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.

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.