Clutter

Sustainably Sadie

Clutter

I remember years ago, my mom coming across an article in a magazine about an organizer who made a living from cleaning up people’s closets, offices, home.  Looking around my home now, I laugh at the idea that my mother thought I was fit for such a vocation.   My most recent Google search, “tips for clutter free home,” confirms some painful truths. 

1.      I am attached to objects.  We do pay for a storage unit, which means, yes, we store items that we haven’t used for years.  But I refuse to give away the wood cook stove that I got for such a screaming deal.  It even has the water jacket…it is going to be the first stove in our dream home that we build from the ground up…homestead style, when we are finally able to buy land out of town.  Giving away, throwing away the items we haven’t touched in years is still a good tip for reducing clutter in life. 

2.     I have lots of stuff.  Too much?  I’m already thinking ahead to Christmas, squirreling away money to spend on the family…which will bring more stuff into our small home.  Reducing your “stuff” and buying less is another excellent tip for reducing clutter. 

3.     I need to be better about cleaning and putting items away in their place.  It is easy to let the dishes accumulate and the toys to take over when the warm weather is here.  Summer is so short for us here in MT, it doesn’t seem right to spend nice days cleaning house. 

But then something snaps and the clutter and mess become unbearable.  The hubby and I tackled the garage, as I nagged that we have to begin there in order to go through the storage unit later this fall.  Baby 2.3 (my second pregnancy, our third child) is due the Sunday after Thanksgiving and soon we will have to pull the baby stuff out of storage.  I’m grateful for the nesting stage that will come so that I can clean and declutter to a more tolerable level. 

Don’t let clutter rule your life.  Spend some time researching tips and find ways to manage the stuff in your life.  Share your tips at www.sustainablysadie.blogspot.com or sustainablysadie@hotmail.com. 

Twin Bits

Reminder:  The first Saturday of the month is the day to bring your #1 and #2 plastics to the Twin Bridges landfill to be recycled.  This Saturday August 4 is a great day to recycle!!

The Twin Bridges Public Library archives all Madisonian newspapers.  The TB Public Library, however, is missing the January 27, 2011 edition.  If anyone out there has that particular copy, please consider donating it to the TB Public Library to help keep their collection for our community complete.

Jackson’s Garden in Sheridan has a new VISTA summer associate who is coordinating activities at the Garden including Volunteer work days, the Kids’ Club program and the Thursday night Farmer’s Market.  Volunteer work days are Tuesdays and Saturdays, 8 am to 1 pm.  Thursday Farmer’s Market is 5 pm to 7 pm at the Main Street Park, corner of Main Street and Mill.  Jackson's Garden is sponsoring a summer Kid's Club, a youth led organization open to all kids of the Ruby Valley, ages 6 to 12 years old.  The Kid's Club will plant, tend and harvest vegetables from their own plot as well as experience preparing and tasting healthy foods.  Art projects and having fun at the Garden are also planned. 

The Kid's Club will meet the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month from 10am to 12pm at the Garden.  July 11 is the date of next Kids’ Club.  Snacks will be served and parents are encouraged to attend. Please contact Janet Marsh at 842-5888 for more information or Check out Jackson’s Garden website, https://sites.google.com/site/jacksonsgardeninc/home and *Like* them on Facebook. 

Coree Martin has stepped down as Twin Bridges Farmer’s Market “Market Master.”  In the interim, the TBCA is looking for TBCA members, as well as nonmembers to "adopt a market day".  Duties would include: putting out signage on Friday afternoon, being at Main Street Park at 8 am, on Saturday, to greet vendors, help with set up, document vendors, collect fees, & to help with break down at noon. The task is relatively simple but as there is not one person to do it all, we would greatly appreciate a donated Saturday.
Volunteers are needed for the following dates:
August 4th, 11th (Fair), 18th, 25th
September 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd. 29th
If you are interested in hosting a particular date, please contact Paula Kinoshita, at The Old Hotel (684-5959) ASAP, as we would like to get the rest of the season sorted out.

In addition, we are looking for a new Market Master for Summer Season 2013. If you or anyone you know might be interested, please contact Paula K. for further details.

“Kindred Spirits Gift Gallery would like to invite you to meet Laurel Ovitt, a water color artist from Whitehall on Thursday August 2nd.

She will be painting "Plein Air" in the park during our Sheridan Farmers'

Market from 5 to 7 with a reception to follow from 7 to 8PM!  Savories and

beverages will be served!”  If you haven’t checked out Ann Goldthwait’s shop in Sheridan please be sure to do so…remember Christmas is coming and Made in Montana gifts are oh so sustainable.  *Like* Kindred Spirits on Facebook.  

And right around the corner, SCHOOL!  Teachers start at Sheridan Monday August 20 and students start Wednesday August 22.  In Twin, teachers start Tuesday August 21 and students go back Thursday August 23. 

I’m here to help promote Ruby Valley events and spread community information.  Post comments at www.sustainablysadie.blogspot.com, email sustainablysadie@hotmail.com, call 406-531-1422 and send snail mail to P.O. Box 491, TB  59754.  Thanks for reading and sharing, Sarah Miller. 

Support the Ruby Valley

Sustainably Sadie

Support the Ruby Valley

The busiest weekend in the Ruby Valley is upon us.  Sheridan has activities planned for Friday evening and Saturday, as well as the 3^rd annual Jackson’s Garden brunch fundraiser, Sunday, July 29, 10 am to noon.  Friday night events include BBQ and street dance.  Saturday events include Try-a-Thon at the Ruby Valley Swimming Pool, a Parade at 10:30, Car Show beginning at 11 am.  There will be vendors set up, a BBQ sponsored by the Pool, Cow Pie Bingo and a bounce house for the kids. 

Twin Bridges is also providing the Ruby Valley community with a day full of entertainment.  This Saturday, July 28, there is a 5K fun run and a 3-on-3 basketball tournament.  The Floating Flotillas and Fish Fantasies River Parade begins at 11 am, there is a BBQ beginning at that time and after the parade there will be kids’ games and activities.  Cow pasture golf begins at 2 pm and Live Music at the Blue Anchor Bar later in the evening.  The Twin Bridges Farmer’s Market will be set up at the Fairgrounds that day only and beginning an hour earlier than usual.  Also for that day, 8 a.m. to noon (later if vendors wish) vendor fees will be waived!

Ruby Valley community organizations and local business owners work hard to provide these entertainment and recreation opportunities.  Don’t pass up the chance to support your local community.  Check out the vendors and Farmer’s Markets in Twin and Sheridan (Thursday evening, 5 pm to 7 pm).  Stop into a local shop that you maybe have never ventured into before.  Check out the River’s Edge Gallery in Twin Bridges, open 10 to 5 pm, Tuesday thru Saturday.  Need help justifying a purchase from a local business?  It’s never too early to start shopping for Christmas, grab up those special, local finds now while they’re available and stash away until Christmas. 

Do something uniquely Montana…bet on Cow Patty Bingo, play Cow Pasture Golf, and cheer on some local cowboys at the Novich Roping Series, www.novichlivestock.com.  The local community needs the boost from the summer traffic; it is necessary for sustaining the local community.   Bid on items at silent auctions, like the Kid Country Day Care fundraiser at 4Fs. 

Twin Bits

The Twin Bridges Public Library archives all Madisonian newspapers.  The TB Public Library, however, is missing the January 27, 2011 edition.  If anyone out there has that particular copy, please consider donating it to the TB Public Library to help keep their collection for our community complete.

Coree Martin has stepped down as Twin Bridges Farmer’s Market “Market Master.”  In the interim, the TBCA is looking for TBCA members, as well as nonmembers to "adopt a market day".  Duties would include: putting out signage on Friday afternoon, being at Main Street Park at 8 am, on Saturday, to greet vendors, help with set up, document vendors, collect fees, & to help with break down at noon. The task is relatively simple but as there is not one person to do it all, we would greatly appreciate a donated Saturday.
Volunteers are needed for the following dates:
August 4th, 11th (Fair), 18th, 25th
September 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd. 29th
If you are interested in hosting a particular date, please contact Paula Kinoshita, at The Old Hotel (684-5959) ASAP, as we would like to get the rest of the season sorted out.

In addition, we are looking for a new Market Master for Summer Season 2013. If you or anyone you know might be interested, please contact Paula K. for further details.

Jackson’s Garden in Sheridan has a new VISTA summer associate who is coordinating activities at the Garden including Volunteer work days, the Kids’ Club program and the Thursday night Farmer’s Market.  Volunteer work days are Tuesdays and Saturdays, 8 am to 1 pm.  Thursday Farmer’s Market is 5 pm to 7 pm at the Main Street Park, corner of Main Street and Mill.  Jackson's Garden is sponsoring a summer Kid's Club, a youth led organization open to all kids of the Ruby Valley, ages 6 to 12 years old.  The Kid's Club will plant, tend and harvest vegetables from their own plot as well as experience preparing and tasting healthy foods.  Art projects and having fun at the Garden are also planned. 

The Kid's Club will meet the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month from 10am to 12pm at the Garden.  July 11 is the date of next Kids’ Club.  Snacks will be served and parents are encouraged to attend. Please contact Janet Marsh at 842-5888 for more information or Check out Jackson’s Garden website, https://sites.google.com/site/jacksonsgardeninc/home and *Like* them on Facebook. 

I’m here to help promote Ruby Valley events and spread community information.  Post comments at www.sustainablysadie.blogspot.com, email sustainablysadie@hotmail.com, call 406-531-1422 and send snail mail to P.O. Box 491, TB  59754.  Thanks for reading and sharing, Sarah Miller. 

 

Family Time, Montana Style

Sustainably Sadie

Family Time, Montana Style

We’ve been trying to jam as much family fun into this summer as possible.  Tight time and financial budgets keep the extended vacation at bay; our summer travel has to be close to home.  I’ve spoken before about the benefits of a “Stay-cation” and the richness of our great state provides constant family entertainment. 

So far, we’ve hiked, floated, barbequed with friends and family, played in the river, and went to a car show.   We were in Ennis for the 4^th of July parade, we did Lewis & Clark caverns and this past weekend, a first for all of us—Crystal Park.  Located just past Maverick Mountain Ski area and Elkhorn Hot Springs on the Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway, the rock hound haven provided hours of entertainment for our family.  Time flew by as we dug in the dirt and searched for shiny, geometric shapes.  We ate a picnic lunch up on the mountain.   

From Twin, we drove there through Dillon in the morning and then came home through Butte.  At the end of a long, fun (but tiring) day, we had made a great big loop and many family memories.  Crystal Park is maintained by the Butte Silverbow Mineral and Gem Club and the Forest Service.  30 of the 220 acres are open to the public for hand excavation at $5.00 per day use fee.  I think the next time our family takes advantage of this wonderful resource, we will camp in one of the many camping spots in the area.  At 7,800 feet elevation, it was a great way to escape the summer heat. 

I had printed off some pages from an internet Google search on Crystal Park that we brought for our daughter to read on the way to the park.  It was helpful to know the rules of the Park ahead of time.  Please, pack it in, pack it out!  Keep Montana beautiful!

Share your family “stay-cation” stories at www.sustainablysadie.blogspot.com or sustainablysadie@hotmail.com. 

Twin Bits

The Twin Bridges Public Library archives all Madisonian newspapers.  The TB Public Library, however, is missing the January 27, 2011 edition.  If anyone out there has that particular copy, please consider donating it to the TB Public Library to help keep their collection for our community complete.

Floating Flotillas and Fish Fantasies in Twin Bridges is Saturday July 28.  Activities include 3 on 3 basketball tournament, River Parade, Kids Games, BBQ and more!  Better start designing your float, the River Parade starts at 11 am.  Contact Aaron Griffin with any questions, agriffin@twinfalcons.org or 596-0187 cell.  The river parade theme this year is simply, Fish Fantasies.  Ask Aaron for a parade registration form and you better start planning those floats!!

Sheridan Festival & Car Show is Saturday July 28 and Sunday July 29.  Activities include BBQ, art show, quilt show, great music and more!

River’s Edge Gallery hours are 10 am to 5 pm, Tuesday thru Saturday.

The Twin Bridges Farmer’s Market is held every Saturday 9 am to Noon.  The Hutterites will return Saturday July 7^th and, for the rest of the summer, will be at every TB Farmer’s Market.  

 Coree Martin has stepped down as Twin Bridges Farmer’s Market “Market Master.”  In the interim, the TBCA is looking for TBCA members, as well as nonmembers to "adopt a market day".  Duties would include: putting out signage on Friday afternoon, being at Main Street Park at 8 am, on Saturday, to greet vendors, help with set up, document vendors, collect fees, & to help with break down at noon. The task is relatively simple but as there is not one person to do it all, we would greatly appreciate a donated Saturday.
Volunteers are needed for the following dates:
July 21st, 28th (4Fs)
August 4th, 11th (Fair), 18th, 25th
September 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd. 29th
If you are interested in hosting a particular date, please contact Paula Kinoshita, at The Old Hotel (684-5959) ASAP, as we would like to get the rest of the season sorted out.

In addition, we are looking for a new Market Master for Summer Season 2013. If you or anyone you know might be interested, please contact Paula K. for further details.

Jackson’s Garden in Sheridan has a new VISTA summer associate who is coordinating activities at the Garden including Volunteer work days, the Kids’ Club program and the Thursday night Farmer’s Market.  Volunteer work days are Tuesdays and Saturdays, 8 am to 1 pm.  Thursday Farmer’s Market is 5 pm to 7 pm at the Main Street Park, corner of Main Street and Mill.  Jackson's Garden is sponsoring a summer Kid's Club, a youth led organization open to all kids of the Ruby Valley, ages 6 to 12 years old.  The Kid's Club will plant, tend and harvest vegetables from their own plot as well as experience preparing and tasting healthy foods.  Art projects and having fun at the Garden are also planned. 

The Kid's Club will meet the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month from 10am to 12pm at the Garden.  July 11 is the date of next Kids’ Club.  Snacks will be served and parents are encouraged to attend. Please contact Janet Marsh at 842-5888 for more information or Check out Jackson’s Garden website, https://sites.google.com/site/jacksonsgardeninc/home and *Like* them on Facebook. 

I’m here to help promote Ruby Valley events and spread community information.  Post comments at www.sustainablysadie.blogspot.com, email sustainablysadie@hotmail.com, call 406-531-1422 and send snail mail to P.O. Box 491, TB  59754.  Thanks for reading and sharing, Sarah Miller. 

Finding Local Producers

Sustainably Sadie

Finding Local Producers

So we’ve spent the last week bragging on all the Made in the USA products we have around the home, whilst waving our American flags proudly.  Now, let’s focus in a little closer to home.  We’re coming into that magical harvest season; and the close to home produce tastes the sweetest.  What food products do you love to get locally?  How do you connect with local producers? 

We were just in Missoula for the Garden City Car Show with my parents and it was so much fun to walk through the Farmer’s Markets.  With the heat of the summer, I am craving fresh fruit and veggies but there is not much variety available yet locally.  Summer has just begun.  Harvest time seems so far away.  The booths were full of cucumbers, onions, carrots and greens but even in Missoula it seemed like slim pickins for fresh foods.  So we ventured to the Good Food Store to fill the large cooler I brought and…the organic apples were from New Zealand.  Of course, because it’s the end of June and apples aren’t ready for harvest in the Northwest or Rocky Mountains until the fall. 

What is the cost of fulfilling our cravings?  Thousands of gallons of petrol?  Damage to the natural environment?  Are humans suffering during the process of getting those products into your home?  Not just the kids who complain about helping to unload the car after a trip to the grocery store, but women and children who are working in sub-human conditions.  A few years ago, there was a news story to stay away from Chilean grapes.  The women picking the grapes were denied drinking water and would drink the run off from the grape irrigation that contained pesticides and was making the women horribly ill.  

The only way to know exactly where your food comes from, who handles it and how it is handled is to harvest it yourself.  Or buy from local producers you know and trust.  I’ve only canned once, four years ago.  As we get closer to harvest and fall, I would love to hear your suggestions, tips and successes for putting up food.  Share at www.sustainablysadie.blogspot.com or sustainablysadie@hotmail.com.  My canning was limited to apple sauce and apples in light syrup.  I also froze corn in gallon bags; picked the ears myself and the corn lasted through winter. 

Sure, you can buy a bag of frozen corn at the store for $1.29.  But trust me; the stuff you pick yourself tastes the sweetest.  Teach and share the experience with your children and then you’ve fed them for a lifetime. 

Twin Bits

Jackson’s Garden in Sheridan has a new VISTA summer associate who is coordinating activities at the Garden including Volunteer work days, the Kids’ Club program and the Thursday night Farmer’s Market.  Volunteer work days are Tuesdays and Saturdays, 8 am to 1 pm.  Thursday Farmer’s Market is 5 pm to 7 pm at the Main Street Park, corner of Main Street and Mill.  Jackson's Garden is sponsoring a summer Kid's Club, a youth led organization open to all kids of the Ruby Valley, ages 6 to 12 years old.  The Kid's Club will plant, tend and harvest vegetables from their own plot as well as experience preparing and tasting healthy foods.  Art projects and having fun at the Garden are also planned. 

The Kid's Club will meet the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month from 10am to 12pm at the Garden.  July 11 is the date of next Kids’ Club.  Snacks will be served and parents are encouraged to attend. Please contact Janet Marsh at 842-5888 for more information or Check out Jackson’s Garden website, https://sites.google.com/site/jacksonsgardeninc/home and *Like* them on Facebook. 

The Twin Bridges Farmer’s Market is held every Saturday 9 am to Noon.  The Hutterites will return Saturday July 7^th and, for the rest of the summer, will be at every TB Farmer’s Market.  

 Coree Martin has stepped down as Twin Bridges Farmer’s Market “Market Master.”  In the interim, the TBCA is looking for TBCA members, as well as nonmembers to "adopt a market day".  Duties would include: putting out signage on Friday afternoon, being at Main Street Park at 8 am, on Saturday, to greet vendors, help with set up, document vendors, collect fees, & to help with break down at noon. The task is relatively simple but as there is not one person to do it all, we would greatly appreciate a donated Saturday.
Volunteers are needed for the following dates:
July 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th (4Fs)
August 4th, 11th (Fair), 18th, 25th
September 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd. 29th
If you are interested in hosting a particular date, please contact Paula Kinoshita, at The Old Hotel (684-5959) ASAP, as we would like to get the rest of the season sorted out.
In addition, we are looking for a new Market Master for Summer Season 2013. If you or anyone you know might be interested, please contact me for further details.

Sheridan Festival & Car Show is Saturday July 28 and Sunday July 29.  Activities include BBQ, art show, great music and more!

Floating Flotillas and Fish Fantasies in Twin Bridges is Saturday July 28.  Activities include 3 on 3 basketball tournament, River Parade, Kids Games, BBQ and more!  Better start designing your float, the River Parade starts at 11 am.  Contact Aaron Griffin with any questions, agriffin@twinfalcons.org or 596-0187 cell. 

River’s Edge Gallery hours are 10 am to 5 pm, Tuesday thru Saturday. 

I’m here to help promote Ruby Valley events and spread community information.  Post comments at www.sustainablysadie.blogspot.com, email sustainablysadie@hotmail.com, call 406-531-1422 and send snail mail to P.O. Box 491, TB  59754.  Thanks for reading and sharing, Sarah Miller. 

Made in the USA

Sustainably Sadie

Made in the USA

As we celebrate this week, I think one of the greatest ways we practice sustainably is by buying American.  I love seeing that Made in the USA sticker on the products I buy.  A close second would be Made in Canada, and then maybe Hecho en Mexico, but I fear that products that come from developing countries were created in sweat shop conditions.   But Made in the USA, can’t beat it…except for our televisions and computers. 

The best quality electronics may come from Asia, but I am so sick and tired of seeing ‘from China’ on the bottles of apple juice I buy for my children.  I pay twice as much for 100% American apples!  I don’t want Chinese apples—I’m sure they’re delicious but I live thousands of miles from China.  How long ago were those apples picked?  And by whom?  Are we shipping American apples to China to be processed and then shipping the juice in plastic containers back to the states?  I just want Washington apples, just a few hundred miles away, but I have to pay top dollar for that luxury. 

Look around your home and pat yourself on the back for each Made in the USA sticker you spot.  Your patriotic contribution may be larger than you imagine.  And you may be surprised by some of the products that are made in the good ol’ U S of A.  Check out the products you purchase the most.  Where is your toothpaste manufactured?  Your beer?  Your coffee?  So much is outsourced these days.  When you have a chance to buy close to home, do it!  Support your local community, support your country and Buy American!

Twin Bits

The GRVCCA monthly meeting was rescheduled for Tuesday July 10^th, Noon at RVNB due to the holiday. 

The Twin Bridges Farmer’s Market is held every Saturday 9 am to Noon.  The Hutterites will return Saturday July 7^th and, for the rest of the summer, will be at every TB Farmer’s Market.  

 Coree Martin has stepped down as Twin Bridges Farmer’s Market “Market Master.”  In the interim, the TBCA is looking for TBCA members, as well as nonmembers to "adopt a market day".  Duties would include: putting out signage on Friday afternoon, being at Main Street Park at 8 am, on Saturday, to greet vendors, help with set up, document vendors, collect fees, & to help with break down at noon. The task is relatively simple but as there is not one person to do it all, we would greatly appreciate a donated Saturday.
Volunteers are needed for the following dates:
July 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th (4Fs)
August 4th, 11th (Fair), 18th, 25th
September 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd. 29th
If you are interested in hosting a particular date, please contact Paula Kinoshita, at The Old Hotel (684-5959) ASAP, as we would like to get the rest of the season sorted out.
In addition, we are looking for a new Market Master for Summer Season 2013. If you or anyone you know might be interested, please contact me for further details.

Jackson’s Garden in Sheridan has a new VISTA summer associate who is coordinating activities at the Garden including Volunteer work days, the Kids’ Club program and the Thursday night Farmer’s Market.  Volunteer work days are Tuesdays and Saturdays, 8 am to 1 pm.  Thursday Farmer’s Market is 5 pm to 7 pm at the Main Street Park, corner of Main Street and Mill.  Jackson's Garden is sponsoring a summer Kid's Club, a youth led organization open to all kids of the Ruby Valley, ages 6 to 12 years old.  The Kid's Club will plant, tend and harvest vegetables from their own plot as well as experience preparing and tasting healthy foods.  Art projects and having fun at the Garden are also planned. 

The Kid's Club will meet the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month from 10am to 12pm at the Garden.  July 11 is the date of next Kids’ Club.  Snacks will be served and parents are encouraged to attend. Please contact Janet Marsh at 842-5888 for more information or Check out Jackson’s Garden website, https://sites.google.com/site/jacksonsgardeninc/home and *Like* them on Facebook. 

Sheridan Festival & Car Show is Saturday July 28 and Sunday July 29.  Activities include BBQ, art show, great music and more!

Floating Flotillas and Fish Fantasies in Twin Bridges is Saturday July 28.  Activities include 3 on 3 basketball tournament, River Parade, Kids Games, BBQ and more! 

River’s Edge Gallery hours are 10 am to 5 pm, Tuesday thru Saturday. 

Plastic Recycling at the TB Landfill first Saturday of the month—July 7^th is the next date to bring your Number 1 and Number 2 (look on the bottom of the container, the tiny number inside the recycling symbol) up to the landfill. 

I’m here to help promote Ruby Valley events and spread community information.  Post comments at www.sustainablysadie.blogspot.com, email sustainablysadie@hotmail.com, call 406-531-1422 and send snail mail to P.O. Box 491, TB  59754.  Thanks for reading and sharing, Sarah Miller. 

 

Think Local First

Sustainably Sadie

Think Local First

So we practice the mantra:  Restraint.  Hopefully not denying ourselves to the point of breaking-- then breaking the bank to fill that hole that Consumer Culture has helped to create.  It’s just like our health:  if we want to be healthy we must eat healthy.  Eat our fruits and vegetables; avoid foods high in fat and sugar.  But let yourself indulge once in a while so that eating healthy doesn’t seem like a punishment.  Everything in moderation. 

When you do venture out to shop, Think Local First.  Shopping in the big city does not always save you money.  I’m am always pleased to see that The Health Emporium (Sheridan) prices are usually spot on with other health food store prices if not lower. 

The Greater Ruby Valley Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture (GRVCCA) is going beef up its Buy Local focus.  The GRVCCA Buy Local program objectives include 1) encouraging local businesses to support each other and 2) re-educate our community as to the benefits of shopping locally.  Our Buy Local resources include an 1879 Madisonian article stressing the importance of shopping locally and a Sheridan Forum article from 1912 encouraging local citizens to shop locally instead of buying “cats in bags” from catalogs.  

Over 125 years later and not much has changed for us in Southwestern Montana.  Our local businesses and services still need the support of the local community.  Summer is nice for a small boost from tourists but the “locals are our bread and butter” – meaning, the support from the locals keeps food on the table, keeps my little coffee shop and other small businesses open. 

Your opinions and thoughts matter.  The GRVCCA is still in need of a President-Elect.  Share your thoughts and ideas.   Check out the GRVCCA website:  www.rubyvalleychamber.com and *Like* the Greater Ruby Valley Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture on Facebook.  The chamber’s email address is go2grvcca@rubyvalleychamber.com.  Comment on the the Buy Local blog is www.rubyvalleybuylocal.com.  Check out the blog that corresponds to these articles at www.sustainablysadie.blogspot.com or email me at sustainablysadie@hotmail.com.  Take a minute (or an hour) and do a quick internet search on “Buy Local.”  Check out other Buy Local programs then let us know what you think would be effective for our community.  Thanks for contributing!  Thanks for reading!

Twin Bits

   This Sunday, July 1, 2012, Mass at Notre Dame, Twin Bridges, will be at 9 a.m. and at St. Teresa's, Whitehall, at 11:15 a.m. Please note the reason for the change.

    On Friday, June 29th, 17 Permanent Deacons will be ordained by Bishop George Leo Thomas at the Cathedral in Helena. One of the Deacons, Bernie McCarthy, who resides in Whitehall, will serve at St. Teresa's Parish and Notre Dame Mission. The Parish has planned a congratulatory reception for Deacon Bernie and his family at St. Teresa's after the 11:15 Mass.  Members from Notre Dame are encouraged to attend the 11:15 Mass and celebration in Whitehall. If you need a ride from Twin Bridges, you may contact Paula Gilman, 684-5636.

Coree Martin has stepped down as Twin Bridges Farmer’s Market “Market Master.”  The Farmer’s Market will continue into September with the help of local volunteers.  The Hutterites will return Saturday July 7^th and, for the rest of the summer, will be at every TB Farmer’s Market.    The Twin Bridges Farmer’s Market is held every Saturday 9 am to Noon. 

 Jackson’s Garden in Sheridan has a new VISTA summer associate who is coordinating activities at the Garden including Volunteer work days, the Kids’ Club program and the Thursday night Farmer’s Market.  Volunteer work days are Tuesdays and Saturdays, 8 am to 1 pm.  Thursday Farmer’s Market is 5 pm to 7 pm at the Main Street Park, corner of Main Street and Mill.  Jackson's Garden is sponsoring a summer Kid's Club, a youth led organization open to all kids of the Ruby Valley, ages 6 to 12 years old.  The Kid's Club will plant, tend and harvest vegetables from their own plot as well as experience preparing and tasting healthy foods.  Art projects and having fun at the Garden are also planned. 
The Kid's Club will meet the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month from 10am to 12pm at the Garden.  July 11 is the date of next Kids’ Club.  Snacks will be served and parents are encouraged to attend. Please contact Janet Marsh at 842-5888 for more information or Check out Jackson’s Garden website, https://sites.google.com/site/jacksonsgardeninc/home and *Like* them on Facebook. 

Sheridan Festival & Car Show is Saturday July 28 and Sunday July 29.  Activities include BBQ, art show, great music and more!

Floating Flotillas and Fish Fantasies in Twin Bridges is Saturday July 28.  Activities include 3 on 3 basketball tournament, River Parade, Kids Games, BBQ and more! 

River’s Edge Gallery hours are 10 am to 5 pm, Tuesday thru Saturday. 

Plastic Recycling at the TB Landfill first Saturday of the month—July 7^th is the next date to bring your Number 1 and Number 2 (look on the bottom of the container, the tiny number inside the recycling symbol) up to the landfill. 

The next GRVCCA chamber meeting is noon, Tuesday July 3^rd at the TB branch of RVNB.  The GRVCCA chamber does not meet in August.  

I’m here to help promote Ruby Valley events and spread community information.  Post comments at www.sustainablysadie.blogspot.com, email sustainablysadie@hotmail.com, call 406-531-1422 and send snail mail to P.O. Box 491, TB  59754.  Thanks for reading and sharing, Sarah Miller.