday, May 31 at 1 p.m. at his place at 4237 Burro Lane (off of Ambrose). The plants will be donated to the Ravalli County Museum. John will be the featured speaker at the Museum Sunday Series on June 8 at 2 p.m. He will be talking about Henry Grant and local Bitterroot history, and will be comparing his own book to one that he helped Henry Grant write. For more information contact Stroud at 777-5054.

Hamilton PTA Fun Run

The 3rd Annual Hamilton PTA Fun Run and Community Event will be held Saturday, June 7, commencing at Canyon Hideaway Park. Events include a 10K Run, 5K Run/Walk, 1 mile Family Fun Run/Walk, Community BBQ including prizes and dunking of community members! For registration forms see Runner’s Edge in Missoula, The Canyon’s & Antara Sports in Hamilton and all Hamilton Schools. Early registrations are due May 31. A percentage of proceeds will benefit healthy activities in the Hamilton Schools.

Stevi bench painting

On Monday, June 2, the Stevensville Civic Club will scrape and paint the Main Street benches. Many volunteers are needed to get the job done. Bring wire brushes for scraping; paint and paintbrushes will be provided. Meet at the Main Street Association office, 102B Main, at 5 p.m. For more information call 777-3773.

MS support group

The Bitter Root Valley Multiple Sclerosis Support Group will hold its monthly meeting Monday, June 2, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at the Willow Court Apartments meeting room, 150 Skeels Avenue in Hamilton. Special guest speaker will be Meg McCraken from Simply Yoga in Hamilton. She will speak about the benefits of Yoga and do a little demonstration for everyone to try. The meeting is open to anyone with MS, caregivers or family members. Refreshments will be served. Contact Maggie Manning at 531-2133, Mark Mattingly at 363-2079 or LaRoy Williamson at 360-1117 for additional information.

Democrats to Hold Convention

The 2008 Presidential Election has generated an incredible amount of interest and record voter turnout across the country. Interest in Montana is especially high with visits from both Sen. Barack Obama and Sen. Hilary Clinton. Now, it’s time to turn that interest into actual delegates. “This is an opportunity for all Democrats from Ravalli County to attend the Montana Presidential Nominating Convention and the Democratic National Convention,” said John Meakin, chair of the Ravalli County Democrats, in his announcement of the Ravalli County convention on Thursday, June 5th, at 7:00 PM in the Commons Room at Hamilton High School, 375 Fairgrounds Rd. (use the West Entrance).

“Democrats are united around issues of attracting higher paying jobs to our state, investing in good schools for our kids, and easing the tax burden on homeowners. We’re excited about getting together with other Ravalli County Democrats, electing our delegates, supporting the great slate of Montana Democrats running in 2008 and supporting our candidates for President,” said John Meakin.

At their convention, Ravalli County Democrats will elect seven delegates to the state convention on Sunday, June 8th, in Helena. In Helena, delegates from across Montana will elect 17 state delegates and 4 alternates who will go to the Democratic National Convention to be held in Denver on August 25-28.

“We invite every Ravalli County Democrat to attend the county convention and vote, whether they want to represent Ravalli County at the state convention, go to the national convention, or would just like to meet with local Democrats,” said John Meakin.

The Ravalli County Democratic convention will be held Thursday, June 5th, at 7:00 PM, in the Commons Room at Hamilton High School, 375 Fairgrounds Rd. (West Entrance). Call Ravalli County Chair John Meakin at 777-4421 for more information.

Ravalli County Prevention Coalition.

Thursday, June 5, 2008

12:00 - 1:00 pm

Family Resource Center

Westview Center

Our Mission: The Ravalli County Prevention Coalition creates and nurtures a proactive inter-community network to support our youth and families to achieve successful and productive lifestyles through fun, safe, and healthy opportunities with the goal of reducing substance abuse among our youth.

A light lunch will be served!

Gingerbread Preschool Academy registration

The Gingerbread Preschool Academy will hold its 2008 fall registration from on Thursday, June 5 from 8 a.m. to noon on Friday, June 6 from 5 to 8 p.m. at 423 Buck Street in downtown Stevensville. The fall schedule for 3-5 year olds will be Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Tuition is $60.00 per month and there is a one-time $35.00 materials fee. Call instructor Eda Karr-Scholten at 396-0105 for more information.

Alzheimer’s Support Group

Are o a caregiver of someone with Alzheimer’s Disease or another type of dementia? You are not alone. Join others in the same situation to share your concerns and experiences in an informal discussion group. The Bitterroot Valley Alzheimer’s Support Group for caregivers will meet on Friday,June 6 a 1 p.m. In the south living room in Valley View Estates Health Care Center, 225 N. 8th St. All family and friends are welcome. For more information call Brenda VonBrach at Sapphire Lutheran Homes, 363-6354.

First Friday at library

Join your friends for a fun-filled time at the North Valley Public Library to celebrate Stevensville's First Friday, June 6 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Listen to music by the Stevi Strings musicians who sing and play a variety of music from country & western to old-time favorites. The group features fiddles, guitars, mandolins, banjos, a standup bass, and occasionally accordions. Admission is free and light refreshments will be served. The North Valley Public Library is located at 208 Main Street, Stevensville. For more information, call 777-5061.

First Friday speaker

The Blue Parrot's First Friday guest artist on June 6 is L.J. Richards, the Senior Curator of the Museum at Fort Missoula. She will be sharing ways to preserve antique clothing and displaying some of the museum’s collection. All are invited to bring an example for her to evaluate. This is a dessert tea and will start at 7 p.m. There will also be a private collection of vintage clothing that will be for sale. Cost is $10.00. For more Information call 777-0520.

Kiwanis Key Leader Youth Camp

The third annual Kiwanis Key Leader Camp is taking place at Camp Paxson, near beautiful Seeley Lake, on June 6-8. Key Leader is Kiwanis International’s leadership education program for high school students. Its mission is to provide a “life-changing experience that inspires young people to achieve their personal best through service leadership.”

Openings for interested students are still available. Graduating eighth graders through high school seniors are eligible to attend this valuable leadership training. Space is limited, so students are encouraged to register online at www.key-leader.org before May 23 when a $25 late fee is added. Final registration closes June 2. For more information, contact Betsy Pahut at 406-560-5311 or mtkeyleader@yahoo.com.

Off Road User Assn.

Ravalli County Off Road User Association monthly meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 3 at 7 p.m. at the Bitterroot Ridge Runners groomer shed, 663 Grantsdale Road in Hamilton. This month's speaker will be Dan Thompson discussing the Ravalli County fire season. All members and anyone interested in joining are encouraged to attend. For directions or questions contact Mike Jeffords at 642-9079 or 544-5027.

EFT Level 1 workshop

If you’ve been searching for a simple, natural method of self healing, Emotional Freedom Technique or EFT might just be the best and easiest method you can learn. Learn this powerful and universal healing aid for dealing with traumas, phobias, chronic pain and all emotional issues. Easy to learn and easy to apply, it works by stimulating well established energy meridian points on your body by tapping them with your fingertips. This technique is useful in alleviating typical negative emotions like stress, anxiety, phobias, frustration, anger, cravings, and most chronic pain. The workshop will be Saturday, June 7, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Hamilton. Fee is $100 which includes materials. For more information contact Kathy at 406-585-0024 or Eve at 239-1576.

Paratroopers meeting

The Montana All Airborne Chapter of the 82nd Airborne Division Association, Inc will be meeting Saturday, June 7, at the Home of Bobby Perkins at 905 E. Groschell in East Helena. From Hwy 12 in East Helena toward Townsend, turn left between Town Pump and A&W. Go to Main St. and turn right, almost immediately turn left onto Kalispell St., go 2 blocks, make a right turn onto Groschell. The business meeting will be at 10 a.m. Bring something for potluck lunch. This includes All Airborne - anyone that is jump qualified from service is welcome to come. If there are any questions contact Frank or Golda Hendzel, 777-3973 or 207-0221, or Bobby Perkins at 580-0359.

Accordion Extravaganza

A special Accordion Extravaganza Show featuring “90 Years of the Accordion” will be held on Sunday, June 8 at 7 p.m. at the Hamilton Senior Center, 820 N. 4th. The event will feature accordion players Beverly Fess from Okotoks, Canada, Odie Odenbrett from Las Vegas, and local accordionist Dick Skultin, along with various other local entertainers. Tickets at the door will be $5.00. The fundraising event will be used for scholarships for local youth accordionists. Beverly will also be conducting a workshop for accordion players at the Brenda Gueldenharr home in Hamilton, beginning at 9 a.m. on June 7. Cost is $15 for the day which includes lunch. Call Rene Patterson at 360-3664 or Jean Roberts at 363-3206 for more information on both events.

First-time homebuyers class

The Bitter Root Resource Conservation & Development Area, Inc. (RC&D) is holding a nationally certified homebuyer education class on June 9-11 from 6 to 9 p.m. each night at the Human Resource Council Building, 316 N. Third St., Hamilton. Call the Bitter Root RC&D office at 363-1444, extension 5 to reserve a space. Attendance on all three nights is required for certification. The charge is $20 to cover the cost of reference materials. (Please note that if you are buying your home as a couple, one household, you both need to attend the class). The class is especially beneficial to first-time homebuyers with below median incomes, but any potential homebuyer will benefit from the class. Anyone who has not owned a home for 3 or more years is considered a first-time homebuyer and may be able to purchase a home for monthly payments comparable to what they are paying in rent. Monthly payments on a $100,000 home can be as little as $450-$550 per month based on program eligibility. Homebuyer education classes are brought to you by the Bitter Root RC&D in partnership with the Montana Home Ownership Network, the Montana Board of Housing and the Human Resources Council. Completion of this class is required in order to qualify for some of the special homebuyer assistance programs. Realtors can earn 4.0 hours of elective real estate continuing education credits by attending this class, contact Bitter Root RC&D for more information and space availability.

Veteran’s affairs officer to visit

Len Leibinger, Regional Service Officer for the Montana Veterans Affairs Division in Missoula, will be available to veterans and their dependents who have questions or need to file a claim with the Dept. of Veteran Affairs on Tuesday, June 10 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.

Geocaching event

An introduction to Geocaching will be held Tuesday, June 10, 9 to 11 a.m. at Kiwanis/River Park in Hamilton. Meet at the gazebo. Bring your own GPS unit or call the contact person to borrow one. This activity is designed for all ages and is sponsored by the Bitterroot National Forest and the Bitter Root RC&D and is a Be Active Bitterroot activity. Contact Janeen Hetzler at 381-2951.

Willoughby Wildflower Walk

A Flower Walk will be held Friday, June 13, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Willoughby Environmental Education Area. Join Bitterroot National Forest Botanist Linda Pietarinen for a two-hour walk in the Bitterroot Valley’s unique sagebrush habitat in the foothills of the Sapphire Mountains. Contact Linda Pietarinen, Bitterroot National Forest botanist, at 363-7172. This is a Be Active Bitterroot activity.

Trappers Youth Camp

With a goal to put ethical responsible trappers afield, a Trappers Youth Camp will be held June 13-15 at Beaver Creek Park, 10 miles south of Havre. This is sponsored by the Montana Trappers Association and the Montana Dept. of Fish, Wildlife and Parks. Call FWP for further information.

Coyote Coulee Hike

A hike into Coyote Coulee will be held Saturday, June 14, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Coyote Coulee Trailhead. To celebrate National Get Outdoors Day, take a 4.5 mile loop hike along a rolling trail that leads through pine forests, aspen groves, abandoned apple orchards and across small creeks. This hike is sponsored by the Bitter Root RC&D and the Bitterroot National Forest and is a Be Active Bitterroot activity. Contact Janeen Hetzler at 381-2951.

Stevensville Playhouse production

Rehearsals for “The Fourposter” at the Stevensville Playhouse are well underway! Two very talented local performers, Brooke Perrin and Ben Courteau, are guaranteed to impress you with their interpretation of Jan de Hartog’s delightful rendition of married life! Peek in on the marriage, beginning in 1890, through tears and trials, smiles and happiness and sit back and enjoy the unfolding of the next 35 years!

This wonderful production is being directed by Tristen Beller, a recent UM graduate. The four-poster bed, the center of the show, was crafted by Dale Roos and will be auctioned as a fundraiser for the Stevensville Playhouse. Show dates are June 19-21 and 26-28 at 8 p.m. with matinees on June 22 and 29 at 2 p.m. Ticket prices are $12.00 for adults, $10 for students/seniors. Call 777-2722 for more information and reservations.

Methodist Women’s Luncheon

The Stevensville United Methodist Women will hold a fundraiser luncheon on Saturday, June 21 at 11:30 a.m. at the church, 216 College St. Advance tickets are on sale now for $8.00 which covers lunch, style show by the Victorian Tea Guild, and entertainment. No sales at the door. Guests are invited to wear old-fashioned attire. Tickets/info: 777-2269, or 777-0018.

Vacation Bible School

The North Valley Church of Christ is having a vacation bible School in June. North Valley Church is located at 1669 Houk Way, phone number is 777-5927. The VBS is featuring "Avalanche Ranch" as the forum. The dates of the VBS are June 16th-23rd 9am-12pm for ages 4-11. To register or find out more information, interested parties can visit the website at: https://www.groupvbs.com/myvbs/?churchid=5571 or call 777-5927 and/or 544-1626.

Disability seminar

The Transition Seminar on June 18-20 will be held by Disability Services for Students at the University of Montana-Missoula. This seminar is a three-day workshop program developed specifically for students with disabilities who are considering postsecondary education. This program is open to high school juniors or seniors, and others who will soon be college freshmen. The participants will stay in a university dormitory, eat at a university cafeteria, and attend seminar style workshops on the University of Montana campus. Workshops will address disability rights, assistive technology, and federal and state resources that promote students' successful higher education experiences. Seminar participants will also have opportunities for discussion with college students with disabilities. The registration fee is $110 including seminar materials, meals and lodging during the event. The registration deadline is June 2, 2008. Call UM Disability Services at 243-2243 or visit www.umt.edu/dss for more information and registration.

Relay for Life

The dates and location for the Relay for Life this year are June 28 at 6 p.m. and June 29 at 8 a.m. at Haynes Field in Hamilton. This year’s slogan is “Together, Let’s Corral Cancer.” If you are interested in having a team, contact Summer Howe, 363-4400 (Sterling Savings Bank). For any general information, contact Bonnie Wickham, 360-4373. “In our lifetime we will see a cure for cancer, not because we wished for it, but because we worked for it.”

4th of July parade

On Friday, July 4, the Hamilton United Businesses (HUB) will hold a 4th of July Parade in Hamilton. The theme is “Celebrate our Freedom” and the parade will honor soldiers, past and present. Categories include: Horseback, Horse Drawn, Vehicle Drawn, Walking (children and adults), ATVs, Motorcycles, Bicycles, etc., and Cars and Trucks. For more information call Pat at the Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce, 363-2400.

Treasure State Art Show

The Treasure State Invitational Art Show will be held July 18-20 in the First Interstate Building at the Ravalli County Fairgrounds in Hamilton. This biennial event continues to grow in popularity and support. In 2006 the show featured works by over 80 Western artists and attracted 1,000 attendees from all over the United States. The theme for 2008 is “Montana’s Treasures: Gold Camps to Ghost Towns.”

There is ample opportunity to meet and mingle with art collectors and connoisseurs during the three-day event. The weekend consists of original art work for the public to view, an evening wine tasting and artist’s reception and a gala dinner and auction.

A select group of artists is invited to submit original Western art. A limited number of booths are available for rent, or artists may elect just to submit an original piece of art for the auction. Booth artists are required to attend and to submit at least one piece of artwork to the auction.

The Treasure State Art Show benefits the Ravalli County Museum. Sales of artwork and proceeds from the event have contributed over $400,000 to this non-profit’s endowment fund.

Artists are encouraged to apply early to take advantage of all publicity opportunities. For more information about the Treasure State Art Show, call 363-7570 or email info@treasurestateartshow.com.

Outdoor Skills Workshop

The Montana Women in the Outdoors has scheduled the next Outdoor Skills Workshop for Saturday, July 26. The 7th annual event will be held at Spring Meadow Lake State Park in Helena. Through this event, women ages 14 and older from all walks of life will be given the opportunity to experience the thrill of outdoor activities, gain knowledge without the fear of intimidation or expectations and have the ability to use materials/equipment necessary with the guidance of expert volunteer instructors. Classes include Canoeing/Kayaking, Water Safety/First Aide, Birding, Bird Drawing, Beading, Personal Safety and Self Defense, Fly Fishing, Spin Fishing, Outdoor Photography and others. For registration information contact Susan at 439-3658 or Cheryl at 458-5078 or email Cheryl HYPERLINK "mailto:mcopenhaver@mt.net" mcopenhaver@mt.net.

Creamery Picnic flower show

The Stevensville Garden Club will hold a flower show during Creamery Picnic (first weekend in August) at St. Mary's Family Center. Joanne Gibbons, President of the Stevensville Garden Club, appointed Jean Thomas to chair the event with membership volunteers to work on staging, the schedule (rules of the show), horticulture and design consultants, clerks, awards, and judging personnel. The theme is “Seasons of the Bitterroot.” The Standard Flower Show will follow the guidelines of the National Garden Clubs, Inc. Handbook for Flower Shows. Design entries will be pre-registered. Refreshments, educational exhibits, and commercial displays will be included. There will be no admission charge for the show. The Club is encouraging gardeners to plant unusual or "showy" flowers to enter in the Horticulture Division for the two-day show.

Bitterroot Classic Triathlon

With signs of spring, it’s time to get on that bike, put on those running shoes and start swimming those laps. The 3rd annual Bitterroot Classic Triathlon is gearing up to be held on August 23, to raise money in support of Missoula’s Ronald McDonald House. With a total of 234 athletes competing, 29 business sponsorships and over 90 volunteers the 2007 Bitterroot Classic Triathlon was a whopping success and rose over $11,000 for Ronald McDonald House. Together we can make this year’s event even more successful.

The Bitterroot Classic Sprint Triathlon encourages athletes of any level and age to participate. The event held at the Bitterroot Aquatic Center in Hamilton includes a 750-yard swim, followed by a 20K bike and a 5K run. Registration is open as of April 14 and all are encouraged to register early by visiting HYPERLINK "http://www.bitterrootclassictriathlon.com" www.bitterrootclassictriathlon.com and credit cards are accepted.

This first class community event for the Bitterroot Valley attracts athletes of all levels near and far, cheering crowds, volunteers, sponsors and offers each athlete a top of the line, well-designed race jersey and a generous schwag bag. Get involved, you are sure to have fun!

Watch for more information on training opportunities, swim times at Bitterroot Aquatic Center and maybe a kid’s race as well! Business and corporate sponsorships are available and encouraged to support this cause.

For more information, volunteer opportunities or to become a sponsor of the 3rd Annual Bitterroot Classic Triathlon, contact Becky at 381-3201 or Leslie at 370-9000.

Page One •	Valley News •	Op/Ed •	Sports •	Calendar •	Classifieds •	Links •	About Us •	Back Issues •	Email Us •	Home
©2008 Bitterroot Star This site was Done By Dooney