Arlee CDC

Arlee prepares for new year of community activities

By Taylor Davison / Valley Journal

ARLEE — The Arlee Community Development Corporation (CDC) is preparing to roll into the new year with a variety of programs to benefit the people of Arlee.

With what Executive Director Marie Hirsch described as a busy week to close out 2022, the Arlee CDC offered residents a bison meat canning class on Tuesday, a holiday crafts day for kids on Wednesday, and finally a Fifth Friday Open House on Dec. 30 from 5-7 p.m.

While the CDC normally does Fourth Friday, due to the Christmas holiday they moved the family friendly open house back this year to be more of a New Year celebration. With holiday punch, cocoa, and finger foods, the organization will pay homage to the Hanging Art Gallery and Café, the building once housed with a serving of carrot cake and the art gallery filled with works from the local Killdeer Artisan Group.

“It really takes us back to the building’s roots as an art gallery and gathering place for residents,” Hirsch said of the open house events. The organization intends to continue to hold these events each month, as long as they don’t interfere with other community events and weather permits.

The CDC’s cooking and preservation classes for residents, such as the bison meat canning class held earlier this week, will likely continue to be offered through the winter according to Hirsch. Done in collaboration with the CSKT-MSU Extension and nutritionist Brenda Bodner, Hirsch said the classes give people a chance to watch, learn, and get more hands on with both traditional and more modern methods of cooking. Some cooking class meals are even served at the Arlee CDC’s community dinners.

“It’s really great because it’s a skills builder, and it really helps different generations living within a household to learn how to prepare the meals,” Hirsch explained. Encouraging multigenerational conversation and the sharing of stories is something they hope to achieve with these classes for all ages as well, and will be following the Salish calendar to serve foods that are in season at different times of year.

Another big announcement the CDC is rolling out to end the year is the launch of their new website: arleecdc.org. “We’ve been really working on (the website) this past year,” Hirsch stated. “We’ve put a lot of time and effort in.” The new website is meant to be a cohesive stop for people interested in membership, to get involved in community projects, and even donate to help the CDC “continue our mission of making Arlee a better place for all.”

With further events such as gardening and leadership skill classes, a youth arts summer program, and maybe even a Victory Garden on the way, Hirsch encouraged those interested to keep up on the current offerings on their Facebook page at: facebook.com/arleecdc

On top of all the community events, the Arlee CDC is a community development organization partnered with Mission West in Ronan. Hirsch said, they’re there to help with community and economic development projects too. People can reach out by calling 406-726-5550 or emailing info@arleecdc.org.

COURTESY PHOTO

2023 ServeMontana Awards open with new categories

Award honors community members committed to service and volunteerism

News from the Governor’s Office of Community Service

HELENA — The Governor’s Office of Community Service has announced it is accepting nominations for the annual ServeMontana Awards, with new award distinctions.

In partnership with Montana’s Credit Unions, this award recognizes Montana citizens who embody a strong commitment to others through community volunteerism, exhibit leadership through serving, and impact change outside of paid employment. The public is encouraged to nominate individuals and service groups of all ages and backgrounds across Montana. All service must be performed in Montana and by Montanans. Applications are due April 2, 2023.

“Each year, it is an honor to recognize great Montanans with the ServeMontana Awards. We are excited to present a fresh slate of categories for 2023 and look forward to citizens nominating their friends and neighbors who give compassionately to others across Montana.” said Sarah R. Sadowski, Director of the Governor’s Office of Community Service. 2023 Individual nominee categories include: - Youth (17 years old and younger) - Young Adult (18 to 25 years old) - Engaged Citizen (26+ years old) - Lifetime Achievement (55+ or posthumous) - Veteran or current Military Personnel - AmeriCorps Alum (State & National, VISTA, or NCCC) 2023 Group nominee categories include:

- Group Service Award (nonprofit, faith-based, general): A team of people who positively impact their community through meaningful volunteer service. - Business Service Award (small, mid-size, large, entrepreneur/ partnership, enterprise/ corporation): A business that has made an impact through community volunteerism or has a record of supporting volunteerism through policies and practices.

To learn more or submit a nomination, visit serve.mt.gov or go to https:// www.surveymonkey.com/r/SMA2023. Selected awardees will be honored at a ceremony at the State Capitol in June.

News from the office of Governor Gianforte

HELENA — Honoring Montana’s hunting heritage, Governor Greg Gianforte today celebrated ten winners of his inaugural Youth Hunting Story Contest in a ceremony at the State Capitol.

“We started the Youth Hunting Story Contest this year with a simple purpose: to celebrate our hunting heritage in Montana,” Governor Gianforte said. “After receiving and reading over 200 stories, I was proud to welcome our top ten winning hunters to the State Capitol today. Hunting is a proud tradition in Montana, and every youth hunter in Montana should be proud of their part in preserving it.”

Governor Gianforte shares the hunting story of Emaline Musson, one of ten winners of the 2022 contest

Governor Greg Gianforte this fall created the Youth Hunting Story contest for Montana youth and apprentice hunters between the ages of 10-17.

To enter the contest, resident hunters had to submit a story of no more than 500 words and a photo from their hunt. Eligible entries included the harvest of any legal game, furbearer animals, or birds in Montana.

The governor recognized the ten winning hunters in the State Capitol this afternoon. Winning hunters received prizes from Stone Glacier, Vista Outdoor, Sitka, J2 Taxidermy, and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

“With such great prizes on the line, this contest had some stiff competition,” the governor said. “I thank Stone Glacier, Vista Outdoor, Sitka, J2 Taxidermy, and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation for their generosity and helping us celebrate these young hunters.”

The local wining hunters is below and his story can be viewed at: https://news.mt.gov/Governors-Office/2022-Youth-Hunting-Booklet.pdf. — Mika Smith of Charlo (10 years old) for the story of his duck hunt.

COURTESY PHOTO Governor Gianforte shares the hunting story of Emaline Musson, one of ten winners of the 2022 contest.

Commissioner advises homeowners review federal flood insurance policy

Rule change could save homeowners thousands of dollars

News from the Office of the

Montana State Auditor

HELENA — A recent rule amendment by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) gives homeowners living in special flood hazard areas (SFHA) the option to purchase private flood insurance plans on FHA-insured mortgages. This relieves homeowners of the previous restriction of only purchasing NFIP flood insurance through FEMA.

Under the 1973 Flood Protection Act, homeowners are required to purchase flood insurance if the property is located in an SFHA (100-year floodplain) as a condition of receiving a mortgage backed by the federal government. Programs included are: - Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) - Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) - Department of Veterans Affairs - Department of Agriculture - Federal Housing Administration (FHA)

“Private flood insurance may be significantly cheaper and may provide more coverage than FEMA policies. Private market participation should drive lower premiums,” Commissioner Downing said. “Homeowners should evaluate their flood risks and review flood insurance with their agent. Private flood insurance, in most cases, is available even if you’re not in a floodplain.”

The rule change took effect on Dec. 21. Homeowners can contact the CSI team at 406-444-2040 or by going to CSIMT.gov.