RONAN — Ronan’s Adult Education will have open gym at K. William Harvey Elementary School on Dec. 9, 11, 16, 18, from 7:30 p.m.-9 p.m. Come enjoy a community game of basketball. Must be 18 or older. Please call Francy Moll at (406) 676-3990 ext 7728, for more information. 

RONAN — The eighth annual “Community Spirit Basket Fundraiser” event, sponsored by Community Bank, will take place between Nov. 3 and Dec. 11. Local businesses/ organizations from the community donate baskets of goods and raise funds for the Ronan and Polson Food Pantries. Raffle tickets will be sold at the front desk at either of the Ronan and Polson lobbies for $1 and placed in the basket of the purchaser’s choice. (Need not be present for drawing.) The drawing will take place on Thursday, Dec. 11, in conjunction with the Ronan Chamber Roundup held at Ronan Community Bank from 5–7 p.m. The basket drawing will be at 6 p.m. Call for additional details at (406) 676-4600.

RONAN-PABLO-POLSON — The Community Bank “Holiday Dollar” Program, offering 0% APR Holiday Dollar loans to qualified applicants for purchase of goods and services in Ronan, Pablo and Polson, begins on Nov. 17. Participating merchants will accept “Holiday Dollars” at face value through Dec 31, 2014. Call (406) 676-4600, for details.

PABLO — The KSKC-TV, a public television station owned and operated by Salish Kootenai College, is scheduled to hold their on-air fundraiser Wednesday and Thursday, Dec. 10 and 11, beginning at 6 p.m. each evening. Viewers can call in bids and people are welcome to come to the campus at SKC in Pablo to participate in-person. The auction will be held in the SKC Three Wolves Deli, right next to the D’Arcy McNickle Library. Free refreshments will be served.

Participants are encouraged to arrive around 5:30 p.m. to get a good seat and enjoy the auction. The annual drive funds operation and maintenance of the only local TV entity in the valley.

RONAN — The eighth annual Community Spirit Raffle, sponsored by Community Bank to benefit Lake County Food Pantries, takes place at Community Bank Ronan at 6 p.m. on Dec. 11. Baskets are on display at both the Ronan and Polson Community Banks until the drawing date. You can purchase raffle tickets for $1 each at the front desk and then put your name on the back of the ticket and place them in the attached bag on the basket of your choice. For additional details, call (406) 676-4600.

POLSON - The Glacier Brewing Company will be hosting a silent auction from Thursday, Dec. 11 from 5-8 p.m. in our tasting room at 10th Avenue and Main Street in Polson. We are raising funds to help purchase a bulletproof/stabproof vest for Brody, the Polson Police Dog. Cash donations are also welcomed.

POLSON — "The population decline of long-eared owls in Western Montana,” by Denver Holt, will be the next Mission Mountain Audubon program on Thursday, Dec. 11, at 7 p.m. in the Polson Library meeting room. Everyone is welcome.

VALLEY VIEW — Valley View Women’s Club monthly meeting is Thursday, Dec. 11, at 7 p.m. Call Kelly Bailey at (406) 883-2910, if you would like to attend. Our Community Potluck is on Sunday, Dec. 14, and begins with social time at 5:30 p.m. Dinner is at 6 p.m. at the Valley View Clubhouse. Bring your favorite potluck dish to share, and come and enjoy visiting with family and friends. All are welcome.

RONAN — The VFW 5652 and the Ladies Auxiliary of Ronan would like to invite veterans, their families and the public to a Community Christmas Potluck Dinner to be held at the VFW Hall in Ronan on Thursday, Dec. 11, at 6 p.m. Bring a salad or a dessert. Main dishes will be furnished. For more information, call Marge Fay at (406) 676-3380.

POLSON — On Thursday, Dec. 11, The Miracle of America Museum will hold a reading of the “Christmas Story” and show the movie “Mr. Krueger's Christmas” with Jimmy Stewart, at 6:30 p.m. Bring your favorite treat to share. For more information, call Gil at (406) 883-6264.

POLSON — Old and new, collectible and unusual Christmas decorations and gifts will be available at “A Beautiful Christmas” bazaar on Friday, Dec. 12, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. Carved olive wood ornaments from Bethlehem and a blown-glass tree topper from Poland are among the decorations. An assortment of baked goodies will also be available. Good Shepherd is located at 409 Fourth Ave. E.

RONAN — The K. William Harvey Christmas Concert is on Dec. 12, at the Performance Arts Center, which is located in the Ronan Events Center. There are four concerts: first graders perform at 9 a.m.; fourth graders at 10:30 a.m.; second graders at 12:30 p.m.; and third graders at 2 p.m. 

POLSON — A free dinner will be served at Polson Presbyterian Church. The December Friendship Table Dinner is coming up on Dec. 12 from 5-7 p.m. Polson Presbyterian Church is located across from the Linderman School. Come join us. This dinner is free and open to all.

ARLEE — Bearhead Swaney Intertribal Playwrights’ Center artistic director William S. Yellow Robe, Jr. and associate artistic director Keith Conway will present an evening of readings of poems, monologues, scenes and lyrics on Friday, Dec. 12, at 7 p.m. at Hangin' Art Gallery in Arlee. This reading is to demonstrate how the written word can be transferred into performance and how an actor/performer/reader makes this transformation possible.

Hangin' Art Gallery is on Highway 93 in downtown Arlee. This event is presented on a free-will donation basis. For additional information, call (406) 726-5550 or email arleecdc@arleemontana.org.

KALISPELL — The Kalispell Vet Center is having their fourth annual open house on Friday, Dec. 12, from 1-4 p.m. at the Kalispell Vet Center on 690 N. Meridian Road. Each year, the Kalispell Vet Center opens their doors in order to reach out to veterans, provide service education to the community and to fellowship with other veterans. Staff, volunteers, local community members, organizations and businesses have all jumped into the event by supplying all of the entertainment, food, and refreshments. Questions regarding this event should be directed to the Kalispell Vet Center at (406) 257-7308.

ARLEE — On Saturday, Dec. 13, Bearhead Swaney Intertribal Playwrights’ Center artistic director William S. Yellow Robe, Jr. and associate artistic director Keith Conway will lead writing and acting workshops from 9-11:30 a.m. and 1-3:30 p.m. at Hangin' Art Gallery.

The playwriting workshop, led by Yellow Robe, will feature discussions and writing exercising on how to develop dialogue, character, and the theme of a play. Conway will host acting workshops on how an actor approaches written text through thought, body, breathing and movement.

Hangin' Art Gallery is on Highway 93 in downtown Arlee.

Workshops are given on a free-will donation basis. Pre-registration for one or both workshops on Saturday is helpful, although not required. 

For additional information or to pre-register, call (406) 726-5550 or email arleecdc@arleemontana.org.

BIG ARM — On Saturday, Dec. 13, the Big Arm Association will host a fun-filled afternoon for children who will try to figure out “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” We will view the original movie and our historic schoolhouse will be filled with games and Grinch-related arts and crafts for the children to enjoy. Snacks will be provided. Come join the fun from 2-4 p.m. For more information, contact Nancy Foster at (406) 849-5064.

RONAN — The Kuilix chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution will host a Christmas party for the residents of the St. Luke’s Assisted Living Center in Ronan at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 13. We will be entertained with festive holiday music played by “Ukulele Jam.” Refreshments will be provided.

PABLO — Salish Kootenai College Spirit of the Bison student organization will host a holiday bazaar on Saturday, Dec. 13, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Joe McDonald Health and Fitness Center on the SKC campus. 

POLSON — Author Cyndi Elliott will hold an open house on Sunday, Dec. 14, from 4-8 p.m., to celebrate her new book titled, “I See Ability.” The open house will take place at her home, 40403 Forman Road, Polson. Books will be available for purchase and will be signed by the author.

Explore the different abilities of people through this artful expression created by Cyndi. The focus is directed at the talents and abilities of the characters versus the often “over emphasized” condition or diagnosis they have. To learn more about Cyndi and her book and artwork, visit her online at: ISeeAbility.com.

POLSON — Listen to the Mission Valley Choral Society along with the Polson High School Brass Ensemble and the Flathead Flute Choir at the annual Christmas Concert on Sunday, Dec. 14 at 3 p.m. at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 409 Fourth Ave. E.

VALLEY VIEW — Valley View Women’s Club Community Potluck is on Sunday, Dec. 14, and begins with social time at 5:30 p.m. Dinner is at 6 p.m. at the Valley View Clubhouse. Bring your favorite potluck dish to share, and come and enjoy visiting with family and friends. All are welcome.

POLSON — The special board meeting scheduled for Monday, Dec. 15 at 4 p.m. will be held in the Linderman cafeteria, not in the district office.

POLSON — The next Polson City Commission meeting will be held on Monday, Dec. 15 at 7 p.m. at Polson City Hall.

RONAN — Faith Lutheran Church in Ronan will hold soup suppers during Wednesdays in December at 6 p.m. followed by evening worship services at 7 p.m. All are welcome as we enter this Advent season worshiping our God who comes to dwell with us.

POLSON — Ken’s Country Combo will play for the Community Dance on Wednesday, Dec. 17, from 7-10 p.m. Please bring treats to share. They are awesome. There will be no dance on Dec. 24. 

RONAN - St. Paul Lutheran Church invites you to Advent Services at 7 p.m. Join us for soup supper before the service at 6 p.m. The church is located at 35861 Terrace Lake Road, Ronan. Call the church at 676-8280 for more information.

POLSON — The eighth annual “Community Spirit Basket Fundraiser” event, sponsored by Community Bank, will take place between Nov. 3 and Dec. 11. 

Local businesses/organizations from the community donate baskets of sorts and raise funds for the Ronan and Polson Food Pantries. Raffle tickets will be sold at the front desk at either of the Ronan and Polson lobbies for $1 and placed in the basket of the purchaser’s choice. (Need not be present for drawing.)

The Polson drawing will take place on Thursday, Dec. 18, in conjunction with the Polson SPLASH held at St. Joseph Medical Center from 5–7 p.m. 

The basket drawing will be at 6 p.m. Call for additional details at (406) 883-0600.

RONAN — To remember those who cannot be with us during the holidays, the Ronan High School Student Council is sponsoring a “Remembrance Lantern” program. Sky Lanterns will be released Thursday, Dec. 18, at 6 p.m. in the Ronan High School parking lot. All are invited to attend the releasing of the lanterns. Student Council members will sell lanterns for $5 from Nov. 26 - Dec. 18. To include your loved one, please talk to a Student Council member or contact advisor Bonnie Eva at (406) 676-3390, ext. 7543.

RONAN — The Mission Valley Sub-network of Missoula Businesswomen’s Network will welcome Amber Pacheco-Holm from Polson’s Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, Dec. 18 from 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Lake County Community Development building in Ronan. Her topic will be: “Chamber of Commerce - Who we are, What we do, and How we can Help Add Valuable Opportunities for Your Business.” The lunch sponsor is Diane Gilliland, from Thirty One Gifts.

ST. IGNATIUS — The second St. Ignatius Neighborhood Watch organizational meeting will be held on Thursday, Dec. 18, at 7 p.m. in the St. Ignatius Senior Citizens Center. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. All interested St. Ignatius citizens are encouraged to attend. The group decided at its November meeting that the need for the program exists and enough community interest exists to form the organization. General operational guidelines were also discussed. For more information, call Mack McConnell at (406) 745-4151.

BIG ARM — Please join us at the historic Big Arm School for our annual December potluck and Christmas sing-along on Friday, Dec. 19, at 6 p.m. Bring a favorite dish to share with your friends and neighbors. We will begin dining at 6 p.m. and will be led in some Christmas caroling by members of the Sisler family. So bring a dish and your sweet singing voices and join us for some holiday cheer. For more information, please feel free to contact Nancy Foster at (406) 846-5064

POLSON — Baby massage will be the topic of the December Community Connection sponsored by the Parents as Teachers program of the Lake County Public Health Department. This free program is open to all area parents and their children and will take place on Friday, Dec. 19, from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. The lunchtime event will take place in the department’s conference room at 802 Main St. in Polson.

Polson massage therapist Mary Gertson will demonstrate massage techniques you can use on your baby. This will be a “hands on” demonstration – bring your baby or toddler and learn some relaxing techniques for the both of you.

Family Support Specialists will provide information about the Parents As Teachers program, and a light lunch will be provided. There will also be gift bags for all attendees.

We hope to see you on Friday, Dec. 19. For more information, call the Lake County Health Department at (406) 883-7209.

RONAN — The annual Parade of Lights will be held on Main Street Friday, Dec. 19 at 6 p.m. Line up begins at 5:30 p.m. The Second Chance Saloon will donate kids’ candy but donations of candy, fruit or snacks are appreciated. Santa will be at the City Park for pictures and the Holiday Extravaganza drawing will take place following the parade. For more information, call (406) 544-2199 or (406) 544-3219.

POLSON – Local novelist Maggie Plummer will be signing copies of her newly published sequel, “Daring Passage: Book Two Of The Spirited Away Saga,” at Dawn’s Flower Designs, 318 Main Street, on Friday, Dec. 19, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Plummer’s popular first novel, “Spirited Away – A Novel Of The Stolen Irish,” paints an intimate, compelling portrait of 1650s Irish slavery in the Caribbean. “Daring Passage” is a much-awaited sequel that tells the rest of Irish slave Freddy O’Brennan’s tale. It’s still 1656, and Freddy is on the run. Determined to protect her young children and keep her family together, she is tested more than ever as she navigates a choking gauntlet of greed, corruption, duplicity, and bloody violence. Romantic sparks fly, then smolder, and ultimately threaten to explode. Freddy's story, inspired by historical events, captures a rare, authentic glimpse of New World colonies in the 17th century.

POLSON — Stop in to the Cove Deli on Friday, Dec. 19, from 5-7 p.m. for pictures with Santa. See you there.

PABLO — There will be a free community round dance and feed to honor veterans on Friday, Dec.19 at the Salish Kootenai College Joe McDonald Health Center Camas Room at beginning at 6 p.m.

SKC Veterans Support Group along with local groups and donors are sponsoring this holiday event.

Veterans, military, and law enforcement officials are invited to bring their families for a break from the holiday ruckus and be honored for their service.

The night is lined up with door prizes, dinner, socializing and dancing.

Invited veteran speaker is James Knapp, a Two Eagle River School graduate and Marine combat military police who served in Hellmund Providence, Afghanistan.

Colors will be posted by the local Veterans Warrior Society.

Emcee will be John Colliflower, U.S. Army veteran.

Welcoming veterans and families will be Marine veteran, Vincent Curley.

Stick man for the round dance will be Walden Tewawina.

SKC Veterans Support Group’s goal is to bring all walks of life together to recognize the service and sacrifice men and women have experienced serving our country.

The purpose of the community round dance is help build understanding of a “culture” that is within our society. Through the stories and recognition of local servicemen, the group of veterans helping veterans, hope this will be an opportunity of healing, support, and relationship building for the community.

Veterans, military personnel, law enforcement service men and women and families are all encouraged to come out to pay honor and be honored through a meal, friendships, and dancing.

SKC Veteran’s meetings are held at the SKC Bookstore conference room on the eastside of campus. The veteran’s group meets every Wednesday at noon to 1:30 p.m. with lunch provided.

ST. IGNATIUS — On Sunday, Dec. 21, at 4 p.m. you are cordially invited to attend a benefit concert with all donations going directly to the restoration project at the St. Ignatius Mission. The Treasure State Chorale will bring the true “Spirit of Christmas” to the church with exciting, festive, and joyous music so plentiful at this time of year. Set aside that Sunday afternoon to leave behind the hustle and bustle and enjoy the music of the season while helping restore the Mission. Any questions can be addressed to 745-2768.

POLSON — Come meet your local massage therapist on Monday, Dec. 22, and try a sample massage and get great deals on gift certificates for you or family and friends. This event is at Montana Coop, 401 Main Street, from 6-8 p.m. Give the gift of health and meet your massage professionals. Therapists are welcome. 

PABLO — You are welcome to join us as well to promote our great students. The annual Pablo Elementary Christmas Program, “Big Dreams for Christmas,” will be presented on Tuesday, Dec. 23, at 9 a.m. in the Pablo Elementary gym. All grade levels will perform along with a fourth grade special choir. The program this year will include traditional carols, swing, and rock and roll favorites; instrument accompaniments; and each grade level will perform a song that relates to a character and the core values here at our school… respect, responsibility and active learning. It will be a performance worth seeing so plan now on attending and let’s support our students as they take the stage.

RONAN - Are are welcome to join us for a Christmas Eve Service at 7:00 pm- St. Paul Lutheran Church, 35681 Terrace Lake Road. Call the church at 676-8280 for more information

RONAN — A Christmas Eve candlelight service will be held at Lighthouse Christian Fellowship at 6 p.m. The fellowship is located at 207 Eisenhower Street. For more information, call (406) 676-3361.

RONAN — Faith Lutheran Church will have two candlelight Christmas Eve services on Dec. 24; one at 7 p.m. and a second at 10 p.m. All are welcome to join us at 406 Fifth Ave. SW. For more information, call (406) 676-2721.

POLSON — There will be no Community Dance at the Elks Club on this date.

POLSON — Polson Community Church will present a candlelight service on Christmas Eve at 5 p.m. with a program on “Chrismons,” monograms of Christ, each representing some aspect of who He is. The church is located at 1814 First Street E. All are welcome.