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Broadwater Community Foundation presents annual Wine-Tasting Fun-Raiser

By Terry Nugent

Broadwater Community Foundation Member

By Terry Nugent
At 6:00 P.M. on Thursday, April 10th, the doors will open to the public at the showroom of Pro-Auto Sales and Service for Broadwater Community Foundation’s Fourth Annual Wine and Cheese Fun-Raiser, Quick Draw, and silent auction. This is the Foundations major event during the year, and the proceeds will be used to help us bring distributable Funds to the Townsend area. The event is comprised of six parts: wine tasting, beef hors d’oeuvres, artist in action a live auction for the artists’ creations, and a giant silent auction.
This year the Commercial Bar and George’s Distributing are presenting the variety of wines. There will be about twelve different wines to sample in keepsake wineglasses provided by The State Bank of Townsend. George’s Distributing is also bringing some unique tables made from barrels, Cheese and crackers will be available for palette cleansing.
The Broadwater Cattlewomens organization is providing the beef hors d’oevres for the evening. Anyone who attended the festivities in the past can attest to the taste and quality of their presentations.
While guests are arriving, tasting and chatting, nine artists will be creating artwork. The Artists for this year are the following; Kallie Audet, art teacher/guidance counselor who is well known for her still lifes and portraits; Laurel Ovitt, a very talented and familiar Townsend/Whitehall western artist who sells out at most of her shows; Tiffany Mowry, a youthful product of Townsend Schools Art Department; Diane Johnson - a local accomplished artist from Helena who draws on Broadwater scenes for many of his works; Dawn Scoffield - The multi talented artist who meets everyone with a smile from behind the post office counter; Laura Obert, the Townsend Artist who paints on everything from miniboats to feathers; and Carol Zirkle - a master of pastels whos art is on display from the Cowboy Coffey and Steak house to gallery walls. The guests will be able to watch over shoulders and even talk to the artisits while the art is being created.
All artwork will be completed by 8:00 - in time for the live auction where each painting will go to the highest bidder. The viewing and bidding for the silent auction items begins at 6:00 and ends at 7:30.
The attendance at the Wine and Cheese Fun-Raiser outgrew the last location so the event was moved to Pro Auto Sales and Service on the highway just south of Townsend. Dave’s showroom made a perfect home for the event.
Tickets are $10 and are available at Creative Closet and Townsend Drug on Broadway, or from any of the foundation members; Helen Turcotte, Bill Kearns. Linda Davis, Brian Patrick, Carole Plymale, Terry Nugent, Julie Bruce, Lindsey Little, Lacie Kennedy, Alexa Robischon, and Leigh West.
Heaven Sent plans Open House in new building

Submitted by the Heaven Sent Operating Committee

Submitted by the Heaven Sent Operating Committee
Just in case you haven’t yet noticed, Heaven Sent has moved from the two buildings that it occupied on Broadway to the old Tori Janes Antiques building next door. In December of 2007 Heaven Sent closed it’s doors for about 8 weeks while the new building was cleaned and painted and everything from the two old buildings was moved and organized. The committee that oversees Heaven Sent is very pleased with the outcome. We are all so blessed that the Lord has sustained Heaven Sent for all this time.
“All this time” refers to over 20 years that Heaven Sent has ministered in Townsend. In the early 1980’s a mom of four named Donna Arnold had a desire to help others. Even though she and her husband didn’t have a lot she did have an idea. How about gathering up others’ unwanted things and offering them to those in need? Donna began picking up the leftovers from yard sales and storing them in her tiny basement. When she heard of someone in need she would bring them to her house where they could “shop”. Before they were gone they would also have heard about God’s love for them. Soon the “Free Box” as it was referred to then, outgrew the small basement. At this point Grace Gospel Church (now Townsend Christian Fellowship) rented storage space on the second floor of the Gambles building on Broadway. There were no regular hours — just a space to keep donated items and make them available when needed.
In 1989 the Free Box moved across Broadway, opening once a week under the supervision of Dianne Stedman. With the move came a new name, Heaven Sent. Dianne figured the new name was appropriate because everything was free from God.
In October of 1997 a committee was formed to oversee the ministry of Heaven Sent. The committee was made up of members from the Alliance Bible Church, Townsend Christian Fellowship, United Methodist Church and one “at large” community member. This is when Dianne decided to retire after 100 months of service. With the help of records kept by Stedman she figures in the eight years she was there, the door of the small corridor building swung open more than 15,000 times. It was decided at this time to open the shop two days a week. This worked for a while until interest and committee members sort of fell off. Without enough help, hours were cut back to one day a week.
Believing that God is a God of order it was decided to once again form some sort of oversight committee. So in October of 2004 a board was formed to do just that. Board members are members of the Alliance Bible Church and Townsend Christian Fellowship. With the exception of a couple of additions this board is still intact. God has truly blessed our efforts to honor Him with our commitment to order and Godly oversight. It is really incredible the quality of items we receive and the monetary gifts we have been given.
In August of 2005 the Bill Booher building became available to rent. With the promise of financial support from the Elder board of the Alliance Bible Church the Heaven Sent board decide to expand, occupying both buildings. After cleaning, painting, moving and organizing a Grand Opening was set for December 3rd, 2005, just in time for the Christmas Stroll. Although it was nice to have more room and better light and heat it was a bit complicated using both buildings. We just kept praying for a building that would be a better fit for us.
That prayer was answered in October of 2007. The old Tori Jane Antiques building was available! After praying about it and gathering more information the board decided to go for it. Heaven Sent closed it’s doors in late December 2007 and re-opened at their new home on February 12th 2008.
Throughout all these changes the Lord has been so faithful! There have been so many times that it just seemed like maybe we should call it quits. Then we would think of the people who have benefited from this ministry. Some of them with material needs, some of them spiritually, some of them just a hug and to know that someone cared. We would have greatly missed “our people”. We really love them! Many people have contributed to
Heaven Sent over the years. Some have lent a helping hand, some have donated goods. Some have given money or services and some offer thank you’s and words of encouragement. Many have prayed for the ministry and the people we serve. We operate soley on donations from others. Every week as people shop they leave what they feel is appropriate in one of the two donation cans that sit by the front door. A lot of times people will just stop in to leave some money in one of the cans. Among some of our more generous donors are Townsend Rotary Club with a monetary gift, Hahn’s Ranch Supply with a monetary gift, The State Bank of Townsend, who purchased the shed for our drop off center. And some very generous members of the Alliance Bible Church who want to stay anonymous. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!
The real force behind the ministry is it’s volunteers. Over the years they have logged many thousands of hours at this ministry. There have been some amazingly faithful people who have served the people of this community. THANK YOU! None of this would have happened without your commitment to God and to others!
I know that each one has special memories of someone or something from their time spent at Heaven Sent. Just the other day we were asked what was one of the weirdest things that we ever had donated. Although there have been some strange things on our watch, we couldn’t beat Dianne Stedman’s story of receiving a set of dentures in a cup! We do get some odd stuff though we always have fun trying to identify them. For the most part we get good, usable goods but there is also plenty that we cannot use. Because of a lack of storage space we only keep seasonal items.
For about four years we were able to send things to Brazil with Rick Bonfim ministries, then they lost the warehouse where they stored them in Atlanta, Ga. Not long after that we were found out by a ministry in Hamilton that sends things to Asia. These clothes and stuffed animals have to be washed and sorted before they are sent. This is done at the homes of two of the volunteers. It’s a good way to use some of the things that we don’t have room for but it is a lot of extra work. Some things are taken to faith based thrift shops in Helena, again by volunteers. After that we still have to take some things to the dump. We really try to be as “green” as we can.
Seriously though it just feels good to be doing God’s will, advancing His Kingdom, and showing people how unconditionally He loves them. Jesus came to bring salvation to all no matter what their social status is or financial success (or lack thereof). This is what we are about.
On April 5, 2008, from 12:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m., Heaven Sent is planning to host an open house at it’s new Broadway location. There will be free (of course!) hotdogs, chips and something to drink served by the Missions committee from the Alliance Bible Church. Heaven Sent board members and the Pastors from both churches will be there. We would love to invite the community to come and meet us and see what we are all about. Of course we want you to see our new shop. Speaking of shop, you’re welcome to do that, too! We love the Lord, this community and it’s people. We are just trying to show that love in a practical way, so if you come expect a hug!

Townsend students enjoy Iditarod program

By James Green

The Townsend Star

The Townsend Elementary school recently were honored with a special visit from Mr. Dewey Halverson.
Mr. Halverson at 19 years old, moved to Alaska seeking adventure in “The Last Frontier”. In 1978 Halverson entered his first Iditarod after several years of volunteer work for the race. Halverson has competed successfully and completed the race nine times, placing as high as 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 7th, and 11th.
In 1992 he presented a program for Princess Cruises, it was a great success with the adult audience and prompted him to extend it to the lower 48 states and broaden the audience to children as well.
His assembly program covers 30 years of tales and heroics between fellow Mushers, A history of the Iditarod trail and a hands on exhibit of a mushers equipment as well as his lead dog.
With his message he hopes to “ inspire, motivate, and teach life lessons” to the students. He compares the Iditarod to students life experiences; in a humorous and relaxed style underscoring how important it is to set goals in life, prepare for life, and use good sportsmanship.
The educational assembly lasts approximately 1 hour and 15 min.
FWP to construct boat ramps on Canyon Ferry ponds

By Dean Rhyneer

The Townsend Star

The Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks has plans to construct and upgrade boat ramps in the ponds on the south end of Canyon Ferry Lake. They are wanting to construct new ramps and a turnaround area at the end of Lower Ray Creek Road, on the east side of the lake, that would allow easier access to Ponds 2 and 3, as well as improve an existing ramp on Pond 4, located on the west side of the lake.
These ramps are mainly intended for use by waterfowl hunters. In fact, no boats are allowed on the ponds between Mar. 1 and Aug. 31, to protect nesting birds in the area. Access to the ramps will be restricted to times of the year that coincide with waterfowl hunting season.
Canyon Ferry Wildlife Management Area Manager Fred Jakubowski says that work should begin at the Pond 4 location as early as next week. He explained that this is not being done to allow more and bigger boats to access the area, but rather to make it easier for waterfowl hunters to access the area. “We don’t want people to expect to be able to take their 18-foot Lunds onto the ponds to go fishing,” joked Jakubowski. He explained that only very small watercraft are able to negotiate the terrain of the ponds and the only fish population to speak of is carp.
“These improvements will hopefully allow hunters to access the area easier, without getting their boat or vehicle stuck and causing excess damage to the environment,” explained FWP Project Manager Scott Blossom. He said that concrete will be installed at the Pond 4 ramp to make it easier to use and maintain. The ramps on the east side will still be primitive, according to Blossom, but will be better than the “trails” down the sides of the dikes that are currently being used.
Broadwater County Planner Shawn Higley assuredly reported that the water level of Canyon Ferry Reservoir would not be dropped and should not be affected in any way by the project. Both Jakubowski and Blossom agreed with this, stating that to be the reason for trying to get the work done as soon as possible, before the lake level begins to rise.
For more information on the ramps or the Canyon Ferry Wildlife Management
Area, contact Fred Jakubowski at 266-3367.