Postal customers throughout the state generously gave 391,000 lbs. of food in the annual one-day National Association of Letter Carriers food drive for the needy held on May 12. That amount topped last year's amount of 305,000 lbs.

The 391,000 lbs. collected this year will provide more than 300,760 hearty meals to feed the hungry across the state. Each 1.3 lbs. of food equates to one meal according to food bank officials.

All the food goes to local community food banks which provide the food to area community organizations and programs serving needy children, the elderly, families and the disadvantaged throughout the year.

"Once again everyone really delivered to help stamp out hunger," says President of the Montana State Association of Letter Carriers and Missoula Letter Carrier, Erik Nylund.

"I'd like to thank our communities and postal customers for their giving, our letter carriers and volunteers, drive sponsors like the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC), Campbell's Soup, Valpac, Second Harvest, the United Way, the AFL-CIO and our fellow postal employees," said Nylund. "Letter carriers and their customers are like extended family. Just like a family, we all pitched in to help people close to us. This is our chance to give something back to our communities and the people who touch our lives every day. All the volunteers involved worked very hard to make the food drive one of our most successful ever. Thanks to everyone's great support, many people throughout our great state of Montana will not go hungry."

This was the 15th year of the one-day national letter carriers' food drive across America. Over three-quarters of a billion lbs. of food have been given to feed America's hungry since it started in 1993. More than 10,000 communities and post offices nationwide participated this year.

While the national total and results from other states and communities are still being counted, it's estimated the letter carriers' food drive once again collected over 70 million lbs. this year.

Don't adopt newborn wildlife

Look but don't adopt is the rule to follow when encountering fawns and other young wildlife this spring. Leave the area as quickly and quietly as possible, leaving space for the parent to return to its young.

Although alone when spotted, usually these young animals have not been orphaned. Wildlife often leave newborn animals hidden for periods of time and return periodically to feed them. This common practice helps to keep predators from finding the young wildlife.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) cannot accept, hold or rehabilitate deer or elk removed from the wild because of the impending threat of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) and will ask you to return wildlife to the location where it was found.

CWD, a fatal neurological disease that affects deer and elk, is spreading in the United States and Canada. Although it has yet to be documented in wild populations in Montana, CWD is found in nearby states and provinces and an infected animal could spread CWD from a holding center back into the wild.

Keep in mind that it is illegal to remove or possess game animals and other creatures such as game birds, songbirds, furbearers or birds of prey from the wild. Fines can be issued for these violations.

For more information about living with wildlife, visit FWP's website at http://fwp.mt.gov/wildthings/livingwwildlife/.

Daley wins engineering award

The Department of Civil Engineering at Montana State University has awarded scholarships to outstanding students for the 2007-2008 academic year. The scholarships are donated by a cross section of industrial and business friends of the Civil Engineering Department as well as the College of Engineering and private individuals.

Jonathan Daley of Stevensville, a junior in civil engineering, received the Jack Walsh Scholarship.

Seasonal gates open

Several Forest Service roads that are closed seasonally have now been opened. These roads are typically closed during the spring for wildlife security, such as spring calving areas, or to protect the road during snow melt and spring rains.

"Forest Service crews will open the seasonal gates, however it may be a few weeks before we can drive out all the roads and remove any down fall that has fallen over the winter," stated Mary Laws, Recreation Program Manager. "We still ask the folks use caution on the roads, with the recent rains some roads may be soft or we may have rocks and trees across the roads."

The gate on Lost Horse Road at the 10-mile marker has also been opened. Crews have been working to repair a washout above 10-mile Creek and cut out trees across the road. There is still snow across the road to Bear Creek Saddle and Twin Lakes, however, high clearance vehicles can drive as far as the Lost Horse Cabin.

For more information contact any Forest Service office.

Kleese receives degree

Julie Kleese of Stevensville graduated from George Fox University during the university’s spring commencement ceremonies held Saturday, April 28. More than 600 students graduated. Kleese received a bachelor of science in biology. She is the daughter of Mike and Chris Kleese of Stevensville.

Commencement speaker was Ronald Tschetter, national director of the United States Peace Corps.

George Fox University is a Christian university of the humanities, sciences, and professional studies ranked by U.S. News & World Report as a top-tier western regional university. It offers bachelor’s degrees in more than 35 majors, degree-completion programs for working adults, a seminary, and 12 master’s and doctoral degrees. More than 3,000 students attend classes on the university’s campus in Newberg, at its Portland, Salem, and Boise centers, and at other teaching sites in Oregon.

Road closure

Logging contractors have begun work along a section of the Jennings Camp Road, and in order to protect public safety, the Bitterroot National Forest is temporarily closing a short portion of the road to public use.

Skyline logging operations, and the associated road closure, began on Monday, June 25. The road will be closed during weekdays, but will be opened for weekend use by the public. It is anticipated that the logging operations will be completed and the road re-opened for full public use by July 27. Access from both sides of the closed section of road, which includes Bertie/Lord Draw and the Elk Point area, will be open to traffic.

Acting Sula District Ranger Amber Lewis encourages folks to be careful. "Jennings Camp Road #723 is a single lane road with turnouts. Weekend drivers must use caution as there will be yarders, other heavy equipment and logs in the road."

Recreationists are encouraged to call the Sula Ranger District at 821-3201 if you have questions about the closure or travel in this area.

Club does trail work in Mill Creek, Blue Joint

Bitter Root Back Country Horsemen continued their annual National Forest volunteer trail work with a project at Mill Creek Trail on Monday and Tuesday, June 25-26, and at Blue Joint Creek, near Painted Rocks Lake on Saturday, June 30. Forest officials ask recreationists to use caution when traveling through the area where work is occurring.

The Mill Creek project included using pack stock to haul in gravel, along with the Forest Service and Montana Conservation Corps members who cleared trail and pulled noxious weeds. This work completes a project started last September.

The Blue Joint Creek project involves basic trail maintenance and is located in a proposed wilderness area. The trailhead is reached via Road 362, which runs along the west side of Painted Rocks Lake.

Bitter Root Back Country Horsemen's spokeswoman Karen Philips said, "The Bitter Root chapter of Back Country Horsemen was the third chapter established in the country and is over 30 years old. Our goal is to ensure that riders, stock users, and hikers continue to be able to access backcountry and wilderness trails. As part of this, we do trail maintenance projects with the Forest Service each year, and we invest our resources in educating people about how to enjoy the backcountry while taking proper care of stock and of the natural resources."

For additional information about the projects, or about the Bitter Root Back Country Horsemen, contact Karen Philips at 961-0101 (home) or 369-0725 (cell).

Beibinger completes Youth ChalleNGe program

Cadet Caleb J. Beibinger of Stevensville has recently graduated from the five-month residential phase of the Montana Youth ChalleNGe Program located on the campus of the University of Montana-Western in Dillon. Youth ChalleNGe is a three-phase, cost-free program sponsored by the National Guard and focuses on eight core components. The program is designed for youth between 16-18 years of age and enables the student to earn a GED, develop future goals, and learn extensive life skills. Montana Youth ChalleNGe has graduated 1,167 Cadets since its inception in Montana in 1999.

Spotlight on Victor by Louise Langton

Nick Howe has accepted a job at Lenstalen in Reisterstown, Maryland. Nick is a 2005 graduate of Victor High School and a 2006 graduate of U.T.I. in Houston, Texas. He is the son of Jim and Lisa Howe and the grandson of Pete and Frances Pfau of Victor.

Bobbi and Dave "Buzz" Schurian, former Bitterrooters, are visiting with her mother Ida Davenport in Hamilton and his sister Julie Crockett and former neighbors and friends. they now live in Rodeo, new Mexico. The Schurians will also have a tour o Alaska.

Buzz and Janette Hale visited relatives in the valley this month from their home in Dubai on the Persian Gulf where he is a pilot, and she is a flight attendant.

Bill and Marie Duffield, Santee, California visited with Bill's cousin Louise Langton and her family and enjoyed touring the Lee Metcalf Center and several family potlucks. They visited St. LaBre at Ashland, Montana on the Crow and Cheyenne Reservations.

Engagement - Norman-Calderon

Rick and Maggie Norman of Stevensville announce the upcoming marriage of their daughter, Bethany Norman, to Pablo E. Calderon, son of Pablo Calderon and Iris Santos of Bayamon, Puerto Rico. The couple plan to marry July 7 in Dubuque, Iowa.

Births

Births at Marcus Daly Hospital, Hamilton

6-13-07
Girl, 7 lbs., 1 oz., 19-1/2 inches, to Ken Hensley and Dusty Edwards, Salmon, ID

6-19-07
Boy, 7 lbs., 2 oz., 19-1/4 inches, to Gary and Shawna Sorenson, Corvallis.

Obituaries

Jesse Belva Stanley
1908-2007

Jesse Belva Stanley, 98, native of Stevensville, died at Marcus Daly Hospital in Hamilton on Friday, June 22, 2007.

She was born on August 23, 1908 at Stevensville to Mack LaFayette and Anna (Russell) Smith.

She grew up on the family farm south of Stevensville. She attended grade school which is now the Methodist Church in Stevensville. She later graduated from the Stevensville High School. She married Luther Stanley on October 3, 1930 at the groom's home in Victor. The couple resided in Stevensville where they both had employment. Jesse worked 30 years every fall for the local sugar beet company weighing truck-loads of beets, and she worked 10 years at the Stevensville High School. The family later moved to Corvallis, returning to Stevensville in 1962 where Jesse has since resided. The children attended both grade and high school in Corvallis.

Jesse enjoyed the outdoors and spent much time caring for her garden and yard; she loved her flowers. She was Noble Grand in the Rebekah Lodge and was active member of the Corvallis Grange while living in Corvallis.

Jesse was preceded in death by her husband Luther in 1973; sons Leland in 1985 and Eldon in 1941. Also preceding her was her parents, and three sisters.

She is survived by three sons: Calvin of Anaconda, Rodney of Yuma, AZ and Gary of Moses Lake, WA; two daughters: Hope Miller of Portland and Linda Reeder of Lolo. She is survived by 14 grandchildren, including Patty Murray of Stevensville and Tammy Henry of Missoula, 25 great grandchildren, and one great great grandchild, and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were Tuesday, June 26 at the Whitesitt Funeral Home in Stevensville. Burial followed at Maplewood Cemetery, Stevensville.

Should friends desire, memorials may be made to a charity of donor's choice.

Richard Eugene Rodgers
1969-2007

Richard Eugene Rodgers, 37, of Rancho Cucamonga, CA, passed away on June 16, 2007, in California.

He was born in Pomona, CA on October 31, 1969 to Anna Rodgers and Arthur Fuentez. Richard was the oldest of his siblings. He took great pride in his "Big Brother" role in life. Family was the most important thing in Richard's life.

He is survived by his parents, mother Anna Rodgers of Stevensville and father Artie Fuentez of California; son James Rodgers, Colorado; siblings Jesse of New Mexico, Sarah of Colorado, Angelina of Stevensville, and Rudy, Angela and Rochelle Fuentez, all of California. Also surviving are aunts and uncles: Buck Rodgers, Stevensville, Karla and Bobby Hanson, Colorado, Jana and Dario Catano, Colorado and many loving friends and relatives in California. Richard will be in their hearts forever.

Memorial services were held at the Whitesitt Funeral Home in Stevensville on Saturday, June 23. A potluck reception was held at the American Legion Hall following services.

Ellsworth William 'Bill' Jenter
1918-2007

Ellsworth William "Bill" Jenter was reunited with his parents and brother and two sisters in heaven on Wednesday, May 30, 2007. Bill was a loving and devoted husband and father to his wife Esther and daughter Nancy. He was a good father-in-law to his son-in-law Gerald Mininger. Bill was a good friend and neighbor to countless people during his 88 years.

Bill was born on December 16, 1918 in Centerville, South Dakota. He graduated from Centerville High School in 1937. While in school he enjoyed baseball, track and was on a softball league team. He was very active in 4-H his entire youth. Later in life, Bill became a 4-H leader in South Dakota. In both South Dakota and Montana he judged 4-H Showmanship of cattle, sheep and hogs. He also served many years on the Turner County Fair Board in Parker, South Dakota. Bill delighted generations of his family with stories of growing up on the family farm.

Bill met the love of his life in 1940 when he asked her to ride the ferris wheel at a local carnival. Five years later, Bill and Esther R. Larsen were married on September 15, 1945 in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Bill enlisted in the United States Army on January 24, 1942 and was a member of the 341st Engineer Regiment Company "D". Bill first served in Alaska, working on the beginnings of the Alaskan Military Highway from Dawson Creek to Alkan. He was transferred to the 266th Combat Engineer Battalion, 66th Infantry Division and was shipped out to serve in the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater during the later part of World War II. Bill was extremely proud of having served his country during WWII. Bill loved his country. He received a Good Conduct Medal, a Service Medal, an American-Canada Service Medal, Overseas Service Bars and a Sharpshooter's Medal. He was honorably discharged on September 13, 1945 at Camp McCoy in Wisconsin. He married Esther two days later.

Over the years, Bill and Esther attended and hosted several Army reunions with his 341st Engineer Regiment, Company D. buddies and their spouses. He also was a lifetime member of the VFW organization.

The great joy of Bill and Esther's life was their daughter Nancy, born in South Dakota. Bill farmed near Parker, South Dakota for 16 years before moving his family to Montana in 1962. Bill and Esther had ranches near Arlee and Superior. Upon retirement in 1980, they bought a small acreage west of Lolo on Highway 12, where they finally built their own retirement home and moved into it in June of 1986.

In addition to farming and ranching, Bill enjoyed hunting, fishing, skiing and traveling in both the U.S. and abroad with his beloved wife Esther. He also took great pride in his large beautiful yard and garden. He worked hard all of his life and simply enjoyed being in the great outdoors.

In addition to his wife Esther, Bill is survived by his beloved daughter, Nancy Jenter-Mininger and son-in-law, Gerald Mininger, all of the family home in Lolo Creek; a brother, Orville R. "Bud" or "Gus" Jenter of Centerville, South Dakota; a sister, Deloris Strobel (Gordon) of Clinton, Minnesota; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, William Herman Jenter and Lillian M. (Austin) Jenter, a brother Eldon Jenter and sisters Myrtle Poppenga and Ardis Simuneck.

He was baptized and confirmed at the Scandia Lutheran Church in Centerville and later joined the 7th Day Adventist Church in Hurley, South Dakota.

A celebration of his life will be held Saturday, July 14 at 12 noon at the Lolo Community Center, 12345 Highway 93 S. A luncheon will follow.

Cremation has taken place. The family suggests contributions in Bill's name to the Humane Society of Western Montana, 5930 Hwy. 93 S., Missoula MT 59804.

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