Community Briefs

SSHS Seeking Pottery Wheels & Kiln for Friday Club

SEELEY LAKE – Seeley-Swan High School is asking the community if they have any pottery wheels or a kiln that they would be willing to donate or loan to the newly formed pottery club. There are currently six students in the club and they only have two wheels.

If willing to loan or donate a wheel or kiln call SSHS 677-2224 and ask for Joesy Exstrom or email jfexstrom@mcps.k12.mt.us

Seeley Lake Library News

SEELEY LAKE - All are invited to the Seeley Lake Library to join in a discussion of Ivan Doig’s “This House of Sky” Thursday, Dec. 17 at 11 a.m. In this book, which was a 1979 finalist for the National Book Award, Doig tells the story of growing up in Montana along the Rocky Mountain Front. His portrayal of a wild and rugged Montana and its curious inhabitants has been described as unusual and beautifully expressed. Books are available at the checkout desk. Call 677-8995 for more information.

The Seeley Lake Library is a branch of Missoula Public Library located at Seeley-Swan High School. During the week of Thanksgiving, the library will be open to the public, Tuesday, Nov. 24 from 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. and Wednesday, Nov. 25 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Seeley Lake Ranger District Permits Available

SEELEY LAKE - The Seeley Lake Ranger District is now selling Christmas tree and firewood permits as well as Visitor Use maps. Christmas tree permits are $5 per tree; firewood permits are $5 per cord with a maximum of 12 cord per season (April 1 – March 31); Visitor Use maps are $10. Motor Vehicle Use Maps (MVUM) are FREE.

The ranger district also has Every Kid in a Park passes (free to all 4th graders) which allows them and their families free admission to all of America’s federal lands and waters for a full year as well as one free Christmas tree (https://www.everykidinapark.gov/).

Due to short staffing at this time of year, the district is changing their office hours. Beginning Nov. 30, the front desk hours will be 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. and 12:30-4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday and closed on Federal Holidays.

Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem Fall Subcommittee Meeting, Dec. 2

KALISPELL – The public is invited to attend the Dec. 2 Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem (NCDE) grizzly bear management meeting, from 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. at the Lone Pine State Park Visitor Center, 300 Lone Pine Road, in Kalispell, Mont. 

Agency NCDE members will provide updates on population monitoring, research, education and public information activities, and information on 2015 mortalities.  Agency managers will also discuss the Draft NCDE Grizzly Bear Conservation Strategy.

The NCDE subcommittee is part of the larger Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee and meets twice a year to coordinate grizzly bear recovery efforts in Northwest Montana.  Participating members of the subcommittee include Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, US Fish & Wildlife Service, US Park Service, USDA Forest Service, USDA APHIS-Wildlife Services, US Geological Survey, US Bureau of Land Management, Blackfeet Tribe and Confederate Salish and Kootenai Tribes.

For more information about the Dec. 2 meeting, contact Deb Mucklow, 406-387-3800, dmucklow@fs.fed.us or Jim Williams at 406-752-5501, jiwilliams@mt.gov.

Seeley-Swan Mountain Bells Christmas Concert Dec. 3

SEELEY LAKE - The Seeley-Swan Mountain Bells community handbell choir will present their annual Christmas Concert at the Double Arrow Lodge Thursday, Dec. 3 at 6:30 p.m.

The concert will provide arrangements of familiar Christmas carols by the choir, ensemble music by a sextet of the choir and by a quartet from JuBELLation Handbell Choir of First United Methodist Church in Missoula. There will be some audience participation.

Please join the group in kicking-off the holiday season. Enjoy a favorite beverage and lovely bell music in front of a crackling fire with friends and neighbors.

Annual Frostbite Festival in Condon, Dec. 5

Swan Valley - The Upper Swan Valley Historical Society (USVHS) will host its Annual Frostbite Festival Saturday, Dec. 5 in Condon.

A Holiday Bazaar & Bake Sale will be held from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. at the Swan Valley Elementary School, Hwy 83, mile-marker 38-39. Organizers said shoppers will be delighted with the quality and variety of gift items. The Bake Sale, according to one happy customer from last year is “the best bake sale for miles. It’s well worth the trip to the Swan!”

The event will also include holiday craft activities for all ages. Lunch, offered by Swan Valley Café, will be available for purchase from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. while supplies last.

The Swan Valley Museum, located on Hwy 83, mile-marker 42, will also be open from 12-3 p.m. and will exhibit a winter sports collection. Santa Claus will be at the museum from 1-3 p.m. Visitors are encouraged to bring their cameras.

“The Swan Valley Historical Society takes pleasure in hosting this annual event,” said Steve Lamar, USVHS president. “It’s our way of thanking all who support our mission and efforts. We hope that you will come and join in on the fun!”

Missoula Senior Center – Another Donation Opportunity

MISSOULA – Another option for donating good, used items if Loving Hearts is not accepting donations is the Missoula Senior Center at 705 S. Higgins Street in downtown Missoula, Mont. They operate an Underground Thrift Store where all proceeds go back to the senior center. Hours of operation include Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.