The current version of the Child Nutrition Act being considered for authorization in the Senate includes a lot of positive changes, according to Julie Paradis, USDA Food and Nutrition Service Administrator. But as much as Paradis would like to see it confirmed by the Senate, something is still not right with the bill. The money. Right now the bill authorizes about $4.5 billion over the next ten years for use in the agency’s nutrition assistance programs. The problem is about $10 billion is really needed.

That was a refrain heard around the table last week at Lolo Elementary School at the Healthy Schools Roundtable hosted by Paradis. State and local officials, community leaders and food service directors for various programs around the state attended the roundtable.

The Child Nutrition Act authorizes the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, the Child and Adult Care Food Program, the Summer Food Service Program and the Special Milk Program. The school nutrition programs alone serve nearly 32 million children each school day and work in concert to from a national safety net against hunger. This includes such FNS programs as the emergency Food Assistance Program, the Commodity Supplemental Food Program, the Food Distribution Programs on Indian Reservations, the Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program, the Senior Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program, the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, and the Food Assistance for disaster relief.

Passage of legislation improving the Act has been a priority for First Lady Michelle Obama and her Let’s Move campaign against obesity. Besides feeding hungry students the Act also aims at providing better nutrition across the board on school campuses by requiring all food on the premises, including vending machines, to meet the new nutrition standards and encouraging the use of fresh food from local farms combined with a nutrition education campaign to create healthier eating habits and reduce obesity.

USDA Food and Nutrition Service Administrator Julie Paradis (center) hosted a Healthy Schools Roundtable at Lolo Elementary School last Tuesday, May 25. Michael Howell photo.

Fresh fruit and vegetables were served at the Healthy Schools Roundtable at Lolo Elementary School last Tuesday, May 25. Lolo School District #7 prepares most of its food from scratch and offers fresh fruits, vegetables and a salad bar daily. In addition, the district offers kitchen tours and taste-testings for the students. The students may choose from trail walking, biking, bowling, and swimming in addition to physical education classes. All these components are working together to ensure that students are getting the freshest, healthiest foods and plenty of physical activity. Lolo Elementary School won Montana’s first Healthier US School Challenge Gold Award in 2006. Michael Howell photo.

Some of the changes to the act will make it easier for entities such as school districts to integrate local food growers into their nutrition program. The Act would also give USDA the ability to require that all food at schools meet the new Institute of Medicine nutrition standards.

Paradis told the roundtable attendees that she was there to listen, to hear what they had to say and take that message back to Washington D.C. But she also urged them to contact their State Senators and Representative directly about their concerns.

“Your view is powerful in Washington,” Paradis told the roundtable participants. “Your views make a difference. Do not assume that your voice is not strong enough. It is very, very loud.”

Lolo School Superintendent Mike Magone said that the nutrition program at Lolo School was having an effect. He said that students perform better and make better grades when they are not hungry. He said that his school district had seen the difference. They now implement a snack-before-testing policy that has also shown to make for better grades.

“But federal dollars don’t cover even the basics of what we are doing,” said Magone. He said that more dollars were needed.

Mary Steine, a nutritionist at the University of Montana, noted that $40 million had been attached to the bill specifically for grants to the Farm to School Programs. This could include funding for school gardens as well.

Rebecca Morely from the Missoula County Public Health Department said that the legislation embodied needed changes but that the funding, at $4.5 billion over ten years, amounts to about 6 cents per meal to accomplish its goals of providing fresh and nutritious food.

“That’s not enough,” said Morely. “How about 25 cents?”

Connie Dove, representative for the Montana School Nutrition Association and a local school cook, noted that for small schools buying fresh and local is expensive compared to the wholesale purchasing network. She said that it is hard to make much of a difference in a meal with just 6 cents. This fact was echoed by other participants.

Paradis said afterward that she was very impressed by the knowledge that Montana officials showed about the proposed legislation and how it relates to their various interests.

“I’m also very impressed at the level of cooperation that is evident between all the state agencies in Montana and the major groups and businesses involved in the issues of nutrition,” said Paradis.

Call for vendors

The 30th Annual Bitter Root Day is Saturday, June 19 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be arts, crafts, food and produce, as well as live music with “Cabin Fever,” and a poetry reading/book signing with Victor and April Charlo. Vendor applications are available. Sign up as a vendor for Bitter Root Day and Apple Day at the same time and get a $5.00 discount off your Bitter Root Day fee! Download your vendor application forms at www.brvhsmuseum.org (go to “events” page), email HYPERLINK "mailto:rcmuseum@qwestoffice.net" rcmuseum@qwestoffice.net, call 363-3338 or drop on in at 205 Bedford, Hamilton.

Vendors are invited to apply for a space at Western Heritage Days on June 19 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in downtown Stevensville. Vendors of Western art, tack, saddlery, leather art, jewelry, crafts and quality products are welcomed. Call 777-3773 or go to www.mainstreetstevensville.com to download application.

A new event, scheduled for the 4th of July weekend, July 2-4, at the Ravalli County Fairgrounds, is still accepting applications for vendors for the event. Artists, food vendors and other merchants who would be interested in participating in this family oriented event are welcome. The Senior Pro Rodeo is also being held at the fairgrounds this year in conjunction with Glory Days. Call 363-3411 and ask for Nona; or email your questions and requests for an application to HYPERLINK "mailto:nona.walker14@gmail.com" nona.walker14@gmail.com.

The Bitterroot Scottish Irish Festival is calling for vendors to be part of the three-day festival to be held August 27-29 at the Daly Mansion. Preference will be given to foods, goods, or product(s) from or related to Scotland, Ireland, or elsewhere in the British Isles. However, all vendors will be considered (juried) on a first come, first served and case by case basis upon receipt of their application. Vendors interested in selling their wares or foods can log onto the website at bitterrootscottishirishfestival.org for information and applications. For more information, see the website or contact Laura Lindenlaub at 363-6323.

The Burger Shack

It’s all about the beef

By Jean Schurman

Lisa Butler has a vision for her restaurant, The Burger Shack, to be known as ‘the place’ for the best burgers not only in Stevensville but also in the valley. But make no mistake; this is not a fast food joint. Nothing in The Burger Shack is precooked. Every order is made to order so customers can have the freshest possible hamburger around.

“It’s like ordering a steak,” said Butler. “Our burgers are made from the highest quality beef, Certified Angus Beef, so they are fresh and full of flavor.”

Certified Angus Beef is a not-for-profit division of the American Angus Association. This program is dedicated to bringing the highest quality Angus beef to consumers. It was formed in 1978 to provide assurance that the product has the highest quality beef and flavor. Only the top eight percent of producers in the association qualify to be Certified Angus Beef, according to Butler. The Burger Shack is one of only three restaurants serving Certified Angus Beef in the valley and the only one that has burgers as the star of the menu.

Each beef patty is hand formed and weighs half a pound. Butler’s husband, Rob, is the grill master and cook. He carefully cooks each burger on the charbroil grill until they have reached perfection. As he cooks, Lisa handles the fries and all the trimmings for the burger. It’s obvious watching the two that they are a team dedicated to making a great hamburger and to making their business work.

Butler opened The Burger Shack a year ago in the old Mary’s Place building on the east side of Main Street. She said that although 2009 was probably the worst year for restaurants in recent history, their business was “pretty much an instant success.”

But the location was small, with not much seating. They quickly outgrew the location and began looking around for another place in Stevensville. They got together with Rich Marcus who had an empty building and worked out a deal to renovate the former Majestic Mountains Gift Shop, just down the street on Main Street. They began construction in March and opened six weeks later. Aside from the electrical and plumbing, the Butlers did the majority of the renovation themselves. With lots of booths and seating space now, The Burger Shack is continuing to draw in new customers, and with a nice, new and roomy kitchen to work in, the Butlers couldn’t be happier.

Although this restaurant is the first she’s owned, it’s not her first business. Previously, Butler owned a trucking company and Rob drove for her. But that lifestyle was not what they envisioned when they were married 21 years ago. With three children at home, they wanted a local business so they could enjoy their family.

The kids – Bridget (13), Jack (11) and Tess (8) – are in and out of the business and all have a hand at working there. Butler said it was first-hand experience for her kids to see how a business is run. But when there’s homework to be done, they now have a room in the back, and, Mom’s only a few steps away in case they have questions.

Lisa Butler, who grew up in Anchorage, Alaska, attended the University of Pacific at Stockton, California. She majored in international business with a minor in Japanese. Her first job after college was with Toshiba in San Francisco. She also slipped in a few classes at the California Culinary Institute in San Francisco. More recently, Butler worked for the Stevensville School system in 2008-2009 as the Family Resource Center counselor for the elementary school. Rob worked in construction for many years.

The Stevi Burger remains the best selling item on the menu but there are many more burgers to choose from. Almost every type of topping you can imagine is available. In addition, they make a mean Philly Cheese Steak sandwich, and chicken, too. They offer many appetizers and a wide variety of sides as well. Their shakes are made from Cascade Glacier ice cream, a brand Butler discovered while in Oregon. Ice cream cones are also on the menu.

The Burger Shack has two full time employees, Lexi Azure and Josh Robinson. In addition, Josie Clark and Marissa Lewis work part-time.

Butler is very proud of the improvements they have made in both locations. She hopes the move will help not only The Burger Shack but also Stevensville itself.

“If people are coming here to eat a burger, then they are going to look around and do some shopping too,” concluded Butler.

The Burger Shack is located at 205 Main Street in Stevensville. It can be reached at 777-2370.

Farmers market produce coupons available

This year the Bitterroot Farmers Market Project will be joined by the Ravalli Council on Aging in providing free produce coupons to Ravalli County residents who meet income and program guidelines. $50 in coupons will be provided to veterans, people with disabilities and seniors (60and older) for the purchase of locally grown fruit and vegetables from June through October at the Darby, Hamilton and Stevensville farmers markets. Each participant can receive only one set of coupons, however, households with both husband and wife eligible will receive $100. Monthly gross income guidelines are: family of 1 - $ 1,669.63; 2 - $ 2,246.21; 3- $ 2,822.79; 4 - $ 3,399.38; 5 - $ 8.975.96 (these amounts may increase after July 1). Coupons to these groups will be distributed according to the following schedule:

• Thursday, June 3 - 12:30 p.m. at the Stevensville Senior Center

• Thursday, June 3 - 2:30 p.m. at the Willow Court Apartments in Hamilton

• Friday, June 4 – 2 p.m. at the Bitterroot Manor in Hamilton

• Saturday, June 5 - 9 to 11 a.m. at the Hamilton Farmers Market

• Tuesday, June 8 - 4 to 6 p.m. at the Darby Farmers Market

The BFMP also provides coupons for the clients of these partner agencies: Ravalli Services Group Homes & Day Program; Genesis House; Riverview Group Home and Day Treatment Center; SAFE Transitional Housing and Shelter; Bitterroot Youth Home; Summit Independent Living Center and Haven House. Clients of these agencies will receive their coupons after June 7. In addition to the produce coupons, the Hamilton market also accepts EBT (SNAP) for the purchase of produce and other authorized foods. For further information, call Kathy Sital at 363-5690 or Cheryl Kikkert at 360-9587.

Standish graduates from basic training

Montana National Guard Pvt2 Bryana Standish graduated from basic training on April 30 at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. A member of the 193rd Infantry Brigade, Standish received 10 weeks of training in combat, weapons, physical fitness, first aid and other military skills. Standish is now receiving advance individual training at Fort Leonardwood, Missouri. She is a 2009 graduate of the Montana National Guard’s Youth ChalleNGe program in Dillon.

Operation Medicine Cabinet to be held June 5

Leftover and unwanted medications sitting in your medicine cabinet put communities at risk for diversion, prescription drug abuse, and unintentional poisoning. Operation Medicine Cabinet Montana, held in multiple communities across the state, is part of Attorney General Steve Bullock’s effort to reduce prescription drug abuse in Montana.

Montana ranks third in the nation for teen abuse of prescription pain relievers – nearly 10 percent of teens admit to abusing these drugs in the past year, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The Partnership for a Drug Free America reports that the majority of teens agree that prescription drugs are easier to get than other illicit drugs, including 63 percent who believe that prescription drugs are easy to get from their parents’ medicine cabinet. Additionally, 70 percent of those who use prescription meds for non-medical purposes obtain those drugs from a friend or family member.

“With prescription drug abuse on the rise in our state, it is important to closely monitor medications in our homes and get rid of those drugs we no longer have a use for,” said Attorney General Steve Bullock. “By limiting easy access to drugs that are potentially dangerous when misused, we reduce the risk of accidental poisonings, illegal diversion and abuse in our community.”

Residents may bring expired or unwanted medications to be disposed of to the Kohl Building foyer behind Valley Drug & Variety on Saturday June 5 from 10 a.m. until noon or to the Ravalli County Fairgrounds in Hamilton from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Participants are encouraged to remove or blackout any personal information on the containers. Drop-offs are confidential and free of charge. The following items cannot be accepted: sharps/needles, chemo/radioactive drugs, or other, non-pharmaceutical waste.

Stevi police arrest assault suspect

On the evening of May 25, Stevensville police with the help of the Ravalli County Sheriff's Office arrested 20-year-old Theodore Alexander Warren of Stevensville for felony attempted burglary and two counts of felony assault on a minor by reasonable apprehension of bodily injury.

According to Stevensville Police Chief James Marble, Warren approached two young children who were playing outside in the 100 block of Central in Stevensville. Warren was apparently agitated and was acting strange. After a short verbal exchange with Warren, the children ran into their house. Warren attempted to enter the house but the children's mother locked the door and dialed 911. Warren apparently then tried to break down the door to the house. Warren was arrested outside the residence.

"The mother and children were obviously shaken by the event,” said Marble. “You don't expect to have something like this happen in a small town. We as parents and citizens need to look out for each other. We are the ones that can bring about change in our community. I would like to encourage people to get involved and establish neighborhood watch programs in their areas. There have already been a few programs established, but with the cooperation of the citizens of Stevensville, we could have the entire town covered. The police department would be more than willing to assist interested persons in getting a program established. Please feel free to call the police department at 777-3011."

Trail work planned in Bass Creek Recreation Area

In celebration of National Trails Day the Bitter Root Back Country Horsemen and Boy Scout Troop 117 will be performing trail maintenance and clean up in the Bass Creek Recreation Area, five miles northeast of Stevensville, on Saturday, June 5 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

All trails will remain open, but some congestion should be expected.

Work will focus on the Larry Creek Campground area cleaning up trash in the parking lot, eliminating tree and rock hazards along the trails, clearing encroaching brush, and installing water bars to reduce soil erosion.

These trails in the Bass Creek Recreation Area are a popular destination for hikers and horseback riders and maintenance is done annually by members of the Back Country Horseman.

Contact Bill Goslin, Stevensville Ranger District, for more information, 777-7419.

Daly Hospital going tobacco-free

Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital joins a growing number of hospitals statewide and healthcare facilities across the nation who have already made the decision to go tobacco-free.

As of July 1, the campus of Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital and its associated clinics and properties will be 100% tobacco free/smoke free.

According to Anna Westcott, BSW and Marcus Daly Tobacco Free Committee Chairperson, “We believe that the new tobacco free policy supports our mission to care for the health of the community. We hope that the community is in support of this effort and assists us in the transition to a tobacco free/smoke free healthcare facility”.

While Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital has not allowed the use of tobacco products inside its buildings for years, the new policy will prohibit the use of tobacco products anywhere on the hospital grounds, as well as in hospital-owned medical clinics on and off campus.

As part of the new tobacco free/smoke free initiative, the hospital will make available resources for patients, visitors and employees who are interested in quitting smoking and using smokeless tobacco products. Patients in the hospital will be offered nicotine replacement therapy. Educational materials on the health hazards of tobacco use will be readily available throughout the hospital’s facilities as well as information to access the Montana Tobacco Quit Line, a free service provided by the Montana Department of Health and Human Services.

A recent report by the U.S. Surgeon General documents the serious and deadly health effects of involuntary exposure to tobacco smoke. Exposure to secondhand smoke increases an individuals risk for disease such as lung cancer and coronary heart disease. The hospital’s goal is to create a healthy environment for everyone. This policy will completely eliminate exposure to secondhand smoke on the campus and promote a healthy, tobacco-free lifestyle.

Obituaries

George E. Farrell
1926-2010

George E. Farrell, 84, of Stevensville, died at Marcus Daly Palliative Center in Hamilton on Sunday, May 30, 2010.

He was born on May 15, 1926 to Charles and Anna (Chase) Farrell at home in South Cow Creek Valley near Millville, California. He was the youngest of seven sisters and brothers.

George entered the U.S. Army in 1945 and was honorably discharged in 1946.

He was preceded in death by brothers Roy and Virgil Farrell and sisters Blanche Abbott, Lorita Schelling, Velma Jones and Nelda Bruce.

George is survived by his wife, Hattie, of 62 years; children: William “Bill” Farrell of Missoula, Peggy Erickson of Albany, Oregon and Wayne Farrell of Missoula; a late addition to the family Gregory (Patti) Fliflet of Cabot, Arkansas and his daughter Amonda Fliflet of Springfield, Illinois. Also surviving are three grandchildren: Wade (Katrina) Farrell of Olympia, WA, Deann (Coby) Farrell Spencer of Missoula and Elizabeth Courtney Diane Farrell of El Cajon, CA. In addition there are four great granddaughters: Joslyn Farrell, Sophia and Addison Spencer and McKenzie Farrell and two step-great grandaughters, Chole and Trinity Porch and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorial services were conducted on Wednesday, June 2, 2010 at the Whitesitt Funeral Home in Stevensville with Willard Anderson officiating. A reception followed at the Stevensville Senior Citizens Center.

Memorials are suggested to Marcus Daly Hospice or to the Stevensville Senior Center.

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