Community Calendar
Kids classes
Classes have begun for American Indian Drumming/Singing at Arlee’s new cafeteria. Classes run Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:15-8:15 p.m. and are instructed by Walden Tewawina. The drumming/singing class is open for students in grades 4-12. If you have questions, please contact Wendy Swab at 726-3216 ext. 2203 or Willie Wright at ext. 2310.
Griz-Cat food drive
Let’s all participate in the Grizzly-Bobcat Food Drive! Please bring your non-perishable food items to the Polson Chamber Office on Main Street or the lobby of Providence St. Joseph Medical Center and donate to either the Grizzly or Bobcat box. Items will be taken to the Polson Loaves and Fish Food Pantry on Friday, Nov. 18 and then weighed to determine the winner!
Elks shoot
How lucky or good are you? Play the games and win a turkey and other prizes at the Elks Turkey Shoot on Nov. 19 at 7 p.m. at the Mission Valley Elks Club. Everyone is welcome!
Turkey Trot
Join the Fourth Annual Turkey Trot 5K Fun Run/Walk on Thursday, Nov. 24 at Century 21 Big Sky Real Estate. The race starts at 9 a.m. and runs down Hwy. 35 and around Mission Bay. Race Day registration starts at 8:30 a.m. See www.polsonrunning.com for more details.
Thanksgiving dinner
The Fifth Annual Homemade Community Thanksgiving Dinner sponsored by the Polson Senior Center and Polson Ministerial Association will take place at the senior center on 504 Third Ave. East on Thursday, Nov. 24 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. It’s open to the public and includes food, fellowship and entertainment.
This is free community event, but donations are welcome. A free-will offering will be taken with proceeds split between the senior center and the Helping Hands Fund. Volunteers are also needed for food prep, service and cleanup. Two or three delivery drivers are also needed from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Call Misty at 883-8256 if you’re interested in being a volunteer!
Thanksgiving feast
The Eighth Annual Ronan Community Thanksgiving Dinner will be on Nov. 24 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Ronan Community Center. Each year, the celebration draws several hundred residents, coming to share conversation, homemade pie and the chance to recognize the good that has come into their lives. If you can provide turkeys, pies or rolls or would like to assist with cooking, serving, bussing or entertainment, please call Dana Grant at 406-240-0640 or e-mail to grantdana@hotmail.com.
There is no charge for the dinner but financial donations are most welcomed and appreciated. They may be sent to the Ronan Community Volunteers at PO Box 751, Pablo, MT 59855.
Eastern Star
Eleanor Tesch, Worthy Grand Matron of the Grand Chapter of Montana, Order of the Eastern Star will make her official visit to Mystic Chapter 53 in Polson at 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 2. All members of the Eastern Star are invited to attend the meeting, which will be presided over by Worthy Matron Kaye Stam and Worthy Patron Douglas Stam. The meeting will be preceded by a dinner of soup and rolls at the Masonic Lodge at 5:30 p.m.
Fundraising benefit
A fundraising benefit event for Owen Schwab is planned for Dec. 3 at the Polson VFW Hall upstairs. Schwab, a Polson resident and graduate of Polson High School, was recently diagnosed with brain cancer. Ricciardi’s on Main is serving a spaghetti dinner from 5-8:30 p.m., a silent auction will be held from 5-10 p.m. and live music featuring some of Polson’s favorite bands will be on hand beginning at 7:30 p.m. For more information, please contact Mike Roberts at 249-5551.
Christmas carnival
The St. Ignatius Chamber of Commerce Annual Christmas Carnival will take place on Dec. 4 from 2 to 4 p.m. Afterward, there will be the tree lighting, caroling, a hay ride and a Parade of Lights. The parade of lights is open to entries from everyone.
Apps available
Applications are now available for Share the Spirit’s (STS) Holiday Assistance Program. Families in Lake County who need help this year making the holiday season a bit brighter for their children are encouraged to swing by the Lake County Office of Public Assistance, Public Health Department, DOVES, Working Innovations or Helping Hands to fill out an application. For 13 years, STS has been helping struggling families with toys, clothes and gifts during Christmas. The deadline for completed applications is Dec. 5.
Floodplain maps
Lake County residents are invited to attend a Community Outreach Meeting in the large conference room on the third floor of the Lake County Courthouse on Wednesday, Dec. 7 at 6 p.m. to review the new draft floodplain maps. Staff from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), State of Montana Dept. of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) and Atkins will be making brief presentations, which will be followed by a Q and A session. For more information on the meeting, contact the Lake County Planning Dept. at 883-7235 or the DNRC Helena office at 444-0862.