Virginia Carrington. This could be the name of a Harlequin Romance leading lady; you know, one of those semi-vapid Barbie-types seeking Dirk Cavenaugh, resident dark and handsome six-pack bearer (on his stomach, not in his fridge) who has a deep secret. But the name is the only similarity between a romance novel character and our Virginia Carrington. Our Virginia Carrington is too real, too lovely, too cosmopolitan, and too intelligent to even be compared with the fictional sort. I claim her with the possessive pronoun (our) because I see her as an asset to our community. She has the type of deep knowledge, born of experience as a world traveler and life-time educator, that makes her an invaluable source of information and still very approachable. And if you doubt me, go meet her for yourself. She works at Bitterroot Community Market (BCM), organizing and ordering the budding organic section of the store. Virginia is there Friday through Tuesday, 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., except on Saturdays (9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.).

This is her first such job but you wouldnšt know it by how she is putting her mark on the market. Example? A small sign under a display of locally produced Prairie Sunshine Honey reads:

Health Benefits of Raw Honey

• In addition to its reputation as Naturešs nutritive sweetener, research also indicates that raw honeyšs unique composition makes it useful as an antimicrobial agent and antioxidant.
• According to a report from Bulgaria, researchers found that raw honey has anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, and expectorant properties that insure the body has an immune defense and gives the body the capacity to regenerate its attacked cells.
• Much of the effectiveness of raw honey to help treat respiratory problems has been traced to the bee pollen and propolis suspended within it.

When I read this for the first time I was aghast. Must not take much, you might be thinking. Please let me explain. After spending a decade in Eugene, Oregon, a sort of epicenter for the organic storm that has been unleashed in America, I have seen many organic set-ups from conventional markets with organic sections to exclusively all organic stores to massive farmeršs markets specializing in organic everything to mom and pop roadside stands. Never have I seen, displayed with the products, this sort of brief and informative blurb about what these products can do for my health and me. Why is this such a big deal? Because we should know this kind of information about what we put in our mouths. And the existence of this simple sign opens up a whole new realm of educational possibility. What if we learned things about food while shopping for food? I didnšt think this up, Virginia Carrington did. Yes, you say, but Grandma knew honey was good for me; this is not new information. Did Grandma know why honey was good for you, beyond making you feel better when you had a sore throat? Now you can explain to her exactly why she was right.

"Organic food is the way our grandparents ate," says Virginia. She sees a need to return to this knowledge that we have not lost but simply forgotten. "On a world level, we have to change the way we eat by getting back to eating basic wholesome foods." This is a pretty big statement with a myriad of implications so overwhelming itšs hard to know where to start. Of course, the irony beingto change the world trend, we must start in our own backyards, literally. Fresh, local foods. "We need to eat the things that grow where we live," Virginia reiterates. As an educator, Virginia has seen the connection, and/or disconnection, between food and education. Virginia worked with gifted fourth and fifth graders in a low income, heavily gang influenced, public school in California. She is familiar with the studies that show links between over-processed food and ADD and ADHD, for example, and she has personally witnessed the educational benefits gleaned by parents and children that comes from simply monitoring what passes between the lips.

Virginiašs own connection to food goes beyond her position at BCM. She traveled extensively through Asia, studied medicinal herbs in Southwestern China thanks to a grant from the Avery Corporation, and spent nine months in England participating in the garden allotment scene. Garden allotments are three-acre plots, capable of sustaining a family of four, that the English government makes available to its citizens. In London this program is so popular that the waiting list for a garden allotment can take as long as ten years. The program has been in place since WWI and its longevity is a testament to its popularity and success, says Virginia. "In the UK, 70% of the food consumed there is grown there." The three years that Virginia spent abroad piqued her interest in the possibility of growing the same types of medicinal plants she worked with in China right here in the Bitterroot. Since her parents have been valley residents for twenty years, she has been coming to Montana for some time and she was struck by how similar parts of China are with this area. Only we have the benefit of a less polluted and less populated setting, she says.

Being a food-ologist is only one of the hats Virginia wears professionally. She is also a trained hypno-therapist who helps people with everything from rape trauma to quitting smoking to test anxiety. She explains hypno-therapy as the process of breaking unhealthy cycles. "Trauma is internalized and therefore relived regularly by those who experience it." Hypno-therapy begins a healing process by interrupting the repetition of this reliving process. (She can be reached at 381-2319.)

Virginia is also a private tutor for students who may be struggling academically. Her specialty is working with kindergarten through fifth grade-age children. She suggests that often children simply need one-on-one, uninterrupted attention in order to thrive. She tells me of a child she has helped with his reading skills and has been pleased with how fast he has been able to progress under her tutelage; he was slated for special education and is now on par with his classmates.

I could go on about this womanšs skills, but I have likely embarrassed her enough. Suffice it to say that she is available to assist you on a number of different levels depending on your needs. She is especially anxious to hear from folks who would like to see BCM carry specific organic and/or homeopathic products that they may not already have and she is more than willing to consult with customers about their special dietary needs or specific health concerns. In other words, she may be able to link you to an herb or homeopathic remedy that you may find helpful.

One final note: I asked her to address the fact that there is a standard comeback regarding organics: they are too expensive. This is something she quickly contradicted by considering the long-term effects of our diets.

"Americans have been conditioned to believe that when you get old you have to be sick," says Virginia. This is because so many older people suffer from ailments; however, Virginia points out that it is much cheaper to buy wholesome foods, that may cost 20% more than conventional foods on the average, but are free of hormones and chemical toxins that contribute to arthritis and allergies, than pay for expensive medical treatments in the future. She also notes that there are fewer empty calories in wholesome food; therefore, when the quality of the food increases the amount consumed can decrease, saving money in the short term. Go see Virginia for more information.

Mullin named State Honoree by Prudential Spirit of Community Awards

Allison Mullin, 18, of Stevensville, has been named one of Montana's top two youth volunteers for 2007 by the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, a nationwide program honoring young people for outstanding acts of volunteerism. The awards program, now in its 12th year, is conducted by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP).

Allison was nominated by Stevensville High School. As a State Honoree, she will receive $1,000, an engraved silver medallion, and an all-expense-paid trip in early May to Washington, DC, where she and Montana's other Honoree, middle schooler Kasey Brownell, 12, of Conrad, will join the top two honorees one middle level and one high school youth from each of the other states for several days of national recognition events. Ten of them will be named America's top youth volunteers for 2007 at that time.

Allison, a senior at Stevensville High School, founded a nonprofit association that raises money to enable students from low-income families to participate in extra-curricular activities. As Allison progressed through elementary and middle school, she frequently noticed that some students lacked the resources to buy new school supplies or take part in after-school programs.

"I knew many families were stretched to their limit financially and many children were not able to take advantage of the great programs our community had worked so hard to build," Allison said.

Once she reached high school, Allison set out to address this problem. After a year of research and planning, consulting with leaders of a local community foundation, and filing the legal paperwork to form a nonprofit organization, Allison set up her "Fund for All" and recruited a board of directors. She raised money by writing solicitation letters, applying for grants, putting on fund-raising dances, and canvassing local businesses and community groups. Over the past three years, Fund for All has raised more than $5,000, making it possible for many cash-strapped students to participate in activities such as swimming, speech and drama, piano and voice lessons, aviation camp, drill team and business club. Allison's fund also has purchased school supplies, PE clothes, choir dresses, and sports equipment for kids who couldn't afford them. Along with the board members, she reviews each application for assistance, but tries to maintain a low profile so fellow students won't be uncomfortable applying for help.

"Fund for All now has a firm foundation and younger students have expressed an interest in taking it over as I leave for college," Allison said.

Kasey, an eighth grader at Utterback Middle School, organized a community race/walk fundraiser to benefit breast cancer patients and their families. Since both of Kasey's grandmothers had breast cancer, she "felt that it was important to spread the word about breast cancer." Kasey's "Stomping Out Breast Cancer" walk/run drew 162 participants and raised more than $3,000, which she donated to Hi-Line Women Against Breast Cancer and the Montana Breast and Cervical Coalition.

"People as caring and committed as Allison and Kasey are critical to the future of our neighborhoods, our cities and our nation," said Arthur Ryan, chairman and CEO of Prudential. "By recognizing these honorees, we hope to encourage other young people our future leaders and all Americans to think more about the value and importance of volunteering in their communities."

While in Washington, D.C., the 102 State Honorees will tour the capital's landmarks, attend a gala awards ceremony at the Smithsonian's Museum of Natural History, and visit their congressional representatives on Capitol Hill. In addition, 10 of them five middle level and five high school students will be named National Honorees on May 7 by a prestigious national selection committee. These honorees will receive additional $5,000 awards, gold medallions, crystal trophies, and $5,000 grants from the Prudential Foundation for nonprofit charitable organizations of their choice.

In addition to granting its own award, the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program will be distributing President's Volunteer Service Awards to more than 4,150 of its Local Honorees this year on behalf of the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation. The Presidents' Volunteer Service Award recognizes Americans of all ages who have volunteered significant amounts of their time to serve their communities and their country.

The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards represent the United States' largest youth recognition program based solely on volunteer service.

Greater Ravalli Foundation Scholarships available

The Greater Ravalli Foundation wishes to announce the 2006 Scholarship Applications deadline for submission is March 15, 2007.

The GRF scholarship is available to Ravalli County High School students who have lived in Ravalli County for the past 3 years or a senior who has attended grades 11-12 in Ravalli County and plan to attend an accredited post-secondary school full-time. The awards are for students who demonstrate exceptional desire and commitment to further their education and training. Applicants must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or greater and be a candidate for graduation in the spring.

The goal of TGRF is to financially support the growth and development of Ravalli County's school children K-12, by addressing four specific needs which comprise the basic essentials of daily life in the Bitterroot: Educational facilities, supplies and grassroots programs; scholarships for all levels of academic ability; sustenance, such as winter clothing, hot meals and other food programs, and various capital line items as they arise. Information and donation forms may be accessed on line at www.tgrf.org.

Bitter Root Water Forum hires new director

The Bitter Root Water Forum (BRWF) has hired Laurienne S. Riley of Corvallis as the new Executive Director effective immediately. Riley brings a wealth of expertise to the Water Forum from her varied background in finance, wildlife biology, data management, scientific technical writing, and ecological restoration. She has lived in Corvallis since 2002 and been active in community and state-wide issues and projects related to creating and preserving healthy ecosystems.

"We are delighted to have Laurie on board," says Will McDowell, President of the BRWF Board of Directors. Riley will jump in head first and help reach the short- and long-term goals and objectives of clean, abundant surface and ground water in the Bitterroot watershed. She will be administering current on-the-ground projects and obtaining funding for additional worthwhile projects to protect and restore water quality in the local watershed.

The BRWF is a non-profit community driven watershed group established to ensure clean, abundant surface and ground water in the Bitterroot watershed. For more information contact the Water Forum at 375-2272 or email brwaterforum@bitterroot.net.

Stevi Schools Business Manager/Clerk earns professional certification

School Business Managers and Clerks are kind of like the bricks in a schoolhouse, providing essential support every day. People don't often think about what they do, but everyone realizes how important they are.

School business officials make sure the school is open, warm and safe; that the school buses are running, that the bills for hot lunches, school books and supplies get paid, that the teachers and staff get paychecks, and plenty more. For people like Bill Schiele, Business Manager/Clerk of Stevensville Schools, being a school business official is more than a busy job. It's a cause to which he's dedicated himself.

The Montana Association of School Business Officials is a non-profit organization made up of people like Schiele. MASBO developed a voluntary program of professional certification and continuing education to provide a recognized standard of competence.

Schiele was awarded the Montana Registered School Business Official (MRSBO) designation at the Montana Conference of Educational Leadership (MCEL). This is the highest level of certification available. To earn this certification, Schiele worked hard over and above his regular duties. Montana Registered School Business Official (MRSBO) applicants must complete a total of 240 continuing education hours and pass a rigorous, three-part test which covers 16 separate areas of knowledge. Subject areas in which Schiele is knowledgeable include Elections, Ethics, School Law, School Finance, Transportation, Purchasing, Risk Management, Personnel Management, and Facilities Management.

Schiele chooses to put in many long hours to keep up-to-date and continuously seeks to learn new skills and information necessary to serve his schools and the children of Montana. He's worked in school business administration for eight years. In his off time, Schiele enjoys hunting, fishing and horseback riding.

Scholarly Notes

Julie Kleese of Stevensville has been named to the George Fox University Deanšs List for the 2006 fall semester. To be included on the academic honor roll, a student must earn a 3.5 grade point average or higher while taking at least 12 graded credit hours of classes. A senior majoring in biology, Kleese is the daughter of Mike and Chris Kleese of Stevensville.

George Fox University is a Christian university of the humanities, sciences, and professional studies ranked by U.S. News & World Report as a łBest Value˛ and as a top-tier western regional university. It offers bacheloršs degrees in more than 35 majors, degree-completion programs for working adults, a seminary, and 12 masteršs and doctoral degrees. Nearly 3,200 students attend classes on the universityšs campus in Newberg, at its Portland, Salem, and Boise centers, and at other teaching sites in Oregon.

Elliott attends UDOC program

Kat Elliott, a Stevensville High School senior, attended the UDOC Summer Program at Montana State University. UDOC is a program sponsored by Washington State University for aspiring medical students. During the six-week program, Kat took a variety of college classes in biological sciences as well as exploring medical careers by observing and mentoring medical professionals in Bozeman. Only 12 students are selected from the state and these students are given full scholarships complete with housing, meals and activities during their stay in Bozeman. Applications for the 2007 session are due March 1. Talk to your high school counselor if interested.

Stevi Business Profesionals of America compete at regional conference

Students from Stevensville High School competed in numerous events at the Regional Conference of the Business Professionals of America (BPA) in Missoula on January 10. BPA is a professional business organization that allows students to gain real life skills and promotes leadership development and team building. All competitors qualifed for the State Conference to be held in Billings March 4-6. At the State Competition students will be competing for the right to attend Nationals in New York City this May.

Results are as follows:

Individual Events
Ronikka Kendall - 1st, Presentation Management Individual; 3rd, Keyboarding Production
Shelby Conner - 1st, Fundamentals of Acocunting; 2nd, Banking and Finance; 3rd, Interview Skills
Bekki Kilpatrick - 5th, Banking and Finance
Cody Rosin - 1st, Banking and Finance
Alex Kelling - 2nd, Advance Interview Skills
Cassie Austin - 1st, Interview Skills, 3rd, Banking and Finance
Emily Driemeyer - 1st, Economic Research Project Individual; 3rd, Advanced Interview Skills; 5th, Keyboarding
Justin Bush - 1st, Graphic Design
Nick Giese - 3rd, Fundamentals of Accounting
Ashley Walker - 2nd, Fundamentals of Accounting

Team Events
1st, Small Business Management Team - Ashley Walker, Nick Giese, Ryan Cutter, Jessica Pepprock
1st, Presentation Management Team - Ashley Walker, Nick Giese, Ryan Cutter, Jessica Pepprock
1st, Global Marketing - Ryan Kutter, Jessica Pepprock
1st, Video Production Team - Justin Bush, Cody Rosin, Ryan Anderson
1st, Web Site Design Team - Justin Bush, Cody Rosin, Ryan Anderson
1st, Economic Research Project - Alex Kelling, Cassie Austin.

Ayers celebrate 61st anniversary

With the recent severe snow storms that have hit the Rocky Mountain area, the Hamilton Post Office reminds all residential postal customers, businesses, home owners associations, etc. to clear a safe, accessible path to your mailboxes.

Make sure your mailbox itself is visible and free of snow and ice, and make sure it is safely accessible for your letter carrier. Clear your mailbox area of snow, sleet, slush, ice and debris.

If mailboxes are blocked off and conditions are too difficult, letter carriers must consider safety and accessibility first. Letter carriers are instructed not to deliver to mailboxes and locations they consider having access too difficult or unsafe.

Whether you have a street-side, centralized neighborhood cluster unit, house or door mailbox, your letter carrier needs to have clear and safe access to deliver your mail.

Births

William Brian Peddie
James and Jill (Langton) Peddie are the parents of a new baby son, William Brian Peddie, born on Janaury 25, 2007 at the hospital in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Baby Will weighed 7 pounds and 4 ounces. Grandparents are Brian and Karen Langton of Lolo and William and Sue Peddie of Corvallis. Great grandmother is Louise Langton of Victor.

Births at Marcus Daly Hospital, Hamilton

2-5-07
Boy, 7 lbs., 3 oz., 21-1/2 inches, to Paul Abrahamsen and Glenda Gosey, Darby

2-6-07
Girl, 5 lbs., 5 oz., 19 inches, to Paul and Amanda Wilson, Darby

2-8-07
Girl, 5 lbs., 8 oz., 19 inches, to Justin Boden and Shannon Dietrich, Hamilton.

Obituaries

Joseph Robert Roth
1927-2007

Joseph Robert Roth, 79, of Missoula, died on Friday, February 16, 2007. He was born on March 1, 1927 to Joe and Margaret (Brunkow) Roth in Victor.

He graduated from Corvallis High School in 1948. On December 13, 1944, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was honorably discharged in July 1946.

Joe and Evelyn Lundberg were married on September 27, 1948 in Seattle, WA. He always said she was the love of his life.

Joseph enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping and traveling in the motor home with his kids and grandkids and friends. He loved his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and is now enjoying a life free from 40 years of diabetes and the past six months of cancer.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother Gordon, a baby daughter and baby son at birth.

Survivors include his loving wife, "Evie"; children, Joe Jr. (Becky) Roth of Kalispell, Steve (Kim) Roth of Missoula, Lori (Rocky) Hook of Turah, Sue (Randy) Loewen of Bozeman, and Carolyn (Scott) Barndt of Lewiston, ID. Also surviving are sisters Helen Logen, Missoula, Ann (Frank) Stanford, Hamilton, Louise (Jack) Lamoreux, Phoenix, AZ and Josephine Hellman, Havre; twin brother George (Sallie) Roth, Ocean Shores, WA and brothers Pete Roth and Jim (Bonnie) Roth, all of Hamilton; sisters-in-law Donna Roth (Gordon's wife) Hamilton, Lorraine Farnes and Shirley (Dave) Thompson, all of Missoula; brother-in-law Don Dukelow of Corvallis; 12 grandchildren, two great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Joseph was a very loving husband, father and grandfather.

Funeral services were held at the Lolo Community Church on Monday, February 19 with burial following at the Corvallis Cemetery.

Memorials are asked to Camp Upmost, Rocky Mountain Bible Mission or to Missoula Hospice.

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

James M. McKinley
1917-2007

James Marion McKinley died peacefully at Community Medical Center on February 15, 2007,

He was born on June 24, 1917 in Sutherland, NE and was the only child of Pete and Ruby (Hise) McKinley. He continued to live in Sutherland until coming to the Bitterroot in 1957.

After graduation in Sutherland, he completed two years of college, majoring in business administration. Jim worked with his father in the family-owned retail clothing business and then became an insurance agent. He had been postmaster at Sutherland for five years at the time he was drafted into the Army in World War II. After nine months he was commissioned as a 2nd Lt. and served as the Battalion Adjutant with the 285th Quartermaster Battalion in Manheim, Germany. He was a good boxer and participated on the Army boxing team.

While he was serving in Germany, his wife, Evadne, with two small children (Pat and Lee), served as postmaster. Their son, Dave, was born soon after his return from the war and son, John, followed five years later.

Jim was able to accompany Dave and Susan last April on a trip through Nebraska to share his memories of living there and visit with relatives.

He and Evadne Marsteller met when she came to Sutherland to teach school and were married in 1940. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in June 2000 at a surprise party given by their children.

Jim and his father farmed and ranched after his return from the war. In January 1957 the entire family moved to Stevensville. They purchased the Fort Owen ranch where the family, including his parents, lived in a two bedroom house until the two houses were built on the ranch. He was very proud of his Black Angus cattle and worked hard to run a good operation.

He served on the Stevensville school board. He was on the board of directors of First State Bank of Stevensville. He had also served on both the Sutherland Fire Department and the Stevensville Rural Fire Department.

After his retirement from ranching in the early 1970's he served one term as a Ravalli County Commissioner. He was a longtime member of both the Stevensville United Methodist Church and Stevensville American Legion Post #94.

As his health declined, he spent the last year living with Dave and Susan. He was strong and wanted to keep doing the things he enjoyed. His last lunch at the Stevensville Senior Citizen Center was one week from the day of his death.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Evadne in 2002, and their son John Alan in 1976.

He is survived by his daughter Patricia Ann (Hans) Martin, Helena, and sons James Lee (Pat) McKinley, Colorado Springs and David Pete (Susan Evans) McKinley of Stevensville. He is also survived by grandchildren Mike McKinley, Colorado Springs; Ann (Tony) Steward, Bozeman; Heidi Elwood, Missoula; Doug (Tina) Martin, Belgrade; Kirt McKinley, Missoula; Pete (Cindy) McKinley, Stevensville; and Scott McKinley, Conrad, MT. Additional survivors include 12 great grandchildren and a sister-in-law, Lorraine Marsteller and niece and nephews Marlys, Duane and Loren Marsteller, all of California, as well as numerous cousins.

The family requests that any memorials go to the Stevensville Senior Center as that was the part of the day he most looked forward to after Evadne's death.

Funeral services will be Friday, February 23 at 2 p.m. at Whitesitt Funeral Home with Rev. Nancy Slabaugh-Hart officiating. Interment will follow at Riverside Cemetery.

Thomas Ames Wolverton
1926-2007

Thomas Ames Wolverton, 81, of Stevensville, died at the Bitterroot Valley Living Center in Stevensville on Friday, February 16, 2007.

He was born on January 26, 1926 at Lovell, Wyoming to Edwin A. and Lou Bell (Humphreys) Wolverton.

He received his education in Wyoming and Montana. He was inducted into the U.S. Marine Corps in 1944 and discharged in 1946. He participated in operations against enemy forces on Iwo Jima, and Kyushu, Japan.

He married Lita R. Humphreys on June 29, 1947 in Lusk, Wyoming. Tom began working for Continental Oil Company in 1946 at Lance Creek, WY, was transferred in 1954 to Brush, Colorado and in 1969 to Linch, WY, retiring in 1985. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping.

He was a devoted loving husband, father and grandfather that loved spending time with his family in the outdoors. He was a good listener and was content just relaxing and passing time watching the children play. He had a traditional natural way about him but loved laughing at life. His family and friends will hold his compassions close to their hearts.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by his wife Lita Rose Wolverton of Stevensville; daughter Carmen Jean (Tom) Pedersen, Stevensville; sister Bennis McKibben, Biloxi, Mississippi; grandchildren Jeff Pedersen, Hermiston, OR, Dawnelle (Jason) Rangitsch, Bozeman, and great grandchildren Andrew and Colby Pedersen, Keyley Rangitsch and many nieces and nephews.

Private graveside services will be held. Memorials may be made to the Bitterroot Humane Society in Hamilton.

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

Page One •	Valley News •	Op/Ed •	Sports •	Calendar •	Classifieds •	Links •	About Us •	Back Issues •	Email Us •	Home
©2006 Bitterroot Star This site was Done By Dooney