20 minute read
Calendar
Friday, Oct. 8
Bigfork Film Festival announces films
BIGFORK — The Bigfork Film Festival takes place Oct. 8-10 at the Bigfork Center for the Performing Arts, 526 Electric Ave.
Six blocks of films about Montana will be shown over the three-day festival, including two 15-minute documentary shorts segments of “Back Roads of Montana” that highlight the Flathead Valley.
BIFF was created 5 years ago as a way for Montana filmmakers to show their films in front of a supportive Montana audience. BIFF only accepts films that were either made in Montana or made by Montana filmmakers.
To watch the BIFF Sizzle Reel, find more film information and festival pricing, visit: mtbiff.com.
Farmers Market open in Polson
POLSON — Polson Farmer’s Market held on Fridays through October in front of Cove Deli from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Kelly Garber to entertain at The Lodge
PROCTOR — The Lodge at Lake Mary Ronan, 52012 Lake Mary Ronan Road, hosts live entertainment by Kelly Garber at 6 p.m.
Monday, Oct. 11
Mother Goose entertains toddlers at library
POLSON — Mondays mean Mother Goose. Join the North Lake County Public Library at 9:15 a.m. Mother Goose is geared toward ages 0 to 3, but all are welcome. We encourage parents and caregivers to participate with their children for this early learning time. The doors open at 9 a.m.
We will practice social distancing. Face masks are recommended but not required.
Wednesday, Oct. 13
Hellroaring Detachment meets
see extended calendar at www.valleyjournal.net
POLSON — The Marine Corps League Hellroaring Detachment #1041 meets on the second Wednesday of each month, (except in December), at 7 p.m. at the Polson VFW, 423 Main Street.
Library shares ghost stories
POLSON — The North Lake County Public Library and Lizzy will be your guide on this tour around Montana’s Ghost Towns on the National Geographic Map of Montana on Thursday, Oct. 14 from 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Our paranormal enthusiast will share some spooky stories of Montana’s history, perfect for an October eve. After the presentation we will share ghost stores or experiences people have had while visiting these intriguing places.
Attendance will be limited so be sure to come early. Please wear a mask and socks so you can join in the fun and walk all over Montana.
Friday, Oct. 15
Music played at Lodge
PROCTOR — The Lodge at Lake Mary Ronan, 52012 Lake Mary Ronan Road, will have live music with David Caselli and Ben Weissgaff at 6 p.m. David will be on drums and Ben will be on guitar playing soft rock and top hits.
Mission Valley Live brings ‘America’s Sweethearts’ to Polson
By Kristi Niemeyer for the Valley Journal
POLSON — America’s Sweethearts, a New York City-based trio that’s performing in Polson Oct. 15 as part of the Mission Valley Live series, evokes the swinging sounds of the 1940s and ’50s and the tight female harmonies of groups like the Andrews Sisters.
Soprano Carly Kincannon, founder of America’s Sweethearts, fell in love with the music of The Andrew Sisters – and the group she calls The Sweets – after moving to New York City from Indiana with dreams of building a Broadway career. While she does have an impressive resume as a vocalist and actor, she says organizing and singing with America’s Sweethearts not only helped her feel at home in the Big Apple, “but the moment I met these inspiring women, it filled a void in my life that I didn’t even know I had. They welcomed me into a family filled with respect, passion and creativity.”
The entire company is comprised of 11 singers – four sopranos, four mezzo sopranos and three altos – who tour the nation as trios, sometimes singing to recorded music (as they will during their nine Montana stops), and sometimes with a piano or jazz ensemble.
Since Kincannon founded the company in 2016, America’s Sweethearts have performed across the U.S. including shows at the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum in New York City and the National WASP WWII Museum in Texas, as well as in theaters and cabaret settings.
With colorful costumes and crystalline harmonies, they deliver selections from the Great American Songbook, classic Broadway, pop tunes from the 1950s, and jazz. A set list might include such familiar tunes as “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy,” “Sing Sing Sing,” “It’s My Party,” “Lullaby of Broadway,” “It’s In His Kiss (Shoop Shoop Song),” “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” “Straighten Up and Fly Right,” “Fever,” “I Will Follow Him,” and many more.
For the group’s founder, America’s Sweethearts offers an opportunity to explore the evolution of harmony through the decades.
“Take The Andrews Sisters, for example,” she writes. “They were such a huge hit, and not only because they were beautiful, classy dames in the 1930s. Their music and their incredible, intricate harmonies were an inspiration in a time when there was much darkness.”
She hopes the same can be said of America’s Sweethearts, whose goal “is to spread nostalgia, joy, and human connection through harmonies and music.”
The group’s Polson performance begins at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 15, in the high school auditorium. Tickets are $13 in advance (available online at missionvalleylive. com, at the Perfect Shot and First Interstate Bank in Polson and True Value Hardware and R&R Health Care in Ronan) or $15 at the door. Admission is free for ages 13-18 and children 12 and under, who must be accompanied by a ticketed adult.
Mission Valley Live follows CDC pandemic guidelines for indoor events, and requires audience and staff to wear masks and keep a safe social distance from others.
America’s Sweethearts
COURTESY PHOTO
Herbert Sorensen
POLSON — Herbert H. Sorensen’s spirit left his mortal body behind on Sept. 26, 2021, surrounded by family at home. Herb was born on May 24, 1930.
Herb’s life journey started in a lumber camp in Bremerton, Washington. He was the second child of Harry and Bertha Bocksnick Sorensen. He came to Polson with his family as a young child. He graduated in 1950 from Polson High School, married his high school sweetheart June Sagmiller, then served as a radio operator in the Korean War.
Upon military discharge, Herb built a family, a home, friendships, and a legacy of generosity. Generations of kids called Herb “Uncle’”or “Grandpa,” whether they were actually related or not. The Sorensen work ethic, integrity and generosity has touched countless lives. Herb was a classic “taker-care-of-er.” He loved, and took care of his family, others in need, and his critters (horses, cows, chickens, dogs, cats, ducks ...).
Herb was preceded
in death by two sisters, Myrtle and Bertie; his wife, June; and two sons, Herbie and Kevin. He leaves behind his son, KC (Cindy) Sorensen; his daughter, Jean (Ted) Basler; grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, grand-nephews, neighbors, and friends who all feel the sting of loss Herb Sorenson but have been touched and are grateful to have known such a big-hearted man. A Celebration of Life will be held this next summer. Cards can be mailed to 38744 Morgan Lane, Polson MT 59860, c/o of KC and Cindy. Written memories of Herb would be greatly welcomed. Messages of condolences may be shared with the family online at: www.lakefuneralhomeandcremation. com. Arrangements are under the care of The Lake Funeral Home and Crematory.
Delbert J. (Bud) Steele
ST. IGNATIUS — Delbert J. (Bud) Steele passed peacefully on Sept. 28, 2021, at his home in St. Ignatius with family at his side. Bud was born Aug. 22, 1930 on the Jim Johnson Ranch in Milk River to John W. and Doris Carter Steele.
Bud attended elementary school on the Blackfeet reservation. This is also where his cowboy life began before enlisting for military service. Bud served in the U.S. Army, Company E 35th Infantry Regiment 25 Division during the Korean War. A proud patriot, he defended his county at Heartbreak Ridge, Hill 57 and Chosin Reservoir. Bud was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge, United Nations Service Medal, Korean Service Medal with two bronze stars, three silver stars.
Before leaving for service, Bud married his true love, Joyce Leighton. On Feb. 3, 1951, in Moses Lake, Washington, Bud and Joyce began their life together and three children were lovingly woven into this incredible western tapestry that Bud and Joyce called life – Wesley, Cindy and Mark. What followed was a 70-year adventure raising family, building lifelong friendships, and working sideby-side throughout their ranching years.
In addition to being an active member of the LDS church, Bud was a founding member of the Othello Rodeo Association. Bud Steele was a cowboy from birth. He was at home when in the saddle, working cattle, or training his well-bred colts. When not working, Bud could be found braiding rawhide reins and riatas. Bud unknowingly authored a long list of true cowboy stories, with both laughter and tears; stories that will be passed down through generations.
Bud’s passing is preceded by two children, Wesley and Cindy; great-granddaughter, Harlee; parents, John and Doris, sisters, Deloris Sullivan and Lila Weis; brothers, Mathew Steele and Wilford (Swede) Steele.
Bud is survived by his wife, Joyce; son, Mark (Donna) Steele; sisters, Dorothy Hoots of Othello, Washington, and Hazel Kotlan of Spokane, Washington, ten grandchildren, Joshua, Crystal, Brad, Hunter, Tanya, Andrea, Brandy, Jessica, William, and Ty; thirteen great-grandchildren and a long list of “adopted” family.
Services will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 6, at 11 a.m. at the LDS Church in St. Ignatius.
Graveside services will be held at Bess Hampton Memorial Gardens in Othello, Washington, on Oct. 9. Messages of condolences may be shared with the family online at: www.shriderthompson.com.
Arrangements are under the care of Shrider-Thompson Funeral Home.
Bud Steele
Violet Harris
RONAN — Violet Elaine Harris, 68, of Round Butte, went on to meet her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Sept. 22, 2021, at St. Luke Hospital in Ronan. Violet was born to Sonny and Janie Chisholm July 14, 1953, in Kalispell.
She is preceded in death by Janie Chisholm, her mom; and her grandparents, Bill and Mary Chubb and Renn Chisholm.
Violet is survived by her dad, Sonny Chisholm; Herb Harris, her husband; her children, Joshua (Shianne) Harris, Stacy Harris (Callahan Belling); her grandchildren, Madison Harris, Brennan Harris, Cort Belling and Hayes Harris; her siblings: Barb (Virgil) Rinke, Bill (Judy) Chisholm, Thom (Brandy) Chisholm, Jen (Jeff) Brander; her aunt, Billie Chubb and numerous nieces and nephews.
In high school she participated in track and field, cross-country, band, and choir. After graduation from high
school Violet moved to Kalispell and found work at Moose’s Saloon where she was given the nickname “Tulip”. Violet didn’t have a vehicle to drive home and she hadn’t seen mom and dad for a while, so she decided to take her new ten-speed pedal bike one Saturday in spring and head for home. She made it to the train tracks just outside of KaViolet Harris lispell and she wrecked the bike. Determined as she was, she set out again the following Saturday, this time making it past the tracks only to realize that the “Big Draw” runs uphill. She made it home and told mom she wasn’t doing that again, so mom drove her back to Kalispell. The bike was stolen shortly after. On Nov. 16, 1974, she married the love of her life, Herb Harris, in Hot Springs and made clear she was not a “Suzie homemaker” or a “broodmare.’’ Together they enjoyed many adventures in life, from the joys and trials of ranch life, to the thousands of miles she drove to rodeos throughout Montana and Canada. On March 18, 1981, she gave birth to her son Joshua Wyatt Harris. She gave Herb his forever team roping partner. Five years later on April 27, 1986, she gave birth to the real cowboy in the family, Stacy Kayleen
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Harris.
Violet enjoyed the rodeo lifestyle and enjoyed competing in barrel racing and supporting her family any way she could. Violet had a gentle and understanding hand when breaking and starting colts; even those darn bucking ponies when her and Barb were kids.
Violet and her dearest friend Zana Lytle founded the WMCA, Western Montana Cowgirl’s Association. This organization led the way for many young cowboys and cowgirls to participate in the rodeo arena.
Violet’s most treasured moments were spent loving and spoiling her four grandkids: Madison-13, Brennan-11, Cort-8, and Hayes-2 months.
Violet was an active member of the Order of Eastern Star, she was a 50-year member. She was Past Worthy Matron of Cathryn C. Johnson Chapter #132 in Hot Springs. She was a Grand representative and served on many Grand Chapter Committees. She took pride in the work she did for the Shriner’s children’s hospital in Spokane, Washington.
She spent countless hours creating flower arrangements for family and friends for many different occasions. Violet was a devoted member of the Faith Lutheran Church of Ronan.
Services have been held. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be sent to Shriners Hospital for Children in Spokane.
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“A bigger problem in our county is that about 82% of our property taxes are generated from private property taxes,” Decker said. “This is second highest in the state. There is little industry here that generate taxes, so the burden falls on property owners.”
But that problem comes with a “what came first, chicken or the egg” question? As the price of brick and mortar buildings skyrocket, it drives up the cost of starting a business, making the startup costs of business also rise. Businesses that already exist are facing labor shortages, and some are closing because of it, meaning even less of a tax base for the county.
On Sept. 13, Farmhouse, a cafe in Lakeside, announced it was closing after seven years in business.
“Despite our best efforts, we are unable to find enough staff to provide you with the level of service that you deserve and that you’ve come to know here at Farmhouse,” the cafe posted on social media.
The need for affordable housing isn’t limited to Lake County. It’s a national issue, and in the first week of September the Biden administration rolled out plans to build 100,000 affordable homes over the next three years nationwide. Projections from the National Low Income Housing Coalition show that’s just a drop in the bucket to what’s needed, as the group estimates the nation needs 6.8 million affordable homes to meet demand.
Even as the federal government tries to try out new programs to ease the housing crunch, there’s evidence that stakeholders in Montana are underutilizing currently available federal resources.
A December 2020 report from the Bureau of Business and Economic Research at the University of Montana states there were 344 low-income housing units in Lake County utilizing federal low-income housing tax credits as of that time. There were 7,977 total apartment units developed using tax credits in Montana at that time.
This federal program requires the owners of the properties to commit to keep the housing affordable for 30 years, however, owners can opt out of the program after 15 years if they choose. They have to put the units on the market, but if no qualified buyers are found, the owners can be released from the program early.
“In areas with relatively booming housing markets, selling the property may be a more attractive option than continued compliance,” the BBER report notes. “Over the next five years, 564 LIHTC housing units in Montana will be facing this potential of being lost to the market.”
The bureau projects that 28 of the affordable housing units in Lake County could be lost by 2025 due to the booming market.
“Since 2012, Montana has only financed 717 affordable housing units (including acquisition, rehabilitation, and new construction) with federal 4 percent low-income housing tax credits, illustrating the difficulty this program has for attracting developers in Montana,” the bureau concluded. “In this same period of time, Montana has abandoned $949 million in tax-exempt private activity bonds (PABs).”
PABs can be used to finance 4 percent low-income housing tax credits. Another program, which offers 9 percent low-income housing tax credits has unmet demand in the state.
“Since 2016, an average of $62 million per year in 9 percent low-income housing tax credit requests has been denied due to lack of funding,” the bureau explained. “These projects would have significantly expanded the inventory of affordable housing in Montana. A state LIHTC program similar to those implemented in other states would likely allow developers to leverage 4 percent federal tax credits which are currently unutilized in order to increase the supply of affordable housing in the state.”
The bureau concludes that the housing issue is a major one for Montanans.
“With relatively few affordable homes available for households earning a low income, and with much of the existing affordable inventory aging and in need of rehabilitation, many households earning a low income are being priced out of housing markets,” the report’s author, Brandon Bridge, economist and director of bureau forecasting noted. “We are now facing ever expanding economic challenges, and these issues and concerns are not going away or getting better. When housing becomes unaffordable, it imposes costs on entire communities, but the most vulnerable in society bear the brunt of those costs. Housing affordability will likely be a challenge that Montanans continue to face in the coming years, and as such it deserves a place in public conversation.”
For two local groups, the housing issue is more than a conversation. It’s a pressing issue that’s being tackled by stakeholders in the community.
Earlier this year the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribe’s Housing Authority and the Tribal Public Defenders office came together to turn the old Starlite Motel in downtown Ronan into the valley’s first permanent, supportive housing units by using federal CARES ACT funds.
The project created housing for 14 single individuals. It includes office space for a services coordinator and space for a caretaker. Supportive services for residents include legal consults, job readiness training, and mental health services.
“Every individual at Morning Star has a different set of circumstances, a unique story, but generally I would say that Morning Star provides safe, stable, affordable housing that meets people where they are,” said Susette Billedeaux of the Tribal Public Defenders office. “(Permanent supportive housing) is a housing first model, so once we can provide this safe space for someone to live then we have the supportive services available to meet their other needs. We’re not a zero-tolerance program, so when individuals mess up, it’s what humans do, it’s not the end of
KIM MORISAKI, NORTHWEST MONTANA COMMUNITY LAND TRUST DIRECTOR
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housing for them.”
Participants in the program only pay 30 percent of their income to live there, or in the case of joblessness, the housing authority steps in to help cover the cost. The demand for services outpaces the supply.
“We consider it to be successful, although it is still very early and a new program for us,” Billedeaux said. “Being able to provide safe, stable housing for 14 individuals is alone a success and we hope that there will be other success stories to add to that. We have received 54 applications total so far and only have 14 single occupancy units.”
In this case, a group of dedicated individuals is making a difference in the community.
“Morning Star wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the Tribal Council and the hard work of many different Tribal Programs working together,” Billedeaux said. “We also had the support of the whole Tribal Defenders staff and our Managing Attorney, Ann Miller, who agreed to take this on when asked by the Homelessness Task Force. We also have a great Coordinator, Stephen Hunt, working at Morning Star.”
A recent report shows that programs like supportive housing can help reduce taxpayer burden.
In 2019 the Corporation for Supportive Housing found that the top 10 percent of costliest individuals experiencing homelessness in Montana had an average of $53,463 in Medicaid expenditures in 2017.
Individuals in that same group averaged $49,906 in Medicaid claims.
Billledeaux said the Homelessness Task Force continues to work and explore more housing needs on the reservation.
To the north in Kalispell, the Northwest Montana Community Land Trust is accomplishing what seems impossible in today’s housing market: connecting individuals with affordable homes. Recently a family working with the group purchased a home for just $111,000, less than many undeveloped lots of land in the area.
The trust got its start in 2009 with the Neighborhood Stabilization Program, which gave $3 million to get foreclosure homes off the market. The funding purchased 52 homes, which were put into a trust. People participating in the program pay the mortgage for the home plus a $25 per month ground fee. When a participating family wants to move, they sell the home back to the trust, and are able to recover their initial investment plus 25 percent in the increased appraised value. The difference between the home’s value and what it’s sold for can then be used as a tax write off.
The program has never expanded to more than the 52 homes originally purchased. The trust’s new director, Kim Morisaki, is hoping to change that as 25 families, totaling 50 people sit on a growing waiting list to get into the homes. There are also talks to expand in the Mission Valley.
“We were established to serve Northwest Montana and are talking with Polson now to see if there is a way to work together going forward. I’m excited about that opportunity, but it is just a conversation at this time,” Morisaki said.
In addition to community trusts, Morisaki said there are other opportunities, and not all of them require public investment.
“There are solutions to the lack of housing, but we all need to be willing to think out of the box sometimes,” Morisaki said. “There are many solutions, and we need all of them because one size does not fit all. Other solutions besides the Community Land Trust Model are allowing developers to build more houses, apartments, townhomes, etc. within city limits in a more dense fashion. This allows more people to take advantage of the investment that the community has already made in services like water, sewer and police/fire – spreading the cost among more citizens and lowering the cost per household.”
One solution could be accessory dwelling units. These units are typically less than 1,000 square feet and are added to a property in the alley or backyard.
“The beauty of ADUs is that an older couple can build one on their property and their adult children and/or grandchildren can come home to live there,” Morisaki said. “Lots of people want to come back to Montana and this is one way to make that move easier. It also lets people have another source of revenue if they rent out one of the houses.”
Another solution might be for companies to offer housing. Morisaki is a Flathead Valley native who has spent many years in Japan before moving back home. She saw companies offer housing solutions while abroad.
“When I lived in Japan most companies had dormitories, apartments and/or houses that their employees could buy or rent,” Morisaki said. “It was a benefit that employees could use just like paid vacation or health insurance. It wasn’t free, it was just simply available. Lots of young adults just out of college lived in the company dorm where they had their own room with a kitchenette, but shared bathrooms and larger common spaces. Lots of the dorms actually had cafeterias - again, not free, just simply available to make it easy to attract and keep employees. So I think that there are ways for private investment and business owners to address some of these challenges.”
As Montanans work to find solutions, Morisaki sees her work with community land trusts as one possible piece to help keep housing affordable, and communities full of people needed to fill critical roles, not unlike Angela Claver, working for a modest wage as a public servant at the public library in Polson.
“I think every community should think of the CLT model as a one-time investment to ensure permanent homeownership attainability for people the community needs to run smoothly,” Morisaki said “Think about police officers, firemen, teachers, city/county office staff, newspaper reporters, hospital staff.”
She says anyone interested in the community land trust can get in touch at 406-261-8831.
SUMMER GODDARD / VALLEY JOURNAL The Salish Kootenai Housing Authority utilized federal CARES ACT funds to turn the former Starlite Motel in Ronan into affordable, supportive housing. Morning Star apartments now house 14 individuals in single occupancy units.
