A new year is upon us

What snow?

Afternoon visitors

Last buttons of the year

The major storm that dumped large amounts of snow across most of northwest Montana failed to make it down into the Bitterroot Valley as expected. Other than rain, and some very warm (for December) temperatures, it was a quiet day for us. The local turkeys made an appearance in the backyard, finding food far easier than they might have had we gotten any new snow.

Charles' button collection got an unexpected boost with the arrival today of thirty-seven buttons sent by his brother, Dale!

2017 Button Report

It has been a good year in the button room with 112 buttons being added to the collection which now stands at 7,937. Two new donors have joined the donor list bringing the number of contributors to 204.

The Top Ten saw little change in terms of position with the exception of Laurie Wilkowski-Galle and Sandy Boda swapping places.

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

1. Dale Alkula (family) - 1,324
2. Belinda Alkula (family) -1,157
3. Joan Condell (Band of Gold) - 734
4. Jackie Alkula (family) - 380
5. Joe Alkula (family) - 276
6. Linda Alexander (Gallaudet U.) - 185
7. Laurie Wilkowski-Galle (Band of Gold) - 184
8. Sandy Boda (family) -154
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

2017 Year in Review: July - December

Many hands make light work

July: We start our fifth year in Montana; a small earthquake is felt in Stevensville; we spend a LOT of time cleaning at the Wesley House parsonage; a major forest fire break out in the Bitterroot Valley; The Apple Dumpling Gang rides again!

Playing around in Idaho

August: A good time at the Creamery Picnic; the Total Eclipse of the Sun; Lolo Peak fire causes significant smoke; We took a vacation for our 20th anniversary to the Bigfork (Montana) Playhouse, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, & Walla Walla, Washington.

Saundra comes to visit

September: Charles returns to campus and gets a private studio to work in; Rain; Owls atop the church; A visit from Mo's friend, Saundra; snow returns to the mountains, and poof, fire season ends.

Gearing up for the UMW bazaar

October: Meetings in Butte, Fairmont Hot Springs, Bozeman; the UMW bazaar; Belinda's birthday.

Thanksgiving Day in Stevensville

November: A rainy Thanksgiving Day; We celebrated our 20th anniversary! Holiday bazaars.

Christmas greetings from Patch

December: More community bazaars; Monty makes the move to a new home; Charles' birthday; and a white Christmas.

2017 review: January - June

It was a long winter

January: Bitter cold; lots of snow; we marked ten years since leaving Cornwall.

True love!

February: Charles attended a conference in Portland, OR; the February thaw; Fourth Annual Valentines Dinner.

Charles' art is accepted into the BFA

March: Charles is accepted into the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree program; We attended the UMW retreat at Fairmont Hot Springs; the last snow of winter on March 9.

A celebrity on campus

April: Charles goes to Bozeman for a conference meeting; Belinda gets the first mow of the year on the 15th; Charles meets Alyssa Milano at UM!

Good friends in San Antonio

May: Charles wraps up another semester; Belinda and Mo make a road trip to Texas.

Driving in Montana takes time

June: We made the long drive to Billings for the Yellowstone Annual Conference; Another church rummage sale; A fun time with VBS!

Merry Christmas

A white Christmas!

Breakfast from Carol Gragg

Santa has been here

Charles is happy!

Too much excitement for Wesley

Christmas greetings from Patch

We had a delightful Christmas Day with lots of fun from early morning to late tonight! A steady snow had fallen overnight and throughout today giving College Street a decidedly white Christmas look.

With Christmas crackers aplenty for all three of us, we enjoyed the gift-giving and had fun watching each other open our presents.

We ended the day with Charles' traditional Cincinnati Chili supper, made with love by Belinda!

Charles birthday observance

Wilbur loves Christmas

Belinda sports her new scarf

The birthday bear has spoken

Wesley enjoys the post-birthday present opening fun

 With our participation in church activities at an end, it was time to return home and open Charles' birthday presents! 

A whirl-wind weekend

Friday with the DIBS crew

Prepping bags of treats

Belinda & the Sunday morning choir

Tonight's Christmas Eve service

It has been a whirl-wind of activity for us in the days leading up to Christmas! 

On Friday, we started off with a Bible study, getting ready for Sunday, and shoveling snow.

On Saturday, we took to the road to Hamilton to secure the items needed for Cincinnati Chili (Charles' birthday meal) and then spent time preparing bags of treats that were to be delivered the next day to businesses in Stevensville open on Christmas Eve.

Today, well, it is Christmas Eve after all which meant worship services in the morning, delivering the aforementioned treat bags, and this evening's candlelight service!

Winter arrives

The first full day of winter arrived here in the Bitterroot Valley with a steady snow and falling temps. After a rather mild autumn (for the most part) it looks like we'll have a white Christmas after all!

This morning we enjoyed two reminders of the season, a rafter of turkeys was hanging out in our backyard, and a gathering of church ladies enjoying Christmas crackers!

December birthday!

Birthday boy

Some of the UM's present today

High school choir shares holiday music

We joined the community today for the monthly celebration of birthdays at the Stevensville Senior Center. As Charles' birthday is this month he was presented with a special treat!

An early Christmas gift

One of our dear ladies from the church, Ginny Mellgren, gave Charles these carved figures this past week. She was moving into a retirement community and needed to downsize her home. What a lovely reminder of our time here in Stevensville!

The past few days

Genesis House tree

Clothes Closet elves at work

Lisa's birthday dinner

Reminders of a dear lady

It's been a busy few days for us with meetings, school wrap-up, and church activities keeping us moving!

On Thursday morning, Charles wrapped up his next-to-last semester with a review of his paintings by his painting professor. A rave review was offered and three of this semester's painting were recommended for next spring's BFA show.

Thursday evening saw us at the Genesis House Christmas party before going to the church for the monthly Ad Council.

Friday was end-to-end busy for everyone! Charles led a Bible study in the morning and provided a 2 1/2 hour family counseling session in the afternoon. Belinda's Friday was largely given over to judging a speech event in Hamilton involving area high school students.

Belinda was back at it Saturday from early morning to late evening. UMW in the morning was followed by nearly four hours helping at the Stevensville Clothes Closet's kid's shopping day. A bit of rest was followed by both of us attending a birthday dinner for a church member.

Today was busy, but not as much as a normal Sunday as the children's program led the church service. We did receive several Christmas items from Mary Lyon's husband, Bill, part of a number of such items Mary left before her passing last year.

The final critiques

 

 

Charles' final two projects were critiqued today with good results for both.

In Ceramics, Charles was part of a group project creating a dinnerware set, in this case, a sushi dinner. Charles' contribution got good comments for style and glazing.

In painting, his painting, his largest to date (48 x 60) was well received with nice comments regarding the complexity of technique and glazing.