Rides, exhibits, vintage vehicles popular at Live History Days
Live History Days at the Miracle of America Museum in Polson is always a fun time for everybody – families, couples, motorheads, or anyone who loves vintage things.
Time Capsule: From the Archives
Headlines gleaned from the archives of local weekly newspapers
Despite heat, powwow attracts crowd
Though the weather has been broiling, the Standing Arrow Powwow in Elmo last weekend went on as planned from July 18-21.
Ronan City Council okays party permits
At the July 10, Ronan City Council meeting, members discussed the Mission Range Event Center annexation, the agricultural restriction on the land, and the Pioneer Days Committee lease.
Charlo celebrates the Fourth of July
You could give a child a bag of candy the size of what they could collect at the parade, and they’d still want to go to the parade. It’s kid logic: it’s just more fun to run as far as your mom will let you onto the street, to beat your brother to the gummy bears, and to check out the good candy and who was stingy throwing treats.
Arlee celebrates Fourth with 40th Open Rodeo
The Arlee Open Rodeo celebrated 40 years this year. Traditionally held on the Fourth of July, the rodeo arena is located off Powwow Road near the powwow grounds. The performance started at 2 p.m., and the stands were jam-packed on a sunny day.
Arlee Celebration welcomes dancers, spectators
The 124th annual Arlee Esyapqeyni, which means celebration in Salish, began its seven-day run on July 1 and provided six days of culture and powwow dancing. The powwow theme was “In Honor of Our Elders – Past and Present.”
Mission Mountain Rodeo draws good crowd
Audience members flocked to the Mission Mountain Rodeo on Friday and Saturday nights. Attendance was up, according to Polson Fairgrounds Inc. secretary Una Rose Graham. PFI produces the annual event.
406 Rodeo focused on the future of rodeo
406 Rodeo calls itself a company focused on the future of rodeo, and it’s true. Joe and Lacie DeMers not only cater to adult riders, they also supply stock for Junior Rodeo Association kids and Junior Rough Stock competitors.
Polson house fire controlled, cats rescued
The Polson Volunteer Fire Department was paged out at 12:29 p.m. June 25 to a structure fire at 11th Ave. on June 25. A neighbor called in the fire.
Sen. Tester makes campaign stop at Pache
Fresh from a meeting with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal Council, U.S. Sen. Jon Tester breezed into the park at Pache Home Sites in Ronan at 3 p.m. Sunday.
Circus brings animals, clowns, exotic acts to Ronan
Wendell is a teenage lion, but he weighs in at 450 pounds. He and lioness Delilah are head-lion-ers for the Culpepper & Merryweather Circus, which performed two shows Sunday in Ronan.
Veritas Grill offers fun summer food at Boettcher
Does a smash burger with bacon, cheese, and grilled onions fire up your appetite? How about a Philly-cheese steak sandwich? The Veritas Grill at Boettcher Park can fix you up with either.
The Big Bang: Fireworks allowed, but only through July 5
Next Wednesday is the Fourth of July, a time when most Americans celebrate the Declaration of Independence, which was signed July 4, 1776. People enjoy picnics, parades, family get-togethers, the Arlee Powwow and fireworks.
Council schedules meeting on MREC annexation
The saga of the Mission Range Event Center continued last Wednesday as the Ronan City Council unanimously passed resolution 2024-48 approving the purchase of the MREC property from Lake County.
Fort Connah Rendezvous honors Joe McDonald
The 23rd annual Fort Connah Rendezvous was held Saturday and Sunday, June 15-16, at the historic fort north of St. Ignatius. The public portion of the Rendezvous opened at noon Saturday with the Great Scots Bagpipers, followed by members of the Fort Connah Restoration Society leading a riderless sorrel horse, symbolizing respect and mourning for Joe McDonald.
Sandpiper mural takes art to the community
Venture to the city docks in Polson, and you’ll see a brightly colored lake scene on the Sacajawea Park restroom building. It’s painted shades of turquoise, dark green, gold, and pink.
Commencement speaker praises "energy, fire and power" of SKC grads
Relatives and loved ones packed the seats at Salish Kootenai College’s Joe McDonald center Saturday for the 44th commencement ceremony.
Time Capsule: From the archives of local weeklies
Headlines harvested from the archives of local weekly newspapers
Students in Teen Art Project to unveil work June 20
“It’s floral design,” Deja-nay Little-Mary said, showing a page of her Coptic art book, which had sketches, ideas and other art projects from the two-month Teen Art Project (TAP) class, held on Fridays at the Community Development Center in Arlee.
School powwow lights up events center
Flashes of feathers and brightly beaded regalia interspersed with hoodies and jeans made up the crowd of Ronan middle and high school kids dancing an intertribal dance at the school powwow on May 29.
RHS graduates encouraged to “Go forth and shine”
With the class motto “2 Cool 4 School,” the Ronan High School Class of 2024 has spunk, character and lots of enthusiasm.
Ronan students offer inaugural Out to Lunch Concert
Last Wednesday brought sunshine, a smattering of clouds and a lot of good music to the lawn in front of Ronan Middle School.
Cherry crop damaged by January deep freeze
January’s cold spell has returned to haunt Flathead cherry growers. “It’s something I’ve known since the day after the hard freeze,” said Finley Point orchard owner Brian Campbell of the impact the cold had on cherry trees.
Ronan secures MREC land from Lake County
There should have been confetti and a parade as Lake County Commissioners made a move to put the Mission Recreation Event Center land to use.
Charlo's newest corral sells coffee
Charlo has many corrals in and around the town, but only one Coffee Corral. The full-time drive-through coffee shop is located right next to Coulter Automotive on Hwy. 212.
Ronan council approves street closures for summer events
The Ronan City Council helped clear the way for summer events Wednesday evening by approving the following open container permits and street closures:
Time Capsule: From the weekly archives
Headlines harvested from weekly newspapers of yore
Ag Days: More than 350 fourth graders learn where food comes from
Games of Hot Potato and Bingo were going on in the indoor arena at Josh and Sarah Senecal’s ranch on May 14 and 15. While it was fun, Future Farmers of America Bryanne Zemple, Brianne Zempel, Seeley McDonald, and Maizey McDonald were also using the games to teach kids about the humble spud.
SKC powwow honors graduates
The 2024 Graduate Honoring Powwow brought dancers, drum members, families, and spectators to the Joe McDonald Health and Fitness Center at Salish Kootenai College on May 17 and 18.
Three graduations this week
Polson, St. Ignatius and Arlee high schools hold graduation ceremonies on Saturday, June 1.
“Little Women” graces Polson High School stage
Jo, Meg, Beth, and Amy March took possession of the stage at Polson High School on Friday night and Sunday afternoon in a play presented by the PHS Theatre Program.
Love chosen as western region Superintendent of the Year
Ask Steve Love what he likes about being superintendent at Charlo Schools, and he’ll say the variety and the rural school values.
MREC on Ronan City Council agenda again
Mission Range Event Center was on the agenda at the Ronan City Council meeting on Wednesday, May 8.
MMIP walk/run raises awareness of those who are missing
To call attention to Missing and Murdered Indigenous People, Salish Kootenai College, Providence St. Joseph’s Medical Center, Safe Harbor, and the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes collaborated for a second year on the MMIP Awareness 5K Walk/Run, held May 4 at the Silver Fox Golf Course in Pablo.
Head Start Powwow honors Jeanne Christopher
Children who attend Head Start in the 10 classrooms around Lake County waited as patiently as they could for the Head Start Powwow to begin at the Ronan Event Center gym last Friday night.
Ronan boutique carries classy, quirky clothing and jewelry
The Jaded Pony Boutique’s wares are a lot cowgirl and a bit sass, sparkle, and snark. Anything but cluttered, the Jaded Pony mirrors the style and personality of Kelly Jo Nagle, who owns the business with her husband, Dusty.
Buttigieg highlights Hwy. 93 funding during reservation visit
The Bi-Partisan Infrastructure Law and its connection to safety for people and wildlife was on Pete Buttigieg’s mind during his recent visit to the Flathead Reservation. Buttigieg, the U.S. Transportation Secretary, was in Western Montana Monday and Tuesday to celebrate funding from the Bi-Partisan Infrastructure Act, passed by Congress and signed by President Biden in 2021.
Governor, Dayton students initiate Big Arm Archery Range
Governor Greg Gianforte launched the first arrow, followed by a group of Dayton Elementary students last Wednesday during the official opening of the Big Arm Public Archery Range.
Ronan Council delves into MREC property again
In the ongoing effort to decide the future of the Mission Recreation Event Center property in Ronan, the Ronan City Council discussed a recent letter from the Lake County Commissioners during their regular meeting last Wednesday.
Time Capsule: Headlines from the weekly archives
Flathead Beacon, 1960: Who’s the better runner over a 72-mile distance – a man or a horse? Flathead Courier, 1974: Flathead Tribes protest personal property taxes
Tribal Health helps rescue Buttercup Run
A one-mile run, a 5k, and a 10k fun run gave runners options in the Jocko Valley Buttercup Run, held Saturday in Arlee. Audrey Claire Espinoza, 6, won the one-mile run.
Charlo School Board: Five vie for openings
Five candidates have filed for the two three-year trustee positions open in Charlo School District 7J, according to District Clerk Sara Vaughan. Incumbent Jodie Buxbaum, Kristin Marcure Bauer, Tina Firestone, Matt Hout and Branden Jenson have filed for the seats.
Mission Valley Choral Society welcomes spring
Sunlight was pouring into the St. Ignatius Mission Catholic Church, painting bright colors through the stained glass windows as the Mission Valley Choral Society began their first weekend concert on Saturday.
Boots were scootin’ at the Cowboy Ball
Lake County Commissioner Bill Barron called the Cowboy Ball the first party of the summer season, and this year’s party was well-attended with more than 600 people sporting boots, jeans, hats, and, for the ladies, big turquoise, stepping into the huge, heated tent at the fairgrounds.
School board ballots in the mail
Ballots for school board elections across Lake County were mailed to voters April 22 and must be returned to the Lake County Election Office in the Lake County Courthouse by 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 7. The U.S. Post Office recommends mailing ballots by April 30 – at least a week before Election Day – so they’ll arrive at the courthouse by May 7.
Polson School Board: Four vie for three seats
The Polson School District has three trustee seats open in the elementary district. Since incumbent Steven "Shane" Orien is running unopposed in the high school district, that election was cancelled and he will be elected by acclamation.
St. Ignatius School Board: Six candidates on ballot
In School District 28, six candidates are competing for two three-year terms. The ballot includes incumbent Jeff Evans, Rochelle Groom, Tim Marchant, Peter Matt, Darren Orr and Rhianna Rhukala.
Progress continues on Ronan water project
The Ronan City Council meeting on April 10 was so short and sweet it should have been on Valentine’s Day.
MREC flip-flop: County makes counter-offer
Meetings between the Lake County Commissioners and the Ronan Pioneer Days Committee concerning the Mission Recreation Event Center property in Ronan are not unusual.