Community Briefs

Rammel Wins Lions Firewood Raffle

SEELEY LAKE - Seeley Lake's Carlin Rammel won the Seeley Lake Lions Club Firewood Raffle held during the Fourth of July festivities. Rammel donated the load of wood to his mother-in-law.

Holland-Gordon Trail #35 Closed for Public Safety

Swan Valley - An unfortunate incident occurred on the Holland-Gordon trail #35 where a mule, owned by a private outfitter, had to be put down due to a broken leg.  The mule was able to be moved 15-20 feet off of the trail but may pose a safety threat by attracting bear or mountain lions to the carcass.

 Trail #35 will be closed at the junction of trail #35 and #415 to Upper Holland Lake at the junction of trail #35 and #120 for approximately 2.25-2.5 miles.  This area will be temporary closed until action can be taken to dispose of the carcass.

 An alternate route to Upper Holland Lake may be used from the East Holland trailhead using trail #415 to trail #42 continuing on trail #120. This trail is not recommended for stock use.

Always remember to take appropriate safety measures while recreating on the Flathead National Forest by practicing “leave no trace” etiquette and by complying with the Food/Wildlife Attractant Storage Special Order. https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/flathead/recreation/?cid=stelprdb5347448

Reminder - Open Burning Closed for Fire Season

Missoula County Fire Protection Association (MCFPA), in conjunction with federal, tribal, state and local wildland fire suppression agencies, the Missoula County Office of Emergency Management and Missoula City/County Health Department officials, want to remind the public that outdoor burning by permit has been closed since July 3rd due to the move to moderate fire behavior and the start of fire season. It will remain closed until the end of fire season.

Several wildland agencies have responded to illegal burns since burning by permit has closed. Those found violating the burn ban can be held responsible for the cost of suppression. Help keep firefighters out of harm’s way by adhering to the burn ban.

While outdoor burning will be closed for the remainder of fire season, the public can still have campfires. By state law, campfires are limited to three feet in diameter. Campers are urged to USE CAUTION as the fire season gets underway. Extinguish campfires using a hand tool to mix and stir in water. Campfires should never be unattended and should be cold to the touch before campers leave the site.

 Campfires are not allowed within Missoula city limits year round.

 For more information, visit the Missoula County Fire Protection Association website at http://www.mcfpa.org or like us on Facebook.

SVC Campfire Talk “Native Fish of the Swan,” July 13

Swan Valley - Swan Valley Connections is hosting a series of Campfire Talks every Friday in July at 8 p.m., at the Holland Lake Day Use Area in Condon. Join SVC Friday, July 13 to learn about the diverse, mysterious lives of native fish in the Swan Valley from Rob Rich, SVC Aquatic Programs Coordinator. Attendees will learn about the fishes’ history and the tough questions SVC is asking to conserve local, shared watersheds.

Campfire Talk presentations are free. Everyone is welcome. Attendees are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or picnic blanket and flashlight. Contact 754-3137 or info@svconnections.org for more information.

“Naturalist as Artist,” July 14

SEELEY LAKE - The Montana State Parks will host the Montana Conversations program “Naturalist as Artist” with Jennifer Bevill at Salmon Lake State Park campground July 14, at 7 p.m. The presentation is free and open to the public. Funding for the Montana Conversations program is provided by Humanities Montana through grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities, Montana’s Cultural Trust and private donations.

We will find a short nature hike with good examples of local plants. Bringing stools and materials, participants will make three to five stops to observe and do guided drawing with watercolor pencils - identifying the different leaf shapes and color variations and capturing them to bring home.

This program explores the role that art and nature play in all of our lives today through observation, self-reflection and hands-on guided art making. This interactive workshop is appropriate for children, teachers, staff or any community group hoping to deepen relationships and bring more connection and creativity into their lives. The first 20 to sign up online will be allowed to participate. Participants under the age of 10 must be accompanied by an adult.

Sign-up sheet can be found at: volunteersignup.org/TLJM3

Bevill spent her childhood in rural Alabama and never set foot in a museum until she was in college. She relocated to Whitefish after 20 years teaching in museums and public schools in New York City. She is an adjunct professor at FVCC and runs “Virtual Museum” workshops in continuing education there. She is passionate about creating shared experiences with art for everyone.

For more information, please call Montana State Parks office in Seeley Lake at 406- 677-6804.