Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Valley News at a Glance

JT Parker's journey - by Gretchen L. Langton

Bitterroot Food Co-op special event planned - by Gretchen L. Langton

Countywide zoning workshop this Saturday

Comment period extended for wolf season proposal

'The 40-70 Rule' seminar offered at Daly Hospital

Obituaries

Inside the cover of Miles Davis' album "Birth of Cool", appears these words: "In jazz, as in other musics, some things are of their time, some ahead of it, while others simply know no time at all."

As I sit in the Community Room of the Stevensville Library listening to JT (John Temple) Parker play and sing with various members of the Bitterroot Valley Ragtime Society, I am struck by how many of these songs have to do with time. It's easy to lose time while listening to laments about lost times.

"I hate to see the evening sun go down," JT croons the lyrics of the Saint Louis Blues.

While I have no doubt JT hates to see that evening sun disappear, he is not one who spends too much time weeping over the loss of it. Rather he revels in the now. In his poem "The Journey" he writes: "What elegance this is: All of us together, Even as we are now, Form the one true instrument of Love." There's a possible double meaning in this musician's use of the word "instrument," suggesting we get to be both the instrument and the musician. JT has spent a lifetime perfecting both roles.

"I was born in 1927, in Evanston, Illinois, famous for the Women's Temperance Union," JT says mirthfully. "Evanston is full of the quick and the dead, mostly the dead - that's what my dad used to say."

JT's dad is a figure who has loomed large in his consciousness, in part, for his disapproval of JT's desire to play jazz.

"Dad hated the idea because jazz was black people's music."

This didn't stop JT from stepping over the color barrier in order to surround himself with the music he loved and the musicians who had perfected it.

In Biloxi, Mississippi, at the age of 17 while JT was in basic training, he went to a white club where a black trio was playing. He asked the band if he could play the piano between sets and they agreed. Someone in the club then threatened him because he "wasn't supposed to talk to the blacks." JT was not so easily dissuaded and returned to play again, this time with some friends. When the "Didn't I tell you, Boy?" tap on his shoulder came, his friends jumped in to help him.

"We started a riot. But I'm not a fighter. I was out the door in no time," recalls JT.

"Did you tell her about your dream," asks Natalie, JT's longtime love. They have been married for fifty-seven years and in many ways these two, together, epitomize "the one true instrument" JT's poem speaks of.

"I have dreamed I was playing in a little club in San Francisco. My father comes to the edge of the bandstand and says, "Well, now I know what you are doing and it's O.K."

This is heavy stuff since his dad never came to see him play, and not without ample opportunity, since his father was one month shy of his 100th birthday when he died. JT's dream exemplifies the sensitivity and spirituality that influence his life and his music.

He's strong, too. JT's love for Dixieland jazz could not be stifled by patriarchal disapproval. He was hooked early on when his older brother brought home an album by horn player Muggsy Spanier; the song was "Lonesome Road."

"I fell in love with that record," JT remembers.

The youngest of five, JT was raised in a musical household. He recalls having to play classical piano, but his piano teacher Madi Bacon (who went on to form the San Francisco Boys Chorus) never made him learn to read music properly.

It wasn't until he went to Hamilton College on the GI Bill that he learned to play the coronet. JT refers to himself as "an out of place Renaissance man" and he has four majors to prove this point. He studied Music, Political Science, English Literature, and Art History. He was a member of the band the Fallacious Five. JT explains that Hamilton College had a radio studio in the basement of the main campus building where the band could rehearse.

"By the time we were juniors, we were good enough to play frat parties," JT reminisces, not afraid to look back on his history with an honest and humorous eye. "But I liked the sound I made. Gee, it was fun, and it still is."

His historical landscape is full of intriguing details. He met his dream girl while "trying to make the moves on her sister," lived briefly in Lebanon working for Bechtel, played regularly at a famous jazz joint, wrote enough poetry to make a book out of it, and had some epiphanies.

Natalie tells me, "We met in Hollywood. Maybe you should say L.A. since Hollywood sounds so trashy now."

She is moving her hand dramatically and rolling her eyes to one side like the adorable star she is.

"Your sister was responsible," adds JT.

"You're interrupting me," Natalie chides. "I had a wild social life and no interest in meeting guys."

Natalie's sister played Cupid, inviting JT over for hot chocolate late one evening. Upon arrival, she woke up Natalie to make the hot chocolate and went to bed.

"She looked good in her bathrobe," JT grins and twinkles in saying so.

"We made a date to play tennis - he was good," Natalie remembers.

"We met in March and were married in June," JT says by way of explaining how fast these two fell in love. They have two daughters: Eve Meng, who lives here in the valley, and Jamie Frank, who resides in Wyoming.

JT's colorful musical landscape includes playing jazz in a number of famous clubs in San Francisco, his favorite being the Gold Dust on Powell Street. This illustrious joint was a whorehouse at one point; it was partly owned by Bing Crosby at another point. For ten years, JT sat in on Friday and Saturday nights at the Gold Dust; he played with members of Turk Murphy's Jazz Band (Pete Clute and Carl Lunsford). He jammed with John Gill, Tom Shove, and Abe Vandermeulen.

His fantasy gig might take place at the Gold Dust, though when I ask him where this dream performance would be, he answers like the theosophical poet he is, "Everywhere!" He knows he would like to play with Ruby Braff (a trumpet player) and a yet-to-be-named clarinet player. Other heroes of the horn-blowing variety include Louie (of course) Armstrong and Bix Beiderbecke.

One of his musical epiphanies involves another horn player, Johnny Lucas. He and Johnny played in Pasadena at a benefit together; "Everything went right. I found myself playing things I'd never played before." The most amazing detail of this story is that earlier in the same day, JT had cut his ring finger to the bone. Not wanting to miss the gig, he patched himself up enough to play. He shows me the still visible winding scar around his finger.

In his make-a-living life, JT was a technical writing editor. He worked on proposals, scientific study reports, engineering project reports. This is how he found himself in Beirut, Lebanon. Since the company would not pay Natalie's way too, they relied on providence to reunite them. This came in the form of a tax refund, "almost to the dollar," that allowed Natalie to share with JT three glorious months experiencing the rich Middle Eastern culture. Their house is richly decorated with keepsakes from this adventure.

JT has faced some physical trials in his life, too. When he was two years old, his brother Fran and he were both holding a sling shot. His brother let go and JT took a nasty blow to his right eye.

"That actually put a small hole in my eye," he explains.

A few years back, he suffered a bout of the shingles, which damaged his left eye. JT doesn't let such infirmities keep him from what he loves to do. For the last year and a half, when he isn't sitting in with bands at the Bitterroot Brewery, or playing with the Ragtime folks, he's performing with the band Blue Melon. You can see JT and Blue Melon on January 26th, at Hamilton's City Hall, as part of the Bitterroot Food Co-op Social which runs from 6 to 10:30 p.m. (For more information, contact Jill Davies at 642-3601.)

I began this piece with a quote that I think not only applies to ultra famous jazz cats like Miles Davis; this quote applies to JT. In some respects JT was of his time, he was also ahead of it, and he remains a musical force in times to come. This combination puts him beyond the constraints of time.

With a bright red circle forming half on his upper lip and half on his lower, and the sniffles from a lingering cold, JT tells the crowd at the library, "My lip goes in and out like the sun on a stormy day."

Yet, nobody seems concerned that JT doesn't think he's at his best. There is a tangible aura of admiration for this horn blower, with his gold-plated juice can for a mute, with good reason. Go see JT perform and say "hi" to Natalie. She never misses a gig.

Attention, locavores! The Last Best Food, a social event sponsored by the Bitterroot Food Co-op, will take place Saturday, January 26 at Hamilton's City Hall from 6 to 10:30 p.m. The admission fee is $5.00 for adults and $2.00 for kids under twelve. Organic, local food will be provided by Riversong Catering for the price of admission. Local beer and wine can be purchased at this event. The Crested Hens plan to serenade feasting attendees, and following a presentation about the Co-op project's current status, Blue Melon takes the stage.

The purpose of this event is to generate feedback from current Co-op subscribers and interested parties. Feedback is needed to determine what steps can be taken to facilitate the creation of a cooperative food system. The Co-op is currently struggling to achieve its lofty goal of 800 subscribers, the number determined necessary for start-up capital in the current co-op model. However, devotees to this project are not giving up hope because the current model could be reconfigured. A number of solutions have been considered based on other successful co-op models in the country.

Jill Davies, Director of Sustainable Living Systems (SLS), says all of the options will be on the table for discussion on Saturday. She stresses that public input is vital to achieve a plan that works for the Bitterroot. The Bitterroot Food Co-op isn't Jill's only food related iron-in-the-fire. SLS has received a grant from the FDA to begin a mega-food project, a Community Food Project (CFP), that assesses the Bitterroot's current food status and suggests applicable policies. This grant-funded study has been successfully completed in Missoula County with great success. In Missoula, their study led to the birth of multiple new projects such as the Land Links Project (which will connect farmers who want to farm with land owners) and the Food Insecurity Project (which makes food relevant policy recommendations to government). The Missoula study has spurred several projects for local schools and low-income families: the Farm to School program seeks to get K-8 schools eating local, fresh produce; BEANS, Blending Education, Agriculture, and Nutrition, is an organization that was first fostered by Missoula's study. Thus, the study became the first step toward the creation of long-term and on-going projects that all focus on supplying healthy, local food.

The Ravalli County CFP's goal is to accomplish the following herculean task: "To assess current food security in the Bitterroot Valley and design a more sustainable, local food supply system that fosters the economic health of communities and farms, the social and physical health of local citizens, and the environmental health of the Valley."

What is "food security"? All people at all times have access to healthy, local, affordable, and culturally appropriate food that is produced in ways that are sustainable; this is one definition offered up by a community in Colorado that underwent this same process. This is not fantasy stuff, this is not Communism; it's how we used to live in the Bitterroot when our grandparents couldn't get apples from Australia in a valley fully capable of producing its own apples. Do I have something against Australia? No. I've always wanted to go there. But when I do, I hope I will not have to eat a Macintosh shipped from the Bitterroot that is more than marginally past its prime or covered in wax-based chemicals to elongate its life.

If you are interested in being a part of the CFP's effort and/or would like more information, call Jill Davies at 642-3601. Or come to the next meeting on Thursday, February 7, at 7 p.m. in the Human Resource Building (north side door).

Countywide zoning workshop this Saturday

The first public countywide zoning workshop conducted by Clarion Associates and the Public Policy Research Institute (PPRI) is scheduled for Saturday, January 26 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the First Interstate Event Center at the Ravalli County Fairgrounds.

The purpose of the workshop is to provide an overview of the countywide zoning process, to present Clarion's diagnosis of the current draft zoning regulations, to present the preliminary results of the Land Suitability Analysis, and to explain the process for developing zoning maps. This workshop will be quickly followed by a second workshop where participants will start the mapping process that will continue in each of the seven planning areas throughout the county.

Attendees may bring a brown bag lunch or purchase a meal from Grumpy's BBQ at the Fairgrounds. Participants are encouraged to RSVP to the Planning Department if they would like to purchase a lunch. However, providing advance notice is not mandatory. All members of the public are welcome to attend.

The workshop in January is the first of a total of five major public workshops that are planned between now and July. Additional workshops are planned for mid-February, mid-March, mid-April, and mid-June. The countywide zoning project commenced in January 2007 and is scheduled to end with adoption of a zoning map and regulations in November 2008.

In conjunction with the workshop, the Ravalli County Planning Department will be collecting public input on the current draft zoning regulations until February 29, 2008. Those wishing to submit their comments must provide them in writing and are encouraged to use the framework for evaluation created by Clarion Associates and PPRI. The framework for evaluation is available at the Planning Department and through its website. Clarion Associates will be providing their analysis of the draft zoning regulations in detail at the January 26 workshop. Copies of Clarion's diagnosis, once provided to the county, will be available for free, along with the draft regulations.

This workshop presents an exciting opportunity for everyone to learn more about zoning and how it might be developed for Ravalli County. Community Planning Committees (CPCs) have been established for each of the seven planning areas, based on the school districts, and everyone is welcome and encouraged to join those groups. There will be an opportunity during the workshop for people who are interested in learning more about their CPC to meet with current members. CPC membership is open to everyone from the beginning to the end of the process.

For more information on the upcoming workshop or comment deadline, call the Ravalli County Planning Department at 375-6530 or email: planning@ravallicounty.mt.gov. For more information on the Countywide Zoning Project in general, visit www.ravallicounty.mt.gov/planning.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks has extended the public comment period on its proposal to establish a wolf hunting season contingent upon federal delisting to Feb. 13.

FWP proposed in December to create a wolf season if the northern Rocky Mountain’s gray wolves in Montana, Idaho and Wyoming--and parts of Washington, Utah and Oregon--are delisted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The USFWS said last year that the wolf population exceeds recovery goals and that all the potential threats to it have been resolved. The USFWS says it will seek to delist the wolf in 2008.

While FWP is providing an additional 12 days to submit written comments on the wolf proposal, officials urged those interested in commenting to get their comments in as early as possible.

Details on all the tentative wolf-season proposal, and opportunity to comment, are available on the FWP website at fwp.mt.gov. Click "Montana Wolf Season." Send comments by mail to: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, Wildlife Division, Attn: Public Comment, PO Box 200701, Helena MT 59620-0701.

'The 40-70 Rule' seminar offered at Daly Hospital

Your dad's neighbor just called to tell you that your 79-year-old father sideswiped his parked vehicle and nearly hit a child standing nearby. Was it an isolated slip-up or the sign that it's time for your dad to think about giving up his car keys? More importantly, how do you begin the discussion about such a potentially volatile subject?

Sensitive issues like this prompted Home Instead Senior Care, a company serving Missoula and Ravalli Counties, to launch a public education campaign called the "40-70 Rule." This campaign may help adult children begin to address difficult issues with their parents such as driving, finances, independence and even romance. "The '40-70 Rule' means that if you are 40, or your parents are 70, it's time to start the conversation about some of these difficult topics," said Heyer. The campaign is based on research conducted in the U.S. and Canada by Home Instead Senior Care, which revealed that nearly one-third of adults in the U.S. have a major communication obstacle with their parents that stems from continuation of the parent-child role. In other words, it can be difficult to get the conversation going because the child is still in a child roll rather than adult role with their aging loved one.

"Because of this obstacle, adult children may wait until an emergency or crisis happens before talking to parents," said Heyer. "Our goal with the '40-70' campaign is to provide practical ways for adult children to talk to their parents now. We've seen lack of communication lead to misuse of medications, self-neglect, accidents, and ultimately permanent rifts among siblings after the parents have experienced a life-changing crisis."

At the center of the "40-70 Rule" campaign is a guide of conversation starters for sensitive senior-care subjects, which is available free from the local Home Instead Senior Care office. The guide was compiled with the assistance of Jake Harwood, Ph.D., national author and communication professor from the University of Arizona who is the former director of that schoolís Graduate Program in Gerontology.

Starting conversations early is particularly important for end-of-life issues such as power of attorney and wills, said Harwood, author of "Understanding Communication and Aging" (2007, Sage Publications). Other topics may need to be addressed as well, he said. "On the earlier driving instance, you could say, 'Hey, Dad, Fred from next door called to tell me about your accident. What happened?'" Harwood said. "Then take the opportunity to drive with your parent. Even a short drive would help you gauge your dad's skills and deficits."

Such conversations should be broached with care, Harwood added. "It's crucial to begin these conversations assuming 'if' rather than 'when.' Many older adults continue to drive safely as they age. So personal circumstances should determine how much discussion needs to occur," he said.

In general, the Home Instead Senior Care survey found that Boomers have the most difficulty talking with their parents about independence issues, such as continuing to live in their own home, and that their parents' desire to remain independent makes it challenging to address such sensitive issues as health (28 percent) and money (21 percent). The fact that many of these families are still in a parent-child rather than a peer-to-peer role makes the conversations even more difficult.

"It takes two to tango," Harwood explains. "If an adult child always turns first to the parent in times of trouble, regularly needs money from the parent, or calls the parent every time there's a crisis in the child's romantic life, then they can expect the parent to continue acting out the parenting role.

"On the other hand, if the child becomes truly independent and stops acting out these behaviors, then the parent may be more likely to relinquish the parent role," he said. "So adult children should be aware of the sorts of behaviors they are engaging in, which may cause their parents to act 'parentally'."

Physical space and place also influence communication, Harwood said. "A family reunion on a major holiday may well trigger a lot of memories and associations of childhood for all involved, not just the parents.

"It may be helpful for the children to mix things up a little if the parental behaviors are a problem," Harwood said. "This might be achieved by taking a more active role in cooking the dinner or taking the parent out to the mall to buy them a gift just to change the dynamic and the setting in a positive way," he said.

The bottom line is to keep talking, because the parent-child conversation can be so important in helping seniors adapt to changing life circumstances, said Harwood and Home Instead Senior Care's Nancy Heyer, a Registered Nurse who has worked in the home care and hospice field for 35 years.

Good communication also is vital to helping families know when it's time to seek additional resources. "Oftentimes both adult children and their loved ones can benefit from outside help, such as a professional senior advisor," said Heyer. "But the only way that will happen is if they can talk about it. The tools we are providing are communication methods and not forced 'solutions' for seniors who don't believe they yet require "solutions."

For more information about Home Instead Senior Care's survey, including the results of the research and an executive summary, log on to www.4070talk.com. For interviews with local seniors and their adult children, and copies of the free "40-70 Rule" guide, contact Nancy Heyer, 406-523-9909. For more information about aging issues, contact Jake Harwood at jharwood@u.arizona.edu. To order his book, "Understanding Communication and Aging," visit www.amazon.com.

*Survey Methodology: 1,000 telephone interviews were completed in the U.S. (sampling error of +/-3.1 percent at a 95 percent confidence level) and 500 interviews were completed in Canada, excluding Quebec (sampling error of +/-4.4 percent at a 95 percent confidence level). Data analysis was performed by the Boomer Project of Richmond, Virginia: www.boomerproject.com.

Loretta Fay Puyear
1935-2008

Loretta Fay Puyear, a life-long resident of the Bitterroot Valley recently residing at the Rocky Mountain Care Center in Helena to be near her family, passed away on Thursday, January 10, 2008.

Fay was born in Wolf Point, Montana to Lucy and William Brown on December 28, 1935. After living in the Lambert area during her childhood years the family moved to Victor with Fay graduating from Victor High School in 1954.

Fay met her life's partner Don at a country dance in Florence and the loving relationship that ensued for over 50 years was always accentuated with the love of music and dancing.

Don and Fay started their lives together working in several Montana towns following Don's work for the railroad and with Fay working for a number of Montana banks. In 1966 they returned to the Bitterroot fulltime with Fay accepting a position with Stevensville High School. She spent the next 31 years as the school's Business Manager and District Clerk, as Don continued in business in the valley.

Aside from her service to the school, her life was filled with service to others as a member of Stevensville's First Baptist Church and Beulah Chapter, Order of Eastern Star.

Fay is survived by her husband Don, now residing with his family in Helena and by their son Dave, his wife Barbara, grandson Christopher and granddaughter Ashley, all of Helena.

Cremation has taken place through Whitesitt Funeral Home in Stevensville with ashes to be spread on one of Montana's great spring days in her beloved Bitterroot.

The family requests that all memorials be made to Stevensville Public Schools, Attn: Dist. Clerk, 300 Park St., Stevensville MT 59870.

Jimmy Dean Dyer
1958-2008

Jimmy Dean Dyer, 49, of Stevensville, died at his home on January 13, 2008.

He was born on Dec 21, 1958 in Wathena, KA. He married Alberta Woods on May 8, 1980. Jimmy loved the outdoors and had recently moved to Montana approximately six months ago.

His parents, a sister and a brother preceded.

Survivors include his wife Alberta; four daughters: Jodi Dearborn, Washburn, MO, Jennifer McCarty, Nancy Scheffler, and Jamie Pelffrey, all of Bentonville, AR; five grandchildren: Hunter Dearborn, Alxender Scheffler, Mary, Jamie and Christan McCarty.

Memorial services will be held at a later date. The Whitesitt Funeral Home in Stevensville is in charge of arrangements.

Glen Thomas Hauerwas
1926-2008

Glen Thomas Hauerwas, 81 of West Riverside, died at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula on Saturday, January 12, 2008.

He was born on May 27, 1926 in Spokane, WA to Frank F. and Auretta (Hastings) Hauerwas.

Glen was a veteran of the US Army serving from 1945-1946 during WW II.

He is survived by his wife Lois at the family home and children Troy Hauerwas of Missoula and Teri Roe in Coeur d'Alene. Also surviving are seven grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

No public services are scheduled at this time. The Whitesitt Funeral Home in Stevensville is in charge of cremation.

Nile Everett Smith
1915-2008

Nile Everett Smith, 92, longtime resident of Victor, passed away at Marcus Daly Hospital in Hamilton on Sunday, January 13, 2008.

Nile was born on July 21, 1915 in Rawling County, Kansas and was the son of Albert E. and Clara B. (Spears) Smith. When his father died, Nile quit school after completing the 8th grade to help on the farm.

He married Wilma Louch on August 5, 1940 in St. Frances, Kansas. She preceded him after 38 years of marriage in 1978. Nile later married Shirley Smith in 1981.

Nile loved hunting, fishing and crafted many items in woodworking. He was very generous and always spoke well of others. He was a builder and self-employed his entire life.

His first wife Wilma, son Kenneth (Patricia) Smith, nine sisters and three brothers preceded him in death.

Nile is survived by his wife Shirley of 27 years; stepdaughters: Juanita Tucker, North Carolina, Jeanette Cook, California; and stepson Kenneth L. Tucker, Idaho. Also surviving is a grandson Link (Falene) Sherbondy and Clint Sherbondy and two great great granddaughters, Heavenly and Harlene, all in Montana.

Funeral services were held on Friday, January 18, at the Whitesitt Funeral Home in Stevensville with Peter Daley officiating. Burial followed at the Victor Cemetery.

Jonathan E. Ray
1938-2008

Jonathan Edward Ray, Jr., of Stevensville passed into the next life on Tuesday, January 15, 2008 in Stevensville.

He was born on January 22, 1938 in San Antonio, Texas, to the late Jonathan E. and Darris (Schapiro) Ray.

Jon accomplished many things in his 69 years on earth. He was well known for his entrepreneurships as a restaurateur, his most recent being "Grumpy's Barbeque" in Stevensville and Hamilton.

His greater accomplishments however, were his tender heart and service to anyone he met. That love was extended throughout his life to his family and many friends. He was a stalwart member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, always willing to share his testimony of his Savior, Jesus Christ.

Jon entered the U.S. Navy in 1956 and honorably discharged in1962. Being a naval veteran, he also found camaraderie among the American Legion.

His parents and brothers Orceneth and Mackey preceded him in death.

He leaves behind his dear wife of 10 years, Kaylin Ray; his seven children: Joy, Daniel, Amaris, Abraham, Samara, Benjamin and Michaela; four stepchildren: Sarah Russell, Thomas Spencer, Daniel Spencer and Jenny Spencer and 34 grandchildren.

Funeral services were held at the Stevensville LDS Church on Saturday, January 19. Military honors presented by American Legion Post 94 will conclude at the Church.

Burial was at the Philipsburg Cemetery in Philipsburg, MT.

Armand Lee 'Dutch' Westfall
1931-2008

Armand Lee "Dutch" Westfall, 76, formerly of Attica and Terre Haute, IN and Stevensville, died at the Deaconess Medical Center in Spokane on Monday, January 7, 2008.

He was born on July 9, 1931 in Attica, IN and was the son of Clair and Gladys (Hosterman) Westfall.

He moved to Riverside CA in 1949. He enlisted in the US Navy in 1951 and served aboard the USS Jupiter during the Korean War, he was honorably discharged in 1953.

He completed training at the Los Angeles County Sheriff Academy and was employed at the Miraloma Correctional Facility. He later worked at the Lancaster, CA Deputy Sheriff's Department until he was injured while on duty in 1962.

He moved to Rock Creek and in 1974 to Stevensville where he owned and operated a business with his sister and brother-in-law.

Dutch married Betty Dvorak in October 1995 in Coeur d'Alene, ID. She preceded him in death in November 2003.

His brother Clair Westfall, Jr., sisters Joan Morgan and Edith Snyder, and a niece and nephew also preceded him in death.

Dutch is survived by four nephews, eight neices, 32 great nephews and nieces and many cousins.

Graveside services were held Monday, January 14 at the Riverside Cemetery in Stevensville with American Legion Post 94 presenting full military honors.

The Whitesitt Funeral Home in Stevensville is in charge of arrangements.