Fallon County Times (Baker, Mont.) 1916-current, April 08, 2016, Image 1

VOLUME 100 ISSUE 15 LJ BAKER, MONTANA 59313 411;2, 4Pi•ftraciirt. '. \ 41 fctimes@midrivers.com 406-778-3344 $1.00 FRIDAY, - APRIL 8, /016 Schwartz retires after 22 years of service to 4-H youth By Sherry Vogel 4-H organizations of Fallon and Carter Counties bade farewell to Sharon Schwartz, 4-H assistant to the County Ex- tension Agent, March 24 in the lobby of the Fallon County Courthouse. She ended 22 years of dedicated service to helping 4- H youth to \Make the Best Better\. Sharon began her career in 4-H in Janu- ary 1994 when she applied to fill the open position under Ellis Williams, Extension Agent. Born in Roundup and raised in Terry, Sharon graduated high school in 1972. She went on to attend college at MSU in Boze- man. The curriculum she took prepared her well for the career path she would choose working with children in the 4-H program. Through the years, Sharon has worked with thousands of kids. She marvels at how children, who had joined as elemen- tary students, later blossomed into respon- sible young adults with a number of life skills in place due to their 4-H projects. She remarked, \As the kids gained skills over the years, their parents' faith in them grew. It was an amazing process to watch.\ While the 4-H curriculum was under her direction, she helped to introduce the \Positive Choices\ program to Fallon and Carter Counties in 1996. She feels this program is a very worthwhile outreach to area kids. She added, \Kids want to suc- ceed. They want to be respected and to be loved. Kids are the same as all of us.\ Sharon appreciates the community sup- port she has gotten over the years. She commented on the wonderful 4-H leaders she has worked with, \Many of them even after their children were no longer in 4-H would often times continue to lead area clubs.\ Upon a well earned retirement with 44 county fairs and 44 achievement nights to her credit, Sharon will enjoy going to her very first Fair Night Show ever. Sharon Schwartz ended 22 years of dedicated service to helping 4-H youth. The Plevna Elementary team participated in the 5th grade girls division in the 14th annual Baker Jam April 2. The team consisted of 1st - 5th graders. Players were Madison O'Connor, Sophia Tudor, Lyann Gajeske, Jaiden Dulln, Jaeda Paul, Hayden Lane, Billie Jo Miller, Jordan Hauff, Ashtyn Arnold, Calif Hoenke, Kali Dulin, Brileigh Arnold, Avery O'Connor, Sara Tudor and coached by Sheila O'Connor. MDU a founding partner in EPA's Methanem Challenge Program Bismarck - Montana -Dakota Utilities, a division of MDU Resources Group, Inc., is one of the founding partners in the Natural Gas STAR Methane Challenge Program. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Methane Challenge Program provides a mechanism through which oil and natural gas companies can make and track ambitious commitments to reduce methane emissions. The program officially launched March 30,2016, at the Global Methane Forum in Washington, D.C. The Methane Challenge Program provides a platform for partners to showcase their efforts to reduce methane emis- sions, improve air quality, and capture and monetize natural gas. Montana -Dakota and its sister utility companies will focus on excavation damages. \Excavation damage to our natural gas pipelines by third parties is a significant cause of our emissions and the main reason we are placing our focus on this area,\ said Nicole Kivisto, president and CEO of Mon- tana -Dakota. \Calling for locates before you dig will be a i)ig part of our continued education and promotion in this krea. We believe it's important to be a founding partner in this voluntary program.\ Need a job? Need money in your pocket? By Sherry Vogel have you been out of school for awhile? Either graduated or dropped out? Are you ready for something new? Don't have a plan or \had the rug pulled out from under your feet\? Action for Eastern Montana Employment and Training may have an answer. If you are age 16-24 and out of school, or 14-21 and in school, southeastern Montana has a youth employment and training program which is designed to help you gain em- ployment success through effective and comprehensive activities. They have free services to help with career development, job preparation skills, resume building, interview coaching, and skill and interest assessments and offer motivation and support. Do you already know what you want to do but don't have the funds to achieve your goal? Maybe you need monies to pay for fees, work supplies and clothes, etc. No wor- ries, WIOA can help you get started by providing the start-up fees to get you on the road to success in your chosen occupation. Childcare a problem - let them help. What are you waiting for'? Let WIOA help you take that next step to a happy future. The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) was signed into law by Pres- ident Obama July 22,2014. WIOA became effective July 1, 2015. The Youth Services Program is designed to help young people, who face significant challenges, in achieving academic and employment success. Local employers in Baker can get involved by extending our youth \a hand up' by providing them a job. A job that will allow them work experience and a \foot in the door\. WIOA is willing to pay the youth's wage (up to minimum wage) while the Com- pany provides job experience and guidance. For more information, please contact: 2030 N. Merrill Ave.. Glendive, MT 59330; call 406-345-2131 or 406-941-0849. ask for Jen VFW meeting to discuss Vet van A meeting of Ekalaka VFW Post 7885 members has been set for Wednesday. April 13, to discuss the possibility of the post assuming op- eration of a veterans van. The van transports area veterans to medical appointments, mostly at the Veterans Administration (VA) Ft. Meade facil- ity outside Sturgis, SD. The current van, which is operated by the VA, has not been operating for about three months reportedly due mu recent administrative changes within the VA. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 4:00 p.m. at the Church of Flank Williams on Morman Ave. in Ekalaka, April 13. Members are en- couraged to attend. Bike-a-Thon St. lodes Bike-a-Thon will be held Saturday, May 7,2016, at 10 a.m. at the Baker Lake Gazebo. For sponsor sheets or information, please call 1.isa at 406-891-2436. Bingo Baker Lions Club Bingo will be held Sunday, Apr. 3, and Sunday, Apr. 17, at the Baker Senio: Center from 2-4 p.m. Bring the family for an afternoon of fun. Golden Girls luncheon The Golden Girls will hold their April luncheon Friday, the 15th. at noon at Heiser's Bar. Times celebrating 100 years. . . 1916-2016 Russell's Clothing Baker, Montana 4 06. '77 8 ' 2 4 2 7 , ' 4 I aitt i , Large Selection of NEVI Spring Apparel & Footwear Visit Our Website ai vvvvvv.ii.11101,( :omit y1.,x1ra .cotti