More openings, cancellations, aid happening in COVID-19 pandemic

With the state progressing through Phase One of its re-opening plan, more businesses and services are opening and more aid is avialable, but more events are being canceled or postponed as well.

Bullhook Bottoms Black Powder Club announced that its 41st Annual Spring Shoot, scheduled for Memorial Day weekend May 23-25 at Fort Assiniboine, has been canceled after careful consideration.

The club said the shoot, which draws nearly a 100 contestants from the Havre area and around the state plus families and friends, would not be held due to the pandemic and the state still being in Phase One of the re-opening.

"It was determined the club would not host the shoot this year for health and well-being of all involved," the club said in a release. "The club will continue planning and host an event in 2021."

But while other long-standing annual traditions are being canceled, some are still happening, such as Havre Public Schools' summer driver's education program.

The Havre High Blue Ponies Facebook page announced last week that the classes have been approved and people who had applied would receive a notification soon. People can email [email protected] with any questions, the release said.

Meanwhile, businesses, including bars and restaurants are opening under restrictions set in the Phase One opening plan. More businesses are allowed to open, again under close restrictions, such as gymnasiums and movie theaters, this weekend, although the Havre Daily has not received word from local businesses about their plans.

Assistance available

Assistance continues to be offered on a variety of levels from local groups and organizations offering to help people with shopping and local programs offering aid such as in rental assistance, to assistance on the federal and state level.

The state rolled out nine new programs last week to offer grants through the $1.25 billion in federal assistance provided through the CARES Act. Those programs, and other assistance, are listed at http://covidrelief.mt.gov .

The federal government also has a variety of assistance available, from extended and increased unemployment benefits to assistance offered through the Small Business Adminstration.

But people have been warned, if they have not yet received their $1,200-per person stimulus check, to go to https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/get-my-payment to make sure it is on the way.

People who have in past years used electronic payments, both for tax payments to the government and refunds from the government, have reported their bank account numbers are not linked for the stimulus payments and they needed to enter the information. People may need their Social Security Number, date of birth, address and information from their 2019 and 2018 tax returns to update the information.

Links to assistance are available at the state covidrelief.mt.gov site, the Small Business Administration site at http://sba.gov, Bear Paw Development Corp.'s website at https://www.bearpaw.org/covid-19-resources, the websites of Sens. Jon Tester and Steve Daines and Rep. Greg Gianforte at https://www.tester.senate.gov/, https://www.daines.senate.gov and https://www.daines.senate.gov .

Closures still happening

But many traditional summer activities have been shut down due to the pandemic.

The H. Earl Clack Museum board announced Monday at its monthly meeting the museum would stay closed at least until June, and its annual Tea Party and Hands on History are canceled.

The annual Fourth of July Celebration also has been canceled.

"We ultimately want to side with caution and safety.," organizers Sherri Simonson and Allen "Woody" Woodwick said in a release. "This, coupled with the limited preparation time, uncertain product availability and regulations concerning large crowds has led to our decision."

Montana State University Agricultural Experiment Station also announced that its annual field days, including at Northern Agricultural Research Center near Havre at Fort Assinniboine, are canceled.

"While we are deeply disappointed to not be able to welcome you to our facilities, we are exploring options for virtual events that will enable you to learn about our research and for us to learn from you about your successes and challenges," said a letter from Sreeka Bajwa, vice president, dean and director, and Darrin Boss, research centers department head.

And Big Sandy has postponed its Homecoming event scheduled for June until next year.

The Havre Women's Golf Association also has canceled its Golfing for a Cure tournament, although it is continuing the fundraising portion of the event.

And Angel Care canceled its Havre's Longest Day Alzheimer Association Annual Pig Roast in June, although it also is continuing to raise funds

Hi-Line Cruz'N Association also has canceled its annual Rod Run, and the Everything Antique Show also is canceled, joining a list of events like the Havre Police Protective Association concert, the Fresno Chapter of Walleyes Unlimited Annual Banquet. the inaugural Bear Paw Marathon and the Relay for Life.

Other events are planned to be rescheduled or a decision has not been made, such as Montana State University-Northern's spring graduation, now set to run in December with the fall graduation, the Hi-Line District of Montana Council of Boy Scouts of America adult pinewood derby and the Montana Pilots Association North Central Hangar still waiting to decide if its annual fly-in will be held later this year.

Feed My Sheep Soup Kitchen announced it is doing its best to follow the guidelines set in place by the governor.

"That being said, we do not see the kitchen fully opening until at least June," it said in a release. "We continue to operate with sack lunches to go. We will provide updates as things change. We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the community for its outpouring of donations. It it so appreciated. The opportunity to donate to the kitchen is always welcome. During this time of limited service we are in need of paper lunch bags, sandwich bags, snack bags, lunch meat, cheese, bread and snacks like cookies, fresh fruit, granola bars, etc."