Bitterroot Star - June 14, 2023

HERITAGE: Stevensville signature event not to happen

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summer. The 70 meals a week will cost us $660 per week or just over $2500 a month. Those numbers could go up if the need is greater than anticipated.”

Monetary donations can be made at Farmers State Bank in Stevensville under the Stevi Food Program. Food donations can be dropped of at Burnt Fork Market and First Security Bank in Stevensville. The donation box at Super 1 Foods was removed by the manager

and so far Schmitz has not been able to get it replaced.

“I will be getting with Main Street businesses about a food drive the week Western Heritage Days would have taken place, June 19th to 24th,” said Schmitz.

“We were able to collect a lot of food and also received $2500 so we will need to work to replace donations from that event. We appreciate your past donations and hope you will consider making an additional donation.”

SPLASH: ready for season

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allowing parents to enjoy the weather as their kids enjoy the water. The splash pad is ADA-accessible, allowing all to enjoy.

The Parks and Recreation Department of the Town of Stevensville maintains The Splash Pad at Lewis & Clark Park. It will be open seven days a week, from 10:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M. for the rest of the summer.

Schmitz said the Stevi Food Program recently received 501c3 designation from the IRS so donations are now tax-deductible and this will also help with grant eligibility. Questions can be emailed to stevifoodprogram@gmail.com and you can follow Stevi Food Program on Facebook.

Finally, an event has been scheduled for Saturday, June 24th for those of you who are missing Western Heritage Days and want to get out and have fun and support a good cause. “Hoedown for the Howells” will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. in the Rocky Mountain Bank parking lot. Former Bitterroot Star owner Michael Howell, who in 1989 organized the frst Western Heritage Days with his wife Victoria, was critically injured in a car wreck on April 2nd and is still recovering after fve major surgeries. Funds raised from the “Hoedown” will help the Howells with related expenses. There will be a pie auction, beer garden, and music by DJ Bea. For more information contact Joan Prather at 406-531-8401.

Malina and Remmington Brock of Stevensville test out the Stevensville Splash Pad last Saturday. Photo by Sean Malcom.

Horses in 2022 Western Heritage Days Parade.

CONCERTS: Sapphire Lutheran Homes to hold annual event

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at intermission as well as free ice cream served. The music will feature a few bands that will most likely not be seen anywhere else in the Bitterroot Valley this summer. It is also a great opportunity to gather as a community.

The line-up of events will include fve fridays of fun, starting on Friday, June 16, at 6:00 p.m. “Who Dat!” will kick of the series with a high-energy show. From Minnesota to the high

line of Malta, Montana, California to the Colorado Rockies and ‘way down yonder in New Orleans’. The members of “Who Dat!” have assembled from across this land right here in the Bitterroot Valley. They bring a diverse and eclectic range of musical experience that, for some, dates back to the 1970’s. With their mix of guitars, fddle, keys and percussion, blended with sweet vocal harmonies, this group rocks it

We are CLOSING!

It is with great anguish that after 23 years we have decided to close the business. It has been an amazing run with amazing customers.

out when they perform songs by The Eagles, Zac Brown Band, The Beach Boys, Alabama, The Doobie Brothers and many more. “Who Dat!” truly is, “a Montana band with a southern rock sound.”

On Friday, June 23, at 7:00 p.m. a tribute to the King “Elvis” featuring Roger Anderson will perform. Hailing from Washington State, Roger Anderson was born with Elvis in his blood. As a child, he found Elvis to be not only a mentor and a teacher but also a friend. His fascination with Elvis and his unique singing style brought out his desire to sing and also perform. Roger has been an Elvis tribute artist for 15 years and is still moved by every performance. Roger is also a musician who plays guitar and drums. Along with Elvis, he has been doing a tribute to the late great Gordon Lightfoot for the last three years. Roger is very excited to perform and bring back some memories and have a great time.

Friday, June 30, at 7:00 p.m. will be “Shodown.” A local favorite, “Shodown” has matured into one of the best bands in Montana. The band has a diverse play list and style that blends bluegrass, western swing, traditional/modern country, blues, pop and 70’s/80’s/90’s rock-n-roll. This has made Shodown a widely popular Montana band for many years. In addition to very strong lead vocals, most arrangements feature rich harmonies, mixed with driving guitars, fddle and a solid, grooving rhythm section. Shodown always brings an entertaining and high energy performance to their family-friendly shows. This band will make listeners want to get up and dance.

Friday, July 7, at 7:00 p.m. will see “Surf’s Up” (The Beach Boys) perform. Surf’s Up ofers an unparalleled musical journey through all periods of The Beach Boys career starting with favorite hits such as “Fun, Fun, Fun”, “Surfng Safari”, and “Don’t Worry Baby”. Surf’s Up also ofers recreations of The Beach Boys later periods including hits such as “Kokomo” and “Do it Again”, as well as “God Only Knows”, the song Sir Paul McCartney deemed “the greatest song of all time”. Featuring period correct guitars, costumes, and a high energy show, Surf’s Up will transport listeners back to the ’60’s to a period of classic cars and fun in the sun.

On Friday, July 14, at 7:00 p.m. “Band on the Run” (Paul McCartney) will play at Sapphire Lutheran Homes. No other artist has had as much success as Paul McCartney. Listeners may have seen Beatles tributes, but should get ready to experience the best of McCartney’s solo career with Band on the Run! Featuring songs that span his multi-decade career such as “Band on the Run”, “Jet”, and “Silly Love Songs”, as well as a recreation of his band from his Wings period including Linda McCartney, this lively show will transport listeners back to the 1970’s as they sing

along to all their favorite McCartney songs.

Sapphire Lutheran Homes is located at 501 North Tenth Street in Hamilton. These concerts are free and open to the public. Interested parties can call (406) 363-2800 or visit sapphirelutheran.org for more information.

Sapphire Lutheran Homes will also host Montana Shakespeare in the Parks (MSIP) again this summer. Hamilton is a double feature city, meaning Hamilton will get to see both MSIP performances in a two-night event!

MSIP will perform “The Three Musketeers” and “Measure for Measure” this year. These performances are also free and open to the public.

These events will start Monday, August 14, at 6:00 p.m. with “The Three Musketeers.” The Three Musketeers is a French historical adventure play written by Alexandre Dumas in 1844. It features heroes adept at swordsmanship and fghting for justice, all while remaining chivalrous in their words and deeds. Set between 1625 and 1628, it tells of the adventures of a young man named d’Artagnan after he leaves his home and embarks on an adventure to Paris, hoping to become a Musketeer of the Guard. Unable to immediately join this elite corps, he makes friends with the three most prominent Musketeers of the time, Athos, Porthos, and Arabia. d’Artagnan and “The Three Musketeers” become involved in dealings of court and the state. Viewers will truly enjoy the action packed and historical adventures told in this play.

The second play will take place on Wednesday, August 16 at 6:00 p.m. presenting “Measure for Measure.” Measure for Measure is a play written in 1603 by William Shakespeare. Duke Vincentio, the play’s protagonist, bows out of his public life to secretly observe the operations of his City, Vienna. The city is governed by Angelo, his deputy. Angelo’s rough and tarnished public image is emphasized by his unruly personal conduct once in ofce, in which he abuses his power to gain a sexual favor from Isabella, the beautiful and elegant heroine. The tension in the play heightens as Duke Vincentio attempts to intervene. Viewers are sure to enjoy the drama, suspense and action in this play.

Dominic Farrenkopf, Director of Community Life, Activities & Volunteer Coordinator at Sapphire Lutheran Homes is excited to announce the summer series again this year. “I would like to welcome everyone to come to the Free Summer Concert Series!” and “I would also like to thank all the sponsors and donors who make this series free and accessible to all of Ravalli County! This concert series and Montana Shakespear in the Parks is a great example of the social fabric of our community,” said Farrenkopf.

For more information on the MSIP plays, interested parties can visit shakespeareintheparks.org.

BITTERROOTS: Resident loves history and fowers

Continued from page 1 pear until the next year.

“They’ve got their own mind about what they are going to do whenever,” said Priem. With the love of the fowers, Priem is doing her best to preserve them. This preservation also often means she is at war with the weeds to keep the space open and protected for the bitterroots.

Part of her love for the historic bitterroots comes from a love for the historic American West. As soon as she moved in and heard about the entangled history of the fower with native peoples, she was immediately fascinated by them. Over her life, since the age of two, Priem has had a fascination with history and cowboys. When she lived in Golden, Colorado, she was involved with a number of museums and historical societies. These included the Bufalo

Bill Museum in Graves, the Clear Creek History Park and the Astor House Museum. Through her interest in museums she became enamored with living history. She has been found on occasion to play the part of Calamity Jane, the famous and infamous female gunslinger and frontiers person. She participated in several events as Jane, including being invited onto the British Airways inaugural Denver to London fight, where she and a couple others traipsed around the old country while sometimes dressed in period attire.

She maintains her love of history, collecting antiques and being involved in local museums. Priem says, “Too many things are disappearing,” and pressed the importance of preserving things “because they don’t make anymore of it.”

Trout decline: FWP proposes new regs, invests in research and monitoring

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks has announced new investments to research and monitor trout population declines in southwest Montana. The department is also proposing temporary angling restrictions on the Big Hole, Beaverhead and Ruby Rivers to the Fish and Wildlife Commission.

“Trout populations in many streams in southwest Montana have seen decline in recent years, and research continues to point to perennially low stream fows and high water temperatures as contributing factors,” said Eileen Ryce, fsheries division administrator

for FWP. “Though we don’t yet know all we’d like to about what’s happening in some of our most iconic rivers in southwest Montana, we can say that it starts with the amount of water in the river over the course of a year, and how warm that water is.”

High temperatures and low fows cause stress on fsh, which in turn makes them more susceptible to disease impacts. Additionally, it makes recruitment from year to year more of a struggle.

“Coldwater fsh like brown and rainbow trout really struggle in low, warm fows, particularly when this happens

during spawning or after the eggs hatch,” Ryce said.

To limit additional stress on trout, FWP is marshaling resources to assess the impacts of angling on some of the rivers in southwest Montana. The new, in-depth efort will look closely at mortality and any performance or behavioral responses.

With the investment, FWP will also assess what is known about the contributions fsh and habitat in tributary streams make to the mainstem waters and how those impact population numbers.

“FWP is committed to bringing more resources to bear to protect trout and get to

the bottom of population declines in southwest Montana,” said Quentin Kujala, chief of conservation policy for FWP.

In the short term, FWP is proposing new angling restrictions on the Big Hole, Beaverhead and Ruby rivers to the Fish and Wildlife Commission at its June 8 meeting. Broadly, these restrictions would limit angling during the brown trout spawning season, as well as limit take in some stretches of water. Some of the proposals deliberately establish regulation diferences across multiple stretches to aid a comparative assessment of impacts.

Underlying these new and

additional eforts, FWP will continue fsh monitoring efforts around the region, which include sampling of dead and dying fsh, as well as streamfow and temperature monitoring. FWP will also continue to look for opportunities to improve aquatic habitat and secure instream fow around the region.

“We have great partners around southwest Montana in our agriculture community,” Kujala said. “Late summer fows in many of our rivers are already dependent on irrigators leaving water in the rivers for the sake of the aquatic habitat.”

Pamela Priem stands on her property with her “Bitterroot Coral” behind her.

Photo by John Dowd.

Divisive rhetoric drives Montanans apart

Newspapers recently ran a column written by right-wing Montana politician, Greg Hertz, hitting the standard left/right divisive talking points about “woke” politics and tying any Montanan further left than Matt Rosendale to liberal philosophies.

It’s a game Montanans are weary of participating in.

Hertz is a member of a loud minority within his party, more focused on political maneuvering than providing substantive change for our state. There’s no issue, from potholes to ballot integrity, that Hertz won’t avoid addressing cooperatively by throwing out irrelevant or false accusations of “woke.”

Rather than discussing the diference between left and right tax relief, he presents his tax suggestions as an alternative to the “woke liberal agenda” and national politics. Presenting his thoughts on small business reform, he contrasts it to an imagined “woke”

national agenda. In his 2A thoughts, he ignores a considerable divide within the Democratic Party on the issue. Instead, he pretends “woke” alternatives from Democrats as if the party is a monolith.

More frustrating is his abuse of assistance from the cooperative middle ground. Hertz ignored Democrat support of his tax proposals while claiming all Democrats oppose him. For Hertz and his ilk, there is no need for cooperation, coordination, or compromise to beneft Montana. They’re playing a game driven by a win-at-all-costs mentality, and the goal isn’t to fx your roads or ensure freedom. The goal is to win, even if it means compromising their integrity.

Last month, I wrote a column decrying the all-Republican PSC board for considering signifcant rate increases for Montana households while canceling a rate increase on large corporations, many of which are headquartered in

other states. It constitutes a justifable critique aimed at the entirety of the all-Republican PSC board. If a Democrat were a member of that board receiving a six-fgure salary for one day of work each week, they would be as open to criticism as any other party fgure. The lack of critique for Montana Democrats by commentators and politicians in the middle isn’t a statement of support. It directly results from the Democrats having little power in this state.

The massive middle in Montana didn’t comment on cat litter in classrooms because it wasn’t real. The middle isn’t condemning drag shows on military bases because most rational people understand adult soldiers willing to fght and die for their country should be allowed to do what they want in their free time.

Montana is a state made great by the cooperation of Mon-

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tanans of every ilk. We came together to fght against the copper barons and write a constitution. Similarly, we come together in every town to support families who have lost loved ones or strangers stuck in snow banks. Hyper-partisanship is not a quality trait.

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Star editorials sometimes appear columns and letters appearing to the editor. Letters on local expressing appreciation for a number (for verifcation, not

Star editorials sometimes appear columns and letters appearing to the editor. Letters on local expressing appreciation for a number (for verifcation, not

Red Cross: Blood supply facing stress, donors needed Help celebrate World Blood Donor Day June 14

A concerning shortfall in blood donations last month could stress the American Red Cross blood supply. The Red Cross collected 26,000 fewer blood donations than needed in May to meet the needs of patients. The need for blood is constant, with someone needing a blood transfusion in the U.S. every two seconds. The public can help ensure continuity for patients by making an appointment to give blood now and in the weeks ahead.

World Blood Donor Day, gifts for donors

June 14 is World Blood Donor Day, a day meant to raise awareness of the need for a safe, diverse and stable blood supply and to recognize volunteer blood donors. This is the perfect time to give, especially for those who haven’t given in a while, or who have never given before.

In thanks for taking time to help, all who come to give blood, platelets or plasma June 1-30 will receive a $10 gift card by email to a merchant of their choice. Those who come to give throughout June will also be automatically entered for a chance to win a

backyard theater package. Details for both ofers can be found at RedCrossBlood.org/June.

Help the Red Cross celebrate World Blood Donor Day and meet the critical needs of patients. Download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to schedule a time to give now.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities, June 16-30:

RAVALLI COUNTY Stevensville

6/16/2023: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Stevensville Community Blood Drive at Stevensville United Methodist Church, 216 College St.

MISSOULA Missoula

6/19/2023: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Southgate Mall, 2901 Brooks

6/22/2023: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., TroyStrong Blood Drive at Missoula Red Cross Donation Center, 2401 N. Reserve St. Suite 6

6/26/2023: 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., The

James E. Todd Center, The University of Montana, 32 Campus Drive

6/27/2023: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Missoula Public Library, 455 E. Main St..

6/30/2023: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., PEAK Health and Wellness, 5000 Blue Mountain Road

How to donate blood

To make an appointment, simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identifcation are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Amplify your impact − volunteer!

Another way to sup-

Beer Garden

Music by DJ Bea • 6-9pm

port the lifesaving mission of the Red Cross is to become a volunteer blood donor ambassador at Red Cross blood drives. Blood donor ambassadors help greet, check in and thank blood donors to ensure they have a positive donation experience.

Volunteers can also serve as transportation specialists, playing a vital role in ensuring lifesaving blood products are delivered to nearby hospitals. For more information and to apply for either position, contact or visit redcross.org/volunteertoday.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families.

The Red Cross is a nonproft organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

McCarthy BASKETBALL CAMP

Registration deadline is Tuesday, July 11 (walk-upsaccepted)

For the good player who wants to be a GREAT player!

Monday, July 17 - Thursday, July 20 at Stevensville High School for Boys and Girls enter grades K-9 Boys 10 am - 12 pm | Girls 1-3 pm $75 per camper

Four days of instruction, water bottle, camp t-shirt and basketball.

For additional information call Frank McCarthy (307) 752-1103 or email frankmccarthy11@gmail.com

Coach McCarthy has been training athletes since 1979. This is a unique educational camp that is tailored to age and skill level.

The Howells have always helped those in need in the Bitterroot Valley. Now it’s our turn to help them.

Michael Howell was critically injured in a car wreck on April 2. After numerous operations at hospitals in Missoula and Spokane, he has a long road to recovery.

Victoria is right by his side, helping him, while working full time.

Saturday June 24 6-9pm

Rocky Mountain Bank Parking Lot Stevensville

“Wait for me, Mom!” First-born of the year mule deer fawn chasing after its mother in the Bitterroot Valley.

Photo by John Dowd.

Calendar continued

day at 7 p.m. at 330 3rd Avenue, Victor. For info contact Terri, 406-880-2492.

TOPS TOPS Club (Take Of Pounds Sensibly) meets every Thursday morning at Kootenai Creek Village, 43 Club House Way, Stevensville. Guests are welcome, including men. Weigh-in is from 8:30 to 9:10 a.m.; meeting follows until 10:30. A program on sensible eating and weight loss is presented every week along with incentives for weight loss. TOPS is an afordable non proft weight loss support group. For more information call Diana Grifn at 406-5310785.

Overeaters Anon

Overeaters Anonymous meets Saturday mornings at 10 a.m. at the Presbyterian Church (west door), Hamilton.

Ravalli Dems North County

Join North Ravalli County Democrats for “Burgers and Beer” on Thursday evenings from 4 to 6 at The Backyard Taphouse, 281 Rodeo Drive, of the Eastside Hwy in Florence. This is a rather regular event on Thursdays, BUT not on May 4th. Check online at ravdems.com/newsletter for any changes and other information or on Facebook. All welcome.

Emergency Preparedness Classes

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is hosting free monthly Emergency Preparedness classes. They are held at 7 p.m. at the Church building located in Hamilton at 401 N. 8th Street. Upcoming topics of discussion include: July 13: “Can’t Use Your Stove?

Cooking With Alternative Methods Using the Cookers

We Assembled Earlier As Well As Other Methods”; August 10: “Water Bath Canning & Pressure Canning”;

September 14:

“Basic First Aid & Kits: What to Have and How To Use Them”. You can attend any or all classes. Classes typically run 60-90 minutes. For the “Alternative Cooking Methods” classes, class size is too large to complete assembly in class, so sign ups will be made during class for items to be made/completed at a later date. Call 513-312-5494 with questions.

New food bank hours

Pantry Partners food bank in Stevensville will have extended hours efective the week of June 5th. New hours are Monday 11 a.m to 2:30 p.m. and Wednesday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Volunteers are needed.

For information call manager Dawn at 406-777-0351 or stop in.

Square dance class

Intro to Modern Square Dancing will be held Wednesday, June 14-August 9 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Yellowrock Campground Dance Center, 9955 Hwy 12 West, Lolo. All are welcome. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. For more information contact Butch at 208-503-0551 or Faye at 208-553-2727.

Elks Hot Spot

The Elks Lodge in Hamilton will be a Hot Spot for the 50 Mile Yard Sale June 23rd and June 24th. We have tables available for you to sell your items at $25 per six foot table. Call Deborah at 406 241-6370 to reserve soon. A free Braut to each seller on Saturday the 24th.

Overeaters Anon

Overeaters Anonymous meets Saturday mornings at 10 a.m. at the Presbyterian Church (west door), Hamilton.

Lone Rock Park Board

The Lone Rock Park Board meeting will be held Wednesday, June 14 at 7:30 p.m. at the community center, 4433 Sunnyside Cemetery Rd. Public welcome.

NV Library activities

Science Squad for Ages 8-12 – Wednesday, June 14 at 4pm

Explore the universe, both micro and macro, and learn the science mysteries behind the natural world.

Expect fun activities with Legos®, paper planes, food, and more. Children will soon be formulating their own hypotheses, experiments, and documentation in order to participate in a gradefree science fair at the end of the summer. Registration required. This program is for ages 8-12.

Benefcial Bugs & How to Help Them - Thursday, June 15 at 6:30pm

The world is running out of insects and that’s bad news for humans. Learn what insects are “good guys” for gardeners, how creepy crawlies help maintain ecological harmony, and what you can do to help the pollinators and garden allies in your own yard or garden. This program also launches a new addition to the NVPL Library of Things: The Pollinator Observation Kit. Check out the kit and contribute valuable data as a citizen scientist!

Art for Kids Ages 5-10 –Monday, June 19 at 10:30am

Art brings friends together and can give children an outlet for their creativity to shine! We aim to support listening and comprehension skills through play and discovery. It’s a great time for little artists to develop their very own keepsakes. Today we will make dot art stations. Registration required.

Bitterroot Heritage Group

The Bitterroot Heritage Civic Group of Darby is celebrating Sacagawea Day on

June 26 at the Sacagawea Rest Park and the Darby Clubhouse from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This year they are beginning a large wall mural of Sacagawea and the Corps of Discovery in the Bitterroot Valley. Muralist Jane Azzerello will speak about the project. Myrna Dumontier, Cultural Coordinator for the Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Nation, will speak about the Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women in Montana. Rose Ann Abramson, descendant of Sacagawea, and Native Cultural Consultant instrumental in establishing the Interpretive Center in Salmon, will speak about Sacagawea. Judy Washbon, afliated with the Interpretative Center in Salmon, will present Tales along the Trail. There will be a drawing for items donated. The event is free to all. Donations are always appreciated.

Medicare 101 workshop

A Medicare 101 Education Workshop will be held at Marcus Daly HospitalRavalli Conference Room. There are 3 sessions: June 14th, Sept. 14th and Nov. 28th, from 12 noon to 2 p.m. There is no charge to attend. This is for anyone seeking knowledge about how Medicare works. Ideally, if you are turning 65, new to Medicare, getting ready to retire or already on Medicare but don’t really understand it - you should be there! Bring a friend!

Overview: Come to a Medicare workshop to talk about Medicare Parts A, B, C and D. What they cover and don’t cover. When you can enroll. How eligibility works. RSVP: if you can to 406-852-4988 or charlene@ medicareadvocates.com.

Friends of Fort Owen annual meeting

The annual meeting of the membership of the Friends of Fort Owen (5013c) will be held on Saturday, June 24, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Lunch will be served. All

The Bitterroot Star Weather Summary Bitterroot Seven Day Forecast

current, former, and prospective members are welcome, as well as anyone who is just interested in learning more about Fort Owen State Park.

Montana State Parks will give members a tour of the recent restoration work on the East Barracks. Much has been accomplished at Fort Owen State Park since the Friends of Fort Owen were incorporated in 2018. The group helped bring fnancial resources to Montana State Parks to build a new roof on the barracks, held public events and adobe making demonstrations, and assisted with the knowledge about how to restore an adobe building which is rare in Montana.

Now that the original goals have been accomplished, Friends of Fort Owen is seeking new board members to help chart a new path for the organization as the Park enters a new operational era. If you are interested in becoming a board member, contact Margaret Gorski, 406-552-2072.

Golden Age Club

Pinochle, every Wednesday, 1 p.m. $3. Cofee provided Light Exercise Monday, Wednesday & Friday 9-10 a.m. $1

Bimonthly Membership

Meetings July 6, September 7, November 2, 2023, 1 p.m.

The club is located 727

S. 5th St., Hamilton Back Country Horsemen

The Bitterroot Back Country Horsemen is hosting their monthly meeting Thursday, June 15th, at the Coyote Coulee Trailhead. Take Hwy 93 9 miles south of Hamilton and turn west onto Lost Horse Road. Follow the road for 2 miles and veer right at the sign for Coyote Coulee and Camas Lake onto Forest Service Road 496. The trailhead is a quarter mile ahead. Potluck at 6:30pm and the meeting starts at 7:00 pm. This month Chad DeVall, owner of Red Barn Bikes, will describe and demonstrate the e-bikes he brings. This is for general information. As always guests and new members are welcome. For more information, call Gene at 208-310-6326 or check out the website at www.bchmt.org/bitterroot.

Pachyderm Club

The Bitterroot North Valley Pachyderm Club will meet Friday, June 16, at 12 noon at The Frontier Cafe, Hwy 93 in Stevensville. Guest speaker will be Anne Marie Gurney speaking on education and common core standards. The North Valley Pachyderm Club is an educational arm of the Republican Party. All are welcome.

Crossword Puzzle

Detailed Local Forecast

Today we will see mostly sunny skies, high of 70°, humidity of 36%. West southwest wind 9 to 17 mph. The record high for today is 98° set in 1987. Expect partly cloudy skies tonight, overnight low of 45°. Southwest wind 5 to 17 mph. The wind chill for tonight could reach 43°. The record low for tonight is 34° set in 1893. Thursday, skies will be partly cloudy, high of 72°, humidity of 40%. West southwest wind 5 to 13 mph. Thursday night, skies will be partly cloudy, overnight low of 46°.

Trivia

What is the driest area in the world? ?

Answer: Atacoma Desert, Chile, receiving an average of 0.03" of rain per year.

Weather History

June 14, 1903 - The "Heppner Disaster" occurred in Oregon. A cloudburst in the hills sent a flood down Willow Creek and a 20-foot wall of water swept away a third of the town in minutes, killing 236 and causing 100 million dollars in damage.

June 15, 1953 - Dust devils are usually rather benign weather phenomena. However, two boys were injured by one near Prescott, Ariz. One of the boys suffered a black eye and the other boy had two vertebrae fractured by wind-blown debris.

Bessie June Severns

Bessie June Severns, 98 of Hamilton passed away Friday, May 26, 2023, at the West Hills Assisted Living.

Bessie June Delaney was born September 16, 1924, to Frank and Bertha Gilbert Delaney in Paris, Missouri.

June married James Rex Severns on February 7, 1942, in Hamilton, MT. She worked at J.C. Penney in Hamilton for 37 years. After retirement she travelled and worked in National parks.

She was preceded in death by her brother Bob, her parents and

Death Notices

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her husband, Rex.

She is survived by her daughters Jeanie Hoerner and Vickie Milos; 5 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren.

The family would like to express the deepest appreciation and thanks to the staf at West Hills Assisted Living Center for the wonderful and loving care they gave to June in her fnal days.

At her request a family graveside service will be held at a later date. Condolences may be left for the family at www.dalyleachchapel. com.

FodTrucks

Friday, June 16, at 6:00 pm

“Who Dat!” will kick of the series with a high-energy show! The members of Who Dat! have assembled from across the country to right here in the Bitterroot Valley. Who Dat! truly is, "a Montana band with a southern rock sound."

GOLD

* Faith Lutheran Church

* St. John’s United

* Turner Remodeling

* DeWayne Smith

* Daly Leach Memorial Chapel

* Carroll Orthodontics

SILVER

* The Paper Clip

* Victor Mini & RV Storage

* Mildenberger Motors

* First Security Bank

* Bitterroot Disposal

* Pierce Flooring & Design

* Dominic and Hannah Farrenkopf

* Asmus Jewelry and Coins

* Pure West Christie’s International Real Estate

BRONZE

* Grotbo Family

* Quality Used Cars

* Skalkaho Creek Veterinary Clinic

* MT Westgate Realty

* Bell-McCall Ford

* Valley Pet Clinic

* Bitterroot Glass

* Jake Jaquith

Friday, June 23, at 7:00 pm

A Tribute to the King “Elvis” Featuring Roger Anderson will perform.

Friday, June 30, at 7:00 pm

“Shodown” Local favorite Shodown has matured into one of the best country bands in Montana.

Friday, July 7, at 7:00 pm

“Surf’s Up” (The Beach Boys tribute) Only one band is known as America’s band: The Beach Boys.

Friday, July 14, at 7:00 pm

“Band on the Run” (Paul McCartney tribute) No other artist has had as much success as Paul McCartney.

* B&B Cabinetry & Design Co.

* A2Z Personnel

* Bitterroot Chiropractic

* Taylor King State Farm

* Mikesell’s FineJewelry

James F. “Jim” Russell Hamilton - James F. “Jim” Russell, 78 passed away in the afternoon, Wednesday, June 7, 2023, at home surrounded by his loving family. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at

by Scott Sacry Sports Editor

Florence’s Duchien competes in three spring sports

For a high school senior, the last semester of high school is challenging. They have one foot in the door of their past, and one foot out the door to their future. One story is winding down and one story is beginning.

Florence senior Patrick Duchien’s path was much the same. He was fnishing a storied high school career and was looking forward to a bright college career. In football, he quarterbacked Florence to back to back Class B state championships, earned multiple individual accolades, and received a Division I football scholarship to play at Montana State University. In basketball this year, he earned 1st team All Conference and All State honors.

So one might consider this enough and take the spring of to get stronger and rest up for Bobcat football in the fall. But Patrick had diferent

plans. He decided to play three spring sports: track, baseball, and golf. In the process, he earned three varsity letters and made it to state in all three sports.

“I wanted to run track so I could get faster for football, so that was a no brainer,” said Patrick. “Then I have been playing baseball since I was six, so I couldn’t miss out on the frst high school baseball season in Montana. Then with golf, the coach wanted me to play, and he didn’t care if I had to miss some events because of the other sports. So I decided to do it.”

“Obviously, he has a competitive drive,” said Pat Duchien, Patrick’s father and Florence’s head coach in both football and baseball. Pat helped his son embrace the challenge. “I came from a bigger high school where it was frowned upon to play multiple sports,” said Pat. “Some coaches

might not feel the same way, but we talked with all the coaches involved and the administration and everyone was all on board, so he went for it.

Pat continued, “this is the beauty of small schools, the kids can try different things, fnd their passions, and be better, well-rounded people in the process. There was a little blow back from some people, but overall it was a great experience and I couldn’t be happier or prouder of him.”

The logistics of practices were a bit of a challenge for Patrick, as he generally split time between baseball and track. For golf, he had an open senior release period where he would go practice his golf swing. “Some nights when he missed baseball for track, he would go to the batting cages and get his swings in,” said Pat.

The culmination of the three seasons came in the middle of May.

On Monday, May 15th Florence’s golf team went to Shelby for the Class B State tournament. The team fnished in 7th place and the tournament ended on Wednesday. Then Patrick was of to the State Baseball Tournament in Butte on Thursday, where Florence won their frst game against Butte and lost a heartbreaker in the semifnal game against Polson. After Friday’s semifnal baseball game, Patrick was of to Missoula to the Western B Divisionals in track, where he qualifed for state in the 400m. Then on Saturday, he raced with his 4 x 400m team, who also qualifed for state. Just an ordinary week. In the end, Patrick went to state in Golf, he made it to state in track, and he was part of Florence’s team that made it to state in baseball, where Patrick earned 1st Team All Conference and All State honors. With all the energy and breeziness of youth, Patrick refected on the experience, “It was a lot to deal with at times, trying to split everything up, but it was fun and I would do it again.”

One might think Patrick’s grades sufered from all this extra curricular activity. But Patrick was one of Florence’s co-Valedictorians, and at MSU he plans to major in Mechanical Engineering. Amongst everything else this spring, he had to keep on top of this school work and prepare a speech for graduation.

When asked if he is more nervous playing in a state championship football game or giving a speech, Patrick said, “yes, I was defnitely more nervous giving the speech.”

Corvallis’s Huls named coach of the year

Corvallis’s track coach Spencer Huls was named the Coach of the Year for Class A girls track and Class A boys track by the Montana Coaches Association. Both the Corvallis boys and girls track teams were the 2023 Class A State Champions.

“Coach Huls has high expectations for his team and individuals each year. He is very dedicated and puts in time with his athletes year round,” said Corvallis’s AD

Tyson Tucker. “He is surrounded by high quality assistant coaches and he puts a lot of work into the facility so that it is something our kids and community can be proud of. He strives for Corvallis to have the best track program in the state each year and he expects nothing less from his coaches and athletes.”

Huls will be honored at the MCA Awards Ceremony on July 27 at Great Falls CMR.

Corvallis’s track coach Spencer Huls was named the Coach of the Year for Class A girls track and Class A boys track by the Montana Coaches Association. Both the Corvallis boys and girls track teams were the 2023 Class A State Champions. Photo from Corvallis School.

Class B All-Star Football Game

The 34th annual Big Sky Class B All-Star Football game was held at the Lockwood High School football feld on Saturday, June 10th. The game pits the best Montana Class B football players from the north against the best of the south. Florence was part of the north team and

the following Florence players participated: Colten Rice, Jared Weaver, Sean Larson, Caleb Brossman, and Ryan Winters. The South defeated the North 148, ending a four game winning streak by the North. Overall, the North has an 18-16 lead in the series.

Hamilton’s Layne Kearns shines in All-Star game

The Midland Roundtable Montana-Wyoming All-Star Basketball Series was held on Friday, June 9th in Gillette, Wyoming and Saturday, June 10th in Lockwood, Montana. The series pits Montana basketball all stars against Wyoming basketball all stars and there are girls and boys teams.

Hamilton’s Layne Kearns was on the Montana girl’s team this year and made

her presence felt. In the frst game on Friday in Gillette, Kearns led all scorers with 22 points and Montana won 73-44. In the second game in Lockwood, Kearns had 8 points in Montana’s 82-62 victory. Montana has dominated the series and this year was no exception as the Montana boys and girls went 4-0 over the weekend.

Florence’s Patrick Duchien, shown here leading the Falcon’s to a football State Championship, competed in Golf, Track, and Baseball this spring. Photo by Stephanie K Geiser Photography.

Of pheromones, pteronarcys and the trout

When I called my friends Troy and Rebecca Campbell last Saturday to see what their plans were for the day, Rebecca told me that they were just stepping out the door to go fishing.

“Go,” I said.

I knew that with a two hour head start I’d have no way to find them.

“Tell me how you do,” I told Rebecca as we signed off.

There are several backstories here. In brief, Troy and Rebecca leave their farming business in the southwest behind every summer for a nomadic existence that headquarters on the West Fork. While they’re here they contribute much to the place they love and have become like family to some of us.

They were fishing that day with Mike Hansen, whose ties to the West Fork go back several generations.

I had barely picked up the phone later in the day when I heard an ebullient Rebecca say, “Well, I skunked the boys!”

I could see her out-fishing her

husband Troy (and have seen it in real life a few times,) but outscoring Hansen on his home waters? This is serious.

Pheromones

“First cast, first fish – a beautiful seventeen-inch brown! Biggest fish of the day!” Rebecca exclaimed.

I asked, “What on?” and she continued. “Salmonflies! They’re out – but when they quit hitting the salmonfly I switched to a golden –and caught my next two fish while the guys got totally skunked!” Those fish, a rainbow and a cutthroat, were just slightly smaller than the brown.

First fish, biggest fish, most fish? I thought. This is a serious skunking. She had a right to be overjoyed.

“You cheated!” I told her.

“How?” she asked.

“You rubbed your pheromones on your flies when you tied them on!” I said, “And Troy and Mike and I don’t have the right kind! You and Jan do this all the time!”

Mike has heard all of this before.

We’ve fished a lot over the years and it’s not uncommon for my wife Jan to outfish the two of us. Once she did it by switching to a more easily managed #8 golden stone in the middle of a salmon fly hatch so she could get the cast in. That’s when I came up with the pheromone excuse. This was the first time Rebecca heard it.

Pteronarcys Salmonflies, or pteronarcys, are primitive bugs. Their forebearers are fossilized back to the Mesozoic era – right there with tyrannosaurus rex and brontosaurus, holdovers from the age of dinosaurs. They’re gangly and awkward on land and clumsy

flyers. We might have five different species of the genus pteronarcys on the Bitterroot. We call them all salmonflies, and tie our salmonfly patterns on #4 and #6 hooks.

While they’re nymphs, fish and water ouzels or dipper birds eat them. When they hatch, nighthawks and swallows pick them off while they’re flying over the stream in mating swarms.

I’ve stopped fishing countless evenings to watch the aerial displays that nighthawks put on with their tight turns and quick darting dives through mating flights of salmonflies. The aerobatic shows I’ve watched from airport tarmacs with

by Chuck Stranahan

Cessnas or old biplanes in the air simply don’t measure up to the grace and beauty of nighthawks turning and diving on salmonflies over a trout stream at dusk.

The rate of attrition is tremendous – but so is the sheer number of salmonflies. Salmonflies are prolific. It’s their best survival mechanism. Where they have cold clean water flowing over loose fistsize or larger gravel and plenty of woody debris, there are plenty of them.

… and the trout

And that’s just fine with the trout. Salmonflies are easy pickings during the latter stages of high water when the trout need an abundant and easily-captured food source.

But when they are hard-fished, the trout can switch from utterly stupid greed to being tough to fool. At that point it makes sense to switch to the less-abundant but more easily-managed #8 golden stone, and concentrate on getting the cast in.

That, and if you have the right kind, be sure to rub the fly with pheromones.

Rebecca Campbell used a pteronarcys and pheromones to fool this brown. Photo by Chuck Stranahan.

This salmonfy, about to take of, looks unsure of itself. Photo by Chuck Stranahan.

Business owner loves old cars and fne jewelry

by John Dowd

Some women get their kicks trying on shoes and jewelry, but for the owner of Mikesell’s Fine Jewelry, for her it is working on old cars and making fne jewelry. Cindy Mikesell, owner of the Hamilton jewelry business, explained, “It’s all mechanics, just on diferent sizes of scale.” She described the two loves of her life, saying it comes down to her passion for tinkering. She says it is not work when it’s a passion.

With cars, the love started young, as Mikesell explained. She told a story of when she was 17 years old, and her parents were out of town. They had a Camaro that she jacked up several inches using whatever she could fnd. Mikesell said when they got home, her mother was nearly in tears and her father just laughed. When all was said and done, she was not in too much trouble, but was asked to undo it. However, the love for working on cars remained. Later she would go on to work at a Chevy shop.

As for the jewelry business, Mike-

in the Hamilton Downtown Association and the Bitterroot Chamber of Commerce.

Mikesell’s Fine Jewelry sells, sets stones, sizes pieces, does some custom work, as well as restoration and much

in on many Sundays to do more intricate work, undisturbed.

Of all, her favorite part of the job is the restoration work. She told how she, and one of her assistants, enjoy those kinds of pieces. “Both of us have a great time identifying old stuf.”

With restoration, the goal is often to make a piece look “as new as you can.” However, this cannot always be achieved. “Sometimes, you can’t get it there because it was loved to death,”

with her same drive. She has no intention of selling the store or retiring anytime soon. “If I sold, it would have to be to somebody who can run it like I do - for niceness. There is so much snootiness in the business anymore,” said Mikesell.

Mikesell’s Fine Jewelry is located at 201 W. Main Street in Hamilton. They can be reached at (406) 3636236.

sell has been in it for 50 years, and is celebrating her Hamilton business’s fourth decade this year. She studied art in school and found that she had a knack for designing and working on jewelry at a friend’s manufacturing business.

Mikesell frst opened her jewelry business in Hamilton in a small shop across the street from their current location. Eventually it grew to what it is today, and Mikesell’s Fine Jewelry was recently awarded Business of the Year for 2022 by the Bitterroot Chamber of Commerce. She explained that her success comes from “being here with tenacity.”

According to the Bitterroot Chamber of Commerce, Mikesell’s was awarded because of its very active work in the community, donating to several nonproft causes including the Humane Society, Sapphire Lutheran Homes and more. They are also active

more. Mikesell is primarily a goldsmith, but can work in other materials like platinum. She also explained that she does not work in sterling except for repairs.

Mikesell can rarely be found on her sales foor as she prefers to spend time in the back working with the “fun stuf.”

She explained the process it takes to create custom pieces, from master pattern to fnal product, through carving, casting, polishing and everything else in between. Mikesell is especially proud of her laser welder, which allows her to afx and build up material for not only repairs but for alterations and custom jobs. The machine requires extreme dexterity and fnesse to use, basically welding through a microscope. She spoke about the foor in the building, which is all one piece, and how even steps from customers can feel like someone’s jumping up and down. This means that she comes

said Mikesell.

With so much work, the job keeps her busy. “I could be here 24-7 and still not catch up,” said Mikesell. “I’d like to hire another me, but they don’t make them anymore.”

Ready to step back from jewelry and have more free time to work in her shop on cars and other projects, Mikesell says she is looking for someone to apprentice.

The problem is, she is very picky on who to take on, looking for someone

The sign hanging outside Mikesell’s Fine Jewelry, in Hamilton. The original location of the shop was just across the street. Photo by John Dowd.

Cindy Mikesell shows of one of her projects, and talks about ring sizing and repair. Photo by John Dowd.

Cindy Mikesell works on rings in the back of her fne jewelry shop. Photo by John Dowd.

Snow melting fast this year

“If it seems to you like the snow disappeared quickly this spring, you are not wrong,” said Eric Larson, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Water Supply Specialist. Warmer than normal temperatures in May resulted in rapid snowmelt. SNOTEL stations across Montana melted out about 10-20 days earlier than normal. During the frst several days of May and again in mid-month, high mountain elevations in Montana reached 70 degrees. Outside of those dates, daily average temperatures were closer to normal but still warmer than normal. “Many SNOTEL stations across Montana experienced daily minimum temperatures above freezing for extended periods of time during May, which is what accelerated snowmelt to above normal rates,” said Larson.

Quicker than normal snowmelt decreased snowpack percentages from May 1. “Snowpack percentages dropped from near normal or above normal to less than 50% of normal in nearly all Montana basins since May frst,” said Larson. One exception was the region extending from the northern Kootenai to the Saint Mary River basin, which already had a below normal snowpack and saw further decreases last month. The other exception is part of southwest Montana, which had a near record snowpack along the Idaho border. Several SNOTEL stations in that area still have an above normal snowpack that is currently tilting the basin-wide snowpack up to about 50-70% of normal in the Gallatin, Madison, and Jeferson River basins. Almost 70% of NRCS snow monitoring stations measured on June 1 are snow free. For many, this is an earlier than normal melt out.

“Snowpack percentages represent the current snowpack on an individual day compared to the median value for that given day. They don’t necessarily represent the entire snow year. For example, we had a relatively large snow year in much of Montana,” said Larson. Snowpack percentages in central and southwest Montana along the Idaho border were 110-140% of normal through May 1. The rest of the region was within about 10% of normal most of the year except part of northwest Montana that lacked snow overall this year. Additionally, snow water equivalent peaks occurred at near normal

levels on near normal dates this year in most locations. Snow water equivalent peaks are a strong indicator of overall snowmelt for the season, unfortunately, the bulk of that snowmelt occurred early this year.

Active snowmelt began over a month ago at all elevations in Montana. Mountain locations that held more snow than normal released a substantial amount of water last month and some rivers reported near record monthly streamfows. Rivers near Missoula, Butte, Helena, Bozeman, White Sulphur Springs, and Billings experienced total monthly streamfows in May that were in their 80th percentile or greater. “On May frst, the NRCS May-July water supply forecasts estimated streamfows to be within about 10% of normal or greater for most of Montana. Since some of the snowmelt that was expected to occur in June already occurred in May, the recently published June-July forecasts have reduced volumes from what they would have been if May streamfows were normal,” said Larson.

June 1 seasonal water supply forecasts range from well above normal to well below normal in Montana. The Beaverhead, Ruby, Smith, Boulder (Jeferson drainage), Musselshell, and Madison rivers are expected to have streamfows over 120% of normal through September. Forecasts are lowest in northwest Montana and the northern Rocky Mountain Front where many streamfows are expected to be about 60-70% of normal. Some forecasts within that region, including all forks of the Flathead River, indicate streamfows will be less than 60% of normal through September. Most forecasts across the rest of Montana are expected to be about 80-90% of normal through September. “Regardless of location, above normal precipitation would be ideal in June before heading into the drier months of summer, especially given the rate at which the snowpack melted out this year,” said Larson.

A full report of conditions on June 1 can be found in the monthly Water Supply Outlook Report available on the Montana Snow Survey website. In addition, real-time snow survey data can be found at nrcs.usda.gov/montana, scroll to Popular Topics and click Montana Snow Survey Program.

Residential Electrician, licensed and insured. Forsaken Electric 406-880-5996. Call us today!

Corrine Campbell, Physical Therapy/ Myofascial Release, 406-777-2679. Elizabeth Harper-Schurman, Counseling, Coaching, Hypnotherapy. 406-3042517. 5501 Hwy 93N, Ste. 101, Florence, MT.

GRAPHIC DESIGN & CREATIVE MARKETING

SERVICES - Local creative studio now booking spring and summer projects! Colleen Goldhorn Creative Co ofers a decade of experience creating logos, websites, brand photography, marketing collateral, and more. Specializing in working with outdoor industry brands including guiding businesses, outdoor gear shops, Airbnbs, and outdoor-product based businesses. Full portfolio at colleengoldhorn.com, or on Instagram @colleengoldhorncreativ

VACATION BIBLE

SCHOOL! For kids ages

5-12. June 26-30th from 10:30-1:30 pm. Lunch and snacks are provided. Transportation is available if needed. Held at UMAB Church in Hamilton. 211 N. 6th St. For more information, please call 406-3601788

FUND RAISING OP-

PORTUNITY - Seeking food service June 24 in Hamilton. The Bitterroot Blizzard Doll Club is having a doll, toy, teddy bear and

miniature show and sale at St. Francis Pastoral Life Center Saturday, June 24. We would like someone, preferably a non-proft, to provide cofee, continental breakfast, light lunch, snacks for our vendors and guests. There is no cost to your organization for use of the kitchen and serving area. All proceeds from sales go to your organization. Contact Kay Schrader for details: 406-360-7214 (NO TEXT) or schrader1501@blackfoot.net.

FREE! XL twin pillow top mattress, box springs and metal frame. Very clean, fairly new, frm. (231) 392-9481.

SWITCH AND SAVE up to $250/year on your talk, text and data. No contract and no hidden fees. Unlimited talk and text with fexible data plans. Premium nationwide coverage. 100% U.S. based customer service. Limited time ofer - get $50 of on any new account. Use code GIFT50. For more information, call 1-877-324-0193.

DISH NETWORK: Only from Dish- 3 year TV Price Guarantee! 99% Signal Reliability, backed by guarantee. Inludes Multi-Sport with NFL Redzone. Switch and get a FREE $100 Gift Card. Call today! 1-855995-3572.

DONATING YOUR VEHICLE? Get more! Free towing. Tax Deductible. Plus a $300 restaurant voucher and a 2-night/3day hotel stay at one of 50 locations. Call Heritage for the Blind to donate your vehicle today - 1-855-9012620.

Wanted Bar Manager. Must possess an alcohol server certifcation valid in the state of MT or obtain one within 60 days of hire. The Eagles Lodge in Hamilton, MT is looking for an energetic Bar Manager with management experience, new ideas and small-town kindness. The job description will be discussed in the interview. Pay DOE. Please send resume to foe1693secretary@gmail.com to schedule an appointment. Thank you for applying. We need a great person to join our outstanding team.

Wanted Janitor/ Maintenance Person Applicant will perform a variety of maintenance and cleaning tasks. To work well in this role, you should have basic maintenance knowledge around building repairs, cleaning, and other janitorial work. The job description will be discussed in the interview. Pay DOE. Please send resume to Eagles Lodge, Hamilton, MT @ foe1693secretary@ gmail.com to schedule an appointment. Thank you for applying. We need a great person to join our outstanding team.

Part-time auto techinician. Experience with wiring, light mechanic duty

and body assembly on classic vehicles preferred. Salary DOE. Contact 406273-0002.

Rare opportunity. Ofce suite in RCEDA located at 274 Old Corvallis Road in Hamilton. The suite is 285

Legal Notices

Naomi J. Cheeney CHEENEY LAW, PLLC PO Box 212

Hamilton, MT 59840

Phone: (406) 363-9060

Attorney for Personal

Representative

MONTANA TWEN-

TY-FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, RAVALLI COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF VIOLET M. POWERS, Deceased.

Case No.: DP-23-57

Dept. No. 1 NOTICE TO CREDITORS

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 present their claims within four months after the date of the frst publication of this notice or said claims will be forever barred. Claims must either be mailed to Anne Anderson, the Personal Representative, return receipt requested, at Cheeney Law, PLLC, PO Box 212, Hamilton, MT 59840, or fled with the Clerk of the above-entitled Court.

DATED this 25th day of May 2023. /s/ Anne Anderson, Personal Representative BS 5-31, 6-7, 6-14-23.

Greg Overstreet Overstreet Law Group 300 Main Street, Suite 203 Stevensville, MT 59870

Telephone: (406) 209-8592

Email: greg@overstreetlawgroup.com

Attorney for Plaintifs

MONTANA TWEN-

TY-FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, RAVALLI COUNTY DAVID SCHMITZ; LISA SCHMITZ, Plaintifs, vs. ROBERT G. AND SHER-

YL J. ESSIG REVOCABLE

LIVING TRUST; DENNIS SMITH; AUDRA SMITH; and all other persons, unknown, claiming or who might claim any right, title, estate, or interest in or lien or encumbrance upon the real property described in the complaint adverse to plaintifs’ ownership or any cloud upon plaintifs’ title, whether the claim or possible claim is present or contingent,

Defendants. No. DV-23-148 Dept. No. 1 Hon. Howard F. Recht SUMMONS BY PUBLICATION

To: All other persons, unknown, claiming or who might claim any right, title, estate, or interest in or lien or encumbrance upon the real property described below adverse to plaintifs’ ownership or any cloud upon plaintifs’ title, whether the claim or possible claim is present or contingent.

A lawsuit has been fled against you. This action is brought to quiet title to land situated in Ravalli County, Montana near 289 Skalkaho Road, Hamilton, Montana and more particularly described as follows:

A tract of land located in and being a portion of the NW1/4, Section 18, T5N, R20W, P.M.,M., Ravalli County, Montana and being more particularly described as follows; Commencing at the Northwest corner of said Section 18; thence N. 89° 31’ 55” E., a distance of 1350.50 feet to the Northeast corner of the NW1/4NW1/4 of said Section 18; thence S. 00° 22’ 34” W., along the East line of said NW1/4NW1/4, a distance of 1027.29 feet to the true point of beginning, said point being the Southeast corner of that parcel surveyed on Certifcate of Survey No. 329; thence continuing S. 00° 22’

34” W., a distance of 543.71 feet to a point on the Northerly right-of-way of the Republican Ditch, being 40 feet from the Centerline of said ditch; thence S. 83° 19’ 20” W., along said ditch right-of-way, a distance of 21.31 feet to a point on the East boundary of Lot 25 of the Addition to Cummings Subdivision; thence N. 00° 47’ 25” E., along the East line of Addition to Cummings Subdivision, a distance of 546.24 feet to the Northeast corner of Lot 26 of said Addition to Cummings Subdivision; thence S. 89° 57’ 35” E., a distance of 17.20 feet to the true point of beginning, containing 0.24 acre. Within 21 days after service of this summons on you, you must serve on the plaintifs an answer to the attached complaint or a motion under Rule 12 of the Montana Rules of Civil Procedure. Do not in-

clude the day you were served in your calculation of time. The answer or motion must be served on plaintifs’ attorney, whose name and address are listed above. You must also fle your answer and motion with the court. If you fail to respond, judgment by default will be entered against you for the relief demanded in the complaint.

Dated May 30, 2023.

/s/ Howard F. Recht Judge Howard F. Recht BS 6-7, 6-14, 6-21-23.

Naomi J. Cheeney CHEENEY LAW, PLLC PO Box 212 Hamilton, MT 59840

Phone: (406) 363-9060

Attorney for Personal Representative

MONTANA TWENTY-FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, RAVALLI COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF HELEN ANNE SEDOFF, Deceased.

Case No.: DP-23-60

Dept. No. 1

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

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 present their claims within four months after the date of the frst publication of this notice or said claims will be forever barred.

Claims must either be mailed to Patricia Lenore Gillette, the Personal Representative, return receipt requested, at Cheeney Law, PLLC, PO Box 212, Hamilton, MT 59840, or fled with the Clerk of the above-entitled Court.

DATED this 1st day of June 2023.

/s/ Patricia Lenore Gillette, Personal Representative BS 6-7, 6-14, 6-21-23.

Hamilton - Water Rights

Claim Amendments

Notice Westside Subbasin (76HF) Water Users: YC Properties, LLC has fled a Motion to Amend Claims 76H 147812-00 and 76H 214439-00. YC Properties, LLC seeks to amend the point of diversion for Claim 76H 214439 00 from the SWNWSE to SENWSE of Section

35, T6N, R21W, Ravalli County. YC Properties, LLC seeks to add an of-stream reservoir in the W2SE of Section 35, T6N, R21W, Ravalli County to both claims. YC Properties, LLC also seeks to modify the places of use for both claims to the W2SE of Section 35, T6N, R21W, Ravalli County. The entirety of Claimant’s motion may be viewed on the Montana Water Court webpage at: https://courts.mt.gov/ courts/water/Notices-Info/ PublicNotices

OBJECTION DATE

In accordance with Section 85-2-233(6), MCA, any response or objection to the YC Properties LLC’s Motion to Amend claims 76H 147812-00 and 76H 214439-00 must be fled with the Montana Water Court within 45 days of the last publication of this notice, or August 5, 2023. Please indicate “CASE 76HF-6002-P-2023” on any response, objection, or other correspondence regarding this Motion to Amend. BS 6-7, 6-14, 6-21-23.

Montana 21st Judicial District Court, Ravalli County In the Matter of the Name Change of Nova Lee Adair, Jordin Vegoren, Petitioner. Cause No.: DV-41-20230000107-NM Dept. 1 Notice of Hearing on Name Change of Minor Child

This is notice that Petitioner has asked the District Court to change a child’s name from Nova Lea Adair, to Nova Lea Vegoren. The hearing will be on July 19, 2023 at 1:30 p.m. The hearing will be at the courthouse in Ravalli County.

DATED this 8th day of June, 2023.

/s/ Paige Trautwein Clerk of District Court

By: Tim Nydell Deputy Clerk of Court BS 6-14, 6-21, 6-28, 7-5-23.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (IT) MANAGED SERVICES FOR THE CITY OF HAMILTON, MT

Sealed submissions responsive to this Request for Proposals, marked “RFP IT - City of Hamilton” on the out-

side of the mailing envelope, addressed to: City Clerk Hamilton City Hall 223 S. 2 nd Street Hamilton MT 59840 cityclerk@cityofhamilton. net Proposals will be accepted until 5:00 p.m. MST on June 21, 2023.

The City is interested in receiving proposals from qualifed information technology frms specializing in comprehensive managed services. Ideally, the City has a preference for frms with some familiarity with a municipal environment, however will entertain a company or companies that can supply specifc needs in the requested IT areas. Such providers should be able to provide responsive, high-quality services that are specifc to the criteria listed.

The City seeks to maintain the current infrastructure, enhance the current infrastructure, promote resiliency, and ensure a maximum return on its technology‐related investments.

This Request for Proposals may be obtained by visiting the “Request for Bids and Proposals,” link located on the homepage of the City of Hamilton, MT website at www. cityofhamilton.net. If you have any questions, please contact the Public Works Director at (406) 363‐6717.

The City of Hamilton reserves the right to reject any or all submissions, to waive technical or legal defciencies, to proceed or not with any proposal or process, and to negotiate such terms and conditions of any proposal, agreement, lease or other contract that may be in the best interest of the City.

The City reserves the right to terminate or amend this process at any time.

BS 6-14-23.

CHARLOS

Posting