"Once again, most mountain storm activity remained west of the Continental Divide and along the southern mountains east of the Divide during January," according to Roy Kaiser, water supply specialist for the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

January mountain precipitation was generally below average. Mountain precipitation was 74 percent of average west of the Continental Divide and 68 percent of average east of the Divide. January mountain precipitation was especially poor in areas of central, south west, and south central regions of the state, ranging from 44 to 65 percent of average.

"The first of February is when we should have about 60 percent of our seasonal snowpack accumulation in place with 40 percent of the season remaining," said Kaiser. "Right now, mountain snowpack is below average and below last year at this time."

Statewide, mountain snowpack was 80 percent of average and 74 percent of last year. West of the Continental Divide, snowpack was 85 percent of average and 82 percent of last year. East of the Divide, snowpack was 74 percent of average and 73 percent of last year.

River basins reporting snowpack levels near record lows on February 1 were the Ruby, Madison, Gallatin, and Lower Yellowstone. However, on that date, the Shields basin set a new record low and the Musselshell was at the record low snowpack level.

As of February 1, snowpack in the Bitterroot River basin was 80 percent of average and 71 percent of last year.

Assuming normal precipitation across Montana, streamflows are forecast to average 68 to 83 percent. West of the Continental Divide, streamflows are forecast to average between 80 and 91 percent. East of the Continental Divide, streamflows are forecast to average between 59 and 77 percent.

Florence couple to serve LDS mission

Alan and Sonia Baczuk of Florence have been called to serve in the Singapore Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints. The Baczuks entered the missionary training center in Provo, Utah on January 8. The couple is scheduled to serve 18 months in Singapore in an English-speaking mission. Alan retired from State Farm Insurance on Sept. 1 after many years with the company. The Baczuks are the parents of five children: Rick, Kyle, Stacy, Aaron and Greg. Their four sons have served foreign missions - Rick in Switzerland, Kyle in England, Aaron in Spain, and Greg in France. Upon their return, they plan to spend as much time as possible becoming reacquainted with their grandchildren.

Travis joins National Guard

The Montana Army National Guard is proud to announce the addition of PFC Zoe A Travis. Zoe is a graduate from Stevensville High School. She has enlisted as a Unit Supply Specialist with HHC 1-189th GSAB in Helena, and will attend training at Ft Jackson, SC. In addition to an enlistment bonus, Zoe will receive Educational Assistance to the school of her choice.

American Cancer Society daffodil sale

Ravalli County has seen worse winters than the one we are experiencing, but that doesn't mean local residents aren't itching for some warmer weather and the full spectrum of Mother Nature's paint brush.

Even though the American Cancer Society doesn't have much pull with Mother Nature, it does have the ability to deliver the traditional first flower of spring right to area homes and businesses.

Presently, American Cancer Society Daffodil Days volunteers are selling bouquets of the golden flowers around Ravalli County.

"You can only look out the window at gray skies and snow for so long before you really need to get some color in your life," says Katie Murphy, Community Relationship Manager for the American Cancer Society. "That's why our volunteer sales reps are offering bouquets of daffodils to everyone in the county."

The daffodils are available for purchase until Feb. 15, with delivery on March 19. Cost of the 10-stem bouquets is $8, $12 with the acrylic blue vase. Gifts of Hope, which are also a bouquet and vase, are also being sold for $12. The Gifts will be hand delivered to cancer patients in area hospitals, treatment centers and nursing homes. Without a doubt, the most popular offering this year is the newly-introduced "Bear and a Bunch" gift for $25. Not only do the customers receive the bouquet and vase, but also a stuffed 12-inch plush Boyd's teddy bear named "Hugh R. Hope."

Murphy explains that while the immediate impact of the flowers is to brighten one's day, the long term goal of Daffodil Days is to find a cure for cancer. Every dollar raised from the sale of the daffodils will be used by the American Cancer Society to continue its funding of cancer research, its state and national legislative advocacy, and its many educational and community service programs. This year, the Society will donate more than $130 million to cancer research nationwide. Since 1946, the Society has helped fund 40 Nobel Prize-winning cancer researchers.

To place an order or to locate the daffodil sales representative nearest you, call Katie Murphy toll-free at 1-877-488-7723, option 3.

Obituaries

Harold M. Hagen
1909-2007

Harold M. Hagen, 97, a long time Bitterroot Valley resident, passed away on Tuesday, February 6, 2007 at the Bitterroot Valley Living Center in Stevensville.

Harold was born on May 15, 1909 in Helena and was the son of Fred and Anna "Kinney" Hagen. He moved to the Bitterroot Valley in 1921 from the Helena Valley with his family. He graduated from Stevensville High School in 1927 and attended Montana State University in Bozeman. He married Willie May Sherwin in 1939. The couple farmed north of town until his retirement in 1980.

Harold was very active in the agriculture community. During those years he raised dairy cattle, sugar beets and potatoes. For many years Harold and his family processed the potato crop into fresh French fries and delivered them to many restaurants in the Missoula area. Harold is past president of the Western Montana Sugar Beet Growers Association. He served on the Montana Reclamation Board, the Bitterroot Conservation District, the Milk Control Board, the Ravalli County Tax Appeals Board and was past president of the Stevensville School Board.

Harold is a member of Masonic Lodge #28 of Stevensville, Order of Eastern Star, Beulah Chapter #8, and the United Methodist Church.

Harold served for 49 years on the Montana State Advisory Council and received the prestigious Montana State University Blue and Gold Award in 1995 for outstanding service to the university. Harold enjoyed MSU Bobcat sports and for many years he and Willie May attended every home football game.

Harold, with the support of Senator Lee Metcalf, started the idea of forming what is now the Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge. Part of the Hagen ranch was one of the first acquisitions of the refuge.

His wife Willie May preceded him in death in 1995. Also preceding him was his brother Clarence, two sisters, Mildred Flory and Dorothy Dunham, and a 3-month-old grandson.

Harold is survived by his daughter Helen Sloan of Morgan Hill, CA and two sons, Douglas Hagen of Great Falls and David Hagen, MD of Brawley, CA. Also surviving are eight grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.

Funeral services were held at the Whitesitt Funeral Home on Friday, February 9 with Pastor Nancy Slabaugh-Hart officiating. Masonic Ritualistic Honors followed services. Burial was at Riverside Cemetery. A reception ws held at the First Baptist Church in Stevensville. Memorials are suggested to the Montana State University Athletic Scholarship Fund, Box 173270, Bozeman MT 59717.

Roy Bodeen

Roy Bodeen of Missoula was carried to the comfort and peacefulness of heaven during the last days of January, 2007.

Roy was born in Whitefish, MT to Walter and Lucy Bodeen. He was raised in Whitefish, Columbia Falls, Kalispell, and Anaconda. Later, he lived in Corvallis, Hot Springs, and Missoula. During his Anaconda years, Roy was blessed to have had Ray Simpson (now deceased) as his "step" father.

Roy married Roseanne Maki on November 13, 1976. Their marriage lasted several years and they lived in Columbia Falls where he worked for the Great Northern Railroad. Their first child, Sara Marie, now lives in Philipsburg, MT, with her husband, Christopher Robinson and their son, Roy's beloved grandson, Kyle Duval. Their second child, Ryan Edward, now lives in Columbia Falls, MT with his girlfriend, Mary Burger.

His greatest love was his children. His greatest joy was using his hands to create his beautiful wood crafts. He also loved to fish and to be in the woods. Roy was such an amazing person, and kind and gentle. He had a hard time caring and giving to himself, yet he felt more love and joy in helping and sharing with family, friends, and complete strangers. He was a man of simple ways and didn't feel he needed to have fancy "stuff." Roy was content making the most out of what he had or could get his hands on. If he didn't have a tool, he would create one, but only if he could embellish it with his beautiful carvings. Whatever he created, he left his mark of artistry in it. Throughout these valleys, many friends and family members have some of his charming pieces of woodwork.

He could really stop and smell the roses; just "be" and feel deeply what we take for granted. We are going to miss him so much. Despite his pain, disabilities, hardships and setbacks, we will remember him as a man of dignity. In our hearts, he is still alive now and forever. He left us many treasured memories. Mostly he will be remembered in all the beauty this life has before us. A favorite vision is of him clean-shaven and all dressed up in an outfit that included an open white shirt, black suspenders, and a headband he created of beads and feathers. His sparkling blue eyes, his tan, his smile and laugh caught you up in his joy.

Preceding Roy in death were his brother, Allen in 1941, his father in 1962, his sister, Cynthia, in 1995, and his mother in 1996.

Surviving brothers and sisters are: Ronald, Opelika, AL; Trudy (Ron) Foltz, Missoula, MT; Wesley (Bernice), Columbia Falls, MT; Ruby (Clyde) Jackson, Stevensville, MT; Russell (Ellen), Bath, ME; Ruth Bowen, Corvallis, MT; Rodney (Victoria), Hamilton, MT; Ray, Victor, MT; Robin (Bernie) Connor, Butte, MT; Sandra Brown, Fort Wayne, IN; and Rose Malloy, Hamilton, MT.

Roy is also survived by many loving relatives, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Cremation has taken place; a celebration of Roy's life will be held this spring near the Pintlar Mountains and his daughter's home.

Roy was so compassionate to the plight of others. To honor his memory, if you wish, please send a donation in his name to a charity of your choice.

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