Ball field users set meeting

POLSON - A mandatory meeting of all parties interested in using any of the ball fields belonging to the City of Polson will be held Wednesday, Jan. 5, at 7 p.m. in the city council chambers in the city hall.

Those groups wishing to start a league for softball, baseball, soccer, football, soccer or other organized sports must send a representative to this meeting. Any group that currently uses the field for organized leagues or practices, must also send a representative.

Those groups not sending a representative will not be able to schedule the city fields for the 2005 season. For info call 883-8206.

Back Country Horsemen meet

RONAN - Mission Valley Back Country Horsemen will hold its monthly club meeting on Jan. 4 at 7:30 p.m. at the Ronan Community Center. Anne Zabel, owner of Leather Rose in St. Ignatius, will present a program. Everyone is invited to attend, meet new friends and find out what the club is all about.

Wild Plum Station lists events

DIXON - Come kick up your heels and have a ball at the New Year's Eve Fancy Dress Ball with DJ Marco at the Wild Plum Station. He's got the biggest music collection in Montana and a fabulous light show. There'll be prizes for best the dressed man, woman and couple, music by request and a raffle. Kitchen will close at 8 p.m. to clear the floor for dancing. Munchies and champagne provided in appreciation to all for making this year a success.

Beginning square dance lessons offered

POLSON - For those who want to learn to square dance the Polson Paddle Wheelers Square Dance Club will hold beginners' lessons on Tuesday, Jan. 4, at 7 p.m. in the Polson Senior Citizens Center, 504 Third Ave. E. For more information, call 883-4404 or 676-2222.

Motorcyclists meet at Cove Deli

POLSON - Angel Wing Riders, a ride group with the Christian Motorcyclists Association, is changing its meeting site. The group will now meet in the Cove Deli, 11 Third Ave. W., in Polson the first Tuesday of every month at 6:30 p.m.

Club members are looking forward to having dinner with other bikers of Harleys, Gold Wing Road Riders, BMWs, BMXs and others.

Free gunlocks are available

POLSON - Persons who may have received firearms as Christmas gifts are reminded that free gunlocks are available at the Polson City Hall as part of the national Child Safe Project.

The locks may be picked up anytime during business hours, according to Police Chief Doug Chase.

Polson churches sponsor 'lock in'

POLSON - Polson area churches are sponsoring a free New Year's Eve event for all students in grades 7-12. The "11:59: Where will you be 'lock in'" will start at 9 p.m. and end at 7 a.m. in the Polson Middle School.

Prizes will be given way every hour and there will be games, food and tournaments.

For more information, call Liane at 883-2447.

Home School geography bee set

POLSON - The Lake County Home School geography bee will be held Wednesday, Jan. 5 at 1 p.m. at New Life Christian Center, 1414 Second St. W., Polson.

National Geographic sponsors the national bee for students in grades 4-8. The winner of this bee qualifies to take a written test that is then sent to National Geographic.

Students with the top 100 scores in Montana will qualify for the State Geography Bee in the spring.

Museum's gym gets new trim

RONAN - The Mission Valley Heritage Association and the Garden of the Rockies Museum thanks Jim Johnson and Kevin Marengo and his carpentry class from Salish Kootenai College for the good job they did putting the trim around the Round Butte gym.

Members of the class were William Salois, Clifford Burk, Tammy Tanner, Loyd Spotted Blanket and Gariett Finley.

New members are always welcome as are any donations. The next meeting will be Jan. 12, at 2 p.m. at the Ronan Senior Citizens Center.

Author, counselor to give free lecture

KALISPELL - Intuitive counselor and author Judy May of Kalispell will present a free lecture Jan. 5 at the Flathead County Library in Kalispell from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. The lecture will focus on her book and CD, "Healing Your Heart," giving insight on techniques to release negative belief and programming one's life into a positive way of life. For more information, call 883-1829.

Mission adult ed classes start

ST. IGNATIUS - St. Ignatius schools are offering several Adult Education classes scheduled to start in the coming weeks. If you need any information or would like to register (pre-registration is required) contact Jo Phillips at 745-3811, ext. 235.

Registration deadline is Jan. 5 for digital photography and beginner crochet classes.

Are you thinking of getting a digital camera? Do you want to learn how to optimize your new camera? Tyler Arlint will help participants discover what they can do in the "digital darkroom." Students will learn professional photography techniques, basic skills, and minor editing techniques, from a professional. Fee is $15. Classes will be held from 6 to 8 p.m., Jan. 11, 18 and 25.

The Basic Crochet class will teach the basics of crochet - different stitches, gauging, reading patterns, etc. This class will be taught by Hope Ranel. Fee is $20 and classes will be held Jan. 12, 19, 26 and Feb. 2 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Planning boards have vacancies

POLSON - The Lake County Planning Board has one opening to fill. The board currently lacks representation from the tribal community, the East Shore and Ferndale areas. However, applicants from all parts of the county may apply.

The board usually meets on the second Wednesday evening of each month and is comprised of volunteers who advise the county commissioners on planning issues including subdivision and zoning regulations.

The Polson City-County Planning Board has one opening for a county representative on its board. The board is composed of volunteers who advise the city council and county commissioner on planning issues, which typically include subdivisions, special use permits and zoning regulations within the Polson zoning districts.

Apply by contacting the Lake County Planning Dept. at the courthouse, 108 Fourth Ave. E., Polson, MT 59860 or planning@lakecounty.mt.org

Republican women meet

POLSON - Lake County Republican Women's Club will meet Monday, Jan. 10, at noon in the New Moon Cafe. Guest speaker will be Lynda Collins, vice president of the Montana Federation of Republican Women.

Guests are welcome. Questions:Call 887-2788

Polson Board of Adjustment has two vacancies

POLSON - The City of Polson is looking for two volunteers to appoint to the Polson Board of Adjustment. Terms are for three years and run to Dec. 31, 2007. Duties of the board include hearing and deciding appeals, and authorizing exceptions to variances to ordinances when not contrary to the public interest.

The board meets on the first Tuesday of each month at 5:15 p.m. in the city council chambers.

For more details, see the legal advertisement elsewhere in this edition of the Leader, or call the Planning Department, 883-8214.

To apply, direct a letter of interest to the City of Polson, attention: Joyce T. Weaver, Building and Planning director, 106 First St. E., Polson, MT.

Polson Boosters to meet Jan. 10

POLSON - The Polson Booster Club will meet Monday, Jan. 10, at 7 p.m. in the high school cafeteria. All parents of athletes and any one interested in helping with student athlete activities is invited and encouraged to attend this 2005 organizational meeting. Club officers say they need input and a little bit of your time.

Rotary changes meeting to KwaTaqNuk

POLSON - The Polson Rotary Club is changing its meeting place. Effective Tuesday noon, Jan. 4, club members will meet at KwaTaqNuk Resort.

Series on poverty discussions set

POLSON - Beginning on Sunday, Jan. 9,, from 9:15-10:30 a.m., Polson Presbyterian Church will offer a six-week course on "What every church member should know about poverty," based on the book by Dr. Ruby Payne and the Rev. William Ehlig.

Facilitators Marsha Anson and Carolyn Heinz will present materials and lead group discussion as participants investigate the types and causes of poverty. They will explore perceptions of poverty, and how to adapt those perceptions to create an atmosphere of equal respect and mutual inclusion in churches, workplaces and families. Everyone is welcome.

Veterans rep to visit area

Len Leibinger, Montana Veterans Affairs Division regional service officer, will be in Polson at the Senior Citizen Center from 10 a.m. to noon and the Ronan Senior Center from 1 to 3 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 13. Veterans and their dependents may meet with him to discuss veterans' issues.

A tip on storing ornaments

When taking the ornaments down, wrap them in a paper towel and put each in a baggie. Then if one breaks, the shards are confined to the bag.