Lone Rock is a long way from Africa but you would not have known that on Saturday, March 10. Eighteen second graders, from Lisa Nicholls' class, performed African dances and their rendition of a traditional African tale about how stories first reached the people. Like many traditional tales, this one involves a young man who wishes to attain something but must first accomplish a number of seemingly impossible tasks requiring him to be both brave and cunning. For the past several months, these children have been reading Gail E. Hailey's "A Story A Story", winner of the prestigious Caldecott Award for Illustration in 1971. Hailey says that the year she spent living in the Carribean inspired her to retell and illustrate this Ashanti myth.

Each second grader has a part; some are musicians, others narrators, still others play characters that act out the story and speak lines in between narration. All the children worked to create the backdrop of beautiful African designs and curly blue clouds resembling a multitude of infinity symbols. Eight-year-old Richard Malachinski, who I met stirring up a post-performance cup of java, said his class worked hard to prepare for this event, about two and a half months. Richard plays a hornet (complete with paper covered coat-hanger wings) that is tricked and put into a bottle by the hero. The hero's tasks include capturing a leopard, a nest of hornets, and a fairy, each requiring him to manifest some wiliness. For example, he anticipates the haughtiness of the fairy, the fairy's need to be acknowledged. He makes a doll and puts a tasty bowl of imaginary yams in her lap. He then paints the doll with honey and disappears to a hiding spot. When the fairy comes along, she eats the yams and wishes to engage the doll in conversation, but when the doll doesn't respond, she strikes the doll and becomes stuck to the honey. While I watch this, I wonder if this tale is the impetus for the story of the tar-baby. This is the way stories are:�sweet, multi-layered, cross-cultural, and readily adaptable.

Aaron Johnson, who stands high above his classmates, reachable only by rope ladder, which musically advances to and recedes from his throne in the sky, plays Nyami the Sky King. He says his favorite part is his tall perch. What second grader doesn't fantasize about being ten feet tall? Aaron also enjoyed designing his regal head covering, which was inspired by pictures and colors from Hailey's book. At the end of the performance when the class takes a bow, Aaron tosses his crown high into the air like a college graduate. Laughter mixes with hardy applause as the children exit to prepare for their final dance number. During their final dance, they stand in a circle shouting and jumping and grinning. This is fun for them, to show their families and friends what they are learning in school.

Lisa Nicholls is learning too. Although she has been an educator for 27 years, she is back in school getting a Masters in Performing and Fine Arts from the University of Montana. This event works into her thesis but it is evident as she dances and talks to me at the same time that she loves the music; it seems to touch her as much as the subject matter.

"This study of Africa is tied to Social Studies," says Nicholls. "We have talked about Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu, Apartheid, poverty, human pressure on endangered animal habitats, colonization, slavery, the separation of families..." Weighty stuff for second graders, but these children at Lone Rock are learning to be children of the World, with a more global perspective than was available to earlier generations.�

The kids are now in a wide circle joined by some parents and adults and by Yvette Ortega. She wears a sarong, a puka shell flower necklace, pigtails, and has bare feet. Yvette is leading the participants in a dance to the Bala Kulanja, "a song about a bird that flies over big rivers," says Dorothy Morrison, one of the founders of the musical group LEDA. Hearing LEDA, short for Les Etudiants Del'Afrique (Fr. - The Students of Africa), was a highlight of the Lone Rock event.

Why the French title? In Guinea, where this drumming and dancing group's heart thumps, the spoken language is French, the palpable leftovers of French imperial conquest in Africa. But the French weren't the first European power to tap Guinea's resources - the Portuguese used Guinea as early as the 15th Century for the acquisition and transportation of slaves. Although Guinea became independent in 1958, the nation still struggles. While the political and economic situation in Guinea is dire, the musical culture remains vibrant. Drumming and dancing are mainstays of cultural gatherings.

The dunun drums, played by Steve Hug and Paul Roys, are double-headed bass drums with powerful booming beats. Africans call the dunun "lya llu," the "mother drum." The heads are typically cowhide and the ropes and rings around the middle of this drum are adjusted to change its sound. The djembe (pronounced JEM-bay) drum, played by Dorothy Morrison, is a single-headed, goblet-shaped hand drum, typically constructed of a goatskin head, an African hardwood body, and ropes to tighten the head. Dorothy has been drumming for seventeen years; her experience with this instrument is evident in the ease and energy with which she plays. Playing the djembe is a full-body experience and strong drummers, like Dorothy, have a sinewy quality from years of handling and playing this instrument. Djembes were historically used to communicate over long distances and all drums are said to embody three spirits: the spirit of the tree the wood was harvested from, the spirit of the animal the drum head came from, and the spirit of the drum maker.

Spirits were high as LEDA's songs pounded through the room and inspired kids to follow Yvette's liquid interpretations of the music. LEDA has been entertaining and teaching school kids African rhythms for many years, in Missoula primarily. Dorothy tells me that they have collaborated extensively with Washington Middle School, working with student drummers one-on-one, and also accompanying drummers during concerts. CS Porter Middle School, and Meadow Middle School, as well as schools as far away as Troy and Eureka, have benefited from LEDA's instruction. LEDA has also performed for 12 years at Missoula's First Night celebration and entertained audiences at Out to Lunch in Caras Park. But, if I've inspired you to seek them out in concert - sorry! Dorothy explains that their group is officially "on sabbatical" since two of the dancers are pregnant and another dancer is in graduate school.�Let's hope we have not seen the last of LEDA.

Local wildlife officer wins NWTF award

Continuing their commitment to law enforcement, the National Wild Turkey Federation has honored Doug Johnson, game warden with the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Department, for his efforts in protecting America's wildlife.

Johnson was recognized as the NWTF's Montana Wildlife Law Enforcement Officer of the Year during its 31st annual Convention and Sport Show held Feb. 23-25 at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville, Tenn.

The NWTF initiated the awards program to acknowledge top officers, such as Johnson, across North America.

By earning the state wildlife officer of the year award, Johnson and other state winners are eligible for the NWTF's National Law Enforcement Officer of the Year award, which will be presented during the NWTF's Awards Banquet Saturday, Feb. 24.

"Trap and transfer is one part of the success story of the wild turkey," said Rob Keck, NWTF CEO. "Protection from poaching is the other. Wildlife officers played a huge role in the comeback of the wild turkey. This is our way of saying thanks to those officers."

Johnson has been with the department since 1992 and has been recognized by other organizations for his commitment to conservation as well as honors for bravery. He received a national Medal of Valor for a life-saving water rescue on the Bitterroot River in 1997, as well as the Missoula Exchange Club's Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award in 1996. He was also nominated by his peers for the 2000 Montana Warden Excellence Award.

"Doug brings a lot of great attributes to the department, but his ability to work well with people has been crucial to his success," said Jeff Darrah, MFWP Game Warden Captain. "He strives to educate youth about conservation and ethics and is always working to help introduce them to hunting and fishing. He always looks for innovative ways to get the job done and it is his enthusiasm and dedication that makes him so effective in protecting Montana's resources and maintaining a vital link with its citizens."

For more information about the NWTF's law enforcement award winners, or the NWTF's efforts to support wildlife law enforcement, call (800) THE-NWTF, or go online at www.nwtf.org.

Assistance available for college, job training

Could you use $3000 for college or job training? Has your family received TANF cash assitance within the past 24 months?

If so, there is more help available through a partnership with Rural Employment & Opportunities, your local participating Credit Union, and Student Assistance Foundation to build financial skills, career options, and job opportunities.

With the help of Rural Montana Saves, for every $1 you save at your participating local Credit Union, you will receive $6 from your partners up to a maximum of $3000.

To be eligible, you must meet with your REO personal case manager to develop a plan for how you can get to where you would like to be in life. Make monthly deposits of at least $20 in your personal savings account for a minimum of 6 months, and participate in personal financial managmeent classes at your local participating Credit Union.

If you would like more information, or would like to request an application, give Dawn Curtis a call at 1-800-546-1140. You may also pick up an application the Ravalli County Federal Credit Union in Hamilton. Funding is provided by the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services' Family Economic Security Demonstration Project.

Ag Communications scholarships available

Applications are now available online for the second annual Ag Communications Scholarship, presented jointly through Agri-News, Stockman Bank, Western Livestock Reporter, and Northern Ag Network. As many as three scholarships totaling up to $4,500 will be awarded in May to graduating high school seniors intending to attend a college or university with the long-term goal of working in ag communications. Preference will be given to students from ag backgrounds who want to serve rural people in their careers. A printable version of the application is available online at www.cattleplus.com, and the deadline for application is April 13.

Montana Cattlemen's Association accepting scholarship applications

The Montana Cattlemen's Association (MCA) is accepting applications for the Swede Schlesinger Memorial Scholarship. The $2,500 Schlesinger Scholarship will be awarded to a senior graduating from a Montana high school. The Schlesinger Scholarship is renewable for three consecutive years providing the recipient maintains a minimum 3.0 GPA at an accredited institution. The Schlesinger Scholarship will be awarded on July 15, 2007.

This scholarship was established by the heirs of Swede Schlesinger, a long time rancher and former president of the Montana Cattlemen's Association who ranched north of Ingomar. Swede believed that education was critical for rural areas to prosper. This scholarship was established to encourage academic rigor and reward scholarly achievement.

An eligible applicant must be have maintained a "C" or higher grade point average high school. The Schlesinger Scholarship application can be printed from the "Scholarship" link on the MCA website at www.montanacattlemen.org. For more information about the Schlesinger Memorial Scholarship, call 406-259-5433, or e-mail Jeremy Seidlitz at js@montanacattlemen.org.

Healy awarded PEO Sisterhood grant

Chapter BC, PEO Sisterhood, recently awarded a $1000 grant to Patricia Healy of Hamilton to assist her in completing her degree in education at the University of Montana. Patty received the grant from the Program for Continuing Education which was established in 1973 to provide need-based grants to women in the United States and Canada whose education has been interrupted and who find it necessary to return to school to support themselves and/or their families. Applicants are recommended and sponsored by local PEO chapters. More than $22 million has been awarded to nearly 25,000 women since the program began. Chapter BC has successfully sponsored a number of women for this grant over the past 34 years.

The PEO Sisterhood, founded January 21, 1869, at Iowa Wesleyan College, Mountain Pleasant, Iowa, is a philanthropic and eduational organization interested in bringing to women increased opportunities for higher education. There are approximatey 6,000 local chapters with more than 250,000 active members. Chapter BC was organized in Hamilton in 1973. For more information about PCE grants, contact Sue Anne Iman at 961-3769.

Bitterroot Job Service Employers' Committee Scholarship

The Bitterroot Job Service Employers' Committee (JSEC) is offering two scholarships to individuals planning to further their education. To be eligible, an applicant must be a Ravalli County resident who is enrolling in a post high school education or training program. The scholarship amount is $500 for each scholarship. The scholarship application packet may be acquired through local school counselor offices or at the Bitterroot Job Service Workforce Center. All those eligible are encouraged to apply, including high school seniors, those home schooled, returning students, and older students. The application deadline is April 12, 2007. For more information contact Kathleen at the Bitterroot Job Service Workforce Center, 375-6046.

The Bitterroot Job Service Employers' Committee strives to serve all Ravalli County Employers with informational seminars regarding personnel and training issues, and acts as a link at the state and national level to voice employer needs. Any employer interested in participating in JSEC or seeking additional information should contact Kathleen.

Public monitoring opportunity on Middle East Fork Project

The Bitterroot National Forest is looking for individuals interested in working as part of a multiparty monitoring group to monitor the Middle East Fork Hazardous Fuels Reduction Project on the Sula Ranger District. This landscape level project is one of the first in Montana authorized under the Healthy Forests Restoration Act and has been of interest to a variety of people with different perspectives on forest management.

By using a multiparty approach, the Bitterroot National Forest hopes to learn from the monitoring group's efforts to improve future projects. Multiparty monitoring is an opportunity to build trust and better understanding among the Forest Service, other agencies, and members of the community of how to improve the health of national forest system lands through management decisions and actions.

The Forest is working with the National Forest Foundation, WildWest Institute, Friends of the Bitterroot, Montana Logging Association, and local forester Craig Thomas, to identify a small, diverse monitoring group of 12-15 individuals who represent a balance of various perspectives on forest management. As a member of the monitoring group, one could expect to be in the field reviewing project activities with the group and meeting periodically to discuss monitoring results. It is likely the group will be active for two years, spending an estimated 4-8 hours per month on the project. Ideally the group would include a balanced mix of perspectives, representing the varied interests from all interested stakeholders in this project. The membership could include local community members; industry and forestry interests; local, county, state and federal government representatives; environmental and conservation organizations; recreation interests; academic institutions and researchers.

"The Forest has received emails and letters from several groups and individuals requesting a multiparty monitoring group be formed for the Middle East Fork project. I have been talking to some of these folks to develop a process to do just that. I look forward to working with the multiparty group to review the project and learn if we did a good job anticipating the outcomes and consequences of this project," said Tracy Hollingshead, Sula District Ranger.

The Forest is asking anyone who may be interested in volunteering to be part of the monitoring group to send in a letter of interest. Letters should be sent by March 23 to: Tracy Hollingshead, Sula District Ranger, 7338 Hwy 93 South, Sula MT 59871 or emailed to: r1_bitterroot_comments@fs.fed.us. Include information about: 1) your availability and how much time you would be able to commit to the monitoring effort; 2) your interest in this project; and 3) what perspective or viewpoint you would bring to the monitoring group. Once letters are received the Forest will work with the National Forest Foundation and those who have already expressed interest to select a balanced monitoring group representing the diverse interests in this project. All monitoring group meetings will be open to the public. Call the Sula Ranger District 821-3201 for more information.

Chamber awards banquet held

The Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce held its 101st annual Chamber Banquet and awards presentation on Friday, March 9 at the First Interstate Center. Al Hill, First Security Bank, was introduced as the President of the 2007 year. Serving with Al is Tim Bozik, Bitter Root Brewing, Past President; Dee Dee McGowan, Big Sky Travel, Treasurer; Patti Furniss, Bitterroot Job Service Work Force Center, President-Elect; and board members Jim Anderson, Adrian Arnlund, Dirk Beyer, Chris Jahnke, Dave Olson, Mike Pflieger, Linda Woods, Tom Pool and Justine Morris.

Awards for the 2006 year were presented by emcee April Johnson, Hamilton Players, Tim Bozik and Al Hill. These awards are selected based on commitment to the community and to the Chamber.

Community Asset - Corvallis Community Events Center
Unsung Hero - Darrell Holland, Hamilton High School
Volunteer of the Year - Carol Saylor
Economic Development - GSK Biologicals
New Business of the Year - Stevensville Hotel
Businessperson of the Year - Monte Drake, First Interstate Bank
Business of the Year - Evans Ace Hardware

For more information on how you can become involved in your Chamber or to find out more information on what the Chamber does for the Bitterroot Valley, call 363-2400.

Integrated Water Quality Report now available

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved Montana's 2006 Integrated Water Quality Report, which was submitted by the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). The Final 2006 report is now available the general public.

The report combines the 303(d) list, which includes a list of Montana waterbodies that are impaired and in need of water quality restoration as well as a water quality atlas, known as the 305(b) report, which provides a summary of state water quality information.

"This information is critical to the DEQ and to local watershed groups and conservation districts as we all work to bring these impaired waters back to their designated uses," said DEQ Director Richard Opper. "I encourage anyone living near these waterbodies to get involved in their local restoration efforts."

The 2006 report contains the list of impaired waters, changes in assessment information for waters already on the list, and changes to the schedule for preparing total maximum daily loads or TMDLs. A TMDL is the total amount of a pollutant that a waterbody may receive from all sources without exceeding water quality standards.

The public has several options if they wish to review the final 2006 report. The materials are available at DEQ's official website for obtaining 305(b) and 303(d) related water quality information: www.cwaic.mt.gov. This website features an easy to use, searchable database and computer map files. Users can search waterbodies by name, location, type, designated use and other criteria. A hard copy of the report is also available at the Montana State Library in Helena.

If you wish to obtain a hardcopy of the report, have problems accessing the report via the Internet, or the State Library, contact the Montana Integrated Report Coordinator, Staci Stolp at (406) 444-3409 or by email at sstolp@mt.gov. Alternative accessible versions of the report will be made available to persons with disabilities upon request.

Victor Civic Club By Louise Langton

The Victor Civic Club met on Thursday, March 1 at the Victor Senior Center with Sharon Banda presiding. The minutes of the January meeting were read and the financial report was given.

Angie Dobberstein, chair of Chief Victor Days to be staged June 8-10, gave a detailed report on her work for the annual celebration. She had visited with Mary Jane Charlo on the Flathead-Salish Reservation about sending a tribal color guard for the parade and possibly a cultural display. Vendors will pay $35 this year for a spot in the Victor Park. Louise Langton is working on musical entertainment for the event. This will be the 26th year of the Victor celebration. Several new events are in the planning stages, Angie reported.

The club members voted to put the old food trailer on the market. It will be moved near the Homemakers Center this month where potential buyers can look at it. Donations will be accepted in an account at Farmers State Bank in Victor to help the club buy a new trailer so various clubs can serve breakfast in the park all summer.

The Civic Club will serve Memorial Dinner on Sunday, May 27. Volunteers are always needed to help and to make desserts such as pies and cakes for the dinner. Many familes plan family reunions every year for Memorial Day.

Knights of Columbus

The Order of the Knights of Columbus will be celebrating its 125th Anniversary of Service, Fait & Fraternity this Founders Day, March 29, 2007. Our Lady of the Mountains Council #13093, Knights of Columbus, Stevensville, will also be celebrating another year of successful activities in which the Council donated 19,442 hours of charitable work during 2006 to help others. Events during 2006 in which the Council participated: basketball free throw tournament; Western Heritage Days, over 500 people were served dinner; St. Patrick's Day dinner; Armed Forces Day; Memorial Day mass at Stevensville cemetery; July 4th observance; Smokin' Blues Festival; Creamery Picnic; Veteran's Day; Halloween party; Children's Christmas party; Special Olympics; Pro-Life. All these events were for the benefit of youth, church, and/or community.

Events during 2006 that were sponsored and conducted by the Council: Stockgrowers dinner; Breakfast at St. Joseph Church, Florence; Breakfast at St. Mary's Church, Stevensville; Fish frys at St. Mary's Family Center; Tootsie Roll Drive, 20% of proceeds to MT Special Olympics, 80% of proceeds to Ravalli Services; Joe Lantz Scholarship; St. Mary's hike; Buffalo BBQ; over 200 people were served; Thanksgiving baskets to the needy; Continued work on McNulty Pavilion and Priest Park.

Labor Council offers scholarships

The Missoula Area Central Labor Council Scholarship Fund announces the availability of College and Vocational-Technical School Scholarships. The following are offered:

• 3 - $500 College Scholarships
• 3 - $250 Vocational-Technical School Scholarships
• 1 - $500 Bill Potts Memorial Scholarship

The students or one parent must belong to a union that is affiliated with the AFL-CIO or the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and must reside in, or be employed in, Ravalli, Granite, Mineral or Missoula County. The student must also be planning to attend a post-secondary school in Montana. For more information and applications contact your high school counselor. For more information call Bruce Morris at 239-3659.

PPL scholarships available

PPL Montana is offering four one-year $2,000 scholarships for the 2007-2008 academic year. Any student who will graduate in 2007 from a Montana high school and enter a full-time degree program in an accredited college, technical school or university in the state is eligible. Scholarships will be awarded based on high school academic record, financial need, extracurricular accomplishments, two letters of recommendation and student essay. More information and application forms are available online at www.pplmontana.com. The deadline to apply is March 23.

County spelling bee winner announced

Sarah Harmsworth from Corvallis reigns as Ravalli Counties spelling champion for 2007. The County Bee was held at the Hamilton Middle School auditorium on March 14.

Jebediah Rosen, a 5th grade student from Victor School, was runner up in the competition. The winner was established on the 8th round of the competition.

The Treasure State Spelling Bee program is sponsored annually by Lee Newspapers of Montana. Locally, the Ravalli County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Ernie Jean, organized the competition.

To qualify to represent their school, students compete in a local school competition which includes students from grades five through eight. Each county private school as well as county home schools may send representatives, through their respective organizations.

The two top qualifiers in the county bee will be eligible to participate in the State Bee in Butte at the East Middle School on March 31. This meet will determine the State's winner.

Spellers from the various county schools who competed in the county meet were:

Corvallis: Evan Alred and Gregory Eickhoff
Darby: Tristy Anderson
Florence-Carlton: Taryn Rylander
Hamilton: Kaleb Lewis and Matt Kelley
Lone Rock: Gabby Reed and Kyle Anderson
Pines Academy: Marcia Jessop and Chantel Jessop
Stevensville: Neil Campbell and Matthew Erhard
Victor: Jebediah Rosen and Ashley Prouty
Home Schools: Sarah Harmsworth and Angus Tomlinson.

Births

Births at Marcus Daly Hospital, Hamilton

3-7-07
Girl, 8 lbs., 4 oz., 20 inches, to Bret and Kathy Rider, Darby

3-9-07
Boy, 8 lbs., 2 oz., 20-1/2 inches, to Cody Martin and Skye Rathie, Victor
Girl, 6 lbs., 13 oz., 19-3/4 inches, to Daniel Starkey and Abby Rall, Victor

3-13-07
Boy, 7 lbs., 4 oz., 21 inches, to Matthew Golden and Christina Phillips, Hamilton.

Obituaries

Richard Alan Campbell
1942-2007

Richard Alan Campbell, 65, of Stevensville died at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula on Wednesday, March 7, 2007 from complications of leukemia.

He was born on January 17, 1942, in Hamilton, Montana. He was the son of Blanche (Howard) and Edgar Campbell of Stevensville. He graduated from Stevensville High School. He attended the University of Montana, Missoula, and Western Montana School of Education in Dillon. He worked in the former Rhodes Hardware in Stevensville, and for the U.S. Forest Service with trail maintenance.

Richard met Ruth (Patton) while attending Dillon and they were married on January 8, 1966. They relocated to the Tri-Cities (Kennewick, WA) where they lived for 34 years. He worked for Western Auto, Kennewick and Inland Tool, Pasco and as an on-road representative for Romaine Electric in Seattle. He retired in 2001.

He returned to Stevensville to be near his father Edgar, his sisters Margaret Sperry and Karen Wandler, brother Merlin Campbell and his son Keith Campbell and his family.

Richard was an ordinary man who did extraordinary things. His focus in life was to enjoy life - hunting, fishing, camping and traveling - with family and friends. If it said, "museum... point of interest," he stopped! He's best remembered for his love of God and his desire to share the good news. He had a way with words, as those who were on the receiving end of his wit know only to well! His home was God's home, his things, God's things, and he did his best to live for the glory of God.

Survivors include his wife Ruth; sons Bryan (Utah) and Keith (Stevensville) and daughter Colleen McAbee (S.C.); his father Edgar; brothers Harold, Merlin, and Robert; sisters Margaret Sperry and Karen Wandler; and six grandchildren.

He will be greatly missed, but those who know Christ will reunite with him again.

Memorial services were held at the Whitesitt Funeral Home in Stevensville on Monday, March 12, with Pastor Ben Baker officiating.

Donald L. Smith
1942-2007

Donald L. Smith, 65, of Stevensville, died at home on Tuesday, March 13, 2007 following a courageous 26-year battle with heart and lung disease.

He was born on January 22, 1942 at Klamath Falls, Oregon, graduating from Klamath Falls Union High School in 1960. In 1961 he entered the U.S. Army where he was involved in road construction. He was honorably discharged in 1964. Don was presently active in the Army Reserves where he became disabled in 1986. During the time while in the Reserves, he attended junior college in Susanville, OR.

He married his loving wife Gail Lenore on July 22, 1977 in Missoula. The family moved to Stevensville in 1985. He was active in Boy and Girl Scouting, 4-H and 4-H camp, was active in plays and built props at Chantilly Theatre. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, woodworking, gardening and playing with his grandchildren.

He was a wonderful and dear man who touched the lives of all who met him. He was a very loving husband, daddy and grandpa. He poured his heart and soul into his family and volunteer work.

He was preceded by his parents Virgil and Mae Smith.

Survivors include his loving wife and best friend of 30 years, Gail of Stevensville; two daughters, Suzanne (Shawn) Baker, Kalispell and Melissa (Mike) Hensen, Missoula; and five treasured grandchildren: Courtney, Kaitlynn, Brady, Dustin and Jocelynn. Also surviving is a sister Kathy Davis, niece Myra (Greg) Peterson, great-nephew Jason Peterson of Eugene, OR.

Funeral services were March 17 at Whitesitt Funeral Home with American Legion Chaplain Russ Vogel and Jerry Esmay officiating. American Legion Post #94 provided military honors at concluding services at Riverside Cemetery in Stevensville. A reception was held at the American Legion Hall.

Kirk Dewayne Kelly
1975-2007

Kirk Dewayne Kelly, 32, former resident of Lolo, died at Wilcox, AZ on March 11, 2007. He was born on February 17, 1975 in Dallas, Texas.

Kirk is survived by his parents Steve and Kathy Kelly of Lolo; brother Ryan (Candice Lawlor) Kelly of Missoula; sister Stephanie (Bruce) Rogers and their daughter Abigail Sue of Tucson; his sweetheart Krisi Lee and son Tyler, and his best friend, Ray Johnson of Benson, AZ; cousins, Sume, Kib and Chez Berryhill, Chandra Rollins, Jay and Trent Amt, and Michael Kelly.

Funeral Services were held in Pomerene, AZ at the LDS Church.

Graveside services were conducted at the Florence-Carlton Cemetery in Florence on Friday, March 23. A reception followed at the Lolo LDS Church.

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

V. Dexter Clark
1923-2007

V. Dexter Clark, 83, former resident of Stevensville, died at his home in Tucson, AZ on Wednesday, March 14, 2007 following a long battle with acute leukemia. He was surrounded by his family at the time of his death.

He was preceded in death by his first wife Earldean Hendrickson in 1990, and his parents Verne E. and Ora Loretta Plummer Clark.

Dexter was a WWII Army Veteran and a member of the Stevensville Masonic Lodge #28 and American Legion Post #94 of Stevensville.

He graduated from Power High School in 1942. He loved sports, especially baseball, basketball and golf. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing, horses, mules and packing, snow mobiling, shooting pool and trap shooting. He had a Boys Ranch in Potomac, and has worked several construction jobs in the Bitterroot Valley and in Lincoln.

Dexter is survived by his wife Beth of Tucson; son James Earl (Helen) Clark of Lolo; daughters Judy Gail (Jim) McConnell of Garrison, Barbara Jo (Bill) Everson of Hall and Verna Marie (Scotty) Scott of Corvallis. Also surviving is a sister Maxine Johnson, White Sulphur Springs, 11 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren and two stepsons, Kim and Carol Sibert, Missoula and Gary and Sherry Sibert, Michigan and three step grandchildren and two step great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were held at the Whitesitt Funeral Home in Stevensville on Tuesday, March 20 with Masonic Lodge #28 Ritualistic Rites. Burial followed at Carlton Cemetery in Florence with American Legion Post #94 providing Military Honors. A reception was held at the Masonic Lodge in Stevensville.

Lila Zeiler Baldwin
1925-2007

Lila Zeiler Baldwin, 81, of Stevensville, passed away on Wednesday, March 14, 2007 at Community Medical Center in Missoula.

She was born on August 5, 1925 in Santa Rosa, Missouri to Hirman Nelson and Callie Mae (Bird) Willits. In 1937 at the age of 12, Lila moved to Stevensville in a Model T Ford with her parents.

She married Adolph Zeiler in 1943. The couple had two children, Patsy and Linda. Adolph preceded Lila in 1963. She later married Raymond Baldwin in 1971.

Lila was very active throughout her life. If there was an association or club in Stevensville she was probably a member at one time. She enjoyed gardening, dancing, spending time with friends and looking after her family. To say Lila was social and active would be an understatement. She loved to visit with anyone and everyone. She definitely lived life to its fullest. She just recently came back from her first visit to Hawaii.

Lila was a true gem to be around and was always willing to go out of her way to help others. She truly enjoyed life and was an inspiration to all that knew her. She will be greatly missed, but never forgotten.

Her parents preceded her in death as well as a sister Orene Miller, daughter Patsy Wallace, 1997, and husbands Adolph Zeiler, 1962, and Ray Baldwin in 1999.

Survivors include her daughter, Linda and Frank Lewis; grandchildren: Rob Wallace, Cheri Calkins, Cliff and Kris Wallace, Steve and Lori Lewis and three great grandchildren, Chelsea Cantrell, Kendra Calkins and Ashton Lewis; and a sister Wanda and Jim Jones in Nebraska.

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, March 24, at 11 a.m. at the Stevensville United Methodist Church, with Pastor Nancy Slaubaugh-Hart officiating. A luncheon to celebrate Lila's life will follow.

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

Norma C. Mitchell
1925-2007

Norma C. Mitchell, 81, of Missoula, died at Riverside Health Care in Missoula on March 17, 2007. She was born on October 9, 1925 in Blackfoot, ID to Clarence and Zella (Hale) Christensen.

She attended school in Lavaside and Firth, ID.

Norma met the love of her life, Russell Tom Mitchell, at the home of Russ' grandmother in Lavaside, ID. Norma was 16 and Russ was 19 when they married on December 31, 1941. Norma and Russ moved to Missoula on Aril 1, 1956. Norma was the bookkeeper for the family business, Mitchell Brothers Honey.

Norma loved to garden and grew the tastiest vegetables ever and also had beautiful flower gardens. She was very active in the State and National Beekeepers Association. She served as State Secretary/Treasurer for years. She was very active with the Honey Queen program and hostess for the National visiting Honey Queens. She was also active in getting a Honey Queen program in Montana.

She entered many homemade items in the Missoula County Fair. She also entered her crocheted and knitted items. The cookie jar at her home was always full. She also made great homemade root beer.

Norma worked as an election judge for many years for Missoula County and only quit when she could no longer do the work.

She was active in the LDS Relief Society and American Legion. She held many local and state offices for the American Legion and the 8 and 40. She was a Brownie leader, Girl Scout leader and a den mother in the Cub and Boy Scouts.

Following retirement, Russ and Norma spent winters in Quartzsite, AZ. She loved camping hunting and fishing. She watched all of the Atlanta Brave baseball games.

She was preceded in death by a daughter, Barbara Jean Dye, brother Dick Christensen and her parents.

Survivors include her husband Russ of 65 years; children Julie Ann (Dick) Thurman of Florence and William Russell (Tami) Mitchell of Missoula; nine grandchildren: Shawna (Marvin) Berg and Russell Thurman of Missoula, Cherie Cook of Anchorage, AK, Tony (Debbie) Mitchell, Berryville, AR, Wesley (Amy) Mitchell of Shelley, ID, Melanie (Steve) Sida of Golden, CO, Myron Dye of Magna, UT, Tom (Luannie) Dye of Riverton, UT and Brett (Emily) Dye of West Jordan, UT and 11 great grandchildren.

She is also survived by sisters, Rozella Christensen, Glen Shirley Christensen, Karen (Dorsel) Baden of Lavaside, ID, Dell of Firth, ID, Geri (Mel) Spooner, Blackfoot, ID and Bonnie McInelly of Antioc, CA.

Visitation will be on Thursday, March 22 at the Whitesitt Funeral Home in Stevensville at 11:30 a.m. until service time at 2 p.m. Burial will be at the Victor Cemetery. In her honor wear purple.

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