Community Calendar - Jan. 9
Affordable Care Act explained
Assisters are available to come and talk with your community group, neighborhood organization, church group, or at an activity that you think would be a good place for people to receive this information – just call (406) 546-0199 and we will schedule a time that works for you. Health insurance offered by the ACA begins on Jan. 1, 2014, but open enrollment will take place through March of 2014.
Quilt Guild
The Mission Mountain Quilt Guild will hold their January meeting on January 11 instead of January 7th. We will host a “Sew-in” from 9:30 am to 4 pm at the Terrace Lake Community Church in Ronan. An Appreciation Dinner will be provided at noon, with a gift bag exchange as planned for our cancelled meeting in December. The meeting will take place right after lunch. Please bring your sampler block of the month to show and your show and tell, plus any project you might want to spend the day sewing on – maybe your challenge project!
Auditions for Heidi
Wednesday, Jan. 15 the Port Polson Players hold auditions for their annual kids production. This year the show is, “Heidi.” There are roles for students K-8th grade.
Everyone gets a part. Two groups will be cast. Auditions will be on stage at Polson High from 3:45 to 6:00. Kindergarten and first grade students will be excused at 5:00.
Public performances dates are Friday and Saturday, January 31 & February 1 on the PHS Stage. Casts also perform two shows on Mon. February 3 for the Polson School District.
All rehearsals are held at Polson High: 3:45-5:30 for the main cast, and 6:00-8:00 for lead roles. Not everyone will be called for all rehearsals; because of the short two - week rehearsal schedule. Each cast member must attend when called.
All potential cast members also must attend the first rehearsal on Thursday January 16 from 3:30 to 5:30 to find out what part they play. Everyone will receive a rehearsal schedule at that time.
Family members will perform in the same cast on the same night, but Players directors Neal and Karen Lewing ask that performers stay flexible, making arrangements to be available for either show. It is also asked that students auditioning for‚ “Heidi,” have a bus note from home to ride to auditions and rehearsals.
“Heidi” is produced by the Port Polson Players/ MVFA in cooperation with Polson School District # 23
Blood Drive
An American Red Cross Blood Draw is scheduled at St. Luke Community Hospital, Thursday, January 23, 2014, from 11am to 5pm. Call Cindy Smith at 528-5269 to schedule an appointment.
Charlo Blood Drive
The Ponderosa Chapter of the National Honor Society at Charlo High School is once again sponsoring a Charlo Community Blood Drive. The drive will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 22 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Multi-Purpose Gym. Our goal is 33 units which requires us to have 45 appointments. Please contact Sharon Hertz at 644-2206 ext 245 or email at shertz@charloschools.com to schedule an appointment or for more information.
Thyme for Herbs
The next Thyme for Herbs meeting will be Tuesday, January 14, 2014 in the meeting room of the library in Polson. The topic for the month is ‚“Understanding the Importance of Using Heirloom Seeds‚“. We will also discuss: Planning your herb garden. Growing herbs and herb seeds for profit. Continuing to become familiar with using the‚ Herbal 9-1-1. Everyone is welcome. Bring your ideas and questions to share with us. For more information please call Linda Peterson 319-2446.
Town Hall Luncheon
You are invited to a Town Hall Luncheon on Monday, January 13 from 11:30-1 pm at the Polson Public Health Bldg. 802 Main St in Polson. On behalf of Western MT addiction Services Prevention and the Lake Cares for Kids Network, we invite you to a showing of the Bright Beginnings Parenting Video Series created by the Bitterroot Cares for Kids Network in Ravalli County and featuring a great way to help raise healthy kids free from addictions and substance abuse! What to expect? A wonderful lunch and door prizes and a brief look at the wonderful Bright Beginnings parenting series available on YouTube as well as a start-up for the Lake Cares for Kids Network! This event is FREE to our community and parents, professionals and teens are encouraged to come! No reservations necessary but call 883-7310 for further information if you’d like.
Lake County Republican Women’s Club
The newest member of the Mission Mountain Drug Taskforce will make his debut at a public meeting being held at the North Lake County Public Library on Monday, January 13, 2014 at 7 p.m. in Polson. Everyone is invited to come and meet the new team member with especially watchful eyes and a prominent nose. His name is‚“Llop,” (pronounced Yop); in Catalonian Spanish it means‚“Wolf.”
Llop has come to Polson from Spain by way of New York City and Bozeman and now lives with his certified canine handler, Juan Maso, a five-year officer with the Polson Police Department.
In addition to introducing Llop, Police Chief Wade Nash will describe how a dog with a keen nose for drugs will enhance the work of the drug taskforce which as been involved with 70 felony drug cases in the Polson area since April, 2013. Chief Nash will share information about the meth and cocaine drug trade in the community as well as what families can do to curtail the abuse of prescription drugs by school age youth.
Big Arm Association
The Big Arm Association will be hosting our monthly potluck on Friday, January 17 at the historic Big Arm School. Bring a dish to share with your neighbors and friends. You are welcome to come at 5:30 to socialize, and our meal will begin at 6:00.
Our special guest speaker will be District Court Judge Kim Christopher of Polson. Her presentation will begin at 7:00. Please join us for a fun-filled, informative evening. For further information, please feel free to contact : Bonnie Eddy at 883-8308 or Nancy Foster at 849-5064.
Get help with FAFSA
Polson High School will help Montana students complete and file their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at College Goal Montana on Monday and Tuesday, February 3rd and 4th in the Polson High School library. Volunteers will be available from 9:00 - 4:00 both days, and from 5:30 - 7:30 on Monday the 3rd.
Filling out the FAFSA is a crucial step in the process to securing federal and institutional aid to help pay for postsecondary education. Volunteers at the local event dedicate their time to perform duties ranging from greeting and registering families, to providing advice to families completing the FAFSA.
In addition to providing one-on-one support at our local College Goal Montana event, this year College Goal Montana will feature short videos to help students and families complete the FAFSA. You can access these videos at SmartAboutCollege.org. Students who file their FAFSA at College Goal Montana and complete a short, online survey will also be entered into a random drawing for a $500 scholarship.
Remember, this help is free of charge. Students from all area high schools are welcome to attend. There will be a pre-FAFSA financial aid presentation in the Polson High School auditorium at 6:00pm, Tuesday, January 21st, to explain the federal financial aid process and help students/parents prepare for submitting the FAFSA at College Goal Montana. Students/parents should contact Emily Johnson, Guidance Counselor at Polson High School for more information, or visit SmartAboutCollege.org.
Daughters of the American Revolution
The Kuilix chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution will meet at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 21 at the United Methodist Church, North of St. Ignatius on Hwy 93 (top of the hill). Refreshments served at 12 noon.
Our guest speaker will be Judge Brenda C. Desmond from Missoula Veterans Court, “Keeping Faith with Veterans”. Four local high schools have contestants for the DAR sponsored “Good Citizen Essay” contest awards in February.
Half Marathon in Polson
On Saturday, January 11th Polson Running will be holding it’s First Annual Sorry ‘Bout That Half Marathon. Race registration starts at 9 a.m, and the race begins at 10 a.m. The start and finish lines are at Mission Valley Aquatic Center. If you have any questions you can also contact me, Michael Brandt at (267) 261-2761.
Polson School Board Meeting and Federal Impact Funds Review
A final approval request for Policy 7231 and Procedure 7231P, Federal Impact Funds will be brought to the Board of Trustees at the Regular Board Meeting on Jan. 13. A public meeting will be held at the regular board meeting at 5:30 p.m. to allow public comment. The policy and procedure can be reviewed on the District’s webpage. Contact Pam Owen at 883-6355 ext. 602 with questions.
Ninepipes Art Group
Save the Date for Ninepipes Art Group’s yearly Valentine’s Party & Fundraiser. “Time to reflect”- February 1st, 2014 at the Leon Hall Community Clubhouse. For more information call Caroline at 406-644-2311.