Goodbye, 2016!

The year in review, pt. 2

Charles made it to the top of St. Mary's in July

July: We began our fourth year at Stevi UMC; Charles makes it to the top of the 9,300 ft. St. Mary's Peak; Pokémon Go arrives in Montana; Farmer's markets in Hamilton and Missoula. Charles marks his 20th year in ministry.

A major fire south of Hamilton in August

August: We helped build and ride on the church float in the Creamery Picnic parade; A major fire south of Hamilton fills the Valley with smoke; Our fourth parsonage open house!

175th anniversary of Stevensville in September

September: Charles attended the installation of the new bishop in Bozeman; the 175th anniversary of the founding of Stevensville; Fall begins early this year. Charles is back in school.

Finley & Co. visit in October

October: Our great-niece, Finley, came for a visit with her mom and granddad; The church scarecrow was a hit as was the Trunk-or-Treat; Clergy gathering.

An early Christmas present in November

November: Charles gets a painting accepted into a juried show at the university; Election Day; Snow makes its way down the mountain; 19th anniversary; Mo falls and breaks a wrist.

Winter settles in the Bitterroot Valley in December

December: Surgery for Sheila; snow and bitter cold arrive; Christmas on a Sunday (and Charles' birthday).

The year in review, pt. 1

2016 is nearing it's run (thank goodness) and it is time for a year-end recap!

A rafter of turkeys in the backyard in January

January: the year got off to a slow start with the biggest excitement coming from the daily reports of the wild turkeys making their presence known in our neighborhood.

Valentine's Dinner @ the church

February: Charles continued his art studies at the University of Montana; we attended our fourth Valentine's dinner @ the church.

Charles got a truck in March

March: Charles replaced the Lexus with a 2005 red pickup; we saw Garrison Keillor in Missoula; a bit of snow.

Art classes continue in April

April: Spring makes a reluctant arrival in the Valley; UMW retreat in Polson; More art by Charles.

UMC General Conference in Portland in May

May: Another semester in the books; Charles got to attend his first United Methodist Church General Conference in Portland, Belinda joined him for the middle weekend; Belinda retires from civil service after 20 years.

Alkula family reunion in June

June: Belinda begins work at the North Valley Public Library; Yellowstone Conference in Helena; Charles' family reunion in Florida.

2016 Button Collection Update

Christmas Eve & Christmas Day buttons

It's been a good year in the button room with 353 new buttons (184 since Thanksgivng!) being added to the tally which now stands at 7,825. Five new donors have been added as well, bringing the donor list up to 202.

The collection is broken down in to ten major categories (and dozens and dozens of sub-categories): business, causes, entertainment, holidays, miscellaneous, music, pets, politics, sports, and tourism.

Top 10 Donors with number given (not including Charles): 

1. Dale Alkula (family) - 1,287
2. Belinda Alkula (family) -1,155
3. Joan Condell (Band of Gold) - 734
4. Jackie Alkula (family) - 380
5. Joe Alkula (family) - 276
6. Linda Alexander (Gallaudet U.) - 185
7. Sandy Boda (family) - 154
8. Laurie Wilkowski-Galle (Band of Gold) -142
9. Anna Storkson (Stevensville UMC) - 117
10. Warren Swaar (Navy - JMF) -106

The Donor List (Place/Name/# given/Relationship

12	Alkula, Jody	99  Family
13	Jungk, Heather	71  Navy - JMF
14	Hammitt, Mo	61  Family
15	Alkula, Mom	57  Family
16	Clark, Judy	40  UMC - NE/MN
17	Chase, Gary	26  Chevy Chase, FSB
18	Chang, Helen	24  Galluadet U.
19	Kelch, Vicki	22  Chevy Chase, FSB
19	Trapani, Tony	22  Navy - MAG 12
19	Winston, Toba	22  Montana
20	Grice, Dee	20  Navy - JMF
21	Baumbach, Don	19  FUMC - Sidney
21	Lynch, Julie	19  Band of Gold
22	Bailey, Diane	18  Stevensville UMC
22	Hatch, Stacy	18  Chevy Chase, FSB
23	Swaar, Kathy	17  Navy - JMF
24	Stickley, Russ	15  FUMC - Sidney
25	Herritt, Donna	14  Wesley Seminary
25	Stickley, Lucy	14  FUMC - Sidney
26	Goffe, Carol	13  Stevensville UMC
27	Barlow, Bob	12  Family
27	Broadhurst, Lorraine	12  Stevensville UMC
27	Fish, Paulette	12  Navy - NHCL
28	Alkula, Staci	11  Family
28	Gragg, Carol	11  Stevensville UMC
28	Rodd, Jacque	11  Family
29	Prather, Marcia	12  Stevensville UMC
30	Harpster, Jean	10  Christ UMC, MD
30	Harrell, Nancy	10  Texas
30	Kilmer, Mary Ellen	10  UMC- Nebraska
31	Condell, Shirley	9   Band of Gold
31	Gable, Brian	9   Chevy Chase, FSB
31	Roylance, Bertha	9   YAC - UMC
31	Speak, Kathy	9   Chevy Chase, FSB
31	Tucker, Terri	9   Odessa, Texas
32	Dye, Judy	8   UMC - Nebraska
32	Sparks, Craig	8   Wesley Seminary
33	Alkula, Dad	7   Family
33	Dulaney, Denise	7   Band of Gold
33	Rowan, Dan	7   FUMC - Sidney
34	Alkula, Jason	6   Family
34	Freeman, Clay	6   Stevensville UMC
34	Hanford, Sue	6   Cornwall
34	Krans, Glen	6   Navy - NHCL
34	Quick, Austin	6   Navy - NHCL
34	Wilhite, Neil	6   B-SC
34	Wilkie, Clark	6   Osmond UMC
35	Akinwale, Judy	5   Chevy Chase, FSB
35	Chang, Terry	5   Galluadet Univ.
35	Drapper, Rilla	5   FUMC - Sidney
35	Hansberry, Bill	5   Navy -JMF
35	Moshier, Gail	5   Stevensville UMC
35	Theisen, Vicky	5   Osmond UMC
36	Boyd, Sean	4   Wesley Serminary
36	Dupree, Tim	4   Chevy Chase, FSB
36	Gordon, Pam	4   Chevy Chase, FSB
36	Johnson, Torrey	4   VA - San Antonio
36	Kelley, Jennifer	4   Rankin, TX
36	Kephart, Roy	4   McCamey FUMC
36	Pua, Ria	4   Chevy Chase, FSB
36	Schaffer, Kathy	4   Navy - JMF
36	Schuttler, Kevin	4   Osmond, NE
36	Townsend, Charles	4   Wesley Seminary
36	Walton, Ruby	4   Winside UMC
37	Anderson, Wanda	3   Christ UMC, MD
37	Anne Harn	3   Stevensville UMC
37	Balfour, Carrie	3   FUMC - Sidney
37	Baumbach, Edie	3   FUMC - Sidney
37	Brown, William	3   Navy - MAG 12
37	Diers, joey	3   Stevensville UMC
37	Ferrell, Ed	3   Christ UMC, MD
37	Flading, Verla	3   McCamey - FUMC
37	Gatewood, Tim	3   B-SC
37	Green, Stephanie	3   Navy - JMF
37	Kenyon, Betty	3   Chevy Chase, FSB
37	Koelling, Marvin	3   UMC - Nebraska
37	Krans, Faye	3   Navy - NHCL
37	McElmurray, Jean	3   Christ UMC, MD
37	Rogers, Maggie	3   UMC
37	Smith, Hazel	3   Stevensville UMC
37	Troop, Dot	3   Army - DC
37	Witcher, Mary	3   McCamey - FUMC
38	Browne, Mary	2   VA - San Antonio
38	Byrd, Helen	2   Christ UMC, MD
38	Cat, Nick the	2   Family
38	Craft, Dolores	2   Stevensville UMC
38	Daulby, Peter	2   Cornwall
38	Faciolli, Jim	2   Chevy Chase, FSB
38	Fish, Cameron	2    Navy - JMF
38	Forbis, Josie	2    MO
38	Hodson, Luella	2    Osmond UMC
38	Hunter, Bob	2    Wesley Seminary
38	Johnson, Carol	2    B-SC
38	Mellgren, Ginny	2    Stevensville UMC
38	Petty, Norma	2    Stevensville UMC
38	Ross, Allison	2    Navy - JMF
38	Saussey, Carol	2    Wesley Seminary
38	Schrock, Ava	2    Stevensville UMC
38	Shaver, Mike	2    Band of Gold
38	Thaxton, Becky	2    2-Year
38	White, Barbara	2    Navy - JMF
38	Wiegert, Betty	2    Osmond UMC
38	Witcher, Jim	2    McCamey - FUMC
38	Young, Brigham	2    B-SC
39	Alkula, Alex	1    Family
39	Alkula, Joshua	1    Family
39	Anderson, Howard	1    Navy - JMF
39	Armbruster, Julie	1    FUMC - Sidney
39	Austin, Kendrick	1    Navy - JMF
39	Baldauf, Julie	1    Family
39	Barlow, Sean	1    Family
39	Barrett, Rhonda	1    B-SC
39	Beck, Sara	1    YAC
39	Bickford, Lisa	1    FUMC - Sidney
39	Bird, Lois	1    Christ UMC, MD
39	Black, Berry	1    B-SC
39	Bronson, Karen	1    TX
39	Cavanaugh, Shelly	1    NC
39	Chicott, Emma	1    CA
39	Clausen, Amanda	1    UK
39	Collins, Piper	1    Chevy Chase, FSB
39	Counts, Dave	1   TCU
39	Curtis, Tim	1   Chevy Chase, FSB
39	Damwitz, Britta	1   TX
39	Daulby, Marie	1   Cornwall
39	Dinkel, Bea	1   FUMC - Sidney
39	Dougherty, Guy	1   NC
39	Eiichberger, Eileen	1   Stark Valley UMC
39	Escobedo, Theo	1   TX
39	Farrar, Lydia	1   NC
39	Fisher, Gail	1   Stevensville UMC
39	Garner, Peggy	1   McCamey - FUMC
39	Garner, Shirley	1   Osmond UMC
39	Gebhardt, Debbie	1   ELCA - Dallas, TX
39	Gonzalez, Elba	1   TX
39	Hackett, Molly	1   Stevensville UMC
39	Hancock, Helen	1   Winside UMC
39	Hansen, Marsha	1   Wesley Seminary
39	Harcus, Missy	1  Navy - JMF
39	Howells, Layouna	1  NC
39	Janke, Rose Ann	1  Winside UMC
39	Jenkins, Ada	1  Christ UMC, MD
39	Jessen, Brenda	1   FUMC - Sidney
39	Johnson, Lea	1   Osmond UMC
39	Kennedy, Shareese	1   Wesley Seminary
39	King, Anastasia	1   Largo, FL
39	Kirkley, Ed	1   B-SC
39	Lang, James	1   DC
39	Lawton, Dennis	1   Wesley Seminary
39	Lee, Jeannette	1   MA
39	Leifer, Jane	1   DMIN
39	Levin, Ashley	1   CA
39	Lunn, Jennifer	1   Cornwall
39	Marshall, Cheryl	1   Chevy Chase, FSB
39	Matos, Anthony	1    FL
39	Matthews, Sheri	1    San Angelo, TX
39	McDonald, Lisa	1    Chevy Chase, FSB
39	McKelvey, Shirley	1   Stevensville UMC
39	McLarnon, Sharon	1   Friend of the Family
39	Meschko, Melinda	1   Waitress
39	Milord, Fabian	1   NJ
39	Minnini, Silas	1   MA
39	Moise, Dorice	1   MA
39	Nansen, Tyler	1   UMT
39	Nelson, Karen	1   San Antonio, TX
39	Nelson, Mike	1   Wesley Seminary
39	Odom, Gloria	1   McCamey, TX
39	Paulson, Connie	1   Elbrooke UMC
39	Petty, Chuck	1   Stevensville UMC
39	Phelps, Dorothy	1   Christ UMC, MD
39	Pres., Marshall Univ.	1    TCU
39	Prince, Paula	1   Chevy Chase, FSB
39	Quarles, Duke	1   Navy - NHCL
39	Reed, Kelly	1   Chevy Chase, FSB
39	Riegler, Mark	1    NJ
39	Robertson, Tana	1    McCamey, TX
39	Rowan, Marilee	1    FUMC - Sidney
39	Schneider, Bev	1    Stevensville UMC
39	Schrock, Dusty	1    Stevensville UMC
39	Schultz, Kevin	1   Osmond, NE
39	Stone, Sam	1   McCamey, TX
39	Thayer, Shirley	1   Osmond UMC
39	Thompson, Pat	1   Navy - JMF
39	Underwood, Betty	1   Chevy Chase, FSB
39	Vecchio, Bob	1   Navy - JMF
39	Vernon, Verla	1   Stevensville UMC
39	Walton, Mary	1  Jacksonville, NC
39	Wiley, Rob	1  Winside UMC
39	Williams, Nancy	1  Mission Valley UMC
39	Wright, Tim	1   Cornwall
39	Wylie, Bonnie	1  Winside UMC

The weekend, pt 2

Christmas morning sermon

Christmas vespers service

Sunday afternoon nap

Making sure nothing good was discarded

With the snow continuing throughout the day on Sunday, attendance at the two services was far lower than we anticipated.  Still, it was nice to worship on the Lord's birthday!

This evening, we eventually got enough energy to unwrap the presents we had been blessed with. Thanks to everyone who contributed to this amazing day!

Weekend, part 1

Monty gathers his energy for the weekend Friday evening

Christmas Eve @ Stevi UMC

A gnome from Jackie

The birthday bear is ready!

The snow began falling around 10 am Saturday morning and continued until early afternoon on Sunday.

Belinda has been up and back to Missoula every day which is a challenge the past few days with the snow making the drive tricky in places.

The Christmas Eve service at the church was very nice, even with the snow keeping some away. Charles had invited a retired pastor to lead the service so it was a treat sitting together during the service!

In keeping with tradition, Charles got to open his birthday gifts following the Christmas Eve service. What fun to be remembered by his siblings and church members!

Winter is back

Is Wesley happy to be a house cat when it's 4°?

Is that a Horned Frog in the snow?

Why, yes, it is a Horned Frog in the snow!

Charles got a shirt for donating blood today

After yesterday's heat-wave in the Bitterroot Valley we woke to 4° and the prospect of snow is back in the forecast for tomorrow!

Charles was up in Missoula today, donating blood with the Red Cross. It is a small thing to do but is an important thing to do, particularly during the holidays.

Heat wave!

It's a white Christmas for us!

Belinda checks in with the cashiers

Stevi HS choir shares holiday music

For the birthday boy!

After last week's frigid weather, today's temp, 40F, is down-right tropical! The forecast calls for mid-20s on Christmas Day with more snow, good thing Charles got the snowblower serviced after the last 12" fell last week!

A treat today was attending the monthly birthday lunch at the Stevensville Senior Center. Since it's Charles' birthday month he got one of the birthday cupcakes!

The turkeys are back!

The wild turkeys which made our neighborhood their winter HQ last time made an appearance today. Hard to tell if this is just an advance scouting party! Remember that last winter we saw upwards of fifty at a time!

It's cold, but we're still here!

Decoration station aftermath

Charles got to help with cleanup

Delivering cookies in sub-zero temps!

Making use of space at the parsonage

Ready for communion on Sunday

It was down-right frigid in Stevensville this past week! Add to that nearly a foot of snow and we are guaranteed a white Christmas in the Bitterroot Valley. 
On Saturday we noted that it was -14° when Charles went to help at the children's cookie plate extravaganza!    

Lots of Snow!

9" at 9 am with more coming down

Clearing the way for "Patches"

 We got a LOT of snow last night and throughout Thursday, at least 11"!!! Belinda was out on the deck this morning, making sure Patches could get to shelter and food :)

Another semester completed!

Interactive art in the U Center

Charles' contribution- "Peace and goodness"

Final printmaking project

Ending the term with a white campus

Charles' painting projects from this term

Charles wrapped up his sixth semester at the University of Montana this week with critiques in both studio courses and a take-home quiz in the art history course.

On Tuesday, Charles made a contribution to an interactive art piece taking place in the University Center. Students were invited to decorate a cinder block with a theme relating to the recent election. Charles chose to paint, "Pax et Bonum" (Peace and Goodness, a prayer of St. Francis) as his part in the installation.

His final printing project assignment was to be a collaboration with another student with a theme of contrasts/opposites. Charles' part was a yellow sun to contrast with the blue moon.

In the painting studio the professor was pleased with Charles' progress this term. He particularly likes Charles' willingness to take risks, the creative blending of techniques, graphic images, and a sense of humor seen in most of the paintings!

Snow at last

A quiet Sunday night

Charles teaches his Sunday morning class

Belinda as "Miss Bell"

It looks like we just may be in for a white Christmas. We've had at least six inches of snow since Thursday night and there is a good chance for more.

Snow returns to the Valley

Charles took this picture Friday afternoon following a steady snow since Thursday evening. We've had bitterly cold weather this week marking the introduction to winter in Montana!

A BUSY Sunday

Belinda is ready for the children

Our Sunday began in a normal manner, up early for a busy morning at the church. Charles taught the adult's class while Belinda was busy working with the children in preparation for their part in the Hanging of the Greens service.

An urgent call from the Living Center here in town (where Sheila was undergoing rehab following her tumble a couple weeks back). A few hours later and we're at the hospital in Missoula waiting for Sheila to come out of surgery. 

The good news is that she came through in good order and now the recovery time shifts to a new aspect of treatment.