Friday, December 19
Shop locally with “Holiday Dollars” through Dec. 31
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.
Join Big Arm holiday potluck, sing-along
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
Learn baby massage
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.
Light up your night with parade, Santa, drawing
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.
Local novelist to sign book
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.
Take pictures with Santa
POLSON — Stop in to the Cove Deli on Friday, Dec. 19, from 5-7 p.m. for pictures with Santa. See you there.
Veterans Honoring Veterans Christmas Round Dance set
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.
Sunday, December 21
Concert to benefit mission
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.
Monday, December 22
Get free massage Monday
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.
Tuesday, December 23
Pablo students to perform Christmas program
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.
Wednesday, December 24
All welcome to Christmas Eve Service
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
Candlelight service planned
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.
Choose a candlelight service
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.
Learn about ‘Chrismons’ at Christmas Eve service
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.
Thursday, December 25
Join Christmas service
RONAN - Join us at St. Paul Lutheran Church at 10 a.m. as we celebrate the Birth of Christ at our Christmas Day Worship service. All are welcome! Call the church at 676-8280 for more information. St. Paul Lutheran is located at 35681 Terrace Lake Road, Ronan.
Sunday, December 28
Benefit breakfast to help YWAM students
POLSON — A fundraising breakfast to benefit Youth With a Mission Discipleship Training School will take place Sunday, Dec. 28, from 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at Lake City Bakery on Highway 93 in Polson. Proceeds will help six students with DTS fees and outreach costs associated with YWAM Mission 21 Africa, based in Ronan. For those who wish to help but cannot attend the breakfast, donations may be sent to 36794 Bouchard Rd., Ronan, MT 59864; designate “Mission 21.” All donations are tax deductible. For more information about the breakfast, contact Silvana Tatukivei at (406) 210-9349.
Wednesday, December 31
Community Dance returns
POLSON — The Community Dance makes a return on New Year’s Eve at the Elks with Heart to Heart as the band of choice. There will be a potluck with champagne at midnight. Dance with us from 8 p.m. to midnight plus.
Community invited to alcohol-free celebration
RONAN — The public is invited to spend the evening of Dec. 31 together enjoying a free meal of prime rib and salmon. The New Year’s dinner begins at Ronan Community Center with a non-alcoholic social time at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner from 7-8 p.m. with entertainment. Although the event is free, seating is limited to 210 people, so interested community members must RSVP in advance to Melinda Smith at (406) 275-2700, ext.1295 or Roxana Colman-Herak at (406) 210-7343. The dinner is grant-funded and sponsored by the Suicide Prevention Program of Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal Social Services.