Thursday, September 6, 2007

Valley News at a Glance

Foundation grants available

Local students attend HOBY Leadership Congress

Main Street board positions open

Obituaries

The Stevensville Community Foundation fall grant cycle will begin September 17 with a strict deadline of Friday, October 12, 2007. Grants are awarded to organizations only that benefit programs or projects which make the greater Stevensville community a better place in which to live. Excluded are religious or political organizations. Cycles are held in both spring and fall. Thus far, over $150,000 has been awarded by the Stevensville Community Foundation grants to such worthy endeavors. Information may be obtained by picking up applications at the Bitterroot Star, the Rocky Mountain Bank or the Farmers State Bank. For more information or to submit an application, write to Box 413, Stevensville MT 59870, or call 239-5726.

On July 19-27, Ryan Kutter of Stevensville was among five high school students who proudly represented the state of Montana in Washington, DC at the Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY) 2007 World Leadership Congress (WLC).

"HOBY's primary purpose is to give high school sophomores the opportunity to discover their leadership potential to become the leaders of tomorrow," said HOBY founder Hugh O'Brian. "We give them a hands-on opportunity to interact with today's top movers and shakers in business, government, education, technology and other professions."

Inspired by a nine-day visit with Dr. Albert Schweitzer, O'Brian founded HOBY in 1958 based on Dr. Schweitzer's comment that the most important thing in education is teaching young people to think for themselves. "Our thrust is to teach them how to think, not what to think, and what the thinking process is," O'Brian added. Today there are more than 365,000 HOBY alumni serving in leadership positions.

Topics during the nine-day World Leadership Congress include leadership, international business and entrepreneurship, international governance, law and justice, technology, media and college preparation. All 425 students also spent a day in community service with six hands-on service projects in Washington, DC, through partnerships with America's Promise, Points of Light Foundation, American Red Cross, United Nations Foundation, Washington Parks and People, Junior Achievement and DC Habitat for Humanity, OurEducation and the GlamourGals Foundation.

The selection process for the HOBY WLC begins each fall, when more than 12,000 public and private high schools in the US select outstanding sophomores to attend a HOBY Leadership Seminar in every state in spring. At the local seminars, several students from each state are chosen to represent their states at the nine-day World Leadership Conference. This year, the US ambassadors were joined by their peers from more than 19 countries, including: Canada, Mexico, Argentina, Bolivia, Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, United States, Great Britain, Hong Kong, South Korea, Lebanon, Iran, Philippines, Malawi, Ethiopia, and others.

For more information about HOBY and the 2007 WLC, visit www.hoby.org.

Main Street board positions open

The Stevensville Main Street Association is announcing a call for anyone interested in serving on the Board of Directors for the Stevensville Main Street Association. The Association is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and is in its seventh year of service. Board members meet one time per month and also serve on at least one of the four committees of the Main Street Association - Organization, Design, Promotion or Economic Restructuring. Interested parties should call the Stevensville Main Street Association office at 777-3773 or e-mail at stevimainst@cybernet1.com by September 14.

Emma Skalsky
1919-2007

Emma Skalsky, 87, of Stevensville, passed away on Tuesday, August 27, 2007 of congestive heart failure.

Emma was born on October 21, 1919 to Christian and Wilhelmina Koch in Oliver County, North Dakota. Emma was one of 16 children born to the Koch family. The Koch family moved from North Dakota to Hamilton in 1939. She was employed by the Rocky Mountain Laboratory until she met her husband of 61 years.

On July 1, 1946 she married Steve Skalsky in St. Francis Catholic Church in Hamilton. The couple lived for a time in Fargo, North Dakota while Steve attended barber college. The Skalskys returned to Hamilton in 1948, where Steve worked as an apprentice barber until 1951. In 1951 they moved to Stevensville where they built their home and lovingly raised their family.

Emma was a devoted member of the St. Mary's Parish in Stevensville for 55 years. She made it her personal mission to make sure the church always had fresh flowers and linens. She took great pleasure in raising her three children and her 11 grandchildren. Emma was a talented seamstress, who loved to crochet and quilt. She was also an avid gardener, who took distinct pleasure in growing and sharing her flowers and vegetables. Emma was a wonderful cook and always had a full cookie jar to share with friends and family.

Steve and Emma were lifelong polka partners and spent many a Sunday afternoon dancing with the 5-Valley Accordion Association.

Emma was devoted to her family, and is survived by her husband Steve, her son Alan (Betty) of Powell, WY, daughter Bonnie of Stevensville, and daughter Patricia (Lee) Pederson of Missoula. Emma has one surviving brother, Joe (Lorraine) Koch of Arlington, WA. Emma and Steve have 11 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.

Mass of the Christian Burial was held Friday, August 31, 2007 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Stevensville with Father Michael Smith officiating. Following the Funeral Mass, burial was at St. Mary's Cemetery.

The family would like memorial donations to go to St. Mary's Mission or a charity of the donor's choice.

Ernie Norman Bolin
1929-2007

Ernie Norman Bolin, 78, of Stevensville, died at his home on Friday, August 31, 2007, peacefully with family and friends at his side. He fought a courageous three-year battle with MDS, always being positive and hopeful of winning the battle.

Ernie was known by many and respected throughout the valley for his devotion to agriculture, his neighborly ways and community spirit. He was born on August 12, 1929 to Norman and Charlotte Bolin about three miles from his present home of 74 years. He ranched all of his life, loving every minute of it. He never cared much about traveling, though he was able to fulfill two life long dreams: traveling to Alaska and Australia along with other family vacations. Going to Flathead Lake was always a favorite getaway. His home, family and friends were his biggest satisfaction in life.

Ernie met Bessie Nelson in 1951 at the Lolo Café. He could make it from the ranch to Lolo in 12 minutes to see his sweetheart. His mother thought that he should hook up with her because she was a nice girl that knew how to cook. They were married on August 30, 1952 and honeymooned in Crescent City, California. They enjoyed their life together ranching and raised three wonderful children: two daughters, Marlene Bolin and Shirley Layton, and one son, Bryan Bolin. They loved to entertain and no one was ever considered a stranger when they came to visit. Relatives (there were many) loved to come for branding, hunting, holidays and any chance they could get away to the country. Ernie absolutely loved being with them, especially at the ranch. On August 30, 2007, they quietly celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary the day before his passing, with family and friends.

He was actively involved in the community. Anywhere from Long Rock Community Socials, dancing and talent shows to serving on the Lone Rock School Board for 18 years, the Bitterroot Irrigation District, the FHA Board in Hamilton, the Bitterroot Tree Farms and many other organizations. Over the years he received many awards including the Bitterroot Land Stewardship Award in 1999, Montana Tree Farmer of the Year Award in 1999 and an appreciation award from the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks for his everlasting donation of the Bolin Conservation Easement in 1998, plus many others.

He was preceded in death by an infant son, his father Norman, his mother Charlotte and a grandson, Ty.

Ernie is survived by his loving wife, Bessie; three children, Marlene (Ivan), Shirley (Gary), Bryan (Robin); a brother Raymond (Kitty); five grandchildren, three great grandchildren, and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, September 4, at the Lone Rock Bible Church with Pastor Jim Carlson officiating. Interment followed at the Sunnyside Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to be made to the St. Patrick Cancer Center, St. Patrick Hospital, Missoula MT 59802 or to the Lone Rock Bible Church, 1142 Three Mile Creek Road, Stevensville MT 59870.

Herman Charles Wood
1921-2007

Herman Charles Wood, 86, of Stevensville, died at Community Medical Center in Missoula on Wednesday, August 29, 2007.

He was born on January 21, 1921 at Omaha, Nebraska.

He entered the U.S. Army on October 5, 1942 and was Honorably Discharged on November 28, 1945. He was with the 871st Bomb Squadron stationed in Saipan .

He married Wilma Fulcher on January 2, 1942. Herman was employed for 38 years with Mobil Oil Corporation in Lost Hills, CA.

He was a member of Stevensville VFW Chapter 1507 and was a member of First Baptist Church of Stevensville. Herman liked to hunt, fish, trail ride, motorcycling with good friend Buck Buckingham and enjoying the outdoors and life. He was an active in the church and loved the Lord.

He was preceded in death by his parents John and Almita; siblings Andrew, Clifford, Edward and Alfred and Mildred O'Connor and Frankie Runnels.

Herman is survived by his wife Wilma of Stevensville; daughters Dolores of Pismo Beach, CA and Lisa of Darby; four grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.

Graveside services were held at the Riverside Cemetery in Stevensville on Saturday, September 1, 2007 with Pastor Buck Buckingham officiating. Military Honors were presented jointly by the American Legion Post 94 and the VFW Post 1507.

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