Mission Valley Calendar

Ronan Pioneer Days – Aug. 2-4 at the Lake County Fairgrounds and downtown Ronan; the annual community celebration includes a Kids’ Fishing Derby and Bulls and Broncs on Friday; the Mission Mountain Classic Run, 3-on-3 JAMboree, softball tourney, car show and City Slicker and open rodeos on Saturday; and the Big Parade, open rodeo and Wild Buffalo Ride on Sunday, with street dances Friday and Saturday. Head to www.facebook.com/RonanPioneerDays/ for the full schedule.

The Cemetery Club – 7:30 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays through Aug. 11 at the Theatre on the Lake at Boettcher Park in Polson; three widows who meet once a month for tea, before going to visit their husband's graves, until Sam the butcher interrupts the ritual in this touching comedy by the Port Polson Players. Call 406-883-9212 or go to portpolsonplayers.com.

Reception and Book Signing: RuthiE Neilan – 1 p.m. Aug. 2 at the North Lake County Library in Polson; homegrown author and retired Hospice nurse shares excerpts from her memoir, A Sweet Taste of the Last Slice. She’ll also appear at Ninepipes Museum Aug. 3 during First Saturday.

First Saturday – 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Aug. 3 at Ninepipes Museum south of Ronan; meet local artists, authors and musicians during the museum’s monthly gathering. This month’s lineup includes traditional Native artists Aspen and Cameron Decker, cartoonists and felt artisans Terry and Shawn Davis, authors RuthiE Neilan and Dave Scott, sculptor Patrick Zabel, potter Carolyn Schoening, and mohair tack-maker Janey Salomon. Lyle Cronk plays western tunes from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Search & Rescue Benefit Horseshoe Tournament – 2 p.m. Aug. 3 at the Valley Club in Ronan; sign up at 1 p.m.

Book Talk: Susie Wall, “100 Things to Do in Montana Before You Die” – 6-7:30 p.m. Aug. 6 at the North Lake County Library; local author discusses, sells and signs copies of her book.

Salish Kootenai College Golf Scramble – 8:30 a.m. or 1:30 p.m. Aug. 9-10 at Silver Fox Golf Course in Pablo; choose between four separate sessions in this 18-hole scramble that raises funds for scholarships. For info, call 406-275-4983.

Courthouse Art Festival, Rotary Brewfest and Cruisin’ by the Bay Car Show – 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Aug. 10 on the courthouse lawn and on Main Street in Polson. Downtown is hopping with the Sandpiper Gallery’s annual art show, an afternoon brewfest in front of the Elks, and a large contingent of classic cars parked on Main Street.

Mann Gulch 75th Anniversary Tribute Memorial Tribute for Philip R. McVey – 2 p.m. Aug. 10 at the Ronan Cemetery; McVey, was one of 13 federal firefighters who perished in the 1949 Mann Gulch Fire northwest of Helena. It was his fifth season with the Forest Service and his second season as a smokejumper. As a veteran, he’ll also be honored by a local American Legion Post color guard. The ceremony is part of a series of graveside memorial services sponsored by the National Smokejumper Association. Visit: www.montanadiscoveryfoundation.org/manngulch75/ to learn more.

Flathead Waters Cleanup – 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Aug. 10 on rivers, streams and lakes across the Flathead basin; assemble a team, select a site and get to work. Afterward, head to Sacred Waters Brewery in Kalispell for food, drinks, and chances to win prizes. Local sponsors include CSKT Natural Resources and Lake County Conservation District.

"Talk the Talk: Then and Now – Student Photographs 2001-2024" – on display through Aug. 30 at the Three Woodcocks Gallery at Salish Kootenai College; exhibit celebrates the photography of Two Eagle River and SKC students, created under the tutelage of master photographer David Spear.

The Ayes (Eyes) Have It" – through Sept. 13 at Sandpiper Gallery and Gifts in Polson; gallery members interpret the theme. Visit www.sandpiperartgalleryandgifts.com/.

Open Mic and Jam – 7 p.m. Fridays at the Western Montana Musicians Co-op, Ronan; also on tap is a weekly Community Jam at 7 p.m. Saturdays. The cooperative is located in the Red Poppy Building, 1 Eisenhower St. SW in Ronan. Learn more at www.mtmusic.org.

Farmers’ Markets – Ronan: 4-7 p.m. Thursdays at the Ronan Visitor’s Center, with music by Pete Moller from 4-6 p.m. (www.facebook.com/RonanFarmersMarket); Polson: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Fridays on 3rd Ave. W. (polsonfarmersmarket.com). Mission Falls Market: 4:30-7 p.m. Fridays at Good Old Days Park in St. Ignatius (https://www.facebook.com/missionfallsmarket). Support local famers and crafters at these weekly markets.

Rock the Dock Series – 7 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays at KwaTaqNuk Resort in Polson; performers include Tommy Edwards, Aug. 1; Caselli and Crew, Aug. 2; Black Cherry, Aug. 9; and Redhawk, Aug. 15.

Email event submissions to editor@leaderadvertiser.com.

Upcoming meetings

Kiwanis – First Thursday of the month, noon at Kwataqnuk Resort, and third Thursday of the month, 5:30 p.m. at Bunkers, Polson Bay Golf Course; Kiwanis is an international organization dedicated to improving the world one child, one community at a time. Meetings are open to the public.

Cheerful Heart Cancer Support Group – noon-1 p.m. on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month in the chapel at St. Joseph Medical Center; anyone affected by cancer is invited to participate in this group led by Matthew Connally of the Ronan/Polson Nazarene Church. Learn more at www.cheerfulheart.org.