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.

POLSON — Glacier Bank and Providence St. Joseph Medical Center in Polson are co-hosting a holiday food drive. You may drop off your non-perishable, non-expired food items at the Glacier Bank Polson location and the St. Joseph Medical Center lobby. All food collected will be given to Polson Loaves and Fish Food Pantry. The drive runs through Thursday, Dec. 21, 2017. Happy holidays and thank you

ST. IGNATIUS — Welcome Home and Adult Formation classes are scheduled to be taught. Fr. Hightower will lead both an Advent and a Lenten series based on the six dimensions of adult faith formation from the USCCB document, “Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us.” Invite your friends home or come as you are to the St. Ignatius Mission Church social hall on Thursdays at 7 p.m. during Advent - Dec. 7, 14, and 21. Light refreshments will be provided.

POLSON — The Marine Corps League Hellroaring Detachment #1041, which normally meets every second Wednesday of each month will not meet in December. For more information, call 406-890-0964 or email mclhellroaring1041mt@ gmail. com.

POLSON — On Wednesday, Dec. 13, at 6 p.m. the Polson Alliance Church invites you to soup, carol singing and a treat exchange. You are also invited to participate in the “Fresh Eyes on Christmas” series presented at Polson Alliance Church, 46873 Highway 93, Sunday mornings at 10:30 a.m.

RONAN — The Ronan VFW Auxiliary is inviting everyone to the Community Christmas Dinner at the VFW Hall in Ronan on Thursday, Dec. 14. Dinner will be served from 6-7 p.m. Please bring a salad. For more information, call 406-676- 3380.

RONAN — The Ronan VFW Auxiliary is inviting everyone to the Community Christmas Dinner at the VFW Hall in Ronan on Thursday, Dec. 14. Dinner will be served from 6-7 p.m. Please bring a salad. For more information, call 406-676-3380.

POLSON — “Montana’s Energy Choices” by Ceth Eslick will be Mission Mountain Audubon’s next program on Thursday, Dec. 14, at 7 p.m. in the Polson Library Meeting Room. Everyone is welcome. Ceth Eslick will discuss the state of energy production in the United States with a focus on the Pacific Northwest.

POLSON — The Polson Rural Fire Board’s December meeting of the Polson Rural Fire District Board of Trustees will take place Thursday, Dec. 14, 6 p.m. at the Fairgrounds Station No. 1 meeting room, 25-B Regatta Rd. Please note this is a date change.

RONAN — Holiday Treasures raffle winners will be drawn and announced at the Dec. 15 “Lights Under the Big Sky” event at 6 p.m. You must be present to win. There are 14 prize packages valued between $839- $1235. Sign up at local Ronan businesses. Follow the Ronan Area Chamber of Commerce at: www.facebook.com/ronanroots.

RONAN — “Lights Under the Big Sky” continues at the Ronan fairgrounds with the Christmas Market open in the Community Center at 5 p.m.

The Reindeer Watering Hole is open from 6-9 p.m. and Flathead V8 will provide music.

Kids' crafts include using 3-D pens from 6-8 p.m. at the Elf Workshop.

Mission Valley High School Rodeo will run concessions.

RONAN — Ronan’s Main Street Parade of Lights will take place at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 15. Line-up begins at 5 p.m. behind St. Luke Extended Care Facility. Follow the parade and Santa to “Lights Under the Big Sky” for the Holiday Treasures Drawing at the Ronan Fairgrounds. For more information, call 406-676-5323 or 406- 676-5901.

PABLO — The Best Beginnings Children’s Partnership and CSKT Project Launch are co-hosting a Hopa Mountain StoryMakers workshop on the Salish Kootenai College campus on Saturday, Dec. 16, from 9-11:30 a.m. This interactive workshop takes place at the D’Arcy McNickle Library and is open to all families, (focus is on children up to age of 5). Breakfast snacks will start the day at 9 a.m. and at 9:30 a.m. Hopa Mountain staff will discuss the advantages of reading to your children. While parents participate in the discussion, childcare will be provided for on-site.

Adults may choose books to take home, and since the holidays are soon, gift wrapping will be available so books may be given as gifts. This event is free, including the books. For more information, call 406-883-7209.

RONAN — “Lights Under the Big Sky” continues at the Ronan fairgrounds with the Christmas Market open in the Community Center at 5 p.m. Samoan dancers will provide entertainment at the Reindeer Watering Hole and there will be other music. Kids crafts take place from 5:30- 8 p.m. at the Elf Workshop.

POLSON — Come check out exceptional gifts by area artisans at the Busy Elves Holiday Extravaganza on Saturday, Dec. 16, at the Polson Red Lion Inn. Search and Rescue will join the show with a gift wrapping fundraiser. Busy Elves Holiday Extravaganza includes gifts from extraordinary area artisans: crafts, arts, baked goods. There will also be turned wood, jewelry, children’s books, hand-worked leather, woodworks, Native arts, beadwork, Mary Kay, Pampered Chef, quilts, dolls, Christmas items, home décor, yarn goods, stocking stuffers, candies, butters and much more. The show is a non-profit with space fees donated to Search and Rescue.

RONAN — “Lights Under the Big Sky” continues at the Ronan fairgrounds with the Christmas Market open in the Community Center at 1 p.m. Cathy Gillhouse’s choir will sing at the Reindeer Watering Hole at 2 p.m. followed by the RHS Jazz Band. A Kids Carnival is from 2-5 p.m. at the Elf Workshop.

POLSON — The Mission Valley Elks Hoop Shoot Free Throw Contest will be held on Sunday, Dec. 17, at the Linderman Gymnasium. Registration and warm up takes place from 11:30 a.m. – noon and the contest begins at noon.

Polson, Ronan and all surrounding area boys and girls ages 8-13 (age as of April 1, 2018) are invited to participate. Categories include: 8-9 year-old boys, 8-9 year-old girls, 10-11 year-old boys, 10-11 yearold girls and 12-13 year-old boys, 12-13 year-old girls.

There is no cost to participate and no admission will be charged. Winners of each age group advance to the District Contest in Pablo on Jan. 13 to be held at the McDonald Gymnasium.

Free chili and hotdogs will be served to each contestant and their families after the shoot at the Polson Elks Club.

For more information, call 406-250-0771.

RONAN — Join us at Lighthouse Christian Fellowship, 207 Eisenhower Street, SW, on Dec. 17 at 11 a.m. for our annual children’s play entitled, “An Emoji Christmas.”

POLSON —Come one, come all, to an hour of singing with cookies and warm drinks to follow at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 110 Sixth Ave. E, on Sunday, Dec. 17, at 3 p.m. A free-will offering for Helping Hands will take place.

RONAN — The Mission Valley Children’s Choir will present its Christmas Concert on Dec. 17, at 3 p.m. in conjunction with the Lights Under the Big Sky Festival sponsored by the Ronan Chamber of Commerce. The concert will be held at the fairgrounds in the fair barn. The choir will perform secular and sacred Christmas songs and carols. Some selections will feature solos and ensembles with piano and guitar accompaniment. The concert is free of charge.

RONAN — Mission Valley Rises: Democracy Engaged! will hold a general meeting on Monday, Dec. 18, at the Safe Harbor office, corner of Eisenhower and Highway 93, at 6 p.m. Call 406-745-3001 or email: missionvalleyrises@ gmail.com for more information. Mission Valley Rises is a local, non-partisan, community-led group, committed to exploring issues that affect our community. Come join us. At this meeting, we will finalize our plans for a Jan. 9 Community Action Workshop, and look at future projects.

RONAN — The Ronan Library District’s library will be closed on Tuesday, Dec. 19, for a staff work day.

HOT SPRINGS — Christmas programs will take place at the school at 7 p.m. A Chamber of Commerce drawing will also take place.

POLSON — Dance to the music of Ken’s Country Combo at the Elks on Main Street, on Wednesday, Dec. 20, from 7-10 p.m. Remember to wear festive colors. Snacks are served at 8:30 p.m. Dancers needed.

ST. IGNATIUS — The winner of the Christmas basket will be announced on Dec. 20 at the St. Ignatius Senior Center Christmas dinner at 5:30 p.m.

Ronan High School Student Council is selling Remembrance Lanterns for $5.00 from December 1st to December 20th. They will host a release ceremony Wednesday, December 20, at 5:30 pm in the Ronan High School Parking lot. All are invited to attend and participate in the releasing of the lanterns. You may also purchase Sky Lanterns to release on your own. To include your loved one's name, please talk to a Student Council member or call 406-676-3390  extension 7543

RONAN — The K. William Harvey School first grade choir will perform in the Performing Arts Center at Ronan Middle School on Wednesday, Dec. 20, at 9 a.m. The fourth grade choir will perform in the Performing Arts Center at Ronan Middle School that same day at 1:30 p.m.

HOT SPRINGS — On Wednesday, Dec 20, the Hot Springs’ Senior Center will serve a Christmas dinner at noon. A Chamber drawing will also take place.

HOT SPRINGS — A Christmas dinner will be served at the Tribal Nutrition Center at 11:30 a.m. A Chamber drawing will also take place.

RONAN — The K. William Harvey School second grade choir will perform in the Performing Arts Center at Ronan Middle School on Thursday, Dec. 21, at 9 a.m. The third grade choir will perform in the Performing Arts Center at Ronan Middle School that same day at 1:30 p.m.

POLSON — Sponsors of December SPLASH event are Providence St. Joseph Medical Center and Glacier Bank. They are holding a joint food drive, so please bring your donations. Dust off those ugly sweaters because there will be an ugly sweater contest during the 5-7 p.m. meeting at Providence St. Joseph Medical Center. For more information, contact the Polson Chamber at 406-883-5969.

PABLO — The annual Pablo Elementary Christmas program titled, “Glo, Glo, Glorious Christmas,” will take place on Friday, Dec. 22, at 9 a.m. in the Pablo Elementary multi-purpose room. This annual holiday program will include all students of Pablo Elementary, preschool through fourth grade, performing holiday favorites and holiday surprises by grade level. Please join us in this celebration of song for the holidays.

RONAN — The Ronan library will be closed for the Christmas holiday from Saturday, Dec. 23, through Monday, Dec. 25.

POLSON — All are invited to the family Christmas Eve candlelight service at 5 p.m. at the Polson Alliance Church, 46873 Highway 93.

POLSON — Good Shepherd Lutheran Church will have two Christmas Eve candlelight worship services, one at 4:30 p.m. and one at 6 p.m. There will be no regular 9 a.m. service on Sunday, Dec. 24.

POLSON — “Night at the Museum” is free every fourth Thursday evening of each month at the Miracle of America Museum, 36094 Memory Lane. Our next gathering is scheduled for Dec. 28 when we’ll watch the short Christmas movie, “Mr. Krueger’s Christmas,” starring the lovable Jimmy Stewart. Afterwards, you’ll see the never-before-shown-tothe- public scrapbook of official 8 inch by 10 inch photos of Pearl Harbor battle damage, salvage efforts, and rebuilding progress of the naval fleet. Treats and donations are always welcome. For more information, call 406-883- 6804.

POLSON — Roast beef will be served at the fifth Friday dinner on Dec. 29 along with a lot of desserts at the Polson Community Church, 1814 First Street E, from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Don’t forget to bring a friend. No charge, no tax.

RONAN — Anyone out of high school that played, worked, coached, etc. for the area schools is wanted for teams representing: Arlee, Mission, Charlo, Ronan, Two Eagle River, and Polson. We are planning basketball tournaments on Friday, Dec. 29, and on Saturday, Dec. 30, at the Ronan Event Center. There will be men’s and coed division events for the first 12 teams in. The deadline is Thursday, Dec. 21 and the fee is $200 per team. For more information, call 406-261-1521 or 406-270-1360. Reserve your spot ASAP; don’t be left out.

ST. IGNATIUS — The annual “Running of the Toy Trains” will be held at the Railroad Museum at Four Winds Trading Post, 74205 Highway 93, from noon-4 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 31. There is free admission for all. Call Chief Engineer Preston Miller at 406-745- 4336 for more information.

POLSON — The 20th annual meeting of the “Polson Polar Plungers” will take place on Jan. 1, 2018, at 1 p.m. at Riverside Park in Polson. Appropriate attire suggested - (swimsuit and water shoes).

RONAN — The next meeting of the Mission Valley Back Country Horsemen will be held Jan. 2, 2018, at the VFW Hall on Round Butte Road at 7:30 p.m. Bill and Janet Austin and JP the Great Dane service dog will give a short program, educating the public about JP’s role as a service dog, plus bring awareness on a couple of levels about his job. A question and answer period will follow.

RONAN — The Mission Mountain Quilt Guild will hold their regular meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 2, at the Terrace Lake Community Church at 6:30 p.m. Refreshments will be provided by Donna C., Debbie T., Lori S., Kasey S. and Christina H. Be sure to bring your show-and-tell. Everyone is welcome.

ST. IGNATIUS — Do you sing? Haven’t sung since high school? It doesn’t matter; we need you. Come and raise a joyful noise and save a piece of the history of this valley. “Lamb of God” is an Easter production that will be held as a benefit for the fresco renovation at the Historic Mission Church in St. Ignatius on March 23, 24 and 25. We need choir members, soloists, orchestra participants, pianists, etc. Anyone interested in being in the choir come to the first rehearsal at the Mission Church on Jan. 3, 2018, from 6-8 p.m. Anyone interested in the orchestra or helping in some other way or just have questions, please call 509-789 0235 or 406- 370-6298.

SEELEY LAKE — On Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 6 and 7, 2018, from 9 a.m.- noon each day, all mushers (beginning or experienced) and all skijorers are invited to Montana Mountain Mushers Fun Run at the Seeley Lake Trailhead (Morrell Creek), just north of Seeley Lake. Park in the mushers parking lot and be ready to run. Participants will run their dog(s) Saturday between 9 a.m.-noon and again on Sunday between 9 a.m.-noon. There will be lots of hands-on training for everyone. This run is free but registration is required. Bring your sleds, skis and dogs to run each day. Everyone is welcome and it will be a fun, relaxed and great way to run your dogs with experienced dog mushers. For information, call 406-881-2909 or 406-677-3141, or go online to: montanamountainmushers. com.

RONAN — The Ronan School Board will meet in the Ronan High School Library at 7 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 8.

RONAN — Mission Valley Rises: Democracy Engaged! is a local, non-partisan, community-led group, committed to exploring issues that affect our community. We have invited Svein Neuman, of Northern Plains Resource Council, to explain how his organization has been so effective in bringing together people with different points of view to find solutions that work for the community. He will also engage participants in a conversation about how we can be more effective as active citizens. Join us for another interesting and informative evening on Tuesday, Jan. 9, from 6-8 p.m. at the Ronan Senior Citizens’ Center, 528 Main Street SW. For more information, call 406-745- 3001 or go to missionvalleyrises. com.

POLSON — A Polson Pachyderm meeting will be held on Feb. 9 from noon-1 p.m. at Polson Rural Fire department off Regatta road. Sheriff Don Bell will speak about the work being done to implement NIC assessment recommendations and lower the overcrowding in the Lake County Jail.

RONAN — The Ronan VFW Auxiliary 5652 will meet on Wednesday, Jan. 10, at the VFW Hall at 6:30 p.m. For more information, call 406-676-3380

LAKESIDE — A benefit entitled, “One pint at a time,” is being held to support the West Shore Community Library on Jan. 10, 2018, at the Tamarack Brewing Company from 6-9 p.m.

CHARLO — The Fort Connah Restoration Society will hold their annual membership meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2018, at Ninepipes Lodge. Social hour and no-host bar will begin at 5:30 p.m., dinner is at 6 p.m. followed by a meeting at 7 p.m. Everyone is welcome to join us.

PABLO — Five generations in the workplace – are you ready? Traditionalists, Baby Boomers, Generation X, Generation Y/Millennials, Generation Z … Today they’re all in the workforce. Rick Edwards, an expert on workplace dynamics, will talk about the challenges and opportunities of managing a multi-generational workforce. Learn how generations differ, what they have in common, and how they can work together to form productive relationships. Join us on Wednesday, Jan. 10, from 10 a.m.-noon in the Johnny Arlee /Vic Charlo Theater at SKC. RSVP at 406-676- 5901 to reserve your seat. This workshop is free.

POLSON — The Polson Rural Fire Board’s January meeting of the Board of Trustees will take place on Wednesday, Jan. 10, at 6 p.m. at the Fairgrounds Station No. 1 meeting room 25-B, on Regatta Rd.

POLSON — The January Friendship Table Dinner is on Friday, Jan. 12, from 5-6:30 p.m. Polson Presbyterian Church is located across from the Linderman School. Come join us; this dinner is free and open to all.

POLSON — The third annual “Sorry Bout That Half Marathon and Team Relay” will take place on Saturday, Jan. 13. Entry fee for the race is $33 dollars until Jan. 1, 2018, and. includes a T-shirt, a race medal, chili and coffee. For more information and registration go to: RunSignup.com and search for “Sorry Bout That Half Marathon.”

POLSON — The annual Chamber Awards banquet is set for Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, at the KwaTuqNuk Resort. Tickets are $50 each or a table of 10 for $500. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 406-528-5262 or bduty@stlukehealthcare.org.

VALLEY VIEW — Celebrate the New Year with our community potluck on Sunday, Jan. 14. Bring your drink of choice to social time at 5:30 p.m. and bring your favorite potluck dish to share for dinner at 6 p.m. Come enjoy good food and good company; everyone is welcome. The Clubhouse is located at 40762 Valley View Road. If you have any questions call 406-883-2910. We hope to see you all there.

POLSON — The Mission Valley Mariners will have sign ups on Sunday, Jan. 14, at Sweet Bliss in Polson from 1-4 p.m. (Originally scheduled for Ronan horticultural barn.) Players must be 13-19 years old. For more information, call 406-261-6015 or 406-212-2540.