Sunday, November 19
CASA training offered Nov. 11, 18 and 25
POLSON — Become a volunteer CASA Advocate. Training with CASA of Lake and Sanders Counties will be offered Nov. 11, 18 and 25. Advocates are needed for abused and neglected children throughout Lake County. Call 406-883-0158 for more information.
Sunday, November 19
Quilters complete annual fundraiser
RONAN — Mission Valley Quilters Guild complete their fundraiser challenge for the Ronan Senior Center on this date. During this annual event, quilters display their projects at the Ronan Senior Center and the public votes on them by donations. The center is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, so stop in, bring your spare change and vote on these wonderful projects. This event runs Nov. 8-Dec. 1.
Benefit concert supports Mission mural repairs
ST. IGNATIUS — Come to the benefit concert for the St. Ignatius Mission murals presented by the St. Ignatius Mission Sunday Choir, the Children’s Choir, the Cronk Choir, Fred and Patience Matt, and Del Nicholson and Friends at 3 p.m. in the St. Ignatius Mission on Sunday, Nov. 19. Sacred music for church, for children, and for Advent will be presented. Guests are invited to sing along at the end of the program. A reception will follow. Our choirs always are thankful for the continued support of the repair of the beautiful murals in the Mission Church. Call if you have any questions at 406-726-3540.
Furniture auction supports Boys and Girls Club
RONAN — The Granleys have donated furnishings from the Total Home to the Boys and Girls Club of the Flathead Reservation and Lake County. These furnishings will be auctioned on Sunday, Nov. 19, from 4-7 p.m. at the Total Home building in Ronan. Auction items include: dining sets, living room furniture, chairs, lamps, decor and much more. Drinks and appetizers will be served. Come take a look at the future home of the Ronan Boys and Girls Club before the remodel begins.
Tuesday, November 21
Audubon program talks Mars
POLSON — ”Five Years of Exploring Mars with the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity Rover" by Dr. Tim Olson will be Mission Mountain Audubon's evening program on Tuesday, Nov. 21, at 7 p.m. in the Polson Library meeting room. Everyone is welcome.
The NASA Mars Science Laboratory rover Curiosity has been operating on the Martian surface since August 2012.The primary goal of the MSL mission is to assess whether Mars ever had an environment suitable for life. MSL Science Team member Tim Olson will provide an overview of the rover’s capabilities and the major findings from the mission so far.
Mission Mountain Audubon to meet
"Five Years of Exploring Mars with the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity Rover" by Dr. Tim Olson will be Mission Mountain Audubon's evening program at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 21 in the Polson Library Meeting Room. Everyone is welcome.
Tim Olson has been a faculty member at Salish Kootenai College since 1995. He is a member of the NASA Mars Science Laboratory Science Team, a co-investigator for the Mastcam, MAHLI, and MARDI cameras on the Mars Science Laboratory rover, and a Payload Uplink Lead for Mars surface operations of the Mastcam cameras.
Opportunity to donate blood in Polson
POLSON — Donate blood through the American Red Cross from noon-5 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 21, at New Life Church, 1414 Second St. W. Make an appointment to give blood by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, or by visiting: redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-733-2767.
Ronan Library announces shortened hours, closures
RONAN — On Tuesday, Nov. 21, the Ronan Library will be closed for a staff work day. The library will close early on Wednesday, Nov. 22, with hours of 10 a.m.-3 p.m. The library will also be closed Thursday, Nov. 23, and Friday, Nov. 24, in celebration of Thanksgiving.
Thursday, November 23
Bring leftovers, view movie at MOAM
POLSON —”Night at the Museum” takes place at the Miracle of America Museum, on Memory Lane, monthly. This month we will gather on Thursday, Nov. 23, Thanksgiving Day. Please join us for a “Leftover Potluck” at 6:30 p.m. and after the meal, the showing of “Duty, Honor, Sacrifice,” a feature-length documentary about the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the training of the men who tirelessly guard it. This event is free and everyone is welcome. An RSVP is appreciated regarding food. Call 406-883-6804 or 406-270-7895 for more information.
Free Thanksgiving Community Dinner served
ST. IGNATIUS — A free Thanksgiving Community Dinner will be served on Thursday, Nov. 23, from noon –2 p.m. A full homemade dinner with turkey, ham and all the trimmings will be served at the St. Ignatius Middle School Commons area. There will be signs in town to show directions. Everyone is welcome to share the bounty and enjoy eating with our friends, neighbors, and community. This event is hosted by the St. Ignatius Christian Missionary Alliance Church. If you want more information, call 406-360-0563 or 406- 273-8203.
Plan to attend Community Thanksgiving Day Dinner
POLSON — The annual Community Thanksgiving Day Dinner will be on Thursday, Nov. 23, (you know, Thanksgiving!), from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Polson Senior Center, 504 Third Ave. E. If a delivery is needed, anyone can call the center at 406-883-4735 to request one. Everyone is welcome, dinner is free, with donations happily accepted.
Ronan continues Community Thanksgiving Dinner tradition
RONAN — It started small eleven years ago. Over the years it has grown, bringing people together for a time of friendship, food, music and fun. The thirteenth annual Ronan Community Thanksgiving Dinner will be on Nov. 23 from 11 a.m.-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. Festivities for the day include entertainment and a traditional turkey dinner. Volunteers are needed to help serve, cook, and clean up. Turkeys, pies, and rolls, are also needed. Call 406- 250-8808 to donate food and Ronan Chamber at 406-676-8300 to volunteer some time.
Friday, November 24
Final day to enter parade
POLSON — Friday, Nov. 24, is the final day to submit your application to be in the Polson Parade of Lights parade scheduled for Friday, Dec. 1. Return applications to Shawneen Turner at the Rack, 308 Main Street in Polson. Trophies and prizes will be given out for: best of parade; best animation; best light display, most whimsical, most creative and most humorous.
Saturday, November 25
Ronan Library open regular hours
RONAN — On Saturday, Nov. 25, Ronan Library will be open their regular hours, from 10 a.m. -5 p.m.
Shop ‘Small Business Saturday’
MISSION VALLEY — Make your way to any smalltown business on Saturday, Nov. 25, and shop “Small Business Saturday.” Local businesses will have specials to celebrate.
Monday, November 27
YLM to elect board members
RONAN — Your Life Matters project will hold annual election of board members on Monday, Nov. 27, at 6:30 p.m. in the “Cottonwood” board room at St. Luke’s Hospital. We invite anyone interested in running as a board member to attend this meeting. The YLM project is a non-profit group of community members and are here to get the word out about suicide prevention and awareness.
Thursday, November 30
Give blood at the Mission
ST. IGNATIUS — Donate blood through the American Red Cross from noon-6:15 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 30, at St. Ignatius Mission Parish, 300 Beartrack Ave. Make an appointment to give blood by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, or by visiting: redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-733-2767.
Friday, December 1
Gallery welcomes all
POLSON — Takes Horse Gallery, 49487 Highway 93, welcomes you with hot apple cider, fry bread sticks, and berry pudding dip during Polson’s Parade of Lights. Please help us ring in the holiday season while you stop in for great gift-giving ideas. For more information, call 406-224-4943.
Polson holds Parade of Lights
POLSON — On Friday, Dec. 1, beginning at 6 p.m., the town of Polson will celebrate the holiday season with their annual parade of lights. This family fun event includes candy for the kids and of course Santa.
Visit ‘Lights Under the Big Sky’ event
RONAN —The Lights Under the Big Sky event at the Fairgrounds in Ronan begins Dec. 1, and runs the first three weekends in December: Dec. 1-3, 8-10 and 15-17. This Christmas festival will be great fun for everyone. There will be a wonderful Christmas Market, lots of kids’ activities, live music, tasty food and great light displays, all to help make the holidays merry and bright. Hours of operation are 5-9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 1-6 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $3 per person. A family rate of $15 for six or more people is offered on Sundays. Children 4-years and younger are free. Kids’ crafts will begin in the Elf Workshop at 5:30 p.m.
Saturday, December 2
4-H Bazaar opens at Lights Under the Big Sky
RONAN — The 4-H Bazaar begins at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 2, and closes at 4 p.m. The Community Center will host the Big Sky Christmas Market starting at 2 p.m. The Lights Under the Big Sky lighting goes on at 5 p.m. and kids’ crafts begin in the Elf House at 5:30 p.m. Jimni will play for dancers in the Horticulture Barn from 6ish-9 p.m. The Valley Club will provide a catered bar.
All ages invited to Christmas Carnival
ST. IGNATIUS — On Saturday, Dec. 2, the St. Ignatius Chamber of Commerce with host the annual Christmas Carnival at the Community Center at 2 p.m. There will be games and prizes for everyone of all ages. Come and join the fun. At 5:30 p.m. the town Christmas tree will be lit at Gariepy Park. There will be chili, beverages and cookies followed by caroling on hay wagons that will lead the Parade of Lights parade. The Chamber encourages all businesses, churches and organizations to have a float. There is no entry fee. For more information, contact Darren Orr at Mountain View Cenex. After the parade we will meet back at the park for a free drawing for a nice Christmas gift. Come join the fun.
Enjoy annual holiday extravaganza
HOT SPRINGS — The annual Christmas Extravaganza will be held in the school’s multi-purpose room at 6 p.m.
Enjoy nachos
ARLEE — Enjoy a nacho dinner and some homegrown “LIVE” music at the National Honor Society winter fundraiser at the Brown Building in Arlee on Dec. 2 from 6:30- 9 p.m. Adult dinners cost $5, students 12 and under cost $3. Call 406-726-3216 x2315 for more details.
Enjoy singing, potluck at Big Arm holiday event
BIG ARM — On Saturday, Dec. 2, the Big Arm Association’s Holiday Concert/Dessert Potluck takes place at the Historic Big Arm School at 6 p.m. Charles Lutz and friends will fill our schoolhouse will holiday music. Come join us, bring a dessert to share.
Get involved with Ronan Brewery
RONAN — Love Ronan? Love good beer? Find out how to get involved with the Ronan Cooperative Brewery on Saturday, Dec. 2, from 5-7 p.m. at the Valley Club Bar & Café, 407 Third Ave. NW. For more information, call 406-676-5901.
Lutheran Church holds first annual Christmas Bazaar, Café
POLSON — Good Shepherd Lutheran Church will hold their first annual Christmas Bazaar and Café on Saturday, Dec. 2, from 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Bazaar vendor tables are available for $35 per table. Café food will include donuts, muffins, breakfast burritos, chili, soup, hot dogs, sausage, chips and drinks. Call for more information at 406-253-1590.