Bitterroot Star - November 30, 2022

The Hops now open in Victor

by Nathan Boddy

Renee and Paul Rakitin hope that their recently opened taphouse, The Hops, will become as much a gath ering place as was the Longbranch Saloon which stood on the same ground. The Longbranch drew patrons from around the valley for 40 years before the Rakitins purchased the building, and even from the beginning they were focused on maintaining as many elements of the old building as possible.

Visitors to the new taphouse will immediately notice the old Long branch sign, prominently displayed above the landing of the Grand Stair case. “They really used as much of it as they could,” says Lisa Rett, Operations Manager. Rett points out the fooring, cooler cabinets, shufeboard table, as well as framing from the original Longbranch building. The owners even made use of the old railroad gas lamps (wired for electricity) that line the walkway in the 21 and over space on the second foor.

Rett says that the Rakitins are very veteran-oriented, a fact that will soon become evident in some of the de cor within the building. Paul Rakitin

is himself a veteran, and wanted to echo that service within the build ing, as well as in their actions. “They only donate to two things,” says Rett, “veterans and the Victor School.” Both programs aim to provide essential

food services to area residents, al though through diferent means. Their ‘backpack program’ prepares boxes of meals to be distributed to students within the school, while they also give patrons an opportu nity to add to their bills in order to fund free meals for veterans on various holidays. While Rett says that The Hops is still in a “soft opening” phase, the programs are going very well so far.

Behind the bar patrons will find an astounding 93 beers on tap – 93 on 93 being one of their catch phrases – all at the pull of a tap adorned with either a 50 caliber round or a railroad spike. The kitchen will also provide an eclectic assortment of foods such as chicken pho, bread pudding, grain salad and a variety of sandwiches. All the burg ers will be made of bison, says Rett, pointing out that

the owners wanted to do some thing unique. Upstairs, a highend members only whiskey bar will provide for a unique experi ence with an almost speakeasy touch when operational after the New Year. The 100-year-old bar once stood in Adair Jewelers, and was originally from South Africa. The owners plan to rent the space out for special events.

All in all, the owners of The Hops hope that it provides an at mosphere for socialization, play and relaxation for patrons as well as employees. And, as their meal programs show, they care for those folks who may have fewer options.

“They want to be the fami ly for those people,” says Rett. “They want to be open 365 days a year.”

The Hops is located at 2412 US Highway 93 in Victor, and their website is: https://thehops montana.com

Lisa Rett, Operations Manager of The Hops, stands by the shufeboard table once in use within the Longbranch Saloon. Photo by Nathan Boddy.

The sign from the Longbranch Saloon now hangs in The Hops. Photo by Nathan Boddy.

The Hops now open on the site of the old Longbranch Saloon. Photo by Nathan Boddy.

Events Planned

• 6:00 pm parade line up. In the alley between Main and Church, facing north, behind the SFD trucks.

• 6:15 pm Welcome and Thank you! From Stevensville Civic Club. Main and 3 rd, NE corner

• 6:25 pm Flip the switch! Mayor Steve Gibson and the winner of the Flip The Switch coloring contest will turn on the lights over Main Street.

• 6:30 pm PARADE! The annual Parade of Lights lead by the Stevensville Fire Department.

• 6:30 pm 8:30 pm Free Horse Drawn Wagon Rides, sponsored by Trail West Bank.

o One wagon From Discovery Fitness (fka Montana Bob’s) to St Mary’s Mission on Ravalli Street

o Two wagons between Discovery Fitness and Cenex on Main Street.

• All times after this are approximate, depending on the length of the parade

o Santa will be around on Main Street for all the children.

o 7:00 pm Living Nativity and the telling of The Christmas Story presented by Light of the Valley Assembly of God. Main and 3rd, NW corner.

o 7:15 pm reading of “T’Was The Night Before Christmas ” by Greg Overstreet. Main and 3rd, NE corner.

o 7:30 pm Christmas Carols performed by the Montana Acapella Society. Various locations around Main Street.

Questions? Please email info@stevensvillecivicclub.com, or call Sean Doyle at (406)303 9221

Business Specials and Activities for First Friday and Country Christmas

and see the new gift and decorating items for the holidays.

Community Physician Group 201 Main Will have cookies, hot beverages, a chance to win a gift basket and to meet our doctors in front of UpNSmokin BBQ House.

Cottage Garden Greenhouse Gift Certificates are available by phone at 406 777 3061. Leave a message and your certificate will be mailed after Dec. 3

CJ’s Den 324 Main Dinner special Friday night and a Handmade Holiday wreath and ornament craft sale on the patio from 4 until 7.

Eickert Realty, LLC 307 Main Street Annual Holiday Building Decorations by Rob Jodsaas & Holiday Open House with refreshments hosted by Jen Joyce, Sales Associate.

Engel & Völkers 102 Main St Suite B We will have our team of real estate advisors handing out hot chocolate and cookies as well as amazing real estate advice! We are also offering espresso, mochas and lattes from our brand new professional quality machine for anyone that would like to talk about real estate in our cozy conference room.

Exit Realty Bitterroot Valley Will be giving out free hot coco, cookies and snacks.

Groovz Dance Studio 217 Main St B From 6 to 8pm Groovz will have carnival games, and face painting, tickets are 5 for $1. We will also have a Bake Sale and a photo booth with fun props and characters.

Lydia Rae Mercantile with Trapper Peak Coffee 306 Main St Gift basket giveaway, cookies with Santa Jr., complimentary coffee and hot cider bar, sandwich specials.

Lutzenhiser Jewelry 116 Main St Eve Williams will provide festive music. We will also have guest vendors Andrea Buchanan with Cedar & Sage & Jess & Izzy will have handmade soaps & sun catchers.

MaddieMo Makery 309 Main St will have special crafts for children to complete

Make Peace Yogasana 187 Mesquite Lane We’re hosting a special fundraising gentle yoga class on Sat, December 3rd from 10 11 am to help raise money for the Victor High School Spanish Club s educational and cultural trip to Spain in April. $10/person.

Mama’s A Hot Mess 116 A Main St New Celebrity Pillows, Tie Dye Sale, and the Stevensville High School Student Council will be out front selling hot chocolate, cookies, and candy canes. The money will help pay for school sponsored activities and events (Homecoming,1st Responders Breakfast, and more).

Montana Distillery 304 Main St We will be releasing our WINTER COCKTAIL MENU on Dec Firs t Friday! And serving COMPLIMENTARY Hot Chocolates!

Oasis Montana Inc We sell solar power and solar pumping systems ( and offer a line of efficient and gas appliances). www.oasismontana.com

Sabai 314 Main St Warm up with a hot chocolate bar and holiday gift certificates available for sale. Come say hi and meet Wendy, our lovely esthetician!

St Mary’s Historic Mission we will be hosting Christmas Around the World and Wreath Display. In addition we will have a wreath raffle, offer chapel tours, our gift shop will be open and free crafts for children.

Starrett Artists 211 Main St Open house on the First Friday in December. The Bitterroot Valley Model Railroad Club will once again be hosting a display in the window, and we will have complementary candy canes for kids.

Valley Drug will host Mrs. Claus reading stories and games for children in the store and in front of the store.

WildWind Floral 704 Main Street 20% Off First Friday on all Merchandise!

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• November 27th Advent Begins

• Dec 4th Communion Sunday

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• Dec 22nd 1st Day of Winter

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The Victor Heritage Museum is an “all-volun teer” organization. Silent auction items are donated to the Museum by many fne businesses and individuals throughout the Bitterroot valley. Admission is $5.00 per person, no charge for children ages 4 and under. For questions or in formation call Suzanne at 363-3165 or the Museum at 642-3997, or email victormu seum@cybernet1.com

Selway Pintler

Back Country Horsemen

Selway Pintler Back Country Horsemen will meet Thursday, Dec. 8 at 6 p.m. at the Forest Service building in Hamilton (use back door). For information contact Duane Krowen, 541-8926713.

Hamilton school board meetings

Governance Committee Meeting, Wednesday – De cember 7, 12 p.m. – District Ofce Conference Room.

The Board will be conducting this meeting with live par ticipation.

Special Board Meeting / Board Training, Tuesday – December 13, 5:30 p.m. – Washington Elementary –Room 4. The Board will be conducting this meeting with live participation. The Board will be meeting with Attorney, Elizabeth Kaleva for Board Training.

Regular Board Meeting, Tuesday – December 13, 6:30 p.m. – Washington Elementary – Room 4. The Board will be conducting this meeting with live participa tion. In addition to meeting in person, the District will broadcast the meeting live on the HSD#3 Facebook page You are encouraged to join the meeting at: https:// www.facebook.com/Hamil tonSchoolDistrict3.

Flea market

There will be an indoor fea market on Saturday, December 10th from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Hamilton Senior Center, 820 N. 4th.

BRHA Cookie Walk & Bake Sale

You won’t want to miss this event...this is not your ordinary bake sale! Do your self a favor this holiday sea son and skip all the fuss of baking those holiday sweet treats by attending this unique “Cookie Walk, Bake Sale” on Saturday, Decem ber 10th, hosted by the Bitter Root Humane Association.

Talented area bakers have been busy whipping up their favorite holiday cookies in every favor, shape and size.

Shoppers can tour the cook ie tables and choose their favorites in any quantity (sold by the pound) and stock up on all the other individually priced sweet treats of pies, cakes, breads & candies and of course there will also be goodies for our four legged furry friends!

New this year, visit the “Paws Cafe” and treat your self to a slice of homemade cake, pie or individual sweet treats to eat in or take-out!

To accommodate shop pers, this year’s event is being held at the accessible City of Hamilton Bedford Building, 223 S. 2nd Street in Hamilton with elevator ser

vice to the second foor and

plenty of parking available. Doors will be open 10 a.m. till 2 p.m. on Saturday, De cember 10th. Plan to come early for the best selection since this event has sold out early in the past fve years!

All proceeds from the sale will be used by Bitter Root Humane Association to assist animals in need throughout the coming year. For more information contact Mary at 642-3785 or email at dogmommary@aol.com.

Kids shopping day

The annual “kids only” shopping day at the the Ste vensville Clothes Closet free store will be held Saturday, December 10th from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Kids can bring a list of family members to get one present for each and The Clothes Closet “elves” will help choose gifts. Presents will be put into bags to take home and wrap. There will be no regular business on that day. The Clothes Closet is located at 3614 ALC Way.

Accordion Club

5 Valley Accordion Club will hold a jam session, dance and bake sale on Sat

urday, December 11th from 1 to 4 p.m. at Lolo Commu nity Center. Admission is $4 members, $5 for guests. All are welcome.

Christmas Murder Mystery Party

Don your favorite ugly Christmas sweater and a new identity for a holi day-themed murder mystery party on December 14th or December 15th! The North Valley Library’s community room will become the Snow fake Lodge for this fun, in teractive event, during which guests will delight in dis covering clues, embodying their character, and cracking the case of the Murder at the Ugly Christmas Sweater Party. When the registration period closes, or the maxi mum number of guests (20) is reached, each registrant will be assigned a character and provided everything they need for the event. No pre vious experience or acting skills required for this begin ner-friendly murder mystery party. Two parties available (same storyline, please sign up for just one party) Reg ister for either Wednesday, December 14th from 12 to 2

pm or Thursday, December 15th from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at northvalleylibrary.org.

Volunteer tax return preparers needed

Every year from February to April, AARP Foundation Tax-Aide volunteers prepare tax returns free of charge at the Hamilton Senior Center for anyone who needs it, especially those 50 and older with low income. Due to Covid and the loss of vol unteers, fewer returns have been prepared but AARP is trying to rebuild the program.

If you are comfortable with numbers, good with com puters, and like meeting new people, consider becoming a volunteer. You do not need to be a member of AARP to volunteer and if you have no previous experience prepar ing taxes, you’ll get the train ing you need and receive IRS certifcation. If you are not interested in preparing taxes, you can still volunteer in other ways. For more infor mation, visit www.mttaxaide. org, or leave a message at the Hamilton Senior Center, 406-363-5181.

Pauley & Company

Bob

The fy tyer in winter, vol. 1

A few days ago the morning sky was shrouded in dark gray.

The trafc on the East Side High way, usually clear and visible from my perch above it, moved slowly, like wraiths passing slowly through the barely-visible edge of the mist. You wouldn’t even know the mountains were there if you hadn’t seen them beforehand. The valley could be a mostly fat plain in east ern Montana or Nebraska for all that we could see.

By mid-af ternoon the day heated up just enough to evaporate some of that dense moist air. When it did, I could look to the west and barely make out the silhou ettes of the mountains. Trafc along the East Side Highway had resumed a cautious normal speed, and in a field just beyond the road, the first season al fights of geese had come in for a landing under the covering gray.

There were only a few; two focks of about forty birds each; we’ll see more in that field where they’ll stay for a few weeks, pushed south out of Canada by cold air that tells them winter – real winter – has arrived. This year these first batches of geese signal that real winter has arrived early.

On stormy days we’ll see and hear them come in. There will usually be around two hundred, at times five hundred or more geese landing in that field. Over their generations they’ve learned the route. They come in, feed on the stubble and fallout from the third cutting of hay, and stay until the weather warms in the spring.

Our house in early winter

Our house sits on a gravelly ridge on the east side of the valley, a tough place, in its former state, to graze cattle or grow hay.

The gravel was deposited here when Lake Missoula suddenly drained and the gravel was washed across the lake bottom and deposited on the other side by the sheer force and energy of all that moving water.

Today we look out over the back

deck at the remains of it, where each winter I can watch the geese from the comfort of my chair through the win dows that separate our warm living space from the biting cold.

I’ll sit and watch the geese, and sometimes I’ll slide the glass door open just enough to hear them. I’ll stand there and listen, cofee cup in hand, while their wild cries, tens and hundreds deep, stir something deep,

something primitive within me.

After a few minutes a chill pen etrates the comfort of my shirt or sweater and I’ll retreat to the room I call my hovel and tie fies.

Waterfowl, winter, and fies

For years I lived in an area where waterfowl hunting was easy. You might say I was spoiled. At one point had enough teal fank to stuf a small pillow, certainly a lifetime supply, and a full pillow’s worth of mallard and pintail fank. Over the course of many moves since, those feathers were distributed to the friends I left behind. I’d keep a few, knowing that I could always go out and get more.

That was then, this is now. I haven’t shot a teal in years, and have to purchase just a single pinch of the fank feathers at prices I didn’t fore see then.

If you hunt ducks, please pick the fank and breast feathers into sepa rate baggies, and if you don’t tie fies, give them to somebody who does. Those feathers will be appreciated. They’ll go to good use this winter.

During the long months of short days that are coming there will be plenty of time when an afternoon behind the vise in my hovel will turn unannounced into evening. It can happen without my noticing as I en joy that pleasant and almost efortless rhythm that a fy tyer gets into when the materials seem to fow between your fingers and the fies accumulate at a comfortable pace in a little pile beside the materials on your bench that go into them.

When it’s going right you’ll tie more fies than you’ll ever use, and the overfow lands in the hand of your fishing friends, who in turn might keep you supplied with duck feathers, deer hair, or maybe a sought-after section of elk mane.

When fishing season comes, the gift comes full circle when you reward them with winter-tied fies – long after the wild cries of the geese have faded into the sunlight of spring.

Chuck Stranahan

Fresh early snow viewed from the author’s back deck

Donations needed to

Food insecurity is an ongo ing problem that has been ex acerbated in recent months by the high cost of gas and other household items. Making sure that children in the Stevens ville community don’t go home hungry is the goal of the Stevi Food Program which has been operating continuously since it first started last summer.

The program was initially started to provide easy-toprepare take-home meals for students during the summer

months when school is out. Last summer over 700 week ly supplemental meals were handed out, said Fran Schmitz, who stepped up to organize the summer program when she found out that no one was doing this. In all, she has raised about $12,000 in cash donations plus several tons of food. Project 59870 and the Rapp Foundation have provided support to the pro gram. Schmitz and a team of volunteers spent many hours

preparing and distributing the bagged meals.

Schmitz soon realized that the need doesn’t end when school starts. She’s been coordinating with Lee Starck, a school counselor who runs the Stevensville Kids Backpack and Pantry Program in the Stevensville School District.

“We’re currently supplying about 30 breakfast/snack bags to the Stevensville School Dis trict weekly as well as helping to supplement the Backpack Program on extended breaks for about 30 students,” said Schmitz this week. “We also provide weekend meals to students at Head Start and Bitterroot

Valley Education Co-op. Since September we have handed out about over 200 breakfast/ snack bags and about 140 weekend bags. Those numbers are growing every week.”

An efort is underway to help raise funds to make sure these programs continue. All the proceeds from the Parade of Trees online auction spon sored by A2Z Personnel and Project 59870 on Dec. 6-9 will go to the Stevensville School Backpack and Pantry Program and the Stevi Food Program (for auction details see ad on page 8).

Food donations can cur rently be dropped of at First Security Bank in Stevensville. Useful items include: Chef Boyardee microwave cups or regular size; mac & cheese microwave bowls or Easy Mac; 100% juice boxes or pouches; fruit cups with no added sugar; applesauce cups or pouches

insecurity

with no added sugar; GoGo Breakfast Smoothie pouch es; individual packs of plain oatmeal; individual packs of Goldfish crackers; microwave popcorn; individual packs of nuts. Food donations will also be collected at the Stevensville Booster Club Bazaar in the high school gym on Saturday, December 10th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Cash donations can be made at Farmers State Bank in Stevensville; the account is under Stevi Food Program/ Fran Schmitz. Tax-deductible donations can also be made to Project 59870, P.O. Box 8, Stevensville MT 59870; put “Stevi Food Program” in the memo.

For more information contact Fran Schmitz by email at franniela70@gmail.com or 406-777-3579 or 225-3043947.

by Michael Howell

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is building on previous planning eforts to create an updated, comprehensive roadmap for managing recreational use in the Fish Creek Watershed. The Fish Creek area is home to important fish and wildlife habit, historic and cultural resources, local communities and private landowners, and unique opportunities for outdoor recreation.

“This will all be part of what the planning process and final planning document considers,” said FWP Re gion 2 Supervisor Randy Arnold.

Located approximately 40 miles west of Missoula and 25 miles east of Superior, FWP’s key Fish Creek sites include Fish Creek State Park, Fish Creek Wildlife Management Area (WMA), Big Pine Fishing Access Site (FAS), and Forks FAS. The Alberton Gorge, which ofers opportunities for water access and recreation, is also located in the area. The area also

includes other state and federal public lands.

According to Arnold, because the Fish Creek project involves planning for the entire watershed, it will take a comprehensive look at the area, including its places and fish, wild life, recreation, historic and cultural resources. Planning will cross bound aries and site types and consider the area’s fishing access sites, the Fish Creek Wildlife Management Area, Fish Creek State Park and other surround ing public lands.

“We will be looking to anyone that has an interest in the area to help provide ideas and feedback on con cepts as the plan starts to take shape in early 2023,” said Arnold. “For now, the public survey (open through Dec. 20, 2022) is the best way to provide your feedback early in the process.”

Montana Trout Unlimited has concerns that some of the ideas being proposed in the process could actually degrade the recreational experience

of Fish Creek State Park. Source: MFWP.

and endanger habitat in this essen tial native and wild trout spawning tributary. According to Montana TU staf, some of the proposed recreation al improvements such as expansion of trails, continued dispersed camping and more foating access, which will likely translate into less large woody debris and logjams in the water for fish and wildlife, would be especially deleterious for bull trout in the drain age.

“It is essential that this area is managed to preserve its excellent habitat values and resilience to cli mate change for native species,” said Bitterroot Trout Unlimited President

Dave Ward. Montana TU is encouraging the public to com ment in favor of a foating closure on Fish Creek as part of the plan.

“Large woody debris is common in this watershed and essential to native trout populations. We are concerned angler use during a relatively short foating season will result in the removal of logs to maintain navigability, thus harming the fish ery and are asking people to support wade-only fish ing access on the creek,” said Ward. They are also asking people to support the idea of confining camping in the area to de veloped campsites only. “We believe camping in the drainage should be confined to developed camp ing areas with proper vault toilet facilities, to lessen impacts throughout the drainage to maintain clean, cold, complex, and connected water and habitat for both fish and wildlife,” he said.

The survey is being administered by the Center for Natural Resourc es and Environmental Policy at the University of Montana on behalf of Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP). All responses will remain anonymous. To complete the survey, visit FWP’s Fish Creek Watershed Recreation Planning page for more information or use this direct link: https://umt.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/ form/SV_1UgcCLvDinQw5fw

Map

by Greg Overstreet

Someone

Montana is unique, which is one of the reasons we love this place so much. Last month this column described something that only happens in Montana law but no other state: marriages when both people can be 10,000 miles apart for the ceremony. This month’s column is about another only-in-Montana law: an employer essentially can’t fire someone for no reason.

“At will” employment means that an employer is free to fire an employee for no reason – the employee is employed at the will of the employer. (There are some things no employer can fire an employee for such as racial discrimi nation.)

Every other state is an “at will” state in some form or another.

Not Montana.

Under Montana’s Wrongful Discharge from Employment Act, MCA 39-2-901, after a six-month probationary period, it is illegal for an employer to fire an employee without an employ ment contract except “for cause” (meaning the employer had a valid reason).

Translated from legalese, this means an employee who passed a six-month probationary period can only be fired “for cause.” Two excep tions to this are if the employee has a contract (then the contract controls) and if the firing is for racial discrimination or something similar.

For a copy of this Ask An Attorney column, including hyperlinks to the referenced resources, go to www.OverstreetLawGroup.com/blog

This information is of a general nature; exceptions to these general statements might exist. This information is for general educational purposes only; no attorney-client relationship with Overstreet Law Group, LLC is formed unless a person enters into a written representation agreement with the frm.

REZONING: not now

continued from page 1

review. City staf, as well as a wide ranging volunteer efort,

lent to the efort. City Councilor Darwin Ernst, who also worked on the new comprehensive plan update, spoke directly to that process during Tuesday’s public hearing.

“If you weren’t involved, you missed a real ly good opportunity to have a voice,” said Ernst, adding that Hamilton is experiencing rapid growth and has a huge afordable housing problem and that those who worked on the comprehensive plan had tried their best to address those issues. “If you didn’t bother to come to the meeting when we sat down and struggled over how we are going to plan, then you really need to stop waving your finger at those involved.”

Ernst, who represents the ward in question, also stated that he heard his constituents who were opposed to the rezoning, and did cast his vote to deny the rezoning request. He also thanked all those in attendance for their patience and calm demeanor while expressing their points of view.

Montana Is the Only State Where

Contractor Chip Pigman addresses the Hamilton City Council. Photo by Nathan Boddy.

developing monthly menus, ordering/purchasing food, preparing balanced healthful meals for seniors. Friendly/ organized. Drop of your resume at the Senior Center, 420 N. 4th Street ASAP. Call 406-363-5181 and leave a message. Open until flled.

Laborer/Equipment

Operator I. **UPDATED SALARY ** Facilities Services/Montana State University – Bozeman. For complete job announcement and application procedures, click on: https://jobs.mon tana.edu/postings/30105.

Equal Opportunity Employer, Veterans/Disabled

Electrician Foreman. Facilities Services – Mon tana State University – Bozeman. For complete job announcement and application procedures, click on: https://jobs.montana. edu/postings/32936. Equal Opportunity Employer, Veter ans/Disabled

Project Architect. Planning, Design & Con struction – Montana State University – Bozeman. For complete job announcement and application procedures, click on: https://jobs.mon tana.edu/postings/33010.

Equal Opportunity Employer, Veterans/Disabled

Interior Designer. Planning, Design & Con struction – Montana State University – Bozeman. For complete job announcement and application procedures, click on: https://jobs.mon tana.edu/postings/33016.

Equal Opportunity Employer, Veterans/Disabled

For complete description and application instruction, please see msuextension. org, click on “Careers.” Screening continues. Equal opportunity employer, veter ans/disabled.

Contract Specialist.

Planning, Design & Con struction – Montana State University – Bozeman. For complete job announcement and application procedures, click on: https://jobs.mon tana.edu/postings/33123.

Equal Opportunity Employer, Veterans/Disabled

HVAC Technician (Heating/Ventilation). Facilities Services – Mon tana State University – Bozeman. For complete job announcement and application procedures, click on: https://jobs.montana. edu/postings/33152. Equal Opportunity Employer, Veter ans/Disabled

Custodian I Facilities Services/Montana State University - Bozeman **UPDATED SALARY **For complete job announcement and application procedures, click on: https://jobs.mon tana.edu/postings/29525.

Equal Opportunity Employer, Veterans/Disabled

Maintenance Paint er Facilities Services/ Montana State University - Bozeman. For complete job announcement and application procedures, click on: https://jobs.montana. edu/postings/30461. Equal Opportunity Employer, Veter ans/Disabled

Locksmith Facilities Services/Montana State University – Bozeman. For complete job announcement and application procedures, click on: https://jobs.mon tana.edu/hr/postings/31185

Equal Opportunity Employer, Veterans

Journeyman Carpen ter Facilities Services/ Montana State University - Bozeman. For complete job announcement and

application procedures, click on: https://jobs.montana. edu/postings/30789. Equal Opportunity Employer, Veter ans/Disabled

Preventive Mainte nance Manager. Facilities Services- Montana State University – Bozeman. For complete job announcement and application procedures, click on: https://jobs.mon tana.edu/postings/32290. Equal Opportunity Employer, Veterans/Disabled

Mail Clerk/Carrier I Facilities Services/Mon tana State UniversityBozeman. For complete job announcement and appli cation procedures, click on: https://jobs.montana.edu/ hr/postings/30400. Equal Opportunity Employer, Veter ans/Disabled

Facilities Engineer Engineering & Utilities/ Montana State University –Bozeman.For complete job announcement and applica tion procedures, click on: https://jobs.montana. edu/postings/32010 Equal Opportunity Employer, Veter ans/Disabled

Irrigation Techni cian. Facilities Services/ Montana State University – Bozeman. For complete job announcement and application procedures, click on: https://jobs.montana. edu/postings/30326 . Equal Opportunity Employer, Veter ans/Disabled

SNOW SHOVELING AND SNOW PLOWING. 406-207-1793.

WANTED:

SNAP-Ed Extension In structors, various locations across Montana. Fun job teaching youth and adults about nutrition, physical activity, food safety and food resource management.

John S. Masar

LionWood Law, PLLC

115 W. 3rd St., Ste. 103

Stevensville, MT 59870

(406) 625-2682 jmasar@lionwoodlaw.

com Attorney for Personal Rep resentative\ MONTANA TWEN

TY-FIRST JUDICIAL DIS TRICT COURT, RAVALLI COUNTY IN THE MATTER

OF THE ESTATE OF:

WAYNE C. RASMUS SEN, a/k/a Wayne Clifton Rasmussen, Jr., a/k/a CW Rasmussen, De ceased.

Probate No.: DP-22-127 Dept. No.: 1 HOWARD F. RECHT NOTICE TO CREDI TORS

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned has been appointed Personal Representative of the above-

named estate. All persons having claims against the Decedent are required to pres ent their claims within four months after the date of the first publication of this notice or said claims will be forever barred.

Claims must either be mailed to TERRI K. NEW MAN, the Personal Represen tative, return receipt request ed, at c/o LionWood Law, PLLC, 115 W. 3rd Street, Suite 103, Stevensville, Montana 59870, or filed with the Clerk of the above Court.

DATED this 16th day of November, 2022.

/s/ Terri K. Newman Personal Representative c/o LionWood Law, PLLC 115 W. 3rd St., Ste. 103 Stevensville, MT 59870 LionWood Law, PLLC

/s/ John S. Masar Attorney for Personal Rep resentative BS 11-23, 11-30, 12-7-22.

Legals

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS NOTICE OF PRE-SELECTION FOR EQUIPMENT CORVAL LIS COUNTY SEWER DISTRICT

Corvallis County Sewer District, Corvallis, Montana is seeking proposals for equipment pre-selection for their wastewater treatment plant improvements project. The following equipment will be pre-selected prior to project bidding:

Blowers

UV Disinfection System Lift Station Pumping Equipment

Interested parties may contact Cale Mages, PE, Proj ect Engineer, 406-495-3448, cmages@m-m.net to request a proposal packet(s). Complete proposals must be submitted no later than 4:00 pm (MST) on December 14, 2022. No extensions will be granted. BS 11-30, 12-7-22.

Montana

In

ON NAME CHANGE

This

The hearing will be on January 4, 2023 at 1:30 p.m. The hearing will be at the courthouse in Ravalli County.

DATED this 23rd day of November, 2022.

Paige Trautwein Clerk of Court

BY: Catherine di Gleria Deputy Clerk of Court BS 11-30, 12-7, 12-14, 12-21-22.

Honorable Jim Bailey Justice of the Peace 205 Bedford Street Suite E Hamilton, MT 59840 IN THE JUSTICE COURT, RAVALLI COUNTY,

MONTANA BEFORE THE HONORABLE JIM BAILEY, JUSTICE OF THE PEACE GREENER MON TANA PROPERTY MAN AGEMENT, LLC, D/B/A GREENER MONTANA PROPERTIES, PLAIN TIFF, V. BONNIE MORRIS, AND ALL OTHER TENANTS, DEFENDANT CAUSE NO. CV-2022839

SUMMONS FOR PUBLICATION THE STATE OF MON TANA TO: Bonnie Morris 234 B Street, Lot #2 Victor, MT 59875

STATEMENT OF OBJECT OF ACTION: The above-captioned action is a Cause of Action against you relating to the possessory interest that you claim in the real property located at 234 Street, Lot #2, City of Victor, MT 59875. Plaintiff demands relief which consists partially of excluding you from said possessory interest.

YOU ARE HEREBY SUM MONED

to answer the Complaint in this action which is filed in the office of the above-entitled Justice of the Peace, a copy of which is herewith served upon you. I the event that you deny any or all of the material facts stated in the complaint, you must file you written answer together with a $30.00 answer fee for each Defendant with the above-entitled Court, and serve a copy of your answer upon the Plaintiff or attorney at the address as shown on the Complaint.

The answer must contain a denial of any or all of the material facts stated in the Complaint that the Defendant believes to be untrue, and also a statement, in plain or direct manner, of any other facts con stituting a defense. Any matter not denied shall be deemed admitted. If you fail to answer or assert a counterclaim with ten (10) days after service of the Complaint and Summons the Plaintiff may request entry of default judgment against you for the relief demanded in the Complaint.

DATED: 11/18, 2022 /s/ Jim Bailey Justice of the Peace BS 11-30, 12-7, 12-14-22.

Jaycie Duce decorated a memori al tree to honor her grandparents at last week’s Festival of Trees in Hamilton. The tree, named “Of the Grid,” won a people’s choice award and was auctioned at the Tuesday night dinner with proceeds ben efting Bitterroot Health Hospice. More than 200 people attended the dinner and hundreds voted on their favorite trees and wreaths over the weekend. The event was hosted by Bitterroot Health Foundation but collaboratively raised funds for almost 20 local non proft organi zations. Jaycie was dressed in her ballerina costume because she also helped with the “Teddy Bear in the Trees” children’s event.

21st Judicial District Court, Ravalli County

the Matter of the Name Change of Shaun Tobey Clifton-Barnes, Shaun Tobey Clif ton-Barnes, Petitioner Cause No.: DV-22-428 Dept. No.: 1 NOTICE OF HEAR ING

is notice that Petition er has asked the District Court for a change of name from Shaun Tobey Clifton-Barnes to Shaun Steven Clifton.

MUSEUM: chocolate tasting, auction returns

been encouraged lately by the interest of a few younger community members, two of whom have been volunteering and one who even joined the board. It gives her hope for the future of the museum because she says she will inevitably have to retire. “I’m feeling good about that,” said Tout. “One of the two new volunteers told me how grateful she is that she’s able to volunteer here and be of use here.”

The Victor Heritage Museum is open to the public from Memorial Day to Labor Day, Tuesday through Satur day from 1 to 4 p.m. The museum is also available for special events. For more information call 406-642-3997 and leave a message. The museum also has a website and a Facebook page.

The Chocolate Tasting & Silent Auction will take place on Monday, December 5th from 3 to 8 p.m. Admis sion is $5 and free for ages 4 years and under.

There will be a few changes to this year’s event, said Tout. They will still have their famous Hot Wassail, and chocolate creations from about 35 local women, all of whom Hosko knows personally. But rather than

allowing the public to pick from open plates of goodies, selections of sweets will be grouped and covered in plastic wrap. The room has also been rearranged to give people more space.

Auction items are varied, and include some memorabilia and collectibles and many locally hand made arts and crafts, even some one-of-akind items specially made for this auction.

Contributors include Joanna Barker, Chris Weatherly, Karen Langton and Olive Parker, to name just a few. Bidding on the silent auction will end at 7:30 p.m. Winning bidders will be con tacted the next day.

Last Saturday, some of the volun teers were preparing

the museum for the upcoming event. Volunteer Maggie Marie Nordenstrom said she “will do whatever I’m asked. I help with weeding in summer, and decorating for special events and holidays. I’m having fun with it.”

Karen and Brian Langton have been vol unteering for the past five years or so. “I’ve enjoyed being a docent one day a week,” said Karen. “I enjoy getting to know people and learning more about the commu nity.”

“I’m the resi

dent

history. When she

Board

at

“refer

“We do help people quite often with information related to the Victor Cemetery,” added Hosko. “Who’s bur ied there, where they’re buried, etc.”

North Valley Library to host screening of new documentary on contributions of Montana women

North Valley Public Library (NVPL) will host the Bitterroot’s first public screening of the new docu mentary film “The Story of Us: The Women Who Shaped Montana.” Two screenings of the film will be held at NVPL in the Community Room, 208 Main Street, Stevensville: Tuesday, Dec. 6 at 12 noon and Thursday, Dec. 8 at 6:30 p.m. The screenings are free and open to the public.

Those interested in Montana history, the lives of women in the West, or infuential figures of the Bitterroot will particularly enjoy this fascinating film. “The Story of Us: The Women Who Shaped Montana” celebrates the extraordinary lives and achievements of four Montana women who played important roles in the development of our state: Sarah Bickford, Rose Hum Lee, Susie Walking Bear Yellowtail, and Stevensville’s own Maggie Smith Ha thaway. These strong women came from humble beginnings, overcame obstacles, endured tragedy, and went on to achieve feats that helped shape Montana as we know it today.

After the screening, Senator Diane Sands will lead a follow-up discussion about the film and Montana history.

at the Historical Mu seum at Fort Missoula on the WWll Japanese internment history. She is an expert in the history of women in Montana politics, including the story of Maggie Smith Ha thaway, who was first elected to the Montana House of Representa tives in 1917.

This 40-minute film is produced by NXNW (North by Northwest) and the Extreme History Proj ect, a nonprofit ded icated to making the humanities more fun, interesting, and ac cessible to the general public. Support pro vided by The Montana History Foundation, Humanities Montana, The Montana Film Ofce, and the Greater Montana Foundation.

Register at northvalleylibrary.org under Calendar.

Big game hunting season wraps up with harvest totals up regionally

Montana’s 2022 gener al big game hunting season closed Sunday, Nov. 27 much the way it began five weeks ago, with harvest totals up slightly from last year and cold and snowy conditions prevailing across much of west-central Montana.

During the six weekends of the season, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks operated wildlife check stations in four locations around west-central

Montana, where biologists collectively recorded 9,726 hunter stops and a harvest of 301 elk, 110 mule deer and 567 white-tailed deer. This compares to 10,216 hunter stops, 192 elk, 109 mule deer and 513 white-tailed deer at the 2021 season’s end.

The pattern of slightly higher than average harvest totals held true all season long, as did overall cold and snowy hunting conditions,

which was one contributor to elk hunter success. All four west-central Montana hunter check stations saw more elk in the 2022 season than in 2021. The Darby station checked more elk this year than it had since 2015.

There were some local variations in harvest patterns across the region. While elk harvest was up at all hunter check stations, the mule deer harvest tally was up at the

Bonner station, down at Fish Creek, in line with average at Anaconda and down slightly from last season at Darby. White-tailed deer harvest numbers were up at Darby and Bonner, down at Anacon da, and on track with average at Fish Creek.

Check stations only account for a small percent age of total harvest across the region, but because the stations have been in oper

ation consistently for many years, they monitor important early harvest trends and are a key way to gather biological information on wildlife health and age.

The general rife season closed on Nov. 27, but some winter hunting opportunities, such as the muzzleloader season (Dec. 10-18, 2022), are coming up. Find out more: fwp.mt.gov/hunt.

maintenance man,” said Brian. “My great grandfather was the depot agent for Victor in 1904-05. Our fam ily has been here since 1880.” Brian also mentioned his brother Jef, who wrote “The Victor Story,” a history of the Victor area.

member Jean Jensen said she is most interested in family

volunteers

the Museum, she can

people to the Stevensville genealogy library and also do my own research while I’m here.”

Victor Heritage Museum volunteers hold up some of the great auction items that will be available at next Monday’s event. Volunteers pictured, l to r: Maggie Marie Nordenstrom, Suzanne Tout, Jean Jensen, Karen Langton, Joann Hosko, Brian Langton. Photo by Victoria Howell.

Joann Hosko has been the museum board secretary since the museum board was founded. Photo by Victoria Howell.

Suzanne Tout, president of Victor Heritage Museum board, examines an interesting piece of burl wood that will be in the auction on December 5th. Photo by Victoria Howell.

She grew up in rural Eastern Montana and is a graduate of the University of Montana, plus graduate studies in women’s history at George Washing

ton University. Since 1975, Diane led numerous MT history projects, from oral histories of Fort Peck Dam and several women’s histories, to her work

JAY MEYER: coming full circle in

the state. Each of them earned the American Farmer Degree. He said the opportunities this provides are “immense.”

High school kids are needy,” said Colleen. “They need a place to hang out. It seems evident that schools that have an ag curriculum and then the extra-curricular component [FFA] work really well.”

Jay said his kids were totally immersed in FFA. All of them were Chapter ofcers and became State of ficers, representing all the chapters in

“The leadership skills taught in both organizations [FFA and 4-H] are incredible,” said Colleen.

“My appreciation of these programs is really boosted by that,” said Jay.

Jay also likes that the FFA is structured so that upper class students can mentor the younger kids. The diferent age levels don’t compete against each other, unlike in sports.

“Mentoring is a really big part of FFA,” he said. “What sometimes appear to be unlikely students can often excel in FFA.”

“Integrity” was the FFA Word of the Year for 1969-70 when Jay Meyer was a senior at Stevensville High School. Evidently, he took it to heart and lived his life accordingly.

Jay likened the chal lenges of FFA to track and field. “It’s a per sonal challenge that students set for themselves and no others,” said Jay. “And they can go as far as they want.”

Jay said there are 109 chapters in the state, with 6000 members state wide. He is especially proud of his work in helping to start chapters in

Victor and Corvallis, and now Flor ence. He said he talked to people he personally knew, administrators, school board members, and promoted the program wherever he could. He said that FFA is no longer an acronym and doesn’t stand for “Future Farm ers of America.” That was dropped because FFA is so much more than that, and has benefits for students no matter where they live – rural, subur ban, even urban – or what aspect of agriculture they are interested in. Now it’s just FFA. Period.

“The ag ed curriculum is so broad,” said Jay, “and has such great oppor

tunities, such as science, business and technology. It’s no longer just ‘cows, sows, and plows.’ Everything has changed.”

The Meyers’ granddaughter is in 8th grade at Stevensville, and partic ipates in the FFA program. With two ag teachers, the school is now able to ofer Ag Ed and FFA programs in the middle school. They are very pleased to see that happening.

“I’ve heard from some former students that they would never have graduated if it hadn’t been for FFA,” said Jay. “That’s the connection that got them through.”

Jay Meyer feeds his cows on a mild winter morning. Photo by Victoria Howell.