Welcome Christmas!

Last year’s winner in the Yard Decorating Contest in Stevens ville. To enter this year, fll out the form in this week’s paper and drop it of at A2Z Personnel by November 28th.

Christmas Stroll and Tree Lighting Ceremony Main Street Hamilton Friday, November 25

Christmas

Christmas Stroll and Tree Lighting Ceremony Main Street Hamilton Friday, November 25

Christmas Stroll and Tree Lighting Ceremony Main Street Hamilton Friday, November 25

Tree Lighting Ceremony starting at 5:30

Santa Appearance + Bitterroot Valley Choral + Montana ACapella Rockin' RC Rodeo Royalty + Christmas Market +Tuba Santas

Tree Lighting Ceremony starting at 5:30

Christmas Stroll and Tree Lighting Ceremony Main Street Hamilton Friday, November 25 Tree Lighting Ceremony starting at 5:30

Tree Lighting Ceremony starting at 5:30

Tree Lighting Ceremony starting at 5:30

Christmas Stroll and Tree Lighting Ceremony Main Street Hamilton Friday, November 25 Tree Lighting Ceremony starting at 5:30

Santa Appearance + Bitterroot Valley Choral + Montana ACapella Rockin' RC Rodeo Royalty + Christmas Market +Tuba Santas Local Shopping + Lego Display + Free Carriage Rides

Santa Appearance + Bitterroot Valley Choral + Montana ACapella Rockin' RC Rodeo Royalty + Christmas Market +Tuba Santas

Santa Appearance + Bitterroot Valley Choral + Montana ACapella Rockin' RC Rodeo Royalty + Christmas Market +Tuba Santas

Local Shopping + Lego Display + Free Carriage Rides

Local Shopping + Lego Display + Free Carriage Rides Street Food + Mulled Wine + Hot Cocoa + Smores! Saturday,

Santa Appearance + Bitterroot Valley Choral + Montana ACapella Rockin' RC Rodeo Royalty + Christmas Market +Tuba Santas Local

Local Shopping + Lego Display + Free Carriage Rides

Parade of Trees auction Dec. 6-9

Te 3rd annual Parade of Trees in Stevensville is a friendly competition that will end up benefting the Kids Backpack Program so that local school children don’t go hungry on the weekends. Businesses decorate holiday trees and have them up and on display by the Friday of Stevensville Country Christmas which is December 2nd. Te public can view the trees and vote on their fa vorite. Te trees will then be auctioned of in an online auction that runs Dec. 6th through 9th. Along with the trees, there will be a number of other great auction items.

“We are so excited to see all the amazing cre ativity from everyone this year,” said Liz Cook with A2Z Personnel, which is sponsoring the Parade of Trees along with Project

59870. “Te last two years busi nesses have put out some amaz ing trees and we have raised a lot of money for some of our local charities. Te money has stayed right here in our community and this year is no diferent.”

“Let’s celebrate our local businesses this year, raise money for the kids and spread the

Christmas Spirit,” said Cook. People can also make mone tary donations directly to Proj ect 59870, P.O. Box 8, Stevens ville MT 59870.

For more information con tact A2Z Personnel at 406-7771662 or Liz Cook at 406-8802007.

say thank you this Holiday Season... Give Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce Gift Certificates!

What better way

Good at over 50 stores valley wide! Available in various increments for your convenience, call 406-363-2400

Keeping your dollars local Keeping our valley businesses strong 105 E Main, Hamilton www.bitterrootvalleychamber.com

Santa found everything on his list at

to

Holiday Happenings

Thanksgiving Lunch

Stevenville Senior Center will be having their Tanksgiving Lunch on Wednesday, November 23, at 11:30 a.m. Turkey, mashed potatoes, and all the trimmings. $3.50 for 60 and older and under 60 $6.00. Ravalli County Coun cil on Aging is in charge of the meals served at the center.

Thanksgiving Holiday Hours at North Valley Library

NVPL will close on Wednes day, November 23 at 5 p.m., and will be closed Tursday, November 24 through Friday, November 25 in observance of Tanksgiving. Te library will be

open and regular hours resume on Saturday, November 26 at 10 a.m.

‘Happy Tails’ Holiday Auction

Ring in the holiday season with Bitter Root Humane Associ ation’s “Happy Tails” Holiday Online Auction! BRHA is celebrating the holiday fundrais ing season again this year, with a virtual event for a great cause... to make it possible for BRHA to care for all the wonderful critters that come through its doors!

You can start your holiday shopping in the comfort of your home by visiting the online

auction….with values ranging from $10 to priceless, you’re sure to fnd just the perfect gif for everyone on your gif list, and for yourself too!

Preview auction items now, with items added up until the auction ends! Bidding will open November 24th, Tanksgiving evening at 6 p.m. and be open for your shopping pleasure all through Cyber Monday, No vember 28th at 6 p.m. So, don’t fght the early holiday shopping crowds, relax and shop where your holiday dollars will buy great gifs, donated from local businesses, artists and private do nors, and support a great cause!

Find the BRHA “Happy Tails” Holiday Online Auction at: ww w.32auctions.com/BRHA2022

Nativity display

Historic St. Mary’s Mission & Museum will host Nativities

Around the World and Wreath Display December 2-4. You are invited to share your Nativities and Wreaths for this special Christmas Exhibit. Please bring Nativities and Wreaths to the Mission Museum on Wednesday, November 30 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Call 406-777-5734 or email historicsaintmarys@gmail.com for more information.

Eat, Drink & Be Thankful fo or table to yors

Family craft workshop

Te Ravalli County Museum will hold a free family activity on Nov. 26 at 10 a.m. Make a back yard bird treat.

Florence holiday bazaar

Te Florence Community Craf Bazaar will be held Satuer day, December 3 at 9 a.m. at the Florne-Carlton High School.

Family craft workshop

Te Ravalli County Museum will hold a free family activity on Dec. 3 at 10 a.m. Make a wine cork ornament.

Victor Museum Chocolate Tasting Party

Te Victor Heritage Museum will be holding its 24th annual Chocolate Tasting Party & Silent Auction on Monday, December 5 from 3 to 8 p.m. at the Vic tor Heritage Museum, corner of Main & Blake in downtown Victor. Tere will be homemade chocolates, wassail, camaraderie, and bidding on silent auction items to support the museum. (Silent auction bidding will end at 7:30 p.m.) Out West Wagons will provide horse-drawn wagon rides around Victor.

Tis event is the Museum’s major fundraising efort each year. Te Victor Heritage Muse um is an “all-volunteer” organi zation. 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 information call Suzanne at 363-3165 or the Museum at 642-3997, or email

victormuseum@cybernet1.com

College open house

UM-Bitterroot College will hold a holiday open house on Friday, December 9 at 4:30 p.m. at the college in Hamilton. Te public is welcome.

Cookie Walk

Te Bitter Root Humane Association will hold its annual Cookie Walk & Bake Sale on Sat urday, December 10 at 10 a.m. at Dec. 10 at the Bedford Building in Hamilton.

Christmas concert

Te Bitterroot Valley Com munity Chorus will hold a holiday concert on Saturday, December 10 at 7:30 p.m. at the Hamilton Performing Arts Center.

Philip Aaberg concert

Te Bitterroot Performing Arts Council presents a concert by Grammy and Emmy award winning composer and pianist Philip Aaberg on Friday, De cember 16 at 8 p.m.at the Ham ilton Performing Arts Center. Montana’s own Philip Aaberg has toured with dozens of famed bands, and has credit on more than 200 albums. Tickets avail able at bitterrootperformingarts. org

IMPORTANT!

Family Shelter of the Bit terroot is dedicated to helping homeless and needy families in the Bitterroot Valley. If you are interested in helping or need help, call Gary Locke for more information, 406-239-8833.

Friday, November 25th

10% Of Everything

All departmentsMens, Womens, Kids, and Shoes!

Stevensville Country Christmas

Te annual Country Christmas celebration in Ste vensville, sponsored by the Stevensville Civic Club and local businesses, will be held Friday and Saturday, Decem ber 2nd and 3rd.

Te evening will kick of with the Parade of Lights, which will be all-vehicle again this year. Last year, the parade was changed from a walking parade to a vehicle parade, and the response to that was overwhelming ly positive. People can still gather at 3rd and Main to en joy caroling, view the Living Nativity, and hear the read

ing of the Christmas Story. New this year will also be a reading of “Twas the Night Before Christ mas.”

Santa Claus will be riding on one of the decorated fre trucks that will be featured in the parade. Individuals are invited to decorate their vehicles and line up at 6 p.m. in the alley on the east side of Main heading north. Te parade will take place around 6:30 p.m. (Call Sean at 406-303-9221 for more informa tion.). Afer the parade, Santa will be walking around on Main Street.

Before the parade, the win ner of the Flip the Switch col

frst weekend of Decemb

oring contest, sponsored by the Town of Stevensville, will fip the switch that turns on the overhead holiday street lights. Also new this year, members of the Stevensville Civic Club have been working hard to add more holiday lights going down Main Street.

A2Z Personnel is sponsor ing tree and window decorating contests for local businesses. Te public can vote on the trees from December 2nd through December 5th. Voting on the windows goes from December 2nd through December 19th. Winners will get to display the

traveling trophies.

An online auction to beneft the Stevensville Kids Backpack and Pantry Program will be held December 6th through 9th. Te Christmas trees decorated by local businesses will be in the auction, as well as a number of other specialty items, such as gif baskets, gif certifcates and a cork pull, where people can purchase a cork that represents a “mystery” bottle of wine.

As always, Stevensville’s downtown businesses will have open houses and special sales during the Country Christmas celebration.

Free horse-drawn wagon rides will be available on Friday evening, loading at Cenex and Discovery Fitness (formerly Montana Bob’s). You can ride up and down Main Street or catch a wagon to St. Mary’s Mission where there will be a nativity and wreath display, as well free crafs for the children and chapel tours. Historic St. Mary’s Mission and Museum will host the Christmas Around the World and Wreath Display on December 2nd, 3rd and 4th. (You can share your nativities and wreaths in this spe cial exhibit by bringing them to St. Mary’s Mission at 315 Charlos

Street. Call 406-777-5734 for information on delivery times.)

A2 Personnel is also spon soring a yard decoration contest with voting by the public from December 12th through Decem ber 19th. Registration is due by December 28th. Maps and voting forms will be available in the Bit terroot Star’s upcoming editions or at A2Z Personnel, 215 Main, and can be dropped of any time until December 19th. You will also be able to vote on Facebook. Te winner will be announced on December 23rd. For more information contact Liz at 406880-2007.

Christmas Murder Mystery Party at library

Don your favorite ugly Christmas sweater and a new identity for this holiday-themed murder mystery party! Te Li brary’s community room is being turned into Snowfake Lodge for this fun, interactive event, during which guests will delight in dis covering clues, embodying their character, and cracking the case of the Murder at the Ugly Christ mas Sweater Party. When the registration period closes, or the maximum number of guests (20) is reached, each registrant will be assigned a character and provid ed everything they need for the event. No previous experience or acting skills required for this be ginner-friendly murder mystery

party. Two parties available (same storyline, please sign up for just one par ty): Reg ister for Wednes day, 12/14 from 12pm2pm or for Tursday, 12/15 from 6:30pm - 8:30pm. Register at northvalleylibrary.

org. Mur der at the Ugly Christ mas Sweater Party Synop sis: Te Snow fake Lodge is hosting an ugly Christ mas

sweater party again this year. Te townspeople of Snow Falls are excited about the holiday cele

bration, as the lodge is where the who’s who of society will fock to show of their not-so-fashionable holiday attire. Unfortunately, sparks have fown between some of the guests lately with rumors of blackmail, greed, and revenge. However, everyone has high hopes that the holiday spirit will be enough to quench the scan dals--at least long enough for everybody to have a good time at the party. You’ve received your ticket to the party. Now it’s time to hunt for the tackiest holiday sweater you can fnd. Tis is where your story begins. Source: A My Mystery Party Game by Dr. Bon Blossman of mymysteryparty. com

Recipe - easy pumpkin spice cake

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose four

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

1 cup vegetable oil

4 large eggs

1 cup packed brown sugar (dark or light)

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree

1-1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan.

Whisk the four, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and pumpkin pie spice together in a large bowl. Set aside.

Whisk the oil, eggs, brown sugar, granulated sugar, pumpkin, and vanilla extract together until combined.

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients mix until com pletely combined. Batter will be thick.

Spread batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 30-35 minutes. Cake is done when toothpick inserted into center comes out clean. Remove the cake from the oven and set pan on a wire rack. Allow to cool completely. Frost with cream cheese frosting.

Cream Cheese Frosting

8 ounces cream cheese 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature

3 cups powdered sugar, approx. 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 1/8 teaspoon salt

In a large bowl using a hand held or stand mixer ftted with a paddle or whisk attachment, beat cream cheese and butter together on high speed until smooth and creamy. Add 3 cups confection ers’ sugar, vanilla, and salt. Beat on low speed for 30 seconds, then switch to high speed and beat for 2 minutes, adding more powdered sugar is needed for desired consistency. Spread the frosting on the cooled cake.

Cover lefover cake tightly. Keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Stevensville United Methodist Church

~You’re Invited to Celebrate the Season with SUMC~

All of our Sunday services at 10:30am are virtual and can be streamed live on: YouTube-Stevensville United Methodist Church and on Facebook @ SteviUMC

• November 27th Advent Begins

*Advent Readings & Refectons available at steviumc.org

• Dec 4th Communion Sunday

• Dec 8th 6pm Blue Christmas Contemplatve Service

• Dec 11th Hanging of the Greens ~Choral Music Celebraton & Fellowship Cookies following the service

• Dec 22nd 1st Day of Winter

• Dec 24th 4pm~Outside with Bonfre & 7pm Indoor Candlelight Christmas Eve Services

• Dec 25th 11:30 am Christmas Day Service with Lunch

• January 1, 2023 10:30 am Worship Service

216 College St Stevensville (406) 777 5443 Steviumc.org

Live Stream Sundays beginning at 10:30am

Gift ideas for people with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers

Holidays can be stressful enough, but when you add in a person living with demen tia, gatherings with family and friends become more complex. Finding the right gif for our loved ones can be challenging. Te Alzheimer’s Association ofers a caregiver holiday guide that shows how, with careful planning, family celebrations can continue to be a meaningful part of the holidays while ensuring safety, comfort and enjoyment for everyone.

If you have a caregiver or a person with Alzheimer’s on your gif-giving list, we’ve got some suggestions to make your shop

ping a bit easier.

Gifs for people with Alzhei mer’s – in the early stages Items to help remember things:

• Magnetic reminder refriger ator pads

• Post-it notes

• Baskets or trays that can be labeled within cabinets or draw ers

• A small pocket-size diary or notebook

• Erasable whiteboards for key rooms in the house

• A memorable calendar fea turing family photos – write in special family occasions such as birthdays and anniversaries

Items to help with everyday tasks:

• A memory phone that can store up to eight pictures with the names and contact information of family and friends

• Automatic medication dispenser that can help the person living with Alzheimer’s remember to take medicine

• Nightlights that come on automatically when it gets dark

• A clock with the date and time in large type

Items to help keep the person engaged:

• An outing to a movie, play or concert, sporting event, museum or possibly an organized holiday shopping trip with friends and family

• Favorite musical CDs or a CD with a compilation of favor ite tunes

• DVD collection of favorite movies

• Activities such as scrapbooking or other craf projects

Gifs for people with Alzheimer’s – in the middle-to-late stages

Gifs that stimulate the fve senses may bring back pleasant memories:

• Scented lotions

• A fufy bathrobe in a favorite color

• A sof blanket or afghan to keep warm

• Comfortable clothes that are easy to remove and washable, such as sweatsuits, knits, large banded socks, shoes with Velcro ties, wrinkle-free nightgowns, nightshirts or robes

• Music – research shows that music has a positive impact on individuals with Alzheimer’s, bringing them back to good times, increasing stimulation and providing an opportunity to interact with family members

• Framed photographs or a photo collage – insert the names of the people in the photo and put in frames or in a photo al bum created specifcally for that person

Gifs for caregivers

Te most important gif you can give a caregiver is the gif of time:

• Self-made coupons for cleaning the house, cooking a meal, mowing the lawn or shoveling the driveway

• Time of so a caregiver can do something to meet their needs

• Gif cards and certifcates for restaurants, laundry/dry cleaning services, lawn care services, computer/technology support, maid services, and personal pampering services such as massages and pedicures

• Books – in addition to giving novels on the caregiver’s “must read” list, there are a number of books on caregiving Te Alzheimer’s Association provides information, programs and services at no charge to help families living with Alzhei mer’s disease. For more information, visit www.alz.org or call the free 24-hour Helpline at (800) 272-3900.

PRIZES AWARDED FOR BEST DISPLAY!

We want this event to be enjoyable for everyone! Please keep all decorations

the seasonal/holiday theme, and appropriate for all ages. Registration deadline is November 28th. Registration forms may be mailed in or dropped of at: A2Z Personnel - 215 Main St. Stevensville., or emailed to: Liz@a2zpersonnel.net. Please contact Liz if you have any questions: 406-880-2007

Christmas tree permits available

Te holiday season is fast approaching, and Christmas tree permits are now available at Bitterroot National Forest Ofce locations for a cost of $5 with a limit of three permits per household. Permits may also be purchased online at www.Recre ation.gov for a cost of $5 with a $2.50 transaction fee.

“Harvesting a National Forest Christmas tree for the holiday season is a long-stand ing tradition on the Bitterroot National Forest,” said Matt Anderson, Forest Supervisor. “We encourage the public to check with their local ofces for suggested harvest locations and regulations. We are also excit ed to ofer fourth graders free Christmas tree permits through the Every Kid Outdoors pro gram.”

Additional Information for Ofce Purchase: Christmas tree permits can be purchased week days at any Forest Service ofce from 8:00am to 4:30pm. Only cash or personal check will be accepted for payment. Permits will not be sold at local vendors this year, as in previous seasons.

Additional Information for Purchase on Recreation. gov: For online purchase, set up an account on Recreation. gov in advance. Carefully read the overview and need-to-know information prior to purchasing the permit. Permits will need to be printed.

Free Christmas Tree Permits

for Fourth Graders! Trough the Every Kid Outdoors (EKO) program, fourth graders are eligible for one FREE Christ mas tree permit! Fourth graders must present a valid EKO pass or paper voucher at a Bitterroot National Forest ofce to receive a free permit. To obtain the pass or paper voucher, fourth graders need to visitwww.every kidoutdoors.gov. Vouchers can also be redeemed on Recreation. gov.

Te hunt for the perfect Christmas tree can be a fun, festive way to begin the holiday season. Here are some tips for a great Christmas tree cutting experience:

• Be aware of changing weather as well as road and snow conditions

• Carry the right gear like a map and cold weather attire

• Bring the right tools: a handsaw for cutting the tree and a shovel for removing snow around the base of the tree

• Please observe the follow ing regulations when cutting your Christmas tree: Regulations for cutting Christmas Trees:

• Display permits on the dashboard of your vehicle when you go out to harvest the tree(s). It is your responsibility to know where you can and cannot harvest Christmas trees, and to follow all permit requirements.

• Cutting is not allowed in restricted areas such as de

veloped recreation sites and campgrounds, existing timber sale areas or previously thinned areas.

• Do not leave branches on the stump and trim the stump to no more than fve inches above the soil. Do not cut the tops of trees and do not cut down trees taller than 12 feet.

• Do not cut trees within 150 feet of riparian areas (creeks or streams) or within Wilderness Areas.

Cutting a Christmas tree also improves forest health. Te per mit system helps to thin densely populated stands of small-diam eter trees. Removing these trees

helps other trees grow larger and can open areas that provide forage for wildlife.

For more information con tact the Bitterroot National Forest ofce near you or visit our website at www.fs.usda.gov/ bitterroot. Stay in touch with us through www.facebook.com/ DiscoverBitterrootNF.

We wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season!

Bitterroot National Forest –Hamilton (406) 363-7100

Stevensville Ranger District –(406) 777-5461

Darby-Sula Ranger District –(406) 821-3913

West Fork Ranger District –(406) 821-3269