06-14-23 issue

Chainsaw carving returns to Ronan

internationally, to carve and compete.

RONAN — The fourth annual Mission Valley Chainsaw Carving Rendezvous returned to the fairgrounds last weekend. Put on by the Ronan Chamber of Commerce, they brought in 12 artists, recognized both nationally and

Working each day in view of the public, each artist worked on their masterpieces to be auctioned off at the end of the weekend, as well as daily quick carves.

This year’s artists included some new and some returning, including Julie Zimmerman

from the Bitterroot Valley here in Montana, Adrian Bois all the way from Argentina, Vinko Bogdanoski out of North Macedonia, Thor from Earth, (of international renown), and Jacob Lucas, last year’s first place and people’s choice award winner. Also, Anthony Robinson from Hoquiam, Washington, Todd Coats from Bigfork,

Ron Adamson from Libby, Les Smith from Cutbank, Toni Whitney from Bigfork, Pauline Cormier from Columbus, and Denny Henson from Naples, Idaho.

Chainsaw carving got its start in the 1950s among both loggers and sculptors and over time grew in recognition and

see page 2

Story and Photos by Taylor Davison Valley Journal

chainsaw

from page 1

popularity across the globe. Advancements in chainsaw technology helped the art form evolve and the rapid pace of the artists’ creations make for an entertaining spectacle for onlookers.

“With its dynamic nature and evolving techniques, chainsaw carving provides a contemporary platform for wood carving to remain relevant and thrive in the coming decades,” the Ronan Chamber of Commerce wrote in a social media post. “We appreciate all our sponsors who help us promote this event and bring people to our community.”

To keep an eye out for future events put on by the Ronan Chamber of Commerce, follow them on social media at: www.facebook.com/ RonanChamber

This Week’s Weather Forecast

And find us online for more photos, videos, breaking news and special sections!

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Boone Goddard

Advertising Sales, Owner (406) 249-1728

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Summer Goddard Publisher, Owner (406) 249-1793 summer@valleyjournal.net

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Office Manager, Copy Editor (406) 676-8989

vjmail@valleyjournal.net news@valleyjournal.net

Taylor Davison Editor (406) 676-8989

vjeditor@valleyjournal.net

Jerry Beeks

Advertising Sales (406) 207-4641

jbeeks@ronan.net

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Clear sailing

SKC celebrates graduates, educators

Story and Photos by Taylor Davison Valley Journal

PABLO — The Salish Kootenai College class of 2023 celebrated their graduation last weekend, and those involved in education received special acknowledgement in the Educators’ Pinning Ceremony.

Two local educators were honored, the first being Salish language educator Melandie Sandoval. “She’s a very proficient speaker,” SKC professor Jessica King commented. “There aren’t many of those right now.” The second honoree was Julie Janssen, fourth grade teacher at K. William Harvey Elementary and the first recipient of the new SKC Alumni Award started this year.

Of the students honored at

the ceremony, one was surprised with the brand-new Joan Graham award in honor of the late educator who taught in the Ronan Student District for decades. The honoree, Adam Theis, received the award from Graham’s family after receiving a nomination for displaying the four categories they had specified: hard working, responsible, reliable, and kind.

The pinning ceremony itself honored nine students, with all recipients receiving their pin from someone close to them who has been an inspiration to them and their journey. The educator’s oath the pinned students recite, asking them to cross into the professional world and honor the program

by being honest and responsible teachers within the classroom, was held in both English and Salish this year as three honorees are native language teachers. They’re also the first native language teachers honored at the ceremony.

King also shared this is the first pinning ceremony held in person with most of the faculty since before the pandemic. While the ceremony was technically held in person last year, an outbreak of the COVID-19 delta variant prevented a majority from attending. “A number of these graduates had to go through classes as well during the pandemic, and now they’re finishing, which is a big accomplishment,” King stated. “They made it through.”

The students honored in the pinning ceremony included, Kristina Mays, Cierra Jeppesen, Nicole Perry, Sulee Blackman, Lena Clough, Adam Theis, Hydee Wilson, Brittany Fisher and Camas McClure.

This year’s SKC graduation saw diplomas awarded to a long list of students, with the commencement address given by Carrie Billy, the CEO/President of AIHEC, and a student address delivered by 2022-23 Student of the Year, Dominque LaForge.

Graduates of the class of 2023 include: Steven Florenzio Arca, Shawnna R. Berthelote, Naomi Michelle Billedeaux, Dana C. Bremner, Shannon Coffin, Sunny DeCoteau, Stephanie A Fisher, Jenni-

fer HeavyRunner, Tommy HeavyRunner, Cheryl L. Madman, Chase Nevarez, Bryanna Kristine Peterson, Brenda J. Richey, Veronica Willeto DeCrane, Amy Renae Williams, Brian Hogenson, Cierra Jeppesen, Nicole Rae Perry, Kristina Mays, Nadia S. Adams, Jeanette Gardipe, Andrea McDonald, Lydia McKinney, Andrea McDonald, Lydia McKinney, Alfred Woodcock, Joele L. Big Sam-Keenan, Ahwahnee Rain Williams, Rylee Arlee, Tucker Allen Courville, Julie Jeffers, Dominique LaForge, Dine’ Warriors-Pistolbullet, Ahwahnee Rain Williams, Misty Lea Doss, Shelby Blu BigSpring, Joshua Dean Boggess, Dana Comes At Night, see page 6

Marcia Fisher, Rhea L. Gourneau, Jon-Anthony Clark Henry, Tara Hummingbird Jewell, Nevaeh Ranee Little-Marry, Angela Lozeau, Ronda Lozeau, Madison Martinez, Mary Rose Morigeau, and Dawnette LaRose Swank.

Also Camas Levi McClure, Madalena Alicia

Grace Clough, Sulee R. DeRoche, Adam Theis, Hydee Dayne Wilson, Jade Danielle Dempsey, Emma Jo Scott, Quincy

Terrell Williams, Brittany Lace Fisher, Shawnda

Sorrell, Nizhoni Harvey, Jeniffer LaCounte, Omar

Jara Lopez, Jarod Swan, Joni Kay Tobacco, Rachel C. Tom, Amanda Jo Berens, Jeniffer LaCounte, Aryn N. Mamizuka, Sarye RunsBehindMedicine, Joni Kay Tobacco, Lucas Vanderburg, Marty J. Wallace Sr., Fiden-

cio R. Balderas, Leslie

Ann Brownrigg, Erin

Christine Bell, Logan

Lee Williams, Amari

Guardipee, Traylyn Rose

Kennerly, Samantha L.

McNair, Morgan Rain

Sellars, Joni Kay Tobacco, Scott R. Ollinger, Darcy

Egan, Annie I. Evans, Janene M. Padilla, Sierra

Faith Trotter, Alexia Bie-

derman, Mariah Cheff, Cortnie Grace Ellen-

wood, Chanona Greiff, Tyrah Hammond, Johona Hoskinson, Anjulisiri

R. Moran, Desirae Rose Nault, Thomas Preston, MaryJo Sandberg, Alycia Michelle Shorty, Francheska A. Whitworth, and Sunniva Whitworth.

Also Amber Hamm, Spencer Lloyd Dawson, Jaycee Cooper, Gretchen Joan Fischer, Erin S. Horner, Kersten Jackson, JoDawna Renee Tso, Ryeanna Rain Rychelle Fennerr, Natasha Gravelle, Casey Lammers,

Hailey Briana Nicole Tallmadge, Melanie Natysha-Rae Upham, Theresa Marilyn Brendible, Valerie J. Johnson, Sarah Rose Parisian, Johnita Talawyma, Jonathan Brewer, Angela C. Evans, Donna Sophia Richard, Morning Star Roberts, Jaydee Lynn Weatherwax, Suzanne Elizabeth Doney, Josephine Nicole Drennan-Beck, Rebecca Groessler, Micole Foust LaCounte, Allen Goober McClure, Megan Rennich, Frances Rose Steffensmier, Nicholas Christopher Grant, Robyn Kay Iron, Shannon Salisbury DePoe, Desmyn J. Singer, Jorah Thompson, Devin Cordier, Nicholas Christopher Grant, Robyn Kay Iron, Twilynn LopezdeVictoria-Caye, Shannon Salisbury DePoe, and Gabriel A. Caye.

Also Mayana Adrian, Danielle Pierre, Seanna

Rose Bigcrane, Wiley

Kuntz, Lansing Trey

Don’t Mix, Trevor Jon

Sorrell Jr., Andruw Mi -

chael Allen, Heather

Marie Croff, Dana Lynn

Comes At Night, Amy

B Devereaux, Dawnette

LaRose Swank, Andruw Michael Allen, Cara J Guardipee, Paris

Jade Vaile, Elease Aren

Mendoza, Madison M. Miller, Krystal Orman, Kaden Blixt, Comfort

Bolen, Blaise Burland, Vincent Comstock, Bodis Duran, Hansen

Victorio Kazhe, Freddy

Martinez, Heather Ma -

rie Croff, Tara Jewell, Ronda Lozeau, Falon

Taylor BigSpring, Cara

Jo Guardipee, Paris Jade

Vaile, Seanna Bigcrane, Wiley Kuntz, Anthony

Jade Whiteman, Nizho -

ni Harvey, Omar Lopez, Aryn N. Mamizuka, Patrick David Racine, Sarye RunsBehindMedicine, Jarod Swan, Rachel C Tom, Thomas Irving Trahan, Michael Kent Umphrey, Randall Paul Finley, Rachel C. Tom, Anna Elbon, Ashley Lyn Tryon, and Jeremiah Berthelote. Congratulations to the class of 2023.

courts

Stories by Jeff Smith of Anderson Broadcasting for the Valley Journal

Haynes sentenced for burglary

POLSON — A St. Ignatius woman was committed in Polson District Court on June 8 to a total of 15 years with the Montana Department of Corrections with 10 years suspended after pleading guilty to four counts of burglary and one count of bail jumping. The terms of the sentence were in accordance with a plea agreement reached on April 20 that resolved five separate

cases against Quianna Leigh Haynes, 22. According to court records, on Feb. 20 a man called law enforcement to report his granddaughter had broken into his garage, then used a maul to break into

a cabinet and took $6,400 in cash. Images of the incident were captured on surveillance cameras. On March 13, the owner of a funeral home in St. Ignatius called law enforcement regarding a burglary to his business. He indicated that he discovered his office was “ransacked” and checks were taken. He also said that it was broken into again on March 12 and someone left a dog in the

Montana Association of Counties files suit

addiction services provided by the HEART fund.

business. Surveillance at a local grocery store linked Haynes to the stolen check from the funeral home. On March 15, another relative of Haynes’ reported her home had been broken into and items were taken. Haynes was linked to this burglary via surveillance cameras.

Haynes had been convicted of a burglary that occurred at another relative’s home on

April 11, 2022. She was set to be sentenced for that burglary on Sept. 1, 2022 but failed to appear which led to the bail jumping charge.

Judge Deborah “Kim” Christopher committed Haynes to the DOC for five years with none of that time suspended, but concurrent to the 15 year term. Judge Christopher also ordered restitution for victims in the case totaling $6,950

HELENA — The Montana Association of Counties (“MACo”) filed suit on June 7 to compel Governor Greg Gianforte and Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen to fulfill their constitutional obligations and allow the Montana Legislature their lawful opportunity to override the Governor’s veto of Senate Bill 442 (“SB 442”).

On May 1, 130 out of 150 legislators passed SB 442, a bipartisan, politically popular measure that touches the state from border to border by redistributing recreational marijuana tax revenues for construction, reconstruction, maintenance, and repair of rural roads, as well as funding directed to veterans’ services, conservation and recreation programs, and dollars to boost behavioral health and

On May 2, the Senate adjourned, and that same day, the Governor vetoed SB 442 without it being communicated to the full Senate. In Montana, the process for a gubernatorial veto and subsequent opportunity for the Legislature to overturn the veto is outlined in the Constitution. If the Legislature has adjourned, and the Governor vetoes a bill passed by a supermajority—two-thirds— the Governor must return the bill and his reasons for the veto to the Secretary of State, who must then poll the members of the Legislature.

“The Legislature’s constitutional check on the executive branch is critical to Montana’s legislative process,” said Roman Zylawy, MACo President and Mineral County Commissioner. “The intent of our Constitution is clear. The

Legislature must be given fair opportunity to override a veto.”

Governor Gianforte failed to return SB 442 and veto reasoning to Secretary Jacobsen; therefore MACo, a nonprofit statewide organization of Montana’s 56 counties that helps provide effective county governance to the people of Montana, called on the Governor to uphold the Montana Constitution and his duty. He did not.

“This case is about following established processes,” said Eric Bryson, Executive Director for MACo. “An attempt to circumvent the Legislature’s review authority by playing games and changing protocols is bad politics and bad precedent. We are asking the Courts to remind the parties involved that they have an obligation to allow legislative review of a governor’s veto.”

Cybersecurity program for Montana businesses extended

News from the Montana Department of Commerce

MONTANA — To protect Montana businesses and encourage strong cybersecurity practices, the Montana Department of Commerce (Commerce) announced that the Montana Cybersecurity Program has been extended until December 31.

“We know that small businesses are often the target of cyberattacks,” said Scott Osterman, Director of the Montana Department of Commerce. “That’s why the Montana Department of Commerce is excited about extending the Montana Cybersecurity Program to continue to provide funding that directly assists our small to medium-sized businesses with cybersecurity monitoring and security.”

Through the program, Commerce reimburses small to medium-sized Montana businesses up to $8,000 for investing in cybersecurity measures through an accredited Montana cybersecurity company.

The program has already helped a variety of Montana businesses, including Sókn Engineering, Inc., a woman-owned and focused STEM company located in Whitefish. Last December, the company determined the need to update its firewall and network security to better protect its business systems. Sókn worked with Kalispell’s Endpoint Utility Corp to develop a cybersecurity strategy necessary to run a successful and safe business. In January, Sókn was then reimbursed over $1,200 from the Montana Department of Commerce’s Cybersecurity Program.

“We were so appreciative of the streamlined process and efficiency on the Montana Department of Commerce’s part, as well as for the reimbursement, which is so vital for small businesses like ours,” said Cassie Monaco, CEO of Sókn Engineering. Information and the application process can be found online. Applications are due by December 31.

Quianna Haynes

News from the Montana Association of Counties

Veterans Information Expo planned in Polson

News from Joe Stark

POLSON — On Saturday, June 17, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at 512 Main Street, (Elks Lodge). The Elk Veterans has teamed up with the Vietnam Veterans Association and Associates to bring in the experts to ensure every veteran can get help/information to get the benefits they deserve. A Partial listing of the areas there will be information about include: Vets

center, Humana, Moral injure, combat suicide, housing for vets, homeless vets reintegration, DAV, vet liaison for job services, help for disabled vets, vet spouses job training/ placement, vet care at home, veteran service officer from Senator Tester, Daines and Zinke, Agent Orange, vet suicide coalition, purple heart.

If you know a veteran, please pass this information on to them.

FORT CONNAH RESTORATION SOCIETY

Father’s Day Weekend Rendezvous

June 15-18, 2023

Sat. June 17 & Sun. June 18 Main Events 10 to 4 Daily

MDT gives Ronan construction update

News from the MT Department of Transportation RONAN — Riverside crews will be constructing the sub-base of the new southbound lanes of US Highway 93 (US 93) this week.

Crews will be onsite through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Night work is planned for this week through Thursday from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. as conditions allow. Overnight, concrete crews will be working at the intersection of Round Butte Road and US 93, and traffic flaggers will be present.

It is anticipated that there will be fewer traffic delays when traveling through the construction zone going forward; however, flaggers will still be present at the truck turnarounds at the Round Butte Road/

Terrace Lake Road and Old US 93/3rd Avenue intersections.

Spring Creek Road Update: Work on the approach to Lake Seed resumed this week. Once the approach is complete, Spring Creek Road at US 93 will be permanently closed. The closure is anticipated to take place the week of June 19.

Glover Road and US 93 Safety Improvements: North of the RonanNorth project, MDT, in partnership with Riverside Contracting, have begun work on a safety project near Pablo on Glover Road, just west of US 93. Pavement preservation work is also underway and extends from just north of Ronan to the north of Pablo, ending at the intersection of US 93 with Minesinger Trail.

For the latest project update, visit: https:// www.mdt.mt.gov/pubinvolve/gloverroad/updates. aspx

Remember the three S’s of work zone safety when traveling through the construction zone: speed, space, and stress. Slow down when approaching work zones and follow posted speed limits. Leave adequate braking room between your vehicle and the one ahead of you. Keep your cool, pay attention, and plan for delays.

Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns. Email sloane@bigskypublicrelations.com or call the project hotline at 406-207-4484, Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

For more information on the Ronan-North project, visit bit.ly/Ronan-North.

Saturday and Sunday Activities

OPENING CEREMONIES noon Saturday Only

Primitive Camp/traders set-up. Thur. 15 & Fri. 16 (FREE TO FCRS MEMBERS)

Book Signings & Talks: 12:30-3:30 (both days)

Joe McDonald, Bob Bigart (Sat. only) on Fort Connah history Alix Christie, Renowned international novelist & McDonald descendant Shining Mountains, Carolyn Corey Guide to Fort Connah Employees FREE Wagon Rides 10-4 (donations appreciated) Native American Food Tent (Fri., Sat., Sun.)

LIVING HISTORY DEMONSTRATIONS: BOTH DAYS

Primitive Stone Knapping, Tomahawk throwing, Atlatl instruction Daily 50/50 Raffles winner announced at 3 pm

Black Powder Shoots (Thurs. thru Sun.)

Children’s Candy Cannon Shoot (Sat. & Sun.)

BAKE SALE ALL DAY

Guided Walks to Angus McDonald Cemetery (both days)

General Information & trader/vendor set-ups & demonstrations: Preston Miller & Carolyn Corey (406) 745-4336 • 4winds@blackfoot.net

6 miles north of St. Ignatius at mile marker 39 on US Hwy. 93

valley views Leave marks in number two

Theability to transcribe and share information has impacted the progression of technology and society immeasurably. So much of our daily lives revolve around reading and writing, thus most of us learn these skills from a very early age. I still vividly remember the practice sheets of paper with the dotted line running down the center of two solid ones to help guide my letters as I formed them. In my hand, a small trusty yellow hexagonal writing instrument sharpened to a point bearing the number two scraped its way across the surface to form a somewhat sloppy letter. I would wager you would have similar memories. Pencils, of course, are the writing implement of choice for students, who are glad to put the eraser to use to correct mistakes. Roughly two billion pencils are sold in the US every year, or six per person. While pencils

come in a wide array of designs, shapes, and colors, the classic hexagonal yellow #2 pencil is still the most common. But let me ask you this, in a sea of #2 pencils, have you ever seen a #3 or even a #1, for that matter? Using chunks of soft lead to make markings on objects has been on-going for thousands of years. Over the course of the Middle Ages, rough chunks of lead were refined into various forms resembling a stylus or pen. However, once graphite deposits were discovered in Bavaria, graphite quickly replaced lead as the choice medium for writing implements. Graphite created much darker markings than lead and required less pressure

while writing. However, the softer nature of graphite created a mess on the user’s hands plus snapped easily, as well. To remedy this problem, writers started using string wrappings and later, wood casings around the graphite cores. Finally, in the late 1700s, a scientist serving in the Napoleonic army named Nicholas-Jacques Conte perfected the modern process for creating pencils. This modern process utilized a mixture of clay and graphite which was heated to extreme temperatures to create a lead that was both resistant to breakage and left a solid mark.

However, the introduction of the #2 would come about in the 1800s in the US. When creating pencil leads with the modern

process, the ratio of clay to graphite would affect the darkness of the markings the pencil would make. More graphite resulted in softer leads that made darker markings, while more clay produced a harder lead that left lighter marks. John Thoreau and his son Henry David Thoreau (yes, the author) established a factory to produce pencils and created a numbering system for the different leads they were producing. The system went from #0 to #4 with the numbers increasing with the hardness of the lead. The #2 quickly emerged as the happy medium of the 5 levels and became popular as a good all-around pencil. While this designation still remains stamped on many pencils it has been supplemented by a larger European scale which is also featured prominently on many #2 pencils. On most #2 pencils, right next to the number 2 is another set of two

letters, “HB.” This denotes the place of the pencil on the European scale – a scale also heavily used in the art world. The European scale uses two letters: “H” for hard and “B” for black. These letters are often combined with a number to indicate how far to one extreme or the other the pencil is. For example, a 9B pencil is extremely dark and soft while a 9H is very light and hard. As the numbers of each scale descend, they eventually meet at HB which is the middle point of the scale and corresponds to #2 on the US system. Now, if the two match up, why is the European scale preferred? The European scale extends further than the American one. The softest US #0 pencil is only a 2B and the hardest #4 only reaches 2H. With some manufacturers allocating as far as 12 numbers in each direction of the HB scale, the US system falls short of being able to fully represent the wide

spectrum of pencils available today. Nevertheless, I hope manufacturers never remove the #2 markings from pencils-something feels so right using a pencil adorned with it!

LETTER POLICY

Letters to the editor are welcome. The content is the opinion of the letter writer and not the newspaper. The decision to publish letters is made by the editor.

Letters must be 350 words or less. A writer will only be published twice per month.

Letters may be edited for content or length, or may not be published if considered libelous, in poor taste, spiteful, self-promotional or of limited interest to the general readership. Space limitations also dictate when or if letters are published.

Letters must be signed by the author and name, address and phone number must be included –phone number is for verification purposes only. Letters from organizations must include the name of at least one author.

con-

Library construction continues Construction

tinues on our library building. You can check out progress photos on our website. The crew is doing an amazing job and we are so happy to see progress on the new entrance, reading

areas and windows for the new children’s area. Please remember that you absolutely cannot enter the building during con-

View

from the Library

Dooley,

struction. The doors may be open, but that is not an invitation to go inside. Hard hats

and proper safety gear are required to enter. Please respect the crew as they are trying to work as safely as possible. You can come visit us at our temporary location at 301 16th Ave. East at the United Methodist

Church. Sixteenth Ave. is a short road, so it’s not hard to find us. From First Street East turn onto 16th until you see the church. We have public computers, printing, copying, faxing, all of our

see page 11

Please limit “thank you” letters to four people/organizations or less. Deadline is 5 p.m. Friday to publish the following week. Opinions expressed in this section are not necessarily those of the newspaper.

Ben Stone

Media Production, Valley Journal

Abbi

North Lake County Public Library District

movies, audiobooks, magazines, newspapers, new books and a selection of our other books. We’re here for you during our renovation.

June is always a big month for the library and this year is no different. Our Annual Summer Reading Program registration starts on Monday, June 12, and continues through Aug. 12. This year you have to pick one way to log reading – either on a traditional paper log or online using READSquared. Stop in and we’ll get you set up so you can start earning incentives and prize tickets. We have some great prizes this year, so be sure to get registered. Every Thursday morning at 10 a.m. we offer a program for children (any age). In June we will welcome the Polson Police Department, a Native Culture Specialist and the Maker Truck. Come see us at our temporary location. Programs will take place outside unless it is raining – then we’ll try to squeeze inside. We have a few special programs this month for kids and adults. On Flag Day – June 14 at 2 p.m. we are offering a program to create a beaded patriotic bracelet. This program is free and geared toward teens and adults (due to using wire and small beads). Last year the library received a grant from the Greater Polson Community Foundation to purchase a Nintendo Switch gaming system. We are so

thankful to them for their support of our library and are excited to offer a Mario Kart Tournament for kids 10-15 on June 16 at 2 p.m. We still have a few spots remaining, so call or come in to sign up. For children ages 6-12 we are hosting a pen pal program this summer. Please register by June 20 to be assigned a pal from another library somewhere in Montana. Mother Goose will continue Mondays at 9:15 a.m. for our littlest patrons (0-3). We are offering our Babysitter Certification incentive again this summer for teens 13-19. Complete the certification by the end of summer using the Libby App and get a coffee card on us.

Did you see Dolly Parton’s special message for Montana? We are so thrilled to be the affiliate for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Lake County. Dolly posted a special message for us (you can see it on our Facebook page) to welcome all of Montana to her Imagination Library program. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is dedicated to inspiring a love of reading by directly sending a book each month free of charge to children from

birth to age five. There are no income restrictions. The project was initiated in Montana by First Lady Susan Gianforte and sponsored by the Treasure State Foundation in partnership with The Dollywood Foundation. You can register your child anytime online at www.imaginationlibrary.com or stop in and see us. We are having a big party on June 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at our temporary location (301 16th Avenue East) with several community partners offering games, snacks, activities and giveaways. These will be geared to children 0-5 but everyone is welcome to attend. You can stop in to register and learn more about the program as well as other programs for young children offered throughout our county. Our hours are Monday –Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at our temporary location. Curbside pickup is available for everyone during open hours. Please call us at 406-883-8225 or email us at polsoncl@polson.lib. mt.us with questions or to request curbside pickup. Visit our website at www. northlakecountylibrary.org for more information.

Legislature expands access to healthcare

The United States’s health care system is a mess of complex regulations and layers of bureaucracy. It’s also expensive. But Republicans in the Montana Legislature have made great strides in recent years to address what problems we can at the state level. We’ve emphasized improving health care by giving Montanans more options, reducing regulations, and giving doctors more freedom to practice medicine. In the 2021 Legislature, for example, we relaxed regulations on telehealth, opening the door for more affordable and convenient visits over the phone or through videoconferencing. That year we also expanded direct patient care allowing doctors to bypass insurance companies and contract directly with their patients.

Legislative Notes

We built on that foundation in the 2023 legislative session that recently wrapped up. The two of us passed five new health care laws: Senate Bills 112 and 564 by Sen. Tom McGillvray and House Bills 313, 392, and 665 by Rep. Jodee Etchart. The reforms are designed to increase access to care and provide more affordable options.

Senate Bill 112 improves access to prescription medications, especially in rural parts of the state where health care providers are few and far between. The new law allows pharmacists to directly prescribe certain medications to patients without having to go through a doctor’s office. Medications that help with diabetes, allergic reactions, UTIs, and strep throat are examples of simple yet

time-sensitive needs that SB 112 is targeting. SB 112 keeps some reasonable regulations in place, such as not allowing pharmacists to prescribe any controlled substances, but it gets unnecessary red tape out of the way of caring for Montanans.

House Bills 313 and 392 increase freedom for certain medical providers by expanding the care they can provide.

HB 313 allows physician assistants (PAs) to practice independently of physicians and clarifies insurance coverage for their work under different health programs. HB 392 allows midwives to obtain and use more types of prescription drugs in their care of mothers and newborn babies.

Senate Bill 564 removes unnecessary regulations on the Montana Health Corps program and allows physicians to provide free health care services

see page 12

Sen. Tom McGillvray Rep. Jodee Etchart

to people on Medicare or Medicaid or who are in poverty. It gives those doctors limited immunity for the free services they provide. The new law also allows in-home visits for people who don’t have the physical or financial means to travel to a doctor’s office.

Finally, House Bill 665 requires insurance companies to cover additional breast cancer screening examinations by expanding the definition of “minimum” coverage to include diagnostic mammograms, ultrasounds, and MRIs.

Collectively, these five new laws increase Montanans’ access to needed medications and medical care, allow midwives to provide better care for mothers and babies, help serve those in poverty, and improve screening for breast cancer.

These improvements in Montana health care were achieved without spending more taxpayer money and without creating or growing government programs. This policy work places Montana at the forefront of health care innovation, and we’ll continue these efforts in future legislative sessions.

Senator Tom McGillvray and Representative Jodee Etchart are both Republican legislators from Billings.

Respond to Hertz

Editor,

After reading this weeks’ ‘A word in Response’ by Sen. Hertz, it is so disrespectfully and blatantly presented it drew my ire.

His says the current elected Republican supermajority is proof and evidence of what direction the citizens of Montana want our state to take.

He chooses to ignore our most recent statewide, non-political party affiliated, vote. A huge majority voted no to changes in our constitution that would have restricted one’s right to an abortion and subjected medical assistance involved to civil and criminal punishment.

The legislative supermajority he speaks of is not representative of our state as a whole and in fact is merely a result of previous and continual political maneuvers (gerrymandering), dicing and piecing how state representation will be elected in spite of geographical similarities or population.

If this view were not true how else does one explain his supermajority elected members usurping the rule of law the people of Montana have chosen. He is one of those who uses his power and position primarily for self-interests, negating what we the people have voted for.

And the audacity to write an article like he

did is a disregard and slap in the face to the vast majority of Montanans, no matter their party affiliation.

Rich Bell Polson

We must do better Editor,

Last week my wife and I attended our grandchild’s kindergarden music program. The kids were so excited to see their families in the audience. The children were ready to perform for us, it was so cute. You could tell they hung on every cue from the music teacher, striving to do their best.

Unfortunately, I found my mind wandering to the tragedies that have occurred at Sandy Hook and Uvalde. It is unbelievable that after all these horrific tragedies, we have been unwilling to take serious steps to prevent them from occurring. Have any of our federal or state political leaders been to a school program to see their children or grandchildren giving their best to impress their families.

How can you sit there and not think about giving your best to protect your children from outof-control gun violence? You have the power to change things and protect our innocent children. Is requiring background checks, banning assault style weapons with large

capacity magazines or at least raising the minimum age to 21 for purchasing these “killing machines” too much to ask, or are you more concerned about the reaction of the gun industry or NRA?

Craig McClure Polson

Visit church

Editor,

The church of Christ of Lake County is the church Rich Coulson needs to investigate in Ronan. We have no convention, diocese, or conclave we must answer. The Bible alone is what establishes the doctrine we follow. The church of Christ is focused on community outreach with door-knocking campaigns, YouTube and Facebook live streams, tent-meetings, and other efforts to spread the gospel to those that need it. The church of Christ puts emphasis on living holy and righteous lives to be in relationship with God. This also brings a level of accountability that people need in their lives to step up to a higher standard of living, “Except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees …” (Matthew 5:20a). The church of Christ of Lake County currently meets at the Ronan VFW Hall on Round Butte. We encourage all to come visit

and study with us.

Micah Robertson Ronan

Question

Editor,

Growing up in a grounded family, I learned a lot about common sense. My mother taught me moderation in all things. One brother taught me that a swinging pendulum always returns to a balanced center. My other brother taught me to love and respect LL sentient beings and plants. My father taught me about black holes.

Now, much later, I have questions. Who are we as Americans? Will we ever unite? Can curiosity replace hate? Have our core values changed? Do we honor character, civility, and decency? The Statue of Liberty? Does truth trump lies? Does travel open hearts and minds?

Is deliberate ignorance a threat to democracy? Should we ban books?

Restrict a poet laureate? Do we have F-READOM? Is the statue of David pornographic?

Is believing easier than thinking? Is “woke” a compliment? Should we support public schools?

Should Black history and science be taught?

Are women’s rights human rights? Should we be free to make our own health care decisions?

Do we have the right to a healthful environment? Are we reaching the

tipping point of global warming? Is inaction on climate change an option? Should we be safe from gun violence? Do we love our children more than guns? When is enough, enough?

Do we still have separation of church and state? Is the Supreme Court supreme? Objective? Can we learn from all religions? From atheists? Agnostics? Is religion influencing politicians?

Is extremism like a metastatic cancer? Is Jan. 6 an example? What about conspiracy theories and disinformation? Is racism systemic? Is a true patriot the loudest guy flying the biggest flag? Doesn’t “less government” mean less government? Is “Freedom Caucus” a misnomer? Are corporations really people? Is gerrymandering fair? Are moderates becoming extinct? Is cooperation? Statesmanship? Should eight-year-old girls run Congress?

Why is Finland rated the happiest country in the world? High social support? Do U.S. congressmen receive entitlements? More than poor people?

When will common sense return to a balanced center? Will we love and respect Mother Earth? And each other? Should we all be asking questions?

Nancy Teggeman Polson

Summit talks language learning in early childhood

By Taylor Davison / Valley Journal

PABLO — The 2023 Montana Early Childhood Tribal Language Summit is taking place this week, showcasing the work done by Native communities to advance tribal language education for young learners.

The Summit first had its start in 2018. Put together by Zero to Five Montana, a dedicated early childhood organization focused on increasing access to early care and education, the event wasn’t held in 2020 or 2021 due to COVID-19. Now in full swing, this year’s return event has invited keynote speakers Cree Whelshula, who is the executive director of the kwu cnxi? nonprofit in Seattle and Muqsahkwat (Ron) Corn, who is a teacher of the Menominee language.

The breakout sessions held this year included a more interactive and involved round table format. They addressed not only early childhood

programs, but adult language programs, immersion language schools, early childhood stations showcasing the integration of language and cul-

ture, and advocating strategies for language involvement.

Carrie Spotted Bear, Zero to Five’s Montana Early Childhood Tribal Policy Co-

ordinator, also shared Native language legislative updates.

Hired in 2021, Spotted Bear shared that one of the revelations the organization has had is that early childhood language learning is a family endeavor. Zero to Five has invested in the creation of kids’ books in tribal languages that families can take with them to encourage learning at home.

In May of this year, the organization also launched a new pilot program to assist communities throughout the state build their own language learning policies, programs and systems. The programs will provide families resources and opportunities to help language thrive. Mini grants are available to applicants to

offset program costs and to increase parental engagement. This year, Spotted Bear got involved with legislation for early childhood language learning as well.

“Learning a language is so important for kids; it helps them understand their identity and heritage,” Spotted Bear commented.

So far, the Summit has always been held at SKC but Spotted Bear revealed that any other tribes are interested in hosting the event. As Zero to Five is involved with all tribes in Montana, they are encouraged to reach out with their desires to host the summit .

To learn more about Zero to Five or ways to get involved, visit: zerotofive.org

COURTESY PHOTO

2022 summit panel discussion

Carrie Spotted Bear speaks at the 2022 Early Childhood Tribal Language Summit.

COURTESY PHOTO

Carroll College names local students to spring 2023 dean’s list

News from Carroll College

HELENA — Carroll College named the Missoula and surrounding area students listed below to its 2023 spring semester dean’s list. To be included on the dean’s list, a student must receive a 3.5 grade point average or higher on a 4.0 scale and take at least 12 graded credits in a semester.

A complete list of spring 2023 dean’s list recipients can be found at: www. carroll.edu/deanslist.

Arlee: Natalie Yocum; Charlo: Bellicia Hawk; Plains: Audrey Brown; Polson: Margaret Todd; Ronan: Brooklyn Kenelty, James Normandeau; St. Ignatius: Katelyn Young.

Local student graduates from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

News from RPI

selaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) awarded a total of 1,988 degrees - 152 doctoral degrees, 390 master’s degrees, and 1,446 bachelor’s degrees - to 1,957 students, some of whom earned multiple degrees.

Ryan LaFleur of Arlee graduated with a BS in Computer Science.

Of the undergraduate students receiving bachelor’s degrees, 18 earned a perfect 4.0 grade point average. Among them was Jacob Gardiner Harris, who received the J. Erik Jonsson Prize, which was established by J. Erik Jonsson ‘22 to honor the senior who has achieved the highest academic record in the class.

Many graduates will continue their studies after graduation at RPI and universities such as Columbia University, Stanford University, and Cornell University. Others will begin professional positions with companies such as Dow Jones, Rockstar Games, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pfizer, Volvo Group, Boston Children’s Hospital, Edwards Lifesciences, Mastercard, Consigli, and WL Gore.

Rensselaer graduates continue to enjoy overall higher starting salaries

compared to national averages. Last year, the average starting salary for all reported undergraduate bachelor’s degree candidates from the Class of 2022 was $78,600.

To learn more about the Class of 2023, read commencement profiles at https://everydaymatters.rpi.edu.

Superintendent to host monthly parental updates on education legislation

News from OPI

HELENA — Superintendent Arntzen will host monthly virtual discussions focusing on education legislation passed during the 68th legislative session. The discussions are open to parents, families, teachers, school leaders, and legislators. The theme of these discussions is Local Accountability: How Recent Legislation Affects Families, Students, and Communities. All discussions will take place from 7-8 p.m. via Zoom at https://mt-gov.zoom.us/ j/82900294903?pwd=RkdYeWorNTFrOVJKNlUvaWVIOW1CZz09 and will be moderated by the Office of Pub-

lic Instruction’s Chief Legal Counsel.

“Local accountability can only be achieved through parental and community engagement in our education system,” said Superintendent Elsie Arntzen. “Many parents and school leaders reach to my office seeking guidance and clarification on how new legislation will affect their students. These discussions are educational opportunities for families, school, and communities.”

The discussions times and topics are:

- June 21: Comparing Charter School Bills: Public Charter Schools: HB 549 and Community Choice Schools: HB 562

- July 26: Discussing Obscenity: HB 234 , Notification Requirements, and Religious Freedom: HB 744 and HB 745

- Aug. 23: Special Needs Equal Opportunity Act: HB 393

- Sept. 20: Parental Rights: HB 676 and SB 518

Additional discussions will take place during the fall, please follow our new Parent Resources page for updates and more information at: https://opi. mt.gov/Families-Students/Parent-Resources/Parent-Resources

Hands-on solar cooker project drives home scientific principles

News from Mark Rochin

POLSON — The Polson Middle School eighth graders just finished their final unit on heat, light, and energy. The culminating project was to build a solar cooker at home and bring it in to test. Their goal was to get it the hottest they could get it using the principles they had learned. This year’s hottest temperature was 330F. Second place was 320F, and third 310F. They learned all the principles as we went through in

the heat, light, and energy unit with multiple activities, labs, videos, and discussions. I was very impressed with many of them, but more impressed how they could explain the science behind the cooker and how they could make it better next time. “Principles of the Solar Cooker” is an assignment students could do if they wanted to bring their grade up one grade after they were tested. We did a big heat and energy lab which was designed to allow them to see how the sci-

ence works in all the working parts of the cooker.

One specific station had a descriptive event titled “Ice Blocks.” They needed to observe, using all their senses, the two similar looking black coasters. One felt much colder than the other. They then had to predict which one would melt the ice cube faster. Almost all said the warmer one would. The warmer one was made out of a composite wood and the

PHOTO see page 17

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from page 14

other a metal, which felt much colder, but both looked similar. They put an ice cube on each and the colder-feeling metal one immediately began to melt the coaster. This reinforced the idea of Specific Heat. The “Ice Block” station explains Specific Heat Capacity, and showed them that most metals release energy at a much higher rate than cardboard or wood. The cooker that reached 330F applied all the principles correctly, and they definitely used thermodynamics with the thermometer sitting on copper wire. We cooked up a cake in our commercial cooker the

school owns - it reached a top temperature of 350F and can easily reach temperatures of 400F. Many students cooked cookies and hot dogs. It wasn’t a requirement for them to cook, but a plus for some hungry teenagers.

I hope this sparks their interest to continue into the much needed science and math fields of renewable energy. Nothing better than a solar cookie. One past student’s family used their cooker from two years ago last summer on their camping trip. We also brought in the idea that so many third world countries are now using solar cookers because of the scarcity of wood and fuel. All you need is photons.

Serving Lake County since 1923

owned and operated title company that has stood the test of time!

We offer complete, reliable title services in our conveniently located office in downtown Polson.

We appreciate the opportunity to serve you and your clients!

Early Childhood Services

How to get an application?

• Go to www.CSKT.org, click on the services tab, choose Early Childhood Services, select ECS application

• Call our office at 1-406-745-4509 to have an application mailed

Please include the following documents:

• Copy of your child’s birth certificate

• Proof of income (this can be tax return, W-2’s, current paystub, SSI, TANF, Foster placement)

• No income: contact the office to schedule an appointment (406-745-4509)

Also include:

• updated immunization records

• Tribal enrollment for applicants whom are an enrolled member of a federally recognized tribe.

Mail your applications to:

• Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes

• Early Childhood Services

Land Title Association

• 35401 Mission Dr.

• P.O. Box 1510

• St Ignatius, MT 59865

Email Applications to:

• Early Childhood Services at headstart@cskt.org

Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Early Childhood Services 35455 Mission Dr., St. Ignatius, MT 59865 (406) 745-4509 main number (406) 745-4510 fax Headstart@cskt.org email

COURTESY PHOTOS

Ninepipes Museum holds heritage keeper benefit

By Taylor Davison / Valley Journal

CHARLO — The Ninepipes Museum of Early Montana held its second annual Heritage Keeper Benefit on Sunday; this year focusing in on the tribe and our valley.

First held in 2022 in honor of museum founder Bud Cheff Jr. after receiving the 2021 Heritage Keeper Award from the Montana Historical Society – an award honoring those who have had a significant impact on generating interest in preserving Montana’s history and heritage – Executive Director Jo Cheff shared that the event had been so popular that they’d decided to hold it again.

“What’s nice about this year’s presentation is we’ve got kind of a nice program with the Flathead Reservation or the Salish and Kootenai Tribes presentation,” Cheff commented. “This

year we really wanted to focus on the tribal aspect and the valley, so that’s why we went this direction with it.”

This year’s event included entertainment from a variety of local talent, including Pat Matt with a traditional drum and song and Ryder Parot on the flute. Aspen and Cameron Decker with Xwlxwilt, which translates to Alive and Well, gave a Salish Cultural Art Presentation, and JR Parot performed Hoop Dance. A live auction was held with many items donated from local community members and organizations, all to a soundtrack of live music performed by Del and Cheryl DesJarlais and Richard Tobel.

Their main fundraising event of the year, Cheff shared they hope to gain enough funds to upgrade their audio tour system, as well as perform further work on an education program. The education program,

already in progress, will include winter storytelling in the museum for schoolkids.

“We’re so grateful for the support of the community,” Cheff said. “It’s been really phenomenal and keeps us going. There’s so much good feedback and so many people seem to enjoy (the museum) and support it, and we’re really happy to see an increase with the school, not just in the valley but up the Flathead and down through the Bitterroot, getting more and more people and schools involved. We’re pretty excited.”

Those interested in contributing items to the museum can learn more by calling 406-644-3435 and asking for Collections Curator Amy Webster. Anyone interested in contributing monetarily to help the museum keep local history alive can do so by visiting: ninepipesmuseum.org/waysto-support

Applications sought for Upland Game Bird Council

News from MT Fish, Wildlife & Parks

HELENA — Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking to fill two vacancies on an advisory council that provides ongoing monitoring of upland game bird enhancement program activities. Council members represent all FWP administrative regions and include upland game bird hunters, chamber of commerce memberships, upland game bird biologists and others who have conservation interests.

For one appointment, the council member must be residing in FWP Region 5. The second council member will be a member of a Chamber of Commerce. Businesses whose clientele include upland game bird hunters or landowners involved with conservation activities that benefit upland game birds are preferred.

Council members will be appointed by FWP Director Dustin Temple to participate in two meetings a year. Members will be asked to contribute to additional discussions throughout a two- or four-year term.

To apply, visit FWP’s website at: fwp.mt.gov and search “Upland Game Bird Advisory Council.” Paper applications are available upon request by calling 406-444-5674. Nominations must be submitted by June 23. The next council meeting will be held in Baker on Sept. 18 and 19.

For more information, call Debbie Hohler at 406-4445647, or send an email to dhohler@mt.gov.

Code Girls United announces summer camp locations and dates

Coding Groovy Unicorns Summer Camp in Kalispell, Billings, Harlem and Ronan.

News from Code Girls United

KALISPELL — Code Girls United will be hosting summer camps for girls in grades 4-8 this summer. “Coding

Groovy Unicorns” summer camps are designed to be fun and engaging while students learn coding, teamwork, cooperation and gain self-confidence. This class is for girls who are creative and want to learn about computer science in a team setting. In just 12 hours of class, students will learn coding basics, build a binary bracelet and create a game using

MIT App Inventor.

Coding Groovy Unicorn Camps will be held in Kalispell, Billings, Ronan and Harlem. Kalispell dates are: July 17-20 from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. or 1 – 4 p.m. Registration for Kalispell’s Coding Groovy Unicorns can be completed through Kalispell Parks and Recreation. Dates, times and registration for other camp sites can be

accessed through Code Girls United’s website: www.codegirlsunited.org. Don’t wait to register as registration for Kalispell closes on June 30.

Founded in 2016, Code Girls United is a nonprofit organization providing free after-school programming for fourth to eighth-grade girls and tribal high school girls in Montana. Code Girls

United’s mission is to: To expand the future career opportunities of 4th –8th grade girls through hands-on experiences in coding, technology, and business. Through the program, in addition to computer science and basic business skills, girls develop skills such as team building, public speaking, presentation skills and self-confidence.

The program serves

more than 400 students and has offered 36 scholarships to date. “We are always encouraging additional students to get involved. Please feel welcome to reach out with questions about the competition or enrollment this coming school year.”

To learn more, we welcome you to visit our website at: www.codegirlsunited.org

seniors

Ronan

By Donna Daniels for the Valley Journal

RONAN — The Mission Valley Senior Center is located across from St. Luke’s Hospital.

We are open Monday, Wednesday and Friday for lunch and other activities.

Our menu:

— Wednesday, June 14: sloppy Joes, salad, dessert

— Friday, June 16: liver, onions, salad, dessert

— Monday, June 19: enchiladas, salad, dessert

— Wednesday, June 21: soup, sandwiches, salad, dessert

— Wednesday, July 5: we are having a Patriotic Day. Wear your red, white and blue. The Area VI Agency on Aging is having a Cookbook Fundraiser. If you would like to submit a recipe, stop in and get a form.

Pinochle is played every Monday from 3:30-6 p.m. at the center. Everyone is welcome.

We also have pool available Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Come join the fun.

We will be doing a raffle for the 4th of July. Tickets are available from a senior member or at the center, one for $1 and six for $5. Besides two baskets to raffle off, we have numerous gift certificates.

Anyone is welcome to join us for meals no matter what age you are. We ask for a $7 donation for our Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays meals and $10 for our Sunday meal.

If you would like a meal delivered to your business just call us

by 10 a.m. Also, we will gladly send you a menu if requested.

Polson

By Pete Mangels for the Valley Journal

POLSON — World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is June 15, 2023. The Western Montana Elder Justice Council will hold an educational meeting at the Polson Senior Center on June 15 at 10:30 a.m. The United States Attorney’s Office and Adult Protective Services Dept. will discuss several important topics for all ages and races that involve protecting seniors from abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation and how to recognize and report crimes to authorities. No R.S.V.P. is necessary. Come as you are. Light refreshments will be provided.

A volunteer delivery driver is needed ASAP. The twenty-minute route starts at about 10:30 a.m. Monday-Friday.

Additional staff for our food service is needed, flexible full / part time shifts from 7 a.m.-4 p.m. Stop by for an application.

Green plastic bags used by Super One Foods are needed for our food services; recycle and clean.

Thanks for all the fresh produce that has been donated to the Polson Senior Center. Your harvest helps feed the hungry.

We are located at 504 Third Ave. E and are open from 8 a.m.–3 p.m. on weekdays. Call: 406-883-4735 or email us at: polsonseniorcenter@gmail. com. Submit your email address for updates and additional information from the center.

Activities:

Bingo: $100 payout on blackout guaranteed - bingo games Fridays at 7 p.m.- “Playing Card” bingo first and third Wednesdays of each month

Exercise: low impactM-W-F, 10:30–11:30 a.m. free informal video-assisted self-guidance

Pinochle: Thursdays from noon-3 p.m., free cookies, coffee, and good times

Pool:  Open table from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays

Veterans’ Rep: first Friday (July 7) and third Tuesday (June 18) from 10 a.m.-noon

Mahjong: Wednesdays at noon

Menu (subject to change): $5 - serving from 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m.  sit-down or take-out; call before 10 a.m. for delivery

— Wednesday, June 14: French dip sandwich, au jus, tater tots, carrot-raisin salad, apple crisp

— Thursday, June 15, (Flag Day): barbecue ribs, baked beans, carrots, sweet/sour cukes, chocolate pudding

— Friday, June 16: pizza, pepperoni or Canadian bacon with pineapple, corn, green salad, cookie

— Monday, June 19 (Juneteenth): cream of potato soup, ½ ham salad sandwich, fluffy fruit salad, coffee cake

— Tuesday, June 20: lemon chicken, pasta, mixed vegetables, spinach salad, bread pudding

— Wednesday, June 21: softshell taco, refried beans, Fritos salad, frosted brownie

— Thursday, June 22: corn dogs, mac-n-cheese, applesauce, coleslaw, cookie

— Friday, June 23: roast pork - traditional birthday

dinner at lunchtime. Important announcements for members and guests will be presented at 11:45 a.m. Lunch will be available at noon. You may prepay starting at 11:30 p.m.

St. Ignatius

By Barbara Plouffe for the Valley Journal

ST. IGNATIUS — Thank you to all that came for Bingo on June 10. It was a fun time. Gardens have started to produce and fresh vegetables are healthy for each of us.

If you have a garden and find yourself with extra veggies and or fruit, remember the senior centers and your local Food Pantries. I know everyone enjoys these items.

The center has been gifted with 1000 piece puzzles. We have over 50 I believe. If you are interested in taking one for home or someone you know could use a pastime activity, come to the center and we will give you one or more. We are open the days that meals are served.

We would love to have old neighbors and new neighbors come and enjoy our meals. You don’t have to be a senior to join and support our center. Everyone is welcome to come and enjoy a meal with us:

— Friday, June 16: noonbaked ham, macaroni salad, fresh seasonal veggie, roll, seasonal fruit pie

— Tuesday, June 20: noonShepherd’s pie, mixed veggies, Jell-O/fruit salad,dessert

— Wednesday, June 21: at 5:30 - roast beef,mashed potatoes, green beans, vegetable sal-

ad, seasonal dessert (local grown food will be featured)

— Friday, June 23: noontuna casserole with peas, Sauerkraut salad, baking powder biscuits, dessert

If you are interested in a take-out meal, please call, 406-745-4462, by 10 a.m. If you would like a menu, we can email it, or you can pick one up on regular meal day. There are generally copies of the menu in the entryway at the center.

We invite you to become a member of the St. Ignatius Senior Citizen Center for a fee of $10 a year.

Foot Hill Club meets the second and fourth Wednesday of each month at 1 p.m. for snacks and cards.

Gently Yoga is held on Wednesdays. If you are interested, call Bonnie Kiser at 4062253-0171. Her rates are five sessions for $60.

Let us know if you are in the need of a walker, commode, wheelchair or high-rise toilet seat. A kind gentleman gave us some Depends, sanitary pads and body wipes that are also available to share. Call 406745-4462 and leave a message or come in to see what we have.

Our senior center is available for rental. If you are interested call 406-745-4462 and leave a message.

The senior center has a computer that is available for use by the public on Tuesdays or Fridays from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

If you need help with other areas of your life such as: transportation, respite, home health services, or other information, call the friendly people at Lake County Council on Aging at 406-676-2367.

Providence St. Patrick Hospital named Top 25 in nation for environmental stewardship

News from Providence MISSOULA — Providence St. Patrick Hospital has been named one of the Top 25 hospitals in the country for its distinguished work in pursuing environmental excellence. We also received the Greening the OR Recognition Award and a Circle of Excellence Award for Waste from Practice Greenhealth, the nation’s leading organization dedicated to environmental sustainability in health care.

“In 2020, Providence announced our goal to become carbon negative across our seven-state organization by 2030. The more we work together to reduce our carbon footprint, the more we are directly contributing to the health of our communities and a more sustainable future,” said Beth Schenk, AVP, Environmental Stewardship.

Sarah Johnson, R.N., St. Pat’s clinical program manager for environmental stewardship continued, “Sustainability means

looking at how our operations affect the health and safety of our environment as well as the health of our patients, staff, visitors and local community. Strategies to address sustainability at our organization include minimizing and recycling waste, addressing chemicals of concern, lowering energy and water consumption, sourcing food and products sustainably, and establishing environmentally preferable purchasing criteria. At Providence St. Patrick Hospital, we know sustain-

e a d y t o P l a y

ability is essential to better care for our patients, communities, and planet.”

“We’re grateful to the many caregivers, frontline workers and administrators who are committed to this work and bring innovation, ingenuity and adaptability to help us dramatically improve our footprint. The more we work together to reduce our carbon footprint, the more we are directly contributing to the health of our communities and a more sustainable future,” said Kirk Bodlovic, Interim Chief Executive,

Providence Montana.

Top 25

Selected from the pool of Partner for Change applicants, these hospitals are leading the industry in all-around sustainability performance, demonstrating comprehensive programs, and illustrating how sustainability is entrenched in their organizational culture.

Circles of Excellence

The Circles of Excellence Awards celebrate hospitals who have not only earned an award for all-around sustainability

achievement but have also been identified as the top scoring programs for each sustainability category.

Greening the OR

The Greening the Operating Room Award honors facilities that have made substantial progress in reducing the surgical environment’s impact.

Partner for Change

Providence St. Joseph Medical Center in Polson won a 2023 Environmental Excellence Award – The Partner for Change award for broad environmental excellence.

Montana film company presents world premiere of ‘Somewhere in Montana’

June 22 event is open to the public

News from Nova Vento Entertainment POLSON — Nova Vento Entertainment, a Polson-based film production and distribution company, present a public and cast screening with local and Hollywood cast in attendance. The World Premiere of their new feature film “Somewhere in Montana” is Thursday, June 22 at 7 p.m. at Showboat Stadium Cinema 6, 416 Main Street) The red carpet event begins at 6:15 p.m.

Montana cattle rancher John Alexander, at risk of losing his land, agrees to let a film production use his property for a location shoot. He doesn’t exactly see eyeto-eye with the urban cast and crew, from the risqué storyline to how they handle their props. The film’s obsessive director, Fabian, is intent on calling the shots and

News from the MSU News Service

BOZEMAN — The 78th annual Montana 4-H Congress is set for July 9-14 on the Montana State University campus in Bozeman.

Montana 4-H expects more than 300 4-H youth, volunteers and MSU Extension faculty to be in attendance. This year’s theme is TV 4-H Network.

Montana 4-H Congress events, which are for youth ages 13-19, are designed to provide a safe and fun environment for competitive and social events, educational workshops, service-learn-

ing and more.

getting his film made whatever it takes. The two clash, but ultimately come to terms with their respective points of view. Alexander decides to trust Fabian, and

Fabian now knows he’ll be able to finish his film—until a shocking incident brings production to a complete halt. A devastated Fabian tries to revive the project,

but because of the incident no one will touch it.

Tickets for the event can be purchased through Polson Theatres, Inc. by calling 406-883-5603.

Nova Vento Entertainment is a distribution company focused on U.S, theatrical releases of independent films. With a strong belief that quality films are best enjoyed in a theatrical experience among other people who love the same films, Nova Vento specializes in independent films, faith-based films, and art-house fair. What makes Nova Vento unique in the distribution game is their uniquely crafted approach to each and every film. Fostering a healthy relationship between the film maker and the theaters, Nova Vento also works diligently to raise up the next generation of independent filmmakers.

To find out more about Nova Vento Entertainment, visit: https://novavento. com

Pre-Congress activities allow youth to learn by doing, build confidence and work together as they plan conference events. Meanwhile, competitive events – on topics ranging from livestock and quilting to public speaking and career communications – allow youth to work toward goals and learn from results.

The Montana 4-H Congress will also host keynote speaker Scotty Wiese, who will present “How to Magically Connect and Succeed in Life.” Wiese is a magician, speaker and author who is known for his

upbeat shows focused on human connection.

The 4-H Congress event positively impacts youth by inviting them to form relationships with peers from around Montana, with new ideas and the faculty who present those ideas, and with higher education and college life, according to Todd Kesner, director of Montana 4-H.

“At its core, the event is designed to bring people together,” he said.

Youth who are interested in attending the Montana 4-H Congress are invited to contact their local MSU Extension office. Deadlines vary by community.

EDEN BRYANT PHOTO

On the set of “Somewhere in Montana.”

MT 4-H Congress set for July 9-14 at MSU

‘Mozart at McClaren’ Festival Amadeus to be held

Glacier Symphony presents the Flathead Valley’s only classical music festival with a thoughtfully curated three-day program of music

KALISPELL — Festival Amadeus will take a new format as a weekend classical music festival, rather than a week-long festival, and is called “Mozart at McClaren” this year. The festival will be filled with the same classical music repertoire and pre-concert talks prepared by Maestro John Zoltek that new and returning attendees love, but in a three-evening format in the acoustically excellent home of the Glacier Symphony. Mozart at McClaren is June 23, 24 and 25. Each night’s performance begins at 7:30 p.m. Individual tickets start as low as $40 and three-day passes start as low as $138.

Mozart at McClaren features a special edition of the Glacier Symphony Orchestra, called the Festival Amadeus Orchestra, that performs with traveling, talented soloists under the direction of Founding Artistic Director and Conductor, John Zoltek. This year, pianist Anna Polonsky and violinist Yevgeny Kutik will be performing with our Festival Amadeus Orchestra.

Anna Polonsky made her solo piano debut at the age of seven at the Special Central Music School in Moscow, Russia. She emigrated to the United States in 1990 and attended high school at the Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan. She received her Bachelor of Music diploma from The Curtis Institute of Music under the tutelage of the renowned pianist Peter Serkin, and continued her studies with Jerome Lowenthal, earning her master’s degree from the Juilliard School. Anna Polonsky is widely in demand as a soloist and chamber musician. She has appeared with the Moscow Virtuosi, the Buffalo Philharmonic, the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, the Columbus Symphony

Orchestra, the Memphis Symphony, the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, the St. Luke’s Chamber Ensemble, and many others. Ms. Polonsky has collaborated with the Guarneri, Orion, Daedalus, and Shanghai Quartets, and with such musicians as Mitsuko Uchida, Yo-Yo Ma, David Shifrin, Richard Goode, Emanuel Ax, Arnold Steinhardt, Peter Wiley, and Jaime Laredo. She is a recipient of a Borletti-Buitoni Trust Fellowship and the Andrew Wolf Chamber Music Award. In addition to performing, she serves on the piano faculty of Vassar College. Ms. Polonsky is a Steinway Artist.

Mozart at McClaren’s featured violinist, Yevgeny Kutik, is praised for his “darkhued tone and razor-sharp technique,” according to The New York Times. Yevgeny Kutik has captivated audiences worldwide with an old-world sound that communicates a modern intellect. Praised for his technical precision and virtuosity, he is also lauded for his poetic and imaginative interpretations of standard works as well as rarely heard and newly composed repertoire. A native of Minsk, Belarus, Yevgeny Kutik immigrated to the United States with his family at the age of five. Yevgeny Kutik began violin studies with his mother, Alla Zernitskaya, and went on to study with Zinaida Gilels, Shirley Givens, Roman Totenberg, and Donald Weilerstein. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Boston University and a master’s degree from the New England Conservatory. Kutik made his major orchestral

debut in 2003 with Keith Lockhart and The Boston Pops as the First Prize recipient of the Boston Symphony Orchestra Young Artists Competition. In 2006, he was awarded the Salon de Virtuosi Grant as well as the Tanglewood Music Center Jules Reiner Violin Prize. His 2014 album, Music from the Suitcase: A Collection of Russian Miniatures (Marquis Classics), features music he found in his family’s suitcase after immigrating to the United States from the Soviet Union in 1990 and debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard Classical chart. The album garnered critical acclaim and was featured on NPR’s All Things Considered and in The New York Times. Kutik’s violin was crafted in Italy in 1915 by Stefano Scarampella.

Like the acclaimed soloists, the Festival Amadeus Orchestra is oozing with talent and dedication to the music planned for the trio of performances. Glacier Symphony’s Concertmaster, Ali Schultz Levesque, and Associate Concertmaster, Sara Schultz Levesque, shared their passion for participating in the Festival Amadeus Orchestra once again during Mozart at McClaren festival weekend. Both musicians are thrilled about the challenge of performing high-level repertoire like Beethoven, Haydn, Mendelssohn, Mozart and more in a condensed period of time, said Ali. “Putting all of that together is constant mental pivoting when going across the genres, to working with soloists and then solely as the core orchestra. It’s eat, sleep, rehearse, perform repeat,” said

Ali. Sara added, “It’s a fun orchestra marathon.”

Mozart at McClaren opens Friday evening with a full-scale duo recital for violin and piano with a virtuosic program to include pieces by Mozart and an assortment of French composers including Cesar Frank, Darius Milhaud and Maurice Ravel. Glacier Symphony’s Conductor, Zoltek is looking forward to the rarely performed, thrilling and rhythmically dynamic Le Boeuf sur le Toit (The Ox on the Roof) by Milhaud. “And, per my request, Yevgeny and Anna will also offer a very beautiful encore written by a famous Russian composer,” said Zoltek.

Saturday evening, guest pianist Anna Polonsky will take the stage for one of Mozart’s great piano concertos nicknamed ‘The Coronation’ as it was originally composed as a work celebrating the crowning of Leopold II as Holy Roman Emperor in 1790. “The Coronation Concerto is a popular work with dynamic outer movements framing a simple themed slow movement that allows pianists to add ornamentations and improvised passages to the solo piano part,” said Zoltek. “Anna Polonsky is a brilliant pianist and a recognized practitioner of the music of Mozart.”

Sunday’s final concert features violinist Yevgeny Kutik, making his fourth appearance with Glacier Symphony, and playing Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E minor, one of the most beloved concertos in the repertoire. The orchestra will also present Mozart’s Paris Symphony and Beethoven’s exciting Symphony No. 7 in A, once called the “apotheosis of the dance” will absolutely shine as the concert finale.

“So, there we have it, our three-concert festival, strongly rooted in the Classical Style with a little French music and Mendelssohn added to add just the right amount of variety of musical flavors. I recommend you try the entire menu,” shares our Artistic Director and Conductor.

For more information, contact the Glacier Symphony and Chorale office at 406-407-7000 or info@gscmusic.org, or in-person at 69 N Main Street in Kalispell.

News from Glacier Symphony

COURTESY PHOTO

Festival Amadeus Orchestra

Look into FWP’s Habitat Conservation Lease Program

News from MT Fish, Wildlife & Parks HELENA — Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is again accepting applications for its Habitat Conservation Lease Program.

A habitat conservation lease is a voluntary, incentive-based agreement between FWP and private landowners in which the landowner commits to specific land management practices that protect priority wildlife habitat. In turn, FWP pays landowners a one-time per-acre fee for the lease. These agreements will have a term length of 30 and 40 years.

As it has for decades, FWP is still pursuing conservation easements and land purchases where support from landowners, local officials and the community exists. The lease program is an addition to the conservation tools already available to landowners.

Last year FWP received few applications for the program and has since made changes to the program to make it more appealing to landowners. These changes included increasing the payment level and providing a new buy-out option for landowners who wish to replace the conservation lease with a

permanent conservation easement.

A supplemental environmental assessment was completed on the changes to the program earlier this year.

The initial focus of the conservation lease program is prairie and pothole wetland habitats, with a priority on sagegrouse core areas and other plains habitats recognized by FWP as high priority for wildlife.

In areas critical to sagegrouse, these leases ensure habitat protections to keep populations healthy and allow the bird to remain off the Endangered Species List.

The Habitat Conservation Lease Program potentially could protect up to 500,000 acres in the next five years.

“Beyond protecting important habitat, this program will also be another tool to help keep family farms and ranches on the

landscape, which will ensure our vital open spaces stay that way well into the future,” said FWP Director Hank Worsech.

Habitat conservation leases maintain native habitats by protecting them from specific disturbances that would alter their integrity, including tillage, energy development, building construction, and wetland filling or draining. Normal agricultural operations and noxious weed control will not be impacted.  Public access also will be part of the lease, but the details would be specific to each agreement.   Funding for the conservation lease program includes earmarked Habitat Montana funds, Pittman-Robertson funds and other sources dedicated to specific habitat types (e.g., wetlands). The Habitat Montana funds will be matched by federal funds at a 25/75 ratio, meaning every dollar of Habitat Montana money would be matched by $3 of federal money.

More information and applications for the program are available on the FWP at: https://fwp. mt.gov/conservation/ habitat/habitat-conservation/lease-program.

The deadline for applications is July 14.

“

Beyond protecting important habitat, this program will also be another tool to help keep family farms and ranches on the landscape ...”

- FWP Director Hank Worsech

Climate scientist: MT should expect climate-driven water, wildfire woes

Steve Running, a 2007 Nobel Peace Prize recipient, discussed the global causes and local implications of climate change at an event in Billings.

News from Amanda Eggert Montana Free Press

BILLINGS — Montanans should expect longer, more intense wildfire seasons and declining streamflows, the state’s most decorated climate scientist said during the keynote address of Billings’ inaugural Climate Week, an event that aims to raise awareness about climate change and explore responses.

Former University of Montana professor Steve Running provided high-level explanations of climate change’s causes and impacts at a presentation attended by more than 150 people Tuesday evening. He also discussed alternatives to fossil fuel-intensive energy sources such as coal, oil and natural gas for the audience assembled at Montana State University-Billings’ Petro Hall.

Running is a former NASA scientist and served on the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which was awarded the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize for its work assessing the science of climate change. A resident of Missoula who’s been giving presentations on climate change since 2000, Running is also a professor emeritus of ecosystem and conservation sciences at the University of Montana.

Increasing concentrations of greenhouse gasses are driving a global dynamic whereby “wet areas are getting wetter and dry areas are getting drier,” Running said. Since Montana is an arid region with low humidity, “that hot air just doesn’t have any more water to take up from the surface” in the warmest months of the year. Thus, one impact of climate change in Montana is that summer precipitation is declining at the same time a general 2- to 3-degree

increase in air temperature is leading snowpack to melt faster, he said.

As a result, less water is flowing into the state’s rivers and streams, which impacts all manner of water users, from agricultural irrigators to rafting and fly-fishing guides to utility companies reliant on hydroelectric power.

Running also said warmer temperatures paired with the state’s semi-arid landscape mean that more of Montana is becoming vulnerable to wildfire for a longer stretch of the year.

“The snowpack melts earlier and the system dries out up to a higher elevation, so you have a larger portion of the landscape that’s vulnerable to an ignition event for a longer period of time,” he said. “This, to me, is our Achilles’ heel. This is like our sea-level rise. All you have to do is read the 1910 history of what could happen and realize it’s even hotter and drier now than it was in 1910,” he said referring to the notorious Great Fire of 1910, a wind-driven blaze that burned millions of acres of western Montana and Idaho in a matter of days.

Running didn’t dwell on those impacts before transitioning to what he called “the good news”: that cost trends for solar- and wind-derived power have been “spectacular.” Both energy sources now out-compete coal-fired power, even if the calculation is based on burning coal in existing plants rather than building new ones, he claimed.

Coal combustion, the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions on the

planet, is now “fundamentally uneconomic,” Running said.

“To me, the most important thing for us to do is to quit burning coal and quit selling it for anybody else to burn,” Running said. “This is absolutely priority No. 1, worldwide — to end coal burning, particularly for electric power. … This is something where we have choices.”

Running also mentioned the Held v. Montana trial scheduled to start June 12 in Helena, in which 16 youth plaintiffs will argue that Montana’s approach to energy permitting has deprived them of their constitutional right to a “clean and healthful environment.” It’s a firstof-its kind trial where plaintiffs will attempt to hold a government accountable for its role in facilitating climate change via energy-permitting practices.

“It turns out that Montana is the very first [lawsuit] that will get to the courtroom next week,” Running said, to applause from the audience. Running, an expert witness for the plaintiffs, is expected to describe the mechanisms driving climate change and its impacts in Montana before Lewis and Clark County District Court Judge Kathy Seeley.

Running closed his presentation Tuesday with a graphic demonstrating temperature levels under a suite of different emission scenarios.

“This looks like quite a mess,” he said, “because the models don’t know what humanity’s going to decide to do.”

“This is not algorithm error — it is what in the hell is humanity going to decide to do?” he continued. “That’s where we sit, right to this day, with that decision.”

Running’s agenda for the week also included other events in the Billings area. More than 30 local and statewide organizations coordinated to produce Billings Climate Week. They include Sustainable Billings, Families for a Livable Climate, Forward Montana, the League of Women Voters, Big Sky 55+ and a number of faith-based organizations.

FWP’s biennial hunting season-setting process

begins

News from MT Fish, Wildlife & Parks

HELENA — Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will kick off the biennial hunting season-setting process earlier to allow for more public engagement and greater transparency. Public involvement will begin in June and end in November. In the past, public involvement happened primarily in December and January.

FWP will conduct scoping meetings around the state from June 15-July 15. FWP staff will look to hunters to provide broad input on regulation changes they’d like to see. Staff will also look for feedback on a few specific proposals.

These scoping meetings are more formal than in past years and will replace the public meetings FWP used to hold to present and discuss tentative regulations. However, these scoping meetings are not the same as public comment meetings. FWP staff will listen at the scoping meetings and capture the general themes and then use the information to develop draft regulations, which will be released for public comment in October. FWP will hold additional public meetings in early November to answer questions about the draft regulation proposals. Comment on the draft regulation proposals will be collected through the FWP website during the fall public commenting period. The final decision on regulations will come at the December Fish and Wildlife Commission meeting.

Hunting regulation changes are done every other year. This new process will give the public a better understanding of where regulation changes are coming from, how FWP is engaging the public, and what changes are being suggested by individual commissioners.

The earlier start to the process will also result in the availability of hunting regulations at the beginning of the license year – March 1.

Scoping meeting schedule for nearby areas:

Kalispell, June 29, 6 p.m., FWP Region 1 Office, with a virtual option (490 N. Meridian Rd.)

Missoula, June 27, 6 p.m., FWP Region 2 Conference Room, with a virtual option (3201 Spurgin Rd.)

Seeley Lake, July 13, 6 p.m., Seeley Lake Community Foundation (3150 MT-83)

MTFP PHOTO

Steve Running closed his presentation Tuesday with a graphic demonstrating temperature levels under a suite of different emission scenarios.

Montana snow melts early

News from NRCS

BOZEMAN — “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 first 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 first,” 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 Jefferson River basins. Almost 70% of NRCS snow monitoring stations measured on June

Daya

Daya is a female, 2.5-year-old, super sweet, velcro dog. She weighs around 40lbs and would love to be an only pet in a household where she can stay by your side and be the superstar of your attention.

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 streamflows. Rivers near Missoula, Butte, Helena,

Bozeman, White Sulphur Springs, and Billings experienced total monthly streamflows in May that were in their 80th percentile or greater. “On May first, the NRCS May-July water supply forecasts estimated streamflows 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 streamflows were normal,” said Larson.

see page 26

NRCS PHOTO

PUZZLES

GIANT CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1. 1935 Triple Crown winner

6. Lion’s lunch, maybe

12. “___ Cannonball”

18. Of a clan

19. Xylophone striker

20. ___ king crab

22. Cast

23. Map line

24. Take over for

25. A/C controller

27. Devises

29. Bakery output 30. Buddy-buddy

32. Big East team 33. Place for a nap 34. Bonanza finds 35. ___ carotene 36. Age 38. Long ___ 40. “That’s ___ ...” 41. Its motto is “Lux et veritas” 42. Cheek color 43. “My boy” 44. Joint problem 45. Kind of phone 46. Grain cutters 50. Laughable 53. Swear 56. “Where the heart is”

57. ___ State, Maryland university 58. Contemptible one 59. Land on the Red Sea 60. All square 61. Dirty 62. Forest growth 63. ___-bodied

64. Uncool sort

65. Shrek, e.g.

66. Blow

68. Leave in, as text

69. Trash hauler

70. Brook

71. Rifled

73. ___ roll

74. Beg

76. Coconut fiber

77. Round sound

78. Arch

79. Bawl out

81. Appear to be

82. Black bird

85. Lively

88. New moon, e.g.

89. Close, as an envelope

90. Busy place

91. Bled

92. Often

93. A long time

95. No longer dirt

96. Stuffed tortillas

100. Rattling and banging

102. Substituted (for)

103. Form, as tears

105. California county

106. Commotion

107. Bit of fresh air?

108. Diatribe

109. Jefferson and Voltaire, for two

110. Drops off 111. Outbuildings

DOWN

1. Apple producer

2. Joined with beveled edges

3. Cancels

4. Injures

5. ___-ran

6. Copy

7. Garam ___ (Indian spice mixture)

8. Novels’ essences

9. Priest’s robe

10. Book part

11. Fate who cuts the thread of life

12. Affection

13. Alaskan islander

14. Event attended by Cinderella

15. Atlas section

16. Draw

17. Be dressed in

18. Kind of artist

21. Settles

26. Breadmaker’s wheat

28. Full-bodied

31. Bellows

35. Data transfer speed unit

37. Like thick orange juice

38. Rapture

39. Without delay (of payment)

41. Yesteryear

42. Bit of sweat 43. Vista 44. Innocent 45. Holds 46. Refine

“Return to ___”

Can you find all the listed words in the grid? Words may appear horizontally, vertically or diagonally, forwards or backwards.

Reptiles

DOT-TO-DOT

Starting at 1, connect the dots in numerical order to complete the picture.

MIRROR IMAGE

Which of the four images below is the mirror image of the larger one to the right?

A B C D

SOLUTIONS

43. Scene, 44. Guileless, 45. Clasps, 46. Smelt, 47. Hovers, 48. Emerge, 49. Sender, 50. Absorb, 51. Boogie, 52. Swirls, 53. Bosun, 54. Heater, 55. Embed, 58. Torah, 62. Mercy, 67. Tacos, 68. Skid, 69. Balm, 72. Coley, 73. Keel, 75. Elk, 77. Beast, 79. Shod, 80. Catawba, 81. Seraphs, 82. Divined, 83. Avenges, 84. Wedged, 85. Brest, 86. Ranted, 87. Income, 88. Plants, 89. Salute, 90. Harare, 92. A-list, 94. Éclat, 95. Perch, 97. Hopi, 98. Ides, 99. Serb, 101. Toss, 104. Lea.

39. On the nail, 41. Yore, 42. Bead,

in, 103. Well up, 105. Orange, 106. Tempest, 107. Breath, 108. Screed, 109. Deists, 110. Abates, 111. Sheds. Down: 1. Orchard, 2. Mitered, 3. Aborts, 4. Harms, 5. Also, 6. Imitate, 7. Masala, 8. Plots, 9. Alb, 10. Leaf, 11. Atropos, 12. Warmth, 13. Aleut, 14. Ball, 15. Asia, 16. Sketch, 17. Have on, 18. Tattoo, 21. Nests, 26. Spelt, 28. Rich, 31. Yells, 35. Baud, 37. Pulpy, 38. Joy,

Montana snow

from page 23

June 1 seasonal water supply forecasts range from well above normal to well below normal in Montana. The Beaverhead, Ruby, Smith, Boulder (Jefferson drainage), Musselshell, and Madison rivers are expected to have streamflows over 120% of normal through September. Forecasts are lowest in northwest Montana and the northern Rocky Mountain Front where many streamflows are expected to be about 60-70% of normal.

Some forecasts within that region, including all forks of the Flathead River, indicate streamflows 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.

Real-time snow survey data can be found at: nrcs.usda.gov/ montana, scroll to Popular Topics and click Montana Snow Survey Program.

obituaries

Gene Nett

PHARR, TEXAS —

Gene Arthur Nett, 87, passed away of natural causes on May 17, 2023, in Pharr, Texas.

Gene was born on Jan. 27, 1937, along with his twin sister Joann, to Arthur C. and Ruby (Connor) Nett. They joined big brother Russell, growing up on a cattle

ranch beneath Haystack Butte in Augusta, Montana. Gene and his siblings grew up riding horses, milking cows, branding calves and working the ranch, while attending school in Augusta. After graduating, Gene joined the Navy before pursuing higher education to become a teacher.

Gene went on to teach Industrial Arts classes and coach in Charlo and Worden, Montana, and Greybull, Wyoming, touching countless lives with his knowledge and passion. He became a jack of all trades, always work-

ing on something. While working in Charlo Schools, Gene met a special lady he would spend the next 40 years with. Gene was married and divorced twice before marrying his loving companion, Marjorie (Weingart) Nett in 1982. After many happy years together in Worden and Greybull, retirement brought a whole new adventure of traveling and visiting friends and family around the country. This also allowed more time for golf. Gene and Margie eventually settled in Harlingen, Texas, where they found a circle of friends but continued

to travel back to Montana to visit in Polson and do ranch work in Wisdom. Marge and Gene were completely content as long as they were together, usually holding hands. No matter where they were, Gene always had a game to watch. Always a coach, Gene followed sports at every level and loved to debate with anyone who shared an interest. When we visited at the Gardens at Brook Ridge Assisted Living, golf was on and Gene was watching.

Gene was preceded in death by his wife, Marjorie, in March; parents, Arthur

and Ruby; brother, Russell; sister, Joann; and brotherin-law, John Nelson.

Gene is survived by his twin nephews, Johnnie and Rohnnie Nelson; niece, Shonda Nelson; numerous great-nieces and great-nephews; stepdaughter, Rita McKeever; eight grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and the Nolan family: Tim, Beth, Matthew, Lucas, and Marcus, who were very dear to Gene and took care of him just like family.

Gene and Marjorie’s ashes will be scattered together, near Augusta, Montana, as they wished.

Waterton-Glacier announce reopening of Goat Haunt

Cross border travel between Waterton Lakes National Park and Glacier National Park will reopen for the 2023 season.

News from Glacier National Park

WEST GLACIER—Waterton

Lakes National Park (Alberta, Canada) and Glacier National Park (Montana, USA) announce that pedestrian and watercraft cross-border travel between the parks will reopen for the 2023 season.

The Goat Haunt area of Glacier National Park will open for the season on June 24. Goat Haunt is a remote area on the southern end of Upper Waterton Lake. The area is only accessible by watercraft or hiking trails.

Glacier National Park will have

interpretive programs starting the week of June 25 at Goat Haunt this year with a variety of talks at the Snowflake pavilion and short guided walks for visitors traveling by boat.

International Peace Park hikes will be co-led with a Parks Canada Interpreter and a National Park Service interpretive park ranger on Fridays starting Friday, June 30 to Friday, Sept. 1.

The season program calendar is still being updated and visitors should check back as the season nears.

Goat Haunt back country camping shelters will also be open for the 2023 season.

“I’m thrilled that we are reopening Goat Haunt and renewing a visitor experience that is at the heart of the International Peace Park,” says Dave Roemer, Glacier National Park Superintendent.

“Goat Haunt is the perfect place

to celebrate the long-standing peace and friendship between the United States and Canada, and the shared resources and splendor that we protect through Parks Canada and the National Park Service.”

The best and most common way to access Goat Haunt is from Waterton Lakes National Park. Visitors can:

- Hike the Lakeshore trail. The trail starts in the Waterton Village at the Bertha trailhead and leads south to the Goat Haunt Ranger Station. The hike to Goat Haunt is 13.5 kilometers one way (nearly 8.5 miles), requiring a prebooked return ferry trip through Shoreline Cruises, or 27 kilometers (nearly 17 miles) round trip.

- Paddle, take a personal watercraft, enjoy a scenic cruise, or take a hiking ferry. All non-motorized watercraft requires an inspection, and all motorized watercrafts require a 90-day quarantine before

launching in Waterton Lakes National Park. More information on watercraft requirements is available on the Parks Canada website.

Travel across the United States-Canada border requires planning ahead and adherence to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Canadian Border Service Agency (CBSA) regulations. Visitors wanting to cross the border by personal watercraft or hiking trail must have a passport and report their entry to the United States via the CBP ROAM app and their return to Canada to CBSA via telephone. Visitors taking a cruise through Shoreline Cruises do not require a passport. Kiosks will be available near the boat dock for visitors to use ROAM. More information about the CBP ROAM app can be found on the CBP’s website.

“Crossing the border by hiking see page 27

Gene Nett

MPR presents David J. Duncan’s new novel ‘Sun House’

News from MPR

MISSOULA — In what promises to be an extraordinary evening of story, song, and conversation, Montana Public Radio will celebrate the publication of award-winner and Missoula resident David James Duncan’s powerful new novel, “Sun House,” on Friday, Aug. 11, at 7 p.m. at The Wilma. MTPR’s Lauren Korn (host of “The Write Question”) and Justin Angle (host of “A New Angle”) will preside over the festivities. Special musical guest is American singer-songwriter Jeffrey Foucault.

By all measures, the rollout of Sun House is a major publishing event with reviews and interviews already slotted in The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times and The Washington Post.

Sixteen years in the making, Sun House is an epic comedy about love, spirit, and the quest for transcendence in an anything-but-transcendent America. In it, Duncan continues exploring the American search for meaning and love that he began in his acclaimed novels The River Why (1983) and The Brothers

Waterton-Glacier

K (1992). Set amid the gorgeous landscapes of the American West, the stunning new novel illuminates the contemporary world through the prisms of Eastern wisdom, cast-off ecstatic religious ideals, and the unpredictable, expansive yearnings of the human heart.

The spirited book launch will be presented in two segments, the first being an interview with Duncan. In the second part of the program, Duncan’s long-time friend, singer-songwriter Jeffrey Foucault, will join him on stage where Duncan will read passages from Sun House that Foucault will “illustrate” with music he’ll improvise for the occasion.

“David’s writing has helped so many of us make sense of this world’s beautiful and confounding complexity,” says Angle. “We are all so excited to dig into Sun House and re-immerse ourselves in David’s singular sensibility.”

Korn adds, “We all pine for the opportunity to be in conversation with our favorite authors; I just happen to be in the enviable position of being able to disguise my fangirl enthusiasm for David’s lyrical (and

often humorous) study of humanity as part of my job description.”

Local bookseller Fact & Fiction will be selling pre-autographed copies of Sun House in The Wilma lobby. Sun House will be released nationwide on August 8 through Little, Brown & Co. Publishing.

David James Duncan is the author of the classic novels The River Why and The Brothers K, the story collection River Teeth, the nonfiction collection and National Book Award finalist, My Story as Told by Water, the best-selling collection of “churchless sermons,” God Laughs & Plays, and, this August 8th, the novel legendary editor Michael Pietsch “will immodestly call David’s magnum opus” and writer William deBuys calls “one of the greatest imaginative achievements I’ve encountered in a lifetime of reading,” Sun House.

In two decades on the road Jeffrey Foucault has become one of the most distinctive voices in American music, refining a sound instantly recognizable for its simplicity and emotional power, a decidedly Midwestern amalgam of blues, country, rock’n’roll, and folk.

Get a job – earn college credits – make a difference!

Full time positions receive the health insurance benefit 12 months a year. Check out the available jobs and detailed job vacancy announcements on the SKC website – www.skc.edu/employment

Early Learning Center (ELC) Lead Toddler Teacher (9.5 months)

Salary: $22.48 - $23.22/hour DOEE Closing Date: Open Until Filled

Early Learning Center (ELC) Lead Toddler Teacher (10 months full time)

Salary: $22.48 - $23.22/hour DOEE Closing Date: May 5, 2023

Clinical Instructor/Clinical Resource Reg. Nurse Part Time Nursing Dept. (9-months)

Salary: $35 per hour 14 hours per week Closing Date: Open Until Filled

SKC Early Learning Center Assistant (Full time - 10 months)

Salary Range: $15.17-$15.99/hr DOEE Closing Date: Open Until Filled

Director of Academic Success

Salary: $44,310 - $45,656 DOEE Closing Date: Open Until Filled

SKC Loan Officer / Financial Aid Assistant (12 months full time)

Salary Range: $17.84 - $18.72 per hour DOEE

Closing Date Extended to: May 19, 2023

Custodian Part-time

Salary Range: $13.21 per hour Closing Date: Open Until Filled

Bookstore Director

Salary Range: $40,789 - $45,483

Closing Date: Wednesday, June 7, 2023, 4:00 PM

Student Experience and Campus Life Coordinator

Salary Range: $17.30-$19.23 per hour

Closing Date: Wednesday, June 7, 2023, 4:00 PM

Part Time Grounds Maintenance

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trail or watercraft is a unique experience for visitors to enjoy the majesty of the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park,” says Locke Marshall, Waterton Lakes Superintendent. “We are eager to provide an experience once again for peace park visitors to connect with nature on both sides of the United States-Canada border.”

Quick Facts

Designated in 1932, the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park

is the world’s first International Peace Park. Situated on the Canada-U.S. border, it offers outstanding scenery and diverse flora and fauna. The International Peace Park commemorates the peace and goodwill Canada and the United States continue to share.

Maps and lists of day hikes in the Goat Haunt area can be found on Glacier National Park’s website. Visitors are encouraged to check the trail status reports on National Park Service website and the Parks Canada website before embarking on their trip.

Salary Range: $11.30-$13.21 per hour DOE

Closing Date: Tuesday, June 20, 2023, 4:00 PM

The Liberal Arts Department is actively seeking adjuncts to teach communications, research writing, humanities, and grant writing courses. Must possess a master’s degree in English, liberal arts field of study, or education. A bachelor’s degree in English, liberal arts field of study, or education with closely related master’s degree will be considered.

To apply you must submit an SKC application, resume and applicable transcripts to Human Resources, P.O. Box 70, Pablo, MT 59855. Toll free 877.752.6553, ext. 4985 Direct Dial 406.275.4985/4977

Thursday, June 15

SPLASH in Polson

POLSON — Support Polson

Late Afternoon Social Hour is the third Thursday of every month. This month it is on June 15 from 5-7 p.m. Everyone is welcome. We look forward to seeing you at the Kwataqnuk.

Make a patriotic bracelet

POLSON — Members of the North Lake County Public Library’s Summer Reading Program are going to make patriotic bracelets to celebrate Flag Day. Join us at our temporary location: 301 Sixteenth Ave. E (First United Methodist Church) at 2 p.m. This program is free and open to all. All materials will be provided. There will be cutting and bending of wire involved, so well supervised children are welcome.

Polson Police to speak at youth meeting

POLSON — As part of North Lake County Public Library’s Youth Programs, the Polson Police will discuss Community Partners and bring a patrol vehicle, a K-9 demonstration and goodie bags at 10 a.m. Join the reading program at 301 16th Ave. E (our temporary location in the First United Methodist Church).

Visit historic site

ST. IGNATIUS — From June 15-June 18 watch live history displays of the Fort Connah Trading Post, 6 miles north of St. Ignatius at mile marker 39 at U.S. Highway 93. Primitive camp/traders set-up takes place Thursday, June 15, and Friday, June 16. Opening ceremonies take place at noon on Saturday, June 17. Book signings and talks will take place until 3 p.m. Free wagon rides are from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. There will also be: Native American food tent, bake sale, living history demonstrations,

raffles, black powder shoots and a candy cannon shoot for the kids. For more information call 406-745-4336 or email: 4winds@ blackfoot.net

Friday, June 16

Hoyt Memorial held in Big Arm

BIG ARM — There will be a memorial service for Ross Hoyt at the Big Arm School on Friday, June 16, starting at 11 a.m. For more information contact N. Foster at 406-849-5064.

Pride Night

POLSON — What belongs together theme, held at the Bickford Building at 220 Main Street in Polson. Catered by Providence St. Joseph Medical Center, this is an 18+ event and tickets cost $5. Join us for karaoke, costume contests, appetizers, beverages, and other surprises! For information or tickets contact dana@safeharbormt. org or call 406-240-0640.

Library hosts Mario tourney

POLSON — The North Lake County Public Library is holding a Mario Kart Tournament on Friday, June 16, at 2 p.m. Thanks to the generosity of the Greater Polson Community Foundation, the Library has a new Nintendo Switch. Join us for an awesome Mario Kart Tournament on the new Nintendo Switch. This program will be geared toward ages 10-15, with a cap of 16 contestants, so to reserve your spot call 406-883-8225.

Saturday, June 17

Veterans Information Expo held

POLSON — On Saturday, June 17, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at 512 Main Street, (Elks Lodge). The Elk Veterans has teamed up with the Vietnam Veterans Associ-

ation and Associates to bring in the experts to ensure every veteran can get help/information to get the benefits they deserve.

Free hamburger feed held in Big Arm

BIG ARM — From 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Polson Rural Fire membership will host its annual free hamburger feed for the Polson community at the Big Arm Fire Station. Meet local volunteer firefighters and see some of the new equipment and fire trucks. Donations accepted.

Visit historic site

ST. IGNATIUS — From June 15-June 18 live history displays including flint knapping, fur display, black powder and wool spinning will take place at Fort Connah Trading Post on Highway 93 just north of St. Ignatius. Come see the oldest standing wooden structure in Montana. Main events held 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, June 17, and Sunday, June 18. For more information call 406-745-4336 or email: 4winds@blackfoot.net

Make vases

RONAN — Judy Wright will guide you in making your own fused glass pocket vases during this two-day class scheduled for June 17 and 24. The classes are from 1-4 p.m. each day and located at Judy’s Ronan studio. All materials provided. Call 406-883-5956, for more information.

Pride picnic party, fashion show

RONAN — On June 17 from 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m., the Pride Picnic Party will be at the Ronan City Park. The family friendly fashion show is open to all with the theme “show off your summer pride style.” There’ll be potluck style catering and live music, yard games, crafting stations, and a poetry slam. BYO lawn chairs and tables. For more information, email dana@

see extended calendar at www.valleyjournal.net

safeharbormt.org.

Sprint night

POLSON — The Mission Valley Speedway Superoval, 1113 N. Reservoir Rd., is the site of the Legends, Winged Sprints, CANAM Sprint racing. Admission is $12 for adults, $10 for children 8-14; children under 7 are free. Seniors 55 and older, military and first responders pay a $10 admission fee. Family (two adults, three kids) is $40 general admission. Call 406-212-8159 for more information.

Music in the Missions

ST. IGNATIUS — At 3 p.m., Tanner Laws, one of our own Montana boys, plays a large variety of cover songs as well as many of his own originals. At 5 p.m. The Nate Champion Band, based out of Sheridan, Wyoming, will play. They are a five-piece improvisational mixed genre jam band with an emphasis on fun music that makes you want to get up and dance. From 9:30-11 p.m. Kenny Feidler and The Cowboy Killers will perform. Fiedler’s dark and stormy cowboy lyrics combine with a heavy rock and roll band. Kicking off for Feidler will be up and coming Kellen Smith who is a singer/songwriter from Gillette, Wyoming, who makes his home on the Daly Ranch. All tickets are general admission for $40. There will be parking available at The St. Ignatius Schools (76 3rd Ave, St. Ignatius) for $10 with shuttles available or it is a 5 min walk to the venue. All parking proceeds go to St. Ignatius Schools. There will also be some limited free parking at the venue, 228 Mountain View Dr.

Sunday, June 18

Father’s Day

Enjoy Father’s Day golf

POLSON — A Father’s Day two-person scramble parent/child

and husband/wife golf tournament takes place at the Polson Bay Golf Course from 7 a.m. – 3 p.m. Go to polsonbaygolfcourse@gmail.com for more information.

Monday, June 19

Data,Donuts provides science information

YELLOW BAY/ZOOM —

The Flathead Lake Biological Station, 32125 Bio Station Lane, will hold science lectures for the public from 10-11 a.m., either on site or via Zoom. Speakers’ topics are determined by their areas of expertise. Contact Gordon Luikhart at 406-872-4517, for more information.

Bible Day Camp

POLSON — The Flathead Lutheran Bible Day Camp will be held June 19-23. The Bible Theme is “Holy Trinity, Wholly Love.” All children entering grades 1–6 (fall 2023) are welcome to attend. The cost is $75 per child and camperships are available. Lots of activities: swimming, arts and crafts, games.

This Ecumenical program is sponsored by Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Polson Presbyterian Church, and the Dayton Community Presbyterian Church. For information and forms, call any of the listed churches or 406249-3938 or 406-250-8731.

Wednesday, June 21

Join the library party

POLSON — Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Launch Party is on June 21 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. This program is for children ages 0-5. Many organizations from throughout Lake County will host a fun filled launch party. There will be giveaways, activities and snacks. Join the party at 301 16th Ave. E (temporary location in the First United Methodist Church).

classifieds

Announcements

Events

Virgelle Merc. Antiques presents its outdoor FLEA MARKET Sunday July 9th. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Over an acre of Antiques and Collectibles. Located off Highway 87 between Loma and Big Sandy. Lunch available and vendor spots available. 1-800-426-2926 or 406 378-3110, web: VirgelleMontana.com

Special Notices

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FREE high speed internet for those that qualify. Government program for recipients of select programs incl. Medicaid, SNAP, Housing Assistance, WIC, Veterans Pension, Survivor Benefits, Lifeline, Tribal. 15 GB internet service. Bonus offer: Android tablet FREE with one-time $20 copay. Free shipping & handling. Call Maxsip Telecom today! 1-866-585-6456

Wanted

WANTED TO BUY

Guns and/or ammunition, old or new.

Whole estates/collections or single pieces. Fair prices paid. 406-207-4641

Wanted - Maytag Ringer

Washer - Please call 406-274-7672.

Employment

Help wanted REGISTRATION & SCHEDULING SPECIALIST (1 or more positions) (POLSON, ST. IGNATIUS) TRIBAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT

The successful applicant must have an Associate’s Degree in a medical related field or

Medical Office Professional Certificate and 2 years’ experience in a medical clinic or secretarial work in health administrative office. Must possess a valid driver’s license. All applicants must submit a Tribal application, a copy of academic transcript, certifications, proof of state licensure, copy of valid driver’s license, if claiming Tribal preference, proof of enrollment from a federally recognized Tribe if other than CSKT, and if claiming veteran’s preference, a copy of the DD214 must be submitted. FAILURE TO SUBMIT ALL OF THE ABOVE INFORMATION WILL RESULT IN IMMEDIATE DISQUALIFICATION DURING THE SCREENING PROCESS. This position is not a Testing Designated Position (TDP) within the definition of the CSKT Drug Testing policy. The successful applicant, if not already employed by the Tribes must pass a pre-hire drug test and serve a mandatory six (6) month probationary period. Salary is $15.26$19.82 per hour, plus benefits. To apply, contact Personnel at (406) 675-2700 Ext. 1040 or personnel@cskt.org. Tribal applications are also available online at csktribes.org. The closing date will be Thursday, June 29, 2023, at 5:30 p.m. (MST)

CSKT IS A TRIBAL MEMBER PREFERENCE EMPLOYER.

AIDE (Fire/Fuels)

1 OR MORE CONTRACT POSITIONS - FORESTRYDIVISION OF FIRE

Applicant must possess a high school diploma (or equiva-

lent). Three (3) months of general work experience, which can be any work experience. i.e.. mowing lawns, bucking hay, etc. to serve on a fuels, engine or monitoring crew. One (1) season of firefighting experience required to serve on the Helitack crew. Training required for the NWCG FFT2 and FAL3 position is not required for initial hire, but must be obtained within the established probation period. Successful applicant is subject to annual medical examination and work capacity test for arduous positions. Successful applicant must pass both to meet the standards of the Technician position. Ability to perform duties under stressful and adverse operating conditions, such as long work hours, heavy workloads, emergency situations, adverse working and environmental conditions. Must possess the ability to verbally communicate sufficiently to work as a member of a team. Applicant must submit a completed Tribal application and relevant academic transcripts and training certificates to the Tribal Personnel Department, 406.675.2700 ext. 1040 or visit the csktribes.org website for the application. Salary $15.16 per hour. Closing date will be Thursday, June 29, 2023 @ 5:30 p.m. This is a Testing Designated Position (TDP) within the definition of the CSKT Drug Testing policy. The successful applicant, if not already employed by the Tribes must pass a pre-hire drug test.

CSKT IS A TRIBAL MEMBER PREFERENCE EMPLOYER.

DENTAL ASSISTANT 1 OR MORE POSITIONS

TRIBAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT ( ST. IGNATIUS, POLSON)

The successful applicant must have a Certificate of Completion in a Dental Assistant Training Program and/or an AA in a recognized Dental Assistant training Program and/ or 3 years’ experience. Valid driver’s license. All applicants must submit a Tribal application, a copy of academic transcript, certifications, proof of state licensure, a copy of valid driver’s license, and if claiming Tribal preference, proof of enrollment from a federally recognized Tribe if other than CSKT, and if claiming veteran’s preference, a copy of the DD214 must be submitted. FAILURE TO SUBMIT ALL OF THE ABOVE INFORMATION WILL RESULT IN IMMEDIATE DISQUALIFICATION DURING THE

SCREENING PROCESS. This position is a Testing Designated Position (TDP) within the definition of the CSKT Drug Testing policy. The successful applicant, if not already employed by the Tribes must pass a pre-hire drug test and serve a mandatory six (6) month probationary period. Salary is $16.49 - $18.96 per hour, may be employed under contract. To apply, contact Personnel at (406) 675-2700 Ext. 1040 or personnel@ cskt.org. Tribal applications are also available online at csktribes.org. The closing date will be Thursday, June 29, 2023, at 5:30 p.m. (MST) CSKT IS A TRIBAL MEMBER PREFERENCE EMPLOYER. LEAD REGISTRATION & SCHEDULING SPECIALIST (1 or more positions)

54 Years of Live Theatre in NE Montana

classifieds

or personnel@cskt.org. Tribal applications are also available online at csktribes.org. The closing date will be Thursday, June 29, 2023, at 5:30 p.m.

(MST)

(POLSON, RONAN) TRIBAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT

The successful applicant must have an Associate’s Degree in Social work, Human Services, Business Management or a medical related field and 4 years’ experience in a medical clinic or secretarial work in health administrative office. Must possess a valid driver’s license. All applicants must submit a Tribal application, completed supplemental background questionnaire, a copy of academic transcript, certifications, proof of state licensure, copy of valid driver’s license, and if claiming Tribal preference, proof of enrollment from a federally recognized Tribe if other than CSKT, and if claiming veteran’s preference, a copy of the DD214 must be submitted. FAILURE

TO SUBMIT ALL OF THE ABOVE INFORMATION WILL RESULT IN IMMEDIATE DISQUALIFICATION

DURING THE SCREENING PROCESS. This position is not a Testing Designated Position (TDP) within the definition of the CSKT Drug Testing policy. The successful applicant, if not already employed by the Tribes must pass a pre-hire drug test and serve a mandatory six (6) month probationary period. Salary is $17.38$22.57 per hour, plus benefits. To apply, contact Personnel at (406) 675-2700 Ext. 1040

CSKT IS A TRIBAL MEMBER PREFERENCE EMPLOYER.

FORESTRY TECHNICIAN (Fire/Fuels)

1 or more contract positions

Applicant must possess a high school diploma (or equivalent). At a minimum for Technician, two (2) seasons in fire/fuels related work. FFT2 qualified. Faller 3 (FAL3) qualified.

Successful applicant is subject to annual medical examination and work capacity test for arduous positions. Successful applicant must pass both to meet the standards of the Technician position. Ability to successfully complete NWCG developmental training to include but not limited to S-131, S-290 and L-280.

Ability to perform duties under stressful and adverse operating conditions, such as long work hours, heavy workloads, emergency situations, adverse working conditions and environmental conditions. Ability to communicate effectively and follow oral/written instructions.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees within a diverse workforce. Applicant must submit a completed Tribal application and relevant academic transcripts and training certificates to the Tribal Personnel Department, 406.675.2700 ext. 1040 or visit the csktribes.org website for the application. Salary $15.48 hour. Closing date will

be Thursday, June 29, 2023 @ 5:30 p.m. This is a Testing Designated Position (TDP) within the definition of the CSKT Drug Testing policy. The successful applicant, if not already employed by the Tribes must pass a pre-hire drug test.

CSKT IS A TRIBAL MEMBER PREFERENCE EMPLOYER.

Vehicles

Miscellaneous

Public Notices

Legals

Legals

John A. Mercer Turnage Mercer & Wall, PLLP Attorneys at Law 312 1st St E Polson, MT 59860 Telephone: 406-883-5367 jmercer@turnagemercerwall.com

MONTANA TWENTIETH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, LAKE COUNTY

IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF: MARY C. ARDEN, Deceased.

Cause No.: DP-23-36 NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN That the undersigned has been appointed as Personal Representative of the above-entitled estate, and that the address of the Personal Representative is set forth below.

All creditors of the decedent having claims against the decedent’s estate must present their claims within four (4) months after the date of the first publication of this Notice, or be forever barred as creditors of the decedent.

A written statement of the claim indicating its basis, the name and address of the claimant, and the amount claimed, may be filed with the Clerk of the District Court, at Polson, Lake County, Montana, or mailed, Return Receipt Requested, to the Personal Representative, c/o TURNAGE MERCER & WALL, PLLP, Attorneys for the Personal Representative, at 312 1st St. E, Polson, MT 59860.

/s/ Chuck Wall CHUCK WALL

Personal Representative Estate of MARY C. ARDEN , Deceased.

June 14, 21 and 28, 2023 MNAXLP

Montana 20th Judicial District Court, Lake County

In the matter of the Name Change of Emmitt Wayne Sapp; Ashley Tanner, Petitioner.

Cause No: DV-23-83 Dept. No. 2001

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 Emmitt Wayne Sapp to Emmitt Wayne Sapp Tanner. The hearing will be on July 19, 2023, at 10:00 am. The hearing will be at the Courthouse in Lake County.

Date: June 5, 2023

public notices

*PUBLIC NOTICE*

RESOLUTION TO DISPOSE OF REAL OR PERSONAL PROPERTY

THE CONFEDERATED SALISH AND KOOTENAI TRIBES SEND GREETINGS TO THE NATURAL BIRTHMOTHER OF THE ABOVE- NAMED MINOR CHILD:

Attorney for Personal Representative bill@fgwilliamslaw.com

MONTANA TWENTIETH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, LAKE COUNTY

Lyn

Fricker Clerk of District Court

By: Mary Rensvold

Deputy Clerk of Court

June 14, 21, 28 and July 5, 2023

MNAXLP

Montana 20th Judicial District Court, Lake County

In the matter of the Name Change of Tanna Marie Baruso; Tanna Marie Baruso, Petitioner.

Cause No: DV-23-70

Dept. MOLLY OWEN

NOTICE OF HEARING ON NAME CHANGE

This is notice that Petitioner has asked the District Court for a change of name from Tanna Marie Baruso to Tonna Marie Owen. The hearing will be on July 12, 2023, at 10:00 am. The hearing will be at the Courthouse in Lake County.

Date: May 15, 2023

/s/ Lyn Fricker Clerk of District Court

May 24, 31, June 7, and 14, 2023

MNAXLP

School District No. 30

Ronan/Pablo Schools

In Compliance with 20-6-604, MCA, on May 8, 2023 the Ronan-Pablo Board of Trustees of School District No. 30, resolved to sell/dispose of surplus property which is unsuitable for the school purposes of the District. The District will hold a surplus sale June 21, 2023 from 8:00-9:00 a.m. at the Storage Barn East of the K. Wm. Harvey Elementary School in Ronan.

Items to be sold: Laptops, computer equipment, printers, tables, chairs, desks, old curriculum, etc.

More items maybe added before June 21st.

June 7 and 14, 2023

MNAXLP

Kalmbach Law Office, PLLC

Justin Kalmbach, Esq.

PO Box 249

1 Fifth Avenue West Polson, MT 59860

Telephone: (406) 883-1159

Fax: (406) 883-1497

Email: justin@polsonlegal.com

IN THE TRIBAL COURT OF THE CONFEDERATED SALISH & KOOTENAI TRIBES OF THE FLATHEAD RESERVATION, PABLO, MONTANA

IN RE THE ADOPTION OF: G,M.S.C., Minor Children. HEATHER EDWARDS, Petitioner.

Cause No. 23-0101-A SUMMONS BY PUBLICATION

Service Directory

YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer or otherwise respond to the Petition for Adoption in this action which is filed in the office of the Clerk of Tribal Court. You have fifteen (15) working days exclusive of the day of service, Saturdays, Sundays, and Tribal legal holidays from the last date of publication of this Summons. In case of your failure to answer or appear, judg- ment may be taken against you by default for the relief sought in the Petition. You must file your res- ponse in the office of the Clerk of Tribal Court at P.O. Box 278, Pablo, MT 59855 and serve a copy thereof upon Petitioner’s attorney, Justin Kalmbach, whose address is listed above.

WITNESS my hand and the seal of said Court this 23rd day of May, 2023.

IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF WAYNE FLOYD COE, Deceased.

CAUSE NO. DP-23-31

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned has been appointed Personal Representative of the abovenamed Estate. All persons having claims against the said deceased are required to present their claims within four (4) months after the date of the first publication of this Notice or said claims will be forever barred as creditors of the decedent.

/s/

By: Sarena Montoya DEPUTY CLERK OF COURT

June 7, 14 and 21, 2023

MNAXLP

Charlo School District 7J Board of Trustees intends to hire Alyssa Cahoon, wife of Trustee Danielle Cahoon, as Assistant Girls Basketball Coach. This hiring will take place at a Regular Board meeting on June 20, 2023 at 8:00 pm in the Charlo School Library.

June 7 and 14, 2023

MNAXLP

William P. Williams, IV FRENCH, GRAINEY & WILLIAMS, PLLC Attorneys at Law 324 Main SW Ronan, MT 59864 Telephone: (406) 676-4470

A written statement of the claim indicating its basis, the name and address of the claimant, and the amount claimed, must either be mailed to RANDY WADE COE, the Personal Representative, return receipt requested, c/o FRENCH, GRAINEY & WILLIAMS, PLLC, 324 Main SW, Ronan, MT 59864, or filed with the Clerk of the above-entitled Court. DATED this 23rd day of May, 2023.

/s/ R. Wade Coe RANDY WADE COE, Personal Representative

May 31, June 7 and 14, 2023 MNAXLP

Providence St. Joseph Welcomes

Angela Lemire, PA-C

Family Medicine – Ronan Clinic

Providence St. Joseph Medical Clinic – Ronan is excited to welcome Angela Lemire, PA-C, to our team of providers dedicated to serving Mission Valley and surrounding areas.

Angela grew up in Missoula and spent her childhood visiting her grandparents in the Flathead Valley. Her roots to the valley began in 1909 when her great grandfather and great granduncle opened Lemire Bros. General Mercantile in Ronan. Angela attended the Yale School of Medicine Physician Associate Program, and upon graduation she eagerly moved back home with a commitment to care for her fellow Montanans.

Angela is now accepting new patients at Providence St. Joseph Medical Clinic in Ronan.

Clinic Location: Providence St. Joseph Medical Clinic – Ronan 63351 US Highway 93 South Ronan, MT 59864

To make an appointment, call 406-676-5680

Providence.org