Community Notes
Dec. 3
Friday, Dec. 4
Camel to show highway film
Whisper Camel, Tribal Wildlife Biologist, will introduce a free showing of “Division Street,” a 50 minute film on the concepts behind wildlife crossing structures on U.S. Highway 93 and a view of other locations that are using these types of methods.
The “Division Street” showing will occur at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 4, at Salish Kootenai College-Johnny Arlee/Victor Charlo Theatre.
“Division Street” chronicles the “green adventure of a lifetime” — a quest to visit the most remote place from any road in the lower 48 states. Simultaneously, the film explores the fascinating concept of wildlife corridors, the potential for “greening” our highway system, and the fusion of high-tech engineering with the best and brightest environmental research happening today. Whisper will be available for discussion and a brief presentation on post construction wildlife monitoring after the showing. Everyone is invited to attend this free showing. For more information on “Division Street” contact Whisper Camel at 675-2700 ext. 7224 or by e-mail at whisperc@cskt.org
Cookie Walk
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Polson will hold its annual Cookie Walk from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 4. Special Christmas cookies are sold by the pound. You handpick your own assortment. Scandinavian treats, candy and breads are available at the sale. Crafts, gently used Christmas decoration and attic treasures will also be available for purchase. The sale will be in the fellowship hall and proceeds wil benefit Share the Spirit and ongoing women’s group ministries.
Polson art walk
Main Street in Polson will be open for an art walk from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 4. Many businesses will be open to share holiday cheer. Open houses will feature downtown businesses serving refreshments and appetizers and offering specials as a “Thank You” to their valued customers all day Friday and Saturday. Businesses will be open until 7 p.m. on Friday.
Priscilla Club meeting
The Priscilla Club will meet at 1 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 4 at the home of Shirley Jacobson.
Saturday, Dec. 5
Christmas tree lighting
The St. Ignatius Christmas Carnival and Tree Lighting will be held this year on Saturday, Dec. 5. The Fifth Annual Christmas Carnival will start at 2 p.m., and go until about 4 p.m. The tree lighting service will be start at 5 p.m., at the town Christmas tree. Hot drinks and cookies will be served, and a hay ride and caroling will follow the tree lighting.
RHS speech and drama meet
Ronan High School is hosting a Speech, Drama and Debate tournament on Saturday, Dec. 5. We will need a tremendous number of judges to fill approximately 350 judging slots. We are requesting your help for a single event, several events, or the full day. Any of your time would be greatly appreciated.
Rounds begin at 8 a.m. for debate. All other rounds begin at 8:30 a.m. Breakfast and lunch will be provided for judges on the day of the tournament. If you are anxious about judging for the first time, never fear! We will hold a judges’ clinic at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 3, in Ronan Middle School room 209.
Please call Melissa Knabe 676-3390 ext. 3419 or Amy Miller 676-3390 ext.3533 or e-mail melissa.knabe@ronank12.edu to donate your time for judging.
Quilt Raffle
The 2009 Sew and So Quilt Raffle drawing wil be held at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 5, during the Christmas Bazaar at the Ronan Community Center. All proceeds will be divided between the Ronan Volunteer Fire Department and the Ronan Senior Meals on Wheels program. We appreciate your continued support.
Holiday Bazaar
Mark your calendar for Saturday, Dec. 5, for the Holiday Bazaar at the Mission Valley UMC on Post Creek Hill. Sale is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The bazaar will feature gift items and baked goods. Lattes will be available to enjoy while you shop. If you would like to rent a table to sell your items, the cost is small. All proceeds go to local charitable organizations. For more information, contact Monte at 676-2801 or Tena at 745-4123.
Odom Benefit
A silent auction and benefit dinner will be held to help Rochelle Odom at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 5 at Leon hall in Charlo. The money will help defray the expense incurred from the loss of her husband in October. The silent auction items are on display at Coulter Automotive in Charlo, a small ticket price will be charged for the roast beef dinner. Thrivent Lutheran Financial will match all proceeds.
People’s Center Bazaar
The People’s Center Annual Holiday Bazaar will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 5, in Pablo at the People’s Center Museum and Gift Shop. Many homemade gifts to choose from, native beaded items, crafts, clothing, and hand made jewelry, baked goods. For more information call 675-0160.
Holiday treasures drawings
The Ronan business community is thankful for their patrons who shop locally and the Ronan Area Chamber of Commerce expresses that thanks by hosting “Ronan Holiday Treasures” each year. When you purchase your groceries, buy your gas, spend money at the hardware store, or buy a car, you can collect one drawing ticket for each dollar spent ($500 ticket max). Sign up for a number at Ronan Sports & Western, Hanson & Granley, Ace Hardware, Mission Mart, Ronan Auto Parts/NAPA, Ronan Power Products, or Bishop Insurance. Place this number on each ticket and drop your tickets at the drop-off points including all of the above businesses except NAPA. You may also drop them at Ronan Harvest Foods.
Our 2009 program includes three drawings each Saturday before Christmas, beginning at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 5, at the Community Bank-Ronan parking lot. This drawing will coincide with the lighting of the bank’s outside Christmas tree. Also at this drawing, the Boys & Girls Club of the Flathead Reservation will draw for the winner of a reconditioned 1967 Ford Mustang Coupe.
Parade of Lights
The Lake County Leader will present Polson’s Annual Parade of Lights at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 5. Bring the whole family downtown to enjoy this event. Contact Earl at 883-4343 for more information.
Festival of Trees raffle
The tree is up and the youth home Festival of Trees raffle is rolling. One of the most popular events at the Lake County Youth Home’s annual Festival of Trees is the drawing for the raffle tree donated by Glacier Bank.
It will be given away at the Festival, but you don’t have to be present to win. In fact, the winning ticket includes free delivery on Sunday, Dec. 6. The raffle tree is valued at more than $500!
You can see it up close and personal all during November at Glacier Bank. Raffle tickets can be purchased at Glacier Bank. Tickets will be available from now until the raffle is held on Saturday, Dec. 5.
The Lake County Youth Home Festival of Trees will be held at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 5 at the KwaTaqNuk Best Western Resort in Polson.
The Festival will feature a reception to view the trees, a dinner and a live and silent auction of the trees, wreaths, and many other items.
The auction will be followed by a dance to the music of the award winning Wilbur Rehmann Jazz Quartet. The quartet will also play during the opening reception and dinner.
The tickets are limited to 230 people and are usually sold out within 48 hours of going on sale the last week of October. There is a waiting list for tickets in case of last minute cancellations, 883-7264 will reach the Lake County Youth Court where you can get on the waiting list.
Crown Financial
Freedom Seminar
Polson Alliance Church will host the Crown Financial Freedom Seminar from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 5. Registration for this event includes lunch. Whatever your age or income, this seminar will help you to start on the road to financial freedom. Register today by calling 883-4179.
Sunday, Dec. 6
SKC Holiday
Bazaar
SKC’s Student Senate would like to invite you to a Holiday Bazaar from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 6, at the Joe McDonald Gymnasium on the SKC campus in Pablo. The proceeds will be used for the campus toy drive, as well as other events. This is the third year that Student Senate has been doing this toy drive and it just keeps growing every year. This toy drive focuses on student families and helping them out with the holidays. It is something that brings a lot of joy to the students and their families at SKC. We will be collecting donations of toys at the bazaar.
Please bring new, unwrapped gifts. There will be food and pictures with Santa Claus. For more information, please contact Gen at 275-4853 or Angie at 275-4840 or e-mail student_senate@student.skc.edu.
Fifth Sunday Sing
Please join us at the Ronan Christian Church on Sunday, Dec. 6, for the Fifth Sunday Sing and potluck dinner. Our address is 121 Third Avenue SW Ronan (across from the post office). Because the fifth Sunday in November falls on Thanksgiving weekend, we will hold the ‘Sing’ on Dec. 6, the first Sunday in December. Starting at 6:30 p.m. there will be an hour of heartfelt singing of hymns and solos.
At 7:30 p.m., we will move downstairs for the potluck dinner and get together. We hope you can come to enjoy fellowship with good friends and neighbors. All are welcome, please bring something for the potluck.
Monday, Dec. 7
High school choir show
The Annual Mission Valley Christmas Festival will be held at 6 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 7, at the Ronan Performing Arts Center. High school choirs from Arlee, Charlo, Ronan, St. Ignatius, Thompson Falls and Noxon will perform several selections individually. Then, they will perform four selections as a mass choir, under the direction of guest director, Tyler Arlent, the choir director from Thompson Falls High School. Wendy Sanders will be the guest accompanist. The choirs will rehearse together all day and then present the concert that evening. They will perform a wide variety of sacred and secular pieces. Admission is free to the public.
Tuesday, Dec. 8
Arlee gym open house
A ribbon cutting for new gym facility in Arlee, with a tour will be held at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 8. Then, watch Arlee host Two Eagle River at 4 p.m.
Free yoga
Free yoga will be offered from 7:30-8:45 p.m. on Dec. 8 and Dec. 22 and every second and fourth Tuesday. Introduction/Level 1 Yoga at the YogaHeart Studio “Purple Door. Across the street from the health food store, at 314A Main Street, Polson. Contact Bonnie 253-0177 for more information.
MM Audubon meeting
“Threatening the World Coyote Made: Global Warming and the Salish and Pend d’Oreille People” by Germaine White and Thompson Smith will be the next program of the Mission Mountain Audubon Society at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 8,in the Polson City Library Meeting Room. Everyone is welcome. While we debate what to do about global warming, there is little doubt that its impacts on ecosystems are real. Here in this neck of the woods, for example, we are already seeing rising temperatures, less snow pack, reduced stream flows, greater beetle infestations in our forests and several species are threatened with extinction. But how will climate change affect northwestern Montana’s native peoples? Germaine and Thompson will describe the traditional way of life of the Salish and Pend d’Oreille people and their relation with the plants and animals now threatened by global warming.They will also provide an overview of climate change science including current conditions as well as its anticipated impact on the Salish and Pend d’Oreille cultures.
White is the Information and Educational Specialist in the Division of Fish, Wildlife, Recreation, and Conservation for the Confederated Salish and Kootenai tribes. Smith is the coordinator of history and geography for the Salish-Pend d’Oreille Culture Committee.
Wednesday, Dec. 9
Polson rural fire meeting
Polson Rural Fire District Trustees monthly meeting will be held at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 9, at the new fire station on Regatta Road by the Fairgrounds. The board will meet at 6 p.m. to discuss Departmental Operating Guidelines only as they apply to the rural area. All residents of the Polson Rural Fire District and interested general public are encouraged to attend. Resident’s questions and ideas help to keep the trustees informed and assist them in formulating their decisions.
For a full text of approved minutes please go to www.polsonfire.org.
NARFE Christmas party
The National Active and Retired Federal Employees will hold its annual Christmas party in Polson at noon on Wednesday, Dec. 9, at Papa Don’s restaurant, behind McDonald’s at the golf course. Following the meal, there will be a short program featuring Judy Shostak from the Western Montana Area Ifve Agency on Aging. Her topic will be “A Better Understading of Alzheimer’s Disease. Please join us.
Ongoing
Heffer benefit
A benefit for Kiley Heffer, 6-year-old who has been diagnosed with leukemia, will be held from 2-6 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 12 at the Polson High School Gym. There will be an Indian taco/potato bar, family photo’s (just in time for Christmas), massage corner, silent auction, entertainment and balloon animals for the kids. There is a saving account set up at First Interstate bank, 106 2nd E. Polson, MT 59860. Anyone interested in donating items for the indian taco’s/potato bar or silent auction or for more information please contact Raelynne Peterson at 529-5765 or Amber Ashby at 212-3464.
Soup kitchen opening
Starting on Dec. 1, our Soups On! program, sponosored by Faith and Community Outreach Partners, continuing Monday-Thursday every week. Look for the open sign lit up in the window. Hours are 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., with homemade soup, pie, bread, coffe milke and juice served. Dessert follows. FCOP is a non profit progressive assembly on a journey. We are committed to vibrant worshipping, honest learning, serving, caring and doing good things. The Wander Inn is located on the corner of 7th Ave. and First St. West, Polson, just north of Cherry Valley School. Everyone is welcome. For more information please call John at 270-7538, Sharon at 883-2072 or Sandy at 871-1109.
Pachyderm Club meeting
The regular meeting of the Lake County Pachyderm Club will be from12:05- 1p.m. on Friday, Dec. 11, at Papa Don’s Restaurant. Will Deschamps, State Chairman of the Republican Party, will be the speaker. Those wishing to have lunch, arrive at 11:30 to order from the menu.
Adult ed teachers needed
Do you have knowledge or a skill that you would like to share with other adults? If so, the Polson Adult Education Program is always looking for new classes. All classes are offered in the evening on week nights. To find out more contact Marsha at 883-6355, ext 601.
Historic living windows
Bring the family downtown to enjoy the decorated store windows on Friday, Dec. 11. See the nativity scene, live mannequins, antique displays and much more. Businesses will be serving refreshments and ready to help you with your holiday shopping till 7 pm.
Choral society Christmas concert
The Mission Valley Choral Society Christmas Concert will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 13 at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 409 4th Ave. E., Polson. Contact the Choral Society at 883-1086 for more information.
Polson international stroll
Enjoy an internation stroll down main street from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 18. New this year will be the International Stroll, with each business picking a country and offering food, music, and traditions.
Soroptimist awards
Soroptimist International of Polson is seeking qualified applicants from the Mission Valley area for the following awards: Fellowship Award of a $1,000.00 scholarship for a woman who is seeking post graduate education. This woman must live in Montana, Idaho, Washington, Alaska or Oregon. She must be established in business or a profession, conduct business or practice her profession competently and according to high ethical standards, and hold a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree from an accredited college or university. A plan for post graduate study is required. If the applicant wins her application, she is eligible for a $4,000 regional award. The application is due by Jan. 15, 2010. If you are interested in applying or need more information, please contact Dorothy Ashcraft at 982-3366.
Vocational-Technical Award of a $1,000 for a woman or man who is enrolled in a professional/technical or vocational program leading to a certificate or license. The recipient must be approved and/or registered at the school or college. The recipient is also eligible to receive more money in regional Soroptimist competition. The application is due Feb. 1, 2010. If you are interested in applying or know a woman or man who fits the requirements for this award, contact Melinda Leas at 883-7587. Soroptimist International is a volunteer service organization for women who work to improve the lives of women, girls and children in local communities and throughout the world.
JournyBe bazaar
From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m on Saturday, Dec. 12 at 101 7th Ave. W. in Polson, is the Christmas Bazaar will take place with a free lunch served. Wonderful crafts and baked goods are offered for sale. Watch basket weaving and taste fresh pressed apple cider. Crafts and games offered for kids. For more information please call Charlott, 270-3420.
Home school choir concert
Mission Valley Home Educators will not be meeting for their regular First Friday Fellowship in December or January. Instead, all are invited to attend and enjoy the Home School Christmas Choir Concert. Selah will be performing at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 10, at the New Life Christian Center in Polson with a brief reception following. The next home school meeting is planned for Friday, Feb. 5, 2010 with a potluck dinner, fellowship, announcements and an information exchange at the New Life Christian Center in Polson. Those new to home schooling, veteran home educators, and anyone interested in pursuing the idea of teaching their own children are all invited to participate. Come ~ get to know other home schoolers, ask questions, give support,and enjoy fellowship! For more information, please contact John and Connie Doty at 849-5169 or Frank and Dana Brown at 676-5067.
Ronan Parade of Lights
Celebrate the new Winter Season and our community Spirit with the Ronan Parade of Lights will be at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 23.
Bon Fire in the park after the parade. Santa will be on hand for pictures with the kids
All parade entries are welcome! All floats, carolers and entries line up behind hospital at 5:30 p.m. Dress warm and bring your holiday spirit. For more info please call Jennifer at 676-0211 or Carlene at 676-0646.
North Crow Creek Club Christmas Program
North Crow Creek Club is celebrating 80 years. So, we want to invite all young people to come and perform for our annual Christmas program at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 10, at the North Crow Creek Club house. Everyone is welcom. For more informaiton call 676-3024.
Kile benefit
There will be a benefit to help defray medical expenses for Jane Kile of Dixon, from 4-7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 18, at Leon Hall, Charlo. A spaghetti dinner will be held for a small ticket price. The silent auction will be from 4-9 p.m., followed by a Contra Dance from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. For more information or to donate, contact Delene Tufly 246-3271. An account, Jane’s Healing Circle Fund, has been set up at Valley Bank, P.O. 637, St. Ignatius, MT 59865.
Christmas calendar for Mission, Sacred Heart, St. Berchman
Dec. 13: Anointing of the Sick, 9:15 a.m. Mass; Dec. 16: Reconciliation, 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 20: Christmas Play and Decorating Party, after the 9:15 a.m. Mass; Dec. 24: Christmas caroling, 11p.m.; Dec. 24: Midnight Mass, 12 a.m.; Dec. 25: Christmas Mass, 10 a.m.; Jan. 1: New Year’s Day Mass, 10 a.m.; Arlee, Sacred Heart Mission — Dec. 9: Reconciliation, 7 p.m.; Dec. 13: Anointing the sick, 11:15 Mass
Dec. 20: Christmas Play, after the 11:15 a.m. Mass; Dec. 24: Christmas Caroling, 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 24: Christmas Mass, 8 p.m.
St. John Berchman/Jocko Mission; Dec. 13: Anointing of the Sick, 4 p.m. Mass.
Masumola Club meeting
The Masumola Club meeting will be held Thursday, Dec. 10, at the clubhouse. The holiday social gathering, with music begins at 5:45 p.m., potluck at 6:30 p.m. and program at 7 p.m. Entertainment will feature the music from the Fiddlesticks School of Music.
The clubhouse is located on Masumola Road. Turn onto Rocky Point off of US Highway 93 and after the three-mile marker turn right onto Masumola Road. The clubhouse on the right. Anyone in the community of Polson and the surrounding area is invited to attend this meeting as a guest or to join the club and enjoy friendship, meetings and interesting programs. The only requirement for
new guests is to bring your own utensils and a dish to pass if you wish.For membership information contact Irene Marchello at 406-883-6184.
Worthy Grand Matron visitation
Billeta Swallow of Harlowtown, Worthy Grand Matron of the Grand Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star in Montana, will make her official visit to the Mystic Chapter No. 53, Polson at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 12. She will be accompanied by Worthy Grand Patron Donald Kimmell of Roundup. All memberes of the Eastern Star are invited to attend. The meeting will be held at the Masonic Temple in Polson, 1102 4th Ave. E. Refreshments will be served following the meeting. Mystic Chapter No. 53 of Polson was chartered on Nov. 15, 1911. The currenty Worthy Matron and Worthy Patron are Olive “Tootie” Frey of St. Ignatius and Douglas Stam of Polson. The Order of the Eastern Star is the largest organization in the world to which both men and women may belong. HTe order has more than 2 million members with projects inovlved millions of dollars that benefit many people.
Hot Flash Blues
Ninepipes Lodge will host Hot Flash Blues!, fireside dining with Diane Torres, Carol Loza and Carol Roberts from 6-9 p.m. on Tuesdays in the lounge.
Winter season at the Bison Range
Visitor Center hours at the National Bison Range are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays. Stop by to view the displays and watch the 15-minute video. Staff will be available to answer questions and direct you to the drives, trails and activities. And during the holidays, the Visitor Center will be closed for Thanksgiving (Thursday and Friday, Nov. 26-27), Christmas (Friday, Dec. 25) and New Year’s Day (Friday, Jan. 1). Please call 644-2211 for up-to-date information, road conditions and Visitor Center hours.
Women’s award nominees sought
Women’s Opportunity Award is for women who are the financial head of their household and wish to further their educational or vocational training but do not have the financial resources to do so. The award may be used for tuition, books or other costs associated with her education like childcare or car expenses. The award recipient receives $1,500 and the runner-up receives $1,000 respectively. The recipient will also become eligible to receive more money in regional and international Soroptimist competition. The application is due Dec. 15. If you are interested in applying or know a woman who fits the requirements for this award, contact Karen Radcliff at 250-2420. Soroptimist International is a volunteer service organization for women who work to improve the lives of women, girls and children in local communities and throughout the world.
Jocko Valley Library fall hours
Fall/Winter Hours are Monday, 2- 5 p.m.; Tuesday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Wednesday. 1-4 p.m.; Thursday, 3-6 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturday, 9:30 -11:30 a.m. (Only open the first and second Saturdays of each month.) The mentioned hours are filled by community volunteers and are subject to change without notice. Please feel free to return your checked out materials by putting them in the drop-box at the front gate of the library. The books are perfectly safe in that drop-box and it will save you from accruing a fine.
If you would like to volunteer at the library - call the library at 726-3572 and leave your name and phone number.
Community Spirit Basket
Community Bank is hosting and sponsoring the third annual Community Spirit Basket project. Merchants or individuals are asked to donate a basket filled with items representing their business or organization. Baskets will then go on display Nov. 2 through Dec. 10 in the designated Community Bank lobby of their choice. Raffle tickets are available at bank lobbies. If interested in donating a basket, please contact Chris Jackson in Ronan, 676-4600 or Mandy Smith in Polson, 883-0600.
Soroptimist scholarship
Soroptimist International of Polson is committed to making a difference for women through projects that help women and girls lead better lives. To that end we participate in the Violet Richardson Award program. The program began in 1999 and recognizes and honors young women between the ages of 14 and 17 who make the community and world a better place through volunteer efforts. The Violet Richardson Award honors women between 12 and 17 who make the world a better place. The program begins at the local Soroptimist club level where in Polson the award is $1,100, with 75 percent going to honor the winner and the other 25 percent going to the winner’s volunteer organization. Applications have been made available at high schools in Polson, Ronan, Charlo, Two Eagle River and St. Ignatius, or by contacting Maria Bishop, Violet Richardson Award chair at 883-5372 or 883-0417. Applications are due on Dec. 1.
Sjogrens support group
Sjogrens syndrome is an autoimmune disease that causes certain parts of the immune system to attack and damage the glands of the body and can also damage other organs, causing a variety of symptoms. We would like to start a support group in Polson and the surrounding areas. A great deal can be learned from others and the national foundation. If you’re interested, call Jo Weaver at 883-5401.
Lion King bus
Community Bank is sponsoring a trip to the Saturday evening, Dec. 5 performance of Broadway’s Award-Winning Best Musical “The Lion King.” The seating for the play will be in the orchestra section rows 10-13. Overnight accommodations will be at Spokane’s premier hotels, The Davenport. The bus will depart at Community Bank in Polson at 8:30 a.m., Ronan 9 at a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 5 and return Dec. 6. Please call Nellie 883-0600 or Anne 676-4600 for reservations and package pricing.
Line Dancing
The Polson Senior Center is hosting line dancing from 5-6:30 p.m. on Mondays. Join anytime on a weekly basis. Contact Hazle at 319-2424 or e-mail bazle@live.com for more information.