When a person suffers a disabling injury or illness, their world is effectively turned upside down. The majority of these people were not associated with the disabled community before the impairment occurred, so they possess very little knowledge of where to obtain important adaptive equipment and services. This fact is especially true for disabled sportsmen, as most of their specialized equipment is manufactured by individuals or small companies, which can be very difficult to locate.

It is for this important reason that, in 2002, the NRA Disabled Shooting Services first put together a packet of informational brochures, that has proven invaluable in assisting disabled sportsmen to enjoy a safe and meaningful outdoor experience.

The packet contains a unique collection of information on a variety of rifle support devices, manual and power sport wheelchairs, an easy-access cold weather suit, a crossbow with a power cocking mechanism, and brochures from professional outfitters who wish to serve disabled clients. Also included in the packet are standard hunting and shooting sports products that are user-friendly for a sportsman with a physical disability.

The rod and reel sportsmen have not been forgotten in this packet, as there is information on adaptive fishing gear that can be used by someone who has lost the use of one arm.

The third annual NRA Disabled Sportsmen's Packet is free of charge, and may be obtained by calling Dave Baskin, manager of NRA Disabled Shooting Services at (703) 267-1495.

May rain provides short-term drought relief

Bozeman‹Despite above average precipitation during May, most streams and rivers have already reached their snow melt peaks for this year and will not crest higher without significant rain and above average temperatures, according to the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Precipitation levels in May were generally good, for the first time in several months. May precipitation was 121 percent of average, bringing total water year precipitation to 91 percent of average.

Remaining streamflow peaks from snow melt should be over by the second week in June. Rainfall received during the end of May increased flows in many streams and rivers, especially flows in the Lower Milk River. Although streams and rivers responded favorably to the rain, most did not reach average flow for this time of year and receded after the rain stopped. The Lower Milk River streams are the exception and remain above average because of rain received over the past two weeks. On the other hand, several streams and rivers in the Yellowstone Basin continue to set new record low flows.

"What we really need is another month with precipitation similar to what we had in May to keep our rivers up and to continue with this short-term improvement," said Roy Kaiser, NRCS water supply specialist. "The precipitation we are getting is buying us time from reaching very low stream flows too early this spring."

As of June 1, remaining snow water content west of the Continental Divide was 60 percent of average and 67 percent of last year. East of the Continental Divide, snow water content was 62 percent of average and 87 percent of last year.

Statewide, streamflow forecasts average 38 and 49 percent. West of the Continental Divide, streamflow forecasts average 36 to 41 percent and east of the Continental Divide, streamflow forecasts average 39 and 53 percent.

According to the NRCS, the Bitterroot River near Darby peaked May 6 at 45 percent of average.

Carpenters Local #28 launches RAMP chapter

RAMP (Regional Access Mobility Program) is a volunteer driven organization funded by contributions from caring individuals and groups interested in providing wheelchair ramps and other means of access for elderly and disabled individuals and families.

Vernon Weiss, Ravalli County organizer for Northwest Carpenters, has announced the founding of a local chapter of the RAMP program. The Regional Access Mobility Program is a non-profit organization founded by carpenters Jerry Otis and Bill Smith in the Puget Sound Area. With the help of various unions and building material and tool suppliers it has become a region wide program.

Locally in Ravalli and Missoula counties the group plans on working with various social service agencies to provide much needed tools and skills to help local residents gain mobility to and from their homes and make repairs and modifications that they cannot afford.

Local #28 and a RAMP tool van with founder Jerry Otis were at the Hideout Mountain Park build project last week. Volunteers from Carpenters Local #28, IBEW #768, Laborers #1334, and others helped the community of Florence bring its vision of a park to reality.

For more information contact Vernon Weiss at 239-0428.

NV Library update

Some of the many new books found at the North Valley Public Library:
Wake Up America - Our Standard of Justice Has Been Removed/ Ralph Bouma
Sense of Being Stared At and Other Unexplained Powers of the Human Mind/ Ruport Sheldrake
Air That Kills: How the Asbestos Poisoning of Libby, Montana Uncovered a National Scandal/ Andrew Schneider & David McCumber
Battle Ready/ Tony Clancy, General Tony Zinni and Tony Koltz
The Blue Sense/ Arthur Lyons and Marello Truzzo
Liars and Thieves/ Stephen Coontz
Good Faith/ Jane Smiley

Bardsley attends HOBY leadership seminar

Heather Bardsley recently attended the Montana Hugh O'Brian Youth (HOBY) Leadership Seminar held April 29-May 2 in Missoula. Heather joined more than 100 other young leaders representing as many high schools from throughout Montana.

Selected to represent Stevensville High School, Heather is the daughter of Roger and Glenda Bardsley of Stevensville.

HOBY Leadership Seminars bring together a select group of high school sophomores to interact with groups of distinguished leaders in business, government, education and other professions to discuss present and future issues. The goal is to provide the youths a stimulating forum for learning about the free market and democratic process while broadening their understanding of their leadership potential and quest for self development. HOBY leaders are also challenged to return to their communities to perform at least 100 hours of community service within 12 months following the Seminar.

"The seminar was a great experience. If you have the chance, don't miss it, HOBY is worth every minute," said Heather.

Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership was established in 1958 by the popular actor Hugh O'Brian following a visit to Africa where he was inspired by a meeting with Dr. Albert Schweitzer. "One of the things Schweitzer said to me was that the most important thing in education was to teach young people to think for themselves," O'Brian said. "From that inspiration, and with the support of others who believe in youth and the American dream, I started HOBY to seek out, recognize, and develop outstanding leadership potential among our nation's youth."

Further information about HOBY activities and sponsorship opportunities in Montana is available by calling Shannon Fradette, MT HOBY Chair, 549-3911, or you can go to the web site at www.hoby.org.

Lab offers research opportunity for students

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is helping enhance doctoral-level programs in biomedical sciences at the University of Montana (UM) by providing students with access to scientists and equipment from Rocky Mountain Laboratories (RML) in Hamilton. RML is part of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, one of the NIH institutes.

The arrangement, part of the NIH' s Graduate Partnerships Program, is intended to help universities recruit and instruct exceptional science students and to help NIH train those students for careers in infectious disease research. NIH will provide primary funding for the project.

"This partnership provides an unprecedented research opportunity for both RML and UM," says Marshall Bloom, MD, RML associate director. "As infectious diseases continually emerge and re-emerge, there is an increasing global demand for researchers to work in this area. We look forward to helping educate the next generation of infectious disease investigators."

NIH has 12 other Graduate Partnerships Programs in place at universities, among them Cambridge and Oxford in England, Johns Hopkins University in Maryland and the Karolinska Institute in Sweden. NIH also works with about 300 graduate students who have dissertation research under way at 21 NIH institutes and centers. A goal is in place to involve 500 students in the next five years.

The partnership with UM, which is located in Missoula, about 45 miles north of RML's facility, involves a five-year doctoral program. Six RML scientists will collaborate with UM faculty to instruct courses in Missoula; the scientists will act as mentors for the students during their time at RML.

NIH will provide students a stipend, tuition and health insurance after the first year. NIH anticipates its average investment in each student who completes the program will be about $131,000.

Plans are under way for up to three students to enroll in the program by the fall semester 2005. Eventually, the program could enroll up to six students per year.

For more information about this research opportunity, contact Don Christian, associate dean, UM Division of Biological Sciences, at 243-5122. For more information about NIH-university PhD programs visit http://gpp.nih.gov, send an email to gppinfo@nih.gov or call 301-594-9605.

NIAID is a component of the National Institutes of Health, an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NIAID supports basic and applied research to prevent, diagnose and treat infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections, influenza, tuberculosis, malaria and illness from potential agents of bioterrorism. NIAID also supports research on transplantation and immune-related illnesses, including autoimmune disorders, asthma and allergies.

UM, RML join forces with graduate student partnership

Rocky Mountain Laboratories in Hamilton and the University of Montana-Missoula have started a new doctoral program partnership designed to train the next generation of outstanding biomedical researchers.

The Graduate Partnerships Program in Biomedical Sciences and Related Disciplines will allow select UM students to earn graduate degrees from the University while conducting research projects using RML facilities under the direction of RML scientists.

RML researchers also will help develop and teach UM courses, as well as assist with recruiting exceptional students to the University. The program is expected to enhance the already strong ties between the two institutions.

The arrangement with UM is just the 13th such partnership the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has developed with universities. Others are in place at such distinguished institutions as the universities of Oxford and Cambridge in England, Johns Hopkins University in Maryland and the Karolinska Institute in Sweden.

RML is part of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. NIAID is a component of the NIH, an agency of the U. S . Department of Health and Human Services.

"Rocky Mountain Laboratories is a world-class research institution, and many of our students already have worked there," said Don Christian, associate dean of UM's Division of Biological Sciences. "This agreement formalizes our many ties with (RML), and creates opportunities for our students to work with leading investigators of infectious diseases."

Christian said program organizers hope to have three graduate students enrolled in the program by fall 2005. Students will spend their first year at UM with graduate courses and subsequent years at RML conducting research.

He said students majoring in biology, chemistry, pharmacy or any discipline with a biomedical component will be eligible to apply for enrollment in the program.

For nearly 100 years, RML scientists in Hamilton have studied infectious microbes that cause disease in humans and animals. Some of the most important scientific discoveries of the 20th century took place at RML, including identifying the infectious agents responsible for Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Q fever and Lyme disease.

Bull riding fan from Stevi wins Vegas trip

When the Professional Bull Riders' Brian Herman successfully completed his Round 2 ride at the recent Ty Murray Invitational Event in Albuquerque (NM), one local resident had significant reason to celebrate... and that's no bull.

Under a newly launched promotion by Enterprise Rent-A-Car, the largest rental car company in North America, and the Professional Bull Riders (PBR), Herman successful eight-second ride garnered a free trip to Las Vegas for Catherine Tracy of Stevensville.

Tracy was randomly selected from online entrants into the "Enterprise Ride with the Best" sweepstakes, which offers an all-expenses-paid trip for two to the 2004 PBR World Finals set for October in Las Vegas.

"I'm into PBR big time, and following the series this season has been a thrill," said Tracy. "The Enterprise Ride with the Best competition has added another element to the sport, giving fans like me a chance to win a trip to the PBR finals and participate in the fun every week, even if we can't be there in person."

How does the sweepstakes work? If you're a fan: log on. If you're a rider: hang on. The sweepstakes calls for one lucky PBR fan to be drawn weekly from among those who've registered at www.enterprise.com/vegas prior to each PBR event. If the winning bull rider from the previous week's PBR event successfully rides his Round 2 bull for the required eight seconds at the following week's event, the randomly picked fan wins a trip for two to the 2004 PBR World Finals in Las Vegas. The Enterprise Ride with the Best sweepstakes also offers big prizes to PBR bull riders, giving them the opportunity to earn up to $10,000 in cash. Specifically, the winner of the previous week's PBR event becomes Enterprise's Ride with the Best rider for the next week's event. If the rider successfully completes his Round 1 ride at the next event, he wins a $5,000 bonus; if he successfully completes his Round 2 ride, he wins an additional $5,000 bonus - for a total possible bonus payout of $10,000.

Fans can keep abreast of the latest PBR action by going to the official website of Professional Bull Riders, www.pbrnow.com. They also can register for the Enterprise Ride with the Best sweepstakes on the PBR website, or by going directly to www.enterprise.com/vegas.

UM Western grants local scholarships

Sean McKinney is the recipient of two scholarships to be used at the University of Montana-Western in the Fall of 2004.

McKinney is a 2004 graduate of Corvallis High School and graduated with a 3.45 GPA. He will receive the David Shepherd Memorial Scholarship and a UM-Western football scholarship, for a total amount of $4250.

Sean is the son of Pat and Kevin Hill and plans to study education at Western.

Daisy Beth Weidow is the recipient of three scholarships to be used at the University of Montana-Western in the fall.

Weidow, a 2004 graduate of Corvallis High School, graduated with a 3.93 GPA. She will receive the Ersel Webb Memorial Scholarship, the Horatio Alger Scholarship and, a UM-Western volleyball scholarship for a total amount of $7975.

In high school Beth received Athlete of the year, Volleyball All-State honors, Basketball All-Conference honors, and second team All-Conference, Academic All-State. She was listed with the Who¹s Who among American High School Students, and Who¹s Who in Sports.

Beth is the daughter of Eileen and Ted Weidow and plans to study business at Western.

Lee Metcalf Refuge prepares for new era

The new Refuge Headquarters are currently under construction at Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge in Stevensville.

"This will be a tremendous opportunity for refuge visitors to enjoy the Refuge and learn more about its mission", says Steve Whitson, Refuge Manager.

Due to be completed in early July, the renovated building will have a Visitor Center, public restrooms, administrative offices, and a conference room. The new conference room will be used to accommodate the many public meetings held relating to refuge issues.

Several energy-saving measures have been used in this project. Window awnings and deciduous trees will reduce summer overheating; extra insulation in walls and ceilings, a highly efficient furnace, and an ultra-violet water purification system will keep the cost of operations low and lighten the burden on the environment.

Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge is one of over 540 National Wildlife Refuges in the U.S. It will rely heavily on volunteers to help operate the new visitor center. This will be critical to making refuge visitors feel welcome. Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge gets 150,000 visitors per year from all 50 states and foreign countries. Over 3,000 students annually participate in outdoor education on the Refuge.

The Refuge is seeking several enthusiastic and dedicated volunteers to greet people at the Visitor Center. Volunteers would orient visitors to opportunities on the Refuge, and answer questions about Stevensville and the greater Bitterroot Valley. Greeters should have a positive outlook and be interested in meeting a variety of people. For those who have a lot of knowledge of the local area or wildlife, this would be a great opportunity to share this information with refuge visitors. Volunteers will get an inside look at the Refuge, will receive training, and will work alongside Refuge staff and the Friends Group towards the mission of the Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge.

People interested in volunteering at the new visitor center should call 777-5552, ext. 203 by June 25th.

Well tests prior to land transfers increasing

By Eric Regensburger, Hydrogeologist, Montana Department of Environmental Quality

As a result of the current drought in Montana the availability of adequate ground water sources is becoming increasingly important to homeowners, particularly during real estate transfers. With increasing frequency, prospective homeowners and banks are requiring testing of wells as a condition of sale.

There are different methods to test the productivity of a well, commonly referred to as pumping tests. Pumping tests can vary from simple one-hour tests to very complex tests that last more than a week and involve multiple wells and expensive monitoring equipment.

Tests for private wells serving single-family homes are fairly simple. However, the tests need to be run correctly to produce accurate results. When a licensed water well contractor constructs a ground water well, state regulations require the well production rate to be tested. A common practice is to combine the pumping test with development of the well. Well development typically consists of over-pumping or agitating water in the well to loosen and remove fine-grained materials that can reduce the well's productivity. The pumping/development test, which usually lasts an hour for small-capacity residential wells, is often conducted by injecting air near the bottom of the well. The injected air forces water to exit through the top of the well. During the test, the driller estimates the flow rate from the well. The flow rate is then recorded on a well log that the driller is required to complete and submit to the state. The flow rate recorded on the well log is not necessarily the maximum capacity of the well, but is at least an approximation of the well's minimum productivity.

When an existing well is tested for a real estate transaction, or for any other purpose, the results of the new pumping test are often compared to the well log flow rate to determine if the well productivity has deteriorated. Well logs of most existing wells can be found at the Ground Water Information Center web-site that is maintained by the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology. The web address is http://mbmggwic.mtech.edu/. When the pumping test is conducted, care should be taken not to pump the well dry. Under some circumstances, pumping a well dry can cause various problems related to bacteria growth due to introduction of oxygen, or allowing excessive fine-grained materials, such as clay, silt or fine sand, to enter the well and the pump. But more important, once pumped dry, the water level in the well must be allowed to recover back to its original static level, the non-pumping water elevation, which may significantly delay completion of the test. If the well is pumped again before static conditions are reached, the results will not reflect the well's true capacity; such a test will underestimate the actual well productivity.

The best way to determine the productivity of a well is to conduct a step-drawdown test. In a step-drawdown test, the well is pumped at successively higher rates to determine the maximum sustainable pumping rate of the well. The water level in the well should be measured and recorded at frequent intervals during the test. Water levels can also be measured after the pump is turned off to determine how much time it takes for the water level to return to its static level. This data can be particularly important if a sustainable flow rate was not achieved during any part of the test. The length of pumping time for each successive flow rate should be equal; each rate is typically held for about an hour. The key to conducting a successful step-drawdown test is to start at a flow rate that the well can sustain without drawing the well dry, which ensures that the test will at least provide a minimum productivity rate. It is OK if the second or later step will eventually draw the well dry. As mentioned above, to protect the well, it is a good idea to stop the test if the water level measurements indicate that drawing the well dry is imminent.

Conducting a step-drawdown test will likely cost more money than a quicker improper test, but the results provide a good approximation of the well capacity. And, an accurate test is much less expensive than drilling a new well if an improper test erroneously indicates the existing well is inadequate.

Some wells, particularly those completed in bedrock, may not be able to achieve a sustainable flow rate even at very low pumping rates. That does not necessarily indicate the well is unusable or inadequate. In some cases, through the use of water storage either in the well casing or more reliably in a separate cistern, these types of wells may be suitable for domestic water needs. Typically, low-yielding wells cannot support any significant irrigation demands.

Caring host families sought

Educational Merit Foundation, a non-profit, student exchange organization, is seeking volunteer host families for high school students from South Korea, France, Germany and Georgia. These students will arrive in late August to attend local schools for one or two semesters and are eager to experience life in America. They speak English, have their own spending money, medical insurance and expect to share their host family¹s daily life including household responsibilities. For more information visit www.emfusa.org or call Marie-Claude Dijoud at (800) 467-8363.

Montana State Fund awards charitable grants

Montana State Fund (MSF), the state's largest workers' compensation insurer recently awarded six Montana non-profit organizations a total of $12,757 through its ACE (Assisting Charitable Endeavors) program.

The 2001 Legislature granted MSF the ability to create the ACE program to promote civic goodwill and enhance the success of selected worthwhile causes in Montana.

ACE grants are available to qualifying non-profit organizations that contribute to both safety and community throughout Montana. Forty-two projects totaling $73,255 have received awards since the program's inception in 2001. All ACE grants require a dollar-for-dollar match resulting in $146,510 being raised for these charitable endeavors. The most recent grantees include Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital Corporation in Hamilton.

To qualify for an ACE grant:
- The project must promote workplace safety, safety trainings, or assistance with the purchase of equipment that enhances safety and community well-being.
- The program benefits a representative cross section of small and large communities across Montana.
- All contributions will be a dollar for dollar match. Source of dollar match must be identified on the application form.
- Organization must be a qualifying non-profit, tax-exempt organization based in Montana.
- Grants will not be given to individuals, financial or political organizations.

For an ACE application, more information, or to view a list of past ACE grantees, go to the MSF website at www.montanastatefund.com. Interested parties may also call 800-332-6102, ext 5982.

Free produce for seniors

If you are 60 or older and meet program guidelines, you are eligible for free coupons to purchase Montana-grown fruits and vegetables at local farmers markets. This USDA program is designed to encourage seniors to eat more produce and to give an economic boost to Montana growers. Each senior receives $40 per season to use at the Hamilton, Stevensville and Darby markets. Income guidelines for 1 are $1,436 per month and $1,926 for two. Coupons are limited and may be picked up at Pantry Partners in Stevensville at 616 Park Street (777-0351), or in Hamilton at the RSVP Office at 501 N. 10th (363-1102). Applicants need their Social Security number and monthly income (no proof needed) to apply. For more information call Cheryl Kikkert at 360-9587.

Births

at Marcus Daly Hospital, Hamilton
6-3-04
Boy, 6 lbs., 13 oz., 19-3/4 inches, to Charles and Dusty Gentry, Hamilton
6-4-04
Boy, 7 lbs., 7 oz., 20 inches, to Ryan and Krystal Smith, Hamilton
Boy, 8 lbs., 11 oz., 20-1/2 inches, to Joshua and Jasmine Bigelow, Salmon, ID.

Obituaries

Dorothy McGill
1926-2004

Dorothy D. "Dot" McGill, 78, of Stevensville passed away June 5, 2004 at the Village Health Care Center in Missoula of natural causes.

She was born on March 28, 1926, in Glasgow, MT to Delbert and Lelia (Long) Bragg. The Braggs lived for a time in a sod cabin in the area that later became Fort Peck Dam. The family moved to Corvallis, but eventually settled in Stevensville where Dorothy graduated from high school in 1944.

In November, 1948, Dorothy married William W. "Bill" McGill in Seattle, WA, where they had met while both working at Boeing. The couple lived in various places in the Northwest and Bitterroot Valley. Dorothy settled for good after purchasing a home at the intersection of 3-Mile Road and the Eastside Highway. She took tremendous pride and enjoyment in her home, making it a well-known landmark in the valley. Although she and William later divorced, Dorothy continued to care for the family home until 1999.

She was an incredible Christian woman, sharing her faith in many local churches by teaching Sunday School, directing choirs, and participating in services and activities. She had a tremendous love for music and art, passing it on to her family and friends through songs, drawing and painting. She had special gifts for decorating everything from her home to wedding cakes, and was an especially talented crafter known for her lovable teddy bears and Christmas ornaments.

Dorothy worked as the secretary in the Stevensville Elementary School and touched many lives young and old in her career of over 20 years.

She was preceded in death by her parents Delbert H. and Lelia E. Bragg and sisters, Sylvia Wilkins and Edith Lamb.

Survivors include her children (and spouses): Beattie (Deb) McGill, of Darby, Michael (Jill) McGill, Elizabeth Atchley and Cindell (Dan) McGill-Moe all of Missoula and Walter "Chick" McGill in Mississippi; Grandchildren: Bethany and Seth Atchley, Kasey Carrie, Lucas, Abby, Patrick, Rebecca and Cody McGill; brother-in-law Lloyd Lamb of Grants Pass, OR; three nieces, a nephew and one great grandchild.

Memorial services for Dorothy were on Tuesday, June 15, at the Stevensville First Baptist Church, with Pastor Ben Baker officiating. A reception followed at the church. Private burial of the urn will take place at a local cemetery. The Whitesitt Funeral Home and Cremation of Stevensville is in charge of arrangements.

The family suggests memorials to the Missoula Children's Theatre in Missoula, 200 N Adams, Missoula MT 59801 or to Camp Mak-a-Dream, P.O. Box 3598, Missoula MT 59806.