Community Briefs

Memorial Service for Ardyce Gehrke, Jan. 7

SEELEY LAKE - Long time resident Ardyce Gehrke went home to be with the Lord on Jan. 1. Services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 7 at the Holy Cross Lutheran church. A small reception will follow.

Free Dog Sledding and Skijoring Fun Run, Jan. 7 & 8

SEELEY LAKE - All beginning or experienced mushers and skijorers are invited to Montana Mountain Mushers Fun Run Jan. 7 and 8 at the Seeley Lake Trailhead (Morrell Creek), just north of Seeley Lake, Montana. Park in the mushers’ parking lot

Participants will run their dog(s) Saturday between 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. and again on Sunday between 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. There will be lots of hands-on training for everyone.

Whether you are a recreational musher, want to start skijoring or would like to race, this Fun Run is a must for you and it is FREE. All skill levels are invited. Registration is required.

Participants are encouraged to bring their sleds, skis and dogs to run each day. It will be a fun, relaxed, great way to run your dogs with experienced dog mushers.

For information, call 406-881-2909 or 406-677-3141, go online to montanamountainmushers.com or e-mail adanac@adanacsleds.com for a registration form.

Swan Valley AARP Meeting, Jan. 9

SWAN VALLEY – The Swan Valley AARP will meet Monday, Jan. 9 at the Swan Valley Community Hall.  Please come at 12 p.m. for fellowship and to share a potluck lunch at 12:30 p.m.  Joe and Barb Raible will host.

Bob Korn will present a program of World War II songs for a sing along set to begin around 1:30 p.m.

Swan Valley Library Highlights

SWAN VALLEY - The Swan Valley Library has new fiction and non-fiction for adults, young adults and children coming in regularly. It is a good time during the cold winter months to come in, check them out, choose a few and find a cozy place to read. There are many gardening books on the shelves that can help plan a future garden. Books can be placed on hold either at the library or online. It will be sent to the Swan Valley Library for pick up from Missoula Public Library’s many branches and partners.

Wednesday, Jan. 25 at 1 p.m. there will be a book chat about the 2015 novel “The Nightingale” written by Kristin Hannah. The book, which was on the New York Times’ bestseller list for 20 weeks, tells the story of two sisters, Vianne and Isabelle, who participated in the French resistance during World War II in German occupied France.

Vianne protected her child as Nazis occupied her home. Her sister Isabelle joined the Resistance and led downed pilots to safety over the mountains. Both faced dangerous situations and had to make difficult choices. It emphasizes the strength, resilience and durability of women during wartime. There are a few copies available for interested readers at the library.

Story Time will continue for youngsters on Fridays at 11 a.m. at the Swan Valley Library. Come listen to a story and enjoy an art project together.

Public Comment Sought for Smith River State Park and River Corridor Biennial Rule

HELENA – Montana State Parks announced it is seeking comment on proposed changes to the Smith River State Park and River Corridor Biennial Rule. Public comments will be accepted through Thursday, Jan. 19 at 5 p.m.

The Smith River Biennial Rule sets fees, permit requirements and guidelines for private, commercial and landowner float trips on the popular Smith River.

The proposed draft Smith River Biennial Rule would change language related to home-made bear-resistant storage containers for storing food, garbage and other attractants. While certified homemade containers will still be allowed, capacity for certifying these containers is limited. Removing language which references these containers specifically would better align visitor expectations with the limited availability of certification professionals.

The remaining edits/changes to the rule are grammatical to improve consistency and understanding of terminology and the recognition of a new commercial outfitter. The proposed rule does not include any fee changes.

The draft rule received tentative approval from the Montana State Parks & Recreation Board Dec. 14. To review the proposed biennial rule, go to stateparks.mt.gov and click on ‘Public Comments’.

To comment online visit stateparks.mt.gov or visit http://stateparks.mt.gov/news/publicNotices/board/pn_0016.html

Comments may be mailed to Smith River Biennial Rule Comments, 4600 Giant Springs Rd., Great Falls, MT 59405.

For questions about the Smith River State Park and River Corridor Biennial Rule contact Colin Maas at 406-454-5857 or cmaas@mt.gov.

Missoula County Sheriff’s Office Call Activity 12/26/16 – 1/2/17

12/27, 7:13 a.m., Highway 200, Greenough: Accident – Injury.

12/27, 7:20 a.m., Highway 200, Greenough: Slide-In No Property Damage.

12/28, 9:16 a.m., 8XX Enchanted Forest Road, Seeley Lake: Burglary.

12/29, 10:43 a.m., 32XX Highway 83, Seeley Lake: Assault.

12/29, 6:02 p.m., 7XX Spruce Drive, Seeley Lake: Disorderly Conduct.

12/30, 3:25 p.m., Woodworth Road, Greenough: Accident – No Injury.

12/30, 5:45 p.m., Highway 200 near Saddle Club Road, Greenough: Accident – No Injury.

12/31, 4:28 a.m., Highway 200, Clearwater Junction: Slide-In No Property Damage.

12/31, 5:58 p.m., Snowmass Drive, Seeley Lake: Accident – Injury.