POLSON — Port Polson Players will present “Almost, Maine,” a romantic comedy, Aug. 14-31, at Polson’s beautiful theatre on the lake. Curtain time is 8 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday. For reservations or more information, call (406) 883-9212.

CHARLO — The Mission Valley United Methodist Church, Hwy. 93, top of Post Creek Hill, cordially invites all teachers, administrators, bus drivers, etc. to a free Teacher Appreciation Luncheon on Tuesday, Aug. 26, at noon. Teachers from Charlo, Dixon, Ronan, St. Ignatius, Two Eagle River and Pablo Elementary are invited. We appreciate your effort to educate our Valley’s youth. School supplies will also be available. See you there.

POLSON — The Polson City/County Planning Board is holding work sessions to review draft changes to the Polson Development Code. The Tuesday, Aug. 26, 6 p.m. meeting will consider changes to medium-density residential zoning district, including, new districts (Old Town and Hospital mixed zoning districts). The Polson Development Code contains the zoning and subdivision regulations for the City of Polson and surrounding area. The public is invited to attend and participate in the meetings. Each meeting will be held in the Polson City Council chambers. 

Copies of the draft PDC and memos describing the topics can be found at City Hall and the Lake County Planning Department in the Lake County Courthouse or at:

http://www.cityofpolson.com/ and www.lakemt.gov/planning/planning_zoning.html.

For additional information, please contact LaDana Hintz at: lhintz@lakemt.gov or (406) 883-7235.

MONTANA — The American Red Cross encourages all eligible blood donors to make an appointment to donate blood soon to help prevent a shortage. 

A blood drive will be held in Polson on Wednesday, Aug. 27 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at Lake County Employees, 802 Main Street. 

To donate blood call (1-800) 733-2767 or visit: redcrossblood.org to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. 

POLSON — Western Night takes place on Wednesday, Aug. 27, at the Elks with Heart to Heart playing. Wear your cowboy duds and join the fun. Treats have been super and enjoyed by all. Come dance from 7 to 10 p.m. and please leave your horse at the door. 

POLSON —  A free community dinner will be served on Thursday, Aug. 28, at the Fellowship Baptist Church, 2 Seventh Ave., from 6-7:30 p.m. 

The menu is an open potluck. All are welcome.

POLSON — A Booster Club Tailgate and Membership Drive will take place on Aug. 29, from 5:30-6:45 p.m. at the football stadium upper parking lot before the Polson Pirates vs. Raymond, Alberta team. New booster club members and students with activity cards eat free. Dinner for all nonmembers and students without activity cards will cost $5 or $20 for a family. Annual booster membership for individuals is $25.

ST. IGNATIUS — The St. Ignatius Chamber of Commerce is taking orders for the 2015 community birthday calendar. There will be a table at Rod’s Harvest Foods Aug. 30, Sept. 2 and Sept. 12. The deadline is Sept. 21. You may call LaVonne Olmsted at (406) 745-3423, to arrange for another time. 

September 2014 is Back-to-School Box Top Drive month. When was the last time you dumped a jar of change into the trash? Probably never! So, why would you toss out Box Tops? Each Box Top is worth 10 cents for your school – so don’t dump these dimes in disguise, instead drop them in the little red school house in the Wal-Mart lobby or in the bill pay box at Super One Foods (by the bank entrance). All collections benefit the Mission Valley Christian Academy whose mission is to provide a Christ-centered quality education to prepare students to be lifelong servant leaders. For more information on the Box Top program go to http://www.btfe.com/.

POLSON — A cancer support group for cancer patients, cancer survivors and caregivers meets twice a month on the second and fourth Mondays at the United Methodist Church, 301 Sixteenth Ave. E from noon-1 p.m. Participants can bring lunch or join members at a restaurant following the meeting. For more information about the support group, call Tammy at (406) 883-7284 or (406) 824-2868

PLAINS — Sanders County Arts Council announces the opening of the summer show of “Art on the Walls” at the Clark Fork Valley Hospital in Plains. Original artworks by Valerie Curtiss, Rosa Dolson, Rachel Gonzalez, Gary Hensley, George Humeston, Crystal Kingston, Sun Honts Mann, Jina McHargue and Karen Thorson will be shown. The show runs from June 26-Sept. 23. For additional information, call Mary McClenahan at (406) 826-0112 or Joy Nelson at (406) 826-8585.

PABLO — Rez Hope Talk Circle holds their weekly talk circle every Thursday night from 6-7 p.m. at the Respite House in Pablo.  

For more information, please feel free to call Jon Denton at (406) 499-2355.

RONAN — Join the Valley Journal in celebrating 10 years as your homegrown newspaper on Saturday, Sept. 20, from 2-6 p.m. at the Ronan Community Center. The party will include a jumping castle, free popcorn, cotton candy and balloons. The Montana Kids Co-op will offer a gluten-free personal pizza or a fresh, locally grown salad for $5 each. They will also offer cupcakes for sale. The Valley Journal is a community-supported newspaper and we want to thank every person that has had a hand in the success of this locally owned business. We hope to see you so we can thank you for your support.

ST. IGNATIUS —  The St. Ignatius Chamber of Commerce is taking orders for the 2015 community birthday calendar. There will be a table at Rod’s Harvest Foods Sept. 2 and Sept. 12. The deadline is Sept. 21. You may call LaVonne Olmsted at (406) 745-3423, to arrange for another time. 

POLSON — North Lake County Public Library in Polson will resume extended winter hours beginning Sept. 1.

The library will be open from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays through the end of May. This change is intended to better serve the public, particularly students who may need library resources for homework. On mornings when there is an advertised children’s program, the doors will open at 10 a.m.

Friday and Saturday hours will be as follows: 11 a.m.– 6 p.m. on Friday, and 11 a.m.– 4 p.m. on Saturdays. The library is closed on Sundays and holidays.

Please call the circulation desk at (406) 883-8225 with questions, or stop by the library at 2 First Ave. E.

POLSON — On Wednesday, Sept. 3, Ken’s Country Combo is scheduled to play at the Elks dance from 7-10 p.m. Bring your friends and join in the fun, for you will be missed if you are not there. Please bring a treat to share with all; they are always appreciated and enjoyed. 

POLSON — Good Shepherd’s Little Friends Preschool, 409 Fourth Ave. E, will have an open house on Wednesday, Sept. 3, from 4 to 5:30 p.m.

During that time, you can meet teacher Heather Holmes and explore the classroom. Little Friends Preschool is a joyful ministry of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, offering a Christian-based education with an emphasis on art fundamentals. Classes are offered 8 a.m. to noon for students ages 3-5. For more information, come to the open house or call Heather at (406) 370-6397.

POLSON — Polson’s Chamber general meeting and luncheon is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 3, at the KwaTaqNuk Resort from noon-1 p.m. The featured speaker will be Rob McDonald presenting on the state of the Tribe. A hot entrée lunch will be served for $14. 

For more information, please contact the chamber office at (406) 883-5969.  

POLSON — The Assistance for Business Clinic is designed to assist new and established employers, accountants, book keepers, human resource professionals, and lawyers to proactively prevent unnecessary claims and/or charges by providing updated reporting of state withholding, UI Tax requirements, workers compensation coverage, safety requirements, tax incentives, health insurance requirements, minimum wage, overtime, and/or civil rights laws. Participation in the Thursday, Sept. 4, clinic is on a first come-first-serve basis and space is limited. Cost is $40 per person or $35 per person for two or more attendees.  Lunch is included.  This training is sponsored by the Lake County Job Service Employer Committee (JSEC). To register, contact Blakely or Whitney at the Lake County Job Service, (406) 883-7880. 

BIG ARM— The Big Arm Association is holding their annual Barn Dance at the historic Big Arm School on Saturday, Sept. 6, from 6-10 p.m. “Forever Country” will provide “dancing music” for your enjoyment. There will be food available to purchase from 6-7:30 p.m. A silent auction will be held featuring many wonderful gift baskets as well as a 50/50 raffle. So put on your “dancing boots” and join us for an evening of great food and fun. For further information, please call Nancy at (406) 849-5064. 

DAYTON — The Chief Cliff Volunteer Fire Department’s annual fundraiser celebrates gangsters, molls and the roaring 20s with another costume event held at the Dayton Park on Sept. 6. There will be a car show from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; a parade at 3 p.m.; a barbecue at 4 p.m., and a rifle raffle; a silent auction and a 50/50 drawing at around 6 p.m.; a ladies bazaar and bake sale from the Dayton Church from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; free sailboat rides provided by the Dayton Yacht Club from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; free wine tasting by Mission Mountain Winery from 10a.m.-5 p.m. Bring the whole family and wear a costume. Cash prizes will be given for the best parade entries and best costumes. For more information, call Zoe at (406) 849-5917.

POLSON— The 2014 Doggy Dash event to benefit the Mission Valley Animal Shelter will be held on Saturday, Sept. 6, at the Linderman Track in Polson. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m., with the walk at 9 a.m. and contests at 10:30 a.m. Contests include owner/pet look-a-like, best trick, best talked, biggest/smallest dog, best kisser, worst hair day, and best/worst behaved. All proceeds directly benefit the animals at the shelter. Pick up pledge sheets at the animal shelter, Seconds 2 Go or Wright Real Estate.

POLSON— Chapter 1122 of the Experimental Aircraft Association will host the 16th Annual Polson Fly-In at the Polson Airport on Saturday, Sept. 6, and admission is free. The public is invited to join pilots for an exciting day of aviation activities, beginning with a pancake breakfast at 8 a.m. Static displays, float planes, antique aircraft, experimental airplanes, and home-builts. Concessions and raffles will be available.

CHARLO – The Mission Valley has been blessed to have a large number of diverse artists living and creating works here in the valley. Ninepipes Museum of Early Montana is pleased to use the gift shop as a venue to promote local artists during “First Saturday” throughout the summer months, June through September.

Husband and wife Heather and Matt Holmes will be on hand with their pottery on Sept. 6 from 10 a.m.- 5 p.m.

Please call the museum at (406) 644-3435, for additional details.

DAYTON — The little town of Dayton is holding the annual Dayton Daze festival on Saturday, Sept. 6. Mission Mountain Winery encourages you to attend their free event from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on at the Winery. We are joining the community of Dayton in celebrating its 104th anniversary. You are invited to enjoy the Dayton Daze festivities of bazaars, parades, sailboat rides, and barbecues along with wine tasting. Mission Mountain Winery is located on Highway 93 in Dayton on the west shore of beautiful Flathead Lake. A splendid time is guaranteed for all.

POLSON — On Saturday, Sept 6, from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. there will be a PEO estate sale at 26 Bayshore Drive. Select from clean, organized and “new to you” items, including: therapeutic vibrating bed; garden and kitchen items; collectible bottles dug at the farm; canning jars; furniture and records. All are in excellent condition. Join us for coffee. Call Peggy at (406) 883-5102, if you have questions.

PABLO — Youth Enrichment Saturday will take place on Sept. 6 at the Charlo-Arlee Theater at SKC. Activities and speakers are planned all day and the program is free and open to all. There will be door prizes including cell phones, camping gear, gas and gift cards. Lunch, snacks and dinner will be provided for all attendees. Christian (Supa-Man) Parrish and Marcus (EmceeOne) Guinn will co-host and Tahj Bo will be the special guest. To get involved or for more information, call Naomi Billedeaux at (406) 676-2700 ext. 1357.

POLSON — Due to conflicting schedules, the accordion jam scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 7, at the Elks, has been cancelled. Our apologies for any inconvenience this may cause.

POLSON — The Polson Foursquare Church, 3.5 miles north of the Polson Bridge, is hosting a free movie on Sunday, Sept. 7, at 6 p.m. The movie is titled “Holy Ghost” and is produced by Wanderlust Productions. See: www.holyghost.wpfilm.com for the movie trailer and more information. This film is a documentary by a Christian filmmaker that was made by the leading of the Holy Spirit. It is eye opening and you won’t want to miss it. Call (406) 883-9347 or go to: www.polsonfoursquare.org, for more information.

RONAN — St. Paul Lutheran Church offers a two-year introduction to the Christian faith course, which meets after school on Wednesdays through the school year. To enroll your seventh or eighth grader, please attend the orientation meeting on Sunday, Sept. 7, at 6 p.m. Visit: ronanchurch.org, for more information.

POLSON — The next gathering of the “Thyme for Herbs Group” will be Monday, Sept. 8, at 7 p.m. in the North Lake County Public Library meeting room, 2 First Ave. E, (use the east side door). The program will be a roundtable discussion on “Experiences with Herbs.” Come learn which herbs you need to have in your home and how to use them to stay well. Anyone interested in learning to use herbs is invited to join us. Bring your questions for discussion. For more information, call Linda Peterson (406) 319-2446.