Community Briefs

Loving Hearts Not Accepting Donations in November

SEELEY LAKE – Loving Hearts is out of room! They are unable to accept donations in November. Thank you.

Veterans and Spouses Invited to Christmas Dinner, Dec. 7

SEELEY LAKE – The Veterans and Families of Seeley Lake will be hosting a Christmas dinner for all Veterans and their spouses Thursday, Dec. 7 at the Seeley Lake Community Hall. Light hors d’oeuvres will be served starting at 5 p.m. followed by dinner at 6 p.m. Pop’s Restaurant will be the caterer.

The event is free for veterans and their spouses. Please R.S.V.P to 677-7259 no later than Nov. 30.

First Friday, Nov. 3

SEELEY LAKE – The Grizzly Claw Trading Company is the featured business for November’s First Friday. Everyone is invited to stop in and look around until 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 3. Attendees will enjoy storewide sales and savings of up to 10 percent off local Montana artists as well as free cookies and apple cider. Everyone who stops in can sign up for a raffle basket. The chamber board will also be available from 1-2 p.m.

The party moves next door to The Filling Station where the Seeley Lake Area Chamber of Commerce will be hosting Grizzly Claw trivia for free drinks starting at 7:30 p.m. Matt Strachan and The Hoot Owls take the stage at 8 p.m.

Seeley Lake Elementary, The Filling Station and the Seeley Lake Area Chamber of Commerce are sponsoring the event. Everyone is invited out for a day of family-friendly fun with food, drinks and live music.

Pile Burning Planned Along Airport Road

SEELEY LAKE - Montana Department of Natural Resource and Conservation began prescribed burning Monday, Oct. 30 continuing through the end of November as weather and fuel conditions allow for safe and effective operations.

Burning will consist of excavator piles located close to the Seeley Lake Airport and Airport Road. There are approximately 25 acres of scattered piles located along the southern boundary of DNRC Section 36. The pile burning will be completed with wildland engines on-site utilizing hand ignition devices and will be completed 5-25 acres at a time depending on factors such as air quality and dispersion forecasts, personnel availability and weather conditions. The burn objectives are focused on disposal of fuel loads resulting from thinning, blow down and beetle killed materials in the area.

Please avoid traveling in areas where active burning is taking place. The excavator piles can produce significant radiant heat so staying at least 100 feet away from any burning pile is recommended.

If there are any questions, please contact the DNRC Clearwater Unit at 244-2381 and 244-2391.

Montana Community Foundation Wildfire Relief Fund Second Grant Cycle Opens Nov. 11

The second grant cycle for the Montana Wildfire Relief Grant Fund opens Nov. 11. The fund originated as a partnership between the Montana Community Foundation and the Montana Television Network. Launched in early September 2017, the fund has grown to nearly $450,000 through the generosity of individuals, businesses, private foundations, and many others across the country.

Applicants must be either a charitable organization (a 501(c)(3) nonprofit), an exempt governmental unit or, if neither, provide a fiscal sponsorship agreement with an organization who is a 501(c)(3) or exempt governmental unit. Grants will be up to $15,000. Only one application is allowed per organization. 

Successful grantees will have the following characteristics: 

• Preference will be given to organizations that provide(d) direct relief to individuals affected by the wildfires in Montana in 2017.

• Provide a direct benefit to Montana residents.

• Do not support projects, programs or activities that are partisan or sectarian.

Grant requests are reviewed by a grants committee comprised of MCF staff and board members, nominated members of Montana communities affected by wildfires, fund partners and wildfire experts from government agencies and other qualified organizations. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

This cycle is scheduled to run Nov. 11 – Dec. 11. For more information and to apply visit https://www.mtcf.org/Grants-Scholarships/Apply-for-a-Grant