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.

RONAN — The Mission Mountain Quilt Guild will hold their Christmas party and regular meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 5, at the Terrace Lake Community Church. It will be a potluck with set up at 5 p.m. and dinner at 6 p.m. Please remember to bring three items for the food bank, your 7x10 mug rug for the exchange and your show and tell. Hope to see everyone there.

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

RONAN —Mission Valley Back Country Horsemen will hold their next monthly meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 5, at 7:30 p.m. at the VFW. Lake County Leader reporter, Ashley Fox, will be there to do research as to what MVBCH does and what it stands for, etc. Election of officers for 2018 will also take place. Hope to see you there.

POLSON — On Wednesday, Dec. 6, the Polson Chamber of Commerce will meet at the KwaTaqNuk Resort from noon-1 p.m. for a luncheon and meeting. Cost of the lunch will be $14.50 and reservations are not required. Members will receive an update concerning the state of the city from Polson Mayor Heather Knutson and City Manager Mark Shrives. For additional information about the Chamber and its activities, call the office at 406-883-5969.

RONAN — The VFW Auxiliary meeting is on Wednesday, Dec. 6, at 6:30 p.m. at the VFW Hall in Ronan. For more information, call 406- 676-3380.

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 Kiwanis Club meet the first and third Thursday of each month at KwaTaqNuk Resort, downstairs from noon-1 p.m. Our speaker on Dec. 7 will be Diana Luke, Director of Lake County Environmental Health. Diana recently received the 2017 Department Environmental Quality Excellence Award. She will speak on a number of topics of interest, including the current trend to make homes available to tourists under programs such as VRBO and Flipkey. Please join us; we welcome all.

POLSON — Century 21 Big Sky invites the public to their annual Christmas party on Friday, Dec. 8, from 5-8 p.m. Door prizes will be awarded at 6, 7 and 8 p.m. Century 21 is located at 119 Anchor Way.

HOT SPRINGS — Have some holiday fun decorating gingerbread tipis at the Tribal Nutrition Center from 1-3 p.m.

POLSON — A free dinner will be served at Polson Presbyterian Church for the Friendship Table Dinner on Friday, Dec. 8, 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.

ARLEE — A pass-the-hat Bluegrass music event will be provided by the Gravely Mountain Boys on Friday, Dec. 8, from 6-8 p.m. at the Hangin’ Art Gallery on Highway 93 in downtown Arlee. Call 406-726-5005 for more information.

PABLO — Two Eagle River School is looking for vendors for a Holiday Bazaar to be held at the school on Friday, Dec. 8, from noon-8 p.m. The cost is $15 for one table or if needed an additional table is available. For more information or to register, please call 406-675-0292.

ST. IGNATIUS — The Mission Valley Ranch Hands’ 4-H Holiday Bazaar will be held at the St. Ignatius Community Center on Dec. 9 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. There will be shopping, concessions and Santa will be there.

HOT SPRINGS — The Parent Teacher Organization will hold a Christmas Bazaar in the school’s multi-purpose room from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

HOT SPRINGS — Horseback caroling will take place at the City Park at 1 p.m.

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 a solo part please come with a piece of music to audition at the Mission Church on December 10 or 11, 2017, from 6-8 p.m. For more information, please call 509-789 0235 or 406-370-6298.

HOT SPRINGS — A Christmas Bazaar will take place at the Symes with free pictures with Santa. The Chamber of Commerce will hold a Christmas drawing and there will be door prizes from noon–3 p.m.

HOT SPRINGS — A Community Christmas Service will be held at the Presbyterian Church at 6 p.m.

POLSON — The Mission Valley Choral Society, along with the Copeland Memorial Handbell Ringers, will present a Christmas concert on Sunday, Dec. 10, at 3 p.m. at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 409 Fourth Ave. E.

RONAN — “Lights Under the Big Sky” continues at the Ronan fairgrounds with the Christmas Market open in the Community Center at 1 p.m. The Mennonite Choir will perform at 2 p.m. and the RHS Jazz Band will follow. There will be a Live Nativity by Faith Lutheran Church and Pablo Baptist Church will perform from 4-4:30 p.m. A Kids Carnival take place from 2-5 p.m. at the Elf Workshop. RHS’ Close Up group will run concessions.

NORTH CROW — North Crow Creek Women’s Club is hosting its 88th year Christmas program on Monday, Dec. 11, at 7 p.m. at the North Crow Creek Clubhouse. We welcome one and all, so put on your dancing shoes, bring your singing voices or your musical instruments too for our annual Christmas program. We hope to see you and your friends there.

RONAN — The Ronan School District Board will meet on Monday, Dec. 11, at 7 p.m. in the Ronan High School library.

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.