Community Notes
Dec. 17
Thursday, Dec. 17
‘Among Other Things’ book signings
Paul Fugleberg will hold book signings for “Among Other Things,” from 1-4 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 17 at First Interstate Bank and from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 19 at Gull Printing in Polson.
ShamRockers performances
The ShamRockers, unofficial goodwill ambassadors of Polson, spread their brand of holiday cheer this season at a variety of local venues. The popular Irish quintet appears at Glacier Brewery from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 17, and from 5:15-6 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 18, at Quinn’s Wrap Shack. Knowing the lads, they may also wander the streets to serenade other establishments at will.
Since forming six years ago, The ShamRockers have appeared at many regional events from churches to brewpubs, as well as headlining at several major music festivals. Their indomitable spirit is exemplified on their latest CD, “Just Plain Lucky.”
Barn Yard Moosical
Linderman second graders are putting on the play Barn Yard Moosical at the Polson High School Auditorium at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 17 (performance for the schools) and at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 18 (performance for family and friends). Contact Tami Morrison or Kris Nordberg at Linderman for any other information.
Friday, Dec. 18
Craft sale/toy drive for Shining Star
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office is holding a craft/bake sale to help with its Shining Star program, which will give gifts to more than 120 area kids. The sale will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 18 in the large conference room at the courthouse. Toys can be dropped off at the high school through Friday.
Free turkey dinner
Have dinner with us on Friday, Dec. 18, and the third Friday night of each month, at our Friendship Table. Everyone in the community is welcome. Bring your friends; enjoy a hearty meal and fellowship from 5-7 p.m. in Gessaman Hall at First United Methodist Church, 301 16th Ave. E. (2 blocks south and 1 block east of St. Joseph Medical Center).
Free H1N1 holiday clinics
H1N1 clinics are now open to all Flathead Reservation and Lake County residents. Ronan Parish Hall from 2-7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 18. Charlo School from 2:30-4:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 18. St. Ignatius High School Gym from 2-5:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 19, and Wal-Mart from 2:30-5:30 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 21. Free clinics from 1-4 p.m. every Tuesday at Lake County Public Health in Polson and Tribal Health in Arlee, Elmo, Ronan and St. Ignatius. For more information contact Emily at 883-7291.
‘Here We Come A Caroling’
Arlee schools invites Arlee school-aged children from kindergarten to sixth grade to attend the December Friday Free Three Activities Day from 9 a.m. to noon on Friday, Dec. 18. This event day will include caroling to the downtown businesses of Arlee, then returning to the school for hot chocolate, cookies and a Christmas movie. Join us and bring along your grownups.
Polson international stroll
Enjoy an international stroll down main street from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 18. each business picking a country and offering food, music, and traditions.
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.
Saturday, Dec. 19
Santa Claus coming to Big Arm
At 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 19, the Big Arm Firefighters have organized a very special day for the community at the Big Arm Fire Hall. Please bring your family young or old! The afternoon begins with a terrific magic show by the renowned local magician, Ken Avison. Santa Claus will be arriving at 2:30 p.m. with great fanfare to hand out treats and pick up children’s letters to take back to the North Pole Santa. At 3:15 p.m. the Barber Shop Chorus from Columbia Falls will be delighting us with Christmas music, don’t miss this group they are great. Holiday goodies will be served. For more information call Firefighter Ron at 459-3259 (cell).
Holiday treasures drawings
The Ronan business community is thankful for their patrons who shop locally and the Ronan Area Chamber of Commerce expresses “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, at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 19, at the Community Bank-Ronan parking lot. This drawing will coincide with the lighting of the bank’s outside Christmas tree.
Sunday, Dec. 20
Bird count
A Christmas bird count is scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 20 at the Ninepipe National Wildlife Refuge. Contact Jim Rogers at jmrogers2007@gmail.com or 883-3611 for more information.
Monday, Dec. 21
Dixon School program
Join the Dixon School for the annual Christmas Program at 7 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 21 in the Dixon School gym. A special visitor will be coming. Students will need to be at the school no later than 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 22
Free Yoga
Every second and fourth Tuesday from 7:30-8:45 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 22. Introduction/Level 1 Yoga at YogaHeart Studio “Purple Door” (Across the street from the health food store.) 314A Main Street, Polson. Contact Bonnie 253-0177 for more information.
Wednesday, Dec. 23
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.
A bonfire will be 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.
Ongoing
Alzheimer’s support group
An Alzheimer’s support group is beginning in the Mission Valley and will be held at 2:30 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of each month at the United Methodist Church on U.S. Highway 93, south of the Charlo turnoff. For more information call 676-2367 or 644-2363.
Fathering Workshop
There will be a Fathering Workshop that will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. starting on Jan. 9, 2010, and the following three Saturdays. It will include fathering helps, practical skills, communicating and connecting with your kids, rebuilding and restoring fatherhood, biblical principals and more. There will be a registration and workshop fee to cover expenses. Held at the Cornerstone Faith Center, 520 Main Street, in St. Ignatius and will be co-lead by Pastor-evangelist Lynn Lapka and Larry Nicholas, missionary, pastor and teacher. Call Larry at 471-0766 to save a spot or for further info.
Boys & Girls Club holiday hours
The Ronan Unit of the Boys & Girls Club will be initiating the following schedule through Jan. 4, 2010: Open from 3-7 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 21-22; open from noon to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 23. The following week, the club will be open from noon to 6 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, Dec. 28-30. We will be closed on Christmas eve and New Years eve, then Jan. 4, 2010, we will resume our regularly scheduled hours.
The Polson Unit program will run Dec. 21-22, Monday and Tuesday as usual then close from Dec. 23 through Jan. 4. Polson will open again with regular 3-6 p.m. beginning on Jan. 5.
No polar dip
Organizers said there will be no Polson Polar Bear dip put on this year.
Free lunch offered
Faith and Community Outreach Partners are offering a free lunch, Soup’s On!, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday-Thursday every week at the Wander Inn. Look for the open sign lit up in the window. The lunch will offer homemade soup, pie, bread, coffee, milk and juice served. Dessert follows. The lunch will be ongoing. FCOP is a nonprofit progressive assembly on a journey. We are committed to vibrant worship
out the world.
Caregivers classes
It is well known that caring for someone with a chronic illness is stressful and takes an enormous physical and emotional toll on caregivers. Western Montana Area VI Agency on Aging will conduct a free six part training program to enable family caregivers to better care for themselves by improving their own self-confidence and problem solving skills. This class will equip you to better communicate your feelings, balance your life, reduce stress, and increase your ability to make tough decisions. In addition you will learn how to locate helpful resources that may assist you with your caregiver responsibilities. Interactive lessons, discussions and brainstorming will help you take the “tools” you choose and put them into action for your life.
Classes are now being scheduled in Ronan at the Tribal Senior Center from 10-11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 13 through Feb. 17, 2010. Two experienced leaders will conduct the classes held each Tuesday at the same time for six consecutive weeks. Class sizes are limited. To register contact Ophie at the Western Montana Area VI Agency on Aging, 110 Main St., Ste 5, Polson, 883-7284 or 800-266-4188. Don’t wait until you “burn-out” to get the help you need.
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.
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.
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.